Cubeball VBT

Blurb:

A naturally gifted ex-national champion and a savant with a computer-like mind compete against the world's best in the 22nd century's most popular sport - CUBEBALL - the chess-like, technology-enhanced, snooker of the future where the world stage is dominated by gambling, drugs and massive audiences.

Excerpt:

At that moment Mickey knew he had to play his way and make a shot that would not be forgotten. He called “power-play.”

He imagined the perfect shot in his mind’s eye as he circled the table twice, deliberating his fateful shot. The balls loomed large, but strangely different. The table appeared more circular than a cube as he lowered his chin to his carbon steel cue. The whole shot played in his mind as he drew back the cue to strike the cue-ball with a force that engulfed the whole stadium.

The crack of the cue-ball as it struck its target echoed sharply its warning of an imminent tidal wave of spin and curve that would capture the imagination of every fan in the stadium, or at home in front of their cubebit. In one game changing savage strike, the red ball fell into the pocket as the cue-ball savagely spun into the red triangle, spreading the reds in all directions from the centrifugal force of the cue-ball. Mickey slotted twelve red and black combinations in four minutes, gaining an unassailable lead. He followed that with a perfect defensive stroke, leaving the cue-ball safely jammed behind yellow. Flaveau conceded the game and the match, shell-shocked by the unique high-spin attack Mickey had unleashed. The break was soon nicknamed ‘the pulsar’ and it had secured Mickey the first semi-final win and a shot at the world title.

1. Have you ever had an imaginary friend?

As a boy, I imagined being a famous footballer. So I had a team of friends that I imagined I played with. We fought hard all season to triumph in the finals to become the best of the best. I think those friends helped to nurture my creativity and ultimately build in me a love for writing.

2. Do you have any phobias?

I had a life-long phobia for large spiders. But I was given good advice from a fellow sufferer, some years ago. The phobia makes us imagine the spiders’ as way larger and more threatening than they actually are. The trick is to re-enforce an opposite image of them. I envisage them sweating and fleeing from me in a panic. In reality, this is closer to the truth than the opposite image. I can’t say that my heart doesn’t skip a beat at the site of a large spider, but I do control my anxiety a whole lot better!

3. Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

Listening to music is a wonderful way to tap into your creativity. I cannot imagine a day without music or film to entertain and motivate me creatively. I am in the process of writing my latest novel, Alive. Currently, Armand Amar is my favourite music. 

4. Do you ever read your stories out loud?

I do on occasion, but only to a friend who is prepared to listen! But I admit to not doing that enough as it can feel very confronting. It’s ironic that I relish sharing my work with readers across the world, but I can feel intimidated when it is one on one. Go figure?

5. Tell us about your main character and who inspired him.

Mickey Allen was formed in my mind from an early age. I remember watching The Hustler, starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason. I was so taken by the movie, I practiced snooker and billiards in my family’s back sunroom for hours every night for years. Decades later, those memories returned to me and I decided to write a science fiction book that paid homage to the grand old game.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

January 11: Long and Short Reviews
January 11: Reviews by Crystal
January 12: Room With Books
January 13: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
January 14: Writer Wonderland
January 14: Unabridged Andra's
January 15: Christine Young
January 15: Independent Authors
January 18: Romorror Fan Girl
January 19: Deal Sharing Aunt
January 19: Cover2Cover
January 20: The Reading Addict
January 20: Liza O'Connor
January 21: Queen of All She Reads
January 22: Sharing Links and Wisdom
January 25: Blog of Jacey Holbrand
January 25: Reviews By Crystal
January 26: Author C.A.Milson
January 27: Where the Story Comes First
January 27: Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews
January 28: Harps Romance Book Review
January 29: Tina Donahue Books - Heat with Heart
January 29: The Avid Reader
February 1: SolaFide Book Club
February 2: LibriAmoriMiei
February 2: It's Raining Books
February 3: Beyond Romance
February 4: BooksChatter
February 4: Harlie's Books
February 5: Welcome to My World of Dreams

Author Bio and Links:

I worked with national and international organisations as a business analyst in Australia and overseas. I authored many business books analysing the foodservice and food retail industry in Australia, Europe and Asia, as well as agribusiness global trends.  I also ran a consultancy business that assisted Australian enterprises to develop new markets in Australia and overseas.

I commenced writing science fiction novels full time in 2009. It was a life-long interest of mine. I have written five novels - all exploring contemporary social issues in future speculative worlds. They are: Shadow Dance; Extinction; Cubeball; Titan Sages and Alive. My novels blend speculative science, new age and poetry. Readers of novels such as Carl Sagan’s Contact would enjoy my novels.

Blog     |     Goodreads     |     Website     |     iBooks

Buy link