life is change
2021.09.04Au revoir, Monsieur Henri
2021.07.27I often cite Bob Morane as a major inspiration behind Yann Vatel and the Ascalon Circle series. You may remember I did a short post about it a while ago, and I also talked about it in my guest post for Susan Shiney’s blog. Indeed, I’d go as far as to say that my Ascalon series would not exist without Bob Morane.
Today we heard the sad news that Charles-Henri Dewisme, a.k.a. Henri Vernes passed away at the not too shabby age of 102.
He leaves us literally hundreds of wonderful (if slightly dated) adventures starring Commander Robert Morane, Bill Ballantine and Professor Clairembart, going against the maleficent Mister Ming and countless other enemies, from Borneo to Kenya to the jungles of South America… Flights and chases all over the world, a James Bond with a French touch, and a great deal of affection and gratefulness for this world he gifted us.
Au revoir, Monsieur Henri, et merci.
Taking a break (again)
2021.07.19Starting immediately I’m taking a break from all social media (Twitter, FB & IG) indefinitely to take care of myself and focus on my mental health (and the WIP).
I don’t plan on returning any time soon this time so as before, follow this space for news and updates.
Clearings in the mist
2021.07.04Feels funny to suddenly realize a certain inevitably to something… A “aha” moment, when it clicks one’s no longer considering the “if” any longer, but the “when”, or even the “how”.
Some epiphanies take time, but there’s also only one way to find out where this road is going.
No, I’m not drunk. To be continued.
Coming (not quite) soon: “The Uncertain War”
2021.06.08Since I’m in it for the long haul with the current WIP, a sci-fi / space opera trilogy called “The Uncertain War”, I’ve got some milestones planned out. First one will be the cover reveal! With a planned release around November/December 2022 for book one, I’ve decided that I’ll give you this little teaser a year ahead, on my birthday no less 😉 Stay tuned!
Now back to work!
Let’s get to it
2021.05.291,015 words to kick-off the rewrite of the sci-fi WIP, starting over from page one. Current wordcount (stalled since about 2013) stands at approx. 78K across the three parts, with extensive revision needed, so this will take a while… And longer to write the missing parts!
It’s only the beginning. Small steps are good steps! I’m very happy to be revisiting this universe, and I hope to give more news about it soon(-ish)!
Praise for “The Kerguelen Cat”
2021.05.18Praise for “The Kerguelen Cat” – 5 ⭐️!!
Thank you so much! The second installment in the Ascalon Circle series is now out on Amazon in Ebook and paperback! Hop aboard for a flight fraught with dangers amidst spies and conspiracies!
What a journey!
2021.05.16
Ten years separate the first sentence of “The Dragon Run” from the “The End” in “The Kerguelen Cat”! I wrote this first page in 2011 as a prompt, not knowing where it would take me. I later learned about the raider Atlantis and its 1940 stop at Kerguelen, with a casualty that ended up being the southernmost German war grave in the world. I wondered what other motives could have caused it to make that stop, looked up the distances… And voilà, a story was born!
Join Yann Vatel in his first two Ascalon assignments! Fly across 1938 Europe in a DH.89 Dragon Rapide, get ready for frantic car chases and close calls, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of colonial Saigon, caught between gun runners of dubious allegiance and powerful enemies lurking in the shadows… And hop aboard the mighty PBY Catalina for a flight you’ll never forget!
The Ascalon Circle I & II, available now on Amazon for Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and on paperback! And get the Companion PDFs Planes of Ascalon, volume 1 & 2, for free here on my website.
“The Kerguelen Cat” is LIVE!
2021.05.15The day has come! It’s my great pleasure to announce the launch of “The Kerguelen Cat” today, the second adventure of Yann Vatel.
Set a year after the events of “The Dragon Run”, TKC finds our hero in Bombay, where the Ascalon Circle uncovers a plot that could put the entire Allied forces in peril. Caught between a formidable foe and unlikely alliances, Yann embarks on a series of events that will put him on his most dangerous flight.
Get it now on Amazon (ebook & paperback): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BLKM6K4/
Download the “Planes of Ascalon” companion PDF: http://www.rachelrelat.net/downloads/tkc/poa_vol2.pdf
Planes of Ascalon, volume 2, coming along!
2021.05.13The “Planes of Ascalon” companion booklet is going well! This PDF features the specs and history of the various aircraft featured in the Ascalon Circle books.
Volume 2 features the PBY Catalina, of course, but also the Lioré-et-Olivier H-198, the Mitsubishi Type 96, the Caudron Simoun, and several others! A must-have for vintage aviation enthusiasts, and completely free!
