BEWARE THE FLESHEATER

No, I’m not talking about zombies. I'm talking about this fierce looking combat knife called the Flesheater. 

It was designed by world renowned martial artist and retired USMC Master Sergeant AJ Advincula (my sensei), and custom made by knife maker Jim Hammond.

It's also the knife my alpha gladiators use in my sci-fi romance series, The Survival Race. We’re first introduced to the knife in book one, Captive: An Alien Abduction SciFi Romance, where broken-warrior Max uses it as he and his “mate,” Addy, escape from alien captivity.  

This 14 inch knife, with its nine inch re-curve blade, was designed for one thing: combat. And Max knows how to wield it in a fight. 

I own this knife (though my husband mistakenly believes it's his, but let's not open up that can of worms) and train with it. Let me tell you, it is one serious weapon. You can cut a limb off with this thing! 

Don't believe me? Watch the ten second video below from karate camp 2013. (Yeah, karate camp isn't your typical camp, folks).

Relax, no humans were hurt in the making of this video. We simply took a rolled up tatami mat and soaked it in lake water. This dense, waterlogged tatami is supposed to simulate the muscle of a human arm. If you wanted to simulate bone, you'd add a dowel to the center of the mat. Anyone can cut through tatami with a sword, but you need to have good technique with a short blade. Play the video clip and watch what this awesome knife can do. 

*Warning* Don't do this at home kids.

If Max could see me, I hope he'd be proud.

For specifics on the Flesheater knife, its history and design—including the unique four grip handle—I encourage you to click over to Custom Knife Maker Jim Hammond's website.

Here's an except from Renegade (book 3) in which Max teaches scientist Griffin (this book’s hero) how to use the Flesheater combat knife to slit a throat as Griffin will be competing in the Survival Race.

***

Dawn cracked the sky. Chirping birds took flight as Max and Griffin approached the tree line of Duncan’s house. Max thrust a dagger hilt into Griffin’s hand. “Slit his throat.”


“Whose throat?”


“The tree. Imagine it’s your opponent. Slit its throat.”


Griffin glanced up into the branches. “He’s a little tall—”


The whack upside his head came hard and fast. 
“Don’t be an idiot.” Max grabbed the knife, slunk behind the tree trunk—roughly the width of a human head—and wrapped an arm around it. You hold the man’s head snug against your shoulder and neck. This prohibits him from moving and exposes his throat. Then cut him.” He sliced the tree. “It’s as simple as that. Your turn.”
 

Feeling stupid, Griffin slit the tree’s throat a few times.


“Moving on.” From behind, Max’s hand clamped down on Griffin’s nose and mouth, suffocating him as his head jerked back against Max’s body. Back arched, he saw sky. 


Max stepped backward and Griffin, helpless, stumbled backward with him. Max jerked him left and Griffin stumbled left, trying to keep upright. He jerked right, and Griffin stumbled right. “See how your body follows wherever I move your head?”


See it? No. Feel it. Absolutely.


“Feeling vulnerable?” From the laughter in Max’s voice, he enjoyed having the upper hand. 


Vulnerable was an understatement. Griffin struggled to breathe beneath the strong hand crushing his nose and mouth.


Flailing his hands to hit Max’s face or poke his eyes didn’t work. His head tightly pinned, Griffin was helpless as Max dragged him in circles. Good thing he didn’t eat breakfast, or the dizziness would’ve made him vomit. When Max stopped, something sharp burned across his neck. 


Griffin crumpled to the ground, clawing at his throat. It wasn’t cut as he feared. It was scratched. 


“Fingernail,” Max said. “There’s no time to slice you open for real.” 


“Uh. Thank you?”


“Here.” He gave him a hand up off the forest floor. “You try.”


After a moment to regain breath and bearings, Griffin stood behind Max and snaked an arm around his face. 


In a quick motion, Max slipped the hold. A hand clamped over Griffin’s mouth and nose again. His head jerked backward. A fingernail sliced his throat. “Too slow. Do it again.” Max shoved him away. 


On the next try, forest and sky spun. The ground slammed into his back, knocking the wind out of him. 


“Take control or you’ll be thrown.”


He coughed and gasped until his breath finally normalized. “Can’t you stand still for a minute until I get the technique down?”


“Where’s the fun in that? Get up. Do it again.”


Each frustrating time Griffin tried, Max countered and simulated slicing his throat. His neck burned. Sweat dripped into the raw wounds and stung. 

And then it happened. 

Maybe Max had fatigued from two hours of training on an empty stomach or maybe Griffin finally learned, but with quick and controlled movements, he found himself slicing a thumbnail across Max’s neck.


Chin high, shoulders back, and chest expanded with a deep, satisfied breath, Griffin was ready to take on the world. 


“Took you long enough.” 


Yes, it did. But the fact was Griffin had done it. He’d learn how to slit a man’s throat. 


Why the hell did that make him proud?


***

Each book in the Survival Race series (CAPTIVE, FEARLESS, and RENEGADE) are stand-alone sci-fi romances in which each book's couple finds their happily ever after. No cheating. No cliff hangers. If you enjoy...

• Alien abduction/ alien captive stories


• Action adventure romance


• Enemies to lovers


• Dark, brooding alpha males


• Strong, fiery females


• Exciting scifi romances with a fresh twist

...then buy a copy and enjoy the adventure and romance today!

 
Stay safe out there!
~K.M. Fawcett

May the 4th (be with you)! Yes, I know it's May 6th.

Let's take a break from the real world and play some games for a chance to WIN A FREE sci-fi romance ebook!

This week on the Sci-fi and Fantasy Romance Facebook Page, we celebrated May the Fourth (Be With You) and our 2000+ member milestone! I had such a great time posting games and awarding books, that I thought I’d bring the fun to Spacefreighter’s Lounge. I don’t know how this will work on a blog vs on Facebook, but let’s give it a try and see. Okay? Great!

Each game answer will give you an entry into a drawing for a copy of Captive or Fearless (Books 1 and 2 in the Survival Race series). You can choose as little or as many of the four games listed below to play. Games close this Saturday May 9^th at 9:00PM EDT. The winner will be announced on this blog post at 9:15PM (5/9/20) so be sure to check back to see if you’ve won! READY?

GAME #1

For one entry into the drawing for a copy of Captive or Fearless, read my bio below and comment with something we share in common.

K.M. Fawcett is the author of the thrilling science fiction romance series, The Survival Race. She writes stories featuring underdogs and fish-out-of-water characters who find their place in the universe. She believes in happy endings and true love conquering all.

She and her husband—who wants the world to know he’s the inspiration for all her heroes (except her heroes are tones downed for believability)—own Tenchi Dojo in NJ, where they teach traditional Okinawan karate and weapons. K.M. incorporates two decades of martial arts experience into her stories to create strong, kick-ass characters who aren’t afraid to fight for the life and love they deserve.

Wielding the world as her office, K.M. exhausted many hours writing in parked cars (waiting for kids at drum lessons and ballet classes), on airplanes, at a local coffee shop, out of doors, and in her home library with two mischievous cats vying for attention.

GAME #2

The hero & heroine in FEARLESS are gen-alts (genetically altered humans). Gladiator warlord Kedric's DNA can repair his wounds within minutes, which is advantageous in battle. With one touch, shaman-in-training Myia can jump into another person’s body and heal their spirit. Her mission is to heal Kedric’s tortured soul in order to stop him from waging war on the technologically advanced alien rulers...if only the sexy, stubborn warlord would stop evading her touch!

If you were a gen-alt, what genetic enhancement would you want? (Let’s keep it PG-13 😂) Post your answer in the comments for another entry into the drawing!

GAME #3

Complete as many steps below as you’d like. Each step gives you an entry into the drawing. Complete 5 steps for 5 entries!

1)  Add CAPTIVE to your Goodreads To-Read list  

2)  Add FEARLESS to your Goodreads To-Read list

3)  Follow me on Bookbub.

4)  Follow me on Amazon. 

5)  Sign up for K.M. Fawcett's monthly newsletter for sneak peeks, cover reveals, book updates, and a self-defense article in each issue!!

Comment below with which step(s) you completed.

GAME #4

Based on these blurbs which book would you choose to read? Answer: Captive or Fearless in the comments for an entry into the drawing.

CAPTIVE (The Survival Race book1)

Rookie cop Addy Dawson must escape her alien captors. Caged with a brazen alpha gladiator claiming to be her mate, Addy refuses to breed warriors for the Survival Race—a blood sport where the last man alive wins. Nothing and no one will stop her from finding a way home, including the exasperating rogue determined to seduce her.

Years of killing for entertainment have turned Max into a hardened beast. The only time he feels human is when at stud. But when a fiery woman from his home world rejects him, her rebellious spirit awakens a part of his soul he thought long dead.


Bound together by a desire for freedom, Addy and Max will risk torture or worse to break out. But the hunted pair will never find refuge unless they can learn to trust each other with their lives…and their hearts.

FEARLESS (The Survival Race book2)

Escaped gladiator Kedric wants revenge on the alien rulers who bred him for blood sport and genetic experiments. Nothing will prevent him from leading an attack on his enemy, not even the irritating-yet arousing-spiritual healer hell bent on stopping him.

Myia holds the power to heal Kedric's lust for war...if she can control her emotions long enough to soul jump him. But how can the shaman-in-training find inner peace when the stubborn warlord refuses her touch and ignites her temper?

When Myia embraces Kedric's darkest secrets, their destinies unite in a fight to save their loved ones. But victory will demand they surrender more than their hearts.

Thank you for participating!! I hope you had fun playing along and learning about me and my alien abduction, alpha gladiator series, the Survival Race! Each book is an enemies-to-lovers, alpha male, strong female, stand-alone story that is a part of a series in which each couple gets their HEA. No cliff hangers! Captive features a slow burn relationship as the hero and heroine learn to trust each other. Fearless features a steamer relationship that involves a little…ahem…sexual healing. 😉

If you’d like to taste each book, you can the read the first chapter for free on my website www.kmfawcett.com. While there, be sure to subscribe to my monthly newsletter for sneak peeks, cover reveals, updates, and a self-defense article in each issue!! Remember to friend me on Facebook, too!

Stay safe out there and happy reading!

~ K.M. Fawcett

Romance for the Rebel Heart

www.kmfawcett.com

Personal Space

One of the oddest things I find in this Covid-19 era is how physical distancing affects different people. My family and I have been sheltering in place for four weeks now, but I remember what my husband, Scott, said to me the first week (like the second day into Shelter in Place).

Scott: “People aren’t meant to stay at home. We’re social creatures.”
Me: “Not all of us.”

 You can tell which one of us is extroverted and which one is introverted. Out of my family, I’ve been the least affected from the stay at home order. Even though the last three years I have been meeting my friend and author Stacey Wilk at Starbucks or Panera to write four times a week, we’re not socializing…much. We put on our headphones and fall into our own worlds. The rest of the time, I write at home in solitude. I’m still writing at home, though now I have more interruptions as I’m not alone. There are four of us here. I’ve experienced more social interaction as a result of this virus, not less. Lol.

Social distancing is much harder for my gregarious and outgoing husband who enjoys meeting new people and making new friends with anyone, anywhere, and at any time. It’s also difficult for my two college age children. What 19 and 22-year-old wants to see their parents all day, every day? It’s been especially hard on my son whose senior year ended abruptly and without fanfare, and who probably won’t get a graduation ceremony next month.

My husband and I are runners and when we are out on our runs, we now give the dog walkers, kids on bikes, and other exercisers a wide berth. I want to protect others from breathing in my exhaled breath and protect myself from breathing in theirs. It makes me feel bad to have to run in the street instead of the side walk for a few strides until we pass, but it’s safer. And I always try to smile, say hi, or give a nod of acknowledgement. Just because we are distancing for safety, doesn’t mean we can’t be friendly or polite.

I haven’t gone to a store in weeks. Scott has been picking up any groceries we need, but he says everyone keeps their distance, which is good but, again, odd. Our society’s comfortable personal space used to be about two feet. Now it’s six feet or more.

However, this distancing doesn’t have to be the case with our characters. Most of us are probably not writing a story set in a Covid-19 world. So lets take a look at what personal pace (and the invasion of it) in fiction can look like and how to use it to tell a good story.  

How do you feel when someone enters into your personal space, whatever distance that space may be? It depends on the person right? My husband and children can get close, but everyone else needs to stay back. How do your characters feel when another character enters their personal space? The answer again depends on their relationship. A young child climbs into her grandmother's lap for story time. A father holds his child's hand or picks him up when walking together. A husband rubs his wife's shoulders. A girl snuggles with her boyfriend while watching TV. In each of these examples, the other person doesn't feel his or her personal space has been invaded because a familiar intimate relationship has already been established between the two people.

Characters with a desire to create an intimate relationship won't automatically cross this invisible barrier with the object of their affection. Like real people would, they slowly test the other person's personal space and evaluate the response based on verbal and nonverbal cues (body language). For example, as the hero and heroine banter, she moves closer to him. He doesn't back away. She takes this as a good sign and touches his arm. And so on...  You can create page-turning sexual tension as one character figures out how to cross into the other character’s personal space. Your scene might start off with a gaze from across a crowed room (or something less cliched) and progress to “leaning".  For a definition of leaning, and a great example of increasing sexual tension by crossing into personal space, watch this Youtube clip from the movie While You Were Sleeping.

But what if your character doesn't want someone invading her personal space? Perhaps she is in a crowded elevator, subway or cafe? Many times it's hard to maintain personal space in these situations. Most people try to give each other the illusion of personal space by avoiding eye contact. But what if the other character doesn't do this? What if the character maintains eye contact or moves into her personal space uninvited? Now we have a different kind of tension.

What will your character do when a drunk guy gets into her personal space in a bar? Hopefully she'll tell him to back off while she physically steps back and raises her open hands in front of her to create space and a protective barrier between them. If he backs off, great. She can enjoy the rest of her night. If he steps into her personal space again, she knows this guy--the villain, perhaps--is not harmless. A nice palm heal to the nose might do the trick, which is the other reason her hands went up in front of her. It might have initially appeared as though she merely created space, but her weapons were ready to strike if needed. Of course, your scene will be shaped by your characters' personalities. Would she run away, strike him, or call for help? Would he chase her, block and counter her strike, or pull a weapon like a knife or gun?

Showing your characters' interactions around and within each others' personal space reveals character personality, establishes relationships, demonstrates intimacy or lack thereof, and increases tension—sexual or otherwise.

In FEARLESS (The Survival Race #2) Myia can soul jump into someone else's body to heal their tortured spirit, but she has to be touching them first. She tries to heal the warlord, Kedric, but he's determined to evade her touch. The story has many fun (and sexy) instances where the boundaries of personal space are explored including the innocent shaman trying to seduce the warlord (badly), mingling auras, and a very intimate scene where she enters inside his body, comes face-to-face with his pain and fears, and tries to reawaken his soul.

What are your favorite scenes (in books or movies) that demonstrate crossing into personal space? Have you thought about your character's personal space and their reactions to someone getting too close? I love talking with you (while maintaining a healthy distance, right now) so please leave a comment.

Stay safe out there!

~K.M. Fawcett
Romance for the Rebel Heart
www.kmfawcett.com

The Adam & Eve Approach to Character Development

A while ago someone asked me about my process for developing my heroes and a heroines. Do I make a character sketch? Do I use real world influences?

Sometimes I get an idea for a character and then create a story around them. Sometimes I get an idea for a story and then create a character to fit the story.

With CAPTIVE (The Survival Race #1), the story idea came first. I was watching the rescue of mistreated horses on an episode of Animal Cops. It was heart-wrenching to see those beautiful animals neglected and starved so thin their rib cages showed. How would their owners have felt if they were penned up and abused like that? This got me thinking. What if humans were pets, and someone—aliens perhaps—bred us and gambled on us for sport like we do in horse racing, dog racing, and cockfights? What if they wanted to be entertained by watching alpha gladiators fight to the death? Hmm... I have no idea what happened in the rest of the episode, as I was busy cogitating an alien abduction story idea.

This new plot required a tortured alpha male stripped of his humanity. Enter Max, a broken, brooding gladiator forced to kill for entertainment. Fighting to the death over and over again has turned Max into a hardened beast. The only time he feels human is when at stud. Next, I had to figure out what kind of heroine could “reawaken” his humanity and show him he is a good man worthy of love. I created Addy, a strong-willed, rebellious heroine whose fighting spirit inspires Max. Abducted and forced to be Max’s mate, Addy refuses to breed warriors for the Survival Race. Her goal is to escape captivity and find her way home.

The hero of FEARLESS (Survival Race #2) [RELEASES TODAY - WOOT!] was introduced in Captive. His character was already partially formed, therefore, I needed to create a story around him. Since Kedric is an escaped gladiator, I figured he’d want revenge on the alien rulers who bred him for blood sport and genetic experiments. As I brainstormed this story idea, I also brainstormed the kind of heroine this gladiator warlord would need.

She had to be strong, but in a subtle way. If Kedric desired war, she’d need to desire peace. Warlord Kedric needed a heroine who could tame his lust for revenge and bring peace into his heart. Who better to do that but a spiritual healer? Kedric’s heroine was created especially for him and new to the series. This couple was exciting to write about. The warlord and the spiritual healer have opposing goals, but we all know what happens to opposites, right? Sexual tension! The heat level is a bit steamier in Fearless than it was in Captive, as Myia can’t jump into Kedric’s soul to heal his pain unless they touch. Oh boy, I had fun watching sweet, innocent Myia trying to seduce an alpha gladiator warlord.

While plotting RENEGADE (Survival Race #3), I realized once again that I have a hero—introduced in Fearless—and a partial plot but no heroine. I actually went through three different heroines trying to figure out who would work best! The first two weren’t getting the job done. They were already established characters, but were not right for what the hero needed or what the plot needed...or, quite frankly, what I needed. Those heroines weren’t getting me excited to write the story. After much cogitating, I came up with the hero’s perfect match. This kick-butt alpha heroine is exactly what the nerdy scientist hero needed, and boy was she fun and exciting to write about!

So what have I learned about my character development process? Apparently, I take the Adam and Eve approach. I create the man first and then from the man create the perfect woman for him. :)

No matter how my characters are born, I always develop them further with a character sketch. I can’t write them if I don’t know their goals and motivations, their wounds and fears, the lie they tell themselves, their flawed coping mechanisms, and what they truly need and desire in order to live their truth and find true happiness. Most of this is from Michael Hague’s lectures and will be a separate post for another time. I’ve also enhanced my characters with bits and pieces from real world influences. Shh…don’t tell my family or friends. ;)

Readers - have you ever read about characters that were perfect for each other? Have you ever read about characters that weren’t and wondered why the author forced them together? 

Writers - What’s your character development process? Do you do a character sketch? Do you use real world influences?

I love hearing from you! Please leave a comment or two! But before you do, let me remind you it’s…

 RELEASE DAY FOR FEARLESS!

Escaped gladiator Kedric wants revenge on the alien rulers who bred him for blood sport and genetic experiments. Nothing will prevent him from leading an attack on his enemy, not even the irritating–yet arousing–spiritual healer hell bent on stopping him.

Myia holds the power to heal Kedric’s lust for war…if she can control her emotions long enough to soul jump him. But how can the shaman-in-training find inner peace when the stubborn warlord refuses her touch and ignites her temper?

When Myia embraces Kedric’s darkest secrets, their destinies unite in a fight to save their loved ones. But victory will demand they surrender more than their hearts.

**This enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, sci-fi romance is a stand alone story in the Survival Race series with a new hero and heroine in each book who find their happily ever after.**

Available now at Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo

Enjoy the adventure and romance!

K.M. Fawcett
Romance for the Rebel Heart
www.kmfawcett.com 

Spring Break - Party Safely!

Spring is almost here! You know what that means? Spring Break and time to let loose! If it’s been a while (a long while for some of us) since you’ve partied during spring break, these tips are good to remember at any time.

PLAN A: There is safety in numbers, so go out with a group of friends you trust, stay together, and leave together. Don’t leave--or let your friends leave--with a stranger. Be sure you have a designated driver. If you decide to stay out later, leave earlier, or realize your designated driver has been drinking, switch to PLAN B: Call someone you trust to come get you or call a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. Remember to fully charge your cell phone before going out and have emergency cash.

PLAN A: Don’t share too much personal information (phone number, birthday, address) with people you’ve just met. Don’t trust someone just because they’re attractive. Serial killer Ted Bundy (who kidnapped, raped, and murdered dozens of women in the 70s) was an attractive, college-educated, and charismatic man. If you really like the person you’re getting to know and want to talk again, go to PLAN B: Get their number instead.

PLAN A: Know how much you're going to drink before going out. Once you’re buzzed, you quit making good decisions. If you’re going through your drinks faster than you anticipated, try PLAN B: Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks. No one needs to know your third and fourth rum and Cokes are only Cokes or that you filled up your beer bottle with water.

PLAN A: Don't leave your drink unattended. If you leave to go to the restroom, the dance floor, or to make a phone call, then implement PLAN B: throw out that drink when you return. You can always buy another one. Aren’t you glad you brought that extra cash now?

PLAN A: Drink only from bottles or cans you have opened or have watched the bartender pour. Don't accept drinks that are in punch bowls or other open containers. Never accept drinks from strangers or people you don’t absolutely trust with your life. If you didn't see what went into your glass, assume anything can be in it. Your nonalcoholic drink could be spiked with alcohol. Your alcoholic drink could be laced with drugs. Even if it isn't drugged, the person buying you a drink may think you now owe them something in return. You don't. PLAN B: Get help immediately from someone you trust with your life if...
When going out to a party, club, or bar, make a plan and stick to it. If, for some reason, things change during the night, have a backup plan.

• Your drink tastes bitter; is unusually salty; has a strange color, odor, or has foam or residue on the surface. However, it may be difficult to tell if your drink is cloudy or has an unusual color in a dimly lit room. Also, BE AWARE that many date rape drugs are colorless, odorless, tasteless and can dissolve quickly in liquid.
• You begin to feel usually drunk for the amount of alcohol you've consumed.
• You feel dizzy, nauseous, drowsy, ill, confused, have slurred speech, have trouble moving or controlling your muscles, have trouble breathing, hallucinate, or pass out.
• Your friend acts in the above manner. (Remember your buddy plan to watch out for each other?)

You or your friend may have been drugged and may be alert for only a moment longer. Call 911 immediately!

PLAN A: Stay with friends and make sure they stay with you. Don’t wander off alone even if you need to find a quiet place to make a phone call. Buddy up when going to the restroom. If you get separated from your friends and someone starts bothering you, go to PLAN B: find help from someone you trust or an employee at the bar. If you can't get away or the person refuses to stop harassing you, implement PLAN C: DEFEND YOURSELF!

Party smart and stay safe! Or better yet...stay home and read FEARLESS (The Survival Race #2)  ;-)
  
When a soul jumper embraces a gladiator warlord’s darkest secrets, their destinies unite in a fight to save their loved ones. But victory will demand they surrender more than their hearts.

Pre-order your copy now for a March 25th release. 

Amazon  *  B&N  *  Kobo

~ K.M. Fawcett
Author and martial arts instructor
Romance for the Rebel Heart
www.kmfawcett.com