Blog Tour: CHILDREN OF ALPHEIOS by Diana Fedorak

 

Children of Alpheios

by Diana Fedorak

 

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GENRE:   Sci-fi/fantasy

 

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BLURB:

 

A genetically engineered colony on a new world. A baby born different than  everyone else. A mother who will do anything to save him.

On planet Eamine, twenty-one-year-old Alina must protect her baby when Mandin is born with a remarkable DNA anomaly. The colony’s central  corporation wants Mandin for an experimental treatment program. Trained by the Expeditionary Academy, Alina knows how to survive Eamine’s harsh environment and flees to keep Mandin safe.  

While Alina tries to uncover the truth, she finds herself relying on Kiean, a  gruff pilot who protects her from threats in the midst of her new  surroundings. As an upcoming rebellion brews, Alina must discover who  she can trust, facing choices about family, life, and love. Despite the risk, Alina is determined to safeguard Mandin from the colony‘s most  powerful institutions.

 

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Excerpt One:

 

Aurore handed her a tall glass. Alina drank the citrus liquid, inhaling bubbles. The crackers and fish in front of the robot beckoned. As she savored the

alternating salty-sweet flavors, an audible ping lit up Aurore’s expeditionary link.

 

“From SG.” Aurore then read the message aloud. “AI scan correlates to a very high intelligence, but the sequence indicates a possible neurological condition. Have a pediatric neurologist look into this. Ask for Dr. Olek at Genodyne. He was one of my students at the med institute.”

 

Alina tried to swallow the cracker stuck in her throat. It couldn’t be. She was born of Phase One herself. Genodyne edited hereditary diseases out of

everyone’s genome as standard procedure. Sucking on the straw of her drink helped wash down the cracker.

 

“He said it might be a really high intelligence,” Aurore said.

 

“Yes, but a neurological condition? The doctor said they didn’t detect a radiation leak, but what if there was one? What if it’s neurodivergence or—”

 

“Mandin could be a genius for all we know,” Aurore said.

 

Alina took another swig of her drink. She had broken her rule of stating her fears aloud.

 

 

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 Topic:  What makes your book different from other Sci-Fi/Fantasy books?

 

Children of Alpheios’s premise and viewpoint character is somewhat unusual in that it centers on a mother as the central character within the story. Not rogue soldiers, a daring captain, plucky spaceship crew, or cyborg. Those are all very likable and I greatly enjoy reading them, however I chose something else for my protagonist, Alina. Rather, it’s about a young mother who is trying to protect her baby from institutions that want to exploit his DNA anomaly. In science fiction & fantasy, it’s not out of the ordinary for a protagonist to want to save a family member, or the world. My story involves a baby though, so it’s very much from how that character is transformed by motherhood to unleash her inner lioness. Additionally, while Alina does have some physiography training to explore their planet, she’s given up on that dream to become a mother, another unusual choice in science fiction or fantasy. I wanted to show a strong female character who’s also vulnerable and has self-doubts.

 

Also, my protagonist is on the young end of becoming a mother at age twenty-one because of the reproductive norms of her colony. Biology can be cruel to woman in this regard, particularly on planet Eamine where it’s difficult for humans to reproduce due to environmental factors. The women in the story tend to have children at their peak fertility periods which is in their early twenties. I had to get creative in how to make it an adventure story even with a baby in tow.

 

Children of Alpheios is also science fantasy which blends aspects of both genres. It’s set within a genetically engineered colony, so think of it as Gattaca on another planet, with a young mother cast as its lead actress. It tends more to the science fiction side in world-building. I created a planet in solar system with twin stars in a stable orbit around one another, inspired by some NASA articles I researched. The fantasy elements include paranormal powers. You’ll also see a strong romantic sub-plot in Children of Alpheios, which is more apparent in fantasy novels.

 

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Diana Fedorak is a speculative fiction writer from Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, she grew up in a Pan Am Airways family who frequently traveled overseas. Her prior career was serving as an officer in the United States Air Force.

 

Diana’s debut sci-fi novel, Children of Alpheios, was acquired by The Wild Rose Press in 2022. Set on planet Eamine, the story is about a young mother who finds herself pitted against the colony’s corporation when she discovers they desire her baby’s DNA anomaly for their genetic engineering program.

 

Children of Alpheios is available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble:

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQGMN1H8?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KVNA6BPQ2KB3Y6J0KZQ0

 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/children-of-alpheios-diana-fedorak/1142852307?ean=9781509247769

 

More information about Diana can be found at these sites:

 

https://www.dianafedorak.com/

 

https://www.facebook.com/dianafedorakauthor

 

https://twitter.com/diana_fedorak

 

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GIVEAWAY :

 

Diana Fedorak will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway