Gina Rae Mitchell

Star Rider Universe Series by Heidi Skarie and a Review of Book 1, Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge ~ Author Post on Cover Designs ~ Giveaway ~ Excerpt | #SpaceOpera #SciFi #Adventure @GoddessFish @HeidiSkarie

Can a small band of heroes save their world from a ruthless interplanetary conqueror?
The Star Rider series is an exciting space opera series that takes place in a distant galaxy
during an intergalactic war.

The first three books are about two undercover operatives, Toemeka and Erling, and their friends, lovers, and enemies as they fight for the freedom of their world.

The next three books are about Toemeka and Erling’s young adult children as the war continues
and a new generation is pulled into the struggle for peace.

You’ll love this thrilling series if you like stories that take place in other worlds with feisty
heroines, brave heroes, space battles, and starships.

You’ll find links to all six books after my book one review!

A virtual book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.

Book Details

Star Rider on the Razor's Edge by Heidi Skarie
Series: Star Rider Universe #1
Published by Blue Star Visions on 02/16/2023
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 378

Agent Toemeka Ganti, code-named Star Rider, lives on the edge.

Her latest spy mission is to overthrow General Bhandar, the despot of Jaipar, who’s being controlled by Samrat Condor, a mighty sorcerer and interplanetary conqueror. And Samrat Condor isn’t about to loosen his stranglehold on Jaipar.

Toemeka is only too aware of Condor: she remembers the time his space fleet destroyed her home planet, killing her family while she barely escaped with her life. Toemeka must preserve her cover, despite secretly taking on many side operations that threaten to derail her primary mission. Her main work of creating a shield-destroying oscillator prototype is a key to winning the conflict.

However her overbearing boss Commander Rochambeau disrupts her and pressures Toemeka daily with thinly veiled bullying tactics: either become his mistress or face certain death at the hands of Condor.

Michio Kimes, a handsome spiritual warrior training to battle sorcery, seriously complicates Toemeka’s mission. Her only hope of surviving these tremendous odds lies with her trusted Coalition partner Erling Fenian and their rogue team, who band together with the local underground resistance in the fight to free the people of Jaipar and restore the rightful heir to the throne.

Source: Goddess Fish Promotions, Kindle Unlimited

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Excerpt from Star Rider Universe, Book 1

Toemeka raced through the dense, ominous forest, pursued by Talon soldiers and their vicious hounds. More hounds rushed out from behind trees. Saliva and blood dripped from their fangs as they growled and stalked her from all directions.

Toemeka jerked awake, her heart pounding and body shaking. Only a nightmare, she reassured herself, drawing a deep breath to control the anxiety. She felt awful – hung over and thickheaded. Not knowing where she was, Toemeka shoved a damp lock of hair off her aching forehead and sat up. In a nearby berth less than five feet away lay Michio, sleeping soundly.

Distorted memories of the previous evening sprung to mind. Hammering music. A snake slithering around a man’s neck. Rochambeau shot. The smell of a ship burning. She wasn’t sure what was real and what was an illusion caused by the drug.

Monitors along one wall dimly lit the room. The low drone of engines and a distinct vibration suggested she was on a starship or perhaps a space station. Stars and planets shone as dots of light in the blackness of space when she looked out the porthole. Most likely a space station with simulated gravity, she decided.

She pushed the silver space blanket off her clammy body and slid off the berth. Her bare feet hit the cool floor. She took a soft step, swayed unsteadily and threw out a hand, pressing it against the wall to regain her balance. Michio’s brown leather jacket hung from a hook on the wall. She crept quietly towards it in hopes of finding his energy gun.

Michio rolled over; she froze. once his breathing became regular again, she thrust her hand into the jacket pocket. empty, but something heavy clunked against the wall. Underneath the jacket hung his gun belt. Her hand closed around the solid handle of a Juggernaut 50, a powerful energy gun; she pulled it from its holster.

The berth creaked. She swung around and aimed the Jug 50 at Michio as he leaped out of the berth. He coiled before her like a huka panther ready to spring, radiating self-confidence. He had the muscular body of a warrior and seemed taller and more dangerous than he’d appeared when asleep. He wore nothing but loose-fitting silk sleeping pants that hugged his taut stomach.

Blast it! Why did she feel vulnerable when she was the one holding the Jug 50? Then it hit her. The weapon was of little use because she would never shoot someone who might be an ally. “Stay where you are!” she exclaimed.

He studied her with piercing eyes. “I see you’re finally awake.”

She held out her free hand. “Give me the Viper’s keyless remote.”

He scowled. “Are you crazy? Do you think I’m just going to let you steal my ship and leave me stranded in space?”

“I’m sure you know someone who will come get you. Now give me the remote or I’ll blast a hole in your thigh.” Feeling weak and nauseated, she locked her knees, afraid her strength would give out.

“So this is what I get for risking my life to rescue you.” His stance remained guarded.

“If you were rescuing me, you won’t mind taking me back to my apartment.”

He shook his head. “It’s no longer safe for you there.”

“I’ll decide what’s safe and what isn’t.”

“Fine,” he snapped, “but I need to get dressed before we go anywhere.” He reached for his clothes hanging on the hook behind her.

“Stay back. I’ll hand them to you.”

“Don’t push me. And put the Jug 50 away before one of us gets hurt.”

“Not likely.” She kept the gun trained on him, then turned to snatch his clothes off the hook.

He sprang, knocking her backwards, slamming her right arm against the wall. The gun discharged with a flare of light as it flew out of her hand and onto a berth. She pushed against his unyielding chest.

He pinned her against the wall. “Now will you listen to reason?” His eyes flared with fury.

Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.

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Purchase Links for Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge, Book 1

Amazon – OneLink for every country   

Star Rider on the Razor's E...Shop on Amazon

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My thoughts on Star Rider Universe, Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge

“Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge,” the first installment in the Star Rider Universe series by Heidi Skarie, launches readers on a riveting journey through a universe brimming with action, intrigue, and a touch of mysticism. Skarie weaves a tale combining classic good versus evil themes with a fresh blend of science fiction and fantasy elements.

The story revolves around Toemeka Ganti, a determined protagonist on a mission of vengeance and justice. Haunted by the brutal murder of her parents at the hands of a sinister sorcerer-deity, Toemeka takes on the daunting task of liberating a peaceful people from the clutches of this malevolent being. Undercover and armed with unyielding resolve, she strives to create a weapon capable of penetrating the tyrant’s impenetrable shields. However, her plans are thwarted when the enigmatic villain’s agents capture her.

The narrative takes an exhilarating turn when Toemeka is rescued by a mysterious warrior-priest. With newfound allies, including a planetary resistance group, Toemeka races against time to complete her weapon and turn the tide of rebellion in their favor. 

The novel’s world-building is a testament to Skarie’s creativity and attention to detail. The universe she constructs is rich, intricate, and immersive, capturing the essence of space opera while introducing captivating new-age mysticism. The interplay between advanced technology and spiritual forces adds depth to the narrative, enhancing the complexity of the conflict.

“Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge” embraces the quintessential struggle of good versus evil, immersing readers in epic battles that resonate with a sense of urgency. Skarie’s writing is action-packed, driving the story forward with a relentless pace that mirrors the determination of its characters. The blend of intense action sequences, a touch of romance, and the ever-present undercurrent of mysticism make for a truly engaging read.

In Conclusion

Heidi Skarie’s “Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge” delivers an enthralling space opera experience that seamlessly fuses elements of science fiction, fantasy, and mysticism. With its feisty heroine, courageous allies, and a universe teetering on the brink of change, this book sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting series. Fans of action-packed adventures set against a cosmic conflict will eagerly anticipate the next installment.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!

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Star Rider Universe Author Guest Post

My cover and how it came about
By Heidi Skarie

People do judge a book by its cover, so it’s important to have a good cover. A good cover should convey the genre and attract the right readers. In a series, the covers should also look like they belong to the series with the same style letters, placement of the title and author name, and a similar graphic style.

If you’re a traditionally published author, the publisher will design the cover and the author has little to say about it. I’m an indie author, so the cover is my responsibility. It’s nice to have control over your cover, but challenging to hire the right designer at a price you can afford.

I wrote a space opera series over a period of years and used several different cover design companies. Over time I changed the cover on two of the six books.

The cover on the first book in my series, Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge was a disappointment. I sent them a description of the book and told them it was science fiction. They came back with a cover with the heads and torsos of a man and a woman on it wearing sleeveless white t-shirts. It looked like romance.

I suggested they add a spaceship and color the t-shirts. They added a spaceship in the background and made the man’s t-shirt black. I accepted the final version.

If I’d had as much experience as I’ve had now, I would have asked them to start over. As the customer, I had a right to have a cover design that was sci-fi not a romance.

Eventually, I hired a different cover design company and had a new cover made. I got more involved in the design this time and selected the model that would best portray my main character, Toemeka.

The new cover was of a woman in a military, futuristic-looking outfit holding a gun with a sci-fi background. I used the same style for the next two books in the series. The books conveyed the genre much better.

Here are the two covers. The new one is the one on the right.

In the fourth book in the series, Call of the Wind, Toemeka’s son was the main character. I used the same cover design company, but the designer they gave me wasn’t as good. The final cover looked like two troubled young adults.

I hired a different company and had them redesign the cover. I was hoping for an image of a man that would be in a futuristic military uniform but wasn’t able to find a stock photo like that. I ended up with the silhouette of a man in a uniform holding a helmet to denote a pilot. There was also a light image of a woman’s face in the top left. I used the same designer for the fifth book, Call of the Eagle. The final image is of a couple hiking in an alien world.

Here are the covers for Call of the Wind. The new cover is on the right.

For the sixth novel in the series, Golden Cord of Light, I hired a different company that specialized in science fiction and fantasy covers. The initial cover they sent me was awful with a very unattractive man with a terrible hairstyle. I ended up searching through hundreds of stock photos until I found two people who I thought would best illustrate my main characters, Morisa and Everette.

What I’ve learned over the years is that a skilled cover designer is key to having a great cover. They need to understand the genre and be willing to make revisions. It is also important to find other current covers in your genre so you know current trends and what readers are buying. Last, when a cover doesn’t work, I need to be willing to have a new cover designed.

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Amazon – OneLink for every country   

If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:

Amazon – Canada

Amazon – France

Amazon – Germany

Amazon – United Kingdom

Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share. 

Purchase Links for the Star Rider Universe series!

Amazon – OneLink for every country   

If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more popular sites.

Amazon – Canada

Amazon – France

Amazon – Germany

Amazon – United Kingdom

Star Rider and the Golden T...Shop on Amazon Star Rider and Bonds of Lov...Shop on Amazon Call of the Wind: A Space O...Shop on Amazon Call of the Eagle: A Space ...Shop on Amazon Golden Cord of Light: A Spa...Shop on Amazon

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Star Rider Universe Giveaway!

The author will award a randomly drawn winner a $20 Amazon gift card.

Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!

Official Tour Page for Star Rider Universe

Full Tour Schedule:

August 21: Read Your Writes Book Reviews
August 22: The Avid Reader
August 23: Fabulous and Brunette
August 24: Hope. Dreams. Life… Love
August 25: Literary Gold
August 28: Long and Short Reviews
August 29: Kenyan Poet
August 29: Gina Rae Mitchell
August 30: Sandra’s Book Club
August 31: Sybrina’s Book Blog
August 31: Westveil Publishing
September 1: travel the ages

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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