Derelict: Halcyone Space, Book 1 (40 page)

Two years ago, I had this crazy idea about a derelict space ship, its AI damaged in a long ago war, and a group of teens who inadvertently wake it up. This novel developed from that image, from brainstorming sessions with my husband, Neil, and with my SFWG critque buddies, as well as from many hours of daydreaming.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my dream-team — the talented and hard-working writers who critiqued draft versions of the story, including Lisa DiDio, R.J. Blain, A.J. Dyer, Chris Howard (yes, the same talented Chris Howard who created the cover art that graces this novel), Mike Reeves-McMillan, Susan Spann, and DL Keur.

Thank you to Erin M. Hartshorn, K.M. Frontain, Heather Webb, Janet Taylor, DeAnn Smith, April Brown, Mehdi Piloor, Emily Winch, Elaina Newton, Melodee Engle, and Lorena Lombardo who gave me important and helpful feedback on the opening chapters when I feared I had lost my perspective. 

And to Lynn Viehl, Nathan Lowell, Wen Spencer, and Jeff Carver: Thank you for your encouragement and your support. It means the world (and beyond) to me. 

~LJ, June 2014

Derelict

"Cohen has real talent with character development and interaction, and prickly, defensive Ro is a sympathetic and interesting heroine."
    
—Publishers Weekly 

"Get on board Derelict, and you'll take an edgy, nonstop flight into an audacious SF future with unremitting danger as your pilot—and thrilling adventure your destination."

—Lynn Viehl, NYT best selling author of the Stardoc and Darkyn series

"There's something special about watching an author reach her stride. LJ Cohen has done just that in Derelict. Intricate plotting melded seamlessly with delightful characterizations kept me turning pages as fast as I could go in an attempt to keep up with the unfolding story. A cracking yarn set in a lush future I'm hoping we'll hear more of." 

—Nathan Lowell, Creator of the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper and the Tanyth Fairport Adventures
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"LJ Cohen deftly weaves together realistic teenage characters, futuristic technology, and big stakes for a real page turner." 
     
 —Wen Spencer, Award winning SF&F novelist, author of the Ukiah Oregon and Elfhome series  

The Between

[A]moving tale of heroism and compassion … Lydia is a young woman utterly unprepared for the world she’s about to enter - but she learns fast. She’s a character you’ll want to meet again, from a writer you’ll want to read again. Take good note: LJ Cohen is a new voice to follow.”

— Jeffrey A. Carver, author of
 
The Chaos Chronicles