It’s Sunday again and time for Weekend Writing Warriors (click on the logo above) and Snippet Sunday (click on the logo below.)
This week it’s Horse Power again, FREE on Amazon for possibly the last time. I put it up to experiment with Kindle Direct; now I’m planning to try it with CreateSpace.
This snippet is a continuation from two weeks ago.
Timi pushed another cow — the female silkies were cows, Roi reminded himself, while the males were bulls — into the squeeze chute and busied himself under her tail. “The pregnant cows go in a field by themselves; those that aren’t go back into a bull’s herd.”
“I could do that, if you like,” Roi offered.
Timi had always been prickly about Roi’s use of esper abilities, but the twenty-two years since they’d seen each other must have made a difference. “Thought you’d never ask,” he grinned.
Roi’s eyebrows raised. “Thought you might jump down my throat if I suggested it,” he replied. “That one’s pregnant, a few days post-implantation — where do you want her?”
About Horse Power: Roi is now the acknowledged heir to Lai, kept busy learning to be a member of the Inner council. Flame and Penny are still with him after their trip on Falaron, but Amber and Timi have become colonists on Horizon, a world Terraformed for stock rearing. It’s an idyllic planet, but the colonizing company has set things up in such a way that the colonists have a difficult time avoiding debt slavery.
Roi is sent to investigate the problem, but it appears that the colonizing company’s actions however immoral, are legal. All it seems he can do is see that Timi and Amber’s children at least have the pets they crave. But a few things have been forgotten over the centuries, and those “pets” may have a great influence on Horizon’s future.
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'Homecoming' Blog 
I read Horsepower last year, and after reading this snippet, I have a strong urge to reread the book. It’s a great read. Good luck with your experiments!
Try the two full-length novels that precede it.
Your imagination is amazing. The whole situation is friendly but something about cows, bulls, insemination. . .Hmm. Interesting eight.
Not insemination; they’ve left that to the bulls.
What an interesting ability. I’m not familiar with esper abilities. Did this ability come from your imagination? Are there other things Roi can discern besides determining if cows are pregnant? This snippet certainly held my attention and made me want to know more.
It’s sort of a collective imagination in some science fiction, including telepathy, teleporting, levitation and perception. I’ve made it obey the conservation laws of physics.
He’s a handy one to have around the farm : ) What a fun eight.
Handy in general, but he’s still learning to use his abilities.
I’ve read some of your previous 8s. Your eight combined with the blub makes for a fascinating story. What an intricate world you have built.
It’s free today.
This all feels like such a real place and the activities are so familiar, yet with that little alien edge that says yes, you’re reading science fiction. I have my self published books on CreatSpace and it’s been fine so best wishes with that! Great 8!
I’d like to have something for local sale.
Ooh, returning chars? Great use of the eights! Well done.
All my characters are in the three I’ve written so far; they or their descendants will be in the trilogy.
Good snippet. I like how your 8s teach as well as entertain. 🙂
Too many years as a university professor.
This sounds like a really interesting story and world, and I love that there are farm animals involved.
Free today, and it’s a short read.
Cows classification, nice.
I like to make things clear.
Let’s see… decision time: stick my arm up into a cow or have an esper tell me if she’s pregnant or not… no brainer! Fun snippet!
Timi would have had his doubts 20 years ago.
I remember reading this scene – it was quite enjoyable. Nice to see you sharing it with us.
Glad you like it.
I know a few farmers around here who could use Roi! You rock as usual, Sue Ann. 🙂
Roi’s good at all sorts of things.
Well, his way is certainly less involved than the usual way of determining if a cow’s pregnant. (I’ve seen a few Animal Planet shows. You’re going to put your hand *where*?)
Yep. A plastic or rubber glove (shoulder-length) helps.
This book sound very, very interesting. I can’t wait to see more. Great 8. Thanks for sharing.
Get it free today.
Esper abilities? Intriguing. Enjoyed the snippet and want to know more.
Have a look at Homecoming.
My vet seems like an alien.
Hmmmm….
Nice 8!
Well, Roi’s going to become one well in the future.
Intriguing 8, Sue Ann! Definitely curious about these esper abilities. Thanks for sharing! 😀
Maybe I ought to share some bits of Homecoming that help explain them.