As a good writer, I take great pride in my research before writing my books, which is an important aspect of my storytelling.
Of course, not every reader is looking for an education, which is why the information is here and not in the books As I keep writing, I will add the scientific and research information that I learn here, to share with you, my fabulous readers!
Imogene
Does Eris even exist?
Yes, Eris is formally known as the 10th planet to orbit the sun in the Solar System. It’s formal designation is 136199.
Want to know more about Eris? Visit this site for more details. http://web.gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/planetlila/
Does Aenna actually exist?
Yes. Aenna is an actual asteroid and was located in 1928. It is a Main Belt Asteroid, meaning it is not a member of a recognized asteroid family. To find out more, visit http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=1155;orb=0;cov=0;log=0;cad=0#phys_par
What are Hypersonic Split S Maneuvers?
A hypersonic split s maneuver is recognized as a washing off movement used by the space shuttles on return to earth as they are gliding back towards earth at a rate impacted by the earth’s gravitational pull.
To find out more, visit http://www.awesomestories.com/assets/maneuvers-during-re-entry
Levels of the atmosphere
During Starfire, Jemma was piloting the shuttle onto the Alpha Space Colony. She flew through many levels including the mesosphere and troposphere. In fact there are 5 main layers of the atmosphere including the Exosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere and Troposphere. This page gives you an insight into the earths levels of atmosphere. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/atmos/layers.htm
Parachutes and safe deployment at extreme heights.
During Starfire, Jemma is using the parachute to deploy really high. I was asked about this during edits. In actual fact, the deployment of parachutes over certain levels actually has their own issues.
If you deploy too far up, you run the risk of a range of things going wrong. The highest fall ever to work was at just over 100 000 feet, and there are a range of things that would impact her ability to survive the impact. For more details see:http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/eject.htm
**Updated**
Of course this has changed since I wrote this page. – In October 2012, Felix Baumgartner undertook the world record breaking jump from 128 100 feet (39, 045 meters) To learn more visit: http://www.redbullstratos.com/the-mission/world-record-jump/
Yes, epigenetic markers exist in reality. It is generally hypothesised that as you get older different genes get turned on in the body. In 2015 Rebecca Luiten from Stanford University wrote an article called, “Genetic Testing” (click on the title to read it in full)
“As you age, your body does not need all of its genes to be on all the time. As genes are no longer needed, epigenetic marks appear to turn these genes off. Because these genes are turned off at the same time for most people, these marks tend to appear at around the same time for everyone.
So, for example, when you turn 20 you might get certain marks and when you turn 30, you might get certain other marks. Because of this, most people in their early 20’s will have the same marks as each other just as most people in their late 50’s will have all the same marks as each other.
These marks are kind of like tree rings. By counting which marks or rings you have, scientists can tell your age. Scientists even think they may be able to use these marks to guess how old a person may end up living!”
I have taken a few liberties with the information in Children of a Greater Evil… But you know, it’s the way we fiction writers come up with new ways to find bad guys and kids and…
Yes, by 1878 and 1878 Cravats had given way to Ascots and other varied neckties. To read up on a Potted History (as such) check out this link: https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/evolution-neckwear-tie-cravat-scarf/
Tantra
So this is a huge subject and one I can’t do justice to in the amount of space I have here. So I’m going to suggest a couple of basic titles that may introduce the themes of sexual pleasure and the giving/taking ways.
The Art of Tantric Sex by Nitya Lacroix (ISBN 0751303976
The Illustrated Kama Sutra by Ananga-Ranga translated by Sir Richard Burton and F.F. Arbuthnot (ISBN 0600552004)
The Pillow Book by Nik Douglas & Penny Slinger (ISBN0517369931)
Or you could begin with Tantra For Beginners by Dr Cheryl Fraser (Website)