Astrid’s best friend is Denise Brown. This despite the fact that Denise is never really all that impressed with Astrid’s “mad science.” Denise has an older brother named Dennis, who is a senior, head of the debating team, football quarterback, and overall star of the whole high school. She and Dennis have two dads. Dad number one is Dennis Brown Sr., head model-maker at Maxxim Industries. Dad number two is Jeffrey Richards, who owns and operates the Maxxim City Malt Shop.
Toby Bundersmith is the boy who has lived next door to Astrid Maxxim since they were both born. He, like Astrid, is in ninth grade at Rachel Carson High School. Though not technically her boyfriend, Astrid has spent many hours picturing herself as the future Astrid Bundersmith, and she thinks Toby is just about perfect.
Toby is one of only a few students in school to have his pilot’s license, so he spends most of his Saturdays at the airfield trying to qualify on as many planes as he can. He is a frequent participant in Astrid’s adventures and when not actively involved himself, encourages her. Toby hates to see anyone bullied and frequently sticks up for other kids, an act which always impresses Astrid.
Toby lives with his dad, who is an engineer for Maxxim industries, and his Great Aunt Gerta, who came to live with them after Toby’s mother died of cancer.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken a look at the characters in Blood Trade and Women of Power. Next up, we’ll look at the characters in my latest book– Astrid Maxxim and her Amazing Hoverbike. This is the first of a series of books aimed at young readers, though I hope readers of all ages will enjoy them.
Astrid Maxxim is a 14 year old girl inventor. She is super smart and has been inventing since before she was 6. She lives with her father Dr. Roger Maxxim and her mother Kate Maxxim, the former a scientist and inventor and the latter the President and CEO of Maxxim Industries. They live in Maxxim City just outside the bounderies of the Maxxim Industries Campus.
In a world of superheroes, you might expect to run into a few here and there and that’s just what happens in Women of Power.
Captain Hero: Earth’s most popular hero.
Dark Defender: Mysterious protector of the night.
Strongarm: Super strong hero.
Windstorm: Master of wind and storm.
Vanguard: Leader of the Justice Brigade.
Ultrawoman: The most powerful woman on earth.
RSG: Really stretchy guy, who mostly uses his power to surreptitiously grope women.
There are several supervillains that face off against All American Girl and Skygirl, with more or less success.
Plague Drone: A slimy character with the ability to infect a variety of nasty diseases.
Magmaman: Can turn into a man-shaped blob of molten fire.
Tigershark: An Australian supervillain with super strength.
Dark Energy is one of Professor Destructions most capable superpowered cronies. He can fly and shoot energy bolts from his fists. All American Girl finds Dark Energy handsome, though she would never tell him so, but his fondness is for underage prostitutes.
Behemoth is a supervillain in Women of Power. He is about six feet tall and six feet wide and is made of pure muscle. He has super strength, the result of toxic radioactive waste. Unfortunately Behemoth is not the smartest knife in the kitchen drawer. He has repeatedly failed to notice that his one weakness seems to be supernaturally stong women. Behemoths great power is that once he gets going, he can’t be stopped.
Irving is All American Girl’s agent. Here’s a little bit of Irving and AG.
I originally wrote Irving intending that he appear as nothing more than a voice on the phone, but I liked him so much, he just had to make an appearance in the flesh.
One thing is for sure this year. I have far less time to write. This is because my day job (teacher) takes up so much more time than it ever has before. There is far more paperwork involved than any of my previous 17 years. I have been working through my lunch each day, but I still need to spend time at home planning, grading, writing Student Intervention Plans, and calling parents. It’s enough to make me glad that retirement is only a few years away.
Astrid Maxxim and her Amazing Hoverbike is now available as a multi-format ebook. Follow the link below and get your free copy until the end of November. Use coupon code XU42U at checkout.
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/102618
City of Amathar 