Locky,
My Writing Companion and My Sunshine
Hi, I am Sotto.
It is my shadow in my profile picture, taken fourteen years ago. I was around 3000 meters high (approx. 10000 feet) on a mountain called Rinjani. It was near dawn, and I was about to miss the sunrise on the peak as it was still a distance (vertical!) away. The terrain was difficult; I wasn't in tip-top condition since I hadn't been climbing for a long time. Nearing the peak, I slid down two steps for every three steps I took. It was exhausting; I considered quitting and kept questioning my existence and objective.
I didn't quit and reached there in an embarrassing amount of time. I missed the sunrise but, thankfully, also the sunrise crowd and had the peak all to myself. It was awesome. The mountain has a beautiful turquoise-colored lake in the crater with an active volcano at that time. I've climbed many peaks before, but this one was special, as this was the only peak I had reached alone for the journey and the finale. My climbing buddy had given up. Sitting on the mountain ridge in the darkness, I had my prolonged favorite moment, looking at the stars, embracing the peace and silence.
I love nature; going up the mountains, scaling the cliffs, exploring the deep, and chasing the currents. I haven't had chances for those now for many reasons, but I find an equal, if not more, amount of happiness strolling the beach with my loved ones and my dog, baking, and writing.
Writing is therapeutic, personal, and intimate. Climbing Rinjani is the reflection of my writing journey. It's challenging, and I am not in sync with the current, continuously questioning my existence and objective. I change the 'standard' professional author profile to a ramble. It's not easy for me to be out there, but I aspire to make my writing known and take small baby steps each time to come out of my shell. I can't really change. I don't have a bubbly personality to engage with everyone facetiously and prefer to establish genuine bonds instead. Even though it will take forever and is not ideal, I like to be myself.
English is not my first language, but it's the one that I can comfortably use to express myself the most. Sotto Voce is my pen name, and I love the meaning. It suits me the most.
If you are reading this or reading my works, thank you.
In Ora: The Land of the Superior
In a world divided between the superior and the bereft, a desperate man must find a way to save someone he cares about. But what sacrifice does he have to make?
Luke thought he’d found purpose again. After years of heartache and a devastating loss, his companionship with the strong-willed Ruyi gave him a reason to cherish life, even in a home plagued with poverty and disease, the Origin. But when he learns about Ruyi’s life-threatening and mysterious disease, Luke is prepared to seek help in the only place a cure exists, Ora.
Returning to Ora thrusts him into an intriguing world where everyone has achieved physical superiority and perfection. It has advanced technology and found keys to tailoring genes and eradicating diseases. But Ora’s solution came with an exorbitant tag.
To Ora, Origin is just its arrogant but fallen ancestor, and now, a defective neighbor with nothing to offer. They could save Ruyi, but what is the cost that Luke has to pay?
All Ora: The Boiling Point (Book 2)
This is the second and final book of the Ora series. The short story prequel To Ora is included in this book.
Escaping the clutch of Ora, Luke is aware that their freedom is short-lived.
They are on the run; the superior Ora still needs him, and it'd stop at nothing.
Can he flare against the unbeatable foe? Are they alone in their fight? Do they have a chance against the superior humans and society that have thrived through years of genetic advancement?
The Bet of the Monsters
After giving up every possession he has in exchange for peace of mind and getting away from everything that betrays him, Leo finds himself in a weird situation.
He discovers a fortune falling onto his lap, in the shape of a generous amount of money in his new bank account and a leasehold of a prestigious house, with only one e xplanation: Enjoy.
Should he play along?
What is the catch?
TO ORA
A sequel to The Ora: The Land of the Superior
This book followed Luke’s very first visits to Ora, he and his mother went along whenever his father was on business trips as a scientist.
Ora used to be part of Origin, where they came from. It was recently separated, and it managed to prosper and advance itself. The people, Orans, were tall and free from all diseases, the advantages that Luke observed as being beneficial.
He met Anny, a seventeen-year-old girl from Origin, she was there to take part in an experimental program to earn money for her sick parents. They became best friends and accompanied each other during their times in Ora. She helped him make a list of the pros and cons of becoming an Oran.
As Luke learned more, his list became longer. He wished he had one good reason of either a pro or a con to overthrow the whole list.
He got it, just not in a way he had never ever imagined.
The Prodigy
A supporting story for The Bet of the Monsters
Sharing a house with William, a reserved businessman, Henry tries to fulfill his never-ending thirst for knowledge by learning from him from a young age.
However, his situation is not ideal as the man often disregards Henry's contribution and presence despite his mother, Mary, as the only one whom William is fond of, the only one with some kind of physical relationship with him.
Henry has to find a way around by secretly snooping and self-learning. Talented and curious as he is, he is also fascinated to learn people's motivations and weaknesses to maintain his superiority and to get what he wants.
Orange Sundress
Winner of Rouge Animal Bi-Annual Short Story Competition
It's springtime again.
Time to meet the love of his life, in their favorite place, watching sunset together.
In her orange sundress, she looks as beautiful as ever.
But he only has a couple of hours...
You can purchase my book to support me, but don’t let that burden you if that is not a preferable option. You can always download free books or ask me for a review copy (for the long proper books!)
I believe everyone should have access to books they want to read, so if you are a serious reader and reviewer don’t hesitate to contact me for a copy of my book. In exchange, I hope to get feedback from you. Getting input from you through reviews means a lot to me, or you can contact me as well. Tell me what you like, your take on the story. Share your ideas with me, and talk to me about the characters, predictions, easter eggs, hidden plot, or meanings at sottovoce@sottovoceinora.com.