Flight of the Golden Harpy
Kari, a young woman, returns to her jungle planet of Dora after ten years in Earth’s schools and is determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding the harpies, a feral species half-bird, half-mortal. The residences of Dora believe the harpies are dangerous game animals and hunt them for their trophy wings, but Kari thinks they are intelligent and not just wild animals. A rare golden harpy, a teenage blond male with yellow wings rescued Kari as a child from the jaws of a water monster. Upon returning home, she learns the harpies are facing extinction with the over-hunting and she sets out to save them, all the time wondering if the golden male is still alive.
Flight of the Golden Harpy Science Fiction Fantasy is also a mystery, thriller, and a love story that leaves a reader questioning our humanity.
In the Florida Writers Association contest, the manuscript won Best Science Fiction for 2010 in The Royal Palm Literary Awards.
Comments about this story:
“A hard-hitting and well-conceived novel,” Piers Anthony, fantasy author of 23 N.Y. Times Bestsellers.
“…could easily compete against some of today’s bestsellers.” Laura Fehl, staff writer for the Venice Gondolier Sun.
“…the golden harpy of the title is the stuff of which women dream…Harpy delivers a fine and noble message.” James Abraham, staff writer for the Sun.
“…is not only for science fiction lovers, but for readers who want to delve into a mysterious yet relatable world of passion and danger.” Peppertree Literary Magazine.
Brad Pitt who inspired the story and is the protagonist in Klaus’s books.
Fun fact and the author’s inspiration for this story: In 2004, Susan Klaus was hired as an extra on the movie set of Ocean’s Eleven and was in a scene with Brad Pitt. Upon arriving on the set, Mr. Pitt was mobbed by the extras. Klaus felt sorry for him and realized that he is so uniquely gorgeous, he is hounded and hunted like wild game. This became the bases for the harpy story. Since then, all of Klaus’s protagonists in her books resemble a young Brad Pitt.
