ONCE UPON A TIME IN SPACE by Heather Massey

This one's a little hot for the kiddies, so pop over to the sister-blog Enduring Romance & General Naughtiness

Another Blog Buddy is a Debut Author!

I am so proud to announce that yet another one of my blog buddies has had her first novel published.  Heather Massey has run The Galaxy Express for a while now.  I first remember running into her at  Alien Romances.   After singing the praises of other Science Fiction Romance novels, she now has her own.

CONGRATULATIONS, Heather!!!
Visit Heather Massey to learn more about her book!
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Once Upon a Time has an erotic Heat Level, so Mfitz's review of it will be posted on our sister-blog  Enduring Romance & General Naughtiness which is for adults-only.  We'll let you know and link to it when the time comes.

How Anime Turned Me On With Science Fiction Romance by Heather Massey

Remember the saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same?” Well, that in a nutshell describes my lifelong love affair with science fiction romance. Here’s why:
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Growing up, I watched a ton of anime. Real old Skool anime such as SPEED RACER, BATTLE OF THE PLANETS, FORCE FIVE, CAPTAIN HARLOCK, and STAR BLAZERS. The seventies and eighties were actually a kick ass time for Japanese imports, both anime and live action. Those Japanese, they think up some weird stuff dynamite content.
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Keep in mind this was way before VCRs and way, way before DVDs, and way, way, way before the Internet. It’s important to mention because I couldn’t record any of the shows. Well, except on audio tapes. Which I did, in fact, do. And listened to them after said recording, probably more times than I should admit.
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*Ahem*.
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Anyway, at the risk of sounding like, “In my day, we had to watch anime on fugly television sets, sometimes with more snow in the picture than the North Pole,” what kept me riveted to these shows—apart from the amazing visuals—was the romance and skiffy elements many of them had.
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Now, no one called any of these anime shows “science fiction romance,” but in retrospect, that label was perfectly applicable. There were heroes and heroines, and they often fell in love against a cosmic backdrop of adventure. The fact that the stories also featured cool gadgets, giant robot monsters, and mind boggling spaceships (hello, ROBOTECH!) was just icing on the cake.
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Remember when I said my love of anime sprouted in the Dark Ages of entertainment technology? What that meant was that eventually, the stations hip enough to air the shows eventually stopped doing so. It left a vast vacuum in its wake, because where would I ever get my fix?
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Luckily, there was this invention—maybe you’ve heard of it—called “a book.” When I ran out of anime to watch (thinking I would never see any of it again), I turned to my local library and bookstores. Will wonders never cease, I thought, for here is a veritable cornucopia of science fiction adventures, some of which were replete with a romance and even a sex scene or two (the good ones, anyway, ha ha!).
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So I read. And read some more. In the process, I learned my taste gravitated towards SF stories that incorporated a relationship element. The ones that drew me boldly intertwined scientific concepts and an exploration of the “Other” as it related to romantic attachments. For this preference in stories, I have anime to thank. Who knew shows with giant robot monsters and bee-like space aliens could have such romantic romances?
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Fortunately, I can now once again enjoy all of my favorite childhood anime shows in a variety of mediums. But for a time, they were gone from my life. Books helped fill the void, but it’s only the combination of science fiction romance shows, films, graphic novels, and books that completely satisfies my hunger.
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A hunger so voracious, in fact, that I turned to blogging about science fiction romance. Have you ever had that feeling—of wanting something out of reach so badly that you just start wanting it even more? For me, blogging became a way of connecting with like-minded readers and authors who got the subgenre in all of its forms.
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Therefore, if you’ve ever dreamed of traveling the sea of stars (sporting awesome mecha, of course) to find your one true love, all the while defending the universe against Evil Empires, then I cordially invite you to come aboard The Galaxy Express. Lucky for us, it’s bigger—and hotter—than ever.
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The Galaxy Express

Kimber An Around the Blogosphere This Weekend

Hello, Blog Buddies!
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First off, don't forget about the Cyber-Launch Book Party for SUGAR RUSH in the morning.  It will run from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Alaska Time.  Feel free to pop in and out and you will be entered to win a free eBook of SUGAR RUSH and an Alaskan moose plush toy and maybe some other goodies. 
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Today, you can find posts by me at
Alien Romances
and
SFR Brigade
and this evening sometime
The Galaxy Express
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Tomorrow is the party, of course, and Tia's Announcement of Sugar Rush and the next day, Sunday, I will be at ER reviewer Rebecca Lynn's blog
New Kids On the Writers Block
See you there!

Kimber An Braces for the Launch of SUGAR RUSH

Good morning, Blog Buddies!  I've been working hard this week, final proofing Sugar Rush for release on Friday, October 22nd, and upgrading my web presence.  I guess it's having been in that evil, dreaded purgatory known as Queryland for four years, but I put off most of the preparations until the last couple of weeks out of fear, fear it would all blow up in my face.  I'm still not doing the Snoopy Dance because of that, and also because all I can see is a TON of work in front of me!  Okay, I'll schedule my New-Author-Freak-Out for Saturday, October 23rd at precisely 4:17 a.m., once my coffee is working and before I need to return emails.  Yeah, yeah, that should work with the Master Schedule.  Did I mention I have four children?
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Anyway...
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I now have a main site and I own my domain name.  The thing is I don't have the money for a professional job. (My four children need to eat.) So, I went searching and discovered that Blogger has upgraded a lot.  There are some new beautiful themes and I was able to set up a blog which looks like a website for only the cost of my domain name, $10 plus tax.  Here's the address-
http://www.kimberan.com/
I still need to finish a couple of pages.
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I noticed that my target readership, teens, enjoy an encyclopedia of sorts for their favorite stories, whether movies or novels, so I've established a blog which is all Sugar Rush stories all the time-
http://opheliadawsonchronicles.blogspot.com/.
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I'm also on Facebook (most active,) as well as MySpace and Twitter.  I'm not active much on either MySpace or Twitter, because I simply do not have time. (Did I mention I homeschool two of my children and the fourth's a toddler?)  There are several other places I need to work on, YouTube, CafePress (have a shop, but not complete,) Shelfari, and Goodreads, as well as Amazon.  The list just keeps getting longer!
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In addition to all this, you may have noticed I've re-organized this blog.  Starting the weekend after next (October 29th through 31st), I will be hosting guest bloggers from the publishing industry on Fridays, fellow ePublished Young Adult authors will be co-blogging with me on Saturdays, and established authors will guest blog on Sundays about the writing craft.  No one's turned down my invitations yet!  Everyone has been so generous!
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For publishing industry professionals, I have Dara England, who designed my cover art, awesome SFR blogger, Heather Massey, my own fabulous executive editor, Heather Bennett, and fellow blogging book reviewer and new author, Tia Nevitt.
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For guest authors, I have Walter Greatshell putting a Science Fiction spin on old monsters for the Halloween post, YA Fantasy Historical author Marissa Doyle, the legendary author and generous mentor, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, and Hawaiian author Patricia Wood who lives on a sailboat.
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My new co-blogging YA ePublished authors are Vanessa Barger, Rebecca Royce , and Leslie Soule.  You can find their blogging schedule on the sidebar. 
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I'm still trying to figure out what to do for promoting Sugar Rush over the next couple of weeks, especially next weekend and on the day.  If you have any ideas or want to invite me to guest blog or blog swap or whatever, please contact me!  You can comment here or here is my authorly email addy-
kimber.an@yahoo.com
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If you feel so generous, I would appreciate you all posting my cover art on your blogs and such.  Here is the link to my About Sugar Rush page-
http://www.kimberan.com/p/about-sugar-rush.html
I'll be posting a sample chapter on my main site soon too.
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Ohmigosh, there is so much to remember and to do.  You should see the size of my daily planner!  Okay, maybe not.  Too scary.  I'll post a showcase of Sugar Rush tomorrow.  My daughter is threatening to review Sugar Rush, but first, she says, she has to pretend I didn't write it, because there's kissing scenes and it's just too weird reading a kissing scene your mother wrote.
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Big thanks to everyone for all your advice and encouragement over the past four years!

SUREBLOOD by Susan Grant

Okay, so this isn't actually a review.  The truth is, I just don't have time.  Since I signed with Decadent, they now want the short story prequel to Sugar Rush too and I'm burning up the keyboard, besides getting four children ready for the new school year too.  I'm booked solid.
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Suffice it to see, I've read enough to know it rocks.  Pop over to Susan's website to link to several awesome reviews-  http://www.susangrant.com/  by other awesome reviewers and my fellow reviewers here are certainly welcome to pick up the ball. 
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Yeah, okay, back to work!
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P.S. Despite what the cover art might lead you to believe, SUREBLOOD is actually Science Fiction Romance.
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P.S.S. While you're at it, click over to her blog and check out this-

'Parallel Universe' Starts today at the Galaxy Express

http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/
It runs all this week to coincide with the RWA National Convention.  I've contributed a post called 'Respect the Reader.'

Changes for Enduring Romance

Good morning, Blog Buddies!
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In case you haven't heard, I've signed an ePublishing contract for my YA Paranormal, SUGAR RUSH.
http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2010/07/kimber-ans-sugar-rush-to-be-published.html
This necessitates change for Enduring Romance.
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I will no longer review books, but fear not!  I do have an Heiress to My Book Reviewing Throne, my daughter whom I refer to here as Kimber, Jr.  She will review Middle Grade and younger Young Adult novels.  Right now, she's working on the entire HARRY POTTER series, leading up to the release of the last movie, THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS.

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However, we could use another reviewer, if anyone's interested.  Just email me at kimberannebulaATyahooDOTcom

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I will remain as Moderator and occasionally post newsworthy stuff.

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Next Saturday, July 24th, I will post my final review, SUREBLOOD, by Susan Grant.  One of my first reviews was for Susan and I think it was THE STAR KING.  It was on my old, old Star Captains' Daughter blog, which I deleted though.  Anyway, I thought it was fitting to review one of hers last.

Kimber An's SUGAR RUSH to be Published by Decadent

Good afternoon, Blog Buds!  I mentioned I'd accepted a contract for SUGAR RUSH.  Well, I've been told it's okay to let you know its with Decadent Publishing.  I had three ePublishers offer, in fact.  Although Decadent is brand new (they debut August 1st), I felt most comfortable working with their editors and their contract.  Not all authors are the same, you know, and I made my choice based on my own unique life and lifestyle.

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http://www.decadentpublishing.com/
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I think the cover art is perfectly beautiful.  Adrian and Ophelia look even better than I imagined and having them both on the cover conveys the Romance element.  The barn owl who keeps watch over Ophelia made it on the cover too, which conveys the Paranormal element.  The cold Alaskan mountains provides you with the feeling of isolation vital to the plot.  I'll post the final cover when I get it.
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No release date yet.  This just happened and I know I still have TONS of work ahead of me.
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A big THANK YOU to all my Blog Buddies, published authors and readers alike, who've advised and encourage me over the past four years.  Also, a big THANK YOU to Decadent for taking a chance on me and bailing me out of Queryland.

Review: Darkscape Redemption by R. Garland Gray

January 2010, Medallion Press (Sourced through Gazelle Books)
Science Fiction Romance, paperback, review copy

Summary from Gazelle Books

In this science fiction romance that blends clan alliances, historical heritage, and a feudal government, Declan de Douglas has come to Planet Forest to negotiate a trade agreement with the treacherous Clan MacKendrick. Despite his training on Planet Mars under the Braemer Keep of Clan Douglas, Declan is not prepared for the peril ahead and ends up in the collared life of slavery. Fallon MacKendrick, princess of the MacKendrick clan, has fallen deeply in love with this forbidden savage despite the laws of her betrothal contract. When she later discovers that he has been kidnapped, she resolves to rescue the haunted man who touched her heart. But the destined lovers are doomed unless Declan's soul can accept the DNA synthesis that has altered his physical makeup. Princess Fallon holds his life in her hands -- the only woman with the power to save him from his captors and himself.



This is actually the second book in the Darkscape series. (No, I haven't read the first). The Princess has red hair! I've heard that this is a stereotype, but in truth I haven't come across many red-heads. She isn't a wall flower, and is eager to escape from her betrothed, who is a pig in so many ways. Annoyingly he crops up several times in the story, having me clutch my cushion at several times. Fallon can be stubborn, she is highly intelligent and knows what she wants in life. She actually clashes with Declan on several occasions because of her independent streak. However, if it weren't for that, she and Declan wouldn't be together.

Declan himself is a likeable character. He battles with himself throughout the book, because he isn't 100% human any more. He questions his past actions and, with the comments of other characters, doesn't always believe he is right for Fallen. Fallen thinks otherwise! In a lot of respects Declan is in the most danger in the book: both from his own body and the vile enemies he makes.

Fallon disagrees. She has had a privileged upbringing, but is willing to put that aside in the attempt to ditch her unwanted fiance and help save Declan. Declan is in enemy hands, leading Fallen to enter into establishments that no princess should be seen in. I liked her resolve: even though she knew she was going to be in danger, she went ahead with her plans. What makes Fallon even more likeable to me, is that she has psychic abilities. She spends much of the book hiding just how high a rating she is, to protect herself. But there comes a point when she has to confess to her skills, to try and save a disaster from happening.

Content wise, there is a lot of romance and other elements to do with dubious establishments, so I rate this book Sensual to Highly Sensual. There is a little bit of violence, but most of the content is of a sensual nature.

I loved reading this book, and I hope that further books will include both Declan and Fallon.  Definitely one to add to your collection!

SF Romance Haterz

http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/2010/05/why-sf-fandom-is-full-of-romance-haterz.html

A Brief History of Science Fiction Romance

If you can love vampires, you can love Vulcans too.    http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/2010/05/brief-history-of-science-fiction.html
;)

JOURNEY BETWEEN WORLDS by Sylvia Engdahl

This is a positive review, I swear.  You just gotta bear with me.  'Kay?
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This novel was originally published in 1970, but was updated with new information on Mars and re-released in 2006.  And guess what?  It's YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE!  Yes, it's Young Adult.  Yes!  It's Science Fiction.  And, oh yes, there is romance. 
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Two things about this book.  First of all, the romance was not convincing.  If I was eighteen years old, I wouldn't have gone out with Ross or Alex, because neither of them were good kissers.  In fact, I don't remember any kissing at all, to say nothing of those wonderful fluttery feelings you get when you fall in love.  Wait, I take that half-back.  I would've gone out with Alex, but I would've been all over him like a bad rash.
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Remember, this novel was originally published in 1970, back when there was little Romance for teens at all or any Romance in Science Fiction whatsover.  That girly, mushy stuff just was not okay.  Which makes this a pioneering book really.
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The second thing about this book is that it's written in First Person Point of View.  I know 'Fluffy First Person' is all the rage in Young Adult fiction geared to girls right now thanks to Twilight, but I've never liked it and, anyway, there's nothing 'fluffy' about this story.  Very few authors write First Person POV in a way that I like.  Lisa Shearin is a rare example of an author who writes First Person POV I like.  http://www.lisashearin.com/
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Nevertheless, the story was so good that enjoyed it in spite of those things.  Kept wanting to rewrite it though.
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The story starts out with Melinda getting ready for high school graduation and she's in love.  Well, actually, she's convinced herself she's in love, but I never bought it.  The thing is she likes to plan things out and have things all settled and for sure.  She thinks her boyfriend, Ross, is in love with her too and they're planning on getting married. 
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Her mother died when she was young and father travels a lot for his job, so she's grown up at Grandma's house.  She loves Grandma and she loves Grandma's house.  She plans on marrying Ross, going to college, becoming a teacher, and living happily ever after right there in Grandma's house.  But, her genes are working against her.  She's descended from folks who traveled to Oregon in covered wagons and settled a wild land.
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Dad shows up for graduation and presents her what he thinks is a mind-blowing graduation present, a ticket to visit the Mars colony for five months!    Of course, she doesn't tell Dad her true feelings.  She's much too reserved for that.  But, hello, a trip to Mars is NOT on the schedule.  She has her life planned out and it does NOT include space travel.  That's for freakin' lunatics, you know, although she says it a lot more politely, even to herself.  She makes up her mind to let Dad down gently, but she tells Ross about the Mars ticket first.  His reaction pushes her into a different opinion.  Although she doesn't exactly wrap all her brain cells around it, she realizes Ross is marrying her because she will make a good 'starter wife.'  She'll work to support them while he goes through law school.  She doesn't talk too much.  She'll follow him around like a puppy dog.  Ross has mistaken her lack of blabbermouthness as passivity.  Next thing you know, Melinda's boarding the ship bound for Mars and Ross is calling, stunned, and convinced she'll come running back and marry him.  She notes he never said he loved her.
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Melinda meets Alex on the boat, uh, I mean the spaceship.  The trip to Mars is long and potentially boring, but, whattayaknow, Alex is actually interested in listening what she has to say about things!  She also makes friends with Janet who thinks the colonists are nuts for wanting to settle a barren planet.  Melinda more or less agrees, but Alex, her dad, and other new friends are opening her mind up to a much wider 'world' than she knew back home.
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They all arrive on Mars and settle in.  Alex convinces Melinda to try Zero-Gs and wondering around outside the habitat bubble in a spacesuite.  She meets families and learns to make do with what is on hand because you can't just run down to Wal-Mart when you live on Mars and everything you can't produce must come to you by spaceship.
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Like I said, this novel was written in First Person and Melinda and Alex really did not make out enough, or at all, actually.  So, the story delivery system was not within my usual range of preference, but I still got the story and it was great. 
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Still, I wish the author would rewrite it just one more time.
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http://www.sylviaengdahl.com/
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I've also read ENCHANTRESS FROM THE STARS by this author and it was very good too.

What Kimber An Wants

A RENDEZVOUS TO REMEMBER by Geri Krotow
http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2008/07/rendezvous-to-remember-by-geri-krotow.html
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I'm looking down the aisles and seeing an Endless Parade of Sameness.  I suppose it's inevitable when you read or read about a ton of books.  But, I'm a girl who likes a buffet.
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Can anyone refer me to an excellent World War II Historical Romance novel in the New or Upcoming Releases?  Anyone at all?  (Kimber An listens to crickets chirping.)  (((sigh)))  C'mon, I understand the appeal of Regencies, although I don't share a fondness for it.  But, seriously, there's THOUSANDS of years of human history out there during which human beings fell in love with each other!  It didn't all happen in the Regency Era in England or there'd be none of us right now.  'Kay?

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Extra points for finding me a novel with a blond hero.

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Gimme some Steampunk while you're at it.  Steampunk's the one kind of story I'm not overly familiar with. 

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BONESHAKER by Cherie Priest.  Haven't got it.  Yet.
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And Science Fiction Romance?  I don't even want to talk about it.  (Kimber An checks her calendar to see how many more months until SUREBLOOD by Susan Grant comes out, even though she hates the cover.)  If I see one more SFR with another....nevermind.  Let's just say I"ll puke Tribbles and it won't be pretty.

Heather at 'Dear Author' Today

Spreadin' the good word about SFR today is my good Blog Buddy from the Galaxy Express-   http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2010/04/23/top-ten-list-from-heather-massey/

Review: Rebels and Lovers by Linnea Sinclair

Rebels and Lovers
by Linnea Sinclair

Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Publisher: Bantam (March 2010)
Price: $7.99 (Kindle: $6.39) 

What I Liked:
The better question is what I didn't like. Because the answer to that question is nothing. It was one of those can't-put-it-down-ers. This is by far one of the best books I have read in a long time. Granted, I haven't read a lot of science fiction, and that was part of what I enjoyed the most, but it was just fantastic. The writing is lyrical without being purple prosey, the plotting is masterful, and the romance is tense and intense. The hero... wow, I don't even know where to begin. Not only do I love the hot nerds to begin with, but I have a thing for guys who like to dance. A serious thing. And this hero has got it all. He's like the perfect Gamma hero. He's trying to discover his emotions, he's as open as he can be, but he's also protective and fiery. And he can do things with computers that you don't even want to know about. Plus, he's got some of the best lines I've heard in a romance novel in a long, long time.

It's obvious how much Linnea Sinclair has built the world up that she writes in, because it just flows seamlessly, and draws you in. The heroine is the first one I've read in a long time that I didn't want to plant somewhere under a rosebush for the majority of the book. I loved her tough character, and even the way she hardened herself because of her past. She was fiesty (without being cartoonish) and vulnerable (without being doormatish). Loved her. I am totally in love with this world, and I'm going back to read the previous three books as soon as I can. Loved it, loved it. I highly recommend you read this book immediately if you haven't yet. It's gonna be a classic, I have a feeling.

Book Blurb:
It’s been two years since Devin Guthrie last saw Captain Makaiden Griggs. But time has done little to dampen his ardor for the beautiful take-charge pilot who used to fly yachts for his wealthy family. While Devin’s soul still burns for Kaidee, she isn’t the kind of woman a Guthrie is allowed to marry—especially in a time of intergalactic upheaval, with the family’s political position made precarious by Devin’s brother Philip, now in open revolt against the Empire. And when Devin’s nineteen-year-old nephew, Trip, inexplicably goes missing after his bodyguard is murdered, this most dutiful of Guthrie sons finds every ounce of family loyalty put to the test.

Only by joining forces with Kaidee can Devin complete the mission to bring Trip back alive. And only by breaking every rule can these two renegades redeem the promise of a passion they were never permitted to explore. At risk? A political empire, a personal fortune, and both their hearts and lives. From Amazon.com.

(P.S. I loved that she included a playlist for her novel at the beginning... I definitely used it, at least the songs I had already. I also highly recommend listening to the Torchwood Soundtrack with this book if you have it. It provided excellent background music to Devin & Makaiden's story.)

IN ENEMY HANDS by Ks Augustin

Science Fiction Romance sure is popular this week.  My Blog Buddy Heather over at the Galaxy Express just got this cover exclusive for an SFR novel which will help launch Harlequin's new digital only press, Carina Press, in June. 
http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/2010/04/carina-press-cover-exclusive-in-enemy.html
And say, dang, that's nice!  It actually looks like there's a Science Fiction Romance story inside!  How wierd is that?  Here's the author's website to learn more-   http://www.ksaugustin.com/
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Book Blurb:
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The Republic had taken everything from Moon—her research partner, her privacy, her illusions. They thought they had her under control. They were wrong.
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Srin Flerovs, Moon’s new research partner, is a chemically enhanced maths genius whose memory is erased every two days. While he and Moon work on a method of bringing dead stars back to life, attraction between them flares, together with the realisation that they are nothing more than pawns in a much larger game.
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When Moon discovers the lethal applications her research can be put to, she knows she must rescue Srin and escape the clutches of the Republic. But there are too many walls around them, too many eyes watching. They want to run, but they’re trapped on a military spaceship in the depths of space, and time is running out….

Linnea's Popular Today!

Free book giveaway too.
http://sfrcontests.blogspot.com/2010/04/linnea-sinclair-interview.html

Author Interview: LINNEA SINCLAIR

Good morning, Blog Buds!  I recently shot off some questions to Linnea Sinclair through cyberspace and she shot the answers right back.  I tell you, that girl is on top of everything.  It's exhausting trying to keep up.  Linnea's latest book, REBELS AND LOVERS, was out in March.  If you can't find it on the shelf, you can order it online.  Here's the interview-
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K: The obvious question is 'What inspired this story?'

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Linnea:   Honestly? My contract with Bantam Dell. This was “unnamed fourth book in the Dock Five/Gabriel’s Ghost storyline” according to the contract. My agent and I pitched HOPE’S FOLLY and when the contract came back, it had this “unnamed” thing as well.
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What inspired me to turn Unnamed Book into REBELS AND LOVERS was a desire not to do another military-based story (though I dearly love them) but to delve into Philip Guthrie’s family (since they were so often referenced in the other books). I wanted to do an “accidental hero” much like Gillie was an “accidental goddess” in the book by the same name (minus the time travel). I wanted an unlikely hero, even an unsuitable hero. I wanted a really decent and loyal and kind guy who suddenly found himself up to his proverbial arse in alligators…when his initial objective was simply to drain the swamp. Devin was that guy, that hero.
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K:   Yum!  I love accidental heroes.
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Linnea:   I also wanted a heroine who had baggage—lots of it. Kaidee was that heroine. She was also, like Devin, basically a nice person who really had no desire to be anyone’s heroine. She had enough problems.
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There’s a Marianne Williamson quote at the start of the book. That rather says it all.
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K:   Is this the last in the Dock Five series?
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Linnea:   I hope not. I have nothing contracted but I’m trying to put together a proposal for at least one more book.
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K:   What's next? Besides the Songs of Love and Death anthology? What's the next novel coming from Linnea Sinclair?

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Linnea:   “Courting Trouble” is the short in SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH, yes, and sharing pages with the likes of Mary Jo Putney, Diana Gabaldon, Jim Butcher, Jo Beverly, Tanith Lee…hell, being edited by Gardner Dozois and George R.R. Martin is beyond my wildest authorly dreams.
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K:   Tanith Lee!  I loved her PIRATICA stories.
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Linnea:   I don’t have a next novel yet. See answer above. I’m out of contract. Working on a couple of proposals.
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K:   Are you taking requests? My vote's for a DOWN HOME ZOMBIE BLUES sequel.
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Linnea:   ZOMBIE has its own special stuff coming up but I can’t say more than that. Not right now. When I can say more, I will.
K:   Squeeeee!
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Linnea:   I do have the Dock Five books coming out in audio books from Audible. I don’t know when exactly. This week I’ve been doing pronunciation guides for the narrators for the books. I can tell you that Dina Pearlman is the narrator for GABRIEL’S GHOST and SHADES OF DARK, Christian Rummel is HOPE’S FOLLY and MacLeod Andrews is REBELS AND LOVERS.
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K:   I noticed you joined the SFR Brigade. So did I. What do you see coming for Science Fiction Romance? What can Skiffy Rommers do to help? Especially if they're seeking publication?
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Linnea:   Wow, big questions.
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K:   I like big questions.  It's a good way to get big answers.
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Linnea:   Got a few weeks? Yep, am in the ranks of the SFR Brigade. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, which means blogs and sites and such can squeak loudly. Which is, yes, some of what Skiffy Rommers can do to keep the genre active. It has to be an overall effort: readers, booksellers, librarians, and authors. Star Trek is legendary because it was—many times—saved by its fans. SFR has the same potential.
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SFR Brigade link-   http://www.sfrcontests.blogspot.com/
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What do I see coming down the pike in SFR? Cheezwhiz, I really have no idea. I’ll know more after the ginormous Romantic Times convention end of April but right now, I’m just managing to tread water with my own stuff. I’ll be glad to report back after RT, get the scoop of who’s doing what. But honestly, you’ll likely hear before I will. What I SUSPECT—and I may be totally wrong—is a seduction between urban fantasy and SFR, with a heavy dose of steampunk. I think those three genres have a lot in common relative to theme and feel and tone. But that’s pure guessing on my part.
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K:   A seduction of Urban Fantasy and SFR?  Like 'near future Science Fiction Romance?  I've thought of that.  Steampunk, yes!
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Linnea:   What writers who seek publication in the SFR genre can do is, honestly, know what you’re writing. I’ve unfortunately had a few conversations with writers (because I teach workshops nationally) who’ve expressed interest in writing SFR. Yet when I ask them who their fave SFR authors are, I get a blank stare, and “Oh, I’ve never read the books. But I saw one of the Star Trek movies.” Or they stayed in a Holiday Inn Express… or something like that. And I have to forcibly hold myself back from slamming my head against the nearest wall.
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I then ask, “But do you read science fiction?” and eight out of ten grimace and say, “Ew, that tech-y stuff?”
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At which point I make a beeline for the bar… where I blessedly meet a few writers who, yes, saw a Star Trek movie. But they also have read the entire Tanya Huff VALOR series or the Elizabeth Moon VATTA series as well as Susan Grant or Robin D Owens, know who Steve Miller and Sharon Lee are, have read diversely from Catherine Asaro to Isabo Kelly to S.L. Viehl to Jess Granger and all in between. I’m not saying they have to be Linnea Sinclair fans. I’m saying they need to know that I write the genre and the basics of what I write—and the same for a goodly number of authors listed on the left side panel of The Galaxy Express blog. It’s not—again—because we want slavish fans. It’s so these writers don’t reinvent the wheel, and, as well, understand the reader expectations and the genre tropes.
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K:   Next time, also tell them to start a book review blog!
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Linnea:   I would love nothing more than to have half a dozen SFR superstars break into print in the next year or so. Do I view other writers as competition? Hell, no, and it’s not because I would insanely view myself as better (I don’t and I’m not). It’s because I view the genre as awesome, and I know from experience that readers can read ‘em faster than we can write ‘em. If we can keep the pipeline filled with a quality product, then we can start a surge of desire for these kinds of books. Feed the addiction.
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K:   Preach it, Sister!   You create my favorite SFR heroes. Where do you get the inspiration for them?
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Linnea:   Well, gosh golly gee. They’re my favorite too. I don’t have one source of inspiration for my male protagonists, though several do have some of my husband’s characteristics. I draw from all sorts of sources, historical and contemporary. But by the time I start writing them, they’re very real to me, and very individual. That’s not to say they might not share some common characteristics. My husband and my brother-in-law share some common characteristics. But my male protagonists are all unique in “feel” as I write them.
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K:   Anything else you'd like us to know about REBELS AND LOVERS?
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Linnea:   I think it’s a story that shows what people are capable of when they let go of preconceived notions—either ones they’ve had of themselves or ones others have placed upon them. All my books have messages, though I rarely bring that fact up because I’m more interested in that people read them for fun. But there is a message there, and it’s not only Kaidee and Devin who grow.
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That’s one of the reasons, I think, that some romance readers aren’t one-hundred per cent satisfied with Linnea Sinclair SFR. They’re looking (so I’ve read) for the couple who meet on page 5, kiss on page 10, and are in bed with wild passionate abandon on page 12. My characters have issues and messages to deal with before I’m comfortable with them getting to that point, and that’s just the way I write my books and my characters. I definitely write to an HEA—I crave the HEA. But I don’t feel I can convincingly write instant-lust and instant-sexual gratification/perfection because it feels shallow to me. I’m not saying others who write that write shallow books. I’m saying I’m not able to write that convincingly. I’m saying there are other issues with my characters that are equally as important as their sex lives, and hence, that’s the path my books follow.
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K:   Those readers don't realize the glorious future they deny themselves!
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Linnea:   To me, SFR is a blending of both romance requirements and tropes and SF requirements and tropes. It’s a balance, and that’s how I present the balance in my stories.
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K:   What about SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH?
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Linnea:   That was a huge surprise—even to be asked to submit, more so to have my story accepted. I mean, I’ve been reading Gardner Dozois anthologies for years (I’m looking at one of his “Year’s Best Science Fiction” on my bookshelf as I type this). I’ve held Gardner Dozois anthologies in my hands and dreamed of the day I’d have a story included in one—never really feeling that dream would come true. If there are two highlights to my career to date, one is winning the RITA® award and the other is being in a Dozois anthology. And to be edited my George R.R. Martin as well—THE George R. R. Martin. A true fangirl squee moment for me.
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“Courting Trouble” is very much in the flavor of FINDERS KEEPERS—space opera adventure with old friends, unrequited love, a race against time through a enemy space station, and a cat-like sentient named Quintrek James of Daq’kyree. The whole story was prompted by a sign hanging over my desk: Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today. (Mark Twain) Pretty much everything happens in “Courting Trouble” and I’m a bit concerned—okay, I’m freaking nervous—considering the lineup of other authors in the project, and considering that the project was re-titled SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH after I’d already written my story (it was originally presented to me as Tales of Star-Crossed Love), that my story is going to be perceived by readers as too light in tone. If it happens, it happens. But if you liked FINDERS, you’ll have great fun with “Courting Trouble.” It’ll be out in hardcover November 16, 2010.
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K:   Hardcover, oooooh...

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K:   How many SFR authors does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

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Linnea:   In zero-g or shipboard gravity?
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K:   Zero-G!   If Tribbles evolved, what would they become?
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Linnea:   Cats.
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K:   Well, duh.  Silly me.
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http://www.linneasinclair.com/index.html

Win the STAR Trilogy

Pop over to Susan Grant's site-   http://www.susangrant.com/contest.htm
to win her STAR trilogy with the original covers, which I, of course, think are a lot better than the new ones.  The original cover of THE STAR KING, for example, actually gives the half-naked guy on the front some personality.  Those upper arm bracelets make him look like Ramses, I swear. 
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Definitely a king in need of a queen.
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This is the new cover.  Now, be honest.  Let's say you don't like Contemporary Erotica, which book would you pick off the shelf?  If you didn't already know Susan was a top-notch author and her STAR trilogy was the best?  I already own the originals, of course.