New releases
KILLBOX – Ann Aguirre
Talk is cheap when lives are in jeopardy
Sirantha Jax is a “Jumper,” a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster than light ships through grimspace. With no tolerance for political diplomacy, she quits her ambassador post so she can get back to saving the universe the way she does best—by mouthing off and kicking butt.
And her tactics are needed more than ever. Flesh-eating aliens are attacking stations on the outskirts of space, and for many people, the Conglomerate’s forces are arriving too late to serve and protect them.
Now, Jax must take matters into her own hands by recruiting a militia to defend the frontiers—out of the worst criminals, mercenaries, and raiders that ever traveled through grimspace…
Read an excerpt here.
REBEL – Claire Delacroix
The Eyes of the Republic Are Everywhere...
Having sacrificed his wings in a bid save humanity, fallen angel Armand has a bold plan to assassinate Presidential candidate Maximilian Blackstone. When things go awry and his partner Baruch is gravely injured, Armand fears that he will fail in his task and forever lose the chance to rejoin the angels in Heaven.
Theodora is a wraith, a woman who officially doesn't exist. She lives in the shadows, taking risks to earn the bounty placed on dangerous assassinations - bounty that buys the chance at a new life for those she loves. Captured when her latest hit goes horribly wrong, Theodora finds herself the prisoner of a strong, arrogant stranger.
Soon enough, these two solitary souls find their missions-and their hearts-entwined. But in their desperate attempt to save the world, will they be able to save each other?
Read an excerpt here.
Aw, just two this month? Bummer. Fortunately, there are a few forthcoming and re-release titles in the works!
Forthcoming
Author Maria Zannini has sold a science fiction romance to Carina Press! TRUE BELIEVERS is scheduled for an October 18 release. Here’s the lovely and very SFR-infused cover:
And the story blurb:Mix one cynical immortal and one true believer and throw them into the biggest alien-hunt the world has never known.
Rachel Cruz is a Nephilim masquerading as an archeologist and she's stuck with an alien who believes she can lead him to his ancestral gods.
Black Ops wants to find these gods too. They want them dead.
Congratulations, Maria!
And, of course, I recently blogged about Lisa Paitz Spindler's sale of an SFR to Carina Press. I have news of yet another SFR sale made by a Galaxy Express passenger, which I hope to be able to announce soon. I think we're on a roll!
Re-releases
Science fiction romance author Autumn Dawn is releasing SOLAR FLARE, the third book in her Sparks series (WHEN SPARKS FLY; NO WORDS ALONE), on Smashwords and Amazon. Can’t beat the $2.99 price.
Here’s the story blurb:
Slow burn.
Azor agreed to take Brandy off planet to avoid a scandal, never knowing they’d ignite a white hot passion of their own. Sassy, sexy, Brandy makes him burn. If the hostile aliens don’t kill him, his companion just might.
Hunted by a shape shifting assassin, fighting an infection that's killing her, he knows that time is short. Can he reach her distant family before time runs out?
***
Visit the author’s blog for the latest updates.
Katherine Eliska Kimbrel is re-releasing her SFR FIRES OF NUALA through Book View Café (slated for September per her blog). Here’s the story blurb:For more than 150 years, she has traveled the Seven Systems, slipping in and out of Cold Sleep. She is a free-trader, the aristocracy of con artists, able to fleece the dishonest with their own greed.
The woman is known as Silver, when she is named at all –- and she may be the finest free-trader living. But even she is not prepared for the reality of Nuala, planet of deadly radiation levels, humans who heal by touch, and the rarest platinum group metal in the known galaxy. Eighty percent of the citizens are sterile, and the wealthy send their children out to seek mates and find others willing to expand the planetary gene pool. A Nualan can smell a lie at fifty paces. Truth, honor – and their children – are everything to the people of Nuala.
On Nuala, for the first time, Silver will be forced to use her real name –- Darame Daviddottir – and she will walk the thinnest line between truth and lie of her long and varied career.
The scam she’s come to join has just been blown to the skies, along with the throne lines of three separate sovereign nations. Now Darame has just one decision -– which group of Nualans will she support in the days to come? Mere chance threw her into the camp of the Atares, leaders of the largest clan on Nuala. Will she help them? Thwart them? Wait for the dust to settle?
The tipping point may have already occurred. Turns out she’s mentioned in Nualan religious prophecy, and has caught the eye of the last adult male of a throne line. Sheel Atare is a “hot” healer, able to close ripped flesh and draw fever with a touch. A reclusive professor and medical doctor, unprepared to rule, Sheel Atare needs all the allies he can get.
Even allies who may be connected to those who brought down his house.
(Cover by Don Dixon)
(Thanks to Galaxy Express passenger B. for the info.)
Steampunk Romance
Squee! The release time is nigh. For now, here’s a look at the cover for Meljean Brook’s THE IRON DUKE (October 5, 2010):
Interesting mix of steampunk and man titty. What, steampunk ain’t enough to sell books?! :-P What do you think about this cover?
Author interviews
Erica Anderson (THE ANTAREN AFFAIR) was interviewed at the SFR Brigade.
Cool short story contest
All Romance Ebooks is hosting the Just One Bite Short Story Contest. The reason I hope SFR authors consider this unique opportunity is because they will consider “any story in the paranormal genre.” This is one instance when lumping SFR in with horror-based paranormal tales works in our favor. Oh, I am so evil. Evil, I tell you.
Readers will vote for their favorite stories from among 32 finalists. There are prizes, too:Readers will vote for their favorite short stories during 5 rounds of voting with the field being narrowed at the end of each round. The first prize winner will receive $1000 US. The second prize winner will receive an iPod Touch. The third prize winner will receive a $100 eBook Bucks Gift Certificate redeemable either at AllRomance.com or OmniLit.com.
Here are the complete submission guidelines. They are seeking short short stories:Each title must be an original, never before published paranormal romance work between 2,500 and 3,000 words and will be marketed exclusively by All Romance. After the contest, the works may be bundled or distributed individually by All Romance via our Free Read program…Submissions will be accepted between September 1 and September 28, 2010.
And if you win with a science fiction romance, please do tell me so I can read your story!
(Via SFR Brigade)
Submitting your SFR
As of this posting, it looks like L&L Dreamspell has more openings for its steampunk e-anthology. Might be an opportunity for steampunk romance authors.
The SFR Brigade showcases Desert Breeze Publishing, a publisher very much open to science fiction romance submissions.
Better late than never
I had the honor of being included in last week’s Mind Meld at SF Signal. The question was “What are some of your favorite science fiction and fantasy settings and why?” It’s possibly the only place where Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series and Gerry Anderson’s THUNDERBIRDS make a joint appearance. *big grin*
Now I turn the mike over to you: Have any SFR news or links to share?
Joyfully yours,
Heather