I'd like to share a snapshot of a few of my recent sci-fi
romance activities. And away we go…
I sampled G.S. Jennsen's
STARSHINE (Aurora Rising #1). Plot tags include space opera, thriller, mystery,
action-adventure, and political intrigue. Heroine is a pilot and the sample
hinted at a coming-of-age thread for her. From what I've read, this series will
appeal to readers who enjoy hard SF elements and romantic SF (especially since
the romance doesn't kick in at the same time as the external plot).
You can read the prologue and first chapter excerpt
at the author's site.
***
A Galaxy Express passenger informed me that Ariel MacArran's STARDANCER
features the captivity and kidnapping trope, but without potentially triggering
content. I've read about half the book and while the heroine makes
life-altering decisions under significant duress, the story so far doesn't
enter dub-con or non-con territory.
The romance features a battle-of-the-sexes trope between a
starship captain heroine (with red hair, natch) and a Conan the Barbarian type warrior
from another planet. The story also explores the concept of navigating cultural
differences within the context of an intimate relationship. The style and tone
harks back to futuristic romances of the 1990s and will probably hold the
strongest appeal for romance readers.
Also, the author has another book in the same universe
listed in her Coming Soon page: THE CONSORT.
***
I first
reported on the Korean drama MY LOVE
FROM ANOTHER STAR back in April. Since then, I've been slowly making my way
through this 21 episode series for free via Drama
Fever.
Let me tell you, it's been really hard not to glom this
addictive show all in one sitting. This is my first kdrama, so I'm not sure if
the romance will have an HEA. That, and the story isn't making any solid
promises either (which is actually adding a dash of delicious suspense!).
Either way, I'm going to blog about MY LOVE FROM ANOTHER
STAR because while much of it is derivative romance and SF, the combination of the two genres with the soap opera
format, larger than life characters, and a Korean setting are blowing
my mind. (Watching it on Drama Fever can be a drag, though, given the
commercials and occasional glitches. I should have watched it on Roku from the
beginning).
***
If you enjoy novella-length erotic sci-fi romance, mad
scientists, superhero romances, heroes of color, doctor heroines, superhuman
transformations, the tame-the-hero-trope, forbidden doctor-patient
relationships, and don't mind fictional professionals crossing some serious ethical
lines (but all in the name of fun, eh?) then Tatiana Caldwell's WAY OUT OF CONTROL
might be up your alley! You can download a free PDF excerpt at the author's
site.
***
I've had FIREFLY on the brain lately, so here's a short list
of FIREFLY-esque science fiction romances (based on both my own reading and
what I've heard):
FORTUNE'S PAWN - Rachel Bach
(Read the author's Women in SF&F post Love and the Science Fiction Action Heroine at Fantasy Cafe.)
ASCENSION - Jacqueline Koyanagi
(I tagged this book here.)
IN THE BLACK - Sheryl Nantus
(The author blogged about her book at CONTACT - Infinite Futures.)
THIEF - Anitra Lynn McLeod
(I tagged this book here.)
FORTUNE'S HERO - Jenna Bennett
THE SYSTEM - Heather Lin
(Author interview here.)
GRIMSPACE - Ann Aguirre
(Tags & info in the author's Supernova feature.)
Tell me about some of your recent sci-fi romance adventures!
Joyfully yours,
Heather