You only live once, so why not spend some quality time with a sci-fi romance or three? Here are this month's new releases, including some inexpensive and free reads!
New
releases
HAVOC (The Dred Chronicles #2) -
Ann Aguirre
The Conglomerate’s most dangerous convicts have made the prison ship Perdition their home. And they will defend it…
Perdition is under siege. Mercenaries have boarded the station with orders to take control of the facility—and execute the prisoners. Their commander is offering full pardons to the first five inmates willing to help the mercs complete their mission.
Dresdemona “Dred” Devos hasn’t survived hard time just to surrender to the Conglomerate’s armored thugs. Leading a ragtag army of inmates, Dred and her champion Jael wage a bloody guerilla war of chaos and carnage against impossible odds. But no matter how dire the outlook, the dread queen never backs down …
His fiancé, Rianna Elain, is in the thick of it back home
with a group of freedom fighters known as Libertas headed by the charismatic
Terrill Briggs, a flirtatious yet honorable man who wants to see the people
free once more and will go to great lengths to see it through. They are on the
run from security forces and a noose that closes tighter each day.
BLISS (m/m; erotic) - Lisa Henry and Heidi Belleau
They're
always happy.
Rory James has worked hard all his life to become a citizen of the idyllic city-state of Beulah. Like every other kid born in the neighboring country of Tophet, he’s heard the stories: No crime or pollution. A house and food for everyone. It’s perfect, and Rory is finally getting a piece of it.
So is Tate Patterson. He’s from Tophet, too, but he’s not a legal immigrant; he snuck in as a thief. A city without crime seems like an easy score, until he crashes into Rory during a getaway and is arrested for assaulting a citizen. Instead of jail, Tate is enrolled in Beulah’s Rehabilitation through Restitution program. By living with and serving his victim for seven years, Tate will learn the human face of his crimes.
If it seems too good to be true, that’s because it is. Tate is fitted with a behavior-modifying chip that leaves him unable to disobey orders—any orders, no matter how dehumanizing. Worse, the chip prevents him from telling Rory, the one man in all of Beulah who might care about him, the truth: in a country without prisons, Tate is locked inside his own mind.
Rory James has worked hard all his life to become a citizen of the idyllic city-state of Beulah. Like every other kid born in the neighboring country of Tophet, he’s heard the stories: No crime or pollution. A house and food for everyone. It’s perfect, and Rory is finally getting a piece of it.
So is Tate Patterson. He’s from Tophet, too, but he’s not a legal immigrant; he snuck in as a thief. A city without crime seems like an easy score, until he crashes into Rory during a getaway and is arrested for assaulting a citizen. Instead of jail, Tate is enrolled in Beulah’s Rehabilitation through Restitution program. By living with and serving his victim for seven years, Tate will learn the human face of his crimes.
If it seems too good to be true, that’s because it is. Tate is fitted with a behavior-modifying chip that leaves him unable to disobey orders—any orders, no matter how dehumanizing. Worse, the chip prevents him from telling Rory, the one man in all of Beulah who might care about him, the truth: in a country without prisons, Tate is locked inside his own mind.
ALIEN ATTACHMENTS (Alien
Attachments #1) - Sabrine Priestly
Will
their love be strong enough to keep them alive and get them back to Earth?
Finding one's psi-mate is something every Sandarian hopes for, but when Ian
Cavacent accidentally starts the bonding process with the Earthling, Dani, he
has to fight his desire with every ounce of his being. If the process is
completed, it means both political and financial suicide for Ian and his
family.
A natural klutz, Dani somehow always manages to land on her feet and win her mixed martial arts matches. At home on Cat Island, her balance is thrown when bazillionaire Ian takes notice.
A natural klutz, Dani somehow always manages to land on her feet and win her mixed martial arts matches. At home on Cat Island, her balance is thrown when bazillionaire Ian takes notice.
Unfortunately some Torog aliens also take
notice, sending her life spiraling out of control and into Ian's arms. But Dani
isn't the type of woman to let alien voodoo decide her future or her mate...no
matter how gorgeous the man is or how much pleasure he gives her.
For
centuries the Cavacents have mined Earth for a precious element, carnium, while
protecting the planet from other alien species. Thanks to the Torogs, Dani and
Ian must flee to Sandaria. As Dani learns to use her newfound psi powers, the
empire crumbles around them.
New
SFR bundle
Hmm, will this start a wave of SFR
boxed sets? It's certainly an inexpensive way to try out a bunch of authors at
once! This bundle is currently .99 cents at Amazon
and All
Romance Ebooks. Here's the cover and blurb:
11 Sci-Fi Romances that’ll sweep you
away!
If you like your science fiction blazing with adventure and your space opera spiced with romance, this boxed set is for you. From first contact to battles for survival and love on war-torn planets, this collection from bestselling & award winning authors, including Cathryn Cade, Veronica Scott, PK Hrezo and more, will leave you sighing with satisfaction.
Her Cyborg Awakes by Melisse Aires
Her gentle cyborg servant helped her escape violence--but now he's changed into a warrior! Is he safe?
Removed (The Nogiku Series, #1) by SJ Pajonas
In this Japan-inspired tale, one woman’s family destiny is key to the survival of the last city on Earth.
Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc. by PK Hrezo
Welcome to Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.
Noelle In His Heart by C.E. Kilgore
Noelle wishes for someone who understands she has love to give but commitments to honor. Stranded on Earth, Steve longs for someone who will understand that his alien heart can love just as deeply.
Stark Pleasure; the Space Magnate's Mistress by Cathryn Cade
Kiri te Nawa survives the perils of the galaxy on her wits ... although when it comes to space magnate Logan Stark, she’d rather use her body.
But can she trust him with her secrets?
Birth of an Empire: The Beginning by Catrina Taylor
Three former genetic experiments chose peace over war in a sector that's known only war for a century. As each one squares against their governments they will question the experiences that guide them.
Escape From Zulaire by Veronica Scott
When the planet erupts into war, Sectors Special Forces Captain Tom Deverane must decide whether to save Andi Markriss, the intergalactic businesswoman he loves, or sacrifice her to save Zulaire.
Solia's Moon by Lyn Brittan
SFR Galaxy Award Winner! When Dr. Solia uncovers her company's foray into creating humanoid life, she enlists the help of her handsome ex, Sheriff Sable, in bringing a little justice to the universe.
The Key by Pauline Baird Jones
Her orders are simple: do the impossible and do it yesterday. But this time the impossible might actually be impossible. The only way it could get worse? If her heart starts beating for the wrong guy.
The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy by Greta van der Rol
The Galaxy teeters on the brink of war. Can ex-admiral Saahren persuade the woman who hates him to help him prevent the coming conflagration? And perhaps even love him?
Mirror Image by KG Stutts
If you like your science fiction blazing with adventure and your space opera spiced with romance, this boxed set is for you. From first contact to battles for survival and love on war-torn planets, this collection from bestselling & award winning authors, including Cathryn Cade, Veronica Scott, PK Hrezo and more, will leave you sighing with satisfaction.
Her Cyborg Awakes by Melisse Aires
Her gentle cyborg servant helped her escape violence--but now he's changed into a warrior! Is he safe?
Removed (The Nogiku Series, #1) by SJ Pajonas
In this Japan-inspired tale, one woman’s family destiny is key to the survival of the last city on Earth.
Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc. by PK Hrezo
Welcome to Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.
Noelle In His Heart by C.E. Kilgore
Noelle wishes for someone who understands she has love to give but commitments to honor. Stranded on Earth, Steve longs for someone who will understand that his alien heart can love just as deeply.
Stark Pleasure; the Space Magnate's Mistress by Cathryn Cade
Kiri te Nawa survives the perils of the galaxy on her wits ... although when it comes to space magnate Logan Stark, she’d rather use her body.
But can she trust him with her secrets?
Birth of an Empire: The Beginning by Catrina Taylor
Three former genetic experiments chose peace over war in a sector that's known only war for a century. As each one squares against their governments they will question the experiences that guide them.
Escape From Zulaire by Veronica Scott
When the planet erupts into war, Sectors Special Forces Captain Tom Deverane must decide whether to save Andi Markriss, the intergalactic businesswoman he loves, or sacrifice her to save Zulaire.
Solia's Moon by Lyn Brittan
SFR Galaxy Award Winner! When Dr. Solia uncovers her company's foray into creating humanoid life, she enlists the help of her handsome ex, Sheriff Sable, in bringing a little justice to the universe.
The Key by Pauline Baird Jones
Her orders are simple: do the impossible and do it yesterday. But this time the impossible might actually be impossible. The only way it could get worse? If her heart starts beating for the wrong guy.
The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy by Greta van der Rol
The Galaxy teeters on the brink of war. Can ex-admiral Saahren persuade the woman who hates him to help him prevent the coming conflagration? And perhaps even love him?
Mirror Image by KG Stutts
Maddie's entire world is turned upside down when she finds out that she is a clone. Now she must work with her counterpart to protect Earth.
***
Free
reads
Via a tweet by
author C.E. Kilgore, I learned about a new webcomic called LOVE NOT FOUND. I read the
first issue and it's a futuristic, utopian-set story with light comedic and
erotic elements. Difficult to predict if there'll be an HEA/HFN, but it'll be
interesting to see where the story goes.
Sharon Lynn Fisher added new
content to her zombie SFR serial RED.
For even more free reads, check out my list of Cheap/Free ebooks to Download!
Author
interviews
Deborah A. Bailey is a busy bee with
interviews at Smart
Girls Love SciFi & Paranormal Romance and SFR
Brigade.
USA Today's Happy Ever After feature
columnist Veronica Scott (Sci-Fi Encounters) interviews
AT STAR'S END author Anna Hackett. (I know that was a long intro, but gotta
work the SEO, baby!)
Robyn Bachar interviews
Pippa Jay (TETHERED).
Articles
about women in film
How
Nicole Perlman Became the First Woman to Write a Marvel Movie is a
fascinating and inspiring article. The piece chronicles Nicole Perlman's path
to Hollywood and I'm hoping her experience will open a few doors for future
female screenwriters. I'm betting many SFR readers and authors can relate to
the geek side of her life:
Nicole Perlman’s interest in space started early — and with the help of real-life rocket scientists. When she was growing up in Boulder, Colo., in what she calls “a very nerdy family,” her father would host a science-fiction book club that counted among its members many employees of the aeronautics companies based in the area. The rocket scientists would come to her house and discuss their favorite books; noticing her interest, her father bought the 15-year-old Perlman copies of physicist Richard Feynman’s two autobiographies.
That fateful gift started Perlman, now 33, on a path that led to her writing Guardians of the Galaxy, in theaters Aug. 1. The movie is Marvel’s big leap away from its more established superhero properties into the depths of outer space. It’s also the first movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to have a woman as a credited writer — but getting there wasn’t exactly easy.
The most fascinating part relates to a
key moment in Ms. Perlman's career that provided her with an unconventional way
of breaking into the film business:
The takeaway? Talent and perseverance are still incredibly important, but luck can also play a crucial role. When I read articles like these, I often wonder what kind of lucky moment might be in store for SFR authors--especially since it's a primarily female-driven genre.
Back in 2009, the company [Marvel] launched a writer’s program that sounds like something along the lines of the old studio system: several writers would sign on for a period of two years to work full-time on Marvel properties and see what happened……But Perlman applied and decided that, when she got it, this was her chance to show the world that she could do it, to write science fiction at a company where risks could be taken.