Thursday, October 27, 2016

SFRB Recommends #63: Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder

This ultimate insider's guide reveals the secrets that none dare admit, told by a show biz veteran who's proven that you can sell your script if you can save the cat!

The full title's Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need. I don't write screenplays, and there's plenty of Hollywood material here I didn't find useful, but I've found it an approachable, casual explication of the three-act structure and how it and 'beats' work for most stories. The book's other useful features are demonstrating the saving of said cat by the hero (thus making us care about the hero) and the importance of being able to explain your story in an efficient manner: good for blurbs and queries.

Related sites: Save the Snyder!: A beat sheet outline | Plotting with the Save the Cat Beat Sheet Structure | Save the Cat! Official Website

Recommendation by Lee Koven.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Launch Day: The Great @iBooks #Scifi #Romance Sale! #iBooksSFR #ipad #iphone

In association with iBooks, iPad and iPhone owners can stock up their Christmas reads or beat the election blues with 19 discounted and award-winning scifi romances until the 8th of November. Get lost in another universe with love and adventure among the stars! Click HERE for instant transportation.


Titles available:
Touched by an Alien by Gini Kock
Alien Attachments by Sabine Priestly
Abducted by Evangeline Anderson
Anja's Star by Lyn Brittan
Keir by Pippa Jay
Outbreak by Veronica Scott
Trapped by Alison Aimes
Atrophy by Jess Anastasi
Grim by MK Eidem
Prophecy by Lea Kirk
Rege's Rescue by Dena Garson
River's Run by SE Smith
Stranded with the Cyborg by Cara Bristol
Assigned a Mate by Grace Goodwin
Hope's Folly by Linnea Sinclair
The Champion of Baresh by Susan Grant
On a Rogue Planet by Anna Hackett
The Key by Pauline Baird Jones
Dark Runner by Cathryn Cade
Pets in Space by various

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

WHAT IS SPACE OPERA NOIR? AND HOW CAN I GET SOME?



What would you get if you combined the literary DNA of STAR TREK, FIREFLY and BLADE RUNNER? Space opera noir, that’s what! And the third book in my Interstellar Rescue series, Fools Rush In, which launches today.

If you write SFR you probably cut your teeth on some form of space opera—TREK, STAR WARS, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, or any of the science fiction written by the rocket-happy guys of the Golden Age of SF. The term, of course, comes from the old days of radio, when laundry detergent sold radio plays aimed at housewives: “soap operas.” Similarly melodramatic Westerns earned the term “horse operas.” And naturally when square-jawed heroes and buxom heroines took to space in serials like BUCK ROGERS, they fought nasty aliens in “space operas.”

You might have to be a movie fan to know the term “film noir,” though. Technically it’s applies to mystery/thrillers made in the late Forties and Fifties using low lighting (thus “noir” or black), shadowy settings and dramatic use of black-and-white cinematography as a symbol of the dark underbelly of the lives the films portrayed. One of the best examples of this film style is THE MALTESE FALCON, starring Humphrey Bogart as private eye Sam Spade. The action is fast, the dialogue is snappy, and it always seems to be either night-time or raining in usually sunny L.A.

Filmmaker Ridley Scott used this style when he made his classic film adaptation of Phillip K. Dick’s story “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” as BLADE RUNNER. It’s always raining here, too, drenching the teeming alleys of the dark, violent city, and weird surprises lurk in the shadows. (Scott used darkness and shadows to the same, startling effect in ALIEN.) In BLADE RUNNER, though, the noir aspect conveys “lack of resources” as much as violence and sudden death. You can imagine that those alleys are cold, as well as dark.

The universe of Fools Rush In has its own kind of darkness. Life in space, especially for the book’s hero, pirate captain Sam Murphy, and the crew of his ship Shadowhawk, is a constant battle for scarce resources—energy, food, water, air, credits, spare parts. Sam lives on the edge of legality, and he’s well-versed in the arts of negotiation, smuggling, black-market trading, even outright theft. He’s very comfortable in that criminal underbelly so many noir  films depict, and yet he is a man of principle. He has his own code of ethics and standards of behavior. He follows those standards himself and he demands them of his crew, even as they move through some of the ugliest ports in galaxy.

The book’s heroine, Rayna Carver, has seen her share of darkness, too. She works undercover as an agent for the Interstellar Council for Abolition and Rescue, putting herself at risk in alien slave labor facilities to help extract slaves, organize resistance and undertake sabotage. She’s driven, dedicated and full of never-say-die enthusiasm.

But these two show more kickass space opera DNA than world-weary film noir characteristics. They meet their challenges head-on, with swashbuckling brashness and bare-knuckled determination. It’s just not in either one of them to give up or to surrender—even to each other!

So, given their penchant for action, Fools Rush In has plenty of space opera fun along with its shadowy noir murders and mysteries—space battles, fistfights, onboard explosions, even evil aliens.  Somehow, Sam and Rayna seem to handle it all with aplomb—and still find time for hot romance!

Here’s the official blurb for Fools Rush In:

She thought she had the toughest job in Rescue—
until the day she had to convert a pirate into a hero.

Interstellar Rescue “conductor” Rayna Carver is deep undercover on a slave ship bound for an isolated region of space when the ship is attacked by pirates. Her liberator is Captain Sam Murphy, a man known in the spacer bars to love only profit, adventure and women.

But Murphy hates a few things, too, chief among them slavers. Will it be enough to gain his help for Rayna’s mission—ferreting out two spies bent on sabotaging an arms factory to turn the tide in an alien civil war?

Get your copy today on Amazon!

And, BTW, if you need to catch up on either of the two other books in the series, Unchained Memory will be on sale for $0.99 on Amazon for one more day. Trouble in Mind will be on sale on Amazon for $0.99, just until tomorrow. Hurry to get yours!

Cheers, Donna


Donna S. Frelick has been a journalist, a Peace Corps Volunteer and an author of STAR TREK fan fiction. She was an RWA® Golden Heart® Double Finalist in 2012 for the first two novels in her contemporary SFR Interstellar Rescue series. Book 3 in the series, Fools Rush In, launches TODAY from INK’d Press. 

Find her at http://donnasfrelick.com; blogging at http://spacefreighters.blogspot.com; on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DonnaSFrelickAuthor and on Twitter @DonnaSFrelick. 

 






Thursday, October 13, 2016

SFRB Recommends #62: Prince of Passion by Jessa Slade #sfr

When mercenary raiders targeted the empathic crystals that imbue the legendary l’auraly lovers with extraordinary sensual prowess, Icere, the last male l’auralyo, helped destroy the crystals. Rather than let the source of uninhibited pleasure be corrupted into a mind-controlling drug, he allowed his passionate destiny to remain forever unfulfilled. Now, Icere channels his fury into revenge. Tracking the raiders through the interstellar sheerways to a watery world infamous for its aphrodisiac liqueur, he finds a queen—as adrift and alone as he—forced for years into a fate she never desired.

Saya-Rynn inherited duty, command and control from her cruel grandfather and fought to transform her dangerous planet into a paradise for her people—but the price was literally a poison that runs through her veins. Though she feels as ancient as the seas, she finds herself awash in the hot male potency of the young Icere. Still, she resists the chance for indulgence she thinks has passed by her. But when the raiders strike again, Rynn must embrace her troubled legacy, and Icere will find his place as a lover and a fighter. Together, the reluctant ruler and the deposed prince of passion find common purpose, combating the mysterious entity seeking to rule the sheerways, and claim a love as bright as the infinite stars.



Slade's language is fantastic. Descriptions are lush and sensual without being explicit, and I'm not just talking about the love scenes. The aquatic world is detailed and rich, with interesting festivals and customs. The story ratchets up the tension at a steady clip, and I found myself spellbound by the seas, the sea monsters, and the give and take between the characters.

Icere and Rynn, the leads, are fascinating people. Both lead lonely lives that make them have to tamp down their own wants and needs, and they recognize that in each other and find it irresistible. Everything Icere was raised and trained for is gone, and he's made his life's mission to save others in honor or what he lost. He's controlled intensity, and when he focuses his attention on Rynn, it's delicious. Rynn has had few choices in her life: raised to be queen and also to carry death in her touch, which she's learned painful lessons from. She's devoted to her children and her people, even if it's not her desire to rule. When she finds someone who appeals to her as herself, her falling for him is amazing to behold. I held my breath for the two of them until the last page.


Recommendation by Lee Koven.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

NEW RELEASE! Pets in Space

OUT TODAY!

Nine authors--all members of the SFR Brigade--announce
the release of a fun and exciting new anthology.

Pets in Space
 
 
Join the adventure as nine pet loving sci-fi romance authors
take you out of this world and pull you into their
action-packed stories filled with suspense, laughter, and romance.

10% of the first month’s profits go to Hero-Dogs.org.
Hero Dogs raises and trains service dogs and places them free of charge
with US Veterans to improve quality of life and restore independence.
______________________________
 

A MATE FOR MATRIX: CYBORG PROTECTION UNIT
By S.E. Smith
(New York Times/USA TODAY Bestselling Author)
An elite soldier discovers his cyborg partner is hunting more than the genetically-engineered creature they have been sent to destroy – a life-mate for him.
 
STRAY
By Susan Grant
(New York Times/USA TODAY Bestselling, and RITA Award Winning Author)
An Interplanetary Marine must overcome his demons if he and the scrappy street dog he has trained hope to find the woman he loves.
 
SPARK OF ATTRACTION
By Cara Bristol
(USA TODAY Bestselling Author)
When his emotions are erased, a cyborg military captain doesn’t think he’ll ever feel again – until he meets a traumatized young woman and a ball of synthetic fur named Sparky.
 
THE REAL DRAGON
By Pauline Baird Jones
The fate of the Earth, or at least ten square miles of Texas, depend on a woman, her talking dragon, and the man she loves – if only she could remember who he was.
 
STAR CRUISE: STOWAWAY
By Veronica Scott
Danger surrounds the stowaway that a Cargo Master discovers with the help of the ship’s cat and her alien sidekick.

STARDOG
By Laurie A. Green
A navigator and a charming street vendor are pulled into a brewing insurrection thanks to an adorable StarDog.
 
SPIKE
By Alexis Glynn Latner
A young roboticist’s mission is threatened by sabotage until a mission designer steps forward and offers an idea that can change not only the mission – but their lives forever.

SPACE RANGER
By Lea Kirk
A hardened commander and a botanist discover that love can blossom from the smallest, furriest ties.
 
ESCAPE RUN
By Carysa Locke
The fate of an entire population rests on a hunter and her psychically gifted fox, unfortunately the man who hired her might prove a fatal distraction if she can’t keep her focus.
 
____________________________________

 KOBO

 


Friday, October 7, 2016

Cover Reveal - Newborn by Edward Hoornaert #scifi #romance via @edhoornaert @lolasblogtours

Today is the cover reveal for Newborn by Edward Hoornaert. The cover is designed by Danielle Fine. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours.

NewbornNewborn
By Edward Hoornaert
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: October 20, 2016

Blurb:
Can a man and woman disagree about a little thing like murder and still be lovers?

Jo Eaglesbrood is born fully dressed, well-armed, and impatient to tackle her Destiny. Namely, killing her alien nation's most wanted fugitive. Her programmers want her to live a few hours, kill, then die.

But something goes wrong.

Darby Lapierre has the thankless task of protecting the surly fugitive while she recuperates from gunshot wounds. It's hard, but not impossible for a skillful bodyguard like Darby.

Until, that is, Jo shows up at the private hospital after an accident. Beautiful, naive young Jo knows nothing about life and love, and wants Darby to teach her. Just until she's well enough to attack her Destiny, of course. And then he'll be in the way . . . .


You can find Newborn on Goodreads

You can pre-order Newborn here:
- B&N
- Kobo
- Smashwords

Excerpt:
"You scared me, lady. Some sentry I am, eh?"
Sentry: someone who guards. "Did you sit out here all night?"
Darby yawned again. "Most of today, too. You slept for thirty hours, Josette." He pulled away from me as though he didn't like my closeness.
He was evil, the enemy of my Destiny, so I leaned to within a handbreadth of his nose to annoy him. "You destroyed my clothes?"
"Out of my face, woman." He gently pushed me back. I lacked the strength to resist. "One of the nurses put your clothes in the hall closet so she wouldn't wake you." He pointed.
I stood carefully, determined to show no pain. If I moved slowly enough, my dizziness merely growled instead of baring fangs and lunging at my throat.
Darby looked at me in wonder. Creases wrinkled the corners of his mouth as he smiled. The creases were…dimples? Yes, dimples. How could an enemy have a face so appealing that my belly—though not my brain—felt warm and trusting? I turned, slowly of course, toward where he'd pointed.
"Uh, Josette. Your hospital gown is open at the back."
That observation didn't seem to require a response. I staggered five baby steps. Upon reaching the closet, I leaned against the wall as my head zoomed in wild circles, turning up into down and down into sideways.
"Jesus," he muttered.
The deity's name by itself imparted no information, and in any case it wasn't as important as getting dressed so I'd be like everyone else. The closet door had a round, fist-sized thingy at waist height. My mind didn't supply a name. When I grasped it, it wiggled, and when I turned it, the door opened. Doorknob, my mind belatedly explained.
My clothes hung inside, but my guns were gone. My packsack sat on the floor—minus, I already knew, my ten-thousand dollars.
Darby's footsteps hurried toward me. "Wait, Josette," he said in a rush. "I'll help you to your room and bring the clothes to you."
But I was already untying the bow at the back of my neck. As he reached me, my hospital gown fluttered to the carpet.


Edward HoornaertAbout the Author:
What kind of guy writes romance? A guy who married his high school sweetheart a week after graduation and still lives the HEA decades later. A guy who’s a certifiable Harlequin hero—he inspired Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Rita Award finalist Mr. Valentine, which is dedicated to him.

Ed started out writing contemporary romances for Silhouette Books, but these days he concentrates on science fiction romance. He’s been a teacher, principal, technical writer, salesman, janitor, and symphonic oboist. He and wife Judi live in Tucson, Arizona. They have three sons, a daughter, a mutt, and the galaxy’s most adorable grandson.

You can find and contact Edward Hoornaert here:
- Website
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Google Plus
- Newsletter

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