SFRB Recommends #24: Lunar Exposure by Shona Husk #sfr #scifi

Lunar Exposure by Shona Husk

Bounty hunter Callen wants to capture Noga—a terrorist—both for the money and for revenge. But catching a criminal on the sensual resort of Decadent Moon without giving in to all the destination’s sexual pleasures is harder than it seems.

Haliday is the darling of the media, a socialite known as much for her casual relationships as she is for her charitable donations. No one knows she hunts down criminals.

Lust and ambition clash, and Callen and Haliday will have to find a way to work together, despite the distraction of their passionate bond. To succeed they must trust each other, something neither Callen nor Haliday is willing to do.

73pg Erotic Sci-Fi Rom.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read. Would definitely recommend. However there were some issues. For one, I found a bit too much telling and not showing going on. Also didn’t like the italicized time element. Distracting every single time. A bigger issue was in her hot and steamy scenes. The word repetition made me want to pull my hair out a few times. I’d love to run this through autocrit to see how many times clit and slit show up. Still, having said that, those scenes worked for me. Loved the heat level!
Well done.
This recommendation is made by Sabine Priestley.

Author site: Shona Husk - Romance Author

SFRB Recommends #9: Eroma by Piers Anthony #scifi #romance #scifirom

Eroma - Piers Anthony

From the book description:

In the futuristic multi-player Virtual Reality game of erotic romance (EROtic ROMAnce), sight, sound, and touch all work, and sexual climaxes are immediate and mutual. The audience of millions watches in 3D-TV every interaction, down to the most intimate and sometimes transparent detail. As players conquer difficult sexual tests, they are challenged to see what they are willing to do in order to win.

Not for the sexually faint of heart.

Piers, in his inimitable style, writes a vivid book that, in this case in particular, leaves very little to the imagination. Or rather, it sucks the reader right in to the world he creates until they live, breathe and feel just about all the characters do. Focussing on the sexual interactions of the main characters and the VR game challenges they face, the romance comes to the fore. However, it (the romance, that is) would not exist without the underlying technology that makes a multi-player realistic VR game possible.

This book is recommended for adults only, and you gotta like reading sex. And LOTS of it.

Author site: Piers Anthony Official Website

"Marked For Desire" is out today!!!

Below is a fantastic post by Laurie Green about Piracy. Don't miss it!

But I had to let you all know my book was out. After all, I've done a LOT of whining about this book. LOL!

But FINALLY today is the release day for "Marked For Desire".

If Leo Eyler had any other way to find his enemy, he would use it. A stubborn princess doesn't suit his plans. Unfortunately, Princess Sera Placido is his only clue. The last thing she wants to do is cooperate with a Nyral Dominant who can’t keep his hands off her.

When Leo insists on running her security against the deadly Brotherhood, Sera realizes that assassins and a life-sucking planet may not be the most dangerous thing she has to deal with. Her growing passion for Leo is. For although they clash, he intends to win both her body and her heart, and she's having a hard time resisting.

If they're going to survive, Sera has to learn to submit. Leo teaches her that she's marked for desire.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements, female/female interaction, moresome (m/f/f/m with homoerotic interaction), voyeurism.

You can buy it HERE.

Publisher Showcase - Samhain Publishing

Hello SFR Brigaders/Readers/Authors out there!

I have the honor of presenting Sasha Knight from Samhain Publishing in our continuing Publisher Showcase series! So let's get this ship off the launch pad and get into orbit!



Would you like to share a little history about Samhain Publishing?

Pronounced sah-vin by the Scots, sow-in (sow like cow) by the Irish and sam-hine in English, Samhain is the Irish word for November. And November 2005 saw the launch of Samhain Publishing, Ltd., founded with a goal of bringing to compulsive readers books that allow them to discover new worlds and be taken on adventures through the creative minds of today’s brightest authors.

Over the last four and a half years we have worked hard to make Samhain one of the top epublishers in today’s market. Our books are available at digital bookstores all over the web, and we also publish print versions available in Borders, Barnes & Noble and Chapters as well as other chains and independent bookstores—but always remember that if you simply can’t wait, the digital version is just a click away!

Who are your key personnel?

So many people work hard to make Samhain a fantastic publisher that I could take page after page just mentioning names and all they do for Samhain. Plus, we couldn’t exist without the authors who write the wonderful stories readers clamor for. But I assume you’re asking about the staff. We have a great crew who you can read about on the About Us page on our Samhain website.
http://www.samhainpublishing.com/about

What are the most common reasons a novel (especially a Science Fiction Romance novel) is rejected?

The most common reason a book is rejected is the writer doesn’t know their craft. Simply put that means poor grammar, stilted writing, implausible storylines, plot holes, info-dumping, starting the book with page after page of unnecessary back story, unlikable characters or ones I can’t—or don’t want to—relate to. There are many more reasons, but these are the ones I see over and over again.

I also want to mention cover letters. I can’t tell you how many times I see basic typos and misspellings in a cover letter. Looking back over the last five slush pile submissions I received, three of them had obvious typos in the cover letter—and in one of those the author misspelled the title of the book. I wish I was joking, but I see this more often than you’d believe. Remember, authors, you want to make a good impression from the beginning, and that includes a polished, professional cover letter. Don’t over-share personal information. Be professional, be courteous of the editor’s time, and polish, polish, polish. Don’t give us a reason to dread looking at your submission—make us excited from those very first few lines.

What are the biggest mistakes new authors make?

If you’re talking about authors who haven’t been published before and who are looking to break in, it’s everything I stated in the above answer. If you’re talking about new authors who have just signed their first contract, it’s not realizing or appreciating the level of work that goes into releasing a book. Don’t get me wrong, I love the shiny newness of a brand-new author who is so excited about their first book contract. I love that enthusiasm. But I’ve seen some who come in thinking that they’ve already done the hard part—they wrote the book—and they won’t have to do many edits, they won’t have to promote the title, they won’t have to do anything but sit back and cash their huge paychecks. Be prepared to work and work hard, edit, revise and rewrite, then promote, promote, promote—all while writing your next book.

What do you look for in a Science Fiction Romance submission? What grabs your attention, makes you sit up and want to read more?

The same thing I look for in any submission. I want to be wowed. It’s as simple and as complicated as that. What wows me? A well-written story featuring characters I want to spend lots of time with. A strong and unique author voice that makes me sit up and take notice. In Science-Fiction romance, I want to see strong worldbuilding. The worldbuilding is such an essential and important part of this genre, if it’s not there, or it’s lacking, I’m probably not going to offer a contract. I don’t want cookie-cutter characters, plots, or worldbuilding. Make it unique, make it believable. Make me want to sit in the pilot seat, fly through the stars, or walk the streets of your world.

How far do you read into a submission before you know if the novel is right for you?

I can read a few lines of a book and know it’s wrong for me, but for new authors I haven’t worked with before, I read the entire book before I know it’s right. Now, I might get a buzz along my spine, the breathless anticipation of what’s to come from reading just the first couple chapters, but I will read all the way to the end before making a decision, because, sadly, books that start well sometimes fall apart.

Do you have recommendations or requirements regarding "heat levels" of submissions?

Write the heat level the story—and characters—demand. Don’t try to write hotter just because you think that’s what publishers are looking for. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been reading a fantastic story, the characters are exciting, the worldbuilding fantastic, and then out of nowhere the story devolves into a sex romp that completely doesn’t fit the characters or the plot, making me go “wha--?” and ripping me out of the story. On the opposite side of the spectrum, I’ve read books where the author builds the sexual tension between the characters so hot that the story demands a sex scene, and then the author either closes the door on the sex or ignores it. Both of these can be story killers. Make sure to stay true to the characters, and to the promise you’re making to the reader.

Tell me about a few of your favorite/best-selling Science Fiction Romances novels. What really stood out in these stories that made them unique? (They can include covers, blurbs and links here if they’d like)

In January and February of this year Samhain released six space opera novellas that came about from an anthology call I held last year. I love each of these stories because they’re all different, from fun space romps (Hearts and Minds by J.C. Hay, Beyond Meridian by C.C. Bridges, and Moonlust by Kallysten), dark explorations of sexual desire on foreign worlds (Crimson by Ethan X. Thomas), and breathless action-adventure in space (Metal Reign by Nathalie Gray and The Mythmakers by Robert Appleton). Not to mention Kanaxa’s cover art for each of these stories absolutely blows my mind. I had a fantastic time doing this anthology and look forward to the print volumes releasing in November and December of this year.

http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/moonlust
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/beyond-meridian
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/crimson
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/the-mythmakers
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/hearts-and-minds
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/metal-reign

What are you looking for right now? What kinds of submissions would you like to see pop up in your e-queries? Anything you’re dying to see more of? Steampunk? Futuristic? Space Opera? Any dream novels?

I’m looking to be wowed, in any genre. My steampunk romance anthology call closed on April 30 and I’m reading through the submissions now. This is the fun part—it’s like Christmas morning, so many exciting stories to unwrap. I also just contracted my very first cyberpunk novel, and I’d love, love, love more of those. And more post-apocalyptic (or apocalyptic!) please. I rarely see any submissions in these genres, and I want more!

My dream novel? I’m a huge fan of Joss Whedon’s Firefly, and my favorite movie last year was the new Star Trek. I would love stories in a similar vein (no fanfiction please!) If I were to receive a well-written sci-fi romance story—preferably the first in a continuing series--where each story explored a relationship between crew members aboard a ship as they explore the universe, planets, fight the baddies, etc., I would probably hyperventilate with excitement. So I offer this challenge to all the writers at the SFR Brigade. Make me hyperventilate. Wow me. I’m ready.

Thanks for giving us an insight into Samhain Publishing! Breaking orbit… It's okay, I'm a leaf on the wind!

Sasha Knight, Senior Editor

Sasha Knight loves words. Her parents swear she came out of the womb speaking and took up reading soon after, so it should come as no surprise that she grew up to become an editor, allowing her to spend her days playing with words.
In 2005, Sasha joined Samhain Publishing, Ltd. as a full-time editor. In addition to her administrative duties, she maintains a full-time editing schedule and edits more than 50 authors…and she’s always looking for more.

When she’s not editing, reading submissions or wading through thousands of emails, Sasha relaxes by watching TV. She’s an avid fan of Joss Whedon and thinks that Firefly was one of the best TV shows ever. She also loves Doctor Who and is torn between her love of David Tennant and Matt Smith, and ranks Steven Moffat up there with Joss Whedon among the best TV writers ever. Sasha loves to travel with her family, an e-reader full of books always at her side.

Publisher Showcase ~ Devine Destinies

Hello, Brigaders.

I have the great pleasure this morning of introducing Tina Haveman from Devine Destinies. Welcome, Tina!

Would you like to share a little history about Devine Destinies?

Devine Destinies is an imprint of eXtasy Books. I opened it about a year and a half ago, aiming for readers who want books without graphic sex. There are a lot of writers out there who would love to write under their real name and not hide behind a pseudonym to mask the sexy books they write. Devine gives them the opportunity to do that as we don’t publish erotica.

Who are your key personnel?

Tina Haveman (owner/founder), her fabulous EIC, Jay Austin, her financial manager, Heather, her PR team, Angie and Dorine. Martine and Angie mainly do the artwork. We also have a great stable of editors.

How would you describe Devine Destinies to potential authors?

DD is a friendly house and wide open as yet.

What genres are your primary focus?

We are open to pretty much anything, although DD was started by me with the aim to focus on New Age material. However, we do publish near every genre.

What are the most common reasons a novel (especially a Science Fiction Romance novel) is rejected?

Bad writing, POV issues (head hopping), too many grammatical errors and spelling mistakes to address, a boring story. Underdeveloped worlds. Unbelievable characters and aliens. A story needs to hook me immediately.

What are the biggest mistakes new authors make?

Oozing with self-confidence and playing diva. Bragging about their schooling and/or journalism activities. Claiming they’ll be the next Rowlings and will be our next best seller and then blaming the publisher/editor if their book tanks. Whining at your publisher/editor about lack of sales, not getting rich overnight. An author needs to write for the love of writing. We all have dreams of making it big, but authors need to be realistic. Another mistake is to write a story or two, have it published, find it doesn’t sell, then to give up. I can testify to a number of writers whose earlier books sold diddly squat. Then suddenly they gain a following and start selling better and better. Authors also shouldn’t stick to one genre, especially if that genre doesn’t sell right now. Dabble, experiment, be daring. If you’re a true, born writer, you’ll never give up. And if accepted, the biggest mistake? Thinking the book will sell itself. With every Tom, Dick and Harry and their dog now writing and publishing or self-publishing, it’s a tough world out there. Lack of promotion or giving up on promotion makes for no sales.

What do you look for in a Science Fiction Romance submission?

A well written story that will grip the reader.

What grabs your attention, makes you sit up and want to read more?

A hook. (The first lines of chapter 1 or the prologue).

How far do you read into a submission before you know if the novel is right for you?

The first pages usually already tell me a lot, although I will read on a bit. We’re kind at eXtasy Books and Devine and we'll tell an author where he or she has gone wrong. Sometimes an author is thankful, other times highly insulted. They'll pull a diva on us, send us a rude response etc.

Do you have recommendations or requirements regarding ”heat levels” of submissions?

It depends if they’re submitting to Devine or eXtasy. eXtasy allows high heat levels. At Devine we aim for the mainstream readers who prefer tamer books. Therefore, sensuality is fine, but without all the graphic words and details. No purple prose however. That really turns us off.

Tell me about a few of your favorite/best-selling Science Fiction Romance novels. What really stood out in these stories that made them unique?

Viola Grace is our main science fiction writer at Devine Destinies for now. She’s a bestselling author no matter what she writes, but her science fiction stories top everything.

What are you looking for right now? What kinds of submissions would you like to see pop up in your e-queries? Anything you’re dying to see more of? Steampunk? Futuristic? Space Opera? Any dream novels?

We’re open to anything except non-fiction and biographies. I do urge authors to study the market to see what readers are buying.

Thank you so much for sharing your time with us!
http://www.devinedestinies.com/shopdevine/

Hunters coming June 21 from Carina Press

Sometimes as a writer you hit the perfect storm of a complicated, dynamic heroine and a drop-dead sexy hero. Although as a writer you always try for this magical elixir, sometimes it just works better in some books than others. I don’t know why this is. When Lindsey and I penned our erotic science fiction romance, Hunters (Carina Press, out June 21st) we knew it was special. Enter one Harmony Knox, a tough bounty hunter who strives for perfection in everything she does. Driven and intelligent, there isn’t a bounty Harmony hasn’t bagged, except for one—a nasty alien named Prime. Other than him, all her hard work has been rewarded…but has it been at the cost of her heart? Enter her new partner, Bart “Barracuda” Tanner and things definitely start heating up.


Here is the blurb:

Kirillian Harmony Knox was one of the most successful bounty hunters in the galaxy—until a brain-eater named Prime became her only failure and escaped, landing her in jail. Now free, she’ll stop at nothing to catch him and stop his murderous rampage.

Unfortunately for Harmony, fellow hunter Bart Tanner has the only available transport. Arrogant and ruthless, Tanner is known for killing most of his bounties. Harmony can’t stand him—yet she can’t deny the deep sexual desire sparking between them.

Once enslaved as a cage fighter by a cruel Kirillian, Tanner harbors a deep hatred for the alien race—though he’s drawn to Harmony’s luscious sensuality, and they soon indulge in erotic encounters.

When Prime puts out a hit on Harmony, things intensify, and Tanner realizes their lust has turned into something deeper—but if he and Harmony aren’t careful, more than just their lives will be at stake…

I hope you’ll all stop by Carina on June 7th for the grand opening and check out all the great new titles! Happy reading and may all your dreams come true.

Michelle Marquis

http://www.michelle-oneill.com/

She Wrote WHAT?!

I’ve known since I was eight or nine that I was a writer. When I wrote my first novel in my mid teens, I was positive that was my path was to follow in the footsteps of the great Stephen King. Back then, had someone told me that my first published works would be erotica and erotic romance, I would have scoffed at the thought: Bashful, timid me? Writing sexually explicit scenes? For others to read?

I have a few friends and family who have purchased my books with full intent on reading them, only to find themselves unable to get past the first bedroom scene. “It kind of feels the same as going through your dad’s sock drawer for condoms,” my father-in-law told my husband, after attempting to read one of my erotic works. “You know your parents are doing it, but you don’t really want to know....”

When I began to write erotica and erotic romance, the first thought that flashed through my head was, “other people are going to read this ... and what will they think?” The thought of strangers reading my work was strangely exhilarating, but I do have to admit that I blush when I consider specific people reading certain works. I find myself in a strange position: I want to share my stories with those who are close to me, but some of the content is simply stuff people don’t normally share with their friends, parents, and in-laws.

With that said, it has also been liberating to write what I have. With Lust in Space, for example, I decided to push my boundaries as far as I could. I wanted to take every aspect to the subgenre I was writing and see how far I might take it. I felt that an erotic space opera merited a unique angle, and so I challenged myself as a writer, finding ways to create threesomes, foursomes, orgies, a bisexual getting intimate with her time-paradox double ... and even a woman falling for an insect-sized vibrating man. I did it to push the limits of my imagination, let go of my inhibitions as a writer, and most of all to see if I could pull all of it off.

I think about books I’ve read or movies I’ve seen that contain strange or unconventional material, and I remind myself: Someone wrote that, not as something representative of his or her as a person, but as an extension of that person’s creative self. As an author now, myself, I know the process that goes into writing something different, risky, or risqué. It’s not easy, but somebody’s got to do it. After all, what would literature, cinema, and the like be without those who have taken such risks with their art?

There are risks to be taken with all genres, but it seems to me that the biggest risks are those taken in erotic venues. I’ve questioned more than one direction my muses have taken me, but more often than not, when all is said and done, every dark turn, exploratory challenge, and disturbing twist proves its literary merit. I feel grateful that I’ve taken the chances I have, as each has allowed me to grow in my art—and in some very surprising ways.

Who would have thought I would have learned anything while writing a “trashy romance”?! Go figure....

Through the years, I’ve found there are few genres I just can’t write. I don’t write Westerns. I have yet to construct a good murder mystery. I don’t think I could pull off an epic poem. I do enjoy writing just about everything else, however, so many genres that I have considered writing under more than one alias. After all, is it a career shot in the foot for a literary fiction novelist to publish erotica, or an erotic romance writer to publish horror? Maybe a couple of authors have been able to pull it off, but not many. The thought of compartmentalizing my collective works was strangely disturbing; I felt like doing so somehow cheapened their value. It also felt like lying. Was I to create a persona for each genre? No, that just wasn’t me; it just didn’t feel right. I realized that I had no choice but to market all of my writing under my real name. I am a horror writer, a speculative sci-fi writer, a screenplay writer, a narrative nonfiction writer, and an erotica/erotic romance writer. I’m all of those; I have many muses, and I’m proud of every last word I’ve written ... even if I did happen to make my father-in-law blush.

Readers and writers, what are your experiences in writing or reading erotica, horror, sci-fi, and others that happen to contain the unorthodox, the uncomfortable, and/or the just plain hot?

Top Ten Reasons to Read LUST IN SPACE

1. You’re curious about the one-inch-tall vibrating man.

2. You love everything Star Trek, Farscape, and/or Battlestar Galactica, and feel shortchanged whenever a scene begins to get steamy, only to go to a commercial cut.

3. You want to see Lisa Lane’s inventive solution to the problem of intergalactic travel.

4. The scene in which the Esirian, Suxien, makes love to herself is simply delightful.

5. The book is packed with literary “Easter eggs,” sure to delight pulp sci-fi fans across the board.

6. Shape-shifters take “experimental” to a whole new level.

7. Four out of five erotic romance readers agree that LUST IN SPACE is a classy read and a fun tribute to the genre.

8. You would never have thought the space flu could be kinky.

9. LUST IN SPACE 2 is currently in development, and your TBR pile needs thinning.

10. You know you want to (and nobody has to know!).

Click here for more information, or stop by my website.

Music And Science Fiction

When I snuck into the theater and watched "Star Wars", I was captivated by the special effects, the sweeping space scenes...

...and THE MUSIC!

John Williams created a score that is so recognizable, it's iconic. Yet, who would have thought that a sound akin to classical music would accompany science fiction so well? Amazing. And who thought of asking Mr. Williams to do the job? That person has imagination.

I still remember reading "Dune" by Frank Herbert for the first time. It was 1979 and I was eleven, in love with science fiction/fantasy novels. After burning through every Pern dragon book at the library, I snagged "Dune" in an attempt for a sweeping novel for entertainment.

At the time, I'd acquired The Alan Parson's Project's "Eye in the Sky" and listened to it obsessively. (I still have that cassette tape by the way. Sad, eh?). Every time I read "Dune" now, I still hear "Old and Wise" as the accompanying soundtrack.

As a writer, I've sought for inspiration for my science fiction. I have it a little easier since I also write erotic romance with my science fiction, so I can often get away with music that covers the "erotic" mood. It hasn't been easy. For the Command series, I came across the band "Stream Of Passion" and I even made book trailers with several of their songs. (They were so generous and granted me permission to use them.) Much of the music from this band became the soundtrack that inspired me in the series.

For "Marked For Pleasure", I went in search of something to give me that "sci fi" feel. It wasn't easy. At all. Then, I came across Arjen Lucassen (who is the producer for "Stream of Passion" and has his own solo career) who came out with "Space Metal" in 2002. He set the mood for me, along with "Stream of Passion" and "Collide"

So, what music puts you in the mood for science fiction romance? Ever had some odd music become connected to a science fiction? (The weirdest one for me was when my character, Princess Sera Placido, insisted that her soundtrack included Britney Spears. It was quite annoying, even though Britney has videos like this to ease the pain.)

A Twitter Palooza! NO FOOLIN'

So tonight, those of us on the SFR Brigade have put our great Twitter talents to draw more Stormtroopers who want to combine their love of spaceships, fire fights and star charts with romance that sizzles the pages.

I don't know about you, but I was raised on Captain Kirk and Spock. When I reached the impressionable age of nine, I snuck in to the movies to see "Star Wars". I obsessively watched Star Trek TNG, Deep Space Nine and Voyager.

Yeah, I loved Seven of Nine too. I would switch sides for her.

When the idea for my erotic science fiction story, "Taking Command", came to me, I was well prepared to write sci fi. My Virtual Fantasy Room isn't much different than the holodeck...except my characters use it for entirely different reasons.

In honor of the Science Fiction Romance Brigade, who provides a community for those of us who love romance with our sci fi, I'm giving away ALL THREE ebooks (in pdf form) of the Command series. All you have to do is retweet the tweet (by following JenniferLeeland) or comment here and I'll pick two random winners.

Comment and win. And if you already have the Command series, I'll donate a copy of "Marked For Pleasure".

Now, these books are HOT HOT HOT. SO, if you DON'T like erotic sci fi, you CAN STILL WIN! I'll give away a pdf copy of "Taking Liberty" by Jodi Redford because I LOVE that book.

Have a party! Share your favorite sci fi romance. JOIN US!!!!

And win.

The contest ends tomorrow 4/2/10 at 10pm Eastern (7pm Pacific).