SFRB Recommends 33: In the Black by Sheryl Nantus #sfrom #scifi #mystery #ebook

This recommendation is brought to you by Rachel Leigh Smith.

When Sam Keller left the military, she ran to the far end of the galaxy. Now she captains the Bonnie Belle, a spaceship full of courtesans who bring a little pleasure to hard-up men on mining colonies. When one of her girls turns up dead, it's Sam's job to find out who killed her, fast.

Marshal Daniel LeClair is as tough as steel and quick on the draw. But when his vacation gets replaced by an assignment to help find the killer, he can't help angling for a little action with the saucy, hard-charging Sam. She's got brains, attitude and a body he wouldn't mind investigating.

Sam, six months lonely, might just indulge him. But the Guild that owns the Belle wants the case closed yesterday. With pressure coming from all quadrants, Sam and her marshal clash over false leads and who's on top. But when the killer threatens the Belle again, romance will have to wait. It's a captain's job to save her crew, no matter the cost. 

The world Nantus has built in this series is at once relatable and different. Female fans of Firefly should love this.

The mystery aspect of the book was easy for me to figure out. It's a rare author who can keep me guessing as to who-dun-it for more than four chapters. It did allow for a lot of exploring of courtesan daily life and how they operate, though, without being all about sex. Major props for that!

The AI's on each ship were also done very well, Etts, Daniel's AI, in particular. Etts was a hoot! I also enjoyed the way Nantus wrapped it up with neither MC having to leave behind what they're doing.

Author site: Sheryl Nantus

SFRB Recommends #21: Visionary of Peace by Cindy Borgne #scifi #romance

Visionary of Peace by Cindy Borgne

Book Description

Ian Connors had planned to use his visions to spy on Marscorp in order to maintain peace, but flashbacks and nightmares make it impossible. Since two years of peace have passed due to a stalemate, Ian decides to try and live a normal life, until one day he has a vision so horrifying he has no choice but to become the seer he once was or Vallar will have no future. While he struggles to regain his ability, the Marcs plot to capture him alive in order to complete a deal for their return to Earth.

Why is it recommended?

This is the second book in the Vallar Series. For those who met Ian Connors in the first book, it is primarily an opportunity to see what happens to him after he leaves Marscorp. And trouble, it seems, is never too far away.

Borgne weaves a tightly-structured story with plenty of surprises along the way. One can definitely learn from the example she sets in story-craft. 

Author site: Cindy Borgne | Speculative and Paranormal Fiction

SFRB Recommends #20: Aopato by Margaret Afseth #scifi #romance

Aopato by Margaret Afseth

Book Description

Sonia appears to be a typical grandmother at seventy-five. She thinks her worst fears have been realized when she is forced to move into a city senior complex.

She has always felt she was different. When a tiny sphere appears out of empty space, informs her she belongs to a lost race, she is not surprised. As the device knocks her in the forehead, a whole new reality opens up, and Sonia finds herself responsible not only for the welfare of dysfunctional family, but also holding the lives of a rag-tag inter-racial band of survivors. She calls these the invisible ones: Aopato (Ah-or-atos in Greek).

Sonia's life goal will forever be the safety and happiness of those in her care. Why should it be any different now?

But there are those who oppose her, believing she has neither the skills or qualifications to carry out her function. Added to a contentious daughter and jealous brothers is the fact that the species has a natural vicious predator intent on eliminating all of their kind.

How could agape love be sufficient to conquer such hurdles? Will this struggling new remnant die at its birth?

Why we recommend Aopato

This book is very interesting. I found that while it did not really grab me at the beginning, it must be said (primarily due to the opening being set in the "present day" on Earth), the complexity of the alien civilisation that is developed is what is intriguing about this book. The worldbuilding is plausible and very well-structured. Although quite complex in terms of relationship structures, Afseth handles this aspect very well, gradually building up the picture of how the race survives. I especially appreciated the red herrings that surrounded the climax of the story.

The characters are realistic and sympathetic, in that the reader can easily identify with their pitfalls and aspirations. This enables one to buy into the story even as it is complex. Some sequences are repetitive in nature, but Afseth avoids it becoming boring.

And of course, there are surprises along the way.

This book is for readers of all ages.

This book is available from

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Author info: Margaret Afseth profile on Smashwords

Now Available! The Cimmerian Duology Boxed Set & A Feast of Shadows

I'm proud to announce the digital releases of The Cimmerian Duology Boxed Set and A Feast of Shadows (Book 2 in the Cimmerian Series Duology)!

Available now from: 

Smashwords | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Apple | 

On the eve of Earth's final days, chaos has taken to the streets from coast to coast. An oppressed, polluted Earth is struggling to recover from a global war that has divided two races: Humans and Dracins (the quick, tough skinned blood deficient species born from the side effects of 20th century pharmaceuticals). 

Raven Blackheart, a half Dracin and half Human woman, returns to the Earth that was once a booming metropolis and now is a desolate wasteland. After a confrontation with the local police force, she recounts her life before Earth's demise as the Tech Corporation—the most powerful corporate government in the world—tried to destroy all evidence of pharmaceutical experiments on humans that led to the birth of the vampire-like Dracin species. 

As Raven delves into a time long ago, Earth's past, present and future is tied to her own fate. Once a former assassin for the global government, Raven is now the last hope for the survival of mankind. As her memories are recorded and relived before her eyes, her mission is revealed: stop the worldwide genocide that will impact both humans and Dracins abandoned on Earth in an effort for the corporation to start fresh on the terraformed planet Jupiter II.

Raven's main journey lies beneath the surface of the world as she is forced to fight her internal demons, learn to love again, and separate the bloodlust of revenge with the responsibility of saving a nation.

Available now from: 

Smashwords | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | 

An epic science fiction duology of the future featuring both Cimmerian City & A Feast of Shadows. 

Stripped from the headlines of today's news, Cimmerian City is a novel spanning 15 years.

Greed can turn a good man’s heart to stone. This is especially true in the age of commerce and large corporations. No new pill can be taken without a laundry list of side effects that the patient may have to endure. But what if the side effects are more dangerous than the pills are helpful? What if the side effect causes the patient to be immune from standard dangers, such as firearms, the climate, etc., but causes them to change into otherworldly beings?

It is seen through the eyes of a young woman named Raven Blackheart. 

It is a future where corporations rule the world and political parties have been dismissed. 

An Earth that is recovering from a global war has divided two races: Humans and Dracins, quick, tough skinned creatures that are children of the side effects from 20th century pharmaceuticals. Raven awakens in this world as a product of both races and nurtured by the vice president of the main corporation in the world as a symbol of the union of races. With her help, Vice President Tyler Deamond’s corporation can take both beings off Earth—quickly becoming a waste planet—and to a new terraformed planet. But, as Raven learns, nothing is as it seems, especially concerning humans.

Now Available: Cimmerian City (Book 1 in the Cimmerian Duology) by Rae Lori

Cimmerian City: The Re-released & Expanded 2nd Edition is now available in e-book and coming to soon to print.

Stripped from the headlines of today's news, Cimmerian City is a novel spanning 15 years.

Greed can turn a good man’s heart to stone. This is especially true in the age of commerce and large corporations. No new pill can be taken without a laundry list of side effects that the patient may have to endure. But what if the side effects are more dangerous than the pills are helpful? What if the side effect causes the patient to be immune from standard dangers, such as firearms, the climate, etc., but causes them to change into otherworldly beings?

It is seen through the eyes of a young woman named Raven Blackheart.

It is a future where corporations rule the world and political parties have been dismissed.

An Earth that is recovering from a global war that has divided two races: Humans and Dracins, quick, tough skinned creatures that are children of the side effects from 20th century pharmaceuticals. Raven awakens in this world as a product of both races and nurtured by the vice president of the main corporation in the world as a symbol of the union of races. With her help, Vice President Tyler Deamond’s corporation can take both beings off Earth—quickly becoming a waste planet—and to a new terraformed planet. But, as Raven learns, nothing is as it seems, especially concerning humans.

Now available in online bookstores and coming soon to paperback!


Coming Soon
A Feast of Shadows (Book 2 in the Cimmerian Duology)

What does Bond & SFR have in common?

Two great interviews! That's what!

The first involves a live, hot cover model and the other introduces us to one of our own SFRB members.

SFRBrigader Maree Anderson discovered the man on the cover of her latest release, FROM THE ASHES, wasn't a digitally created model but a real live guy.

She interviews Sam Bond, best known for his role as "Atlas" from the UK TV series Gladiators and what a fantastic read! Check it out - Interview with Sam Bond!

Who's That Girl? interview - A lady after my own heart drops in today.

She writes action-adventure SFR (dare I say her work reminds a little of me of Linnea Sinclair!), enjoys reading JRWard and loves going to conferences. She's published with Noble Romance.

Please come on over and say hi to Jess Anastasi.

Houses, Companies & Imprints...oh, my!

For those of you on the journey to publication I thought I’d pass on knowledge gathered over many years concerning single title publishing houses, specifically in the mainstream sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal and romance genres.

Starting out I knew of a few major houses, mostly from looking at the spine of the books on my shelf but, over time and with the help of other writers, I’ve sifted through the information and think :-) I have a better handle on it.

A couple of great research websites include Speculative Fiction Book Publisher Markets website - they lists many print & e-publishing houses, Preditors & Editors - they have a huge listing of publishers, in alphabetical order and with recommendations and warnings, and Book Crossroads - a directory of e-publishers with submission guidelines.

I hope you find the lists useful in your quest for publication. Unless otherwise indicated the publishing houses are based in the US market and are mostly listed as Publishing House, Company and/or Imprint name. (NB. The headings Mainstream and Romance are my own distinctions not industry divisions, folks.) Googling the names should give you links to their websites.

Mainstream SF/F Houses
Penguin Putnam :DAW
Penguin Putnam: ACE & ROC
Random House: Doubleday, Bantam Press, Black Swan, Bantam & Corgi (UK)
(Random House)Ballantine: Del Rey & Spectra
Hachette Book Group: Grand Central Publishing: Orbit Books
Macmillan/Tom Doherty: Tor
Pocket Books: JUNO Books
Baen Books
Penguin: Viking, Sphere, Orion & Signet (UK)
HarperCollins: Voyager & Angry Robot (UK)
Prometheus: PYR
Arrow Books: Legend (UK)
Solaris (UK)
BL Publishing (UK)
Victor Gollancz Inc: VGSF & Magnet (UK)
Mushroom eBooks (e-publisher)

Romance SF/F/paranormal Houses
Harlequin: LUNA fantasy imprint
HarperCollins: EOS fantasy imprint
HarperCollins: AVON paranormal romance imprint
Penguin: Berkley Sensation & Jove imprints
Penguin: Signet novel imprint
Penguin: NAL romance imprint
Hachette Book Group: Grand Central Publishing: Forever paranormal romance imprint
Kensington: Zebra paranormal romance imprint
(Macmillian) Tom Doherty Assoc.: Tor romance imprint
(Macmillian) St.Martin’s Press: St.Martin’s Paperback romance (US)
Random House: Bantam Books romance imprint
Dorchester: Leisure paranormal romance imprint
Dorchester: Lovespell paranormal romance imprint
Simon & Schuster: Pocket Star Books imprint
Medallion Press: Jewel Imprint Sci-Fi romance
Hachette Book Group: Little, Brown Book Group: Piatkus (UK)
Carina Press (e-publisher)
Desert Breeze Publishing (e-publisher)
Devine Destinies(e-publisher)
Ellora’s Cave: Romantica imprint (e-publisher)
Loose Id (e-publisher)
Liquid Silver Books (e-publisher)
Lyrical Press (e-publisher)
Mundania Press:Mundania, Phaze Books, Awe-Struck, and Hard Shell Word Factory (e-publisher)
New Concepts Publishing (e-publisher)
Red Rose Publishing (e-publisher)
Samhain Publishing (e-publisher)
Shadowfire Press (e-publisher)
Wild Rose Press (e-publisher)
Wings e-Press (e-publisher)
Whispers Publishing (e-publisher)

(*Some e-publishers also have available print books)

By no means is this a complete list - I’m sure I’ve missed many but it’s a place to start. You’ll have to do the leg-work to find out more about them and their latest submission guidelines :-) .

Happy submitting!

Sci-fi, Romance, and a Little Something Extra

This came to me via my teenage son, so consider the source.

It's a movie trailer and then some for the film Skyline, with lots of er, helpful pointers for the sci-fi writers out there. Warning, it might skew how you view the film, for like, forever.

Cowboys & Aliens, oh my!

If having cowboys and aliens in the same film weren't enough, we also get Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. Perfection could be achieved if Nathan Fillion at least had a cameo, but I won't push it, so excited am I over this film, due out next summer. Have a peek:

Is Telling Better Than Showing in Your Writing?

The awesome site io9.com had an article by Charlie Jane Anders I found fascinating (and the pictures rocked, too).Writers have been told the Holy Grail of writerly excellence is 'show, don't tell'. Who would've thunk it that this could be turned on its head? Wait, we're talking about sci-fi, where turning the norm on its head is de rigueur!

One piece of writing advice gets held up as more sacred than any other: Show, don't tell. But this maxim can ruin your story-telling, if you treat it like a law. Here are five situations where telling is actually better.
Like most rules of thumb, "Show don't tell" is excellent advice most of the time — but people often apply it too broadly, or in situations where it hurts more than it helps. You have to be aware of the spirit, as well as the letter, of this particular law. Writers have a tendency to lecture readers — and this goes double for science fiction and fantasy writers, who have a lot of worldbuildy stuff to get out of the way. It's definitely never a good idea to bludgeon your readers with information.
(And then as soon as you say something like that, people can bring up any one of a number of classics that do in fact bludgeon the reader with information, from Moby Dick to Infinite Jest. Again with the fact that no rule is ever absolute.)
But in a discussion like this one, it's easy to get bogged down in abstractions and axioms. So here are five concrete examples of situations where you really may be better off telling rather than showing — and when showing may make your readers groan with exasperation.

Read the rest of this article here.

Adventures of a Sci-Fi Writer

Tami Dee, author of the Mists of time Viking Series, is guest blogging and continuing the discussion of developing a series over at Adventures of a Sci-Fi Writer.

She'll be talking about her approach to developing a series and showcasing her newest SFR release, BEYOND A VIKING HORIZON (Bk 3 in the Mists of Time Viking Series).

And don't forget, on Friday, Amber will be closing the week with a summary of the approaches, her plan of action for the new SFR she's developing, and post some questions received throughout the week for Jennifer, Tami or herself to answer.

So drop over and see Tami or Jennifer's interview at Adventures of a Sci-Fi Writer (Brigader Amber Norris' blog).

Space Slugs Party

One year ago, in the far, far corner of the blogosphere...

A story was born. It involved space--and mollusks. A Xenobiologist, a harlot and an android walk into a bar. Or something like that. The point is, there's a birthday to be had, and I'm old enough to believe the only reason to bother with birthdays is for the party and the presents. Nod along with me here.

This is your invitation to the party. Difficult to tell?
Wait! Here it is:

SPACE SLUGS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Space Slugs will be one year old on Sat. July 10th. In celebration, I'm holding an all day facebook party at: My Facebook Page

There will be sneak peeks at upcoming episodes, favorite quotes, and on the hour trivia questions with FABULOUS PRIZES.....

okay, they're only sort of fabulous, but fun and campy prizes. :-D

Stop by for some super silly space action and trivia lunacy.

Frances Pauli

Airship Future

For the well-read paranormal enthusiast, what could be better than the confluence of Steampunk and Science Fiction? In an article for Discover.com, E-Green Technologies describes their Airship, the Bullet 580, as a 'truck in the sky', albeit, a truck made of kevlar. Now that a steampunk staple has been brought out of the pages of fiction and into reality, can we look forward to joining the Air Corps? More importantly, will the Air Corps get to wear wicked cool leather enhanced uniforms and carry aether charged weapons? Where do I sign up?

Pure sci-fi awesomeness

Saw these amazing sci-fi bookcovers over at io9.com (h/t Nathan Bradford) and had to share.