Different World, Different Rules ~ Guest Post by Lolita Lopez & $100 GC #Giveaway #scifirom

Different World, Different Rules

Guest Post by Lolita Lopez

The most exciting part about writing sci-fi romances is that there are few rules that can't be broken. If you can dream it up and find a way to make it plausible, you can write it.

Ships with constant gravity? Yep. Interstellar travel? Check! A planet orbited by three moons? Why not! Earth human colonists living in the far reaches of the galaxy? Sure! Big, sexy men who are at least seven feet tall and deliciously muscular? Um…yes, please!

Writing about life on other planets also allows me to play with different cultural norms. The premise of the Grabbed series—that Earth descendants who have colonized a small planet under the protection of a warrior race called the Harcos hold a quarterly lottery to provide brides to these super sexy sky men—wouldn't fly on real Earth. You can't just go around chasing women through the woods, collaring them and taking them home where you plan to make sweet, sweet love to them. Like—people get arrested for that sort of thing, you know?

But, if you create a whole new world where the cultural ideas are slightly shifted from what we consider to be good and right and true and where those taboo tropes like capture fantasy are accepted…well…you get some interesting possibilities for your erotic romance!

Saved by Venom

By Lolita Lopez

Grabbed, Book Three

Synopsis: 

To escape her father's debt to a loan shark, Dizzy seeks refuge in the upcoming Grab. She’d rather belong to one of those terrifying sky warriors from the battleship Valiant than to the sleazy criminal who wants her as his plaything.

The years of constant war haven’t been kind to highly decorated sniper Venom. Only the promise of earning a wife kept him going through deadly battles. Catching and collaring Dizzy fills him with incredible hope. Finally he has a woman of his own, a mate to love—and bind and adorn with his ropes.

After a brazen Splinter attack, the Shadow Force uncovers secrets about Dizzy’s late mother that entangle her in a web of deceit. To save Venom, her father and an operative named Terror, Dizzy digs deep and risks it all.

Venom refuses to stand idly by while Dizzy’s haunted past threatens the future they’re trying to build. He finally has a reason for living—and he’s not giving her up.

A little about the character Venom:

Rank: Land Corps Captain, SRU second-in-command

Specialty: Sniper

Mate: Dizzy

Ranked as the third best shot in the entire land corps force, Venom is nonetheless the most deadly of all their snipers. During the Sendarian siege, he volunteered to take a risky position outside the wire to keep the desperately needed supply routes open. Haunted by that battle, he lives for the day he can take a mate. Currently, he's the second-in-command of the SRU Alpha Team aboard the Valiant.

Sneak Peek Excerpt:

Dizzy gasped at the terrible, pained shout that echoed in the forest. Birds scattered as the guttural groan tore the stillness. She slid to a stop in the freezing cold snow and tried to slow her ragged breaths. Was that a man?

Was it the man?

She gulped hard and licked her lips. Glancing back in the direction of the awful sound, she tried to decide what to do. A sky warrior like the rugged, intimidating one who had been eying her would only make a sound like that if he was in big trouble.

The race officials had warned them that people hunted in these wounds. The gun laws out here weren’t like the strict zero-tolerance laws in The City. It was rumored everyone in the sticks had a weapon.

Maybe the sky warrior chasing her had been shot? Did he need help?

She warred with her conscience only a moment before exhaling roughly and turning back in the direction she’d come. Pressing a hand to her temple, she tried to gain control over the dizziness threatening to swamp her. She hated this damn sickness! Running and playing had been nearly impossible as a child. She couldn’t predict when the waves of nausea and dizziness would hit her but they usually happened at the worst times.

Like right now.

Bracing herself on a tree, Dizzy closed her eyes. She inhaled steadying breaths and performed a series of slow maneuvers that usually helped abate the uncomfortable swirling some. Today, thankfully, it worked. She managed to get moving again without feeling like she was going to puke or fall flat on her face.

The sounds of a struggle met her ears. She heard rattling chains and grunting. Hiding behind a tree, Dizzy licked her lips and gathered her courage before sliding to the side and peeking out at him.

Seated on the snow, he gripped a long, thick chain in both gloved hands and jerked hard. Her eyes widened at his shocking display of strength. When her gaze moved lower, she gasped at the sight of the awful-looking trap closed around his lower leg. The snow around his leg remained white and pristine so he wasn’t bleeding badly. Even so, the injury he would sustain if the trap wasn’t removed quickly would be a terrible one.

Trembling with cold and fear, she stepped out from behind the tree and revealed herself to him. His gaze snapped to her and she took a nervous step back. He let the chain fall from his hands. The tension eased from his face, softening his harsh features and making him look less vicious. They stared at one another for the longest time.

Finally, Dizzy found enough courage to move closer to him. Her footsteps crunched on the firm, packed snow. He glanced at her bare feet and scowled. “Why the hell did you take off your shoes?”

Taken aback by his gruff tone, she froze in place. Squeaking with fright, she explained, “The soles were too slippery. I nearly face-planted on a tree stump and decided it wasn’t worth the risk.”

He grunted. “You’ll care when you lose those toes to frostbite.”

Her stomach trembled violently and she stared at her frigid feet. “Are you serious? Am I really going to lose my toes?”

Available From:

Ellora’s Cave | Amazon | B&N

Author Bio:

While browsing bookstore shelves as a teenager, Lo discovered the erotic writings of Anaïs Nin and A.N. Roquelaure. Certain her mother would not approve, Lo smuggled the books home and squirreled them away in the most likely of places: under her bed. Late at night, she delved into the sensual worlds both writers created.

As a co-ed studying biochemistry and genetics at Texas A&M University, Lo dabbled in creating naughty tales to entertain her friends. Study for a midterm or pen a deliciously dirty story to delight her small band of fans? Not surprisingly, Lo is now on an extended sabbatical from college.

Luckily, Lo stumbled onto the world of erotic romance publishers. She realized there were other readers and writers who loved and craved breathtaking romance with the spiciest of love scenes. She took a chance and submitted her first novella. The rest is history.

Lo lives in Texas with her Viking throwback of a husband and mischievous preschool-aged daughter. She also writes super sexy romances and scorching hot erotica under the pen name Roxie Rivera.

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Friend, Lovers and Enemies - Guest post by @ChandraRyan #SFR #polyamory

Friends, Lovers and Enemies.

Guest post by Chandra Ryan

It’s been said that hate isn’t the opposite of love. Hate has too much passion, too much heat to be. If you’re looking for the opposite of love, you have to turn toward apathy. But when you’re in the middle of a good old-fashioned feud, love might just be the furthest thing on your mind.

Then again, if there’s a history, if it was love that drove you to hate, love might not be as far away as one might hope. And that’s the spot one of my heroes, Ben, finds himself in with my newest book, Shared Objectives.

Ben and Lisa had been in a relationship two years ago. One that ended when he found out she is a geneticist working for the government. Being a genetically altered soldier who is fighting for a rebel organization, she is clearly Ben’s enemy. Which, in his mind, meant she’d been using him.

And when they’re forced to reunite two years later, he’s still carrying that hatred. But he’s going to need more than anger to keep their old chemistry from affecting him, especially when one of his friends, Dixie, starts having feelings for Lisa. He’ll have to find a way to make peace with the past or he stands to lose more than just his lover this time.

 

Blurb:

Universal Defiance, Book Two

When Lisa and her son are rescued from a military prison, one look at the genetically altered mercenary who carries her to freedom puts some racy ideas into her head. Dixie is strong, handsome and kind, an unfamiliar combination. Her job as a government geneticist usually sends men running, not rushing to her aid.

Unfortunately Dixie isn’t alone. Lisa’s ex, Ben, is another member of the Coalition, the band of rebels fighting against the government that locked up Lisa. After their split two years ago, she never thought she’d have to face his scorn again. But now she has to work with him without giving in to old temptations. Or so she thinks.

The men need her for her genetics skills. When they discover they’re both attracted to her, they have to find a way to share or risk destroying their friendship. And Lisa finds that two sets of sexy hands all over her body are hotter than one.

Inside Scoop: This ménage features a kiss between two men that sparks a plan to steal a woman’s heart.

A Romantica® futuristic erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Excerpt:

The man sitting at the computer terminals turned to face her for the first time and Lisa’s blood went cold. At least now she knew who had her. She’d been taken by the Coalition. She’d never be able to forget his face or who he worked for.

Her grip on Nate tightened as she fought back a wave of fear. This was the one man who had a claim on Nate. He could take her baby from her and she couldn’t do anything to stop him. Laws didn’t apply to those who fought to bring down the lawmakers. “Hello, Ben.” Her voice was soft as she said his name. “Long time no see.”

Ben smirked at her. “So you managed to get knocked up by one of us, then?”

His voice held condescension even over the static of the microphone. But his arrogance actually helped her relax. If he didn’t know Nate belonged to him, he wouldn’t fight her for their child. “What can I say? Looks as though I was just a whore for the government after all.” She managed to glare at him as she repeated the final words he’d yelled at her the last time they’d been together. Two years was a long time, but it felt as if mere seconds had passed as she stared at him.

He just shrugged and then reached into one of his cargo pant pockets to pull out a sealed syringe package. “I tried to warn you about their retirement plan.” He passed her the medicine and then returned to his station.

“Thank you.” The words had to be forced through gritted teeth but she still managed to get them out.

“I’m not doing it for you.”

His words hurt almost as much as watching her son waste away in her arms. She’d loved him once. And she’d been naïve enough to believe the words he’d whispered against her skin. Once he’d found out who she worked for, though, his words hadn’t been nearly so nice or inviting. “Yeah, you made your feelings about me clear the last time we spoke.” She used the excuse of taking the injection out of the package to not have to look at him. Thankfully, as she injected the chemical into her baby, she could almost see his health improve. “I’m trying to be gracious for the sake of my son.”

“No need. He’s one of us and we take care of our own.”

If you want to know more, you can find Shared Objectives on Amazon, Ellora’s Cave, or on my website: www.ChandraRyan.com

Release Day Blitz - Crimson Lust by @RebeccaRoyce #EmeraldIsleFantasies #pararom

 

Anything Can Happen, Expect That It Will

Crimson Lust

Emerald Isle Fantasies

by Rebecca Royce

Felicity Hahn is a thief on the run in Ireland. She can’t go home and spends every day hoping Interpol doesn’t catch up with her. But when she steals a crimson-red necklace, she may have gotten more than she bargained for. Cian Finnegan is a vampire who was turned outside the gates of Castle Tullamore over three hundred years earlier. He chases the woman who stole his necklace back to the Castle, now a hotel, both to recover his possession and because her scent makes him as hard as hell. Can the magic of the Emerald Isles give these two a happy ending, or is it too late for them both?

Available from Ellora's Cave

Author Bio

As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it. Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They’ve just moved to Texas where Rebecca is discovering a new love for barbecue! She's in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She's been told she's a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books. In Rebecca Royce's world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

www.rebeccaroyce.com

Book Spotlight: Ulterior Motives by @ChandraRyan #scifirom #Romantica

Ulterior Motives

Chandra Ryan

Universal Defiance, Book One

On a rural settler planet, Kat must resort to putting out an ad to find a husband. She doesn’t expect to find love—that’s a dream in these parts—just a partner to help work her ranch. Then the devastatingly handsome Jasper answers her ad and turns her on in ways she never dreamed possible. Too bad he’s not who he says he is.

Jasper doesn’t know what he’s getting into when he ventures undercover to investigate a legal claim against Kat’s ranch. But after a toe-curling night under her roof and in her bed, he’s willing to do anything to stay there. He can’t say no to the tough-as-nails businesswoman who makes his body come alive.

When people start getting hurt, though, both Kat and Jasper have to decide how valuable one piece of land is. And the ranch that brought them together might be the very thing standing between them.

A Romantica® sci fi erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

EXCERPT

“Excuse me, sir.” Her calm words broke through the chaos of the port station and gained his undivided attention. This close to him, staring into his rich, brown eyes, her stomach began to churn with nerves. She quickly pushed through the sensation, though. She didn’t have the time for silliness. And it was the height of absurdity for her to be uncomfortable around her soon-to-be husband. “I’m Katarina Maxim. My friends call me Kat.”

She held her hand out to him in casual greeting as she tried not to fidget. She’d debated how to greet him as she’d driven to the station. A kiss seemed rather forward. But she did want him to feel welcomed. A handshake seemed like the best idea at the time. Now, as she waited for him to take her hand, she started second-guessing herself.

“Katarina, that’s a lovely name.”

She noted that he’d called her Katarina but tried not to let that color her first impression of him. She didn’t hate the name nor did she hate being called by it. It just didn’t fit her. Not anymore. Katarina sounded soft, delicate—refined, even. Like she’d been before her family had moved here. She could only hope that he didn’t see her as any of those things. If he did, he would be sorely disappointment when he got to know her better. “Kat. Only my mother called me by my full name,” she pressed.

“Kat it is.” His smile seemed genuine but his palm was as soft as new leather when he finally took hers. If he stayed, that would change. This planet demanded calluses and blisters. Her hands were proof of that.

Buy links:

Ulterior Motives

Authors Bio:

Being from a rather nomadic family, Chandra Ryan loves to travel and meet people. But she’s found that sometimes, like when you’re stuck inside because of a good old-fashioned Southwestern heat wave, you have to make do. Fortunately for her and her loving family, who don’t like seeing her suffer from cabin fever, she’s found creating new people and places equally as fascinating. Also, you’re a lot less likely to spill your ice tea.

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You Have the Power: Guest Post by Author Cynthia Sax

I LOVE reading SciFi romances, especially series (like Jessica E. Subject’s delicious Mark of the Stars series). When I visit a world, I like to stay there for a while, meeting everyone. I wait and wait and wait for the next story in the series.

When I was a reader, that was all I would do – wait. And sometimes that next story never came. The series would hang, remaining unfinished. In TV terms, it would be cancelled. What could I do? I was only one reader. What power did little ol’ me have?

It turns out, I had TREMENDOUS power. I simply didn’t know it.

When I became a writer also (I’ll always be a reader first and foremost), I witnessed the power of the book lover first hand. I was at a writer’s meeting and a New York Times best selling writer brought in a fan email. A fan email. As in a single email from a single reader. She read it to a few of us, glowing. It was obvious that she cherished every word.

Why did she cherish every word? Because although many readers, unfortunately, talk about the books they don’t like, surprisingly few readers talk about the books they love. They certainly don’t send emails to their favorite writers. That means many writers hear negative feedback about their stories and that’s it. It is very challenging to write more stories in a series you think everyone hates.

So by sending Jessica an email saying “I loved The Zurian Child. Please write more stories in this series.”, you’re substantially increasing the chances there WILL be more stories written in the series. I happily wrote Assassin Mine, the next story in my Operation Erotic series at Ellora’s Cave, because two readers, Heidi and Mirian, specifically asked for it.

Then there is the power readers have over sales. Because so few readers share the books they love, a two line post on a reader loop or Facebook or Twitter or taking 30 seconds to press the ‘Like’ button on the Amazon page can substantially increase sales of a book. Sales get publishers excited and excited publishers ask for more stories in a series. When my publishers ask me for stories, I write them.

Yes, it truly IS that simple.

Now that I know this, whenever I want to read another story in a series, I email the writer, I send a message to the reader loops I belong to recommending the story, I post links to the story on Facebook and Twitter, and I press the “Like” button on Amazon. This takes me ten minutes tops. Ten minutes to get more stories in a series I love. That’s a great use of my time!

We have the power to influence what stories are written. Use that power!

Buy Link for Assassin Mine:

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10317-assassin-mine.aspx

Blurb for Assassin Mine:

Darius, a Balazoid assassin, lives a solitary life structured by rigid rules. Nothing is more forbidden than his sexual attraction to Sabria, a sultry human female. Yet she’s all he thinks about. One kiss, one touch, one heart-stopping encounter in a darkened alleyway isn’t enough to satisfy his unnatural obsession. Breaking every rule on both of their planets, Darius captures Sabria and takes her for his breeder.

Sabria takes one look at Darius and she knows she’ll have him…multiple times, in all sorts of positions. She’ll voyage to the end of the known universes to prove she’s the only breeder he’ll ever desire, blazing his notions of how a female should behave.

Because the only force fiercer than a Balazoid assassin is a woman’s lust.

Connect with Cynthia Sax here:

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Amazon author page