Thursday, June 26, 2014
It's Official...My Sister Must Be Half Fish! by Michele Callahan
My Sister Must Be Half Fish!
I am a land dweller, I admit it. I love the mountains, love the plains (I always imagine myself on horseback with a feather in my hair and an eagle soaring overhead.) But the ocean? Well, that's a different story. My sister, I've concluded, is half fish. She loves the water, loves sailing and swimming and sand stuck in inappropriate places.
That said, what do I do? I write a sci-fi/paranormal romance (BLUE ABYSS - Book 3 of the Timewalker Chronicles, which is coming in the next few weeks) where the heroine is kidnapped, sent through time, and genetically altered to breathe water. In the Bermuda Triangle! She hangs out with sharks and kills really scary alien bad guys in underwater caves. I had to research the creatures, the dive gear, the caves and the ocean itself. It's HUGE. It's cool. And it's intimidating as hell. Nothing like a mountain or the Pacific to remind us how small we are. So, here's my top ten reasons the ocean scares the you know what out of me.
1 - Sharks. (Weak, I know. But I saw Jaws. Need I say more?)
2 - I can't breathe water. (I need to go up to Celestina's space ship and talk to her about that.)
3 - Tsunami (Scary.)
4 - Riptides
5 - Hurricanes
6 - The Bermuda Triangle
7 - It's DEEP, never get to the bottom deep. Who knows what's down there?!
8 - Giant monster squid that rocket up from the deep and eat stuff three times my size.
9 - Sea-sickness (Yes, I get it on every boat, big or small - nausea nightmare!)
There you have it, a glimpse into my inner wimp. But Mari, my heroine in BLUE ABYSS, loves the water, and everything about it. She's an amazing deep cave diver and explorer. When I write her, I can pretend to be brave and see all that amazing underwater phenomenon. And I can be totally in love with Raiden, her smoking hot, crash-landed in the ocean, alien hero. He's got his own set of special skills, but I have to keep that a secret for now. Blue Abyss is coming soon. Until then...until I'm sure Mari killed ALL the monsters...maybe I'll just keep my feet firmly planted in the ground.
Cheers to all the water lovers out there! Sail some great sailing for me.
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| Available NOW! |
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
My First Romance Convention: A True Winner by S. E. Smith
My First Romance Convention: A True Winner
By S. E. Smith
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| Julie, Sally and I at the Crowne Plaza |
While it may seem as if I’m an experienced author, nothing
says rookie more than the doe-in-the-headlight look in my eyes and the shaking
inside as I attended my first romance convention. RomCon 2014 was an incredible
experience filled with wonderful guest speakers, generous and knowledgeable
authors, and a fan base that would humble any author. Eve Langlais told me that
attending RomCon last year was like jumping into the deep end of the swimming
pool. I am just thankful I am a good swimmer because that was where all the fun
and action was.
I was stunned to
learn I had won the RomCon 2014 Readers Crown Award for Science Fiction Romance
with Ha’ven’s Song: Curizan Warrior Book 1.
Synopsis: Emma Watson’s life changes when she is
rescued by creatures not of this world. Ha’ven Ha’darra is the Crown Prince of
the Curizans. No woman has ever turned him down and he isn’t about to accept
his mate doing it. He just has a few extra problems to overcome. The Valdier
have given him six months to change Emma’s mind, a traitor is trying to kill
them, and they have crashed on a remote moon.
Ha’ven’s Song:
Curizan Warrior Book 1 is available at
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| Jennifer Zane and Me |
I attended several of the RomCon
University workshops hosted by many of the great authors and publishing houses
while I was there. Guest speakers, such as NYT Bestselling author Debra
Holland, Robin Cutler from Ingram, Jim Azevedo from Smashwords, and other wonderful
presentations by Cherry Adair and Jennifer Zane provided insight into what
makes an author successful. One of the most important things I learned was that
reviews do matter. Jim Azevedo from Smashwords walked attendees through the
Algorithm used by Amazon, Smashwords, iBooks and more when it comes to
understanding ranking, promotion and important steps for ensuring the author’s
story is not lost.
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| Mina Khan, Michele Callahan, and me |
I also loved meeting
up with my two of my Alphas Unleashed authors, Mina Khan and Michele Callahan. Alphas Unleashed
went to #1 on Amazon’s Bestseller’s list for Superheroes and #2 in Science
Fiction Romance behind….. Razor’s Traitorous Heart! LOL. Mina and Michele both
had fun giving me a hard time about that. Both women were not only amazingly supportive
of me, but I am in awe over the wonderful stories they write. If you have not
checked them out, I would recommend it.
Razor’s Traitorous
Heart: The Alliance Book 2 continues to be #1 on Amazon’s
Bestseller’s list in Science Fiction Romance. This story follows the
struggles back on Earth after their first contact with aliens. You’ll also get
a chance to catch up on previous characters. For more infomration or to
purchase, click on the links below.
Alphas
Unleashed refuses to be left behind. It is currently #1 on Amazon in
Science Fiction/Fantasy Superheroes. This anthology by Mina Khan, Michele
Callahan, Carolyn Jewel, and me will take you on an adventure from Earth and
beyond. Whether you are looking for witches, djinns, or more Alphas Unleashed
has just the story for you. |
| Me with Author Alanea Alder |
The
biggest impact on me was how generous and supportive all the authors and fan
were. I was stepping out of my comfort zone (that is the small bedroom I had
converted to an office) and it was an amazing experience. Kudos to Michele,
Jennifer and all the others who worked so hard to make RomCon the best, but I’d
like to express a very, very, very special thank you to my readers who came
from great distances to say hi and who helped make this the best experience
ever.
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| Holly, Terry, Julie, Beth, me, Tina, and Mandy enjoying a lunch break! |
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| Me with Fan Tina |
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| Michelle won the Kindle Fire giveaway |
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| Holly, me and Terry (Daughter and Mom fans) |
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| Beth and me |
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| Me with Michele Callahan, President of RomCon |
Fans can visit me at SESmithFL@gmail.com or visit my web site at: http://sesmithfl.com. Join me for additional information about the books at http://pinterest.com/sesmithfl/s-e-smith/, http://twitter.com/sesmithfl, http://facebook.com/se.smith.5 and at my new book discussion forum at http://www.sesmithromance.com. I look forward to chatting with you!
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
BLENDING ROMANCE SUB-GENRES
I love to read and write all types of romance, contemporary, western, historical, sweet, erotic, and fantasy, to name just a few, but my favorite sub-genre is Sci-Fi Romance. Where else can you mix and match the sub-genres so easily?
A sci-fi romance can be set in the past, present or future. It can be based in our everyday world, in another galaxy far, far away, or in an alternative universe. It can include elements of fantasy. It can be sweet or erotic.
Do you love mystery? There's no reason that a sci-fi romance can't include a mystery. Whatever the author imagines can become real to the reader.
I've written three sci-fi romances and hope to write more in the future. Or maybe I'll invent a time machine and go write them in the past.
A sci-fi romance can be set in the past, present or future. It can be based in our everyday world, in another galaxy far, far away, or in an alternative universe. It can include elements of fantasy. It can be sweet or erotic.
Do you love mystery? There's no reason that a sci-fi romance can't include a mystery. Whatever the author imagines can become real to the reader.
I've written three sci-fi romances and hope to write more in the future. Or maybe I'll invent a time machine and go write them in the past.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Continuing the Geekfest at Phoenix Comicon
Since Vijaya has already shared some photos of our adventures. I thought I'd pass along a few more. It is so much fun to be with like minded people, ones who understand the shortcuts that reference movies, and who are willing to share their joy of the event. Here are some of my favorite photos and I admit, they're from some old movies and my Disney favorites.
Monday, June 9, 2014
A geek author at Phoenix ComiCon - by Vijaya Schartz
I can't help it, I'm a geek. I didn't realize how much of a geek, until I attended the Phoenix ComiCon last week. It was my first but not my last. All these people wearing superhero, movie character and anime costumes... I get it. They are my people. They love stories, they love getting lost in imaginary worlds, they love the idea that we are not alone in the universe, they love heroes, and so do I.
Of course, I'm not alone. Over a hundred thousand people attended this year in Phoenix, and next year will be better and bigger. I feel as if I've been initiated. Now, I know where to find the coolest costumes and accessories. Never seen so many light sabers, blasters, medieval swords and ninja weapons. It's like stepping into a parallel universe where everyone is a geek and proud of it.
I was autographing my books, and that's half the fun for me. Many readers of sci-fi and fantasy roam the exhibit, looking for their favorite authors, or for new authors to discover. It's difficult not to be star struck with all the attending celebrities. Nathan Fillion (Firefly and Castle) and Stan Lee. No wonder I love the Big Bang Theory.
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| I loved the droids from Star Wars, R2D2 in particular. I never realized they were that tall, or maybe it's just that I'm short. |
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| Had to have a picture with the bit kitty. It reminded me of my book covers |
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| With my partners in crime, Anna Questerly (left) and Linda Andrews (right) |
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Sci-Fi Romance On My Kindle
SWITCH by Janelle Stalder.
All’s fair in love and war.
Two thirds of the world's population has been wiped out, devastated by the worst war earth has ever seen. Still standing amongst the ruins is a mind reader who finds herself on the wrong side of the war.
Everyone does what they must to survive.
When the rebels bent on bringing down the New World leader start to rise up, it is her job to make sure they stay down where they belong. That is, until one rebel sneaks past her defences and into her heart. Love will blossom from the ashes, but will it be enough to save them, or will it mean the end of them both?
All’s fair in love and war.
Two thirds of the world's population has been wiped out, devastated by the worst war earth has ever seen. Still standing amongst the ruins is a mind reader who finds herself on the wrong side of the war.
Everyone does what they must to survive.
When the rebels bent on bringing down the New World leader start to rise up, it is her job to make sure they stay down where they belong. That is, until one rebel sneaks past her defences and into her heart. Love will blossom from the ashes, but will it be enough to save them, or will it mean the end of them both?
AMANDA'S EYES by Kathy DiSanto.
Waking up is the pits when you come to in a hospital with a broken arm, a colorful assortment of abrasions and contusions, and a face swathed in bandages. It's even worse if you can't remember what hit you.
The bad and the ugly are crime reporter Amanda "A.J." Gregson's business. But learning she had a ringside seat for an explosion that vaporized two federal agents, incinerated an entire block of warehouses, and peppered her eyes with so much shrapnel they had to be surgically removed? Well, that gives the darker side of life a whole new meaning.
Haunted by will-o-the-wisp nightmares, A.J. waits for her transplant and struggles to remember the events leading up to the fateful night of September 4, 2075. She isn't the only one who wants that information. Special Agent Jack "Iceman" Eagan is as determined to get the facts as she is to remember them. When memory floods back in brutal detail the night before surgery, fed and reporter form an uneasy alliance against the architects of her personal disaster, a lethal band of killers-for-hire known as Ferrymen.
THE MAD SCIENTIST'S DAUGHTER by Cassandra Rose Clarke.
Waking up is the pits when you come to in a hospital with a broken arm, a colorful assortment of abrasions and contusions, and a face swathed in bandages. It's even worse if you can't remember what hit you.
The bad and the ugly are crime reporter Amanda "A.J." Gregson's business. But learning she had a ringside seat for an explosion that vaporized two federal agents, incinerated an entire block of warehouses, and peppered her eyes with so much shrapnel they had to be surgically removed? Well, that gives the darker side of life a whole new meaning.
Haunted by will-o-the-wisp nightmares, A.J. waits for her transplant and struggles to remember the events leading up to the fateful night of September 4, 2075. She isn't the only one who wants that information. Special Agent Jack "Iceman" Eagan is as determined to get the facts as she is to remember them. When memory floods back in brutal detail the night before surgery, fed and reporter form an uneasy alliance against the architects of her personal disaster, a lethal band of killers-for-hire known as Ferrymen.
“Cat, this is Finn. He’s going to be your tutor.”
Finn looks and acts human, though he has no desire to be. He was programmed to assist his owners, and performs his duties to perfection. A billion-dollar construct, his primary task now is to tutor Cat. As she grows into a beautiful young woman, Finn is her guardian, her constant companion… and more.
But when the government grants rights to the ever-increasing robot population, however, Finn struggles to find his place in the world.
Finn looks and acts human, though he has no desire to be. He was programmed to assist his owners, and performs his duties to perfection. A billion-dollar construct, his primary task now is to tutor Cat. As she grows into a beautiful young woman, Finn is her guardian, her constant companion… and more.
But when the government grants rights to the ever-increasing robot population, however, Finn struggles to find his place in the world.
SANCTUARY by Pauline Creeden.
"Makes you afraid of the end times again." - D. M. Dutcher for Sword Cross Rocket
"Sanctuary crosses boundaries and borders and incorporates elements of all kinds of action and intrigue, from thriller-like adventure to a post-apocalyptic tale of life after aliens invade. Thus it will delight readers seeking something truly different, while disappointing those who anticipated a shallow, one-dimensional subject and story line." - Midwest Book Review
"Makes you afraid of the end times again." - D. M. Dutcher for Sword Cross Rocket
"Sanctuary crosses boundaries and borders and incorporates elements of all kinds of action and intrigue, from thriller-like adventure to a post-apocalyptic tale of life after aliens invade. Thus it will delight readers seeking something truly different, while disappointing those who anticipated a shallow, one-dimensional subject and story line." - Midwest Book Review
It's Men In Black meets CSI:Miami!
He's a Florida cop. She's an intergalactic zombie hunter. Saving Earth is the least of their problems...
Bahia Vista homicide detective Theo Petrakos thought he'd seen it all. Then a mummified corpse and a room full of futuristic hardware sends Guardian Force commander Jorie Mikkalah into his life. Before the night's through, he's become her unofficial partner--and official prisoner--in a race to save the Earth. And that's only the start of his troubles.
Jorie's mission is to stop a deadly infestation of bio-mechanical organisms from using Earth as a breeding ground. If she succeeds, she could save a world and win a captaincy. But she needs Theo's help, even if their unlikely partnership threatens to set off an intergalactic incident, and forces her to choose between a planet and a promotion--and a man who's become far more important than she cares to admit...
And if you like Linnea, you like zombies with your sci-fi, the first book in my Gothic SFR series Apocalypse Babes, The Z Word, is now FREE.
So, what's on your Kindle?
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