Why I Love Science Fiction

Many thanks to Delilah Devlin for letting me ramble on her blog today! Kithra is my debut novella with Samhain Publishing and I couldn’t be more excited about working with them. I’ll give away one e-copy of Kithra to a commenter.

My love for science fiction began early. I can’t remember how old I was when I first saw Star Wars, but I remember the incredible excitement I felt through the whole movie. I also remember slapping up posters of Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker right next to the one I had of Shaun Cassidy. (I liked big-eyed blondes apparently. Shaun Cassidy earned my sincere admiration for other reasons when I grew up and discovered he wrote American Gothic, which was a fantastic, spooky show.)

But, I will never forget the first time I watched Alien—glued to the screen for the entire movie, thinking Ripley was the coolest heroine ever. I loved Ripley even more when Aliens came out. Terminator and Terminator 2 were huge favorites. Around that time, I discovered Star Trek, The Next Generation and I raced home daily to catch the six o’clock episodes. Other favorite shows were Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, Stargate, Alien Nation, Farscape, Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Sliders, and of course, Doctor Who.

I find the idea of our future exciting. I wonder what the important issues will be as we continue to discover more in science and medicine. I wonder if we will conquer space travel and find other worlds with life similar to our own. I hope so. I also sincerely hope things like sexism, racism and homophobia disappear. Yeah, yeah, my idealism is showing. 😉

When I sat down to write Kithra, I wanted to write a future world that featured alien races living along with humans, with societies where any loving relationship is the norm… and my heroine sprang to life and no matter how many times I tried to curb her language or move her into the background, she stomped forward and took over. The story started out in 3rd person and I quickly realized it could only be 1st. Once I made that decision, her story just flowed. Yeah, Lux is foul-mouthed, but she’s also fiercely loyal and she has this soft, mushy center you’d think she’d try to hide, but she doesn’t. As I wrote the sequel, Replicant, her mouth and her compassion showed up to take over a few scenes—even as a secondary character. I’m on the third volume in The Kithran Regenesis series, and she’s showed up a few places and surprised me.

The heroes of Kithra, Kol and Egan, couldn’t resist her and I hope readers feel the same way. And if you like Kithra, Replicant is scheduled for March. Thanks again to Delilah for having me!

Voodoo Anyone?

Haven’t you dreamed of owning a Voodoo doll of your boss, or competition to stick pins in and make them suffer? Or were you ever in love with someone who didn’t love you and wish you had a potion to make them fall in love with you? I love to explore the possibilities Voodoo offers.

New Orleans Voodoo can find its origins in the ancient religions, rituals and beliefs of Africa and Haiti, add to it the healing arts the Native Americans, folk magic of Europe and a touch of Catholicism. People used it as a way to explain and deal with life. It has been used for good and evil, to heal and destroy.

It’s a rich part of the culture of New Orleans history and many parts of the south and provides a great basis for a series of stories grounded in New Orleans and the Atchafalaya Basin.

I based two of the stories I’d written on the use of Voodoo. NIGHT OF THE JAGUAR which is part of the MOONSTRUCK anthology with my dear sister, Delilah Devlin, and please help me launch the release of THAT VOODOO YOU DO today!

THAT VOODOO YOU DO is part of a collection of stories the Allure Authors dreamed up and will ultimately package in an anthology available in print. For now the stories are sold individually in e-format under the series titled Alluring Tales: Night Moves.

Check out the other Alluring Tales anthologies available in print, one of which is on sale now for only $1.99: Alluring Tales: Awaken the Fantasy at Amazon.com!

THAT VOODOO YOU DO

Weaving the right spell…

Determined to convince a rich heiress that the land she just bought should be left undeveloped, panther shape-shifting brothers use a little Voodoo to abduct her and bring her to the swamps to woo her to their side of the bayou.

Trapped in an unfamiliar world…

Catherine Boudreaux struggles to escape before she falls victim to the bayou’s allure and the magic the brothers weave over her.

Warning: Two hot panther shifters, one sassy heiress and the bayou will never be the same…

Buy at Amazon
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Buy at All Romance eBooks

That Voodoo You Do
by Myla Jackson

Catherine Boudreaux slid into the back seat of the limousine, dead tired and sick of all the push and shove of a night out in New Orleans.

James Roland, her so-called date, dropped in next to her, slobbering drunk, with hands and arms like a freakin’ octopus. Even before the chauffeur closed the door, James’s fingers ran over her body, slipping beneath her dress straps to pinch her breasts.

Sharp pain pierced her nipples. “James, no.” She pushed him away only to have him slide back, pressing her down against the leather seat.

“Come on, baby, you know you want some of this.” He rubbed hard ridge beneath his fly against her thigh, while sticking a wet, disgusting tongue into her ear.

The man worked out. He had a nice body, but he was arrogant, obsessive and annoying. Not to mention, he was stronger than she was and using that strength to his advantage.

“What part of no did you not understand?” she asked, struggling to stay ahead of his groping.

“Your lips are saying no, but your body is telling me yes.”

“I don’t know what translation you’re using, but you’ve got it all wrong.” She shoved both hands hard against his chest. “Let me up now, or I’ll have to get violent.”
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NaNo Day 7:
LH—2169 words

The winner of the Autographed Book Contest is named at the bottom of this post!

I have three things to talk about today. Bear with me—you might like something I have to say. 😀

The “I’ll Change My Name to Wendy or Tammy” Contest
First, I am starting a new contest today, and it will end next Tuesday, November 15th! There will be more than one winner—but only if you are willing to be Wendy or Tammy for a day. Scratching your head? I have this stack of autographed books that I made out to the wrong person. It has grown to four. There’s a copy of Girls Who Bite, Veiled Alliance, Un, Deux, Trois, Ménage!, and Darkness Captured. So I will give away four books to four people—if those four are willing to be Tammy or Wendy (the names I put in those books by accident!) for a day! Okay, so I’ll scratch through those ladies’ names and add yours, before I send, but it’s more fun the way I put it. Or maybe just more confusing. Anyway, I will be rid of the stack, and four lucky people will have a signed book!

What do you have to do to win one of these four books?
Post a comment—here or on my Facebook page.

And remember, the Promo Ho Contest is ongoing! Check the Contest page for details!

While I’m Away…
This week I’ve given over control of my blog to a great list of guests! On Thursday, I’ll be heading to Altus, Oklahoma where my sister, Elle James/Myla Jackson, and I will be conducting a workshop for writers. Friday night is a booksigning, so if you’re in the area and want to know how you can meet us, just drop me a line! Anyway, I have guests lined up starting tomorrow. Take a look at the lineup!

Tuesday — Myla Jackson
Wednesday — Dani Worth
Thursday — Mahalia Levey
Friday — Sharon Hamilton
Saturday — Me, with a Saturday Snippet
Sunday — Cerise Deland
Monday — Jasmine Haynes

The Question…

If you were on an African safari, what would you absolutely
have to see for the trip to be complete?

The winner of the Autographed Book Contest is…Ilona! Ilona, congrats! Send me an email to arrange delivery of your prize!

The week started off gangbusters. I wrote a short story in a day, then I went back to work on the Western that’s very, very late to Samhain. I already have a release date—January 31st—so I really do have to get that one finished very shortly. I also began work on the novella for the new Alluring Tales effort. It’s got a dragon, a knight, and a virgin. Yum!

The week started well, but by Thursday, I was covered up with family things. We’ve added to the household in the past few months. I’m sandwiched by elderly and very young people, and although I’m usually terrific at tuning it all out, it’s been kind of impossible to do that lately. Can I say that I never really knew my family was certifiably insane? Yup, a big ole blue streak of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, a variety of personality disorders and depression. I could literally write a book about this odd, dysfunctional family. It would be a true “dramedy”. Naturally, I’m the most normal person here.

Yeah, I know. All I can say is it’s a good thing I have a sense of humor. Now I just need to find that door I thought I didn’t need for my office and re-install that sucker.

And at last, after many years of dragging my feet, I’m going to divorce my Irish man. It’s sad, but we have been living apart for quite some time. Our relationship, actually, has never been better, because we only speak occasionally to talk about all our nutty relatives—he has plenty on his side too. He thinks I’m disconnected from reality (Duh! Writer!?), but I know he’s a narcissist. It’s a friendly divorce. No dogs to cut in half. He has all the dogs; I have my Betta fish, Drago, and the feral cat that adopted me when I stood outside under a full moon. I figured it was a sign I should keep her.

Anyway, I’m rambling. It’s NaNoWriMo month and I have tons of words to write to catch up. These ones don’t count!

Today’s the last day to enter the Autographed Book Contest! Be sure to post a comment to enter. Muah!

Setting is about more than where or when a story takes place. An author strives to place the reader in this other world and immerse them inside it. This is the prologue from Ravished by a Viking, where I introduce Eirik who is making a very grave mistake, one that launches his brother Dagr on a daring mission to rescue him, and which continues in the next story, Enslaved by a Viking. The last line of this excerpt is what “seals the deal” so far is Fatin is concerned. Enjoy sinking into the setting with New Iceland Vikings!

“With the intriguing meshing of the past with the future this was an engrossing read…”
Top Pick!, Night Owl Reviews

“A steamy and fascinating adventure…”
Romance Reviews Today

“Clash of cultures, clash of myths, clash of powerful personalities…how many authors can bring out on paper the excitement and more-than-willing suspension of disbelief that old fashioned adventure stories once brought us?…a wonderful, action-packed, emotional roller-coaster of a read.”
Alien Places

What a Viking wants, a Viking takes.

When his younger brother goes missing, Dagr, Viking warrior and Lord of the Wolfskin Clan, will do whatever it takes to get him back. But nothing could have prepared him for Honora—a feisty, intelligent woman who is nothing like the women of his world—women who are content to serve their men in all things. Drawn to her despite her recalcitrant nature, Dagr is determined to show her who’s boss both in bed and out.

When the two enemies-turned-lovers join forces to find Dagr’s brother they are thrown into a rousing adventure full of danger, intrigue and erotic abandon. Can their passion truly unite them or will their different worlds lead to destruction for them both?

Eirik Ulfhednar glared into his opponent’s reddened face and adjusted his hand, just a slight movement to improve his grip, and then bore down with all his might. The muscles of his forearm and bicep burned. A spike of adrenaline seared his blood.

Harald, who had boasted his prowess over drinks, didn’t seem so confident he’d win this contest now. His lips pulled away from his teeth in a feral snarl, but his bushy red brows rose, betraying his surprise that the man in front of him, so much younger and more privileged than he, hadn’t already crumpled.

A smile eased up the corners of Eirik’s mouth, and he narrowed his eyes. He would prove he was every inch his brother’s equal and deserving of respect from the crew at the mining camp. Respect that they’d denied him since his arrival that afternoon.

However, respect had to be earned from these fierce, rough men. An accident of birth didn’t grant an Ulfhednar, a Wolfskin, any special favors inside this clan. Further, Eirik’s status wasn’t helped by the fact that the last time he’d visited the camp, he’d been a gangly teen with blemishes on his face, tagging behind his elder brother.

But Eirik wasn’t a boy anymore. This challenge was a good place to prove it.

Without a hint to warn his opponent, Eirik opened his jaws and yawned, then squeezed harder around Harald’s huge fist and slammed it into the table.
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Don’t forget! There are two contest currently running on this website.
See my contest page for details!

Ready to be swept away by a sexy story? You’re the one who has to write it. 😯

Check out Wild & Wicked Cowboys. The picture says it all!

A couple of quick notes first!

Goodreads is giving away a copy of Girls Who Bite! It’s easy to enter, just follow this link: Girls Who Bite Giveaway

Five Ways ’til Sunday is available for pre-order! Save yourself some cash and buy it while the price is only $2.45! You know you want it!

Contains five men on a mission to break down the resistance of one determined woman, using everything in their arsenal from BDSM accoutrements to roleplay of non-consensual situations.

As the Christmas season approaches,
what song is it that you just can’t wait to hear?