Can you just imagine me now? White coat on, hands gleefully in the air, flotsam of an antiquated laboratory strewn around a large metal table...
Sure you can.
In fact--real life is nothing like that, as I sit at my Mac in front of the fire, with a very nice hot chocolate by my right hand--but I still maintain (though the dog is looking at me like I've lost my mind) :
It's ALIVE!!!
Sci-Fi Romance QuarterlyIssue #3 is here! Featuring articles, reviews, opinions, and TWO short stories! One of which is has been penned by moi!
With thanks to one of my lovely CPs, Anna, who helped me no end with this one. You will also find Anna's excellent books reviewed here...
And if you've come here from the live links at SFRQ. Hiya. Thanks for dropping in.
I'm very (very, very) excited to tell you that I've recently sold a short story to Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly.
LIBERATING CLEMENCY
Assassin Clemency is on a mission to find the Herz des Mondes, a moonstone of great and mysterious power, which will help her get her life on track. When she is out-thieved by the appealing mercenary L'Arc, is she beaten, or will they both reap the stone's rewards of the heart?
It's due for release on June 15th.
Speaking of releases, have you caught up with my awesomely awesome CP Anna Hackett's goings-on lately? She's just put out some wicked novellas set in her WindKeepers world.
My favourite is Claiming the East Wind, Soren's story. That said, his brothers are pretty darn appealing.
My gorgeous and completely over-worked critique partner Anna Hackett has a new sci-fi action romance At Star's End (Book 1 of the Phoenix Adventures) coming out with Carina Press March 31st, and here's her cover:
Dr. Eos Rai has spent a lifetime dedicated to her mother’s dream of finding the long-lost Mona Lisa. When Eos uncovers tantalizing evidence of Star’s End—the last known location of the masterpiece—she’s shocked when her employer, the Galactic Institute of Historic Preservation, refuses to back her expedition. Left with no choice, Eos must trust the most notorious treasure hunter in the galaxy, a man she finds infuriating, annoying and far too tempting.
Dathan Phoenix can sniff out relics at a stellar mile. With his brothers by his side, he takes the adventures that suit him and refuses to become a lazy, bitter failure like their father. When the gorgeous Eos Rai comes looking to hire him, he knows she’s trouble, but he’s lured into a hunt that turns into a wild and dangerous adventure. As Eos and Dathan are pushed to their limits, they discover treasure isn’t the only thing they’re drawn to…but how will their desire survive when Dathan demands the Mona Lisa as his payment?
I found the key under the heart-shaped garden ornament to the stunning SARA mansion, and the awfully gorgeous Carla Caruso and I have been having a marvellous chat and being generally rambunctious in the pink lounge, getting wine stains on the furniture and popcorn crumbs in the shagpile.
So much fun!
The SARA lounge is hard to describe accurately, but it looks a lot like this:
Really, all that is missing are the Channing-Tatum-lookalike-scantily-clad barmen and the champagne fountains.
Head here to join in the shenanigans, and find out why Carla and I are singing Chris De Burgh karaoke.
Every time I come here, I find myself having to clarify that I'm still alive and kicking. Mmmm.... One needs to work on one's time management. Or, stop working. I know which I'd prefer.
I know which one Sparky would prefer....
It's been a little nuts here, what with Christmas coming, Anarchy slamming his thumb in a door and requiring plastic surgery, Faith going on camp, and getting gastro, and Love turning nine.
Mental, I tells ya! I'm at peak performance when only one thing at a time is happening in my life.
BUT, I do love Christmas. The fun, the food, the joy, the wine, the ... balls.
Christmas seemed to come late to Casa Lock this year, so I've been watching this over and over, to get in the swing of things. So much fabulous. My data bill is through the wazoo, but totes worth it.
And because I've been buying myself eBooks for Christmas (I know it's not Christmas yet. Hush yo' mouth), There've been NEW BOOKS!
I've been rounding up our SARA reads at www.romancesa.blogspot.com, and here's my offering for that column, x-posted.
Emmeline Lock
I also picked up Rough Diamond, and just finished it last night. Phew-ee! Somebody say, "Adventurous ROLLER COASTER with GOOD LAUGHS and HOT LERV"? Couldn't put it down. Yes, Ms Ledson. I am a little weary today. But I don't regret a moment! I agree, Carla, it's a funny, quippy read that doesn't belabour the relationship between Erica and Jack, even though life throws all kinds of rotten tomatoes their way. Check out Sandra O'Grady's thoughts on this book here. The ending did leave me a bit wanting, until I rationalised the whole "Um, Emmeline, dude, there's another book," thing. Then, I felt that the ending was very well done, and felt that Jack was some kind of GOD. Oh, yum. Looking forward to Monkey Business, the next book. And not just because I want more Jack. Well, maybe not only because I want more Jack... Speaking of awesome Aussie writers... Here's a few I've been mowing through like Christmas chocolates... The Kissing Season - Rachel Johns. I do love to read Ms Johns, and this 100-page book does nothing to tarnish my girl-crush. A gorgeous hero (with an accent!), a feisty heroine, a small-town feel and and Aussie Christmas! What more could a reader want?!
Rubies and Black Velvet - Denise Rossetti I'm a big fan of Rossetti's Four-Sided Pentacle series (Loved The Flame and the Shadow!), and this novella, which falls at #1.5, brings us all the mystique and sultry heat of those books. Once again, the hero, John, was a work of art. He was perfect. Completely sigh-worthy. A curse, a delectable hero, a strong heroine, well-woven fantasy and a number of beautifully-done erotic scenes. Win! Originally published in Unlaced in 2008, it stands alone well, and is a well-worth a holiday read. Bravo, Ms Rossetti! Speaking of gorgeous novellas, I've also had a few more crackers that I've taken off of the top of the TBR and devoured... Starstruck in Seattle - Juliet Madison An adorable, funny, quick read that left me wanting more Juliet Madison! Which led me to... I Dream of Johnny! I would have bought this for the title and cover alone, but on the back of a surge of Juliet love, this one was awesome. A very cute, uplifting read.
Finally, allow me to share with you one final book that I have recently read and loved... Catch of the Day - Carla Caruso Isn't that just THE prettiest cover you have seen for eons? Our summer (ha!) has started off very cold, and made me kinda depressed. But fear not, one look at this cover and I was cured! The colours, the water, the floppy hat and the little heart ... isn't it just perfect!? Now, Ms Caruso is fully aware of my girl-crush on her (I may or may not have done some gushing over CITYGLITTER here.) and it's only marginally embarrassing for us both. I would happily wear a lifetime of weird silences and cleared throats, if I could read gems such as this. Set in Kingston SE, this is a wonderful coming-home story (I do love those, especially when high-flying women pack up their stilettos...). It has a number of my favourite things--a mysterious hero, a heroine who knows what she wants and doesn't dally about decision making, crystal-blue waters, small-town heart ... and crayfish! Heaven! Do yourself a favour, hit the beach with this great book. NOW! And what is really cool is that every author featured today is AUSTRALIAN! I KNOW! Awesome, RIGHT? Oi, oi, oi!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and see you on the flipside!
If sharp, shiny, satisfying romantic reads are your thing (or if you love sapphires), you can order your copy here.
At this point, I'm putting off reading it. Not sure why. Maybe I still don't quite believe my story came second. I'll open it, and EverTrue won't be in there. My sensible self knows it is, but there is a part of me still pinching my forearm.
Big congrats to everyone who has their story in the anthology, especially my SARA sisters, Harriet and Ute. ;)
I love some other people's stuff, and if I use your stuff, I try to tell everyone that it's not my stuff - it's someone else's stuff. But, if I have used some of your copyrighted stuff here and you would like me to remove your stuff, let me know.... It's all for non-commerical use...
