The industry has been taking a hit from all sides and us writers (and the editors I'm sure) are feeling it as we speak. I haven't been posting a lot about it because frankly it's been depressing! So I've been catching up on my reading as you noticed from the flurry of book reviews. I'm also hunting around for good free reads (as you note from my latest review) and I'm always happy to share them with my fellow bloggers and readers.

I came across a special case of free read that ties into what author Michael Stackpole has been posting over at Dragonpage. In this day and age of trying to find a good (not to mention stable) publisher and magazine market that pays well, Stackpole has been advocating for indie. Authors getting rid of the middleman and just offering reads straight to readers. In this day and age of mile a minute info and quick purchases, more people are staying home and checking out online offerings. It hasn't quite replaced the brick & morter shopping but it's another option people are making use of. I'm finding a lot of authors I hadn't heard of before based on online recs. Authors are also making use of online venues.

In Dragonpage's latest blog post, Tim Pratt (aka T.A. Pratt) has entered a reader supported novella project for his urban fantasy prequel 'Bone Shop'. This is a special case because it's not only just for marketing but it's out of necessity. Here's a snippet of Tim's message from his livejournal:

Bone Shop: A Reader-Supported Novella

As I mentioned yesterday, my wife was laid off this week, and while we both hope she finds a new job soon (and that I sell some more novels, as far as that goes), we’re in sudden need of money now. I could have just straight-out asked for financial help — and for those who’ve offered that, thanks, it’s appreciated — but I’m a writer, and if there’s one thing I have in ample quantity, it’s stories to tell.

Specifically a story I’ve been wanting to write for a while, but couldn’t find the right market for: a longish piece about the early adventures of my series character Marla Mason.

Bone Shop is a serialized, donation-funded urban fantasy novella, available for anyone to read for free. New chapters will go up every Monday. The Bone Shop website is here, though there’s not a lot there at the moment. I’ll post the first chapter on June 29.

Read the full post here

Bone Shop seems to be a prequel to Tim's Blood Engines (now a free PDF in Random House's Suvudu Free Library) and his sorceress heroine Martha Mason. The donations will help his family and it's a great exchange for readers to, as Stackpole says, be a patron of the arts like the bards of the olden days.

Spread the word and enjoy!

On this blog I like to recommend great reads and alert you of free reads as well. In this post, we got a two hitter as I just finish an online free novel that has turned into one of my favorite books I've ever read.

I came across this online novel in a google search and decided to take a look at it with plans to just read the first chapter one night. Soon I found myself diving into the story and absorbed in the lives of the characters we meet throughout the story.

The story focuses on Kate Collins in the present time as she goes through her mother's possessions after her death. She comes upon the letters she sent from college and we're transported through Kate's memories via the letters as she go...more I came across this online novel in a google search and decided to take a look at it with plans to just read the first chapter one night. Soon I found myself diving into the story and absorbed in the lives of the characters we meet throughout the story.

The story focuses on Kate Collins in the present time as she goes through her mother's possessions after her death. She comes upon the letters she sent from college and we're transported through Kate's memories via the letters as she goes to Washington University college at the age of 19 in '50s Seattle. Kate is a smart girl, often working hard to keep ahead of her classes and (as we come to find out later) often a head of herself. She gets a part time job typing a book for one of the biochemist teachers, the handsome and much older Dr. David Roseneau. The two become friends through their love of knowledge and learning and soon feelings and relationships grow into more as Kate's and David's lives forever change.

I LOVED this book! It's like finding a treasure in the midst of a wide ocean. Author Rebecca Heath presents a story which reads like an old friend telling you her life story. It feels like a memoir/autobiography in a way. Kate and David go into detail talking about sailing, opera, poetry, classic books and much more which ties to their interest. Some readers may not be comfortable that Roseneau was in a unhappy marriage while involved with Kate but in a time before no-fault divorce and the connection these two make with each other, it works especially as we see them in the epilogue. There's lots of frank talk about sex and love that I found refreshing and none of the book felt formulaic or forced. David and Kate felt like real characters I would like to get to know myself. As they met and shared their history with the people they met and knew, I felt like I was right there learning about their life story. As Kate had a sexual and emotional awakening with David, I could relate to her curiosity and growing love. The author took time to show us the strong friendship and eventual love between Kate and David and the end results were so satisfying I didn't want it to end.

Letters to My Mother is a wonderful love story mixed with a coming of age tale that any one could relate to as they recall their first and/or greatest love. The novel is offered free from the author. It's so good I wish she would make a tip jar or donation button somewhere because a story this good deserves some kickbacks for its wonderful creation.

Although the book was published in 2008, this is definitely going on my best reads of 2009 and my virtual keeper shelf. I hope the author makes a print edition available one day because I'd love to place this on my shelf with my other favorites.

Letters to My Mother is available to read online at the blogspot blog and at Scribd.

Wow. I really enjoyed reading this book. It is very rich in scenery, language, world-building and characters. It kind of reminded me of Vampires of the Scarlet Order in that it deals with a group of vampires throughout the centuries but there in lies the only similarity. Sort of Anne Rice's vampire world-building with the language of Gabaldon's Outlander presenting a new addition to classic gothic literature. I mention this because I love books of this kind that takes vampire lore and creates a whole world around it. A world seen through their eyes as they live parallel to humans. In the world of Blood Tears, vampires are called the Dark Kind.

It's hard to pinpoint the exact storyline. It's not a high concept one where 'a and b meet c and therefore d happens' but it's more along the lines of 'there are these characters living in this particular world and this is their life through the ages'. Azrar is the Dark Prince of a small country called Isolann and he takes in a young mind reader named Khari. The story unfolds as Khari grows into her powers and learns of the world while offering her gift to help Azrar keep one step ahead of his enemies as the threat of 20th century technology and WWII is on the horizon. I really liked the dynamic between Azrar and Khari. Although he offered her a home and somewhat raised her, she falls in love with him and I had to say I was kind of rooting for them to get together. Although the end was contrary to this, it worked as Khari ended up with someone who shared her mutual love (although the Epilogue raises some interesting questions that may deter that possibility). Another Dark Kind, Eshan, also fell in love with Azrar and tries to warn the young girl that Dark Kind don't fall in love as humans do. Once Azrar did and suffered greatly for it.

There's a certain poetry within the characters because they feel like they are living and breathing. Garan, a Dark Kind who defies Azrar and choose to live by his own rules, is ruthless, a bit arrogant and rebellious but he is likeable at the same time. Sandor is the young abused worker with whom the story opens and his kindness and love for Khari and her mother figure Ileni is infectious. There's also a few side characters that have an agenda of their own amidst the Dark Kind and Ms. Dane takes great care to explore their desires, dismay and complexities as well.

I loved that Blood Tears took place in across the centuries throughout the large world wars and big events that really tie into historical reality. Every time I cracked open the book to read just a little bit I would find myself entranced in the story and the characters. I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the series to see what happens after the events of this book.

Although this was published in 2006, this is definitely going on my best reads of 2009.

I forget where I had first heard of this show somewhere they mentioned the creators of Xena Warrior Princess had a new show. I'm a huge Xena fan and was so jazzed to see Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert returning to their fantasy roots.

I taped the show here and there but kept missing episodes in between. From what I saw it was pretty good but I can tell it was a show to see one right after the other. After I finally caught all episodes, I was hooked and I can say I flippin' LOVE this show!!! The first season plays like a long epic fantasy movie with a great satisfying ending. I'm not a big fan of shows that leave you with a teeth grinding cliffhanger at the end of the season (exception is Being Human cause I'm itching to see the rest of that show) so I was so glad when there was a conclusion here. I'm going to be watching and rewatching this series for years to come.

A few weeks ago I talk about the lack of strong females in movies but the growth of them on the small screen. Legend of the Seeker is no exception.

The story is one of good and evil. Evil ruler Darken Rahl wishes to enslave the midlands but every time there is a threat, a seeker arises to stop the threat of evil. Said hero is one Richard Cypher, a small farm boy who evaded the massacre of all first born infants based on the seeker prophecy.

Now I know there's a ton of Star Wars and Bible references running through your head, but the show makes good use of the hero's journey. I thought of Star Wars a bit while watching this in the beginning but the show cements it's own lore. On Richard's journey is a wizard with secret ties to him and a young woman named Kahlen Amnell, a confessor who wields her own power (and kicks some major butt!) to assist Richard on his quest.

For fantasy buffs, this show is a smorgasboard of goodies in the genre. Tons of magic, a gorgeous production value that looks like a movie in each episode, some humor and fantastic performers along with a budding star crossed romance make this one of my new favorite shows. Each story ties into the other while showcasing mini stories in each episode. The show is loosely based on Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth fantasy series and I'm definitely going to pick them up lean the origins of the show.

I mentioned a strong heroine and Kahlen fits the role to a tee. She's a mixture of strength, sensitivity and smarts. The kind of heroine that's been making appearances on a good amount of shows in this day and age and finally we have one in the speculative genre. Bridget Regan is gorgeous and great as Kahlen and I love seeing her kick butt with her two daggers and especially when she "confesses" her enemies, putting them under her control. She joins my favorite she-ros of Princess Leia, Xena, Storm, Rogue and a few other classics. Not to mention I love her outfits.

Craig Horner as Richard plays him as noble, a young go-getter and a good rising hero. I remembered Bruce Spence who played wizard Zed from the Matrix (he played the Train Man in Revolutions). When I saw villain Darken Rahl, I noticed he looked a lot like Haldir, the blond elf who met up with the fellowship at Galadriel's home and lo and behold, it was him with dark hair this time. If I had to vote for a best tv series villain this year, I would so vote Craig Parker as Rahl. Manipulative, evil, heartless, maniacal and cruel, Rahl is one those villains that you love to hate or maybe just hate to hate. ;-)

The writing on the show is awesome as it creates a great world with it's own rules of magic and it's shortcomings, humanity and it's delicate line between right and wrong, characters with threads of history and fighting for what's good in the world. While not quite a fantasy romance, there is a romance in the backdrop between Kahlen and Richard and the chemistry the two share is addictive. If I had dove head first into fandom, I would surely be a Kahlen/Richard shipper, portmanteau not included.

Joseph LoDuca is the same composer as for Xena and the soundtrack/score has a very epic fantasy feel to it. I love the theme and am sad it isn't played enough in the beginning but the longer version is during the end credits. I think I heard there will be a soundtrack released in the coming months and I'll be on board to buy myself a copy.

It may seem a bit too cut and dry to people, maybe a little bit predictable but with all the "hard and gritty" shows that try to be cheeky and complex out there, 'Seeker' is a good antidote for those looking for something that harkens back to the classics of the fight against good and evil against a gorgeous setting.

Legend of the Seeker has gone into syndication due to it's popularity and is to return for a second season this October.

You know you've been out of it when your phone has to remind you of appointments!

Guest blogging time!

Today I'm over at the LPI blog chatting about Queries. Yep, that all important calling card to selling your manuscript to agents and/or publishers. Or is it really that important? If it's a rejection, is it one of the query letter itself or the manuscript was "just not right for them"?

All that and more over at:

On my hunt for May/December romance reads I came across this little charming book that was a reissue from the Harlequin Silhouette Intimate Moments line. Boy I'm glad I came upon this line! Right away it read like it could be a 50s movie starring a young Audrey Hepburn and an older William Holden and then I realized it had a very Sabrina type of feel to it even though the story was different.

Lauren Howard is a young women recovering from a car crash that ended in her gravely injured and ending her brother's life. She blames herself for it and for losing out on a rising dancing career. Despite the accident, Lauren keeps her compassion and strength while she works as a secretary for one of her mother's friends. She even continues dating a certain man who will lead her into the path of a man whose brother will soon capture her heart...

Jason Kenyon is a big business banker born of privilege. He lives in high society and living although he would much rather sit on the outside observing things around him. He hasn't dated much since his wife died, instead he's thrown himself into work and has shut down in a way. Until one day he sees a woman in a white coat across the way of his building. He tries to run and catch her but misses her. As fate would have it, he meets her again later as she is introduced as the date of his younger brother, Tony.

I loved the characters in A Time to Keep! Jason and Lauren are very much alike even from the start as they are more fitting as outside observers. They stand out from the surrounding characters like a splash of color against a black and white painting and their relationship builds from mild attraction and friendship to full on romance with ease.

Tony is the polar opposite as the younger brother. An extrovert all the way as the author describes him engaging the dinner party as "He was like an endearing small boy, who greedily took all the cookies and knew no one would scold him". While Jason is described to "hold an aura of quiet power. He didn't say a lot, but seemed content to sit back and observe, even prefer it".

I loved Ms. Matlock's way with words, description and characterization. I found myself wrapped up in their lives and rooting for them all the way as the story went on. I even was emotionally involved in ole Felice there who wanted to get her grubby, social climbing claws into Jason (and I didn't like her one bit).

I can't say I blame her. Jason is a dreamy hero and although he isn't "grr, me man you woman" all out Alpha, he's a quiet man but definitely not a pushover. He takes care of Lauren when she suffers a fall and although she wants to do things herself, he's quick to take things over and urge her to relax (with a nice gruff edge of urgency). He tells people what's what in a manner that gets the point across. Lauren is the same way which cements their perfect match.

I wish Ms. Matlock would have taken the time to show more of the dialogue and scenes. Sometimes it felt jumped and jarring when you're in one scene and then she describes their location in the next paragraph. Thankfully it's not a common occurrence in the book and considering it's a category, the time frame and focus is more quick.

In any event, this was a great read I'm definitely adding to my keeper shelf. I wish Harlequin would put all of their backlist in ebook format rather than focusing just on the current releases. There's a lot of goodies and considering the publishing company is going into its 60th year anniversary this year, it's a great way to celebrate their legacy.

I'm so excited to see the Indie/DIY industry blooming. Not only is it rising with the advent of indie authors in publishing but the long standing tradition of film is on the rise as well. Filmmakers are making works outside of the system as they explore different avenues of storytelling in the new media. The awesome thing is how open the internet is for this communication. Much of it wouldn't have been available years ago but now bloggers, fans, readers, filmgoers and entertainment lovers can follow a film through it's production, learn about new films that Hollywood wouldn't bother to push and also help revive their favorite old series (Starhunter come back!)

I thought I'd make this post is for all you SF fans looking for something a little different, a little original and a little out of the ordinary. This is also for me to keep up because my sticky is running out of room for all the movies I want to catch. I'm really excited about this because I've loved the magic of movies since I was a little girl. And I have to admit, the magic sorta died out with all the humdrum films coming out in recent times. If it isn't a knock off sequel, it's a low grade high budget remake that seems to forget who it's audience is while they grasp for a new audience. All the while, high budgets, high budget marketing and hype sacrifice for the fun and entertaining movie experience. It seems like studios are scared to risk a movie rising or falling on its own merits. Part of it is due to a struggling industry (even DVD sales are down) but most of it is the loss of many creative types that kept Hollywood going in its prime.

Lately I've been more than tired of all the remakes and if it wasn't for the Io9.com blog site, I'd never know about half these little productions coming out either this year or next.

Some are online web series and others are films. All look pretty good and I'd be interested to check em out.

Here's a little heads up post to all you folks out there looking for some good upcoming good old fashioned Sci-Fi:

What's it about?

"The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating."

In this future, the world is dying a slow and ugly death. In an effort to cope or perhaps out of pure denial, humanity has become increasingly obsessed with mass media.

The Internet has evolved into an all-consuming visceral experience where every one's perception of the world around them is fully customized. The brown smog in the sky can be easily ignored when a beautiful sunset is projected through your optic nerve, courtesy of the Naneuron Corporation.

But like all systems there are glitches. Someone or something is disrupting the feed; a Ghost in the machine. A group of extremists have risen up, led by young man named Maro. Defiant and charismatic, he has seemingly endless promise until he unexpectedly surrenders.

All enemies of the state are processed for reprogramming. Those like Maro who are physically and mentally gifted enough are transformed into counter-terrorism soldiers. His memories are erased. His body is enhanced. His humanity is destroyed. Maro has become the perfect weapon.

Until he begins communicating with the glitches, hearing whispers that lead him on a journey through the depths of his own subconscious. Trapped in the midst of a hellish nightmare, he must find a way to regain his identity and take down the system once and for all. But at what price comes freedom?

WHEN A MAN'S MIND BECOMES ONE WITH A MACHINE... WHAT HAPPENS TO HIS SOUL?

What's the charm? It's a visual trip even Philip K. Dick can love. The premise is enticing and has the edge of SF cyberpunk noir that I love so much. Although the trailer moves kinda schizo demo reel-like, I'm enticed to see and know more. Perhaps this is to get investors interested and the trailer to sell the film will take it's time allowing us to enjoy the visuals and the potential story that unravels. I'm looking forward to this one!

When's it coming out? Currently in pre-production as the creators raise interest and money for the film. More info is at Io9.com's
Travel Inside The Horrifying Mind Of A Cyborg Killer, In "Offline"

What's it about? From the director of the INVINCIBLE IRON MAN TV SHOW, comes this new breathtaking project called CAPTAIN FUTURE, inspired by the SCI-FI Classic created by Edmund Hamilton and the Japanese Anime from the 70's.

Captain Future is Curtis Newton, a brilliant scientist and adventurer who roams the solar system solving problems, righting wrongs, and vanquishing futuristic supervillains.

What's the charm? This looks to be a low budget web series with a pretty cool story. Something I'd like to keep an eye on.

When's it coming out? December 2009 (tentative)









What's it about? Edward Borman, a lowly government office drone, finds himself trapped, when the deadly Mercury Men seize his office building as a staging ground for their nefarious plot. Aided by a daring aerospace engineer from a mysterious organization known as “The League,” Edward must stop the invaders and their doomsday device, the Gravity Engine.

What's the charm? Old SF serials like Flash Gordon & Buck Rogers. Another cool looking web series I'm dying to check out.

When's it coming out? Not sure yet but will keep you guys posted!







Great post on TMM Blog about the gap lessening between the creator and the audience.



Title: In-World War

What's it about? In-World War, a smart and quirky indie sci-fi feature, tells the futuristic story of a debt-ridden and depressed beta tester trapped in a buggy virtual reality simulation of the "war on terror".

What's the charm? The creator is chronicling this DIY film from the ground up as he writes the screenplay, searches for music gigs, casts and crew. Makes me wish I was still in the Bay Area! Erin Grey of Silver Spoons and Buck Rogers fame just joined the cast. The story sounds pretty wild and I'm always a sucker for futuristic dystopia and commentary on humanity via speculative means. I'm so there!

When's it coming out? TBA


Website: http://www.inworldwar.com
SF09 Newspaper Spotlight: "Brant Smith's Real, Not Virutal, Directorial Debut"

IO9.com's Spotlight on In-World War "Indie Science Fiction Film Tackles Virtual Reality And The War On Terror"






What's it about? Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems.

What's the charm? With a look that reminds me of Kubrick/Clarke's 2001 combined with a mysterious trailer and the amazing Sam Rockwell, whom I've loved since his stint in Galaxy Quest (one of my faves), this debut from David Bowie's son Duncan Jones looks to be a good one. Plus Kevin Spacey plays a Hal-like robot. ;-)

When's it coming out? June 12th in select theaters. Release dates for more locations is available on the website. Word on the street is director Duncan Jones has plans for a Blade Runner mood type of movie. Oh, to dream. :-)




What's it about? An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly find a kindred spirit in a government agent that is exposed to their biotechnology.

What's the charm? Again I'm thanking Io9.com for this one because I had never heard of it until I saw the first trailer there. The interrogation scene was chilling and I thought it'd be an alien invasion movie with some freaky looking aliens filmed in a documentary style. It was a clever trailer which looks like it's real time about immigrants being treated unfairly. Until we get to the final flash card that reveals these are aliens not humans. Soon the second version of the trailer was revealed and a whole new twist was thrown into the mix that made this movie even more interesting. I can't wait until this is released.

When's it coming out? August 14th 2009













What's it about? Set in 1957, ALIEN TRESPASS chronicles a fiery object from space that crashes into a mountaintop in the California desert, bringing the threat of disaster to Earth. Out of the flying saucer escapes a murderous creature - the Ghota, which is bent on destroying all life forms on the planet. A benevolent alien from the spaceship, Urp, inhabits the body of Ted Lewis - a local astronomer - and with the help of Tammy, a waitress from the local diner, sets out to save mankind.

What's the charm? A parody throwback to 1950s sci-fi is always a plus in my book! Plus, Erick McCormack bringing on the scientist goodness is a can't be missed!

When's it coming out? Technically it's already out. According to the IMDB release page, January and April were the only dates this was made available via a film festival and a limited release, respectively. I'm really hoping this makes it to DVD because it looks like great fun.

A bit of bummer/yay news for us Gerard Butler fans (and some goodie news for us Cam ooglers). Priest fans have been campaigning for our favorite Scotsmen to take up the role of the vampire hunting lead character. Just a few days ago, Paul Bettany was confirmed to take the leading role of the film based on the TokyoPop manga created by Min-Woo Hyung. Priest is set in a world ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampires and follows a warrior priest (Bettany) who turns against the church to track down a murderous band of vampires who have kidnapped his niece.

I know what you're thinking. "What?! The albino dude from the Da Vinci Code?"

Well, yes BUT also the handsome hero who popped off the pages of Inkheart into the feature film of the same name. After seeing him in Inkheart (where I didn't even recognize him at first!) I'm convinced that Bettany has the potential to pull off the western horror hero.






Cam Gigandet has just been announced to join the cast as a young wasteland sheriff who is part vampire. He partners with Bettany to save the girl he loves, the niece.

I know I rave about this show all the time but it is awesome.

Now YT has put up the entire Starhunter 2300 series for your viewing pleasure. Episodes 1-22 with some of the most diverse, amazing and fun characters in a futuristic setting. Not to mention a burgeoning romance which I love in my sci-fi. This was a continuing series from Starhunter both dealing with the same universe of colonies, bounty hunters, raiders, divinity clusters and government conspiracies. This is an awesome show if you're looking for some new sci-fi to sink your teeth into. Everything you need to know about the Starhunter universe is here. A new awesome site that chronicles the conne

2 years ago I posted an "All you ever wanted to know about the Starhunter series" over at my Livejournal which told about the series along with some pics. Here's a little behind the scenes goodies to catch up on the show.


Originally posted at Sci-Fi Rae's World 12/8/06:

It's a little known sci-fi tv show that aired a few years ago. Some say it was bad, some enjoyed the refreshing storylines, extensive universe and twists, awesome musical score and low budget look of this canadian series. I personally, and recently, fell in love with the second season. I have yet to see the first season, but I will someday just to get the back story. But without my yummy bounty hunting captain Travis Montana and his butt kicking, weapons specialist lady Callista (Callie) Larkadia by his side, among others, I'm gonna be a bit saddened. :-(

Download the 2300 theme 'Darker Star' by Peter Gabriel here
Download the 'Darker Star Reprise' here

Backstory time!

Courtesy of a Bureau 42 post I came across & Starhuntertv.com:





The year is 2275. Earth has more or less successfully colonized the entire solar system, but our reach has surpassed our grasp. Any semblance to law is spotty and unreliable. Things are dangerous and final out on the frontiers of space. As the colonies continuously push further and further out from Earth, lawlessness and crime expand right along. With the vast distances between Earth and its colonies, policing has become a very real problem. The use of private forces like bounty hunters, known as 'Starhunters', has become common practice. Their job is to bring to justice the epidemic of criminals terrorizing the colonies. Their rewards are usually monetary.

Farmer Dante Montana (yes, they named a character Montana, get over it.) [<-- tee hee. -R] is away from the farm when Raiders attack, take his son, kill his wife, and his niece's parents, leaving his niece Percy in his custody. In an attempt to get his son back, he becomes a bounty hunter for Rudolpho. The ship he does his work in is managed by an AI named Carvaggio. Along the way he picks up a security officer named Lucritia (Luke for short) who's dad, Darius, heads up an undergound organization called the Orchard.



The ship was at one time a luxury liner that was converted to a troop ship when whatever passes for an earth gov went to war against the Raiders who at the time had taken over Mars. The Raiders were driven back, and earth colonization continued out to the jovian sattelites. (Where Dante was raising a family.)

Raiders are unable to reproduce, so to continue their existence they take children in raids. See notes above.

The Orchard is following a set of discoveries about a sequence of some 4 cromasomes that are discovered in the human genome that have no precidence for anything else on earth. These cromasomes apparently add several psi abilities, that can be accessed with some training. Based upon what I have seen in the series, some of the powers include giving the possesor super speed, abilities to read minds, cause explosions (generally killing the possor of the ability as well) and others.

Along the way it appears that the entire human race is going to be affected by a "conversion" in the "near future", as a result of these genes.

Dante and Percey are not concerned with the same things that the Orchard is concerned about except in as far as the people already affected become targets for their bounty hunting job, or as they discover they are related to Raiders they encounter while looking for Dante's son.









Starhunter Season 2 picks up where the first season left off. In the series debut, bounty hunter Dante Montana and his cohorts pursued evil outlaws through the solar system, while he simultaneously searched for his lost son, Travis. In this season's Starhunter, we find the tables turned and the son, Travis, is now searching for his missing father.






Travis Montana (Clive Robertson) is a reformed ruffian with extraordinary powers as a result of his exposure to the Divinity Cluster, a sequence of subhuman genes that are activated by hi-tech equipment. His gifts are great but impossible to harness, so often the wild side of Travis rears up.

He and his band of misfit bounty hunters are in constant and relentless pursuit of the 24th Century's most ruthless criminals, traversing the dangerous landscapes that make up the patchwork of the New World; hundreds of outposts with hostile topography, competing political agendas and socio-economic systems, wildly ineffectual governments and rampant lawlessness.

Starhunter takes place against the backdrop of this new urban jungle. Human beings have abandoned Earth in droves. Wave after wave of immigrants fled as Her resources became overburdened and finally dried up.


The air became unbreathable and all arable land turned to dessert. Pollution and overpopulation, great floods and unspeakable plagues drove human beings into the relative safety and habitability of a new world in outer space.

In time though, the new world began looking much like the old. Nationalism grew and intolerance flourished along with it. New refugees from Earth were turned back. Different special interest groups sprang up and vied for the same finite resources. Fractiousness reigned and the potential for a cultural and political renaissance was shattered.


Out of this anarchy, a golden age of outlaws and renegades emerged. The Raiders, a nomadic sect of bloodthirsty warriors, rule supreme. They have learned to exploit the chaos that has befallen humanity and abuse the technology of the future to prey on the weak. Travis and his crew must often operate outside the bounds of convention in their hunt for these marauders and employ less than savory tactics to secure their capture.

With the vast distances between Earth and its colonies, basic policing systems have been bankrupted. It is now up to the bounty hunters, private forces known as ‘Starhunters’ to, by any means necessary and for a tidy sum, bring the renegades to justice.

In Season Two, Travis steps into his father’s shoes, assumes the mantle of prime bounty hunter and takes control of the Tulip, a vast, rusty and largely derelict former luxury liner now retrofitted for starhunter duty. His crew consists of his cousin Percy Montana (Tanya Allen), a bright and willful woman conflicted by her need to break away from the crew and a determination to find the uncle she lost, at any cost. Callista ‘Callie’ Larkadia (Dawn Stern) is a weapons expert with a history of uncompromising moral rectitude that has sometimes led her down the wrong road. Marcus Fagen (Paul Fox) is the ship’s technical guru with a penchant for exaggeration that sometimes drives the other crew members to distraction. The gruff and irascible Rudolpho deLuna (Stephen Marcus) rounds out the rest of the crew.

In each episode, the crew of the Tulip pursues a different villain, each more dangerous and cunning than the last. Both Travis and Percy are also on the constant lookout for clues about Dante. As the season progresses, the two are increasingly at odds over how to find their missing relative. The conflict between these two characters, the constant stress of being hunted and being on the hunt, and the inimitable personalities (and mysterious backgrounds) of the rest of the characters, drives the tension of the series.

The entire series is now available on Youtube and I HIGHLY recommend you check this out if you love Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi romance and futuristic goodies. It's well worth it!

Author Michael Hanson is my guest for the upcoming Author Spotlight for July and I'm happy to be apart of the scavenger hunt to help promote his new shared world anthology Sha'Daa Tales of the Apocalypse. Sponsored by CyberWorld Productions and Dark Fiction Show, the hunt begins today and ends July 4, 2009. More details are on my website so...

This is my first read of a Suzanne Brockmann book and now I know what all the fuss was about! The Admiral's Bride is a reissue from her Silhouette Intimate Moments edition and it's a meaty one. I grabbed this because I was looking for some older heroes/younger heroines contemporaries and since I loved romantic suspense I thought this would be a good start. What an awesome story this turned out to be. I had planned to only read it in between my others but I ended up devouring it in one day!
...more This is my first read of a Suzanne Brockmann book and now I know what all the fuss was about! The Admiral's Bride is a reissue from her Silhouette Intimate Moments edition and it's a meaty one. I grabbed this because I was looking for some older heroes/younger heroines contemporaries and since I loved romantic suspense I thought this would be a good start. What an awesome story this turned out to be. I had planned to only read it in between my others but I ended up devouring it in one day!

Where can I find a guy like Admiral Jake Robinson? A complex, sexy strong, resolute alpha male who's not afraid to be sensitive show his feelings and tell what's on his mind will go on my list of memorable heroes. He matches well with Zoe a headstrong, whip smart biochemical weapons expert whose father was saved by Jake in the prologue. The connections are weaved from the beginning and the suspense, thrills and romance both progress nicely as the story unfolds. I was bummed when this story came to an end!

I also love the chemistry and camaraderie between the SEALs team. From Star Trek and X-Men references to the way they worked and joked with each other, they felt real and like peeking in on old friends. I found myself laughing out loud at their sayings.

I'm definitely going to check out more of Ms. Brockmann's works as I've good things about her Troubleshooters series (especially the couple of Sam and Alyssa) but first I'm going to dive into Taylor's Temptation. I hope that story has a scene to rival the scorching hot shower and rooftop scenes!!

The Admiral's Bride is available now in ebook and print formats. Mira published the new series from the formerly released Silhouette Intimate Moments edition.

Things have been so crazy here that I've been relagated to checking Nathan Bransford's This Week in Publishing posts for news summaries! Not that it's a bad thing at all. ;-)

Dear Author pointed to an article that was pretty heavy. Daily Kos reports that "PA Senate passes 50% cut in library funding". This is horrible because I know a lot of my reader friends use this as a source of their book reading. Not to mention the publishers who sell directly to libraries.

Self publishing is taking off and making the rounds. A few months ago, the NY Times did a piece on the rise of it and now it's Washington Times' turn with the current article Self-Publishing Finds Commercial Niche in Digital Age. The whole article is nothing really new but good stuff nonetheless.

BooksonBoard, one of my fave online retailers, is offering Hot $1 eReader Romances now until June 30th. A small selection but if you're feeling adventurous to try out some new titles now is the time!

Someone posted an article from the Guardian book blog on Why it's Hard to Conjure the Spirit of Orwell in today's times. Even if you're aren't a SF fan (shame on you ;-)) it's good reading for authors and book admirers.

Dear Author also posted a Billboard link with former RIAA head Hilary Rosen who gives a music insider's look at the growing mirror image of current publishing to music studios and Napter. The excerpt on DA is good stuff but like Jane says in the post the whole article is worth a look!

Hey everyone!

I'm guest blogging today at the Paranormal Romantics blog where I reflect on the genre as a whole and take another look at the frighteningly large TBR pile. Eeek!

June's newsletter should go out in a few days while I gather some info and books for the next contest so keep an eye out for that.

My online time will be a bit limited as I catch up on some projects but I should pop on and off with some goodie news and reviews from some books I'm currently reading. These are some good ones, too!

Take care for now!

Hey everyone! A quick message.

I've been invited over to a new blog group with some very talented and fun ladies. The blog is called Paranormal Romantics and I'll be guest blogging Thursdays. Today we posted our intros so come on down, say hello and get to know everyone!

See you over there!

This month marks the return of author spotlights so get those TBR piles ready to have more books added. I'll be bringing you some new and upcoming authors to try!

This month we have a native Texan first published at the age of sixteen. Since then she has since been published in numerous magazines, anthologies, journals, and reviews.

A Writer's Dream would like to welcome poet and award winning author Cairol "C.A." Dawson!

Cairol has taken home places in the General Edmond C. Lynch Memorial Award, The Holcomb College Award in the 'Poetry In the Schools' awards of the Poetry Society of Texas. She has also won both 1st and 2nd place in the Lu Spurlock Award (a feat no other has won before) in the Trinity Writer's Competition for her poems 'Vanishing' and 'Big Boned Woman' respectively. Her poetry has also been used in conjunction with the brilliant photography and painting of local artist Thuy Saliba in a media presentation of 'Poetry and Art' at the Community Arts Center in Fort Worth. Her poem 'Big Boned Woman' also won acknowledgment in at the Austin International Poetry Festival. Her latest win is for her poem 'When My Father Left' at the Halton City Library annual Poetry state-wide competition's Write Across Texas in 2008.

This year Cairol added a few more awards to her name and she has also moved into the realm of novel writing and publication. Her psychological thriller Mind on Fire, the first in a series, was published October 2008 and is available now. Her poetry has also been picked up for future publication later this year in various journals, ezines and magazines.

Cairol was awesome to share her writing process and a little bit about her work with us in an interview. She also had some very inspiring words for aspiring authors and poets out there.


Q: When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

At a very young age I fell in love with words and lyrics. I was an only child and spent a lot of time listening to Classical music and the Blues. Poetry was a great escape and then I moved up to fiction. The words wrapped around and hung in my mind ultimately making me crave more. I was amazed how the emotion in the words drew visions of other people’s pain. I’ve always been an observer, taking notes of interesting people or things that bothered me.


Q: How would you describe the genre in which you do most of your writing?

In Mind on Fire I wrote about what scares me the most, what I fear could be living next door, or happen to any of us at any time. I grew up on horror and monsters but the times we live in today give us the real horror, the real monsters. The guys we date, marry, think we know but how well can we really know someone? We only know what they allow us to know and how much of that is really them? My fiction is dark. Even my poetry I write slants to the dark side of the moon. I like working within the shadows and out of the light.


Q: Who is your target audience?

Anyone who can enjoy a psychological thriller, with more implied gore than graphic reading. I find that what a reader brings to the table, can imagine far worse than anything I could possible write so I take them to the edge of their seat reading with all the lights on.

I saw Psycho as a kid, big mistake. I never looked at a shower curtain the same way ever again to this day. I remember when Nightmare on Elm Street came out; I had trouble going to sleep for almost a year. It’s the man next door with fourteen bodies under his house that waves everyday on his way to the car that bothers me.


Q: What motivated you to start writing in this genre?

I enjoy scaring people as much as I enjoy being scared in a controlled environment that is. It’s an adrenalin rush not knowing for sure what’s around the corner or under the bed. It’s the safe fear we knew as a child and letting that child inside have moments even after growing up. It’s like when the circus used to come to town or the monster fest at the local Saturday afternoon matinee. The unknown of being a child and helpless to outside influences. I went from never wanting to lose that feeling to wanting to create it for others.

Q: Who would you say has influenced you the most?
It’s no so much a who, but a what, that influenced me the most. The fear of Hitchcock, the twists of Rod Serling, the horror of Stephen King, the story telling style of Hemmingway, the dark side of Rilke, and the tenderness of Pablo Neruda. They all intertwine together as I consumed them over a lifetime not to ignore the wonderful teachers I had which encouraged me to create.

Q: Which aspects of the work that you put into the book did you find most difficult?

I’d say the confrontation towards the end. It was so complicated that it hurt my brain to even try to tie it up. I had to stop, put it down for about four to five months before I could finish it because it was so twisted that I had trouble writing it.


Q: Which did you enjoy most?

The characters. I love developing my characters and watch as they take on a life of their own. When I know who’s going to die I try not to get too attached. Weird but true.


Q: What will your next book be about?

It’s From the Ashes the second in the series following Mind on Fire. Then there’s Conversations with Death, a series of short stories which will be available at Mirror magazine online May 15, 2009. I always have many diverse projects in the works.


Q: What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Being acknowledged at Bass Hall in Fort Worth 2006 for my participation in a serial novel competition. It was absolutely incredible and surreal. I knew then without a doubt; I was hooked. I know one thing for sure and that is; if you stop trying you will miss the opportunity to succeed.


Q: How did you get there?

By never stopping. Collect the rejections and carry on because the acceptance is always just around the corner. If you stop trying you will miss the opportunity to succeed.

Conversations with Death will appear as a series in Mirror Magazine Online beginning May 15, 2009.