Monday, July 31, 2017

Jessica E. Subject shares Love In A New World.

Writing “What You Know” in Sci-Fi Romance

One of the most common pieces of writing advice I hear is to “Write what you know.” That means to use familiar settings, character types, and experiences. In sci-fi romance, that advice seems impossible when I’m penning tales of aliens, space travel, and serving in the Galactic Military. Some of my stories take place on Earth, but many are set on spaceships or foreign planets, places just as unfamiliar to me as Antarctica. And while I have no idea what it’s like to fly a spacecraft, fight with an evil alien, or even to find out what it’s like to learn the person I have feelings for is an alien, I do know what it’s like to fall in love in my early twenties while I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. That is generally the stage in life my characters are going through, and how I “write what I know.”

In Beyond Reach, Prince Mekai does not want marry his betrothed and flees the planet before his wedding. And Nixie has just finished learning the art of erotic massage and is taking her first clients while not sure if she made the right choice in professions. When they meet, sparks fly, but the secrets they learn about each other could destroy their lives.

Accidental Romance isn’t sci-fi, but Leanne has finished college and is getting ready to take over the family dairy farm. An accident changes her life forever, and she finds love where she least expected.

Missy and RJ have returned home for the summer after their second year of university in It Took a Zombie Apocalypse. While they’ve crushed on each other from across the driveway, their families have always stood in the way of them ever getting together. But when zombies invade their small town, they must depend on each other to survive.

It’s just days before Christmas in Hey, Santa, and Claire is dared by her best friend to ask the sexy mall Santa out so she won’t be lonely over the holidays. Little does Claire know that the man in the costume is from another planet.

So, with all these new events and people in their lives, the characters must make decisions that will be key turning points. It’s not an easy time, and can be made even more difficult while falling in love for the first time. I certainly remember those years. Visit them again with the characters in the five stories included in Love in a New World...

LOVE IN A NEW WORLD

New Adult Romance on Earth and Beyond

by Jessica E. Subject

Release date: July 31, 2017

Genres: New Adult Romance, Anthology

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-988428-07-9

Print ISBN: 978-1-988428-06-2

Cover artist: Fantasia Frog Designs

# of pages: 270 print (268 ebook)

BLURB:

An alien prince, a farm girl, two university students from a small town, and more are all ready to begin their lives as adults. They have everything planned out. But when drastic events crush their dreams, they must carve a new path. And they just might find unexpected love along the way.

Includes the New Adult Romances Beyond Reach, Accidental Romance, It Took a Zombie Apocalypse, Hey Santa, and bonus story Alien Kisses at Midnight.

EXCERPT

(It Took a Zombie Apocalypse PG-13 – 449 words)

“Fifty dollars for a kiss.” RJ held the bill and waved it across the counter. “It goes in the jar if I get a kiss from you.”

“I’d do it for five.” She pointed to the paper sign on the jar. “But if you’re willing to donate more, go ahead.”

He walked into the booth and sat on the bench. “You misunderstand me, Missy. I don’t want a peck on the cheek. I want a real kiss, your lips on mine.”

Her cheeks reddened, making her all the more adorable, and she stepped back. “I, um.... It’s not.... I can’t.”

“It’s one kiss.” He waved the money around again, enjoying her discomfort. “The same money you’d make kissing ten old guys with beards, or ten creeps who gawk at your cleavage when you bend over to kiss them.”

The flush on her face disappeared. Maybe he shouldn’t have included that last observation.

“Hey.” He needed her attention back on him. “One kiss, and you never know, you just might like it.”

“Really?” She placed a hand on his knee then waltzed in front of him with a confidence he’d never seen from her before. “You’re that confident of the power of those full brown lips, are you?”

Before he had the chance to think of a response, she snatched the bill from his hand, leaned between his spread legs, and kissed him. He barely had a chance to close his mouth when it was all over.

“Thank you so much for your support.” Missy curtsied then stuck the money into the collection bottle.

RJ gripped the bottom of the bench, trying to process the fact the kiss had already happened. He’d hoped for so much more.

“Another.” He stood and yanked his wallet from his back pocket. “I’ll give you one hundred dollars if I can kiss you.” Yanking the bill from inside the leather fold, he held it out in front of him to prove he was good for it.

“Now, that’s against the rules.”

Her jaw shifted to the side, but when she tilted her head, he hoped she was actually considering his proposition.

RJ hopped off the bench and took a tentative step forward. He’d didn’t want her to automatically say no. “You know I’ve never played by the rules. Why would I start now?”

With a laugh, Missy playfully pushed on his chest. “You’re trouble, RJ. And you’re looking to get me into trouble with you.”

Returning to the stool, he stared into her crystal-blue eyes and smiled. She hadn’t said no. “Just a kiss.” He nodded to a patch of bushes with a bench set amongst them. “No one will see us over there.”

EBOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/Love-New-World-Romance-Beyond-ebook/dp/B073Q8X8DM/

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-New-World-Romance-Beyond-ebook/dp/B073Q8X8DM/

Amazon Canada – https://www.amazon.ca/Love-New-World-Romance-Beyond-ebook/dp/B073Q8X8DM/

Nook – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-in-a-new-world-jessica-e-subject/1126693038

Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jessica_E_Subject_Love_in_a_New_World?id=6eEqDwAAQBAJ

iBooks – https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/ love-in-a-new-world/id1255708226?mt=11

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/love-in-a-new-world

PRINT BUY LINKS:

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/Love-New-World-Romance-Beyond/dp/1988428068/

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-New-World-Romance-Beyond/dp/1988428068/

Amazon Canada –

CreateSpace – https://www.createspace.com/7323838

Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-in-a-new-world-jessica-e-subject/1126704115

IndieBound - http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781988428062

Add to Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35613379-love-in-a-new-world

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jessica E. Subject is the author of science fiction romance, mostly alien romances, ranging from sweet to super hot. Sometimes she dabbles in paranormal and contemporary as well, bringing to life a wide variety of characters. In her stories, you can not only meet a sexy alien or two, but also clones and androids. You may be transported to a dystopian world where rebels are fighting to live and love, or to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.

When Jessica is not reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to go to fitness class and walk her Great Pyrenees/Retriever her family adopted from the local animal shelter.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website - http://jessicasubject.com

Newsletter - http://eepurl.com/eX1Zw

Twitter - http://twitter.com/jsubject

Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-E-Subject-author/205759796126370

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jessicasubject/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jessicaesubject/

Google+ - https://plus.google.com/u/0/100079570422204018357/

Amazon Author Page - http://amazon.com/author/jessicasubject

Goodreads Page - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4959083.Jessica_E_Subject

Authorgraph - http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/jsubject

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Fireworks at Midnight by Tara Quan, A Witch's Night Out

New Year’s Eve is a night filled with bright colorful lights, rambunctious outings, and a good amount of mischief. It also marks the passage of time, bringing to mind our hopes for the future, the exhilaration that comes with change, and fond memories of days past.

Part of Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand line, my paranormal romantic comedy Fireworks at Midnight features a struggling college graduate who is just coming to terms with the thrills and perils of newfound independence. When her best friend’s older brother rolls back into town, this intrepid young witch is faced with help she doesn’t want, protection she doesn’t need, and the reality that this warlock cop no longer thinks of her as a “troublesome little sister.”

Add a pinch of magic, supernatural mayhem, and Madame Eve’s renowned matchmaking service, and we’ve got the beginnings of a stormy love story. Those who’ve read my Christmas release Frosty Relations will already know Dulcina “Sweets” Gato, this tale’s smartass heroine.

In keeping with the hol'iday spirit I’m giving away a $15 gift card. To enter, leave a comment here and drop your details in the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post. [or at my website: TaraQuan.com/FireworksAtMidnight]

Fireworks at Midnight

(A Witch’s Night Out, 3)

Recent college graduate and part-time cat familiar Dulcina “Sweets” Gato is having the worst New Year’s Eve in living memory. End of year expenses trigger serious cash flow problems, and her microwave just went up in smoke. To make matters worse, her best friend’s overprotective big brother is back in town, and his return threatens to put a huge crimper on her nocturnal activities. The only thing she can look forward to is Madame Eve’s 1-Night Stand service. After all, she’s sick and tired of being a 21-year-old virgin.

Enforcement Agent Mikal Knight is a warlock on a mission. Having finally scored a transfer to Washington, D.C., he’s now at liberty to pursue the object of his desires—his baby sister’s best friend. But first, he has a vigilante to track down and a mysterious matchmaking service to investigate. Sent on an undercover operation, he resigns himself to a pointless 1-Night Stand on New Year’s Eve. As luck would have it, his mystery date’s identity might let him kill several birds with one stone.

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Comedy, Interracial/Multicultural

Sweets wrinkled her nose. “God, you sound so...sensible. It’s great you’re moving here, but I don’t think we’ll get along. I’m an irresponsible loser. Sitting in this car with you is destroying my cred.”

Mikal pinched her cheek. “Says Little Ms. Small Business Owner who doesn’t splurge on Starbucks. While we’re on the subject, why won’t you let me spot you more than a hundred dollars so you can, I don’t know, afford a deadbolt?”

As if keeping the five twenty-dollar bills he’d handed her earlier wasn’t bad enough. “I’m a witch who can see the future. Your sister sets off explosions without even trying. I’d love to see a burglar break in.”

“And if I gift you and Shelley a Nespresso machine as a belated Christmas present....”

“The pods cost almost a buck each. Do I look like I’m swimming in cash?” […]

He groaned. “Live a little, will you?”[…]

“So the guy who tutored me through calculus is telling me to be less responsible?”

With a melodramatic sigh, he polished off the last of his drink and held his hand out for her empty cup. Lowering the window with the push of a button, he aimed the cardboard cylinders at a trash can a few feet away. After he tossed them both in the air, they landed in the metal mesh confines with the aid of a few gusts of wind.

Closing the window, he pulled his seat belt across his chest. “I need to be somewhere at nine, but I’ll be back. Got any plans tonight? I can come over, cook dinner, and weasel my way back into Shelley’s good graces with some chocolate cake.”

She would have said yes if he’d pitched this to her ten minutes ago. After that little pheromone-filled vision, she wouldn’t let him near her any time after sunset. “You might want to give Shells a few more days to cool down, and New Year’s Eve is the best time to hawk jewelry.” When he opened his mouth, she lifted a finger. “I would invite you over later, but I sort of have a date.” […]

“I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. What’s he like?”

Even the threat of a ruined friendship couldn’t make her tell him an outright lie. “No idea. I’ve never met him before. Someone else set it up.”

Something about the way his forehead wrinkled suggested he didn’t approve. “Don’t forget to load up your phone. Give me a call if he gets frisky.”

She burst out laughing. Thank God he still treated her like a naughty little sister “Dude—if the guy so much as looks at me the wrong way, I’ll put him on the floor myself. I’ve buffed up since you left, and this whole foresight business gives me a half-second advantage. I don’t want to brag, but I’ve been kicking ass and taking names. Go find some poor defenseless victim to hover over.”

Globetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, paranormal worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Her characters, armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. Learn more at www.taraquan.com

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