Category: Science Fiction

In the Spotlight: The Captain’s Promise by T.J. Land (excerpt)

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The Captain’s Promise (Adrift #4) by T.J. Land
NineStar Press

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Release Date: October 17, 2016

Purchase Links

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Book Blurb

Now that the crew of The Prayer have settled down on an uninhabited alien world, their captain intends for them to forge a new life for themselves. But Khurshed’s plans are interrupted when the ship receives a distress call from a nearby planet. While most of his lovers are excited by the prospect of making contact with their new neighbors, First Officer Antoine argues that responding might endanger the crew. As it turns out, his fears are well placed…

Excerpt

T.J. Land © 2016

All Rights Reserved

Dirty, panting, and sweating like a pig, Rick stood back and surveyed his greatest achievement. Ten rows of newly sown green beans, ten rows of spinach, and ten rows of zucchini; the first crops he’d planted outside the rigorously controlled and monitored confines of The Prayer’s oxygen garden in four years. The first Earth crops that had ever been planted on this planet. In this galaxy, even.

“Bitchin’,” he said to himself.

“Don’t curse in front of the baby vegetables,” said Thomas, slinking up behind him and draping his lanky arms over Rick’s shoulders. “You don’t want ’em growing up as warped and perverted as you, do you?”

“Fuck off, Meléndez,” Rick drawled, tilting his head up to accept a kiss.

“How come our first crops are fucking greens? I haven’t had a donut in close on five years. Why can’t you plant some…bread seeds?”

“Wheat, you ignorant loser. We don’t have any grain.”

When they’d first set out from Earth, they’d been equipped with everything they needed for the duration of the one-and-a-half-year journey to Pluto, including a cargo hold full of supplies for the dwarf planet’s fledgling colony. They’d had nutrient shakes, chewable protein bars, enough canned food to feed one hundred people for four years, the reliable bounty of Rick’s vegetable garden, and flour. When they were set adrift by the enemy, they’d comforted themselves with the knowledge that they’d die of boredom and cabin fever long before they starved. Even so, Rick recalled vividly the bleak looks on everyone’s faces three years ago when Echo had informed them that the last of the flour was finished.

“Besides, donuts? That shit’s bad for you. Echo’s fruity desserts aren’t doing it for you anymore?”

Thomas made his meh face. “He’s been using that weird melon-shaped thing we found a lot lately. I can’t get used to the aftertaste. It always feels like someone coated the back of my tongue in cement.”

“Don’t let Echo hear you say that. He’ll be whatever his equivalent of upset is. And he might poison your dinner.”

Their new vegetable garden had been planted in the lee of the rocky hill next to which The Prayer currently squatted, her landing gear obscured by the long grass. Being situated in the planet’s temperate zone, they wouldn’t have to worry about the periodic decades-long draughts that assailed the southern regions. Because Antoine’s current fascination was the local marine life, they were within walking distance of the beach. There was another ancient abandoned town a few miles east, though Rick wasn’t all that eager to go exploring again just yet. Not after what had almost happened to Zachery and the captain.

Khurshed, Rick reminded himself. That’s what he asked you to call him.

Thomas was resting his chin on Rick’s head, a habit he’d picked up since Rick had started shaving his scalp. The explosion that had taken his eye had also burned off a good chunk of his hair, and Zachery had said it was as good a time as any to try a new haircut. Rick had agreed. Then, stupidly, he’d given Zachery free reign to experiment on him. The result was so arrestingly hideous that he’d had no choice but to go bald. Thankfully, it turned out that all three of his boyfriends thought his new look was sexy as hell. Rick wasn’t so sure, but he couldn’t deny that having his bare scalp stroked and fondled made it feel as though someone had pumped kerosene into his dick.

“Comfortable up there, asshole?” he inquired of Thomas.

“Sorry,” he said, not sounding the least bit sorry. “It’s the price you pay for being my shortest boyfriend.”

“Okay, I’m gonna bite your nipples off for that,” said Rick, peeling off his gloves and turning around so he could get at them.

When Rick had first met Thomas, he hadn’t thought much of him. He’d come off as a bland everyday nice guy, maybe a bit of a worrywart, with unassuming good looks. Nothing special. As they’d gotten to know one another better over the course of the four years they’d been lost in space, they’d become amicable acquaintances, though not quite friends. Rick had liked him while never being one hundred percent comfortable in his presence, his feelings towards the ship’s security officer muddled by what he now recognized as a huge, unacknowledged crush. Then the captain had come along and dragged them all into bed with him, and after that, everything had worked out.

Rick wasn’t the type to rate his boyfriends; he felt as drunkenly, giddily in love with the captain and Zachery as he was with Thomas. That said, they were all vastly different people, and they each had their own place in Rick’s life. Thomas was the one Rick went to when all he wanted was someone to make him smile. When he’d emerged from the medical pod, Thomas had been the first to be allowed to see his empty eye socket, and in the weeks that followed, Rick had turned to him whenever he started thinking dark thoughts. No matter what else was going on, Thomas always made him feel good.

“Oh yeah,” Thomas said, his breath hitching as Rick settled a hand over his dick.

Rick smirked. One of the reasons Thomas always made him feel good was that making Thomas feel good was so, so damn easy.

“You’re such a whore,” he told him, rubbing the spot behind his left ear like he was a cat. As Thomas sagged against him, mumbling incoherently, Rick kissed him hard, grinding their dicks together while he moved his hand from Thomas’s ear to massage the back of his neck. As soon as Rick had learned where Thomas’s soft spots were, he’d realized that he could do pretty much anything with him.

“You like that?” he asked. Not because he had any doubt that Thomas did. It was just nice to see Thomas try and fail to make his tongue work, because sweet gentleman Thomas never ignored a question.

“Y-yeah,” he husked. “’S nice.”

Rick smirked. I have so got your number, pretty boy.

“How about we go inside?” Rick said. “Wouldn’t want to traumatize the baby beans, would we?”

Pairing: MM, MMM

Orientation: Asexual, Bi, Gay

Identity: Cis, Trans

Length: Novelette

Words: 18300

Pages: 42

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Author Bio

T.J. Land is a South African writer of erotic romance and sometimes other things. Her main inspirations right now are her plants, Emily Carroll’s art, and her seething hatred for the final season of Downton Abbey. She hopes you’re hanging in there.

Check out NineStar Press’ events calendar for information on additional blog stops for The Captain’s Promise and other upcoming releases!

A PaulB Review: Eternal Circle (Sirius Wolves #3) by Victoria Sue

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

eternal-circle-by-victoria-sueIt has been five months since Darric has passed and the remaining members of Orion’s Circle are still dealing with the loss.  Aden has probably been most affected as he is carrying Darric’s child.  Entering his fifth month, Aden has two more to go.  As before, he is being hidden away except for the most senior members of the leadership pack so that the pregnancy remains a secret.  However, outside events always complicate matters.

Blaze, the leader of Orion’s Circle, is still trying to integrate werewolves into the military establishment.  But Darric’s death weighs heavily in his mind.  Since he first shifted, he promised his mates that he would always protect them.  However, he failed in protecting Darric.  Now he must make sure that Aden and Connor are safe from harm.

Connor, meanwhile, has his own concerns.  The empath of the group he is suppose to know what others are feeling.  However, his powers seem to be disappearing.  Instead of feeling other people, he is using cues and thinks he knows what they feel.  He wonders if this is a temporary setback or if his powers are fading permanently.

As Orion’s Circle and the military begin to roll out a publicity campaign to sway people’s opinions about werewolves, it becomes evident that someone within the leadership group has been supplying secret information.  The only suspect they have is a wolf that used to be Aden’s friend and has been causing trouble with other pack members.  No matter what has gone on in the past, Aden cannot believe that Kellan has seriously betrayed them.

When an explosion injures Connor and a young boy, Blaze uses his alpha power to heal the two.  However, this has unintended consequences and bring unwanted attention to the werewolves.  An enemy from the past uses this situation to his advantage and places the remaining members of Orion’s Circle in jeopardy.  Will Aden and the rest survive to see the birth of their new pup?

This third book in the Sirius Wolves series is just as tension filled as the previous two.  As the three men deal with the death of their partner, they must move forward.  Being pregnant, Aden feels almost helpless as events unfold.  He must think of his unborn child first.  Blaze must contend with the human government as well as issues that deal with his pack.  Connor is worried that Darric’s death may have affected his powers and might not get them back.  Add to this someone who wants revenge on this group for past slights.  The resolution is a bit contrived but keeps with most tellings of mythology.  I look forward to the rest of the series.

The cover art by E Connors has a shirtless man in front of a cloudy night sky.  It is a decent cover that keeps with the theme of the covers of the rest of the series.

Sales Links

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Book Details

EBook, 143 pages

Edition Language:  English

Published:  September 24, 2015

ISBN:  978-1-944054-05-2

Series:  Sirius Wolves

Book Blitz for The Wolves of Daos 5 by Rebecca James (Excerpt and Giveaway)

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Title: The Wolves of Daos 5

Series: Wolves of Daos 5 1

Author: Rebecca James

Publisher: Rebecca James

Cover Artist: Brandyjo Newton

Release Date: September 24, 2016

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 195

Genre: Romance, Science Fiction, mpreg, shifter, paranormal,

Add to Goodreads

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Synopsis

Michael has wrestled with anxiety his entire life, and finding out he’s half-werewolf doesn’t help matters. When bond-mate, Quinn, takes Michael to the werewolf colony, Michael finds more surprises in store for him, and some may be more than he can handle.

Excerpt

Looking over his shoulder as they walked, Michael saw that the milling crowd that had been gathering at the palace gates now filed in behind them, as though they’d been waiting for Quinn and Michael’s arrival in order to be admitted. Looking ahead, a vast courtyard lay before them with pruned hedges and extensive gardens that had been cut back in preparation for the coming winter. Michael’s heart picked up when he spotted what appeared to be several huge lizards lounging in the inner courtyard near the front of the palace where he and Quinn were not, thankfully, headed.
“Komodo dragons?” Michael asked.
“What? Oh, yes. We brought them here from Indonesia. Very effective deterrents to trespassers.”
“I’ll bet.” Michael stared at the frightening creatures.
“This way,” Quinn said, setting off toward the side, passing through an archway and along an ivy-covered wall where two guards led three chained and naked men headed for a door leading away from the main part of the stone structure. Quinn propelled Michael toward a larger iron door at the far end of the narrow lane. Michael couldn’t help but stare at the men. Were they slaves? They certainly appeared to be, with their dirty appearance and hands and feet manacled and the long chain connecting them one to the other.
“Prisoners,” Quinn said, as though answering Michael’s unasked question. Sometimes he really did seem to read Michael’s mind. “Escor. Scum.”
The corridor leading to the door was narrow and crowded. Quinn wrapped his arm around Michael’s waist and maneuvered them through, while Michael continued to stare at the prisoners. He’d never seen anyone like them; completely hairless, lacking even eyebrows and lashes, with long, slim feet and oddly-shaped heads. Two large werewolves wearing red tangas and brandishing curved sticks urged the prisoners along. As Quinn and Michael passed the line of men, one looked directly at Michael, his silver eyes with dark, vertical pupils reminding Michael of a snake. Michael thought they must be contact lenses—he’d seen some that gave a similar effect. As Michael returned the gaze, quick as lightning, the man’s tongue darted out, thin and forked, touching Michael on the arm at the same time that Atlas yelled and pulled Michael backward until his shoulder hit the opposite wall. Quinn threw himself at the prisoner, his hands around the man’s thick throat.

Purchase

Rebecca James | Amazon | Smashwords | ARe

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Meet the Author

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Rebecca James writes m/m and m/m/m romance in the contemporary, paranormal, and sci-fi genres. Writing has been her passion since childhood, but it wasn’t until recently that she got up the courage to publish. She lives in the southern United States with her husband and three children.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | eMail

 

Giveaway

One lucky winner will get an ebook of their choice from Rebecca’s backlist

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A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Fear of Frogs (Brimstone #2) by Angel Martinez and Narrated by Vance Bastian

Rating: 4.5 stars out of  5

fear-of-frogs-audibleWhile Shax recovers from a near fatality, his shipmates have been busy. He’s rather proud of them taking the initiative and finding them a lucrative cargo run. His pride turns to outright horror, though, when he finds out what sort of cargo. Unfortunately, he’ll soon discover that a healthy fear of frogs doesn’t prevent frog-driven disasters. Time travel has never been so messy.

I read  Fear of Frogs (Brimstone #2) by Angel Martinez as part of a Brimstone collection (Brimstone: Demon Owned & Operated (Brimstone #1-3) and loved it then.  But I’m always curious to see what new elements a good narrator can highlight or expose that I  never noticed before in a story that I’ve previously read so I was delighted to listen to Vance Bastian narrating Fear of Frogs!

What a joy all over again!  Spawning frogs, the wild west, demons in love, , but  most of all our demon prince Shax, his demon best friend Verin, his fallen angel lover Ness, that crazy drag queen I.A.. Ivanna and more on the spaceship Brimstone.  Vance Bastian does a beautiful job of capturing the many personalities of the crew of the Brimstone.  Bastian slides from our main couple to the outrageous drag queen I.A. to the gruff Verin to the cowboys and back to our fallen angel with ease.

I thought I could type and listen since I already was familiar with the story but before I knew what was happening my typing got slower and slower as once more I got caught up in the recovery of Shax and the anxiety of Ness, his lover, their predicament after the event of “the frogs”, and boom! I was listening and not typing at all.  As the events I already knew about unfolded, it all seemed so fresh.  And yes, I loved it more.

I never did get back to my typing.

I just sat back and listened as Angel Martinez’ wonderful story played out through the wonderful voice of Vance Bastian and the crew of the Brimstone got into some pulse quickening adventures and then triumphed once more.  I hated for it all to come to an end.

So here is another audiobook recommendation for you.  It made a book I loved even better.  Are you a fan of science fiction, Angel Martinez, humor in space or all three?  Throw in a narrator guaranteed to bring it all to life and you have Fear of Frogs (Brimstone #2) by Angel Martinez and Narrated by: Vance Bastian.  I can’t wait to the others to come out on audiobook as well.

Cover art by Freddy McKay is fanciful and perfect.

Sales Links

Mischief Corner Books LLC

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Audiobook Details:

Audible Audio, First
Published 2016 by Mischief Corner Books, LLC (first published February 20th 2014)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Series Brimstone add to your Goodreads shelf here:

A Paul B Review: Flight Anthology by Queer Sci Fi

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

flight-anthologyCan you write a complete story in 300 words?  That was the challenge set forth by the Queer Science Fiction group to over 100 authors.  The topic chosen for the authors was flight.  The subjects were as varied as the authors.  Most of the stories I found entertaining while a couple left me flat. 

The stories themselves are divided into different genres within the field of science fiction.  General science fiction and fantasy dominate the anthology but there are also sections for those interested in horror and the paranormal. 

In this anthology, you will also find a full range of emotions.  While many of the stories feature some type of happy ending (whether for the moment or what appears to be ever after), there are those stories that are tragic or bittersweet.  Probably what one would expect in such a tome.

Besides the award winning stories selected by the editors (as I think they should be), my personal favorites include some favorite authors and some new ones to me.  I thought Alexis Woods’ Zero-G was especially unique in adapting current sports to futuristic technology.  Andrea Speed has a unique take on the rapture in Flight of the Buttheads.  Tam Ames has a warm family story in When the Fur Flies.  Kirby Quinlan has a unique take on superheroes in Wings.  Paul Stevens has a friends-to-lovers story on a space ship in Resupply.  Other stories I particularly loved were by Jo Tannah, Jennifer Lavoie, Christina Mary Franics, Ginger Struesel, M.D. Grimm, Nicole Dennis, and Alicia Nordwell.  Overall, if you would like some quick reads with a nice variety in the stories, I would highly recommend picking up this anthology.

The cover art and illustrations throughout the book by Mila May are simply breathtaking.  The illustrations depicting the winning stories are perfect.

Sales Links

Mischief Corner Books

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Book Details

ebook, First, 262 pages
Published September 21st 2016 by Mischief Corner Books, LLC
Original TitleFlight: Queer Sci Fi’s Third Annual Flash Fiction Contest (QSF Flash Fiction, #2)
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesQSF Flash Fiction #2