Monday's Ramblings - Space is amazing

Picture courtesy of EarthSky website

I 'm sure you know by now I write Science fiction romance,  Two reasons for this. ROMANCE -
I am an incurable romantic!

SCIENCE FICTION -
when I was young the word 'science' put me off reading Science Fiction - I'm sorry I loathe the term 'sci-fi' not sure why, it just sounds derogatory to me somehow. I know everyone uses it, it's just me! But I have no illusions about myself  - I know what I write can more accurately be termed 'Space Opera' rather than 'real' science fiction, and I'm fine with that. Strange isn't it, how some words can grate on us and others might rub someone else up the wrong way but sound fine to our own ears!

Anyway, I digress. I have always loved looking at the night sky, with its myriad stars.  Thinking that each star is a sun, whose light has taken countless light years to get to us - and imagining what it would be like to explore space, and visit strange new worlds. What I didn't realise at the time (I'm talking about when I very young!) was that this is actually the basis of much of popular science fiction, rather than the monsters and laboratory test tubes I had imagined. One of the first Science Fiction books I read was Ray Bradbury's  'The Martian Chronicles' and I was hooked, and I swiftly devoured books by  Arthur C Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Anne McCaffrey etc.  I knew I'd found my genre and wrote my first SF adventure 'Starquest' several years ago. It started off as a straight futuristic adventure  but rapidly changed to a romance, I find it possible to write anything without a love interest!

I subscribe to an online newsletter called EarthSky which as well as a wealth of information, also has the most beautiful photographs many of them from hubble. The one on the top of this page is The Bubble Nebula.  I think its absolutely stunning. Who knew there were bubbles in space! If you believe God created the Universe, He must surely have a great sense of humour - as well as a wonderous sense of beauty.

Don't Forget

 I'm taking part in the fantastic Spring Fling, with loads of prizes.

"If you’re ready to win one of several prizes, hang on to your hat because it’s time for our 2016 Spring Fling Giveaway! For the second year in a row we’re celebrating spring by giving away a slew of prizes that readers love! So get ready, set, go, and enter our 2016 Spring Fling Giveaway today and everyday through April 18-30. Meet new authors, find incredible book deals (many free and heavily discounted books by Amazon, NY Times, and USA Bestsellers) in the genres you love! What could you win? How about a Kindle Fire 6″ HD ($99), A Kindle Kid’s Bundle ($99), 1-Year of Amazon Prime ($99), Amazon gift cards ($50, $25, $25), or a Ghirardelli Chocolate gift basket. Yum!
What: Spring Fling Giveaway. 
When: Apr. 18-30, 2016
$440 in Prizes: 1 – Kindle Fire 6″ HD ($99), 1 – Kindle Kid’s Bundle ($99), 1 – 1-Year Amazon prime ($99), $50, $25, and $25 Amazon eCards, and a Ghirardelli Chocolate gift basket ($40). That’s $440 in prizes!

HINT: There is no purchase necessary to win or enter,  but you get BONUS points when you buy a book. So scroll through the book covers and check out the titles that appeal to you. You just might find a new favorite author! Best of all, a portion of your purchase(s) will support Pencils of Promise. Click on the book covers to connect your purchase to Pencils of Promise."

To enter the site click on the banner above or 

https://www.thekindlebookreview.net/2016-spring-fling-giveaway/ 

If you would like to purchase my book, BELOVED ENEMY, scroll down towards the bottom of that page, my book cover is the first cover on the third line from the bottom.   And don't forget, if you buy one of the books on the site you'll not only be eligible to win a prize but you'll be helping 'Pencils Of Promise' and Global Education too.  

No Refuge - Anne Nicholls Review and highlight

No Refuge
Known Universe
Book 1
Annie Nicholas

Genre: Space Opera/Science Fiction Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press/Kensington

Date of Publication:  April 7, 2014

ISBN: 9781616505295

Number of pages: 94
Word Count: 24,000

Cover Artist: Renee Rocco

Book Description:

Hunted to near extinction by an alien race called the Ko, my people have run from Earth and drifted so far among the stars we can’t remember the way back. We live everywhere, but call nowhere home. The Ko want us erased from existence and memory. They don’t even want our DNA in the space dust. Humans disguise themselves as other alien species and hide in plain sight. It’s the only way we can survive.

I believe in the myth of Earth. I’ve even discovered a bona fide book written in the dead language of my people. My man, Brody, dreams of a secret human colony. He’s searched for years, hunting any rumor we’ve run across, and finally he’s made contact. Usually, he’s the one grounding me to station and keeping my head out of the atmosphere. Time for me to return the favor…that is, if I can ditch the Ko who’ve discovered me, thanks to my incessant artifact-hunting. If we don’t make our rendezvous, and the Ko don’t kill me, Brody just might…

CONTENT WARNING: Aliens, cargo ships, and a fast paced race against all odds.

My Review*

As a Science Fiction or 'space opera'  writer and reader, I was looking forward to reading this novella and I was not disappointed.  The action is fast and furious, and the characters are engaging and likeable.

Imagine having to disguise yourself as an alien race and be in fear of your life every day.  This is the way the two main characters, Lucy and 'her man' Brody have to live.  The powerful race of aliens known as the Ko would kill them if they suspected they were actually human. Lucille, like Brady, longs to find Earth and manages to purchase an illicit ancient human story book, featuring humans celebrating Christmas with a Christmas tree.

When Brody tells her he has been has arranged for a meeting with someone who knows the location of a secret human colony, she can hardly believe it.  However, they are to face many perils and unexpected events before the  end of the story, and find friends in unexpected places.  The love between Lucille and Brody is evident, and I liked the way he cared for her, and looked out for her, even though she is, herself, a very strong and capable character. The way these two love each other and the sacrifices they are willing to make, each for the other, is very touching.

There are some fairly steamy scenes, but nothing too explicit and they are in keeping with Brody and Lucille's relationship. I  was rooting for them to succeed in their quest to find the Earth colony and look forward to being able to read Book 2.

About the Author:

Annie Nicholas writes paranormal romance with a twist. She has courted vampires, hunted with shifters, and slain a dragon’s ego all with the might of her pen. Riding the wind of her imagination, she travels beyond the

restraints of reality and shares them with anyone wanting to read her stories. Mother, daughter, and wife are some of the other hats she wears while hiking through the hills and dales of her adopted state of Vermont.

Annie writes for Samhain Publishing, Carina Press, and Lyrical Press.

Website: www.annienicholas.com  

Blog:  www.annienicholas.blogspot.com 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Annie-Nicholas#!/pages/Annie-Nicholas/162716537103705 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annienicholas
 
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3132972.Annie_Nicholas 

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