February 13 and 14: Blood Hearts Blog Hop

Stop by the New Sensuality and others for your chance to win several great books!



More to come soon!

Please Welcome Guest Author Anne Kane!

It's the final day of the blog tour, and to finish things off, author Anne Kane discusses reality versus fiction in sci-fi.  Take it away, Anne!

How much of Science Fiction is Fiction?

I write romance, but it’s rarely set in contemporary times. As my tag line proclaims, I write science-fiction and fantasy with a sensual twist.

As I sat here, wondering what I write about for this blog tour, the term Science Fiction rolled around in my head. It sounds like an oxymoron. Science is generally though to be a method of proving natural laws by observation and careful testing. In other words, Science deals with known things that can be measured and quantified. Fiction on the other hand is entirely a product of the author’s imagination and can be as unlikely as the writer wants it to be. How on earth do we reconcile those?

When we combine the two terms, we come up with Science Fiction. The Encyclopedia Britannica defines science fiction as:

Fiction dealing principally with the impact of actual or imagined science on society or individuals, or more generally, literary fantasy including a scientific factor as an essential orienting component.

Just fifty years ago, a man landing on the moon would have been considered science fiction, but we are all familiar with the images of  Neil Armstrong taking that first step onto the surface of the moon. What was fiction has become reality. Personally, I feel that science fiction combines what is known with what I imagine could become reality at some point in the future. Travel to Mars, or Uranus, or another galaxy may not be a fact right now, but some day, I believe it be as common as plane travel is today.

When I write, I try to keep the universes I build believable. I need to create a feeling that this could happen, that this is a reasonable extrapolation of current trends”. In  my Stargazers series, I’ve combined interstellar travel, which I believe will some day be a reality, with a group of women who have special talents. Those talents are based upon a belief in ley lines and other ancient practices that may or may not be based in fact. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I convince the reader that the concept is plausible.

And therein lays the challenge; to take the fiction that I create and blend it with a scientific basis in order to entertain. If in the process, I can get people to look beyond our earth-based society and dream of a life among the stars, so much the better!

Anne Kane

www.AnneKane.com

Sci –Fi and Fantasy with a sensual twist!

BLURB:

When Tarik’s brother is captured by the Intergalactic Council, the handsome cyborg realizes he’ll need the help of a Stargazer if a rescue mission is to succeed. Problem is, as the leader of the rebellion he can’t just advertise for a Stargazer willing to flaunt the Intergalactic Council.

But when he kidnaps Krystal, he is completely unprepared for the irresistibly sexy young woman with a gentle soul. Now he’s torn between rescuing his brother and his growing attraction to the talented witch.

EXCERPT:

“Let me see if I have this straight.” Sarcasm dripped from Krystal’s voice. “You launched an unprovoked attack on my parent’s estate, abducted me, left me cooling my heels in a cold cargo bay holding cell for goddess knows how long, had my hands bound behind me with a set of barbaric and extremely uncomfortable restraints, and then had me brought to what is obviously an interrogation chamber.” She paused to sweep a scornful glance around the room, her gaze lingering on a padded rack with leather straps dangling from the various parts. “And now you’d like me to do a favor for you?” She lifted her chin and fixed him with a glacial stare. “Thanks, but I don’t think so. I’d like to go home now.”

He had to give her credit for poise. Her haughty stance and the way she held her head high, chin tilted just so, gave the impression she was used to giving orders -- and having them obeyed.

            He glanced away from her for a moment and gestured at the guards. “Please remove Ms. de Mylar’s restraints and wait outside the door until I summon you. He was gratified to see a faint shadow of alarm cross her face. She knew he wouldn’t give in quite this easy. He gave her a bland smile. “We need to discuss how best to accommodate her request.”

            The shorter of the two guards stepped forward to remove the restraints. Tarik had to think for a moment before he could place him. Brent was a new recruit, a refugee from the Intergalactic Council’s recent annexation of the Utan home worlds.

            Krystal stepped away from the guard and rubbed her wrists. The restraints hadn’t been that tight, but they’d obviously annoyed her.

A loud click signaled the departure of the guards and Tarik leaned back, stretching his long legs out under the table. “Have a seat.” He nodded toward the empty chair across from him.

“No thank you.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself. This might take a while.”

The witch raised a brow at him. “I can’t imagine why.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment, letting his gaze wander from the sprinkling of freckles on her nose, down her lithe figure to the foot that she tapped impatiently on the floor. Luckily, the table hid his body’s reaction. He didn’t need her to know she could arouse him with just a glance.

“Fine!” She threw herself into the chair, crossing her arms on her chest and glaring at him. “Discuss away.”

Tarik had to suppress the urge to grin. She certainly had the supercilious attitude down pat. He leaned forward, focusing on her emerald green eyes. Bad idea. A man could drown in those eyes. He shifted his attention lower, only to find himself wondering what those lips would taste like.

 

Series: Stargazers

Title: Wanton

ISBN (13): 978-1-60521-179-4

Genres:  Futuristic, Paranormal, Sci-Fi

Themes: Magic and Mayhem

Release Date:  March 13^th, 2009

Author: Anne Kane

http://www.annekane.literalseduction.net

Publisher URL  Changeling Press - Erotic Fiction

  

Watch the Book Trailer :  Here

BUY NOW!

Second Annual Out of This World Blog Tour

Starting next week, the second annual Out of This World Blog tour will feature ten different sci-fi and SFR authors whose recent or upcoming releases take place beyond Earth as we know it.

The lineup:

September 17

Diane Dooley at Amber Norris’ blog

http://sci-fiadventures.blogspot.com/

September 18

Gary Starta at Melisse Aires’ blog

http://melisseaires.blogspot.com

September 19

Frances Pauli at Diane Dooley’s blog

http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/

September 20

Amber Norris at Greta van der Rol's blog

http://gretavanderrol.net

September 21

Lilly Cain at Anne Kane’s blog

http://www.annekane.wordpress.com/

September 22

Greta van der Rol at Frances Pauli’s blog

http://francespauli.blogspot.com/

September 23

Lisa Lane at Gary Starta’s blog

http://godsmachinesandroids.blogspot.com/

September 24

Melisse Aires at Lilly Cain’s blog

http://contactinfinitefutures.wordpress.com/

September 25

Anne Kane at Lisa Lane’s blog

http://newsensuality.blogspot.com


Many authors will be giving away prizes to random readers, so stop by each day to check out the discussion and the SWAG.

See you there!

The Journey's End

My thanks to all of the authors who contributed their time, their thoughts, and/or blogs to the Out of This World Blog Tour. It was a lot of fun, and I know I definitely have a handful of books added to my TBR list.

My thanks again to SFR Brigade members Sandra Stixrude, Linnea Sinclair, Pauline Jones, D. L. Jackson, J. C Hay, Kaye Manro, and Marva Dasef for offering insightful posts and entertaining discussion. It was a great end to the summer!

Please Welcome Guest Author Kaye Manro!

Today, it is my pleasure to have author Kaye Manro here as one of the final stops to the Out of This World Blog Tour, talking about erotic science fiction romance. She has written several sci-fi works, and most recently released her erotic sci-fi romance, Forbidden Love. Take it away, Kaye!

Lovemaking Deep Space Style

One of the questions I asked while doing research for my E-SFR (erotic science fiction romance) the Forbidden Love series, part of which takes place on an enhanced spacecraft was, well, what is sex like in a deep space environment? Since my books feature an advanced cultural society in which the hero’s race has already mastered FTL and hyperspace travel, it wasn’t too much of an imaginative stretch to realize I wanted these stories to have such intricacies as spaceships with artificial gravitation and inertial dampeners.

As far as T’Kon and Maya, the h/h are concerned, the setting for the love scenes in Forbidden Love is about as comfortable as spending time in your own contemporary bedroom. As I mentioned in my SF Lexicon on my website, Inertial Dampeners are mechanisms that prevent the effects of gravitational forces caused by space travel and the acceleration or deceleration created by FTL. Therefore, T’Kon and Maya hardly noticed the changes as they engaged in tantalizing love scenes.

Leaving our creative imagination behind for just a minute, let’s talk about reality. How close are we actually to accomplishing sexual encounters aboard spacecraft? How possible is having sex in zero or micro gravity?

The History Channel featured actress and SFR author Vanna Bonta in an episode called The Universe "Sex in Space."

Ms. Bonta and her husband experimented with her invention, the 2-Suit, in micro-gravity aboard G-FORCE ONE. She created the special suit to see how a couple could perform the sex act while in relative weightlessness. The conclusion, having sex while in zero or micro-gravity would be difficult at best. As fascinating as this was, without the aid of a specially fabricated suit, or a MagLock to a stationary object, it would be nearly impossible.

Even so, in the near future making love with a view of the Earth below may be the ultimate aphrodisiac for space travelers. But, let's think about the implications of space-based sex.

Taking a few ideas from science journalist, Laura Woodmansee, many have wondered what it might be like to make love in space. The passionate couples who book flights to the first space hotel will be more than excited to try zero-g sex, and out-of-this-world sex will be a reality within a decade.

Some people believe space sex will be a frustrating experience and that lovers will give up. Weightless couples will find a way to get together. Sex in space will probably take some practice and hard work at first.

It will happen, and therefore it's a legitimate topic to explore. Sex is a basic part of our nature. It drives love, the expansion of our families, and even our exploration of the unknown. We can't be ashamed of sex. That will prevent us from looking into the risks and possibilities. If we are to create a civilization in space, we need to address the possibilities of sex and reproduction in Earth orbit and beyond. Think about it, the first space babies will be space aliens in some ways. This is more than rules and mission plans. The key to successful sex in space is about managing the micro-gravity environment.

In her nonfiction book, "Sex in Space," Laura Woodmansee, describes several positions that might work, ranging from the modified missionary position to seated, with interlocking Y legs. Props also could come into play, including a shared elastic waistband or tethers to hold one partner to a stable structure, she writes.

We as SFR authors know sex and love scenes in space have been around for several decades. As in other science fiction, we have already created a blueprint and scenario for it to happen.

A FORBIDDEN LOVE EXCERPT:

…Inside the spacecraft living quarters, lying naked in a sleeping berth, Maya gazed around in awe at the interior of the small but spacious ship. It contained smooth, curved, circular fixtures throughout. Soothing, diffused, bluish lighting illuminated the sleeping compartment creating a Zen-like mood and restful hibernating atmosphere. It reminded her of the interior of a giant habitat aquarium. T’Kon told her the ambiance generated a state of mind conducive to deep space flight.

A sliding door sounded with a muffled whoosh as he entered the sleeping compartment. The sight of him caused heat to spread through her. “T’Kon,” she hummed, beckoning him to come to her. “I want to ravish you in every way possible.”

He slipped out of his compression suit and crawled into the berth next to her. “Your presence already does that quite well.” His arms enwrapped her and he brought her to rest atop his body.

She wound her fingers in his hair and ground into him.
His throat rumbled and his body sizzled with the need of
her. She sensed it.

“How about I do this.” She squirmed around and scooted from him. “Turn over,” she demanded in a husky playful voice.

Not moving, he captured her with his dark, ice blue gaze, deliberately rubbing his long leg inside her thighs. “Males initiate the mating pleasures.”

“Oh yeah? For females on my world, that’s not always true.” She slid both hands beneath his body touching the sensitive ridges along his back.

He drew in a quick breath and hissed. “You know about that?” He arched upward giving her hands more space.

“You mean those sweet, receptive, spiny scales along your vertebrae?” He let out another scintillating exhale. “Touching you here...” she gave a gentle pinch to a spiny point, “...intensifies your lovemaking experience, doesn’t it?” She pinched another spine…


Visit Kaye at her blog.
And her website.

Look for book two in the Forbidden series, Forbidden Destiny, coming soon from Red Rose Publishing.

Click here for more information on Forbidden Love.

If you leave a comment today, you will be in the running to win a download of Kaye Manro’s erotic SFR, Forbidden Love. We’ll draw a winner on Tuesday.

Coming Soon....

Mark your calendars--The New Sensuality has a great lineup of SFR and erotic SFR authors coming up this month:

August 14: Sandra Stixrude at Dasef Central
http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/

August 15: Linnea Sinclair at The Cerebral Writer
http://www.cerebralwriter.com/blog.html

August 16: Pauline Jones at Behind the Pallid Mask
http://jchay.com/

August 17: D. L. Jackson at Forbidden Love
http://www.sfr.kayemanro.com/index.htm

August 18: Lisa Lane at Writer's Habitat
http://sandrastixrude.webs.com/apps/blog/

August 19: J. C Hay at Perils of Pauline
http://www.perilouspauline.com/

August 20: Kaye Manro at The New Sensuality
http://newsensuality.blogspot.com/

August 21: Marva Dasef at Backward Momentum
http://backwardmomentum.blogspot.com/