Getting my geek on - Why I write Sci-fi @SusanHayes

Hello. My name is Susan Hayes and I’m a geek.

I grew up watching Star Trek and devouring books by authors like Andre Norton, Piers Anthony, and Anne McCafferty. I dressed up as Princess Leah the year that Star Wars hit the theatres, and I’ve been playing Dungeons and Dragons since my university days. And if you’re wondering, the answer is yes, I got beaten up at school a lot, and no, I didn’t date much. Geek cred: I have it in spades.

It’s hardly surprising that given my love for sci-fi/fantasy and all things paranormal, I have written more than twenty-six books in those genres. While I treasure my contemporary stories, I’ve discovered that my muse and I prefer to write in worlds I built myself. From futuristic dystopias to worlds where magical beings like vampires and shapeshifters living among us; these are the stories I love best.

There’s something compelling about being able to create your own world and using it as a mirror to reflect the world we live in. From the darkest traits to the greatest triumphs, I can choose what elements to include and what to leave out of my worlds, and mold the lives and backgrounds of the characters that reside within those realms.

***Having re-read that statement, I’ve realized that at least part of my love of world building apparently comes from some innate desire to be an all-powerful goddess.  Good to know.***

Currently, most of my stories seem to be science-fiction romances. I have my Drift series, populated by alien races as well as human created cyborgs.  My characters are trying to survive in a future that’s less like the ever hopeful and optimistic Star Trek and more like the grim, cyberpunk worlds of Blade Runner and Fifth Element. My heroines are strong because they have to be, and my heroes might be white knights, but their armor is often dented and in need of repair.

September 22^nd, I’ll be releasing the first of a series of novellas that are a different flavour of sci-fi. Instead of gritty cyberpunk, my Star-Crossed Alien Mail Order Bride series is full of light hearted moments inspired by the classic “Mars needs Women” movies, along with a sprinkling of Earth Girls are Easy. I’m having a blast writing these stories and creating the world that my three heroes inhabit. Joran, Vadir, and Kash might all be from the same planet, but the only things they have in common are their good looks and a their absolute certainty that they’re not destined to fall in love.

Amazon: smarturl.it/JoranAmazon

Nook: smarturl.it/JoranNook

Ibooks: smarturl.it/Joranibooks

Kobo:  smarturl.it/JoranKobo

And if you can't wait until September 22nd to dive into some out of this world romance...check out the Loving the Alien collection: available for 99 cents for a limited time.

Amazon: smarturl.it/LTA.Amazon

Apple: smarturl.it/LTAIbooks

Nook: smarturl.it/LTANook

Kobo: smarturl.it/LTAKobo

Google Play: smarturl.it/LTAGooglePlay

Going Green and Galactic Defenders with author Jessica E. Subject @jsubject #romance #sfr #recipe

This Friday is St. Patrick's Day. While I do have some ancestors from Ireland, it has never been a big celebration for me. I think that's mostly because it's also the birthday of two people close to me. I was too busy celebrating birthdays to worry about the holiday side. That being said, I still like to wear green, and sometimes, I like to make things that are green. Last week I tried a new recipe that I found on Pinterest. I made Sweet Spinach Muffins. Before you say "GROSS!", hold up. They are REALLY GOOD. They taste very much like banana muffins, and I had many people who sampled them surprised at how good they tasted, including picky eaters like my son and brother-in-law. So, I'm going to share the recipe with you. I hope you'll give them a try for St. Patrick's Day. I know I'll be making them again...

SWEET SPINACH MUFFINS

(from Super Healthy Kids)

Ingredients
18 cupcake liners

Dry ingredients:
2 cup flour, whole wheat
1 1/2 teaspon cinnamon
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet ingredients:
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup honey
1 large banana
6 ounce spinach
1/2 cup butter, unsalted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F, and line a muffin pan with paper liners (or use silicone muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray).

Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Blend the wet ingredients in a blender or food processor until completely pureed.

Pour the puree into the dry ingredient bowl, and fold together gently until just combined. (Do not over-mix.)

Spoon the batter into the muffin pan, and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the muffins are firm to the touch on top, but not quite browning.

Cool most or all of the way before serving.

If you're looking for some other food to make that's green, check out the Healthy Baked Broccoli Tots. They are kid-approved, too! :)

MORE GALACTIC DEFENDERS!

At the end of March, the second book in my Galactic Defenders sci-fi adventure romance series releases...

JAGER: Galactic Defenders Book Two

Jager's new squad of Defenders has completed training, but the spoiled princess who has grated on his nerves since her first day of training is called back to Hemera for a yearly celebration. When Princess Katrina doesn't show up, Jager must find her and drag her home, where he wishes she would stay.

Katrina is a Defender, not a princess. And there is no way she wants to return to a planet she hates for some stupid ceremony. Not when she could be out killing Erebus with her squad.

But when a new enemy threatens both their lives, they must work together to survive.

Pre-order from:

Amazon US / UK / Canada | Nook | Play | iBooks | Kobo

Also available in paperback.

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 isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk with her giant, hairy dog 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.

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