Saturday, January 27, 2024

Weird Stuff Sent into Space by L. A. Kelley


Weird Stuff Sent into Space

January is traditionally a month for out with the old and in with the new. Clean the closets, toss that old Tupperware container in the back of the refrigerator that appears to have a science experiment growing inside. You’re not alone. Even government agencies have to deal with an overload of junk, some harder to get rid of than that Tupperware container. One agency with a big problem is NASA.

Space is vast and at the same time crowded with garbage. Humans have been sending items into orbit for half a century and some of it stays there. Currently there are nearly 7,700 satellites within a few hundred miles of the Earth. That number could grow to several hundred thousand by 2027. A lot of trash is already on the Moon right, including nearly 100 bags of human waste. Junk in orbit includes spent spacecraft, rocket boosters, and stuff lost by astronauts including a glove, a wrench, and a toothbrush.

But that’s not the weirdest stuff shot into space.

Light saber

The force was with them. In 2007, the lightsaber prop belonging to Luke Skywalker was taken on a mission to the International Space Station. Star Wars fans gave it a solemn escort to an airport in California, and from there, it went to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The lightsaber spent two weeks in orbit, and was later returned to Industrial Light and Magic.

Moon tree seeds

What’s that growing in my backyard? During the Apollo 14 NASA mission to the moon in 1971, astronauts packed hundreds of tree seeds in their personal kits. Upon returning to Earth, the seeds were germinated by the Forest Service and planted throughout the U.S. in 1976 to celebrate the country’s bicentennial. Unfortunately, the location of the trees was lost and, except for a few, no one knows for sure where they were planted.

Man hole cover

Duck. Between May 28 and Oct. 7, 1957, the U.S. military carried out Operation Plumbbob, a series of nuclear tests in the Nevada desert. Two of the nuclear detonations, were carried out underground, to test if nuclear fallout could be contained. The first was on July 26, 1957. An atomic bomb detonated at the bottom of a 500-foot-deep hole, covered by a 4-inch-thick iron cover, launching it into space. Scientist expected that the cover would land back on Earth, but it didn’t.

 Andy Warhol’s penis

I'll bet that got your attention. The artist Andy Warhol doodled a sketch of a penis that may or may not have ended up on the moon. It was one of six on a tiny ceramic tile dubbed the Moon Museum. Sculptor Forrest Myers petitioned NASA to place the tile on the Moon. His request was denied, but he supposedly contacted scientists from Bell Laboratories, who secretly attached the tile to the Apollo 12 lunar lander. Since the lander sits on the Moon, this story can’t be confirmed, but the first astronauts who return may be getting an unexpected eyeful.

Sperm

Speaking of penises…One NASA mission included a sample of bull sperm. The result was the tiny cells moved faster than usual. Phosphorylation, the process of regulating cellular cycles and growth stopped in sea urchin sperm. Rat’s testes shrank along with their sperm count. Cockroaches, on the other hand, were unaffected by spaceflight or exposure to radiation.

Klingon Night at the Opera

Revenge is a dish best served along a side of aria. In 2010 the producers of “u” (the opera's title) sent a message by radio telescope to the Klingon home star, Arcturus, to invite them to attend the opening night performance in the Netherlands. In the Klingon tongue, “u” means universe and it was the first opera performed entirely in Klingon. The 90-minute production tells the story of Kahless the Unforgettable. After betrayal by his brother and witnessing his father’s murder, Kahless fights to regain his honor by traveling into the underworld. He wages epic battles, reunites with his true love, Lukar, and eventually faces his bitter enemy, the tyrant Molor.

P. S. The Klingons did not RSVP.

An Ad for Doritos

Would aliens like junk food? The makers of Doritos thought so. In 2008, for six hours the EISCAT European space station on the Norwegian island of Svalbard sent an advertisement for Doritos with a radar array, normally used to study the Earth’s upper atmosphere. The ad went to Ursa Major which contains a possible habitable zone. EISCAT received an undisclosed donation for the use of their facilities. There’s no report on whether aliens preferred Nacho Cheese, Cool Ranch, or Flaming Hot.


L. A. Kelley writes scify & fantasy with humor, romance, and a touch of sass. She prefers to keep her feet on the ground.




 

Thursday, January 25, 2024

The RRRRRRRRs Have It! My Revved up 2024 To Do List . . .by Nancy Gideon

(Brought to you by the letter “R” . . . ) 


Time to Rrrrrrrring in the New Year with Rrrrrrrresolutions. In 2024, the RRRRRRRRs have it on my “To Do” list (Not to be confused with Argh! This isn’t going to be a “Talk Like a Pirate” post!). Here’s my plan to rrrrrrrrev up my writing career . . .
  1. Reverted Romances! Recently, I’ve had a nice chunk of my Nancy Gideon and Dana Ransom backlist contractually returned to me. Some of these go back to the late ‘80s/early ‘90s! I can’t wait to get back into them to bring them up to date.
  2. Reissue Backlist Titles! That goodly stack of contemporary, historical, and paranormal titles back in my possession need to be refreshed, reformatted, and re-covered before going back out to new (and previous!) readers.
  3. Revitalize Social Media Platforms! I admit, though I LOVE to promote, I’m not saavy in all the latest venues for reaching readers (Thank goodness for my Virtual Asst!). Time to do homework . . .
  4. Rebuilding my reader list! Do newsletters and Facebook alone do the trick? What are some great places I’m missing?
  5. Jacks Ryan and Reacher! Just throwing these names out there as GREAT inspirations for heroes. Brains and brawn in varying yummy portions.
  6. Reviews! Need to collect some new ones. Any takers?
  7. Relax! Though I did take a fabulous trip to New Orleans with my assistant in Oct/Nov that was more work than play. This girl needs a spa day!
  8. Re-imagine! Since I’ve been working on novels since the ‘70s and ‘80s, some of those efforts are still languishing in notebooks and plastic bins. Time to thumb through them for hidden gems. I’ve already been surprised more than once by oldies but goodies still written in pencil!
That’s my list, so hold me to it!!
♚♚♚♚♚
Nancy Gideon on the Web



Wednesday, January 10, 2024

The Rising Trend of Cross-Genre Romance: Mixing SciFi with Paranormal Elements by Keri Kruspe

 


In the ever-evolving world of romance novels, a fascinating trend has been on the rise – the fusion of genres. Authors are breaking boundaries and pushing the limits of imagination by blending two seemingly unrelated genres like science fiction and paranormal romance.

In this article, I’ll delve into the intriguing world of cross-genre romance novels, by exploring the growing popularity of combining science fiction and paranormal elements in romance. I’ll also give you examples that showcase the creative brilliance of this trend.

Exploring the Appeal

I’ve gotta admit, once I discovered authors mixing two of my favorite subgenres of romance was why I decided to write in the subgenre myself. Having grown up with a never-ending barrage of horror and science fiction, I gleefully discovered romances in my early twenties. At that time, paranormal (not to mention science fiction) romance was a long way off. Growing up with Kathleen Woodiwiss and Jude Deveraux, I happily spent my reading time with those historical/contemporary love stories.

            Then came along the works of Christine Feehan and Sherrilyn Kenyon. The allure of their kind of romance is undeniable to me. Here was a unique opportunity to explore uncharted territory, as a reader as well as a writer. I think it gave other authors a chance to craft stories that challenge conventions and breathe new life into tired tropes. As a reader, I was drawn to the excitement of combining two romance with a paranormal flare that created an escapist experience that I find both thrilling and emotionally satisfying.

            Nowadays, the synergy of science fiction, with its futuristic technology and cosmic adventures, merges seamlessly with the paranormal mysticism, magic, and supernatural beings. The end result is a tapestry woven with threads of wonder, suspense, and as well as the satisfying “Happy Ever After” love. It takes the age-old theme of love and places it in settings where anything is possible. Love transcends time, space, and even reality itself, making stories that are as boundless as the imagination.

The Blending of SciFi and Paranormal



To understand the appeal of cross-genre romance, let’s look at what the key characteristics of both genres. Science fiction offers futuristic settings, advanced technology, and space exploration, where love stories can unfold against the backdrop of interstellar adventures. While Paranormal romance, on the other hand, introduces us to vampires, werewolves, witches, and other supernatural entities. These stories delve into the mystical, the magical, and the extraordinary, with love often blooming in the most unexpected places.

            Once put together, ah… that’s when the magic happens. The advanced technology of science fiction provides logical explanations for paranormal occurrences and creates a harmonious blend that captivates readers. The fusion of these genres allows a richer and more complex narrative, where love transcends not only time and space but also the boundaries of reality.

            A couple examples of these novels that masterfully mixes these genres include works like “Blood Urge – Paranormal SciFi Alien Romance” by Pearl Tate. This series combines futuristic space travel with a love story involving fated mates with an alien race.


 

Another example is “Sevan: Paranormal Shifter Fated Mate Galactic SciFi” by Mandy M Roth, where a paranormal alien lion-shifter falls for a human woman.


Evolution of the Genre


The journey of cross-genre romance has been a remarkable one, tracing its origins from experimental stories to a well-established sub-genre in the modern literary landscape. The ever-changing reader preferences have definitely played a significant role in the genre's evolution. Those of us who are vicarious readers seek new and exciting narratives, cross-genre romance has risen to the occasion by offering fresh and captivating stories catering to a diverse audience.

Some notable authors that you might not have thought contributed to the development of this sub-genre includes pioneers like Mary Shelley, who blended science fiction and romance in "Frankenstein," and Anne Rice, whose "The Vampire Chronicles" brought paranormal romance to the forefront.


Rising Stars

I don’t mean to brag (okay, maybe I do), but my latest series, Ancient Alien Descendants is steeped in the paranormal. Each of the five books has a paranormal theme:

The Empath

The Shapeshifter

The Psychic

The Vampire

The Mage


I just love that SciFi romances have an unlimited pool of heroes and heroines that aren’t just alien. They can be aliens and… werewolf/vampire/ghost/wizard/god/merman/orcs/angels or any other type of fantasy creature that’s been dreamed up for thousands of years. The sky (or outer space) is the limit!

What or Who Do You Recommend?

I’m sure I’m not the only one always looking for an exciting new read in these genres. As a matter of fact, I recently went into ChatGPT and asked it whose books were more like mine. I was humbled and gratified it gave me five wonderful authors – three of whom are my absolute favorites and the last two I’ve never heard of (but I immediately went and bought the first books in their series. I can’t wait to read them!):

S.E. Smith (The Alliance)

Nalini Singh (Particularly her Psy-Changeling Series)

Gena Showalter (Alien Huntress Series)

Linnea Sinclair (RITA award winner)

Jessie Mihalik (Consortium Rebellion Series)

In Closing

I really loved venturing deeper into this subgenre of romance. Right now I’m creating a new series, but I haven’t had a chance to play with the idea of what kind of paranormal creatures my alien hunks can duplicate. (Hmm, how would a ghost work… or talking to the dead? Or wait, what about angels/demons….?).

I get shivers just thinking about it. What about you? Do you love to read a combination of SciFi and Paranormal romance? It’s those of us passionate about these types of novels that fuel the genre’s creativity and makes it so extraordinary.


 

But, I’m sure I’m not the only one who loves to share their recommendations. Be sure to leave them in the comment section below!


Sunday, January 7, 2024

Welcome to Saramto! Is it your first time?

 


WELCOME TO SARAMTO!
Is it your first time?

post by Author Jessica E. Subject

Welcome to Saramto, the fictional metropolis for my Shifter Towers series! I have written stories in this large city for six published stories, and a seventh releasing in February. It's a city based on several that I've been to and those I've only seen on television or read about. But unlike any of those cities, this one is full of shifters. While there are very few non-shifters that live in this metropolis, most of them live in surrounding cities. Today, I'm going to share some of the key points of interest that are mentioned in all or most of my Shifter Towers stories.

1. SHIFTER TOWERS
At the center of Saramto are three large skyscrapers called Shifter Towers. Each of them are 70 stories tall with hundreds of businesses in each one. All of my stories in the series mention the towers, but five of them have multiple scenes set in at least one tower. There's lots of shopping, eating, and so much more to be done in these Towers! In my upcoming release, FOX TRAPPED, the main characters meet in an elevator in one of the towers.


2. THE LRT (light rail transit)
While this isn't mentioned in as many stories, the first chapter of FOX TRAPPED is set at an LRT station and in one of the trains. The LRT runs east/west through the center of the metropolis, with a stop right behind the Towers, as it is a central business hub. There are other public transit options for other destinations across the city.


3. MAIN STREET
This busy street also runs east/west through the city, but on the other side of the Towers. It's the street that both main characters of FOX TRAPPED live on, one renting a basement room in a house, and the other having bought his first home (a small one) there.

4. THE UNDERGROUND
This is a set of underground roads that only certain shifters have access to. It is accessible by key fob with roads beginning under the Towers and branching out under the city from there. It's original purpose was to help celebrities leave the Towers without being accosted or followed by paparazzi and others. It is only mentioned in the early stories in this series.


5. BREAKER GENERAL HOSPITAL
This is where the babies from the series are born! It's also where some of my other characters end up after various incidents. 


FOX TRAPPED
Shifter Towers #7
by Jessica E. Subject

Fresh out of a messy breakup, omega fox shifter, Foxx, needs a job. His ex/former business partner has spread many lies about him around town and to his former clients, so he heads to Saramto in desperation. He doesn’t expect his smartphone to send him into the wrong building of Shifter Towers for his interview at a coding school, to get stuck in an elevator with a hulky bear shifter, or for his heat to start in the middle of it all.

In between clients, personal trainer, and alpha bear shifter, Slade, heads up to his lawyer’s office to sign the paperwork for the house he just bought. He’s hoping this next life stage will get his parents to ease up on their constant pleading for him to settle down. He has no need for a mate. So, he doesn’t expect to come face-to-face with the fox shifter who his bear claims is his fated mate, or to be trapped in an elevator with the young man during the beginning of his heat.

Fox Trapped is the seventh book in Jessica E. Subject’s sweet with knotty heat Shifter Towers series. Fox Trapped is a MM MPreg Shifter Romance that features a fox shifter trying to start over after the end of his marriage to a despicable non-shifter, a bear shifter not looking to settle down no matter how many times his parents encourage him to, multiple tech snaffus, and fate stepping in to bring these two together. If you like fated mates, elevator coitus, instant pregnancy, and the sweetest alpha ever, Fox Trapped is the book for you. While each book in the Shifter Towers series is set in the same world, they can each be read as standalones.





Monday, January 1, 2024

A New Beginning by Diane Burton


 The above picture of Janus (the Roman god) always reminds me of today, New Year's Day. Yesterday, many TV programs featured pictures/stories about 2023. We looked back at the old year. Did we learn anything? Good things that we should repeat and those mistakes that we shouldn't. 

Janus is known as the two-faced god, one looking back and the other looking forward, an old man and a youth. New Year's Day presents an opportunity to begin again.

I'm a firm believer in new beginnings. That I don't have to be mired in the past. That I can change. Many of us have had difficult years, days/months that we'd like to forget--or, at least, put behind us. Today, gives us that opportunity. A time to start over.

I'm not going to lecture about making resolutions or setting goals. Been there, done that in previous New Year's Day posts. Instead, I encourage you to start 2024 with a new attitude. One of encouragement, positivity, and hope.