What's in a Name, and Other Stuff

 

A belated happy Thanksgiving to the US folks out there! I missed my October PNRomantics post due to deadlines, and almost missed November too! (Hey, there's still a few hours left of today where I live.) A lot has happened in the last couple of months, so let’s get on with this.

My winged aliens have been set free and the Silverstar Mates series is complete! This series was a blast to write. Creating this new universe was a challenging change of pace from my Prophecy series. If you love sexy silver foxes, you should check it out.

Reflecting back, one of the most notable writing moments for me was one evening when I took a break and watched a documentary about immigration. In it they talked about the word “alien” and how it can be used in a degrading and insulting manner, and that many immigrants prefer it not be used at all.

This is a real-time issue, and I figured that intergalactic travelers might feel the same way. So, instead of alien, I chose to use off-worlder for this series. I kinda like the idea, and you may see this play out in future books of mine as well. I’m mulling that over right now.

Now for the fun little nuggets…. The heroes in these stories are winged beings, and as such have adopted various sayings like: On the other wing, instead of on the other hand; nest, instead of house; flock, instead of family; etc. There are too many others to list, but you can check them out for yourself.

Also, as you read the books you may notice something very special about the heroines’ names. All of their names—first and last (in some cases maiden)—are related to birds. Seriously! Robyn, Meryl, Martin, Vogel, etc. And there’s a future heroine mentioned whose name means “birdlike” in Latin.

And speaking of the future, as of today I started working on the prequel to the Silverstar Mates series. It will be a short story that takes place fifteen years before Above the Storm, and will answer the question I seem to be getting a lot: Who is Sovah Raptorclaw?

Heh, heh, heh. Who indeed? Stay tuned.

XOXO,

Lea Kirk

For more on Lea's books (past, present, and future), check out her:

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Need gift ideas? The print versions of my three Prophecy series novels are on sale through January 1, 2021.

 

Fantastic holiday hints for your nerd(s)

Every year around September one of my brothers-in-law starts poking at me for my birthday/Christmas list. The best thing Amazon ever did for our family was provide the shareable wish list option. I can’t tell you how happy this makes my BIL. Now, instead of poking at us to give him an actual list, he pokes at us to update our online lists. If we don’t, then he just buys what’s still on them…and odds are that it’s the same thing he bought us the previous year because he doesn’t exactly use the wish list feature correctly.

He’s kind of adorable like that.

This year I decided to get a jump on him and update my list now (i.e., stop him from buying me another DVD of I Am Dragon, etc.**) Yes, I realize it’s only August, but my birthday is in November and he likes to buy early. I must redirect him before it’s too late! Just trust me on this, I know what I’m doing.

Oddly, my practical mind has veered in the direction on crazy-nerd-lady this year. As hard as it is to believe, this is not normal for me. Usually I ask for things like a wall calendar for scheduling my writing deadlines, or Amazon gift cards, or books, or music (last year it was all Imagine Dragons), or socks. Stuff I need and use. For some reason "practical" flew out the window the moment I typed “Sci-fi” in Amazon's search box.

Have you ever done this search before? If you haven’t, you must! There are some pretty amazing items of the sci-fi kind out there. If you are a nerdist like me, or you’re shopping for one this holiday season, here are a few of the cool ideas I came across…some of which may or may not be on my list:

“Must Haves” for every Star Trek fan on your list:

 

Ever wonder What Would Capt. Kirk Do? Here’s an insightful book of witty advice from everyone’s favorite Star Fleet captain. https://www.amazon.com/What-Would-Captain-Kirk-Intergalactic/dp/0399539549/

What space cadet wouldn’t want this for their desk? https://www.amazon.com/Star-Original-Sticky-Notes-Booklet/dp/B01F7OO9U0/

For the discerning and social nerd. Alcohol not included. (You can find Romulan ale on eBay, or from Harry Mudd…but you didn’t hear that from me. That stuff’s illegal!) 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072K47WY8/

For your loved ones battling the evil Empire:

Start 'em out right. (Available in 12 different colors!)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0115VZ3VS/

They will thank you every morning when they wake up to Boba Fett's—Star War’s new hottest character—sultry voice murmuring, “As you wish.” Or “Han shot first.” (I don’t really know this, but it sounds cool.) https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Minifigure-plastic-display-official/dp/B000KFCZGC/

If you or your nerd are more the Time Lord type:

Coveted by Whovian chefs everywhere! https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Official-Wibbly-Wobbly-Timey-Wimey-ebook/dp/B01LX02Q0Z/

The cuddly blanket inspired by van Gogh’s lesser known painting, Wibbly-Woobly Night. https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Throw-Blanket-Exploding/dp/B00937SK4O/

Sci-fi B-movie collector?

This is the pin collection for 2018! 

https://www.amazon.com/MOVIE-BUTTONS-science-fiction-horror/dp/B00JI02YTS/

And finally, in honor of humanity’s greatest entertainment loss:

Draw your grieving nerd from the depths of despair and angry letter writing with a friendly game of Firefly Yahtzee. https://www.amazon.com/USAopoly-YZ006-398-Firefly-Yahtzee-Game/dp/B00L9OPEHU/

I could go on, there are so many unusual and fun items out there (including tons of t-shirts for every nerdtastic member of your family!) and only a limited amount of space on this blog. However, over the next couple of months, I will post some of them on my Facebook page if you’re looking for more creative gift ideas.

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USA Today Bestselling Author Lea Kirk loves to transport her readers to other worlds with her science fiction romance Prophecy series. She’s an avid Trekkie, Gryffindor, and wannabe space explorer. She’s made one foray into paranormal romance with her Magic, NM vampire novella, Made for Her, and hopes to write more stories in this world.

When she’s not busy writing, she’s hanging out with her wonderful hubby of twenty-eight years, their five kids (aka, the nerd herd), and a spoiled Dobie mix pup.