Science fiction

  • · · ·

    Only Bad Options, Galactic Bonds #1, to be released Sept. 20 …

    I’m thrilled to announce that I will be publishing Only Bad Options on Sept. 20. Woot! This is my sci-fi romance book that I have been talking about for more than a year (!).

    PRE-ORDER THE EBOOK:

    Amazon Kindle Barnes & Noble Apple Books Google Play Kobo Smashwords

    This is book #1 in my Galactic Bonds series. Basically, the series is science fiction fantasy — magic/powers mixed with spaceships, planets, technology, etc. Yes, there are blasters, and yes, I put a “Pew! Pew! Pew!” line in the book. 😎 

    Only Bad Options also features:

    • Space opera
    • Soul mates
    • Enemies to lovers
    • Pew! Pew! Pew! action scenes
    • A boiling lava planet of doom
    Here is a look at the cover art by Tony Mauro. Isn’t it gorgeous? I love the colors, the evil eye, and the kick-butt couple.
     

    If Only Bad Options sells well, then I will keep going with the series. Right now, I would like to make it a trilogy, but it does depend on the sales of book #1. So if you are interested in the book, please pre-order it, share with your friends, ask your local library to order a copy, etc.

    This is very much a book of my heart, so I hope y’all buy/read/enjoy it. Thanks!

    ABOUT THE PRINT BOOKS:

    I will be doing a print version of Only Bad Options, and I will share those links when they go online later this summer. I will also share information about the audiobook as it becomes available.

    ONLY BAD OPTIONS DESCRIPTION:

    New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep blasts off with an exciting new science-fiction fantasy adventure with a dash of Regency romance. This action-packed space opera features a mix of magic and technology, along with a soul mates and enemies-to-lovers story. Perfect for fans of Star Wars, Bridgerton, and Pride and Prejudice.

    A WOMAN WHO SEES EVERYTHING . . .

    Few people know the name Vesper Quill. To most folks, I’m just a lowly lab rat who designs brewmakers and other household appliances in the research and development lab at the powerful Kent Corp. But when I point out a design flaw and a safety hazard in the new line of Kent Corp spaceships, everyone knows who I am—and wants to eliminate me.

    I might be a seer with a photographic memory, but I don’t see the trouble headed my way until it’s too late. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.

    I don’t think things can get any worse until I meet Kyrion Caldaren, an arrogant Regal lord who insists that we have a connection, one that could be the death of us both.

    A MAN WHO CAN’T FORGET HIS PAST . . .

    The name Kyrion Caldaren strikes fear in the hearts of people across the Archipelago Galaxy. As the leader of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force, I’m used to being a villain, as well as the personal assassin of Lord Callus Holloway. Even the wealthy Regals who live on the planet of Corios are afraid of me.

    But everything changes when I meet Vesper Quill. I might be a powerful psion with telepathic, telekinetic, and other abilities, but Vesper sees far too many of my secrets.

    Thanks to an arcane, unwanted quirk of psionic magic, the two of us are forced to work together to unravel a dangerous conspiracy and outwit the deadly enemies who want to bend us to their will.

  • · · ·

    More info about Only Bad Options, Sept. 20 …

    3 Comments

    MONDAY MORNING MAILBAG

    Question: What made you want to write a science-fiction fantasy romance like Only Bad Options?

    Answer: It was a variety of things, but mostly, it was the right story/idea at the right time.

    For years – YEARS! – I thought “I don’t like science fiction,” and I wouldn’t even try it. I’m not sure where this opinion/idea even came from. Maybe because I never much cared for science classes in school/college. But every time I was in the bookstore/library, I would skip past the sci-fi section and go straight to fantasy/romance. If it had spaceships and aliens, I wouldn’t read it, but if it had magic weapons and talking animals, well, I would read the whole series and all the spinoffs.

    But over the past few years, I’ve gotten more and more info sci-fi books, movies, and TV shows, and I’ve enjoyed things like The Mandalorian and Killjoys. And of course I’ve always loved the original Star Wars trilogy. Plus, I found that a lot of sci-fi stories do have those elements of magic that I love, and I realized that I was missing out on all these great characters/stories/worlds.

    In early 2021, I had a tiny break in my writing schedule. I had been thinking about doing an enemies-to-lovers, soul-mates type of story, but none of the worlds/magic systems I was thinking about seemed quite right. Then I thought, “What if I made it a sci-fi world, but with magic?” And that was the first light-bulb moment for me.

    But I was still having some trouble with the worldbuilding. One day, I was lying on the couch, resting my neck/shoulders, and thinking about what I could add to my sci-fi world to make it more interesting and unique. And I thought “What if you had all this magic/technology, but the society was sort of old-fashioned and focused on marriages, alliances, and bloodlines, like in a historical romance book?”

    I literally sat bolt upright on the couch, like “Yes! That could work!” And that was the second light-bulb moment for me. I’ve always enjoyed taking the elements/tropes/etc. I like most about various genres, mixing them together, and putting my own spin on them. So that’s why Only Bad Options is a mix of science fiction, fantasy, and historical romance.

    And I’ll be honest – part of writing Only Bad Options was also a business decision. I thought writing in a new-to-me genre like sci-fi romance might help expand my reader base. #fingerscrossed

    I don’t know that I’ll ever like hard/technical sci-fi, just as I don’t like hard/technical books in other genres. I’ve never particularly enjoyed reading tons of details about weapons, vehicles, etc. (like in a Tom Clancy-type book). I also don’t know that I’ll ever like alien stories. But at least now, I’m open to trying those things, and that’s a win in my book. Thank you for reading.

    Have you ever changed your mind about liking a genre, book, movie, or TV show after giving it a second chance?

    PRE-ORDER ONLY BAD OPTIONS:

    Amazon Kindle Barnes & Noble Apple Books Google Play Kobo Smashwords

    ABOUT THE PRINT BOOKS:

    I will be doing a print version of Only Bad Options, and I will share those links when they go online later this summer. I will also share more information about the audiobook as it becomes available.

    ONLY BAD OPTIONS DESCRIPTION:

    New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep blasts off with an exciting new science-fiction fantasy adventure with a dash of Regency romance. This action-packed space opera features a mix of magic and technology, along with a soul mates and enemies-to-lovers story. Perfect for fans of Star Wars, Bridgerton, and Pride and Prejudice.

    A WOMAN WHO SEES EVERYTHING . . .

    Few people know the name Vesper Quill. To most folks, I’m just a lowly lab rat who designs brewmakers and other household appliances in the research and development lab at the powerful Kent Corp. But when I point out a design flaw and a safety hazard in the new line of Kent Corp spaceships, everyone knows who I am—and wants to eliminate me.

    I might be a seer with a photographic memory, but I don’t see the trouble headed my way until it’s too late. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.

    I don’t think things can get any worse until I meet Kyrion Caldaren, an arrogant Regal lord who insists that we have a connection, one that could be the death of us both.

    A MAN WHO CAN’T FORGET HIS PAST . . .

    The name Kyrion Caldaren strikes fear in the hearts of people across the Archipelago Galaxy. As the leader of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force, I’m used to being a villain, as well as the personal assassin of Lord Callus Holloway. Even the wealthy Regals who live on the planet of Corios are afraid of me.

    But everything changes when I meet Vesper Quill. I might be a powerful psion with telepathic, telekinetic, and other abilities, but Vesper sees far too many of my secrets.

    Thanks to an arcane, unwanted quirk of psionic magic, the two of us are forced to work together to unravel a dangerous conspiracy and outwit the dangerous enemies who want to bend us to their will.

  • Only Bad Options, Galactic Bonds #1, to be released Sept. 20 …

    I’m thrilled to announce that I will be publishing Only Bad Options on Sept. 20. Woot! This is my sci-fi romance book that I have been talking about for more than a year (!).

    This is book #1 in my Galactic Bonds series. Basically, the series is science fiction fantasy — magic/powers mixed with spaceships, planets, technology, etc.

    Yes, there are blasters, and yes, I put a “Pew! Pew! Pew!” line in the book. 😎 

    Only Bad Options also features:

    • Space opera
    • Soul mates
    • Enemies to lovers
    • Pew! Pew! Pew! action scenes
    • A boiling lava planet of doom
    Here is a look at the cover art by Tony Mauro. Isn’t it gorgeous? I love the colors, the evil eye, and the kick-butt couple.

    If Only Bad Options sells well, then I will keep going with the series. Right now, I would like to make it a trilogy, but it does depend on the sales of book #1. So if you are interested in the book, please pre-order it, share with your friends, etc.

    This is very much a book of my heart, so I hope y’all buy/read/enjoy it. Thanks!

    PRE-ORDER THE EBOOK:

    Amazon Kindle Barnes & Noble Apple Books Google Play Kobo Smashwords

    ABOUT THE PRINT BOOKS:

    I will be doing a print version of Only Bad Options, and I will share those links when they go online later this summer. I am also hoping to do an audiobook version, but it depends on several factors. Too soon to tell yet.

    ONLY BAD OPTIONS DESCRIPTION:

    New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep blasts off with an exciting new science-fiction fantasy adventure with a dash of Regency romance. This action-packed space opera features a mix of magic and technology, along with a soul mates and enemies-to-lovers story. Perfect for fans of Star Wars, Bridgerton, and Pride and Prejudice.

    A WOMAN WHO SEES EVERYTHING . . .

    Few people know the name Vesper Quill. To most folks, I’m just a lowly lab rat who designs brewmakers and other household appliances in the research and development lab at the powerful Kent Corp. But when I point out a design flaw and a safety hazard in the new line of Kent Corp spaceships, everyone knows who I am—and wants to eliminate me.

    I might be a seer with a photographic memory, but I don’t see the trouble headed my way until it’s too late. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.

    I don’t think things can get any worse until I meet Kyrion Caldaren, an arrogant Regal lord who insists that we have a connection, one that could be the death of us both.

    A MAN WHO CAN’T FORGET HIS PAST . . .

    The name Kyrion Caldaren strikes fear in the hearts of people across the Archipelago Galaxy. As the leader of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force, I’m used to being a villain, as well as the personal assassin of Lord Callus Holloway. Even the wealthy Regals who live on the planet of Corios are afraid of me.

    But everything changes when I meet Vesper Quill. I might be a powerful psion with telepathic, telekinetic, and other abilities, but Vesper sees far too many of my secrets.

    Thanks to an arcane, unwanted quirk of psionic magic, the two of us are forced to work together to unravel a dangerous conspiracy and outwit the dangerous enemies who want to bend us to their will.

  • ·

    Fantasy and sci-fi books to add to the TBR pile …

    Hey! It’s time to add some more fantasy and sci-fi books to your TBR pile. You know you want to … 😉 

    Note: The descriptions are from Amazon.

    Chaos Reigning by Jessie Mihalik

    Available now

    Interplanetary intrigue and romance combine in this electrifying finale to the Consortium Rebellion series.

    As the youngest member of her High House, Catarina von Hasenberg is used to being underestimated, but her youth and flighty, bubbly personality mask a clever mind and stubborn determination. Her enemies, blind to her true strength, do not suspect that Cat is a spy—which makes her the perfect candidate to go undercover at a rival House’s summer retreat to gather intelligence on their recent treachery.

    Cat’s overprotective older sister reluctantly agrees, but on one condition: Cat cannot go alone. Alexander Sterling, a quiet, gorgeous bodyguard, will accompany her, posing as her lover. After Cat tries, and fails, to ditch Alex, she grudgingly agrees, confident in her ability to manage him. After all, she’s never found a person she can’t manipulate.

    But Alex proves more difficult—and more desirable—than Cat anticipated. When she’s attacked and nearly killed, she and Alex are forced to work together to figure out how deep the treason goes. With rumors of widespread assaults on Serenity raging, communications down, and the rest of her family trapped off-planet, Catarina must persuade Alex to return to Earth to expose the truth and finish this deadly battle once and for all.

    But Cat can’t explain why she’s the perfect person to infiltrate hostile territory without revealing secrets she’d rather keep buried. . . .

    My thoughts: I really enjoyed Polaris Rising and Aurora Blazing, the first two books in this series, and I’m looking forward to reading this one.

    House of Dragons by Jessica Cluess

    Available now

    Five royal houses will hear the call to compete in the Trial for the dragon throne. A liar, a soldier, a servant, a thief, and a murderer will answer it. Who will win? Three Dark Crowns meets The Breakfast Club with DRAGONS.
    .

    When the Emperor dies, the five royal houses of Etrusia attend the Call, where one of their own will be selected to compete for the throne. It is always the oldest child, the one who has been preparing for years to compete in the Trial. But this year is different. This year these five outcasts will answer the call. . . .

    THE LIAR: Emilia must hide her dark magic or be put to death.

    THE SOLDIER: Lucian is a warrior who has sworn to never lift a sword again.

    THE SERVANT: Vespir is a dragon trainer whose skills alone will keep her in the game.

    THE THIEF: Ajax knows that nothing is free–he must take what he wants.

    THE MURDERER: Hyperia was born to rule and will stop at nothing to take her throne.

    My thoughts: I really like the idea of all these characters competing for one throne.

    The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning

    Available July 7

    The Princess Will Save You is a YA fantasy adventure inspired by The Princess Bride, in which a princess must rescue her stable boy true love, from the acclaimed author of Sea Witch, Sarah Henning.

    When a princess’s commoner true love is kidnapped to coerce her into a political marriage, she doesn’t give in—she goes to rescue him.

    When her warrior father, King Sendoa, mysteriously dies, Princess Amarande of Ardenia is given what would hardly be considered a choice: Marry a stranger at sixteen or lose control of her family’s crown.

    But Amarande was raised to be a warrior—not a sacrifice.

    In an attempt to force her choice, a neighboring kingdom kidnaps her true love, stable boy Luca. With her kingdom on the brink of civil war and no one to trust, she’ll need all her skill to save him, her future, and her kingdom.

    “Full of inconceivable wit, daring adventure, and cunning political machinations…It’s as if Sarah Henning looked into my soul that yearned for a book like The Princess Bride and said—as you wish. And yes, this is a kissing book.” —Ashley Poston, author of Heart of Iron

    “The Princess Will Save You is everything we love about YA fantasy, complete with first love, sweeping adventure, and a fierce heroine who holds her own. There’s something for everyone in this book.” —Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of The Sky in the Deep

    “An action-packed adventure with a fierce heroine that is sure to enthrall! Sarah Henning has created a fantasy narrative that weaves together love and betrayal, pirates and swordplay. Sure to please anyone who grew up loving tales of princesses.” —Emily Lloyd-Jones, author of The Bone Houses

    At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

    My thoughts: I love the title and The Princess Bride inspiration, and this book sounds really fun.

    The Sin in the Steel by Ryan Van Loan

    Available July 21

    Ryan Van Loan’s The Sin in the Steel is a sparkling debut fantasy set in a diverse world, featuring dead gods, a pirate queen, shapeshifting mages, and a Sherlockian teenager determined to upend her society.

    Heroes for hire. If you can pay.

    Buc:
    Brilliant street-rat
    Her mind leaps from clues to conclusions in the blink of an eye.

    Eld:
    Ex-soldier
    Buc’s partner-in-crime.

    No. Not in crime—in crime-solving.

    They’ve been hired for their biggest job yet—one that will set them up for a life of ease.

    If they survive.

    Buc and Eld are the first private detectives in a world where pirates roam the seas, mages speak to each other across oceans, mechanical devices change the tide of battle, and earthly wealth is concentrated in the hands of a powerful few.

    It’s been weeks since ships last returned to the magnificent city of Servenza with bounty from the Shattered Coast. Disaster threatens not just the city’s trading companies but the empire itself. When Buc and Eld are hired to investigate, Buc swiftly discovers that the trade routes have become the domain of a sharp-eyed pirate queen who sinks all who defy her.

    Now all Buc and Eld have to do is sink the Widowmaker’s ship….

    Unfortunately for Buc, the gods have other plans.

    Unfortunately for the gods, so does Buc.

    At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

    My thoughts: Epic fantasy private detectives? Yes, please!

    Spells for the Dead by Faith Hunter

    Available July 28

    Nell Ingram faces a dark magic with no known origin in the newest pulse-pounding paranormal procedural in the New York Times bestselling Soulwood series.
     
    Nell is a rookie PsyLED agent, using the powers she can channel from deep within the earth to solve paranormal crimes. Together with her team, she’s taken on the direst magic and the most twisted foes. But she’ll need to tap into every ounce of power she has for her newest case.
     
    Nell is called to the Tennessee mansion of a country music star and finds a disturbing scene—dead bodies rapidly decaying before everyone’s eyes. The witch on her team, T. Laine, has never seen magic that can steal life forces like this. PsyLED needs to find this lethal killer fast. But when a paranormal-hating FBI agent tries to derail the investigation, and the dark magics begin to spiral out of control, they find themselves under attack from all sides.

    My thoughts: I know many folks love Faith’s books, and I think the covers for this series are particularly dreamy and gorgeous.

    What fantasy and sci-fi books are you all looking forward to reading this summer?

  • Fantasy and sci-fi books to add to the TBR pile …

    So far, this has been another great year for fantasy and sci-fi books. Here are some of the many books that I’m looking forward to checking out. Note that the descriptions are from Amazon:

    A Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff

    Available now

    Debut author Sarah Kozloff offers a breathtaking and cinematic epic fantasy of a ruler coming of age in A Queen in Hiding first in the quartet of The Nine Realms series.

    Four books. Four months. Nine Realms.

    Readers will be able to binge this amazing fantasy series with beautiful interlocking art across the spines of all four books.

    Orphaned, exiled and hunted, Cerulia, Princess of Weirandale, must master the magic that is her birthright, become a ruthless guerilla fighter, and transform into the queen she is destined to be.

    But to do it she must win the favor of the spirits who play in mortal affairs, assemble an unlikely group of rebels, and wrest the throne from a corrupt aristocracy whose rot has spread throughout her kingdom.

    The Nine Realms Series
    #1 A Queen in Hiding January 2020
    #2 The Queen of Raiders February 2020
    #3 A Broken Queen March 2020
    #4 The Cerulean Queen April 2020

    At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

    My thoughts: I think it’s great that the books in this series are being released in consecutive months. 

    Cast in Wisdom by Michelle Sagara

    Available now

    SOMETHING IS WAKING

    The fiefs that exist at the heart of the city of Elantra are home to sentient Towers that guard the world against the incursion of Shadow. But between the fiefs exists the gray world of the border zone. In it, geography changes between one passage across a border and the next. The rules of magic are different there—and yet somehow familiar to Kaylin Neya.

    When a Shadow escapes, Kaylin must find out how…and why. If Shadows can breach the barrier erected by the Towers, the whole of Elantra will be devoured. It’s happened on other worlds. Bellusdeo, Kaylin’s Dragon companion, absolutely believes it can happen on theirs.

    The border zone holds secrets and ancient histories, and people are gathering there in search of its power. Without even understanding what that power is, or why it exists, Kaylin is in a desperate race against time to find those secrets first. She doesn’t know who her enemies are. She doesn’t know how many she’ll face. But she won’t face them alone.

    My thoughts: I know a lot of folks love this series, and it’s yet another series that I’ve been meaning to check out.

    The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa de La Cruz

    Available now

    Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Red Queen, this is the first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy-romance duet about a deadly assassin, his mysterious apprentice, and the country they are sworn to protect from #1 NYT bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

    Caledon Holt is the kingdom’s deadliest weapon. No one alive can best him in speed, strength, or brains, which is why he’s the Hearthstone Guild’s most dangerous member. Cal is also the Queen’s Assassin, bound to her by magic and unable to leave her service until the task she’s set for him is fulfilled.

    Shadow of the Honey Glade has been training all her life to join the Guild, hoping that one day she’ll become an assassin as feared and revered as Cal. But Shadow’s mother and aunts expect her to serve the crown as a lady of the Renovian Court.

    When a surprise attack brings Shadow and Cal together, they’re forced to team up as assassin and apprentice. Even though Shadow’s life belongs to the court and Cal’s belongs to the queen, they cannot deny their attraction to each other. But now, with war on the horizon and true love at risk, Shadow and Cal will uncover a shocking web of lies that will change their paths forever.

    My thoughts: Y’all know that I love stories about assassins, and this book sounds all kinds of awesome.

    Starbreaker by Amanda Bouchet

    Available now

    THEY NEVER WANTED TO BE HEROES
    Captain Tess Bailey and Shade Ganavan are still the galaxy’s Most Wanted, and with revolution in the wind and the universe on the brink of catastrophic war, the situation couldn’t be more desperate. Despite the Dark Watch scouring the known sectors for them, rebel leaders have handed the crew of the Endeavor a delicate and dangerous mission: break into Starbase 12 and free renowned scientist Reena Ahern. She’s the only one who stands a chance of tipping the odds in their favor for the first time in decades.

    BUT PULLING OFF THE IMPOSSIBLE IS WHAT THEY DO BEST
    The clock is ticking. But as their attraction builds and secrets are revealed, Tess and Shade must decide if they trust each other enough to execute this impossible prison break. They could change the course of history, but they’ll be risking everything… They’ll just have to tackle one crisis at a time.

    Nightchaser Series:
    Nightchaser (Book 1)
    Starbreaker (Book 2)
    Dawnmaker (Book 3)

    My thoughts: Amanda is a friend of mine, and I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this book. I really like the Robin Hood-meets-Star Wars vibe of the series, and I think folks will enjoy the second book as much as they did the first one. 

    The Fiery Crown by Jeffe Kennedy

    May 26

    A desperate alliance. A struggle for survival. And a marriage of convenience with an epic twist of fate. . .

    WILL THEIR LOVE STAND THE TEST OF TIME
    Queen Euthalia has reigned over her island kingdom of Calanthe with determination, grace, and her magical, undying orchid ring. After she defied an empire to wed Conrí, the former Crown Prince of Oriel—a man of disgraced origins with vengeance in his heart—Lia expected the wizard’s prophecy to come true: Claim the hand that wears the ring and the empire falls. But Lia’s dangerous bid to save her realm doesn’t lead to immediate victory. Instead, destiny hurls her and Conrí towards a future neither could predict…

    OR TEAR THEIR WHOLE WORLD APART?
    Con has never healed after the death of his family and destruction of his kingdom—he’s been carefully plotting his revenge against his greatest enemy, Emperor Anure, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. When Lia’s spies gather intelligence suggesting that Anure is planning an attack against Calanthe, Con faces an agonizing choice: Can he sacrifice Lia and all she holds dear to destroy the empire? Or does his true loyalty exist in the arms of his beguiling, passionate wife—’til death do they part?

    My thoughts: Jeffe is another friend of mine, and I’m looking forward to reading this second book in her Forgotten Empires series. 

    Dragon Unleashed by Grace Draven

    June 9

    A dragon shapeshifter and a healer with power over the earth fight a corrupt empire in this thrilling and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.

    Magic is outlawed in the Krael Empire and punishable by death. Born with the gift of earth magic, the free trader Halani keeps her dangerous secret closely guarded. When her uncle buys a mysterious artifact, a piece of bone belonging to a long-dead draga, Halani knows it’s far more than what it seems.

    Dragas haven’t been seen for more than a century, and most believe them extinct. They’re wrong. Dragas still walk among the denizens of the Empire, disguised as humans. Malachus is a draga living on borrowed time. The magic that has protected him will soon turn on him–unless he finds a key part of his heritage. He has tracked it to a group of free traders, among them a grave-robbing earth witch who fascinates him as much as she frustrates him with her many secrets.

    Unbeknownst to both, the Empire’s twisted empress searches for a draga of her own, to capture and kill as a trophy. As Malachus the hunter becomes the hunted, Halani must risk herself and all she loves to save him from the Empire’s machinations and his own lethal birthright.

    My thoughts: Grace is another friend of mine, and I’m looking forward to reading this second book in her Fallen Empire series. 

    What about you guys? What fantasy and sci-fi books are you looking forward to reading?