Paranormal Romance with Cathryn Cade

The first time I met our guest this month was years ago when I attended an RWA meeting. I wasn't familiar with Portland, OR and she offered to drive me to the change of address for the meeting. She was so kind, funny, and down-to-earth that I am humbled to call her a friend. 

Cathryn Cade writes steamy romance in genres from contemporary paranormal set in Hawaii, contemporary MC romance, and Sci Fi space opera as CJ Cade. She has over 40 works independently published, with more to come.

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Paty:  Did you intentionally write a paranormal or did it come from the lore of the islands? 

Cathryn: The whole series actually began with a visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on top of Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. In the park headquarters were a series of gorgeous murals depicting Pele, goddess of the volcanoes as a beautiful woman, being honored by exceptionally handsome Hawaiian men in traditional dress. I developed a serious crush on the gentleman in one of the paintings ... And began to imagine a suitable romance for him. He became David Ho'omalu, the hero of WALKING IN FIRE; Book 1 of Hawaiian Heroes.
NOTE: The park headquarters are sadly closed until 2026 to repair damage from several small earthquakes associated with the latest eruptions, but should reopen with fabulous new exhibits.

 
Paty: OUr first trip to Hawaii we went to a show and they had Pele in the show. It was thrilling and fascinating as they depicted the history. How did you come up with the Hawaiian heroes in this series?

Cathryn: Pele's legend is that she used her fire to create the Hawaiian island chain. She now rests under the islands, but still protects them. My idea was that she sent 'heroes' with special powers to do so, the Ho'omalu family. In Hawaiian language, ho'omalu means protector. David's powers come directly from the volcanoes, his older brother Daniel's from the oceans, and from the sea god Kanaloa. Their cousin Lalei Kai-Ho’omalu, a society girl from Honolulu, learns to her shock that she can control the very wind and rain of the Big Island, and cousin Bella Moran, newly arrived from the mainland, discovers that the very plants and trees of the Big Island want to come to her aid.

Paty: The heroes are definitely hunks! Each book in this series is sizzling hot. What made you decide to link the heroes to Pele? 

Cathryn: Pele is depicted in Hawaiian legends as a passionate goddess who longed for a love of her own and sought handsome Hawaiian warriors of old. In the legends, the warriors had to trick her to find a way to be with their true earthly loves. Not to say too much, but this 'may' be a problem for our hunky David ...

Paty:  Each book is different, yet your love interests are mostly tourists. Did that make it easier or harder to ignite the spark between hero and heroine? 

Cathryn:  For me, it was only natural, as I am a serial tourist! My husband and I spend several weeks on the Kona coast of the Big Island every winter. As a tourist, I can easily imagine wanting to find a mate among the beautiful, gracious Hawaiian people, and stay forever, be a true part of the wonderful culture and ambience. I can also imagine a native being reluctant to fall in love with a haole tourist, but I've always enjoyed a spark of antagonism to begin with, heh heh.

 
Paty:  Having finally experienced Hawaii on several islands, I enjoy these books even more. As I read them, I can feel the islands. How did you make the experience so real? 

Cathryn: Thank you! The moment I disembark from the plane in Kona, I take a deep breath of the warm, humid air and just soak in all the scents and sounds of the islands and I feel myself begin to relax. Even just visualizing my favorite places on the island soothes me. So I try to truly immerse my readers in the experience. To me, a big part of the charm of reading books set in other places is feeling as if we've been transported there. It's a gift the author gives us, and a very important one. Otherwise, why not just have every book set in the same place?

Paty: I agree! I love it when I feel like I'm experiencing a new place through a book. What romantic tropes did you use in these books? 

Cathryn: Oooh, lets see, enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, unexpected pregnancy, fated mates, lost princess, beauty and the beast, alpha hero, magical hero/heroine, super hero/heroine, last chance epiphany to name a few.

 
Paty: Wow! you captured almost all of the tropes! ;) Just for fun – Tell us what is your favorite activity besides writing and reading, because we know that’s a given. 

Cathryn: I'm going to have to say getting more acquainted with our new home here in central Washington state. We built a house, near the grandkids and other wildlife, with a quilt room for me—first one ever​. Meeting new friends and close enough to the old to visit. Not too far from the west coast to explore and fish. Life is good!

Paty: Wildlife and grandkids you can't get better than that! And a room just to quilt in! I quilt in my bedroom. That would be nice to have. Thank you for being a guest. If you want to find out more about Cathryn you can go to her website or Amazon author page: 

Website: https://www.cathryncade.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Cathryn-Cade/e/B003BMTQ40

These Hawaiian heroes are out to save their island… but can their hearts survive unscarred?

For centuries, the Ho'omalu have protected the Big Island for their goddess Pele, while she sleeps beneath her volcanoes. But the battles they now face are the deadliest yet, as a California crime family attempts to move their illicit drug empire to Hawaii. Which will prevail, the paranormal powers of Pele's guardian warriors... or pure evil?

Walking in Fire
Hawaiian Heroes, Book #1 

Passion blooms on a Hawaiian beach… but danger lurks, hot and deadly.
When a young food blogger visits paradise, she falls for a big, handsome Hawaiian… but with glamorous women at his beck and call, she doesn't expect him to notice a freckle-face blonde like her. Until danger throws them together, and passion flows like molten lava on the flanks of Pele's volcano.

Rolling in the Deep
Hawaiian Heroes, Book #2 

Desire as dark as the deep Hawaiian seas… danger poised to strike.
On Hawaii for her best friend's wedding, a young tourist falls for the groom's brother. But the big, tough, tattooed Hawaiian has secrets too dark to share… until passion explodes between them. Caught in desire's net, can he keep her safe and rid his island of evil drug runners… or will he have to choose?

Blooming in the Wild
Hawaiian Heroes, Book #3 

Tropical romance blooms deep in the Hawaiian jungle… but deadly peril is close behind.
A young sporting goods exec leads a team of models and photogs into the remote Hawaiian jungle, for a photo shoot against the backdrop of tropical blooms, along with a cocky, handsome, adventure TV star. But someone wants her plan to wither on the vine. They may even want everyone dead. Good thing she has a hero close at hand… and a rain forest that knows what she needs, even before she does.

Burning Up the Rain
Hawaiian Heroes, Book #4 

Their hook-up is hot enough to set the rain on fire… but danger looms behind the storm.
When a Hawaiian beauty discovers she can ignite storms over the Big Island, she resolves to use her new powers to drive away crooked developers. But to evade the arranged marriage her mother is brokering, she'll need human help. A semi-public hookup with a handsome California tourist should cover it... until they uncover a sizzling passion that neither can deny. And what will happen when he learns she's no ordinary society girl?

Don't miss this sexy, thrilling Hawaiian package--get your copy of HAWAIIAN HEROES Box Set today! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XZWHCKV

Summer and Fair time is coming!

Fair, Fair, Oh, how I love Fairs!!!

https://dianamccollumauthor.com


Diana writes paranormal romance, always with a happily ever after. In her latest book "The Witch with the Trident Tattoo" you'll find a heroine and hero to root for as they fight against an evil force set on killing all life in the oceans. Along the way are colorful characters. A teenage mermaid with pink hair who can come on land for short periods of time,  an octopus familiar named James, and a host of others.




A great summer read, "The Witch with the Trident Tattoo".


Fairs have been around since before 500 B.C. Fairs were mentioned in the bible as places to socialize and sell goods.

Over time, the fair morphed away from religion and commerce and into periodic gatherings attended by crafters, food brokers, clothing stalls and livestock for show and sale. People bartered for, and exchanged goods, not that much money changed hands, but lots of goods did.

The actual first date of the original fair is unknown. 

The first fair in America was recorded in 1765, in Windsor, Nova Scotia. In 1792, the first fair of Niagara was held, by the Niagara Agricultural Society. Both of these fairs still occur each year right through the present day.

Today, there are around 2,000 fairs each year in North America.

Now days fairs include, but are not limited to: food, shows, rodeos, games to play for prizes, carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, horticulture, livestock, all kinds of new innovated things for sale!

Personally, I love the fair! Hubby and I try to go every year. Here in Deschutes County there is one day , usually opening day, when seniors get in free. We missed that day this year, hubby wasn’t feeling well, but did go the next day to walk through the exhibits. 

What I learned is there are so, so many talented people in this world. From paintings by 13-year-old kids to gorgeous photography to quilts that are definitely a work of art, it humbled me to see all the creations by everyday amateur individuals.

Most exciting, unusual thing we saw? A couple cowboys riding Long Horn Bulls through the streets of the fairgrounds!

Most beautiful craft was this quilt.

Most beautiful flower? This two toned gladiola. 

The most exotic thing? This Styrofoam head decorated with food and flowers.

Do you have a fair near you, and if you do, what do you like doing the best? For me it’s the inside exhibits, including the animal barns

Ghosts? Sasquatches? Aliens? by Sarah Raplee

This is a repost from 2016.

 Hi, I'm Sarah Raplee, author of Paranormal and Steampunk Romance.

For years my husband jokingly claimed there were only three items on his Bucket List. “Before I die, I want to:

1. see a ghost
2. encounter a Sasquatch, and 
3. be abducted by aliens.”

A great Bucket List for me, an author or Paranormal Romance! Right?

Frenchglen Hotel

Believe it or not, we stayed at Oregon’s reportedly-haunted Hotel at Frenchglen, Oregon couple of years ago, and he got to cross “see a ghost” off his list. The experience was not what he’d expected. He thought he’d be cool and nonchalant if he ever saw a ghost, but he was scared to death – even though he told me it was the ghost of a little old lady speaking a foreign language and smiling as she patted the bed. (I didn’t see her, but I heard her walking back and forth around the bed. Gotta admit, that was creepy!)

I suggested he may want to re-evaluate items two and three in light of this experience. After all, we live in one of the counties with the most reported Sasquatch sightings in the United States. “Watch what you wish for!” I say.

Sasquatch?

I’m adventurous, but of a more practical nature. I love trying new things or exploring new areas. I’m not claustrophobic or afraid of heights or a particular animal (although I have a healthy respect for Things That Can Hurt/Kill Me), and this propensity to seek out new experiences with an open mind has made life interesting.

“You never know what life will bring” is tattooed on my soul. Life surprises me all the time. I’m lucky to have an adventurous husband to share it with. 

Who knew we would live in eight different states, explore caves, hunt ghosts (not at the hotel – totally different time and place), hike a hundred miles of rugged, mountainous (and sometimes snowy) terrain, catch snakes, attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans, chase black bears away from a campsite, care for baby osprey, raise a big family, travel to Europe and Canada, sail across the Columbia River Bar into the Graveyard of the Pacific on a small boat, help an archeologist on several digs, raise chickens, mine geodes - the list goes on and on and is far from finished at this point. I plan to be around for a couple more decades.

UFO?

Which means there are plenty of adventures in my future, even without a Bucket List. Who knows? Maybe we will encounter a Sasquatch and be abducted by aliens – although I’d rather just admire the flying saucer from a safe distance. 

What about you? ~Sarah

©2016 Sarah Raplee All Rights Reserved

HOPE and plans for 2021

 Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, soul nourishing romantic women’s fiction with light paranormal elements. My stories show you what life could be like if you had a place like The Circle where you are unconditionally accepted, supported and loved. And where, with this support, you make choices to overcome the darkest nights and choose love and light.

Hello 2021! If you are like me, you have great hopes for this year because 2020 had some serious bumps in the road! Listening to the conversations of friends and family the one word I heard most often regarding this New Year was HOPE.

Humble (modest, respectful)

Opportunities (openings, prospects)

Positive (optimistic, constructive, upbeat)

Energy (vitality, drive, momentum)

What words would you use to describe HOPE?

In addition to HOPE, as I learned more about the convergence of Jupiter and Saturn at 0 degrees Aquarius, the word that resonated with me was Creative.

Having my focus on Creative has unleashed a plethora of creative ideas…for other people. One creative idea that was manifested by Hannah White for Arte Soleil included my book Staying Sane in a Crazy World. Here is a link Arte Soleil’s Etsy page where agift box that includes my book is featured.

Now that 2021 has Finally arrived, all those tasks I’ve put off until “next year” are waving at me. I’ll spend the next few days prioritizing them. Here are two:

Newsletter: At least monthly I’ll publish Choices. What will be in it? Information about how our choices today create our tomorrow is one. Updates on my writing progress. Sales, special events and a survey or two during the year. You can sign up for my mailing list here.

Writing: Finish editing my second non-fiction Yes, You Can Create The Life You Love is up first. And then I plan on writing at least one if not the next two books in the Visions of series.

What word(s) do you think of when looking forward into 2021?

What are your plans for 2021?

You can find all of my books at your favorite e-book vendor. Be sure to ask your local library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2021 Judith Ashley

Setting The Hook: Book Blurbing for the Reluctant Author

By Carolan Ivey, “The Blurb Wizard”

My book blurbing career started one summer night over Hurricane cocktails in the French Quarter of New Orleans. But that’s a story for another day. Er, what I remember of it, anyway…

I’ve written a little bit of everything: hard news, short stories, technical documentation, how-to software guides, and advertising/marketing copy. What do all these disparate jobs have in common? The ability to distill complex ideas into appealing, accessible chunks of information.

 Are authors good at writing blurbs for their books? In general, the answer is a resounding “no”. They hate doing them even more than they hate writing a synopsis, and trust me, they hate synopses with the hatred of a thousand spitting camels.

Authors are too close to the work to see the forest for the trees, so to speak. An objective eye is needed to tease out the essential diamonds that make it sparkle – and sell that book to a potential reader.

That’s what I do, essentially. I sell books. It’s my job to make readers smash the “Buy” button in 150 words or less. Or at the very least, read the free sample. I figure if I get readers that far, it’s a win and the rest is up to you, the author, to make that reader want more.

CAROLAN IVEY

Having written blurbs for over a decade, I’ve seen a few changes in the way books are blurbed. The No. 1 question I get about my job, though, has remained essentially the same.

Do you need to read the whole book to write a blurb?

Fortunately, no. With a decently detailed synopsis or outline, and the first few chapters, I’m good to go. As my freelance workload has increased, I do require some kind of outline along with manuscript submissions. And with the increasing number of books selling on proposal, I sometimes work from a synopsis alone.

 Should authors use their back-cover blurb for other situations?

Blurbs definitely have to multi-task. It’s a good idea to have several versions ready to shoot out at a moment’s notice when a marketing opportunity arises. Different web sites have different requirements in terms of word count or even character count limits. And you never know when you’re going to need a one-sentence plug for the classic “elevator speech”. When I write a blurb, I always include four versions: the main, 150-175-word version, and shorter versions of 100, 50, and 25 words.

 Has the length changed?

Most definitely. When I first started writing blurbs for Samhain Publishing over a decade ago, the word count was 200-250 words. Over time that word count has shrunk to 150-175 words. Readers’ attention spans are short, and getting shorter. It’s critical to hook their attention right away, or they literally wander off – and they may not even be aware of why they’ve lost interest.

Also, a “tagline” used to mean about 25-30 words. Now, it’s 10-12. My “ruler” is my document page – the tagline has to fit on one line on a standard page, one-inch margins, 12pt TNR font.

How do you decide how to focus the blurb?

I write blurbs mainly for the romance genre, so I’ll use romance as the example. A blurb boils down to answering three questions:

 ·        What does Main Character 1 want?

·        What does Main Character 2 want?

·        What’s the main conflict? (Without spoilers!)

 That’s it. Everything else – the setting, the time period, secondary characters – is decoration. The seasoning that whets the reader’s appetite. I don’t include secondary characters unless they’re essential to the main conflict – like the heroine’s sister or best friend is missing or plays matchmaker. At any rate, secondary characters are rarely called by name – more names just muddy up the blurb and confuse readers. The only time I break this pattern is for books involving polyamory, reverse harem, or books written entirely from one character’s POV.

Is it better to start out with the heroine or hero in a romance blurb?

In general, I follow the book. If MC1 leads off, they lead off in the blurb. (I write for the LGBTQ+ market, as well, so a book may involve same-sex or queer couples.) However, if the book is part of a series that centers on, say, a group of male friends, I’ll lead off each of those blurbs with those characters regardless who shows up first in the book.

First-person or third-person?

Again, it depends. Some authors want their blurbs in third-person, even if their book is written in first-person. My preference is to follow the book – if it’s written in first-person, the blurb is first-person. The reason for this is some readers dislike first-person books, and they’re likely to leave a bad review if they feel like they’ve been misled.

What is another trend you're seeing in book blurbs for 2021?

The main trend continues toward shorter and ever shorter blurbs. Also, I’m seeing a change in style. The majority are still in short paragraph form, but I’m seeing a growing trend for “lists”, or a series of short, punchy sentences and half-sentences. I think this works best for dark, gritty stories. For more romantic, emotional stories, I still like the short-paragraph style for its descriptive qualities.

I hope you found this little tour inside a blurb wizard’s brain helpful! Many thanks to Sarah and Judith for having me, and to everyone who sent in questions.

 ---

Carolan Ivey, “The Blurb Wizard”, is an award-winning author of paranormal and fantasy romance, has written more than 5,000 book blurbs since 2007. She can be found on Facebook, at www.carolanivey.com, and https://theblurbwizard.wordpress.com/.

 

 

 

Which Witch Novel is Your Favorite?

By Diana McCollum

Happy fall and Halloween! When spooks or ghosts or spirits (not sure which one is correct) walk the earth, and witches fly by in the night.

I had never read any kind of witch 
paranormal books. And then one day, I was on my lunch hour from work and walking in Safeway. Near the checkout stand was a rack of books. One cover in particular caught my eye, “Breath of Magic”, by Teresa Medeiros, and I bought it.

This book is what I would call a light paranormal. Not a lot of blood and gore, in fact hardly any. Puritan witch, Arian Whitewood gets more than she bargains for during a witch hunt and she and the broom she is riding on, crash land into the 20^th century and the arms of the hero. A love story mixed with time-travel and magic! I fell in love!

After reading “Breath of Magic”, I bought the second book, “Touch of Enchantment”, and followed the journey of Arian’s daughter, Tabitha Lennox, from the 20^th century back seven centuries into the past, and straight into the path of a horse ridden by a chain-mailed warrior.

Now I was totally hooked on paranormal romance. Witches are the best!! Who doesn’t love magic?

I’ve read many books since those first two containing a witch heroine or hero, magic and sometimes time-travel. I’ve loved them all.

This summer I read Nora Roberts trilogy starting with the first in the series “Dark Witch”. You just can’t go wrong with a book written by Nora, excellent series.

My very favorite book I’ve read would have to be “The Witch’s Daughter”, by Paula Brackston. I read this book last year. I will always keep this book. Not only is “The Witch’s Daughter “a well written story, it’s written in first person, which I normally don’t care for. I was drawn right into the story from page one.

And yet, the story drew me in, kept me captivated and I forgot all about first person.

The magic of these books led me to write about... you guessed it, Witches!

My book  "The Witch with the Trident Tattoo", is available at all venues. If you haven't checked out  Windtree Press , my publisher, you should do it for a wide variety of books for sale..

Another book is "Love & Magick", an anthology by Sarah Raplee, Judith Ashley and me. And you guessed it, filled with intriguing stories of magic!

These are some of my favorite witch stories. Do you have a favorite?

Amazing Low-FODMAP Pumpkin Pie by Sarah Raplee

I’m Sarah Raplee, author of Paranormal and Steampunk Romance Stories.

I’VE ALWAYS LOVED PUMPKIN PIE. It’s my favorite. But now that I’m on a Low FODMAP Diet, my pumpkin pie has to be dairy-free, wheat-free and soy-free. It doesn’t have to be pumpkin-free, but I can only indulge in one slice per day, so it must be AMAZING! I savor pumpkin pie one tiny bite at a time.

In my efforts to find a really AMAZING pumpkin pie recipe, I modified a to-die-for recipe by Gluten-Free HomemakerLinda Etherton called Pumpkin Pie – Totally from Scratch. (Follow the link for the original recipe.)

I LOVE Bob’s Red Mill products. I use their gluten-free pie crust mix to make AMAZING pie crust.  (http://www.bobsredmill.com/gluten-free-pie-crust-mix.html ) This crust does not crumble like so many others! And it tastes like pie crust.

SARAH RAPLEE

Here is my recipe for Amazing Low-FODMAP Pumpkin Pie:

Ingredients

·        1 gluten-free pie crust

·        1¾ cups mashed pumpkin

·        ¾ cup sugar

·        2 eggs

·        ¾ cup almond milk

·        ½ teaspoon vanilla

·        ½ teaspoon salt

·        ½ teaspoon cinnamon

·        1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

    Directions

1.     Combine all the ingredients (except the pie crust) using a fork or electric mixer to mix them together.

2.     Pour it into an uncooked pie crust.

3.     Bake at 400 degrees 45-50 minutes.

4.     Let cool before cutting.

Happy Holidays! I hope you savor every morsel. ~ Sarah Raplee

(First published December 27, 2016 on Romancing the Genres blog)

Fiber Arts, Lost and Found by Sarah Raplee

This style, but with a smocked top and
crocheted lace trim on edges of sleeves
and hem - as well as matching slip.

Hello, I'm Sarah Raplee, author of Paranormal Romance that crosses genres into Suspense, Fantasy and Steampunk.

I've loved working with fabrics, threads and yarns since I was five years old. In kindergarten, we were each given a big square of burlap and a huge assortment of yarn and embroidery thread, dull plastic darning needles, buttons and pieces of fabric and told to imagine a scene in nature and recreate it with our materials on the burlap.

I loved the scratchy texture of the rough burlap, the softness of dark green cotton muslin, the slippery feel of brown satin. I pictured an apple tree in a meadow of flowers with the sun shining down. Round red buttons became apples, yellow fabric became the sun. I cut out fabric birds and made yarn-and-button flowers. Happiness bubbled up as my vision came into being.

Later, I learned to making yarn octopuses and sew doll clothes by hand. When I was old enough, Mom taught me to sew clothes on her machine. I took to it like bird to flight.
Years later, I decided to sew my first baby’s christening dress. I was determined to learn to crochet in order to make the five yards of lace trim required. I wanted to create a family heirloom. [I'm traveling, so unfortunately don't have a photo of the actual christening gown and lace to show you. These photos will give you an idea.]

Having my sainted mother, a master (mistress?) of the art of crochet, in my corner gave me the confidence to even attempt such a thing. Mom taught me using a large hook, thick yarn and the patience of—well, my mother. She's an amazing woman.

Although the end goal was to crochet yards of tiny, delicate blue lace, for the first week I made thick potholders. Then I graduated to thinner yarn, a smaller hook, and bookmarks. Lots of bookmarks! Finally, Mom announced it was time to work with a thin-sliver-of-a shiny steel hook and some cotton crochet thread hardly thicker than sewing thread. That was super hard! After a few days’ practice, I tackled the lace. It took weeks to finish the lace and the dress, but I’ve never been prouder of making something beautiful and meaningful with my own two hands.

After that, I loved to crochet. I made hats, booties, blankets and sweaters for my children and for gifts; crocheted scarves and vests and afghans, doilies and lace pillow edgings; and even a beautiful red skirt for myself. The skirt required a knitted waistband, so Mom and I figured out how to knit and purl a little, but it took forever to finish that one small piece! The end result was beautiful, but I hadn’t the patience for knitting.

Through the years, I tried knitting a few more times, but it never stuck. My slogan became“crochet all the way!”

Fast-forward to the present. The second-eldest of my ten grandchildren and her husband are expecting a baby—our first great-grandchild! I so want to make him a blanket, but I gave up crocheting some years back due to arthritis in my hands. It’s just too painful.

A friend suggested I try knitting, because it puts less strain on the finger joints. I decided to give knitting another try. My daughter-in-law gave me a book for beginners, Stitch 'n Bitch: the Knitter's Handbook by Debbie Stoller. I tried, but I struggled with the book until I visited my sister for a few days. She had me knitting and purling in half an hour.

After much practicing with large needles and thick yarn, I knew Knitting didn’t hurt my hands. I bought yarn for the (gulp) soon-to-arrive baby’s knitted blanket. I chose an easy pattern from the book. Last weekend we went for a getaway to Gig Harbor, Washington, where I planned to begin my project. But when I started to knit, I discovered the yarn I’d chosen had NO STRETCH WHATSOEVER! Knitting requires yarn that stretches a little. .

Luckily, amongst the picturesque shops around the harbor, my husband spotted Rainy Day Yarns. I showed the shop ladies my stiff yarn (something they’d never experienced before) and asked them to recommend some yarns that would work in the pattern. They guided me to the area where I discovered an even more beautiful (and elastic)  yarn than my original!

I’ve rolled the hanks of yarn into balls. Tonight, using the virtues of patience and gratitude I’ve learned over the years, I begin a new chapter in my creative life—as a knitter!!! (Although the baby may be crawling by the time I finish his blanket...)

Out of This World Romance with CJ Cade

Out of This World Romance – What’s the Appeal?

Hello to all you readers who love to romance the genres. When Sarah and Judith asked me to post, I got to thinking… just what is the appeal of Out of This World (Sci Fi) Romance?

Sci Fi has been around for a very long time, since tech came far enough to create robots and flying machines. Being human, our imaginations were not far behind.

What would happen if… those robots could think for themselves? Those flying machines could take us out into space? Where we would of course meet other fascinating and dangerous sentient beings… and there our adventures would begin.

According to Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction ,‘E. E. "Doc" Smith's Skylark of Space, written in collaboration with Lee Hawkins Garby, appeared in Amazing Stories in 1928. It is often called the first great space opera.’ Then came Buck Rogers, etc. Plenty of fictional fun to be had.

I read sci fi as a kid—in the form of comic books. Those were a nickel a piece at the local store, and oh, wow! Superman and all his enemies and allies introduced us kids of the ‘60’s to a whole new universe.

Then came the televised Star Trek, followed years later by the movie Star Wars…and from there the genre really took off, so to speak.

I’ll tell you a secret about sci fi and space opera…they’re really just ‘out-of-this-world’ westerns. With robots instead of colorful sidekicks, space ships instead of horses, and laser weapons instead of six-shooters. And heroines who get to wear fitted space suits instead of those silly bustles.

And sci fi romance…even more fun! The hero always gets the girl…and vice versa.

Sometimes even on the page.

Join me in a space opera romp, won’t you? My books are all available now FREE in Kindle Unlimited.

Best,

Cathryn Cade writing as CJ CADE

Website: https://www.cjcade.com/

Blog: https://www.cjcade.com/blog/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/CJ-Cade/e/B072MCBHRT 

Facebook: @ https://www.facebook.com/CJCadeAuthor/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-cade

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/ap/813XZR/CJ-Cade

Twitter: @ https://twitter.com/CJCade_Author

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Bio: CJ Cade is a native of Montana, so look for the flavor of the cowboy culture in her Sci Fi Romance/Space Opera. Her alpha heroes & feisty heroines may pilot space ships instead of horses, but they find plenty of wild adventure & sexy romance, so deep space never stays cold for long!

CJ also writes Contemporary & Contemporary Paranormal romance as USAT Best-Seller Cathryn Cade.