Women of STEM #superhero #science

Hi, I'm Pippa Jay, author of scifi and supernatural stories to engage your emotions. But over the past year, I've been back to work full time. After 12 years as an analytical chemist in a metals and minerals laboratory, then 16 years as a stay at home mum, I've gone back to my first love - science - as a technician in a school for 11-18 year olds. I get to science, but still get to spend the holidays with my own children.

One of my tasks toward the end of the school year was to update one of the many noticeboards up in the science department, and I was asked to do something on women in STEM. Luckily for me, the Women You Should Know and The Mighty Girl websites have an awesome collection of free posters for Forces of Nature, Women of Science and Women of STEM. A little research meant I was able to add some extra paragraphs of information to the board as well. These women often had to fight their way to recognition and acceptance, many having to wait until years if not decades later for their accomplishments and contributions both to science and to feminism to be acknowledged - real superheroes. Without even knowing about many of them, their efforts meant I was able to take science at school without any awareness of any gender bias and without barriers to my education and later my career. In some ways, I've been more fortunate than most. So I was proud to make up this board and show another generation of students interested in science some of the pioneers that have led the way, and hopefully to encourage more young women to enter the field as I did. I hope you'll enjoy the posters too. I'm sharing a few of my particular favourites.

No Superman Cloak Required

Hi everyone! 

I am Young Adult and Middle Grade author Barbara Binns, writer of contemporary and realistic fiction for adolescents and teens. As my tagline says, I write Stories of Real Boys Growing Into Real Men - and the people who love them.  



Over the weekend, I was invited to speak at the 2019 StoryStudio Writer's Festival at Columbia University in Chicago. James Klise, fellow YA author and Edgar Award winner, interviewed me about my most recent middle grade novel, Courage. In the process we talked about what it means to have courage, and shared information from Courage, and my work in project.

One particular line from this working  manuscript relates to this month's Romancing The Genres subject, superheroes:

"He is my hero, no superman cloak required."

This line is from my teen hero, speaking about his father. It's important to me, because I tend to write family dramas, about real people and their all-too real lives.

Superheroes are great. Lord knows Marvel’s Infinity Saga had me mesmerized. I was a Xena, Warrior Princess fan when I was younger, and I liked watching Wonder Woman, both Linda Carter and Gal Gadot. But mostly, I like ordinary men and women. People who rise to the occasion when a real-life crisis occurs.

People like Clara Belle Drisdale, a “hidden figure” in her own right. Born in 1885, her parents were former slaves and sharecroppers. She earned a scholarship and graduated as class valedictorian from Prairie View Normal and Industrial College now (Prairie View A & M University) in 1908. Armed with her certificate in Domestic Arts, she took over as head of the sewing department at Prairie View.

That was just her start. After marrying Jaspar Williams, she spent over 20 years, during a time when Las Cruces public schools were segregated, Clara taught Black students at Booker T. Washington school by day, and their parents, mainly former slaves, by night.

She also chose to continue her own education by enrolling at the segregated school now known as New Mexico State University (NMSU). Many of her professors refused to allow her inside their classrooms, forcing her to stand in the halls to listen and take notes. Despite the significant obstacles discrimination placed before her, she received a bachelor’s degree in English from NMSU in 1937. Even then, she wasn’t allowed to walk with her class to get her diploma because of segregation laws.

In addition to going after her own education, she raised three sons. All three achieved medical degrees. Mrs. Willliams' middle son, Dr. James B. Williams, was part of a handful of young men who became one of the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black airmen. He was one of the 101 black officers who attempted to integrate a segregated officers’ club in what became known as the Freeman Field Mutiny. In later years, he served as physician to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., when the civil rights leader lived in Chicago.

Her eldest son became chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at St. Bernard Hospital in Chicago. He was a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and past president of the Cook County Physicians Association, and a founding director of the Seaway National Bank of Chicago, now the country’s largest black-owned bank. Working together, the three men went on to found the Williams Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1961, New Mexico State University renamed a street on the NMSU-Las Cruces campus as Williams street in her honor. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from the university in 1980.

On Sunday, February 13, 2005, New Mexico State University celebrated Clara Belle Williams day, “in honor of a person who was unquestionably a pioneer,” in the words of President Michael Martin. As an additional honor, the school renamed the English Building, which houses English Department classrooms and offices, as well as the writing center, as Clara Belle Williams Hall.

This real-life superwoman succeeded  in pursuing higher education despite the significant obstacles discrimination placed before her.

After a lifetime serving as an inspiration to her family and the people she met, she died on July 3, 1994 at the age of 108.

This all combines to make me name the fictional school in that work-in-progress after this remarkable woman.  Even more, I am looking into making Clara Belle and her daring Tuskegee Airman son the subject of a future biography I will write.

I plan to do more than simply worship this superhero from afar.

When superheroes get hungry...

A superhero has to eat, right? They’d have a difficult time fighting the forces of evil on an empty stomach.

The folks at list25.com compiled a list of the top – you guessed it – 25 superheroes of all time. I’ve never heard of some, like Black Bolt. I paired a few with whom I am familiar with what I'll pretend is their favourite snack.

Coming in at #24 is Wolverine. Say that name and I picture Hugh Jackman. Since he’s Australian, I imagine his preferred nosh would be a few Tim Tams - a chocolate cream filling between two chocolate cookies covered in chocolate.

Aquaman, at #20, controls the force of the earth’s oceans and every living thing in them. So would he eat fish - his friends and co-workers? Probably not. I’ll give him a nice juicy steak, hand-cut fries, and a large, frosty beer.

At #17 is Wonder Woman. I don’t care how strong she is, she’s a woman and she needs chocolate after a long day of fighting crime. I bet she’d love a slice of the chocolate-hazelnut tart I baked last week. Or maybe Wolverine would share his Tim Tams.

Flash sits at #12. This man is all about speed so you might think he would appreciate fast food. Not so. He prefers slow-braised stew, slow bbq’d ribs, and slow simmered bolognaise.

Last, but not least, Superman holds the #6 position. This man of steel might be all business while wearing the tights and cape, but when he’s in disguise as a reporter, he eats like a reporter – fast and on the go. I bet his favourite sandwich is a corned beef brisket on rye, and he keeps his travel mug (reusable to protect the environment, of course) topped up with a dark roast coffee.

Now, if I were a superhero, one of my superpowers would be flight. I’d swoop and soar up with the eagles – keeping my mouth shut, otherwise I’d be spitting out bugs. After defeating a villain or two, I’d settle in my nest and enjoy hot spinach and artichoke dip with tortilla chips, the multi-grain variety, and a slightly chilled glass of lager.

What superpower would you have? And what would be your snack food of choice?

Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing spicy romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband and two spoiled cats.

Website ~ Bookbub ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page

Five Favourites To Get Lost In Again #scifi #romance #superheroes

Hi, I'm Pippa Jay, author of scifi and supernatural stories to engage your emotions.
As a child going into my teens, I was a voracious reader, devouring everything up to and including my parents' books, some of which were probably decidedly inappropriate at the time (Ian Fleming, Georgette Heyer, and Alexander Kent). But into my twenties I settled into focusing on a genre I later came to know as science fiction romance: adventure stories which, to borrow from a relevant franchise, allowed me to boldly go where I'd never gone before!

While I'm currently suffering from reader's block (at least, that's what I call it - an inability or maybe reluctance to get into anything new and even struggling with going back to old favourites), I thought I'd share the last five books that I loved enough to rate them five stars (and trust me, I am super picky!).


Blurb:

To you, my dearest child, I promise the stars…

Nikki’s been to the deepest pit of darkness in the universe and lived to tell about it, barely. But, to move forward with her life, she must first go back to Thetos – where a buried secret and her father’s promise await her return. Despite her independent, defensive nature, she lets Brom into her world and under her skin bit by bit. With her Trexen biology clawing its way into fruition, including unwanted side effects like mind-reading and a deadly temper, she struggles to see herself as worthy of her father’s intellectual legacy. The more she reveals to Brom, the faster she expects him to leave. She quickly learns Orellians don’t give up so easily, and Brom’s as stubborn as they come.

But someone’s been waiting for Nikki’s return and the secret she guards. Its discovery could mean a chance at peace, or lead to all out war. In the wrong hands, even the best intentions can lead to catastrophe, and a promise can decay into regret.

Space opera fans who don't mind a few well written sex scenes in their scifi will love this. For anyone who likes ST, Firefly and Farscape, and/or even just a damn good adventure story with snogging. Kobo, B&N, iBooks, Amazon (197 pages $0.99)


Blurb:

A blessing and a curse…

Seven years ago, a single moment changed the course of Nicholaus Bock’s life forever—the moment his preternatural Gift to heal awakened in him. A gift that made him an invaluable commodity to the known galaxy. Now his mentor’s intriguing and secretive new student goes out of her way to challenge his loyalty to everything he values.

A dark secret…

After facing death and destruction during the Anferthian invasion, Sakura Yamata revels in her new-found Gift to heal. Helping Earth’s survivors keeps her mind off the loss of her family, and the memory of the terrible choices she made. Nick could penetrate her defenses and discover what she’s hiding. She must not let the handsome healer close enough for that to happen.

A race facing annihilation…

When a mysterious disease strikes the hidden sanctuary of the Anferthian dissenters, Nick and Sakura are called in to help. But someone is going to great lengths to ensure the dissenters don’t survive. Nick and Sakura must set aside their differences and work together to save them before the fragile peace between three worlds is shattered.

While this wasn't the same 'tear out your heart and stomp on it' rollercoaster of book one (or maybe I was just better prepared) it is a worthy successor in this series. You will need to have read book one to follow this as I don't think it would stand well alone even if it focuses on different main characters. A heartwarming sexy romance between two characters struggling to overcome troubled pasts and really be the saviours of the title for an alien race depending on them. Both make a journey of discovery and find ways to heal themselves as well as their alien allies. Recommended for those who like medical/adventure romances in exotic locations as it may be a little light on the SciFi elements for the SFR fans. Kobo, B&N, iBooks, Amazon (231 pages $3.99)


Blurb:

They made the wrong choice. Putting it right requires going into a war.

A'yen's Reign: Year Two
Taran has served Nicco, prince of Marcase, for twenty-three years. While on a fact-finding mission to Corsica--a planet annexed by the empire thirteen years ago--Taran and Nicco are kidnapped by the Freedom Alliance and taken deep into the Corsican hardwood forests.

Da'Renna, sister to King A'yen's linked bodyguard, has loved Taran since the moment he saw her. Leaving him behind wasn't easy, but her brother needed her more. Hearing about Taran's kidnapping makes her wonder if she made the right choice.
With the help of a friend from Corsica, Da'Renna and her brother sneak in to find Taran. When mercenaries take her hostage, Taran must make the choice he dreads most: his master, or his soul-mate.
If Taran loses his girl, he'll never find his way to freedom.

Note: This novel stands alone and is a great entry point into the A'yen's Legacy futuristic romance series. Recommended for those who want to try scifi romance but are put off by the prospect of having to wade through a lot of science, or for paranormal/UF lovers looking for something a bit different to the usual vampires, shifters, demons etc. You don't even have to have read the previous books in the series as this can stand alone (though personally I would suggest that you do). Kobo, B&N, Amazon (pages 321,  $4.99)

Blurb:

Superpowers don't make you a hero…

Verity Fortune's crime-fighting days are over. In exile, defeated by her smug supervillain nemesis, her shady past exposed—even her own superpowered family condemns her as a traitor. Whatever it takes, Verity's determined to prove she can still be a force for good.

Now, Sapphire City faces a new threat: a delinquent duo with extraordinary powers and a terrifying talent for destruction. Outmatched and on the run, her telekinetic powers faltering, Verity can't defeat this menace alone—but whom can she trust, when the only person who believes in her is her arch-enemy?

I loved this book and I'm addicted to this series. Verity's constant doubts that she's a good woman, a superhero, or in any way beautiful or worthy of even friendship make for some great inner angst and romantic tension. There is action aplenty, smexiness, and interesting twists and turns. While this wrapped up its own story and some of book one, there is still plenty unresolved for at least one more book (hopefully more). For those who love superheroes, sassy repartee, sweet heroes and dyed to the bone evil villains with lots of action and some nicely done smexiness. Oh, and for those who think body count in a superhero book should be more realistic than Hollywood.



Blurb:
It's Chicago's favorite city son vs Delilah, daughter of Dr. Charm. America's second city will never know what hit it.
Bootleggers, drug dealers, crooked cops, and dirty politicians... Chicago has always had a reputation for indulging in the finer vices of life. That’s why Doctor Charm’s favorite daughter found America’s Second City so appealing; criminals are never boring. As second in command for the powerful Subrosa Security group, Delilah Samson finds opportunities to use her superpowers at every turn. Whether it’s stealing a priceless French painting from a mobster or stopping a drug deal, she’s game.
In fact, the only thing she doesn’t care for is Chicago’s favorite native son, Deputy Mayor Alan Adale, the man who made Lucifer jealous. Sinfully handsome, or possibly just sinful, Adale has been pursuing Delilah since she first arrived, and she’s been dodging.

When she finds ties between the new kingpin in town and a drug The Company wants to buy so they can create more superheroes, Delilah takes the gloves off. Teaming up with the spooky Spirit of Chicago, she aims to take down the dealers, the mobsters, the kingpin, and The Company. All without falling in love with the one man capable of capturing her heart.
*Originally published by Breathless Press

Anyone who loves superheroes, and likes their romance on the sweet and sensual side rather than explicit will adore this. There's plenty of action, a hint of comedy, snarky repartee, and intrigue, all packed into this delightful novella. Buy the series!