Muse Food – Fruit And Being The First

By Cynthia Sax on June 17, 2024

When the Dear Wonderful Hubby and I travel, we encounter many new-to-us edible fruits, vegetables and other foods.

We also encounter many new-to-us fruits and vegetation that would kill us or make us very ill if we consumed them.

And often, there isn’t much visible difference between the two groups.

So how did we, humans, figure out what we could eat or couldn’t eat?

Trial and error.

If the first person to eat the fruit or vegetation (or fish or animal or insect) died or became very ill, the rest of our ancestors knew not to consume it.

Yep, our current food system was built on that level of sacrifice.

I remember that when worldbuilding in my stories. A character wouldn’t arrive at a new-to-them place and know instinctively what was safe to eat or drink. They would have to be told or have a device that tested food and beverage or some other means of determining that.

Or they risk dying.

***

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Drift Would

A cyborg and a spy fly into danger.

***

Drift is one of the best pilots in existence, and he has been assigned a perilous mission.

The G Model cyborg must fly to a distant planet, locate the sector-destroying superweapon the enemy is projected to be developing there, and obliterate that threat to the universe.

When Drift arrives at his destination and meets with an informant, he’s distracted by a mysterious human female seated in the shadows. She’s Drift’s genetic match, and she is the one being he’s destined to care for, claim, and protect.

She’s also a liar and a thief. And she might be working with the enemy.

Trusting her could kill him and everyone he cares about.

Liar. Thief. Seductress. Saboteur. Roshini has been called all of those things. And she has earned each label. She’s done some terrible things to safeguard the beings she loves.

A gray-eyed cyborg warrior with nimble hands and a shared need for speed won’t stop her high-risk activities.

She’ll sacrifice everything, including her lifespan, to complete her self-appointed top-secret assignment.

***


Drift Would is a standalone, enemies-to-lovers, Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a cyborg who loves to break speed records, a human spy with a talent for changing her appearance, and a foe intent on killing them both.

Pre-Order Today:


Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Drift-Would-Dauntless-Cyborgs-Book-ebook/dp/B0CSJQC36S

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drift-Would-Dauntless-Cyborgs-Book-ebook/dp/B0CSJQC36S

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Drift-Would-Dauntless-Cyborgs-Book-ebook/dp/B0CSJQC36S

Amazon Canada:
https://www.amazon.ca/Drift-Would-Dauntless-Cyborgs-Book-ebook/dp/B0CSJQC36S

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/drift-would/id6476230561

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drift-would-cynthia-sax/1144659255

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/drift-would

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1508730

Topics: Muse Food | Comments Off on Muse Food – Fruit And Being The First

Muse Food – Horses And Cars

By Cynthia Sax on May 27, 2024

The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I spotted this horse and buggy tied to a light pole in a Walmart parking lot.

The contrast between this older mode of transportation and the surrounding cars was awesome.

One culture rejected additional technological ‘advances’, stopping at the horse and buggy stage, and the other culture continued to change as technology changed.

Neither decision was bad or good. It was merely different.

This can be a great way to build our worlds also. One world could have stopped ‘advancing’ at a certain point. Maybe they have cars but they don’t have spaceships. Or they have rejected computer-like devices. Or they have banned any material not naturally found on their planet.

The possibilities are only limited by our imaginations!

***

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Strike Zone

A cyborg devoted to duty…and to her.

***

While attending a party, Kesser, the daughter of her planet’s leader, witnesses the abduction of her best friend and her best friend’s mate.

She’s determined to rescue them. Preferably without fracturing the fragile peace agreement her mom has crafted with the abductors’ planet.

The only issue is…she has never participated in a retrieval mission.

Searching for assistance, she approaches the mate’s guard. The male, with his big broad shoulders and deep growly voice, affects her like no other being ever has.

Kesser wants him. She trusts him. And she requires his stealth combat skills.

Desperately.

Strike is no guard. The D Model cyborg has been sent to the sector to discreetly investigate a potential planet-destroying situation.

When a curvy human female with big brown eyes requests his help with a rescue, he doesn’t hesitate to say yes. She’s his genetic match, the one being he was manufactured to protect.

She’s also traveling to the next planet he has to search. He plans to claim his female while he fulfills his responsibilities to his kind.

Neither Strike nor Kesser realizes the dangers facing them are far greater than they imagine. Their enemies are converging, and one failed mission could doom the entire universe.

***

Strike Zone is a standalone, mistaken-identity, Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a cyborg warrior with a finely honed sense of honor, a human support being taking on her first dangerous mission, and an evil that threatens everyone in existence.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/Strike-Zone-Romance-Dauntless-Cyborgs-ebook/dp/B0CL5QZBQ8/

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strike-Zone-Romance-Dauntless-Cyborgs-ebook/dp/B0CL5QZBQ8/

Amazon AUS:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Strike-Zone-Romance-Dauntless-Cyborgs-ebook/dp/B0CL5QZBQ8/

Amazon Canada:

https://www.amazon.ca/Strike-Zone-Romance-Dauntless-Cyborgs-ebook/dp/B0CL5QZBQ8/

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/strike-zone/id6469583228

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strike-zone-cynthia-sax/1144231998

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/strike-zone-13

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1466811

Topics: Muse Food | Comments Off on Muse Food – Horses And Cars

Muse Food – The Trails We Leave

By Cynthia Sax on January 15, 2024

The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I spotted these condensation trails in the blue sky. They were left by some sort of aircraft.

It made me think about all the trails we leave all around us – footprints in the sand, cologne in the air, warm spots where we’ve been sitting, etc.

Beings in our stories would leave those trails also. There would be little signs they were in a place. That’s super cool and might be something we consider adding to our stories.

***

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Intrepid Encounter

Cyborg vs. Valkyrie

Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.

Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.

That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.

The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.

But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.

Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.

That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.

The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.

But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.


Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350

Topics: Muse Food | Comments Off on Muse Food – The Trails We Leave

Muse Food – Boxing Day

By Cynthia Sax on December 26, 2023

Today is Boxing Day in my corner of the world. Historically, Boxing Day was a day to box up leftovers and small gifts to give to charity.

One of the (many) things I consider when building a world is…

How do the beings in that world carry their stuff?

We all have stuff. A warrior has weapons. A medic has medical supplies. A chef has cooking supplies and equipment.

How do they carry that stuff? Do they have wooden crates or cardboard boxes or leather packs or holsters or pockets or…?

It should be practical. The material should, ideally, be abundant on their planet. And it should reflect who the being is or hopes to be.

***

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Intrepid Encounter

Cyborg vs. Valkyrie

Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.

Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.

That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.

The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.

But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.

Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.

That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.

The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.

But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.


Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350

Topics: Muse Food | Comments Off on Muse Food – Boxing Day

Muse Food – The Resources Characters Have

By Cynthia Sax on December 4, 2023

The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I were trekking around Saint Lucia when we spotted this collection of plastic bottles in the water.

An innovative fisherperson had designed a float from empty plastic bottles, a ‘resource’ everyone on Earth now has in abundance.

We use the resources we have. I try to remember that when building a world or crafting a scene.

If the character is surrounded by trees, they’ll likely craft their home out of wood, for example. If they’re a warrior, they’d likely pry an object out of a rock with their dagger, a tool they already have. If their food rations come in containers, they’d likely use those empty containers to store their gear.

We use what we have if that is all possible. That is true on Earth. And it is true in stories.

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Intrepid Encounter

Cyborg vs. Valkyrie

Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.

Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.

That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.

The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.

But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.

Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.

That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.

The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.

But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.


Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350

Topics: Muse Food | Comments Off on Muse Food – The Resources Characters Have

Muse Food – Squirrels And Places In EcoSystems

By Cynthia Sax on November 14, 2023

Squirrels seem like cute little critters with no real purpose.

But their appearances are deceiving. They help trees, for example, reproduce by spreading their nuts and seeds. Many of the nuts and seeds squirrels bury in our lawns are never uncovered and eaten. They’re…planted. Permanently. And if conditions are right, they’ll grow into baby trees.

If squirrels didn’t plant them, something else would have to do that task. Or trees would go extinct.

I think about that whenever I build a world. Who or what will complete necessary tasks (like, as another example, breaking down dead materials)?

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Intrepid Encounter

Cyborg vs. Valkyrie

Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.

Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.

That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.

The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.

But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.

Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.

That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.

The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.

But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.


Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.

Pre-order Today:

Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920

B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350

Topics: Muse Food | Comments Off on Muse Food – Squirrels And Places In EcoSystems

May The Fourth Be With You

By Cynthia Sax on May 4, 2021

A Stormtrooper On Display At The Yoda Guy Exhibit on St Maarten

Today is Star Wars Day, one of my favorite days of the year!

I love the ever-expanding Star Wars world. I also love the Star Trek world. I see no issues with loving both. They are different worlds and focus on different things and I think that’s awesome.

The Mos Eisley cantina scene in the very first Star Wars movie has always been an inspirational scene for me. I strive to, someday, write a scene similar to it except I would like reading buddies to already know the background of every participant in that scene. That would require writing numerous stories featuring a variety of aliens and cyborgs and other types of species.

That will take decades but I hope to do it!

A Display At The Yoda Guy Exhibit on St Maarten

When the Dear Wonderful Hubby and I visited the Yoda Guy exhibit in St Maarten a few years ago, Nick Maley, the man who helped craft Yoda for Empire Strikes Back, was sculpting a Yoda head. I thought that was so fraggin’ awesome.

Viewed At The Yoda Guy Exhibit on St Maarten

What is your favorite Star Wars memory?

***

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Under Strain

A damaged cyborg warrior is hunted by a peace-loving human female.

***

Strain is severely malfunctioning. The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor after a horrific decision was made by his cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans, and when he attacks one who is under his cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, and told to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.

That mission takes place on a small remote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they were sent to rescue, but Strain senses another presence on the surface. She is watching him, tracking him, hunting him.

A fully operational cyborg would end her lifespan.

Strain wants to claim her. Forever.

Kamyelle is the only one left of her kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of her planet. She survived…barely…by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and covering herself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.

When a handsome, gray-skinned, brilliant-blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she has to save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.

She won’t allow them to hurt Strain.

***

Under Strain is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a broken warrior, a human female who thinks he’s perfect, and velociraptor-like dinosaurs who view them both as light, tasty snacks.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R322L7S

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R322L7S

Amazon AUS:

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08R322L7S

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/under-strain/id1545957749

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-strain-cynthia-sax/1138505613

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/under-strain

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10602

Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on May The Fourth Be With You

Why I Build Worlds

By Cynthia Sax on March 22, 2021

I wrote a post for Dragon’s Book Hoarde about why I tend to build worlds.

Here is a snippet…

“I get attached to people. I’ve known and loved Dragon for well over a decade (we won’t say how many years more – grins). I’ve worked with my cover artist on other projects long before I was a published writer. I consider readers to be part of my book family and I worry when I don’t hear from them.

This is no different for my characters. My characters are their own beings. It is sort of like the characters in our dreams. They might come from our brains but they do their own thing. I care for many of them…greatly. I also want them all to find their romantic happy ever afters…if that is possible (sometimes it isn’t possible).”

You can read the full post here –

https://ladydragonknight20.wixsite.com/website/post/why-cynthia-sax-creates-worlds

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Containing Malice

This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.

***

Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.

His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.

He wants her. He also seeks retribution.

Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.

Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.

The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.

Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.

***

Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.

Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power

Buy Today:

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS

Amazon AUS:

https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881

Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Why I Build Worlds

Worldbuilding For Pantsers

By Cynthia Sax on February 24, 2021

I’ve written a post on Worldbuilding For Pantsers for The Wicked Writing Corner.

Here is a bit I posted in the comments…

“I know what some pantsers will say – How does basing the story world on an existing world help us? We’re pantsers.

As pantsers, we tend to do this subconsciously.

What I do is I write the scene and then I try to figure out which world or worlds I’ve subconsciously based the scene in the story world on.
THAT is the world I use as a guideline going forward.

For example, I’ll picture the hallway of a spaceship.
I’ll then search through images online of TV shows or Movies I’ve watched featuring interiors of spaceships.

Often there are small differences (or it might be a combination of interiors) but I can usually find something similar.

THAT is the reference I’ll use for future scenes.”

You can read the entire post here –

https://thewickedwritingcorner.blogspot.com/2021/02/guest-post-worldbuilding-for-pantsers.html

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Containing Malice

This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.

***

Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.

His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.

He wants her. He also seeks retribution.

Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.

Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.

The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.

Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.

***

Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.

Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power

Buy Today:

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS

Amazon AUS:

https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881

Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Worldbuilding For Pantsers

Why I Love To Write Both SciFi And Contemporary Erotic Romance

By Cynthia Sax on May 23, 2014

Recently, I’ve been concentrating on two genres within erotic romance—contemporary and SciFi (I previously also wrote paranormal). This might seem like a strange combination as they are very different stories to tell and require different skills to tell them.

It might also seem easier to simply write in one genre, concentrating on these reading buddies and these stories. Switching genres can be challenging and it takes time.

But it is also needed, at least, for me.

Contemporary erotic romance is probably my most natural genre (especially as I write in first person for contemporary). It uses the same skills at observation I honed while writing for newspapers. I look, I interpret (because no two people ever see the same thing), and I write.

Contemporary erotic romances flow quickly (why I can meet my aggressive self-imposed deadlines for Sinful Rewards, the 12 novella serial from Avon). They are usually my most layered stories. Because the world building is lighter, I can weave in a lot of symbolism and motifs. I LOVE this.

However, if I stay too long in contemporary erotic romance, I start to go a bit crazy. I get a hankering to write the weird, the strange, the unusual, stories and heroes unlike any I’ve ever written. I want to design complex worlds, to use my love of science, of systems, to get out of my own reality and into a fantasy world.

Writing SciFi erotic romance is almost like a vacation for my writing brain. My SciFi characters see and do things I can’t. I also have total control. Everything that appears in my SciFi worlds is there because I put it there. I’m truly the master of my universes! (grins)

After having this SciFi erotic romance holiday, I usually can’t wait to write another contemporary erotic romance. I’m wound up, refreshed, hyper to get started (no Nutella needed).

This is why I wrote Alien Tryst and Tryst Denied between Breaking All The Rules and Sinful Rewards. This is why I’ll write my gargoyles in space story (huge rock men) after I finish Sinful Rewards. Writing a SciFi erotic romance allows me to write a fresher, more exciting contemporary erotic romance and vice versa.

Sinful Rewards 1

Cynthia Sax

Belinda “Bee” Carter is a good girl; at least, that’s what she tells herself. And a good girl deserves a nice guy—just like the gorgeous and moody billionaire Nicolas Rainer. He is everything she wants in a man.

Or so she thinks, until she takes a look through her telescope and sees a naked, tattooed man on the balcony across the courtyard. Hawke is mysterious, the bad boy she knows will bring only heartbreak. He has been watching her, and that makes him all the more enticing.

But when a mysterious and anonymous text message dares her to do something bad, she must decide if she is really the good girl she has always claimed to be, or if she’s willing to risk everything for her secret fantasy of being watched.

Is her mystery man the reclusive billionaire with a wild side or the darkly dangerous bad boy?

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-1-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00I7V89H0

Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-1-cynthia-sax/1119055390

Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Why I Love To Write Both SciFi And Contemporary Erotic Romance

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