The Why
There’s a joke going around social media about how there’s a line in a story about the curtains being blue. The English Professor talks about how the blue curtains symbolize something else. The author states it merely means the curtains are blue.
That isn’t true for my stories. And I suspect it isn’t true for quite a few writers’ stories.
Nothing in my stories is random. If a character wears a red flight suit, for example, it means something. I might not share it on page but in my brain, there’s a reason for that specific color choice.
I’m currently working on the first draft of Baring Grudge (This will take me at least a month to write so you might hear this more than once.). I know Grudge, the C Model cyborg with the purely mechanical arm, loves explosions. He’s also named Grudge.
One of the things that excites me about writing is uncovering the why behind the character. Why did he choose Grudge as his name? Why does he like to blow things up?
And this doesn’t merely apply to characters. I need to know the why behind everything. Knowing the why might not be necessary for the story. Often it isn’t necessary. At all. (sheepish grin) But it is fun for me. I love knowing every little aspect of the story.
Anyhoo…if you ever want to know what something means or symbolizes, reach out to me and I’ll happily answer your questions!
***
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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: Story Insights, Writing Tips | Comments Off on The Why
Setting Inspiration For Containing Malice
Almost all of the planets in my stories are nods to places (either past or present) here on Earth.
The Humanoid Alliance’s laboratory is situated on a rock spire in Containing Malice. This spire is surrounded by extremely acidic water.
There are places with extremely acidic water on Earth. Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression, for example, has an average pH of 0.2 (and it hosts life!). If writing buddies are looking for a super cool setting, this is DEFINITELY one. It doesn’t look like it belongs on our world.
Artush
But the images I had in my mind while writing Containing Malice were the gorgeous rock spires I’ve seen in places like Australia and Hawaii. They are separated by the land by the ocean or other bodies of water. The water has eroded their connections to the mainland. I view them as a physical manifestation of loneliness, of being cut off from everything and everyone.
***
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: Story Insights | Comments Off on Setting Inspiration For Containing Malice
Cyborg Offspring And Maturity
Cyborgs are designed to physically mature within a solar cycle (a year). This accelerated growth was necessary as the Humanoid Alliance needed their manufactured warriors ready to fight as soon as possible. They didn’t have the luxury of a long childhood.
While under the control of the Humanoid Alliance, cyborgs matured emotionally quickly also.
All the memories, the knowledge of their predecessors were automatically transferred to their internal databases. This happens now with the freeborn offspring. Every cyborg with access to transmissions knows their kind’s dark and harsh history.
But what, I believe, really speeded the Humanoid Alliance manufactured cyborgs’ emotional maturity was their brutal training. They saw friends die, were forced to kill their brethren in the training rings. They ended lifespans as soon as they could hold a blade, saw the cruelty of their handlers. That destroyed their innocence, forced them to grow up quickly.
Many of the freeborn offspring haven’t experienced this. Their parents, other cyborgs have protected them as much as they can from the harshness of the universe. Other cyborgs look out for them. Many of them haven’t been on missions and any missions they do participate in are likely to be safe, devoid of death and violence.
They have retained their innocence, haven’t been forced to grow up as quickly. Many of them act more like teenagers than adults. They’ve heard about bad things happening but haven’t experienced those bad things directly.
Cadet, however, had a different upbringing. The leader of the Rebel Cyborgs has seen violence and danger and death and has experienced pain. The C Model is fully mature…in all ways, is the equal of the retrieved cyborgs…and a certain nemesis.
***
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: Story Insights | Comments Off on Cyborg Offspring And Maturity
Valentine’s Day Cards From Cyborgs And Other Warriors
My weekly update will be delayed by a day because…
Today is Valentine’s Day!
Woot!
Every year, I ask the cyborgs, the modified humanoids and the Chameles if they wish to share a Valentine’s Day poem with you.
They don’t quite understand the meaning of the holiday. (grins) But I thought you might enjoy their attempts.
Here’s one from Truth…
Truth loves his human princess.
They share a link.
For her, he’d do anything
Even wear pink.
***
Here is an…interesting one from Cadet…
The universe is huge.
The size of space is vast.
When Cadet meets Power,
She’ll kick his a$$.
***
Here are some past poems…
Roses Are Red.
Cyborgs Are Strong.
Choosing One As Your Warrior
Can Never Be Wrong.
Roses are red.
Gatekeepers are green.
Balvan is the biggest male
You have ever seen.
Roses are red.
Rulers don’t rhyme.
If you expect a poem from Kralj,
You’ll be waiting a long time.
***
(grins) Not everyone was happy with the request.
Have a wonderful day, my friends!
Know that you are much loved.
***
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: Story Insights | Comments Off on Valentine’s Day Cards From Cyborgs And Other Warriors
Containing Malice And Conflict From Within
The primary conflict in the Rebel Cyborgs series is between the Rebel Cyborgs and the Cyborg Council or, more specifically, between Cadet and Power, two extremely strong-willed beings.
Cadet feels their top priority should be rescuing the cyborgs who were left behind during the mass rebellion. She has both public and private reasons for viewing this as their number one mission.
Power is dealing with an overly crowded Homeland and millions of bored warriors (which is NEVER a good situation – grins). He has other priorities. He also has private (heart-twisting) reasons for not wanting to send crews of freed warriors to rescue their still captured and controlled brethren.
Power, although the arrogant a$$ acts otherwise, isn’t a perfect being or a perfect leader. He SHOULD have some push back on his decisions. There SHOULD be some conflict between him and others. That’s good and healthy and needed.
It does create tension within the cyborg forces, however.
There are other sources of conflict. The Humanoid Alliance, although currently in shambles, is still out there. They remain a threat to the cyborgs and they are plotting not-so-good things, bringing warriors back from the dead and working on equally horrifying projects.
But, in the Rebel Cyborgs series, the big conflict is cyborg-centric.
It will be explosive. (grins)
***
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: Story Insights | Comments Off on Containing Malice And Conflict From Within
Containing Malice And Best Friends
Friendships, I believe, give us some of the skills that allow us to make romantic relationships last. Most of the cyborgs in my stories have friends. Often these friends are their brethren, their fellow cyborgs.
Malice’s best friend is Valor.
At first glance, these two warriors seem intriguingly mismatched. Malice is a primitive, silent, angry C Model. Valor is a more socially savvy, extremely talkative, optimistic E Model.
But they work. Malice stops Valor from embracing beings he shouldn’t trust. Valor pushes Malice to have more faith in beings and to talk more, to express himself. (This ‘training’ helps Malice communicate more easily with his female.)
They truly love each other, would do anything for the other warrior. That makes me smile.
***
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
Pre-order 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: Story Insights | Comments Off on Containing Malice And Best Friends
Containing Malice And The Pandemic
Some writing buddies and I were discussing the impact the pandemic had and is having on our writing. I shared that Containing Malice was definitely influenced by the Great Pause.
I had envisioned this first story in the Rebel Cyborgs series being set in an underground laboratory years before COVID-19 happened. Underground laboratories are super cool. (grins) Of course, I would want to set a story there.
But being confined to my own home during the pandemic gave me a tiny glimpse into what Illona, Malice, Valor and Febris were dealing with. I didn’t have total freedom of movement. The outside was a bit scary, was the great unknown. I felt restricted and confined.
Having experienced that made writing this story easier in some ways. I had a taste of what they were enduring. But more difficult in other ways. It was more real for me, more emotional.
I hope you feel that emotion in this story and it adds to your enjoyment of it.
***
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
Pre-order 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: Story Insights | Comments Off on Containing Malice And The Pandemic
Containing Malice, Releasing Rage And Tone
I believe Containing Malice, my next cyborg romance release, and Releasing Rage, my first cyborg romance release, are similar in tone.
Malice, like Rage, has very little hope for the future. He has been cut off from the rest of the universe and doesn’t realize his brethren are free. He doesn’t know cyborgs have genetic matches, that the feelings he has for his enemy is due to her being his female, the one being he is meant to be with. He has no idea offspring are possible for cyborgs.
He’s angry and frustrated and he thinks the most he could ask for in life is freedom and the satisfaction of revenge against his enemies (including Illona).
Malice and Rage are, of course, different beings. Malice reacts differently from Rage to the revelations and to his growing feelings toward one of his enemies.
Containing Malice is a unique story, is in no way Releasing Rage revisited. But it DOES have the same darker tone to it. And I really like that about this story.
***
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
Pre-order 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: Story Insights | Comments Off on Containing Malice, Releasing Rage And Tone
Containing Malice And Human Baddies
A reading buddy asked me why the baddies in my stories are almost always human.
It makes sense that if a being was to manufacture a warrior, they’d create him/her in their own image. The expected image for cyborgs is human.
It was also logical, for me, that they would experiment with other species in their quest to manufacture the perfect warrior. That is why the creators of the modified humanoids (in the Dark Thoughts/Refuge series) are the same humans.
Are there bad non-humans in the universe? Of course, there are, and I hope to eventually explore these very different baddies.
But in the Rebel Cyborg series, the baddies will continue to be human.
***
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
Pre-order 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: Story Insights | Comments Off on Containing Malice And Human Baddies
Containing Malice And Enemies-To-Lovers In Cyborg/Alien Romance
Containing Malice is an enemies-to-lovers romance…using the cyborg romance/alien romance definition of it.
I have to constantly remind myself to add that last explanation because the enemies-to-lovers trope is VERY different in other romance subgenres.
In many of those other subgenres, the hate directed at the love interest is often personal. The hero or heroine hates the other person for who they are, what they’ve done or said or implied.
In cyborg and alien romance, the love interests have often decided they hated each other long before they knew the other individual(s) existed. They hate the love interest’s species or affiliation or planet of origin and they have good reason to do so.
Often the two factions have been at war. Loved ones have been killed by the other faction. There’s pain and hurt and anger and this is directed at ALL members of that faction.
The love interest is originally seen as merely a representation of his/her species or affiliation or planet of origin. They are not viewed as individuals…at first.
This is TRUE enemies-to-lovers. The love interests are on opposite sides of actual fight-to-the-death battles, staring across enemy lines.
They then find out they are more similar than different. Their ‘enemy’ has as valid a reason for fighting as they do. I love that part of a story, when they realize that hey, maybe they shouldn’t be trying to kill the other being. (grins) It is magical.
***
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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
Pre-order 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: Story Insights | Comments Off on Containing Malice And Enemies-To-Lovers In Cyborg/Alien Romance
