Most authors tend to write in one genre—contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, mystery, suspense, science fiction, etc. Some writers produce books in more than one. For example, Jayne Ann Krentz writes contemporary romantic suspense (under her own name), historical romantic suspense (as Amanda Quick), and science fiction romantic suspense (as Jayne Castle). Although she uses different pseudonyms for each time period, one sub-genre remains the same—romantic suspense.
I write adventure and romance whether it’s here on Earth (One Red Shoe) or in space (Switched and Outer Rim series). I love reading a multitude of genres, but my favorites are romantic suspense and science fiction romance. My love of romantic suspense started with books by Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, and Daphne DuMaurier. Even more so, the books of Mary Stewart, who recently passed away. I really liked that Stewart’s heroines didn’t wait for the hero to save her. Very unusual for stories published in the 1950s and 1960s.
Fast forward to the 1990s when I started writing. I wrote what I liked to read. Like many newbies, I tried to write like published authors. It took a while before I found my “voice” and even longer before I honed in on what I did best—romantic suspense. I want readers to wonder (and try to figure out) who the bad guy is.
So why do I write science fiction romance? Because I love the possibilities of the future. I believe eventually we’ll make first contact—whether aliens come here or we go out there. A line from the movie Contact really struck a chord with me. “The universe is a pretty big place. It’s bigger than anything anyone has ever dreamed of before. So if it’s just us… seems like an awful waste of space.”
When America put Alan Shepard into space, when John Glenn orbited Earth, when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, I was mesmerized by space travel. When Star Wars came out, I was hooked. Action, adventure, and romance. Wow. Just like Star Trek, people from all races and species worked together in harmony. Bad guys could be any species. And it was fun. That’s what I want to convey in my science fiction romances.
Do I believe there really are other sentient beings out there? Absolutely. Someday we’ll be advanced enough to interact with them. Would I like to go into space? Absolutely. Until then, I’ll write about people who do—like Jileena and Laning in my newest sci-fi romance, The Chameleon.
What do you think? Would you want to go into space?
The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel: Book 2)
Blurb:
Legally Blond meets Mata Hari
Socialite Jileena Winslott has perfected the image of the spoiled, rich, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In reality, she’s a smart, savvy aide to her father in social situations where she is his eyes and ears. She yearns to be her true self and run the family business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she has the chance to prove herself. Big problem. He insists she take along a fake fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.
Security Officer Laning Servary has better things to do than babysit a spoiled rich girl on a tour of the Frontier. If he refuses, he can kiss his career good-by. Then Jileena’s father sweetens the pot. If Laning keeps her safe, his family will receive the land they share-crop. He can’t refuse.
In the close quarters of her ship, Laning and Jileena discover they aren’t who they seem. Pirates, weather, and her recklessness threaten to derail the mission. As Laning and Jileena revise their impressions of each other, they’ll have to make hard choices about their goals. Can their budding love survive?
Excerpt from The Chameleon:
“Commander Servary, your assignment is to escort Baby Winslott on a sightseeing tour of the Outer Rim.”
Security Officer Laning Servary clenched his teeth so hard his jaw ached. By the Matriarch’s left tit, that was why he’d been recalled from the Rim to Coalition HQ? To be a glorified tour guide? A babysitter? He thanked the Exalted One that he was standing, his feet wide apart with his hands clasped behind his back. Otherwise, he might have wrapped them around Chief Vanutial’s neck and throttled him.
“Baby, sir?” Laning knew full well who Baby was. He’d met her Royal Pain-in-the-Ass at a social function last year.
“Chief Representative Winslott’s daughter wants to visit the Frontier. Her father insists you protect her.” The man’s eyes narrowed. “She has some damn fool notion about having an adventure. Apparently, those damn fool pioneers have been filling her head with damn fool ideas.”
“But, sir, I have an assignment—”
“Servary, your assignment is what I say it is,” Vanutial boomed, shattering the air in the spacious office much the same as his Volpian Cruiser did when shooting through the atmosphere.
Laning cleared his throat and snapped to attention. “Yes, sir.”
“At ease, Commander, at ease. By Lexol’s Fire, I need you out there patrolling Malcor Sector for smugglers and other miscreants. And keeping that gangster Hallart out of your sector. Not escorting some spoiled rich girl who wants a damn fool adventure.” Chief Vanutia’s voice rose.
Although he agreed, Laning knew enough to keep his mouth shut.
“Winslott insisted on you specifically. Although I don’t know why after that fiasco with President—ex-President—Filana’s son. I still can’t believe she was in Hallart’s pocket. The Divine One only knows how far his influence extends.” Chief Vanutial blew out a breath. “Never mind that. Screw this up, Servary, and your next assignment won’t be a cushy sightseeing tour. You’ll be swabbing decks on a garbage scow.”
The Chameleon is available at:
Amazon | Smashwords | Kobo | Barnes & Noble
About the Author:
Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides the science fiction romance Switched and Outer Rim series, she is the author of One Red Shoe, a romantic suspense. She is also a contributor to the anthology How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in Michigan. They have two children and two grandchildren.
For more info and excerpts from her books, visit Diane’s website: http://www.dianeburton.com
Connect with Diane Burton online:
Blog: http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dmburton72
Facebook: http://facebook.com/dianeburtonauthor
Goodreads: Diane Burton Author
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dmburton72/
Books by Diane Burton:
Switched
Switched, Too
Switched Resolution
The Pilot: An Outer Rim Novel
The Chameleon: An Outer Rim Novel
One Red Shoe
How I Met My Husband (contributor)
Filed under: My Guests Tagged: Adventure, diane burton, Outer Rim series, sci-fi romance, Science Fiction Romance, SFR, space, starships, The Chameleon
