Saturday, September 29, 2018

The Buzz on JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD


WINNER of Preditor and Editor’s Award for Best Science Fiction
EPPIE Award Finalist for Best Fantasy/Paranormal/Science Fiction Romance
Golden Rose Award Finalist for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy

Re-Released!!!

My award-winning science fiction romance, JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD, had a bit of an unusual start. I’d always wanted to write in that genre, but at the time, I was busy with Regencies, paranormals, and mysteries. My current project was THE MAGIC TOKEN, a Regency, and I was at the library doing research. I honestly don’t remember what triggered it, but in the middle of looking for books on the English countryside, the phrase JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD popped up in my mind. I stopped what I was doing, pondered those words, and then wrote them down in my notepad. “What a cool title! I thought. The rest, as they say, is history!

After I finished THE MAGIC TOKEN, I began brainstorming, and then researching for JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD. Janus, the two-headed Roman god had to play a part in the novel and, since this was to be a science fiction, I needed a setting, preferably in the future. A clash of cultures soon followed with the heroine, Sophia, from the backwaters planet Earth butting heads with one of the leaders of the Galactic Core Coalition, JorVaal 5 Lanquist.

Seeking a cure for her ill brother, Sophia McLaren must leave Earth to journey into the unknown to Xaspaar, in the center of the Milk Way Galaxy. She finds dangerous intrigue... plus a love transcending the vast expanse of space. But can she persuade JorVaal 5 that love can be forever?

JorVaal 5 Lanquist has a galactic catastrophe on his hands¾plus a headstrong female from the despised planet Earth. Will he be able to set aside age-old prejudices and admit he’s actually feeling an ancient emotion called love?


As I previously wrote for my Author Notes on ALIEN HEAT, world-building in science fiction stories can be very difficult. And for JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD, I had some heavy duty research ahead of me. The planet Xaspaar, in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, is a distance of over 30,000 light years from Earth. With today’s technology, by the time a spaceship arrives, roughly three million years would have passed. Obviously this is not an option! To keep the science in science fiction, an author must follow the natural laws of the universe in order for the novel to be believable. So I used wormholes or black holes--tunnels in space with gravitational fields so intense that nothing can escape, not even light--as a plausible method to cut through the stellar highway. I bought two of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking’s works to help me with these concepts. Not easy reading!


Previous Ebook Cover and Print Cover


JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD was published by Awe-Struck Books (Mundania Press) and had with them for many years. I recently decided to have the rights returned to me for all my Awe-Struck books--a total of twelve. JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD is the seventh to be re-released. It’s now available on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com!


What happens when the Human leader at Milky Way’s core must deal with a headstrong female from the despised planet Earth?


*Limited* copies of the 2002 print book are available at www.susanneknight.com/orders.htm

JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD has garnered an impressive list of awards and reviews. This book won the prestigious Preditor’s and Editor’s Award for Best Science Fiction.


Also, my novel was selected as a finalist in the prestigious EPIC Awards (now EPIC eBook Award) for Best Fantasy/Paranormal/Science Fiction Romance.



In addition, JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD was a Golden Rose Award Finalist for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy, on the #1 Best-Seller list for Fictionwise.com, and earned the highest review rating from the Romantic Times Magazine.



This book is part of the prestigious Fascinating Sci-Fi line.


For those of you who like to read reviews, here they come!

4 Stars! This book is so richly detailed and multi-layered I could almost believe that Xaspaar is in the universe. There are aliens, genetically altered humans, and, of course, the Earthlings who migrated hundreds of years before, who only remember Earth with distain. This one is not to be missed.--Romantic Times Magazine

Sound interesting so far? I've only scratched the surface of this intricate and nicely detailed science fiction romance. There is also heavy political intrigue, which gives the reader a nice glimpse into the other species (fourteen) that form part of the [Galactic Core Coalition]. There are highly entertaining villains (of all shapes and sexes) that add suspense and thrills. Mention of the 'Ancients' is also fascinating, and I haven't even mentioned what the title is all about. That should be about enough to whet your appetite, but if it isn't, keep in mind that JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD is extremely well written, with good character development and excellent attention to detail, the latter most important in any science fiction novel, in my opinion. The book moves smoothly and it takes very little time before the reader becomes engrossed in the world of space travel and wormholes, unicopters and Uortzks. What are wormholes, you say? Don't wait any longer, get your copy of JANUS right away and find out for yourself!--Romance Reviews Today.

5 Stars! A Phenomenal Science Fiction Read! Science-fiction romance doesn't get any better than this. JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD has a superb opening that hooks you right in from the beginning and takes you on a fantastic voyage to an exciting new world with great characters and aliens. I had to stay up into the night to finish; it was just phenomenal, and I didn't want it to end! JANUS is just the kind of book I love to read and I hope there'll be a sequel.--Amazon.com.

JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD is a fast-paced futuristic romance that confronts questions of culture, destiny and ultimately, the nature of love itself. Knight's characters are complex and very human, but still heroic. The story has a bunch of loveable secondary characters to round it out but the meat of the romance itself is the cultural differences between JorVaal and Sam. Though both are from fully human stock, JorVaal's upbringing in a different world leads to more than a few conflicts over any future that they may have together. It is an excellent example of science fiction romance written properly -- using the cultures and possibilities of the future to full advantage.
Paranormal fans may latch onto the prophecy aspect of the story which, though, minor, was still interesting. Destiny is always a fun concept in a romance novel, and though it is at times subtle it is interesting enough to leave one with the hope that we will learn more about the Ancients in the future! JANUS is a delightful novel with enough thrills and warm moments for any reader, but those who enjoy their romance with a twist of otherworldly allure will enjoy it most of all.--ParaNormal Romance Reviews.

4 Stars! Some of the best science fiction stories explore the nature of humanity. Some of the best romances feature a couple learning to compromise. Sometimes, if we're really lucky, a book like this comes along which combines both.... Choosing to read a science fiction romance can be a risky proposition -- few authors can blend the science and the passion to produce a book that is well-rounded in both genres. I'm happy to say that Ms. Knight has indeed accomplished this feat -- the world of Xaspaar may be alien, but the emotions of the lovers are basically as human as they can be. Perhaps that is part of the charm of this tale -- to think that even after experiencing the wonders that the galaxy has to offer, it still all boils down to love!!--A Romance Review.

4 Stars! Science Fiction is provocative and expands the mind to think of the now. Susanne Marie Knight has done that with 'Janus Is A Two-Headed God'. Her premise is interesting: her characters are full of surprises. The tale itself is full of twists and turns. Plot and subplot add layers of interest. Her worlds are believable and well-thought out. Her diverse cultural mores make for realism. Such an enjoyable read deserves many kudos and mine is the belief that this is a keeper.--Sime-gen Reviews.

This is a very well done science-fiction romance book. The characters are fun and detailed, the sparks between the main characters entertaining. There is enough Sci-fi technotalk to carry the feel of the future, while the story remains on the people, just as it should be in a book like this.--PNR Reviews

It is great to have a romantic subplot to a fine science fiction plot... the book was well written and the author had some nice descriptions.--D. Winkle Reviews

Your JANUS series is wonderful! I love both books and am anxious for number 3!!--D.T.

I started JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD at my son's football practice, and I got so grossed, I couldn't stop reading. The game was over before I was ready to leave!--S.C.

JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD had an exciting new world. What a story!--D.H.

JANUS is wonderful! I didn't know what to expect and... wow! Couldn't go to bed until I finished it. Great book!--L.U.

I thought [JANUS] was just phenomenal! Thanks for writing such a fantastic book!-K.B

I stayed up into the night to finish! I loved JANUS!--C.A.

I loved JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD! Will there be a sequel?--J.P.

JANUS is just the kind of book I love to read. Well-done!--D.C.

Science-fiction romance doesn't get any better than this. All I can say is WOW!--C.K.

What a superb opening! I was hooked right from the beginning.--R.H.

I didn't want JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD to end!--K.P.

I enjoyed LORD DARVER'S MATCH. Now I can't wait to read JANUS!--C.C.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here’s a snippet from real life. As Sophia does, I used to wear a Yankees’ baseball cap as a kid. For awhile, the Bronx Bombers’ hat was rarely off my head. Sophia has another reason for wearing her cap. The first section, below, is where Sophia learns from Fredd, a genetically altered Human, that long hair is forbidden on planet Xaspaar. The second section shows how she tries to hide her long hair. The third section reveals that the jig is up!

Fredd turned back to the console. “As you wish, lass. We have fifteen of yer Terran days remaining to the trip so I suggest you study the viewer to learn the ways of Core civilization. It will go easier on you if you do.”

“Yes, thank you, Fredd. That’s a great idea.”

“You might find some of the information disagreeable. Fer example, you must cut the flowing cascade of yer rich, dark hair.”

“I must?” Sophia fingered a lock and curled it around her finger. “And why is that?” At times Fredd spoke so poetically.

“No one, male or female, wears hair below the base of the neck on Xaspaar. Long hair represents the barbarous past -- a symbol of more sensuous, less disciplined times. If you refuse to cut yer hair, once we land, you must expect confinement with other criminal violators.”

Oh great, she was a criminal now? And over what, the length of her hair? Incredible.

Fredd spread his hands. “My regrets, Sophia.”

“Don’t worry about it. Maybe I’ll just stay inside the ship.”

She furiously cleaned out the water bottle and slammed it down. Just what kind of society equated someone’s hairdo with theft or murder? Or perhaps those activities were tolerated?

“Well, it seems I have a great deal of viewing to do. See you later, Fredd.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sophia stood and smoothed down the stiff fabric of her cabin suit. She was comfortably warm, but for her neck. Newly bare, her skin produced goose bumps in the cool pressurized air.

She fingered a wisp of hair coiled by her ear. No, she hadn’t cut it, certainly not! Instead, her long, barbarous hair was neatly wound into a bun atop her head. Also, to further hide the offending tresses, she’d pulled on a Yankees’ sports cap. Maybe not très chic, but it would have to do. Imagine having a law against long hair!

Still, a law was a law, and she couldn’t stay inside the ship as she’d quipped earlier. Plus, she wouldn’t be much help to Mart from inside a GCC jail.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JorVaal pulled her away, which caused Sophia to lose her balance and stumble on the jagged rock. When the brim of her Yankees’ cap hit the stone, it flew off her head, landing at her feet.

JorVaal reached down to fetch it. “My apologies, Sophia, for this mishap. You are so slight, I miscalculated the force...”

His gaze met hers. For one long second, she was suspended in time -- lost in his magnetic presence.

JorVaal’s brows then lowered, meeting at the bridge of his hawk sharp nose. Extreme displeasure radiated from him.

She dusted the seat of her pants. Why was he annoyed? She was the one who fell. Shaking her head, she stopped short. A long tendril of hair had escaped from her makeshift bun.

Oh, good heavens! He knows. I hope this doesn’t mean I have to cut my hair.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, soon to be re-released is JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON--taking place six years later and follows a different couple, Blade and Christopher--however Sophia and JorVaal do play a role.

I hope you enjoy Sophia and JorVaal’s story.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

The Buzz on AN ALIEN PARADISE


AN ALIEN PARADISE: NEW PRICE!! $3.99. Now available in print! $10.99.

My newest science fiction romance, AN ALIEN PARADISE, has a unique history in that this book is the only one of my novels that first started out with another title. XANADU FOR ALIENS was my first pick.

Here is a blurb from one of my press releases:

What if UFO reports are true? What if extraterrestrials are not only here, but they’ve been visiting Earth for countless millennia? XANADU FOR ALIENS, my newest science fiction romance novel, explores the possibility of alien sightseers to our planet. But there's no need to be concerned; these tourists are harmless.

Or are they?



What if there was a travel agency that catered to extraterrestrial lifeforms?


XANADU FOR ALIENS is still available at Smashwords.com.

The cover (above) even won an internet award. So you’re probably wondering why I changed the title to AN ALIEN PARADISE. Simple. Reader input. When I first conceived of the idea for this novel, I wanted the title to begin with the letter X. Why was this? Because I have book titles for all the letters in the alphabet except X. And Xanadu fit my purpose for the story. Historically, Xanadu was the summer capital of Chinese conqueror Kublai Khan. Marco Polo’s description of Xanadu inspired British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s famous work, “Kubla Khan” in which the city was identified as a pleasure dome.

In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure dome decree: ...



That was exactly what I was looking for: Earth as a pleasure dome or playground for alien tourists. Some readers, however, took issue with the word Xanadu, linking it to the movie and the song of the same title. As for why that’s a negative, who knows? So alas, I changed the book title to AN ALIEN PARADISE. Same meaning, but without the baggage.

PARADISE LOST--Teacher Petra Richardson receives a mysterious summer job offer. If she tutors a young boy, Traynor, all her expenses will be paid during her stay in the Galápagos Islands. Although she has misgivings, she agrees. Her new employer is the Taurus City Travel Agency, run by Traynor’s hunky Uncle Kelvin, whom she’d met and fantasized about when she was a teen. While romance simmers between Petra and Kelvin, there’s also danger. Who sabotaged their kayak? What happened to Traynor’s poomba? Why do some travel clients seem to flicker? Just what is going on at this sleepy outpost in the South Pacific?

PARADISE FOUND--Kelvin Lacertus has a full plate. CEO of the Taurus City Travel Agency, he oversees alien and extraterrestrial Human tourists to Planet Terra. He’s handling the most important diplomatic conference in the galaxy. And he’s babysitting his nephew, Traynor. Kelvin arranges for a tutor, little Petra, whom he remembers from his Grand Tour of Terra years ago. She’d impressed him then. The grown-up version is even more irresistible. How can he protect his Petra when a terrorist group targets all Lacertus family members including his would-be bride?

As for changing the cover, I decided a new title deserves a new cover. Here it is below:



Science teacher Petra Richardson receives the shock of her life when she learns her new employer is a travel agency that caters to extraterrestrial lifeforms.

Amazon.com ebook. Amazon.com print

AN ALIEN PARADISE is available at Amazon.com and, as XANADU FOR ALIENS at Smashwords.com, in addition to other internet locations. It’s earned a 5 star review from Norwood Reviews: “Aliens on Earth? A travel agency for extraterrestrials? A Human male from Tau Ceti 3 falling in love with an Earth female? [AN ALIEN PARADISE] delivers all this and more! Ms. Knight gives us a very plausible scenario of galactic intrigue and a wonderful variety of characters. Fall in love with this fast-paced science fiction romance. This novel is definitely a keeper!”

Here are some of the Taurus City Travel Agency’s staff:



This book is part of the Fascinating Sci-Fi line.



Now for the snippet from real life. Our heroine, Petra Richardson, attended the same junior high that I did. That’s not really a surprise, is it? “Write what you know” is a well-known rule of writing. So some of young Petra’s experiences were my experiences. I’m certainly not the only one who had less than happy times in junior high or middle school (!) but when I came across a nonfiction book on my school written by a student, I did a double take. It was from her account that Petra refers to “Hell on Earth” or rather “J.H.S. is almost like an earthly version of hell.” Fortunately, as time passed, my feelings for junior high improved enormously!

Petra looked around at the putrid color of enamel paint covering the hallways. She’d read somewhere that junior high school could be considered a version of Hell on Earth. She agreed. Not as a teacher but as a former inmate of these very same two-tone green walls.
This school in the New York City borough of the Bronx was technically a middle school--grades six through eight--but it had been once a junior high, before junior highs had fallen out of favor. Her first few months as a new recruit, a new seventh grader, had been hellish. To walk through these corridors had meant she took her life into her hands. She never knew if she would pass through unscathed. Or get beaten up. It had been a role of the dice.
Thankfully, way back when, after Christmas break, the eighth and ninth grade students had tired of dishing out torture. For her, at any rate. After that, she’d come to tolerate this school....
Eventually, later, as a teacher, she’d grown to love this weathered old building.

___________________________________________________________

I hope you enjoy Petra and Kelvin’s unusual love story!

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Monday, September 3, 2018

The Buzz on A DELICATE CONDITION


One of the things that keeps writing fun is to come up with fresh angles for your storylines. As many of you know, I enjoy writing Regencies--classic and time-travel. To date I have seven novels, including A DELICATE CONDITION, and one short story in the Time-Travel Regency genre.

I’ve time-traveled with electrical storms, wishes made under a magic moon at Stonehenge, a mystic’s incantation, an actual time machine, magic Christmas cards, an enchanted questing box, and a love potion. My dilemma now was to think of a “different” way for my heroine to return to the past.


What to do? What to do? Hmmn. I decided to combine magnetic hematite stones with an ancient Tibetan rite of spinning in a clockwise direction to create a kind of magnetic vortex that then sent the spinner through time. Clockwise was thrust into the future, and counter clockwise went back to the past.

What is cool about this method is that there is the possibility of returning to the present time, should Dessa, our heroine, wish it.

LONGING FOR A FAMILY: Odessa (Dessa) Franklin is all alone in the world. She’s suddenly contacted by her long lost great aunt, Verna, who supposedly died nearly eighty years ago. But Verna has a hidden agenda and Dessa has a curiosity that rivals a cat’s. Using Verna’s mysterious magnetic stones, she soon finds herself in a house full of relatives... back in the nineteenth century!

TOO MUCH FAMILY: Michael De Lyndley, the Marquess of Hampton and a gentleman astronomer, prefers studying the stars than having family members roam about his manor house. His house is in mourning however and overflowing with family. Just when he thinks his relations will leave him in peace, a new one appears... unexpectedly, wearing the most peculiar apparel. The woman purports to be his late brother’s widow and claims to be with child; at least the letter that precedes her states this information. Fighting his attraction to his new sister-in-law, Michael struggles to learn the truth about the lovely and enigmatic Odessa.


Dessa’s wish to be part of a family takes a strange turn when she suddenly finds herself back in time in the home of her ancestor, the Marquess of Hampton.

Print Book: Amazon.com

A DELICATE CONDITION is available at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com, in addition to other internet locations. It’s has earned multiple 5 star reviews at Amazon.com and Goodreads and is quickly becoming a reader favorite! Hooray!

This book is part of the prestigious Elegant Regencies line.



Here are some fabulous reviews:

5 Stars! A wonderful story! My admiration of the work from Susanne Marie Knight continues. A Delicate Condition is a wonderful story about time travel and life back to the Nineteenth century. A story where Dessa finds her way back to be with her ancestors with the help of her great Aunt and some magnetic stones. A brilliant story was put together and how life was in regency England with a romantic twist. This is highly recommended, a fascinating story from a brilliant author.--M.D.Radford, Amazon Reviews.

5 Stars! Genealogy, time-travel, and Regency England... oh my! You’re in for a treat with this new romance, A DELICATE CONDITION. As we mentioned before, Susanne Marie Knight has been described as a formidable talent, a rare gem, and a talented, versatile author. Indeed! Excitement builds for the reader as the connection between Odessa and the De Lyndley family is revealed!--Regency Fiction World

5 Stars! It’s a fine mess Dessa Franklin has gotten herself into! By indulging her curiosity, she ends up back in time, stranded with her ancestors! What’s a girl to do? A DELICATE CONDITION is a very entertaining and plausible tale of a modern young woman’s plight as she tries to navigate the complex world of Regency England.--Twists on Romance.

Been waiting and waiting for Susanne’s next time-travel Regency. A DELICATE CONDITION is worth the wait. I love it!!--A.K. Reviews

Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed A DELICATE CONDITION!--S.G. Reviews

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here’s a tidbit from real life. Like Dessa, I have an interest in Genealogy. A while back, I took a break from writing to research my ancestors, which then gave me lots of material to use in A DELICATE CONDITION. As it happens, I also have relatives with the name Tomer, as a middle and last name, as does our hero, Michael Tomer De Lindley. And “Emaline” is also featured in my line, too! 

The passages below recounts Michael’s first meeting with a woman (Dessa) whom he believes is impersonating his dead brother’s wife.

Michael waited until they were alone again before he verbally attacked this piece of baggage. “Young woman, I demand you desist this preposterous deception. You cannot possibly be my brother’s widow. Odell would never have married. Especially not a fair coquette from the Colonies. For you to intrude upon us, in our grief, not only for Odell, but for my father...”

Once again, he fisted his hands in anger. “This is unconscionable. If you expect the De Lyndley family to bankroll your expenses--”

“De Lyndley?” The woman set her teacup in its saucer with a ringing thud. “Omigosh. The painting in Great Aunt Verna’s room. Can this be possible?” She blinked her doe brown eyes at him. “I, um, I think I know what happened, Lord Hampton. What is... what is the year?”

What an extraordinary question. “Year seventeen.”

Her mouth opened slightly. “Seventeen? You mean, 1817?”

“Of course.” He waited but she didn’t continue, so he lifted a skeptical eyebrow. “Well? Speak. I cannot wait to hear your improbable Banbury-story.”

The woman’s plump lips thinned. “You’re assuming I’ll be untruthful, hmmn?”

She folded her hands in her lap, and he noticed she did not have a gold ring around her third finger.

“We have not been properly introduced, sir. You mentioned your title, but you are...?”

“Who else would I be but Odell’s oldest brother?”

She raised her own eyebrow. “And that is...?” She tapped her strangely clad foot on the floor.

He flared his nostrils. “The Marquess of Hampton, Michael Tomer De Lyndley.”

“Tomer.” She shook her head, which sent her tail of hair swishing back and forth. “No way. That is so eerie. A family name, isn’t it? Yes, I definitely know what happened.” She gave a long stare at those polished stones.

He watched her warily. How would she have known Tomer was a family name? “True, my mother’s maiden name is Tomer. She insisted all her sons have Tomer as a middle name. Lady Emaline can be strong-willed at times.”

“Emaline?” The woman then grinned. “Another family name. That’s perfect.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoy this genealogy-based Regency time-travel romance!

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!