Hey all!

It’s been awhile… but I have something super special for you today. Recently, I read a fun sci-fi novel called Paradise 21, written by no stranger to the bloggy univese, Aubrie Dionne. If you’re a frequent reader of epub fantasy, sci-fi, or magical realism, you’ve probably come across her name more than once. At the end of this post, I’ll tell you a little more about her newest release with Entangled Publishing, and where you can go to get a copy!

She was generous enough to grant me a little interview on her blog tour, so without further ado, let’s get to it!

Thanks for stopping by today, Aubrie! Your previous books & short stories have been primarily fantasy-based tales (Nebula’s Music aside…). What made you decide to venture into the realm of novel-length science-fiction? 

This is a great question!

I love science fiction as well! I grew up watching Star Wars and Star Trek, and that’s also a big part of my childhood. To ignore it would be like ignoring an essential part of myself! Fantasy was the easier path for me at first, but as my writing grew, I tried my hand at sci fi romance!

I’m glad you did! We need more female authors representing in the genre, which is a bit of a peculiarity since science-fiction is well-known for its portrayal of strong, capable female characters–particularly when compared to women in fantasy books and films. Did you have this in mind when creating your main character Aries, or was she a natural development of the storytelling?

I always have strong female characters in my writing! I have no idea why. They just jump off the page at me. Being a girly girl who liked My Little Ponies, pink dresses, and Rainbow Brite, I’m not good at writing tough as nails men characters. I always have to work on beefing up my men characters in every manuscript. Maybe that’s why?

Ahh, My Little Ponies… I think I still have a few of those around somewhere. *Ahem* Somewhere. Er, moving on… give us a little insight into the inspiration for your desert planet! And by extension, would you rather be stranded on Sahara 354 or an ice planet like Hoth from Star Wars?

Well, funny you should say that, because the second book in the series is an ice planet like Hoth! Living in NH, I feel like I already live on Hoth, so a desert planet would be much nicer for me.

My desert planet was definitely inspired by Tatooine in Star Wars. I watched Episodes IV, V, and VI so many times that I think I absorbed Star Wars into my DNA! Since Star Wars, there have been many more cool sci fi desert planets: Pitch Black, Stargate, and Mad Max (but I think that’s just as old as Star Wars, right?).

Okay, if Aries has to crawl inside a Tauntaun-like creature for warmth… I’m going to have a serious nerdgirl freakout. In a good way!

As for the publishing side of things… inquiring minds want to know what it’s been like working with Entangled Publishing!

Entangled is fantastic. The editing has really pushed me to a higher level. Never have I edited so much at such a deeper level. And I love having a publicist. I feel as though I’m not alone. I need to thank my agent, Dawn Dowdle for introducing me to Entangled in the first place. Thank you, Dawn!

That’s definitely great to hear, and very encouraging. But let’s get to the serious question: Writing beverage of choice?

Coffee! Lots of it!

And finally, what are you reading right now?

I just finished a sci fi book called The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen. Very good!

Thanks for having me here today, Faith!

So, now that you know a little more about Aubrie… here’s some more about her book!

Paradise 21: Book 1 of A New Dawn
by Aubrie Dionne
Sci-Fi Romance
Release Date: August 2011

Watch the Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8vCni_TZUA

Synopsis:

Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t be reached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries-long voyage.

But Aries has other plans.

When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price.

The life of the man she loves.

My Thoughts:

I’ll make this quick, since this is a fairly long post to begin with… but if you’re looking for some exciting, action-packed sci-fi, combined with sweet romance and intriguing characters… this is your book! I’ll admit, it took me about 30 pages to get into the story, but once I kept reading, I realized I really wanted to know what happened to these characters, and why Aries was willing to go to such lengths to avoid this arranged marriage.

To that end, I read it in one sitting. I’m also very interested to see where the next book takes us… whether it’s with these characters or others, I know it’ll be on my reading list.

About the Author

Aubrie is an author and flutist in New England. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, A Fly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skulls and Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers, by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by Nightbird Publishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications, A Yuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications. Her epic fantasy is published with Wyvern Publications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras and teaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school.

http://www.authoraubrie.com
http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com