I’m thrilled to welcome back Susan Kearney to the jungle. Sue and I have been friends for many years–more than 18, I think. We started off as aspiring writers many moons ago, meeting once a week at her kitchen table in our critique group, trying to figure out how to make a go of this writing business. At the time, I was working on a historical romance and she was working on a futuristic…this was back in the very early nineties. Now, all these years later, we’ve both been published by several publishers, we’ve both made it onto bestseller lists, we’ve done two projects together (Essence of Midnight novella collection and the Double the Pleasure/Double the Thrill dual Blazes)…and we’re still friends. I’m very excited to host her in the jungle today to talk about her new book…and to give away the first book in her Pendragon series…please give a warm jungle welcome to SUSAN KEARNEY
I have done a lot of crazy things in my life. I used to set myself on fire four times a day. (Check my website if you want the full story) I once called the FBI to find out how to blow up a building. That was pre 9-11 for a romantic suspense book. I’ve written in many genres, contemporary, romantic suspense, historical, paranormal, science fiction and futuristic. And Julie Leto has been my critique partner for over 18 years—thanks for inviting me here, Julie.
Futuristic romance is by far my favorite genre. Wait—don’t go away yet. Sometimes I write books set far into the future but my current series is set in the near future. And it’s tied into Arthurian Legend. Why? Because King Arthur’s last name was Pendragon and it means master of dragons. And I wanted to write about shapeshifting dragons. Big, powerful, sexy dragons. Oh—yes, did I mention the first book in the series is LUCAN and that the dragon is the High Priestess of Avalon?
LUCAN and RION both start on Earth but are set mostly on other worlds. Now don’t flee. Don’t roll your eyes and say this sounds weird. Please, vampires and werewolves—are they not weird? But today in the mall I saw shoelaces with the words vampire and werewolves written on them. But I digress. I love to create worlds to show the reader what my characters can do when I throw them into new situations. Because my stories are about the romance. About how men and women fall in love. Besides what kind of hero wouldn’t want a sexy dragonshaper as his lover?
My current book RION is the second book in the Pendragon Legacy Series. However, while book one, LUCAN, is still in print, if you’d rather read about a hero who just happens to be a King—then feel free to start with RION. You won’t be lost because I wrote each book to stand alone.
Now I don’t use a lot of high tech. That’s not the point of these books. Romance is front and center. RION is about a King who needs to save his people from slavery. And Marisa, a telepath from Earth has the means to help. Only she’s reluctant to send her atoms across space. She’s smart, this woman. But Rion is determined to win her help and if she won’t agree—he’s not above breaking a few laws to save his people.
Both LUCAN and RION have gotten 4 ½ star reviews from Romantic Times. But, I hear you thinking, you’ve never read this kind of story—a futuristic romance. Lucky for you, I have free excerpts on my web site. www.susankearney.com
And lucky for me, lots of readers fall in love with Lucan and Rion once they read about them. Sheesh, just looking at these hot guys on the covers has given me lots of . . . well we won’t go there. That would be too much information. 
Seriously, if you want a hot romance that’s a little different, one with men and women who can shift into dragons, with heroes and heroines who are smart and sexy please give the genre a try. You might fall in love with a whole new universe.
And to get you started, I’m going to give away a copy of the first book in the Pendragon series to someone who comments about something sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal or just “out there” that they loved–a book, a movie, a television show, anything! And if you’ve never tried one that you liked, but you still want a chance to win a copy, just say that, too!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold nearly thirty books to three publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, spoiled dachshund, enormous guinea pig and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
ANOTHER WILD WEDDING NIGHT
Hard to Hold
Love Me If You Dare
Wild For Him
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Nope. Still here. Didn’t run. :SmallSanta:
I don’t mind books set in the future (JD Robb, anyone?) and especially books with dragons. (Did you catch my screen name?)
So I will add these to the ever growing, never shrinking, tbr list. :santabag:
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Thanks Ev! I have my own TBR pile and it’s flowing from my shelves to my desk and cascading over the floor.
SueK.
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I didn’t think I’d like futuristics and, to be honest, shapeshifting dragons seemed a little “out there.” That was before I read LUCAN. Now I find myself talking about dragon babies, passionate mid-flight encounters and recommending this series to all my friends.
Please don’t include me in the giveaway. I already have both books.
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PJ,
So you get three dancing banannas!
I was looking for a huge smooch icon but couldn’t find one
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Welcome to the jungle, Susan! Your books sound wonderful and I’m adding them to my TBB list right now. My current favorite sci-fi series on TV is V. I love the original from years ago and decided to give this one a shot. Glad I did since it is one of my must see shows now.
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Liza,
I have V on my recorder and am trying to find time to watch it. My daughter is getting married soon and planning a wedding is fun but cutting down on my TV time. But if 50 million viewers watched V and since they are extending it to a show, then maybe futuristics will finally become more popular.
SueK.
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The only futuristic books that I have read are J.D. Robb. However, I do absolutely love shape shifting dragons!!! Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dragonswan comes to mind. I would love to try your books and they are going on my TBB list right now!!!
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Thanks, Kara. Please let me know how you like the books. This list is awesome. But then I expected no less since Julie has great taste in her friends.
SueK.
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Welcome to the jungle…not really a fan of sci-fi (anything non-contemporary, not really a fan). I did REALLY enjoy the movie “Star Trek” and the whole “Star Wars” series (probably the latter because my middle guy was totally into it). Does that count?
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Oh Katie,
I wrote a Star Trek book with a friend of mine called Battle of Betazed. You might still find a used copy somewhere. But if you like Star Trek, I’d be shocked if you didn’t like futuristics. If you don’t try one of my books, try Linnea Sinclair–she’s excellent too.
SueK.
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Neat question! I remember loving the movie “Blade Runner,” with hero Harrison Ford chasing down four “human robots,” called replicants. There are some neat twists in the movie. My favorite was the humanity showed by some of the replicants to humans.
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GSM,
Moral and ethical dilemmas–besides hot love stories–are my favorite parts of my books. In LUCAN, both the hero and the heroine want the Holy Grail for its healing properties. The heroine –a doctor–wants it to save her dying nephew. The hero needs it to save the future of mankind. Only one of them can have the Grail for their world. Sets up a huge conflict.
And in Rion, he’s a king of his people who is desperate to save them from slavery. But to save everyone, he kidnaps the heroine. Another moral dilemma.
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Don’t enter me in the contest, since I already own this delightful book. Just wanted to support Susan and give a thumbs up to futuristics and Science fiction Romance. For those on the fence about SFR, check out http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net for a humongous blog event starting Sunday with lots of giveaways!
Karin Shah
STARJACKED
In print now from Samhain Publishing
An undercover agent, a beautiful space pirate, with the fate of the galaxy at risk, love may not be enough…
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Thanks Karin
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:bigxmas: to everyone!
Susan, it is so sweet to find people who share such a great friendship together. May your friendship last for many more years.
I was introduced to the futuristic genre by Angela Knight. I am hooked. Now your teasing me with hot men that can shapeshift into dragons(my favorite) and set in the future. Just to tempting! I will get this series!!! Congrats on all your hard work and your hot and sexy covers. Delicious!
Have a great day everyone,
Talina :bigtree:
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Talina,
So glad you like Angela Knight. I love her too. As a matter of fact, I was an editor of Secrets way back when and I bought Angela’s first story. i couldn’t be more proud of her success. And thanks for trying my books.
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I have always been a fan of Star Trek!
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Philomena D,
I grew up sneaking into my parents’ bedroom to watch Star Trek while they watched it downstairs. :) The show was on late. I went to Dragoncon in Atlanta this year and heard Leonard Nimoy speak. Shatner was there too. While writing a Trek book was something I always wanted to do, I really like making up my own characters better. But Star trek was got me into futuristics. I want my love story in there too.
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I have not read any futurustic books and I don’t watch a lot of Sci-Fi unless you count Star Wars. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not opened to possibilities.
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Carol,
Well, to be honest you may not like the books. Then again many of my former Harlequin Intrigue and Blaze readers only tried my futuristics because they liked my other books. many of them get into the futuristics. Some didn’t. But I always appreciated people willing to try a new genre. Let’s face it books are expensive and the economy isn’t so hot with so many people out of work. So I appreciate people who are willing to try something outside their comfort zone. And I’m always eager to hear what they think. So if you try Lucan or Rion, please write and let me know what you think. My email is on my website.
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Welcome to the Jungle, Susan
I must admit I don’t read a lot of paranormals, sci-fi, fantasy books. But after reading the excerpts, I’m sold! Please put my name in the hat.
Cher :decor:
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Thanks, Cher.
There are new worlds out there waiting for you to discover them :SmallSanta:
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:santalights: I have been a fan of the Stargate series.. the newest one is interesting, you never know what they are going to face next!
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I love Stargate Universe. Especially the bridge with the cool solar clouds. But my favorite part is when the characters end up in different bodies and wake up in strange places. Or with strange partners!!!!
SueK.
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Hello Susan!
I have your books on my wish list! 
You are a girl after my own heart. I love sci-fi, paranormal and all that stuff. I am a true science geek. 
that’s me.
I love Star Trek, Star Wars and all things that fall into the “Star” category. I even had to bust my butt out to get the “Farscape Series” that just came back out on video. It’s an older series where the orginal DVD’s sell for over $300 on ebay. YICKS!
I was into the vampire books long before they became their own genre. I remember bookstore owners looking at me like I was nuts when I asked them to find me more of them about 10 years ago.
Writers like you, Kenyon, Harrison and Harris have opened up the world to what was once considered creepy and weird. So…THANK YOU!!
And I don’t know what it’s like where everyone else lives but… :meepcold:
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Well, it’s very warm in Florida. However storms are coming in and we are expecting to get his with lots of rain. I started out trying to sell futuristics years ago. But no one was buying. The market is finally opening up but the publishers still consider it small potatoes. :)However as word gets out, I think lots of Star Trek, Star Wars, Starship Galactica people etc. will find the books–at least I hope so.
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You’re new to me Susan! I enjoy Sci-fi paranormal books. I like Gena Showalter’s Alien series. :)
I’d be interested in reading your series. However, my TBR pile is massive.
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Jessica,
So many good books to read–so little time. I totally understand and yet, I keep hoping you’ll add me to your massive pile But thanks for trying.:applause:
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Susan, I have THE CHALLENGE, THE DARE and THE ULTIMATUM on my keeper shelf! I love them. I’ve had the new series on my TBB list forever and just haven’t ordered them yet. The fact I have close to 75 books on my TBR pile might have something to do with it. But…but…DRAGONS says my inner reader, squeeing like a fangirl.
I love near future, far future, and “past” future. I have a MS out on submission that seems to be set in the future but is actually set in “Earth’s” past.
Thanks so much for your insight and visiting the jungle today! Baby, it’s cold outside! :snowguy:
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While I’d much prefer you read my new series, I have to tell you that THE QUEST was the last book in that series. Remember Kirek? He was a baby born in hyperspace in The Challenge. He was a 4 year old Oracle in THE DARE. In the Ultimatum he was a sex a slave? Well in the Quest he gets his own story.
However I am partial to my dragons right now . . . .
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*sigh* One more book to add to the list. Good thing I’ve asked for gift cards from Borders and B&N for Christmas!
:reindeer: :lights:
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LOL!
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Welcome, Susan!
I loved LUCAN – it’s on my keeper shelf, so no contest entry for me. I am impatiently waiting for Borders to deliver RION and noticed on your site that JORDAN is due out 2/23/10 (already on my list). How many books are going to be in the Pendragon series?
I must admit I am partial to dragons – maybe because I was born in the Year of the Drayon.
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Thanks Mary,
So glad you liked the books. Actually Jordan might be my all time favorite. :*&#!:
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I’m always looking for new series to read, sounds good!
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Thanks Teresa,
I love writing series but I do start from scratch with each book so a new reader won’t feel lost if they start anywhere in the series.
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Thanks so much for being here, Sue! We’re so glad to have you!
I have always loved the Arthurian legends and was really excited when I heard about the premise of your books.
PS: I LOVE the cover of Jordan!
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Thanks Leslie–Isn’t he yummy? I wrote the book with a dark eyed hero but when i saw that cover I went back in and changed my heroes eyes to match! No way was i going to ask for one change on his delicious face. :)
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HI Susan,
I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed your books over the years.
I look forward to reading
I don’t know how you paranormal sci-fi writers come up with such cool names for characters.
Paranormals and Sci-fi stories are such a great way to escape.
I loved JJ Abrams Star Trek. My family has been wearing out the DVD since it came out.
I am also looking forward to seeing James Cameron’s Avatar that comes out soon. :bigtree:
I can’t wait to read the books in the Pendragon Legacy. :ccane:
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Thanks Gigi. I think most Star trek fans like my books. It’s that sense of discovery and fun that comes with imagination of what if? Anyway that’s why I like to write them. Takes me out of this world.
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The guy on the cover of Lucan looks like Keanu Reeves – yum! Love all things sci-fi. Currently loving Fringe and can’t wait for Avatar!
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Me too. I’m dying to see Avatar. I’d love to write a screen play for a SF movie. But I live on the wrong side of the country.
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I love it when I find out about awesome books before Christmas break (I work in the schools). And I love fantasy, so bring it on!
Anita Blake is one of my favorite paranormals. And I loved Moonlight, and was heartbroken when they canceled it (stupid TV execs). Dragons, however, are huge, powerful, absolutely gorgeous, and ancient. What’s not to love? :wreath: (Sorry, had to use this icon)
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Hey Gillian,
We need a dragon icon around here. :) maybe I could talk the Plot Monkeys into some paranormal icons? And yeah, I found dragons very sexy too.
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I wanted to thank all the Plot Monkeys again for having me over to their blog. It was a blast.
Best,
Susan Kearney
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Hi, Susan! I go a long ways back with sci fi! I don’t think I meant to necessarily, but my brother was a hard core Trekkie as a kid, so the whole family ended up watching original Star Trek episodes. And I got drafted to read him bedtime stories, for which he’d often choose novelizations… *sigh* Anyway, I read a ton of sci fi in my earlier days, but sort of drifted from it in favor of romance until recently–when I discovered that sci fi and romance sometimes coexist! What a lovely discovery! Congrats on your Pendragon Legacy series–it sounds like the best of both worlds!
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SF was my first love. Then I found romance. So now I get to write two of my favorite subjects. :)
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One of my favorite shows is SUPERNATURAL.
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I started watching Supernatural and liked it but then lost track of the show. Not sure when . . .I’ll have to look for it again. So many good shows a=out there.
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I haven’t read any of this series yet but I have read your other books and loved them. I have these on my list can’t wait to read them.
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Thanks Sherry. I just got good news that RION is selling well. So readers are finding the book. More than I could do. I got lost in Borders today. Couldn’t find the entire rack of books but finally bumped into it in the middle of the store.
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Hi Susan :)
Thank you for sharing here today.
My favorite fantasy series right now is A Song Of Fire & Ice by George R.R. Martin because his characters are so real & I never know what they are going to do, nor can I guess where the story is going. Surprised galore. Some extremely unpleasant but true to the books.
:)
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
PS – Are you on Twitter? I searched but could not find you.
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Nope not on twitter. I haven’t learned how to do it yet. I’m on Facebook and My Space but don’t post often. If I kept up with all these links I wouldn’t have enough time to write.
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I have been looking at these and coveting them, trying to hold off until the end of NaNoWriMo before buying anything new. Now, 52,008 words later – I am ready to read! I don’t own Susan’s Pendragon books, but seriously want to!
Sci/Fi Fantasy is my favorite reading so I am a serious fan of many authors. One of my favs got to see her characters made into a TV series (22 episodes) and although they didn’t quite look the way she described, the cast was fantastic together. Tanya Huff’s “Blood Books” were made into “Blood Ties”. Vampire, Henry Fitzroy, 450 year old bastard son of Henry VIII in modern day Toronto, becomes a partner to Private Detective, Vicky Nelson. Add in her former Police partner Mike Celluci… Well, it was wonderful while it lasted.
Would you ever want to see your characters on the small screen? Or the Big Screen?
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Congrats on the high word count. That’s an excellent amount of words in a week. And I’d be happy with the little or the big screen.
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I just rented the new Star Trek movie and I really enjoyed it. So sometimes I enjoy some sci/fi books and movies. My husband stays on the sci/fi channel and it kind of grows on you.
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I grew up watching The Outer Limits and Superman TV shows.
Loved Christopher Reeves as Superman in the movie version.
Favorite fantasy books Tolkien -Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. CS Lewis and his Narnia series and Richard Adam’s book Watership Down.
CL Wilson, Jayne Castle’s flower series Zinnia etc, Nora Robert’s Time and Again.
All of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s books. Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series and Lori Handeland’s Moon series.
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Jayne Castle’s series is one of my favs. she has a great sense of humor.
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I’ve always loved anything scfi. My favorite show of all time is the Twilight Zone. I think they are still meaningful today and will watch repeats whenever I see them. Of course Stephen King is a biggie and Star Trek…lol I think you have the most gorgeous covers!
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Catslady,
Yeah I’ve also watched those old trek classics dozens of times. :) And I love my covers, too.