Anthologies are one of my favorite ways for finding new-to-me authors so I was happy to see Cyber Pulse: A Limited Edition Collection of LGBTQ+ Sci Fi Romance (A Dangerous Words Publishing Collection) release earlier this month. I interviewed a number of the authors about the inspirations for their stories.
Here’s the book’s blurb: Love is love…anywhere in the universe. Whether they meet on alien planets or spaceships, through mate lotteries or by chance, the characters in these stories of aliens and humans, alphas and omegas, M/M, F/F, bisexual, transgender, and more will leave you breathless.
I asked each author to answer the same questions and the answers will be found below:
The Alien’s Zookeeper by Arizona Tape and Skye MacKinnon:
When Tilly gets abducted along with all her zoo animals, the only person who can help her is the alien who accidentally brought her onto the spaceship. A lesbian romance with a strong human woman and a swoon-worthy alien female willing to give up everything for her mate.
What was your inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for this book really came from several different places. A few years ago, we wrote a sci-fi story together that was set on a spaceship called the P.EA.R. As a nod to that story, we based the setting of the Alien’s Zookeeper on another spaceship. This time, we named it the KIW II. The rest came naturally. We both love watching nature shows and on top of that, we both adopted a new pet in the past year, so we both were excited to write all kinds of fun adventures about animals. Combining our rather vivid imaginations, we came up with funny aliens, an exciting adventure, and a romance that was written in the stars.
What’s your next project?
We’re currently working on the second book in the Aliens and Animals series, The Alien’s Veterinarian. While we had lots of different zoo animals in the first book including a very special rhino, this time we’re focusing on cats, both large and small. Our human heroine is a vet working at a cat rescue, while her alien love interest is desperate to help a pregnant jaguar back on her planet.
Plus as always we’re both working on many other solo projects.
What’s on your TBR list?
Skye: Right now I’m working my way through the Drift books by Susan Hayes, but I’m also reading a non-fiction book about the recent MOSAiC Polarstern expedition to the Arctic (written by the expedition leader Markus Rex).
Close Encounters by Sadie Marks
Getting over a broken heart is tough, especially when you’re a bartender at the same BDSM club you used to enjoy with your ex. When a mysterious new Dom walks through the door, Thom shows an interest for the first time in months, but it seems doomed from the start.
The man is nothing but secrets he refuses to reveal, and it’s not like he’s going to be around forever either. Despite that, Thom finds himself falling hard. Wik does things to his body that makes the sub feel alive again, and he has a knack for stirring up emotions that have been walled away for too long.
What was your inspiration for your story?
The idea of the Sadec universe is that humans don’t need to be kidnapped. They would sign up willingly if offered the right bribe, but this story is about a side character I introduced in the first book. One who joined the aliens willingly, but for another reason.
What’s your next project?
Currently my other pen name, Kessily Lewel, has me kind of swamped this year, but I am hoping to put out a book of short stories from the Sadec universe, as well as the third novel in the main story later this year or early next year.
Serve & Protect by Alex Austen
Sizzling Men, Universal Love
What was your inspiration for your story?
Finding one’s soulmate can be difficult, especially when they could be anywhere in the galaxy. I love when couples overcome obstacles to be together and to see that in space is even better. Starships, exotic men, and true love? That’s the perfect recipe for a good time.
What’s your next project?
Currently working on book 2 in the Interstellar Fated Mates series, and crafting something a bit different for Amazon Vella.
What’s on your TBR list?
One Time Only by Lauren Blakely, Unclaimed by Aidy Award, and Of Secrets and Wolves by Alice Winters
Tri-Lunar Solace by Zelda Knight
During the annual Tri-Lunar Festival, Space Ranger-in-training Haltrax finds himself in a rut—literally and figuratively. He longs to be in the arms of his fated mate, and sate the heat deep within him, and when he stumbles across an older omega from an opposing tribe in heat, he’ll do just that.
What was your inspiration for your story?
This MM short story is from a collection of bonus shorts from my serial Delta Rangers. I was inspired by a gorgeous premade cover, and wanted to explore the idea of combining polyamorous alien romance with omegaverse and action-adventure across space. The series turned out much more heartfelt then I first intended, and “Tri-Lunar Solace” was the original title of two of the main characters backstory.
What’s your next project?
Currently, I’m working on a paranormal second chance mafia romance entitled To Worship the Warlock. If you’re into sex, murder, and magic, Jade and Ransom’s story is for you! You can check out Wed to the Warlock that serves as a kind of prequel to get your feet wet.
What’s on your TBR list?
Every day it’s growing! But in all seriousness, I’m catching up on reading and reviewing a bunch of Black speculative fiction including TJ Young & the Orishas by Antoine Bandele and The Conductors by Nicole Glover.
Captain Neko by Stephanie Barr
One of Captain Neko’s two passengers clearly has an interest in Neko’s body and maybe his soul while the other has nefarious purposes. But, which one is which?
What was your inspiration for your story?
The cover by Jocelyn Dex which challenged me to find the right story.
What’s your next project?
I’m finishing a shifter story right now for a different anthology and I’ll be reworking a holiday Regency story next. I’m also organizing two cat themed anthologies, one aimed at children.
Other authors in the anthology include: Celine Glaude, Sienna Sway, Tami Veldura and Coyote Starr. Margo Bond Collins was the editor and organizer.