Sci-fi/Paranormal romance when the cast is multicultural

On a number of romance book review sites, there has been a quiet storm brewing for the last several years about the inclusion of multicultural characters or interracial couples in romance books of all genres. Specifically about agency (who the writers are who are telling the stories). About who is making the larger amounts of money. About who is being offered the contracts (usually a non-POC writer with a track record who'll write a whitewashed POC character or who'll write a caricature of a POC character that feels "real" to "mainstream" readers. I write historical and SFR /PNR romance and have been informed more than once that "readers won't be able to put themselves in my non "mainstream" heroine's place." I usually respond with "but the readers can relate to screwing a lizard, a wolf or a lion? They'll suspend disbelief for that but not for a Black heroine? O-O-kay." Anyway, I was invited by Heather Massey, the owner of THE GALAXY EXPRESS blog which caters to Sci-fi/paranormal romance, to comment on penning SFR/PNR with a multicultural cast. She diligently is adding Sci-fi/Paranormal romances/works by POC writers to her database and updates it regularly. Read the post where I weigh in on this topic. Here's the link;

http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/2014/03/guest-post-some-essential-things-to.html

My Sexy Saturday- My Sexy Rebellion- #MSS #Saturday7 #MSSWeek41 #MySexySaturday, March 22nd

My Sexy Saturday is a blog hop hosted by author Lynn Crain. I'm back on the hop after a few weeks off to regroup. This week's theme is about the rush of being rebellious in love. Being free to participate or not. Just being. Finding joy in the unexpected or newly discovered. The excerpt from the very first book in my series, THE FELIG CHRONICLES, shows our couple, Nate and Tina, having found out something that will free them to dive into their relationship without reservation. Or maybe not. Love is like that sometimes.

“You‟ve known this for a while now?” Nate advanced on Tina.

“Yes.”

“And you still are here, knowing the reason for our arrangement?”

“Yes.” Tina backed up, very aware of the closed door behind her.

“Why?”

“Because.” Tina lowered her gaze, feeling very confused.

“Because? That‟s not an answer.” Nate tossed his clothes on the seat of a nearby chair. “Why are you still here with me if the reason for our business no longer exists?” He was inches from her, staring her down with those penetrating baby blues. He reached out and stroked her face. “Tell the truth, Tina. Why?”

“Because I like you. You‟re fun to be with.”

“Tina. The truth.”

She found the courage to meet his stare. “Because I have fallen in love with your simple ass. Unconditionally. That‟s why. Is that what you needed to hear?”

“Yes. Yes, it was, you feisty piece of ass.” Nate pulled her against his nude body. “Yes, it‟s what I needed to hear. Now brace yourself.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you too. Unconditionally. You challenge me. Tina, I love you.”

Tina draped her arms around his neck. “I suppose this means I have to kiss you now?”

Please visit the other authors on this hop at http://www.mysexysaturday.blogspot.com

Paul Ryan and his solution for inner city poverty. Universe give me strength!

Whoa! Is this the new “re-branding” of the GOP? Instead of kinder and gentler they are going for the jugular vein. I guess all the trendy libertarian blood that was walking around CPAC last week got them all fired up and pumped to sell woof tickets. And who can sell woof tickets like a mofo? PAUL RYAN can, that’s who. Used to be TED CRUZ but he’s sitting out this round of clueless, otherwise known as I-don't-give-a-shit.

So, Paulie-Boy, inner-city men are the cause of all poverty in the USA because they just l-u-u-u-rve the shitty welfare system that intrudes on every corner of one’s life when one has to sign up or starve? OOOO, yeah nothing says lazy-in-style like “waiting on your EBT card to be re-loaded.” And every astute gamer of the system knows that nothing says “live in style like the rich do in Monaco” on $78 monthly in f$%^king food stamps and a cash benefit of $110 monthly. Oh, yeah, Paul rub up your base. Get 'em wet. Preach it, baby.

First of all, “inner city” is code for BLACK/BROWN. But to be accurate, today, inner city is POOR ANY COLOR. Go buy a newer edition of the Urban Dictionary, Paulie.

In his appearance on the “Morning in America” show, hosted by Bill Bennett, Mr. Ryan invoked the names of Charles Murray and Robert Putnam, those writers of The Bell Curve and of how diversity is harmful (Bowling Alone). Oh, yeah. They write books on BLACK/BROWN supposed inferiority so they must know what they are talking about. Hey, I write books with aliens and monsters in ’em. Don’t know a thing about ’em. Made it up. Like those scholars me thinks.

But hey Black folks don’t be upset, it’s just Paulie solving your poverty problem. Not a word said about solving the lack of JOBS problem. Just denigration and stirring up turds. Funny, he didn’t say what poor, non-Black folks are guilty of and how he will solve their poverty problem.

Hey, Dummy Ryan! Poverty knows no race! You oughta know. ’Cuz as a kid your family survived on those same poverty programs when your father died!

To all U. S. voters who have been damaged by this man and his party's theories: This man is in charge of the committee for the nation's budget. You have seen how rabidly he has pursued deep cuts to it and has succeeded in getting them. If re-elected, he will continue to cut the budget to the bone. Do not let him. It hurts the poor, children, the elderly and Vets, of all colors. Vote him out. Vote!