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Today is release day for Plague Cult by Jenny Schwartz. Is small town romance the new wave of paranormal romance? Discover for yourself the appeal of family dramas, old ties and new beginnings mixed with magic in Plague Cult. Pick up a copy today while it's at the special launch price of 99c. Available exclusively on Amazon, and free to read in Kindle Unlimited.


In a small Texas town a desire for love becomes a curse that could unleash a deadly plague. 

Ruth Warner is estranged from her family. She loves them, but her magic makes her an outsider in Bideer, Texas. Ruth has built a new life in New York. She’s a healer at the Collegium, respected and…lonely. Sometimes, you have to go home. 

Ruth’s boss orders her to Bideer after a local coroner reports a suspicious death. Could the new cult in town, a lonely hearts club, be playing reckless games with a death curse? 

But if Ruth is going home, she’s not going alone. 

Shawn Jackson is a Collegium guardian, a mage trained to fight evil. He’s also a man accustomed to keeping secrets. He’s a hollerider, a huntsman; one of those who birthed the legend of the Wild Hunt. When he unleashes his magic, terror rides with him. 

As evil stalks an innocent town, the dedicated healer and battle-hardened marine must heal their own broken hearts to prevent a devastating plague. 

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Warning: Plague Cult includes a haunted house, an unconventional ghost, and a home renovation love story. 

Other News

Covers revealed for two new novellas by Kelly Jensen!

Counting Fence Posts

There are over two hundred thousand fence posts between Syracuse and Boston. Henry Auttenberg likes numbers—it’s his job—but he isn’t going to count them all, even if the view outside the rental car is less confounding than the driver, his attractive but oh so obnoxious colleague, Marcus Winnamore. It’s Christmas Eve and Henry would much rather be home with his family. When the blizzard that grounded their flight forces them off the road, however, he’s stuck with Marc until the storm passes—or a plow digs them out.

As the temperature outside plummets, the atmosphere inside the car slowly heats up. Henry learns the true reason for Marc’s chilly distance—he’s not exactly straight…maybe…and he’s been fantasizing about Henry’s mouth, among other things. Confession laid out, Marc is all for sharing body heat…and more. Henry isn’t interested in being an experiment, but as the night and cold deepen, he could be convinced to balance certain risk against uncertain reward.

Coming July 23, 2016. Available for preorder at Dreamspinner Press.

Best in Show

Solitary mystery writer Julian Wilkes doesn’t want a pet, but his sister persuades him to visit Lingwood Animal Rescue, where he is immediately taken with a large ginger tabby cat. Before he can settle into the joys of cat ownership, however, he discovers something very unusual about his new companion.

Macavity Birch is cursed. By day he is a large tabby cat. At night he can be himself—a human male with ginger hair and oddly yellow eyes. He didn’t mean to end up in the animal rescue, but he never meant any harm when playing the prank that resulted in his curse, either. Happily, Julian adopts him. But while exploring his host’s home, he discovers the diary of a long-dead relative.

Unfortunately, not all of Mac’s ancestors are dead and buried. His great-great-great-grandmother is very much alive, and she’s a powerful witch who doesn’t take kindly to the sharing of family secrets. When Mac reveals himself to Julian in order to save him from bigger trouble, he achieves just the opposite, plunging Julian deeper into a magical mystery with him.

Paranormal romance (male/male) from Dreamspinner Press

Coming July 27, 2016

Veronica Scott's paranormal romance GHOST OF THE NILE received a good review from the Dear Author site last week!

The Story:

1550 BCE

Betrayed, murdered, and buried without proper ceremony, Egyptian warrior Periseneb is doomed to roam the gray deserts of the dead as a ghost for all eternity.

But then the goddess of truth offers him a bargain: return to the world of the living as her champion for 30 days. If he completes his mission, he’ll be guaranteed entry into Paradise. Periseneb agrees to the bargain but, when he returns to the living world, two hundred years have passed and nothing is quite as he expected.

Neithamun is a woman fighting to hang onto her family’s estate against an unscrupulous nobleman who desires the land as well as the lady. All seems lost until a mysterious yet appealing ex-soldier, Periseneb, appears out of nowhere to help her fight off the noble’s repeated attacks.

Meanwhile, Periseneb’s thirty days are rushing by, and he’s powerless against the growing attraction between himself and Neithamun. But their love can never be. For his Fate is to return to the Afterlife, and Death cannot wed with Life…

Buy Links:

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You Write...What?

When I tell people I’m a writer, most want to know what I write. Depending on my audience, I’ll answer with science fiction, romance, or sometimes science fiction romance. I rarely label what I write as gay romance.

It’s not that I’m embarrassed by what I write. I’m not. That’s my name on the cover of every book. Not a pseudonym. I love my guys and the stories I tell about them. I want people to know these books are mine. But getting into the gay thing can be an awkward conversation starter, particularly if you don’t really know the person you’re talking to.

My deflection doesn’t always have good results. I have told someone I write science fiction only to have them answer, “My nephew LOVES science fiction, what’s the name of your book?” 

The nephew in question is eight. I’d love to imagine an eight year old reading a story about two men who reclaim their love in the aftermath of a devastating war. But we kill a lot of people in the Chaos Station series. And then there’s the sex. On the page sex. Lots of man parts, described in sexy detail.

My books are not appropriate for an eight year old.

So I tack on the caveat, “Oh, well, they’re romance as well.”

Everyone knows science fiction romance is all about space barbarians needing to have sex with every woman on the planet in order to save the universe, right? Well, everyone I’ve ever mentioned my books to does.

Except for the woman who told me, “My husband likes sex! I’m sure he’d love your books.”

“But does he like reading about sex between men?”

Honestly, I really should just tell the truth from the beginning. “My books are gay romance. One series is science fiction, the others are mostly contemporary romance. I’ve got one coming out this summer that’s paranormal. A mystery writer adopts a cursed house cat shifter from the local shelter.”

That, right there, is the point where I lose them again.

So is what I’m writing really that weird? That difficult to explain?

My friends get it—or simply don’t care what I write. They’re happy I’m published because I’m happy to be published and they buy my books because I’m published. Some of them actually read them and then tell me embarrassing stories about what they thought gay sex was all about, and how their perceptions have been changed—and that's a good thing.

Others flat out ask the follow up question. “But why are you writing gay romance?”

There’s no simple answer to that one. Well, actually, there is. I write science fiction because I love science fiction. I write romance because I adore love stories.

It gets a bit more complicated from there.

I write gay romance because I will never tire of putting men in situations where they must confront their emotions—regardless of whether they do it with a grunt or over a romantic, candlelit dinner. I write it because the stories in my head at the moment often have two male protagonists and, because I’m in love with love, they usually end up together.

But here’s the thing. I’m not really writing men. Or just gay men. Yes, my characters are male and some of them identify as gay. Some are bisexual, some of them don’t care to put a label on it. I see them as people, though. I’m writing stories about two people falling in love.

Some of these stories are set in space; some of them include guys who can shift shape into house cats (and squirrels. I’m not looking forward to explaining that one). They’re about college students and forensic accountants. Travel agents and art appraisers. Mystery writers, soldiers and property developers. I’ve got a baker and a numbers guy in there. They’re young, old and in between. Some have broken hearts; some have never been in love. More than a few have bit of a belly because I kinda like a little belly on a guy. Lots of them wear glasses. An extraordinary number have blue eyes because I’m a sucker for blue eyes.

I don’t set out to write gay men (or bisexual men, or otherwise), I’m just writing guys. And, often, the stories aren’t about their orientation. The plumbing on the object of their affection is important as the colour of their hair (until we get to the sex).

My stories are about guys being, well, guys. Falling in love—and fending off a marauding alien or two. So, when people ask me what I write, I start with that, because, honestly, that’s how I think of my books. I write science fiction and I write romance. Sometimes I combine the two.

~*~*~*~

Phase Shift, the final book in the Chaos Station series (co-written with Jenn Burke) releases next week! You can read Chapter One on our website. There, you can also sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with release news, giveaways and free extras.

Phase Shift

Book five of Chaos Station

Zander and Felix’s relationship has always pushed boundaries—personal and professional alike—but their love and commitment is stronger than ever. So strong that Zander’s ready to ask commitment-shy Felix the question of a lifetime when he’s interrupted. The Chaos is being hacked, and crucial, top secret information about the project that created Zander—and his fellow super soldiers—has been leaked.

Neither man could have expected the enormity of what’s discovered at the end of the data trail: an entire colony of super soldiers run by the very doctor who changed Zander’s life forever. And now she needs them both—Zander to train her new crop of soldiers, and Felix’s new crystalline arm to stabilize their body chemistry.

With help from the unlikeliest of allies, Zander, Felix and the Chaos crew must destroy the project and all its ill-gotten information. But when the team is split up and Felix is MIA after a dangerous run, galactic disaster is a very real possibility…and Zander may have missed his chance to ask for forever.

Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Carina Press

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About Kelly

If aliens ever do land on Earth, Kelly will not be prepared, despite having read over a hundred stories of the apocalypse. Still, she will pack her precious books into a box and carry them with her as she strives to survive. It’s what bibliophiles do.

Kelly is the author of a number of novels, novellas and short stories, including the Chaos Station series, co-written with Jenn Burke. A lot of what she writes is speculative in nature, but sometimes it’s just about a guy losing his socks and/or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need.

Visit Kelly Online:

Twitter | Facebook | Website

Love and Aliens

Combining science fiction with romance might seem like a stretch to some. To the writers and readers of this growing genre, it’s a natural extension of both stories, however. To me, science fiction is often the essence of human fiction. By setting our stories in far flung worlds and pitting our heroes and heroines against inscrutable aliens, we’re holding up a mirror of a sort. We’re showing what it means to be human, to be dreamers and explorers. Why not show what it is to be lovers as well?

In writing the Chaos Station series, Jenn and I endeavored to do just that. Saving the galaxy is all and good if you’re the hero type (born or made). But saving your own heart came sometimes be the more difficult trial.

I’d like to share an excerpt from our upcoming release, Inversion Point (Chaos Station #4). Zed and Felix are on hand to greet the resonance, the fourth species to arrive at the Galactic Hub. It’s a big deal, especially as Zed is the only person able to communicate with them. Unfortunately, he and Felix aren’t communicating that well right now, which is fairly typical—not only for our boys, but for life in general.

Life, and love, doesn’t sit on pause while we save the galaxy. It has to be dealt with at the same time. Combining these elements can make for a richer and more satisfying story, don’t you think?

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“I’m really not the best guy to take to this party.”

“You’re my partner, Flick.”

Felix stepped back.

“And Theo is already going to be there. Ambassador means representative, remember? He is humanity, as far as Central is concerned. Can’t go anywhere without Theodor Paredes.”

Had he only imagined Zed inserting the word fucking in between Theodor and Paredes? He sensed Zed didn’t like the guy, but couldn’t put his finger exactly on why. He couldn’t still be upset over the palm-reading thing, could he? Wasn’t like Felix had said “Here, fondle my hand.” It had been innocent. Mostly. On his part, anyway.

“He’s a good guy, Zed. Honestly, the fact he is the ambassador kind of blows me away. It’s like humanity did something right for a change. Theo is honest and compassionate. He cares about people. He wanted to be a soldier for all the right reasons.”

“If you’re such a fan, you should be looking forward to the party then.”

“What is your problem with Theo?”

“I don’t have one.”

“Could have fooled me. Every time his name comes up, you look like you’ve tasted Gagorian tubers. Is it because he’s an ex?”

“No.” But the flicker of tension along Zed’s jaw said yes.

“You know what ex means, right?”

Zed didn’t answer for a moment. Then he spoke quietly, his tone at odds with the tension snapping through the air. “What happened with you two? Why did you break up?”

Felix shook his head, but Zed held his gaze, apparently determined to have his answer. Exhaling, Felix gave him what he was looking for. “I ended it before training finished because I didn’t want someone else to leave me behind.”

Zed winced. Then, he had the gall to ask: “Did you love him?”

“Did you love Riley?”

“N—” Zed’s lips disappeared as his mouth formed a long, hard line.

“She must have thought so to think you were up for a marriage proposal.”

“Riley isn’t here.”

Felix turned away, dismissing a conversation that would take them nowhere useful.

“Are you coming to the party or not?”

“I didn’t think I was being given a choice.”

A sigh. “Just get a shower and meet me back at the suite at 1800. We need to get you measured if we’re going to requisition something for you to wear in time.”

“I already know what size I am. Should be in my profile.” He had put on some weight over the past few months, though, making most of his pants a little tight around the waist. But agreeing to be measured felt like giving in.

“We’re not ordering your suit from Mercenaries ’R Us.”

Felix pressed his palms to his eyes. “Do I seriously have to wear a suit?”

The snick of the hatch sliding closed after Zed’s abrupt departure was sadly undramatic. Letting his hands drop to his sides again, Felix eyed his kick bag, but no rage answered his call. Instead, a sick swirl moved through his middle—an emotion he couldn’t, or didn’t want to identify.

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Inversion Point

Book four of Chaos Station.

Zander and Felix’s relationship has been to the brink and back: the Human-Stin War, imprisonment and an actual death/resurrection. Zander’s death, to be specific, and the experience has left him…changed. The mysterious race known as the Guardians chose to revive him and appointed him as their emissary. A high honor, but he could do without the group of would-be cultists following him around the galaxy.

When a recently discovered species destroys a stin probe, Zander’s new role soon commands all of his time and focus. The human ambassador—Felix’s ex-lover, much to Zander’s annoyance—pulls them into strategy talks aimed at preserving galactic peace. Soon everyone is relying on Zander’s Guardian tech to telepathically communicate with the strange aliens.

Only Felix seems concerned with the strain piling up on Zander, but he has his own resolve tested when the very stin that imprisoned him show up to a summit. Zander and Felix will both have to find a way to face their doubts and preserve their love—while preventing another galaxy-wide war.

Available January 25, 2016!

Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Carina Press

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Like free stories? We’re sending one out to our newsletter subscribers next week. “Reunion” is the second of a two part series we began with "Graduation" to tell the story of Zed and Felix’s relationship prior to the events of Chaos Station.

To sign up, follow this link, or visit our website where you can also check out the books of the Chaos Station series and a host of other extras.