BLACK DRAGON has a cover - enter to win a copy

Coming close to the release of BLACK DRAGON, the BOREALIS universe novella coming from Desert Breeze Publishing on October 1, 2011. The cover matches all the covers designed for this series.

In orbit over a deserted outpost at the edge of conquered space sits an aging space station under the control of the Trans Planetary Protectorate named Borealis. It is slowly falling apart as the Protectorate funnels its massive resources into the border wars and keeping the outlaying systems in line, as insurrections break out.

This series includes anthologies and single novellas from various authors, set on the same space station with a few recurring characters. Just like episodes of your favorite sci-fi TV shows

BLACK DRAGON:

A gambler is cheating in a den of the Borealis space station, and Lieutenant Zara Frankel intends to catch him in the act. She always gets her man, but this one could prove more than she can handle.

Captain Czerno Drake, code name Black Dragon, has come under cover to break his innocent uncle from the most secure penitentiary in the galaxy, on the Borealis space station. He will stop at nothing to succeed, even enrolling the help of the lovely straight arrow TPP enforcer. When Zara realizes that she's been used by a shrewd but seductive rebel, her reaction surprises everyone, most of all herself.

There is still time to enter my contest and win a pdf copy of this novella. Just click on CONTEST on the top right at: http://www.vijayaschartz.com/

Vijaya Schartz

Romantic Science Fiction with a Kick

http://www.vijayaschartz.com/

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A COVER MODEL?

Jimmy Thomas comes to mind as the inspiration for my latest hero, BLACK DRAGON.  But he did not become one of the most popular romance cover models by chance. There are many ways to become such a favorite of the ladies who read romance, in the wake of other famous names, like Jimmy and Fabio. Visit Jimmy's impressive website at: http://www.jimmythomas.com/

One climbs to this height by maintaining a body to make women swoon. Yes, I'm using romance language here, as it is advisable. Being friendly to the camera is a must. You do not have to be perfect. Perfection would be boring. It's the small imperfection that make a face endearing, or a mouth kissable. There is also the photographer's talent, the lighting. Everything in taking pictures for a romance novel cover contributes to the beauty, the mood, the special effects. And yes, a touch up here and there is sometimes necessary, but that's the nature of this business.

Okay, okay, this is a PG13 blog. Still, I do not apologize for writing romantic science fiction. A hero and a heroine deserve their reward after the battle.

So, if you are so inclined, if women turn around to look at you, if they do a double take, if they smile when you walk by, and if you think you can handle a career in this field, maybe this contest is for you.

For years, Romantic Times sponsored the Mr. Romance Contest. Since they are not doing it next year, the romance writing community of Arizona is organizing the Mr. Right contest for cover models. You have to be 21 to enter, and there is a very small fee. But you could end up on the cover of a romance novel from Sapphire Blue Publishing, one of the sponsors of this contest, and, incidently, one of my publishers.

Here is the link to information and registration. It will all take place during the Chocolate Affaire (an event of romance and chocolate) in Glendale Arizona the first weekend of February 2012. Good luck to all the handsome devils who will compete for the coveted spot. This could be the start of a new career.

http://www.valleyofthesunrw.com/mr-right-contest/

Good luck! See you at the Chocolate Affaire with Jimmy Thomas in February, where I will be autographing my books. Jimmy will be coordinating and judging the contest. Ladies, come for the romance novels and the show. I wouldn't miss it for anything. There will be much picture taking, so bring your cameras.