Title: Song of Scarabaeus
Author: Sara Creasy
Publisher: Harper Collins/ EOS
Genre: Sci-Fi romance
Price: $7.99
On Sale: 4/27/2010
Formats: Mass Market PB | E-Book
“A powerful debut….Gripping characterization, non-stop action, fascinating biological speculation, and a dash of romance. Don’t miss it!”
—Linnea Sinclair
Remember the name: Sara Creasy. With Song of Scarabaeus she takes her place alongside Ann Aguirre and Linnea Sinclair, staking her claim as one of the most exciting new writers currently rocketing across the science fiction universe. Seamlessly blending action, romance, intrigue, technology, and a tough, complex, and unforgettable heroine in the vein of Elizabeth Moon, Creasy boldly goes where few have traveled before. No wonder author Vonda N. McIntyre declares that “Sara Creasy is a new writer to watch, and Song of Scarabaeus is a novel to read and enjoy.”Browse Inside
Book Description
Trained since childhood in advanced biocyph seed technology by the all-powerful Crib empire, Edie's mission is to terraform alien worlds while her masters bleed the outlawed Fringe populations dry. When renegade mercenaries kidnap Edie, she's not entirely sure it's a bad thing . . . until they leash her to a bodyguard, Finn—a former freedom fighter-turned-slave, beaten down but never broken. If Edie strays from Finn's side, he dies. If she doesn't cooperate, the pirates will kill them both.
But Edie's abilities far surpass anything her enemies imagine. And now, with Finn as her only ally as the merciless Crib closes in, she'll have to prove it or die on the site of her only failure . . . a world called Scarabaeus.
Watch Book Trailer!
Sara, please tell us more about your science fiction romance, “Song of Scarabaeus”
Song of Scarabaeus is my debut novel (published by Eos and available 27 April 2010). The story centers on Edie Sha’nim, who has been trained since childhood as a cypherteck – she terraforms alien worlds for human colonization. She’s kidnapped by mercenaries who want to use this valuable skill to help the outlawed Fringe worlds. They link her to a reluctant bodyguard, ex-con Finn, who will die if he leaves her side.
The novel is primarily an adventure story. I set out to write a fast-paced, gritty story set in space, but one that was not military based. There’s a touch of romance in there, which for me adds a level of interest to the main characters. I also wanted a strong science element. My background in biology helped me invent a genetic engineering technology that can radically alter ecosystems – for better or worse.
Which do you find is most important to you as a sci-fi romance writer, voice or story?
I think any writer needs to find a balance. A reader won’t know you have a great story if your voice is so awkward they never get past chapter one. A great voice doesn’t leave a lasting impression if the story isn’t memorable. My voice is fairly straightforward, so as a writer I do focus more on story. I read my drafts aloud to check that the voice sounds natural and flows well. The story aspects – plot, theme, character and relationships – take more work. For the most part, that work is a lot of fun because it exercises the imagination, which is the main reason I enjoy writing in the first place.
I know this is a difficult question with there being so many amazing authors out there to choose from but who are some of the GOT-TO-HAVE authors in your TBR pile?
I’ve been so busy writing these past couple of years, I’ve fallen way behind on my reading. I’m always on the lookout for the next Linnea Sinclair and Elizabeth Bear. I’m also looking forward to reading Julie E. Czerneda’s award-winning novels – that’s a decade of books to catch up on!
I'd like to take this time to thank Sara Creasy for spending time with us today at Over the Edge. Sara, all the best and success in everything you do.
*GIVEAWAY RULES*
I am so excited that sci-fi romance AVON debut author, Sara Creasy is here today talking about and giving one lucky commenter a copy of her May 2010 release, "SONG OF SCARABAEUS" . To enter, I just have a few simple rules.
* +3 Leave a comment for Sara Creasy.
* +2 Spread the Word! ( this means go out into cyber world and post it on any network sites that your are a member of, or on your blog or website. +2 Then come back and leave a link so I can verify the post.)
* Become a follower of Over the Edge! (+3 Already a follwer--You ROCK! +2 Become a follower.)
* +10 If you invite a friend that's never been to OTE to leave a comment, become a follower and enter the contest( Friend(s) will need to complete the giveaway rules. Plus, give you credit for leading them to OTE)
The contest is open to all and will be running until May 2, 2010. I'll be picking and contacting the winner on May 3, 2010. Please make sure to include your email with your comment. No email no entry--sorry but those are the rules. Happy Reading!
Posts
22 comments:
Book sounds awesome
great interview
+3 old follower
+2 blog link
http://elizabetcerna.blogspot.com/
elizabetheerna2011@gmail.eom
Sounds good, I'm an old follower +3 tWarner419@aol.com
Can't wait to read this one.
+3 old follower
+2 blog (http://robsad79.blogspot.com/2010/05/daily-contest.html)
sadler1279@yahoo.com
Sara, you said that you are a biologist. So what inspired you to become a writer?
Re-posted your contest at: http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2010/05/win-song-of-scarabaeus-at-over-edge.html
Twitted: http://twitter.com/cherrymischivus/status/13197126271
Already follow this blog... that is how I knew about this cool contest!
Cherry Mischievous
mischivus101-warrior [at] yahoo [dot] com
Hi Cherry - I have a biology degree but never worked in that field. I ended up in educational publishing, where the degree came in handy.
I was always writing in my younger years, so the urge was already there. But to me, being a writer was like being an astronaut or an Olympic athlete - something amazing that only *other* people do.
At some point I finally convinced myself "I can do that!"
I love reading new authors and would love to give this one a go :)
+3 Allready a Follower
+2 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/IntenseWhisper/status/13203298104
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Thank you sooo much for this amazing contest! I loved the interview. This book sounds intriguing. :)
Already a follwer
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/hatshepsut0011/status/13205870758
Thank you for this chance!
Giada M.
fabgiada @ gmail.com
Hi Sara!
thanks for being here - you are a new author to me, but your book sounds great! will there be more books coming?
wish you all the best,
Ina
+old follower
inale87 at gmx dot at
Ina, I'm a new author to everyone - including myself! The sequel comes out in April 2011, and I'm working on another sci-fi adventure romance right now.
Sara, this looks like an amazing book! Thanks for sharing! I'm definitely adding Sara to my TBR shelf!!! :)
This looks like a good book that I'd love to read! I'll have to add it to my to buy list!
+3 old gfc follower.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
+2 Thought I was already a Follower, but I was wrong.
Sara, This sounds like it will be a great adventure story. I haven't read Science Fiction in a long, really long, time. In college and for a while afterwards. I read Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke. Asimov's FOUNDATION Series was a favorite.
It sounds like it is time for me to come back to the Science Fiction fold and this book is the perfect reentry.
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
+3 I really enjoyed this post. This book is awesome.
+3 Already a follower on google friend....dor
dorcontest at gmail dot com
I absolutely adore sci-fi romances and I cannot wait to dive into this one.
Congratulations on your very first book Sara!!! I wish you many many sales and I wish you well for future projects!
*posted on facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=767402866
*old follower via GFC
hugs,
Anna
s7anna@yahoo.ca
Congrats on your debut book. I'm always looking for new sfr authors. I love science fiction adventure and if there's a little romance thrown in, all the better. You say there's a sequel, will there just be two in this world? Is the book you're working on in a totally different world or connected in some way to the first?
+ 3 Comment
+ 3 Old follower
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
Hi Barbara. I've only planned for just the two books with these characters, but it's likely I'll use the same universe (that is, the same political set-up) for future books, with different characters. I might use entirely different locations, maybe even a different time period, so it won't necessarily be immediately obvious it's the same "world."
Don't quote me on that, though. It all depends... whatever works for the story.
Congrats on getting your first book on the shelves. I presume it must have been quite a struggle but at least you are there now.
I wondered at the word "cypherteck" for your heroine's speciality. How did you come up with that title ? It doesn't really say anuthing to me?
Thank you.
Carol T
+3 I am an old Follower
+3 This comment.
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
3Already a follower
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
Hi, oh this one sounds cool, I like the genre but has not read much from it.
DSo you haev any fav authors from this genre then?
+3 Sara- this is an awesome cover! Because of the cover alone, even if I hadn't seen your book featured here, I still would have picked it up, if I had seen it at my book store, to read the back cover. Congrats on your book release!
+3 old follower
sexywomenread@yahoo.com
I have been a sci-fi fanatic, well, we won't say for how long now. LOL! And this looks right up my alley. It's good to know that you have planned two books for now and more for the universe itself.
Old follower.
Posted here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/cynthia.netherton?ref=profile
cindersmaria@yahoo.com
Carol - cypherteck comes from from "biocyph" (the bio-technology I invented, used for terraforming). There are op-tecks and med-tecks in my world, too.
As for biocyph, I started with "biotech" and decided to mix it up a bit. Cyph is from cypher (meaning code). I also used "teck" instead of "tech" throughout, because I figured the spelling might evolve that way in the future.
Whew. Yes, that's just the way my brain works!
Post a Comment