“A woman doesn't care how a guy makes a living, just how he makes love.”

—Rita (Helen Stanton) in The Big Combo (1949)

Even if you’ve never heard of the term “film noir,” you’ve probably read a book or have seen a movie in that genre. Film noir refers to “…stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations.” With roots in 1930s crime fiction, film noir’s first major wave was during the 1940s and 1950s.

This genre encompasses a broad category of films. It’s strongly associated with a private eye or law enforcement officer as one of the main characters. Other well-known elements are the femme fatale leading lady and an urban setting. It’s also important to note that “Thematically, film noirs were most exceptional for the relative frequency with which they centered on women of questionable virtue.” Noir even extended to science fiction, with films like Blade Runner and Dark City being notable examples of “science fiction noir.”

Given the scope of film noir and crime fiction, it’s no wonder the genres made their way into science fiction romance. J.D. Robb’s In Death series is one prominent example. In a nutshell, it’s noir-flavored crime fiction in a near-future setting. Beginning with Naked in Death, the series follows heroine Lieutenant Eve Dallas as she solves various crimes and embarks on an intense, complex romance with wealthy businessman Roarke. Eve’s character refreshingly subverts the typically male lead in this genre.

[There's something about Eve...]

You may recall a post here about the physical attributes of romance heroes: Authors Elle Kennedy and Vivian Arend on Hot Bods in Romance. Two passages in particular stood out to me:

The moment he’s back in action, he’s toned and muscly again—and let’s be honest, that’s the way we like it. Because, come on, we read to escape.  To fantasize. ...

When I’m reading a romance, I don’t want my hero being described as chubby or overweight. I don’t want to read about potbellies, love handles, back fat, or double chins.  I don’t want him getting out of breath after carrying the heroine five feet to the bed.

I read those parts with keen interest. Why? Because in all honesty, I'm a reader who enjoys reading about heroes with non-traditional bodies and in particular, heavyset/chunky heroes. While I understand the appeal of sculpted flesh, I feel strongly about challenging the broad assumption that “...and let’s be honest, that’s the way we like it.”

Can we really paint all romance readers with such a broad brush? Seems to me the definition of “hot” varies across readers. Some of us love heroes with beards or mustaches. Others don’t. Some like tall heroes while others prefer heroes of average height. Then there’s differences of opinion about hair color, skin color, facial features, etc. I find it difficult to believe one-size hero fits all.

In fact, some of us gravitate to the Seth Rogens and Jonah Hills of romance heroes. Heavyset heroes are perfectly valid characters, even though the publishing marketing machines would have us believe otherwise.

[Big guys need love too...]

Sexually experienced heroes are a traditional aspect of romance stories. It’s a great fantasy because they’re masters of their lovemaking craft. Every touch of a skilled hero is guaranteed to set the heroine’s skin ablaze.

Sexually experienced heroes aren’t going to vanish anytime soon, but virgin heroes can certainly give them a run for their money—for one thing, they’re equally passionate about sex. They’re simply waiting for the right partner.

Whether heroes are virgins by choice or by destiny, they’re often mature and demonstrate a world of self-restraint despite strong cultural expectations that they engage in copious amounts of copulation. There’s also a unique intrigue associated with the raw, primal passion of a man who simultaneously claims his heroine and makes love for the first time.

We often discuss memorable heroine “deflowering” scenes, but what about those of virgin heroes? Which ones stand out the most against the romance landscape?

[You always remember your favorite first time...]

There are many, many romance stories wherein the hero is a creature of the paranormal world and he’s paired with a human heroine. But what about the reverse scenario? That is our $64,000 question of the day!

Science fiction romance titles frequently feed my appetite for heroines with special abilities. Since sci-fi romance features more tech-based/non-human characters (as opposed to those with preternatural abilities), I like to call them “extraordinary heroines.”

Extraordinary heroines fascinate me not only because of their special qualities, but also because the characters tap into my own need for empowerment. I admire extraordinary heroines who push gender boundaries and challenge stereotypes. The cooler they are, the harder my crush.

[Warning: Dangerously high levels of awesome ahead...]

The phrase “double feature” is usually applied to films. You know, like when drive-in theaters used to show two movies together like Them! and I Married a Monster from Outer Space (Well, um, I don’t actually know if those two movies were ever billed together, but I so would have been there!).

Ahem. Anyway, by coincidence I read two m/m science fiction romance novellas back to back. Upon finishing the second one I thought, “Hey, these two stories would make a great double feature!” By that I mean that they have characters, settings, and romances that pair nicely together for when you’re in the mood for edgy, intense stories.

More specifically, both stories feature heroes who are as grittylicious as they come.

Bitter Harvest by Kim Knox is a near future, post-apocalyptic tale in which a sexually transmitted nano-virus has nearly wiped out human civilization. Infected people form colonies that are hive-like in structure. The surviving humans of the year 2050 carve out a bleak existence in various compounds. Infected, rage-driven mutants continually stalk the compounds in search of more victims.

[Seems like a good environment for romance...]

Jenna Bennett
Fortune’s Hero (Soldiers of Fortune)
Entangled / November 13 (digital) & December 1, 2012 (print) / $14.99 print, TBA digital

Quinn Conlan had it all: a fast ship, a great crew, a gorgeous girlfriend, money, and adventure around every bend. That was before he agreed to ferry a shipload of weapons to the besieged planet Marica. Now he’s stuck in the prison colony on Marica-3, enduring weekly sessions with the camp’s “medical team,” and praying for a quick death before he breaks under the torture and spills everything he knows about the Marican resistance.

When opportunity strikes, Quinn takes Elsa, a Rhenian med tech, hostage and heads into the inhospitable interior of the small moon where he formulates a plan for getting his crew out of prison, his ship out of impound, and everyone out of orbit. But when Elsa professes her love, can Quinn take the beautiful doctor at her word, or will trusting her—and his heart—condemn him and his crew to an eternity on Marica-3?

Jenna Bennett has written a number of cozy mysteries under the name Jennie Bentley, but Fortune’s Hero is her first science fiction romance. I know I should probably start telling you about smuggler hero Quinn and doctor heroine Elsa, but I’ll get to them in a minute. Bear with me because I really gotta dish about the Marican night crawlers.

[The what???...]

Sharon Lynn Fisher
Ghost Planet
Tor / October 30, 2012 / $7.99 print & digital

A world in peril. A bond deeper than love.

Psychologist Elizabeth Cole prepared for the worst when she accepted a job on a newly discovered world - a world where every colonist is tethered to an alien who manifests in the form of a dead loved one. But she never expected she'd struggle with the requirement to shun these “ghosts.” She never expected to be so attracted to the charming Irishman assigned as her supervisor. And she certainly never expected to discover she died in a transport crash en route to the planet.

As a ghost, Elizabeth is symbiotically linked to her supervisor, Murphy - creator of the Ghost Protocol, which forbids him to acknowledge or interact with her. Confused and alone - oppressed by her ghost status and tormented by forbidden love - Elizabeth works to unlock the secrets of her own existence.

But her quest for answers lands her in a tug-of-war between powerful interests, and she soon finds herself a pawn in the struggle for control of the planet…a struggle that could separate her forever from the man she loves.

Ghost Planet is a science fiction romance from debut author Sharon Lynn Fisher. (I know the spine says “science fiction” but bear with me.) This book is a big deal because mainstream science fiction romances are few and far between, and sometimes they’re released from SF publishers rather than romance ones. So I was eager to discover how Ms. Fisher tackled the blend of science fiction and romance in this story.

And whoa, she sure nailed it!

[Do tell!...]

Many romance authors pursue diversity in their stories. Usually they do so in regard to ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and/or sexual orientation. But there’s one area that I’ve been wondering about lately: Intelligence.

How much diversity is there in romance regarding intelligence? If marketing departments are to be believed, romance characters across the board are amazingly brilliant. But is that really the case? And of the heroes and heroines who are intellectually gifted—the scientists, the scholars, the inventors—do they inadvertently receive the lion’s share of the attention, both in terms of marketing and reader interest?

It's easy to understand the appeal of intelligent characters. Smart heroes and heroines are probably correlated with fantasies of high social status, money, and power. Genius characters would be unusual and therefore exotic. However, that fantasy may not be for everyone.

[And if it were, wouldn't THAT be boring...]

My interest in undersea adventure tales dates back to cult children shows like Gerry Anderson’s Stingray. Mash that up with my decidedly adult tastes in science fiction romance and you get a reader who loves the idea of aquatic characters. And by that I mean the genetically engineered kind (non-paranormal/fantasy origin). Mermen are great and all, but I’m hankering for something a little different.

The ability to live and function underwater is quite a fantasy for us humans. If, for example, marine biologists could travel the ocean depths unencumbered by things like scuba gear then our scientific knowledge of ocean life would increase dramatically. We’d probably develop underwater habitats and new commercial ventures. The ability to live, work, and love underwater would have a huge impact on life as we know it. Since that fantasy is unlikely to come true at any point in the near future, it’d be cool to explore the idea in fiction.

But even if a story focused more specifically on a romance, why don’t we encounter genetically engineered aquatic heroes more? Or alien heroes with aquatic features? With their exotic nature and enhanced abilities, I would think they’re ripe for exploitation—or are they?

[What's the holdup?...]

There’s nothing sexier than a hero who can craft objects with his bare hands. In historical times, constructing even the most basic everyday item required skills of imagination, geometry, attention to detail, and strength, among others. Artisans who created shoes, vases, wagon wheels, and tools were both intrepid laborers and talented artists. Makes one wonder what kinds of feats they’re capable of performing in the bedroom!

Recently, I began to wonder why artisan heroes seem scarce in the romance genre. To me, their allure is clear, but am I in the minority? On the other hand, maybe they’re not scarce, but rather discussions about them are in short supply.

What led me on this path? First, some background information and a disclosure: I have an erotic steampunk romance novella coming out with Red Sage called The Blacksmith’s Lover (July 2012). The hero is a blacksmith in 1840, New England. Once I finished that project, I went Googling for other romance titles featuring a blacksmith hero so I could read them.

[What did you find?...]

Ah, motherhood! It’s an unparalleled experience of cuddling with rosy-cheeked babies, holding the wee little hands of children during their wide-eyed discovery of the world’s myriad experiences, and defending humanity against a horde of alien invaders—

What what what?!

If you thought changing diapers or frantically driving kids from one after-school activity to another made for a hectic schedule, just think about the challenge of being a mother during a time of intergalactic upheaval!

Heroines in science fiction romance books who are also mothers are rare, but they do exist. And they kick alien butt. And wipe the seemingly endless snot from their children’s noses. On top of that, they fall in love. All of which points to the challenges of writing about such characters.

One of the biggest challenges that authors face in this subgenre is how to reconcile a dangerous, threat-filled setting with children in the mix. For some readers, children-in-jeopardy or potential jeopardy is a trigger. How can a reader be sure a child will be kept out of harm’s way? Or if they do fall into the path of harm, how will the story handle their fate?

[The kids are all right...]

Steampunk and paranormal romance would both seem to be ripe for reader success: Both incorporate larger-than-life scenarios, smart, sexy heroes, and take us to a different, exotic world.

So why has paranormal romance succeeded where steampunk has not? Let’s take a look:

The Rise of Paranormal Romance

There are many elements that contributed to the rise and popularity of paranormal romance, but one key factor underlies it all: the transformation of traditional, horror-based vampire/shifter characters into romance heroes—specifically, the dark and dangerous men who deliver the fantasy of raw, unbridled, and euphoric sex.

[You say monster, I say tortured hero-in-the-making...]

Outer space goes with just about anything. As a science fiction fan, one thing that’s guaranteed to make me sit up and take notice is when authors or filmmakers reinvent an idea or story by setting it in space. So when I learned about Veronica Scott’s Wreck of the Nebula Dream, my “space” radar went on high alert.

This book is a futuristic romance version of the Titanic disaster. I mean, wow! Talk about high concept. Here’s the blurb:

Traveling unexpectedly aboard the luxury liner Nebula Dream on its maiden voyage across the galaxy, Sectors Special Forces Captain Nick Jameson is ready for ten relaxing days, and hoping to forget his last disastrous mission behind enemy lines. He figures he’ll gamble at the casino, take in the shows, maybe even have a shipboard fling with Mara Lyrae, the beautiful but reserved businesswoman he meets.

All his plans vaporize when the ship suffers a wreck of Titanic proportions. Captain and crew abandon ship, leaving the 8000 passengers stranded without enough lifeboats and drifting unarmed in enemy territory. Aided by Mara, Nick must find a way off the doomed ship for himself and several other innocent people before deadly enemy forces reach them or the ship’s malfunctioning engines finish ticking down to self destruction.

But can Nick conquer the demons from his past that tell him he’ll fail these innocent people just as he failed to save his Special Forces team? Will he outpace his own doubts to win this vital race against time?

[Something tells me he will...]

E-books have really changed the game as far as discovering new authors and new types of stories. Publishers are experimenting with a variety of ways to deliver stories to readers. Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series is one of those publishers finding new ways to deliver to readers.

I first learned about 1Night Stand last year via the release of Jessica E. Subject’s sci-fi romance, Celestial Seduction. This short story features an emotionally and sexually charged encounter between a human woman and an alien male. The hero is an alien in disguise, so this story offers readers the chance to indulge their taste for exotic sexual adventures.

Here’s the story blurb:

At the end of his obligated commitment to the Space Service, Frey Berger decides to stay on Earth to further experience human emotions rather than return to Ginnun, where his intended has already mated with another. Looking for real love and someone to accept him for what he is, Frey enlists in Madame Evangeline’s popular dating service. Although he does not understand the concept of a one-night stand, he hopes to find his perfect mate.

[Take me home tonight...]

One thing I love about being a science fiction romance fan is that there are times when it seems as though I have certain books all to myself. This is because the majority of readers have likely never heard of them. There’s a special feeling—a niche badge of honor, if you will—that comes with being among the few who know about little-known authors or types of stories. Call it the “I knew them when” or the “I found a secret treasure” mentality.

But gee, isn’t that kind of selfish of me? Is it right for me to virtually hoard interesting authors and books the way a mouse hoards cheese? (Hmm, I really love cheese, though).

The answer to that last question is, of course, no. Stories are meant to be shared, no matter how fun it may be to have singular knowledge of them. Therefore, I decided to present you with a list of 10 science fiction romance authors you should be reading. The authors below have written entertaining science fiction romances using a wide variety of settings, characters, and plots.

[Try something new...]

Before the advent of biomechatronics, prosthetic limbs ranged from the eerily crude to the surprisingly sophisticated. Early prosthetics were made from materials such as wood, bronze, iron, and copper. People relied on these replacement parts after an injury or illness, or to supplement body parts that have been missing from birth.

The creepy cool nature of pre-modern prosthetics makes the fictionalized versions in steampunk romance so fascinating. The primitive mechanical parts themselves often have an unsettling and sometimes horrific nature because they can only roughly approximate the real thing (e.g., an oversized iron hand). Plus, authors of steampunk/steampunk romance often cook up some really bizarre prosthetics (a boiler for internal organs, anyone? See: Whitechapel Gods by S.M. Peters and “The Blushing Bounder” by Meljean Brook).

What I particularly enjoy about steampunk-inspired prosthetics in romance is how they impact the developing relationship and provide social commentary about the “Other.” Authors will frequently explore themes such as acceptance, love being blind, and those related to characters with disabilities. These kinds of stories also challenge readers to question their assumptions about beauty and wholeness.

[Try something new...]

The quintessential bounty hunter in space is, of course, Boba Fett from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. He is the King of All Bounty Hunters, a well-deserved accolade. Why? He’s a total badass, wears awesome armor, and steals every scene he’s in.

What makes bounty hunters like Boba Fett so much fun?

• They’re dangerous
• They perform a needed “service” and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty
• They often operate on the wrong side of the law
• They wield all sorts of righteous weapons
• They’re strong (rowrr!)
• Cunning is a bounty hunter’s middle name
• They have great networking skills (albeit of the underground kind)
• They know every hideout and seedy bar in the galaxy
• Their negotiation skills are killer
• They’re cooler than starship captains

But.

[You knew that was coming—as are bounty hunter romance recs!...]

The Heroine: Alpha, a gorgeous, deadly android
The Hero: General Thomas Wharington, a stalwart military leader
Type of romance: May-December

(Beware of ***SPOILERS***)

In a near-future world of biomech and artificial intelligence, Thomas is a seasoned military hero in charge of the Machine Intelligence Division of the National Information Agency. Nanotechnology-based medical advances belie his true age of seventy-two, but with his wife dead and his children grown, he’s a lonely man who is beginning to question his choice to prolong his life.

Alpha, a sophisticated android, is the former henchwoman and lover of Charon, a powerful villain who traffics in illegal robotics. Having been captured by the military in the previous book, Sunrise Alley, she’s in prison at the beginning of the story.

Despite Alpha’s ruthless nature, Thomas suspects that she is evolving into a type of sentience known as “Evolving Intelligences” (EI). Through discussions and close scrutiny—and the fact that the android will speak only to him—Thomas discovers that beneath Alpha’s hardened exterior, she is extremely vulnerable.

[How vulnerable is she?...]

Futuristic or alternate tech-based settings offer a fertile environment for reinvented fairy tales. That’s because many of the themes explored in fairy tales are timeless. Even in the future, people (or aliens, as the case may be) will continue to grapple with issues such as trust, danger, betrayal, poverty, and, of course, love.

Future-set fairy tales may not be as numerous as stories set in contemporary times or the past, but they do exist. Science fiction romance in particular has a unique contribution to reinvented fairy tales, namely, Ella Drake’s Future Tales.

According to the author’s Web site, in this series of e-novellas, “Fairy tales belong to the future in a world of mega-corps, bio-tech, and secret agents from the Mother organization.”

In terms of setting, the stories draw on a science fiction subgenre known as biopunk (think: dystopia and biotechnology run amok). In Future Tales, corporations with nefarious intentions use biotechnology to manipulate the lives of the hapless people caught in their webs.

The first tale in the series is Jaq’s Harp (Carina Press). This story is a twist on the classic “Jack and the Beanstalk.” It weaves a romance of reunited lovers amid a bleak landscape of poverty and suppression.

[There will be love...]