"To Desire the Stars," by: Venus Campbell —Book Tour & Giveaway!
- Katie Jenkins-Merical
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Hi everyone. Today I am featuring Venus Campbell's book: "To Desire the Stars." Check out this SciFi Alien Romance below and her exclusive guest post below. Make sure to purchase your copy today. Happy reading :).
Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
Well, I started telling stories at age four. I typed out - on this thing called a type-writer -my first story at my mother’s girlfriend’s job at the age of eight. I loved that story. It was about my protagonist who meets this other girl on a walk by a canal. They become fast friends but the girl is looking for her sister. They look together by the canal and wander around Georgetown (where my mother’s girlfriend’s office was). In the end, they can’t find her sister so they part. My protagonist is sad, but later in the day, she wanders down to the wharf and discovers her friend. Her friend is now a statue and the statue is of two girls playing jump rope. The protagonist’s retrospection focuses on how her friend was magical and had found her sister after all. I loved that story. I’ve been telling speculative fiction stories ever since.
What is something unique/quirky about you?
I am a “formally” trained singer, but don’t ask me to sing!
Tell us something really interesting that's happened to you!
I attended a high school for the arts- Duke Ellington School of the Arts. While there, I studied the violin first then vocal music with a minor in piano. Our concert choir performed with other choirs around DC at President Clinton’s first inauguration. I don’t remember what song we sang, however.
What are some of your pet peeves?
Co-workers who try to palm their work off on others. I was motivated to write this book, in part, based on that pet peeve- just a little.
Where were you born/grew up at?
I was born and raised in Washington, DC. I am a third generation Washingtonian. We are a dying breed.
If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
I would say goodbye to my mom and oldest kids, then play with my youngest – she’s five – and my husband at the beach.
Who is your hero and why?
I have two heroes- My mother is one hero. She raised me alone as a black lesbian working in primarily white heterosexual spaces for abused women. It was hard work that never paid enough (as with most non-profit spaces). We had little money, but I always felt loved and mostly provided for. I don’t have the power she does. I could not admire anyone more.
My other hero is Octavia Butler. This woman – packed with overflowing talent – moved in and possessed speculative fiction story spaces at a time when people of color were mostly barred. She wrote works that were intelligent and challenging and otherworldly- stories that could not be ignored. She transported the ails of this existence to other worlds where her reader could more safely evaluate our collective societal inequities and our common humanity.
The talent was great, and she was great. The one time I met her, she was humble and gracious. She had this grand presence. It was her existence and place in the speculative fiction genre that persuaded me that I too could contribute even if the social construct preferred I remain voiceless.
Honorable mention must go to Janelle Taylor who wrote a series of books that showed me it was possible to combine my love of science fiction and my love of romance to make an epic love story! If you haven’t read Moondust and Madness, and you love sci-fi romance, read it. It is entirely worth it.
What kind of world ruler would you be?
I would be a philosophical world ruler. I used to work at a foundation whose philosophy was that no one-person holds all wisdom and knowledge. For societies to thrive, every great mind must have a safe place at the table to contribute. As a philosophical ruler, I would rely on my “round table” to ensure “my subjects” were fulfilled and thriving.
Exiled alien prince Jarren Graf has never encountered a scent like Lissa Reyes.
To Desire the Stars
by: Venus Campbell
Genre: SciFi Romance
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Exiled alien prince Jarren Graf has never encountered a scent like Lissa Reyes'.
Abducted from Earth by Jarren, high-achiever Lissa Reyes discovered something hunted her scent. Both their scents, that is. As the key to reclaiming his throne and ending generations of galactic subjugation, Lissa knew Jarren could not let her go. But as a prince from a world built on olfactory power, Jarren's passions flared with her close. Every whiff grew their desire. Every touch increased their hunger for each other. By fate or chance, their love would change his civilization.
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Venus Campbell
Venus Campbell is the Principal of the Book of Venus publishing and the Winner of the Kroger Award for Excellence in Creative Writing. She has finaled in various writing contests such as the Central Ohio Ignite the Flame and the New England Chapter- RWA First Kiss. Campbell is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Authors Guild. Campbell has written professionally since 2006 and has completed five single title manuscripts. To Desire the Stars is her second publication. Campbell focuses on interweaving paranormal elements into romance stories, creating unique worlds which challenge people’s perceptions of self and preconceived notions of human love and relationships.
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I would enjoy reading this one. Sounds really good.
Many thanks to Storyteller publishing 22 for hosting me this past day. It has been great being among this austere group!. I hope readers enjoy the book. It has gotten its first editorial review and I am thrilled!😃
Venus Campbell