I’ll bet many of you know (or think you know) Heather of The Galaxy Express. She’s a tireless supporter of SciFi Romance. She is also the author of  what she calls “clock punk” and space opera SciFi Romance novels. But did you know  Heather Massey will also be releasing her first fairy tale romance with Lyrical Press later this year? It builds on the popular beauty and the beast trope (my very favorite) and I’m honored to be able to debut the cover and unofficial blurb.  I also took this opportunity to ask Heather a few fun questions. Don’t miss her answers after the story blurb. They are so fun you’ll be in danger of snorting coke-a-cola from your nose. So, put down your glass before reading further.

But first…. passion, romance, and savage lust in LORD OF SNOW AND ICE

An innocent Beauty…a fearsome Beast…dangerous passion.

Legendary tales surround “the Dark Prince,” the mysterious sorcerer who dwells in a kingdom cursed by endless winter. Though shunned by all, Prince Stellan secretly crusades against a zombie plague unleashed by his tyrannical father against the Five Lands. But only an alliance with the wealthy kingdom of Aldebaran will provide him with the support he needs to eradicate the plague once and for all.

Clarysa is an Aldebaran princess with a mind for adventure and a body for passion. Although she’s heard the tales about Stellan’s dangerous nature, and knows a romance with him is forbidden, one smoldering look draws her deep into a world of dark magic and sensuous rapture.

But crusade and romance unravel when Stellan’s power hungry twin sister transforms him into a hideous beast. Stellan now faces a crucial decision: should he seek a cure, or give in to his savage lusts and claim Clarysa at any cost?

Oh Heather, you had me at Dark Prince! And is that not a beautiful cover?!

Now on to the fun and cola snorting interview …

Charlee: If you could safely have dinner with a villain from a fairytale which one would you choose?

Heather: Jadis, a.k.a. the White Witch from C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. She positively oozes evil and makes a mean Turkish Delight.

Charlee: Ooh, good one. I love turkish Delight!

Charlee: What superhero would you most like to spend a day with and why?

Heather: I’m going to split the day and spend the first twelve hours with Black Lightning, the name for the ordinary, down-on-his-luck Russian superhero Dima and his 1966 GAZ 21 flying Volga. I love movies about flying cars and Black Lightning (2009) is the best film about a flying Volga, ever! I want to soar above the skies of Russia in that car.

I’d spend the other half of the day with the superheroes from Ben Stiller’s Mystery Men (1999). I’m still in awe of how the film spun the amateur superhero concept. Hanging out with that group would be an absolute laugh riot.

I’m especially enamored of the character design for the Shoveler (William H. Macy). He’s like a samurai–with a shovel! And The Bowler (Janeane Garofalo) really bowled me over (ha!) with her clever power. Honestly, we need more bowling superheroes in our lives.

Charlee: If you had to live in a traditional fairytale world which one would you choose?

Heather: The world of Peter S. Beagle’s The Last Unicorn. It’s dark, subversive, bittersweet, exciting, romantic, dangerous, and utterly magical. With morally ambiguous villains, compelling characters, and complex themes, the world of The Last Unicorn is so immersive I’d actually pay to live there.

Charlee: If you were single and paranormal creatures were real, would you rather date a vampire, a werewolf, or a Yeti?

Heather: A Yeti! Blame it on countless viewings of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer if you must, but Yetis are very mysterious to me no matter what their actual nature. And there’s something awfully cute about their shaggy, shuffling nature. Dan Simmons’ The Terror fueled the Yeti fire for me as well, so folks who want to get their Yeti horror kink on should check it out!

Charlee: Good choice! I loved the yeti that protected the young witch, Lin, in The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor! Nothing cute and shuffling there though.

Charlee: If you had to dress like one of the Disney Princess for a day, which one would you choose?

Heather: My choice would be Ariel in mermaid form because then I could visit those spooky deep sea fish. You know, the ones sporting huge eyes, bioluminescent photophore lures, and vicious fang-like teeth. Some of them are downright prehistoric! I would be all like, “Hey, how’s it going?” and stare at their Lovecraft-inspired biology to my heart’s content.

Charlee: Cheating! I wanted to picture you in one of those big goofy dresses! LOL

Thanks for sharing your cover, Heather. And thanks for answering my questions.