She Blinded Me With Science...Fiction
Samhain Publishing
Single, anonymous, and away from home mix for a powerful aphrodisiac. Bianca Kirkland makes her move on the hunky man at the end of the bar. Not only is she on vacation, not only is she making money, she is going to make a lasting memory with a weekend fling with the sculpted bodybuilder. Maybe get a snapshot or two as proof.

While trying to hide who she is, what she is doing in Vegas and date a man she can't remember, fiasco after fiasco plagues Bianca's perfect vacation. Gertie gets food poisoning. Bianca is forced to become a Klingon. A Klingon priestess who performs at a Betazoid wedding (naked). The commander of her own vessel in a Starfleet battle for dominion. And the most dangerous mission of all.a woman, falling deeply in love with a man.


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She Blinded Me With Science...Fiction is the winner of the 2007 CRW Keeper Award

Excerpt:
Bianca sucked in a deep breath. "O.K. So this was my day in a nutshell. When I left this morning, some little techno geek sidelined me and did in-fact require, no, demanded, that I change my boots before I could head into the briefing and find out about job assignments."

"No way."

"Way. And it gets even better, that was just the bowl for my cereal. I got screwed working chapel duty because no one else wanted it and it was all that was left when I went in."

"Well," Gertie cleared her throat several times. "That wasn't really you getting screwed."

"I'm pretty sure that's what it was. If you'd met the I'm-better-than-you-because-I-have-pointy-ears-hoity-toity little Vulcan assistant priestess bitch you'd think so too."

Gertie scratched her throat again, leaving angry red marks where her nails scraped too heavily against her skin. "Well, I might, but it's nothing personal and it had zero to do with techno geek sidelining you. Remember I told you I was scheduled to officiate."

"Still." Bianca shrugged. In her mind officiating and officiating were two different things. "I assure you. No one else would do it. It's a crap job."

Shifting in her seat, Gertie pressed her lips to her knees and looked at Bianca's feet. "The boots they gave you are very nice though. Flattering. Regulation."

Bianca flipped her the finger. "That's one, Gert."

Gertie solemnly nodded.

"Anyway, I had to exchange my boots. I followed Cameron--"

"Cameron?"

"Techno geek."

"Gotcha."

"He took me to this costume Mecca, hidden down in a storeroom in the basement. This place is wall-to-wall paraphernalia. They have body parts, Borg components, hair, patches, insignias. They've got it all." She sat back in her chair, allowing her back to curve up and over the ridge, rejoicing in the two small pops she heard. She continued the stretch until the head rush blurred her vision. On a long exhale, she sat back up. "They even have thread down there. All different colors. A whole table."

"Well, B, costumes do tear."

Bianca shook her head in wonder. Her pulse seemed smoother. Her head didn't hurt quite so bad. This was helping. "But who would have thought? Anyway, I'm in there with Cameron and who should walk in?"

"Who?"

"Colby James."

Coughing, Gertie reached for a soda can in the ice bucket. She cracked the seal and took a long sip. "Who's that?"

"The guy from last night."

She sat her can on the table. "Mega Man."

Bianca nodded.

"So?" Gertie shrugged. "Did he need a uniform or something?"

"No." Bianca slapped the table. "Get this, he's security."

"At the convention?"

"No, for the President. Yes, the convention. For the whole hotel!"

"He didn't tell you about it last night?"

Bianca popped the tab on her own cola. "We were otherwise indisposed."

"That is a big nutshell."

"Gets bigger."

Her curls bobbed. "O.K., so you see him. You say hello--"

"No. No." Bianca interrupted. "I didn't say hello. I...I..." She dropped her head in to her hands. She thought she was a big enough person to talk about it, but she wasn't. She was a coward.

"You what? Come on, you can't leave me hanging like this. It can't be that bad."

"Oh, how little you know." She'd done it this time. Not only was she going to rot in hell for lying to Colby and be shunned from the human race for being a bitch. No, it was much, much worse. Now, she had to tell Gertie what had happened.

Son of a bitch.

"What? You're killing me here, B." Gertie stuck her foot out and tapped Bianca's thigh. Gertie's peach painted toenails glared at Bianca through the gaps in her fingers. Gertie walked her toes further into Bianca's lap.

"You're so nasty. You know I hate feet." Bianca plucked up Gertie's big toe, then dropped it. "That's two."

Gertie smiled and pulled herself back into her tucked position. "You want to tell me. I can feel it. You know you want to. Come on, B. Talk to me. Give up the goods."

"You want the goods? I'll give you the goods. We're standing in there discussing my boot size. It would seem that Cameron has a special gift for knowing what size a person wears by just looking at them. He'd correctly determined what it would take to make my uniform regulation when we are interrupted by a voice from God."

"God spoke to you?" Gertie's dark brow creased.

"Sent from God. A voice that sounds like thunder and is as electric as lightening."

"Oh this is bad, you've gone poetic."

Bianca reached into the ice basket and chucked a small cube at Gertie, intentionally missing.

"That's not cool, B. So, Mega Man came into the costume Mecca, empowered by God. Why?"

"He's security, I told you. Seems Cameron forgot to enter some code before we entered."

"O.K."

"No. Not O.K. He comes in and looks at me. I know he recognized me. I know he did. I mean, why else would he look at me like that?"

"Your boobs?"

"Gertie, you are not helping."

"Sorry."

"Colby starts to reintroduce himself to me, like I could forget, when this huge Klingon warrior comes barging into the room." She paused to catch her breath.

When she didn't immediately continue, Gertie's shoulder shot in the air. "So what? You said it was a costume Mecca. He probably needed a little something."

Bianca laughed. It felt good to laugh. "He needed a big something."

Gertie's brow rose, mimicking her shoulder.

"His pants were so tight! I kid you not, you would've passed out on the spot. In your honor, I dubbed him Mister Boulder Balls."

Gertie snorted.

"I have no idea how the man could breathe! I swear. But even the lack of oxygen didn't slow this warrior's libido."

"No?"

"No." She shook her head. "Super Klingon stalks into the room, completely ignores Colby, and, are you ready for this?"

Gertie nodded.

"He sniffed me!"

"You're kidding?"

"May I die if I am."

"No way." Gertie's jaw dropped. "I can just see it."

"He--"

"No, wait. I'm enjoying the visual. Give me a sec."

Bianca snatched another ice cube and nailed her.

Gertie knocked the offending cube away. "Be careful with that. You might want to hold on to some of those ice cubes to cool your suitor down. Pay attention, B, and be on the look out for him. Sounds like the man's in season."

Bianca sobered. "Everyone is."

"Colby too?"

"It doesn't matter. He'll never talk to me again."

"Come on, B. It can't be that bad. If he works here he knows that there are all sorts of characters. He's probably seen hundreds of women get sniffed."

"I don't care about that!"

"Then I don't understand. He saw you, you saw him. Klingon warrior liked you. You handled yourself. I mean, what's so wrong with that?"

"Gertie, you have no idea how bad it really is."

"If Colby James likes you, I'm telling you it will be no big shake."

"Oh contraire."

Sitting up straight, Gertie waited.

"I praised Cameron in Klingon."

"That's not so bad."

"In Klingon, Gert!"

"It's even kinda cool in a I didn't know you could do that sort of way. So, that can't be your hang up. What's next?"

Why did Gertie have to be so obtuse? Bianca felt like screaming. Everywhere she turned, Gert waylaid her story. Frustration and self-anger boiled into a cauldron of turbulent emotion, all of her hard sought peace gone. Bianca was so sick of herself and her life. Tears burned in her throat, but none touched her eyes. She was tired and she was cranky and her best friend was being a moron. A moron who suddenly had loose morals. "Listen to me, Gertie! All of that crap, and then..."

Gertie's eyes rounded.

"And then, I lied to Colby about knowing him."

Gertie's breath caught.

"I looked him in the eye and then I called him human as though that were a bad thing."

Gertie fell out of her chair laughing.


Reviews:
I love romantic comedies. It’s what I want to read. So I decided to read this one thinking, based on the blurb, that it would be pretty funny. I’ve heard about Trekkie Conventions and know that these people take their roll playing seriously and after reading this book I thought Ms. Surbeck’s research for this book must have been interesting.

Best friends Bianca and Gertie are in Vegas to work a Star Trek convention. Bianca thinks that she will be playing the part of a disposable character so that will give her plenty of time for some fun. Sitting in a bar before the convention starts, Bianca tells Gertie she can pick up a guy without saying a word. Seeing the hot guy sitting at the bar, Bianca makes her move, but she doesn’t realize that this is a guy she knew in junior high school. Colby was a nerd and was constantly picked on by Bianca and her friends. He recognizes her and sees his chance to get a little revenge on the girl he liked years ago. He’s not the same geeky, awkward kid he was back then. He now a champion body builder and the head of security at the resort where the convention is being held.

When Gertie comes down with a bad case of food poisoning, Bianca has to take over Gertie’s role as a Klingon Commodore, officiating ceremonies from weddings to Ferengi christenings. Her “vacation” plans are severely interrupted and she finds herself very busy doing the role that was supposed to be Gertie’s, leaving little time to get to know Colby.

At first, I was wondering why I picked this book, but I really like to give the book more than a few pages to make my decision on whether or not to finish. I am so glad I stuck with this. I found myself enjoying the story and the characters (the main ones and the random ones that appeared throughout the story as Trekkies). I even thought at one point that I might want to actually check out one of these conventions. Since I know I most likely won’t be going to one of these conventions, Ms. Surbeck has written a book that I would say probably pretty accurately describes what goes on.

Bianca seems to be a very shallow, self-centered, party girl (think Paris Hilton) out only to have a good time. This is why at first I didn’t think I would like the book. But shortly into the story you learn why Bianca is like she is. Ignored and then practically abandoned by her career military father Bianca is “adopted” into her best friend Gertie’s family. She pretty much decides to use others (with the exception of Gertie, who she will do anything for and that includes becoming a Klingon Commodore) before they use and abandon her. She wants forever, but thinks for her, it will never happen. She wants and needs someone who will be loyal to her.

Colby is an okay hero. He is so bent on getting revenge on Bianca for past wrongdoings, it takes him a long while to see the real Bianca. He spends a good part of the book living in the past. At first, Colby thinks it is his looks that gets her to notice him. Initially it is, but when she spends time with him you can see that Bianca is really attracted but the guy underneath. For the first time she is able to open up to someone other than Gertie.

Gertie is a fun character. I like her loyalty to Bianca even when something happens that could threaten to break their friendship. They fight it out and seem to become even closer. Bianca and Gertie bring out the best in each other.

Like I said before, I’m glad I didn’t judge this book on the first few pages and kept reading.

Grade: C

Laura J.
Reuters.com
Interesting, fun, and certainly an unusual tale, SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE...FICTION will keep you chuckling. The concept of a romance revolving about a Star Trek convention is unique and, at times, confusing. What is going on? It’s not until later on that you find out. Bianca and Gertie are like night and day, one light-hearted and the other dark and serious. Their banter will provide many a laugh out loud moment, but it’s the burgeoning romance of Bianca and Colby that provides SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE...FICTION its tender moments. Bianca is not sure what she got herself into, and Colby is wondering what the heck is going on and trying to keep up with her.

Kally Jo Surbeck is rapidly establishing herself as a talented writer to watch. She can write a dark drama or a comical yarn, and adeptly mix it with a warm-hearted romance to create something that is delightful to read. SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE...FICTION is definitely another entertaining romance from her. Enjoy the hijinks of Bianca, Colby, and Gertie, and don’t miss this fun tale.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today
Kally Jo Surbeck's She Blinded Me With Science Fiction has many amusing twists and turns. Bianca is an extraordinary beauty with feelings of self-doubt. She blossoms as she comes to terms with herself. Colby James wants to correct the mistakes of his youth and has remade himself as an adult. The chemistry between Bianca and James sizzles as they come together and fall in love. As a veteran of many local and national Science Fiction and Star Trek conventions, this is a delightful tale. I chuckled from beginning to end at the hilarious antics of these characters. I eagerly await more "Intelligent life forms" to spring to life in Ms. Surbeck's next book!

Gene King
Joyfully Reviewed
She Blinded Me with Science Fiction is a steamy fantasy for Star Trek fans. Wow, I never knew those Star Trek conventions got so hot.

Tami Brady
TCM Reviews
No one cranks the tension higher than Kally Jo Surbeck. She Blinded Me With Science . Fiction will have you on the edge of your seat, racing to find out what happens next. But take your time. A close reading of this delightful book reveals that there's not a keener observer of human nature writing today.

Author Stephanie Vaughan
A fun and quirky book that will thoroughly delight both science fiction buffs and romance readers alike.

Author Lucy Monroe
This is a very clever, funny book, with a superbly described setting and cast of secondary characters. The dialogue is snappy, witty, and moves the book along quickly. The romance isn't very compelling, lost a bit in the slew of characters and plot twists. But the book does have some very sensual scenes and is ultimately very satisfying. Those unfamiliar with Star Trek might find the constant references to the series jarring and frustrating. Star Trek fans, in fact any Sci-Fi fan, will be thrilled with this fantastic wink of the eye at their beloved fictional world.

4 Hearts, Kitty Cullen
The Romance Studio
You soon find out that working at a science fiction conference looks like a lot more fun than it is. She Blinded Me With Science.Fiction is rich in detail about the people who love the Star Trek fan culture. The only problem with this story is that it is most definitely written by a Trekkie and you can easily get lost in the details of mock alien wedding etiquette. For those of us who love everything Trekkie, Kally Jo Surbeck has written a story that is all about finding hot love, Trekkie style.

4 Unicorns, Natalie
Enchanted In Romance

Interesting, fun, and certainly an unusual tale, SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE...FICTION will keep you chuckling. The concept of a romance revolving about a Star Trek convention is unique and at times, confusing. What is going on? It's not until later on that you find out. Bianca and Gertie are like night and day, one light-hearted and the other dark and serious. Their banter will provide many a laugh out loud moment, but it's the burgeoning romance of Bianca and Colby that provides SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE... FICTION its tender moments. Bianca is not sure what she got herself into and Colby is wondering what the heck is going on and trying to keep up with her.

Kally Jo Surbeck is rapidly establishing herself as a talented writer to watch. She can write a dark drama or a comical yarn, and adeptly mix it with a warm-hearted romance to create something that is delightful to read. SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE...FICTION is definitely another entertaining romance from her. Enjoy the hijinks of Bianca, Colby and Gertie, and don't miss this fun tale.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today
What a humorous and touching story! The idea of a Star Trek convention setting is really unique. I couldn't stop chuckling when I read about the banter between Bianca and Gertie, their wacky bet, the weird Trekkies and all the crazy things that happened to Bianca.

Also there is the sad story about Bianca's youth when she was disregarded by her father after her mother died. This abandonment is the cause of her behavior and her striving to adapt herself to other people in order to belong to someone. On the other side Bianca avoids deeper relationships which give her partner the opportunity to hurt her.

It was great to read about the development and self-awareness of Bianca and Colby and see the sparks flying between them every time they met.

If you like funny and entertaining romance stories with insightfully described characters you should read "She Blinded Me With Science. Fiction"!

Rating: 4.5, Ulrike
Mon-Boudoir
She Blinded Me with Science.Fiction is a wonderful book. Colby and Bianca must get past the people they were in junior high school in order to have a relationship. The author is able to bring all the insecurities that Bianca and Colby have to the surface. The emotional upheaval that each goes through takes a toll. The story has many humorous spots as Gertie and Bianca interact as only best friends can. This book should not be missed.

4 Angels, Tewanda
Fallen Angel Reviews
What is not to like about a book in which each chapter begins with a quotation from Star Trek? I thought the descriptions of the convention were very accurate, judging from the SF conventions I've attended. I had a really good laugh from the mental images of the con-goers that Ms. Surbeck invokes. It took me a couple of chapters to really get into the story, since a lot of the back story is revealed by the characters in those chapters, and was a bit confusing due to the order in which the information was given. Once I got on track, however, I kept reading because I wanted to find out what happened to the characters. There are four main characters, Bianca and Gertie, and Colby and his friend Miguel. The characters came across very superficially at the beginning of the novella, but they continue to develop and grow throughout the story. At the end, each one was an engaging and recognizable character in his or her own right. The several love scenes in the story a! re more sensual than erotic, and quite emotionally rewarding. You can't go wrong with this funny, complex story. I enjoyed it, and I think you will too!

4 Angels, Jean
Fallen Angel Reviews
I highly recommend She Blinded Me With Science.Fiction! Kally Jo Surbeck has penned an amazingly sweet, funny, sexy romance story. Gertie will keep you in stitches with her witty dialog and her happy-go-lucky personality. Bianca has past issues that she is still dealing with years later. Gertie and Bianca's friendship has no boundaries and the sisterly love these two have for each other is endearing. Colby has been in love with Bianca since junior high. He wanted desperately to be in the "in crowd" so Bianca would notice him, but she never did and the ridicule from all his peers is something Colby's never been able to get over. Can Colby and Bianca work out their insecurities, leave the past behind them and put their trust in each other?

Cindy
www.lilcinny.com
This was a wickedly funny story of blunder after blunder. These two characters finally find out that what they each want is each other. Although it takes a while, they get there in the end. I really enjoyed the wit and laughter throughout this book.

4 Cups, Sheryl
Coffeetime Romance
What a humorous and touching story! The idea of a Star Trek convention setting is really unique. I couldn't stop chuckling when I read about the banter between Bianca and Gertie, their wacky bet, the weird Trekkies and all the crazy things that happened to Bianca.

Also there is the sad story about Bianca's youth when she was disregarded by her father after her mother died. This abandonment is the cause of her behavior and her striving to adapt herself to other people in order to belong to someone. On the other side Bianca avoids deeper relationships which give her partner the opportunity to hurt her.

It was great to read about the development and self-awareness of Bianca and Colby and see the sparks flying between them every time they met.

If you like funny and entertaining romance stories with insightfully described characters you should read "She Blinded Me With Science... Fiction"!

4 1/2 Cupids, Ulrike
Cupid's Library Reviews