The first SF Romance book I ever loved.

Though it isn't tagged as a SF romance, probably because there is only a Happily for Now ending, instead of the classic HEA. But it does hold all the elements of SFR. a relationship as the central focus of the book, as well as a vivid futuristic landscape. This book by the uber talented Peter David is without a doubt one of the best my preffered subgenre has ever offered. Even if he doesn't consider himself a member, but we'll forgive him for that ;-)

Fist published by Pocket Books in August 1992 (yes, I was twelve, but this was before the real YA push and I was sick of the Baby-Sitter Club books.) I recall the excitement when I read the jacket copy. Since I was a huge fan of ST TNG and borderline obsessed with the Riker-Troi relationship I was pretty much salivating all over myself right there in The Paper Cutter.

This book held a whole host of first for me.The first hardcover book I ever bought, the first romance based book I'd ever read. I was already in love with the show, which then was in it's fifth season (prior to the emergence of Riker's doppleganger, later named Thomas.)

 One of the things I loved most about Peter David's Star Trek books was his attention to detail. He was obviously a fan of the show, as I'd discovered when reading a few of his Star Trek  books, A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE and Q-IN-LAW, other faves of what was essentially published fan fiction. He got the characters mannerisms down to an exact science and went beyond that to explore their hearts.

I searched for years for a book that would give me the same feelings, a sense of adventure and hope as this one did. Many offered great escapes, and became favorites in other ways but after a decade I understood that if I wanted this mix of science fiction, romance, adventure and fun I'd have to write it myself.

So there's another first. Not only did this book make me love the SF romance genre, it made me want to write it as well. And is indirectly responsible for my first sale. I can only hope that one day someone says the same thing about NO LIMITS or another of my books.