Feb 8 2015

Why Don’t They See Us? Weekend Writing Warriors

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…A fun way to sample new books and find new writers!

We’re onto a new story of mine, a WIP that still needs a lot of work. Mark, an ex-Special Forces soldier in the Sectors, has been hired by the Outlier Empress to rescue a kidnap victim who’s been taken to the border planet Freemarket, where anything goes and the authorities are usually hands off. Kind of like Las Vegas…he’s broken into the house of Barent Kliin, the kidnapper, persuaded Alessandra to go with him and fled in a stolen car, pursued by the bad guys and the planetary police. They collided with a cargo hauler…Mark knocked the driver out and assisted Alessandra from their wrecked vehicle, after which the couple flee into the crowded marketplace but are now trapped…until a strange little being showed up, offering to help…having no choice, Mark and Sandy flee with the creature:

(If you’re looking for my SFRB Showcase excerpt, which is a different thing, please go here.)

A hue and cry arose behind them.

Mark glanced back, stumbling over refuse on the path. Their odd guide didn’t pause, increasing the pace until the two humans could hardly keep up. Around a corner, through a narrow passageway, past a blur of staring citizens, doubling back occasionally, they ran. All at once their guide darted sideways, into a dark purple tent, and stopped. The sudden change in direction, followed by the unexpected end to the journey, took Mark and Sandy by surprise. She tripped on his heel, bringing them both down in a heap, tangled with their guide. Mark lay helpless on the carpeted floor, watching in astonishment as six cops went past the tent’s open portal, never even glancing inside.

So who owns the tent and why didn’t the police look inside? More next time…

Feb 7 2015

Guest Author Suz deMello Naughty Hearts

(If you’re looking for my SFRB Showcase excerpt, please go here.)

Today I have author Suz DeMello as my guest, with an excerpt from Naughty Balls, her story in this Valentine’s Day boxed set. Welcome! A few question fors Ms. deMello:

Veronica: What prompted you to start writing?

Suz: I had long felt a creative wellspring within me, and had sought to express myself in various ways. Nothing felt right, nothing seemed to work for me untiI found writing romance.

Veronica: Which five people (real, fictional, historical) would you invite to dinner and why?

Suz: I’d invite famous partiers: Shakespeare, Caravaggio, Bill Maher, Seth Rogen and James Franco. Let’s have fun!

Veronica: Which word or phrase do you most overuse in a manuscript? (I confess to “that” being my worst word LOL)

Suz: Unfortunately, I often begin a line of dialogue with “Well….” I have to go through each manuscript to make sure that doesn’t happen too often!

Quickfire Questions:

Must watch TV Show: Game of Thrones

Music on repeat: Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off”

Favorite Movie: Potter 3

Cats or Dogs? Dogs. No, cats. CatsnDogs, a new species.

Favorite Flower: roses

Tea or coffee: loose tea

Sweet or spicy: spicy

Morning person or evening person: evening (not late night).

Last meal on Earth would be: steak salad (BTW I am a vegetarian, but we’re talking about a special occasion!)

Favorite Perfume: Joy

Book or books I reread most often (up to 3, any genre): Pavane by Keith Roberts (a very evocative, beautifully written alternate history); LeGuin’s The Farthest Shore; Heyer’s Regency Buck, a classic Regency romance.

Veronica: How do you celebrate when you finish writing a book?

Suz: Prosecco and chocolate

Veronica: What are you working on next?

Suz: Victorian erotica

Veronica: Where can your Readers find you online?

–Website: http://www.suzdemello.com

Here’s the description of the boxed set (Suz’s excerpt below):

Twelve Naughty Valentine’s Short Reads including Contemporary, Dark Fantasy, Menage, M/M, M/M/F, M/F/M, New Adult, Paranormal, Shape-shifter, Steampunk & Time Travel from Amazon bestselling authors.

NAUGHTY BALLS by Suz deMello
Two college basketball players find themselves alone on V-Day evening. (M/F)

LOVE POTION #69 by Alexa Silver
When Keith and Jenna accidentally fall under the spell of one of her Valentine’s Day love potions, lust is in the air!

MY VALENTINE LOVERS by Nicole Austin
All I want for Valentine’s Day is to get barbed by a feline shifter and act out a few of the naughty twin fantasies getting me hot and bothered.

VALENTIME by Belle Scarlett
Valerie buys a South Carolina plantation and discovers a Valentine addressed to her from a previous owner who bids her to return to him in 1865.

DELIA’S HEARTTHROB by Regina Kammer
Gadzooks! Valentine’s Day is fast approaching – what’s a scientist to do? Edward knows naught of romance. Can steam power prevail over chocolates to win Delia’s heart?

TWO INTO ONE GOES GREAT by Lynne Connolly
A booker at a top model agency learns she’s anything but ordinary when two sexy photographers point their lenses—and more—at her.

UNDER THE HOOD by Lainey-Jo Charles
How do you choose between an online crush you’ve never met and a secret crush that you have? Maybe you don’t have to…

BUY ME A ROSE by Francesca Hawley
Jessica and Nathaniel Whitewolf celebrate their thirtieth anniversary as True Mates but they’ve lost their bond. Now a hot couples’ retreat will get it back.

CHOCOLATE-COATED REUNION by Berengaria Brown
Jake refuses to talk to Matt after he was very late on Christmas Eve. Matt’s determined to reconnect with Jake on Valentine’s Day.

CUPID’S CURIOUS CASE by Marianne Stephens
Alan’s last job as Cupid 84 involves neighbor Amy and a special box of candy. Both secretly desire the other. Can they find true love?

FIFTY SHADES OF VALENTINE’S DAY by Katherine Kingston
Dumped on Valentine’s Day! Melissa only thinks the day can’t get any worse. Until she damages her hot neighbor’s car, and he demands unexpected compensation.

THE REAPER’S VALENTINE by Charlotte Boyett-Compo
Sometimes a Reaper has to do what a Reaper does. It would be wise for a life-mate to remember that!

Suz: The short story is about two college basketball players who find themselves alone on V-Day evening. (M/F)

“I tell you what.” He was already close, and shifted so he was even closer.

I stared at his chest to avoid getting trapped by his gaze again. Not the best idea to avoid distraction. His chest was ripped like the rest of him and shiny with sweat. Not gross sweat. Sexy sweat.

I wanted to lick it.

I blinked, startled by the thought.

I wanted to lick Orlando Havens’ chest.

Actually, I wanted to do a lot more than lick Orlando’s chest.

He put a finger under my chin and raised my head so I’d have to look him in the eyes. His gaze was curiously intense. He said, “If we’re gonna play, someone oughta pay.”

I scrunched my eyebrows together.

He went on, “Let’s make a bet. You win, you get my manager’s name and number. I win, I…get…you.”

“You…what?” I was so far out of my depth I was drowning.

He grinned at me.

I breathed, felt, thought, then breathed again. Heavily. “That’s not exactly Sophie’s choice,” I said slowly. “But it’s a tough one.”

“Yeah?” His smile was a little smug and a lot sexy.

OMG. I realized with more than a little surprise that he was really interested in me. Not only as an athlete, but as a person.

As a woman.

Who’da thunk it? Not me.

I found myself grinning. “This is great. I win either way.” I looked him in the eyes again and allowed my eyelashes to flutter. “Don’t I?”

“So do I. I reckon I already won.”

“How’s that?”

“I didn’t know you liked me.”

My mouth dropped open. “Of course I do. Who doesn’t?”

He humphed. “A lot of people. And a lot of folks just wanna use me. You better look out for that, too, girl.”

“If anyone’s using me, I haven’t noticed.”

“You just got here, l’il Ms. Freshman. Come March Madness, people ’round here are gonna notice you even if you don’t bother noticing them. You’re gonna get hit on like you’re a punching bag.”

“Hm.” Nerves twitched in my belly. Starting to sweat, I unzipped my hoodie. “What do I do about it?”

“I’ll watch your back if you watch mine. If you want.”

“Oh, I want.” I again looked him square in the eyes. “I definitely want.”

********************************************************************************

Available on Amazon

Feb 6 2015

Only One Among Many SFR Brigade Showcase

On the first weekend of every month, the SFR Brigade Showcase is a chance for the authors to showcase excerpts from their latest releases, snippets from a work-in-progress, a new cover for their book or just have fun. Here’s the link for the Showcase hub, so you can find all the offerings!

I’m happy to say that my most recent science fiction romance Mission to Mahjundar just received an SFR Galaxy Award, so I’m going to give you a short excerpt from the novel. Princess Shalira, who is blind, is summoned in the middle of the night to the bedside of her estranged father, the planetary emperor, Kajastahn. The emperor speaks first:

“Heard you were caught in a terrorist explosion this morning.”

“I was on the edge of the blast, yes. I took no harm, other than a superficial wound in the arm. The military officer from the Sectors rescued me.” Touching the fresh bandage on her upper arm, Shalira felt her cheeks grow warm as she remembered how commanding and strong Major Varone had been, how gallant. I wish I knew what he looked like. She pushed the stray desire to the back of her mind. Important to concentrate in this rare audience with her father.

“Not the first sign of unrest and rebellion. Maralika thinks she and her son will rule after I die, but she may have miscalculated how much the people will swallow. New taxes, new gods, she’s imposing too much change, moving too fast. Make no mistake, though, she’ll hold power for some span of time after I’m gone, which is why I wanted you well away from here.”

Shalira was startled again. “I thought my marriage was arranged to ensure peace along the western border? To seal a treaty.”

“Come closer.” Kajastahn patted the edge of his bed and Shalira obediently moved toward the sound, sitting once she had bumped into the mattress. A heavy, beringed hand closed around hers. Stroking her hand with his thumb, the emperor said, “I’ve not been much of a father, not since your mother died and your brother was killed. Too painful to behold you.” Unspoken was, Why them? Why not you?

Pain clenched around her heart to hear him admit what she’d always suspected. Shalira fought not to cry. Time for self-indulgence later. “What’s changed now?”

“I don’t have much time left. Trying to settle old debts, fix some problems I allowed to fester. Now look, Bandarlok is reputed to be a strong man, holds what’s his. I think he’ll keep you safe, even if you aren’t to be his chief wife. Give him an heir with royal blood and your position will be secure, even after I’m dead. Maralika can’t touch you there.”

Icy shock poured through her, and Shalira’s heart skipped a beat. “I don’t understand. Are you telling me he’s already married?”

“Customary among the hill people, just as it is here in the city. By the Ten Gods, girl, surely you didn’t think a powerful man like him was going to take a blind woman past her prime as his chief wife? Not even with the dowry I sent.” Kajastahn’s laugh was like acid on top of his harsh words.

Shalira fought not to faint, drawing in deep breaths and digging the fingernails of her free hand into her palm. Never once had it entered her mind she’d be one among many wives. He makes it sound as if Bandarlok had to be paid to take me off his hands. She wanted desperately to be anywhere but in this room, listening to Kajastahn’s revelations. She’d been so proud to have the marriage arranged for her, to be serving a critical diplomatic purpose for her father. How little she’d understood. Forcing herself to remain seated, Shalira waited for the next blow to fall.

The story:

An attempted assassination left Princess Shalira blind as a child and, now that she’s of marriageable age, her prospects are not good because of her disability. She’s resigned herself to an arranged marriage rather than face life under the thumb of her cold stepmother. But then she meets Mike Varone, a Sectors Special Forces officer sent to Mahjundar by the intergalactic government to retrieve a ship lost in her planet’s mountains. After Mike saves Shalira from another assassination attempt, she arranges for him to escort her across the planet to her future husband. She’s already falling hard for the deadly offworlder and knows she should deny herself the temptation he represents, but taking Mike along to protect her is the only way she’ll live long enough to escape her ruthless stepmother.

But what should have been an easy trek through Mahjundar’s peaceful lands swiftly turns into an ambush with danger around every turn. Shalira’s marriage begins to seem less like an arranged union and more like yet another planned assassination. The more they work together to survive, the harder it becomes to stop themselves from falling in love. Caught in a race against time, can they escape the hostile forces hunting them and make it off the planet?

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Feb 4 2015

Wednesday Whimsy Dogs

In honor of my favorite Super Bowl commercial – the Budweiser puppy tale – I’m devoting this week’s Whimsy to dogs. And me being a cat person no less LOL!

The Victorians used all kinds of dog breeds in their advertising cards, usually accompanying or playing with children, but not always.

“Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.” Emily Dickinson

“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.” Robert A. Heinlein

“I’m an introvert… I love being by myself, love being outdoors, love taking a long walk with my dogs and looking at the trees, flowers, the sky.” Audrey Hepburn

Uh oh =>”I visualize a time when we will be to robots what dogs are to humans, and I’m rooting for the machines.” Claude Shannon (the “Father of Information Theory”)

“Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards.” Diogenes (sez the philosopher LOL)

“We shall see that at which dogs howl in the dark, and that at which cats prick up their ears after midnight.” H. P. Lovecraft

“If dogs could talk it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one.” Andy Rooney

“The dogs with the loudest bark are the ones that are most afraid.” Norman Reedus

“I was a dog in a past life. Really. I’ll be walking down the street and dogs will do a sort of double take. Like, Hey, I know him.” William H. Macy

Feb 3 2015

The Princess Must Guess Tuesday Teaser

The members of the SciFi Romance Group offer up short excerpts from our various novels…click on the group link for more teasers!

I’m switching gears this week to give you the first glimpse of the heroine Princess Shalira from MISSION TO MAHJUNDAR, which was just awarded an SFR Galaxy Award this past week! I was certainly honored and excited…

Although she’d never lived in the temperate mountain forests, Princess Shalira imagined she’d prefer them to the hot lowlands. Whenever she visited the tiny temple of her patron goddess Pavmiraia on the outskirts of the city, as she was doing today, she pretended the heat and intrigues of the capital and the court had been left behind. This chapel and her vivid daydreams provided special refuges for most of her life.

The floor was cool beneath her bare feet as she strolled twenty paces from the door to the altar, passing the snoring priestess, sprawled on a bench no doubt, mouth probably wide open. Not many come here anymore, not many at all. Will anyone worship the goddess when I’ve gone? Tears pricked Shalira’s eyes as she felt for the padded knee rest, bowed her head, and knelt in front of the altar.

“Do you know this is to be my last visit?” she whispered to the goddess she could no longer see. “Do you care? Will my pleas still reach your ears when I’ve completed my appointed journey?” Shalira fingered the amulet around her neck, the familiar whorls of the much-worn pattern under her fingers soothing her anxieties. For the thousandth time she reminded herself this impending trip wasn’t her choice so much as the least of evils. She took a deep breath. “Maybe my life will improve, away from the empress and her schemes.”

Settling more comfortably on the knee rest, she tried to visualize the chapel – graceful murals of forest and mountains on the walls, a small fountain in the courtyard outside, the larger than-life-size statue of the goddess herself, perpetually gazing to the east, a half smile on her face. Though Shalira’d not beheld these sights in well over fifteen years, she felt sure she was remembering them accurately.

A cool breeze smelling of moss and tiny flowers blew her long hair away from her face, and instinctively she lifted her chin to enjoy the stray breath of air.

Footsteps came down the aisle behind her, an unfamiliar, light tread. The newcomer halted a few feet behind the princess, who was already pivoting, unwilling to have her back to a stranger. For all the good it’ll do me if the intruder harbors evil intentions. She curled her hands into fists.

“No need to fear me, Your Highness. I offer a parting prophecy for your journey.” The woman’s voice was sweet and low, disarming. “You’ll travel farther than you dream, experience many things both good and bad, and even unexpected, but the blessings of Pavmiraia will wrap around you. Never doubt, but follow your heart in all your choices.”

“Thank you, priestess.” Unclenching her fingers, Shalira tried to calm herself with a deep breath. “Are you recently assigned to this chapel? I didn’t know there were any new celebrants.”

Gentle laughter like the chiming of bells. The woman touched Shalira’s cheek with the tips of her fingers. Annoyed, the princess straightened her spine, disliking anyone touching her, much less someone she didn’t know. “Indeed not,” said the bold newcomer. “I’ve been here since before your time. I came to bid you farewell, for I also take my leave of this place.”

“Who are you? I don’t recognize your voice.” She tried to keep impatience out of her tone. People who made her guess their identity were another frustrating aspect of her existence on the fringes of the court.

The story:

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For more about the SFR Galaxy Awards, visit http://sfrgalaxyawards.blogspot.com/

Feb 1 2015

No Time To Waste Weekend Writing Warriors

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…A fun way to sample new books and find new writers!

“There’s no time, travelers,” the creature said, grabbing Sandy’s skirt with its other hand, “You must make haste.”

Biting her lip, the princess took a deep breath, “I don’t think we have any choices, do you?”

“Out of options,” Mark agreed, staring into the little being’s glowing yellow eyes. “What do you have in mind, friend?”

“Come, come, come!” Maintaining its hold on Mark, releasing Sandy’s skirt as if disgusted by the silky material, the sentient backed away.

Worried about getting separated from Sandy in the crowd, Mark clasped her hand so hard she gasped. Their odd guide led the way, weaving and dodging through the crowded aisles until the two humans were hard pressed to keep up.

And in a bit of fun news, I’m proud to say Mission to Mahjundar, which I used to excerpt here, received an SFR Galaxy Award yesterday.