(If you’re here for the Aprils Fools for Love Event & Giveaway, go here.)
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 and fall into a tent. The owner of the tent is an extremely mysterious being, who prevented him from shooting at their pursuers. She’s offering them the opportunity to Travel…not in a groundcar or a or a spaceship…two weeks ago she showed them the Globes of Amarkana. Now Mark has picked one and shattered it.
Heat and a rush of spice scented air swirled around them. Mark felt as if he’d been picked up by a whirlwind. He was afraid to open his eyes, as the air filled with grit or sand, scraping across every inch of exposed flesh. Tightening his arms around Sandy, he buried his face in her soft, fragrant hair. From the sensations, he’d have said they were flying through the air, yet a solid footing remained under his boots.
Now that it was too late, worries flooded Mark’s mind. Had Lajolae been trying to save them, or had she sent them into the path of some worse fate?
Too late for regrets.
Next week I’ll give you the end of the journey, or a snippet thereof, and then we’ll switch off to something else in two weeks.
I could feel that sinking-in-the-pit-of-my-stomach. Oh dear! Excellent description. I enjoyed the engagement of all my senses. Nicely done, Veronica.
Remind me not to smash any globes. I don’t want to end up whisked away to the Land of Oz.
So scary to not know where they are going and to wonder if he chose wrong. Great visuals. Terrific 8
Yes, I believe I would have similar misgivings in that moment. At least it smells good! Can’t wait to see where they end up!
Beautiful details in this snippet, Veronica, nicely done!
This reminds me of that story about the man who jumped off the Empire State Building. He survived and afterwards, he said, “About halfway down, I realized it was a bad idea.”
But I’m sure this will work out better for our heroes. Eventually! 😀
Breathtaking description. literally. You carried me along with them to Never, Never land.
Great description. I could almost feel myself traveling with them, and I love how the snippet ended. Makes me want to know what’s coming next!
Oh what’s waiting for them on the other side?? Strong excerpt! This is the sort of scene that makes readers creep to the edge of their seats as they read 🙂
brave, brave Mark. I cant wait for you to finish this story. I want it all. 🙂
Wonderful imagery and great excitement!
I love the image of him holding her close as they travel to who-knows-where. Fantastic sensory details, as usual.
I really like the use of all the senses here, Veronica. The grit and sand scraping, the heat, the spice scented air, all make the scene come alive.
What a terrific snippet that hits the senses! Loved the curiosity that last sentences leaves. Great snippet!
I can’t wait to see where they arrive
Oh I do hope she was on their side. Wonderful imagery here! Can’t wait to see where they end up.
Terrifying. But what choice did they have? I love the way you’ve built tension here and left the reader wondering what is going to happen and where they’re going.
It has to be ok! Argh – now I have to wait until next week.
You had me hooked last week. Nice snippet.
Oh, wonderful descriptive writing flow and emotions. Great eight!
Great description of traveling through the globes. I was reminded of The Mummy when they traveled by sand storm! Can’t wait to read about journey’s end. Great 8!
I like how they travel! Especially like the scent of spice.
Excellent descriptions. I felt like I was right there with them.
As a former soldier he’d gone with the gut instinct, but I feel his damned if you do, damned if you don’t worry. Great snippet!
It wasn’t like he had much choice. I can’t wait to see where they end up.
Great tension and sensory description. Can’t wait to see where they land.
Love how you utilized the senses. It really transported me!
That does not sound at all like a fun way to travel. Hopefully their destination is better.
Excellent description Veronica!I could smell it, hear it, see it, and feel it. And I like his second guessing–and then accepting that it’s too late for regrets. 🙂 Wonderful 8!
Love the vivid descriptions here! I could almost smell her hair myself. 🙂 Excellent! Just Excellent! 🙂
I love your descriptions, and the feeling of uncertainty even when it’s too late to do anything else.
Oh, that sounds like quite a plot! Your snippets are always fun to read 😀 Not too often does a writer engage the reader’s sense of smell. Definitely adds another dimension to this snippet. It’s cute how he’s already protective of her :3
I don’t think that this line is needed since it’s mostly implied by the preceding lines, “From the sensations, he’d have said they were flying through the air, yet a solid footing remained under his boots.”
Wheee! Yay! So glad he took the plunge. Now where are they off to?
And where they land next nobody knows… 😀
Well, I do LOL.
Thanks for all the comments and tweets and Likes! Much appreciated and always encouraging…
Excellent descriptions, love it
So visual and descriptive!! Love your work, Veronica!