From STAR CRUISE: OUTBREAK – Liora is a famous ‘trideo’ actress taking a vacation aboard the interstellar cruise liner.
Leaving her chair, the youngest Enzell child tugged at Liora’s sleeve, asking in a high-pitched, excited tone, “Are you the Gantaran Fairy Queen – will you grant me a wish?”
“Now don’t bother the lady, Syl, please go back to your seat.” Her mother shushed the girl, turning to the actress apologetically, “It was her favorite trideo last year and she can sing all the songs.”
Liora leaned closer, putting her arm around the child. Focusing all her star power on the girl, she said, “I got to pretend to be her. You understand make-believe, right?”
Syl nodded, eyes wide.
“Well, the queen let me make-believe I was her for a little while, but I couldn’t very well borrow her real magic – she needs it all to keep Gantara safe.” The actress plucked one of the cloth napkins from the table, and her husband handed her a writing instrument in a deft move he’d obviously made many times before. Liora drew a caricature of a fairy on it, signed her name and wrote a short message before handing it to the girl, “Just for you,” she said.
The story:
She saved countless soldiers in the wars … but does she have the weapons to fight an outbreak?
Dr. Emily Shane, veteran of the Sector Wars, is known as “The Angel of Fantalar” for her bravery under fire as a medic. However, the doctor has her own war wounds–severe PTSD and guilt over those she failed to save.
Persuaded to fill a seemingly frivolous berth as ship’s doctor on the huge and luxurious interstellar cruise liner Nebula Zephyr, she finds the job brings unexpected perks–a luxe beach deck with water imported from Tahumaroa II, and Security Officer Jake Dilon, a fellow veteran who heats her up like a tropical sun.
However, Emily soon learns she and Jake didn’t leave all peril behind in the war. A mysterious ailment aboard the Zephyr begins to claim victim after victim … and they must race against time and space to find the cause and a cure! Trapped on a ship no spaceport will allow to dock, their efforts are complicated by a temperamental princess and a terrorist–one who won’t hesitate to take down any being in the way of his target. If anyone’s left when the disease is through with them…
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Have you booked your Star Cruise yet? 14 Voyages to choose from!
I’d say this is a sweet snippet, and it is, of course … except for the looming threat of disease that might strike down the nice actress and the cute kid.
Well I do tend to write ‘disaster movies’ LOL.
Very nice — likr the dialogue and the last line!
That was kindly and sweetly done. Great snippet, Veronica. 🙂
Really lovely, and very sweet, and thanks Ed for then reminding me of the looming disaster which I’d put out of my mind momentarily!
That is a sweet snippet, and some deft character building, Veronica! I have to read this one. 🙂
Aw, she really knows how to deal with fans, and kids!
Sweet! Such a nice scene. Thanks for sharing. Happy Mother’s Day!
Oh, what a sweet way to deal with a little fan. Nicely done. Now you may turn the monsters loose.
What a sweet scene and a lovely character you created. I assume you’re going to strike her dead, now? Lol.
On my Kindle list once I break loose, dear GF. Hugs and Happy Mothers Day to the best.
Autograph! I love it! Great scene!
Oh that’s a wonderful excerpt, I want to run over and hug Liora myself 🙂
Marcia
She knows how to win over a fan! Will be looking for your new cover!
Not many stars are that gracious – a winner here!
She seems so nice. I love how she handle the child. Like telling her she can’t grand a wish without really saying it.
Such a nice scene ahead of some looming disaster.
Cover reveal coming up- awesome 🙂
Tweeted.
Nicely-captured. The scene feels very real, exactly as a situation like that is supposed to play out.
That is quick thinking and a perfect way to deal with the situation! Nicely done.
What a beautiful scene. I loved the way the actress dealt with the situation. Great snippet!
Aw….is that the sweetest thing ever or what? Love the drawing she does, and her words to the child. Great snippet!
A sweet scene, and I love the way she focuses on the child. Great snippet.
Awww! So sweet. I love the explanation she gives that maintains the magic. 🙂
Sweet scene, although wouldn’t that crush the little one’s beliefs?
Well Liora implied the Fairy Queen existed, so hopefully not.
Like everyone else said sweet scene – and then I’m guessing all heck is going to break loose. Tweeted.
Thanks for all the comments – I’m glad the scene and the book are resonating with people. Seemed odd not to have excerpted it here more often but we were making our way through that long scene in Lady of the Star Wind for so many weeks LOL.
Sounds interesting, Veronica! Love that she draws a picture for the child.
I just finished this one and enjoyed it very much.
Great detail about the husband’s deft move being something he’d done many times before. Loved this moment between a star and an adoring fan!
I love actors who don’t crush the dreams of their fans–so much of the world is sad, why ruin the small magics?
Aww, such a sweet scene! Perfect for mothers day! 😀
Very sweet snippet between the star and child. Believing in a bit of magic is always good. 🙂
What a sweet scene. Not many would take the time (or have the creativity) to weave that tale for a child.
Such a sweet snippet, I love the way she explains the fantasy to the child.
Very sweet. 🙂
This really makes me like Liora. And fear for her life now! Ha ha Great snippet.
Awwww, how sweet! Loira seems like a really nice lady.
what a lovely scene …. enjoyed the snippet.