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 authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)
Moving on to Star Cruise: Outbreak for a few weeks of excerpts….Dr. Shane has been at loose ends since leaving the military and her father’s arranged for her to take a temp job on an interstellar cruise liner. Moving on again, Jake has repeated his invitation to Emily to attend a crew party on the beach deck of the Nebula Zephyr.
“I wish you’d reconsider about the party – you wouldn’t have to stay long, just let me introduce you to a few folks, grab a plate of food and a beer, and leave.”
Freeing herself from his light touch with a frown, she retreated a step, “Why do you care?”
“I understand why you aren’t too fond of beaches—”
“We were staging the wounded there, on Fantalar, for transfer to the Cassie,” she said, using the nickname the crew had given the battleship she’d been assigned to. “Until the Mawreg attacked and—”
“I know – I was on Fantalar’s beach too.” His voice was quiet.
Alarm bells rang in her mind. Veterans who wanted to thank her for saving them were the worst. She never knew what to say, and in their well-meant words of gratitude, she always heard the unspoken criticism of her failure to save everyone.
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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Oh, so he actually told her where he knew her from. I have a feeling he’s going to surprise her. I hope so. 😉
I wonder which ship he was on? Perhaps there are answers in earlier excerpts, I’ll have to check. Very interesting lines.
The guilt is gonna get her if she allows it…
Bad memories associated with beaches. I wouldn’t want to go to the party either. (Then again, I don’t like parties.) I hope you continue with this scene — I’d love to hear more about it.
I might give a bit more from this scene. I’m trying to give the flavor of the book…before I move on to the next book. I have another one coming out in the Fall that I’ve never excerpted here as yet.
I think her alarm bells are wrong about him.
I wonder if the veterans really are silently critical — or if her guilt at not saving everyone causes her to infer criticism where none was intended.
I think she’s being hard on herself here- I’m sure a lot of veterans would be grateful for what she did for them, full stop.
Beautiful expressions of emotions. In outer space yet! What a writer. Many hugs. C
Wonderful excerpt, Veronica! That last paragraph really packs a punch. Always enjoy the many adventures you take us on. 🙂
Uh-oh, no matter how you try to be rational, the emotions from traumatic experiences will always surface. I wonder how she’ll handle it.
Poor girl. I hope she learns to accept that she did a great thing even if you she feels like she failed some people. Great snippet.
I can’t imagine veterans resenting anyone who saved so many lives. I hope she’ll come to realize that soon. Maybe he’ll help her. 🙂
Jake’s got an uphill battle for sure. Sounds like Emily needs some PTS counseling.
Oh, great way to introduce her internal tension. I’m sure that failure to measure up in all in her own mind, but it’s totally believable. Great little excerpt!
Marcia
Yeah, I could see where an event like that would be awkward for Emily! Great snippet.
It sounds as though meeting Jake might help with her PTSD. Provided she can accept it.
That last line is powerful, Veronica. Good stuff.
Sometimes it’s good when people force you to *gasp* socialize. Other times, it makes me want to bop them upside the head with a book and run away.
SO true Caitlin!
This is a great complication for your story. I can’t help but wonder, though, if the voice she hears uttering an unspoken criticism of her failure to save everyone isn’t her own voice.
Nice connect, Jean! The plot thickens . . .
Oh so he IS going to remind her they’ve met! Huh… Somehow I didn’t think he would. Can’t blame her for not wanting to go to that party. Then again, I’m not a fan of parties either. Not a big fan of beaches either…
Ah, the internal angst appears. Nice character development.
She hold herself to an impossible standard. I really enjoyed this book.
TYVM Elaine, I’m so glad you liked the book 🙂
Nice touch of backstory without slowing down the pace. 🙂
Mawreg? Reminded me of our Sue Ann Bowling. I wonder if they ever got her stories finished and published…
Yeah my bad guys have been the Mawreg since 1988. Sue Ann’s books are available on Amazon, with her bio as if she was still with us, which I find a bit jarring. I miss her – she had an excellent sense of humor that would sneak up on you and she sure could do worldbuilding!
This is gonna get awkward for her. Great set up for more! 😀
Oh wow, this looks incredible!
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I hope he won’t disappoint her now that he’s told her where he knows her from.
Nice development here … great snippet
Loved the snippet. Can’t wait to read more.
She’s too hard on herself. Sorry for the late response.