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!)
I’m excerpting Hostage To The Stars, which released in June. Edited from published version. I’ll do a few more snippets from it and then move on to my NEW book, Trapped on Talonque.
Johnny Danver has volunteered (under duress) to return to active duty in the Sectors Special Forces, to participate with local troops in a rescue mission for the other woman, Tresha Immer, who was taken by the pirates. She’s the mistress of a high ranking government official and the pirates were paid to kidnap her despite her K&R insurance. As the rescue mission is planned and executed, no one knows Sara exists…
“What about Sara Bridges?” Ms. Immer whispered, “Aren’t you going to get her too?”
Captain Scortun leaned closer, “Who?”
“The other woman taken off the Star Swan with me.”
“We’re here for you, ma’am, no intel on anyone else.” Scortun’s answer was crisp and disinterested.
“Do you know where she’s being held?” Johnny asked.
Tresha shook her head, “We were separated the first day, when we got here – nice little thing, no insurance.”
“Forget it, Danver, we’ve got our high value package and we’re out of here,” Scortun’s voice was low and stern. “Check the corridor – we need to move.”
Johnny gave him a considering look but took point and led the team from the palace and safely into the foothills.
But of course Johnny isn’t going to give up on the other hostage so easily….next week I’ll give you a bit more on that.
The story:
He rescued her from space pirates … but can he keep them both safe from the far greater evil stalking a deserted planet?
Space travel without Kidnap & Ransom insurance? Not a good idea. University instructor and researcher Sara Bridges can’t afford it, so when pirates board her cruise liner, she’s taken captive along with the mistress of a wealthy man, and brought to a deserted planet. When a military extraction team sent to rescue the mistress refuses to take Sara too, she’s left to the mercies of a retired Special Forces soldier, along as consultant.
Reluctantly reactivated and coerced into signing up for the rescue operation to the planet Farduccir where he once was deployed, Sgt. Johnny Danver just wants to get the job done. But when the team leader leaves one captured woman behind, he breaks away to rescue her himself.
As Johnny and Sara traverse the barren landscape, heading for an abandoned base where they hope to call Sectors Command for help, they find villages destroyed by battle and stripped of all inhabitants. A lone survivor tells a horrific tale of the Sectors’ alien enemy, the Mawreg, returning after being pushed out …
Searching for evidence to give the military, Johnny is captured. He regains consciousness in a Mawreg cage–with Sara next to him. Death is preferable to what the aliens will do to them… And even if they do escape their captors, can they alert the military in time to prevent another invasion of the Sectors?
Buy Links: Amazon Kobo Apple iBooks Barnes & Noble
Ugh, it’s always about money, isn’t it? Great snippet, Veronica. 🙂
Space pirates! Sounds fun. 🙂
A question. I’m not sure what you mean by “took point.”
It’s a military term – the soldier at the front of the column or platoon or unit is the point, which is the first or most exposed position, so Johnny took the point position. I think Captain Scortun secretly hoped they might run into trouble and Johnny would get shot 🙂 No love lost between these guys. Thanks for commenting!
Too bad Ms. Immer couldn’t keep quiet. She talks fondly of Sara, but wants her to be taken by the pirates, too. Nice snippet! 🙂
Maybe I’m confusing people – we’ve jumped way ahead in the book. The pirates were paid off to kidnap Ms. Immer, which they did, and Sara was in the wrong place at the wrong time with no insurance so the pirates took her too. No one knew her itinerary no one knows she’s missing (which gets explained in the book) and the soldiers weren’t sent to rescue her. But once Johnny learns she’s there, he refuses to leave without her.
At least she told them about Sara. (I kind of wish Johnny had stood up to Scortun* and had told him to find his own way out.)
*I keep reading his name as “Scrotum.” LOL
Johnny basically does that, once he gets Ms. Immer and the unit to the designated pickup point. As Special Forces, Johnny isn’t directly under Scortun’s command 🙂
I hope Johnny will finds Sara. I’m betting he will. This should be interesting. 🙂
Scotrun is very unemotional and only concerned with the mission. Sounds like Johnny is going to be Sara’s rescuer.
I imagine Johnny is thinking up a rescue plan, and just needs a little time to figure out his next course of action.
At least Ms. Immer told them about Sara. I’m sure Johnny will rescue her. 🙂
I’m so glad she told them! I’m sure Johnny will find a way to get Sara anyway. But boo to Scortun and his mercenary ways. (I keep mis-reading that as scrotum too!)
I never for a second believed Johnny was going to just let Sara remain with the pirates. 🙂 He’s a true hero, unlike the unlikeable Captain Scortun (and yes, I read it as scrotum too!). Great snippet!
I definitely get the sense that Johnny has Sara’s rescue as his next priority, and I’m thinking he’s not going to wait too long to do it. Intriguing excerpt, as always.
Marcia
Great snippet! I know Johnny is going back for her. Oh, and I knew what “took point” meant because of the point guard in basketball. Can you tell I’m married to a coach? 😉
Let’s hope love wins out over money.
Tweeted.
Johnny seems pretty quiet under orders, although I know he will break away.
That’s one cold-hearted dude. Lucky for Sara Johnny was recruited for this mission!
hope he’s able to get Sara out safe, too. Great snippet
I don’t care what you call him, just save her and fast. Hugs for your wonderful story.
Oh, I like Ms. Immer, good that she told them about Sara. Johnny seems nice too. 🙂 Great snippet!
Every time I read a snippet from this book, I want to put this at the top of my reading list!! Maybe this week I will. 🙂
Johnny sounds like a man who’ll do the right thing – I hope. Great snippet!
I loved this book.
Thank you! HUGS!
Johnny doesn’t sound like the type of man who will leave a woman to her fate. Great snippet.
Considering Scortun’s crisp, disinterest in saving her life, maybe his nickname should be ‘Scrotum’ — which is I’m ashamed to admit, how I read it at first.
Love Johnny’s attitude…no man (or woman) left behind. He’s a great guy. Love this snippet.
Somehow I expected that he’d go back for her.
That’s a harsh outlook… Wonder if it will stick. 😉
Technically, I guess the mission is the mission. It’s still a harsh way to treat a human being, though!
Great snippet–fast-paced. Can’t wait til Johnny finds Sara.
Great snippet. Love a fast-paced, thrilling romance novel.
Love the conflict between following orders/protocol and following instinct. Great snippet! I’m also dropping a link to my snippet; apparently the form didn’t submit my link! http://witandtravesty.com/weekend-writing-warriors-snippet-63/
Wow, I wonder why they wouldn’t even try to rescue Sara after they are told she exists. It’s so weird. Or do they not believe Ms. Immer? Do they think it could be a trap?
Interesting snippet … i hope he’ll find sara
Glad to hear he’s not giving up on the other hostage to easily! Nice snippet!
At least she has the decency to tell them about Sara, I guess she isn’t stuck up then. I wonder what they’ve done with Sara, and why they took her too.