If you’re here for the SFRB Presents, that post is here. (It’s longer version of this same scene…)
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 very excited about my new story Star Cruise: Stowaway, which is releasing in the PETS IN SPACE anthology on October 11th. Continuing on with the story from last week, Moby the cat won’t let him leave the cargo deck and nearly trips him. A little creative punctuation:
Moby and Midorri by Artist Nyssa Juneau
Swearing, he caught himself with a hand to the bulkhead, “What in the seven hells is wrong with you tonight? Giving me a concussion won’t get you fed.”
Moby yowled at him and ran toward the stacked cargo again.
Figuring she wanted to show him a recent kill, which he’d then have to dispose of, he followed.
Moby moved faster now that she’d gotten him with the program.
He followed her around the corner of the pallet the ship had taken on earlier in the day and found Midorri, the Zephyr’s other pet, crouched beside a free trader container. “What mischief have the two of you gotten into now?” he asked Moby. Midorri came aboard the Zephyr originally as the pampered pet of a princess, but after the whole outbreak incident, Sector authorities refused to let the lady disembark on Sector Hub with the undocumented animal, so the ship had kept the odd green fluffball.
Midorri sneezed, as she was often wont to do, allergic to humans perhaps, and flicked her plush prehensile tail before lowering her head and extending her long green tongue to lap at something on the deck.
“Freaking flares, do not tell me we’ve got leaking cargo.”
Here’s the blurb for the anthology, followed by the blurb for my story:
The blurb for Pets In Space:
Even an alien needs a pet…
Join the adventure as nine pet loving sci-fi romance authors take you out of this world and pull you into their action-packed stories filled with suspense, laughter, and romance. The alien pets have an agenda that will capture the hearts of those they touch. Follow along as they work side by side to help stop a genetically-engineered creature from destroying the Earth to finding a lost dragon; life is never the same after their pets decide to get involved. Can the animals win the day or will the stars shine just a little less brightly?
New York Times, USA TODAY, Award Winning, and Best selling authors have eight original, never-released stories and one expanded story giving readers eight amazing new adventures and one expanded story that will capture your imagination and help a worthy charity. Come join us as we take you on nine amazing adventures that will change the way you look at your pet!
10% of the first month’s profits go to Hero-Dogs.org. Hero Dogs raises and trains service dogs and places them free of charge with US Veterans to improve quality of life and restore independence.
And the blurb for Star Cruise: Stowaway:
Cargo Master Owen Embersson is shocked when the Nebula Zephyr’s ship’s cat and her alien sidekick, Midorri, alert him to the presence of a stowaway. He has no idea of the dangerous complications to come – nor does he anticipate falling hard for the woman whose life he now holds in his hands. Life aboard the Nebula Zephyr has just become more interesting – and deadly.
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I love how he talks to Moby, Veronica.
I am not sure I want to know what Midorri is lapping up!
I love the playful cussing, and mischief the alien is causing. Fun snippet, Veronica!
Uh oh! That doesn’t sound like a good discovery. Will this prevent Moby from being fed? Great snippet! I can’t wait to read all these stories. I’ve already pre-ordered the anthology.
Now I want to know all over again what it is that’s leaking.
I like the drawing. Well done!
Interesting to find out what’s leaking … if that’s what the problem actually is.
Fascinated to know what the pets have discovered, and love the drawing.
This story was set up perfectly. Your fans are going to be thrilled with this next Sectors romance, and you’ll get new ones too!
What fun! You had me at prehensile tail! I’ve got to get this collection.
This was playful and fun until the last line then concern kicked in.
Tweeted.
What a wonderful set of ship companions! This is just delightful. I think the interaction he has with the pets is perfect! Great snippet!
An odd green fluffball with a prehensile tail – where can I get hold of one of my own? I want one! What a fun snippet.
Midori-a green cocktail. You have created a remarkable creature, Veronica. On with the fun! Hugs!!
Love the interaction with him and Moby. Great snippet
Leaking cargo or a human hiding, perhaps? Great snippet, Veonica!
Clever kitty, and green fluff-ball! That illustration is darling.
Super ! Not one, but two space pets.
I do love his colorful metaphors. 🙂 I am wondering what is leaking and why the pets seem so concerned he find out.
Uh oh. Maybe his little pet really is trying to tell him something.
Absolutely love this snippet, and that last line! Great sketch too! 😀
I kinda doubt my cats are quite this intelligent… but I love the sense they’re trying to tell him something and he’s not quite getting it!
I love your pets! They always seem so intelligent. 🙂 I’m not really comfortable with what Midorri is lapping, though!
Great snippet. Not so sure I want to know Midorri is licking up, though.
Great snippet. Can’t wait to read this. The anthology comes out tomorrow, right?
Yes, October 11th – WHEE! I’m excited 🙂
Pet’s in Space. How do we potty train them?
He’s not having a good day, is he?
What a fun snippet! I love how the pets are real characters in the story, and his epithets are great!
I am very curious what Midorn is lapping up (& hoping it’s not toxic to the green furball). I like the way Moby came for her human to follow (my cats do that all the time). Best of luck with the anthology.
He’s got some interesting choice of words for swears and exclamations. LOL. I wonder what that little green furball is lapping up, but I get the feeling it’s not a good thing.