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!)
Apologies in advance but I’ll be slow getting to comment on other posts this week…helping out with my new grandbaby – YAY!!!
I’m continuing on with my latest release, Star Survivor for the last week. The book is on sale if you want to know how things turn out LOL!
Next week will be from something else…
(Blurb for Star Survivor below the excerpt.) Edited a bit from published version, mostly for punctuation. Twilka and Khevan are on the run, trying to evade other assassins, since the Red Lady has a kill order out on Twilka. The couple are in a bad area of town, waiting for their friend Nick to arrive. Khevan’s last line, last week, was “I didn’t abandon you on Temple Home, at least not willingly.”
Tilting her head, Twilka raised both eyebrows, “Seemed like it to me. Did I ever see you again, did you send word, say goodbye?”
“I couldn’t,” Leaning his head against the wall, he closed his eyes, “What do you remember of our final evening?”
“Drums. There we were in the White Lady’s temple across the great square and your Red Lady had her people pounding the drums, for a ritual, you said. The sound echoed—it was eerie. The percussion symphony gave me a migraine, but you were restless, pacing, agitated. I went to bed and you left the room. And I never saw you again until the other night on the Nebula Zephyr.”
“The drums were her heartbeat.”
The story:
The survivors of a terrible wreck meet again—but this time only one can survive.
They survived an iconic spaceship wreck together. She never expected to see him again … especially not armed to kill her.
Twilka Zabour is an interstellar celebrity. She built on her notoriety as a carefree Socialite who survived the terrible wreck of the Nebula Dream, and launched a successful design house. But now the man who gave meaning to her life, then left her, is back–this time for the worst of reasons. Will he kill her … or help her survive?
D’nvannae Brother Khevan survived the Nebula Dream in the company of a lovely, warm woman, only to be pulled away from her, back into his solitary life in the service of the Red Lady. Now Twilka’s within his reach again–for all the wrong reasons. Khevan will do everything within his power to discover why Twilka has been targeted for assassination, and to save her.
But Khevan is not Twilka’s only pursuer. Will allies Nick and Mara Jameson arrive in time to aid the couple, or will Khevan and Twilka’s ingenuity be all that stands between them and death?
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THE BOND THAT TIES US by Christine d’Abo
A man on a mission
THE DREAM MERCHANT by Linda Mooney
Haydn Forney. Haydn is the son of the most hated man on the Endurance, Fornell Acardi, leader of the psychotic Caver movement. Strife follows Haydn everywhere.
Grant McFarland is the head Protector of Clan Lochguard. His top priority is finding the traitorous former clan members who attacked the Scottish clan. However, the touch of a female he’s known his whole life has started to set his body on fire. Both man and beast want her, but until he can ensure the clan is safe, he must resist her.
Manhattan has many secrets. Some are older than the city itself.
Melody is a woman bound by obligation. She loves her family, but can’t help dreaming of more. Exploring faraway lands, thrilling adventures, maybe even kissing strangers? Anything sounds better than caring for her sickly aunt and quiet, boring, small-town life.
Gripped by a fierce mating fever, Prince Korven is ordered home to marry highborn stranger. The three month long journey is filled with peril and he must keep his identity secret. As fate would have it, he crossed paths with Adelle, a most intriguing and infuriating human female.
Freelance tech Evie Contreras belongs to the Employee class of the Pacifica Protectorate, the “perfect society” that rose from the ruins of the West Coast. But Evie knows about Pacifica’s festering core and the secrets that keep it in power. And when she discovers that Pacifica has turned her fiancé Ben into a cyborg soldier/slave, she will risk everything to rescue him.
friend, and an apartment completely void of her cheating ex. That is, until she wakes up, cuffed and naked, on an alien planet/fight club known as the Pit. Worse? Aliens fight to the death to be able to claim their prize: human pleasure mates. Even worse? She realizes she’s one of them.
Corey Madrigal is bathing a behemi, a flying miniature pig, when Naomi crashes into his life. With a natural talent for seeing through glamours, he feels a responsibility to the creatures of his island home, creatures who were the friends of his childhood. Now, he’s a Hollywood special effects artist, and he’s going to be an amazing ally for Naomi in her quest to capture the hunters of the island’s fantastical creatures.
she finds a tiny shop, where she buys a miniature portrait. The man in the picture calls to her, as if she already knows him. When she finds the full-size painting, magic happens, and she is transported back in time to 1816.
Wrongly imprisoned whistle-blower Rachel Pierce would rather take her chances with her court appeal than accept her place as the first Interstellar Bride destined for the Colony. She’s stubborn and determined to seek justice—and her freedom—on Earth…but her mates are not willing to risk her life or her future on a system they believe to be both primitive and corrupt.
It’s the same with Markathus, who goes by Mark, her dark god with his traditional style and quiet manner.
A homecoming that tempts fate.
he’s ever loved. When Fiona O’Riley kicked him out of her life decades ago, he thought she was gone for good. Now that she’s back, nothing will stop him from claiming her. But she wants nothing to do with him—or his family.
Mack Darian and Dash Scudo aren’t soldiers anymore. Inspired by the kindness of the woman who saved their lives and touched their hearts, they are defenders, instead. As Corporate Security, they’re dedicated to protecting the citizens of The Drift from all threats, including each other.
I have not read most of the new releases listed (although I always end up one-clicking a bunch as I prepare these posts LOL) and as always I recommend sampling before you buy!
THE DRAGONLINGS VERY SPECIAL VALENTINE (DRAGONLINGS OF VALDIER BOOK 4) by S. E. Smth
DESTIN’S HOLD (THE ALLIANCE BOOK 5) by S. E. Smith
Three Battered Hearts. One Perfect Love
Dana Hallsey is on her last trip. After so many journeys to the planet of Octava, the Ambassador from Terra has had enough of seeing everybody find their fated when she can’t muster any faith in love anymore. As a single mother, she has to do what’s right for her son – and that’s giving him stability. Not something in abundance in an alien warzone!
VS Note: I bought this for the new Robin D. Owens story. I have no idea about the romance content of any of the stories.
As magical and mundane worlds entwine, empath and unawakened Mage Clea Reese must team up with the secretive James Larrimer to hunt her mentor’s killer and stop the forces of corruption from obtaining the Chest of Bone, the ultimate source of otherworldly power.
Ten years ago, Peter Pan left Neverland to grow up, leaving behind his adolescent dreams of boyhood and resigning himself to life as Wendy Darling. Growing up, however, has only made him realize how inescapable his identity as a man is.
forsaken nations, I had to stop the war.”
Soon Morgan is dragged into a mystery that includes dragons, knights, and a mysterious witch hellbent on revenge. She will come face to face with truths and secrets about herself she has long forgotten. As if that weren’t enough, the man who she has no memories of? He is completely charming, but seems incapable of telling her the truth about anything. Even worse, she just might be falling for him.
wedding offer, Shade wonders what an Alpha King has to do to get the woman to notice him… Use the one, hot night he’s given by law to change her mind, naturally. Let the game of hearts begin. Winner take all.
Lady Isabella Valentine was distracted rather than tempted, then suspicious, when the dashing young Bedouin slipped in just before closing and promised her a deal she couldn’t refuse–for the very same relic. Despite his sensual appeal, she did refuse him, sending him away. But neither of them know of the evil power they are up against, or what hidden dangers await them in the tomb of the high priest….
kidnapped by asshole space pirates who are about to sell her and the other women they’ve captured as sex slaves to the highest bidder. Oh hell, no. Jacole vows they’ll soon realize they’ve caught the wrong damn human. She organizes a mutiny to take down the f*kers who’ve kidnapped them…but the plan is interrupted when someone blows a hole in the side of the ship.
A supernatural love triangle that tests the bounds of science, truth, and faith.
Dragon shifter Miracle Caprice has finally set herself free from her twenty-year arranged mating to an alcoholic, philandering male. As one of the few female dragons in her clan, she finally has an opportunity to make her own mating choices. With her elderly parents’ blessing and the encouragement of her best friend, she heads to a shifters-only island in Florida to participate in the supernatural version of a singles’ party. Armed with a new tattoo symbolizing her freedom, a few sexy bikinis, and the weight of her unhappy mating off her shoulders, she’s ready for anything.
For hundreds of years, the orcs and humans of Doros have shared an uneasy peace. It shatters in an instant with the botched assassination of a human priest in the orc capital. Hell bent on revenge, the humans take up arms as the orc monarchy crumbles from outside interference.
He thought his biggest challenge would be guarding the portal to this world and galaxy… until he met her.
a handsome pirate, she soon discovers a bountiful treasure of sin and love in his strong arms.
leader and best friend Titus, who banished him, he will be welcomed. The plan was easy: a human female, her son, Angano blood, and an Angano enemy ship. Cy would be welcomed back with open arms. Right? What could go wrong? Everything.
Former Cyborg Corps soldier Jasim Antar was relieved to come out of the war alive and looked forward to switching to a less violent line of work. But nobody wants to hire a brawny cyborg to do anything that doesn’t involve brutalizing people on a daily basis. Stuck working as a debt collector alongside an eccentric pilot who enjoys knitting gifts for her grandkids when she isn’t blowing people up, Jasim longs to find a more peaceful existence.
As the daughter of the vice president of the United States, Josie Reynolds must adhere to certain rules; very little interaction with the outside world, and definitely no contact with the deadly Bracadytes that live beneath. Until a chance meeting in the halls of the White House brings her face to face with the giant alien known as Braum. He’s gorgeous, mysterious and undeniably dangerous. But the forbidden had always been Josie’s weakness…
Being on the run in the desert means food and sanctuary are hard to come by, but Amber Tate and her crew are not about to give up. Not after having the things they love brutally ripped from them by an unknown enemy who sent their world into the apocalypse.
Do you like steamy tales of passion, desire, seduction, and love? Step into a steamy romance with Claiming My Valentine, a collection of 14 sexy paranormal stories guaranteed to make your heart pound and your Kindle melt this Valentine’s Day . . . .
BEWITCHING BEDLAM by Yasmine Galenorn
THE INVENTOR’S WIFE by Heather Massey
BARBARIAN’S REDEMPTION (ICE PLANET BARBARIANS) by Ruby Dixon
ARRIVED by Kathy Dinisi
is lucky to be able to call herself one of the Seraphim. She is indeed blessed.
VS Note: Teen and YA. I love the cover!
DRAGON’S LOVE (RED PLANET DRAGONS OF TAJSS BOOK 3) by Miranda Martin and Juno Wells
KERENSA’S DRAGON by Lisa Daniels
bend it to his will. Anything a human made can be destroyed. So, when he is paired up with a Venusian and a human, he knows his chance of winning grows exponentially. With Les-Tar’s muscle, even a human who has no skills won’t hold them back.
As he wakes from a years long Sleep under the sea, Ishaiq’s wild power threatens to destroy the island he rules. One human woman soothes his rage and seduces him back to sanity.
She’s the galaxy’s most wanted. And only a space pirate dares to take action.
One hundred years ago, Adam Turov, master of Nightingale Vineyards, bartered his soul for freedom from the Order of Samuel and their Rogue daemon allies. But he didn’t know true damnation until Victoria D’Arcy crossed the billionaire vintner’s threshold… Sworn to protect her, Adam must resist with every fiber of his being a voice that sounds like an angel singing and her potent charm.
of desperation, he makes a difficult choice. His bite heals her—and creates a bond that neither of them can resist.
In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new,action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold.When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers’ leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder, Cress, Scarlet, Winter, and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series.
Andrea Louviere is seven years old the first time he appears. While she’s alone in her bedroom, practicing her beloved cello, the light shivers and a crack forms in the wall. Through the crack, she sees a candle, a window, a desk—and a boy. In the eerie silence, the boy clearly sees Andrea too. Then, as quickly as it opened, the crack closes and he vanishes.
My experience with the paranormal community was a good one, pouring shots in the creature-friendly pit stop where I tend bar. Until last night.
Toni Lys is not looking for a relationship. She just climbed out of a dark hole her ex-beau left her in, and she doesn’t want to dig into another. But when she sees sexy Garrett in need of saving, her kindness overrules to give the poor guy a hand. He’s exactly what she doesn’t need, but her heart has other ideas.
the outside looking in. But looks are all too often deceiving.
Jayce Ventura, ghost detective, has nothing but the deceased as friends. With no love life, no social life, and only Ben and Jerry who’ll put up with her, something’s gotta give. But what?
inheritance. A chance encounter with her fairy god-phantom turns her life around. Instead of a glass slipper, he gives her a glass leg and arm.
into the care of Grizzly Cove’s only doctor. Sven is a retired soldier, like most of the other guys in Grizzly Cove, but he’d dedicated his life to medicine and helping the new town get on its feet. He doesn’t think he’ll ever find a mate, but he’s content to let the others settle down and find happiness, while he tends to them all… Until they send a gravely injured mermaid his way.
The only male among four sisters, Michael Drummond is no stranger to women’s strength and formidable will. But when a fierce woman warrior from another realm bursts into his life, bringing with her a battle between good and evil, Michael is overcome by an explosive dose of desire that only this stunningly beautiful woman can inspire.
He can eat, he can breathe, he can speak and be heard. The Queen calls this resurrection. Nathan calls it Hell. The living think he’s alive. He’s not. He’s trapped in the citadel that the Queen of the Dead calls home.
Trisk and her hated rival, Kal, have the same goal: save their species from extinction.
Princess Perripraxis not only has to find a fiancé—and fast—she’s got to find one who doesn’t mind that her “ no makeup” face has green and purple scales. Otherwise, Daddy Dearest has plans that don’t include Perri’s compliance. Candidate Number One: Her sexy human best friend, Brandt.
EVERY HEAVENLY MOMENT (HYENA HEAT BOOK 5) by R. E. Butler
Being a Sentinel isn’t all fairytales and secret gardens.
When Princess Cassia Rose fled her home world of Eturia to escape an arranged marriage, she had no idea her sudden departure would spark a war. Now after two years hiding as a ship hand, she is finally returning to her beloved home…but not in the way she imagined. Shackled by bounty hunters, she is violently dragged back to account for her crimes. Her only solace is that the Banshee crew managed to evade capture, including Kane Arric, her best friend…with occasional benefits. Meanwhile, Kane and the rest of the crew of the Banshee plan a desperate rescue mission….
shadow over nineteen-year-old Liesl. Her grandmother had always warned her to follow the old laws, for every year on the longest night of winter the Goblin King will emerge into the waking world in search of his eternal bride. Sensible and plain, Liesl knows it’s her duty to keep her beautiful sister safe from harm, but she wishes only to indulge in her wild, captivating music, composed and played in secret in the Goblin King’s honor.
VS Note: Frankly I have no idea if there’s romance in this book or not but the description is trippy and I love the cover!
VS Note: I don’t usually mention previously published stories (I just don’t have room here!) but from the reviews, sounded like this novella was basically new (not sure what was updated versus what was new) and a good standalone story in the series.
These two were the first cyborgs I had encountered, and they are the archetype I used to develop the cyborg characters in Passages. I love the idea of people being given biomechanical parts, and being able to tinker with those parts gave me the freedom to incorporate the features I needed for my story. The only problem I’ve had is with the name.
Once a month the Science Fiction Romance Brigade authors showcase snippets from new work, WIPs, cover reveals or other fun things. 
Since Star Cruise: Outbreak received two SFR Galaxy Awards this past week (which was very exciting), I thought it would be the best book to feature with an excerpt!
I have not read most of the new releases listed (although I always end up one-clicking a bunch as I prepare these posts LOL) and as always I recommend sampling before you buy!
JUSTICE ASCENDING (THE SCORPIUS SYNDROME) by Rebecca Zanetti
Commander Terex has had a terrible life. First he lost his mate, then he was taken over by an evil demon, then attacked and mutilated by the Dark Kindred, Two–enemy of his kind. He feels broken and the only thing that can make him whole again is vengeance–or so he thinks.
Finding themselves on yet another new part of the half-world, Kyber and the crew need to escape quickly or risk death, but he can’t find it in himself to care anymore. His Kelen is gone.
VS Note: I already one clicked this, have been reading snippets on the Sunday Snippet blog hop.
IT TOOK A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE by Jessica E Subject
into space with their business partner, her grandmother and injured Confederacy Admiral Jak Prentiss to find them. But she’s not the only one interested in the Jhutta’s whereabouts. The Helicronians believe Olivia’s parents have found an ancient weapon which they can use to wage war on the Confederacy.
‘Truth, I am who females like best.’ ~King Beowyn, Great Alpha, House of ThunderClaw
as subservient beings to their werewolf masters. Legend says it will only be able to heal itself when an Alpha King and a pure omega are mated and crowned together, but a pure omega hasn’t been born in over a thousand years.
Fifty years ago the Earth died. The Earth is now a fertile but dangerous jungle world. Wildlife has prospered although often in oddly altered forms. Survivors live in underground shelters waiting generations for the environment to become safe enough to emerge. Above ground, the radiation and poison has mutated the few humans that are left, but they do their best to survive for the 20 to 22 years they might live before the toxic planet or disease kills them.
Zanar has made himself a home on Earth, where he owns Stardust Bar, popular with both aliens and humans. There’s only one thing missing from Zanar ‘s life. Despite his best efforts to impress the human females he meets, he’s still without a mate. At the age of twenty-six, it isn’t dire for him to pair off and start a family just yet, but he’s lonely and ready to settle down. The last thing he expects is for Celeste to come into his life and turn it upside down.
Alone, veteran Kurt Briggs is no match for the Arcane terrorists who threaten the nation’s leadership. He needs Arcanist Genevieve Reyes by his side. But when shared danger leads to shared desires, the consequences could be deadly for them both.
Emi has dedicated her life to becoming the perfect vessel for the goddess Amaterasu, but the insidious betrayal of another deity has changed everything. Now Amaterasu has charged Emi with an urgent mission: to find and free the earthly gods before mankind is brought to its knees beneath divine tyranny.
Rhys MacLeod is a warrior first and a hacker second. Preserving the balance of power among supernatural beings is his prime directive, as well as keeping it far from human eyes. The discovery of a man killed by magical force on a Chicago street lands him on an op he didn’t expect. He’s good, but solving this crime requires a call to the best of the best.
Curvy Shoshanna Ross has had plenty of excitement in her life. Six months ago, she escaped captivity from a nefarious lab. Since then she’s started a business as a private investigator, determined to build up the skills and experience to defend herself if she’s ever in serious danger again. She’s focused exclusively on her job–there’s no time for dating with a life like hers.
universe, covering one war and conflict after another. No wonder that when she’s sent to Octava to report on peculiar fated mate bonds between a rough, brutally handsome warrior race and Terran females she’s not exactly thrilled. And it doesn’t get any better when she’s marked as the mate of not one, but two of the greatest warlords the planet has to offer… or does it?
THE VULFAN’S TRUE MATE (STARCROSSED DATING AGENCY BOOK 1) by Georgette St. Clair
though that means regularly consorting with vampires. She especially looks forward to the trial of the century, where her testimony might be enough to put the most bloodthirsty villain ever to stalk the Eastern Empire behind bars forever.
SIX WAKES by Mur Lafferty
PENNY OF THE PARANORMAL (VANGARD ELITE BOOK 4) by Annie Nicholas
At the highest level of a giant forest, thirteen kingdoms fit seamlessly together to form the great city of Canopy. Thirteen goddesses and gods rule this realm and are continuously reincarnated into human bodies. Canopy’s position in the sun, however, is not without its dark side. The nation’s opulence comes from the labor of slaves, and below its fruitful boughs are two other realms: Understorey and Floor, whose deprived citizens yearn for Canopy’s splendor.
Long, tall, and deadly Morgan Kincaid enjoys her job at Treasure Hunter Security. Raised by a tough Marine father, she loves her guns and knives, and never backs down from a fight. She’s yet to find a man who can keep up with her and after a string of first dates, she’s not feeling hopeful. Assigned to an underwater archeological expedition on the trail of a long-lost shipwreck, Morgan finds herself protecting the very hard, delicious body of a certain globe-trotting archeologist. A smart rogue with a wide smile and a boat-load of charm.
And in other news, the