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!)
The snippet is from Two Against the Stars (story below the excerpt), my latest release. I’ve jumped ahead to a scene where Carialle tries to help her elderly landlady. Edited slightly from the published version to fit into our rules here. I’ll go on with this scene next week.
“You certainly maintain the garden in great shape,” Carialle said, trying to change the subject.
Pride evident on her face, Mrs. Galaganos surveyed her small domain, “Yes, all but the biggest tree. I’ll be devastated if anything happens to it but the leaves have been dropping for ten days now and this isn’t the leaf-casting season – I gave it extra water.”
Impatient as she was to be off about her own errands, Carialle felt a compulsion to react to the concern about the possibly ailing tree. Tulavarrans and nature worked hand in hand on her planet and a priestess was never to ignore the needs of the differently-sentient. “Additional irrigation isn’t always the best tactic,” she said, walking toward the tree in question, “Let me take a look.”
Mrs Galaganos trailed behind her while the pet yawned, rolled over in its patch of sun, and ignored them.
The tree had a beautiful shape, with a swirling trunk rising twenty feet in the air, and graceful branches currently sporting rather patchy clumps of leaves. The older leaves were a glossy deep green but the newer ones were shriveled, mottled with red and brown. Carialle stepped across the ornamental barrier of white shells and rested her hand on the tree, reaching for the sentient with her power.
The story:
Empathic priestess Carialle has escaped the evil Amarotu Combine, but she’s hardly out of danger. Not when she risks everything to rescue a drugged man from a crooked veterans’ clinic. By lulling the clinic staff to sleep, she reveals her powers. And once again, criminals are after her and her rescuer.
Marcus Valerian, a wounded Special Forces veteran, never expected to have his life threatened by the clinic that’s supposed to help ex-soldiers like him. But when he wakes from a drugged state to find a lovely woman urging him to run–he does. In his family’s remote fishing cabin, he suffers the agony of withdrawal, soothed only by her powers.
In their idyllic hideaway, the two also discover a nova-hot attraction flaring. But can they stay alive long enough for it to become more? Not if the Combine has anything to say–they are not giving up until Marcus is dead and Carialle is their weapon
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Great snippet! I hope she doesn’t draw too much attention to her powers.
very interesting.
Powerful woman about to display more wonders. Hugs, my friend.
I love her connection to growing things–not only how she can help the trees and flowers, but how they help her.
I love that her special powers are not just for her kind, but also for the differently sentient. Well done.
The pet’s total lack of concern is perfect.
Tweeted.
I’d like to be able to talk to trees.
Thanks for the comments! I thought it’d be a nice change to show a somewhat lighter side of Carialle’s story today, for a change of pace, versus the suspense and adventurous moments.
I wish I could have saved my Californian Redwood a couple of years ago by simply touching it. Fantastic power, and great snippet.
Love the description of the tree!
I’m a botanist and this description was heavenly.
Can she please come to my yard and save my sick Maple tree? I already liked her but this scene really increases my appreciation of her powers.
A lovely scene, Jean, displaying the heroine’s compassion and special talents. Nice job!!
Oh I hope she can determine what’s wrong. Great snippet, Veronica. 🙂
Beautifully visualised snippet and I love the empathy she displays – I do hope the tree can be saved.
I could use her talent on my own plants! Nicely descriptive passage.
Oh, dear, that doesn’t sound too good. I fear that tree is really sick. Hope she can save it somehow–without getting herself in deeper trouble!
Love the connection she has to nature, but I hope she’ll be careful with her gift. Great snippet.
Enjoyed the description.
I love that she’s able to talk to the tree. (And the term “differently-sentient” is awesome!)
I like that she is taking the time to help this woman and possibly help her save the tree.