Once a month the SFR Brigade does a blog hop where authors share excerpts, cover reveals or other fun posts related to their scifi romances. Check here for the list of all the participants this month.
We’re about one month away from the release of Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2, so I thought I’d share an excerpt from my story in the anthology, STAR CRUISE: SONGBIRD. The story blurb and more about the anthology itself are below the excerpt! We’re doing pre-orders this time…
The excerpt:
Emerging from the concealed door at the far end, Grant found himself behind the singer and her entourage, who were backed against the bulkhead by a clamoring crowd, only a small table separating them from the fans. The singer herself was easy to identify, clad in a sparkling, short blue and green dress, lavender boots to the knees and her towering pink hair ornamented with silver braids. He shouldered his way through the crowd and touched her arm. Startled, she turned to him, her blue eyes wide with fear.
“Ship’s security, Miss Dawnstar, here to get you out.” Grant took her elbow in a firm grip and towed her sideways, away from her entourage.
A cry went up from the front row of fans. A stocky individual Grant recognized from the briefing earlier in the day as Karissa’s manager, turned to glare at him. “What the seven hells do you think you’re doing, pal?”
“Removing this lady from a bad situation before anyone gets hurt,” Grant said. “You’ll be hearing from my boss later about this unauthorized event.”
“It’s fine, Ted,” Karissa said, keeping pace with Grant. “This is out of control, we’ve got kids here and someone might get trampled. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Surprised but relieved she was so sensible; Grant got them both into the gravlift and sealed the portal in the other man’s face.
“Do you mind letting go?” Karissa raised her eyebrows and glanced at his hand on her arm. “Unless I’m under arrest?”
“Sorry.” He released her and allowed himself to drift a little away from her in the silvery antigrav stream. “Someone’s going to be in trouble for this stunt, but not you, unless it was your idea.” He keyed his com to report in. “I’ve got Karissa and we’re on the move.”
“Good work. We’re clearing the casino now,” Jake answered. “A Level is congested, can you take her to my office on level 13 until the situation clears? Then you can escort her to her suite.”
“Will do.” Raising his voice from the nearly inaudible tones that were all the AI required for private communications, he addressed his companion. “We’ll have to hang out in my boss’s office for a bit.”
“So I’m in detention?” Tilting her head, she smiled.
“No, of course not, Miss Dawnstar.” Very important passenger, keep the tone congenial. He might not relish this job but it was his employment for now and he couldn’t afford to blow it off over annoyance with a pop star. “This was for your safety and the safety of the other passengers.”
The story:
Grant Barton, a Security Officer on the Nebula Zephyr, is less than thrilled with his current assignment to guard an Interstellar singing sensation while she’s on board the ship. It doesn’t help that he and his military war bird Valkyr are dealing with their recent separation from the Sectors Special Forces and uncertainty over their future, with their own planet in ruins.
Karissa Dawnstar is on top of the charts and seemingly has it all – talent, fame, fortune and devoted fans, but behind her brave smile and upbeat lyrics she hides an aching heart. When a publicity stunt goes wrong, Karissa finds herself in the arms of the security officer assigned to protect her – and discovers a mutual attraction she can’t ignore.
Trouble continues to plague the pair, driving a wedge between them and leaving Grant certain that Karissa is in more danger than she realizes, from overzealous fans and her own management. Grant is determined to protect Karissa whether she wants his help or not. Can he discover the truth behind what’s going on before he loses Karissa or is there someone else plotting to keep them apart – permanently?
Blurb for Embrace the Romance: Pets In Space 2:
The pets are back! Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2, featuring twelve of today’s leading Science Fiction Romance authors brings you a dozen original stories written just for you! Join in the fun, from the Dragon Lords of Valdier to a trip aboard award-winning author, Veronica Scott’s Nebula Zephyr to journeying back to Luda where Grim is King, for stories that will take you out of this world! Join New York Times, USA TODAY, and Award-winning authors S.E. Smith, M.K. Eidem, Susan Grant, Michelle Howard, Cara Bristol, Veronica Scott, Pauline Baird Jones, Laurie A. Green, Sabine Priestley, Jessica E. Subject, Carol Van Natta, and Alexis Glynn Latner as they share stories and help out Hero-Dogs.org, a charity that supports our veterans!
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.
Buy Links:
We have a free coloring book to download while you wait – it’s on our website here!
I am eagerly awaiting the release of this new anthology. Best wishes.
Great introduction to these two characters! 🙂
Hero saves heroine from a crush in great opening scene!
Intriguing excerpt. Definitely a hint of chemistry between these two very different characters.
I love the idea of pets in space!
This is going to be an amazing anthology.
I love these star cruise stories. And I would love to know the story about Fleming and Maeve
So love your story! It ROCKS!
Thanks for the comments! I had so much fun writing this story!
Really looking forward to reading this – loved the excerpt!
Congrats on your coming release. 🙂
I can totally appreciate how on-the-edge the singer is, and how much Grant really doesn’t really want to deal with her… at the moment!
Pingback: How Did You Do That? Weekend Writing Warriors | Veronica Scott
Loving the Bodyguard vibes!
woot another great story in another awesome anthology!
This is great way to throw the hero and heroine together.
Love this. Not only pets, but rock stars!