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 my new novella Star Cruise: Songbird, which is coming out in the EMBRACE THE ROMANCE: PETS IN SPACE 2 anthology on October 10th (but can be pre-ordered). Please excuse the creative punctuation here!
The excerpt:
The ship’s AI spoke in his ear, “All Security Officers, I have a situation in the casino observatory level.”
Grant hastened his pace, “I’m right there, responding now – what’s up?”
“There’s an unruly crowd gathering. Passenger Karissa Dawnstar was doing an autograph signing and apparently word has spread.”
“There’s no such event on the calendar for today,” Jake Dilon, head of the ship’s security detail spoke up on the private com.
He sure sounds pissed. Grant paused at the entrance to the casino. The crowd was huge and growing, jostling for position in the line to reach the observatory. The queue snaked around the gaming tables.
“Our passenger and her entourage are alarmed,” the AI said.
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!
The danger is increasing. I hope she’s all right.
A growing crowd like that can be very dangerous. An intriguing snippet! 🙂
I foresee an opportunity for him to render her aid and get to know her.
A growing crowd always alarms me as well. Intrigued to see what happens.
Nothing like an unplanned publicity stunt to piss off security…
She seems a troublesome charge! I hate crowds.
I love the idea of him coming to the rescue. Really good. Hugs, my good pal.
UH oh – line getting long gives danger a chance to happen – luckily rescue is on the way.
While you didn’t describe the ship I’m getting a feeling of claustrophobia with all those bodies crowding together in the corridor. Great for building tension!
Egad, the price of fame!
Oh good, in impromptu signing. 😀 Great snippet and congrats on the release, Veronica. 🙂
I can understand her being fearful, but it sounds like she also needs to take some responsibility for her situation.
Oh yeah. The same thing happened to me that last time I had an unauthorized book signing. (Just kidding.)
This is a dangerous situation. I’d be uneasy too.
There’s a reason we call them fans for fanatics. Sometimes they get more than a little out of control. o.O
I can imagine word getting around and a crowd building when a famous person holds an unscheduled autograph signing!
I agree with PT …. crowds and security … not two words that go well together.
I hope she’ll be OK. Awesome snippet!
Inriguing snippet, and it looks like trouble might be brewing. Hope he can diffuse the situation.
Danger is looming. Great snippet!