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).
The singer’s manager set up an unauthorized signing in a small space on the ship and now there’s a near riot going on. Security Officer Grant Barton gets singer Karissa out of the crowd. I’ve edited this from the published version and skipped a bit between Grant and the singer’s manager.
The excerpt:
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. We’ll have to hang out in my boss’s office for a bit, until the situation is clear.”
“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 think she’s teasing him, but he’s too focused to see it. Fun snippet, Veronica. 🙂
Yup, that’s pretty much it. Grant is wound very tight, for personal reasons, as the story begins.
LOL I think I agree with Sionhan! Can’t wait to get my copy and read this in full! (As always, I’m commenting on a few before I go to bed and will try to get to as many as I can tomorrow after Chapel.) 🙂
I think he’d LIKE to put her in detention. (I know I’d be seething over the incident.)
Seems like Karissa might be happy with her new guard. Fab snippet! 🙂
I always appreciate the comments! I had so much fun writing my very own rock star romance…
Interesting insight into his thoughts. I wonder how she sees this incident.
Tilting the head and smiling, while uttering a witty remark is a well-tested flirtation technique. Often works too! I hope this book does as well as the first one did.
LOL – he missed the joke but that’s good as he’s focused on her safety. They can laugh about it later. Tweeted.
He is very serious, although I suspect he’ll warm to her soon.
Ugh! Catering to the famous! lol. Such a life. I like the “silvery” detail to the gravlift.
So smooth as they travel alone. Love it big time. Hugs, my friend. Recovering from big time surgery here. Yikes!
It’s a real come-down for a Special Forces guy to be on rock-star-protection detail.
Love that she’s a rock star in space. 🙂 Enjoyed the snippet.
It does sound as if she’s teasing him. He’s wound tight though.
I like her inquisitive nature! 😉
Must be nice to the VIP…. must not scold the VIP… He’s so focused on his orders, he’s not really paying attention to her. 😀
Great snippet!
Love the tone of this snippet! She’s sassy, he’s trying to be restrained. Oh, the tension!
He’s like me! Clueless when they’re flirting with him. LOL Great snippet!