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!)
In honor of the fact that Embrace the Romance: Pets In Space 2 hit the USA Today Best Seller List last week, I’ll do one more snippet from my story in the anthology!
Thanks to everyone for all the support and encouragement!
Once Karissa learns Grant has a pet in need of exercise, she cajoles him to let her go with him. In today’s snippet, she meets the ‘pet’. Edited a bit to comply with the WeWriWa rules:
The excerpt:
Karissa stopped in her tracks once she was across the threshold, “You didn’t tell me you had a bird!” Before Grant could stop her, she went forward to where Valkyr sat on his special perch, “You’re gorgeous, big boy.” She extended her hand to stroke the glossy iridescent black wing.
Grant had no conscious memory of moving but he had her in an iron grip, with his back to the bird and her safely to the side.
“What the seven hells—” She yanked away from him.
“Valkyr is a Qaazamir hunting eagle—he could bite off one of your fingers without any problem and his talons can inflict enough damage to kill a human. Never approach a wild, feral animal as if it’s a house pet.”
She looked chastened, “He’s beautiful and he doesn’t seem upset, or threatening.”
“You’re in his space and he’s never met you,” Grant turned. Valkyr sat on his perch calmly, blinking at them, as if he hadn’t a care in the world. He preened, fluffing out his feathers, raising his elegant crest of white and doing a bit of grooming, then spread his wings wide for a moment in an imposing display, before settling on the perch.
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: Amazon iBooks Kobo B&N
My New Favorite Review:
Congrats on being a best seller, Veronica! And yeah, look, but don’t touch. Good snippet.
This doesn’t sound so much like a pet as it does a dangerous falcon!
Treat that bird like a Rottweiler! Rotties don’t growl a warning or lay back their ears. Yikes! Approach with respect and caution!
Love that he moved instantly to protect her. great snippet
Good advice about the pet and what a fine snippet you’ve written. Hugs from Me.
That was a close call. Proof one should never trust a being based on looks alone. Great snippet! 🙂
He’s got outstanding reflexes! I bet Valkyr does too (LOVE the name!). Looks can be very deceiving. Great snippet!
Good advice on not touching – especially a feral predator like that.
Congratulations on Best Seller List- fantastic!
Tweeted.
To be fair, he should have warned her ahead of time! Who would think someone would have a feral hunting eagle as a pet?
Well good point. I think he assumed she’d have the good sense to stay away from the bird!
Good thing he has quick reflexes haha, and congrats on being a bestseller! Woohoo!
The bird doesn’t seem bothered. I love watching raptors.
Thanks for all the comments, much appreciated! I’m busy working on other books but I have to admit I’m thinking about another scifi rock star romance next year. It was fun to write!
Cool- USA bestseller!
Enjoyed the snippet as usual. He has great reflexes. 🙂
Beautiful description of Valkyr–I can see him! Love Grant’s protectiveness of Karissa.
I think Valkyr was enjoying the attention.
Valkyr sounds like a magnificent bird – I have a lot of admiration for raptors. I do think he was a bit harsh with her though – after all he’d just told her he had a pet, he didn’t tell her it was wild, ferel or dangerous! To be fair though I guess he was pretty scared for her safety and spoke without thinking she might not recognise Valkyr as a bird of prey , and I love the way he rushed to keep her safe. Congratulations on the USA Today Bestseller rating – fantastic news!
He sounds beautiful, but look don’t touch probably applies here. It’s nice that Grant moved so quickly to protect her.
Now I want a giant hunting eagle! :p
As a side note, I LOVE that you write SF Romance (not enough of it out there in the world!) and I love your the colors in your website banner and I love your book covers! I think I just found a new author to binge read!
Thank you very for all the kind words! Glad you enjoyed the snippet and if you decide to try any of the SFR books, I hope you’ll enjoy the adventures.
I had Kim Killion do my banners for me and I really loved how she managed to bridge the gap between SFR and ancient Egypt….she does terrific work.
Best wishes to you as well!
I love how Valkyr preened. Almost as if he was negating (and laughing at) Grant’s protective reaction. As I’ve mentioned before, I love this story.
This is why people get hurt. You can’t just assume you’ll know how an animal demonstrates anger before it tries to take a piece out of you. Though, in her defense, he didn’t warn her.
And congrats!
Great snippet … AND CONGRATULATIONS !!!
Congrats on the best selling! BTW love the name Valkyr – my next book is Valkyrie’s Curse. Made me think of that! Great descriptives!