Switching to excerpts from STAR CRUISE: MYSTERY DANCER, my novel in the upcoming Embrace the Passion: Pets in Space 3 anthology! The story has a definite ‘Anastasia’ vibe…
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!)
Punctuation may be wonky to comply with our guidelines here. May be edited a bit from published version.
The excerpt:
“The old world is gone—when will you accept the reality?” Massaging her temples as she and her companion revisited this familiar argument, Tassia couldn’t whip up much energy for the conversation, “There will never be a chance for me to become a high priestess of Normeia, much less to sit on the Fire Throne and show how I can make the magic flames dance at my command. We need to deal with what is, not what you wish would happen. The Ruatsar system doesn’t even belong to our family any more.”
“As long as you live, the bloodline lives,” Xandrina was stubborn.
Tassia bit her lip and went to get the stew before it grew stone cold, “Here, Madame, you must have something to eat.”
Xandrina waved away the bowl impatiently with one claw-like hand, “Show me what you learned today.”
“Are you crying? Madame, what’s wrong – are you in pain?”
“Our roads part now,” the elderly woman said, sniffing, “I read the cards three times while you were at class – death approaches, for myself certainly, for us both if you don’t leave now, tonight.”
Hand shaking, Tassia set her half eaten food aside, “The Ruatsar New Regime agents found us again?”
STAR CRUISE: MYSTERY DANCER blurb: Tassia Megg is a woman on the run after the death of her elderly guardian. Her search to get off the planet in a hurry comes when chance directs her to an open dance audition for the luxury cruise liner Nebula Zephyr’s resident troupe. If there is one thing Tassia can do, it is dance!
Security Officer Liam Austin is suspicious of the newest performer to join the Comettes. She shows all the signs of being a woman on the run and seems to fit the Sectors-wide broadcast description of a missing thief, accused of stealing priceless artifacts. As he gets to know Tassia during the cruise, he starts to wonder if she’s something more – a long vanished princess in hiding from deadly political enemies of her family perhaps? And what’s the story with the three-eyed feline companion other crew members swear Tassia brought aboard the ship? Does the animal even exist?
As the ship approaches its next port of call, all the issues come to a boil and Liam must decide if he’ll step in to help Tassia or betray her. Life is about to get very interesting aboard the Nebula Zephyr as Liam tries to uncover the truth. Could F’rrh, the peculiar alien cat he has been hearing about, be the key to the mystery and Tassia’s fate?
Anthology Blurb:
Pets in Space™ is back! Join us as we unveil eleven original, never-before-published action-filled romances that will heat your blood and warm your heart! New York Times, USA Today and Award-winning authors S.E. Smith, Anna Hackett, Ruby Lionsdrake, Veronica Scott, Pauline Baird Jones, Carol Van Natta, Tiffany Roberts, Alexis Glynn Latner, E D Walker, JC Hay, and Kyndra Hatch combine their love for Science Fiction Romance and pets to bring readers sexy, action-packed romances while helping our favorite charity. Proud supporters of Hero-Dogs.org, Pets in Space™ authors have donated over $4,400 in the past two years to help place specially trained dogs with veterans. Open your hearts and grab your limited release copy of Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space™ 3 today!
Oooh, I can’t wait to read the next Pets In Space – and this story has me hooked already. I just love the name of the cat – F’rrh – brilliant.
Thanks! I couldn’t resist the name for the ‘cat’…
A very intriguing snippet! Love the tension you built at the end!
Fascinating snippet, my friend. Hugs always.
Very compelling snippet. I’d definitely read more!
I’d be concerned too, if I’d read the same message thrice in the cards!
Oh, this sounds like an awesome read . . . and throw in a PET! I’m all over it.
Oh, this is definitely intriguing. Can’t wait to read more.
Oh – that’s a dramatic dismissal – go now or die with me!
Great set-up for the story!
Gee, we don’t even get to relax in the frying pan before we’re thrown into the fire! Can’t wait to read this one.
Oh, and here i was, ready for them to enjoy some comforting stew. Guess not!
Thanks for stopping by to comment! Always much appreciated 🙂 I had fun writing this story and figuring out how to work an Anastasia-like lost princess into a scifi romance. WITH a pet of course.
Love the older woman’s last line, and am looking forward to seeing what direction this story takes! Great snippet, Veronica!
One thing as a writer that I love about fantasy is the ease with which you can create strong foreshadowing.
I always enjoy your dialogue and the sense of intrigue you create! Great snippet, Veronica!
Ooo that’s ominous! Also, GOOD GOD the abs on that cover!! *drools*
Lots of tension here. Nice snippet.
Intense scene! One can’t help but be sympathetic to Tassia, just with these ten lines. This sounds like a fantastic story, Veronica! A 3-eyed cat sounds fascinating!
Oh, no. What a terrible way to part with someone she loves! Hope she has a soft landing, though the blurb makes me think she won’t!
She read the same message thrice in the cards… Well, that can’t be good. Can’t wait for more.
Really hooked me into this one!
That sounds very dangerous. I hope that Tassia is going to listen. It seems that she has something important to accomplish.