VS: Over the years I’ve written a few standalone novels set in my Sectors universe.
ESCAPE FROM ZULAIRE
Blurb:
Andi Markriss hasn’t exactly enjoyed being the houseguest of the planetary high-lord, but her company sent her to represent them at a political wedding. When hotshot Sectors Special Forces Captain Tom Deverane barges in on the night of the biggest social event of the summer, Andi isn’t about to offend her high-ranking host on Deverane’s say-so—no matter how sexy he is, or how much he believes they need to leave now.
Deverane was thinking about how to spend his retirement bonus when HQ assigned him one last mission: rescue a civilian woman stranded on a planet on the verge of civil war. Someone has pulled some serious strings to get her plucked out of the hot zone. Deverane’s never met anyone so hard-headed—or so appealing. Suddenly his mission to protect this one woman has become more than just mere orders.
That mission proves more dangerous than he expected when rebel fighters attack the village and raze it to the ground. Deverane escapes with Andi, and on their hazardous journey through the wilderness, Andi finds herself fighting her uncomfortable attraction to the gallant and courageous captain. But Deverane’s not the type to settle down, and running for one’s life doesn’t leave much time to explore a romance.
Then Andi is captured by the rebel fighters, but Deverane has discovered that Zulaire’s so-called civil war is part of a terrifying alien race’s attempt to subjugate the entire Sector. If he pushes on to the capitol Andi will die. Deverane must decide whether to save the woman he loves, or sacrifice her to save Zulaire.
National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award Winner
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Editorial Reviews:
From Kirkus Reviews: “Scott, an experienced romance novelist, distinguishes herself first and foremost as a gripping storyteller; the conventional romantic undertones only distract a little from a well-constructed sci-fi escape novel. Andi’s strength and reluctant vulnerability make her a compelling heroine, but many of the secondary characters are a bit underdeveloped. However, the overall story makes up for this with a vibrant setting and an engaging depiction of Zulaire’s intricate political system. A fine work of science fiction that’s only occasionally hampered by its romance-novel conventions.”
TRAPPED ON TALONQUEWill an alien sleeping beauty awaken to save him, or to destroy everyone around her?
Space Marine Nate Reilly and his Special Forces team are in deep trouble. Prisoners on a backward alien planet, they’re brought before an alien ‘goddess’, sleeping in her high tech seclusion. Nate is astonished when she awakes and establishes a psychic link with him. But her news is not good–he and his men must win a brutal challenge set by their captors, or they will die. She’ll give her aid, but in the end their courage and strength must win the contest.
Bithia sleeps in her chamber, as she has for thousands of years, since her own people unaccountably left her there. Viewed as a goddess by her captors, she must hide her ancient secrets to survive. But only the bravest of men may free her. Can she use her psychic powers to keep Nate and his men alive long enough to help her escape, or will her only hope of freedom die with them?
LADY OF THE STAR WINDAre they merely luckless lovers … or a legend come back to life?
Mark Denaltieri, ex-Sector Special Forces, has been hired by the Outlier Empress to rescue her granddaughter, Princess Alessandra, from kidnappers. Since the Empress once had him tortured and banished, she’s the last person Mark wants to work for. But he takes the job. He’ll save Alessandra, his first love, and discover why she didn’t speak for him when he desperately needed her. Then he’ll be on his way, finally free of his past.
Alessandra would rather her rescuer was anyone but Mark–after all, he let her believe he was dead all this time. But when the couple are forced to flee her captors by Traveling via a strange crystal globe, they find themselves in a lovely Oasis on a desert planet, the old attraction sizzling between them again.
They soon discover they are far from alone. The Oasis holds the entrance to another world, one in which the inhabitants are convinced Sandy and Mark are the Lady of the Star Wind and her Warrior, come to free them from an evil queen.
Mark and Sandy must work together to unearth an ancient mirror, and crown the true king of this land. Can they fulfill the prophecy of the Lady and her Warrior…and this time, will their love survive the test?
BREAKING THE ALIEN LOVE CURSE by Veronica Scott
VS Note: This 23K word novella was previously in the Supra Vellum Anthology, which is no longer available, No new material has been added.
Amellia Taneek loved her job as the office manager for a group of Sectors agents from various organizations, all based out of her central location. She enjoyed the challenges of handling administrative details for them and the excitement of constantly meeting new offworlders. She was especially intrigued by Hagan Raljarr, seven feet of green, scaled, muscular SCIA agent, and more than a little curious about his tail. Hey, she was a healthy unmarried, unattached female and there was no rule against dating a co-worker.
But so far he’d shown confusing signs of reciprocating her interest.
Hagan was an honorable warrior and before he could pursue his definite interest in Amellia, who might even be his fated mate, he had to clear up one little detail – the engagement contract he’d been entered into as a child with a female from his own planet. They barely knew each other and she was highly ambitious. Surely in this modern day and age she’d be happy for him to sever the contract and set her free, right? Leaving him in the perfect position to begin courting the lovely human.
But the jilted fiancée sends a mysterious box across the galaxy to him and when he unwisely opens it, a powerful love curse is activated, striking both him and Amellia. They’ll die at dawn if the curse isn’t broken. With help from Amellia’s aunt, who is said to have magic powers, the pair set out on a desperate quest for three special ingredients needed to break the spell. Over the course of a very long night, will Hagan and Amellia find their way to a relationship, break the curse in time and survive? Is such a thing even possible?
Pingback: Cover Reveal ESCAPE FROM ZULAIRE | Veronica Scott
Who is the male model in the cover? May i please know
I’m sorry, I have no idea! He’s very handsome, fit the character fur sure! I believe my cover artist found the stock photo on fotolia.
Pingback: Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents Escape From Zulaire | Veronica Scott
I enjoyed this book a great deal. Highly recommended. Great job, Veronica.
Thank you very much, so happy to hear you enjoyed the novel!
I have enjoyed this series but I think I remember reading Escape from Zulaire in an anthology. My imagination?
Yes, you’re right, the book was available for a time in the Nebula Nights boxed set. I’m so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying the books – thank you!
I loved this book and am wondering if there will be any more to follow. I’d love to hear more about the other characters… Mitch, Rogers, etc. And what happens with Lysanda, her love story with Abukawal. Great adventure! Thank you.
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the book 🙂 As a matter of fact, I recently came up with my high level plot for Mitch’s book (yup, FINALLY) but I have a few other things in my queue to write first. So he’ll have to be patient a bit longer….