Tag Archives: #8snday

Sep 3 2022

Not So Welcome Weekend Writing Warriors

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!)

I’m now taking excerpts from my recently published book in the award winning Badari Warriors series, REEDE’S MISSION TO THE SECTORS. It can be read as a standalone (mild spoilers for first book, REEDE.)

The excerpt: I’ve gone a short way into the book, when Reede’s ship has been intercepted by a Sectors Border Patrol vessel. Fallyn Damara is Reede’s human mate and a Sectors Survey Scout. The not so warm welcome-to-the-Sectors continues. Reede has just intoduced himself and asked for the name of the officer in charge.

Straightening, the man replied, “Lt. Varezan, Chief Security Officer for the Ariadne.” He didn’t shake hands.

Not at all discomfited, Reede withdrew his hand. “I’ll need to speak with your captain as soon as possible. I have vital information about our mutual enemies and a formal request from my leader to present, asking for Sectors aid.”

“I’m sure Captain Ballard will want to speak to you too but he’s busy right now. Let me escort you to a suitable place to wait.”

Although the request was couched in a civil tone, the weapons pointed at them and the demeanor of the soldiers spoke volumes. Reede, Fallyn and Walt walked behind the officer in silence until he brought them to a large conference room one deck up from the landing bay.

“Lt. Damara, the captain wants to see you now,” the lieutenant said, preventing her from entering the conference room. “These uh gentlemen can wait for you here.”

As the door closed, Reede observed several men taking up guard positions right outside. He sat at the head of the table and took his time making a visual assessment of the chamber, noting where he guessed there were surveillance cameras. He was sure every word he spoke was going to be recorded as well. Walt went to the side table first to see if there were any refreshments.

“So much for being welcomed with open arms,” the soldier said with a grin.

REEDE’S MISSION TO THE SECTORS: A BADARI WARRIORS SCIFI ROMANCE NOVEL (SECTORS NEW ALLIES SERIES BOOK 15) by Veronica Scott

Reede’s people sent him to the Sectors on a desperate mission to beg for help against overwhelming odds in their battle to destroy the alien scientists who created them centuries ago. He knew the task wasn’t going to be easy but as a Badari Warrior, he vowed to do his best. When he’s arrested by the border patrol and thrown in the brig, things go from bad to worse. He faces difficult choices ahead and unimaginable obstacles to making his case to the authorities for help.

Fallyn is Reede’s human fated mate but also the active duty military scout who guided him to the Sectors from his own planet. Reede’s choices after his arrest put her in a difficult spot and his actions threaten their mate bond. Will she give up her career to help him and the Badari succeed in making a treaty with the Sectors?

The desperate attempt to find new allies takes Reede and Fallyn on a wild set of adventures across the sprawling interstellar Sectors civilization and places them, their friends and their love in harm’s way.

Amazon     Apple Books     Nook     Kobo     GooglePlay

Aug 13 2022

Would He Have Acted Differently Weekend Writing Warriors

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!)

I’m now taking snippets from my third scifi romance gladiator novel TALINN, which just released two weeks ago in the CLAIMED AMONG THE STARS  charity anthology.

Thanks to the readers, we hit the USA Today Best Seller list at #42 after the release week! WOOT! 

The excerpt: Continuing on from the beginning of the book – time to meet the hero.

It was Talinn’s favorite time of the day, when the two harsh suns were setting and the first evening breezes had begun. The heat on which he thrived remained, but not at the intensity of earlier. His neck frill pulsed as he stood staring off into the Ganamilia Six desert. He’d survived another day. He had no idea how many years he’d actually been a prisoner here, smuggled out of the Khagrish lab where he’d been created and sold into slavery in an alien marketplace. He rubbed his chest as he often did, even after all this time mourning the loss of his pack bond, his link to all his Badari brothers. The sheer loneliness was the hardest thing to overcome.

Much more so than the harsh life he led, the endless combat he was forced to participate in or the other distasteful things done to him. Badari endured, it was what they’d been designed to do and he started over each day determined to make the goddess proud of him even if he had no idea why he’d been singled out by her for this grim existence.

Talinn suspected the head scientist’s deputy at the lab had been in on the scheme to fake his death and sell him offworld. His last session with her had been ugly, he’d refused pointblank to do what she wanted from him and her efforts to force him had gone seriously awry, resulting in considerable embarrassment for her. He was a marked man from that instant.

If I’d known she had the ability to send me off into this dreary life of a slave, would I have acted differently?

No.

VS: I’ll do a couple more excerpts from this book but then I need to switch to my new release REEDE’S MISSION TO THE SECTORS.

The blurb for TALINN: Talinn was a genetically engineered senior soldier in his Badari Warrior pack until unscrupulous laboratory guards faked his death and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. Purchased by a nomadic warlord and forced to fight in games for the amusement of the crowds, Talinn has endured through sheer strength of will. He sees no possibility of escape but a Badari never gives up until the goddess calls him to the afterlife.

Bailey Kingsmere was a talented and ambitious entertainer on an interstellar cruise liner when her ship was destroyed in an accident. She escaped in a defective cryonic lifepod, which eventually drifted out of the Sectors entirely and crashed on a primitive planet. Superstitious locals decide to place her in the arena as a prize for a lucky gladiator.

Talinn needs only one look to know Bailey is his fated mate. He’ll do whatever it takes to rescue her from the other fighters and claim her as his prize but how can he ensure her safety thereafter? Since he’s not human and has alien reptilian predator DNA which gives him extra capabilities, will Bailey accept him as a mate? And can they ever escape their desperate situation and find a way to freedom?

The blurb for the CLAIMED AMONG THE STARS anthology:  Make contact with the hottest alien anthology in the universe! Claimed Among the Stars will rocket you to reading bliss with more action, adventure, and pleasure than one planet can contain. Curl up with this collection of wild and wonderful heavenly bodies and venture to the unknown worlds that only your favorite sci-fi romance authors could create. Hearts in zero gravity are free to fall, and destiny awaits unsuspecting heroines far across the galaxy. Whether you love a trip that’s nice and easy or dark and intense, this collaboration of more than fifty bestselling authors is guaranteed to please. Embrace the heat, the sweet, the dark, and the depraved, and grab your copy of Claimed Among the Stars today! A word of warning: this anthology is only available for a limited time, so grab your copies now before they blast off forever. The proceeds of Claimed Among the Stars will benefit The National Women’s Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation, which serves women and children in the United States and abroad.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Universal Buy Link

Jul 2 2022

You Should Be Running Weekend Writing Warriors

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!)

Sharing from my second scifi romance gladiator novel RENNYR.

If you want the full story of what they go through and how they battle to survive and protect each other, and their romance, with all the nuances and details, the book is available wide. 

The excerpt, switching back to Rennyr’s POV as he races from his cell to try to save her:

Rennyr burst through the door of the holding chamber. As he’d hoped, there were no guards present and the security robos sat idle against the wall, apparently not programmed to consider a prisoner might break into the area rather than try to escape. The medics were setting up their portable treatment stations and watched him with their eyes wide and their mouths open as he sprinted toward the wall which was the door to the arena. A few clambered hastily over the equipment to avoid him in his headlong rush.

A timer was running in his head—he didn’t think Jaine could survive long but he prayed to his goddess to keep her safe until he could reach her. There’d been a few minutes of mass confusion at the start of the melee he’d been tossed into, probably to give the audience the opportunity to pick favorites and make bets. Jaine had to be all right. He refused to accept any other outcome.

He was brought up short by the wall, having no idea how to operate the controls which would open to the arena. Snarling, fangs and talons deployed, he stalked along the length, searching for a way in. At the other end, he found a one person-sized portal set into the larger expanse. The control panel was dark and after a quick, fruitless swipe of his claws across the tabs, he put his shoulder to the door-within-a-door and battered it relentlessly.

“What in the seven hells are you doing, man?” yelled a medic braver than the rest. “The guards’ll be here any second—you should be running.”

VS: But Rennyr’s mind is definitely not on escape for himself…will he get to Jaine in time? More next week.

RENNYR (BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK 2) by Veronica Scott

Rennyr was a genetically engineered senior soldier in his Badari Warrior pack until one day he woke up on a strange planet naked, disoriented and about to be sold into the gladiator arena for the rest of his life. Unscrupulous guards faked his death in the lab where he was created and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. Kill or be killed is the rule in his new life and a Badari never gives up. He’ll fight to stay alive until the Badari goddess sees fit to decree his death and release him from the wretched existence.

Jaine Mitchel of the Sectors was on her way to an exciting research internship until pirates seized the spaceship on which she was a passenger and took her to feature in a gladiator ‘death match’ in the galactic hinterlands. She has no hope of surviving in the arena until a man she only glimpsed in passing breaks out of his cell and saves her life, declaring her to be his fated mate. Given to Rennyr as his reward for winning the death match, Jaine must share a cell and a bed with the handsome, not human, gladiator and together they have to find a way to survive in this merciless world of violence and death. Their mutual attraction is off the charts. Falling in love is the easy part, finding a way to escape or even to remain together is the challenge. At any time their mutual owner could decide thumbs up or thumbs down on one or both of them, or sell them separately.

Their only hope is a mysterious gladiator master from offworld who may be coming to buy Rennyr. Will he take Jaine as well? Could Rennyr win freedom for them both if he does well enough in the arena? Badari Warriors claim their mates for life and Rennyr has no intention of losing Jaine…RENNYR is an 80K word novel and can be read as a standalone. KYDEN is the first book in the series.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     Google Play

Jun 18 2022

What Did He Say Weekend Writing Warriors

Still in that time frame where it’s all testing, with the answers I need yet to come. I’ll keep posting a  weekly snippet because the effort to do so isn’t too taxing, but I just can’t make it around to everyone else’s blog to comment. 

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!)

Sharing from my second scifi romance gladiator novel RENNYR.

If you want the full story of what they go through and how they battle to survive and protect each other, and their romance, with all the nuances and details, the book is available wide. 

The excerpt, switching to Jaine’s POV as she waits to enter the arena:

I’m not going to cower and run. I’m not going to make it easy for whoever comes after me. They’re going to have to acknowledge I want to live. Maybe a miracle will occur. Maybe the people here will change their minds.

Maybe the fighter in the cell will keep his word and come help me.

One of the guards was issuing hurried instructions. Realizing she’d missed the first part of his lecture, she took a deep breath and concentrated, wiping away all other thoughts. She elbowed the man beside her. “What did he say?” she whispered.

“Weapons in a pile in the center of the arena,” he answered with irritation, moving away from her a few steps. “Try to grab one. Better pay attention.”

The guard was still talking. “By a stroke of luck, our boss won the toss and you sorry lot have the privilege of entering the arena first today. Gives you a better chance at the weapons anyway. Make a good showing, impress the odds makers and the audience and the master might let you live. Two minutes till you hit the sand, people.”

“Who are we fighting?” yelled someone on the other side of the room.

“Anyone in blue,” the guard answered with a crooked smile, as if the answer was obvious. “Don’t worry, they’ll find you.”

VS: Meanwhile, Rennyr has broken out of his cell and is rushing toward the arena. But can he arrive in time to save her?

RENNYR (BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK 2) by Veronica Scott

Rennyr was a genetically engineered senior soldier in his Badari Warrior pack until one day he woke up on a strange planet naked, disoriented and about to be sold into the gladiator arena for the rest of his life. Unscrupulous guards faked his death in the lab where he was created and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. Kill or be killed is the rule in his new life and a Badari never gives up. He’ll fight to stay alive until the Badari goddess sees fit to decree his death and release him from the wretched existence.

Jaine Mitchel of the Sectors was on her way to an exciting research internship until pirates seized the spaceship on which she was a passenger and took her to feature in a gladiator ‘death match’ in the galactic hinterlands. She has no hope of surviving in the arena until a man she only glimpsed in passing breaks out of his cell and saves her life, declaring her to be his fated mate. Given to Rennyr as his reward for winning the death match, Jaine must share a cell and a bed with the handsome, not human, gladiator and together they have to find a way to survive in this merciless world of violence and death. Their mutual attraction is off the charts. Falling in love is the easy part, finding a way to escape or even to remain together is the challenge. At any time their mutual owner could decide thumbs up or thumbs down on one or both of them, or sell them separately.

Their only hope is a mysterious gladiator master from offworld who may be coming to buy Rennyr. Will he take Jaine as well? Could Rennyr win freedom for them both if he does well enough in the arena? Badari Warriors claim their mates for life and Rennyr has no intention of losing Jaine…RENNYR is an 80K word novel and can be read as a standalone. KYDEN is the first book in the series.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     Google Play

Apr 9 2022

Not So Innocent Weekend Writing Warriors

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!)

Sharing from my second scifi romance gladiator novel RENNYR.

The excerpt: Rennyr’s in solitary confinement in “the pit” for refusing to fight again after the death match (where he did manage to save a number of lives, at least temporarily). May be edited from published edition. Follows on directly from where I stopped last week. His new friend Gibbz is speaking, the Westklin he refers to is the franchise owner.

“You don’t know anything about life here, so I advise you to shut up and listen. You won’t get out of this alive if you don’t heed my words. Westklin won’t give up his ambitions and he’ll do everything in his power to break you. And don’t tell me he won’t succeed—I’m sure a guy as big as you will say it can’t be done, you’re tough. Well, he’s downright terrifying and he’ll do anything to prosper once he sets his mind on a goal. Lotta rumors and legends about Westklin and they’re all true and then some. But you don’t gotta do it the hard way. Do it the easy way, fight the battles he puts you in, take the training, show off those muscles and claws and whatnot and that pretty face and take every opportunity to impress a scout or a buyer from offworld. Westklin’s gonna want a big price for you or maybe even a percentage of your future wins so you gotta demonstrate your worth. Get people talking about you.”

“Killing people isn’t an easy thing,” Rennyr said, his gut roiling as scenes from the time in the arena passed through his mind’s eye. “The deaths weigh on my conscience. The ones who died at my hands in the arena the other day were as innocent as I am.” He found an odd peace in expressing his regret out loud to this unseen companion.

There was a sharp bark of amusement from above, hastily smothered. “Well some of them wasn’t so innocent.”

VS: Next week Gibbz will continue giving his advice and educating Rennyr about the world he’s been sold into.

RENNYR (BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK 2) by Veronica Scott

Rennyr was a genetically engineered senior soldier in his Badari Warrior pack until one day he woke up on a strange planet naked, disoriented and about to be sold into the gladiator arena for the rest of his life. Unscrupulous guards faked his death in the lab where he was created and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. Kill or be killed is the rule in his new life and a Badari never gives up. He’ll fight to stay alive until the Badari goddess sees fit to decree his death and release him from the wretched existence.

Jaine Mitchel of the Sectors was on her way to an exciting research internship until pirates seized the spaceship on which she was a passenger and took her to feature in a gladiator ‘death match’ in the galactic hinterlands. She has no hope of surviving in the arena until a man she only glimpsed in passing breaks out of his cell and saves her life, declaring her to be his fated mate. Given to Rennyr as his reward for winning the death match, Jaine must share a cell and a bed with the handsome, not human, gladiator and together they have to find a way to survive in this merciless world of violence and death. Their mutual attraction is off the charts. Falling in love is the easy part, finding a way to escape or even to remain together is the challenge. At any time their mutual owner could decide thumbs up or thumbs down on one or both of them, or sell them separately.

Their only hope is a mysterious gladiator master from offworld who may be coming to buy Rennyr. Will he take Jaine as well? Could Rennyr win freedom for them both if he does well enough in the arena? Badari Warriors claim their mates for life and Rennyr has no intention of losing Jaine…RENNYR is an 80K word novel and can be read as a standalone. KYDEN is the first book in the series.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     Google Play

 

Mar 26 2022

Take Me Seriously Weekend Writing Warriors

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!)

Sharing from my second scifi romance gladiator novel RENNYR.

The excerpt: Moving on to Rennyr in solitary confinement in “the pit” for refusing to fight again after the death match (where he did manage to save a number of lives, at least temporarily). He meets his first friend. May be edited from published edition. Follows on directly from where I stopped last week.

“Take me seriously first of all.” The man’s voice held the snap of annoyance.

Not wanting to lose this connection, Rennyr acknowledged the remark as if it had been an order from a man senior to him in the pack. “I will, I give you my word. You obviously know more about this place than I do.”

“Damn straight. You already passed the first round by surviving the death match. You shoulda been in a private cell by now, with better food, a uniform, training privileges. And you threw it all away and ended up here.” His companion’s tone was derisive and scolding.

Before Rennyr could answer, the portal slammed shut abruptly.

Shaking his head, he finished the bread and cheese and attacked the last piece of fruit. The juice went a long way toward reducing his thirst. The kindness of the gesture was completely unexpected and welcome, although he had a tendency to be suspicious. The Khagrish had delighted in playing cruel tricks on prisoners undergoing torture and this place might not be any different.

A few minutes later, the portal reopened slowly. “Close call. Robo patrol.”

Now Rennyr felt badly for whoever was risking themselves to help him and sought to end the risk the person was taking. “Don’t take any more chances on my account. I’m sure you can consider your debt—whatever it was—paid. I’m grateful.”

An unhesitating answer came from above. “Naw, I owe the guy my life and even my life is worth more than three pieces of fruit and a sandwich. Besides you gotta have a plan and a new attitude when the guards haul you outta here tomorrow night. I’m here because you need a talking-to.”

VS: We’ll get more into Gibbz’s advice next week…

RENNYR (BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK 2) by Veronica Scott

Rennyr was a genetically engineered senior soldier in his Badari Warrior pack until one day he woke up on a strange planet naked, disoriented and about to be sold into the gladiator arena for the rest of his life. Unscrupulous guards faked his death in the lab where he was created and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. Kill or be killed is the rule in his new life and a Badari never gives up. He’ll fight to stay alive until the Badari goddess sees fit to decree his death and release him from the wretched existence.

Jaine Mitchel of the Sectors was on her way to an exciting research internship until pirates seized the spaceship on which she was a passenger and took her to feature in a gladiator ‘death match’ in the galactic hinterlands. She has no hope of surviving in the arena until a man she only glimpsed in passing breaks out of his cell and saves her life, declaring her to be his fated mate. Given to Rennyr as his reward for winning the death match, Jaine must share a cell and a bed with the handsome, not human, gladiator and together they have to find a way to survive in this merciless world of violence and death. Their mutual attraction is off the charts. Falling in love is the easy part, finding a way to escape or even to remain together is the challenge. At any time their mutual owner could decide thumbs up or thumbs down on one or both of them, or sell them separately.

Their only hope is a mysterious gladiator master from offworld who may be coming to buy Rennyr. Will he take Jaine as well? Could Rennyr win freedom for them both if he does well enough in the arena? Badari Warriors claim their mates for life and Rennyr has no intention of losing Jaine…RENNYR is an 80K word novel and can be read as a standalone. KYDEN is the first book in the series.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     Google Play

Feb 26 2022

Where Am I Weekend Writing Warriors

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!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

I’m taking excerpts now from RENNYR, my new release and nook two in my scifi romance gladiator series. KYDEN had been in the gladiator system for many years, understood it well and had risen to the top, although he was still enslaved. RENNYR is brand new to it all.

The books can be read as standalones.

The excerpt from the beginning of the book: 

Rennyr came awake in one sudden convulsive motion, fangs and claws deployed, ready to take any action required. Only to find himself brought up short by heavy chains on his wrists and ankles. He shook his head as if gnats were buzzing around him, trying to clear the fog in his mind, slowing his thinking.

Where the hell am I? What kind of afterlife is this?

He reached out mentally for his brothers only to be met with a blank wall, as if he was shouting into an empty room in an abandoned house. Range of motion severely limited by the chains, he rubbed his chest where the pack bond should have been and…simply wasn’t. There was no pain but an unsettling void where something precious had always been. Ever since he first came to consciousness in the lab of the scientists who created his kind, he’d been linked to his brothers.

Reality was beginning to intrude on his mind. Wherever he’d been placed was extremely noisy and people bustled here and there.

After two attempts Rennyr made it to his feet, clinging to the bars of the cage containing him. He gave an experimental tug on the metal but the enclosure was substantial. Next he examined the chains on his wrists and ankles, going cold when he realized he no longer wore the Khagrish neuro controller. The black bracelet had been surgically implanted on his arm since he was created but now was gone.

VS: More next week…

RENNYR (BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK 2) by Veronica Scott

Rennyr was a genetically engineered senior soldier in his Badari Warrior pack until one day he woke up on a strange planet naked, disoriented and about to be sold into the gladiator arena for the rest of his life. Unscrupulous guards faked his death in the lab where he was created and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. Kill or be killed is the rule in his new life and a Badari never gives up. He’ll fight to stay alive until the Badari goddess sees fit to decree his death and release him from the wretched existence.

Jaine Mitchel of the Sectors was on her way to an exciting research internship until pirates seized the spaceship on which she was a passenger and took her to feature in a gladiator ‘death match’ in the galactic hinterlands. She has no hope of surviving in the arena until a man she only glimpsed in passing breaks out of his cell and saves her life, declaring her to be his fated mate. Given to Rennyr as his reward for winning the death match, Jaine must share a cell and a bed with the handsome, not human, gladiator and together they have to find a way to survive in this merciless world of violence and death. Their mutual attraction is off the charts. Falling in love is the easy part, finding a way to escape or even to remain together is the challenge. At any time their mutual owner could decide thumbs up or thumbs down on one or both of them, or sell them separately.

Their only hope is a mysterious gladiator master from offworld who may be coming to buy Rennyr. Will he take Jaine as well? Could Rennyr win freedom for them both if he does well enough in the arena? Badari Warriors claim their mates for life and Rennyr has no intention of losing Jaine…RENNYR is an 80K word novel and can be read as a standalone. KYDEN is the first book in the series.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     Google Play

Feb 12 2022

Unless You Want to Pay Weekend Writing Warriors

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!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

I’m taking excerpts from KYDEN: BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK ONE.

The excerpt, Kyden and Elara alone in the private office. I’ve jumped ahead a little:

There was a soft knock at the door before he could answer her and the maid slipped inside.

“The gladiator master says we’re out of time, my lady, unless you want to pay—”

“Enough.” Elara cut her off. “Wait outside, Tell him we’ll be leaving immediately.”

As soon as the door closed, she walked to Kyden, not touching him, but standing close enough he could have gathered her in for the kiss he was burning to give her. “I wish we’d met under other circumstances,” she said. “I’d like to know you better. You intrigue me.”

And I desire you. He scented faint arousal from Elara and sadness swept over him because he knew their places in this world were so far apart there was no way they could spend any real time together. Even if she paid his master for time, which was a loathsome idea, it would be a few hours once or twice, until the novelty wore off for her. Kyden found himself hoping today would be enough for Elara because being so close to her was almost more than he could bear.

She gathered up her things and as she did so, a scarf drifted to the floor. It was a pretty thing of the most rare star spider silk, in greens and lavenders, and as Kyden picked it up, he savored her scent. Elara reached for it but he retreated a step, motivated by a fierce longing he didn’t have time to question.

“I’d like to keep this,” he said. “Consider it my reward for the other night if you must. It—it would mean a great deal to me.”

VS: I’ll do a few more excerpts from KYDEN but book two, RENNYR will be releasing soon and I’ll switch to that one.

KYDEN: BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK ONE by Veronica Scott

Kyden is the top ranked gladiator in the Five Systems but he’s hardly there by choice. Unscrupulous guards faked his death in the lab where he was created and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. He has no idea where his home is or how many years have passed since he was condemned to a life of endless combat. Kill or be killed is the rule and a Badari never gives up. He’ll fight to stay alive until the Badari goddess sees fit to decree his death.

Elara Vasclavian is the daughter of a senator, as far removed from the life of a gladiator as a noblewoman can be until through the machinations of a political enemy, she ends up in terrible jeopardy. Abducted and given to a group of drunken gladiators for their amusement the night before the games, Elara vows to put up a fight but there’s no real hope of saving herself. Until Kyden steps in, responding to the goddess’s commandment to protect those who are smaller and weaker. And discovers she’s his fated mate.

Rescued, Elara returns to her life of privilege but she can’t forget the man who saved her life. The gulf between their places in the Five Systems is unbridgeable, no matter how much Kyden longs for even a glimpse of her in the arena audience. No matter how much she feels the pull to be by his side. As matters stand, they cannot be together…Or can they?

KYDEN is the first book in a new series, spun off from my ongoing Badari Warriors series. Kyden is a Generation Five Badari whereas the main characters in the long running series are from a later time and are Generation Eight. This new series stands alone and you don’t have to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one. I couldn’t resist the temptation to tell a few other Badari stories, set in the galaxy’s Hinterlands, and who can resist gladiators?

Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo      Nook      GooglePlay

Feb 5 2022

Much in Demand Weekend Writing Warriors

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!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

I’m taking excerpts from my new release KYDEN: BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK ONE.

The excerpt, after the ‘fight’ with the klixta worms. I’ve skipped ahead a little and Kyden and Elara are alone in the private office:

He stood at attention, nerves on edge. “You sent for me, my lady?”

“I—yes, I did. I wanted to thank you again,” she said.

“Having you in the audience today was thanks enough,” he said truthfully, lowering his gaze to savor the sight of her. The ceremonial robes she wore were modest and demure but hinted at her lush curves and her shining hair was done up in an elaborate arrangement. He longed to loosen the curls and revel in her scent but forced himself to change the direction of his thoughts before his obvious arousal gave him away.

“Since you were only fighting because of us, I decided someone from the family needed to be here,” she said, toying with the writing instruments on the desk.

Kyden knew Elara was a valuable member of the Senator’s operation, running businesses as well as several outreach and charity efforts. There was even talk she might run for a Senate seat herself one day, from the province where their summer home was located. Thinking of her bright future, he came to a hard decision. “Lady Elara, it’s not wise for us to meet again. I was grateful to see you at the bout today and appreciative for these few moments but—”

“Jealous girlfriend?” she asked with a lilt in her voice as if amused but the glint in her blue eyes was sharp. Plainly the idea of competition displeased her.

Kyden was at a total loss for words but couldn’t bring himself to lie. Not to her. “No, I’m concerned for you and your reputation. I know your society looks with disapproval on those who consort with gladiators, no matter how many members of the elite may do it behind discreetly closed doors. And especially not a young, unmarried Senator’s daughter.”

She rose and went to the window, where a pleasant garden vista awaited. “You must be much in demand.”

KYDEN: BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK ONE by Veronica Scott

Kyden is the top ranked gladiator in the Five Systems but he’s hardly there by choice. Unscrupulous guards faked his death in the lab where he was created and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. He has no idea where his home is or how many years have passed since he was condemned to a life of endless combat. Kill or be killed is the rule and a Badari never gives up. He’ll fight to stay alive until the Badari goddess sees fit to decree his death.

Elara Vasclavian is the daughter of a senator, as far removed from the life of a gladiator as a noblewoman can be until through the machinations of a political enemy, she ends up in terrible jeopardy. Abducted and given to a group of drunken gladiators for their amusement the night before the games, Elara vows to put up a fight but there’s no real hope of saving herself. Until Kyden steps in, responding to the goddess’s commandment to protect those who are smaller and weaker. And discovers she’s his fated mate.

Rescued, Elara returns to her life of privilege but she can’t forget the man who saved her life. The gulf between their places in the Five Systems is unbridgeable, no matter how much Kyden longs for even a glimpse of her in the arena audience. No matter how much she feels the pull to be by his side. As matters stand, they cannot be together…Or can they?

KYDEN is the first book in a new series, spun off from my ongoing Badari Warriors series. Kyden is a Generation Five Badari whereas the main characters in the long running series are from a later time and are Generation Eight. This new series stands alone and you don’t have to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one. I couldn’t resist the temptation to tell a few other Badari stories, set in the galaxy’s Hinterlands, and who can resist gladiators?

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