Tag Archives: science fiction

May 29 2015

Guest Author Yolanda Sfetsos Talks AI in DASH Recast

Yolanda coverIt’s my pleasure to have fellow science fiction romance author Yolanda Sfetsos here today, talking about Artificial Intelligence, robots and romance! (Love her book’s cover…) Take it away, Yolanda!

Hi there! It’s great to be here today. I want to thank Veronica for giving me the chance to post a little something on her blog, while also helping me celebrate the release of my latest SFR book. DASH is the fourth book in my RECAST series and features an AI you might recognize from previous books. Walsh was introduced in CLASH (Book 2). He’s a Y-123 model that looks exactly the same as Young from WITHER (Book 1).

I knew early on that I would write a book featuring one of the Y-123 models. They were built for many reasons—mostly to satisfy human and alien desires—but were later outlawed and destroyed. At least, that’s what most people believe. Yet, Young was living in a scorching faraway planet and Walsh is living inside the Clash Arena. Both were seemingly used for selfish reasons, but each is a lot more than meets the eye.

Take Walsh for instance. He might be seen as the Enforcer in the arena dungeons, but he could also be playing two sides.

Most people in the galaxy might think of the Y-123 as dreadful machines, or not think of them at all, but these models were despised because they developed humanoid personalities and were often hard to spot. Which makes me wonder, how would our society feel about having robots integrate so seamlessly? Would we shun them and be suspicious of everyone just in case they weren’t entirely human? Or would we welcome them into society and not care?

I remember seeing a female robot on TV once. She looked so much like a woman that most called her creepy. But why is she creepy? Is it because she looks like she’s imitating a person or it because she looks so much like a person? It might sound like a strange question, but I think it’s important. Why are we so afraid of robots turning against us? I mean, if that’s our deep-rooted fear why spend time on robotics? What is it that scares us so much about our own creations? Do we secretly fear that everything we make can—and will—turn against us? Or is it because of the countless of stories we’ve read and watched?

Most people seem happy with the prospect of having a robot to help them in industry scenarios. Some would even love to have one to help take care of their house. Yet, these same people are probably the ones who wouldn’t want them to live freely amongst us. Why?

Personally, I don’t have that phobia. I find robots fascinating, and welcome equality in all forms. Besides, I don’t think the creation and introduction of robots would be as black and white as we try to make it. I think like people, they would each have their own quirks.

This leads me back to DASH. I took an AI who is mostly despised because of what he can become, and gave him a chance to tell his story. To show readers that although Walsh might have been created and engineered, it doesn’t mean he matters less. And hell, why shouldn’t he be treated like an individual?

So, do you like robots, or do they scare you? Are they scary or awesome? I think you already know my answer. 🙂

Thanks for reading,

Yolanda 

AUTHOR BIO:

Wife. Mother. Writer. Bibliophile. Dreamer. Animal lover. Intrigued by the supernatural. Horror freak. Zombie enthusiast. Movie & music fan. Slave to her muse.

Yolanda lives in Sydney, Australia with her awesome husband, lovely daughter, and cheeky cat. (Veronica sez: Is there any other kind of cat on the planet LOL?)

You can find Yolanda at:

Website: http://www.yolandasfetsos.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/yolandasfetsos

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/yolandasfetsos

The story for DASH Recast:

She escaped the arena of death, but trusting him might be the death of her. 

RECAST, Book 4

Taylor may be the Clash Arena’s most dominant—and only—female gladiator, but today she just can’t catch a break. After winning yet another brutal fight, with the arena inexplicably falling down around her ears, she jumps at the chance to escape the prison of her subterranean pit.

Instead, she finds herself knocked unconscious more times than she can count, and pursued over the edge of a sea cliff by an AI enforcer she can’t shake off her heels.

Walsh has been living a double life, masquerading as a tyrant’s enforcer while hiding his true agenda. When the despicable arena falls, there’s only one thing on his mind—saving the savage blonde who doesn’t trust him as far as she can throw him. Which is a considerable distance.

Once he convinces her he’s not out to kill her but help her survive, they form an uneasy alliance. But Taylor senses he’s keeping a secret, not just from her, but about her. And the truth will show them exactly what it is to be human.

Warning: This book contains some girl-on-girl action, a kick-ass gladiator who takes no crap, an AI who puts it all on the line, a band of misfits who aren’t as merry as they seem, cute

May 12 2015

Guest Author Charlee Allden STEALING MERCURY

StealingMercury450Veronica: I’ve really been looking forward to this new science fiction romance book Stealing Mercury from Charlee Allden, so it’s my pleasure to welcome her to the blog today.

She’s been ruminating about things she’d like to see in the future and has a guest post for us. More about the new book below! Take it away, Charlee:

Charlee: Top 5 Things I Look For In A Futuristic World:

It is probably no surprise that a SciFi romance author would love thinking about the future. I’ve been enthralled with possible versions of the future since I was a teenager and discovered all night marathons of “Space 1999” and “Red Dwarf”.  Can you imagine two more different version of the future? But I love them both. Just as I love the two very different versions of the future I’ve built in my first two indie books: Deadly Lover and Stealing Mercury. I do like variety, but when Veronica invited me to her blog I decided to come up with the top five things I look for in a futuristic world.

#5 Flying cars – I don’t normally get excited about cars, but put them in the air and I’m there!

#4 Cool guns – Sure, it would be nice to have a peaceful future, but it doesn’t seem to be in our nature and it would certainly make for dull books. So, I like to imagine crazy new weapons of all shapes and sizes and with more stopping power, but less lethal. Yeah, I like to be contrary.

#3 People with flaws – perfection is boring.

#2 M-O-U-Ss – Men of unusual size. If I’m dreaming, I have to be honest and say my fantasy life is full of men with big hearts and big…muscles.  But, I’ve been told they don’t really exist.

#1 Greater acceptance of our differences – sorry, I have to throw in a serious one here. Call me an idealist, but I want this more than anything.

I hope you enjoyed my list. I’d love to hear what is on yours!

Veronica: I like your list. I’d probably add that I want to see travel to far off places in the galaxy and a lot of adventures taking place there! Here’s the blurb for Stealing Mercury:

Born a slave, Mercury is an Arena Dog, genetically engineered to fight and die in the Arena for the entertainment of others. Trained as a gladiator from boyhood, he’s gathered and led one of the most successful teams in arena history. In their violent world, where men must form alliances and share what little bounty they have to survive, his only goal has been to keep his men alive. But two of his men are dead and he, Diablo and Carnage are condemned to be hunted down and killed in Arena’s newest inhuman sport. Worse, their demise will leave Carn’s mate, a woman Mercury has sworn to protect, alone and vulnerable. And then there is Samantha—a courageous human he has no right to claim. But she is his. He feels it deep in his soul and with an ache in his body he can’t deny.

Samantha Devlin is a down-on-her-luck indie-freight pilot, working in the belly of a corporate hauler until she can earn the credits for her own ship. When an old friend hires her as an emergency replacement to pilot a cargo carrier for the Roma Company, she’s shocked to learn her cargo is three, living, breathing, and dangerously sexy Arena Dogs. When Samantha learns she’s taking the men to their deaths, she must decide is she if willing to risking everything for a man whose customs require that he share her with one of his men and demands he return to Roma to protect another woman. Her heart tells her Mercury is worth any cost, but her head sees nothing ahead but disaster.

Caution: features two scorching hot heroes and one impossibly impulsive woman. Their story may just make you want to steal an Arena Dog or two of your own.

Content labels: romance, adventure, erotic, m/f/m, alpha males, strong heroine, full length novel

Currently on sale for .99 through May 14th.

Available now at Amazon, iBooks and Kobo

Excerpt:

He pressed his lips to her forehead in a gesture both sweet and scorching. “I ache for you.” Lusty agony laced through the quietly spoken words.

She cursed low. “Damn it, I can’t think straight when you say things like that.”

A rough chuckle rumbled in his throat as he lifted her higher then licked a path down to her collar bone. “There’s no need to think right now, Samantha.”

He was seducing her. The man who’d known nothing but violence was seducing her and she had to acknowledge she wanted to give in, to be seduced. His hands skimmed her thighs on their way to her ass. He squeezed, urging her to wrap herself more tightly around him. His hands felt huge on her body as he held her close and headed toward the riverbank.

She stroked her palms over his shoulders and the bunching muscles of his arms as he carried her out of the water. The moment he stopped on the grassy bank, he leaned in to take her mouth. It wasn’t a light, easy, getting-to-know-you kiss. It was a kiss of pure possession. He licked her lips and pressed his tongue past them to stroke deep inside. She met the thrust of his tongue, needing everything he offered. He growled into her mouth and her stomach did a little flip in response.

Maybe he’d been right. Suddenly, thinking didn’t seem so important.

Author Bio:

Charlee Allden is a long time fan of love, adventure, and happily-ever-after. She grew up in Florida where a huge fallen oak tree in the swampy woods near her home served as her very own Star Ship Enterprise. Today, Charlee is a multi award winning author of sexy, intense, romantic adventure and suspense. She still lives in Florida across the street from a miniature version of the swamp she lived by as a child.

charleeallden@gmail.com
Twitter: @charleeallden
Website: www.charleeallden.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CharleeAlldenAuthor

 

May 7 2015

From ECHO 8: One of Sharon Lynn Fisher’s Favorite Scenes

echo 8I’m interviewing Sharon Lynn Fisher over at USA Today Happily Ever After, about her latest science fiction romance novel Echo 8.

Here’s the story (courtesy of Tor Books): Three lives. Two worlds. One chance to save them all.

As a parapsychologist working for Seattle Psi, Tess has devoted her life to studying psychic phenomena. But when doppelgangers begin appearing from a parallel world that’s been struck by an asteroid, nothing in her training will help her survive what’s to come.

After dislocating to Seattle Psi from the other Earth, Jake is confined by a special task force for study. But when he drains life energy from Tess, almost killing her, it causes a ripple effect across two worlds – and creates a bond neither of them expected.

Ross is an FBI agent ordered to protect Tess while she studies Jake. His assignment is not random – he and Tess have a history, and a connection the Bureau hopes to use to its own advantage. By the time Ross realizes his mission could be compromised, it’s already too late – he’ll have to choose between his love for Tess and his duty to protect the people of his own Earth.

Veronica: One of my favorite questions to ask in the USAT/HEA interviews is whether the author has a favorite quote or short scene from the book they’d like to share. The excerpt below was Sharon’s first choice, although we ultimately had to go with a  different,  shorter one for the column. But I thougt it’d be a shame not to share her first choice over here on my blog:

Sharon: As the author, my favorites are mostly super intense, and might not play well out of context. But I like this early scene because it helps to establish the dynamic among the three main characters.

“He’s been asking for you,” called Agent Perez when she saw Ross coming.

Ross moved to Jake’s door, glancing through the square window. He jumped back when Jake appeared behind the glass, inches away.

Ross punched the intercom button and reached for his sidearm. “Back off.”

“I want to know what’s going on,” demanded the fade. His eyes flitted nervously from Ross to Perez. “Where’s Tess?”

The last thing Ross wanted was to hear her name in the fade’s mouth. “Not your concern. You keep quiet in there and maybe no one shoots you.”

Jake’s features contorted in anguish. “Did I kill her? Please—I don’t understand—”

The fade’s head swiveled, like he’d heard something behind him. His body practically hummed with nervous energy, reminding Ross of his meth­addict brother. Except there was nothing sunken or hollow about Jake—not anymore. The bastard was bright­eyed and fully charged.

Jake’s gaze anchored on Ross again. “Am I some kind of—vampire? I felt like I was sucking the life out of her.”

“You were.”

“Is she dead?”

Ross took in Jake’s distress and allowed a pinprick of compassion. “She’s not dead. Not yet.”

Jake squeezed his eyes shut. “God . . . why didn’t you just shoot me? Why don’t you shoot me now?”

Ross studied the fade—dark­blond curls, narrow forehead, brown eyes, short beard curling over chin and jaw. He was about Ross’s height but thinner, and closer to Tess’s age.

“You want me to shoot you,” Ross replied, dubious.

“Why did you let her get so close? You’re a Fed, right? You have to be, dressed like that. Were you supposed to be protecting her or what?”

Jesus. Ross felt like he’d been punched. He slipped his weapon back in the holster and turned to go.

“Hey!” called Jake. The intercom was still on.

Impatient to get back upstairs, Ross hesitated before turning. A part of him could empathize. What a position to suddenly find yourself in.

“What she told me,” said Jake, “—the alternate universe thing—is it true?”

“Probably. It’s a theory.”

“Based on what? I mean, how can you know something like that?”

“We can’t, not for sure. But they’ve questioned enough of you to piece it together.”

Jake chuckled darkly. “I thought she was nuts. Or I’d wound up in some purgatory for suicides.”

Ross lifted an eyebrow. “You killed yourself?”

Jake’s lips set, and he glared at Ross. “I’m finished talking to you. If she lives, I’ll talk to her. Shoot me if you want to. I don’t [expletive!] care.”

Sharon FisherVeronica: I found it to be an exciting, unusual story and I hope you’ll hop over to the actual interview on USAT/HEA. Here’s a photo of Sharon inside the now-scrapped ferry  Kalakala, which plays a part in the novel.

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May 3 2015

All I Remember 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 WeWriWa buttonfun way to sample new books and find new writers!

We’re onto a new story of mine, a WIP that still needs a lot of work. Mark, an ex-Special Forces soldier in the Sectors, has been hired by the Outlier Empress to rescue a kidnap victim who’s been taken to the border planet Freemarket, where anything goes and the authorities are usually hands off. Kind of like Las Vegas…he’s broken into the house of  Barent Kliin, the kidnapper, persuaded Alessandra to go with him and fled in a stolen car, pursued by the bad guys and the planetary police. They collided with a cargo hauler…Mark knocked the driver out and assisted Alessandra from their wrecked vehicle, after which the couple flee into the crowded marketplace but are now trapped…until a strange little being showed up, offering to help…having no choice, Mark and Sandy flee with the creature and fall into a tent. The owner of the tent offered them the opportunity to Travel…not in a groundcar or a  or a spaceship…three weeks ago she showed them the Globes of Amarkana. Now Mark has picked one and shattered it and they Traveled.

The first time Mark opened his eyes, the world was still swirling around him, so he blinked hard, hoping to quell the vertigo. His head ached like he’d been on a three day bender with cheap rotgut, his left shoulder felt like someone had stuck a jagged knife into it and his stomach was on fire with cramping pain. Murmuring reassurance in a soft voice, the medic who was treating him tugged at his right shoulder.

Mark half opened his eyes to see her, preparing to tell her with a blistering string of profanity to just let him die in peace of whatever this was. But even through the dizziness and nausea, he was startled to see Sandy, not a Sectors medic.  Pressing an inject to his bicep, she said, “I hope when you wake up next time, these symptoms have worn off – I don’t think you were as good a candidate for Traveling as Lajollae thought.”

Vague memories  returning, he said, “What happened? All I remember is breaking the globe and then a whole lot of hot wind – like being in a sandstorm.”

So, the story goes on from there….they’ve ended up in a very strange place and a lot of adventure, romance and some second chances lie ahead. You’ve all been so kind about enjoying the snippets, I’ve moved this up in my schedule and will work on revisions for this next, after Star Cruise: Marooned, which I’m trying to get to my developmental editor by next Saturday. Ghost of the Nile  went to the copy editor on Wednesday, so I’m making progress!

Not sure what I’ll excerpt next week – we’ll all have to be surprised together, I guess. Best wishes!

tarantula nebula

Apr 26 2015

Picked Up By A Whirlwind Weekend Writing Warriors

(If you’re here for the Aprils Fools for Love Event & Giveaway, go here.)

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…A WeWriWa buttonfun way to sample new books and find new writers!

We’re onto a new story of mine, a WIP that still needs a lot of work. Mark, an ex-Special Forces soldier in the Sectors, has been hired by the Outlier Empress to rescue a kidnap victim who’s been taken to the border planet Freemarket, where anything goes and the authorities are usually hands off. Kind of like Las Vegas…he’s broken into the house of  Barent Kliin, the kidnapper, persuaded Alessandra to go with him and fled in a stolen car, pursued by the bad guys and the planetary police. They collided with a cargo hauler…Mark knocked the driver out and assisted Alessandra from their wrecked vehicle, after which the couple flee into the crowded marketplace but are now trapped…until a strange little being showed up, offering to help…having no choice, Mark and Sandy flee with the creature and fall into a tent. The owner of the tent is an extremely mysterious being, who prevented him from shooting at their pursuers. She’s offering them the opportunity to Travel…not in a groundcar or a  or a spaceship…two weeks ago she showed them the Globes of Amarkana. Now Mark has picked one and shattered it.

Heat and a rush of spice scented air swirled around them. Mark felt as if he’d been picked up by a whirlwind. He was afraid to open his eyes, as the air filled with grit or sand, scraping across every inch of exposed flesh. Tightening his arms around Sandy, he buried his face in her soft, fragrant hair. From the sensations, he’d have said they were flying through the air, yet a solid footing remained under his boots.

Now that it was too late, worries flooded Mark’s mind. Had Lajolae been trying to save them, or had she sent them into the path of some worse fate?

 Too late for regrets.

Next week I’ll give you the end of the journey, or a snippet thereof, and then we’ll switch off to something else in two weeks.

pink hubble image

Apr 21 2015

Tuesday Teaser Interview with a D’nvannae Brother

Tuesday Teaser

Wreck-of-the-Nebula-DreamFinalMedFor today’s Tuesday Teaser, I thought I’d do a character interview from WRECK OF THE NEBULA DREAM. Readers seemed pretty intrigued with one of my secondary characters, Khevan, a member of the D’nvannae Brotherhood, an order of assassin/bodyguards, serving a mysterious alien deity The Red Lady.  (I get asked about a sequel featuring him all the time, and I do have the plot in mind, so it’ll be written at some point.)

Here’s a description from the book of the first time Nick encounters Khevan, on the shuttle ride up to the Nebula Dream:

Sipping his drink, Nick assessed the only other man on the shuttle who was as deadly as Nick himself could be when the occasion demanded –  a D’nvannae Brother, dressed all in close fitting, soft black leather, as they usually were when traveling outside their world. The swirling red tattoo all D’nvannae wore proudly inscribed on the right side of the face, as a sign of fealty to their Deity, was particularly well defined on this man. He must be senior in the hierarchy, given the number of details in the tattoo. Gotta earn those the hard way in the Lady’s service. Halfway paying attention to a broadcast of an inter Sector sports semifinal, the Brother was unbraiding his long, jet black hair, signifying his contract had been successfully completed and he was now at liberty to accept another.

Who on backwater Glideon might have needed such a high-priced, exotic bodyguard? Or been the target of such a relentless assassin? The D’nvannae could be hired for either purpose, conflicting offers resolved by the whim of the goddess.

As if sensing Nick’s gaze, the Brother turned, eyeing him for a long minute, eyebrows drawn together in a frown. He had a strong face, thin lips, high, chiseled cheekbones, and intense black eyes which betrayed nothing of the thoughts going on behind them. Sensing no challenge, nothing on Nick’s part but bored curiosity, the other man nodded, the fine muscles of his face relaxing.

Raising his glass in salute, Nick tossed off the drink as the Brother dismissed him, in favor of watching a replay.

So now let’s interview Khevan!  What was your life like growing up?

Khevan: When I was very young, perhaps 3 or 4, my father brought me to the Brotherhood on our home world. I am told he was poor and hoped that by dedicating my life to the service of the Red Lady, he could ensure a better future for me. It is a fairly common occurrence. I’ve known no other life than the Brotherhood until now. It is a life of discipline, sacrifice and rewards.

From boyhood I have studied, trained and practiced to be very very good at what I do. Martial arts, assassination techniques, culture, history – one must be well rounded to reach the highest levels of the Brotherhood. (Khevan smiles and lowers his voice.) And then there are the…other arts that the Lady decrees her high ranking servants must learn, to please her in human form. Those skills come in handy on certain assignments as well.

Before the action in the book, what were your plans/hopes for the future?

Khevan: I was on the path to reach the highest levels of my Brotherhood, completing many dangerous missions of assassination or guarding others against death. The Lady decrees who we contract with and whether we are preserving life or taking it. Some say it is at her whim. I chose to believe she had a plan that was beyond our human comprehension. (Shifting uncomfortably in the chair, Khevan frowns.) I needed to believe that to carry out my assignments at times. I was an Intimate Initiate of the Order, which means I have been privileged to serve the Lady of the Flames herself. Those private rituals are not to be spoken of outside the Brotherhood.

What changed your path?

Khevan: It became necessary on the Nebula Dream to in essence defy my Lady in order to save lives. There were consequences, to myself and to another…

VERONICA sez:   I think we’ll leave it there. (NOTE: The interview is from my Archives.)  The ebook of Wreck of the Nebula Dream is currently on sale for $.99

Amazon    Barnes & Noble     All Romance eBooks     iTunes   Kobo

The story:

Traveling unexpectedly aboard the luxury liner Nebula Dream on its maiden voyage across the galaxy, Sectors Special Forces Captain Nick Jameson is ready for ten relaxing days, and hoping to forget his last disastrous mission behind enemy lines. He figures he’ll gamble at the casino, take in the shows, maybe even have a shipboard fling with Mara Lyrae, the beautiful but reserved businesswoman he meets.

All his plans vaporize when the ship suffers a wreck of Titanic proportions. Captain and crew abandon ship, leaving the 8000 passengers stranded without enough lifeboats and drifting unarmed in enemy territory. Aided by Mara (and Khevan), Nick must find a way off the doomed ship for himself and several other innocent people before deadly enemy forces reach them or the ship’s malfunctioning engines finish ticking down to self destruction.

But can Nick conquer the demons from his past that tell him he’ll fail these innocent people just as he failed to save his Special Forces team? Will he outpace his own doubts to win this vital race against time?

wreckmemealt1

Apr 19 2015

The Globe Shatters Weekend Writing Warriors

(If you’re here for the Aprils Fools for Love Event & Giveaway, go here.)

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…A WeWriWa buttonfun way to sample new books and find new writers!

We’re onto a new story of mine, a WIP that still needs a lot of work. Mark, an ex-Special Forces soldier in the Sectors, has been hired by the Outlier Empress to rescue a kidnap victim who’s been taken to the border planet Freemarket, where anything goes and the authorities are usually hands off. Kind of like Las Vegas…he’s broken into the house of  Barent Kliin, the kidnapper, persuaded Alessandra to go with him and fled in a stolen car, pursued by the bad guys and the planetary police. They collided with a cargo hauler…Mark knocked the driver out and assisted Alessandra from their wrecked vehicle, after which the couple flee into the crowded marketplace but are now trapped…until a strange little being showed up, offering to help…having no choice, Mark and Sandy flee with the creature and fall into a tent. The owner of the tent is an extremely mysterious being, who prevented him from shooting at their pursuers. She’s offering them the opportunity to Travel…not in a groundcar or a  or a spaceship…two weeks ago she showed them the Globes of Amarkana. Now Mark has picked one.

Mark knelt, the gesture feeling somehow appropriate at this moment. He let the Globe roll from his fingertips onto the carpet. Rising, he positioned his heavy boot on top of the orb, and glanced at Lajollae. Features difficult to discern in the blinding aura now surrounding her, she nodded. Mark drew Sandy into his arms. Closing her eyes, leaning against him, she locked her hands behind his back, over his spine.  Angry shouting grew closer, Kliin calling the princess’s name.  Mark raised his foot and brought it down in one violent motion, shattering the Globe.

And next week Mark and Sandy will Travel.

Hubble-Cosmic

Apr 11 2015

Did He Choose Wisely? Weekend Writing Warriors

(If you’re here for the Aprils Fools for Love Event & Giveaway, go here.)

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…A WeWriWa buttonfun way to sample new books and find new writers!

We’re onto a new story of mine, a WIP that still needs a lot of work. Mark, an ex-Special Forces soldier in the Sectors, has been hired by the Outlier Empress to rescue a kidnap victim who’s been taken to the border planet Freemarket, where anything goes and the authorities are usually hands off. Kind of like Las Vegas…he’s broken into the house of  Barent Kliin, the kidnapper, persuaded Alessandra to go with him and fled in a stolen car, pursued by the bad guys and the planetary police. They collided with a cargo hauler…Mark knocked the driver out and assisted Alessandra from their wrecked vehicle, after which the couple flee into the crowded marketplace but are now trapped…until a strange little being showed up, offering to help…having no choice, Mark and Sandy flee with the creature and fall into a tent. The owner of the tent is an extremely mysterious being, who prevented him from shooting at their pursuers. She’s offering them the opportunity to Travel…not in a groundcar or a spaceship…last week she showed them the Globes of Amarkana. Now Mark has to pick one.

Mark kept going back to one particular globe, high on the tree, dangling precariously on its crystal branch. Nothing differentiated this bubble from all the rest but it drew him nonetheless.

When he stretched to touch the globe, it fell into his hand. 

“You’ve chosen, now breathe the air of the destination you’ve selected,” Lajollae said in a harsh whisper, “Make haste, for your time is over – I’m leaving this place for my next station.”

Mark stared at the surprisingly heavy globe in his hand, not sure what she wanted him to do. Breathe the air? Was that what was encapsulated in the shimmering glass – air from somewhere else? How was air going to win them freedom from Kliin’s pursuit?

(Note from me: we’ll see what happens, next week!)

hubble_26sfw 

Apr 7 2015

Deleted Scene From Wreck of the Nebula Dream for Teaser Tuesday

Tuesday TeaserThis deleted scene is from my archived posts, shared it a couple of years ago on Weekend Writing Warriors.

(We do know there’ll be an HEA for Wreck of the Nebula Dream, right? so this isn’t a spoiler…)

This scene takes place on the Sectors battleship Andromeda, after Nick has given his formal report to the Admiral and has been released to seek medical attention. He goes to sickbay but refuses treatment until he’s seen Mara.

Wreck-of-the-Nebula-DreamFinalMed She lay sound asleep on the hospital bed, hair tousled on the pillow, silken strands drying after a recent shampooing. He felt three times as grimy and in need of a shower as he had before, standing here with her. She slept easily, her face calm, peaceful, which he was relieved to see.I’m going to have enough nightmares for both of us, at least I’ve been trained for dealing with the horrors we saw. She’s pretty tough though.

Standing beside the bed, he murmured her name, not wanting to wake her, but hoping she would know on some subconscious level that he’d come as promised, as soon as possible.

Stirring just a little at the sound of his quiet voice, Mara didn’t open her eyes.

Bending over, he kissed her cheek, acutely conscious that he was going to be interrupted any second by the impatient doctor.

Here’s the story for Wreck (which is on sale this month for $.99 by the way):

Traveling unexpectedly aboard the luxury liner Nebula Dream on its maiden voyage across the galaxy, Sectors Special Forces Captain Nick Jameson is ready for ten relaxing days, and hoping to forget his last disastrous mission behind enemy lines. He figures he’ll gamble at the casino, take in the shows, maybe even have a shipboard fling with Mara Lyrae, the beautiful but reserved businesswoman he meets.

All his plans vaporize when the ship suffers a wreck of Titanic proportions. Captain and crew abandon ship, leaving the 8000 passengers stranded without enough lifeboats and drifting unarmed in enemy territory. Aided by Mara, Nick must find a way off the doomed ship for himself and several other innocent people before deadly enemy forces reach them or the ship’s malfunctioning engines finish ticking down to self destruction.

But can Nick conquer the demons from his past that tell him he’ll fail these innocent people just as he failed to save his Special Forces team? Will he outpace his own doubts to win this vital race against time?

Amazon    Barnes & Noble    All Romance eBooks   iTunes    Kobo

Apr 5 2015

Pick For Us Weekend Writing Warriors

(If you’re here for the Aprils Fools for Love Event & Giveaway, go here.)

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…A WeWriWa buttonfun way to sample new books and find new writers!

We’re onto a new story of mine, a WIP that still needs a lot of work. Mark, an ex-Special Forces soldier in the Sectors, has been hired by the Outlier Empress to rescue a kidnap victim who’s been taken to the border planet Freemarket, where anything goes and the authorities are usually hands off. Kind of like Las Vegas…he’s broken into the house of  Barent Kliin, the kidnapper, persuaded Alessandra to go with him and fled in a stolen car, pursued by the bad guys and the planetary police. They collided with a cargo hauler…Mark knocked the driver out and assisted Alessandra from their wrecked vehicle, after which the couple flee into the crowded marketplace but are now trapped…until a strange little being showed up, offering to help…having no choice, Mark and Sandy flee with the creature and fall into a tent. The owner of the tent is an extremely mysterious being, who prevented him from shooting at their pursuers. She’s offering them the opportunity to Travel…not in a groundcar or a spaceship…last week she showed them the Globes of Amarkana. Mark is speaking:

           “What do we do?”

            “Pick the Globe meant for you,” Lajollae said, “You’ll know which one is your destiny.” 

           “What if we pick differently?” Sandy clutched at his sleeve, “I can’t lose you again!”

            Lajollae shook her head. “You can each choose your own destination or one may decide for both.”

            “This mad escapade is because I trusted you,” Sandy said, “Decide for us.”

            Mark took a step toward the Globes, studying them, trying to decide which to pick, not sure what was going to happen next – there was no going back, no other way to end this.

(Note from me: maybe 2-3 more weeks of this scene to share…thanks for all the kind comments last week on the happy occasion of my daughter’s wedding!)