Oct 29 2022

Needs Work 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.)

Continuing with Fallyn’s quest to buy a used spaceship…

The excerpt:

“Hang tight here for a minute and I’ll get the specs and the access code.” He retreated to the office and returned juggling a handheld and a container of cold beverage, which he extended to Fallyn. “I think the afternoon heat has been a bit rough on you—”

“Fallyn Damara,” she said, realizing he wanted her name. It was hard not to mention her former rank, which had been such an integral part of her identity for so long. She took the drink gratefully. “Thanks. Shopping for a ship is thirsty work.”

“I’m Damin Vallington, shoulda come to me first,” he said. “Let’s take my scooter. The ship I want to show you is parked toward the far fences. We keep our bigger stock in orbit but of course you’re not in the market for one of those.”

“Not today.” She liked him, although she was conscious he was a salesman through and through, keeping up an artless stream of conversation as he zigged and zagged through the busy yard, past ships she could never afford. He was obviously trying to find out as much about her as he could so he could sell her the ship he was trying to unload and Fallyn prepared herself for a real disaster.

To her surprise, as the vessel he was headed for came into view, she was a trim, efficient ship, built for speed and battle. The hull was dinged and beat up but the lines were good and Fallyn found herself drawn to the craft. “Roxy,” she said, reading the faded name painted on the bow as Vallington brought the vehicle to a stop.

“Just took her in from a gal—a hot handed mercenary who made a big score, bought herself a brand new ship, traded up quite a few notches. Wouldn’t surprise me if she establishes her own team now she’s getting famous in this quadrant. At any rate, I sell new ships as well so I got both ends of the deal. She had the Roxy customized to her own specifications over the years she owned it, so the appeal is a bit limited.” Damin shook his head as they walked around the exterior, checking out the hull. “I could probably sell it to a generational billionaire’s kid who wanted to play at being badass but anyone that rich would buy a new one. Needs work to strip the customizations if anyone but a mercenary takes her on.”

VS: Maybe a bit more from this scene next week…

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.

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Oct 22 2022

I Could Give You a Good Price Weekend Writing Warriors

Continuing with Fallyn’s quest to buy a used spaceship…

The excerpt:

A man emerged from the office, sizing her up as he walked over to where she stood.

“Afternoon,” he said with a nod. “Looking for a ship?”

Fallyn bit back her first sarcastic response. It wouldn’t do her any good to take her frustrations out on the salesman. “I cashed out of the military earlier today and yeah, I need some wings.”

“Going to set up as a mercenary? We get a lot of ex-military through here with that intention. Which branch were you?”

“Survey scout,” she said. “I figured the hired gun business was probably my best bet. I’m not ready to settle down and be a colonist farmer on the border.” Although I could see myself on Ushandirr someday, with Reede. A pang ran through her at the wistful thought and she shoved it away. Focus on the business at hand, Fallyn.

He rubbed his chin and she heard his palm scrape over the bristles of his five o’clock shadow. “We don’t have much inventory in that category right now. If you were buying for a team, I’ve got three bigger ships.”

“Nope, going solo for now, although I’d like to be able to carry a couple of passengers if necessary. No cargo hauling.” Fallyn suppressed a shudder. The dealer at the second lot had been determined to offload an old freighter on her and he’d been unpleasantly persistent.

“Now, I do have one recent trade in on the lot which might interest you,” the salesman in front of her said with a cheery grin. “We just took her in, so other than certifying the basic systems and the engine work, we haven’t done any refurbishment or enhancement. I could give you a good price if you take it as-is.”

Without much hope, Fallyn gestured toward the ships parked in the giant lot stretching behind the small office and garage complex. “Lead on.”

VS: More next week…

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

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Oct 8 2022

What Have You Gotten Us Into Weekend Writing Warriors

I’ve moved on a bit in the novel and Reede and his friend Walt are on the run.

The excerpt:

There was a complicated sequence of knocks on the portal to signal the person waiting was indeed Walt and the door slid aside. He stepped into the room, took in Reede’s battle ready stance with approval and said, “We’ll be leaving in five minutes. I found us a way off the planet tonight but you’re not going to like it.”

Holstering his blaster, Reede was a mix of curiosity and dread. “What have you gotten us into now?”

“The much esteemed society of pirates,” Walt said, crossing to the refresher room and closing the door. He could be heard plainly through the thin veneer of the panel. “We’ve signed onto a ship with a job and unless we want to miss our ride, we have to go now. Trust me, they won’t wait, even if their captain was shorthanded enough to take on two unknown freelancers.” Drying his hands he came into the main room. “I used some of the contacts and backstory Gabe provided me as a fake identity in case we ever needed one. Convinced the captain to hire us. Of course it helped he’s in too much of a time crunch to do any reference checking.”

“Pirates?” Reede was attempting to take it in, wondering if Walt had taken leave of his senses and was making a bad joke.

“Sure. I mean, the Sectors already have you pegged as a raider, so why not add piracy?” Walt’s answer was light hearted but the look he gave Reede was dead serious. “Listen, you’re a fugitive, a wanted man with a helluva big bounty on his head—I checked—the fake ID I bought for you is pretty thin—and you’re easy to identify with your trideo star worthy face and being so damn tall. The chance you can get off this planet in any legitimate fashion is nil. Our new ride is parked at the edge of the spaceport, the captain has vouched for you and me to the authorities, and we’ll never be coming back here. We’re working for shares. Actually we’re splitting a share.” Walt grimaced. “I wasn’t in the best negotiating position but our military training impressed him. Ready?”

“A share of what exactly?” Reede asked. “What kind of job is he planning? I won’t be a party to harming innocent civilians, no matter what the Sectors thinks of me. I have to maintain the Great Mother’s commandments so I can face her with honor in the afterlife.”

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

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Oct 1 2022

Don’t Waste My Time Weekend Writing Warriors

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 and Walt are in a guarded conference room and Fallyn is meeting the captain of the ship they’re on. Suddenly the captain receives a message, terminates his interview with Fallyn and…

The captain strode away, moving fast as if eager to accomplish a task, and the others fell into formation behind him. Fallyn ended up in the center of the guards, as before, and as she proceeded to move through the decks toward the room where Reede and Walt waited, she tried to send her mate a pulse through the mate bond. She was much better at it than she had been but not being a naturally psychic individual, she could only transmit fairly blunt emotions.

Hoping Reede would get the right message, she tried to convey her general unease.

Fallyn’s concern ratcheted up immensely when they reached the area of the conference room and she found a second squad of armed men and women waiting for them. Heedless of military protocol, she sped up and touched the captain’s sleeve. “Sir, why all the security?”

“You’ll see, Lt Damara. No one’s going to get hurt, I give you my word.”

Distrusting his repressed air of excitement, she could only stand back as the door was opened and the first group of soldiers entered, deploying as if breaching an enemy stronghold. The captain motioned for her to precede him and as she entered the conference room, relief flooded over her to find Reede sitting calmly in his chair, unharmed. Walt had risen and moved to stand beside Reede as if to be a bodyguard. The security forces tracked his movement with their hot weapons.

“You’re under arrest for crimes against the Sectors,” Captain Ballard said to Reede, facing him across the table. “No more of this bullshit about being an ambassador and begging for help. Don’t waste my time.”

VS: Next week I’ll probably skip ahead to another scene because it would get spoiler-y otherwise.

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

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Sep 24 2022

What Is He To You Weekend Writing Warriors

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 and Walt are in a guarded conference room and Fallyn is meeting the captain of the ship they’re on. The captain has just asked how many soldiers the Badari can put into the field.

Fallyn made an instant decision and felt the underpinnings of her career shake. “I don’t know, sir. I was taken to the island where the ship was hidden and there was only a minimal force there. Four or five men and a few human techs.” Strictly speaking the statement was true but she was leaving out the entire time she’d spent in Sanctuary Valley, where she’d observed several hundred Badari.

Captain Ballard raked her up and down with a highly critical eye and Fallyn stood unflinching under the scrutiny. “What is this envoy to you?”

“He’s my mate, sir.” She and Reede had decided not to try to hide their relationship, although truthfully she’d argued to keep it quiet but Reede refused to do anything involving even a for-show denial of their mate bond.

“So you’re sleeping with him. “ Now the captain was playing with his coffee mug. “I figured as much. I’d heard the Survey Corps played it fast and loose when it came to fraternization with the natives. There’ll be none of that on my ship. And I’ll be making a note in my report so be sure your own report is full and complete.”

“Mate is their term for a formal union, sir,” she said, stung by his contemptuous attitude. “Envoy Reede and I are committed for life now.”

“Which has no bearing on your status here in the Sectors, except for showing a shocking lack of discipline on your part.” He raised his thick eyebrows. “Unless of course you undertook intimate relations to ferret out classified intel?”

“Sir, Envoy Reede and I are partners.”

VS: But things go from bad to worse all too soon…

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

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Sep 17 2022

Forgotten How to Report Weekend Writing Warriors

“At ease.” The captain didn’t offer her a chair. He dismissed the other officer and as soon as the man was gone, Captain Ballard leaned back in his chair and eyed her. “You’re going to make my career, Lt. Damara, one way and another. Capturing a Chimmer ship is a huge win.”

“The Badari—Envoy Reede’s people—captured the ship, sir and converted it for human use. He’s prepared to donate it to the Sectors as a gesture of goodwill.” She kept her voice level. “They rescued me from the enemy.”

The captain made a dismissive gesture. “Put it all in your report. I’ll be sending notice to Sector Command shortly. I’m expecting orders to alter course and report to the nearest base. Don’t need to keep you and the other soldier on board any longer than necessary. Or this so-called envoy. Tell me about him, about his people.”

“With respect, sir, I think the envoy should be the one to explain.”

Slamming his fist on the desk, the captain said harshly, “You’re a scout, reporting on newly found sentients is part of your job, lieutenant. Tell me about these…Badari. Now. Or have you forgotten how to report properly to a senior officer?”

Fallyn and Reede had discussed what would be shared so reluctantly she launched into a bare bones summary. “The Badari are genetically engineered soldiers, created by a race of scientists known as the Khagrish, under contract to the Chimmer. My understanding is the Mawreg have taken a direct interest in the project but only Chimmer have ever been seen on the planet. The Badari escaped the labs with the help of a human woman, a retired Special Forces operator from the lost Amarcae colony actually, and are currently waging guerilla warfare against the Khagrish. They have no space going capability, aside from the ship I arrived in. They’ve rescued a large number of kidnapped Sectors citizens from the labs and are protecting them as best they can.”

The captain drummed his fingers on the desk. “How many soldiers can these guys deploy in the field?”

VS: And Fallyn is presented with a difficult choice now….more next week!

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

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Sep 10 2022

Work With It Weekend Writing Warriors

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 and Walt are in a guarded conference room and Fallyn is on her way to meet the captain of the ship they’re on.

The Ariadne was a full size battleship, which surprised Fallyn. She didn’t remember ever hearing a whisper of Border Patrol maintaining its own fleet. She marched behind the other lieutenant through crowded corridors and as she went she assessed the crew and the conditions and was impressed. The captain she was going to see ran a tight ship. Fallyn approved. She hoped he’d be reasonable about Reede and his mission. This was only the first step in a long process of obtaining help for the Badari in fighting their mutual enemies. As she ascended the final gravlift to the captain’s wardroom on the bridge level, Fallyn checked the mate bond as best she could and was relieved to find Reede as centered and calm as always.

So he’s not being mistreated or in any danger. On Ushandirr when she’d been arguing with him to become claimed mates, she’d minimized his doubts about the fact she was on active duty. Now she was in the midst of her own kind, Sectors military, and about to report to a superior officer, tendrils of unease began creeping in. If only they’d made it to a regular ship of the line or even better to a base with a unit of her own service.

But she had to work with what she had.

VS Note: It’s not going to go too well for Fallyn…

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

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Sep 3 2022

Not So Welcome Weekend Writing Warriors

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

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Aug 27 2022

And You Are Weekend Writing Warriors

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 is Reede’s human mate and a Sectors Survey Scout.

The welcoming party was large and armed, with weapons hot, and he sensed the surprise and dismay among the squad at his appearance. Being seven feet tall and outweighing even the biggest humans by a hundred pounds or so tended to have that effect on most people. More than a few weapons were trained on him specifically. He was sure if he flashed his natural weaponry panic would ensue and people would be hurt. He hoped no one provoked him or endangered his mate.

Fallyn approached the person in charge and saluted. “Lt. Fallyn Damara reporting, sir.”

The other officer looked her over critically. “A bit out of uniform, aren’t you, lieutenant?” The man used a light tone as if to show he was joking, but Reede wasn’t fooled. This person had the gall to show disrespect to Fallyn and his talons pushed to deploy so he could defend his mate. This wasn’t the time or the place, however; she was still on active duty in this military.

The mate bond flashed a bit of tension as Fallyn assumed a parade rest stance and said, “My ship crashed, my partner was killed and I was taken prisoner by the Chimmer allies on the planet, sir.”

“And who are these men?”

Fallyn gestured at Reede. “This is Envoy Reede. His people rescued me and also captured this ship we arrived in.”

Reede joined her and extended his hand to the officer asking all the questions. “And you are?” He added a bit of his enforcer’s power to the courteous question because he was already done with the attitude the other human was displaying.

VS: More next week…

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

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Aug 19 2022

I Give You My Word Weekend Writing Warriors

I’m now taking snippets from my third scifi romance gladiator novel TALINN, which recently released in the CLAIMED AMONG THE STARS charity anthology. This will be the last snippet from TALINN because I’m going to switch to my NEW release REEDE’S MISSION TO THE SECTORS.

The excerpt: Talinn and Bailey meet – I’ve jumped ahead so you can have a glimpse of their first meeting. Slightly edited from published version:

Mouth open in astonishment and terror, Bailey watched in disbelief as her would-be rescuer stepped closer to her and slashed right through the sturdy leather bonds with the same talons he’d used to such good effect on his last opponent.

“You’ll be all right, I give you my word in the name of the goddess,” he said to her in crisp Basic, taking her in his arms.

Unable to stop trembling as he lifted her into the air, away from the pole, Bailey looped one arm around his neck. “I don’t—I can’t—please—”

“Ssh,” he said in a strangely sympathetic tone. “I have to acknowledge my gratitude to the kalishka for his gift—that would be you—and then I’ll get you out of this arena and tend to your needs. You’ve been amazingly brave. Can you try to hang on a few minutes longer?”

Afraid to even attempt speech, she blinked and dipped her head like a bird. Words were beyond her in her current state.

With her in his arms, the fighter leapt from the dais without a sign of impairment from either the wounds he bore or the ordeal he’d gone through to reach her. He strode easily to a position in front of the dignitaries’ box and bowed low to the most elaborately dressed Ganamilian, speaking in rapid syllables that made no sense to Bailey.

Then the fighter strutted across the arena to an open gate, nodding occasionally to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd. She guessed he was easily seven feet tall and well over three hundred pounds of pure, hard muscle. Being in his arms felt safe to Bailey. “Thank you,” she said as he crossed the threshold and left the arena. “Whatever comes next, I’m grateful to you for rescuing me from the others.”

VS: I’ve skipped a lot and yes, they have many adventures and difficulties ahead, but I need to showcase my newest book starting next week. Thanks for reading these snippets and for all the terrific comments!

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.