Tag Archives: Sunday Snippet

Apr 30 2022

How the System Works RENNYR SciFi Romance Gladiator

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, when Gibbz had described another fighter just like Rennyr. Westklin is the gladiator franchise owner who put Rennyr into the pit.:

Chest tight with anxious excitement, Rennyr asked, “What happened to him? Does he continue to fight?”

“Nah, he won his freedom, married a Senator’s daughter no less and now he owns the damn gladiator House. Like a freaking fairy tale.”

“How can I get in touch with him? Can you send a message for me?” If this Death Dealer was a Badari, he’d wouldn’t leave a pack brother as a slave in the hands of a man like Westklin.

Gibbz guffawed. “You got any idea what it costs to send a message from the Hinterlands to a place like the Five Systems? More than my paycheck can cover. And you got no credits that’s for sure. Weren’t you listening? Best thing you can do—only thing you can do—is go along with Westklin’s plan. Make a reputation and this guy we’re talking about will hear about you eventually. It’s the way the entire system works.”

For a few men and women maybe.

Probably all the prisoners in this hideous place had dreams or hopes of being one of the lucky ones who survived to be recruited and transferred to a more humane situation, even if they remained a slave. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. Do you have a name?”

“Gibbz’ll do. My arena name was Two Blades because I was damn good with the double sword but I go by Gibbz nowadays. I gotta go but I’ll keep an eye on you. Hell, I might even bet on you, if you decide to play the damn game like I’m advising. Lords of Space be with you.”

VS: Next week we’ll pivot and meet Jaine, the heroine of the novel.

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

 

Apr 2 2022

What Kind of a Goal Is That Snippet from RENNYR SciFi Romance Gladiator

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 when Gibbz says he needs a “good talking-to”.

Like an errant cub. When he was a highly respected senior soldier in his pack. Again Rennyr felt amusement but he kept the smile off his face and out of his voice. He had to respect the effort this other man was making to help him. “I’m ready to listen.”

“What do you think is going on here?”

“A lot of senseless death so people can make a few credits betting on how fast we’ll die.” With disgust Rennyr remembered the scenes in the arena, with the trideo broadcast above and the wagering.

“Yeah, I’ll grant you a point there, but this cockeyed system is just a feeder for the rest of the Hinterlands. The best men—and a few women—at each level make it through to the next level. Play your cards right and use those talents you got, and you might even make it into a gladiatorial house in the Outlier empire or the Five Systems. Those guys got it made, I tell you.”

Dubious about the claim, Rennyr asked, “Are they still slaves?”

There was silence briefly, as if the other didn’t want to have to answer. “Well yeah, but the other places got laws there. A man can buy his freedom and set up like a king, if he can win enough fights and prizes. You got potential, soldier, and that’s what Westklin sees. He sees those credits a big franchise will pay for his finding and developing a fighter like you, a diamond in the rough. He can leverage your success to help his own enterprises. It’s the universal dream in this business.” His unseen companion laughed without humor. “Even mine, once.”

“People dream of fighting and dying in bigger arenas, for a more refined crowd’s amusement?” Rennyr couldn’t keep the scorn out of his voice. “What kind of a goal is that?”

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

Mar 19 2022

Going About It Wrong 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!)

So last week a number of people commented on how bleak the situation is for Rennyr, which is true. I’ve thought about it a lot and I think maybe when you only get the book in snippets and can’t keep reading to the Happy Ever After ending (whcih as a romance, it does have – you can always buy the book LOL), the journey may be a bit dark. So I’m skipping the whole death match incident.

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.

“Soldier!”

A sound from above his head and a hissed summons woke him from the deep sleep, Adrenaline racing in his veins, Rennyr was on his feet, gazing upward, ready for anything. Light showed only a small portion of the door to this pit was open, not enough for him to force his way through. If he worked hard he could make out the features of whoever was above. It was an old man he’d never seen before, currently engaged in passing objects through the small portal.

“I’m gonna throw this down to you,” the man said. “You gotta promise me to eat every bit and not leave any crumbs. They find out you got food they’ll hunt me.”

Stomach rumbling, Rennyr was ready to agree to any reasonable condition. “I swear.”

Next minute he was frantically catching a stream of falling objects, which were revealed to be several pieces of fruit and a chunk of bread, followed by a piece of cheese. “Many thanks, stranger,” he said as he sat cross legged to eat. “But why are you doing this? Why take such a risk for me?”

“I owe someone a debt,” the man said. “Don’t reckon he even knows what he did for me but I always swore if I ever had the chance I’d repay him.”

It didn’t make sense to Rennyr but he was grateful for the food and the human interaction.

“You’re going about this all wrong, you know,” the voice said sternly from above. “Not being smart.”

Rennyr found himself smiling. “Since I’m sitting in the dark in the infamous pit, I can hardly disagree. What do you recommend?”

VS: We’ll find out 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

 

 

Mar 12 2022

It All Depends 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 had a new release last week, STAR CRUISE TIME LOOP – details after the RENNYR excerpt.

May be edited a bit from published version.

I’m taking excerpts now from RENNYR,  book two in my scifi romance gladiator series. KYDEN from book one 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. Last time the excerpt dealt with prospective buyers looking over the prisoners, including Rennyr. I’ve skipped ahead a bit to the person who did buy him.

“Listen, here’s how it works. You are now the property of Westklin Enterprises, to be utilized as I see fit. I run a lean operation and everything has to be earned. You want real food, you want clothes, you want out of the cage, you have to earn the privileges, got it?”

Rennyr raised his manacled wrists. “I can’t do much in chains.”

“Those will come off when you go into your first death match. If you survive, I may decide to let you go unchained, Again—and I detest repeating myself—it will all depend on your behavior.” When Rennyr didn’t respond, Westklin said with contempt, “You’re an odd one all right. On paper you seem to have unlimited potential as a fighter but in person you’re less than impressive, other than physically. I’m guessing it’s an act so be warned, I’m on to you. I know how to handle men like you.” Without another word the franchise owner walked away.

A few minutes later the robos came for Rennyr’s cage and he braced himself as the container was transferred with him inside to an automated cargo hauler, along with several other cages. The vehicle drove out of the slave market area and through a decidedly grubby and depressing city. Even once the road left the urban area, the landscape remained a sea of grays and browns. Hardly inviting. Coughing from the dust raised by their rapid passage, Rennyr took in as much detail as he could. It was obvious from the efficiency of this operation his owner was well versed in controlling his human and humanoid chattel and preventing escapes.

VS: Next week I’ll probably share the beginning of the ‘death match’ (not the actual fighting but the prep and entry into the arena).

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

My New Release!

STAR CRUISE TIME LOOP by Veronica Scott

VS Note: I always wanted to write a Groundhog Day style story because I love them and here it is!

Raelyn Cantorini, senior stewardess on the interstellar cruise ship Nebula Zephyr thinks the alien artifact she bought on the last planet the ship visited was just a pretty glass orb…until her pet Eyn knocked the ornament off a table, shattering it and sending her into an infinitely repeating time loop. Stuck reliving the same day over and over, Raelyn has only hours to try to save the ship and everyone on board from dying in a terrible catastrophe. As she tries to solve the mystery of what happens to the ship right before midnight each time the day repeats, Raelyn meets Kev Stevens, the former Special Forces soldier turned actor and finds herself falling in love with him. Each time the day repeats, she learns more about him while he has no memory of her. Can she persuade him they’ve met before? Will he trust her enough to help stop the Nebula Zephyr’s destruction? And if they do save the ship, will that reset time for Raelyn? This is a lightly edited rerelease of my novella from the Pets in Space 6 anthology. No new material has been added.

Amazon     Apple Books    Kobo    Nook    Google Play

Mar 5 2022

Awake Now 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. I’ve skipped ahead from where I stopped last week as now buyers walk through, inspecting the various humans and aliens:

A group of men and women walked along the row of cages, pausing briefly in front of each for quick conversation before continuing their procession. Kyden bared his fangs and held his taloned hands ready to fight as they came to him.

The others looked him over critically.

“Interesting natural weaponry,” said one. “What’s the backstory here?”

The person who appeared to be in charge did a data inquiry on a handheld and shrugged. “Not much. Slavers picked him up on an uncharted planet. A private deal apparently. He’s been sold and resold three times and we bought him on spec.”

“He doesn’t appear too healthy,” a third man said.

“There’s a note he doesn’t tolerate cryo sleep. In fact the unusual reaction is most likely why he was so cheap. Every time he was awakened he was severely disoriented and had to be put under again.”

“He’s awake now,” said a woman in the group. “The issue is moot since he’ll most likely never be leaving this planet.”

“Are you going to put in a bid?” the man in charge asked. Rennyr heard eagerness in his tone. “I hate to sell him to the mines, as many muscles as he has, and with the claws. Waste of good arena material. Surely he could be trained for the death matches.”

“Well I can assure you my team isn’t putting in a bid,” a man on the edge of the crowd said. “Can we move along? There were interesting Gugnasarians my franchise wanted to acquire.”

Seeming deflated, the person who was so eager to sell Rennyr switched topics smoothly. “The ones you want to see are on the next row over, ten cages down. A prime lot for sure and there’s been a lot of interest in them. Moving on.”

VS: So who does decide o acquire Rennyr? 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 19 2022

Ten to One Weekend Writing Warriors

May be edited a bit from published version.

From KYDEN: BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK ONE 

The excerpt jumping ahead in the book to the next time Kyden appears in the arena. Elara is in the audience. They’ve had no contact since the episode where she gave him the scarf… 

Ten men were taking up positions to surround him. Two of them were cyborgs, or so his keen Badari instincts told him. A gladiator was supposed to be warned when he was going to battle anyone unusual. Another was a short, musclebound alien with four arms, all holding different weapons.

Ten to one wasn’t great odds.

The other men from his House reacted in different ways. Some were clearly as puzzled as he’d been, when their scheduled opponents joined the circle around Kyden instead of lining up to fight one on one. These men tried to come to Kyden’s aid but were shooed away by the referees.

Others like Jadaxus merely shrugged and headed for the tunnel without a backward glance. He stood to benefit hugely if Kyden died, with one fewer man between him and the top rank he craved.

All right then.

Calm descended on Kyden as he made a quick circle, taking in each of the men who planned to join in killing him today. On another afternoon he might have decided to welcome death and go into the arms of the goddess with gratitude, ending his time here. Not today. Not with his mate in the audience. He would not die in front of Elara.

Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo      Nook      GooglePlay

The second in the series:

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