Tag Archives: Sunday Snippet

Apr 9 2022

Not So Innocent Weekend Writing Warriors

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)

Sharing from my second scifi romance gladiator novel RENNYR.

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

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

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

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

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

RENNYR (BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK 2) by Veronica Scott

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

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

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

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     Google Play

 

Mar 26 2022

Take Me Seriously Weekend Writing Warriors

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)

Sharing from my second scifi romance gladiator novel RENNYR.

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

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

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

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

Before Rennyr could answer, the portal slammed shut abruptly.

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

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

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

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

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

RENNYR (BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK 2) by Veronica Scott

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

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

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

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     Google Play

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 5 2022

Much in Demand Weekend Writing Warriors

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KYDEN: BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK ONE by Veronica Scott

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

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

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

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

Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo      Nook      GooglePlay

Jan 29 2022

Requested for an Audience Weekend Writing Warriors

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

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

The excerpt, after the ‘fight’ with the klixta worms:

In the dressing room, gladiators congratulated him profanely on his ‘win’ as they disrobed and cleaned their weapons from their own bouts. He responded in kind and headed for the refresher chamber, which his status entitled him to use rather than the communal showers.

Erment intercepted him. “You did a nice job today. Thanks for putting all the effort into it just for the bored lower tier rats.”

“If I set foot on the sand, I do my best,” he said, curious as to why the master was here at all.

“You’ve been requested for an audience,” Erment said, lowering his voice. “In the special office.”

A surge of hope spun through his mind, quickly pushed away. Elara would never be so indiscreet. Being in the stadium today was a risk for her after the unsavory events of the prior evening. Probably some overawed young scion of a House wanting private lessons will be waiting for me. Erment was practically incapable of turning down the chance to make a credit from services provided by any of his gladiators, no matter what the client wanted the man to do. “All right, let me shower and change. I’ve got the damn klixta sap all over.”

Shaking his head, Erment handed him a wash rag. “No time. She said immediately. Wipe yourself off and come on.” The master reached out and snagged a fresh scarlet cloak from a hook on the wall. “Wear this and you’ll be fine. She didn’t ask for or pay for skin privileges.”

As he was rushed across the huge space to the visitors’ office, Kyden couldn’t decide between being insulted on Elara’s behalf that Erment even considered she might lower herself to ask for a quick sexual encounter, or disappointed for himself. He’d dreamt of her…..

VS Note: What does Elara want?

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

Jan 15 2022

An Empty Throne Weekend Writing Warriors Snippet

Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

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

The excerpt: As promised, I’ve jumped ahead to the first arena scene, which is the next day. Kyden had to volunteer to fight in order to save Elara and her sister the night before.

Today Kyden was to fight with his own natural weaponry, the fangs and talons his creators had given him. He expected to walk through the bout. Midweek fights were cheap seats only, far below being a full audience, mostly practice for the less experienced men rather than serious contests, although the points won or lost did go onto each gladiator’s account and his standing in the system-wide ranking.

Kyden could recline in the middle of the damn arena and take a nap and his points total would barely move because he had such an unthinkable number of wins. There hadn’t been time for his owner to advertise the fact he was fighting either, much to the master’s chagrin.

He walked into the arena at the end of the line of gladiators and briefly scanned the crowd. Or should he say the few people scattered in the cheap seats? They were the lucky ones today, getting to see the Death Dealer in action unexpectedly. When he did fight in prime time, the prices were exorbitant and the scalpers made huge profits.

The trumpets blared and the ceremony began. Kyden pivoted smartly with the others and saluted the empty Emperor’s box. To his knowledge, the ruler of the Five Systems had never graced their stadium with his presence. He didn’t even live in the solar systems he ruled, preferring to dwell in hedonistic style in the Outlier Empire, being related to the ruling house there in some complicated genealogy. But the ritual must be carried out and Kyden uttered his oath to the empty throne with all the others standing in a line beside him, mouthing the same words about fighting for the glory of the throne and the Five Systems and pledging to die bravely. The trumpets blared again and he made a quarter turn as required, to repeat a lesser oath to the equally empty Senatorial seats.

Only to blink and do a double take at the sight of Lady Elara Vasclavian, dressed in the formal robes of her House, occupying the family’s box along with a number of retainers and others.

VS Note: Lady Elara isn’t a fan of gladiatorial contests and hasn’t attended them previously…

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

My recent Tiktok video with images relating to the novel:  https://www.tiktok.com/@veronicascottauthor/video/7051540172722294022