Tag Archives: Weekend Writing Warriors

Jun 25 2022

Jaine Finds a Weapon Weekend Writing Warriors

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

Sharing from my second scifi romance gladiator novel RENNYR.

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

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

The wall in front of her was gone and Jaine felt pressure at her back as the crowd of prisoners was forced onto the waiting sands. A pile of shields, swords and other gear waited in the center of the arena as promised so she broke into a sprint. She was barely conscious of the screaming of a crowd in the seats above the fighting field. Her only goal was to grab a weapon and then find the safest space she could and make a stand.

Jaine circled  the disorderly pile of gear, dismayed by the selection. The shields were two feet by four feet and thick, impossibly heavy and although she’d love to have one, she doubted she could lift it. She barely gave the swords and spears a glance but when she saw a spiked ball at the end of a chain lying in the sand, she pounced. Yanking her find free from the items piled haphazardly on top, she discovered she had a short handled mace with three chains fastened to the end. Even better, each of the chains had a spiked metal ball at the tip. Taking an experimental swing, she was sure she could manage to defend herself with this, if all her opponents had were swords and spears. Of course if the men after her had shields, all she could do would be to batter at them ineffectually.

Swipe at the legs, she thought.

VS: Next week I’ll switch back to Rennyr’s POV as he attempts to join Jaine in the arena to defend her.

RENNYR (BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK 2) by Veronica Scott

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

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

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

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     Google Play

May 28 2022

Flaming Hot and Then Cold Weekend Writing Warriors

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

Sharing from my second scifi romance gladiator novel RENNYR.

If you want the full story of what they go through and how they battle to survive and protect each other, and their romance, with all the nuances and details, the book is available wide. I’m probably going to stop posting from this book and switch to another.

The excerpt: Rennyr’s reaction to the sight of Jaine passing by his cell,. Edited from published version.

Rennyr pressed himself as close to the force field across the front of his cell as he dared to go. The proximity was painful but he had to see what happened to the woman. He caught a glimpse of the back of her head as she and the others were herded into a cell down the corridor. His body was flaming hot and then cold and all his senses were on the alert. He staggered to the bunk and fell on his knees, overcome by the force of whatever was wrong with him.  Rennyr shook his head, trying to clear the mental fog.

What in the seven hells is going on here?

A faint memory came to him, of the healer discussing a tale buried deep in the ancestral memory regarding the original Badari. They had mates—women they loved and cherished and who fought beside them. It was said there was a special bond between the pair, mind to mind and heart to heart and a man could only have this bond with one woman. The healer hadn’t given the discussion much time, beyond stating it was his duty to try to pass along as much of the knowledge he possessed as he could before his Generation of Badari was culled by the cruel scientists.

“The Great Mother would decide who belonged together,” the healer had said. “It’s a moot point for us of course.”

There were no Badari women. The scientists hadn’t created any and all the Badari were glad. Their existence as lab animals was not the kind of life a man would wish for anyone else, much less a woman he loved.

But this churning mix of need and desire and longing inside his mind and heart was undeniable, triggered by the glimpse of the particular woman and showing no signs of subsiding.

VS: We’ll see what I decide to post next week. Thanks for visiting and commenting!

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

May 13 2022

What Kind of Place 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, continuing with Jaine, the heroine:

“Wait,” said one of the women in the group walking by. “Why haven’t these slaves been separated? Why aren’t they naked? You know I have to see the merchandise before I can bid. Although at least the one in front has possibilities.”

The man with a fancy handheld who was leading the group paused and shook his head. “These aren’t for sale. They’re already spoken for. Westklin had a big order for a special arena death match and bought the lot sight unseen. He just needs warm bodies.”

“Surely not the women?” The buyer persisted, eyeing Jaine with narrowed eyes. “I need to replenish my establishment outside the spaceport. I’ll give you a good price right now. Westklin won’t miss one person if he bought them as a lot.”

“Women too,” the other person responded crisply. “Whoever commissioned the special event specified there had to be women included. Westklin’s sending the robo truck now to pick them up so I can’t risk pulling any out for you, Selgea. Sorry. We do have a few females on the next row.”

What in the seven hells kind of place had she been brought to? Jaine felt faint and nauseous as the buyers walked away. And what was a death match? Deep inside she had a good idea. There was muttering around her, as the others on the front row relayed what had been said to their crewmates and former passengers in the rear of the cage.

Sure enough, a cargo hauler entered the huge yard and a swarm of robos came towards the cage.

VS: More with Jaine next week and her first encounter with Rennyr.

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

May 7 2022

Where Are We 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. I’m switching to the heroine’s POV.

The excerpt which is the first time Jaine appears in the book: 

Jaine was tired of being hungry, dirty and terrified but it appeared none of those things was going to change anytime soon. The weeks since the tramp freighter on which she’d been a paying passenger had been seized by pirates and they’d all been taken prisoner had been a grim time. Imprisoned in an area of the pirates’ cargo hold, she and the others had no idea what was going to happen to them. There’d been fights over the scanty rations their captors provided.

Jaine gave the freighter crew credit because they’d tried to take care of the unfortunates who’d been their passengers but how much longer would the altruistic effort continue?

She and the others were offloaded on a planet strange to her, herded into another group cell where there was no room to sit and left alone. Rows of cages stretched away on both side, some empty. Almost everyone else in the other cages was naked and she clutched her torn, dirty blouse closely about her, glad she’d been spared the indignity, so far at least.

Purely by chance, Jaine had ended up in the front of the cage and as she was looking around, trying to figure out if there was any possibility of escape, a group of well dressed, obviously well fed people came down the aisle. The gawkers were stopping at each occupied cage and staring at the prisoner inside, discussing the merits of the unfortunate sentient who had their attention.

VS: So far, quite similiar to what Rennyr endured. Next week we’ll get into why Jaine and the others from her ship are there.

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 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