Jessica E. Subject's Blog, page 98

#SFRMonday: They must reveal dark secrets to survive ~ OVERLOAD FLUX by Carol Van Natta

Check out the first story in Carol Van Natta’s Central Galactic Concordance series!

OVERLOAD FLUX

A Central Galactic Concordance Novel

by Carol Van Natta

The Central Galactic Concordance has been stable for two centuries, but trouble is brewing. A pandemic is affecting hundreds of civilized planets, and someone is stealing the vaccine…

Brilliant investigator Luka Foxe’s hidden mental talent is out of control, making him barely able to function in the aftermath of violence, and the body count is rising. The convoluted trail leads to a corrupt pharma industry and the possibility of an illegal, planet-sized laboratory. In the face of increasing threats, he must rely on an enigmatic, lethal woman he just met, but she has deep secrets of her own.

Mairwen Morganthur hides extraordinary skills under the guise of a dull night-shift guard. The last thing she wants is to provide personal security for a hot-shot investigator, or to be plunged into a murky case involving sabotage, treachery, and the military covert operations division that would love to discover she’s still alive.

Two more lives in a rising death count won’t bother their enemies one bit. Their only hope for survival lies in revealing their dark secrets and learning to trust one another.

The new Central Galactic Concordance series starts with Overload Flux. The second book, Minder Rising, will be published in April 2015.

Available from 

Amazon | Nook | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes | Google Play

 

* Planet: Rekoria * GDAT 3237.026 *

Their footsteps echoed in an empty corridor of Rekoria’s planetary spaceport. Mairwen caught herself touching the outside of her coat pocket that held the wirekey, and ruthlessly controlled herself to keep her uneasiness at bay. Though neither man she accompanied down the tall, wide corridor had said so, she had the feeling they didn’t want to be discovered doing whatever it was they were about to do.

Motion-sensor lighting triggered as they approached each segment. At ninety-four minutes before midnight, the noisy passenger area of the spaceport had been as busy as ever, but the commercial shipping section where they now walked was deserted. Trending galactic headlines and bright vids flashed silently on the continuous overhead displays along the corridors, creating constantly changing lights and shadows. It could have been worse; in the passenger section, the animated displays took up entire walls.

She walked two paces behind the two men, like any average, incurious security guard, and kept her expression blank. Her company uniform and long topcoat passed as conservative corporate wear at a casual glance. As long as no one noticed her heavy boots, she wasn’t likely to draw unwanted attention to their group.

Personal security detail wasn’t her usual assignment. While she did usually work nights, it was mostly as a solo guard or security systems monitor at large industrial complexes in marginal sections of town. This was supposed to be her night off.

She hoped the only reason she’d been chosen for tonight’s activities was because she was a name on a La Plata Security Division “night-shift available” list of dozens, and not because she’d stood out in some way. She’d been careful to stay unremarkable. This was the first time in months she’d allowed herself to open her extraordinary senses even a little, noting and cataloging the distant sounds of automation and the stale scents of people. She shouldn’t be doing it now, but the increasing tension of the two men she was accompanying was contagious.

The older man, Velasco, about her height, was entertained by the flashy wall displays in a variety of languages, and softly repeated the words that caught his attention. He again switched the padded strap of the large forensic kit he was carrying to his other shoulder. Lukasz Foxe, taller than Velasco by a dozen centimeters, stood straighter and carried two bags slung over his right shoulder, a smaller hardcase and a larger curved bag, and had a winter greatcoat over his left arm. He was leaner and clearly in better shape than Velasco. So far, Foxe hadn’t said much.

When she’d received her orders from dispatch to check out a company vehicle, pick up the wirekey and a forensic kit for Foxe from the office, then pick up Velasco from a restaurant and take him to the spaceport—she had assumed she would then remain with the company vehicle while Velasco did… whatever it was he was here to do. Instead, for reasons unknown to her, Velasco had told her to come with him to collect Foxe from the gate of an incoming interstellar ship. The need for her presence certainly wasn’t for her company or conversation, because once they’d entered the brightly lit spaceport, Velasco had all but ignored her. She was relieved. From what she remembered from meeting him once at a company event, he had nothing worth saying.

She’d never met Foxe before tonight. Dispatch’s orders had included his company photo, which didn’t do him justice. Even though he was obviously tired, he was handsome, with light brown skin and wide, angular cheekbones, and wore his casual business clothes with more style than Velasco’s ultra-trendy but unflattering suit.

She was already familiar with Lukasz Foxe’s name. She’d memorized most of the Investigation Division’s investigator names and titles so she’d know whom to avoid. She didn’t want the possible attention that came from being in the orbit of a blue-hot company star. She didn’t know what a High Court-certified forensic reconstruction specialist did, but she had the feeling she was about to find out.

She hadn’t quite figured out what Velasco’s role was. From something he’d said in the first burst of jabbering he’d subjected her to as she drove him to the spaceport, he was with the Security Division of La Plata, but assigned to Investigation. She’d mostly tuned him out for the rest of the trip, choosing instead to focus on traffic, which wasn’t well automated, especially at night. Etonver city drivers were allowed to disable vehicle autopilots, and mostly did, making for bad ground traffic, twenty-five hours a day.

The spaceport corridor split, and they turned toward the section with commercial interior warehouses. When they rounded a corner to the left, Velasco pointed halfway down the hall to a large cargo bay door of opaque flexglass. The logo said “Centaurus Transport” in huge letters. A smaller, human-sized door farther down to the left had the same logo. The two men stopped in front of the bay entryway, and Foxe looked to Velasco.

“Anything from the Port Police?”

One of the benefits of working for a security company was official access codes for police bands. Foxe’s first order after arriving had been to tell Velasco to monitor the frequency from his percomp. It had been Mairwen’s first clue they were expecting trouble.

Velasco activated the company-issued percomp he wore strapped to his wrist. It was a more recent model than hers; night shift tended to get refurbished leftovers. Tech Division had been nagging her to surrender her clunky hardware for an update.

“Nothing,” Velasco said after a moment. Mairwen got the impression he hadn’t been paying attention to it until asked. Fortunately, his assessment was accurate. Even though she hadn’t been ordered to do so, she’d been monitoring the same frequency via live audio sent to the earwire adhered to her jawline, and had heard only two routine communications in the last eleven minutes.

Mairwen was becoming increasingly resentful at being kept off the net as far as what she was being dragged into. She had no idea why investigators from her company were going to the warehouse office or what they expected to find, other than something that would need a forensic kit. Meaning it was more than a simple slice by interstellar jackers or some ground-based theft crew. But she couldn’t ask without drawing unwanted attention to herself, so she stayed quiet. It was one of the few times she’d ever wished she was a telepath. Most telepaths she’d ever met were under the thumb of the Citizen Protection Service, and she knew the steep price of that all too well.

 

Carol Van Natta is an independent science fiction author and playwright. Her latest book is Overload Flux, which is the first of the new Central Galactic Concordance series, and won a 2015 SFR Galaxy Award. She has been a swing-shift guard, secretary, actor, voiceover talent, singing telegram performer, non-profit director, business continuity specialist, and of course, an author. She still does some of those things so she can eat regularly and sleep indoors. She shares her Fort Collins, Colorado, home with a sometime mad scientist and various cats. Any violations of the laws of physics in her books are the fault of the cats, not the mad scientist. Visit her on the web at http://author.CarolVanNatta.com.

If only she knew ~ #MySexySaturday from THE COMPLETE UNDERGROUND SERIES #boxset #99cents

Hello! Can you believe it’s the 80th week of My Sexy Saturday? Yep, and here are the details: every Saturday, published and unpublished authors will be sharing 7 words, sentences, or paragraphs from a work-in-progress or an already published story.

Today’s theme is…

ONE SEXY NIGHT

Here’s seven from NEVER GONNA DESERT YOU, an F/F futuristic dystopian romance, which is the second story in my upcoming box set release.

Set-up: While Melina has always been attracted to Brook, this is the first time they are together.

Brook’s bottom lip trembled. “You…you don’t want me anymore?”

If only she knew. Melina wrapped her arms around Brook, but kept her hands clutched together. If she drew her fingers across any part of Brook’s body, she’d lose all control. “I want you more than you will ever know. But, as you know, same-sex relationships are banned.”

Brook twisted around in Melina’s arms. “I don’t care any longer. Take me. Show me how you can love me because I’ve been fantasizing about it for weeks.”

The last restraint snapped. She refused to deny what Brook wanted. Scooping her onto her lap, Melina nuzzled into the crook of her neck, taking in the exotic scent of strawberries. If the replicated version smelled as divine, she’d never eat anything else.

She found Brook’s soft lips. With tender sweeps, she invaded her mouth. God, the girl tasted like heaven.

Pulling open the tie of Brook’s robe, she slipped her hand inside the smooth silk. Warm porcelain skin met the tips of her fingers. Soft, like the petals of a rose. Both so rare and wonderful. Her breath quickened. She’d never made love to a woman, yet there was no one she wanted more. Desire flooded out all conscious thought, leaving only hunger to touch and taste. To have.

She laid Brook back on the couch, robe open to expose her beautiful naked body. Palming the ample breasts, she circled her thumbs around Brook’s pert nipples. Utterly divine.

~ About THE COMPLETE UNDERGROUND SERIES ~

In the future…

The corporation Planet Core holds all of the power. They place restrictions on the lives of those living within their boundaries, including who they can love. And there is no escape.

Deception runs deep…

The rebel group, calling themselves The Underground, is disputing the corporation’s leadership. With the desire for freedom, they will fight.

And betrayal can come from anyone…

Will the rebels defeat Planet Core, or end up fighting for their lives?

Pre-order for only 99¢:

Amazon US | UK | Canada | Australia | Germany

Decadent Publishing | All Romance | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo

For more My Sexy Saturday postings, check out the participants’ list here.

Saving my elbows and wrists with a new office layout

It all started when my children were off for Christmas holidays. I played Just Dance 2015 with my daughter on the Wii. And let me tell you, I get really into it. Well, the next morning, I woke up with a pain in my right shoulder, and all the way down my arm. I figured I pulled something and that the pain would eventually go away. It did in my shoulder, but not in my elbow and wrist. Being as that is my writing hand, and half of what I need to work on the computer, it was a problem.

I scheduled an appointment with my family doctor. She made some recommendations, including wearing a wrist splint at night and physiotherapy. It was at my first physio appointment that my physiotherapist made some recommendations for changes to my work station.

This was where I used to do most of my work. Not recommended.

I was not allowed to work on the loveseat anymore, but had to start working at my desk. She gave me a sheet with recommended heights for various things I would be using at my desk. I though, okay, I can make the necessary changes. Not a problem.

I moved to the kitchen table while I made the necessary changes. It was better than the love seat.

I ordered a separate keyboard for my laptop so I could have the keyboard and the screen at the necessary heights. My husband found a keyboard drawer and built a stand for my laptop to raise it up. This is the result…

Unfortunately, this setup didn’t work. The keyboard drawer didn’t fit my new ergonomic keyboard properly. I couldn’t reach the number keys. Plus, I still had to lean up and forward to reach the mouse. I was also feeling squished in the corner. My chair didn’t fit in properly and it was just plain uncomfortable. Not was I was going for at all. Back to the kitchen table I went…

But my husband and I came up with a solution. I would switch desks. We also had a corner desk in my office that my kids used. I bought a new keyboard drawer with a mouse pad and moved the entire office around Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, I spent my first day in my new ergonomic office, and things are going well. I might still get a slanted bench for my feet, but I don’t need that right away. Here’s what it looks like now…

So, now I will continue to use this setup, do the exercises my physiotherapist gave me, and hope everything gets better.

 

 

The Fates are cackling their bony asses off ~ THE RETURN by Jennifer L. Armentrout

THE RETURN
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Fates are cackling their bony asses off…

It’s been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they’ve given him have been violent and bloody–which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He’s got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet.

Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy’s deal might be, but it’s a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her.

But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.

Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.

AVAILABLE FROM:

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Shaking my head, I pivoted around and walked down the long hall to my dorm room. As I reached the door, the shiver was at the base of my spine again, dancing its way up until it traveled across my shoulders. My heart turned over heavily and I closed my eyes.

Twice in one day.
Oh God.
I’d never felt this more than once in any span of several days.

Swallowing hard, I wrapped my fingers around the doorknob, battling the urge to turn and scan the hall, because I knew no one would be there.

Dragging in a deep breath, I opened the door and stepped inside the room. My brows flew up, and I forgot about the feeling as I closed the door behind me.

Erin was sprawled on the floor, palms pressed down on a mat, her spandex-covered behind jutting up toward the sky. She turned her head, peering at me from under her armpit.

Her armpit.

“How in the world do you get your neck to bend like that without killing yourself?” I asked.

“Skills, yo.”

Erin did yoga and meditation religiously, saying it helped merge her yin and yang together or something. She’d once told me she had a hell of a mean streak, and contorting herself into painful-looking positions helped keep “good vibrations” around her. Which was strange, because I’d never seen Erin lose her temper in the two years I’d known her.

Erin unfolded herself from some kind of downward dog or upward pony and grinned at me. “Check under the bed.”

Curious, I dropped my bag and stepped over her legs. Bending down, I lifted the bedspread and my eyes grew to the size of saucers when I spotted the bottle. I snatched it up and clutched it to my chest as I whipped toward her. “José!”

Her grin spread into a smile. “The best boyfriend ever.”

 

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website |   Facebook |   Twitter |   Goodreads

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#SFRMonday ~ MISSION TO MAHJUNDAR by Veronica Scott @VScotttheAuthor #scifirom

 

For this week’s #SFRMonday, check out Veronica Scott’s SFR Galaxy Award winning science fiction romance, Mission to Mahjundar.

An attempted assassination left Princess Shalira blind as a child and, now that she’s of marriageable age, her prospects are not good because of her disability. She’s resigned herself to an arranged marriage rather than face life under the thumb of her cold stepmother. But then she meets Mike Varone, a Sectors Special Forces officer sent to Mahjundar by the intergalactic government to retrieve a ship lost in her planet’s mountains. After Mike saves Shalira from another assassination attempt, she arranges for him to escort her across the planet to her future husband. She’s already falling hard for the deadly offworlder and knows she should deny herself the temptation he represents, but taking Mike along to protect her is the only way she’ll live long enough to escape her ruthless stepmother.

But what should have been an easy trek through Mahjundar’s peaceful lands swiftly turns into an ambush with danger around every turn. Shalira’s marriage begins to seem less like an arranged union and more like yet another planned assassination. The more they work together to survive, the harder it becomes to stop themselves from falling in love. Caught in a race against time, can they escape the hostile forces hunting them and make it off the planet?

Available from:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | All Romance eBooks | KOBO | Google Play

 

This place feels primed for disaster. Despite their local escort’s best efforts to hurry him through the crowded market, Mike noticed many of the stalls were closed, the vendors having left early and shuttered their inventory away. Other sellers seemed to be practically forcing their wares on the passersby, as if there was a deadline they were afraid to miss. Crowds of people thronged the place, some buying supplies, others talking furtively in small clumps. The situation report on the planet had said the political climate was stable, even with a dying emperor.

Sitreps were notoriously incomplete or dead wrong.

Shifting the heavy bag of equipment he was carrying, Mike exchanged a glance with his sergeant before tapping their guide’s shoulder. “Always this crowded?”

Without slackening his stride, the gaudily dressed local officer shook his head. “No, tomorrow is the first day of a major festival. People are stocking their larders for feasting. The plaza will be nearly empty by nightfall.”

“A pity our briefing didn’t mention the festival, or we’d have come in tomorrow. Our mission could have waited one day.” Ducking past a man carrying four rolled-up carpets, nearly falling over a pair of small street beggars, Mike shoved a half-drunk youth out of his way. His limited store of patience frayed, Mike felt a dull headache pounding. “After this melee, encountering mountain bandits will be a picnic.”

He stepped onto a broad, green-tiled walkway that bordered the flagstone street. From there, the going became somewhat easier. The small party made progress for a couple of encouraging minutes before a new impediment arose. Behind Mike came a fanfare of blaring, slightly out-of-sync trumpets. What traffic there was in the street came to an immediate halt as people started shoving, struggling to get to the sides of the thoroughfare, leaving the center of the road clear.

“It must be the empress and her party, on their way home from their observances at the temple complex.” Their guide, who’d introduced himself at the tiny spaceport simply as Captain Rojar, peered into the distance, one hand shading his eyes. “Let’s wait and see the fine sight. A treat for you.”

Granted, Mike’s hypnotraining in the primary Mahjundan languages might not have been all-inclu­sive, but there’d definitely been a faint tinge of sarcasm in the man’s remarks. Mike studied Rojar’s bland expression for a moment, but the officer’s tanned face and half smile betrayed nothing. Over his shoulder, Mike said in Basic to his cousin Johnny, the Special Forces sergeant accompanying him, “Watch our six. I didn’t think this crowd could make me any more nervous, but the tension definitely ramped up in the last two minutes.”

Glancing at the nearest citizens, Johnny Danver nodded. “Kinda quiet and sullen compared to what it was, ain’t it?”

Deciding to push the issue with their guide, Mike said, “Why don’t we move on? We could make some real progress while the crowd waits for the parade to go by.”

Hands on his hips, eyes narrowed, Rojar did a nervous survey of their position, as if marking where they stood in relation to some landmark only he knew, before shaking his head once. He made a slicing motion. “No.” Belatedly, he attempted to soften the refusal with a bit more explanation. “Much better to wait. No doubt you’ll find this glimpse of our royal family highly interest­ing.”

“No doubt,” Mike agreed, his own tone sarcastic now. Exchanging a rapid glance with Johnny, he settled in to wait for the promised parade, keeping a close eye on their gear, piled on the walkway at his feet. There was no point in struggling through the crowd independent of their escort. Arriving at the palace without the guy and having to wait for him to catch up would get the job off on the wrong foot for sure. Mike took a swig of water from his canteen, to cool his throat and his temper. One thing the report had been accurate about–Mahjundar was hot, even in midafternoon.

Although she’d never lived in the temperate mountain forests, Princess Shalira imagined she’d prefer them to the hot lowlands. Whenever she visited the tiny temple of her patron goddess Pavmiraia on the outskirts of the city, as she was doing today, she pretended the heat and intrigues of the capital and the court had been left behind. This chapel and her vivid daydreams provided special refuges for most of her life.

The floor was cool beneath her bare feet as she strolled twenty paces from the door to the altar, passing the snoring priestess, sprawled on a bench no doubt, mouth probably wide open. Not many come here anymore, not many at all. Will anyone worship the goddess when I’ve gone? Tears pricked Shalira’s eyes as she felt for the padded knee rest, bowed her head, and knelt in front of the altar.

“Do you know this is to be my last visit?” she whispered to the goddess she could no longer see. “Do you care? Will my pleas still reach your ears when I’ve completed my appointed journey?” Shalira fingered the amulet around her neck, the familiar whorls of the much-worn pattern under her fingers soothing her anxieties.  For the thousandth time she reminded herself this impending trip wasn’t her choice so much as the least of evils. She took a deep breath. “Maybe my life will improve, away from the empress and her schemes.”

Settling more comfortably on the knee rest, she tried to visualize the chapel – graceful murals of forest and mountains on the walls, a small fountain in the courtyard outside, the larger than-life-size statue of the goddess herself, perpetually gazing to the east, a half smile on her face. Though Shalira’d not beheld these sights in well over fifteen years, she felt sure she was remembering them accurately.

A cool breeze smelling of moss and tiny flowers blew her long hair away from her face, and instinctively she lifted her chin to enjoy the stray breath of air.

Footsteps came down the aisle behind her, an unfamiliar, light tread. The newcomer halted a few feet behind the princess, who was already pivoting, unwilling to have her back to a stranger. For all the good it’ll do me if the intruder harbors evil intentions. She curled her hands into fists.

“No need to fear me, Your Highness. I offer a parting prophecy for your journey.” The woman’s voice was sweet and low, disarming. “You’ll travel farther than you dream, experience many things both good and bad, and even unexpected, but the blessings of Pavmiraia will wrap around you. Never doubt, but follow your heart in all your choices.”

“Thank you, priestess.” Unclenching her fingers, Shalira tried to calm herself with a deep breath. “Are you recently assigned to this chapel? I didn’t know there were any new celebrants.”

Gentle laughter like the chiming of bells. The woman touched Shalira’s cheek with the tips of her fingers. Annoyed, the princess straightened her spine, disliking anyone touching her, much less someone she didn’t know. “Indeed not,” said the bold newcomer. “I’ve been here since before your time. I came to bid you farewell, for I also take my leave of this place.”

“Who are you? I don’t recognize your voice.” She tried to keep impatience out of her tone. People who made her guess their identity were another frustrating aspect of her existence on the fringes of the court.

 

Best Selling Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance author and “SciFi Encounters” columnist for the USA Today HEA blog,  Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she wrote her own stories.

Blog | @vscotttheauthor | Facebook

Calla finally learns the truth ~ #MySexySaturday from THE COMPLETE UNDERGROUND SERIES #boxset #99cents

Hi peeps! It’s the 79th week of My Sexy Saturday. Here are the details: every Saturday, published and unpublished authors will be sharing 7 words, sentences, or paragraphs from a work-in-progress or an already published story.

Today’s theme is…

My Sexy Valentine

Here’s seven from NEVER GONNA LET YOU GO, an F/F and M/F futuristic dystopian romance, which is the first story in my upcoming box set release.

Set-up: While no one really celebrates Valentine’s Day in the dystopian world in The Underground series, Erik finally gives Calla what she’s always wanted… The Truth.

“The day I left her, I woke up, not knowing where I was or why I had a wedding ring on my finger. I panicked.” He laid his hand on hers, giving it a squeeze. “I knew if I’d married you, I would’ve remembered.”

Still unable to look at him, she stared across the surface of the water. Who is telling the truth? Erik had never lied to her, never kept anything from her, before Melina.

“Holloway came into the room, and I freaked. She’d been after me for a while, and every time I’d told her no. Every time. I was waiting for the day you and I would be together again. She was at the bar that night…. I don’t know how she did it.”

He released her hand, and they sat in silence for a few moments. She didn’t know who to believe. She just wanted to wake up and find it all to have been a nightmare. The heartache proved the situation to be real, though.

“I’m sorry for treating you the way I did.” He grasped her hand again, and she focused on him, seeing tears in the corners of his eyes. “I was so ashamed of what happened. I know I wasn’t responsible, but I felt like I’d still broken our promise. Every time I saw you, I was riddled with guilt.” He wiped his eyes. “That’s why I pushed you away. It was easier for me when you weren’t around.”

Why couldn’t he see what his actions had done to her? His tears wouldn’t make her forget.

“I would have forgiven you, even if you hadn’t been drugged. We still could’ve been friends.” She stood up, shaking her hand free of him. “The way you’ve been treating me is worse than breaking any promise. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get over it.” She turned to walk away but a sharp pain had her clutching at her side. She doubled over. It hurt so much. She couldn’t breathe.

~ About THE COMPLETE UNDERGROUND SERIES ~

In the future…

The corporation Planet Core holds all of the power. They place restrictions on the lives of those living within their boundaries, including who they can love. And there is no escape.

Deception runs deep…

The rebel group, calling themselves The Underground, is disputing the corporation’s leadership. With the desire for freedom, they will fight.

And betrayal can come from anyone…

Will the rebels defeat Planet Core, or end up fighting for their lives?

Pre-order for only 99¢:

Amazon US | UK | Canada | Australia | Germany

For more My Sexy Saturday postings, check out the participants’ list here.

Cover Reveal for HER ALIEN HERO, a sexy sci-fi #1NightStand story

Hello my dear readers! I’m pleased to show you the wonderful cover for my upcoming release, HER ALIEN HERO. This 1Night Stand story is a fictional account of an evening that could take place during the upcoming Romancing the Capital convention in April. I will be there, so I’ll be sure to let you know if I meet my hero or heroine.

Inspiration for the hero, Cooper, came from a certain arrow slinging superhero in the Marvel universe, though he would more likely be wearing jeans and a t-shirt in my story than tight leather. And inspiration for the heroine, Melinda, came from Pinterest. You can see my Pinterest board for the story here: http://www.pinterest.com/jessicasubject/her-alien-hero/

Here is the cover, designed by Fiona Jayde…

ABOUT HER ALIEN HERO

Librarian by day, erotic romance author by night, Melinda Rose sets out for another exciting conference, this one in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. But all her plans go up in smoke when the 1Night Stand she applies for is set to happen at the same time.

Cooper Tate heads to Ottawa to meet a friend. When he learns of her deception, he is ready to head back home and vows never to trust her again. That is, until he sees a picture of his stunning date.

With the help of Madame Eve, can these two former neighbors become lovers? Or will extraterrestrial secrets rip away the hero Melinda has always dreamed of?

HER ALIEN HERO is tentatively scheduled to release in early April.

Enjoy an excerpt to hold you over….

(unedited)

“No.” Melinda shook her head with vigor. “No way. I’ve had enough one-night stands in my life. You know that. I don’t need or want another. Ever.” She flopped back on the bed, trying to forget the sting of rejection that came with each one, or being kicked out of a warm bed at three o’clock in the morning and making the walk of shame to her car, or waking up alone. Worse yet, the guy who woke up beside her and didn’t even remember her name. She was done with it all. Done.

“But this is different.” Her friend tossed the paper at her. “It’s more like a blind date. The owner of the company chooses the guy you’ll go out with for you. No profiles to look at and no obscene messages from creeps.”

“Sounds too good to be true, if you ask me.” She’d been burned too many times trying new ways to meet men.

“Read the testimonials. The couples are all still together, many of them married shortly after.”

Melinda rolled her eyes. “Okay, so she got a few right, but how many mismatches did this woman make along the way? How many more of her clients will tell you they ended up with an asshole? I don’t want to be an Oops, I got it wrong case.”

“C’mon, Mel, take a chance. I swear, if you don’t do this, I’ll do it for you. I’ve already started filling out my own application. And I’m going to do yours next.”

With a sigh, Melinda read the pamphlet before leaning down to grab her laptop case. Too good to be true, maybe, but she did have a high success rate, and had set up some very high profile couples. “Fine, I’ll do it.” Besides, she’d seen the cost of a 1Night Stand and didn’t want to be someone’s charity case, no matter how close of friends they were.

Filling in the never-ending online form, she told almost truths, though she may have left a few pounds off her weight. And her height may have included her heals. When asked to describe her ideal man, she paused. In every story she wrote, her hero came from outer space, as she didn’t believe there were any good men still single on Earth. They were always snatched up in their twenties. If only she’d been ready to get hitched then.

A sexy, hard-working man from another planet.

There! Let Madame Eve find her a man who fits that description.

Travel to Minjet in THE STAR PRINCESS ~ Now an #audiobook!

Hello! I’m excited to announce that THE STAR PRINCESS has been produced as an audiobook by Jon Filipko. And let me tell you, he makes my hero sound super sexy.

If you’ve never listened to an audiobook before, they are great for listening to while you’re traveling, walking, shoveling the driveway…. I even listen to them when I’m doing the dishes, folding laundry, and making lunches.

Here’s a bit about the story followed by an audio sample from the story.

THE STAR PRINCESS

a Beyond Fairytales Sci-Fi Romance

In one week, Princess Ro’sa will board a spaceship, leaving her home on Minjet to be with her betrothed on Earth. The only problem is, she detests the prince’s selfish and arrogant ways, preferring to spend time with his personal aide, a man who stirs her desires in ways she never imagined possible with his radiant blue eyes and smouldering lips. And oh, the way he touches her.

Earth’s post-apocalyptic landscape offers little but the alliance offers much and a princess must do her duty, no matter the danger to her person and to her heart.

Now available as an Audio Book!
Audible | Amazon | iTunes

*Purchase ebook from Amazon & get audiobook at a discounted price.*

 

When it’s cold outside, warm up with the Wicked Men of Rockland from @KarynGerrard #SALE

During the month of February, both Wicked Men of Rockland books with Crimson Romance are on sale for 1.99! 50% off the list price! Snap them up!

THE WICKED BAD (#1 Wicked Men of Rockland) BUY AT AMAZON

also on sale at AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA | AMAZON AU

HIS WICKED CELTIC KISS (#2 Wicked Men of Rockland) BUY AT AMAZON

also on sale at: AMAZON UK |  AMAZON CA | AMAZON AU

HIS WICKED CELTIC KISS by Karyn Gerrard

Book #2 Wicked Men of Rockland

It took just one teasing wink and a sexy Irish lilt from bad boy Lorcan Byrne to turn Julie Denison’s world upside down. The problem is, he’s only in town for six months, and happily ever after isn’t in this world traveler’s vocabulary.

Julie’s worked hard to get her life in a good place—dropping substantial weight and getting a great job at her friend’s bakery. But this handsome charmer is just as tempting as any of the decadent pastries she sells, and she can’t resist his advances for long. Julie fully expects Lorcan to break her heart—but she’s planning to enjoy every second she can of their explosive chemistry.

After years of danger as a soldier and a spy, Lorcan fled to tiny Rockland, Maryland for some boring downtime. He didn’t count on meeting someone who could ignite his libido and soothe his damaged heart, and their passion soon leads to deeper feelings. But can Julie convince Lorcan he has more to offer her than just his wicked Celtic kiss?

Sensuality Level: Sensual

EXCERPT:

“Julie. You look beautiful,” he whispered with awe.The smile slid from her face and her lip trembled. Oh, damn. What did I say? He wasn’t lying. He held out his hand, she took it and stood. “You’ve done your hair. Like ribbons of golden sun.” He dropped her hand and stepped close so her breasts brushed against his chest. He bit back a groan, then framed her face and stroked her flushed cheeks with his thumbs. A sheen of moisture glittered in her beautiful eyes. “Brings out those adorable gold flecks in your lovely eyes, darlin’.”

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Her vulnerable response touched him in a deep uncharted area of his heart. He lowered his head and tilted her face up. “I’ve been aching to do this since that night at the pub. Indulge me. Only a taste.” His lips barely touched hers, but it sent roaring heat to all parts of his body. Lorcan suddenly had a vision of sprawling her across the counter and plunging himself into her feminine heat. Where did that come from? Just from an innocent kiss? He didn’t dare suckle those lips any more or he’d lose all control. He stepped back.

Julie’s eyes were closed and her lips still slightly puckered. A slight whimper of protest came from her when he moved away. “Thank you.” Lorcan smiled broadly. “You’re welcome. You’d best prepare yourself, Julie. Whenever we find ourselves alone like this, I will be kissing you. You’ll never know when it’s coming or just how wicked it will be.”

Her eyes snapped opened. “Wicked?”

“Aye, I’ve been told I’ve a wicked kiss.” He winked at her. “Shall we head out? Nick recommended this place so if it’s no bloody good, we can blame him.”

Julie smiled and nodded. He took her hand. Simmering flame, bloody hell.

 

THE WICKED BAD by Karyn Gerrard

Book #1 Wicked Men of Rockland

Nick Crocetti is an imposing figure in black leather riding his motorcycle about the town of Rockland. Owner of a bar, The Chief, whispers of criminal dealings and a murky past swirl around him. Dark and brooding, Nick is “the wicked bad” in looks and demeanor.

Veronica Barnes, leaving a husband from a disastrously quick Las Vegas marriage and her high-paying consulting job, returns home after ten years to follow a lifelong dream and open her own bakery. Despite the mutual physical attraction – and a shared past – Nick and Veronica are wary of each other and have protective fences around their hearts.

Can they break down the barriers of past heartbreak, or is Veronica just a good girl who longs to rub against “the wicked bad”?

 Sensuality Level: Hot

 

FREE READ: The epilogue to The Wicked Bad Click HERE

 

Sign up for Crimson Romance’s newsletter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire! 

For the Kindle sweeps:  http://www.crimsonromance.com/crimson-romance-valentines-day-sweepstakes

 

Karyn Gerrard Bio:

Karyn lives in a small town in the western corner of Ontario, Canada. She wiles away her spare time writing and reading romance while drinking copious amounts of Earl Grey tea. Tortured heroes are a must. A multi-published author with a few best-sellers under her belt, Karyn loves to write in different genres and time periods, though historicals are her favorite. As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise she assumes everything is golden.

Karyn’s been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement keeps her moving forward.

                                    Karyn’s Site  |  Facebook |  Twitter |  Pinterest

 

#SFRMonday ~ Immortal, In Danger, & Determined GUNNER: THE HACKER’S CODE @MichelleCReilly

The Anathergians Saga continues in Michelle C. Reilly’s Gunner: The Hacker’s Code…

GUNNER: THE HACKER’S CODE
by Michelle C. Reilly

It’s a Fight Against the Sins of Sin City

IMMORTAL

Gunner is an immortal Anathergian warrior sworn to protect the humans of the world his race adopted thousands of years ago. He’s also a genius when it comes to computers.

DANGER

When fellow hacker Nay tells Gunner her sister disappeared, he volunteers to help find her.

What at first appears to be a kidnapping turns out to be a small part in a much larger Las Vegas crime ring. Danger haunts them at every turn and the situation gets deep—as does Gunner and Nay’s relationship.

DETERMINED

Together, they’re pulled in to the human trafficking network where Gunner fights to not only save Nay and her sister, but many others caught up in the nightmare of being forced to sell their bodies for sex.

Available from Amazon US | UK | Canada | Australia

 

Please note: some adult language

Gunner pushed the door open a few more inches and squeezed through the opening. On tiptoes, he eased his way to the person sitting on the floor whose back faced him. He stopped for a moment to admire the work displayed on the monitor.

Speaking of geniuses.

If he didn’t know better, he’d think this one was Anathergian. But, alas, no…

Gunner bit his lip to hold down the laugh trying to make its way past his throat. He leaned over and gripped the narrow shoulders hunched over the machine.

A piercing scream made his eyes water, and he jumped backward as the headphones flew through the air at him.

“Crap, Gunner!” the girl yelled, facing him. “What the fuck are you trying to do?”

Gunner tried to hold back his laugh, but it sneaked past his compressed lips, and came out as a full guffaw. “Sorry, Nay, I just couldn’t resist.”

Nadine lifted her black rimmed glasses onto the top of her head, pushing back her wispy chestnut bangs in the process. She only used the glasses when she worked on a computer, which was most of the time. “You are such a loser, sometimes, you know?”

Gunner shrugged and wondered if he should answer. Deciding he didn’t want to piss her off any more than she already was, he changed the subject. “So, where is everyone?”

“Hackathon over at the Sting.” She leaned over to pick up her headphones.

“Oh, that’s right. It’s that time of the month.”

Her gently arched eyebrows raised, and she gave him a studied glance.

“Uh, not that time of the month,” he stammered. “I meant… Well, you know, that time of the month for the hackathon.”

Nay shook her head and turned back to her computer. “Seriously, dude, you need help.”

Gunner slipped his hands into his jeans pockets. Nay was one of the few girls that lived in the house, and he sometimes forgot she was female, because she didn’t always act super feminine. Not that she didn’t look like a girl. In fact, far from it. Nay was most definitely a woman. She was tiny. Probably more than half a foot shorter than his six foot two inch frame. Her brown hair, cut in layers, swept around her pixie face, framing her wide green eyes. Beneath her slightly upturned nose were full lips, which she often chewed on while coding. She had a small waist that flared out around rounded hips. Her breasts were often covered with a sports bra. Gunner assumed she wore it to hide how well-endowed she really was from the rest of the guys, himself included.

Nadine settled back in front of her laptop and placed her glasses back on her pert nose. He took a seat on the floor next to her. “So, what are you working on?”

She shook her head as she sent her quick fingers over the keys, closing out programs. Gunner squinted at her. The dim light from the monitor showed discoloration beneath her eyes and chapped lips of someone seriously dehydrated.

“What’s going on, Nay?”

She cast a quick glance at him. “Nothing.” Nay opened a clean browser and went to a popular hacker’s site.

Gunner inched out with his senses, sniffing for whatever she was trying to hide. Grief, horror, and fear bombarded him. He tried to hold on tight to the reigns of his power to protect himself from the blast, but the overwhelming sensations made him choke.

Nay’s brow crinkled. “You okay?”

He nodded, trying to catch his breath. “What in the hell…” he wheezed, “is going on with you?”

***

Nay considered the man, wondering if she could trust him. His russet eyes still watered from choking, and his backward Texas baseball cap had gone askew. If she had met him on the street, she probably wouldn’t go near him with a ten foot pole. Not that he appeared the dangerous type. Well, scratch that. He didn’t appear dangerous, but he definitely exuded danger. Somehow, she knew the broad chested, tall man would definitely be able to handle himself in a fight. However, he didn’t give off the kind of vibes declaring himself as a danger to females.

He was also the most absolute master coder she’d seen. Ever. He was like E.F. Hutton. Except, instead of when he spoke, it was when he coded; everyone gathered around and watched. It was a thing of beauty. And he didn’t do it often. So, when he did, it was the talk of the house for weeks.

Nadine bit her lip, weighing the pros and cons, knowing if she involved anyone, it could mean death.

Maybe… Just maybe… He can help.

She pulled in a gulp of air, her heart hammering hard against her chest wall. She’d been warned not to say anything. To not take matters into her own hands. But she was going crazy and needed to do something… Anything. “If I tell you something, I need you to not tell anyone. Not one person. Do you understand?”

His full lips quirked, and he glanced past her before meeting her gaze. “What, did you finally make Charlie’s dreams come true and sleep with him?”

Nay gaped. “Seriously? Here I am trying to tell you something serious, and you—”

“Well, I mean, he’s had a crush on your for, like, ever. I just thought maybe you’d—”

“My sister was taken.”

Gunner stilled. And there it was. That dangerous undercurrent she’d always suspected was there. Like a dog who was so sweet, but if his owner was pushed around, the dog’s jaws would lock down tight around the threat’s neck and not let go until the life was squeezed out of the perpetrator.

 

Michelle C. Reilly is a single mom of two wonderful boys. She spent ten years in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman Preventive Medicine Technician, which meant she was actually attached to or stationed with the U.S. Marine Corps. She has a Masters in Science in Public Health, but she is generally an IT geek and a geek of many other things as well. She currently resides in Las Vegas, NV, with her two cats, Meowdy and Moose, and her dog, Katie aka “The Old Lady.”

She’s the author of The Anathergians Saga, science-fiction/paranormal romance and suspense stories that revolve around the alien species who landed on Earth over five thousand years ago.

Make sure to visit her website www.michellecreilly.com for more information about her and her upcoming books.

Feel free to visit, ask her questions, and hang out with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michellecorareilly.

And if you’re a tweet-a-holic (or even if you’re not), follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MichelleCReilly.