E.G. Manetti's Blog, page 4

Spotlight Indie Romance: Pets in Space ~ Far Future Japan

In celebration of my invitation to join Pets In Space 9 for the next few months, Indie Spotlight will feature stories from my fellow authors in the anthology. Where available, I will feature a title from a previous Pets in Space (PISA) anthology. Now available as a standalone, S.J. Pajonas'contribution to Pets in Space 8 takes place in her far-future post-apocalyptic Japan. The world-building is done with a light touch, the narrative emphasis on the main characters and, of course, the kitty.

A tarnished reputation. A high-stakes competition. A chance to reclaim a shattered dream.

Tilli Kimura had her dreams of becoming a spaceship designer dashed when she was falsely accused of cheating on the entrance exam for the Interstellar Agency. Now, eight years later, she's given a second chance to prove her worth in a cutthroat spaceship design contest. With her loyal cat, Ivan, by her side and her former classmate, Kaito Nakamura, as her mentor, Tilli dives into the challenge, determined to finally have the future she's been reaching for.

Kaito can't believe his luck when he's paired with Tilli for the spaceship design contest. Back in school, he was always drawn to her intellect and resilience, and then she was gone, expelled because of a stupid rumor. Finally, they're both getting their second chance. And watching her work across the table, sketching and inventing, he's falling for her fast. She might be falling for him, too...

But when history repeats itself, and Tilli is let down once more, her dreams and newfound love are put to the test. With Kaito's steadfast support, Tilli must gather her courage to fight for her future once more.

Can Tilli reclaim her dreams, prove her innocence, and embrace the love she's found with Kaito? Or will her second chance slip through her fingers?

Tilli's Second Chance is a compelling story of redemption, love, and the relentless pursuit of dreams in the Kimura Sisters series of sci-fi romance novellas. Readers who enjoy stories of personal growth, enduring friendships, and unexpected romance will be captivated by Tilli's journey.

US$3.99 Amazon/KU

Releases October 8, 2024!

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The Kimura Sisters Series continues with Winta’s Perfect Pair.

Gossip runs rampant in this swoon-worthy tale of fated mates, clashing philosophies, and the unbreakable human-animal bond.

Her life's purpose is under siege. His steadfast heart could be her salvation. But the neighborhood rumor mill might tear them apart...

Winta Kimura has dedicated her life to the Great Menagerie Book Club, an organization devoted to pairing humans and their animal soulmates. But when a new technology comes to town and threatens the club’s traditional ways, Winta finds herself in a race against time to save its legacy from ruin. Her only ally? The roguishly charming Daichi Kaga, a well-known noodle chef who’s way out of Winta’s league.

As Winta and Daichi work tirelessly to save the Book Club, pesky rumors about Winta and Daichi's closeness spread like wildfire through the neighborhood. Winta knows getting involved with the charismatic chef could destroy his reputation. But with Daichi's warmth gradually melting her guarded heart, she can't deny the unexpected sparks between them.

When the Book Club's future hangs in the balance, Winta is forced to decide between upholding tradition or taking a leap into the unknown with Daichi by her side. Can they rise above the gossip to recognize the magic of their connection? Or will Winta's chance at her perfect pair slip through her fingers?

Winta's Perfect Pair is a heartwarming tale of courage, fate, and the transcendent power of the human-animal connection. If you love richly crafted characters and poignant romance, you'll be swept away by this next instalment in the Kimura Sisters Series.

Pets in Space® authors have donated over $18,000 in the past eight years to help place specially trained dogs with veterans and first responders? 10% of all pre-orders and the first month’s royalties of Pets in Space 9 will again go to Hero-Dogs.org. Open your hearts and grab your limited release copy of Pets in Space 9 today so together we can continue to assist this worthy charity! https://www.hero-dogs.org/

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Sneak Peek: Pets in Space 9 ~ Meet the Sabotaged Pet! #scifibooks #PetsInSpace

I’m ecstatic that my story, Sabotaged, is part of Pets in Space 9! I’ve loved all the earlier anthologies, and this one is every bit as exciting. This anthology brings you on a journey through the stars with tales of romance and heroism, featuring extraordinary pets who steal the spotlight. Read on for an initial glimpse of Blue, the star-bred terrier.

Releases October 8, 2024!

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The last survivors of an ancient civilization.

Blue, a far-future hybrid of a Jack Russel Terrier, is no ordinary canine. Her ancestors were given unique genetic modifications to survive the rigors of space travel and settlement on terraformed worlds. As with all terriers, she is adventurous, intelligent, willful, and dedicated to her chosen people. Her breed was developed by an advanced space-traveling civilization that disappeared into anarchy a thousand years before the story takes place. They left behind terraformed worlds, partial records of their society, and a patchwork of technology but no data on where they came from or might have fled when stellar warfare broke out.

The planet where Blue was born, Bright Star Deuce, is part of a newly discovered star system. For over a thousand years, no human has visited the planet until the intrepid crew of the Nightingale. The explorers suspect the world was terraformed by the ancients. Still, after several months of exploration, they found no evidence of the lost civilization. Until they meet Blue.

Blue’s first meeting with humans.

It is impossible. It was right in front Adriana, its wiry white coat gleaming in the fading light. Fourteen or fifteen inches from paw to crown, with a lot of height in its legs. It was maybe a stone in weight. Its narrow face was topped with triangular perked ears that were a bit large for its head. If not for the glowing blue eye color, ears, and total lack of markings, it could be a rodent-hunting terrier from any number of systems. Taking a deep breath, Adriana lowered her weapon and held out a hand palm down, fingers curled.

The terrier, or terrier offshoot, cocked its head. It considered her . . . her fingers . . . then stepped forward. Taking another hesitant step, it sniffed, then huffed, before pushing its head under her fingers and into the palm of her hand.

With a gentle touch, she stroked behind its ears. Its happy sound emboldened her to scratch. It pushed harder into her hand, demanding more.

It is impossible—domesticated behavior from what has to be a wild a dog. But it is happening. The little creature had not taken its kill and retreated. Instead, it encouraged her contact. In the dimming light she looked into the intelligent blue eyes and voiced her thought, “Why?”

The tail wagged harder.

“Thank you, mighty warrior, for the rescue.” She looked at the dead snake and itched to collect it. “Enjoy your meal.”

The terrier-like creature whined and nudged the snake in her direction. If it was offering . . . she pulled the collection device from her kit and hovered it over the snake. The terrier barked a domesticated canine bark.

Second Warrior protect me. The snake-thing is huge. Coiled in a sealed sample sack, it filled the case.

The terrier yipped and turned in circles. It was adorable and she hated to leave it, but the darkness was spreading. There were far more deadly predators than that snake-thing in the forest. “I have to go.”

Turning for the DOP-C, she spotted Bran standing on top—annoyance, if not outright anger, in every line of his frame. Had he said something about only a few paces? Glancing at her rescuer, she said, “I am in trouble.”

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Pre-order Pets in Space 9 with Sabotaged: Nightingale, Volume 1!

Blast off with Pets in Space 9, a thrilling anthology that blends heart-pounding sci-fi with swoon-worthy romance!

Releases 10/8/2024!

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Dive into 10 never-before-published tales from award-winning and USA TODAY bestselling authors R.J. Blain, Honey Phillips, Carol Van Natta, Kenzie Kelly, S.J. Pajonas, Demelza Carlton, Leslie Chase, Greta van der Rol, E.G. Manetti, and Evelyn Lederman. Each novella features extraordinary pets — from a telepathic feline on a distant planet to a brave dog in a futuristic city — standing by their heroes through love, danger, and epic quests.

The Pets in Space 9 authors continue their vital support of Hero-Dogs.org, the non-profit charity that provides trained service dogs for disabled U.S. veterans and first-responders. 10% of preorders and first month's sales go to this excellent organization.

SABOTAGED: NIGHTINGALE, VOLUME 1

Hope hangs on the far edges of the galaxy. . .
 
First Officer Bran Hyssop joined the Nightingale for the adventure of a lifetime, even though it meant setting aside his free-trader beliefs to join with the Serengeti Group. He ended up with more adventure than he anticipated after a harrowing battle with the despoiler fleet. Now with the repairs completed, the Nightingale has returned to the Thirteenth System only to be hampered by suspicious malfunctions, maintenance failures, and accidents. 
 
Research zoologist with the Matahorn Alliance, Adriana Pepys joined the crew of the Nightingale for personal reasons. She expected challenges, but nothing prepared her for the continued delays, or the system failure that marooned her on Bright Star Deuce with the Nightingale’s enigmatic first officer. She would have suspected a Serengeti plot if he had not crash-landed with her. 
 
As the Nightingale braves danger and the unknown to explore the first new system discovered in over two centuries, Bran and Adriana must form an uneasy alliance. Can a free-thinking officer and a brilliant scientist find love?

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Returned to Facebook as EG Writes

After over three months and 150+ trouble reports submitted via Instagram and my other Facebook accounts, I created a new account as EG Writes.

I have lost ten years of history and cannot access my EG Manetti Author page or Twelve Systems page. Because those pages are associated with the suspended account, I cannot recreate them. I will work that through in the next few months.

Meanwhile, please follow or friend EG Writes so I can find everyone.

In other news, I will have two releases this fall.

September 19 ~ Fletcher: Thornscore, Volume 2

October ~ Sabotaged: Nightingale, Volume 1 as part of the Pets in Space 9 anthology!

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Fletcher Sneak Peek 3!

Fletcher is in editorial review and on tracker for 9/19! This sneak place takes place at Katleen's cotillion. The same party at the end of CHRYS appears in the first 25% of Fletcher!

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Clarice scanned the gathering, pretending to be interested in the illusionist entertaining in a small alcove. Katleen was dancing with Douglas, sparkling with excitement. There was no question her cotillion was a triumph. Monsignor swept past; his tender expression fixed on Lilian’s animated countenance. For all Clarice scoffed at romantic nonsense, she could not avoid a stab of envy. Lucius Mercio would upend the galaxy for the woman he loved.

A warm voice rumbled in her ear. “Would you trust me with a dance?”

Fletcher? She turned to meet his uncertain expression. “Trust? Your honor is unquestioned.”

“Thank you, but my coordination is another matter. Are you well?”

His chagrined smile was a shadow of his former charisma, but it warmed Clarice in odd ways and places. She placed her fingers on his extended wrist. “Master Chin’s potions work miracles. I have not even a bruise. A dance with you would be a delight.”

At his lowered brow, she tapped his wrist. “What ails you? Where is the flirting? The jest. I have waited years for this.”

His eyes flared wide. “What say you?”

If asked later, she could not voice what possessed her, but at least he had lost that stern, stoic expression. “Fletcher Detrenti. Handsome, charming, and a savior of apprentices with more courage than wit. I have fantasized about dancing with you since that festival brawl.” A spark of laughter lit his eyes, a shadow of the daring moon-racer echoed in his expression. His free hand closed over hers, trapping it against his wrist. “Then, by the Five Warriors’, let us enjoy a fantasy.”

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Indie Spotlight: A Fox Woman, Her Pet, & Some Sentient Murderous Birds

In celebration of my invitation to join Pets In Space 9 for the next few months, Indie Spotlight will feature stories from my fellow authors in the anthology. I will feature a title from a previous Pets in Space (PISA) anthology where available.

First up, R.J. Blain with her contribution to PISA 7, where in a far future universe, a genetically modified woman with fox features finds romance and adventure with murderous bird-like aliens.

Somehow, I managed to miss PISA 7, but R.J.'s contribution to PISA 8 takes place in the same unaversive with the same murderous birds and is a super fun 4-stars.

When scavenger and hybrid fox Viva comes across a derelict in empty space, what she and her furry partner, Pandora, discover puts them on a collision course for adventure, fame and wealth—assuming she survives the experience. Teaming up with the derelict's living cargo isn't wise, but the handsome stranger might hold the key to the ship and its many secrets. Add in some pirates out to profit from Viva's living head, and she's in for a wild ride.

Delivering the cargo to its rightful owner is the right thing to do, but getting the job done will test her skills, her sanity, and her limits.



US$4.99 Purchase Links
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*Prices reflects time of posting.
**Books featured in the spotlight have been read by EG and received at least a 4-star rating on GoodReads.


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Secret Project Revealed: Pets in Space 9!

I have been a fan of the Pets in Space anthology since the first volume, where I discovered Veronica Scott, among others. Since then, each new anthology has contained fabulous SFR stories and at least one new-to-me author who has become a favorite.

When Carol Van Natta invited me to contribute to this year's anthology, I was thrilled and there was only one possible answer; YES!

Sabotaged, is the first in the Nightingale series that follows some of the favorite Twelve Systems Chronicles characters as they explore the newly discovered Thirteenth System.  
***More to come-- see it first in future newsletters. Signup below. ***

For those unfamiliar with the anthology, each science fiction romance novella has a pet or animal as a main character.  The anthology donates  10% of the preorders and first month's sales to Hero Dogs, the fabulous charity that trains service dogs for disabled veterans and first-responders.

Pre-orders will open 8/27.

THE AUTHORS OF PETS IN SPACE 9
Asterisks(*) for authors newly welcomed to Pets in Space

R.J. Blain ~ USA TODAY Bestselling Author ~ "Failed Colony"
Demelza Carlton* ~ "Daedalus"
Leslie Chase ~ USA TODAY Bestselling Author ~ "Royal Cargo"
Kenzie Kelly* ~ "Khanet"
Evelyn Lederman* ~ "The Purrfect Trip"
E.G. Manetti* ~ "Sabotaged"
S.J. Pajonas ~ USA TODAY Bestselling Author ~ "Winta's Perfect Pair"
Honey Phillips ~ USA TODAY Bestselling Author - "The Lone Cyborg"
Greta van der Rol ~ Award-Winning Author ~ "The President's Daughter"
Carol Van Natta ~ USA TODAY Bestselling Author ~ "Starlane Crossroads"

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Indie Romance Spotlight: Magic & Mayhem

I will admit I bought this book because of the title. A title that proves accurate is accurate in all the best ways. Our heroine, Mira, is possessed by a demon—not as in hellspawn, but a creature of energy from a different plane of reality. Part crusader, part vigilante, Mira lives on the fringes of a society that would imprison her, or worse, if they found out what she is and what she can do. Her demon passenger is never named but has a distinct and engaging character.

In a change from the more common alpha-take-charge male, Ty is filled with self-doubt but keeps putting one foot in front of the other. The author does an excellent job of balancing the page-turning action with the trust-building dance between the two main characters.

Possessed by a demon since she was eleven years old, Mira Fuentes maintains a fragile alliance with the snarky soul who shares her body. Together they hunt down unstable Rifters-- demon-controlled humans bent on causing chaos in the mortal realm. But when a routine hunt leads to a powerful Rifter with plans for Baltimore, Mira quickly finds herself in over her head and at the top of the city's Most Wanted.

Recently retired from the PTF after losing his partner, Ty Williams now works for the Baltimore PD and keeps his distance from cases involving magic. But when a person dies of clearly magical causes and the PTF doesn't have any agents to spare, Ty is the closest thing the department has to an expert. Saddled with a new partner he doesn't want and a mountain of self-doubt, it's his job to track down a suspect who looks suspiciously like the one-night-stand he brought home from the bar last night.

Mira will have to set her trust issues aside and enlist the help of a man determined to uncover her secrets if she hopes to learn the identity of the demon's host and prevent the human race from becoming meat puppets for the denizens of the Rift.

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*Prices reflects time of posting.
**Books featured in the spotlight have been read by EG and received at least a 4-star rating on GoodReads.


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Indie Spotlight: Future Magic

There is a subset of urban fantasy that I categorize as 'Magic Invades.' In these stories, there is a pivotal event where magic becomes real on Earth.

In a Jonathan Moeller's Cloak Mage series, the magic comes when an Elven Queen breaks through the barriers between worlds and conquers Earth in 2013. Since elves live very long lives, 300 years later, she is still the high queen ruling a stagnant earth where technology has advanced by inches.

Although the books are very much Nadia's story, her husband, Riordan, is a fully formed character who adds significant dynamism to the narrative in the manner Roarke gives to the Eve Dallas books. The passion between the two is palpable, but it is 'fade to black' on the steamy scale.

While the romance brings depth to the narrative, it does not overshadow the action, adventure, and intrigue that keep the pages turning.

There are 9 titles in the Cloak Mage series, the most recent published in 2023. There are also 12 books in the precursor series, Cloak Games, and it appears those books cover the romance that leads to Nadia and Riordan's marriage. I happened on these books through a 99c sale on the Cloak Mage Omnibus. I had no trouble following the stories without having read the first series.

My name is Nadia, and I’m an errand girl.

Except my boss is the High Queen of the Elves.

And my errands for her involve spying on people. Or stealing things. Or hunting down monsters. Or, on occasion, killing people.

But this time she wants me to solve a murder.

And unless I find the killer, I’m going to be his next target…because dragons never forgive a murder.

Blurb for the first book in the set

99c Links
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If you are one of those readers who must start at the very beginning, the first book in Cloak Games is a freebie.

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*Prices reflects time of posting.
**Books featured in the spotlight have been read by EG and received at least a 4-star rating on GoodReads.


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Sneak Peek 2! FLETCHER: Thornscore, Volume 2 #SFR

I am so sorry to delay the release. The debacle with my EG Facebook Account burned far more cycles than I could have imagined.   As a result, I have fallen behind on Fletcher.  In the meantime, here is a sneak peek into what is coming.

*****

Mulan’s flame! His feet flew past the border of his training square, momentum hurtling him at Clarice. Shocked black eyes met him; her lush lips parted in surprise. Twisting, he hit the mat hard, his right foot catching her and knocking her down. Horrified, his heart pounding, he scrambled across the mat, seeking the fallen woman. “Clarice?”

Rolling toward him, she found her knees. Almond-shaped eyes wide, she blinked at him. “That was unexpected. Are you well?”

“Misjudged a handspring.” Pushing to his feet, Fletcher reached for her. “Did I injure you?”

Taking his hand, she rose to her feet, the grace of her movements easing his fear. Her free hand rubbed her hip. “A bruise. Is it naught that the Master Medic’s potions cannot correct.” Her expression turned to concern, her gaze running over him. “Are you well?”

He had at least eight inches and three-stone on the delicate woman. There was no cause for her pity. “My apologies.”

Instantly, regret flooded Fletcher at his harsh tone. Clarice’s expression flattened into polite neutrality. “None required. It was naught.”

Seeking words that might mitigate his rudeness, he was acutely aware of the murmurs and stares of those around him. It was too much. Jerking a nod, he returned to his square.

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