It’s Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again! As you may recall, SFFS is a ring of authors who share some of their work each Saturday. Anyone is welcome. The idea is to feature a snippet (ten sentences or less) of your work for others to enjoy.
I’m glad everyone has been enjoying BARRON’S LAST STAND, but I’ve decided to shake it up a little today with a snippet from THE TENNOVA JOB. This book is the first installment of THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES, the Space Opera series starring Bo Barron and Blade Devon. It is the prequel, if you will, to BARRON’S LAST STAND.
This scene occurs very early in Bo and Blade’s relationship. They don’t even know each other’s real names because they’re both under cover. Her father has been kidnapped and she has to steal a set of plans being offered on the black market if she wants to get him back. Blade has been coerced by the Inner Circle to return to work on “one last mission” to obtain said plans. Bo was blinded in a bar fight and Blade, a former military medic, has been tending to her injuries. After a rare attack of conscience, he’s decided that she would be safer if he sent her home. Unwilling to leave without the plans, she was reduced to begging for his help, but she can’t tell him why without placing her own life in danger.
***
“Somebody has you scared,” he said. “You’re not used to being scared, are you?”
Biting back her tears, Bo shook her head.
“You’re not used to swallowing your pride and begging, either. This must be something pretty big… important.”
He sighed.
“Ah hell… I’m a sucker for the chance to play the hero.” Disdain dripped from his tone. “Of course I’m going to help you. Blind, beautiful, helpless, mysterious… no holofeature writer could have come up with a better script for me. You’d better stop crying before I have to change your bandages again.”
***
THE TENNOVA JOB is currently making the rounds of slush piles everywhere.
I hope you have enjoyed this little snippet, don’t forget to check out the other wonderful authors in the web ring and please comment – writing is a lonely business and we’re such needy neurotic types we need to know our work is appreciated – or maybe that’s just me.
Gotta Name My Blog 
Oh, ever so sympathetic, as always!
He’s really not as bad as he sounds here.
Took me a second to figure out where to click for adding comments…and almost added it to the wrong post. Oops.
Great little snippet…enjoyed the dialogue! Though, I do have to say that my own character usually finds himself deep in the s*** when he decides to play the hero. Somehow, I think Blade is going to find out the same thing.
Thanks! I keep looking for a snippet with more description about the world, but I gravitate towards the dialog.
He knows it’s coming… it usually does. He’d been trying to get out of the hero business, but… well…
Interesting snippet! Of course, I’m wondering why she’d be safer at home.
His brother has just read him the riot act for using an injured girl as an asset on a mission. He’s feeling guilty.
Nice snippet! Good dialogue, even if it’s a bit one-sided. Considering that she’s crying, it’s perfectly understandable.
Thank you!
Great snippet and the reveal of a prequel! Nice little build up to something exciting to come!!
Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement!
I like the hero’s understanding of himself. Best of luck in rising to the top of all the slush piles!
Sometimes he’s a little too pragmatic for my liking, but thanks!
Do I detect a problem in that they are both unknowingly after the same thing?
They both know that they are both after the same thing. He isn’t sure of her motivation for wanting it.
I love Bo and Blade! They have such a chemistry. Good luck finding a home for this series because I can’t wait to read it all!
Thanks, Heidi! I really appreciate the encouragement. I’ve started shopping the series. Fingers crossed that someone will think it’s perfect for their line.
Great dialogue. Love the “Blind, beautiful, helpless…”
Thank you. It’s one of my favorite lines.
He really is a rat bastard isn’t he? well, I guess he must have some redeeming features that Bo found attractive. That or she married him by accident…
Well, Misa, now that you mention it…
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