Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten to fifteen sentences or less are yours for the reading!

I am posting Part VIII as well, because earlier, while I was trying to edit Part VII, my tablet app posted it ahead of time. So here is a bonus snippet from BARRON’S LAST STAND. Keep in mind, this is the first time these two have seen each other in five years, Blade took advantage of Bo’s prison break, and he stowed away aboard her ship. Now, he’s on his knees in her engine room and she’s got a blaster trained on him while she is trying to decide whether to shoot the lying bastard, or kick him out the nearest airlock. Her greatest fear is that she’ll forget how angry she is with him and let him turn her life upside down again. As the song says, “He looks like a cool drink of water but he’s candy coated misery…He’s the devil in disguise, a snake with blue eyes…”

***

“I’m surprised Lord Marin let you keep up your extracurricular activities. The last I heard he wanted you for a desk job on Trisdos.”

His gaze narrowed. His pleasant demeanor faded. “You know why I turned that down,” he said softly.

Bo shook her head. “Don’t give me that. You didn’t want that job and we both know it. Your decision had nothing to do with me.”

“My decision had everything to do with you.”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by.

If you’re interested in reading more about Bo, you can pick up your ebook copies of SOVRAN’S PAWN and HERO’S END for Nook and Kindle at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If you’d like to read a sneak peek at BARRON’S LAST STAND you can find the first chapter at the end of HERO’S END and here on my website.

In case you missed them, here are some other SFFS snippets from BARRON’S LAST STAND

No Such Thing As A Free Ride
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part II
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part III
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part IV
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part V
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part VI
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part VII

Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part One
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Two
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Three
Portrait of a Crime Lord — Part Four
Stowaway
Stowaway Part Two
Stowaway Part Three

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten to fifteen sentences or less are yours for the reading!

This snippet from  BARRON’S LAST STAND posted prematurely, so I am giving you Part VIII as an extra bonus by way of apology. Here is the June 7 snippet, for your amusement.

We find Blade stowed away on Bo’s ship. Despite the fact they parted under difficult terms five years earlier, and she thinks the worst of him, he is still Blade Devon, handsome as sin and charming as the devil, and for Bo, that makes him just about perfect. Maker help her if he ever figures that out!

***

“Can I at least put my hands on my head?” He shrugged, lifting his arms slightly. “This would be difficult enough in standard gee, but you’re killing me here.”

“Oh no,” she shook her head. “I don’t trust you within a parsec of me. Keep your hands where they are. Next time try a different workout routine. You’re getting flabby.”

He wasn’t flabby by any stretch of the imagination. From the look of him, he hadn’t slacked off of his workout routine at all in the last few years. In fact, if anything, he looked like he’d bulked up a little. The muscles that bulged under his prison issue jacket looked like molded fuseform. Her gaze lingered on the fabric stretched tight across his chest. Giving herself a sound mental shake, she tamped down on her increasingly lurid fantasies. He was still a dangerous Predator and she would do well not to underestimate him, or lower her guard at all.

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by.

If you’re interested in reading more about Bo, you can pick up your ebook copies of SOVRAN’S PAWN and HERO’S END for Nook and Kindle at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If you’d like to read a sneak peek at BARRON’S LAST STAND you can find the first chapter at the end of HERO’S END and here on my website.

In case you missed them, here are some other SFFS snippets from BARRON’S LAST STAND

No Such Thing As A Free Ride
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part II
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part III
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part IV
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part V
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part VI

Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part One
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Two
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Three
Portrait of a Crime Lord — Part Four
Stowaway
Stowaway Part Two
Stowaway Part Three

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten to fifteen sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Since we’re finished with the Crime Lord, I thought I’d address some comments from previous snippets, namely the nature and identity of the Stowaway… Yes, this is still from BARRON’S LAST STAND. While breaking the Crime Lord’s kid brother out of a high security detention center, one of the other escapees – unbeknownst to Bo – tracks them to her ship and manages to stow away in her engine compartment. Unfortunately, Sundance, (Bo’s shipboard computer,) fails to let her in on this little nugget until after she’s fought another ship, outrun two picket ships, engaged her hyperdrive, and settled in to her bunk for a much-needed rest.  Here, she confronts her uninvited “guest,” who also happens to be her ex — none other than Blade Devon.

***

“I, uh, don’t want you to think I’m misrepresenting myself,” he said. “But the IC and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms.”

“I’ve heard that one before.”

“My standing with the IC depends on who you ask,” he said. “They’ll tell you I’m an agent in good standing. I’ll say they can pound sand.”

“So you’ve gone rogue — again?”

“I prefer mercenary,” he said.

“That’s how you ended up in Akita?”

He nodded. “A job went sour. I stayed behind to cover my team’s escape.”

Her lips twisted in a humorless smile. “Still working with the bottom feeder, the Delian and the mutant?”

“Phinny’s not a mutant.”

“Right.”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by.

If you’re interested in reading more about Bo, you can pick up your ebook copies of SOVRAN’S PAWN and HERO’S END for Nook and Kindle at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If you’d like to read a sneak peek at BARRON’S LAST STAND you can find the first chapter at the end of HERO’S END and here on my website.

In case you missed them, here are some other SFFS snippets from BARRON’S LAST STAND

No Such Thing As A Free Ride
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part II
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part III
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part IV
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part V

Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part One
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Two
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Three
Portrait of a Crime Lord — Part Four
Stowaway
Stowaway Part Two
Stowaway Part Three

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten to fifteen sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Yes, this is still from work-in-progress BARRON’S LAST STAND. During a prison break, Bo picked up a stowaway who happened to be the last person she expected — or wanted — to see aboard her ship, Blade Devon – the man she can’t seem to decide is either the love of her life, or her worst nightmare. So, Bo decided the best place for him is on his knees in the engine compartment of her ship…with her pistol trained on him, and her finger on the trigger itching to pull it up tight.

Blade? He’s taking the situation with all the arrogant humor and charm he displays in every harrowing predicament he finds himself.

***

She studied his face for a long moment. It had been a long time since she’d last seen him. He’d been a clean-shaven, ruggedly handsome, lying bastard then. His face had gained maturity and character with new wrinkles and scars – and most notably, the beard. Maker help her, she found him more attractive than she ever had. She doubted his lying nature had improved any, however.

“You look good,” he said.

“You’re not as pretty as you used to be,” she fired back. Bo’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell are you doing on my ship, Blade?”

“Same as you,” a lopsided smile crossed his face. “Breaking out of Akita.”

“What’s a First Sector IC Agent doing locked up in Akita?”

“That’s a long story…”

“Condense it.”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by.

If you’re interested in reading more about Bo, you can pick up your ebook copies of SOVRAN’S PAWN and HERO’S END for Nook and Kindle at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If you’d like to read a sneak peek at BARRON’S LAST STAND you can find the first chapter at the end of HERO’S END and here on my website.

In case you missed them, here are some other SFFS snippets from BARRON’S LAST STAND

No Such Thing As A Free Ride
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part II
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part III
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part IV

Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part One
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Two
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Three
Portrait of a Crime Lord — Part Four
Stowaway
Stowaway Part Two
Stowaway Part Three

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten to fifteen sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Since we’re finished with the Crime Lord, I thought I’d address some comments from previous snippets, namely the nature and identity of the Stowaway… Yes, this is still from BARRON’S LAST STAND. While breaking the Crime Lord’s kid brother out of a high security detention center, one of the other escapees – unbeknownst to Bo – tracks them to her ship and manages to stow away in her engine compartment. Unfortunately, Sundance, (Bo’s shipboard computer,) fails to let her in on this little nugget until after she’s fought another ship, outrun two picket ships, engaged her hyperdrive, and settled in to her bunk for a much-needed rest. Here, she confronts her uninvited “guest,” who also happens to be her ex — none other than Blade Devon.

***

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t fry you right now for old time’s sake.”

“Good. You’re looking for a reason not to kill me. That’s an improvement.”

Bo shook her head. “Doesn’t mean I won’t blow your damn head off.”

He peered up at her. “Duly noted.”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by.

If you’re interested in reading more about Bo, you can pick up your ebook copies of SOVRAN’S PAWN and HERO’S END for Nook and Kindle at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If you’d like to read a sneak peek at BARRON’S LAST STAND you can find the first chapter at the end of HERO’S END and here on my website.

In case you missed them, here are some other SFFS snippets from BARRON’S LAST STAND

No Such Thing As A Free Ride
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part II
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part III

Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part One
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Two
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Three
Portrait of a Crime Lord — Part Four
Stowaway
Stowaway Part Two
Stowaway Part Three

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten to fifteen sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Since we’re finished with the Crime Lord, I thought I’d address some comments from previous snippets, namely the nature and identity of the Stowaway… Yes, this is still from BARRON’S LAST STAND. While breaking the Crime Lord’s kid brother out of a high security detention center, one of the other escapees – unbeknownst to Bo – tracks them to her ship and manages to stow away in her engine compartment. Unfortunately, Sundance, (Bo’s shipboard computer,) fails to let her in on this little nugget until after she’s fought another ship, outrun two picket ships, engaged her hyperdrive, and settled in to her bunk for a much-needed rest. Here, she confronts her uninvited “guest.”

***

“Hello, my love.”

The smooth, familiar, baritone voice hit her like a plasma storm, taking all her defensive systems offline. Her lungs felt as if the hull had been breached and all the atmo had blasted out into the vacuum of space, leaving her helpless to do more than stare into eyes the same shade as the bluestone of the Gallis Highlands where she’d grown up.

A slow, rakish smile softened his stern features.

Blade Devon did not get to swagger back into her life after all these years as if nothing had happened. Bo tightened her grip on her blaster and clenched her jaw.

“On your knees!” she snarled. “Now! Keep your hands where I can see them!”

“Now, love, let’s not do anything hasty,” he said calmly as he obeyed.

“Don’t worry. Anything I do to you, I’ve been thinking about doing for a long time.”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by.

If you’re interested in reading more about Bo, you can pick up your ebook copies of SOVRAN’S PAWN and HERO’S END for Nook and Kindle at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If you’d like to read a sneak peek at BARRON’S LAST STAND you can find the first chapter at the end of HERO’S END and here on my website.

In case you missed them, here are some other SFFS snippets from BARRON’S LAST STAND

No Such Thing As A Free Ride
No Such Thing As A Free Ride – Part II

Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part One
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Two
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Three
Portrait of a Crime Lord — Part Four
Stowaway
Stowaway Part Two
Stowaway Part Three

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten to fifteen sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Since we’re finished with the Crime Lord, I thought I’d address some comments from previous snippets, namely the nature and identity of the Stowaway… Yes, this is still from BARRON’S LAST STAND. While breaking the Crime Lord’s kid brother out of a high security detention center, one of the other escapees – unbeknownst to Bo – tracks them to her ship and manages to stow away in her engine compartment. Unfortunately, Sundance, (Bo’s shipboard computer,) fails to let her in on this little nugget until after she’s fought another ship, outrun two picket ships, engaged her hyperdrive, and settled in to her bunk for a much-needed rest. Here, she confronts her uninvited “guest.”

***

“Show me your hands and step out where I can see you,” she ordered.

He hesitated briefly then spread his arms wide as he stepped away from the machinery into the center of the narrow walkway. The dim light gave her a slightly better look at him. Intense and relaxed at the same time, he moved fluidly, with the supreme confidence, grace and controlled power of an experienced predator: sexy as hell and very dangerous.

Human. Male. Taller than average. Well built…Very well built. His shaggy blond hair took him out of uniform regs for the Consular Guard.

His head bowed, shadows obscured most of his face. A close-trimmed beard and stern set to his mouth gave him a slightly sinister appearance. He stepped slowly out of the darkness.

Something about him reminded her of…

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by.

If you’re interested in reading more about Bo, you can pick up your ebook copies of SOVRAN’S PAWN and HERO’S END for Nook and Kindle at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If you’d like to read a sneak peek at BARRON’S LAST STAND you can find the first chapter at the end of HERO’S END and here on my website.

In case you missed them, here are some other SFFS snippets from BARRON’S LAST STAND

No Such Thing As A Free Ride

Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part One
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Two
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Three
Portrait of a Crime Lord — Part Four
Stowaway
Stowaway Part Two
Stowaway Part Three

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten to fifteen sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Since we’re finished with the Crime Lord, I thought I’d address some comments from previous snippets, namely the nature and identity of the Stowaway… Yes, this is still from BARRON’S LAST STAND. While breaking the Crime Lord’s kid brother out of a high security detention center, one of the other escapees – unbeknownst to Bo – tracks them to her ship and manages to stow away in her engine compartment. Unfortunately, Sundance, (Bo’s shipboard computer,) fails to let her in on this little nugget until after she’s fought another ship, outrun two picket ships, engaged her hyperdrive, and settled in to her bunk for a much-needed rest.

***

As silently as she could, Bo made her way, barefoot, across the deck plates towards the engine compartment aft of the small ship. The palm blaster in her hand packed enough of a punch to take out organics, but not enough to interfere with the engines or breach the hull. That she had picked up a stowaway at all was inconceivable. According to her brother, Edge, she had the most secure ship in the Commonwealth, save the Sovrans’ personal yachts.

She paused just beside the open hatch into the engine compartment and took a deep, calming breath to steady her nerves. Releasing it, slowly, she counted to three then stepped through the hatch and quickly descended the steps, her weapon at the ready.

Something moved in the shadows near the repulsor drive. Bo leveled her weapon at the darkness. As she stared into the stygian black, her eyes adjusted. A large, humanoid silhouette stood still and patient as though waiting for discovery.

Son of a kretch! There is a stowaway!

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by.

If you’re interested in reading more about Bo, you can pick up your ebook copies of SOVRAN’S PAWN and HERO’S END for Nook and Kindle at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If you’d like to read a sneak peek at BARRON’S LAST STAND you can find the first chapter at the end of HERO’S END and here on my website.

In case you missed them, here are some other SFFS snippets from BARRON’S LAST STAND

Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part One
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Two
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Three
Portrait of a Crime Lord — Part Four
Stowaway
Stowaway Part Two
Stowaway Part Three

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of fifteen sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Welcome back! I’ve been hard at work on the third book in THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES series. This snippet comes from a scene early in the book, just before Bo Barron makes the transition from frying pan to fire. The book opens with her in the middle of a job, breaking a crime lord’s kid brother out of a Third Sector detention center. Bo comes away with a lot more than she bargained for, including another inmate who somehow managed to stow away aboard her ship. In this scene, she’s turning over the crime lord Gray’s kid brother to him in exchange for the payment he promised.

***

Gray nodded. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Commander,” he said. “Give my regards to your boss, whoever that might be.”

She grinned. “Give it up, Gray,” she warned. “Everybody knows Redmaster Blue is a myth.”

Gray’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I hope not,” he said calmly. “With the news reports coming out, you’ll need all the protection you can get.”

With a wave of his hand Gray ended their audience.

“Wait,” she said. “What news, Gray?”

He rose and his retinue fell into step around him.

“Gray?”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by.

If you’re interested in reading more about Bo, you can pick up your ebook copies of SOVRAN’S PAWN and HERO’S END for Nook and Kindle at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If you’d like to read a sneak peek at BARRON’S LAST STAND you can find the first chapter at the end of HERO’S END and here on my website.

In case you missed them, here are some other SFFS snippets from BARRON’S LAST STAND
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part One
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Two
Portrait of a Crime Lord – Part Three
Stowaway
Stowaway Part Two
Stowaway Part Three