Sunday Snippet: Promise to Keep

A great week with a busy schedule. The end of the school year is always jammed up with concerts, graduation parties, and last-minute final projects. Never boring.

Good week in television. Watched a little more Classic Who with The Daleks: The Dead Planet and The Survivors. Also caught another episode of Midsomer Murders. Watched the second episode of Constantine and, honestly, I'm enjoying the show. Definitely a good thing to get a better feel for the character since he'll be on Legends this fall.

Gotham continues to be a super-great pleasure to watch. I'm almost caught up and can't wait to see how this season ends. I'm a little on the fence about R'as, but we'll see what happens.

Watched Chicago Fire and Chicago PD. I'm still loving Chicago Fire. Chicago PD not so much. The whole Woods going after Hank thing is too contrived and using one of Hank's people as a mole has been done. Also, the never heard of before sister is too damned convenient. Right now… I'm done. I'll catch up on marathons later. Blindspot, however, is holding my interest. Even if I'm kind of "meh" on Roman being the new instigator, I love the team's new interactions.

The Flash is almost over for the season and I'm ready. DeVoe is becoming my least favorite villain of all time. I'm ready for them to move on and get someone new to be the bad guy. In contrast, Arrow's season finale ended up being one of my favorite episodes. I'm a little bummed Diaz got away. Seriously, I wanted him to either die in a fire or end up behind bars.

Started a new-to-me show on Netflix with Sense8. I'd started this a long time ago and finally finished watching the first episode. I'm now hooked and can't wait to follow the series. I also caught the next to last episode of Riverdale's second season. The reveal of the Black Hood was incredible. Cheryl and Betty teaming up made me happy. I'm ready for Hiram to get what's coming to him in a big way. I'm curious about who the hell attacked Archie and Fred and having a sneaking suspicion Hiram's dirty handprints will be all over that deal. FP carrying Jughead broke my heart. I'm so ready to watch the finale now!!

Caught another episode of Krypton and, holy hell, the maneuvering and shifting allegiances is kind of fun to watch. I'm excited to see how the rest of the season goes.

Started The Batman season three and thoroughly enjoyed the show. Also caught another episode of Ghost Squad and still enjoy how fine a line Amy has to walk to get to the truth of corruption. Her interaction with Pete is also a lot of fun to watch. On tap for today is another episode of Endeavor and probably some additional Classic Who.

Whew! That wraps up television for this week. Tonight's post is from Promise to Keep, a novella that might not end up seeing the light of day. The ending isn't altogether happy.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Two elite marines try to forge a relationship during a time of war. But when a worse than usual dangerous situation ups the ante, a promise is made and must be kept, regardless of the personal toll. After all, the marine motto is anytime, anyplace, always ready.

And a sneaky peek…

A laid-up Makepeace hated the fact Doc Certifiable decided to keep him overnight for observation.

Hell… not first time he’d been shot. Probably wouldn’t be the last, either.

He had a wounded leg! Not like the bullet hit vital organs or anything. Stupid fucking doctors, ordering a marine to bedrest, dammit. A marine. The proud. The strong. The kick-ass elite.

Mathison nodded briskly toward Illiana when the medic exited the alcove assigned to Daniel Makepeace. Jillian waited until Layne rounded the corner then pulled the curtain around for privacy—a bit of a risk… but she thought it worth the trouble.

She’d want a fellow grunt to do the same for her. Nobody liked being out of commission.

Checking the closure of the curtain, Mathison turned to meet the hopeful gaze of Makepeace. She almost laughed, but stopped herself, not wanting to draw any undue attention from the staff.

Nodding his head, he greeted his visitor. “Gunny.” He quirked a brow, probably hoping his counterpart didn't just come to wish him well.

Mathison rolled her eyes at his inside joke. Because their ranks were the same he’d started referring to her as "Gunny" whenever he bumped into her on their downtime until it developed into a kind of "thing" with them. Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Makepeace might be from Pegasus and might be typically rough and ready but he had a wicked sense of humor. And Mathison liked that in a man… this one in particular.

Not missing a beat, she followed with her usual response. “Gunny.” Glancing around to make sure they were well and truly alone, she pulled out the bottle of home brew she’d stashed in her fatigues.

With a smirk, she held it up, shaking it a little to show the jar was full. “Thought maybe you could use a drink.” Placing the container on the bedside table, she carefully unscrewed the lid.

Groaning in appreciation, Makepeace's head hit the propped up pillow. “Thank the gods.” He licked his lips before grinning ruefully. “R & R sure went to shit.” Now that was an understatement… he’d lost men… but at least he’d pulled Carnage's ass out of the fire. As a pilot, her skill went unmatched. As a ranking officer in an unforeseen hostage situation, well, not really her fault things didn't go to plan.

Mathison smiled sadly. Marines were never really "off duty" as the situation on the Mary Jarvis proved.

And they’d lost enough people. She’d bet her next pay grade that clawed at him more than the leg did.

Shooting a glance his way, she commiserated. “Yeah. Heard that.” Sliding the bottle in front of him, she watched him swallow at least five times before stopping. Her kind of man.

It took a second to recover from the liquid burn in his throat, but as soon as he could speak, he rasped. “Much appreciated.” Handing the jar over, he grinned when she raised it in mock toast then knocked back a healthy portion herself. His kind of woman? She hoped so.

Nodding at the chair beside the bed, Makepeace asked, “Keep a guy company?” He looked like he'd love to get to know her better. And maybe he hated to drink alone.

Jillian pondered the invite for all of two seconds. What the hell? She didn’t have any place she had to be.

Winking, she decided to run with it. Turning the chair around, she dropped down on it and leaned her arms on the backrest. “Thought you’d never ask.”

A weird place to advance a friendship into something deeper, but she could roll with the idea.

The dynamic between Dan and Jillian is fun to write. I like these characters so much.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

A Gift from the Stars—The SFR Brigade Showcase: Boyfriend's Brother #sfrbp

Welcome to the Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents, a weekly sneak peek sampler hosted by the SFR Brigade.

Readers: enjoy brief glimpses of currently available, soon to be released books, or works in progress. Authors are sharing short excerpts for your enjoyment. Please have fun and spread the joy.

~*~

Since my birthday falls on the first day of the showcase, I'm sharing a bit from my release, Boyfriend's Brother. I have a soft spot for this manuscript. J Jason and Chloe face some hard truths about themselves.

Book Tagline: Chloe mixes a potential marriage proposal, a close call, and her boyfriend's hot brother—a heady combination or dangerous concoction.

~*~

He cleared his throat. "So… married." He turned toward her, shifting his position so he lay mainly on his side. "It's a big step." He'd figure out a way to be happy for his little brother if he did propose to Chloe.

He'd be happy for her, too.

Chloe kept her gaze on Jason a moment longer, then nodded. "Tell me about it."

They'd talked once, briefly, about relationships. Chloe never thought anyone would want her 'forever'. Didn't think she'd ever be worthy.

She worried her lower lip between her teeth. "I'm scared."

She looked terrified.

Jason's eyes grew wide. "Of Marc?" She couldn't be scared of his brother—the guy worshipped her.

Chloe shook her head back and forth. "Of myself… of screwing it up…" She sighed deeply. "I don't know if I can do forever. Hell, I'm still attracted to other guys." She swung a sultry gaze toward him.

Jason didn't know what to say… so he said nothing.

Chloe moved forward until an inch separated her face from his. "I'm attracted to you." Her eyes were intent on his.

And there he had it… out in the open.

The air became charged.

~*~

Blurb: Chloe Timmons and Jason McIvey are each at a crossroads.

On what may be her last weekend as 'just a girlfriend', Chloe quells her restlessness by hitting the town and runs into her boyfriend's brother, Jason, a fellow pilot in the area for an air show. A barroom brawl brings them together.

Chloe thinks her boyfriend Marc may propose, and she's not sure she's ready for marriage. Jason McIvey has to decide if he's staying in the military or going civilian. When Chloe and Jason spend the night together, it doesn't make either decision easier.

Available on Amazon

Please visit my website

~*~

Thank you for reading!

Gift yourself with more great sneak peeks!

Visit the other participating authors

A Gift from the Stars—The SFR Brigade Showcase: Lover's Day #sfrbp

Welcome to the Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents, a weekly sneak peek sampler hosted by the SFR Brigade.

Readers: enjoy brief glimpses of currently available, soon to be released books, or works in progress. Authors are sharing short excerpts for your enjoyment. Please have fun and spread the joy.

~*~

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I'm sharing my upcoming themed release, Lover's Day, coming February 13 from Fireborn Publishing.

Book Tagline: On Lover's Day, an exchange of favors puts Maxie and Nate back on the right track.

~*~

Nate Northampton couldn't believe his rotten luck. His four on a quad had been trumped by Maxie Yearn's full ride. He pulled the most incredible hand he'd had in years and his best friend, otherwise known as the new bane of his existence, topped it.

Seriously, how did she do it?

Maxie had a nasty habit of always ending his hot streaks. Until she'd entered the game, he'd been up over everyone. At least he'd achieved his main goal of letting off steam. And then some. The fact that Maxie now had every last bit of his bounty couldn't take his accomplishment away.

He watched her scoop up her winnings, accept a round of congratulations, and down a freshly poured shot. Nate decided to take his leave before she started crowing about coming out on top. With as much as they'd had to drink, the innuendo wouldn't stop if it got started. And sexy banter could take them places they didn't need to go.

They didn't have Martin—has it really been almost a year since we lost him—to keep them on the straight and narrow anymore.

He'd learned his lesson a long time ago. Never get started with Maxie if Martin didn't have his back. Too bad Nate hadn't remembered the other important bit—never, ever bet against Bombshell… no matter how great the cards in his hand.

The woman had more good fortune at wagers than anyone he'd ever met. Whatever looked out for her in the universe did a damn fine job. Nate almost wished she didn't have a butt load of skill to back up the rest.

He'd almost escaped to the hatch when Maxie cleared her throat to get his attention. "Hey Slapshot… you still have to pay up."

~*~

Blurb: Nate Northampton and Maxie Yearns are pilots on the Apus and have been dealing with the loss of their best friend, Martin Comico, who died in a crash due to a technical flaw. After Martin's death, the dynamic changes between Nate and Maxie. Nate pulls back, a little lost without Martin to act as a sounding board. Maxie notices the distance and feels like she's lost two friends instead of one.

Maxie becomes a woman on a mission. She wants things with Nate to go back to normal—and beyond—but without Martin to act as their buffer, she's not sure how to proceed. With Lover's Day fast approaching, and a lucky draw at the card table, Maxie has just the plan to test the waters with Nate.

Nate struggles with the new signals Maxie throws his way, but he goes with the flow, something Martin always recommended. Nate can't go wrong if he heeds his friend's advice and the reward may see his wildest dream become reality.

Arriving February 13 2015

Please visit my website 

~*~

Thank you for reading!

Gift yourself with more great sneak peeks!

Visit the other participating authors

A Gift from the Stars—The SFR Brigade Showcase: Midwinter Crises #sfrbp

Welcome to the Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents, a weekly sneak peek sampler hosted by the SFR Brigade.

Readers: enjoy brief glimpses of currently available, soon to be released books, or works in progress. Authors are sharing short excerpts for your enjoyment. Please have fun and spread the joy.

~*~

Since the holiday season is upon us, I'm revisiting my themed release, Midwinter Crises. Holiday traditions play a big role in our house throughout the season and my post this month reflects how they play a part in Murph and Jess's story.

Series Tagline: High stakes adrenaline and hot romance are an explosive combination.

Book Tagline: When a madman wants to blow up the city during the Midwinter holiday, it's just another day on the job for Ben and Jess.

~*~

Midwinter.

Ben had actually put the holiday out of his mind. He had a ticket to a sunny spot in another nation tucked away in his desk. He had zero intention of being in Capital City for the festivities.

Last year would be hard to top.

After a leisurely dinner with his father on Midwinter's Eve, he and Jess went home and opened presents. Nothing extravagant, but a few nice things. An antique wooden box for Jess's collection, a first edition book for him and a gorgeous carpet they'd picked out together for in front of the fireplace.

He cleared away the wrapping paper debris and Jess lowered the lights, lit the fire. He relaxed on the sofa, feet propped on an oversized ottoman while Jess excused herself 'for just a moment'.

She didn't take long to return.

"You still have one last gift to open." Her voice had gone all husky and soft.

He looked up and almost swallowed his tongue. God, she was beautiful. She walked to stand in front of the fire, wearing a gorgeous red and white confection that skimmed her thighs and hugged her curves. Jess rarely wore lingerie and he found it a treat to see her in it when she did. She'd capped off her holiday themed gift with a silky, gold bow loosely tied around her throat.

She beckoned him over, lifted his hand and placed it on the ribbon's tail. He gave it a gentle tug and the silky materiel unwound to cascade down to the floor. She stepped into his kiss and they melted against each other, her hands slowly peeling off his layers of clothing. She knelt on the new, plush area rug and tugged him down in front of her. Her lips traveled over his body and by the time they made love in front of the fire, she hadn't missed an inch.

~*~

Blurb: Mixing the holidays with a guy who wants to blow up the city is just another day on the job for Ben Murphy and Jessa Muldoon.

Seeing each other in a tense situation six months after breaking up is not.

Available at Amazon

Please visit my website

~*~

Thank you for reading!

Gift yourself with more great sneak peeks!

Visit the other participating authors

A Gift from the Stars—The SFR Brigade Showcase: Dress for Dinner #sfrbp

Welcome to the Science Fiction Romance Brigade Showcase, a monthly sneak peek sampler hosted by the SFR Brigade.

Readers: enjoy brief glimpses of currently available, soon to be released books, or works in progress. Authors are sharing short excerpts for your enjoyment. Please have fun and spread the joy.

~*~

I had to take a rather long hiatus from posting with the Brigade. Work commitments sadly took priority. But I'm thankfully back and eager to participate in the wonderful treat for readers.

This week's post is actually a reposting from Dress for Dinner, book three of the Top Dog Pilot series that I wanted to have ready in August from my personal imprint, Starry Sky Press. The pesky need for an outside job made it impossible for me to reach my goal. But… if all goes well, the manuscript will be released in the near future. YAY!

Today, I'm re-sharing a glimpse of where Cutter and Maggie are in their relationship.

Series Tagline: Two top pilots, Max Cutter and Maggie Harper, like to mix a little personal with their professional life.

Book Tagline: A formal dinner with an admiral challenges Cutter's ability to play nice.

~*~

Major Maggie Harper zipped up her rucksack and placed it next to Max Cutter's beside their front door. After a six week furlough, they were headed back to the Pathos and its commanding officer, Drake Essex.

Two years with the same CO, one she respected, had done wonders to temper her penchant for requesting transfers. Or maybe the two plus years with Cutter had settled her down. Either way, Maggie looked forward to getting back out in the black.

She checked the time. Still early yet. Cutter had the shower running… maybe she'd join him. Peeling off her shirt, she hit the steps at a run and ducked into the bathroom. Shimmied out of her shorts and panties and quietly popped the shower door open.

Cutter stood with this forehead against the wall, water sluicing over his skin. He still made Maggie hot. The planes and angles of his muscles, the way his skin glistened under the steaming spray. She eased up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, sliding her hands up to his chest. Cutter grabbed one and brought it to his lips, grazing her knuckles.

"Wondered if you'd join me."

~*~

Blurb: Max and Maggie are training up and coming pilots and life is great. But when Maggie's uncle, a retired admiral, brings his new, and much younger, bride to the ship for their honeymoon, Maggie takes one look at the woman and sees disaster. An emergency makes her miss the full dress dinner, leaving Max alone to deal with the hot simpering mess.

Coming Soon!

Please visit my website

~*~

Thank you for reading!

Gift yourself with more great sneak peeks!

Visit the other participating authors

Get Hooked: Reel in a Great Book—Shyler: Finding Home (A Furlough 99 Novella) #MFRWAuthors #MFRWHooks

Welcome to Book Hooks, the weekly smorgasbord sampler hosted by the MFRW Authors Blog.

Readers: get hooked and reel in some great books. Authors are sharing short excerpts from their work. Please enjoy and consider picking up the full book by clicking on the buy link.

I'm revisiting one of my first releases, Shyler: Finding Home, one of the offerings from the Furlough 99 line from Ellipses Press. I'll be posting a series of pivotal scenes over the next couple of weeks. Please enjoy!

Today's post features Marshton Grey's introduction.

Book Tagline: Inspector Shyler Lumen always gets her man—even if she has to go through Marshton Grey to do it.

Series Tagline: Furlough 99: The last stop before uncharted space. Welcome to the ass end of the universe.

~*~

Greyswell Industries—Head Office—Queen City, Mars

"What's the death toll?"

"One hundred and fifty-seven as of ten a.m. this morning."

Marshton Grey nodded curtly, accepting the information and his chief of security quickly exited the plush office. The man had gone above and beyond by keeping Marsh informed of the situation. Now Marsh had to do damage control and nip the problem in the bud. He'd already laid the building blocks to make that happen.

Marsh stood up from behind his desk, gathered his travel documents and pressed the intercom to his admin.

"Lucy, I'm unavailable until further notice."

"Have a safe journey," her soothing voice answered. "I'll see you aren't disturbed, Mr. Grey."

Marsh trusted her to do exactly that. Super-efficient, his admin would block, handle, or delegate whatever came up while he had to be off planet. He peeled off his suit and tie, and threw on a pair of comfortable dungarees. Didn't worry about an overnight bag, he had plenty of wardrobe options located where he'd be headed.

Furlough 99.

Ass end of the universe.

Available on Amazon

More e-retailers coming soon!

~*~

Series Blurb: The last stop before the emptiness of unknown space, Furlough 99 is inhabited with a myriad of personalities, each one looking for something different, something they can only find at the end of the line. With a bar called the Den of Inequity and a whole station devoted to pleasure and hedonism, there's nothing that can't be found here, or won't.

Book Blurb: Inspector Shyler Lumen and entrepreneur Marshton Gray don't have much in common. A manhunt for a brilliantly mad chemist brings them together and sparks fly. Shyler and Marsh can fight the wave of change… or grab hold and go along for the ride.

~*~

~*~

Please stop by my website

Reel in more great books! Visit the other participating authors.

A Gift from the Stars—The SFR Brigade Presents: Dress for Dinner #sfrbp

Welcome to the Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents, a weekly sneak peek sampler hosted by the SFR Brigade.

Readers: enjoy brief glimpses of currently available, soon to be released books, or works in progress. Authors are sharing short excerpts for your enjoyment. Please have fun and spread the joy.

~*~

This week's post is from Dress for Dinner, book three of the Top Dog Pilot series coming in August from my personal imprint, Starry Sky Press. Today, I'm sharing a glimpse of where Cutter and Maggie are in their relationship.

Series Tagline: Two top pilots, Max Cutter and Maggie Harper, like to mix a little personal with their professional life.

Book Tagline: A formal dinner with an admiral challenges Cutter's ability to play nice.

~*~

Major Maggie Harper zipped up her rucksack and placed it next to Max Cutter's beside their front door. After a six week furlough, they were headed back to the Pathos and its commanding officer, Drake Essex.

Two years with the same CO, one she respected, had done wonders to temper her penchant for requesting transfers. Or maybe the two plus years with Cutter had settled her down. Either way, Maggie looked forward to getting back out in the black.

She checked the time. Still early yet. Cutter had the shower running… maybe she'd join him. Peeling off her shirt, she hit the steps at a run and ducked into the bathroom. Shimmied out of her shorts and panties and quietly popped the shower door open.

Cutter stood with this forehead against the wall, water sluicing over his skin. He still made Maggie hot. The planes and angles of his muscles, the way his skin glistened under the steaming spray. She eased up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, sliding her hands up to his chest. Cutter grabbed one and brought it to his lips, grazing her knuckles.

"Wondered if you'd join me."

~*~

Blurb: Max and Maggie are training up and coming pilots and life is great. But when Maggie's uncle, a retired admiral, brings his new and much younger bride, to the ship for their honeymoon, Maggie takes one look at the woman and sees disaster. An emergency makes her miss the full dress dinner, leaving Max alone to deal with the hot simpering mess.

Coming in August 2014

Please visit my website

~*~

Gift yourself with more great sneak peeks!

Visit the other participating authors

Get Hooked: Reel in a Great Book—Surviving the Trap #MFRWHook

Welcome to Book Hooks, the weekly smorgasbord sampler hosted by the MFRW Authors Blog.

Readers: get hooked and reel in some great books. Authors are sharing short excerpts from their work. Please enjoy and consider picking up the full book by clicking on the buy link.

To celebrate my most recent release, Surviving the Trap, book one of the Top Dog Pilots series, I'll be posting a series of pivotal scenes over the next couple of weeks. Please enjoy!

Today's post features an interesting interaction between Cutter and Maggie.

Book Tagline: A week of hell pushes Maggie into risking her friendship with Max by sleeping with him.

Series Tagline: Two top pilots, Max Cutter and Maggie Harper, like to mix a little personal with their professional life.

~*~

Max tried to play catch-up. By the second day of madness, he'd learned real, honest rest would not be an option and trained his body to go on half-alert when not in the cockpit, sort of like being on standby. He figured it the only way he could catch some sleep. Maggie had effectively interrupted his schedule of a catnap and bracing shower followed by hauling ass back to the hangar deck to run pre-flight checks. The routine played like a mantra in his head. Nap, shower, checks.

So, right. Running a little behind here. Max didn't know what Maggie wanted, but she seemed determined to drag him as far away from the ready room as possible. "Maggie, where are we going?" And how the hell did she even have the energy to walk right now. She almost crackled with vigor.

Maggie slowed down, but didn't let go of his arm. "Cutter, just shut up and come with me." Without another word, she rounded the next corner to duck through an open hatch, quickly pulling Max in behind her.

He stumbled a bit, barely clearing the raised threshold before she dogged the hatch. They were in an empty causeway. One used if a fire broke out on the ship. It was supposed to remain empty unless the fire signal had been activated. Clearly, the lack of sleep had Maggie unhinged.

Reaching to undo the hatch, he muttered. "You know we can't be here, Mags." Next thing he knew, Maggie had him backed up against the bulkhead, her lips sucking on his neck sending him into a state of shocked arousal. "What the hell?" He shook his head, wondering if he'd maybe fallen asleep somewhere back on the flight deck. "Mags?"

Available on Amazon

More e-retailers coming soon!

~*~

Series Blurb: Two ace pilots at the top of their game, Max 'Ripper' Cutter and Maggie 'Magpie' Harper traverse space and navigate a relationship at the same time. Follow their adventures through Hell Week, an unexpected tragedy, and a nightmare dinner party with steamy results.

Book Blurb: One week of extreme training, two top guns, and a healthy dose of unresolved sexual tension equals two pilots pushed to their limits, looking for a way to get through the hellish experience and possibly into each other's arms.

~*~

~*~

Please stop by my website

Reel in more great books! Visit the other participating authors.

Romance on a Starry Night—The SFR Brigade Presents: Midsummer Blog Hop #sfrbp

Welcome to the Midsummer Blog Hop presented by the SFR Brigade.

Our theme this year is Starry Nights which brings to mind romance under—or out among—the stars. It might also include a love bigger than the cosmos.

Readers: Get ready for some wonderful excerpts from a spaceport's load of authors. We've also got prizes, enough to fill a space port.

Authors: Sprinkle some space dust on your best work and launch it into the galaxy.

~*~

A Little about ML Skye

My fascination with science fiction and life among the stars started at an early age, watching reruns of Star Trek with my dad when he got home from work. The romance came later, thanks to my mom and her wild, wacky reading group. The gaggle of women kept me supplied with romances throughout junior high and high school and I'll be forever thankful to each and every one of those ladies.

When the writing bug bit down hard and wouldn't let go, I found a natural drift toward romance with science fiction elements. I enjoy reading about love under or out among the stars, why not write about it? After taking the plunge, I haven't looked back and I love to throw in some different themes, what life on a different planet or in the future might be like, or how humans formed a colony somewhere else, but still have many of the same traditions and responsibilities of their ancestors.

My current titles all have a tie-in with deep space, the home of millions of stars. Whether it's the last known station at the end of the universe, a first year celebration in a city on another planet, pilots flying together on a space cruiser, or a couple who are separated by an entire galaxy, those shining orbs play a role in the story.

For my most recent release, Surviving the Trap, book one of the Top Dog Pilots series, Max Cutter and Maggie Harper are put through a grueling week of hell and it leads the duo down a road neither thought they'd travel. Their journey ended up being loads of fun to write.

Here's an excerpt:

Groggily, Max glanced at the clock wondering why Maggie didn't just look for herself. "Twenty-two minutes." Yawning, he sat up, blinking and trying to focus. "Why?" Something seemed off with her, but he couldn't pin it down, so damned tired his brain rebelled against anything taxing.

Maggie grabbed his arm, tugging him out of his seat. "Come on." She led him out of the ready room, not giving him time to ask questions. Questions she wouldn't answer anyway if she didn't want to. "Come with me." Not letting go, she made her way down the corridor and across a passageway.

Max tried to play catch-up. By the second day of madness, he'd learned real, honest rest would not be an option and trained his body to go on half-alert when not in the cockpit, sort of like being on standby. He figured it the only way he could catch some sleep. Maggie had effectively interrupted his schedule of a catnap and bracing shower followed by hauling ass back to the hangar deck to run pre-flight checks. The routine played like a mantra in his head. Nap, shower, checks.

So, right. Running a little behind here. Max didn't know what Maggie wanted, but she seemed determined to drag him as far away from the ready room as possible. "Maggie, where are we going?" And how the hell did she even have the energy to walk right now. She almost crackled with vigor.

Maggie slowed down, but didn't let go of his arm. "Cutter, just shut up and come with me." Without another word, she rounded the next corner to duck through an open hatch, quickly pulling Max in behind her.

He stumbled a bit, barely clearing the raised threshold before she dogged the hatch. They were in an empty causeway. One used if a fire broke out on the ship. It was supposed to remain empty unless the fire signal had been activated. Clearly, the lack of sleep had Maggie unhinged.

Reaching to undo the hatch, he muttered. "You know we can't be here, Mags." Next thing he knew, Maggie had him backed up against the bulkhead, her lips sucking on his neck sending him into a state of shocked arousal. "What the hell?" He shook his head, wondering if he'd maybe fallen asleep somewhere back on the flight deck. "Mags?"

Available on Amazon
(Other e-retailers coming soon)

~*~

Tagline: A week of hell pushes Maggie into risking her friendship with Max by sleeping with him.

Blurb: One week of extreme training, two top guns, and a healthy dose of unresolved sexual tension equals two pilots pushed to their limits, looking for a way to get through the hellish experience and possibly into each other's arms.

~*~

Contest Giveaway!

Now for the really fun part of the blog hop—lots of prizes! The SFR Brigade is offering a galactic giveaway.

Details below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1st

$100 Amazon or B&N gift card plus 41 ebooks - Tales from the SFR Brigade, Heart of Stone, Her Cyborg Awakes, Anja's Star, Silver Strife, Corwint Series 4 Book Gift Pack, Earth's Requiem, Alien Blood, Starwoman's Sanctuary, one book from Jessica E Subject's SFR backlist (ONE ebook title out of the following: Alien Adoration, Alien Admirer, Alien Lover, An Unexpected Return, Another Night Another Planet, Celestial Seduction, Crash Landing, Hey Santa, His Alien Virgin, Made For Her, Never Gonna Let You Go, Never Gonna Desert You, Never Gonna Say Goodbye, Satin Sheets in Space, Sudden Breakaway, or Unknown Futures), LodeStar Series Books 1-3 (Stark Pleasure, Creed of Pleasure and Captive of Pleasure), Reunion trilogy, Terms & Conditions Apply, Wreck of the Nebula Dream, Starheart, Kuralon Rescue, A Matter of Trust, Earth's Blood, Roman's Gold, Wolf Born, The Marann, Nightfall, Unrequited, Butterman Time Travel Inc., Legend Beyond the Stars, Hathor's Legacy: Outcast, Removed, Midwinter Crisis, Shlyer: Finding Home, Boyfriend's Brother, Surviving the Trap, Captive, Tower in the Woods, Catching Red. (41 books)

2nd

$50 Amazon or B&N gift card plus 28 ebooks - Tales from the SFR Brigade, Heart of Stone, Her Cyborg Awakes, Anja's Star, Silver Strife, Corwint Series 4 Book Gift Pack, Earth's Requiem, Alien Blood, Starwoman's Sanctuary, Tangled In Time, Terms & Conditions Apply, Escape from Zulaire, Lana's Comet, Heart's Bounty, Glad Hands, Nikolai, The Trial of Tompa Lee, The Tribulations of Tompa Lee, The Midas Rush, Prime Obsession, Daughters of Suralia, Morning Star, Hey Santa, Tower in the Woods, Catching Red. (28 books)

3rd

3 separate winners each receive $25 Amazon or B&N gift card plus 11 ebooks - Tales from the SFR Brigade, Heart of Stone, Her Cyborg Awakes, Anja's Star, Corwint Series 4 Book Gift Pack, Hey Santa, Tower in the Woods, Catching Red. (11 books each)

If the winner cannot accept gift cards or the digital files, another winner will be chosen. Thank you for understanding!

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I'll be offering four lucky commenters their choice of my current titles.

When a madman wants to blow up the city during the Midwinter holiday, it's just another day on the job for Ben and Jess.

Available on Amazon

Inspector Shyler Lumen always gets her man—even if she has to go through Marshton Grey to do it.

Available on Amazon

Chloe Timmons mixes a potential marriage proposal, a close call, and her boyfriend's hot brother. She can walk away… but she may lose everything.

Available on Amazon

Or…

Surviving the Trap

Just leave a comment with your favorite starry night scenario to be entered.

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Please take a look at the other awesome entries on the blog tour and spread a little stardust and love.

Thank you for reading!

Please visit my website for more information.

A Gift from the Stars—The SFR Brigade Presents: Bucking Convention #sfrbp

Welcome to the Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents, a weekly sneak peek sampler hosted by the SFR Brigade.

Readers: enjoy brief glimpses of currently available, soon to be released books, or works in progress. Authors are sharing short excerpts for your enjoyment. Please have fun and spread the joy.

~*~

This week's post is from Bucking Convention, book two of the Top Dog Pilot series coming in August from my personal imprint, Starry Sky Press. Today, I'm sharing a glimpse of how well Cutter knows Maggie.

Series Tagline: Two top pilots, Max Cutter and Maggie Harper, like to mix a little personal with their professional life.

Book Tagline: A tragic loss puts Cutter on the edge and it's up to Maggie to pull him back.

~*~

He knew her well.

Maggie stood quietly, feeling the room sway a bit. Stars above, she had kinks on top of kinks. As much as she wanted to stretch them out, she'd wait until the scalding blast of water could work on them first.

Biting back a groan, she turned to exit quarters. "I'd ask you to join me… but something tells me Top Hat is already hogging the hot water."

Max grinned. "Some other time then." He followed her to the hatch and pushed it open. "I'll look forward to it." When his voice dropped to low tones, it always sent delicious little shivers down her spine.

Maggie turned her head and bussed his lips. "Me too." She stepped over the threshold but stopped. "Any chance you can have something hot and stiff ready for me when I get back? And I'm not talking body parts… although that'll be nice, too."

Technically against regs to keep alcohol in their quarters, most of the pilots had a stash somewhere. There were times when hitting the rec room just didn't appeal. And the pilots policed themselves. If anyone developed a problem, it would be handled. Quickly and efficiently.

Max leaned down and pounded on the small section underneath his duty locker. The panel popped free. He reached inside the access area and pulled out a tray holding fixings for her requested drink. "Count on it." He leaned out the door and gave her a thorough kiss.

The man might be too damn good to her.

With more bounce in her step than before, Maggie made her way to the head.

~*~

Blurb: Max and Maggie survive Hell Week and start a relationship that works. Tragedy strikes Cutter's wingman and when Maggie shows up as the replacement, she discovers a very different Max. Not a good thing when he lives to fly… and can't.

Maggie wants to support Max and help get him back on an even keel, but living and working with him tests her patience and mettle. It's so much easier to handle two tons of space craft than a surly man.

Coming in August 2014

Please visit my website 

~*~

Thank you for reading!

Gift yourself with more great sneak peeks!

Visit the other participating authors

A Gift from the Stars—The SFR Brigade Presents: Bucking Convention #sfrbp

Welcome to the Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents, a weekly sneak peek sampler hosted by the SFR Brigade.

Readers: enjoy brief glimpses of currently available, soon to be released books, or works in progress. Authors are sharing short excerpts for your enjoyment. Please have fun and spread the joy.

~*~

This week's post is from Bucking Convention, book two of the Top Dog Pilot series coming in August from my personal imprint, Starry Sky Press. Today, I'm sharing a glimpse of why Cutter needs Maggie.

Series Tagline: Two top pilots, Max Cutter and Maggie Harper, like to mix a little personal with their professional life.

Book Tagline: A tragic loss puts Cutter on the edge and it's up to Maggie to pull him back.

~*~

The dream came again.

No different than the last three nights.

Captain Max Cutter struggled to pull himself out of the nightmare. Didn't want to be trapped inside it, watching his wingman's ship collide with an asteroid, exploding on impact.

There hadn't been time for Ray 'Snark' Kiwolski to eject. The accident happened that fast. The huge space rock hit at exactly the right spot on Snark's ship. One moment they argued about who had more skills in the gym and the next—BOOM—game over.

The explosion sent Max's bird into a tailspin and he had to quickly deal with the recoil or suffer the same fate. Pure instinct got him out of it because Max couldn't tear his eyes away from the carnage of the other ship. He'd give just about anything to have been able to do so.

Because he couldn't seem to escape the vision.

He saw it again and again. Relived the loss over and over, waking up in a cold sweat, the shock and trauma all but strangling him as he fought to breathe.

It had been the worst thing he'd ever seen. The explosion had been bad enough, but the aftermath? So much worse. Snark might not have been able to eject on his own, but the impact took care of that. And Max had to confirm what they'd all known.

His wingman had lost his life.

~*~

Blurb: Max and Maggie survive Hell Week and start a relationship that works. Tragedy strikes Cutter's wingman and when Maggie shows up as the replacement, she discovers a very different Max. Not a good thing when he lives to fly… and can't.

Maggie wants to support Max and help get him back on an even keel, but living and working with him tests her patience and mettle. It's so much easier to handle two tons of space craft than a surly man.

Coming in August 2014

Please visit my website 

~*~

Thank you for reading!

Gift yourself with more great sneak peeks!

Visit the other participating authors