FRIENDS IN DEED - 28 Feb 2016

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!

This is my first time joining the Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday crews! Although I could start off with the first book in my (space pirate) Aston West series, I figured I would be a bit different and go with a snippet from the second novel, Friends in Deed. Enjoy!

In the depth of my nightmares, Lycus IV would always be a formidable hell, no matter if the scenery gave off the illusion of mighty grandeur. Lush green trees lined the banks. Sporadic cloud cover offered broken views of a distant pale blue mountain range.

This prison planet’s terror was not found in its natural surroundings, but from its unwilling inhabitants.

A wide river flowed slowly before me over a bed of rocks. Filthy clothing, ripped and shredded, barely covered my bruised and bloody skin. I gazed across the clear, inviting water.

A bellow filled the air. I turned as a pale, naked giant rumbled through the brush, yelling at the top of his lungs.

What? This isn't how all of your nightmares go?

Hope you enjoyed the snippet, and if you want to catch the rest of the book, it's available over on Amazon along with all of my other titles. Please check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors as well!

SFFS: Snippet #5 from ALL GOOD THINGS

Welcome back, everyone, to another week of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday.

I'm back with another snippet from my new Aston West "series" novel, All Good Things. If you didn't already realize it, the new novel is now fully available over at Amazon (in print and e-book) through the link above. I'll continue posting snippets for the next several weeks.

If you've missed an excerpt or more, be sure to check them out through the following:

Snippet #1
Snippet #2
Snippet #3
Snippet #4 


First, the blurb for All Good Things:

 A new ship. A new love. A new life.

An old nemesis could end it all.

Space pirate Aston West never truly came to grips with the death of his friend, Leah Jordan. He’s tried to move on, falling in love with his best friend, Rione Sc’lari. But the memories of Leah’s murder at the hands of twin brothers Lars and Elijah Cassus still linger, gnawing at Aston’s soul as he blames himself for her death. Even though he exacted fatal vengeance on Lars, Elijah has promised revenge for his brother’s demise.

Elijah finally reveals himself, and Aston believes his life is over. But rather than carry out his prior threat, Elijah, possessing a new miracle drug, promises to bring Leah back to life if Aston goes along with his latest diabolical plan. Will Aston risk his newfound love and join forces with the ultimate evil, just to find absolution?

And now, here's the snippet:

I kept my focus on Elijah. “So, it’s come down to this. Gunning me down in cold blood on some random planet?”

He snorted, leveling the barrel at my chest. “Cold blood would insinuate you’re innocent, which you aren’t.”

“Aston?” Rione repeated, this time more forceful.

Elijah interrupted, “He killed my brother.”

Rione knew the background, but now reality was hitting her right in the face. She turned to face Elijah, but didn’t say a word.

I insisted, “Do with me what you will, but leave her out of this. She has nothing to do with our past.”

He laughed. “Despite what you might think, Aston, I’m not here to kill you.”

Hope you enjoyed it! (And if you don't know who Elijah is, why not pick up a copy of Friends in Deed?) If so, pick up a copy of All Good Things from the link above. And of course, be sure to check out all of the fabulous SFFS snippets through the link at the top of this post.

SFFS: Snippet #4 from ALL GOOD THINGS

Welcome back, everyone, to another week of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday.

After taking a week off for my annual pilgrimage to Dallas for ConDFW, I'm back in the saddle again for another snippet from my new Aston West "series" novel, All Good Things. If you didn't already realize it, the new novel is now fully available over at Amazon (in print and e-book) through the link above. I'll continue posting snippets for the next several weeks.

If you've missed an excerpt or more, be sure to check them out through the following:

Snippet #1
Snippet #2
Snippet #3

First, the blurb for All Good Things:

 A new ship. A new love. A new life.

An old nemesis could end it all.

Space pirate Aston West never truly came to grips with the death of his friend, Leah Jordan. He’s tried to move on, falling in love with his best friend, Rione Sc’lari. But the memories of Leah’s murder at the hands of twin brothers Lars and Elijah Cassus still linger, gnawing at Aston’s soul as he blames himself for her death. Even though he exacted fatal vengeance on Lars, Elijah has promised revenge for his brother’s demise.

Elijah finally reveals himself, and Aston believes his life is over. But rather than carry out his prior threat, Elijah, possessing a new miracle drug, promises to bring Leah back to life if Aston goes along with his latest diabolical plan. Will Aston risk his newfound love and join forces with the ultimate evil, just to find absolution?

And now, here's the snippet:

I turned my head this way and that, trying to catch a glimpse of my nemesis. Then he stepped out of the corner shadows between us and the doorway, a disintegrator cannon in his hands.

“No...” I muttered beneath my breath.

The minimal light from the main corridor illuminated him like an angel, which I knew for certain he wasn’t. He hadn’t changed in appearance at all, wearing that same baggy white shirt buttoned halfway up his chest which did little to hide his muscular chest. Bristly blonde stubble adorned the top of his head. His face was hard and unmoving, as if chiseled in stone. A pair of tan pants and dark brown boots made him look like an extra in an old medieval holo-movie. They didn’t use disintegrator cannons in those, though.

“It’s been too long,” he muttered.

Rione was understandably confused. “Aston?” She hadn’t known Elijah Cassus, and given my choice, I would have kept it that way. Apparently, fate had other plans.

Hope you enjoyed it! (And if you don't know who Elijah is, why not pick up a copy of Friends in Deed?) If so, pick up a copy of All Good Things from the link above. And of course, be sure to check out all of the fabulous SFFS snippets through the link at the top of this post.

ALL GOOD THINGS Now Available

Taking a break off from Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday this week, as I'm currently celebrating the release of my latest Aston series novel, All Good Things. If you're in the Dallas area, we'll be selling print copies over at ConDFW (which is celebrating its 15th year). If not, pick up a copy of All Good Things through the cover link below. Here's the blurb:

 A new ship. A new love. A new life.

An old nemesis could end it all.

 

Space pirate Aston West never truly came to grips with the death of his friend, Leah Jordan. He’s tried to move on, falling in love with his best friend, Rione Sc’lari. But the memories of Leah’s murder at the hands of twin brothers Lars and Elijah Cassus still linger, gnawing at Aston’s soul as he blames himself for her death. Even though he exacted fatal vengeance on Lars, Elijah has promised revenge for his brother’s demise.

 

Elijah finally reveals himself, and Aston believes his life is over. But rather than carry out his prior threat, Elijah, possessing a new miracle drug, promises to bring Leah back to life if Aston goes along with his latest diabolical plan. Will Aston risk his newfound love and join forces with the ultimate evil, just to find absolution?

SFFS: Snippet #3 From ALL GOOD THINGS

Welcome back, everyone, to another week of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday.

For those who didn't already know, my new Aston West "series" novel, All Good Things, is now available for pre-order over at Amazon through the link. It goes live February 12, and I'll continue posting snippets for the next several weeks.

If you've missed an excerpt or more, be sure to check them out through the following:

Snippet #1
Snippet #2

First, the blurb for All Good Things:

 A new ship. A new love. A new life.

An old nemesis could end it all.

Space pirate Aston West never truly came to grips with the death of his friend, Leah Jordan. He’s tried to move on, falling in love with his best friend, Rione Sc’lari. But the memories of Leah’s murder at the hands of twin brothers Lars and Elijah Cassus still linger, gnawing at Aston’s soul as he blames himself for her death. Even though he exacted fatal vengeance on Lars, Elijah has promised revenge for his brother’s demise.

Elijah finally reveals himself, and Aston believes his life is over. But rather than carry out his prior threat, Elijah, possessing a new miracle drug, promises to bring Leah back to life if Aston goes along with his latest diabolical plan. Will Aston risk his newfound love and join forces with the ultimate evil, just to find absolution?

And now, here's the snippet:

I followed, keeping an eye on Rione, but also trying to look off into the darkness for any sign of trouble. If I saw a piece of dust floating in the air wrong, I planned to grab Rione and race out of here. She reached the huddled mass on the ground, kneeling down beside her.

“Are you okay?” She gently pushed the figure to no avail. I saw a small pool of blood below the woman’s head as Rione pressed fingers against the woman’s throat. She bowed her head. “She’s dead.”

I looked at the pool of blood again, and my gut instinct screamed. My eyes went wide and I grabbed Rione’s arm. “It’s a trap!”

“Right you are...” A familiar voice carried in from elsewhere in the room. My skin crawled.

“Elijah?”

Hope you enjoyed it! (And if you don't know who Elijah is, why not pick up a copy of Friends in Deed?) If so, pick up a copy of All Good Things from the link above. And of course, be sure to check out all of the fabulous SFFS snippets through the link at the top of this post.