I
just turned in to the editor the manuscript of my 35,000 words novella,
AKIRA'S CHOICE, part of the Borealis Space Station novellas. It's
sci-fi, it's romance, it's action and adventure. Never a dull moment.
The eBook is scheduled for release September 1, 2013, from Desert Breeze
Publishing.
I
particularly enjoyed writing this story, set, like all the Borealis
stories, on the decrepit space station at the fringe of conquered space.
For the reader, it's like watching episodes of Deep Space Nine or
Babylon Five, This story will be number Nine (IX) in the series, but
each story can be read independently, since each new installment
features a different couple.
AKIRA'S CHOICE features another kick-butt heroine, a bounty hunter with a cheetah, and a handsome rebel protecting a child.
My last contribution to this series was BLACK DRAGON, featuring a female security officer and a rebel disguised as a dandy.
The covers for this series are all alike, only the title and author varies, so look for the same type of cover in September.
Here is what Akira's Choice is about:
Bounty
hunter Akira Karyudo knew something didn't add up when she accepted her
assignment. Why would the Trans Planetary Protectorate want a kidnapped
orphan dead or alive?
She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the BOREALIS space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the man is not what she expects.
Markku, a decorated rebel soldier, only protects his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Borealis, he hides the child. But how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the decrepit space station?
Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the BOREALIS space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the man is not what she expects.
Markku, a decorated rebel soldier, only protects his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Borealis, he hides the child. But how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the decrepit space station?
Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
EXCERPT:
"Go after that cat and you're dead!" The strong baritone voice came from a tall man aiming a blaster at the two thugs.
He stepped out of the shadows, in full paramilitary gear. His left hand held a long knife. He sidled toward Akira, circling the thugs, who started to retreat at the sight of his blaster.
"Mind your own business." Akira didn't appreciate unwanted help.
The man stepped closer. "These goons know nothing about civilized rules of fighting. They want your body, your hide, your cat for its meat, and your armor and weapons."
"I know that." Who did this man think she was? A neophyte? "There is no honor in killing defenseless creatures."
"There is no honor in this place." His gaze skimmed the sorry lot holding an assortment of blades and clubs, some with protruding metal spikes. "Believe me, they are far from defenseless."
The thugs kept their distance from the blaster aimed at them, but they did not retreat.
"Still. I refuse to kill, if there is another way." None of those rejects would threaten her individually, but their number could present a challenge. As more joined the group, she counted two dozen.
The louts glanced at one another with indecision. At least, they understood the warning. She was trained and dangerous. Not to be trifled with. They widened their half circle in front of her, still hesitating, but they held their ground. Chikusho.
In a few long steps, the stranger joined her side. From his walk and the way he held his weapons, she could tell he had military training. He didn't look like a TPP soldier, though. Something wild lurked in his clear blue gaze. A free thinker. A bounty hunter like her? Or perhaps a rebel?
"You look like you could use some help."
"Do I?" Unbelievable. "Why should I trust you?" She couldn't help the derision in her voice. "For all I know, you could be their leader, luring me into a trap."
He chuckled and shook his head. "I'm not one of them, and you are in more trouble than you know."
"Get out of my way." Akira clicked open the defensive claws of her forearm braces then unsheathed a titanium short sword and adopted a defensive stance. "I work alone."
He laughed. "And I'm telling you, this is no place for a warrior from a distant past. Especially, one who cares about something as futile as honor."
Find these everywhere eBooks are sold. Here are the links to my author page on the major sites:
HAPPY READING.
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
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