For everyone who loved Gena Showalter's The STONE PRINCE, here's a teaser from her latest release... another Must-Read!
He is a Dragon, a rare breed of warriors able to transform into the
legendary creature at will.
Though the mighty warlord breathes fear into the minds of his enemies and fire into the blood of his women, no one has ever stirred his heart -- until he encounters Grace Carlyle of modern day Earth.
He burns to possess this proud, alluring beauty . . . but he has sworn to
kill her.
Set in the mythological world of Atlantis, where the gods' hid their
greatest mistakes - the vampires, demons, minotaurs, dragons and too many others to name - Darius en Kragin is the fiercest creature of all. But this immortal warrior is unprepared for Grace and soon finds himself caught between sizzling white-hot passion and duty.
"Sexy, funny, and downright magical!" New York Times bestselling author Katie MacAlister
"Sexy and sparkling," Award winning author Robin D. Owens
EXCERPT FROM STAR DUST by debut author ANN O'BANNON
CHANCE or DESTINY?
Captain David Alexander, of the NASA space shuttle Independence, awoke after seven years in cryogenic stasis to discover he wouldn't survive the trip home. Then, in answer to prayer, a UFO was sighted in the vicinity of the Titan moon... To his chagrin, Commander Zara Darien, of the Shimuran Starship Command, royally botches 'First Contact' when she shoots him from the stars...
With no foundation for trust, find out how they overcome their animosity, join forces and alter Earth's future. In so doing, they unknowingly take the first step in fulfilling a thousand year old prophecy -The Shimuran Legacy has begun.
COMING SEPTEMBER 2005
ISBN# 1-904492-82-7
FOR DETAILS VISIT:
www.annobannon.com
or e-mail Ann at:annobannon@rogers.com
STAR DUST
Chapter One
Earth date, December 3, 2018:
Finally, after seven years the space shuttle Independence closed on its destination: Saturn.
A loud click, followed by a series of rapid beeps, broke the unmitigated silence. Moments later, a myriad of diodes blinked into existence, illuminating the dusty console with pinpricks of red light signifying a series of subprograms had come online. They flickered, changing to amber and then to green, once a thorough diagnostic certified all equipment was functioning within normal parameters. New sensor readings were taken and sent through a series of satellites, to Earth currently one-point-two billion kilometers away.
A long delay ensued before an encrypted response came back.
First, the internal environment reactivated, sucking the thick stale air through a series of filtration systems to clean and sterilize the dormant habitat. Next, a subprogram established a stable environment suitable for maintaining life. The console beeped a second time, initiating the final sequence: A rich mixture of oxygen, spiked with anesthetic filled the closet-sized glass chamber. Then, warm fluids flowed through various intravenous tubes to initiate the slow process of thawing the precious contents.
Excruciating pain invaded Captain David Alexander's consciousness, jarring him awake. Fire and ice coursed through his veins, inducing muscle cramps throughout his body. In severe agony, he gritted his teeth until the welcome blackness overcame his senses once more.
A bright shimmering radiance filled the room, glittering with a life of its own. The light danced, and swirled, morphing into a womanly shape with long blond hair, flowing white garments, and impressive golden wings. She waved her arm, and time stopped abruptly.
Arianna stepped through the glass of the stasis chamber and enveloped David's frozen body within her wings. The angel drew on her spirited powers, intervening before death's cold hand claimed her charge. She pressed her ethereal lips against his mouth, filled his lungs with life and strengthened his failing heart.
"Awake my child," she beckoned.
David sucked in a deep breath then exhaled with a pain filled moan. His teeth started chattering and his body shook uncontrollably. Pain singed his nerves as if the hounds of hell were nipping at his flesh. Utter terror beset him, and a surge of adrenaline helped him break free of the oppressive, stifling nightmare.
"Shhh," Arianna whispered. "Your destiny draws near."
With a flap of her wings, she restored time to its rightful schedule.
Warm, gentle arms held him lovingly, and a soft feminine voice sang sweetly in his ear. David ceased struggling and relaxed against the soft downy pillow while her musical voice droned on.
The angel placed her palm against David's brow, infusing her ethereal energy with his life force to awaken long dormant characteristics that had been passed down from generation to generation, waiting for this exact moment in time, to give birth to a legacy.
Commander Zara Darien of the Shimuran Starship Command (SSC) sipped her steaming cup of chahooa while gazing out the main viewport. As usual, the hot beverage provided a sufficient amount of stimulant to kick-start her brain. Good thing too, because she despised getting up this early, and wanted to depart Vega's orbit as soon as possible. This area of space always brought back painful memories that she'd rather forget.
"Hurry up, dad," she muttered impatiently.
Zara took another sip and followed the progress of a Vegarian shuttle, ascending from the planet's surface. She sighed with relief when it docked with Xaviour, confirming the cessation of trade talks. It wouldn't take long before the flagship was ready to depart.
A long wispy trail of vapor blemished the horizon, drawing her attention.
She closed her eyes and counted to ten, before opening them again. The comet remained, bound to the gravity of Vega's sun. Thankfully it traveled away from her position, because she despised them. Comets were either harbingers of change, or catastrophe. But to her, they were a painful reminder of her short-lived childhood and unhappy past.
Twelve annums had passed since her mother left for an Alliance convention, never to return home. Five hundred Shimuran women perished that fateful day when the starcruiser, Napier, was brutally attacked and destroyed by Morian pirates in this Spirit forsaken Quasar system.
She wiped a stray tear from her eye and cursed her tender emotions. Her father, Vice-Admiral Raymond Darien, would frown upon such weakness. He didn't understand that the pain of loosing her mother was not easily forgotten. That memory was etched in her mind, fresh as the day it happened....
Her father returned to Shimura for the memorial service, taking custody of her and Caradoc Rimon, the admiral's son. They were two motherless children who suddenly became the last in their line. As third ranking officer in the SSC, he didn't trust anyone else with their care. He secured permission to bring them aboard Xaviour, the Shimuran flagship. Then, in a rare moment of tenderness, he held her on his knee while they ascended into the stars.
Xaviour intercepted a comet that day, and under his command, the ship raced alongside while he filled her head with mystical stories of falling stars and wishes that would come true, if you believed with all your heart, in the magic of star dust. He took the time to explain how Aslynn, her loving mother, now lived in the eternal valley of spirits with Caradoc's mother and sister.
No matter how many times Zara wished on a comet, her mother never returned.
She had been a young, impressionable girl, forced to live amongst men, deprived of all female interaction. Accordingly, she hung up her skirt, donned a flight suit and never looked back.
At ten annums, she gave up her foolish wishing on stars and took her frustrations out on Caradoc, her only friend, and surrogate brother. He taught her how to fight, in return Zara taught him how to enjoy life and get into trouble. Together, they terrorized Xaviour's crew. Only three annums older, he lived under constant scrutiny, as he struggled to measure up to his father's expectations. His lineage demanded he be groomed and ready to take leadership of Shimura when his father retired.
Zara grinned at the fond memories, and the sadistic pleasure she took in using him as a punching bag.
Thanks to Caradoc, and the constant pressure he'd put on his grandfather, Fleet Admiral Donovan Rimon, Zara graduated pilot training and became the first woman sworn into the SSC. Her achievement was instrumental in bringing equality back to the sheltered women of Shimura. Then, when she came of age, her father presented her with her first command, and her very own starship. She named it Stardust, in memory of falling stars, lost dreams and her own personal wish for a happier future. Overnight, the single-crew, armed escort vessel became her sanctuary, offering her independence and freedom from the male dominated flagship.
"Commander, several ships have entered the Quasar system," MAI, the artificially intelligent computer informed. "They're not responding to our hail."
A prickling sensation coursed down her back, igniting a spark of fear. Securing her mug, she leaned forward and panned the starry expanse beyond Vega. Unable to see any telltale signs, she slumped against her seat, frustrated. "How many are there?"
"Six in total: Five two-man fighters and one older starclass battle-cruiser, all Morian in origin."
"Zorn, a pack of pirates!" She snapped her safety harness in place. "Open communications with Xaviour."
"Communications established," the AI intoned.
"Red alert! We have six Morian ships on an intercept course."
Vice-Admiral Raymond Darien returned the hail. "Affirmative, we have them on our scanners now. We are initiating our phantom shields. Until a temporal bore-hole is secured, your sole responsibility is to defend us."
"Yes, sir." Zara watched the flagship fade into a translucent blur, eventually vanishing completely.
She donned her combat visor in preparation of battle and plugged it into her armrest. "MAI, initiate a complete interface with the helmet and power up the weapons array. Raise the defensive shields to max." Her vision blurred. She strained to refocus, ordering herself to relax. After several deep, calming breaths the visor clarified into an intricate gridwork. She moved her head in all four directions double checking her scope and depth perception in relationship to the artificial horizon.
"Interface is complete."
"Confirmed." Zara shifted in her seat, squared her shoulders and prepared for a confrontation. "Relinquish helm and weapons control to the pilot's seat."
"You now have the navcom and weapons are at your disposal."
Zara tested the helm controls, angling and dangling Stardust from side to side, followed by a sharp vertical three-sixty. Satisfied with the ship's performance, she rechecked the enemy's position and hailed the flagship. "Stardust to Xaviour, come in."
"Go ahead, Stardust." Her father's voice boomed loud and clear.
"Admiral, enemy fighters are fanning out. Battle appears imminent."
"Fall back. Hold them off until you're cleared to proceed into the temporal corridor," Admiral Darien ordered.
"Acknowledged."
A black haze shadowed the stars, darkening and increasing in diameter. The blackness became agitated, swirling and churning in a counter clockwise direction as a spatial rift formed.
Pulling hard to port, Zara placed Stardust between Xaviour and the oncoming threat.
"Enemy is now in range," MAI paused, "sensors indicate the battle-cruiser is gearing up to fire."
PRAISE FOR ANN O'BANNON
"What a story! What a romance! Vivid, heart-pounding action, a thought-provoking premise, and a fast paced, compelling read. STAR DUST is a memorable debut novel. Watch out for Ann O'Bannon!" Rowena Cherry, Award Winning author of FORCED MATE
"Ann O'Bannon's debut novel sparks with passion in a star-studded adventure. From its gripping start to gratifying finish, STAR DUST sweeps you to a universe of adventure and promise." Nancy Cane, Award-Winning Author of STARLIGHT CHILD
TOP
Romantic science fiction fans will want to read this powerful deep tale (and its predecessor FORCED MATE). The story line loaded with non-stop action .... Rowena Cherry is one of the best sub-genre writers due to her skill at placing the heroic characters in impossible scenarios as she has with the delightful MATING NET.
