Are the Defenders afraid of a tiny creature? Read an #excerpt from GIB AND THE TIBBAR #scifirom #romance #GalacticDefenders

Hello! I hope you are enjoying the excerpts I've shared this month. Today, since it's Monday, I'm going back to the Galactic Defenders series with an excerpt from GIB AND THE TIBBAR. This story was originally published as part of the Pets In Space anthology, Embrace the Romance. And since that anthology is no longer available, I published it on my own. It is available for only 99¢ USD. Happy reading!

Excpert from GIB AND THE TIBBAR

Galactic Defenders book three

A small, furry white creature scampered between the Defenders and the fire. Gib yanked his feet back and gasped. He tried to follow the path the animal took, and when it disappeared into the grassy field, he relaxed a little. Not that he was afraid, only startled by the sudden appearance of the critter.

But his watch partner reacted differently. The cowardly Defender stood on his bench, reaching for a low branch on the ropral tree as if to lift himself farther off the ground. “What in Gaspra was that? No one told me about any deadly creatures on this planet.”

Gib laughed and slapped his hand on his lap. “I wouldn’t call the fluffy little thing that raced by us a deadly creature.”

“Okay, Hemera is infested with vermin, then.” Zair examined the area around him before he dared put a foot on the ground.

A high-pitched squeak sounded, and Gib’s surveillance partner returned to reaching for the branches. The little creature stood on its hind legs below Zair’s bench, peeping as if telling him off.

Gib couldn’t hold in his laughter. Not just at the other Defender’s reaction, but also the thoughts running through Zair’s mind, thoughts he’d failed to block in his fear.

“It’s not going to eat you.” Gib shook his head, wondering how his squad mate could see the creature as dangerous. “Would you please get down from there? Defenders are supposed to be brave and fierce. Right now, you’re neither.”

“Go to Gaspra, Mingot. And stay out of my head.” He yanked his plazer from his hip holster and aimed it at the critter. “If I don’t destroy it, it will bring death to everyone on this planet.”

Stepping into the line of fire, Gib yanked the weapon from his squad mate, thankful the safety remained on. “You’re being ridiculous. Besides, if you fire your weapon, you’ll cause a panic. The Hemera will think Erebus have arrived.”

The frightened Defender shook a foot at the creature. “Fine, then. Kick it into the fire. Or you could stomp on it.”

“Don’t you dare!” A Hemera woman burst from the bushes, storming toward Zair like a mother rehn protecting her young. She shoved him off his bench and shouldered past Gib before scooping the noisy creature into her hand. “This is my tibbar, not some kind of vermin.”

“Tibbar? Try nasty rodent that tried to eat me.” Zair smoothed out his uniform but kept his distance from the creature now perched on the woman’s shoulder.

“You’re both on nehbred.” She kicked dirt at them, her pink lips pursed and her dark eyes set in a deadly stare. “You don’t know what you’re talking about when it comes to my pet or my planet.”

About GIB AND THE TIBBAR:

A dedicated Defender to the core, Gib is willing to go to any planet the Galactic Alliance sends him. That is, until he’s sent with his squad to Hemera for their Alorama ceremony, far from any threat of Erebus invasion and with no chance for promotion.

Vilarra has lived on Hemera all her life, working hard in the kitchens of the royal palace until she achieved lead hand. But learning of the universe beyond her world reveals her insignificance and shreds her sense of accomplishment and purpose.

With the help of a furry, little tibbar, Gib is determined to win the affection of Vilarra, prove to her how significant she is to him and the people who depend on her. But will his personal mission be cut short before he has the chance to win her heart?

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Defender training isn't going as Tayrym & Guri expected. Read a snippet from TAYRYM #scifirom #romance #LGBTQ #8Sunday

Hello and welcome to another Weekend Writing Warriors post!

Thank you to everyone who came to visit me last weekend! TAYRYM, the fourth Galactic Defenders story, is now available! 

Set-up: In last week's snippet, Tayrym and Guri said goodbye to their "family" and friends before leaving for Defender training. Now they are training and things aren't going as they'd planned. (Edited from original to fit.)

Tayrym reached out for Guri’s hand as they passed each other, Tayrym on his way to simulation training while Guri headed somewhere else. Probably to run the obstacle course. That brief interaction of whispered I love yous and his palm brushing along the sweaty palm of his boyfriend would likely be the only contact they’d have that day. Their time together on the carrier had passed far too quickly. Spending time making love and lying in bed while discussing their hopes for the future had quickly become rushing through courses and simulations when they’d reached Kalara, eating only darobars so they kept somewhat healthy. But not together. As soon as they’d reached the planet with their trans chips implanted behind their ears, they’d been split up, none of the newly-installed bunkhouses with more than one empty bed, and no one willing to move so he and Guri could be together. It wasn’t as if their trainers cared, either, reciting over and over, “Defenders don’t have time for the drama of a relationship.”

He didn’t believe that, well aware that Bryce had hooked up with Queen Lalia when he was still a Defender; and Jager and Katrina were part of the same squadron when they got together. He just had to wait, get through training, and then he’d be reunited with Guri.

Tayrym has dreamed of becoming a Galactic Defender since meeting the infamous Bryce when he was just a boy. Finally an adult and awaiting the day cycle he is set to leave for training, Tayrym learns his long-time crush shares his affections. Now, he’s unsure whether he wants to leave, which dream matters more.

With the threat of being sent away for his sexuality haunting him, Guri keeps his feelings for his former classmate to himself. Even with a new progressive ruler on Hemera, he still hides his attraction to the young man. But when he catches the other shadowing him, Guri decides to take a chance. The only problem is, the man of his desire is leaving the planet soon. Possibly forever.

With obstacle after obstacle in their path, will Tayrym and Guri ever have a chance to be happy together? Or are they destined to fulfill their dreams light years apart?

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Frey shows his true self to Carrie. Read an #excerpt from CELESTIAL SEDUCTION #scifirom #alienromance #romance

Hello! Today I'm sharing the first story that I had published, Celestial Seduction. Happy reading!

Excerpt from CELESTIAL SEDUCTION

No, aliens don’t exist. Or did they? How else could she explain the blue light from his hands and the resulting sensations she’d felt inside? And how could he do things the doctors could not? 

If his words were true, she should run away, get as far away from him as possible before he began experimenting on her. Or had he already? But none of his actions brought her any harm. He’d only held her down and kissed her to keep her calm. And maybe even given her the chance to become a mother. 

But oh, that kiss. 

And now, he sat on the other side of the room, giving her space and time to think things through. 

But he doesn’t look like an alien! Why would he make that up though? What would he gain? 

“Frey?” 

He looked over, his eyes empty, hollow. She’d never seen anyone look as sad without shedding a tear, quite the transformation from the confident human she’d seen enter the room hours earlier. 

Guilt overwhelmed her for wanting an answer to the question in her head, but she asked anyway. “Is that what you really look like? I mean, you’re like the perfect male specimen.” 

She hoped he’d respond with a smile, but he just shook his head, eyes cast down. “It’s just an illusion created to help us fit in on Earth.” 

She hid her panic, but her mind raced with thoughts of an alien invasion. “Us? There’s more like you?” 

“There were more of us, but everyone else returned to Ginnun. I’m the only one left on Earth.” 

Phew! “Ginnun, what’s that?” 

“My home planet.” 

“Oh, but why? Why did you come here and why did you decide to stay?” 

He glanced toward her. His eyes no longer held any color, their blackness appearing wet. “We came here to learn. The disguise is to prevent spreading fear and violence with our arrival. We mean no harm, but as my kind has travelled through space over the centuries, we have never been met with peace.” 

She could understand why. Most people on Earth believed aliens would only come to the planet to take over. Unsure what she believed, she trusted Frey had no intention of hurting her, he’d had plenty of opportunity already. “Again, why did you stay?” 

His eyes blinked—sideways. She tried to hide her gasp, but failed and he looked away. “Like I told you, my intended one mated with my former friend. I had no one to return to.” 

She slid to the end of the bed, wanting to get closer to him. “Don’t you have family, friends? Are humans really that interesting?” She walked toward him, curious to know and see more. 

“No one that matters.” He paused as if he noticed her getting closer. “On Ginnun, we are taught from a young age that displays of emotion are banned, not that those teachings are always successful. Parents aren’t supposed to love their children and husbands can’t show any affection for their wives. When Tandee gave herself to another, it tore me apart, but I wasn’t allowed to feel that way. After only a month here, I knew I didn’t want to return to Ginnun. I wanted to feel.” 

She stood in front of him then and held out her hands. His black eyes met hers as he wrapped her hands in his. “You’re okay with what I told you?” 

“No, but I’m trying to stay open-minded.” She tried to keep her hands from shaking even as she showed him she could handle the information. “I don’t feel like you want to hurt me though.” 

He lightly squeezed her hands, a smile forming on his lips. “I would never bring you harm.” 

Lifting one hand up, she gently placed it on the side of his face. “Will you show me what you really look like? I can see your real eyes, but I want to see the rest.”

“You won’t run away?” She winced seeing all of the confidence he’d had at the beginning of the night gone, but it made her trust him even more. “Whatever you do, please don’t scream.” 

“I promised to stay the entire night, didn’t I? And don’t worry, I don’t scream unless someone sneaks up on me, or if I see a spider. You don’t look like a spider, do you?” The very thought sent a chill through her body. 

He smiled, some of his confidence back while his human image flickered for a few seconds before completely disappearing. Unsure what to expect, she tried not to judge until she’d set eyes on his entire figure. Long, spindly fingers intertwined with hers. He tried to let go, but she held them tight. His body appeared taller and leaner than before. She saw the same black eyes, a less prominent nose and barely visible ears. His hair became jet black and appeared longer and curlier than before. Underneath luminescent scales, his skin shone a light blue. 

“So, what do you think?” His mouth quirked, revealing his uncertainty. 

Except for their color, his lips were the only thing that didn’t change. She leaned towards him, wondering if they would still feel the same. She had to stand on the tips of her toes to reach him, but wrapping her arms around his neck helped. The feel of his skin surprised her. Perhaps he didn’t have scales, but the pattern lay beneath his skin. 

He’s beautiful. 

His lips were softer, warmer. When Frey responded to her kiss, it produced an urgency inside her that pushed away any lingering fear or hesitation. His hands cradled her ass and lifted her up, closer to him. She wrapped her legs around his waist. “Why don’t we get those clothes off and see what the rest of you looks like?”

About CELESTIAL SEDUCTION:

At the end of his obligated commitment to the Space Service, Frey Berger decides to stay on Earth to further experience human emotions rather than return to Ginnun where his intended has already mated with another. Looking for real love and someone to accept him for what he is, Frey enlists in Madame Evangeline’s popular dating service. Although he does not understand the concept of a one-night stand, he hopes to find his perfect mate.

Carrie Cooper’s husband divorced her for someone who could provide him with children, leaving her with little self-confidence and no desire to let a man hurt her again. Her best friend convinces her to join a dating service, claiming Carrie needs to get laid, while not winding up with a broken heart since her date requires no commitment after the night is over.

Although several misunderstandings nearly derail them before the date has even begun, Carrie and Frey end up becoming closer than they ever believed possible. Still, Frey will need to convince Carrie that her perfect mate isn’t human at all, and that one night can lead to a forever love.

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