#WeWriWa - THE CHAMELEON: A Fiance?

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors where authors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here. 

I'm sharing snippets from my science fiction romance, THE CHAMELEON (An Outer Rim Novel). In last week's snippet, Jileena's father informed her of a major discovery of a rare mineral. 

Please excuse the wonky punctuation that was done to keep within the guidelines.

“Baby, I’m sending you to Galeria 7 to check out this discovery.”

“To the Outer Rim?” Jileena’s jaw dropped—while her father had sent her on discreet missions before, he’d never sent her that far from the Central Planets.

“You will check the site and do your own analysis. If, indeed, it is high-grade lambidium,” he said, “you will negotiate mining rights with the local tribe.”

“M-Me?”

“I can't send Sindaro--discretion is imperative, no one will suspect you going out to the Rim for anything other than a vacation.”

When he paused, hope began to trickle through her. He’d never had her negotiate anything as important as mining rights, and now he was giving her a chance—a chance to prove herself.

“With your fiancé,” he added.

She groaned, “About this fiancé—tell me it’s someone I know.”

Legally Blond meets Mata Hari

Socialite Jileena Winslott has perfected the image of the spoiled, rich, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In reality, she’s a smart, savvy aide to her father in social situations where she is his eyes and ears. She yearns to be her true self and run the family business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she has the chance to prove herself. Big problem. He insists she take along a fake fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.

Security Officer Laning Servary has better things to do than babysit a spoiled rich girl on a tour of the Frontier. If he refuses, he can kiss his career good-by. Then Jileena’s father sweetens the pot. If Laning keeps her safe, his family will receive the land they share-crop. He can’t refuse.

In the close quarters of her ship, Laning and Jileena discover they aren’t who they seem. Pirates, weather, and her recklessness threaten to derail the mission. As Laning and Jileena revise their impressions of each other, they’ll have to make hard choices about their goals. Can their budding love survive?

Final Week: Science fiction and paranormal romance writers are donating 25% of their royalties for the month of May from their special Blue Cover books to the ALS Association, an organization dedicated to providing ALS patients and their families with a multitude of different types of assistance, and continuing research to find a cure for this deadly disease..

I'm donating 25% of my royalties from my sci-fi romance, The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel) to ALSA in memory of Stephen Hawking. Despite the debility of ALS, he accomplished so much in the field of physics and cosmology.

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Back to Weekend Writing Warriors: be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors. 

#WeWriWa - THE CHAMELEON: Important News

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors where authors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here. 

I'm sharing snippets from my science fiction romance, THE CHAMELEON (An Outer Rim Novel). Upon arriving outside her father's office, she runs into Pilad Sindaro (the jerk from the elevator) who recognizes her this time, and asks her for a date. She refuses him, as she's done many times before. She repeats the incident to her father.

“Baby, Baby, would it hurt you to be nice to him?” Daddy's oft-repeated refrain.

She didn’t know why she disliked the man Daddy thought walked on water, but something about Sindaro just didn’t sit well with her.

“Is that what you want?” At the slight flush on her father’s face, she groaned, “Oh, puh-leeze.”

“I’ve never interfered in your life, Baby—”

Oh, right, never interfered—you’ve been running my life since Mother died, turning me into a fluff-brained idiot.

“—I just want to see you happy. Now enough about that, I have important news—Lambidium has been discovered on Galeria 7.”

Holy crazik, what a discovery—Lambidium was such a rare mineral that its worth was measured in micro-grams.

Blurb

Legally Blond meets Mata Hari

Socialite Jileena Winslott has perfected the image of the spoiled, rich, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In reality, she’s a smart, savvy aide to her father in social situations where she is his eyes and ears. She yearns to be her true self and run the family business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she has the chance to prove herself. Big problem. He insists she take along a fake fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.

Security Officer Laning Servary has better things to do than babysit a spoiled rich girl on a tour of the Frontier. If he refuses, he can kiss his career good-by. Then Jileena’s father sweetens the pot. If Laning keeps her safe, his family will receive the land they share-crop. He can’t refuse.

In the close quarters of her ship, Laning and Jileena discover they aren’t who they seem. Pirates, weather, and her recklessness threaten to derail the mission. As Laning and Jileena revise their impressions of each other, they’ll have to make hard choices about their goals. Can their budding love survive?

During the month of May, 12 science fiction and paranormal romance writers are donating 25% of their royalties for their special Blue Cover books to the ALS Association, an organization dedicated to providing ALS patients and their families with a multitude of different types of assistance, and continuing research to find a cure for this deadly disease..

I'm donating 25% of my royalties from my sci-fi romance, The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel) to ALSA in memory of Stephen Hawking. Despite the debility of ALS, he accomplished so much in the field of physics and cosmology.

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors. 

Monday Morning Musing: Mini-Vacay & a Parade

Did you enjoy Mother's Day? My family made sure I did. Dinner with daughter's family, breakfast with son's, a walk along the channel leading to Lake Michigan. The weather wasn't so great, but at least it wasn't raining.

https://www.bayshore-resort.com/

https://www.bayshore-resort.com/

Last week, Hubs and I took a mini-vacation. A couple of days up in Traverse City. We stayed at the Bayshore Resort right on Grand Traverse Bay. In fact, our room had a balcony with lawn chairs where we could watch the wildlife--a pair of geese and their babies plus plenty of seagulls--and enjoy the quiet lull of the waves. Since Traverse City is about a three-hour drive north of us, I expected the weather to be cooler. On our first day, the sun was shining and the temp reached the high 70s. Delightful. Second day was cooler by a couple of degrees and the sun played hide-and-seek with the clouds. That night the rain came and didn't let up until we were almost home.

It was great getting away for a couple of days. I found the hotel on Groupon, which had a great rate. May is not a heavy tourist month in northern Michigan. Still, we had a fun time. Many shops hadn't opened for the summer yet. My favorite one in Leland called Two Fish Gallery was. 

I found my Mother's Day gift there--from Hubs. He just didn't know it until I told him. He and the clerk had a good laugh over him saying I wasn't his mother so he didn't need to get me a gift. It's called an art pole and goes in garden. I think it will go on my deck instead.

We got home in time to go to the Kinderparade, part of Holland's Tulip Time Festival. Oldest granddaughter marched along with her 5th grade class. The Kinderparade is the only one of the three big parade's during the festival that we attend. On the way back to our car, I found a food truck offering oliebollens. I mentioned them in last week's post. I said the Dutch pastry had about a thousand calories. I was wrong. More like two thousand, with the choice of lemon, Bavarian cream, or chocolate filling. But, oh my, was it good. I did share with Hubs, so maybe I didn't eat all those calories. And doesn't sharing mean all the calories drop off?

This is blog-week. Somehow, the middle of the month always catches me unawares. Besides my regular Weekend Writing Warrior blog, Sunday was the 13th and that meant my monthly blog on Paranormal Romantics. How could I write about anything other than Mother's Day? Wednesday is double-duty day. My 3rd Wednesday of the month Family Life column on Pandora's Box Gazette will be about Date Night, and since it's also the 16th, my regular blogging date on The Roses of Prose. I haven't written that post yet, so it will be a surprise. LOL

In between all that, I'm finishing the first draft for Numbers Never Lie, the romantic suspense that is taking for-ev-er to complete. After the writing retreat I went to a couple of weekends ago, I got so many ideas for that story, thanks to our speaker Jennifer Probst, that will make my story better.

One more thing this week: I'll be at the Saranac (Michigan) Public Library for Ladies Night Out on Thursday. If you're in the mid-Michigan area, I hope you'll stop by and say hi.

I guess that's it for this week's edition of Monday Morning Musing. Have a great week.

PS Don't forget that during the month of May, 25% of the proceeds from my science fiction romance The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel) will go to the ALS Association. You can read snippets from The Chameleon on Weekend Writing Warriors this month.

#WeWriWa - The Chameleon: Quick Change Artist

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors where authors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here. 

I'm sharing snippets from my science fiction romance, THE CHAMELEON (An Outer Rim Novel). While Jileena works undercover in her father's company and he wants her in his office, she races to obey.

Jileena made good time in the sanitary, stripping down to her underwear and ripping off the brown wig. After finger-combing her flattened, blonde hair, she threw on the white shintung outfit and straightened its short shirt. Before picking up her racket, she glanced in the mirror.

Crazik. Hastily, she washed off the heavy makeup that disguised her fair complexion. One more look. Crazik, crazik, crazik. She popped out the brown lenses then blinked her baby greens several times.

Racing out a back door then around to the front of the building made her sweaty enough to look like she really had been racing around a shintung court. Using her racket, she waved to the guard on duty who grinned and waved back.

Legally Blond meets Mata Hari

Socialite Jileena Winslott has perfected the image of the spoiled, rich, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In reality, she’s a smart, savvy aide to her father in social situations where she is his eyes and ears. She yearns to be her true self and run the family business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she has the chance to prove herself. Big problem. He insists she take along a fake fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.

Security Officer Laning Servary has better things to do than babysit a spoiled rich girl on a tour of the Frontier. If he refuses, he can kiss his career good-by. Then Jileena’s father sweetens the pot. If Laning keeps her safe, his family will receive the land they share-crop. He can’t refuse.

In the close quarters of her ship, Laning and Jileena discover they aren’t who they seem. Pirates, weather, and her recklessness threaten to derail the mission. As Laning and Jileena revise their impressions of each other, they’ll have to make hard choices about their goals. Can their budding love survive?

During the month of May, 12 science fiction and paranormal romance writers are donating 25% of their royalties for their special Blue Cover books to the ALS Association, an organization dedicated to providing ALS patients and their families with a multitude of different types of assistance, and continuing research to find a cure for this deadly disease..

I'm donating 25% of my royalties from my sci-fi romance, The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel) to ALSA in memory of Stephen Hawking. Despite the debility of ALS, he accomplished so much in the field of physics and cosmology.

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors. 

#TulipTime #Authors4ALSA

It's a beautiful Monday morning here in West Michigan. The sun is shining, the temp is in the high 60s, low humidity. And it's Tulip Time. West Michigan was settled by the Dutch in the 1800s. The settlers brought bits of home as a reminder of their origins, including tulips. 

After the winter that was, I didn't think the tulips would be blooming in time for the annual festival. (One year, the tulips bloomed too soon, so they called it Stem Fest.)

Holland, Michigan (on the east coast of Lake Michigan) goes all out for Tulip Time. Parades, Kloppen dancing in the streets, crafts, music, food. OMG, FOOD! Maybe I should've waited until after the festival before joining Weight Watchers. Lots of Dutch specialties--like pigs-in-a-blanket, giant (the size of a baseball) meatballs & mashed potatoes with kale covered with gravy, oliebollen (delicious doughnut-like pastry with about a thousand calories).

At the marktplaats, you can buy Dutch treats, memorabilia, wooden shoes, and many more items that you don't need but are so cute, lovely, unusual you can't resist.

They also have the usual carnival rides and "fair food" like elephant ears, popcorn, etc.

If you want to know more, click here.

www.leakirk.com/supporting-als.html

During the month of May, twelve science fiction and paranormal romance writers are donating 25% of their royalties for their special Blue Cover books to the ALS Association, an organization dedicated to providing ALS patients and their families with a multitude of different types of assistance, and continuing research to find a cure for this deadly disease..

I'm donating 25% of my royalties from my sci-fi romance, The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel) to ALSA in memory of Stephen Hawking. Despite the debility of ALS, he accomplished so much in the field of physics and cosmology.

Legally Blond meets Mata Hari

Socialite Jileena Winslott has perfected the image of the spoiled, rich, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In reality, she’s a smart, savvy aide to her father in social situations where she is his eyes and ears. She yearns to be her true self and run the family business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she has the chance to prove herself. Big problem. He insists she take along a fake fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.

Security Officer Laning Servary has better things to do than babysit a spoiled rich girl on a tour of the Frontier. If he refuses, he can kiss his career good-by. Then Jileena’s father sweetens the pot. If Laning keeps her safe, his family will receive the land they share-crop. He can’t refuse.

In the close quarters of her ship, Laning and Jileena discover they aren’t who they seem. Pirates, weather, and her recklessness threaten to derail the mission. As Laning and Jileena revise their impressions of each other, they’ll have to make hard choices about their goals. Can their budding love survive?

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Have a great week!

#WeWriWa - The Chameleon: Oust Him or Die Trying #Authors4ALSA

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors where authors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here. 

I'm sharing snippets from my science fiction romance, THE CHAMELEON (An Outer Rim Novel).

Legally Blond meets Mata Hari

Socialite Jileena Winslott has perfected the image of the spoiled, rich, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In reality, she’s a smart, savvy aide to her father in social situations where she is his eyes and ears. She yearns to be her true self and run the family business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she has the chance to prove herself. Big problem. He insists she take along a fake fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.

Security Officer Laning Servary has better things to do than babysit a spoiled rich girl on a tour of the Frontier. If he refuses, he can kiss his career good-by. Then Jileena’s father sweetens the pot. If Laning keeps her safe, his family will receive the land they share-crop. He can’t refuse.

In the close quarters of her ship, Laning and Jileena discover they aren’t who they seem. Pirates, weather, and her recklessness threaten to derail the mission. As Laning and Jileena revise their impressions of each other, they’ll have to make hard choices about their goals. Can their budding love survive?

Here's the end of last week's snippet:

When the elevator opened, a large man stood squarely in the middle of the spacious lift. Pilad Sindaro, his arms folded behind his back. With barely a glance, he dismissed her—the frump who worked in accounting.

This week's snippet picks up right after.

“Are you getting in?” he said without moving. “I am late for a meeting.”

Jerk. Jileena thought of several more colorful expletives to call him. “Sorry, sir,” she mumbled, head and eyes down as she scooted around him.

During her covert internship in various departments she’d managed to avoid close encounters with the Chief Operating Officer of her family’s business. Temporary COO. By the stars, she would oust him or die trying.

How overly dramatic. Just what everyone expected from Daddy’s Little Girl.

During the month of May, 12 science fiction and paranormal romance writers are donating 25% of their royalties for their special Blue Cover books to the ALS Association, an organization dedicated to providing ALS patients and their families with a multitude of different types of assistance, and continuing research to find a cure for this deadly disease..

I'm donating 25% of my royalties from my sci-fi romance, The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel) to ALSA in memory of Stephen Hawking. Despite the debility of ALS, he accomplished so much in the field of physics and cosmology.

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors. 

#IWSG - Spring - #ThinkBlue4ALSA

It's the 1st Wednesday of May. Happy Insecure Writers Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. And thanks to this month's awesome hosts:  E.M.A. Timar, J. Q. Rose, C.Lee McKenzie, and Raimey Gallant!

This month's Optional Question: It's spring! Does this season inspire you to write more than others, or not?

Absolutely! I’ve mentioned having the winter blahs—think it was more depression.Then, I got pneumonia. So when Spring came along, the sunshine made me feel more energetic. Daughter said I need a “happy” lamp. I plan to get one so this doesn’t happen next winter. 

I love Spring. Everything is greening up. Trees have buds. Daffodils and tulips are blooming. Yesterday, it got up to 80. Last week, it was in the 30s. If the sun was shining, the temp didn’t seem as cold. Yay for sunshine.

During the month of May, 12 science fiction and paranormal romance writers are donating 25% of their royalties for their special Blue Cover books to the ALS Association, an organization dedicated to providing ALS patients and their families with a multitude of different types of assistance, and continuing research to find a cure for this deadly disease..

I'm donating 25% of my royalties from my sci-fi romance, The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel) to ALSA in memory of Stephen Hawking. Despite the debility of ALS, he accomplished so much in the field of physics and cosmology.

Blurb for The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel):

Legally Blond meets Mata Hari

Socialite Jileena Winslott has perfected the image of the spoiled, rich, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In reality, she’s a smart, savvy aide to her father in social situations where she is his eyes and ears. She yearns to be her true self and run the family business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she has the chance to prove herself. Big problem. He insists she take along a fake fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.

Security Officer Laning Servary has better things to do than babysit a spoiled rich girl on a tour of the Frontier. If he refuses, he can kiss his career good-by. Then Jileena’s father sweetens the pot. If Laning keeps her safe, his family will receive the land they share-crop. He can’t refuse.

In the close quarters of her ship, Laning and Jileena discover they aren’t who they seem. Pirates, weather, and her recklessness threaten to derail the mission. As Laning and Jileena revise their impressions of each other, they’ll have to make hard choices about their goals. Can their budding love survive?

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Check out the landing page for our Blue Cover Project to see the other participating authors:   http://www.leakirk.com/supporting-als.html

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.

Blue Cover Project - #Authors4ALSA - #Think Blue

Twelve enthusiastic science fiction romance and paranormal romance authors with fifteen terrific blue cover books supporting ALS (Lou Gehring's disease) Association. From May 1-31, 2018 these authors will donate a minimum of 25% of their sales of these books to the ALS Association, an organization dedicated to providing ALS patients and their families with a multitude of different types of assistance, and continuing research to find a cure for this deadly disease.

When I was approached by Lea Kirk (aka our fearless leader) about this project, Stephen Hawking had just passed away. Once Stephen was diagnosed with ALS, he was given maybe two years to live. He lived 50 more years. Many people would have given up when they lost all motor function, when they could only speak by using his cheek muscle. What better way to honor Stephen Hawking's tremendous influence in the world of science than to participate in our blue cover project.

I'm donating 25% of my royalties for my science fiction romance The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel) during the month of May. I chose that book because of its lovely blue cover (designed by Florence Price of The Novel Difference). Even though it is the second book in my Outer Rim series (strong women on the frontier of space), it is a stand alone book. 

Blurb:

Legally Blond meets Mata Hari

Socialite Jileena Winslott has perfected the image of the spoiled, rich, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In reality, she’s a smart, savvy aide to her father in social situations where she is his eyes and ears. She yearns to be her true self and run the family business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she has the chance to prove herself. Big problem. He insists she take along a fake fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.

Security Officer Laning Servary has better things to do than babysit a spoiled rich girl on a tour of the Frontier. If he refuses, he can kiss his career good-by. Then Jileena’s father sweetens the pot. If Laning keeps her safe, his family will receive the land they share-crop. He can’t refuse.

In the close quarters of her ship, Laning and Jileena discover they aren’t who they seem. Pirates, weather, and her recklessness threaten to derail the mission. As Laning and Jileena revise their impressions of each other, they’ll have to make hard choices about their goals. Can their budding love survive?

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Check out the landing page for our Blue Cover Project to see the other participating authors:   http://www.leakirk.com/supporting-als.html