Juggernaut - a Pets in Space 5 story

 

If Juggernaut, Laurie Green's contribution to the Pets in Space anthology, is anything to judge by, readers are in for another ripper read-fest. There's a whole lot of story in this novella parcel.

Dek Garr is a lieutenant commander, second in command of the security team for a top secret facility located in lava tunnels on the planet called La Guardia – or is it Draxis?

There's plenty of conflict in the story. Dek and her commanding officer don't get along and some of the team resent her because she's a woman but Dek does her job to the best of her ability. Then suddenly, she's left in charge as acting commander when her boss is pulled off world for… something. That's when Telon and his partner, stardog Cassie, arrive on a secret mission.

The relationship between Telon, Dek, and Cassie develops from a rocky start as they get to know more about each other – and we readers find out more about them. The lava tubes which form the setting for much of the story are well described and they also make sense as a location for the secrets they hide.

Stardog Cassie is cute as a button and I'm sure Laurie took some of her inspiration for the creature from her own miniature dachshunds. I confess, I wouldn't mind having a smart little stardog. She becomes the star of the show (as she should) when she uncovers a stunning secret that had gone undetected until she finds it. It's something that gives one to think.

Reading Juggernaut I was reminded of things happening in our real world – changing history, cancel culture, the comings and goings of Empire. And I liked the believable future technology. The main characters are sympathetic and well-rounded, with interesting back stories that give the story depth.

I specially like the ending, where Dek has an epiphany.

Yes, of course there's a HEA. It's a romance.

Have you pre-ordered your copy yet? You really should. 

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First Look at CaSandra--and Other Pets of Pets in Space® 5

So I've got art!

Our artist has once again completed the sketches of this year's Pets in Space® 5 collection, and they are as adorable as they are diverse!

Take a look for yourself:

As you can probably tell, some are alien, some bio-engineered, robotic or cyborg, and/or possible descendants of creatures that once roamed the good ol' Earth. 

Which one of these "pets" is CaSandra? (Better known by her nick--Cassie.)

It's this inquisitive little girl!

The very talented artist (who, granted, had an easier time envisioning mine, since she's StarDog creation #4) took the following guidance and created my image. 

Paraphrasing a bit here: "I need a StarDog like the others, but this one should be really alert and inquisitive because she finds something very important. Her coloring is like the previous StarDog, Maura--a solid tan with no spots or shading." 

As inspiration, I sent an image of a German Shepherd K-9 looking down at a training device while eagerly awaiting his cue, and then reminded the artist that Cassie, being dog-cat-weasel-mongoose has much shorter legs, a fluffier coat and tail, and a face that suggests all four critters she's derived from, and is female. 

I think they did a great job of interpretation, don't you?

For reference, here are StarDogs #1 through #3, in order: Katrina, Luna, and Maura. 

The first three were K-series, L-series and M-series StarDogs and/or SpyDogs (a StarDog upgrade created specifically for espionage work) whose stories all took place just prior and after Operation Reset--the major action the Network undertakes at the end of Inherit the Stars (and SpyDog, since the two books happen concurrently).

CaSandra though, is a much earlier C-series StarDog--one of the earliest prototypes. Her story takes place a full five calendars (years) before Operation Reset. In fact, at the beginning of the story, they don't even have a name for what she is yet!

And let me just add this reminder that Pets in Space® 5 in available now for pre-order, and as with all the previous Pets in Space® volumes, 10% of the royalties from ALL pre-orders and the first month's sales will go to benefit the wonderful Hero-Dogs organization, that raises and trains service dogs to provide them to disabled military vets and first responders to improve their quality of life. 

So far, Pets in Space® editions have resulted in the donation of over $15,000 to the cause, and we hope to make 2020 a truly banner year for our donation! 

You can help right now by placing a pre-order at the vendor of your choice here. 

And let me tell you, this is no ordinary anthology! Some of these stories can be up to 50,000 words--so actual novels--as well as novellas and novelettes! Pets in Space® 5 will keep you reading for days and days, if not entire weeks or more! All of the stories are standalones that will introduce you to some amazing science fiction romance series, too! 

But it will only be available for a limited time, and then the collection is gone forever, so don't miss out!

I hope you've enjoyed this visual of all the Pets in Space® pets! Which of the images most catches your eye or makes you curious to learn more?

Pets in Space™ 3 Releases Tomorrow!

It's almost time!

Every year since 2016, the organizers of the Pets in Space™ have put together original, award-winning, bestselling anthologies that feature science fiction romance stories with pets! The third edition is coming tomorrow, October 9th!

In the Pets in Space™ universe, compelling heroes and heroines join forces in adventures with their memorable pet companions--from known species like dogs, cats and birds to exotic offerings like dragons, pet robots, alien species, bio-engineered companions and even pet plants!

Pets in Space™ is now an October tradition.

Don’t miss this third collection, where some exciting new-to-the-collection bestselling authors are contributing stories this year. Pets in Space™ 3: Embrace the Passion is sure to be another smash hit with readers! (Read all the mini-blurbs below!)

Better yet, this year’s edition will again support a very worthy cause. (But hurry and grab a copy, it’s only available for a limited run, and then it’s gone forever.)

Pets In Space 3: Embrace The Passion

Release date: October 9, 2018 

(Available on Pre-Order Now)

Pets in Space™ is back! Join us as we unveil eleven original, never-before-published action-filled romances that will heat your blood and warm your heart! New York Times, USA Today and Award-winning authors

S.E. Smith

Anna Hackett

Ruby Lionsdrake

Veronica Scott

Pauline Baird Jones

Carol Van Natta

Tiffany Roberts

Alexis Glynn Latner

E D Walker

JC Hay

Kyndra Hatch

combine their love for Science Fiction Romance and pets to bring readers sexy, action-packed romances while helping our favorite charity.

Proud supporters of Hero-Dogs.org, Pets in Space™ authors have donated over $4,400 in the past two years to help place specially trained dogs with veterans. Open your hearts and grab your limited release copy of Embrace the Passion: Pets in Space™ 3 today!

Overview of Stories

HEART OF THE CAT: Sarafin Warriors Series
By S.E. Smith
Can love bridge the gap between a wounded alien warrior and the reclusive human woman who holds the future of his species inside her?

DESERT HUNTER: Galactic Gladiators Series
By Anna Hackett
Among the desert sands of an alien world, a man with secrets to hide finds himself face to face with the one woman who can bring him to his knees.

QUASHI: Mandrake Company Series
By Ruby Lionsdrake
Alien fur balls, a handsome doctor, and a little white lie create havoc for a young woman who only wanted a job.

STAR CRUISE: MYSTERY DANCER: The Sectors SF Romance Series
By Veronica Scott
A long-lost princess and her three-eyed cat seek refuge on the Nebula Zephyr only to catch the attention of an inquisitive Security Officer.

OPERATION ARK: Project Enterprise Series
By Pauline Baird Jones
A not quite routine mission to return rescued prisoners to their home worlds turns deadly for unlikely allies, a USMC Sergeant and a raised-by-robots pirate. Is the Sergeant’s unusual pet the wild card that will save or doom them?

CATS OF WAR: A Central Galactic Concordance Novella
by Carol Van Natta
A disgraced military Sub-Captain, a repair technician with secrets, and two special cats must save the day when trouble erupts at an important factory.

HUNTER OF THE TIDE: The Kraken #3
By Tiffany Roberts
Nearly broke by betrayal, a human discovers solace—and a chance for love—among the creatures he once hunted, but he must overcome prejudice and inhibition to claim the female he desires.

STARWAY
By Alexis Glynn Latner
A lonely interstellar pilot and a passenger’s mistreated consort find each other in an interstellar hotel that offers everything to satisfy its guests’ desires—even desires they didn’t know they had.

THE BAJO CATS OF ANTEROS XII
By E D Walker
Two ex-lovers, stranded in space, have to save a pair of kittens with hazardous powers before the local drug cartel catches up to them.

SHADOW OF THE PAST
By JC Hay
On a world of perpetual night, an aging ranger and a widowed veterinarian need to put aside their past to protect a pack of wolves... and their future.

AFTER THE FALL
By Kyndra Hatch
The Invaders took everything worth living for. Could an Invader show him how to live again?

BUY IT HERE!

Amazon  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon AU 

iBooks   |   Barnes & Noble   |   Kobo 

Google Play   |    Goodreads 

Favorite Childhood Pet: Guest Blog by Lea Kirk

I'm beyond enthused to be one of nine authors contributing to Pets in Space, a wonderful collection of novellas and novelettes. After all, pets + space. What could be more fun than that? But along with the fun comes adventure, aliens, intrigue, excitement and compelling romantic mayhem. We're also very proud that part of the proceeds will be donated to Hero-dogs.org who provide trained service dogs and companion animals free of charge for our veterans. For the next several weeks, Pets in Space authors will be guest blogging to share insights into their stories, pets, experiences and favorite things.

I'm very happy to have Lea Kirk, an author from Pets in Space here to guest blog about her favorite childhood pet.

_________________________________

 

Excerpt from Space Ranger, a story in the Pets in Space Anthology:

I am the dog, the guardian of this place, and I survey my domain as I lay here in my yard, warming myself in a spot of sunshine. I really love the cold-damp season the best because it rains, and rain is glorious. It makes puddles, and those are my favorite things. Although, it hasn’t rained for almost a week and now all the puddles are gone. Most disappointing. Now I have to figure out what to do for the rest of the day.

 

Some asked me recently what my favorite childhood pet was. I’ve had dogs all my life, and I have loved them all. But, there are two that achieved favorite status. I’m going to go backward chronologically. The second of my favorite pets was my dog, Indy. We adopted her when she was six-years-old, and somehow she and I quickly formed a close bond. She was my writing buddy and all around BFF for six years. She may even be my favorite of my favorites. However, I am supposed to tell you about my favorite childhood pet, and Indy came into my life when I was an adult.

The first dog to achieve favorite status is well ensconced in my childhood memories. Her name was Mai-Tai. (Yes, I swear that’s true!) I was four-year-old when my parents took me to look at a litter of “Cocker Spaniel” puppies. Notice the quotation marks? That’s how the owners had advertised puppies, as Cocker Spaniels. And it could have worked. All the puppies did look exactly like their mother, who was a Cocker. All but one, that is, who looked suspiciously like a very small black Labrador with a docked tail. Coincidently, the father of these pups was not on the premises.

Naturally, we picked the little, black, non-Cocker named Sandy and took her home.

How, you may ask, did she get the name Mai-Tai? My parents couldn’t bear calling her Sandy so they wracked their brains for a name that fit. The story I heard was that the other puppies in the litter had been named after alcoholic beverages. Brandy, Sherry, Whiskey, etc. For some unknown reason, our puppy was the only one in her litter not to be named after booze. Did I mention we lived in Hawaii at that time? My parents, in a moment of quirkiness, stuck with the theme, but put their own Hawaiian twist on it. And that’s how our new puppy came to be named Mai-Tai.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

Needless to say, Mai-Tai and Indy are only two of the dogs who have blessed my life. Hero-Dogs.org is an organization who provides canine “blessings” to our veterans. As a military daughter, sister, and sister-in-law, I am proud to part of the Pets in Space anthology. 10% of the first month’s sales for this anthology will be donated to Hero-Dogs.org.

Thanks so much for hosting me today!

____________________________



Lea Kirk is author of the Prophecy Series.
You can find her here:
Lea Kirk Website
Facebook
Twitter  @LeaKirkWrites

SPACE RANGER

By Lea Kirk

Graig Roble is the Senior Commander of security for the Guardian Fleet. His expertise as a weapons specialist and combat master is his world, what he was born to do – or so he thought until he finds his resolve and focus inexplicably wavering. Even returning to his position aboard the Atlantis can’t save him; if anything, it has left him questioning his own motives. He never thought that could happen until he met Simone Campbell.

Simone’s focus is on her home world – Earth. She thought her life was full with her research as a botanist. After all, she always believed that helping the people of her world become self-sufficient should take all of her concentration – except it doesn’t. There is one man that keeps pulling her attention, and her heart, away from her job.

Graig’s gift of a puppy to keep her company does more than that, it keeps him in her dreams. How can such a simple gift bring her comfort and make her long for more? Graig and Simone are about to find out that sometimes love can blossom from the smallest, furriest ties.

________________________________________

Pets in Space Anthology
Release Date: October 11 2016
ISBN: 978-1-942583-40-0

Join the adventure as nine pet loving sci-fi romance authors take you out of this world and pull you into their action-packed stories filled with suspense, laughter, and romance. The alien pets have an agenda that will capture the hearts of those they touch. Follow along as they work side by side to help stop a genetically-engineered creature from destroying the Earth to finding a lost dragon; life is never the same after their pets decide to get involved. Can the animals win the day or will the stars shine just a little less brightly?

New York Times, USA TODAY, Award Winning, and Best selling authors have eight original, never-released stories and one expanded story giving readers nine amazing adventures that will capture your imagination and help a worthy charity. Come join us as we take you on nine amazing adventures that will change the way you look at your pet!

10% of the first month’s profits go to Hero-Dogs.org. Hero Dogs raises and trains service dogs and places them free of charge with US Veterans to improve quality of life and restore independence.

Pets in Space Update: #Giveaway #Hero Dog Mitch

Last week saw a monumental landmark in SciFi history--the 50 Year Anniversary of the debut of the original Star Trek. And what an institution it's become, inspiring generations of scientists, rocket experts and astronauts to boldy go.

To celebrate, Facebook did a special set of emoticons just for the occasion, replacing its usual like, heart and other symbols with a starry thumbs-up, a Vulcan hand greeting, a Kirk smile, a Spock wow, a sad Geordie and an angry Klingon. Star Trek tributes, trivia and Tribbles were shared all around...and then there was this.

Star Trek meets Pets in Space (courtesy of ThinkGeek)



And that brings me to the latest Pets in Space update and announcement.

T-Minus 30 Days and counting!

The Pets in Space anthology releases on October 11th.

 

For the last month, the Pets in Space Anthology authors have been working behind the scenes on some fun projects. There will be a plethora of upcoming blogs and posts, and some surprises in store.

There's also been an artist creating some awesome sketches of the pets included in the anthology that will be revealed at a later date.

This is where I discovered how creating a bio-engineered animal that doesn't exist--the StarDog in my story--can create a troublesome dilemma for a sketcher, but she nailed it on the second take!

It seems the U.S Postal Service is even getting in the spirit (well, not actually, but the timing is certainly appropriate) with their new Forever "Pets" stamps.

These stamps feature dogs, cats, horses, parrots, gerbils, fish, hermit crabs, and even snakes ( O.O ), this fun new collection celebrates the furry (and not so furry) friends who share our lives and our space. ( < big grin > See what I did there?)

So, I'm in the mood for a giveaway today to celebrate the upcoming release of the Pets in Space Anthology. How about you?

If I get at least five comments on this blog, I'll give away a packaged set of these wonderful PETS FOREVER stamps to a random commenter. Just enter your thoughts below--about Pets in Space, Hero Dogs, the Pets Forever Stamps, or the Star Trek 50th Anniversary--for a chance to win.

Wait, What is this Hero Dogs Anyway?

I'm so glad you asked. :) I want to talk a little about the charity that a portion of the Pets in Space Anthology profits will go to help support. Hero Dogs!

And what is Hero Dogs?

In a nutshell, it's an organization that provides service dogs and skilled companion animals to disabled military veterans free of charge.

From their site:

Hero Dogs, Inc., a Maryland 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, improves quality of life for our nation’s heroes by raising, training, and placing service dogs and other highly skilled canines, free of charge with lifetime support of the partnerships.

A wonderful cause, yes?

Here's a quick, less than two minute video that shows more about Hero Dogs and their mission:



I really have to give them a hand for all that they do.

The Hero Dogs site also lets you follow, learn more, read a blog by, and donate to the individual dogs they now have in training. Yes, you can make a difference in a veteran's life.

So here's some fun news.

As part of this program, I've "adopted" Hero Dog Billy Mitchell or "Mitch." Mitch is a yellow Lab currently in advanced training. Want to get to know Mitch better?

You can read Mitch's blog here.

I "adopted" Mitch because we have two Labradors of our own--including a yellow--and because the hero of my upcoming novel, The Outer Planets, is named Mitch. :) I'll be making donations to support Hero Dog Mitch's training, and for every comment I get on a Spacefreighters Lounge blog that mentions *Hero Dog Mitch*--including THIS one--I'll donate an extra dollar to Mitch's fund up to $100.

So leave a comment below to increase my donation and to have a chance at the Forever Pets stamp set mentioned above.

I'm also inviting you to "adopt" a Hero Dog in-training or Hero Dog puppy by helping donate to their training. You can find all the current Hero Dogs here.

And here's another surprise. Not all Hero Dogs are dogs! Betsy is a cat--and she's a Hero Dogs Ambassador. You can see Betsy here.

Let's give a big Hip Hip Hurray for Hero Dogs!

September 11, 2001: Never Forget

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the 15th Anniversary of 9/11, the lives lost and the tragedy that befell our nation on that terrible day.

My memories of that day are very clear. I heard the news that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers as we were driving to work. My first thought was that it was a small plane accident. A few minutes later, we heard the second tower had been hit. And I knew...this was no accident. Someone had deliberately flown into the towers.

When the news was finally reported that the planes that struck the towers were passenger jets, I was speechless. It was hard to believe it was even real.

As I was walking in the door at work (I worked for the military) our facility had live television coverage of the news channels. The first words I heard while headed to my office was from a soldier who burst out the door of our emergency operations center, shouting: "They just hit the Pentagon!"

Not long after that, I was viewing the live coverage when the first tower fell. It still bring tears to my eyes. Those images are something I'll never forget.

A few weeks later I was attending a conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. As my coworkers and I were walking to dinner, we came upon a huge stack of flowers, flags and hearts lain the entire length of a wall along the sidewalk. Puzzled, I looked up at the building where they had been placed. It was the New York, New York Casino.

I'm sure many of you remember what you were doing when you first heard the news on 9/11/2001. Feel free to share your experience in comments below.

Have a good week.

Laurie







Labor Day News & Update on Pets in Space

Can you believe it's Labor Day already? I can't. Oh where oh where did the summer go?

I have an announcement and a patio garden report, and then another fun Pets in Space Anthology update. That October 11th launch date seems to be coming up at FTL speed!

So first of all, I have some great news concerning my novel Inherit the Stars (which, by the way, is a companion to my Pets anthology story). And here it is...

That's right! Inherit the Stars is once again a finalist with a shot at another award, after winning the 2016 Carolyn Readers Choice Award earlier this spring. Co-blogger Pippa Jay won the Aspen Gold in a previous year, so I'm hoping I can join her in the ranks of Aspen Gold winners. :D

Labor Day seemed like a very good time to do an update on my patio garden. You might remember this earlier photo blog from July: Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

This is the first year I had any time to devote to a hobby garden, and I'm pretty happy with how well things went over the summer. Let me share a few photos that were just taken this weekend.

First...woohooo! My trophy! Yes, I picked a pepper! :D

I was so proud of this little cutie. It's a miniature orange bell pepper, the first product ever harvested from my patio garden. And yes, it was delicious! Yum!

First pepper! Miniature orange bell pepper--patio grown.



A large pot of seed-grown marigolds.

My patio garden is now nearly a patio jungle!

It's mainly marigolds, petunias, dianthus,

tomatoes and peppers.

Patio garden view #2. Note the rainwater

collection tank in the middle top.

Close-up of a variegated marigold.

More marigolds. I like to grow these because

they naturally repel pests and seem to do well

in our hot and dry New Mexico environment.

Wall garden. Marigolds, lavender, petunias and dracaena.

Pottery row. In the background, you can see

that we actually have some pretty lush

green grass this year, thanks to heavy

monsoons that started in late July.

 

Some of you might want to close your eyes for this next one if you have arachnophobia!

 

Our patio garden also includes a few friendly spiders. Although this guy looks pretty nightmarish, he's really quite harmless and eats a lot of insects that like to eat our plants.

 

We think these spiders are a variety of Orb spider. They start appearing everywhere in late August and stick around until first frost. This guy was hanging around outside my front door. (He'll be relocated to a juniper tree a few feet away. I really don't want to walk into him or his web!)

 

All in all, I think my Project Patio Garden 2016 was a great success and had the added benefits (besides the fresh peppers and tomatoes) of being a relaxing way to enjoy a little fresh air away from my computer this summer.

PETS IN SPACE ANTHOLOGY UPDATE

Since it's labor day, I thought it might be fun to reveal a few of the professions of the characters in the upcoming Pets in Space Anthology novellas and novelettes.

After all, it isn't just about the pets. Well, a big part of it is, of course, but it's also about the people who love them. Sometimes the characters' jobs are compatible with their pets, sometimes they're not, and sometimes they serve as a catalyst to send them off on a crazy adventure.

You can imagine all the fun and excitement this anthology promises--all while pulling on your heartstrings. Because what could be more fun than science fiction plus romance plus pets!  :D

Here's a brief introduction to four of the human characters from the anthology, and there might be just a hint or two about some of the pets they love, adopt or partner with.

Emma Standish of The Real Dragon
Emma Standish is her father’s research assistant. This is not the job she wanted, but she stayed to help her father, a for-real rocket scientist, when her mother passed away. But nothing is quite what it seems in “The Real Dragon.”

Pauline Baird Jones never liked reality, so she writes books. She likes to wander among the genres, rampaging like Godzilla, because she does love peril mixed in her romance. You can find out more about her books (and get a free story for subscribing to her newsletter) at: paulinebjones.com

Owen Embersson of Star Cruise Stowaway

Owen Embersson is ex-military and is now employed as the Cargo Master aboard the interstellar cruise ship Nebula Zephyr, which carries 2000+ passengers and two full decks worth of freight on every cruise. He’s responsible for getting cargo on and off the ship, and keeping it safe during the voyages. He supervises a small crew of logistics experts, and has a soft spot for his rescue cat Moby.

 

Amazon best-seller Veronica Scott is a three-time recipient of the SFR Galaxy Award, and has written a number of science-fiction and fantasy romances. She is the SciFi Encounters columnist for the USA Today Happily Ever After blog, and recently voiced a ‘red shirt’ crew member in an official Star Trek audiobook.

 

Dante Stone of Spark of Attraction

Cyborg Dante Stone is in the military and is the captain of the Crimson Hawk, a warship (spaceship), which rescues archivist Miranda Lowell after an alien attack.
 

USA Today best selling author Cara Bristol is the author of more than 27 books, including the Cy-Ops Sci-fi cyborg romance series. 

Taro Shall of StarDog
Taro Shall is a professional star navigator who's served aboard a number of ships, but none like the specialized transport carrier Calypso. It's totally his dream job. The vessel has unique, high tech capabilities that has him charting a course to some pretty amazing places. Unfortunately, there is a downside (but he's sworn to secrecy about that). Still, even high tech ships can develop low tech troubles, and that's how a StarDog--and Adini Kemm--come to cross his flight path.

Laurie A. Green is an award-winning author of science fiction romance and founder of the SFR Brigade, which now has nearly 900 members. She is a retired military budget director and formerly served as a reserve law enforcement trooper for her state.



 

Hope you all had a great summer, too.

 

Have a great week!

 

Laurie