Today I have the pleasure of hosting friend and Pets in Space co-author Laurie A. Green. She is going to share the unique challenges she faced while writing her story, Courting Disaster: StarDog 2.
Writing Courting Disaster: StarDog 2 for Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2 presented a unique challenge. How would I write a story set three years after both the original Pets in Space story—StarDog—and the main novel, Inherit the Stars, without including some pretty major spoilers?
Well, it took a bit of strategizing but I *think* I pulled it off.
I hope readers who are new to the series will forgive me a couple of vague references as the adventure unfolds. Like for instance, this one:
“He…” Their convo had just jumped to flashpoint in a hurry, and Jagger was struggling to give chase. Sair had bonded with her sister while a slave? “How is that even possible?”
“The usual way,” Ketsia replied. “They exchanged vows.”
“I meant how was he allowed to bond?”
“You know who he was? What the Network discovered about him?”
“Yes.” Jagger expelled a slow breath. “I was there for the briefing on Spirit.”
“Well, the Ithians knew, too. The premier gave him…certain allowances…exemptions that he would never have afforded to the other slaves.
So, yes, a slight dodge there. I didn’t want to spill the beans and spoil the surprises that might be in store for readers who decide they want to know more about this universe by reading the novel.
Here’s another:
“You have a sister?” Jagger asked.
“Had.”
Jagger looked her way. It was obviously a topic better not pursued, but he couldn’t contain his curiosity. “She wasn’t rescued from Ithis with you and the others?”
“No.” Ketsia seemed to fold into herself. “She died about a year before Operation Reset.”
“I’m sorry.” Jagger squinted at some of the readouts. Poor kid. Must’ve been tough on her to lose her sibling.
“Her death is the reason Sair escaped.”
Jagger’s mind went instantly to torpedo lock. Ketsia’s sister was the reason Sair ran? Why? How? He struggled not to show any reaction to her statement. “Was he somehow responsible?”
“No. But he blamed himself for not protecting her…” Ketsia fell silent, and though Jagger couldn’t see her eyes, he could read her grief in the slump of her shoulders and fall of her head. There was a lot more she wasn’t disclosing, but he didn’t want to press her. Not now. His curiosity about Sair’s previous entanglements could wait for another time and a different avenue.
Sair is the hero of Inherit the Stars and the novel is told entirely from his perspective. My novel in Embrace the Romance, Courting Disaster, provides a different spin on Sair from the viewpoint of his former nemesis, Captain Jagger, without disclosing too much about his past adventures.
My goal was that Courting Disaster deliver the same high stakes and political intrigue that the series is known for, while weaving in a couple of surprise cameos by established characters. (For the sake of resolution, that turned out to more or less a requirement!)
If you’re new to the Inherited Stars Universe, you’re invited to get a free copy of the original Pets in Space story—StarDog—via this Instafreebie link as my gift to you: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/lTsVO
For those who have read the previous stories, you’re perfectly welcome to put on a knowing grin and give a nod to some of these references. You lucky duck! You already know the secrets behind those scenes, but I promise you a few new discoveries in this installment. Courting Disaster promises a glimpse into an imperfect, not-too-distant future and the continuing adventures of some of your favorite main players in the books, as well as a bit more about their histories and family legacy.
Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2
Twelve leading Sci-Fi Romance authors, twelve original never released stories in Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2… supporting Hero-Dogs.org and our veterans. [Hero Dogs link www.hero-dogs.org ]
Courting Disaster: StarDog2
A commander of a spaceship faces the toughest decision of his life when he vows to protect the woman and her StarDog that he is escorting through a dangerous section of space.
About the Author
Laurie A. Green is a three-time RWA Golden Heart® finalist, an award-winning author, and a science fiction romance enthusiast who founded the SFR Brigade community of writers, which is now over 1,000 members strong.
She confesses to being an Andromeda Galaxy groupie and would someday love to own a vacation home on Mars or Titan. She’s enthused to be a part of this wonderful anthology mash-up of two of her favorite things–pets and space.
Website [ http://www.laurieagreen.com/ ]
Facebook [ https://www.facebook.com/Laurie-A-Green-139849829386292/ ]
FB Handle: @AuthorLaurieAGreen
Twitter [ https://twitter.com/SFRLaurie ]
Twitter Handle: @SFRLaurie
Amazon Author Page [ https://www.amazon.com/Laurie-A.-Green/e/B00S456PDE/ ]
It’s always a pleasure having my fellow SciFi Rom authors over to play. Hope you enjoyed!
Cheers,
