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Vaslisha Tor Dain is a mercenary starship captain with a few simple rules: A good ship is better than a great man, in case of confusion always err on the side of blowing someone's head off, and never fall for a telepath or a member of her crew.
All of those are about to bite her in the ass. Vas’s life takes a turn for the worse when she comes back to her crew after what should have been a two week pleasure trip to find out she’s actually been gone a month and has no memory of missing time. Her beloved ship, The Victorious Dead, has been sold for scrap and its pieces scattered throughout the galaxy. In addition, there are unmarked ships blowing apart entire planets and the Commonwealth government can’t, or won’t, stop them. And that’s just her first day back. Vas has to fight her crew, the Commonwealth, and a mysterious cadre of warrior monks to get her ship back and save a universe that may not want to be saved.
Read an Excerpt from Warrior Wench
The droid’s sharp rap on the door lead to muffled swearing in two different languages. Which told her two things: they’d found Deven, and he wasn’t gambling for money.
Her second-in-command had many appetites.
She stepped around the droid and added her own pounding to the door. “Deven, it’s me. Get your ass out here.” She paused, and added, “Clothed. Get your clothed ass out here.” Better to be safe. He preferred stark naked.
An increase in the swearing signaled his acknowledgment of her command. The door swung open and a curvaceous blonde stumbled out of the room, a dazed glow on her face. Obviously, Deven had been the one making the extra cash in this scenario.
Her second-in-command was next through the doorway, looking as fresh as if he’d had time for an hour-long sonic shower before he dressed. Tall and exotic looking, Deven seemed to glow himself as he came out of the room. His standard issue flight suit looking like he’d had it been personally tailored to fit his body like a glove. He’d always been good looking, but he seemed different now. She shivered. Maybe absence did make the heart grow fonder. However, it certainly wasn’t going to make her break her rule about getting involved with a member of her crew. Or a telepath.
Deven’s sharp green eyes glinted with mild amusement at whatever he thought was going on in her head. Then he smiled and pulled his dark hair into a ponytail at his nape.
She hated him for always looking perfect. No matter the situation, Deven stayed calm, clean, and relaxed. Somehow she was sure he did it to piss her off. Maybe that anger could chase off whatever other unhealthy feelings were going on in her head.
“We’ve got a problem, a job, and a missing crew.” She didn’t wait for him to respond before she marched toward the casino floor.
She didn’t hear his steps, but the powerful presence at her side told her he’d caught up.
“You were supposed to be here two weeks ago.”
“Yes.” A two-foot-tall Jerlian in a permanently wrinkled suit, sloshed synth-cohol on her boots as he tried to hug her knees. Had Skrankle not already managed to ruin said boots, she would have seen how far she could kick a Jerlian on a low-grav planet. Instead, she took two steps around him and moved toward the exit.
“You didn’t call.”
“No, I didn’t. My being late has nothing to do with you or our next job. Can we move it, please?” She didn’t want to discuss her recent travels, and certainly not in the middle of a casino. Nothing had happened. She was just late. There just wasn’t a reason to talk about it. She squashed the tiny voice that said she needed to talk about it.
“Vas saying please? Now I know something is wrong.” Deven pulled up short before the casino exit.
It would take a week to get off this rock if her entire crew decided to be this chatty about her private issues. “I don’t ask what you’re doing,” she said and held up a hand. “I don’t want to know. I’m not going to tell you what I was doing. We have a job and we have a ship. Do you want to earn some money on your feet for once or not?”
“Ouch, got me.” The smile he flashed caused two nearby women to swoon as Vas and Deven left the casino.
“Turn it down, damn it,” she hissed with a glance down at his bracelets. There were times he pulled a glamour that had to be esper powered, bracelets or no. He didn’t need it; he was freakishly good looking enough on his own. “I can’t have you jailed at this point.”
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About The Author
Marie is a fantasy and science fiction reader with a serious writing addiction. If she wasn’t writing about all of the people in her head, she’d be lurking about coffee shops annoying innocent passer-by with her stories. So really, writing is a way of saving the masses. She lives in Southern California and is currently owned by two insane cats.
When not saving the general populace from coffee shop shenanigans, Marie likes to visit the UK and keeps hoping someone will give her a nice summer home in the Forest of Dean.
Visit Marie at www.marieandreas.com
Interview with Marie Andreas
Jillian: How often do you get lost in a story?
Marie: Every time I read a good book—or write ☺. When reading, that’s how I know I’ve got a keeper. I really feel like I’m pulled into the world and think about it when I’m not reading. Same goes for writing—I’ll find myself wanting to get back to being lost in that amazing story that I keep thinking about—then I realize it’s MY story ☺. That’s a GREAT feeling!
Jillian: What’s your favorite fairy tale?
Marie: Cinderella. I have no real idea why, but I love Cinderella and the variations. Three of my favorite movies are Slipper and the Rose, Ever After, and Leslie Ann Warren’s live action version from 1965. I think I love her hope and optimism and that things turn out in the end.
Jillian: What’s your favorite cartoon character?
Marie: Probably Bugs Bunny. He never lets things get to him, always rebounds from every situation, is a smart ass, and honestly isn’t mean spirited. And those cartoons still make me laugh after all these years.
Jillian: Describe your favorite kind of hero to read/write?
Marie: Someone who is strong, but not an huge ass. I have a really hard time getting around heroes who are too moody, angry, sullen, bad, etc. They can have issues- they better have issues-LOL—but too much over the edge and I have a problem seeing them as being with the heroine. So, my favorite guys are usually smart asses, mostly competent—but with one or two or more major flaws, with a sense of humor—even if it’s slightly hidden at first.
Jillian: What was the first story you remember writing?
Marie: A play about three kittens in 6th grade. Then at 13 I wrote a story about a girl and her brothers- I don’t recall much except that I think I stole a lot of names from Star Wars, and the girl hurt her toe on her brother’s surfboard. Then another story attempt in my late teens….almost 200 pages. It was a SF adventure and Vaslisha (my main character in Warrior Wench) came from there- well her name. I have no idea where the book is, but I have stolen a lot of names and ideas from it. That was the first time I realized I could write the words I loved to read.
Jillian: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?
Marie: Interesting. I never thought of it that way, but I am a story-teller ☺. I have to go back into my messy first draft’s and make sure they make sense from a writerly point of view.
Jillian: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?
Marie: Fantasy/SF/Romance with mystery and humor ☺.
Jillian: What question are you never asked in interviews, but wish you were? What are some weird things you’ve done?
Marie: Thank you for asking- I went sky diving many moons ago (solo, not tandem, so there was no instructor with me as I threw myself out of a perfectly good airplane). And entering a legs contest at Chippendales (way back in the day folks). My friend and I had driven to LA to see the show and after they were having a contest and one of the guys talked me into entering. Weirdest. Night. Ever. No, I did not win, and unbeknownst to me, this contest was a regular monthly event and women practically did striptease to win! (Not me folks-LOL)
Attention Commenters: Marie has a Giveaway!
She also has a question for commenters: Who's your favorite space opera hero or heroine? Are you more of a Luke Skywalker fan or a Captain Malcolm Reynolds/Firefly fan? Did you enjoy Rey in Stars Wars: The Force Awakens or do you relate more to Dutch on the SyFy's Killjoys? Commenters who share with us will be entered into the Randomizer for a chance to win an ebook copy of Warrior Wench. Good luck everyone and make sure you leave your contact info along with your comment
How to Contact Marie:
Twitter: MarieAndreas1
Amazon Author home page: https://www.amazon.com/Marie-Andreas/e/B00SX81KIM
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