A Captain's Birthday...

I enjoyed reading this little snippet from Sheryl Nantus. Sheryl is an author I've been talking to on Twitter and found she doesn't live all that far from me. Then I found out about a Literary Festival that was local, and she was going to be there. It was a pleasure to meet Sheryl. And we've been chatting since.

I was thrilled to hear that Sheryl wanted to join in celebrating the blog birthday with me. And even more thrilled when I read this clip. A SPECIAL just for me. Here! Awesome! :D I love it! I so need to get this sexy romance, In The Black.

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When you're the captain of a Mercy ship you tend to forget where and when you are – it's all about making landfall on those mining bases on time, delivering the presentation to get them wired and ready to make appointments with the courtesans you carry and getting through two frantic weeks before lifting off to do it all over again at the next stop.

But Sam Keller was someone before she became the captain of the Bonnie Belle.

She used to be a ground pounder, a squad leader who led her men and women into dangerous spots and bring them back safe and sound – at least until the Hub. Since then she's been running from her memories and hiding on the Bonnie Belle seemed to be a good idea at the time…

Recently she's wrestled with the idea of celebrating birthdays. On the one hand she's still alive, a survivor. Might as well celebrate that.

On the other side… she's a survivor. From the Hub where she lost everyone and everything.

So she compromises. She allows herself a lovely vanilla cupcake from the Belle's food stores, garishly overpriced because of the Guild charging her for every little bit of luxury.

She pokes a single candle through the cream cheese icing and lights it. If she put the right number of candles on the fire suppression systems would activate.

Sam lights it and then blows it out, watching the thin trail of smoke spin around in zero-gravity. A wave of her hand dissipates the smoke before it can cause trouble.

But before she can take a bite out of the sweet treat…

"Captain?"

Sam hesitates. "Yes Belle?" She knows the computer AI wouldn't call her unless it was necessary.

"I have Marshal LeClair on the line. He says it's important."

She feels that little rush in her heart, in her soul. "Put him through."

"How's my favorite Mercy captain doing today?"

"I'm fine." She studies the cupcake still hanging in the air. "You weren't supposed to call until next week. You can't afford this."

"If the UNS can't stand me making a long-distance call to my sweet love on her birthday they can stuff it." He laughs. "Happy birthday."

"Thanks." She doesn't feel so lonely out here on the edge of civilization now. "I'm having a cupcake to celebrate."

"Go big or go home." Daniel chuckles. "I won't keep you from your party. Just remember I'll be swinging by the Belle in two weeks for another 'inspection'."

Her cheeks grow hot, remembering his last visit. "I'll be here."

"Yes. Yes you will. And I'll give you the rest of your birthday present then." The low growl sends a flash of heat down her spine. "Love you."

"Love you too. Bye." The connection snaps into static and she smiles before grabbing the cupcake and taking a huge bite.

Maybe this getting older thing has its advantages…

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In The Black

Book one of Tales from the Edge

When Sam Keller left the military, she ran to the far end of the galaxy. Now she captains the Bonnie Belle, a spaceship full of courtesans who bring a little pleasure to hard-up men on mining colonies. When one of her girls turns up dead, it's Sam's job to find out who killed her, fast.

Marshal Daniel LeClair is as tough as steel and quick on the draw. But when his vacation gets replaced by an assignment to help find the killer, he can't help angling for a little action with the saucy, hard-charging Sam. She's got brains, attitude and a body he wouldn't mind investigating.

Sam, six months lonely, might just indulge him. But the Guild that owns the Belle wants the case closed yesterday. With pressure coming from all quadrants, Sam and her marshal clash over false leads and who's on top. But when the killer threatens the Belle again, romance will have to wait. It's a captain's job to save her crew, no matter the cost.

Author Bio:
Sheryl Nantus was born in Montreal, Canada and grew up in Toronto, Canada. A rabid reader almost from birth, she attended Sheridan College in Oakville, graduating in 1984 in Media Arts Writing.

She met Martin Nantus through the online fanfiction community in 1993 and moved to the United States in 2000 in order to marry. A firm believer in the healing properties of peppermint and chai tea she continues to write short stories and novels while searching for the perfect cuppa.

She loves to play board games and write haiku, although not usually at the same time.

She has published multiple books with Samhain Publishing and Carina Press. In 2011 she won two second place Prism Awards from the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA for her steampunk romance, “Wild Cards and Iron Horses” and the first volume of her superhero romance trilogy, “Blaze of Glory”.

In 2013 she won a third-place Prism Award for her paranormal romance, "Blood of the Pride".


Find Sheryl:
My website is www.sherylnantus.com
Facebook:  Sheryl Nantus, Author
Twitter:  @SherylNantus


Purchase at:


Barnes & Nobles

The 2nd book is up for Pre-order:


Barnes & Nobles

GIVEAWAY!!

Sheryl has graciously offered ONE ecopy of In The Black for a GIVEAWAY!!

Thank you Sheryl!

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