Domina Allia speaks - excerpt from Cobra for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday. Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.

I’ve been posting from my latest novel, Stung by the Cobra. It’s a scifi/fantasy adventure and romance with sprinkle of Hindu mythology. It is available as ebook, paperback and AI-narrated audio. 

Zennia is attending a reception to honor Domina Allia, the new ruler of the planet.

You can read last week’s excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-royal-consort-excerpt-from-cobra.html

This excerpt continues directly with a minor deletion to focus on the most pertinent characters.

The ambassador was the first to make his obeisance to Domina Allia. The seneschal pronounced his name and title, The Honorable Viceroy Karjor am Pterakor, Ambassador for the Ptavian Sector.”

The Ptavian bent on one knee and made a deep bow.

Allia’s sullen expression did not alter.

The stylish woman next in line lifted her skirts and curtsied. 

The Domina merely stared down from her throne without acknowledging any of her guests.

Zennia waited her turn in the line. When she reached the base of the dais, she whispered her name to the seneschal.

He announced her name and full title, “Curator Shan Zennia of the Archives of Galactic Culture on Lumos.” 

She performed her obeisance, courteous although totally insincere.

Ten lines and you need a few more:

This time, the Domina’s eyes narrowed and she aimed a beringed forefinger at Zennia. Her tone cold and accusatory, she asked, “Are you recording me?”

Zennia tilted her head in a brief bow. “Illustrious Domina, my mission as curator is to record whatever I observe.”

A haughty smile curled the princess’ scarlet lips, suggesting her confidence in starring as the highlight of the report. She swung her finger to the side, dismissing her subject. 

As Zennia walked past the dais, she glanced at Commander Nagari.

His gaze lighted on her and a faint smile of recognition fleeted across his gaunt face.

After responding with a tiny tilt of her head, she sought her friend among the assembled guests. 

 SciFi mystery. Interstellar spy befriends enemy commander in a tragic tale with a happy ending.

Shan Zennia, Senior Curator of the Archives of Galactic Culture on Lumos, plays a dangerous double role as a researcher and a spy for Solarian Intelligence. She embarks on a new mission to observe the spring festival on Harappi, a planet recently conquered by the ambitious Emperor and now governed by his niece, Domina Allia.

Zennia finds unexpected mysteries on the planet, including intelligent animals and the enigmatic Nagari. Once a victorious commander in the Emperor’s space fleet and nicknamed the Cobra, he was forced to abandon his military career when Allia claimed him as her consort. Her abusive treatment has driven him to the brink of madness.

Intrigued by the ex-commander and aware of his value as a source of information on the enemy, Zennia agrees to meet him during the festival of rebirth. Opposing forces clash at the height of the celebrations, catalyzing deadly violence. Can Nagari and Zennia survive the chaos and win a new and happier life?

The ebook is discounted by 50c at PayHip

  Amazon   Apple   B&N   Kobo   GooglePlay   Other 

PRINT     AUDIO (AI-narrated) 

I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.

The first book in this new series is free for the next month. 

Captured by the Hawk Spaceships crash across the galaxy when thief Grey Kay tangles with notorious pirate Black Hawk.

FREE at Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay  PayHip

 

The Lady is Blue, Book 1 of Atrapako on Eden, is also free. 

Scaly aliens crash on the remote planet of Eden. They mean to dominate the humans. Can Dr. Lucy Stannis save the colony and reignite her dubious friendship with the alien captain?

FREE at: Direct  Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay  Other  

Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.

Check out the videos on my new YouTube Channel - Aurora Springer

Find a catalog of my published stories HERE.

All my books are discounted at my new Webstore: https://payhip.com/AuroraSpringerNovels.

 

 

The royal consort - excerpt from Cobra for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday. Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.

I’ve been posting from my latest novel, Stung by the Cobra. It’s a scifi/fantasy adventure and romance with sprinkle of Hindu mythology. It is available as ebook, paperback and AI-narrated audio. 

Last week, Zennia was at the reception and waiting to pay homage to the new overlord, Domina Allia. You can read the excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2022/07/a-dazzling-spectacle-excerpt-from-stung.html

The scene continues in this week’s excerpt. I’ve omitted some sentences about other characters to avoid confusion.  

The royal consort, Commander Nagari, stood at the foot of the dais. His sober black suit was brightened with large gold buttons and ribbons of gold braid along the sleeves of his jacket and the legs of his trousers. A gold torque was clasped around his neck, more symbolic of a slave than a prince. His only other ornament, a sheathed dagger with a ruby on the hilt, was clasped on his belt. The weapon appeared ceremonial, yet doubtless he knew how to stab an enemy. Someone had applied paint to mute the dark circles under his eyes, although it did nothing to improve his appearance. The wooden expression on his haggard face hinted at his discomfort.

Other courtiers, men and woman in ornate garments, stood beyond the dais at the farther side of the auditorium. Near the opposite wall, a band of musicians waited to ply their instruments. 

Nine lines and a few more:

The man in voluminous purple robes at the head of the line must be the ambassador from Ptavi. The Ptavian had the characteristic ape-like features of jutting brows and a receding chin. His presence at the reception had clear political ramifications. It meant the independent Sector of Ptavi had accepted the new ruler of Harappi. In Zennia’s opinion, few other sectors were likely to support the Emperor’s occupation of the planet. They were afraid the Emperor would cast his greedy eyes on one of their own planets. 

 SciFi mystery. Interstellar spy befriends enemy commander in a tragic tale with a happy ending.

Shan Zennia, Senior Curator of the Archives of Galactic Culture on Lumos, plays a dangerous double role as a researcher and a spy for Solarian Intelligence. She embarks on a new mission to observe the spring festival on Harappi, a planet recently conquered by the ambitious Emperor and now governed by his niece, Domina Allia.

Zennia finds unexpected mysteries on the planet, including intelligent animals and the enigmatic Nagari. Once a victorious commander in the Emperor’s space fleet and nicknamed the Cobra, he was forced to abandon his military career when Allia claimed him as her consort. Her abusive treatment has driven him to the brink of madness.

Intrigued by the ex-commander and aware of his value as a source of information on the enemy, Zennia agrees to meet him during the festival of rebirth. Opposing forces clash at the height of the celebrations, catalyzing deadly violence. Can Nagari and Zennia survive the chaos and win a new and happier life?

The ebook is discounted by 50c at PayHip

  Amazon   Apple   B&N   Kobo   GooglePlay   Other 

PRINT     AUDIO (AI-narrated) 

I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.

The first book in this new series is free for the next month. 

Captured by the Hawk Spaceships crash across the galaxy when thief Grey Kay tangles with notorious pirate Black Hawk.

FREE at Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay  PayHip

 

The Lady is Blue, Book 1 of Atrapako on Eden, is also free. 

Scaly aliens crash on the remote planet of Eden. They mean to dominate the humans. Can Dr. Lucy Stannis save the colony and reignite her dubious friendship with the alien captain?

FREE at: Direct  Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay  Other  

Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.

Check out the videos on my new YouTube Channel - Aurora Springer

Find a catalog of my published stories HERE.

All my books are discounted at my new Webstore: https://payhip.com/AuroraSpringerNovels.

 

 

A dazzling spectacle - excerpt from Stung by the Cobra for #wewriwa and #snippetsunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday. Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.

I’ve been posting from my latest novel, Stung by the Cobra. It’s a scifi/fantasy adventure and romance with sprinkle of Hindu mythology. It is available as ebook, paperback and AI-narrated audio. 

In last week’s episode, you had a glimpse of the villainess, Domina Allia and a younger, healthier Nagari. You can read the excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-dominas-consort-excerpt-from-cobra.html

Here, Zennia is at the reception in the palace. She is standing in the line of dignitaries waiting to pay homage to the new overlord, Domina Allia. 

At the farther side of the chamber, Domina Allia sat on an ebony throne elevated on a black marble dais. A canopy of gold cloth was draped above the ebony throne. On either side of the throne, two bare-chested youths in scarlet loincloths waved large fans to cool their mistress.

As more invitees arrived, Zennia joined the end of the receiving line and studied the Domina. A dazzling spectacle in scarlet and gold, Allia wore a ruby and gold necklace, matching pendulous earrings, and ruby rings on her fingers. A mesh of gold and tiny rubies covered her coiffed blonde hair. Her sleeveless scarlet gown had a scandalously low neckline, little more than a shelf to prop up her plump bare breasts. More rubies sprinkled her overskirt of gold gauze. Framed by this sumptuous garb, her pale painted face showed the imperial heritage of an aquiline nose and petulant lips. 

Nine lines and a few more:

What a hideous vision. And, so apt. It tickled Zennia’s sense of the ridiculous, the absurdity of overblown power. This image of Allia would make a fantastic addition to the Archives. Her imagination leaped at the potential for further drama. The Domina in her flamboyant splendor juxtaposed with the rotting corpses on the stone archway. The Galactic Councilors, ineffective as they often were, must react to that vision of barbarism. She doubted the reporter for Galnews could better her image. In fact, if he traveled by flitter, he might never have smelled the dreadful stench of the corpses. 

 SciFi mystery. Interstellar spy befriends enemy commander in a tragic tale with a happy ending.

Shan Zennia, Senior Curator of the Archives of Galactic Culture on Lumos, plays a dangerous double role as a researcher and a spy for Solarian Intelligence. She embarks on a new mission to observe the spring festival on Harappi, a planet recently conquered by the ambitious Emperor and now governed by his niece, Domina Allia.

Zennia finds unexpected mysteries on the planet, including intelligent animals and the enigmatic Nagari. Once a victorious commander in the Emperor’s space fleet and nicknamed the Cobra, he was forced to abandon his military career when Allia claimed him as her consort. Her abusive treatment has driven him to the brink of madness.

Intrigued by the ex-commander and aware of his value as a source of information on the enemy, Zennia agrees to meet him during the festival of rebirth. Opposing forces clash at the height of the celebrations, catalyzing deadly violence. Can Nagari and Zennia survive the chaos and win a new and happier life?

The ebook is discounted by 50c at PayHip

  Amazon   Apple   B&N   Kobo   GooglePlay   Other 

PRINT     AUDIO (AI-narrated) 

I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.

The first book in this new series is free for the next month. 

Captured by the Hawk Spaceships crash across the galaxy when thief Grey Kay tangles with notorious pirate Black Hawk.

FREE at Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay  PayHip

 

The Lady is Blue, Book 1 of Atrapako on Eden, is also free. 

Scaly aliens crash on the remote planet of Eden. They mean to dominate the humans. Can Dr. Lucy Stannis save the colony and reignite her dubious friendship with the alien captain?

FREE at: Direct  Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay  Other  

Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.

Listen to me reading snippets from my stories on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@auroraspringer_author

Find a catalog of my published stories HERE.

All my books are discounted at my new Webstore: https://payhip.com/AuroraSpringerNovels.

 

 

The Domina's consort- #excerpt from Cobra for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday. Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.

I’ve been posting from my latest novel, Stung by the Cobra. It’s a scifi/fantasy adventure and romance with sprinkle of Hindu mythology.

My excerpt last week had a cobra and an omen. Several people expressed their dislike of snakes. Sorry! Animals actually play key roles in this story.

You can read it here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2022/07/a-dubious-omen-excerpt-from-cobra-for.html

This week, I’ll skip to the next chapter where Zennia is at the library searching for more information about the Domina’s consort, the moody man she met on the tower.

Zennia opened the local records and scanned for any mention of her target. Nagari was identified as the Domina’s consort and a resident of the palace. Nothing more. Evidently he had kept out of the public eye in the few days since their arrival.

In contrast, Allia’s exploits were frequently noted. The members of her coterie were named, along with lists of activities she had prohibited and the names of the local citizens she had imprisoned or condemned to death. The four dead men on the archway were only the latest in a string of executions. 

Zennia vented a groan of disgust. Allia’s vindictive punishments were typical of the worse members of the imperial brood.

Nine lines and a few more:

She found better records for Nagari’s history in the public repository. He had been Allia’s consort for little more than a year. She pulled up an image of him recorded two years ago after one of his victories. He wore his military uniform and stood as aloof and straight-backed as if he were on parade. Yet, he looked like the younger and handsomer brother of the man she had met on the tower. In spite of his stern expression, his face was not gaunt and his eyes were calm and free of shadows.

Shocked at his decline, she resolved to help him as much as she could. 

 SciFi mystery. Interstellar spy befriends enemy commander in a tragic tale with a happy ending.

Shan Zennia, Senior Curator of the Archives of Galactic Culture on Lumos, plays a dangerous double role as a researcher and a spy for Solarian Intelligence. She embarks on a new mission to observe the spring festival on Harappi, a planet recently conquered by the ambitious Emperor and now governed by his niece, Domina Allia.

Zennia finds peculiar myths and mysteries on the planet, including the enigmatic Nagari. Once a victorious commander in the Emperor’s space fleet and nicknamed the Cobra, he was forced to abandon his military career when Allia claimed him as her consort. Her abusive treatment has driven him to the brink of madness.

Intrigued by the ex-commander and aware of his value as a source of information on the enemy, Zennia agrees to meet him during the festival of rebirth. Opposing forces clash at the height of the celebrations, catalyzing deadly violence. Can Nagari and Zennia survive the chaos and win a new and happier life?

The ebook is discounted at PayHip

Or $3.99 at  Amazon   Apple   B&N   Kobo   GooglePlay   Other 

I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.

The first book in this new series is free for the next month. 

Captured by the Hawk Spaceships crash across the galaxy when thief Grey Kay tangles with notorious pirate Black Hawk.

FREE at Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay  PayHip

 

The Lady is Blue, Book 1 of Atrapako on Eden, is also free. 

Scaly aliens crash on the remote planet of Eden. They mean to dominate the humans. Can Dr. Lucy Stannis save the colony and reignite her dubious friendship with the alien captain?

FREE at: Direct  Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay  Other  

Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.

Listen to me reading snippets from my stories on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@auroraspringer_author

Find a catalog of my published stories HERE.

All my books are discounted at my new Webstore: https://payhip.com/AuroraSpringerNovels.

 

 

A dubious omen - excerpt from Cobra for #wewriwa and #snippetsunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday. Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.

I’ve been posting from my latest novel, Stung by the Cobra. It’s a scifi/fantasy adventure and romance with sprinkle of Hindu mythology.

For the last few weeks, I’ve introduced the unhappy hero, Nagari. You can read last week’s excerpt at https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2022/07/a-wild-look-excerpt-from-stung-by-cobra.html

Zennia is walking to the library to search their archives for Commander Nagari’s history when she encounters a portent of her future. The festival of Vashali begins in two days and some of the entertainers have already set up their acts. Zennia is sitting on a mat and watching a snake charmer or sapera. Note: she is unaware that Nagari acquired the nickname of the Cobra for his accuracy in striking enemy spaceships. 

The sapera blew into the flute, playing a haunting sinuous melody, while he removed the lid of the basket.

The cobra’s head slowly emerged. Its round black eyes glinted in the sunlight, a sharp contrast to its ivory white scales.

Sighs of awe came from the audience.

Zennia watched, as fascinated as the others.

As the music grew louder, the snake rose higher, unrolling its coils and swiveling around. Its pale hood flared out. It rotated its neck, glaring at the enthralled watchers as if seeking a victim. In the middle of the performance, the cobra halted its gyrations and stretched its head toward her. Its thin tongue flicked out.

Ten lines and I’m sure you’d like a few more:

Sliding out of the basket, it slithered to her. It rose erect, facing her from a distance of an arm’s length, well within striking range.

She froze in a burst of terror.

The sapera flung a loop of rope around the snake’s neck and tugged it away. “Very sorry, honored Shri. Naga is too frisky today.”

Submitting to the restraint, the cobra wrapped its coils around its trainer’s wiry arm.

Zennia jerked onto her knees, panting in relief.

The snake’s forked tongue scented the air, and it stared at her.

The skinny man held the cobra toward her. “Will you touch him? Naga cannot harm you. We have milked his venom and his sacs are dry.”

Laughing at her mistaken fear, she stroked a coil of the snake. “He is a fine white cobra.”

Its tongue brushed her bare arm in a pleasant light tickle.

Its handler chuckled. “You are truly honored. Naga likes your scent.”

 SciFi mystery. Interstellar spy befriends enemy commander in a tragic tale with a happy ending.

Shan Zennia, Senior Curator of the Archives of Galactic Culture on Lumos, plays a dangerous double role as a researcher and a spy for Solarian Intelligence. She embarks on a new mission to observe the spring festival on Harappi, a planet recently conquered by the ambitious Emperor and now governed by his niece, Domina Allia.

Zennia finds myths and mysteries on the planet, including the enigmatic Nagari. Once a victorious commander in the Emperor’s space fleet and nicknamed the Cobra, he was forced to abandon his military career when Allia claimed him as her consort. Her abusive treatment has driven him to the brink of madness.

Intrigued by the ex-commander and aware of his value as a source of information on the enemy, Zennia agrees to meet him during the festival of rebirth. Opposing forces clash at the height of the celebrations, catalyzing deadly violence. Can Nagari and Zennia survive the chaos and win a new and happier life?

The ebook is $2.49 at PayHip

Or $2.99 at  Amazon   Apple   B&N   Kobo   GooglePlay   Other 

I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.

The first book in this new series is free for the next month. 

Captured by the Hawk Spaceships crash across the galaxy when thief Grey Kay tangles with notorious pirate Black Hawk.

FREE at Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay  PayHip

 

The Lady is Blue, Book 1 of Atrapako on Eden, is also free. 

Scaly aliens crash on the remote planet of Eden. They mean to dominate the humans. Can Dr. Lucy Stannis save the colony and reignite her dubious friendship with the alien captain?

FREE at: Direct  Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N  GooglePlay  Other 

 

Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.

Listen to me reading snippets from my stories on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@auroraspringer_author

Find a catalog of my published stories HERE.

All my books are discounted at my new Webstore: https://payhip.com/AuroraSpringerNovels.

 

 

Book Promotions for July - SciFi, Fantasy and Romance

 

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