There are stories that you read (or write) that have you grinning from beginning to end. For me, as an author, “Time Trap” was one of those stories. From the moment that Madison and Sir Rupert dove into their first scene, I was grinning. A side-to-side grin with maybe some snickers thrown in.
And when the reviews rolled in, a reviewer said: “Of all the stories in Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2, Time Trap was the most fun!”
That made me smile, too.
Another reason I loved this short story, the hero is Master Sergeant Briggs, who made his first appearance in my Project Enterprise series in The Key. Readers had been asking why he wasn’t getting his shot at romance and this story seemed like the perfect place to make that happen.
Of course, I made things difficult for them both.
What is Time Trap about?
Hiding in time is not as easy as you’d think…
USAF Engineer Master Sergeant Briggs—only his mother called him by his first name—is not enjoying his birthday. A year older and ordered to recuperate on a quiet bay away from the Garradian outpost, he’s ready to mutiny and go back to his beloved engines. When his friends send him a gift from Area 51, he figures it will relieve his boredom for an hour or so.
Until he turns it on and he gets his second present of the day.
Madison, and her parrot partner, Sir Rupert, are on the track of a traitor to the Rebellion when they time travel into a trap. Their only way out is via an old transport pad, but instead of sending them somewhere, it sends them back in time. Straight into the arms of the one man who could kick her tires and light her fires.
She would like to get to know the handsome engineer, but the trouble following her can get people erased from existence. The fact he’s a hero, like her lost brother, just makes her want to protect him more.
Briggs doesn’t trust time travelers—with good reason—but now he has to work with the unlikely pair because trouble is coming. Trouble that puts an outpost filled with geeks and ancient technology at risk. It’s not the first time he’s worked with a woman to save the universe, but it’s the first time he’s wanted to keep her for himself.
If only she were a little older…
With a Time Service Interdiction Force on their heels, can the three craft a plan that will save a base full of geniuses and technology and get them the happy ending they deserve?
This short story originally appeared in Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2, Library Journal Best Book of 2017 (eOriginal) and USA Today bestseller.
And here’s an excerpt:
Something catapulted out of the green beams of light like it had been hurled, something that squawked loudly as it tumbled beak over claws, just missing Briggs’ head. The spinning tumble continued unchecked toward a stand of palm-like trees. Somehow it recovered, made a narrow pass between two tree trunks, then circled back to a landing on the peak of the cottage. It ruffled its feathers as if annoyed, then began to preen itself.
A parrot? He blinked. The green body, with a band of red just above the beak looked parrot-like.
“That’s not something you see every day.” Particularly in this birdless place. Too bad he’d already turned off the video. No one would believe he really saw a parrot shooting out of that thing.
The bird looked up and Briggs had the odd feeling it had understood him. He’d heard parrots were pretty smart. He glanced back at the disc. At least now he was pretty sure it was some kind of a transport pad. Definitely needed to get the power supply out—
He heard the hum build again and turned fully around, just in time to catch what flew out next. Instinctively his arms wrapped around the very humanoid—very female—form it ejected. He staggered a few steps and then went down. The sand was harder than he’d have thought. His breath rushed out as they slid toward the water, his arms still wrapped around the woman.
When they hit wet sand, they slowed, and finally stopped. He felt water soaking into his shirt and heard the waves hitting close to his head. Took him a couple of tries before he could grab some shallow breaths. Each one was filled with the smell of salt, woman, and singed something.
He could feel the female struggling to catch her breath, too. Yeah, she was definitely female. Almost every inch of her was pressed against a lot of him, creating a different problem in catching his breath.
In the sudden silence, the bird squawked once.
* * * * *
“Time Trap” is only available to purchase directly from me. The reason for his is how retailers split the money on .99 products. Basically, they get 70% and I get 35%. This doesn’t seem fair to me since I did the hardest part—writing the story. By selling it directly from my website, I get 90%. And Payhip makes it as easy as possible for readers to get the story onto the device of their choice. And I get 90 cents instead of 35 cents. This is as win-win as I can make it.
So why am I thinking and blogging about my Pets in Space® story from two years ago? Because we’re coming up on the release of our FOURTH Pets in Space® anthology! It will be arriving on eReaders everywhere (if you order it!) on October 8, 2019!
Since today is September 16, that means it is less than a month until release day! Not only have I read my own story in the anthology (Cyborgs Revenge), but I get to read all the stories because I’m the one who puts it all together. And I promise you it is another stellar year of amazing and LIMITED TIME stories!
There are thirteen stories this year and all for the bargain price of $4.99! Plus, you once again get to join us in supporting Hero Dogs!
So here’s the total scoop:
For a limited time only! Pets in Space® 4 is proud to present 13 amazing, original new stories! Join the adventures as today’s leading Science Fiction Romance authors take you on a journey to another world. Pets in Space® proudly supports Hero-Dogs.org, a non-profit charity that provides service animals to veterans and first responders in need. Join New York Times, USA TODAY and Award-winning Bestselling authors S.E. Smith, Anna Hackett, Tiffany Roberts, Veronica Scott, Pauline Baird Jones, Laurie A. Green, Donna McDonald, Regine Abel, Alexis Glynn Latner, JC Hay, E.D. Walker, Kyndra Hatch, and Cassandra Chandler for another exciting Pets in Space® anthology. Get the stories before they are gone!
Proud supporters of Hero-Dogs.org, Pets in Space® authors have donated over $7,100 in the past three years to help place specially trained dogs with veterans and first responders. 10% of all pre-orders and the first month’s royalties of Pets in Space® 4 will again go to Hero-Dogs.org. Open your hearts and grab your limited release copy of Pets in Space® 4 today so together we can continue to assist this worthy charity!
And while you’re waiting, make sure you don’t miss Pets in Space® Sampler! It’s going away forever on Oct 7, 2019!
A must have collection! Only available here!
Pets in Space® 4 Sampler: Stories & Art from some of today’s best known and award-winning Science Fiction Romance authors!
NEW & EXCLUSIVE short stories from
* S.E. Smith, Lords of Kassis series
* Anna Hackett, Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone
* Tiffany Roberts, The Kraken series
* Veronica Scott, Star Cruise series
* Pauline Baird Jones, Project Enterprise series
* Donna McDonald, My Crazy Alien Romance series
* Alexis Glynn Latner
* Cassandra Chandler, The Department of Homeworld Security series
Not enough? Check out the preview chapters of their upcoming Pets in Space 4 stories from:
Laurie A. Green, Regine Abel, JC Hay, E. D. Walker, and Kyndra Hatch!
Finish off this fabulous Sampler with gorgeous alien artwork from Tiffany Roberts.
Download your FREE Sampler now before it is gone forever!
So how do you feel about buying directly from an author, as opposed to sticking with your favorite book retailer? Who is your favorite retailer?
Perilously yours,
Pauline