It’s time for the Book Hooks Blog Hop, in which authors share excerpts from their books.
The following excerpt is from my science fiction romance Warrior Priest, that will be released on August 1st. In this scene, Selena has just arrived at the Warrior Priests’ temple. They are about to eat a meal, but it’s a little problematic for her, until Jade unexpectedly comes to her rescue.
Don’t forget to check out more excerpts from authors in the MFRW Book Hooks Blog Hop.
Thank you for stopping by!
Warrior Priest:
by Kate Hill
Science Fiction Romance
Excerpt:
Ari Jade settled his large frame into the chair beside Selena and picked up his
fork. Instead of digging into his food, he leaned a bit closer to her.
“You don’t have to eat that meat if you don’t want to,” he said in a deep whisper.
She glanced at him, surprised by his comment.
“You’re vegetarians, right?”
“You know that?”
He nodded.
“I don’t want to insult anyone.” She glanced around.
Not to mention she wondered what the punishment was for wasting food. Waste was specifically mentioned in their prayer.
“We can trade. Here.” He scooped half his vegetables out of his plate and onto hers. Then he broke his bread and gave her half. She stared at his hands. They were large, with long, thick fingers. His nails were short and clean. How many people had died by those hands?
Her gaze traveled to his wrists that were probably as thick as her biceps. The snug black uniform clung to his muscular arms and broad shoulders. If she hadn’t seen his upper body bare at the ceremony, she might have thought his chest was body armor—it was that strong and sculpted.
It took her a moment to realize her plate was now overly full. Ari Jade’s gaze bore into her. Feeling conspicuous, Selena used her fork to place the meat on his dish.
“Oh that’s a nice trick to get an extra serving of meat, brother,” said Shayne from where he sat across from Jade.
Jade glanced at him sharply. “They’re not allowed to eat meat, and she didn’t want to waste it. Would you like it instead?”
Blurb:
What happens when a warrior priest from a strict religion meets a free-spirited priestess from a new age commune?
Jade and Selena are as different as two people can be, but to facilitate an alliance between their worlds, they engage in a cultural exchange. With their galaxy in danger from a planet that wants to conquer or destroy all others, they realize the importance of their assignment, but it is difficult for a warrior priest and a nonviolent priestess to understand each other.
Selena is both attracted and appalled by his old school masculinity, and Jade is tempted to break his vow of celibacy until marriage due to his powerful desire for her. Will this unlikely pair not only find common ground, but unconditional love?
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Sounds like a great story.
You’ve done a good job turning a ‘throw-away’ kind of scene–after all, you could’ve just said ‘they ate dinner’–into a nice bit of characterization for not one, not two, but four characters.
Loved your excerpt. What a dilemma. What will win out? Intriguing blurb, just enough information to be enticing. Thanks for sharing.