It’s Wednesday and time for the Book Hooks Blog Hop. During the hop, authors share excerpts from their books.
In last week’s excerpt from my science fiction romance, Warrior Priest, Jade and Selena were caught in a strange cave where they’re questioning their beliefs. Selena was dealing with her recent act of violence. Now it’s Jade’s turn to deal with his relentless desire for Selena.
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
Grasping his clothes almost angrily, he cursed again and stalked toward the water.
“What?” she asked, reaching for her tunic and jacket and joining him at the river.
“What? You have to ask?” He practically growled, scrubbing himself off in the water. He pulled on his clothes. “We have to get out of here.”
“Jade—”
“You were right about this being a test, but you weren’t the one being tried. It’s me. I failed.”
Folding her arms across her chest she stared at him, annoyed. She knew where this conversation was going. Again.
“How did you fail?” She guessed what his answer would be, so she didn’t even let him reply. “It’s not like we went all the way. It even sounds childish. We’re adults. Even if we did it, it’s not a crime.”
“Not a crime.” He narrowed his eyes. “A sin. I made vows, and I’ve broken them.”
She smiled humorlessly. “Oh. I see. You weren’t so upset when I killed people, which went against my vows.”
He scowled. “They weren’t even real. You can take comfort in that, at least. The two of us just did this, Selena. It’s not an illusion. At least I don’t think it is.” His brow furrowed.
“I know.” Now that the warmth had passed and she could think clearly again, the creepiness of the cave returned. “I don’t know what’s real, either, but I’m pretty sure we just did—”
“Oh, we did. Do you know how many years I’ve gone without doing this, and now-”
“I don’t believe it. Is that all you’ve taken from this experience? That touching me is a sin. That I’m a sin?”
“You’re not a sin. This has nothing to do with you.”
She stared at him, raising an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“You know what I mean. It’s not you. Maybe it’s not even me. It’s this place.”
“You’re right. We need to get out of here before we lose our minds—and you something else.”
“You have to slip in the gibe, don’t you, Selena? You can’t let it go. What’s in danger here isn’t our minds or even our bodies, but our souls.”
“Thank you so much, Jade,” she said sourly. “It’s good to know you think I’m destroying your soul.”
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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I love this line! “It’s good to know you think I’m destroying your soul.”
Today’s posts have also been shared on #PMInc’s Excerpts & Promotions Facebook Page
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Dee
#PMInc
You had me with Warrior Priest! Sounds like a great read.
Thank you, Linda!
Thank you, Dee! She wasn’t very happy with him about that!
Sounds like they need to get out of there and then make a few decisions. Good job. Thanks for sharing!
Your book is included in this month’s Roost Recommendations, featuring a link to this post, a buy link, and a blurb. I share the Roost Recommendations posts on Twitter with readers looking for their next read.
https://ornerybookemporium.blogspot.com/2021/08/roost-recommendations-august-2021.html
Thank you very much, Cie!