Announcing the release of my first book.

Hi gather friends and colleagues. After months and months of waiting and preparing, my first fantasy romance is available from New Concepts Publishing. I'm trying to send this only to the groups that I think are interested. I've been reading every article I can find on promotion in preparation for this day and realized I never put forth an excerpt or description here on gather. So here is a short blurb and an excerpt. After reading them, I hope you'll visit my website to read more:

 www.susankelleyauthor.com

or purchase this book:  www.newconceptspublishing.com

BLURB:

Juston Steele if forced to wed Princess Katerina to unite their two small colonies in their struggle to survive their harsh world. But there's more going on than a reluctant groom, a desperate bride and an arranged marriage. Can they trust each other enough to find out what before the secrets kill them?

 EXCERPT:

Just tested his muscles before opening his eyes and giving away his consciousness. Instincts and habit had long ago taught him to be ready to fight immediately upon waking.

Though a bit of drowsiness still clouded his mind, his thoughts had cleared enough for him to realize he’d been drugged and not poisoned. The Solonians were healers and would have such things.

Cold heaviness lay on his wrists and he guessed his ankles wore similar shackles. Cloth rubbed against cloth alerting him to the presence of others. He heard the breathing of two people and caught the clean womanly scent he had detected about the Lady Katerina when he had first met her.

Ignoring the pain behind his eyes, Just blinked twice and opened his eyes. Lady Katerina sat in a chair near his head. Her guard, Vilicia, stood directly behind her, glaring at Just.

"He wakes already, Katerina," Vilicia said, frowning at Just even more. "We should note that males need larger doses of sedatives than females the next time we need to use the drug.

"Hopefully, Vilicia, we won’t have to use the drug on him again. We must convince him to use good sense." Now Katerina frowned at him also. "Though we’ve seen no indication that he possesses any."

"Yes, it’s a wonder he’s survived as long as he has. This tendency to lose control can’t serve him well in his fight against the Others."

Just’s foggy brain wasn’t catching all their words, but he heard enough to know he was being insulted. Remembered anger rose to burn off some of the haze. Apparently rudeness was a part of Solonian culture as well as kidnapping. Rudeness deserved rudeness. "What the hell do you want?"

The huge one stepped toward him, her lips pulled back in a snarl. It occurred to Just how helpless he was. The shackles held him stretched out flat on his back on a wooden cot.

"Watch your mouth, chained one. It wouldn’t bother me to teach you some manners and respect toward your betters."

"Betters?" Just’s head hurt like hell, but the sluggishness was rapidly dissipating. "I see two common criminals who would rob a man of his personal rights and freedoms."

Katerina raised her hand, forestalling any response from Vilicia. The warrior gave Just a look of disgust before retreating to the doorway. She leaned against the stone wall.

"I’m in the brig," Just realized out loud. How would he escape from the stone dungeon? Most Realm structures were made of wood, but not this prison. He tugged on his restraints and found he could do little about his prone position. His mood went from bad to worse when he saw the sympathy on Lady Katerina’s face.

"We’re not here to debate such issues as your manners or lack of same, Just Steele. I want to discuss our arrangement and your options."

Just started to interrupt, but her raised hand stopped him. Instant irritation flooded him because he obeyed her silent command.

"Let me give you the basic facts. Your leaders have given you to us. Whether they have the right to do so or not is of no concern to my people. You’re under our control and will remain so. There’s no chance of escape, and we won’t change our selection."

Just pressed his lips together, waiting for her to tell it all. He didn’t trust her a bit. Her dark brown eyes held a determination that he feared would hinder his escape.

"You’re perfect for our needs." Katerina continued. "If we must, though we prefer not to, we can control you with drugs similar to the one you’ve already experienced. We can medicate you to keep you docile and cooperative. We also have a potion that will insure your cooperation as a sire of my child." Katerina held up a small glass vial of brown liquid. A sharp metal prong topped the vial. The stinger, Just guessed. "I’m prepared to do so right now if that’s the way you chose."

Just’s heart accelerated. The suffocating trapped feeling closed in on him. His mouth and throat dried up as Vilicia moved to the side of his cot. He pulled against his shackles, his helplessness threatening to turn to panic.

"Shall I pull his pants down again? I don’t believe I retied them from before." Vilicia smiled at Just, all nastiness and superiority.

Just tried to jerk back out of reach as she leaned over him.

"Wait, Vilicia. Perhaps Squad Leader Steele would like to hear another option?

Just risked a look at Katerina when she spoke. Sweat broke out on his back as she shook the vial. What kind of witches were they?

* * * *

Katerina watched Just swallow, his throat working like he had a melonfruit stuck in his gullet. It must be his massive pride he worked to get down. She regretted the less than kind persuasion she had used to get his cooperation. His life was more important than his pride so he would have to live with it.

Katerina didn’t dare share with Just what she had picked up from Herma. The vicious hatred the councilor felt for Just was murderous. She had discussed it with her mother who sensed the same thing. Katerina believed Herma would find a more permanent method to rid himself of Just if the Solonians didn’t take the warrior with them.

Katerina admitted another reason for her pressure on Just. After meeting him and seeing him in all his pride and stubbornness, she wanted him for her mate. No lesser man would do to sire her child. Katerina shook the vial and hid her hope that she wouldn’t have to use it.

"I’m listening. I hope your next option is better than the first one." Just’s tone was so cold and flat a shiver ran up Katerina’s spine. She remembered her earlier fear when he had been so angry at Herma. She pushed doubts aside and handed the vial to Vilicia. Just released his held breath, his fists uncurling and the muscles across his chest relaxing a little.

Katerina lifted her gaze back to his face before her imagination led her to dangerous speculations. "There’s another option. We hadn’t realized you would find joining with me so repulsive." Katerina paused, giving Just a chance to deny it. He didn’t. "However, since it is, perhaps we can come to another agreement. I propose a short trial of our joining. We should know shortly if conception is possible between our two races. You will stay until the child is delivered and then return to your own people. During the lunar cycles you’re with us, you can learn about our society." But not everything, Katerina added to herself. "We can benefit from your knowledge and prowess as a warrior. You’ll be fighting the same enemy you do for the Realm and perhaps learning from our own warriors."

Katerina paused, giving Just a chance to think. She shouldn’t place so much importance on this man’s decision, but she was determined to have him at her side when they returned to Solonia. "You have two choices. Agree to cooperate for a short period of time and go free after a time or return with us as a slave forever. After the evening meal, I’ll return for your decision. Either way, we depart for Solonia at daybreak."

Thanks for reading this and please visit:  www.susankelleyauthor.com