Title: STAR CRUISE DREAM DANCER
Author: Veronica Scott
Genre: SciFi Romance
Book Blurb:
Micki Allwell is a Comettes dancer aboard the luxurious interstellar cruise liner Nebula Zephyr. She’s offered the opportunity to take part in a celebrity dance contest to be held on the ship but her partner is a billionaire without dance experience or much interest in the contest, which his powerful family has pressured him to enter for their own reasons.
Josh Benfield has a galaxy of business deals going on every hour of the day, all over the Sectors. He has no time for dancing but his professional partner is an intriguing woman who insists he take the competition seriously. He knows she has secrets and he’s intrigued.
The intimacy of partnering in dance sparks a romance between the two of them but how long can it last?
Will seven weeks of competition in close quarters aboard the ship be enough to make Micki and Josh permanent partners? Or will the stark differences in their lives and pasts lead to heartbreak? And who is going to take home the trophy?
This 54K word novel is the latest in the Star Cruise series. Have you booked your Star Cruise yet?
Excerpt:
“Any time you’re done with your art appreciation tour of my office, we can get started, Ms. Allwell.” Josh’s voice was dry and when she turned to him, he was sitting with his fingers steepled, leaning back in his chair, completely at ease.
Micki took her time returning to the chair, although she was conscious of his gaze. Well, she was looking too so she couldn’t exactly complain. For a generational billionaire, Josh Benfield was built like a pro tisba player, all corded muscle and suppressed energy. His face was trideo star handsome although his expression right now was cold, and his hair was a thick shiny brown, longer than she would have expected. Micki had the urge to run her fingers through it and lectured herself sternly. The guy was definitely hot. And untouchable. He was a supernova and she was a tiny little Comette, finding her way through life as best she could. Taking her seat, she adopted a demure pose. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Benfield.”
“Josh. If we’re going to be dancing together for seven weeks, we’re not standing on formality. What do you have planned for us?”
She was amused but hardly surprised at his arrogance in assuming he’d survive every week’s elimination to make the finale. “Planned?”
“The contract I read was most specific regarding the fact the dancer in each celebrity team had the responsibility of choreographing the routines. I’m many things but a choreographer is way outside my scope.”
Nice of him to admit any shortcomings. “Actually, I haven’t given it much thought as yet,” she said.
Now Josh frowned and the expression was epic. “This may be nothing but a frothy trideo entertainment for the Sectors masses,” he said in a cold tone, “But if I’m involved, I intend to do my best. I’m disappointed to hear you taking it so lightly.”
“And of course you want your charity to win.” She waited to see what he’d say. Based on what she’d read in her research a Benfield could give his charity a hundred times what the show was going to contribute and never even miss the credits. Pocket change for them. And the Benfield Family Foundation sponsored a number of charities Sectors-wide anyway.
“Of course.” He matched her smile.
“Do you dance?” Micki asked.
“In my circles it’s required to learn the basic social dances at an early age. There are always balls and events at which one will be expected to participate.”
Rising, Micki gestured at him. “Well, get up.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I need to see what I have to work with.” Micki held her breath to see if he’d comply but after a moment Josh left his chair and came to join her, standing close enough that his no doubt expensive cologne, mixed with a subtle scent of his own, intoxicated her and his warmth set off a corresponding warmth deep inside her core. I’m in trouble now. Oh this was bad, very bad. The man was affecting her more than any male she’d ever encountered before. Struggling to maintain her outward composure, she tugged him closer, put his arm around her waist and raised her hand into the correct dance position for one of the ancient social dances he’d hopefully been made to learn.
Automatically he clasped her hand and as she began to hum a basic tune, he pulled her against him and stepped off into the first moves of the dance. “I didn’t think we were allowed to dance together until production officially began,” he said, staring at her with his intense brown eyes. “Are we breaking the rules already?”
She shrugged. “Bending them slightly, maybe. No one would ever mistake this for a rehearsal hall and we’re not dressed for doing choreo.”
He twirled her into a turn, Micki instinctively following his strong lead, and then a few steps later a back bend, pulling her into frame again so quickly she nearly stepped on his foot.
Micki realized they’d stopped moving, although they remained locked together in front of his desk. She pulled away and instantly he released her.
“What’s your verdict?” he asked with a grin, seating himself on the edge of the desk. “Do I meet your no doubt exacting standards?”
She scooped up her purse and headed for the door. “You’re clearly better than the washed-up comedian I expected to be assigned.” Struck by a thought, she pivoted on one red spiked heel. He was watching her, eyes gleaming with open male appreciation. “How are you with antigrav?”
“Did my assistant bring you to my office via the antigrav lift?”
She nodded.
“That should tell you what you need to know. I have no issues—do you?”
Other than a bad knee and a few other dancer style aches and pains, no. She repressed the truth. Josh Benfield didn’t need to know anything about her problems. “I love antigrav and we’re required to do one dance number in the weightless environment.” She gave a little wave and resumed walking across the priceless carpet to the door. “See you at the big reveal.”
Once she was in the outer office and his door slid shut behind her, Micki let out a deep breath and tried to calm her quaking nerves. This was going to be a long seven weeks all right but not for the reasons she’d originally expected. Josh Benfield was going to be a dream to dance with and a severe temptation besides.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
What makes your featured book a must-read?
A celebrity dance competition for charity, on board an interstellar cruise liner, featuring a billionaire and a dancer with secrets. If you love the idea of a science fiction take on dancing in the stars, this is a must read.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $10 Kobo gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs March 4 – March 10, 2025.
Winner will be drawn on March 11, 2025.
Author Biography:
USA Today Best Selling Author
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.
Seven time winner of the SFR Galaxy Award, as well as a National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Veronica is also the proud recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal relating to her former day job, not her romances!
She read the part of Star Trek Crew Member in the official audiobook production of Harlan Ellison’s “The City On the Edge of Forever.”
Social Media Links:
Bluesky: veronicascott.bsky.social