Title: The Chalice
Author: P.L. Parker
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Book Blurb:
Decimated by the savage Deg’Nara and teetering on the brink of extinction, the last surviving males of the once great Chiagan-Se embark on a quest to salvage what is left of their civilization. They send their remaining seeker ships into the void, searching for genetically compatible females. Time is running out, but in the far reaches of the universe, on an obscure and primitive planet, a match is discovered.
One thousand panic-stricken women awaken two hundred years in the future, captives aboard an unmanned alien spacecraft bound for parts unknown! How had they gotten there and why? The males thought they came willingly. The females believed they’d been kidnapped. Full of hopeful expectation, the Chiagan-Se prepare for the arrival of their new mates. Terrified and furious at the inexplicable abduction, the women prepare for combat! And when the two sides meet, the battle commences.
Excerpt:
The throng of women clustered around Kara, buzzing with questions, looking to her for leadership.
Great! Kara thought, annoyed beyond belief. Just great! Like I’m the leader type. Not! But everyone was looking to her for direction so she’d better say something. Frantic, she searched her memories. What would the Queen of England do and say right now? Where’s my Corgis?
She cleared her throat, nervous and ill prepared to take up the reins of power. Once in grade school, she’d been a hall monitor for a week, but that was about the limit of her hands-on experience.
The crowd stilled, waiting for her input.
“Why me?” she hissed.
“You opened your mouth.” Dreadlocks said, eyes twinkling with mirth. “No one else wants the job.”
Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes, taking a moment to focus. Okay. Didn’t work.
She gazed across the sea of frightened faces, feeling their terror with every molecule of her being. They all needed answers. Hope. Something to hold onto.
“I think what we need to do first is figure out what we’re up against.”
Heads nodded agreement.
“And I know it’s scary, but I think some of us need to head down that hallway,” she motioned to the opening, “and investigate. Much as I hate the idea, I guess I’ll go. Who’s with me?”
“Me,” Dreadlocks offered immediately. “Ain’t nothin’ but a damned hallway.” She glared at the others, daring them to join. “I don’t see anyone else volunteering.”
Nordic giantess pushed through the crowd. “Ja,” she said. “I go vith you.”
Kara breathed a sigh of relief. Three was better than one—and she didn’t relish going alone.
“You’ll need my expertise,” English offered, stepping forward. Offhand and calm, she surveyed the room. “I doubt anyone else has my intelligence.”
“Yeah,” Dreadlocks snickered. “Shit for brains.”
English laughed, a high trilling sound. “Touché, sweetie pie.” Her lips curved into a sneer. “I could just be your fat butt’s savior.”
“Better a fat ass than a fat mouth,” Dreadlocks grumbled.
“…please exit the chamber,” the recording droned on. “Any dalliance and you will be punished.”
“I’ll just be glad when I don’t have to listen to that frickin’ thing.” Dreadlocks glared at the ceiling, voicing Kara’s own thoughts. If she had a gun, she’d shoot it.
Oriental Ninja girl’s black head bobbed as she wove through the onlookers. “You need protection. I can help.”
Bodyguards! Things were looking up.
“Okay,” Kara exhaled, damning the inevitable. “We have a consortium.”
“Ye cannae leave me,” Irish shrieked, shaking like a leaf as she clung to Kara’s arm. “Ye dinnae noo what’s out there. And I cannae go. I wouldnae be mooch help.”
Naked female body touching her. I don’t think so. “Would someone babysit Irish while we’re gone,” Kara called out, “before she has a heart attack.”
“Me name’s Moira.” Irish’s blue eyes snapped. “Me name’s Moira.”
“Will someone take care of Moira while we’re gone?”
“I dinnae need care.” Moira’s head lifted. Her back stiffened. “I just dinnae want ye to go.”
Kara extricated herself, one sweaty finger at a time. “Somebody has to do something and I can’t volunteer anyone but myself.” She patted the girl’s arm. “Just relax. If they haven’t hurt us yet, I doubt they’re going to.”
“By the way,” Dreadlocks said. “My name’s Danesha, Danesha Williams. From Hartford.”
Kara took the proffered hand. “Kara Nichols. San Francisco.”
English’s hand covered theirs. “Anne Ford. London.”
The tall Nordic girl slapped Kara’s shoulder. “Hannalore. Hanna Svenson. Stockholm, Sveden.”
“Swedish, huh.”
Four sets of eyes focused on Ninja girl.
Bowing low, she introduced herself. “Ume Nishioki. Okinawa, Japan.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
New Concepts Publishing: https://www.newconceptspublishing.com/product-page/chalice-the-1
Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-chalice-3
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13572200-the-chalice?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=74qBgAv0Aq&rank=1
What’s your favorite thing about autumn:
The harvest and the colors of fall are truly inspiring. The time of year when my chrysanthemums are blooming. That hush you feel inside telling you fall is in the air. And of course, I love Halloween!
What inspired you to write this story:
I’ve always loved science fiction romances and the idea of being whisked away into the universe and finding that one true love. If there’s a scifi romance out there, you can be sure its on my to-be-read list. Writing this story just seemed like a perfect fit.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon US or Canada gift card
Open internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon CA account to win.
Runs September 1 – 30
Drawing will be held on October 3.
Author Biography:
I write stories with alpha males and strong, determined women. My genres include science fiction romance, time travel romance and paranormal romance.
I am a dreamer, an avid reader of fiction, a sometimes gardener and an inept crafter. I live in Idaho. I have three sons, two daughters-in-law, a granddaughter and little grandson. Over the years, I taught and performed dance but as time passed, I decided to try my hand at a new endeavor - writing. I enjoy life and all its promises.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.plparker.net/
Blogspot: http://plparker.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PLParker