Today, I’m happy to welcome author Clare Dargin to the Reading Room Blog today to tell us about her new release, Ice and Peace, plus #4Fun Facts about her Cold Warriors science fiction romance series.

Four Fun Facts–

1. My father and brother, navy and marine vets respectively, helped me with the research for this and the first book in the series.

2. When I first started writing the series, it took me approximately ten years and countless drafts before I came upon the story line that was eventually published.

3. The first time I submitted the first book Cold Warriors for publication, I was turned down by many romance publishers (both traditional and e- publishers as they were categorized at the time) before being accepted by an erotic romance house.  I think it was because there were not many interracial/multicultural books out at the time that featured scifi and military.

4. Once the books were published not only were they well received, they became bestsellers!

The Cold Warriors Universe Book Two- Ice and Peace

A New Threat? After a long and vicious war, peace is on the horizon for Earth and its allies. However, a series of mysterious attacks on several secret military installations causes hostilities to rise once again.

Redemption. Having left under a cloud of disgrace, retired Marine Colonel Medoro Keegan is called back to duty.

Bound. His wife Caitlin, the only surviving member of her team, chooses to embrace life, albeit grudgingly, as a cryo soldier. Seen as sub-human, she is forced to serve a planet that denies her rights as a person.

Driven. Guided by their sense of duty and belief that some things are bigger than them, they are determined to risk it all.

Hope. The cost of war is high. Can their love and marriage survive? Or will it be killed off by the very same mission that brought them together?

Genre: Sci-fi romance, military romance, interracial/multicultural, futuristic, end of the world
Heat level: 2
Word count – 43k
Cover art by LFD Designs

Available at all E-book retailers including Amazon

Excerpt:

“Sir,” a soft voice, feminine and sweet, beckoned his attention. Keegan knew the voice, like he knew himself. His heart skipped a beat.

Rising slowly from his chair, he cleared his throat and straightened his uniform. Suddenly, the room seemed unbearably long as he walked the three feet or so to be near her.

As he took in every detail of her, he was stunned silent. She wore a Marine Corps uniform with Navy insignia, with her hair neatly pinned off her neck and shoulders. Her clothes were pressed with a crease that could cut a major artery and her demeanor was impeccable. Something was not right.

Still, Caitlin was a sight for sore eyes. She was beautiful. Her petite frame was perfectly accented by the curves of her figure. And her brown eyes and coffee-brown skin was smooth, creamy.

Standing at attention, she did not meet his gaze. Though it was customary not to do as a sign of military courtesy, he could tell she was not doing it for that reason. Her gaze was different.

Circling her, he tried to see if he could catch her watching him out of the corner of her eye. In fact, she appeared to be staring blankly ahead.

Peering directly at her, he spoke in a soft tone. “At ease.”

She relaxed.

“Cate. Can you hear me?”

“Yes, sir,” she responded mechanically.

Pain pierced his insides. She was definitely not there. Keegan placed his hands on his hips and hung his head in defeat. The one thing that was supposed to go right did not. For whatever reason, they had placed her in a deeper state of mental control than she’d ever been in. He controlled the hostile emotions brewing with him. Touching her face gently, he felt her icy skin.

This is unacceptable! Not here. I will not let this happen here. Not under my command.

“Chief, listen up,” he said in an authoritative tone. He knew in this state, it was the only way he could speak to her and still have her respond.

“Yes, sir.” Her gaze became even more distant.

Her response fueled his anger. “You are going to hightail it down to the doc and receive a full examination. Tell him it is based on my orders. He will know what to do. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

Knowing that she was under the influence of cryo neurotransmitters, Keegan figured the only way to combat it was to get someone to reverse it. They usually wore off once she was away from the stimulus triggers for a long period of time. But considering her stimulus triggers were high-ranking officers in uniform and combat situations, being around here meant she was going to be in a drone zone for a very long time. The last thing he needed was a zombie on board, especially one in charge of the lives of others.

Only the jerks in psyche warfare thought doing this to someone would be a good idea. As long as he was running the ship, none of that would be allowed. There weren’t going to be any super zombies soldiers on board his ship. And he’d roll over in his grave before he let them do it to his wife.

“After you come back from the doc, you will report to me, understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Are there any questions?”

“No, sir.”

“Dismissed.”

She did an about face before leaving the room. Keegan clasped his hands behind his back. In the blink of an eye, his joy had turned to sorrow. Now faced with the responsibility of looking after his wife, he wondered how could he handle the burden of command and still protect the woman he loved.

You can find Clare on the web at:

Clare’s Blog 2: The haven – www.claresblog2thehaven.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/clare.dargin

Twitter: www.twitter.com/clare_dargin

Thanks, Clare. Personally, I love a good space opera! How about you?

Leave a comment for Clare or me to be entered in the monthly drawing for a $15.00 Starbucks e-gift card. Follow the blog and let me know for a second chance. to win.

Linda / Lyndi