EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
Athena's Ashes
(Star Thief Chronicles Book 2)
(Star Thief Chronicles Book 2)
by Jamie Grey
Athena's Ashes is the second book in Jamie Grey's Star Thief Chronicles. Also available: The Star Thief and Fortune's Risk (novella).
Description
It’s Renna’s biggest job yet – convincing MYTH leadership that she’s put away her lock picks and is ready to save the galaxy, despite the dangerous implant in her brain. But with the Athena on the run, she’s working solo and facing her most ruthless enemy, the traitor Pallas, who’ll go to any lengths to destroy the MYTH organization. Including framing Renna for a devastating assault on MYTH HQ that leaves their defenses crippled and hundreds dead.
Now that MYTH believes she’s a dangerous double-agent, Renna escapes their firing squad before they put more holes in her than a pair of fishnet stockings. But the ticking time-bomb in her head is the one thing Pallas needs to complete his master plan and he’s not about to let her get away. Even worse, he’s discovered the only thing that will bring Renna to her knees – threatening Captain Nick Finn.
Out of time and options, Renna’s got one shot to take down the traitor before he annihilates everything she loves, even though winning this battle may cost her everything.
Excerpt
Renna jolted awake as a warm hand brushed against her face. She’d been dreaming again. Of ships and stars and men she’d thought long dead. And right now, she had no idea what was real and what she’d made up in her head.
Renna licked her cracked lips and opened her eyes. It took a moment for them to focus on the face hovering above her. A face from her dreams.
“Finn,” she croaked.
“Shhh.” He smiled down at her, expression full of concern. “Don’t talk, just take it easy. You’re going to be fine.” His fingers brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek, and her skin erupted in goose bumps.
If she wasn’t so weak, she’d have thrown herself at him. Instead, she ordered her own hand to touch his. It resisted at first, but eventually it moved and Finn curled his fingers around hers.
The touch lent her enough strength to ask, “Are you really here? How are you here?”
He gave her one of those heart-twisting half-smiles of his. Maybe she’d died and this was heaven. Maybe this was just another dream. But damn, if that was the case, she never wanted to wake up.
Her tongue felt like a wad of cotton in her mouth. Gods, when was the last time she’d brushed her teeth? She gestured to the glass of water on the table beside her bed. Finn helped her hold it to her lips, and she drank thirstily.
When her hand started to shake, Finn gently took the glass from her and set it on the table. “I was hoping you could tell me that,” he said, brushing back another strand of her hair. His gaze softened, making him look young and vulnerable.
An electrical jolt shot through her with an emotion she didn’t want to name. Putting her feelings into words would make them too real.
“The Athena brought us here on her own,” he said. “But Gheewala said she could sense your electronic signature on the ship. We didn’t have much choice but to believe her. And then we arrived in the space port and saw the Eris.” He studied her for a long moment, his expression curious but wary. “How did you do it?”
Renna frowned at him. “I don’t understand. Do what?”
“Control the Athena. You brought us here.”
Featured Review
OH WOW. Just finished. Where to start? Um. Just wow. So Athena's Ashes picks up where The Star Thief left off, and takes you on a ride to places you'd never expect, with conflicts you'd never expect, and left me with a love for a certain space pirate I never expected LOL. This was a fantastic sequel to the first book, and although I had some issues with Renna repeating the whole "used to be alone/now have to rely on others" thing a lot, overall, I very much enjoyed this book.
And that ending! The ending!
If you're looking for a great NA Sci-Fi read, and love space, tech, and pirates, this is it!
Interview With the Author
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Always? I remember writing down stories as a kid, making little books for my parents and illustrating them. Then about five years ago I stumbled on a critique site, joined and started getting feedback on my writing. I realized that maybe I could actually write things that people wanted to read. I’ve been hooked ever since!
What drew you to the sci-fi genre?
It’s funny, I actually started out writing fantasy. I loved those kinds of books as a kid - getting lost in different worlds, meeting new people. But then I started watching a few sci-fi TV shows a couple of years ago and realized the two genres were actually similar, just with different settings. Somehow when I started writing sci-fi everything just clicked, I felt comfortable and at home. It was surprising, but I’m just going with it for now J I have to say, I’m kind of a genre chameleon so I’m sure I’ll be trying out something new soon!
I think it was because I was a huge fan of sci-fi romance books and just didn’t find very many out there. So, basically I was trying to write the type of book I wanted to read! And I love space, so there’s that too!
What do you want most to leave with your readers when they've shut the back cover?
I want them to be in love with the characters and world, and breathless from the ride. I want them to worry about what’s going to happen next. There’s nothing better than a reader who’s desperate to read your next book!
About the Author
Jamie Grey spent most of her childhood writing stories about princesses who saved the day and pretending to be a daring explorer. It wasn’t until much later that she realized she should combine the two. Now, as a tech-obsessed gamer geek, her novels mix amazing scientific developments, future worlds, and the remarkable characters that live in them.
Jamie lives in Michigan with her boyfriend and their pets, who luckily tolerate her overspending on tea, books, and video games.
Giveaway
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