Slaves of an Alien Game
by Nina Schluntz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Science Fiction Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Series BLURB:
Game
Wardens rule most of the galaxy by a fierce empire built on enslavement and
brokered deals. The only means to earn one’s freedom is by playing in the Alien
Games. Two slaves go in the arena, the survivor, if there is one, is given
their freedom and crowned a king, earning them a small country to rule and
slaves of their own.
To
make the battle more fun for spectators, genetically enhanced monsters,
sahalias, are given to the combatants, but they must found in a scavenger hunt.
Five orbs, each hatching into a lizard that will bond with their keeper, are
hidden on a random planet. If the competitor finds all five, they have a great
imbalance of power over the other, who will have none. The sahalias are created
with one purpose, to battle to the death and destroy the other competitor.
Slaves of an Alien Game - Book 1
Caden
works at an all night diner in a small town near the interstate. When a man
comes in late at night, asking for access to the roof, Caden knows the man is a
bit off. But his ruffian nature and a small bribe makes Caden decide to let him
go up.
“It’s
a scavenger hunt,” the man says. Caden thinks he’s being helpful when he finds
the item, a black orb, but when he touches it, he unknowingly becomes a
competitor in an intergalactic competition that ends in a battle to the death.
Manipulated and lied to, drugged by the alien Incubus, Raghib, whom he is now
allied with, he must train his lizard battle creatures to fight for him on an
unknown planet with rules he barely understands.
He
has little chance to survive and although he wants to trust, Raghib, who will
earn his freedom if Caden wins the battle, he worries he is simply being used.
A bit of truth is revealed when one of the Game Wardens takes a liking to
Caden, but his alien species is known to eat humans, so Caden isn’t sure if the
desire is that of hunger or true romance.
Either
way, Caden is nothing but a slave to their alien games.
Excerpt One – Book 1:
I reached what looked like the bar and surveyed the drinks.
I needed alcohol.
“You do not disappoint.” The voice was male and silky. I
pried my eyes from the beverages I couldn’t identify and aimed my angry glare
at the speaker.
He was tall and lanky, sporting a sharp graying goatee and a
braided ponytail that trailed down past his waist. Both matched his gray suit
and sparkling blue eyes. He was handsome but in an unnatural way, as though it
was a quality designed to lure in prey. Instinctively, I knew who this man was.
“You’re one of the Game Wardens,” I said. He smiled like a
tiger soothing a mouse.
“And you are the man making me rich. The fans love you. And
that rant back there…” His eyes fluttered, and he groaned softly as if what I’d
just done turned him on, or maybe the thought of how his TV ratings would spike
was the reason. “You can’t buy that kind of drama.”
“You’re welcome,” I said because what the hell else was I
supposed to say?
“I can’t decide if I want you to die or win in the battle.”
He stepped closer, and I felt fear for no reason other than an instinctive fear
you get when you know you are around something more powerful than you. He had
this hungry look in his eyes, and I couldn’t help the words that came out.
“Is that because you can’t decide if you want to eat me or
fuck me?”
His eyes widened. Perhaps no one had ever spoken to him like
that before.
“You think I eat the people who die in the arena?”
“Why not? You’re already a sicko for making money off
watching people battle to the death.”
“And you also think I have sex with the victors? Or are you
implying it’s what you want, should you survive?” His eyes went down my body,
appraising me.
“What? Don’t be weird,” I said. I pointed to the bottles on
the counter. “Are any of these similar to alcohol on Earth? I want to get
drunk.”
“You are the one who suggested it. And now you want me to
get you drunk?”
“It’s the least you could do since I’m getting you such
great ratings.”
“Oh, I do like you.”
“How flattering,” I said. “Buy me a drink then?”
Raghib finally appeared next to me. Where the fuck had he
gone? Had he been apologizing to the pervert? I glanced at him to say as much,
but mister slick put a finger on my cheek and turned my head back to him.
“If I am buying you a drink, you should keep your attention
on me,” he said.
“Really? You think the viewers want to watch you schmooze
me?”
His jaw fell open, and he gaped speechlessly at me. I wasn’t
entirely sure what kind of fire I was playing with, but I didn’t want this guy
to request me to personally entertain him or some shit either. And that look on
his face was really starting to come across as sexual predatory-ish.
“Never mind,” I said. “I’ll just take some glamour. Nice
talking.” I pushed on Raghib’s arm and moved away from creeper number three of
the night.
“I leave you for two minutes, and I find you with a Game
Warden?” Raghib hissed in my ear.
“He was thanking me for all the great ratings we are getting
for his show,” I said. “What happened to you anyway? We’re tethered. How did
you lose me?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Nina Schluntz is
a native to rural Nebraska. In her youth, she often wrote short stories to
entertain her friends. Those ideas evolved into the novels she creates today.
Her husband
continues to ensure her stories maintain a touch of realism as she delves into
the science fiction and fantasy realm. Their three cats are always willing to
stay up late to provide inspiration, whether it is a howl from the stray born
in the backyard or an encouraging bite from the so called “calming kitten.”
https://mizner13.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/mizner13
https://www.facebook.com/nina.schluntz.novels
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1980193.Nina_R_Schluntz
https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/nina-schluntz/
Series link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMXTJLSV
Book 1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BM4HLGJL
Book 2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMY6H3P7
Book 3
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMZC24SF
Kindle Vella
(serialized version of the series, available in USA only)
https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0BKTF9LMF
Book Video
Links
Book 1: https://youtu.be/uN3P7D3oY4c
Book 2: https://youtu.be/4AXEX23pA3A
Book 3: https://youtu.be/_d_7Ki4S_MI
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER
CODE
One randomly chosen winner via
rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4492
If you cannot
embed the code, please use this HTML link:
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