Master of Her Heart (Sons of Amber Book 2) (14 page)
The soldier Son of Amber had finally found a home.
*
Thanks for reading
Master of Her Heart (Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Sons of Amber #2)
. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review.
The
Jit’Suku Chronicles
are a generational saga set over the course of a few centuries, millennia from now. It is made up of two distinct series set in two different time periods—the
Arcana
series and the
Sons of Amber
series.
Arcana
takes place a century or two before
Sons of Amber
during a time before the bioweapon plague has wiped out half of humanity. That series contains:
King of Swords,
King of Cups,
King of Clubs,
King of Stars,
the short story,
End of the Line,
and
Diva.
Scroll down for a sneak peek…
A complete list of all of Bianca’s books, separated by series, follows the excerpt. You can also check out Bianca’s website at
WWW.BIANCADARC.COM
. Or you can sign up for
Bianca’s Newsletter
to be alerted when new books are released.
EXCERPT FROM
DIVA
BY BIANCA D’ARC
John went home on leave after the mission to save the jumpsite and Last Spiral Station. He’d been right about the commendation they awarded for his daring action to secure the outpost and thereby save not only his unit but the three hundred thousand troopers stationed there. John was well and truly a hero, though he would never admit to it. Humble and a fighter to his core, John was a strong, silent warrior, blessed with superior genetics and highly trained skill.
He had one vice. John loved music. He played a penny whistle—the one instrument small enough to keep on his person, even in combat. But he had every disc ever made by Diva, and his men liked to kid him about it. At night he would connect his earjacks and zone out to her melodious voice, the sound of it transporting him to a beautiful, peaceful place. She literally sang him to sleep each night.
So when the famous entertainer made a visit to the troops, John jumped at the chance to meet her. General Sokow had asked him what he wanted in the way of a reward when he’d pinned that medal to his chest and John had his answer ready. He wanted to meet Diva and he knew for a fact, she’d be on Sol Station that very week.
The General had been only too happy to arrange a little meeting. Not only that, General Sokow had arranged for John to head up Diva’s military escort for her upcoming base tour. She was scheduled to do a few weeks of shows for the troops rotating out of the danger zone, and John would hitch aboard her private shuttle as both escort and liaison officer on his way back to the rim.
It was perfect.
More than he could ever have hoped for. John only prayed the actual woman could match to the image in his mind every night when she sung him to sleep. A great deal was written about Diva in the news, some of it salacious and uncomplimentary, though the majority of the reporting about her was favorable. She was rumored to be an exacting performer, unwilling to tolerate sub-par performance from her equipment or personnel. She ran a tight ship, demanding exactness and receiving accolades for her astute hands-on approach to creating and performing.
John had never seen her perform live, but that would soon be remedied. As part of her escort, he would be attending each and every show she did for the troops. He could hardly wait.
The woman was lovely. Even prettier than the publicity holos on her vids and discs. John was momentarily struck speechless when General Sokow led him into the reception. The General was clearly enjoying his role in rewarding the latest hero of the rim. John had no objection. Not when it gained him an introduction to the lovely creature with the magic voice.
Seeing her in person, even from across the room, was impressive. She had a fresh smile and a vivacious energy about her that translated to whomever she spoke with. John noted as Diva gave every person she came into contact with her full attention. Not what one would expect of a galactic superstar.
John had composed himself by the time it was his turn to meet her. The reception was a formality. Diva was being wined and dined by the defense forces’ top brass, all of whom wanted to meet her and apparently, thank her for doing this round of free shows for the troops.
General Sokow lingered over the introductions as John stared at the petite beauty before him. Diva.
If the guys in his unit could just see him now.
“Captain John Starbridge will be acting as leader of your escort on this trip out,” the general was saying. Diva nodded but her eyes were on John. He felt the impact of her olivine gaze like a blow to the chest.
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Captain.”
Her speaking voice was just as lovely as her singing voice.
“Likewise, ma’am.”
She laughed and it was like the tinkling of tiny silver bells.
“Oh, please don’t call me ma’am. That makes me feel ancient! Just Diva will do, Captain Starbridge.”
She said his name as if she was familiar with it. Perhaps she was. What he’d just done at Last Spiral Station was no big secret and a few of the newscasts had mentioned his name. Perhaps one of the brass had told her about him, he mused.
“I’d be honored if you’d call me John.”
The general wisely excused himself with a small, knowing smile.
“John.” She tasted the name and he liked the sound of it on her sensuous lips. “I understand you just received the Medal of Valor. Congratulations.”
So she
had
been forewarned about him.
“Thank you, ma’am. Diva.” He corrected himself with a small smile.
Diva chuckled and a teasing smile lit her eyes.
“Is it going to be hard to break you of that military formality, John?”
He had to chuckle too. “Probably. The military is all I’ve ever known.”
She nodded. “Most people don’t know this, but my father was a military officer, like you. Spec Ops.”
“How’d you know I was SO?” Most civilians in John’s experience couldn’t tell one branch of service form another, much less what the various insignia meant.
“Aside from the fact that it’s written all over you—the eyes, the stance, the demeanor, the insignia,” she tapped a finger to the trident on his chest, “there’s the fact that only a Spec Ops warrior could pull off the kind of maneuver you are rumored to have orchestrated out on the Last Spiral.”
“So you pay attention to the news then? Playing for the troops isn’t just some publicity thing for you.”
Someone behind him gasped and John realized he’d asked a very impertinent question in a very public place, but Diva just smiled, taking him by the arm and leading him toward the buffet tables.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been so rude, ma’am.”
She stopped to face him. “No, John. You can ask me anything you like. I’d rather have a real conversation any day over being pandered to by sycophants. And to answer your question, yes, I do pay attention to the reports from the rim. My dad was lost in the Rim Wars. What you men do out there means a great deal to me and to a lot of others. Doing a few shows for returning troops once in a while is very little in comparison.”
John liked her forthrightness, her passion. Even as they resumed their walk toward the buffet tables and a three star general came over to take her away, she held to his arm as if she didn’t want to let go. But duty called. He thought he read regret in her eyes as she turned to him and said farewell. She promised they’d resume their conversation sometime soon, but John didn’t hold out much hope of that. Nor did he begrudge it. She was very much in demand, with people much more important than he vying for her attention.
John faded into the background, well pleased with his brush with fame. Diva hadn’t disappointed him. She was every bit the beauty she appeared on her vids and every inch the class act he had always assumed she’d be. Diva had also made him feel welcome and important, though by comparison to the top brass gathered all around fawning over her, he was nobody. Still, she’d taken the time to tell him about her father and demonstrated that the keen intelligence in her songs had foundation in the woman herself. She was the real deal.
To read more, get your copy of
Diva
by Bianca D’Arc.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bianca D’Arc has run a laboratory, climbed the corporate ladder in the shark-infested streets of lower Manhattan, studied and taught martial arts, and earned the right to put a whole bunch of letters after her name, but she’s always enjoyed writing more than any of her other pursuits. She grew up and still lives on Long Island, where she keeps busy with an extensive garden, several aquariums full of very demanding fish, and writing her favorite genres of paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi romance.
Bianca loves to hear from readers and can be reached through Twitter (@BiancaDArc), Facebook (BiancaDArcAuthor) or through the various links on her website.
Welcome to The D’Arc Side…
OTHER BOOKS BY BIANCA D’ARC
Paranormal Romance
Brotherhood of Blood
One & Only
Rare Vintage
Phantom Desires
Sweeter Than Wine
Forever Valentine
Wolf Hills*
Wolf Quest
Tales of the Were
Lords of the Were
Inferno
Tales of the Were ~ The Others
Rocky
Slade
Tales of the Were ~ Redstone Clan
The Purrfect Stranger
Grif
Red
Magnus
Bobcat
Matt
Tales of the Were ~ String of Fate
Cat’s Cradle
King’s Throne
Jacob’s Ladder
Her Warriors
Tales of the Were ~ Grizzly Cove
All About the Bear
Mating Dance
Night Shift
Alpha Bear
Saving Grace
Bearliest Catch
Guardians of the Dark
Half Past Dead
Once Bitten, Twice Dead
A Darker Shade of Dead
The Beast Within
Dead Alert
Gifts of the Ancients:
Warrior’s Heart
Epic Fantasy Erotic Romance
Dragon Knights
Maiden Flight*
The Dragon Healer
Border Lair
Master at Arms
The Ice Dragon**
Prince of Spies***
Wings of Change
FireDrake
Dragon Storm
Keeper of the Flame
Hidden Dragons
The Sea Captain’s Daughter Trilogy
Book 1: Sea Dragon
Book 2: Dragon Fire
Book 3: Dragon Mates
Science Fiction Romance
StarLords
Hidden Talent
Talent For Trouble
Shy Talent
Jit’Suku Chronicles
~
Arcana
End of the Line
King of Swords
King of Cups
King of Clubs
King of Stars
Diva
Jit’Suku Chronicles
~
Sons of Amber
Angel in the Badlands
Master of Her Heart
Futuristic Erotic Romance
Resonance Mates
Hara’s Legacy**
Davin’s Quest
Jaci’s Experiment
Grady’s Awakening
Harry’s Sacrifice
* RT Book Reviews Awards Nominee
** EPPIE Award Winner
*** CAPA Award Winner
