Excerpt, The Curse of Sotkari Ta, Book One During our meals and free time, we had interesting conversations. One time, I asked him whether he knew of other people kidnapped from Earth. ​ “Mina, the Lostai have been... CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE SNIPPET: www.mariaaperez.com/blank-page-1

“Father?” Everyone #turn-s to look down at me. Tension squeezes my neck, making me wish I had kept quiet. “Yes, son?” “What is Tormix?” “Montor, it is a planet on the edge of this sector.” “Why are they forcing us to go there?” They look at each other, a shared uneasiness. #vss365

We #depart in the land shuttle and take a moment to survey our surroundings. Snow and ice cover the ground and hills. Only patches of brown grass and moss interrupt the frozen landscape. Winds howl. I can think of only one thing. Where are they holding my daughter? #vss365

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Mother came to me in a dream. “Montor, how are you doing?” “I hate it here. I want to beat them all up.” Her sweet #embrace is like a balm. “Son, you are the last survivor of our family. Show them what we are made of, but not with anger. We are a wise and brave people." #vss365

He caresses my cheek #tenderly, but a storm rages in his yellow eyes. Our love places him in an impossible position. He longs for a duel that would earn him an honorable place at my side. That battle is galaxies away, where another man wonders what happened to his wife. #vss365

I can kill somebody with my mind! “Are you not proud of me?” Kaya was almost #disgruntle-d at my eagerness to learn how to invade another person’s mind and body and how quickly I mastered it. “No. This is one talent I would have preferred not learning or teaching.” #vss365

The eldest of our guides gathered some snow in a stone pot and set it over the heating crystals, to which they added a #batch of vegetables and dried herbs. “Where did you get those?” I asked. "Our leader allowed us to bring some on this trek to help lift your spirits.” #vss365

“Boy, we cannot afford you to occupy a shack on your own. Pick a family to move in with. Hopefully, they will keep you out of trouble. Remember what happened to your father and brother.” I #clench my fists. One day, they will pay for every arrogant word and smirk. #vss365

“Your scientists embedded pregnant women with Sotkari Ta genes without consent?” My face heated up in anger. “How dare they violate their bodies and then put a target on the heads of their unsuspecting children?" "The elders thought of it as a #gift." "More like a curse." #vss365

Excerpt, The Curse of Sotkari Ta, Book One "Montor, maybe you could come with me. We could hide together there on Fronidia.” ​ A look of confusion swept across his face. He blinked, and a minute went by before he replied. ​ READ THE REST OF THE SNIPPET HERE: www.mariaaperez.com/blank-page-1

Traveling through the transportal is like #falling into oblivion with no concept of how much time has passed. My eyes open to find us standing in an alley next to the five-story building Marcia calls home. The “jump” might be a void, but now I'm a basket case of emotions. #vss365

The Curse of Sotkari Ta is a gritty, sexy romantic space opera trilogy featuring a steamy human/alien romance, galactic war, dark empire, people with special abilities, portals, and memorable characters. Trilogy complete. All books on KU. Find them here: direct.me/mariaaperezauthor #scifibooks

I eat too much, too fast. A nap turns into deep sleep. Mother comes to me in a dream. It feels so real. I wake up with a start. Just past #midnight means there are several hours before wake-up time. I touch my cheek, trying to hold on to the sensation of Mother's caress. #vss365

“Please sit,” said Zorla. “Montor, I want to congratulate you on your recent arrests and investigations on Hevrra. As a result of your #diligence, we have squashed their pathetic rebel movement.” I inclined my head politely at his compliment, although my insides churned. #vss365

The idea of putting on a love story charade for Zorla makes me sick to my stomach, but Montor is right. We need a plan. “What do you recommend? By the way, stop calling me ‘my #dear’. Call me by my name, please.” He raises his eyebrows. “Yes, my de…uhhh, Mina." #vss365

These nice ladies just bought two full sets of The Curse of Sotkari Ta series including the prequel and the companion poetry book. #KnoxvilleBookFestival

Happy #Maythe4th

I'm giddy!!! At my first in-person venue. Thanks to the fun @nancydwrites.bsky.social for letting me join her at the #knoxvillebookfestival

Celebrate #indieauthor April by buying and reviewing indie books, recommending them to your local libraries, and sharing info about your favorite indie authors on social media. Thanks for your support. #books

I run out to the ocean, intrigued by it's red color and fragrant #seafoam. He chases after me, lifts me off my feet, and walks us into the ocean. The lukewarm water feels silky on my skin. Splashing around is fun, but Montor finally says, “Mina, I cannot wait any longer.” #vss365

Super excited to attend the #knoxvillebookfestival , meet readers, and share a table with fellow indie author @nancydwrites.bsky.social

“We need you to shut down the entire surface shield system." We let the request #sink in. Kaonto stood, both palms pressed to the desk. This was no simple matter. “Montor, Mina, I want to help, but you are talking about inviting a Lostai invasion into Liberated Sotkar. #vss365

A woman is ripped from her family and taken galaxies away by aliens who intend to harness her dormant special abilities and put her on a mission she refuses to accept. An arrogant alien soldier is her only hope for escape. The irresistible attraction between them complicates things.

A #blind-ing pain pierced the area behind my eyes. “Mina, what is it?” “Sorry, is there something significant about this amulet that would affect me?” “You gave it to me on our wedding day. Do you remember any of this?” I shook my head. A sad silence hung over us. #vss365

The amusement park line from hell.

Are we having fun yet ?

Montor’s morning lesson #revolve-d around possible problems that could occur during a landing sequence. Later, I was proud of how well I sparred. When we met midday at the kitchen, he greeted me with “Let us try to make pee xa.” I blinked. “Umm, I’m not sure…” #vss365

"Montor, Mina is a good person and sees me as her only friend here.” “She is my biggest problem.” “I know Zorla asked you to impregnate her, but why do you direct your anger towards her?” “I am #frustrate-d in general.” “Help her escape and solve both your problems.” #vss365

2/2 "They called me vermin and put me in a crate. I was scared in the dark. They came to torment me by kicking the crate around and poking me. I soiled myself and sat in filth overnight. I was their prey." #vss365 Adapted from Song of the Caged Warrior