Pets in Sci-Fi Romance by Jessica E. Subject

 

PETS IN SCI-FI ROMANCE

by Author Jessica E. Subject

In my house, we've recently adopted a new dog after our other dog passed at the beginning of the year. As someone whose lived with some kind of pet for the majority of my life, it was hard for me to live without one. I've had dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, ferrets, and a newt. Right now, we have our dog (a big puppy), and a green frog that adopted our pond last spring as it's home. We did our research, and helped it hibernate over the winter. We were so happy when we saw her this spring.

 

That got me thinking about the pets in my stories. In sci-fi romance, they can be anything, from pets we know on Earth to one's created from an author's imagination. I don't have many pets in my stories. And I'm not sure why. In the story I'm writing, circumstances don't make caring for any pet possible for the characters. Though, I want to write a pet into the end of the story. That's usually when I can add them, is at the end when the MCs lives are more settled. I'm going to try really hard to add pets into this shared universe series though. I already have many ideas for the next stories. And who knows? I may find a way to add one in earlier to my current WIP.

If you've been visiting this blog for a while, you've probably heard of the Pets in Space anthologies. Some of our authors have contributed, and we've had many guests on here with stories in the anthologies. All these stories have pets in them, from common to fantastical.

I do have one story where the one LI's pet introduced the couple in the first chapter. It was part of the second anthology, Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2, which made the USA Today bestseller list. In my story, Vilarra's pet is a tibbar, which looks like a cross between a ferret and a rabbit.

Here's more about GIB AND THE TIBBAR...

A dedicated Defender to the core, Gib is willing to go to any planet the Galactic Alliance sends him. That is, until he’s sent with his squad to Hemera for their Alorama ceremony, far from any threat of Erebus invasion and with no chance for promotion.

Vilarra has lived on Hemera all her life, working hard in the kitchens of the royal palace until she achieved lead hand. But learning of the universe beyond her world reveals her insignificance and shreds her sense of accomplishment and purpose.

With the help of a furry, little tibbar, Gib is determined to win the affection of Vilarra, prove to her how significant she is to him and the people who depend on her. But will his personal mission be cut short before he has the chance to win her heart?

*Formerly part of USA Today Bestselling Anthology Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2.

GIB AND THE TIBBAR IS AVAILABLE WIDE!

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Enjoy an excerpt from GIB AND THE TIBBAR...

A high-pitched squeak sounded, and Gib’s surveillance partner returned to reaching for the branches. The little creature stood on its hind legs below Zair’s bench, peeping as if telling him off.

Gib couldn’t hold in his laughter. Not just at the other Defender’s reaction, but also the thoughts running through Zair’s mind, thoughts he’d failed to block in his fear.

“It’s not going to eat you.” Gib shook his head, wondering how his squad mate could see the creature as dangerous. “Would you please get down from there? Defenders are supposed to be brave and fierce. Right now, you’re neither.”

“Go to Gaspra, Mingot. And stay out of my head.” He yanked his plazer from his hip holster and aimed it at the critter. “If I don’t destroy it, it will bring death to everyone on this planet.”

Stepping into the line of fire, Gib yanked the weapon from his squad mate, thankful the safety remained on. “You’re being ridiculous. Besides, if you fire your weapon, you’ll cause a panic. The Hemera will think Erebus have arrived.”

The frightened Defender shook a foot at the creature. “Fine, then. Kick it into the fire. Or you could stomp on it.”

“Don’t you dare!” A Hemera woman burst from the bushes, storming toward Zair like a mother rehn protecting her young. She shoved him off his bench and shouldered past Gib before scooping the noisy creature into her hand. “This is my tibbar, not some kind of vermin.”

“Tibbar? Try nasty rodent that tried to eat me.” Zair smoothed out his uniform but kept his distance from the creature now perched on the woman’s shoulder.

“You’re both on nehbred.” She kicked dirt at them, her pink lips pursed and her dark eyes set in a deadly stare. “You don’t know what you’re talking about when it comes to my pet or my planet.”

And be sure to check out the other books in my Galactic Defenders series...