Hi peeps, we have Christine d’Abo popping in with her new re-release No Quarter, we have a short post from Christine about her love of science fiction, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so enjoy the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~

No Quarter

Christine d’Abo

When bounty hunter Gar Stitt is given a simple locate-and-retrieve mission, he’s convinced it’s a waste of his skills. His success rate is legendary, after all, and Captain Faolan Wolf isn’t hard to find. He’s the most notorious pirate in the galaxy, and when he shows up planetside to take his pleasures, he’s far from subtle.

Faolan never expected a hot but tightly wound hunter to walk into his private party and try to apprehend him single-handedly. And when an unexpected betrayal forces them to work together, Faolan’s even more surprised to find himself drawn to Gar personally—especially since neither of them do personal.

Gar had intended to put Faolan in prison. Instead he finds his solitary existence shaken by his desire for the pirate. And when the bounty hunter becomes the hunted, he must put his faith in Faolan and his pirate crew, or run the risk of ending up dead.

Publisher’s note: This title is an edited second edition, previously published in 2010.

Christine d’Abo!

Hello, my name is Christine d’Abo! Thank you so much for having me here on the blog today. I have been a big fan of all things science fiction since I was six. I started by watching reruns of the original Star Trek, moved on to watching (and re watching) Star Wars, and finally I was introduced to the world of Doctor Who.

My world exploded, expanded and I loved it all. The idea of space operas, and how they focus on the people and their developments, rather than the science was what appealed even at that young an age. The adventure, the romance, good versus evil, showed me that there could be more to live that what existed in my tiny world.

As I got older and my life experiences grew, I never lost that love of space opera. One thing that I wanted to do was to put my own mark on it, to show a different side to the worlds that had been portrayed. The Bounty series was my way of doing that. Not everyone in the universe is straight, and it’s important to show diversity out amongst the stars as well as here on Earth.

The men and women you’ll meet – both space pirates and bounty hunters alike – are full of life, love and are most definitely up to no good. I hope you enjoy reading their tales as much as I loved writing them.

If you would like to learn more about me, please pay a visit to my website www.christinedabo.com. I’m also very active on Twitter as @Christine_dAbo and have a monthly newsletter. If you’d like to sign up, simply click here to fill out the form.

Excerpt

Gar Stitt walked into the Space Jock—the seediest bar on Tybal Station—with a clear head and clear purpose. The stench of vomit, sex, and stale rymak beer was enough to turn the stomach of even the most seasoned bounty hunter, but did little to distract Gar from his task. He sidestepped a drunk who was on his way to the floor, blood dripping from his nose where he’d been punched. A Helexian female nearly walked into him, her white hair and tendrils flushing blue with embarrassment before she scurried away.

Careful to avoid getting any of the filth from the bar or its patrons on him, Gar quickly scanned the darkened room for his mark. The mix of colors was muted by the haze in the air. Humans and aliens alike clung haphazardly to the stools and were draped across tables; none were the man he was looking for.

In and out, he’d been promised—in for a quick job and then out to the middle of nowhere for a much-needed break. Gar had already lingered on the station longer than he’d intended, tracking his target. If anyone but Jason Krieg had asked him to take care of the matter, he would have walked away. Six months on various hunts was enough to suck the life out of anyone—Gar was no exception.

He’d been in the Bounty Hunters’ Guild long enough that he didn’t get stuck with cleanup duties often, so he knew there was something special about this case. Not that Gar could say no to the man who’d given him a renewed sense of purpose after the murder of his family, even if it meant coming to the Space Jock. Jason asked, and Gar jumped. The positive point to the whole thing was a chance to see the infamous Captain Wolf again.

Suppressing a sigh, he focused his attention back on the crowd. For the briefest of seconds, he considered that his reconnaissance report might have misled him. This didn’t seem like the captain’s normal type of entertainment haven if his file was to be believed. It was too crowded, too exposed, too deep in enemy territory. It went against the pattern, and nothing good happened when normal routines changed.

Fantastic.

Loud, throbbing beats pounded through his body until the fine hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and his brain rattled in his head. He was sure this qualified as music somewhere in the universe, but nowhere he’d ever want to visit. What would bring the captain to a hellhole like this? Not that Gar’s mark had a particularly discerning reputation, but from the picture in the data file, he thought Wolf would have better taste. Though this was the same man who’d had the balls to waltz into Jason’s backyard and try to pull a scam.

Gar would have to cut those balls off.

In the quick lull between songs, a peal of rich, booming laughter from the back room grabbed Gar’s attention—the same laugh he’d heard on a vid clip in the data file. Ah, there he was—Captain Faolan Wolf, present and accounted for.

Perhaps this would go more smoothly than he’d first thought. Shifting his weight to loosen his vest and shrug open his long, heavy overcoat, he slid his hand inside to brush the top of the holsters carrying his blasters. His long black blades were secured in special sheaths that would send both knives into his waiting hands with a hard flick of his wrists. They and the leather wrist straps he wore for protection were perfectly hidden from sight within the bulk of his coat.

With any luck, he would dispose of the infamous captain and be back on the Geilt in time for his meal.

A wall of silence fell over the bar as Gar walked past. While he rarely frequented Tybal Station as he had in his youth, his reputation remained firmly in place. He ignored hooded stares, taking silent pleasure in how at least half the people averted their gazes in an attempt to escape his notice. Those who didn’t were probably looking for some excitement. They might get their wish if things didn’t go the way he intended tonight.

It was Gar’s appearance that helped him blend into a crowd—until he unleashed his special brand of judgment. Then, of course, those who survived had his image burned into their memory: jacket, black vest, crisp white shirt. He looked to be on his way to a sophisticated social function on one of the Earth colonies, not frequenting the bowels of a hellhole like Tybal.

Gar had long since become accustomed to hell. It suited him.

The crowd parted, making it easier for him to avoid the layer of scum that clung to everything and everyone in the place. When he reached the back room, the captain’s voice slipped from the half-shut door. Two rather bulky men flanked the entrance, large, meaty arms crossed over their chests. Gar laced his hands behind his back and let his gaze slide from the man on the left to the one on the right. Their clubbed fists would easily crack his jaw, but he doubted it would come to a single blow. Cocking a lean eyebrow, he waited.

It didn’t take long for the man on the left to squirm.

“Private party,” the behemoth slurred.

Gar snorted.

“The captain doesn’t want to be disturbed,” the one on the right bit out, a little more coherent than his mate.

Bowing his head toward the man, Gar took a half step closer. He didn’t raise his voice, despite the resurgence of the blaring music. No, he kept it even, his words clipped and clear.

“Open the door.”

“Why the fuck should we listen to you?” the guard on the right spat, pushing his face into Gar’s as he did.

Gar jabbed his thumb into the side of the man’s throat, collapsing him to the floor, gasping and coughing. The movement was so fast the other bouncer barely had time to blink before Gar returned his hands to their original position behind his back. Raising his eyebrow again, he waited for the remaining man to push the door all the way open.

Gar spoke softly as he stepped over the moaning man. “He’ll need medical attention. You might want to see to it immediately.”

In the back room, a red haze hung high in the air, the sweet scent telling him that it was most likely an erotigen. Great, now he was going to have a hard-on for a week. He stepped fully into the room and waited for someone to notice his presence.

It took longer than expected.

Captain Wolf lay on a large, thick pallet that covered most of the floor. He was barefoot, wearing only a pair of black leather pants and a rich-green military jacket that gaped open. His bare chest and stomach were partially covered by the long hair of a woman currently fighting with a young, attractive man for the privilege of sucking the captain’s cock. His wide grin exposed a mouth full of perfect white teeth, and amusement made his eyes sparkle.

“Now, Jona, you must learn to share. There’s more than enough of me to go around and Ziva has been more than patient.”

The cooing and moaning of the pair would have been funny under different circumstances. For that matter, the impressive size of the captain’s cock would have been a matter of interest. Gar knew the only thing it rivaled was the size of the man’s ego.

His slow gaze moved up Wolf’s body and over his chest, taking in the long brown hair that reached the top of his shoulders, and finally coming to rest on his startling blue gaze. It took all Gar’s years of training to keep his surprise from showing. He’d only laid eyes on the captain once before, during a time when he’d been in no position to draw attention to himself or his actions. Now, subjected to Wolf’s piercing inspection, long-buried feelings of uncertainty and inexperience rose.

The captain’s amusement never wavered, even as he pulled Jona’s mouth from his straining cock and leaned forward to stage-whisper in his ear. “It seems we have company.”

“Captain Wolf.”

“Ooh, now that is an accent I haven’t heard in a very long time. Damasmus? No, too refined for there. Zeten?” He shifted his weight to one hip, attempting to look around Gar. “Can’t see the stick up your ass, but it must be there.”

“Stand up.”

“I’d much rather you lie down. Take that jacket off. Maybe your pants. I’ll look for the stick.”

The pair on either side of Wolf snickered, the woman turning her head to lick his nipple. The captain gazed down at her and placed a kiss on her forehead. Gar didn’t look away, but knew he was being tested—the captain was trying to catch him off guard.

“Look, I don’t mind sharing. She’s quite good.”

Gar let out a soft sigh, but the captain’s hearing was too good.

“Not interested. Sorry, Ziva, I don’t think you’re his type. Jona’s exceptional, but you might be a bit rough for him. Don’t know if I can allow that.”

“You’ve been playing in the wrong backyard, pirate. You should have known you’d never make it out of Krieg’s territory untouched.”

Wolf grinned and let his gaze travel lazily down Gar’s body, lingering on his groin before meeting his eyes again with a wink. “Definitely from Zeten. Damn, I forgot how sexy that accent was.”

Impatience poked at Gar, but he refused to react. Narrowing his eyes, he took a half step forward and dropped his hands to his sides. The motion caused his overcoat to pull, none too subtly revealing the butts of his blasters. The captain had a reputation for liking things rough—Gar was more than happy to accommodate.

He knew the second Ziva and Jona spied his weapons. They rolled away from Wolf, snatching their clothing as they went. Without another word, they ran naked from the room. The captain actually pouted at the loss of his companions, watching after them as they scurried away.

“That wasn’t nice. Now I’m left all alone with a stiff cock and no one to relieve it.”

“You should have thought of that before vacationing on Tybal.”

“I like you, bounty hunter.” He pushed his cock back into his pants and hauled himself to his feet. “So, how much am I worth these days?”

Of course the size of the bounty made a difference to a man like Captain Wolf. This time Gar couldn’t hold back the eye roll, eliciting a chuckle from Wolf.

“Come on, my reputation is at stake. How much?”

“Two million.”

“Excellent. That last job must have bumped me up a level.”

He slid the green coat from his body, putting Gar face-to-face with the most perfectly sculpted bare chest and arms he’d seen in ages. A beautifully intricate tattoo of a cyrax dragon on his left arm rippled as he reached down, grabbed a tight-fitting shirt, and pulled it on. Somehow, the man looked even better clad in the clingy fabric than he had half-naked.

Giving his head a slight shake, Gar refocused on the matter at hand. The captain caught the small motion, and his grin widened.

“It’s the erotigen, bounty hunter. Making you all hot and bothered, isn’t it?”

How Gar had forgotten about the red haze, he wasn’t sure, but the bastard was probably right. His cock was noticeably harder than a moment ago, the blood pounding through it echoed by the pounding in his head. It also explained why the sight of the captain pulling on a pair of knee-high boots was the most arousing thing he’d witnessed in years. Not that Gar was particularly attracted to men—sex was more of a way to take the edge off than anything else. It didn’t really matter if his partner was male or female, as long as they didn’t talk and left him alone afterward.

He had to admit, the idea of sex with Captain Wolf was strangely appealing at the moment.

Giving his head another shake, he let his annoyance slip through as he pulled out a blaster and pointed it at his mark. Time to put an end to this little game.

“Let’s go, Captain Wolf.”

“Faolan. With you looking all dark and sexy like that, you can call me Faolan.”

The name suited him. So did the military jacket and sword belt that he fastened around his hips. Wolf slid the sheathed weapon itself across the floor, and Gar picked it up with one hand, shoving it into the back of his own belt, where it hung awkwardly under his coat. Even without the sword, a fully dressed Captain Wolf—Faolan—was a force to be reckoned with. He suddenly looked a lot more dangerous than he had moments earlier.

Flexing his fingers on the butt and trigger of his weapon, Gar let out a slow, even breath and leveled the laser sight on Faolan’s chest.

“Time to go . . . Captain.”

Faolan took a step closer, and Gar realized the man was slightly taller and leaner than he was. He adjusted his stance in anticipation of an attack. The action caught the captain’s attention, and he lifted his chin slightly.

“Itching for a fight, bounty hunter? ’Cause I’m fucking hard as hell and unless you’re going to bend over so I can bury myself in your sweet ass, I’m just as happy to beat the shit out of you.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

Not normally so easily goaded, Gar mentally hit himself for taking the bait. Even the captain seemed surprised—momentary shock melting into amused interest. Another step had Faolan’s chest pressed firmly against the barrel of the blaster, but he seemed oblivious to it.

Deep blue eyes locked onto Gar’s, Faolan reached up and ran his thumb along Gar’s goatee.

“Now this is sexy. I haven’t had a man with facial hair suck my cock in a long time. Though it would be a shame to fill your mouth too long. I wouldn’t be able to hear you moan with that wonderful accent.” His finger slid from Gar’s chin to brush his jawline. “Are you sure you don’t want to fuck?”

Gar’s cock twitched at the suggestion. He knew Faolan would be a good lover—could tell by the intensity of his gaze, the gentleness of his touch. Despite the temptation and the pull of the erotigen, Gar’s sense of duty to Jason was stronger. Thumbing the blaster up to the next setting, he cocked an eyebrow.

“Quite.”

With a deep sigh and a slight pout, Faolan shrugged. “Best we’re off, then. Through the bar or out the back door?”

The heavy stress on “back door” elicited another eye roll before Gar dipped his head toward the bar entrance. “Move.”

“We need to work on your conversational skills, bounty hunter. These one-word responses are already getting boring.”

“I wouldn’t want the sound of my voice to get you overexcited. That way.”

Chuckling, Faolan walked past him into the crowd, one hand automatically resting where the hilt of his sword would have been. Gar’s prisoner flirted with everything on two or more legs as he led his captor out of the Space Jock. He even went so far as to run his hand down the feathered back of one of the waitresses.

“Stitt’s bringing in the captain,” someone hissed as they shuffled past.

“He’s dead,” another agreed.

“But I’ll leave a fucking gorgeous corpse.” Faolan winked at them before leaning in, kissing one of the barmaids on the mouth and stepping out the door.

– Read more at: http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/no-quarter (Just click the excerpt tab)

About Christine

A romance novelist and short story writer, Christine has over thirty publications to her name. She loves to exercise and stops writing just long enough to keep her body in motion too. When she’s not pretending to be a ninja in her basement, she’s most likely spending time with her family and two dogs.

Connect with Christine:

• Website: com
• Blog: blogspot.ca
• Facebook: com/AuthorChristinedAbo
• Twitter: @Christine_dAbo
• Tumblr: tumblr.com
• Pintrest: com/christinedabo
• Goodreads: goodreads.com/christine_d_abo

Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of the Bounty series, one lucky person will receive a $50 gift certificate to Riptide. 

Winner will be selected from across all three book tours (No Quarter, No Remedy, No Master) 

Check out the other blogs on the blog tour