In Search of Shadows by Marisa E. Cardin The day after Andartia discovers the truth about the War on Sirona, Jax Cassaway and his crew are suddenly thrust into the uncertainty of space. With a junker ship barely large enough to hold them, they must attempt to rescue the remaining Sironians from their war-ravaged planet â before General Mortox and his Shadows take matters into their own hands. The long-awaited sequel to Jax Cassaway and The Shadow Runners, In Search of Shadows continues the story of Andartia and Sirona on their ever-evolving fight for survival. |
Jax Cassaway and The Shadow Runners by Marisa E. Cardin Many centuries after the people of Old-Earth fled their ravaged planet via starship, tension grows in the Carinthean Star System. Resources dwindle. Political unrest builds. Jax Cassaway, outcast, zeneska rider, and dreamer, looks up at the dusty atmosphere above the planet Andartia and wonders what the stars look like beyond. Millions of miles away, from the surface of war-ravaged Sirona, a coded message is sent out to the black. âHelp.â |
My Heart is Human by Reese Hogan A single father fights to retain control as he shares his body and mind with an evolving AI. Itâs been nine years since the government banned all technology. So, when Joel Lodowick, a young transgender father struggling to support his five-year-old daughter, has an old bionic upload itself into his head, he is faced with a decision: Go to the cops and risk prosecution? Or use the robotâs skills to turn his life around? Scared of losing his daughter, Joel chooses the latter. Heightened intelligence and physical enhancements quickly land him a better job and a brighter future. But things take a sinister turn when Joel realizes his uninvited companion has an agenda of its own, which may or may not include leaving him in control. Unable to approach the government who covered up the truth about AI sentience, Joel finds himself on the run. With his daughterâs life on the line and his own body turning against him, he must find a way to convince the bionic in his head to value his human life before he loses the chance forever. |
Space Station X by A.Z. Rozkillis Will the space station bring them together or destroy them? Engineer Jax ran away to the farthest space station from Earth in the galaxy. Itâs nothing more than a pitstop, frequented only by those looking to get away, and there she wanted to live in peace. Itâs a mess, but itâs her Station. But peace was not in the cards once Saunders came on board, a chipper security officer with an infuriating habit of sneaking up on Jax and being friendly. Jax has no interest in attractive security officers reminding her of her stupidest mistakes. Now residents are being killed. There are sounds coming from the walls, ghostly footsteps and murderous, ravenous threats that canât possibly be there. Can they? Deep space is unforgiving. The Station is dying. The residents are going bonkers. Jax discovers there are some problems that canât be fixed by swinging an absurdly large murder-wrench. |
Empress of Dust by Alex Kingsley There are monsters outside the city walls. Harvard is small, anxious, and plagued by a constant tremor, which is not an ideal combination for a desert scavenger. He and his crew are under constant threat of desertwalker attacks, and Harvard is nearly useless against them. When the biggest mistake of Harvardâs life separates him from his crew, he must learn the secrets of the desert beasts in order to survive the dangers of the dusts. Returning to Bastion with a surprising ally, Harvard is forced to choose between saving his crew or allying with the âmonstersâ who rescued him. Harvard never saw himself as a hero, but when the beasts of the dusts implore him to aid their rescue mission, he holds the lives of crabs and humans alike in his trembling hands. |
The Immortal Part of Myself by MJ James Riley has lived her whole life as an elite daughter of one of the five ruling earthen corporations. She was supposed to be a beautiful figurehead working behind the scenes to help her husband. But the dresses they stuff her in are uncomfortable, social situations leave her confused, and she never really has been a woman. When she was diagnosed with autism, her fatherâs only hope was to marry her off. As she aged, her usefulness to her husband has diminished, and he plans on trading her for someone younger. Divorce isnât legal, but murder is. . . as long as you donât get caught. Except Riley has never been as helpless as they believed. She has a gift for navigating technology, one that has let her lead her own rebellion. But to see her ultimate plan succeed, she needs to survive long enough. Her only solution is to get off the planet. When Matty, a Martian ambassador headed home, sees Riley for the first time, she knows her life will never be the same. Riley needs help, and Matty wants to step in to save her even though she doesnât know what she is saving her from. The more the two women come together, the more Matty falls in love. But what happens when the person you love cannot love you the same way? |
By Dust & Duty by K.C. Phillips By Dust & Duty is the moody yet enchanting first installment of Forgotten Heirsâa dystopian sci-fantasy romance spanning multiple realities. At 28, Ereta still hasnât found her footing in life. She stumbles through it as an anxious tangle of insecurities, finding solace only in banter with friends and the strange comfort of recurring dreams. Along with her best friend Leelinâa shameless flirt whoâs far too handsome for his own goodâshe passes long days as a Runner on the cold desert planet of Veirbos. When a bizarre supernatural encounter brings her to the brink of death, Ereta realizes she has a choice: to remain a victim of her miserable circumstances or to shed her long-held helplessness and actively create a future she can believe in. Her foray into boldness begins, as many good things do, with a kiss. But this world was not made for romantics. As Ereta's hope leads to new and troubling questions, her circumstances grow ever more dangerous, until she's finally forced to stare down cruel truths about a society that would sooner see her dead than curious. But when everything seems set in stone, maybe, just maybe, she can find a way to save herself. By Dust & Duty is the first in a four-book series where nothing is as simple as it seems. We begin with a lost woman on a barren planetâbut stick with her, and you might just find yourself in an epic romance spanning worlds and time, defying your every expectation along the way... |
Loyalty of Severus by Len Berry In the distant future, the galaxy teeters on the edge of chaos. Vari, a trans woman and the rightful heir to a deposed empire, has spent her life hiding from a legacy she never asked for. Torn between expressing her true self and reclaiming her birthright, Vari embarks on a perilous journey that will test her courage, loyalty, and identity. As ancient secrets and new alliances come to light, Vari must navigate a treacherous political landscape where betrayal lurks at every corner. With a diverse cast of alliesâa snarky young woman with a foreign past, a shrewd warrior queen, and a disgraced pilot desperate to have his faith validatedâVari discovers strength in unity and power in authenticity. From the glittering halls of amazonian palaces to the gritty underbelly of overworked refineries, Variâs quest is fraught with thrilling battles, heart-stopping intrigue, and unexpected love. As she grapples with the weight of her heritage and the truth of her identity, Vari must decide what kind of leader she wants to be, and if she can truly reclaim an empire without losing herself. Loyalty of Severus is a sweeping, epic sci-fi adventure about honor, identity, and the enduring fight for oneâs true self. Join Vari as she stands at the crossroads of destiny, where the fate of the galaxyâand her soulâhangs in the balance |
Vision of the Veil by Jake Stollman YOU'D BETTER BELIEVE HER... Princess Lorne, thought dead for many years, reappears in her own tomb out of thin air. From beyond time and space, she brings back a terrible vision: Atarâher planetâs sunâis going to be swallowed by darkness, and her world will suffer an apocalypse that will turn it into an airless, lifeless rock. As a princess, getting the worldâs attention to warn them of the coming threat is easy. The problem is that even entertaining the idea of Atar dying is the worst form of heresy one could commit. Any commoner in her position would be executed. Her family urges her to silence, but the all-consuming anxiety from the vision burns inside her mind, and she warns the world anyway. She is arrested and humiliated, even as the evidence supporting her claims becomes completely irrefutable. Distraught, she realizes that reason alone will not save them. If she is to get the world to heed her warnings, Lorne must become someone she never wanted to be: the bringer of fear. |
The World of Juno by Daniel Eavenson Explore the birth of a new world! Journey through time and space to the intricate biosphere of Juno, where three species have been birthed by the gods. First the Kuhifadi, inheritors of sun magic, able to do great deeds with magic stored in their bodies. Second the fearsome Uchafumlaji, technological savants who live in the depths of the ground. Third the weird Ngisikaa, a species uplifted from animals through communal memories. Small decisions and single individuals will affect the tide of history. Learn of the first Ngisikaa to meet death, whether a Kuhifadi will make the sacrifice to become a mage, and if an Uchafumlaji can build a bridge to the past. These stories and more will create The World of Juno! With content by: Nick Bright and Brent Lambert, C.J. Hosack, Nate Battalion, Daniel Eavenson, Malcolm F. Cross, Katie Cordy, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, Reese Hogan, Cedan Bourne, Robin C.M. Duncan, and X.M. Moon |
Fiery Deeps by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy Fire is Power! Quest to the heart of the earth, cross flaming rivers, and brave the fire with our heroes to discover unlimited strength! From fantastic underground cities, to superheroes, to magic of the forge, titanic forces of nature collide in this lesbian-centric anthology focusing on the power of women. Contains stories by: William C. Tracy, J.S. Fields, Robin C.M. Duncan, Sara Codair, N.L. Bates, Rosiee Thor, Maya Gittelman, Heather Tracy, N. Romaine White, and Dee Lyle! |
Lofty Mountains by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy Look to the skies! Brave adventurers face new relationships and adversity in all sizes, from steampunk dirigibles to harpies, giant bees to garden gnomes, and winged dinosaurs to sky pirates. Isolated mountain peaks, clifftop cities, and battles in the sky abound in this sapphic anthology focused on overcoming challenges awaiting in the clouds. If you like diverse stories with lesbian and sapphic-centric heroines enjoying the thrill of adventure high in the air, buy Lofty Mountains today! With stories by: Seanan McGuire, Rosiee Thor, Rebecca Kim Wells, Maya Gittelman, Carmen Loup, Sara Codair, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, L.R. Gould, Robin C.M. Duncan, and J.S. Fields |
Farther Reefs by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy The seas spell freedom. Pirates and kraken, boats and submarines, deadly sirens, mermaids, and the women who face them all. These are our heroes. High seas adventure, fantasy, and magic weave together in this sapphic anthology focusing on the joy of the unbounded oceans. If you like diverse stories with lesbian and sapphic heroines exploring oceans, battling sea monsters, and seducing pirates, buy Farther Reefs today! With stories by: Sarah Day and Tim Pratt, Kim Pritekel, Kyoko M. Sara Codair, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, Robin C.M. Duncan, Vanessa Ricci-Thode, Margaret Adelle, and J.S. Fields |
Distant Gardens by J.S. Fields, Heather Tracy Rules were made to be broken. From terraformed outposts to magical realms, journey to worlds where deadly plants, rampant biodiversity, or failed colonies have created irresistible opportunities for those brave enough to seize them. New worlds, found family, mystical secrets, and deadly science weave together in this lesbian-centric anthology focusing on a very different kind of first timeâa first encounter with a world, or being, entirely unlike our own. If you like diverse stories with lesbian heroines practicing science, magic, and seduction, buy Distant Gardens today! With stories by: Sara Codair, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, Robin C.M. Duncan, and J.S. Fields |
Sinister Stories and Twisted Tales: The Ultimate Anthology of Sci-Fi & Cosmic Horror by Anthony L. Abraham A tapestry of interlinked cosmic horrors unfolds in this unique interactive anthology, featuring video links that accompany each chilling story. ⢠"A boy's dream pet morphs into his family's nightmare, serving as a gateway to something far more sinister." ⢠"A father's desperate quest to help his daughter leads him into a dark trade of body parts, where horrific bargains threaten everything he holds dear." ⢠"In a dystopian world of twisted flesh and dark alchemy, a girl must escape her haunting existence or risk becoming the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of the New Flesh." ⢠"In her quest for justice after her husbandâs murder, Betty's plea to a seemingly benevolent god unleashes a dark cosmic force, revealing that true sacrifice may demand a far more monstrous price." This anthology immerses readers in puzzles reminiscent of Black Mirror, exploring unsettling, thought-provoking facets of the human psyche while venturing into realms beyond nightmares and dreamscapes. An absolute must-read for fans of speculative fiction seeking rich world-building and narratives that defy conventions, especially those who appreciate the eerie storytelling of The Twilight Zone, the philosophical twists of Philip K. Dick, and the gripping horror of Stephen King. |
Physics Trincarnate by Jesse Pohlman After a group called the Consortium Of Trust saved her from a kidnapping attempt, Saffron Latchkey has been training with their resident empath, Erica Hall. Erica chose to use her powers of empathic projection to manipulate the outcome of the 2016 election and become the President of the United States, and sheâs teaching Saffron how to control her own empathic abilities. When the Consortiumâs most capable agents are sent on a mission to curtail a duo of rogue super-Humans scheming to steal nuclear weapons, Saffron is brought face to face with her kidnappers once again: Her own adopted family. In the darkness of her new captivity, she learns the truth of why they wanted control over her life, and of how she was adopted in the first place. If she can succeed where The Consortium failed and take down these rogues she can save lives, but that would mean surrendering to her destiny when all she wants is control over her fate. Worst of all, it might mean killing those that try to harm others, a bloody weight she simply isnât eager to bear. |
Memories Don't Lie by Pauline Yates *** 2024 Bookfest First Place Award - YA - Science Fiction *** 2024 Bookfest First Place Award - Sci-Fi - Action & Adventure *** 2024 Bookfest First Place Award - Sci-Fi - Genetic Engineering *** 2024 Author Shout Recommended Read Award *** 2023 Semi-Finalist - Indies Today *** 2023 Author Shout Cover Wars Winner Sarah Wilson, orphaned niece of Lieutenant John Wilson, is determined to escape his restrictive upbringing and find her place in the world. Her journey takes a deadly turn when she uncovers secrets about her past, hidden deep in her motherâs memories, that threaten everything Sarah wants. They could cost her everything she holds dearâand her life. |
Wonderland by Kimberly Wheelock As Peri finishes her hike of the Wonderland Trail, the ninety-three miles that explores the backcountry of Mount Rainier, she is confronted with the reality that she has survived a pandemic of an unknown scale. And she is not alone. Haunted by her own demons, Peri must learn to live in the rugged, and sometimes daunting, wilderness while facing other survivors and the limitations of her past. |
The Night the Trolls Came to Town by Tim Kreher The Night the Trolls Came to Town Arriving at a town called Emersonville to start a new life, junior high student Ben Bell notices two oddities right off the bat. One: the population sign does not match the actual number of residents. Two: the shops along Main Street are nearly vacant of life with many hosting 'Out of Business' signs. Upon meeting a crazed girl named Mindy and her conspiracy theorist friend Koji, Ben discovers there is more to the dwindling numbers than just the closing of a nearby mine. The duo is convinced it is the work of trolls, but Ben finds the theory of monsters hard to believe. That is, until a classmate crush disappears. With the help of his new friends, Ben is determined to find the missing student. Will they succeed or will they be added to the number of vanishing community members? |
The Wenamak Web by Marie Howalt A mysterious invitation from an old friend brings private investigator Richard, spaceship pilot Eddie, and travel guide writer Alannah to a gorgeous, bustling metropolis on a planet where the dominant species can literally smell fear and lies. Wenamak appears to be the picture perfect place, down to the finest detail, but dangers lurk beneath its pristine surface. When a flippant wendek undercover agent seeks assistance on a delicate job, the Colibri Investigations crew soon find themselves tangled up in a shady game involving a web of illegal trade and exploitation. Luckily, Richardâs military training, Alannahâs intimate knowledge of the local culture, and Eddieâs tough attitude give the team the perfect edge to meet their clientâs needs⌠at least until they run into someone familiar whom none of them expected to see again. Thereâs no planet too distant, no job too strange, for Colibri Investigations! |
Trust in Tomorrow by Dana Sweeney Sleepwalking let them survive a nightmare. Desire woke them up. Demetri When the world ended, I came to the Stronghold and joined their military. Even made it to the helmet corps with the best and brightest. Life in the barracks is a nonstop party, everyone living like there's no tomorrow. Let's face it, there probably isn't. When my friends joined a resistance movement against the rich jerks who run this place, we needed a place to meet. The library would be perfect if it wasn't for the librarian being a total snoop. I offered to chat her up for the greater good... and because I can't stop thinking about her. Save the world, get the girl. Win-win. Stella I arrived in the city weeks before the world ended. I thought I was living a fairy tale, engaged to a prince⌠but the fantasy was dead even before the dead started to rise. Officially in mourning for my fiancĂŠ, I run the library and try to avoid attention. Yet somehow, Iâve caught the eye of a handsome soldier. He makes me long for freedom, control over my fate. But this elite society considers me an asset; they will never let me go without a fight. How do I know so much about the Stronghold? I helped build it. |
Lust for Tomorrow by Dana Sweeney Submission is freeing⌠Love is a trap. Iâve never seen his face. But I ache to feel his body. My fellow soldiers call him Alpha. Itâs an insult, mocking his macho bravado, his aggressive arrogance. Iâve heard the snark, seen the rolled eyes. Alpha. Itâs a joke. But when I hear him speak⌠His rich, deep voice. His lush British accent⌠I guess the jokeâs on me. Since the zombies came, civilization fell, and new social structures arose, Iâve known that my independence relies on my disinterest in any particular man. The powers that be havenât resorted to forced procreation⌠at least not yet; they still expect weâll fall in love and walk into the trap willingly. My resistance requires that I avoid emotional connections. My existence requires that I avoid distractions, that I stand and fight. But every time this man speaks, I want to fall to my knees, offer myself to him. However heâll have me. Lust is a distraction I canât afford, but itâs not love. As long as I donât fall in love, Iâm safe. And who could possibly fall for Alpha? |
Cosmic Widow (Agent Renault Adventures) by Jonathan Nevair Cosmic mystery and stolen art collide in the latest installment of this fun and fast-paced spy-fi adventure series featuring a tough yet conflicted secret agent/poet and a charming cast of alien characters. A deadly race to recover a priceless portrait. When the legendary Cosmic Widow vanishes from the galaxyâs premiere art museum, Agent Lilline Renault delves into a shadowy underworld to hunt down the missing masterpiece. Her only clue: the thiefâs enigmatic calling card. Following a scant trail of evidence, Lilline crosses paths with shady art dealers, eccentric university professors, and elusive forgers in a tangled search for the stolen work of art. But the robberâs end game is more sinister than mere theft. Sleeping secrets stir inside the Cosmic Widow⌠If they wake, an arcane mystery locked away for ages could spell disaster across the stars. The Agent Renault Adventures are standalones - start anywhere in this award-winning series. |
The Hold of Destiny: A Maven Knight Story by Matthew Romeo For some, destiny is a warm embrace, but for others it is a stranglehold. In the vast, sprawling continent of Panâgea, a clandestine organization is rising to power. It is called the Remnant Order, a group dedicated to preserving order in a chaotic world. At the heart of the Remnant are a husband and wife, Romulus and DiĂĄnna. Romulus is one of the Order's most steadfast champions, a paragon of fairness and stability. DiĂĄnna is the newly elected leader of the Remnant; a woman who built herself from the ground up. Their lives are seemingly perfectâa successful career, a newborn son, and a luxurious home. However, their work comes at a heavy price. DiĂĄnna has been shown where her fate lies, and she will do all she can to bring about change in the New World. As assassination plots and political schisms threaten to tear the Remnant apart, Romulus and DiĂĄnna find themselves increasingly at odds with each other. Their once-unbreakable bond begins to fray under the pressure of their conflicting responsibilities. In a desperate attempt to save their family, the pair must decide how far they are willing to go. Will they choose to protect their son at the cost of their mission? Or will they sacrifice their family to fulfill their destiny? As the lines between love, duty, and betrayal blur, Romulus and DiĂĄnna must confront the darkest corners of their souls. In the end, destiny may be a fickle thing. |
Black Butterfly by Katie L. Carroll Is she the hero or the villain? Black Butterfly wakes to a country devastated by terrorist attacks, supposedly at the hands of the Chinese government. She remembers nothing of her personal lifeânot even her name. All she knows is that she was in New York City on the day of the attacks. Though, she soon discovers she has an unsettling repertoire of violent talents. Elijah and his found family of off-gridders from upstate New York take in Black Butterfly and mend her wounds. With nowhere else to go, she joins them as they head to a rally in Washington D.C. The eclectic group begins to feel like the family she canât rememberâor never had. An encounter with Luca, a spy for a shadowy government agency, confirms Black Butterflyâs worst suspicions about who she was in the life she canât remember. As more memories surface, Black Butterfly heads to the agencyâs headquarters to find out whoâs behind the terrorist attacks. Itâs unclear whether she intends to reveal the truth or go back to her villainous way. And itâs more than her life sheâs putting at risk. |
Body Jacker Jaz (Earth Scout, #1) by Matthew Thompson Cyan-Amber is a deserter from Spectra, a planet on the brink of destruction. As an alien scout on Earth in 1995, she inhabits the body of Jasmine Priceâa unique, artsy, crafty musician living in Camden, London. While reporting back to her home planetâs intelligence agency, Cyan Intel, she uncovers the strange, wonderful, and wicked aspects of what it means to be human. Charlie Cooper, a mid-twenties rockstar wannabe, is stuck selling records instead of making them. Trapped by a dead-end job with an irritable boss, his only escape lies in Camden Townâs annual Battle of the Bands. But with his rebellious, gaming-obsessed sister, and a bandmate thatâs oddly interested in intergalactic wars, Charlieâs fight for the stage is anything but ordinary. As Earth faces a looming alien threat, both Cyan-Amber and Charlie are about to discover just how intertwined their fates truly are. The battle for Camdenâand maybe the worldâis about to begin. |
The Glamour Thieves by Don Allmon Book one in the Blue Unicorn series JT is an orc on the way up. Heâs got his own boutique robotics shop, high-end clientele, and deep-pocketed investors. Heâs even mentoring an orc teen who reminds him a bit too much of himself back in the day. Then Austin shows up, and the elfâs got the same hard body and silver tongue as he did two years ago when they used to be friends and might have been more. Heâs also got a stolen car to bribe JT to saying yes to one last scheme: stealing the virtual intelligence called Blue Unicorn. Soon JTâs up to his tusks in trouble, and it ainât just zombies and Chinese triads threatening to tear his new life apart. Austin wants a second chance with JT â this time as more than just a friendâand even the Blue Unicorn is trying to play matchmaker. |
Wire City Kills: Neon Vector by Drew Rhys One dead billionaire. Two mismatched detectives. A secret so revolutionary it will change the world. So valuable ⌠itâs worth KILLING for. When a tech tycoon meets a bizarre end in Silicon Valley's exclusive high-rise Tangle district on the eve of his company's takeover by a fierce rival, the eyes of the world's cyberati are drawn. Cue the SVPD's unorthodox new homicide team: a hot shot British rookie in way over his head and a snarky American cop at the end of her rope. They must unravel a mystery which goes far beyond murder into the dark heart of a dazzling high-tech metropolis. They must infiltrate a world of exotic tech, sinister corporations, and friendly AIs with absolutely no hidden agendas⌠They must answer the question ⌠WHAT IS NEON VECTOR? Uncover the secrets of Wire City in this electrifying detective thriller packed with insane twists, cinematic action, and razor-sharp humor. This standalone book requires no further reading to enjoy. |
Fates of Rebels and Men by Caleb J Stair On the moon of Delight, Ammon Karajan stumbles upon a fire burning in a field from a crashed starship. A machine alien delivers an unknown message, leaving Ammon reeling with questions about his future. Lieutenant Samuel H.C. Packett is assigned by the Commonwealth Intelligence Core on Augustein to prepare for something profound for all mankind: a deep secret of great importance, known only to Packett in small details. Thereâs a problem, howeverâAmmon found something he wasnât supposed to, and it is now Packettâs duty to bring Ammon to Augustein. Rebellion runs amiss beneath the city of Opalin on Delight. Destinies are altered. Conspiracy is uncovered. As the Galactic Commonwealth of Earth prepares for total war from a sudden attack, the future of Delight and its residents are thrown into question. Things are not as they initially seemed. Both men race against the clockâone to survive with a rebel commander named Joanna, the other to find his target and make it back home alive. Amidst the war and chaos, destiny is found through those who give them the will to continue. The future of humanity may lie with the woman Ammon begins to fall for, and the fates of rebels and men may depend on their survival. |
Viral Airwaves by Claudie Arseneault Henry Schmitt wants nothing more than a quiet life and a daily ration of instant noodles. At least until he learns the terrible secret that drove his father awayâthe Plague that killed his mother and ravaged his country was created by those now in power. He has one chance to help expose the conspiracy: a ragtag band of rebels needs a pilot for their hot air balloon, where they can launch a broadcast revealing the truth. If Henry accepts, he can experience his dream of flight. But he would have to leave his safe, tranquil life behind ... and bring the wrath of a corrupt government upon his head. |
Keeper of the Sacred Scroll by JR Swisher The story of one prince will change the course of history. Thatâs the hope of Sapphira Jacobine Pham. Known as âJakeâ from her friends, sheâs second generation half human, half Nouban. The Noubans have lived on Earth since Mesopotamia, teaching humans how to harness their magic. But now theyâre targets in need of a strong leader. She feels sheâs not ready for the challenge, especially after handsome half-Nouban Allec confesses his love for her. She has to find a replacement soon. Otherwise sheâll be trapped in a life she never wanted. |
After the Storm by Key Dyson, Raymond Roach, Hannah Birchwood Rich Merrill, gene-tweaked supersoldier by birth and AI support technician by vocation, is done fighting. Finally reassigned after four hellish years aboard the Sympatico, a dysfunctional ship with a deadly crew, all he wants is to make the most of his second chance. The survival skills that got him through his last posting aren't going to help him on the Reliant, though. In among a kinder, gentler crew, Rich's old scars and bad habits are just as much of a problem as vengeful ex-crewmates, or the Sympatico's corrupted AI, which wants him back. Rich wants to be a better person. He wants to make some friends, finally. He'd especially like to be friends--or more--with Basil Wright, a brilliant teen rival who's grown up captivatingly handsome; or Liam Beaker, a beautiful, mercurial botanist and fellow tweak. Rich wants to reconnect with what's left of his family, pick up some hobbies, get some sun, learn to relax. But if he can't learn how to leave his old life behind, his new life won't be worth living. |