lgduckworth

Zoey

I haven’t decided whose wrath is worse … my husband’s or an active volcano’s.

Who am I kidding? Nothing’s more dangerous than Einar.

That’s why I’m here, hiding out in a restricted area, braving the volcano’s volatility. I know my abusive husband won’t find me holed up in my grandparent’s cabin, since no one is even supposed to travel this close to Hengill.

As an overweight, abused housewife, I’ve left my husband more than once, but he’s always found me and forcibly brought me back. This time, I’m determined to get in shape and stay hidden. I’m used to being alone, so I don’t mind the solitude.

But I’ve been found. That’s why when I’m stalked for days by a man who disappears and reappears—sometimes even in the trees, I know my time is up! I have to go and find somewhere new to hide out.

On my way back to civilization, I’m attacked by crazy people and some strange scaled creatures! I’m disheartened to realize I won’t need to find some place to hide.

After all the careful preparation, I’m about to be killed … just not by my husband!

Jaxtyn

I’m done leaking information about Sinth matters to Purlogh.

If Payak knew I was discussing our case with my estranged family member, he’d feel betrayed. We’d all take the backlash if the Sinth Sovereignty found out I’m speaking about Guardians’ matters with a shunned Sinth.

As Guardians, we travel from one planet to another, cleaning up messes and overseeing alien interactions. Other species rely on us to use our stealth to keep everyone accountable to each other. I refuse to be accused of betrayal like my predecessor. Instead, I’ll disappear on my terms.

Separating from my squad, I decide to explore Earth before it’s totally ruined by the Wen virus. I’m pulled toward a large volcano, watching in awe as it belches smoke and shakes the ground regularly. It’s then I see her … a Human female who can see me when I’m in my dimension.

What’s she doing out here all alone? When she heads back to town, I realize just how much and fast things have changed in the area.

She’s going to have to trust me if I’m going to be able to save her from the Wen-infected because now we’re not only dealing with transitioned Humans—but also the transitioned alien Taxin!

Jen

My best friend was abducted by aliens!

I’d be so pissed if that happened to me. I’ve spent almost nine years working ten to twelve hour days to establish a business, pushing vacations and future plans to … someday. I’ve yet to really live and being abducted and almost dying isn’t on my bucket list.

Amy’s returned with a “mate”, telling me he’s immune to all illnesses—and now she is too. She demonstrated her new disappearing act, swearing she’s “phasing” into another dimension and saying every time she does, her body resets to perfect health. I’m super jealous since I’ve lost so many loved ones to cancer, starting with my father when I was only a child.

I want someone that can’t get sick. Someone who can take care of me for a change. I’m exhausted from the daily grind.

When Mavin’s partner Trus shows up, Amy’s sure we’re mating compatible, but the timing couldn’t be worse. There’s a new virus everyone’s talking about, and people panic as businesses shut down. Only my business explodes, and my training efforts to lighten my load are not panning out.

But I’m done waiting for the stars to align to enjoy my own happiness! I’ll create my own future—now.

Trus

My best friend found a mate in a food pen!

All my life I’ve held my breath and hoped I’d see my friends again. As a Sinth Guardian, it’s not unusual for someone to enter their dimension and never return. We get worn down, giving up on life due to loneliness.

In an effort to make sure Mavin doesn’t disappear forever, I back him up, accepting the same punishment on a backwater planet called Teleplay. The alien planet is being mined for its resources and not habitable for many species. You can imagine our surprise to see Earth humans in the food holding pens.

When I confirm that Mavin has stolen the female Earth species from the pen and mated with her, I’m shocked—and excited! A mate means company and a potential family.

Gathering information about who’s responsible for the Earth species arrival on Teleplay, I work with the Sinth Sovereignty, Taxin and Ashen alien species to get to the bottom of the Human’s abduction. Trailing suspects and spying from my dimension, I know that finding my own mate shouldn’t be a high priority. But when I meet someone who’s mating compatible, how can I not want to get to know her?

But those distractions can be deadly. New technology I’ve never seen before threatens the future for everyone, and now I have more to lose than ever before.

Jade

I gave my heart away when I was too young to know better.

The idealized version of the man I love is forever burned into my memory. I joined the military to deal with the rejection. He’s moved on without me, and I can’t imagine that anyone else will ever compare. 

So, I serial date. I’m not sure if I’m expecting to find someone like him or trying to forget him. Either way—it isn’t working.

After all, I just want to be taken seriously. He never even considered that my feelings could be real. I’m smart enough and old enough now! But instead of finding someone new, the excessive dating has made me a target for the men on the base. I’m considered a conquest.

A chance meeting at the bar has me rethinking my “frigid” reputation. For the first time, I encounter someone who not only makes me feel alive—but impassioned. He’s mysterious and sexy, and my body tingles with awareness, excitement … and lust.

For the first time, I’m considering giving someone—who may be gone tomorrow—my “V” card. 

Desin

I’ve never had my affection reciprocated.

My love is forbidden in our society. Something that I only shared with my closest friend due to the taboo nature of my feelings. It wasn’t meant to be for so many reasons—including the fact that she didn’t return my devotion.

All I want is someone to care about me and only me. I know I can’t have what all Sinth dream of—a family. It’s simply not a possibility in our society, and I like to think I’ve come to terms with that.

I meet Jade while my squad is searching for our missing team member, Mavin. But then we’re split up because a potentially devastating virus shows up on Earth. It becomes more important than ever to figure out how to protect the humans—especially as I realize that what I felt before was a pale imitation of what lust and attraction truly are. Saving her life in a warehouse “accident”, I give her not only a second chance at life—but myself, as well.

But for how long? As we continue to look for the source, will the Wen virus keep spreading and decimate the entire planet?