Cynthia Sax's Blog, page 121

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Published on March 04, 2021 21:00

Throwback Thursday – Dark Strength

I have a serious thing for Icy Bob in the TV show, Snowpiercer. (grins) He is definitely a beast hero and also has some wonderful Frankenstein’s Monster vibes. Icy Bob is big and scarred, has been through pain, has done some bad things in his past, and he would make a great Romance hero.

He reminds me a bit of Balvan, the giant green gatekeeper ofthe Refuge and the hero of Dark Strength. Balvan is fierce. He loves to crush enemyskulls under his big booted feet, enjoys the sounds that makes. But he is alsogentle with more innocent beings. He rescues hurt small creatures and nursesthem back to health.

It would take a strong female to love a male like that andElyce is that female. She has been through trauma, is a survivor, and she wouldprotect those she cares about with everything she has.

As a couple, they are magical.

Dark Strength

The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall.

Balvan, the Refuge’s Gatekeeper, is huge, green, and has a reputation for crushing skulls. He’s a modified humanoid, genetically designed to be the ultimate warrior. One of a kind and considered monstrous by many, he never expects to find his mate, the one female meant for him.

Elyce, snatched from her home half a solar cycle ago, has finally escaped her brutal captors. She arrives at the Refuge barely alive. Only a blood transfusion from the largest male she has ever seen will save her life. But it will also bind her to him forever. Staring up, up, up at him, she wonders why she wants to be free. His gentle touch revives yearnings she thought dead. His lips set her skin ablaze. His massive muscles make her feel safe.

That feeling could be an illusion. Elyce’s captors want their slave back and they won’t stop until they have her. To give his mate her freedom, Balvan might be forced to give up everything he has – his role as the Gatekeeper, Elyce’s love, and his life.

Dark Strength is a STANDALONE Alien SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes violent universe.

Buy Now:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Strength-Refuge-Book-3-ebook/dp/B078SYYWH5/

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Strength-Refuge-Book-3-ebook/dp/B078SYYWH5/

Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/Dark-Strength-Refuge-Book-3-ebook/dp/B078SYYWH5/

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/dark-strength/id1332249866

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/dark-strength

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/775942

https://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Beast-Shifters-C-S-Sax-ebook/dp/B08WLZLVM1

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Published on March 03, 2021 20:14

Medieval Dragon And Beast Shifters And Fantasy Worlds

The first story I published under Cynthia Sax was a steamytale about a dragon shifter hero and a warrior maiden set in a medieval fantasyworld. This is a world I revisit again and again when I want to escape, when I wantto do some fun for-me writing.

(It is like the cyborg world in that way. – grins)

I’ve been collecting some of my favorite stories set in thisworld, expanding them a bit, and putting them in collections under C.S. Sax. Thereis a collection of Medieval Beast Shifter stories releasing on the 16th.

These stories can all be read on their own. They are light andextremely sexy lunch hour reads.

But they are also connected. They belong in the same world.Reiter, the Unicorn Prince in the Medieval Beast Shifters omnibus, firstappears in a story in Medieval Dragon Shifters. He is the prince whose armysurrounds Lizbeth’s castle.

The next collection I plan to publish under C.S. Sax is a collection of demon heroes stories set in a modern fantasy world. Those stories will ALSO have links to the medieval fantasy world. (grins) Yes, I’m having WAY too much fun with this.

***

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Medieval Beast Shifters

Three shapeshifting warriors—a unicorn, a phoenix and agriffin—court their human maidens while battling ancient prophecies andpowerful enemies.

They are dominant and determined, masters of their medievalkingdoms and beings of legend. These magical knights of old are destined tolove their ladies until the end of time. They will do anything for their fatedmates, will battle for the right to hold them, touch them, make them theirs.

The Unicorn And The Virgin (The Unicorn Prince) – ‘Bewarethe virgin. Chastity brings death.’ That is the prophecy Reiter, the prince ofthe unicorns, has spent his life evading. Unbeknownst to him, his mate, thedaring and brave Princess Lizbeth, is more innocent than she seems.

Return Of The Phoenix (The Phoenix) – Phoenix’s child brideis all grown up and demanding to be released from her wedding vows. LordPhoenix has other plans for his fire sorceress mate. He hopes to be reborn inher flames.

Griffin’s Vow (The Griffin) – Lord Griffin tried to woo hismate using the principles of courtly love. She accepted his passion but not hisproposals. Now, the rough, gruff warrior seeks to win her his way…while wardingoff a powerful and deadly rival.

Escape into a medieval fantasy world with these threelunch-hour-length romances.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Medieval-Beast-Shifters-C-S-Sax-ebook/dp/B08WLZLVM1

Amazon AUS:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Medieval-Beast-Shifters-C-S-Sax-ebook/dp/B08WLZLVM1

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/medieval-beast-shifters/id1553935152

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/medieval-beast-shifters-cs-sax/1138834845

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/medieval-beast-shifters

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1069341

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Published on March 02, 2021 20:56

The Return Of The Humanoid Alliance

When the cyborgs mass rebelled, taking away most of theHumanoid Alliance’s military might, the Humanoid Alliance had to withdraw frommany of the planets they had occupied. Many beings viewed that as a ‘defeat.’ Theythought the Humanoid Alliance was gone for good.

History has shown us, here on Earth, that is unlikely to bereality. The Humanoid Alliance wasn’t dismantled. Some of their leaders tried toflee and were apprehended (in Seeking Vector). But most of them merely wentinto hiding…temporarily.

They had to derive a solution to the cyborg desertion, a replacement for their military prowess. These replacements are unlikely to be cyborgs. The Humanoid Alliance won’t risk making that mistake twice and, as long been hinted (since Breathing Vapor), there are rival military solutions.

Containing Malice shows us one possible solution. Under Strains presents another.

All of the solutions foretell conflict in the future for our cyborgs.

***

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Containing Malice

This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.

***

Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.

His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.

He wants her. He also seeks retribution.

Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.

Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.

The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.

Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.

***

Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.

Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power

Buy Today:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594

Kobo:

Smashwords:

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Published on March 01, 2021 20:58

March – In Like A Lion…

Today is March 1st.

My much beloved Grandpa was a farmer (he worked on the roadsalso). I have a great respect for that role, which is why many of the beings inmy stories have connections to agri-lot tenders, futuristic farmers. Farmerskeep us fed. That’s key for any civilization.

Anyhoo… during March, my farming Grandpa would always boom, “Inlike a lion. Out like a lamb.” And nod as though that said everything. (grins) Hewas a character and I loved him so very much.

When I was a kid, I pictured the animals and I was always disappointed when lions and lambs didn’t show up. I didn’t realize that the saying truly meant if the weather at the beginning of March was bad, the weather at the end of the month would be good…for farmers. Good weather for farmers isn’t always what the rest of us view as good weather.

Grandpa, I’m thinking of you and other farmers today.

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Containing Malice

This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.

***

Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.

His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.

He wants her. He also seeks retribution.

Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.

Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.

The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.

Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.

***

Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.

Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power

Buy Today:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594

Kobo:

Smashwords:

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Published on February 28, 2021 20:38

Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – February 28th

It is the last day of February and this shortest monthseemed like the longest month to me. In my corner of the universe, it snows andthen melts, snows and then melts.

The Mafia Squirrels move their stashes of food constantlyand if I even look at them the wrong way, they chatter at me (and throwpinecones at me). They are NOT happy. At all. (They are very plump so thisunhappiness has nothing to do with lack of food.)

I’ve written 3 solid chapters in Baring Grudge, the thirdstory in the Rebel Cyborgs series (releasing in August). I love this story thusfar. Grudge is hilarious and his female is so very kick a$$.

The goal for this upcoming week is 5 more chapters. (smiles)My updates will likely be very boring for a while. I will be heads down, focusedon writing this first draft.

Some reading buddies have asked me if I might releasestories earlier. That is always a possibility if I get far enough ahead of schedule.But I think I will likely need that hoarded time for Power’s story (the fifthstory in the series). That story will likely take everything I have and all thewiggle room in my schedule (and my editor’s schedule).

Have a happy last day in February, my friends, and I wish youall a wonderful March. Stay as safe as you can, enjoy the awesome photos we’rereceiving from space, and know you are loved. (group hugs)

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Containing Malice

This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.

***

Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.

His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.

He wants her. He also seeks retribution.

Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.

Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.

The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.

Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.

***

Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.

Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power

Buy Today:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594

Kobo:

Smashwords:

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Published on February 27, 2021 23:00

The Why

There’s a joke going around social media about how there’s aline in a story about the curtains being blue. The English Professor talksabout how the blue curtains symbolize something else. The author states it merelymeans the curtains are blue.

That isn’t true for my stories. And I suspect it isn’t truefor quite a few writers’ stories.

Nothing in my stories is random. If a character wears a red flight suit, for example, it means something. I might not share it on page but in my brain, there’s a reason for that specific color choice.

I’m currently working on the first draft of Baring Grudge (This will take me at least a month to write so you might hear this more than once.). I know Grudge, the C Model cyborg with the purely mechanical arm, loves explosions. He’s also named Grudge.

One of the things that excites me about writing is uncoveringthe why behind the character. Why did he choose Grudge as his name? Why does helike to blow things up?

And this doesn’t merely apply to characters. I need to knowthe why behind everything. Knowing the why might not be necessary for the story.Often it isn’t necessary. At all. (sheepish grin) But it is fun for me. I loveknowing every little aspect of the story.

Anyhoo…if you ever want to know what something means orsymbolizes, reach out to me and I’ll happily answer your questions!

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Containing Malice

This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.

***

Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.

His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.

He wants her. He also seeks retribution.

Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.

Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.

The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.

Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.

***

Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.

Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power

Buy Today:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594

Kobo:

Smashwords:

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Published on February 26, 2021 22:25

Setting Inspiration For Containing Malice

Almost all of the planets in my stories are nods to places(either past or present) here on Earth.

The Humanoid Alliance’s laboratory is situated on a rock spirein Containing Malice. This spire is surrounded by extremely acidic water.

There are places with extremely acidic water on Earth. Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression, for example, has an average pH of 0.2 (and it hosts life!). If writing buddies are looking for a super cool setting, this is DEFINITELY one. It doesn’t look like it belongs on our world.

Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression – Photo Crafted By And Indirectly Purchased From
Artush

But the images I had in my mind while writing Containing Malice were the gorgeous rock spires I’ve seen in places like Australia and Hawaii. They are separated by the land by the ocean or other bodies of water. The water has eroded their connections to the mainland. I view them as a physical manifestation of loneliness, of being cut off from everything and everyone.

Rock Formations located along the Great Ocean Road in Australia – Photo taken by and indirectly purchased via Book Brush from: Jonny Joka

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Containing Malice

This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.

***

Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.

His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.

He wants her. He also seeks retribution.

Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.

Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.

The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.

Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.

***

Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.

Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power

Buy Today:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HCTHN27

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Published on February 25, 2021 23:14

Throwback Thursday – Dark Cure

Dark Cure is a bridge story between the Refuge (Dark Thoughts) series and the Chamele Barbarian Warlords series. It can be read on its own but it does straddle these two series.

Oghul, the hero, is a Chamele warrior. He is Khan’s second-in-command (Khan is the Warlord hero of Warlord’s Bounty) and he is Qulpa’s leader (Qulpa is the pilot hero in Warlord Sky).

Oghul’s brother, however, is stationed in the Refuge, the settlement Kralj (the hero of Dark Thoughts) rules. We first meet Oghul’s brother in Dark Thoughts.

Gisella, the medic heroine of Dark Cure, is also stationed in the Refuge and that is where this awesome power couple meets. She is dedicated to her role, doesn’t realize her one-night-stand with Oghul will have long lasting consequences. (grins)

A warrior seeking forever faces a medic living in the moment.

Gisella, the Refuge’s medic, is dedicated to her role. She doesn’t have the space in her lifespan for love, a mate, or children. Healing is her entire focus.

But she’s also a female in her prime. She has needs, wants, cravings…especially for a scarred, long-haired barbarian warrior temporarily residing in the settlement. One fierce, soul-blasting, passion-filled encounter is all she is willing to give him before she returns to her duties.

Oghul, a Chamele Warlord’s Second-In-Command, has waited his entire lifespan to find his gerel, the being fated to be his. He’s thrilled to discover she wants him as savagely as he yearns for her.

His little human medic appeals to his primitive possessive side. Greatly. He wants to stamp his ownership all over her bountiful curves, take her back to his home planet, claim his fiery female permanently.

When Carinae E’s solitary sun rises, two determined beings with very different desires find their lifespans entwined. Their battle for emotional supremacy will span systems and alter destinies.

The universe will never be the same.

Dark Cure is a STANDALONE SciFi Romance set in a gritty, dark world.

Buy Now:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07HCTHN27

Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B07HCTHN27

Apple Books : https://books.apple.com/us/book/dark-cure/id1436359104

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-cure-cynthia-sax/1129542129

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dark-cure

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/895634

https://thewickedwritingcorner.blogspot.com/2021/02/guest-post-worldbuilding-for-pantsers.html

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Published on February 24, 2021 20:12

Worldbuilding For Pantsers

I’ve written a post on Worldbuilding For Pantsers for The Wicked Writing Corner.

Here is a bit I posted in the comments…

“I know what some pantsers will say – How does basing the story world on an existing world help us? We’re pantsers.

As pantsers, we tend to do this subconsciously.

What I do is I write the scene and then I try to figure out which world or worlds I’ve subconsciously based the scene in the story world on.
THAT is the world I use as a guideline going forward.

For example, I’ll picture the hallway of a spaceship.
I’ll then search through images online of TV shows or Movies I’ve watched featuring interiors of spaceships.

Often there are small differences (or it might be a combination of interiors) but I can usually find something similar.

THAT is the reference I’ll use for future scenes.”

You can read the entire post here –

***

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Containing Malice

This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.

***

Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.

His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.

He wants her. He also seeks retribution.

Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.

Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.

The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.

Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.

***

Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.

Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power

Buy Today:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS: