Releasing June 23 - First Mataras: Irene

 

Band and woman on the run

Irene sat at the dinette, her back tothe table, when Rusp returned. He looked deflated, as if he’d sufferedmisfortune.

“It go same as always, huh?” Jemi satnext to Irene, holding her. She’d almost stopped shaking. He reached andbriefly squeezed his Nobek’s hand as Rusp passed.

“I never be his favorite son.” Ruspsmiled weakly, indicating it was an attempt to joke. His clanmates smiled asfeebly.

He stood next to Sherv, who’d pausedpacing at his entrance. The Dramok patted his shoulder. “Thank you for talkingto him. What he say?”

“Is bad. Earther and Kalquorian canhave children together. Empire claim they rescue human women, but I thinkkidnaps are because we have three hundred years to extinct.”

“Three hundred years?” Jemi paled, thenshook his head. “Still not right to take women from station.”

“Not only station.” Rusp gazed at Irenemiserably. “Kalquor take all Earther Mataras they find off Earth. Give toclans.”

Cold sliced through her. “It’s like theChurch said. They’ll make us sex slaves.”

“No, not…well…they promise you be equalto us. Live in best home, with biggest rank clans. Not slave, but you have tobe clan Mataras.” He shook his head. “Maybe it is slave if no choice. I don’tknow. This is too insane for me to understand.”

Irene shoved past the horror of whathis world was doing. “How much trouble are you in for helping me?”

Rusp shrugged. “If caught, arrested.Face charges.”

Sherv’s jaw jutted stubbornly. “No matter.Irene wants home and parents. We find a way to take you there, don’t let Niltake you to Kalquor.”

Rusp nodded, his gaze meeting Irene’s.“Is correct to keep you safe, no matter what happens to us. I tell father I doit, and I mean it.”

Tears sprang to her eyes. They’d riskedeverything. “You shouldn’t be in this position. I don’t want you to sufferbecause of me.”

Releasing Friday. Now available for pre-order at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, Smashwords, and in print. (Print is already on sale)

 

She searched for freedom and found aKalquorian clan.

Irene Jonson is a rising star in opera, thanks to Earthforcing her to leave her parents as a teen to join a prestigious opera company.Years later, she loves music, but she wants the freedom to forge her own pathas a performer and be reunited with her family.

Sherv, Rusp, and Jemi are a clan and band playing hard,driving music. Success means more than fame and fortune; it would show theirdisapproving families they’ve chosen the lives they were meant to live.Encountering Irene, creating a new and exciting sound, gives them thatopportunity…and a chance at love.

Two worlds on the brink of war threaten everything Irene andClan Sherv have built and everything they dream of. Two worlds are bent onsnatching Irene from the men and music she loves. What chance do four misfitmusicians possibly have against Earth and the Kalquorian Empire?