Garnets or Bust: A Story of the Saurellian Federation

by J.B. Wylde

Tessa Marasdottir has just one goal.Money.And now she's found a way to get it.Cerulean star garnets are her ticket to a better life, and she won't let anyone get in her way. Unfortunately, Daaron Von Saur'rel can't let her keep her gemstones, no matter the cost. He has people to protect, and a vision of the future that can't be stopped. Killing Tessa is the best way to protect his interests — but he can't bring himself to do it. Not when he can't stop lusting for her.Now Tessa and Daaron find themselves locked in a battle of wills neither can afford to lose. Lives depend on them, and the only way both can win is through a marriage of convenience. It's garnets or bust.This is a short story (15,000 words) that serves as a prequel to the Saurellian Federation series. This book was originally published in 2008 under the name Joanna Wylde. When the rights to these early works reverted, I decided to republish them under JB Wylde. The majority of my readers have gotten to know me through these later books, and while I want the earlier ones to be available, it’s also important that people know they’re from two very different stages in my writing career.

Genres: Science Fiction

64 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 5, 2016

Reviews

[Rachel-RN · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh brother. Tessa found star garnets which are all the rage in court and would net some serious $$$. Except Daaron wants them too and will need to kill her. Except he can't. See, they have a history. She was the only woman to turn him down for sex. He tried multiple times and failed to get in her pants. It turns out Tessa is from a group of people who value chastity/virginity (just in women- because of course) and the women grow their hair out until they marry. It's the husband's gift to cut it (and take their virginity). Her mom sold herself to give Tessa a chance at an education and her goal is to save her mother.
I thought this was ridiculous and kept reading, because it was short and I wanted to see if my first impression was wrong. What kept this fucker from a one star, was Daaron's reasons for doing what he did to Tessa. However, it does not excuse his treatment of her, but rather explains it. My main bitch is for a futuristic sch-fi, why are women still second class citizens? If I wanted to read an old fashioned "bodice ripper," I'd pick up a romance book published in the 70s/80s/early 90s where the sex scenes border on rape (and at times it is). Pass on the rest of these.

[Sumita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden gem (pun intended)

Old fashioned bodice ripper meets noncon meets sci-fi romance. Its the beginning of the Saurellian empire, in a sweet novella.
IMHO one of the better sci-fi books on KU.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice beginning to the Saurellian stories.

[Leyns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novella 3.5 stars

It is a short story, so not much room for development, but I did like it and I’m going to look for the next book in the series.

[lisyreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real quick introduction to this world, just enough to leave you wanting more, and believe me, I want more of this world.

The way this is written, kind of reminds me of—late 90s romances. Super nostalgic and consent is more—‘forced consent’ (popular for very old school writers in the 70s, 80s, and 90s), I liked it. Alot.