On sale now at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Amazon (print).
Coming on November 12 to Kindle (if Amazon approves the date change...still waiting for confirmation).
Coming soon to Apple and Kobo.
Getting acquainted with Dramok-less Clan Amgar
* * * *
“Has it been difficult to respond to the name Jennifer?” Sara asked as Clan Amgar’s well-used but clean shuttle, piloted by Groteg, zipped over vast swaths of fields and woods.
“I’m getting used to it. I went under another name on Jedver, while I was at university. I’ve had to be someone else for a long time now.” Charity grew glummer by the second as she viewed a few buildings in the distance. No doubt it was the town Sunrise, which was closest to the spaceport and her hosts’ farm. The spaceport’s scatter of landing pads and buildings covered more land than the town did.
Maybe I’m not in the middle of nowhere, but I can see it from here.
“This has to be a shock to the system after the bustle of a university area and a crowded space station.”
Imdiko Utber was what Charity thought of classically handsome, though in a way too boyish for his years.
“This is, uh, quite bucolic. Wide open spaces, plenty of room to run wild and free, huh?”
They must have picked up on her false brightness. The trio chuckled.
“Don’t worry. There are activities for young people to do besides yank weeds and feed chickens,” Sara assured her.
Playing ‘dodge the cow shit,’ for example. Charity had a habit of tossing such smart remarks around, especially when she was in a foul or depressed mood. However, Clan Amgar was doing her a favor by letting her hide at their home until the heat of being the daughter of the so-called traitor General Borey Nath cooled.
She shrugged. “You don’t just farm, is my understanding. Besides Groteg being Haven’s head of security, Imdiko Utber is chef to the Kalquorian governor, right?”
Utber smiled. “Which is why I can guarantee a nice meal tonight to properly welcome you to our home. How do steak, potatoes, salad, and apple pie sound?”
Her grin was genuine this time. “Like heaven. Sara, I was told you manage the farm. What does Dramok Amgar do?”
Their warmth toward her didn’t diminish, but she detected a dampening of mood. Groteg’s voice was quiet as he kept his attention on the shuttle controls. “Our Dramok passed eight years ago in a fire.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
“It was a hero’s death,” Groteg said, pride mixing in the heaviness. “He saved our sons.”
“While Groteg saved our daughter and nearly died doing so.” Sara’s gaze showed love as she regarded him. “My clanship to Amgar was short, but I count myself as lucky to have had the months we did.”
“Let’s talk about you, Jennifer. I hope you don’t mind me getting in the habit of your assumed identity, rather than using your real name.” Utber interjected smoothly.
“Not at all.”
“Your role isn’t exactly a compliment, is it? Are you all right playing the part of a troubled young woman?”
“It’s a shame you’re coming in under a supposed cloud of mischief. You’re already dealing with the actual problem of radical Earthtiques wanting to interrogate you for their own ends.” Sara’s pretty face took on a determined cast Charity recognized. It was the look her elder sister Hope had worn years ago. She’d been hellbent to shelter Charity from a powerful man who’d wanted to force her into marriage and sexual slavery. It was the expression her aunt Ruth had taken on when the supposedly dead Charity had been outed as alive and well on Alpha Space Station.
It looks as if I found myself another mama bear. Charity was equal parts amused and dismayed.
“The cover story the fleet’s spy division decided on is the best possible excuse for her being here. We’re known for taking in youths who’ve encountered difficulties in society. Usually we foster Nobek teens, but few will question our having you move in.” Groteg spoke in a steady tone. Charity thought she heard an underlying attitude of this is how it is so deal with it.
Very Nobek, in other words. She bet he kept his past problematic wards in line easily.
“It’s only a part you have to act.” Sara was doing her best to soften what she believed must be a blow to Charity’s ego.
The younger woman had to laugh. “If you only knew how my family would respond to my situation. They’d tell you no acting is required on my part when it comes to youthful hijinks and bad attitude.”
“Really?” Utber gazed at her, his disbelief tinged by growing concern as he tried to detect wickedness in her demeanor. Perhaps he was thinking of her potential influence on his children.
“Don’t worry. I tend to be less mouthy to those I’m unrelated to. Especially those who might decide I’m more bother than I’m worth. I have no interest in giving you a reason to send me to the barn to sleep.”
She earned chuckles, including from Groteg.
Sara said, “Children typically let their parents have the worst of their behavior. Our kids’ teachers go on and on about how well behaved they are, but when it comes time for homework and chores—”
“The daily beatings commence to get them in line.” Groteg shot a grin over his shoulder at Charity to show he was joking. She was startled how handsome a smile made his somewhat stark features.
“As for farm work, I don’t expect you to do much. Just enough to keep anyone from becoming suspicious,” Sara said. “I’m sure you have your studies to keep up on until you can return to school. I prefer you to focus on them as much as possible.”
“I don’t mind pulling my weight,” Charity was surprised to hear herself say. She found she meant it, however. Her instincts insisted these people, who were going out of their way to help a stranger, were the best sort.
“We can always use the help,” Utber sighed. “I don’t know how Sara does it, despite us having hired help. Groteg and I pitch in when our jobs allow.”
Charity was prompted to warn them. “Please understand, I don’t know the first thing when it comes to farming. Someone once gave me a spider plant as a gift. I was told it was low-maintenance and hard to kill. It lasted three months before my black thumb of death did it in.”
“We’ll find something nonlethal for you to demonstrate to visitors you’re helping us.” Sara glanced at the window vid as the shuttle began its descent. A very Earth-style two-story farmhouse featuring a wraparound porch came into view. “Here we are. Welcome to the farm of Clan Amgar, Jennifer.”
* * * * *
Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.
After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for.
Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.
It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.
When
Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy
the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets
are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their
growing love survive the truth of their pasts?
After six years, a
new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in
the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions
celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of
Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor
and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in
one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.
On sale now at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Amazon (print).
Coming on November 12 to Kindle (if Amazon approves the date change...still waiting for confirmation).
Coming soon to Apple and Kobo.
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