R.J. Lavender

Umbra is the first book in the Sentient Stars trilogy, an intergalactic, space opera, adventure story, with a slow burn enemies to lovers romance, told from 3 POV’s with fully sentient starships, a militaristic society, alien worlds, and a signal in the darkness that threatens to destroy humanity.

If you enjoy the suspense of Agatha Christie, the cerebral Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the descriptive writing style of Daphne du Maurier, or the humor of P.G. Wodehouse, you'll adore this supernatural mystery, sprinkled with humor and romance. Suffering from memory problems in her old age, Hattie Vavaseur is swept off to a curious, old mansion, where she meets the enigmatic and volatile master of the house.

Caught robbing the governor’s mansion, Blythe is given a choice: steal the crown jewel of Ostrait’s greatest enemy, or her papa and friends all die. Forced undercover as a candidate in the Fletch King’s marital competition, she must survive the cut-throat court under the watchful eye of the governor’s pet assassin. But how much of herself will this mission cost her? Kalen got her into this mess. And now they must keep their head down in the servants’ quarters, enduring their new superior’s brutality and confronted with the terrors of their past.

Ringard, the capital of Myral, and home of the magical Ringada has been attacked. With the help of his best friend, Josen sets out to hunt for those responsible. Driven by rage at the murder of his wife during the onslaught, Josen will stop at nothing to get revenge.