Alaska42

I’m just so exhausted—always living on the edge of desperation, one paycheck away from ruin. But this new job… It could be the fresh start I need. It could change everything. The contract is only for three months, but if I keep my head down, work hard, and prove myself, maybe I could stay longer. Maybe I could make Black Mountain Lodge my home. As I pull down the gravel drive, surrounded by the forest and mountains and bright blue skies, I feel something I haven’t felt in a while. I feel hope.

Few people know the name Vesper Quill. To most folks, I’m just a lowly lab rat who designs brewmakers and other household appliances in the research-and-development lab at the powerful Kent Corp. But when I point out a design flaw and a safety hazard in the new line of Kent Corp spaceships, everyone knows who I am—and wants to eliminate me. I might be a seer with a photographic memory, but I don’t see the trouble headed my way until it’s too late. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.

My name is Vesper Quill. I used to be a lowly lab rat, toiling away in obscurity developing brewmakers and other household appliances. But thanks to my seer magic and my own ingenuity, I’m now a Regal lady and the head of a successful corporation. My mission? To destroy the Techwave, the dangerous group that has stolen my designs and plans to weaponize them against the Imperium. But when my mission takes an unexpected turn, I’m once again surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.

You meet the most interesting men in medieval prisons. This one time, I met a guy who offered me immortality for the low, low price of changing my diet. I didn’t read the fine print. Because, he wasn’t talking about a gluten-free diet. More like hemoglobin-full. And now, I’m a friggin’ vampire with five centuries of pop culture references.

They're marrying me off to a monster. I knew the day would come. I just didn't think it would be so soon. I'm betrothed. I'd always imagined my future husband would be some minor lord who'd value me only because I would bear him heirs. I never thought Father would go to the capital and seek an audience with Emperor Valdon Duthriss himself. What unholy deal did he make that I, a mere baron's daughter, ended up betrothed to that man?

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

He's the last man I should've picked for a one night stand. See that guy over there? The insanely tall, broad-shouldered, dark-haired, scowling, “I don’t drink coffee” suit? Surprise! He’s the new owner of my family’s mountain café.

I’ve been working on a potion that could change everything. Unfortunately, some people are allergic to change. A price has been put on my head – and the sharks are coming for me. Vampires, Ogres and black witches are all gunning for me, and they want me dead, by any means necessary. The Coven Council, in their infinite wisdom, assign me my very own griffin bodyguard. And of course, the one they assign is none other than my most hated enemy, Bastion.

She’s everything I shouldn’t want. I capture her anyway. What humans hail an invasion we call Garrison Earth: A mission to save our species from extinction. But while my warriors will soon have the stomachs of their new mates swell with daughters, I know this planet holds nothing for me. Until a fierce, red-haired female points her gun with her eyes blazing fire, and I know I have found my mate. A bullet and a tranquilizer pad later, I carry her in my arms. Against my better judgment. But who argues fate?

The rules of the accord between my humble human colony and our Xalthurian alien overlords are cruel but clear: Every human female the age of 21 must participate in a ceremony where she gets taken by the Xalthurians who want an heir. I knew the rules when I submitted to the huge red Xalthurian, who gave me unexpected pleasure before returning to his home planet. I was aware I wouldn't be able to keep my baby when I saw that "the issue" of our coupling was a boy.