Darren Gray

After 10 years of flying freighter ships from planet to planet, Val Calendula never thought she would apply for a job as a combat pilot in a mercenary outfit. But her brother has gotten himself into financial trouble, and he's heading to a mining prison if Val can't pay off his debts. Mercenaries don't always live long...but they make good money while they're alive. A few combat bonuses, and Val could earn what she needs.

When Jamie Flipkens signed on as a pilot and engineer for a small medical research company, she never expected to end up on a mercenary ship full of hulking soldiers who want to make her their latest conquest. The captain has been good to her - it doesn't hurt that he's her boss' new beau - but she's on the verge of quitting when a strange man shows up at her shuttle door.

Dr. Tala Matapang thought the most challenging part about getting kidnapped by slavers from another planet would be escaping, not butting heads with the obstinate Star Guardian captain who rescued her. She’s been working in his sick bay, and it's refreshing not having to deal with the politics and bureaucracy she faced as a surgeon back home, but Captain Sagitta is as infuriating as he is handsome.

Angela left her parents' lavender farm with dreams of becoming a professional dog trainer. Getting kidnapped by slavers from outer space was not part of the plan. Fortunately, Angela and a few dozen other women were rescued by Star Guardians. She isn't quite sure how she's going to get back to Earth, but these Star Guardians aren't looking too shabby, especially a hunky one named Treyjon. He trains svenkars, 400-pound predators that make pit bulls look like squeak toys. Angela is curious about the animals - and about him.

Tattooed, muscled, and fierce, they look like felons; but these highly trained agents are humanity's protectors - the only ones standing between Earth and the threats of the galaxy. They are the Star Guardians. A born geek, Juanita has dreamed of exploring the stars for as long as she can remember. Getting kidnapped by slavers from another planet? Not so much. If she's lucky, she might be able to convince the hot guy protecting her from the others to help her escape.