I’ve had a dip into this year’s Pets in Space and it’s as good as all the others in the Pets in Space limited edition anthologies.
The Lone Cyborg by Honey Phillips
Mattie is perfectly happy on her isolated mining claim, thank you very much. She and her cybernetic canary Sylvester are doing just fine, no matter what the big, grumpy cyborg responsible for her territory seems to think.
J-418 takes his job as a ranger very seriously. Frequent checks on the stubborn, annoying — and ridiculously adorable — woman living on her own are just part of his job. They certainly aren’t because he actually enjoys his encounters with the prickly little female.
When danger forces the two together, they make a series of startling discoveries, not the least of which is an unexpected passion. But life on Mars is about to change — for everyone!
This one is set on Mars. It stars (apart from a cybernetic canary) a sexy cyborg ranger and his cyborg horse. It’s a great story, lots of action and romance – and it’s steamy, if that’s your thing.
Starlane Crossroads – A Central Galactic Concordance Novella by Carol Van Natta
One death, two star-crossed heroes, zero time. A space station’s freedom hangs by a thread.
Three years ago, Katalin Efren lost everything that mattered. Now she manages the independent Tigurini Space Station and tries to put her life back together with the help of her friends. When she discovers the body of a hated station resident, she calls the man she admires most, Vellek Altano.
Station security chief Vellek has secrets, including his traumatic past and his growing feelings for Katalin. Now he must work closely with her to uncover the truth before government detectives arrive to take over the investigation and pin the blame where it’s most convenient.
But as their digging uncovers a threat to the whole station, it raises the simmering question: Can two souls reforging their lives after shattering loss make their unexpectedly deep partnership last?
With the station’s future and their personal lives at stake, will the truth finally set them free… or send them tumbling into the void?
This one’s a murder mystery set in a space station. In fact, there are a number of pets in this one, courtesy of Sierrho, who operates the station’s pet rescue centre. Katalin has three cats and Vellek has a cat and a dog. You’re sure to love them all. This one’s not steamy. I loved it.
And of course, there’s my own, not-steamy story. It includes gangster families and weird, misty, alien jungles.
The President’s Daughter by Greta van der Rol
War-damaged veteran Darius Fletcher embarks on a pleasure cruise to delay an impending career crossroads. Onboard, he crosses paths with Cilla Beckstein and her companion animal, powerful jungle cat Maahes. When Cilla takes it upon herself to attempt a rescue mission on a hostile planet Darius is pulled into the perilous quest against his instincts.
As they navigate the planet’s unique dangers while avoiding ruthless foes Darius and Cilla’s relationship morphs from an uneasy alliance to respect and affection.
Can they conquer the challenges that fate throws their way and emerge unscathed from a mission where danger lurks at every turn and each decision could be their last? And can the attraction that has grown between them become something much, much more?
And a whole lot more. Dip in. There’s sure to be stories that will suit your reading taste. And you’ll be helping to support Hero Dogs in their work of providing trained companions for veterans.
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