Will they choose love? Or duty?
Crisis at Validor is a fast paced space opera with romantic tension woven through the action. It sits in the Ptorix Empire universe and can be read on its own.
About the book
Newly-promoted Captain Brett Butcher is about to achieve his life-long ambition to command a battle cruiser. But before he takes up his new posting, he goes home on leave, hoping to perhaps catch a glimpse of his first love, the unattainable Lady Tarlyn.
When the queen is assassinated in a terrorist attack, Tarlyn’s life is thrown into turmoil when she, too, becomes a target. The last person she expects to rescue her is her childhood sweetheart, Brett Butcher.
As Validor’s Ptorix and human populations face off over a group of islands neither owns, the calls for war grow louder. Torn between duty and ambition, Butcher and Tarlyn struggle to prevent an inter-species conflict, while the ember of love that has smouldered for so long bursts into flame. But with planetary peace at stake, both will be forced to choose; love or duty.
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Space Opera/ Science Fiction Romance. Features non-humanoid aliens and some non-specific sex scenes. There’s action adventure and politics.
FAQ
Genre and details
• Space opera with a romance arc
• Action, political tension, and mystery
• Alien contact and high stakes
• Focus on character and consequences
Is this the first book in the series
No. Crisis in Validor is part of the Ptorix Empire universe, but it stands alone. You can start here without reading the other books.
Who are the Ptorix
An alien species with their own culture, beliefs, and politics. They consider starhearts sacred, the windows of their souls, so anyone trading them is breaking the deepest taboos. Read more about them here.
Who is Brett Butcher?
Butcher was Admiral Saahren’s adjutant in the Iron Admiral books
What is a Bherzan?
Bherzani are a native species living on disputed islands on Validor. They are similar in some respects to oriental dragons but they have some exceptional powers. Read more about them here.
Is there romance
Yes. Tarlyn and Brett have history going back to their teens. But this new chapter of their lives is shaped by danger and shared experiences
Is there sex
There are intimate moments but it’s not a ‘how to’ manual. The focus is on emotion and character, not on graphic detail.
Is this hard science fiction
The story pays attention to science and consequence, but it’s space opera
What themes does the book explore
Respect. Politics. Prejudice
What formats is it available in
Ebook and paperback. Audiobook status depends on future plans.
Tropes and elements
• He’s a commoner, she’s a princess
• Greed
• Political treachery
Reader praise
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“The great thing in this series is that the stories aren’t about teenagers but grown ups with responsibility and children. The action is great, love the dialogues and the storyline.”