Danger stalks the jungle, and the only way out is together.
The President’s Daughter is a fast paced space opera novella with romantic tension woven through the action. It sits in the Ptorix Empire universe and can be read on its own.
About the book
War-damaged veteran Darius Fletcher boards a luxury cruise looking for peace and anonymity. He finds neither when he crosses paths with Cilla Beckstein, her formidable jungle cat, Maahes—and a kidnapping that changes everything.
When a fellow passenger is snatched during a planetary stop, Cilla refuses to stand by while local authorities turn a blind eye. Reckless but determined, she drags Darius into a dangerous rescue mission he wants no part of. Forced into an uneasy alliance, they must navigate treacherous terrain, outwit ruthless kidnappers, and survive a world where everything wants them dead.
But they’re not alone. Maahes is much more than a pet and when all else fails, he’s their last, best chance at survival.
With time running out and enemies closing in, Darius and Cilla’s reluctant partnership is tested at every turn. Can they pull off an impossible rescue before their enemies catch up with them? And will the attraction growing between them survive the danger—or be consumed by it?
This story was first published in Pets in Space 9. Action, adventure, and (non- steamy) romance.
Space Opera/ Science Fiction Romance. Features non-humanoid aliens and some non-specific sex scenes. There’s action adventure and politics.
If you’re wondering whether Starheart is your kind of read, this will help.
This book is for you if:
• You enjoy science fiction where appearances are misleading and the real stakes sit offstage at first.
• You like stories where political power distorts reality and truth is deliberately obscured.
• You’re drawn to capable women who navigate danger without the protection their status supposedly gives them.
• You appreciate reluctant heroes dragged into situations they didn’t choose, and can’t walk away from.
• You enjoy rescues that aren’t simple, clean, or morally comfortable.
• You like space opera where criminals, politicians, and civilians collide in messy, human ways.
• You prefer tension built on manipulation, leverage, and consequences rather than brute force.
• You like romance where intimacy is part of the story and the stakes, not constant on-page sex for its own sake.
This book may not be for you if:
• You want titles to tell you exactly what the story will be about.
• You prefer straightforward rescue missions with obvious villains.
• You’re looking for political stories without criminal entanglements or ethical discomfort.
Or buy from Your choice of vendor
FAQ
Genre and details
• Space opera with a romance arc
• Action, political tension, and organised crime
• Kidnapping
Is this the first book in the series
No. The President’s Daughter is part of the Ptorix Empire universe, but it stands alone. You can start here without reading the other books. It is a novella, first published in Pets in Space 9.
Who are the Ptorix
An alien species with their own culture, beliefs, and politics. Read more about them here.
Is there romance
Yes. Despite being opposites, Darius and Cilla develop a relationship through 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.
What is Maahes
Maahes is a jungle cat found only on Cilla’s home planet. He has been bioengineered to be a formidable companion animal
What does Maahes mean
Maahes was a lion-headed Egyptian God. Read about him here.
Is this hard science fiction
The story pays attention to science and consequence, but it’s space opera
What themes does the book explore
Trauma, recovery, and learning who to trust
Love and connection growing in hostile circumstances
Revenge
What formats is it available in
Ebook. Audiobook status depends on future plans.
Tropes and elements
• PTSD of different kinds
• Care and protection
• Vengeance
Reader praise
“She writes a good space opera with believable world building details that I can easily envision would happen in the future. This book takes place in her Ptorix world but can be easily read standalone.”