His leave. Her ship. Somebody else’s war.
The Admiral and the Pilot is a standalone space opera adventure in the Ptorix Empire universe, with political intrigue, missing ships, and a romance that complicates an admiral’s holiday.
Available from my store on 15 November with a 20% launch discount until 21 November. Available from other retailers from 22 November.
About the book
Admiral Konrad Valperez planned to spend a month on Ceranoso fishing, walking in the forests and forgetting about Fleet.
Then his transport to the lakeside resort falls through, and he hires Francine Navarro to take him there.
Fran is a former Fleet fighter pilot who now runs the transport and repair business she inherited from her father. Taking an admiral to a lakeside resort should be a straightforward job. But when they answer a distress call from a damaged Ptorix freighter, they find four murdered crew members and evidence of a human attack.
Someone has gone to considerable trouble to turn humans and Ptorix against each other.
As more ships disappear and evidence is erased, Konrad and Fran are drawn into a conspiracy involving pirates, planetary politics and secrets hidden inside an old space station. Neither of them has the authority to investigate, but that has never stopped an admiral or a stubborn ship captain.
Their attraction presents another problem. Konrad’s leave will end, Fran’s business needs her, and neither is looking for promises.
Assuming they survive long enough to worry about the future.
This book is for you if:
- You enjoy space opera with a mystery to unravel.
- You like capable women who have businesses to run and ships to keep flying.
- You enjoy military characters who can think beyond the chain of command.
- You’re drawn to conspiracies, planetary politics, and evidence that doesn’t quite add up.
- You like a romance between two people with careers, responsibilities, and no convenient plans for a shared future.
Want to read the opening chapter?
Read the first chapter free
Coming to my store on 15 November with 20% off until 21 November. Available at other retailers from 22 November.
Or buy the book from your choice of vendor
FAQ
No. The Admiral and the Pilot is a standalone story in the Ptorix Empire universe. You can start here.
Yes. Konrad and Fran’s attraction grows as they work together, but his Fleet career and her business make the future complicated.
Yes. It is moderate spice. Story first, with explicit on-page intimacy.
The Ptorix are an alien species who share Ceranoso with humans. Someone is trying to turn the two populations against each other.
Konrad is a serving Fleet admiral, and Fran is a former Fleet fighter pilot. Their experience matters, but this story follows an unofficial investigation rather than a military campaign.
Manufactured conflict, prejudice, the misuse of power, and the choices people make when the official story doesn’t match the evidence.
Admiral and civilian ship captain
Former fighter pilot heroine
Holiday interrupted
Missing ships and piracy
Human and alien tensions
Political conspiracy
Romance complicated by duty and distance