Taste of Cyn

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/testing-truth/id1520415369

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Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Refuges And Writing Caves

Testing Truth – Nereid Negative One

By Cynthia Sax on August 28, 2020

In Testing Truth (releasing on September 15^th), the cyborgs are assigned to explore Nereid Negative One. This is a small outpost planet. Ships stop there for emergency supplies and repairs. Very few beings live on Nereid Negative One permanently. It is covered with gray ash and isn’t a nice place.

As Dissent shares, “The planet is named Nereid Negative One because the first being who stepped upon its surface claimed zero was too generous a designation for it.”

He also adds, “One traveler called Nereid Negative One the place dreams go to die.”

(grins) It isn’t a pleasant place but it IS situated in the cyborg-controlled sector. According to Power’s mandate, they have to explore it.

Normally, the planets in my stories are named after stars. Nereid Negative One, being such a…well…unimpressive planet, is named after Nereid, Jupiter’s third largest moon. Nereid is notable for having the strangest orbit of all Jupiter’s moons and having ice on its surface.

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Testing Truth

A fun-loving cyborg gets serious about love.

***

Truth lives each moment as though it were his last. The cyborg warrior rushes into danger, teases beings he shouldn’t provoke, accepts every call of adventure he encounters.

That is exactly the type of fun he has been seeking.

If they survive their current mission.

Their love is doomed. Their lifespans are at risk. This cyborg and his princess will need the help of every ally they have if they wish to see another sunrise.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/testing-truth/id1520415369

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/testing-truth-cynthia-sax/1137237855

Kobo:

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Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Testing Truth – Nereid Negative One

Testing Truth – A Princess Named Nancy

By Cynthia Sax on August 25, 2020

The heroine in Testing Truth, the next cyborg romance (releasing on September 15^th), is Princess Nanette of the planet Royaume. That’s her formal name, the name strangers and other royalty refer to her by, the name that is utilized on all official communications.

Her friends, her makeshift family, other loved ones call her Nancy. She is named after a dear reading buddy, Nancy R, which makes Truth’s female even nearer and dearer to my heart. I love Nancy R and I love Truth’s Princess Nancy.

(As an aside, I WILL warn you if you contact me and you have an awesome name, a name I haven’t yet utilized in a story, I will likely steal it for a future character. I’ll tell you before I do this. I have manners and sh*t. (grins) But it is a risk you take when you contact me.)

When Princess Nanette wants to be perceived as a regular being, she will introduce herself as Nancy. When she wants to put an unkind being in her or his place, she breaks out her formal name (and a super prissy attitude Truth finds extremely entertaining).

There are plenty of famous Nancys here on Earth but there are also quite a few famous Nanettes.

For example, Nanette Fabray, a Tony and three time Emmy winning actress, was also a passionate advocate for the rights of the deaf and hard-of-hearing. She was one of the first people to use sign language on TV and was one of the founding members of the National Captioning Institute.

Nanette Konig-Blitz was a holocaust survivor and a classmate of Anne Frank. She lectured and wrote about her experiences, earning a Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Award.

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Testing Truth

A fun-loving cyborg gets serious about love.

***

Truth lives each moment as though it were his last. The cyborg warrior rushes into danger, teases beings he shouldn’t provoke, accepts every call of adventure he encounters.

That is exactly the type of fun he has been seeking.

If they survive their current mission.

Their love is doomed. Their lifespans are at risk. This cyborg and his princess will need the help of every ally they have if they wish to see another sunrise.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/testing-truth/id1520415369

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/testing-truth-cynthia-sax/1137237855

Kobo:

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Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Testing Truth – A Princess Named Nancy

Testing Truth – Second Scene Of The First Chapter

By Cynthia Sax on August 24, 2020

Testing Truth, the next standalone story in the cyborg series, is releasing on September 15th.

Last week, I shared the first scene from the first chapter.

You can read that scene here:
http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=7350

This week I’m sharing the second scene of that first chapter.

***

“The next planet we’re exploring is Nereid Negative One.” Captain relayed a fact Truth already processed. “Truth, optimize our route.”

“Optimizing our route to Nereid Negative One, Captain.” He acknowledged the order.

It wasn’t a challenging task to complete. The planet was small, was the size of a moon the Humanoid Alliance had assigned him and his D Model brethren to defend 3.2798 human lifespans ago, but its orbit around its distant sun was constant and surprisingly well tracked.

He located Nereid Negative One’s current coordinates easily and crafted the fastest and safest path to that point. “We’ll arrive at our destination in two planet rotations and 1.3659 shifts.”

The manufacturing of the offspring should alleviate his boredom until then.

Especially if North, that offspring’s father, wanted to release some of his frustrations in the fighting chambers. Truth grinned.

“Should the Reckless arrive at Nereid Negative One?” Captain’s female surprised everyone present with that seemingly random question.

It distracted Truth from North’s shouted threats and the offspring’s battle cries. He studied Captain’s female. The human had uncovered a detail they hadn’t yet processed. He was 89.2563 certain of that.

Captain must have reached the same conclusion. He frowned at his female. “We’ll send a shuttle craft to the surface.”

That was the standard operating procedure they’d utilized for the previous exploration missions. A small team was sent to the planet they were tasked by Power and the cyborg council to explore and document. The Reckless with its remaining crew stayed in open space, out of danger.

“That shuttle craft once belonged to the Humanoid Alliance.” Captain’s female lifted her eyebrows. “I’ve been monitoring a channel originating from Nereid Negative One and—”

“Why are we monitoring a channel originating from Nereid Negative One?” Captain issued a query he should already process the results for.

Captain’s female was a skilled hacker. She monitored all channels.

“The channel broadcasts to beings who don’t follow rules, to those who fight larger entities.” Captain’s female didn’t acknowledge his response. “They claim Nereid Negative One is a haven for outlaws and rebels.” She glanced at her warrior. “Those are their words. One of their often-cited actions is shooting down a Humanoid Alliance Freighter.”

“I love this planet already.” Truth would soon have the adventure he constantly sought.

Captain cast him a hard glance. “Dissent, relay all the information we have on Nereid Negative One.”

“The planet is named Nereid Negative One because the first being who stepped upon its surface claimed zero was too generous a designation for it.” Dissent’s flat tone was belied by the gleam in his eye. Truth’s friend enjoyed relaying that detail. “It hosts one small settlement that serves as a supply and repair stop for passing ships. Nourishment, beverage, and parts are delivered from off-planet. One traveler called Nereid Negative One the place dreams go to die.”

Truth laughed through the transmission lines. He added that colorful phrase to his databases, would utilize it in the future.

Captain’s lips twitched. “We’ll send a two-warrior exploration team to Nereid Negative One.”

He looked around the bridge.

There weren’t many warriors to choose from. Truth bounced in his chair.

North wouldn’t be assigned to the team. Captain wouldn’t part him from his female and soon-to-be manufactured offspring. Doc had to tend to his patients. Chuckles was actively avoiding Captain’s gaze, had no interest in leaving the ship.

That left Dissent and himself.

“Dissent and Truth will catalog the planet.” Captain announced that foregone conclusion.

“Yes.” Truth pumped the air with his fists. “We’ll increase our kill rates.”

“There will be no killing…unless those beings attempt to kill you.” Captain endeavored to steal his joy.

That wasn’t possible. “They will attempt to kill us.” His grin widened. “They’ll see our shuttle craft, assume we continue to fight for the Humanoid Alliance, and seek to end our lifespans.”

Better warriors than the beings on Nereid Negative One had tried to do that. And he remained alive. Truth flexed his biceps, eager for the chaos of battle.

“You’ll take a fighter ship, not a shuttle craft.” Captain deviated from their previous plans. “And you’ll modify it, removing all indications it was a Humanoid Alliance vessel.”

“Yes.” The mission got better and better. A fighter ship would fly faster than a shuttle craft and was equipped with a superior weapons system. Both appealed to Truth.

“If the ship appears damaged, the locals will assume it’s landing on Nereid Negative One for repairs.” Dissent’s voice warmed with approval. “And a fighter ship, unlike a shuttle craft, is designed for long voyages. They’ll assume it’s a solitary vessel, won’t extend their scans to look for the Reckless.”

“We’ll position the Reckless outside of their monitoring ranges.” Captain nodded.

The two of them chattered about strategies. Truth listened, didn’t contribute.

Planning didn’t hold any interest for him. He preferred to take action, adjusting to conditions as they changed. That was much more fun.

***

Read the next scene (available August 31st) here:
http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=7354

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Testing Truth

A fun-loving cyborg gets serious about love.

***

Truth lives each moment as though it were his last. The cyborg warrior rushes into danger, teases beings he shouldn’t provoke, accepts every call of adventure he encounters.

That is exactly the type of fun he has been seeking.

If they survive their current mission.

Their love is doomed. Their lifespans are at risk. This cyborg and his princess will need the help of every ally they have if they wish to see another sunrise.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/testing-truth/id1520415369

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/testing-truth-cynthia-sax/1137237855

Kobo:

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Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Testing Truth – Second Scene Of The First Chapter

Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – August 23rd

By Cynthia Sax on August 23, 2020

Today, I’m working on the second round edits for Warlord’s Return, the next and the final story in the Chamele Barbarian Warlords series (releasing in November).

It is bittersweet working on these edits. I’m excited that you and other reading buddies will be returning with me to the Refuge, seeing Kralj, Dita and the other Modified Humanoids again, but I’m always sad to end a series. This is extra challenging as I will be stepping away from the Alien Romance Continuum for a while to focus on the cyborgs (but I’m SUPER stoked to be writing those stories).

This week, I’ll be taking a break from the fresh writing and revising some of the short stories for the next C.S. Sax collection. This next collection will focus on medieval dragon shifters also.

I was telling a writing buddy about my plans and she made a comment on how I must think medieval dragon shifters will be ‘hot’ in 2021.

I have NO clue about what will be the hot trends in Romance. None. (laughs)

If I HAD to guess, I would say vampires will make a big comeback in Paranormal Romance and light, happy alien romance premises like mail order brides will be popular in SciFi Romance. I’ll put this in writing and, at the end of 2021 (if I remember), we’ll determine if I was right. That will be fun.

I’m releasing collections of medieval dragon shifter stories because I’ve written quite a few of those stories for myself over the years. I love medieval dragon shifters.

I’m focusing on cyborgs next year because I’m eager to find out what happens in Power’s story and that requires writing the four other stories in the subseries first. I CAN’T WAIT to write the first story in the Rebel Cyborgs subseries. That story has been drumming at my brain for months.

If you’re a writing buddy, please don’t build your career around what I’m writing next. I have no insights on the future of Romance. I merely write what I want to write and release stories I think you might enjoy.

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Testing Truth

A fun-loving cyborg gets serious about love.

***

Truth lives each moment as though it were his last. The cyborg warrior rushes into danger, teases beings he shouldn’t provoke, accepts every call of adventure he encounters.

That is exactly the type of fun he has been seeking.

If they survive their current mission.

Their love is doomed. Their lifespans are at risk. This cyborg and his princess will need the help of every ally they have if they wish to see another sunrise.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/testing-truth/id1520415369

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/testing-truth-cynthia-sax/1137237855

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Cynthia Sax Weekly Update | Comments Off on Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – August 23rd

Laundry Day In The Sax Household

By Cynthia Sax on August 22, 2020

Today is laundry day in the Sax household or, as I jokingly refer to it, a day of good, clean fun. (grins) I heard that groan. That was a terrible joke, wasn’t it?

As there are only two humans – the Dear Wonderful Hubby and myself – currently living in our house, laundry day happens every two weeks. It IS a chore. Both of us dread doing it. But it has to occur and we try to make it fun. We have jokes and we have a playlist.

One of our favorite songs is a tweak on Limahl’s The Neverending Story ( Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHytjEj7B9g ) except it is called The Neverending Laundry.

Another favorite song is a Laundry Calling spin on The Clash’s London Calling ( Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfK-WX2pa8c ). We sing that whenever the dryer buzzer goes off, joking about being servants to the all mighty dryer.

When responding to the dryer buzzer, I usually do my best Igor from Young Frankenstein impression (I love that Mel Brooks movie), responding with “Yes, Master.” LOL I’m horrible at it yet it always makes the Dear Wonderful Hubby laugh.

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Testing Truth

A fun-loving cyborg gets serious about love.

***

Truth lives each moment as though it were his last. The cyborg warrior rushes into danger, teases beings he shouldn’t provoke, accepts every call of adventure he encounters.

That is exactly the type of fun he has been seeking.

If they survive their current mission.

Their love is doomed. Their lifespans are at risk. This cyborg and his princess will need the help of every ally they have if they wish to see another sunrise.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/testing-truth/id1520415369

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/testing-truth-cynthia-sax/1137237855

Kobo:

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Topics: Dear Wonderful Hubby Stories | Comments Off on Laundry Day In The Sax Household

Testing Truth – A Chaos-Creating Cyborg Named Truth

By Cynthia Sax on August 20, 2020

Several reading buddies have asked me why Truth chose that name for himself. Wouldn’t a name like Chaos or Anarchy or Pandemonium be better suited to the sh*t disturbing cyborg?

Perhaps.

But Truth often uses the truth to create the excitement he craves.

As he shares, ““Cyborgs can’t lie. That is built into our programming. We can refuse to answer questions, to acknowledge commands. But I prefer to state the truth and deal with the chaos that follows.”

In other words, as he says, “I tell the truth even when it isn’t wise.”

The truth is a tool for him and he wields it quite effectively.

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Testing Truth

A fun-loving cyborg gets serious about love.

***

Truth lives each moment as though it were his last. The cyborg warrior rushes into danger, teases beings he shouldn’t provoke, accepts every call of adventure he encounters.

That is exactly the type of fun he has been seeking.

If they survive their current mission.

Their love is doomed. Their lifespans are at risk. This cyborg and his princess will need the help of every ally they have if they wish to see another sunrise.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/testing-truth/id1520415369

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/testing-truth-cynthia-sax/1137237855

Kobo:

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Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Testing Truth – A Chaos-Creating Cyborg Named Truth

Bonus Scene In Tomorrow’s Newsletter

By Cynthia Sax on August 19, 2020

Today’s task is writing a scene for the newsletter I’m sending tomorrow. (You can sign up for my newsletter here –
http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/ )

Reading buddies often ask me why I don’t share these scenes elsewhere. There are a number of reasons for this.

They truly ARE bonus scenes. You don’t have to read them to enjoy the longer stories. The reverse is true. You won’t enjoy the bonus scenes as much if you haven’t read the longer stories.

They are meant to be read at a certain spot in the reading order. The scene I’m writing for tomorrow’s newsletter only truly makes sense if you read it between North Bound and Testing Truth. I LOVE that my newsletter allows me to time these scenes perfectly. It is one of the great benefits of having a newsletter.

They ARE newsletter subscriber exclusives. I write them for you. You are likely one of the readers who will be most interested in these additional glimpses in the the cyborg world.

Tomorrow’s scene will likely feature Vector, the captain of the Reckless, Kasia, his human hacker female, Future, their freeborn C Model offspring, and North, the Reckless’ second-in-command.

I hope you enjoy it!

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Testing Truth

A fun-loving cyborg gets serious about love.

***

Truth lives each moment as though it were his last. The cyborg warrior rushes into danger, teases beings he shouldn’t provoke, accepts every call of adventure he encounters.

That is exactly the type of fun he has been seeking.

If they survive their current mission.

Their love is doomed. Their lifespans are at risk. This cyborg and his princess will need the help of every ally they have if they wish to see another sunrise.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/testing-truth/id1520415369

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/testing-truth-cynthia-sax/1137237855

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Bonus Scene In Tomorrow’s Newsletter

Breathing Vapor And Dark Arsenal Featured in the Roswell Daily Record

By Cynthia Sax on August 18, 2020

Woot!

The always awesome Veronica Scott featured Breathing Vapor and Dark Arsenal in a Ripped Bodice Bingo – themed article for the Roswell Daily Record.

See the full article here: https://www.rdrnews.com/2020/08/17/from-afar-science-fiction-romance-summer-romance-reading-bingo-fun/

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Testing Truth

A fun-loving cyborg gets serious about love.

***

Truth lives each moment as though it were his last. The cyborg warrior rushes into danger, teases beings he shouldn’t provoke, accepts every call of adventure he encounters.

That is exactly the type of fun he has been seeking.

If they survive their current mission.

Their love is doomed. Their lifespans are at risk. This cyborg and his princess will need the help of every ally they have if they wish to see another sunrise.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/testing-truth/id1520415369

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/testing-truth-cynthia-sax/1137237855

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on Breathing Vapor And Dark Arsenal Featured in the Roswell Daily Record

Testing Truth – First Scene Of The First Chapter

By Cynthia Sax on August 17, 2020

The countdown for Testing Truth, the next cyborg romance, is on! Woot!

While we wait for it to release on September 15th, I’ll be sharing the first chapter, starting with the first scene.

***

Chapter One

Truth lived every planet rotation as though it were his last.

He squeezed as much joy out of the moments as he possibly could, threw himself into each battle he faced, strove to find humor in the darkest situations.

If there wasn’t enough excitement, if the planet rotations started to blur together and there was no action to be found, he considered it to be his self-appointed duty to create some for himself and for his brethren.

This planet rotation, he might have manufactured a few too many thrills for the beings on board the Reckless. The tension in the air was palpable…and extremely noisy.

“Release me.” North’s image appeared on the main viewscreen. His bellows could be heard throughout the ship. Captain’s second-in-command struggled against his restraints.

The D Model had been secured against a wall in the medic bay of the Reckless. The contraption had been designed to hold all model types of cyborgs.

It had taken the combined efforts of Captain, Captain’s offspring Future, Dissent, Chuckles, and Doc to restrict North’s movements. The warrior hadn’t wanted to leave his offspring-manufacturing female’s side, had been determined to protect her from the perils of that process.

Truth hadn’t participated in the battle. Captain had unfortunately processed it prudent to exclude him. He’d missed that entertainment.

“Doc will release you when this last stage of offspring manufacturing has been completed.” Captain’s voice was flat. He sat on the bridge with his female and his offspring, plus Truth, Dissent, and Chuckles.

The other females and Doc tended to the soon-to-be new mother.

“Release me now.” The terror for his female was causing North to malfunction. No one, not even Truth, fought Captain’s orders. Not unless the warrior wanted to be jettisoned into space.

“You won’t assist with the process, warrior.” Captain’s gaze shifted to his female and his offspring and his countenance softened. “None of us have the programming to assist with it.”

Truth had been part of the great effort to subdue Captain when Captain’s female had been in the late stages of manufacturing Future. Captain had ripped Truth’s right arm completely off and Doc had to tend to him after he tended to Captain’s female.

That was when Doc had proposed crafting the restraints.

Cyborgs wouldn’t allow their females to be damaged, would battle the universe to prevent that from happening, and females had to be damaged temporarily during offspring manufacturing. The little cyborgs’ skulls, crafted from metal, had no bend to them.

“If you could have persuaded your offspring to delay his appearance for one more planet rotation, you wouldn’t be alone during the process. We would have rendezvoused with the fleet. They would have safeguarded the Reckless while we waited with you.” Captain’s gaze moved to Truth. “But Victorious the Vanquisher is determined to operate on his own schedule.”

Ayeeee. North’s offspring released a battle cry through the transmission lines. The little cyborg shared footage of himself smacking face-first against the wall of his mother’s womb.

Truth winced. That must have hurt both the offspring and the offspring’s humanoid mother.

“Truth.” North bellowed his name, shaking the restraints.

Captain’s Second is going to tear your limbs off once he’s freed, D Model. Dissent, Truth’s closest friend, warned him through a private transmission line. I’ve never seen him this upset. Ever.

“None of us influenced the timing of his appearance.” Truth said that in his own defense. “Victorious the Vanquisher determined that for himself.”

“Yes, but one of us didn’t have to teach North’s offspring the Myrina the Magnificent body slam.” Captain’s tone was dry. “We didn’t have to give him sufficient tools to decide the timing.”

Everyone on the bridge turned their heads and stared at Truth.

It could have been someone else. Those flippant words dangled on the tip of his tongue.

But he couldn’t voice that reply because cyborgs were programmed to always tell the truth and that statement would be a lie.

It also couldn’t have been someone else on the Reckless.

Only he was that bold.

“I was regaling the offspring with tales of his mother’s daring.” The little cyborg had been bored…as Truth had been. He hadn’t projected it would cause anyone damage.

Ayeeee. The offspring slammed his small body harder against his mother’s womb.

Guilt jabbed at Truth. Although he hadn’t projected the damage, he was responsible for it. “North, you can pull my limbs off once you’re free.”

The pain would be excruciating, but it would appease the male, lessen Truth’s misgivings, and it might be entertaining for everyone on the ship, himself included.

“There will be no pulling off of limbs.” Captain denied them that possible fun. “And there will be no training offspring to fight while they’re being manufactured.”

North’s offspring continued his efforts to free himself. The frustration on the little cyborg’s face mirrored the irritation on his father’s countenance.

Truth shouldn’t find that amusing.

Yet he did.

Perhaps his brethren were correct. Perhaps he was malfunctioning. He shrugged. That didn’t concern him. Much.

***

Read the next scene (available August 24th) here:
http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=7352

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Testing Truth

A fun-loving cyborg gets serious about love.

***

Truth lives each moment as though it were his last. The cyborg warrior rushes into danger, teases beings he shouldn’t provoke, accepts every call of adventure he encounters.

That is exactly the type of fun he has been seeking.

If they survive their current mission.

Their love is doomed. Their lifespans are at risk. This cyborg and his princess will need the help of every ally they have if they wish to see another sunrise.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS: