Novels and a Novella by Carmen
All my books are available online as ebooks and all but two are available as paperbacks from Amazon and Barnes & Noble and sometimes other online vendors. The the YA-ish duology The Nameless World is also available in hardcover.
See also the Carmen Webster Buxton Author Page on Amazon. If you click the Follow button under the photo, you will be notified whenever there's a new title.
A word to romance readers:
I often include a love story in my books; most of them could qualify as romances, in that a) at least one love story is essential to the plot and b) there is a happy ending. The exceptions are my YA book Drifters, the alternate history/time travel novel King of Trees, the sci-fi novel The Nostalgia Gambit and the space opera Shades of Empire (which, by the way, is also much darker than my other stories). Those five books do not meet my above definition of romance. The Nameless World duology could be called romance in that both books have a love story in them that is somewhat central to the plot. Even Shades of Empire could be called a romance becauseit ha three different love stories
Fantasy
Bag of Tricks
AvAveline is a trained magician, but Princess Inessa,the Heiress of Mazuria, hired her to pose as a lady-in-waiting, to protect her from court intrigues and literally sniff out lies. When a wicked duke tries to force Inessa into marriage, Aveline uses a spell to hide the princess. But even magic has limits, and when Aveline stumbles over Zarek, a man whose life has been cursed by more than one tragedy, she demands his help in getting the princess back to the capital. Zarek is on his own errand, and he’s suspicious of Aveline—magicians are feared—but he does help. As he and Aveline travel Mazuria in company with the princess and his wolf-dog Burden, they come to rely on each other and to respect each other’s skills. After Zarek leaves the two women in what he thinks is a safe refuge, he learns they’re in more danger than ever. So of course he and Burden go back to save them.
AvAveline is a trained magician, but Princess Inessa,the Heiress of Mazuria, hired her to pose as a lady-in-waiting, to protect her from court intrigues and literally sniff out lies. When a wicked duke tries to force Inessa into marriage, Aveline uses a spell to hide the princess. But even magic has limits, and when Aveline stumbles over Zarek, a man whose life has been cursed by more than one tragedy, she demands his help in getting the princess back to the capital. Zarek is on his own errand, and he’s suspicious of Aveline—magicians are feared—but he does help. As he and Aveline travel Mazuria in company with the princess and his wolf-dog Burden, they come to rely on each other and to respect each other’s skills. After Zarek leaves the two women in what he thinks is a safe refuge, he learns they’re in more danger than ever. So of course he and Burden go back to save them.
Now if only Aveline can bring herself to believe that Zarek wants to save her even more than he wants to save the princess—and admit to herself that what she feels for him goes way beyond gratitude. From Crimson Fox Publishing.
Buy: US Kindle store (free in Kindle Unlimited)
Buy: Paperback
(Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Books a Million, and Book Depository)
Hidden Magic
The valley of the River Wystan is isolated from the rest of the world. Many years before it had been united under the Lord of Cold Spring, who had suppressed the practice of magic. But when he died, his son wasn’t strong enough to hold the other lords’ loyalty. Now Lord Garrick, the new Lord of Cold Spring, means to resume his grandfather’s role of overlord for the whole valley. Young Richart Tallengen, newly minted Lord of Esterby, tries to fight off Lord Garrick’s men, but he’s captured and carried to Cold Spring Castle.When his sister Maura comes to Cold Spring to see her brother, she catches Lord Garrick’s eye. Lord Garrick is as attracted by her courage and her brains as much as by her looks, but he is very surprised to discover that there is more to Maura than meets the eye. She has magical abilities, even though she doesn’t know it.
Buy: US Kindle store (free in Kindle Unlimited)
Buy: Paperback
(Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Books a Million, and Book Depository)
Hidden Magic
The valley of the River Wystan is isolated from the rest of the world. Many years before it had been united under the Lord of Cold Spring, who had suppressed the practice of magic. But when he died, his son wasn’t strong enough to hold the other lords’ loyalty. Now Lord Garrick, the new Lord of Cold Spring, means to resume his grandfather’s role of overlord for the whole valley. Young Richart Tallengen, newly minted Lord of Esterby, tries to fight off Lord Garrick’s men, but he’s captured and carried to Cold Spring Castle.When his sister Maura comes to Cold Spring to see her brother, she catches Lord Garrick’s eye. Lord Garrick is as attracted by her courage and her brains as much as by her looks, but he is very surprised to discover that there is more to Maura than meets the eye. She has magical abilities, even though she doesn’t know it.
Buy: US Kindle store
Paperback: Amazon
Where Magic Rules
Joseph Andrews wandered away from an Army Reserve training exercise and into an alternate world where magic rules science and mages rule the land. He has learned the language and taken service with the kindest mage he can find, but he still dreams of the real world.
When Joe rescues a wounded soldier in service to a dark lord, he finds he has saved not a young boy but a woman who calls herself Phillip and insists she's really a man. Joe is shocked when the Great Mage orders him to go on a quest with Phillip but his surprise is mild compared to Phillip's outrage.
Part road movie, part romantic comedy, this novella follows Joe and Phillip as they try to fulfill the Great Mage's demand without killing each other along the way.
From the Amazon reviews:
“ Whatever you have been expecting of a dragon, except for being large, winged, and reptilian, it probably isn't like this dragon. He's one of the most charming characters in the story. I won't reveal any more of the plot, except to say that I enjoyed the book and its twists. While its not a humorous tale, there is quite a bit of humor in it, which was one of the main charms of the story.”
“I've downloaded so many books lately that start off well, but disintegrate a little ways in - it's a real joy to discover a new author who holds her ground throughout.” (review by Janis Ian)
Buy this novella: US Kindle store, Smashwords, iBooks, Nook (Barnes & Noble), Kobo (also available in every other Kindle store).
Paperback: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
YA Science Fiction
Drifters
A YA novel set on the far-future world of Menkar 7, the story follows Jehan Amato, only child of a single mother. After a run-in with a dangerous gang that wants to exploit his secret psy talent for opening locks without tools, Jehan is sent to live in a Drifter caravan with his estranged father. But though Jehan, who has lived in New Hope City all his life, is initially wary of the nomadic people and their unfamiliar customs, in the caravan he comes to learn things about his family and himself that will change his life forever. From Snowy Wings Publishing.
From the Amazon reviews:
This is a coming of age story about the son of a long-fractured parental relationship learning that how he saw his parents needs some adjustment. It is one of the newer kind of stories that reflects that our technology isn't the only thing that affects our lives. When George Lucas began the Star Wars series, he made a point of having things that were worn, dirty, and banged up, thinking that too often it was assumed that in the future, everything would always be shiny and new.
Jehan Amato lives on Menkar VII, a human extraterrestrial colony planet which has long lost contact with other worlds. Jehan lives with his hard-working single mother who struggles to support them both. It is one of the newer kind of stories that reflect that the idea that human nature probably isn't going to change much, and that we are likely to repeat the same patterns we always have: in this case urban poverty and its attendant gangs. Jehan has a psychic ability to unlock locks with his minds, which he uses to help make his mother's life a little easier. Unfortunately, he is observed by gang members, who force him to start initiation into their gang.
Jehan Amato lives on Menkar VII, a human extraterrestrial colony planet which has long lost contact with other worlds. Jehan lives with his hard-working single mother who struggles to support them both. It is one of the newer kind of stories that reflect that the idea that human nature probably isn't going to change much, and that we are likely to repeat the same patterns we always have: in this case urban poverty and its attendant gangs. Jehan has a psychic ability to unlock locks with his minds, which he uses to help make his mother's life a little easier. Unfortunately, he is observed by gang members, who force him to start initiation into their gang.
Buy:
ebook: US Kindle store, Barnes & Noble,
Turnabout
It's not a super power if you can't control it! Jason Miller's biggest worries were keeping up with his homework, paying for his classic jazz habit,and hiding the fact that he carried a flip phone. But then one day he finds himself teleporting from place to place, a talent he can't control. It gets worse when he lands in an alternate world, one that has many, many more women than men. It sounds great until Jason learns the downside to being a precious commodity: Having a harem is no fun when you're the one who's locked up
From the Amazon reviews:
"This is a fascinating story, looking at a lot of society’s issues from a different view point, but still exploring them in a very interesting way. Buxton creates some wonderful characters to tell this story. Marjani and Esi are two that stand out amongst a cast of exceptionally well written characters that don’t just tell this story, but through their portrayals give us a true understanding of what it is like to live in this alternate universe.
Buxton has also done an interesting job of creating Makoro, building this alternate universe and timeline, and how it has evolved under such different circumstances."
Buy: US Kindle store (also available in every other Kindle store)
iBooks, B&N Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, Google Books
Paperback: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Science Fiction
Wakanreo series (3 books)
Alien BondsThe first book of the Wakanreo trilogy: In ALIEN BONDS, two lives are changed in an instant. Industrial chemist Dina Bellaire travels all the way to the planet Wakanreo to advance her career. Her carefully planned life goes up in flames the second she meets Kuaron Du, a Wakanrean who makes his living singing ancient songs in a dead language. Both of them know they can’t go back to the way they were before they met. They just have to convince the rest of the universe that what happened to them is real.
From the Amazon reviews:
"Extremely well written book with an expressive world and unique take on mating. Very much enjoyed both the main characters and the twists of the best friend. Very much hope there will be a second book about the couple."
"This book grabbed me and did not let go until I finished it...all in one sittin (sic). The character description, the intricacy of their feelings and the build up of the story line was fascinating. I could not put this book down until the end. I usually like my books with a little more "descriptive" romance, but this story sucked me right in without need for the descriptive love scenes. There are some, but story was interesting enough to keep me busy and not disappointed. Cannot wait to see her other stories"
"This was very well done. It was instabond without being campy, immature or even instalove. The two main characters were smart, sympathetic, and likeable. They had real problems to figure out and actually acted like adults while doing so- adults trying to navigate society prejudices, political drama, culture shock and galaxy intrigue all the while trying to forge their own path to love."
Buxton offers an SF story about interplanetary love triumphing, despite the odds.. . .
Fans of SF romance are certain to appreciate Buxton's vivid, imaginative landscape,which she populates with thoughtful cultural elements and extensively detailed history. . . . readers will feel truly immersed in their religion, values, and technology of Wakanreo and appreciate the relevance of Buxton's depiction of a couple fighting for their relationship in a climate of intolerance in this thought-provoking work.
A dense but often engrossing tale, grounded in a relatable love affair.
Alien Vows
The second book of the Wakanreo trilogy: In ALIEN VOWS, Kuaron and Dina's twins are all grown up. Wakanrean cultural practices demand that mature siblings be separated until one of them mates with someone else, so Yulayan leaves her home to study at a university in faraway Fargaj, where there are many humans. Her father is really not happy when Yulayan tells her parents she has grown fond of one specific human. Kuaron and Dina both know that the situation is one that could easily end in tragedy.
From the Amazon reviews:
Very unique universe, great writing, characters, and dialog. It's hilarious, with an awesome storyline! I highly recommend checking this series out!
Buy: US Kindle store (also currently available through Kindle Unlimited)
Buy: Paperback
Alien Skies
The third book of the Wakanreo trilogy: In ALIEN SKIES, Yulayan and her human husband Kamuhi Hailoaka leave Wakanreo when Kamuhi enlists in ThreeCon. Now constrained by their rules and regulations, he and Yulayan work at being married and raising a child. Kamuhi has always excelled at academic subjects, but simultaneously navigating the pitfalls of bureaucracy, interspecies politics, marriage, and fatherhood at the same time is more of a challenge. Once he is assigned back to Wakanreo, the challenge becomes not only harder but more dangerous. For one thing, there is a Wakanrean male who sees Yulayan as his mate.
From the Amazon reviews:
I do recommend reading the books in order because each book leads to the next. I did accidentally read the second book first, went back to the first book, then read the third book and didn’t get lost, but felt I missed out on the full story.
I have gotten lost in this wonderful series that brought to mind Star Trek and Star Wars because of the different species and worlds, though we spend most of our time on Wakanreo. The characters are richly developed and grow as the story is told, becoming more real in my mind. Now, that’s some great writing.
I have gotten lost in this wonderful series that brought to mind Star Trek and Star Wars because of the different species and worlds, though we spend most of our time on Wakanreo. The characters are richly developed and grow as the story is told, becoming more real in my mind. Now, that’s some great writing.
Buy: US Kindle store (also currently available through Kindle Unlimited)
Buy: Paperback
The Nameless World series (2 books)
The North Edge or Nowhere
On the nameless world settled long ago by human colonists, humanity has spread out. Darius is seventeen and was born and lived all his life in a warm southern climate. Raised as a prince, he conceives the desire to a desire to see his maternal relations, who live in and rule a city-state a good distance north of his home. But when disaster strikes on the journey, Darius is forced to travel even farther north, where he discovers his very existence is a kind of riddle to which only a few people know the answer. As he struggles to cope with a new way of living, a man named Daniel the Wanderer befriends him, and a cousin he didn’t know he had teaches him that women are not always meek and well-behaved. All in all, life is very different in the North.
From an Amazon review:
The world building is great, the non-Terran animals are wonderful, and the nameless world is fascinating. . . Although Darius is young and angry, Nowhere isn't just a book for young adults. I highly recommend it as another excellent ThreeCon book.
Also available in other Amazon stores.
Oaths and Promises
Twenty-year-old Darius is a man grown, but his childhood still haunts him. Raised as a prince in a distant southern city, he now lives in Castle Muir, a fiefdom in the far north of the nameless world. Having sworn an oath to remain in the fief and to obey the lord of it, his biological father, he still feels a sense of resentment at his circumstances. His friendship with Daniel the Wanderer remains strong, even when he finds out Daniel’s secret. When his cousin Bronwyn comes to live at Castle Muir, Darius’s oath of obedience is tested. Bronwyn is often rude to Darius, which makes it hard for him to treat her with the respect his father demands. But when his father speaks of Bronwyn becoming like a sister to Darius, he’s sure of one thing: When he looks at Bronwyn, he does not see his sister
Also available in other Amazon stores.
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Haven Series (2 books)
The Sixth DisciplineRan-Del Jahanpur has spent his entire life in the Sansoussy Forest; he's a hunter and a warrior until one morning when he becomes prey for a hunting party with more advanced technology. He wakes up to what might as well be a different world, a city from which there seems no escape.
From the Amazon reviews:
“All the characters are sharply drawn and believable . . . . The final resolutions include Sansoussy rituals and political maneuvering in Shangri-la. Tension is high and the outcome satisfactory. A good read.”
“The characters have some depth and nuance, and nothing is simple and straight forward. Enough subplots are resolved so that this seems like a complete novel, but there are plenty of openings for developing sequels . . . In some ways, in view of the growing economic inequities in the United States, it is a little scary, kind of like reading about the downfall of the Roman Republic."
Buy: US Kindle store, Nook (B&N), iBooks, Google Play, Smashwords, Kobo, and Goodreads, Google Books (note: currently the ebook is free everywhere except Goodreads and some non-US Kindle stores; note that you can get Kindle-format books from Smashwords. Check the Free eBook! tab for the links. Also available as a paperback on Amazon)
Saronna Maynard never expected to be sold into an off-world household. She and Duncan Trushenko, her new protector, have very little in common. Saronna grew up in a small village outside of New Jerusalem, the largest city on Krueger’s World. Duncan grew up on many worlds, and has traveled the galaxy. He is dumbstruck to return from a business trip and find that his father has purchased a companion for him.
Saronna is terrified by the strangeness of the house and her sense of powerlessness, but in a very short time she realizes she might be better off—and safer—in Duncan’s house than in her father’s. For one thing, Duncan doesn’t believe in witches. Also, the more time she spends with Duncan, the harder it is for her to believe all men are as evil as her mother taught her. But safer or not, Saronna is still intent on keeping her secrets. After all, she’s still on Krueger’s World.
From the Amazon reviews:
“It’s definitely an interesting SciFi/Romantic storyline. The contrasting backgrounds of both individuals make for a very complex relationship. Not only did I like reading about how Saronna handles her struggles, but also how Duncan handles his struggles as he tries to court her. I give it five stars for creativity because I have never read a SciFi romance set in a future world with the oppression solely based on gender. It’s a very feministic but still romantic storyline. I was definitely not disappointed for another one of Buxton’s books.”
Buy: US Kindle store (also available at other Kindle stores) and Amazon paperback
King of Trees (alternate history)
Buy: US Kindle store (also available in every other Kindle store), Nook (Barnes & Noble), iBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords. Google Books
Paperback: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
From the Amazon reviews:
“All the characters are sharply drawn and believable . . . . The final resolutions include Sansoussy rituals and political maneuvering in Shangri-la. Tension is high and the outcome satisfactory. A good read.”
“The characters have some depth and nuance, and nothing is simple and straight forward. Enough subplots are resolved so that this seems like a complete novel, but there are plenty of openings for developing sequels . . . In some ways, in view of the growing economic inequities in the United States, it is a little scary, kind of like reading about the downfall of the Roman Republic."
Buy: US Kindle store, Nook (B&N), iBooks, Google Play, Smashwords, Kobo, and Goodreads, Google Books (note: currently the ebook is free everywhere except Goodreads and some non-US Kindle stores; note that you can get Kindle-format books from Smashwords. Check the Free eBook! tab for the links. Also available as a paperback on Amazon)
No Safe Haven
In the sequel to The Sixth Discipline, Ran-Del still feels bound by the strict code of the Sansoussy even though he has come to accept his life in the city. When his family is put at risk, his training and his principles seem inconsequential when measured against the life of a child.
From the Amazon reviews:
“I kept putting the book down to sleep, telling myself firmly that I had to work the next day, but I kept reading just a little more, unable to bear the suspense. One of the things that I like about these books is that although there are plenty of action scenes, it isn't all shoot-em up. Many of the struggles are intellectual and based more on plotting and conniving than on brute strength. There is a great deal of emphasis on family relationships, sometimes some very strange ones. The author has a lot of romantic elements, but most of the women as well as the men are very strong, independent characters.”
Buy: US Kindle store, Nook (B&N), iBooks, Google Play, Smashwords, Google Books, and Kobo (also available in every other Kindle store, and as a paperback)
“I kept putting the book down to sleep, telling myself firmly that I had to work the next day, but I kept reading just a little more, unable to bear the suspense. One of the things that I like about these books is that although there are plenty of action scenes, it isn't all shoot-em up. Many of the struggles are intellectual and based more on plotting and conniving than on brute strength. There is a great deal of emphasis on family relationships, sometimes some very strange ones. The author has a lot of romantic elements, but most of the women as well as the men are very strong, independent characters.”
Buy: US Kindle store, Nook (B&N), iBooks, Google Play, Smashwords, Google Books, and Kobo (also available in every other Kindle store, and as a paperback)
Standalone novels
Note: These books do not share any characters or settings and can be read in any order. Most are set in my ThreeCon universe and in those, some events are mentioned in more than one book.
Saronna's Gift (ThreeCon)
Saronna Maynard never expected to be sold into an off-world household. She and Duncan Trushenko, her new protector, have very little in common. Saronna grew up in a small village outside of New Jerusalem, the largest city on Krueger’s World. Duncan grew up on many worlds, and has traveled the galaxy. He is dumbstruck to return from a business trip and find that his father has purchased a companion for him.
Saronna is terrified by the strangeness of the house and her sense of powerlessness, but in a very short time she realizes she might be better off—and safer—in Duncan’s house than in her father’s. For one thing, Duncan doesn’t believe in witches. Also, the more time she spends with Duncan, the harder it is for her to believe all men are as evil as her mother taught her. But safer or not, Saronna is still intent on keeping her secrets. After all, she’s still on Krueger’s World.
From the Amazon reviews:
“It’s definitely an interesting SciFi/Romantic storyline. The contrasting backgrounds of both individuals make for a very complex relationship. Not only did I like reading about how Saronna handles her struggles, but also how Duncan handles his struggles as he tries to court her. I give it five stars for creativity because I have never read a SciFi romance set in a future world with the oppression solely based on gender. It’s a very feministic but still romantic storyline. I was definitely not disappointed for another one of Buxton’s books.”
Buy: US Kindle store (also available at other Kindle stores) and Amazon paperback
King of Trees (alternate history)
“What if the world we’re on is only one thread out of millions of threads in the rope of time?”
The question the Outsider woman posed to him left Bardolph as confused as ever. He knew the Outsiders had appeared as if by magic many years before, during his great-grandfather’s reign, but he had never understood where they came from. He only knew they had changed Albion forever.
Melissa York might have been grateful to her rescuer, who called himself King of Albion, but she saw no reason to let her gratitude influence her opinion of antiquated notions like monarchy and pagan religions. Let the Druids go back to their forests. She and her people were the best defense Albion had against the invaders.
Bardolph knew better. All the people of Albion would need to work together or they would find themselves conquered again. Only this time instead of a Roman emperor, their tribute would be paid to one in faraway China. He only hoped the Outsiders were as clever and as powerful as rumor said they were, because Albion needed all the help it could get.
The question the Outsider woman posed to him left Bardolph as confused as ever. He knew the Outsiders had appeared as if by magic many years before, during his great-grandfather’s reign, but he had never understood where they came from. He only knew they had changed Albion forever.
Melissa York might have been grateful to her rescuer, who called himself King of Albion, but she saw no reason to let her gratitude influence her opinion of antiquated notions like monarchy and pagan religions. Let the Druids go back to their forests. She and her people were the best defense Albion had against the invaders.
Bardolph knew better. All the people of Albion would need to work together or they would find themselves conquered again. Only this time instead of a Roman emperor, their tribute would be paid to one in faraway China. He only hoped the Outsiders were as clever and as powerful as rumor said they were, because Albion needed all the help it could get.
From the Amazon reviews:
This isn't a simple story but, my gosh, it's a good one!
An alternate world with a history that diverged sometime after the Roman conquest of "Albion", two generations after a small group of modern people managed to settle in London. The world building and character development is wonderful as Bardolph and Melissa struggle to find their way together through their different cultures.
So good! Really well worth reading.
Buy: US Kindle store (also available in every other Kindle store), Nook (Barnes & Noble), iBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords. Google Books
Paperback: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
The Nostalgia Gambit (ThreeCon)
Tychon Damiano is a man with a shady past and a clouded future. He was minding his own business when disaster struck. Of course, since his business was buying and selling stolen goods, disaster was not entirely unexpected. What was unexpected was a wanted felon waking up in a palace full of servants and high tech gadgets, including a virtual girlfriend. It's all very pleasant except for one little problem: Ty can't leave.
Just about the time he discovers that a real woman is vastly superior to the virtual kind, some truly alarming nightmares start to haunt his sleep. Ty learns to play chess from a master, but one thing he's never sure of is, exactly what game is he in?
From the Amazon reviews:
“Set in Buxton's 3Con universe . . . the Nostalgia Gambit focuses more on characters than on technology, although technology is essential to the plot. Tychon Altair Damiano, a small time fence . . . suddenly Ty is in a very comfortable prison, but still a prison. . . . It is then that things get complicated. [A] family reunion takes place against all the issues of politics . . . Tychon is forced to doubt everything about himself and his memories. The result is a story that builds very slowly and quietly, but packs a punch at the end as Ty learns many truths about himself and his history.”
Shades of Empire (ThreeCon)
A dark space opera wrapped around three separate love stories: Alexander Napier never wanted to be a soldier. But on the planet Gaulle, if the Emperor's press gangs find you, saying no is not an option. Alex wears a holographic tattoo of the Emperor's Own Corps, but he knows the marks of his service that don't show are the ones that count most. Meanwhile, on the merchant starship named The Queen Bee, captain and owner Madeline Pallestrino balances meeting her payroll with smuggling weapons to help the rebel cause on Gaulle, all the while fighting her growing attraction to one of her crewman. To all appearances, astrogator Thaddeus Jenner is an autistic savant who can handle six dimensional math but not make everyday conversation; Maddy's not especially interested in conversation, but she doesn't want to exploit him, either. On Gaulle, one of Maddy's legitimate customers is Count Peter Barranca, one of the aristocrats who represent the old order of the empire headed by the ruthless and inbred du Plessis family. As these people's paths intersect, secrets are uncovered, old loyalties are tested, and new alliances are formed on both personal and political levels. Shades of Empire puts a Caligula-esque story in a space opera setting and leavens the mix with touches of humor and romance.
From the Amazon reviews:
“Alexander, the central character, who has been drafted into the Emperor's guards, attempts to help a desperate concubine escape, and, being caught, is spaced, and rescued by the merchant ship. This begins a tangle of plots involving the imperial family, rebels, and covert operations by ThreeCon. It raises some questions about expedience versus truth that reminds me, of Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series.”
Buy: US Kindle store (also available in every other Kindle store)
Tribes (ThreeCon)
From the Amazon reviews:
“Alexander, the central character, who has been drafted into the Emperor's guards, attempts to help a desperate concubine escape, and, being caught, is spaced, and rescued by the merchant ship. This begins a tangle of plots involving the imperial family, rebels, and covert operations by ThreeCon. It raises some questions about expedience versus truth that reminds me, of Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series.”
Buy: US Kindle store (also available in every other Kindle store)
Tribes (ThreeCon)
Hob is a slave. He lives on a world colonized by prisoners, violent male criminals and militant feminists/terrorists. They originally formed themselves into gangs, and over time those gangs evolved into tribes, each of which is either all male or all female. Girl babies always have a tribe, but when a woman has a boy baby and can't find a man to take him into his tribe, the boy becomes a slave.
Hob escapes the compound where he has been used and abused and is rescued by a woman from a fighting tribe. Jahnsi Han-Lin offers shelter at her father's house, and a glimpse of what family life can be, even with tribal obligations. While Jahnsi and her father and brother plot to keep Hob free, Hob himself is torn between his desire to flee into the wilderness and his growing attraction to Jahnsi.
From the Amazon reviews:
“One thing that is very interesting in the plot is the tradeoffs inherent in the tribal structure. On the one hand, it is a reliable source of protection, resources and order. On the other, it can be confining and dictatorial, especially when the leaders of the tribes have their own personal interests. The characters drew very real sympathy from me as they attempted to negotiate their loyalties. . . . I also really liked the characters, which is very important to me in a novel. LuAnne and Forest were a particularly appealing pair. I was also touched by the integrity and courage of the Ortega-Han-Lin family of Gareth Ortega and his children . . . Hob has to take equal risks to rescue almost the first people that he has ever loved and trusted.”
“The world-building was excellent. Buxton created a fascinating society where gender dictates the direction a life took--and that life's place in society.”
Buy: US Kindle store, paperback
Hob escapes the compound where he has been used and abused and is rescued by a woman from a fighting tribe. Jahnsi Han-Lin offers shelter at her father's house, and a glimpse of what family life can be, even with tribal obligations. While Jahnsi and her father and brother plot to keep Hob free, Hob himself is torn between his desire to flee into the wilderness and his growing attraction to Jahnsi.
From the Amazon reviews:
“One thing that is very interesting in the plot is the tradeoffs inherent in the tribal structure. On the one hand, it is a reliable source of protection, resources and order. On the other, it can be confining and dictatorial, especially when the leaders of the tribes have their own personal interests. The characters drew very real sympathy from me as they attempted to negotiate their loyalties. . . . I also really liked the characters, which is very important to me in a novel. LuAnne and Forest were a particularly appealing pair. I was also touched by the integrity and courage of the Ortega-Han-Lin family of Gareth Ortega and his children . . . Hob has to take equal risks to rescue almost the first people that he has ever loved and trusted.”
“The world-building was excellent. Buxton created a fascinating society where gender dictates the direction a life took--and that life's place in society.”
Buy: US Kindle store, paperback
Worlds Apart (ThreeCon) (newest release)
"Meet cute" is one thing, but "meet dangerous" is something else. Praxiteles Mercouri's people live a low-tech, nomadic existence on the plains of the planet Celadon. When they are attacked by well-armed merciless marauders, they are saved from almost certain annihilation by the timely intervention of a visitor to Celadon, the very wealthy Rishi Trahn. In the ensuing celebration, Rishi overdoes the potent local wine and loses any inhibition about going after what she wants. A sense of duty makes Prax agree to her request that he go with her to her world, Stone cold sober the next morning, Rishi is appalled at her own actions. But while she feels terrible for taking Prax away from his people, she doesn't feel bad enough to send him back. Meanwhile Prax has to navigate through a new world and a new culture, as Rishi fights with her conscience. If they can just get past his gratitude and her scruples, they might find there's more to their relationship.
Buy: US Kindle store, paperback
Buy: US Kindle store, paperback
