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In Diplomatic Relations, the first book in my Alliance series, a diplomatic delegation from the planet Mhajav arrives in Lodur, capital of the planet Zigan, with the intention of establishing diplomatic relations between the two worlds.
No two worlds could be more different.
Planet Zigan:
Zigan is a traditional male-dominated society, ruled by a monarch and an aristocratic upper class, consisting of large land owners.. There is a small but thriving middle class of merchants and shopkeepers, and a larger peasant class to work the land.
Each aristocrat (including the king) must marry and produce a male heir, known as the elaf. If the first wife fails to produce a male child, the aristocrat or elaf may take another wife until he has his heir. Only the noblemen are allowed to have more than one wife. Younger sons are considered commoners and may not inherit. They go into the military, as does Rulik, my Ziganese hero in Diplomatic Relations. Homosexuality is tolerated among the commoners, but the nobles must marry. The bloodline must continue at all costs.
(Click on Alliance graphic to view video trailer.)
Planet Mhajav:
Mhajav is a more open society, with both male and female members of the governing council.
The Mhajavi people consist of both single and "joined" organisms, i.e. host and symbiont. The symbionts are the remnants of the Ujela, an ancient species that arrived on Mhajav a century ago, bringing with them advanced knowledge of science, technology and medicine. The Ujela (bringers of light, i.e. knowledge) fled their dying planet in search of a new home. In exchange for their knowledge, the people of Mhajav agreed to provide host bodies for the symbionts. When a symbiont is surgically implanted in a host, the symbiont joins with the central nervous system of the host, merging all brain functions of both beings. Joined individuals use the first name of the host and add the symbiont's name as a surname.
Mhajavi who are accepted as hosts give their lives to the service of their people. Joined hosts are rendered sterile and can never reproduce. The Ujela are passed from host body to host body, some male, some female. Because of this, and the Mhajavi belief in reincarnation (multiple lives lived as either male or female), Mhajavi sexuality is very open. Bisexual and homosexual relations are considered normal, and any adult may marry whomever he or she loves.
The Alliance:
Both planets seek an alliance because of raids on their merchant vessels by space raiders from both worlds. Originally, the raiders were all Mhajavi - remnants of the followers of the deposed dictator Havir.
After a coup to depose the Ziganese King Ormin by his rival Ludosh was stopped, Ludosh and his cohorts escaped into space and joined the Mhajavi raiders. Now no unarmed vessel is safe.
A military alliance is in the interests of both worlds, and everything is going fine until the traditional-minded King Ormin decides what is really needed to cement relations is a good, old-fashioned dynastic marriage between his son and a Mhajavi woman. This idea is nearly the undoing of the alliance.
The Alliance Series:
Diplomatic Relations
When Rulik answers a distress call from a space ship being pursued by outlawed raiders, he meets the man he's been waiting for all his life. An alliance between their worlds will bring them together, but the ensuing diplomatic crisis threatens to tear them apart. Only Rulik can solve the problem, but will it be at the loss of his hopes and dreams?
Fertile Ground
Part of the Idol Pleasures AmberPax, available now
When Fala joins an archeological dig, she finds herself attracted to a brilliant Mhajavi archeologist. Perhaps with his help, and that of an ancient fertility statue, she can achieve her dearest desire... a child of her own.
A private man, Jahesh rarely allows himself to get involved with the messy emotions a relationship can bring. But he is unable to resist Fala. Her warm heart and lush curves tempt him out of his self-made isolation. But will his love be enough for her?
Galactic Affairs
Part of the Temptation's Price AmberPax(TM), available now
When Erok steals ancient artifacts from an archeological dig on the planet Zigan, the last thing he expects is to be cursed by an angry goddess with a mystical coin. Left stranded in space, fated to fall in love with the next woman he sees, he scoffs at the curse . . . until he comes face to face with his destiny.
Jahni, an agent with Mhajavi intelligence, is intrigued by the Ziganese pilot rescued by her crew. He stirs her desires as no man has ever done before, and she gives in to her passions. But when she realizes he has connections to the space raiders, she wonders what kind of man she has fallen for. Is he a common thief or a misguided rebel? Either way, he seems to be the one man who can help her solve an intergalactic crisis. But at what cost to her heart?
Clandestine Desire
When Behrin agrees to undertake an undercover mission, he is promised a command of his own in the Ziganese fleet. The fulfillment of his lifelong dream in sight, he meets his Mhajavi counterpart and finds he has another dream, too. Will they survive, only to be torn apart forever?
Cosmic Scandal
When Myrek, heir to the Ziganese throne, becomes ambassador to the planet Mhajav, he meets Khira, a lovely young geneticist. Their union defies the laws of two worlds. An erotic encounter in a brothel leads to a fateful decision that defies the laws of two worlds, causing a cosmic scandal.
Watch for future episodes in the series!
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