Book picks similar to
Stars Dark: Marooned by Joshua James


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The Loneliness of the Deep Space Cargoist


J.S. Carter Gilson - 2020
    Afraid. Fighting to survive. A collision with space debris has left a gigantic hole in Inez Stanton's ship, nearly crippling it. Inez is a cargoist, that rare breed of adventurer who takes to deep space solo, ferrying valuable cargo for the Tenth Great and Glorious Browns Company. Now she's in a race against her own rig's spaceworthiness, and that might not be the worst part. The totalitarian Free Earth, led by the populist Brother Lin, has also lost a ship on this lane, and is intent on finding out why. The Company wants their cargo delivered and can make Inez's life very difficult if she doesn't succeed. With the nearest waystation three days away, death in the cold vacuum of space is a distinct possibility as well. The clock is ticking for her to deliver her cargo. But will she want to when she finds out what she's actually carrying?

Enforcer


Kevin Ikenberry - 2019
    The Galactic Union’s most capable enforcers and resolute negotiators, their name alone elicits fear and awe among the Union’s citizenry. In the entire history of the Galactic Union, Hr’ent Golramm would be only the seventh member of the Oogar race to earn a Peacemaker badge. But becoming a Peacemaker doesn’t seem to be his destiny. He’s not even sure he wants to be one. Deputy Selector Hak-Chet, on the other hand, has even bigger plans for the monstrous, young Oogar. At five hundred kilos of raging, purple terror of questionable parentage, Hr’ent represents Hak-Chet’s future for the Peacemaker Guild, but he needs a meat grinder into which he can drop his prospective prodigy in hopes that Hr’ent can come out the other side not only in once piece, but victorious over impossible odds. Hak-Chet doesn’t want a Peacemaker. He wants an Enforcer, and he’s willing to cross just about every line to force Hr’ent into that mold. And when all is said and done, neither Hr’ent nor the war-torn world of Godannii 2 will ever be the same again. There’s a new kind of Enforcer headed to the Galactic Union, and in the times before the Revelations Cycle, he will shake the very foundations of it for centuries to come.

Arch Allies


Audrey Sharpe - 2019
    Sure, restoring the ship won’t be easy, especially when the Feds figure out she’s running an illegal salvage operation, but she’s never shied away from hard work. Or challenges. Good thing, too. Because she’s on a collision course with her competition. If you like sailing the black with rogues and rascals, then you’ll love Arch Allies. A must read for fans of Firefly and Star Wars. Pick up your copy today!

The After Days


Amy Ginsburg - 2019
    No lie. This is seriously good. It’s fresh, entertaining, and thought-provoking.” –Kathryn Johnson, author and writing teacher Middle-aged suburbanites Rachel and Zach team with their friends to battle not only the predators and scavengers who lurk around every corner but also empty pantries, boredom, despair … and sometimes each other.  How far are they willing to go to survive the Big Blackout? “I was drawn in immediately and swept away by the story. A real page-turner” –Pamela Gates, literary festival organizer This gripping dystopian twist on contemporary fiction about a woman who must find within herself the strength and ingenuity to endure a world suddenly without electricity is both terrifyingly real and astonishingly tender.Perfect for book clubs, The After Days explores the ethical quandaries and logistical problems of ordinary suburbanites – people whose most recent problems were dodgy Wi-Fi and cranky bosses – in their struggle to survive in the increasingly treacherous suburbs of Washington, DC.

Death on D'Urville: A Claire Hardcastle Mystery


Penelope Haines - 2019
     When Claire’s routine flight to pick up regular passenger, Jorge, from a remote island turns into a homicide investigation, she is excited to discover she may hold a clue to the crime! A growing attraction to investigator Detective Sergeant Jack Body, and a desire to help solve the murder, leads Claire into a world of disputed Maori history, artefact smuggling and child abuse. Death on D’Urville is the first novel in the Claire Hardcastle Mystery series set in New Zealand, following Claire’s adventures as a commercial pilot, flying instructor and accidental detective.

Crime Chowder


Hillary Avis - 2018
    So when her real estate developer boyfriend offers her a sweet catering gig, she jumps at the chance to cook for his gala and rub elbows with the town’s elite. The problem? That fancy gala is only happening because her best friend’s home was burned down by an arsonist. And the more Bethany learns about her boyfriend’s planned development, the more she suspects that he might have had something to do with it.Determined to uncover the arsonist’s identity, Bethany cooks her way through the gala, listening to the secrets, lies, and gossip swirling around Hosanna Street. But when someone close to her is killed during the party—and the murder weapon is found in her pot of clam chowder—Bethany finds herself in more than a little hot water.---------------------------------------If you like smart culinary mysteries with quirky characters and quaint seaside towns, you’ll love the Death du Jour series that follows Bethany Bradstreet as she builds her career and solves crimes with the help of her friends. Crime Chowder is the first book in the Death du Jour series. This book has clean language and mild suspense with no cliffhangers. It contains depictions of an LGBT relationship.P.S. – There’s a dog in it.

The Black Ships


A.G. Claymore - 2012
    The Mars outpost was our first tentative step out of the cradle. More than a half century after man first walked on the moon we were finally exploring our own solar system.And we found monsters.An alien species, determined to seize Earth and its resources, is also on Mars and they don’t like to share. We’re outclassed, outgunned and almost out of time. We have one saving grace. The enemy suffer from the universal bane of all sentient life – politics.They were allowed only a minimal invasion force (some assembly required) and they’re building up on the red planet.We get one shot at stopping them. We have no choice but to send the enemy home defeated.Or lose our own home forever…From the training grounds of Earth to the battlefields of Mars, Black Ships is the first book in A.G. Claymore’s Black Ships, a military, sci-fi, 1st contact space opera. If you like Herbert and Heinlein, you’ll love Black Ships!Immerse yourself in this epic series today!

Birthright


Rick Partlow - 2011
    The war is long over and now he just wants to live a normal life as a constable on his homeworld of Canaan...but his life is torn apart when a Corporate Council mineral scout comes to him with a tale of discovering incredibly advanced alien technology from the fabled race known only as the Predecessors. Someone in the monolithic, power-hungry Corporate Council doesn't want that story to get out...and they'll kill anyone to stop it, including Caleb and his family.

Reluctant Redemption


Reg Quist - 2019
    Zac knows he is not the same man that went to war but has never heard of PTSD.As Zac is dragged into hopelessness, he moves forward with fierce determination, leading old neighbors and freed slaves, Lem and Phoebe, away from Texas, to the Colorado gold fields, hoping for a new start in life for all of them.Hard work, a few lucky breaks and a meeting with a starving Polish immigrant geologist lead the three Texans forward. Reg Quist delivers a story full of hope for the hurting!

Heart Of Destiny


Susan Faw - 2017
    Magic exiled. Magic murdered. During the Great Purge, all magic was destroyed and those who could wield it were driven into exile. From that time on, the world of Gaia churned on in relative peace and prosperity. When the emperor of the central Citadel suddenly dies, his apprentice takes his place. Benevolent and loved, the new emperor is a benign ruler, bridging the age-old conflicts between the provinces. The citadel is a symbolic as well as a physical barrier to maintaining the fragile peace. However, the brazen kidnapping of ten young women shatters the accord, and the councillors of the provinces gather at the Citadel to demand that justice be served. It is a flame dropped into dry tinder. Rife with suspicion and hatred, each province accuses its neighbour of treachery. But the emperor has other plans. He alone knows who is responsible for the kidnapping of the young women, and he has no intention of sharing that knowledge. Where magic is involved, there can only be one conqueror. The fight for ultimate control of magic has begun. Purchase this thrilling first novel of The Heart of The Citadel today, and strap in for an amazingly magical ride!

Hide the Lightning (The Coalition Book 1)


Kevin Steverson - 2019
    Humans and aliens working together would seem novel…but then again, outside of Earth and the Sol System, humans are aliens, too. Having salvaged, repaired, and rebuilt a number of warships, the Salvage Fleet is a presence to be reckoned with. The Ground Force, including its specialty unit, the Bolts, has also continued to grow, and they spend their time training with the weapons of war—mechs, tanks, artillery, and battle armor—and anything else they can get their hands and paws on that will give them an edge in battle. When the Nazrooth System calls, they are once again compelled to right a wrong. It won’t be easy…but then again, it never is. Just don’t tell Harmon the odds—he doesn’t want to know them. Despite a staggering imbalance in forces, Harmon boards his flagship, Salvage Title, and leads the majority of his fleet to free Nazrooth. Only a small, defensive fleet is left behind, full of trainees and reservists. Both Salvage Fleet and the home forces are ready to face the odds, but what if this time they’re insurmountable?

Broken Ascension


Dave Walsh - 2020
    This is the galaxy that Drake Rose and the crew of the freighter Trystero are stuck in. Together they traverse the Demilitarized Zone between Terran and Gra’al borders taking on any job they can find, big or small, legal or otherwise. Human or alien.A chance encounter with a derelict alien ship thrusts them into the center of a deadly conspiracy. When the Terran government refuses to get involved, the crew has no choice but to fend for themselves.A fragile peace hangs in the balance, thrust into the hands of Drake and the crew.They never wanted to be heroes. The only way to stop the ascension of a vicious warlord bent on the destruction of humanity is for them to survive.It’s Firefly meets Star Trek in this coming of age space opera tale.

The Tinkerer's Daughter


Jamie Sedgwick - 2011
    Breeze is left in the care of a strange old Tinkerer, where she soon learns that the world is not as simple -or as safe- as anyone would like it to be. With a little help from the Tinkerman and his amazing discoveries, Breeze just might be able to change her world for the better. Unfortunately, peace is never easy and war always looms just over the horizon.What reviewers say:Five Stars - "WOW... This book drew me in instantaneously... beautifully written and wholly captivating." -Semisweet Book BlogFour Stars - "captivating... Sedgwick beautifully creates this other world that as a reader you totally get into." -Goodreads reviewerFive Stars - "...a beautifully written book with an intriguing plot and a loveable main character. This is certainly one that I will reread!" -Goodreads reviewerFive Stars: "...an incredible, adventurous read!" Amazon Review

Bath Bombs & Beyond: A Fanny Doyle Cozy Ghost Mystery


Violet Patton - 2019
    Opening a bath shop on Bathhouse Row wasn't fun, it was deadly. Patti swipes the shop's plate-glass window one last time. Tumbles off the stepladder and cracks her noggin on the sidewalk. She wakes with the ability to communicate with Fanny Doyle, Al Capone's former seamstress. Will Patti and Fanny must solve the poisoned bath bomb mystery and save the shop's budding reputation before it's too late? Bath Bombs & Beyond, is the first book in Violet's trilogy: A Fanny Doyle Cozy Ghost Mystery,. If you like ghosts, historical towns, and edge-of-your-seat mysteries, then you'll love this fun new series.

Contact


Andrew Vu - 2012
    By the thirtieth century, humans find themselves co-existing, negotiating, and residing on Earth with these animals as equals.Maya Lawton is a lonely prostitute living in this world. She gives birth to the first halfkinds, creatures who are half animal-kind, and half mankind. Since interspecies breeding is illegal, she is forced into seclusion and raises them alone. Then one day, without warning, she dies, and her death leads to their discovery. Abandoned and lost, this family of halfkinds plan to escape to a terraformed moon. But the law is after them. The order is to kill, sent by the highest authority, the United Species Alliance.For more info, check out the wikia: http://halfkinds.wikia.com