Margins
Central Galactic Concordance book cover 1
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Central Galactic Concordance
Series · 10 books · 2014-2021

Books in series

Last Ship Off Polaris-G book cover
#0.5

Last Ship Off Polaris-G

2017

A bureaucrat and an interstellar trader must overcome treachery and their broken past to save the last inhabitants of a dying planet. Frontier planet Polaris-Gamma is dying, afflicted by a suspiciously-timed blight that destroys all crops. Worse, the whole system is now under military quarantine by the Central Galactic Concordance to prevent the catastrophic blight from spreading. The settlers must escape—or perish. Caught behind the blockade, independent trader Gavril Danilovich finds his interstellar trading ship commandeered in the desperate plan to escape. He tells himself that's the only reason he stays, and not because he's worried about the woman he walked out on two years ago—who still lives on Pol-G. Government supply depot manager Anitra Helden races to gather the last of Pol-G's assets. Her plan to launch a mothballed freighter off Pol-G may be crazy—but it can work, if she can talk Gavril into helping. Their precious cargo? Four thousand stranded colonists. Can Anitra and Gavril, and their ragtag crew get past the deadly military blockade? It's a desperate bid for freedom in deadly deep space—get your copy of Last Ship Off Polaris-G today! Series note: The events in Last Ship Off Polaris-G take place several years before Overload Flux (Central Galactic Concordance, Book 1). Think of it as an introduction to the series, and a foreshadowing of things—and people—to come. - - - - - - - - - - The Central Galactic Concordance series: • Overload Flux (Book 1) • Minder Rising (Book 2) • Zero Flux (Novella 2.5) • Pico's Crush (Book 3) • Pet Trade (Novella 3.5) in Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2 • Jumper's Hope (Book 4) More books by USA TODAY bestselling author Carol Van Natta: • In Graves Below (Magic, New Mexico) • Hooray for Holopticon
Overload Flux book cover
#1

Overload Flux

2014

ASIN B00OHNCCYI moved to newer edition found here. The Central Galactic Concordance has been stable for two centuries, but trouble is brewing. A pandemic is affecting hundreds of civilized planets, and someone is stealing the vaccine... Brilliant investigator Luka Foxe's hidden mental talent is out of control, making him barely able to function in the aftermath of violence, and the body count is rising. The convoluted trail leads to a corrupt pharma industry and the possibility of an illegal, planet-sized laboratory. In the face of increasing threats, he must rely on an enigmatic, lethal woman he just met, but she has deep secrets of her own. Mairwen Morganthur hides extraordinary skills under the guise of a dull night-shift guard. The last thing she wants is to provide personal security for a hot-shot investigator, or to be plunged into a murky case involving sabotage, treachery, and the military covert operations division that would love to discover she’s still alive. Two more lives in a rising death count won’t bother their enemies one bit. Their only hope for survival lies in revealing their dark secrets and learning to trust one another.
Minder Rising book cover
#2

Minder Rising

2015

A covert agent asked to train a prodigy telepath discovers he must first keep the boy and his mother alive in a gleaming city full of danger. An injured agent on the galactic capital planet must evade whoever is killing off his covert interrogations unit and make an impossible choice—save his own skin, or save an innocent woman and her prodigy son. Can he discover who is subverting the mission of the Citizen Protection Service, before they fulfill their dark plans? A millennium into the future, the Citizen Protection Service tests all children for minder talents, and recruits the best. Injured agent Lièrén Sòng is recovering from a near-fatal crash in Spires, the gleaming capital city of the galaxy. He should be preparing to return to interrogating criminals for the Citizen Protection Service, but he's made unexpected friends with a woman and her son. The boy has strong telepathic talents similar to Lièrén's, and his attractive mother makes Lièrén long for the stability of family. Imara Sesay works hard as a road crew chief in Spires and part-time bartender to provide for her son Derrit. For him, she even breaks her ironclad rule never to get close to a customer, when she trusts Lièrén to teach her son how to control his growing telepathic talents. However, new fatalities in his covert unit make Lièrén suspect he isn't a lucky survivor, he's a loose end. He should pull away from Imara and Derrit to keep them safe. But when the local CPS Testing Center shows a more than usual interest in the boy, Lièrén must make an impossible choice—protect the boy, or run for his own life. Can he stay alive long enough to save Imara and her prodigy son?
Zero Flux book cover
#2.5

Zero Flux

2015

An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here Luka and Mairwen (Overload Flux) take on a very cold case, a secret lab, and the find of a lifetime. Which one of them is worth killing for? Forensic investigator Luka Foxe had gladly left his troubled past far behind, so only a plea from his old friend and mentor to investigate a violent crime scene frozen in an ice cave could have lured him back. Unfortunately, his old friend knows far more than he's telling, which could get them all killed, even with security specialist Mairwen Morganthur on their side. An unexpected ice fall reveals a hidden lab buried deep in a mountain and the find of a lifetime. Now someone is trying to make sure those secrets stay frozen in time, even if it means more deaths... ——————————- Zero Flux is a 17,000-word novella that is best enjoyed after reading Overload Flux, the novel that introduces Luka, Mairwen, and the worlds of the Central Galactic Concordance. Includes a bonus free chapter from Minder Rising, the standalone second novel in the Central Galactic Concordance series. The Central Galactic Concordance series: — Overload Flux (Book 1) – standalone—Minder Rising (Book 2) – standalone—Zero Flux (Novella 2.5) – sequel to Overload Flux
Pico's Crush book cover
#3

Pico's Crush

2016

ASIN moved to newer edition found here Whoever wrote the guidebook description of the planet of Nila Marbela must have a very different meaning for the word "paradise." When ex-military sniper and current personal security specialist Jerzi Adams visits his daughter Pico's quiet college, he doesn’t expect emergency evacuations and rogue robots. Nor does he expect to renew a friendship with former squadmate, Andra DeLuna. Explosions, sabotage, and assaults used to be her routine, but she gave it up for a professorship at a prestigious university. When the hunt for a cunning serial killer leads Jerzi's old friends Luka and Mairwen (Overload Flux) to town, trouble in paradise is the least of anyone's worries when the body count starts to rise. Either the world of academia has gone from merely cutthroat to downright deadly, or more sinister forces in conflict, with the campus as a battleground. It's going to take an improvised miracle or two for everyone to make it out alive. Pico's Crush is space opera, adventure, and romance that give new meaning to the old curse, "may you live in interesting times." Get your copy today and come along for the next wild ride in the Central Galactic Concordance series. - - - - - - - - - - Pico's Crush is a complete story. It can be enjoyed without having read the series, but your experience will be enhanced if you've read the previous books. - - - - - - - - - - The Central Galactic Concordance series: •-•-• Overload Flux (Book 1) •-•-• Minder Rising (Book 2) •-•-• Zero Flux (Novella 2.5) – sequel to Overload Flux •-•-• Pico's Crush (Book 3)
Pet Trade book cover
#3.5

Pet Trade

2018

An injured veterinarian and a cyborg with unusual pets must join forces to save their town. The vast Central Galactic Concordance strictly prohibits genetic experimentation and alteration of humans on any of its 500 member planets. Animals aren’t so lucky. On a frontier planet, veterinarian Bethnee Bakonin made a home for herself in the frozen north. Her minder talent for healing all kinds of animals would ordinarily assure her success, but her unwilling stint in the shady pet trade industry left her damaged and scared. She works around her limitations as best she can, and rescues pet trade castoffs. “Volunteered” for a black-box research project, elite forces Jumper Axur Tragon now has dangerous experimental tech in his cybernetic limbs. He escaped and crash-landed a stolen freighter in the northern mountains of a frontier planet, only to discover a secret shipment of designer pets was part of the cargo. Determined to do right by them, he enlists reluctant Bethnee’s aid in caring for them—a definite challenge, considering Bethnee is terrified of him. When greedy mercenaries come raiding, can Axur and Bethnee work together to overcome their limitations, with help from their unusual pets, and save the day? It's a deadly adventure—with pets—in the fringes of space. Grab your copy of Pet Trade today! - - - - - Series note: Pet Trade takes place between Pico's Crush and Jumper's Hope in the Central Galactic Concordance series, but is a standalone story. Originally appeared in the USA TODAY bestselling anthology Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2. \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ "...a poignant romance… I loved watching as these two individuals start to heal, and find love together.” — Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com
Jumper's Hope book cover
#4

Jumper's Hope

2016

Reunited lovers must outwit a ruthless government agent, or their rumored deaths will be real this time. Kerzanna Nevarr's elite special forces days of wearing Jumper mech suits and piloting Citizen Protection Services' ships are long gone. The dark legacy of her service forced her to learn to live a quiet life. And she had to do so alone, without the lover who died before her eyes. Jess Orowitz, veteran of CPS's secret spy organization, Kameleon Corps, made the mistake of trusting his superiors. He's paid a horrific price—fractured memories, constant headaches, and the death of the only woman he ever loved. Retirement on a quiet farming planet has kept him in an emotional deep freeze, but safe. But now, Kerzanna is being hunted for reasons she can’t guess, and even more stunning, the man who helps her escape is Jess, her supposedly dead lover. For Jess, discovering Kerzanna is still alive is only the first of the lies and betrayal he uncovers. Worst of all, their hunter is someone with CPS intel and lethal resources. Someone who believes the only obstacles standing in the way of success are one broken-down ex-Jumper and a fractured Kameleon. Together, are they strong enough to escape death one more time? If you like intrigue, psychics, and cyborgs, you'll love Carol Van Natta's thrilling entry in the Central Galactic Concordance space opera series. Buy Jumper's Hope today and hang on for a desperate race for survival in the far reaches of deep space!
Cats of War book cover
#4.5

Cats of War

2019

A tarnished military Subcaptain, a repair technician hiding from her past, and two genetically engineered cats join must forces to save an important factory. Military Subcaptain Kedron Tauceti counts the days until he can leave the rare metals factory and his current duty station as the liaison to the galactic government’s Criminal Restitution and Indenture Obligation system. The post was protection—and punishment—for exposing a theft ring during his previous assignment. He's more than ready to get his career back on track on a new base halfway across the galaxy, even if it means leaving behind the one person who makes him want to stay. Not that he's told her, because technically, he's her warden. Former financial specialist and current indenturee Ferra Barray, hiding from her past, only has three months to go on her restitution sentence. She's lucked into a tech repair job. If she keeps her head down, she'll soon be free to figure out her future. Unfortunately, the local shark behind every illegal scheme in the facility wants her to steal for him, and she's running out of excuses. And now the heroically handsome Tauceti, who she hoped could help, is transferring out. Everything changes when Ferra discovers two genetically modified cats. Saving them takes incredible risks. She doesn't know what she'll do if she can't convince Tauceti to rescue the cats and keep them until she's free to come for them. But when trouble erupts at the factory, it might just be the cats who save them. Find out what happens in this exciting standalone novella from Carol Van Natta's award-winning Central Galactic Concordance space opera series. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NOTE TO READERS: Cats of War debuted in the limited edition Embrace the Passion: Pets in Space 3 anthology. It has been edited for clarity, but is substantially unchanged from the original. If you already have the anthology, you don't need to buy this story again (unless you like your books standalone).
Galactic Search and Rescue book cover
#5.5

Galactic Search and Rescue

2021

When an earthquake shakes up a nearby world, can two star-crossed rescuers save an entire community… and each other? Experienced rescuer Subcaptain Taz Correa hides her wounded heart. A telekinetic tech-whiz recently transferred to the worst Galactic Search and Rescue unit in the galaxy, she’d hoped after her string of epically bad breakups she’d have a fresh start. But when she can’t fight her feelings for her new teammate, she’s terrified her secret affection will show and cost both their careers. Subcaptain Rylando Dalroinn’s telepathic connection to animals used to be everything. But he has no idea how to admit his growing attraction to Taz, especially as it’s completely against the rules. And when they’re sent as a team of two to help a devastated town, he knows he can’t afford to let his heart’s desire distract him from their dangerous mission. As Taz works with Rylando and his unusual squad of trained animal helpers to free a desperate group of citizens, she puts her life on the line to protect her partner’s beloved creatures. But when Rylando realizes the people he’s rescuing are more than just innocent victims, he’ll have to throw out the rulebook to save them both. Can love—and a clever crew of animals—guide the couple out of the rubble and into a future together? Galactic Search and Rescue is a pulse-pounding story in the Central Galactic Concordance space opera series. If you like lovers in denial, edge-of-your-seat twists and turns, and intriguing psychic powers, then you’ll adore Carol Van Natta’s thrilling tale. Buy Galactic Search and Rescue to shake up the world today! Note: Galactic Search and Rescue first appeared in the limited-edition Pets in Space 5 science fiction romance anthology. The standalone version has been expanded from the original.
Pets in Space 5 book cover
#12

Pets in Space 5

2020

Are you ready? Pets in Space® 5 is back for the fifth amazing year! Twelve of today’s top Science Fiction Romance authors have written 12 original, never-before-released stories filled with action, adventure, suspense, humor, and romance that will take you out of this world. The giving doesn’t stop there. For the fifth year, Pets in Space® will be donating a portion of the first month proceeds to Hero-Dogs\[dot\]org, a non-profit charity that supports our veterans and First Responders. Pets in Space® has donated over $15,000 in the past four years. Together, we can make a difference! Dark Ambitions by Michelle Diener Finding Mogha by Kyndra Hatch Galactic Research and Rescue by Carol Van Natta General's Holiday by Pauline Baird Jones Glitch by Leslie Chase Juggernaut by Laurie A. Green Mittens Not Included J.C. Hay Pastfinders by Alexis Glynn Latner Rate of Return by Cassandra Chandler Reaper by Regine Abel Star Cruise: Return Voyage by Veronica Scott The King's Quest by S.E. Smith

Authors

Regine Abel
Regine Abel
Author · 52 books

USA Today bestselling author Regine Abel is a fantasy, paranormal, and sci-fi junky. Anything with a bit of magic, a touch of the unusual, and a lot of romance will have her jumping for joy. She loves writing hot alien warriors meeting no-nonsense, kick-ass heroines. Her novels are steamy, action-packed, and with the twists and turns you never saw coming. ​Before devoting herself as a full-time writer, Regine had surrendered to her other passions: music and video games! After a decade working as a Sound Engineer in movie dubbing and live concerts, Regine became a professional Game Designer and Creative Director, a career that has led her from her home in Canada to the US and various countries in Europe and Asia.

Veronica Scott
Veronica Scott
Author · 39 books

USA Today Best Selling Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance author. Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories. MISC FACTS ABOUT VERONICA Seven time winner ~ SFR Galaxy Award Proud recipient ~ NASA Exceptional Service Medal but must hasten to add the honor was not for her romantic fiction! Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – I’ll improve your process (mwahahahaa)! Elvis Presley’s best friend once serenaded Veronica on a local TV telethon…now that could be a novel…

Carol Van Natta
Carol Van Natta
Author · 18 books

Carol Van Natta writes science fiction and fantasy, including Overload Flux, Minder Rising, Zero Flux, Pico's Crush, and Jumper's Hope, the first five books in a space opera series; In Graves Below (Magic, NM) , a paranormal romance; and Hooray for Holopticon , a retro science fiction comedy. She shares her Fort Collins, CO home with a sometime mad scientist and various cats. Any violations of the laws of physics in her books is the fault of the cats, not the mad scientist. Be the first to know about new releases by signing up for her newsletter at bit.ly/CVN-news or read her blog at Author.CarolVanNatta.com, or find her on Facebook at CarolVanNattaAuthor.

Michelle Diener
Michelle Diener
Author · 38 books

Michelle Diener is a bestselling, award-winning author of historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. Having worked in publishing and IT, she's now very happy crafting new worlds and interesting characters. Michelle was born in London and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children. When she's not writing, or driving her kids from activity to activity, you can find her online at Twitter and Facebook.

Alexis Glynn Latner
Alexis Glynn Latner
Author · 6 books
Alexis Glynn Latner's science fiction novel Hurricane Moon was published by Pyr in 2007 and again by Avendis Press in 2014. There are now two sequels: Downfall Tide (2015) and Star Crossing (2016). Her science fiction, fantasy, horror and mystery stories have appeared in the magazines Analog and Amazing and various print and online anthologies. Some of those stories are now e-books. She lives in Houston, Texas, where she works in the Rice University library and teaches creative writing. For fun and real-life adventure she is a sailplane pilot.
Kyndra Hatch
Kyndra Hatch
Author · 6 books

Kyndra Hatch grew up with a fascination for science fiction and a deep interest in ancient civilizations, a combination which fuels her active imagination. After twelve exciting years as an archaeologist, Kyndra pursues a passion for writing and has discovered her works have a decidedly science fiction romantic flair. She is a USA Today bestselling author and an active member of the SFR Brigade. Kyndra also writes science fiction, horror, and dark humor short stories as L.K. Hatchett. Blog: http://kyndrahatch.blogspot.com/ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kyndr... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyndrahatch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyndrahatch/ Twitter: @kyndrahatch

Laurie A. Green
Laurie A. Green
Author · 7 books

Laurie A. Green is an award-winning, USA TODAY bestselling author and science fiction romance enthusiast who founded the SFR Brigade community of writers. She is a former military budget director and reserve state trooper. While she'd love to have a vacation home on Mars or Titan, for now she's living happily ever after on a ranch in New Mexico with her spouse, David, assorted horses, and several spoiled little StarDogs. Laurie is currently releasing novels and novellas in The Inherited Stars Series and Universe (Space Adventure Romance), beginning with Inherit the Stars, Farewell Andromeda, and StarDog. SpyDog was released on September 10, 2020. Juggernaut was released on January 19, 2023. Courting Disaster is due out with a projected publishing date of Summer 2023. An omnibus edition of the four StarDog stories—Juggernaut, StarDog, SpyDog, and Courting Disaster plus an all new, never before released story (working title: StarDog Reunion) is in the works.

Cassandra Chandler
Cassandra Chandler
Author · 10 books

USA Today Bestselling author Cassandra Chandler uses her vivid imagination to make the world more interesting, spawning the ideas she turns into her enthralling Science Fiction Romances and darkly evocative Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Romances. Fast-paced and funny, lighthearted or tinged with shadow, her stories will introduce you to characters you fall in love with and worlds you want to explore. If you want to talk to her, head over to Facebook (CassChandlerAuthor), send her email at AuthorAtCassandra-ChandlerDotCom, or, of course, leave a review. Remember to sign up for her newsletter (https://cassandra-chandler.com/newsle...) to receive exclusive content!

S.E. Smith
S.E. Smith
Author · 92 books

S.E. Smith is an internationally acclaimed, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away. Readers can check out her website at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5

Pauline Baird Jones
Pauline Baird Jones
Author · 36 books

Hello everyone, I’m Pauline Baird Jones, a USA TODAY Bestselling Author affectionately known as Perilous Pauline. I adopted the name after I found out on Twitter that Goodreads says that I died in 1999. Since I was already dead, I went ahead and embraced my quirky sense of humor and channeled it into my stories, my Facebook Pages, and my YouTube Channel where I love to write and perform as the Dead Author Live. As you may have guessed from both my Perilous Pauline and Dead Author Live, I never cared for reality all that much. When I’m not sharing the beautiful photographs that my husband has taken, chasing after my grandchildren, or expanding my Lego city, I’m off wandering among the genres, rampaging like Godzilla (we were born the same year!) and mixing peril and humor into my romances. For motivation, I devour chocolate, bacon and collect flamingoes and mid-century modern anything. Readers can follow me on my website at https://paulinebjones.com/ and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPaulin....

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Central Galactic Concordance