Tazhio (Paperback)

I hate to travel. I'm quite happy sitting at home with my dog and making custom embroidery to sell on Etsy. But when I win tickets to an intergalactic singles cruise, my sisters bully me into going. The next thing I know, I'm acting stupid over a shuttle pilot with brilliant blue skin and a smile that could melt the clothes right off my body.

Then a freak accident strands us on a hostile alien planet and not only does it look like I'll never see home again, but the locals are hell-bent on rutting with anything female. The only way to stop them is to let Tazhio claim me. And once he claims me, I'll belong to him forever…

This forced proximity romance is full of "touch her and you die" moments with a protective alien hero who falls hard and fast for his destined mate. Survive thrilling adventures on a primitive alien planet, experience cute and funny comedy moments that will make you cry tears, and fall in love with a unique paranormal fantasy shapeshifter.

Do aliens ever get motion sick? I can’t stop the thought rolling around in my head as our limo turns down the palm-tree-lined street leading to the spaceport. My stomach roils, despite the prescription patch my sister, Suzanne, affixed behind my ear. I got through a commercial flight and a car ride, but I dread boarding the space shuttle that will transport us to the cruise ship waiting in orbit.

I roll down the window, and muggy air that smells like hot pavement blasts me in the face. Ahead on the tarmac, I see something that looks like an enormous purple rosebud resting on its side. My throat tightens.

One side of the ship is rolled open to form a ramp, and three broad-shouldered men wearing white uniforms wait at the base. Their skin is blue, just like in the Hallmark movies. It seems like every television show has featured a blue alien hero since an alien prince came to Earth looking for a mate last year.

The limo rolls to a stop about thirty feet from the ramp. Before the driver can get out to open our door, Suzanne flings it open and clambers out with Bethany right on her heels. Jennifer opens the door on our side, tugging her case from the seat.

I take my time gathering Beanie back into my purse and putting on my sunglasses. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Teeth clenched, I step out of the limo onto the tarmac, heat permeating the thin soles of my sandals. My mouth goes dry as I look up at the big alien ship. The lavender surface sparkles slightly in the sunlight and has ribbed veins like an actual rose petal. How can this possibly be strong enough to go into space?

Suzanne is already strolling up the ramp, grinning like a Cheshire cat and chatting with an alien carrying two of their over-sized suitcases. Another alien has hoisted Jennifer’s enormous astronomy case from the car while Jennifer flutters around like a worried mother hen. I’m struck by how similar all the blue guys seem to appear, a bit like blue Ken dolls in matching white uniforms.

Our youngest sister Bethany looks toward me, eyes hidden behind gold-mirrored designer shades. “Ready?”

I nod but remain rooted in place as my sister strolls toward the ramp without me.

The limo pulls away, too, leaving me standing sentinel on the tarmac with the sun beating down on my head. Sweat rolls down my cleavage and sticks my shirt against my back. Beanie is probably cooking alive in my purse. Swallowing my impending terror, I move toward the waiting ramp.

A baffle wall just inside the open hatch blocks my view of the shuttle’s interior, but I can hear cheerful chatter from inside. My sisters are too excited to notice I’m missing. If I don’t get on, will the shuttle leave without me?

I pivot, taking a wistful look at the hangars surrounding the airfield. I see a couple of guys standing in the shade against one wall, smoking. Even though I don’t smoke, I’m tempted to go ask them for a puff, just for an excuse to delay boarding.

“Are you ready?”

I jump at the sudden deep voice, catching my purse before it slips completely off my shoulder. Poor Beanie whines as he’s jostled inside. A tall blue man in a white uniform stands on the shuttle ramp watching me intently. He looks less human than the ones who helped my sisters, with eyes that are slightly too big for his chiseled face, but he’s dressed in the same white one-piece uniform. His deep blue hair is lustrous and thick, shorter along the sides and curling against his collar in the back.

His gaze lowers to my purse, and nervous guilt rocks through me. The cruise line hadn’t asked about paperwork for Beanie, and I figured it was better to ask forgiveness than permission, especially since some facilities don’t consider emotional support dogs true service animals. Now all I can think is that my sisters will kill me if Beanie gets us banned from the trip.