Title: The Fall of the Midnight Scorpions
Author: Thea Landen
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance
A year has passed
since Ro Bernard escaped from the Midnight Scorpions, a clandestine group of
mercenaries that exists in the outside world as little more than myths and
rumors. Though haunted by the reprehensible acts she committed and witnessed as
a member of the organization, her primary focus is keeping a roof over her head
and food on her plate. A chance encounter leads her to Karin Cassels, whose son
died in the Scorpions’ underground laboratory. While sharing details about her
son’s research, Ro reveals the most disturbing information she has on the
group. Their leader, scientist Dane Zedek, has been integrating cybernetic
parts with human soldiers in the hopes of building himself a lethal army that
will help him achieve even greater political power.
The women hatch a plan
to take down the Midnight Scorpions with two ultimate goals: kill Zedek, and
rescue Callum, Ro’s lover who was the first of the scientist’s experimental
hybrids. For additional assistance, Dr. Cassels directs Ro to Reggie Quinn, a drifter
who is no stranger to odd jobs and risky situations. Reggie agrees to join the
cause in exchange for a percentage of whatever they loot from the Scorpions’
base.
They embark on an
adventure throughout three warring countries to assemble their team and gather
the necessary materials for their schemes. Along the way, Ro tries to fight her
growing attraction to Reggie, especially as reminders of her unhappy past keep
resurfacing. Love and redemption wait for her at the end of her mission to
defeat the Midnight Scorpions…assuming she makes it out alive.
Author Bio
Thea Landen lives in New York with her husband and two
children. A former educator, she strives to encourage creativity and passion in
all those around her, and uses writing to help inspire. Though she reads and
writes in nearly all genres, she has a special fondness for science fiction,
fantasy, and adventure and anything that pushes the imagination beyond its
usual limits. When she’s not writing, or thinking about writing, her hands and
mind are occupied by either yarn crafts or role-playing games.
Contact Details:
Email: thealanden@gmail.com
Website: www.thealanden.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thealanden
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheaLanden
Buy Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/?ean=9781771152556
Double Dragon Publishing: http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.php?ISBN=1-77115-255-9
Book Excerpt
“If we could just put
the guns down for five minutes, you’ll find out that we’re actually trying to
stop some of the shady goings-on that only lead to more fighting and
bloodshed,” Ro said. “And we thought you might be able to help.”
Mielle pursed her
raspberry lips into a straight line. After another moment of quiet tension, she
hooked her foot around a chair behind her and dragged it over to the table. She
sat down and crossed her legs and arms without putting the gun away. “I’m
listening.”
Reggie holstered his
gun and sat down, keeping his hands on the table. Ro did the same, accepting
they were the intruders with questionable intentions in this situation. “We’ll
try to be brief,” she said. “If you saw combat with the Tektani troops and you
keep your eyes and ears open, which I’m sure you do, I’ll assume you’ve heard
of a little group called the Midnight Scorpions.”
Mielle snorted and
spat on the floor beside her. “Mercenary scum,” she said coldly. “I always said
that dealing with them was more trouble than it’s worth.”
“We’d heard you were a
woman of great intelligence,” Reggie said.
“The world would be a
better place without them,” Ro continued. “So we’re going to see if we can find
a way to remove them from this bloody equation that never seems to have a
solution.”
“It’s not the worst
idea I’ve ever heard.” Mielle’s shoulders relaxed, though she kept her pistol
gripped in her hand. “But I don’t understand why you came looking for me.”
“After we fight our
way through there and eradicate their leader and his favorite minions, we
figured we might as well just lay waste to the entire place,” Ro said. “Right,
Ted?”
Ted hadn’t moved since
his armed companions had taken their seats. Eyes wide, his attention remained
focused on his newest acquaintance, specifically on her prominent chest. Ro
sighed and shook her head. “Ted!”
Mielle unfolded her
arms and leaned forward. Reggie shifted as if to retrieve his weapon again, and
Ro hoped another confrontation wasn’t imminent. Rather than brandishing her
gun, the Tektani woman simply slid a single finger under Ted’s chin and angled
his head until they made eye contact. She stuck her tongue out and made an
unpleasant face before letting go of him and settling back in her chair.
Ro let out a breath
she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
“As you seem familiar
with my resume, I’ll assume that you want me to handle the destruction of the
Scorpions’ hideout,” Mielle said.
“That’s the plan,
yes.”
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