Showing results for "Holiday" in Science Fiction

As a security officer on an interspecies ship, Growlan Raskli's experienced in heading off species-specific aberrant behaviors in order to keep the peace. But when her captain asks her to find out what's bothering their sole human crew member, Raskli's out of her depths. She hardly knows anything about humans, and she's not a psych doctor. Something's definitely upset human Jen, something to do with human holidays. The more time Raskli spends studying humans and interacting with the intriguing human Jen, the more personal the assignment becomes.

A detective who refuses to modify her body teams up with her cyborg rival to track down a burglar who is putting toys into homes. A solitary ice miner finds love and friendship while stranded on the surface of Galileo. And two hardheaded negotiators put their differences aside to evade an assassin and save their planets. Enjoy these visions of Christmases yet to come with three science-fiction novellas from Carina Press.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author S. E. Smith presents two heartwarming holiday stories that will transport listeners out of this world.

It's Christmastime on Elysia. The weather is as wintery as one can expect in a rain forest and our annual secret Santa game is in full swing. Yet for me, something's missing. My heart aches whenever I think of mi familia back home. Still, I'm determined to make this Christmas a special one and when I meet a Grinchy, green alien living high on a mountain above our village I've suddenly got a project.

Caroline isn't a Scrooge, but the weeks leading to Christmas are not her favorite. The personal shopping department where she works is insanely busy and the clients have crazy requests. Plus, this is her first holiday being single after a bad breakup. When her last appointment of the day is a gorgeous, blue-skinned alien, she isn't too surprised. After all, everyone knows that aliens are real since a species of interstellar warriors revealed themselves and the fact that they'd been defending Earth for decades.

Eve and Patrick Gantly are living a normal life in 2019 New York, preparing to celebrate the Christmas season. To their delight, Eve is three months pregnant. Despite their happiness, Eve is having premonitions that something dreadful is about to occur. Concerned about the future and the safety of their child, she insists that they destroy the time-travel lantern.

Born prematurely, Christoff wasn't as big or as strong as his older brother or the other younglings in the village. Unable to fit in, he does the best he can, helping his father and mother on their farm. His life changes when the mountain near their farm awakens. Believing he is the only one who can quiet it, he retreats to the mountain to watch over the village that shunned him. A hermit for centuries, he dreams of the day he can move on to his next life - a life that he hopes will give him a chance to find his true mate.

A strange Christmas letter appears, and Macy Kennedy is forced to go back home to the small town she has avoided for more than 30 years. Despite an oncoming blizzard and in spite of her feelings, Macy packs up to leave on the adventure of a lifetime. She bribes her loyal secretary and the firm’s maid to help drive her through a blizzard to accomplish the sordid ordeal. Little can they ever imagine that a rare, mystical blue moon hangs high in the sky on this Christmas Eve and that magic lives in this enchanted mountain town full of love and friendship.

I am the Ambassador to the Agnorrian Empire and bearer of the goddess of home’s eye. I am one of the most important men in the Alliance Empire. However, I’ve had to leave my diplomatic vessel on Earth’s moon for repairs and return to the Empire on a cargo ship. This is unfortunate, but that's not what’s troubling me.

Walking toward the nearest town, I see bonfires and hear humans singing. I wonder momentarily if I’ve time traveled into the past. Thankfully my hood covers my face, which is the tell-tale sign I’m not human. But I’ll have to find someone to help me to contact the Alliance Force. They don’t even know I’m on Earth. My mission was so secret that no one but the High Council knew.

I attended a Halloween party in New Orleans with another officer from the Alliance Force. We all need to find wives, and costume parties are some of the best places to meet human women as they think our grey skin is a part of our costume. At this All Hallows’ Eve party, I met Ivy. We talked and then exchanged contact information. Not a day goes by that we don’t communicate with each other. She’s the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. But the problem is, she thinks I’m human.

Gabriela Romero is a single mother struggling to make ends meet. With Christmas fast approaching, she’s lost work and she’s late on rent. Fortunately, she has a couple bright spots in her life—her amazing daughter, Ana, and her brief interactions with her gorgeous neighbor from across the street, Mason Lee. He’s big, strong, kind, and he’s great with Ana. Plus, he looks at Gabriela like he wants to devour her. How could a man like him be real? In Gabriela’s most desperate moments, Mason rushes to the rescue. But her savior isn’t what he seems.

My assignment on Earth is coming to an end. Handing over projects is always bittersweet as an anthropologist, having to say "goodbye" to people I've come to know while studying their culture. However, this time is different. I have fallen in love with a human woman, and I want her to come with me. But there are some issues. She doesn't know I'm not human and not only that, but I'll be asking her to leave Earth, her friends and family behind. Will she say come with me?

Day 200-something on the Prison Planet...and things are finally settling down. Life is slowly getting back to normal. Babies that won't sleep through the night? Check. Pregnancy cravings? We've got those, too. Fresh starts? Check. A new chapter in our lives? Check again. And people are leaving. Wait, what? If this is our last chance to be together, it's time to celebrate. It's time for a Draekon Holiday. Draekon Holiday is a short story set in the Dragons in Exile series. It does not stand-alone, and should be listened to after Draekon Rogue.

Melanie Jameson is afraid it’s going to be a lonely Christmas. After a bitter divorce with an abusive husband, she moves to the Kindred Mother Ship to take a job in their PR department. Though she makes friends easily, especially with Sees Clearly, a handsome Kindred warrior who is much too young for her, she doesn’t have anyone to spend Christmas with but her crusty old Aunt Marge. Clear is smitten with Melanie the moment he sees her. It doesn’t matter to him that she’s older than him - he wants her at once.

It’s Christmas on the Drexian space station, and the abducted Earth women are in the mood for some holiday fun. With the help of the station’s colorful wedding planners and stylists, the tribute brides are decking the halls and jingling the bells. And when it comes to their Drexians mates, the stockings aren’t the only things that are hung. Six steamy Drexian-human couples are all eager to steal more than a few kisses under the mistletoe. And they might even get to do some merry matchmaking while they’re at it!

Vhyl is determined to acquire a certain lost artifact, but when he lands on the forbidden barbarian planet known as Earth, he finds more than expected. An attractive human female is in possession of the priceless object, and she’s agreed to hand it over - for a price. Intrigued by her fearless nature - and her luscious cocoa skin - this acquisition expert can’t resist stealing a kiss. But before he can take more, his enemy arrives to stake a claim. It seems Vhyl isn’t the only one interested in Jilly’s treasure - and Jilly herself.

Do you believe in Santa? Yeah, Kris doesn’t either. But since his ship got stranded above earth and an antigravity accident left him with flying reindeer, he’s decided to make the legend come to life. The presents he brings aren’t the traditional dolls and rocking horses. Instead, he finds kids who need help - serious help - and gives it to them.

Aikaterina has lived since the dawn of time. Her species was born at the same time as the universe, yet she yearns for something more. Her experiences with the Valdier, Sarafin, Curizan, and especially the Dragonlings, has left her craving something she never expected—a sense of belonging. Bear Running Wolf is shocked when he discovers a beautiful alien woman standing in the snow-covered woods on Paul Groves’ Ranch. He knows that not all the visitors to the ranch are human … he just never expected to meet a woman from another world.

Catherine wishes the last year never happened. After losing her mother and her marriage in quick succession, each day is a brand new struggle. When her ex-husband drags her kids halfway across the world, she visits the Bath Christmas Market, just hoping to put something good in her life. She never expected find a gateway to the past.