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Vel'shar
A'Vanti has survived the worst the universe can throw at her.
Years in an enemy facility stripped her of her fangs, her venom, and nearly her will to live. Rescued four months ago and healing aboard a Cerastean ship orbiting Earth, she's learning to feel again — with the help of therapy, a fierce circle of friends, and a human pilot who waits for her outside every session with a book and a ridiculous smile.
Cody "Goober" Johnson wasn't looking for complications. He was supposed to fly combat missions, defend Earth, and follow orders. He definitely wasn't supposed to fall for a Cerastean female with golden scales, a razor-sharp tongue, and the kind of walls that would take a lifetime to climb.
But Cody has never backed down from a challenge. And A'Vanti has never met anyone who gives without expecting, who looks at her like she's something precious rather than something broken, and whose impossibly blue eyes make her wonder what it might be like to try this human thing called kissing.
When a mission to reclaim the ruins of Ceraste — A'Vanti's devastated homeworld — throws them together on its scorching deserts, the walls between them begin to crumble. But rebuilding a planet is complicated enough without navigating the expectations of a devastated species, the pressure of Cerastean males who see A'Vanti as a duty rather than a person, and a growing bond that defies everything either of them thought possible.
Some things are worth crossing a galaxy for.
Years in an enemy facility stripped her of her fangs, her venom, and nearly her will to live. Rescued four months ago and healing aboard a Cerastean ship orbiting Earth, she's learning to feel again — with the help of therapy, a fierce circle of friends, and a human pilot who waits for her outside every session with a book and a ridiculous smile.
Cody "Goober" Johnson wasn't looking for complications. He was supposed to fly combat missions, defend Earth, and follow orders. He definitely wasn't supposed to fall for a Cerastean female with golden scales, a razor-sharp tongue, and the kind of walls that would take a lifetime to climb.
But Cody has never backed down from a challenge. And A'Vanti has never met anyone who gives without expecting, who looks at her like she's something precious rather than something broken, and whose impossibly blue eyes make her wonder what it might be like to try this human thing called kissing.
When a mission to reclaim the ruins of Ceraste — A'Vanti's devastated homeworld — throws them together on its scorching deserts, the walls between them begin to crumble. But rebuilding a planet is complicated enough without navigating the expectations of a devastated species, the pressure of Cerastean males who see A'Vanti as a duty rather than a person, and a growing bond that defies everything either of them thought possible.
Some things are worth crossing a galaxy for.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2026
About the author
Dane Griggs
61 books39 followersDane Griggs lives in Florida with her very patient husband, two trouble-making children, a bratty long-hair dachshund, and too many fish tanks. In her spare time—which like most moms, she has very little of—she loves to read (a lot!), write, watch movies, drink wine & pots of coffee, tend her aquaponic garden, go surfing, do woodworking, and volunteer with the PTA and Girl Scouts.
Mrs. Griggs enjoys writing about relationships that evolve and grow over time, with lots of super-hot sex. She strives to put her characters in interesting situations where their strength and wit shine through—no Mary Sues allowed. So grab a bottle of wine and come hang-out in the mind of Dane Griggs and a world of characters you would actually enjoy sharing that bottle with. and if you are into it, be sure to follow Dane Griggs on Amazon.
Mrs. Griggs enjoys writing about relationships that evolve and grow over time, with lots of super-hot sex. She strives to put her characters in interesting situations where their strength and wit shine through—no Mary Sues allowed. So grab a bottle of wine and come hang-out in the mind of Dane Griggs and a world of characters you would actually enjoy sharing that bottle with. and if you are into it, be sure to follow Dane Griggs on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 14, 2026
Growing from the trauma
This is the best book in the series and maybe even the genre. A fearless but delicate handling of the way we heal and grow from dealing with worst humanity can do to itself.
This is the best book in the series and maybe even the genre. A fearless but delicate handling of the way we heal and grow from dealing with worst humanity can do to itself.
April 3, 2026
Lovely story
Another wonderful story of the cerasten survivers,and their human mates. This one is different but just as good.could my put it down.
Another wonderful story of the cerasten survivers,and their human mates. This one is different but just as good.could my put it down.
June 4, 2026
Vel'shar...So full of meaning, and such an apt descriptor of our hero, and even the Cerasteans themselves. I have read and loved each and every book in this series, but this was my absolute favorite by far. It grabbed a hold of my heartstrings, and would not let go. In this book, they are beginning the journey of saving Ceraste itself. The world building was absolutely superb, and my heart truly broke for the Cerasteans, A'vante, and even the Ostium for the trauma and the loss that had been inflicted upon them. But, even as your heart breaks, you can truly feel the healing that is taking place. I truly hope we can continue this Journey with the Cerasteans, the humans, and the Ostium as they continue to grow and heal together.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews