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Mercenary Warfare #1
Selling Out
Cabot gave up the mercenary life years ago.
He's perfectly happy with his life as a trader and shopkeep on a Planetary Alliance Cooperative space station. He gets to meet interesting people, enjoy all the comforts and safety of the PAC, and also do just a wee bit of shady dealing on the side.
It's a nice life.
Unfortunately, the alliance is falling apart. When he's tasked with a critical mission that only a trader can pull off, he has no choice but to accept, in order to preserve the PAC and maintain his cushy existence.
He'll have to broker a deal with a reptilian species that is notoriously difficult to interact with. To accomplish that, he'll also need to resurrect some of the criminal skills he left behind over a decade ago.
Worse, he needs the help of both his former best friend and his worst enemy, who is also his ex-wife.
She's the reason he went legit. Well, mostly legit.
Nagali is a ruthless, chaotic, pleasure-seeking pirate. As much as she likes lying and cheating, she likes torturing Cabot even more. She's also beautiful, brilliant, and hard to resist.
There's a reason he hasn't seen her since his fortune-hunting privateer days.
Enjoy a fun adventure with delightful characters, unique species, and lots of heart.
Books in the Dragonfire Station universe in written order:
Each series stands alone and need not be read in written order.
Dragonfire Station Book 1: Translucid
Dragonfire Station Book 2: Fragments
Dragonfire Station Book 3: Coalescence
(series complete)
Intersections: Dragonfire Station Short Stories
Mercenary Warfare Book 1: Selling Out
Mercenary Warfare Book 2: Blood Money
Mercenary Warfare Book 3: Hell to Pay
Mercenary Warfare Book 4: Calculated Risk
Mercenary Warfare Book 5: Going for Broke
(series complete)
Chains of Command Book 1: New Blood
Chains of Command Book 2: Blood and Bone
Chains of Command Book 3: Cut to the Bone
Chains of Command Book 4: Out for Blood
(series complete)
He's perfectly happy with his life as a trader and shopkeep on a Planetary Alliance Cooperative space station. He gets to meet interesting people, enjoy all the comforts and safety of the PAC, and also do just a wee bit of shady dealing on the side.
It's a nice life.
Unfortunately, the alliance is falling apart. When he's tasked with a critical mission that only a trader can pull off, he has no choice but to accept, in order to preserve the PAC and maintain his cushy existence.
He'll have to broker a deal with a reptilian species that is notoriously difficult to interact with. To accomplish that, he'll also need to resurrect some of the criminal skills he left behind over a decade ago.
Worse, he needs the help of both his former best friend and his worst enemy, who is also his ex-wife.
She's the reason he went legit. Well, mostly legit.
Nagali is a ruthless, chaotic, pleasure-seeking pirate. As much as she likes lying and cheating, she likes torturing Cabot even more. She's also beautiful, brilliant, and hard to resist.
There's a reason he hasn't seen her since his fortune-hunting privateer days.
Enjoy a fun adventure with delightful characters, unique species, and lots of heart.
Books in the Dragonfire Station universe in written order:
Each series stands alone and need not be read in written order.
Dragonfire Station Book 1: Translucid
Dragonfire Station Book 2: Fragments
Dragonfire Station Book 3: Coalescence
(series complete)
Intersections: Dragonfire Station Short Stories
Mercenary Warfare Book 1: Selling Out
Mercenary Warfare Book 2: Blood Money
Mercenary Warfare Book 3: Hell to Pay
Mercenary Warfare Book 4: Calculated Risk
Mercenary Warfare Book 5: Going for Broke
(series complete)
Chains of Command Book 1: New Blood
Chains of Command Book 2: Blood and Bone
Chains of Command Book 3: Cut to the Bone
Chains of Command Book 4: Out for Blood
(series complete)
- GenresScience Fiction
193 pages, ebook
Published July 27, 2017
117 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Zen DiPietro
43 books164 followersZen DiPietro is a lifelong bookworm, writer, and dreamer. Perhaps most importantly, a Browncoat Trekkie Whovian. Also red-haired, left-handed, and uber geek. Absolutely terrible at conforming. A recovering gamer, but we won’t talk about that. Particular loves include badass heroines, British accents, and the smell of Band-Aids. You can sign up for her newsletter at www.zendipietro.com.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 24, 2020
Trader vs Diplomat: What’s The Difference?
Zen DiPietro delivers another engrossing story in the section of the galaxy anchored by DragonFire Station. While reading the previous series is great background and adds to the story, it is not critical. You could start reading with this book.
The story is focused on Cabot Layne who goes from a minor but important player in the previous series to the protagonist of this adventure. The title is not about losing his moral compass but about leaving behind the comfortable life he had built for himself.
The character development keeps you interested in the success of the main characters. The narrative builds great visual images of the world in which they live.
Great story of trading, diplomacy, and empires struggling to stay alive.
Zen DiPietro delivers another engrossing story in the section of the galaxy anchored by DragonFire Station. While reading the previous series is great background and adds to the story, it is not critical. You could start reading with this book.
The story is focused on Cabot Layne who goes from a minor but important player in the previous series to the protagonist of this adventure. The title is not about losing his moral compass but about leaving behind the comfortable life he had built for himself.
The character development keeps you interested in the success of the main characters. The narrative builds great visual images of the world in which they live.
Great story of trading, diplomacy, and empires struggling to stay alive.
February 28, 2018
Kind of fun
I liked the aliens, aliens are cool. But I got and stayed confused by the Zerelians and the Rescans. Are they humans or just similar to humans. The briveen are much more clearly described both physically and culturally.
The merchants are a hoot but the PAC not realizing one of their more critical members is struggling to prevent their extinction because of genetic anomalies causing falling birth rates is weird. The PAC intelligence services need some revamping.
The main character is great but I wish there was more detail about the Rescan culture and how the species fits into the Alliance. The basic writing was OK. I'm going to read the next book in the series.
I liked the aliens, aliens are cool. But I got and stayed confused by the Zerelians and the Rescans. Are they humans or just similar to humans. The briveen are much more clearly described both physically and culturally.
The merchants are a hoot but the PAC not realizing one of their more critical members is struggling to prevent their extinction because of genetic anomalies causing falling birth rates is weird. The PAC intelligence services need some revamping.
The main character is great but I wish there was more detail about the Rescan culture and how the species fits into the Alliance. The basic writing was OK. I'm going to read the next book in the series.
February 15, 2018
A great read
I chose this book on Amazon because I was looking for something a little different for the SF I had been reading. I have never read any books written by this author before. I enjoyed the fact that this book was more to do with the characters and their interaction than about the science. It was interesting. I highly recommend this book. Starting the next book in the series now.
I chose this book on Amazon because I was looking for something a little different for the SF I had been reading. I have never read any books written by this author before. I enjoyed the fact that this book was more to do with the characters and their interaction than about the science. It was interesting. I highly recommend this book. Starting the next book in the series now.
August 14, 2017
Great read!
No there are no superheroes with fantastic powers in this book. This is a book of seemingly ordinary people doing the right thing. People with flaws, and histories that try to overcome their mistakes and differences. It would be fantastic if we could exhibit the same characteristics,forgiveness, tolerance, love for others that are unlike ourselves.
No there are no superheroes with fantastic powers in this book. This is a book of seemingly ordinary people doing the right thing. People with flaws, and histories that try to overcome their mistakes and differences. It would be fantastic if we could exhibit the same characteristics,forgiveness, tolerance, love for others that are unlike ourselves.
February 7, 2018
Great beginnings, can't wait to read more.
Ok, not a lot of action in this first book, but don't let that stop you from reading this great story. I am normally insistent on fast paced, action filled reads, but the scale of the story with solid foundations in character development and story line is addictive. Read this, it will surprise and please you.
Ok, not a lot of action in this first book, but don't let that stop you from reading this great story. I am normally insistent on fast paced, action filled reads, but the scale of the story with solid foundations in character development and story line is addictive. Read this, it will surprise and please you.
May 21, 2018
Live this series!!!
I usually read more paranormal type romance books, but Zen DiPietro has completely captivated me. The Dragonfire world is one of the best series I've read in a long time. The characters, the diverse cultures, everyrhing has me eagerly awaiting the next chapter. The next book. I hope they keep coming!!
I usually read more paranormal type romance books, but Zen DiPietro has completely captivated me. The Dragonfire world is one of the best series I've read in a long time. The characters, the diverse cultures, everyrhing has me eagerly awaiting the next chapter. The next book. I hope they keep coming!!
June 19, 2019
NOT WHAT I EXPECTED
"Selling Out" was not what I expected; it takes some turns that made it difficult for me
to enjoy. I think it would have been better if this has been the second book of the series,
with a book that provided more context and background.
I will be reading book 2, to see if it meets expectations.
"Selling Out" was not what I expected; it takes some turns that made it difficult for me
to enjoy. I think it would have been better if this has been the second book of the series,
with a book that provided more context and background.
I will be reading book 2, to see if it meets expectations.
July 12, 2021
This looks to be an interesting series that stands on its own legs, yet expands the Dragonfire Series that I loved. The focus is on Cabot Layne, trader from Dragonfire Station and a few of his friends and acquaintances which brings his backstory into focus while leading the series into a new tangent of adventure. It is a very enjoyable read, great for summer or season.
September 1, 2017
Political intrigue in the future.
This book dragged at first with the main character doing a lot of introspection. The action finally came around toward the end of the book. A good read if you enjoy political sci-fi.
This book dragged at first with the main character doing a lot of introspection. The action finally came around toward the end of the book. A good read if you enjoy political sci-fi.
October 1, 2018
Good story and characters
It was interesting to see how the main character used his introspection and observation to find a way to achieve the understanding and agreement that was needed.
It was interesting to see how the main character used his introspection and observation to find a way to achieve the understanding and agreement that was needed.
August 1, 2017
Great Read
I have truly enjoyed this series and all the Dragonfire characters. It's like seeing the story of that slice of the universe in different perspectives.
I have truly enjoyed this series and all the Dragonfire characters. It's like seeing the story of that slice of the universe in different perspectives.
August 11, 2017
Loved it! Love Cabot and Arlen and Omar and Nagali and Brak and Gretch and -- well, you get the picture. Great writing, great plot, great characters! On to Blood Money!
September 9, 2017
You can read my review of “Selling Out” at my web site.
August 22, 2018
A fun packed, fast paced story about a group of people who get dragged into a challenge that's a lot bigger than they could fathom.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews