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Kitto Ashton #1
Spider
A disgraced officer. An isolated station. A fleet of ruthless pirates.
With his career in tatters, former Royal Navy Commander Kitt Ashton finds himself banished to the failing relay hub known as Spider for the duration of his term of service. Now he spends his days listening to messages from Mars and wondering whether saving the Admiral’s wife was a mistake after all.
But Ashton has no intention of staying on Spider for any longer than it takes to contact a group of pirates known as Rippers, meet up with their leader and sell what he knows. It may the only way he can get what he really wants – a ship of his own.
And after that? Who knows what might happen.
A very British space adventure!
With his career in tatters, former Royal Navy Commander Kitt Ashton finds himself banished to the failing relay hub known as Spider for the duration of his term of service. Now he spends his days listening to messages from Mars and wondering whether saving the Admiral’s wife was a mistake after all.
But Ashton has no intention of staying on Spider for any longer than it takes to contact a group of pirates known as Rippers, meet up with their leader and sell what he knows. It may the only way he can get what he really wants – a ship of his own.
And after that? Who knows what might happen.
A very British space adventure!
- GenresScience Fiction
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2021
About the author
Leona Grace
23 books16 followersMy stories feature quiet men dealing with the problems life throws at them, and strong women overcoming adversity.
I write in a broad spectrum of genres, from classic westerns to historical LGBT, romance to gothic fantasy, as well as contemporary crime, horror and mystery. But, whatever the genre or the setting, my novels end with hope for the future, and more often than not a definite HEA.
As for me? Well, I am a happily married wife, mother and grandmother, living in the north-west of England where the rain is wet and the people are friendly.
Until recently I was a specialist teacher of children between the ages of 5 and 16 in a variety of educational settings. Having taken early retirement, I now spend as much time as possible either working on my next novel, reading, or wondering what to make for dinner.
I write in a broad spectrum of genres, from classic westerns to historical LGBT, romance to gothic fantasy, as well as contemporary crime, horror and mystery. But, whatever the genre or the setting, my novels end with hope for the future, and more often than not a definite HEA.
As for me? Well, I am a happily married wife, mother and grandmother, living in the north-west of England where the rain is wet and the people are friendly.
Until recently I was a specialist teacher of children between the ages of 5 and 16 in a variety of educational settings. Having taken early retirement, I now spend as much time as possible either working on my next novel, reading, or wondering what to make for dinner.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 22, 2026
Just remember. Don't trust everything you read.
The book deserves the highest rating, especially considering it’s self‑published. It’s genuinely good better than quite a few traditionally published sci fi novels that have come out in the past decade. The story is well crafted, and the main character is immediately intriguing. From the start it’s clear the account he’s giving is twisted and not the whole truth, because he’s speaking under interrogation and he has to be careful, as he doesn’t know which side has him in chains.
A personal observation, some modern women writers struggle to get a male voice right or, to be honest, even a believable or likeable female one. It may seem an odd thing to say, but if I hadn’t known the author was a woman, I would have assumed it was written by a man, and I mean that as a compliment.
Another thing I appreciated is that duty and an officer’s honour aren’t empty words for the main character.
The book deserves the highest rating, especially considering it’s self‑published. It’s genuinely good better than quite a few traditionally published sci fi novels that have come out in the past decade. The story is well crafted, and the main character is immediately intriguing. From the start it’s clear the account he’s giving is twisted and not the whole truth, because he’s speaking under interrogation and he has to be careful, as he doesn’t know which side has him in chains.
A personal observation, some modern women writers struggle to get a male voice right or, to be honest, even a believable or likeable female one. It may seem an odd thing to say, but if I hadn’t known the author was a woman, I would have assumed it was written by a man, and I mean that as a compliment.
Another thing I appreciated is that duty and an officer’s honour aren’t empty words for the main character.
January 19, 2025
New author and new series for myself. This is an experienced author who has written all kinds of fiction including westerns which are space opera using horses, American western settings and characters. Good book! I also guessed right when I decided to take a chance on this book. Good characterization, excellent settings, interesting plot and secondary characters plus decent villains. Fun story line that keeps you interested. I am looking forward to reading the next volume in the series. Recommended.
November 14, 2021
Brilliant sci fi adventure
The world building is fantastic, Kitt is an amazing character, and the story is a twisty thrill ride. There is graphic torture, but the author posted a warning. The theme of a disgraced officer going to the dark side has been used many times, but Grace's rendition gives an old trope fresh, vibrant life. I read Spider on KU but will buy it to reread many times.
The world building is fantastic, Kitt is an amazing character, and the story is a twisty thrill ride. There is graphic torture, but the author posted a warning. The theme of a disgraced officer going to the dark side has been used many times, but Grace's rendition gives an old trope fresh, vibrant life. I read Spider on KU but will buy it to reread many times.
May 11, 2026
4.5 stars
So entertaining. Loved this. Not my usual LGBTQ romance. This is straight-up sci-fi, no romance, with a very engaging het protagonist and lots of one the edge of my seat action. On immediately to the next book.
So entertaining. Loved this. Not my usual LGBTQ romance. This is straight-up sci-fi, no romance, with a very engaging het protagonist and lots of one the edge of my seat action. On immediately to the next book.
November 30, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, particularly the end which took me by surprise! Looking forward to reading the next one.
June 25, 2025
Different. Very British. Lovely MC. Hard SciFi.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews