Being kidnapped by aliens is one thing.

Being kidnapped by aliens and sent to a prison planet is something infinitely worse.

Here in Haven’s prison system, I’m stranded among strangers, enemies, and the most ruthless criminals in the galaxy. There’s no safety for a human woman here, especially not one branded as a murderer. I’m doomed to a fate worse than death.

Then — he decides I should be his. His name’s Jutari. He’s seven feet tall, blue, and horned. He’s an assassin and one of the most dangerous prisoners here. He’s like no one I’ve ever met before…and he might be my only chance.

This story stands completely alone and is only marginally connected to the Ice Planet Barbarians series. You do not need to read those books in order to follow this one.

The post Prison Planet Barbarian appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Though still carrying the scars of his past as an intergalactic soldier, Emvor doesn’t mind the quiet of his chosen life as a farmer. He doesn’t even mind that most nights are lonely on remote Cassa, but he does need help around his farm. A mail-order bride from his homeworld seems like the perfect solution. She’ll be a tall, sturdy female to help with the chores and bear his children.

Unfortunately, the person that arrives is Nicola. She’s small, delicate…and human. She also knows nothing about farming, and she’s lied and deceived her way across the galaxy to get to Cassa so she can hide from those that would capture her. She’s a problem, and also the most enticing thing he’s ever seen.

Now Emvor has to decide…can he keep the woman who’s nothing like what he asked for but is everything he needs?

The post The Alien’s Mail-Order Bride appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Varrik va’Rin is the lord of an ancient noble house. On Homeworld Kes, his bloodlines are unparalleled and he wields an incredible amount of political and social clout. He’s used to getting what he wants.

So when he sees the strange, delicate human known as Milly, he decides he wants her. And he’ll do anything to have her, reputation be damned.

The post Pretty Human appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

To get amnesty on a remote farm planet, ex-con Tassar has to marry an alien – specifically, a strange looking creature called a ‘human’. When he sees gorgeous, delicate Leilani, though, all of his plans change. He wants more than just a marriage of convenience. He wants her forever, but only when she’s ready.

The post When She’s Ready appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Escaped convict Vordigar has been hiding out on Risda III. When he’s scooped up by law enforcement, he has two choices – he can be shipped back to the Haven prison system, or he can marry one of the locals. Piper is from an alien race called ‘humans’ and she needs a mate to help her protect her farm from aggressive neighbors.

Vordigar’s not interested in forever. Or marrying. Or settling down. He’ll go along with Piper’s plans just until he can get off planet…or so he thinks.

Because one night in Piper’s bed changes everything.

The post When She’s Married appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Life on a farm planet at the edge of the universe can be dangerous for a human woman alone.

That’s why I need a husband. ANY husband.

Unfortunately, all the men I approach keep running off. So I hire a bounty hunter to kidnap me someone capable and strong, someone who will scare off the creeps that are trying to move in on my territory.

It’ll be a marriage of convenience only.

I should have been a little more specific about who I wanted, though…because the intimidating and fierce praxiian male that the bounty hunter brings to me? The one with feline features, big arms and an even bigger…uh, farm?

He’s the problem I was hoping a new husband would scare off. What am I supposed to do now?

(Don’t ask him, because all of his suggestions are completely and utterly filthy and have nothing to do with a marriage of convenience.)

The post When She Purrs appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

He’s the biggest jerk in the galaxy.

I can live with being stuck on the far end of space. I can live with having to spend weeks on an abandoned station in an asteroid belt. Sure, I don’t belong, but I’ve got my book and my eight-legged attack cat with me. I should be fine.

I’m not fine.

My alien host, Jerrok, is a jerk. He’s surly and unpleasant. He hasn’t bathed in years. He’s part cyborg – and all those parts seem to be falling to pieces. He’s the one in charge of this remote station, which means we’re forced to interact. It’s an absolutely miserable situation for both of us…

…until I realize that all his anger and bluster is covering the fact that he’s thoughtful and understanding. He’s protective, too, keeping me safe when the bad guys approach. When I get hurt, he’s the one tenderly caring for my wounds.

Jerrok is also intensely, utterly lonely, just like me.

As time passes, I start to wonder…maybe where I belong isn’t a place…but a person.

The post When She Belongs appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

I never expected to spend my days as a dancing girl…but it beats the alternative. In the window of a filthy space station cantina, I gyrate my hips and hope for better days.

When I’m bought by the most intimidating alien on Three Nebulas Station, those better days are on their way. Zakoar of the Broken Back is a cyborg who deals in black market prosthetics. He’s terrifying to look at, with a metal jaw and a fearsome demeanor. He intimidates everyone in the galaxy…except me.

Zakoar doesn’t want my name. In fact, he doesn’t want anything from me…except a little bed sport. In exchange for my willingness, he’ll take me to a human-friendly planet where I can live unafraid.

Love isn’t part of the bargain, but every moment that I spend with him, I learn more about the male beneath the metal…

…and I’m suddenly dreaming of a very different happy ever after for myself…

The post When She Dances appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

On Risda III, it’s custom for women to marry for convenience. It provides safety and security in a universe that offers none for humans.

Me, I don’t really *need* a husband. I just want one. And I want one man in particular. There’s a new guy in town, a by-the-books military man named Rektar. Every day I show up to his office and flirt with him. I bring pies. I twirl my hair. I make it very, very obvious what I want.

Rektar is patient, and gentle for all his hulking form. He’d be a great husband. He’s also completely clueless that I’m flirting with him.

So it’s time for me to be a little bit bolder…

The post When She’s Bold appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Four Risdaverse Tales

The Alien’s Mail Order Bride
Ex-soldier Emvor doesn’t mind the quiet of his chosen life as a farmer. He doesn’t even mind that most nights are lonely on remote Cassa, but he does need help around his farm. A mail- order bride from his homeworld seems like the perfect solution. Unfortunately, the person that arrives is Nicola.

When She’s Married
Escaped convict Vordigar has two choices – he can be shipped back to the Haven prison system, or he can marry one of the locals. Vordigar’s not interested in forever. Or marrying. But one night in Piper’s bed changes everything.

Pretty Human
Varrik va’Rin is the lord of an ancient noble house and used to getting what he wants. So when he sees the strange, delicate human known as Milly, he decides he wants her. And he’ll do anything to have her, reputation be damned.

When She’s Bold
Lucy doesn’t really need a husband. She just wants one. Rektar is patient, and gentle for all his hulking form. He’d be a great husband. He’s also completely clueless that she’s flirting with him, so it’s time to be a little more…obvious.

*** This is a compilation of four previously published novellas in the Risdaverse series. It contains no new stories.

The post Risdaverse Tales appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Everyone says humans are safe on Risda III.

Yeah, right.

I was taken from Earth years ago and I’ve learned one thing – a flawed human is a dead human. So I keep my flaws to myself, and I focus on running my farm.

At least, I try to. But when I (accidentally) burn the barn down, one of the local officials shows up to help me put it out. And when Khex learns my secrets, he decides that he’ll keep them…

If I’ll go out on a date with him.

Oh, this is going to end badly.

The post When She’s Lonely appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Naomi has spent her entire profits from her farm’s yield for a fertility shot. She wants a baby to ease some of the loneliness of life at the edge of the universe. Unfortunately for her, the donor she had lined up can’t finish the job. What’s a lonely, ovulating human to do?

This one heads to the Port Custodial office and asks for help from the military custodian on duty.

Brawny but awkward Ainar isn’t sure why this human is insisting on needing his help for sleeping, but he’s happy to assist someone as delicate and pretty as the human colonist. And when he figures out what she really wants…well.

Surely this is a dream come true.

This novella is stand-alone, high-heat and low-angst, which means it’s pretty much awesome. You do not have to read other Risdaverse novellas in order to read this one (though characters from other stories will drop in).

The post When She’s Pregnant appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Homesteading on the remote farm planet Risda III can be lonely. So when I notice that my neighbor isn’t doing so well, I ask for help to give her a Christmas celebration to brighten her spirits.

Unfortunately, the person helping me is Sinath, the most infuriating male alien ever. He’s got a weird sense of humor. He doesn’t know what a Christmas tree is. He even tried to exterminate my pet rodent.

And he keeps staring at my mouth and yet refuses to kiss me. The nerve.

But Sinath is easy to be around, corny jokes and all. He knows just what my friend is going through. And he’s a surprisingly good snuggler.

This is either going to be a complete disaster…or the merriest holiday ever.

The post When She’s Merry appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

After being stolen from Earth, I learned that I could live each day in fear…or I could meet life head-on and unafraid. I chose the latter…

Which is why, when I find a terrifyingly huge cat-alien male hip-deep in my favorite fishing spot, I don’t run away in fear.

I introduce myself.

Is it reckless? Sure. But I’ve never met anyone quite like the feline Hrrrusek. And when I catch him marking my door as his territory, instead of calling for help…

I invite him in.

This instalove novella features a heroine who’s having fun being reckless and a hero who doesn’t know what hit him. All vibes, very little plot. Enjoy!

The post When She’s Fearless appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Being stolen from Earth has taught me that there’s nothing in this universe to be trusted. Not people, not promises. So I make sure that I’m prepared for the worst at all times. I fill my homestead with pit traps. I make weapons for fun. I avoid my friendly neighbors.

And I never leave my house if I can help it.

So when I find a deathly-ill cat alien on my living room floor, I do what any sensible human woman would do. I put a stun-stick to his jock and demand answers.

He should be scared. Terrified. So why is this idiot flirting with me?

This novella features a skittish weapon-loving heroine, a hero who loves her just as she is, and vibes. Just vibes. Enjoy!

The post When She’s Wary appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Pride Not Prejudice is a charity collection of 21, never-before-published, brand-new stories featuring and benefiting love and Happily Ever Afters across the gender and sexual identity spectrums. Proceeds from both ebook and paperback will be donated to four nationally renowned organizations in support of LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized and oppressed communities in the United States, including PLANNED PARENTHOOD, HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN, NATIONAL CENTER FOR TRANSGENDER EQUALITY and HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ADVANCING LGBTQ+ MEDICAL TREATMENT AND EQUALITY.

The following contributing authors are either NYT or USA Today bestselling or LGBTQIA+ or BIPOC own-voice authors who are allies, parents, or children touched by the need to read more romance where people of all identities and orientations find love.

Amalie Howard ~ April White ~ Camille Duplessis ~ Cynthia St. Aubin ~ Darynda Jones ~ Erica Ridley ~ Hildie McQueen ~ Jade Lee w/a Kathy Lyons ~ Janna MacGregor ~ Jennifer Ashley ~ Mila Finelli ~ Kerrigan Byrne ~ Kim Loraine ~ Kristan Higgins ~ Mira Lyn Kelly ~ Piper Huguley ~ Robyn Peterman ~ Rosalind James ~ Ruby Dixon ~ Sara Ney ~ Clare Rebecca McCarthy

Please note: **We are not affiliated with these charities, but are a collective of authors who hold human rights, dignity, and the ability to love and live without fear incredibly sacred.**

The post Pride Not Prejudice: A Romantic Charity Collection Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ Community appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

I am a bashful, dorky human woman — your average refugee on Risda III.

Haina is tall, blue, and magnificent. She is effortlessly confident, and her laugh is contagious. I might hide behind the candle section at the store in Risda’s port just to get a weekly glimpse at her when she makes her vendor runs.

I might be in love with her from afar. Someday I’ll get the courage to talk to her. Someday.

But fate steps in, and ‘someday’ turns out to be a lot sooner than I expected.

(This is a wlw short story that was previously published in the Pride Not Prejudice anthology.)

The post When She’s Shy appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

It’s lonely for an extrovert on Risda III, the human refuge on the edge of the universe. Maeve craves company and friends, but she knows she can’t keep harassing the locals for attention. What she needs is a pet to love on.

What she gets is…a stowaway. Sorta. Zhur is actually a praxiian prince on the run, and the cat alien needs a place to hide out. Maybe not this place, though, because it smells and it has animals and all his bespoke clothes are missing. He needs to get out of here

….Except he can’t, because he’s stranded without a credit to his name.

They’re going to have to work together to fix things. Luckily for Zhur, Maeve has a plan. Maeve always has a plan. Unluckily for Zhur, most of Maeve’s plans are bad.

…and this latest plan ends up with them being married?!?

The post When She’s Common appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Five years ago, an alien saved me from a cruel master. He rescued me and I fell in love instantly, only for him to turn around and dump me on Risda III.

I both love and hate him for that choice.

I’ve moved on and created a life for myself on this strange alien planet amongst the other refugee humans. I create things for them out of scrap, things from home, things that humans want and aliens don’t understand. I’m happy enough.

But then the alien I can’t forget…returns.

The post When She’s Handy appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Payton needs help on her farm. Heavily pregnant from a one-night-stand, she can’t manage all the manual labor and is supposed to be on bedrest. An alien man from a cat-like warrior race arrives on her doorstep with an offer to work for room and board. Bodhrri will get to stay on the planet, and Payton will get an extra pair of hands to help out until her babies (yup, plural) are born.

Tiny problem – he’s the father of her unborn children and he had no idea until now she was pregnant. Is this a secret baby plot?

(No, it’s secret BABIES.)

The post When She Wishes appeared first on Ruby Dixon.

Pamela loves her job on Risda III – as cook to Lord and Lady va’Rin, she is responsible for creating delicious meals. What better way to show her appreciation for her new life than a Thanksgiving feast?

Alien guardsman Toghar has adored Pamela in silence for years now. Is today the day to speak up? Or should he wait until she stops shoving her hand into that dead bird on the counter?

Will the holidays bring these two together? (The answer is yes, of course.)

This is a short, stand-alone story set in the Risdaverse featuring a human woman, an alien hero who has no idea what Thanksgiving is, and some stuff that probably shouldn’t happen in a kitchen, but does anyhow.

The post When She’s Stuffed appeared first on Ruby Dixon.