Planet Seekers

Escaping Earth is only step one. Dr. Marina Spitzer, botanist extraordinaire, is on a mission to save humanity-which is faltering on the edge of extinction after the nuclear fallout of WWIII decimated half of the Earth. If she can work with the small team of space explorers searching for a new home for the survivors, she'll have helped ensure her nieces and nephews are able to have a future. Geologist Dr. Leonardo Federici is no less ambitious, even if his chosen field makes Rina suspect he has rocks rolling through his head. Especially once he makes it clear that he's attracted to her-physically, intellectually, and emotionally. But the team only has three days on TaoRuti 3 to determine whether to recommend the planet for colonization. There's no time for emotional distractions as planetary instabilities catch everyone off-guard, with fatal results. If they can survive this mission, Rina might have a future with Leo, but first they have to weather a planet that's fighting dirty.

Going home is never easy, especially when you have uncontrolled new powers and an impossible mission assigned by a snarky planet. A week ago, they were catapulting through space. Five days ago, they discovered the beauty of TaoRuti Three, answering the prayers of a beleaguered Earth. Three days ago, TR3 shoved them through an interplanetary wormhole to insure no further planetary rapists were deployed. To say that Drs. Marina Spitzer and Leonardo Federici are under the gun might be an understatement. Adding to the mess, they need to discover why Phoenix, Inc. has erased all record of their team's triumphant departure a mere few years ago, and how a mysterious shadow cabal has gained overwhelming political power back on Earth. And there's the uncomfortable, unstated deadline from the sentient planet TaoRuti Three hanging over their heads. They both saw how deadly she was when she didn't like what she was seeing, so the clock is ticking. Assistance from any corner would be helpful. Or would it?