Nicky Penttila

Pickpocket overhears her own description-but they're talking about someone else. A missing rich girl. A reward. A ride up to the orbital station. Aino's been invisible so long she's forgotten what it's like to be seen. Now she has to become someone worth finding. Science fiction about belonging nowhere and everywhere. Also included in the collection There: Journeys to Imagined Realms

Eight stories where ordinary people discover extraordinary solutions. A preschool teacher protects children from dangers only she can see. A grad student misses a Metro train, and finds herself. A widow's grief transforms into a gift that seeds change. From a Michigan university library that has hidden depths to Maryland suburbs where justice arrives in cream-colored robes, these tales find magic in unexpected alliances and clever workarounds. For readers who believe the best resistance happens when people who "shouldn't" matter decide that they do. Nicky Penttila writes science fiction and fantasy about competent outsiders who find belonging in the most unlikely places-and change their worlds in the process.

Ex-military operative Mondrian Delacroix thought her days of high-stakes missions were behind her. But when the reclusive augmented humans of Arkhide come calling with a puzzle even they can't solve, Mon finds herself unable to refuse. The assignment seems straightforward: travel to an underwater base and assist with a perplexing linguistic challenge. For years, the Arkhideans have been detecting strange signals from the depths of their oceans-patterns that defy conventional analysis and hint at something far beyond their understanding. As a rare individual with the ability to Listen-to "hear" far beyond normal human range-Mon begins to sense something in the strange transmissions that others have missed. Something that could change everything. There's a world down here that no one in the Cooperative Realm has ever heard of. The Elders of Arkhide offers a fresh take on first contact stories in an immersive undersea world. Fans of Becky Chambers, C.J. Cherryh, and Julie E. Czerneda will love this novel.

Dive into the depths of The Elders of Arkhide and uncover an underwater world of intrigue and discovery Ex-military operative Mondrian Delacroix thought her days of high-stakes missions were behind her. But when the reclusive augmented humans of Arkhide come calling with a puzzle even they can't solve, Mon finds herself unable to refuse. The assignment seems straightforward: travel to an underwater base and assist with a perplexing linguistic challenge. For years, the Arkhideans have been detecting strange signals from the depths of their oceans-patterns that defy conventional analysis and hint at something far beyond their understanding. As a rare individual with the ability to Listen-to "hear" far beyond normal human range-Mon begins to sense something in the strange transmissions that others have missed. Something that could change everything. There's a world down here that no one in the Cooperative Realm has ever heard of.

Embark on a heartwarming journey through the life of Katla Sofiasdotter in this trilogy of novels set on the volcanic planet Arkhide. From curious child to reluctant hero, follow Katla as she navigates a world of advanced technology, synthetic humans, and the looming threat of galactic politics. Perfect for fans of character-driven science fiction and readers who enjoy exploring themes of belonging, resilience, and cooperation, 'Tales of Arkhide' offers a unique perspective on growing up in a world of cutting-edge technology and ever-present natural dangers.

When family loyalty clashes with interstellar diplomacy, one woman must gamble everything. Dagny Novak, chief communications engineer of Breaking Light, thought a trip to a space station theme park might heal her broken relationship with her adult daughter, Osa. But her worst fear comes true: Osa vanishes. Then the call comes. Osa's been kidnapped by a ruthless terrorist cell. Their demand: Dagny must betray her ship and crew-or lose her daughter forever. Caught between her love for Osa and loyalty to the mission, Dagny has no choice but to move forward with the voyage. But as Breaking Light ventures into uncharted space, the terrorist plot twists darker, and Dagny finds herself at the center of a galactic conspiracy. She races against time to uncover their true motives, all while the safety of an interstellar alliance teeters on the brink. With danger mounting, and secrets from her past surfacing, Dagny faces an impossible question: How far will she go to save her child?

When guests start dying in mysterious watery accidents at the glittering Valdes Underwater Resort, the indomitable Frankie and her loyal partner Spike dive in to investigate. As they navigate the resort's luxurious domes and high-tech corridors, they uncover a sinister plot threatening innocent lives. With time running out and suspects at every turn, Frankie must use her quick wit and tech-savvy skills to unravel the truth before another victim is claimed. Author Nicky Penttila seamlessly blends science fiction wonder with classic mystery intrigue in this page-turning adventure. Perfect for fans of Martha Wells and Lois McMaster Bujold, "Frankie Takes a Dive" is a rollicking, unforgettable journey filled with laughter, heart, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. Join Frankie and Spike as they dive headfirst into a world where cutting-edge technology and human greed collide, and nothing is quite what it seems.