Rick Partlow

Go to war or go to jail.For small-time street hustler Cam Alvarez, the choice is simple. He has no family, no friends, no place in the world...nothing to lose. When his latest con results in the death of a cartel hitman, Cam opts to join the Marines and leave Earth to fight a vicious alien enemy. Drafted into the Marine Drop-Troopers, Cam discovers there's one thing he's even better at than running street-con games, and that's killing the enemy. Wrapped in an armored battlesuit, Cam finds purpose amidst the horror and destruction of the war, and the opportunity for a new sort of friends and family...if he can break the habits of a life spent alone, trusting no one. And, if he can survive...

The throne of Sparta is in Logan's grasp, but victory tastes like ashes. The Jeuta commander, Alvar, has ravaged Wholesale Slaughter's base on Revelation and taken Katy prisoner. He's holding her hostage to force Logan, the new appointed Guardian of Sparta, to come to them. Alvar hopes his death will throw the whole Dominion into disarray and confusion, making them ripe for invasion. The Spartan Council believes Alvar is right and don't want to allow Logan to sacrifice himself to save his wife and unborn child...and they definitely don't want him to take Sparta's most advanced ship, the Shakak, on the mission. Will Logan be able to sacrifice his family in service to Sparta as his father did? Or will he throw away everything he and Wholesale Slaughter have fought for to save the woman he loves?

A king can't defeat an army of lawless pirates... ...but a mercenary can. Logan Conner is the son of a king, the heir to the largest of the five star-dominions, and the best mech pilot in the galaxy. His people are plagued by pirates and raiders, surrounded by enemies, and not even his father can fight them all.

Seventeen authors imagine a future with thrilling tales, starships, unlikely heroes and exotic aliens all of which combine to make Future Days a must-read sci-fi fantasy short story collection.Featuring USA TODAY bestselling author Christopher Nuttall. Amazon bestselling sci-fi authors Rick Partlow and PP Corcoran and award-winning author RB Kelly, alongside rising stars in the sci-fi fantasy genre. The stories: The Good Citizen by Aline Boucher Kaplan. Out of work? Need to pay the bills? Don't worry the government is looking for a few good people to work in the colonies. And, oh yeah, its compulsory. Cell Effect by Christopher Cousins. Saiden has abilities. Abilities the government wants to weaponize. Only one thing stands in their way, Ret Saiden. Greener Pastures by Justin C. Fulton. When the line between a utopian virtual world and harsh reality become blurred, the choices we make can be fatal. Orbital Burn by David M. Hoenig. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Who would have thought convicted criminal Slade would be one of them? A Winter's Day by Edward Ahern. Ever-Young Cryogenics promise its clients a brief spell of life every decade. But, what happens when your family grow old and die, but you don't? Colony by Gunnar De Winter. In a hierarchical society decided by birth, instructions must be followed. Unless you are a radical and want to destroy the system. The Pink Shar-Ship Switcher by James Worrad. Jada is a businesswoman intent on climbing the corporate ladder by sealing a lucrative deal. That is, until a Being from another reality intervenes. Custodian by Johnny Pez. Only a special kind of person volunteers to stay awake during the long voyages between the stars while the rest of the crew sleeps. But what happens when he gets lonely? The Caller by Lisa Timpf. A job she hates on a world with too many problems. But what if she can escape to a new world and start again? Can she leave everything she knows, and loves, behind? The Trickle-Down Effect by Mark Lynch. Denton, a man who would do what needed to be done to survive in the 'Pit'. The lowest, dirtiest, crime ridden part of a mega city forgotten by the 'One Percenters' living in their luxurious towers. Jericho by Matthew William. A new world. Ripe for colonization. Pre-prepared by nanite Seedlings for the arrival of their human designers. But what happens when the designers become your God? Ghosts by award winning author RB Kelly. The storms bring the Seekers. Machines with one purpose, to bring death. Only sometimes death is not quite death. Mother by Amazon #1 bestselling author Rick Partlow. A mother's love is the strongest of all. Protect and nurture your children to your dying breath. Even if that means genocide. The Cull by Amazon #1 bestselling author PP Corcoran. Humanity has reached its peak. Genetic manipulation makes humans faster, smarter and stronger. But at what cost? The Rescue by Claire Davon. An Alien shuttle is downed. Lt. 'Dee' Delaney must find it and secure the alien survivors until help arrives. Easy. If Delaney can trust her own people. The Man-Eater by USA TODAY bestselling author Christopher G. Nuttall. Three ships vanished testing the new faster than light engine. A desperate scientist wants to prove his engine works. How? Why you steal it of course. Castrum by JCH Rigby. Sergeant Joel Edwards is wakened seconds before being dropped into combat. A faceless enemy. A nameless place. All he knows, is a cyborg is ready for anything.