She was an impossible dream until fate made her my reality. Now, I’ll risk everything to save her. Laura: I had braced myself for a life of grim darkness, confined in a chilly cell as alien scientists turned me into their latest lab rat. Their twisted experiments aimed to produce a baby from my eggs. But then, they shifted gears and crammed a hulking alien into my cell. The ultimatum? Mate willingly, or they’d “make” him do it, anyway. As their powerful drugs swirled in my veins, my body screamed yes, but my mind cringed. Fear and doubts were my companions. Would I really give myself to an alien? Yet the instant his eyes met mine, I sensed the seismic shift my life was about to experience. But… Would this alien be my savior or my executor? Akira: I was relishing the thought of some well-earned shore leave. The mission looked easy: deliver the target and claim the bounty. But complacency was my downfall. They caged me with a human. A female, no less. Her scent filled the air, triggering a reaction from deep within me. I felt the pull of fate, and my primal urge to shield her from harm and claim her came roaring to life. As time ticked away and enemies closed in, nothing mattered except keeping her safe. And I’d do whatever it took to make her realize—she was mine! The Mercenary’s Embrace is a steamy, full-length sci-fi alien romance with a happy ending and no cliffhangers. This book is the prequel to a romance series that takes us to a galaxy featuring a spunky heroine who discovers her courage in the shadows and a protective hero who knows what he wants and snags it without a second thought. If you find yourself caught in Akira’s gravitational pull. Resisting is not just futile. It’s pointless. Give in and enjoy the ride!

It’s been said that software is eating the planet. The modern economy—the world itself—relies on technology. Demand for the people who can produce it far outweighs the supply. So why do developers occupy largely subordinate roles in the corporate structure? Developer Hegemony explores the past, present, and future of the corporation and what it means for developers. While it outlines problems with the modern corporate structure, it’s ultimately a play-by-play of how to leave the corporate carnival and control your own destiny. And it’s an emboldening, specific vision of what software development looks like in the world of developer hegemony—one where developers band together into partner firms of “efficiencers,” finally able to command the pay, respect, and freedom that’s earned by solving problems no one else can. Developers, if you grow tired of being treated like geeks who can only be trusted to take orders and churn out code, consider this your call to arms. Bring about the autonomous future that’s rightfully yours. It’s time for developer hegemony.

Cyber Mercenaries explores the secretive relationships between states and hackers. As cyberspace has emerged as the new frontier for geopolitics, states have become entrepreneurial in their sponsorship, deployment, and exploitation of hackers as proxies to project power. Such modern-day mercenaries and privateers can impose significant harm undermining global security, stability, and human rights. These state-hacker relationships therefore raise important questions about the control, authority, and use of offensive cyber capabilities. While different countries pursue different models for their proxy relationships, they face the common challenge of balancing the benefits of these relationships with their costs and the potential risks of escalation. This book examines case studies in the United States, Iran, Syria, Russia, and China for the purpose of establishing a framework to better understand and manage the impact and risks of cyber proxies on global politics.

Ever since the French Revolution and the rise of the rise of national armies, the mercenary has been viewed as a maligned and marginalized actor in international relations. The Mercenary challenges this view, suggesting instead that while delegated to the periphery of Great Power politics, the mercenary remained a coercive instrument of state power who was willing to discretely promote the client's foreign policy when called upon to do so. Never has this been more evident than today. This book offers fresh insight into the future of the mercenary as an instrument of state coercion and explains why there is a mercenary renaissance in the 21st century. The start of the 21st century has seen renewed interest in the mercenary from across the political spectrum. The growing reliance by the US, Russia, and China on military and security contractors suggests that the mercenary remains a key player in International Politics, now emerging from the shadows to help expand state influence on the world stage by serving as an important actor in the conduct of conflict and the winning of small wars. Far from being marginalized, the future of the mercenary is set to be increasingly active.

A runaway bride finds refuge in her captor’s arms in this stirring medieval romance from the USA Today–bestselling author of The Conqueror’s Lady. Brice Fitzwilliam is finally paid his due. Awarded the title and lands of Thaxted, the warrior waits to claim his promised virgin bride. But Gillian of Thaxted will be no man’s prize! She will not submit to the conquering knight’s powerful physique, dark, piercing eyes or the bold way his arm drapes protectively over her at night . . . Brice thought he would pleasure his new wife out of duty—but it’s become a nightly pleasure of his own! Now he risks exposing a chink in his armor if he succumbs totally to his bride . . . Praise for Teri Brisbin “With her usual superb sense of characterization and exceptional gift for creating sizzling sexual chemistry, Brisbin fashions a splendidly satisfying medieval historical.” —Booklist “An historical romance author of note and a shining star within the Harlequin Historical writers.” —The Romance Readers Connection “Ms. Brisbin continually delivers highly satisfying romances.” —Romance Reviews Today

“Intensely vivid story of war and the peculiar breed of warriors who fight in 21st-century Africa . . . and tribute to an extraordinary comrade-at-arms.” —Kirkus Reviews In February 2002, British journalist James Brabazon set out to travel with guerrilla forces into Liberia to show the world what was happening in that war-torn country. To protect him, he hired Nick du Toit, a former South African Defence Force soldier who had fought in conflicts across Africa for over three decades. What follows is an incredible behind-the-scenes account of the Liberian rebels—known as the LURD—as they attempt to seize control of the country from government troops led by President Charles Taylor. In this gripping narrative, James Brabazon paints a brilliant portrait of the chaos that tore West Africa apart: nations run by warlords and kleptocrats, rebels fighting to displace them, ordinary people caught in the crossfire—and everywhere adventurers and mercenaries operating in war’s dark shadows. It is a brutally honest book about what it takes to be a journalist, survivor, and friend in this morally corrosive crucible. “A classic story of intrigue, greed, and violence in one of the most dysfunctional countries in the world. It is a gripping story that I couldn’t read fast enough.” —Sebastian Junger, New York Times–bestselling author

In a universe where magic exists, the natural societal progression of various species has been radically altered. Humanity has split into two main factions. The Arc Alliance uses a type of energy developed from magic to power all sorts of technological marvels. Then there is the Holy Empire of the Eternal Light, which relies on the power of their god and the miracles that it allows them to perform. The two factions are currently at war with each other and have been so for three hundred years. However, both sides have agreed to specific rules, so fighting is contained in a contained area known as the War Belt. It is on an Alliance-controlled planet within the War Belt, where the main character lives. Mordred is a young woman in her early twenties who works as a mercenary. As she was abandoned as a child and forced to live on the streets, along with the planet she is on, Outlier is a very impoverished planet. There was little other work she could do. She also has another reason for being a mercenary: finding her father, who disappeared seventeen years ago. After a complicated mission, Mordred finds herself entangled in the schemes of forces much larger and more powerful than she could possibly imagine. She encounters many allies along the way, but the lines between friend and foe start to blend, as things are not exactly what they seem. Mordred is faced with many challenges and will be forced to confront herself, along with the reality she resides within. As the drums of war grow louder and tensions start to rise, Mordred will be forced to decide that will affect everything she knows.

A COST IS ALWAYS PAID… Nikolai Reed is a trader on a Lyran JumpShip plying the space lanes… Chloe Mason is a hot-shot tech with the Hsien Hotheads mercenaries… Leaving the Northwind Highlanders, MechWarrior Ryana Nikol fills a billet with the Eridani Light Horse… Disparate lives, but a unified dream that will bring them all together on a fateful course that will span decades, cover hundreds of light years, and involve love, friendship, and loss across a dozen worlds. Each will pay a price along the way, as a cost always comes due. The Mercenary Life anthology is a compilation of stories written by Randall N. Bills. Including tales from several different characters as they cross paths, and the dream to found a new mercenary command is born. Their unique lives showcase the struggles and trials of the men and women who take up the mercenary mantle from a variety of angles, all bound around that central vision. The first eight stories of this anthology were originally posted for free alongside the release of MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, acting as the origin stories for the mercenary command within that computer game. This is the first time they have been compiled into a single volume to allow for a Print on Demand physical copy. Additionally, an all-new ninth story has been added—The Sun Will Rise—along with postscripts for every story that gives the reader insight into how stories are crafted within a shared universe between tabletop, computer games, and fiction that spans more than thirty years and tens of millions of words.

Tyler Ramsey's mission was to follow the trail ofMontebello's missing crown prince to Montana,not to guard a pampered princess. But whenPrincess Anna Sebastiani insisted on joining thesearch for her brother, Tyler became her reluctantbodyguard. Keeping track of the regal virginwasn't nearly as challenging as fighting theexplosive and unexpected attraction betweenthem. When the fierce Montana winter left themsnowbound, the result seemed inevitable. But therugged mercenary's sworn duty was to protectthe princess—even from himself….

Keep your friends close... But your enemies closer? In order to find a legendary treasure map, mercenary Louve of Mei Solis must infiltrate his enemy’s fortress under the guise of a servant. There, Louve meets beautiful maiden Biedeluue, a fellow servant with her own hidden agenda...to save her sister from the malevolent lord’s clutches! Their high-stakes missions may be at odds with one another, but their attraction cannot be denied even in this most dangerous of situations... From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past. Lovers and Legends A clash of Celtic passions Book 1: The Knight’s Broken Promise Book 2: Her Enemy Highlander Book 3: The Highland Laird’s Bride Book 4: In Debt to the Enemy Lord Book 5: The Knight’s Scarred Maiden Book 6: Her Christmas Knight Book 7: Reclaimed by the Knight Book 8: Her Dark Knight’s Redemption Book 9: Captured by Her Enemy Knight Book 10: The Maiden and the Mercenary