Clecanian Series by Victoria Aveline

Being kidnapped by aliens is only the start of Jade's problems. Thankfully, her rescuers, an alien race known as the Clecanians, are willing to protect her, but she has to stay on their planet for one year and respect the rules of their culture--including choosing a husband. Jade refuses at first but decides to play along until she can find a way back to Earth. Theo, a scarred mercenary who prefers a life of solitude, is stunned when Jade selects him as her husband... moreBeing kidnapped by aliens is only the start of Jade's problems. Thankfully, her rescuers, an alien race known as the Clecanians, are willing to protect her, but she has to stay on their planet for one year and respect the rules of their culture--including choosing a husband. Jade refuses at first but decides to play along until she can find a way back to Earth. Theo, a scarred mercenary who prefers a life of solitude, is stunned when Jade selects him as her husband. After years of being passed over, he never imagined he would be chosen and neither did anyone else. Only one explanation makes sense…the curvy enticing female must be a spy, and Theo’s determined to break her cover using any means necessary. As Jade and Theo are forced to spend time together, their chemistry becomes undeniable. But neither can afford to bring love into the equation, especially since Jade seems determined to go home. After all, she can't possibly stay here, right? less

Luka has spent his life researching fertility in the hopes of discovering a cure for the Clecanians’ low birth rates. After years of working tirelessly with little progress, he becomes enraged when he uncovers a sinister plot to abduct compatible species from their home planets. But before he can tell anyone what he’s discovered, he’s captured, drugged, and thrown in a cell... moreLuka has spent his life researching fertility in the hopes of discovering a cure for the Clecanians’ low birth rates. After years of working tirelessly with little progress, he becomes enraged when he uncovers a sinister plot to abduct compatible species from their home planets. But before he can tell anyone what he’s discovered, he’s captured, drugged, and thrown in a cell. It’s just Alice’s luck that when she finally begins to get her life on track, she’s kidnapped by reptilian creatures and forced into a cell with a fierce incoherent alien for some kind of breeding experiment. Even though they aren’t able to communicate, Alice and Luka find solace in each other’s company. As the days drag on, it becomes harder to keep her heart locked away, until she can’t help but wonder what a life with Luka might look like outside their dark prison. When an opportunity to free herself, Luka, and the other human prisoners presents itself, Alice takes it. Once free, can Alice and Luka’s tenuous relationship survive on this planet? Will the evil men that held them prisoner ever see justice? And can they play a part in the rescue of the other women being held captive around this strange new world? Alice knows only one thing for certain—her life will never be the same again. less

When Lily is freed from alien captivity, she refuses to wait for rescue—or recapture. She’ll take her chances in the forest. Navigating the exotic terrain won’t be easy, but it beats the alternative. Then, an enormous alien falls into her camp and makes her question everything. He’s rude, grumpy, and annoyingly sexy. Trusting him would be a mistake. And yet…the idea of leaving him behind hurts way more than it should... moreWhen Lily is freed from alien captivity, she refuses to wait for rescue—or recapture. She’ll take her chances in the forest. Navigating the exotic terrain won’t be easy, but it beats the alternative. Then, an enormous alien falls into her camp and makes her question everything. He’s rude, grumpy, and annoyingly sexy. Trusting him would be a mistake. And yet…the idea of leaving him behind hurts way more than it should. Verakko was supposed to liberate the kidnapped humans, then return home to fulfill his obligations. Getting dropped into the forest at the feet of the most confounding female he’s ever met was not on the agenda. So, he’ll help her, then they’ll go their separate ways. That’s the plan…until he starts to suspect that Lily is his mate. She doesn’t trust easily. He has secrets and responsibilities he can’t avoid forever. Only one thing is clear. If Lily and Verakko want their happily ever after, they’ll have to fight more than the dangers of the forest to get it. less

Alejandra is a survivor. So far, she’s lived through abduction, a near drowning, and being lost in an alien forest. She thought things were finally starting to go her way when the most intense, grumpy, and insanely tempting man she’s ever seen rescues her from a monster. But sadly, that’s just when everything gets even more complicated. Auzed has his orders. He is to find the missing human and deliver her to Tremanta. Getting caught trespassing in Sauven territory was not part of the plan... moreAlejandra is a survivor. So far, she’s lived through abduction, a near drowning, and being lost in an alien forest. She thought things were finally starting to go her way when the most intense, grumpy, and insanely tempting man she’s ever seen rescues her from a monster. But sadly, that’s just when everything gets even more complicated. Auzed has his orders. He is to find the missing human and deliver her to Tremanta. Getting caught trespassing in Sauven territory was not part of the plan. Neither was pretending to be the sexy beauty’s fiancé to protect her from forced marriage to a Sauven stranger…but here they are. Their relationship was supposed to be fake. But it’s not long before they start to wonder if true love and a happily ever after is possible for two star-crossed opposites. And if it is…just how far are they willing to go to claim it? less

She’ll do anything to get home. He’ll do anything to keep her with him, forever…. Vanessa doesn’t have the luxury of building a happily ever after on a new planet like her fellow alien abduction survivors. She must get back to Earth. Her family needs her, and she can’t afford to let them down again. So, she’ll find a way to break Clecanian law and get home—even if she has to marry (and betray) a sexy space pirate to do it... moreShe’ll do anything to get home. He’ll do anything to keep her with him, forever…. Vanessa doesn’t have the luxury of building a happily ever after on a new planet like her fellow alien abduction survivors. She must get back to Earth. Her family needs her, and she can’t afford to let them down again. So, she’ll find a way to break Clecanian law and get home—even if she has to marry (and betray) a sexy space pirate to do it. Fejo can’t believe his luck when Vanessa, a gorgeous human with a sharp tongue, chooses him as her husband. He doesn’t know what he did to win her favor, but he’s determined to do everything in his power to make her happy. If only he could figure out why his alien bride is so reluctant to accept the kindness—and pleasure—he’s so eager to offer. Vanessa’s plan was simple. Until she started falling for her ridiculously charming husband. Now, she has to figure out how to get home without breaking Fejo’s heart—or her own. Easy, right? less

Turns out crash-landing into love is possible…. Katie is content with her post-alien-abduction life. Not only has she found work as a royal attendant, but her current assignment on a galaxy cruise is enjoyable, too…until the ship is brought down by a malevolent species. Now she must rescue her friends and escape a hostile planet—all by herself. Then she crosses paths with a sexy stranger who changes everything…. Forced labor in an enemy prison camp was nowhere on Maladek’s agenda... moreTurns out crash-landing into love is possible…. Katie is content with her post-alien-abduction life. Not only has she found work as a royal attendant, but her current assignment on a galaxy cruise is enjoyable, too…until the ship is brought down by a malevolent species. Now she must rescue her friends and escape a hostile planet—all by herself. Then she crosses paths with a sexy stranger who changes everything…. Forced labor in an enemy prison camp was nowhere on Maladek’s agenda. But his own troubles will have to wait. Because against all odds, his mate is here. Now he has to focus on getting her to safety—and convincing her that fated mates are real. It would all be so much easier if he had more experience being a hero…. The circumstances are dire. Their timing couldn’t be worse. Even if they manage to escape their captors, is a happily ever after possible for Katie and Maladek? They’re about to find out…. ***This novella was originally published in the 2022 charity anthology Claimed Among the Stars, but now features two all-new bonus chapters and an epilogue. less

Being kidnapped by aliens and whisked away to another planet isn’t always a bad thing…. Meg isn’t like the other alien abduction survivors. She doesn’t missmuch of anything from her former life—least of all her deadbeat husband. Her Clecanian rescuers gave her a fresh start, and she plans to enjoy it. Being recognized as a mate is not on her agenda. Too bad a grumpy, possessive, and all-kinds-of-sexy alien has other plans for her…. Maxu never expected to find his fated mate... moreBeing kidnapped by aliens and whisked away to another planet isn’t always a bad thing…. Meg isn’t like the other alien abduction survivors. She doesn’t missmuch of anything from her former life—least of all her deadbeat husband. Her Clecanian rescuers gave her a fresh start, and she plans to enjoy it. Being recognized as a mate is not on her agenda. Too bad a grumpy, possessive, and all-kinds-of-sexy alien has other plans for her…. Maxu never expected to find his fated mate. But he recognized Meg at first sight. Sadly, she’s not as pleased with the match as he is. She’s guarded in a way he doesn’t entirely understand and pushes him away at every turn. Meg can run, but she soon realizes there’s nowhere to hide—not from a hunter like Maxu. But that doesn’t mean she’ll give in easily. If he wants a happily ever after with her, he’ll have to fight for it. Good thing he’s not above playing dirty. less

Sophia never thought she was unlucky until she was kidnapped by aliens. Twice. .. Sophia had simple expectations for her planetary tour. She assumed she’d see the sights, meet new people, and fend off her boredom. She never thought she’d end the trip as an alien captive. But here she is, the guest of a grumpy, sexy, warrior king who looks at her like he’s not sure if he wants to kill her, or claim her as his own…. Sikthand hadn’t planned to take the stubborn little human hostage... moreSophia never thought she was unlucky until she was kidnapped by aliens. Twice. .. Sophia had simple expectations for her planetary tour. She assumed she’d see the sights, meet new people, and fend off her boredom. She never thought she’d end the trip as an alien captive. But here she is, the guest of a grumpy, sexy, warrior king who looks at her like he’s not sure if he wants to kill her, or claim her as his own…. Sikthand hadn’t planned to take the stubborn little human hostage. But with political tensions at an all-time high, he had no choice. He would unflinchingly use her as a bargaining chip to secure better relations with the new Tremantian ruler. He would not, however, fall prey to her charms. No matter how tempting she might be…. When Sophia and Sikthand realize how far their enemies are willing to go to grab galactic power, they’re forced into an unlikely alliance—and possibly a marriage of convenience—to protect their people. It’s a good plan, too…if they don’t do anything irrational along the way. Like falling in love…. less

Catching the bewitching beauty was easy. Keeping her? That’ll be more challenging…. Being kidnapped by aliens was bad enough. But participating in a contest where she’s chased down (quite literally) and forced to marry the demon who caught her? That was a nightmare. Or so Aurora thought. But when the giant, horned warrior who catches her turns out to be unexpectedly sweet, she’s forced to rethink everything…. Rhaego hadn’t intended to catch Aurora... moreCatching the bewitching beauty was easy. Keeping her? That’ll be more challenging…. Being kidnapped by aliens was bad enough. But participating in a contest where she’s chased down (quite literally) and forced to marry the demon who caught her? That was a nightmare. Or so Aurora thought. But when the giant, horned warrior who catches her turns out to be unexpectedly sweet, she’s forced to rethink everything…. Rhaego hadn’t intended to catch Aurora. He was supposed to win a different abducted human on behalf of her fated mate. But one look at her stole his breath along with all his best intentions. He’s never wanted anyone the way he wants her. Still…how could he expect a divine female like Aurora to stay with a blight like him once his mission is complete? Gathering the abducted humans and smuggling them out of his homecity, Tuva, will be no easy feat. When it’s all said and done, can Rhaego and Aurora turn their marriage of convenience into a happily ever after? less