A lonely settler and a cynical cyborg make a discovery that could change everything they know about Mars - and each other.

After a year on Mars, Ellie is thrilled with how much progress she’s made on her homestead - although she can’t deny it gets lonely at times. Her only visitor is a big cyborg ranger who insists on keeping his distance.

When she finds an impossible little creature lurking in her lichen - a creature who shouldn’t exist - she should be terrified. Instead, Henry turns out to be a delightful companion, and she’s determined to keep him hidden from the ruthless corporation controlling Mars.

L-485 takes his responsibility as a ranger very seriously - especially when it comes to a certain pretty little settler. He knows she’d never be interested in a gruff, older cyborg, but that doesn’t stop him from watching over her.

When he realizes that Ellie is hiding a potentially dangerous secret his duty is clear - but how can he betray her trust? Can Henry bring two lonely people together as they try to solve the mystery of his existence?

Each book in the Cyborg on Mars series can be enjoyed as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy science fiction romance is intended for mature readers. A version of this story was previously published in the Pets in Space 8 anthology.

Published
August 17, 2025
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Cyborgs on Mars

The series

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On the scarlet plains of Mars, survival is more than a test of strength, it is a measure of what it means to be human. Engineered from the remnants of war, the cyborgs of Mars were designed to endure isolation, harsh landscapes, and the weight of their own power. Decades later, their world has become both prison and sanctuary, where the line between machine and heart grows ever thinner.

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Everything changes when humans from Earth arrive, sparking desire, conflict, and the chance for connection that the cyborgs long thought impossible. As loyalties are tested and secrets unravel, each encounter forces them to confront the emotions they suppressed for survival and the freedom they never imagined they could have.

Blending high-stakes science fiction with romance, the series immerses readers in a Martian colony filled with danger, intrigue, and passion. The stories explore identity, resilience, and the cost of freedom in a world where love may be the ultimate rebellion.

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