National Network for Equitable Library Service

Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil are not really sisters, even their surname is invented since Great Uncle Matthew (GUM) adopted each of them on his various fossil-hunting trips.

Twelve humans are left stranded on a wintry alien planet. I'm one of them. Yay, me. In order to survive, we have to take on a symbiont that wants to rewire our bodies to live in this brutal place.

As one of the few humans stranded on the ice planet, I should be happy that I have a new home. Human women are treasured here, and one alien in particular has made it clear that he wants me.

The ice planet has given me a second lease on life, so I'm thrilled to be here. Sure, there's no cheeseburgers, but I am healthy and ready to be a productive member of the small tribe.

My tribesmates don't understand her. The other humans think she's weak. But no one knows my mate like I do. They don't see her gentle heart or her brave spirit. I know why she struggles.

Nora says she's happy. Dagesh isn't so sure. He loves his pretty human mate and wants nothing more than to bring a smile to her face . . . so she'll go running into his arms.

I might be the only unmated female in my tribe, but it doesn't mean I've given my heart. I'm waiting. I want resonance, and I won't settle for anything less.

I've never spent a day without my mate since arriving on the ice planet. I'm happy and in love, and we have a beautiful child together. All that changed when the world shook. My mate nearly died.

Seasons ago, I resonated to the quietest of tribesmates, a male content to love me from afar while I was the center of attention. We could have been happy.

You'd think a tall woman would fit in on a planet of seven-foot-tall aliens, but even on the ice planet, I'm still a weirdo and an oddity.

"Resonance" is supposed to be a dream-that's when your soulmate is chosen for you. And everyone on the ice planet has hooked up with a big, hunky soulmate of their own . . . except me.

It's hard being the most popular girl on the ice planet. The alien men are falling all over themselves to impress me in the hopes that I'll take them to my furs.

For seasons, I have waited for her-my perfect mate. In a tribe full of happy couples, I am alone. But I am not content to remain this way.

Bad day? Try mine on for size. Rogue slavers have landed on the ice planet and captured the tribe. The only ones not snatched?

Marlene's not like the other humans. They weep while she smiles. They look at us with fear, while she entices me with a come-hither look. I ...