Ice Wine: Love on Ice, #2

By Jo Carey

Aliens need love too, and they all enjoy a nice glass of wine.

Karinth Murchison is a smart, gorgeous young woman who has spent the past ten years learning everything there is to know about ice wine and comparing every man she dates to her brother's best friend when she was eighteen. When her life takes a turn for the disastrous, she seeks the help of her wealthy and powerful brother not expecting to cross paths with his elfling friend on Ice.

Cochise Johnson is looking forward to the grand opening of Ice, the resort developed by his best friend. As Ice's security chief, he patrols the resort looking for trouble and finds more than he bargained for in his best friend's baby sister who's now all grown up.

Can Kari make all her dreams come true on Ice?

Welcome to Ice, the flash-frozen third moon of the planet Zavaroff. Ice has been developed as a resort focused on Ice related activities—ice climbing, ice skiing, ice sled racing. The resort and village are completely enclosed for the comfort of Ice's citizens and visitors. Step through the Erdexi Transport Sphere and meet the people who live, work, and fall in love on Ice.

Ice Wine is the second book in a series of short sweet science fiction romance novels--Love on Ice. If you like romance stories set in a future world populated by humans and quirky alien species, you'll enjoy Love on Ice. 45 pages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Carey
• Release date: Apr 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386749264

Jo Carey

Jo Carey grew up in the Midwest but her curiosity and gypsy-spirit has kept her on the move. She's lived in eight US states and spent three years living in Ireland. She has always loved creature movies, so creatures and bugs often show up in her books. Jo, a former information security compliance guru, writes fast-paced, character-driven stories in a variety of genres from medical thrillers to space operas and cozy mysteries. Her novels are filled with humor, romance, and sometimes creatures or aliens, or maybe even all of the above. She often builds her stories around a strong female lead character surrounded by plenty of hunky male heroes. Jo's been under fire on a golf course and climbed out the roof of an elevator in the Netherlands. Life hasn't been boring. Now residing in Texas, setting often plays a huge role in her stories. Jo was intrigued by the League of Planetary Systems, a world her husband, Frank, created for his science fiction books, and she now writes mysteries and other types of tales sets in that world. Jo was bitten by a cat, a fire ant, and a snake, before succumbing to the bite of the writing bug.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

So, are you going? Kimara asked, when Karinth laid her communicator on the table.

I'd love to. I can't believe my big brother is getting bonded. I never thought he would. He's only ever really seemed to care about work, Karinth said. Her big brother was Leo Murchison, an Erdexi Alpha and one of the richest men in the League of Planetary Systems. But I can't take time off right now. The ice wine is ready. I just have to figure out how to approach Mr. Vachus about it. 

Sounds to me like a little bit of your brother's focus on work might be in your DNA too. She poured herself a mug of tea and held it up to Karinth. Want another?

No thanks. I need to get to work. I want to check on my test cask before the staff meeting this morning. I'm having lunch with D'nal. He's pushing me to have Mr. Vachus sample it. I just can't figure out how to do that.

How are the wedding plans going with his parents? Kimi asked.

D’nal’s mother is taking over.

You don't seem all that into it, so maybe it's a good thing.

Maybe. Gotta run. Have a good day.

CHAPTER TWO

Is it true? Kiry asked, sliding into the booth next to Cochise.

Hi, Kiry. It's nice to see you too, he said, leaning in and kissing her.

Don't try to distract me. This is big news.

I know I'm a great kisser, but I don't think a press release is a good idea.

Stop teasing. Is it true that Leonidis Murchison and Jewlencia Pope are getting bonded?

That's what I heard. Let's order before they get too busy. With the Wave 2 arrivals, Ice is a lot more crowded than when there were just a few of us.

I need details. This is huge. How did this happen so quickly? Did they know each other before?

Kiry, order dinner, and I promise to share what I know, but I warn you, it isn't all that much.

Ice's chief of security had gotten involved with the civic administrator soon after they both took up residence on Ice. There were very few people living on the moon full-time at that point. Kiry was an attractive Tralaskan female, and he was a muscular elfling—half earth human, half elf. The two had been dating, though Cochise didn't see it as a long-term thing. He got the impression that Kiry had agreed to go out with him only because they were at similar levels on the Ice org chart. Their dates were pleasant enough, but there were no fireworks, at least for Cochise.

As soon as their dinner plates were cleared away by the waiter, Kiry turned to him with an expectant look on her face. He remained silent.

You promised, she said, crossing her arms over her chest like a petulant child.

He raised the white linen table cloth to peek underneath.

What are you doing? she asked.

Just checking, he grinned. He half suspected to see her tapping her foot with impatience.

As they enjoyed coffee and dessert, Cochise shared what little he knew of Leo's plans for the bonding ceremony. Kiry asked a million questions, but Cochise had no answers to give. He was a little irritated by her insistence that he should have let her know if Leo was looking for a mate. Why? You're dating me not Leo Murchison, Cochise said, downing the last of his coffee.

Well, yeah, but I didn't realize Leo was looking for someone. According to the information I read about him before I took the job here on Ice, he hasn't been dating lately.

Were you interested? Cochise asked.

"In Mr. Murchison. Of course not, but then who wouldn't be at least a little. I mean he owns this moon and has more money than... well... anyone