Crimson Sash Series

Behind the beauty is heartache... unless their love can save them.   Neve Hall has always admired the good works of the civil servants who brought prosperity back to the Nation. She especially respects the Sufferers—empaths who, with the help of technology, anonymously bear others' troubles for them.   But when her assigned empath is abruptly retired, she uncovers certain secrets. Like the identity of her new Sufferer, Micah Ward... and the fact that behind his kind smile is a life filled with loneliness and pain. The closer Neve grows to Micah, the more desperate she becomes to protect him from a cruel and gruesome fate. But in a world where only a few are allowed the luxury of love, saving Micah comes with a price: Neve must choose between her loyalty to the Nation or her heart—a decision that will take them both on a race for their freedom, and their lives.

They thought their troubles were over … but they've only just begun.   For Neve Hall and Micah Ward, the New Republic has always represented more than its legends of snowflakes and butterflies. It has also meant hope—and the freedom to love. But reality differs from their dreams. Living in a shelter for refugees, the pair must convince their immigration case manager that they are worthy of citizenship. Failure means deportation back to the Nation—and their deaths.   But assimilating isn't easy—especially when tensions between the Republic and Nation flare. Before long, Neve and Micah find themselves at the epicenter of the conflict, kidnapped and held hostage by Sans Murs, a group of radicals who won't surrender until the Nation meets their demands. Sans Murs has named its terms, but the Nation has one of its own: Micah's return. Torn between two worlds, are they fated to unravel?

Beyond the broken wall, a fire has begun to burn …   Outside the refugee center in Kébec Village, the border wall separating the New Republic from the Nation continues to crumble. On one side, Neve Hall and Micah Ward are Sans Murs operatives, documenting cases of the Nation's human rights violations as escapees arrive. On the other, Isla Pryce has begun a ruthless mission to purge the Nation of Sufferers who, like Micah, have been unfaithful to their vows.   Then she arrives: Blythe Thatcher, a mysterious young woman on the run from Isla's vicious Inquisition Board. In Blythe, Neve sees a way to help Sans Murs further its cause-and rid the Nation of its callous Suffering system once and for all. But when the Nation uncovers their plan, the struggle that started as a flicker quickly turns to fire, and only Neve and Micah can extinguish the flame.