Genre:
Science Fiction Romance
Themes:
Age Gap
Enemies to Lovers
Fake Relationship / Marriage of Convenience
Rich Girl / Poor Girl
Slow Burn
Heat Level:
Hot & Steamy (full, graphic description of sexual acts occurs and may include crude language)
Archetypes:
Billionaire
CEO / Executive
Teacher / Professor
Geographic Location:
United States
Space / Other Planet or Universe
Setting:
Castle / Manor / Estate
Corporation / Office / Workplace
Spaceship / Space Station
Sexual / Gender Identity:
Lesbian
Trigger/Content Warning:
consensual sex but one character's motive is not based on love
Touched By Starlight
By Linda North
Can love grow when marriage is a business deal?
In 2098, humankind is traveling throughout the solar system.
“I want to develop light speed spaceships capable of taking us out of our solar system and to the stars.” This is Kiernan O’Shay’s dream. Before she can do this, she must fulfill stipulations in her late grandmother’s will to marry and produce an heir before her fortieth birthday. This will give her control of Stellardyne, the lead manufacturer of space freighters, and the resources she needs. At thirty-eight, Kiernan’s time is running out.
Twenty-five-year-old Ariel Thorsen, a physics professor, is introduced to Kiernan at a dinner celebrating her mother’s recent promotion at Stellardyne. Later, after a tour of Kiernan’s spaceship, Celeste, Ariel is shocked when Kiernan offers monetary wealth if she will marry her and bear her heir. “Marriage should be based on love and respect.”
Kiernan is not accustomed to anyone telling her no.
When Ariel’s mother is accused of industrial theft, Ariel feels she has no choice but to accept Kiernan’s proposal if charges aren’t brought against her mother.
How can love and respect grow when trust isn’t in the equation?