Tantalus Series by M.A. Abraham

Twenty ships have left the gravitational field of the Earth with the intention of colonizing Mars. Each is independent of the other and set to become domed cities upon landing. The mission is simple: go forth to develop the new planet, make it an extension of our home. Well, it sounded simple. No one expected life on Mars to be easy, they are pioneers and that is a type of life that comes with dangers... moreTwenty ships have left the gravitational field of the Earth with the intention of colonizing Mars. Each is independent of the other and set to become domed cities upon landing. The mission is simple: go forth to develop the new planet, make it an extension of our home. Well, it sounded simple. No one expected life on Mars to be easy, they are pioneers and that is a type of life that comes with dangers. What they didn’t expect was for the settings of one of the ships to be off enough to miss their landing, to miss the very planet they were meant to settle. Even more astounding was to find another planet within a three-week travel period that lies in the shadow of the red planet. It is where they will land, where their ship will unfold to become a domed city. Where life is dangerous in a hostile land and they find unexpected help. The indigenous winged people of the planet don’t live on the surface of the planet, they live in cities in the clouds, but they are willing to extend a welcoming hand to those who have come to their land, as well as teach them what they can to survive. Their relationship begins with three words. “Welcome to Tantalus.” less

As the inhabitants of Tantalus work together to create a new home, the Arc Royal travels closer to the planet. No one is surprised to find out that the man that they call the Witch Hunter is on board and in command, although not visibly so. He doesn’t wait very long to make his presence known.The Tantalarians continue to do what they can to help their new neighbors, including guarding those in need from danger... moreAs the inhabitants of Tantalus work together to create a new home, the Arc Royal travels closer to the planet. No one is surprised to find out that the man that they call the Witch Hunter is on board and in command, although not visibly so. He doesn’t wait very long to make his presence known.The Tantalarians continue to do what they can to help their new neighbors, including guarding those in need from danger. While this happens, new friendships develop, old ones strengthen and the two species begin to form more meaningful bonds. That doesn’t stop those who will not accept change to cause trouble for the others. The Witch Hunter is in the background adding to the animosity and the confusion.Lieutenant Nobel greets her sister, but her sister’s eyes are glued on Synric, not her son, as Julia thinks they should be. Synric is not very pleased with the sudden attention, but his actions speak louder than words. She doesn’t know that he has been ordered to befriend her sister and it makes her wonder, is the man she is falling in love with what she believes, or is she making a mistake by trusting him less

The Sociopath, who has been wrongly labeled ‘the witch hunter’, is focusing on those who have psychic powers. He has challenged the wrong people, though he doesn’t seem to realize it. He has issued an edict to the Tantalarians, demanding that they bow to his will. That will never happen. One Tantalarian, in particular, feels he has an axe to grind with this 'witch hunter'. The man has mentally attacked him, singled out the woman he has chosen for his future mate for extermination or worse... moreThe Sociopath, who has been wrongly labeled ‘the witch hunter’, is focusing on those who have psychic powers. He has challenged the wrong people, though he doesn’t seem to realize it. He has issued an edict to the Tantalarians, demanding that they bow to his will. That will never happen. One Tantalarian, in particular, feels he has an axe to grind with this 'witch hunter'. The man has mentally attacked him, singled out the woman he has chosen for his future mate for extermination or worse. He will not rest until his foe is dead, the game lines have been drawn, the war is on. He might be new to this form of fighting, for he is young, but he knows how to protect his own. He has nothing to lose but his life, for until the one he loves is safe from the madman, he will cling to nothing.Adele, a young Earthling, has connected with one of the Phoenixes and bears it’s protection. The bonding between them is bringing changes, both mentally and physically that no one expected. She has also fallen in love with the young Tantalarian Hunter, Terec.Adele, agrees with Terec's decision to go after the ‘witch hunter’, but has other ideas when it comes to his other plans. She knows how dangerous his plans are, but not his real reasons. As she prepares to fight at the side of the man she loves, she can only wonder, who will win, and who will lose? less

The Tribunal Elder has lived through more millenniums than he cares to think about. He is not the type to shirk his duties. He is a force to reckon with; yet he is known to be a kind man. To settle a dispute between the Martians and the Human, he will travel to Mars. Before he returns home, this problem will be settled, one way or another. The message from the Martians is clear, remove the settlers from the surface of their planet, or they will die... moreThe Tribunal Elder has lived through more millenniums than he cares to think about. He is not the type to shirk his duties. He is a force to reckon with; yet he is known to be a kind man. To settle a dispute between the Martians and the Human, he will travel to Mars. Before he returns home, this problem will be settled, one way or another. The message from the Martians is clear, remove the settlers from the surface of their planet, or they will die. The Tribunal Elder soon discovers there is more to this than those who are in command know about, for the act that precipitated this action had multiple events. Someone is working in the background, manipulating forces, to create a power struggle between the two species. Will he allow the Tantalarians be pulled into a conflict that they have and want nothing to do with? less

Karia can barely stand to be around herself, never mind others. She has been confined to the Aerie, until after the birth of her child, but there are limits to what she can do to pass the time.Mitchell understands, although there is little he can do about it. He doesn’t have the time to deal with her moods and needs... moreKaria can barely stand to be around herself, never mind others. She has been confined to the Aerie, until after the birth of her child, but there are limits to what she can do to pass the time.Mitchell understands, although there is little he can do about it. He doesn’t have the time to deal with her moods and needs.Erin, remembers what it was like for her, when she had carried Karia, but the requirements of her position with the new inhabitants of Tantalus, due to Karia’s pregnancy, is taking up every moment she has to spare.Only one, Alena, seems to know what to do to soothe her granddaughter as she enters the final stages of her pregnancy. She enters the room, sits by Karia’s chair and begins to speak: “Let me tell you of a very young Tantalarian girl, a handsome young Tantalarian Guardian and the love they shared.” less

Kyllan, the Tribunal Elder, is not happy with the idea of taking the mother ship to Earth to save the remaining Sirens that have asked for help. There is no help for it. He has given his word to the Siren Queen and she will hold him to it. First, they must make a few stops along to way, to right some wrongs.Kyllan couldn't have foreseen the trouble a simple trip that should have only taken a couple days to make could cause, but then again the people on Earth had never been easy to deal with... moreKyllan, the Tribunal Elder, is not happy with the idea of taking the mother ship to Earth to save the remaining Sirens that have asked for help. There is no help for it. He has given his word to the Siren Queen and she will hold him to it. First, they must make a few stops along to way, to right some wrongs.Kyllan couldn't have foreseen the trouble a simple trip that should have only taken a couple days to make could cause, but then again the people on Earth had never been easy to deal with. What makes it more complicated is that there is an Earth Warship on its way to Mars and perhaps even to Tantalus.Word has spread amongst those that are being persecuted on Earth and they are reaching out to Kyllan for help in their most desperate hours. The gifted, like Adele, are being exterminated and, those that are not are being used in brutal, inhumane fashions. He is tempted to turn his back and walk away, leaving them to their plight, but cannot find it in his heart to say no. This triggers a private war between the members of his crew along with their allies on Earth, and a crime lord on Earth. It is time for the Tribunes Waterford and Vasalon to shine, which they do in stellar fashion. The Tantalarians are not alone in their fight though, for neither the Sirens nor those on Earth that are being saved intend to be left out of the game.Will they manage to win the battle waging on the surface of Earth? And will they get back to Tantalus in time to protect their own planet? less