Encounters Series by Ann Somerville

Book 1 of the Encounters series Dinun can't fly--but he could be the answer to an Angel's prayer. Barely tolerated by his own kind, Dinun is a self-reliant soul who scratches out a living from the great, empty lands of Quarn. Always looking for unexpected treasure, he never dreams of finding an injured Angel. Moon belongs to a race of telepathic winged humanoids. Exquisitely beautiful, sexually playful, Angels have always fascinated humans... moreBook 1 of the Encounters series Dinun can't fly--but he could be the answer to an Angel's prayer. Barely tolerated by his own kind, Dinun is a self-reliant soul who scratches out a living from the great, empty lands of Quarn. Always looking for unexpected treasure, he never dreams of finding an injured Angel. Moon belongs to a race of telepathic winged humanoids. Exquisitely beautiful, sexually playful, Angels have always fascinated humans. Dinun's feelings for Moon take flight as they become lovers, but a planetary invasion could destroy their future together. Centuries ago, humans on Quarn saved their race from destruction by joining their DNA with that of the Angels. Now full-blood humans are stealing Angel children--including Moon's son--for barbaric experiments. The full-bloods are prepared to slaughter anyone who gets in their way. Thrust into a desperate race against time to save the infants, Dinun and Moon must battle against a people with weapons far beyond anything the Angels--or their human friends--can hope to defeat. Dinun brings to the fight his bravery and a determination to be true to himself. Will that be enough to save the children, and win the Angel he's come to love? less

Second chances are one in a million. Encounters, Book 2 Kine Raelne and his crew came to Quarn on a desperate, illegal mission to try to save his home planet. Captured and condemned to death for their crime, he and two other mission survivors are offered a chance to redeem themselves—and to go home, if they’re lucky. But it means working with a bunch of Quarnians who have every reason to distrust them... moreSecond chances are one in a million. Encounters, Book 2 Kine Raelne and his crew came to Quarn on a desperate, illegal mission to try to save his home planet. Captured and condemned to death for their crime, he and two other mission survivors are offered a chance to redeem themselves—and to go home, if they’re lucky. But it means working with a bunch of Quarnians who have every reason to distrust them. Suaj qel Gwan knows what it’s like to be the outsider, and he has more cause than most to hate Raelne and his kind for what they did. Suaj’s telepathic ability might mean he has to work with the offworlders, but it doesn’t mean he has to like it. As they learn to work together to achieve their goals, Raelne and Suaj find within each other a reason to reach beyond their ingrained prejudice. But there are others who would use their fragile trust to achieve their own ends… less

Three novels form the complete 'Encounters' series in this anthology. All previously published.Genetically engineered winged humans —'Angels— were hunted almost to extinction, but now live safe and wild on Quarn, untroubled except for the occasional fossicker like Dinun qel Noto... moreThree novels form the complete 'Encounters' series in this anthology. All previously published.Genetically engineered winged humans —'Angels— were hunted almost to extinction, but now live safe and wild on Quarn, untroubled except for the occasional fossicker like Dinun qel Noto. In 'On Wings, Rising,' Dinun's encounters with one very unusual Angel, Small Moon, sets the scene for more interactions between the races, which might lead to the salvation of both - or their destruction - when the Angels are attacked by offworlders, with tragic consequences.In 'Reaching Higher', the defeated invaders can never go home. But when one, Kine Raelne, chooses to work with his captors, he finds his life and his world view turned upside down by the enigmatic and brilliant chimeric human, Suaj qel Gwan. Will enemies become friends? And where will that lead?In 'Bound To Fall', Kine Raelne is settling well into his new life, working for Quarn to improve life for its people.Dinun isn't faring so well. Life with the Angels can be hard for a weak human, however much in love he is with Moon.The arrival of visitors from Rael's former home, throws everything and everyone into confusion. They offer opportunites, hope - and second chances. How can Rael and Dinun refuse?But there are more terrors to space travel than the risk of an exploding ship, and Rael, Suaj, Dinun and Moon find themselves caught up in political manoeuvrings which threaten them all. less

Encounters:Book 3. Kine Raelne is settling well into his new life, with his new lover, working for Quarn to improve life for its people. Dinun isn't faring so well, linving with the Angels, however much in love he is with Moon. The arrival of visitors from Rael's planet offers opportunities and hope, but they are caught up in dangerous political machinations threatening them all.