Is compromise possible? #MFRWhooks

Triple Burn 
by Holly Bargo 

A lengthy and increasingly unnerving interview lands Ursula a job as the event planner at a foreign embassy. Not until the government hustles her off to a different planet does she realize just how foreign that embassy is. When the U.S. ambassador hands over one of her coworkers during her first event as collateral to seal a trade agreement, Ursula breaks out of the embassy, determined to find a way back home before she, too, can be used as a bargaining chip in this world desperate for females.

What she doesn’t know as she navigates the unfamiliar streets of a totally alien culture and climate, is that she already caught the attention of a native warrior triad in a land where women are coddled and kept, yet prized above all else. They take her, elated to have obtained their collective heart's desire. 

What they don’t know is how fiercely independent a woman from Earth can be. Disoriented, confused, and not a little angry at the way these three overbearing, dominant, sexy warriors take over her life, she wants to go home, but soon discovers this job was a one-way ticket courtesy of the United States government. If she can’t go back, she must go forward. Can she retain her identify and adapt to life on this new world with the three warriors who’ve claimed her as their mate? Is compromise possible between a woman used to controlling her own life and three warriors steeped in a culture that forbids it?

Excerpt 

“Do you have family back home?” She pursed her lips against a giggle, because saying “back on Earth” felt absurd. 

“No, ma’am. I’m an orphan. All military personnel stationed here are.”

“What about those who aren’t military?”

“The government prefers orphans, ma’am, for this posting.”

She sighed at his stiff formality. “Do you think you could call me something other than ma’am? It makes me feel old.”

A smile twitched at the corners of Corporal Logan’s mouth before he answered, “It’s against regulations, ma’am.”

“Of course, it is.”

The guard paused and stood at attention. “Enter here, ma’am.”

The door slid open.

“Thank you, Corporal.”

He nodded. Ursula wondered whether it was against regulations or protocol to salute a civilian. “I’ll fetch you in sixty minutes, ma’am.”

“What if I’m finished eating before then?”

“Then please wait for me, ma’am.”

She nodded and entered the room. Of the dozen people in the room, about half looked up, three smiled, and one rose from his chair and approached. Hand outstretched, he bared all his teeth and greeted her. The silver at his temples shined under the overhead lights.

“You’re recovered from your journey, Miss Cartwright. We’re so glad to see you up and about.” He clasped the hand she extended in polite response to his overture. “You might not remember me: I’m Ambassador Hamilton. You were a little woozy when we first met. Welcome to Uribern!”

He gave her hand a brief shake accompanied by a tight squeeze that made Ursula want to flinch. She maintained a pleasant expression, murmured a noncommittal response, and endured the momentary pain of the bully for whom she’d be working. She also ignored the way his gaze raked over her.

​Pig.