Darling Undesirables

The Darling Undesirables — first in the series, takes place in a post-steampunk world where dark energy has been harnessed by a reclusive genius known as "Father Inventor" — revered by man, reviled by more. Energy problems solved, humanity becomes obsessed with unlocking the secrets to eternal life. Unrestricted genetic experimentation has produced a population of parentless children — the Darling Undesirables. Named for their missing body part, each Darling Undesirable is pampered and indulged, with the most charming — or physically haunting — becoming popular media pets. The most adored Darling Undesirable is 15-year-old Heart. She dreams of escaping with her friend, Eye and her beloved clockworks horse. But first she must save her father, Father Inventor, and the world he brought into being from the evil forces of The Purists, intent on destroying everything he ever accomplished.

Fall in Love with a Star.... Heart, a girl of fifteen, lives in a world of madness and grace, where test-tube babies are propagated to discover the secrets of Eternal Life. Left as a foundling on the doorstep of a Darling Undesirables facility, alive and healthy – without a heart! – she has always loved stars. Her first love is Caffau's star, 13 billion years old, in the Heart of Leo, one of the oldest and most mysterious stars in the Universe. Her destiny is set into motion when a Being of Light comes to her from Caffau's star. With a voice of wind chimes, he takes her on a journey through the Universe and teaches her that the Power of the Universe is shaped by the Power of Love. The Heart of Leo is the novella prequel to The Darling Undesirables and includes chapter one of The Darling Undesirables.