Karri Thompson | A Mother and a Virgin? How Is That Possible?

Cassie Dannacher is the mother of three daughters by two different fathers, and she’s never met two of her three children. On top of that, she’s still a virgin. How is that even possible?

It’s possible if you’re living in the year 3025, and at seventeen you’ve been artificially inseminated twice, one pregnancy resulting in twins. That was Cassie’s fate.

With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Cassie knows she was the only person who can save humanity by taking on the role of a brood mare in the Van Winkle Project, but by doing so, many ethical questions are raised.

Is it right to give birth to daughters, knowing that they, too, will be expected to follow their mother’s lead and at puberty and through artificial insemination, provide society with daughters who will be required to do the same? And if the daughters resist and don’t initially comply, should they be considered unruly and selfish? And if they simply refuse to join the project, should they be forced to participate?

Cassie is in a relationship with, Michael Bennett, the father of her twins, and throughout MIRROR X, book one in the Van Winkle Project series, and book two, ASCENDANCY, releasing on December 1, 2015, these unanswered questions continue to plague their romance.

In the thirty-first century, Cassie is the only female on the planet with reproductive capabilities. While she was unconscious and unbeknownst to her, she was artificially inseminated twice. Once Cassie was “awakened,” she and Michael grow close, since he is also the geneticist assigned to her care. Being a member of the team and privy to the Van Winkle Project, Michael knew about the medical procedures performed upon Cassie while she was unconscious, but following the orders from his superiors, he doesn’t tell her. Again their romance is plagued, but this time it is through lies and deceit.

As the Van Winkle Project continues in ASCENDANCY, Cassie makes choices based upon her own integrity and scruples. Due to the ethical issues raised in MIRROR X and the troubled romance between Michael and Cassie, reader opinions will most likely continue to be at one extreme or the other.

Should Cassie love and trust the hot and intelligent doctor, Michael Bennett, or should she continue to be leery of him? After all, he is the father of two of her children. Should this even be a factor?

Michael and Cassie do share the same vision when it comes to reforming the Van Winkle Project and continuing the program under their own terms. In ASCENDANCY, they work toward making that happen. Michael genuinely loves Cassie, but since her feelings toward Michael are not as strong, she’s not sure if she should take their relationship to the next level.

The road to freedom, fertility, and romance was rocky in MIRROR X. It’s even more turbulent in ASCENDANCY. But through every twist and turn, the reader will still be asking themselves: A mother and a virgin? How long will that last?

About Karri Thompson

Karri Thompson grew up in San Diego County and attended San Diego State University, graduating cum laude and earning a bachelor's degree in English, a master's degree in education, and her teaching credential. She is a high school English teacher and lives just east of San Diego with her husband, son, and two dogs. Her debut novel, Amateur Angel, was released on May 1, 2012. In her free time, she likes to jog, ski, and travel, but writing novels is her greatest passion.

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About ASCENDANCY

I’ll never let them control me...

I’ve been lied to, deceived, and manipulated—again. You’d think I’d be treated with dignity and respect. I’m the one who’s supposed to save humanity, right? I’m the one with the power to re-populate this dying world. But the clones want to control me, force me to give birth over and over again. And my daughters will face the same fate— unless I change it.

My awakening into this future should have been a chance for a new life, but it just promises a living death. With Michael on my side, though, maybe I can save us. He’s the only person I can trust.

I hear rumors of others... A secret society is growing. Tension is building.

A rebellion is imminent.