Overview

In the aftermath of a chaotic gold rush and the resulting war, a mega-corporation emerges, seizing control of the nation’s gold and the technology produced from it. Those defeated scattered to the coasts, left to fend for themselves. The once vibrant California now contends with radiation, harsh elements, and bandits.

Cassidy moves to one of California’s last two surviving towns for one thing: to save her life. Suffering from a mysterious illness, Bell Valley is her last chance at finding a cure. Despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she’s drawn to the town and its locals. New beginnings are hard — even harder in the wastelands, and it doesn’t help that her enigmatic boss, Willa, wants nothing to do with her.

But as things start to change between the two of them, Cassidy is being tracked by a man with a dangerous bounty on her. Will she be able to save herself before it’s too late?

Stardew Valley meets Westworld in this emotional adventure in the wastelands.

Golden Ruin is a sci-fi/western with a slow-burn sapphic romance. This book is a standalone.

Tropes: found family, small town, forced proximity, dystopian landscape

TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING:
POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD:

This story contains the following topics and situations that might be difficult for some readers. If you have any questions, or would like specific passages to avoid, please reach out to me at [email protected].

Animal death – graphic, on page
Drug use – mentioned and on page
Chronic illness – core theme of the story
*Gun use – graphic, on page
Human death – graphic, on page
Sexual content – PG-13
Vomiting – on page

*This story depicts an alternate California to the one we know today, and as such, the people react to situations differently. While I chose to arm most characters with guns, I am strongly opposed to gun violence and the immense lack of gun control in America. Please do not take the narrative choices within this story to reflect my views on the matter; they are simply a factor of this harsher California I have created for Golden Ruin.