Adam Gaffen is the award-winning author of the Cassidyverse, a near-future, hopepunk science fiction universe. It begins with The Cassidy Chronicles, spans the interstellar conflicts of The Artemis War, and continues with the high-stakes adventures in The Ghosts of Tantor and the newest Cassidyverse novel, Tracking Tantor. His latest release, Embers of Eternity, masterfully bridges his science fiction and fantasy universes, delivering a captivating crossover event.

In addition to the Cassidyverse novels, his works include two collections of short fiction, a middle-grade novel, a technical manual, and the heist thriller The Vault & The Vixen. Adam also explores romantasy with the Godsfall trilogy, all of which share threads with the Cassidyverse.

A celebrated indie author, Adam has received honors from Writers of the Future, Colorado Authors League, Go Indie Now, AllAuthor, Read Free.ly, and the Drunken Druid. His books have ranked among the Top 25 Indie Books three years running: Triumph's Ashes (2021), The Ghosts of Tantor (2022), and The Heart of Space (2023).

He resides in Colorado with his wife, a household of furry companions, and a perpetual wonder at where all the time goes.

Adam Gaffen is the award-winning author of the Cassidyverse, a near-future, hopepunk science fiction universe. It begins with The Cassidy Chronicles, spans the interstellar conflicts of The Artemis War, and continues with the high-stakes adventures in The Ghosts of Tantor and the newest Cassidyverse novel, Tracking Tantor. His latest release, Embers of Eternity, masterfully bridges his science fiction and fantasy universes, delivering a captivating crossover event.

In addition to the Cassidyverse novels, his works include two collections of short fiction, a middle-grade novel, a technical manual, and the heist thriller The Vault & The Vixen. Adam also explores romantasy with the Godsfall trilogy, all of which share threads with the Cassidyverse.

A celebrated indie author, Adam has received honors from Writers of the Future, Colorado Authors League, Go Indie Now, AllAuthor, Read Free.ly, and the Drunken Druid. His books have ranked among the Top 25 Indie Books three years running: Triumph's Ashes (2021), The Ghosts of Tantor (2022), and The Heart of Space (2023).

He resides in Colorado with his wife, a household of furry companions, and a perpetual wonder at where all the time goes.

The Vault & the Vixen by Adam Gaffen

When veteran thief Dakota Chase plans her last big heist, retirement is the dream—but it's anything but easy money. Recruited by her charismatic partner, Kal, for a score that promises freedom, Dakota and her crew face an impossible target: the Mafia's most secure stronghold, holding enough wealth to rewrite the balance of power. With time running out and a motley crew of specialists—including a hacker prodigy, a daring driver, and a newcomer with a mysterious past—Dakota must navigate betrayal, her own moral code, and an unexpected spark of romance.

As the stakes escalate, this found family of criminals must pull off the impossible: outsmarting an army of enforcers, navigating the shadows of organized crime, and staying one step ahead of their own checkered pasts. Packed with high-octane action, razor-sharp wit, and a tantalizing slow-burn attraction, The Vault and the Vixen delivers a pulse-pounding heist with heart. Can Dakota take the score and keep her crew alive—or will their greatest heist be their last?

 

REVIEWS

  • "The Vault & The Vixen by Adam Gaffen is a heist/crime novel with romantic suspense and with a contemporary urban setting. It's a slow start, but the plot pulls you in and keeps you invested in Dakota and the heist crew. And what a crew it is!"

    – Amazon review
  • "This was a great book, great mystery, great read. I found it was well written, easy to follow, great plot, relatable characters"

    – Amazon review
  • "This is group of people trying pull off a heist on a grand scale. The views/beliefs this book can be question your moral possibility but it is a little bit of plot. The characters are ones you could easily be friends with. The characters are good and the storyline got me from the start."

    – Amazon review
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

1: The Best Laid Plans

"Don't worry; my plans hardly ever f*ck up." Kal's voice echoed in the dimly lit bar, a confident proclamation that should have sent shivers down my spine. Instead, I remained rooted in my spot, my natural skepticism overshadowed by the promise of easy money.

I really should've known better. After all, Kal's track record with crazy ideas was as reliable as a politician's promise during an election year. Yet there I sat, mesmerized, ready to follow her lead. That's when I should have run, but no, I didn't have enough sense. Instead, I gave her a look.

"What? Dakota, how long have we known each other?" Kal's eyes gleamed with a mischievous twinkle, daring me to doubt her once again.

I gave it a few seconds' thought, tracing the lines of our shared history through the haze of memory. "Um. About five years. Maybe six. Most of it seemed to make some sort of sense at the time. Why?"

"Have I ever gotten you into trouble?" Kal's question hung in the air like a dare, challenging me to refute her impeccable track record.

I paused, weighing the evidence in my mind. "No, I suppose not. Nothing permanent, at least."

"So? You should trust me now." Kal's grin widened, her confidence unshakeable in the face of my lingering doubts.

I sighed, resigning myself to the inevitable. "Tell me how this is going to work again."

"It's simple, really," Kal began, leaning in closer as if divulging the secrets of the universe. "We hit the location, grab the emeralds, and make a clean getaway. Piece of cake."

I raised an eyebrow skeptically. "And what about the security guards, the alarms, the inevitable police presence?"

Kal waved away my concerns with a dismissive flick of her hand. "Don't worry about that. I've got it all figured out. Trust me, Dakota. This is foolproof."

Famous last words, as they say. But at that moment, surrounded by the familiar scent of stale beer and the distant hum of the city outside, I allowed myself to believe her. After all, what could possibly go wrong?