The Empress of Mars by Kage Baker

"The Empress of Mars" is a 2003 science fiction novella by Kage Baker. It is about a woman who overcomes all sorts of obstacles to build an empire on Mars. Non-Spoiler Summary In A Nutshell: "The Empress of Mars" follows the story of Mary, the woman who owns the only bar in the settlement on Mars. That wasn't always her occupation, though, and as the story is told we learn that she has had a rough life - and learned to roll with the punches. Mary came to Mars as the xenobotanist for the British Arean Company - the corporation trying to make money by colonizing Mars the way they did the moon. However, after five years the BAC decided Mary was no longer of use and she was effectively stranded on the Red Planet. With a handful of loyal people she presses on and builds an empire on her own sweat and blood. Some pretty amazing things happen along the way that help her out, such as the ability to buy a field of barley, the discovery of valuable diamonds and an excommunicated Ephesian sister…