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I’m visiting my daughter and her Stryxian mate for the holidays, but a certain gorgeous merchant has thoroughly captured my attention. I thought I was well past these fluttery feelings, but Rixen ties my tongue in knots and makes my heart pound. He keeps to himself, but when we team up to prepare the settlement for the upcoming festival, I know the sparks fly in both directions. But how do I get a grumpy alien to admit his feelings for me?
Rubi is lovely in every way, but the feisty human female isn’t planning on staying on Stryxia. Her home is on Earth. I’ve no interest in a brief romance. I want Rubi as my mate, permanently, but that isn’t on her agenda. Still, I agree to work with her on the upcoming human-Stryxian festivities. When one of my transports, carrying supplies to my settlement, is disabled out on the Sanrous plains, I head out to repair it. In a moment of weakness, I invite Rubi along for the ride. It shouldn’t take more than a day, after all. But the problems with the transport ship are a little more complicated than they appear. It seems Rubi and I are in for a bumpy—and very surprising—ride.
Holidate With an Alien is a collaboration of some of Science Fiction Romance's best authors! Our Holiday present to our fun, steamy, romantic adventures that revolve around one or more holidates! Read them all in any order. Honey Phillips, Ava Ross, Ella Maven, Ella Blake, Tana Stone, Rena Marks, and Alana Khan. Curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy!
Rubi is lovely in every way, but the feisty human female isn’t planning on staying on Stryxia. Her home is on Earth. I’ve no interest in a brief romance. I want Rubi as my mate, permanently, but that isn’t on her agenda. Still, I agree to work with her on the upcoming human-Stryxian festivities. When one of my transports, carrying supplies to my settlement, is disabled out on the Sanrous plains, I head out to repair it. In a moment of weakness, I invite Rubi along for the ride. It shouldn’t take more than a day, after all. But the problems with the transport ship are a little more complicated than they appear. It seems Rubi and I are in for a bumpy—and very surprising—ride.
Holidate With an Alien is a collaboration of some of Science Fiction Romance's best authors! Our Holiday present to our fun, steamy, romantic adventures that revolve around one or more holidates! Read them all in any order. Honey Phillips, Ava Ross, Ella Maven, Ella Blake, Tana Stone, Rena Marks, and Alana Khan. Curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy!
105 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2023
309 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 19, 2023
Holy guacamole! What a sweetheart of a story. And imagine my total shock to read a story with a mature older couple as the leads. It's like finding unicorn tears.
I think I love the most that this couple, while definitely mature, weren't described with a series of ailments, old folks complaints, and other highly ageist details. I really dislike that. Mature spicey romance is super rare, and to find it along with the recognition that mature doesn't mean no longer sexually viable is truly unusual. I'd do a great deal to find more mature spicey romance that's done like this one. Yes, older people are passionate, they do have smoking hot sex, and they aren't out of the game!
This is a cool story with a nice, contained plot and some action in addition to the passion. Lovely.
I think I love the most that this couple, while definitely mature, weren't described with a series of ailments, old folks complaints, and other highly ageist details. I really dislike that. Mature spicey romance is super rare, and to find it along with the recognition that mature doesn't mean no longer sexually viable is truly unusual. I'd do a great deal to find more mature spicey romance that's done like this one. Yes, older people are passionate, they do have smoking hot sex, and they aren't out of the game!
This is a cool story with a nice, contained plot and some action in addition to the passion. Lovely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2023
Loved that the MCs were in their 50’s!!
But I wanted more couple drama or development…it felt a little too rushed and I really could have done without the drama of how they were going to get back home.
But I wanted more couple drama or development…it felt a little too rushed and I really could have done without the drama of how they were going to get back home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2023
Rixen
I love the Stryxian series and this book takes place in that world. I'm always excited to read books with older MFCs. They have their own set of issues to deal with that are very different than younger MFCs. As the MFC says, “I was an older lady with a few extra pounds and a sassy attitude, who didn’t look menacing at all.” In the future I'm interested to see if all these awesome romance authors figure out how to write about things like menopause, and not breeding babies, and having heavier bodies and aching knees, and experience. There are so many older males in these alien abduction romances who are looking for love too. Who doesn't deserve first, second, or even third chances?
I love the Stryxian series and this book takes place in that world. I'm always excited to read books with older MFCs. They have their own set of issues to deal with that are very different than younger MFCs. As the MFC says, “I was an older lady with a few extra pounds and a sassy attitude, who didn’t look menacing at all.” In the future I'm interested to see if all these awesome romance authors figure out how to write about things like menopause, and not breeding babies, and having heavier bodies and aching knees, and experience. There are so many older males in these alien abduction romances who are looking for love too. Who doesn't deserve first, second, or even third chances?
September 10, 2024
An older human lady (Rubi's about to become a grandma!) and an older alien male (Rixen's an alien silver fox, imo) finally stop dancing around one another and YESSSSS. To be fair, they had some baggage they had to unload before they could get all relationshippy and there was maybe a little, tiny sandstorm that forced them to spend additional time together and possibly there was a little bit of danger during their forced confinement but THERE WAS ALSO ONLY ONE BED and I like that.
So. Rubi is visiting Stryxia to be there for her daughter when she has her kiddo. Rixen likes Rubi (and vice versa), but her temporary visit has him pulling back because he doesn't want to have to say goodbye. Rubi's in the same boat (metaphorically speaking). She gets a little fluttery around Rixen, but his stoic demeanor has her thinking he's not interested. Which is FAR from the truth.
So when Rubi joins Rixen on a little retrieval mission, they have a chance to get to know one another as two mature, consenting people might do. What they didn't count on was a sandstorm, a critter hiding in the bowels of the ship they're retrieving, and another critter who could cause a lot of damage in its attempt to escape. Throw in some steamy looks and ONLY ONE BED and YESSSSSS.
Not going to lie, I liked this one a lot. And Rixen's delighted shock at the idea of his ready-made family was just ADORABLE. GOOD STUFF!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
So. Rubi is visiting Stryxia to be there for her daughter when she has her kiddo. Rixen likes Rubi (and vice versa), but her temporary visit has him pulling back because he doesn't want to have to say goodbye. Rubi's in the same boat (metaphorically speaking). She gets a little fluttery around Rixen, but his stoic demeanor has her thinking he's not interested. Which is FAR from the truth.
So when Rubi joins Rixen on a little retrieval mission, they have a chance to get to know one another as two mature, consenting people might do. What they didn't count on was a sandstorm, a critter hiding in the bowels of the ship they're retrieving, and another critter who could cause a lot of damage in its attempt to escape. Throw in some steamy looks and ONLY ONE BED and YESSSSSS.
Not going to lie, I liked this one a lot. And Rixen's delighted shock at the idea of his ready-made family was just ADORABLE. GOOD STUFF!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
July 16, 2024
This is the first time I have read this author, to be honest I started reading this because the first book in the series was by Honey Phillips. But I enjoyed reading this book by Ella Blake. And I love the idea that the female lead in the book was an older woman, how to find love just like all the young women in these books.Rubi was on the planet that her daughter now lives on because she is mated to one of their males. So much has happened on that planet that they welcome the human females, especially those that can produce children. Ruby had planned on being able to stay on the planet just to visit, because if you are not mated when your time limit is up, you have to leave. Last time she was there she met Rixen. an older gentleman, alien, of the planet that had never had a mate before. He knew right away when he spotted her that she was the one, and every time she came to visit, he wanted her. They finally get together and find themselves stranded, as you can imagine one thing leads to another and add a little danger in there, and Rubi will be staying on the planet with her daughter and new granddaughter. and now all the residents of that planet are experiencing their first Christmas with all the human women. What a great happily ever after.
November 29, 2023
Just an observation but I think most alien races would be extinct if it wasn’t for human females being able to reproduce. However, in this story the FMC is in her fifties and no longer a candidate for breeding. Rubi is visiting her daughter, who is pregnant (natch) and her daughter’s mate. She has visited before and had felt a mutual attraction with an alien procurer named Rixen. This time it is close to Christmas and the human females are bound and determined to celebrate.
Rixen has been kept busy filling the orders for heretofore unknown Christmas decorations. His transport ship breaks down and the pilot flees, claiming he in in fear for his life. Rixen and Rubi head out on what is supposed to be a day trip to fix the ship and return home. It turns out two alien beings had stowed away and are what caused the damage. The alien namaste is a nice touch.
Rixin and Rubi are stranded because of the extensive repairs needed and an incoming storm. What to do, what to do... Let’s just say that Rubi will not be returning to earth.
Rixen has been kept busy filling the orders for heretofore unknown Christmas decorations. His transport ship breaks down and the pilot flees, claiming he in in fear for his life. Rixen and Rubi head out on what is supposed to be a day trip to fix the ship and return home. It turns out two alien beings had stowed away and are what caused the damage. The alien namaste is a nice touch.
Rixin and Rubi are stranded because of the extensive repairs needed and an incoming storm. What to do, what to do... Let’s just say that Rubi will not be returning to earth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
I'm a bit late to the party with reading this cozy Xmas read (since it's mid January now), but it sure did hit the spot - expect all the warm and cozy feels you can imagine to get from this short (but not too short!) and sweet Christmas time romance set on an alien planet where human women that mated there are preparing to celebrate holidays. And there's even plenty of snow :-). Usually these short novellas are lacking flesh in order to get into it fully. Well, not this one, this one was just right and it did what it set out to do wonderfully. Another good thing, and I can't stress this enough - was to finally, for a change, read about a more mature couple (in their fifties). After all the bratty immature heroines and related drama, reading about someone more chill and knowing what they want was a real treat.
November 20, 2023
Never too old for love!
It was nice to revisit the world of the Stryxians. I’ve missed these warriors and wouldn’t mind a few more stories in this world.
Rixen and Rubi met briefly in a previous book and there was an instant attraction but both ignored it as Rubi was only visiting and then returning to Earth. In this bonus novella Rubi has returned to Stryxia in order to be there for the birth of her grandchild. Rixen and Rubi meet up again and sparks fly. The story was sweet and romantic with minimal spice but there were a few tense moments thrown in.
A quick and enjoyable read. 🥰🥰🥰🥰
It was nice to revisit the world of the Stryxians. I’ve missed these warriors and wouldn’t mind a few more stories in this world.
Rixen and Rubi met briefly in a previous book and there was an instant attraction but both ignored it as Rubi was only visiting and then returning to Earth. In this bonus novella Rubi has returned to Stryxia in order to be there for the birth of her grandchild. Rixen and Rubi meet up again and sparks fly. The story was sweet and romantic with minimal spice but there were a few tense moments thrown in.
A quick and enjoyable read. 🥰🥰🥰🥰
November 11, 2023
Our MCs are in their 50s but they still give you the feels of how sweet a love can be. I thought our MMC was a bit grumpy and our FMC is sunshiny but it’s because of her. I loved that she had the courage to approach him and he to speak what’s on his mind.
I was a bit afraid for them when they went out to the plains. The author put me in suspense on who or what the “enemy” was and the danger it brought. What I loved the most is the gift she brings to him when they mated.
It was good reading about the Stryxians again.
I was a bit afraid for them when they went out to the plains. The author put me in suspense on who or what the “enemy” was and the danger it brought. What I loved the most is the gift she brings to him when they mated.
It was good reading about the Stryxians again.
January 14, 2024
This is a lovely and well written alien Christmas romance. Rubi is visiting her daughter who is mated to a Stryxian and who is expecting her first child. Rubi is ecstatic about her first grandchild and finds herself interested in this older Stryxian named Rixen, a merchant who can get supplies from Earth. Rubi doesn't know that Rixen is very interested in her and he thinks she is his mate but he doesn't want a parttime mate. Fate has to take a hand in getting them together. Great story with adventure and steamy romance.
November 12, 2023
So Sweet
I loved romances that are about older couples and this one was so sweet. Rixen had been attracted to Rubi since he first saw her but because she was older and past childbearing age, she could only visit her daughter on this alien planet. It was so heartwarming for the couple to finally admit their mutual attraction and bond, such an awesome Christmas present for the bachelor and the widow. I loved it.
I loved romances that are about older couples and this one was so sweet. Rixen had been attracted to Rubi since he first saw her but because she was older and past childbearing age, she could only visit her daughter on this alien planet. It was so heartwarming for the couple to finally admit their mutual attraction and bond, such an awesome Christmas present for the bachelor and the widow. I loved it.
November 24, 2023
4&1\2 🌟's for Rixen🌟🔥💖
What a warm and wonderful tale for cold night this is just the type of book that is perfect for the Christmas season! I also loved that the main characters are older Rubi is in her 50's and Rixen is also older. Its just shows that love when its real is ageless and that your never to old to find a person that completes you! A perfect holiday treat! Loved it! 💖🔥🔥💖🌟🔥🔥🌟💖🔥💖🌟🔥🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖🌟🔥💖🌟💖🔥
What a warm and wonderful tale for cold night this is just the type of book that is perfect for the Christmas season! I also loved that the main characters are older Rubi is in her 50's and Rixen is also older. Its just shows that love when its real is ageless and that your never to old to find a person that completes you! A perfect holiday treat! Loved it! 💖🔥🔥💖🌟🔥🔥🌟💖🔥💖🌟🔥🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖🌟🔥💖🌟💖🔥
December 4, 2023
💙💙💙Rixen & Rubi💙💙💙
This Holidate with an Alien book was a sweet & beautiful love story. I love that it's a middle-aged love story. There are too few of those. This was my first Stryxia story & I will definitely be looking into other books from the Stryxian Alien Warriors series.
This was a fun, sweet, beautiful love story. Rixen & Rubi are perfect for each other & all the characters in the book are really great.
This Holidate with an Alien book was a sweet & beautiful love story. I love that it's a middle-aged love story. There are too few of those. This was my first Stryxia story & I will definitely be looking into other books from the Stryxian Alien Warriors series.
This was a fun, sweet, beautiful love story. Rixen & Rubi are perfect for each other & all the characters in the book are really great.
January 14, 2024
Rubi and Rixen
I loved this older couple love story so much! They were both kind of set in their ways, there were some misunderstandings, and I'm glad they eventually figured it all out. But on the way to that, they had their own adventure to live through before they could see what was obvious to everyone else around them! This series is lovely and I have enjoyed each one as I've read them!
I loved this older couple love story so much! They were both kind of set in their ways, there were some misunderstandings, and I'm glad they eventually figured it all out. But on the way to that, they had their own adventure to live through before they could see what was obvious to everyone else around them! This series is lovely and I have enjoyed each one as I've read them!
November 11, 2023
Rubi and Rixen. Ooh I loved this story! The heroine is over 50! And the hero is older too. There is so much love in Rixen, of different types. A mothers love, romantic love, and even love for a pet. There is action and humor. With the Christmas spirit weaving through it. This series, Halidate With An Alien, is going to be a favorite for years to come.
November 28, 2023
Unique Storyline
The storyline was unique and interesting. I loved that both characters were likable and not caustic toward each other. It was also refreshing to read about an older mature couple finding love. Books in the series so far have been good. On to the next book in series.
The storyline was unique and interesting. I loved that both characters were likable and not caustic toward each other. It was also refreshing to read about an older mature couple finding love. Books in the series so far have been good. On to the next book in series.
November 29, 2023
Rixen: Holidays With An Aien
What a great story. It was filled with resolved misunderstandings, danger, excitement, and romance. All resulting from an unexpected adventure. Also finding some different lifeforms, including a brand new baby! All this resulting in them getting their HEA.
What a great story. It was filled with resolved misunderstandings, danger, excitement, and romance. All resulting from an unexpected adventure. Also finding some different lifeforms, including a brand new baby! All this resulting in them getting their HEA.
December 6, 2023
Sweet, short, uncomplicated, whiff of steam
I enjoyed how Ruby and Rixen began communicating and decided to explore taking a chance with each other. I liked how they took care of each other before they committed to their relationship. I also enjoyed how expressive and helpful Rixen's wings were.
I enjoyed how Ruby and Rixen began communicating and decided to explore taking a chance with each other. I liked how they took care of each other before they committed to their relationship. I also enjoyed how expressive and helpful Rixen's wings were.
December 10, 2023
This is a romantic holiday read with an alien twist. Rubi is visiting her daughter and son in law as they are expecting their first child. It just happens to be on an alien planet. And Rubi wants to do everything possible to bring Christmas there. Rixen is the only one that can help her. The story has the romantic tension and even brings in some danger and adventure to the story.
December 10, 2023
Never Too Old For Love
This book was very enjoyable to read; especially because it was of an older couple. Even though the sex scene was very subtle, it was still great. The little creature was my favorite character. There was some action as well and it was also awesome. Excellent reading.
This book was very enjoyable to read; especially because it was of an older couple. Even though the sex scene was very subtle, it was still great. The little creature was my favorite character. There was some action as well and it was also awesome. Excellent reading.
December 12, 2023
Rixen( holiday with an alien)
It was a good story. I enjoyed it, but I missed the beginning because it skipped right over that and went to the daughter Parkway and then skipped again a lot of pieces missing in this story and then it’s like it took a little part of it and scratch it to about two or three pagesand it was not necessary
It was a good story. I enjoyed it, but I missed the beginning because it skipped right over that and went to the daughter Parkway and then skipped again a lot of pieces missing in this story and then it’s like it took a little part of it and scratch it to about two or three pagesand it was not necessary
January 8, 2024
- Older age romance
- Rejected Mates/True Mates
- Forced Proximity
Rixen and Rubi were immediately attracted to each other, but Rixen isn't interested in a female who wasn't going to make her home here on his planet. Rubi isn't interested in a man who is such an insufferable ass. After a misunderstanding in his shop, Rixen makes it a point to apologize to Rubi and inadvertently invites her to come along with him to retrieve a ship of his that was abandoned. When they get trapped there by a storm, they have time to process what they truly mean to each other.
Rubi is visiting her daughter, who is pregnant and about to have a baby soon. She was one of the females that won a lottery to come to a new planet and help save the species in exchange for protecting the earth from being invaded. The war is over and now females from earth come willingly, but Rubi is on a travel visa, just there to visit, which doesn't sit well with Rixen. He is thankful for the sacrifices of the human's but not so thrilled with the tourists. Probably because he wants Rubi to stay and be his mate, which is why it distresses him so much when he accidentally says something to *really* piss her of. Which leads to admitting they are attracted to each other and then of course being trapped in his abandoned cargo ship.
I love a good second chance at love and even an older romance, not just twenty-something year olds deserve love after all.
- Rejected Mates/True Mates
- Forced Proximity
Rixen and Rubi were immediately attracted to each other, but Rixen isn't interested in a female who wasn't going to make her home here on his planet. Rubi isn't interested in a man who is such an insufferable ass. After a misunderstanding in his shop, Rixen makes it a point to apologize to Rubi and inadvertently invites her to come along with him to retrieve a ship of his that was abandoned. When they get trapped there by a storm, they have time to process what they truly mean to each other.
Rubi is visiting her daughter, who is pregnant and about to have a baby soon. She was one of the females that won a lottery to come to a new planet and help save the species in exchange for protecting the earth from being invaded. The war is over and now females from earth come willingly, but Rubi is on a travel visa, just there to visit, which doesn't sit well with Rixen. He is thankful for the sacrifices of the human's but not so thrilled with the tourists. Probably because he wants Rubi to stay and be his mate, which is why it distresses him so much when he accidentally says something to *really* piss her of. Which leads to admitting they are attracted to each other and then of course being trapped in his abandoned cargo ship.
I love a good second chance at love and even an older romance, not just twenty-something year olds deserve love after all.
February 7, 2024
Rubi and Rixen
This is a very good, well written, Alien/Human Christmas romance. There are a few editing errors but they do not affect the story. Rubi is visiting her daughter to attend the birth of her first child and celebrate Christmas. Rixen is a grouchy importer for holiday items from earth. Read and enjoy the adventurer.
This is a very good, well written, Alien/Human Christmas romance. There are a few editing errors but they do not affect the story. Rubi is visiting her daughter to attend the birth of her first child and celebrate Christmas. Rixen is a grouchy importer for holiday items from earth. Read and enjoy the adventurer.
November 14, 2023
The Best Story
Oh my goodness, I enjoyed this so much! To have a couple, in the 50s, hot and heavy, was absolutely amazing. Great story, loved the characters and wishing for more stories like this.
Oh my goodness, I enjoyed this so much! To have a couple, in the 50s, hot and heavy, was absolutely amazing. Great story, loved the characters and wishing for more stories like this.
November 17, 2023
Love is like Christmas
It is for everyone, everywhere, in whatever form they need, for as long as they live. Two wonderful older beings, Stryxian Rixen and human Rubi, make that age-old discovery for themselves in this wonderful holiday romance from author Ella Blake.
It is for everyone, everywhere, in whatever form they need, for as long as they live. Two wonderful older beings, Stryxian Rixen and human Rubi, make that age-old discovery for themselves in this wonderful holiday romance from author Ella Blake.
November 21, 2023
Rixen
I've read all of the holiday books in this series, all wonderful stories! I love that this one features an older human woman in her 50's who falls for a winged alien while visiting her very pregnant daughter and son in law on another planet!
I've read all of the holiday books in this series, all wonderful stories! I love that this one features an older human woman in her 50's who falls for a winged alien while visiting her very pregnant daughter and son in law on another planet!
November 26, 2023
First time reading author
This was my first book by the author and I really enjoyed it! I really liked that the main characters were older (50’s). Not enough books with older main characters in my opinion. Will read more from this author.
This was my first book by the author and I really enjoyed it! I really liked that the main characters were older (50’s). Not enough books with older main characters in my opinion. Will read more from this author.
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November 26, 2023Loved It!
I just adore this book. It is rare to read a romance about a couple in their fifties, but Rixen and Rubi are later in life mates. There is action, chemistry, heat and joy of the season. Entertaining and Enjoyable!!!!
I just adore this book. It is rare to read a romance about a couple in their fifties, but Rixen and Rubi are later in life mates. There is action, chemistry, heat and joy of the season. Entertaining and Enjoyable!!!!
November 27, 2023
Slightly different take
Middle aged alien romance. Hmmmm, it is good. Being slightly older than middle aged myself, this was very intriguing to me. The characters & creatures were well written. The story is interesting & fun.
Middle aged alien romance. Hmmmm, it is good. Being slightly older than middle aged myself, this was very intriguing to me. The characters & creatures were well written. The story is interesting & fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews