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Mates for the Raskarrans #8
Challenged
I don't know what's going on, but being on an alien planet, nineteen years in the future, is not it. We just don't have the technological capabilities for that to be true. Sure, the guys they have playing the aliens are doing a little bit too good of a job at not seeming human, and I can't quite shake the feeling that everything just seems a little bit too real. All I have to do is get proof. Tangible proof that it's just makeup, just prosthetics and props, and then they'll have to send me home from this weird experiment. Won't they?
My Angie might not be convinced that any of what she is experiencing is truth, but my heartspace needs no convincing that she is mine. I know it from the moment I see the fire that sparks in her eyes. But I have other problems besides a mate who will not be persuaded that I am not a human male who has been painted. There is a blight spreading through the trees near the Mercenia hut. A dangerous and deadly blight. It needs to be controlled and contained before we leave, otherwise the whole of Lina's forests might be in peril. I cannot promise my linasha any kind of happy future if the security of that future is so uncertain.
My Angie might not be convinced that any of what she is experiencing is truth, but my heartspace needs no convincing that she is mine. I know it from the moment I see the fire that sparks in her eyes. But I have other problems besides a mate who will not be persuaded that I am not a human male who has been painted. There is a blight spreading through the trees near the Mercenia hut. A dangerous and deadly blight. It needs to be controlled and contained before we leave, otherwise the whole of Lina's forests might be in peril. I cannot promise my linasha any kind of happy future if the security of that future is so uncertain.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2024
23 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Heather Fox
11 books82 followersLibrarian's Note: There are multiple authors on Goodreads with the name Heather Fox. When adding new books for this particular author, please use three spaces: Heather^^^Fox
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 18, 2025
3.5. Angie is a bit hard to warm up to, but I understood her background made her the way she is. I thought Rardek was a good match because he took her anger and bitterness and laughed about it, which helped her to see she was being unkind. I was glad to see Brooks/Deborah try to be her friend, especially now that they are essentially sisters-in-law. Family can be complicated but the right family will always have your back, and Angie needs that.
March 20, 2025
Sweet and spicy!
I really love this series and all of the characters. I know the writer was concerned with this latest book, afraid that it wouldn't flow as well as the others due to the changes on her life before and during the writing, but I think she did a great job. I never would have realized she had struggled if she hadn't mentioned it. I am extremely excited to see what comes next. <3
I really love this series and all of the characters. I know the writer was concerned with this latest book, afraid that it wouldn't flow as well as the others due to the changes on her life before and during the writing, but I think she did a great job. I never would have realized she had struggled if she hadn't mentioned it. I am extremely excited to see what comes next. <3
October 13, 2024
Wow!
I'm going to be honest, I was not expecting the direction this series would go in when i originally started reading it... but I'm definitely not disappointed.
The writing is so well done, and the characters so well thought out and executed perfectly that you feel like you're really there with them.
At first the fmc was annoying but once she got over herself I was really pleased with the fire she has. The mmc was lovely, as all the Raskarrans are.. but also the mystery of the Mercia base?! Wow, just wow.
I'm going to be honest, I was not expecting the direction this series would go in when i originally started reading it... but I'm definitely not disappointed.
The writing is so well done, and the characters so well thought out and executed perfectly that you feel like you're really there with them.
At first the fmc was annoying but once she got over herself I was really pleased with the fire she has. The mmc was lovely, as all the Raskarrans are.. but also the mystery of the Mercia base?! Wow, just wow.
January 28, 2025
4&1\2 fabulous🌟's for Challenged
Rardek Is such an appealing male lead. He's handsome, mischievous (in the best possibly ways) but he also kind and understanding. When the he girls wake Angie his heart space knows that she is his mate. Will Angie give him a chance to show her how good her life could be with him? Angie was on the career path until she humiliated her boss and woke up 19 years later as part of an experiment. At first she's so and refuses to believe anything anyone tells her., especially the big green male Rardek. But Mercenia doesn't care about its people and she unravels information that shocks, terrifies and leaves all the Raskarrans with a deep sadness. As Angie uncovers the mystery of way Mercenia left 19 years ago, she grows closer to Rardek and she lets him in realizing that a life her on this planet with him is better that anything she's ever had. They wake the other females one a scientist that I believe will cause mire problems before she regrets her actions. Thus arc is coming to a close but a new one with other characters is just beginning and I think more loose ends with need to be tied up when in comes to Mercenia and what it wants on this planet. The characters with well written and had lots of chemistry I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next arc in the series💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟🔥💖🌟🔥💖🌟🔥💖🌟💖🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟💖
Rardek Is such an appealing male lead. He's handsome, mischievous (in the best possibly ways) but he also kind and understanding. When the he girls wake Angie his heart space knows that she is his mate. Will Angie give him a chance to show her how good her life could be with him? Angie was on the career path until she humiliated her boss and woke up 19 years later as part of an experiment. At first she's so and refuses to believe anything anyone tells her., especially the big green male Rardek. But Mercenia doesn't care about its people and she unravels information that shocks, terrifies and leaves all the Raskarrans with a deep sadness. As Angie uncovers the mystery of way Mercenia left 19 years ago, she grows closer to Rardek and she lets him in realizing that a life her on this planet with him is better that anything she's ever had. They wake the other females one a scientist that I believe will cause mire problems before she regrets her actions. Thus arc is coming to a close but a new one with other characters is just beginning and I think more loose ends with need to be tied up when in comes to Mercenia and what it wants on this planet. The characters with well written and had lots of chemistry I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next arc in the series💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟🔥💖🌟🔥💖🌟🔥💖🌟💖🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟💖
October 13, 2024
I have been waiting for this book so much and it did not disappoint! My only issue was that I wished there had been more space for the romance, for Angie and Rardek to get to know each other more and have more pining. But I definitely felt their connection. The plot took up quite a bit of the book but it is such a good plot and we have been waiting for these answers for forever! So satisfying!! I think overall I just wanted the book to be even longer cos it was so good 😁
Now ai desperately need a story for Larzon the grumpypants and I cannot wait to see if Dawes gets her own book cos that would be damn angsty if she does 😬🙈
Now ai desperately need a story for Larzon the grumpypants and I cannot wait to see if Dawes gets her own book cos that would be damn angsty if she does 😬🙈
October 18, 2024
the wait is over
I’m so happy heather fox has added to this series! At the end she is worried that this book isn’t as good as the previous but she has nothing to worry about.
I’m so happy heather fox has added to this series! At the end she is worried that this book isn’t as good as the previous but she has nothing to worry about.
October 29, 2024
Still going strong! A little light on the romance this time around, but heavy on the revelations/explanations. Also heavy on exploration of the corruption and misogyny of Mercenia.
This is a reverse grumpy/sunshine that tickles the heart strings. Like all the other ladies, Angie has had less than wonderful experiences with human males. But Rardek completely subverts her expectations, stunning her into falling in love. Normally I don't care for his type, cocky and suave, but his words contained just enough humor to endear him to me.
This is a reverse grumpy/sunshine that tickles the heart strings. Like all the other ladies, Angie has had less than wonderful experiences with human males. But Rardek completely subverts her expectations, stunning her into falling in love. Normally I don't care for his type, cocky and suave, but his words contained just enough humor to endear him to me.
March 29, 2025
I’d say this is one of the best in this series! Engaging enough, the story, background, and world building are all coming together! So excited for the next books!
October 17, 2024
Questions answered.
A lot of the why questions were answered. Very engaging read.. The epilog at the end was a good slice of life at the village.
A lot of the why questions were answered. Very engaging read.. The epilog at the end was a good slice of life at the village.
October 15, 2024
The author does a good job of reminding the reader of past events.
I would have liked a bit more romance between the two leads. They were in the middle of the forest but I would have liked to see them attempt a date.
He was pretty funny. She took a while to believe she was stranded on an alien planet. That was very realistic.
I has a problem with part of the plot. It is a huge spoiler.
SPOILERS SPOILERS.
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In earlier books, all of the alien women and many of the men died from a mysterious disease. We find out in this book that the evil corporation genetically engineered a disease to make humans and the aliens breeding compatible.
The female scientist who created the disease was frozen in one of the cryogenic pods. She said she never would have released it in the wild, because it was not perfected yet. Killing off half of the population was not efficient.
They all discuss her fate. They decide not to kill her because they don't want to kill someone. She wasn't sorry. She didn't express any remorse.
I was so mad. I feel like this is the wrong decision. All she will do in future books is cause trouble and be a constant reminder of how all their women died because of the disease she created.
I guess they are hoping she will be the mate of one of the many lonely aliens on the planet.
I just hated this part of the story.
I would have liked a bit more romance between the two leads. They were in the middle of the forest but I would have liked to see them attempt a date.
He was pretty funny. She took a while to believe she was stranded on an alien planet. That was very realistic.
I has a problem with part of the plot. It is a huge spoiler.
SPOILERS SPOILERS.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
In earlier books, all of the alien women and many of the men died from a mysterious disease. We find out in this book that the evil corporation genetically engineered a disease to make humans and the aliens breeding compatible.
The female scientist who created the disease was frozen in one of the cryogenic pods. She said she never would have released it in the wild, because it was not perfected yet. Killing off half of the population was not efficient.
They all discuss her fate. They decide not to kill her because they don't want to kill someone. She wasn't sorry. She didn't express any remorse.
I was so mad. I feel like this is the wrong decision. All she will do in future books is cause trouble and be a constant reminder of how all their women died because of the disease she created.
I guess they are hoping she will be the mate of one of the many lonely aliens on the planet.
I just hated this part of the story.
October 16, 2024
Informative
I gotta say... This was my least favorite one. It wasn't bad, it just was all about uncovering mysteries, and yes, I like that we got to know more about what happened, I felt like that's all it was. There was hardly any romance, definitely low on the spice scale. Just, info. But, the info did keep drawing me in. I didn't like the answers, though. When I'm reading monster books of any kind, I like to imagine that there may be something more for us out there, even though I'm sure there isn't. But if there was, I would like to think we could naturally (slight spoiler, I'll try not to give too much away) procreate.
It doesn't mean that I'm not looking forward to the next one, though, because I am. I'm not looking forward to a book with the current most hated woman in it, though.
I gotta say... This was my least favorite one. It wasn't bad, it just was all about uncovering mysteries, and yes, I like that we got to know more about what happened, I felt like that's all it was. There was hardly any romance, definitely low on the spice scale. Just, info. But, the info did keep drawing me in. I didn't like the answers, though. When I'm reading monster books of any kind, I like to imagine that there may be something more for us out there, even though I'm sure there isn't. But if there was, I would like to think we could naturally (slight spoiler, I'll try not to give too much away) procreate.
It doesn't mean that I'm not looking forward to the next one, though, because I am. I'm not looking forward to a book with the current most hated woman in it, though.
October 12, 2024
Little Flame
Wow! This was intense. Angie awakes 19 years in the future, confused and angry to find that she has been shipped off to an alien planet as a part of a breeding program. And she has a fated mate that she can only talk to in dreams. WTH?! It takes some time for her to come to terms with her new reality but when she does she sets out to solve several mysteries.Her mate, the alien Rardek, is fascinated with the little human, whose intelligence and fiery temper has him in its grip all the way. There’s a lot going on in the book and I don’t want to give anything away. It’s best to read the books in order to fully understand what’s going on but I really enjoyed the entire series.
Wow! This was intense. Angie awakes 19 years in the future, confused and angry to find that she has been shipped off to an alien planet as a part of a breeding program. And she has a fated mate that she can only talk to in dreams. WTH?! It takes some time for her to come to terms with her new reality but when she does she sets out to solve several mysteries.Her mate, the alien Rardek, is fascinated with the little human, whose intelligence and fiery temper has him in its grip all the way. There’s a lot going on in the book and I don’t want to give anything away. It’s best to read the books in order to fully understand what’s going on but I really enjoyed the entire series.
January 9, 2025
Soooo much happens in this book and it’s amazing. I love the direction that Fox is taking the series and the overarching story. Everything makes sense and feels logically sound.
The continued mating in the series is fantastic, each with their own trials and tribulations to overcome. The Raskarrans all have their own personalities that somehow complement their human counterpart and help the reader feel more invested in them as characters.
The continued mating in the series is fantastic, each with their own trials and tribulations to overcome. The Raskarrans all have their own personalities that somehow complement their human counterpart and help the reader feel more invested in them as characters.
October 13, 2024
Amazing!
Loved the story and Angie's fire! So many questions I had were answered in this book. And one of the answers was absolutely heartbreaking. I also don't know what is going to happen to the scientist Dawes. But I can't wait to read the next book and meet more of the pod girls!
Loved the story and Angie's fire! So many questions I had were answered in this book. And one of the answers was absolutely heartbreaking. I also don't know what is going to happen to the scientist Dawes. But I can't wait to read the next book and meet more of the pod girls!
November 12, 2024
The beginning of this book didn’t have the usual magic that the rest of this series has had, but by the end I was enjoying the story like with the previous books. The author wrote at the end of the book that she had a struggle in her personal life, and I’m glad she was able to overcome it and start writing again ❤️ 3.5⭐️
June 3, 2025
Challenged Mates for the raskarrans book 8
I really enjoyed reading this book . The book Was very interesting It made me laugh And it kept my interest To the very end The men the males Are so sweet and they really love their mates And it makes me happy to read something like this I would recommend this series to my friends I have read them all So far I hope she writes more
I really enjoyed reading this book . The book Was very interesting It made me laugh And it kept my interest To the very end The men the males Are so sweet and they really love their mates And it makes me happy to read something like this I would recommend this series to my friends I have read them all So far I hope she writes more
October 13, 2024
More conspiracy
They have started to wake all the females they found at the base. They learn more about how the corrupted government has done to the tribes. I'm very interested in seeing in they plan to come back to the planet or have truly forgotten about them.
They have started to wake all the females they found at the base. They learn more about how the corrupted government has done to the tribes. I'm very interested in seeing in they plan to come back to the planet or have truly forgotten about them.
November 18, 2024
Like I’ve said a couple reviews behind about the author, she is a great storyteller. I love the characters, the plot and the world-building. I enjoyed this book, and I’m looking forward to the next ones of this series. Would die for some fan art!
April 26, 2025
I think Angie’s thoughts and reactions were the most believable out of all the women so far. Her anger, confusion, denial is plausible. The story has gotten gritty and heavier. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 19, 2025
The perfect read for fans of science-fiction mysteries and romance
This book is the perfect combination of sci-fi world building interesting mystery and steamy romance. I loved the both the MMC and the FMC. I am truly excited for the next instalment.
This book is the perfect combination of sci-fi world building interesting mystery and steamy romance. I loved the both the MMC and the FMC. I am truly excited for the next instalment.
September 22, 2025
All the stars for end of book plot, I didn't love the FMC. I also wish Rardek had a more spaced out story from Maldek. maybe I was just having a book hangover from book 7 because I absolutely loved Brooks. I am DESPERATE for further books.
October 12, 2024
Really enjoyed this one
The characters were a perfect match. The story moved at a good pace. The emotions really shine through. Hope the series continues
The characters were a perfect match. The story moved at a good pace. The emotions really shine through. Hope the series continues
October 15, 2024
Good story, can't wait for the next
I really like this series. I'm happy to have a new one and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I really like this series. I'm happy to have a new one and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 28, 2024
It was nice to be back with the Raskarrans again!
May 16, 2025
This was tough to get through with Angie’s self righteous, little miss “thinks she knows best” f’ing attitude. She pissed me off since page 1
September 5, 2025
Cannot wait for the next
I really hope the next book in the series will be out soon. I absolutely love this series. Each book has its own story that leaves me eager for more.
I really hope the next book in the series will be out soon. I absolutely love this series. Each book has its own story that leaves me eager for more.
September 26, 2025
can't wait for book 9, suggest reading the whole series
October 17, 2024
This one romance was light but plot moved a lot and is really well done and not the normal cliches / tropes. There’s depth to it. I’d say 3 star for the romance and 4.5 for the plot!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews