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Interstellar Brides Program #24
Marked Mate: The Interstellar Brides® Program, Book 24
Rebecca Amber knows what it’s like to lose all hope. That’s why she volunteers to help struggling teens, always taking along her giant, two-hundred-pound lapdog named Lilah. The Bull Mastiff loves the kids almost as much as Rebecca does. When an eerie stranger shows up on the streets with a new drug called Quell, Rebecca will have none of it. Little does she know that interfering with this drug dealer means taking on alien criminals far worse than anything she’s faced before—and they will not hesitate to eliminate her—and her pet.
Elite Hunter Stark is on Earth to stop a vicious alien gangster from setting up shop on the unsuspecting, primitive planet. Stark has a job to do and the last thing he needs is a mysterious woman haunting his dreams. She is more dangerous to his peace of mind than the outlaws he hunts. She keeps company with a clumsy, oversized, hairy creature she claims is a beloved pet. Worse, she refuses to back down from an enemy determined to kill her.
How will he defeat his enemies when he is consumed with the need protect her, touch her, and claim his MARKED MATE?
Elite Hunter Stark is on Earth to stop a vicious alien gangster from setting up shop on the unsuspecting, primitive planet. Stark has a job to do and the last thing he needs is a mysterious woman haunting his dreams. She is more dangerous to his peace of mind than the outlaws he hunts. She keeps company with a clumsy, oversized, hairy creature she claims is a beloved pet. Worse, she refuses to back down from an enemy determined to kill her.
How will he defeat his enemies when he is consumed with the need protect her, touch her, and claim his MARKED MATE?
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First published February 21, 2023
161 people are currently reading
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About the author
Grace Goodwin
88 books1,940 followersVisit Grace's Goodwin's website:
http://GraceGoodwin.com
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http://InterstellarBridesProgram.com
Printable reading list:
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All Series Books-Chronological Reading Order:
https://bit.ly/3bEQfAl
http://GraceGoodwin.com
Take the Brides' Test!
http://InterstellarBridesProgram.com
Printable reading list:
https://bit.ly/2Am6rJx
All Series Books-Chronological Reading Order:
https://bit.ly/3bEQfAl
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 4, 2023
The Interstellar Brides series takes place at a time where aliens are real and there are several different planets and species. There is a galactic enemy known as the hive, which is a technological species that invades planets and either kills its inhabitants or transforms their captives into one of them. A coalition was formed between the planets who are at war with the hive. Each member of the coalition is required to supply soldiers and brides to the cause. Soldiers to fight the hive, and brides to repopulate the diminished that have fallen victim to the war. There is a neurological test that a bride takes to be matched to their perfect alien planet, then their perfect alien match on that planet, through a series of sexual desires that only our subconscious can answer for. Earth allows for volunteers to apply to the program, or grants female criminals the option to become a bride over a prison sentence. Those who volunteer are paid a healthy sum of money, and those who are prisoners are cleared of their criminal records, though neither is allowed to return to their homes on Earth. All applicants are required to give up their Earth citizenship to become a resident of their new chosen planet. A bride has 30 days to accept or reject their match. If they accept their claim, they are mated to their new alien husband for the rest of their lives where they are expected to make babies. If they reject their mate, they are assigned a new one on that same planet. And they are still expected to make babies. Warden Egara makes continued appearances throughout the series as she is the one who processes the brides in Florida.
Written in first person, Marked Mate is book 24 in this series and follows the human female Rebecca and her Everian Marked mate Elite Hunter Stark. This book takes place outside the interstellar bride matching process.
Elite Hunter Stark was apparently good friends with Elite Hunter Zee, from "Claiming His Virgin" in the virgin series, though he doesn't make an appearance in any books nor their offsprings (that I am aware of). Stark was sent to Earth to hunt down criminal operatives from Rogue 5, more specifically the Siren Legion. The escaped prisoners were wanted dead or alive. Amidst tracking them down, he also happened across his marked mate, a human named Rebecca.
Rebecca was a social worker, dedicating her life to helping and protecting children. She was about to leave Florida to attend her preferred college, working towards a degree that would better help her make changes. Unfortunately, one of the kids from her center was severely attacked by drug dealers, aliens distributing Quell, which turned out to be who Stark was hunting. Rebecca took her dog on a walk in hopes of finding these dealers and removing them from the streets (with the help of law enforcement) before she left town the next day. She found them. But she wasn't prepared to be shot and left for dead. Had Stark not also been present, her carelessness would have cost her her life.
Everians are humanoid, similar in size to humans. What sets them apart from everyone else is their enhanced speed and strength, unfailing instinct for the hunt, strong minds and iron wills, and they are born with a birthmark - their matched mate bearing the exact same mark, their one true mate, and the mark comes alive when they are near, burning like fire when their marked mate is near by. Most Everians can’t conceive unless it is with their one true matched mate. Only one in a hundred are lucky enough to find their marked mate. In order to fully claim a mate, they have to have three types of sex with their mate: oral, anal and vaginal (in that order). Of course, this sacred order seems to only be followed by Everians ON Everis, and not any other time throughout the Interstellar Bride Series. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. 🤷🏼♀️
After 5 days of healing in a med chamber on Stark's ship, Rebecca was good as new. He has been in the process of taking her back to Everis, until she woke up and demanded they return to Earth. Among the journey, they bonded, as only Everian mates could.
There have been way too many romance novels I’ve read that had me frustrated and yelling “Jesus Christ, when are they gonna fuck?! Get to the good shit already!” When we’re 50% in, and the main characters have barely kissed each other, leaves readers like me aggravated. This is NOT one of those books. I’m fairly confident that there is more sexual content in this book than adventure. It is, quite literally, word porn.
Spankings take place in every single book (but this one, believe it or not 😱). If any man spanked me, I would probably kill them in their sleep, but I guess some women do enjoy them. Spankings are more of a turn-off than turn-on in my case, so I just ignore those parts of the books like “nope, that didn’t just happen.”
As I’ve read through this series and all its spin offs, I can attest that the plot is incredibly addictive. I am way too invested in each book, in all its adventure and romance. Grace Goodwin has ruined me for all other romance novels. After reading her material, I find the others to be tame, dull and overall anticlimactic. The plot running in the background of each book, circling the war against the hive, is addictive. This is one of the few series where the adventure is just as intriguing as the romance scenes. I am not ashamed to admit that I have read each of her books at least twice. 🫶🏻
Written in first person, Marked Mate is book 24 in this series and follows the human female Rebecca and her Everian Marked mate Elite Hunter Stark. This book takes place outside the interstellar bride matching process.
Elite Hunter Stark was apparently good friends with Elite Hunter Zee, from "Claiming His Virgin" in the virgin series, though he doesn't make an appearance in any books nor their offsprings (that I am aware of). Stark was sent to Earth to hunt down criminal operatives from Rogue 5, more specifically the Siren Legion. The escaped prisoners were wanted dead or alive. Amidst tracking them down, he also happened across his marked mate, a human named Rebecca.
Rebecca was a social worker, dedicating her life to helping and protecting children. She was about to leave Florida to attend her preferred college, working towards a degree that would better help her make changes. Unfortunately, one of the kids from her center was severely attacked by drug dealers, aliens distributing Quell, which turned out to be who Stark was hunting. Rebecca took her dog on a walk in hopes of finding these dealers and removing them from the streets (with the help of law enforcement) before she left town the next day. She found them. But she wasn't prepared to be shot and left for dead. Had Stark not also been present, her carelessness would have cost her her life.
Everians are humanoid, similar in size to humans. What sets them apart from everyone else is their enhanced speed and strength, unfailing instinct for the hunt, strong minds and iron wills, and they are born with a birthmark - their matched mate bearing the exact same mark, their one true mate, and the mark comes alive when they are near, burning like fire when their marked mate is near by. Most Everians can’t conceive unless it is with their one true matched mate. Only one in a hundred are lucky enough to find their marked mate. In order to fully claim a mate, they have to have three types of sex with their mate: oral, anal and vaginal (in that order). Of course, this sacred order seems to only be followed by Everians ON Everis, and not any other time throughout the Interstellar Bride Series. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. 🤷🏼♀️
After 5 days of healing in a med chamber on Stark's ship, Rebecca was good as new. He has been in the process of taking her back to Everis, until she woke up and demanded they return to Earth. Among the journey, they bonded, as only Everian mates could.
There have been way too many romance novels I’ve read that had me frustrated and yelling “Jesus Christ, when are they gonna fuck?! Get to the good shit already!” When we’re 50% in, and the main characters have barely kissed each other, leaves readers like me aggravated. This is NOT one of those books. I’m fairly confident that there is more sexual content in this book than adventure. It is, quite literally, word porn.
Spankings take place in every single book (but this one, believe it or not 😱). If any man spanked me, I would probably kill them in their sleep, but I guess some women do enjoy them. Spankings are more of a turn-off than turn-on in my case, so I just ignore those parts of the books like “nope, that didn’t just happen.”
As I’ve read through this series and all its spin offs, I can attest that the plot is incredibly addictive. I am way too invested in each book, in all its adventure and romance. Grace Goodwin has ruined me for all other romance novels. After reading her material, I find the others to be tame, dull and overall anticlimactic. The plot running in the background of each book, circling the war against the hive, is addictive. This is one of the few series where the adventure is just as intriguing as the romance scenes. I am not ashamed to admit that I have read each of her books at least twice. 🫶🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2023
Darling novella. Loved how the dog tamed the aliens….cracked me up. Wish this was longer. Went by too fast.
January 21, 2024
Definitely NOT my favorite!!! And the female narrator left a bit to be desired!
March 12, 2023
This book was amazing and it drew me in right from the start and took me on a roller coaster ride that I didn’t want to get off. Rebecca is a counselor that works at a at Risk Youth Center when one of the boys Andreas who is 15yrs old and is very sick from taking a drug called Quell and he gives her a strange looking key and so she puts it in her safe and takes her dog Lilah for a walk by the neighborhood that is selling the drugs and sees a deal being made. Elite Hunter Stark is on Earth to track down Rokar who is from Rogue 5 who is on earth selling Quell to street kids and when he steps out of his space ship he gets a weird feeling and feels dizzy and he wonders if something is wrong with him but this feeling has him being pulled towards an altercation between a human female and her dog and when the guy threatens her dog she jumps into protect it and gets shot so I kill them and Rokar escapes and that’s when I realize she is my mate and I must protect her at all costs so I take her to my ship to heal her wounds. Rebecca wakes up in pain and doesn’t know where she is or where Lilah is and if she is ok but soon she sees her and is relieved and then she sees a hot and sexy male and he soon explains where she is and that she is his mate and the marks on the hands prove they soulmates and at first she is not sure she believes him and then she panics and must return to earth because her kids aren’t safe and she needs to get the key thing from the safe after Stark tells her what it is use for and how dangerous it would be to try and get it because they will be waiting for her at the center. How does it all turn out do they take down the bad guys and do Rebecca and Stark finally get the HEA or does his enemies get in the way. Brilliant book
March 7, 2023
I know this is a novella, and I did miss it earlier, so this was my first time reading it. It was so good, and she really needs to expand the story. The only part I disliked was, it was too short, even though I knew it was going to be. How could you not fall in love with elite hunter Stark? he’s going after the bad guys on earth, what he didn’t plan on finding was his marked mate in a tiny human. I’m sure when Rebecca went out with her huge mastiff, she wasn’t planning on getting shot. Rebecca was tired of all the drug dealers, and all the other bad people trying to hurt her kids at the shelter. When Stark and Rebecca met the one thing they did have in common was they were going after the bad guys. When Rebecca found out her feelings were true that they were marked mates her future was changed forever. Now they had to go after the bad guys and hope they both survived. I loved this book but like I said it needed to be longer because I was so attached to the characters.
March 5, 2025
his is the twenty-fourth Interstellar Brides Program series book by Grace Goodwin. Rebecca Amber is a woman dedicated to helping and protecting troubled teens who loves talking about her Bull Mastiff dog Lilah. When Rebecca discovers that a drug dealer is selling an illegal drug called "Quell" to the teenagers of her community she takes Lilah with her to investigate and rid the community of this dangerous drug. Rebecca is injured but Elite Everian Hunter Stark comes to her aid and rescues her and her dog Lilah. While Stark is hunting down Siren Legion, a criminal alien operative from Rogue 5 his birthmark starts burning when he gets close to Rebecca. Stark is an Everian born with a birthmark that burns when his true mate is near, which happens to be Rebecca. Rebecca is taken to Stark's Everian ship to heal and they bond before she is returned back to Earth. I really enjoyed reading this fascinating short-story science fiction paranormal romance.
February 24, 2023
Stark was needed to find the alien dealer that was selling “Quell.” But something was distracting him. Rebecca was tired of seeing her “kids” struggling. She needed to find out who was responsible for making them sick. She knew about the IPB but never expected to run into the aliens. I do love that the hunters always think they don’t need a mate. SURPRISE! Rebecca is funny and can handle herself. And how can you not love a big two hundred pound bull mastiff named Lilah. You have to strong protectors for one woman. YES PLEASE! And “Quell” seems to be getting around a lot. They need to catch who is making it.
March 23, 2023
This is a short and steamy romance with many twists and turns. Rebecca has made it her mission to save struggling teens. She decided to go after the evil who were selling some killer drugs to those teens, taking her huge dog with her. Fortunately for her, Elite Hunter Stark's mission was to find some escaped prisoners who took their evil to Earth. Stark found Rebecca after she was seriously injured by those prisoners and he saved both her and her dog. At the start of both of their missions, the marks on their hands were irritating them both. They are marked mates. They complete the mission to get rid of the evil aliens selling the drugs and they find their happily ever after.
February 11, 2024
Heartwarming and Cute!
Another winning story for Ms. Goodwin! Rebecca, champion of street youth and adorable(if very big) puppies is severely injured when she is rescued by an Elite Everian hunter, Stark. Having matching birthmarks Stark realizes she’s his matched marked mate. Together with the help of her oversized puppy, Lilah, they work together to stop the evil aliens from selling the new deadly drug, Quell, to street youth, and give in to the passion of being fated mates.
Another winning story for Ms. Goodwin! Rebecca, champion of street youth and adorable(if very big) puppies is severely injured when she is rescued by an Elite Everian hunter, Stark. Having matching birthmarks Stark realizes she’s his matched marked mate. Together with the help of her oversized puppy, Lilah, they work together to stop the evil aliens from selling the new deadly drug, Quell, to street youth, and give in to the passion of being fated mates.
April 15, 2024
This was a very short book but good enough. Even though I’m a little confused as to how she’s the alien hunters true mate either the matching mark as him if she’s 100% human, the last time we had a true mate book the woman was 1/2 human & 1/2 hunter alien like him.
Oh well she had a sweet dog that he cared for as much as her & the other aliens loved her dog too. It was the first time a dog has been in the book so it was interesting.
That and her mate helped to take out the bad guys that were trying to sell a bad drug on earth that was killing kids.
Spice was fast but good too!
Oh well she had a sweet dog that he cared for as much as her & the other aliens loved her dog too. It was the first time a dog has been in the book so it was interesting.
That and her mate helped to take out the bad guys that were trying to sell a bad drug on earth that was killing kids.
Spice was fast but good too!
March 7, 2023
very good anime romance
I wasn’t sure how Ms. Goodwin was going to change the story from its usual premise. She did a great job. She changed the “recipe” if you will you to create a different interstellar Love story. I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait for her to tackle warden Egaras’ story. Onto the next book by Ms. Goodwin.
I wasn’t sure how Ms. Goodwin was going to change the story from its usual premise. She did a great job. She changed the “recipe” if you will you to create a different interstellar Love story. I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait for her to tackle warden Egaras’ story. Onto the next book by Ms. Goodwin.
April 4, 2023
Meh. I WASNT invested. It’s very rushed. Grace can tell a story. However, she shorts herself and rushes other parts.
I always say if she added another 50-60 pages in her full length novels she would have a truly well fleshed out story.
But this one was definitely rushed in the way the story was told. I gave it 2 stars bc I like her books.
I always say if she added another 50-60 pages in her full length novels she would have a truly well fleshed out story.
But this one was definitely rushed in the way the story was told. I gave it 2 stars bc I like her books.
July 1, 2025
Good Space Pet Story.
I enjoyed this short story of a girl and her pet dog meeting her alien mate. I have been bingeing The Interstellar Brides Series by Grace Goodwin and they have all been great escapist material. Awesome imagination at play. I recommend the whole series of stories.
I enjoyed this short story of a girl and her pet dog meeting her alien mate. I have been bingeing The Interstellar Brides Series by Grace Goodwin and they have all been great escapist material. Awesome imagination at play. I recommend the whole series of stories.
February 27, 2023
Love Lilah!
What a way to meet. Timing was good as Rebecca was already packed and getting ready to move away.
Interesting they took six Atlan warriors for back up and they ended up only retrieving the AI. Stark was still the protector with 3 to 1 odds.
What a way to meet. Timing was good as Rebecca was already packed and getting ready to move away.
Interesting they took six Atlan warriors for back up and they ended up only retrieving the AI. Stark was still the protector with 3 to 1 odds.
February 27, 2023
Her birthmark!
A mini Alien love story from our favourite Author Grace Goodwin. Being sent to Earth by the Prime to Hunt Aliens that are selling drugs on the streets of an Earth city, the Hunter finds his Marked Mate. HEA is what we love to read.
A mini Alien love story from our favourite Author Grace Goodwin. Being sent to Earth by the Prime to Hunt Aliens that are selling drugs on the streets of an Earth city, the Hunter finds his Marked Mate. HEA is what we love to read.
April 1, 2023
Marked Mate
Goodwin has done it again!!! Another amazing job of storytelling that will make you feel like you are being drawn into the story and makes it come to life!!!. Don't miss out on any of the international brides series.
Goodwin has done it again!!! Another amazing job of storytelling that will make you feel like you are being drawn into the story and makes it come to life!!!. Don't miss out on any of the international brides series.
June 12, 2023
Marked Mate
Is there any book by MS Goodwin that isn't a great read? I have yet to find another book that has the same realistic characters as MS Goodwins'. Her books have such believable Aliens in them, you wonder if she doesn't know something we should know.
Is there any book by MS Goodwin that isn't a great read? I have yet to find another book that has the same realistic characters as MS Goodwins'. Her books have such believable Aliens in them, you wonder if she doesn't know something we should know.
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October 14, 2023Good
A good story. Always enjoy seeing the atlans. Wish there was a little more action and it felt like the story just ended even though it had a happy conclusion. Just felt rushed.
A good story. Always enjoy seeing the atlans. Wish there was a little more action and it felt like the story just ended even though it had a happy conclusion. Just felt rushed.
Currently reading
October 19, 2023Too Short!
I like the introduction of animals into the coalition. First Oscar the cat and now Lilah! Love them and Love this series. I can't wait for the next storyline.. I wish this Novella had been longer.
I like the introduction of animals into the coalition. First Oscar the cat and now Lilah! Love them and Love this series. I can't wait for the next storyline.. I wish this Novella had been longer.
October 14, 2024
The story is very formulaic. If you are familiar with this author, nothing in here will surprise you. The female narrator was so robotic that I had to double check that I hadn’t bought an AI narrated book by accident.
December 29, 2024
This novella was short and sweet. I listed to the audio book. I loved the male narrator. But the female narrator sounded so robotic. It threw me off. The story itself was okay. I wished the guy could have more bad ass. But okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2025
Short and sweet!
Rebecca, and Stark, have a very eventful and short courtship, before she accepts his claim and request to go to his home, on Everis. She is a real fireball of a woman, who will fight as much as he does to protect the innocent! Great HEA ending!
Rebecca, and Stark, have a very eventful and short courtship, before she accepts his claim and request to go to his home, on Everis. She is a real fireball of a woman, who will fight as much as he does to protect the innocent! Great HEA ending!
March 2, 2023
Hate when I'm done
Another excellent book. I like reading about the different coalition members. The hunters are deadly both as soldiers and mates. Enjoyed
Another excellent book. I like reading about the different coalition members. The hunters are deadly both as soldiers and mates. Enjoyed
March 2, 2023
I love the series but this one is too short. The storylines doesn't well elaborate. So 3star that all I can give
March 2, 2023
Good read, but wish it had been full-length.
March 8, 2023
Really liked this story but it was too short.
May 21, 2023
Vraiment Grace Goodwin c’est mon plaisir coupable
June 16, 2023
Great
But wish it was longer. Would have liked them to set up some kind of training for the youth she loves to help with inter galactic work
But wish it was longer. Would have liked them to set up some kind of training for the youth she loves to help with inter galactic work
July 26, 2023
Not long enough.
August 24, 2023
This was a sweet novella butthedogreally stole my heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews