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Marastin Dow Warriors #1
A Warrior's Heart
Ben and Aaron Cooper’s life had never been one of ease. Deserted by their mother and raised by a drunken father, they fought to survive on the Kansas farm where their father worked. Life deals them a horrendous twist when they are kidnapped by an alien trader and sold.
Ben, the oldest by sixteen months, convinces the aliens who enslave them that he and Aaron will die if they are separated. It is the only way he can think of to keep them together and protect his younger brother.
The next fifteen years prove to be the most challenging of their lives. They do what they have to in order to survive. They are convinced their time has come to an end when the freighter they are on is attacked by a species known for their lust for blood and killing.
Evetta and Hanine Marquette are Marastin Dow; a species whose leaders thrive on living in the old ways where only the strongest, most ruthless are allowed to live. The life expectancy for most Marastin Dow is short, especially on one of the warships that all Marastin Dow, male or female, are expected to serve a mandatory service. Advancement usually comes by murder.
Evetta and Hanine want a different life and work together to stay alive in the hopes of finding a life away from the constant threat of death. Life changes for them when they encounter two strange and unusual alien males.
When the males’ lives are endangered, there is only one thing these warrior women can do to save them… run!
Ben, the oldest by sixteen months, convinces the aliens who enslave them that he and Aaron will die if they are separated. It is the only way he can think of to keep them together and protect his younger brother.
The next fifteen years prove to be the most challenging of their lives. They do what they have to in order to survive. They are convinced their time has come to an end when the freighter they are on is attacked by a species known for their lust for blood and killing.
Evetta and Hanine Marquette are Marastin Dow; a species whose leaders thrive on living in the old ways where only the strongest, most ruthless are allowed to live. The life expectancy for most Marastin Dow is short, especially on one of the warships that all Marastin Dow, male or female, are expected to serve a mandatory service. Advancement usually comes by murder.
Evetta and Hanine want a different life and work together to stay alive in the hopes of finding a life away from the constant threat of death. Life changes for them when they encounter two strange and unusual alien males.
When the males’ lives are endangered, there is only one thing these warrior women can do to save them… run!
114 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2014
About the author
S.E. Smith
229 books2,591 followersS.E. Smith is an internationally acclaimed, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.
Readers can check out her website at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5
Readers can check out her website at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
Want to Read
April 21, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/13/2019)! 🎁
May 9, 2020
Even though this was a novella it definitely got me intrested in not only this series but another series by this author that seemed to be intertwined within this story.
September 7, 2017
The concept of this book was good, but the book itself wasn't. It's all instalove and corny and while some ideas were sweet, I think the fact that it follows both relationships and not just one kind of ruined everything for me. It's short, and it should have been this short with just the one couple, maybe do another book for he other, but it didn't work for me jumping from couple to couple because it made it one sex scene after the other and barely any movement to the story.
There were cute scenes, mainly to do with Adam, the second brother and his origami things, but other than that meh. Maybe if I'd read the book this is connected to first I would have enjoyed it, I'm unsure but I still think that's highly unlikely. I also hated the dialogue in this, it's got a very formal feeling that always puts me off. I also disliked the 'aliens' using sayings or wording things like we do on earth since they have a different language and wouldn't have them but sure.
There were cute scenes, mainly to do with Adam, the second brother and his origami things, but other than that meh. Maybe if I'd read the book this is connected to first I would have enjoyed it, I'm unsure but I still think that's highly unlikely. I also hated the dialogue in this, it's got a very formal feeling that always puts me off. I also disliked the 'aliens' using sayings or wording things like we do on earth since they have a different language and wouldn't have them but sure.
July 1, 2017
This is another good story by this writer.
Only for me there could have been more love scenes in this story and somehow the other way around works better for me, a human female with an alien warrior.
But good read, with action, taking care of each other and fighting their way out.
Only for me there could have been more love scenes in this story and somehow the other way around works better for me, a human female with an alien warrior.
But good read, with action, taking care of each other and fighting their way out.
February 1, 2020
3.5 stars. I have had this book in my Kindle since 2015. Great story. Heat level 🔥🔥. Live me some S. E. Smith.
November 29, 2020
This was pretty okay. I wish that it had been longer. Most of the alien-human romances that I have read the alien was a male. In this case the aliens were female. The humans were brothers.
Want to Read
March 11, 2023Purch Amazon April 1, 2018
February 20, 2015
3.5 Stars
October 29, 2021
I wondered how these couples got together when I was reading the Valdier stories. So glad I found out. A light read, but adds to the entire world of these different races.
June 11, 2020
I love these books and enjoy running into characters from her previous novels. Such a good story!
September 10, 2019
A sweet story....
I enjoyed this book very much. Aaron and Ben Cooper, brothers, are kidnapped from Earth and thrust in horrible situation after horrible situation. They end up on Marastin Dow warship, where they think this is where they'll die, in a cell. They get a surprise comrade in Science officer whom helps them move around the lower levels of the ship in safety. The brothers'eyes are caught by two Marastin Dow sisters. They fall in love, and then once again chaos ensues. They get help from an unlikely ally, again. I dont want to give away the ending. It is a sweet love story about hardship and the rewards of overcoming it. I only wish that I had read the Valdier Series prior to understand the other characters and the prior Marastin Dow Books, as I was lost in some parts. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good sweet, but at times violent, love story.
I enjoyed this book very much. Aaron and Ben Cooper, brothers, are kidnapped from Earth and thrust in horrible situation after horrible situation. They end up on Marastin Dow warship, where they think this is where they'll die, in a cell. They get a surprise comrade in Science officer whom helps them move around the lower levels of the ship in safety. The brothers'eyes are caught by two Marastin Dow sisters. They fall in love, and then once again chaos ensues. They get help from an unlikely ally, again. I dont want to give away the ending. It is a sweet love story about hardship and the rewards of overcoming it. I only wish that I had read the Valdier Series prior to understand the other characters and the prior Marastin Dow Books, as I was lost in some parts. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good sweet, but at times violent, love story.
April 12, 2025
🩷❤️Excellent !
Chez la peuplade guerrière extra-terrestre des Marastin Dow, seuls les plus forts ont le droit de vivre, et ceci depuis l'enfance.
Ils sont cruels et sans pitié.
Deux soeurs Marastin Dow ont réussi à survivre jusqu'à maintenant : Evetta et Hanine Marquette.
Elles effectuent leur service militaire à bord d'un vaisseau de guerre.
Elles doivent surveiller leurs arrières tous les jours.
Au fin fond du vaisseau, vivent cachés deux frères Terriens : Ben et Aaron Cooper.
-----------------------------
Un beau roman court, plutôt qu'une nouvelle à mes yeux, qui met en valeur et en lumière deux jeunes Marastin Dow bien différentes de leurs congénères.
Amour, espoir, entraide : une très belle histoire qui se déroule en même temps que les séries "les Seigneurs Dragons de Valdier" et "les Guerriers Sarafins".
Une excellente auteure à découvrir pour les amateurs du genre !
Je recommande.
Chez la peuplade guerrière extra-terrestre des Marastin Dow, seuls les plus forts ont le droit de vivre, et ceci depuis l'enfance.
Ils sont cruels et sans pitié.
Deux soeurs Marastin Dow ont réussi à survivre jusqu'à maintenant : Evetta et Hanine Marquette.
Elles effectuent leur service militaire à bord d'un vaisseau de guerre.
Elles doivent surveiller leurs arrières tous les jours.
Au fin fond du vaisseau, vivent cachés deux frères Terriens : Ben et Aaron Cooper.
-----------------------------
Un beau roman court, plutôt qu'une nouvelle à mes yeux, qui met en valeur et en lumière deux jeunes Marastin Dow bien différentes de leurs congénères.
Amour, espoir, entraide : une très belle histoire qui se déroule en même temps que les séries "les Seigneurs Dragons de Valdier" et "les Guerriers Sarafins".
Une excellente auteure à découvrir pour les amateurs du genre !
Je recommande.
June 19, 2019
Perfect
Love this book! It comes after cornering Carmen. It is part of the series but can be read as a stand alone. I believe it’s best when read in order, plus all the books are good and you don’t want to miss one. I loved reading about these two relationships.
I have been on a bad book spree and kept reading bad book after another and it just crushed my desire to read. So I picked this book up, knowing I it would bring me out of my rut. You can’t go wrong with this author!
This book is about two human men that are abducted from Earth 15years ago and live life not knowing if they will see the next day. They meet two female marastin dow, the biggest difference being their purple skin and the ruthless nature of their species. The two sisters also worry each day that they will be attacked by other ruthless marastin dow. Each finds love in unexpected places.
Love this book! It comes after cornering Carmen. It is part of the series but can be read as a stand alone. I believe it’s best when read in order, plus all the books are good and you don’t want to miss one. I loved reading about these two relationships.
I have been on a bad book spree and kept reading bad book after another and it just crushed my desire to read. So I picked this book up, knowing I it would bring me out of my rut. You can’t go wrong with this author!
This book is about two human men that are abducted from Earth 15years ago and live life not knowing if they will see the next day. They meet two female marastin dow, the biggest difference being their purple skin and the ruthless nature of their species. The two sisters also worry each day that they will be attacked by other ruthless marastin dow. Each finds love in unexpected places.
September 24, 2018
Just not my optimal choice. Note to self: don't choose scifi romance, usually has little of the former and mostly the latter. And this book follows that formula.
Interesting characters, but they didn't really do a lot except jump each other at every opportunity.
Not really my kind of idea of action.
But, the author writes very well so I will be looking at all her series to see if there is anything with less romance and more scifi or fantasy.
Romance lovers would enjoy this. Scifi readers possibly not so much. Although it does give a tiny peek at the universe in which the two young human men find themselves. Although I was all set to scream at the next mention of nubs!
Interesting characters, but they didn't really do a lot except jump each other at every opportunity.
Not really my kind of idea of action.
But, the author writes very well so I will be looking at all her series to see if there is anything with less romance and more scifi or fantasy.
Romance lovers would enjoy this. Scifi readers possibly not so much. Although it does give a tiny peek at the universe in which the two young human men find themselves. Although I was all set to scream at the next mention of nubs!
October 13, 2020
Love connections !!
I enjoyed this book from the Dragons of Valdier series !
I had read the book with the Twin Dragons, and their mate Carmen. At the spaceport that they found themselves in , Carmen gets kidnapped, and the kidnappers are the Marastin Dow sisters, that are in this story !!
I Always enjoy a trip to their Dragon World !! And this story is no different.
I am hope that these people will show up in future books !!
I enjoyed this book from the Dragons of Valdier series !
I had read the book with the Twin Dragons, and their mate Carmen. At the spaceport that they found themselves in , Carmen gets kidnapped, and the kidnappers are the Marastin Dow sisters, that are in this story !!
I Always enjoy a trip to their Dragon World !! And this story is no different.
I am hope that these people will show up in future books !!
November 28, 2023
At first it didn't seem interesting to me, but I'm glad I listened to this sequel, because Marastin Dow has a very bad reputation through the series, so I'm glad that they are also fighting for a better tomorrow also.
Two brothers and two sisters...
I like the detail with the origami, very nice considering that all the things we are used to for men are not actually available for courting.
And for a change, alien girls hunt human men :) .
Two brothers and two sisters...
I like the detail with the origami, very nice considering that all the things we are used to for men are not actually available for courting.
And for a change, alien girls hunt human men :) .
October 26, 2024
A Warrior's Heart is the fist book in the Marastin Dow Warriors series by S.E. Smith.
Two human brothers are kidnapped from earth and wind up on a spacecraft with a large crew and two Marastin Dow sisters. The only thing they want is to get of the spacecraft in one piece and together. If the other crew members find out what they plan they will all be killed. This is am amazing story with wonderful characters. This story has everything you could possibly want in a book. I loved it!
Two human brothers are kidnapped from earth and wind up on a spacecraft with a large crew and two Marastin Dow sisters. The only thing they want is to get of the spacecraft in one piece and together. If the other crew members find out what they plan they will all be killed. This is am amazing story with wonderful characters. This story has everything you could possibly want in a book. I loved it!
November 27, 2025
a warriors heart by se Smith. the overall concept was good but it felt like the author didn't know exactly where they were going. like is it a stalker romance? is it a wounded cinnamon roll looking for the girl? is it a harden woman that has to prove herself every day by being tougher than the men? or is it about a girl that doesn't like the cards and life she had and dreams that prove charming will whisk her away and save her. no it's all those things and more
March 19, 2018
Great
This is the 14 book I have read by SE Smith and they only get better. The more I read, the more I want to know about these worlds and characters. Their back stories, their worlds, society, culture, etc are all woven into the books as she keeps all the books connected and consistent. It is amazing to read her works. Don’t miss out
This is the 14 book I have read by SE Smith and they only get better. The more I read, the more I want to know about these worlds and characters. Their back stories, their worlds, society, culture, etc are all woven into the books as she keeps all the books connected and consistent. It is amazing to read her works. Don’t miss out
February 7, 2019
I would love to read another book from this series. I find the characters interesting and they are trying overcome a situation that they were born into.
I disliked not knowing what happened to the other marastin dow crew members that had to escape, and I would love to find out what happened to them.
I disliked not knowing what happened to the other marastin dow crew members that had to escape, and I would love to find out what happened to them.
March 3, 2022
DIFFERENCES THAT REALLY DON’T MATTER
Unexpected relationships fuel this is unusual romance filled with love and surprises and differences that don’t matter. Love covers a multitude of differences.
A Warriors Heart is a fantastic read and a perfect introduction to this new series. Definitely recommend.
Unexpected relationships fuel this is unusual romance filled with love and surprises and differences that don’t matter. Love covers a multitude of differences.
A Warriors Heart is a fantastic read and a perfect introduction to this new series. Definitely recommend.
January 8, 2019
Loved this book
I loved Ben and Aaron's story of finding love after so many years. And I loved that Hanine and her sister were able to find true love after living under the stigma of being Marstin Dow. Just shows that anyone can find love!
I loved Ben and Aaron's story of finding love after so many years. And I loved that Hanine and her sister were able to find true love after living under the stigma of being Marstin Dow. Just shows that anyone can find love!
May 22, 2020
A sweet erotic love story
Nicely written which manages to combine both sweetness and detailed alien sex in a space adventure. A bit more on the space sc-fi side and I would have given it 5 stars. The author has the ability to expand more depth with the characters created.
Nicely written which manages to combine both sweetness and detailed alien sex in a space adventure. A bit more on the space sc-fi side and I would have given it 5 stars. The author has the ability to expand more depth with the characters created.
October 17, 2021
This is such a wonderful addition to S.E. Smith’s world!
I loved this story. I’m so glad we got to learn Ben & Aaron’s stories with Evetta & Hanine. I can’t wait for more stories about the Marastin Dow.
I loved this story. I’m so glad we got to learn Ben & Aaron’s stories with Evetta & Hanine. I can’t wait for more stories about the Marastin Dow.
February 14, 2023
I was never super clear why everyone feared the Marastin Dow warriors but perhaps that's better explained in the first book. I listened to this in Audible and the narrator was good. It was a short book and kept me entertained enough to keep listening.
February 19, 2023
Kind of boring and not all that interesting. It felt like a part of a greater universe because the human woman at the end mated to the twin dragons was very interesting. She felt important (like the lead of another series).
May 24, 2017
A cute short
This was a cute short story. Loved how two brothers and two sisters find their love in a really bad situation.
This was a cute short story. Loved how two brothers and two sisters find their love in a really bad situation.
June 15, 2017
Loved it!
They helped each other escape. Loved the origami. It was so sweet of him to brighten her day. Both brothers found love. So sweet!
They helped each other escape. Loved the origami. It was so sweet of him to brighten her day. Both brothers found love. So sweet!
September 21, 2017
From the series of books that are linked together to tell the story of humans on Alien Worlds.
April 10, 2018
I am completely enraptured with this story and all the characters intertwined with the Lord's of Valdier series and cannot wait for more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews