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The Mandrake Company #1 - 7
Mandrake Company
In a star system run by an oppressive galactic conglomeration, the only way to stay free is to have your own ship. And even that’s not a guarantee.
Join the mercenaries of Mandrake Company as they combat bounty hunters, elude government traps, and battle nefarious finance lords in their quest to make their own destinies.
This set contains four full-length novels of adventure, mystery, humor, and romance. It includes adult material and is for mature readers only.
Join the mercenaries of Mandrake Company as they combat bounty hunters, elude government traps, and battle nefarious finance lords in their quest to make their own destinies.
This set contains four full-length novels of adventure, mystery, humor, and romance. It includes adult material and is for mature readers only.
Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
August 25, 2025
The banter cracks me up.
It is a lot of fun, packed with action, some harrowing times and some steamy times, and humour.
Mandrake Company is all the books in the Mandrake Company Sci Fi series. A bunch of misfits with specialised talents form the mercenaries of this story. With women who find themselves amongst these men who will do anything to protect them, but the women aren't shy about getting their hands dirty.
A fun tale to escape daily life.
It is a lot of fun, packed with action, some harrowing times and some steamy times, and humour.
Mandrake Company is all the books in the Mandrake Company Sci Fi series. A bunch of misfits with specialised talents form the mercenaries of this story. With women who find themselves amongst these men who will do anything to protect them, but the women aren't shy about getting their hands dirty.
A fun tale to escape daily life.
November 18, 2017
Mercenary Instinct (The Mandrake Company #1)
I really wish I had known that this was a pen name for one of my favorite authors, Lindsay Buroker. Man, she has a big back list for me to catch-up on!
I really enjoyed Ankari and Victor. As with a lot of her pairings at first it looks like they won’t mesh … but at the end of the story it looks like they were made for each other. I love her characters and how imaginative the author is when creating a new world. I feel I can really say that seeing as how I’ve read a bunch of her series by now. I’ve never gotten bored or disliked anything I’ve read by her under either name.
I rather liked the introduction to the Mandrake Company, its characters/people, and its ship. This really is a great start to a new series.
Btw, I find it amusing how her business hinges on researching alien poop.
Trial and Temptation (Mandrake Company, #2)
Val and Gregor were just an awesome couple. I so love the super smart guy who is confident in his own intelligence, but woefully ignorant when it comes to social interactions. She writes these types of characters so well. Gregor reminded me of at least one of her more recent characters so I knew I was in for a treat.
The background story of the war going on was a nice touch—the admiral was a jerkface however. I mentioned this in my review for the third book, but I’ll mention it hear too. The crap he tried to pull with Val seemed more poignant because of the current events. I always think something like that is despicable, but it is even more so in this story. Simply because a person has position due to money, fame, politics, or whatever doesn’t give them leave to act like that. It has been something that has been known for the longest time … but it just seems different right now. I wonder how this book will hold up in a few years with a situation like that.
I adored seeing how Val and Gregor got together and seeing how their assumptions were just that and how they altered things to work for the other person. Yay for lists~ lol
The Assassin's Salvation (Mandrake Company, #3)
I don’t know what it is but this story really spoke to me and I can say, as of right now where I am in the series, that this is my favorite of the bunch.
Jamie, I was waiting to see what she would do with her, gets her story. Thankfully it wasn’t with Striker, as the series goes on I find him to be more and more a total butthead…. I loved the character of Sergei and really liked Jamie’s first impression of him as being someone in need of a hug…. One thing I liked was how he didn’t give her crap for being so smart. In fact that is one thing I hope those two worked on—him thinking he wasn’t so smart. Pretty sure he has skills in other places! I was meaning in combat and as an assassin….
I have a good idea of how Jamie was treated and I sympathize with Sergei’s story/background. I loved everything about their developing relationship … both of them having little, none, or really bad sexual experience. I thought it was handled in a sweet manner to tell the truth … it just bugs me when authors tend to treat losing virginity akin to receiving a grievous wound—no matter how quickly “they pain is gone.” I might be alone in this … but whatever it was the only thing that made me pause while I was inhaling the book.
I don’t know if I would feel the same way if I had read this at another time, but current events make certain things more poignant when read right now. It doesn’t matter what sex a predator is they’re still a predator.
Sergei’s story ticked me off and I hated that finance Lord/Lady of the story. Why is it that most people think it is worse when a woman is put in a position like that? Maybe it is just me? I’m not sure to be honest—it is probably because people think of women as nurturers so it is more of a betrayal? Err, that is a convo meant for another place not a book review for an awesome book.
One of my favorite things about this author is her ability to tell a good story that doesn’t bog itself down or end up being too serious. There is a way to tell a story and she is fabulous at telling any kind and giving it the right touch of dignity.
The Ruins of Karzelek (Mandrake Company, #4)
Sedgwick seems really unsure at points and seems to question everything between them despite evidence to the contrary. In previous books he seemed really stodgy and sure so this was an interesting change and a bit more layering added to his character.
The relationship between Kalish and Sedgwick developed really quickly. I didn’t really like that aspect of the story much. Especially with how her mother and her were all anti-mercenary like and were extra wary around him and the people helping them. I know it is different since we have a good idea about the integrity of these characters--so it is annoying to hear someone say bad stuff about them.
The mystery of the aliens was a bigger draw for me about this story even if it was a romance. I also really enjoyed seeing characters from other books. Reading Val, Gregor, Tick, and Striker interact with each other was a nice bonus. I felt for Sedgwick and the teasing he got about his allergies. I really, really enjoyed the mystery of the aliens and wonder how she is going to expand that with the last few stories in this series since it is all done now. I thought the wanderers from the Star Guardian series were pretty interesting, but these aliens are the pre-runners for that series and I’m curious to read more.
That reminds me … the whole setting for this book was eeek inducing for me with underground caverns, flying, underwater, massive cave systems…. can we say claustrophobic? I remember hearing that mentioned once, but not again in the book. I think that might be a good thing since the whole idea gives me the creeps as it is.
To wrap it all up:
I liked the book.
The relationship went a little too fast for me—I just didn’t get it and it didn’t feel naturalish. Yes I know these are nearly insta love couplings, but sometimes there can be a natural progression to them.
The mystery of the aliens got a bit more real with the introduction of what they found near the end of the book—totally curious to see what she does with what they found in later books.
Striker is a bigger jerkface and I would so like to read a story about him where his jerkiness is stymied a bunch by a woman who shows him what’s up. I looked ahead so I didn't see a book or story just about him so I can hope it happens during a main story or something.
I can’t wait to read Tick’s book.
I really wish I had known that this was a pen name for one of my favorite authors, Lindsay Buroker. Man, she has a big back list for me to catch-up on!
I really enjoyed Ankari and Victor. As with a lot of her pairings at first it looks like they won’t mesh … but at the end of the story it looks like they were made for each other. I love her characters and how imaginative the author is when creating a new world. I feel I can really say that seeing as how I’ve read a bunch of her series by now. I’ve never gotten bored or disliked anything I’ve read by her under either name.
I rather liked the introduction to the Mandrake Company, its characters/people, and its ship. This really is a great start to a new series.
Btw, I find it amusing how her business hinges on researching alien poop.
Trial and Temptation (Mandrake Company, #2)
Val and Gregor were just an awesome couple. I so love the super smart guy who is confident in his own intelligence, but woefully ignorant when it comes to social interactions. She writes these types of characters so well. Gregor reminded me of at least one of her more recent characters so I knew I was in for a treat.
The background story of the war going on was a nice touch—the admiral was a jerkface however. I mentioned this in my review for the third book, but I’ll mention it hear too. The crap he tried to pull with Val seemed more poignant because of the current events. I always think something like that is despicable, but it is even more so in this story. Simply because a person has position due to money, fame, politics, or whatever doesn’t give them leave to act like that. It has been something that has been known for the longest time … but it just seems different right now. I wonder how this book will hold up in a few years with a situation like that.
I adored seeing how Val and Gregor got together and seeing how their assumptions were just that and how they altered things to work for the other person. Yay for lists~ lol
The Assassin's Salvation (Mandrake Company, #3)
I don’t know what it is but this story really spoke to me and I can say, as of right now where I am in the series, that this is my favorite of the bunch.
Jamie, I was waiting to see what she would do with her, gets her story. Thankfully it wasn’t with Striker, as the series goes on I find him to be more and more a total butthead…. I loved the character of Sergei and really liked Jamie’s first impression of him as being someone in need of a hug…. One thing I liked was how he didn’t give her crap for being so smart. In fact that is one thing I hope those two worked on—him thinking he wasn’t so smart. Pretty sure he has skills in other places! I was meaning in combat and as an assassin….
I have a good idea of how Jamie was treated and I sympathize with Sergei’s story/background. I loved everything about their developing relationship … both of them having little, none, or really bad sexual experience. I thought it was handled in a sweet manner to tell the truth … it just bugs me when authors tend to treat losing virginity akin to receiving a grievous wound—no matter how quickly “they pain is gone.” I might be alone in this … but whatever it was the only thing that made me pause while I was inhaling the book.
I don’t know if I would feel the same way if I had read this at another time, but current events make certain things more poignant when read right now. It doesn’t matter what sex a predator is they’re still a predator.
Sergei’s story ticked me off and I hated that finance Lord/Lady of the story. Why is it that most people think it is worse when a woman is put in a position like that? Maybe it is just me? I’m not sure to be honest—it is probably because people think of women as nurturers so it is more of a betrayal? Err, that is a convo meant for another place not a book review for an awesome book.
One of my favorite things about this author is her ability to tell a good story that doesn’t bog itself down or end up being too serious. There is a way to tell a story and she is fabulous at telling any kind and giving it the right touch of dignity.
The Ruins of Karzelek (Mandrake Company, #4)
Sedgwick seems really unsure at points and seems to question everything between them despite evidence to the contrary. In previous books he seemed really stodgy and sure so this was an interesting change and a bit more layering added to his character.
The relationship between Kalish and Sedgwick developed really quickly. I didn’t really like that aspect of the story much. Especially with how her mother and her were all anti-mercenary like and were extra wary around him and the people helping them. I know it is different since we have a good idea about the integrity of these characters--so it is annoying to hear someone say bad stuff about them.
The mystery of the aliens was a bigger draw for me about this story even if it was a romance. I also really enjoyed seeing characters from other books. Reading Val, Gregor, Tick, and Striker interact with each other was a nice bonus. I felt for Sedgwick and the teasing he got about his allergies. I really, really enjoyed the mystery of the aliens and wonder how she is going to expand that with the last few stories in this series since it is all done now. I thought the wanderers from the Star Guardian series were pretty interesting, but these aliens are the pre-runners for that series and I’m curious to read more.
That reminds me … the whole setting for this book was eeek inducing for me with underground caverns, flying, underwater, massive cave systems…. can we say claustrophobic? I remember hearing that mentioned once, but not again in the book. I think that might be a good thing since the whole idea gives me the creeps as it is.
To wrap it all up:
I liked the book.
The relationship went a little too fast for me—I just didn’t get it and it didn’t feel naturalish. Yes I know these are nearly insta love couplings, but sometimes there can be a natural progression to them.
The mystery of the aliens got a bit more real with the introduction of what they found near the end of the book—totally curious to see what she does with what they found in later books.
Striker is a bigger jerkface and I would so like to read a story about him where his jerkiness is stymied a bunch by a woman who shows him what’s up. I looked ahead so I didn't see a book or story just about him so I can hope it happens during a main story or something.
I can’t wait to read Tick’s book.
August 31, 2020
Ok, so I got this series free from the Goodreads sweepstakes. Thank you Goodreads and Ruby Lionsgate for this opportunity. I have mixed feelings on this series and I keep changing my rating on it between 3 and 4. For those looking into this series, this is a very steamy series so if that's not what you are into.... move along right now lol!
The Pros:
The characters are very well developed and have great depth.
No two characters are the same.
The girls are hilarious and strong.
The men are sexy and protective.
The story line is interesting.
The Cons:
There is a lot of insta-love happening which isnt always my cup of tea.
(Pro again) There may be insta-love happening but there are circumstances/ situations that occur to make you believe the chemistry/love afterwards
Basically, it is a well written series with real in depth characters that come off shallow with the insta-love off the bat. There is plenty of steam and sizzle happening ;) The intimate scenes are well written and doesn't make you laugh at the interaction (I have had my fair share of really poorly written intimate scenes). The different stories focus on different couples but the story line does progress forward with mentions of things that happened previously that is affecting the current characters. Everything is interwoven and previous characters do play a part in the plots. It isn't just random characters in the same world. Since Ruby does a very nice job creating different characters, you don't feel like the love-story or scenes are redundant.
The Pros:
The characters are very well developed and have great depth.
No two characters are the same.
The girls are hilarious and strong.
The men are sexy and protective.
The story line is interesting.
The Cons:
There is a lot of insta-love happening which isnt always my cup of tea.
(Pro again) There may be insta-love happening but there are circumstances/ situations that occur to make you believe the chemistry/love afterwards
Basically, it is a well written series with real in depth characters that come off shallow with the insta-love off the bat. There is plenty of steam and sizzle happening ;) The intimate scenes are well written and doesn't make you laugh at the interaction (I have had my fair share of really poorly written intimate scenes). The different stories focus on different couples but the story line does progress forward with mentions of things that happened previously that is affecting the current characters. Everything is interwoven and previous characters do play a part in the plots. It isn't just random characters in the same world. Since Ruby does a very nice job creating different characters, you don't feel like the love-story or scenes are redundant.
July 22, 2020
A Great Series!
I actually read this series a few years ago on Kindle Unlimited and I'm so glad that this bundle was put together. I love books 📚, or movies 🎥, about space travel and this series has the right balance between action and romance. The author put a lot of thought and energy into making it believable and very entertaining. It's like Star Trek meets Firefly. It has all the wonder of Star Trek and mixed in is rebel defiance of Firefly. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is up for a adventure. I do hope that more book's from this series are written, they're a few of the mercenaries that stand out that deserve their story being made, Sergeant Striker and Sergeant Hazel are two of them. Striker really needs someone who can handle and calm him down lol. I hope that you give these book a try, I don't think that you will be disappointed, I sure wasn't.
I actually read this series a few years ago on Kindle Unlimited and I'm so glad that this bundle was put together. I love books 📚, or movies 🎥, about space travel and this series has the right balance between action and romance. The author put a lot of thought and energy into making it believable and very entertaining. It's like Star Trek meets Firefly. It has all the wonder of Star Trek and mixed in is rebel defiance of Firefly. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is up for a adventure. I do hope that more book's from this series are written, they're a few of the mercenaries that stand out that deserve their story being made, Sergeant Striker and Sergeant Hazel are two of them. Striker really needs someone who can handle and calm him down lol. I hope that you give these book a try, I don't think that you will be disappointed, I sure wasn't.
August 7, 2020
A huge thank you to Goodreads and Ruby Lionsdrake for the opportunity to read this series!
Though note, this amazing series could be yours for just 99c, or free with Kindle Unlimited. This is a steal and if you're hooked by the promise of Star Wars/Firefly/Star Trek, but with hot sex and adorable romance, go forth and read!! There are both alpha and beta men, all super hot, with strong and capable women. Everyone has really different talents and stories, so each book has a pretty different tone even as it follows the same cast of supporting characters. But there's mystery, action, adventure, suspense, and lots of spaceships, with a surprising amount of humor woven in throughout. So it was a lot of fun to read -- with a few caveats:
I had a great time reading this series and being immersed in the world, even if I do have a few reservations. I will say that these would all probably be deal-breakers for me if these were contemporaries, but the completely different setting (Earth doesn't even exist anymore) and the extreme situations (outer edges of the galaxy, mercenaries and pirates and thieves) made it a *little* bit more understandable in context.
--There's a "boys will be boys" attitude about the other mercenaries (non-heroes) sexually harassing the women on the ship
Spoiler for 1st book only
--THE ASSASSIN'S SALVATION deals with a lot of sexual harassment and sexual victimization for both protagonists
--THE PIRATE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER starts off with a literal slave auction (of women of color, no less) and it was incredibly uncomfortable and ruined the book for me (which is a shame, because the rest of it was great if the first scene could be mitigated)
Though note, this amazing series could be yours for just 99c, or free with Kindle Unlimited. This is a steal and if you're hooked by the promise of Star Wars/Firefly/Star Trek, but with hot sex and adorable romance, go forth and read!! There are both alpha and beta men, all super hot, with strong and capable women. Everyone has really different talents and stories, so each book has a pretty different tone even as it follows the same cast of supporting characters. But there's mystery, action, adventure, suspense, and lots of spaceships, with a surprising amount of humor woven in throughout. So it was a lot of fun to read -- with a few caveats:
I had a great time reading this series and being immersed in the world, even if I do have a few reservations. I will say that these would all probably be deal-breakers for me if these were contemporaries, but the completely different setting (Earth doesn't even exist anymore) and the extreme situations (outer edges of the galaxy, mercenaries and pirates and thieves) made it a *little* bit more understandable in context.
--There's a "boys will be boys" attitude about the other mercenaries (non-heroes) sexually harassing the women on the ship
Spoiler for 1st book only
--THE ASSASSIN'S SALVATION deals with a lot of sexual harassment and sexual victimization for both protagonists
--THE PIRATE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER starts off with a literal slave auction (of women of color, no less) and it was incredibly uncomfortable and ruined the book for me (which is a shame, because the rest of it was great if the first scene could be mitigated)
January 27, 2024
Wow
OK, I've now officially read the entire series and must say that it is a mind twister. Each couple gets their own HEA, and I'm pleased to see old characters in new books and old characters revisited in their own special part 2, but some of the series went over my head. I guess that's what happens when you stay awake for 2 days trying to finish a series. So I must say, as a positive, I like the characters, especially Ankara and Victor. I'm kinda disappointed in Ankara in the last few books because she starts off as a badass and then deflates. She becomes more business oriented and less kick ass. Heck, the one thing that made her special was her fighting skills, and she doesn't seem to need them or use them often enough through the series to be recognizable outside of just another body in the way of being useful. Also, her friends become kick ass so there is growth there, and that's impressive, and then there are the other women on board the ship that really don't overly shine or grow much either. Other than the lack of character strengths growing in a more roundabout way, the series is overall very thought out and definitely more of a science nerd type series than a Sci fi type series. It's still a very interesting read and one that I did enjoy.
OK, I've now officially read the entire series and must say that it is a mind twister. Each couple gets their own HEA, and I'm pleased to see old characters in new books and old characters revisited in their own special part 2, but some of the series went over my head. I guess that's what happens when you stay awake for 2 days trying to finish a series. So I must say, as a positive, I like the characters, especially Ankara and Victor. I'm kinda disappointed in Ankara in the last few books because she starts off as a badass and then deflates. She becomes more business oriented and less kick ass. Heck, the one thing that made her special was her fighting skills, and she doesn't seem to need them or use them often enough through the series to be recognizable outside of just another body in the way of being useful. Also, her friends become kick ass so there is growth there, and that's impressive, and then there are the other women on board the ship that really don't overly shine or grow much either. Other than the lack of character strengths growing in a more roundabout way, the series is overall very thought out and definitely more of a science nerd type series than a Sci fi type series. It's still a very interesting read and one that I did enjoy.
December 11, 2020
Lots of action- in and out of bed
Ruby Lionsdrake has created a far-future universe where corporate conglomerates rule, government is their tool, and the far fringes of the galaxy are lurking places for pirates, slavers, crime lords - and mercenaries. Captain Mandrake and his crew form a relatively ethical and honest company of soldiers for hire, and roam the outer fringes doing inadvertent good, coincidentally eliminating bad guys in the process, making enemies of the powers that be, and finding true love in the unlikeliest situations. Great imaginative world-building, off-beat characters portrayed in distinctive and warts-and-all detail, clever dialogue, and hot steamy sexual shenanigans make this box set a SF romance fan's binge-reading Nirvana. The author calls the series complete - but I (and anyone else who enjoys these tales) will certainly hope she changes her mind. We need more of the Mandrake Company!
Ruby Lionsdrake has created a far-future universe where corporate conglomerates rule, government is their tool, and the far fringes of the galaxy are lurking places for pirates, slavers, crime lords - and mercenaries. Captain Mandrake and his crew form a relatively ethical and honest company of soldiers for hire, and roam the outer fringes doing inadvertent good, coincidentally eliminating bad guys in the process, making enemies of the powers that be, and finding true love in the unlikeliest situations. Great imaginative world-building, off-beat characters portrayed in distinctive and warts-and-all detail, clever dialogue, and hot steamy sexual shenanigans make this box set a SF romance fan's binge-reading Nirvana. The author calls the series complete - but I (and anyone else who enjoys these tales) will certainly hope she changes her mind. We need more of the Mandrake Company!
March 24, 2023
Several years ago I downloaded book one in this series (Mercenary Instinct) free from Amazon. But somehow I'd never read it until recently. Since I've been on a science fiction streak lately, it was an obvious choice - and then I decided to get the complete series.
I read all books in order, and although I posted individual reviews of each one, it kind of felt like one long novel, since the characters from the previous books (with very few exceptions) keep making appearances in the following ones. Some stories I liked better than others, but overall I pretty much enjoyed this series - and I expect I'll be reading more of Ruby Lionsdrake's books soon.
This complete series also comes with a bonus novella that I found pretty cute - especially since it involves a greenish blue fluffy animal that's supposed to look like a bunny with antennae, makes cute noises and loves to eat apples.
I read all books in order, and although I posted individual reviews of each one, it kind of felt like one long novel, since the characters from the previous books (with very few exceptions) keep making appearances in the following ones. Some stories I liked better than others, but overall I pretty much enjoyed this series - and I expect I'll be reading more of Ruby Lionsdrake's books soon.
This complete series also comes with a bonus novella that I found pretty cute - especially since it involves a greenish blue fluffy animal that's supposed to look like a bunny with antennae, makes cute noises and loves to eat apples.
February 19, 2021
I am aroused Sergeant!
Lol! I loved these stories, and I cannot get enough of the characters! There are some unfinished conclusions to the background stories though. For instance, is Victor's name/companies (including his side companies) cleared from the Galactic goverment? What happened to the Admiral that took off with the alien engines and holo cube, did he make ships with light speed? Did Victor's crew figure out the schematics of the cube and how it works? Who were the druids that knew Victor's real name, were they his relatives? And finally, will Victor and Ankari get married, have kids, and retire together?
Lol! I loved these stories, and I cannot get enough of the characters! There are some unfinished conclusions to the background stories though. For instance, is Victor's name/companies (including his side companies) cleared from the Galactic goverment? What happened to the Admiral that took off with the alien engines and holo cube, did he make ships with light speed? Did Victor's crew figure out the schematics of the cube and how it works? Who were the druids that knew Victor's real name, were they his relatives? And finally, will Victor and Ankari get married, have kids, and retire together?
November 19, 2020
Excellent fun
I bought these books on their initial release and enjoyed them, every one. By the third entry, Lionsdrake had become an repurchase for me. She's *that good*.
The characters were great, the world building was phenomenal, and there was a really nice mix of action and romance. I wish there were more in the series, mostly because I wonder: is there any woman in the universe that could do something with Striker? That would be a challenge and a half!
Highly recommended.
I bought these books on their initial release and enjoyed them, every one. By the third entry, Lionsdrake had become an repurchase for me. She's *that good*.
The characters were great, the world building was phenomenal, and there was a really nice mix of action and romance. I wish there were more in the series, mostly because I wonder: is there any woman in the universe that could do something with Striker? That would be a challenge and a half!
Highly recommended.
July 4, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed rereading the series
I’ve read the series before, as individual books, and enjoyed them. So it was nice to have them all packaged together, so I could just race through the entire thing, enjoying them all over again.
It was also nice to find the extra little tidbit added at the end. I hadn’t read Chanda & Kor’s story before. Would love to see more of them in a future story.
And hey, will we ever see Striker or Hazel get their own story?
I’ve read the series before, as individual books, and enjoyed them. So it was nice to have them all packaged together, so I could just race through the entire thing, enjoying them all over again.
It was also nice to find the extra little tidbit added at the end. I hadn’t read Chanda & Kor’s story before. Would love to see more of them in a future story.
And hey, will we ever see Striker or Hazel get their own story?
July 12, 2020
So so
The first book was four stars for me. It was fun but the main two characters didn’t really make sense as a romance and in fact every character in every book after continually comment that their relationship makes no sense. The second book was great and the relationship developed really well. I was rooting for those two. After that it was just two random characters getting into a romance because one had boobs and the other muscles. I stopped reading in the fourth book.
The first book was four stars for me. It was fun but the main two characters didn’t really make sense as a romance and in fact every character in every book after continually comment that their relationship makes no sense. The second book was great and the relationship developed really well. I was rooting for those two. After that it was just two random characters getting into a romance because one had boobs and the other muscles. I stopped reading in the fourth book.
July 24, 2020
Mandrake series
The Mandrake series was very interesting and entertaining. Many ups and downs in the fighting scenes. The sex scenes were tasteful and well done. All the characters were well written even Stricker was ok though he was very sexist lol. Still enjoyed all the characters and hope to see more of the Mandrake series to find out who is sabotaging the ship and trying to kill them all. Highly recommended.
The Mandrake series was very interesting and entertaining. Many ups and downs in the fighting scenes. The sex scenes were tasteful and well done. All the characters were well written even Stricker was ok though he was very sexist lol. Still enjoyed all the characters and hope to see more of the Mandrake series to find out who is sabotaging the ship and trying to kill them all. Highly recommended.
August 6, 2020
I admit I have not read any books by this author until I won this ARC from Goodreads. I found the stories in this sci-fi romance series highly enjoyable, great characters, well written, with action and romance, touches of humor and angst, and a detailed world building that kept me entertained while reading. The mercenary crew of the Albatross and their missions are the stories in this box set. ARC
August 29, 2020
Excellent read
Well at first I wasn’t that impressed. The story lines are well thought out in each book. But the characters could have used more fleshing out. For the most part I liked all the books. They flowed very well though each story. At a couple of points I felt the characters and story line could have used a bit more definition. But for the most part I didn’t really want to put the books down.
Well at first I wasn’t that impressed. The story lines are well thought out in each book. But the characters could have used more fleshing out. For the most part I liked all the books. They flowed very well though each story. At a couple of points I felt the characters and story line could have used a bit more definition. But for the most part I didn’t really want to put the books down.
July 1, 2021
Loved the series!!
A great read! I enjoyed how there is a lot more story than sex. The Microbio company that is through the whole thing is interesting. I laughed at some of the antics of the characters and definitely could feel the pain from losing so many people.
It would be interesting for there to be stories for Hazel and Striker. ( I know how tough that one would be.)
Loved the series!! Would definitely read more from Lionsdrake.
A great read! I enjoyed how there is a lot more story than sex. The Microbio company that is through the whole thing is interesting. I laughed at some of the antics of the characters and definitely could feel the pain from losing so many people.
It would be interesting for there to be stories for Hazel and Striker. ( I know how tough that one would be.)
Loved the series!! Would definitely read more from Lionsdrake.
December 7, 2021
Please, Sir. May I have sine more?
Love love love the Mandrake Omnibus. I could read these forever. I started an omnibus to keep me company durum my covid positive isolation.
I'm revived from the covid, but would adore more Mandrake Company. Will Striker ever find romance? I hope so!
Love love love the Mandrake Omnibus. I could read these forever. I started an omnibus to keep me company durum my covid positive isolation.
I'm revived from the covid, but would adore more Mandrake Company. Will Striker ever find romance? I hope so!
July 30, 2020
Excellent series!
I highly recommend this fantastically imaginative series, especially in this box set format, to readers who like sci-fi action and romance. I couldn't put in down, and hope Lionsdrake does write more of these books even tho it is a complete series as is. Enjoy!
I highly recommend this fantastically imaginative series, especially in this box set format, to readers who like sci-fi action and romance. I couldn't put in down, and hope Lionsdrake does write more of these books even tho it is a complete series as is. Enjoy!
August 10, 2020
Loved this series
I really loved this series. It was so well written with humor, adventure, intrigued and all around excitement. You should continue this series with a woman that can handle Stricker to put him in his place..
I really loved this series. It was so well written with humor, adventure, intrigued and all around excitement. You should continue this series with a woman that can handle Stricker to put him in his place..
December 21, 2020
Mandrake Company
I've just reread this. It is STILL one of my favorite series ever!!!! Now that I turned the last page I already miss them! I only wished there were more stories to read about Mandrake Company!!
I've just reread this. It is STILL one of my favorite series ever!!!! Now that I turned the last page I already miss them! I only wished there were more stories to read about Mandrake Company!!
September 27, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed these books!
Enjoyable characters, exciting action and just the right amount of romance, I thoroughly enjoyed these books! I just wish I would have read them slower.
Enjoyable characters, exciting action and just the right amount of romance, I thoroughly enjoyed these books! I just wish I would have read them slower.
November 20, 2021
Loved the whole series
Didn't realise what I'd been missing, all the humour as well as the stories plus the steamy side too. What a great combination. I've got lots more to read now.
Didn't realise what I'd been missing, all the humour as well as the stories plus the steamy side too. What a great combination. I've got lots more to read now.
November 29, 2021
Great series
I enjoyed every one of these books. Liked the characters and the plots of the various books. I enjoyed having many of the characters reappear in the series and loved the different romantic partners.
I enjoyed every one of these books. Liked the characters and the plots of the various books. I enjoyed having many of the characters reappear in the series and loved the different romantic partners.
February 1, 2022
Romance and adventure; a great read!
A series of interrelated stories, they will pique your interest and keep you coming back for more. There is romance, a little sexy spice and enough character development to really make you believe in The Man drake Company universe.
A series of interrelated stories, they will pique your interest and keep you coming back for more. There is romance, a little sexy spice and enough character development to really make you believe in The Man drake Company universe.
August 4, 2022
fun stories, light romance and good characters
Mercenaries have lots of adventures in lots of new and interesting worlds. Light read that is an enjoyable romp across several worlds.
Mercenaries have lots of adventures in lots of new and interesting worlds. Light read that is an enjoyable romp across several worlds.
February 7, 2023
I have not read the full series however I have read the first three. Quite spicy in places however full of adventure and giggles. The author certainly knows how to put a smile on my face.
I do intend to finish but other books are demanding my attention.
I do intend to finish but other books are demanding my attention.
September 17, 2023
Excellently engaging! 😁
I really enjoyed this series. It was interesting and suspenseful to keep me wanting more. I also appreciated the moments of levity. I highly recommend it. You won't want to put it down.
I really enjoyed this series. It was interesting and suspenseful to keep me wanting more. I also appreciated the moments of levity. I highly recommend it. You won't want to put it down.
November 3, 2023
I really, really wanted to like this series. The adventures were good, but the men (all hardened mercenaries) acted like timid maidens around each female love interest. Really baffled by their thought processes.
September 15, 2024
addictive characters and well written plots
I am so glad I found this series! The story lines are thorough, the quest of the men to understand the women humorous and cute at times. If you enjoy science fiction with romance, this is well worth the reading. Enjoy!
I am so glad I found this series! The story lines are thorough, the quest of the men to understand the women humorous and cute at times. If you enjoy science fiction with romance, this is well worth the reading. Enjoy!
October 14, 2024
Excellent series
I have loved this series. Great characters and storylines. Thank you giving me many more hours of enjoyable reading. I love everything that you have written in all your genres. Here's to more stories for us to enjoy.
I have loved this series. Great characters and storylines. Thank you giving me many more hours of enjoyable reading. I love everything that you have written in all your genres. Here's to more stories for us to enjoy.
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