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The Phoenix Adventures #0.5
Among Galactic Ruins
ASIN: B013O47RKE first updated version found here, second updated version found here
When astro-archeologist and museum curator Dr. Lexa Carter discovers a secret map to a lost old Earth treasure—a priceless Fabergé egg—she’s excited at the prospect of a treasure hunt to the dangerous desert planet of Zerzura. What she’s not so happy about is being saddled with a bodyguard—the museum’s mysterious new head of security, Damon Malik.
After many dangerous years as a galactic spy, Damon Malik just wanted a quiet job where no one tried to kill him. Instead of easy work in a museum full of artifacts, he finds himself on a backwater planet babysitting the most infuriating woman he’s ever met.
She thinks he’s arrogant. He thinks she’s a trouble-magnet. But among the desert sands and ruins, adventure led by a young, brash treasure hunter named Dathan Phoenix, takes a deadly turn. As it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want them to find the treasure, Lexa and Damon will have to trust each other just to survive.
Note to readers: This sci fi romance contains a lot of action (think desert ruins, dangerous animals and freak sandstorms), sexy treasures hunters and a steamy romance (lots of sexy times between a smart archeologist and a mysterious former spy). This is treasure hunting sci-fi style. So if you like it fast, and fun, and sexy, this is for you!
Includes preview of Book 1 of the Phoenix Adventures, At Star’s End.
___________________________________________________
If you like action and adventure with your science fiction romance, there are more stories in the Phoenix Adventures series for you to enjoy:
Among Galactic Ruins
At Star's End
In the Devil's Nebula
On a Rogue Planet
Beneath a Trojan Moon (novella)
Beyond Galaxy's Edge
On a Cyborg Planet (novella)
Return to Dark Earth - Starring Niklas and Nera Darc, coming in August 2015
When astro-archeologist and museum curator Dr. Lexa Carter discovers a secret map to a lost old Earth treasure—a priceless Fabergé egg—she’s excited at the prospect of a treasure hunt to the dangerous desert planet of Zerzura. What she’s not so happy about is being saddled with a bodyguard—the museum’s mysterious new head of security, Damon Malik.
After many dangerous years as a galactic spy, Damon Malik just wanted a quiet job where no one tried to kill him. Instead of easy work in a museum full of artifacts, he finds himself on a backwater planet babysitting the most infuriating woman he’s ever met.
She thinks he’s arrogant. He thinks she’s a trouble-magnet. But among the desert sands and ruins, adventure led by a young, brash treasure hunter named Dathan Phoenix, takes a deadly turn. As it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want them to find the treasure, Lexa and Damon will have to trust each other just to survive.
Note to readers: This sci fi romance contains a lot of action (think desert ruins, dangerous animals and freak sandstorms), sexy treasures hunters and a steamy romance (lots of sexy times between a smart archeologist and a mysterious former spy). This is treasure hunting sci-fi style. So if you like it fast, and fun, and sexy, this is for you!
Includes preview of Book 1 of the Phoenix Adventures, At Star’s End.
___________________________________________________
If you like action and adventure with your science fiction romance, there are more stories in the Phoenix Adventures series for you to enjoy:
Among Galactic Ruins
At Star's End
In the Devil's Nebula
On a Rogue Planet
Beneath a Trojan Moon (novella)
Beyond Galaxy's Edge
On a Cyborg Planet (novella)
Return to Dark Earth - Starring Niklas and Nera Darc, coming in August 2015
200 pages, ebook
First published August 1, 2015
164 people are currently reading
586 people want to read
About the author
Anna Hackett
162 books2,909 followersI’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.
I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com
I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
August 24, 2015
I do love a good sexy sci-fi. Aliens, alien worlds, and bad, bad things happening to people in the far reaches of space just do it for me. The sex isn't too shabby either.
But let's not talk about how much I adore a good romp through alien worlds. Let's talk about Lexa and Damon.
Lexa and Damon. They definitely have some sparks when they're first on page. Sparks of the "I loathe you and your high-handed ways" type. It's awesome. Because the loathing sparks are all just a front for the "let's get nekkid and jump into bed" sparks. And Damon going a little growly whenever someone looks at Lexa a little too long (I'm looking at you, Dathan) was hilarious.
Fun, fast-paced and sexy. Everything I desire in a sexy sci-fi. (Also, I should really read the others in this series since I'm enjoying it so much.)
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
But let's not talk about how much I adore a good romp through alien worlds. Let's talk about Lexa and Damon.
Lexa and Damon. They definitely have some sparks when they're first on page. Sparks of the "I loathe you and your high-handed ways" type. It's awesome. Because the loathing sparks are all just a front for the "let's get nekkid and jump into bed" sparks. And Damon going a little growly whenever someone looks at Lexa a little too long (I'm looking at you, Dathan) was hilarious.
Fun, fast-paced and sexy. Everything I desire in a sexy sci-fi. (Also, I should really read the others in this series since I'm enjoying it so much.)
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
September 21, 2015
A fun treasure hunting adventure on a new planet
This was a fast paced, and sweet adventure packed romance. While I found the plot and characters to be quite predictable, this book still made for a nice, pleasant, and easy read. No unnecessary angst or drama. It had an Indiana Jones feel to it. Enjoyable throughout. Worth its .99 price tag.
This was a fast paced, and sweet adventure packed romance. While I found the plot and characters to be quite predictable, this book still made for a nice, pleasant, and easy read. No unnecessary angst or drama. It had an Indiana Jones feel to it. Enjoyable throughout. Worth its .99 price tag.
September 27, 2015
I kept wanting to like this book more than I did.
Dr. Lexa Carter's on the trail of an ancient Earth relic, a Faberge egg, and she's determined to prove her astro-archeologist credentials to her disapproving father -- hey...she's hitting two birds with one stone! However, she's been forced to accept the protection of a bodyguard, Damon Malik, who's not at all happy with his assignment either. He'd been enjoying the quiet and peaceful museum security gig, not expecting to have to play sidekick to a stubborn woman with Daddy issues. However, as Lexa and Damon journey to find the relic, there's no denying the attraction that springs up between them. As they close in on their target, they discover that they're not the only ones interested in recovering their prize, and must learn to depend on each other to survive the threat and make it home together.
While there's nothing really wrong with this story, I just couldn't get engaged by the characters. Lexa and Damon are cardboard cutouts. She's the fiesty-but-caring heroine (who doesn't listen to the trained security professional who's guarding her). He's the badass-with-a-heart who finds her irresistable (despite her complete inability to listen or comply with his instructions). It's just so completely predictable and so conventional that it's like driving down an endlessly flat interstate highway...vast monotony, except occasional glimpses of something interesting in the distance.
So...just two stars.
Dr. Lexa Carter's on the trail of an ancient Earth relic, a Faberge egg, and she's determined to prove her astro-archeologist credentials to her disapproving father -- hey...she's hitting two birds with one stone! However, she's been forced to accept the protection of a bodyguard, Damon Malik, who's not at all happy with his assignment either. He'd been enjoying the quiet and peaceful museum security gig, not expecting to have to play sidekick to a stubborn woman with Daddy issues. However, as Lexa and Damon journey to find the relic, there's no denying the attraction that springs up between them. As they close in on their target, they discover that they're not the only ones interested in recovering their prize, and must learn to depend on each other to survive the threat and make it home together.
While there's nothing really wrong with this story, I just couldn't get engaged by the characters. Lexa and Damon are cardboard cutouts. She's the fiesty-but-caring heroine (who doesn't listen to the trained security professional who's guarding her). He's the badass-with-a-heart who finds her irresistable (despite her complete inability to listen or comply with his instructions). It's just so completely predictable and so conventional that it's like driving down an endlessly flat interstate highway...vast monotony, except occasional glimpses of something interesting in the distance.
So...just two stars.
May 23, 2016
RATING: 1.5 Hearts
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February 13, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/13/2018)! 💝
January 12, 2016
I love this series! It's like Indiana Jones in future!
I loved going backward in time and discovering how everything strated! :)
I loved going backward in time and discovering how everything strated! :)
July 16, 2015
Originally published at Reading Reality
In At Star's End, the first novel in the Phoenix Adventures series, intergalactic treasure hunter Dathan Phoenix finds himself assisting astro-archaeologist Dr. Eos Rai in her hunt for a long-lost Terran treasure. And falling head over heels in love with the determined and beautiful scientist.
Now we know that this was fated, not by any biological fated-mate trope, but because when Dathan first struck out on his own as a treasure hunter, he assisted Damon Malik and Dr. Alexa Carter find a long-lost Terran treasure on his home planet of Zerzura.
Dathan was in his late teens, old enough to be rather freely sowing his wild oats as he criss-crossed Zerzura guiding treasure hunters and travelers over the planet. As he observes security expert Damon Malik fall head over heels for the very feisty, and extremely determined, Alexa Carter, Dathan is rather flippant about his intention to spread his charm over as many ladies as he can for as long as he’s able. He’s sure he’ll never get tied down to one woman.
Malik essentially curses him to find someone just like Alexa, or Dathan curses himself when he says, “Not sure I’ll ever find class like Dr. Carter, here. And I don’t want some astro-archeologist who’ll bitch at me for being a treasure hunter.” Of course, that’s exactly what he gets in At Star’s End .
But Among Galactic Ruins, while it certainly foreshadows At Star’s End, is really about the relationship between Dr. Alexa Clark and Damon Malik. Not that there aren’t plenty of parallels in their relationship to Dathan’s story.
Dr. Alexa Clark is the head curator at a prestigious private museum. Damon Malik is the conscientious and rather secretive head of security. Her ingenious exhibits are security nightmares, but extremely successful.
They both have pasts that they are trying to outrun. Malik grew up on a gang planet and was rescued by a Galactic Security Services officer he tried to pickpocket. While Alexa grew up the privileged daughter of a wealthy businessman on an inner-ring planet, it was a gilded cage that she was expected to remain in for the rest of her life. She rebelled and made her own way through school and into a profession that she loves.
Alexa has found a map, encoded on an ancient vase, to the location of one of the fabled, lost Faberge eggs of old Earth. Her map, full of cryptic clues, leads to the planet Zerzura, once a lush paradise, now a desert wasteland.
Alexa has always wanted to go on an expedition, and this is her chance. Her boss, concerned for her safety as well as that of the artifact she seeks, sends Malik along for her protection. A protection she badly needs, as the planet is dangerous and there are all too many people who have searched for the Temple that is reputed to contain the egg.
The danger starts upon landing, when the planet throws up a deadly sandstorm and the guide who stiffed her sends thugs to her room to steal the map. While they fail, this is only the first in a series of troublesome dangers that turn out not to be a coincidence.
With their new guide, Dathan Phoenix, leading them out, Malik and Carter follow those cryptic clues to a long-concealed location, fending off predators both natural and otherwise along the way, only to find that they are facing yet one more, and seemingly final, trap.
In the end, it is Alexa’s love of the profession that her father despised that saves the day for all of them.
Escape Rating A-: Okay, I’ll admit that if you’ve read At Star’s End, you can pretty much guess how Among Galactic Ruins is going to go. Which doesn’t make it any less fun, not by any stretch of the imagination.
It’s also fun to see Dathan Phoenix as a very young, and slightly less secure, man. Seeing Dathan interact with Damon Malik, it makes you wonder how much young Dathan modeled himself on Malik, who has become pretty much the kind of man that Dathan would like to be.
Damon Malik is a much better role model than Dathan’s real father, the drunken and disreputable Brocken Phoenix.
There are also elements of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, complete with Malik as the adult Indy and Dathan Phoenix (Dathan Phoenix equals River Phoenix?) as the young Indy. You can even see the resemblances if you squint. Among Galactic Ruins also reminded me a bit of Romancing the Stone, although Alexa Clark is a much more experienced and capable adventurer, even with her sheltered upbringing, than Joan Wilder in Stone.
The story in Among Galactic Ruins is an action/adventure romance. Malik and Clark fall in love during the high adrenaline rush of a dangerous treasure hunt. Because they already know each other, and mostly rub each other the wrong way, the brief love story doesn’t feel rushed, nor does it feel like insta-love. Their high-voltage arguments obviously conceal deeper feelings, and seem to have from the beginning. They start out combustible and the shared danger finally makes them combust!
In summary, Among Galactic Ruins is a sweet treat for fans of Hackett’s Phoenix Adventures, and a great place to start for someone who has yet to experience the fun of this terrific science fiction romance adventure series.
Reviewer’s Note: Among Galactic Ruins is currently available only as part of the Romancing the Alpha: An Action-Adventure Romance Boxed Set ebook “box” set. It will be available as a separate publication in August. When it will hopefully have its own cover.
In At Star's End, the first novel in the Phoenix Adventures series, intergalactic treasure hunter Dathan Phoenix finds himself assisting astro-archaeologist Dr. Eos Rai in her hunt for a long-lost Terran treasure. And falling head over heels in love with the determined and beautiful scientist.
Now we know that this was fated, not by any biological fated-mate trope, but because when Dathan first struck out on his own as a treasure hunter, he assisted Damon Malik and Dr. Alexa Carter find a long-lost Terran treasure on his home planet of Zerzura.
Dathan was in his late teens, old enough to be rather freely sowing his wild oats as he criss-crossed Zerzura guiding treasure hunters and travelers over the planet. As he observes security expert Damon Malik fall head over heels for the very feisty, and extremely determined, Alexa Carter, Dathan is rather flippant about his intention to spread his charm over as many ladies as he can for as long as he’s able. He’s sure he’ll never get tied down to one woman.
Malik essentially curses him to find someone just like Alexa, or Dathan curses himself when he says, “Not sure I’ll ever find class like Dr. Carter, here. And I don’t want some astro-archeologist who’ll bitch at me for being a treasure hunter.” Of course, that’s exactly what he gets in At Star’s End .
But Among Galactic Ruins, while it certainly foreshadows At Star’s End, is really about the relationship between Dr. Alexa Clark and Damon Malik. Not that there aren’t plenty of parallels in their relationship to Dathan’s story.
Dr. Alexa Clark is the head curator at a prestigious private museum. Damon Malik is the conscientious and rather secretive head of security. Her ingenious exhibits are security nightmares, but extremely successful.
They both have pasts that they are trying to outrun. Malik grew up on a gang planet and was rescued by a Galactic Security Services officer he tried to pickpocket. While Alexa grew up the privileged daughter of a wealthy businessman on an inner-ring planet, it was a gilded cage that she was expected to remain in for the rest of her life. She rebelled and made her own way through school and into a profession that she loves.
Alexa has found a map, encoded on an ancient vase, to the location of one of the fabled, lost Faberge eggs of old Earth. Her map, full of cryptic clues, leads to the planet Zerzura, once a lush paradise, now a desert wasteland.
Alexa has always wanted to go on an expedition, and this is her chance. Her boss, concerned for her safety as well as that of the artifact she seeks, sends Malik along for her protection. A protection she badly needs, as the planet is dangerous and there are all too many people who have searched for the Temple that is reputed to contain the egg.
The danger starts upon landing, when the planet throws up a deadly sandstorm and the guide who stiffed her sends thugs to her room to steal the map. While they fail, this is only the first in a series of troublesome dangers that turn out not to be a coincidence.
With their new guide, Dathan Phoenix, leading them out, Malik and Carter follow those cryptic clues to a long-concealed location, fending off predators both natural and otherwise along the way, only to find that they are facing yet one more, and seemingly final, trap.
In the end, it is Alexa’s love of the profession that her father despised that saves the day for all of them.
Escape Rating A-: Okay, I’ll admit that if you’ve read At Star’s End, you can pretty much guess how Among Galactic Ruins is going to go. Which doesn’t make it any less fun, not by any stretch of the imagination.
It’s also fun to see Dathan Phoenix as a very young, and slightly less secure, man. Seeing Dathan interact with Damon Malik, it makes you wonder how much young Dathan modeled himself on Malik, who has become pretty much the kind of man that Dathan would like to be.
Damon Malik is a much better role model than Dathan’s real father, the drunken and disreputable Brocken Phoenix.
There are also elements of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, complete with Malik as the adult Indy and Dathan Phoenix (Dathan Phoenix equals River Phoenix?) as the young Indy. You can even see the resemblances if you squint. Among Galactic Ruins also reminded me a bit of Romancing the Stone, although Alexa Clark is a much more experienced and capable adventurer, even with her sheltered upbringing, than Joan Wilder in Stone.
The story in Among Galactic Ruins is an action/adventure romance. Malik and Clark fall in love during the high adrenaline rush of a dangerous treasure hunt. Because they already know each other, and mostly rub each other the wrong way, the brief love story doesn’t feel rushed, nor does it feel like insta-love. Their high-voltage arguments obviously conceal deeper feelings, and seem to have from the beginning. They start out combustible and the shared danger finally makes them combust!
In summary, Among Galactic Ruins is a sweet treat for fans of Hackett’s Phoenix Adventures, and a great place to start for someone who has yet to experience the fun of this terrific science fiction romance adventure series.
Reviewer’s Note: Among Galactic Ruins is currently available only as part of the Romancing the Alpha: An Action-Adventure Romance Boxed Set ebook “box” set. It will be available as a separate publication in August. When it will hopefully have its own cover.
April 17, 2019
I've not read The Phoenix Adventures, so I have nothing to compare this prequel with. Among the Galactic Ruins is a fun, sexy romp through galactic ruins, literally. Our heroine is an astro-archaeologist and museum curator, off on a quest to the planet Zerzezza, which had once been populated by ancient humans. Her body guard for the mission is her security chief from the museum, a pain in the butt who loves to verbally spar with her.
So the banter is good. The smexy spark is good. The sandstorms and hunt for ancient ruins and goddess temple are good. In short, this was fun times, an easy read with little to no angst, with a smart couple with little issues but finding their treasure and staying alive. Good times. And, a good read.
So the banter is good. The smexy spark is good. The sandstorms and hunt for ancient ruins and goddess temple are good. In short, this was fun times, an easy read with little to no angst, with a smart couple with little issues but finding their treasure and staying alive. Good times. And, a good read.
June 18, 2021
A nice little story. Highly erotic including exhibitionism. Good start to a series. Interesting combination of sf and history. It works.
August 7, 2017
I was pleasantly surprised with this one. The beginning was a bit slow and I almost quit but I kept on and the book took on a good vibe. There was plenty of action, sexual and adventure, with strong characters and a surprise ending that I didn’t see coming. There was a little cheesy stuff toward the end but not enough to detract. Not a bad read.
January 14, 2019
Among Galactic RuinsAmong Galactic RuinsAmong Galactic RuinsAmong Galactic RuinsAmong Galactic RuinsAmong Galactic RuinsAmong Galactic Ruins Anna Hackett
Reviewed by SFF Dragon*
Like Indiana Jones meets Star Wars. A treasure hunt with a steamy romance and HEA for good measure. I loved it.
'Among Galactic Ruins' is a prequel novel in the Phoenix Adventures series by Anna Hackett and although I was given this copy by the author in exchange for an honest review, I also have a copy which I bought from Amazon UK. This book hooked me on the first page and I got so absorbed by the story I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved it and it made me laugh. This is one of those books I will read again and again.
I've read and really enjoyed a lot of books by this author, but I haven't read any of the Phoenix Adventures, and because her series' are all so different from each other I had no pre-conceptions about what this story would be like, nothing to compare it to from other stories in the series, but as I read the book, all sorts of things popped into my memory, from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Star Wars to The Last Crusade.
This action packed Sci-Fi adventure with a little romance and a few steamy bits on the side, was like a female Indiana Jones in space with high-tech gadgets, searching for a long lost Earth treasure and overcoming obstacles and dangers, on a crime ridden desert planet that reminded me vividly of Tatooine, right down to the description of the Spaceport, but that's were the Star Wars similarities end.
From the planet Econia in the Central Systems, the youngest of six children, only daughter and an heiress to one of the largest fortunes in the galaxy, 30 year-old Astro-Archeologist Alexa Carter is a big disappointment to her father, Baron, owner of Carter Interstellar Enterprises, who doesn't approve of her working. He allowed her to play at studying whilst he and her mother, Cassandra, groomed her to be a good little trophy wife for one of the sons of the five richest galactic families in some sort of business alliance. And instead...she's carved out a career as an astro-archeologist and Curator of the Durend Museum on Zeta Volantis, the biggest private museum in the galaxy.
Now she's off on an adventure in the Exodus quadrant, on the desert planet of Zerzura, the most dangerous place in the galaxy, following a map and clues she found on an ancient vase, in search of a priceless Faberge Egg brought to Zerzura in antiquity by people fleeing the Terran War. But her employer, Marcus Durend, has sent along a bodyguard to protect her, the museum's Head of Security, Damon Malik, a man rumoured to have been some sort of super-secret military operative. They dislike each other from day one, but things change along the way and there is a HEA for these two strong characters. They also have a guide, the young Dathan Phoenix, treasure hunter in training. I could go on and on about this book, but that would only spoil it for you. I really loved it and am adding the rest of the Phoenix Adventures books to my wish list. I would love to give it a lot more than the five stars allowed here.
Reviewed by SFF Dragon*
Like Indiana Jones meets Star Wars. A treasure hunt with a steamy romance and HEA for good measure. I loved it.
'Among Galactic Ruins' is a prequel novel in the Phoenix Adventures series by Anna Hackett and although I was given this copy by the author in exchange for an honest review, I also have a copy which I bought from Amazon UK. This book hooked me on the first page and I got so absorbed by the story I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved it and it made me laugh. This is one of those books I will read again and again.
I've read and really enjoyed a lot of books by this author, but I haven't read any of the Phoenix Adventures, and because her series' are all so different from each other I had no pre-conceptions about what this story would be like, nothing to compare it to from other stories in the series, but as I read the book, all sorts of things popped into my memory, from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Star Wars to The Last Crusade.
This action packed Sci-Fi adventure with a little romance and a few steamy bits on the side, was like a female Indiana Jones in space with high-tech gadgets, searching for a long lost Earth treasure and overcoming obstacles and dangers, on a crime ridden desert planet that reminded me vividly of Tatooine, right down to the description of the Spaceport, but that's were the Star Wars similarities end.
From the planet Econia in the Central Systems, the youngest of six children, only daughter and an heiress to one of the largest fortunes in the galaxy, 30 year-old Astro-Archeologist Alexa Carter is a big disappointment to her father, Baron, owner of Carter Interstellar Enterprises, who doesn't approve of her working. He allowed her to play at studying whilst he and her mother, Cassandra, groomed her to be a good little trophy wife for one of the sons of the five richest galactic families in some sort of business alliance. And instead...she's carved out a career as an astro-archeologist and Curator of the Durend Museum on Zeta Volantis, the biggest private museum in the galaxy.
Now she's off on an adventure in the Exodus quadrant, on the desert planet of Zerzura, the most dangerous place in the galaxy, following a map and clues she found on an ancient vase, in search of a priceless Faberge Egg brought to Zerzura in antiquity by people fleeing the Terran War. But her employer, Marcus Durend, has sent along a bodyguard to protect her, the museum's Head of Security, Damon Malik, a man rumoured to have been some sort of super-secret military operative. They dislike each other from day one, but things change along the way and there is a HEA for these two strong characters. They also have a guide, the young Dathan Phoenix, treasure hunter in training. I could go on and on about this book, but that would only spoil it for you. I really loved it and am adding the rest of the Phoenix Adventures books to my wish list. I would love to give it a lot more than the five stars allowed here.
December 14, 2023
UPDATE: I felt like reading a fun and light adventure series again. AMONG THE RUINS, bk 1 in Anna Hackett’s “Phoenix Brothers” Space Opera adventure series, has a strong 1984 “Romancing the Stone/Indiana Jones” feel to it. This read quickly and was fun.
ORIGINAL POST:
Among Galactic Ruins is a fun enemies-to-lover trope, light-hearted action-adventure, Space Opera/Sci-fi/fantasy romance novel that kept my attention and moved quickly from beginning to end with a few steamy interludes of romance in the latter half. I did enjoy this rollicking tale and have already purchased a few more titles in the series.
Dr Alexa Carter/FMC is the 30 yrs old youngest sibling of 6, with 5 older brothers, from a wealthy and prestigious family on an advanced planet in the central planets system. Alexa is an astro-archeologist and curator for a private museum, the Derand on Zeta Volantis, where she is employed by a wealthy patron to display, organize and locate interesting artifacts and lost treasures of past civilizations for his collection. Alexa is exhilarated as she heads out on her first expedition, ie., a treasure hunt to the desolate remote planet of Zerzura where she will search for a lost and ancient Terran Faberge egg.
Unlike Alexa, Damon Malik/MMC (originating from a race born naturally with 2 hearts) grew up poor and an orphan fighting to survive on a planet overshadowed by gangs. His dream was merely to escape. With a quick mind and agile body, Damon was recruited off the streets in his youth. He was trained for lethal and high-risk undercover operations, then served years in a inter-galactic military capacity. Following his recent and early retirement, Damon was hired as Head of Security for the Durand Museum. He has been assigned to accompany Alexa on her first off-planet adventure. Damon had previously considered Alexa a “trouble magnet,” and called her Princess but soon discovers her striking appearance and affluent background camouflage both intelligence and inner strength as well. (Damon reminded me of leaner built Indiana Jones/Han Solo guy). ;)
In Among Galactic Ruins, Dr. Alexa hires an able and cocky planet native, Dathan Phoenix, 18yrs, to guide them far into the desert, past the Sea of Dunes where she hopes to find the priceless relic. Dathan warns them that the Sea of Dunes area is a deadly place with terrible sandstorms capable of removing skin, with unpredictable sinkholes, sand traps, high desert winds, and dangerous wild animals - a location where only the foolish enter. They depart together.
Reader Caution -
Violence- PG Sci-fi level with blasters and fights. Not graphic at all.
Profanity- yes. Strong occasional language.
Sexual situations - yes. Not recommended for those who prefer Clean fiction. (On 0-5 Very Clean to Very Steam scale, a 3.5+ or so). The first 1/2 of this novel is nearly entirely the adventure quest and the growing attraction between the 2 main characters. The latter half is both adventure and steamy romance. (The latter 1/2 of the novel has 4? steamy scenes which could be skimmed/skipped if desired).
ORIGINAL POST:
Among Galactic Ruins is a fun enemies-to-lover trope, light-hearted action-adventure, Space Opera/Sci-fi/fantasy romance novel that kept my attention and moved quickly from beginning to end with a few steamy interludes of romance in the latter half. I did enjoy this rollicking tale and have already purchased a few more titles in the series.
Dr Alexa Carter/FMC is the 30 yrs old youngest sibling of 6, with 5 older brothers, from a wealthy and prestigious family on an advanced planet in the central planets system. Alexa is an astro-archeologist and curator for a private museum, the Derand on Zeta Volantis, where she is employed by a wealthy patron to display, organize and locate interesting artifacts and lost treasures of past civilizations for his collection. Alexa is exhilarated as she heads out on her first expedition, ie., a treasure hunt to the desolate remote planet of Zerzura where she will search for a lost and ancient Terran Faberge egg.
Unlike Alexa, Damon Malik/MMC (originating from a race born naturally with 2 hearts) grew up poor and an orphan fighting to survive on a planet overshadowed by gangs. His dream was merely to escape. With a quick mind and agile body, Damon was recruited off the streets in his youth. He was trained for lethal and high-risk undercover operations, then served years in a inter-galactic military capacity. Following his recent and early retirement, Damon was hired as Head of Security for the Durand Museum. He has been assigned to accompany Alexa on her first off-planet adventure. Damon had previously considered Alexa a “trouble magnet,” and called her Princess but soon discovers her striking appearance and affluent background camouflage both intelligence and inner strength as well. (Damon reminded me of leaner built Indiana Jones/Han Solo guy). ;)
In Among Galactic Ruins, Dr. Alexa hires an able and cocky planet native, Dathan Phoenix, 18yrs, to guide them far into the desert, past the Sea of Dunes where she hopes to find the priceless relic. Dathan warns them that the Sea of Dunes area is a deadly place with terrible sandstorms capable of removing skin, with unpredictable sinkholes, sand traps, high desert winds, and dangerous wild animals - a location where only the foolish enter. They depart together.
Reader Caution -
Violence- PG Sci-fi level with blasters and fights. Not graphic at all.
Profanity- yes. Strong occasional language.
Sexual situations - yes. Not recommended for those who prefer Clean fiction. (On 0-5 Very Clean to Very Steam scale, a 3.5+ or so). The first 1/2 of this novel is nearly entirely the adventure quest and the growing attraction between the 2 main characters. The latter half is both adventure and steamy romance. (The latter 1/2 of the novel has 4? steamy scenes which could be skimmed/skipped if desired).
May 16, 2024
Dr. Alexa Carter is on a mission to find an old Earth treasure long ago worshiped by a temple of priestesses. This is Lexa's first mission into the field and she's determined to prove her father wrong and show that she can be successful as an astro-archeologist. In typical Anna Hackett fashion, Lexa was a tough, strong, and brave woman who knows how to take care of herself. I loved her excitement over every find and how much she wanted to find and preserve ancient artifacts. She loves the thrill of a treasure hunt but also only has the best intentions towards what she finds.
Acting as personal protection for Lexa, Damon Malik is security conscious and doesn't tolerate fools. He's butted heads with Lexa ever since he began working at the museum but he also can't deny his attraction to her. Damon was my perfect kind of hero, he's protective, passionate, a touch arrogant and he's 100% behind supporting Lexa. We only get hints of his past but we get enough to reveal that Damon had a hard upbringing and then a dangerous and weary career as a spy.
While Lexa and Damon start out a bit antagonistic, they decide to explore their mutual attraction. As they venture into the deadly and unforgiving desert, they have to depend on each other as well as their treasure hunting guide, Dathan Phoenix. I really enjoyed Dathan and can't wait to read his book! He was cocky and funny and I imagine he'll be quite the rebellious treasure hunter as an adult. The small hints at the destruction of the Terran Earth, other planets, and the Phoenix brothers sets a great tone for the rest of the series.
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Favorite Quotes:
“I can’t remember why I didn’t like you.”
He smiled. “Something about me being an arrogant ass?”
“Oh, right. It’s coming back to me now.”
Acting as personal protection for Lexa, Damon Malik is security conscious and doesn't tolerate fools. He's butted heads with Lexa ever since he began working at the museum but he also can't deny his attraction to her. Damon was my perfect kind of hero, he's protective, passionate, a touch arrogant and he's 100% behind supporting Lexa. We only get hints of his past but we get enough to reveal that Damon had a hard upbringing and then a dangerous and weary career as a spy.
While Lexa and Damon start out a bit antagonistic, they decide to explore their mutual attraction. As they venture into the deadly and unforgiving desert, they have to depend on each other as well as their treasure hunting guide, Dathan Phoenix. I really enjoyed Dathan and can't wait to read his book! He was cocky and funny and I imagine he'll be quite the rebellious treasure hunter as an adult. The small hints at the destruction of the Terran Earth, other planets, and the Phoenix brothers sets a great tone for the rest of the series.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
“I can’t remember why I didn’t like you.”
He smiled. “Something about me being an arrogant ass?”
“Oh, right. It’s coming back to me now.”
February 24, 2016
Lexa Carter studied to become an astro-archaeologist against the wishes of her businessman father. She’s now a museum curator who believes she has found an ancient artifact, a Faberge egg, and is determined to retrieve it. For her safety, the museum’s newish head of security, Damon Malik, is sent with her. Through sandstorms, attack animals, and hijinks in ruins, they get to know each other better and find out that they don’t dislike each other after all.
Anna Hackett fans will know what they are in for: a fast-paced treasure hunt with space travel, combat, combustible attraction/consummation, and more action. I’ve come to view her books as homemade chocolate chip cookies: made from a basic recipe with little additions or tweaks each time, consistently tasty. If you don’t like the recipe concept, this novella will not change your mind. If you do, this makes for a nice small batch. The twist here is the big bad guy’s motives.
Metaphors aside, I got a little distracted because the names Damon and Dathan (their guide) sound similar. Sometimes in the first half of the book I had to stop and check who was doing the thing I was reading about (setting up the fence, fighting baddies, etc).
Like Dathan Phoenix in At Star’s End, Damon Malik finds smarts rather attractive, and I love him for it. It’s easy to see what he sees in resourceful Lexa. He’s steady, loyal, and protective without being smothering. Once Lexa figures out he’s not just trying to annoy her with security measures, she treats him well, making things right even when she missteps. They’re great together, in bed and out of it.
I bought this story as part of the Romancing the Alpha anthology.
Anna Hackett fans will know what they are in for: a fast-paced treasure hunt with space travel, combat, combustible attraction/consummation, and more action. I’ve come to view her books as homemade chocolate chip cookies: made from a basic recipe with little additions or tweaks each time, consistently tasty. If you don’t like the recipe concept, this novella will not change your mind. If you do, this makes for a nice small batch. The twist here is the big bad guy’s motives.
Metaphors aside, I got a little distracted because the names Damon and Dathan (their guide) sound similar. Sometimes in the first half of the book I had to stop and check who was doing the thing I was reading about (setting up the fence, fighting baddies, etc).
Like Dathan Phoenix in At Star’s End, Damon Malik finds smarts rather attractive, and I love him for it. It’s easy to see what he sees in resourceful Lexa. He’s steady, loyal, and protective without being smothering. Once Lexa figures out he’s not just trying to annoy her with security measures, she treats him well, making things right even when she missteps. They’re great together, in bed and out of it.
I bought this story as part of the Romancing the Alpha anthology.
August 10, 2015
This was an extremely intriguing and fascinating story about ancient history, hidden treasures, myths, danger and love, which I enjoyed reading very much. Lexa, a curator of the Darend Museum, finds an ancient vase in the archives, which gives her clues to the location of a famed Fabergé egg on Zerzura, the legendary planet full of danger, mystery and history. This egg is not just a symbol of new life, but of hope and growth. Together with Damon, the museum’s new head of security, and Dathan Phoenix, their guide, they begin an arduous journey to the Temple, but continually encounter mythical phenomena. There was something Lexa didn’t like about Damon; nevertheless, he kept her safe. When the Temple is eventually located, the danger is not over when they encounter a guardian following the wishes of the Orphic Priestesses; it is subsequently revealed that a new caretaker for the Temple and its treasures is required. The author has produced yet another exceptional book, which had lots of interesting twists and turns, and I would have no hesitation in recommending it. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first time reading anything from the Phoenix Adventures series, and I'm already hooked. Lexa is such an awesome character, it's so easy to like her and cheer for her to find the treasure. I liked the pace of the relationship between her and Damon, how it goes from animosity and reluctant acceptance that they must work together, to discovering the many layers they each have and realizing the other is not that bad after all, the sexual tension is very believable and I love how feelings for each other basically sneak in without them noticing. I also love how blunt Damon is and the reactions that his bluntness brings out in Lexa.
Plus, let's not forget about young Dathan Phoenix, he too is very likeable. I hope to run into him in later books. The search for the treasure is action packed and full of surprises and it keeps you at the edge of your seat. I couldn't stop reading it once I started.
This is my first time reading anything from the Phoenix Adventures series, and I'm already hooked. Lexa is such an awesome character, it's so easy to like her and cheer for her to find the treasure. I liked the pace of the relationship between her and Damon, how it goes from animosity and reluctant acceptance that they must work together, to discovering the many layers they each have and realizing the other is not that bad after all, the sexual tension is very believable and I love how feelings for each other basically sneak in without them noticing. I also love how blunt Damon is and the reactions that his bluntness brings out in Lexa.
Plus, let's not forget about young Dathan Phoenix, he too is very likeable. I hope to run into him in later books. The search for the treasure is action packed and full of surprises and it keeps you at the edge of your seat. I couldn't stop reading it once I started.
April 30, 2016
A museum curator and a security guard story doesn't sound too exciting at first. But toss in the backdrop of sci-fi/futuristic world, a treasure hunt and smoking smexytimes and you get something really interesting, and did I mention the smexytimes are hot? I most def will be checking out the remaining books in this series.
April 18, 2018
Treasure hunting in space. This is going to be a good series. Terren (Earth) has been destroyed by nuclear war but some of the most valuable and well known art was sent off world. Now, many years later, there are treasure hunters, astro-archeologists and collectors looking for some of these rare items.
June 10, 2016
A Fun Treasure Hunt!
Filled with adventure, romance, and even a mystery, this book was exciting and full of alien history! I am definitely looking forward to more by this author!
Filled with adventure, romance, and even a mystery, this book was exciting and full of alien history! I am definitely looking forward to more by this author!
August 15, 2021
Series: Phoenix Adventures #0.5
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Astro-archeologist and museum curator Dr. Lexa Carter is headed to the desert planet of Zerzura after discovering a secret map of a lost Earth treasure. While extremely excited to search for the artifact, she isn’t happy about being saddled with a bodyguard.
I really loved this couple. Lexa was a wonderful, smart, strong, and very determined woman. I loved that she could take care of herself and that she was so excited to discover a piece of history. She really was a wonderful heroine who was on a treasure hunt for the right reasons - preserving history for people to learn from.
Damon started out as a grumpy bodyguard who reluctantly is on this expedition. He and Lexa have butted heads since they met and I enjoyed their banter from the very beginning. Damion was a wonderful hero who was kind, protective, passionate, and very supportive of Lexa. These two had great chemistry and I couldn’t get enough of them.
This was a great start for this series and I really can’t wait to see Dalton grow up and fall in love. Hopefully Lexa and Damon will pop up in future books too.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Astro-archeologist and museum curator Dr. Lexa Carter is headed to the desert planet of Zerzura after discovering a secret map of a lost Earth treasure. While extremely excited to search for the artifact, she isn’t happy about being saddled with a bodyguard.
I really loved this couple. Lexa was a wonderful, smart, strong, and very determined woman. I loved that she could take care of herself and that she was so excited to discover a piece of history. She really was a wonderful heroine who was on a treasure hunt for the right reasons - preserving history for people to learn from.
Damon started out as a grumpy bodyguard who reluctantly is on this expedition. He and Lexa have butted heads since they met and I enjoyed their banter from the very beginning. Damion was a wonderful hero who was kind, protective, passionate, and very supportive of Lexa. These two had great chemistry and I couldn’t get enough of them.
This was a great start for this series and I really can’t wait to see Dalton grow up and fall in love. Hopefully Lexa and Damon will pop up in future books too.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
April 27, 2018
Astro archaeologist and rich girl Lexa is a museum curator who believes that she has discovered clues that will lead her to a priceless piece of treasure from Earth (which was destroyed?). The treasure is a Faberge egg and the clues lead her to the dangerous desert planet of Zerzura. She travels with Damon Malik who has a secret past that we don't really read much about. The story was decent for the most part, although the ending wasn't great. I liked Damon and also Dathan Phoenix, who guides the pair into the desert.
However, Lexa was at best a spoiled brat. I really didn't like her character much at all. She was desperate to prove to everyone how smart she was and how capable she was of this trek, but had no idea that she couldn't take vehicles out into the desert, pouts when a sandstorm delays the beginning of their quest and throws a flat out temper tantrum when she things she got the whole thing wrong. She is petulant and immature, and I had a hard time caring about her at all.
However, Lexa was at best a spoiled brat. I really didn't like her character much at all. She was desperate to prove to everyone how smart she was and how capable she was of this trek, but had no idea that she couldn't take vehicles out into the desert, pouts when a sandstorm delays the beginning of their quest and throws a flat out temper tantrum when she things she got the whole thing wrong. She is petulant and immature, and I had a hard time caring about her at all.
May 14, 2024
“Among Galactic Ruins”, prequel to the 'Phoenix Adventures' series, combines adventure and romance on a distant world.
Zerzura was once a green and pleasant world, now it is a desert.
But, thousands of years ago, settlers fleeing the imminent destruction of Earth, settled there and brought with them a legendary treasure – a Fabergé egg.
But the many cities and temples that once dotted the landscape are long buried and forgotten.
Astro-archaeologist and museum curator Dr. Lexa Carter has discovered clues to the location of the egg.
She's accompanied to the planet by the museum's head of security, Damon Malik (a man with a mysterious and murderous past).
It's only a matter of time before their mutual antipathy turns into a raging sexual flame.
Just as things are getting interesting (on the egg hunt) it comes to a crashing end in just a few pages.
It's a pity as it got more interesting as it went along.
3 Stars.
Zerzura was once a green and pleasant world, now it is a desert.
But, thousands of years ago, settlers fleeing the imminent destruction of Earth, settled there and brought with them a legendary treasure – a Fabergé egg.
But the many cities and temples that once dotted the landscape are long buried and forgotten.
Astro-archaeologist and museum curator Dr. Lexa Carter has discovered clues to the location of the egg.
She's accompanied to the planet by the museum's head of security, Damon Malik (a man with a mysterious and murderous past).
It's only a matter of time before their mutual antipathy turns into a raging sexual flame.
Just as things are getting interesting (on the egg hunt) it comes to a crashing end in just a few pages.
It's a pity as it got more interesting as it went along.
3 Stars.
July 3, 2019
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I wanted so much more.
I hated that we just got a little newspaper like article about their wedding and what happened when they returned home.
Would have loved to see more from one of their points of view about their return trip.
But that's just me as a reader.
There were also a few bits in conversation that had me wanting it to be expanded on.
Life in the GSS.
How the brother knew the main male character. Did the girl ever confront brother about knowing him?
How the secondary male character's life changed after the discovery. (Though I think this might be explained in book two since it's his several years later, but IDK for sure.)
Things like that.
But I'm just the type that wants everything explained and always wanting more from the characters.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.
I hated that we just got a little newspaper like article about their wedding and what happened when they returned home.
Would have loved to see more from one of their points of view about their return trip.
But that's just me as a reader.
There were also a few bits in conversation that had me wanting it to be expanded on.
Life in the GSS.
How the brother knew the main male character. Did the girl ever confront brother about knowing him?
How the secondary male character's life changed after the discovery. (Though I think this might be explained in book two since it's his several years later, but IDK for sure.)
Things like that.
But I'm just the type that wants everything explained and always wanting more from the characters.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.
September 8, 2023
Self contained treasure hunting adventure with a dash of Romance
Part of the fun of this story is seeing Dathan Phoenix as a young man just starting to establish his own reputation as a treasure hunter. In this case he is guiding a security expert and an astro-archeologist from a private museum in search of a fabrege egg... and whatever other treasures may have been stored with it and survived the test of time.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, and have been enjoying this series a lot. The light hearted and fun approach to both the treasure hunting and the discovery of Terran history makes me want to plan a real life adventure all my own... perhaps with no animal riding involved.
Part of the fun of this story is seeing Dathan Phoenix as a young man just starting to establish his own reputation as a treasure hunter. In this case he is guiding a security expert and an astro-archeologist from a private museum in search of a fabrege egg... and whatever other treasures may have been stored with it and survived the test of time.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, and have been enjoying this series a lot. The light hearted and fun approach to both the treasure hunting and the discovery of Terran history makes me want to plan a real life adventure all my own... perhaps with no animal riding involved.
March 17, 2018
The operational security on this archeological expedition is pathetic. So so many poor choices. Both hero and heroine are TSTL. They're just begging to be robbed and killed.
In a place where deadly sandstorms can pop up so quickly, it's idiotic to get too far away from shelter, or at least you should keep your Damn supplies close enough that you can grab them quickly as necessary.
Not to mention inadequate academic research before embarking on this expedition.
I am utterly unimpressed with both of them as well as their near-useless guide.
This is not rocket science, people. Sheesh.
In a place where deadly sandstorms can pop up so quickly, it's idiotic to get too far away from shelter, or at least you should keep your Damn supplies close enough that you can grab them quickly as necessary.
Not to mention inadequate academic research before embarking on this expedition.
I am utterly unimpressed with both of them as well as their near-useless guide.
This is not rocket science, people. Sheesh.
June 30, 2018
Action packed romance while hunting treasure!
Great start to a series. Filled with action and steamy scenes this story has a breakneck pace and intense tone. There is some character development, but the action is what moves the story along. The characters are vivid and make you want to see what will happen to them next. I can't wait to read Dathan's story next. This is the prequel to the Phoenix Adventures series. Read it and enjoy!
Great start to a series. Filled with action and steamy scenes this story has a breakneck pace and intense tone. There is some character development, but the action is what moves the story along. The characters are vivid and make you want to see what will happen to them next. I can't wait to read Dathan's story next. This is the prequel to the Phoenix Adventures series. Read it and enjoy!
October 15, 2019
Great adventure and romance
I thoroughly enjoyed Lexa and Damon's story. Of course, Damon started off as the typical alpha male, but pretty quickly became the sexy, hunky, funny hero type we love.
Aside from a great hero and heroine, there's a great secondary character, Dathan, who I hope I read more about in the future.
The adventure they go through was exciting and a cool twist at the end.
I highly recommend this for a read to take you away for a few hours.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lexa and Damon's story. Of course, Damon started off as the typical alpha male, but pretty quickly became the sexy, hunky, funny hero type we love.
Aside from a great hero and heroine, there's a great secondary character, Dathan, who I hope I read more about in the future.
The adventure they go through was exciting and a cool twist at the end.
I highly recommend this for a read to take you away for a few hours.
July 13, 2020
In the same vein as “The Jewel of the Nile” and Indiana Jones.
A wealthy museum curator and a security guard from the wrong side of the tracks team up to find a lost treasure... if the thieves, desert wolves, and sand stormed don’t get them first.
It’s a little cheese, but true to it’s adventurous roots..
A wealthy museum curator and a security guard from the wrong side of the tracks team up to find a lost treasure... if the thieves, desert wolves, and sand stormed don’t get them first.
It’s a little cheese, but true to it’s adventurous roots..
January 13, 2021
Loved this book! Yet another great romance book filled with adventure from Anna! I loved seeing Dathan in action as a teen! I waited to read this book until I finished the other books but now I'm wishing I'd read it first to experience Dathan "grow up" from one book to the next! Still a great read though!
February 25, 2017
Loved, loved, loved! Lexa was great and just charged forward, regardless of the obstacle. I really enjoyed the mix of past and future. Although now I have to look up Zerzura. I didn't get that reference at all. LOL.
Great read and highly recommend.
Great read and highly recommend.
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