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Calm
One morning, gentle Maylak wakes up and feels a sense of oncoming dread. As the tribe's healer, it is her job to ensure that everyone is safe, happy, and healthy... and they are.
So what can be threatening her people?
Moving Day
Farli helps move Maddie into the new 'girls' cave while avoiding some prospective suitors.
These are two Slice of Life Short Stories set in the ICE PLANET BARBARIANS series and do not stand alone. They should be read after BARBARIAN'S TOUCH and are a little bit of sweetness and family life for those waiting for the next full book release.
One morning, gentle Maylak wakes up and feels a sense of oncoming dread. As the tribe's healer, it is her job to ensure that everyone is safe, happy, and healthy... and they are.
So what can be threatening her people?
Moving Day
Farli helps move Maddie into the new 'girls' cave while avoiding some prospective suitors.
These are two Slice of Life Short Stories set in the ICE PLANET BARBARIANS series and do not stand alone. They should be read after BARBARIAN'S TOUCH and are a little bit of sweetness and family life for those waiting for the next full book release.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2016
621 people are currently reading
4949 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Dixon
161 books19.8k followersRuby Dixon is an author of Science Fiction Romance. She likes fated mates, baby-filled epilogues, and cinnamon roll heroes. She also likes to write biographies of herself in the third person, because it feels more important that way.
Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. :)
Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 560 reviews
July 28, 2016
Before reading
I'll not remain Calm - woohoo
After reading
A very giffy review - Something doesn't seem right
And
and
Alright enough! Just enjoy the calm before the storm.
December 7, 2022
3,0 ✨✨✨
I find these covers with the blue babies a bit disturbing. I really don't care for them.
I find these covers with the blue babies a bit disturbing. I really don't care for them.
March 29, 2017
A short story that includes a mystery and a healthy baby!
The healer of the tribe, i.e. Maylak, has a bad feeling when she wakes up this morning. Since she feels responsible for the wellbeing of the whole tribe, she tries to discover what the problem might be.
She shares her concerns with Rokan who also senses that there is something wrong and with the leader of the tribe and ex-lover Vektal.
Together they decide that it better not to scare the others.
Hmm...Let's see what the future will bring...
The healer of the tribe, i.e. Maylak, has a bad feeling when she wakes up this morning. Since she feels responsible for the wellbeing of the whole tribe, she tries to discover what the problem might be.
She shares her concerns with Rokan who also senses that there is something wrong and with the leader of the tribe and ex-lover Vektal.
Together they decide that it better not to scare the others.
Hmm...Let's see what the future will bring...
October 19, 2016
**re-read**
Short, sweet and to the point(?) or more like a great bridge to whats coming. And what is coming, well we don't find out but in this short story from Maylak's point of view(which was a nice change up by the way) We see that Maylak who is very soon to give birth wakes with a bad feeling. Not knowing what it is she visits past characters, and some that we haven't had yet and checks on them.
This books has some really cute check ins and ups with past characters. Yes this book is short but it's a nice book to tide anyone who is like me and is always very impatiently waiting for the next book from this series, and it is also a great way to introduce to us and show us that something is coming. I really, really hope it's that more woman are coming and that we find more Barbarians for the woman who land, wishful thinking maybe but until I know differently I'm planning on living in Wishville(and I know I"m not the only one).
Short, sweet and to the point(?) or more like a great bridge to whats coming. And what is coming, well we don't find out but in this short story from Maylak's point of view(which was a nice change up by the way) We see that Maylak who is very soon to give birth wakes with a bad feeling. Not knowing what it is she visits past characters, and some that we haven't had yet and checks on them.
This books has some really cute check ins and ups with past characters. Yes this book is short but it's a nice book to tide anyone who is like me and is always very impatiently waiting for the next book from this series, and it is also a great way to introduce to us and show us that something is coming. I really, really hope it's that more woman are coming and that we find more Barbarians for the woman who land, wishful thinking maybe but until I know differently I'm planning on living in Wishville(and I know I"m not the only one).
May 18, 2025
Maylak is so kind and caring! I really wish she had at least a full sized novella! Her relationship with Kashrem is so sweet!
August 4, 2025
3.5 stars: GAAAHHH! what’s gonna happen?!?!?!
Maylak is VERY pregnant. She wakes up and feel something is very, very, very wrong, but she doesn’t know what 😬. As a healer of the tribe, she makes it mission to always check on people to make sure they’re healthy 🫶🏻.
When she does, she finds that everyone is pretty much OK. But she still feels unsettled 😅.
It isn’t until she sees Rokan that she confirms she’s not crazy…
And he also confirms that she’s about to give birth 🤣
I loved:
—how selfless Maylak is ❤️
—seeing all the previous couples again 🫶🏻 especially the newly pregnant ones, and the ones that had their babies already 🥹
— cake? I want some too 👀
—Josie excited for all the pregnancy pains and struggles 🤣
—Liz exaggerating 💀
—Star Wars references 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
—how sweet Kashrem is ❤️
—the foreshadowing 👀
I wanted:
—no 🔥 in this one 😑 lol
—for it to be longer
Overall, I loved it ❤️
⚠️safety squad⚠️
Safe
Maylak is VERY pregnant. She wakes up and feel something is very, very, very wrong, but she doesn’t know what 😬. As a healer of the tribe, she makes it mission to always check on people to make sure they’re healthy 🫶🏻.
When she does, she finds that everyone is pretty much OK. But she still feels unsettled 😅.
It isn’t until she sees Rokan that she confirms she’s not crazy…
And he also confirms that she’s about to give birth 🤣
I loved:
—how selfless Maylak is ❤️
—seeing all the previous couples again 🫶🏻 especially the newly pregnant ones, and the ones that had their babies already 🥹
— cake? I want some too 👀
—Josie excited for all the pregnancy pains and struggles 🤣
—Liz exaggerating 💀
—Star Wars references 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
—how sweet Kashrem is ❤️
—the foreshadowing 👀
I wanted:
—no 🔥 in this one 😑 lol
—for it to be longer
Overall, I loved it ❤️
⚠️safety squad⚠️
Safe
September 17, 2019
“Everything is fine. You must be patient.”
She bounces from foot to foot. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m not so good with patient. It’s so hard, because I want to experience everything! And Liz has the pukes and I don’t.” She looks mournful. “I just can’t wait, you know?”Her hands go to her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m not bitching, I promise. I’m just excited.”
“I know you are not—”
“I mean, it must suck really hard to be pregnant for like, three friggin’ years, bloated like a watermelon on the vine and—” Her eyes widen. “I’m making it worse, aren’t I?”
I do not know if she is.What is a water-may-lon?”
“Gimme,” Meh-gan says. “Just, gimme.” They laugh, and the cake is passed around. I am given a plate, and I ponder the sloppy, goo-covered wedge of “cake.” As I watch, Meh-gan picks up her cake, takes a bite, and then closes her eyes. She sets it back down again and carefully licks her fingers. “That is the best thing I have eaten since we landed.”
Now I am curious. I take a little nibble of the cake—and freeze. The texture is coarse and strange, and the awful sweetness of the flavor reminds me of meat that has gone bad. With great difficulty, I finish chewing my small bite and force myself to swallow. Around me, the others are finishing their cake rapidly and exclaiming to Stay-see about how wonderful it is. I hold my plate, unsure how I can get rid of it without offending Stay-see’s feelings.
As I head to the far side of the tribal home, the sound of retching makes my healer senses prick. I turn, heading toward the cave that Leezh shares with Raahosh.“Oh good,” I hear Leezh say. “The healer. Now I know I’m dying.”
I know enough about this human to know that she exaggerates, but her words still send a pang of worry through me.
She bounces from foot to foot. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m not so good with patient. It’s so hard, because I want to experience everything! And Liz has the pukes and I don’t.” She looks mournful. “I just can’t wait, you know?”Her hands go to her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m not bitching, I promise. I’m just excited.”
“I know you are not—”
“I mean, it must suck really hard to be pregnant for like, three friggin’ years, bloated like a watermelon on the vine and—” Her eyes widen. “I’m making it worse, aren’t I?”
I do not know if she is.What is a water-may-lon?”
“Gimme,” Meh-gan says. “Just, gimme.” They laugh, and the cake is passed around. I am given a plate, and I ponder the sloppy, goo-covered wedge of “cake.” As I watch, Meh-gan picks up her cake, takes a bite, and then closes her eyes. She sets it back down again and carefully licks her fingers. “That is the best thing I have eaten since we landed.”
Now I am curious. I take a little nibble of the cake—and freeze. The texture is coarse and strange, and the awful sweetness of the flavor reminds me of meat that has gone bad. With great difficulty, I finish chewing my small bite and force myself to swallow. Around me, the others are finishing their cake rapidly and exclaiming to Stay-see about how wonderful it is. I hold my plate, unsure how I can get rid of it without offending Stay-see’s feelings.
As I head to the far side of the tribal home, the sound of retching makes my healer senses prick. I turn, heading toward the cave that Leezh shares with Raahosh.“Oh good,” I hear Leezh say. “The healer. Now I know I’m dying.”
I know enough about this human to know that she exaggerates, but her words still send a pang of worry through me.
April 20, 2019
Esta novela extra me resulto muy tierna de leer, me gusto conocer un poco mas a Maylak, a quien conocemos desde el primer libro pero de quien no sabemos demasiados detalles, solo que es la curadora de la tribu.
Me dejo muy intrigada el mal presentimiento que sienten Maylak y Rokan, sera que va a suceder algo malo en el proximo libro?
En definitiva, una lectura muy rapida e ideal para los seguidores de esta saga.
2.5 Estrellas!
August 17, 2018
The Ice Planet Barbarians series should be read in order. As for
Calm
this one should be read after Barbarian’s Touch. Fan’s will enjoy the little slice of life in the barbarian tribe we have come to know and love.
Calm is about Maylak and Kashrem. We get a peek into their lives. We get to see how hard the healer works to take care of those in the tribe, her fears, and the upcoming birth of their child. We also get to visit all the previous couples and their families.
Calm is a nice slice in the lives of the Ice Planet Barbarians. I enjoyed this short story.
Rated: 3 Stars
Calm is about Maylak and Kashrem. We get a peek into their lives. We get to see how hard the healer works to take care of those in the tribe, her fears, and the upcoming birth of their child. We also get to visit all the previous couples and their families.
Calm is a nice slice in the lives of the Ice Planet Barbarians. I enjoyed this short story.
Rated: 3 Stars
March 10, 2019
3.5 STARS
Maylak por fin ya tuvo a su bebe, la pobre llevaba como 3 años embarazada.
Una historia cortita, muy linda, que nos deja ver un poco de toda la tribu, todavía me confundo y me pierdo con algunas parejas, pero igual me encanta visitar este frio y entretenido planeta.
Que sigan viniendo mas Ice Ice Babys.
Maylak por fin ya tuvo a su bebe, la pobre llevaba como 3 años embarazada.
Una historia cortita, muy linda, que nos deja ver un poco de toda la tribu, todavía me confundo y me pierdo con algunas parejas, pero igual me encanta visitar este frio y entretenido planeta.
Que sigan viniendo mas Ice Ice Babys.
September 17, 2016
All of these novellas focus on couples that were bypassed in the main books. Cute little “after the HEA” tidbits to keep me satisfied while I wait for the next book to come out. Only to read if you’re a fan of the entire series because they are not standalones.
October 28, 2022
I like this one because Maylak, the tribe's healer, takes us on her rounds around the camp, making sure that everyone's healthy. And she has a little bundle of surprise to keep her company at the end, alongside her mate Kashrem. This is the calm before the storm and should be read before Barbarian's Taming.
July 18, 2016
Oh god, after reading this I'm so scared something really bad is going to happen to our blue aliens and their human mates...
August 15, 2022
I loved the tension and forebonding this short story created for what's coming next in this series.
May 20, 2023
Mhm mhm what's going on???
March 6, 2021
This book was all about FORESHADOWING!
The reader gets to follow the tribe's healer, Maylak, and her adorable family. However, Maylak has a certain sense of dread that she can't escape. It doesn't help matters that Rokan, the tribe's psychic, feels it too.
We also get to see Maddie move in the single girls' cave with Farli and Asha. Being that she is the only true eligible bachelorette, she is dodging all the male attention.
Really enjoyed this one!
The reader gets to follow the tribe's healer, Maylak, and her adorable family. However, Maylak has a certain sense of dread that she can't escape. It doesn't help matters that Rokan, the tribe's psychic, feels it too.
We also get to see Maddie move in the single girls' cave with Farli and Asha. Being that she is the only true eligible bachelorette, she is dodging all the male attention.
Really enjoyed this one!
September 6, 2016
What is this that is coming? This just made me nervous.
At first I hated Asha but now I feel so bad for her! Maybe she and Hemalo will make it work in one of the up-coming books? Pretty please! Make it work! They deserve some happiness. And a fat blue baby.
At first I hated Asha but now I feel so bad for her! Maybe she and Hemalo will make it work in one of the up-coming books? Pretty please! Make it work! They deserve some happiness. And a fat blue baby.
March 22, 2017
Maylak is close to having her second kit, but she is the tribe healer and she has a feeling that something is not right. She's determined to get to the bottom of things.
I love Kashrem, so sweet ;D
I love Kashrem, so sweet ;D
August 28, 2025
Maylak is a sweet character, but I did not really care for this book.
July 2, 2023
Maylak’s short story! I enjoyed seeing what a little bit of her routine was like being the healer of the tribe. She is very kind and cares greatly for everyone and seeing little glimpses into all their lives through her and her ‘senses’ was interesting.
Farli’s very short bit at the end honestly didn’t flow with it, but was also fun to see her in there too.
Farli’s very short bit at the end honestly didn’t flow with it, but was also fun to see her in there too.
September 12, 2016
“Calm” is a short science-fiction, romance/erotica novella in the ice planet barbarian series. Each story is about a human heroine and her blue alien mate.
I was really happy to see for the first time Maylak’s point of view since usually she sits in the background and she only shows up when someone is in need of healing. Until now we have only seen the perspective of the heroines and their mates, so it’s a good chance to experience the way a female sa-khui is thinking. Maylak might not follow the human customs, but she definitely has her own way of caring for the tribe and expressing her love to her mate and kids.
Until I read her story I always thought that her part is an easy one, however her perspective made me see the big contribution she has in the tribe and how serious her role as a healer is.
Do I need to talk about how swoon worthy is her mate? I’m sure by now we all have figure out how awesome the sa-khui tribe is, but since Kashrem hasn’t showed up much in the other books we can see his protectiveness shine here.
I was really happy to see for the first time Maylak’s point of view since usually she sits in the background and she only shows up when someone is in need of healing. Until now we have only seen the perspective of the heroines and their mates, so it’s a good chance to experience the way a female sa-khui is thinking. Maylak might not follow the human customs, but she definitely has her own way of caring for the tribe and expressing her love to her mate and kids.
Kashrem smiles at me, and my heart squeezes with affection for my mate. On impulse, I reach out and caress his arm, searching. I send my thoughts through his body, searching for his khui. Each one has a slight song to it, even when not in resonance, and I search for that song now, mixed in the pulse of flowing blood and thumping heart. Kashrem’s is there, and it is strong. Normal. I breathe a sigh of relief and pull back into myself. A moment later, I touch Esha’s arm and do the same, just because I must reassure myself that my family is well.
Until I read her story I always thought that her part is an easy one, however her perspective made me see the big contribution she has in the tribe and how serious her role as a healer is.
This is why a healer has so many secrets. Because sometimes they should not be spoken until they have turned into something that can be healed away with a touch.
Do I need to talk about how swoon worthy is her mate? I’m sure by now we all have figure out how awesome the sa-khui tribe is, but since Kashrem hasn’t showed up much in the other books we can see his protectiveness shine here.
July 22, 2016
Rating: 5
I love these Slice of Life stories from Ms. Dixon. I really loved this one because it was about Maylak and what goes inside her head. I really cannot wait for the next book and find out what big changes are in store for the Ice Barbarians.
I love these Slice of Life stories from Ms. Dixon. I really loved this one because it was about Maylak and what goes inside her head. I really cannot wait for the next book and find out what big changes are in store for the Ice Barbarians.
May 8, 2017
3.5 stars
April 9, 2025
Tenemos dos historias: una en la que Maylak tiene un presentimiento y checa a toda la tribu esperando encontrar lo que está mal pero... no encuentra nada; no te mentiré, me estresó poquito porque yo soy cero paciente y NECESITABA que resolvieran lo que estaba mal y que disque no, que un presentimiento, pero mira, te lo advierto de una vez Ruby, si llegas a hacerle algo a Asha te juro que abandono los libros porque no quiero que me hagas nada con mi niña, es mi protegida. Veremos en qué se desenlaza todo esta "percepción" de que algo va a salir mal
La otra historia es de Farli y, aunque nunca me interesó xd fue una grata sorpresa el tener su POV, me intriga saber con quién resonará, ojalá haya un libro de ella
La otra historia es de Farli y, aunque nunca me interesó xd fue una grata sorpresa el tener su POV, me intriga saber con quién resonará, ojalá haya un libro de ella
July 16, 2017
Huge respect for Maylak. Being the only healer in the entire tribe as well as being heavily pregnant is difficult and she puts everyone above herself. It was nice to get a short story on her and her little family. As well as Farli.
But something big is coming! I'm not sure if it's something good or not! Exciting.
But something big is coming! I'm not sure if it's something good or not! Exciting.
January 16, 2023
Me agrada mucho Maylak
October 16, 2021
I liked how this one showed a bit more of the healer, Maylak's life. I really love how she has the whole tribe in mind. While I hate how unsettled she is, this one ends on a good note with her new kit.
May 14, 2024
A very interesting set of two short stories I really liked them both but I liked Farli's story a tiny bit more. Continuing on...
August 1, 2024
gave more insight to what’s going on, so had purpose but was so short it could’ve just been in one of the existing books and have Maylak’s POV.
2/5⭐️
2/5⭐️
February 24, 2022
It was really fun reading in Maylaks point of view, even though I know what's going to happen, cuz I read the sinopses of all the other book, I'm still excited for what the next book are holding for us
Displaying 1 - 30 of 560 reviews