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Athen doesn’t want a mate.
He is determined not to be the sixth brother to leave behind a widow in the war to rid the evil Suhlik from the universe. When his warriors requested a mail order bride behind his back, there is no denying his instant attraction to Odette, the Terran female. She is everything he could wish for but he is determined not to claim her for her own protection.

To Odette, a simple Earth botanist, the match to an alien is a chance for a fresh start to get away from a cheating fiance and an overbearing mother.

Can she strip down Athen’s defenses and win his heart before he sends her away forever?

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2017

173 people are currently reading
131 people want to read

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Abigail Myst

23 books25 followers

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5 stars
101 (35%)
4 stars
95 (33%)
3 stars
66 (22%)
2 stars
17 (5%)
1 star
8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Carol.
128 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2020
Excellent Reading

The story line is great and the author kept me wanting more ..This Author is a great writer.. Can't wait to read more stories from this Author.
Profile Image for Anna.
733 reviews70 followers
January 14, 2018
How much of an uptight, tyrannic asshole of a Warlord do you have to be in order for the warriors under your command to decide to go behind your back and against your specific wishes to order a mate to be sent to you, all in hopes that a female companionship and some sex will help loosen you up a bit?
That's hilarious, I loved the idea! It was also really funny when Athen finally discovered a female in his camp.
“Surprise!" Leif said sheepishly. Goru simply turned on his heels and ran. Perhaps, it was more of a strategic retreat.”
In terms of plot and writing, it was all rather great. I liked every idea that was ingrained into the story and the writing was rather light, which all made for a smooth reading process. I liked the little history explanation at the beginning, it helped understand the origins of the relationship between humans and Mahdfel and eliminated any confusion the reader might have had otherwise.
However, the emotional aspect was not so good. More like, it was completely absent. The "bond" or whatever between Athen and Odette existed on paper only, if that makes sense. Like, logically I know that it's there, but I don't feel anything. Felt like I was reading some detailed report of the events, instead of a romance novel.
Also, the way characters reacted to certain events irked me. Odette was transported to a different galaxy and saw an alien who was supposed to be her mate for the first time ever and already she's like "let's fuck". I mean, dude, you just met.
Then when his father said that If Athen didn't want her, she would be his little brother's mate and all she said to that was "Wouldn't it be kind of awkward.". Seriously? Awkward? That's the only objection you have for being passed from one male to the other without anyone asking you? That's just freaky.
I did like Leif and Goru though. They were a funny pair.

Yeah, so. Four for the idea for the plot and for the writing, and two for the characters and their "emotions".
60 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2018
Great Heroine!

Odette, the heroine, rocks! This is my kind of girl, she’s smart and knows what she wants.

Athen, the hero, is a Mahdfel warlord who needs to relax and dial it back. Odette, is a botanist on Earth with an overbearing mother and cheating fiancé. She decides that she might as well try to find an alien husband since things aren’t going her way on Earth. She’s soon matched to our alien hunk, Athen. The only problem is he didn’t want a bride. So it’s up to Odette to convince him!

Reed this if you are looking for a cute alien romp with a smart heroine and a sexy Warlord.
Profile Image for Jen Is Reading.
229 reviews8 followers
August 28, 2025
A good start to the Warriors of Etlon series which takes place in the Warlord Brides universe.

Athen is a warrior who has vowed to remain unmated, Odette is a determined botanist that challenges his resolve.

Their journey is filled with action and humor. The characters were well-developed and relatable in their stubbornness. He doesn’t want to leave behind a widow and she wants a life of her own choosing with freedom and a faithful partner.

Looking forward to what the next book in the series brings!
20 reviews
January 15, 2018
Loved it!

Great read. Each character had a distinct personality and backstory that supported their behaviors. I was not terribly fond of the name Athen as it is too close to Athena; I don’t believe the intended pronunciation is as similar as the spelling suggest. That is a minor annoyance and is easily compensated for with the hearty quality of this book.
2,374 reviews20 followers
February 27, 2017
Loved It

What a great start for a new series? This book has everything you want in a story, lots of action, humor, passion, and steamy romance with awesome characters to boot? A must buy and keep them coming.
Profile Image for LuDena .
2,415 reviews4 followers
December 15, 2018
Mahdfel

I adore Mandrel books and Athen is the start of the Mandrel Etlon series . Instead of space it takes place on a tropical planet and we meet another race of Madhfel. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Vicky.
2,144 reviews30 followers
May 4, 2021
Got a bit confused by the Kave thing at the start... him featuring initially made me think this wasn't going to be Athen's story... I was wrong.

Really liked the fact that Odette was a stand-up woman... creating results.

Was a little sad at the end... but, I guess war is never happy.
Profile Image for Erin.
250 reviews18 followers
May 18, 2022
I'm not sure if the KU version was edited wrong, but the story jumped in time and made zero sense. I'm disappointed in this one because I liked the other Mahdfel warrior books. I couldn't bring myself to finish it, thank god it was free.
Profile Image for karen Ennis.
202 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2017
Great read

At first he didn't want her but then realized he couldn't live without her, had to chase her and found out he had left her pregnant. Fast action
11 reviews
January 22, 2018
Warlord brides

This was an awesome book to read O hope the next one is as good of a read.. Thanks, barb.
Profile Image for shannon  Stubbs.
1,972 reviews12 followers
April 11, 2018
Not bad

The story wasn't too bad. It just seemed like the sex was adjusted added in as filler. I would have liked it better with less shower sex scenes.
Profile Image for Michelle.
756 reviews16 followers
May 1, 2018
I so loved this book!! Athen and Odette were hot and amazing and perfect together. 🖤🖤 I can’t wait to read about Kave next!
3,992 reviews7 followers
December 31, 2019
Unwanted Mate

Odette is the unwanted mate of Warlord Athen but she quickly changes his mind in this fun and sexy tale.
Profile Image for Melanie S.
1,841 reviews35 followers
March 16, 2017
I liked this book. I liked the hero, big green Mahdfel warrior Athen, who is an eager combatant but a reluctant mate. I LOVED the heroine, Odette, who is a smart, sexy human woman, and not at all reluctant to mate with Athen, or to subvert his mens' adherence to his drill-and-discipline regime, or to organize her own botanical research lab on their unexplored remote planetary outpost. Athen may be Odette's mate, but she is more than a match for him, his men, his family, and even the enemy Suhlik warriors who show up to ruin Paradise. It's a cute story, a clever little twist on the alien fated mate theme, and a fast, fun start to what promises to be a great series.
Profile Image for Icu2qtpi .
412 reviews6 followers
February 22, 2017
Once you go Green. . .

I loved Odette, the spicy, horny human female. She finds out that her fiance of several years has been cheating, on top of being paid for by her rich, overbearing mother. So the next day, she registers for the Mahdfel warrior ride program. She's matched to a green alien who commands a small group of warriors on tropical paradise of a planet. He had no idea his second set him up and is shocked by her arrival. He never wanted a mate and is determined not to claim her. Odette isn't going to leave without a fight, so she seduces him every chance she gets. I loved this book. Could not put it down. It was funny, sexy and adventurous all at the same time. Everything you want in an alien sci-fi romance
Profile Image for Jonella Moore.
119 reviews17 followers
February 18, 2017
Good story!

I enjoyed this Sci-fi romance about an alien commander who is presented with a mate he didn't think he wanted. At first he resists her because he had promised himself not to take a mate or have children until the evil Suhliks were conquered, but proximity and time overcome his reservations when she is just too tempting. Because of a misunderstanding with his father, she is shipped off back to his home world and he has to retrieve her. Her work as a botanist helps her develop a weapon to use in the war, so he takes her with him back to camp. The ending is good and I'm looking forward to Kave's story.
93 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2017
Excellent, hilarious adventure, a joy to read!!!

Laughed out loud!!! Adventurous, sexy, strong "female" Odette is best yet in this series. I will definitely search for more and more from this author! I'm still smirking. Yes, must find more...
Profile Image for Maddy.
879 reviews
April 19, 2018
Cover - 5
Plot - 3.5
Hero- 4
Heroine - 5
Avoiding cliche - 3.5
Romance - 4
Fluency - 4
Ending - 4
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Overall - 4.125
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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