Marauder

Outcasts #2

by Cyndi Friberg

Rex Dravon, a notorious smuggler, is one of the Outcasts’ most important allies. Many of the Outcasts’ philosophies and approaches to life in general appeal to him, but he’s hesitant to commit to any cause. Hoping to entice Rex into committing, Arton the Heretic, tells Rex that he is genetically compatible with one of the “captive brides”, a feisty blonde named Thea Cline.

Thea is still enraged that she was dragged from Earth without her permission, and she’s recovering from a horrendous tragedy. She sneaks aboard the Marauder hoping to steal a weapon. Instead she’s confronted by the ship’s handsome commander. She knows to be wary of Rex because of his reputation, but she’s instantly, and powerfully, drawn to him. His offer to help her escape comes a little too quickly and she fears he has ulterior motives. Is he simply hoping to lure her into his bed—a fate she’s not sure she’d mind—or is his motivation more nefarious?

Note to Readers: This book contains detailed descriptions of sizzling passion only suitable for mature readers. Certain plot elements carry on from book to book. Though Marauder can be read as a standalone, it’s more fun to read the series in order. Enjoy!

Genres: Science Fiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2018

About the author

Passionate Sci-Fi with a touch of danger and a whole lot of sass.

Cyndi has written about rock stars, vampires, and cat shifters, but she's currently focused on outer space. Her stories are fun, fast-paced, and seriously hot. She has made the USA Today Top 100, and every book in the Outcasts series landed on Amazon's Top 100. She is currently working on Shadowborn Rebellion, a spin-off series set in the Outcasts universe.

Reviews

[Eva Millien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cosmic sparks and thrilling excitement launch this sci-fi romance out into the galaxy and pull readers right along for the journey. Thea and Rex are bold, convincing characters that captivates readers from the very beginning, Rex with his sexy bad boy image but underneath he has a most appealing side while Thea is feisty and determined with a daring side that also holds an appealing side. The romance for this couple starts off with sparks, mistrust and a sizzling undercurrent that readers can practically feel while Rex tries to woo Thea despite her mistrust and her determination to make her way back to Earth.

The plot has a fast pace and flows smoothly throughout the universe as Rex and Thea travel through space on a supply run that has them running into a bit of trouble which adds some thrilling suspense to the story along with the trouble that the Outcast colony is facing at home with some mysterious elves and armored battle cats. The story is fascinating, exciting and has some wonderfully diverse elements that makes for an interesting read and the relationship has lots of heated passion and stirring love scenes and I couldn’t help but be intrigued and captivated by it, so I am looking forward to visiting the Outcasts again.

[JodyL · Rating 5 out of 5]

New to me author

I didn't read book 1 in this series. Eventhough I could follow along okay, I believe I would have benefitted greatly if I had read the first book. This author is new to me and I will be reading more of her stories
Rex is a smuggler who is helping a group of aliens who are named "Outcasts". They are hybrids of their people who rebelled against the military. The each have powers but they are latent. They kidnapped enough human women so that each man can have their owned genetically compatible mate. They chose what they thought was an abandoned planet to live on.
There is a "harbinger" that sees visions. He saw Rex with a human named Thea. But Thea just list her husband and children three months ago due to the "L A Massacre". So she is angry, rebellious and only wants to go back to Earth. Rex and Thea then go on a mission to get supplies, and learn more about each other and how they are very compatible.
There is also the previous inhabitants of the planet who live underground that are causing trouble.
I enjoyed the book enough that now I want to go back to see what I missed.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I have a thing for reading sci-fy romance, especially the ones that included fated mates in them. This book was perfect for me in that way.

It is the second book in the series, so at times there were a few things that I didn't understand (probably since I hadn't read the first book). This didn't take too much from the overall story and I was still able to follow along and enjoy the plot.

I loved that even though the two main characters are mates, they do not force themselves on each other. Rex understands what Thea is going through and tries to help her work through her grief.

I do feel like the story ended a bit abruptly. I wish I could have seen a bit more of how they ended, but I have a feeling we will read more about that in the next book. There is a bit of a cliffhanger in the story. It's not related to the specific couple more like the general storyline of the series.

I recommend this book, and want to read the next one when it comes out.

**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Melanie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reverse course, full speed ahead

Thea Cline - Earth woman, recently bereaved, even more recently kidnapped from Earth by the Outcasts - isn't going to go quietly. Isn't taking this lying down. Fighter, that one. She's stolen aboard the smuggler's ship looking for a weapon when Rex, the smuggler, catches her. But instead of turning her in to her captors, Rex listens. Lets her vent. Gives her a time-out to get her head on straight while he takes her on a little business trip. Rex is no more fond of coercion than Thea, and he gets the rebellion thing. But he's a pragmatist and a survivor, and his attraction to Thea has him sharing his story, and his very pragmatic outlook on it. And yeah, eventually they share more intimate things, as everybody - Rex, Thea, Earth captives, and Outcasts, learns that you can't live in Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda. All you have is today, right here, and it is what it is. But if you're open, if you're honest with yourself, and if you let others in... you can learn to recognize a left-handed blessing.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rex is a trafficker, not a pirate as he is constantly telling people. He works for the Outcasts, a band of aliens who are picked a planet to inhabit. They have taken thousands of earth females who they are hoping will soul bond with the male aliens. One alien has the power to get peeks of the future. He;s seen Rex;s mate and he knows she is meant to be Rex;s although Thea is totally against anything alien because of her experiences with aliens on earth. Then in trying to escape on Rex;s ship he tells her hewill help get back to earth. Then the attraction of the soul bond starts to wear on both Rex and Thea. But can Thea get past the deaths of her husband and children and accept a new life?
Fantastic story and read!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ellena deLeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was artfully crafted and uniquely designed to pull you into the pages where secrets and fairytales live and dreams come true for those who believe!

This book was enchanting, enthralling and endlessly entertaining where stubbornness and determination to rise above conflict with a core of steel and a heart of gold to get to where love and happiness lives! What an awesome second instalment of this unique series! I can't wait for the next installment and I am waiting with bated breath!!!

One of Your Greatest Fans,

Lena deLeon
lenadeleon2004.ld@gmail.com

[Shana81 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually my first book by this author and although this is part of a series it can be read by itself although you will understand more if you read them in order. I still enjoyed this story although it begins with kidnapping it ends with love. I this is a series I will continue to read Cyndi Friberg has a good style of writing and although she gave us a HEA there are still things I need to wait until the next book to find out. I received an ARC and am voluntarily and honestly leaving my review.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rex and Thea are both a little fragile and each have been facing loss, tragedy and grief, although at differing stages of the process. Thea is level headed and not a wimp, whilst Rex is Alpha but also willing to compromise to get what he wants.

Rex is a lateral thinker. He allowed Thea to come to her own decisions, whilst coaching her through her new reality, but without putting her under pressure. The outcasts are quickly learning that this so-called empty world is not quite so empty!

[Susan Clair Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rex and Thea

Rex is an alien smuggler who only had one customer right now. The is a human who lost her whole family in the LA massacre who is in a rage against aliens. Art on tan their DNA and they are compatible. Rex take Thea on a two week supply run and they find just how compatible they are. When they return to the Outcasts settlement a faction of the elves attack and kidnaps Sara and Heather. Jordan the tracker is out on their trail.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book because of the blurb. I thought the writing was done well. However, some of the messages as sent by the author in this book were pretty disturbing. I guess if you were a product of the same thing the characters decided to do in this book, raised to believe it was okay, then I guess the storyline makes sense. The relationship between the main characters seemed fast but I did enjoy reading this book.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only read a few books from this author and i have found that she has a great style of writing .. i really liked Rexs character he almost is like a modern day gentleman/pirate. Thea has been said to be matched to Rex by Arton the Heretic, but it soon becomes a reality.

A good book to read wii definately be getting more

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is a pirate and the best one around but he will not commit to one side of the other. She has been dragged from earth. Now she is going to try to escape but she bumps into him. What is going to happen between them? Will it be a good thing? Will she be able to escape? See what will happen

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book by this Author that I have read and I know it will not be the last one, I want to read the first book in this series. A well-written book that kept my interest throughout. This is smuggler Rex Dravon and captive human Thea Cline who is suffering from a massive loss of her husband and children. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Recommend this book for over 18 DUE TO CONTENT. This storyline is action packed and full of Intrigue.
Thea finds it hard to trust when she lost everything and everyone she ever loved. What she was not planning on was being matched to Rex.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elizabeth Presley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book but I do love me hot men to yes it was just right for a summer read it was just long enough for me to keep me in Intel the end and I got it done in one day
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I am really enjoying this series I was not sure, to begin with I mean kidnapping women who knew it was a new way to date but I was wrong I was quickly pulled in to the story and I could not help but feel for both Thea and Rex they have both been hurt I liked the chemistry between these two. It was a super read and I cannot wait to read Tracker

[Sherry Westendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Attention getting and so exciting, intriguing, enjoyable and so much more. A good series and can't wait for more. Love it that each story ends in each book but the theme is ongoing. I was given a review copy and voluntarily review it.

[Avril Haughey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say - it was written by Cyndi, one of my favourites. This series is great, have enjoyed them all. Are we going to see some elves inter breeding? And what about the leader? Eagerly awaiting the next!!!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good space, action romance.

While adding on to the first book of the series, it is very easy to follow and is easy to catch up on the world surrounding the characters.

I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an unbiased , honest review.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Alien romance. Thea is kidnapped by the outcast as a war bride. Rex is a smuggler for the outcast and her mate

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nadea Croix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this story, it was quite prodigious action packed scenes from the beginning of the story that keeps you interested while the obstacles keep you in suspense with imagination induced steamy scenes.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a story where they actually take the time for the romance to build. There is instant chemistry between the two main characters and things do heat up. But he does take the time to also win her heart. I fun and heart warming alien romance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book.

[sharon e hochstetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What?

I loved the story. We learned more about Rex and Thea. We watched Thea begin to process her grief. But suddenly it ended! I was hoping to see the end of their issues but we did not. I loved the conflict with the Sarronti. I like the battle cats.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. Loved the storyline and the characters a most read for all . Grab your copy today.

[Sam Lue · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 Stars

[Pet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one more than Heretic, mostly because Thea held out longer, though she did succumb to the pull partially she never lost sight of her quest, and her personal beliefs. I like that she dislikes what was done to the women and I like that she doesn’t let it go even when things work out for both the women and Lily.

[Mary Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marauder has a really interesting hero and heroine. Both Rex and Thea have suffered loss, but they’re at differing stages of grief, so they come at their bonding attraction quite differently. I loved that Thea was smart and strong and didn’t make too many foolish mistakes. I also liked that Rex was completely willing to compromise to achieve his long-term goal of gaining Thea’s willingness to be claimed as a mate.

I loved that both Rex and Thea recognized that their reactions to one another were due to the mating bond and the pull that this claim had on them, but they also realized that ignoring it would put them in peril. I loved that Rex was willing to teach Thea and to help her understand the situation she was now living in. He moved ten steps forward with her by being willing not only to take two steps back, but to make several lateral moves as well.

Marauder builds not only on the first book in this series, Heretic, but on Friberg’s earlier Battle-Born books. It’s not necessary to have read them all to make sense of Marauder, but it does help. Marauder also builds on the threads introduced in the first book, that the empty planet the Outcasts have claimed as their home isn’t that empty after all. Friberg does a good job developing this plot thread and making the situation that the Outcasts and their potential mates are facing fraught with danger.

So this was a strong entry in Friberg’s new series, and the setup for the next book promises to focus even more on the planet-side danger to the Outcasts and to the threat that the Outcasts bring to their planet’s native inhabitants. It should be exciting to read!

[Nicoletta Tsalafaos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Marauder (Outcasts Book 2) by Cyndi Friberg is a Sci-fi Romance. Hoping to entice Rex into committing, Arton the Heretic, tells Rex that he is genetically compatible with one of the “captive brides”, a feisty blonde named Thea Cline. Thea is still enraged that she was dragged from Earth without her permission, and she’s trying to recover from a tragedy. She sneaks aboard the Marauder hoping to steal a weapon but instead, she ’s confronted by the ship’s handsome commander. The book is well-written, there is adventure, action, chemistry, passion and I liked Rex I think he deserved a better mate. And I would have to give it five + stars But Thea ruined for me. Seems too cold, I can't understand how having lost her husband and especially her children only three months ago and she ready for a new beginning. And that's the reason I gave it only two stars.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an artfully crafted story that pulled me in and kept me enthralled. I eagerly await book 3.

[Miss Shelagh McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a fan.

Always wondered about Rex Dravon. Now I know!!! Quite a character . Funny, charismatic, and really sexy too. Hope Xoran's story is just as good. Fab series,Cyndi,as they all are.