"She is a difficult creature, my tiny Kat. But I have never met with a creature I could not tame..."
KAT
I can't believe so many of my human friends have fallen in love with aliens. Sure, the Sea Sand warlords are strong and tall and some might even say good-looking. But I still think it's absolutely nuts to jump into a relationship with one of them. I will be avoiding all of that, thank you very much. And that's what I keep trying to tell Galok, the arrogant, grinning warrior who refuses to leave me alone.
I can't figure out what his deal is. There are far more willing humans than me in our camp, and we aren't even supposed to be mates in the first place. And yet Galok still tries to woo me in his weird alien way. No matter how hard I push him away, he just comes springing back, his copper eyes glinting.
Maybe this guy just likes a challenge. Well, challenge accepted. I will never, ever fall in love with an alien.
And that's a promise.
GALOK
I do not need the Lavrika to tell me that Kat is meant to be my mate. She is mine, mate bond or not. Her striking blue eyes and angry mouth send fire through my veins. No other woman has captured my attention like her. And yet, that attention seems to bother her. But this does not deter me. Every, hiss, kick, and furious look she throws in my direction only makes me fall harder. Only makes me more confident in my decision to pursue her.
She may be stubborn. But so am I. I will win her guarded human heart. No matter how long it takes.
This was a light, easy read but didn’t really distinguish itself in any way from the other books. The fated mates part didn’t come into play until later and the hero was a big golden retriever so that was cute. The heroine was ok, she had a hard life back on earth but I didn’t entirely like the descriptive words used for her, she was constantly described as ‘hissing’ or ‘spitting’ in the beginning, and because her name was Kat, I felt this was too on the nose. Full disclosure, I only read this book to get some backstory for the next book, which features a big alligatorman hero. I just want to see what Dax will put in HIS pants.
Every new SFR series manages to come up with an entirely new way to view male genitalia. Below Exhibit 1.
I used to look askance at kangaroo peen in another book series because the romance didn't work...and that genital setup is so not my jam. But then Ursa Dax said "hey, how about Doberman ears, cat nose, human bodybuilder torso and thighs....and some kangaroo tail and feet? Or you know, land crocodiles, but not til later?"
Um, excuse me what now?
So of course, I've devoured the entire crackilicious series in a couple of weeks. Because that's how I roll.
Any-whoosie, let's do this.
Series: It's a straight up alien soap opera and I'm ok with that. I think it was interesting to come at this familiar trope (human women kidnapped and thrust onto alien planet for REASONS) instead making the kidnapping as part of a mission to explore a strange new world (ok I just kept doing the Star trek opening, but you get what I mean).
The women end up being a reason for separate tribes on the planet Zaphrinax to come together because of the hope of repopulating their numbers with the human women, as opposed to the typical alien villains kidnapping women for sexual slavery etc. The worldbuilding is enough to keep me engaged without getting lost in the minutiae. And the overarching storyline continues to build. I'm digging it, kinda the way I like IPB. Getting to know the Sea Sand folx and their Lavrika's blood that fixes everything, and the survivalist aspect, seeing how the human women are fragile yet determined to make it on this deadly planet. They were all selected for this "mission" because of their particular skillsets and that makes the individual stories click along. It can be a little predictable but I like the comfort factor of that predictability since the physicality and the sheer weird factor of the planet itself keeps things hopping.
This Book: Another fave of the series, Kat and Galok are opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, and Galok's the sunshine and while they're a completely different vibe than the previous book, that's exactly why it worked for me with this binge. The contrast was great and in the end it's his devotion to Kat without the need of the Lavrika telling him so (though as you can tell by the series title, um, it's gonna happen anyway). Definite a highlight in the series for me.
OMG! This book was awesome! Galok and Kat were hilariously lovely together. And the intensity between them was on point for me.. I was scared that I would not care for their story, but I am so happy to be so wrong about that...
This one moves the secondary plots along nicely and sets the stage for other books to come as well... Everything here, in book 4, flows beautifully. I would highly recommend this series. And since the 1st 5 books are also on KU as well, I highly suggest you start this one from the beginning... I am off to book 5, "The Exile" I'm super intrigued about this guy... I hope it's a great read.
3.8 Mostly the same formula as before, maybe I shouldn’t be reading these so close together.
I did love both the h/H and it was nice to see a bond form before they were actually “fated mates” this was a pretty good grumpy (h) x sunshine (H) and seeing the h actually save the H was a nice touch too!
i really loved this one omg!! Kat being prickly and Galok never giving up on her.. i loved their dynamic... the tension 🤌🏽🥵 so good and the emotional 3rd act scene omggg i love them woohoo
I guess I’m being a grouch today, but Kat did not come off like a “tough” strong admirable female but rather like a rude nasty shrew who hates aliens. I felt bad for the kind alien Galok who saw something he liked about her. No matter what he does to win her affection, she gives him a hiss, kick, furious look, or worse. I understand she may be annoyed by his persistence, but she needs to have a serious talk with him rather than behave like a barbarian herself. With both of them swearing they will win this little battle of the heart no matter how long it takes, this book could go on forever. I think the alien will win since he seems unaware of how hateful she is really being. I hope the next story makes me smile. This one hasn’t.
Okay, I did not think I would enjoy Kay’s story as much as I did. I figured she would spent most the story fighting her feelings and being super mean. But getting to know her and the reason she keeps everyone at a distance it made so much sense. I ended up relating to Kat most out of all the women so far. Kat is a 5ft 105 lb firecracker with a mouth! She is a chemist who has a ton of piercings and hair shaved close to her head. She likes to blow stuff up and turn Galok down every time he does anything for her.
Galok is a 7.5 ft cinnamon roll golden retriever alien warrior. Even though he has not yet been shown Kat’s face in the lavrika pools as his mate, he chooses her anyway. Every spicy retort she bounces back only makes him love her more and smile bigger.
I really enjoyed these two and their journey to becoming mates. I am very excited to see where the next two audiobooks available go!
Meh. Juvenile writing style. Mediocre world building and character development.
Plot wise, my main complaint is, why do only the leaders get a chosen mate? Why can't Ken, the guy who cleans up after war meetings get a happy ending?
The best part was the hero. He was the sweetest little cinnamon roll.
I stumbled across Ursa Dax and her romance Fated Mates of the Sea Sand Warlords series after finishing up reading books from another author. I wanted something a bit different from normal romance and decided that Sci Fi romance was the go because anything can go. Let me tell you I really enjoyed them and read the whole series one straight after the other, Alien men in all sizes and shapes, all growly and protective of their mates was just what I needed. Of course, it takes a while for the abducted Human women to come around but that is just part of the fun. Ursa’s world building makes it so easy to imagine the world she has created, and the characters are so easy to fall in love with. If you love Sci Fi romance that is messy, sexy, a little alien erotica and fated mates then Ursa is your gal. I was not disappointed, and I know you won’t be either.
Just fine, but I'll give it a three. Kat and Galok had a nice dynamic, what with his goofy-yet-poetic personality juxtaposed to her "I'll fight you" attitude. It was refreshing to see a non-Gahn get some time in the spotlight.
Not sure how to feel about Zoey's character yet, though. The decision to stay in an abandoned murder spaceship filled with the picked-clean bones of other humans even after you see people from your group is weird. I wanted more info on how she survived there alone, too.
Getting tired of the "healing fatal wounds in the Lavrika pool" convention already, though.
I really expected to like this book more than I did. While I still enjoyed the pacing of the book, etc., I could not connect with the FMC like I wanted to. I typically like cinnamon roll FMC‘s, but I really didn’t like the juvenile behaviorisms portrayed by her. I just felt like I was reading about someone behaving like a teenager rather than a full-blown adult. And I recognize that her background, etc. had attributed to that type of behavior, but I just couldn’t connect with her. I really did love the MMC though I thought he was really great. I love golden retriever energy. I thought he was amazing and he was a reason I kept reading.
No me gustó la protagonista y la trama la sentí muy floja hasta la última parte, donde retoma la cosa bien. Ahora, si uno de los libros va a ser sobre un viudo… pues no me apunto a eso, ya que rompe el significado de pareja que proponen todos los libros anteriores.
just when i think i can’t fall in love with any more alien men, ms. dax proves me wrong!
this book was a delight to read. the chemistry between galok and kat was through the roof. one of the reasons i loved this book is because it had my favorite trope: reverse grumpy-sunshine. i love reading about “severe” (this was how kat was described by melanie) women and their golden retriever energy boyfriends.
i do have to say that i don’t think kat is severe, per se. she is guarded (as she should be given her past). which is total normal given that she’s in an unknown planet, for god’s sake. she should have her guard up. she’s protective, caring, smart, kick ass, curious, and does not take anyones shit. no matter how big and scary they might be. these traits should not be outshined or ignored simply because she’s hesitant of accepting the attention of an alien man she just met. moreover, what made me love her character and put her as my #1 girl was 1) the fact that she’s willing to accept when she’s in the wrong and apologize to her friends and 2) she’s brave. not just when faced with physical challenges but with her heart. she’s truly my favorite girl.
now, speaking of alien men. ✨💖 galok 💖✨ he’s an absolute dream. much like the other men, he’s infatuated with his mate (to-be) and is very much dedicated to her physical and mental well-being. he balances her personality very well in the sense that while she’s spice, he’s everything nice. he’s able to understand that her shortness with him doesn’t mean she doesn’t like him but rather is wary of him. he doesn’t take it to heart and instead focuses on gaining her trust through acts of service and words of affirmation (which i think is why i feel head over heels for him). moreover, despite his golden retriever energy and almost child-like demeanor (something that reminds me of taliok) he’s capable of throwing down when necessary. he is after all, his ghan’s second in command.
overall, this book was well paced, funny, romantic, and offered insight into what awaits later on in the series. we learn about our missing girl, the remaining ghans, and the future of the girls on the planet. it does have an abrupt ending, but that is something i am used to now and don’t mind anymore.
This is the first book in this series where the male main character is not a Gahn (tribe leader) and he also hadn’t been shown who his fated mate was at the beginning of the book. I liked that bit of difference with the book. It was nice to see a character that didn’t need to think of keeping his tribe safe as well as pursuing a mate. Galok is so unapologetically himself and it was refreshing. He was goofy but strong and an excellent provider. His banter with Kat constantly had me snorting in amusement. And his childlike demeanor made him endearing and instantly likable. Kat on the other hand is prickly and hard to get close to. She has a troubled past and it’s changed how she interacts with others and whether or not she lets them in. Two polar opposites should not come together easily. Yet Ursa Dax brings Galok and Kat together seamlessly and makes it obvious they were made for each other. I enjoyed watching their relationship change from annoyance, to understand and acceptance and finally love. I’m curious to see what other sea sand match ups Ursa comes up with and I have no doubt that I will love them all.
Really interested in reading more about the lizard man that Melanie saw. Is that Ark? Idk. I liked that the MMC in this one was more goofy, and the heroine was tough. An easy, quick read. I enjoyed it. I know this is midway through the series but it did feel like we were kind of plopped into the middle of things. The story starts halfway through a journey and we don't really know much of what's going on. I'm kind of jumping around through this series so I was a little lost but I still enjoyed it!
Reread, 2025: I really wish Ark (the one Kat blinded with acid in the lab) had his own story!! It would be really interesting to see how his blindness effects the mate bond/lavrika etc. Kat was a little annoying at first but she grew on me. This was a much slower burn, which I enjoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved this book. I've been completely enthralled and addicted to this series since book one. Great world building. The planet really does feel alien from Earth, as is the way of life, customs, and traditions of the aliens who live there. This book continues the journey begun in the last when the heroine Kat, her friend Melanie who became mated to Ghan Taliok in book three, and the hero of this book Galok journey to nearby lands to collect rock samples to try and find a component they can use to create a sunscreen. The sun on this planet is too strong and very quickly burns the humans now living there. This book begins with their journey back following a surprise attack. While Kat doesn't mind her new life there so much, she is very adverse to becoming an alien's mate as some of the other women have. She is very headstrong, independent, and stubborn. While reading chapters from her POV helps me understand her more, there were times I wanted to shake her and tell her to take things a little easier and stop being so defensive and adamant to prove she can do everything on her own and doesn't need any help. While I don't dislike her, her personality makes her my least favorite of the heroines so far. Galok is easy-going and completely enamored with Kat. It has not been revealed to him that Kat is his mate, but he feels it in his heart and is determined to win her over. He's very patient with her and takes her forcefulness in stride. I love that the hero of each of these books is very different in personality, and that makes each story feel unique and refreshing. While this can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading at least book three first as to better understand the way of life and customs here, as well as because this book continues mid-quest so to speak. I loved this book and can't wait for the next. 5 stars.
🔥 “I will take it all. Whatever you have to give. I am ravenous for you, every facet. Every feeling.” ~~~ All these Kangadudes are so awesome!!! We met the fierce, the crazy and the brooding. And now it’s time for the adorable ray of sunshine that is Galok!
I absolutely adored Galok! He’s a true Sea Sand warrior - fierce, protective, honorable, sexy, strong and possessive. But in addition, he’s SO MUCH FUN! I loved his sense of humor, his adorable cheesy lines, his smart-ass remarks and his easy smile. He’s amazing!
And then we have hissy kitty-Kat! I’ve loved her from the very beginning - she’s a mouthy, fierce, smart and no-nonsense woman. I really liked her unique appearance, fiery character and feistiness! And she’s quite the badass!
The development of their relationship was such fun to read! Galok and Kat couldn’t be more opposite and that’s what made them so awesome together. I loved the banter and the teasing. Kat had a lot of walls around her heart and I loved Galok’s determination and patience to bring them all down piece by little piece. And he truly saw what a wonderful person Kat really is! Their chemistry was magnificent and their attraction - so, so hot! They were made for each other. And that date - oh, that date was phenomenal!
In addition, I loved that we got to see more of the unique beauty of the planet. And one very important thing - don’t question the magic alien dragon!
Overall, the story is an absolutely fantastic read! It’s filled with humor, action, danger, suspense, unexpected discoveries, twists, steamy romance and wonderful characters.
I loved every page of it and cannot wait to see what happens next! ~ I received an advance copy of this book and am super excited to leave a review.
Series: Fated Mates of the Sea Sand Warlords #4 Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Kat is determined to not jump into a relationship with one of the Sea Sand warlords. They may be good looking but she doesn’t want to rely on anyone. But she can’t seem to push the arrogant and grinning Galok away.
This was another enjoyable alien romance. Kat is the independent, grumpy, pierced woman who has high barriers. She spends a lot of the beginning of this book, and all of the previous book, pushing Galok away any time he tried to help her with anything. I will admit, I found Kat to be a bit annoying in the beginning of this book. Her need to be independent was a bit much, especially when it led her to doing stupid things, like not getting help on and off the irkdu. After she faced the fact that she liked Galok, she became much more bearable and I started enjoying POV more.
Galok was a sweetheart who was always excited and happy to be around Kat. No matter how much she pushed him away he continued to smile and accept whatever she chose. I loved how sweet and accepting he was. He never pushed her after she said no, but he would be there to help if she needed it. I also love how he didn’t care that Lavika hadn’t visited him yet, he knew he loved Kat and would wait forever for her.
Overall, I enjoyed this one and look forward to seeing what will happen next since the other tribes are starting to make moves. Also I am interested in learning more about Zoey and the other tribes.
TW: battles and violence; parent with addiction mentioned, parent incarcerated mentioned, parental neglect mentioned
LMFAO this was a hilarious book! The way Dalok taunts and teases Kat was so funny. I had similar fears with Kat as I did with Melanie, but again it all turned out well. We didn't get to know too much about Kat's past other than she had abusive parents, but it didn't go too much into details. I loved that Dalok and Kat's story did not revolve around the mate bond.
I'm absolutely tired of Fallo, and I don't see how the other women and Ghans tolerate him. I get that he provided shelter to the women and that they got to know his tribe, but I would be pretty pissed off if I decided that I wanted to go somewhere with someone from a different tribe but I wasn't allowed to go because Fallo would get mad and possibly kill someone. He did this in Melanie and Taliok's book also. Fallo refuses to respect the wishes of the other women and does not want to give them a choice and somehow all the women are okay with this? Okay to be fair most of the women haven't been present in the conversations where he's restricting their choices, but come on! Chapman, Cece, Melanie, and Kat should all speak up. We get it Fallo you're possessive and you don't want to loose control over your tribe, fine be as possessive as you want with you mate, but stop treating the other women like their children and the other tribes that you've "allied" with like enemies. I just wish that he didn't show up in every book.
great 3rd book, off to read the next! Earth government has abducted women young college girls in a “forced” suicide mission to an alien dessert planet, to learn about their strange resources. They want to take it from them. However the primitive barbarian like males are not gonna just say sure, go ahead,take our sacred life giving dragon milk energy source. So instead of sending scientific or military trained professionals. The earth government kidnaps young professional women to get reconnaissance information with no intention or care as to whether the women survive or not. Why only, women you ask well.. the barbarians are probably less likely to kill them since they have so few of their own. But the sacred creature of this planet like a dragon god… has predicted the women to be mates for the primitive race. And could save their species and bring them together. This is an earth abduction, alien fated mate romance. I was not triggered by anything in this book although there is some violence. Warriors will be warriors and they will fight to the death for their pretty earth mates These aliens have tails, claws, talons, and unusual genitalia which is used in some very interesting ways to please the earth girls. This lol is like Conan the barbarian meets land of the lost .. meets earth girls are easy. Lol Now I’m off to get the next in series
This is Kat and Galok’s story. Galok is a proud warrior with a mischievous personality. He is deadly when needed but really a fun loving light hearted male who wants others around him to be happy. When he first sees his angry Kat he's immediately taken in by his different she is from all the other human women. She's tiny yet truly fierce. No matter fate or not he wants her to be his and he will do anything to prove to his tiny Kat that there is no one else for him! Kat abandoned when she was going by parents who didn't want her developed a rebel personality. Her head is shaved she has piercing and she's one hell of a chemist. She doesn't understand why the fun loving very sexy Galok has any interest in her. She is not going to open up to one of these alien dudes just to get burnt hope never again. Galok just didn't give up and when Kat realizes that everything he does for her or wants to do is done with sincerity and deep longing she can't keep her her distance any more. Once she fully embraces the thought of her and Galok trust and love quickly bloom. Once again danger lurks and when death almost claims its victim that is when absolute certainty of feelings erupts and nothing will stop these two kindred souls from being with one another. Terrific addition to the series. I'm off to read the next in the series.💖💖💖💖🔥🔥💖💖💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥💖🔥💖💖💖💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💖💖💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥
The humor of this story is delightful. Both characters are adorable. There is a lightness to the MMC that is rare among romance novel heroes. I've read dozens of series since reading this story for the first time and I still recall the uniqueness of his happy disposition and her spitfire personality.
She rejects his kind gestures over and over, and still he responds with good humor. As the MFC is talking with a friend,
“At the sound of his name, the tall warrior looked up over the top of the tent he was finishing erecting. I gave him the finger, and he jauntily did the same to me, not understanding what the gesture meant. I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.”
Even with all her self protective anger, her scowls, her persistent irritation, her rudeness, still he says,
“I take responsibility for your happiness, tiny one. But I will accept your hate, too, if that is what you offer. I will take it all. Whatever you have to give. I am ravenous for you, every facet. Every feeling.”
I especially appreciate how the author has addressed the issue of having a happy hero who is not ineffectual. Our society tends to think happy people must be stupid or vapid, and the MMC does encounter this, but when it matters he gets serious and his sincerity is deep and genuine.