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Fated Mates of the Sea Sand Warlords #9
Alien Keeper
“I will be her keeper, her guardian, her guide. And I will keep her safe no matter the cost...”
VALERIA
So it turns out I’m on the bad guys’ side. I didn’t actually know that until my superior officer started waving his gun around got himself killed on our alien recon mission. My orders are changing by the minute, and I quickly realize I have absolutely no interest in following any of them. But I don’t think I can just say “sorry” and convince the women and aliens on this planet of my good intentions.
So I run. I hide.
But one alien in particular is hell-bent on catching me. He’s ten feet of scaly red alien muscle, with black claws as long as my fingers and teeth that glint like knives. He terrifies me, and when he finally does catch me, I know that I’m a goner.
He’s a natural predator and I’ve become his prey.
So how come when he catches me, it seems like he wants to... Protect me?
GRIM
I saw the vision of my fated mate before I left my homeland of the Bitter Seas. She is one of the mysterious new women who live with the desert men. But when I arrive in the desert with my king and the rest of our army, she is nowhere to be found.
Because she is not part of the alliance. And when I finally do find her, I realize why.
She is the enemy we have been hunting.
My king, the desert men, the new women... Everyone wants her detained and questioned.
But they killed the male warrior she came with. And I will not allow her to be harmed.
So deep in the night, I take her. I protect her and abandon my own people in the process.
But earning her trust proves difficult, especially since we do not speak the same language. As the days together pass, two questions plague me:
Why does she not recognize me as her mate?
And with every warrior of sea and sand searching for her now, how can I possibly keep her safe?
VALERIA
So it turns out I’m on the bad guys’ side. I didn’t actually know that until my superior officer started waving his gun around got himself killed on our alien recon mission. My orders are changing by the minute, and I quickly realize I have absolutely no interest in following any of them. But I don’t think I can just say “sorry” and convince the women and aliens on this planet of my good intentions.
So I run. I hide.
But one alien in particular is hell-bent on catching me. He’s ten feet of scaly red alien muscle, with black claws as long as my fingers and teeth that glint like knives. He terrifies me, and when he finally does catch me, I know that I’m a goner.
He’s a natural predator and I’ve become his prey.
So how come when he catches me, it seems like he wants to... Protect me?
GRIM
I saw the vision of my fated mate before I left my homeland of the Bitter Seas. She is one of the mysterious new women who live with the desert men. But when I arrive in the desert with my king and the rest of our army, she is nowhere to be found.
Because she is not part of the alliance. And when I finally do find her, I realize why.
She is the enemy we have been hunting.
My king, the desert men, the new women... Everyone wants her detained and questioned.
But they killed the male warrior she came with. And I will not allow her to be harmed.
So deep in the night, I take her. I protect her and abandon my own people in the process.
But earning her trust proves difficult, especially since we do not speak the same language. As the days together pass, two questions plague me:
Why does she not recognize me as her mate?
And with every warrior of sea and sand searching for her now, how can I possibly keep her safe?
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2022
349 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
March 17, 2023
Maximum monster kink. Maximum language barrier. Let’s gooo!
I don’t know what it is about a, “me Tarzan, you Jane” moment, but I freaking love them. Especially when it’s like this—fated mates, danger, and they’re really really trying to communicate.
Add in horniness-inducing venom?? And a 10 foot tall Godzilla-looking alien guy, complete with snout instead of a face?? And an absolutely enormous, borderline scary, monster dong 😳
You know the author was thinking, “dear reader, how’s that monster kink going? 😏”
Totally fine! Totally under control! 😅😅😅
I don’t know what it is about a, “me Tarzan, you Jane” moment, but I freaking love them. Especially when it’s like this—fated mates, danger, and they’re really really trying to communicate.
Add in horniness-inducing venom?? And a 10 foot tall Godzilla-looking alien guy, complete with snout instead of a face?? And an absolutely enormous, borderline scary, monster dong 😳
You know the author was thinking, “dear reader, how’s that monster kink going? 😏”
Totally fine! Totally under control! 😅😅😅
May 30, 2022
Okay maybe this is my fault, because I jumped in at book 9... but I saw a scene from this on TikTok and it intrigued me.
I don't know... I just didn't connect to either character, or care about the story. Maybe it's because I was missing out on backstory from other books? But especially with the language barrier I just didn't feel anything.
I don't know... I just didn't connect to either character, or care about the story. Maybe it's because I was missing out on backstory from other books? But especially with the language barrier I just didn't feel anything.
February 25, 2023
It was cute.
Steam-2/5
Steam-2/5
May 19, 2022
❤️ “You are my endless sky. You are everything in my world and everything beyond.”
~~~
Grim is one of the Bitter Sea warriors joining the warriors of the Sands in preparation for the upcoming battle. He’s one huge, strong, fearsome and vicious male. But there is so much more to him than meets the eye. Grim is so thoughtful, caring, fiercely protective and I loved his determination to find his mate after being summoned by the Kell. I absolutely adored this snouty and fangy alien with all my heart!
And Valeria is the perfect woman for him! I loved how strong and brave she was. And she's such a badass! Even more, I loved that she was so honorable and wanted to do the right thing after the real reason for her mission was revealed. She’s absolutely the best!
Everything that happened between Valeria and Grim was spectacular. Those two were so amazing together. In the beginning, it took some time for Valeria to trust Grim but the more time they spent together, the more she started to appreciate the magnificent male he truly is and see him as more than just an alien, but as a friend and a male. I really liked that both made considerable efforts to learn to communicate with each other and I absolutely adored how Grim mispronounced Valeria’s name. And they were so fiercely protective of one another. Even more, the cultural differences and expectations and the language barrier provided some very entertaining moments and had me genuinely laughing out loud. And when they finally gave in to their attraction, the passion they shared was blazing hot. Let me tell you just three things - size difference, unusual equipment, special mating bite. Need I say more?!
In addition, I really loved that we got to know the fearsome Bitter Sea warriors a bit more. And everything else happening and the impending battle with the humans kept me glued to the pages till the very end.
Overall, the story is another fabulous addition to the series. It’s filled with danger, adventure, fast-paced action, humor, drama, suspense, blazing hot romance and phenomenal characters.
I absolutely loved it and am super excited to see what happens next!
~~~
Grim is one of the Bitter Sea warriors joining the warriors of the Sands in preparation for the upcoming battle. He’s one huge, strong, fearsome and vicious male. But there is so much more to him than meets the eye. Grim is so thoughtful, caring, fiercely protective and I loved his determination to find his mate after being summoned by the Kell. I absolutely adored this snouty and fangy alien with all my heart!
And Valeria is the perfect woman for him! I loved how strong and brave she was. And she's such a badass! Even more, I loved that she was so honorable and wanted to do the right thing after the real reason for her mission was revealed. She’s absolutely the best!
Everything that happened between Valeria and Grim was spectacular. Those two were so amazing together. In the beginning, it took some time for Valeria to trust Grim but the more time they spent together, the more she started to appreciate the magnificent male he truly is and see him as more than just an alien, but as a friend and a male. I really liked that both made considerable efforts to learn to communicate with each other and I absolutely adored how Grim mispronounced Valeria’s name. And they were so fiercely protective of one another. Even more, the cultural differences and expectations and the language barrier provided some very entertaining moments and had me genuinely laughing out loud. And when they finally gave in to their attraction, the passion they shared was blazing hot. Let me tell you just three things - size difference, unusual equipment, special mating bite. Need I say more?!
In addition, I really loved that we got to know the fearsome Bitter Sea warriors a bit more. And everything else happening and the impending battle with the humans kept me glued to the pages till the very end.
Overall, the story is another fabulous addition to the series. It’s filled with danger, adventure, fast-paced action, humor, drama, suspense, blazing hot romance and phenomenal characters.
I absolutely loved it and am super excited to see what happens next!
March 29, 2023
In a very short amount of time, I’d gone from seeing this alien’s cock, to having him abduct me, to having him give me a knife, to having him try to feed me raw meat from some animal he’d just killed, to him... Doing an interpretive dance?
3.5 ⭐️
After a few very stressful months, I FINALLY had the chance to come back to this series and gods, if this wasn’t the perfect quick read to distract myself from my mountains of uni work!
Even though lizard-like aliens will probably never gain a spot amongst my favourite extraterrestrial romantic interests (and let’s just please ignore the fact that I’ve read enough alien/monster romances to warrant having an official ranking), I still absolutely adored Grim! He’s just so sweet and funny and caring, and his relationship with Valeria was honestly precious. What I enjoyed most about this book was the return of my beloved oh-shit-we-don’t-speak-the-same-language-what-could-go-wrong trope – because if there is one truth about me, it is that I am a complete and desperate slut for some good miscommunication 🫡
Unfortunately, the pacing in this one seemed a bit off to me (hence the lower rating compared to some of the other instalments in this series), but overall I still really enjoyed this read! 🥰
3.5 ⭐️
After a few very stressful months, I FINALLY had the chance to come back to this series and gods, if this wasn’t the perfect quick read to distract myself from my mountains of uni work!
Even though lizard-like aliens will probably never gain a spot amongst my favourite extraterrestrial romantic interests (and let’s just please ignore the fact that I’ve read enough alien/monster romances to warrant having an official ranking), I still absolutely adored Grim! He’s just so sweet and funny and caring, and his relationship with Valeria was honestly precious. What I enjoyed most about this book was the return of my beloved oh-shit-we-don’t-speak-the-same-language-what-could-go-wrong trope – because if there is one truth about me, it is that I am a complete and desperate slut for some good miscommunication 🫡
Unfortunately, the pacing in this one seemed a bit off to me (hence the lower rating compared to some of the other instalments in this series), but overall I still really enjoyed this read! 🥰
December 31, 2022
This is my last book I'll probably finish in 2022! If yall have read any of my rambling "reviews" you know that my all time favorite trope is a slow burn alien romance with a language barrier that isn't solved by ~magic~. My white whale. I've found one (one!!) other book with a language barrier and that one is an all time fav, The Last Hour of Gann by R Lee Smith (check TW, mostly for dubcon and noncon). This one came SO close. There was a language barrier until 90%! They had to learn each others language the old fashioned way to communicate and I loved it. Then at 90% the FMC took a dip in the Lavrika pools (idk if I'm spelling that right, but it is this magic water that imparts a language on whoever bathes in it and also assigns mates and heals). Which I don't mind because the language barrier lasted until 90%. Their communication was stunted but it felt natural for what it was. I also enjoyed the biting to release the mating fluid so the FMC could handle the MMC size wise
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2022
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: The least humanoid of all the MMCs and they are just not my thing. If you've got a size kink, it might be more for you than it was for me. But I was unfamiliar with both characters and they're isolated for the majority of the story, so I was really missing my kangaroo dudes and their women. Just not my fave.
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: The least humanoid of all the MMCs and they are just not my thing. If you've got a size kink, it might be more for you than it was for me. But I was unfamiliar with both characters and they're isolated for the majority of the story, so I was really missing my kangaroo dudes and their women. Just not my fave.
May 23, 2022
Grim is the opposite of Grim. He’s the sweetest not so little boy in the world. I loooooved Valeria and Grim’s story and the way they learned to communicate with each other by teaching each other snippets of their respective languages.
I don’t know how Ursa Dax keeps convincing me that these aliens are my dream men but we’re back at it honestly, I’m obsessed.
Let me be the first to say I’d volunteer to go on this mission
I don’t know how Ursa Dax keeps convincing me that these aliens are my dream men but we’re back at it honestly, I’m obsessed.
Let me be the first to say I’d volunteer to go on this mission
November 25, 2023
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.
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.
May 20, 2022
This is an awesome alien romance! Exciting, emotional, sweet and spicy.. Ursa Dax is able to make us fall head over heels in love with alien-looking aliens… and not be a bit sorry for it!
August 15, 2025
Grim
That's one big red scaly and scary alien and one soldier who has no clue what is coming for them
That's one big red scaly and scary alien and one soldier who has no clue what is coming for them
October 5, 2025
The funniest bit is him trying to help her go to sleep.
May 12, 2024
Interesting introduction to some new human females on the planet. I’m glad that some of the Bitter Sea warriors are getting mates too!
Valeria is a great FMC and I am intrigued by Grim. I am glad they got some time alone together to figure their relationship out without the influence of others, or the ease of the Lavrika.
Valeria is a great FMC and I am intrigued by Grim. I am glad they got some time alone together to figure their relationship out without the influence of others, or the ease of the Lavrika.
May 28, 2022
Yesssss! Finally we got ourselves a full bloodied lizard daddy. 😍😍😍 I loved Grim. He’s a young, fierce warrior who will do anything to protect his mate. 🥰
July 8, 2024
Not a fan. The lame language barrier, the instant turning away from people for one person acting as if their whole culture doesn't revolve around sacred bonds was so stupid. I couldn't take it seriously. And this girl was supposed to be a Latina at 6'1" saying Dios mio every so often but knowing no other English or spanglish? Blegh pass.
June 11, 2022
It was hard to read "Alien Exile" but to read this book it was impossible. I couldn't read it without imagining a crocodile. unfortunately, the next one is from the Bitter Sea people. I think maybe I'll say goodbye to this series.
dnf
October 13, 2022dnf
my undying devotion to ursa dax for writing a romance with an actual lizard alien i am just not strong enough for this
my undying devotion to ursa dax for writing a romance with an actual lizard alien i am just not strong enough for this
August 14, 2025
As we all know, nothing in life is perfect and this book is no different. When I started reading this one, I didn't have high hopes because the last few have been kinda meh at best and those books were only saved by the male leads. I was ok with Valeria in this one (even though in later chapters the author changes her name POV to Thaleria, and no, I'm not talking about Grim not being able to pronounce her name. I'm talking about the top of the chapter where it switches POV. Don't believe me? Check chapter Twenty-five). And Grim? I liked him too but I was confused as to why he was so... restrained. Kor's dad, Kon, kidnapped his mother when he found her and the two of them were apparently unhinged and Kor's mom had to constantly tell him not to do that when he found his mate and while yes, Grim is not Kor, he was raised in the same tribe as his father so I was expecting more... I don't know, something more primal than this? I mean I get why the author didn't just have him mate her or try to but then why even have it a thing? And let's talk about Grim and the bitter sea tribe for a sec here. These are all big, hulking men/beasts who could wreck the sand sea tribes like they were flies but you're telling me that Grim couldn't even try to face off against his tribe member to protect Val and instead chose to run? I know he was trying to lead him away from her as well but the author is making it seem like these guys are amazing, vicious warriors who would do anything for their mates, but Grim just... ran. Hell, Xyan took a bullet, no questions asked to protect his mate. Even Fallo, who I don't care about one way or another wouldn't do that to Chapman. No, he would burn the world down in her name. He even said he would basically defy death itself to get back to her, but Grim? So utterly disappointing.
I really don't know what is wrong with this author. She hypes the men up so much, but then turns them into weak, brainless guys when they find their woman. You know it's ok for men to still be strong in books while also having strong female leads, right? You don't have to take them down a peg to make the women stand out more. It doesn't make for a good read. But then again, this is an author who in this series finds it necessary for her female characters to make alcohol and corrupt the natives instead of, I don't know, finding out if the water is safe for them to drink? If there are other foods they can eat or something to make vitamins because you know damn well a human can't just live on meat and what appears to be cactus. Especially the pregnant ladies but whatever... let's just get everyone drunk. Yeah it's still bothering me from the previous book. Just like them running loads of tests on Lavrika's blood is wrong on so many levels and bothers me too. It just reminds me too much of what settlers did to natives. And what happened to the sun screen? I don't even remember it being mentioned in this book, so does that mean the cloaking properties of her tech somehow block the sun?
Honestly, it's one of the main reasons I prefer Ruby Dixon still at this point. Her IPB books blended their cultures and she didn't change her men to make the women stronger.
Will I read the rest of the series? I mean probably since I have the books already but I don't really have high hopes for the rest of them anymore.
I really don't know what is wrong with this author. She hypes the men up so much, but then turns them into weak, brainless guys when they find their woman. You know it's ok for men to still be strong in books while also having strong female leads, right? You don't have to take them down a peg to make the women stand out more. It doesn't make for a good read. But then again, this is an author who in this series finds it necessary for her female characters to make alcohol and corrupt the natives instead of, I don't know, finding out if the water is safe for them to drink? If there are other foods they can eat or something to make vitamins because you know damn well a human can't just live on meat and what appears to be cactus. Especially the pregnant ladies but whatever... let's just get everyone drunk. Yeah it's still bothering me from the previous book. Just like them running loads of tests on Lavrika's blood is wrong on so many levels and bothers me too. It just reminds me too much of what settlers did to natives. And what happened to the sun screen? I don't even remember it being mentioned in this book, so does that mean the cloaking properties of her tech somehow block the sun?
Honestly, it's one of the main reasons I prefer Ruby Dixon still at this point. Her IPB books blended their cultures and she didn't change her men to make the women stronger.
Will I read the rest of the series? I mean probably since I have the books already but I don't really have high hopes for the rest of them anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2022
great series the books continue to get better
great book, off to read the next in series
They just get more & more exciting!
Uh oh ! They are getting closer.
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
great book, off to read the next in series
They just get more & more exciting!
Uh oh ! They are getting closer.
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
February 14, 2023
4&1\2 fabulous 🌟s for Alien Keeper🔥💖🔥💖
This is Valeria and Grim’s story and I have to say I adore these males of the Bitter Sea more and more with each book. Grim is he not the youngest and best of the warriors of the Bitter Sea and before he leaves the only home he's ever known to travel the sands he's chosen by the Kell and sees the vision of his future mate. A mate that is of the new human women. When he finally makes it to the new camp he realizes that she's is not among them and just be one that came with the prisoner that tried to kill one of his allies. He searches and searches and when he finds Valeria his whole world changes. Valeria did not sign up to destroy or hurt the natives of this planet. She was told she was going book check on what happened to the research crew and if the originals now mission was salvageable. Instead her partner tried to kill an alien end now she's been hunted as if she's enemy number 1. When one the most handsome yet terrifying beings finds her she thinks all is lost until he steals her away to provide and protect her. This was so good the language barrier forced them to really pay attention and listen to one another and truly appreciate how actions are stronger than words. As their story unfolds danger lurks and they must trust the other to hear what they have to say before passing judgment. Fast paced filled with great characters and lots of passion. Highly recommend!💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥
This is Valeria and Grim’s story and I have to say I adore these males of the Bitter Sea more and more with each book. Grim is he not the youngest and best of the warriors of the Bitter Sea and before he leaves the only home he's ever known to travel the sands he's chosen by the Kell and sees the vision of his future mate. A mate that is of the new human women. When he finally makes it to the new camp he realizes that she's is not among them and just be one that came with the prisoner that tried to kill one of his allies. He searches and searches and when he finds Valeria his whole world changes. Valeria did not sign up to destroy or hurt the natives of this planet. She was told she was going book check on what happened to the research crew and if the originals now mission was salvageable. Instead her partner tried to kill an alien end now she's been hunted as if she's enemy number 1. When one the most handsome yet terrifying beings finds her she thinks all is lost until he steals her away to provide and protect her. This was so good the language barrier forced them to really pay attention and listen to one another and truly appreciate how actions are stronger than words. As their story unfolds danger lurks and they must trust the other to hear what they have to say before passing judgment. Fast paced filled with great characters and lots of passion. Highly recommend!💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥
December 6, 2024
Series: Fated Mates of the Sea Sand Warlords #9
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Valeria realizes she is one of the bad guys when her superior officer starts waving his gun around and ends up getting killed on their recon mission. Now her orders are changing and she has to decide if she will follow them. While trying to stay hidden until she decides she realizes one alien has found her and is hellbent on finding her. When he captures her and takes her away from the settlement, she begins to realize he might be trying to protect her.
Valeria and Grim’s story was very reminiscent of the first book because the focus was mostly on the main couple and there was a language barrier throughout most of their interactions. I enjoy sci-fi with language barriers and this one was pretty good. I liked how they learned words from each other's language as Valeria slowly started trusting and loving Grim. I enjoyed these two and how far they went to try and protect each other.
The military is finally starting to make moves, hence Valeria being on the planet. But while she does defect, we still don’t really know what is going on with what they are planning. I was really expecting more information on that at the end of this book because Valeria is part of the settlement now and wanted to help. Hopefully we will see more about this soon because if I am honest, I am getting a bit tired of the lack of progress on this.
Overall, this was an enjoyable alien romance and I continue to enjoy this series, even if it does frustrate me a little.
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Valeria realizes she is one of the bad guys when her superior officer starts waving his gun around and ends up getting killed on their recon mission. Now her orders are changing and she has to decide if she will follow them. While trying to stay hidden until she decides she realizes one alien has found her and is hellbent on finding her. When he captures her and takes her away from the settlement, she begins to realize he might be trying to protect her.
Valeria and Grim’s story was very reminiscent of the first book because the focus was mostly on the main couple and there was a language barrier throughout most of their interactions. I enjoy sci-fi with language barriers and this one was pretty good. I liked how they learned words from each other's language as Valeria slowly started trusting and loving Grim. I enjoyed these two and how far they went to try and protect each other.
The military is finally starting to make moves, hence Valeria being on the planet. But while she does defect, we still don’t really know what is going on with what they are planning. I was really expecting more information on that at the end of this book because Valeria is part of the settlement now and wanted to help. Hopefully we will see more about this soon because if I am honest, I am getting a bit tired of the lack of progress on this.
Overall, this was an enjoyable alien romance and I continue to enjoy this series, even if it does frustrate me a little.
November 9, 2025
This one sadly was a 2 ⭐️ with notes.
I’ll apply the same below to all books in the series because it’s becoming a very repetitive theme for this author.
The one thing majorly majorly irking me about these books is that the women supposedly don’t feel the mate bond yet claim to be in love after 1 or 2 days.
The men claim how they’ve had to “work” to win the love of their mate.
It’s giving desperate.
It’s giving 12 year olds in the playground.
It makes me cringe when the word love is used so quickly.
It would make more sense if the mate bond was actually felt by the woman too to justify the super quick timeline?
We read these books for a good time; I know it’s not that deep or serious but i really really wish they’d give more time, more yearning; more background into the characters. This series could really *hit* if they just extended the timelines a little bit.
They need more push & pull for me.
This particular book:
As much as I like alien / monster / fae romance the MC needs to have an element of a human man about them. I am just not on board with the character looking like a lizard / crocodile I just can’t picture it and the use of the venom to make things languid was making me feel sick. It’s cool if people like this thing but I was having second hand pain at the thought of it and it definitely was not my thing. I want to get back to the kangaroo dudes asap.
The isolation from the rest of the group made the book feel like a filler / spin off and I was just really bored with where this was going.
I’ll apply the same below to all books in the series because it’s becoming a very repetitive theme for this author.
The one thing majorly majorly irking me about these books is that the women supposedly don’t feel the mate bond yet claim to be in love after 1 or 2 days.
The men claim how they’ve had to “work” to win the love of their mate.
It’s giving desperate.
It’s giving 12 year olds in the playground.
It makes me cringe when the word love is used so quickly.
It would make more sense if the mate bond was actually felt by the woman too to justify the super quick timeline?
We read these books for a good time; I know it’s not that deep or serious but i really really wish they’d give more time, more yearning; more background into the characters. This series could really *hit* if they just extended the timelines a little bit.
They need more push & pull for me.
This particular book:
As much as I like alien / monster / fae romance the MC needs to have an element of a human man about them. I am just not on board with the character looking like a lizard / crocodile I just can’t picture it and the use of the venom to make things languid was making me feel sick. It’s cool if people like this thing but I was having second hand pain at the thought of it and it definitely was not my thing. I want to get back to the kangaroo dudes asap.
The isolation from the rest of the group made the book feel like a filler / spin off and I was just really bored with where this was going.
March 26, 2024
‘You are my endless sky. You are everything in my world and everything beyond… I do not think I am an especially well-spoken warrior,’ Grim said. ‘But perhaps, because my feelings for you are so painfully beautiful, the words come out more beautifully, too.’
Things are going really badly for Valeria. She’s a soldier but it turns out she’s fighting on the wrong side. When the latest mission to the alien planet goes sideways, she uses her cloaking shield to run and hide. But there’s a problem. The meanest looking alien - all ten feet of him, with scales, claws and teeth longer than her fingers - is hunting her down.
Grim knows he can smell his mate. Shame he can’t see her. He also knows that she’s being hunted and is likely to be killed. So, what’s a giant crocodile alien to do? Simple. Kidnap her for her own protection and go hide out in a cave until they can learn each other’s language and the fuss dies down. But of course, things don’t go quite according to his cunning plan…
This book is fabulous! A new alien species, new drama, and a novel solution to the issue of giant members finding their way into tiny human holes - mating fluid. I’m not going to spoil the surprise, only to say that this book is everything I wanted it to be and so much more. Go read it now!
Things are going really badly for Valeria. She’s a soldier but it turns out she’s fighting on the wrong side. When the latest mission to the alien planet goes sideways, she uses her cloaking shield to run and hide. But there’s a problem. The meanest looking alien - all ten feet of him, with scales, claws and teeth longer than her fingers - is hunting her down.
Grim knows he can smell his mate. Shame he can’t see her. He also knows that she’s being hunted and is likely to be killed. So, what’s a giant crocodile alien to do? Simple. Kidnap her for her own protection and go hide out in a cave until they can learn each other’s language and the fuss dies down. But of course, things don’t go quite according to his cunning plan…
This book is fabulous! A new alien species, new drama, and a novel solution to the issue of giant members finding their way into tiny human holes - mating fluid. I’m not going to spoil the surprise, only to say that this book is everything I wanted it to be and so much more. Go read it now!
May 24, 2022
Alien Keeper expands on the Sea Sands world even further with a new and engaging mate bond couple, Valeria and Grim.
Valeria didn’t realize she was fighting on the wrong team until her superior officer was killed while they were on a recon mission. Grim has left his home in the Bitter Seas with other warriors to join with the Sea Sands Warlords to fight against their common enemy. Before leaving he is gifted a vision of his bond mate by his peoples sacred Kell, and its Valeria.
I love how the author keeps the storyline fresh and exciting in this series with the addition of varied plot twists, plenty of action and intrigue that are woven into a steamy romantic tapestry which at its heart is a story of two very different beings who even with their communication difficulties are drawn to each other through circumstance and fate. Grim of course knows Valeria is his bond mate and is thoroughly confused as to why she doesn’t realize it too?
My enjoyment as the reader was in watching as the barriers slowly came down and this well written steamy romance evolved into the fantastic read it was.
I received a free ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Valeria didn’t realize she was fighting on the wrong team until her superior officer was killed while they were on a recon mission. Grim has left his home in the Bitter Seas with other warriors to join with the Sea Sands Warlords to fight against their common enemy. Before leaving he is gifted a vision of his bond mate by his peoples sacred Kell, and its Valeria.
I love how the author keeps the storyline fresh and exciting in this series with the addition of varied plot twists, plenty of action and intrigue that are woven into a steamy romantic tapestry which at its heart is a story of two very different beings who even with their communication difficulties are drawn to each other through circumstance and fate. Grim of course knows Valeria is his bond mate and is thoroughly confused as to why she doesn’t realize it too?
My enjoyment as the reader was in watching as the barriers slowly came down and this well written steamy romance evolved into the fantastic read it was.
I received a free ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 14, 2022
I liked Grim and Valeria's story pretty well. Grim was a decent character and his actions, although not exactly my favorite, were a little different from the others and paired better with Valeria's story. I liked Valeria as a character from the start. She's a bit like Chapman if Chapman were taller, alone, and didn't have the same "bonding" (traumatic) experience as the rest of the humans on Zaphrinax. I appreciated her pragmatism and approach to the whole mission-gone-to-shit scenario.
We've had so many folks speaking fluently to each other for awhile that it was nice to have a little language barrier again. I really enjoyed that both Valeria and Grim made an effort to learn each other's language and it wasn't one-sided.
Forget utilizing Lavrika's blood, Earth should negotiate with the Bitter Sea lizards on bottling and selling dok oroka back on Earth because that stuff sounds amazing.
I appreciate with how huge the Bitter Sea dudes are (ten ft tall and hella thick) that the act of sex is taken slowly and the characters acknowledge that the human cervix is a finite space, not a wormhole to another, dick-eating dimension.
We've had so many folks speaking fluently to each other for awhile that it was nice to have a little language barrier again. I really enjoyed that both Valeria and Grim made an effort to learn each other's language and it wasn't one-sided.
Forget utilizing Lavrika's blood, Earth should negotiate with the Bitter Sea lizards on bottling and selling dok oroka back on Earth because that stuff sounds amazing.
I appreciate with how huge the Bitter Sea dudes are (ten ft tall and hella thick) that the act of sex is taken slowly and the characters acknowledge that the human cervix is a finite space, not a wormhole to another, dick-eating dimension.
July 22, 2025
Reading about Grim and Valeria was a nice change of pace. I like how the author is alternating between more "domestic" stories and then "adventurous" in the next.
I really liked reading about Valeria and her situation regarding coming with that Cole guy (rest in piss lmao) and the human military piece. I did like how after Cole dying she was like "hell nah, fuck the people I work for" and immediately and just ran away lmaooooo
I also loved reading from Grim's POV as a (full blooded/grown) Bitter Sea warrior. Although I hated reading through the language barrier but it makes sense from given the overall environment she was in and obviously didn't get access to the magical serpent blood jizz lol
I did like that they did get pretty far in learning each other's languages (well enough for rudimentary communication). I think though having a 10 ft tall Lizard guy as your mate would have me questioning things but that would have also resulted in this story being like 20x longer haha
Overall I may or may not pick up this series to have in physical copies but I am enjoying reading through this series.
I really liked reading about Valeria and her situation regarding coming with that Cole guy (rest in piss lmao) and the human military piece. I did like how after Cole dying she was like "hell nah, fuck the people I work for" and immediately and just ran away lmaooooo
I also loved reading from Grim's POV as a (full blooded/grown) Bitter Sea warrior. Although I hated reading through the language barrier but it makes sense from given the overall environment she was in and obviously didn't get access to the magical serpent blood jizz lol
I did like that they did get pretty far in learning each other's languages (well enough for rudimentary communication). I think though having a 10 ft tall Lizard guy as your mate would have me questioning things but that would have also resulted in this story being like 20x longer haha
Overall I may or may not pick up this series to have in physical copies but I am enjoying reading through this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2025
2.5 stars.
It was Ok. The world the author built still feels very shallow, and the elements introduced in the previous books are for the most part forgotten. The oasis introduced in book 3? There's a mention of it in passing. The hot springs from the last book? Not even a blip. Where did the caves come from, since there's absolutely no mention of any of that in the previous 8 books? Where the hell did Grim run to, that after a few weeks nobody saw them hunting, even when everyone was actively looking for Valeria at least? Because it gave me the impression that he just ran for a few hours, by all means that couldn't have been far enough for them not to be found. And Valeria is also very shallowly constructed as a character. Throwing three “Dios mío” and a few random Spanish words at the end doesn't make her Latine.
Also, sex while one of them is a prisoner, in a public place, gave me the ick. Actually, all the sex here gave me the ick, I skipped a lot of it. All the biting and mating "fluid" (which was black, BTW, gross) wasn't particularly sexy.
It was Ok. The world the author built still feels very shallow, and the elements introduced in the previous books are for the most part forgotten. The oasis introduced in book 3? There's a mention of it in passing. The hot springs from the last book? Not even a blip. Where did the caves come from, since there's absolutely no mention of any of that in the previous 8 books? Where the hell did Grim run to, that after a few weeks nobody saw them hunting, even when everyone was actively looking for Valeria at least? Because it gave me the impression that he just ran for a few hours, by all means that couldn't have been far enough for them not to be found. And Valeria is also very shallowly constructed as a character. Throwing three “Dios mío” and a few random Spanish words at the end doesn't make her Latine.
Also, sex while one of them is a prisoner, in a public place, gave me the ick. Actually, all the sex here gave me the ick, I skipped a lot of it. All the biting and mating "fluid" (which was black, BTW, gross) wasn't particularly sexy.
January 28, 2024
Alien Keeper
I don't know that I'll ever get used to 10 foot MMCs, but the author writes his personality well. He is lovable -”... protective and thoughtful and generous and good”. This is a perfect example of why spicy scenes are necessary in relationship building - without them, the reader would have been left wondering how on earth (Zaphrinax) the mechanics of that were supposed to work. They still stretch the imagination but the author illustrates it well.
Even though many of the tropes in this genre are fine with me, the language barrier gets on my nerves. They don't speak the same language until the very end of the book. However, the author makes it all work and it's still a delightful story.
My favorite line comes from the MMC as the MFC is describing her mother and the Spanish language they shared,
“Then speak those words now so that you may reach back and find her. And teach them to me, so that I may find her, too.”
I don't know that I'll ever get used to 10 foot MMCs, but the author writes his personality well. He is lovable -”... protective and thoughtful and generous and good”. This is a perfect example of why spicy scenes are necessary in relationship building - without them, the reader would have been left wondering how on earth (Zaphrinax) the mechanics of that were supposed to work. They still stretch the imagination but the author illustrates it well.
Even though many of the tropes in this genre are fine with me, the language barrier gets on my nerves. They don't speak the same language until the very end of the book. However, the author makes it all work and it's still a delightful story.
My favorite line comes from the MMC as the MFC is describing her mother and the Spanish language they shared,
“Then speak those words now so that you may reach back and find her. And teach them to me, so that I may find her, too.”
June 18, 2024
Valeria + Grim
Yes, so good! I love in an alien romance series where it starts off with language barrier, then somehow a shared language is formed (or they swim in a magic pond and learn the language) and then new characters are introduced and the language barrier pops up again! But us as readers have a lay of the land, so it makes things interesting.
This is our first full-blooded Bitter-Sea hero. More alien than our kanga-dudes on this planet, think lizardman alien. Hella tall, scaly, snouted, tailed, fangs, venom, mating liquid, forked tongue. Plus a new culture being introduced (pearl bead implants - hello!)
This one gave me Ruk and Harlow vibes, where the two learn each others language and form their own way of communicating. All while making their own little home in a cave by themselves falling in love. <3
Yes, so good! I love in an alien romance series where it starts off with language barrier, then somehow a shared language is formed (or they swim in a magic pond and learn the language) and then new characters are introduced and the language barrier pops up again! But us as readers have a lay of the land, so it makes things interesting.
This is our first full-blooded Bitter-Sea hero. More alien than our kanga-dudes on this planet, think lizardman alien. Hella tall, scaly, snouted, tailed, fangs, venom, mating liquid, forked tongue. Plus a new culture being introduced (pearl bead implants - hello!)
This one gave me Ruk and Harlow vibes, where the two learn each others language and form their own way of communicating. All while making their own little home in a cave by themselves falling in love. <3
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