Review: Claimed Among the Stars by V.K. Ludwig 4 of 5 stars by Tana Stone by Ella Maven by Tasha Black by Honey Phillips by Tina Moss

Claimed Among the Stars by V.K. Ludwig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great-value alien romance anthology which will often contain stories from well-known series that you can't get anywhere else. All stories were well told, in clear language and it was easy to be transported away. The male aliens were all alpha males who would do anything to protect their women even though most of them were sassy and quite able to look after themselves.

This review is based on the following books that I read from the anthology:

Tana Stone Prize - 4*
Tasha Black Promised Mate - 4*
Ella Maven Saved by the Prisoner - 4*
Honey Phillips Alien Castaway - 4*
Tina Moss Alien’s Getaway - 3*

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Review: Quinn and the Queller by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Quinn and the Queller by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Quinn was with two other friends when they were abducted by aliens and ended up on a distant planet. When her two friends disappear she has to accept that she will always be alone. When she is sold to a terrifying alien warrior she expects the worst but unexpectedly finds that she is given unexpected kindness. Then he carries her off to his forbidding mansion she wonders if she will ever find her way back to her friends. When Dhar was forced to leave his homeworld he cut himself off from everything and everyone and instead pursued a successful career as a gladiator. This gave him the wealth to buy everything that he wants including solitude, but when he is gifted a beautiful and delicate female who has gifted warmth to his existence. Determined to keep her, the more time he spends with her the more he also wants to please her but if he gives her want she most wants will he remain alone forever?

I enjoyed this story which closed off the three related stories of friends Olivia, Pandora and Quinn. Her negative view of her worth was quite depressing and so it was great to see that the Queller started off being incredibly respectful of her and her wishes. I loved her determination and care for those near to her as well as her brazen attempts to break Dhar's avoidance of her in a more intimate way. The story took on a dramatic storyline and it was great to see that she was not afraid of him to use his violent nature to defend her and rescue her. Easy to read and understand. Contains mature content.

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Review: Pandora and the Prisoner by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Pandora and the Prisoner by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pandora likes an orderly life just like the books in her library, but when she and two of her friends are abducted by aliens and their spaceship crashes life is suddenly very different. When she is separated from them she finds it hard to communicate with the huge alien warrior who captured her. Boxtar was betrayed in the past and framed for a crime he did not commit and so has no use for rules But Pandora awakens a part of him that he thought to be long dead and is determined to protect her. Can the prisoner be the hero that she needs?

I liked this story with the academic Pandora and the rogue Boxtar who was actually very knowledgeable and intelligent when he allowed himself to show that. I loved the way that she grew to know and care for him and the way that her skills and knowledge came to the fore and that it helped them both (as well as the local community). Easy to read and understand. Contains mature content.

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Review: Olivia and the Orc by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Olivia and the Orc by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Olivia and her two friends are abducted by aliens and the next thing she knows is that they are being marched across a desert by a group of aliens with the friends being guarded by a large green Orc. Then Olivia and Baldric are separated then even though they cannot speak each other's language he is all she has to keep her safe. He then seeks the help of his old tribe but will they be willing to help them and how can he return Olivia to her friends if he wants to keep her with him forever?

I liked this story which showed that even aliens have problems with the leadership conundrum of Baldric's home, the alien abductors, the traders and the greed for profits. I loved that even with the language differences they were able to communicate and that Baldric was able to tolerate and even sometimes anticipate her attempts to try and find her friends or escape. Easy to read and understand. I'm sure they will have a challenging life with the sassy Olivia and her strong and determined Baldric. Contains some mature content.

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Review: A Son for the Alien Warrior by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

A Son for the Alien Warrior by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Human Mariah goes to the location of her sister's disappearance with her son on the one year anniversary only to find an alien spaceship which she sneaks on determined to find them. This sends her across the galaxy and into the arms of massive alien warrior Captain Crestov who is determined to protect her. Mariah is determined to ignore her attraction to him and find her sister. The Captain is also looking for someone- his brother. What he didn't expect was to find himself on a distant planet to a troubled ranch where he finds a little boy who calls him Daddy and the enticing thought that he hand Mariah should settle there and care for the children. Can their shared love of the child be enough for them to start a new future together as a family?

I enjoyed this story which had some great coincidences merged into some criminal plots and two people who were very attracted to each other and cared for the children enough to change their life plans. I liked the way that the story finished and that all the bad guys finally had their punishment. Easy to read and understand. It was a nice quick read that made you feel happy when they had sorted out everything. Contains some mature content.

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Review: Nancy and the Naga by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Nancy and the Naga by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Human Nancy has been a slave in an alien mine for a year and has refused to give up, so when she gets a chance she escapes. She never realised how hard it was going to be to survive on her own but when a strange new alien that is part man and part snake finds her she fears the worst - however he actually makes her feel safe for the first time since she was abducted. Prince Kaiyo was banished from his home planet and has found a place for himself in the dangerous underworld of Kalima and can usually solve any problem, however, he seems unable to fix his own. When had discovers the fierce and frightened Nancy his long-forgotten instincts demand that he protect her no matter what she thinks. The longer he spends with her the more he never wants to let her go. Kaiyo’s past is about to catch up with him. He has no intention of releasing his claim on Nancy - but will she be able to handle all of his secrets? And will his people ever accept a human?

I enjoyed this story with the feisty Nancy and the determined Kaiyo. It was interesting to see how the politics of his homeworld came to play out and how Nancy's presence meant that the various parties in the politics came to the fore and gave themselves away. I loved the various twists in the story and it was great to see another human female find her HEA with a high ranking male alien. Contains some mature content.

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Review: Mary and the Minotaur by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Mary and the Minotaur by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Human Mary hadn't had a particularly easy life but has always been optimistic but when she is abducted by aliens she finds it hard to find anything positive about it. Then she is loaded into an escape pod and abandoned by the kidnappers only to find herself in even more trouble. Her only hope left is in the shape of a large bull-like alien who is brooding, surly but her heart tells her to trust him. Sandat is working undercover and fears he is just as heartless as those he is trying to bring to justice until he meets a small and curvy female who awakens hidden feelings in him. To protect her he has to play the role of a slave owner (which is very wrong) but she is still very trusting of him. He is determined to protect her but in the end, will he have to give her up?

I enjoyed this story which had a nice twist with the undercover officer, the betrayals, the slavers and the feelings that were definitely there quickly between Mari and Sandat. This was an easy story to read, feel and understand which definitely helped to transport me to another world. Contains some mature content.

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Review: Lily and the Lion by Honey Phillips 4 of 5 stars

Lily and the Lion by Honey Phillips
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Human Lily has never been lucky in life whether it was with a job or a relationship. Then she is abducted from Earth by aliens and then shoved in an escape pod to find herself on a jungle planet. She is found by an enormous gorgeous alien who is more beast than man but has the most amazingly intense blue eyes. Leotra va Situni is a bored but wealthy man who has countless females chasing him wherever he goes. So when an attractive female appears he assumes it is just another attempt to lure him into mating with someone. But he finds that she doesn't recognise his charms and treats him like a pet. He is determined to find out answers from her but she is equally determined to keep him at arm's length. Who will win this battle of wills?

I enjoyed this story which was a battle of wills between two very strong people who had a strong attraction to each other and had tried to fight it to no avail. I enjoyed the various family politics involved as well as the way that they were handled by clever people who knew exactly who to trust when the chips really were down. I loved their relationship after they had trusted each other even though I did find her a little tiresome at times too. Easy to read and understand. Contains mature sexual content.

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Review: Kate and the Kraken by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Kate and the Kraken by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Human Kate spends her time in the lab but being abducted by aliens wasn't the kind of break she wanted or needed. Then she is forced to abandon the ship into an escape pod and almost drowns in an alien ocean. Prince A'tai is desperate to escape his family and their political schemes but on the way to a remote island he rescues Kate and although she doesn't belong there he is determined to keep her. However, he is not quite what he told her and the planet has more than one secret. Can they both survive the politics, a planetary crisis and their differences to get a happy ending?

I enjoyed this story with Kate being the right kind of scientist to land on the planet and the right woman for A'tai. I loved that they were able to work it out and were actually the perfect match. Easy to read and understand, this book contains scenes for mature audiences only.

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Review: Alien Selection by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Alien Selection by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lauren has never been valued by anyone especially not her father and ex-husband. So she keeps her head down and just exists day-to-day. When she is saved from an attack by a mysterious horned being she wants to believe his promise of safety, but can she? T’saran once had a promising career in the Yehrin fleet but it was destroyed when he succumbed to a lying female. Now he is assisting with the preparations before the invasion of Earth in the hope of getting his honour back. But instead, he saves a fragile human woman and his commander has other plans for her. Can he give up everything for the chance at an uncertain future and can Lauren find the inner strength for them both?

I enjoyed this novella which was a reasonable introduction to the series. I liked that he was honourable enough to save Lauren and that he then recognised (but fought it thinking that it was false) his attraction to her before he finally gave in to the pull between them. I loved that he knew what to do in order to make sure they were both safe. Easy to read and understand. Contains some sexual content.

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Review: Joan and the Juggernaut by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Joan and the Juggernaut by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fighter Varga has hard armour which can cover his skin and has not had an easy life. Having powered his way through every obstacle he has met, he sets off to do a favour for a friend which puts a stubborn female in his path. Human Joan had finally freed herself from a domineering husband only to be kidnapped by aliens from Earth and sold into servitude on a mining planet. When a very attractive alien arrives with promises to rescue her he is not so foolish to refuse but he wants more than just her freedom - he also wants her heart too. As Varga, Joan and a group of others go on a journey to their freedom, can they both escape the ties of their past and find a new future together?

I enjoyed this story. Joan was definitely a one-off and her ability to collect waifs and strays who were also prisoners through her ability to relate to them and form a connection was both a great thing and a very annoying thing for them all. Thankfully Vargas was willing to tolerate and allow her these things which were great. Full of danger and drama, it was a good read and has set up the next book nicely. Easy to read. Contains explicit sexual content.

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Review: Izzie and the Icebeast by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Izzie and the Icebeast by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Human Izzie has had no one to rely on but herself, but when she is abducted and sold by aliens it is something that she cannot handle on herself. Baralt is an alien fighter and having made a fatal mistake in his youth has been driven away from his homeworld. When Baralt rescues Izzy she has no real reason to trust him but he might be her only chance to escape from the threat she currently faces. Can they work together and gain their freedom and a chance at a brighter future?

I enjoyed this story with the drama of what Izzie was facing on top of Baralts own problems. The way they had to work together was great to see and it was fun to read about their adventures. Between the two of them, they were able to handle all of their problems - they just need to learn to trust each other. Easy to read and understand. Contains explicit sexual content.

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Review: Hanna and the Hitman by Honey Phillips 4 of 5 stars

Hanna and the Hitman by Honey Phillips
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hanna had been abducted from Earth and then treated as if she were some kind of performing animal. Her latest home is to be on display in a cage outside of a seedy bar. When the massive alien warrior stops to see her she imagines the worst. To her shock, the warrior frees her but alone and scared she turns to him as her only refuge. Aidon is a hitman who eliminated galactic scum but he is running out of time and needs to return to his planet immediately. Certainly, acquiring Hanna was not in his plans but now he has her can he let her go especially when his home planet is so very dangerous?

I enjoyed this story with the jeopardy of his need to return home, the dangerous flora and fauna there as well as ancient misunderstandings that needed to be resolved. I thought that she was exactly what and who he needed he just needed to have a clear head and do the right thing. I loved some of the drama and danger as well as a few of the friendships that were formed in dangerous circumstances. Easy to read and understand. Contains explicit sexual content.

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Review: Greta and the Gargoyle by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Greta and the Gargoyle by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Human Greta had been abducted from Earth and eventually sold to an alien master who she killed. She is stuck in a prison cell and her only hope is a prison guard who appears to be compassionate. The question is any feelings she has for him are they real or are they just gratitude? Gargoyle Mikaroz waited until he found the perfect mate but unexpectedly he finds her to be human prisoner Greta. He cannot let her die for defending herself and is determined to do whatever he has to if it saves her! Can they succeed to be free and can she trust him with her heart so they can be together?

I enjoyed this story which had a strong human woman with an even stronger alien man finding a way to experience love together. I enjoyed the jeopardy of the care he took for her while she was in prison as well as their escape in dramatic circumstances. It was a great ending to the story and a fitting HEA. Contains explicit sexual content.

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Review: Faith and the Fighter by Honey Phillips 4 of 5 stars

Faith and the Fighter by Honey Phillips
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Human scientist Faith has spent the last 8 years locked in a research lab. After numerous attempts, when she finally succeeds in escaping she discovers that she was lied to and the project she worked on has a more sinister intent. Captain Athtar unknowingly helped her to escape and even though he has no idea yet, Faith is determined to get him to help her to go back to fix the project and the lab so that the work is lost. But he has his life finally settled via his own ship ownership, great crew and is doing his best not to be tempted by her luscious body. Can they fight their overwhelming attraction for long enough to defeat the evil scientists while staying ahead of the Imperial Fleet? When everything is done, can there be a future for them both?

I really liked this story which looked at Faith who was very intelligent and had been a prisoner for a long time. It was great to see her using her skills to help persuade as well as solve the problems that were around her. I loved Athtar and the way he had the intention to carry on with his life as it was before Faith but he really had no chance to ignore the pull of his attraction to her. Easy to read and understand, I was addicted to this story and really need to know what happened next. Contains explicit sexual content.

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Review: Ella and the Emperor by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Ella and the Emperor by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Human Ella was taken as a child and then raised as a loved pet by an alien couple. One night of blood and terror destroyed her sheltered life and took her voice. So now she works as a slave in the emperor's palace. Emperor Karthajin rescues Ella from an attack and all she can do is cling to him in fear. He is new to the throne and surrounded by faces that smile but many of those people are hidden enemies. He unexpectedly finds comfort with Ella but his feelings grow stronger and he becomes reluctant to expose her to those in his court. Will his empire ever accept a human as his consort?

I enjoyed this story although I did find it a little weird the way their more intimate relationship started which almost felt like abuse. I did like Ella and her sense of humour and her outfit for the dinner they went to was hysterical! I was thrilled when they were able to sort everything out and be together. Easy to read and understand. Contains explicit sexual content.

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Review: Deb and the Demon by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Deb and the Demon by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Human Deb was abducted from Earth and sold as a slave to a vicious alien owner. Six months later she is pregnant and just trying to live and focus on her child. Rastrath is a mixed-blood Prince of the Royal House but has had a sad life as he was despised even by his mother. Deb is gorgeous and determined to protect her unborn mixed-race child which attracts him on multiple counts. Then an unexpected danger arises and they enter a marriage of convenience. The question is can Deb trust Rath's feelings for her are more than a desire to protect his investment plus can Rath follow his duty while building a family of his own?

I enjoyed this story which had Rath as a sensitive and caring alien who had experienced first-hand the prejudices of having a mixed-race and yet was also incredibly kind to all who encountered him including slaves. I loved his determination to help Deb and her unborn child as well as his determination to help the people on this particular planet. I enjoyed the friendship he had with the people who really were his family which also has some parallels with real life. Easy to read and understand. Contains some sexual content.

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Review: Cam and the Conqueror by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Cam and the Conqueror by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cam is abducted from Earth and is enslaved to an alien ruler. As he trains her to submit to him she sees through his cold facade and as her body learn to surrender her heart learns to love him. Kievan Rus was exiled by his people and has fought had to establish a place in the galaxy. He rules his space station with an icy control and it means everything to him until a beautiful woman challenges his restraint and her warmth eases the cold that he has felt for a long time. But he promised her to someone else who is a member of a Royal House as payment for a deal he made. If he fails then everything he has is in danger, or will Cam's love for him survive such a brutal betrayal by him?

I really enjoyed this book which was firmly in the lands of BDSM with Kievan clearly the Master and Cam the Servant. On the face of it, he is very brutal and mistreats people, but when you dig deeper he is very fair, as kind as he can be, and only firm with those who betray him or his family. Easy to read and understand. Cam because slightly annoying with her insistence that he would be more human and kinder to the people who serve him. Contains a lot of explicit sexual content.

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Review: Beth and the Barbarian by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Beth and the Barbarian by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Human Beth is hypersensitive to the emotions of others and so it resigned to spending her life alone until she is attacked by savage aliens and rescued by a massive scarred warrior with who she feels a connection for the first time. Afraid of living her life totally alone, when he tells her that she needs to go with him she does not hesitate. Dragan never expected to find the perfect female while tracking saboteurs targeting his people. As an outcast, he is scarred inside and out and knows he is unworthy of a mate, but his instincts say he must protect her from all danger and that includes his intense attraction to her. As they are both pursued across the galaxy they are forced even closer together. Can Dragar give Beth the love she deserves?

I really enjoyed this story which had a great mixture of necessity and romance. I loved the way that they fit very well together if only they realised that they both needed and deserved each other. Plenty of action and drama to keep you hooked. Easy to read and understand. Contains explicit sexual content.

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Review: Anna and the Alien by Honey Phillips 3 of 5 stars

Anna and the Alien by Honey Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Anna Elliot was flying back from a vacation when she wakes up on an alien spacecraft in a cage and is forced to help a huge alien prisoner with golden skin. Even wounded he arouses her but she has been told if he dies so does she and so she needs to try and concentrate. When the spaceship crashes on an alien planet she needs to put her trust in him in order to survive although the passion he cases her may mean she loses her heart to him. Sardoran mercenary Jakkar is searching desperately for a new planet to replace his dying home planet and didn't expect to be injured and captured followed by a shipwreck. Forbidden to mate outside of his species he can't help but be tempted by Anna with her curvy body and caring heart. Now he is responsible for a small group of survivors and human Anna who he is determined to claim as his own. Can a girl and her alien find happiness on a deserted planet at the far end of the galaxy?

I enjoyed this story although I did find the politics of can he can't be a bit tiresome towards the end of the story. I did love the alien woman and her role in their romance and eventual satisfactory claiming. Easy to read and understand. Contains explicit sexual content.

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