Thaxian Warrior Mates Series by Elin Wyn, Starr Huntress

He was unexpected.No.Our ship getting blown up was unexpected.Crashing on a planet filled with murder-goats was unexpected.Being rescued by a copper skinned, winged hunk with golden eyes and not wearing much more than a leather kilt and a weapon harness was so freaking miraculous that I wondered if I’d actually fallen off that cliff.This was just some sort of hallucination to keep my mind busy before I died, right?Because otherwise, unexpected just got very, very interesting.. moreHe was unexpected.No.Our ship getting blown up was unexpected.Crashing on a planet filled with murder-goats was unexpected.Being rescued by a copper skinned, winged hunk with golden eyes and not wearing much more than a leather kilt and a weapon harness was so freaking miraculous that I wondered if I’d actually fallen off that cliff.This was just some sort of hallucination to keep my mind busy before I died, right?Because otherwise, unexpected just got very, very interesting...Reaver's Quest is book one of the Thaxian Warrior Mates steamy science fiction romance series. less

A thin line of warm light appeared at the edge of my vision, growing broader and brighter.Until a demon leaned over the edge of the pod, flickering light dancing over his red scaled features, dark horns jutting up through his short black hair.This time, I was the one who screamed.The sound of my voice in my ears shocked me back to reality.It wasn’t a nightmare, it wasn’t some hell or some devil.It was just another alien, like the dozens of species we’d met on the Dream... moreA thin line of warm light appeared at the edge of my vision, growing broader and brighter.Until a demon leaned over the edge of the pod, flickering light dancing over his red scaled features, dark horns jutting up through his short black hair.This time, I was the one who screamed.The sound of my voice in my ears shocked me back to reality.It wasn’t a nightmare, it wasn’t some hell or some devil.It was just another alien, like the dozens of species we’d met on the Dream.I sat up, coughing, pulling my sweater tight around me.“Thank you.”My throat was clogged from disuse. How long had I been asleep?“Where’s this? Where’re the others?”The demon guy stepped back from the sides of the pod, a blank look of incomprehension across his face.Oh no. That couldn’t be right.“Do you understand me?”Nothing.Right then.There hadn’t been much in the manual about this.Statistically, it wasn’t totally impossible that the pod could end up on a world that could sustain intelligent life, yet hadn’t been contacted by the Galactic Alliance.Heck, that’d describe Earth for most of its history.No Alliance, no translator.Uh oh.Reaver's Claim is book two of the Thaxian Warrior Mates steamy science fiction romance series. less

A hulking shadow broke away from the surrounding darkness.Man shaped, but far too tall, shoulders too broad, he was at my side before I had fully registered his presence.One massive hand clamped over my wrist, covering the comm bangle, nearly muting Kyla's message."Please," I begged. "That's my friend, I need to know what she's saying.”But that was as far as I got.With a quick twist he pulled me tight against his body, my back to his chest, pressing his other hand over my mouth... moreA hulking shadow broke away from the surrounding darkness.Man shaped, but far too tall, shoulders too broad, he was at my side before I had fully registered his presence.One massive hand clamped over my wrist, covering the comm bangle, nearly muting Kyla's message."Please," I begged. "That's my friend, I need to know what she's saying.”But that was as far as I got.With a quick twist he pulled me tight against his body, my back to his chest, pressing his other hand over my mouth.You must be silent.I froze, rigid against him.That didn't sound good.Not at all.Reaver's Prize is the third book in the Thaxian Warrior Mates world. While there is an overarching plot and mystery, each book has an HEA for the couple. less

“What are you?” a deep voice rumbled, and I sat up in shock then froze.I was at the side of a clearing, tall, twisted trees lacing the sky with slender branches far overhead all around, deep shadows at their bases.A circle of dark sky above was filled with a giant full moon.I swallowed hard.To its side, I saw a second smaller orb.Two moons. That… that was different.I looked around again. “Who’s there? Who spoke to me?”A dark form separated from one of the trees and I stayed very still... more“What are you?” a deep voice rumbled, and I sat up in shock then froze.I was at the side of a clearing, tall, twisted trees lacing the sky with slender branches far overhead all around, deep shadows at their bases.A circle of dark sky above was filled with a giant full moon.I swallowed hard.To its side, I saw a second smaller orb.Two moons. That… that was different.I looked around again. “Who’s there? Who spoke to me?”A dark form separated from one of the trees and I stayed very still.From a distance, in the shadows, it looked like a man. Very tall, with broad shoulders.But one head, two arms, two legs, and--I blinked.A tail. Yes, a thick tail swishing in the air behind him.When he stepped closer into the moonlight, I swallowed hard.My rescuer was unclothed, other than a short loincloth and a broad strap running diagonally across his chest.The light was enough to give me a clear view of the rich stripped green of his skin, the strong planes of his face, not softened in the least by the frame of dark brown hair.This was no gentle gardener.“Are you here to help me?” I whispered.Sure, it was more than a little terrifying to be by myself in the dark with a naked alien.Naked, giant alien...Please note: A previous version of Reaver's Kiss was included in the Claimed Among the Stars anthology. This is the revised and substantially expanded version. less

She sings as she dances, her long golden hair glistening in the sun, the only brightness I can see.From a distance I have watched her, guarded her.Slain any dangers.I should have brought her back to the aerie long before this, but a burning in my blood has stopped me.She is mine. Mine alone.A new threat has arisen, enemies unknown.I can keep my distance no longer.But when I come out of the shadows, can the little human female ever accept what I have done?

With one look, everything changed.Her eyes met mine from under long lashes.Even at such a distance, I knew instantly.I would rescue her, or die trying. I would bring her clan of women to the aerie.The outlaw Vak’ki would die under the blade of my nakav. Every last one of them.No longer would the Sen’ki speak the name Arctur with anything but respect. And the woman with the spirit that burned like a flame would be mine.

Trapped together in the darkness, a spark threatens to consume us both.LAICERFrom the moment Raelyn crashes into my life, she confuses me. Her soft, round body is unlike anything I've known, and her sharp tongue cuts deeper than any blade. But despite her prickly demeanor, I find myself drawn to her courage and spirit.As we search for escape, danger closes in from every side. My feelings for Raelyn only grow stronger, despite knowing she could never want a monster like me... moreTrapped together in the darkness, a spark threatens to consume us both.LAICERFrom the moment Raelyn crashes into my life, she confuses me. Her soft, round body is unlike anything I've known, and her sharp tongue cuts deeper than any blade. But despite her prickly demeanor, I find myself drawn to her courage and spirit.As we search for escape, danger closes in from every side. My feelings for Raelyn only grow stronger, despite knowing she could never want a monster like me. But when we give in to the fire between us, the aftermath nearly destroys me. Now more than ever, I'm determined to get us out of these cursed caves—if only to prove myself worthy of the female who's stolen my heart. I'll fight all comers to return to her side, or die trying.RAELYNI never expected to fall for someone like Laicer. But beneath his hulking muscles and battle-scarred skin, I find a gentle soul who saves me time and time again.Trapped deep underground with no way out, we only have each other for company. At first, his strange appearance and puzzled manner keep me wary, but slowly I see the heart beneath. As we survive endless dangers together, I feel myself growing closer to him despite my reservations.But the deeper we go seeking answers, the more danger closes in on every side. And through it all, the heat between us threatens to consume us both. Now I'll do anything to escape this place with the man I've fallen for - if only we can survive long enough to find the way. less