Sold to Mars

by McKayla Schutt

Get your dragon on.

Avril was sold to Mars the day of her birth. On Earth, the female population is too high, and every woman is either labeled as a breeder or sold. If they fight it, they are dead. Avril may be sassy but she’s careful because she doesn’t want to be a baby factory like her mother. Things get heated when she meets the Lord Alpha and her body reacts to him.

Lord Alpha Sylvan has been after one thing since he took control of Mars, a mate. When he met Avril for the first time, he makes a few mistakes. He must make up for his blunders or lose his mate and himself forever. Everything hangs on the connection between the Avril and Sylvan.

Find your escape with this dragon shifter alpha that fans of Celia Kyle as Erin Tate will call their next favorite read!

Genres: Shapeshifters, Science Fiction

103 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2019

About the author

Author McKayla Schutt writes fast-paced paranormal romances with alpha males protecting their powerful ladies and lots of magic. McKayla is a USA Today Bestselling author with Souls and Shadows: A Limited-Edition Romance Anthology. She loves her alphas in all shapes- wolves, dragons, bears, witches, and more. She writes men who make the readers drool.

As a mother of two living in Wyoming, when she’s not in her writing cave, she’s crafting like crazy with yarn. Her first love was reading books and her second was writing them. And to the dismay of her husband, she will always love her spicy romances.

For all the latest releases and updates on exclusives, subscribe to McKayla Schutt’s newsletter today!
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Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because the female population of Earth is too high, every woman born is designated as either a breeder or is sold. Avril was frustrated and angry that after spending days traveling to Mars, still wearing her dirty clothes, she was being presented like this to the current Lord Alpha Sylvan of Mars! All she wanted was a shower! When they met, he told her to follow him. The man was a dragon shifter, but if he wanted her dead, she was sure he could have made that happen so she went with him. He led her into a huge bedroom, and she immediately informed him he wasn’t going to get what he obviously expected from her. His response was that she had no idea what Earth had promised to him. If he did not get what he wanted, he would send her home as a disgraced woman who would be used as nothing more than a breeder.

Much to Sylvan’s surprise, the sassy Avril poked a finger into his chest, threatened to cut off his manhood and feed it to his dogs; and told him when he was ready for a decent partner, give her a call. Then she turned and angrily stormed away – until he held her arm and apologized. He had been told by his advisors humans were weak and required strong men who forced themselves on the women. That had obviously been a lie, he said. He invited her to dinner to start over and she told him what she expected to have served to her; if he could accommodate her request, she would join him.

Once in her room, Avril hurried into the shower. With 5 dials to choose from, the first doused her with freezing cold water. The second was warm with a pleasing scent, so she accepted that one rather than risk burning herself with the next one. There was no soap or shampoo, but she did the best she could. She sought him out and found him in his dragon form in a huge room. Sylvan shifted to human so he wouldn’t frighten her, scented her reaction to the naked man in front of her, and smiled. She asked if he would let her ride on his back and he teased her that he wasn’t a horse! Then laughing, he agreed, hoping that she was starting to accept him and maybe even wanted him too! His scales were smooth and hard to hold, so she wrapped her arms around his neck and heard his dragon chuckle as she pressed against him. When 4 of his men came into the room, they told him they had several potential mates for him to interview – and Avril realized she had been wrong to think he wanted her. He only wanted a plaything while he looked for someone to give him an heir. She quietly left the room before he could stop her.

I really enjoyed this cute book. This author can take a simple concept and wrap a delightful story around it and, once again, she did not disappoint! Avril was a bright, independent, sassy woman who wouldn’t let anyone push her around. Sylvan had to find his mate and had specifically selected her when he saw her picture, although she wasn’t told that information and wasn’t sure why she was there. Watching the two of them together was a fun experience as they tried to get to know each other and figure out how to navigate around the other to find acceptance. After his initial mistake, Sylvan treated her with respect and let her come to her own conclusions about him. Will she accept him as her mate, or will she walk away?

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

She was sold. He was waiting. Neither expected what came next.

Avril didn’t choose to be sent to Mars. Earth’s population crisis gave her two options: obey or vanish. But when she lands in the home of Lord Alpha Sylvan, a dominant dragon shifter with no patience for rebellion, she chooses to fight.

Sylvan expected obedience. What he got was a sarcastic human who challenged everything he thought he wanted. His dragon knew she was his mate, but Avril made it clear she’d never be just a breeder or possession. She wanted freedom, not chains disguised as fate.

As tensions rise and danger closes in, Avril must decide if she can belong in a world where power and trust collide. Sylvan must learn to lead with more than dominance. Together, they’ll tear down what’s broken to build something real and lasting, even if it means defying ancient rules and risking everything.

Avril evolves from defiant survivor to someone who trusts her own desires, while Sylvan sheds control for vulnerability. Both grow by facing their fears, rejecting the roles forced on them, and choosing something greater than survival. Their journey is one of pain, power, and healing.

Their dynamic shifts from mistrust to connection, fueled by passion, choice, and raw emotional need. What starts as resistance becomes something deeper, addictive, and unforgettable. It's not just a romance. It’s a reckoning, one that demands they remake themselves to earn what they want most.

A dark, alien-human, dragon shifter, fated mates, enemies to lovers, sci-fi romance, exploring love, connection, identity, autonomy, trust, power dynamics, protection, sacrifice, and societal control.

The audiobook features Nicole Marcelle and Big Bear Audio. Nicole gives Avril a vivid emotional presence with strong pacing and delivery. Big Bear’s neutral tone takes a minute to settle into but matches Sylvan’s restraint and internal conflict well.

[Alethia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read with some quirky, fun characters to read about. I really liked how Sylvan course corrected after his initial meet and greet with Avril did not go so well based on advice he'd been given. And I also liked how Avril was able to give him the benefit of the doubt afterwards as well. The two have some entertaining encounters for us to read about (flying on a dragon for the win!) and I was loving how Avril was given someone she could turn to for advice and information, Ray, since she had no one on Mars. It had a nice build in the story line and left me with a very happy feeling at the end. If you are a fan of shifters, dragons especially, or of aliens and other planets, this could be a good match for you.

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

[Mrs B · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a mess Earth is in, and treating it's females like chattels or making them breed child after child, desperately trying to get male children.
Avril ends up on Mars, unbeknown to her after being requested by its leader. She would rather be here than in the breeding programme. When she meets Sylvan, Mars' Lord Alpha, they both get off on the wrong foot. He, because of bad information from his advisers and she, because she doesn't know what he really wants from her. Oh, and the fact that she has these crazy crazy feelings when he is around.
A short but enjoyable read. It has challenges, drama, tender and sad moments, sadness, humour, and happiness.

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

[Rose Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sold to Mars is an alien shifter romance with likable characters. Avril is the spunky human from earth and Sylvan, the Lord Alpha of Mars who is looking for his mate, have great chemistry. There were a few times when the story could have built into something exciting like when the kralic, which are violent shifters stuck between their human and animal forms, were introduced, but the author just let the moment pass. This is not a complex story, no big action or excitement, no love conquers all themes, but it is a comfortable, predictable, one you would enjoy reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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

[Nina Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sold to Mars by Mykayla Schutt is a short steamy novella that is full of wonderful characters on an exciting alien world. The easy to read story focuses on a human woman Avril Undead from Earth and Sylvan Jaeger the Lord Alpha Dragon ruler of the planet of Mars. This is a compelling story with exciting interactions between Avril and Sylvan whose chemistry make this novella steamy and sweet. If you love sexy shifters looking for their forever mates and/or hot aliens willing to purchase human brides than this book is definitely going to be a favorite. I am positive that you will enjoy this book as much as I did. This is a perfect alien dragon shifter romance for you. Sold to Mars is a sexy, shifter, alien dragon love story.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Good world building and characters. Sylvan did not make a good first impression on Avril- or me for that matter. But learning that he was misinformed about Earth mating customs, it was easy to look past it and start seeing who he was. Avril is sassy and strong-minded, but knows as a human woman when Earth was overpopulated by women leaves her with limited life options. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. I listened to this book in audio, and loved that this was a duet narration- as they are much less common than dual narration. Nicole Marcelle and Big Bear Audio did a good job bringing these characters to life.

Overall: 4 stars
Performance: 4 stars
Story: 4 stars

[HEATHER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mastering his Queen!
by sewsummore

When the dragon King first saw a photograph of Avril he suspected she could be his fated mate. He requested that she be included in the next shipment of human females to his planet. There was no mistake, she was the one, but her feisty mouth and attitude meant that he would have to bide his time before she would mate with him, if at all. This was a short story, with good background descriptions and characters. I would have enjoyed more interactions between the King and Avril however this book was an entertaining and enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed this book..

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avril has been sold to Mars and Sylvan the Lord Alpha wants her for his mate.
On earth with the overabundance of females there is only two options for females to be breeders to produce as many males a possible or to be sold to another planet and in Avril's case she has been sold to Mars. When she arrives she is taken straight to the Lord Alpha of Mars who is a dragon shifter. Sylvan the Lord Alpha has seen Avril's picture and both he and his dragon want her for their mate but first he has to persuade her to agree. An Alien romance to relax and enjoy.

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

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the time of Avril’s birth she was sold to the aliens on Mars, the population of women on earth was way too high they were either sold or used as breeders but Avril was sold to the Lord Alpha Sylvan and now she is on a ship headed to Mars. Sylvan was given the wrong information about earth women and he ends up insulting Avril she tells him what she thinks of that and then practically tells him that when he gets a better attitude to come and look her up and that’s when Sylvan realises his mistake. Another fantastic funny story by McKayla Schutt and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avril is a sassy human that was sold to become a breeder, or so she thought. Lord Alpha is basically the king of Mars and has picked Avril from her picture because he knows that she's his mate. The trick getting her to know it. Alvril has her guard up on her heart and doesn't want to become like her mother. Lord Alpha gives her space to come to terms of how she really feels about him. It's a cute book and I hope that she finds a way for women rights. Nice job author on the book.

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

[Emily Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avril was sold to Mars to be mated. It was either that or be used as a breeder like her mother. Women had no say. When she arrives she meets the Lord Alpha Sylvan. She is sassy and isn't giving in to him. This was a fun story and had lots of chemistry and some steam with an HEA. Loved her attitude about it all and the fact that she wanted to fight for women to have rights. Loved how Sylvan kept trying to seduce her and take care of her. I really enjoyed the entire story! I am voluntarily reviewing an arc I received via Booksprout.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story set in the future women are treated as property and because there are more of them than there are males they are turned into “breeders”. Avril is a female human and she is feisty and has no intention of following the rules. Luckily the ruler of Mars sees her and knows she is his mate. Avril struggles with what she knows is a female’s lot in life. The author has written a great story that was enjoyable to read, it’s only a short read so takes about an hour cover to cover. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Graves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wayyyyy 2 damn short!! Earth has changed 2 much if they want 2 treat women like cattle just as breeding stock!! She was pretty about getting dragged off 2 Mars cause her family sold her. But she got a big surprise in the end... Her mate... He was Lord and held in high esteem. Once he explained some things she felt more from him and 2 him than she expected. Thank God her bro showed up with her neice. She just wished her mother of her neice was alive so they can b a true family. I hope there's more 2 come out 4 a series like this asap!!

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avril is sold to the alien shifter Lord Alpha of Mars. Those Earth women not sold are turned into breeders and forced to have as many male children as possible or face possible execution. The Lord Alpha, Sylvan, knows from her picture that Avril is his mate but must get past her fear of becoming a brood mare. This is a quick read with not a lot of details. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written story full of aliens, shifters and sass

This was a fun and cute story, full of entertaining encounters, banter, poor advice and wonderful chemistry. I didn't like the laws of future Earth and was thrilled that Avril escaped them. Poor Sylvan had some serious missteps to make up for and I really enjoyed how everything came together for them. There's also a fab opportunity for more stories to be set in this world. Good fun if it happens!

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book the storyline was well written with the characters. Avril as soon as she was born a female her life was set. Avril was sent to Mars from Earth either a breeder or sold. Lord Alpha Sylvan noticed Avril and was asked to go with him, she followed him to the bedroom as not being happy she told him point blank.
Thank you for allowing me to review this book it was great.

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

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems that Avril was sent to Mars to Mate with the Lord Alpha. It seems that the Dragon of the Lord Alpha knew that Avril was it's mate. Lord Alpha, or Sylvan, had to learn that Earth women are not easy. He had to do a little wooing to win her heart. Very insta love. Good story but can read it in 1 hour. Recommend for a quick Sat. read.

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

[Maria Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!

This book was really fun to read, great characters and enjoyable plot. This book will make you laugh with the each interactions. A Human who traveled thousands of miles to be presented to an alien lord as his mate and boy did he blunder! I was engaged from the get go and couldn't put the book down! A definite must read!

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

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by McKayla Schutt; she has done a great job at writing another good book; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a lot of mistakes, the most common being "you're" instead of "your ''. That was just jarring every time it came up, which was often. The story isn't that bad, but it feels rushed, and a lot is just told instead of shown. The world feels half-baked as well, there are some details that don't get explained, and a lot of questions that go unanswered. This story should have been longer, to accommodate all that information and character development we don't get.

[Lory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intriguing and enjoyable read. I especially liked the take on alien Dragon shifters and their mates. This story is filled with plenty of action and laughable moment between Avril and Sylvan. Overall a enjoyable and entertaining read. I received a free copy via Booksprout I voluntarily read and review this ARC no monetary compensation was received the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Mim Crenshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book; to me it was almost like an opposites attract type of romance. This author wrote this brilliantly; even though it's a short read, it didn't seem rushed. The characters were likeable and well developed, and they had a great chemistry.

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

[Ann Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very light read. The characters are okay but I liked the secondary ones better. Too much of the book is about how women are treated like second class citizens with no explanation of what happened to make it that way. Just okay in my book.

I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short,paranormal,Shifters romance..
He is Alpha-Dragon Shifter-ruler on Mars.
She is young woman from Earth, and definitely doesn’t want to be a slave,mistress to him.
She didn’t expect that she is his Mate.
Sweet,hot read

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

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sold To Mars by McKayla Schutt is an awesome story that I have read. I really enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about paranormal romances in their stories.

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

[Philleys Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I really loved this book! The Lord Alpha is definitely a dragon to drool over and yes, I totally agree that he started on the wrong foot with Avril. But he knows how to make her happy...And keep her that way.

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

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book 📚,it has a good storyline. This book is filled with action and intrigue, the interaction and chemistry between Avril and Sylvan is great. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Melody Hillier · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting take on alien dragon shifters and their human mates, this is a fun story with lots of emotion, steam and twists and turns

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

[Reader03 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great character development, a semi-simplistic plot and HEA ending. I really enjoyed the book and it was just the right length.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.