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Apex Astral Warriors #1
Destination Alien Bride
A Sci Fi Alien Romance
Journalist Brooklyn Tate came to this Caribbean island to blow the lid off a money laundering scheme at a destination wedding—instead, she discovers a bodysnatcher invasion straight from her nightmares and a hot alien warrior sent to stop them.
The interstellar hottie claims he wants a mate for life—but he also acts like humans are barely evolved gerbils. How can she possibly be this grumpy goliath’s match?
Khaz is one of only five surviving Apex’ir warriors. Locked inside his helmet, he’s determined to hunt down the parasitic aliens responsible for destroying his planet. He thought he’d cut down any humans necessary to kill his enemies, the Fever. Then he meets Brooklyn. The interfering female has his protective instincts firing, and his body aching for more. But can a human truly be his mate?
To claim an impossible future, Khaz must discover whether Brooklyn’s touch can free him from his helm. But their enemies are closing in. Will their passion set the stars alight, or will the Fever burn them up before they can unmask the heart of the infestation.
Journalist Brooklyn Tate came to this Caribbean island to blow the lid off a money laundering scheme at a destination wedding—instead, she discovers a bodysnatcher invasion straight from her nightmares and a hot alien warrior sent to stop them.
The interstellar hottie claims he wants a mate for life—but he also acts like humans are barely evolved gerbils. How can she possibly be this grumpy goliath’s match?
Khaz is one of only five surviving Apex’ir warriors. Locked inside his helmet, he’s determined to hunt down the parasitic aliens responsible for destroying his planet. He thought he’d cut down any humans necessary to kill his enemies, the Fever. Then he meets Brooklyn. The interfering female has his protective instincts firing, and his body aching for more. But can a human truly be his mate?
To claim an impossible future, Khaz must discover whether Brooklyn’s touch can free him from his helm. But their enemies are closing in. Will their passion set the stars alight, or will the Fever burn them up before they can unmask the heart of the infestation.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 2022
65 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Dee J. Holmes
36 books101 followersThe characters I care about aren't content with the status quo. They don’t sit in some narrow, boilerplate box and do what they’re told—they break the laws of their worlds, defying everything for what's right and for true love. Whether battling fantastical odds, facing science fiction dilemmas or nursing a supernatural heartache, they challenge expectations and change their worlds.
I love complex worlds and even more complex characters. Fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, romance and geekery abound—and they're holding hands with opinions. Sometimes created while appreciating a fine rye. Probably NSFW.
I’m not only an author, I’m a visual artist. Decades of creating imagery in multiple mediums and the desire to see my characters brought to life led me to create book covers. I might have started with my own, but now I craft carefully branded, personalized covers for many authors.
Aside from authoring and drawing, I live with my husband and our Great Dane, Fable (aka Mistress of Menace, Duchess of Oof, the Terror Beast) in beautiful Vancouver. When I’m not creating, I’m enjoying a long walk with my giant doggo, or shooting some monsters in a co-op video game with my husband.
Above all, I love crafting exciting tales that pull at your heartstrings—and maybe your pant-strings—stories which excite and sweep readers into new worlds and leave them wanting more.
I love complex worlds and even more complex characters. Fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, romance and geekery abound—and they're holding hands with opinions. Sometimes created while appreciating a fine rye. Probably NSFW.
I’m not only an author, I’m a visual artist. Decades of creating imagery in multiple mediums and the desire to see my characters brought to life led me to create book covers. I might have started with my own, but now I craft carefully branded, personalized covers for many authors.
Aside from authoring and drawing, I live with my husband and our Great Dane, Fable (aka Mistress of Menace, Duchess of Oof, the Terror Beast) in beautiful Vancouver. When I’m not creating, I’m enjoying a long walk with my giant doggo, or shooting some monsters in a co-op video game with my husband.
Above all, I love crafting exciting tales that pull at your heartstrings—and maybe your pant-strings—stories which excite and sweep readers into new worlds and leave them wanting more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 26, 2022
O M G
I can't believe that I almost passed this amazing book. It is full of action and great characters.
I want to know about the other worriors, they are really hot with a touch of mystery behind their helmets. Only true mate can save their soul and future.
I can't wait for the next book.
I can't believe that I almost passed this amazing book. It is full of action and great characters.
I want to know about the other worriors, they are really hot with a touch of mystery behind their helmets. Only true mate can save their soul and future.
I can't wait for the next book.
January 22, 2023
I got this on stuff your Kindle Day, and I was totally influenced by the cover. An alien who wears a helmet that can only be removed by a mate? Sold!
Was it the best? Absolutely not
But it's a quick and easy read that I enjoyed in one afternoon
Was it the best? Absolutely not
But it's a quick and easy read that I enjoyed in one afternoon
February 1, 2022
Fun and sexy! I loved both of the leads, and the story clipped along nicely. On to the next!
March 31, 2022
nope
Just no. No. No. I gobble up alien romance novels quickly but this one is terribly written imho. I just no..
Just no. No. No. I gobble up alien romance novels quickly but this one is terribly written imho. I just no..
September 21, 2023
Not gonna lie, I was drawn to this book because of the cover, which is not the one on Goodreads with the alien and human but was just the alien head. I was really hoping it was a Predator retelling/love story but alas it was not.
It did have a great premise, I really enjoyed the idea of aliens coming to Earth to fight their enemies, which are body snatching aliens, only to find that their fated mates are humans. I also liked that the aliens helms can’t be taken off by anyone else but their fated mate. I was hoping that their faces would look a little more alien instead of “beautiful” but that’s ok.
My reason for a 3 star review is that the writing could use some improvement. I enjoyed the banter and there were some funny lines and a few beautiful lines regarding what the aliens have lost but overall it was kind of basic. Not bad but not great. I am hoping that as the series goes on the writing improves.
It did have a great premise, I really enjoyed the idea of aliens coming to Earth to fight their enemies, which are body snatching aliens, only to find that their fated mates are humans. I also liked that the aliens helms can’t be taken off by anyone else but their fated mate. I was hoping that their faces would look a little more alien instead of “beautiful” but that’s ok.
My reason for a 3 star review is that the writing could use some improvement. I enjoyed the banter and there were some funny lines and a few beautiful lines regarding what the aliens have lost but overall it was kind of basic. Not bad but not great. I am hoping that as the series goes on the writing improves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2024
Really enjoyed the storyline (and the humor) but the whole "turns out the alien is a living sex toy" aspect was a bit much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
interesting premise - not well executed
I enjoyed the mars needs women/fated mates theme mixed with stopping enemies from destroying earth. It was an overall interesting plot.
I liked the FMC and her frequent swearing. The MMC was a bit redundant for the sci fi romance world, but authors wouldn’t keep writing him if he wasn’t well loved.
I found the FMCs acceptance of all that happened to be unbelievable. The fact that she never ran screaming or acted scared of MMC in any way was unrealistic.
Spice: 2.5/5
Triggers: assault, dubcon (sex dust situation)
I enjoyed the mars needs women/fated mates theme mixed with stopping enemies from destroying earth. It was an overall interesting plot.
I liked the FMC and her frequent swearing. The MMC was a bit redundant for the sci fi romance world, but authors wouldn’t keep writing him if he wasn’t well loved.
I found the FMCs acceptance of all that happened to be unbelievable. The fact that she never ran screaming or acted scared of MMC in any way was unrealistic.
Spice: 2.5/5
Triggers: assault, dubcon (sex dust situation)
July 4, 2024
3.5 stars.
Essentially, it's Predator fanfic. Oh, there are some differences, but it's a Predator fanfic the same way Fifty shades is Twilight fanfic. Or The Love Hypothesis is Reylo fanfic. It was changed so it could be sold, but the bare bones are there. It lacks action, though, the fight scenes were not very well executed. The romance is Okay, though I expected way more resistance on his part. And on hers, TBH. It was easy to read, but there's some tell-not-show, and a couple things aren't explained.
Essentially, it's Predator fanfic. Oh, there are some differences, but it's a Predator fanfic the same way Fifty shades is Twilight fanfic. Or The Love Hypothesis is Reylo fanfic. It was changed so it could be sold, but the bare bones are there. It lacks action, though, the fight scenes were not very well executed. The romance is Okay, though I expected way more resistance on his part. And on hers, TBH. It was easy to read, but there's some tell-not-show, and a couple things aren't explained.
October 19, 2022
What an amazing story that you don't want to miss!
This is the first time I have read one of your book and I thought it was awesome! An entire planet has been wiped out and the remaining Apex warriors are searching the planet to help save Earth. Khaz, a Apex warriors and Brooklyn are the first fated mates.
This is the first time I have read one of your book and I thought it was awesome! An entire planet has been wiped out and the remaining Apex warriors are searching the planet to help save Earth. Khaz, a Apex warriors and Brooklyn are the first fated mates.
October 11, 2023
Quick wrap up
For all the building the author did on how insidious these parasitic aliens are they were ridiculously easy to defeat. As Mr Ryan George says, "super easy, barely an inconvenience". Trigger warnings for one of my least favorite tropes: drugged by aliens. Brooklyn can think through it, to a degree, but not enough to fight off the effects completely. So, to me, their times together are still somewhat dub-con and not true consent. And he knows it. Which sours it. But, for a reporter, she doesn't seem to report to anyone. Ever. Is she freelance? Just sells her stories? Don't know. She never actually does any reporting. No mention of a laptop, saving pics taken to a cloud, nada. He barely contacts his teammates/brothers, although there is an excuse of the signal being tracked at least for that. Although, no tech is mentioned for the parasitic aliens, so how they're tracking it, don't know. There's a lot of things that aren't really backed up. We're told things, but without following through they mean nothing. And telling not showing is a poor writing technique.
For all the building the author did on how insidious these parasitic aliens are they were ridiculously easy to defeat. As Mr Ryan George says, "super easy, barely an inconvenience". Trigger warnings for one of my least favorite tropes: drugged by aliens. Brooklyn can think through it, to a degree, but not enough to fight off the effects completely. So, to me, their times together are still somewhat dub-con and not true consent. And he knows it. Which sours it. But, for a reporter, she doesn't seem to report to anyone. Ever. Is she freelance? Just sells her stories? Don't know. She never actually does any reporting. No mention of a laptop, saving pics taken to a cloud, nada. He barely contacts his teammates/brothers, although there is an excuse of the signal being tracked at least for that. Although, no tech is mentioned for the parasitic aliens, so how they're tracking it, don't know. There's a lot of things that aren't really backed up. We're told things, but without following through they mean nothing. And telling not showing is a poor writing technique.
April 3, 2022
Strong female lead
So often in alien romances, the woman is a damsel in distress. She needs a big, alien warrior to save her. In this one, Brooklyn is a warrior alien's perfect partner. She's bold, smart and has all the investigation skills a warrior might lack.
There's insta-love and weird alien body parts, too. Actually, I think this alien may be the best sex toy ever. (No, it doesn't make sense, but what do you expect from a romance with body snatcher aliens as the conflict?)
So often in alien romances, the woman is a damsel in distress. She needs a big, alien warrior to save her. In this one, Brooklyn is a warrior alien's perfect partner. She's bold, smart and has all the investigation skills a warrior might lack.
There's insta-love and weird alien body parts, too. Actually, I think this alien may be the best sex toy ever. (No, it doesn't make sense, but what do you expect from a romance with body snatcher aliens as the conflict?)
January 26, 2022
A five-to-six hours of easy and relaxing reading.
The story reads about Khaz, an alien warrior who reached Earth in pursuit of his enemies and Brook, a bad-mouthed journalist who's trying to find the story which is going to sky-rocket her career. What she finds instead is love and someone to have forever with. The story has its share of strong words and some heated scenes, as well as some witty cultural misunderstandings to spice up a predictable plot.
The story reads about Khaz, an alien warrior who reached Earth in pursuit of his enemies and Brook, a bad-mouthed journalist who's trying to find the story which is going to sky-rocket her career. What she finds instead is love and someone to have forever with. The story has its share of strong words and some heated scenes, as well as some witty cultural misunderstandings to spice up a predictable plot.
January 27, 2022
This was a wonderful story but it made me cringe in some places and yell at the characters to run. Creepy like Aliens the movie. I loved when Brooklyn and Khaz get together. The author keeps your attention from start to finish and makes you wonder what is going to happen next. It was super creepy when everyone started acting weird. I would recommend this book.
I received an arc and the views and opinions are my own.
I received an arc and the views and opinions are my own.
December 29, 2022
Exciting
Talk about a Destination Wedding gone wrong! The story was so imaginative and I really thought the location was truly unique. The MFC is there trying to get a story about some weird happenings at a bank. She runs into a guy that ends up being an alien who saves her life while fighting an alien invasion. Only he is also an alien, a smoking hot one. There is action and sexy innuendos as well as steamy scenes. It was great.
Talk about a Destination Wedding gone wrong! The story was so imaginative and I really thought the location was truly unique. The MFC is there trying to get a story about some weird happenings at a bank. She runs into a guy that ends up being an alien who saves her life while fighting an alien invasion. Only he is also an alien, a smoking hot one. There is action and sexy innuendos as well as steamy scenes. It was great.
January 25, 2023
A lot more fun than an actual destination wedding!
As the book points out, destination weddings are usually a week of doing stupid games and outings to please two people who you rarely like enough to bother with, but Khaz and Brooklyn made it fun. I really enjoyed the story. It was a new take on an old trope. I wish there'd been a few more steamy scenes, but the action and humor made it a fast and funny read.
As the book points out, destination weddings are usually a week of doing stupid games and outings to please two people who you rarely like enough to bother with, but Khaz and Brooklyn made it fun. I really enjoyed the story. It was a new take on an old trope. I wish there'd been a few more steamy scenes, but the action and humor made it a fast and funny read.
January 13, 2023
Confession: 100% read this because the alien MMC wears a helmet that only his mate can remove. And I loved the cover.
It’s kitschy and enjoyable. This author is good with amusing asides and inner monologues. The story needed a little finesse and tightening up but it’s fun and doesn’t take itself seriously. It’s less than 200 pages and easy to read in an evening.
It’s kitschy and enjoyable. This author is good with amusing asides and inner monologues. The story needed a little finesse and tightening up but it’s fun and doesn’t take itself seriously. It’s less than 200 pages and easy to read in an evening.
January 30, 2022
Great sci fi romance
But fair warning, the gorgeous cover is a little deceptive. Destination isn't a happy romp; the evil aliens are really evil. Characters die. But Brook and Khaz are great, the worldbuilding is good, and the body count was lower than I expected.
But fair warning, the gorgeous cover is a little deceptive. Destination isn't a happy romp; the evil aliens are really evil. Characters die. But Brook and Khaz are great, the worldbuilding is good, and the body count was lower than I expected.
February 5, 2022
Great story!
This is a great story! Until I read to the part of Brooklyn taking his helm off, I was concerned that he was a monster like on the Predator movie. Thank goodness he is NOT! Highly recommend!
This is a great story! Until I read to the part of Brooklyn taking his helm off, I was concerned that he was a monster like on the Predator movie. Thank goodness he is NOT! Highly recommend!
June 7, 2022
Destination Alien Bride
This was a fun story. Bad aliens invade a destination wedding taking over several human bodies. But do not fear, A purple large alien to the rescue. Oh and hi meets his fated mate. Yeah! A happy ending. Good fast read.
This was a fun story. Bad aliens invade a destination wedding taking over several human bodies. But do not fear, A purple large alien to the rescue. Oh and hi meets his fated mate. Yeah! A happy ending. Good fast read.
December 10, 2022
2nd time around this fun series
Must love snarky remarks from "take no crap" woman. Love alien / human romance. Not be offended by swearing or sex talk. It's left me in a great mood. I'm still laughing at some remembered remarks. On to book 2!
Must love snarky remarks from "take no crap" woman. Love alien / human romance. Not be offended by swearing or sex talk. It's left me in a great mood. I'm still laughing at some remembered remarks. On to book 2!
March 3, 2024
The pacing was off, some sentences had very weird structures.
Also, the blurb made it seem like the MMC was going to be reluctant or against pairing up with the FMC but, in reality, he accepted it instantly. He had zero personality and there was no development or conflict whatsoever.
Also, the blurb made it seem like the MMC was going to be reluctant or against pairing up with the FMC but, in reality, he accepted it instantly. He had zero personality and there was no development or conflict whatsoever.
January 27, 2022
I actually first read this in Alien Embrace but it was fun to re-read it today!
February 5, 2022
Sexy, campy and fun, with some occasional jabs at destination weddings and the crazy things humans do to have fun.
June 21, 2022
Aliens O'My!
Good read, no cliffhanger. Moves right along, doesn't take forever to get to the point. An entertaining story, good characters.
Good read, no cliffhanger. Moves right along, doesn't take forever to get to the point. An entertaining story, good characters.
June 23, 2022
A little cheesy but I loved it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
December 1, 2022
Read : December 1, 2022
Rating :4 Stars
This series is really fun!
The characters are interesting and the monsters are creepy and eeew.
Rating :4 Stars
This series is really fun!
The characters are interesting and the monsters are creepy and eeew.
January 26, 2023
I loved the idea behind the plot and the set up and although scenes, in which the pratgonist discovers the Alien/Fantasy Creature are often boring they were really lacking the importance in this one.
June 3, 2023
The Gladini!
Exciting alien sci-fi romance. Love that the Apex’ir warriors have head tails. The novel is a thrilling tale of “the Fever” invading earth. Can’t wait to read more!
Exciting alien sci-fi romance. Love that the Apex’ir warriors have head tails. The novel is a thrilling tale of “the Fever” invading earth. Can’t wait to read more!
May 6, 2022
So, I didn't know it when I started reading it, but this is another Bingo board book! (Alcohol is a major plot point) This poor girl gets drugged via her wine a couple of times, once willingly, but still....the poor thing. The bad alien types are all over the place and the good alien guy is all alone trying to ferret them out and get to the root of the issue.
In the middle of it all...he finds his mate. I really liked the story line here, and the cover sold it for me. The pulp feel of the cover grabbed me and never let go. LOVE IT. (All three covers I've seen so far are amazing.)
In the middle of it all...he finds his mate. I really liked the story line here, and the cover sold it for me. The pulp feel of the cover grabbed me and never let go. LOVE IT. (All three covers I've seen so far are amazing.)
February 14, 2023
3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews