Healer Hunted

Gladiators of the Vagabond #5

by Robin O'Connor

Pheromone dependency no way, I think the captured alien doctor just has the hots for me.

Noa

I was stolen from my home planet and forced to work at a fancy resort. When I end up cleaning the room of the sexy alien doctor… I develop what he calls a pheromone dependency.

He’s irresistible.

He’s the son of the evil lady holding me captive.

He’s as trapped as I am, so we work together to escape. Only, not everything is what it seems and the more time I spend with him, the less I want to resist.

Luka

Trapped again, I discover one horrible truth about my family after another. The only bright light is Noa, with her colorful tattoos and her sass.

I want her, I will have her.

Without my medical scanner I can’t be sure, but I know it anyway. She’s my true mate. I will walk through fire to save her, I will play any role to free her if I must. I will betray my family, my friends, if it means she can escape.

Healer Hunted is a full-length standalone sci-fi romance featuring hot alien gladiators, a sexy alien doctor, a sassy, tattooed heroine, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Note: each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment, it’s recommended that the series be read in order.

Genres: Romance, Aliens, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction Romance

196 pages, ebook

Published September 27, 2022

About the author

Robin O’Connor is an author who loves to write about strong, alien heroes and quirky heroines. She lives with her husband and son along with a couple hundred books (hers, definitely hers) and probably just as many computer parts (her husband’s). Her house therefore probably resembles something like a mad-scientist’s lab on any given day.

She’s always working on at least a half dozen projects at the same time but is never without time to answer questions, write up funny extras or hang out in her group online to speak with her readers.

Join her mailing list ➜ https://robinoconnor.ink/

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Reviews

[Joque Bookreviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

QUICK LOOK:
Alien doctor, human maid, fated mates, enemies-to-lovers, kidnapping, mother's manipulation, cute monkey pet, evil villains, steamy scenes, HEA, gladiator series w/overarching storylines.

DETAILED L👁👁K:

(BACKSTORY)
The gladiators on board the newly named Vagabond ship used to be slaves until they overthrew their masters and took over. Now they are free to run missions of their own and find mates. The crew is made up of all diff kinds of aliens and these are their stories.

On the last mission, the Vagabond crew were rescuing exotic animals from an abusive breeder facility. Luka, their doctor, had just found Pato the monkey. When all of the sudden he was hit in the back of the head and captured.

(THIS BOOK)
The guards took Luka to his mother's nearby resort, carrying out her orders, so she could manipulate Luka into doing her evil bidding.

That is where Luka meets his mate Noa. She's a slave there, forced to work as a maid and wear a shock collar.

It takes the mate duo a long while but they eventually escape together. Only to be caught again. Will they ever get free? Where are Luka's gladiator friends?

In the meantime, Luka's forced to do his mother's bidding to keep her from hurting his mate. This eventually strains the couple's budding relationship. Will there be anything left of the couple to save?

OPINION:
The first part of the book was a little slow and I would've liked to see more positive vibes- just personal preference and a lack of patience on my part.

The second half picked up with a lot of action and intrigue.

I loved Pato the monkey, he was so clever and adorable. Pato liked to pilfer and collect pretty objects, which came in handy at times. Honestly, he was my fav character. 🖤🐒                                                      🖤🐒

 (Note: Pinche monkeys are a critically endangered species and should NEVER be kept as pets in real life)
                                                          
I also loved our male lead Luka. He was a sweet and smart doctor but also had a protective and possessive side when it came to Noa. Luka also had extra equipment downstairs, and it made for some adventurous and fun times 😂.

I admit that Noa, the female lead, wasn't my favorite character at times. I liked that she wanted to be independent and I understood her need to use anger as a motivation technique, especially after all she'd been through. But she was so thickheaded at times that it just came off as unbelievable. That being said, I did warm up to her eventually. I enjoyed the book and will def continue the series. 3.5🌟

Due to some sailor language and steamy scenes- I suggest for adults only.

Each book features a new couple and their HEA but also has an overarching storyline that continues in each book.

My favorite book in the series so far is Feral Tamed, it's got a Tarzan/Jane vibe and felt so uplifting. If you have to pick only one book in the series, I'd pick that one.
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...................⬇⬇⬇TW below⬇⬇⬇...........................
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TW for this book, it does contain: violence, fighting, murder, manipulation, attempted SA, captivity, general negativity, offpage animal abuse & rescue. There may be more but that's everything I could think of.
......................END TW......................................
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I'd like for you to know that I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to give my honest opinion. Happy reading fellow romance enthusiasts!

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healer Hunted by Robin O’Connor
Gladiators of the Vagabond #5

Luka, empath and physician, disappeared at the end of book four. This book picked up with him awakening as a captive at a resort owned by his evil mother. Mothers should be loving and kind but not Luka’s! The upside of the difficult situation he has landed in is that he finds his true mate who is a human slave working for his mother. How they manage to eventually find a way to a safe happy ending together is a wild ride and a whole lot of fun to read!

What I liked:
* Luka: alien, once captive and doctor to a gladiator stable, recently working with gladiators who freed themselves and formed a team, strong, intelligent, feels strongly, knows that Noa is his mate
* Noa: kidnapped from a human colony, sold into slavery, spunky, doesn’t give in or give up, strongly attracted to Luka, protective, willing to do what it takes
* Pato: Pinche monkey saved by Luka in book four, curious, smarter than the average monkey, resourceful, helpful, and a wonderful addition to this story
* The relationship between Luka and Noa and how it developed
* Aradne & Moira: slaves with Noa…wonder what will happen to them and if they will show up in future books. They were there for Noa and Luka when they were most needed
* The way Luka and Noa were there for one another – didn’t leave the other behind and fought to keep one another safe
* That at least some of the evil doers were dealt with
* Seeing some of the characters from previous books, if only briefly
* The hint at the end of the book
* Wondering if the information Sunder received will help him find his son
* Escaping for awhile

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like – and there were quite a few to wished to have dealt with

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author and Story Origin for the ARC – this is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luka, the male alien lead, was captured by his mother’s security forces whilst helping his crew rescue lab animals. Noa, the female human lead, woke up one day as a slave at a fancy alien resort and is still looking for a way out. When Noa is assigned Luka’s room to clean, they immediately develop a pheromone dependency that nearly kills Noa. Now they need to escape AND keep Luka’s mother from finding out their secret…

This story is dual POV, well written, and a great addition to the series. I enjoyed Noa’s justified anger and resistance and her continued search for escape. I enjoyed Luka’s shock at finding a fated mate in another species and his determination to make their situation work. I very much enjoyed the intimate scenes and the way Luka’s empathic ability made those much more targeted. I also adored the animal companion and his genuine contribution to the plot as well as his cuteness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luka’s story

When last we were with this intrepid yet rag tag crew of former slaves and gladiators the crew were searching for Luka the doc as he had been kidnapped on a rescue mission. In this installment Luka’s story we meet his family who he is thankfully nothing alike and Luka meets his mate. We also learn more about his race and powers which are pretty cool. Lots of action and of course a steamy romance.
I would say reading earlier books in the series are helpful for overall context but if you haven’t it won’t take away from the enjoyment of this book. Loved the book and love this series!.

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

[Sandra Sanches · Rating 5 out of 5]

My highest praise forRobin O'Connor ,each book is better than the one before.Caracters well developed,excelent plot,a alien healer who was captive for three years will find his fated mate in the hands of his cold mother,together they will fight for freedom and find love .A must read!!!.

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

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another exciting installment in the Vagabond series. We get to see what happened to Luka, the healer, after he was kidnapped. Kept in a hotel run by his evil momma, he meets slave girl Noa. He knows she's his mate and has to work at getting them both out of their situation and safe again. While not a gladiator, Luka does step up and protect her, making him rather swoon worthy ;P Expect drama, danger, suspense and steamy romance to keep you highly entertained when you dive into this fun read. This is a series of stand-alones but with the Vagabond crew in each book, it really is best read in order to get maximum enjoyment :D

[Ilenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very talented doctor and empath finds himself abducted with only a little monkey as his ally.
When he crosses paths with an eccentric yet strong willed human woman they'll fight together to end slavery on the very place where they're confined, falling for one another in the meantime.
A very lovely and interesting read indeed. A doctor who finally finds a place in his group of gladiators and maybe even true love!

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I've loved this series from the beginning and always get so excited to see a new addition. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved Luka and Noa. They had such great chemistry together. I love that each of the male protagonists in this series is different and unique, and learning more about Luka was a treat. This story had danger, suspense, action, and excitement. I couldn't put it down. 5 stars.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noa (h) is a forced slave housekeeper in an alien resort where she encounters Luka (H) being held prisoner in one of the guest rooms by the resort owner, his mother. As they get to know one another, Noa and Luka finds themselves drawn to one another – he realizes that she’s his mate and that he’ll do anything to help her reach safety. Lovely alien romance with a side of steam – really loved this one!

[Tammy D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book. Noa and Luka are such a great couple. The story is well written and holds your interest from beginning to end.

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

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my stars! What an exciting story! I have to say there was action from the very start of the book to the very last page and it had me enthralled throughout the whole story. Luka was caught by his mother because she was going to ensure that he married a female that he had no interest in, but then came Noa who was an earth woman being held by his mother, once Luka had met Noa, they formed a bond that meant that they were unwell unless they were together. They had to do something to get away from his mum. The amount of times that these two escaped and then were caught again only to win at the very end and hopefully live a happily ever after together.

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

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic sci-fi romance! Loved it!! Steam and danger, wonderful characters and wild adventure..

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

[Gleeful Goblin Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hurt/Comfort From Both Sides

Gleeful Goblin Review: I knew I was a goner for Luka from the very first scene in this book because of how he interacts with the modified pinche monkey he's trying to rescue: "The closer I got, the better I sensed it. Fear, pain… I felt sorry for it, no one should have to go through something like this, not my gladiator friends, nor any animal. It kept astounding me, just how evil people could be. I spotted a tuft of white fur and slowed my movements, trying to be quiet as I shifted crates so I wouldn’t spook the poor creature further. “Hey there, little one,” I said in a soothing tone, “It’s okay, I’m here to help you.” I shifted the last crate to reveal something that looked almost humanoid, with two arms and legs, there was a slender prehensile tail, and a little face with large frightened eyes. “There you are,” I said softly, going down on my haunches to carefully scan it with my handheld. This was a type of primate, intelligent, and its genes had been edited in some manner. What was shocking was that this primate was definitely from Earth, my scanner indicated it was something called a pinche monkey. Or at least, it most closely resembled that species before it had been gene-edited, what it was now… That would be entirely unpredictable. The little monkey stared at me with its dark eyes from beneath the impressive mane of white fur. Its face and shoulders were black, but its arms and belly were white again. It wasn’t quite so scared now, so I held out a hand to it, kicking my aura into gear, sending soothing, inviting vibes. It worked, the little guy crawled from its hiding spot, took my hand with two chilled little hands, and everything about him told me he wanted to trust me. Tucking my scanner away, I gently picked him up and curled him against my chest. He came trustingly, but his body was weak. Holding him with one hand, I scanned him again, relieved to note that he was not as dehydrated as I’d expected, this one was not in a cage, he’d managed to scavenge some fluids from somewhere. “Here, I’m going to give you something that will perk you right up,” I told the little guy."

There's very much a Hurt/Comfort trope in play but it's for both MCs to and from each other in different ways which I adore. The use of empathy and pheromonal connection used in this book is super engaging and seeing the characters grow and trust each other as the story unfolds is a delight. 5/5 Stars

[deborah koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some edit errors but I still give it five stars.

There is some editing needed in these stories. I see the words of and off mixed up a lot. In fact, towards the end of the description of the next book in the series you will find this sentence "Yet, I can't keep my eyes *of* her". Expect to see a lot of that, then when the preposition should be "of" the word "off" will be there such as, "what looked like purple mashed potatoes tasted like a combination *off* carrots and peas".
Another word "seized" is used when I personally believe ceased is the proper word to use. I mean, when in the throes of passion would you say the world around two lovers "seized to exist" or ceased to exist? Now, you could state that when two lovers are seized by passion everything else ceases to exist in the moment.
Seeing these mistakes over and over in the books is what is making me write this review because I'm old and have been reading all my life and I know language changes over time and with texting shorthand so prevalent I have to wonder if my definitions and knowledge of these particular word choices needs to change with the times. Have of and off become interchangeable? Are seized and ceased now synonyms? I still haven't come to terms with the fact that our solar system now only has eight planets instead of nine. I always liked Pluto and grieve over its loss of status as a planet. Language changes are going to be even worse for me as an avid reader.

Having said all that I would recommend this series because the characters are interesting and likeable and the plots are entertaining.
Only people who don't like faithful, loving partners and happily ever after endings would not like this series or purists who don't like fiction at all. Thankfully, I'm not one of those. I just started wondering if the mistakes I felt I was seeing were really mistakes or evidence of changes in sentence structure and new definitions for old words.

[Karen Nastasio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve loved every book in this series so far and this one was right up there with the others and I loved how the main characters had to fight for there freedom against his own family had just made the book that more riveting. Noa was stolen from her home and is now forced to work at a fancy resort cleaning the rooms for the guest and is glad at times because her life could have been a lot worst. When she starts cleaning a Doctor’s room she finds herself being drawn to him and his scent is driving her crazy and he’s so irresistible and he tells her it’s pheromones dependency that makes her drawn to him. Luka is a doctor and is just bidding his time to escape after being kidnapped by his mother goons after learning about his evil family and what they do because it goes against everything he believes in and then he meets Noa the sexy tattooed female that’s cleaning his room and they are instantly attracted to each and he knows when he leaves he is taking his mate with him. But will Noa want to be with me when she finds out my family are ones that had taken her in the first place. Can Luka use his powers to save Noa and himself and get back to his friends on the Vagabond or will his family stop them and use them against each other in order to control them. Great book and a definite must read.

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

[Mc Chanster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, definitely love this series. I’ve been a fan of Luka since the Beast Unburdened and I am so happy to finally get his story!

Jumping off from the last book in the series, this installment follows Luka after he is captured and taken away. The kidnappers were none other than his own family and the one who put forth the demand was his own mother. His species are known to be empaths, but the longer he is imprisoned on his mother’s resort, the more hideous secrets he discovers. Throw in a human woman that sets off all kinds of feelings in him, and escape is no longer a question.

This is such a great series and this book definitely did not disappoint! Luka is such a great character – sweet, and smart, and damn sexy. He’s a major softy, but still knows how to throw a solid punch. Noa was a great pair for him and the steamy scenes were steamy. There must have been something about him being an empath because for some reason, it felt like there was more emotion in this book. Overall, great characters, great chemistry and I am looking forward to the next one!

Thank you Robin O’ Connor and StoryOrigin for my copy! I received an ARC copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[AuDHD_Anxiety_Smurf]

This was an entertaining story, spoiled by the author’s shamefully poor vocabulary. The number of times I was pulled out of the story by her using the wrong fucking word got more and more annoying, to the point that I was grinding my teeth. She doesn’t appear to know the word “cease,” as she used the word “seize” several times in place of it. She does seem to know the word “wary” but cannot spell it, instead using the spelling “weary” (which of course means something entirely different). When she wrote about characters needing to “pour over the data” in place of “pore” I was actually beginning to worry about my gums, my teeth were grinding so much.

Unfortunately for me (and my teeth) I am five books into this series and I’ve become friends with the characters now, so it’s harder to DNF in disgust. So I’m continuing to book 6 (Sunder’s story) because I love Sunder and want to read his HEA. I’m proceeding with caution though. Sunder is the last MC I really care about from the OG cast so DNFing will be easier.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luka Finds His Mate . . .

On a mission to save animals, Luka, the Vagabond’s doctor, was hit in the head from behind and taken to Luka’s mother who intended to use him to carry out her orders. (Yes, she is not a nice person.) While there, Luka meets his mate, Noa, who works as a maid. He knows he has to get her away from here for her safety. They do eventually escape but are recaptured. And now his mother can use threats against Noa to make him comply. Will the Vagabond crew find them and help them escape this time? Will his mother’s interference cause Luka and Noa to split up under the tension?

Luka is a likable character who is protective of Noa. She was less likable. Stubborn is not a pleasant trait and does get tiresome. Grab your copy and see if they can get away this time and perhaps start their lives together.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and I’m loving this series. This is a very well written book. The characters, as usual, are amazing. Luka is lovely and not at all like his family, he’s also protective especially of Noa and willing to betray anyone and do absolutely anything if it means he can get her away from them safely. Noa is feisty and full of sass and the more she learns about Luka, the more she falls for him. The storyline is entertaining and exciting with fated mate, action, adventure, steamy scenes and much more, all with a happily ever after ending.
This is a must read and you need to go buy it now in my opinion. I can’t wait to read more about this incredible crew of former gladiators, slaves and their awesome mates.

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

[Harleem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healer Hunted is the 5th book in the Gladiators of the Vagabond series. Although it is a standalone novel, for context, it might be better to read the other novels in the series. This story revolves around Luka, who isn't a gladiator, but a healer who is part of the crew along side the gladiators.

During a rescue mission, Luka is kidnapped and held hostage at some fancy hotel which happens to be run by his "evil" mother. We also meet Noa, a human slave woman who's forced to clean the rooms at this hotel. When they meet, sparks fly! But first they must find a way to escape... Although not set in a gladiator ring with bloody battles, Luka steps up to protect Noa and tries to find a way to set them both free. Couldn't put it down once I started reading... Can't wait until the next one!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chrissy Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ **4 Stars — Heart, heat, and one clever little monkey!** 🐒✨

*Healer Hunted* was such a fun and heartfelt read! Robin O’Connor delivers another beautifully written alien/human romance with plenty of emotion, adventure, and just the right dash of danger.

Noa was such a strong and relatable heroine—you can’t help but root for her after everything she’s endured. I loved the way her connection with the owner’s son developed; what started as mistrust quickly turned into teamwork and genuine affection. And that escape? Chef’s kiss. Bonus points for the small, brainy monkey who absolutely stole the show!

The characters were lovable, the pacing smooth, and the story hit that sweet spot between romance and sci-fi action. Another great addition to this series! 🚀💞

[Georgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of the books in this series so far and all of them are honestly perfect and this one does not disappoint. I've loved Luka since the first book of the series and seeing him get his own romance was amazing and really well deserved. The dynamic between Luka and Noa was perfect with him being the lost but calm guy and her being the more fiesty and shaken one. Their relationship was perfectly balanced and quite smooth sailing despite the stressful situation around them which made it all even more romantic.
I would absolutely recommend this book as a standalone book or as part of this amazing series, cause it is a brilliant book!

[Merry One Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luca’s story was very interesting

Luca’s story is very interesting. His backstory with his parents and family. Luca is a fantastic doctor and enjoys helping all. Although he was kidnapped and forced to do things to the gladiators and human females. Luca’s family just the opposite of him they are greedy for power and money. I don’t want to give the entire storyline away. Per the troupe, Luca meets a beautiful female with colorful tattoos who peaks his interest and surprisingly triggers something inside of him. Being the healer that he is has to rescue Noa from her heartless boss/owner. Read On!

[Zelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luka for the win!

Although he wasn't one of the Gladiators but he was still a slave. A doctor/healer who took care of the gladiators when they need healing. Once again kidnapped but this time by his mother. He then meets Noa. Noa has been through her own thing but still a bad@55! Both together 🥰🥰 swoon and kick@ss. Luka... packing double the fun... 🥵🥵. I loved the flow of the book and the build up of the characters. You get to learn more about Luka and Noa and the adventure they go through the get to their HEA.

This book definitely keeps you reading and wanting to know more about the Gladiators and if and when Drameil gets what's coming to him.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another delightful installment in this sci-fi romance series. This doctor was absolutely swoony, and I was so excited to finally read his story! The heroine complemented him really well, and I found her deeply sympathetic. The plot was exciting, the world building was interesting, and the romance was deeply satisfying. I would highly recommend this sci-fi romance, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series when it releases.

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

[Christyn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series never disappoints! Luka is a shining example of good, even when evil is around you. Noa is a great example of doing what you need to do to survive under awful circumstances. They deserve happiness and found fate with each other. Such connection you could feel right from the start. Their passion was hot and their love beautiful. Throw in the medical training, gladiator fighting, working for those resisting tyranny, and Pato the resourceful pet monkey and it’s a winner.

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

[Shana W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an action-packed adventure with romance and plenty of spice. It's finally Luka's turn to find his great love in Noa. They are a match made in heaven, but they are up against a big challenge in Luka's mother, who is a really evil being. The story is a page-turner that is fun and entertaining, although some of the grammatical errors were very irritating. I recommend reading this series in order so you can get the maximum enjoyment out of it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luka is captured by his mother’s goons and held prisoner at her high end resort. He meets a human maid, Noa, there, whom he finds out his mother has illegally enslaved. They form a bond and work together to try to get back to his friends on the Vagabond. Luka makes a swoony main character and Noa is tough and persistent.

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

[Sara Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This interesting book 5 in the Gladiators of the Vagabond Book Series has an intriguing story with unique and engaging characters. He was kidnapped by his cousins and trapped by his evil cousin. He met her there where she worked as a maid and she is his mate. They escaped, got caught and then escaped again in this must read story.

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

[Killeena Savola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised but not surprised at the betrayal that entangled him in so deep. Kidnapped from his family and learning everything is a slap in the face for Luka. Noa is a woman who was kidnapped and traded like a slave in a game amongst the elite. She is sassy and takes no crap. These two find an ally in each other. Danger is the constant thing that continues to stalk them throughout the galaxy. What’s real or not is the question Noa finds herself asking. Good read would recommend.