Portrait of a beautiful female warrior in battle. Ancient times. Amazon.
She’s a misfit, a genetic mistake on Iskonia. Iliria’s clan uncle, Servolt, was a criminal. The introduction into society she expected won’t happen. His business partner wants compensation. She goes into a retreat on a backward planet. The delicate female Iskonian is in disgrace and fears being used to recoup Servolt’s losses. He’s head of security on Nizad and wants to keep his job. Drk is conflicted. As head of security, his job is to keep the peace, not get tangled up in attraction to beaten-down young females. But when the beautiful girl arrival is followed by two more of her race, his trouble radar starts buzzing.
He can’t leave his world; she won’t be tied to a planet again. The Shaman-king and the mercenary. Her ship is her life. She almost sold her soul to get it. Easy money, so her contact said. Zoom over to planet SW 858, grab a sample of the metal a scout discovered and head home. There’s one minor problem. The planet isn’t uninhabited. Silver must be careful. The Mercenaries Union doesn’t like adverse publicity.The shaman king knows she’s on the way, the spirits warned him. With the Distani discovered, he must plot a course which will bring about their ultimate aim. A secret which could cost them the home they love must remain hidden. He needs the woman, for himself and for the planet he would destroy… if he must.
5.0 out of 5 stars UniqueReviewed in the United States on June 18, 2021To me, this was a unique story; a great mix of science-fiction, fantasy and romance. The two main characters were the perfect foil for each other – her, a tough and uncompromising mercenary, him, more in tune with nature and the spirits, though has a secret that must be kept. Both intelligent, each with an agenda.
A discovery of a planet and the scene is set.
A well-written tale with themes such as slavery, politics and exploration, and romance with a touch of humour.
After the destruction of a Golden One spaceship, the Maca of Ayran is hunting down the one responsible.
Having ignored the orders of his superiors, he has formed an alliance with Lillie, daughter of the Guardian of Flight.
After an unknown alien vessel attacks them near a De’Chin mining outpost, they come across a female prisoner with shocking news about their common enemy: the Draygons. Unable to penetrate the Draygon mind with their telepathic powers, they summon help from the Justine Refuge.
But what they find out will bring their part of the galaxy to the brink of war… and beyond.
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2016Verified PurchaseThis story is the sixth in the Maca of Don series. It contains the most intrigue of all the books. There are plots by the Sisters to overthrow all the Macas and kill all those who are males. There are those who support the Sisters, in both Ishner, one of the continents of Thalia and of Medicine, another continent. There is a plot to conceal two Sisters who murder the Thalian daughter of Llewellyn, the Maca of Don and his wife (called counselor). And there are questions to be answered about the Book of Gar, the Kenning Woman (does she have real visions) and their marriage. Finally there are questions to be raised about the new Maca of Ishner and how it is that no one knew who he was as he was being raised by the Maca of Don. The intricate details of the machinations of the Sisters and the others of the Council of the Realm are fascinating. After reading six books of this series I finally became convinced I knew what was going on here. The book is well written, is a cross over book but not for young teens or tweens. It is a good read that requires some willingness to do some rereading as you go along. I really enjoyed this one.
Shakazhan begins where Lone Wolf ended, with the precipitous exit of John Riley. Aided by the evil Kahlea, Riley has disappeared to parts unknown and it’s up to Wil, Matilda and the crew of Flotilla, to find him. With the help of some powerful new friends, they once more pursue Riley to parts unknown.
November 9, 2013Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseShakazhan is the continuing saga of the Lone wolf series. Set in 3032 in deep space Wil VanLipsing and his wife Captain Matilda are on the heels of Wil’s evil son John Riley whose ship has crashed on a remote planet. John has been assimilated by an evil race after injuries require some small modifications. The action ramps up as they must stop the evil race from taking over. Written with the same wonderful characters as before including Mark Slatterly the group is drawn into battle with a few new surprises. What will Ms. Oakes think of next to entertain her readers with? I enjoyed this book just as I had with LONE WOLF. When you read this series you feel the camaraderie of the shipmates and laugh at the situations and enjoy the steamy romances. This series has something for sci-fi and romance lovers alike. There is plenty of action yet this book is aimed at an 18+ audience. I highly recommend the books to fans who like a bit of everything in a story.
The Mercenary’s Union has a contract for Adar. Out among the frontier worlds he and his crew will turn a profit if they work it right. On a world with a long winter a warrior woman is on the hunt for the person who destroyed her home and committed murder. Her Goddess expects something of her which Adar will be a party to if they both live. Yselda always heeds the Goddess. Great story!Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2019Verified PurchaseThe author tells a good tale!this is a quick read and has an interesting plot line. I hope there is more to come from the author in telling the story of the mercenary and his crew!
Ivanda isn’t ready for a permanent relationship with anyone. She’s happy working as Ruket Remse’s bodyguard through the Life Foundation. Ever since basic, big arrogant males who think they know everything have turned her off. Nic’s big and broad. That’s enough for her. Females are more to her tastes like the cute little female she met in the bar. Nic wants a female of his own. Every time he thinks he’s found the right one, he loses out to another crewmember. Having almost given up on the idea of finding his mate, he steps on board the Futura to prepare for a new mission and sees the one. But Ivanda’s sexual orientation may not be what he hopes. Nic backs off when her lip curls in disgust at the sight of him. Still, there’s conflicting information out there. He’s desperate to find out more and why she can’t stand the sight of him. Then, there’s the mission to find the hacker. On a planet like Calius, a non-stop party world, how can they trace one woman? With their support ship on shaky terms with some of the Calius gangs and a grieving royal in tow, it looks like a mission from the seven hells.
Adar isn’t into babysitting. But the goddess says the odd couple have something he needs.
A planet in trouble needs all the help it can muster. The Mercenary Union and the Life Foundation from Stellar United Nations have mobilized every available hand and transport available. Both CoDee and Cat are to get a short training course. The union and the foundation need the couple too much to send them off for basic training. Adar isn’t happy about babysitting CoDee. The boy knows next to nothing about working with a crew of tough men. But the boy and his cat are interesting. Then Adar finds he may need CoDee’s help on a little matter for a goddess.
Thalia has defeated the Justines, the Krepyons, and the Sisterhood. After claiming his Earth son Lorenz, the Maca of Don returns to Earth for a family reunion.
But the planet has changed: it’s the 1970’s, and one of their family members is trying to dismantle their business. Another has killed four men, and the doctors are beginning to suspect that there’s something strange about the MacDonald family.
Meanwhile, the newer members of the MacDonald and Rolfe clans are unaware of their alien heritage and abilities, and General MacDonald is carrying a heavy secret of other alien beings.Soon after their arrival, The Maca of Don and Lorenz learn that there is a new presence in the galaxy… one bent on conquest and destruction.
Navy Mom CVN69
5.0 out of 5 stars Embezzlement, murder and family tiesReviewed in the United States on May 24, 2020
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One hundred years have passed since the Maca of Don returned. Daniel has taken his rightful place as Maca of Ishner. But his territory is broke, and losing money by the day. The sisterhood is battered and broken but not forgotten and some are still willing to murder other Thalians. Mari Collier hits this one out of the park with what may be her best work yet. This fast moving read has suspense, murder and intrigue that keeps you turning the pages. Best read after Rise and Fall of the Maca’s, you must at least read Return of the Maca in order to have the whole picture.
The Mercenary’s Union has a contract for Adar. Out among the frontier worlds he and his crew will turn a profit if they work it right. On a world with a long winter a warrior woman is on the hunt for the person who destroyed her home and committed murder. Her Goddess expects something of her which Adar will be a party to if they both live. Yselda always heeds the Goddess. Great story!Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2019Verified PurchaseThe author tells a good tale!this is a quick read and has an interesting plot line. I hope there is more to come from the author in telling the story of the mercenary and his crew!
After the destruction of a Golden One spaceship, the Maca of Ayran is hunting down the one responsible.
Having ignored the orders of his superiors, he has formed an alliance with Lillie, daughter of the Guardian of Flight.
After an unknown alien vessel attacks them near a De’Chin mining outpost, they come across a female prisoner with shocking news about their common enemy: the Draygons. Unable to penetrate the Draygon mind with their telepathic powers, they summon help from the Justine Refuge.
But what they find out will bring their part of the galaxy to the brink of war… and beyond.
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2016Verified PurchaseThis story is the sixth in the Maca of Don series. It contains the most intrigue of all the books. There are plots by the Sisters to overthrow all the Macas and kill all those who are males. There are those who support the Sisters, in both Ishner, one of the continents of Thalia and of Medicine, another continent. There is a plot to conceal two Sisters who murder the Thalian daughter of Llewellyn, the Maca of Don and his wife (called counselor). And there are questions to be answered about the Book of Gar, the Kenning Woman (does she have real visions) and their marriage. Finally there are questions to be raised about the new Maca of Ishner and how it is that no one knew who he was as he was being raised by the Maca of Don. The intricate details of the machinations of the Sisters and the others of the Council of the Realm are fascinating. After reading six books of this series I finally became convinced I knew what was going on here. The book is well written, is a cross over book but not for young teens or tweens. It is a good read that requires some willingness to do some rereading as you go along. I really enjoyed this one.
Murder and mayhem on a fringe planet A SUN Universe Novella Adar Genn gets a message to aid his old friend and mentor. Amazed by the size of the project Marcus Krael has in mind, Adar discovers it is nothing short of world building. The snake in paradise is Servolt. A huge life form with an appetite for power. He and Adar are sure to tangle. Murder isn’t off the board for Servolt. Unprepared for the big alien’s deceit, Adar finds himself on a planet with no means of escape. With only a small pack of dogs and robots for company, Adar scavenges the junkyard planet for parts. Can he create a means off the planet from junk? If he wants payback, he must.
Fascinating after the initial scene was set! I was rather confused with the unfamiliar names and cultures presented in the first couple of chapters as it had been some time since I’d read the preceding series, but the Earth experiences and the final chapters were enthralling and satisfying to read. Obviously a great deal of research and review went into the writing of “Thalia and Earth”.
As well, the author’s voice shone through in her retelling of her faith and her personal belief in extraterrestrial contact. The story revealed an underlying physical sensuousness in description and innuendo. The accounting of records and books for the Board sounds authentic and very practical, probably in experience. Any questions about the aliens were answered in my mind, as well as the strange Scottish dialect of the Justines. That’s just how they talk, and they occasionally drop the Scots manner of speaking to speak “plainly”. Perhaps MacDonald had Scottish forebears, like my own, or the feisty Highlanders of my own ancestry came from the stars in former times?
A very well written and researched series, this may be the final book in a family science fiction saga that stretches through generations. Our loss, but to Mari Collier, the skillful author, I would say, “Write on!”
The exiled Maca of Don is returning to his homeworld to destroy the Justine and Krepyon conquerors, and break the rule of the House of Sisters.
Things spiral out of control as the Sisterhood attempts to destroy all male Macas, and isolate the House of Don. With escalating conflicts, the Maca and his friends enter a battle to find a new life and free their people from the invaders.
After the battle for Thalia is over, the galaxy will never be the same again.
Praise from readers:
★★★★★ – “Not one who regularly picks up science fiction, I found Collier’s book to be engaging from the very beginning. There is so much room for supposition regarding possible future stories. Well done.”
★★★★★ – “An unusual book with interesting characters and plot. The author’s vast imagination has created an incredible world, but shows that no matter where or in what time we live we all have the same emotions and desires. I recommend Return of the Maca to anyone who enjoys a great story.”
After Red O’Neal delivers a beating to his half-brother Daniel for courting his sister Antoinette, she is sent to a convent until agreeing to marry an older, wealthier man.
But after Antoinette manages to send a letter to her betrothed Lorenz MacDonald about the danger, he rescues her. Soon after, a neighboring ranch is attacked by Comanche raiders, and Antoinette and her mother-in-law are caught in a fight for life and death.
Can their family survive the dangers of the violent Western frontier?
Adar isn’t into babysitting. But the goddess says the odd couple have something he needs.
A planet in trouble needs all the help it can muster. The Mercenary Union and the Life Foundation from Stellar United Nations have mobilized every available hand and transport available. Both CoDee and Cat are to get a short training course. The union and the foundation need the couple too much to send them off for basic training. Adar isn’t happy about babysitting CoDee. The boy knows next to nothing about working with a crew of tough men. But the boy and his cat are interesting. Then Adar finds he may need CoDee’s help on a little matter for a goddess.
★★★★★ – “Well written and thoroughly researched, with realistic characters and events. I could not put the book down.”
★★★★★ – “A great story with memorable characters, but to me the most fun was the historical aspect of it. Mari has done her research.”
★★★★★ – “One of the most unusual sci-fi stories I’ve read… I love these books and recommend them completely.”
★★★★★ – “I don’t usually read western-themed books but this book breaks the mold, blending western, historical, and sci-fi / paranormal all into one. It was spellbinding.”
The Mercenary’s Union has a contract for Adar. Out among the frontier worlds he and his crew will turn a profit if they work it right. On a world with a long winter a warrior woman is on the hunt for the person who destroyed her home and committed murder. Her Goddess expects something of her which Adar will be a party to if they both live. Yselda always heeds the Goddess. Great story!Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2019Verified PurchaseThe author tells a good tale!this is a quick read and has an interesting plot line. I hope there is more to come from the author in telling the story of the mercenary and his crew!
Murder and mayhem on a fringe planetA SUN Universe Novella Adar Genn gets a message to aid his old friend and mentor. Amazed by the size of the project Marcus Krael has in mind, Adar discovers it is nothing short of world building. The snake in paradise is Servolt. A huge life form with an appetite for power. He and Adar are sure to tangle. Murder isn’t off the board for Servolt. Unprepared for the big alien’s deceit, Adar finds himself on a planet with no means of escape. With only a small pack of dogs and robots for company, Adar scavenges the junkyard planet for parts. Can he create a means off the planet from junk? If he wants payback, he must
