From the dangerous desert sands to the deadly glitz of the city, the lawless desert planet of Carthago is filled with lethal cyborg gladiators risking it all for the women who capture their hearts. GUARD contains two novellas and one short story all set in the Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone series.
Dark Guard: lethal cyborg Zaden will do whatever it takes to guard and protect beautiful, … beautiful, sweet Calla from mysterious attackers.
NOTE: previously released as part of the 2019 Pets in Space Anthology
Abducted from her homeworld, Calla Ryss has spent months in a cell, surviving her captors—the metal-scavenging Edull. Deep in the deserts of the lawless planet of Carthago, she knows that there is no chance of escape. The only thing that gets her through is her friendship with a fellow abductee, a woman stolen from Earth. But everything changes when they are rescued by the bone-chillingly dangerous cyborgs of the House of Rone, and Calla finds herself staring into eyes of metallic silver.
Zaden lives for the House of Rone. His cyborg enhancements help him keep a ruthless hold on his emotions, and loyalty is the only thing he allows himself to feel. And the rare spurt of annoyance at the cyborg hunting cat that refuses to leave him alone. But when sweet, lovely Calla falls into his arms, Zaden starts to experience emotions he’s never felt before…which is dangerous for a cyborg whose enhancements are in place not to increase his lethal abilities, but leash them.
When mysterious attackers attempt to snatch Calla, Zaden vows to be her guard and keep her safe—with some unsolicited help from a certain cyborg cat. But there is more at stake than just Calla’s safety, and as she and Zaden are drawn into an intoxicating storm of emotion, they will risk their hearts, their lives, and their freedom to rescue another innocent captive.
Cyborg Guard: on a dangerous mission into the desert, female cyborg loner Seren must act as bodyguard for champion gladiator Xias—a man who pushes every one of her buttons.
NOTE: this is a BRAND-NEW, never-before-published story
Seren dan Stal was once the pride of the Dan Nonian Warrior Academy, but when her people were wiped out by a virulent virus, she is the lone survivor. Now, her home is the desert world of Carthago, and she works hard to honor her father and her planet by being the best cyborg fighter at the House of Rone. She has no time for fun or frivolity, and that especially includes the always-smiling showman gladiator Xias.
Xias grew up on the streets of Kor Magna and lost the most important fight of all—protecting his sister. He vowed to become a champion for her and to never lose again. He commands the sands of the desert arena, is loved by the spectators, and would die for his imperator, Magnus Rone. But then he finds himself becoming far too fascinated by a prickly, dangerous, and gorgeous female cyborg.
In the desert city of Kaffit, Xias and Seren must work together on a mission for Magnus. Xias pushes Seren to feel, and she inspires his need to protect and pleasure. Together, they uncover a scorching-hot hunger that won’t be denied. Now, they just need to survive long enough to see if that hunger can grow into love.
Includes the short story – House of Rone: Beginnings
Soldier 47 is the most lethal cyborg in the Orionix Military Program. But when a young cyborg, Jaxer, is slated for deactivation, Soldier 47–also known as Magnus Rone–will risk everything he knows to save his friend.
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Guard is the fifth book in the Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone series, but is a collection of three shorter stories. Each are full of danger and fighting for those that mean the most to you, and two have romance and a battle for love! I absolutely loved reading these stories and have loved this series!
Dark Guard – Calla has been rescued and loves seeing all of the life around her, but she can’t get Zaden out of her mind. When Calla’s safety is threatened, will Zaden be able to save her again and can she unlock his heart? This novella was action packed, full of life and love and kicking butt, and I couldn’t put it down once I started it! I loved getting Calla’s romance, I loved seeing Zaden open up around her and master some of his abilities, and I loved the unexpected character of Cat. My favorite aspect of Calla was just her ability to master the challenges that life threw at her and never give up, and I loved how protective and caring Zaden was. I think they made such a strong couple and loved seeing them both grow!
House of Rone: Beginnings – this is a short little prequel story of how Magnus and Jax escape from Orionix. While there’s no romance in these pages, it was amazing to see their friendship, and how they fought to save one another. We learn a little more about their situation and what they were thinking when Magnus saved them both, and you can’t help but fall in love with these two cyborgs even more than before!
Cyborg Guard – Xias and Seren are being sent on a mission to retrieve a map. She’s under guise of being his cyborg bodyguard, but he’s determined to get under her skin and into her heart. But will they be able to keep each other safe and return back to House or Rone? Oh, this book was so fun to read, full of passion and fighting and danger, plus even more of Ms. Hackett’s imagination! I love how hard Seren tries to come across as a prickly cyborg, but she truly has a softer side of herself and a curiosity that couldn’t be denied, especially when it came to Xias. As House of Rome’s champion gladiator, Xias has no enhancements, but he’s wicked smart, fast, and determined to live life to the fullest, while still protecting those around him! I loved their connection, I loved their passion, and I loved how they fought, literally and emotionally, to find their love!
Guard is a treat for fans of the House of Rone series. In it are Dark Guard (originally published in the 2019 Pets in Space Anthology) the story of Calla and Zaden whose story was introduced in book 3 of the series. Next is a short that tells the back story of Magnus and how the House of Rone came to be. And last is Cyborg Guard, a brand new story about cyborg Seren and gladiator Xias. All three have all the action and steam as Ms. Hackett’s other tales and make a great addition to the series. Enjoy!
Dark Guard:
This story was previously published in the anthology Pets in Space 4.
Calla Ryss escapes the Edull and ends up with the cyborgs of the House of Rone. She is struggling to find her place and fight her attraction to Zaden. Zaden is a powerful telekinetic who uses cybernetic enhancements to control his powers. He is instantly attracted to Calla but is afraid his power will become a problem. Their relationship was quick and steamy and I loved it.
House of Rone: Beginnings
This is a very short story showing what pushed Magnus to leave the Orionix Military Program and take Jaxer with him. While short, it was very impactful and it makes me want to go back and read Magnus and Jaxer’s stories again.
Cyborg Guard
Soren den Stal is a cyborg fighter for the House of Rone. She also has the unique ability to teleport. Magnus gives her a mission to retrieve a map of the Edull’s arena. Unfortunately, he pares her with the annoying, sexy, showy, gladiator champion Xias. While working together to obtain the map, they finally give into their attraction.
I really enjoyed this story. Soren was a very interesting, unique and kickass female. I loved that she could teleport. Xias was a cocky, handsome, and persistent gladiator. He was just the kind of man Soren needed. He wasn’t afraid to push her to feel and be emotional while she helped him let go of the past. I really can’t wait for the next book, and I am sad that it will be the last one.
Great stories and characters. I totally love this book and recommend it
L
Interesting and entertaining short stories with characters of the House of Rone. Love the Gladiator’s stories! Packed with action and suspense and romance!
Calla Ryss was rescued from her nightmare but was she safe? Control was most important for Zaden. His emotions had made him dangerous and now, the little Rella was making him… feel! She had been feeling non worthy and he had saw himself as guilty but now there was something more at stake that they had to face. With an intriguing and fierce cyborg cat and the House of Rone cyborgs, Calla and Zaden had to battle the forces of evil. Action, adventure, strong attraction, suspense, violence, romance and passion in this story that kept me reading until the end. Interesting, lovely and entertaining how these two young cyborgs found in each other what they needed.
House of Rone: Beginnings
The Orionix cyborg military program was all he’d ever known but Magnus started to question what he did. When his close cyborg friend was in danger, he questioned no more, he knew what he had to do.
Cybor Guard
Seren dan Stal still had emotions but she suppressed and controlled them. Xias, champion gladiator of the house of Rone didn’t know that the attraction he had denied feeling for the woman cyborg would burst to a strong passion he would risk his life for. An easy mission would become a dangerous encounter with betrayal. Action, suspense, mystery, betrayal, violence, romance and passion.
This has three exciting stories in the Galactic Gladiators/House of Rone series! Want to know how the House of Rone came to be? It’s in here! There are two novellas that are every bit as wonderful as awesome fans have come to expect. Cyborg Guard is one of my favorites of the whole series! If you have never read any of the stories in this series, you still will enjoy this book and then go looking for the previous books!
Very enjoyable!
Three delightful ‘snack-size’ stories in the Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone world!
* Dark Guard: House of Rone
So much excitement! This short tale is packed with adventures featuring a cyborg with powerful telekinesis abilities, a cyborg hunting cat named Cat, and Calla, a Rellan chef. Cat would let no one harm her people. She’s absolutely amazing! Our telekinetic cyborg , Zaden, is pretty hot. He’s every bit as protective as Cat, and fast falling for Calla. A delightful story!
* House of Rone: beginnings
A brief look at military life on Oroinix Military Base and Soldier 47’s rebellion, taking Soldier 195 with him. Oh, my! Magnus has always been very impressive!
* Cyborg Guard
Seren and Xias are sent on a mission to retrieve a promised map. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems, is it? Treacherous, double-dealing individuals don’t fare well in the hands of House of Rone’s primo gladiator and one extra special cyborg. Great adventure, topped with yummy romance and a special surprise for Seren. I love it!
Another fabulous romp with these Gladiators but this time there’s a difference because not only do we get to revisit Dark Guard which some readers might have already because it was in Pets In Space but there’s also new material. I was extremely happy to read House of Rone :Beginnings because although really just a quick snippet in many ways it answered questions I had. Best of all though is the new short story Cyborg Guard because who doesn’t want to read about a strong but lonely heroine getting a very happy ending ?
As usual everything here is well written and full of emotional content but never fear there’s plenty of action
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
I really enjoyed reading this book, it has good storylines, it is entertaining and filled with action and adventure. The chemistry and interaction between the characters is wonderful. 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.