Barbarian’s Mate

Dixon’s solid sixth Ice Planet Barbarians romance (after Barbarian’s Prize) delivers more of the emotional growth, steamy love scenes, and high stakes adventure fans expect. Josie is the last single woman on planet Not-Hoth, an icy planet with a limited humanoid population consisting of a male-dominated tribe of blue sa-khui aliens and a handful of human women abandoned there by a different race of aliens who abducted them. After a childhood spent in foster care, Josie longs for a family of her own and has spent months hoping that the symbiote that allows her to breathe Not-Hoth’s air and is said to hum in the presence of one’s soulmate would identify her true love. Unfortunately, when it finally does, it chooses Haeden, a sa-khui male who seems chronically annoyed by her very existence. Haeden’s original mate died long ago and he’d resigned himself to a lonely life before Josie came along. Despite his attraction, he’s always shunned fragile Josie for fear of suffering another loss. After they’re bonded, however, their animosity turns to electricity. A glossary and short, comprehensive summary of the series so far make this inventive world easily accessible to new readers, while devoted series fans will be pleased to revisit Not-Hoth. Dixon proves there’s plenty of life left in this series. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (July)