Mercenary Instinct

Mandrake Company, Book 1

By: Ruby Lionsdrake

Narrated by: Jill Redfield

Skulking around in the ruins on a planet swarming with treasure hunters, slavers, and bounty hunters isn't good for one's health. But Ankari Markovich needs a few archaeological samples for her latest business venture, a venture that might prove lucrative enough to move her family off the impoverished planet where she grew up. Unfortunately, she has no sooner collected her samples than she's captured by a band of brawny mercenaries. The captain might be handsome, but he's intent on turning her over to some finance lord who has, for reasons unknown, put a bounty on her head, a ridiculously large one at that. If she can't figure out a way to escape before she's delivered to the lord's home world, she could be forced into a life of indentured servitude - or worse.

Captain Viktor Mandrake doesn't usually take on piddling bounty hunting gigs, but when his intelligence officer informs him of a criminal on a nearby planet, he decides it wouldn't hurt to take a shuttle down to collect the woman. But Ankari Markovich is trouble from the start, nearly eluding his elite forces, then fighting and tricking his people left and right. He finds himself admiring her spirit, but according to her warrant, she's a criminal. The safest thing is to keep her in the brig and ignore her until she can be handed off to the man who wants her.

But the situation grows more complicated when other bounty hunters show up, wanting to claim Ankari for themselves. Thanks to this woman, Viktor's ship is in danger, his crew members are going missing, and he's fighting enemies he never asked for in a jungle in the middle of a hurricane. He's going to either strangle Ankari or fall in love. Either scenario could get him killed.

©2014 Ruby Lionsdrake (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Awesome Hot Sexy Thriller

Now that's a series I would love to listen to. Space lost planets and scumbags of all kind and only thing keeping one alive is their wits. Just tell me when the next book is available.

easy read

just got my covid booster I needed something to keep my mind off my achy joints. this did an excellent job. not my usual but i enjoyed it and will read on. I like that she's a an entrepreneur and not a space pirate. there were just a few leaps of faith in the storyline that jarred me a bit. no biggie I'm just grumpy today.

Fun story

I would have liked it better without the explict sex scenes. But the story and characters were engaging.

Good plot!

Love the story, but not my favorite narrator. But I'm curious to see what comes next in the series!

Great Story, Great Narrator!

Perfect combination of sci-fi, humor and romance. Jill Redfield does her usual incomparable job of bring the story to life through a wide repertoire of character voices. Bring on book 2 please!!!!

Not bad of a SciFi romance. Amazing narration.

This was an okay read, but fantastic narration. But not a fan of the constant threat of sexual assault themes throughout the book.

Pleasantly Surprised!

Love a really good space opera that mixes action, romance, humor and great characters, and Ruby Lionsdrake delivered them all!

The lead female character, Ankari, is strong, spunky, confident but finds herself in one sticky situation right after the other. She loathes being captured by the exasperating, good looking, always in control Captain Victor Mandrake and his crew. While she tries to convince him she's innocent, she's using her pickpocketing skills and marital art moves to try to escape. The captain can't help but to admire her tenacity; however, he's also determine to cash in on his bounty. After all, she and her associates have a high price on their heads, but the more time he spends around her, the more he questions the truth of the accusations.

The story was well written, creative, and had a great pace. The main characters as well as the secondary characters were developed and had distinct personalities. I loved how the H/h relationship evolved naturally and wasn't forced. There are a few sex scenes in the second half of the story but are more on the sweet side.

Jill Redfield delivered a stellar performance, and does an amazing job with both the female and male characters. Not all female narrators can pull off male characters like Jill, and make them sound not only believable but give them a sexy bedroom voice. She's one talented narrator who really brought this story to life!

All in all, Mercenary Instinct was fun to listen too, kept me engaged, and was another great KU/whispersync find. I will definitely be looking out for more stories in this series to be released in audio. (I really hope Jill narrates the rest of the series ;-) !)

A great space opera series!

I love books by Ruby Lionsdrake! Try her books under "Lindsay Buroker" as well! Great author!

Great job with the story and the narration!

I bought this series several years ago. Its one of the best of the Space Mercenaries genre. The plot is action packed and the dialog is full of witty snark.
Jill Redfield puts her character vocalizations to good use. She does not whisper into the microphone. Instead she is a force to be reckoned with!
Well done!

Wonderful storyline and characters

I truly enjoyed this book it was a wonderful storyline, great characters great plot, adventur3 and had the romance that I like. That slow building kind of relationship not the instantaneous love it first sight, but ones where the characters get to know each other and they realize that they care for each other. good book!