Review for Haven 6 by Aubrie Dionne

A product of an illegal pairing, Eridani is the only woman without a lifemate aboard the colonization ship, the Heritage, and she is determined her less than perfect DNA will not get in the way of finding love. As the ship nears it's final destination of Haven 6 after five hundred years of travel, images of the surface show evidence of intelligent life on a planet that's supposed to be uninhabited. Commander Grier assigns Eri to the exploratory team to spy on the alien society and return with information on how to defeat them.

When Eri's team lands, tribes of humans attack and Eri is saved by Striver, the descendant of a colonist and a pirate from Old Earth's colonization efforts in other parts of the galaxy. Striver helps Eri rescue her team and they are drawn to each other despite their different allegiances. While Striver battles with trusting Eri, Eri must decide whether to warn him and his people about the commander's intentions, or follow orders and complete her mission.

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Aubrie Dionne's New Dawn series comes to an exciting and action-packed conclusion with Haven 6 where space colony DNA freak Eridani Smith finally finds her true purpose after landing on a planet as part of a first contact mission.  As the child of an unacknowledged pairing, Eri is not allowed a lifemate and is looked down upon by her fellow colonists.  The only person who supports her is her half-sister Aquaria whose recent lifemate pairing isn't what she thought it would be and is the first sign that the way the colonists live might not be the best way.  On this mission Eri becomes more assertive and realizes she does have value.  That puts her in a quandary when she has to choose between the mission set forth by Commander Grier and wanting to protect the man and his people who accept her for who she is.  Striver sees only perfection in her and a woman of loyalty and for the first time she experiences true love.

Striver has always had responsibilities with guilt as his constant companion.  Since becoming leader of his people after his father's disappearance it falls to him to keep technology from harming his people.  Their beliefs, and his brother's desires to gain power through technology, lead to his brother Weaver going to their enemies which is another reason for him to eschew technology.  But when a ship lands in their enemies territory he's the first to lead a rescue mission for the alien visitors.  Upon seeing a red-haired sprite his life, and that of his people, changes forever.  He finds unconditional acceptance from Eri and a true partner who does whatever she can to ease his soul.  In an action-packed showdown loyalties shift and a lifetime of beliefs are thrown away to create a new and better society.

The relationship between Eri and Striver evolves slowly and sweetly as they're constantly on the run from their enemies.  There's only one kiss between them but it speaks volumes.  The focus of this story is the action which is fast-paced with battle sequences vividly depicted.  My heart was racing every time the characters went to war and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to reach the satisfying conclusion of this story and series.  Although it's not a necessity, this series is best read in numerical order to gain the fullest emotional impact and to get the best grasp of its intricately connected storyline.  Ms. Dionne perfectly balances action and romance giving both male and female readers exactly what they want.  This was a wonderful series that I'm sad to see end but am excited for what the author will come up with next.

My rating for this is an A.

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.