His Woodland Maiden

A Qurilixen World Novel (Space Lords, Book 5)

By: Michelle M. Pillow

Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Space Pirate Rick Hayes sails the high skies searching for mischief. It looks like she finally found him.

From NY Times and USA TODAY best-selling author, Michelle M. Pillow, a space adventure romance!

Five Cursed Pirates and Only One Chance to Find Love - These space pirates sail the high skies looking for adventure, and a woman who can end their curse.

Space pirate and all-around bad boy, Rick Hayes isn’t looking to change his ways. He’s one helluva pilot, has a crew he thinks of as family, and women seem to want his company. What more could a guy want? Life is too short to settle down, and he knows firsthand the less you care about, the less it hurts when you lose it. Too bad his logic doesn’t always get through to his heart. When fate tempts him with a beautiful woman that appears to see through all of his defenses....

Well, actually, the frustrating star beam took him prisoner, hit him over the head, and stole his memories. Regardless of those few minor hiccups on the road to romance, Rick has to decide if love is worth the risk.

A Qurilixen World Novel
Space Lords Series

©2019 The Raven Books LLC (P)2019 The Raven Books LLC

Finally, Rick's Story

His Woodland Maiden is the long awaited story I have been waiting for, Rick's story. I have not read the first book so from the summary of the second, third, and fourth book, it is basically all Rick's fault for getting his four shipmates and himself curse in finding love. Rick is cocky, irresponsible, and too carefree. When it comes to his ship, that is his only true responsibility and relationship that he has.

His Woodland Maiden shows flashback of Rick's past. It definitely explain a lot of his past and his relationship with Harper. Rick did find his true love except that Harper kept erasing his short-term memory of her. There are moments I was wondering the long term effects on Rick's memory. I felt like Will Smith's character in MIB, protesting whenever Rick's short-termed memory kept getting erased.

This story definitely did not disappoint. Love Rick and Harper's story. I'm just sad that this is the end of this series.

The narrator, Michael Ferraiuolo is the right person to narrates this series. I do hope he does come back for the other series the author, Michelle M. Pillow has. I am looking forward to listening to him again.

I was given this audiobook by the author. I have voluntary decided to write an unbiased review for this book. I was not compensated or influenced in any way for writing this review.

loved it

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Rick and his own starbeam

I’m so happy with the way the series wrapped up! Everyone with a HEA! It also ends with a giant stroke to ricks ego … like he needed it lol. I adore Harper. She’s so fierce and brave. She brings out a growly over protective alpha in Rick, which is adorable!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

His Woodland Maiden

This is the fifth and final installment in the Space Lords series and is Rick and Harper's story. This was thoroughly enjoyable and a fitting conclusion to this series. I love that it tied things together so well and answered some questions I had about Rick's childhood and a friend he lost back then. Rick was his usual cocky self and Harper the perfect individual to put him in his place. Harper was an HIA agent that Rick had met and fell for several times before but he didn't remember because Harper kept injecting him with something to make him forget so that she could keep him safe. The storyline is quite involved but involves them trying to save people enslaved on a planet by a family of royals. The prince from this family was also tracking their ship because he found out Harper had deceived him and he wanted revenge. Can they outrun the prince and save countless people from being worked to death and the periodic purge. Guess you will have to check this story out if you want to find out. There's also a little surprise for Rick and Harper at the end that makes for the perfect HEA.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Starbeam, An Amazing Book in a Wonderful Series!!

I have said it before, and I will say it again: I absolutely adore this quirky and well-written series that's a part of this author's Qurilixen world. (By the way, that tricky-looking word is pronounced KRILL-icks-in, with the last two syllables said very fast. Thanks, narrator!). I was really looking forward to Rick's installment of the story, as he is certainly a favorite character of mine with his inflated ego, devil-may-care attitude, and broad sense of humor. He's easy to like and often just what is needed to take some pressure off during some very serious issues and events that this unlikely crew of heroic space pirates comes across. Like a few other books in this series, I was a little confused when it started about what the details meant (who, what, where??), but I trusted this author and just let the book unfold. Everything did become clear eventually.

Harper is an excellent foil for Rick as her personality is so much like him—as I believe one of the other guys stated—even using one of the same sobriquets, like “Space Balls!” when things go awry. But she is whip-smart and holds a rather surprising position in their world (that I won't ruin for you). Yet again, bad things are happening someplace, and the entire crew goes all in, jeopardizing themselves to save others in the big battle of the book. I love that about these guys. In fact, I wish we could read many more of their adventures; each man is well drawn and contributes wonderfully to the whole crew. (Plus, I wouldn't mind seeing how it works out for the two remaining unattached crew members, who happen to be brothers, but might have something going on with two sisters who have newly come on board the ship.)

The end also reveals Rick not only to be their cosmic clown but as actually the linchpin holding the group together as they do surprisingly great things. Sprout’s revelation at the end is shocking but makes complete sense and adds much texture and flavor to the overall story arc for this motley crew. In fact, I might have to go back and reread or listen to their stories. No hardship there, as I have enjoyed every single one thoroughly. If you like well-written sci-fi romance, as I do, give this entire series a chance. I also like the revelation about Harper at the end and how it was done. Seeing how that made Rick act added a sweet nuance to the story.

As always, I love the narrator of this series. He does a fantastic job making each man or woman sound distinct, which is not easy with such a large ensemble cast. He even did a great job with the very bored-sounding guy who was checking the ship dockside at the planet the crew was about to wreak havoc on. He truly sounded like the typically bored administrative guy we’ve all encountered. Little did he know, his life was about to change!

I do recommend starting with the first one so you can get introduced to each crew member as he finds his lady, but know you have some great stuff in store when you finally get to this book five of the series.

Rick meets his match...

Rick is a larger than life character, outrageous so often, with a wise crack to break the tension in any moment that is pressing in on the crew. He's the one who aggravated the spirit into cursing 5 of the crew members in the first place, so it's fitting he's the last to find the peace that comes with breaking it.

The more his leading lady gets to know Rick and the rest of the crew the more she discovers she misjudged them, underestimated them, and basically made a bunch of assumptions about them because they are pirates. If you've read/listened to the previous books you know these pirates save lives and right wrongs for s living, helping others at every turn... they just might be the help this woman didn't know she could use.

I really enjoy the narrator for this book, especially in the moments where the crew dynamics are front and center. When Victor explains in a whisper why a crew member keeps offering food... or when Dev and Jackson are at their Security best, though hoping those around them will mistake them for station instead of ship security, the scenes come alive, with heart and humor.

Rick and Harper

The crew of the Conqueror, and then the Bound Virgin, has had some exciting experiences in their voyages through space. The fifth and last story in the series is Rick’s story, finally. Harper is an HIA agent, and she is on a mission. Rick frequently interferes with her plans, and this time when they meet, he is her prisoner. Now how do suppose they get from this situation to their happily ever after? This story is filled adventure, action, discovery, steamy romance, and a lot of humor compliments of Rick. The members of the crew are interesting and likeable. As always, they are a boisterous, funny family. There are secrets revealed, a surprise or two, and a lot of questions answered. Excellent narration by Michael Ferraluolo. An enjoyable story and a great series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it.

RECOMMENDED ADVENTUROUS SERIES

I often wondered at Rick's story when reading the previous stories in this entertaining series. I thought it would have to be as mysterious as his personality and it certainly was. I really enjoyed his story and listened twice it was so packed with answers and adventure.

Rick's story, last but not least

This is the fifth and final Space Lords audiobook. Even though I'm sad to see it end, Michelle M Pillow does a great job wrapping the whole story up and bringing it full circle. Since it's the finale this review will be short as I refuse to give the ending away. With that said:
This is most hysterical because it is Rick's story and he's such a lovable goofball of a character. All questions you may have are answered and a special something makes it way to Qurilixen.
It's action packed, laugh out loud funny and so enjoyable you'll want to listen to the whole book in one sitting.
The narration is top notch and I have found my second favorite male narrator. This may be listened to as a standalone but the whole series is worth every penny!
I highly recommend this as well as all of Michelle M Pillow's audiobooks/books.

His Woodland Maiden, a great ending to series

The fifth and final book in the Space Lords series. Space Pirate Rick Hayes and Agent Harper Virant's story along with the rest of the crew. There is suspense, drama, danger, villains, a surprise and romance. I enjoyed listening to this story. Michael Ferraiuolo's voice had me enjoy listening to the story.