Learn more
These promotions will be applied to this item:
Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Defender: A Scifi Alien Romance (Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone Book 2) Kindle Edition
Rescued from alien slavers, the only place she feels safe is in the brawny arms of a big, gruff cyborg.
Astrophysicist Dr. Jayna Lennox’s life imploded the day her ship was attacked by aliens. Through months of captivity, she’s survived by shutting down and not feeling. Then she’s freed by the House of Rone cyborgs and finds herself in the arms of huge, tough Mace. Struggling to heal, Mace is the only thing that makes her feel safe. The only person who makes her feel like she isn’t broken. But there are more of her crew members imprisoned in Carthago’s desert, and Jayna will have to delve into her darkest memories to help save them.
Born to fight and bred for rage, Mace barely survived his gang-ridden homeworld. Thanks to Imperator Magnus Rone, he’s found a place at the House of Rone. Unlike the other cyborgs, he feels, but only anger and annoyance. When a small, wounded human woman works her way under his skin, Mace finds himself feeling things he’s never felt before…along with a powerful need to keep her safe.
Jayna vows to help find her fellow humans, even if it means revisiting her nightmares and being part of a dangerous mission into the desert. But as the passion between her and Mace explodes, she finds herself with two battles on her hands: the battle to free the humans from their captors, and the war to win Mace’s scarred heart.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 18, 2019
- File size3.0 MB
Shop this series
See full series- Kindle Price:$11.97By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
- Kindle Price:$23.94By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
Shop this series
This option includes 3 books.
This option includes 5 books.
This option includes 6 books.
Customers also bought or read
- Tamed: A Sci-Fi Alien Warrior Romance (Tribute Brides of the Drexian Warriors Book 1)Kindle Edition$3.99$3.99
- Taken by the Alien Warrior: A Sci Fi Alien Romance (Warriors of Agron Book 1)Kindle Edition$3.99$3.99
- Possessed: A Sci-Fi Alien Warrior Romance (Raider Warlords of the Vandar Book 1)Kindle Edition$4.99$4.99
- The Arcav King's Mate: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Arcav Alien Invasion Book One)Kindle Edition$3.99$3.99
Customers who bought this item also bought
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Defender has loads of thrilling action, spine-chilling danger, suspense, steamy passionate romance, heart-melting moments and a fabulous romantic conclusion." - midniteink
"Mace and Jayna's story will keep you flipping pages so fast you'll get whiplash! Hot, sweet, and full of action, this book does not disappoint!!!!" - Athena
"This story offers lots of action, high and low tech, aliens, humor, suspense, twists, romance, and a thrilling HEA ending." - Christine B
Product details
- ASIN : B07WSG4JXD
- Publisher : Anna Hackett
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : August 18, 2019
- Language : English
- File size : 3.0 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 217 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1925539806
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 2 of 6 : Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone
- Best Sellers Rank: #141,087 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #435 in Alien Invasion Science Fiction
- #780 in First Contact Science Fiction (Books)
- #1,022 in First Contact Science Fiction eBooks
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

I'm a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and sci-fi romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.
I'm the author of the bestselling and award-winning series Norcross Security, Team 52, Galactic Gladiators, and Hell Squad series and more.
For a free box set of my books, visit my website at www.annahackett.com
Customer reviews
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star5 star67%25%8%0%0%67%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star4 star67%25%8%0%0%25%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star3 star67%25%8%0%0%8%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star2 star67%25%8%0%0%0%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star1 star67%25%8%0%0%0%
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy the book's action-filled plot and find it a great addition to the House of Rone series. The book features resilient heroines who fight for their futures, and customers appreciate its sweet romance, humor, and steamy scenes.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the action content of the book, describing it as thrilling and suspenseful with an action-filled plot, and one customer notes how it balances action with friendships and romance.
"...When I am tired, overwhelmed or sad, her stories help to cheer my mood, and much more when I am not...." Read more
"Exciting and a great escape from earth and our daily lives...." Read more
"...his cyborg enhancements gave him surprising defence and fighting abilities...." Read more
"...Action is balanced by friendships and romance, and the sexy times are out of this world. Marking my calendar for the release of the next book!..." Read more
Customers enjoy this book as a sequel to the House of Rone series and appreciate re-reading the series.
"...The series is excellent and a great escape!" Read more
"...and I also bought it today cuz I want Anna to keep writing these incredible series. Do yourself a favor and get this series. Enjoy! 💚💜💛💙👍..." Read more
"...Overall, this was a great addition to the series and I can’t wait to jump into the next book...." Read more
"...I am also a verified purchase. Awesome series." Read more
Customers find the book to be a wonderful and satisfying read, with one customer mentioning they were hooked by page 3.
"...Enjoy! Good read and or Audio narrators are great!" Read more
"Another great read by Anna Hackett. I am addicted to these series. I laugh, I felt the tension and anxiety along with these characters" Read more
"...I loved his tough streak and metal cyborg form. Excellent read." Read more
"...I absolutely adore her books and series. I will always put down what I am reading to read any new book she has coming out...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the resilient and never weak heroines.
"...I do love her resilient never weak heroines and her broken but caring heroes...." Read more
"...and edge the reader deeper in love with the world of these beautifully triumphant heroes!" Read more
"...I love that the woman in the stories have courage and each character have their own story not sounding repetitive...." Read more
"...I'll continue to read the series because I'm a fan of her writing style and she does create good characters but, so far, I'm not a fan of how she..." Read more
Customers appreciate the strength of the book, with one customer noting how the character transforms beautifully into a strong overcomer.
"...His alien blood gave him a larger and stronger physical structure, his cyborg enhancements gave him surprising defence and fighting abilities...." Read more
"...though severely traumatized in the beginning, transforms beautifully into a strong overcomer...." Read more
"...As for Mace, he was great. I loved his tough streak and metal cyborg form. Excellent read." Read more
"Highly enjoyed Defender!! I listened to Defender on Audiobook and Vivienne Leheny did such an amazing job with these characters...." Read more
Customers enjoy the romance in the book, describing it as sweet and loving, with one customer noting the "sexy times are out of this world."
"...Action is balanced by friendships and romance, and the sexy times are out of this world. Marking my calendar for the release of the next book!..." Read more
"...It's a nice touch to show the cyborgs bafflement and bemusement as the Earth women fill up the House of Rone...." Read more
"...adventures from these books, you get sentimental fools , heart break, love, lust and all sorts of yummy delights. Wow! This rocks on all level...." Read more
"Wonderful as always. It was exciting and romantic and I enjoyed reading it just as I have all the others in the series." Read more
Customers enjoy the humor in the book, with one mentioning it makes them laugh and cry.
"...Each new installment is packed with actions, steamy scenes and witty banters...." Read more
"...cyborg stories have all the heat of the Galactic Gladiators series and humor...." Read more
"As always, another fun read! Mace and Jayna's story was hot, and action packed. I'd love to know where the author gets her awesome ideas from...." Read more
"...I love her action packed, romantic characters that make you laugh and cry. DON'T MISS THIS SERIES, IT'S A MUST READ!!!!!" Read more
Customers enjoy the steamy romance in the book, with one customer describing it as hotter than Hades, and another noting the lusty sexual scenes.
"...Each new installment is packed with actions, steamy scenes and witty banters...." Read more
"As always Anna delivers a fast paced, exciting and hotter than Hades romance...." Read more
"Adventure , action ,romance, aliens, super heros, lusty sexual encounters, and a happily ever after ending. Can not get any better than that" Read more
"...Hot, sweet, and full of action, this book does not disappoint!!!!" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2019Format: KindleVerified PurchaseWhile on a search party to rescue an other human, can two broken individuals find a way to the other heart.
Mrs Anna Hackett is part of my candy for the brain authors list. When I am tired, overwhelmed or sad, her stories help to cheer my mood, and much more when I am not.
I do love her resilient never weak heroines and her broken but caring heroes.
The pattern of the story is often similar from one book to another, a recovered heroine partnering with one of the hero from the rescue party teaming up to save an other of the lost humans, but each character has its own challenge and past hurt.
Each new installment is packed with actions, steamy scenes and witty banters.
Jayna appears as a very damaged woman, which is normal after months of tortures as a lab guinea-pig. But soon she finds in her inner self the strength to cope from her ordeal, to fight for the other humans kidnapped, all with the help of the cyborg Mace.
Mace is one of the rescued fighter from the To-death-arena fights. He now returns the favor by help save other unfortunate like he was.
As they are drawn to another, will they be able to let their past hurt go.
A 4.5 stars for this fast and entertaining read.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2023Format: KindleVerified PurchaseExciting and a great escape from earth and our daily lives. Although other planets have mad scientists, evil beings, there are hero’s and the women that have stayed alive long enough to find them. Here the emotionless heroes discover their mission to protect is something more. They discover earth women are frail by comparison, soft, easily broken, but have wills of steel. These tough women insist on finding others who were abducted and sold as slaves or science experiments. The series is excellent and a great escape!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2019Format: KindleVerified PurchaseMace is a trusted member of the House of Rone cyborgs inner circle. He was born on a planet run by gangs and was used as a fighter in their deadly rings. His cyborg enhancements a result of internal injuries he received whilst fighting. His alien blood gave him a larger and stronger physical structure, his cyborg enhancements gave him surprising defence and fighting abilities.
Jayne Lennox, an astrophysicist, was onboard the Helios when it was attacked by the Thraxians and when the House of Galen and House of Rone began hunting down and rescuing the humans from the space station and Helios the Thraxians sold the remaining humans as quickly as possible. Bought by the Edull, Jayne was battered, used as a lab test subject and nearly broken. Rescued by Mace, she found adjusting to freedom difficult and slow. When her memories began returning, Jayne shares information about the Edull and joins the hunt for other enslaved humans.
Mace and Jayne face the demons of the past and find the courage to love and move forward.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2019Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAfter reading the Galactic Gladiators House of Galen series, I was thrilled to read book 1, Sentinel, of the Galactic Gladiators House of Rone. The stories are so good, and it was pure torture waiting for this book to be released. Defender turned out to be one of the best! Far exceeded my expectations! Jayna, though severely traumatized in the beginning, transforms beautifully into a strong overcomer. Mace, our gruff (and kinda intimidating) hero, becomes one of my favorite heroes by the end of the story! The process of their growth and change flows naturally as the AMAZING ACTION and daring rescue unfolds. Action is balanced by friendships and romance, and the sexy times are out of this world. Marking my calendar for the release of the next book! Kudos to Anna Hackett for boldly putting her imagination into the words that rivet, intrigue, tantalize, and edge the reader deeper in love with the world of these beautifully triumphant heroes!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2023Format: KindleVerified PurchaseStory line is very different from most fantasy alien stories.
I love that the woman in the stories have courage and each character have their own story not sounding repetitive.
I have enjoyed every story.
Read and heard audio of the 1st set of Galactic Gladiators 1-11 and now on the 2nd series of House of Rome 1-6.
Enjoy! Good read and or Audio narrators are great!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2023Format: KindleVerified PurchaseGalactic Gladiators: House of Rone book 2. Cyborgs aren't known to be emotional but this book is an emotional roller coaster. Smexy, dramatic, angsty and hopeful. Mace is a cyborg and Jayna is human. He helped to rescue her and after, helped her to heal. Jayna in return taught him to love. This book gave me all the feels.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2019Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis was another decent story in the Galactic Gladiator series, however, I don't think cyborgs are Ms. Hacketts strong suit. For some reason, so far, her characters are not really coming across as cyborgs. We know they are because she tells us so, but, if not for her telling us about the metal in their bodies, they just seem like regular men. There's not even much mentioned about their particular species - differences and so on - so it's like they're human men with prostheses. I'll continue to read the series because I'm a fan of her writing style and she does create good characters but, so far, I'm not a fan of how she writes a cyborg. As to this particular book, I feel that it happened too fast. For all his life, the H didn't like to be touched, it made a point of saying that. But then, without too much mentioned about it, they were touching each other, no problem. I'd think there would have been more about that, maybe him wondering a bit more about why he doesn't mind her touch. It was mentioned once, I think, very quickly, and then never again. I like the Gladiator series, like I said, and I'll continue to read these but, I'm going to stop looking at them like cyborg stories, and just consider them Kor Magna/Gladiator stories.
1 star - Awful! Want my money back!
2 stars - Bad but not horrendous.
3 stars - Decent/Good
4 stars - Really good!
5 stars - Excellent! Definitely recommend!
Top reviews from other countries
- PiaReviewed in Germany on March 1, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Jayna and Mace
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseJayna was an astrophysicist on the explorer spaceship Helios. They were attacked and abducted by the Thraxians and sold to the Edull, apeople of desert scavengers as slaves. Finally she was sold to the Edull Gaarl, who cut her hand of in order to sell it. Luckily Jayna was rescued by the cyborgs of the House of Rone and got a cybernetic hand. Especially the cyborg gladiator Mace took good care of her. Now she has problems to cope with the aftermath of the severe trauma she endured. But Mace always is there to help her and encourage her not to give up.
The cyborg gladiator Mace grew up in the streets of the lawless planet Krenor and because of his fighting skills he was brought to Kor Magna to fight in under ground fight rings. Injured and dying from severe internal damage he was saved by the Imperator Magnus Rone. His damaged organs were replaced by synthetic organs. Usually he has a brooding and nasty temper, which gets better, when he is near Jayna. All the cyborgs together and Jayna venture out in the desert to rescue Sage, a paramedic from the Helios, still held captive by the Edulls ....
I loved to read the book. It has a gripping story with plenty of action. Mace is a character, who is reluctant to love, even though he is so much in need of love and besides his grumpiness he hzs so much tenderness. Jayna fights to overcome her injuries, inside and outside. But what she most fights for is Mace and his love. So there is a HEA to enjoy.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Defender
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAnother great story. Boy, do I love these books! The plots are so clever and inventive - and romantic to the nth degree. Mace, the gentle giant, is totally drool worthy, and Jayna the perfect mate for him. Add in nasty aliens and oodles of adventure, and you have the perfect mix.
- Hannah PayneReviewed in Canada on August 19, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read!
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis is yet another amazing book by Anna Hackett. The plot is enthralling and the characters are so amazing. A great read if you want action, romance, and a story that will draw you in and leave you wanting for more!
- TessaReviewed in Australia on December 30, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars House of Rone to the rescue!
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseJayna was an astrophysicist on the exploration ship Helios when it was attacked by the Thraxians, the aliens who used a temporary wormhole to attack Earth’s space station and a supply ship. The survivors of the station and the ship had been saved by the House of Galen on Kor Magna. It has now fallen to the
cyborgs of the House of Rone to save the survivors of the Helios. Jayna was sold to the Edull by the Thraxians and experimented upon. She was then onsold when the Edull thought she was of no more use. Then she was saved by Mace and other cyborgs. Being with Mace gave her a sense of security that nothing else could but he refused to acknowledge any feelings for her. So she grit her teeth and tried to remember who else was held prisoner with her. This leads on to the drama and action that Anna is known for. A good story set in the alien world of Kor Magna that Anna brings alive so well. Love this series.
- ExodusReviewed in Australia on August 25, 2019
4.0 out of 5 stars Mace - Cyborg finds love
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAnother great story to add to the Galactic series and another cyborg to fall for a human survivor. Mace is blunt, doesn't like touching and one of the. A House of Rone representative, he becomes Jayna's protector and tells her the truth, even if it comes across harsh. Where Jayna is still stuck in survivor mode she sometimes gets trapped in her memories. She is determined though to help rescue Sage. Together their relationship develops into something more. I enjoyed the start of their connection and its development, it was a joy to read and had me rooting for them. Particularly the ending. I look forward to reading Acton's story. I'm sure his emotional dampners will be working over time in the next read. Can't wait.