Veena’s review of Wild Invitation, A Psy Changeling Anthology by Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 05 Mar 13
When this book was announced, I was a bit disappointed thinking that I would be buying only two short stories for the price of a full book. But I have to admit that I’m pleasantly surprised by the way the stories are packaged together as a collection, which totally enhances my experience as a reader. I had read the earlier published two short stories, but I ended up reading them again. In fact, I read the book from begining to end in order. I find that I enjoyed the spectrum of the races: human, Psy, Changeling leopards and wolves and their natures dominant, submissive, and how the two blend, and, of course, the spectrum of emotions even for those who aren’t supposed to have any. I feel that this collection adds richness and depth to the world that I’m familiar with. I am so glad that I read it and would encourage other fans to definitely read it as one whole book.
Beat of Temptation is the previously published courtship and mating of Tamsyn, the Dark River healer, and Nathan, a Dark River Sentinel. The two characters play such a key role in the Psy-Changeling world, especially in Lucas and Sasha’s story. It is great to visit with them, as well as the twins in the later short stories. I love the continuity. Males! They really need to be brought to their senses. Scrumptious!
We move on still with the leopards to a story of a Leopard soldier who falls in love with and mates a human female. A teacher who teaches many of the changeling children both leopard and wolf. Stroke of Enticement is also a previously published story, but the customs of the leopards, the introduction into the pack circle, and the lady love is questioning whether he loves her. Adorable!
And now it’s time to move on to the Wolves and reacquaint ourselves with one of the Snow Dancer Lieutenants as he goes through the trials and travails of loving and mating a shy submissive wolf. Will he overwhelm his lady love? How will two such strongly opposing natures find what they need in a partnership without one overwhelming the other? Cooper and Grace introduce us to the the courting dance in Declaration of Courtship, the subtle advance and retreat necessary to forging a bond. Yummy!
And, of course, the long-awaited story of the SnowDancer healer, Lara, and her Psy mate, Walker. We get a glimpse of what lies behind the emotionless facade of a man who trained Arrows in the Psy world and gave them the ability to keep a part of their soul intact. In a Texture of Intimacy we get a chance to meet all the SnowDancer and Psy pairings that we’ve seen in previous books and learn yet more about Silence. Delightful!
I think this collection sets a wonderful stage to the much awaited next release in the Psy-Changeling world. It almost appears as though armageddon is around the corner and it’s good for us to be reminded about the love and relationships worth fighting for.
Grade: B
Summary:
In Beat of Temptation, innocent Tamsyn has always had a place in her heart for Nathan, a blooded DarkRiver sentinel. But is she ready for the fierce demands of the mating bond?
In Stroke of Enticement, a wary young teacher, skeptical about love, arouses the man—and the animal—in an aggressive leopard changeling who must prove his affections are true.
In Declaration of Courtship, Grace, a shy submissive wolf, finds herself pursued by the last man she ever would have imagined: a SnowDancer lieutenant said to be “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.”
In Texture of Intimacy, SnowDancer healer Lara discovers the searing joys—and unexpected challenges—of being mated to quiet, powerful Walker, a man used to keeping his silence.
Other books in this series:
I so agree with you on this one, when it was first announced. Having to buy the first two stories again – but it is fab to have them altogether in one book. The old stories were great to re-read and Walker’s story was a lovely continuation of Tangle Of Need.
I also loved all the pairing between Cats, Wolves, Psy, Human 😀
My only whinge is that they didn’t put Whisper of Sin in with the Collection, from the Anthology Burning Up – then it would have been a complete set of ALL of Nalini’s short stories published so far.
Could make cynical comment here – but shall resist! 🙂
I totally agree with your comment about Whisper of Sin because that too was a delightful leopard story and characters that we’ve interacted with consistently when we visit the Dark River headquarters. I’d love to hear the cynical comment! that’s what keeps it all in perspective and makes it interesting.
Cynical comment was something along the lines of marketing and making more $$$. I mean – how hard could it been for the publisher to pop that little story in for a complete set?
Now they have it as a left over to dangle in front of any new readers to the series when marketing future books. Pffffffffft!!