Sandy M’s review of Ever After by Ryan, Harte, Royce, Davis & Shaw
Paranormal Romance anthology published by Fated Desires Publishing 25 Sep 13
Anthologies always make me nervous. I know it’s a good way to sample an author’s work to see if you’d like to pick up more of their books. Usually for me there’s only one or two of the featured novellas I like. All of these stories in this particular anthology have good elements in each, but this time around there’s something else that’s left me chomping at the bit – every one of them is part of a continuing series by each respective author, and they all leave the reader hanging with no resolution, other than the main characters are now together. Whatever event is on the horizon in the series is still sitting there, to be continued and/or completed in the next however many books. Since I’ve not read any of these series, I ended up a bit antsy that I was left hanging in most instances. However, that doesn’t take away from what these talented authors do give their fans.
His Choice (Dante’s Circle, Book 3.5) by Carrie Ann Ryan
I enjoyed the theme of this series and this novella – one of Lucifer’s son’s has decided to carve out his own destiny, not wanting to be the soul-consuming demon his father wants of him but to search for his true half and live out his life in happiness and love. I like Fawkes, if for nothing else but defying the devil himself, then it’s his tenderness that lurks beneath the surface. When he goes to the earth realm to stay with werewolf friends, he learns what family means and he does find his true half in Leslie, a submissive she-wolf.
Leslie abhors violence, despite her nature. Her brother was quite abusive in his quest for power, and thankfully he lost that bid, which has allowed Leslie to live in peace with other wolves who treat her like family. When Fawkes arrives to stay with the pack, she knows he’s the one for her, but the demon refuses to make a move. Discovering that’s because he’s afraid of her reaction to his innate violence, she finds out very quickly there’s no way her life will be completely free of that violence, and she needs to learn to live with that.
I’m a big werewolf fan, so I’m glad to see this story take place in a pack. I do like a lot of the other wolves I met, but that being said, I never felt a connection to Fawkes and Leslie. They’re likable enough, but there just needs to be more from them and between them to make that connection, and that’s one of the dangers of a novella – too short to bring everything together cohesively. But I do like the fact they talk one another; however, some of the dialogue is a bit over the top as far erotic goes. Also, some of the writing is a bit choppy at times, trying to fill in information from previous books, which bogs the pacing down. I usually don’t comment on errors in ARCs, because there’s going to be some no matter what, but the number here is just too much. I was pulled out of the story way too often, mostly trying to figure out what word is omitted or figuring out what is meant when the wrong word is used. It seems almost as if the publisher took exactly what the author gave them and slapped it in an ARC just to get it done, with no proofreading whatsoever. Not a good practice at all.
All that being said, this story does make me curious about other characters in the series. I hope to some day pick some of them up to remedy that curiosity.
Summary:
From the Dante’s Circle series, a demon from the fiery depths of hell must make his choice to follow in the footsteps of his father or love the submissive wolf who lays claim to his heart in His Choice.
Grade: C+
No excerpt available.
Beasts of Burden by Marie Harte
Being a shapeshifter fan, I had fun with these two larger-than-life battle-cats who protect the goddess Freya. They stand guard and according to Eria, a Valkyrie who needs a man more powerful than she is, that’s all Hall and Avarr do. Attracted to them she may be, but they’d never be able to keep her satisfied or controlled. They’ve wanted Eira for eons, but Freya has always held them back, claiming it’s not time.
That time finally comes when the pair come upon Eira battling it out with visiting creatures. They step in to help, and that leads to some steamin’, smokin’, sizzlin’ hot sex, not only between the three of them, but Hall and Avarr have a pretty good time together themselves. But at least now Eira can put to rest any doubts she may have had about these two shifters. There’s a lot of characters to keep straight when the gods get together, but at this point those are short scenes, so you get just a taste of the whole gang.
Of the four authors in this anthology, Marie Harte is the only one I’ve read before. Though it’s been a while since I’ve picked up one of her books, I enjoyed the smooth writing and lusty characters. This is the first book in Marie Harte’s new series and it will be interesting to see what happens with the gods and their games.
Summary:
Eira, a fierce valkyrie, has spent fifty years trying to get a rise out of her goddess’s guardians. But when the battle-cat shifters give her what she wants, can she handle the heat—and the danger—that comes from loving them?
Grade: B-
No excerpt available.
Alpha Rising (Fallen Alpha, Book 0.5) by Rebecca Royce
At this point I’m loving the fact there’s more werewolves to be had in this story from Rebecca Royce. Lilliana is a latent wolf, one who doesn’t even know she’s a wolf. She has some odd behavior that pops up every now and again and she doesn’t know why. On top of all of that, her mom died a year ago, leaving a mountain of debt, and Lilliana has lost five jobs recently. Having found work with the kindest woman on the planet, she’s determined to do everything right and keep this job.
That’s when Travis Michaels walks into the diner and throws Lilliana’s world off its axis. At first Travis doesn’t have time for a woman – he’s got a war to help fend off with rival packs – but Lilliana is his mate, and when Cyrus Fennell shows up, Travis will be damned if he’ll allow that wolf anywhere near her. But Cyrus causes all kinds of havoc and it will take everything Travs has got to keep a step ahead and Lilliana from chewing him up and spitting him out when she discovers exactly what she and her wolf can do. That’s when her world rights itself and understanding sets in.
I really enjoyed Travis and Lilliana. She turns out to be a strong heroine who grows into her wolf and will walk proudly by her alpha mate’s side. I also like the twist at the end with a villain you don’t expect.
Summary:
The Alphas of each Werewolf Pack are on the brink of war. Travis Michaels will use all in his power to keep innocent Lilliana out of danger and into his arms … away from rival Alpha Cyrus Fennell.
Grade: B
No excerpt available.
A Rebel’s Heart (Ashwood Falls, Book 3.5) by Lia Davis
This is the story that really made me want more of the series. Sarah is a mountain lion, and she lost her mate five years ago, her children are now grown and on their own – she has nothing left to live for. But when the cat who was supposed to have died with her mate is suddenly very much alive, Sarah has not only her children to deal with but also Damian Palmer.
Damian barely made it to Sarah to protect her from a human rebel group that’s out to destroy all shapeshifters. He’d never meant to reveal himself, but now that Sarah knows about him, this is his chance to claim her as his mate. He has his work cut out for him, because Sarah still loves her children’s father and she’s begun to age, but he won’t let that deter him.
When danger is so very close, Sarah finally realizes she needs to latch on and live again, that’s what her deceased mate would expect of her. I like that Damian doesn’t give up, even in the face of wolf children protecting their mother. But even they come around, knowing Damian is just what Sarah needs. The only thing that bothers me is no resolution other than their coming together. I want more than knowing there’s danger still waiting in the wings.
Summary:
Widow and mother of five wonderful, full grown males, Sarah Matthews lives the best she can—one day at a time. Now that her babies are having babies, she relishes in spoiling her grandkids. But her inner mountain lion is restless and Sarah can’t shake the feeling something is lurking in the woods surrounding her home. The unease becomes a reality when a man she thought died with her mate five years ago is found on her property beaten and unconscious.
Damian Palmer never considered revealing his existence to his best friend’s widow. Hell he didn’t know how she’d react to knowing that he was alive for the last five years while her human mate was dead. When he got word that Sarah has become Shield’s—a human rebel organization set up to hunt and kill shapeshifters—next victim, he must go to her and uphold his best friend’s dying wish to keep Sarah safe.
Buried pain, old lies, and dangerous secrets aren’t enough to keep the sparks from flying as they try to survive a new threat against their race.
Grade: B+
No excerpt available.
Destined for Eden (Shadows of Destiny, Book 5.5) by Leia Shaw
I have to say that this novella is my favorite of the book. I love Eden. She was abandoned as a child and taken in by a shifter colony, despite the fact she’s just a wolf…all other shifters are above her. Though she’s never totally fit in, she’s always upbeat and optimistic. When she’s given the opportunity to help the colony in the brewing war, she’s excited to finally be included. Even if she has to work with shifter Dalton whose only emotion toward her seems to a condescending attitude.
He’s used to working on his own, as his semi-celebrity status attests. He’s the one taking down evil, and now this little bit of fluff, this she-wolf, is close to taking him down. He shouldn’t feel this way after the disaster of his last relationship years ago, but as they make their way to a pack in the United States, watching Eden keep her cool and schmoozing their way in to see the alpha to convince him he and his pack are needed in Wales only makes him want her that much more.
Little by little Eden pulls Dalton back into living life for other things other than the war that needs waging. I don’t usually do a favorite line in my reviews – there’s too many good ones in most books – but during Dalton’s tries at shifting into a wolf – his usual shift is into either a bear or a bird – Eden calls him to task, his response is:
“Heel?” he said, taking a step toward her. “Did you really just tell me to heel?”
I laughed for quite a while after that.
This is one of those times that I’m afraid to read any other books because they may not stand up to what works so well here, but then again it’s the time to have faith in the author’s talent. I’m definitely going with the latter.
Summary:
A war is brewing in the supernatural world. Rebel shifter Dalton’s only passion is protecting the colony, and flirtatious misfit, Eden, is a distraction he can’t afford. But as danger approaches, he learns that underestimating the sexy little wolf is a big mistake.
Grade: B+
No excerpt available.
If you’re a paranormal fan, I think you’ll enjoy this anthology. I’m not that familiar with Fated Desires Publishing, but hopefully the errors throughout have been revised so your reading will stay on track. So then it’s just up to you to sit back and enjoy.
Overall Grade: B
