REVIEW - FURY - MENAGERIE BY RACHEL VINCENT

RELEASED TODAY!

30th OCTOBER 2018

Title: Fury

Series: Menagerie

Author: Rachel Vincent

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Harelquin MIRA, Harpercollins UK

Release Date: 30th October 2018

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1986: Rebecca Essig leaves a slumber party early but comes home to a massacre—committed by her own parents. Only one of her siblings has survived. But as the tragic event unfolds, she begins to realize that other than a small army of six-year-olds, she is among very few survivors of a nationwide slaughter.

The Reaping has begun.

Present day: Pregnant and on the run with a small band of compatriots, Delilah Marlow is determined to bring her baby into the world safely and secretly. But she isn’t used to sitting back while others suffer, and she’s desperate to reunite Zyanya, the cheetah shifter, with her brother and children. To find a way for Lenore the siren to see her husband. To find Rommily’s missing Oracle sisters. To unify this adopted family of fellow cryptids she came to love and rely on in captivity.

But Delilah is about to discover that her role in the human versus cryptid war is destined to be much larger—and more dangerous—than she ever could have imagined.

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REVIEW

I'd been regularly checking to see when this book was due to be released because I really wanted to read this book as soon as I possibly could.

The cover Fury fits beautifully with Menagerie and Spectacle. I have loved all the covers though if I had to pick just one out of the three as a favourite it would have to be Spectacle.

The genres listed for this are Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal & YA. Sure I agree with all those, but would add I am definitely not in the YA bracket and I totally adored this book and series. It has become one of my favourite book series!

This book is brilliant, it has totally amazing characters and a fantastic plot which makes it a perfect read for paranormal book readers, though I don't think you have to be a specific paranormal fan to read and enjoy it.  Normally at this point in my review I choose a favourite character, and though I adore Gallagher and Delilah there are so many other fantastic characters and you learn both the good and bad points of being their particular breed/race. For example I guess when you think of an Oracle you think it would be great to know what will happen in the future but then think a little more, as if you can see the good in the future you will also see the bad and have the knowledge there is nothing you can do to change it.
I became attached to the smaller characters of Lenore the siren, Rommily, one of the oracles, and Genni the young shifter are just a few that immediately spring to mind when thinking about the book. The main characters are Gallagher, the fear dearg/red cap who must kill regularly to keep his hat red and stay alive. Gallagher is deeply in love with Delilah whether he recognises the fact or verbalises it or not. The sexual act that one of the Savage Spectacle regulars had them perform has somewhat come between them. They would both rather forget how their child was conceived. So Delilah is pregnant and having some strange things going on around so what does this mean for her unborn child? Its not just a question of is it a boy or a girl, its is more what sort of cryptid, or human will it be and what will be its powers? With a red cap for a dad and a furiae for a mother. 

In this book the points of view alternate between the time of the first reaping and the characters that were around at the time, as well as explaining surrogates and their part in the reaping. The confusion of how so many children were murdered by their very own parents who then deny any knowledge of the attacks. The other point of view is the present day, with those that escaped the Savage Spectacle trying to hide, survive whilst at the same time rescue their fellow imprisoned cryptids. This is where we learn why and how fate chose Delilah to be it's instrument. We learn that just one persons split second decision/choice can change the course of the lives surrounding them. The characters, both human and cryptid have come a long way and lots has happened since Metzgers Menagerie in bk1. This book, in fact the whole series is amazing and has an intricately detailed plot. This author seriously knows how to spin a fantastic story and keep you guessing what will happen right to the last pages. 

There's love, loss, sacrifice, vengeance and heartbreak within this book's pages. The plot twists and turns for cryptids and humans alike keeping you on the edge of your seat wondering how everything will turn out. I highly recommend this whole series! I think I can honestly say that this book has a cryptid for everyone to fall in love with, for you to really root for their survival and dare to wish for them to have a happy ending.

I could go on and on forever praising this book and the rest of the books in the series. This the last book in the series has an epilogue at the very end which ties things up beautifully, in fact without it I would have been quite disappointed.

I have loved this series from beginning to end. There is sadness and sacrifice in this book but the loose ends are all certainly tied up. The ending was perhaps not one I would have chosen but upon reading it you realise it was the only plausible way this series could conclude.

REVIEW - FREEZING POINT - AFTER THE SHIFT BY GRACE HAMILTON

Title: Freezing Point

Series: After The Shift

Author: Grace Hamilton

Genre: Sci-Fi, Dystopian

Publisher: Relay Publishing

Release Date: 13th September 2018

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In the dawn of a new Ice Age, families everywhere are taking to the road to escape the frigid landscape—but you can’t outrun the cold. 

No one could have predicted the terrifying impact of human interference in the Arctic. Shifts in the Earth's crust have led to catastrophe and now the North Pole is located in the mid-Atlantic, making much of the eastern United States an unlivable polar hellscape. 

Nathan Tolley is a talented mechanic who has watched his business dry up due to gas shortages following the drastic tectonic shifts. His wife Cyndi has diligently prepped food and supplies, but it’s not enough to get them through a never-ending winter. With an asthmatic young son and a new baby on the way, they’ll have to find a safe place they can call home or risk freezing to death in this harsh new world. 

When an old friend of Nathan’s tells him that Detroit has become a paradise, with greenhouses full of food and plenty of solar energy for everyone, it sounds like the perfect place to escape. But with dangerous conditions and roving gangs, getting there seems like an impossible dream. It also seems like their only choice.

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REVIEW

I was ready for a dystopian or post apocalyptic read but wanted a more specific apocalyptic event. 

The cover fits the descriptions in the book of the surroundings that are being travelled through very well. I'd say the three figures on the cover are Nathan, Cyndi & Tony, making the cover potentially be a scene from within the book. This cover would make me want to pick it up from a book store shelf to learn more about it.

The genres I have since listed for this book are General Fiction, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, which I agree with. I guess some would say some of the "violent" content should mean this should be categorised as an 18+ book, however in my opinion older teens/mature teens have probably seen more violence on TV then there is in the book.  In this book the "event" is a climatic change and everywhere is in a perpetual winter. I would add post apocalyptic, and possibly climate change to the genres list.

A drastic change in climate means that Nathan, Cyndi and the other characters in this book are living or rather trying to live and survive in a no end in sight harsh winter. This has meant many people in Glen Falls have already left to travel elsewhere hoping for a better climate or a new safer society rather than being open to the harsh elements and the violent gangs. Of course plenty of looting and rioting go on and the local, smaller, Police Stations and Hospitals are being closed down. People are abandoning homes and businesses that have been in their families for generations. 

I already loved the first characters of Nathan, Cyndi & Tony within the first 12% of the book!  I like how even faced with a survival of the fittest scenario Nathan still upholds his morals. Will those very black or white morals end up hurting him and/or family? Or will he have to accept that shades of grey exist and he has to put himself and his families welfare and lives.

I totally understand how he wants to stay put in the place he has always lived and worked, a home and business that has been handed down through the generations of his family. The fact Cyndi is so good at prepping has probably allowed them to live a fairly comfortable life and stay put much longer than they maybe should have. I love the conversation where Nathan and Cyndi are talking about being prepared and Cyndi's prepping skills. Cyndi says "It's what prepping is all about. Think the unthinkable, and then plan for it"
It is a really difficult decision to make, both staying put and leaving have lists of pros and cons. Two of the main questions they have to ask themselves are, How isolated do you allow yourself to become in a world affected by climate change? Even with prepper knowledge and a decent amount of supplies when is the right time to leave?

A change for the worse regarding the health of his son Tony and the almost certain need his wife Cyndi will no doubt need have him reconsidering leaving though he is still procrastinating about the best idea of where to go and how to get there. Then a run in with a gang on Ski-Doo's and an attack on his home whilst he is out give him the finally push and convince Nathan they have to leave as soon as possible. Nathan & Cyndi with the help of their son Tony and Nathans workmate Freeson and the newbie to the group Syd.

Once the decision has been made to leave, the "how" is the next issue. As Tony is badly affected by the cold the family need to be mindful of his health issues and restrictions. Firstly they dig the quite elderly Airstream out of the snow and check it over. The idea being to hitch it up to the large wrecker that Nathan uses for work and because it is used to these harsh weather conditions.  

I liked the character of Syd when Nathan first met her, when he couldn't tell if it was a male or female attempting to hitch a ride from him. I thought the way Syd's Malamute dog had to have a sniff around Nathan to see if he felt Nathan was trustworthy and honest enough to give them a ride. Saber, the malamute instantly licks Nathan's face meaning Syd first accepts a lift and then later agrees to go home with Nathan to his family.

I found the relationship between Nathan and Freeson amusing, one minute they could be arguing or strongly disagreeing yet they can instantly work together like being part of one machine when the need arises such as defending their travelling family group. These characters may start out as travelling companions but soon become more like an extended family.

There are two other characters that are featured twice in this book that I totally fell in love with, and yes, they even made me become misty eyed and shed a tear or two. They are a couple of older characters Marty and Betty who have been married years and are totally committed to each other until the end of whatever they may have to face. I adored how Betty was determined to stand fast and be at the side of her man Marty. The patience Betty has with Marty was truly amazing, the way she had accepted how things would likely end for herself and Marty. 

There's certainly a lot going on in the book, we just get to know Nathan, Cyndi, Tony and Freeson, then Syd is added to the party. When they come across a limo parked haphazardly in the road. Syds instinct is to leave it and get by it as quickly as possibly. However Nathan still has the morals and manners that he insists on checking the vehicle. Then Lucy is added to the mix and makes a rather unlikely pairing with Freeson. Much later there is another addition, this time two 19 year olds who are into technology and have the equipment to access maps and communication. Everyone travelling within the group seem to bring their own skill set with them that is needed at some point during the journey to Detroit. Though Nathan's initial gut reaction was to stay put in Glenn Falls, then when the group are offered a place within an Amish community, he continues to make sure he gets his family to Detroit. The reason he has faith that Detroit is the "eden" they are looking for is the sparse communication he manages to have with his old friend Stryker. Once again Nathan ignores his gut when doubts Detroit is a "perfect" as Stryker is saying and showing it is. Theres only one way to find out and that is to go there. If its not suitable then they will have to travel further. It is important to Nathan that his son Tony and his wife Cyndi have access to a hospital should they need it. 

My immediate thoughts upon finishing this book were it is well written, has great characters, and a very believable realistic plot.

To sum up this is the second book I have read by this author and I have thoroughly enjoyed both. The first book by Grace Hamilton that I have read and reviewed was Dark Retreat, book one of the EMP Lodge Series. I have also bought some more of the EMP Lodge Series, as well as purchasing Dead Lines: EMP Prepper Thriller which is book one of her 911 Series. So I guess this means I will be adding Grace Hamilton to my list of great authors that I wish to read more of. I will certainly be adding book two of the After the Shift series to my must read list.

REVIEW - THE GIRL FROM BERLIN - LIAM TAGGART & CATHERINE LOCKHART BY RONALD H BALSON

Title: The Girl From Berlin

Series: Liam Taggart & Catherine Lockhart 5

Author: Ronald H Balson

Publisher: St Martins Press

Release Date: 9th October 2018

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In the newest novel from internationally-bestselling author, Liam and Catherine come to the aid of an old friend and are drawn into a property dispute in Tuscany that unearths long-buried secrets

An old friend calls Catherine Lockhart and Liam Taggart to his famous Italian restaurant to enlist their help. His aunt is being evicted from her home in the Tuscan hills by a powerful corporation claiming they own the deeds, even though she can produce her own set of deeds to her land. Catherine and Liam’s only clue is a bound handwritten manuscript, entirely in German, and hidden in its pages is a story long-forgotten…

Ada Baumgarten was born in Berlin in 1918, at the end of the war. The daughter of an accomplished first-chair violinist in the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic, and herself a violin prodigy, Ada’s life was full of the rich culture of Berlin’s interwar society. She formed a deep attachment to her childhood friend Kurt, but they were torn apart by the growing unrest as her Jewish family came under suspicion. As the tides of history turned, it was her extraordinary talent that would carry her through an unraveling society turned to war, and make her a target even as it saved her, allowing her to move to Bologna―though Italy was not the haven her family had hoped, and further heartache awaited.

What became of Ada? How is she connected to the conflicting land deeds of a small Italian villa? As they dig through the layers of lies, corruption, and human evil, Catherine and Liam uncover an unfinished story of heart, redemption, and hope―the ending of which is yet to be written.

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REVIEW

This book was brought to my attention by Staci, a publicist at St Martins Publishing and I have to say thank you so much Staci I totally adored this book and its characters. I have read quite a few books set around the time of World War 2 and the Holocaust, both non fiction, and fiction that is based on documentation from that era. I read the blurb for the book and though I was initially a little put off because this is book 5 in the Liam Taggart & Catherine Lockhart Series but each book is based on a different case that Private Detective Liam and Attorney Catherine are involved with.

The cover shows a woman standing looking out of a large window which upon reading the book could easily be one or more scenes from within the book. I'll be totally honest I am not sure this cover would make me want to pick it up from a bookstore shelf, though the blurb itself would really draw me into wanting to read the book.

The genres listed for this book are historical fiction, mystery, and thrillers. I would also add suspense, war, and holocaust to describe its genre and content. You can tell this author has done their research and the book comes across as very realistic. When you have read other titles based in and around World War 2 and the Holocaust. To me it is this type of book that keeps the relevance and horror of the Holocaust alive and make sure this information is passed on and down through the generations.

I fell in love with the character of Gabrielle who is the elderly lady who is about to be thrown out of the only real home she has had by a large faceless company. Gabrielle sends a translated manuscript all the way to America to an Attorney, and Private Detective her relative Tony has found and talked into seeing if they can help Gabrielle in proving that the land she lives on is genuinely hers. 
It's quite amusing how Tony kind of coerces his friends to take a look at Gabrielle's case, saying if nothing else they will get to stay in a beautiful home in Tuscany for a couple of weeks. Despite initial misgivings the pair agree, saying if needs be they can hire someone to act as a lawyer/attorney as because Catherine is from America she will be unable to practice law in Tuscany. 

The manuscript sent from Gabrielle is written by someone called Ada. Apparently when they have read this book the proof they need to help Gabrielle to stay in her Tuscan home will be revealed. Ada's story is revealed as first Catherine and then Liam read the manuscript. As soon as Ada is introduced into the book, I grew attached to her. Initially you don't know who Ada is and what her relevance to Gabrielle or the property dispute are. Everything is revealed as it is read by Catherine. I felt immediately drawn to the character of Ada and by the end of the book I loved her and Gabrielle. 

To say there are some seriously dodgy dealing going on and people being paid off or killed to maintain their silence around the true ownership history of Gabrielle's home is an understatement. Catherine and Liam really do have their work cut out in a country they don't particularly know very well and have to ask for the language to be translated too. However both Catherine and Liam are determined to help Gabrielle and soon discover that the ownership paperwork pertaining to title line of her property has been hidden or destroyed. Gabrielle  is distraught about her history and does not wish to speak about it, simply reiterating all will be revealed in Ada's story.

Ada's story is the historical story of how Gabrielle came to live and own her property and award winning vineyard. Part of the vineyard is actually named Ada's Vineyard and it contains the most impressive plants that make the highest award winning wines. To begin with it seems the company wanting Gabrielle's property want her vineyard, however that is not the only reason they want the land yet at the same time they do not want to reveal exactly who they are or what and when they came to "own" the property.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, both the story of the present time of Gabrielle, Catherine and Liam and then the past which is mainly about Ada's life, who in the beginning is happily living in Berlin with her parents. Her father is a famous violinist and plays in the orchestra, whilst Ada plays in the junior orchestra. Ada has a hard job to become art of an orchestra as the majority have only male players. Life seems pretty good for Ada and her family and then things begin to change Hitler begins to make his political bid. At first Ada's family think nothing will change for them that soon Hitler and his campaign will quieten. Sadly this is not the case and Ada and her family miss many opportunities to get away to a new life. Ada is a very talented violinist and this talent does prove to be a valuable one that enables her to escape the Nazis clutches on more than one occasion. 
I could go on and on about this book, it covers such a difficult era of history, and the holocaust is still rightfully seen as such a shocking occurrence. 

I loved the characters of Ada & Gabrielle and their stories of survival. This book took me through a plethora of emotions, from the shock and horror of the Holocaust, the disbelief of how the Nazi's got away their treatment of the countries and the people that had lived in them all their lives. I felt disgust at the Nazi's and their laws that alienated the Jewish people and anyone seen as a sympathiser to them. The book had a little romance between the young Jewish Ada and Kurt a fellow musician in the junior orchestra who ended up joining the German army. Their love for each other was strong and continued throughout the book even when they didn't see each other for years and the fact they were from opposite side of a war. Ada's story also had me both, in tears and yet also smiling. Ada really was a resilient young woman who put up and beat many vile hardships the Nazis put her her through.

I honestly hated having to put this book down. It pulls on your heartstrings, yet also has young sat at the edge of your seat. Ada's story reveals some of the small precious happy memories the Jewish people managed to have/create despite the never ending onslaught they faced from Hitler and his men. It seems that one Nazi officer has a very long memory and seriously bears grudges, he is out to destroy Ada.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing this book were that it was Amazing! A tale that is sad, horrific, tear jerking and yet it is also a heart warming, uplifting tale of hope, love and triumph over unimaginable adversity.

Prior to reading this book I had been in a bit of a reading rut. However I picked this e-book up to read and was hooked by just 7%. What more can I say? I loved Ada, Gabrielle and their interwoven lives. 

REVIEW - IN THE MOOD FUR LOVE ANTHOLOGY BY EVE LANGLAIS, MILLY TAIDEN & KATE BAXTER

Title: In The Mood Fur Love

Series: Fur Bk2

Authors: Eve Langlais, Milly Taiden & Kate Baxter

Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Publisher: St Martins Griffin

Release Date: 2nd October 2018

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Three hot stories about sexy shifters from a trio of today's hottest paranormal romance authors, headlined by bestselling authors Eve Langlais and Milly Taiden!

Bearing His Touch by Eve Langlais

When Becka manages to escape her kidnapper, she finds herself asking help of the man with the nice brown eyes. Stavros can’t say no, not when he knows Becka is his mate, but he does have one dilemma when it comes to claiming her. He'll have to find a way for her to bear his touch.

Fake Mated to the Wolf by Milly Taiden

Looking for a mate to bring to a party? Wedding? Holiday gathering? Mates Fur Hire is right for you? But what happens when your fake mate ends up being your real one, from New York Times bestselling author Milly Taiden!

The Witch, The Werewolf and The Waitress by Kate Baxter

For centuries, Lowman, Idaho has been Ellie Curtis's prison. A vengeful witch cursed her with immortality and locked her within the confines of Lowman's borders, sealing Ellie off from most of civilization for eternity. She's learned to make the most of it. But when she meets a cocky werewolf who's part of the elite supernatural law enforcement group, all bets are off...

Colin instantly knew that Ellie was his mate, but when he discovers her secret, he's determined to help set her free. But in doing so, he might just lose the one thing he knows he can't live without...

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REVIEW
As I had already read and loved a couple of novella anthologies The Big Alpha In Town and Thanks Fur Last Night Bk1 of the Fur Series by the same three authors Eve Langlais, Milly Taiden and Kate Baxter I was eagerly awaiting for more from these authors. As soon as I heard about this it went straight on my "must read" list. As I had enjoyed Thanks Fur Last Night so much I did have high expectations for this novella. Having never read anything by these authors prior to The Big Alpha In Town I have quickly became a an of their work. I am adding some of the novels by the individual authors to my WTRWL (want to read wishlist).

The cover has tones of orange and yellow on it giving it a dappled daylight feel. The two main prominent features of the cover are the large bear that appears to look in the direction of the couple getting rather close to each other. I love the title and love the ply on words. The substitution of the word for being Fur works really well and I am sure will help to make the book stand out and you'll instantly know which series it belongs to as Fur will appear in every anthology title.

The genre listings for this anthology are Paranormal, Fantasy & Romance which it perfectly and give you a general idea of what the novellas will be about. I would also add shape-shifter, bear shifter

BEARING HIS TOUCH

by

EVE LANGLAIS

The first novella is called Bearing His Touch and is written by Eve Langlais. The main character Becka has been kidnapped, though no one is looking for her as her last living relative was killed by her kidnappers. Becka is subjected to abuse everyday, forced to sleep on the floor, not permitted out where she could be seen and spoken to alone, so she is unable to ask for any outside help. When she is allowed out she has to use clothes and make up to hid and disguise her bruises and injuries. So when she gets the chance to flee when her kidnappers are attacked she takes it without thinking of what to do next. It seems two sets of people want her, her kidnappers of course want her back, then there is the group all dressed in black and bike helmets covering their identities appear to want her back too. She doesn't know where to go or what to do until she meets Stavros a bear shifter who's mate instinct kicks in the minute he sees Becka. Now all he has to do is keep her safe and convince her they are meant to be together.

I became fond of Becka and her naivete and the fact she doesn't want to put Stavros or his family in danger. However once she meets the rest of her protector, Stavros' family they will not take no for an answer and insist on protecting her. Stavros repeatedly reassures Becka that he can hold his own in a fight and he is tougher than he looks. I adored the romance between Stavros and Becka. I also loved the scenes between Becka and Poppa. I found the scenes between Stavros and his sisters amusing as they wheedle, persuade, and order him around.

I have always loved werewolf shifter stories but have now discovered other types of shifters and have to say I am becoming partial to bear shifters. 

FAKE MATED TO THE WOLF

by

MILLY TAIDEN

The next novella is Fake Mated To The Wolf by Milly Taiden. In this novells we revisit the setting of  Owned By The Lion In The Big Alpha In Town, and Bought By The Bear. I have grown fond of the characters in these three novella's. The main focus in this novella is Shawna who is working, in fact more or less running the Mates Fur Hire part of the larger business. Shawna is working all the hours she can to send money to pay off a family debt and then help her mother and her step brothers free. Shawna has moved into a cheaper apartment in a not so great area. There is an old homeless guy called Robbie who watches out for Shawna and also her friends when they visit by escorting them from the car park to the apartment and back. Shawna is upset at work as her immediate boss Clark is very chauvinistic and sexist. He has been putting more and more pressure on Shawna to do more work. He actually times her toilet breaks and notes down how many she has during each day. Clark loves to write Shawna up and give her warnings, then one day he finally sacks her. Shawna determinedly hides her emotions and actually feels a sense of freedom initially, then it hits her how will she send money to her mother now? In act how will she afford to pay for her apartment in the dodgy area of town. 

When the Mates Fur Hire business stops getting the good matches and its success figures dramatically drop its time for Hawke to investigate. In fact he thinks it will kill two birds with one stone as he might get to see the hot woman he met at a party about a month ago. He has been pondering how to approach her, he doesn't want to come across stalkery he had felt something sort of click and he wanted to get to know her more. In fact it turns out she is his true mate but he cannot come out and say this as he realises she probably wouldn't believe him.

Hawke gets his first "date" by hiring Shawna to be his "fake date" or a business party. We catch up with some characters from the other installments in this series, Keir, Xander, Josie, Ally and the two tough females at the head of the families and business, Bess and Julia. When Hawke learns of her mother and step brothers he vows to help her free them. 

This one is a great catch up with some of the fantastic characters from the previous novellas as well as introducing some new characters such as Henry and Robbie. I loved the way when Robbie thinks Hawke is the source and cause of Shawna's upset he stands up to a bigger fitter man. When danger strikes Robbie shows how much he cares for Shawna and is ready to literally lay down his life or her if needed. This novella felt like visiting old friends, I truly adore the setting of this novella and the previous ones in The Big Alpha In Town and Thanks Fur Last Night.

THE WITCH, THE WEREWOLF AND THE WAITRESS

by

KATE BAXTER

The final installment in this anthology is called The Witch, The Werewolf And The Waitress by Kate Baxter.  The central male character is Colin Courtney who is a werewolf shifter and is fairly new to the area. He has rather reluctantly moved to this little place that feels like it is in the middle of nowhere. Colin, along with the rest of his pack were not impressed with their Alpha, Liam. Colin is peeved, its okay or Liam, he has his mate. Colin feels its highly unlikely he will ever find a mate here in nothing town in the middle of nowhere. That is until he is on his way to a job interview and calls in the sourdough and sets eyes of the waitress there. Ellie is the waitress working at the Sourdough, shes worked there for a couple of years now and knows all the locals and their requirements and foibles. So when Colin takes the first cinnamon roll and actually dares to eat it, Ellie loses the plot shouting and scowling. Her boss and owner of the Sourdough tells her to calm down and apologise. After Colin leaves he tells Ellie's she needs to take a few days off work. Ellie is truly fed up o living in this area but is unable to leave as she was cursed by a witch to stay within certain borders she has enchanted. 

Colin isn't bothered in the least about the hostility Ellie gives him because when he looks at her he just knows. . . .knows she is his mate. So Colin thinks things are looking up. A mate, and the possibility of his dream job. However things go rapidly downhill when the job is offered to him on the condition that his Alpha, Liam is okay with the arrangement. As for Ellie when he learns of her curse he vows to help her break it despite the fact if they break it she will be free and can travel wherever she wishes. Colin wants her to become his mate and live in Stanley with him and his pack. Despite the dangers of literally dying of a broken heart if when freed Ellie takes off and leaves him behind. There is also the chance that when all the boundary enchantments are broken Ellie will lose her immortality and die. Both Ellie and Colin face tough decisions. They discuss, argue and contemplate their options before finally coming to a mutual decision.

I would love to revisit this book setting that Kate Baxter has created, perhaps learning more about Liam, the Alpha or the pack, or maybe following another shifter finding his/her mate.

ANTHOLOGY AS A WHOLE

So as a whole the Anthology of novella's was a great read for me, a real winner. I will definitely be looking for more like this. This anthology featured three similar stories in that they have the true mate theme running through them, as well as the romancing of a possible reluctant mate. 

I was immediately pulled in and hooked to Bearing His Touch by Eve Langlais, the whole abuse/violence aspect of the book is done well. I loved the idea of the protector, Stavros and the closeness of his bear clan family. I think I'd say this had less detailed intimate scenes which I enjoyed.

I adored revisiting the same "world/setting" in Fake Mated To The Werewolf so fell straight back into that world very easily. This book was a bit more steamy than the other novella/anthologies I have read by Milly Taiden but the intimate scenes were well within the plot of the book and not just or the sake of them. The one thing that irritated me was the name of the central male character Hawke Hawke! Apart from that I loved every part especially the fact Clark got his comeuppance! 

I admit that it took me a little while longer to fall into the setting and plot of The Witch, The Werewolf And The Waitress. Though once I persevered I did enjoy it.

I loved the epilogues at the end of the first novella's, Bearing His Touch and Mates Fur Hire they answered the "I wonder how this/that worked out" scenarios you have after the initial story. The Witch, The Werewolf And The Waitress did not have an epilogue which was a tad disappointing though I guess Kate Baxter was leaving the "what happened after" to the readers imagination.

So when can I expect the next novella anthology please? These anthologies are the perfect length to read one a night, though I couldn't resist reading it in just two halves. I honestly didn't want to put it down.