Cover Design: Aaron Anderson
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Ashville Arcana Series
Blurb
Ever since Harlan Edgewood was bitten by a possessed werewolf, his monthly shifts have been agonizing. When he meets Whimsy Hickes—a mage who specializes in transformation—the attraction is mutual. But Harlan believes his curse is too great a burden to inflict on any romantic partner.
Fortunately, Whimsy thinks he can help.
When Harlan is provoked into an unexpected change, Whimsy uses his magic to help ease Harlan’s pain, but with an unexpected consequence. While he’s shifted, Harlan’s wolf claims Whimsy as his mate.
As they draw closer, suspicious events in the Asheville magical community escalate. Shifters are disappearing, others are murdered, and Harlan’s curse makes him an obvious target. It will take all of Whimsy’s magic to force back the rising evil—and if he fails, Harlan will lose not only his life, but his very soul.
4 Stars!
What I Loved:
Harlan is considered a Lycanthrope which is different than werewolves. Werewolves are the type of wolf shifter we read about all the time, able to shift at will. Lycanthropes are turned Shifters, much like the ones seen in horror books and films, unable to control their shifts and controlled by the full moon. To Harlan and many others, he is considered cursed.
The underlying plot surrounds the possessed pack from book 1 and it continues to move forward as we get more information. We also learn of the deepening threat of demons and what might potentially be coming. There is obviously something in the works (at least I hope) for the somewhat cantankerous Vampire Julian.
What I Liked:
Whimsy and Harlan are definitely a cute, sweet couple. While they are obviously attracted to one another (they’re mates), they move slowly and Harlan gets the opportunity to court Whimsy. He’s all about the both of them getting to know each other and having the opportunity to date, which is a bit old-fashioned (He might be 300+ years old but he’s a Quaker) yet reinforces Harlan’s sweet and gentle nature.
What I Didn’t Like:
I’m most likely in the minority here but I’m kind of a “less is more” type person. While I love books about Shifters, Vampires and Demons, having all three in a story along with Mages and Elves and Witches was just too much for me in this one. I’m not sure why I found it a turn off because I’ve read plenty of books full of Paranormal/Supernatural beings but this time I just didn’t love it. I found it a little distracting and kind of wished it could’ve just been Shifters and Demons or Shifters and Vampires or even another combination.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and thought the writing was well done. It’s definitely one I’ll recommend to anyone who is looking for a melting pot of supernatural beings and a sweet romance.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.***
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May 9 - Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, RAM PA Group, Drops Of Ink, Momma Says: To Read or Not To Read, United Indie Book Blog
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May 11 - Bayou Book Junkie, Mirrigold, Valerie Ullmer, Virginia Lee
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Arionrhod is a systems engineer by day who is eagerly looking forward to (hopefully) becoming a full time writer in the not-too-distant future. Now that she is an empty-nester, she has turned her attentions to finding the perfect piece of land to build a fortress in preparation for the zombie apocalypse, and baking (and eating) far too many cakes.
McKay is an English teacher who has been writing for one reason or another most of her life. She also enjoys knitting, reading, cooking, and playing video games. She has been known to knit in public. Given she has the survival skills of a gnat, she’s relying on Arionrhod to help her survive the zombie apocalypse.
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