Just when Rowan thought things might be coming together. When she dared to hope things might work out. The world around her crumbled.

Betrayed by her own pack. Held captive by someone she should’ve been able to trust above all others. And time is running out.

Her only hope is her mates. Holden, Anson, Lucas, Keene, and Vaughn won’t stop fighting. For Rowan and for their bond.

But just when they thought there might be a way out, everything is turned upside down yet again.

Because the person who’s after Rowan? He’ll stop at nothing until all of her powers are his. And if he can’t have them, no one will…

If you haven’t read the other books in this series STOP! Go back and read them. This book begins where that one ends.

When we last saw Rowan, she was given a soda that appeared to be sealed by Jaz. Seems like Jaz hasn’t forgiven Rowan for taking Holden from her. What she has done though is turn her over to her biological father.

Rowan wakes in a dungeon, she’s not alone there. Rezah is about her age and has been imprisoned for around nine months. The mind link with her mates isn’t working and she’s unable to shift. Apparently, there are shields to prevent any use of magic.

Rezah has mates in her pack in Indiana, but she can’t connect with them. She’s been given drugs to prevent her from dying from the loss of connection.

Kaleb is the one who’s orchestrated these kidnappings. He wants power over everything. He wants to be King. He’s also Rowan’s father. He’s not pleased when his drugs don’t work on her and he wants her fixed, putting not only Rowan’s life in danger but Rezah’s as well.

Luc manages to break through the shields and Rowan is able to tell him who has her but not where. In a quirk of fate Holden is able to complete the bond with her even though they are far apart.

This is a favorite scene.

Garrison lunged for me, but I was ready. I released Rezah’s hand and dodged to my right. He ran smack into the cot, letting loose a creative curse and grabbing his shin.

“For fuck’s sake,” Kaleb gritted out. He strode into the cell and towards me.

I leapt over the cot, evading his grasp. Time. It was all I needed. I could feel them now. A humming of energy just below my skin. My mates. They were feeding me their power. I didn’t know how it was possible without them touching me, but it was happening.

Rowan? Where are you?

Holden’s voice sounded clear as day in my head. I wanted to weep at the deep timbre.

Basement. Kaleb and three guards are down here. They have weapons. We’re coming. Just hold on.

A hand locked around my wrist, dragging me towards the cell door. Garrison sneered down at me. “You better be worth it, you little bitch.”

“Don’t call her a bitch, you overgrown micropenis.” Rezah’s knee came up, finding purchase right between Garrison’s legs.

His eyes went wide with shock and he dropped like a stone, curling into a ball.

“Get up!” Kaleb yelled. “You’re an embarrassment.”

He shoved me towards the door of the cell, but I grabbed hold of the bars. Using them for balance, I kicked out my foot, landing squarely on Kaleb’s chest. He stumbled back a few steps but not far enough.

His lip curled, exposing his lengthening canines.

“You’ll pay for that.” Energy crackled over my skin. For the first time in over a week, I felt my connection to that golden pool of energy at my core.

Kaleb turned to Garrison, who was pushing to his feet. “Grab her and get to the tunnels.”

“Alpha, they’ve breached the building above.”

“Fuck! Are my enforcers worthless?” It was the first time I’d ever seen any hint of panic from Kaleb.

The man behind him who had been offering to break my bond sent a worried glance towards the door. “I didn’t sign up for this.” He hurried deeper into the basement, to a door I’d never seen before. Seconds later, he disappeared behind it.

Hands gripped my waist and then I was being lifted in the air. Garrison’s scent filled my nostrils and had me fighting a wave of nausea.

“Let her go!” Rezah screamed. She kicked at him but Garrison was faster, leveling his baton on her. He shot an electrical current through Rezah that sent her collapsing to the floor in a seizure.

The level of rage that filled me was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. My hands dug into his shoulders and I let my energy fly.

Then it was Garrison who dropped to the ground. I barely caught myself before hitting the cement floor with him. He twitched and seized.

“What the hell?” a guard barked.

Kaleb’s eyes went wide. “Get a shield down here! She’s breaking through.”

I stretched my fingers, waving them. “What’s the matter, Dad? Don’t want to hang out with me anymore?”

The two guards pulled their weapons.

“Don’t shoot her,” Kaleb ordered. “Don’t Tase her either. It will only feed her power.”

“Then what the hell are we supposed to do?” one asked.

Kaleb glanced to the door. “Will, shift. That’s our best hope for corralling her.”

“She’ll still be able to use her gift on me.”

“I don’t give a damn. Shift.”

A second later, the guard was replaced by a gray wolf. The creature snarled in my direction. The sound had my power reacting on instinct. A bolt of energy shot from my palm, striking him in the chest.

He was there one moment and then lifeless on the floor the next. Panic seized me as my hand dropped to my side. The wolf’s chest wasn’t moving. He was simply gone. Not gone, dead. Because I had killed him.

Pain bloomed on the side of my temple as a fist landed a blow. Stunned, I stumbled and arms locked around me. “Don’t fucking move.”

I thrashed in Garrison’s hold. But my power wouldn’t respond, too traumatized by ending a life. Claws lengthened on Garrison’s hand and he punched them into my side.

The pain stole my breath. A burning fire ran along my ribs, into my lungs.

Luc was in my mind in an instant. Rowan!

Hurry.

His claws tore at my flesh, energy and blood seeping from me. I scratched at his neck and face, but my nails were no match for Garrison’s claws.

“Get her to the tunnel,” Kaleb shouted, running for the back door.

I couldn’t let them take me, couldn’t lose my chance to get to my bond. I summoned everything I had and went for Garrison’s eyes with my fingers.

He howled in pain but didn’t let me go.

A flash of movement caught my attention. A black wolf. Vaughn.

Relief bloomed in my chest. He was here.

Relief quickly transformed to panic as the guard in front of me raised his gun. I screamed with everything I had in me. But it was too late.
Hale, Tessa. Bond of Destiny: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance (The Shifting Fate Series Book 3) Kindle Locations (357-396). Kindle Edition.

Rowan is rescued and Rezah is sent home with two of Mason’s enforcers as protection.

Now the problem is the remaining QUAD members don’t believe Kaleb has done this. That’s not quite true, Ivan has some doubts and there is a prophecy that says someone with the bond of 6 will root out the evil among them. There is more to that, but I’ll let you find it yourselves.

While not imprisoned anymore, Rowan still has a problem. Kaleb can enter her mind while she sleeps.

Plenty of tension, action, laughter, tears, romance and sizzle in this page-turning conclusion!

5 Contented Purrs for Tessa!

Author of love stories with magic, usually with more than one love interest. Constant daydreamer.

You’re supposed to support your guy, right? Even if it means moving away from the watery source of your witchy magic and suffering through five years of writer’s block?

Minnie Wells thought so, until her soon-to-be-ex left her high and dry for another woman.

Now, she’s back in Bath, with the magic of the town’s enchanted springs flowing through her veins, ready to explore her newbie witch powers and pen her novel. Bath inspired her favorite writer Jane Austen, after all. Why wouldn’t it work for her?

Only catch is, once the divorce is final, Minnie will be deported back to the US (and she’ll lose her powers all over again) unless she can convince the haughty (and handsome) vampire owner of a struggling tea room to hire her.

As if her cup didn’t already runneth over with trouble, an employee drops dead during her interview. Now Minnie’s got to solve the murder to clear the cafe’s name, while figuring out a way to bring in more customers.

With the help of her vampire roommate and black cat familiar, she’s hot on the killer’s trail. But when the murderer sets Minnie in their sights, she’ll have to tap into her own inner strength (and magic) to save herself, and bring the killer to justice.

Will Minnie solve the murder and save the vampire’s tea room? Or will she find herself in hot water with the killer?

I’ve been loving some witchy magic, so here’s more. Minnie has moved back to Bath after her soon to be ex-husband left her for another woman. Bath is the one place she’s in touch with her magic although she’s not proficient. She was raised in Arizona, not much water there, but when she came to Bath for University, she made that discovery after drinking some of the enchanted spring’s water.

She’s got an interview at the Bath Butler Cafe, and she really needs the job. Without a job she can be deported as soon as her divorce is finalized and if she leaves Bath she will also lose the connection to her powers.

She sort of eavesdrops on a conversation between two guys in the alley shortcut she was taking. She also meets a black cat just before she gets to the front of the shop, giving it pets for luck.

She would be meeting her best friend Gus who would introduce her to Fitz the owner of the tea shop. Fitz is a vampire as is Gus and he’s set in his ways from two hundred years ago. The decor of the tea shop reflects that time period and since it was also Jane Austin’s time Minnie found it delightful. She did think it was a bit stuffy and could use some changes to make it a warmer environment.

Unfortunately, the Butler she saw arguing in the alley dies after escorting her to the restroom and the police declare it a murder. Apparently his EpiPens had been emptied and then made to look unused.

That night after all the interviews, Minnie joins Gus in the living room to discuss everything that’s happening and to introduce him to her new pet, possible familiar Tilda.

This is a favorite scene.

I counted it as one of those lucky strokes of fate that I’d happened to make friends with Gustaf. He’d been a fellow student at the time (pretending to be twenty-two). After drinking the Roman spa waters, I’d confessed to him my new ability to move objects with my mind and boil water—okay, ability might be pushing it. “Strange occurrences that happened when I was either exceedingly happy or upset” was more accurate.

He’d reacted with amusement and understanding instead of thinking I was a basket case like I’d expected. He confessed that he was actually a very old vampire—I didn’t know how old, as he claimed it was impolite to ask—and was the first person to call me a witch.

I’d been slightly offended at the time but took pride in the word now. He’d helped connect me with some local witches he knew, who told me that I probably had ancestors from the Bath region. They’d explained that when I was near the enchanted hot springs, I had magic. But move away, and I’d lose my powers.

In retrospect, I think Gustaf and I had been drawn to each other by the magic that connected us. Aside from my cheating ex, Gustaf was the only friend I’d confessed my secret to.

I groaned. And if I got deported, I’d lose my connection to that magic!

“I wish I was a better witch.” Learning to use my powers had been put on the backburner while I’d moved away from Bath to Desmond’s hometown. “If I was, I bet I could figure out a way to stay.” A lump formed in my throat. “I just got back here, Gus. I finally have a chance to figure out what I want instead of just going along with Desmond’s plans, to write and to learn to use my magic and explore this whole other part of me that I had to hide for so long.”

Gus reached over and squeezed my shoulder, his lips pressed together in sympathy. “I’m very sorry, Minnie. I tried to get Fitz to hire you. He’s quite stubborn.” He sighed. “Plus, the cafe’s not doing so well.”

I frowned. “Yeah, I overheard that. I thought all vampires were rich. Couldn’t he just float the shop?”

“That’s racist. Not all vampires are rich.” He looked at his nails. “I mean, most of us are.” He grinned, revealing his pointed canines. “Fitz, I believe, is cash poor—he owns a massive estate outside of town, and it takes a pretty penny to keep it running.” He shrugged. “I think he’s pretty fully invested in this tea shop venture of his.”

I lifted a hopeful brow. “Couldn’t you give him a loan?”

Gus snorted. “I could, but Fitz is too proud. Besides, I’m afraid I’d only be enabling him at this point. He can’t cope with modern life—he wants to cocoon himself in the ways and manners of the Regency. But I’m not sure clinging to the past is good for him. Plus, with a murder? This isn’t the kind of attention a vampire wants to attract.”

I nodded, gently stroking Tilda’s head. Even if Fitz had agreed to hire me on, it wouldn’t make a difference if the cafe closed. I frowned. Unless hiring me saved the cafe….

Tilda licked my thumb, as though encouraging me to follow the interesting line of thought that had popped into my head.

I looked up. “Gus… what if I was just as stubborn as Fitz?”

He raised a brow. “If?”

I shot him a flat look. “I mean… what if I didn’t take no for an answer? He doesn’t have to hire me for me to spend time in the cafe. I could go in as a customer who just happens to spend an inordinate amount of time there. I could chat with the butlers, ask them what they think should happen to bring in more customers and save the tearoom. Plus, I could probably pick up some good clues about the murder and maybe help clear the cafe’s name by figuring out who killed Brock.”

My friend stared at the swirling, viscous red liquid in his glass. “It’d help clear Fitz’s name with the Council, as well.”

I wasn’t sure who this mysterious Council was, but Gus was typically tight-lipped about vampire affairs, so I didn’t pry. I just nodded my agreement.

“Totally. I could make myself useful until Fitz has no choice but to see how essential I am.” I waggled my brows. “Get it? Because I need that essential worker visa?”

Gus pressed his eyes shut as though my terrible joke literally pained him. “Yes. I get it.”

I sat up straighter. “Well? What do you think? I’ll figure out a way to save the cafe and maybe just solve a murder while I’m at it. Fitz will be so impressed, he’ll hire me on full-time. I’ll get a job, stay here in Bath with my witchy magic, and Fitz can keep his cafe! Win-win!” I beamed.

Gus rubbed his eyes. “Minnie? Remember that foolish optimism of yours we were just discussing? I know you have marketing skills, but you have to change the mind of a vampire who’s had two hundred years to get stuck in his ways. Plus, you’re no detective. You really think just hanging around the tea shop you’ll glean enough to solve the murder?”

“Hear me out.” I raised my brows. “Someone who was in the cafe this morning has to have killed Brock. How else would they have triggered his allergy?”

Gus pressed his lips together and acknowledged my point with a nod.

I waved my hands, and Tilda batted at them. I immediately returned to petting her, and she purred, appeased. “Did you notice that mousy gal by the window? She seemed really jealous of all the flirting that blond lady—”

“The mousy one is Grace, and the blond is Collette.”

“What?”

Gus rolled a wrist. “I overheard them speaking with the detectives.”

My eyes widened. “From downstairs?”

He tapped his ear. “Vampire hearing, my dear.”

Oh. Right. “Did you overhear anything good?”

“Like did one of them confess? No. It was boring, and I mostly tuned out.”

I lifted a brow. “Hey—why didn’t you or Fitz hear Brock wheezing and choking?”

“We were in the middle of a rather heated discussion. I was trying to convince him to stop being such a prat and hire you.” He shrugged. “We were distracted.”

I shot him a grateful smile, then went on. “Grace seemed jealous of Collette and Brock’s flirting. And they were pretty shameless in front of Collette’s husband.”

“Jay.”

I grinned. “Jay might have been angry about that… though he did seem rather oblivious. Oh! And I overhead Brock arguing with a teammate in the alley. He mentioned a crazy ex-girlfriend who’d broken into his flat.”

Gus raised his brows. “That’s interesting.”

I nodded. “Plus, there were all the other butlers. Maybe there’s some rivalries there.”

My friend chuckled. “Alright, Minnie—fine. It’s not the worst plan I’ve ever heard.”

I grinned. “I’m desperate, Gus. What have I got to lose?”

He nodded, then his eyes drifted down to Tilda in my lap.

I held her under the armpits and hefted her up to face Gustaf. “I forgot to mention—this is my pet cat now.” I quirked my lips to the side. “You’re not allergic, are you?” Did vampires have allergies? “Tilda meet Gustaf. Gustaf, this is Tilda.”

Gus stared down at the cat, who stared right back at him. All of sudden, she scrambled to get loose and jumped down onto the Persian rug, arched her back, and hissed at Gus. Gus bared his teeth and hissed right back.

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, grow up.”

He jabbed a finger at Tilda. “She started it!” He winked at me. “Besides, we’re just figuring each other out.

That should clear the tension.”

And sure enough, Tilda sprang back onto the chaise, delicately sniffed Gus’s thigh, and curled up in my lap again.

I shook my head. “I don’t understand vampires… or cats.”

Gustaf winked. “You don’t have to, darling.”
Johnson, Erin. Spelling the Tea: A Magical Tea Room Mystery (The Magical Tea Room Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Locations (523-583). Kindle Edition.

In order to save the tea shop and Fitz’s reputation, Minnie is going to be just as stubborn as he is. She’s going to solve this murder. Then with her marketing skills and knowledge of the era make the tea shop the most popular in Bath.

As Minnie works through the suspects, she also makes some connections from Brock’s past that may or may not have something to do with his murder.

Plenty of suspense, intrigue, and twists as this tale unfolds. There are even hints of romance, the question is with who.

I am already ready the next book in this fun series.

5 Contented Purrs for Erin!

Erin Johnson

A native of Arizona, Erin loves her new home in the Pacific Northwest! She writes paranormal cozy novels– stories that are mysterious, magical, and will hopefully make you laugh.

When not writing, she’s hiking, napping with her dogs, and losing at trivia night.

Erin’s had a ton of different jobs, from blackjack dealer to PA on a horror movie to Pilates instructor but has finally embraced her true calling as a writer. Thanks so much for your interest and for supporting her!

A jolly Faire.
A shocking murder.
Can this furtive fairy outsmart the killer?

Coriander the Conjurer is trapped in a cursed Renaissance Faire, and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to her. But this fairy fortune teller veers off course when a corpse turns up in her storage wagon. While her bestie rots in jail for a crime she didn’t commit, the actual murderer walks free…

When a stolen unicorn horn leads her investigation into the protected realm of the Fae, Coriander must make promises that might prove too big to keep. She’ll need the help of a wily vampire, a brilliant blacksmith, and her meddling toad familiar to uncover the real killer. As her helpers disappear one by one, the case spirals out of control.

Can timid Coriander face the terrifying truth, or will her snooping seal a fate worse than death?

We’re back at the Faire for a new trio of books. This first one is about Coriander, she’s a fairy who had been abused by human parents and when she ate the magic candy that trapped her within the realm of Elbion her wings sprouted. Delicate and iridescent they are unfortunately lopsided having been forced by magic. The fairy Queen, Magnolia wanted nothing to do with a family with no lineage and unbalanced wings. She does allow Coriander an allotment of fairy dust, which now has shown up places it doesn’t belong. Coriander’s contribution to the faire is fortunetelling with her trusty toad familiar, Thornton aka Thorny. She also has a thing for the mer prince, Hadal. Her best friend and roommate Fraxi, is a nymph who phase shifts (like teleporting) and she will play an important part in this book.

This Renaissance Faire located in Texas is the largest and in her opinion the best. She even has an old gypsy wagon in which to store her supplies. She’s running just a bit late to set up and that’s when things shift radically. When she opens the wagon a body falls out…and she telepathically calls for Fraxi to help. She’s able to identify the body of Windsor an honored member of the Fairy Court.

Of course, this is the moment their lazy sheriff and his two VLTs (Very Large Trolls) start to stroll by. Instead, he instantly calls for the arrest of Fraxi, who had the unfortunate timing of turning Windsor’s head at that moment to verify his identity. So now she’s being dragged off to prison by the VLTs, with Coriander promising to help her. First, she has to do her morning appointments. Afterwards she goes to see Hadal, but he’s in a deep discussion with the mer elders. It’s Isaac the blacksmith who asks her about the body and accompanies her to the scene of the crime as he details Windsor’s true identity. They need to get the body to the vampire Vern’s dungeon to be autopsied.

As Coriander begins her investigation, she notes that there’s no blood in the wagon, and she spots a piece of unicorn horn stained with blood near the doorframe. Vern would be able to tell if it was the murder weapon. The most troubling thing is that unicorns are a protected species, and no one should have been able to procure a horn. Which technically means someone murdered a unicorn to kill Windsor.

This is a favorite scene.

I must have dozed. When I opened my eyes, darkness had descended. A fairy fingernail of moon hung low in the sky. I’d initially found the term offensive—and then endearing.  Thornton slept soundly in his habitat. I’d disappointed him one too many times today. I would handle this meeting with the unicorns on my own. Seemed like every time I relied on other creatures for help, I got myself—or them—into more trouble.

Outside the trailer, the air pressed against my skin—damp and heavy. I longed for a light rain to cool the earth. The heat of the day still lingered beneath a thick layer of fast-moving clouds. 

Seemed like perfect flying weather. I took to the skies and headed toward the paddocks.

A few voices echoed up from the tavern as I passed over, but the rest of the grounds were deserted. Most of the Rennies visited the humans’ campground at night and enjoyed the wild abandon of the fully committed guests. I didn’t want to know exactly what happened, but Fraxi had experienced nights away from the trailer, and the shared tidbits of her stories were enough to satisfy my curiosity.

Touching down outside the stables, I quietly entered. Stables always smelled of hay, feed, and, of course, manure. Nevertheless, the stable boys were conscientious and fastidious. They never allowed waste to pile up, and they proudly kept a clean and tidy area. It would never do for one of our illustrious knights to step in a pile of road apples.

Luckily Bartholomew, the horsemaster, had fallen asleep during his night watch. This would be easier than I’d hoped.

Despite my fairy gifts, I made it no more than a step before the sharp tip of a unicorn horn pressed against my chest.

“There shall be no business after dark. If thou value your life, back up.”

“Nefertiti, it’s me. It’s Coriander of the Fae. I’m not here to harm anyone. I’m here to help.”

The grand mare stepped back, and the sadness in her eyes nearly broke my heart. “Coriander! Thou art the only creature who hath offered aid. Ne’er-do-wells murdered my grandson, Amenhotep. Taken before his time. His beautiful horn spirited away! Forsooth, I hear ’twas used in a murder most foul.”

I dropped to one knee and bowed to the magnificent creature. “I’m sorry for your loss. And I’m furious that something so heinous happened within the realm of Elbion. I thought no one knew you were hiding here?”

She tossed her long white mane and pawed at the ground. “Hundreds of years have passed within this cursed Faire. There are no more secrets, sweet fairy. We may hide from yon casual observers or the simple humans, but rumors took the form of reality a century past.”

I wanted to tell her I knew who had taken the life of her precious grandstallion, but I’d already started one potential war today. No need to start another. “I intend to solve both murders, Your Magnificence.”

“Thou art a trusted friend and ally of the unicorns. How can we assist thee?”

“Thank you. I’m trying to find out who purchased—I’m so sorry to say it—the unicorn horn on the black market.”

Her majestic head fell forward, and the tip of her unicorn horn nearly touched my head where I knelt. “Arise, sweet fairy. I slept not at the stables on the night in question. On that night, Queen Magnolia did invite me unto her feast. At the moment the dear stallion was taken, I foolishly enjoyed the food of the Fae. I shall never forgive myself. If I had but been here, perhaps my wisdom and power might have saved him.”

As I slowly rose to my feet, I offered the only condolences I could. “You can’t blame yourself. Nothing can stop a wicked deed, done by wicked creatures. Neither you nor your grandson are at fault.” I had to get this interview back on track. “Were you acquainted with Windsor?”

She shook her head angrily. “Not in the least. Nor would I have been so inclined. He and his fairy mistress often sullied our stables with their secret trysts.”

“He brought Dandelion here?”

The beautiful unicorn stepped back, and her velvety lips hung open in shock. “Dandelion? I know no such fairy by that name. That man always brought a pompous noble. Mine eyes beheld her at the fairy feasts, but the name escapes my recollection.”

“Hyacinth?”

The grand mare pawed at the ground. “Indeed. Hyacinth. Too good for her own skin, if you asketh me. Now, who might this Dandelion be?”

“Apparently, Windsor also married a fairy from the wrong side of the creek.”

The powerful creature blinked her large silver-blue eyes in my direction. “Oh. Troublesome. Perhaps the lowborn fairy hath taken revenge. She would certainly know the type of scoundrels who could obtain—”

I reached my hand out to offer comfort, but couldn’t remember the protocol for petting a unicorn. 

She nuzzled my hand with her nose, and I stroked it gently. “You don’t have to say it. We all know what happened. I hadn’t thought of that angle. I have someone inside the fairy realm right now. I’ll look into it. Again, my deepest sympathy for your loss. I will find whoever is responsible for this travesty.”

A large glistening tear rolled down her nose and touched my fingers. The strangest sensation passed over me. For a moment, I saw her grandson, with his glorious unicorn horn, galloping through a flower-filled meadow.

“What a magnificent stallion.”

She pulled back and gazed at my tear-stained fingers. “Ah, I accidentally shared a memory tear. There be a great deal more to unicorns than mere horns and magic blood.”

I bowed deeply. “Indeed. I will keep you informed, Your Magnificence.”

She bent a knee and bowed in return. “Thank thee, sweet fairy.”

My heart weighed heavy with sadness as I left the stables. The memory the grand mare had shared in her tear played over and over in my mind. The pain of losing such a magnificent magical creature proved more than I could bear. I didn’t have the strength for flight.
Silvertale, Trixie. Fairy Wives of Windsor: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Magical Renaissance Faire Mysteries Book 4) Kindle Locations (998-1047). The Faire Ladies LLC. Kindle Edition.

Now Vern confirms the unicorn horn as the murder weapon and also that there is fairy dust in the wound.

Fraxi, now hiding in the fairy realm, finds the deceased had more than one wife, two for sure and the speculation of yet another.

To say things are getting a bit twisted is an understatement. We find some very interesting people are involved in this case. I truly couldn’t guess until we got close to the end. There was also one very major revelation in this book.

I can’t wait to read the next book.

5 Contented Purrs for Trixie!

USA TODAY Bestselling author Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lilian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and is obsessed with all things paranormal. Those two passions unite in her Mitzy Moon Mysteries, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you.

When she’s not consumed by writing, she bakes to fuel her creative engine and tends to her herb garden.

All Rowan wanted was a normal senior year. To fade into the background of her classmates. Instead, her entire world has been turned upside down. Words she never thought she would utter are now a part of her everyday life. Shifters. Powers. Bonds.

Comfort comes from the five fated mates who would do anything to protect her. Their connections are deepening, yet Rowan isn’t convinced all of them want her. Holden has secrets. Vaughn comes to her rescue in one breath and cuts her to the core with the next. But Anson, Lucas, and Keene will do anything to make their bond work and to convince Rowan that she’s all they’ve ever wanted.

They’re all trying, but each new development leaves Rowan reeling. As they realize just what kind of gift Rowan has, they discover it’s impossible to know who to trust.

Because there are those who lurk in the shadows, forces that want the power Rowan has humming beneath her skin. And they will stop at nothing to get it…

If you haven’t read the first book in this series, STOP, go back and read it. This book begins where that one left off.

In the last book things went overboard with Rowan’s adoptive mother in front of her adoptive father. Rowan was becoming delirious with fever and Holden realizes what’s going on and his father offers for Rowan to stay with them while her father gets her mother settled where she can get help for her grief.

Now the reason Rowan was fevered was because of her being apart from her mates, although that reaction was early in comparison to the way it normally is. She also shifts for the first time in this one, also early since she hasn’t been in contact with a pack for a year.

At the end of that book, Vaughn protects Rowan from three rogue wolves and is severely wounded. Rowan puts everything she has into healing him and passes out.

This book starts as Rowan wakes, she’s been out for a week. The major thing at this point is when she healed Vaughn their bond formed. She now has the bond mark. A star with five points and a triangle in the middle, one of those points is filled in.

Now for the record here, for the bond to form it doesn’t have to be sexual. At their age it’s a matter of connection on a deep emotional level.

Vaughn didn’t want that link and while he’ll do what he needs to keep her safe and healthy he’s determined not to get closer. It obviously took a lot for Rowan to heal him, he really was close to death. It also proves how strong her healing gifts are.

Rowan is still mad and confused after seeing Jasmine and Holden kiss. He insists it surprised him and he pushed her away. He doesn’t want her that way. They are supposed to be friends, nothing more. Apparently, Jasmine has different thoughts on that matter.

She’s going to need to practice shifting so it becomes easier as well. They know she’s powerful and after that thwarted attempt to kidnap her, security is going to be an issue. Of her bonds, the ones she can be sure really like her for herself and not just some bond are Keene, Lucas and Anson. Although Anson’s ex Sadie isn’t giving up the fight just yet.

Then there’s the fact that Mason had to register her since she’s shifted. He was able not to do that until it actually happened. Now the Quad is coming to their pack to test her.

The Quad is the top four wolves in terms of power and gifts. They are the final say on every judgement referred to them by the council.

They are coming to verify she’s a healer and see if she possesses any other powers.

This is a favorite scene.

I stiffened, my hands going damp. The guys moved in closer, and Ivan didn’t miss the action. He raised a single brow. “I asked you a question, young lady.”

I swallowed hard, using Coby’s tip to look at his nose instead of his eyes. “I’m not hiding anything that I know of.”

Ivan let out a harumph. “We’ll see about that.”

He extended a hand to me. I stared at it for a moment before slipping mine into his. Ivan’s eyes flared as he held on. I hurried to pull my hand back as he studied me with a thoughtful expression. “Very interesting.”

His reaction had the woman stepping forward, extending her perfectly manicured hand. “I’m Cinna.”

“Rowan,” I said with a small dip of my head.

Her shake wasn’t long, but there was a wariness in her expression as she released me. She glanced at Ivan. “There must be an explanation.”

Kaleb moved forward next. “Nice to meet you, Rowan. I’m Kaleb.” His expression was neither warm nor cold, but there was an assessing quality that had me fighting not to squirm.

“You too.” I reluctantly extended my hand.

Kaleb took it, his jaw going slack for a moment. He quickly covered it, releasing my hand and stepping back. “I’ll be damned.”

“What the hell is all the fuss about?” Gregor asked as he strode towards me.

There was something about the way he moved, the hardness in his stare, that had me taking a step back. Vaughn’s hand found my lower back. “We’re here,” he whispered.

Gregor’s eyes narrowed on Vaughn. “Remove your hand so I can get a clear read.”

Vaughn scowled at Gregor but did as he commanded.

Gregor didn’t wait for me to meet his shake, he grabbed my hand before I could raise it. His eyes widened, and the grin that stretched across his face was nothing less than terrifying. “This is going to be fun.”

I yanked my hand out of his grasp, not caring that the action was rude.

Gregor turned to Mason. “You haven’t been entirely honest with us, Mason. You downplayed her power. Lying to the council is a punishable offense.”

Holden stiffened at my side, and I slipped my hand into his, squeezing hard.

Mason didn’t show the slightest hint of a reaction. “I would never insult the council by lying. I informed you that she was powerful, our first healer in centuries. If you’re sensing something else, please loop us in.”

Ivan leaned on his cane, surveying the room. His gaze kept returning to the guys at my sides. “There’s a prophecy in the old texts. That a wolf will come along to reveal the rot in the shifter community. She will have five mates and untold power. She will burn out the sickness among us and truly unite the packs.”

Holden’s grip on my hand tightened, and Vaughn pushed into my other side.

Ivan took a few wobbly steps forward. “Has your bond been revealed?”

I glanced at Mason hoping for some sort of instruction.

“Look at me,” Ivan barked.

My head snapped back in his direction. “Yes.”

“Show us the mark,” Gregor demanded.

Anson let out a low growl, and Lucas grabbed his shoulder, pressing down hard.

I released Holden and lifted my T-shirt a fraction while tugging on the hem of my sweats.

Cinna let out a gasp and whirled on Mason. “Do you think you can pull one over on us by faking something like this?”

“It’s not fake,” Mason said calmly.

Kaleb studied me with that same assessing stare, as if he were trying to put all the puzzle pieces into place. He moved forward, slowly extending his hand. It hovered over my mark but didn’t touch. “It isn’t fake.” His eyes tracked over the five points of the star. “It also isn’t complete. Do you know who your mates are?”

“You’re looking at them,” Anson said, his voice hard.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Gregor barked. “The feral wolf is in her bond?”

Vaughn bared his teeth at the Quad member.

Gregor took a step back. “This has to be rectified.”

“There’s no rectifying fate, Gregor. You know that. This bond is destined. You can’t break it,” Mason said.

Gregor’s expression blanked. “There are ways.”

“Has her gift been explored?” Kaleb asked, breaking into the conversation.

“She has healed herself and two of her bond mates,” Mason informed them.

Cinna picked an invisible piece of lint off her dress. “We need to test her further.”

Test? What did that mean? I instantly pictured the Quad hurting people just for me to heal them.

Ivan stepped forward, and for the first time, I saw a hint of sympathy in his gaze. “We need to know what we’re dealing with. If you are the one the texts are talking about.”

“We also need to know if Mason is instructing you properly. The Ridgewood pack might not be the right place for you,” Gregor said.

I lifted my gaze to his. My wolf demanded I not back down. “This is my home. My family. I’m not going anywhere.”

There were low growls of assent around me.

Gregor glared in my direction. I could feel his power pressing down on me. He was trying to make me submit. To defer to him and his decisions. It wasn’t going to happen. I kept my eyes locked with his. No matter how much power he threw my way, I forced my chin to stay up and didn’t look away.

“Incredible,” Kaleb whispered.

Gregor let out a growl. “How old is she?”

No one said a word.

Gregor turned to Mason. “I asked a question.”

“Seventeen.”

Gregor grinned with delight. “You’re an orphaned wolf shifter who has not yet reached adulthood. You’re under the council’s care.”

I trembled but did my best not to let it show. I was so tired of adults thinking they knew what was best for me. I stared at Gregor. “One week. I have one week until I’m eighteen. If you try to take me away from here, I’ll be gone the instant that week is up, and I’ll make you pay for it.”

Gregor prowled towards me. “You think you know this game you’re playing at, little girl. But you have no idea.”
Hale, Tessa. Mark of Stars: A Parnormal Reverse Harem Romance (The Shifting Fate Series Book 2) Kindle Locations (1486-1535). Kindle Edition.

Now the Quad is one issue, Sadie is another, and then there’s her adoptive father. He shows up on the eve of her eighteenth birthday to take her away from the ‘cult’.

I kind of feel sorry for Rowan, she’s been thrown into a whole other world and is trying really hard to adjust to her new environment.

Mason’s people find Rowan’s mother and that’s yet another shock. She does have some answers though, not exactly what Rowan wanted to hear.

It’s one thing after another, but there’s plenty of love, laughter, fun and there’s sizzle in this book as well.

I am already reading the final book in this trilogy.

5 Contented Purrs for Tessa!

Author of love stories with magic, usually with more than one love interest. Constant daydreamer.