Tied with a Bow

Breeds #17.5 (An Inconvenient Mate)

by Lora Leigh, Virginia Kantra, Eileen Wilks

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh headlines an all-new paranormal romance anthology that turns up the holiday heat. #1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh features the Breeds in her story. New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra brings a haunting tale of a fallen angel. USA Today bestselling author Eileen Wilks returns to the shapeshifing Lupi for another magical tale. National bestselling author Kimberly Frost introduces a new paronormal world of muses and vampires.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Anthologies, Urban Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Erotica

426 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Lora Leigh is a New York Times bestselling author of erotic romance novels. Leigh started publishing with electronic publisher Ellora's Cave in 2003. Leigh's longest-running series is The Breeds. She won the 2009 RT Award for erotica. Leigh was born in Ohio and raised in Martin County, Kentucky, US.


https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...

Reviews

[Alp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is only for Upon a Midnight Clear - Virginia Kantra


Only an angel could have resisted her. And he was no longer an angel.
Thank God.


I wouldn't be honest if I said this was a mind-blowing read, but I can tell you that it certainly had me hooked from the beginning to the end. It was a sweet and beautiful short story of a fallen angel and a girl whose life he saved. She taught him how to love and be loved, and he taught her how to live her life passionately and fearlessly, and enjoy it as much as she’d like to. It was so sweet seeing them together. I loved how their feelings for each other gradually grew and also the way their romance bloomed. Such delightful moments!


I must be grateful to God or the Fates, who brought you to me again when I was in need.

“You said once I had saved you. But in truth, I need you to save me.”


Overall, it was a lovely read. I’m glad I picked it up.

Recommend for fans of historical romance.

[Sophia Triad · Rating 5 out of 5]

(The review is only for Lora Leigh’s story: An Inconvenient Mate)

Breeds 25
Coyote Breeds 3
Featured Couple: Malachi (Coyote) & Isabelle (Human)

This is a very important story for the Breeds’ fans. It is actually the beginning of a storyline that involves the search for a very significant rogue breed (Graeme or Gideon) who will have his story told in book “Bengal's Quest”. It is also the beginning of the end for Amber’s story line (Jonas’ daughter who needs to be cured). Her story started a few books before and it will end a few books after this one.

A Native-American Reservation is brought forward to the story of Breeds. Isabella is the secretary for their Elders’ Board and she is also family to almost all the members of the board. Her father, grandfather and uncle are members of the board. She should have come with a warning “Look, but not touch, because the whole Navajo Nation will be against you”.

Malachi is an agent in the Bureau of Breed Affairs, member of a team that have come to ask permission for access to the Reservation to look for the rogue breed.

Malachi and Isabelle met in a Bar and they are attracted to each other straight away. Malachi knows that she is destined to him, he knows about the Mating Heat and he knows what to expect from their mating.

Malachi is a coyote. He likes a challenge, so even the whole Navajo Nation or all the Native Americans united will not be able to stop him from taking what he wants.

The events in this book collide with the events from the book “Lawe's Justice”. These books should be read together.

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not let the cheesy cover, with the decapitated stubbly man torso and the strategicly placed bow, tempt you into passing on Tied with a Bow. If you do you will be missing out on a collection of stories both ultra spicy and sweet, and some tidbits from Lora Leigh's and Eileen Wilks' established series mixed in with some promising starts to series in brand new worlds from Virginia Kantra and Kimberly Frost.

The stories in the order that I read them...

Human Error by Eileen Wilks - World of the Lupi connected novella- Benedict goes home with Arjenie to meet her family and to celebrate Solstice and the "grand explosion of culturally sanctioned greed" (aka Christmas ) - I never read anthologies in order, and being a huge Lupi fan I couldn't wait and jumped straight into the Benedict and Arjenie short - I love those Lupi males and Arjenie is charming in her own oddball way as well - this story had a nice amount of mayhem in the background and the pair's now solid bond made me want to go back and reread the last book, Blood Challenge(109 pages).

An Inconvenient Mate by Lora Leigh - Breed's novella - Coyote Breed Malachi finds his mate at an inconvenient time but will wait no longer to make her his - I generally like Breed shorts, since Leigh normally tones the erotism down in a bit from her full length novels. This time though her story had all of the 'language'(and fluids) which will be nothing new to Breeds fans, but are what keep me from jumping on the Breed bandwagon even though Leigh's background plots are good. Even so, I still really liked the poem that leads off the story, it fits with the heroine's feelings for Malachi - and her feelings add a bit of sweetness that almost manages to balance the sweaty stuff. For those who follow the Breeds, there are enough cameos to make fans happy.(113 pages)


Upon A Midnight Clear by Virginia Kantra - Children of the Air prequel - Answering a dying mother's last prayer to save her young daughter, costs an angel his wings. Later, after living years as a human, when Lucien's adopted 'father' threatens to cut him off unless he makes something of his life, Lucien rebels and decides to find a rich wife instead of bowing to his father's demands. - Fallen angels are all the rage right now, but Kantra's story added a different slant by giving us regency fallen angels - instead of urban fantasy ones - and I really liked this story because it had that feeling of destined soul mates without ever going to that heavy handed place that destined mate stories tend to live in.(98 pages)

First Light by Kimberly Frost - connected to her new Etherlin series - After finding a ring in college, a Pulitzer journalist has dreamed of a gorgeous bronze man, as a lover and has also witnessed his battles. When she finally finds her dream man unconscious in the snow, it is clear that he's not human and not a modern man, but is completely irresistible in the flesh - I took me a bit to get hooked on this story, mostly because the world building is so ambitious. The world of the Etherlin is inhabited by Muses, Ventala (children of a human vampire pairing), Demons, and Angels. But when there is an extremely poignant moment for a pair of star crossed lovers - which I am hoping is a set up for their own story in the series - and after Frost kicks it up with her leads and the background plot as well, I really ended up liking this, and wishlisted her series starter, All That Bleeds. (102 pages)

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lora Leigh story only

I got this book because of Ms Leigh's edition to the Breed series. I have been a huge fan of the Breeds as soon as I read the first one and that carried throughout most of the series. However I had started to feel like the series was getting tired towards the end and that perhaps it was time to cut them lose but keep finding myself saying just one more this will be the last especially as I had thought that the last installment (Navarro's Promise) had improved from the previous few.

I am also not a great fan of short stories/Novella's and try to stay clear of books with more than 2 stories inside as I am usually frustrated and disappointed with the length of the stories, but I am glad that I did go on to read this as I really felt it was getting close to the original Breed stories that I had loved. Of course I wish that it was longer but I still enjoyed it none the less and will go on to read the next installment (Lawe's Justice) which is due out next month.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review for Lora Leigh's 'An Inconvenient Mate' only:

Normally I enjoy Leigh's 'Breeds' stories - especially the earlier ones - but lately the calibre of these super sexy books have been dropping and it's been awhile since I was truly excited or impressed. The last one that really rocked my world was Anya and Del-Rey's story in 'Coyote's Mate'. Tough-as-nails yet vulnerable heroine + hard and uncompromising alpha Coyote Breed + mating heat = HOT HOT HOT! That was it, the Coyote Breeds were officially my favorite genetically engineered humans enhanced with animal DNA.

So, when I learned Leigh's novella in 'Tied With a Bow' would feature another sexy Coyote Breed - the first since Del-Rey!!! - I was pretty excited to read it. Especially since Leigh only seems to give us good ol' fashioned mating heat in her novellas without all the pesky new "issues" that seem to keep cropping in her recent novels. Well, it turns out my excitement for 'An Inconvenient Mate' was pretty unfounded - there was nothing in this novella to get excited about.

This little short story was flat, with the plot and dialogue feeling forced and amateurish instead of having been written by a seasoned author, and at times it was even nonsensical. Oh, there were still throbbing clits, tight nipples, and raging hard-ons that could only be cured with explicit sex (and we all know what happens when Coyote (and Wolf) Breeds get it on with their mates - that's why we all keep coming back for more!), but after having read 24 other 'Breeds' stories with similar scenes even this wasn't enough to keep my full attention. Maybe I should just to stick to rereading her earlier stuff to get my 'Breeds' fix.....

[Jenn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know what you're thinking! I need to stop reading these Christmas romance novels. I just get so excited with the idea and then... and then... they're just... stupid. Tied with a bow, no exception. Just...stupid.

[MelissaB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratings only for:

Virginia Kantra - 3* - Not a bad story, just not great

Lora Leigh - 4.25* - Short story but enjoyable to read. I still enjoy my Breeds!

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tale

Quick & Dirty: Four stories that will have you wishing for your own hot holidays.

Opening Sentence: The angel came down in the long gallery of the Conciergerie prison, the notorious antechamber to the guillotine.—Upon a Midnight Clear

The Review:

“Upon a Midnight Clear” by Virginia Kantra

A unique story about an angel named Lucien, who chooses to defy heaven itself to save the life of a young girl headed for the guillotine in 18th century France. For his sins, he is cast down to Earth as fallen, and must live out his life as a human. But the fallen are not born as a human, they arrive at the age of 17 or so, and are placed among the peers as the acknowledged bastard of the Earl of Amherst, who is also the head of the fallen. When the Earl decides to cut off his allowance, Lucien decides to follow the footsteps of many a broke nobleman and marry a rich wife. For it is money he will need to keep his boarding house for the less fortunate running. When he attends a holiday party at the home of his current interest, he comes face to face with one of the most important people in his past.

It was eight years ago that Aimée was unwillingly rescued from certain death by a mysterious man. She was, at first, angry at being forced to leave her ailing mother, and the only home she had ever known. Since her rescue, she has stayed at the home of her mother’s cousin. She now lives the life of an impoverished third cousin who is relegated to the attic when real people come to visit. It is a fate she has come to terms with, and she can now say she is grateful to at least have her life. At this year’s annual holiday ball she is introduced to a man who feels startling familiar to her. Eventually, she realizes that he is none other than the mystery man who rescued her from that prison back in France.

But a shared past is not all that is between these two. When their mutual desire becomes too hard to ignore, they spend one glorious night together. One night is never enough for a pair like this.

Cute story. Easy to read. Not so much series related back story, so it can be easily enjoyed without needing to have read its longer counterparts.

Rating: 4/5

“First Light” by Kimberly Frost (Etherlin #0.5)

In a world where vampires are breeding with humans, and muses—yes, muses–are real, we find Pulitzer winning journalist Katherine Devane somewhere in Colorado around Christmas.

Besides the gift from the muses that makes her such a good journalist—is that how it works?—Kate has one more, let’s say, supernatural quirk. Since college, when she found an antique ring on the sidewalk, Kate has been dreaming of a man, the same man every time. In most of these dreams, this man is fighting another man to the death, sometimes saving Kate’s life. In the rest of these dreams, the man is doing other things with Kate that have not much at all to do with saving her life…

This man is the archangel Nathaniel, who comes down to Earth every so often to vanquish his sworn enemy, a demon called Gadreel. And this time, his awakening has a new twist. Well, two actually. First, he has been sent down without any of his memory. He remembers nothing of his archangelhood, not his enemies, not Kate, not even his name. Second, he has been sent to the woods in Colorado instead of Italy, and placed again in the path of Kate, the woman to whom he is bound.

And this time, their dreams may become reality, and this time Nathaniel and Kate can go on til death do them part.

I liked this story well enough. Terribly frustrated about that ever present back story that I had no clue what was about.

Rating: 3/5

“Human Error” by Eileen Wilks (World of the Lupi #8.5)

If I had to write a one liner about this story it would be…Virginia…Where Christmas with the in-laws is never ordinary. But in this case, Yule comes with a bit of magical adversity and dressing on the side.

Benedict is joining his wife/mate/lover(?) and her family for the Yule holiday at their family home. But their meeting goes terribly wrong when he is magically forced to change into his wolf right in their front yard. How’s that for first impressions?

Arjenie just wants her family to like the man she loves. And when they get off on the most wrong of feet, well the task gets a bit harder, doesn’t it.

But, all the relationship stuff gets put on hold when the local sheriff shows up asking the family of Wiccans for help with a case. It appears a man has been attacked by a bear… a bear of a species that lives across the country. He also reluctantly asks for Benedict’s assistance in tracking the creature in wolf form.

But, it ends up being no ordinary bear, but a man in bear clothing, who has an evil plan for Arjenie’s family. And when Benedict proves he is willing to do anything for his love and her family, well all that relationship worry goes straight out the window.

I heart this story. I love a good shifter tale, and something tells me I am missing quite a bit of a storyline I’d very much like to know more of. Well Done.

Rating: 4/5

“An Inconvenient Mate” by Lora Leigh (Breeds #25)

Breed men are one of my favorite page turning delights. Yum! Anyway, this story is not unlike any other Breed novel, in that it includes danger, power and lots of the good stuff.

Malachi Morgan is not your average Breed male, however. He is Coyote. A brand of Breed designed to keep the other Breeds in line, and not feel bad about it. But, like all other Breed males, he has been quietly searching for his mate, the one who holds the other half of his soul.

And he has found her at the most inopportune moment. He is in Navajo country searching for a group of missing Breeds, and they are in negotiations with the tribal leaders for access to their lands and records. On the night before the big meeting, he encounters his mate in a bar of all places. And when his supervisor learns of her identity, he asks Malachi to hold off on claiming her, as she belongs to the tribal leader’s family. Needless to say, Malachi is not a happy camper, but is obligated to follow orders.

Isabelle Martinez is a woman with a traumatizing past that she can’t seem to outrun. Which is what makes her behavior in a particular bar with this particular Breed male so surprising. But something has created an inexplicable connection with this handsome stranger, and she is helpless to resist it, or him for that matter.

When the couple do finally get their chance at happiness, Isabelle’s past comes screaming back for her in the form of her ex-would-be fiancé-almost rapist. He has decided that if he cannot have her, than no one can, and he might as well get some money from the deal by selling her to some evil scientists or something.

Rating: 4/5

FTC Advisory: Penguin/Berkley provided me with a copy of Tied with a Bow. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

TIED WITH A BOW-New Release (Review)-posted November 22, 2011
Tied with a Bow, is a 4 story paranormal anthology from Lora Leigh, Virginia Kantra, Eileen Wilks and Kimberly Frost. Released November 1, 2011, three of the four storylines take place around the holidays, but not one is specific to the theme presented on the cover.

UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR by Virginia Kantra
This novella is a prequel to the Children of the Air series. Julien Hartwell, is an angel, assigned to earth to bring back the souls of the dying during the plague-riddled European 1700s. But when a young mother on the verge of death sees the spirit of the angel, she begs him to save and protect her 12 year old daughter Aimee. If Julien reveals his identity to protect the child, he will be banned from heaven for eternity and become one of the fallen. 9 years later, the now-fallen angel , once again rescues, the now adult Aimee from a series of misadventures and mistreatment at the hands of her extended family, only to realize this is the same Aimee, he sacrificed his immortal life to protect.

We meet Aimee’s extended family of aunts and uncles, as well as her cousin Howard, a manipulative, self-centered womanizer who has already impregnated one of the household staff, and continues to sexually harass the young Aimee, at every opportunity. Julien is presented as the epitome of beauty in both his ethereal and earthly forms, and we are introduced to Damon Carle, the Earl of Amherst, ‘father’ to eleven fallen angels.


I enjoyed this story. It was an easy read, with the usual compliment of improbable love, romance, beautiful people, a HEA and the potential for several more storylines.

FIRST LIGHT by Kimberly Frost
Another new series launch, Kimberly introduces Kate Devan, a Pulitzer prize winning reporter/muse who dreams of a beautiful stranger (from a time long ago) after she has found a blood encrusted ring. Fast forward, Kate stumbles upon the same man from her dreams, buried in the snow, now hunted by vampires and demons. Archangel Nathaniel and Kate begin their adventure, with no knowledge of who or what he is. All they have in common is the bloodied ring and group of otherworldly stalkers intent on taking both of the down, to get possession of the prized antique ring.

With the introductions of Merrick, Gadhreel, Ice and Gold, an explanation as to why archangels find it difficult to befriend a human, once again, the future holds several possibilities for love and desire in world of immortals, monsters and angels with wings.


HUMAN ERROR by Eileen Wilks
Human Error is the 6th novella and 14th storyline in Eileen Wilks “Lupi” series.
Dragons, demons, witches, skinwalkers, lupin and gnomes are only a few of the supernatural beings, added to the list of potential enemies and friend.

Arjennie Delacroix, from a family of Wiccan, and Benedict, her lupin mate return home for the celebration of Yule, only to walk into a force of power that upsets the peace and calm of the local countryside. When the local authorities approach the Delacroix family for assistance tracking a ‘strange’ killer, Benedict’s hackles are raised, at the mysterious scents and unfamiliar markings, not usually acknowledged by the humans. Searching for the killer, who is now believed to have abducted a small child, Arjennie surmises a ‘mythical skinwalker’ to be the prime suspect in a series of events, that culminates with Benedict getting shot, the Wiccans once again, involved in a ‘circle’ of protection and a surprising revelation, from the family pet.

I have never read any of the previous books in the World of the Lupin series, but is the other storylines are similar to this novella, I am going to be increased by TBR pile, exponentially.

AN INCONVENIENT MATE by Lora Leigh
Another installment in the Breed series, this novella introduces 25year old Isabelle Martinez, a member of the Navajo Nation and ruling council, and Malachi, the Coyote Breed male, who is destined to become her mate and lover. But the inconvenience of the mating heat and a hunger for more, between the two is the premise behind the title.

Malachi and Isabelle are both in town for a business meeting between the Breeds and the Navajo council regarding some missing children and adults. The Breeds suspect the Martinez family knows the whereabouts of the missing people, but are refusing to divulge any information, to keep secret the pacts and agreements. Enter Holden, a man from Isabelle’s past, who is intent on reclaiming a woman, who despises the ground upon which he walks. To further complicate the scenario, Holden works for a faction hoping to isolate the Breeds from society, and believes himself, the better suitor. If he can’t have Isabelle, no one will.

I have read and enjoyed all of Leigh’s Breed books, and this short story welcomes another Breed male who has finally found his mate. As with all of her storylines, there is explicit sex and violence. The inclusion of several of different characters including Rule Breaker, Lawe Justice, Ashley and Stygian, sets the stage for the release of December’s Breed book titled Lawe’s Justice. I can’t wait for December.



Bodice Rippers

[Carolyn F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthology. I can read about demons, aliens, vampires, serial killers, threesomes, shapeshifters, but I can't read about angels. I just have this block and a loud voice in my head yelling "NEXT!", so of course two of these stories are about angels. Since I won't read these stories, my rating was not affected by their deletion.

Of the two stories I read, I loved them and purchasing this book was worth it just for those two stories.

1. Upon a Midnight Clear by Virginia Kantra. Not read.

2. First Light by Kimberly Frost. Not read.

3. Human Error by Eileen Wilks. Arjenie and Benedict go to visit her family during the holidays and things do not start out great. In fact, her uncle pulls a gun on Benedict. Then they find out that her cousins may have unintentionally brought over a bad spirit that is out to get their family. Great story. I just love the Lupi series. *****

4. An Inconvenient Mate by Lora Leigh. Isabelle sees Malachai at a bar and can't look away. She even walks up and makes some suggestive remarks to him which is out of character for her. Malachai realizes that she is his mate but needs to wait until after a meeting with her family about access to their tribe's files before he can do anything about it. I like these books so much better when the women or men don't fight it. Yes, a little trepidation is good, but to fight it tooth and nail is so futile. Really good short story. ****

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first story was by an author I never heard of before, but surprisingly I enjoyed what she wrote. It was a historical piece about angels and the choices that they make and how it affects them. And of course... falling in love.
I'm not usually a fan of period pieces but this one was written rather well and it kept me glued to it til the very end.


However, the second story was not so great. An archangel who's allowed to marry and still be an angel?
Um, yeah right. I like happily ever afters as much as the next person but sometimes you gotta be slightly realistic, and this just wasn't.


The third was about the Lupi, it's part of a series by this author, and it wasn't half bad, however, It read like a freaking page out of the damn dictionary. I mean, since I was new to the whole series it helped me understand about the paranormal creatures we were dealing with but it contained too many definitions and explanations and not enough story. I think this was, like, the 8.5 edition of the series so you shouldn't be 8 books deep and still explaining to the readers who've been following the series about what a Lupi- a human who turns in a wolf- is.


Lastly, we've got Lora Leigh's Breeds series. Goddamn. This is the 25th one! Need I really say more?

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY pleased with this book. Good story by Kantra.. Frost was good.. haven't read anything by her before.. Lora Leigh story was awesome.... Malachi... But honestly.. I REALLY hope I know who Ashley's mate is... Because if it is the person I think it is... It's gonna be balls to the wall .... And I can't wait...

[Ann Lorz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed 2 of the four stories. I only read those two authors and even though I did try the other authors, one of the stories I felt lost in, like I was missing something. And the other one was just so-so. I did enjoy both of Kantra's and Leigh's stories. I only thing that kid of bugged me is that I didn't feel either one was that much a Christmas story.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read and enjoyed three of these stories. Couldn't get into the shifter story by Eileen Wilks probably because it starts with the couple already together and I felt like I was reading an epilogue full of way too many characters I didn't know. The two fallen angel stories were interesting and worth reading. The breeds story by Lora Leigh was pretty nice.

[Elise-Pinterest+Goodreads=The Perfect Book Boyfriend · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved this series. Unfortunately, I think I am over it. The thrill has left for me and each time I am hoping this is the books that makes the spark comes back. It's not. TTFN-Elise.

[Selenity Jade (Coffee Addicts Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for Lora Leigh's Breed story and stayed to read the rest! Overall, a nice little collection with a minor Christmasy theme. I did find Lora Leigh's story the best, followed by Eileen Wilks and Virginia Kantra tying for second. I didn't really enjoy the Kimberly Frost story as well. That was the only short story I'd label 3 stars in the entire book.

If you're a fan of multiple authors in this anthology, I'd pick it up. But if you're only a fan of one, you might want to wait for a price drop.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2011/11/26/...

Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: November 1st
How I got this book: Review copy from publisher


I love the world of the Lupi, so when I received this anthology, I was super excited to read Wilks story in particular. The stories in order in the anthology:

Upon a Midnight Clear by Virginia Kantra
I started to read this story and stopped after only about 20 pages. I’ve read some of Kantra’s stories in the past, and I’ve never been a fan of historical paranormal stories for some reason. I’ve tried with Kantra’s Children of the Sea series and was not impressed. So unfortunately, I didn’t get very far with this story either (although I don’t think it’s set in the Children of the Sea world.)

First Light by Kimberly Frost
This story is the first in a new series by Frost about a rich world with numerous different paranormal creatures. The world-building was very intense and seemed to drag down the story in the beginning. It took me awhile to get into the story, but once I did I found myself enjoying the different characters and the world itself. I think this new series has the potential to be an extremely developed paranormal romance, and I will be looking forward to reading more in the future.
I give First Light a C

Human Error by Eileen Wilks
The world of the Lupi is a wonderful urban fantasy series, and one that I’ve enjoyed reading for awhile now. However, I didn’t realize that I was a book or two behind, especially once I saw that my favorite growly enforcer Benedict found his mate. Arjenie and Benedict are headed back to her family home for the first time, and Benedict is a little worried about meeting her family. When a trickster shows up as well as skinwalker determined to hurt Arjenie’s family, Benedict will have to let his wolf loose to save his mate’s family. I really enjoyed this short. Benedict is one of my favorite characters in the series, and seeing him get his HEA is so awesome. Plus, the fact that Argenie is such a sweetheart and willing to fight for Benedict to the very end had me loving it even more. Plus, the fact that Wilks wrote in a skinwalker… Loved it! We don’t see enough skinwalkers in the urban fantasy genre!
I give Human Error a B

An Inconvenient Mate by Lora Leigh
I’ve read a few stories set within the world of the Breeds, but I’ve never read the series in it’s entirety. That being said, the novellas that I have read work as stand-alone books, as long as the reader understands that the stories are usually within a larger plot arc. I’ve always been able to follow the stories, however I’ve also always felt as if I was missing a little something. Like there is more going on behind the scenes with the characters that I am in the dark with. I felt this even more so in this novella than the others I’ve read. Isabelle and her Navajo family are going into negotiations with the Breed, and when Isabelle looks up from the bar one night into Malachi’s eyes, her world is changed forever. The two have an explosive sexual relationship and mate almost right away. But a stalker who has it in for Isabelle will try just about anything to hurt her, and nearly succeeds. While Leigh always has some super hot sex in her books, for me the plot felt like it fit within a full-length novel and left me somewhat confused and a little let down.
I give An Inconvenient Mate a C-

All in all I think fans of the World of the Lupi series as well as the Breed series will enjoy this anthology. The stories (that I read) were all very sexy, filled with action packed plot and fit well within the anthology. Overall, I give the anthology a C-

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are four stories in this anthology of romance that turns up the holiday heat.

Series:
"Human Error" (World of the Lupi, 8.5)
"An Inconvenient Mate" (Breeds, 24.5)
"First Light" (Etherlin, 1)

The Stories
Virginia Kantra's "Upon a Midnight Clear" is an historical romance some years after the French Revolution. A decision made by an angel to rescue a girl from Madame Guillotine results in his becoming Fallen although he later finds Aimée surviving as an unpaid drudge in her cousin's house when Lucien arrives to court the daughter of the house for her dowry. A cute romance that could have stood more work. That or it needed to become a full-length story as Kantra simply dropped us into situations without developing them. It's all just too easy.

Kimberly Frost's "First Light" was a rather unique perspective on angels with this time traveling angel attempting to resolve a centuries-old feud Definitely an interesting romantic conflict with both parties thinking they knew the other but had no idea how or where. Frost did a nice job in creating an alternate world with few words and creating tension although the ending seemed too abrupt. I'd like to see if this is a series.

Eileen Wilks' "Human Error" occurs less than two months after the events in Death Magic with Benedict going to spend the Yule holidays with Arjenie's Wiccan family. It's a bit of an uphill row for Benedict as they can't explain about the mate bond and various members of the family are angry at him; they believe he has used some sort of juju to enthrall Arjenie into doing as he wants. All it takes is a short battle with Coyote and a humongous bear to bring the family 'round.

I like that Benedict is concerned about what his clothes will say culturally to Arjenie's family.

Arjenie Delacroix's family consists of the aunt and uncle who raised her after her parents were killed in a car accident (the one that resulted in her limp), Robin, a large animal vet, and Clay, a blacksmith and sculptor and two of their three kids, the twins, Siri and Sammy; Uncle Hershey and his partner Gary; Uncle Ambrose and Aunt Carmen with their kids; Uncle Nathan with his wife Sheila with their three kids; Stephen; and, I'm not sure who Malik, Danny, and Amy belong to as Wilks did a lovely job of creating a sense of boisterous family; and, Havoc the terrier who plays a very important role.

Lora Leigh's "An Inconvenient Mate" focuses on Isabelle Martinez and a Coyote Breed, Malachi. It's an inconvenient time for Mal to find his mate as Rule Breaker and his men are trying to find some Breed survivors on the Navajo reservation and they can't come right out and tell the tribal Elders this. The primary theme is the man stalking Isabelle. Holden. He doesn't understand no. Doesn't care about no. But now he has Malachi to explain the definition. This story takes place during Lawe's Justice , Breeds 25.

The Cover and Title
The cover is a red and white icicle-strewn background of Christmas with a partially wrapped present of a dew-bedecked, muscled male torso. I do like the positioning of that bow!

My guess is that the title reflects that each story is wrapped up all pretty and tidy at the end.

[Mollie *scoutrmom* · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Those who think they've already read this review of mine, please note the addition in italics near the bottom.]

This was a solid 4.5 out of 5. I bought it for the Lora Leigh Breeds story, which I really liked. In addition, I'm going to have to start reading some of these other series, which is what the publisher hoped.

Virginia Kantra's Upon a Midnight Clear (Children of the Air) was a very nice story with a great plot and good characters. The setting in the 1790's did nothing for me, I prefer my paranormal fiction with a contemporary setting but this was pretty good anyway. Four and a half, solid.

Next came Kimberly Frost's First Light, which appears to be either a stand-alone or the beginning of a new series. Either way, the constriction of the novella format left me with not enough worldbuilding and I ended up kind of confused about parts of it, but the characters were so fantastic that I was willing to let the setting weakness slide. The plot elements, at least the parts of it I could follow, were excellent. Four out of Five.

I found none of this to be a problem for Eileen Wilks' Human Error (World of the Lupi). She gave me a shapeshifter going to meet his mate's family for the first time, so the setting elements had more to do with this situation ripe for comedy than with the need for worldbuilding. The plot was fantastic. For a novella, this was a perfect five.

I have to admit here that I am a Lora Leigh fanatic. I have read every book in the Breed Series more than once and buy them as soon as possible upon release. That being said, I think this novella was better than some of her earlier novellas in the series (see The Magical Christmas Cat, Hot Spell, Beyond the Dark, Primal). The plot elements did not need world-building much, which she sometimes tended to let get in the way a bit with the earlier novellas. Someone who has never read one of the earlier entries in the Breeds series might need more, but I think those who might buy this book have read at least one of the earlier ones. For me, a five-plus.

Upon a second reading four months later, I want to point out that the events of this story fall chronologically in the middle of the book Lawe's Justice. I'd say read a third to half of that, read this novella, then continue with it.

I'll be reading this again, it's the best of the novella collections since Primal Heat.

[Marie Ealing · Rating 3 out of 5]

*This in only the review of Lora Leigh's Novella*

An Inconvenient Mate is the 25th book in this series; at this point you would think that I should be tired, and after Navarro’s Promise I almost quit; but my self-nagging personality made me go and buy Tied with a Bow, the anthology where you can find this novella, and give the series yet another chance. I’m glad I did it because this story is good, maybe not first-books good but at least good enough to keep me entertained.

The novella is about Malachi and Isabella. Malachi is an agent in the Bureau of Breed Affairs; he is part of a commission visiting a Native-American Reservation petitioning access to the Reservation to look for a rogue breed. Or so they say. Isabella is the daughter, granddaughter and niece of the Elders and also works as a secretary for the Elders’ Board.

Malachi and Isabelle met in a Bar. She was there with her friends when she saw Malachi across the bar. He had just arrived to town for the meeting with the Elders Board. Their eyes met and it was instant attraction, then Malachi “smells” Isabella and realizes that she is his mate, all the possessive thoughts begin and well, you know the drill. What’s interesting is the way in which the hero assumes the mating heat. Twelve years have passed since the Breed existence was made public, during those 12 years the breeds have learned a lot about their kind so the mating is no longer a surprise or something that they don’t know how to deal with.

In my opinion this novella is worth just for the fact that works as a link between the previous story and the next. We also get some glimpses of the next main characters so when you read Lawe’s Justice you won’t feel lost.

In sum, An Inconvenient Mate is a nice story. Lora keeps high doses of spice and the characters are likeable. But beware, none of the issues from the last books are solved and the story arc that started books ago (Jonas looking for a cure for his daughter) is pretty much still there. But the best thing is the cover, quite an improvement for this series!

Romance Around the Corner

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is only for stories by Lora Leigh, Eileen Wilks, and Kimberly Frost.

Leigh's story set in the breed world was a great one with Malachi, who we haven't seen too much before. I loved how he knew right away what was going on, but tried to put business first. I also loved how Isabelle stood up to her family for him. I think the new alliance will bring about some interesting things. My one big beef with this story is that this book is set after Lawe's Justice, but not numbered that way and it even is published before it. Had I known that I would have waited to read it.

Eileen Wilks' story dealt with Benedict and Arjenie. Benedict has always been one of my favorite characters so I was so happy to get to know more about him. The two of them spend time with Arjenie's family for Yule. Things don't go great as her family is Wiccan and have issues with the changes that being Benedict's chosen has wrought. When the sheriff stops by to ask for help Benedict steps in to help, by doing so he wins them all over.

Kimberly Frost's story is one that sets up a new series, one that is different from what I have read and makes me really excited for the first book, All That Bleeds.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon A Midnight Clear by Virginia Kantra - It was just Ok to me. I skimmed the last half of the story, just to get through it. It could have been because I’m not a big fan of historicals. 2 Stars.

First Light by Kimberly Frost - I really enjoyed the characters, the plot and the world. This story is the prequel to Frost’s Etherlin series, and I’ve already preordered the first book, All That Bleeds. This is the first story that I’ve read by Frost, and I look forward to reading more from her. 4 Stars.

Human Error by Eileen Wilks - I really enjoyed this story. The plot was so engaging, it felt like a full length novel, instead of a novella. 4 Stars.

An Inconvenient Mate by Lora Leigh - This story reminded me of the earlier Breed stories from Elora’s Cave. Lots and lots of sex. A great addition to the Breeds series, though, nothing at all to do with Christmas. 4 Stars.

[Rachel-RN · Rating 2 out of 5]

Upon a Midnight Clear-

Had a hard time getting into this one. Not sure why since I liked her Children of the Sea series.

First Light-

Wasn't into this one either. I think it might be Frost's writing style. I read a different book I read by her (Would-Be Witch) and didn't care for it either.

Human Error-

I was lost. The Lupi series is one I haven't started, so I think that once I get around to that (it's on TBR, but I don't know when I'll get to it) series. I might come back to this.

An Inconvenient Mate-

Another example of (maybe?) my mood. Eh.

[Lynsey A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is only based on the Lora Leigh story.

Nice edition to the breeds series but at times I got a bit confused on some of the characters. Probably just me and it didn't really take away from the story. Pretty decent for a short story. I actually did skim through some of the final sex scenes. For a short story it was a bit too much. At least IMO.

[Books & Vodka Sodas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read the Lora Leigh story. But I'm glad I did, I felt a bit confused through Lawe's Justice, and this made it all so much more clear. It is nice to have the couples not fight the mating so much. And I would LOVE to get more Gideon.

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for the Eileen Wilk's World of the Lupi short. I really enjoyed seeing Benedict and Arjenie again. They were off stage in Death Magic so it was nice to see how the relationship was growing and if her family would accept him.

[AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Inconvenient Mate – Lora Leigh was Malachi and Isabelle's! The minute it began, it was so entertaining! And we met the Breed they were looking for Gideon. Very interesting. Looking forward to get to know him!

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come

[Irene Kiew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mmmmm paranormal romance. Yummy.

I liked all the stories except Virginia Kantra's "Upon a Midnight Clear". It had angels and I never liked angel stories; maybe because I was brought up religious and angels are supposed to be asexual beings in religious tradition, and it just weirds me out to think of them behaving like humans. But also, I felt that the story moved so slowly and was so predictable.

Kimberly Frost is a new-to-me author, and "First Light" impressed me. It also has angels, but at least it doesn't play on the "fallen angels" angle, and I liked that there had been a long-standing tie between Kate and Nathaniel. It was also a more layered story than Virginia Kantra's, which made it more interesting and satisfying. Buf I was disappointed about the way the bad guy was dealt with -- it didn't seem conclusive -- and we also didn't get to see the instigators dealt with, so it felt a little unfinished. A few loose ends not tied up.

Next was "Human Error" by Eileen Wilks, one of her World of Lupi novellas. This one was unusual because the couple has already mated. I haven't read any of the actual books in the series, and haven't looked them up yet, so I don't know if Benedict and Arjenie have been featured in one of the books. But here Ben is meeting Arjenie's family for the first time -- her extended family -- as she brings him home for Yule. He badly wants to fit in, but almost from the first, things go wrong and his lupi abilities are needed to keep Arjenie's family safe. This is the second or third novella I've read by Wilks, and I've liked them so much I think I'll be reading the main books in the series soon.

Finally, we've got "An Inconvenient Mate" by Lora Leigh, one of the Breeds series novellas. I've read this before as I'd gone on a Breeds reading binge two or three years ago, but reread it and remembered why I like the novellas better than the books. In the books, somehow so many of the Breeds seem to fight the mating or dislike the idea of it. There are books where they know she's their mate but they don't act on it for years. YEARS! But in the novellas, perhaps because there's no time for so much angst, the Breed hero always instantly accepts and craves his mate the moment he recognises her.

The only thing I didn't like is that I was reminded also how Leigh tends to overdo the drama sometimes and keeps repeating the same thing ad nauseum, as if to heavily underline a concept and stab it into her reader's heads. Also, I felt that the writing was a little uneven -- Isabelle's characterisation was uneven. She doesn't at all act like a woman who is being stalked and was nearly raped. And I didn't like that she refused to press charges because she was afraid her father would kill the attacker if he knew. It was a dumb reason because she had no Plan B to get the stalker off her back and she lived in constant fear. It was like I said, Leigh overdoing the drama. I think I remember now why I quit following the Breeds series after Book #23 or something.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upon a Midnight Clear / Virginia Kantra
Lucien Hartfell - angel. During the French revolution called to a mother imprisoned with her child. The mother was dying, and begged for the girl’s safety. The girl did not want to leave her mother. Lucien removed her anyway, and was punished for violating his orders and free will by being made human.

Lord Earl Amherst - ‘collects’ fallen angels, claims them as bastard sons (has 11 of them), helps them transition to human and to finding a new meaning.

Aimee Banchard - rescued by the angel Lucien, taken to her cousins. She is treated as poor relation, to aid the household.

the Basings - the cousins who took her in - aunt, uncle, girl and boy cousins. all take advantage of her, but especially the aunt.

Lucien has spent 6 years - he worked with other fallen to help aristocrat innocents escape, but that's over and he's lollying. He purchased the favors of Fanny, prostitute, poor relation kicked out... and then in guilt? sets her up in a home where she helps other women. When the house is reported to "Amherst, he forces Lucien's hand - demanding he take over one of his estates and learn to operate in the world... Lucien, prideful, not like being told what to do, he reacts by saying he will find a woman of wealth to marry.

So he is courting the Basing daughter, is accepted, and goes to her home for christmas & to propose.. where he finds Aimee. It takes a bit, but they both recognize one another... they are drawn to each other... Aimee wants to have sex with him, even if it's only once, but Lucien will not compromise her. And with Aimee's point of view, he realizes his pride is not so important - and that he loves Aimee, and he sets things right with the earl, and comes back to propose.


First Light / Kimberly Frost
Kate Devane - Pulitzer prize winner for locating and reporting on the last vampire nest. She works with Alissa, an ancient muse (who lives among other muses). and she found an ancient ring of Nero, and since has had vivid dreams of a man who makes delicious love to her, and just as often fights another man, igoring her.

Alissa - muse

Nathaniel - an archangel - who was once a righteous man, horribly tortured by Nero & his demon Gadreel and given archangel status. When the demon arises, he kills him again - an eternal battle. and with the assistance of 2 other archangels, his attraction of love for Kate is given a chance.

Merrick / Ventala - Ventala are part human, part vampire. Merrick is a boss. he assists nathaniel, and is in a decade long love with Alissa, though they have never spoken to one another or touched one another... only sending messages and gifts without anyone finding.

Tamberi & Cato Jacobi - siblings, witches, calling forth Gadreel.

Gadreel - demon, Nathaniel's nemesis, thinks with his distraction of Kate, he will finally defeat him.

When kate finds Nathaniel, he is unconscious in the snow, a new body (replica of past bodies), and has no memory. Kate helps him, and he remembers things as he needs to (such as how to fight 3 ventala's at once)... world weary Merrick gives him advice on how to court Kate (in exchange for bringing a gift to Alissa)... Kate is drawn to him, wants him, and his innocence and growing awareness of himself is charmingly written. They find the loophole (as the archangel friends want her to) so that they can be together and fight together.

Human Error / World of Lupi #8.5 / Eileen Wilks

Arjenie - witch, one of a long lived family of witches... mate of Benedict. Her special power is to become invisible to most.

Benedict / Nokolai Clan - Rho's son, clan enforcer - quite serious - but now his life is changed because of finding his mate. Though a literal man, he loves and cares for her deeply.

Delacroix family - an extended, close family of witches.

Aunt Robin/Uncle Clay - she High Priestess, husband the enforcer... their talents and strengths compliment one another.

Sammy/Seri - twins, just 20 years old. Sammy doesn't feel Wiccan and has been looking into other powers. they are suspicious of Benedict, and cast a spell to call on Navajo spirits to unmask the real Benedict. They end up calling for a piece of Coyote, the trickster.

For christmas, Ben and Arjenie are going home to meet the family and to celebrate. Especially the six of them (plus their jack russel dog who has allowed Coyote to 'join' in him) track down a grizzly skinwalker who has killed one, stolen an infant, and is trying to use death magic to destroy the delacroix seat of land power... Stopped in a nick of time, with Ben letting Arjenie be the one to take him down, as she could sneak up on him.

Sweet development of their relationship...


An Inconvenient Mate / Breeds # / Lora Leigh

Isabelle Martinez - Navajo, works for her father/uncle - the chief and shaman. She can read people. She is a virgin. She has been fascinated by the Breeds. She was stalked and almost raped by Holden, and she felt it could not be reported as her relatives would end up in jail after dealing with him.

Malachi (coyote) - with the Breed contingent negotiating with the council for 2 things - access to records that will help them capture a Breed who is taking on the Genetics Council (why they seriously want to stop him, I'm not sure). And secondly, they are trying to verify and locate 3 Breeds who they believe went to the Navajo for Santuary 10+ years earlier - future story. He sees Isabelle in a bar the night before the negotiations are to start and he knows he has found his mate... They flirt, she initiates a 'chase', he can sense a flicker of fear... Unlike many of the Breeds, he is open to finding a mate, and he is happy he found her.

Holden - stalking and threatening Isabelle.

Rule Breaker / Lawe Justice / Del-Rey - the delegation meeting with the Navajo reps.

Gideon - the one killing council scientists and politicians - he saves Arjenie when Holden has grabbed her, paying Malachi back. I'm sure he'll be the subject of a future book with his full story.

Orin Martinez / Ray Martinez / Navajo nation reps. Hiding 3 Breeds.

Malachi holds off one night from claiming Arjenie - and then claims her with a vengence. He gently initiates her into love making and the variances of coyote breeds. Their talents are complimentary. The mating heat is different with them (because they both accept it so easily?) - very little pain, when she is injured his need subsides without pain for two days... hmmmm... or is mating heat evolving?

Holden snags her, hurts one of the coyote women they all love, but she comes through okay.