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Dark Ones #18 - Zorya Dark Ones 4
Unleashed
A novella set in New York Times bestselling author Katie's MacAlister's Dark Ones series.
Meet Jacintha Ferreira, kitty whisperer. Or at least that’s what the guys around the Washington State Game and Wildlife office call Jas. Her skills with bigger cats than are normally found left on the back doorstep of the Cupid Cats Animal Shelter are put to the test when she encounters a sexy Dark One shape-shifter who has no idea how he became a really big kitty…but he does know a Beloved when he sees one.
Meet Jacintha Ferreira, kitty whisperer. Or at least that’s what the guys around the Washington State Game and Wildlife office call Jas. Her skills with bigger cats than are normally found left on the back doorstep of the Cupid Cats Animal Shelter are put to the test when she encounters a sexy Dark One shape-shifter who has no idea how he became a really big kitty…but he does know a Beloved when he sees one.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2011
46 people are currently reading
893 people want to read
About the author
Katie MacAlister
121 books5,975 followersFor as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn't think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 28, 2021
I have pretty much given up on Katie’s book. Perhaps I’ve just out grown the types of heroines and hero’s she writes about. Maybe I need a heroine who is a bit less clueless at times. Well whatever it is, I just had a burning curiosity to read this one. A Shape shifting Vampire and a so called “kitty whisperer”? I mean what could be so bad about this. Luckily, nothing!
This was classic Katie, writing in the manner of the first of her Dark One’s books. If I have one complaint, it is that a bit of the ending is a little disjointed and unbelievable at times. But then again it IS speculative fiction and as such, we are forced to suspend out disbelief. I love the idea of Shifter/ Vampires and I hope that this will be something that is revisited in later books. Perhaps I’ll come back into the fold then!
This was classic Katie, writing in the manner of the first of her Dark One’s books. If I have one complaint, it is that a bit of the ending is a little disjointed and unbelievable at times. But then again it IS speculative fiction and as such, we are forced to suspend out disbelief. I love the idea of Shifter/ Vampires and I hope that this will be something that is revisited in later books. Perhaps I’ll come back into the fold then!
November 2, 2018
fun but nothing more to it
Want to read
March 13, 2025A novella set in New York Times bestselling author Katie's MacAlister's Dark Ones series.
Meet Jacintha Ferreira, kitty whisperer. Or at least that’s what the guys around the Washington State Game and Wildlife office call Jas. Her skills with bigger cats than are normally found left on the back doorstep of the Cupid Cats Animal Shelter are put to the test when she encounters a sexy Dark One shape-shifter who has no idea how he became a really big kitty…but he does know a Beloved when he sees one.
Meet Jacintha Ferreira, kitty whisperer. Or at least that’s what the guys around the Washington State Game and Wildlife office call Jas. Her skills with bigger cats than are normally found left on the back doorstep of the Cupid Cats Animal Shelter are put to the test when she encounters a sexy Dark One shape-shifter who has no idea how he became a really big kitty…but he does know a Beloved when he sees one.
September 16, 2022
Waiting for the chance to read a couple of books I've been looking forward to, I decided to fill in the time with novellas, mostly by authors I'm not familiar with. This one had a cute plot but too much unnecessary backstory and lots of lusty stuff, which I generally skip. So 2 stars for me.
December 9, 2018
Loved this short story.
March 31, 2024
Short and sweet story. Nothing too fancy but it was entertaining to me.
July 24, 2013
Jacintha Ferreira, Fish and Wildlife Department – cat whisperer (affinity with wild cats); called to Cupid Cat’s Shelter because of a big cat – and she finds a black jaguar passed out on the floor – and as it awakens, she is talking to it, asking questions, and he starts to answer her in her mind… Avery Scott, likes women, Morovian (vampire) but one with a soul as born to Joined parents -he - disoriented at first, and she – trying to track the voice… finally connect… and she finds out he was with the Leshies, and they made him a jaguar (later we find out dad (Albert) dropped him off at the shelter, to protect him from his daughter); she sits next to the jaguar, head on lap, and scratches his ears to relax him, and once relaxed he shifted back to human (or Morovian)… and as he can mind talk with her, he realizes she is his Beloved. Her sister Cora is a barrel of laughs, as she tries to protect her sister (shooting Avery with a tranq dart when he catches him kissing her sister – buying hose and shovels as rope and stakes in case he gets out of control) -
The attraction is strong… she takes things in stride, but wants time… they figure out that the daughter and son were magically making humans into animals, and sending them to Scotland to be hunted… dad works with jac and Avery to stop them… which they do… and in the end… he loves her (it took him 7 hours to come to that conclusion)… and she is fascinated with him… ahhh When they make love, given their beloved connection, they can feel the other’s sensations and emotions – and without conscious choice, she absorbs his darkness, giving him her light… and when confronting Danielle – who intends to turn them all animal and send them to be prey, jac is changed to lion – and Avery and Jac look forward to running together.
“That’s all you’ve been thinking about for the last ten minutes, and you can just stop because it’s not going to happen. And that. I’m allergic to cherries, anyway. Now, that one is just underhanded. Avery! Stop thinking smutty things at me! I can’t concentrate when you… Hoo, mama! Is that… No. I’m not listening to you anymore.” Jacintha, in response to the images in Avery’s mind that she can hear.
“ A marking, protection, fluids exchange, trust, a second exchange, and overcoming darkness. Dark Ones have a final step: an exchange of blood.” Avery explains to Jacintha
“I tried to growl at her, but it came out a purr. ‘Aww, isn’t that sweet? Big kitty is purring at me,” my obnoxious sister said, patting my head.” Cora and her sister therion/shapeshifted lion Jacintha.
The attraction is strong… she takes things in stride, but wants time… they figure out that the daughter and son were magically making humans into animals, and sending them to Scotland to be hunted… dad works with jac and Avery to stop them… which they do… and in the end… he loves her (it took him 7 hours to come to that conclusion)… and she is fascinated with him… ahhh When they make love, given their beloved connection, they can feel the other’s sensations and emotions – and without conscious choice, she absorbs his darkness, giving him her light… and when confronting Danielle – who intends to turn them all animal and send them to be prey, jac is changed to lion – and Avery and Jac look forward to running together.
“That’s all you’ve been thinking about for the last ten minutes, and you can just stop because it’s not going to happen. And that. I’m allergic to cherries, anyway. Now, that one is just underhanded. Avery! Stop thinking smutty things at me! I can’t concentrate when you… Hoo, mama! Is that… No. I’m not listening to you anymore.” Jacintha, in response to the images in Avery’s mind that she can hear.
“ A marking, protection, fluids exchange, trust, a second exchange, and overcoming darkness. Dark Ones have a final step: an exchange of blood.” Avery explains to Jacintha
“I tried to growl at her, but it came out a purr. ‘Aww, isn’t that sweet? Big kitty is purring at me,” my obnoxious sister said, patting my head.” Cora and her sister therion/shapeshifted lion Jacintha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2011
I love Katie MacAlister's books! Whether in the contempory or paranormal romance genres, they are always fun!
*******warning: plot spoilers ahead***********
In "Unleashed", which was in the 'Cupid Cats' anthology (which I hadn't had a chance to read yet) is about Jacintha Ferreira, a woman who workd in the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Dept, and specializes in the Big Cats, since she's known as the "kitty whisperer" by her co-workers. Her sister Cora is in town on vacation when Jacintha's called to a shelter that seems to have one of the big cats sleeping inside. What she is surprised to discover, is that the cat seems to really be speaking in her head, and that he says he's not a cat at all, but a Moravian who seems to have a Scottish accent.
Avery Scott is pretty surprised to find himself in the body of a black jaguar... and also surprised to find the woman talking to him just might be his Beloved, which is a surprise to him. Before they can really do anything about that, he has to figure out how to get back to his normal physical self and confront the group of people that might have done this to him. When Jacintha and Cora see Avery in her "natural" state, Cora's hatred of vampires (due to her past life regression) comes to the surface. This is where the humor that I love about this author's books come in! ;-)
BTW, Corazon had her own novella in an anthology somewhere, and I hate that I can't think of where I read it originally. Luckily, we get a brief rundown of that story as she tells her sister what had happened to her: she had a session where she went through a past life regression and discovered she had died in a freak cart accident (back in the middle ages?). and a sexy vampire comes up and kills her attacker... and she discovers that her friend's new neighbor looks like the vampire in her regression. Cora's story will continue in the new Dark Ones novel, "Much Ado About Vampires", which I just purchased from Mysterious Galaxy! The Best Independant bookstore in San Diego!! They are the only bookstore that separates the paranormal romance books into their own section!
Anyway, I digress. The story then goes on about a wild game smuggling operation that Avery and his brother Paen are investigating, and how the sisters get involved adds to more fun and danger! Love how open-minded Jacintha is about the crazy situation with Avery, but then you really get to know someone pretty quickly when you can speak mind-to-mind! Loved the story! It was over too quickly!
*******warning: plot spoilers ahead***********
In "Unleashed", which was in the 'Cupid Cats' anthology (which I hadn't had a chance to read yet) is about Jacintha Ferreira, a woman who workd in the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Dept, and specializes in the Big Cats, since she's known as the "kitty whisperer" by her co-workers. Her sister Cora is in town on vacation when Jacintha's called to a shelter that seems to have one of the big cats sleeping inside. What she is surprised to discover, is that the cat seems to really be speaking in her head, and that he says he's not a cat at all, but a Moravian who seems to have a Scottish accent.
Avery Scott is pretty surprised to find himself in the body of a black jaguar... and also surprised to find the woman talking to him just might be his Beloved, which is a surprise to him. Before they can really do anything about that, he has to figure out how to get back to his normal physical self and confront the group of people that might have done this to him. When Jacintha and Cora see Avery in her "natural" state, Cora's hatred of vampires (due to her past life regression) comes to the surface. This is where the humor that I love about this author's books come in! ;-)
BTW, Corazon had her own novella in an anthology somewhere, and I hate that I can't think of where I read it originally. Luckily, we get a brief rundown of that story as she tells her sister what had happened to her: she had a session where she went through a past life regression and discovered she had died in a freak cart accident (back in the middle ages?). and a sexy vampire comes up and kills her attacker... and she discovers that her friend's new neighbor looks like the vampire in her regression. Cora's story will continue in the new Dark Ones novel, "Much Ado About Vampires", which I just purchased from Mysterious Galaxy! The Best Independant bookstore in San Diego!! They are the only bookstore that separates the paranormal romance books into their own section!
Anyway, I digress. The story then goes on about a wild game smuggling operation that Avery and his brother Paen are investigating, and how the sisters get involved adds to more fun and danger! Love how open-minded Jacintha is about the crazy situation with Avery, but then you really get to know someone pretty quickly when you can speak mind-to-mind! Loved the story! It was over too quickly!
August 7, 2020
Unleashed
I so enjoyed this. I’ve been a fan of this author ever since my husband came home with a copy of A Girl’s Guide to Vampires. What I love about this one is how it reminds me of the author’s earlier works with its sassy strong female. For me, this was closer to her first Dark Ones novel with the antics and just cracking me up.
I so enjoyed this. I’ve been a fan of this author ever since my husband came home with a copy of A Girl’s Guide to Vampires. What I love about this one is how it reminds me of the author’s earlier works with its sassy strong female. For me, this was closer to her first Dark Ones novel with the antics and just cracking me up.
June 24, 2017
I didn't feel like there was a need for shifters, but it was interesting to find out about Beloveds of Moravians (not Dark Ones).
The story is simple, Jas is a wildlife officer and gets called to an animal shelter, where a big cat was found. Jas finds out its a jaguar, but this jaguar suddenly starts talking without moving its lips and without her sister Cora being able to hear it. It appears that this jaguar is actually no jaguar, not even a human, but a vampire! But who made him a jaguar and why is Jas able to hear his thoughts?
The Dark One is Avery, Paen's brother, the one with all the women. Therefore we also meet Paen and Sam again and now three of the four brothers have their Beloveds. I liked this story, and that's all to it. It is nothing special but it's funny and an easy read.
read: 09.03.15, 12.08.15
The story is simple, Jas is a wildlife officer and gets called to an animal shelter, where a big cat was found. Jas finds out its a jaguar, but this jaguar suddenly starts talking without moving its lips and without her sister Cora being able to hear it. It appears that this jaguar is actually no jaguar, not even a human, but a vampire! But who made him a jaguar and why is Jas able to hear his thoughts?
The Dark One is Avery, Paen's brother, the one with all the women. Therefore we also meet Paen and Sam again and now three of the four brothers have their Beloveds. I liked this story, and that's all to it. It is nothing special but it's funny and an easy read.
read: 09.03.15, 12.08.15
September 24, 2014
I adored this story. Jas was a wonderfully honest and open character. No wasted time on denial, coming up with excuses, etc. I liked her no nonsense responses to surprises. Avery was great, a real ladies man that had no problem accepting his newly discovered Beloved and 'taken' status. Cora made their little posse perfect, though. She was pure comedy and I was laughing out loud at her banter with Jas. I know she gets her own full-length novel later on, but I don't think I could handle her attitude for a full book. She was perfect here. And the bad guys were interesting. I thought their plot and operation were worthy of a longer story. Or maybe continuing a bit into a future book. Except I think they were eliminated. Whoops.
I think this was one of my favorite Katie MacAlister stories.
I think this was one of my favorite Katie MacAlister stories.
February 6, 2013
An adorable quickie novella of the Dark Ones. In this story, Jacintha, a fish & wildlife officer known for her kitty whispering tangles with a Moravian turned werejaguar (therion - meaning he can shift at will) as they uncover a heinous "animal" smuggling plot. I think this could have easily been turned into a full length book but that may just be wishful thinking on my part since I truly love Katie MacAlister's talented, witty, & amazing mind as I long for more of her written words.
January 9, 2012
I love all of Katie MacAlister's Dark Ones books, and this one was great. I loved reading about Paen and Sam again, and Jacintha and Avery were really cute. Some people may not believe in love at first sight, but as someone who has been happily married for ten years to hers, I do.
April 23, 2017
Charming, funny uniquely Katie
One of the best things about Ms. Macalister's writings is that it's all her. You don't feel like you've read something similar. I guess that is why she is an all around favorite.
One of the best things about Ms. Macalister's writings is that it's all her. You don't feel like you've read something similar. I guess that is why she is an all around favorite.
July 9, 2012
Not usually into vampire books, but this one was kind of cute.
June 2, 2013
Read this as part of the Cupid Cats book. I think I will have to read more of the dark ones.
June 20, 2013
This funny and wonderful 109 pages novella can also be found in the Anthology Cupid Cats!
August 18, 2013
Love the Dark ones!
January 31, 2018
Loved it
I love a good and funny book. Katie Macalister always delivers and I always enjoy her sexy vamps. I wish it was longer story.
I love a good and funny book. Katie Macalister always delivers and I always enjoy her sexy vamps. I wish it was longer story.
February 25, 2020
Unleashed
Good read. Very entertaining. Would read more from these characters. Love all of Katies works. Look forward to her next bpoks.
Good read. Very entertaining. Would read more from these characters. Love all of Katies works. Look forward to her next bpoks.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews