Stunner

Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #0.75

by Trina M. Lee

A prequel short story from the urban fantasy Alexa O'Brien Huntress series. A brief look at Arys and Alexa's first meeting.

Reckless and young, Alexa O’Brien has finally met her match. A werewolf with unusual power, Alexa has a talent for finding trouble. This time trouble is a vampire who will change her life forever.


Short Story: 8000 words
Plus Chapter One from Huntress Book One: Once Bitten

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Werewolves, Romance

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2012

About the author

I am the author of the Alexa O’Brien Huntress and the Rebel Heart series. I write urban fantasy that is dark and gritty with a twist of romance and horror but which is ultimately about people in dark places discovering who they are and what they’re made of.

I’ve been writing since the age of 9 when I had a Christmas themed short story published in the local town paper. A lover of rock music, vampires and muscle cars, I’m a dreamer who always secretly wanted to be a rockstar.

I love to hear from readers so don’t hesitate to drop me a line.

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a combination of two short novellas that are prequels to the Alexa O'Brien Huntress Series...they tell the story of Alexa's connection to the three primary men in her life, Raoul, Shaz, and Arys...it also shows a more vulnerable and naïve Alexa as she grows into her powers and abilities and becomes aware of both sides of her being...however, in the same respect Alexa was shown as bold and confident, not yet a slave to her power...I enjoyed these short reads because they focused on the magical and paranormal aspects of this story which I view as unique and intriguing...these novellas set an inviting stage in which the story can unfold...4 stars:)

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well!!! I thought the prequel to this one was very interesting... this short has just made this series the next on my to read list... I really can't wait to get stuck into the first book!

[Bud · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Nice Intro to the Series

I thought that this Prequel to the Alexa O'Brien Series was okay. I enjoyed it but I wish it delved slightly more into the story, not a lot more but just a little bit more. I have the first book on my Kindle as well and I should be starting it soon. I think this Series is going to be really sexy, romantic, and pure fun. That being said I cannot wait to see the ride this Series takes me on.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alexa manages to get herself into trouble trying to kill Octavia and is saved by the mysterious and dangerous Arys. Now she has him to worry about and when her rejection of Raoul leaves him furious enough to hurt her, Alexa has problems.

Again I liked the character of Alexa and the rough time that she has had makes her a sympathetic character. I'm not normally interested in paranormal books where romance seems to be a major plot....but something about Alexa's story intrigues me and I plan to go ahead at some point and read the first novel.

[Ashden Collige · Rating 4 out of 5]

had potential but should have been longer

[Hbeebti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good and got me intrigued about the rest of the series.

[Thenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A turning point in Alexa's life, when her recklessness results in the first meeting with a very powerful vampire who seems intrigued by her.

[Shannon Curry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplistic

The book could be much more engaging, but lacks the depth of character required for a book that grabs you and sucks you into the works it creates. Not a bad read if you just need to fill a bit of time.

[Renae Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this was fanfiction, these would be considered little timestamps of the prequel variety in terms of the main series.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

More interesting with each book

Love the twists and turns of Alexa's world. My niece and daughter in law would love it. Can't wait to finish the next in the series

[Netta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good start for Alexa and Arys relationship plus it gives the reader a quick look at Alexa's firey personally especially after what Raoul did to her. I really liked it.

[sheri perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunner

I really enjoyed this book. Alexa has a way about her that you don't see very often in heroine. She is very down to earth for a werewolf ha ha

[Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin Ichimaru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis:

A prequel short story from the urban fantasy Alexa O'Brien Huntress series. A brief look at Arys and Alexa's first meeting.

Reckless and young, Alexa O’Brien has finally met her match. A werewolf with unusual power, Alexa has a talent for finding trouble. This time trouble is a vampire who will change her life forever.


Short Story: 8000 words
Plus Chapter One from Huntress Book One: Once Bitten

My Thoughts:

This is a short novella with two prequel stories for the Alexa O'Brien Huntress series. Not a whole lot happens, but we do get to see the major players in the series. It felt a little like I was suddenly dumped into the world without any real worldbuilding or explanation of things. There are werewolves and vampires and it appears that humans don't know about them.

My major issue is that when we first see Alexa, she seems rather timid when dealing with her Alpha, so I got the impression that she wasn't very high up in the pack. Then, but the end of the first story, she's walking out on him because he's sleeping around on her. It doesn't seem to be the first time, but she's fed up with it. I was proud of her for that, though. No need to be a doormat. Plus, she's a huntress, which we learn in the second chapter that seemed to come out of nowhere. The transitions between chapters could have been handled a bit better. I'd really like to know why vampires can manipulate energy, too. Hopefully, that will be explained in the full length novel at some point.

The second story flowed a bit better. Here, Alexa meets a new vampire in town, Arys Knight, who seems to have a reputation that proceeds him. Her power and his seem to call to each other, though. I'm hoping that we find out just why he came to town in the novel. And why it is he told other vampires not to mess with Alexa. The thing that surprised me the most, though, is that while at Raoul's birthday party, Alexa mentions that he and she are the alpha male and female of the pack despite the fact that she won't sleep with him anymore and she moved out of his house. Why wasn't that mentioned in the first story? Why not kick Belle's ass for back talking her if Alexa is dominate over her? Seems odd. Anyway, I was glad that she seems to have finally made it clear to Raoul that she's not going to let him toy with her. I don't like that guy at all. Shaz seems like a sweetie, though. And Arys definitely interests me. I'm gonna start right in on book 1 to see if things flow a bit better and I actually learn something about these characters.

[Kim Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prequels help with what was left out in Once Bitten. Alexa is a werewolf that was turned when she was just a teenager. Her family was attack and killed; she was the only one to survive. Roul takes her in and teaches her things he is 17 years her senior and Alpha to the pack when he is killed by he hybrid daughter he leaves Alexa a letter telling her he is the one who killed her family and turned her. That he loved her mother, that they were having an affair and she chose to go back to her husband and he went crazy and killed them and she was the only one that survived and thats why he took her in. She is so betrayed yet she can't kill him because he is already dead.

Plus she has meet Arys the hot vampire that they have a metaphysical connection. Their powers feed each other like never seen before and she can't stay away from him and once they sleep together at the full moon it causes a bond almost like a blood bond that can't be broken. They saw each others whole life when they had sex and now they have dreams of each other. She feels his blood lust so strong when he needs to feed and he feels skin is going to explode if she doesn't shift.

Alexa also has her wolf mate Shaz. He is down right sexy. She gets to have them both in her bed. This is a series you want be able to put down and it gets better as it goes.

After Once Bitten is The Wicked Kiss and Alexa had Arys and Shaz in bed every time you turn around!!

[IbNancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these to short stories after reading the first 4 books in the Alexa O'Brien series. I have to say I liked it much better than a couple of the books.
The one story explains her relationship with the Alpha wolf that saved her after her attack and changing her into a werewolf at 16, which then of course turned into love for her and another notch in his belt for him.
In the second book she is able to move out of the Alpha's house and keep away from him physically ..... although it doesn't mention where she moved to?? There are a few holes like this in the short stories but I believe the author prefers writing the novels over shorts.
Alexa also meets Arys the vampire and he tells her of a connection between them after he saves her butt from a badly planned job with no back up. And she becomes good friends with Shaz another werewolf a couple of years younger than her but brings out the calm in her when she wants to rip off someone's head.
Great beginning to the series and I would recommend you to get it and read it before the rest of the series as while it's short it does give you some initial background into Alexa. In these books she's hard drinking internally wounded werewolf, who works for a group that takes down bad/uncontrolled supernaturals who may expose them to the world by their actions.

[Katie Rodante · Rating 2 out of 5]

This read a bit like a typical urban fantasy. There are vampires and werewolves, a mysterious and dangerous vampire who seems to be potential love interest, and a werewolf who thinks he's a big bad wolf.

Men with ego problems, it sounds like. Arys, the dangerous vampire, meets Alexa (our MC werewolf) when she's out one night trying to take out some vampires. She makes a mistake and ends up caught with no easy way to escape, that is until Arys comes into the scene.

In the second chapter, Alexa is at a party where she ends up in a room alone with the big bad wolf, and yes, he is deserving of that nickname based on what happens here. Luckily, Alexa gets away, but it's only to meet up with Arys again in chapter three.

What's a bit fascinating is that there is some unique paranormal chemistry or attraction between Alexa and Arys, though she is werewolf and he is vampire. I'm curious as to what's going on between them, and I'm sure the full-length novel would let me know if I decide I want to read it.

[Blake · Rating 1 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)


First time read the author's work?: Yes

Will you be reading more?: No

Would you recommend?: No


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Dora-lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this book I finished and was SCRAMBLING to the store for MORE MORE MORE lol. How exciting the twists and turns the struggle for which way to go was an incredible popcorn popping eyes watering while crossing to NOT MISS a thing . So much for sleeping though I did crash when I finished to DREAM about sexy wolves and stunning vampires ohhhhhh how could you do this to a poor defenceless woman .
May I say how much I happened to GROWL when ever Raoul's name came up (was like the good ole days BOOO HISS ) Alpha wolf or not he was a prize JERK (and fun to hate wink wink ) Now our sweety Shaz drool , sighh , swoon PICK ME . Really was feeling Alexa's dilema , what a way to go . Just when I thought a life is good with some excitement thrown in along comes Sexy , Mysterious Arys WOWEE talk about SEXY I really feel for Alexa having to try and decide which man was the mate for her . I can NOT WAIT TO FIND OUT WHICH WAY SHE GOES LUCKY GIRL

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this short story after reading the first book of the series.
Alexa was born with natural ability to manipulate energy. In her teens, she and her family were attacked by a werewolf. Her family was killed and she was left to die. She lived and became a werewolf due to the attack. Raoul, the local pack leader, took Alexa in. He is quite a few years older than Alexa. This short story didn't make me like Raoul any more than I did in Once Bitten, book 1 of the series.
We also got to read about Alexa's first time meeting Arys, a vampire new to town. There is something about Arys and his vampire powers that attracts Alexa to him.
I look forward to reading more books in this series.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd have to say that this is better that Huntress but not as good as Once Bitten (the only books in the series I've read so far). I actually think the writing is better than in either of the other two, but being only a short story of two people (er...a werewolf and a vampire) meeting, it leaves quite a bit to the imagination. It was fun to see Alexa and Arys meet. He drops quite a few more hints that it may not be all coincidence than in the book. All in all it was a fun little addition to the series.

[Jax O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunner is a much anticipated thrill ride. This short prequel shed some light into this debuting series. Jeaniene Frost has always been my comparison to strong female heroine leads, but her novels are much more than that when you include the romance and protective nature of hunky men. Stunner has previewed that series strongly follows those same characteristics, and I couldn't be more excited. Stunner is a very short prequel, but it gives enough attention to grasp the reader’s attention and demand the reader to continue. I am eager to continue into book one, so be on the lookout for a review of Once Bitten shortly.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very short and quick read, set in and introducing us to the world of Alexa O'Brien. She's clearly a gifted girl - she's a werewolf who can manipulate energy like the vampires of this world. Her emotions are all over the place, being drawn to the alpha of her pack but knowing it's not right, fighting with a vampire but feeling a bit like a scaredy cat. All of these things end up bubbling up while she decompresses back at the pack house.

The story did it's job - I'll check out the series to see if I enjoy a full length story about Alexa and her exploits.

[Crystal Simpson · Rating 2 out of 5]

this short story didn't really give you any new information from the start of the other stories. if anything it just feels like the first couple of chapters that didn't make the cut from the series and for good reason they were not crucial to the story and were boring. I am glad that I didn't read this before the series because I was second guessing alexa's strong independance through this short story. I am glad the series portrays her as a bit more fiery and less broken than this short story.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexa, huntress of wayward supernaturals, is adapting to life as a werewolf with extra supernatural powers. In these two short stories, we learn some of her history and how her environment is set.

A somewhat darkly and mysterious narrative guides the reader through these tales and interactions between characters. Characters are authentic, for the reality, detailed, and develop as the tales progress.

Overall, an interesting read.

[Kipi · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the rapey parts were not there or if they were, at least, aknowledged as rapey, I might really like this book. This is a collection of short stories I got for free on Amazon, and I think I'll check the first "real book" out too! The "mandatory sex scene" left me rolling my eyes a bit though, but I guess in UF books its kind of a given...
2,5 stars, because its a bit better than the 2 star books I've rated, but not nearly as good as some of the 3 star books.

[Meigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introduction to the characters, the different supernatural creatures, and the world they share. We get a small glimpse of how some of the characters interact with one another and you can sort of see who will become allies and who will become enemies. Arys is an interesting one, he seems to have some attraction to Alexa and I am interested enough to move on to the first book in the series just to see how that plays out.

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

My copy of Stunner, also included another (very) short story. While the writing was comparable to the first book of this series, Once Bitten, I didn't find either of these stories added anything much to the plot line. All of this was explained in Book 1, and going back for the fill-in didn't add anything to my appreciation of the series. Stunner was free on Amazon, so no loss- but not a biggie if you skip it, either.

[MsBDiamondDiva1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that I will start reading the next story in this series as soon as I can download it :-) I really want to know how Alex is going to get over her heartache and move on with her life. I do love the intro of Arys, I do think he will bring on the drama and everything is so much better with drama :-) Well at least with books it is :-)

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This prequel to the Alexa O'Brien series is basically a bundle of short stories giving tidbits of Alexa's life. It gives us an intro into her relationships/lack thereof with the different males in her life. It doesn't really give you anything spectacular. You don't really need to read this book to understand the main series. It's like an appetizer to the main course.

[Nereid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet these two stories offer a prelude to the first book in this series. Having read "Once Bitten" first I can appreciate this book as it gives me more of an insight into Alexa and what motivates her, enticing you in to read the next chapter. I would definitely recommend reading this first before you start the series.