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Hadley Werewolves #1

Bitten By Deceit

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Alpha wolf Emma Parker is loyal to a fault, even if it means losing the love of her life when he’s ousted from the pack. She’s never stopped needing him, and when a black witch curses the pack, she wonders if she’ll even survive. It’s a poison of the blood, and with each bite, the virus spreads, leaving the infected rabid and under the control of an evil Alpha.

Kyle Benton is starting over. He’s a lone wolf, betrayed by the only woman he’s ever loved. Until Emma barges back into his life, as gorgeous and determined as ever. He’s hell bent on resisting her, or at least making her suffer. But she needs him in a way that touches him to his very soul. Now he has to determine how to set her free, and if he can, how he can ever let her go.

61 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2012

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426 people want to read

About the author

Shawntelle Madison

39 books484 followers
Shawntelle Madison is a web developer who loves to weave words as well as code. She’d never admit it, but if asked she’d say she covets and collects source code. After losing her first summer job detassling corn, Shawntelle performed various jobs—from fast-food clerk to grunt programmer to university webmaster. Writing eccentric characters is her most favorite job of them all. On any particular day when she’s not surgically attached to her computer, she can be found watching cheesy horror movies or the latest action-packed anime. She lives in Missouri with her husband and children.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Profile Image for Heather K (dentist in my spare time).
4,119 reviews6,884 followers
April 5, 2018
**3.5 stars**

This was an unexpectedly good, short PNR shifter story. I didn't expect the zombie twist, which was kind of fun. It is hard to tell a complete story in only 61 pages but Shawntelle Madison does a very nice job of it. My final take is that it was a enjoyable read but I probably won't remember it in a day or two.

**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
3,207 reviews397 followers
tbr-later
July 8, 2015
8 July 2015: $0.00 FREE on Kindle

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11 July 2014: $0.00 FREE on Kindle
Profile Image for Jill.
826 reviews139 followers
March 28, 2013
***I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review***

This is a short story. So I have rated it as a short story, not as a full length well developed novel.
As a short story goes this one was quite good.

Emma is in trouble, her pack leader has gone crazy the pack has fallen, taken over my Liam and his sickness. The only person who could help her, her mate Kyle, is long gone, betrayed by her and his pack.
But when Liam gets his followers to hold her down while he bites her, infecting her with some sort of zombie curse, enough is enough. She knows she is going to have to swallow her pride and get help.

After a year of soul searching , Kyle is pretty happy to have seen the back end of his pack after they kicked him out of the pack. What he still can't get over is Emma's betrayal, so when she shows up asking for his help all he wants is to walk away...but old feelings kick in and he finds himself protecting her once more

I liked the different twist on the supernatural werewolf theme in this book. What is better than werewolves? Freaky Zombie, witch cursed werewolves, that's what!! Everything moved along really fast in this book, leaving know time to get bored or wonder what would happen next.
The characters were interesting,I loved how through protecting Emma,Kyle and her got a second chance at their relationship, however, I would have loved a little bit more background to their relationship, to make it a bit more believable to me, but alas, it is a short :)
For a book of this size it was pretty good. Enjoyable if you have an hour or so on a lazy afternoon.
Profile Image for Naoms.
705 reviews175 followers
July 29, 2013
This is really bad. Honestly, this short is beneath the entertaining and humorous work that I am used to from Ms. Madison. This is the thing the romance between Emma and Kyle is nonexistent. I get that these two are in love and they were seperated, because people in romance books are not very good at communicating with each other. Here's the thing, it's too short. Way too short for the reader to really care.

I didn't care, because I don't know Emma and Kyle. I understand that lots of drama went down and Kyle was forced to leave his pack, but honestly it made no sense. If his opponent crushed his leg the night before, how the hell was he ok enough to stand up, let alone fight. How was it that the pack doctor didn't cry fowl and say this fight is going to have to wait until later. How did the pack follow such a weak person? Shifters are followers, but they're not stupid. They have instincts that make them smell a weak link among them. Then, explain to me how this man ruins the guy she loves and then Emma stays behind. Don't give me some B.S about her sister, because it sounds like Emma has no control over her sister in the first place.

Ok, this is sounding more like a rant than a review, so here is my critique. I did not believe this story. It is not well developed or executed. The love story is weak. I only know it's a love story, because the author keeps telling me they love each other. The idea of this virus, spreading through due to the help of a witch is really interesting, but is not enough to keep this short going.

I wish it were a longer detailed, flushed out book with characterization where I can see an actual love story developed. It's not.
Profile Image for SheLove2Read.
3,150 reviews209 followers
December 20, 2015
I have previously enjoyed Madison's paranormal stories, but I have to say this one did nothing for me. I didn't like the female MC at all.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews136 followers
Want to Read
September 22, 2022
🎁 Part of The Hadley Werewolves: The Complete Collection (Hadley Werewolves #1-3) which is FREE on Amazon today (9/22/2022)! 🎁
Profile Image for The BookChick .
1,454 reviews424 followers
March 22, 2013
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤
VERY GOOD: The characteristics of a 4 star book include: a great story; I loved the characters; and there was an interesting plot and unique story elements; there may have been a few odd things kept the story from being amazing. I would read it again and I would recommend it to a friend.
Initial Reaction: This edgy little story had bit...quite literally.

Rating's Breakdown:
Quality of writing: Good

Pace: Fast, furious, and potent

Characters: Fierce! I would have loved more background about them.
Plot development: Cursory

Story line: Uncomplicated. The good guys save the day and love conquers all.

Enjoyability: I'd happily do a re-read.

Heat Level: Medium

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Profile Image for Patricia.
115 reviews24 followers
April 15, 2013
Alpha wolf Emma Parker is loyal to a fault, even if it means losing the love of her life when he’s ousted from the pack. She’s never stopped needing him, and when a black witch curses the pack, she wonders if she’ll even survive. It’s a poison of the blood, and with each bite, the virus spreads, leaving the infected rabid and under the control of an evil Alpha.

Kyle Benton is starting over. He’s a lone wolf, betrayed by the only woman he’s ever loved. Until Emma barges back into his life, as gorgeous and determined as ever. He’s hell bent on resisting her, or at least making her suffer. But she needs him in a way that touches him to his very soul. Now he has to determine how to set her free, and if he can, how he can ever let her go.

Shawtelle Madison is a new read for me, I haven't had the pleasure of reading nothing from this author, but as far as this novella shows, she'll be on my TBR list with every book she writes.

This is a novella but the reader doesn't come short handed in the end.
You can find all the right ingredients to satisfy your reading and find a very sexy wolf and a heroin that knows how to say I'm sorry.

From the start, my curiosity was driven, and page after page I discovered that sometimes choices have to be made, even if those choices hurt you and someone else, higher priorities get in the way and life isn't perfect after all.

The chemistry between Kyle and Emma is still there and they have to overcome the sorrow of being split apart by the villain.
Trust is an element that takes priority in this story and as it progresses turns into something that never went away ... love.

There's the villains that come hand in hand with the payback and they appear just in the right time, with a balance to everything that is going on, never out of place.

For a short story, this book has everything it should have, a beginning, middle and end, a pace that is set from the start always rising until it reaches it's pick and an ending that is very satisfying.
Profile Image for Books & Vodka Sodas.
1,137 reviews127 followers
October 16, 2013
This novella turned out to be a really hard one for me to rate. While the writing voice in this story was very strong. Nothing about the characters reached out to me and pulled me in. For the most part I search for unique and sexy shifter stories. When I saw one that looked unique I grabbed up this one.

However, there was something about it that just didn't quite reach out to me as a reader. The characters, although flushed out and sound in their personalities and reasoning didn't make me care for them. Nothing about Emma really made me go, "Oh, I get her." Mostly I got a whole lot of disloyalty to someone that was supposed to be her mate all for the sake of not making waves.

The mild background peaks we have into the couple sort of gives us an idea that they were doing ok. Then this Liam dude comes out of the wood work to challenge him.

See, this my issue with most werewolf books. They make werewolves look like white trash and easy to turn on each other. The rest of the pack easily brainwashed by said disloyal member. I don't like that. I believe based on research done by wolves in the wild that this whole white trash concept flies in the face of how half human breeds would act.

Yes, I just got discovery channel on you all.

Then we are brought to the romance.

I get this is novella.

Its hard to really sell a romance in 20k words. However, if you don't think you can sell it, then write a full length. Because you didn't sell this 'five seconds ago I hate you, now I'm humping you while you are dying of the werewolf equivalent to rabies.' Erm--nah that doesn't work.

I wasn't even quivering in lust at any of the sex scenes I just kinda read through it and went, "Oh, they humped, good for them."

The author as a whole is a strong author, I believe in this case it was just personal preference on my part in my inability to enjoy the story. I encourage those that enjoy shifter book to read this, it is unique and original.

*I received a copy of this book via Shawntelle Madison via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Katherine Paschal.
2,311 reviews64 followers
May 5, 2013
Emma is on the run from her Alpha pack leader Liam, who just happens to be crazy. He has joined forces with a black witch to enhance his powers. Emma was bitten by Liam, as were many of the pack, causing them to become his puppets, but Emma has not given in to his call. Emma seeks out her lost love Kyle, the man she let leave her a year before, yet her inner werewolf still considers him her mate. Kyle now is a mechanic in a very small middle of nowhere town, and really he wants nothing from his past life. When Emma finds Kyle, they both realize that they have feelings for each other and this time they wont give up.
It was a very short story, only 40 pages long. I really do not like short stories on a regular basis because they lack the character development that makes a book good for me. This story was decent, set in a world with werewolves and witches I will assume is the same world as the Coveted series. The story had so much potential that it could easily be made into an actual book. The characters have so much potential and life that a series could be constructed around them.
The one thing I had an issue with was the random outdoor sex when they both came to the conclusion they had feelings for each other. They stopped what they were doing to have sex, even while the bad guys are on the prowl and can come out at any time. I guess it was needed so that it could be considered a romance, but it was so sudden and stupid of the characters.
I received this story from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Dianne.
6,818 reviews634 followers
April 5, 2013
In Bitten By Deceit by Shawntelle Madison, Kyle Benton is a self-imposed lone Alpha wolf after having to leave his pack and the woman he loved behind. When Emma Parker, the woman Kyle loved comes barreling into his life again, sick and desperate for his help, how can he refuse? Emma has been attacked by the crazed leader of her pack who has been cursed by a black witch. Bitten and infected, she knows Kyle is the only one strong enough to defeat the evil Alpha leader and end the curse, but time is running out. When the showdown comes, who will be the last wolf standing? Will Emma be able to earn Kyle's trust and love again?

For a very short novella, the action never quit and the scenes were set well! Add in the spice of Emma and Kyle's desires for each other and you have a great short read!

A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Shawntelle Madison in exchange for my honest review.

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Profile Image for Traceys.
1,497 reviews72 followers
March 24, 2013
Kyle a werewolf left his pack a year ago after some major disagreements, leaving behind his love Em.

A year later and Em walks into his life asking for help, she has been bitten by Liam, kyles adversary and his bite had black magic in turning em into a zombie type creature slowly.

Kyle needs to kill Liam to save his love, before she kills him!

This is a short story, but is entertaining, it jumps straight into the story, not much on background and character development, but it's obvious they have deep, simmering feelings for each other.

****3.5 star read****


**I received this book via publisher through netgalley for an honest review**
Profile Image for Andrea Heltsley.
Author 15 books325 followers
September 9, 2017
This was a novella from an author I love. Her other werewolf series is quirky urban fantasy. It has everything from werewolves to wizards, mermaids, nymphs and witches plus plenty more. They all seem to be dysfunctional in a way that makes them all unlikely friends. So, given how much I love that series and my love of werewolves, I expected a lot from this short story.
Unfortunately, it wasn't my favorite. The characters didn't have enough storyline to be fleshed out well enough. I didn't enjoy the love/hate relationship between the mc's.
I liked the steamy bits and all, but again, there wasn't enough storyline to make this what it could have been. Overall it gets three stars.
Profile Image for Carmel (Rabid Reads).
706 reviews393 followers
February 27, 2013
I loved the instant chemistry between Emma and Kyle! Although they've been apart for a year, the moment they reunite it's obvious that they're two halves of the same whole. All of their differences become irrelevant the moment Emma's life is in danger. Life or death situations tend to put things into perspective like that. The bitten rabid wolves have a zombie-esque feel to them that I really enjoyed. The story wrapped up nicely considering its limited length and left me wanting more. A potent and satisfying shot of werewolf adrenaline.
Profile Image for Wendy.
1,105 reviews29 followers
December 27, 2017
Review originally posted on my blog, Musings of a Bookish Kitty:
http://www.literaryfeline.com/2017/11...



Bitten by Deceit (Hadley Werewolves #1) by Shawntelle Madison
2012; 61 pgs

Emma chose to remain behind when her mate left the pack. Now she is begging for his help when the pack leader falls under the curse of a black witch. Danger follows fast on her heels, and Kyle must think fast to prepare a defense--and an end to the plague. It's the only sure way to save Emma. I have read other books by Shawntelle Madison, which I enjoyed, and have had this short novella on my Kindle for awhile now. It was hidden away, as sometimes Kindle books can be. E-books aren't as in your face as books on an actual physical book shelf. I enjoyed Bitten by Deceit for being quick to and full of action, and Madison's ability to give just enough backstory and set up to make this story feel more complete. Still, it did seem too short, and I wouldn't have minded knowing more about the pack Emma and Kyle come from. Overall, this was a satisfying quick read to scratch my itch for something short and intense.

Profile Image for Tammy.
1,120 reviews8 followers
January 14, 2024
Bitten by Deceit is a novella that introduces the Hadley Werewolves series. Emma’s alpha has been enchanted so that his bite turns his packmates into his slaves. When Emma herself is bitten she runs to find the man she and the pack turned their backs on. Despite his anger and reluctance Kyle decides to help Emma. While they are together their old feelings for one another resurface. The book is short and I would’ve loved more information about the pack before Kyle was ousted. I recommend this book to anyone who likes paranormal romance.
Profile Image for Monique.
913 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2020
A short story that is a good introduction to a different kind of werewolf-trope. Potential to be a great series.
Profile Image for Jennifer Layne.
1,040 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2021
Good read! Took me FOREVER to get to this book but not because of the book, mostly life and ARC commitments!

It was well written with great world building & interesting Characters!
700 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2023
what an enjoyable quick read. This is a book about fated mates with a twist. I enjoyed this quick read and would recommend that if you enjoy shifters that you read this book.
Profile Image for Cinzia.
381 reviews12 followers
April 21, 2013
Cute Short-novel, but with some defect linked to being a short story, and therefore with limited possibilities in deepening or clarify some situations. More than a story unto itself at first I believed it was a story that is part of a series already started.

Alpha wolf Emma Parker is loyal to a fault, even if it means losing the love of her life when he’s ousted from the pack. She’s never stopped needing him, and when a black witch curses the pack, she wonders if she’ll even survive. It’s a poison of the blood, and with each bite, the virus spreads, leaving the infected rabid and under the control of an evil Alpha.

Kyle Benton is starting over. He’s a lone wolf, betrayed by the only woman he’s ever loved. Until Emma barges back into his life, as gorgeous and determined as ever. He’s hell bent on resisting her, or at least making her suffer. But she needs him in a way that touches him to his very soul. Now he has to determine how to set her free, and if he can, how he can ever let her go.

The story begins with Emma searching for Kyle after a year from the misdeed. Now, I wonder, is a short story, but a little two pages prologue with a background of what happened between the two when he was driven out from the pack, not a good idea?
Also because she arrives there to ask help from Kyle, almost as if nothing happened and I would have love it a little bit more of obstruction from him I would have expected it, after all.
Otherwise the story is written in a very smooth way, dynamic, the passion between the two characteBanks like a flame and the werewolves are not known to be creatures that hold back in these occasions, indeed ...
Had the potential to be a good book, if it had been written a more detailed storyline with a longer history, but in this case is a bit like a glimpse of what could be.
Thanks to Netgalley and Shawntelle Madison for the book

RATING: 3 stars

TITLE: Bitten by Deceit
AUTHOR: Shawntelle Madison
PUBLISHER: Shawntelle Madison
PUBLICATION DATE: December 2012
Short-novel carina, ma con qualche difetto collegato al fatto di essere un racconto breve, e quindi con possibilità limitate nell'approfondire o chiarire alcune situazioni. Più che un racconto a sé al primo approccio mi ha dato l'impressione che fosse una storia facente parte di una serie già iniziata.

Emma Parker è una femmina alpha, leale al gruppo di lupi al quale appartiene, tanto da decidere di non seguire il licantropo che ama quando viene espulso dal branco.
Non lo ha mai dimenticato e quando una strega lancia un incantesimo sul branco al quale Emma appartiene, la ragazza non sa se sarà in grado di sopravvivere e rivederlo.
La minaccia è rappresentata da un virus che viene trasmesso nel sangue attraverso il morso di un licantropo infetto, le conseguenze di questo virus portano alla follia e alla completa sottomissione al volere del maschio alpha, che a sua volta è stato colpito da questo incantesimo.
Kyle Benton si è ricostruito una vita da un'altra parte, vive come un lupo solitario, dopo essere sotto espulso dal suo branco e aver perso l'unica donna che abbia mai amato. Quando Emma ricompare all'improvviso nella sua vita, bellissima e determinata come sempre, prova a tenerla a distanza e rifiutarla per restituirle pan per focaccia. Ma lei ha veramente bisogno di lui e la cosa non può lasciarlo indifferente. Decide di aiutarla a liberarsi del suo problema e, se ci riuscirà, a tenerla sempre l suo fianco.

La storia inizia con i due che si rivedono dopo un anno dal misfatto. Ora, mi chiedo, è sì un racconto breve, ma un piccolo prologo di due paginette con un antefatto di quello che è successo tra i due quando lui è stato cacciato dal branco, no?
Anche perchè lei arriva lì bella bella a chiedere l'aiuto di Kyle, quasi come se niente fosse e insomma un pochino più di ostruzione da parte di lui me la sarei aspettata.
Per il resto poi il racconto è scritto in modo molto scorrevole,dinamico, la passione tra i due personaggi torna subito ad accendersi e i licantropi non è che siano famosi per essere creature che si tirano indietro in queste occasioni, anzi...
Aveva le potenzialità per essere un bel libro, se fosse stata scritta una trama più dettagliata con una storia più lunga, ma in questo caso rimane un po' come un assaggio di quello che poteva essere.
Si ringrazia Netgalley e Shawntelle Madison per il libro

VOTO: 3 stelle

TITOLO: Bitten by Deceit
AUTRICE: Shawntelle Madison
EDITORE: Shawntelle Madison
DATA PUBBLICAZIONE: dicembre 2012


Profile Image for Shauni.
1,061 reviews28 followers
April 7, 2013
I was so excited when I saw this book by Shawntelle Madison that I practically ripped it from the computer. I have absolutely loved what I have read of her so far. What I didn't notice was that it was a Novella and a really short one at that. I have a hard time with Novellas because I read really fast, absorbing the characters into myself rather than actually reading.. So Novellas tend to make me angry. Why? Because just as the absorbing starts, the book ends.

That being said, Bitten by Deceit tells a wonderful story of two people who have made choices that took them away from each other but know deep down where it matters that when it's time for someone to have their back, the only one who they can count on is each other.

Shawntelle does an excellent job of telling Emma Parer and Kyle Benton's story in just a few short pages. She makes me feel deeply for Kyle, understand Emma and loathe those who tore them apart. I know we are supposed to hate the villain, Liam but I also found myself with a healthy sense of dislike for Emma's sister. A girl who is never seen and only mentioned with what is supposed to be glowing terms. BUT as a sister myself I saw a selfish greedy girl who wanted played on her sister's insecurities rather than support her dreams.

Kyle had been driven from the pack after a fixed fight for dominance. He had been beaten, battered and bruised with a blown out knee (by the goons associated with his opponant) the day before the fight. Then he was expected to fight and win. When he lost he was driven from the pack, the pack that until that day had expected him to lead them. When he asked the love of his life to step up and leave with him she chose the pack. Yeah, he deserves to be just a wee bit bitter.

Emma Parker, chose family over love. She stayed behind to make sure her pack was secure to protect her sister and to play it safe. Yet when the world went crazy and Liam was cursed by a black witch.. who did Emma run to? Yep you got it Kyle. While she was beset with remorse she still betrayed him as far as I was concerned. I was just downright angry at her. She choose poorly..

But sometimes we do that. We make bad choices, we betray those we love and we fail them. Emma realized that the only person who could save her and her pack from the evil that Liam had become was the very man who should have been leading them to begin with. The only man she had loved.. so she turned to him and because he was a man of worth.. he allowed her back in and worked with her to fight what was destroying the very people who had turned against him.

An excellent story.. too bad it was just TOOOOOOOOOOOOO short..

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of Bitten by Deceit provided by netgalley


For more reviews by Shauni check out Tea and Book and
Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
Profile Image for Fangs for the Fantasy.
1,449 reviews194 followers
April 4, 2013
After Kyle loses a fight with the alpha and the woman he loves more than anything refuses to leave town with him, he sets up shop elsewhere, in the hopes of starting over. He doesn't want to hope that things will get better, even when Emma shows up fleeing the pack because a virus is being spread amongst the werewolves. Emma is desperate for help because now that she has been bitten, Emma knows that her time is limited and she can already hear the dark thoughts in her mind, as the infection spreads. Even with the history of disappointment between them, Kyle cannot help but come to her aid when she is threatened by the pack that drove a wedge between them and ousted him.

Since Bitten By Deceit is a novella, this isn't really going to be a long review. I chose to read this book because I am fan of Madison's Coveted Series. Fans of Coveted, will find that there is little resemblance to Bitten By Deceit, though Madison does once again return to werewolves. Bitten By Deceit is the typical paint by number paranormal romance novel with no ingenuity and little to recommend it. To be fair to Madison, I must admit that while I adore her Coveted series, I am not a fan of paranormal romance per say.

From the start of Bitten By Deceit, Madison makes it absolutely clear that Kyle and Emma are in great danger. They even get attacked in a diner of all places, but what do they do after they escape? Can you guess? They stop for sexy times, cause nothing says your life is at risk, like getting off on the ground, so that you can establish true and forever love. This is something that happens frequently in paranormal romance and each and every damn time, it gets on my last nerve. It breaks the flow of the story and makes me doubt that the characters are really in peril.

As in far too many paranormal romance stories, Bitten By Deceit, is straight, White, cisgendered and able bodied. There weren't many characters in the novella, so that gives it somewhat of a pass, but it would have been nice to have in a little diversity. Dominant bodies always seem to be the default in this genre. In this respect, I found the novella disappointing, given that the Coveted series has some of the best treatment of disabled characters that I have ever read.

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Profile Image for Veronica Hardy.
Author 63 books21 followers
September 19, 2013
Please see my full review and other reviews on http://veronicahardy.blogspot.com

Overall: ★★★★☆ (3.5)

Shawntelle Madison creates a quick, action packed story that leaves you wanting more. And more of the characters. It is sexy, well written and very exciting. I recommend this for shifter fans everywhere who want a quick read. I love the way the story is set up, the romance between the characters and the strong action, but what I am missing is some character development, a little bit of background and a prequel!

Find it on Amazon for only .99 cents! What a steal!

Originality: ★★★★★

Bewitched almost zombie-like shifters. You have my attention. This is original, smart, fast paced and very eye catching. Shifters have been done and done and done again but I keep coming back to them. Because being a shifter is only part of the story. The story goes much deeper than that, and when it is a power struggle with romance and sexual tension, well that gets me going.

Character Development: ★★★☆☆

This was the part that was lacking the most for me. I felt like I came in at the 2nd book. So I looked for the first, and I couldn't find it everywhere. I needed that first book to get to know the already established characters. I felt like connections and things were a bit out of place, so I couldn't always understand them. Or sympathize with them. But there were parts were I could, so I felt like Madison did a good job at it. Hence the 3 stars.

Editing:★★★★★

Professionally done.

The Romance: ★★★★☆

These two definitely have chemistry. It was well written and I could feel it in my bones. I wanted to see it blossom and develop further. I wanted to know what was going to happen to them. And I wanted to read what had happened that made them fall in love in the first place.

Veronica Hardy is a professional editor and author who enjoys writing reviews in her spare time, for fun. She is not compensated by authors, publishers or online retail markets for her opinions. If you are interested in a book review or editing services please email her at Veronica.R.Hardy@gmail.com.
168 reviews4 followers
February 15, 2014
BITTEN BY DECEIT is the first novella in Shawntelle Madison’s self-published Hadley Werewolves series. I enjoyed her debut, COVETED, which I am totally going to write up at some point soon, so I jumped on the opportunity to try something new from her. Unfortunately, BITTEN BY DECEIT was somewhat lacking for me. It’s hard to pinpoint why since the novella has Madison’s characteristic smart, witty writing and good characters but the formula didn’t gel for me the way I’d hoped.

Madison is an extremely talented writer and she does a great job of creating a sense of place and people. Like her Coveted series, this novella is all about werewolves, though there’s no connection with her traditionally published books. The Hadley werewolves are pretty standard in most respects, except for the fact that Emma is on the run from the wolf in charge of her pack, who’s gone bananas. That’s a bit less standard, and the explanation we get for this wasn’t much of a surprise. In fact, it reminded me of a couple other books, which I won’t name since it might spoil your BITTEN BY DECEIT reading experience.

The romantic leads in BITTEN BY DECEIT come off as pretty standard as well. Emma is the damsel in distress, searching for her lost love Kyle, with the hopes that he will save her and the rest of the pack. Kyle, for his part, is broody since he is the rightful alpha and got run off by the current leader of the pack and his cronies. It’s a combination that you see in a lot of romance novels and I was hoping that it would feel fresher in Madison’s hands. I don’t mind tropes but I prefer it when authors add their own special flavour to them, which unfortunately wasn’t the case in this novella. This isn’t to say that BITTEN BY DECEIT is poorly done; rather, I think my expectations are just a bit too high after reading Madison’s full-length work.

For me, BITTEN BY DECEIT was a pleasant but predictable read. If you’re interested in trying this author, I would encourage you to start with COVETED, which is a fantastic book. I’ve got a review copy of the next novella in the series and I hope that it will be a bit more exciting. I’ll keep you posted. :)

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Profile Image for Debra Taylor.
887 reviews24 followers
July 22, 2013


Bitten by Deceit was an exciting shifter romance. I absolutely loved it, found that I didn't want it to end. It's a great story with a unique plot and amazing characters that hooked me from start to finish.

This fast paced story opened with Emma on the run from her rabid wolf pack. The Alpha had bound himself to a black witch and has since been infecting the entire pack with his infectious bite. He has enslaved them with a darkness that robs them of their very sanity, making them puppets to do his bidding. Now, he has bitten Emma, infecting her with his dark insanity. Emma is a strong heroine, she is resisting his hold on her mind, though she knows it's a matter of time. She is searching for Kyle, her lost love, and the man she turned her back on when he was forced from the pack.

Kyle is now a lone wolf, he doesn't want anything to do with Emma or his past. At first he turns her away, but in the end he can't turn his back on his old lover. Despite the pain of her betrayal, he still has feelings for Emma.He puts his life on the line, not knowing about the insidious voice that urges Emma to betray him once again.

Though this book was short, it was a riveting read, with a storyline strewn with suspense , action and hot sex scenes. Even with the thrill of the chase, these two find plenty of time to bond. Gotta say, I felt this book had great potential , and that the plot could've easily supported a full length novel. This was my first time reading one of Shawntelle Madison's books, it won't be the last. I was impressed with her writing style and the quality of this novella. I am happy to recommend this book to readers who enjoy a fast paced, thrilling paranormal read.

My thanks to the publisher & to NetGalley for giving me a copy of the book in return for an honest opinion.

Profile Image for Sapphyria  .
2,292 reviews60 followers
August 17, 2013
Bitten By Deceit is a very short novella that has werewolves, a witch, and love.

Emma is the female alpha of her wolf pack. Strangely, the alpha male, Liam, and some of their pack mates disappear and then reappear completely different, and Emma has no idea what to go or where to go for help. When pack mates hold her down while Liam bites her she realizes that the only person she can turn to is the man that Liam beat in the fight for alpha male.

Kyle lost his bid for alpha male when his opponent was less than sportmanlike. His only option is to leave his pack and try to find his own way in life. He expected the love of his life, Emma, to follow him only to have her remain with the pack and assume her position as alpha female. When she shows back up into his life, he wants nothing more than to turn his back on her just like she did to him. Only, he finds that he's unable to do so, especially when the town where he lives is invaded by zombie-like wolves from his former pack.

It's up to Kyle and Emma to rid the town, and the pack, of these creatures before everyone is in danger.

Bitten By Deceit is a pretty fast moving, action packed short story. The chemistry and tension between Emma and Kyle is strong and believable. The length of the story, however, doesn't really give enough background on the pack or the characters. It's as well developed as it can get considering the overall length. Sixty one pages doesn't really allow complete back story, complete set up, or full character development. If you're looking for something short and sweet with werewolves and zombies then you may want to check this out.

Review Copy Courtesy Of: CrushStar Multimedia LLC via NetGalley, at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Carey Sabala.
370 reviews15 followers
December 27, 2012
Shawntelle Madison is known as the author of the Coveted series, which is a PNR/UF based around Werewolves and other such mythic creatures. In Bitten by Deceit, she dives back into the Werewolf genre but this novella is not based in the same world as her Coveted series. This is more your classic Werewolf PNR tale. The thing about Shawntelle is she writes Werewolves, very very well and that is why I am such a fan of hers because I love me some shapeshifts.
Anywho, as you can tell from the blurb, the novella's heroine is Emma Parker. She and our hero Kyle Benton have a history but when Kyle is ousted from their pack, Emma and Kyle go their separate ways. Kyle has never forgiven Emma for choosing the pack over him and Emma has never really gotten over her decision to remain behind but like any good PNR tale, she had her reasons. Now their evil alpha, Liam, who's bitten her and injected her with his rabies-like infection has decided that he wants to kill Kyle and wants Emma to become his alpha female.
So enough spoilage, this novella is definitely action packed from the git-go. It's a fabulous PNR packed into an itty-bitty package with the requisite sexiness to go with it. So if you love action, romance, twists and turns, I'd highly recommend you give this novella a try. Just as an FYI, you'll be able to read this novella in a few short hours. I think I finished it in about 2 or so. Great read for doctors offices, waiting rooms, anywhere you have a couple hours and want a whole adventure packed into a few short pages.
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