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Old Souls

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Sometimes we choose love, but sometimes, fate chooses for us.

Alyssa has started a new job, and from day one, she’s been haunted by dreams of a man she’s never met but can’t seem to forget. Then Alyssa meets her boss and her world comes to a grinding halt. It’s him. But as impossible as that is, things are about to get even stranger.

Mark is a man with secrets. Plagued by guilt and regret, he has spent countless years simply existing. They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, and no one knows that better than him. He’s lost a piece of himself he thought he could never get back. Until the day he met Alyssa for the first time…again.

When unexplainable events occur, the two learn that some actions have consequences so severe that even a powerful love may not overcome them.

120 pages, ebook

Published February 21, 2013

7 people are currently reading
556 people want to read

About the author

P.A. Lupton

2 books418 followers
Ever since I can remember I’ve had an addiction to books, and from the moment I picked up my first Anne Rice novel, I was hooked on the paranormal. The compelling lure of the paranormal world is irresistible. It is a world where anything and everything is possible, and the boundaries of humanity need not apply. A world in which life spans are measured by centuries and millennia, rather than decades, and a woman can possess inhuman strengths and kick major ass, yet still retain her innate femininity.

Why Vampires? They are the ultimate bad boys.
Women love a dangerous man, and what could be more dangerous than a vampire. Vampires embody everything we crave about the stereotypical bad boy. They exude confidence and sensuality. They are exciting, mysterious, and the epitome of masculine perfection—strong, youthful, and indescribably gorgeous. What’s not to love?

My first novel, Bound by Blood, combines my two favorite paranormal legends: witches and vampires—with a little romance thrown into the mix. I hope you enjoy it.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Alexis *Reality Bites*.
757 reviews3,656 followers
May 22, 2013
SPOILER FREE REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.
4 STARS out of 5
Genre: Paranormal Romance

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‘It had started the day I interviewed for this job, but never as strong as it was now. What I’d felt then compared to what I felt now was like trying to compare static electricity to a bolt of lightning. Both were energy, but there was a vast difference in intensity.‘

She felt him.. She could actually feel him before she met him.

Could you imagine starting a new job and at your very first meeting with your new boss he comes storming in to the board room filled with your peers like a raging hurricane?! Then he proceeds to kick everyone out but tells you and only you to stay?! Well that is exactly what happens to Alyssa and this is only the start of the unusual things that will begin to take place in her life.

Recently Alyssa started having dreams.. Erotic dreams and one man has been the star with his recurring role as her lover. She is literally SHOCKED because the man with the staring role also happens to be her new boss. Mark Young. Someone she has never met a day in her life. Yet her dream man is real, very real and standing in front of her in the flesh.

‘When our eyes connected and his clear blue gaze bored into mine, I recognized a spark of something almost familiar. God, I could drown in his eyes, like I might sink so deep I’d never come up for air.’

Words are exchanged after she expresses her embarrassment due to his actions and he apologizes. Embarrassment however becomes the least of her concerns when she starts to get the feeling that there is something he is not saying. Something she needs to know.

‘It was easy to spot his frustration. I think he wanted to explain, but for some reason felt he couldn’t. It left me feeling like I was missing an important piece of the puzzle.’

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Alyssa feels this never ending pull towards Mark, and it causes her to act out of character. A close friendship develops, Mark warns Alyssa that ‘strange things’ may start to happen and to let him know when it occurs. Well he was right,‘strange things’ start to occur and when tragedy strikes Alyssa is left devastated .

My Thoughts
A quickie but a goodie! It was fun, sexy and magical! P.A. Lupton brings you a sexy paranormal romance in 120 pages that will leave you wanting more! I wonder if she will turn this in to a series?!? I recommend this to all PNR lovers! And I look forward to more from this author!!


My Ratings
Characters- Sexy
Writing Style- Good, the author has a way with words ;)
Plot/Storyline- Good, it dealt with being selfless
Steam Factor- Medium/Moderately Steamy
Overall- I enjoyed it! I highly recommend this to PNR Lovers!!

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!

For more reviews got to http://realitybites-letsgetlost.blogs...
*Copy kindly provided by the author for an honest review*
Profile Image for Anna.
484 reviews371 followers
May 28, 2013




Strange dreams had plagued me since the day I started my new job
In my dreams black eyelashes framed the most intense crystal blue eyes I'd ever seen

MARK


The man of my dreams


Alyssa
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She had previously only met him in her dreams ..... Then at her new job she meets him in the flesh .... Is this really happening ?

I was actually having some kind of reaction to a strange vibrating hum that had spontaneously taken root in my veins

Mark ~ " You know exactly what I mean. You feel it too. "

I loved this story. Face it at a very young age we were primed to fall in love with romance and dreamy fairy tales ..... that's what makes reading this kind of book today .... Even better❤ because maturity and puberty are sometimes necessary to understand this type of love
This book even though just a novella was packed with....
excitement, anticipation, and lets not forget desire

Mark ~ " I can't lose you again "
Alyssa ~ " W- what do you mean, again ?"

Yeah this is the type of story I live for. Plus with it being paranormal ~ anything is possible. You just have to DREAM IT

I know what you're thinking .... reincarnation.... But like I said ..... We were molded by Disney for this type of romance ..... Actually this story isn't about that. This is more about SOULMATES and I ~ a woman of probability and statistics, all types of molecular science, proven theories ~ I somehow believe ANYTHING is possible if you can dream it❤

This is what makes me a weepy hopeless romantic. So I ate this novella up for breakfast, lunch, snack, then dinner. My book heart was content with just the right amount of fluff, steam, angst, and of course LOVE.

Je vis d'amour et d'eau douce
I LIVE ON LOVE AND WATER ❤❤ he spoke French......* le sigh *.....







~ 4 **** dreamy love cast a spell on me ~ stars


Thank You Alexis ❤my book pimp❤for this great recommendation ! Love you girl !





Profile Image for The BookChick .
1,454 reviews425 followers
February 27, 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.
Book Description:
Sometimes we choose love, but sometimes, fate chooses for us.

Alyssa has started a new job, and from day one, she’s been haunted by dreams of a man she’s never met but can’t seem to forget. Then Alyssa meets her boss and her world comes to a grinding halt. It’s him. But as impossible as that is, things are about to get even stranger.

Mark is a man with secrets. Plagued by guilt and regret, he has spent countless years simply existing. They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, and no one knows that better than him. He’s lost a piece of himself he thought he could never get back. Until the day he met Alyssa for the first time…again.

When unexplainable events occur, the two learn that some actions have consequences so severe that even a powerful love may not overcome them.

Page Count: 120 pages

My Thought:
Old Souls was an excellent story about fate, loss and love.

Alyssa Reynolds is an up and coming graphic designer at Young and Rubicam. For Alyssa, the story begins uneventfully but with a strange sense of foreboding. She has to deliver a presentation at a meeting that will be attended by one of the company's owners -- Mark Young. Sitting next to her longtime mentor and best friend, Colin, Alyssa attempts to still her racing nerves. However, she senses the foreboding and feels that her life is about to change. Then the vibrations start. Alyssa's body is positively alive with a strong vibration that she has only felt in a series of recurring dreams. The vibration grows stronger and then Alyssa comes face to face with its source, Mark Young. From that one meeting, Alyssa's life begins to change...never again to be the same again.

I really enjoyed this magical novella. Alyssa and Mark were such likeable characters. And boy did I ever feel their plight once the revelations started coming so fast and furious. I love the twist with Alyssa's father...totally unexpected but very fitting with the story. The redux test was absolutely heartbreaking. Who could make the "right choice" in that situation?!?! But *deep breath* I so appreciated the outcome of the situation.

This story was endearing and sexy. Ms. Lupton definitely has a way of drawing a reader into the story and making them fall in love with her characters.

Reading Time: 2.5 Hours

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Profile Image for Katya.
825 reviews
April 20, 2013
4.6 Stars!!!

What a wonderful and unusual story....very imaginative and not your run-of-the-mill PNR. I really appreciated the original story line.

I have to put it out there and say it/get it over with....those who read my reviews know how I feel about novellas....I just think that you can not do a story justice or highlight an author's true skill in novellas....very few people are short story writers. How I wish this was a full novel.

Having said that, I loved the direction in which the author took this story. For such a short story it had alot of interesting detail and a convincing romance. Alyssa is going through life as an ordinary girl until she runs into Mark, her new boss. The attraction is instantaneous...there is something there between them....In the novella he is walking toward the boardroom where she is and she can feel his energy coming closer....and is stunned when he walks into the room and his eyes bore into hers. But it goes beyond attraction, between there is this synergy and something she picks up on and recognizes right away...soul mates? Destiny? Fate? Her skin actually hums when he is close by.

He clears the board room except the two of them and teases her by telling her things will change and she will start to notice strange things beginning to happen, and when she does...to call him. He hands her his card and refuses to say any more. She is intensely curious and part of her wonders if Mark is nutjob or for real. She is just not sure what to believe. Over the next several weeks....she starts following him....making sure to walk by when he is having lunch, or leaving the building at the same time. They start sharing lunch together each day...just getting to know each other. It feels so natural and comfortable to be with Mark....Maybe they shared some unknown past....As if it is meant-to-be somehow.

Then one day some things happen that change her life. (not going to tell you - read the novella) Everything she knew as normal life is thrown into chaos; what she believed of her past is somehow a lie....what she learns about what is happening and who she really is will mold the rest of her life going forward. Is it fate? She can remain the same person before meeting Mark. He knew what would happen to her....was it all planned and predestined? The concept of fate twists as the story progressed into one of free-will and self determination as Alyssa is forced to make a choice that will point her in a direction right towards Mark and into his life....or catapult her far away. To choose Mark may jeopardize her friends lives and her own. What seems like an impossible situation draws Alyssa and Mark closer together like two halves of a whole as they try to figure a way to save her life.

What I really appreciated is how the author resolved the problem. I was expecting the usual, typical and stock-shelf ending where the big man (hero) swoops in and comes to the rescue....We are so used to the woman needing saving from her hero and in many ways he did just that by standing by her, supporting her and loving her. But in this story, Alyssa is the one who really had to save herself.....(how to say this without giving it away....) She had to rely on her own inner fortitude to make the right choice....the answer to the puzzle is placed in her hands and the choice to do the right thing is hers to make. So to answer the author's question: "Is it fate or is it choice?" Yes to both.......Brilliant Ending!!!

As readers, in our lives we often make split-second decisions about things that result in either life or death. We rehash it in our minds afterwords....Should I have done that? What if we had the luxury of time to consider the outcome of our decisions...would our choices still be the same? We agonize along side Alyssa as she considers and weighs the possible outcomes of her decision. It is a moral choice she has to decide which will result in a death....one way or another...and maybe her own. But what is the right thing to do? And how do you live with that decision for the rest of your life?

Another area that I especially appreciated how the author dealt with are the elements of death and euthanasia in this story. Don't get me wrong, I've read many books where death is an element of the story and is handled in many different ways. I don't judge another person's belief system or an author's attempt to deal with a subject. It is difficult to write a story and still please everyone with the content.

PA & I have discussed many ethical and moral issues in the Goodreads.com threads before. I am an Eastern Orthodox Christian and don't always agree with her or others....this is because we have different religious backgrounds and beliefs. But we respect each others' right to their own opinion. It is an interesting topic to discuss if you can not get angry and fight about it....and I appreciate the interesting open-minded chats we've had.

But chatting with a friend is a far cry from the tight rope you walk when you write write a book that contains topics that many people may have different and strong opinions about. But in this novella, she did tell a story which contained elements of a controversial nature with such tenderness and understanding. The heroine, herself, raised her own conflicting feelings about it. I really found it remarkable. This is where being an author takes skill...to write something that can appeal to many different people...to go forward and tread on a topic so emotional without taking you away from the story and what the character is thinking....To not bail and take the easy way out...to do the expected.

I hope that people will pick this up and read this wonderful novella. I would love to see a full blown series with this sub-genre....hint, hint. I loved the uniqueness of this story and took a couple points off for some small things....mostly some dialog and some sections that I think would have benefited from having a few more sentences to beef them up. (Alas, novel vs novella-sorry, I can't help it!) But these were all minor. I loved it!!! This is the second piece I have read by Ms. Lupton and am enthralled by her story telling ability. I am also happy to call her "Friend." Thanks for the wave in your book by the way! A big thumbs up PA!

PS. Loved the cover too....Very pretty and "strange: in a nice way. :-)

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mariℓina.
624 reviews203 followers
August 22, 2013
3,5 Stars!
I really thought i will like it more!
I loved the start but then...

I had a long time to read an absolutely hardcore romantic book and i enjoyed that factor a lot..
Cause this book is full of romance and feelings.. And chemistry.. And lovey-dovey sweetness..
In that aspect was perfect, but i had some issues that bothered me while reading..

Well things start to get weird around the middle of the book..
Many issues left unanswered..
Or some things didn't make sense..

Like the whole story with Evangeline! In 1800s she was more likely to be treated for mental illness(because women in Europe in that era were considered prone to develope hysteria.. Thats how the dildo was born, i kid you not..)than to be a well known doctor..
No way because the first woman doctor was 55 years away yet and with no family to back her up??? NOO way!!!
So history was out of the window, also consistency..
She said she had the nightmare twice.. And then she said she had it for weeks..
I know those are not big issues but they really bugging me personally..

And do not forget how slow she was..
Come on why it took you so long to ask some questions Allysa?
Or 'get' some things!!

By the way the ending was purelly WTH too..
Why would anyone act that way? I am all for saving the love of your life..
I would trade my life for my man's in a heartbeat but that was just dissoriented..
Allysa was a spineless girl who did what dad said and didn't protect anyone in the end..
Evaneline (although for sure not a doctor) helped people while defying
everything..
I mean she did some stupid moves too but what the hell..
Why Allysa didn't fight to do the right thing?
And no matter what i wouldn't be ok with my self after taking the decision she took.. No matter how things turned out.. But she had no problem.. I wouldn't want a friend like her.. That's for sure..


THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK

- The way they were sensed each other was so sweet..
- I loved the story about soulmates..
- The meeting was Crazy!!
- It escalated quicly.. I wanted more..
- The fact that they could talk without talking was amazing..
- Plotholes.. damn..
Profile Image for L.J.  ~ aka Former Lurker.
124 reviews
February 20, 2013
Wow! What an amazing roller coaster ride! This book was a page-turner from the first page! The characters were truly captivating. I was really invested in what happened to them. Some parts were incredibly hot. Some parts made me so angry. Other parts made me sob uncontrollably, laugh, cheer,and smile from ear to ear-- not necessarily in that order. One of the best features of this book is its originality and creativity! There were a couple of unexpected, fresh plot twists. I can't wait to read another book by this author! Count me in as a P.A.Lupton fan!!

Profile Image for Buba.
292 reviews24 followers
March 23, 2013
I was expecting it to be a wonderful book,but,wooow,this book(novella) was FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!
This was roller coaster of tears,fate,choices,love and so many emotions,just simply left me speechless!
I know,is short story,but in those 120 pages it's have such a big emotions that everything you read,go directly in your heart!

Definitly one of my favorite!

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Profile Image for Magda.
519 reviews84 followers
February 27, 2013
What a great, quick read!

Story was a refreshing take on witches, characters were likeable & the book flowed well.

Excellent read if you're in the mood for a short story with a punch.
Profile Image for Brandy.
371 reviews27 followers
February 25, 2013
The author of this book is a friend of mine on Goodreads & while I might be slightly (wink, wink) biased because of my relationship with her, I do believe in giving an honest review regardless.

I knew nothing about the contents of this book before I read it except for the book's description, so everything about it was practically a mystery to me. Having said that, I don't want to give too much of the book away in my review to all of the potential readers out there. However, I will say - Old Souls is a thrilling, nail biting, steamy paranormal romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat for pretty much the entire length of the story. P.A. Luton knows how to reel you into her world by creating mystery in her plot to keep you obsessed with turning pages to find out what will happen next. The H&h's characters are well developed & their romance is HOT - not to mention the amount of passion & love you can feel with P.A.'s words that make you feel their emotions right along with them. This book is definitely one that I would recommend to any adult that loves paranormal romance, with hot sex & a suspenseful plot.
Profile Image for Ellen.
31 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2013
Typically I don’t read novellas, but I loved P.A. Lupton’s Bound by Blood so decided to go ahead with this one. It was awesome. I was surprised at the amount of story packed into this novella, and it was unique. There were so many twists I hadn’t expected that it kept me flipping pages. I read the whole thing in one afternoon.

This story pulled me in from the first chapter. I really liked the characters Mark and Alyssa and was curious to find out why they were so drawn to each other. And it wasn’t at all what I expected. The paranormal parts of this story were different. I’ve read books about vampires, witches, werewolves, demons and pretty much every other type of being, but I love how the author came up with an origin for the supernatural parts of this story. How did it all start? One of my favorite types of Paranormal and Fantasy is when there is a theory, and it was definitely one I hadn’t seen before.

This is a great story and so easy to read. I recommend it for people who love romance sprinkled with a bit of supernatural.
Profile Image for t'irla ~The Bookslayer~ aka Barbara.
1,018 reviews134 followers
February 26, 2013
Fast paced, characters that jump off the pages and a story that is unique and holds your attention right to the end. You'll be wishing this Novella was a full novel by the time you are done.

Description:

Sometimes we choose love, but sometimes, fate chooses for us.

Alyssa has started a new job, and from day one, she’s been haunted by dreams of a man she’s never met but can’t seem to forget. Then Alyssa meets her boss and her world comes to a grinding halt. It’s him. But as impossible as that is, things are about to get even stranger.

Mark is a man with secrets. Plagued by guilt and regret, he has spent countless years simply existing. They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, and no one knows that better than him. He’s lost a piece of himself he thought he could never get back. Until the day he met Alyssa for the first time…again.

When unexplainable events occur, the two learn that some actions have consequences so severe that even a powerful love may not overcome them


*The Author has given me this copy for a honest review..Thank you PA*

My Thoughts:

I loved this novella and truly hope that PA decides to turn it into a series. I was fortunate enough to be asked to read an early version and I can tell you that PA not only took the suggestions to heart but built on them. I absolutely loved her characters; Alyssa although dazed showed backbone, and an sense of honor and morality. Mark is someone who was poleaxed and came out grinning as if he received a new lease on life. The reader was able to connect with each character and PA did a fine job of making these characters multi dimensional,a bit more with Alyssa than Mark...but as I am hoping for a series I hope we find out more about Mark in upcoming books:) The story moved quickly and how PA crafts a plot makes it seem effortless almost like you are watching TV, it just reaches out and grabs you and doesn't let go until the very end. In this case the novella was only a 120 pages and could easily have been a full 250 page novel. Once again, PA hits one outta the ballpark. I can't wait to see more of these characters and learn more of this world.

*note I don't usually give novellas or short stories a 5/5 because it is difficult to build both a new world and characters and maintain a good story line in so short a space however PA accomplished this in the 120 pages.

5 shiny gold stars for Old Souls and anxiously awaiting further books by PA Lupton!

**For more reviews by t'irla check out tirlastalk.blogspot.ca*** READ RATE REVIEW..let us know what YOU think.
February 25, 2013
This was a short, quick, sweet & sexy novella.

Alyssa Reynolds has just started a new job and she hopes to make a good impression on her new boss. So why is it that when Mark Young first walks into the meeting they are having she is shocked by two things....first he looks exactly like a man that she has been having erotic dreams about and second, he appears to be pissed by her very presence. She feels an incredible tingling under her skin just being in the same building with this man, what on earth could be going on.

I loved where Ms. Lupton took this short story. She managed to pack a lot into about 100 pages making me wish that I could keep reading more about Alyssa and Mark.

Mark was incredibly smexy but not in the usual alpha male way. He had an impish sweet way about him that made me melt.

Profile Image for Charlene.
893 reviews68 followers
April 21, 2013
Just finished this...and WOW... I'm truly impressed by the quality of this self-published novella. It's not often that I can say I've read something truly original in the paranormal genre, but I'm able to say it here. I mean, how many ways can a guy shift into a wolf's body? How many varieties of vamp bites could there be? I've often thought witches were an underrepresented literary species, and the author has done a great job of creating their world in a short piece of work, not something easily done. I might have wished for more background and details, but we got more than enough for the plot to make sense. I had none of those WTH just happened moments here, as too often happens in a paranormal tale.

The characters were both well developed and likeable. Alyssa seems like a girl you might like to have as a friend, and Mark...well, I think we all know how we'd like to get to know Mark! Steamy scenes were well-placed and made sense within the story...not to mention HOT! Nothing was overdone though, and nothing crass or crude - this wouldn't have worked with the characters, so I'm glad Ms. Lupton chose to stick with tasteful!

All in all, a very satisfying read...are we to hear more about this world from Ms. Lupton? Maybe a series (hint, hint)...certainly plenty here to work with.
4.5 stars
Profile Image for Katie Low.
Author 2 books4 followers
March 21, 2013
I thought this short story was absolutely amazing. It had the perfect amount of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the characters are easy to love.

It is so hard to find stories that have shockers that you never saw coming, but this story definitely delivers. I dare anyone to read this and not love this story.
Profile Image for Clarke.
1,323 reviews20 followers
May 31, 2013
Good short story. The main characters inability to grasp the glaringly obvious answer was a bit annoying. It's a quick easy read if you need to fill an afternoon.

If you like soul mates, witches, balance, and second chances this book is for you.
Profile Image for Bee.
96 reviews
May 14, 2013
Wow.. it should be more that 5 stars to rate this book 10+ i really loved it... unexpected story!.. looking forward to see more of Alyssa & Mark!... its a MUST READ
3,084 reviews13 followers
June 8, 2021
From the first day in her new job Alyssa Reynolds is plagued by strange dreams, not all of them unpleasant. And, two weeks later, when she finally meets the CEO, Mark Young, he is, literally, the man of her dreams.
There's a strange bond between them, she feels his presence to the extent that she can track him to any part of the building.
“Old Souls” by P. A. Lupton is too short to really delve into a rather complicated and convoluted plot - there's just too much happening. It also prevents much character development, with Alyssa calmly accepting the momentous changes in her life, and Mark coming over all dominant and caring at the same time.
It's a fast, hot read which would have probably been better if it were twice as long.
There's not very much that's new, or even memorable, but I quite liked it.
38 reviews
December 14, 2020
This novella was a great read for a Sunday afternoon. The story was refreshing, and the soulmate plot of everything wasn't as redundant as I expected it to be. Well written, and I am definitely going to look into other books this author has done.
Profile Image for Michelle.
266 reviews41 followers
April 16, 2013
Initial Impression : Loved the story, but would have preferred the ending to have been slightly different.

Full Review
A fascinating novella that introduces us to an alternate version of Earth where magic is real and those who can use it truly exist. The author's take on how it works is unique and fairly original, and I found myself wanting to know more about this world and the various magic users that exist in it. While we do learn quite a bit about it in this book, since the focus is necessarily on Alyssa and Mark and their story I'm sure there is quite a lot that we don't get told.

Alyssa is a modern, independent woman, just starting in her career really, but already highly successful at it. She's landed a key position in a prestigious firm, and unknown to her has caught the boss's eye due to her talent. She catches his eye in other ways the first time they meet, and she shows her mettle by refusing to let him intimidate her. As life begins to take a strange turn on her she freaks out a bit, but then deals with it and sets about trying to learn what she needs to know about her new situation. When an innocent mistake nearly costs her everything, she initially vows to go down fighting, but as she learns more she instead attempts to do the right thing to make amends as best she can, even if it means she has to sacrifice herself or someone she loves to do it.

We don't get to learn quite as much about Mark as I might have liked, though what we do learn about him is entirely favorable. He certainly has alpha male qualities to him, but he tempers them with a genuine respect for Alyssa as a person and he gives her time and space to discover things for herself instead of trying to barge into her life and take over and cramming information down her throat before she's ready for it. Should he maybe have been a little more forthcoming about some things? Sure. But there wasn't really any way he could have predicted what would happen or what the potential consequences would be. He certainly makes mistakes here, but his reasons for doing so are understandable and it's hard to blame him for making the choices that he does.

I liked the pacing in this story, with things being revealed as they needed to be and not before. We're kept wondering for awhile just what is going on as we see Alyssa going about her life for several weeks after her first meeting with Mark, but the waiting-to-know isn't drawn out any more than necessary and the plot and action keeps moving forward at a steady pace. Once it really starts to pick up steam it's off and running and keeps you turning the pages to find out what's going to happen and groaning if you have to put it down for some reason. I have a few quibbles with how it eventually turns out, and while I don't want to spoil anything, I'll just say that I think things are tied up a little too neatly and a little too happily all around and at least one of the happy endings probably shouldn't have been in my opinion, but that's just me. The story as a whole, and particularly the last half of it, is so emotional that I would have preferred the ending to have been more bittersweet than it was and to have involved a little more true sacrifice.

While much is explained during this story about the world and Mark and Alyssa's history, still there are questions left unanswered. As I noted above, I would love to see more of this world, and hope that the author will consider follow-up stories utilizing it and possibly some of the characters seen or mentioned here. Certainly there are enough hints about other stories that could be told. This story is complete in itself though and will appeal to anyone who likes love stories with a bit of magic and the paranormal involved. 4 stars for a very solid and interesting story.
Author 6 books35 followers
June 13, 2013
Smitten's Blog Review

My Thoughts

Good gods I hope this is the start of another Paranormal Romance series for this author. I am so hooked! As I was reading and loving how the plot was unraveling, I marveled at how this novella has some serious potential for a long-running series. This tale is just too original and intriguing for one novella. And the author brilliantly wrote it so that we feel satisfied with the ending…yet deeply crave more.

For me, this novella is gold for many reasons…

~ First, I love novellas and short stories anyway. I like to read a full story in one sitting to truly appreciate its beauty, and life just won’t allow the time to read a full-length novel in one sitting.

~ Second, its Paranormal Romance...my favorite genre.

~ Third, it has wonderful characters that I fell deeply in love with. This author writes her heroines strong, smart and sassy and Alyssa is all that and more. The hero is definitely an alpha male, however not overbearingly so. I get really annoyed at pushy alpha males but Mark is very supportive of his lady and he shows vulnerability at times. So a very nice balance to his character. I am seriously curious about the background of a couple of the secondary characters introduced as well…like Michael, the sexy bad boy. He has a great story just waiting to be told. I know it!

~ Fourth, the world building was unique, well thought out and expertly delivered. Hence, my wish that we will see more.

~ Fifth, the sex scenes…Mmmm. I have to include a few lines of this part that just plain did it for me and had my own pulse racing and wishing my Man were near…“Reaching with his palm, he cupped my already aching sex, his fingers sliding softly through the wet folds. Lightly, he continued to rub his hand in circles as he whispered, “Teasing suggests I’d arouse without affording satisfaction.” His hot breath wafted along the outer shell of my ear, causing goose bumps to rise on the sensitive skin of my neck below. “I have every intention of leaving you fully satisfied. And that’s a promise.” Totally HOT!

~ And finally, parts of the story made me cry a little. I love a book that makes me teary-eyed and evokes emotion. Not heart wrenching sadness (those books depress me) but I like it when they make me truly empathize with what the character is going through.

If you are a PNR fan, I’d highly recommend this novella so you can join me in my stalking of this author to “encourage” her to write more about Alyssa and Mark.

This author has a very generous contest running until June 20th. She is giving away a Kindle Paperwhite to one lucky reader who reviews this book. All the details on her website.

Happy Reading!!

5 Bad Boys – Absolutely Loved It!
Profile Image for Krystle ~A Booknatic~.
129 reviews12 followers
March 17, 2013
Really enjoyed this story, it starts out with Alyssa who's a very sought after graphics design artist that's recently been hired on at one of Toronto's largest firms as art director. She's having a rough morning because she's due to give a presentation and one of the owners of the company Mark Young will be there. Mark always has the last say as to what goes and what doesn't. It also doesn't help that ever since she got hired on two weeks ago she's been having some intense dreams about a man she's never met but does oh so wonderful things to her.

A little while later during the meeting she starts feeling a strange vibrating hum underneath her skin. With every second that passes they get more and more intense until the doors open and Mark Young comes bursting thru them. She then realized that he is the man she's been dreaming about.. Her life changes drastically after that moment. I would of loved to have been a fly on the wall when he was standing in the doorway, eyes focused solely on her and he tells everyone except her to get out of the boardroom.. That to me was a pretty H-O-T moment. Hating the thought that now everyone in the office probably thinks that he is either dissatisfied with her work or they have something going on between them he assures her that he loves her work, and that there is something personal between them, she just doesn't know it yet. Then after they talk for a bit he tells her if anything unusual happens to her, to give him a call.. I love how Ms. Lupton uses this mysterious/cryptic way to get the story started!

I Couldn't put the book down for long that's for sure, I had to know what was going to happen next with Mark and Alyssa and how their journey would end. Loveable characters, interesting plot, great ideas!

I also liked how the author threw in what movies they watched or music they were listening to, those are actually favorites of mine.

Would love to have more, especially about the Brothers.
Profile Image for Maggielou.
92 reviews21 followers
June 14, 2013
For the first time ever I won a giveaway, this e-book! I've never won anything before so you could just imagine my excitement. I didn't read the book description before I started. I honestly wanted to read the book because the cover captured my interest. And the words Lupton wrote were that much more captivating.

When I write my reviews I hate to give the story away especially in the case of a novella. So I will do my best in not providing spoilers but also to provide you all my honest opinion.

I LOVED this story from beginning to end. I was amazed how Lupton put so much information in such a short story and yet everything flowed nicely. I didn't feel that the story was being rushed. We were provided all pertinent information and never left hanging. Would i have loved it more had it been longer? Yes, but that didn't make it any less good!

Alyssa the heroine of the story is a bright young lady she is strong and sassy. She just started a new job and wants to impress her boss. Little did she know that the presence of her new boss would change her life as she knew it. Mark, the boss and her other half is not your typical alpha male, though if I’m honest he does have the qualities of an alpha male. You can feel the emotions coming off the pages. How much he really loves Alyssa hat he would do anything for her. It was a nice change to the typical male characters in the paranormal genre.

And ohhhhhhhhh the connection they have is sizzling!!! When I say connection I really mean connection! The sex scenes were, for lack of a better word, HOTT and really allowed the imagination to roam! These scenes are where you see Mark become possessive. Not in an true domineering way but in a way to show Alyssa that he only ever wanted her!

It was an original story and after reading this I will definitely be keeping an eye open for other books by Lupton.
Profile Image for Angie ~aka Reading Machine~.
3,746 reviews134 followers
April 19, 2013
Alyssa has jitters for her first big presentation in front of big boss Mark Young. Her best friend Colin is a fellow co-worker and resident cheerleader of Alyssa. Alyssa is being haunted by her dreams and losing sleep over it. Alyssa is stunned upon meeting Mark Young in the flesh and cannot understand where his anger is coming from. Yet there is strong mutual attraction which is obvious. Mark sets out to get know Alyssa better and not just as his employee. Mark is a witch and has been searching for his soul mate for a very long time. Mark believes that Alyssa is his soul mate but she doesn't know that yet. Mark asks Alyssa to tell him if anything strange occurs around her. Alyssa isn't sure what Mark means yet but when she wishes away her acne thinks nothing of it. Second strange occurrence is when Alyssa's power has gone out. Colin and Alyssa are in terrible car accident and nothing will ever be the same after this. Will Alyssa accept the truth? Will Alyssa believe what Mark says? Your answers await you in Old Souls.

Ms. Lupton has created another thrilling paranormal romance that serves up heat and heartfelf emotions. I love all the characters presented! I loved how the author created witch lore for it's uniqueness and creativity. She offers a blend of what is known about witches putting her own unique spin. I will definitely continue reading this author's work.
Profile Image for Jessica.
121 reviews10 followers
July 30, 2013
A TLC novella that introduces us to the concept of “old souls” and the lengths some will go to. There are threads of power abuse and justice that take us into a slightly darker area of PNR.

I liked the concepts and pacing of the book. There is so much more to explore in this world so I really hope to see more from this author.

The one thing that I didn’t really get/like was the attack based on a previous life’s behavior. I really felt that it was unjustified and that drove me a little crazy. That being said the HEA was a little happier than I thought it should be, IMO. I like when risks are taken but to take it away after that was a bit of a letdown. It didn’t cheapen the characters though, thankfully, since the situation was very well done. Kudos to the author for maintaining character integrity.

Overall, a great read which will leave the reader wanting more.
Profile Image for Heather  book whore & shifter slut extrordinaire.
331 reviews102 followers
May 21, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It had just the right amounts of funny, sweet, snarky, kickass heroine, soft-hearted hero and adorable best friend. PLUS there is a total paranormal edge that just takes your breath away. When the true reality of the love that exists here - between a man and a woman, between a father and child and between friends - is shown it really does make one believe in "the power of love".

My only real complaint about this book was that it was a novella. I enjoyed the story of Mark & Alyssa and it is complete although a peak or two of them in the future living their wonderful HEA wouldn't be a bad thing....

I would love to see more books set in the world that Ms. Lupton has shown us where love really can conquer all if you do it with all your heart and soul.
Profile Image for Theresa.
409 reviews
March 6, 2013
I really enjoyed this little Novella! The only thing i would change would be to make it longer; it ended before I was ready to put it down! I hope this is just an introduction to these characters!

Alyssa does artwork for a company that she is relatively new at. Her best friend Colin helped her get the job and she does enjoy her work. She's been having strange dreams for the past couple of weeks and they are beginning to bother her. However, on the other hand some of them are very sensual and she wishes that they were real!

Alyssa's life is about ready to take off in a direction that she would never have expected when she meets Mark, the owner of the company. He looks just like the guy in her dreams!
Profile Image for Ezi Chinny.
2,691 reviews529 followers
June 4, 2013
I am struggling to put my feelings into words. I liked this book but think this book would have been great if it were longer. Great premise but too short to finesse details so the transitions were a little lacking forms. There were plot holes I couldn't overcome especially dealing with the heroine. She didn't ask deep questions on things that were ""Supernatural " and should have been unbelievable to her. She took a lot of things in stride with little incredulity even Collin seemed to accept whatever easily.

The writing was easy to follow and I did like it. I will see how I feel following my group discussion on thisbook.
Profile Image for Book Keeper.
323 reviews
January 9, 2017
3.5-Lovey-Dovey-Soulmate-Stars

Okay, not a bad book at all! I guess I was expecting a little more... Rarrr.... but this wasn't a bad story overall. What is with me picking lovey dovey books to read this year? I guess I was expecting a little more spicey-hotness?? Hmm.... well even though there were some sex scenes in here, Mark and Alyssa were very lovey dovey.

I did have a few 'Rolling my eyes' moments, but it was fairly funny and was very cute. If you are looking for a dark suspenseful or mysterious read, this is really just not it. But if you like a light humored, destined-to-meet, lovey dovey couple (HEA) with a few yummy sex scenes, than this is right up your alley!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jenne .
699 reviews85 followers
May 30, 2013
This was an entertaining, steamy, quick read. I really liked the characters and it was written to where you could identify with them. The world building and plot was very unique and refreshing. The soul mate concept in PNR books can become redundant, this book wasn't at all. I really enjoyed it and it was a fast page turner. Another thing I found refreshing was that there was no "bad guy" tp speak of and the characters were decent and moral people. That's another thing that's missing in so many stories. I recommend this for anyone who's in the mood for an entertaining PNR!
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