Naked Dinner

World of Kate Daniels #3.4

by Ilona Andrews, Gordon Andrews

This POV takes place between Magic Strikes and Magic Bleeds and explains why Curran missed the Naked Dinner with Kate.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Fantasy, Magic, Short Stories, Romance, Shapeshifters

30 pages, ebook

First published March 12, 2013

About the author

Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.

Reviews

[Choko · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** 4 ***

[Anna [Bran. San. Stan] · Rating 4 out of 5]

We find out why Curran missed the dinner date. Turns out he had a damn good reason.

[Sophia Triad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate was waiting Curran for dinner. She is so excited and overwhelmed.
What happened?
Curran never appeared.
Kate was heartbroken
She couldn't forgive Curran.
I couldn't forgive Curran.

So, let's rewind.
What happened to Curran?
Why did he let Kate waiting although this was his big chance to show to her how much he cared?

This is a short story that provides an insight to the big bad Alpha's day. Life is not easy for Curran. He needed to attend meetings, reach decisions, investigate crimes, be the jury and the judge, punish and try not to drop unconscious before his important date with the woman of his life.

Well, he managed to do everything except not being unconscious...and going to his date.

[Lucie V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This bonus chapters (and all of Curran's chapters) can be found here. 🙂

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st read - July 2013
2nd read - May 2015
3rd read - June 2016
4th read - December 2017
5th read - July 2018
6th read - June 2019
7th read - October 2020
8th read - January 2021

I think this is one of my favourite Curran POVs. It's quite a long story and we get to see a fair amount of what makes him tick and just why he's the Beast Lord. If you ever wanted to know what kept Curran away when he knew Kate was cooking him dinner and serving it in her underwear you'll love this short.

I really hope that one day we'll get a whole book from Curran's POV, just think how amazing that would be!

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew that something big must have happened cause otherwise Curran wouldn't miss his naked dinner with Kate, but having things explained in detail was owesome. Also, it's fun to see the Pack's affairs up and close.

[Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, if you don't know what that means, go away until you.

This is the most recent of the Curran POVs, and while it's not my favorite (which isn't really saying much, b/c I LOVE every, single one of them to varying degrees), we ALL want to know why he didn't show. What could have possibly happened to prevent him from getting to Kate's on that auspicious evening?

Predictably, this is by far the longest POV. It's more of a real short story than a POV extra, but that is not a bad thing.<-----GOOD thing.

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun glimpse into the courtship of Kate by Curran

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

NAKED DINNER (Between Magic Strikes and Magic Bleeds, Kate Daniels #4): 
"You're not going to make this easy are you?" "No. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value."
*~*~*
"So, what do you think?" A familiar voice asked from over my shoulder. "He's dead, Jim." "You're not as funny as you think you are."

Great fight scene!

Read as part of the Curran POV Collection, full review here.

Re-read in June 2016.

You can find the collection for free on Ilona Andrews' website. Read in order, after the respective main books of the Kate Daniels series. Don't jump ahead, you will spoil yourself!

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of the Graphic Audio version we get this story of why Curran didn't make it on time to the infamous dinner.

He had a pretty good reason.

Fast mystery to be solved as one of Mahon's bffs from Clan Heavy ends up dead. Great fight scene and interesting all around.

[Cheesecake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This went a long way to my forgiving Curran for standing Kate up. ; )

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It’s like the Warren Zevon song: every time she wants to see me, it ends up being ‘send lawyers, guns, and money’.”
“How is it you can remember old song lyrics, but I gotta remind you of significant shit all the time?”
“It gives you something to do and makes you feel important. How long and where?”
“One hour, Dillard house. I let you sleep in but you won’t have much time to do your hair.”

[Just Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So that’s why he was late. I find that to be quite a reasonable excuse😂
Loved it🧡



Read: 04/07/2020
1st rating: 5 stars
Genre/tropes: Urban fantasy/short story
Cover: 4 stars
POV’s: Single -1st person (Curran)
Will I recommend: Yes

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the dynamic between Curran and Jim. And there's just something about the Hyenas...I really like the way they're written. I always want more Curran and Kate though.

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series and it is so much fun just getting Curran's POV every now and then.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great free story from Curran’s point of view. I love that we get to finally know what was happening on his end during this.

[Antonella · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as misunderstandings in books go, this one was good. I was not annoyed one bit. It was good to read about Curran reasons why he missed the date.

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad i.got Curran's POV of why he didn't make it to naked dinner. Kate thought he'd stood her up and she was so hurt 😭, thankfully he was just suffering a couple of broken legs and other injuries after defeating 2 bears.....no Biggie 🤭

[Ela · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Maybe Mahon was right and they were just good guys who got caught up in a bad situation.

“Parker, we brought your sow,” one of them called out. “You better have the money or we’ll gut her in front of you before you die.”

Or not.'

The mad rush when: you realise that there is a Curran POV you haven't read yet and you have to find it before you die of excitement.

Fantastic, hilarious loved every second of it, thank you Ilona Andrews.

(Here's the link if you haven't already read it... http://www.ilona-andrews.com/free-fic... )

[Yoryi (Por amor a los libros) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ella lo entendería. Se lo explicaría. Estaría bien 💔

Me encanta leer estos pov de Curran.

[Zen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a shame that the only "professional" shifter we've seen outside of Kate's circle turned out to be such a douche canoe.

[Renegade ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 to 5 stars

Excerpt from Naked Dinner
(Between "Magic Strikes" and "Magic Bleeds")



"I realize that things have not always been straightforward between us. I have perhaps on occasion even been the proverbial thorn in your paw--"
I held up a hand and interrupted her. "Bea, you oppose me, even when it is not in your best interest to do so, you undermine my authority, albeit subtly, and you have done so since I first became Beast Lord. Now you want a favor from me because your little boy likes a girl from the other side?"
"You're not going to make this easy are you?"
"No. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value," I quoted.
Derek moved behind me and disappeared into the restaurant. Hmmm.
"Bea, the meal was delicious, additionally I'm, myself, on the hunt, and so I'm in a generous and mellow mood. I will grant you this favor, but not without certain concessions on your part."
"Name them."
I had her. Time to find out how much was she willing to concede to indulge her son. I decided to go for broke. "It's actually quite simple, I want only one thing. Honesty."
Bea leaned forward. "Can you be more specific?"
"When I make a decision and you have genuine concerns or reservations, you tell me. If you have doubts, we will discuss them privately. But afterward, publicly, once a decision is made and announced, you will support me unconditionally. No more games, no more snide comments, no more clever jokes. I know your job is tough. So is mine. Being the boss sucks, and sparring with me is fun, but I need you and Mahon both. I need your counsel and wisdom."
I took a swallow of my drink, letting the words sink in. "You want the best for your clan. So do I. I want it for all of us. I know that I can be a bit of a tyrant, and I'm not always right. When you think I'm wrong, tell me, and when I'm right, back me. Agree to this and Nash is yours to do with what you will. That's the offer, take it or leave it."
She was silent a moment. Thinking it over...
Light steps told me Derek was coming back. A moment later he emerged. His face was paler than it used to be. Either his food hadn't agreed with him or something had happened.
Aunt Bea smiled. "You've finally grown up, dear."
"I've been grown for a long time now," I told her. "You just haven't bothered to notice."
"Very well. You shall have honesty and respect as well. All you ever had to do was ask." She smiled again. "Nicely, without all the roaring."
"Thank you, Bea. I'll try to remember that."



Nothing like the complexities, games, and constant negotiations re: pack politics.

Curran, you lucky ol' Beast Lord, you...

(Riiiight.)

***

Curran POV Series Info on Goodreads

Curran POV Collection (Free download)

[Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ · Rating 4 out of 5]

NAKED DINNER

Again, if you don't know what that means, go away until you.

This is the most recent of the Curran POVs, and while it's not my favorite (which isn't really saying much, b/c I LOVE every, single one of them to varying degrees), we ALL want to know why he didn't show. What could have possibly happened to prevent him from getting to Kate's on that auspicious evening? Predictably, this is by far the longest POV. It's more of a real short story than a POV extra, but that is not a bad thing.<-----GOOD thing.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Curran once again had to whop so more ass. But it so wasn’t an easy win. He had to show them who is the top dog well cat in his case. He had to have so father and son time well. I so love me some Doolittle. He is the only one that can talk shit to Curran and get away with it.

[Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect.

[TinaMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This takes place between Magic Strikes & Magic Bleeds. Curran is dreaming about his upcoming 'Naked Dinner', when he's interrupted by a call from Jim telling him he has a brunch with Bea from Clan Bouda. After making a deal with Bea, Curran is called to investigate a murder. He's worried about being late for his dinner as he sets a trap to catch the killers and then get's challenged to the death. If you haven't read the other books it's a bit of a surprise ending.

[Kylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the longest Curran POV stories, doesn’t really add anything into the Kate & Curran storyline except Curran missing the naked dinner date due to the drama he had to deal with within the pack.
I read this prior to Magic Bleeds so maybe by doing so I didn’t appreciate this insight as much.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Lion King references were fun.

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The extended version of why Curran missed the Naked Dinner that was promised by Kate. I loved it.

[Black Magpie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the slowest burn ever 🥲