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The Battle Within
There was no question about it – Marli would reject her fated mate.
Marli lost everything when another pack took over her dingo pack. Her father was the alpha, and he died in battle trying to overcome the enemy. But as soon as he died, her pack had to surrender.
The worst part was that the new alpha was her fated mate. No way was she going to accept him as her mate. She was going to fight any attraction she had towards him. She refused to be mated to the man who killed her father.
This marks the beginning of a series of Australian shifter romances with a unique twist. In contrast to conventional series, where you track the same characters in sequence, this series allows you to enjoy its books in any order. While the stories share the same world and theme, they depart from the traditional werewolves and other popular shifters, focusing instead on Aussie animals.
Marli lost everything when another pack took over her dingo pack. Her father was the alpha, and he died in battle trying to overcome the enemy. But as soon as he died, her pack had to surrender.
The worst part was that the new alpha was her fated mate. No way was she going to accept him as her mate. She was going to fight any attraction she had towards him. She refused to be mated to the man who killed her father.
This marks the beginning of a series of Australian shifter romances with a unique twist. In contrast to conventional series, where you track the same characters in sequence, this series allows you to enjoy its books in any order. While the stories share the same world and theme, they depart from the traditional werewolves and other popular shifters, focusing instead on Aussie animals.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2023
17 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Julie Cannings
18 books18 followersI'm an Aussie stay-at-home Mum with two young boys. I've always had a love for reading and writing. It wasn't until I reached my late 30's however, that I realised I wanted to take writing seriously and published my first book in 2021. I am excited to share my love for the paranormal and the romance entwined within with everyone.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 19, 2023
Hot Aussie Supernatural Read
When Marli and her pack of dingo shifters are attacked by another pack, her dad, the Alpha of her pack is killed by Jarrah the Alpha of the other pack. In remorse she vows to kill Jarrah but is shocked by the realisation that her and Jarrah are destined to be mated. With revenge initially on her mind she tries to find a way to break the sacred mated bond but discovers it is not that easy and however much she tries fate will get in the way. This is a hot and steamy read with lots of supernatural thrills involving different animal shifters. I am looking forward to reading more in the Aussie Shifter Romance series.
When Marli and her pack of dingo shifters are attacked by another pack, her dad, the Alpha of her pack is killed by Jarrah the Alpha of the other pack. In remorse she vows to kill Jarrah but is shocked by the realisation that her and Jarrah are destined to be mated. With revenge initially on her mind she tries to find a way to break the sacred mated bond but discovers it is not that easy and however much she tries fate will get in the way. This is a hot and steamy read with lots of supernatural thrills involving different animal shifters. I am looking forward to reading more in the Aussie Shifter Romance series.
June 7, 2025
I loved this different take on shifters
Dingo shifters, drama, and fated mates.
After losing her father, her mother and her pack will she lose her mate as well?
Why are reptiles different?
Dingo shifters, drama, and fated mates.
After losing her father, her mother and her pack will she lose her mate as well?
Why are reptiles different?
November 24, 2023
great shifter story.
This is a really interesting shifter story. It uses animals from Australia. So different from the mainstream norm. When I think of Australia I think of koala bears. Dingos I thought were little wild dogs. I looked those up. They’re actually part wolf and the oldest breed of dogs in the world. That’s really awesome. Oh and you can’t make pets out of them.
This is a rejected mates story with a twist. It’s usually the guy doing the rejecting. Marli had good reasons though. I’m just glad she didn’t lose her entire family.
I’m more of a sweet romance reader so I had to figure out a way to properly rate and review this book. I knew it wasn’t sweet romance going in so I can’t rate my my normal standards. I liked the characters but I think I connected more with Jarrod than Marli. I guess I connect more with the under dog. Lol. No pun intended there. The story kept me coming back too so that’s a huge plus. I had to know how it ended. For me, I would have liked to have seen more showing than telling in the their trip scenes. But that’s the sweet romance lover in me. Sorry. I can’t help it. It’s an interesting read though. It even had me looking up stuff to learn more. Oh, and I loved the definitions of a few things at the end. That really helps readers from other countries understand what a few Australian foods and terms mean.
This is a really interesting shifter story. It uses animals from Australia. So different from the mainstream norm. When I think of Australia I think of koala bears. Dingos I thought were little wild dogs. I looked those up. They’re actually part wolf and the oldest breed of dogs in the world. That’s really awesome. Oh and you can’t make pets out of them.
This is a rejected mates story with a twist. It’s usually the guy doing the rejecting. Marli had good reasons though. I’m just glad she didn’t lose her entire family.
I’m more of a sweet romance reader so I had to figure out a way to properly rate and review this book. I knew it wasn’t sweet romance going in so I can’t rate my my normal standards. I liked the characters but I think I connected more with Jarrod than Marli. I guess I connect more with the under dog. Lol. No pun intended there. The story kept me coming back too so that’s a huge plus. I had to know how it ended. For me, I would have liked to have seen more showing than telling in the their trip scenes. But that’s the sweet romance lover in me. Sorry. I can’t help it. It’s an interesting read though. It even had me looking up stuff to learn more. Oh, and I loved the definitions of a few things at the end. That really helps readers from other countries understand what a few Australian foods and terms mean.
July 13, 2024
This was my first shifter novel, so it was a bit of a shift for me to get into this new head space. I’m a big believer in liking the characters in order to enjoy the story.
With that being said, it took me a while to warm up to Marli. Even though I completely understand why she feels the way she feels about her situation, I still couldn’t get behind her behavior.
But on the other hand, with Jarrah, he is swoon worthy right from the start. Even with his soft-hearted ways and incredibly flawed behavior, I was on his side immediately.
If you’re like me and have never read a shifter novel before, I suggest you start with this one. It has all of the elements. Drama, romance, spice, laughter, and more.
With that being said, it took me a while to warm up to Marli. Even though I completely understand why she feels the way she feels about her situation, I still couldn’t get behind her behavior.
But on the other hand, with Jarrah, he is swoon worthy right from the start. Even with his soft-hearted ways and incredibly flawed behavior, I was on his side immediately.
If you’re like me and have never read a shifter novel before, I suggest you start with this one. It has all of the elements. Drama, romance, spice, laughter, and more.
November 13, 2023
Great world, but I couldn’t get past what Jarrah did
Wonderful writing and look forward to more from this world…it’s just that I’m sorry I tried really hard to like Jarrah, but I couldn’t even after finding out everything - he still caused unimaginable tragedy and he blames bad intel when he ultimately is the alpha and choose to kill innocent people because he was paranoid. His personality doesn’t mesh well with his initial actions and introduction.
That being said love the new take on shifters and can’t wait to read more of this world.
Wonderful writing and look forward to more from this world…it’s just that I’m sorry I tried really hard to like Jarrah, but I couldn’t even after finding out everything - he still caused unimaginable tragedy and he blames bad intel when he ultimately is the alpha and choose to kill innocent people because he was paranoid. His personality doesn’t mesh well with his initial actions and introduction.
That being said love the new take on shifters and can’t wait to read more of this world.
April 14, 2025
The Battle Within by Julie Cannings started off with an intriguing premise and some solid character development, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite hold my attention all the way through. While the themes and emotional depth were there, the pacing felt slow and the story dragged on in parts. I found myself losing interest as the plot seemed to stall more than once. It’s not a bad book by any means—there’s definitely something here for readers who enjoy introspective stories—but for me, it just didn’t fully deliver.
October 7, 2023
Another 5 star rating!
If she didn't want Jarrah, I'd certainly take him! Lol I loved Jarrah. He was an incredibly sweet man. Marli had a lot to overcome to accept Jarrah as her mate. I was happy when she received the blessing she needed in order to accept Jarrah as her fated mate. I loved all the different types of shifters in this book. It made the story more intriguing. Can't wait to see what happens with Waru.
If she didn't want Jarrah, I'd certainly take him! Lol I loved Jarrah. He was an incredibly sweet man. Marli had a lot to overcome to accept Jarrah as her mate. I was happy when she received the blessing she needed in order to accept Jarrah as her fated mate. I loved all the different types of shifters in this book. It made the story more intriguing. Can't wait to see what happens with Waru.
September 5, 2024
Grief, Guilt, and Soulmates
This book was a deep dive into survivor's guilt and loyalty being pinned against the one thing dingo shifter should never have to question: their soulmate/mating bond.
Marli had a ton of growing up to do while facing the rest of these heavy emotions and at times I wanted to give up on her and root for Jarrah to find his HEA elsewhere, but soulmates are soulmates and I'm a sucker for true love.
This book was a deep dive into survivor's guilt and loyalty being pinned against the one thing dingo shifter should never have to question: their soulmate/mating bond.
Marli had a ton of growing up to do while facing the rest of these heavy emotions and at times I wanted to give up on her and root for Jarrah to find his HEA elsewhere, but soulmates are soulmates and I'm a sucker for true love.
November 17, 2023
Aussie Shifter Romance
This book is a unique twist on Romance: the main characters are animals! And there’s also a twist on the usual popular “shifter” novels: in this series the focus is on indigenous Australian animals. That’s a good incentive for an adventurous reader to give it a try.
This book is a unique twist on Romance: the main characters are animals! And there’s also a twist on the usual popular “shifter” novels: in this series the focus is on indigenous Australian animals. That’s a good incentive for an adventurous reader to give it a try.
October 7, 2023
Another good one
I grabbed this baby as soon as I could. I started it just before dinner, and hated putting it down to hang with the family. Grabbed it back up as soon as everyone went to bed and stayed up just to finish it. Can’t wait for more.
I grabbed this baby as soon as I could. I started it just before dinner, and hated putting it down to hang with the family. Grabbed it back up as soon as everyone went to bed and stayed up just to finish it. Can’t wait for more.
October 8, 2023
Great romance novel
A well written romance novel about Marli and Jarrah. It's good that they both marry and it ended well. Each character is uniquely developed which makes the novel more enjoyable. Worth reading and interesting epilogue too.
A well written romance novel about Marli and Jarrah. It's good that they both marry and it ended well. Each character is uniquely developed which makes the novel more enjoyable. Worth reading and interesting epilogue too.
November 20, 2023
Dingo love
I was hesitant to try this. But I have to say I was not disappointed with this rejected mates romance. Definitely different with the Dingo vibe but equally as well thought out as all those other wolves and it was refreshing to read. Would recommend.
I was hesitant to try this. But I have to say I was not disappointed with this rejected mates romance. Definitely different with the Dingo vibe but equally as well thought out as all those other wolves and it was refreshing to read. Would recommend.
December 5, 2023
Love the different shifters. Nice Change!
March 18, 2024
shifter
Three packs, one evil, one misguided and one mourning. Throw in fated mates and you get drama. I wanted a map
Three packs, one evil, one misguided and one mourning. Throw in fated mates and you get drama. I wanted a map
April 12, 2024
Great story!
This was a fun tale and I enjoyed the "will they, won't they" aspect. Learning about the different shifters was interesting...especially the python!
This was a fun tale and I enjoyed the "will they, won't they" aspect. Learning about the different shifters was interesting...especially the python!
April 15, 2024
disappointing
This really isn’t very steamy until right near the end. There’s not much depth to any of the characters or the plot. It was alright but nothing special.
This really isn’t very steamy until right near the end. There’s not much depth to any of the characters or the plot. It was alright but nothing special.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews