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The Lonely Tavern #1

The Widow and the Wolf

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Sometimes the line between revenge and love blurs.

Elara's life was shattered when she became a widow.
Haunted by loss, this fierce witch's sole focus has been on a singular, burning to find the bounty hunter responsible for her husband's death, get answers, and then make him pay. This relentless pursuit leads her to the small town of Wishing Moon Bay, and its most curious The Lonely Tavern. Here, she encounters its secretive owner Morwenna, whose depths are as mysterious as the town itself. However, fate plays a cruel hand when Elara discovers that wolf shifter Clell, the bounty hunter she believes responsible for her husband's death, is also her fated mate. In a town where nothing is as it seems, Elara is forced to question everything she believes. As hidden truths come to light, Elara stands at a crossroads. Can she overcome years of pain and resentment to embrace the unexpected second chance at love that fate has thrown her way? Was she misled this whole time?
Who can she believe in other than herself?

The Lonely Tavern series features standalone small-town, cozy fantasy romances where the stories revolve around a new, quirky, and magical addition to Wishing Moon Bay – A strange tavern run by a witch, who just seems to know when someone needs a little nudge towards finding their Happy Ever After. - Enemies to Lovers - Fated Mates - Wolf Shifter-Small Town - Witchcraft and Magic - Midlife Romance - Quirky Characters - Second Chance at Love

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 28, 2023

2385 people are currently reading
766 people want to read

About the author

Harmony Raines

294 books701 followers
Harmony Raines loves to write romance filled with magic and love. Her men are usually not so alpha, but they know how to treat their fated mates, or alien lovers well.

Email: harmony@harmonyraines.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonyraine...

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From the author:
If you love shifter romances, sign up to my newsletter at http://www.harmonyraines.com/newslett... and you'll receive an exclusive subscriber only book - Fated & Mated: Love at First Site - absolutely free!

Just my way of saying thank you for giving my books a try.

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5 stars
744 (47%)
4 stars
451 (28%)
3 stars
295 (18%)
2 stars
72 (4%)
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20 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
Profile Image for Aletha.
1,001 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2024
It was okay but I didn’t connect with the characters or the town, even though I appreciated the lonely tavern and its quirks. This read wasn’t quite what I was looking for in a cozy paranormal romance.
2,206 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2024
Fated mates!

Elara's life is full of grief after watching her husband die in front of her. He was killed by an arrow and she won't rest until she gets revenge. This witch will get answers, then watch his killer die.

Flare has been searching for leads, living out of car ever since he was killed. When she finally gets a location, she drives four hours to a hidden town called Wishing Moon Bay. She ends up at place called The Lonely Tavern where she meets a wolf shifter who happens to end up there by accident as well.

Clell is a bounty hunter, one minute he's drowning in a river and the next he's on the floor of the tavern of Morwenna's place. There he meets his fated mate who thinks he's responsible for her husband's death. But there's a mystery behind the witch's tale that he's determined to solve and prove his innocence. If only he can get her to work with him.

When Elara finds out that everything she believed in her life was fake, she doesn't know what to believe anymore. Nor who to trust.

A must read!

Profile Image for Lita.
2,545 reviews7 followers
February 28, 2024
Good book about a witch who is looking for the person who killed husband and a shifter who is saved by the Lonely Tavern when he wakes up soaking wet on the floor of the tavern and his last memory was of drowning in a river. They're fated mates but she believes he's the one who murdered her husband so she wants to kill him for revenge.

I liked the characters and the story was a smooth read. Some laughs, some sex, some love and adventure in a magical town.
1,291 reviews10 followers
December 28, 2023
Magical confusion abounds!

Clell is drowning while trying to find his bounty hunter mentor when he lands in the Lonely Tavern. Ellara is looking for the bounty hunter who killed her husband, when she finds Clell, who recognizes her as his mate. But he claims he never killed her husband. This is a story with a ton of twists and turns, and some confusing events. You have to read it carefully, and then you may need to read it again. I think I might be doing that!

The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain with an action and character oriented storyline that has some steamy scenes and a lot of twists and turns. The characters are vivid and engaging. It says this is book 1, but you will want to read the prequel Dragons Don't Do Holidays (or something like that!) before this book. To learn more about Wishing Moon Bay, read the other series set in Wishing Moon Bay before you read any Lonely Tavern books. Keep in mind that some of them overlap a little (the dragon series and the magic series especially). Go by when they were released to read them in chronological order. This is a fascinating magical world with shifters, witches and vampires. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Kenna Penn.
149 reviews2 followers
June 14, 2024
This book was really not for me, but maybe it’s for you

Pros: Cute and unique story line. Fated mates. Quick and fun read, would make a good palette cleanser or junk food read.
Cons: It’s like 99% dialogue and that drove me nuts. There were very very few actual descriptions of anything and it was really hard for me to get a sense of anything. Even the characters were very two dimensional and it was hard to get to know them and I felt like there was no real chemistry. I just didn’t feel immersed in anything because it’s basically all just listening to people talk. lol.
Profile Image for Dyanna.
212 reviews10 followers
July 17, 2024
The Widow and the Wolf emerges as a captivating tale that weaves together the threads of loss, vengeance, and unexpected love. The novel, which is the first installment in 'The Lonely Tavern' series, introduces readers to Elara. Elora is a witch whose life is upended by the tragic death of her husband. Consumed by the need for retribution, Elara's quest for justice leads her to the enigmatic town of Wishing Moon Bay. Where she is also drawn to its peculiar establishment, The Lonely Tavern.
However, the story takes a turn when Elara encounters Clell. He is a wolf shifter who is the bounty hunter she believes to be responsible for her husband's death. He is also, fatefully, her destined mate. This revelation sets the stage for a complex relationship. Which equally challenges Elara's convictions and her heart's desires.
This is not just a tale of revenge; it is also a story about second chances and the healing power of love. Raines excels in creating a small-town atmosphere brimming with magic and mystery. The Lonely Tavern serves as a focal point for the narrative. It introduces a cast of quirky characters that add depth and humor to the story.
Profile Image for Christi.
466 reviews2 followers
May 29, 2024
Unfortunately I did not care for this book. I liked the idea of a sentient building (KM Shea does a great job in my opinion with Wizard Houses in her Magiford series) but with this book the plot jumps around and the writing is disjointed. Sometimes things would happen and I'd be wondering "wait, how did we get here?". You don't really get to know the characters or their backstories. The author throws in a line about vampires existing . By the end you are left confused about what little you think you know of Elara or Clell's past, the other characters, and what the heck even happened. And the scene with the family in the epilogue? Yeah, I am happy for everyone who really enjoyed this book, but this one wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,354 reviews46 followers
June 6, 2024
Enjoyable to a certain degree and nice to return to Wishing Moon Bay and a few known characters playing their parts.
But a major point in this story, a really major part, is left ignored.
Elara, as a CHILD, maybe having her memories messed with by a vampire, is strongly intimated at, then left unexplored and worse, unexplained. Then being sent to the world outside as an orphan. Just nope. Especially if it was supposed to be Silas who amended those memories. Cannot see him doing that.
The whole intense family dynamics of expecting forgiveness and the parents reasoning just didn’t work for me. I cannot fathom any parent doing that to their own child.
Loved Clell, only liked Elara.
More should have been done with the actual sentient tavern and Elana’s magic never fell into place.
Read through kindle unlimited.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
352 reviews
November 13, 2024
It is to be back in Wishing Moon Bay

Although I’ve started this world after 2 series it’s very interesting. I’ll be backing up and reading the previous Wishing books.

I am very glad Harmony expanded on her Christmas book Dragons Don’t Do Hoildays! This is a hidden magical world with shifters, Mermaids, Witches and more. We get more of the mystery of the Lonely Taven and the owner Morwenna. We also see more of Flint and Liselle the couple from that book.

This is the story of Elara a witch and Clell a werewolf.
Elara has grown up in the “normal world “ but, her magic has brought her to town in search of her husband’s killer. When they first meet Clell knows she is his mate, but Elara thinks he is the murderer.

After some very unexpected twist they do get a Happy for now. I hope to see these two in further books.
137 reviews
January 12, 2024
Not A Romance, Mixture Of Multiple Genres

This segment of The Lonely tavern was definitely not a romance. The major basis is mystery mixed with broken threads and babble of environmental scenes. Not considering reading next segment. Normally I am a fan of Ms. Raines but book seemed to be pieces of multiple thought patterns without romance or a solid ending. As a matter of fact it is a cliffhanger which IMO is a cheap shot to sell another book. Even the epilogue was a slow path to nowhere.

As always am thankful for writers sharing their talent and imagination with us. Kindle Unlimited is a definite a plus for monthly subscription when encountering a story that is a slow end to nowhere.

Happy reading and hope my review saves your valuable time.
Profile Image for Schellie.
877 reviews
February 12, 2024
Mated To The Bounty Hunter

Elara is on her way to Wishing Moon Bay in search of the man who killed her husband. Finding her way to The Lonely Tavern, she finds what’s she’s looking for, or at least she thinks she has. Clell is at the tavern when he senses his mate outside, however, when the door opens he doesn’t expect her to try & kill him! What the heck is going on here? Now Clell must try to clear his name & help his mate find the actual killer. When things start to seem a little “off”, they need to figure out why. Follow along on their journey through the mountains of Wishing Moon Bay, The Lonely Tavern & the intriguing witch Morwenna who runs the place. This was a great read with a light spice & steam factor! Enjoy!
859 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2024
The Widow And The Wolf #101/09/2024

Elara is on the hunt for the person that killed her husband. She just got a very strange tip but anything is good. Now she looking for a invisible road. That only special people can see. Well guess what she sees it. She’s now in Wishing Moon Bay. Wow! Clell is on a hunt for his friend and mentor when he all most drowns in a fast moving river only to be pluck right out of the river and transfer right into the The Lonely Tavern wet and a mess. But soon he feels the pull of his fated mate coming thru the door. But soon it looks like she is there to kill him. So enjoy another great read and see what happens!!
86 reviews
May 21, 2024
Really Violent

I am a sucker for sentient buildings, but there is very little in this book about the sentient tavern, or how it came to be. There are a lot of very graphic descriptions of violence that seemed superfluoustovthe plot. The "steam" reads like AI, very graphic, gratuitous, unimaginitive, and also superfluous to the plot. The abandonment issue that seems far-fetched and nonsensicle and the plot twist regarding the late husband is far too contrived. If this was Harmony Raines' first book, one would hope the next book might be better, but I lost count of the various series this woman writes. I don't think I'll be reading any more books from this author.
Profile Image for Sandra.
681 reviews26 followers
November 10, 2025
I started out enjoying this, but as it went on, I dialed back my enthusiasm.
It was a bit disjointed and confusing.
I loved the sentinent tavern angle. That was fun.
There were a couple of really confusing moments. When Clell suddenly decides that a vampire might have altered Elara's memories was one of them. I was left thinking WTF.
Then, when Elara decides she never really loved her husband, so why was she so intent on finding his killer and getting revenge?
The epilogue was super confusing.
I think I'll probably give the next book a go because this had promise, and maybe the writing will improve as the series goes on.
1,145 reviews
December 30, 2023
I was so excited for an enemies to lovers fated mates. Ooh, all the angst!

Sadly, this jumps over enemies in about 10 seconds flat and straight into instalove. Talk about a bait and switch. Really killed the book for me when she has an aha moment that even though they just met and literally know the bare minimum, she lurves him. Not just that but aha #2 is that she never lurved her dead husband. Spent months and her last dollar trying to avenge him? Yes. Loved him? Apparently not once she faced the clichéd fated mate who she knows nothing about.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Teresa .
1,911 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2024
Finding the book

New series but wishing moon bay is back looks like the focus is around the lonely tavern, we learned more about it with Finn when he got a job there it's not the only focus but it does add humour. This book is really sad I get they sent her away to keep the magic safe but they could of sent people with her so she was not alone how old was she? Would they know she can read the book of do they have to wait until she is four to find out? They did not act very warm to her.could of got her a place to live in the bay
Profile Image for Rhonda Jones.
2,794 reviews17 followers
April 23, 2024
Good Story

The story starts a little slow for me, then picks up nicely after the first 50% of the book. I felt for the widow, but she did have a temper and jumped to conclusions too quickly. Some of those jumps could have been deadly. I loved the last half of the book. The widow finds out what happened with her husband, what her feelings for the wolf mean to her, and who she is. But I felt like it was still a rocky ending in that both the widow and the wolf had no assets other than a car, no means of supporting each other, and no place to live. And yet they are happy. It felt unrealistic to me. I would have liked to see them settled.
1,259 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2024
Overall, it was ok. It seemed a little disjointed to me since they jumped around a little. A slow start as the introduction seemed to take a bit of time and it should have been a connection with Elara. I had trouble really liking her too much until the book was almost finished. Clell seemed a little pitiful in a sad way. The conversations he and his wolf had were a little distracting since they rarely did anything but talk about Elara and the Mate Bond. I liked the Lonely Tavern idea. More about that would be a better read, I think. Maybe to Book 2, I'm not in a hurry.
1,241 reviews3 followers
May 2, 2024
Lonely No More

Clell and Elara's fated mate love story... Wishing Moon Bay's Lonely Tavern has a mind of its own and it decided that Clell's life would be saved. And that he would meet his fated mate at the tavern. Just in time, because Elara is back in town. She believes Clell killed her husband and she's looking for revenge. But Clell maintains he innocent, so together they will look for the truth. A wonderful addition to the Wishing Moon Bay stories. Enjoy!
111 reviews
May 18, 2024
Poor editing

Didn't enjoy this story. The continuity was poor first she's looking for the murderer of her husband whom she found dead with an arrow in him, then she's agreeing a scarred man is like a policeman who came to see her when her husband was killed- where did he come from?! There's no mention of him earlier, and the impression I got was that she had buried him and started hunting. It was a bit of a jumble.

303 reviews
June 10, 2024
This is about two people who come together, One is an orphan, whose married and believes her husband to be dead. She is determined to make whoever killed him pay, while her fated mate is a bounty hunter whose confused by the whole thing, but they meet and he agrees to help her, while he looks for his missing mentor. It's a decent story not sure I will read the rest unless I run out of other books to read.
88 reviews
September 25, 2024
Interesting opening offering.

It took me a few pages to catch on, but this was such an intriguing cast of characters that roused my curiosity I had to keep pushing on. The Inn is certainly one of the best characters. I found Cell and his wolf very charming and delightful. Willing to be helpful and protective, but never pushy or bossy. He and Else's make a great team, and certainly are a welcome opening act for this series of magic, wishes, shifters, and other special beings.
Profile Image for Frank Bertino.
1,771 reviews20 followers
January 13, 2025
Entertaining Read

Clell and Elara are destined mates, though they remain unaware of this truth due to the powerful magic that has set them on divergent paths. The duplicitous actions of the villain inadvertently bring them together, where they must confront his magic and mental influence over Elara. This narrative promises to deliver a captivating blend of action, humor, intrigue, and romance, which the reader eagerly anticipates in the forthcoming installment.
769 reviews3 followers
April 29, 2024
Returning to Forgotten Home

Looking for her husbands killer this witch finds her way to a magical town hidden from non magical people. And finds her way to an enchanted bar where the maker of the weapon that shot him was. After trying to kill him facts come out to change her mind and they team up to find missing people. Good Fun read.
412 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2024
The Widow and the Wolf:The Lonely Tavern Bk.1

This was an exciting and whirlwindish trip through the Wishing Moon Bay world. The Lonely Travern certainly has its secrets, and uses them well. It keeps Wishing Moon Bay full of secret wishes cast by anyone who felt they needed to make a wish by the Bay.
14 reviews
June 1, 2024
Good story

Whilst packing a bit in background the story rolled on we!l. The coincidences were a bit thick and fast but the author does have to have some control! Just wish the sex descriptions could have been avoided, as they didn't add anything but titillation , not anything to the flow of the tale.

Profile Image for Ann Bingham.
200 reviews
June 1, 2024
Great read

Two lonely people thrown together, fated mates. Each wishing for a real family. Lots of twists and turns, great story line. Can they trust each other? Stories not mushing up, got to figure out what really happened.

She came looking for who killed her husband, found a place she can openly use magic. So many new things, can she figure it out in time?
Profile Image for Jodi Kimball.
764 reviews
July 13, 2024
Cute Story

Very cute story about a woman on a mission to find her husband’s murderer. I know that sounds ridiculous for a murder story to be cute, but it is. Elara is a witch about to fall into a world of magic that she never knew existed. Well written and fast paced. Leaves you wanting more!
850 reviews
July 26, 2024
CELEIE and ELENA

One of the more confusing stories. .Hard to get ahold of the plot. Someone stole a book and the family sent a bounty hunter to retrieve it. They kidnap him and his partner is looking for Nikolai and meets his mate but she is trying to avenge his death. Have fun interesting characters.
Profile Image for Stephanie Hrin.
6 reviews
May 29, 2025
Quick read about a recently widowed witch and her fated mate a wolf shifter. I liked the idea that the town full of magic was hidden from "The World Beyond" and the personality of The Lonely Tavern. I felt like I was missing the back story for most of the secondary characters, though (which I'm assuming is explained in the author's other series).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews

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