Broken Mate

by Beth D. Carter

Betrayed by her own sister, Anais is left crippled by wolfsbane poisoning, and travels to find the only person known to have completely healed from it. She and her aunt arrive in Sheridan, Colorado to beg for the knowledge of a cure, but what she finds is her fated mate.

Ledger had just accepted the job of beta to the Sheridan Pack when he immediately finds his mate. Anais needs to reconnect with her wolf in order to heal her legs, and he devotes himself to helping her. To curing her.

When her father shows up demanding her return to his pack, she is no longer weak and scared. Will she renounce him as her alpha and accept her place next to Ledger?

69 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 5, 2024

About the author

I began reading my mom’s Harlequin Presents in the fifth grade, and from the first story I knew I wanted to write romance novels.

I like writing about the very ordinary girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances, so my heroines will probably never be lawyers, doctors or corporate high rollers. I try to write characters who aren't cookie cutters and push myself to write complicated situations that I have no idea how to resolve, forcing me to think outside the box. I love writing characters who are real, complex and full of flaws, heroes and heroines who find redemption through love.

I’ve been pretty fortunate in life to experience some amazing things. I’ve lived in France, traveled throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

I am a mom to an amazing boy. I live in Los Angeles, surrounded by friends and family.
I hate washing dishes but I love cooking. I hate washing clothes but I love wearing them.

Writing my bio is difficult because I never know what to say so I hope you like this one. My favorite color is red but I look best in black (it’s slimming). I hate people who don't pick up their dog's crap in public places, people who don’t use turn signals, and I really hate people who are rude and condescending. I especially hate discrimination in all and every form. And although I love holding a book in my hand, I absolutely adore my e-reader, whom I’ve named Ruby. So many books at the touch of a button!

Also, Elizabeth Monvey is my pseudonym for writing steamy MM romance. LOVE is LOVE!

* * * * * * * * * *

I love to hear from readers so I’ve made it really easy to find me on:

My site:
https://bethdcarter.webador.com/

Twitter:
@BethDCarter

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bethdcarter/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/bethdcartera...

My Blog:
http://bethdcarter.blogspot.com

My Smashwords author page:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...

My Evernight Publishing author page:
https://www.evernightpublishing.com/b...

My Amazon author page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Beth-D....

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Sheridan Pack series we learn that siblings aren’t all they are cracked up to be. Anais is sweet hated by her sister who gave her wolfsbane that caused her wolf to retreat so deep inside enabling her to heal, to eat, to move, some days to think sending her into a depression and causing her aunt to take matters into her own hands she decides to take Anais to another pack to see if she can get a little help since the alpha somehow recovered from wolfsbane. Ledger sexy as all get out beta to the alpha of the Sheridian pack instantly he recognizes she is his fated mate although, he senses her hurt due feeling like a cripple but he intends to show her she is beautiful. His alpha has given the okay besides she is his fated mate she he begins teaching her to interact with her wolf but he also teaches her that she is worth his love, he isn’t going to allow her to reject him, he isn’t going to allow her to focus on her handicap but overcoming it and when she finally sees things his way and her wolf is awake , communicating with her, and her family comes back to get her demanding her return but will she return with her alpha or reject them, will she stay with her fated mate, will she trust her wolf, her heart, and does she find the peace, the happiness she deserves?

[Mary Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short shifter romance with an interesting focus: depression. Anais was given wolfsbane by a treacherous sibling, and the trauma she endured from that has made her inner wolf retreat. Not having access to this intrinsic part of her has made it difficult to eat, to move, even to think some days. In essence, she’s in a depressed state, and her aunt in desperation takes her to another pack. The alpha of that pack recovered from wolfsbane, so perhaps he can help Anais do that as well.

We’ve got instalove here in the fated-mates trope, and that means we don’t have to spend a lot of time on why Anais (love the literary salute in this name) and Ledger fall in love. Instead, the focus is on what Ledger can do to help her recover, to let Anais realize that what happened to her isn’t her fault and that she’s ready to move on. It’s an interesting way to use the structure of a shifter story to show how being apart from your inner wolf is akin to the way depressives sometimes view themselves as separate from their own emotions and from other people.

This novella isn’t long enough for detailed development, so my star rating is based on that, yet I enjoyed this unusual take on the typical fated-mates story.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Mate is a short and steamy, fated mates, paranormal wolf shifter romance. Anais is a young wolf shifter who was poisoned with wolfsbane by her own family. This caused her to lose her wolf and healing powers, and she had to walk with crutches. When she and her Aunt Ruby flee to another pack for help healing, she meets her fated mate, Ledger. He is the hunky Beta of the pack. As soon as he sees Anais, he is in love. But she is worried she is too broken for him. Can she let love in? Can he prove he is all in and help her heal? The chemistry between this couple was super hot, and we ended on a happy note. I would have loved more of a glimpse into their future but loved the story. This was my first Beth Carter book but not my last!.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Anais and Ledger's story and it is the perfect length for a shorter story. It captured my attention from the beginning and I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline. It starts with Anais and her aunt Ruby leaving their pack in New Mexico to visit Alpha Jericho in Colorado. Anais had been poisoned with Wolfbane by her sister and was in need of healing both for herself and to help reconnect with her wolf. Along the way she gets something even more special when she meets Ledger. Can Ledger help her heal both physically and mentally so that she doesn't see herself as broken? Check out this delightful read to find out.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[I’m a Paula too… Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where’s book 1?

Apparently book 1 is in an anthology that has no indication that it’s in there. I guess I could try to find it, but if it’s not readily available people won’t always make an effort.

Anyway, this is a short story that is a bit better than average, so that’s the 4 stars. As noted in the blurb, the FL has been poisoned by her sister because her Alpha father wants her to marry someone for an alliance, but the sister is already having it on with the guy. So instead of being rational, the sister gives her wolfsbane, leaving her crippled and unable to reach her wolf.

Then her mate appears…

This was a cute short story and I really liked it. I can recommend if you want a quick read.

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anais was the daughter of the alpha and her mating was arranged until her younger sister got jealous. Her sister poisons her with wolfsbane poison and Anais loses most of her control of her legs. Her aunt takes her away to find an alpha who has rumored to have recovered from wolfsbane poison. The alpha is kind enough to take them in and agree to work with Anais. Then he introduces her to his beta Ledger. Anais is shocked that Ledger is her fated mate. Ledger will do whatever it takes to help her recover.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anais and Ledger’s story has them coming together when her sister poisons her and her wolf stays hidden within her. Her Aunt takes her to another pack who knows how to help. When they get there and meet the beta, Ledger, Anais knows he’s her fated but feels crippled and hurt. He will help her overcome the stigma and help heal her but will also show her his love will not bend. Her father comes to collect her and she has a choice to make renounce her father and claim her mate or go with her father and leave her fated.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Shifter Read

After a painful betrayal Anais was looking for help to heal herself and her wolf. Seeing and recognizing Ledger as her fated mate was painful. Anais had waited her whole life to find him but now she was crippled and didn’t think she was good enough for him!

A beautiful well written storyline with a sexy, patient shifter who teaches Anais with tenderness and love that she is his HEA and he wouldn’t settle for less!.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was enjoying it as a simple palate cleanser until we got to the part where she's still a virgin but he is not. Such a delicate convo to write and it was written with class but still icky for me.

Why does one get to have a fulfilling life pre-mate while the other had been a victim of abuse her entire life and didn't even get to enjoy herself sexually??? And why is is 99.9% of the time the FMC who had the shitty beginning???

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anais leaves her pack after her sisters betrayle and crippled from wolfsbane posion, she finds herself at the sheridian pack, finding a way to heal herself, when she meet Ledger her fated mate! but when her father comes to bring her back, will she reject her pack for her mate? well written steamy, sifter, desires, fated mates and more.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jill K. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 or Book 2??

I enjoyed this short story of a wolf who didn't care if his mate could walk or not. My biggest issue is that it says Book 2, but I couldn't find book 1. At the end of the story, it mentions the Alpha's story as part of an anthology. To me, that's not a "book 1" unless the author publishes it separate. I thought it would have been a great book to expand on and turn into more than a novella.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this novel! This was the first novel I have read by this author but it won't be my last. This was a novella but it did not disappoint. I loved fated mate novels and Instalove themed novels. This was a fast moving story that pulled me in immediately. I loved Ledger. I loved he was willing to do anything to help Anais. I loved Ledger and Anais together. Their chemistry was so good! I loved this novel and will be looking to see what this author has coming next.

[Ditchwater Sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was a delightful little surprise!! I enjoy novellas, but I always struggle with the lack of character development. It’s not easy to tell a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end AND give the characters enough time to interact and fall in love, but I thought this author did a great job! I wish it was longer just because I enjoyed it so much, but I look forward to reading the other novellas in the series.

[ObsessiveReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seeking help from the alpha of the Sheridan Pack, Anais meets her mate upon arriving in Sheridan but she isn't happy about it. She nearly rejects him because of her condition.

The story doesn't go into much depth with the characters and the ending for this story is a bit anti-climactic in both her recovery and her father coming for her.

[Debbie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Mates is a story about overcoming obstacles, acceptance, and love.
This is a fast read, keeps your attention, and has a bit of steam added in.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[torry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok

How did I know that is how it would end I hope the next book tells the rest of the story I can not wait to see what happens and I hope the dad and sister get what's coming to them

[Michelle Cloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Story of Strength and Love

Anais was stronger than she believed she was. But, Ledger’s love was exactly what she needed. Only thing that would have made it better is if her sister would have come with her after.

[Marisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just no. The climax of the story - daddy comes to collect his daughter, the new alpha says no, and the book ends. Just no. Had so much potential.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This was a great read from start to finish .. She was poisoned and left her pack and found her mate and a new pack .. Sweet, sexy hot

[Patricia Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing

Love and patience heals all.
The characters in this love story took a chance and belief in herself that he believed she could find the connection to her inner self.

[Anij · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Here, in a place that was not her pack, she discovered home."

Good, very short story that would have been better if there had been more to it. It felt very much like a follow-up story and since I hadn't read the first one, I was a bit confused. The characters were the best part, Ledger especially. He and Anais were sweet together and clearly meant to be. The end was abrupt and a little confusing, especially with her dad showing up. I still don't understand what that was all about. Still it was a nice, quick read and with pretty much zero angst, it made me smile.

Additional Review.
I have now read the first book, Return of the Alpha, which is actually found in the Alpha Males Anthology. Despite being part of an anthology, Return of the Alpha is a more complete story. Once I read it, I re-read Broken Mate and while it did explain some things I was confused about in this book it still doesn't fix the biggest issues. Broken Mate is just too short and rushed and the ending is pretty non-existent. I still really liked the main characters, especially Ledger, and I loved seeing how happy Jericho and Payton are, now that I know their story.

I am changing my rating from 3 to 3.5 stars. It's still a good story but it could be so much better.