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Shifting Crossroads #14
Snake Charmer
Yvena was one of the stolen shifters, and her recovery has not been easy. Six months of healing after two months of torture is not enough to make her whole, but she knows that not everyone is out to get her.She is released from the recovery centre and sets out to the Crossroads. After one day there, she knows that she is trying to hide and rushing toward a mate was a mistake. She asks to leave and it is agreed that she can go home the next day, but that night everything changes.Liander is a mongoose with his eyes on the king cobra who stole his heart. As her caregiver, he couldn’t pursue a relationship, but now she was out, he had quit and there was nothing between them but mutual attraction and being natural enemies. How hard could a relationship be?
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2014
19 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Zenina Masters
83 books177 followersZenina Masters was born in Canada and lives in Canada. She has a regular job and does nothing particularly exciting with her life. She enjoys fishing, silence and the ability to pick and choose friends she can trust. Life is too short to watch your back all the time.
Her writing life is a teeny bit of escapism, she would probably chicken out if confronted by three naked men and looks forward to one day finding out.
Email: zenina@zeninamasters.com
Zenina also writes as Viola Grace.
Her writing life is a teeny bit of escapism, she would probably chicken out if confronted by three naked men and looks forward to one day finding out.
Email: zenina@zeninamasters.com
Zenina also writes as Viola Grace.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 5, 2014
Some people don't like snakes. Even if you don't, this Snake shifting book may change your tune. Ms. Masters showcases another shifter abused by the lion shifters selling illegal shifter parts. Yvena is the latest one whose lost her ability to mesh with her shifted self. She's a King Cobra with such poisonous neurotoxin it's unfathomable for anyone to kidnap, let alone attack her. Yvena's confidence is stripped away during her captivity. The road to recovery for her is long and hard.
This could have been a sad sob story. Instead, Ms. Masters infuses it with her trademark survivor with a positive upbeat outlook. Frankly, this is what makes her stories so enjoyable to read. Another thing which makes these books addictive are the animal pairings. In this one, Ms. Masters pairs a king cobra with a mongoose. Does anyone not know the story of the mongoose and cobra as natural enemies? Ms. Masters likes to twist these animal mates into a believable and sweet coupling. She pulls it off flawlessly every time.
In this book, she once again brings the animal traits of each shifter to the forefront and merges with their human self. For example, Yvena is out of her mind when she's first rescued. The only one who could contain her is Liander, the mongoose. It's also fun to see how Yvena's snake is accepted into Liander's family. Rodent based shifter families generally shy away from their animal predators. When Yvena's skills as a snake come to light, it is easy to understand how the family dynamics all works out. The conflicts in these stories are good because they are plausible situations and Ms. Master provides smooth resolutions for all of them.
The romance in these stories are sweet. There is no other word for it. The characters show their strengths and flaws and find themselves still desired and loved. Isn't this what every person wants? To be loved and wanted for who they are, not just what they can bring to the table? One may wonder why these stories still rate a 3 star. It's because while well written, the complexity of the world and characters is medium to low. This is not a bad thing. It means the story is enjoyable but probably not a re-read. It is still definitely recommended for paranormal lovers who love happily ever afters and unique animal shifters.
*provided by Manic Readers
This could have been a sad sob story. Instead, Ms. Masters infuses it with her trademark survivor with a positive upbeat outlook. Frankly, this is what makes her stories so enjoyable to read. Another thing which makes these books addictive are the animal pairings. In this one, Ms. Masters pairs a king cobra with a mongoose. Does anyone not know the story of the mongoose and cobra as natural enemies? Ms. Masters likes to twist these animal mates into a believable and sweet coupling. She pulls it off flawlessly every time.
In this book, she once again brings the animal traits of each shifter to the forefront and merges with their human self. For example, Yvena is out of her mind when she's first rescued. The only one who could contain her is Liander, the mongoose. It's also fun to see how Yvena's snake is accepted into Liander's family. Rodent based shifter families generally shy away from their animal predators. When Yvena's skills as a snake come to light, it is easy to understand how the family dynamics all works out. The conflicts in these stories are good because they are plausible situations and Ms. Master provides smooth resolutions for all of them.
The romance in these stories are sweet. There is no other word for it. The characters show their strengths and flaws and find themselves still desired and loved. Isn't this what every person wants? To be loved and wanted for who they are, not just what they can bring to the table? One may wonder why these stories still rate a 3 star. It's because while well written, the complexity of the world and characters is medium to low. This is not a bad thing. It means the story is enjoyable but probably not a re-read. It is still definitely recommended for paranormal lovers who love happily ever afters and unique animal shifters.
*provided by Manic Readers
August 22, 2016
The backstory of the heroine is moving as in the kindness of the hero. However, the romance is lacking. I want them to fall in fall and really that doesn't happen. They just desire each other.
April 17, 2022
Yvena has just been released from the recovery center after being rescued from the shifter harvesters and decides she wants to find a mate. Practically no sooner than she is at the Crossroads she regrets her decision and wants to go home. Then the last person she expects to see shows up, Liander. Liander who has been her companion and comfort these last few months while she recovered. Liander who she has wanted but could never pursue. It turns out Liander feels the same way about Yvena and despite being a king cobra and a mongoose he wants her for his mate. There was a pretty unexpected twist right at the very end that hasn't happened before. Another great Crossroads book!
October 3, 2014
Another rescued shifter working to heal. I really liked Yvena's quirky sense of humor. She has a dry wit that can be an acquired taste. It is also a defense mechanism to help her cope with what happened. Liander is a perfect match for her. Finally a healthcare worker who separates care-giving and romance. I really liked that he did not peruse her while helping with her recovery.
I love seeing the way that shifters in this series can find romance with somebody who is their opposite in nature. It is great to see natural enemies like a mongoose and King Cobra find each other. It is one of the quirks of this series. I am a big fan of the way Ms Masters does not use typical animals. It keeps me on my toes!
The steam is yummy and rather sensual. The chemistry is just right and the attraction is very smexy! Most of the time the couplings are sweet and savory but they do get hot and heavy as well.
I really enjoyed the progression of the story and would have loved hearing more of the fallout of her venom being used. Perhaps a touch more detail about the investigation. While I love this series I do wish it had a touch more drama in the stories and detail to help it build.
I love seeing the way that shifters in this series can find romance with somebody who is their opposite in nature. It is great to see natural enemies like a mongoose and King Cobra find each other. It is one of the quirks of this series. I am a big fan of the way Ms Masters does not use typical animals. It keeps me on my toes!
The steam is yummy and rather sensual. The chemistry is just right and the attraction is very smexy! Most of the time the couplings are sweet and savory but they do get hot and heavy as well.
I really enjoyed the progression of the story and would have loved hearing more of the fallout of her venom being used. Perhaps a touch more detail about the investigation. While I love this series I do wish it had a touch more drama in the stories and detail to help it build.
April 27, 2014
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Another win for Shifting Crossroads! As Book 14 in the series, Snake Charmer, has quite a long history of stories to live up to, and it did a great job doing so. Yvenna Kastic was another shifter held captive by the Lions as a source of black-marketable venom. Liander Morrison, whom she met at the recovery center, is a mongoose with a plan- one which includes Yvenna.
Some of the favorites from the Crossroads make their obligatory appearances, and it’s nice to see that all are doing well. As a snake uncomfortable in her own skin, Yvenna realizes the Crossroads isn’t the place she needs to be- but luckily, Liander has other plans.
I would recommend reading this book to all the fans of shifter romance out there. You don’t need to read all the Shifting Crossroads books to understand what is going on, but they are all enjoyable, so I’d suggest you check them out.
4/5 flames for hotness!
Another win for Shifting Crossroads! As Book 14 in the series, Snake Charmer, has quite a long history of stories to live up to, and it did a great job doing so. Yvenna Kastic was another shifter held captive by the Lions as a source of black-marketable venom. Liander Morrison, whom she met at the recovery center, is a mongoose with a plan- one which includes Yvenna.
Some of the favorites from the Crossroads make their obligatory appearances, and it’s nice to see that all are doing well. As a snake uncomfortable in her own skin, Yvenna realizes the Crossroads isn’t the place she needs to be- but luckily, Liander has other plans.
I would recommend reading this book to all the fans of shifter romance out there. You don’t need to read all the Shifting Crossroads books to understand what is going on, but they are all enjoyable, so I’d suggest you check them out.
4/5 flames for hotness!
June 6, 2022
*Chefs Kiss*
Why is the plot across this entire series SO GOOD!
I read these books for the first time back in what, 2014?!? They’re still so good, I love the author! I met her at Romancing the Capital in Canada and I wish I could meet her again now that I am more socially adept 😂 (I was only 16 at the time)
If you’re on book 14 you already know how good these are. If you’ve come across it and are considering reading it as a stand alone I suggest you start at the beginning or at least go back to…I think it was Lion Time. The Lion and the Heron book. Otherwise you’re missing some backstory you’ll wish you had.
Why is the plot across this entire series SO GOOD!
I read these books for the first time back in what, 2014?!? They’re still so good, I love the author! I met her at Romancing the Capital in Canada and I wish I could meet her again now that I am more socially adept 😂 (I was only 16 at the time)
If you’re on book 14 you already know how good these are. If you’ve come across it and are considering reading it as a stand alone I suggest you start at the beginning or at least go back to…I think it was Lion Time. The Lion and the Heron book. Otherwise you’re missing some backstory you’ll wish you had.
Read
June 21, 2014Very sexy, another great Crossroads story. I enjoyed the idea of a cobra and a mongoose falling in love since the animals are naturally enemies. I also adored that Liander quit his job so we didn’t have the whole issue of a medical professional taking advantage of a patient, even though a lot of their getting to know each other was why she was recovering.
These two are great together and I was very satisfied with this story.
These two are great together and I was very satisfied with this story.
March 15, 2017
This one was a bit short. needed just a bit more to make it better. Not bad at all though.
March 2, 2021
*chants* I am not attracted to snakes. I am not attracted to snakes. I am not attracted to snakes.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews