Forgotten Mate

by Beth D. Carter

Greyden James. The mate who walked away after one night together. The man who almost destroyed her life. Zenia Zierdan works hard to keep a tight rein on her depression and anxiety. Working for the alpha helps her maintain a purpose within the pack. But everything changes the moment she scents vanilla and cedar and comes face to face with the man who walked away.

Greyden is confused why a strange woman smells exactly like his mate. When he discovers he’s been a victim of a black magic spell, he’d do anything to get his memories back.

Only through the power of true love can they find a happy ever after. Even as they both come to terms with the guilt they harbor.

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 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

[Stox4story · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick Read… perfect for a lunch break

A lot will happen in five years and it all boils down to betrayal and jealousy. Stealing one’s mate normally would be hard if not impossible. Ahhh, but when the right circumstances are present, it’s easy as pie. Zenia suffered the consequences. She lost a lot more than her mate, but finally after five long years her life is starting to get back to normal. Yes, she still feels the loss and the pain but she tries her best to keep her mind away from the bad, looking toward a glass half full rather than half empty. It’s working. Life is better, but little does she know more challenges await. Her mate suddenly appears. He smells a strong scent and follows it…. right into the coffee shop where Zenia works. Problem is, he doesn’t remember her. He only knows Zenia’s scent is the very one worn by whom he thinks is his true mate, the very one he’s been with the last five years. How can that be? All will be answered as you read.

🤔 OBSERVATIONS:

✒︎ This is a very fast paced storyline that can be read in an hour or less.

✒︎ The story lacks depth in areas, especially in character development, the betrayal scene and the ‘get even’ scene.

✒︎ Gaps need filled. When did Layton meet her true mate? How was she prepared to do what she did to Greyden? What about her uncle? (Trying to avoid spoilers)

✒︎ I appreciated the lack of foul language/profanity. The intimate scenes are easy to skip and miss none of the plot.

✒︎ I like to ‘feel’ and ‘see’ things when I’m reading, both the good, happy times as well as the painful times. I didn’t get that here.

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

[Anij · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One of the most powerful things in the universe is true love."

Let me start first with a warning, don't read any other reviews before you read this book. Several people have included several huge spoilers in their reviews including the identity of the book's villain. Believe me, you do not want to risk any spoilers. I'm very grateful I didn't read any reviews before and got to be suprised more than once.

Now that I've got that out of the way, let's get on to my spoiler-free review.

I've come to the conclusion that all of Beth's books are just going to have abrupt, incomplete or rushed endings. Forgotten Mate is no exception. And since it's another way too short book, we still don't get as much character development that this couple deserve most of all.

There is enough story in this book to have filled a full sized novel. Zenia and Greyden are both fantastic main characters. I wanted more! More background, more depth and more time together. I could feel there was so much emotion and heat simmering between them and I only got a peek.

The set up and plot are pretty unique. If there have been any other shifter books with the same I haven't read one. And while, again, too much detail and backstory are missing, the how and why of what happened to get them to where they are in the beginning, along with what happens next and the resolution are all there. It's all just a condensed version.

It was fun to see favorite characters from the past books, especially Jericho, my personal favorite! I was happy to see Savannah is no longer hiding who and what she is and is totally accepted. And the warlock she brings to town, Niall, we'll let's just say I really, really want more of him!

I hope so much this isn't the last book in the series. I've become very attached to the people in Sheridan, and I'm ready to take a trip to Colorado to see if I can find it. I don't want to give these fascinating people up any time soon.

4 1/2 stars. I'm rounding up because I loved Zenia and Greyden so much!

[Mary Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forgotten Mate is a quirky little read. I love how Carter reinforces the fated-mates trope here; once Zenia and Greyden encounter one another, the pull of mates works despite time, distance, and tragedy. They can’t resist one another today the way they couldn’t do it when they met five years ago. But Greyden can’t remember Zenia at all, while she’s been plagued by memories of him. The mystery of Forgotten Mate is why they fell apart in the first place.

This is a novella, so there isn’t a lot of time for character development. But you sense Zenia’s anguish and Greyden’s befuddlement even with the brief page count. I wish we’d had a better sense of why the villain of the story did what they did; it seemed like a very rushed choice that I wasn’t quite sure of the rationale for, and a lot happened in a little time, and not all of it made sense to me.

But this is a solid entry in Carter’s Sheridan Pack series, and I love the way it focuses on damaged shifters and their healing and resolution. In this sense, Forgotten Mate does a great job.

[Panis Mx · Rating 1 out of 5]

Había material para profundizar la historia, para sentir el daño, la venganza, el perdón. Pero todo se resuelve rápidamente, nunca hay un climax....






SPOILERS**************







Haber, tenemos a nuestra protagonista, la cual después de haber encontrado a su pareja, tienen una noche de pasión y luego el desaparece. Su amiga le dice que él regresó a casa. En este mundo, las parejas no se rechazan, si tuvieron un buen inicio, por que ella se dio por vencida tan rápido y luego se dio cuenta que estaba embarazada. No debió ir a buscarlo y decirle eso? En cambio, se deprime, pierde su lobo, y se muere su bebé. Después de 5 años, se vuelven a encontrar y que hace ella, lo perdona, no teme volver a amarlo después de que él se olvidó de ella. Y si, el también es víctima, pero de donde la amiga supo que hacer o como moverse tan rápido para realizar la maldición. Y como no fue nada sospechoso que ella desapareciera también.... Nadie intenta impedir que la maldición sea rota, todos son muy inteligentes para darse cuenta de inmediato que está bajo una maldición. Aburrido!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! I love a good paranormal fated mates novel. I have read the other novels in this series and loved them and this novel did not disappoint. From the first chapter this novel pulled me in. I had a hard time putting this novel down because I needed to know what was coming next. I love a rejected mate novel and this novel just hit the spot for me. Zenia and Greyden are fated mates that spend a wild night together and then Greyden disappears for five years and has no memory of their night together. My heart hurt for all the pain Zenia has been thru. I loved their chemistry. I loved watching them reconnect and work against the forces that are against them. I can't wait to see what this author has coming next.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zenia met her fated mate on her first time at the Assembly. However, after their time together he vanishes, and she feels rejected. Now years later she is confronted by her mate, and he has no memory of her. Greyden is confused as to why she smells like his mate, but he knows his mate is back home. The other pack offer some assistance in the matter, and it completely changes his life. Will he accept her as his mate? Can they find their way back to each other?

This is a great story that will hook you in the first chapter. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

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

[Nicolle Cherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zenia met her fated met 5 years ago, and he left her after one special night together. When Greyden saw her again, he couldn’t remember her. Due to losing her mate, Zenia suffered from depression, lost her wolf, and a lot more. Now that he’s back, can they overcome the past and the dark magic in play?

“I won’t hurt you,” he said. “You already have,” she said, turning to Keegan who put her arm around her and led her out the door. Zenia breathed through her heartache, wishing she had never met Greyden James.”.

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

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgotten Mate, I found this short story to be suspenseful and a page-turner. Even though the story was short, it still had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading the book. I absolutely fell in love with Greyden and Zenia. I’m thrilled to find out that these two were able to be together in the end. They were also able to avenge the death of their son as well. I thought Forgotten Mate to be exceptionally well written. I also found the book to not only be enjoyable, but quite entertaining. I would recommend this book to others.

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully beautiful story and somewhat emotional. Zenia and Greyden dated a few years ago and she thought they were meant to be together, but after spending an evening together he left her without explanation. The following years did not go well for her. She lost what she considered important in her life and was left with depression. Now that he is back after a long time and without a memory of her. Can they pick up the thread and find out why he doesn't remember her and still have a future together?


I received an Advance Reader sample of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose Seals · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, full of drama, revenge, emotions, betrayal, jealousy, twists and turns. After 5 years of loss, Zenia is finally able to find out what and why Greyden left her. He comes into a shop where she works following her scent but does not remember her or what happened. So together they try to get back what they lost. A good second chance love with light steam but has a very sweet storyline. Th characters all fit the need of this fast paced novella. Would recommend.

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

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone stole their HEA. - Zenia's shocked when she sees her mate. He left her after their one night together, never to be seen again. Greyden doesn't understand why the stranger smells like the mate who's waiting for him back at his home pack. The stink of betrayal is in the air when all is said and done. A steamy shorty that flashes back to the MCs' meet cute while engaging readers in their joyous reunion. The culprit got what was coming and justice was well served.

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

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zenia lost her wolf when her mate walked away from her. She has worked hard to over come her depression, but when he shows up in the new town she is living, she is spiraling. Greyden is confused, why does this woman smell like his mate?

Someone has cast a dark spell over him, he wants nothing more than to get his missing memories back. But could the cure be worse than the symptoms? This story is full of a lot of angst and some may find triggering due to the story.

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

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Greyden and Zenia's story. It starts with Zenia running into Greyden,her fated mate who "abandoned" her five years ago. Only he doesn't know her and is confused because she smells like his mate but she is back home and not Zenia. This story has it all, There is betrayal, deceit and a bit of dark magic mixed in. Why aren't Greyden and Zenia still together? Why did he forget? Can they repair what was taken from them? Check it out to see.

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

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zenia and Greyden are fated mates who spend one night together before Greyden just leaves, 5 years of pain Zenia suffered only for him to come back with no memories of her but knows she's his mate. Can they ever be true mates with the dark magic between them? Well written steamy, second chances, fated mates quick read.

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

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wild read that has an incredible twist. Greyden and Zenia met and were mates but after one night together, he ghosts her. Heart broken, she returns home and tries to make a productive life... Greydon shows up at a pack for discussions and can't believe he's scented his mate - but he's mated already... I loved following the mystery as they worked to get their HEA. Expect some big emotions in this one, though ;D

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greyden and Zenia’s story has them together one time then he disappears for 5 yrs but then later comes back with no memory of her. They find out magic had been the reason. It gets fixed and along the way he finds out she had their baby but it didn’t survive. But they get even with the person and get their hea.

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

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost and Found

An unexpected twist in this great shifter read will keep you engaged until the end.

Greyden and Zenia had met recognized the fated mate bond and then he’d disappeared only to turn up five years later with no memory of her but that she smelt of his mate.

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

[ObsessiveReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zenia and Greyden only had one night together before being seperated through deceit. It leaves you feeling very sad for the characters at times with what has happened to them. Zenia lost more than just her mate after that night.

Good story and just a little steam.

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

[Brooke Torrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an exciting quick read!!! Forgotten Mate is filled with drama, twists and turns, and a little spice. This book’s storyline was original, page-turning and heartbreaking. The characters were complex and had an instant and undeniable chemistry. This book has all my feelings coming out.

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

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greyden and Zenia He walked away from her. Almost destroyed her. While she works for the Alpha to have some meaning to her life she scents him and he doesnt understand why she smells like his mate. This read was a little different but excellent loved it.

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

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning of this book was distressing, with Zenia grieving the mate whom ran out on her years ago. Facing Greyson again hurts her so, however he does not know she is his mate although she smells like she is. Storyline is very interesting with so many twists and turns.

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

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book more than I expected. I liked the reason why Greyden left Zenia and how everything turned out. The book might be short, but it had a good vision and everything worked out well. I would definitely recommend it. It should be noted that it's super short, so one shouldn't expect many things from this 65 page novella.

[I’m a Paula too… Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a bit too predictable…

I knew who did it the second the person was introduced. Jealousy and envy are deadly sins, and it’s always someone close who betrays you. This was a short story that was actually well written, but unfortunately I found it way too predictable so this one is just an average read for me.

Forgettable, just like the mate…

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much heartbreak and loss for our MCs because of someone’s greed. I am glad that they somehow their way back to each other and found the happily ever that was meant for them.

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

[ajscenic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite a sad story in the sense that it shows what can happen in the aftermath if someone makes a bad choice or is the victim of a petty vendetta. It was quite poignant but, also surprising at I didn’t expect the last act for the ending. This is a good 4 star story.

[Andra Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forgotten Mate is the fourth book in the Sheridan Pack series. It is also a novella and a very good quick read. Greydan and Zenia are fated mates, and how they lose one another and find their love again is a sweet love story. It is not as steamy as I like them, but the romance is sweet, and the fight to get their love back is strong and righteous.

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