Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

by Roxie Ray

For over a century, I've longed to meet my fated mate. Then Fate threw a curveball.

My mate isn't just any woman. She's a witch, the very thing I despise. Kirsten isn't just any witch, though. She's the descendant of the one who cursed me never to know love — and she's oblivious to her true nature. Apart from that, she has a tenacious spirit and a sharp tongue that gets under my skin.

Despite her fiery nature, my wolf craves her. And I know I need her by my side for the good of my pack. Yet, earning her trust won't be a simple feat, especially when she regards me with suspicion, viewing me as the proverbial big, bad wolf.
My intense desire for her overrides my hatred and distrust of witches. I must convince her to trust me, to realize that we are bound by fate, even as I grapple with the burden of needing her to break the curse.

She is my only hope.

Cursed Bonds is the complete duology combining both parts of Kirsten and Jace's duology — a slow-burn, opposites-attract romance with a satisfying happy-ever-after for a couple who deserve it.

Genres: Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Enemies To Lovers, Romance

670 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2024

About the author

Roxie Ray is a group of writer friends who love to write Sci Fi Alien Romance and Paranormal Romance. They love to talk, read and write this lovely genre. They hope you love their books and strive to make sure you have a steamy, wonderful experience!

Reviews

[Jax · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 30%
These characters talked more about what they were going to do than actually doing anything. The FMC is 33 and the MMC is supposedly 125 (but looks 40), but they both act like annoying teenagers. This book is 670 pages long and I got about 1/3 of the way in and so far nothing had happened to move the plot along. The antagonist gives me a middle-aged coworker that hits on you at 17 vibe, rather than the scary Alpha next door that will steal your powers vibe.

Kirsten and Jace are mates, but Jace was cursed by Kirsten's great-grandmother to never find his mate. He uses his anger towards her as a reason to deny the mate bond. He also makes the excuse that Kirsten is a witch and he can't stand witches, therefore, their relationship would never work. He changes his mind, however, with no introspection or events causing it. One minute, he's complaining to the reader that she's a witch and he hates witches, the next, he's explaining how Kirsten needs to let her walls down and let him in.

I was tempted to skip toward the end, but immediately decided the plot wasn't engaging enough to encourage me to do it. So to summarize, this book has far too much uninteresting and meaningless exposition, the characters are dull, and the entirety of the plot is mid. Would not recommend.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF.

[Anna Whitehead · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really don’t know why I kept reading this book. The ending was beyond campy. She’s pregnant, even though she never mentioned stopping birth control. Must be that super strong werewolf sperm. Then, OF COURSE, there’s twins. Of course. Because why not?!? Everyone adores Jace and Kirsten, and all is well between the packs. Jace and his fragile ego are hero-worshipped and Kirsten is universally adored and beloved. It’s like the author tried to throw in every trite moment from every romantic movie she ever watched. These characters had all the depth of a teaspoon. Kirsten was whiny and ridiculous. Even her behavior towards her dad at the end was absurd, but I guess that’s par for the course for her.

If you enjoy whiny main characters who change their minds constantly about what they want, this book is for you. Otherwise, just skip it.

[Mystic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read

This is a good book, had me hooked with the odd chuckle here and there, but near the end it felt a little rushed.

[Cort · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF🙃 not sure how this book is getting so many great reviews.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roxie Ray introduces readers to a world where fate and animosity collide in "Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny Book 1." This paranormal romance delves into the complexities of love, destiny, and the struggle to overcome ancient curses, offering a compelling tale of redemption and passion.

"Cursed Bonds" unfolds with a mix of tension, intrigue, and undeniable chemistry between its lead characters, Logan and Kirsten. Roxie Ray skillfully builds a world where supernatural creatures and human emotions intersect, weaving a narrative that blends paranormal elements with themes of trust, forgiveness, and redemption.

The characterization is a strong suit of the novel, with Logan portrayed as a brooding yet compassionate Alpha, burdened by his responsibilities to his pack and the weight of a centuries-old curse. Kirsten, on the other hand, emerges as a spirited and independent heroine, grappling with newfound powers and the revelation of her ancestry amidst the tumultuous backdrop of supernatural politics.

Ray's writing style is engaging and evocative, immersing readers in a world where magic and primal instincts clash. The slow-burn romance between Logan and Kirsten unfolds organically, allowing their relationship to develop amidst challenges and revelations that deepen their connection. The author skillfully balances action-packed scenes with moments of introspection and emotional intensity, keeping the narrative both captivating and emotionally resonant.

The novel's conclusion satisfies with a well-deserved happily-ever-after, offering closure while setting the stage for future installments in the series. "Cursed Bonds" is a standalone within the Alpha's Destiny series, ensuring that readers can enjoy a complete story arc without unresolved plot threads or cliffhangers.

"Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny Book 1" by Roxie Ray is a compelling blend of paranormal romance and supernatural intrigue. With its well-crafted characters, intricate world-building, and simmering chemistry, this novel is sure to appeal to fans of shifter romances and stories of destined love. Ray's ability to weave together themes of fate, redemption, and the power of love makes "Cursed Bonds" a captivating read that leaves readers eager for more from the Alpha's Destiny series.

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

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Shifter romance
- Paranormal romance
- Fated mates
- Age old curse

I've read multiple books from this author and I am never disappointed. The action is always well paced, the plot is engaging, the characters believable and sassy.

In this book, Kirsten has just learned she inherited her grandmother's cabin in Missouri. Kirsten was raised by her grandmother and visited the cabin with her in the summer until she turned 16. Kirsten nearly forgot about the cabin since then. But wanting some closure and to clean out her grandmother's items, she decides to go to the cabin during her summer break as a teacher. The cabin is in a shifter only community, sandwiched between 2 different packs. Kirsten only has vague memories of the times they visited...

Jace, alpha of one of the packs, had been cursed by a witch decades ago - to never find a mate or have children. He never told his pack about the curse, so they are starting to question why he doesn't have any heirs. Frustrated, Jace goes out for a run and ends up at the cabin. Due to wards, he cannot get close, but he notices someone inside...and his wolf senses she is their mate.

Jace does not make a good first impression with Kirsten, so she is less receptive to the fact that he tells her she is a witch. This, however, starts Kirsten on a journey for the truth. Is she ready to accept her lineage?

Adding to the drama is the rival pack's alpa, Eren. He senses Kirsten's power and wants it for himself...

This book had so many twists and such an interesting plot. I found myself reading well into the night.

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

[Li · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a lot of parts about this book that I really enjoyed and for the most part it read better than the other shifter books I have read before.

My problem with this book is how unnecessarily long it was. There were a lot of parts in this book that could have been reduced, for example, the relationship between the main character and Jace was an ongoing circle of miscommunication problems. They kept getting pissed off at each other for the most childish reasons, and then break off only for it to be used as a climax (MULTIPLE TIMES). So much so that by 70% of the book I started skipping pages.

Same with the war against the villain, it took so longggg to finish it that I was just tired of it. There were so many moments where the author could have ended it but it just kept being dragged on. The end of the conflict was very anticlimactic.

Also, the author wrote so much about the main character’s powers and how powerful she was, but when the war came she was just in the backyard healing people? Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind if she was just a healer witch but she was hyped so much for being an eclectic (or however you call it) witch that I was left underwhelmed. I want the fantasy authors to stop making characters super powerful only for them not to showcase it when the time arrives. Like really? She just electrocuted two wolves, healed some others and the most powerful witch is out? Bleh

That being said, I still enjoyed the book. I was going through my highlights and I had forgotten the talks about grief and her experiences with an absent alcoholic father, and I really enjoyed those parts.

[Sylwia Guc-Czarnota · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say , "An Alpha's Destiny" is an absolut delight to read . Story packed with action, plot twists, all the feels an....one irritating Alpha :) I swear 🤬 something I wanted to shout at MMC for being such a noodle canoe. I have read this book in one sitting which means I have been at it until 4 o clock in the morning, but once you'll start you cannot stop reading. There wasn't a boring moment in this book. I love MMC for having spine of steel despite or thanks to her upbringing. Loved the tension and emotions bubbling between two main characters, their banter and interactions.
Honest, all the characters close to main ones are really likable. Roxie has a talent to create "real" people with their issues and little faults,which makes them more like us, familiar.
It isn't my first book from this author and definitely won't be my last .
Easy five star read , why ? Kept me engrossed, entertained, angry, happy , giddy all in one book. This book took me out of a reading slump, so very well done 👏 to the author.
I can honestly recommend this book if you want to have fun 👍.

[Audrianna Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! This novel had it all! Unknown magic witch, a curse, evil Alpha shifter, fated mates, several spicy scenes, fiery women, and more! The author did an excellent job of pacing all of these elements throughout the novel and having reasonings for them. Our main characters are Jace, the Crestwood pack Alpha, and Kirsten, the unknown witch.
There is so much fiery tempers between these two before they finally make it work together, but what do you expect when you have two Alpha types joining together?!? At times, it does get a little much, but for the most part it makes the book move a long at a fast pace. Of course, since they are fated mates, there are several spicy scenes and they are hot and explicit!
There are several background characters, but they are easy to keep track of, especially our villain Alpha, Eren, of a neighboring pack. The author got very creative with all of his villainous ways!
If shifter novels are your thing, this is for sure one to look at adding to your TBR!.

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

[Estee Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch and her Alpha wolf

This book was pretty good. A curse, a wolf having a witch as his fated mate when he hated witches, a war with kidnapping and a bad alpha abusing his clan.
The spice was 3/5 but I appreciated how even during stressful moments, they managed to have sex so it kept that fated mate animal drive going whereas in some other wolf books I've read, there is always some "war" and during it the intensity is put on hold.
I also appreciated how the friend found mates.
I even cried a few times when the children were treated horribly by the bad alpha.
I loved that our Alpha Jace was able to admit his fears, jealousy and even cried you don't get vulnerability from alphas in other books...This was really important that he and Kristen were true mates aka a team rather than her being controlled by him.
Kudos to Roxie Ray, this was the first book of hers I read, I look forward to reading more :-)

[Nikki Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Kirsten goes to the house her grandmother left her she never expected to discover that her grandmother had kept a very big secret from her. A secret that will change her life forever and that of Jace, the Alpha of the Crestwood Pack, who has been cursed. As they battle with their own emotions and relationship, they will both have to deal with Eren, the neighbouring Alpha, who has plans to destroy Jace and take Kirsten for himself and he doesn't care how he does it. This book had me hooked from the beginning and I was unable to put it down. Jam-packed with drama, action, intrigue, suspense, betrayal and a touch of angst, this book has everything you can expect from Roxie and more. Worth far more than 5 stars.

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

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! To say this is an action packed story would be a major understatement because you never know what is going to happen next. There are some major surprises throughout the story with Kirsten being the biggest. The stories are well written and very entertaining and held my attention until the very end. There was a lot of suspense which started at the beginning and the author kept building with a great climax at the end. I loved Kristen and Jace and the fact they got their HEA but before this could happen they had to overcome so e obstacles. There are a lot of secondary characters who added to the story. This ARC involved two stories which I loved because there was no cliffhanger. I would highly recommend this as a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and are voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jace when very young kissed a witch right after his parents were killed she cursed him to never find his mate, never know love and no children. Kirsten didn’t know that she was a witch until after going to the cabin when her grandmother died of cancer and didn’t know what her great-grandmother had done to Jace. When she had cursed Jace she used his hair to put up a ward against werewolves. At first Kirsten thought that Jace wasn’t a good alpha, she started going to see a witch to help her realized that Jace was her mate as he said and her tether her powers were stronger when they touched. Eren the rival alpha wanted Kirsten for her power so they had to take care of him. Everything turned out ok for them. Good book!.

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

[HarleQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book is well over 500 pages, it is more than worth the read. Roxie Ray will lead you on an emotional journey with many surprising, twists, and turns you will not see coming all the way to the very end!

Tissue warning: You probably will want to keep them nearby as there are some scenes and especially ones that involve children where you'll need them. However, these scenes are extremely integral to the overall story which would suffer immensely without these scenes.

That being said, this is definitely a must read book for your list. Hopefully there will be upcoming stories on supporting characters from this book as I am hooked!

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

[chesirern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cursed Bonds: An Alphas Destiny by Roxie Ray is a paranormal romance novel. What an action packed, fast paced and surprising story. The plot to this was very well written and it kept me on my toes. This book to some may seem daunting because it is long but it really flows and keeps the reader engaged.
The characters were all exciting and well thought out. Jace initially could not stand the thought of a witch being his fated mate especially this witch but we all know what being around a beautiful, intriguing AND intelligent woman can do. Kristen of course feels the same mated to a wolf no thank you BUT with time and fate who knows.
Such a fun and exciting read. Definitely recommend it if you enjoy a good shifter romance!

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jace was cursed by a witch to never find his true mate, never know true love.

This is a paranormal romance with tropes of age gap (obviously if Jace kissed Kirsten's grandmother to gain the curse he's a bit older than Kirsten), fated-mates, enemies to lovers (curse that made them enemies).

Kirsten didn't grow up knowing she was a witch and she certainly did not realize her grandmother had cursed the Alpha. However, when truths are exposed, and lives cross paths can Jace and Kirsten break a curse, learn to love and find that unique bond of fated mates?

This book reads quickly and is interesting.

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

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

[Krystine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is LONG! And I did get a tad annoyed with it in some areas but at the same time I get why it was needed and I was really pleased with the story and how it played out. The characters overall were all very like able, Jace and Kristen, a witch who doesn’t know she’s one and an alpha cursed to loneliness are a match you knew couldn’t be anything but fate, some parts and the way they acted I thought were unnecessary but then I thought it did make it feel more realistic, the reservations, uneasiness, etc. it was more real life because of these things and I really hope this turns into a series of sorts because the side characters and their pairings were all wonderful! If you’re into a long read that really gives you the FULL story, this book is for you!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An OK read

I have said this before, but I will say it again. I do love a good shifter romance. This one I enjoyed, but I didn't love it. I think this just comes down to my own personal preferences and me being fussy.
It did hook me in the beginning. However, there were parts that i felt didn't really need to be there or reworded. It was quite a long book, so perhaps breaking it up into 2 could have helped.
I enjoyed the characters, I loved the relationship Kirsten had with her best friend Harley. Their banter was quite good.
As an alpha, I felt like Jace was a bit soft, timid, if you like. He came across as a pushover sometimes. The storyline was a good one and I liked the magic element as well.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wolf shifter finds himself with a mate who just happens to be a witch.
MMC Jace despises witches so this surprise may set his wolf to howling but not him.
MFC Kristen just happens to be a descendent of the witch who had cursed him in the past.
Yes, fate can be cruel but it also knows what it’s doing as this action packed adventure of romance, intrigue, magic, family, emotions, and thrills got set to provide a well written and fast paced romance that was both immersive, hard to put down, and a riveting stand-alone from an author who doesn’t fail in delivering a good read.

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

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite Jace and Kristen's contentious first meeting they are inexplicably drawn to each other. They fight it until Eren, the evil alpha of the neighbouring pack's creepy interest threatens her safety. Then Jace has his eyes opened and realises what he could lose.

A fantastic heartfelt romance that jumps out from the very first page. So much action, plot twists, betrayals, misunderstandings, near disasters, fiercely fought battles, sweet romance and plenty of passion. Another fabulous story from this author and not to be missed.

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

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirsten and Jace

Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny is the first book of this new series and I really like her writing style. I absolutely adored Kirsten and Jace's story and the development of the relationship. There were so many emotions drama, magic, danger, discoveries both heartwarming, a little heartache and a steamy page turner that had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed!.

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

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Bonds is a long full-length novel...670 pages woof!! I loved every page! This has it all, fated mated, shifters, romance, steamy action and enough twisty turns to make your head explode!! This is not a read you can skim to get the gist of the story you really need to commit to it, but it is so worth it! I've enjoyed Roxie Ray's books in the past and have enjoyed them, but this is her best work to date in my opinion. I highly recommend!.

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

[JLH · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you love a fated mate who is a descendent who cursed your blood line? That is a crazy thought and can he figure out a way. There are emotions, choices, actions, can you and your fated mate break the spell. Does destiny and fate make bad jokes or is there a meaning we are not aware of? Loops and twists are what this what makes things clearly clouded. It time to start to love toward or away from the bond?.

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

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Bonds is a 2 books in one standalone following Kirsten and Jace. After her Grandmother's death Kirsten (FMC) is left a cabin in the woods by her and it's there that she finds out more about her family. As well as dropping her in the middle of a long seated hatred between Witches and Wolves especially with Alpha Jace. Who has his own reasons for hating Witches. Bringing plenty of great plot twists and turns as the book progressed. It definitely kept me on my toes from start to finish. A cracking read.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of fated mates Jace and Kristen who do not get along well at first but soon deal with so much to get their happy ending. Add one curse, crazy werewolves, lots of drama, danger and a few other surprises and got a fun tale. I did wonder through some of it if Kristen would make it to the end in one piece. Werewolf drama and crazy cause for a fun read. I laughed and groan and was entertained through the drama.

[Marybeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, there is a lot to follow in this book. First of all, the author writes an excellent, long book. It is 670 pages long! Second, there are lots of twists and turns in the plot. You have to pay attention as you read. Last, I enjoyed the chemistry between Jace and Kirsten. It practically jumped off the page. I did have a little trouble getting into the book, but once I got going, it kept my interest, and I read quickly. It's a great story, and I look forward to more from this author.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace and Kirsten. WOW. Jace has waited a long time for his mate only to find out she's the very thing he despises, a witch only she doesn't know what she is. This book has action, danger, mystery, suspense, intrigue, will make you laugh will make you cry. Its a book you wont want to put down but you will have to sleep. For a while at least. Roxie Ray never disappoints.

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

[Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Started out good if you ignore the MMC being 125 years old and an alpha for decades but still has the patience and maturity of a 20 something. But then it gets to a part where the villain isn’t just bad, he’s unbelievably bad and yet so boring. His personality is like a MRA caricature who is also an idiot and yet somehow a super villain?! That, coupled with the drawn out lackluster love story between immature adults left me disappointed and unwilling to waste more time reading.

[Ashlee]

Dnf at 32%. She went to the house, then he went to her house, then she went to his house, then the next day she went to town, then the other alpha came to her house after that, then she went back to his house, then they can’t cross the house boundary, then she can go to town, then she went to his house, then he was back at her house, and then, and then, and then… the writing was exhausting. Very linear and not much substance, though the premise was interesting.