Librarian note: Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00JX5A55S.
One morning can change everything. Five mornings can change a life.
Friends. Lovers. Enemies. Allies.
Alex McCann and Teodora ‘Ted’ Vasquez never had a simple relationship. But you couldn’t call it a boring one, either. Five mornings in their past shape who they will become to each other. To their families. And to the mysterious town they call home.
“Five Mornings” is a short story of approximately 36 pages set in the Cambio Springs universe. Also included is an exclusive first look at Alex and Ted’s full-length novel, DESERT BOUND, coming Fall 2014. From Elizabeth Hunter, bestselling author of the Elemental Mysteries and the Irin Chronicles.
ELIZABETH HUNTER is an eleven-time USA Today bestselling author of romance, contemporary fantasy, and paranormal mystery. Based in Central California and Addis Ababa, she travels extensively to write fantasy fiction exploring world mythologies, history, and the universal bonds of love, friendship, and family.
She has published over fifty works of fiction and sold over two million books world-wide. She is the author of the Elemental Mysteries, the Irin Chronicles, the Cambio Springs Mysteries, and other works of fiction.
Five mornings out of Alex & Ted's life. 5 mornings that give so much insight into their turbulent relationship. Wow! I'm so glad I read this as I now feel more prepared for their full story in Desert Bound. I now have a better idea of what's kept these two meant-to-be mates apart for so many years. Five Mornings may be a short story, but but there's nothing short about the impact it delivers - intense, passionate, & heartbreaking. A Must Read!
Kind of glad I read this after their book as it is a bit heartbreaking. It shows 5 pivotal mornings in Ted and Alex's relationship and how focused they are on their own individual goals.
Teaser. Frustrating teaser just gets you all wound up wanting the rest of the story.... If I could do it again, I'd wait to read this until their full length book is ready so I could move straight into it.
On the other hand, how incredibly annoying is this relationship? Really. Annoying. She takes him for granted, is profoundly self-centered and doesn't even bother to ask about what he does for a living (and they are living together). And he mooches along feeling badly because he stuck to his guns, rightfully, and didn't give her even more of what she wanted. Plus, he could explain himself to her and clear things up, but no. No, he keeps close mouthed for no good reason at all.
The whole thing just made me want to slap both of them. Condemned to be yearning yet apart due to their own self centered idiocy...until the next book presumably.
So, now that I've thought about it, maybe I don't want to bother to read the next book at all.
Ha! Who am I kidding? It's Elizabeth Hunter. Like I have a choice. Yeah, I'm gonna read it.
Series Info/Source: This is a short story in the Cambio Springs series (there are three books in this series and two short stories). I borrowed this as an ebook through Kindle Unlimited.
Thoughts: This short story sets things up for focusing on two side characters from the first book. Although we meet Alex and Ted in the first book, and spend quite a bit of time on them, the focus isn’t really on them. This short story visits the two (Alex and Ted) on five different mornings over the years and gives us the background on how they ended up where they are when you meet them in the first book, “Shifting Dreams”.
I was surprised at how much emotional impact this short story had on me. It’s a tiny little thing but watching Ted and Alex through the years was incredibly engaging and impactful. I hurt so much for them and this made me incredibly eager to read the second book in this series and watch their full story unfold.
Both Ted and Alex are incredibly driven people who want to really extend themselves to make things better for the small town of Cambio Springs. Ted is doing this by pushing herself to get a medical doctor degree, a very time-consuming and challenging process. She hopes that having a local medical doctor will help out the shifters and tribes of Cambrio Springs. Meanwhile, Alex starts out working in construction but quickly grows a huge real estate empire that he hopes will bring real money into Cambrio Springs to save the town from poverty. Unfortunately, their drive to succeed and help the town slowly tears them apart and it will tear your heart apart to read about it.
As with all of Hunter’s stories; this is incredibly readable. The writing flows well and the story and characters really pull you in, making you feel like these are people you actually know and care about in real life. I enjoyed this immensely and am very happy I read it before jumping into the second book of this series.
My Summary (5/5): Overall this was a fantastic short story and an excellent prequel that leads very nicely into “Desert Bound”, the second book in the Cambio Springs series. I enjoyed this immensely and would highly recommend the Cambio Springs series if you are looking for a good paranormal shifter series with some romance, mystery and characters that are a bit more mature and kind to each other than your typical paranormal reads.
Introducing characters poised to shine in the next chapter of the series, we explore their evolving relationship, reignited in college and transforming over time.
One morning can alter everything. Five mornings can transform a life.
Acquaintances. Lovers. Adversaries. Allies.
The bond between Alex McCann and Teodora 'Ted' Vasquez has always been complex, yet it's anything but dull. Five pivotal mornings have sculpted their history and will determine their future roles to each other, their kin, and the enigmatic town they consider home.
"Five Mornings" is a novella spanning roughly 36 pages in the Cambio Springs universe. It includes an exclusive sneak peek of Alex and Ted's upcoming novel, "DESERT BOUND."
This is a great short story to the history of Alex and the love of his life, Teodora (Ted). This is from Alex's POV, and gives us a little taste of what Ted means to him. Looking forward to their full story, but I would recommend this to those reading the series.
Without the sex, I would have given this short story an Easy FIVE STARS. The relationship between these two characters is long term and complex. So very well described, you can’t help but want to follow their story for more!
I really dislike graphically described sex scenes. Subtle hints and fade to black is my preferred style.
This is very short. Much shorter than it initially appeared on my Kindle. Turns out most of the space was a sample of the novel it precedes. The story was good for an in between. The previous novel set up the next novel, but this story fills in details that give the reader more information about the conflict between the two main characters.
I love the world of Cambio Springs, and I really enjoyed Book 1, but there was something about this short story that felt... unsatisfying.
It's great to know Ted and Alex's backstory, but I also wish they'd just talked to each other right from the outset and set clear expectations about what each of them wanted and expected from the other.
Who would have thought a story that short could break my heart so thoroughly. I even knew most of it since I had read book two of the Cambio Springs series prior to reading this. Ted is my absolute favorite, and Alex is basically every guy I've dated who is just as stubborn as me. This was the best short story I've ever read. Can't get enough of Ted and Alex, no matter how heartbreaking.
brilliant read Ted and Alex are in it for the long haul. But happiness is a marathon and not a sprint. Ted has to get through college and make it as a doctor, for herself, her family and her home. And Alex he has a mission too. but this makes being together hard. They both have plans to make the end game. But times can be hard. Brilliant read.
What a lead-in to the next book in this series. Ted/Tea and Alex - a complicated story that just has to have a HEA! Ms Hunter, I am always thrilled with your writing and storytelling.
Of course this novella was amazing, Elizabeth Hunter wrote it, and I still don't like novellas or prequels except for hers. Alex and Ted were amazing and I cried the whole time. I'm excited to continue reading their story!
I so loved this and am really looking forward to the next book in the Cambio Springs series which tells the rest of Alex and Ted’s story. This was a taste of it and more than enough to get me hooked!
Being young and in love and thinking you are forever... been there, done that. Those feelings really show up in Five Mornings. This is not my exact story, but the feelings are. We almost always screw it up.
Awesome prelude to the series. Wish I had read it first. The series is really good and unique. The books are all well written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the series.
This prequel was packed with a lot of emotions. The painful decisions that had to be made and the history of the main characters is leading me to read more in this series. I loved the writing style of this author.
Well that explains the tension both emotional and sexual felt between Ted and Alex in the the previous book. This was a fab little prequel novella for their second chance love story. Its going to be a rollercoaster as they navigate the past to heal all the hurt to get to their future!
I read this after reading the first three main books in the series. Ted and Alex are my least favorite characters in the series. This short confirms my opinions but sheds light on their stormy relationship...
Another short story that could have easily been the prologue to book 2. This sets up the story of Alex and Ted. They were together and it seemed inevitable that they would marry and have children and be together forever but things don’t always work out that way. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️