Heart and Soul of the Wolf

Guardian of the Winter Stone #0.5

by Arizona Tape

Librarian Note: an older edition of B0DKLFB183.

Mayu is equal parts lucky and unlucky.

As one of the few people with a wolf soul, she was chosen to go on a sacred quest to retrieve the Winter Stone. It’s a long dangerous journey but she doesn’t have to undertake it alone. Her best friend since childhood, Konomi, is accompanying her.

As much as Mayu loves having someone by her side, she’s also desperately in love with Konomi and to make matters worse, she’s her sister-in-law.

Will this journey be one of love or heartbreak?

***

Heart And Soul Of The Wolf is a f/f fantasy romance with lots of gay panic, a little bit of steam, and no cheating. It serves as a prequel to the Guardian Of The Winter Stone series.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Fiction, LGBT, Lesbian, Ebooks

72 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2024

About the author

Arizona Tape lives her dream life hanging out with her dog and writing stories all day.

Her favourite books to write are urban fantasy and paranormal romances with queer leads, stories that she wished were around when she was younger.

When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen, watching shows that make her cry, or trying her hand at her new hobby of the week.

She currently lives in the United Kingdom with her girlfriend and her adorable dog who is the star of her newsletter. Sign up here for adorable pictures, free books, and news about her books: www.arizonatape.com/subscribe



Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/arizonatapeauthor
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Her books are available on all retailers and can be requested from most public libraries.

Reviews

[Lady Olenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Sweet and innocent girls. Sigh. It’s cute. The pining is not overdone so it was nice to read. I wish there was more but oh well, it is what it is.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart and Soul of the Wolf by Arizona Tape is a prequel in the Guardian of the Winter Stone series. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet little friend to lovers romance about two young women on a sacred quest to find the Winter Stone. We learn how our two mains ended up traveling together on this quest, their hidden feelings, and the next steps on their journey. There are some questions posed to lead us into the rest of the series, as well.
I have read a couple of books by this author, and I have several more on my TBR list. Arizona Tape has a unique ability to create complete, satisfying stories in novella length. I am always concerned that shorter stories will not be well-developed. Not the case with Tape. 
Our two main characters have unique personalities, and they are very likable. They are sweet and passionate and determined on their quest. I also appreciate the setting descriptions and supporting characters.
The writing style and editing are clean and allow for smooth pacing with no detractors. 
I recommend this and other novellas by Arizona Tape for quick, fun reads.
#forcedproximity #friendstolovers #quest 
I received this ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming & Cozy New Relationship Story

As a queer person, I appreciate when I can find queer romances (especially sapphic ones) in all different types of stories. Queer stories are becoming more common, and I hope to find more like “Heart and Soul of the Wolf,” with strong writing, intriguing world building, and realistic characters you can’t help rooting for. I’m excited to read the rest of the series!

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does Love Conquer All?

This is a cutesy short second-chance love story based as a prequel to the Guardian of the Winter Stone series. It wasn’t around when I first read the series, but I love the extra little titbits it gives, as well as the story itself.

These are two people, best friends, with a hundred-and-one excuses for why they mustn’t say anything to the other about their feelings. As soon as they leave on the quest, they fall into a steady rhythm with each other, each complimenting the other. Yet it may take the fear of losing it all to break the silence.

A few squees, a few breath-holding moments, a little bit of steam, and these two young women are ready to face the world.

Final rating: ★★★★☆ – Really liked

*I received a free digital ARC via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

[C C Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great prequel

Explains about how the trips ofno others before. It is a slow burn romance very and has happy ending that leaves you wanting more

[Jacqueline Halle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short read in one sitting prequel to the author's series Guardian Of The Winter Stone. Currently book two of the series is releasing Nov 11th.

FMC Mayu and Konomi travel together on Mayu's Guardian quest. Their personalities compliment each other, looks like I'll be adding this series to my TBR.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[MaxinesBookShelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a short story, it wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t great. I’m extending grace since the characters were likable, but the plot/ mission was pretty weak. I had no idea it was sapphic which was a pleasant surprise. 2.75⭐️

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Mayu’s journey to find the Winter Stone is fraught with peril, but she has the companionship of best friend & sister-in-law, Konomi. If only she wasn’t desperately in love with her. Believing a relationship between them to be impossible, she strives to keep her feelings hidden. As their journey continues, Mayu finds this increasingly difficult. During a stop at an inn, she blurts out the truth. How will this affect not just her relationship with Konomi but her quest as well?

This prequel novella focuses mainly on the love story of our protagonists with a bit of world building. There are many questions left regarding the lost stone and the wolf religion as well as what has happened to the previous guardians that are sure to be answered in the main series. Mayu & Konomi are well written characters with complementing skills and personalities. It’s very easy to relate to them and the struggles related to the quest. Mayu’s longing for Konomi is palpable as is her guilt for harboring feelings for her brother’s widow. The situation is handled with care and compassion as the two navigate this gulf and their eventual acceptance is heartwarming. There is a touch of spice in their consummation but nothing overtly graphic. The side characters of Mason & Rudy at the Red Boar Inn were also intriguing and I hope we get more of their story along the way. I’ve already enjoyed book 1 of the series and have the next two on my ARC pile. I’m excited to learn more about this world.

[TaniaRina Valdespino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wishing I had been taught outdoor skills
Fishing, gathering, hunting, safety, weather-reading, etc. are basic need-to-know’s that all children should learn. They’re aren’t merely important for survival, but they also make travelling less problematic and more fun. I like how the two main characters complemented each other, talent- and personality-wise.


I’ve previously read Akira’s story in the sequel (‘Duty of the Winter Wolf’) and I’m eagerly awaiting the next in series (‘Choice of the Winter Wolf’) to continue her quest.

[Monna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Heart and Soul of the Wolf" by Arizona Tape is a prequel to her Guardian of the Winter Stone series. We meet Mayu and Konomi as they struggle through a snowy landscape. They're on a quest for the Winter Stone, but there's not much information on that. Apparently it's a sacred quest and they aren't the first pair in its pursuit. There's more going on between the two heroines of course. I'm looking forward to learning more about the relationship and their quest.

[Terra Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need more of this

The story is one we've read and watched hundreds of not thousands of times. The chosen hero on an adventure. And as part of that adventure, finding love.

The love story is the important part here, but it doesn't get in the way of the adventure.

I could read another 300 pages of this story and still want more.

The spicy scene was very nice. It didn't feel awkward, and it made me sweat just a little.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart and Soul of the Wolf was a very enjoyable reading experience for me. What I loved the most were the main heroines — both were vivid, sympathetic, and their dynamic gave the story strength and emotion. I also really liked the concept of searching for a lost relic, which added a touch of adventure and kept me engaged until the very end. I’m already excited to pick up the next installment.

The only thing that bothered me while reading was the constant repetition of the same internal conflict: the main heroine is in love with her sister-in-law, but can never confess it because it’s forbidden. This theme appeared a few too many times, and it started to feel a bit tiring.

Despite that, I still rate Heart and Soul of the Wolf very positively. It’s a wonderfully written story with great characters, strong emotion, and an adventurous atmosphere.

[Rebekka · Rating 1 out of 5]

At first it was like: oh tension! She is in love with here sister-in-law and so thats off-limits. But then she mentions: the brother aka the husband is dead.
.... *wind howling*...
wait what?
Let me get this straight: He is dead, so she isnt your sister-in-law anymore and you are both free to love whom ever you chose, but you wont because "respect the dead", even though she never really loved him to begin with?
And when you finally talk about it, its all solved in like a milli-second?
*sigh*
You are both stupid.

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mayu has a wolf soul and is tasked with getting the winter stone by the elders on her village. Accompanying her is her dead brother's widow who she secretly yearns for.
This prequel is very reminiscent of the first book in the series but why? Why didn’t Mayu and Komoni bring it back? Where are all the other guardians tasked with retrieving it before and in between them?
No idea but I know the rest of the books in the series will answer my questions.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arizona Tape writes interesting, engrossing sapphic fantasies well. This is no exception, although I was a little disappointed at the end, but this novella is a precursor to a new series. The plot thread between the two women was cute, at least to me, maybe not to them. I would like to know more about these characters, although there are hints to their likely futures.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's what I thought of Heart And Soul Of The Wolf by Arizona Tape:

I gave it 5/5 stars.

and so it begins

Mayu and Konomi begin their journey to find the Winter Stone, themselves and each other in this book.

A bittersweet journey, with moments of joy, that serm to promise something else ahead.

[Mystyc Metrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick novella that sets up the Winter Stone saga - many people from Mayu's village have been dispatched to find the Winter Stone, but none have succeeded. She brought her sister in law Konomi along for the adventure, but things start to heat up as Mayu realizes that her feelings for Konomi are more than friendly. Readers will be very interested to see what happens next!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute

Short and sweet story. Low in spice and angst. The ending was left opened ending but not really a cliff hanger. This is a prequel to a series and that series is suppose to tell us what happened to these MCs and tell us what happened to them after they left the inn. I hope we find out more about them in The upcoming books.

[J.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story, introducing a sister and her widow sister in law.

Mayu and Komeni ,sister and sister in law setting out on a quest that they find out many others have made the same quest! But it seems that both hold a secret reason for being together. A journey that gets stranger as they go along and discovers each other! Enjoy!

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm voluntarily leaving a review after receiving a free copy. I liked that Mayu and Konomi finally confess their feelings for each other. However what they learn about the previous guardians is unsettling.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. This was really good and I honestly wish it had been a full length book because I loved Mayu and Konomi and their relationship. Great chemistry between them. The writing was good and the romance was so romantic. I couldn't get enough.

[Helen Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the start of mayo and konomi's story and romance. Both struggling with their inner turmoil. I am looking forward to reading more in the series and finding out the role of a guardian and what happened to the previous guardians. Why didn't they return?

[Kelly Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

a great love story between two friends on a journey. The girls come to inn and have to stay before continuing their journey. this is about their time at the Inn only. would recommend for a quick read.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart and Soul of the Wolf is a quick and really sweet friends to lovers forbidden romance. I love Mayu and Konomi and can’t wait to read the rest of the series to find out what happened to them.

I received a free copy of this book, and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and entertaining book to read. I loved the setting and the characters.

[Christine Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a beautiful love story I loved the main characters their chemistry was shining throughout the story flowed perfectly a great little story a must-read congratulations

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

super cute!

I really enjoyed this sweet little read!

Despite the fact that it’s very short, I felt that the characters and world building were really great!

There’s also a couple of fun side characters that I loved as well.

I’m pretty excited to read more from this series!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t realize this was only a prequel to the book but it illustrated a snippet of true wlw love and made me want to know more about their love story and their journey to finding the winter stone.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diffrent

This book was a quick read the story line was good would of liked more answers though so that u understood the story better but it was good still

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story

Two women on a quest. They find love along the way. This is a well written story with a little adventure.