Curse of the Alpha: Episode 1: A Tarker's Hollow Serial

by Tasha Black

Step into a world of shifters, witches, ghosts and romance...

Ainsley Connor has turned her back on her past.

Her perfect life as a successful real estate agent in Manhattan makes her memories of growing up as the daughter of a werewolf seem like a dream. But when a tragic accident forces her back to her unusual hometown, she can't repress her inner wolf any longer.

Worse, the pack needs her to settle down and pick a mate. But how can she choose when the tiny college town is full of sexy shifters, all vying for her attention?

And the shifters aren't even the strangest thing about Tarker's Hollow...

˃˃˃ In Episode 1...Ainsley Connor is on a mission to get back to the penthouses of Manhattan before the full moon. Will the pack manage to stake their claim on her before it's too late?

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance, Werewolves, Novella, Fantasy

88 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2014

Reviews

[Mystipul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story so much that I started it at like 1am and finished it before going to sleep!!! I just couldn't put it down. I like the twist in the Alpha requirement being hereditary instead of a fight to the death of the old alpha like most werewolf stories have. I love how just about every guy she runs into she suddenly has the urge to jump and have her way with them. At some points you just want to really yell at the girl for Opening the door and letting perfect strangers in or going home with Julian when she's only known him for a day. You just know at some point something bad is going to happen but then the book leaves you on the ultimate cliff hanger!!! And you JUST have to buy the next book. I can't wait to read the next installment to find out what happens to Ainsley.

[Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read as part of the bundle containing the first two episodes. I'd like to take this opportunity to bitch about books that turn out to just be bad porn, heroines whose personalities consist of the clothes they wear and men they'd like to fuck (just about every man she meets in this case, including her middle aged former school history teacher), and cover models who have nothing to do with the characters (oh hello, slim cover model; oh hello chubby main character).

[Hollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, this was a pretty lame and cliché shifter read. I read parts 1 and 2 and I can say I have no desire to continue with this series. Throughout the entire book the heroine was admiring all the men in town - talking about how handsome they all were etc. It was every few pages and she was going on about how good looking this person was etc. All the while, they all lusted after her as well. The story had no depth and the characters were lacking. Not one I would recommend.

[Yvonne Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate Ms.Tasha for allowing episodes #1 & #2 to be released free and was so excited! This is one of my favorite werewolf series. I love the relationship of Ainsley and all of the characters. Ms. Tasha has created a well written romance that is a excellent series!

Curse of the Alpha, Episode #1
I really enjoying this reading this episode and it has kept me very entertained. Ainsley is a little shy because of the incident that happen when she was a teenage and then she went off to college and never return home. But when her parents was killed she return to settle their estate. All of werewolves urged her to stay and choose a Alpha, but that wasn't her purpose, she just wants to get in and get out. Ainsley never intended to choose a Alpha until she sold her moms store to her former history teacher who urged her to do the right by the town and choose a Alpha ( made me laugh) so she had the ideal to make her teacher to make him the Alpha, but he inform her that he wouldn't make a strong Alpha and her father hoped she choose Erik Jensen. Unfortunately Ainsley is stubborn and even though she is attracted to Erik very strongly she will denied it. This is just a taste of things that happens.
If you enjoyed just this much of this episode of romance, Curse of the Alpha has great chemistry. I recommend this Awesome series for you.

Curse of the Alpha, Episode #2
This episode is about Ainsley trusting Julian who uses magic without her knowning he maybe a warlock and then his betrayal and her renewed friendship with Grace. Also that Erik is trying to protect her from danger, and of course Ainsley finds herself in the middle of everything once again. But Ainsley is one Strong Alpha, and that she has magical powers that raises to the occasion. This episode just make you want know what happens next, you will be even more excited for what ever the author writes next, but I think if I were in Ainsley shoes I couldn't have choose between between two hot guys and may have reacted the same way without help from dead parents, dead boyfriend somebody. A great addition and justs make the whole series awesome.

[iliana G · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was given an arc by the author for an honest review.

OHHHH MYYYY GOD!!!

fast paced,hot,full of mystery and wolves!
I couldn't put it down and i really enjoyed the book!
Only downer is the cliffhanger!!!!
can't wait to read the next one!
an amazing sotry that will make you lose some serious sleep only cause you just have to finish the book!
an awesome job that you must must must read! !!!!

[Carole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I see some readers seem to love this story, but sorry I have to agree with dissenting readers on this one. Disappointed because I loved the quirky, lovely heroines in her 300 Moons Series.

Heroine Ainsley is superficial, judgmental, immature and self-centered..almost DNF'd 4 times and finally gave up at Chapter 18 - I just don't care enough about her, to see if it all turns out OK.
Final Rating: 1.5 Stars - Toasted from my Ebook Library

[Toula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 in a paranormal story . Wolf Shifters . Hero is Erik . Heroine is Ainsley
Story takes place in Tarkers Mills US
Ainsley yrs ago left home once she found out she was a wolf. Her Parents told her . Actually her father was the Alpha of the pack . She went to college and then to NY to work in Real Estate . Ainsley has no choice but to go back to Tarkers Mills since her parents passed . She's in her parents house and she keeps on having these dreams when she's sleeping of the last time when she was young and a full moon. She's going through her fathers book collected when she gets a visit from an old friend . The old friend tells her she's the Alpha of the Town and she needs to find a mate . He tells Ainsley who her father picked for her mate. Her father picked Erick . Her heart and inner wolf are over joyed . But she tells him NO . I'm going back to New York. Ainsley has a coffee craving so she decides to go to the coffee shop .
On the way to the coffee shop she runs in to someone who calls out to her name . She tries to ignore it but then he calls her again by name . She goes back and finds herself meeting Erick . He has gotten stronger and sexier . Their wolfs almost come together but Ainsley still fights it . She dosnt want anything to do with being a wolf . She doesn't tell Erik that her father picked him as a mate.
She leaves Erik and goes to the coffee shop and while there she meets Justin . A human . Grab this and find out is Justin who she thinks he is . Does she pack up and return to her non shifter life

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

My issue with this is Ainsley herself. I just don't like her and part of that is probably on her parents for keeping it a secret that she is a werewolf, and not telling her until she basically killed someone. What that does is make her think of werewolves as monsters and not wanting anything further to do with them or that side of herself. Returning home to clean out her parents house and learning she has a role to play in determining the next Alpha just makes her horny as hell and even more determined to get out of dodge. The girl wants absolutely nothing to do with the town or her heritage, and that bugs me. Again, part of me thinks her parents should have done something about it, but it is what it is and now everyone else has to convince her to do the right thing and embrace who she really is. My thoughts when reading this were always the same, "Grow the hell up already!".

I've finished episode 2 and it was a little better than the first episode. However, I still hope that she starts to listen to everyone around her. If I can't relate to the main character, then the book will always be rated as just "ok" to me, and when they are short novellas, I think that does a disservice to the author. This doesn't mean that others won't like it because I've seen the other reviews and many did. If you're a fan of shifter paranormal books, then hey, you my love this one even if I don't.

[Sheryl Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigue, Mystery, Wit and Charm - I couldn't put the books down!

Imagine if you were raised in a small town protected and cherished, not knowing that you were from a family of shifters and that your father was the Alpha of the Pack. Imagine that the first time your wolf was awakened was when you were making out, accidentally killing the boy you liked. How would you handle it? For Ainsely she ran away from home to college and to a career with no intention of coming back to her childhood home. But fate changes Ainsley's course when her parents are killed in a car accident. Now Ainsley come back home to handle the sale of the estate, however the pack needs her to stay, be the leader she was born to be and to choice an Alpha, a mate to help lead them. If you like suspense, wit, shifters and the supernatural, you will love this serial. I found myself drawn into the story, so much so that I couldn't put the books down. These are the first books I've read from Tasha Black, however I know they won;t be my last.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the the way Tasha built an interesting, strong and intellectually gifted female character in the first episode. She did an excellent job of building the characters but leaving just enough concealed to make you want to hurry and read the next episode. The second episode picked up pace and was wonderfully written and it did a great job of building excitement. Ainsley is funny, intelligent oh and a wolf. She is trying to not have to deal with being the daughter of the last Alpha and what all is expected of her. She is also enjoying the company of a man who is hiding a secret from her. Also, she is finding that she has an attraction to one of the other wolves of her pack and she is trying to deny those feelings. Wonderful romance and paranormal book I enjoyed reading them and I am sure others who like this genre will too.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine living in a small town, protected by your parents but not knowing what you truely are.... Imagine learning that your a werewolf after something terrible happens, something that 10 years laters still haunts your dreams.

Episode 1 of Curse of the Alpha, brings about why Ainsley Connor hasn't returned home to Tarkers Hollow or spoken to her parents for years. But returning home after her parents die in a car crash to clean the estate, she is thrown back into a close nit community & the role of Alpha which means finding her mate. Will Ainsley accept her position or will she pass down the roll??

Tasha kept me glued to this episode, it is so refreshing having a strong female wolf heroine to read about... now onto episode 2!!

[Sydney Hopke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm putting the same review under Episodes 1 & 2 since I read the bundled story. The story starts with Ainsley home after her parents die and her reliving an old nightmare. Ainsley isn't your regular girl coming home to bury her parents but one who turned her back on who she really is. She also finds out she's supposed to mate and pick the next alpha of the pack, like that fits in with her plans. Both episodes had me wondering what would happen next, laughing and licking my lips at the oh so sexy men that are found in this story. It ends in a wonderful cliff hanger but no worries the next episodes are available. Can't wait to find out who she chooses as her mate, if anyone we've already met.

[Leah Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the book to the end knowing that it was going to end on a cliff hanger, but by the time I got to the end I couldn’t work up enough enthusiasm to get the next episode in the series.
The characters were likeable but because the story is in series format you don’t get to know them very well.
Living in a small town with plenty of wolves and her father being the Alpha, I couldn’t believe that she had no idea she was a wolf?
Now she wants to “mate” with every person she comes into contact with………but she doesn’t want to have anything thing to do with being a wolf never mind being an Alpha.
I read to the end but it just didn’t grab me. Lots of readers have enjoyed this, so if you like this genre, I think it is one of those books you have to read and make up your own mind.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ainsley that girl is stubborn, "well, I appreciate the insight but I'm not going to be choosing a mate. I'm sure you guys can vote or something. Can we take care of the paperwork for the hardware store?" There is obviously chemistry between Ainsley and Erik, "a tiny moan escaped her lips and he growled softly in return, his dark eyes flashing a spectacular amber. His wolf must be close to the surface. She could feel her own." I was team Erik right when we met the boy, I can't wait to see how this series pans out.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is for episodes 1-6. This is a serial about werewolves. I had wanted something quick and for it still to have a good storyline. This surprisingly did have a good story I just did not fall in love with it until episodes 4-6. In the beginning of this story the heroine was just annoying. I mean she was just stupid about certain things. However, episodes 4-6 were really good. I did not see the ending coming which I love. I read so many books so it is fun for me to be surprised.

I reread episodes 1 and 2 and I still did not love it in the beginning.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. 'Curse of The Alpha, Episode 1' was a fast paced thrilling read. I loved the storyline and how it played out. For being a quick read, it was full of surprises. Definitely a hot and steamy story. The characters were great. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book. A great add to your tbr list. I'm glad I have the next book due to the cliffhanger this one left me with.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! What an awesome new author and debut series!! This is a must read for contemporary fiction lovers even if this is a new genre for you, like it was for me :) Now I am a huge fan of this author & paranormal reads, also with werewolves and shifters!! Add this must read to your tbr list now :)

[Ljp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the audible version. If you've never read a "shifter" book, this story would be a good place to start. First of all, the main character is compelling and I felt connected with her story. What is interesting is that, aside from just a paranormal romance, the story feels like it is deeper than that... with a bit of mystery, and we see our main character grow and change and confront some serious issues. It is a fun and engaging read, and the main character's story has some complexity to it, that makes it more than just a straightforward paranormal romance.

Our heroine suffers a fair bit of tragedy (but I don't want to give away any spoilers or wreck the story with a plot summary) that lead her to some painful life choices, and repression of who she is, and some personal crosses she has to bear. She returns to her home town, after a period of self-exile/hiding, and she is confronted by a responsibility she's avoided till then - she is needed and she can't escape her own nature forever. Her romantic choice will be critical in determining what life path she chooses and have an impact on her role in the town - so the stakes are high. But it isn't as simple as just picking the guy she likes best. I appreciated that there was some complexity to the character, and that the story was neither overly complicated nor simplistic - an interesting mystery at times, and by the end of the story I felt drawn into and very involved in her story, her life. The writing itself is also strong, and the story is well-paced and well-developed, with a bit of mystery that unfolds well and characters that we come to care about/have genuine interest in.

Also, the narrator does a really great job, and it is very well performed - the characters seemed voiced in a distinct, compelling way that made it feel like real interactions, and the flow of the narration was solid and engaging. Also, if you like a bit of steamy sex scenes, the book delivers some of that that without being excessive or silly about it. In other words, it doesn't cross into the annoying territory of a "story" that seems to exist solely to kill time between bedroom scenes - that isn't the case at all in this book. Rather, these elements were used well, and often in a unique way, and served to increase the intensity of the relationships, and to illuminate some of the mysteries/dilemmas our heroine is grappling with.

The story is a cliff hanger, so I will need to read the next to find out how it concludes. But even though the story doesn't really end, it doesn't just stop - the ending is not at all unsatisfying and in fact it is pretty intense. On the whole, I enjoyed this story, which Tasha Black gave me for free for my unbiased review through audiobookblastdotcom. It was interesting and engaging enough that by the end I really want to know what happens next.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cursed by the Alpha: Episode 1 is the first book I have read by Tasha Black. I found this book to be different from other paranormal reads. I liked how the heroine, Ainsley, is wolf from the beginning, she is smart, and ambitions (she is a real estate agent in NYC). She is stubborn an refuses to listen to what everyone is telling her about finding a mate. Even though she knows deep downside what she has to do and who she is, she is not letting anyone tell her what to do. She is going to figure things our on her own and make her own decisions. I also liked Erik. He seems like an alpha through and through. He is intelligent and has the respect of the pack. He not only has Ainsley best interest at heart but also the packs. As for Julian, I did not like him much. Right off the bat, he rubbed me the wrong way. I would recommended this series to anyone who likes a strong heroine. I am looking forward to reading the next thre episodes!

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

This "book" (really a novella) was just ok for me. The writing was good but I felt like scenes and characters could have been more fleshed out. It was a complete turn off to read Ainsley didn't want to eat in front of a guy she found attractive because she didn't want him to think she liked eating pastries in the middle of the day. Besides being the dumbest thought ever, does any woman actually think like that anymore? I know the scenes where she flirted with other men are alluding to the fact that she's going to make someone the new alpha, but they felt disjointed and forced. I totally didn't feel the chemistry between Ainsley and Julian, forced and agenda-pushing as well. Really, I'd rather read about that Erik guy then a bore like Ainsley. Not a good enough story for me to consider continuing. And for those who don't like them, it had a cliffhanger ending which forces you to get the next book if you want to know what happens.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review by author Tasha Black. This is book 1 of the Tanker's Hallow series by the author.

Ainsley Connor is home getting her parents house in order to sell after her parents death. But with a break in at her house and at her fathers office she finds herself surrounded by mystery. Things are not working out for Ainsley because she finds herself being sought after by young men because of who she is.

The story line flow was really well done. The author made the characters seem like they were real live people and living next door.

This is for any paranormal romance book lover. This is book 1 of the series by the author.

[Pam Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a great story. The author put so much detail in to building this wonderful story. I literally couldn't put it down
after something bad happen to her she runs away, off to college, off to the big city and never looked back but with the death of her family she is back to handle thing and yet strange things keep happening. What to do? Who to choice? And what's next. I cant wait for the next book.

I was just able to get the audio book on this wow it is awesome. So much fun to listen to.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ainsley Connor left home and hasn't been back since she was seventeen years old. She discovered a secret about herself and something terrible happened in order for this secret to be revealed. Her dad was the Alpha and now the burden falls to her. I like the way she is a determined independent women. Excellent job describing Ainsley and how and why she is the way she is she is able to gain strength from her past. Many love interests. Could not get enough.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Can't wait to see what happens next! Ainsley has returned home after her parents death to settle the estate and leave a quick as possible. She will not give in to her wolf but what happens when the town looks to Ainsley to find a mate so an Alpha will be chosen? Ainsley has no plans on choosing a mate or sticking around but will she have a choice?

[Shellie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cliffhanger book. I don't like these kinds of books where they just Stop! It is annoying to be really into a book and then it stops and you have to either wait for the next one or buy it. Not fun. I try not to read these types of series as they make me mad. Was starting to be a good book but I doubt I will continue reading the series.

[Nancy Fontaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ainsley returning home to sell her parental home is reminded that not only is she a female werewolve but the daughter of an Alpha. After her first change she left Tarker's Hollow (17 yrs) and never returned and never delt with her inner wolf. Now she is attracting males all over town. One of them is a College Professor who she falls into bed with. what happens next who knows?

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome series

And well worth the modest price of getting the whole series at once. I'm on my second read through now, anticipating purchasing the second series to read at one go. I have it on very good AUTHOrity that the second (three book) series is complete in three books. Can't wait to get there.

[Anne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book I couldn't put it down had to finish it in one sitting. Ainsley the Alpha and Eric her mate . Ainsley has magic but has to learn to use it properly. Someone is trying to stop her. This a great book and I look forward to reading the rest in the series. Would highly recommend.

[Yvonne Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got episodes one and two for free. I did enjoy the story and was looking to buy the next two episodes but it was only 135 pages for 2 episodes for $3. I usually don't buy books under 200 pages. I would have liked to read the rest to see if she ends up with erik.

[Sherry Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really short but is about establishing what Ainsley has to do despite her desire to not be affiliated with the pack. This leaves the reader with a major cliffhanger. I plan to read the rest of the series.