The fear. The acrid scent of smoke. The mournful howls of pack. Death. Jerome witnesses everything in a vision, which is his ability as an omega, yet he is powerless to prevent it. The hunters who stalk San DeLain attack the Cross Creek pack and Jerome’s alpha is killed.
Then a rogue alpha shows up, takes over, and plans to auction Jerome off to the highest bidder. Only one thing can save him, and that’s the sexy white wolf he sees in his visions.
Fate has plans for Jerome in the form of Alpha Wesley Valentino, and it won’t be denied. In a world where destiny is written in the stars, Wesley and Jerome are drawn together by a force greater than themselves.
Join them as they defy all odds in the mystical world of Fated mates. As their love blossoms amidst skepticism and challenges, they prove that destiny will not be thwarted.
M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!
When not writing, she’s on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two grown children.
Member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
This novella takes place in the San Delain world but it is a standalone read that can be enjoyed without having read the previous series. As with any book by this author, the crafting of the story is wonderful. She has a talent for bring the characters to life. You are emersed in the story from the very beginning. This is the story of Jerome, an omega who has visions of upcoming events. He is the alpha-mate of the recently deceased alpha of the Cross Creek Pack. The rogue alpha who has taken over the pack and plans to auction off Jeremy; something he didn't envision happening. Thankfully the Council of Wolves has sent out invitations to particular alphas to vie for the new alpha of the pack position. Luckily for Jerome, Wesley Valentino, second alpha son of the Moonshadow pack Alpha is on the way. Jeremy knows that his pack just has to survive until the white wolf of his visions shows up to save them all. While Wesley was not initially happy about being selected by the council, it will change his life in ways he never imagined. This is their story. The book is very well written and easy to read. I especially enjoyed how each chapter was a different point of view. This is a great story. I always enjoy reading about fated mates. I was lucky enough to receive a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review. All of this author's books have been engaging and enjoyed. Another book to add to my re-read list.
Destined Mate: Cross Creek Pack of San DeLain. This book is set in the San DeLain universe but can be read as a standalone. This is the story of Jerome an omega and Wesley an alpha, both are wolf shifters. The blurb tells you everything you need to know about the plot of the book. The rest is covered in the story. I loved Jerome and Wesley so much. This is a duel POV story so we get to see what both main characters think. I loved learning more about the council of wolves but hated their prejudice against omegas. It was good to see characters from the other series set in San DeLain. I would definitely recommend this book as a 5 star read.
I really enjoyed getting to know Jerome and Wesley. Jerome desperately needs help and finds it in Wesley. They had amazing chemistry and an instalove type of romance because of their fated mate bond. There's action, danger, drama and mystery.
Destined Mate is a novella in MA Church's San Delain universe. It's a standalone and does reference both other paranormals and places from the other series. But someone new to San Delain would be able to follow along just fine. MA Church manages to fit in a bit of worldbuilding with the Council of Wolves traditions and prejudices. When the Alpha of Cross Creek pack is killed in a hunter raid, the Council arranges a challenge for the position among eligible Alphas. But before that can happen, a sadistic alpha and his brute betas take over the pack. The story is dual POV. Jerome, omega Alpha-mate of the deceased Alpha, has the gift of foresight. He's envisioned the takeover, but he's also 'seen' the rescue. The pack just needs to survive until then. The second POV is Wesley Valentino, second alpha son of the Moonshadow pack Alpha. He's the bridge between all the series. He arrives in San Delain and introduces himself to the leaders of the three most paranormal groups. Basically, the entire storyline is told in chapter one. The rest of the story fills in the details. A twist in the story has the rogue alpha auctioning Jerome off to high bidders from South America. Jerome didn't see that coming. The threat of the auction amps up the tension, as does changing to Wesley's POV after every actual and figurative hit to the pack's safety. Jerome and Wesley are fated mates and it's a quick hop from defeating the bad guy and jumping into bed to create a mating bond. The bedroom chemistry sizzled. And for the sticklers who will say "It was too soon", remember.... novella length... and fated matings. Maybe not as much fun as daemons and dragons, the werewolves of Cross Creek manage to hold their own in the San Delain uni. I enjoyed the story, but if there are more shifter stories, I'd love to see interaction with Axel's pack. I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my review.
The book had a great concept. The characters were good, but nothing was truly fleshed out. It was like reading somewhat decently edited (there were still mistakes) first draft.
I have read a couple of the interconnected books, and each one was a little better than the last. I had higher hopes for this one that just didn't pan out.
I need more character building, and definitely more world building and explanation of some things, like Jerome had been mated for 50 years before this... But no hint of what kind of lifespan we should expect.
In the beginning, it clearly says you don't have to read the other series. Well, if all the details are there, then clearly that's false.
Overall, I still saw the promise and my mind supplied my own creative answers so I could enjoy it.
I liked the beginning of Wesley and Jerome story. It''s clear they have more to tell, but how they meet and how Wesley ends as Jerome's Pack Alpha is a good start. I think you would enjoy this book more with some knowledge about San DeLain, at least to avoid feeling overwhelmed when starting at this point. Both MCs are interesting on their own but I felt their relationship needs more time in page for me to really getting them. I'll keep reading their series.
I absolutely adore the author's work. This novella was no exception. The story was well developed, and I could feel the terror that the pack felt when they attacked and fear that Elmer instilled. The author's depiction of Jerome and Wesley was perfect. I feel this is one of those books that I will reread numerous times. Strongly recommend this book.
A 3.25 🌟 book . It was fun and cute . I wanted a Alpha , werewolf , mate , bl romance , so this book did the job . And although I feel like we didn't get to see our main characters together for long enough and that the story was a bit rushed , but that just might be because the book is rather short . But it's good , I still had a fun time reading it .
I love a story that involves one of the guys having visions! Jerome saw the bad, but he also saw the good that was on the way! Wesley is an Alpha wolf who saves Jerome from being sold off. This was a fun and insta fated hot chemistry little bite of a read!
This was such a lovely story. There was some angst but the end was amazing and sweet. M.a church is such an amazing author she truly never falls to keep me hooked
I was thrown off the story in the beginning, but I found my place. Both of the MCs were strong characters, and I was pulled into the story as it unfolded.
A great beginning to a new series. Jerome’s pack is attacked by Hunters and his Alpha and mate Li Li is killed, a rogue takes over. Wesley is an Alpha that’s invited to an Alpha challenge by the werewolf council. Once he’s in the area the pack is in he dreams of the attack, he gets uneasy and decides to visit the pack, it’s there he finds the truth if what’s happening and challenges the rogue and wins. Jerome & Wesley learn they are fated mates and slowly get to know each other.
While I loved reading the book I was left wondering why the Hunters attacked the pack and how the rogue learned they had no alpha.