The Grim Series by Dani Harper
FYI: this is a short review of the series so there will be a bit about each book in the review.
I loved this series and read all 4 books in a row [Storm Warrior, Storm Bound, Storm Warned, Storm Crossed]. Well actually I listened to all 4 books – I found it easier than trying to figure out the pronunciation of the occasional bit of Welsh. The narrator was outstanding – good use of voice, good pacing, and she got to figure out how to pronounce the Welsh.
The setting is Wales, the Nine Realms of the Tylwyth Teg [the Fae or Fair Folk of Welsh legend – if you're thinking of Tolkein's elves forget it – although impossibly beautiful most of them are NOT pleasant and tend to look upon others as toys or pawns], and modern Washington State. The author mixes the politics of the Nine Realms, the Wild Hunt, Grims [a Grim is a great black dog that serves as a herald of death], and modern Washington with a side order of Ren Faires. She does a good job of giving you what you need to know about Welsh history and mythology within the story flow without burying you in facts.
Storm Warrior
Hero: Rhys, a Welsh warrior who fought against the Romans approximately 2000 years ago. After escaping from the Romans he is captured by the Tylwyth Teg and turned a Grim.
Heroine: Morgan, a Washington veterinarian, visits Wales as part of a tour. She keeps seeing this huge black dog everywhere they go and feels sorry for it and offers it kindness. After returning to Washington she is attacked and would have died, should have died, but the Grim intervenes sacrificing his immortality to save her. He is badly injured but she is determined to save him, taking him home to care for him after the surgery to save his life. She is very surprised to find a naked man in place of her dog the next morning, almost as surprised as he is…
The remainder of the story involves Rhys finding a place in Morgan's world and Morgan's life – with many complications thrown in by the Tylwyth Teg – on the way to their happily ever after.
Storm Bound
Hero: Aidan, a 12th century Welsh blacksmith, is taken by Fae princess on his wedding day. His refusal to dishonor his fiancée and come to her bed enrages her and he is changed into a Grim until he agrees.
Heroine: Brooke, a modern day witch who accidentally saves Aiden from death. Since the princess is not happy to have lost her toy complications result.
Storm Warned
Hero: Liam is a musician whose world crashed when his wife was unfaithful – in living color on YouTube. He is now a reclusive farmer who has given up music in all forms.
Heroine: Caris is an 18th century Welsh farm girl with a gift for music that is truly magical. Taken by a plotting Fae princeling, Caris and her ability to influence others with her music is 'stored' for future use by turning her into a Grim. Complications ensue…
Storm Crossed
Heroes: Trahern, a Fae sorcerer, becomes part of the Wild Hunt in his efforts to save his twin brother, Braith, from the machinations of their mother who has turned him into a Grim.
Heroine: Lissy Santiago-Callahan, the single mother of an autistic child who seems to have access to great magical powers.
Time passes while they ride with the Hunt and Trahern continues to attempt to free Braith, but to no avail. Then suddenly Braith attaches himself to a child, a human child, and refuses to leave. Trahern is fearful but comes to realize that he too wants to protect the child, and the mother. Both Trahern and Lissy feel that mortal and immortal have nothing in common but they find they do. And yes, complications arise both from the Fae world and from the real world difficulties of raising an autistic child.
Each story serves well as a stand-alone but there is a lot character overlap. Can you read them without having read them all or in the right order? Sure, but I think reading them in order enriches the stories but that may just be me. There is also appears to be a series arc going on with Lurien, the Lord of the Wild Hunt, and Gwenhidw, widowed Queen of the Fae.
The Grim series of this writing:
Storm Warrior
Storm Bound
Storm Warned
Storm Crossed
I truly hope the author continues the series…