Cymbeline Kendall’s life is quiet, solitary—until a letter appears in her P.O. box. Then she becomes an Incendiary, a human chosen at birth to be trained to strike like lightning to take out the most dangerous of the Werekind, then fade back into the shadows.
She is a weapon only to be used by the leader of North American shifters. But when she learns the Alphar was unseated three years ago, she sets out to find who’s been pulling her trigger.
Kerrick Masterson has borne the burden of leadership for only a short time, yet he already feels the Alphar power tempting his soul toward the insanity that destroyed his predecessor. He has no time for the woman who breaks into his compound claiming to be his Incendiary, but his beast insists he make the time—for his mate.
In one searing, soul-consuming breath, everything Cymbeline was taught to believe is ripped away. Yet the mystery of who’s been sending her orders remains…and finding the answer could lead to all-out war.
Warning: Contains an assassin who doesn’t tolerate those who hurt the weak, and a shifter leader determined to unlock his new mate’s repressed emotions—even if that puts his balls at risk. Explicit sex, violence, and references to abuse that could be rough on sensitive readers.
Ceri is the author of quirky and sexy contemporary romance novels. She has a major weakness for sappy cuddle moments as much as hot and steamy sex scenes, and a penchant for writing snappy and sarcastic dialogue. She loves romance that isn't afraid to be awkward and uncouth, and thrives on flawed characters with big hearts.
Ceri is a New York native living in California with her two cats, Mercy and Eugene Fitzherbert, who should be very thankful she didn't name him frying pan. She is a proud functioning introvert and lover of all things geeky. You can find her haunting the Twitter machine or posting pictures of her ridiculous cats on Instagram.
To receive exclusive content, fun giveaways, sneak previews of upcoming books, and general shenanigans sign up for her newsletter at CeriGrenelle.com/newsletter
To Mate an Assassin To Mate an Assassin (Lost Alphars #1)by Ceri GrenelleCymbeline Kendall’s life is quiet, solitary—until a letter appears in her P.O. box. Then she becomes an Incendiary, a human chosen at birth to be trained to strike like lightning to take out the most dangerous of the Werekind, then fade back into the shadows.She is a weapon only to be used by the leader of North American shifters. But when she learns the Alphar was unseated three years ago, she sets out to find who’s been pulling her trigger.Kerrick Masterson has borne the burden of leadership for only a short time, yet he already feels the Alphar power tempting his soul toward the insanity that destroyed his predecessor. He has no time for the woman who breaks into his compound claiming to be his Incendiary, but his beast insists he make the time—for his mate.In one searing, soul-consuming breath, everything Cymbeline was taught to believe is ripped away. Yet the mystery of who’s been sending her orders remains…and finding the answer could lead to all-out war.My Review: I felt To Mate an Assassin has a lot of potential, the biggest thing that I felt starting the book was that I walked in half way through a story that had already been started but left out in the final revision. The characters were well developed except they were annoying at times because I felt like even knowing they were adults I was reading about teenagers. It was like a mix of kid play, mentality and dangerous killers thrown into one world. There is a lot of repetition but I did feel like the Alphars world still has potential to grow and develop and be something really great once the author gets a footing and confidence in her writing. I did like many of the characters and I do think they have potential despite the childish playful mentality and all the silliness. I couldn't take very much of it seriously but if I let all that go and simply let the book be it has some interesting underlinings and threads to create a really cool series. My Rating: 3 Stars Reviewed By:Krissy's Bookshelf Reviewshttp://kkmalott.booklikes.com/Note: I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Samhain.
To Mate an Assassin is a wonderful different twist on the norm, usually the guy saves the day but in this we have the women that is the kick butt assassin of the shifter world. I like the warning that the book gives it says "WARNING Contains an assassin who doesn’t tolerate those who hurt the weak, and a shifter leader determined to unlock his new mate’s repressed emotions—even if that puts his balls at risk. " Doesn't that just makes you want to get it and read to find out what happens. I am so glad I got this book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I liked the main characters, also there are some very interesting secondary characters that I will be looking forward to reading about. Read August 3-4 2015
Reread Jan. 18-18 2017 I still enjoyed this story as much as the first time. Now I am going to read To Mate an Soldier
Title: To Mate an Assassin Author: Ceri Grenelle Publication Date: July 28, 2015 Published by: Samhain Publishing Genres: Paranormal, Romance Source: Copy Given by Author and Tour Organizer
ARA'S NOTE: I've always been a sucker for books with strong and cool female leads. I don't know if it has anything to do with feminism, but I just prefer women who can take care of themselves and not have to be rescued all the time. To Mate an Assassin promises that and a whole lot more. I can only take too much before I cave, so no judging!
SYNOPSIS: Love is her enemy…until his beast sets her free.
Cymbeline Kendall’s life is quiet, solitary—until a letter appears in her P.O. box. Then she becomes an Incendiary, a human chosen at birth to be trained to strike like lightning to take out the most dangerous of the Werekind, then fade back into the shadows.
She is a weapon only to be used by the leader of North American shifters. But when she learns the Alphar was unseated three years ago, she sets out to find who’s been pulling her trigger.
Kerrick Masterson has borne the burden of leadership for only a short time, yet he already feels the Alphar power tempting his soul toward the insanity that destroyed his predecessor. He has no time for the woman who breaks into his compound claiming to be his Incendiary, but his beast insists he make the time—for his mate.
In one searing, soul-consuming breath, everything Cymbeline was taught to believe is ripped away. Yet the mystery of who’s been sending her orders remains…and finding the answer could lead to all-out war.
Warning: Contains an assassin who doesn’t tolerate those who hurt the weak, and a shifter leader determined to unlock his new mate’s repressed emotions—even if that puts his balls at risk. Explicit sex, violence, and references to abuse that could be rough on sensitive readers.
CHARACTER BACKGROUND: Cymbeline Kendall is physically strong but emotionally dead--almost. The only thing she allows herself to feel is anger and impatience. She went through a lot of pain to become who she is now and she's not willing to change because somebody tells her something about "true self".
Kerrick Masterson is a strong and capable Alpha. However, it feels as though he's constantly fighting with himself, even more so when he met his mate. He instantly feels the pull, and he has no intention of fighting it. If only she would stop fighting so damn hard too.
REVIEW: From the very first page, I already knew that I would end up liking this book a lot. I absolutely loved Cymbeline; she's strong, independent, and has a dark sense of humor. Actually, To Mate an Assassin as a whole, has this sarcastic-like dark humor that really appealed to me. I don't really read lots of werewolf books, so I don't know if the storyline is kind of cliche, but for me, I liked it. There were unexpected twists, fight scenes that made me grit my teeth from utter excitement, and steaming hot intimate scenes that was just off the charts. (Spoiler alert! There are lots of biting and blood. Yum.) I should note that I am quite picky when it comes to sexed-up books, because I've already read quite a lot of them. The story progresses really well, the pace fast, but not confusing. I got to say, at first I thought the lead characters were going to jump each others bones quite early, but I was very wrong, and I liked it. They--or rather, Cymbeline--didn't give in to the need too soon. There was build up to the sexual tension, and it was well worth it, in my opinion. I didn't expect it to have that kind of ending though, but hey! There's room for more.
SUMMARY: To Mate an Assassin is an engaging and exciting book that continues on a perfect pace. I give it 4.5 stars, and I look forward to reading the following installments in the series.
THAT was killer! I have read a lot of shifter books lately but Grenelle’s To Mate an Assassin was unlike any I’ve read before. Well, actually it’s Cymbeline that’s unlike any shifter I’ve encountered before and it’s what made the book absolutely fascinating for me. Without revealing the secret of how she was chosen to be an Incendiary, Cymbeline was born human and trained to be an assassin whose sole purpose was to eliminate those shifters who were deemed dangerous by the Alphar – the leader of the weres for a particular territory. Once she has mastered her training as a human, she was then turned into a were. In Cymbeline’s case, her were form is a wolf and she is the Incendiary for the North American Alphar. And she’s pretty badass when it comes to taking out the bad guy. But when her latest target shows no signs of being a rogue or being evil, she questions her orders only to learn that the ruling Alphar is no longer Riddan and she has no idea of who has been issuing her orders for the past three years – especially when the current Alphar laughs at the idea of the Incendiary being more than a scary fairy tale.
I have to say that I absolutely loved Cymbeline and Kerrick’s first meeting. It was already apparent that the woman was far more dangerous than her petite size suggested and yet Kerrick put his manhood in jeopardy when he ignored her claim of who she was and then attempted to claim her as his mate. Even funnier is that as impactful as that lesson was, he makes a similar mistake later in the book that leaves him aching in the dangly bits and not in the good way – I suppose it’s a good thing the Alphar is sterile. But I digress. Once Cymbeline’s identity has been established, Kerrick continues to treat her as a prisoner because he’s afraid she’ll leave to prevent their mating. As expected, his decision to do so backfires spectacularly and Cymbeline leaves at her first real opportunity to do so, but not for the reason he expected. When she returns, Cymbeline is not alone and Kerrick finds his family growing by leaps and bounds. And he welcomes it and the challenge that mating with Cymbeline presents. But Kerrick isn’t the North American Alphar for no reason and he’s just as set on making her his as she is in avoiding it. Boy do the sparks fly between these two!
Grenelle does an excellent job of creating interesting and engaging characters whose lives are closely interwoven because of how Kerrick runs his headquarters and his territory. It is Kerrick’s easy acceptance of Irisi that made me love him. His power as an Alphar was impressive and I loved the societal structure the author created. That Kerrick actually lamented the fact that as Alphar he did not have the luxury to spending time getting to know his mate (i.e., romance her) demonstrated how well the author kept the book on point when it came to the action. Grenelle balances the developing relationship between Kerrick and Cymbeline beautifully with the impending war between the weres and the Vryks (vampires) so that both elements get the right amount of page time. The battle at the end of the book was intense, especially once Cymbeline’s true nature was unleashed. That Kerrick was proud of her rather than cringing from her true nature was perfect. Just as good was the Epilogue and how it set the stage for the next book in the series. I loved To Mate an Assassin and look forward to reading more of Grenelle’s work, especially the next book in the Lost Alphars series. I cannot wait!
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
It took me a minute to figure out how to get into this book. The terminology of the paranormal sectors and whatnot was something that I had to work through in order to fully understand -- and in the end, I still didn't quite grasp it all, but I put what I didn't get aside.
Cimby (Cymbeline) is a rare breed -- she's an Incendiary, aka the 'bogeyman'. However, even in this paranormal world she is seen as a myth. The only people who know of her kinds existence are Alphars and their close staff. Cimby is even rarer in that she's female, and a tiny one at that. She does, though, pack quite the punch -- something Kerrick's guards learn quickly.
When Kerrick took over the duties of Alphar, the previous Alphar didn't tell him of the existence of Incendiaries. Therefore, when Cimby calls again and again, wanting to get answers as to why her assignments have been fairly lackluster, he and his people take her for a crazy person. After all, there's no such thing as the 'bogeyman'.
Kerrick eventually learns that Incendiaries do exist, though, and the question becomes, why wasn't he ever informed? Even when he was the second in command for the previous Alphar, he should have known. But the greater question becomes --
How can he get Cimby to listen to her inner beast, because beyond the fact he and Cimby must work together, their beasts have recognized one another as their mate.
As an Incendiary, though, Cimby has been taught to keep all emotion locked down; love is not in her cards. She needs to learn how to separate the two and allow herself to be happy, but continue doing the job she loves.
The romance aspect of the story and the easily understood aspects of the paranormal story were well written. I loved watching Kerrick trying to battle Cimby's walls, and watching Cimby try to ignore her inner beast -- something her wolf fought against. I enjoyed the emotion -- the love, the fear, the anger. Every part of it. I loved Kerrick and his alpha tendencies, and his need to keep Cimby safe -- regardless of her ability to do just that.
I just have to say, the description has it the wrong way around, she was the Incendiary first. She didn't have a P.O Box as a newborn baby...
I feel bad for giving this 2.5 Voodoos, because it's impossible to differentiate the difference between a good 2.5 and a bad 2.5. This is a good 2.5. I liked this story, but I found it was much like the children written about within the story. Highly enthusiastic and prone to rambling about weird stuff at odd times. . I really enjoyed the world this story was created in and I really liked the characters and I plan to continue reading the series, I'd like to know if certain things happen. However the writing style was a little off putting for me. Also, some things were contradictory. For example her being the Incendiary is meant to be a secret, so she goes about telling everyone. Then, at one point something happened fast, but a while later it was still happening.... . My favourite character was Irisi. She has an interesting story and I know she's not the next book, but I hope her story is in the one after that. I can't wait to find out more about all the characters. . The sex was semi steamy, extra descriptors and things were a little off putting and the references to abuse were not too severe, but were still there.
She is a weapon to be used by the leader of the North American shifters but her meeting with Alphar Kerrick Masterson rips away everything she was ever taught to believe in this fascinating paranormal romance.
Kerrick already feels the Alphar power tempting his soul and the reader can’t help but get caught up in fiery sparks when Kerrick tries to convince his Incendiary that she belong to him. Emotional turmoil that comes from beliefs being questioned, betrayals and war flow from the pages and capture the hearts of the readers while the attraction between Kerrick and Cymbeline heats up the pages and the scorching hot sex scenes sets desires and passions aflame but the relationship is the most explosive part of this story as the dominant alpha meets a very strong willed female who was chosen at birth to be an assassin. This fast paced and smooth flowing plot thrills readers with lots of suspense, action and romance while volatile tempers, snarky comments and heated clashes keeps everyone on their toes.
The emotional onslaught of Kerrick and Cymbeline’s courtship isn’t the only thing building tensions in this story although I would be hard pressed to determine which is more dangerous, going up against Cymbeline or fighting the enemy who is determined to control all shifters. The well written scenes and details capture the imagination while the non-stop excitement keeps readers glued to the pages.
The author has created a very fascinating world full of refreshingly different elements, magic, intriguing culture and captivating characters that ensures that the readers will come back for more. I was completely spellbound by Cymbeline and Kerrick’s story from the very beginning and I can’t wait to read the next book in this fascinating new series.
To Mate An Assassin was an exciting new spin on paranormal reading. I enjoy a good paranormal romance and this one gave me a lot. It was full of passion and not just the panty melting kind. It also had an element that I hadn't ever read before, at least not like this. An Incendiary. An assassin, the boogieman of the shifter world. How she came to be was so interesting I wish I could have gotten even more about it in the book because it was neat. I gobbled this book up. I didn't want to stop.
Cymbeline is so passionate even when she is suppose to be a cold blooded unfeeling machine. She feels so deeply and I don't think she realizes when she does except for maybe Irisi. Kerrick the Alphar makes her very passionate and that just pisses her off. Someone sending her kills other than the Alphar really pisses her off. Thinking the Alphar ignores her for 3 years sets her off the Richter scales.
This book kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat half the time waiting for the shoe to drop. It had it's light hearted moments and it also had it's heart felt ones. And I can not forget the very steamy ones! I also get a peek at a future book and I better get that one! It has been hinted at throughout this one and I need that story! Ceri Grenelle you know I'm talking about Jeremiah! I enjoyed this novel and recommend it to Paranormal Romance lovers, they will love it for the action and passion alone!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC but that does not colour my review in any way. A wonderful new twist for our favourite shifter books. Cymbeline Kendall is the Incendiary, she has been brought up by trainers and teachers. Never allowed to get attached to anyone, because she might have to kill them at sometime. As the incendiary she works for the most powerful alpha in the USA he is the Alphar. They never meet. He sends the details of the target to her PO.box, she assassinates them and sends the proof to his PObox. But the last target was an innocent. She will not stand for that. Kerrick Masterson has only been Alphar for three years, since he destroyed the old one who had gone insane. He is trying to repair all the damage done to his weres, but he is unaware of a very important weapon in his arsenal. Cymbeline makes a very dramatic entrance into the Alphar's stronghold and his life. We have just about the strongest heroine ever in this story, and a hero who is equally strong. How can two such powerful and independent people learn to allow someone else to sometimes take control. The battles they face between them, together and alone ,are fierce and magical. The people who depend on them would be far too much for ordinary shifters. This is the start of what I know will be a fantastic series. I look forward to reading the next one.
To Mate an Assassin (Lost Alphars 1) Ceri Grenelle 4 Stars
Cymby has been trained from a young age to be The Incendiary, her job is to take out rogue Were's. She has lived her life alone only to take instructions from the Alphar. Cymby now learns that the Alphar died 3 years ago, however she has still been receiving orders. When visiting the new Alphar she didn't envisage him being her mate, can she accept him and could their lives adapt ?
I love a good shifter book and whilst I enjoyed this one and the story as a whole, I felt it took me quite some time to understand, get into and to learn who is who. Kerrick is the amazing new Alphar who loves and cares for his people and wants Cymby for his mate. I found Cymby's denial quite annoying at times making her hard to connect with. Even after finishing this book, I do not understand how the incendiary is a secret and almost a myth but she feels the need to tell everyone ? Having said this I did really enjoy reading this, I would recommend and I will be reading the next book in this series.
Well you know that resolution not to impulse buy - well it lasted all of two weeks, but I am glad to say as the first purchase was not bad, not bad at all. I am not sure though if my 4 stars is a reflection of relief or a great read but anyway here goes nothing...
For lovers of Ilona Andrews and Shelly Laurenston here might be your next book and author for you to follow, a nice light fun read, though the start of this new series seems to begin with a stand alone book for our first couple, which I assume will be the same for the next one.
Here we meet Cymbeline Kendall (the name is my first issue - and to make it worse Cimby for short) a manufactured assassin answerable only to the Alphar (the Big Kahuna of Shifters) and whose job it is to sort out rogue shifters. Yeh yeh I know we have heard this before but you know what I really enjoyed the battering between the main characters as well as subs. Cimby (vomit) has to come to terms with who she is, unravel some lies, reveal a truth to her unwanted mate and generally kicks butt. So overall a satisfying read and a good way to celebrate falling off the book wagon.
Cymby has been trained from a young age to be The Incendiary, her job is to take out rogue Were's. She has lived her life alone only to take instructions from the Alphar. Cymby now learns that the Alphar died 3 years ago, however she has still been receiving orders. When visiting the new Alphar she didn't envisage him being her mate, can she accept him and could their lives adapt ?
I love a good shifter book and whilst I enjoyed this one and the story as a whole, I felt it took me quite some time to understand, get into and to learn who is who. Kerrick is the amazing new Alphar who loves and cares for his people and wants Cymby for his mate. I found Cymby's denial quite annoying at times making her hard to connect with. Even after finishing this book, I do not understand how the incendiary is a secret and almost a myth but she feels the need to tell everyone ? Having said this I did really enjoy reading this, I would recommend and I will be reading the next book in this series.
Kerrick is just an alpha male, who wants to keep his mate safe. Cymbeline on the otherhand was trained to be an emotionless killer. They somehow manage to find a middleground and make it work between them. Evan is such an adorable thing.