THE WEREWOLF'S BRIDE Alpha Wolf Shifter Paranormal Romance Novel By New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Michele Bardsley
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This title was previously published as the serial The Shadow Pack Rules. This story is meant for readers who are 18 years and older.
Every 20 years, the Shadow Pack arrives in the small desert community of Bleed City, Nevada. To honor the pact made 150 years ago with the werewolves, the town offers up their eldest daughters for the Choosing--a ceremony where the shifters pick their virgin brides.
Like most werewolf packs, the Shadows need human females for mating and breeding so they can replenish their werewolf bloodlines. Arabelle Winton considers the entire process somewhat barbaric, but as the oldest female in her family, she must take her place among the other women. What she doesn't expect is to catch the interest of Alpha Greyson Burke.
Yes, Grey can have her body any way he wants... but Belle will never give her heart to a werewolf.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Michele Bardsley writes humorous paranormal romances and funny paranormal mysteries. Michele likes to write, read, crochet hats, drink wine, and eat chocolate!
If you've ever wanted to read a supposedly ~spicy~ book where everyone is super religious, then look no further! Because I can only define this book as Christian Erotica. Also as trash.
This book was soooo problematic: women hating women, women being silly, women being "bitches", women doing things because of men not because of their own agency. Bashing suicide victims. This super weird obsession with virginity and the bible. A creepy set up where humans give away their daughters to werewolves in exchange for protection and food and this not being seen as a terrifying dystopia...
We have Belle's sister who committed suicide because she didn't want to be forced into marriage with a werewolf and spend the rest of her life barefoot and pregnant. Apparently this makes her a selfish coward who put herself before duty towards her family, rightfully earning their hatred. They pray for her constantly, though.
Everyone prays a lot in this book, and talks a lot about the bible, and duty, and how important it is that a girl learns nothing about sex and remains a virgin until her literal beast of a husband claims her violently... which is romantic somehow...
The writing was all tell and no show. And I do mean tell, because most events are told and then explained post-factum in case the reader has forgotten what they've just read. Add to that misspellings and missing words and I don't even know how I've made it through this book.
The Werewolf’s Bride is a great introduction to the town of Bleed City and the Shadow Pack; this was a mutual agreement that the city would be protected and well provided for. In exchange the eldest females were sent to a Choosing Ceremony as a bride offering, virgin brides. The alpha Greyson Burk was among the men to choose. Arabelle is a twin. Her sister was born first; however due to circumstances Arabelle is the Chosen one for this Alpha. Michele Bardsley does a phenomenal job in telling this tail! (Wink) Arabelle is not a typical damsel in distress; her character is in fact very strong of heart, mind and body. These are qualities that draw Grey to her. The passion and romance is so very hot. Each character brings another level and dimension to this Bleed City. I cannot wait to read the entire series.
This was an adorable little story. I loved how strong belle was and how devoted they both were to each other. There is nothing better to me than a strong heroine who doesn't have the be a bitch, excuse my language. And I loved how sweet but strong Grey was. Very good read :)
This story has interesting characters, a bride price for protection from werewolves, and preservation of the species as a whole. The dramatic plot has many twists and turns. Quite intriguing. Terrific read. S. Otto
This book started out a little differently. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but I kept reading. Turns out it was quite refreshingly different. Literally enjoyed a slightly different spin on werewolves.
Really enjoyed this read. The whole story line was well written, the characters were great and it was adventurous. I did not for one moment step away form the story that's how interested I was. high recommendations. Will be adding this author to my TBR pile for sure.
Well I hate the whole virginal sacrifice, innocent girl submits to benevolent master alpha who has to dominate and take, so I wasn't off to a good start. However, it's a short read, so I didn't immediately consign it to the DNF shelf and it did improve after the hand wringing up to and including the mating.
The plot wasn't altogether bad, but it tried to do too much and although the protagonists ended up partners in love at the end, it seemed too far fetched a character arc given where they both started and the short span of time the story covered.
This standalone series opener kept me glued to my reader. The main characters are strong, well developed and likable. The h is gutsy without being snarky, that honor went to a jealous rival. The behind the scenes villain is a surprise when revealed. I like a little suspense mixed in with the romance and the balance here is good. Overall, this is a great read, one I will reread and recommend.
Sometimes, I wonder when a much loved author debuts a new series. It seems I either stick with them as they win me over book by book or I fall hard and the series sputters to a halt. Thank God that this one already has several titles cuz WOW!! Bardsley stays true to her name and spins a tale that grabs you and doesn't let go.
Grey's wife Arabelle were destined to be together and fight together . When problems arose they took on the betrayal as a team. That's what marriage is all about, you take the good with the bad, because you can't choose your family. I enjoyed this book a great deal.
2.5 stars... I rounded up because I really liked Arabelle. Unfortunately, the pacing in this book is way off (everything but the last few pages takes place within 48hrs) and the other characters are completely flat.
This could have been amazing. But it wasn’t because it involved his lover. The human females had to stay virgins while he was sleeping around in the pack. It would’ve been amazing if this woman had just had a crush on him and was a little crazy and he had waited for his mate like she did for him but no he actually slept with the crazy wolf and would’ve freaked out if his “prize” mate had touched before him. It’s ridiculous and ruined it.
OMG, I loved this book and can't wait to delve deeper into the series. What a unique twist on a flooded industry. PNR seems to be what EVERYONE is doing and it's refreshing to see a story that is set apart from the rest.
*Theis book was provided by the publisher/author for an honest review!!
This is the second book I have read from Michele Bardsley and I enjoyed it just as much as the last. Her uniquie take each time in shifter lore in each series has both been creative and inovative. (The last series introduced me to a paranormal creature that you rarely hear about. Check out Moon Pack Rules too!!)
In this book, The Shadow Pack and the small town in Nevada honor a PACT that has lasted for over 150 years where the eldest daughter from ever family is given up to the pack as virgin brides. These brides are needed to replenish the pack and to ensure the werewolf bloodline.
Here is where Arabelle Winton Comes in and pretty much "steals" the show. She doesn't want to do this PACT thing. She is in fact the second born child but due to the a tragedy she must take the place of her older sister. She is strong and she is fierce but she is also loyal and bound by duty.
Something any werewolf, especiall Alpha Greyson Burke would fight over. Eh... He is alpha though so there is no need to fight. Correct!!!
Now it's paranormal so the world is not "believable" but the characters valor, drive and strength are. I would be Arabelle's friend in real life. She is a well rounded character and Alpha Greyson is honorable. It's the people around them that are tricky. The world that Michele has built again is very uique and I am very glad that I read this book once it was a completed serial because I wouldn't have been able to do it!! Nope not me, I would have been clamoring at her FB Page for more more more!!!
I tip my Nerd Girl hat to you yet again Michele Bardsley!! Well done! 4 STARS!!
*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official
This story was a great read, it was simple and if you love Werewolf romance like I do then you won't be disappointed.
We have an alpha werewolf male and a virgin human bride and of course they have hot sex, new found passion, excitement and in the end romance and a binding comittment.
Can I say that I loved their names - Grey being the Alpha werewolf and he was definitely all male and Arabelle (Belle), well she was one headstrong and fearless girl considering she lost her twin sister and had to then step up to be part of the virgin bride showcase for the pack that protects her town.
We were given power struggles within the pack, backstabbing, kidnapping and all within a short timeframe of a few days after the bride selection took place.
This is a quick read, enjoyable with a strong female character who has her own quirky style and can hold her own against strong alpha men.
I look forward to picking up another book in this series.
Michele Bardsley had shared a link to this story on Facebook, and I'm glad I picked this, and the next two ebook soldiers in this series up. A little different from her Broken Heart series, but some interesting characters, and a little different world building make for a unique story.
Arabelle was originally the 2nd oldest, and had gone away to go to college in hopes of becoming a nurse. Her sister's death meant that she had to come back home and take her place in the Choosing. In exchange for protection and food, her town would give their first born daughters when they came of age, to become brides for werewolves in the Shadow Pack in need of a mate.
A situation arises where she caught the eye of the Alpha Gray Burke. At first I was worried this might be an erotica story, and while it has a little of that, it has a good story to keep you glued to the pages! She packed a lot of action and intrigue in this novella. Loved it!
I've read this before a couple years ago. I still enjoyed the story. Its really different especially the scenting part. Wow.... Also, I noticed a lot of typo mistakes. Thats the reason for the 4 stars. Michelle's a good author but her earlier stuff has typos. Grey was a sexy and really strong alpha. Arabelle was awesome and really fun to read. She did her duty but she wasn't a pushover either. They made a great couple.