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The Lion and the Unicorn

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On the run for a year after her whole unicorn shifter family was massacred, Samantha had found safety and comfort working for elderly shop owner Frank. But when he is murdered by the same people who killed her family, Samantha is on the run again.

But Frank had been more than he appeared, and with his direction, she finds safety once more, but not for long. With help from unexpected places—including ancient lore, Frank’s family, some family heirlooms, and sexy lion shifter Leo—Samantha discovers that there is more to her family’s deaths than had originally appeared. Thrust into a destiny she doesn’t want, Samantha and Leo fight for their lives and the survival of shifters everywhere.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2015

22 people are currently reading
84 people want to read

About the author

Delphina Henley

8 books81 followers
Delphina has been writing since she can remember and has always had a love of the paranormal. She is an avid reader and a self proclaimed shifter crack addict. Delphina currently lives in the Midwest with her husband and four kids. Her novel, Unless You Can Be A Unicorn, is set to release early October. You can get a glimpse of Scout's world in "Always Be Yourself", which is a part of the anthology, Certain.

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5 stars
64 (41%)
4 stars
52 (33%)
3 stars
25 (16%)
2 stars
11 (7%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Kristy.
680 reviews
December 23, 2015
I was given an ARC of 'The Lion & the Unicorn' from the Dara Fraser/ Delphina Henley, in exchange for an honest review.

I jumped at the chance to read this book, I mean who wouldn't?? Delphina Henley is an AMAZING author, even if she is writing under a different name. 'The Lion & the Unicorn' is the first book for Delphina's new pen name Dara Fraser & it's AMAZING. I was lost within the words I was reading, drawn into the story, transfixed to what was happening. And BOY there was ALOT going on in this story.

Samantha is on the run, ever since her family was murdered, never stopping, always on the look out, that is until she meets Frank, an elderly shop owner, who soon becomes her safety net. That is until those searching for Samantha kill Frank too. With a direction & a place to head, all thanks to Frank, Samantha heads in the direction Frank pointed. Thus begins Samantha's journey in discovering just who & what she is, as well as a prophecy about herself & Frank's nephew Leo.

What an ADVENTURE 'The Lion & the Unicorn' was, I didn't want it to end. I can't wait to read what comes next from Delphina/ Dara.
Profile Image for Cheree Castellanos Edits.
287 reviews28 followers
January 2, 2016
This book right here....so full of emotions and awesomeness! I have never been a big shifter reader, but have found that Delphina has a way of sucking me into her stories and making me wish with all my might that I could be one of her characters. Even in the wake of all the sadness and loneliness, Samantha stays strong and never strays from who she is. Thanks to her friend Frank, without her knowing, he set in motion a plan for her to follow her fate, knowing he would not be a part of that future. When she meets Leo, the man who is to help her, all things change. Fate has a plan, and a really really good one too! This book gives you all the feels! Happiness, loss, joy, sexy blushing, utter sadness, and hope. This book was so full of awesomeness that I read it twice! A must read for lovers of all genres, it's got something for everyone.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,445 reviews8 followers
December 29, 2015
I've decided I love unicorns.

I loved the flow of the storyline. The story was well written but did have a few typos.
It is a worthwhile read!
Profile Image for Barbara Douglas.
309 reviews5 followers
June 13, 2017
Ok, this one veers between a two and a five ... parts of it were fantastic. Parts of it were rushed, or sloppy, or just confusing. I think, structurally, there were two big mistakes that kept bugging me: that the nature of the threat is never specified (some group killed the main character's family and has pursued her ever since ... and that is literally all we ever find out about them. No confrontation, not back-story, no more than a name!); and that prophecies remove rather than create narrative tension.
But the premise of a Unicorn shifter and a Lion shifter was engaging; the idea that the Unicorn trumped the Lion even more so. I liked the characters, and the way they looked after each other, and over all I enjoyed the book.
4,657 reviews9 followers
November 12, 2020
This interesting Book 1 in A Lionsville Shifters Book Series is a very well written, Shifter Romance that has great characters that have depth and chemistry. This book the first is part of a new series, it is a good addition to any library. This was a great story with well crafted characters that have a good story. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. This must read story has a strong unicorn with some kick-bu** abilities, a hot lion shifter, fated mates, enemies as old as time, a found family, and a happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,697 reviews7 followers
October 23, 2020
The Theron (hunters) killed Leo and Samantha’s parents and were hunting her because she was vert powerful and the last of her line. Leo was alpha of his clan made up of different shifters. When Samantha became friends with someone the Theron would kill them and force her to start running away again but this time she was where to go by a seer. So she did what she was told, met Leo her mate and a prophecy about them and the Theron. Things got a little hectic but turned out great! Can’t wait for Dara’s next book!
Profile Image for fred jones.
1,785 reviews11 followers
November 1, 2020
A great story, a Unicorn shifter on the run meets her mate an Alpha Lion ahifter. A super mix of strong characters with light humour, tension and a satisfactory conclusion. I really enjoyed this book and I would happily read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for JB.
2,179 reviews8 followers
June 5, 2019
Be a unicorn

If you can’t be a ..... be a unicorn. Or a unicorn’s mate, great book, truly enjoyed reading a different shifter read. Not your typical wolf, bear etc. shifter book. No spoilers here, read it yourself, enjoy!
Profile Image for Jamie Knowles.
18 reviews
September 18, 2017
Wonderful story

I really enjoyed the characters and fantasy elements of this story. I recommend this story for any readers who enjoy getting lost in a world of shifters
Profile Image for Zeinab Dh.
1,635 reviews37 followers
June 18, 2019
I chose to read and review this book I liked this one a lot nice plot and characters it has some nice shifters and their interactions feeling romance is great in this one I recommend it
Profile Image for Anna.
287 reviews
August 17, 2016
I wanted to like this book. I mean unicorns are awesome (obviously ;P) and lion shifters should be pretty badass too. The story just never really went anywhere. For goodness' sake, I still don't have any idea who/what the big baddies are, not even whether they're humanoid or have a corporeal form. They are literally never shown in the book except for their stolen power in the form of lightning bugs in a dream. All I know is that Samantha can sense the Theron when they're nearby and vice versa, they killed her family right before she came home from college for a holiday (or maybe just summer break?) and they want to kill her so they can steal her unicorn horn. Also, too vaguely for me to even be certain, they might hunt other shifters too? Also, question about a small detail, how did they force her family to shift to their unicorn forms (and plan to force her to) before they killed them?

Another riff on the story never picking up, considering the fact that Leo and Samantha are fated to save shifters from the Theron threat, there is no action or drama. Let me describe a random story line about them rescuing some people from an abusive wolf pack. One of the shifter clan members ran away from that pack because the alpha wanted to force her to be his mate, so they decide to rescue her sisters. This is the rescue plan: they're going to be at the quilt fair on Thursday, so our protectors will go to the fair (with their mates and grannies as an excuse) to rescue them. We don't see this happen, the main characters split off (and the narrative follows) but it's described afterwards like so:
Dylan said they just walked up to the women, told them where to meet them and were out of there in twenty minutes, tops.

For the main plot, everything just comes together because it's fate. They didn't even have a plan to trap the bad guys. It was just, oh, there's a children's tale about a lion and a unicorn and they save the world and we'll know what to do when the time comes.Here's are some examples during the climax of the story:
“Let’s walk around. I have a feeling we’ll know what to do when the time comes. That seems to be the way of things with these prophecies.”
“I feel like the water is our final destination.”
“I feel like I need to let him out.”
“I feel it too. I need your lion in whatever is coming next.”
Basically, they randomly enter a dreamworld with no explanation and then wander around aimlessly for a while, then follow the hot/cold of her amulet to a lake where the bad guys' power is just magically attracted to her horn once she sticks it in the water (because 'she felt compelled to put her horn in the water') and voilà, the world is safe. How's that for exciting?

Also, encountered one of my pet peeves, homophone phrases. The phrase is hair's breadth, not hare's breath.
Profile Image for T..
906 reviews20 followers
December 29, 2015
This is more of a 2.5

Sighs. Ok, We begin with Samantha on the run from a group who massacred her family. While on the run she befriends an older man, Frank, who convinces her to go to a town where the people will help her. On the way she meets Sybil who sends her to Leo. Just so you all know, Samantha is the Unicorn from the title and Leo is the Lion also from the title. It turns out that Sam and Leo are mates, they have a prophecy to fulfill that no one really has a clue about. The group hunting Sam and trying to kill her are Therons.

So that's the story in a nut shell without me giving away what happens. In general, it's an interesting story and I really liked the variety of shifters in it. My biggest problem with the story is from the get go we are told the Therons were hunting down Sam and her family and they are responsible for the deaths of other shifters. All I could think was "who and what the heck are Therons? Are they in other Unicorn books by the authors? Is this book part of a series and isn't labeled as such anywhere? I was very confused. I Google'd Therons and found a variety of things, finally ending with aliens from the Dan Dare comics from the 1950's. Huh? Really?

Whether or not they are the aliens from those comics, the fact is, since I had no idea what they were, parts of the story didn't make sense. This is a slow paced book, and needs some more editing. Mistakes like 'escaper' instead of 'escaped' were definitely in the book and very annoying.
Profile Image for Rochelle.
3,462 reviews56 followers
January 9, 2016
*I received this ARC from the author in exchange for a honest review*

The Lion and the Unicorn by Delphina Henley

Samantha is a rare unicorn shifter and has been on the run for along time, never settling in one place for too long or getting close to anyone. Then she meets Frank, a kind old man who helps her get away from the Theron. He gives up his life to save hers, but before he dies he gives her a map and a instructions to find a place called Sendoa. But what she finds is not what she expected.

Leo is a lion shifter and alpha of his clan. When his grandfather gives him instructions to go meet a woman seeking his help, his shocked. He never expected the legends about the lion and the unicorn to be true, or that she is his mate.

The legend, along with foresight from Frank and family members that have a little insight into the future, and what will bring down the Theron. But first a mating pair that need to be mated before they go into battle.

This was an awesome read. I love shifter stories but this is the first one I've read that has a unicorn in it and I loved it. It was entertaining and exciting and kept my interest from start to finish. The characters were really sweet but they were also strong and protective. This book has so much potential to go further and hope that we might read about some of the other characters in the future. My only issue is that there were a few areas in the book that I felt could have been a little more expressive and descriptive. Otherwise overall a fantastic read!
Profile Image for Ingrid Stephanie Jordan.
1,862 reviews24 followers
December 22, 2015
Title: The Lion and the Unicorn
Author: Delphina Henley
Written as: Dara Fraser
Reviewer: Stephanie Jordan
#Paranormal  #LionShifter  #Unicorn
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Well I have to say this was quite an interesting adventure reading this book.
As this is the first book that I've read from this author which has made quite an experience, I really enjoyed this read.
Samantha is running, she has been running
ever since they came for her and killed Frank her boss. When she first started working for him, he made her promise that if anything happened to him she would immediately go to Sedona. At the time she thought it was funny than she realized through many incidents that Frank knew things that were going to happen. Samantha was than told to go the other from Sedona this was Frank's plan all along, so she kept running.
Leo was told by Frank where to go and wait for Samantha, as she came running to him,
Leo knew who she was right away. Yes this book is a Must Read and a Keeper. I was gifted this ARC for an honest and truthful review.

My Personal Stars Scores

Book Cover Rating 5 Stars
Hero Rating 4++++++ Stars
Heroine Rating 4 Stars
Sexual Tension Rating 5+++++  Stars
Sex Scenes Rating 4 Stars
Plot Development Rating5++++++ Stars
Dialogue 5++++++ Stars
Overall Rating 4++++++++++++++++Stars
Storytelling Rating 5  Stars
StoryEnding Rating 4++ Stars
Would I Reread This Book?? Most definitely!
Would I Read Future Books By This Author? Absolutely!!
Profile Image for Barbara Stoker.
68 reviews22 followers
Read
January 15, 2016
So I've been bored trying to find a new author to read or at least a new book that brings something new to the table. While checking out my favorite author's on kindle this book kept popping up. Finally I bought ut. I figured it's less than a buck so why not. I figured it sounded good but at the same time I've thought other books would be good just to not be. Because I didn't know this author I was worried. So I bought it last night figured I'll read it someday soon. Yet I couldn't stop thinking about it, because really a lion and a unicorn those books really aren't out there unless it's a kid book. So this morning I got up and started reading. I was late for my doctors apt . I couldn't stop reading. It's so good better than anything I could possibly wish for. It different it's a fast pace paranormal dream. I feel in love with the characters. I really really really really hope there are more books coming. I can't wait to see what happens to the gang. I loved this book and recommend to readers everywhere. There were no big sex scenes but you knew what happen. You could feel the emotions the love of the characters.
So if love a great read this book is for you.
Fingers crossed for more
Profile Image for Ana.
2,038 reviews6 followers
December 30, 2015
What a magical adventure, truly wonderful...

Samantha is a very unique Unicorn shifter who has been on the run from the evil Theron that killed her family. She has been raised in the human world and their customs and has been sheltered as to her true abilities and the part she plays in the salvation of shifters.

In her run she meets her true mate Leo a lion shifter, she always thought that unicorn was prey to the lion, those were the stories she heard as a child? She soon finds out she is more than she ever thought, she and Leo are part of a prophecy but she has no clue as to how she will make a difference. Thus begins Samantha and Leo's adventure into the world of magic trying to figure out how they will put an end to the evil that is chasing her and also means to do harm to all shifters.

I actually felt poor Samantha's frustration, not to mention Leo's as these two deny themselves the mate pull.

This book can be read by all lovers of shifters and the paranormal, it is very magical an there is much love and wit.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for A Belle & A Book.
681 reviews28 followers
January 2, 2016
The Lion & The Unicorn
Delphina Henley writing as Dara Fraser
5 STAR REVIEW

The Lion and The Unicorn weaves together mythical folklore, shifters, family bonds and romance. It truly has a bit of everything. It is a suspenseful, thrilling tale that follows Samantha who has lost everyone she called family. She finds help in unusual places as she discovers her destiny and in the end fights for shifters everywhere.

I totally want to be Samantha! The girl can multi task in her sleep. If I had that talent I would be unstoppable.

I adore Delphinia’s conversational writing style. Her books read like a friendly conversation at a local coffee shop. I feel that her style connects me that much more to her stories. I loved the way she combined the folklore into this story. I like the combining of the old and new. I sincerely hope there is a follow up book because I would love to see Samantha in all her Bad A** glory!
Profile Image for Jeannie.
1,029 reviews30 followers
February 20, 2016
Amazing flow, story line is engaging. It was written in the stars. The story of Samantha (unicorn) & Leo (lion) is a paranormal fable come to life. Samantha had a crazy life running from place to place to keep safe. Soon Leo enters & it seems that their love story is written in the starts. Though Samantha is afraid to love since everyone she loves seems to die, she can't help herself. The story unfolds & their love is deepened. Through every twist and turn they find they are stronger as a couple and their love only grows stronger. This is a book that everyone should read.

*Disclaimer... I received this ARC ebook for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. The opinion stated above
Profile Image for Jessica Mitchell.
2,051 reviews20 followers
December 30, 2015
An adventure of the last alpha female unicorn. It digs right in the adventure and won't let up even in the end.
Samantha is on the run from the people who killed her family for their horns. She is the last of her kind. And with hopes of getting further and further away. She can sense them at times so she knows when to move as fast as possible. But who she runs into next will knock her off her hooves.
His uncle always told him to be ready for the day he will help someone great and who would be dear in his life. When Leo gets that message to be ready he is. And wait he will till she comes galloping across the field into his arms. Will he be able to help her and keep her safe at the time?
Profile Image for Sheryl.
2,030 reviews22 followers
December 22, 2015
I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review by author Delphina Henly.

Samantha has been running for her life for a while now and when it cost her someone she considered her true friend she has no choice but to follow through with the last conversation they had. Find Sendoa and there she would find people who would understand and help her be safe. The road to this lace was anything but smooth for Samantha but she did the best she could but things were not all that they seamed to be because of hidden truths and lies.
3,423 reviews20 followers
July 20, 2016
Unicorns and lions? I had to read this one. Interesting, lots of action, a mystery and a whole bunch of characters. Prophecies bring Samatha and Leo together, knowing they are fated. Before they can live their lives as mates, there is much to do and to fulfil as united. The sibling antics will make you laugh, the tenderness and caring will warm your heart and your reader's mind will be satisfied. I recommend this to all. This is a sweet romance as far as the heat is concerned, plenty of tension but all the action is behind closed doors
81 reviews
July 18, 2016
A rollercoaster of emotions.

This was the height of escapism and I couldn't put it down, even as dawn came and went. The main character's were fully realised, tho the "baddy" was a bit superficial. All in all it was a nice relaxing h.e.a. with enough ups and downs to keep me quiet and happy for the day. This book is for anyone who wants a soft and easy read without anything too high octane and no gratuitous violence or gore. Thanks.
Profile Image for Lori.
803 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2016
Really good book!

A wonderfully unique book, she gives us a bit of everything. Good story and characters together with new ideas that I haven't seen before kept me reading front to back. I don't know if there are more books but I sure hope so, because there is plenty left over to work from. I'm going to check that out right now!
278 reviews5 followers
April 21, 2016
Wonderful Story!

A great beginning to this series! I happened to read the second of the series in a bundle, and definitely had to read the first to catch up. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and all of the characters and their development. A fantastic read that I would recommend to anyone who wants to read a great story!
Profile Image for Nikki Love.
67 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2016
Really good story

This is my first time reading something from this author. I was beyond surprised about how much I enjoyed her writing. At first, I was skeptical about any story featuring a unicorn. The author was able to weave such a captivating world that I fell into it without question and enjoyed the ride.
Profile Image for Sherry Westendorf.
4,593 reviews22 followers
December 23, 2015
What a great book. Different than any I have read but that is what it makes it good. I loved all parts of how the story played. What great characters and how they interact. I highly recommend it. I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Michelle Rodriguez.
52 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2015
Interesting

I don't usually read about unicorns but was intrigued. I found the story captivating and different. I'm a fast reader and this was the second book I read today. I would like to read more about Samantha.
550 reviews3 followers
January 9, 2016
Samantha is a unicorn and has been on the run for over a year. Leo is the alpha of the lions and was told to meet Samantha and keep her safe. Their story has a few twist and turns with both of them trying to keep the ones they love safe. This is a romance in it's truest form and a must read
77 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2016
Good read.

The Lion and the Unicorn was a good read. Brought some good mystery and suspense into the story. Only complaint is that it felt not complete, like I was missing part of the story.
Profile Image for Sue M. Van.
237 reviews7 followers
January 15, 2016
A great read. Well developed characters and an imagination that takes the reader to places they have never been before. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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