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Valeterra series #1
Marked
For ten years, the people of Valeterra have watched a plague sweep across their world, killing nearly every supernatural creature in its path. As scientists from both the human world and Valeterra work on the way to stop the plague, the Valeterrian government is working on the way to repopulate their world with babies born immune to the disease.
In her thirties, single, and a bit of a bigger woman, Valerie has given up on ever finding love. She’s resigned herself to running her bookstore and growing old with only her baby sister. When a strange woman comes to her store with a story full of parallel universes, supernatural creatures, and plagues, and a proposal for how Valerie can help save Valeterra from extinction, Valerie is sure the woman is insane. Valerie’s opinion changes, though, when she loses her livelihood. Sad and angry, she throws caution to the wind and embarks on a journey that she fears will either kill her or break her heart.
Jackson lost his first mate over fifty years ago. He knows his world is in peril. He knows his pack is on shaky ground, but all the alpha wants to do is wallow in his grief. When he discovers that his second mate is a human woman who is also immune to the virus sweeping Valeterra, he has some hard decisions to make. He doesn’t want a new mate. He also knows that he can’t deny his second chance at love and the first real chance his world might have at eventually recovering from so much death.
In her thirties, single, and a bit of a bigger woman, Valerie has given up on ever finding love. She’s resigned herself to running her bookstore and growing old with only her baby sister. When a strange woman comes to her store with a story full of parallel universes, supernatural creatures, and plagues, and a proposal for how Valerie can help save Valeterra from extinction, Valerie is sure the woman is insane. Valerie’s opinion changes, though, when she loses her livelihood. Sad and angry, she throws caution to the wind and embarks on a journey that she fears will either kill her or break her heart.
Jackson lost his first mate over fifty years ago. He knows his world is in peril. He knows his pack is on shaky ground, but all the alpha wants to do is wallow in his grief. When he discovers that his second mate is a human woman who is also immune to the virus sweeping Valeterra, he has some hard decisions to make. He doesn’t want a new mate. He also knows that he can’t deny his second chance at love and the first real chance his world might have at eventually recovering from so much death.
- GenresRomance
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2017
22 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Reynolds
20 books296 followersJennifer Lynn Powell Reynolds is a native of North Alabama.
Jennifer has a Master of Fine Arts degree from National University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Alabama.
Writing has always been a large part of her life. In high school, her local newspaper published a large number of her poems, and she won numerous poetry and short stories awards. Since high school, she has worked on a number of different projects, but her focus was on acquiring her degrees.
She finished the first draft of her first novel, a post-apocalyptic piece titled Alone, around the time she graduated with her B.A. Since then, she has written numerous other novels, short stories, and poems.
Aside from spending her days immersed in the fictional worlds she creates, she works part time at Stained Glass Artistry.
Jennifer has a Master of Fine Arts degree from National University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Alabama.
Writing has always been a large part of her life. In high school, her local newspaper published a large number of her poems, and she won numerous poetry and short stories awards. Since high school, she has worked on a number of different projects, but her focus was on acquiring her degrees.
She finished the first draft of her first novel, a post-apocalyptic piece titled Alone, around the time she graduated with her B.A. Since then, she has written numerous other novels, short stories, and poems.
Aside from spending her days immersed in the fictional worlds she creates, she works part time at Stained Glass Artistry.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 23, 2017
I absolutely loved this story!!! What a great way to start a new series and what a fantastic spin on the paranormal!!! The characters are strong, the story tight, and I look forward to seeing just where this series goes!!!
June 13, 2017
Wow!! She's done it again! I feel like time after time this author comes at me with something COMPLETELY different than anything I've read before.
Anyone who knows me, knows I love PNR! Toss in some shifters, a lady who is not your "typical" size... size doesn't matter, I believe this, but when you can relate to the main character?? HECK YES!!
Valerie has had such a, sheltered? life, I'm not sure that's quite what I want to use for a word, but it's what came to mind. She has a simple life, she loves books (another thing I can relate to!!) and she is polite!
Jackson... Oh. Em. Gee. Jackson... did I mention I love shifters? Everything, from their sense of smell to their alpha ways. I swear, there just isn't anything that isn't intriguing about them. Jackson lives up to everything I love in my shifters!!
The chemistry, the originality... this book! Absolutely recommend to my PNR loving friends!!
Anyone who knows me, knows I love PNR! Toss in some shifters, a lady who is not your "typical" size... size doesn't matter, I believe this, but when you can relate to the main character?? HECK YES!!
Valerie has had such a, sheltered? life, I'm not sure that's quite what I want to use for a word, but it's what came to mind. She has a simple life, she loves books (another thing I can relate to!!) and she is polite!
Jackson... Oh. Em. Gee. Jackson... did I mention I love shifters? Everything, from their sense of smell to their alpha ways. I swear, there just isn't anything that isn't intriguing about them. Jackson lives up to everything I love in my shifters!!
The chemistry, the originality... this book! Absolutely recommend to my PNR loving friends!!
November 15, 2018
Marked (Valeterra series, #1) by Jennifer Reynolds is the first book I have read from this author. Valerie is a thirty-something single that runs a bookstore and lives with her sister. Everything changes when a woman offers her a life in another universe. Jackson has lost his mate and knows he needs to find another to save his world. What happens when Valerie crosses over is anything but normal. This is a different take on PNR which shows that neither world is perfect. I enjoyed the story. There were tense moments and a few surprises to keep you reading. 3.5 Stars.
April 11, 2019
Curiosity was all that kept me here....
Honestly ? I can’t believe what I just read..
Valerie drove me crazy, with her insecurities based solely on her weight... F this. I soo am so sick to death of a woman being insecure do the point of being paranoid just because their over weight... and nine times outta ten,we’re talking women who are usually 10,15 maybe,maybe 20 pounds over weight, they never sound big enough to model for “Lane Bryant’s or Catherine’s “ or an6 other plus size clothing lines or shops,though it’s usually vague enough to leave it to our own imaginations to guess at what the h stresses at it soo much you just stop wanna strangle her...
Please don’t write it or call it a “BBW” if the last thing your gonna let her feel is Beautiful... BIG in BBW isn’t supposed to be it’s own acronym,as in say, Big. Insecure. Girl.
I want a woman who own who she is and strives daily to adjust to who she isn’t and love herself anyway. She wants to love and be loved 💕 because it’s something we all want and need, it to prove she is lovable or worthy because she’s already proved that to herself...
O, I believe this writer has talent ,she must,she kept curious and reading even though I didn’t really like anything about this story.
The h Valerie ( Stutts ? Sorry, but I didn’t like her last name at all) ( I know I sound knit picky,but it make me think of too many negative things that rhymed w/it like sluts or butts and with her being such a negative Nelly always down on herself her last name just threw me further off whenever I read it.)
Anyway Val drive me crazy,always butting herself down always obsessed w/her weight,that even being in a different world completely didn’t seem to change.. I know ppl can be cruel. Coz unlike Vali need to lose weight,I didn’t grow up fat but ppl were jerks anyway. Just coz your over weight doesn’t mean you have to hate your self and honestly that’s never the message I get from this writers books.. Val was soo self absorbed when it came to herself she couldn’t see past the end of her nose and made soo many assumptions instead of having the sense to look before she leapt to them.
I also dislike another of this writers staples of this idea of “separate but kinda equal “ attitude she always has in her books... where the shifters and paranormals either have to live in gated communities or on another planets from us,because either we humans just aren’t good enough or fear or something... I don’t like it. It’s like some form of reverse racism or something .. It just feels wrong. Val is supposedly there to start something help heal their world 🌍 and yet she’s treated like some side show freak by most and has a stupid mate who cursed or not takes 80%+ of the book before he honestly tries to reach out to her soo she doesn’t think he hates her or doesn’t want her because she’s fat.
Seriously it’s somewhere between 75*80 % of the book before the insecure self loathing B finally finds out the man she knows is her mate addresses her and she finds out the truth.
⚠️ spoilers ⚠️
Ok,maybe he was cursed and couldn’t speak and without our kind of technology text messaging was out,but he could have written her notes,or letters,used sign language,poems,love sonnets,talked to other ppl in her presence and let her hear what he wanted to say to her... he wouldn’t be talking to her,but to someone else for her to hear ... something instead of her thinking he hated her the entire book..
gods that was lame and highly frustrating.
Seriously for 75% of the book she thinks her mate hates her and tries to get to know ppl while taking his niece as her new little sister... not soo much as a kiss because I spend most the book avoiding each other.. Romantic right ?
Deep sigh,well better than supposedly praying for each other for a year then finally getting together in the same town for a month while both MC’s sleep w/other ppl ,then have sex once while you leave the man you know is your fated mate to let his F buddy down. Few days later everyone thinks he’s been killed only for him to be resurrected,and go off to save Mother Earth and only returns to the h when he finds out she had his baby,while he was off running around . Tells the h this she welcomes him back w/open legs,I mean arms. The End.
Soo hey,could have been worse right ? Honestly, I can’t recommend a book where shifters have this weird parallel world and want us but not all at the same time. Mates circle each other and try to ignore for over 75% of the book,not even a kiss to over 80% and the epilogue has them fighting about whether the H loves her still coz he’s still too dang ( not my word) dumb to sit her down and ask her questions instead he just assumes things.
Not romantic or even fun or happy in my opinion,but interesting.
Good luck dear writer,I sincerely wish you the best but this was my last try. Your vision isn’t what I’m looking for.
Thanks and best blessed.
Honestly ? I can’t believe what I just read..
Valerie drove me crazy, with her insecurities based solely on her weight... F this. I soo am so sick to death of a woman being insecure do the point of being paranoid just because their over weight... and nine times outta ten,we’re talking women who are usually 10,15 maybe,maybe 20 pounds over weight, they never sound big enough to model for “Lane Bryant’s or Catherine’s “ or an6 other plus size clothing lines or shops,though it’s usually vague enough to leave it to our own imaginations to guess at what the h stresses at it soo much you just stop wanna strangle her...
Please don’t write it or call it a “BBW” if the last thing your gonna let her feel is Beautiful... BIG in BBW isn’t supposed to be it’s own acronym,as in say, Big. Insecure. Girl.
I want a woman who own who she is and strives daily to adjust to who she isn’t and love herself anyway. She wants to love and be loved 💕 because it’s something we all want and need, it to prove she is lovable or worthy because she’s already proved that to herself...
O, I believe this writer has talent ,she must,she kept curious and reading even though I didn’t really like anything about this story.
The h Valerie ( Stutts ? Sorry, but I didn’t like her last name at all) ( I know I sound knit picky,but it make me think of too many negative things that rhymed w/it like sluts or butts and with her being such a negative Nelly always down on herself her last name just threw me further off whenever I read it.)
Anyway Val drive me crazy,always butting herself down always obsessed w/her weight,that even being in a different world completely didn’t seem to change.. I know ppl can be cruel. Coz unlike Vali need to lose weight,I didn’t grow up fat but ppl were jerks anyway. Just coz your over weight doesn’t mean you have to hate your self and honestly that’s never the message I get from this writers books.. Val was soo self absorbed when it came to herself she couldn’t see past the end of her nose and made soo many assumptions instead of having the sense to look before she leapt to them.
I also dislike another of this writers staples of this idea of “separate but kinda equal “ attitude she always has in her books... where the shifters and paranormals either have to live in gated communities or on another planets from us,because either we humans just aren’t good enough or fear or something... I don’t like it. It’s like some form of reverse racism or something .. It just feels wrong. Val is supposedly there to start something help heal their world 🌍 and yet she’s treated like some side show freak by most and has a stupid mate who cursed or not takes 80%+ of the book before he honestly tries to reach out to her soo she doesn’t think he hates her or doesn’t want her because she’s fat.
Seriously it’s somewhere between 75*80 % of the book before the insecure self loathing B finally finds out the man she knows is her mate addresses her and she finds out the truth.
⚠️ spoilers ⚠️
Ok,maybe he was cursed and couldn’t speak and without our kind of technology text messaging was out,but he could have written her notes,or letters,used sign language,poems,love sonnets,talked to other ppl in her presence and let her hear what he wanted to say to her... he wouldn’t be talking to her,but to someone else for her to hear ... something instead of her thinking he hated her the entire book..
gods that was lame and highly frustrating.
Seriously for 75% of the book she thinks her mate hates her and tries to get to know ppl while taking his niece as her new little sister... not soo much as a kiss because I spend most the book avoiding each other.. Romantic right ?
Deep sigh,well better than supposedly praying for each other for a year then finally getting together in the same town for a month while both MC’s sleep w/other ppl ,then have sex once while you leave the man you know is your fated mate to let his F buddy down. Few days later everyone thinks he’s been killed only for him to be resurrected,and go off to save Mother Earth and only returns to the h when he finds out she had his baby,while he was off running around . Tells the h this she welcomes him back w/open legs,I mean arms. The End.
Soo hey,could have been worse right ? Honestly, I can’t recommend a book where shifters have this weird parallel world and want us but not all at the same time. Mates circle each other and try to ignore for over 75% of the book,not even a kiss to over 80% and the epilogue has them fighting about whether the H loves her still coz he’s still too dang ( not my word) dumb to sit her down and ask her questions instead he just assumes things.
Not romantic or even fun or happy in my opinion,but interesting.
Good luck dear writer,I sincerely wish you the best but this was my last try. Your vision isn’t what I’m looking for.
Thanks and best blessed.
July 21, 2017
Jennifer Reynolds does a wonderful job of setting the stage for an new world filled with shifters, witches, pixies and all kinds of magical people. Valerie is a woman from current Earth. A lover of books and everything that goes with fantasy, however love is not her strong point. Not because she has failed at it, her pick of lovers have been from a narrow pool because of their inability to see past her Rubenesque looks. Due to some "strange changes in her healthcare policy" testing of her blood is required now. Little does Valerie know but the people of Valeterra need her, one Wolf Alpha in particular Jackson. Upon receiving her photo and file he is taken with her beauty. Jackson is between the death of her first mate almost 50 years ago due to the plague that has taken many of Valeterra. Valerie is given a golden opportunity to travel to Valeterra and see if she can be mated to one of the alphas that are in the program. I loved this story line. There is enough here for many more in the series.
June 3, 2019
This story was built in a pretty cool world. A mirror image type world with everything being supernatural. I loved the concept and the plot to get her on the other "side". The main characters were also very interesting and had depth. I did get very frustrated with Jackson and thought the loophole was stretching it, but his alpha personality and hotness kept me rooting for him. Plus he was extremely attentive and thoughtful. The heroine talked about her size too much and I thought it was weird that the niece was in an orphanage but overall the story was entertaining and interesting. The narrator did a great job throughout the entire audiobook.
August 6, 2017
Wow! What a fresh new take on a PNR shifter story! “Marked” is a mysterious, smoking hot romance, with some awesome laugh out loud moments that will keep readers engaged & turning pages! ... Great descriptions & plot that flows at a steady pace, with well defined characters & witty dialogue that kept me glued to my seat, not wanting to put down my kindle whenever I had to! ... Even tho this was my first read by this author, it won’t be the last! ... I highly recommend this must read to all 18+ adult fans of fiction!
June 22, 2017
Plus size, older (30 yrs old) heroine and hot, sensitive alpha shifter - whats not to love??
Well, if you enjoy books where the heroine is constantly insulting herself, then this is the story for you.
Also, the plot was all over the place.
Book started out interesting, but very quickly sunk into a mess.
2 stars because I like Azure & Stephanie
Well, if you enjoy books where the heroine is constantly insulting herself, then this is the story for you.
Also, the plot was all over the place.
Book started out interesting, but very quickly sunk into a mess.
2 stars because I like Azure & Stephanie
July 24, 2021
Good story.
I was intrigued by this story. Enjoyed the story of a different realm and needing mates from earth. Valerie is self conscious because she is a plus size lady and her mate is a handsome alpha wolf . I thought it could have went a little quicker, but I will definitely be getting the next book in the series.
I was intrigued by this story. Enjoyed the story of a different realm and needing mates from earth. Valerie is self conscious because she is a plus size lady and her mate is a handsome alpha wolf . I thought it could have went a little quicker, but I will definitely be getting the next book in the series.
August 16, 2022
I enjoyed this story. Valerie and Jackson are good characters, who have flaws.I like Valeterra is a paralell Earth next to our Earth. It is a magical world with shifters and other supernatural beings. Valeterra is recovering from a horrible plague. Who caused the plague, and can our Earth help Valeterra repopulate their world? I look forward to reading the next book.
May 10, 2017
Truly a amazing book, I was swept up in the book from the first to last page. Has the best of both worlds, the shifters and human. Can't wait to read the next book in this series. I received this book for a honest review.
May 27, 2019
2.5 stars
I enjoyed the premise and the characters, the writing was kind of awkward though at times. I don’t think I will read the next one, the mystery on what caused the illness isn’t enough to bring me back either.
I enjoyed the premise and the characters, the writing was kind of awkward though at times. I don’t think I will read the next one, the mystery on what caused the illness isn’t enough to bring me back either.
April 19, 2020
Catchy story
The storyline itself it's pretty good but I feel like it's rushed in some parts and lacking in others. There's too many unanswered questions that are hopefully answered in the next book.
The storyline itself it's pretty good but I feel like it's rushed in some parts and lacking in others. There's too many unanswered questions that are hopefully answered in the next book.
December 30, 2017
Can love make a difference
Nice interesting read. Different than the usual shifter stories.
Two worlds the same but different.
Can the differences between overcome?
Nice interesting read. Different than the usual shifter stories.
Two worlds the same but different.
Can the differences between overcome?
April 22, 2019
Nice paranormal read.
I enjoyed reading this paramount read. Looking forward to see if Valerie sister will come and join her sister. Am curious to see if this story will continue.
I enjoyed reading this paramount read. Looking forward to see if Valerie sister will come and join her sister. Am curious to see if this story will continue.
September 28, 2021
Marked by Silence
To look at a photo and know that they are yours. To move to a new place. To have a dream. Well at least in story's they are true.
To look at a photo and know that they are yours. To move to a new place. To have a dream. Well at least in story's they are true.
March 14, 2022
I enjoyed it!
The characters are very likable and the world building is interesting. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
The characters are very likable and the world building is interesting. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
May 23, 2023
Not bad
If Calorie didn't put herself down so much for being overweight this book would be really good. I loved the story. Just not that part.
If Calorie didn't put herself down so much for being overweight this book would be really good. I loved the story. Just not that part.
July 2, 2017
Marked is about a bookworm who gets yanked into the supernatural world. Boy meets girl is no longer a part of the equation, they're either meant for each other or there's no draw (at least for most of the shifter community)
Valerie gets the bookstore she's always wants & pretty soon finds herself mated before she even knows what that means. She isn't sure what to do, especially when she feels drawn to her mysterious neighbor across the street.
Valerie spends a lot of the story struggling with confidence in herself and what is expected of her. She wants to belong and to be cherished, but she feels as if these things are beyond her reach.
There is also someone who doesn't want her around and is taking steps to make her leave, permanently.
This book was a fascinating look at what if. What if there's a portal to another demention where mythological creatures live? What if you're fated to be with someone forever but you think they hate you? What if you fall in love, make friends, and achieve a version of your dream?
I really love the characters, especially the young girl takes under her wing. And yes, I'd love to live above a bookstore!
Valerie gets the bookstore she's always wants & pretty soon finds herself mated before she even knows what that means. She isn't sure what to do, especially when she feels drawn to her mysterious neighbor across the street.
Valerie spends a lot of the story struggling with confidence in herself and what is expected of her. She wants to belong and to be cherished, but she feels as if these things are beyond her reach.
There is also someone who doesn't want her around and is taking steps to make her leave, permanently.
This book was a fascinating look at what if. What if there's a portal to another demention where mythological creatures live? What if you're fated to be with someone forever but you think they hate you? What if you fall in love, make friends, and achieve a version of your dream?
I really love the characters, especially the young girl takes under her wing. And yes, I'd love to live above a bookstore!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews