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Soul Dance #1
Tarnished Beginnings
Tarnished Beginnings is the prequel to the Soul Dance series. Novella length, it's shifter fantasy, but not a romance. The other three books in this series are full length romances with HEAs. Join Tairin as a young woman struggling to survive in 1700s Egypt. You'll meet her again in Tarnished Legacy, book two of Soul Dance.
1700s Egypt is a haven for magic-wielders of all kinds. Vampires hold court, staying one step ahead of the priests and priestesses who want them dead. Gypsy caravans roam the Nile from north to south and back again, plying their wares, telling fortunes, casting Tarot cards, and stealing from the gadjos.
Tairin Jabari was born in a caravan and has always believed she’s Romani. Why wouldn’t she? Her mother and father never suggested otherwise. The Rom have harsh rules. When Tairin’s first shift catches her unaware at thirteen, her father disappears, and the elders move with deadly speed to punish her mother for mating outside the blood.
Hurt, lost, confused, and fearing for her own life, Tairin runs away, leaving her mother’s smoking funeral pyre behind. If she could only find her father, he’d welcome her. He’s always loved her, hasn’t he? Only problem is he’s in a shifter settlement. With her mixed blood, they won’t welcome her any more warmly than the Romani. It doesn’t take long before Tairin discovers how desperately unprepared she is for life outside her protected caravan. With her survival on the line every single day, she and her wolf face hard choices.
1700s Egypt is a haven for magic-wielders of all kinds. Vampires hold court, staying one step ahead of the priests and priestesses who want them dead. Gypsy caravans roam the Nile from north to south and back again, plying their wares, telling fortunes, casting Tarot cards, and stealing from the gadjos.
Tairin Jabari was born in a caravan and has always believed she’s Romani. Why wouldn’t she? Her mother and father never suggested otherwise. The Rom have harsh rules. When Tairin’s first shift catches her unaware at thirteen, her father disappears, and the elders move with deadly speed to punish her mother for mating outside the blood.
Hurt, lost, confused, and fearing for her own life, Tairin runs away, leaving her mother’s smoking funeral pyre behind. If she could only find her father, he’d welcome her. He’s always loved her, hasn’t he? Only problem is he’s in a shifter settlement. With her mixed blood, they won’t welcome her any more warmly than the Romani. It doesn’t take long before Tairin discovers how desperately unprepared she is for life outside her protected caravan. With her survival on the line every single day, she and her wolf face hard choices.
111 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2017
44 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Ann Gimpel
174 books654 followersAnn Gimpel is a USA Today bestselling fantasy and romance author. She's also a clinical psychologist with a Jungian bent. Avocations include mountaineering, skiing, wilderness photography and, of course, writing. A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years ago. Since then her short fiction has appeared in a number of webzines and anthologies. Her longer books run the gamut from urban fantasy to paranormal romance. She’s published over 75 books to date, with several more contracted for 2019 and beyond.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 16, 2017
Tarnished Beginnings takes us on an adventure in 1700s Egypt. Tairin is the product of a Romani gypsy and a shifter – a union that, if known, results in the death of those who dare mate outside the gypsy clan. Additionally, the shifter clan will not acknowledge her either due to the dual heritage. She learns rather quickly that the world is neither kind nor safe outside the confines of the gypsy caravan; however, there is no turning back.
Get ready for the intro to what is sure to be a wonderful shifter fantasy series. I enjoyed the set up for the series in Tarnished Beginnings. Tairin’s character is young yet forced to grow up quickly in order to survive in a land where women were possessions with no rights or protections. The world building is done well and the reader will find themselves magically transported to Egypt in their mind’s eye. The dialogue was smooth and believable and I was engaged in the entire story.
Ann Gimpel is one of my favorite authors. Her stories are fresh and unique and her characters are strong and captivating. Her characters are real. They have real emotions, are likable, and are written in such a way that no matter their genre (paranormal, steampunk, historical), the reader will connect with them.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this novella.
Get ready for the intro to what is sure to be a wonderful shifter fantasy series. I enjoyed the set up for the series in Tarnished Beginnings. Tairin’s character is young yet forced to grow up quickly in order to survive in a land where women were possessions with no rights or protections. The world building is done well and the reader will find themselves magically transported to Egypt in their mind’s eye. The dialogue was smooth and believable and I was engaged in the entire story.
Ann Gimpel is one of my favorite authors. Her stories are fresh and unique and her characters are strong and captivating. Her characters are real. They have real emotions, are likable, and are written in such a way that no matter their genre (paranormal, steampunk, historical), the reader will connect with them.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this novella.
August 16, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
I have always loved Ann Gimpel’s work and the more I read the more and more I love her writing!!! This book is nothing like any of her other book but it's extremely refreshing and like nothing I have ever read! One of the things i really enjoyed about this is we as the reader are experiencing everything with the main character as they are happening to her instead of being older and having memories of the past.
The storyline to this book is so captivating and rather emotional, I would love to delve into why it evokes these responses in me but that would give away so much of this amazing story and readers really need to experience this for themselves. The way that this author creates such a Magical world amazes me every time and I can't wait to read the next book!!! You will feel yourself being pulled into this story and trust me you will want to stay there making this story highly addictive and you won't be able to stop turning pages! I also loved that this was set in historical Egypt as this is another type of fiction that I have never read although I have always loved egyptian history.
The main character in this book is extremely awe inspiring, she is only 13 but she has an old soul and throughout the book you do feel like you are reading about an older character, she has a maturity about her and a strength that runs deeply inside of her. She goes through a lot throughout this book but still stays true to herself and I loved reading about that!!!
I can't recommend this book highly enough, it is a must read book that everyone should read!!!!
I have always loved Ann Gimpel’s work and the more I read the more and more I love her writing!!! This book is nothing like any of her other book but it's extremely refreshing and like nothing I have ever read! One of the things i really enjoyed about this is we as the reader are experiencing everything with the main character as they are happening to her instead of being older and having memories of the past.
The storyline to this book is so captivating and rather emotional, I would love to delve into why it evokes these responses in me but that would give away so much of this amazing story and readers really need to experience this for themselves. The way that this author creates such a Magical world amazes me every time and I can't wait to read the next book!!! You will feel yourself being pulled into this story and trust me you will want to stay there making this story highly addictive and you won't be able to stop turning pages! I also loved that this was set in historical Egypt as this is another type of fiction that I have never read although I have always loved egyptian history.
The main character in this book is extremely awe inspiring, she is only 13 but she has an old soul and throughout the book you do feel like you are reading about an older character, she has a maturity about her and a strength that runs deeply inside of her. She goes through a lot throughout this book but still stays true to herself and I loved reading about that!!!
I can't recommend this book highly enough, it is a must read book that everyone should read!!!!
July 7, 2017
Where are my words to describe the entrance in to this enchanted world of myths and magic. We start with an introduction to Tairin and her wolf. The struggles and reality for her as she traverse life being more but not. She was loved by both parents but not ready for what life had in store for her. Tarnished Beginnings was a brilliant start to this new series. I was excited to learn of Tairin without having romance cloud my perspective. This was my chance to understand her and her background in a quick read that flowed nicely in to the next. Which allowed me to love her even more when I read her romance journey in Tarnished Legacy.
July 1, 2017
A wonderful beginning to a new series that is filled with magical gypsies, wolf shifters, vampires and the hunters of both. A young girl, overhearing an argument between her parents, finally learns why she feels different. She has learned that the dreams she's had since she was little, were in fact, her other half trying to reach her. She suffers the loss of her parents, one through abandonment the other through a horrific death by their own gypsy tribe. Having learned what she really is, she barely escapes her people, who are now trying to destroy her. Finally accepting the truth she goes through her first change, with help from her newly discovered bond. Trying to find her father, whom she hopes will help explain what's happening as well as be accepted by his “family, they barely escape death by vampires and hunters as well. Tarnished Beginnings is a story of a young girl overcoming her fear of becoming a woman and learning how to accept and live with what she is. It's filled with a longings for family love, and accepting what must be. I can't wait to read what adventures, dangers and maybe loves are in her future. I recommend this book to lovers of the paranormal and all the many things that go with it.
September 30, 2017
Tairin Jabari has had a sheltered lift in the Romani caravan. She's learned to play their wares and tell fortunes, but she could not see what was coming for her. She had no idea she was of mixed blood. When she turns of age, her wolf wants to break free and she shifts for the first time. She is driven from the caravan. Alone and fearing for her life, she runs away with the hope of finding her father's pack. Yet Tairin is far unprepared for the harsh realities of life outside the caravan in Egypt in the 1700s.
A fantastic start to the series. Tairin is a strong girl and sympathetic. She's especially well written with the trials and fears of being a young woman in a time when women were treated horribly. I love how her relationship grows with her wolf and how they bond. We don't often get to see this in shifter books. A marvelous setting with terrifying every day dangers and a few not so every day ones!
A fantastic start to the series. Tairin is a strong girl and sympathetic. She's especially well written with the trials and fears of being a young woman in a time when women were treated horribly. I love how her relationship grows with her wolf and how they bond. We don't often get to see this in shifter books. A marvelous setting with terrifying every day dangers and a few not so every day ones!
October 20, 2017
Story about a gypsy shifter
Tairin is a young gypsy who recently found out she was a wolf shifter. The wolf part of her is so bound to her human's side and protects her throughout her adventures as she's trying to become an adult safely. This takes place in Egypt near the Nile River.
This presents an interesting coming-of-age story while presenting a bit of History and a different perspective about shifters. Wolves and shifters are not to be mixed, she's in danger of being killed.
I like the bit of history that it presents the ancient times of Cairo and the Nile River, how people living in the time, and the attitude toward women. This book is the first in the part of the series about this gypsy girl. I would recommend this book to young readers that like the bit of History mixed with there paranormal stories.
Tairin is a young gypsy who recently found out she was a wolf shifter. The wolf part of her is so bound to her human's side and protects her throughout her adventures as she's trying to become an adult safely. This takes place in Egypt near the Nile River.
This presents an interesting coming-of-age story while presenting a bit of History and a different perspective about shifters. Wolves and shifters are not to be mixed, she's in danger of being killed.
I like the bit of history that it presents the ancient times of Cairo and the Nile River, how people living in the time, and the attitude toward women. This book is the first in the part of the series about this gypsy girl. I would recommend this book to young readers that like the bit of History mixed with there paranormal stories.
July 6, 2017
This is the start of Tairin Jabari's life story. It starts in Egypt the haven of Magic - wielders. Her mother was a gypsy and her father is a wolf shifter. The two of them being together was not permitted but having a child was forbidden and not acepted in either tribe. At thirteen Tairin had lost everything on her own in a hostile land and time where women had no rights and no protection.
I normally don't read historical stories but since one of my favorite authors wrote it I did and wow was it great. It held my attention and it was full of avtion, drama and mystery. I really enjoyed the characters their so well written and the storyline is awesome. There is more to this series and I can't wait to the others books. Don't miss it Voluntarily reviewed a copy and I honestly loved it.
I normally don't read historical stories but since one of my favorite authors wrote it I did and wow was it great. It held my attention and it was full of avtion, drama and mystery. I really enjoyed the characters their so well written and the storyline is awesome. There is more to this series and I can't wait to the others books. Don't miss it Voluntarily reviewed a copy and I honestly loved it.
July 16, 2017
A truly different type of series and a wonderful start with “Tarnished Beginnings”. Becoming a teenager in any time doesn’t sound as though easy to deal with, but with Tairin it is a whole downward spiral. Growing up thinking she is Romani only to find out the hard way that she isn’t. She is a half breed that wouldn’t be accepted in either court. Being thrust into a world of unknowns, including accepting her wolf, comes with a whole new set of dangers. Right now….Tairin is just trying to survive each day as it comes.
I voluntarily read this first book of the series and liked it enough to grab up the next in the series to see how Tairin fares. Gimpel has become an author I find a keeper and highly recommend her works.
I voluntarily read this first book of the series and liked it enough to grab up the next in the series to see how Tairin fares. Gimpel has become an author I find a keeper and highly recommend her works.
July 10, 2017
This one is the opener for it all that leads the way to a fantastic journey. This centers around Tairin who is in a culture I find fascinating and once long ago had a friend from the culture. This author had me so involved in this I was looking up things left and right while I was reading so to fully understand while on this journey. The paranormal aspect of this is weaved into it that this caught me up being so delicious I ate it up. The circumstances that will occur in this will pull you also to the edge panting with anticipation as she is on her journey. It picks the question to you what would you have done too for me also.
July 25, 2017
In this enchanting first novel of the Soul Dance series by author Ann Gimpel, we meet the heroine of this tale, Tairin, and her Gypsy Romany family. I was hooked from the first page. Tairin is a phenomenally strong character, and I absolutely fell for her. This novella follows her through her struggles as a young girl in 1700’s Egypt. In a few short days, her entire world turns upside down as she learns she’s half Romany and half wolf shifter, and that her family has disintegrated. Mother dead, father gone, and Tairin left on her own. What an amazing introduction to the Romany stories! I will most assuredly be reading more!
September 29, 2017
This isn't the first book I have read by Ann Gimpel but it is different, from the previous ones, I read and reviewed, but that's not a bad thing as she is a very talented writer and I loved this book it kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. This isn't a shifter romance instead it tells of the struggles of a young girl in Egypt during the 1700, who grows up within the Gypsy caravan not realizing her dad is a shifter and the gene has passed onto her. She has her first shift and has no choice but to run away from the life she's know - I want to put so much more but I don't want to spoil for anyone else. I can't wait to read book two of this series.
November 10, 2017
Setting the hook
Ann Gimpel has managed to show the beautiful and crual nature of what a Romi can face well hooking you into caring what happens to the half-blood. I love how she has given both sides of the shifter a brave but caring nature that will protect the other half to the death. I cant wait to see how this story develops cheering for her to find acceptence and love even if that means she also feels the hurt of losing that love.
Ann Gimpel has managed to show the beautiful and crual nature of what a Romi can face well hooking you into caring what happens to the half-blood. I love how she has given both sides of the shifter a brave but caring nature that will protect the other half to the death. I cant wait to see how this story develops cheering for her to find acceptence and love even if that means she also feels the hurt of losing that love.
October 18, 2018
This book has been absolutely amazing.
A journey through world war 2 in Europe but, not as we know it!
Shifters, Vampires all sorts of trials and tribulations and...at the end of it all is.....
Ann Gimpel has done a fantastic job here of combining what happened and interspersing it with all sorts of Shifters, Vampires and the storyline that goes with them.
You will not be disappointed with this series.
A journey through world war 2 in Europe but, not as we know it!
Shifters, Vampires all sorts of trials and tribulations and...at the end of it all is.....
Ann Gimpel has done a fantastic job here of combining what happened and interspersing it with all sorts of Shifters, Vampires and the storyline that goes with them.
You will not be disappointed with this series.
July 3, 2017
Very interesting wolf shifter story. I felt sorry for Tairin and all her loss, I am glad she finds compassion in her wolf. Tarnished Beginnings very well lays the foundation for this series and I look forward to reading the rest of Tairin's adventurous life.
July 8, 2017
The story of Tairin begins here. She learns secrets that change her life. Then comes traveling alone and all the trials and truths she learns along the way. I look forward to the next book.
*I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this advance reader copy and was not compensated in any way.*
*I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this advance reader copy and was not compensated in any way.*
November 19, 2017
Interesting take on history
Since ancient history appeals to me this one caught my interest. I found the story line interesting and different. The Romany have been around a long time. Who knows what their magic entails. Chicanery or real.
Since ancient history appeals to me this one caught my interest. I found the story line interesting and different. The Romany have been around a long time. Who knows what their magic entails. Chicanery or real.
December 21, 2017
I wasn't positive I was going to enjoy this book. I'm not normally into historical romance. But the mix of history and paranormal romance made the book extremely enjoyable. I should have known, since I have yet to find an Ann Gimpel book I haven't loved!
August 4, 2017
Tarnished Beginnings was a great example of world building and shifter fantasy, and I wanted to like it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
January 13, 2018
This prequel is a fantastic start to the Soul Dance Series. The story and characters draw you in and keep your attention.
April 20, 2018
The start of a wonderful new series. Tairin is born in a caravan, but she doesn't fully belong. Once they find out her secret, her life is changed forever.
October 15, 2018
Great begining to a series
December 4, 2019
This book is the prequel to the soul dance series. I enjoyed the background to this series and am now ready to read the first book.
June 13, 2022
Another beginning to an awesome story. The characters draw you in and keep you there hooked for more. I absolutely loved every bit of this start to a great series.
January 8, 2023
DNF
this chair, this chair, this chair, this chair...
Replace it with worlbuilding.
this chair, this chair, this chair, this chair...
Replace it with worlbuilding.
August 12, 2017
GREAT START TO SERIES. This is the first book in the Soul Dancer series. The book should not be read as a standalone as Tarin's story continues in the next book. There is violence.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. The author did a great job of explaining both Romani and shifter culture and how Tarin finds herself traveling alone. The storyline will keep you guessing what twists and turns will be revealed next. It definitely kept me riveted.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series!
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. The author did a great job of explaining both Romani and shifter culture and how Tarin finds herself traveling alone. The storyline will keep you guessing what twists and turns will be revealed next. It definitely kept me riveted.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series!
September 9, 2017
Tairin is half shifter/half Romani gypsy in 1700s Egypt. Her dual heritage is forbidden from both sides. The gypsy clan puts her mother to death when they find out about Tairin. Tairin's father's shifter clan makes him choose his pack over Tairin. She has nobody that she can go to & turns to her wolf side for survival.
This is the prequel to the Soul Dance series. You get a new perspective on living a dual life. You can't help but get wrapped up in Tairin & wanting to know what happens next. I got introduced to Ann Gimpel & she has become one of my favorite authors & I cannot put her books down. The story is well written & character development is dead on and in-depth. You have got to pick this one up.
This is the prequel to the Soul Dance series. You get a new perspective on living a dual life. You can't help but get wrapped up in Tairin & wanting to know what happens next. I got introduced to Ann Gimpel & she has become one of my favorite authors & I cannot put her books down. The story is well written & character development is dead on and in-depth. You have got to pick this one up.
November 13, 2019
I have revisited this tale via audiobook, the "Soul Dance" series.
A young gypsy girl, finds out that she a wolf shifter, born of a gypsy mother and a wolf shifter father. Unfortunately, neither of her parents' clans want anything to do with her, as she is treated as a half caste, and she is left to the fates in ancient Egypt.
An interesting tale.
A young gypsy girl, finds out that she a wolf shifter, born of a gypsy mother and a wolf shifter father. Unfortunately, neither of her parents' clans want anything to do with her, as she is treated as a half caste, and she is left to the fates in ancient Egypt.
An interesting tale.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews