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Shifters Unbound #11.75
A Shifter Christmas Carol
Dylan Morrissey renonce aux festivités garous traditionnelles de Yule, au grand désarroi de sa famille. Au lieu de quoi, il rejoint Ben à la maison hantée de La Nouvelle Orléans, avec l'intention de rencontrer des alliés potentiels, mais non moins dangereux, dans la lutte permanente des garous pour la liberté.
C'est sans compter sur les projets de la maison surnaturelle. Quand Dylan se réveille (ou plutôt, ne se réveille pas), il est incapable de bouger ni de parler. C'est le début d'un voyage vers le passé, le présent et le futur.
Ben, Zander et Tigre lui servent de guides, mais ce qu'ils lui montrent, est-ce vraiment la réalité?
Retournez au Quartier Garou pour un conte classique de Noël revisité!
C'est sans compter sur les projets de la maison surnaturelle. Quand Dylan se réveille (ou plutôt, ne se réveille pas), il est incapable de bouger ni de parler. C'est le début d'un voyage vers le passé, le présent et le futur.
Ben, Zander et Tigre lui servent de guides, mais ce qu'ils lui montrent, est-ce vraiment la réalité?
Retournez au Quartier Garou pour un conte classique de Noël revisité!
55 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2018
328 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ashley
215 books7,330 followersNY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, historical mysteries, and urban fantasy as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
December 16, 2018
If you are a long-term fan of the Shifters Unbound series (like myself), you may wonder (like myself) how come Dylan is such a powerful shifter since the beginning of the series and how he gains more and more power although he has submitted to his son, Liam, in the first book of the series.
Dylan is an interesting character and it looks like the whole series' plot rotates around him. Every decision that all the Shifters’ towns take, every action and result seem to have Dylan in the background hiding in the shadows and influence all the decisions makers.
I am looking forward to reading his book, because apparently this is not the book with his full story – despite the fact that he is the main character.
But still this short novella will make the readers understand more Dylan's complicated character.
Dylan
-remembers the decisions that he made in the past that basically saved his family and the rest of the shifters
-understands that his past decisions-no matter how painful and bad for his ego and pride had been- have made his people survive and celebrate life-
-realises that he is not a God. Some current decisions may be devastating for the future of his people and he needs to slow down and think.
Dylan is an interesting character and it looks like the whole series' plot rotates around him. Every decision that all the Shifters’ towns take, every action and result seem to have Dylan in the background hiding in the shadows and influence all the decisions makers.
I am looking forward to reading his book, because apparently this is not the book with his full story – despite the fact that he is the main character.
But still this short novella will make the readers understand more Dylan's complicated character.
Dylan
-remembers the decisions that he made in the past that basically saved his family and the rest of the shifters
-understands that his past decisions-no matter how painful and bad for his ego and pride had been- have made his people survive and celebrate life-
-realises that he is not a God. Some current decisions may be devastating for the future of his people and he needs to slow down and think.
March 26, 2019
A Shifter Christmas Carol gives us more of a taste of Dylan. When the author told use that we where going to be digging into Dylan, I was thrilled, but unfortunately this novella left me unsatisfied.
Dylan is a man of few words and his goal is to protect his family and save all shifter kind. The author takes us on A Christmas Carol storyline with Dylan. The sentient house, which I love this house, shows Dylan the past, present, and future. I’m not a fan of this storyline. It’s so over done.
During the timeline when Dylan goes to the present we get a scene that had me going, uh no. This scene was just weird.
Once we are done with the Christmas Carol storyline, Dylan see’s that he needs to be home and not follow through on this plans.
I adore the Shifters Unbound series, but I could have done with out this novella. It was enjoyable, but not my favorite. Yes, we do get to understand Dylan more, but I felt it was just to short and the storyline was not my cup of tea.
Rated: 3 Stars
Dylan is a man of few words and his goal is to protect his family and save all shifter kind. The author takes us on A Christmas Carol storyline with Dylan. The sentient house, which I love this house, shows Dylan the past, present, and future. I’m not a fan of this storyline. It’s so over done.
During the timeline when Dylan goes to the present we get a scene that had me going, uh no. This scene was just weird.
Once we are done with the Christmas Carol storyline, Dylan see’s that he needs to be home and not follow through on this plans.
I adore the Shifters Unbound series, but I could have done with out this novella. It was enjoyable, but not my favorite. Yes, we do get to understand Dylan more, but I felt it was just to short and the storyline was not my cup of tea.
Rated: 3 Stars
December 11, 2018
Not bad, I'm just sick of the tired, old retellings of the Christmas Carol story.
December 14, 2018
3.5 stars.
Dylan decided to leave Shiftertown at the start of the Yule Festivities to meet with some enemies of the Fae that he wanted to recruit for his fight. But the sentient house in New Orleans somehow imprisoned him and he's taken on dream-like journeys by Ben, who showed him Christmas Past, Zander (the Present) and Tiger (the Future). Dylan sees the future repercussions of his decision and how that will impact his family and friends....
A Shifters Unbound retelling of A Christmas Carol, perfect for this time of year. Thanks Jennifer Ashley!
Dylan decided to leave Shiftertown at the start of the Yule Festivities to meet with some enemies of the Fae that he wanted to recruit for his fight. But the sentient house in New Orleans somehow imprisoned him and he's taken on dream-like journeys by Ben, who showed him Christmas Past, Zander (the Present) and Tiger (the Future). Dylan sees the future repercussions of his decision and how that will impact his family and friends....
A Shifters Unbound retelling of A Christmas Carol, perfect for this time of year. Thanks Jennifer Ashley!
August 14, 2025
My Review:
I had a fun time with this one. It was fairly short but it didn't need to be long although I could have seen this book could have been stretched out longer. This is where we see a unique retelling. I am not sure I have seen an actual retelling of 'The Christmas Carol' so it was different but I was intrigue by it. I loved the way in which this one was implemented. We have our patriarch of the family and that he is letting himself being busy and consumed with it that he neglects his mate and his children. I really liked seeing him visited by Tiger who is his ghosts and see what would happen if he was taken out of the picture. And we see the change in him putting Gloria and his family as priority. I really loved seeing this change in him, it was so fun and refreshing to see.
I had a fun time with this one. It was fairly short but it didn't need to be long although I could have seen this book could have been stretched out longer. This is where we see a unique retelling. I am not sure I have seen an actual retelling of 'The Christmas Carol' so it was different but I was intrigue by it. I loved the way in which this one was implemented. We have our patriarch of the family and that he is letting himself being busy and consumed with it that he neglects his mate and his children. I really liked seeing him visited by Tiger who is his ghosts and see what would happen if he was taken out of the picture. And we see the change in him putting Gloria and his family as priority. I really loved seeing this change in him, it was so fun and refreshing to see.
July 30, 2020
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: http://www.romancingthereaders.com/20...
This one is a true treat to read. I enjoyed it so much and the way the author wrote it was just perfect. It's the perfect story to read why sitting in front of your lite Christmas tree.
For those who love paranormals and Christmas Carol, this is perfect for you. I always love Dylan and enjoyed this story of his. He works so hard to protect EVERYONE that I think he's forgotten how to just relax and enjoy himself.
This story forces him to look at himself and get to see just what he's missing. Well, you know what I'm talking about if you've seen the movie.
This a great story that works well with the overall series. By this point, you know Dylan and his family and friends so you know who they are and how they interact with Dylan. I might have to read this one again around the holidays.
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This one is a true treat to read. I enjoyed it so much and the way the author wrote it was just perfect. It's the perfect story to read why sitting in front of your lite Christmas tree.
For those who love paranormals and Christmas Carol, this is perfect for you. I always love Dylan and enjoyed this story of his. He works so hard to protect EVERYONE that I think he's forgotten how to just relax and enjoy himself.
This story forces him to look at himself and get to see just what he's missing. Well, you know what I'm talking about if you've seen the movie.
This a great story that works well with the overall series. By this point, you know Dylan and his family and friends so you know who they are and how they interact with Dylan. I might have to read this one again around the holidays.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
https://twitter.com/Romancingreader
November 9, 2019
I really enjoy this series and Dylan is one of the most fascinating characters in the series but this was just a bit weird for me. First of all I'm not a fan of the whole Scrooge plot so Dylan seeing Christmas past, present and future wasn't really my thing (plus what was with the whole sex scene with Glory when he was basically a ghost - talk about weird and out of place). I did however enjoy seeing some of Dylan's thoughts and getting into his head a bit more. There's no real resolution in this book and it isn't Dylan's book which is supposedly coming later but it was an enjoyable short story for fans of the series.
December 13, 2018
Heart felt story about Dylan having a Christmas Carol moment!
December 11, 2018
From "Pride Mates" to "A Shifter Christmas Carol" Dylan has always been a little mysterious. This was a wonderful take on A Christmas Carol. I can't wait to read Dylan's story not to mention Ben and Connor's stories. Hope to learn more about Tiger's daughter. Plus updates on some of the other shifters. Fantastic job Jennifer Ashley.
January 2, 2019
2.5 stars - okay - I am not a fan of A Christmas Carol, and don't think that it worked that well as a framework here, but I am looking forward to more from this couple.
December 30, 2018
FINAL DECISION: A reworking of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, this novella takes the familiar story into new directions to good effect. I especially enjoyed seeing so many of the beloved characters from the series, getting background and updates.D
THE STORY: Dylan Morrissey forgoes the traditional and family oriented Shifter Yule celebrations to continue his work to eventually free the Shifters. When Dylan comes to New Orleans and the haunted house, he is treated to a vision of the past, present and future which challenges his priorities.
OPINION: I really enjoyed the twist on the Christmas Carol story. Instead of being a scrooge who needs love and compassion in his heart, this Christmas Carol is about Dylan moving on from the past to see that he cannot do everything alone. The guides on his journey, Ben, Zander and Tiger, are all funny and perfect for their roles. I especially liked that Dylan is compensating for his own feelings of being a failure and trying to "fix" his mistakes. But, of course, Dylan ends up making so many more mistakes.
The best part of this novella is getting to see so many of the characters from the series and getting updates on what is going on in their lives. This is a very nice Christmas novella that works especially well for fans of the series who will enjoy seeing what is going on with the characters.
WORTH MENTIONING: I always appreciate that the novellas move the overarching story forward and are not just asides. Here, there will clearly be long term consequences of Dylan's recognition that he cannot save the Shifters himself.
CONNECTED BOOKS: A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL is book 11.75 in the Shifters Unbound series. The story here is self-contained, but it much more rich if a reader is familiar with all the characters from the Shifters Unbound series who make appearances throughout the story.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
THE STORY: Dylan Morrissey forgoes the traditional and family oriented Shifter Yule celebrations to continue his work to eventually free the Shifters. When Dylan comes to New Orleans and the haunted house, he is treated to a vision of the past, present and future which challenges his priorities.
OPINION: I really enjoyed the twist on the Christmas Carol story. Instead of being a scrooge who needs love and compassion in his heart, this Christmas Carol is about Dylan moving on from the past to see that he cannot do everything alone. The guides on his journey, Ben, Zander and Tiger, are all funny and perfect for their roles. I especially liked that Dylan is compensating for his own feelings of being a failure and trying to "fix" his mistakes. But, of course, Dylan ends up making so many more mistakes.
The best part of this novella is getting to see so many of the characters from the series and getting updates on what is going on in their lives. This is a very nice Christmas novella that works especially well for fans of the series who will enjoy seeing what is going on with the characters.
WORTH MENTIONING: I always appreciate that the novellas move the overarching story forward and are not just asides. Here, there will clearly be long term consequences of Dylan's recognition that he cannot save the Shifters himself.
CONNECTED BOOKS: A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL is book 11.75 in the Shifters Unbound series. The story here is self-contained, but it much more rich if a reader is familiar with all the characters from the Shifters Unbound series who make appearances throughout the story.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
February 8, 2024
Recycled review: I had forgotten much about A Shifter Christmas Carol and definitely enjoyed my reread. That said, I'm still itching for more Dylan and Glory, but a short is better than nothing. (Ms. Ashley announced early February 2024 that we're getting a full length novel. Potentially titled Dylan. Squee!)
While A Shifter Christmas Carol was rather short and the audiobook wasn't available until after the holidays, I quite enjoyed it. I've been reading Jennifer Ashley's Shifters Unbound series since it debuted and have always wanted something from Dylan's perspective. I wanted to know more about his past and the events that lead to all Shifters being rounded up and forced into captivity. I wanted details about his Mate. I wanted to know if/when Dylan and Glory would make it official.
Because of the short length, A Shifter Christmas Carol didn't have the time to really delve deep into Dylan's background, but through a glimpse of his "Christmas Past", we did get to see things unfold the day Dylan and his boys were caught in Ireland. We didn't get any details on Dylan's relationship with his Mate, but we did see Glory through his eyes in the present. I think this little adventure of Dylan's was needed to push him forward; to make him realize that the decisions he made way back when were for the best, despite his misgivings.
Thank you, Jennifer, for giving us something from Dylan Morrissey's point of view. I love that old, cranky, Feline. I hope that you have time in the future to give us a proper story for Dylan and Glory. I both want and need to see that foldout on page and from their perspective. I'm not asking for much, am I? 🤣😈🤓
While A Shifter Christmas Carol was rather short and the audiobook wasn't available until after the holidays, I quite enjoyed it. I've been reading Jennifer Ashley's Shifters Unbound series since it debuted and have always wanted something from Dylan's perspective. I wanted to know more about his past and the events that lead to all Shifters being rounded up and forced into captivity. I wanted details about his Mate. I wanted to know if/when Dylan and Glory would make it official.
Because of the short length, A Shifter Christmas Carol didn't have the time to really delve deep into Dylan's background, but through a glimpse of his "Christmas Past", we did get to see things unfold the day Dylan and his boys were caught in Ireland. We didn't get any details on Dylan's relationship with his Mate, but we did see Glory through his eyes in the present. I think this little adventure of Dylan's was needed to push him forward; to make him realize that the decisions he made way back when were for the best, despite his misgivings.
Thank you, Jennifer, for giving us something from Dylan Morrissey's point of view. I love that old, cranky, Feline. I hope that you have time in the future to give us a proper story for Dylan and Glory. I both want and need to see that foldout on page and from their perspective. I'm not asking for much, am I? 🤣😈🤓
December 10, 2019
““Family is more important,” he told her quietly. “And I can’t do the mission alone. I won’t save all Shifters single-handedly.” He paused, letting his rare smile pull at his mouth. “No matter how much I want to.””
— A Shifter Christmas Carol (Shifters Unbound) by Jennifer Ashley
— A Shifter Christmas Carol (Shifters Unbound) by Jennifer Ashley
December 13, 2018
This was short and sweet. Dylan has to be reminded that Yule is a time for family.
December 31, 2018
Shifters version of A Christmas Carol. I loved it. Looking forward to the next book.
July 14, 2021
Dylan is visited by three ghosts to show him what was, what is, and what will be if he doesn't change course.
Thanks to the painful warning, he averts a catastrophe. Many of the characters from the series make an appearance.
Thanks to the painful warning, he averts a catastrophe. Many of the characters from the series make an appearance.
December 11, 2018
I liked it but.....
I was hoping this would be a four for me... No, not a five ...
No... No. A five if like a Grammy ,an Emmy or an Oscar for me ,many might be nominated ( a four star 🌟 book) but few will win....
For me to give a five star 🌟 rating I have to love it w/out question or doubt..... and Hey, let’s face it to truly love anything , books,cars,movies,music, ppl, places, what have you doesn’t happen every day ....
Soo I was hoping for a four star on this, soo thrilled to finally get to “see” Dylan and have a clue about him and how his mind works....
The moment I saw Ms. Ashley announce this on FB this was such a Wooooooooooooohoooooooooooo! Moment for me...
But problem was by mid way thru I knew I was gonna be dissatisfied in the end,I knew by the pacing and the pages I was gonna walk away as hungry here as if I’d skipped lunch and then was only given a small plate of even smaller appetizers for dinner....
The story was partly played out in a haunted house or is a house truly haunted if it seems to be alive ?
Yeah well, that’s not my question to ponder atm because a) I haven’t read that story yet and b) it doesn’t really matter for my review...
This is like Ms.Ashley’s very abbreviated PNR shifter version as the title states “A Christmas Carol” ,but the problem for me is ,it’s Too abbreviated....
You barely get into the story or what’s going on when your half way thru and then at the end (ok Dylan is a man of few words but) Dylan just comes home and has stopped what he didn’t need to have been doing to begin with,tells his family he loves them and then after a word to Fionn Andrea’s Fae father,goes off to have sex with Glory and basically then
The End.
And I was inwardly screaming WTF ?!?!?
I mean ok, I read at the end, Dylan will have another book ,and that’s great and all but Ebenezer/Dylan needed more of a come to Jesus or sense moment ..
Where was the true awakening... the true revelations ?
I know Dylan can be the epitome of “ walk quietly and carry a big stick” only being a lion shifter he’s his own stick ...
But what got me was I was hoping once they were alone before or after ordering the sex we don’t really see ,Dylan would finally say something to his very very long suffering mate.... something she deserved to hear... something that showed what he’d learned,he’d say something to let her know how much he loves and appreciates her... can’t live with out her.. at the very least that he wanted to discuss being mated officially ... something !
Scrooge doesn’t come back just to keep from dying alone but he comes back with a true change of heart, a renewed spirit and a new out look on life...
Now like I say Dylan isn’t a shout from the rooftops kinda guy but at the end I felt cheated because either he only learned a temporary lesson or he’s keeping it to himself or this was just really a bridge book to open the way to what comes next..
I hate that last thought but condense the story of Scrooge down to the bare bones of what happens if you must but if you steal the revelation of the h or H learning their lesson and the sense and heart growing like the Grinch’s does you’ve taken away the whole point of the tale...
Low key or not we should have a had that moment ,.... coming home and hugging his family and quietly admitting he needed them was nice but not enough especially without giving Glory at least a little something besides sex...
I’m thrilled another book is coming but that doesn’t make this right...
Please read if your a fan of the series,if your not ? It will be more fun and make more sense if you’ve read a few books at least...
I’m walking away hungry , dissatisfied and disappointed....
A short story doesn’t have feel like an incomplete story...
I was hoping this would be a four for me... No, not a five ...
No... No. A five if like a Grammy ,an Emmy or an Oscar for me ,many might be nominated ( a four star 🌟 book) but few will win....
For me to give a five star 🌟 rating I have to love it w/out question or doubt..... and Hey, let’s face it to truly love anything , books,cars,movies,music, ppl, places, what have you doesn’t happen every day ....
Soo I was hoping for a four star on this, soo thrilled to finally get to “see” Dylan and have a clue about him and how his mind works....
The moment I saw Ms. Ashley announce this on FB this was such a Wooooooooooooohoooooooooooo! Moment for me...
But problem was by mid way thru I knew I was gonna be dissatisfied in the end,I knew by the pacing and the pages I was gonna walk away as hungry here as if I’d skipped lunch and then was only given a small plate of even smaller appetizers for dinner....
The story was partly played out in a haunted house or is a house truly haunted if it seems to be alive ?
Yeah well, that’s not my question to ponder atm because a) I haven’t read that story yet and b) it doesn’t really matter for my review...
This is like Ms.Ashley’s very abbreviated PNR shifter version as the title states “A Christmas Carol” ,but the problem for me is ,it’s Too abbreviated....
You barely get into the story or what’s going on when your half way thru and then at the end (ok Dylan is a man of few words but) Dylan just comes home and has stopped what he didn’t need to have been doing to begin with,tells his family he loves them and then after a word to Fionn Andrea’s Fae father,goes off to have sex with Glory and basically then
The End.
And I was inwardly screaming WTF ?!?!?
I mean ok, I read at the end, Dylan will have another book ,and that’s great and all but Ebenezer/Dylan needed more of a come to Jesus or sense moment ..
Where was the true awakening... the true revelations ?
I know Dylan can be the epitome of “ walk quietly and carry a big stick” only being a lion shifter he’s his own stick ...
But what got me was I was hoping once they were alone before or after ordering the sex we don’t really see ,Dylan would finally say something to his very very long suffering mate.... something she deserved to hear... something that showed what he’d learned,he’d say something to let her know how much he loves and appreciates her... can’t live with out her.. at the very least that he wanted to discuss being mated officially ... something !
Scrooge doesn’t come back just to keep from dying alone but he comes back with a true change of heart, a renewed spirit and a new out look on life...
Now like I say Dylan isn’t a shout from the rooftops kinda guy but at the end I felt cheated because either he only learned a temporary lesson or he’s keeping it to himself or this was just really a bridge book to open the way to what comes next..
I hate that last thought but condense the story of Scrooge down to the bare bones of what happens if you must but if you steal the revelation of the h or H learning their lesson and the sense and heart growing like the Grinch’s does you’ve taken away the whole point of the tale...
Low key or not we should have a had that moment ,.... coming home and hugging his family and quietly admitting he needed them was nice but not enough especially without giving Glory at least a little something besides sex...
I’m thrilled another book is coming but that doesn’t make this right...
Please read if your a fan of the series,if your not ? It will be more fun and make more sense if you’ve read a few books at least...
I’m walking away hungry , dissatisfied and disappointed....
A short story doesn’t have feel like an incomplete story...
June 5, 2022
I'm so happy that this was just a little snippet of Dylan and not his actual only book, glad to see that he will get his own longer story at a later date, phew!!!
I really enjoyed this take on the Scrooge story, differing with Dylan not needing love and compassion in his heart but about moving on from your past, realising his limitations and not having to be the one to solve everything alone all the time!
What I enjoyed was three of my favourite characters in Ben, Zander and of course Tiger as his "guides" all perfect for their roles.
I really enjoyed the heartfelt ending with the Yule celebrations and mentions of a lot of the previous characters.
I appreciated the added info of the reading order for each individual shifter town, a nice addition thanks!
Overall a nice Christmas snippet in this series and I look forward to the next book, who ever that may be!!!
I really enjoyed this take on the Scrooge story, differing with Dylan not needing love and compassion in his heart but about moving on from your past, realising his limitations and not having to be the one to solve everything alone all the time!
What I enjoyed was three of my favourite characters in Ben, Zander and of course Tiger as his "guides" all perfect for their roles.
I really enjoyed the heartfelt ending with the Yule celebrations and mentions of a lot of the previous characters.
I appreciated the added info of the reading order for each individual shifter town, a nice addition thanks!
Overall a nice Christmas snippet in this series and I look forward to the next book, who ever that may be!!!
December 7, 2020
I was all excited to grab this to read but feel let down. Though I liked it, it just missed the mark it was aiming for.
Dylan has always been the strong silent alpha type. He once again does his best to protect the shifters from more harm but his methods are wrong.
I loved how the actual story plays out with the Christmas Carol themed story. It is a great idea but it doesn’t work with Dylan.
Yes, he doesn’t cause a major catastrophe but he also doesn’t make a grand change in his relationship with Glory, his almost mate. Just leaves her out there, part but not part of his family.
We just get an I LOVE YOU. No mating promise under the sun and moon. The spirit sex scene I found silly.
He does seem to get closer to his family but it just doesn’t come together as it should.
Dylan has always been the strong silent alpha type. He once again does his best to protect the shifters from more harm but his methods are wrong.
I loved how the actual story plays out with the Christmas Carol themed story. It is a great idea but it doesn’t work with Dylan.
Yes, he doesn’t cause a major catastrophe but he also doesn’t make a grand change in his relationship with Glory, his almost mate. Just leaves her out there, part but not part of his family.
We just get an I LOVE YOU. No mating promise under the sun and moon. The spirit sex scene I found silly.
He does seem to get closer to his family but it just doesn’t come together as it should.
December 27, 2018
I truly enjoy Jennifer Ashley's Shifters Unbound world. This peek at Dylan Morrissey, the patriarch of the Morrissey lion shifters, makes me want to reread the whole series again. In a twist on Dickens's "A Christmas Carol," Dylan leaves the Austin shiftertown for a meeting with possible allies in the shifters' war against the Fae. True to the original, Dylan arrives the night before the Yule celebration and the "haunted" house in New Orleans featured in other books decides to teach Dylan a lesson. This is a quick read with touching moments and perfect for the holiday season, even though I didn't get to it until after Christmas.
December 17, 2018
2.5 stars
December 26, 2018
3.75 stars--
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 11, 2018
Dylan Morrissey forgoes the Shifters’ traditional Yule celebration, to his family’s dismay. Instead, he joins Ben at the haunted house in New Orleans, planning to meet with potential, if dangerous, allies in the Shifters’ constant struggle for freedom.
But the sentient house has other ideas. Dylan wakes up—or rather doesn’t—unable to move or speak, and is taken on a journey to the past, present, and future.
Ben, Zander, and Tiger are his guides, but is what they are showing him truth?
Return to Shiftertown for a Shifters Unbound take on a classic Christmas tale!
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars--A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL by Jennifer Ashley focuses on one-time clan leader, and former Shiftertown leader Dylan Morrissey as he struggles to free the shifters from their segregated communities known as Shiftertowns.
SOME BACKGROUND: Thousands of years in the past, the Fae created the shifters-a cross between beast and man-and in the ensuing time the Fae lost control and power over the battle creatures they had created for war. Approximately twenty years ago shifters were exposed to the human population. Out of fear, discrimination and specieism, the shifters were collared with Fae magic in the belief that it would control aggression; then they were forced into segregated communities known as Shiftertowns. There are several Shiftertowns located throughout America where shifters live in a relative but strained peace amongst their own kind.
Told from third person perspective (Dylan Morrissey) A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL follows lion-shifter Dylan Morrissey as he forgoes the annual Yule celebration in an attempt to broker a deal with the blood-sucking humans known as the zilithal. Leaving family and friends behind, Dylan heads to the ‘sentient house’ in New Orleans where he will come face to face with his past, present and possible future as he battles to free the people he loves. What ensues is a ‘Christmas Carol’ style chain of events where the potential repercussions of Dylan’s actions could mean the death for them all.
A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL is a fast paced, novella length story wherein Dylan Morrissey must come to terms with his one-man inability to save the Shifter race. From a feeling of hopelessness; his lack of attentiveness of his beloved Glory, to the possibility of losing everyone he loves, Dylan will soon realize that family and friendships mean the world and more. Definitely familiar in its’ presentation A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL is a ‘spirited’ and dramatic tale.
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 11, 2018
Dylan Morrissey forgoes the Shifters’ traditional Yule celebration, to his family’s dismay. Instead, he joins Ben at the haunted house in New Orleans, planning to meet with potential, if dangerous, allies in the Shifters’ constant struggle for freedom.
But the sentient house has other ideas. Dylan wakes up—or rather doesn’t—unable to move or speak, and is taken on a journey to the past, present, and future.
Ben, Zander, and Tiger are his guides, but is what they are showing him truth?
Return to Shiftertown for a Shifters Unbound take on a classic Christmas tale!
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REVIEW: 3.75 stars--A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL by Jennifer Ashley focuses on one-time clan leader, and former Shiftertown leader Dylan Morrissey as he struggles to free the shifters from their segregated communities known as Shiftertowns.
SOME BACKGROUND: Thousands of years in the past, the Fae created the shifters-a cross between beast and man-and in the ensuing time the Fae lost control and power over the battle creatures they had created for war. Approximately twenty years ago shifters were exposed to the human population. Out of fear, discrimination and specieism, the shifters were collared with Fae magic in the belief that it would control aggression; then they were forced into segregated communities known as Shiftertowns. There are several Shiftertowns located throughout America where shifters live in a relative but strained peace amongst their own kind.
Told from third person perspective (Dylan Morrissey) A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL follows lion-shifter Dylan Morrissey as he forgoes the annual Yule celebration in an attempt to broker a deal with the blood-sucking humans known as the zilithal. Leaving family and friends behind, Dylan heads to the ‘sentient house’ in New Orleans where he will come face to face with his past, present and possible future as he battles to free the people he loves. What ensues is a ‘Christmas Carol’ style chain of events where the potential repercussions of Dylan’s actions could mean the death for them all.
A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL is a fast paced, novella length story wherein Dylan Morrissey must come to terms with his one-man inability to save the Shifter race. From a feeling of hopelessness; his lack of attentiveness of his beloved Glory, to the possibility of losing everyone he loves, Dylan will soon realize that family and friendships mean the world and more. Definitely familiar in its’ presentation A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL is a ‘spirited’ and dramatic tale.
Own a copy
www.thereadingcafe.com
December 29, 2019
This was an an interesting twist on a classic tale that I found to be a lot of fun to read!
Dylan has been fighting to protect his family and fellow shifters for a good chunk of his life and blames himself for being stuck in a settlement as well as the death of one of his kids. Determined to protect in whatever way he can, Dylan sets out for New Orleans during Yuletide much to his family's dismay to meet up with a fellow powerful friend named Ben and hopefully form an alliance with some shady characters.
That night while Dylan is sleeping, he's awoken by the ceiling caving in and finds himself pinned, not feeling any pain and aware that something strange is going on. Throughout the night, he is visited by three shifter spirits who proceed to take turns showing him his past, present and potential future which may have disastrous consequences.
Dylan will find himself having to make the decision of whether to continue on with the plan to meet up with the shady characters which could potentially put his family and fellow shifters in even more danger or to return to his family during one of their most sacred days to enjoy being among them and truly realize how lucky he is despite the hardships he's faced in the past.
Full of surprises, one very steamy scene, the power of family, a dash of magic and a wide variety of shifters, it was such a pleasure to read this book. Though it is not very long, it's a wonderful companion whether you are caught up with the series or curious to read a short tale that's centered around Yuletide.
I look forward to continuing the series and getting caught up in this fascinating world!
Dylan has been fighting to protect his family and fellow shifters for a good chunk of his life and blames himself for being stuck in a settlement as well as the death of one of his kids. Determined to protect in whatever way he can, Dylan sets out for New Orleans during Yuletide much to his family's dismay to meet up with a fellow powerful friend named Ben and hopefully form an alliance with some shady characters.
That night while Dylan is sleeping, he's awoken by the ceiling caving in and finds himself pinned, not feeling any pain and aware that something strange is going on. Throughout the night, he is visited by three shifter spirits who proceed to take turns showing him his past, present and potential future which may have disastrous consequences.
Dylan will find himself having to make the decision of whether to continue on with the plan to meet up with the shady characters which could potentially put his family and fellow shifters in even more danger or to return to his family during one of their most sacred days to enjoy being among them and truly realize how lucky he is despite the hardships he's faced in the past.
Full of surprises, one very steamy scene, the power of family, a dash of magic and a wide variety of shifters, it was such a pleasure to read this book. Though it is not very long, it's a wonderful companion whether you are caught up with the series or curious to read a short tale that's centered around Yuletide.
I look forward to continuing the series and getting caught up in this fascinating world!
January 16, 2019
Throughout this series, Dylan has always been one of those larger-than-life characters who does anything necessary for the Shifters. He makes hard choices and puts himself in the line of fire more often than he probably should, but it's all for the betterment of the Shifters who have been collared and chained.
His single-minded focus toward freeing his people sometimes leaves those closest to him to feel the burden of his absences. In his eyes, missing one Yule celebration is a small price to pay if it means the Shifters will gain an ally in their fight.
Except things don't always work out the way they're planned and Dylan's journey could have far more dire consequences than he could ever imagine. In other words, a little magic and a little mayhem give Dylan a new appreciation for all he stands to lose in the long run.
I always adore seeing familiar faces pop up, so the Yule celebration was a treat. Having a chance to dip into Dylan's head? Also a treat. All in all, a quick, fun read that takes us into the heart of the Morrissey family and all the unabashed love they have for one another.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
His single-minded focus toward freeing his people sometimes leaves those closest to him to feel the burden of his absences. In his eyes, missing one Yule celebration is a small price to pay if it means the Shifters will gain an ally in their fight.
Except things don't always work out the way they're planned and Dylan's journey could have far more dire consequences than he could ever imagine. In other words, a little magic and a little mayhem give Dylan a new appreciation for all he stands to lose in the long run.
I always adore seeing familiar faces pop up, so the Yule celebration was a treat. Having a chance to dip into Dylan's head? Also a treat. All in all, a quick, fun read that takes us into the heart of the Morrissey family and all the unabashed love they have for one another.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
December 12, 2018
What's Really Important!!!!
Dylan Morissey skipped the shifters' traditional Yule celebration which didn't sit well with his family. Especially with Glory the woman who got under his skin. Despite his loved ones' dismay, he went to New Orleans to meet potential allies in the shifters' fight for freedom.
Ben was at the haunted house as well, but things didn't go as Dylan expected. The house had other plans in store for him. He was showed very important events in his life, the past, the present and the future. He faced what he had been avoiding for years.
He finally realized that no matter how much he wanted to keep his loved ones and all shifters safe, he couldn't do it alone. Loved his sons' reaction to his decision. Dylan making his intentions clear where Glory was concerned was a delightful treat as well.
A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL is a standalone paranormal novella in Jennifer Ashley's SHIFTERS UNBOUND series. It was fast-paced, beautiful and a great read. 5++++
Dylan Morissey skipped the shifters' traditional Yule celebration which didn't sit well with his family. Especially with Glory the woman who got under his skin. Despite his loved ones' dismay, he went to New Orleans to meet potential allies in the shifters' fight for freedom.
Ben was at the haunted house as well, but things didn't go as Dylan expected. The house had other plans in store for him. He was showed very important events in his life, the past, the present and the future. He faced what he had been avoiding for years.
He finally realized that no matter how much he wanted to keep his loved ones and all shifters safe, he couldn't do it alone. Loved his sons' reaction to his decision. Dylan making his intentions clear where Glory was concerned was a delightful treat as well.
A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL is a standalone paranormal novella in Jennifer Ashley's SHIFTERS UNBOUND series. It was fast-paced, beautiful and a great read. 5++++
September 12, 2022
3.5 Stars!It was interesting getting to see a Dylan-centric story, even if it was over pretty quick. I did like this take on A Christmas Carol and was glad that Dylan finally realized he's been being an idiot. Hopefully he starts telling people what he's doing instead of keeping things secret.
Seeing the past and what happened when they were first collared was sad although I'll admit that I'd like to see more of kind of the lead up to it/the immediate aftermath because the previous books have all alluded to it but no one has ever really talked about it in a "here's a sequence of events".
Overall, this was super quick and not my favorite installment. Although a lot of that is due to the fact that I do want to know more about Dylan and the way he thinks he needs to protect everyone. On his own because he's so freaking arrogant. I was glad that he acknowledged what that meant, after he saw the future. And I did like that the house got to have some fun. I wonder what it did to those not-vampires...
December 20, 2018
I love this paranormal version of the classic Christmas Carol story. Instead of it being Scrooge, we get Dylan Morrissey. Dylan has spent his life fighting for his family, and the last twenty years fighting to free Shifters. Now, an unlikely source is going to give him a gift unlike any he has ever received before. The gift of forethought, a glimpse into his future, if he continues down the path he is currently on. The revelation of the Zilithals is amazing. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next. Will Dylan stick to his promise of seeking help from those around him or will he revert back to his old ways? Will Fionn heed Dylan's warning or will he decide to stick to his current place? I, for one, can't wait to read the answers. Well done to the author for the newest addition to the Shifters Unbound series.
January 30, 2019
I’m not a big fan of the traditional Christmas Carol, however this story was quite enjoyable shifter style.
Dylan finally sees the light in this short Christmas novella. About time too. Even though he’s three hundred years old, he has been getting a bit long in the tooth in the last few books. Good to see the fire return.
Gotta love Ben as the ghost of Christmas past. For a goblin, he’s definitely always there for the shifters, even corporeality to show Dylan his brutal past. A nice cameo by Xander Moncrieff as the ghost of Christmas present didn’t hurt either. And of course Tiger as the ghost of Christmas future is fitting because Tiger knows all, sees all and can do all.
Nice to see the shifters celebrating a holiday. On my Were Scale of Hotness, 4 stars.
Dylan finally sees the light in this short Christmas novella. About time too. Even though he’s three hundred years old, he has been getting a bit long in the tooth in the last few books. Good to see the fire return.
Gotta love Ben as the ghost of Christmas past. For a goblin, he’s definitely always there for the shifters, even corporeality to show Dylan his brutal past. A nice cameo by Xander Moncrieff as the ghost of Christmas present didn’t hurt either. And of course Tiger as the ghost of Christmas future is fitting because Tiger knows all, sees all and can do all.
Nice to see the shifters celebrating a holiday. On my Were Scale of Hotness, 4 stars.
January 31, 2021
Anyone who has read this series knows that Dylan Morrisey is the Alpha of all the Alpha’s. I know he has stepped down, but make no mistake, he is still “The Alpha”, and we all know it, I mean seriously, they all know it too. Let me put it this was, when the Shifter - Faerie war comes, I am team Dylan.
This was a great take on The Christmas Carol, with us really seeing how important Dylan is to the survival of his shifters in our world, as well as Faerie. Puts a new spin on Dylan’s way of thinking, and our way of thinking as well. If you are a fan of this series, like I am, this is a must read for this series, such an enlightening book into this world.
This was a great take on The Christmas Carol, with us really seeing how important Dylan is to the survival of his shifters in our world, as well as Faerie. Puts a new spin on Dylan’s way of thinking, and our way of thinking as well. If you are a fan of this series, like I am, this is a must read for this series, such an enlightening book into this world.
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