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New Tarian Pride #1
Tarian Alpha
The Tarian Pride is right in the middle of a historical power-shift. Ronin Alder is taking over as the New Tarian Alpha, but the entire Pride of lion shifters needs to be completely rehabilitated. Back in the Pride after years hating it, his job is to push the monsters here to a new future, one where they will stop warring with every shifter Crew in existence. But when he mans a rescue mission and finds a hurt woman in the woods, he had no choice but to save her…or kidnap her. And when he learns her story, and recognizes just who, and what, she is, his entire future as Alpha of the New Tarians takes a new direction. His life had been laid out before him, but now he wants so much more. He wants Emerald.
Emerald Lawson is a descendant of one of the original Tarians, her bloodline highly coveted by the Old Tarian Alpha, Cassius. He’s put her between a rock and a hard place and turned her entire life upside down. She’s accepted her fate on the throne of the Old Tarians until she stumbles upon a man on a mission in the woods. When she’s kidnapped by the New Tarian Alpha, one day with Ronin changes her life forever. How can she go back to living in a cage after he’s set her free? She’s a submissive lioness who doesn’t belong, but Ronin challenges Emerald to be something she’s never been before—fearless. And as a new uprising begins, she will find herself at the helm of a destiny that could change the entire future of the Tarian Pride.
Content Warning: Explicit love scenes, naughty language, and piles of sexy shifter secrets. Intended for mature audiences.
Emerald Lawson is a descendant of one of the original Tarians, her bloodline highly coveted by the Old Tarian Alpha, Cassius. He’s put her between a rock and a hard place and turned her entire life upside down. She’s accepted her fate on the throne of the Old Tarians until she stumbles upon a man on a mission in the woods. When she’s kidnapped by the New Tarian Alpha, one day with Ronin changes her life forever. How can she go back to living in a cage after he’s set her free? She’s a submissive lioness who doesn’t belong, but Ronin challenges Emerald to be something she’s never been before—fearless. And as a new uprising begins, she will find herself at the helm of a destiny that could change the entire future of the Tarian Pride.
Content Warning: Explicit love scenes, naughty language, and piles of sexy shifter secrets. Intended for mature audiences.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2019
2172 people are currently reading
1353 people want to read
About the author
T.S. Joyce
160 books3,452 followersT.S. Joyce is devoted to bringing hot shifter romances to readers. Hungry alpha males are her calling card, and the wilder the men, the more she'll make them pour their hearts out. She werebear swears there'll be no swooning heroines in her books. It takes tough-as-nails women to handle the shifters of Bear Valley.
She lives in a tiny town, outside of a tiny city, and devotes her life to writing big stories. Foodie, bear whisperer, ninja, thief of tiny bottles of awesome smelling hotel shampoo, nap connoisseur, movie fanatic, and zombie slayer, and most of this bio is true.
Bear Shifters? Check
Smoldering Alpha Hotness? Double Check
Sexy Scenes? Fasten up your girdles, ladies and gents, it's gonna to be a wild ride.
She lives in a tiny town, outside of a tiny city, and devotes her life to writing big stories. Foodie, bear whisperer, ninja, thief of tiny bottles of awesome smelling hotel shampoo, nap connoisseur, movie fanatic, and zombie slayer, and most of this bio is true.
Bear Shifters? Check
Smoldering Alpha Hotness? Double Check
Sexy Scenes? Fasten up your girdles, ladies and gents, it's gonna to be a wild ride.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
December 20, 2019
🐾 It didn’t matter how broken a person became. If they got pushed hard enough, that relentless pressure would create a window of opportunity. A chance to grow. To change. To become stronger. To become unbreakable. 🐾
I've got tons of this author's books on my TBR and sitting on my kindle and now that I've finally taken the plunge, I can finally understand what all the fuss is about. Ronin was almost killed by the council when he went against them for what they had done to his best friend. Betrayed by his Pride, orphaned and alone, he found a new family and a new hope for the future. Back as Alpha to the New Tarian Pride, they're at war with the Old Tarian Pride and nothing is ever easy when at war. Especially when he finds his old childhood friend, Emerald, caught in the middle. Emerald and her family had run from the old pride when they got stuck in the old ways, turning into uncontrollable beasts ruled by their bloodlust and power. However, her bloodline were highly sought after by the old pride and when they kidnapped her father, she had no choice but to tie herself to an Alpha who had absolutely no respect for women or the title he held. Lucky for her, Ronin was there and a new way of life was on the horizon.
The assault scenes were pretty graphic. I didn't expect to see so much violence towards the women.
🐾 Women were queens. Queens. Male lions had it all wrong. The boys weren’t important. They were weapons, but females were the intelligence. The ones who softened hard hearts and made boys salvageable. 🐾
In my culture, Rastafari, lionesses hold all the power and it was hard to picture them so utterly submissive and oppressed. However, I love how the author showed their development from almost weak, simpering lambs to fierce, lethal lions who finally saw their worth and their strength. I'm still waiting on the explicit sex scenes the author warned us all about. There were a lot of hints for plenty of sexy times, but it came off as pretty tame. I think that would be my only major complaint about this book. Don't tell me it's going to be hella hot and give me barely lukewarm petting.
🐾 Step one: Find Ronin.
Step two: Save Ronin.
Step three: Bone Ronin.
Step Four: Have, like, seven baby Ronins.
Step Five: — 🐾
July 12, 2025
Purchase Amazon December 13, 2019
Well, since I downloaded a ton of her books when they were on sale I really hope the others are better than this one.
The ONLY adult intimate scene is at the very end.
The MC's are one dimensional, flat and boring.
The dialogue (inner) is repetitive.
The writing was stilted.
The entire thing came off as Young Adult 'Fairy Tale' and (I shudder here) Almost 'Clean'.
All in all, I am very disappointed.
I will read the other books I have of hers in 2020.
Well, since I downloaded a ton of her books when they were on sale I really hope the others are better than this one.
The ONLY adult intimate scene is at the very end.
The MC's are one dimensional, flat and boring.
The dialogue (inner) is repetitive.
The writing was stilted.
The entire thing came off as Young Adult 'Fairy Tale' and (I shudder here) Almost 'Clean'.
All in all, I am very disappointed.
I will read the other books I have of hers in 2020.
February 7, 2019
Ronin and Emerald💕
Ronin is the New Tarian Alpha and is fighting for change. When he discovers Rose has been kidnapped, he goes to rescue her without is Pride backing him......and finds something he never thought he’d find.
Emerald is on her way to the Old Tarian Pride to mate with their Alpha after they kidnapped her father. But when Emerald is on her way to see her father, she gets kidnapped by the New Tarian Alpha.....okay maybe rescued unknowingly by Ronin. Her life starts to change onto a course, she never would have predicted for herself......and it starts with Ronin❣️
OMG, I was almost all smiles through this book! I loved it and getting to know this new Pride and seeing some old favourites was also great😍 Look forward to see what Ronin and Em do to help the Pride move forward and the challenges they all face to get there. Such a great story😀
Ronin is the New Tarian Alpha and is fighting for change. When he discovers Rose has been kidnapped, he goes to rescue her without is Pride backing him......and finds something he never thought he’d find.
Emerald is on her way to the Old Tarian Pride to mate with their Alpha after they kidnapped her father. But when Emerald is on her way to see her father, she gets kidnapped by the New Tarian Alpha.....okay maybe rescued unknowingly by Ronin. Her life starts to change onto a course, she never would have predicted for herself......and it starts with Ronin❣️
OMG, I was almost all smiles through this book! I loved it and getting to know this new Pride and seeing some old favourites was also great😍 Look forward to see what Ronin and Em do to help the Pride move forward and the challenges they all face to get there. Such a great story😀
November 15, 2019
This book was a bit different from other books that are written in this world. Sure there was a romance, but that seemed to take a back seat. I really loved the way that Ronin boosted Emerald’s confidence, how he let her know he liked her, really liked her and had since they were kids. It brought her lioness back to life, which then helped the other women that had been beaten down see that and want to fight back with her. When the battle came it was great seeing how the women punished the one who hurt them, karma at its best. But I think the best was all the women knowing they had a new home, one where they were valued and could do what they wanted. The New Tarian Pride is off to a great start!
February 12, 2019
Totally different
This story had a totally feel then other stories. It didn’t have the I have to have sex on every surface. It grew the love differently. It was good, I am not saying it was bad at all. I liked it and it was a good story. If you are expecting all the sex you aren’t going to find it in this story. It was a good old fashion slow burn attraction.
This story had a totally feel then other stories. It didn’t have the I have to have sex on every surface. It grew the love differently. It was good, I am not saying it was bad at all. I liked it and it was a good story. If you are expecting all the sex you aren’t going to find it in this story. It was a good old fashion slow burn attraction.
March 8, 2019
Not my cup of tea
I love shifter books but I just did not enjoy this one. It was a good story of rising from the ashes but I never connected with the hero of heroine. They seemed a bit one dimensional to me and flimsy. Their dialogue held no great emotions and everything felt forced.
I love shifter books but I just did not enjoy this one. It was a good story of rising from the ashes but I never connected with the hero of heroine. They seemed a bit one dimensional to me and flimsy. Their dialogue held no great emotions and everything felt forced.
July 28, 2019
Short, this book took place over two days i think. I felt like I was missing a lot of the story, I guess I should have read a series before? Author promised “explicit love scenes, naughty language, and piles of sexy shifter secrets”. I feel she delivered none of these things. I will not read any more of her books.
February 10, 2019
3.5 stars
July 3, 2020
3 Stars
Read
May 7, 2019I've only read a few scattered T.S. Joyce books before (nothing directly connected to this subseries, but a few that were much earlier in the gigantic overarching series). I wasn't lost or annoyed at all, however. This can be read as a standalone starting point.
I was drawn to the premise of a shifter pride that's been divided, and one half trying to rehabilitate themselves (and the others being nothing but villainous). Like Joyce's other books, this is a fast-paced, very distilled romance. She is fantastic at unique, memorable scenes where the protagonists move their romance along; the scene I loved the most in this book was the protagonists visiting the now run-down playground where they'd lived out their few happy childhood memories of each other. The romance here was poignant and, if fast, still intense and believable. I honestly really like how Joyce balances romance and action in these books: there's a lot of action, a lot of awful violence, but the characters are only ever successful because of how their romances have shaped them.
This felt darker than the earlier Joyce books I've read; there's always a lot of violence and aggression, but this has explicit, on-page domestic abuse and assault involving the heroine. The "submissive" stuff (not in a bdsm sense, but a personality type within the pack) was new to me, and I was hesitant about that, given I love how much Joyce lets her heroines fight and take no shit, and Emerald initially does take a lot of shit. Her transformation under pressure was awesome to read, and I liked that it also involved all the other women suffering under the Old Tarian Pride itching for an opportunity to stand up for themselves, too.
I was drawn to the premise of a shifter pride that's been divided, and one half trying to rehabilitate themselves (and the others being nothing but villainous). Like Joyce's other books, this is a fast-paced, very distilled romance. She is fantastic at unique, memorable scenes where the protagonists move their romance along; the scene I loved the most in this book was the protagonists visiting the now run-down playground where they'd lived out their few happy childhood memories of each other. The romance here was poignant and, if fast, still intense and believable. I honestly really like how Joyce balances romance and action in these books: there's a lot of action, a lot of awful violence, but the characters are only ever successful because of how their romances have shaped them.
This felt darker than the earlier Joyce books I've read; there's always a lot of violence and aggression, but this has explicit, on-page domestic abuse and assault involving the heroine. The "submissive" stuff (not in a bdsm sense, but a personality type within the pack) was new to me, and I was hesitant about that, given I love how much Joyce lets her heroines fight and take no shit, and Emerald initially does take a lot of shit. Her transformation under pressure was awesome to read, and I liked that it also involved all the other women suffering under the Old Tarian Pride itching for an opportunity to stand up for themselves, too.
February 18, 2019
Reviewed at Shifter Haven
Every time I finish the latest series in the Damon’s Mountains Universe sets of connecting series I think that this world cannot possibly get any better than this… until I start the next new series. And we are in for a rollercoaster adventure in the New Tarian Pride series.
There is a decidedly different tone to TARIAN ALPHA than we’ve seen before, and that makes perfect sense for this New Tarian Pride is newly created from the breaking up of their former corrupt, power-driven pride — we saw this coming in bits and pieces of the most recent series. We’ve met Ronin, Rose and her grandson Grim before – and we will encounter more as well. This is a pride that is growing, building itself under a new Alpha. They haven’t learned to work together yet, they are still somewhat shattered but things are about to change and one submissive lioness will find her own strength and abilities as she sets off a chain reaction that will change lives forever.
I absolutely loved Emerald. The changes she goes through in this story shows an amazing woman’s growth into her own power, her own strengths and her own place in this new pride. Ronin is an Alpha that anyone would be honored to follow, he does not invoke his Alpha power to get his pride to bend to his will – in fact, he often uses himself to protect them without their being aware of it. His slow building of Emerald’s confidence in herself, his showing her what she could be if she made that choice, his lessons on how to protect herself all show his caring for the woman who should be his mate. Their’s is a slow burn romance full of outside dangers and defying an old way of life for something new and better.
There is a lot going on beneath the surface in TARIAN ALPHA. Sadistic power mad bullies, the empowerment of women who have no idea of their own power until they use them, building trust and loyalty through actions and commitment in a brand new pride — and two people discovering exactly what their future can be when they stand together against all odds.
I enjoyed TARIAN ALPHA so much and would not hesitate to recommend it to any Paranormal Romance or Shifter Romance reader. We’ll meet secondary characters who will have their own tales told later in the series, and watch a pride, a community being born… and run into some old friends at just the right moment. I loved this one, and if you’ve followed any of the Damon’s Mountains Universe series, then I’m sure you will, too.
I read t his title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Every time I finish the latest series in the Damon’s Mountains Universe sets of connecting series I think that this world cannot possibly get any better than this… until I start the next new series. And we are in for a rollercoaster adventure in the New Tarian Pride series.
There is a decidedly different tone to TARIAN ALPHA than we’ve seen before, and that makes perfect sense for this New Tarian Pride is newly created from the breaking up of their former corrupt, power-driven pride — we saw this coming in bits and pieces of the most recent series. We’ve met Ronin, Rose and her grandson Grim before – and we will encounter more as well. This is a pride that is growing, building itself under a new Alpha. They haven’t learned to work together yet, they are still somewhat shattered but things are about to change and one submissive lioness will find her own strength and abilities as she sets off a chain reaction that will change lives forever.
I absolutely loved Emerald. The changes she goes through in this story shows an amazing woman’s growth into her own power, her own strengths and her own place in this new pride. Ronin is an Alpha that anyone would be honored to follow, he does not invoke his Alpha power to get his pride to bend to his will – in fact, he often uses himself to protect them without their being aware of it. His slow building of Emerald’s confidence in herself, his showing her what she could be if she made that choice, his lessons on how to protect herself all show his caring for the woman who should be his mate. Their’s is a slow burn romance full of outside dangers and defying an old way of life for something new and better.
There is a lot going on beneath the surface in TARIAN ALPHA. Sadistic power mad bullies, the empowerment of women who have no idea of their own power until they use them, building trust and loyalty through actions and commitment in a brand new pride — and two people discovering exactly what their future can be when they stand together against all odds.
I enjoyed TARIAN ALPHA so much and would not hesitate to recommend it to any Paranormal Romance or Shifter Romance reader. We’ll meet secondary characters who will have their own tales told later in the series, and watch a pride, a community being born… and run into some old friends at just the right moment. I loved this one, and if you’ve followed any of the Damon’s Mountains Universe series, then I’m sure you will, too.
I read t his title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
February 19, 2019
Poor Ronin well he ever get his pride in order.
Ronin has taken the pride it's been practically split in two. Half the price wanting to be better to live a better life. Half the pride not wanting to give up the old ways. When the old pride takes his best friends grandma all Heck is bought to break lose. Ronin goes to get Rose back and picks up an extra a long the way Emerald. Emerald thought she and her dad had finally escaped the Tarian pride but no the hunted her down kidnapped her dad and made her sign a mating agreement. To bad her inner lioness is a submissive or she'd show these butthole Tarains a thing or to. When Ronin rescues her by accident the boy she thought dead is back and she's stuck in a mating contract or it's her dad's life. Oh my can Ronin bring his lions to heel before war breaks out? Can be rescue and prove to Emerald she is exactly what he needs and that her lioness is no submissive just underestimated? Can these two save not only themselves but the other woman from the old pack who are suffering?
Ronin has taken the pride it's been practically split in two. Half the price wanting to be better to live a better life. Half the pride not wanting to give up the old ways. When the old pride takes his best friends grandma all Heck is bought to break lose. Ronin goes to get Rose back and picks up an extra a long the way Emerald. Emerald thought she and her dad had finally escaped the Tarian pride but no the hunted her down kidnapped her dad and made her sign a mating agreement. To bad her inner lioness is a submissive or she'd show these butthole Tarains a thing or to. When Ronin rescues her by accident the boy she thought dead is back and she's stuck in a mating contract or it's her dad's life. Oh my can Ronin bring his lions to heel before war breaks out? Can be rescue and prove to Emerald she is exactly what he needs and that her lioness is no submissive just underestimated? Can these two save not only themselves but the other woman from the old pack who are suffering?
February 8, 2019
Wow I gotta say I loved this! I wasnt sure how it was going to go but dayum I loved it! Ronin yummy alphaness and he really didnt give a you know what! He was going to protect those who were his! Emerald was awesome and it was sooo cute how they recognized each other so quickly. Emerald is a submissive but that chica got really strong fast! Loved her! I cant wait to find out more in future books about the NTP! I wanna know the rest of the dudes and the ladies who were rescued! Hearts and flowers baby!
January 23, 2020
"Tarian Alpha" received THREE stars.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
The novel failed to gain stars for these items:
NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically buy anything s/he writes."
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
The novel failed to gain stars for these items:
NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically buy anything s/he writes."
February 6, 2019
Empowering
This book isn't just a romance; it's about women standing up for women. Empowering girls to come out of the shadows and push for a better life. T. S. Joyce you gave me chills.
This book isn't just a romance; it's about women standing up for women. Empowering girls to come out of the shadows and push for a better life. T. S. Joyce you gave me chills.
February 7, 2019
This was definitely one for the crew! Empowerment of the females which I think translates into T’s own crew building her up and asking for more of what we love and she just keeps giving! Loved it
February 12, 2019
Loved Ronin and Emerald. Also loved seeing the lioness empowerment. Looking forward to the rest of this series.
March 1, 2021
I did not finish this book because the domestic abuse was too horrifying. I couldn’t handle it. It was too emotional. Should come with a trigger warning.
February 28, 2019
Lions
He's the new alpha of the new Tarian pack trying to make it better. And she's a submissive lion that will do everything for family and her pride.
He's the new alpha of the new Tarian pack trying to make it better. And she's a submissive lion that will do everything for family and her pride.
May 31, 2019
Great read!!!!!!
Loved the characters and the storyline. This book was well written. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance and a good challenge, that main characters go through.
Loved the characters and the storyline. This book was well written. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance and a good challenge, that main characters go through.
February 19, 2019
Setting: Near Telluride, Colorado Contemporary
Genre: Shifter Romance
Emerald Lawson is a submissive lion Shifter who has been coerced into signing a Mating contract with Cassius, the Alpha of the Old Tarian Pride. They have her dad and she’ll do anything to keep him safe. After all, he and her late mom had kept her safe from the Tarian Pride by moving around often since she was 14. The Old Tarian Pride wants her bloodline because she can trace it back to the old council, which they plan to re-form. Ronin is the Alpha of the New Tarian Pride which formed when he came back to Colorado and took away all the honorable members of the Old Tarian. The two prides are at war. Ronin inadvertently kidnaps/rescues Emerald the day she arrives and the spark of interest they felt for one another as adolescents reignites.
This story started out dark with Emerald’s arrival into the abusive Old Tarian Pride where she joins 6 other submissive women, 3 of whom are also mated to Cassius. There is some softening of the atmosphere while she is with the New Tarian Pride. She was pretty much a cipher until she got her brave on. Both protagonists are more potential than fully fleshed. In fact, the whole story is more like an outline, as though Joyce hit “send” before she filled it in. It’s all there — beginning, middle, and end — but it is thin. Good premise, weak plot. Even the sex scenes are somewhat anemic. At least some secondary characters should be more developed than just names, given that some are going to feature in future works. There’s no real “group” feeling, and Joyce’s signature humor is largely absent. Are we even sure this is the same author that gave us the stories from Damon’s Mountains, or even the recent Daughters of Beasts series?n
This really needs to go back to the word processor for some more work, but I guess it’s okayish as is. It was only 99 cents, so not much a waste of money.
Genre: Shifter Romance
Emerald Lawson is a submissive lion Shifter who has been coerced into signing a Mating contract with Cassius, the Alpha of the Old Tarian Pride. They have her dad and she’ll do anything to keep him safe. After all, he and her late mom had kept her safe from the Tarian Pride by moving around often since she was 14. The Old Tarian Pride wants her bloodline because she can trace it back to the old council, which they plan to re-form. Ronin is the Alpha of the New Tarian Pride which formed when he came back to Colorado and took away all the honorable members of the Old Tarian. The two prides are at war. Ronin inadvertently kidnaps/rescues Emerald the day she arrives and the spark of interest they felt for one another as adolescents reignites.
This story started out dark with Emerald’s arrival into the abusive Old Tarian Pride where she joins 6 other submissive women, 3 of whom are also mated to Cassius. There is some softening of the atmosphere while she is with the New Tarian Pride. She was pretty much a cipher until she got her brave on. Both protagonists are more potential than fully fleshed. In fact, the whole story is more like an outline, as though Joyce hit “send” before she filled it in. It’s all there — beginning, middle, and end — but it is thin. Good premise, weak plot. Even the sex scenes are somewhat anemic. At least some secondary characters should be more developed than just names, given that some are going to feature in future works. There’s no real “group” feeling, and Joyce’s signature humor is largely absent. Are we even sure this is the same author that gave us the stories from Damon’s Mountains, or even the recent Daughters of Beasts series?n
This really needs to go back to the word processor for some more work, but I guess it’s okayish as is. It was only 99 cents, so not much a waste of money.
March 4, 2019
This book had a good premise but the writing was sloppy. Joyce could have added so much more depth to the characters, the war, and their meet-cutes, but didn't. There was little explanation as to why Emerald's lion is the way she is. That really needed to be addressed. If it was, then it was gone over so little or so quickly I didn't absorb the info. If i missed it, then others most likely did as well. Also, submissives never just switch their personalities like they did during the 'raid'. The lionesses went from meek to furies. Submissive is a personality trait, like introversion, it isn't something about you that truly changes. You can overcome it for a moment, sure, but Joyce made it seem like the girls became completely different people. There was no character building here.
As for the raid itself, it was totally sloppy. I like the idea of Rorin coming in all guns-a-blazin' to save his pride and Emerald, but Joyce just threw characters into the mix that had no bearing on the story before. All of sudden, there are other creatures in this pride battle (for no real reason that i can see) and I had no idea where they came from. Again, if they were mentioned before in the story, it was such a passing note that i didn't catch it. If you are going to introduce a character into the story, give them reason to be there, a connection. They can't just be there to be there.
It felt like Joyce was lazy, especially at the end. I only continued reading just so I could write this review.
As for the raid itself, it was totally sloppy. I like the idea of Rorin coming in all guns-a-blazin' to save his pride and Emerald, but Joyce just threw characters into the mix that had no bearing on the story before. All of sudden, there are other creatures in this pride battle (for no real reason that i can see) and I had no idea where they came from. Again, if they were mentioned before in the story, it was such a passing note that i didn't catch it. If you are going to introduce a character into the story, give them reason to be there, a connection. They can't just be there to be there.
It felt like Joyce was lazy, especially at the end. I only continued reading just so I could write this review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2019
Tarian Alpha
By: T.S Joyce
I was *so* excited when I saw this book was coming out. A lion shifter book by TS Joyce?? YES PLEASE! However, this is not my favorite book by her. Emerald, the main female character is suppose to be a submissive lioness. Through out the book she ranges from submissive, to silly, meek - I felt like her character wasn't very developed, thus making it hard to connect with her. Ronin is a strong alpha male lion, but honestly he isn't as developed or swoon worthy as the authors other male characters. I'm hoping that the sequel is going to offer more details and connection for us readers. I will still continue to be a TS. Joyce fan ;)
3
<3 <3 <3
By: T.S Joyce
I was *so* excited when I saw this book was coming out. A lion shifter book by TS Joyce?? YES PLEASE! However, this is not my favorite book by her. Emerald, the main female character is suppose to be a submissive lioness. Through out the book she ranges from submissive, to silly, meek - I felt like her character wasn't very developed, thus making it hard to connect with her. Ronin is a strong alpha male lion, but honestly he isn't as developed or swoon worthy as the authors other male characters. I'm hoping that the sequel is going to offer more details and connection for us readers. I will still continue to be a TS. Joyce fan ;)
3
<3 <3 <3
May 31, 2019
Kindle Unlimited.
This was quite bad. I expected it, but hope springs eternal, and all that.
There was little to no world building. Are shifters out to the general population? Are they a secret? At one point, the main character references a government database, but at another, she mentions only changing in secrecy, so...I have no idea.
Aside from a grade-school crush, and some sexual tension, there's no development between the love interests.
Honestly, I don't feel the need to pick this apart. Just trust me, it was bad.
This was quite bad. I expected it, but hope springs eternal, and all that.
There was little to no world building. Are shifters out to the general population? Are they a secret? At one point, the main character references a government database, but at another, she mentions only changing in secrecy, so...I have no idea.
Aside from a grade-school crush, and some sexual tension, there's no development between the love interests.
Honestly, I don't feel the need to pick this apart. Just trust me, it was bad.
December 19, 2022
The h's lion is damaged, and is hard to resist being pushed into forced mating. The H is a great hero, believes himself to be a monster, but helps her to be better even as he's recovering after years of abuse. He's a great Alpha and she will be a great alpha mate.
November 24, 2019
2 stars.
January 27, 2020
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Ronin Alder
Emerald Lawson
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What happens?
Emerald Lawson has to face being blackmailed to be a mate to the Tarian Pride's alpha. Shes doing this to save her father from the pride and being killed. However when she arrives the pride is in an even worse state than she imagined. The alpha currently has 4 mates already all timid and broken while she isn't broken yet shes still not dominant.
Ronin is the New Tarian alpha, during a rescue operation to save Rose (Reaper's grandmother) he also captures Emerald after she faints from seeing him kill another lion. Remembering Emerald from their childhood he begins to show her that she doesn't have to be the timid submissive lion and could in fact be a queen.
Final thoughts
This was a really good first book of a series, this links to her other books and it helps reading them in an order but you don't have to. It just makes a little more sense.
I loved Ronin, hes a strong alpha without being a prick and I liked that about him. Emerald is very submissive but she still is strong especially towards the end standing up for herself and the other lionesses.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
Would I continue on with the series?: Yes
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
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Meeting the Characters
Ronin Alder
Emerald Lawson
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What happens?
Emerald Lawson has to face being blackmailed to be a mate to the Tarian Pride's alpha. Shes doing this to save her father from the pride and being killed. However when she arrives the pride is in an even worse state than she imagined. The alpha currently has 4 mates already all timid and broken while she isn't broken yet shes still not dominant.
Ronin is the New Tarian alpha, during a rescue operation to save Rose (Reaper's grandmother) he also captures Emerald after she faints from seeing him kill another lion. Remembering Emerald from their childhood he begins to show her that she doesn't have to be the timid submissive lion and could in fact be a queen.
Final thoughts
This was a really good first book of a series, this links to her other books and it helps reading them in an order but you don't have to. It just makes a little more sense.
I loved Ronin, hes a strong alpha without being a prick and I liked that about him. Emerald is very submissive but she still is strong especially towards the end standing up for herself and the other lionesses.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
Would I continue on with the series?: Yes
February 10, 2019
*WARNING* contains adult situations
Ronin and Grim were teenage friends. Ronin was there when the Reaper was born, but the boys had different paths. Ronin doesn't like the way of the Old Tarian Pride, so he started a new Tarian pride. Ronin is struggling with the "team" thing, but they all agree not to abuse the females like the Old Tarians do.
Emerald was taken from the Old Tarian Pride when she was 14. Emerald's parents saw how the females were abused and degraded, so they took their young lioness and ran. Emerald's mom died, but her and her dad had moved around enough that that she was safe from the council and the Old Pride. Emerald came home to find her dad missing and for him to be released, she had to become the mate of the Old Tarian Pride's Alpha.
I absolutely adore that Ronin and Grim were childhood friends. I like that Grim and the daughters of beast make an appearance. Vyre even makes an appearance! I really like bringing some of the previous characters into the story, because they are all wonderful. This story is a little more violent then some of the shifter books I've read, but nothing over the top, they are animals after all. One more thing....There is some adult situations going on, but it's short, infrequent, and does NOT dominate the story. Always a pleasure reading books by Joyce.
Ronin and Grim were teenage friends. Ronin was there when the Reaper was born, but the boys had different paths. Ronin doesn't like the way of the Old Tarian Pride, so he started a new Tarian pride. Ronin is struggling with the "team" thing, but they all agree not to abuse the females like the Old Tarians do.
Emerald was taken from the Old Tarian Pride when she was 14. Emerald's parents saw how the females were abused and degraded, so they took their young lioness and ran. Emerald's mom died, but her and her dad had moved around enough that that she was safe from the council and the Old Pride. Emerald came home to find her dad missing and for him to be released, she had to become the mate of the Old Tarian Pride's Alpha.
I absolutely adore that Ronin and Grim were childhood friends. I like that Grim and the daughters of beast make an appearance. Vyre even makes an appearance! I really like bringing some of the previous characters into the story, because they are all wonderful. This story is a little more violent then some of the shifter books I've read, but nothing over the top, they are animals after all. One more thing....There is some adult situations going on, but it's short, infrequent, and does NOT dominate the story. Always a pleasure reading books by Joyce.
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