Elise’s life sucked; she was stuck in a dead-end job as a check-out girl at the local grocery store, she didn’t have enough money to go to college to better her life, and her father who’d abandoned her and her mother when she was only a small child keeps reappearing in her life to screw it over.
But now things have just fallen to a whole new level of crappiness even she couldn’t imagine!
Her dead-beat father has struck a bargain with a Fae lord and offered her up as his bride to save his own worthless skin.
Unfortunately, she discovers once a deal is struck with one of the immortal folk, there’s no way out…
Callum, the mysterious Fae lord, comes for her personally, spiriting her away to his cold, wintry realm. She’s given no choice but to marry him and remain his captive. But Elise isn’t about to give up––she’s concocting a plan to escape. Only she’s in danger of losing herself heart, body and soul, to this brooding, chiselled, Fae warrior before she can realize her plan.
Meanwhile, war is brewing in the Kingdom, and Callum has been ordered to ready the army of troops in his garrison to march for battle.
There are enemies in the shadows and conspiracies happening behind closed doors, and he and Elise will find themselves caught in the crossfire. Will Elise be able to find out Callum is her fated mate before war erupts around them and tears them apart? Or will she abandon him in his greatest moment of need, when she’s unexpectedly given a chance to return home?
*Bartered to the Fae Lord is a standalone steamy paranormal romance with a HEA. Each book in the Fated Mates series will feature a different couple with a complete story.*
Currently putting up past reviews from my Blog on GR because I forgot at the time oops 😅
This book had a lot of potential but it didn't manage to blow everything out of the water. Another round of two of editing would have also done this book a lot of good. One thing that I hadn't come across in books that I figured out with this one that bothers me to no end is consistent exclamation points in inner monologues. Is the person supposed to be screaming in their own head? That doesn't sound fun. Also ending a sentence with an ellipsis has become a grammar pet peeve of mine from this book forward.
Elise started off like a character who was going to wreak havoc on the prince but that never came to fruition. Instead, she ended up liking where she was at and falling for him after a few days of stewing in her anger at the situation. Personally, I found it strange how she never inquired about visiting her mom (who had done nothing wrong and only tried her best to help her) or having her mom visit her. She was just forgotten in the story.
Callum got off to a very villain-esk start. Let's call what he did what it actually was: kidnapping. It was all due to Elise's father throwing her under the bus but we find out a bit of titillating information (which is a spoiler I won't be mentioning here) and it kind of put him in an icky light if you ask me. Their chemistry didn't come off correctly through the writing. It was just something that one day wasn't there and then *boom* there it goes.
The ending was a little too rushed. I would have loved to have been present when Elise went to the king and the conversation they had. I also would have liked a little more motive for the villain (whose name escapes me now) to have done what he ended up doing. There was one interaction that was creepy and everyone on edge and then *boom* everyone is proved right. I would have liked more of a lead up to it, is what I'm trying to say. Overall, it was an enjoyable book! Though, I think this author and her writing have great potential it's just not there yet for me.
My Favorite Quotes:
"Bad things can happen unexpectedly - it's a part of life."
"You don't need to feel guilty or ashamed for pursuing something you are passionate about - even if others may not understand; if it brings you joy, you should do it. "
What happens when you've been bartered into marriage with a total stranger? And, what if the stranger wasn't human? Thanks to her father, Elsie finds herself in this situation. Thrust in a different world and married to an immortal, Elsie must find a way back to her life before she falls in love with her husband.
This story provides some "aspects of reality" within the story. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I really enjoyed the characters. I thought she was smart and interesting especially the way she thought in regards to Callum. I thought that Callum should have been honest since the beginning but it worked out in the end
Enjoyable read with a fast moving plot. Elise had the gumption to make the most of her new life, and I like how she retained her caring nature, but developed a stronger backbone. Callum was your stereotypical fae male protagonist: swoon-worthy, protective, and honorable. Elise & Callum's relationship developed at a reasonable pace and was built on friendship, not insta-love. Plus, the side characters were precious. There's also a super sweet epilogue :D I just wish
The blurb sounded great and I really wanted to love this book but I never could get interested in it. I was having to go back and re-read parts because my mind was wandering and I couldn't stay focused on it. The plot had potential to be much better in my opinion. I think the biggest turn off for me was my dislike for Elise. I just never felt a connection or liked her much as a character. Overall, I thought the book to be too boring for my taste.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book one in the Fated Mates series a well written story by an Author I have not read before. I want to read the next book in this series. Fae lord Callum and human Elise’s story there is suspense, drama, danger,twists, turns, bargains struck, a villain, portals, capture, and romance. Once I started reading I was not putting this book down. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As we get to know a little about Elise's family. Hardworking mother she loves dearly and a deadbeat dad. Who they just found out that her father just basically sold her to a stranger for marriage. Calling is the stranger and as she's arriving home he's there in a horse to pick her up. He is a Fae Lord and she will become his wife and Lady of the castle. The steamy scences come near the 3/4 reading.
Please, someone get this author a thesaurus, a dictionary, and maybe an editor who can be like "oh no, no, nope, that doesn't actually make any sense at all."
*coughs*
*leprechauns*
The thing is, it's kinda cute! It has so much potential! It's just the execution. I would put this on a "needs heavy editing" shelf. I can see why there are good reviews. It's just not my cuppa. 🙃🤷🏾♂️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏾♂️🤷🏼♀️
I enjoyed reading this book! I do love romantic fantasies and the Fae world of high lords and feudal kingdoms. So magical! Callum is quite the alpha charming. If Elise knew the real reason he bartered for her, I believe she would have jumped into his arms! It was fated!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Elise is taken by Callum to the fae world, and they get married. Elise wants to go home, but slowly begins to like Callum. There is treachery against both of them. There are surprises in the plot. Elise is no damsel in distress. She takes matters into her own hands when faced with adversity.
This book was sweet. If you like lady heros who aren't afraid to kick butt and fated mate stories then read this book.
My only critique is that I have a really hard time swallowing the idea that faeries or the fae use zippers. That's totally just a preconceived notion on my part though.
This was a great read with characters that are well developed and engaging and have chemistry. The storyline is well written and flows smoothly from page to page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s an ok book. Took me a bit to get into it. Wasn’t a fan of how the time jumped from Elise getting to the portal and then back to Callum. I would have liked to witness the encounter with the King and, their journey back.
Enchanting story of deceit betrayal and love. Bartered to a strange man in another reality Elise by her father her world becomes a very strange experience.
I found this book to be very enjoyable to read but then I really like this kind of stories. Hate it when I am told how many words so have to write down.