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A Winter Starr #6
The Alien Reindeer’s Bounty
Mads + Odessa = 4EVA
Except forever ended when Mads kissed Odessa, bit her and then ghosted her.
Twelve years later, he’s back and looking to pick up where they left off.
Um, no thank you. Odessa has more to think about than her own heart. She’s now a single mom and can’t afford to get involved with a man with a track record of vanishing.
It doesn’t matter that he’s haunted her dreams for years. Or that when they’re together, she feels like she can finally breathe. And it certainly doesn’t matter that her traitorous body craves his touch.
Besides, Mads hoards secrets like they’re made of chocolate.
One, he’s an alien shifter. Like he turns into a reindeer with antlers and everything.
Two, that bite made them bonded mates.
And the third secret is the most dangerous of all.
How can they have a second-chance at love when the sins of the past threaten to tear them apart?
The authors of Starr Huntress were given a challenge: give readers a reindeer shifter in your holiday story. We all agreed to call our shifters “reilendeer” and decided they bring good cheer to the world around them… and then we went crazy! You might notice differences about the world and abilities of the reilendeer from story to story, and that’s because each author has put her own spin on the challenge.
Now it’s time to grab your eggnog, cuddle up by the fire, and enjoy these steamy alien shifters.
Except forever ended when Mads kissed Odessa, bit her and then ghosted her.
Twelve years later, he’s back and looking to pick up where they left off.
Um, no thank you. Odessa has more to think about than her own heart. She’s now a single mom and can’t afford to get involved with a man with a track record of vanishing.
It doesn’t matter that he’s haunted her dreams for years. Or that when they’re together, she feels like she can finally breathe. And it certainly doesn’t matter that her traitorous body craves his touch.
Besides, Mads hoards secrets like they’re made of chocolate.
One, he’s an alien shifter. Like he turns into a reindeer with antlers and everything.
Two, that bite made them bonded mates.
And the third secret is the most dangerous of all.
How can they have a second-chance at love when the sins of the past threaten to tear them apart?
The authors of Starr Huntress were given a challenge: give readers a reindeer shifter in your holiday story. We all agreed to call our shifters “reilendeer” and decided they bring good cheer to the world around them… and then we went crazy! You might notice differences about the world and abilities of the reilendeer from story to story, and that’s because each author has put her own spin on the challenge.
Now it’s time to grab your eggnog, cuddle up by the fire, and enjoy these steamy alien shifters.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2019
About the author
Nancey Cummings
67 books421 followersNancey writes fun, fast and flirty scifi romances featuring feisty heroines and out-of-this-world heros. Nancey lives in an old house with her husband and two cats who have complaints with management. When she’s not writing, she enjoys video games, horror movies and anything involving time travel.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 14, 2019
...these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Corinth. 13:13
Mads is a alien reindeer shifter - a reilendeer. Throughout childhood, his best friend, his light, was Odessa. Odessa, whose friendship morphed into a crush, and then first love. He accidentally bit her lip with their first kiss, and initiated the mate bond. Then his family intervened, and he disappeared from Odessa's life. Twelve years later he returns. It's a hard crash landing back into life on Earth, and Odessa is not who or what she was. But he believes in the reality of the mate bond, and does his best to rekindle her feelings for him. His faith, his hope sustain them both through horrors and hurts - old and new - and in the end... No spoilers. Nancey Cummings' poignant tale of sadness, suffering, and unstoppable love brought me to sad tears, then happy tears, and made me smile.
Mads is a alien reindeer shifter - a reilendeer. Throughout childhood, his best friend, his light, was Odessa. Odessa, whose friendship morphed into a crush, and then first love. He accidentally bit her lip with their first kiss, and initiated the mate bond. Then his family intervened, and he disappeared from Odessa's life. Twelve years later he returns. It's a hard crash landing back into life on Earth, and Odessa is not who or what she was. But he believes in the reality of the mate bond, and does his best to rekindle her feelings for him. His faith, his hope sustain them both through horrors and hurts - old and new - and in the end... No spoilers. Nancey Cummings' poignant tale of sadness, suffering, and unstoppable love brought me to sad tears, then happy tears, and made me smile.
January 5, 2026
I do not enjoy second chance romance most of the time, and was unaware (my own fault for not looking at the synopsis before buying the ebook) until I started the book. It is written well, I am just a hard sale on the believability of a second chance and didn't buy into it here. I love this authors writing style a lot though, this just was not the book for me. I did push to finish instead of DNFing since I bought it hoping I would enjoy it in the end, but I would have just DNF'd this otherwise.
November 12, 2021
This is a sweet and steamy romance. Odessa loved Mads when they met as children but he disappeared and she didn't know where he went. Mads finally gets back to Earth and Odessa who he knew was his fated mate since they were children. Now Odessa has a little girl of her own and she is a little wary of Mads since he left her so long ago. Love wins although they have a few hurdles to get through first.
December 21, 2020
Not bad
The story wasn't too bad. An alien reindeer shifter Christmas theme. Very Interesting. I liked how it starts out how they met when they were young and meet up later as an adult. It has some scary scenes and some sinister characters in there just to warn you. To make up for that it does have an HEA.
The story wasn't too bad. An alien reindeer shifter Christmas theme. Very Interesting. I liked how it starts out how they met when they were young and meet up later as an adult. It has some scary scenes and some sinister characters in there just to warn you. To make up for that it does have an HEA.
February 3, 2024
This book was a very cute read and I really enjoyed the lives of the characters. It was a good quick read. I am a sucker for a good shifter book (alien or not). An admirable the storyline was good and the characters interacted well and I really liked the ending. I recommend this book
December 23, 2020
This is an absolutely delightful book! Mads and Odessa and the “calf” are fully realized characters that you want to bring home and keep. Don’t miss this tale!
August 14, 2023
Fun read. Great dialogue!
February 21, 2020
It's been twelve years since Mads was forced to leave his childhood friend and love of his life behind. He is so dedicated to getting back to Odessa that he is willing to risk everything for her. Once he finds her though, he will have to convince her to forgive him for leaving her without a word all those years ago. He will also have to explain he's an alien from planet Reilen and that he's a reilendeer shifter. He will also have to save her from the danger he unknowingly put her in.
This book is an original take on a second chance romance with likable characters and great writing. Mads and Odessa's love story has humor, sweetness, steam, and danger. I enjoyed this book very much. 4.5 stars.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.
This book is an original take on a second chance romance with likable characters and great writing. Mads and Odessa's love story has humor, sweetness, steam, and danger. I enjoyed this book very much. 4.5 stars.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.
November 15, 2019
3½⭐︎ rounded up.
This story is a really cute holiday read, complete with alien reindeer shifters and Hallmark movie elements. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about reindeer shifters but...
it works well enough. It was entertaining at least to try and figure out why reindeer would have fangs in their humanoid form. I mean. Really.
Odessa and Mads meet in the woods by their home when they are 10, and they become fast friends who develop into more as they mature.
Mads knew as soon as he met Dessa that she was destined to be his mate, but there's a problem: his kind see humans as a lesser species that is barely above a dog. 8 years later, Mads and Dessa finally kiss, only to have it go slightly awry—a bite happens, blood is consumed, and the mate bond is initiated but never completed. That same day Mads is taken back to his home planet by his father, and 12 years of hell starts for him while he struggles to find any way back to Earth that he can. Now a bounty hunter, Mads finally has a way back to Earth to go claim his Dessa and make right what's been wrong for so long.
Odessa is heartbroken after her BFF/first love shows up unexpectedly at her dorm, takes her out for a morning of fun and kisses her, only to return her and then disappears after telling her he needs to go back to Norway for a military obligation. Poof. No calls. No letters. Only one bizarre email during the entire 12 years. She dreams of him every night and can't stop thinking about him. After a one night stand with a school acquaintance, Dessa finds herself pregnant and throws her whole existence into raising her daughter, never dating again. She's never moved and until recently had stayed in her parents' home just in case Mads ever came back and tried to find her. Dessa is bitter and angry that she just can not get past her friend who ghosted her so many years ago, and then one day, who does she spy in town but him?
I can't lie, there's a good chunk of this book that made me want to take both of these characters and slap them around a bit, but it gets better if you muck through it. Once they're back on friendly terms and bantering, it's difficult not to love their energy together—as silly and juvenile as it is.
Our villain/conflict in this story could have used a little more love, but he's definitely creepy and deeply disturbed and disturbing. I want to know more about what was motivating that and why the obsession.
The plot on this one is pretty simple and laid back. No real high stakes peril involved. Just a lot of talk about holidays and food, which I can get behind.
This story is a really cute holiday read, complete with alien reindeer shifters and Hallmark movie elements. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about reindeer shifters but...
it works well enough. It was entertaining at least to try and figure out why reindeer would have fangs in their humanoid form. I mean. Really.
Odessa and Mads meet in the woods by their home when they are 10, and they become fast friends who develop into more as they mature.
Mads knew as soon as he met Dessa that she was destined to be his mate, but there's a problem: his kind see humans as a lesser species that is barely above a dog. 8 years later, Mads and Dessa finally kiss, only to have it go slightly awry—a bite happens, blood is consumed, and the mate bond is initiated but never completed. That same day Mads is taken back to his home planet by his father, and 12 years of hell starts for him while he struggles to find any way back to Earth that he can. Now a bounty hunter, Mads finally has a way back to Earth to go claim his Dessa and make right what's been wrong for so long.
Odessa is heartbroken after her BFF/first love shows up unexpectedly at her dorm, takes her out for a morning of fun and kisses her, only to return her and then disappears after telling her he needs to go back to Norway for a military obligation. Poof. No calls. No letters. Only one bizarre email during the entire 12 years. She dreams of him every night and can't stop thinking about him. After a one night stand with a school acquaintance, Dessa finds herself pregnant and throws her whole existence into raising her daughter, never dating again. She's never moved and until recently had stayed in her parents' home just in case Mads ever came back and tried to find her. Dessa is bitter and angry that she just can not get past her friend who ghosted her so many years ago, and then one day, who does she spy in town but him?
I can't lie, there's a good chunk of this book that made me want to take both of these characters and slap them around a bit, but it gets better if you muck through it. Once they're back on friendly terms and bantering, it's difficult not to love their energy together—as silly and juvenile as it is.
Our villain/conflict in this story could have used a little more love, but he's definitely creepy and deeply disturbed and disturbing. I want to know more about what was motivating that and why the obsession.
The plot on this one is pretty simple and laid back. No real high stakes peril involved. Just a lot of talk about holidays and food, which I can get behind.
November 13, 2019
I was first introduced to Nancey Cummings when I picked up Have Tail, Will Travel and I fell hard and fast for Merit and Kalini. After reading that book, I went straight to Amazon and purchased as many of her books as I could at the time and I have eagerly waited for any new book she releases.
While I love every pairing in her books, next to Merit and Kalini I have to say that Mads and Odessa are my second favourite couple. Mads and Odessa become friends at a young age and that transforms into love on both their parts as they grow older. The only problem is that Mads is forced to leave and there is a 12 year gap before the two of them are reunited. When Mads finally returns to Odessa, he finds out that she has a daughter and isn't too keen on seeing him.
I would rate this book on a sweeter scale rather than steamy; don't get me wrong, there is a lot of interaction between Mads and Odessa but I found the relationship between the two of them sweet and tender with moments of intense passion.
If you're looking for a sweet holiday romance, this book is for you. Nancey Cummings delivers as she always does. Mads is a hot-as-sin reindeer alien with a sassy-and-sweet-as-can-be mate in Dessa. And I know you'll fall in love with these two and the rest of Dessa's family.
While I love every pairing in her books, next to Merit and Kalini I have to say that Mads and Odessa are my second favourite couple. Mads and Odessa become friends at a young age and that transforms into love on both their parts as they grow older. The only problem is that Mads is forced to leave and there is a 12 year gap before the two of them are reunited. When Mads finally returns to Odessa, he finds out that she has a daughter and isn't too keen on seeing him.
I would rate this book on a sweeter scale rather than steamy; don't get me wrong, there is a lot of interaction between Mads and Odessa but I found the relationship between the two of them sweet and tender with moments of intense passion.
If you're looking for a sweet holiday romance, this book is for you. Nancey Cummings delivers as she always does. Mads is a hot-as-sin reindeer alien with a sassy-and-sweet-as-can-be mate in Dessa. And I know you'll fall in love with these two and the rest of Dessa's family.
December 17, 2019
Oh man. Childhood BFFs who become bonded mates (accidentally, but still) who are then separated by circumstances neither of them can control. MY HEART. Seriously, though, Mads being systematically brainwashed that the mate bond isn't real (especially when applied to a human, a species considered categorically primitive by his people) and forced to stay away from the one person he neeeeeeeds more than anyone else in the universe was rough. ROUGH.
Not that Odessa's circumstances were any better. She believes Mads abandoned her without a backward glance (which is FAR from the truth) and it takes her a while before she's willing to listen to what really happened after he rolls back into town. The fact she has a kiddo now and has tried to move on with her life after he left, BUT COULDN'T BECAUSE MADS IS PRETTY DARN AWESOME made her reluctance to want to reconnect understandable. If he broke her heart so completely when they were younger, what can he do to it now?
A whole bunch of secrets. A (more than) slightly off-kilter scientist. A little danger. A boatload of misconceptions to work around. And Mads and Odessa. Good stuff.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Not that Odessa's circumstances were any better. She believes Mads abandoned her without a backward glance (which is FAR from the truth) and it takes her a while before she's willing to listen to what really happened after he rolls back into town. The fact she has a kiddo now and has tried to move on with her life after he left, BUT COULDN'T BECAUSE MADS IS PRETTY DARN AWESOME made her reluctance to want to reconnect understandable. If he broke her heart so completely when they were younger, what can he do to it now?
A whole bunch of secrets. A (more than) slightly off-kilter scientist. A little danger. A boatload of misconceptions to work around. And Mads and Odessa. Good stuff.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
October 17, 2019
This was a very good alien/human romance with a little bit of everything thrown in. Mads is the alien reindeer shifter who meets his neighbor, Odessa, in the woods one day when they are children. The two become fast friends and are inseparable until Odessa goes off to college. Mads comes to visit her to tell her he has to leave to go back to "Norway" to fulfill his required military obligation and will be out of touch for awhile. He accidentally bites her lip and starts the mating bond.
Of course, "Norway" is really his home planet of Reilen and communication with anyone on Earth will be impossible. Since Reilens consider Earth to be a hostile, backwards planet, Mads has a hard time finding a way to return to Odessa. It takes him twelve years to get back. Odessa now has a daughter and a life that does not include Mads. To say she is mad at him would be an understatement. Can he get back what he lost so many years ago?
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
Of course, "Norway" is really his home planet of Reilen and communication with anyone on Earth will be impossible. Since Reilens consider Earth to be a hostile, backwards planet, Mads has a hard time finding a way to return to Odessa. It takes him twelve years to get back. Odessa now has a daughter and a life that does not include Mads. To say she is mad at him would be an understatement. Can he get back what he lost so many years ago?
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
November 13, 2019
An Accidental Bonding
Ah, young love! Mads accidentally bites his best friend during a kiss, which unbeknownst to him, leads to their bonding. Mads is a young reindeer shifter from another planet, living on Earth with his family. His best friend, Odessa, is human. Mads family is recalled to his home planet and they must leave immediately—no goodbyes. This causes no end of sorrow and regret for Mads, bewilders and slowly angers Odessa. Twelve years pass and Mads has grown and become an operative for his planet. He finally is allowed back on Earth
to continue his planet’s intelligence gathering operations and searches out his love, Odessa. During those years without Mads, Odessa became pregnant and married--her husband later dies in an accident. But Odessa is left with a beautiful baby girl and lives her life to raise little Ruby. Our H/h come together again, and the whole love/existence of aliens/unknown danger/mad scientist plotlines yield an entertaining read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Review Copy of this book.
Ah, young love! Mads accidentally bites his best friend during a kiss, which unbeknownst to him, leads to their bonding. Mads is a young reindeer shifter from another planet, living on Earth with his family. His best friend, Odessa, is human. Mads family is recalled to his home planet and they must leave immediately—no goodbyes. This causes no end of sorrow and regret for Mads, bewilders and slowly angers Odessa. Twelve years pass and Mads has grown and become an operative for his planet. He finally is allowed back on Earth
to continue his planet’s intelligence gathering operations and searches out his love, Odessa. During those years without Mads, Odessa became pregnant and married--her husband later dies in an accident. But Odessa is left with a beautiful baby girl and lives her life to raise little Ruby. Our H/h come together again, and the whole love/existence of aliens/unknown danger/mad scientist plotlines yield an entertaining read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Review Copy of this book.
November 19, 2019
This book took a bit to get into but the journey was enjoyable Mads and his parents live on earth but are recalled back home to the planet Reilen but not before Mads makes friends with Odessa and falling in love as children now with Odessa in college he goes to her and tells her he must leave and forfill his military obligations and will return when he can and bites her lip in a kiss and now they are bonded mates. Fast forward 12 yrs and Odessa has married became a widower after an accident that took her husband but left her with her beautiful daughter Ruby to raise alone and now Mads is back on earth to find Odessa and take up where they left off but things have changed since he has been gone and Odessa has a child now and is still angry at him. Can they ever get back the love what started so long ago or is it to late.
November 13, 2019
🎀 Lovely ending with peace, 💕love and joy for an alien and his bonded human 🎁
3.5-4🌟.❄👨👩👧🌨
I think for me little Ruby, heroine Odessa's irrepressible, veggie-hating daughter, was the star of the story. I felt the last half, with all of its action and the arrival of Christmas, was much better than the start of the story which read a bit scattered. Good use of a villain/evil scientist. Having aliens who can shift into reindeer was unusual but kept with the Christmas season theme and setting. But sporting a full rack of antlers while in their two-legged form: that's just strange!🙄
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
3.5-4🌟.❄👨👩👧🌨
I think for me little Ruby, heroine Odessa's irrepressible, veggie-hating daughter, was the star of the story. I felt the last half, with all of its action and the arrival of Christmas, was much better than the start of the story which read a bit scattered. Good use of a villain/evil scientist. Having aliens who can shift into reindeer was unusual but kept with the Christmas season theme and setting. But sporting a full rack of antlers while in their two-legged form: that's just strange!🙄
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
November 15, 2019
I adore childhood sweethearts! The beginning highlighted some wonderful moments between the hero and heroine as they grew up together. I loved Odessa and Mads right from the start. They were perfect for each other. And Ruby was such a doll!
This book was such a sweet, heart warming story. I swear I was smiling so much while turning the pages. Mads and Odessa's text conversation about tools? Oh my gosh, so funny. Of course there were also moments of suspense and sadness, but they overcame them (wouldn't expect anything less!). It was all a wonderful story, and something absolutely perfect for the holidays! This might be my favorite Nancey Cummings book to date!
This book was such a sweet, heart warming story. I swear I was smiling so much while turning the pages. Mads and Odessa's text conversation about tools? Oh my gosh, so funny. Of course there were also moments of suspense and sadness, but they overcame them (wouldn't expect anything less!). It was all a wonderful story, and something absolutely perfect for the holidays! This might be my favorite Nancey Cummings book to date!
October 26, 2019
I absolutely loved everything about this book. Definitely not your typical PNR that's for sure. There plenty of intrigue, action, suspense, and of course steamy romance to keep you hook from beginning to end and so much more. I can't wait to see what else is in store for this series. Overall a enjoyable and entertaining read. I voluntarily read and review this ARC no monetary compensation was received the opinions I have expressed are my own.
November 15, 2019
Mads and Odessa so different but yet alike.
It took a moment to figure out the sequence of events for the story line but once you get use to it the story get interesting.
Just so you know it is not really a sappy holiday story but a story about perseverance in seeking your own personal happiness.
Just thinking about knowing at age ten what would make you happy for a lifetime but obstacles get in the way.
It took a moment to figure out the sequence of events for the story line but once you get use to it the story get interesting.
Just so you know it is not really a sappy holiday story but a story about perseverance in seeking your own personal happiness.
Just thinking about knowing at age ten what would make you happy for a lifetime but obstacles get in the way.
November 13, 2019
I love the connection Mads and Odessa have. It spans years before their unfortunate parting. Mads of course has some explaining to do when he shows back up in town expecting things to be the same. There are several sweet moments between them and some suspense thrown in there to make it even better. *I received an Arc for my honest opinion.*
November 3, 2019
This book by Nancey Cummings is part of the Winter Starr series, and it is wonderful! Mads is such a sweetheart even after ghosting Odessa while she has gone on to be a strong woman who lives life on her own terms while raising her daughter. There's not much space war in this book, but there's plenty of adventure and story. Snuggle up with some hot cider and s'mores and enjoy!
November 15, 2019
I really liked this story. Its about Mads an alien reindeer shifter and Odessa and follows them as they meet as children and until he leaves. Then picks up 12 years later when Mads returns. It made me laugh out load and groan a few times. Well worth reading as just a bit steamy where it should be. And I loved how this Christmas story included its "reindeer". I loved it.
October 13, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book 📚, it has a good storyline. There is action and adventure, the chemistry and interaction between the characters Odessa and Mads is wonderful. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
November 14, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book, it has a good storyline of second chances. The chemistry and interaction between the characters Odessa and Made is wonderful. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
November 17, 2019
So fun!
I loved the characters in this story. It was the perfect alien-shifter, Hallmark movie Christmas romance complete with small town, interfereing parents, a Christmas tree lot scene, and a HEA on Christmas day.
I loved the characters in this story. It was the perfect alien-shifter, Hallmark movie Christmas romance complete with small town, interfereing parents, a Christmas tree lot scene, and a HEA on Christmas day.
October 12, 2019
A good story with an unusual animal. Loved to read it.
November 13, 2019
This is such a fun story to read. Romance, mates, second chances, reindeer. Interesting and highly entertaining! I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
November 15, 2019
Endearing characters
Another delightful, entertaining read. It has endearing characters and an intriguing storyline. I would definitely recommend it.
Another delightful, entertaining read. It has endearing characters and an intriguing storyline. I would definitely recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews