Claimed in Forbidden

Alphas & Alchemy: Fierce Mates #1

by Keira Blackwood, Liza Street

I don’t date—especially when it comes to humans. She rolls in like a bulldozer, smashing all my rules to bits. She’s human, and she’s my mate.

She’s got scrapbooks. She’s got dreams. She’s got an obnoxious tendency to micromanage everything I do. It’s her bed and breakfast and her renovation project, but I don’t take orders.

I can’t stop watching her. The wolf in me wants to play, to mark her, to claim her as mine.

And when a creepy-ass monster threatens my human woman? I’ll protect her and keep her safe, even if she runs when she sees the real me.

I’ll make her my mate, if only I can convince her that I’m anything but a monster.


Claimed in Forbidden is the first book in the Alphas & Alchemy: Fierce Mates series. Do you love hot alphas, feisty heroines, and steamy love scenes? Of course you do. ;) One-click Claimed in Forbidden for a suspenseful shifter story you won’t want to put down!

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Ebooks, Werewolves

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2020

About the author

Sassy. Snarky. Supernaturally Sparkly.

Keyboard ninja, late-blooming bibliophile, proud geek, animal lover, eternal optimist, visual artist.

USA Today Bestselling Author Keira Blackwood writes exciting paranormal romance and romantic urban fantasy with all the snort laughs and all the feels.

For news, exclusives, and your free book, sign-up for Keira's newsletter: http://www.keirablackwood.com/newslet...

Reviews

[Chalice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The couple: Declan and Daphne

Romance genre: shifter
Series: Alphas & Alchemy: Fierce Mates
Length: 112 pages

Plot: Daphne has moved to town to start a bed and breakfast business. She bought the old house sight unseen, and might be paying for that bad decision now. The place needs a lot of work, not to mention that it's haunted. Declan, the town's alpha, also runs a remodeling business with his family, and Daphne hires them to fix some stuff up around the place. Declan doesn't want to get involved with a human, but there's a lot of paranormal activity around the place, and someone needs to protect her, and maybe she's not so bad after all.

Commentary: This wasn't exactly a slow burn, given the length, but they both resisted a little more than I expected. I think the best part of the story was Declan's family. They were funny for the most part, and I love how Daphne was able to win over the one grumpy brother.

Next book in the series: Fated in Forbidden

[Brynn Gabby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was kinda just a heap of crap.

You wanted character development? Sorry. Shit outta luck. (Not that I WANTED to learn any more about our riveting heroine, who scrapbooks and owns a pink set of tools…)

Okay, but the relationship development is good at least, right? Ha- there IS no relationship development.

So, the plot must save it then! Sure… if a completely boring and pointless iteration of the “house renovation” trope sounds good to you, then maybe. Oh, plus they fight a slug.

The “slug monster” was… creative, but also utterly lame. Like, this thing never hurt anyone… the scariest thing it ever actually did was shuffle along the side of the road. I guess the idea has some merit, but it was executed so poorly it made me laugh more than anything.

At least the side characters added a lot to the appeal…

I’m kidding. They’re even more one-dimensional than the main characters, if that’s even possible.

I could forgive a lack of one or two of the above, but this book just gave us nothing.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting premise, but mediocre execution. It would massively benefit a longer timeline. A bulk of the story felt like it happened in 3-4 days.
Everything seemed to happen within a few days and there’s NO build up. NO tension. NO stakes to be invested in.
Also the characters go from being annoyed and basically hating one another to being in love within what feels like a paragraph. There needs to be more of a realistic build up because it just comes off as amateur and weak. Like something you’d find on a new Wattpad account.
Also what was with the parents? It’s not really explained in a concise way.

[Lillibet · Rating 1 out of 5]

An hour and a half of my life I’ll never get back

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this pair of authors and I’ll definitely be looking out for more by them in future. This is a paranormal romance set tin the town of Forbidden where there live a mix of humans and paranormals, though the humans aren’t aware of the nature of their fellow citizens.

Daphne is trying to escape from her over protective, controlling parents. She’s moving to Forbidden to run a B&B in the beautiful mansion that she’s bought without actually visiting to see it…… When she arrives she finds it anything but beautiful! It’s old, in need of lots of repairs and there’s something weird about it all . . . . When a family of builders turn up offering to help her restore the building she’s not sure just what she’s getting into – but she’s determined to succeed and prove her parents wrong, she will make a go of it!

Declan is the town’s Alpha but he’s business boss is his sister and his workmates are his brothers. I really hope there will be more stories set in Forbidden and look forward to discovering how the rest of Declan’s family meet their mates and what they encounter en route to doing so.

With a great mix of paranormal beings, a mysterious giant slimy slug and hundreds of smaller ones, this is a definitely different and fun paranormal romance. This is a steamy paranormal romance with added mystery and suspense together with a great sense of community.

At the moment this book is available as a free download from Amazon.

[LMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claimed in Forbidden: A Wolf Shifter Romance (Alphas & Alchemy: Fierce Mates Book 1) By: Keira Blackwood
She Came For Independence... But She's Gett'n "Claimed in Forbidden!"
She just wants OUT from under Her Family's proverbial Thumb...
Cuz they're FAR too Controlling for comfort,
Sooo, in a Freedom seek'n bid...
She buy a supposed Mansion... Sight UnSeen!
Cuz She's dying to open a B&B!
Only She gets an Eerie Asylum instead...
Which includes it's OWN resident Monster... A Creep'n Slug King!
Good thing Her General Contractor has Skills...
Including some He didn't advertise...
Like the fact He's a Monster too;
One who gets Big & Hairy...
As in a Wolf who's also Her MATE!
Talk about mak'n ask'n for a Date awkward...
Especially, as She's gett'n "Claimed in Forbidden!"
I was granted, via B00|{$P®0UT, an ARC of Keira Blackwood's "Claimed in Forbidden: A Wolf Shifter Romance (Alphas & Alchemy: Fierce Mates Book 1)." I recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!
My Rating Sytem:
4🌟: I like IT a lot. Great, Solid Story w/ few if any inconsistencies or errors. This is a HIGH Rating, & I rarely give OUT a Higher Rating.
If My Review is helpful to you, please check the box below~ Thank You.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Shifter Haven

I know that I’m going to get an amazing story even before I swipe open my Kindle when that first story in a new series is by Keira Blackwood and Liza Street – one writing duo that has never let me down yet (and I’m not expecting them to… ever). This time around we’re combining Keira’s Alphas & Alchemy with Liza’s Fated Mates in the small town of Forbidden, Kentucky for Claimed in Forbidden, and not only are you going to get a great sexy story but you’ll be laughing your.. backside… off with the zingers and the situations these people find themselves in.

In her determination to get out from under her parents’ constant bid for control and unwanted advice Daphane has bought, sight unseen, what she thought was a mansion in the small town of Forbidden, Kentucky to turn into her dream Bed & Breakfast. Only, that’s definitely not a mansion more like an asylum and it’s not unoccupied, at least by anything human.

Meet two equally stubborn people, each in their own way, with a combination dislike on sight/lust definitely on sight beginning relationship and you’ll have the groundwork laid for a fun, sexy ride. Add one creepy, icky, disgusting villain – the kind even our hero shivers in disgust at, and you’ll definitely finish Claimed in Forbidden in one sitting. What you really need to know before picking up Daphne and Declan’s story can be found in the Cover Description – and no, I’m not going to spoil one bit for you.

I had such fun with Claimed in Forbidden. I absolutely love a hero who isn’t at all perfect (who can live with perfect?). And Declan is far from perfect, but then Daphne has her own quirks as well. But together they fire up the page with sexual tension, banter, and zingers which I loved. This one had me smiling and chuckling throughout most of it and has set the stage for Fated in Forbidden which releases in March of 2020. If you love a really good Shifter Romance liberally laced with magic – the go pick this one up, now.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

[Annette Drewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun-filled shifter romance. I agree with Declan, ‘slugs’ can definitely keep well away from me too. ‘Forbidden’ seems to be an intriguing town and this family is certainly a mixed bag. I laughed at the characters’ antics and cringed at the slug trails. Daphne is determined to make it on her own and with this great shifter family to support her, I see that developed more in future books. I loved this story and look forward to reading more in this series as they come.

[Sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute short story that I recommend for filler.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/30/2020)! 🎁

[Leigh Brooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love discovering new authors so when looking for a new cozy, romantic read, I came across this series. And I'm glad I picked it up, for it has all the things I love so much in these types of books, suspense, humor, tension, a bit of spice and of course romance. Being only 134 pages long it's a quick read that you can fit in-between books when you want something lighter in tone. I'll definitely be checking out the others in this series as I found it to be very enjoyable with engaging characters.

Arriving in the town of Forbidden, Daphne Forsythe is excited to embark on a new life and start work on her dream to open a B&B. But when she pulls into the driveway of the 'beautiful mansion' she has just purchased, she realises she's been duped. For in its place stands what looks to be a creepy condemned murder house. Undeterred, and armed with her trusty scrapbook along with her can do attitude, Daphne is determined to make it work and turn the place into something special.

For Declan O'Malley, alpha wolf shifter and construction worker, this job is one step away from being hell. Not interested in dating anyone - let alone a human, he is surprised when he finds himself drawn to the peppy Daphne. And when danger lurks in the basement of the old mansion, he finds himself wanting to protect the woman who has wormed her way into his heart.

Daphne is one of those characters that really made me smile, optimistic, determined with a sunshine perspective that I found endearing, I have to say I liked her immediately. When she finds out that the place she brought wasn't what she expected, well she rolls up her sleeves and gets stuck in anyway. When the fur hits the fan, she takes it in her stride. And her mantra of I can do hard, has become my new favourite catchphrase.

Declan, grumpy to Daphne's sunshine, is the construction worker who along with his siblings is hired to help fix up the place. I found it hilarious that as a alpha wolf shifter who normally would be terrifying to most people, he is scared of bugs. Of course when first meeting Daphne it doesn't go smoothly but as time goes on you get to see the softie underneath the gruff exterior and you realise how sweet he actually is.

With each book looking like it's going to follow a different sibling I'm looking forward to book 2. So for a fun, easy read with some unexpected twists check this out today. Totally recommend 😁

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Can Do Hard!

Daphne is on her way to being the proud owner of a mansion, in a quaint small town called Forbidden, but an rundown Asylum????? Where to start? Then when I do get someone that can help me repair the place, turn it into a Bed & Breakfast if it's possible, one of the siblings is a rude, ornery, but oh sooooo hot dude...Not going to help thinking that way...

In strut the O'Malley siblings.....These boys can do up a fixer upper in the bat of an eye and their sister can run their not too prosperous business, but the haunted asylum? But when Declan realizes there are bugs all over the place, he is ready to skedaddle out of there, only problem is this uncanny desire to stick around and protect the insufferable human.....Who knew a human could make the alpha touch those slimy slugs he is so afraid of?

Daphne released the king of slugs when she pried that front door open, will it be the end of her dreams?

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne bought a "beautiful mansion" online that is in the small town of Forbidden but when she gets to the house, she discovers that she's been duped and the house is in total disrepair. Still, she's determined to transform the house into a B and B even after finding out it had been an asylum. Declan, an alpha wolf shifter, and his siblings are hired to renovate the old house. He initially tries to avoid Daphne because she's human but his wolf has other ideas.

This is the first in the series and I really enjoyed this book. The book's well-written with a wonderful cast of characters and it drew me in from the beginning, keeping me hooked on this steamy romance. I'm very eager for the next Forbidden story and i highly recommend this one. Keira Blackwood and Liza Street make an excellent writing team.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by this duo. I really enjoyed it. I wish it was a little longer. I feel like it could’ve benefited from more detail that you’d get with more length, but for the size of the book, they told the story really well. I absolutely loved Daphne. She has such a bubbly, positive, and sweet personality. Daphne seems like she is looking to “start” her life, her way. She has a plan, and if things don’t go exactly as she anticipated or envisioned, that’s okay. “I can do hard things”. Loved!!!
Declan was a little harder for me to get. Some details could’ve definitely helped here. However once you get more into the story I started to be able to see him better. Cute read, with a little sex, mystery and teeny bit of shifting thrown in.

[Christal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Daphne's favorite phrase - I can do hard. Since her beautiful mansion turned out to be a beaten down asylum, she is going to have work hard to turn it into the bed & breakfast of her dreams. In comes Declan, an Alpha and a wolf shifter, who along with his siblings, start the remodel of the old asylum. The first thing they have to do is get rid of the slugs and find out where they came from which turns out to be a harder task than they thought. Declan and his wolf knows Daphne is his fated mate although he denies it at first. This story has sweet and steamy moments, danger, some unexpected twists and some laughs along the way with a happy ending.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claimed in forbidden

Daphne bought the asylum but didn’t know that was what it was! When she got to her new home it wasn’t as described. But Declan and his brothers and sister got the job helping her fix the place up for it to be a bed and breakfast that she wanted. Had a slug problem but that got taken care of and they fell in love and they were mates! Can’t wait for the next book!

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claimed in Forbidden

Daphne saved up every penny to buy the old mansion in Forbidden to turn into a bed and breakfast. She didn’t expect it to be decrepit and falling down. She really didn’t expect Declan O’Malley to show up and offer to demolish it. Declan begins helping Daphne get her dream off the ground, but there is a lot going on under the surface. Declan being the Alpha of the Forbidden shifters is the least of the surprises.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s about two people who meet and fall in love within three days even though they can’t stand each other the day they met? They are also fighting off a human sized “slug king” that’s takes them all of 5 minutes to defeat. That’s the whole plot. I wish I could unread this book. But it added to my reading goal, so I’ll give it that. I’ll give the author one more try, but I don’t believe this is for me.🤦🏼‍♀️

[Bella Suarez-Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s okay

The storyline was nice but I think it needed something more. There is the MC who wants to do things for herself, then she finds out she is in a town of supernatural and that something sluggish is in her basement.... the brothers are funny and it nice how their story will be also done but I just found it ok... a good filler type of book. :)

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

She wanted her independence and moved away from her family and ends up moving to a supernatural town. She wanted to own a B & B what she did not know was it used to be an asylum and has its own "monster"
Declan was helping her renovate the place and get rid of the slugs (eww). This is a cute story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen]

Not rating this one because it’s just a unique kind of book, lol. Not bad, but definitely campy and rom-commy. Think “Bewitched” tv show vibes. It was a super fast read, maybe 2 hours? It was cute and a light, easy read. That said, don’t expect a ton of character development or deep dive into the romance or world. Overall, it was good, but not the usual shifter story haha.

[Shannon Risdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot and funny romance

Oh they've done it again!! Buying an asylum was a mistake but ended up being a good one. After a rocky start our leading couple come together to beat an unexpected squatter..and of course generate lots of heat...with a HEA that will have you grinning!! Into the next brother I think...

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a wolf shifter contractor meets the new owner of a run down asylum determined to make it a Bed & Breakfast, he instantly is attracted and recognizes her as his mate. He has his work cut out for him as he battles the decrepit building and tries to make her plans come true, while they fight to stay safe. His family interactions are funny and heartwarming.

[Audry Wichelns · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the heck is with the slugs?

She is trying to get away from her parents and become independent. Unfortunately, she is a little too trusting since the place she bought is a total wreck. Luckily she called the right place to help her get the place renovated. Unfortunately, there is a huge pest problem. Good read with a HEA!

[Laurette Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claimed in Forbidden

Declan and Daphne. This is a good, easy read. The storyline is interesting and not complicated, the characters are interesting. We have shifters, a cool witch and a scary slug monster. I won’t say more about the story. There are sexual scenes that may offend some readers.

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was weird. I couldn't tell if this was a Romcom or a thriller. The tone was all over the place, and it's way too short. No character development, no relationship build-up (one page they hate each other, the next they're eating each other's faces) and plot elements that are brought up to be forgotten later on.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehhh... the story was going ok for a quick read. Lost me at the choice of monsters being slugs. i had to force mysef to keep reading about a slug king. It didnt match the story at all in my opinion and was so random.
Also not a huge fan of how quickly they fell "in love". Went from working a couple days together to in love and mates. It was way to quick with no development.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne and Declan

This is a good, well written, shifter romance. Daphne has bought a 'mansion' to turn into a B&B. She finds it to be an asylum. In need of a lot of work. Just her luck, a family of construction workers stop to help. Read an find out if Daphne gets her B&B.

[Sharon Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story!

Forbidden is a small town with super natural people living in it. With the new owner of the bed & breakfast comes to open up the old Asylum & the fields of crops start dying , what a wolf shifter to do!!!

[Desiree Derouen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forbidden sounds like a adventurous & sexy place to be.

Forbidden sounds like a adventurous & sexy place to be. Pretty good start to the beginning of a series if I do say so..... Moving on to see what’s gonna happen next!!