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Dark Wing #1
Hidden Heart
He has no chance at the girl of his dreams. Unless he can convince her she belongs to him and not his alpha brother…
Aurora Berry loves her shifter best friend like a brother. But she’s completely caught off-guard when he pressures her to fulfill the mating pact they made sixteen years ago. Though she’s willing to do it to stabilize his leadership, she hates giving up her own quest for her one and only.
Duncan Larsen has long envied the close relationship his sibling and Aurora share. And he’s devastated to learn she plans to go through with their childhood pledge. But after sensing Aurora might have cold feet, he holds out hope he may yet have a chance.
With the trio crammed into tight quarters on a cruise, Aurora struggles to decide whether to follow her duty or her heart. And when Duncan attempts to spend time with her, he invokes the fury of his alpha brother.
Can Aurora and Duncan avoid the wrong fate and create their own happily-ever-after?
Hidden Heart is the first book in the engrossing Dark Wing paranormal romance series. If you like fated mates, magnetic attractions, and smoldering love triangles, then you’ll adore Ellie Pond’s electric story.
Aurora Berry loves her shifter best friend like a brother. But she’s completely caught off-guard when he pressures her to fulfill the mating pact they made sixteen years ago. Though she’s willing to do it to stabilize his leadership, she hates giving up her own quest for her one and only.
Duncan Larsen has long envied the close relationship his sibling and Aurora share. And he’s devastated to learn she plans to go through with their childhood pledge. But after sensing Aurora might have cold feet, he holds out hope he may yet have a chance.
With the trio crammed into tight quarters on a cruise, Aurora struggles to decide whether to follow her duty or her heart. And when Duncan attempts to spend time with her, he invokes the fury of his alpha brother.
Can Aurora and Duncan avoid the wrong fate and create their own happily-ever-after?
Hidden Heart is the first book in the engrossing Dark Wing paranormal romance series. If you like fated mates, magnetic attractions, and smoldering love triangles, then you’ll adore Ellie Pond’s electric story.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2020
296 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Pond
47 books201 followersEllie Pond is an author of Paranormal Romance. Ellie’s had many professions, including costume designer, contract archeologist, organic farmer, fabric store owner, and airline gate agent. She’s happy to be a full-time writer now. She lives in New England with her three teenage sons, husband, and father. It’s a lot of testosterone. To combat all the Axe body spray in the house, Ellie likes to travel. You can follow her on social media for her travel adventures, when we can do that kind of thing again.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 22, 2020
This has too much going on. I love the core story of Aurora and Duncan, but it got lost in all the other couples and moving parts. There are at least two other couples, a feud, an angry dragon, and premonitions. Because there's so much happening in this short of a story, it felt like Duncan and Aurora got lost in the shuffle.
I do like the idea of fated mates and a ship that brings them together. Plus all the different kinds of shifters were fun and I'd like to know more about them, especially the dragons.
This should have been longer so everything didn't feel jammed together. Then we would have had time to explore the different couples and the witch/wolf feud without being overwhelmed and with an abrupt ending.
I do like the idea of fated mates and a ship that brings them together. Plus all the different kinds of shifters were fun and I'd like to know more about them, especially the dragons.
This should have been longer so everything didn't feel jammed together. Then we would have had time to explore the different couples and the witch/wolf feud without being overwhelmed and with an abrupt ending.
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October 17, 2025🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/12/2021)! 🎁
April 20, 2021
Cute and sweet. But not that kind of sweet... There's definitely some spice in this. Just a sweet kind of story- long time crushes confess, everyone ends up happy-ish, that kind of thing.
The first chapter felt disjointed to me and it was difficult to follow the dialogue. Also difficult to keep up with the world building; paranormal elements were just kind of dropped on you.
After that, things improved. It was much easier to read.
The characters felt immature to me. Only one character had a specified age (32), but it's implied that several characters are close to that age and one character is 8 years older. For a group of 30-40 year olds, they spoke and acted more like young 20's. It didn't make sense to me either: I think you could just change the age of the pact to 25, adjust everyone's ages, and the whole thing would have come together nicely.
Also, more of a personal opinion, but this story had a lot of the "self-denial" trope in it. You know, where the MC won't let herself be with someone because the LI "might find true love some day". Girl, please. Go get what you want.
So, good story with some minor issues for me. And I do mean for me... Not everyone will have the same hangups. If you like shifter romance and the blurb sounds interesting, I'd say go for it.
The first chapter felt disjointed to me and it was difficult to follow the dialogue. Also difficult to keep up with the world building; paranormal elements were just kind of dropped on you.
After that, things improved. It was much easier to read.
The characters felt immature to me. Only one character had a specified age (32), but it's implied that several characters are close to that age and one character is 8 years older. For a group of 30-40 year olds, they spoke and acted more like young 20's. It didn't make sense to me either: I think you could just change the age of the pact to 25, adjust everyone's ages, and the whole thing would have come together nicely.
Also, more of a personal opinion, but this story had a lot of the "self-denial" trope in it. You know, where the MC won't let herself be with someone because the LI "might find true love some day". Girl, please. Go get what you want.
So, good story with some minor issues for me. And I do mean for me... Not everyone will have the same hangups. If you like shifter romance and the blurb sounds interesting, I'd say go for it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2020
This is an interesting story with strong characters in Aurora,Spencer and Duncan. As childhood friends,Aurora and Spencer made a pact to marry when he was thirty-two if he didn't meet his mate.Now though,she only wants friendship with Spencer and Duncan is hoping she picks him instead. This is their story. It's well written,moves fluidly but does end with a bit of a cliffhanger. It's an enjoyable story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
September 28, 2023
Enjoyable
The book starts out very confusing, so many different points of view starting at different points in the story not making much sense making it hard to understand who is who and how they fit in. Eventually things make sense and I started to enjoy where the author was trying to go. It was an enjoyable story, not sure if I liked it enough to read the rest of the books though...
The book starts out very confusing, so many different points of view starting at different points in the story not making much sense making it hard to understand who is who and how they fit in. Eventually things make sense and I started to enjoy where the author was trying to go. It was an enjoyable story, not sure if I liked it enough to read the rest of the books though...
August 1, 2020
** Review for the SECOND EDITION**
This is a fun shifter romance read. The story is filled with drama, danger, and suspense. This is an entertaining story of fated mates, reluctant mates, love triangles and plenty of emotions. I really enjoyed this story and am excited for the next book in the series. I enjoyed the romance between Aurora and Duncan. Characters are interesting and are dynamic.
This is a fun shifter romance read. The story is filled with drama, danger, and suspense. This is an entertaining story of fated mates, reluctant mates, love triangles and plenty of emotions. I really enjoyed this story and am excited for the next book in the series. I enjoyed the romance between Aurora and Duncan. Characters are interesting and are dynamic.
July 16, 2020
Aurora won a gamers 2 week competition cruise, but all the Larsen boys went along too. When she and Spencer the alpha were younger they had made a pact that neither were mated when he turned 32 she would be mated to him but she really didn’t want that. Duncan and her were pulled to each other but his wolf never said mate until Spencer saw his mate he then released Aurora, then his wolf started saying that she was his mate. So they finally were mated and married! They had to go through a lot to get together in the end! But loved this book! I will have to see what other books Ellie Pond wrote!
July 31, 2020
I felt that the author had the ability to convey some depth to the personalities of the characters bringing life and likability to every person.
The writing draws you in and keeps you interested until the end.
I was very impressed with how simply and effortlessly this author told this addicting, multi-layered story with well-developed world building and great characters.
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
The writing draws you in and keeps you interested until the end.
I was very impressed with how simply and effortlessly this author told this addicting, multi-layered story with well-developed world building and great characters.
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
August 11, 2020
This book was sent free as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second of Ellie's Dark Wings books and I loved it as much as the first. I loved to hear Aurora's story. The conflicts with Aurora and her best friend (will they or won't they?) And Duncan's hopes - it makes for fascinating reading. Totally captured my imagination and I'll be definitely looking for more from Ellie. A very talented author.
This is the second of Ellie's Dark Wings books and I loved it as much as the first. I loved to hear Aurora's story. The conflicts with Aurora and her best friend (will they or won't they?) And Duncan's hopes - it makes for fascinating reading. Totally captured my imagination and I'll be definitely looking for more from Ellie. A very talented author.
May 17, 2020
Book one in the Dark Wing Series a well written start to this series I want to read the next book. I enjoyed reading. Aurora Berry, Duncan Larsen, and his brother Spencer's story and finding out what she does. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 1, 2020
AWESOME READ!!! I enjoyed this story. The story line is unique and good. The personalities, thoughts and emotions of the characters are clearly reflected. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love and romance story! A definite read for any fan and I can't wait to read more from this author!!!.
May 12, 2020
I received a free advanced copy from Hidden Gems in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I really wanted to like this book. Shifter stories, fated mates and even unrequited love are usually well-within the realm of my go-to reads, but I found most of the book to be just laden with frustration.
Aurora (a human) and Spencer (a shifter alpha) made a pact years ago that they would choose to mate (and thus, override fate's choice in a mate for him) if he hadn't found his match by his 32nd birthday. She dreads his birthday, as she believes he truly will find the person he's meant for, and she doesn't love him as anything other than the brotherly best friend he's acted like for their entire lives. His pack (and her close friends) are all aware of this agreement they've made, and that she is actually legitimately attracted to another one of their friends - one who is ACTUALLY very much in love with her. But instead of encouraging their alpha to look elsewhere and not hold Aurora captive to this childish pact, they come across as more condescending than anything else, with pitying glances, comments about hiding her arousal for someone other than their alpha when it's present, etc.
Even our main triangle aside, considering the book itself takes place on a cruise that is rumored to help true mates find one another, not a single couple in this story actually met and fell in love without some issue coming into play. Three-quarters of the book was straight-up drama, with the very last 25% introducing what I assume to be the overreaching plot for the series. While there were brief snippets of this conflict earlier in the book, it was so brief and so buried by the lovesick ache between the pages that when it was fully brought to attention later on, it almost felt out of left field.
This may be well-liked by others, but I personally just found the plot imbalanced and hard to get through.
I really wanted to like this book. Shifter stories, fated mates and even unrequited love are usually well-within the realm of my go-to reads, but I found most of the book to be just laden with frustration.
Aurora (a human) and Spencer (a shifter alpha) made a pact years ago that they would choose to mate (and thus, override fate's choice in a mate for him) if he hadn't found his match by his 32nd birthday. She dreads his birthday, as she believes he truly will find the person he's meant for, and she doesn't love him as anything other than the brotherly best friend he's acted like for their entire lives. His pack (and her close friends) are all aware of this agreement they've made, and that she is actually legitimately attracted to another one of their friends - one who is ACTUALLY very much in love with her. But instead of encouraging their alpha to look elsewhere and not hold Aurora captive to this childish pact, they come across as more condescending than anything else, with pitying glances, comments about hiding her arousal for someone other than their alpha when it's present, etc.
Even our main triangle aside, considering the book itself takes place on a cruise that is rumored to help true mates find one another, not a single couple in this story actually met and fell in love without some issue coming into play. Three-quarters of the book was straight-up drama, with the very last 25% introducing what I assume to be the overreaching plot for the series. While there were brief snippets of this conflict earlier in the book, it was so brief and so buried by the lovesick ache between the pages that when it was fully brought to attention later on, it almost felt out of left field.
This may be well-liked by others, but I personally just found the plot imbalanced and hard to get through.
June 18, 2020
3.5 of 5 stars
This is a modern day 'Love Boat' for supernaturals. The ship is owned by Matthias, a dragon shifter and assisted by seer witches in making sure some of their passengers find their fated mates.
Aurora Berry, a human, who is on the ship for a game tournament accompanied by Spencer the pack alpha, his brother Duncan and the cousins, Tad and Gunthar, who are all wolf shifters.
The trip has added stress because when they were younger Aurora and Spencer made a pact that if he hadn't found his fated mate by the time he turned thirty-two they would mate. Even though Aurora likes Spencer she no longer thinks this is a good idea, but he's turning thirty-two at the end of the week and it looks like he's going to call in their pact.
Spencer spends most of the book acting like an overbearing alpha jerk, uncaring about his people, until he gets a wake up call and a fist to his jaw. He's not very likeable and I'm glad we know from the blurb he's not her fated mate, so I'm not giving anything away.
Duncan is Spencer's brother and has wanted Aurora for a long time but because of his brother he has never made a move, but his wolf can't help acting out on the ship getting him into all kinds of trouble and pain.
If all of that isn't enough going on Tad stumbles upon his fated mate and she doesn't appear to want anything to do with him.
Plus there's ship shenanigans behind the scene and witch and shifter drama, pulling a reader in many directions leaving them unsure where to focus.
I would have liked more focus on the couple and saved some of the extra storyline details for future books. It felt like a lot of far reaching details and less depth on our current story. But there were lots of hints and teasers for future books so hopefully it will start coming together better in the next book.
I received an ARC copy and am voluntarily leaving a review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/
This is a modern day 'Love Boat' for supernaturals. The ship is owned by Matthias, a dragon shifter and assisted by seer witches in making sure some of their passengers find their fated mates.
Aurora Berry, a human, who is on the ship for a game tournament accompanied by Spencer the pack alpha, his brother Duncan and the cousins, Tad and Gunthar, who are all wolf shifters.
The trip has added stress because when they were younger Aurora and Spencer made a pact that if he hadn't found his fated mate by the time he turned thirty-two they would mate. Even though Aurora likes Spencer she no longer thinks this is a good idea, but he's turning thirty-two at the end of the week and it looks like he's going to call in their pact.
Spencer spends most of the book acting like an overbearing alpha jerk, uncaring about his people, until he gets a wake up call and a fist to his jaw. He's not very likeable and I'm glad we know from the blurb he's not her fated mate, so I'm not giving anything away.
Duncan is Spencer's brother and has wanted Aurora for a long time but because of his brother he has never made a move, but his wolf can't help acting out on the ship getting him into all kinds of trouble and pain.
If all of that isn't enough going on Tad stumbles upon his fated mate and she doesn't appear to want anything to do with him.
Plus there's ship shenanigans behind the scene and witch and shifter drama, pulling a reader in many directions leaving them unsure where to focus.
I would have liked more focus on the couple and saved some of the extra storyline details for future books. It felt like a lot of far reaching details and less depth on our current story. But there were lots of hints and teasers for future books so hopefully it will start coming together better in the next book.
I received an ARC copy and am voluntarily leaving a review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2020
Aurora wonder how many people actually know about her childhood pack with Spencer?
It probably had made since at the time however did make since now.
At the time being so young their thirties seemed so far off it practically had its own zip code.
But now his birthday was knocking and the last time she'd been on a date it didn't last long especially not when she had people voicing their opinions about the guy and there always was something dramatically wrong with them.
However she noticed little things Duncan would say but she had to admit there been times he just been right.
She knew the ramifications of what he'd really had been asking her to accept even if she had reservations.
Duncan just wish for once she'd listen to what he was really saying yes he understood that they'd been friends for ever and a freaking day but he felt like his stupid brother was pressuring her to accept less then told devotion.
Well here's a clue your someone else and with that he left.
Oh all the stupid things to come out if Spencer mouth I'm mean she could appreciate him asking if she wanted out of their pack but to have some nerve to tell her who she could date.
To say she was confused would be an understatement Aurora couldn't figure out why Duncan would react that way towards his own brother after all weren't they suppose to be happy for him.
Okay she'd just entire the twilight zone her leg had been killing her and now it wasn't anymore and what in the world was the doctor babbling about some type of what healing.
Nevertheless this cruise was becoming a spin off of some soap opera at sea and hopefully by the time there ship finally docked that everything would make sense and her life would be nothing but smooth sailing with the one she should have been with all along.
It probably had made since at the time however did make since now.
At the time being so young their thirties seemed so far off it practically had its own zip code.
But now his birthday was knocking and the last time she'd been on a date it didn't last long especially not when she had people voicing their opinions about the guy and there always was something dramatically wrong with them.
However she noticed little things Duncan would say but she had to admit there been times he just been right.
She knew the ramifications of what he'd really had been asking her to accept even if she had reservations.
Duncan just wish for once she'd listen to what he was really saying yes he understood that they'd been friends for ever and a freaking day but he felt like his stupid brother was pressuring her to accept less then told devotion.
Well here's a clue your someone else and with that he left.
Oh all the stupid things to come out if Spencer mouth I'm mean she could appreciate him asking if she wanted out of their pack but to have some nerve to tell her who she could date.
To say she was confused would be an understatement Aurora couldn't figure out why Duncan would react that way towards his own brother after all weren't they suppose to be happy for him.
Okay she'd just entire the twilight zone her leg had been killing her and now it wasn't anymore and what in the world was the doctor babbling about some type of what healing.
Nevertheless this cruise was becoming a spin off of some soap opera at sea and hopefully by the time there ship finally docked that everything would make sense and her life would be nothing but smooth sailing with the one she should have been with all along.
May 17, 2020
I feel really bad leaving this review, because I really wanted to love this book, but this book really didn't work for me. I think it has an amazing overall idea, but wasn't executed well.
This whole book read as a giant convoluted mess. There were so many secondary stories, that the main story was hardly told. The description of this book was about Aurora, Spencer, and Duncan. However, I feel like this was only half of the book. The writing was not great, the story telling was rough, and the whole thing felt like the author couldn't figure out what they wanted to say. The whole start of the book was a confusing disaster of way too many "main" characters. This could have been written into 2 different books and probably would have been much better off. On top of that, when the book ended I was super confused. It did not feel like the book was coming to an ending so much as it just stopped. Then, the epilogue wasn't even about the main characters from the description of the book. This book had all of the things that I love to read about, but it was delivered poorly. I would not recommend this book as it is, even though the actual idea of this book (not talked about in the description) was good.
I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review.
This whole book read as a giant convoluted mess. There were so many secondary stories, that the main story was hardly told. The description of this book was about Aurora, Spencer, and Duncan. However, I feel like this was only half of the book. The writing was not great, the story telling was rough, and the whole thing felt like the author couldn't figure out what they wanted to say. The whole start of the book was a confusing disaster of way too many "main" characters. This could have been written into 2 different books and probably would have been much better off. On top of that, when the book ended I was super confused. It did not feel like the book was coming to an ending so much as it just stopped. Then, the epilogue wasn't even about the main characters from the description of the book. This book had all of the things that I love to read about, but it was delivered poorly. I would not recommend this book as it is, even though the actual idea of this book (not talked about in the description) was good.
I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review.
May 22, 2020
A new author for me, so I wasn’t sure what to expect really.
Aurora Berry has been friends with alpha shifter Spencer Larsen since they were kids, and sixteen years ago they made a pact that they would mate if he didn’t find his true mate by the time he turned thirty-two. She loves Spencer like a brother, but as his birthday draws closer, she begins to regret the pact since she believes his true mate is out there and they shouldn’t rush into mating just to make Spencer’s leadership stronger. Duncan Larsen, Spencer’s brother, has secretly been in love with Aurora and wants to find a way to have her for himself, so when he see’s Aurora debating about her part in the pact, he wonders if he may have a chance after all.
There is a little confusion in the beginning, with so many characters being introduced, and several story lines happening all at once. The story of the book is supposed to be a cruise about helping shifters find their mates, but it just seemed to get lost somewhere along the way. Hopefully the series will progress a little better since this is only book one.
Aurora Berry has been friends with alpha shifter Spencer Larsen since they were kids, and sixteen years ago they made a pact that they would mate if he didn’t find his true mate by the time he turned thirty-two. She loves Spencer like a brother, but as his birthday draws closer, she begins to regret the pact since she believes his true mate is out there and they shouldn’t rush into mating just to make Spencer’s leadership stronger. Duncan Larsen, Spencer’s brother, has secretly been in love with Aurora and wants to find a way to have her for himself, so when he see’s Aurora debating about her part in the pact, he wonders if he may have a chance after all.
There is a little confusion in the beginning, with so many characters being introduced, and several story lines happening all at once. The story of the book is supposed to be a cruise about helping shifters find their mates, but it just seemed to get lost somewhere along the way. Hopefully the series will progress a little better since this is only book one.
November 1, 2022
Mates in Love
This is a new-to-me author, but I loved this book, and would like to read the rest of the series.
Aurora is a young woman, who has not realized her abilities. She has made a pact with Spencer, to mate with him, if he doesn’t find his true mate by a certain age. He is the alpha of his pack of wolf shifters. There really is no attraction between Spencer and Aurora, but they are close friends.
Duncan is Spencer’s brother, and he has had an attraction to Aurora, but has had to hide his feeling, because he believes that Spencer and Aurora are true mates. Through various occurrences, while on a cruise ship, true feelings are discovered between Duncan and Aurora, but Aurora discovering that she is a witch, causes complications.
Spencer finds his true mate, but that mate is also a witch, and they are unable to become true mates. Duncan and Aurora finally admit their feelings for each other, and become mates, and finally obtain their HEA.
I enjoyed this book, and recommend to anyone wanting to read about shifters and witches, and their mating.
This is a new-to-me author, but I loved this book, and would like to read the rest of the series.
Aurora is a young woman, who has not realized her abilities. She has made a pact with Spencer, to mate with him, if he doesn’t find his true mate by a certain age. He is the alpha of his pack of wolf shifters. There really is no attraction between Spencer and Aurora, but they are close friends.
Duncan is Spencer’s brother, and he has had an attraction to Aurora, but has had to hide his feeling, because he believes that Spencer and Aurora are true mates. Through various occurrences, while on a cruise ship, true feelings are discovered between Duncan and Aurora, but Aurora discovering that she is a witch, causes complications.
Spencer finds his true mate, but that mate is also a witch, and they are unable to become true mates. Duncan and Aurora finally admit their feelings for each other, and become mates, and finally obtain their HEA.
I enjoyed this book, and recommend to anyone wanting to read about shifters and witches, and their mating.
Read
May 17, 2020This is the start of a new series and I must say I found it a little frustrating and drawn out but I will try the next book in the series because it could have been just the setting of the parameters for the rest of the series
Years earlier Aurora who is human and Spencer who is a wolf shifter and the alpha to boot made a pact if he hadn't found his mate by 32 and she hadn't married they would mate Now that time has come and he is bringing up their deal. The only problem is that his brother Duncan really loves Aurora and for some reason she seems to be the only one that really gets him. AS they all spend time on the cruise Aurora has to question whether to give into Spencer's demands or actually follow her heart to Duncan Meanwhile Spencer is becoming totally unreasonable about Duncan and Aurora's relationship. Can the mated pair realise what they would be giving up and can he Duncan choose his mate over his family You will have to read to see
Years earlier Aurora who is human and Spencer who is a wolf shifter and the alpha to boot made a pact if he hadn't found his mate by 32 and she hadn't married they would mate Now that time has come and he is bringing up their deal. The only problem is that his brother Duncan really loves Aurora and for some reason she seems to be the only one that really gets him. AS they all spend time on the cruise Aurora has to question whether to give into Spencer's demands or actually follow her heart to Duncan Meanwhile Spencer is becoming totally unreasonable about Duncan and Aurora's relationship. Can the mated pair realise what they would be giving up and can he Duncan choose his mate over his family You will have to read to see
January 29, 2021
This book had great potential. Interesting story line, interesting world, but honestly I found myself confused through most of it. The book started with the dragon shifter Matthias, which confused me because the synopsis mentioned nothing of him. I didn't make the connection between him and the other story until a few chapters in. He just seemed very out of place. It almost feels like there were two different books trying to be told in one and it took away from Aurora's and Duncan's story. Based on the synopsis, I was really expecting more focus to be on them. Their story didn't seem to get enough of the love it deserved.
Overall, it needs a lot of work in the story telling department, but it's a interesting concept.
Overall, it needs a lot of work in the story telling department, but it's a interesting concept.
May 15, 2021
Hidden Heart
This is a fun reading book. Aurora has been friends with Duncan Larsen, his brothers and cousins for years. She made a pact with Duncan's brother, Spencer, when they were teenagers, they would mate if he did not find his mate by a certain age. Unknown to Aurora, Duncan had loved her from the time he met her but he thought she loved his older brother. Plus, Spencer is the Alpha and unknowingly, he was the reason Duncan kept getting nose bleeds and stomach problems.
A lot of things become known on the cruise that Aurora had won a tournament to be on for the final games. Fun times on the high seas.
This is a fun reading book. Aurora has been friends with Duncan Larsen, his brothers and cousins for years. She made a pact with Duncan's brother, Spencer, when they were teenagers, they would mate if he did not find his mate by a certain age. Unknown to Aurora, Duncan had loved her from the time he met her but he thought she loved his older brother. Plus, Spencer is the Alpha and unknowingly, he was the reason Duncan kept getting nose bleeds and stomach problems.
A lot of things become known on the cruise that Aurora had won a tournament to be on for the final games. Fun times on the high seas.
May 18, 2020
I was lucky enough to get a copy of this book through Hidden Gems and I voluntarily chose to review it. This is a well written book the characters are complex. I felt this had a cliffhanger ending. This isn't an easy read so give yourself time to read this one without a lot of interruptions. I will encourage you to give this one a chance. I will say I am interested in how this whole series plays out. This is the first book I have read by Ellie Pond but I will be reading more if only to see where this goes.
February 21, 2021
Lots of characters finding their mates
Great concept. Too many stories and POVs made it difficult for me to get sucked in to the story. A lot of things are going on and the POV chapters sometimes don't transition effortlessly. It abruptly shifts from one scene to something completely different. Duncan and Aurora's story was intriguing and I was rooting for them. I just felt there are many more unanswered questions about them.
I received a free copy of this book and I voluntarily reviewed it.
Great concept. Too many stories and POVs made it difficult for me to get sucked in to the story. A lot of things are going on and the POV chapters sometimes don't transition effortlessly. It abruptly shifts from one scene to something completely different. Duncan and Aurora's story was intriguing and I was rooting for them. I just felt there are many more unanswered questions about them.
I received a free copy of this book and I voluntarily reviewed it.
July 21, 2020
I love HEA books! Hidden Heart is definitely one if those books that I will continue to come back to.
Aurora is a witch in her own right and mist choose to between following through with a promise that she made when she was 12, or to follow her heart. There is plenty of drama in this book but it has such a beautiful ending. Definitely recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Aurora is a witch in her own right and mist choose to between following through with a promise that she made when she was 12, or to follow her heart. There is plenty of drama in this book but it has such a beautiful ending. Definitely recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 2, 2020
This was a different kind of read for me. Aurora and Spencer made a pact. If he didn’t find his destined mate before his 32nd birthday, they would take each other as mages. Neither of them loves the other. She sees him as a brother. However, Spencer’s brother has feelings for her and hopes they don’t go through with it. Will they keep the pact, or will they find their one true mates?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2020
It was alright I guess
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the world that the characters live in was not described well enough and it left a lot of questions. Like when did the war between the shifters and witches take place um how did it end? Like there was confusion about what started the war and what would start the war again and I just... I don’t know... I felt like the author rushed through the storyline and missed some details that readers would’ve liked to know.
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the world that the characters live in was not described well enough and it left a lot of questions. Like when did the war between the shifters and witches take place um how did it end? Like there was confusion about what started the war and what would start the war again and I just... I don’t know... I felt like the author rushed through the storyline and missed some details that readers would’ve liked to know.
March 6, 2025
Main Characters:
Aurora Berry & Duncan Larsen
Review:
I liked being on the Dark Wing again but this wasn't my favorite. This seems to be the first one that relates to the ship, so before the Dark Wing series but we still met everyone in that series. This was enjoyable but there were a lot of questions not answered.
Tropes:
-Construction
-Childhood Friends
-Magic
-Mates
-Monsters
-Shifters
-Siblings Best Friend
-Small Town -- Cruise Ship
Aurora Berry & Duncan Larsen
Review:
I liked being on the Dark Wing again but this wasn't my favorite. This seems to be the first one that relates to the ship, so before the Dark Wing series but we still met everyone in that series. This was enjoyable but there were a lot of questions not answered.
Tropes:
-Construction
-Childhood Friends
-Magic
-Mates
-Monsters
-Shifters
-Siblings Best Friend
-Small Town -- Cruise Ship
May 17, 2020
**3.5 stars
There is more going on than just a simple cruise... what secrets lie beneath the gorgeous exterior? What part do the coloured bands play when it comes to mates? And will the mysteries be explained. Rory and Duncan's friendship will never be the same.
A new series with a lot of background that I imagine will become more apparent as the characters are immersed into their stories.
There is more going on than just a simple cruise... what secrets lie beneath the gorgeous exterior? What part do the coloured bands play when it comes to mates? And will the mysteries be explained. Rory and Duncan's friendship will never be the same.
A new series with a lot of background that I imagine will become more apparent as the characters are immersed into their stories.
May 21, 2020
First let me state that I received an advanced reader copy, (ARC), but this in no way influences my review. I always leave an honest review.
Wow!!! What a gr8 story. A cruise ship similar to the "Love Boat", yet for fated mates. Each story is mostly about one couple, but it also touches on other couples. I really enjoyed this. I recommend this read. 5 Thumbs up
Wow!!! What a gr8 story. A cruise ship similar to the "Love Boat", yet for fated mates. Each story is mostly about one couple, but it also touches on other couples. I really enjoyed this. I recommend this read. 5 Thumbs up
August 16, 2020
This is the 2nd book I've read written by Ellie Pond; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
August 6, 2021
Fantastic!
I've had this book lying around in my Kindle for a while, but it got lost among all of the newer acquisitions. I was so happy that Ellie Pond suggested that Hidden Heart be read before the second book. NOW, I can read the next one without missing out on this Wonderful story.
I've had this book lying around in my Kindle for a while, but it got lost among all of the newer acquisitions. I was so happy that Ellie Pond suggested that Hidden Heart be read before the second book. NOW, I can read the next one without missing out on this Wonderful story.
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