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Blood Lust #1
Kept
Werecat, Greta Lawson is on the run from her tribe. They plan to sacrifice her on the next full moon to unleash the power in her potent magical blood. Only one man is strong enough to protect her... sorcerer Dayne Wickham. Will he kill her like so many others of her kind, or is his grudge against her family strong enough to save her?
Blood Lust (book 1) (Kept, Claimed, Mated)
Save My Soul (book 2)
The Catalyst (book 3)
Life Cycle (book 4)
Cat Fight
Dark Mercy
Blood Lust (book 1) (Kept, Claimed, Mated)
Save My Soul (book 2)
The Catalyst (book 3)
Life Cycle (book 4)
Cat Fight
Dark Mercy
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2008
23 people are currently reading
902 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Winters
26 books503 followersAuthor of paranormal romance and urban fantasy.
Book 6 in the Preternaturals series Available for Pre-order now at Amazon Kindle and Kobo Books.
Author Bio:
Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark paranormal romance and fantasy. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear.
She is known for her preternaturals series which combines romance front story with larger urban fantasy back story which develops over the course of several books.
Her world contains: demons, vampires, werewolves, werecats, and other shapeshifters, magic users such as witches and wizards, angels, and humans who are unaware of the magical world around them.
Zoe can be found at zoewintersbooks.com To subscribe to her newsletter, fill out the contact form.
Fun supplementary material for the preternaturals series can be found at theriantype.com
Book 6 in the Preternaturals series Available for Pre-order now at Amazon Kindle and Kobo Books.
Author Bio:
Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark paranormal romance and fantasy. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear.
She is known for her preternaturals series which combines romance front story with larger urban fantasy back story which develops over the course of several books.
Her world contains: demons, vampires, werewolves, werecats, and other shapeshifters, magic users such as witches and wizards, angels, and humans who are unaware of the magical world around them.
Zoe can be found at zoewintersbooks.com To subscribe to her newsletter, fill out the contact form.
Fun supplementary material for the preternaturals series can be found at theriantype.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
September 9, 2010
Eeh... Not terrible, just a rather generic storyline that's kind of boring. Part of that may be due to me not really getting into a shifter who turns into a cat (no, not the wild kind - the house kind).
This book did show me the importance of having some background information. While I hate info. dumps, I now realize a little background is needed in order to enjoy the story. This book has absolutely NONE. There is no explanation at all for why or how Greta is a cat sometimes, why she has super strength when she is human only or what super strength she has. Neither does it tell us anything her adopted Mother, who supposedly had a thing with both her father and Daymon, the sorcerer. It doesn't even explain Daymon, how did he become one, what makes him one, what powers does he actually have, the list could go on all night because there are no answers to ANY questions the reader naturally has. Good lesson to learn, at least it was a short book to learn it on.
This book did show me the importance of having some background information. While I hate info. dumps, I now realize a little background is needed in order to enjoy the story. This book has absolutely NONE. There is no explanation at all for why or how Greta is a cat sometimes, why she has super strength when she is human only or what super strength she has. Neither does it tell us anything her adopted Mother, who supposedly had a thing with both her father and Daymon, the sorcerer. It doesn't even explain Daymon, how did he become one, what makes him one, what powers does he actually have, the list could go on all night because there are no answers to ANY questions the reader naturally has. Good lesson to learn, at least it was a short book to learn it on.
August 11, 2010
Everyone knows that Greta is just an anagram for GREAT , don't they?
Well, you should!!
You should also know that every single Greta on the entire planet is super obsessed with their name. You really really need to know that. It's true. I know. I'm addicted to my own name. And I'm not the only one lolz. I've even done a blog post about how awesome my name is lolz. (Btw... my name is not ERIKA... but we've cleared that up before lolz)
I guess all the Gretas of the world are quite narsasistic in a way. Not with ourselves.... wait... we kind of are all in love with ourselves. But you should really blame our parents for that. You don't name a child Greta (or a german shephard) without being ready to face some damage. That kid is going to grow up stamping her foot because she can't have a killer personalized bike plate or a most awesome monogrammed notepad... but if we find something that has those 5 little letters on it (or even a 'G'!) well... LOOK OUT!!
(and you guys wonder why Gwen Steffani lovers that letter lolz!! G babies work the same way lolz)
So, enough about how awesome my name is....
Let me tell you about this Novella.
1st off... you can get it for free on the author's website. No money no problem!! I loved that. It's 73 pages in pdf format and is a really fun read.
Greta (who is awesome because she has an awesome name) is a werecat (which is also awesome).
Hmmms... we need some theme music here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDXsgv...
Now, in the description, when I read she was a werecat I seriously was thinking Vincent from Beauty in the Beast. I was like "OMG!! Tre' cool!!" Butters... she's not a Beast... she's a kitty kitty meow meow. So, just like how TAY TAY turns into a wolfy woo... she turns into a house cat... OH!! A black sexy house cat who has to take pills everyday to keep her HEAT lover loo cycle in check.
That's right kids. -me-ow.
I really had no idea how horny cats were until I read this book.
Now, wait!! Before you think this book has feline humping... there isn't any of that... well, there's some humping (you can kinda tell by the cover... so I don't think that's a spoiler) but no cat on cat.
Anyways... Greta is a werecat and a hot to trot human (almost) 28 year old. She owns a book store, talks to vampires, and has to run to a socerer to protect her from ummm the plot of the book (well, if I told you that then it WOULD be a spoiler).
Insert Harry Potter!!
No no No no!!
What are you thinking? Harry Potter... I'm not that twisted :P
Insert Dayne!! The tall, grunge t-shirt wearing, muscualar noms who is willing to aleviate Greta's sexual desires (again... look at the cover... that is NOT a spoiler. I mean check out the title... it's called KEPT... why is he keeping her? lolz)
So, the book had a bit of choppiness and kinda read like some Fan Fiction authors write but I thought it was mega fun. I loved that the storyline was quick and breezy, the characters were cool, oh oh oh!! there's a RL cat in it, and all in all it was just cute and fun.
I would totally reccomend it if you are looking for an easy read.
And I would soo soo soo REC it to all the Gretas of the world. It was like reading a story that was just written for me. That was tre' cool!
Well, you should!!
You should also know that every single Greta on the entire planet is super obsessed with their name. You really really need to know that. It's true. I know. I'm addicted to my own name. And I'm not the only one lolz. I've even done a blog post about how awesome my name is lolz. (Btw... my name is not ERIKA... but we've cleared that up before lolz)
I guess all the Gretas of the world are quite narsasistic in a way. Not with ourselves.... wait... we kind of are all in love with ourselves. But you should really blame our parents for that. You don't name a child Greta (or a german shephard) without being ready to face some damage. That kid is going to grow up stamping her foot because she can't have a killer personalized bike plate or a most awesome monogrammed notepad... but if we find something that has those 5 little letters on it (or even a 'G'!) well... LOOK OUT!!
(and you guys wonder why Gwen Steffani lovers that letter lolz!! G babies work the same way lolz)
So, enough about how awesome my name is....
Let me tell you about this Novella.
1st off... you can get it for free on the author's website. No money no problem!! I loved that. It's 73 pages in pdf format and is a really fun read.
Greta (who is awesome because she has an awesome name) is a werecat (which is also awesome).
Hmmms... we need some theme music here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDXsgv...
Now, in the description, when I read she was a werecat I seriously was thinking Vincent from Beauty in the Beast. I was like "OMG!! Tre' cool!!" Butters... she's not a Beast... she's a kitty kitty meow meow. So, just like how TAY TAY turns into a wolfy woo... she turns into a house cat... OH!! A black sexy house cat who has to take pills everyday to keep her HEAT lover loo cycle in check.
That's right kids. -me-ow.
I really had no idea how horny cats were until I read this book.
Now, wait!! Before you think this book has feline humping... there isn't any of that... well, there's some humping (you can kinda tell by the cover... so I don't think that's a spoiler) but no cat on cat.
Anyways... Greta is a werecat and a hot to trot human (almost) 28 year old. She owns a book store, talks to vampires, and has to run to a socerer to protect her from ummm the plot of the book (well, if I told you that then it WOULD be a spoiler).
Insert Harry Potter!!
No no No no!!
What are you thinking? Harry Potter... I'm not that twisted :P
Insert Dayne!! The tall, grunge t-shirt wearing, muscualar noms who is willing to aleviate Greta's sexual desires (again... look at the cover... that is NOT a spoiler. I mean check out the title... it's called KEPT... why is he keeping her? lolz)
So, the book had a bit of choppiness and kinda read like some Fan Fiction authors write but I thought it was mega fun. I loved that the storyline was quick and breezy, the characters were cool, oh oh oh!! there's a RL cat in it, and all in all it was just cute and fun.
I would totally reccomend it if you are looking for an easy read.
And I would soo soo soo REC it to all the Gretas of the world. It was like reading a story that was just written for me. That was tre' cool!
November 15, 2010
Previously Published on my blog: Welcome to Larissa's Bookish Life
Blood Lust is a compilation of three Paranormal novellas, all part of Zoe Winters’ The Preternaturals Series. Each one tells the story of a couple and their journey into their Happily Ever After. All the stories are set in the same world and some characters cross over between them at times.
I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I tend to enjoy a shorter story now and then but I do prefer full length novels. I feel it is hard to make a HEA work in less than that.
However, I feel that Zoe has done an amazing job in introducing us to these characters, this world and telling their stories. I loved the mix of supernatural races that Zoe has written. We have Vampires, Cat Shifters, Werewolves, Witches, Warlocks, Demons and so much more.
Kept is the story of Greta, a cat therian (shifter), and Dayne, a very dangerous sorcerer. Greta’s life is in danger when she finds out that her tribe plans to sacrifice her because of something she has no control over, Dayne is the only one who can keep her safe. Dayne is HOT and his bad boy reputation gives him the privacy he needs, that is until Greta comes into his life and steals his heart.
Claimed is all about Anthony and Charlee. Charlee is Greta’s best friend and co-worker and for a while she has been flirting almost daily with this very hot man that keeps showing up at the store where she works. Anthony can’t seem to resist stopping by and flirting with Charlee, specially since her blood seema to draw him more than any other person’s blood has. But one night, Anthony loses control and does the imaginable, he drinks from Charlee. Ashamed of what he has done, Anthony erases her memory of the night, but something goes wrong and she wakes up the next day not remembering anything at all. Now, the only one who can help her claim her life back is the Vampire who took it all away in the first place.
We meet Jane in Claimed, when Greta meets her as one of Anthony’s adversaries’ girl. In Mated, Jane is now the being mistreated by another vampire and Cole, the local Werewolf Alpha, saves her by taking her as payment for gambling debts. Jane has been in Vampire’s radars for as long as she can remember, something about her just attracts them, but now she has the chance to leave that all behind. However, she is not sure how safe she is, hiding away in a Werewolf den, where one of them seems to be enjoying human meat.
I really enjoyed all these stories, but my favorite was Mated! I love a shifter and Cole is just a great specimen of the race LOL.
All in all, Blood Lust is a full plate for any Paranormal Romance lover out there! The romance is great, but it never overshadows the story, I think Zoe did a great job in balancing that out and I can’t wait for more books from her!
Blood Lust is a compilation of three Paranormal novellas, all part of Zoe Winters’ The Preternaturals Series. Each one tells the story of a couple and their journey into their Happily Ever After. All the stories are set in the same world and some characters cross over between them at times.
I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I tend to enjoy a shorter story now and then but I do prefer full length novels. I feel it is hard to make a HEA work in less than that.
However, I feel that Zoe has done an amazing job in introducing us to these characters, this world and telling their stories. I loved the mix of supernatural races that Zoe has written. We have Vampires, Cat Shifters, Werewolves, Witches, Warlocks, Demons and so much more.
Kept is the story of Greta, a cat therian (shifter), and Dayne, a very dangerous sorcerer. Greta’s life is in danger when she finds out that her tribe plans to sacrifice her because of something she has no control over, Dayne is the only one who can keep her safe. Dayne is HOT and his bad boy reputation gives him the privacy he needs, that is until Greta comes into his life and steals his heart.
Claimed is all about Anthony and Charlee. Charlee is Greta’s best friend and co-worker and for a while she has been flirting almost daily with this very hot man that keeps showing up at the store where she works. Anthony can’t seem to resist stopping by and flirting with Charlee, specially since her blood seema to draw him more than any other person’s blood has. But one night, Anthony loses control and does the imaginable, he drinks from Charlee. Ashamed of what he has done, Anthony erases her memory of the night, but something goes wrong and she wakes up the next day not remembering anything at all. Now, the only one who can help her claim her life back is the Vampire who took it all away in the first place.
We meet Jane in Claimed, when Greta meets her as one of Anthony’s adversaries’ girl. In Mated, Jane is now the being mistreated by another vampire and Cole, the local Werewolf Alpha, saves her by taking her as payment for gambling debts. Jane has been in Vampire’s radars for as long as she can remember, something about her just attracts them, but now she has the chance to leave that all behind. However, she is not sure how safe she is, hiding away in a Werewolf den, where one of them seems to be enjoying human meat.
I really enjoyed all these stories, but my favorite was Mated! I love a shifter and Cole is just a great specimen of the race LOL.
All in all, Blood Lust is a full plate for any Paranormal Romance lover out there! The romance is great, but it never overshadows the story, I think Zoe did a great job in balancing that out and I can’t wait for more books from her!
July 23, 2016
Well, this was incomplete. It is very apparent that the author is an amateur.
Phased and fazed are not the same thing.
So let's start with Greta being a shapeshifter that shifts into a cat. No, not a majestic tiger or lion but a house cat. A fucking house cat! I was really surprised. And not in a good way. My expectations took a serious nose dive, which turned out to be a very good thing.
"So, yeah I'm a cat and I need to borrow some clothes."
"I can appreciate your curiosity but I don't have time to go into Therian politics right now."
This is the only world building you really get in this novella. And that is unacceptable. You are introducing your readers into a whole new side of the world and you can't spare a few pages to give us the run down? I am definitely glad that there weren't any information dumps, but Winters decided to forgo information, period.
And as you can see the dialogue is really stiff. It doesn't get better either.
There is no character development. There are quite literally six characters in this book. Simon. Jaden. Anthony. Mr. Sorcerer. Charlee. And Greta. Benjamin doesn't really count. And there is nothing to any of them. They couldn't even be considered cardboard cut outs. They're just names.
There isn't really much of a plot either. As I am reading this, I am trying to figure out what is going on and what actually happened. I still don't really understand it. There is the one goal. Keep Greta from being sacrificed. There's a slight explanation for why she'd be sacrificed, but it's superficial and glossed over.
The side plot is the sorcerer whose name already escapes me--I finished this book no more than ten minutes ago. For some reason he's supposed to be evil, which could have been awesome. I wish he had been. But instead he is the love interest.
Speaking of love and sex. The romance is so underdeveloped. Dayne--that's his name--supposedly has some history with Therian's so there's no reason for him to have any attraction to Greta. He started off hostile but he really should have kept to it much longer than he did if there was to be any kind of interaction between the two.
The sexual encounters were not hot. The majority of them were actually disturbing and so close to rape, it's icky. The poor girl wasn't even in her right mind.
The biggest problem though, was that there were no building blocks to the story. Things just happened without any explanation for why they were happening. All of a sudden Greta is in heat because Winters needs a reason for Dayne and her to get it on. That's it. There was no mention of it beforehand.
There was no political development. There was nothing to support Simon being Greta's father. There was nothing to support Jaden's actions. It was actually gross to consider that Dayne had been sexually involved with the woman that Greta considered her mother. In fact, she had just learned that she wasn't.
There were no emotional ties to this story. The characters had none. Greta only shows neediness and weakness but nothing else. She doesn't react to anything she learns.
This book is empty. As it stands--it's a rough draft and needs some serious work.
Phased and fazed are not the same thing.
So let's start with Greta being a shapeshifter that shifts into a cat. No, not a majestic tiger or lion but a house cat. A fucking house cat! I was really surprised. And not in a good way. My expectations took a serious nose dive, which turned out to be a very good thing.
"So, yeah I'm a cat and I need to borrow some clothes."
"I can appreciate your curiosity but I don't have time to go into Therian politics right now."
This is the only world building you really get in this novella. And that is unacceptable. You are introducing your readers into a whole new side of the world and you can't spare a few pages to give us the run down? I am definitely glad that there weren't any information dumps, but Winters decided to forgo information, period.
And as you can see the dialogue is really stiff. It doesn't get better either.
There is no character development. There are quite literally six characters in this book. Simon. Jaden. Anthony. Mr. Sorcerer. Charlee. And Greta. Benjamin doesn't really count. And there is nothing to any of them. They couldn't even be considered cardboard cut outs. They're just names.
There isn't really much of a plot either. As I am reading this, I am trying to figure out what is going on and what actually happened. I still don't really understand it. There is the one goal. Keep Greta from being sacrificed. There's a slight explanation for why she'd be sacrificed, but it's superficial and glossed over.
The side plot is the sorcerer whose name already escapes me--I finished this book no more than ten minutes ago. For some reason he's supposed to be evil, which could have been awesome. I wish he had been. But instead he is the love interest.
Speaking of love and sex. The romance is so underdeveloped. Dayne--that's his name--supposedly has some history with Therian's so there's no reason for him to have any attraction to Greta. He started off hostile but he really should have kept to it much longer than he did if there was to be any kind of interaction between the two.
The sexual encounters were not hot. The majority of them were actually disturbing and so close to rape, it's icky. The poor girl wasn't even in her right mind.
The biggest problem though, was that there were no building blocks to the story. Things just happened without any explanation for why they were happening. All of a sudden Greta is in heat because Winters needs a reason for Dayne and her to get it on. That's it. There was no mention of it beforehand.
There was no political development. There was nothing to support Simon being Greta's father. There was nothing to support Jaden's actions. It was actually gross to consider that Dayne had been sexually involved with the woman that Greta considered her mother. In fact, she had just learned that she wasn't.
There were no emotional ties to this story. The characters had none. Greta only shows neediness and weakness but nothing else. She doesn't react to anything she learns.
This book is empty. As it stands--it's a rough draft and needs some serious work.
September 4, 2010
Kept wasn't entirely what I expected, but I liked it well enough. For a novella the characters are developed well, especially Greta's cat phases are deliciously detailed and ring true.
The story itself is interesting enough, the attraction while not really romantic, feels like a realistic attraction, the evil tribe leader plot felt threatening enough, so plotwise there wasn't anything wrong with it at all.
I've been reading a lot of novella's lately, and I think it's hard to write a good romance novella, because you need to solve the conflict and make the characters fall in love with eachother in a very limited page-frame. In the first half of the story I felt Greta should suffer from a way bigger impact from the huge betrayal she just suffered. It comes back a bit at the end, but still, she should have spared more thought at the fact that her whole family wanted to actively murder her.
So in the first half of the book she does the worldbuilding and conflict building really well, but her character's stay a little disconnected. In the 2nd half of the book, the characters and their emotions feel more fleshed out, but then the conflict gets a bit rushed.
It wasn't a bad story, it had its interesting and touching moments, but it could have been more.
The story itself is interesting enough, the attraction while not really romantic, feels like a realistic attraction, the evil tribe leader plot felt threatening enough, so plotwise there wasn't anything wrong with it at all.
I've been reading a lot of novella's lately, and I think it's hard to write a good romance novella, because you need to solve the conflict and make the characters fall in love with eachother in a very limited page-frame. In the first half of the story I felt Greta should suffer from a way bigger impact from the huge betrayal she just suffered. It comes back a bit at the end, but still, she should have spared more thought at the fact that her whole family wanted to actively murder her.
So in the first half of the book she does the worldbuilding and conflict building really well, but her character's stay a little disconnected. In the 2nd half of the book, the characters and their emotions feel more fleshed out, but then the conflict gets a bit rushed.
It wasn't a bad story, it had its interesting and touching moments, but it could have been more.
May 27, 2010
Aside from a sort of rough transition between Chapters 1 & 2, I really enjoyed this novella. I can count on one hand the number of cat-shifter books I've read, and I'll be looking for more after this. The world and magical properties are expertly and seamlessly built - it was completely believable and easy to become engrossed in the story.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone who likes paranormal romance.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone who likes paranormal romance.
February 20, 2015
A therian (shapeshifter)comes to full powers on their moon nearest their twenty eight birthday, but when it looks like that birthday may be her last Greta goes seeking the protection of the wickest mage around.
Cute little short read, the fact that the leading lady was a cat shifter, the meow kind not the roar kind was fun, and I liked the 'evil' mage too. I got this novella as a freebie somewhere and liked it well enough that I'll likely look for the other two in this trilogy.
Cute little short read, the fact that the leading lady was a cat shifter, the meow kind not the roar kind was fun, and I liked the 'evil' mage too. I got this novella as a freebie somewhere and liked it well enough that I'll likely look for the other two in this trilogy.
August 26, 2010
Kept by Zoe Winters is a free read on her site. It's book one in the Blood Lust Series and what a great start to a series. Being a novella it is pretty packed full of story, and an intense sexual entanglement between Greta and Dayne. Greta is on the run from her Tribe of Therian's after discovering she is to be a sacrifice on the full moon of her twenty eighth birthday. Dayne, a mean moody sorcerer with a bad reputation reluctantly takes her in, in exchange for her blood to use in his spells. He doesn't want her around and she is wary to be around him but has no other choice.
I loved these characters! Greta is smart and fiesty with a touch of vulnerability about her and Dayne is not your typical hero, but the more you see them together the more you understand why they're both as they are and want them to have a happy ending.
I really enjoyed seeing into the world Zoe Winters has created, there is lots of other worldly characters to meet and love as much as i loved Greta and Dayne, i really enjoyed the magic and shifter aspects and the passionate chemistry pulsed on the page between them, the sex scenes are deliciously scrumptious!
A great well rounded read that will leave you wanting to get right back to this world. And you can with 'Claimed' book two in the Blood Lust series. (review for that to follow)
A Purrrr-fic Read!
I loved these characters! Greta is smart and fiesty with a touch of vulnerability about her and Dayne is not your typical hero, but the more you see them together the more you understand why they're both as they are and want them to have a happy ending.
I really enjoyed seeing into the world Zoe Winters has created, there is lots of other worldly characters to meet and love as much as i loved Greta and Dayne, i really enjoyed the magic and shifter aspects and the passionate chemistry pulsed on the page between them, the sex scenes are deliciously scrumptious!
A great well rounded read that will leave you wanting to get right back to this world. And you can with 'Claimed' book two in the Blood Lust series. (review for that to follow)
A Purrrr-fic Read!
Read
February 25, 2012I’ve had Kept in my ebooks for a long time and thought I’d read it because it was quite short. I like cats and a werecat is something I would find fascinating in books.
I enjoyed Kept but like some novellas I felt that it lacked in detail for some things. At times I felt the plot whizzed by without much explanation and I did find it hard to follow.
I thought Greta was an interesting character. I liked that Zoe Winters portrayed her as a cat at times. Like, some of her characteristics when she was a human were like that of a cat. It was definitely a surprising but also a different thing.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Kept and thought it was quite interesting. I liked that it was unique with the werepeople and how they interact with vampires and such. It was a fun read and if you’re into adult paranormal stories then this one might appeal to you.
I enjoyed Kept but like some novellas I felt that it lacked in detail for some things. At times I felt the plot whizzed by without much explanation and I did find it hard to follow.
I thought Greta was an interesting character. I liked that Zoe Winters portrayed her as a cat at times. Like, some of her characteristics when she was a human were like that of a cat. It was definitely a surprising but also a different thing.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Kept and thought it was quite interesting. I liked that it was unique with the werepeople and how they interact with vampires and such. It was a fun read and if you’re into adult paranormal stories then this one might appeal to you.
August 17, 2010
* * *
--These books in 6 words:
romantic new paranormal world to love
--Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?
I had never heard of the series prior to Stella’s (Ex Libris) giveaway of the three novellas that kick off Zoe Winter’s Blood Lust series. I really enjoyed these books and was VERY happy to hear that they were just the beginning of a new series! I actually thought that these would make good novels. There was a little steam in two of the stories, but overall they were just great paranormal love stories.
I’d also like to take a minute to say how amazing Zoe’s website is and how they even have a full TherianType.com site (from the books). Very impressive!!
--Read the full review here : http://www.25hourbooks.com/2010/08/bl...
--These books in 6 words:
romantic new paranormal world to love
--Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?
I had never heard of the series prior to Stella’s (Ex Libris) giveaway of the three novellas that kick off Zoe Winter’s Blood Lust series. I really enjoyed these books and was VERY happy to hear that they were just the beginning of a new series! I actually thought that these would make good novels. There was a little steam in two of the stories, but overall they were just great paranormal love stories.
I’d also like to take a minute to say how amazing Zoe’s website is and how they even have a full TherianType.com site (from the books). Very impressive!!
--Read the full review here : http://www.25hourbooks.com/2010/08/bl...
August 11, 2010
As Greta approaches her 28th birthday, a milestone for therians (shifter), she discovers that she has been earmarked for sacrifice because of her special blood. She seeks protection from a powerful sorcerer, Dayne, who undertakes to keep her safe through to her birthday in exchange for samples of her valuable blood. Can Dayne be trusted, though? Is he working for the very people who want to sacrifice Greta, keeping her captive until he can deliver her to the sacrifice?
Zoe Winters spins an intriguing tale, full of romantic action and charm. I look forward to reading part two of this series, CLAIMED.
Zoe Winters spins an intriguing tale, full of romantic action and charm. I look forward to reading part two of this series, CLAIMED.
February 13, 2010
This saw an interesting shifter story. It was short (a novella as opposed to a book) but I quite enjoyed it. In this book the main female character is a feline shifter/werecat who is different from others in her tribe. She goes to the home of a sorcerer for protection. It was an interesting take on shifters, magic and romance. I intend to look into the author to see if there are more books related or not to this one. It was inexpensive on Kindle. :) I will update if it is 1rd or 3rd person since I do not remember right now. :-P
June 22, 2010
This was a fun book. Ornery man meets spunky yet innocent woman. Havoc ensues.
I will eventually find the rest of this series and I'll eat it up! The concept was great. There were promising supporting characters and the world that zoe winters created is one that can easily be expanded.
I am excited for the next few books in this series!
I will eventually find the rest of this series and I'll eat it up! The concept was great. There were promising supporting characters and the world that zoe winters created is one that can easily be expanded.
I am excited for the next few books in this series!
December 25, 2009
A little cheesy/juvenile for my taste but still a fun fast read. And the best parts were missing. :)
August 24, 2010
I thought this book moved way to fast. The plot was good predictable but good.
November 26, 2010
Great Novella, just what I needed. Fast paced and interesting!
November 30, 2010
I read this some time ago when I first got my Kindle. It's a novella so I did not expect much. It was interesting enough that I am willing to keep reading Ms. Winters work.
May 22, 2013
Cute read. I love that She is a little meow kitty, rather then a big roar cat lol!!! I also like the detailed experience of her transformations ( as this is something most authors gloss over)
February 16, 2015
Short story, it wasn't what I expected. Mix of were, vamp and warlock.
May 1, 2015
averige, not fantasic not horrible, just middle of the roadish
July 7, 2021
4.5 Stars
Blood Lust is actually the first 3 Novellas in the Fated Mates book 1.
“Kept” is the first Novella and is the story of a cat shifter, Greta and Dayne, the dangerous local sorcerer. She had to run to Dayne to protect or, the only one that could protect her. Greta bargains with Dayne and promises her blood to Dayne. Her blood is very much wanted for its potency. Enough that she is to be sacrificed, by her own kind.
“Claimed” is Anthony Burgess and Charlotte “Charlee” Devlin’s story. Anthony is a vampire and Charlee is human. We met both of them in the first Novella Kept. Charlee spends a lot of time thinking of ways to do away with Anthony but she just can’t.
"Mated" is the third Novella. This is Cole Riley and Jane Tanner’s story. Cole is another shifter only he is a wolf. He is the Alpha in their pack. Jane is human and was a sort of groupie for the vampires. The last vampire Paul was a a-hole among the vampires. He ends up giving Jane to Cole to payoff his debt. Of course Jane wasn’t his to give. Cole is a good guy and he protects Jane and he wants her as his mate but Jane is terrified of him. She is very attracted to him and I loved the chemistry between the two of them.
I really enjoyed this made up world with sorcerers, vampires, wolves, humans and kitty cats….. And probably some other being that I can’t think of at the moment.
In case you aren’t aware and I wasn’t aware. Kitty Thomas published her paranormal books under the name of Zoe Winters.
There will be more books coming out as Kitty Thomas rebrands the Zoe Winters books. I can’t wait to read more of these books.
Blood Lust is actually the first 3 Novellas in the Fated Mates book 1.
“Kept” is the first Novella and is the story of a cat shifter, Greta and Dayne, the dangerous local sorcerer. She had to run to Dayne to protect or, the only one that could protect her. Greta bargains with Dayne and promises her blood to Dayne. Her blood is very much wanted for its potency. Enough that she is to be sacrificed, by her own kind.
“Claimed” is Anthony Burgess and Charlotte “Charlee” Devlin’s story. Anthony is a vampire and Charlee is human. We met both of them in the first Novella Kept. Charlee spends a lot of time thinking of ways to do away with Anthony but she just can’t.
"Mated" is the third Novella. This is Cole Riley and Jane Tanner’s story. Cole is another shifter only he is a wolf. He is the Alpha in their pack. Jane is human and was a sort of groupie for the vampires. The last vampire Paul was a a-hole among the vampires. He ends up giving Jane to Cole to payoff his debt. Of course Jane wasn’t his to give. Cole is a good guy and he protects Jane and he wants her as his mate but Jane is terrified of him. She is very attracted to him and I loved the chemistry between the two of them.
I really enjoyed this made up world with sorcerers, vampires, wolves, humans and kitty cats….. And probably some other being that I can’t think of at the moment.
In case you aren’t aware and I wasn’t aware. Kitty Thomas published her paranormal books under the name of Zoe Winters.
There will be more books coming out as Kitty Thomas rebrands the Zoe Winters books. I can’t wait to read more of these books.
March 1, 2015
This book is gross. Instead of a review, I'm just going to post my Kindle highlights here. You'll have to excuse the grammar, as typing on it is a pain in the behind, but I think my opinion of this work will come through.
Greta leaped off the table and scurried out the cat door.
Note: She shifts into a house cat. how lame.
He had to restrain himself as Greta took the milk from the fridge and drank it straight from the carton.
Note: She wouldn't do that in a stranger's house, let alone someone she wasn't comfortable with.
A few drops of the creamy white liquid dribbled around the sides of the carton and down her chin and long neck. She arched back, and some of the milk dripped down to dampen her shirt.
Note: too cliche and cheesy to be believed
The next day he’d caught her in the basement rolling some of his herbs in rolling paper and smoking them. Then he realized it was catnip. He’d wanted to be angry. He had a few spells he needed that for and the good stuff was expensive, but she’d rolled around on the stone floor giggling like a maniac.
Note: cheesy!
Then he’d grown hard as he’d watched her shift and sunbathe nude, still cursing the missed catnip opportunity.
Note: Why is she so free with her nudity in a house she's supposed to not be comfortable in? She is otherwise shown to be modest.
She was in heat.
Note: oh, isnt that convieniant for moving the romance along? rolling eyes.
“I have to sleep with someone now,” she said. “If you don't do it, I’ll have to find someone who will.”
Note: because women have no control over their sexual urges. isnt that why men always have to control their bodies and sexuality? rage
The kitty didn’t want foreplay.
Note: of course not, 'cause what woman would? proximity to a dick has always bern enough for women to be satisfied. -disgusted sarcasm
Instead, he went to the adjacent room, came back with rope, and tied her wrists to the bars.
Note: of course, not only does she beg and not expect foreplay, he's going to take away her ability to even participate or protect herself. Bet all he has to do is shove it in and she'll be happy. every MAN'S fantasy. too bad it's a book predominantly for women. gag
He wanted to take it slow, not just rut like two mindless animals, but she wouldn’t let him.
Note: See, how is this appealing to WOMEN? This is like male directed porn. No need for emotions or effort on his part.
slid inside her. In that moment he felt one thing. Possession. This belonged to him. He felt it in the same primal way he felt magic when he’d followed the proper formulas.
Note: because having sex with a woman means you own her. so gross
She lurched off the bed as her orgasm took her, and he joined her.
Note: all he did was enter her!
When it was over, Greta’s face telegraphed equal parts shame and fear.
Note: of course, a woman must be ashamed of her own desire. could we hit one more detested cultural belief about women? and how do hormones dissipate so quickly from the body?
Without that crucial knowledge, he could have had a magical boo-boo of pyrotechnic proportions.
Note: boo-boo? no, just no
“Greta, look at me. You had a nightmare. There’s nothing here.”
Note: now she's a child afraid of the bad dreams? This author really hitting all my rage buttons.
The pills had stalled the immediate need of the heat, but the adrenaline from her fear had caused her to weaken when his hands were on her.
Note: Of course, she needs an excuse. No woman is allowed her own genuine desire.
“Forgot what?” He didn’t know what she was apologizing for until he saw the signs of the heat. “I was supposed to take it after breakfast. And then you came in and distracted me.”
Note: again with an excuse for her own sexuality and would it really hit so fast after missing a dose by less than an hour?
She had no illusions he wanted to keep her around, and she didn’t want to sleep with him again if it was going to be just another meaningless ritual biology had set up as a physical act with no feeling.
Note: speaking of biology, wouldn't being in heat mean she was also ovulating and fertile? don't remember mention of a condom.
Anything so she wouldn’t have to make the choice to throw herself at him. Let him be the one on a conquest, not her.
Note: So she doesn't even want to be responsible for her own actions.
Now her heart hurt to leave the man she kept finding herself in bed with.
Note: now TSTL jumping to conclusion and endangering herself so he can save her from her own stupid move. i hate that trope.
Tears teased the corners of her eyes. She wished Dayne hadn’t turned out to be evil. She could have imagined living here with him in his quiet cottage in the woods. It felt comfortable, like home.
Note: Of course, they had sex so she's in lurve. Blerg.
And he and Greta fit together perfectly, in the carnal way.
Note: how would she know? Rutting seems all they've done.
“Okay, that’s enough,” she said as the strength in her voice returned.
Note: how did that strengthen her? she lost more blood.
She felt revulsion at the kindred feeling flowing between them as they shared not only blood now, but power.
Note: a little world-building to explain things like that would have been nice.
“Damn, woman, how many days does this go on?” “Couple of weeks sometimes. Was in a cage. No pills.”
Note: STILL with an excuse for wanting sex
She was sure she’d been a nice diversion, but he’d only agreed to let her stay until after the full moon, and she wasn’t about to show her naiveté by hoping for more.
Note: because obviously communication is a no go. Who would do that?
Practically every sexual encounter they’d had had amounted to pity sex. She couldn’t handle further pity or possible rejection. She’d become stupidly attached to him.
Note: based on what if she thinks it was just pity sex?
His hands started to stroke over her flesh and she relaxed and allowed her legs to fall open. A contented purr began to rumble through her chest. This was how Greta became kept.
Note: Yep, apparently a man just needs to touch a woman to have sex with her and once he has sex with her he owns her and she'll be pleased about that. so gross a theme.
Greta leaped off the table and scurried out the cat door.
Note: She shifts into a house cat. how lame.
He had to restrain himself as Greta took the milk from the fridge and drank it straight from the carton.
Note: She wouldn't do that in a stranger's house, let alone someone she wasn't comfortable with.
A few drops of the creamy white liquid dribbled around the sides of the carton and down her chin and long neck. She arched back, and some of the milk dripped down to dampen her shirt.
Note: too cliche and cheesy to be believed
The next day he’d caught her in the basement rolling some of his herbs in rolling paper and smoking them. Then he realized it was catnip. He’d wanted to be angry. He had a few spells he needed that for and the good stuff was expensive, but she’d rolled around on the stone floor giggling like a maniac.
Note: cheesy!
Then he’d grown hard as he’d watched her shift and sunbathe nude, still cursing the missed catnip opportunity.
Note: Why is she so free with her nudity in a house she's supposed to not be comfortable in? She is otherwise shown to be modest.
She was in heat.
Note: oh, isnt that convieniant for moving the romance along? rolling eyes.
“I have to sleep with someone now,” she said. “If you don't do it, I’ll have to find someone who will.”
Note: because women have no control over their sexual urges. isnt that why men always have to control their bodies and sexuality? rage
The kitty didn’t want foreplay.
Note: of course not, 'cause what woman would? proximity to a dick has always bern enough for women to be satisfied. -disgusted sarcasm
Instead, he went to the adjacent room, came back with rope, and tied her wrists to the bars.
Note: of course, not only does she beg and not expect foreplay, he's going to take away her ability to even participate or protect herself. Bet all he has to do is shove it in and she'll be happy. every MAN'S fantasy. too bad it's a book predominantly for women. gag
He wanted to take it slow, not just rut like two mindless animals, but she wouldn’t let him.
Note: See, how is this appealing to WOMEN? This is like male directed porn. No need for emotions or effort on his part.
slid inside her. In that moment he felt one thing. Possession. This belonged to him. He felt it in the same primal way he felt magic when he’d followed the proper formulas.
Note: because having sex with a woman means you own her. so gross
She lurched off the bed as her orgasm took her, and he joined her.
Note: all he did was enter her!
When it was over, Greta’s face telegraphed equal parts shame and fear.
Note: of course, a woman must be ashamed of her own desire. could we hit one more detested cultural belief about women? and how do hormones dissipate so quickly from the body?
Without that crucial knowledge, he could have had a magical boo-boo of pyrotechnic proportions.
Note: boo-boo? no, just no
“Greta, look at me. You had a nightmare. There’s nothing here.”
Note: now she's a child afraid of the bad dreams? This author really hitting all my rage buttons.
The pills had stalled the immediate need of the heat, but the adrenaline from her fear had caused her to weaken when his hands were on her.
Note: Of course, she needs an excuse. No woman is allowed her own genuine desire.
“Forgot what?” He didn’t know what she was apologizing for until he saw the signs of the heat. “I was supposed to take it after breakfast. And then you came in and distracted me.”
Note: again with an excuse for her own sexuality and would it really hit so fast after missing a dose by less than an hour?
She had no illusions he wanted to keep her around, and she didn’t want to sleep with him again if it was going to be just another meaningless ritual biology had set up as a physical act with no feeling.
Note: speaking of biology, wouldn't being in heat mean she was also ovulating and fertile? don't remember mention of a condom.
Anything so she wouldn’t have to make the choice to throw herself at him. Let him be the one on a conquest, not her.
Note: So she doesn't even want to be responsible for her own actions.
Now her heart hurt to leave the man she kept finding herself in bed with.
Note: now TSTL jumping to conclusion and endangering herself so he can save her from her own stupid move. i hate that trope.
Tears teased the corners of her eyes. She wished Dayne hadn’t turned out to be evil. She could have imagined living here with him in his quiet cottage in the woods. It felt comfortable, like home.
Note: Of course, they had sex so she's in lurve. Blerg.
And he and Greta fit together perfectly, in the carnal way.
Note: how would she know? Rutting seems all they've done.
“Okay, that’s enough,” she said as the strength in her voice returned.
Note: how did that strengthen her? she lost more blood.
She felt revulsion at the kindred feeling flowing between them as they shared not only blood now, but power.
Note: a little world-building to explain things like that would have been nice.
“Damn, woman, how many days does this go on?” “Couple of weeks sometimes. Was in a cage. No pills.”
Note: STILL with an excuse for wanting sex
She was sure she’d been a nice diversion, but he’d only agreed to let her stay until after the full moon, and she wasn’t about to show her naiveté by hoping for more.
Note: because obviously communication is a no go. Who would do that?
Practically every sexual encounter they’d had had amounted to pity sex. She couldn’t handle further pity or possible rejection. She’d become stupidly attached to him.
Note: based on what if she thinks it was just pity sex?
His hands started to stroke over her flesh and she relaxed and allowed her legs to fall open. A contented purr began to rumble through her chest. This was how Greta became kept.
Note: Yep, apparently a man just needs to touch a woman to have sex with her and once he has sex with her he owns her and she'll be pleased about that. so gross a theme.
February 1, 2022
A werecat. Fantasy and romance into a short novel. The story wasn’t dragging and it gave a pleasurable feeling of love in the short time. The were-cat concept is first for me and it wasn't disappointing. I loved the little romance between the leads and the happy ending. The ending was cliche with the hero coming out of nowhere to save the girl. Nonetheless, it is a pretty love story. One of the shortest novels I had read.
November 19, 2017
Fast read
The cat hides out with the evil sorcerer to avoid being sacrificed. Okay read. Story moves very quickly. The characters are the best part.
The cat hides out with the evil sorcerer to avoid being sacrificed. Okay read. Story moves very quickly. The characters are the best part.
July 9, 2017
Short but sweet.
Fun sexy little read. Damsel in distress, a cat lady's dream. Could use more plot, but it was a lot of fun.
Fun sexy little read. Damsel in distress, a cat lady's dream. Could use more plot, but it was a lot of fun.
February 19, 2021
Man, that was bad!!! Thank God it was short!!!! Lol
April 16, 2011
Points for Creativity and Sarcasm
I have to admit, there were a few rocky patches in Zoe Winters' Kept, but there was also quite a bit to like, most notably the snappy dialogue ripe with sarcasm and sardonic humor between the cat therian (don't use 'were,' they find it offensive) Greta and the big bad sorcerer (who's not nearly as bad as everyone thinks) Dayne. With a surprising amount of exposition that defines an intriguing world and unique mythos, Kept is rather an unusual novella. Most short stories and novella's I've read either focus more heavily on the relationships between the characters and are softer on plot and backstory, or focus almost exclusively on the plot and provide only sketchy ideas on the characters and the world around them. This novella fell into the in between.
Greta, bookstore owner and cat therian (turns into a domestic short hair) is just days away from the first full moon of her 28th year, a very important year for shifters, when a terse call from her mother draws her into spying on a conversation between her mother...who she finds out isn't her real mother...and her step father Simon...who is actually more than her step father and the leader of their tribe. What Greta learns there and what the woman she's always called mother tells her when Simon's back is turned has Greta fleeing to her best friend's house for some clothes before racing across town for the protection of the most powerful sorcerer in town, Dayne. But Dayne and Greta's tribe have an acrimonious history and Dayne isn't much in the mood to get played by another were, no matter how long and luscious her legs are. Greta is right, though, they each have what the other needs. Dayne has the protection and Greta has the blood, and if they could learn to trust one another, they'll both find real magic.
It's a great premise, and I really got a sense of the world Greta and Dayne live in, which surprised me, considering the length of the novella. I was equally surprised when I found myself chuckling now and again in several scenes between Greta and Dayne as well as their inner monologues. They were fun characters. Neither one were completely consistent; Greta especially flipped back and forth between independent, powerful woman and trembling potential victim with startling frequency, but I enjoyed spending some time with them.
It's just when anyone else was in the scene that the problems began in this novella. Greta's conversation with her best friend Charlee when she was first on the run from Simon seemed stilted, unnatural, and unbelievable, and conversation between Greta and Simon late in the novella was cliched and a bit too absurd to be truly threatening. That entire final confrontation seemed very ill conceived and oddly non-threatening, actually, and I had a hard time maintaining my willing suspension of disbelief through the final few chapters.
The relationship and dialogue with Greta and Dayne didn't have the same issues, though I do think there were parts to that I wish had been more fully developed and written out, as the sex scenes felt perfunctory and unsatisfying and the budding romance virtually nonexistent, but more importantly, lacking any sense of lasting emotion beyond embarrassment. I think the novella would have benefited from more time given to their relationship and certainly would have preferred it over the contrived conflict at the end.
I can't say this was the best novella I've ever read, but there certainly was enough promise to continue the novella series, and parts of this one I did like very much. I just hope the author continues to develop the character aspects of a story and fleshes out interactions between them. There's potential there and I hope to see it thrive.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
I have to admit, there were a few rocky patches in Zoe Winters' Kept, but there was also quite a bit to like, most notably the snappy dialogue ripe with sarcasm and sardonic humor between the cat therian (don't use 'were,' they find it offensive) Greta and the big bad sorcerer (who's not nearly as bad as everyone thinks) Dayne. With a surprising amount of exposition that defines an intriguing world and unique mythos, Kept is rather an unusual novella. Most short stories and novella's I've read either focus more heavily on the relationships between the characters and are softer on plot and backstory, or focus almost exclusively on the plot and provide only sketchy ideas on the characters and the world around them. This novella fell into the in between.
Greta, bookstore owner and cat therian (turns into a domestic short hair) is just days away from the first full moon of her 28th year, a very important year for shifters, when a terse call from her mother draws her into spying on a conversation between her mother...who she finds out isn't her real mother...and her step father Simon...who is actually more than her step father and the leader of their tribe. What Greta learns there and what the woman she's always called mother tells her when Simon's back is turned has Greta fleeing to her best friend's house for some clothes before racing across town for the protection of the most powerful sorcerer in town, Dayne. But Dayne and Greta's tribe have an acrimonious history and Dayne isn't much in the mood to get played by another were, no matter how long and luscious her legs are. Greta is right, though, they each have what the other needs. Dayne has the protection and Greta has the blood, and if they could learn to trust one another, they'll both find real magic.
It's a great premise, and I really got a sense of the world Greta and Dayne live in, which surprised me, considering the length of the novella. I was equally surprised when I found myself chuckling now and again in several scenes between Greta and Dayne as well as their inner monologues. They were fun characters. Neither one were completely consistent; Greta especially flipped back and forth between independent, powerful woman and trembling potential victim with startling frequency, but I enjoyed spending some time with them.
It's just when anyone else was in the scene that the problems began in this novella. Greta's conversation with her best friend Charlee when she was first on the run from Simon seemed stilted, unnatural, and unbelievable, and conversation between Greta and Simon late in the novella was cliched and a bit too absurd to be truly threatening. That entire final confrontation seemed very ill conceived and oddly non-threatening, actually, and I had a hard time maintaining my willing suspension of disbelief through the final few chapters.
The relationship and dialogue with Greta and Dayne didn't have the same issues, though I do think there were parts to that I wish had been more fully developed and written out, as the sex scenes felt perfunctory and unsatisfying and the budding romance virtually nonexistent, but more importantly, lacking any sense of lasting emotion beyond embarrassment. I think the novella would have benefited from more time given to their relationship and certainly would have preferred it over the contrived conflict at the end.
I can't say this was the best novella I've ever read, but there certainly was enough promise to continue the novella series, and parts of this one I did like very much. I just hope the author continues to develop the character aspects of a story and fleshes out interactions between them. There's potential there and I hope to see it thrive.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
February 5, 2010
Kept opens with Greta closing up the bookshop where she works and an encounter with a vampire that probably should make my skin crawl, but instead makes me tingle in my naughty places. No, he’s not the male lead, but he’s interesting enough that I’m thoroughly excited for Blood Lust (Zoe’s upcoming anthology that contains three novellas – one of which involves the delicious vampire – that I get to review! You can be jealous now, I don’t mind). Ahem, back to the point.
Greta is my new hero. She’s the perfect combination of smartass snark, badass woman, and a hint of vulnerable girl. I think I actually have a girlcrush. Just a little one. So, when Simon, Greta’s tribe leader, informs her mother that Greta is to be sacrificed, my skin crawls the way it’s supposed to, and I sort of have to resist the urge to claw his eyes out. Ladies & gentlemen, we have met The Bad Guy and I hate him before he’s even officially on the scene (maybe it’s something about his fancy pants car, or the sense of foreboding Greta has when she arrives at her mother’s house).
When Greta runs to Charlee, her human best friend, I initially found it a little odd that Charlee so readily accepts the whole shape shifter thing, but she’s so trusting and sweet and curious that it’s difficult for me to believe that she wouldn’t accept it at face value – or help her best friend in her time of need (can I have a best friend like that please?).
When Greta shows up at Dayne’s front door in her car form, he can feel the magic crackling about her – which leads me to wonder how it is that Simon wasn’t able to feel her as she hid at her mother’s house. Is it because they’re all therians and their magic sort of got clustered together? And it was a little too convenient that Dayne’s blood supply was cut off just as Greta offered hers in exchange for his help, but that would be one of those plot device things that are necessary (also, Dayne thinks it might've been the tribe's doing... which would make sense).
These days, most novellas I read have the male & female leads have this instantaneous undeniable attraction to each other. They immediately hop into bed, and immediately declare their love for each other. *yawn* Boring. Zoe doesn’t give us the formulaic bullshit that I’ve grown (sadly) used to. The dance that Greta and Dayne do around their attraction to each other both amuses and excites me. It builds up the anticipation and when they (literally) can’t deny the attraction anymore, it’s like an explosion on my computer screen. And because of their magical abilities, the possession he feels over her isn’t a stretch for me to believe. I do love that they don’t declare their immediate all-consuming undying love after they have sex though. And the (major) bump in the road on their way to being together is entirely believable given the magical nature of the novella and the backstory Zoe has cleverly crafted.
The only issue I have that wasn’t resolved in some way was the final line of the story. “And this was how Greta became kept.” There was no mention of being kept anywhere else in the novella, so it sort of feels like it was thrown in there at the last minute to tie in the title.
Bottom line: I often have issues with short stories and novellas because there’s not a lot of room for growth or development of either the characters or the plot. Zoe Winters has managed to write a thoroughly enjoyable story with believable and interesting characters that draw you in and keep you engaged until the last page.
Greta is my new hero. She’s the perfect combination of smartass snark, badass woman, and a hint of vulnerable girl. I think I actually have a girlcrush. Just a little one. So, when Simon, Greta’s tribe leader, informs her mother that Greta is to be sacrificed, my skin crawls the way it’s supposed to, and I sort of have to resist the urge to claw his eyes out. Ladies & gentlemen, we have met The Bad Guy and I hate him before he’s even officially on the scene (maybe it’s something about his fancy pants car, or the sense of foreboding Greta has when she arrives at her mother’s house).
When Greta runs to Charlee, her human best friend, I initially found it a little odd that Charlee so readily accepts the whole shape shifter thing, but she’s so trusting and sweet and curious that it’s difficult for me to believe that she wouldn’t accept it at face value – or help her best friend in her time of need (can I have a best friend like that please?).
When Greta shows up at Dayne’s front door in her car form, he can feel the magic crackling about her – which leads me to wonder how it is that Simon wasn’t able to feel her as she hid at her mother’s house. Is it because they’re all therians and their magic sort of got clustered together? And it was a little too convenient that Dayne’s blood supply was cut off just as Greta offered hers in exchange for his help, but that would be one of those plot device things that are necessary (also, Dayne thinks it might've been the tribe's doing... which would make sense).
These days, most novellas I read have the male & female leads have this instantaneous undeniable attraction to each other. They immediately hop into bed, and immediately declare their love for each other. *yawn* Boring. Zoe doesn’t give us the formulaic bullshit that I’ve grown (sadly) used to. The dance that Greta and Dayne do around their attraction to each other both amuses and excites me. It builds up the anticipation and when they (literally) can’t deny the attraction anymore, it’s like an explosion on my computer screen. And because of their magical abilities, the possession he feels over her isn’t a stretch for me to believe. I do love that they don’t declare their immediate all-consuming undying love after they have sex though. And the (major) bump in the road on their way to being together is entirely believable given the magical nature of the novella and the backstory Zoe has cleverly crafted.
The only issue I have that wasn’t resolved in some way was the final line of the story. “And this was how Greta became kept.” There was no mention of being kept anywhere else in the novella, so it sort of feels like it was thrown in there at the last minute to tie in the title.
Bottom line: I often have issues with short stories and novellas because there’s not a lot of room for growth or development of either the characters or the plot. Zoe Winters has managed to write a thoroughly enjoyable story with believable and interesting characters that draw you in and keep you engaged until the last page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2012
Expect review on my website 9/6/2010 at http://reenajacobs.com/blog/2010/09/n...
Without beating around the bush so much, I’ll admit I had a false start with this book. The beginning started a bit shaky. Only after reading a few reviews did I decide to settle down and read the entire novella. I’m certainly glad I did, because it was an enjoyable read. Before I get to the good stuff, let’s just get out in the open what made me balk.
Mainly, I don’t think the story started in the right place. The earlier scenes focused on the introduction of minor characters which reappeared once or twice later in the novella. Very little time was spent on these scenes, other than to give identities to names. It gave the read a jerky feel with Greta popping in and out of people’s lives.
However, once we got beyond the introductions, the story really got underway. I stayed up well into the night to finish this read. If it weren’t for the breaks I had to take between laughing fits, I probably would have finished sooner.
One item I enjoyed about this book was the realism in terms of romance. I’ve never understood how people in novels could fall head over heels with one another without knowing anything about them. I guess I just don’t believe in the love at first sight. Lust at first sight? You better believe it! And this novella had it. Greta and Dayne had an immediate attraction which I could completely buy.
Sorry, Greta, but Dayne was my favorite character in this book. When he wasn’t lustful (which I loved!), he was cold, calculating, and a bit of a dick. Not the greatest personality traits, but it was his honesty in being himself which attracted me to him. It was more on the lines of you get what you see. I could trust that. Besides that, he was funny as hell—an endless source of amusement.
In terms of plot, I was up and down on that issue. The main plot itself was very believable (as far as realism goes in the paranormal scene) which kept me in the book. However, a few areas were kind of glitchy and distracted me with thoughts such as “why did they do that?” Even so, my understanding was this was Ms. Winters first published book. Not a bad first attempt, I have to say.
So a few of my favorite lines:
That little shit was my bestest best friend until he found out I wasn’t out saving the world every night. (bestest best friend you say? tee hee)
Greta suppressed a giggle as she tried to imagine Dayne Wickham, the hapless victim of a timeshare scheme. (Been there, done that )
Even ten years ago, Dayne never would have made a speech like the one he’d made in the basement about locking her up. It sounded like it had come out of Evil for Dummies. (I’ve got to get that book.)
Other than a few plot issues which didn’t quite make sense or seem reasonable, this was quite an enjoyable read. Now that my computer is functional (even though not really fixed), I think I’ll get around to finishing Blood Lust.
BTW, Anyone else get a craving of Star Wars episodes after reading this book?
Kept is available at Ms. Winters’ blog, Smashwords, and Amazon.com. If you’re ready to jump in the entire package, Blood Lust is available at Amazon.com and includes all three novellas.
Without beating around the bush so much, I’ll admit I had a false start with this book. The beginning started a bit shaky. Only after reading a few reviews did I decide to settle down and read the entire novella. I’m certainly glad I did, because it was an enjoyable read. Before I get to the good stuff, let’s just get out in the open what made me balk.
Mainly, I don’t think the story started in the right place. The earlier scenes focused on the introduction of minor characters which reappeared once or twice later in the novella. Very little time was spent on these scenes, other than to give identities to names. It gave the read a jerky feel with Greta popping in and out of people’s lives.
However, once we got beyond the introductions, the story really got underway. I stayed up well into the night to finish this read. If it weren’t for the breaks I had to take between laughing fits, I probably would have finished sooner.
One item I enjoyed about this book was the realism in terms of romance. I’ve never understood how people in novels could fall head over heels with one another without knowing anything about them. I guess I just don’t believe in the love at first sight. Lust at first sight? You better believe it! And this novella had it. Greta and Dayne had an immediate attraction which I could completely buy.
Sorry, Greta, but Dayne was my favorite character in this book. When he wasn’t lustful (which I loved!), he was cold, calculating, and a bit of a dick. Not the greatest personality traits, but it was his honesty in being himself which attracted me to him. It was more on the lines of you get what you see. I could trust that. Besides that, he was funny as hell—an endless source of amusement.
In terms of plot, I was up and down on that issue. The main plot itself was very believable (as far as realism goes in the paranormal scene) which kept me in the book. However, a few areas were kind of glitchy and distracted me with thoughts such as “why did they do that?” Even so, my understanding was this was Ms. Winters first published book. Not a bad first attempt, I have to say.
So a few of my favorite lines:
That little shit was my bestest best friend until he found out I wasn’t out saving the world every night. (bestest best friend you say? tee hee)
Greta suppressed a giggle as she tried to imagine Dayne Wickham, the hapless victim of a timeshare scheme. (Been there, done that )
Even ten years ago, Dayne never would have made a speech like the one he’d made in the basement about locking her up. It sounded like it had come out of Evil for Dummies. (I’ve got to get that book.)
Other than a few plot issues which didn’t quite make sense or seem reasonable, this was quite an enjoyable read. Now that my computer is functional (even though not really fixed), I think I’ll get around to finishing Blood Lust.
BTW, Anyone else get a craving of Star Wars episodes after reading this book?
Kept is available at Ms. Winters’ blog, Smashwords, and Amazon.com. If you’re ready to jump in the entire package, Blood Lust is available at Amazon.com and includes all three novellas.
October 24, 2012
"Here, kitty, kitty."
Let me get this right out of the way: I loved this novella.
I'm not normally a fan of novellas because they usually feel like short stories that were talking and didn't know when to shut up. Many of the ones I've read also have a tendency to feel incomplete, or like a bait and hook scenario designed to force me to get the next story in the series just to get the whole story straight. Kept is not one of these.
This novella reads like a full length novel. I was completely sucked into the story's world, fell in love with the characters and cared about how everything was going to work out in the end. I read A LOT and very few books manage to pull me in so completely that I forget that I'm reading. Kept not only captured my interest and attention, it sucked me into a world I've never been exposed to before. It also has filled me with lust to learn more about the Therian world and the characters. I'm also brimming with curiosity about what other surprises are hidden in the developing world and want to learn more about the history and society of this world.
IT IS FRESH! It made me laugh out loud, snort at some of the subtle sarcasm and giggle at the troubles that come from...being a kitty. (I love Zoe's imagination!)
The main character, Greta, is a werecat (Therian) whose odd birth has marked her as a blood sacrifice by her own people. To escape, she's forced to turn to a powerful, enemy and sorcerer, Dayne, for help. But in a world of magic, sorcery and manipulations he may become an even greater danger to her than the others plotting to kill her as the full moon approaches.
There are twists, turns and surprises that will keep you turning pages, sometimes cringing and sometimes laughing as the characters evolve during their interactions with one another and the story develops. I especially appreciated the subtle romance and sex scenes. It's was a lovely surprise to NOT have sex shoved down my throat as a mere plot deviation. Bring on the Romance and Seduction, thank you very much, Zoe! And there's still plenty of mystery left to make you want to read the other novellas in the series to find out more about the unique and imaginative world that Zoe has built.
I highly recommend Kept and am looking forward to reading the others in the series.
Kept is the first book in Zoe's paranormal romance trilogy which consists of Claimed and Mated. You can read them individually or as an Anthology in the Preternatural Series. They're all available as e-books and paperbacks.
Go get them NOW.
I've been a fan of the Zoe Who videos since they started back in July. Watching the videos led me to Zoe Winters which led me to learning about Indie publishing. Trust me, there's a lot to learn about publishing independently and Zoe is an excellent, and outspoken, resource of information on the subject. As I understand it, right now, she's working on putting together a little something so the rest of us can learn from her experience and expertise on the subject.
Let me get this right out of the way: I loved this novella.
I'm not normally a fan of novellas because they usually feel like short stories that were talking and didn't know when to shut up. Many of the ones I've read also have a tendency to feel incomplete, or like a bait and hook scenario designed to force me to get the next story in the series just to get the whole story straight. Kept is not one of these.
This novella reads like a full length novel. I was completely sucked into the story's world, fell in love with the characters and cared about how everything was going to work out in the end. I read A LOT and very few books manage to pull me in so completely that I forget that I'm reading. Kept not only captured my interest and attention, it sucked me into a world I've never been exposed to before. It also has filled me with lust to learn more about the Therian world and the characters. I'm also brimming with curiosity about what other surprises are hidden in the developing world and want to learn more about the history and society of this world.
IT IS FRESH! It made me laugh out loud, snort at some of the subtle sarcasm and giggle at the troubles that come from...being a kitty. (I love Zoe's imagination!)
The main character, Greta, is a werecat (Therian) whose odd birth has marked her as a blood sacrifice by her own people. To escape, she's forced to turn to a powerful, enemy and sorcerer, Dayne, for help. But in a world of magic, sorcery and manipulations he may become an even greater danger to her than the others plotting to kill her as the full moon approaches.
There are twists, turns and surprises that will keep you turning pages, sometimes cringing and sometimes laughing as the characters evolve during their interactions with one another and the story develops. I especially appreciated the subtle romance and sex scenes. It's was a lovely surprise to NOT have sex shoved down my throat as a mere plot deviation. Bring on the Romance and Seduction, thank you very much, Zoe! And there's still plenty of mystery left to make you want to read the other novellas in the series to find out more about the unique and imaginative world that Zoe has built.
I highly recommend Kept and am looking forward to reading the others in the series.
Kept is the first book in Zoe's paranormal romance trilogy which consists of Claimed and Mated. You can read them individually or as an Anthology in the Preternatural Series. They're all available as e-books and paperbacks.
Go get them NOW.
I've been a fan of the Zoe Who videos since they started back in July. Watching the videos led me to Zoe Winters which led me to learning about Indie publishing. Trust me, there's a lot to learn about publishing independently and Zoe is an excellent, and outspoken, resource of information on the subject. As I understand it, right now, she's working on putting together a little something so the rest of us can learn from her experience and expertise on the subject.
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