CURSE OF THE ALPHA, EPISODE 1&2 by Tasha Black

Title:  CURSE OF THE ALPHA, EPISODE 1&2

Series:  Tarker’s Hollow #1

Author:  Tasha Black

Narrator:  Addison Spear

Length:  3 hours, 46 minutes

Audible Release Date:  07.06.2015

Publisher:  13^th Story Press

Publish Date:   08.16.2014

Category /Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Listenability:  OK  or  NSFW

Received from:  Amazon purchase (kindle); Stream online (audible)

Goodreads link: Curse of the Alpha, Episode 1&2

Date completed: 06.21.2018

Description from the publisher:

Step into a world of shifters, witches, ghosts and romance...

Ainsley Connor has turned her back on her past.

Her perfect life as a successful real estate agent in Manhattan makes her memories of growing up as the daughter of a werewolf seem like a dream. But when a tragic accident forces her back to her unusual hometown, she can't repress her inner wolf any longer.

Worse, the pack needs her to settle down and pick a mate. But how can she choose when the tiny college town is full of sexy shifters, all vying for her attention?

And the shifters aren't even the strangest thing about Tarker's Hollow...

˃˃˃ In Episode 1...
Ainsley Connor is on a mission to get back to the penthouses of Manhattan before the full moon. Will the pack manage to stake their claim on her before it's too late?

˃˃˃ In Episode 2...
Ainsley learns about the danger facing the pack, and discovers that someone she trusts is hiding a dark secret. Will she be able to restrain the beast inside as it struggles to break free?

˃˃˃ A Continuing Story...
Curse of the Alpha: Episodes 1 & 2 are the first novellas in the Curse of the Alpha serial. Think of them like episodes of a TV show. They tell their own story, but you will need to read more parts to get the full tale of Ainsley Connor, a female werewolf, and her struggle to come to terms with her past, and accept her true nature and her role in the future of the pack. It is romance with sex, and is NOT intended for readers under the age of 18.

If you don't like serials and/or romance with sex, then this is probably not for you!

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CURSE OF THE ALPHA, EPISODE 1&2 are the first two episodes in the first book in the Tarker’s Hollow series.  They do need to be read in the order of release.

The story is fast-paced, erotic, full of mystery, and filled with plenty of wolves.  I couldn’t put it down and kept sneaking away to read another page or two (or chapter or two).  It is written in old-fashioned serial style, and the cliffs are perfectly placed. I was thankful that episode 2 was an immediate continuation, but now I need episode 3&4!

I didn’t like Ainsley in the first episode.  She’s with the wrong guy!!!  I wanted to scream at her.  By the time I got to the cliff hanger of the second one, I found out that I had guessed his secret correctly, but now what?  I’m repeating myself, but I need the next book!

Narration:  The narration is easy to listen, but it is not suitable for work.  Don’t tell anyone, but I was listening during lunch break while nobody else was around – shhhh!  I like that she was able to give so many voices to the characters.

Note:  while I was given this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Tarker’s Hollow series:

1.      Curse of the Alpha, Episode 1&2

Curse of the Alpha, Episode 3&4

Curse of the Alpha, Episode 5&6

2.      Fate of the Alpha, Episode 1

Fate of the Alpha, Episode 2

Fate of the Alpha, Episode 3

3.      Heir to the Alpha, Episode 1&2

Heir to the Alpha, Episode 3&4

Heir to the Alpha, Episode 5&6

4.      Ghosts of Shifters Past

5.      The Talented Mr. MacGregor

6.      The Clockwork Dragon

7.      Hounded

8.      Nobody’s Home

9.      Burn This

10.  Bait This

11.  Bake This

12.  Bite This

13.  Break This

14.  Bear This

Also from Tasha Black:

·         Winter Heat

·         Wise Sass Mates (Sassy Ever After KW)

Building a Hero series:

1.      Reconstructed

2.      Augmented

3.      Upgraded

Stargazer series:

1.      Bond

2.      Rocky

3.      Magnum

4.      Kitt

5.      Remington

6.      Indiana

7.      Lobo

8.      Conan

9.      Hawkeye

10.  Kirk

11.  Buck

12.  Solo

 

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HAUNTED SOULS by Kathryn Knight

Title:  HAUNTED SOULS

Series:  N/A

Author:  Kathryn Knight

Narrator:  Kristin James

Length:  9 hours, 42 minutes

Audible Release Date:  04.23.2018

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Publish Date:   06.01.2016

Category /Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Listenability:  OK  or  NSFW

Received from:  Kathryn Knight (as an Audible gifted copy)

Goodreads link: Haunted Souls

Date completed: 06.26.2018

Description from the publisher:

Four years ago, Emily Shea and Staff Sergeant Brett Leeds agreed to part with no strings attached. Sparks flew during their brief affair, but fate intervened, sending Brett overseas. When an unexpected pregnancy derailed Emily's own plans, her attempts to locate Brett were soon overwhelmed by the challenges of single motherhood. Now, Brett has returned home, and Emily is forced to share her secret.

Despite feeling betrayed, Brett is determined to forge a relationship with their son, Tyler. As the former lovers battle both their inner demons and their mutual desire, another presence enters their lives—Tyler's imaginary friend. Soon, however, the chilling evidence points to a different conclusion: a ghost has formed a dangerous connection with their son. Emily's attempts to help both a lost soul and a friend in need spiral toward a deadly confrontation, and Brett must race to save Emily before he loses her again—forever.

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HAUNTED SOULS is a stand-alone, contemporary romantic suspense with a paranormal element.  This is not a series, but Claire and Max from Gull Harbor do return for a couple of chapters!

There were a lot of references to Emily’s friend, Caitlyn.  So much so, that I looked to see if one of Ms. Knight’s previous books featured her, but alas it does not appear to be.

I don’t often mention the book covers, because I’m not usually swayed one way or the other by the cover.  Let’s face it, on Kindle or Audiobook the cover is rarely noted past the time of purchase.  This time I want to just say that it is a perfect representation.  It is a lovely collage of the most important elements of the story with an equal balance of dark and light.  Kudos to the artist.

I loved this story that balanced the history of mid-eighteenth century America with the present day life on Cape Cod and the lives of three little boys and their mothers…yes three, because Tyler has a schoolmate whose family story is integral to the plot.

So many emotions were brought out, explored, and embraced.  From the opening line, Emily’s raw fear and anxieties are evident.  Life has beaten her down, until she is the type to faint in fear, but she remains as strong as possible for her little boy.  Of course, I was cheering for the man who was a fleeting fling four years ago to become her knight in shining armor.  Read it and find out if he did.

I think at this point, I would read a cereal box if it were written by Ms. Kathryn Knight.  I look forward to her bringing me more of her audiobooks as they become available.

Narration:  The narrator, Kristin James did a wonderful job of bringing each character their own voice.  My favorite was her portrayal of Tyler.  She does a three and a half year old boy beautifully in all of his mercurial moods.

Note:  while I was given this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Also from Kathryn Knight:

·         Dangerous Currents

·         Divine Fall

·         Gull Harbor

·         Haunted Souls

·         Silver Lake

 

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