THE WITCH AND HER WARRIOR by Susannah Shannon

Title:  THE WITCH AND HER WARRIOR
Series:  Kiss of Magic Anthology
Author:  Susannah Shannon
Publisher:  Lunabell Publishing
Publish Date:   02.01.2021
Category /Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing:  received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from:  Susannah Shannon
Goodreads link: Kiss of Magic
Date completed: 02.03.2021
 
Description from the publisher:
Fadie's fate was determined before she was born. Her powerful magic will be used to change her appearance  and she will be married to a prince.  
 
Fadie likes living in her own skin . She likes her soft curves, and rosy skin.  
 
Her skills as a healer are put to the test when she finds a warrior on the brink of death.  He assures her that she is beautiful as she is. But what secrets does Alexander have? Can they forge a new fate together?
 
This is part of the Kiss of Magic Anthology- all of the stories in it are supernatural romances with a confident, plus size heroine.
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This story made me think about the way that society makes women (and girls) feel about themselves.  The standards of beauty in relation to advertising as opposed to the belief that there is someone for each and every one.
 
Fadie has been brought up that she and her sisters, as witches, are therefore ugly.  She will have to suppress everything that makes her “her,” namely her preferred living arrangement and her appearance in order to create the magic that will allow her to be socially acceptable.  I can relate.  How often have I been told, “you laugh too loudly.”  So, now I don’t laugh at all (and there are comments about that as well).  In order to be accepted by those around you, a women often changes who they are – whether it’s more makeup, different clothes, or changing their voice.  Fadie – and her sisters – are sacrifices to patriarchal society at war with the dragons.
 
I love how Fadie and Alexander meet.  I love how they get to know each other, even if it is very quick.  Most of all, I love how Alexander loves her just as she is.  Then she finds out that she made a false assumption, and the truth may change everything.
 
Yes, this was a quick romance, but it made me do a lot of thinking.  It wasn’t pushy in that pursuit, but instead it was entertaining in provoking my contemplation.
 
I read this in one sitting, because I could not let it go.  I would love to read more from Susannah Shannon!
 
Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Shifter Central, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
 
Also from Susannah Shannon:
·         Given to the Highlander
·         Guarded
·         A Handful of Stars
·         The Witch and Her Warrior (Kiss of Magic Anthology)
Cass Chronicles Series:
1.      Roasted
2.      Relish
3.      Rendered
4.      Rare
5.      Red Velvet
6.      Raspberry Mousse
Love and Other Magic Series:
1.      The Sorcerer’s Willful Bride
2.      The Sorcerer’s Willful Wife
3.      The Sorcerer’s Willful Witch
4.      The Sorcerer’s Willful Halloween
Norse Warriors Series:
1.      Her Gilded Dragon
2.      Her Gilded Tiger
3.      Her Gilded Firebird
 

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