Review – Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh

Beat of Temptation

Tamsyn knew at age 15 that Nathan was her mate but she was much too young. At 17, when the the DarkRiver pack was nearly destroyed, Tamsyn stepped into the roll as pack healer. Now at 19 she is more mature than her years and the ache for her mate has become unbearable but Nathan is determined to give her more time. His own past has shown him how devastating a young union can be and he can’t allow that to happen to his Tamsyn. But his good intentions backfire as he unintentionally pushes Tamsyn away and makes her think she’s not worthy of him. With his leopard raging at him, he must make Tamsyn see how he really feels or lose the person most precious to him.

I read this story when it was first published in the An Enchanted Season Anthology and I loved it just as much this go around. While seeing his point, I still spent most of the story wanting to shake Nathan and smack him in the head but when he finally got it, he really got it. He opens up, becomes vulnerable, and gives Tamsyn exactly what she needs. I adore their HEA.

“And neither of you tried to stop her from leaving?”

“Why would we?” Lucas’s tone was hard. “You made her cry, Nathan. You made your mate cry and then you didn’t hold her.”

Stroke of Enticement

Annie Kildarire has watched for years as her mother loved a man that no longer loved her back and she vowed that would never be her life. When DarkRiver sentinel Zach Quinn starts flirting with her, she decides to go with it. He’s gorgeous and accepts her in a way no one else has. She’ll give in to the attraction but she won’t risk her heart.

Zach understands her fears so he doesn’t tell her right away that she is his mate. He knows it will make her bolt. His plan is to show her his loyalty and wait until she warms up to the subject of a lifetime commitment. As time moves on, they grow closer but they mate bond doesn’t connect the way Zach hoped. Now he has to trust in their new love enough to tell her the truth.

This was a sweet, romantic short story. Every scene with Zach made me want to hug him, which isn’t my normal reaction to a Singh hero but there it is. I’ve used the word already but Zach and Annie were just so sweet together! I’m not sure the two of them would be able to hold my interest for a longer story but this was good and I hope to see glimpses of their life in future books.

For him, she’d break every rule, allow him into her home, into her very soul. For him, she’d jump into the abyss and worry about the bruises later. Because sometimes, there were no choices.

Declaration of Courtship

SnowDancer lieutenant Cooper has waited patiently for the shy, submissive wolf Grace to settle into the den but now it is time to make his intentions clear. Grace has wanted to crawl all over Cooper since their first meeting but her wolf is terrified of him. Dominants and submissives mate all the time but not couples that are this far apart in the hierarchy. Cooper will have to woo not only Grace but her wolf as well because only the ultimate trust will give them both what they desire.

This one was great. Seeing badass Cooper be gentle, patient, and romantic was heart warming but he’s also a dirty boy. The things he says! Shew. *fans self* He’s swoon-worthy. I also loved seeing Grace’s strength and how her submissive nature allowed her to return Cooper’s care. This was my favorite of the four stories.

“Play with me and I’ll teach you all sorts of bad, bad things…but you’re only ever allowed to do them to me.”

Texture of Intimacy

This was a nice catch-up with the SnowDancer pack. Walker and Lara are newly mated and Walker is adjusting to these emotions. Except for one small hiccup, every thing is going great between them and is very romantic. I enjoyed seeing glimpses of what’s going on with Tai, Sienna, Hawk, Judd, etc but with such a short story, I would have liked it to be more focused on Lara and Walker’s relationship. Though there were some possible hints about the future of the series that has me on edge for the next full length novel.

Wide shoulders, ridged abdomen, taut muscle, and a will akin to steel, this was a man who would stand unflinching against any wind. And he was hers, touched her with a devotion that was breathtaking in its passion, piercing in its honesty.

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Format: Print and digital

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