Tag Archives: Coveted series

Kept (Coveted #2) by Shawntelle Madison-a review

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KEPT (Coveted #2) by Shawntelle Madison

KEPT is the second storyline (November 27, 2012 release) in Shawntelle Madison’s paranormal Coveted series. Now that her return to the pack was to be tested, Natalya Stravinsky would have to overcome a few obstacles including her OCDs, a penchant for collecting holiday ornaments and a broken heart that has been five years in the making. But when her father is called in to repay a ‘moon debt’ to another pack, it will be Natalya and her therapy group of supernatural friends that will make right a wrong from so many years ago.

As in the previous storyline, Natalya continues to suffer through a series of emotional disorders that hamper her life as both human and wolf. When her father does not return from repaying a debt, Natalya, along with her brother Alex and pack alpha Thorn will venture into enemy territory. But no sooner do they arrive when Nat must make a decision that could affect everyone she loves. Hoping to save her father’s life, Nat agrees to repay the debt herself and in doing so, has now risked her own life.

Nick continues as Natalya’s therapy buddy as well as something more. As a wizard, it was Nick who was instrumental in helping Natalya when the Long Island Pack wanted to take her life, but now that they are on an adventure to save her father, Nick will profess that his feelings for Nat are more than just friendship. But Nat’s heart has and always will be lost to Thorn, even though he is promised to someone else. I am terrible with the love triangles. I am not a fan. I want everyone to be happy. Love triangles suck!!

Shawntelle once again brings together the many varied and vibrant supernatural friends from therapy. As Heidi continues to struggle with her fear of the ocean, she and Abby, along with Nick will join Natalya as she endeavors to repay her father’s moon debt. But the cargo they must transport is magical and the power emanating from the most unlikely of passengers will help Nat as she keeps her promise for her father.

Throughout the storyline, Thorn continues to send mixed signals to Nat. She has never stopped loving the man who is now the pack alpha, but his betrothal to another has all but shattered her heart. Thorn will reveal the truth behind the nature of the union, and in doing so will admit to Nat the truth. And all too soon, Nat would become the target of a very enraged alpha-female to be, and must accept a fight to the death in order to prove her worthiness.

Shawntelle writes a fast paced, engaging storyline that kept my attention from the very first page. Although at times my heart broke when Natalya’s fears and anxieties would overcome such a young woman, it only made it worse knowing that there were members of her family who believed she wasn’t worth the air that she breathed. Many people suffering rejection and loss will sympathize with the heroine but it was, at times, difficult to read how badly she wanted to fit in and those who professed to be family could destroy her with only a few words-sometimes family need to be shown the door. Shawntelle takes us on an emotional ride that is very reminiscent of many of today’s real-life stories. But I was hoping for Natalya to make some sort of breakthrough.  In fact some of her problems are compounded by her lifestyle decisions.  And the love  triangle is difficult in any storyline. Congratulations on another new release. I hope everyone gets a chance to read the Coveted series by Shawntelle Madison.

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Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Coveted (Coveted #1) by Shawntelle Madison-a review

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COVETED (Coveted #1) by Shawntelle Madison

COVETED is the first storyline (April 2012 release) in Shawntelle Madison’s paranormal Coveted series focusing on female werewolf Natalya Stravinsky and her fight to stay alive. Estranged from her pack and without their support, Natalya becomes open prey for a neighboring pack of wolves hell-bent on taking her out. With an impending turf war between the packs, Natalya’s ex-boyfriend is called back to town, and her heart is unprepared for the sight and sounds of Thorn Grantham. But an attack against her by the Long Island Pack puts everything into perspective when the current alpha refuses to help and her family is unwilling to acknowledge her existence. Nat has a few secrets and one in particular has brought the wrath of the Long Island wolves to her door. Now that her best friend and fellow wolf Aggie has moved in to help, Natalya is hoping she will be able to eek out some kind of normal life-whatever normal is.

Natalya is a strange young woman with an affinity for holiday decorations that could land her a spot on the TV show Hoarders. To complicate matters, her ever-present copious quantities of OCDs interfere with her ability to socialize and make friends- an OCD that started approximately 5 years earlier. And the only man she has ever loved, is sending mixed messages about his intent. Five years ago Thorn left Natalya for bigger and better things with the promise to return, but now he was in line for Alpha and promised to another. He never made good on his promise to return and Natalya’s life spiraled out of control.

Without the support of the pack, Natalya is at risk. She is not a fighter and is a weak link to both her family and her former pack. Constantly on the look out for another attack, the family will discover that one of their own is missing and Natalya is demanded for his return. As the threats against her life increase, so too, does the family support but the local pack alpha needs to know what has happened now that Natalya has been targeted. Natalya was told to leave town or she would be marked for execution by her own pack for putting everyone at risk.

Shawntelle adds an assortment of supernatural beings to her storyline ensemble: wizards, necromancers, witches, pregnant nymphs, fairies, werewolves, mermaids, dwarves, muses and zombies. We meet many of these creatures as Natalya attempts a version of supernatural counseling. It is amazing what an author can do with a few psychological dysfunctions and anxiety disorders: a mermaid afraid of the water: a succubus who is unable to find a date: a warlock who casts spells every time he sneezes and a muse who can only inspire the supernatural authors. As Nat is partnered with a wizard, she will soon discover she has the support of the supernatural community, even it she doesn’t have the support from her own. A battle between packs would prove who was the most powerful after all.

COVETED is an interesting tale of one woman’s struggle with emotional disorders in a supernatural world. Natalya is slowly learning to deal with the problems that developed out of a need for comfort when rejection by the very people she has loved pushed her too far. Shawntelle Madison writes a heartfelt story that had me drying a tear or two, and although there is still a need for some major therapy, Natalya Stravinsky is on her way to healing a broken heart and a broken mind.

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Copy supplied by Netgalley/Author

Reviewed by Sandy

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Collected (Coveted #.5) by Shawntelle Madison-a review

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Collected (Coveted #.5)by Shawntelle Madison-a review

COLLECTED (Coveted .5) by Shawntelle Madison

COLLECTED is a short story (September 30, 2012 release)  that takes place 7months before COVETED. Natalya Stravinsky is a female werewolf with a few OCDs and psychological problems, among them her penchant and obsession for collecting Christmas ornaments. When her recent order failed to arrive, Natalya used her werewolf senses and went on the hunt, looking for the ‘thing’ that had stolen her latest online acquisition.

The zmee is a three-headed dragon-like creature-the stuff of wicked fairy tales, and Natalya scented a trail that led directly to the zmee. When Natalya confronted the thief, she was surprised to discover there is some background information about the antique Christmas ornament and a series of hidden trinkets, that had not been revealed. As a member of the supernatural world, she is well aware that not everything is as it appears. The zmee was willing to negotiate a price with Natalya in exchange for the holiday bauble for some information contained on another antiquity.

Natalya needed help. To retrieve the information, she requested assistance from her brother Alex and his friend Miles, but Alex was not pleased when she revealed who and what they were after. But in order to retrieve the information, Natalya and her brother would have to face bigger problems and even more powerful supernatural creatures. Everyone wanted the same information-for a price.

COLLECTED is a prequel novella that adds some background information into the world of Natalya Stravinsky and her obsession with everything Christmas. Natalya’s obsession will place the people she loves in danger and the price for online shopping is greater than anyone is willing to admit. Collected is a wonderful addition to Shawntelle’s Coveted series.

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Reviewed by Sandy

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