Thirty females of the Ophidian race have gone missing. Believed to be dead by every Archon in the states, Merrick leads a quiet and unassuming life, saving those of his race that are lost and need it most. It’s a solitary existence, one that he hates every day. He yearns for his mate, the woman he left over a decade before, and the woman who thinks him dead to this day. When Elise Rizdon gets the official invitation to the Archon meeting in Ohio, she never expected to see the love of her life at the woman’s side, a man she was told was dead and buried. She lost him once upon a time, and she never fully recovered. Focusing on the issues, and not the man that has always made her body burn is not going to be easy. A disturbing event is on the horizon, one that threatens all Ophidian’s and their way of life. In order to survive they will have to work together, give up old grudges and take chances on the things that matter most. Love, life and the continuation of their race.
Entwined By Fate – S.A. Price
January 19th, 2009
Paranormal Romance
Tease Publishing
John Merrick lives outside of the box in the weresnake hierarchy. In weresnake culture, women rule the nests. Women become the Archon, head snake of a certain area, and their mate, almost always become the second in command. However, Merrick, who has been laying low these past few years has bigger concerns than whether a woman should be leading his nest. He doesn’t even have a formal nest to speak of, but he brings in strays and runaways and those shifters that need a second chance in life. Much to his dismay he realizes many of his female shifters and some of his males have gone missing. Realizing this goes above his means, he decides to call a meeting of all Archons to come up with a game plan. Merrick knows the Archons will not recognize him as a leader, so he takes Kira, someone he considers more of a sister as the pretend Archon and they go, under the cover of mates.
Once at the meeting, they must walk a fine line with tricking the other Archons of their nest and leadership. The missing snakes is news to the other Archons and everyone goes on alert. Merrick not only has the stress of finding his missing family, but he sees his former love, Elise, who is another Archon at the meeting.
Elise has thought Merrick dead for these past ten years. When she sees him strut in with Kira at his side, elation soon turns to utter despair. How dare he keep his news of being alive a secret and turn to another woman. Merrick sees Elise and his feelings go into overdrive. But he must keep his distance, keep his mind in the game to save the girls.
When one of the missing girls escapes her kidnappers, Merrick and company’s fortune changes. Now they must prepare for a fight to get the others to safety and Merrick and Elise must fight for their lost years.
Entwined by Fate, by the writing team of Stella and Audra Price, definitely has its “sssssssmexy” moments! (I couldn’t resist). There were some steamy parts and a character I really enjoyed, but let’s talk about what didn’t work for me first.
I had a hard time buying into the fact that Merrick and Elise are mates who have loved each other over the years, yet, Merrick leaves for over a decade and they never have contact. For the beginning of that time, yes, he had to be in hiding and it was dangerous for people to know he was still alive. But it seems that in the past few years he has been more noticeable, rescuing strays and the like. And he shows up at this big meeting without worry of letting others know of his existence. So why could he have not been in contact with Elise at all over the years? He loves her, he wants to be with her. The reasoning behind that fell flat for me.
I also didn’t feel like the dialogue flowed smoothly. What they were saying to each other didn’t always seem natural and it was somewhat disjointed and it made it harder to become immersed in the story.
With all of that being said, the actual snake shifting I had no problems with – I know a lot of people out there have a snake phobia. I liked the description of the nests, and that the women were in charge. Stella and Audra Price really make the shifting into a beautiful thing and their truly is no “ick” factor.
There are definitely steamy moments and once Merrick and Elise reconcile, the romance works. The last third of the book definitely held my interest in some great action scenes. I think my favorite character is Aiden, a snake shifter who is afraid of snakes – HA!
If you are looking for something a little different in a shifter book, you might want to try Entwined By Fate.
Rating: Three Stars
Recent Reviews:
Smokin Hot Books – 3.5/5
Larissa’s Life – 4.5/5
Goodreads
Stella and Audra Price are giving you a chance to win An Entwined by Fate notebook, a weresnake promo pack, and two print books: Sugar and Sin and Silk and Steel, from the Eververse demon series.
To enter, leave a comment.
Contest open to all, through Saturday and I will announce the winner on Sunday.
I really like the focus on a different shapeshifting species and to make a snake-shifter all alpha male is intriguing to me. It's going on the TBB list. Thanks Mandi ;)
This book sounds new and exciting. Definitely a different kind of shifter. I will look forward to reading it.
seriousreader at live dot com
I think it was K.C. who dared me to read this one, I haven't yet but I promise, I will TRY! Especially 'cause Aiden sounds awesome. Great review, Mandi!
Hahha ssssmexy ;)
Oh a weresnake afraid of snakes, I gotta see that. Sounds like a nice story, and cool open to all contest, I am in
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
Hi Mandi!
Thank you so much for reviewing the book, Im glad you gave us a honest and fair review, and Im sorry it didnt turn your crank persay.
There have been discussions about the mechanics of Elise and Merrick's relationship, and all I can say is they were written as they were supposed to be. Merrick is an alpha and he believes he was doing the right thing by staying away and keeping her safe, and Elise, because she doesn't trust him when he shows back up, did in fact act like a woman would, who would just jump into the sack after being lied to for 15 years? As the kinda male Merrick is, he thinks that what he did was right, and she knows what he did was wrong. I'm sorry it didn't gel with ya but its cool that you did read it and give it the chance.
And I'm glad you liked Aiden, his story is very interesting, especially with his little problem with snakes.
THank you to everyone that has commented so far, and Ill be popping in and out to answer any questions you guys have about the books or the other series we do.
Thanks again Mandi!
Stella
Mandi I hope it's ok to post this …but don't forget to stop by my blog for more chances to win on the blog tour for "Entwined by Fate"
http://thecajunbooklady.blogspot.com/2010/01/lets-kick-off-entwined-by-fate-blog.html
Thank you for making this giveaway Internationally :)
i'm always up for a good New Author for me ! count me in.
A snake shifter that is afraid of snakes? Now THAT is funny!! I love it. ;D
FV: it is quite funny, though Aiden doesn't think so. He has a journey ahead of him with this part of his life, I mean talk about debilitating to your sex life… LOL.
thanks for stopping by!
S
Ok…the snake thing is a little freaky for me. Besides…what good is it to shift into something that isn't very predatory? Although I am not a big fan of furry men either LOL! May have to try it just for the novelty factor!
Great honest review Mandi! Thanks for giving it to me ssssssstraight! LOL!!
Okay, I will just confess that I am not that into the snake thing… but when you told me that Aiden is a snake shifter… who is afraid of snakes… oh man, I have to read this book now. That part is very intriguing! I mean, to be afraid of what you are…. lol!!! So, yes, this will be going on my TBB list as soon as I get home! Thanks again Mandi!!!
You are ssssssoooo Sssssmexy!
I think its not about predatory, snakes have been used the world over in sexual rites and considered forbidden in my religions. We pulled off that. They have faults, and natural predators, like any species, and try to live with that fact.
Thanks for stopping by and retweeting!
Ah crap. that should say Many religions, not my. Crap-o.
Hey Mandi I'm with you. I was more interested in the side characters much like a J.R. Ward book. The begining took me a bit to get into to, but after that I was hooked. I thought Stella and Audra did a great job with the weresnake angle. I probably would have made Aiden and that Ryan guy separate books. All in all an enjoyable read!
Great Post!
Psst:
Homer and Aiden each have their own books coming up… HEHE…
Sounds different and interesting.I will have to check it out
Snakes…sounds different. Count me in.
Weresnakes. That's a new one for me. Sounds good. Count me in please. Thanks!
gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com
This sounds like a very interesting premise! And weresnakes is definitely a new one for me. So please count me in!
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
Leontine – I really liked the emphasis on something different too!
Linda – I hope you enjoy!
Wendy – Alright missy – I now have it in writing that you will try this book..you can't escape..LOL
Blodeuedd – hehe..yes, very humorous ;)
Kris -cool, thanks for posting it!
Mariska – It is always fun to try something new :)
FV – Yes, I like Aiden ;)
Love the idea of weresnakes, and just picked up the first three books in the Knossos West series. Now I have another one to add to my wish list.
caity_mack(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have bee looking for this book (in print form) ever since Larissa reviewed it weeks ago! I am *dying* to read this one, but can only find it in e-book form.
Great review.
P.S. – Jane Jameson arrived in the mail today!!! (the book, not the fictional character – that would be above awesome!).
Entwined by Fate sounds good. I have never read a snakeshifter before.
Crystal816[at]hotmail{dot}com
Snakes as shifters…very creative! How awesome that the lady snakes rule!!!
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
LOL. A snake shifter afraid of snakes. Got to love it. Sounds like a really good story and a fascinating new world to explore.
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hmm, intriguing. I like the matriarchal idea, although snakes…. *shivers* And I see your point about how long Merrick was away. Was that resolves satisfactorily for you Mandi?
Oh, but please don't include me in the contest :)
I have never read about a snakeshifter! Sounds fascinating.
kissinoak at verizon dot net
Sounds good. Very unique, not something I have read before. I like that.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Danielle87: It will be available in print January 19th so soon hun LOL.
Thanks to everyone that has commented and interested, it lets me know we were right, and there is quite possibly a market out there for people that wanna read shifters that go beyond cats and wolves. You guys have made my day awesome.
Thanks!
Stella
I have never read about a weresnake before. It sounds interesting!
Raelena
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Wow this book sounds like a book I would love to read!
I love the cover and what a great review!
Thanks for a chance to win a copy!
This sound kind of interesting. I may have to add this to my list. I know there were a few things that didn't really work well for you but the idea of the book sounds interesting – weresnakes.
Thanks for the review!
Sounds like an okay book. I don't have a complete phobia of snakes, but they weird me out. I would still like to read it though. lol