Wild Embrace (A Psy-Changeling Collection) by Nalini Singh
Psy-Changeling Collection, 15.5
Paranormal Romance
Released: August 23, 2016
Berkley

Reviewed by Sheena

The “alpha author of paranormal romance”* presents a stunningly sensual collection of four all-new Psy-Changeling novellas, in which taboos are broken, boundaries are crossed, and instincts prove irresistible…

Nalini is an auto-buy, auto-read, auto-fangirl, auto-obsess until the next release and auto-repeat. If you are new to Ms. Singh’s works, I can’t give you back the hours, upon hours of reading pleasure you’ve been missing out and I personally want to know the actual locale of the rock you’ve been living under- but hark!  I can usher you into a world where three dominant races, once viciously warring and disparate are taking tentative steps toward a future where they do not simply co-exist but are unifying.. That is with the exception of evil operatives who thirst for power and work to subvert any strides toward peace and a growing miasma that could be the undoing of them all.  The Psy are a telepathic race of people who live and function on both the physical and mental, psychic plane.  Their history is shrouded in darkness and pain.  Out of desperation the Psy implemented Silence, the protocol of torturing away emotions until they were but a walking, talking, unfeeling race of people, with unbelievable telepathic powers. The Psy are driven by power and accomplishment and believe themselves superior to the human and changeling races. Changelings are just what you suspect, shape shifters of all creeds. Powerful, full of life, love and capable of emotional mating bonds that symbolize the deepest emotional connection; the Changelings are not afraid of the Psy and along side brave humans, they have taken them on and won! This world is a masterpiece, ever evolving, ever interesting and utterly compelling.

Every so often, Nalini, in her pure benevolence surprises readers with slices of life and short stories that grow to anthologies. These collections of stories are truly gems of the highest order, profound tokens of her creative generosity and exquisite manifestations of her glorious talented- ok, ok, you get it-right. Ok. Because, seriously,  I could wax poetic- all day long– about how freaking awesome-sauce- the good, gourmet sauce that pucks a fucking punch- Nalini Singh is. Just sayin.

I’ll share more of my “Nalini Rules” unabashedly, unbridled adoration next time. Or in the next few sentences. I promise nothing!

Anyway- where was I, *ahem* Nalini is the gold standard by which all paranormal roman- I kid! I kid.  As I was saying, (the leader Nalini is good, Nalini is great (in my Simpsons cult-ish voice that is not creepy at all).

Errrm, letssss just move on to what you can look forward to in Singh’s latest and greatest anthology:

Echo of Silence 
In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life’s work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander… 

Tazia is a young human woman who is living her life on her own terms, much to the chagrin of her ultra traditional family.  She is lonely and desperately misses her bonds of family, though she is too stubborn to go back home. Stefan is her commander, a strong telekinetic teleporter who has a growing affection toward Tazi that he cannot control or understand.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, “for not knowing you.”

“How could you?” he said, one of his hands heavy and warm on her lower back.  “I didn’t let you see me. I haven’t let anyone see me since childhood.  Not even my Arrow brethren know me as you do.”

“I’m the same.  I haven’t let anyone truly see me either, not since I left the village.  Only you know the real Tazi.”  He stroked her hair. “It is a gift you give me, Tazi.  One I will always honor.”

Tazia and Stefan had such a sad sweetness that I really responded to. Their story took place during a time when breaking silence was punishable by reconditioning! Their illicit romance felt very “early psy-changeling” and it is remarkable that Singh can switch back and write a story that feels just as desperate and yearning during a very dangerous time in the series history. I wanted to shout that they were free! Free to love at long last!

Dorian
A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play…

Dorian is back and this is the story of his life, a sort of “Dorian, this is your life” flash back and forward where we see just how far this formerly latent leopard changeling has come.  Of all the stories, Dorian’s was the most heart warming. My eyes glistened and my heart burst with pride for the sentinel who wouldn’t let a physical deficiency hinder his potential.  My favorite of his flashbacks were his time as a young boy, his voice so stinkin cute!

“Dorian thought about his angry, sad feelings, and he thought about Zeph who was so good at stuff, and he thought about hos his mom and dad said he was a wonderful son, and he thought about what Lachlan had said.  The he nodded…”Just ’cause I can’t shift doesn’t mean I can’t do everything.  I just gotta try harder.”

Fair warning:  There is a scene between Dorian and pack Alpha, Lucus, that took my breath away.  I had no breath, no air and I sort of didn’t care if I kicked the shit out of the bucket, because man, what a way to go!  Fans of the series will weep, even if you are new to the series and this is the first you are reading of Dorian and his shifting challenges, you won’t escape the feels. Lucus and Dorian gave me ALL feels.

Partners in Persuasion
Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of him…

I wasn’t sure about a submissive hero.  Hey, whatever man, I like my H’s alpha, dominant, sexy and strong (beards are a bonus and scars are a triple score on the “Oh YES please” scale.  Felix was a game changer. My deviant little doubting mind should have known better (duh, Nalini is legend and legends always make it work!) I already have my spot picked out in the city square where I’ll flog myself within an inch of consciousness for even daring to doubt that this would work.  It totally works.  Felix was submissive, but his character teemed with strength and goodness and I was rooting for him in no time.  This sexy wolf had my head on a swivel for sure.

“Surrendering his mouth to her own when she sought it, he pulled out and thrust deep again and again.  His rhythm was ragged, his heart thunder…and then Desiree’s teeth closed over the pulse in his neck hard enough to leave a mark.  The orgasm tore through him so hard that he felt his claws slice out…”

Oh Felix, unnervingly gorgeous, irresistible and unfathomably endearing.  You will adore!  There is also a strong lesson a recurring spotlight on concent and respect that I definitely appreciated.  Leave it to Nalini to showcase important lessons interspersed with the kink!

Legend!

Flirtation of Fate
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries…

Psy-Changeling fans have been clamoring for Kenji and Garnet’s story for years.  Finally! We see these two antagonistic lieutenants collide, and finally (finally) give in to their mutual attraction.  We learn a lot about the duo, how one holds a grudge born of heartbreak and the other a secret steeped in personal shame. If I had to pick, this would be my least fav of the collection.  Make no mistake, they have a killer in the den to track, a murder mystery to battle along with their own elusive bond, their story moves at a clip and I got the warm and fuzzies, I just took issue with how Kenji self sabotaged when he totally didn’t have to give the most known and fundamental biological facts that we know about changelings.  I won’t spoil, but when you read it, please groan at him with me, we can do it in unison, because he truly made Mt Rushmore out of an ant hill.

Nevertheless, the story (at long last!) of Kenji and Garnet is a must read for any series fan.

“Shuddering, he dropped his head as he thrust into her hand.  It made a moan ripple out of her throat, her body primed and ready for him.  But he didn’t do what they both wanted and plunge into her. Pulling out of her possessive hold before kissing her with a raw ferocity…he bit at her lower lip, squeezed her breast, sucked on a pouting nipple on his way down her body.  Then he was pulling her leg over his shoulder and oh-

Her blood turned to honey as he used his tongue…”

Beyond standing as a finely crafted, tangibly sublime collection of stories, the series is beautifully unique and the characters a true rainbow coalition, her character diversity being a staple that makes each story infinitely more wild and alluring.

Can I be any more clear? Anymore direct….anymore expressive?

Sure.

Read this.  Then chat me about it. Often.

Because, awesome!

Grade: A

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