Review: Wild Invitation

Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #0.5, #3.5, #9.5, #10.5
Rating: ★★★★★

In Beat of Temptation , innocent Tamsyn has always had a place in her heart for Nathan, a blooded DarkRiver sentinel. But is she ready for the fierce demands of the mating bond?

 

In Stroke of Enticement , a wary young teacher, skeptical about love, arouses the man—and the animal—in an aggressive leopard changeling who must prove his affections are true.

 

Plus 2 NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED NOVELLAS

 

In Declaration of Courtship , Grace, a shy submissive wolf, finds herself pursued by the last man she ever would have imagined: a SnowDancer lieutenant said to be “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.”

 

In Texture of Intimacy , SnowDancer healer Lara discovers the searing joys—and unexpected challenges—of being mated to quiet, powerful Walker, a man used to keeping his silence.

Book 0.5: Beat of Temptation (See Wild Invitation Review)
Book 0.6: Whisper of Sin
Book 1: Slave to Sensation
Book 2: Visions of Heat
Book 2.5: Echo of Silence (See Wild Embrace Review)
Book 3: Caressed by Ice
Book 3.5: Stroke of Enticement (See Wild Invitation Review)
Book 4: Mine to Possess
Book 5: Hostage to Pleasure
Book 5.25: Dorian (See Wild Embrace Review)
Book 6: Branded by Fire
Book 7: Blaze of Memory
Book 8: Bonds of Justice
Book 9: Play of Passion
Book 9.5: Declaration of Courtship (See Wild Invitation Review)
Book 10: Kiss of Snow
Book 10.5: Texture of Intimacy (See Wild Invitation Review)
Book 11: Tangle of Need
Book 11.1: Partners in Persuasion (See Wild Embrace Review)
Book 12: Heart of Obsidian
Book 12.1: Flirtation of Fate (See Wild Embrace Review)
Book 13: Shield of Winter
Book 14: Shards of Hope
Book 15: Allegiance of Honor

Beat of Temptation (Psy-Changeling #0.5): Nate and Tamsyn
There are few authors that I feel like can write a good, satisfying, complete short story or novella. Nalini Singh is one of those. I always finish her books, novellas, snippets wanting more but that’s simply because I can’t get enough of the wonderful world, characters and plot she writes. I’m smiling, (or crying), and completely spellbound while I’m reading.

I loved Tammy, and Nate, from the first moment I saw them in Slave to Sensation (Book 1), so I was really excited to read their story. And it’s just as explosive, heart-wrenching, and sigh-worthy as I was expecting.

There are glimpses into the pack before Lucas became Alpha, before their revenge was taken – when they were still healing from the tragedy that rocked their pack. We get to see some of our favorite characters when they’re still juveniles themselves. Dorian and Lucas both made me laugh, and love them an impossible bit more.

I liked seeing how previous relationships within the pack were handled in this case, how the pack is there for each other – no matter what. It’s always been one of the most appealing aspects of the changelings.

I’ve purposely been a little vague on the story itself, and Nate and Tammy’s romance, because it is short and it’s not complex, but it is a joy to read.

If you haven’t picked up the Psy/Changeling series (or anything Nalini Singh) yet, you’re missing out on – in my opinion – one of the best series and writers out there.

Stroke of Enticement (Psy-Changeling #3.5): Zach and Annie
Zach, a leopard changeling, and Annie, a human teacher meet and the connection is instant. This book definitely uses the mate-bond even more than the others in the series. Zach’s recognition of it, and acceptance of it, is nearly instant. He then pursues Annie, who’s more than a bit gun-shy of relationships, with charm and patience.

I love Zach, the easy way he takes any obstacle to having Annie as his in stride. He won’t accept defeat, even as he’s terrified she won’t have him.

Annie is a great character. She’s strong, smart and playful. She has some trust issues, which are completely understandable once you meet her parents.

This novella is one of the ones I go to anytime I need a quick pick-me-up. It just makes me happy.

Oh – and there’s, what I’m sure is, mention of Kaleb as a child. Note that it’s never confirmed in the text that Kaleb was the one, but I’m convinced it had to be him.

Declaration of Courtship (Psy-Changeling #9.5): Cooper and Grace
I really enjoyed this novella. Watching super-dominant Cooper and uber-submissive Grace navigate their relationship was intriguing. I hadn’t ever considered the problems they may have to overcome, and how dominant/submissive might not always be as easy as I’d assumed. Something I haven’t really talked about before, but wanted to bring up now: I love how Nalini depicts “dominant” and “submissive” – often subverting expectations and never falling into stereotypes. Each character is unique and their own. Their own quirks, voices, thoughts, and needs. They each have their own insecurities, desires and gifts.

Great addition to the series.

Texture of Intimacy (Psy-Changeling #10.5): Walker and Lara
This picks up nearly immediately after the end of their secondary story-line in Kiss of Snow. We join them again before Hawke and Sienna have even mated. I liked getting this additional look into them. Seeing how they’re going to make it work, and who they are together.

Another thing I like, that I haven’t mentioned before (I don’t think) is how Nalini manages to always – even in novellas – build in the world. Small mentions of things going on, problems, concerns, even updates on some other character really adds to the joy of reading them.

Fabulous collection of novellas. I’m not generally a fan of novellas. I feel like most authors can’t fit the story that needs to be told in novella format. But Nalini Singh excels at it.