#BookReview ~ Tarnished Beginnings (Soul Dance, Book 1) by Ann Gimpel ~ @AnnGimpel #Shifter #Fantasy #Novella

Tarnished Beginnings by Ann Gimpel

Book Details:

Kindle File Size: 438 KB
Print Length: 111 pages
Publisher: Ann Gimpel Books, LLC
Publication Date: June 29, 2017
ASIN: B073JT64DP

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About the Book:

Tarnished Beginnings is the prequel to the Soul Dance series. Novella length, it's shifter fantasy, but not a romance. The other three books in this series are full length romances with HEAs. Join Tairin as a young woman struggling to survive in 1700s Egypt. You'll meet her again in Tarnished Legacy, book two of Soul Dance.

1700s Egypt is a haven for magic-wielders of all kinds. Vampires hold court, staying one step ahead of the priests and priestesses who want them dead. Gypsy caravans roam the Nile from north to south and back again, plying their wares, telling fortunes, casting Tarot cards, and stealing from the gadjos.

Tairin Jabari was born in a caravan and has always believed she’s Romani. Why wouldn’t she? Her mother and father never suggested otherwise. The Rom have harsh rules. When Tairin’s first shift catches her unaware at thirteen, her father disappears, and the elders move with deadly speed to punish her mother for mating outside the blood.

Hurt, lost, confused, and fearing for her own life, Tairin runs away, leaving her mother’s smoking funeral pyre behind. If she could only find her father, he’d welcome her. He’s always loved her, hasn’t he? Only problem is he’s in a shifter settlement. With her mixed blood, they won’t welcome her any more warmly than the Romani. It doesn’t take long before Tairin discovers how desperately unprepared she is for life outside her protected caravan. With her survival on the line every single day, she and her wolf face hard choices.

My Review:

Tarnished Beginnings takes us on an adventure in 1700s Egypt. Tairin is the product of a Romani gypsy and a shifter – a union that, if known, results in the death of those who dare mate outside the gypsy clan. Additionally, the shifter clan will not acknowledge her either due to the dual heritage. She learns rather quickly that the world is neither kind nor safe outside the confines of the gypsy caravan; however, there is no turning back.

Get ready for the intro to what is sure to be a wonderful shifter fantasy series. I enjoyed the set up for the series in Tarnished Beginnings. Tairin’s character is young yet forced to grow up quickly in order to survive in a land where women were possessions with no rights or protections. The world building is done well and the reader will find themselves magically transported to Egypt in their mind’s eye. The dialogue was smooth and believable and I was engaged in the entire story.

Ann Gimpel is one of my favorite authors. Her stories are fresh and unique and her characters are strong and captivating. Her characters are real. They have real emotions, are likable, and are written in such a way that no matter their genre (paranormal, steampunk, historical), the reader will connect with them.

As of Oct. 4, 2017, this book is from my private collection. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

Visit the Author:

https://anngimpel.com/

New Release & #Review ~ Love Potions: Witch Romance Anthology ~ @AnnGimpel ~ Ellis Leigh, Debra Dunbar, Celia Kyle & Marina Maddix, Mindy Klasky, Tasha Black, Ann Gimpel, & V. Vaughn #TimeTravel #PNR #Romance

 

Enjoy the magic of love with us! This collection of witch romance stories by six NY Times, USA Today and Bestselling authors will trap you in its spell. This box set is designed to introduce you to new authors and new series. Happy Reading!

Claiming His Witch - Ellis Leigh

After her coven shuns her for a mating prescribed by the fates, water witch Azurine will have to break every boundary to prove her love, her loyalty, and that the Fates couldn't possibly be wrong.

Brimstone and Broomsticks - Debra Dunbar

A family of witches, a sexy stranger, a missing werewolf, and a whole town of paranormal suspects! Who knew a demon could be so hellishly sexy? Or that his arrival could cause so much trouble in a town full of werewolves, trolls, and harpies?

Witch in Charge - Celia Kyle & Marina Maddix

It's all fun and games until Kelly's gargoyle statue turns into a real man... Except, Kelly has far more important things to focus on--such as finding her family's missing spell book so she can figure out how to rein in the uncontrollable Hollow House, impress her dubious boss, and break the curse that turns Ronun to stone for half the day.

The Library, the Witch, and the Warder - Mindy Klasky

David Montrose has been fired from protecting Washington’s witches, and now he’s stuck in a dead-end clerical job. His father says he's disgraced the family name. Instead of sympathizing, his best friend is dragging him into an all-out supernatural war. When David is summoned back to warder status, he must figure out how to juggle work, warfare, and warding—or all of magical Washington will pay the price!

Break This – Tasha Black

Sparks fly when a world class MMA fighting bear shifter, and a plus sized model with a special talent end up as unlikely allies. Thea knows Chance is off limits, so why can't she help losing herself to desire every time he's near?

Timespell, Elemental Witch Book One - Ann Gimpel

Katerina eats, sleeps, and breathes cultural anthropology, her single-minded focus a hedge against concerns something isn’t quite right. She’s on a lecture tour in the Scottish Highlands when hallucinations grab her, visions rife with horrors straight out of medieval folklore. A hunky arch Druid figures things out, but selling Katarina on her witch heritage is way harder than he anticipated.

Wildest Bear – V. Vaughn

Twins are a lot of work, even for a witch. But when the toddlers start shifting into bear cubs in a world where they are not welcome, Tally and Marcel have to find a way to keep them, and their marriage, safe.

Amazon https://amzn.to/3s7cw4x
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60957780-love-potions

ASIN: ‎ B09Z8NKZ42
Publisher: ‎ Sugarloaf Press (April 29, 2022)
Publication Date: ‎ April 29, 2022
Print Length: ‎ 1326 pages

My Review and Rating:

Love Potions: Witch Romance Anthology by V. Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love Potions is a newly released 6 novel, witch romance anthology/box set.
I read Timespell, Elemental Witch, Book One, by Ann Gimpel for this anthology. I plan to read the other five books soon, as well.

Katerina Roskelly has traveled to Scotland to present some research on Scottish clans. While there unusually happenings take place and Katerina fears she’s losing her mind. There is a history of mental illness in her family stemming back to her great-great-grandmother. Kat was certain she’d missed the opening for mental illness but her time in Scotland has proved otherwise. Or has it?

Arlen MacGregor is the Arch Druid for Great Britain. Fortunately, he hasn’t had to rely on, or use, his magic much lately. When he attends a lecture by an American anthropologist, all that changes when he feels otherworldly forces surrounding her. Arlen realizes Katerina is from the line of Roskelly witches, a violent clan of magic doers. Now he must find out why these otherworldly forces are set on capturing Katrina and prevent her from walking in the shoes of her ancestors.

I enjoyed the lowkey attraction between Arlen and Kat. They have a rocky beginning but who wouldn’t if you had a person tell you you’re from a long line of evil witches. Her tune changes a bit the first time she travels back in time. Once Kat realizes and understands the implications of who she is, her family lineage, and the dangers she faces, she allows herself to open up to Arlen. I enjoyed their interactions.

This story is original, fun, and fast-paced. I was engaged from the first paragraph. The plot flows smoothly and the author created wonderful characters, a fantastic story, and vivid and descriptive scenery. I have yet to read a book from Ann Gimpel that isn't written well or exciting. Her weaving of stories and tales makes for great entertainment and when I start a book, it's hard to put it down.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Harsh Line (Cataclysm, Book 1) by Ann Gimpel ~ #UF @AnnGimpel

Book Details:

Print Length: 240 pages
Publisher: Ann Gimpel Books, LLC
Publication Date: April 13, 2020
ASIN: B083LFLPW6

About the Book:

My very existence is under attack. I’ve kept a low profile, told myself the craziness sweeping the world would pass me by. Yeah, it was wishful thinking, actually an outright lie, but it’s kept me sane.

I’ve been hiding out forever in one guise or another. Currently, I run a nightclub. Ascent is an “ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies” haven. For everybody. I’m a Vampire. Far be it from me to judge.

My closest ally is a shapeshifting dire wolf. I adopted him when he was a scrawny puppy, but I’m getting ahead of my tale.

The fragile détente between supernaturals and humans has crashed and burned. I can’t avoid the truth any longer. Lucky for me, mortals don’t know exactly what I am. When I moved to Seattle, some vampiric sixth sense urged me to play my cards close to my vest, but I’m done burying my secrets.

And my power.

It’s past time for supernaturals to get over their stupid infighting. Meh. So what if Witches hate Druids? Or Fae never deal with Sorcerers? We have to pull together, or we’ll have no chance at all.

Not that it’s likely, but if any mortals see the light and sign up for our side, we’d damn well better welcome them.

I’m Ariana Hawke. No more skulking in the shadows for me.

My Review:

Harsh Line is the first book in Ann Gimpel's Cataclysm series. Ariana Hawke is an ancient vampire who has managed to blend into a human world that would like nothing more than to see all supernatural creatures be eradicated. She runs Ascent, a nightclub that caters to everyone and employs the very creatures the humans who patronize the club want put to their eternal deaths. Ariana's sidekick is Conan, a mysterious dire wolf she rescued as a pup and nurtured, contrary to a vampire's nature. Ariana and Conan unlikely companions who have ever other's backs - Always! But they both harbor secrets; secrets that may cause their ultimate demise.

Harsh Line is a wonderful book that has author, Ann Gimpel, creating vampires on the side of good,when her vampires are generally on the opposing side. I loved Ariana and Conan's characters. An unlikely pair, their bond is strong and the trust they have for one another runs deep. Her ability to run a club that employs other supernatural creatures that tend avoid vampires at all cost prove her leadership ability. Ariana is not a typical vampire, a fact a newly arrived vampire, Nickolas, discovers after meeting her.

All of the characters are strong and multi-dimensional. Ariana's character is strong but we learn a lot about her past and what makes her tick. We don't get a lot out of Conan's past at the beginning, however, as the book progresses, he character unwillingly opens up and we find out more about him. The world building creates a sense of belonging at Ascend. I felt like I was in the story, hearing the words, visualizing the scenes, feeling the emotions.

I look forward to the next book.

I requested and was provided a copy of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Rating: