Series: A Series of Fates
Volume: 2/3Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre/s: Paranormal Comedy, M/M Romance
Length: 27 222 words
Read in: English
Review copy format: epub
Rate:✮✮✮✮✮✰
Seth, a teenage shifter, lives above the bakery he runs with his friend. When a human dog trainer moves in next door, Seth's life turns upside down. His body starts to react to the handsome neighbor in an unforeseen way. But how is it even possible when Jack is just a human? If that was not enough, Seth doesn't have the courage to get to know his neighbor better, and due to this fact he needs to find another, unconventional way to get closer to him, even if not everyone would like his idea.
I would like to start the review of "Embracing Fate", the second volume of "A Series of Fates", by going back to the already discussed in my review of the first book topic of humor. As it happens, this installment is even more funny than the previous one, all thanks to the great story and the unique characters who really don't let us get bored and who make us smile all the time. And that's exactly the thing which I would like to put a special emphasis on, because the humorous side of this story is linked not only to the characters and their comments, words, but also to the situations they need to face. Thus, the comic side of this novella is fully elaborated, and I really love it. The great advantage of this book is also the fact that the mentioned humor is easy to understand for every reader, because it's very simple and that is why it is so amazingly funny.
However, "Embracing Fate" also has its more serious and deeper side, because it focuses on the topic of overcoming fear and oneself, getting out of a safe shell, facing anxiety and situations that increase this anxiety. I really liked the fact that Seth, who doesn't feel comfortable in his own human skin, decides to use his animal half to achieve his goal. In this case it is not important whether he manages to do it or not. What I think is the most important is the fact that the boy tries, thinks, looks for a way to overcome, outwit himself. However, I must add that Seth's development, which we have the opportunity to see, is also not without significance, as it perfectly complements the problem raised in this novella.
I admit that in "Embracing Fate" my heart also conquered the fact that C.C. Dado puts emphasis on getting to know the other person, despite the fact that the mates are in a way imposed by the fate. In literature we usually see a tendency to choose the simplest solution, and thus: fate knows best and certainly is not mistaken. In this story, however, the situation is different – fate chose, but the man/shifter verifies. I think that it is simply wonderful, because the characters do not fall in love with the idea of the other person, but in a real person, in who they are with their strong points and flaws. This is all the more important because in the previous volume we saw a nightmare of a relationship with a fated mate, who was not a good person. I'm therefore glad that C.C. Dado doesn't make the slaves of fate out of the characters, but lets them make their own conscious decisions.
To sum up, I think "Embracing Fate" is a really great novella which is even better than the previous one. This is a hilarious story about a shy boy with some complexes who hides from other people but who at all costs tries to face his fears and give himself a chance for love. I really fell in love with this story and I can recommend it to you with a clear conscience.
Headcanon: Seth and Jack adopt a dog.
Fanfiction idea: Jack organizes a great Obedience Dog Competition and Seth helps him prepare it.
AU idea: Seth finds a homeless dog on the street and decides to take him to the shelter. That's where he meets Jack, one of the employees.
Here's some more about:
BOOK 2
Buy Links
Buy Links
Book Title: Embracing Fate
Author: C.C. Dado
Cover Artist: Brooke Albrecht
Trope/s: Fated Mates
Themes: Shifters
Release Date: October 26, 2018
Overall Heat Rating: 2 flames (my stories are intended to be more comedy romance, bordering on young adult)
A Series of Fates Series and Anthology
Easter Valley is a place for shifters to thrive, protect each other, and be themselves. It’s also a place for friendships, laughs… and love. From the Alpha, to the shyest of pack members, these mates find their way into each other’s arms in this trio of romantic comedy tales, and while the path to love can be bumpy when fate is involved, the endings are always happy.
The stories should preferably read in order but can be read individually as they have their own main characters and HEA.
The stories should preferably read in order but can be read individually as they have their own main characters and HEA.
BOOK 2
Blurb
A Series of Fates: Book Two
Sometimes you just have to embrace your fate.
Seth has a secret: he has a crush on the human next door. His brilliant plan to meet Jack, the man of his dreams who happens to be an animal trainer? Take wolf form and ask his best friend, Max, to take him next door for training. Seth is the only one surprised when things go horribly awry.
Still, can this shy wolf and a human meet their fate as mates?
Sometimes you just have to embrace your fate.
Seth has a secret: he has a crush on the human next door. His brilliant plan to meet Jack, the man of his dreams who happens to be an animal trainer? Take wolf form and ask his best friend, Max, to take him next door for training. Seth is the only one surprised when things go horribly awry.
Still, can this shy wolf and a human meet their fate as mates?
Buy Links
Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK
BOOK 1
Book Title: Denying Fate Length: 23 500 words/ 83 pages Release Date: August 31, 2018
BOOK 1
Book Title: Denying Fate Length: 23 500 words/ 83 pages Release Date: August 31, 2018
Blurb
A Series of Fates: Book One
Fate is a funny thing. Some try to cut its threads, while others wrap themselves in it like a blanket.
Young wolf shifter Max is cocky and crass. Unlike others his age, he has yet to discover a talent that will serve his pack. Since childhood, he’s been convinced the pack alpha is his mate, but Alpha Christian cannot envision unfiltered and directionless Max taking the place of his elegant mother at the head of the pack. As Max begins to build a life with his best friend, he also begins to see that maybe what he thought was inevitable was all in his head, and it’s time to move on.
Or are they both denying fate?
Fate is a funny thing. Some try to cut its threads, while others wrap themselves in it like a blanket.
Young wolf shifter Max is cocky and crass. Unlike others his age, he has yet to discover a talent that will serve his pack. Since childhood, he’s been convinced the pack alpha is his mate, but Alpha Christian cannot envision unfiltered and directionless Max taking the place of his elegant mother at the head of the pack. As Max begins to build a life with his best friend, he also begins to see that maybe what he thought was inevitable was all in his head, and it’s time to move on.
Or are they both denying fate?
Buy Links
Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK
BOOK 3
Book Title: Fearing Fates
Length: 21 250 words/ 71 pages
Release Date: December 14, 2018
Blurb
He is a fearless protector by nature and in his heart. But nothing’s ever simple with love… or fate.
At nearly seven feet tall, Zeus’s role had always been to protect the pack—but his newest charges need him more than most. Kimber and Kron are transplants from another pack, and they have a dangerous stranger on their tails. Zeus is determined to do his duty and drive the human out of town. But when he confronts Toren, his wolf has other ideas….
Something isn’t right, but should a huge, tattooed wolf with a secret soft heart fear his fate—to love a man with secrets of his own?
At nearly seven feet tall, Zeus’s role had always been to protect the pack—but his newest charges need him more than most. Kimber and Kron are transplants from another pack, and they have a dangerous stranger on their tails. Zeus is determined to do his duty and drive the human out of town. But when he confronts Toren, his wolf has other ideas….
Something isn’t right, but should a huge, tattooed wolf with a secret soft heart fear his fate—to love a man with secrets of his own?
Excerpt from Embracing Fate
Seth walked down to the bakery to get the ovens warming and opened the window behind the sink so it didn’t get too hot. It was still early morning, but it was already at least seventy degrees out. He could smell the morning dew burning off under the sun. He spent the next few hours preparing the backup set of baked goods for the display cases. Max had come in a little while ago to get the front ready for another busy Saturday. Seth was really glad they had high school kids helping out in the afternoons now, so they didn’t have to put in such a long day. Seth was on his last batch of cupcakes. He’d grabbed the muffin tin off the cooling rack and started filling the paper cups with batter when he heard a commanding voice pierce through the window.
“Sit.”
Seth was unable to control his response as he dropped his spatula and sat his butt hard onto the floor. What the hell was that? Not even his alpha had that type of control over him. His premonition of undecidedly awful things coming ran through his mind—this is it. He barely registered the squeak of the swinging half doors as Max walked into the kitchen from the front.
“Whatcha doing there?” Max asked, leaning across the kitchen island.
Seth stared up at Max, his eyes blown wide. “I have no idea,” he said, the cupcake tin he had somehow managed not to drop still held awkwardly in the air.
“Lie down.” The voice came through the window again.
Max looked at Seth questioningly as Seth instantly fell onto his back.
“Okay…,” Max said, obviously trying to stay calm. “That was weird, right? Did you just lie down because someone outside said to?”
Seth whined, lying on the floor of the bakery in shock, scared eyes staring toward the ceiling.
Max came around the island, rushing to help Seth up.
“Okay, I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m calling Christian.” Max pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“Wait,” Seth said, needing a moment to process.
“Umm, no. We should call Christian.” Max leaned over the sink to see out the window into the backyard. “There’s a guy out back at the house next door. I think it’s the new neighbor. Maybe he’s an evil wizard or something. Is that a real thing? Oh….” He paused. “He’s pretty hot, but like not really my type. I like them with a little more muscle, to the point where their shirts stretch just a bit across their chest and shoulders, like Christian’s do. But he’s not bad, lanky, brunet too,” he said, sounding disappointed. “I prefer blonds, and he has on glasses. Can’t say I’ve ever been a fan of a man in glasses, but they fit on him.”
“Are you seriously checking out my neighbor right now?” Seth demanded, his anxiety starting to lower from DEFCON 3 as he took calming breaths.
“No, I mean yes, but not for me. Sorry, okay. Focus. Let’s get you up off the floor. We’ll call Christian and Zeus.”
Seth let Max help him up off the ground, and he peeked out the window. “Wait,” he said again, stopping Max’s hand as he reached for the phone in his pocket. “I’m not scared anymore.”
“What do you mean, you’re not scared anymore? You just laid down on the ground because someone told you to.”
“I know. And it scared me at first too. Normally I’d still be having a full-blown panic attack in the corner, probably crying a little, but I’m not.”
“Okay, so, you don’t want me to call Christian because you’re not freaking out anymore that someone is controlling your mind?” Max sarcastically summarized.
Seth shook his head at his friend. “I meant, I’m not panicking. The voice, it makes me feel different, like in a good way, peaceful almost.”
“I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re obviously not thinking clearly. You’ve lost the ability to make your own choices. I’ll have Christian’s lawyer draw up papers. I’ll be your legal guardian from now on.”
“If you’re ever the rational one out of the two of us, we’re both screwed, and I’m not insane, just curious, I guess. I don’t want to tell them yet.” Seth looked out at the stranger again. He was tall, his dark brown, wavy hair fell just past his shoulders, his nose was a little too big for his face, and Seth thought it was perfect. “Handsome but not too perfect.” His earlier words to Max about his preferences played back through his mind, making him take a deep breath.
Max leaned in next to him a bit to get a better look. “What is he doing out there?” Max attempted to whisper, watching intently out of the window.
“Zeus said he was a trainer.”
“Oh, Seth,” Max said, pausing to choke back a laugh with his fist. “He’s a dog trainer.” He snorted, apparently unable to hold it in any longer, “And you’re… you’re obeying his commands.”
Seth could barely make out what Max was saying past his laughter.
“Shit, I think I may die,” Max said, bent over the counter, holding his side. “This might be the best thing that has ever happened in my life.”
“I hate you,” Seth said, focusing his attention back out the window. Recalling his conversation with Zeus, the new neighbor was a dog trainer. Seth watched as the man knelt down in the grass and patted his leg for the dog to come. The chocolate lab bounced his way across the yard, ramming into the man.
“That’s a good boy.” The man’s purr sent chills over Seth’s body. His wolf was definitely awake, pulling at him to get closer.
About the Author
I write about painfully awkward, usually embarrassing, romance because long confident gazes followed by sexy dancing NEVER happens to me. I am a native of the Pacific Northwest, and will probably never leave. I'm like a hypochondriac sundae, with claustrophobic sprinkles, and a big cherry of anxiety on top, so I don't travel much. I read to relax my mind, so I love getting lost in someone else’s story, even if it is only for a little while.
Author Links
Twitter: @C_C_Dado
Twitter: @C_C_Dado
Giveaway
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