Series: A Series of Fates
Volume: 3/3Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre/s: Paranormal Comedy, M/M Romance
Length: 21 250 words
Read in: English
Review copy format: epub
Rate:✮✮✮✮✬✰
Zeus is a pack's beta, and thus its protector. So when Max and Christian adopt two orphans who are in danger, the man immediately takes the children under his protective wings. One day, when he checks the surveillance camera recording, he sees a stranger wandering the streets at night. Fearing that his appearance may have something to do with children, Zeus decides to track down the guy. However, it soon turns out that nothing is as simple and obvious as it might seem at first.
"Fearing Fate" is the third installment of "A Series of Fates" and although it focuses to some extent on Zeus and his love life, the characters of the previous volumes are also of great importance in this novella. I think that this is a big plus of this book, because we can follow the changes in the lives of the protagonists we already know quite well, and we can really feel that they and their fate are an integral part of Zeus's life. What's more, we keep up to date with their development and the changes that take place in them, which is also very interesting. No matter how we look at it, we are dealing with a series that constitutes a whole, and in this volume we see it the most clearly. Well, I always loved this way of building a series in which each volume has other main characters. It this case what divides the installments is irrelevant, as what matters is what connects them.
I admit, in my opinion "Fearing Fate" has a very interesting and mostly sweet plot. My only regret is that it hasn't been more developed, because I really liked the storyline, and I would do almost anything to be able to read this novella a little longer. There's no doubt that the story presented here has a great potential, but unfortunately it has only been exploited to some extent. Personally, I would like to learn more about Toren (the new guy) and I wouldn't mind if his story had been given much more space in this novella. Yes, we learn about his past and we have some information about him, but it is still not enough to be fully satisfied. I must admit that I would love to read a small sequel to this story, preferably from Toren's point of view.
In "Fearing Fate" I love the fact that the novel focuses to a large extent on the topic of the family. On the one hand, we see the relations between the pack members we already know, and who, regardless of blood ties, form one big family. Believe me, it is amazing to be able to read about their dynamics. On the other hand, however, we see how people who have no one, but who undoubtedly need someone in their lives, start to be part of this pack family. C.C. Dado shows us in quite a good way how much love our protagonists really have to offer, which is truly delightful and captivating. We knew from the very beginning of "A Series of Fates" that we have got here some exceptional characters, but it's probably only now that we can really see how truly amazing they are. And it is because this story is not focused so much on the fated mates motif, as it's center of interest are family, love and acceptance.
To sum up, "Fearing Fate" is a short novella that isn't one hundred percent satisfying, but which is undoubtedly worth reading. It is a story about loving hearts, open arms and family ready to create a home for people who need it.
Headcanon: Zeus spoils Toren to such an extent that Max begins to envy him and often draws Christian's attention to this fact.
Fanfiction idea: Old legends turn out to be true, as Toren is pregnant. It's possible because the man has been taking his mother's "medicine" for a very long time.
AU idea: Zeus is a nurse in the hospital where a sick homeless man, Toren, is treated. The man immediately takes a really good care of the patient, although he doesn't fully understand why he is so special.
Here's some more about:
BOOK 3
Buy Links
Buy Links
Book Title: Fearing Fate
Author: C.C. Dado
Cover Artist: Brooke Albrecht
Trope/s: Fated Mates
Themes: Shifters
Release Date: December 14, 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 3
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?
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 2
Book Title: Embracing Fates
Length: 27 222 words/ 91 pages
Release Date: October 26, 2018
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?
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
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