Tarnished

Wolf Gatherings, Book 1

By: Becca Jameson

Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

Length: 3 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Wolf shifter Mackenzie Davis has no interest in mating with another wolf. A horrific experience in her past has hardened her to this resolve. She loves her life as is, with the perfect job, the perfect friends, and the perfect boyfriend - a human one. Nevertheless, her mother implores her to attend this year’s Wolf Gathering. Reluctantly dragging her feet, she agrees to one day only.

Drake Spencer has come to the gathering from Texas with his family. He’s 28and believes his chances of finding a mate are slim to none, especially since he saw the woman he felt connected to leave with another man at the last gathering. But what if the woman who has consumed his dreams for the last two years is not actually mated?

When Mackenzie and Drake meet, sparks fly. Kenzie hopes to deny the claim on her. But can she? The call of mates is stronger than she expected. What will happen to her sense of self if she follows this man to Texas? Not to mention Drake. Can he live with the mental scars of her past?

©2013 Becca Jameson (P)2014 Taliesin Publishing

Steamy! Hot! Did I say Hot!

Well let me start off by this is one audio that you shouldn’t listen in the car like I did. This is one hot werewolf love story. Becca Jameson’s short 3+ hour audio read by Meghan Kelly was a really well written short story about the werewolf clans selecting their soul mates.

Plot: So families with their teenage children go to the wolf gathering to have the male werewolf’s pick their female mates for life. Well for one girl, Mackenzie Davis, her mother drags her to this year’s gathering against her wishes for she has a human boyfriend. She does not want a wolf mate. Her boyfriend calls in that morning to cancel there get together that day. So Mackenzie (all call her Mac) agrees “Only one day mom!” Not ready to expose a hidden secret that she has held in from on previous wolf gathering. Her main reason for not wanting a wolf mate but, not willing to share with her mother about it. What Mac was not ready for was him!

Drake Shelton from Texas just like Mac he does not want a mate. He wants to be a certified bachelor. All he could think of is that girl that eluded him on the last Gathering as she was being taken out of the room by another. Little did he know that she did not succumb to the other wolf? Or his not so charms.

But, as he enters the room can it be true! He smells her scent. No can’t be she was taken or was she? Mac annoyed with the festivities leaves the room to be alone. She passes Drake and he could not let her get away this time. Calling her boyfriend she comes to learn what her sister has been saying for weeks. He tells her that he is gay. As Drake goes out to speak to her. Mac can feel the sparks begin to fly between them.

“This cannot be”, thinks Mac. She just found out her boyfriend is gay and how could she be attracted to a wolf! What happens next is something both of them well Mackenzie does not want to admit to. Drake is so pumped up by her that he is having a difficult time containing himself. But, he does.

After her moments with Drake, Mackenzie decides that she does not want go the next day to the gathering. She could not face Drake after the events of the day before. It just was not right she can’t be attracted to him. Little does she know that her sister the day before gave Drake their address and he shows up on her door step. He makes her a proposition that she reluctantly agrees to go back to Texas with him. She’ll prove that this is not a match for life.
Without giving up the rest of this listen/story. Does Mackenzie fall for Drake? Is she everything he ever dreamed of? What is Mackenzie’s secret that she finally shares with Drake? Something that she never even shared with anyone. Will this be a happily ever after? You will not be disappointed that is all I can say about this short read!

The Narrator: Another marvelous performance by Meghan Kelly. I have listen to her in other audio mediums and she more than hit the characters on the head here! Like I said this is not a book that you should listen to while driving. Meghan really cranked up the steam where the steam needed to be. She portrayed Mac’s feelings so well. She really has me a lifetime fan of her works!

The Cover: I do like the cover it shows just what kind of feelings end up between Mackenzie and Drake!

Note: The Book was provided for review by Meghan Kelly (narrator). All views are strictly mine and not in any way influenced by others. Thank you for your time reading my review. Comments are always welcome about my review of this book!

Story ok, narator no so ok

Where does Tarnished rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Below the bar

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Predictable

Would you be willing to try another one of Meghan Kelly’s performances?

No, she would whisper one minute and screaming a minute later. It was really hard on my ears.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

This narator needs to learn to read without screaming and act the parts better. I wouldn't knowing buy anything narated by her again. The story was ok, but completely predictable.

Quick romance listen

This novella is about Mackenzie (Kenzie) and Drake who meet each other at a werewolf shifter meeting where other shifters usually meet for both social and educational purposes. This meeting happens in Oklahoma in Kenzie’s metaphorical backyard, while Drake and his brothers drive in from Texas. At the meeting, they realize, much to Kenzie’s dismay, that they are destined mates. The attraction is very mutual. Despite lots of baggage, she agrees to go home with him, and with Drake’s patience and love, Kenzie gets over her hang-ups.

The hero Drake is the dream of a patient lover who lets Kenzie set the pace. At the beginning of the story, she is the frightened virgin with mental scars (hence, Tarnished). He teaches her all about her body and her desires in a way that doesn’t scare her. He is understanding and kind, a stark contrast to all other wolf males Kenzie has met. We also find out here and there that Drake and Kenzie are good matches for other reasons beyond their initial and immediate attraction.

While there are wolf shifters in this world, there is less focus on that for this story. It is the shallow dressing, and if you are a person who wants the heavy focus to be on werewolves, this will disappoint you. It could have been told as nearly any other small societal group meet-up and still come out the same way.

The narrator did an interesting thing with this story, and I am inclined to like the performance more than the material she is performing. There were 3 types of voices used above and beyond the character voices. She has a voice for narration, dialogue, and thoughts. This may not seem remarkable, but because the writing is often tumbling out like stream of consciousness, that kind of differentiation is a nice touch. I also like what she chose to do with Drake’s voice. He’s got an accent that sounds like a genuine Texas accent. While certainly are many of those, but the point is he sounds close to authentic.

For me personally, this was an okay story that I doubt will stay with me long. I just didn’t feel connected to the main couple, and I didn’t find Drake appealing. He said and did all the things a hero should, and he’s probably sincere. I just wasn’t buying what he was selling.

I expect the people who would enjoy this story are the ones who don’t mind a novella with a couple getting the HEA they want. It is for those who find romance and the healing power of love (and good sex!) appealing no matter how that story is told.

Disclaimer: I received an audio copy of this book from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

Real life issues addressed in fantasy

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my review.

The story is a beautiful telling of learning to love and overcoming trauma. Although set in the shifter world of Fate bringing mates together it is also the story of two people learning to love and trust each other enough to mesh their lives together.

This is a great introduction to Becca Jameson's world of Shifters and is generally PG. It is romance and has some steamy scenes but the steam would only lightly cover the mirror compared to other works by this author.

The narrator uses some awful, nasal voices for minor characters. The book is also difficult to narrate as the author uses fonts (italics, etc) in the original book to offset character set talking to themselves. This takes a bit to understand in narrated form.

Great beginning

This is a great beginning to new series by one of my favorite authors. Meghan Kelly did an awesome job providing so many different voices for each character.

Becca thank you for providing option kindle and audio. I love to listen to a book when I am driving, shopping, exercising.

Pleasant Surprise

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I absolutely would recommend this audiobook to a friend who loved shifter novels. It is short, but the story was complete and kept my interest all the way through.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tarnished?

The first time Drake saw MacKenzie he was taken by her, but just as high as his heart lept, it plummeted.
The second time he saw her was also memorable. I love those first looks that grab the characters and hold them hostage for a few moments.

Which character – as performed by Meghan Kelly – was your favorite?

I really like the voice Meghan Kelly lent to MacKenzie's character. I could see the character clearer.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to listen to this book in one sitting and did so.

new look at shifter mating

enjoyed the story and characters especial
him. and his chasing understanding way

and her recovery from a brutal experience

REALLY REALLY GOOD STORY!

This book touched me on a lot of levels, it was touching sexy & romantic. I hope the rest of the series keep us up on Mckenzie & Drake & the babies. Plus the ranch sounds like a great place for future stories

Sweet story

This was a sweet mating story that included a glimps into a sad introduction for the heroine to sex and a sweet view of her mates support.

Sexy!!!😚☺️😚

I love man life Drake he's loving carrying understanding and attentive. If only man like these guy is really and not just a woman fantastic.

Good start to a series!

Drake meets his mate Kenzie at a Wolf gathering. But the path to true love isn't easy as past experiences impact their future. Love how dominating but gentle Drake is and how vulnerable Kenzie. The narration took me a bit to get used to but once I was, I was swept away with the story. Enjoyable.

What is love?

What about Meghan Kelly’s performance did you like?

I liked the way that the narrator brought each character to life and made the fear real.

Any additional comments?

This is a different take on perceptions of love. Normally the character shies away from relationships of some sort because of something that happened to them, this is different and we keep wondering why, just like the fabulous and patient Drake Spencer.
Wow, if there was another man like Drake out there, I'd hope he was meant for me. He has resigned himself to the fact that his mate has met someone else and that he will never be mated with her.
Mackenzie Davis is presented with tenderness and her fear of mating with a Shifter is real and we feel sympathetic from beginning till end. Her tentative willingness to trust Drake helps the storyline develop in a realistic way. I like the ending, it speaks of love and patience and hope.

An entertaining listen

Kenzie hates the gatherings held every two years to help wolf shifters find their mates. When she meets Drake she is terrified. Drake will have to persistent and patient to get Kenzie to trust him and give their relationship a chance. I enjoyed this story and look forward to listening to more by this author. The narration is excellent.

Nice short story.

This is a nice easy and sweet shifter romance story. No huge plot, but just a new shifter couple working through issues. Not super steamy, but does have a couple sexy scenes.