The fate of the world rests on my shoulders as we hang on the edge of Ragnarök. And I can't catch a freaking break. Not even for ice cream and strippers.
Facing down the monsters of my past left me on the cusp of death, wounded and running from the one person I trusted with my life.
Havoc.
My chosen mate is consumed by a curse so powerful it overrides his natural desire to protect me.
I have no doubt he will kill me if he catches me.
To save us all, I must figure out my connection to the Norse gods, and claim my place in this world.
A journey like no other awaits, and I face it with my best friend at my side, and Havoc at my back.
As my tale (tail) comes to an end I feel the threads of fate weaving a new path I can only reach by making an impossible choice.
I must face not only the one who stands at the center of the darkness but Havoc as well.
Will the ties between us be enough to stay his hand?
** The FINAL book in the Golden Wolf Series and the wild conclusion to Cin and Havoc's story **
A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, I was born into a family of Star Wars nuts. I have a lot of siblings (somewhere I lost count but I think there was more than could be numbered on one hand) and being one of the young padawans I was subjected to Star Wars marathons, on a regular basis. If you've read any of my books you'll see there is often a reference to said movies as a small homage to my upbringing. May the force be with you and all that jazz.
I started writing when I realized I didn't want to grow up not believing in magic, or not believing in creatures everyone else said didn't exist. That being said, I have never seen a fairy, unicorn or dragon. I had a neighbour who swore they fed the leprechauns in their garden, but I never caught the little buggers no matter how long I lay in wait. (And consequently had to help the neighbours plant new flowers to replace those I killed waiting for the leprechauns to show their faces.)
Along the way, I found my husband who is the rock that keeps me from floating away into my dreams, and we have a little boy who is the centre of our world. Living on a farm keeps us busy (as if the writing wasn't enough) and I have more than my share of stories about wrestling with cows, helping birth calves and ending up in the creek during the process, falling in the mud (we'll call it mud but we all know that on a farm, mud is rarely mud) and chasing escaped livestock in the hopes the four legged convicts don't make it to the highway.
I've taken up archery, and the goal is to move into horseback archery in time (you know, when I can hit the target on a consistent basis) and when no one is looking, I love to bake (this doesn't happen often as it's hard to keep the sweet treats in stock with two boys in the house.)
As to what's coming next for me? More stories (since those never stop inside my head, I might as well share them with all of you!) and more adventures. Pretty much, when the fancy strikes, I'll jump on it. Leap before you look I'm sure that motto was created for me.
Or was that . . . think big and dream bigger, ready, set, pull the trigger . . . yeah. That one is a good one too. But only if you have a gun. And are hunting elephants. Which is not cool because of so many reasons. Let's stick with the first one with an addendum.
Leap before you look and let your dreams carry you on their wings. And that, my friends, is me in a nutshell.
(this is going to be a longer review, so bear with me please)
This book broke me. I knew going in that Gossamer would hit hard, but I was not prepared for just how emotional the ending would be. I cried. Like actual ugly tears. Shannon Mayer has a way of writing pain, love, and sacrifice that feels so real it physically hurts (and I mean that as a compliment).
Watching Cin and Havoc’s story wrap up was both beautiful and brutal. Their bond is so intense and raw, and the way their love is tested in this book just completely gutted me. There’s so much mythology and action and chaos happening, but at the heart of it all, it’s about two people trying to hold on to each other when everything else is falling apart.
Also, the side characters?? I’ve grown so attached to all of them. Bebe owns my heart, and I will never be over Jor. He deserved more than he got, and even with everything he went through, he still stayed loyal, still fought, still loved. His story hit me harder than I expected, and I’ll be thinking about him for a long time.
If you’ve made it this far in the series, prepare yourself. Gossamer delivers all the emotion, drama, and heartbreak you’ve been waiting for-and then some. I’m honestly a little mad it’s over, but so glad I got to experience it
I’m going to have to come back later and give some more coherent thoughts but right now I am just so incredibly disappointed by the ending. It was so rushed and cut off so abruptly.
The way the spice had been building from book 1 and 2, to have it end like that? Like I don’t care that overall the book was low on spice. It makes sense since they were pitted against each other for the whole thing. But you still found a creative way to include some throughout the book. And then got to the end and just… nothing? After ALL that? After they finally admit to each other they love each other? After they sacrifice themselves to save each other? We get ✨nothing✨????
You go back and add an epilogue right fucking now, Shannon. How dare you.
This could have, and would have, likely been a 5-star. The first two books were, without hesitation. Just goes to show how an ending can totally overshadow everything else. Seriously so let down 🥲
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The ending of this series felt rushed and rather flat. The story was pretty straightforward in books 1 and 2 but I feel like we took a left turn in book 3. It was A LOT of Norse mythology use and ideas of "destiny" and "fate" but the punchline seemed weak. Essentially, You're the daughter of destiny that means you can make your own destiny. Eh? I appreciate the humor that the FMC thought it was a shit punchline and she had no "cool powers" as a demi-god. But still it didn't feel like a worthy payoff for three books.
Also the ending with Havoc was sooooo rushed. Wow the scene of them scarifying themselves really had me then we get thr after. A whole what...two sentences when Havoc and Cinny are reunited. Wow. That sucks. It's like the author ran out of gas. I mean at least give us a sex scene as all of book three was just flashbacks to previous spicy scenes in book 1 and 2. Ugh. Let's not mention that Richard and the cat (can't remember her name) didn't get any ending. She didn't even show Richard she was fixed and could be human....why is that...what's going on with them...again no answer that story just ends.
So yeah, kinda bummed about the ending. It was funny, crazy ride but it got to complex at the end with not enough clean up for the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I read this as an ARC. I absolutely loved Golden and Glitter and was so excited to get to pick up with Book 3 and the conclusion to Shannon Mayers Golden Trilogy. I can’t stop recommending these books! They are action packed and just the right amount of everything else! Definitely not your standard wolf books, these are layered with the supernatural and Norse Mythology. Definitely not the silly little palette cleanser I thought they would be. The Golden Trilogy is the MAIN EVENT! Cin is such a well written relatable character and we could all consider ourselves lucky with a best friend like Bebe. I really enjoy that love is a part of this story but not I do not consider this a heavy romance or heavy spice book.
A quote that truly moved me from the author’s acknowledgment: “We need to recognize on its time just breathe deeply and start fresh, where we don’t have to fight so fucking hard to be safe loved and cherished.”
If you liked these books I definitely recommend you check out The Rylee Adamson Series, written by the same author and totally binge worthy!
Gossamer offers a wonderfully original and quirky perspective on Norse gods and mythology, showcasing chaos across different worlds. At the center of the story is a character caught in the games of these deities, and another who has been deeply affected and broken by her family, which leaves her capable of more than she realizes. Shannon writes with a boundless creativity that you won’t want to change. Unfortunately this is the last book in this trilogy.
This brilliant tale takes us on a journey with Cin, who finds herself in the most unlikely situations. It’s hard not to feel as if you are running alongside her every step of the way. With elements of magic, mates, demons, werewolves, ghouls, and more, this story has everything you could possibly want. All you need to do is grab a bottle of wine and find a quiet place to immerse yourself in Shannon's fantastic writing. I can’t wait for the next book!
Gossamer is book 3 in the Golden Wolf trilogy, and it takes you on one wild, fast-paced adventure! It begins right where Glitter left off, and the action just doesn't stop. The plot with magic and mythology, high stakes quest, and the entertaining characters had me so captivated that I finished it within a day!
The characters in this book, especially Cin, Bebe, and even Jor, have such fun, sassy, and lovable personalities! Bebe is still one of my favorite side characters, and I would totally love to have her as a best friend in real life lol.
Although I may have gotten a little teary-eyed towards the end, it was a perfect conclusion for the series that left me smiling with all of the warm and fuzzy feelings.
If you're looking for one heck of a good time with an incredible plot, amusing characters, and these tropes, check out this series!
Tropes: ✨️Slow-burn romances ✨️Found family ✨️Forced proximity ✨️Secret identity, ✨️'Touch her and 💀' ✨️Enemies to lovers ✨️Rejected mate
Thanks so so much to Shannon Mayer, Erica Collins and the Mayer team for the amazing ARC and bookmail! I am SO excited to have this on my shelf! 🙌 I absolutely love anything Shannon writes and PS take a minute to appreciate those incredible chapter titles lol
I have no idea what happened. I really liked the first 2 books, I couldn't wait to see how the story ends and now I keep asking myself if I imagined my enjoyment. The book was....flat. That's the first thing that comes to mind. A lot of running around, lots of Nordic lore and characters. It's like the author couldn't decide in which direction to take the story. I also think too many characters got a redemption arc. I can understand one or two, but by the end I wouldn't have been surprised if everyone was Team Good Guys. The rating is mostly because I liked the first books so much.
This might have easily been my top read of the year.
I ADORE Cin. She reminds me of every badass early Urban Fantasy FMC from the 90s/early oughts in the best way. She's flawed, but she uses those flaws to the best of her abilities. She's doing what she needs to with what has been handed to her. The maturity of her character made this series shine on such a HUGE way to me.
And Bebe. Oh, sweet girl with a heart of gold 😍. Everyone needs a Bebe in their life. If you don't have one, you need one. That sort of platonic love is absolutely necessary in anyone's life.
I loved how effortlessly the mythology and magic systems were woven together. This story was fast paced and had me on the edge of my seat for most of the book.
This was the absolute perfect ending to an incredible trilogy. I can't wait to see where this series goes next.
If you love found family, sloooow burns, enemies to lovers and rejected mates, this series is a must read.
I enjoyed this series but the last book was a bit eh for me. The storyline had a lot of potential but it felt rushed and certain items are not wrapped up as a full story, even though the author at the end said she thought the series would be longer but thought it wrapped itself up. Things are left a bit open for possible spin off books.
I can't believe the Golden Wolf Trilogy has come to a close. It has been such a fun read. Lots of action, twist and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, sizzling spice, and humor that adds lots of fun and memorable moments. The witty chapter titles never fail to keep me invested and turning the pages.
I have really grown to love these characters. Cin is so strong and determined. Gossamer is a worthy conclusion to the Trilogy. I'm excited for more Shannon Mayer books.
This is the third and last book in the Golden Wolf trilogy. While I did enjoy this book, I truly think I would have enjoyed it a little bit better if I had been able to read the series straight through- instead of reading the books over the course of a year and a half. I went back and looked, and I realized that I had read the previous book over a year ago, so it really did take me a while to get back into the book- to remember the world, remember the characters and remind myself what the heck was happening.
I did, however, not take very long to remember that Bebe (our FMC Cin's) best friend....well, she basically just stole the show. Actually, come to think of it, she was the star of each of the books. :)
Yep, what I enjoyed so much about this trilogy was that it had an extremely unique premise. Cin 0ur FMC - has been cursed as a golden receiver, which is as mortifying as you would expect for an Alpha wolf shapeshifter. Then in the previous books, we learn that there were reasons that she was beaten and treated abominably by her pack, an almost killed by her mother - and her brothers too.
This book is the culmination of all of the events and everything that we have learned in the last two books and boy is there a lot. There are gods from the Norse Panthéon, prophecies, curses, and a whole lot of running, trying to stay alive. One of the greatest strengths of this book is the relationships that we see develop over the course of this story arc. Cin has an amazing group of friends that stick with her during all of this and that is joful to watch.
She also has two "supposed" mates - Hin and Havoc - who are spelled by an enemy to try to kill her (believe me there are reasons....well, supposed reasons)
Without going into spoilers, things finally get to the culmination and honestly, there are some crazy revelations. Head scratching and pretty weird revelations.....
All in all, if you have a few hours, this is a fun trilogy to spend some time with. As usual, I listened to this on audio and Amy Landon did a great job with the narration.
We have returned for the final book in the series, and it did not disappoint. There was action, emotions, and further character development. We see even more world building and new locations. More characters are introduced, and they are interesting to say the least.
Cin has truly come a long way. She is smart, strong, and a loyal friend that inspires the best in those around her. While she continues to go through many trials, she never gives up. Even when the person she is beginning to fall for turns against her.
Bebe is the best sidekick ever. I love how she constantly encourages Cin and make sure to put other people in their place when they try to come for her. She is witty, fierce, and the perfect second in command.
I had so many emotions in this book. I sobbed at one point. While I would’ve loved to see more of these characters… Epilogue!… The ending felt right as well. I hope to see more stories in this world.
Gossamer is the third part of the Golden Wolf contemporary fantasy trilogy, about Cin, a female werewolf alpha cursed by a witch to be a Golden Retriever, who is plunged into the complex politics of the Norse gods. I was lukewarm about Golden, the first instalment, which I read last year, but really enjoyed the sequel, Glitter. You definitely need to read these in order because it’s one continuing story with minimal recap - I read them back to back, which I rarely do with series, because Glitter ends on a big cliffhanger.
Gossamer has Cin continuing to be pursued by those who want to hasten Ragnarok for their own ends, but now she has some unexpected allies. Can she save the world, her friends & family, and her own life without sacrificing the one who means most to her?
These books are enjoyable adult paranormal romance with a big dose of Norse mythology. I particularly liked feisty best friend Bebe, a woman trapped in the body of a tabby cat, and sardonic serpent Jor. Havoc the love interest is the usual grumpy hot alpha type, but I liked the gradual evolution of their relationship. There’s plenty of action - I’m referring to fights and chase scenes, but yes there are some spicy scenes too - as well as some unexpected twists, and fun banter especially between Cin and Bebe. All three are available on Kindle Unlimited.
Wow! What an incredible final installment to Cin and Havoc’s story! I laughed, I cried (hysterically), fell in love, and stayed absolutely riveted from page 1!
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Quantity of spice: 🌶️ Quality of spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Shannon has such a unique way of telling stories that’ll just have you eating it up! The characters are so lovable that they jump right off the page and into your heart for the rest of your life. If I could go back and read this trilogy all over again for the first time, I would!
Cin is on the run from the very start of this book. She’s got the Norse Pantheon with all kinds of plans she is not privy to, two brothers hunting her (or so she thinks), and she’s still uncovering A LOT about herself while carrying this huge burden of knowing she can either save or end the world. I can’t believe this book was only a little over 260 pages because soooo much happened in it!
I mentioned crying hysterically.. there was a portion where I was crying so hard I had to stop reading because I couldn’t see the page 😭🤣 but that just goes to show how much I cared for these characters!
Some of my very favorite things from this book: Jor & Fenrir with their constant need for coffee dates, the visit to the Norns, the description of Hel - she sounded cool as well, Hell 🤣, the trolls and their reference to alligators as scaley-dillys (also Cin calling them croc-a-gators because she didn’t know the difference), and Bebe’s unwavering loyalty & friendship!
There are still so many stories to tell with the remaining players in The Golden Wolf Trilogy! I’m praying for a Bebe/Richard book, a Han redemption, and I’d love to see Ship get his HEA! Honestly whoever it is, if Shannon writes it, I’ll read it!
Thank you so much for the ARC, Shannon and Erica! 💕
This was a fantastic trilogy, full of twists, longing, and action. I was hooked right from book one and for this trilogy, each book (IMO) just got better and better. The ending had me in a choke hold. I wish we could have experienced a little more of that ending. Another chapter. Another moment. I hope we're not done with this world. I feel like a certain cat and wolf definitely have a story to tell! Audio was also excellent.
Gossamer is the last book in this series and it’s bittersweet. I love Cin so much, she’s given so much but I’m so glad she has Bebe and everyone to help her along the way. I went through a tidal wave of emotions, the writing is great, puts you right there with Cin and the gang. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I did!
OMG. The ending to The Golden Wolf series has left me completely speechless. The author completely has outdone herself with the ending. The snark and badass Cin is here and I'm here for it. Her character has grown throughout the series and I feel like it really shines in this installment. I didn't realize how much I missed the characters until I started reading. Bebe and Jor both crack me up. Han and Havoc are both a hot mess and I didn't know how everything would end but I'm very pleased with the ending. The narrator, Amy Landon did a great job portraying Cin, Bebe and the other characters in the series. I was hooked from the very beginning and Amy kept me engaged till the very end.
If you enjoy Norse mythology, found family, dark fantasy, banter, rejected mates, and redemption be sure to grab this series.
A very special thanks to Hijinks Ink for the gifted ALC.
What a world! What characters! What a story! I fall in love with Shannon Mayer's writing every time I pick up one of her books. This one completes the Golden Wolf trilogy but I so wish there was at least one more!
Well…. Just dang. I can honestly say this book was a whoooole vibe. Chaos at its best and a heart breaking adventure. Holy heck. This was a ride I enjoyed but need a drink after. Haha
Authors…if you don’t have enough story to write three books, stick with one or two. This has no plot at all whatsoever. It’s like she had no idea how the story was supposed to go.
I l8ked the first two books, but I didn't like this one. It was kind of all over the place. I had a hard time finishing it. The whole series she is running, and the character development was meh for me. I will read more from this author tho, just feel this one had a lot of things left unclear or just thrown there to kind of fix something random.