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Elder Races #3.5, 4.5
Divine Tarot
True Colors
Alice Clark, a Wyr and schoolteacher, has had two friends murdered in as many days, and she's just found the body of a third. She arrives at the scene only minutes before Gideon Riehl, a wolf Wyr and current detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime--and, as Alice oh-so-inconveniently recognizes at first sight, her mate.
But the sudden connection Riehl and Alice feel is complicated when the murders are linked to a serial killer who last struck seven years ago, killing seven people in seven days. They have just one night before the killer strikes again. And every sign points to Alice as the next victim.
Natural Evil
Claudia Hunter is on a road trip through the Nevada desert when she sees the body of a dog on the side of the highway. Pulling over to investigate, she quickly determines that the enormous animal is clinging to life. While working to save him with the help of the local vet, Claudia realizes there's something about the creature that seems "more." Other. "Wyr." Which makes this case of animal cruelty attempted murder.
Too injured to shape shift, Luis Alvaraz is reluctant to tell Claudia what he knows about his attack, afraid it will only make her a target. But the sheriff is corrupt, and his attackers know Luis is alive and vulnerable. To make matters worse, a sandstorm is sweeping into town, and if they're going to survive the night, Luis will have to place all his trust in Claudia.
Alice Clark, a Wyr and schoolteacher, has had two friends murdered in as many days, and she's just found the body of a third. She arrives at the scene only minutes before Gideon Riehl, a wolf Wyr and current detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime--and, as Alice oh-so-inconveniently recognizes at first sight, her mate.
But the sudden connection Riehl and Alice feel is complicated when the murders are linked to a serial killer who last struck seven years ago, killing seven people in seven days. They have just one night before the killer strikes again. And every sign points to Alice as the next victim.
Natural Evil
Claudia Hunter is on a road trip through the Nevada desert when she sees the body of a dog on the side of the highway. Pulling over to investigate, she quickly determines that the enormous animal is clinging to life. While working to save him with the help of the local vet, Claudia realizes there's something about the creature that seems "more." Other. "Wyr." Which makes this case of animal cruelty attempted murder.
Too injured to shape shift, Luis Alvaraz is reluctant to tell Claudia what he knows about his attack, afraid it will only make her a target. But the sheriff is corrupt, and his attackers know Luis is alive and vulnerable. To make matters worse, a sandstorm is sweeping into town, and if they're going to survive the night, Luis will have to place all his trust in Claudia.
Audio CD
First published April 19, 2014
3 people are currently reading
551 people want to read
About the author
Thea Harrison
63 books5,485 followersI write paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and other stuff. I taught myself to read when I was four. That was around the time I tried to ride my tricycle to work. I wasn't sure where work was, but I knew it had to be interesting if people went there every day. Now I combine my love of books with work, and I don't have to ride my tricycle to get there. My Elder Races series began May, 2011. You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
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June 23, 2019
*** Ratings posted for the individual books on GR
True Colors
★★★★
Started Reading: May 14, 2019
Finished Reading: May 15, 2019
*
Natural Evil
★★★★ to ★★★★ 1/2
Started Reading: June 3, 2019
Finished Reading: June 5, 2019
True Colors
★★★★
Started Reading: May 14, 2019
Finished Reading: May 15, 2019
*
Natural Evil
★★★★ to ★★★★ 1/2
Started Reading: June 3, 2019
Finished Reading: June 5, 2019
February 20, 2020
This is two novellas in one book. I enjoy this paranormal it is typical like other books similar to this. The Wyr are looking for mates and upon finding them it is always feels like insta love ect ect. There are other aspects to the story the killers and greed makes for an interesting story. Alice and Gideon. I like the tarot card killer that was interesting in the first book. I really do wish though that the books where longer with more story to get a feel sometimes this insta love stuff is a bit to much for me. Not that I do not believe it but every paranormal book is like that darn near.
October 3, 2017
3.5 stars
May 27, 2019
On reread, I listened but putting it under paperback this time.
So True Colors- 4 stars
I really liked the chemistry of this couple. It is very short and a recognizing of true mates. Still he takes it a little slow at first as she is shaken by the happenings. They definitely have chemistry and the little bit of celebration at Welabray tower was nice. ending made it a very nice PNR quick read.
Natural Evil- somewhere between 3 1/2 & 4
So I would want to give this a 4 but the couple is so up in the air at the end that I just can't. It is a great story and I love both characters, especially since he respects her strengths. Still, it felt half done. I don't remember if we meet this couple in future books but I feel like we do. Still there story is unfinished. The story of the mine and the going ons... well they wrapped that up nicely.
So True Colors- 4 stars
I really liked the chemistry of this couple. It is very short and a recognizing of true mates. Still he takes it a little slow at first as she is shaken by the happenings. They definitely have chemistry and the little bit of celebration at Welabray tower was nice. ending made it a very nice PNR quick read.
Natural Evil- somewhere between 3 1/2 & 4
So I would want to give this a 4 but the couple is so up in the air at the end that I just can't. It is a great story and I love both characters, especially since he respects her strengths. Still, it felt half done. I don't remember if we meet this couple in future books but I feel like we do. Still there story is unfinished. The story of the mine and the going ons... well they wrapped that up nicely.
August 10, 2025
I know I've read this book before but when I switch editions, reviews don't always track. That's okay. This anthology contains two novellas set in the Elder Races world. They are tied together by an antique box of hand-painted tarot cards.In TRUE COLORS, school teacher Alice Clark is confronted by murder and a sexy Wyr wolf named Gideon Riehl, a detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime.
In NATURAL EVIL, former SpecOps soldier Claudia Hunter stops to help an injured dog on the side of desert highway in the middle of the night. Her life--and the life of Wyr shapeshifter Luis Alvaraz will never be the same.
These novellas are fun peeks into some other corners of the Elder Races world.
January 3, 2020
I enjoyed the first story but didn't love the second, it felt incomplete.
February 6, 2024
Trigger Warnings: murder (not graphic), murdered victim mutilated (very graphic), PTSD, trauma, torture, attempted murder, attempted rape (the guy gets to her pants and she defends herself wonderfully), I think that's it
If you are into Army reads or any kind of "warrior finds their perfect match" then both of these novellas are perfect for you.
The first one; True colors, is about a woman who finds her best friend murdered and helps discover who the murderer is before he can strike again. It's not a gentle read because of the graphic nature of the murder and mutilation of the body afterward, however, the romance is extremely gentle and loving.
The MMC, Gideon, is a wolf who has been in the service of Dragos' army for a long time. He decided to retire and live as a cop. The MFC, Alice, is a school teacher who lives a very quiet life and values hearth and home. The two make a beautiful couple because she needs to feel protected at the most traumatic time in her life and he needs to feel like there is still humanity and a reason for life after his harsh life. The story takes place in less than 24 hours but it is a novella so it's understandable. This one was good for learning more about the Elder Races (series) belief structure. So if you are interested in that then this will help fill in the gaps of the other books.
The second story; Natural Evil, has the Army rolls reversed. This time the MFC, Claudia is a retired major who has had enough of Army life and goes on a very long camping trip to quiet her demons. The MMC, Luis, is basically in the magical special forces who is in the middle of solving something when he gets tortured. She discovers his body and helps mend him. Both characters are BA and show it, no frumpy females here. There is a 13 year age difference between the two, but since they met as adults and he's 27, I didn't feel like it was creepy, which is way more than I can say for some other romances. This story takes a little longer, about a week, but, again, it's a novella. The story was pretty cool and gives you a deeper look into the Elder Races World. If you want to know what happens to the couple, you find out more in Shadow's End (Graydon's story)
If you are into Army reads or any kind of "warrior finds their perfect match" then both of these novellas are perfect for you.
The first one; True colors, is about a woman who finds her best friend murdered and helps discover who the murderer is before he can strike again. It's not a gentle read because of the graphic nature of the murder and mutilation of the body afterward, however, the romance is extremely gentle and loving.
The MMC, Gideon, is a wolf who has been in the service of Dragos' army for a long time. He decided to retire and live as a cop. The MFC, Alice, is a school teacher who lives a very quiet life and values hearth and home. The two make a beautiful couple because she needs to feel protected at the most traumatic time in her life and he needs to feel like there is still humanity and a reason for life after his harsh life. The story takes place in less than 24 hours but it is a novella so it's understandable. This one was good for learning more about the Elder Races (series) belief structure. So if you are interested in that then this will help fill in the gaps of the other books.
The second story; Natural Evil, has the Army rolls reversed. This time the MFC, Claudia is a retired major who has had enough of Army life and goes on a very long camping trip to quiet her demons. The MMC, Luis, is basically in the magical special forces who is in the middle of solving something when he gets tortured. She discovers his body and helps mend him. Both characters are BA and show it, no frumpy females here. There is a 13 year age difference between the two, but since they met as adults and he's 27, I didn't feel like it was creepy, which is way more than I can say for some other romances. This story takes a little longer, about a week, but, again, it's a novella. The story was pretty cool and gives you a deeper look into the Elder Races World. If you want to know what happens to the couple, you find out more in Shadow's End (Graydon's story)
September 26, 2020
True Colors 3.5
Gideon Riehl is a detective in the Wyr division of NYPD’s violent crime department. Investigating the scene of a horrific murder, his main witness turns out to be schoolteacher Alice Clark and also is his mate.
Fave scenes: Garcia relating Riehl’s message to Alice and the wolf in front of the fireplace.
Natural Evil 4.5
After retiring from Special Forces, Claudia is on a trip in the Nevada desert when she finds an injured dog alongside the highway. But Luis isn’t an ordinary dog. He’s a wyr whose life is in danger from local rich jerks with connections higher up.
Interesting how the Tarot set from the previous Tarot story comes into this one.
Fave scenes: getting the ‘dog’ to eat and Claudia keeping watch on the ledge.
Gideon Riehl is a detective in the Wyr division of NYPD’s violent crime department. Investigating the scene of a horrific murder, his main witness turns out to be schoolteacher Alice Clark and also is his mate.
Fave scenes: Garcia relating Riehl’s message to Alice and the wolf in front of the fireplace.
Natural Evil 4.5
After retiring from Special Forces, Claudia is on a trip in the Nevada desert when she finds an injured dog alongside the highway. But Luis isn’t an ordinary dog. He’s a wyr whose life is in danger from local rich jerks with connections higher up.
Interesting how the Tarot set from the previous Tarot story comes into this one.
Fave scenes: getting the ‘dog’ to eat and Claudia keeping watch on the ledge.
July 9, 2020
2 Short and sweet stories in the Elder Races world. You don't need to read the series to read this. I wish there was a little more about the Tarot cards in each story. The 1st story is the best one. A serial murder mystery mixed with the insta-love. Would be great as a fuller fleshed-out book. I liked the 2nd story too, but the end felt too incomplete. It's a happy ending but not a HEA. I hate not knowing.
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June 23, 2020True Colors 4/5*
Natural Evil 3/5*
Natural Evil 3/5*
November 10, 2018
3.5 🌟 The length is the biggest detractor of points for these two novellas. It’s difficult to get immersed when the story is so short. I think these characters should weave well into the longer novels...
January 21, 2018
True Colors and Natural Evil were both overall enjoyable. All in all, I thought this could have been very interesting full length novels instead of novellas.
May 12, 2018
Short good stories
July 17, 2018
3 stars for Natural Evils
May 20, 2019
I love the novellas from this series
July 17, 2018
3 stars for True Colors
February 14, 2019
In this two book bundle, we get our first glimpse of a tarot deck that seems to have a mind of its own. The journey of the tarot deck continues with Destiny's Tarot.
True Colors
5 stars
Unlike with many of the other books in the series, Alice is a completely new character never mentioned before. I'm not honestly sure if Gideon had been mentioned previously either. Regardless, I very much enjoyed their story. They are the first couple in the series to recognize one another as mates at more or less first sight. That was an enjoyable change of pace. Their story, though short, is HEA with no cliffhanger.
Natural Evil
4 stars
While I did enjoy this book, I'm not sure I enjoyed it quite as much as the first book in the Divine Tarot duo, True Colors (book 3.5 in the series). I did find the story very interesting. It honestly could've probably afforded to be a bit longer of a story. Unlike the previous books in this series, I don't remember Claudia and Luis claiming to be mates specifically. Additionally, I'm not entirely sure their future is all that well defined. Will they end up together? Is this relationship for life? All we know is that Luis got some time off following his injury and has decided to follow Claudia during that time. It seems to fall along the lines of a HFN ending, not HEA.
True Colors
5 stars
Unlike with many of the other books in the series, Alice is a completely new character never mentioned before. I'm not honestly sure if Gideon had been mentioned previously either. Regardless, I very much enjoyed their story. They are the first couple in the series to recognize one another as mates at more or less first sight. That was an enjoyable change of pace. Their story, though short, is HEA with no cliffhanger.
Natural Evil
4 stars
While I did enjoy this book, I'm not sure I enjoyed it quite as much as the first book in the Divine Tarot duo, True Colors (book 3.5 in the series). I did find the story very interesting. It honestly could've probably afforded to be a bit longer of a story. Unlike the previous books in this series, I don't remember Claudia and Luis claiming to be mates specifically. Additionally, I'm not entirely sure their future is all that well defined. Will they end up together? Is this relationship for life? All we know is that Luis got some time off following his injury and has decided to follow Claudia during that time. It seems to fall along the lines of a HFN ending, not HEA.
September 28, 2023
Sep 4/23 review -
True Colors
Alice the Rainbow Chameleon (no really!) meets the grizzled Wyr Wolf Gideon Riehl after she finds her best friend’s murdered body.
Natural Evil
Claudia (former military) and a ‘dog’ (actually a Wyr wolf) Luis Alvarez.
~~
Jul 14/18 review -
True Colors, Elder Races 3.5 (r Jul 13/18) Sweet and lovely. Alice is sweet, Gideon is gruff on the outside, sweet on the inside. The insta-mate, insta-love, worked for me. I do love the various Wyr species that Ms. Harrison invents - a rainbow chameleon is such a cool idea.
Natural Evil, Elder Races 4.5 (r Jul 14/18) I enjoyed Claudia and Luis’ love story. She is tough and kick ass, and they are a good fit together.
May 11/17 review -
True colours, elder races 3.5, 2011, 93p, Alice Clark and Gideon Riehl (r May 9/17)
Novella length, Ms. Harrison fits a lot of story into the tale of Gideon and Alice. In some ways, the insta-lust and insta-love work better on an accelerated timeline. I was fascinated by the new Wyr species introduced. Alice is a lovely character - shy and strong.
Natural evil, elder races 4.5, 2012, 102p, Claudia and Luis (dog/wolf shifter) (r May 11/17)
Loved Claudia and Luis. They were both strong and confident, and had once hell of an adventure. I just wish the story hadn’t ended so soon - there was barely time for a HFN. I would love to read more about them.
Bought from audible
True Colors
Alice the Rainbow Chameleon (no really!) meets the grizzled Wyr Wolf Gideon Riehl after she finds her best friend’s murdered body.
Natural Evil
Claudia (former military) and a ‘dog’ (actually a Wyr wolf) Luis Alvarez.
~~
Jul 14/18 review -
True Colors, Elder Races 3.5 (r Jul 13/18) Sweet and lovely. Alice is sweet, Gideon is gruff on the outside, sweet on the inside. The insta-mate, insta-love, worked for me. I do love the various Wyr species that Ms. Harrison invents - a rainbow chameleon is such a cool idea.
Natural Evil, Elder Races 4.5 (r Jul 14/18) I enjoyed Claudia and Luis’ love story. She is tough and kick ass, and they are a good fit together.
May 11/17 review -
True colours, elder races 3.5, 2011, 93p, Alice Clark and Gideon Riehl (r May 9/17)
Novella length, Ms. Harrison fits a lot of story into the tale of Gideon and Alice. In some ways, the insta-lust and insta-love work better on an accelerated timeline. I was fascinated by the new Wyr species introduced. Alice is a lovely character - shy and strong.
Natural evil, elder races 4.5, 2012, 102p, Claudia and Luis (dog/wolf shifter) (r May 11/17)
Loved Claudia and Luis. They were both strong and confident, and had once hell of an adventure. I just wish the story hadn’t ended so soon - there was barely time for a HFN. I would love to read more about them.
Bought from audible
December 11, 2014
Two stories in the world of the paranormal Elder Races series
Four stars for True Colors
Setting:New York
The characters in the first story were engaging and likable, and the plot kept my interest. Perhaps because I already had an "acquaintance" with Gideon Riehl, it was easier to get into the plot. He is one of the secondary characters from Dragon Bound, and this gives a little backstory on him as the plot moves forward. The character of Alice is three-dimensional with positive and negative traits that make her believable in the plot.
Two stars for Natural Evil
Setting: Nevada
What can I say? I just couldn't find anything in Claudia attractive. Except for rescuing the half-dead dog at the side of the road, there is nothing engaging about her as a romantic heroine. I understand that going to war can put a hard edge on people, but I've known people with war-related PTSD, and they weren't all morose and unhappy. You do not forget how to laugh just because you've seen death up close and personal - just ask any first-responder. Luis was okay, but these two as love-interests didn't strike me as realistic, even in the unreal world of the paranormal.
I did enjoy the Tarot deck as a device to connect the two stories.
Four stars for True Colors
Setting:New York
The characters in the first story were engaging and likable, and the plot kept my interest. Perhaps because I already had an "acquaintance" with Gideon Riehl, it was easier to get into the plot. He is one of the secondary characters from Dragon Bound, and this gives a little backstory on him as the plot moves forward. The character of Alice is three-dimensional with positive and negative traits that make her believable in the plot.
Two stars for Natural Evil
Setting: Nevada
What can I say? I just couldn't find anything in Claudia attractive. Except for rescuing the half-dead dog at the side of the road, there is nothing engaging about her as a romantic heroine. I understand that going to war can put a hard edge on people, but I've known people with war-related PTSD, and they weren't all morose and unhappy. You do not forget how to laugh just because you've seen death up close and personal - just ask any first-responder. Luis was okay, but these two as love-interests didn't strike me as realistic, even in the unreal world of the paranormal.
I did enjoy the Tarot deck as a device to connect the two stories.
August 30, 2014
I was avoiding the novella of Elder races series but they are just as good as the main series. I like that the world is expanding and more details are being unearthed. I liked the characters and I think this is a good addition.
True Colors
-Alice is a chameleon wyr who finds out her mate at first sight in Riehl. Riehl is investigating a serial murderer who sacrifices wyr to communicate with the gods. Alice is next in line and so he stuck close to her. Also, she is his mate. I didn't know what to expect but this was a good story.
Natural Evil
-Claudia found Luis in his wyr form laid out to die. She saves him and faces the hassle of dealing with his enemies. I thought this was cute. I especially liked that the heroine is older than the hero. Claudia is a telepath and she is an older heroine. She chose to let him go so he can lead a richer life since she thinks she is past her prime. Luis pursued her still and they presumably lived happily ever after.
True Colors
-Alice is a chameleon wyr who finds out her mate at first sight in Riehl. Riehl is investigating a serial murderer who sacrifices wyr to communicate with the gods. Alice is next in line and so he stuck close to her. Also, she is his mate. I didn't know what to expect but this was a good story.
Natural Evil
-Claudia found Luis in his wyr form laid out to die. She saves him and faces the hassle of dealing with his enemies. I thought this was cute. I especially liked that the heroine is older than the hero. Claudia is a telepath and she is an older heroine. She chose to let him go so he can lead a richer life since she thinks she is past her prime. Luis pursued her still and they presumably lived happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2015
I really liked these two short stories from the world of the Elder Races.
This collection includes True Colors and Natural Evil. It was great to get a view of life going on outside of ancient immortal wyr. We do see a recognizable character in True Colors, but for the most part these characters are all new.
Both of these stories involved Wyr meeting their mates while also dealing with killers and greed and a great deal of intrigue. The stories were fun to read and the relationships between the couples escalated quickly but still felt right according to their situations and the way wyr mating works.
A great quick read to pick up if you have been enjoying the novels in the Elder Races series.
This collection includes True Colors and Natural Evil. It was great to get a view of life going on outside of ancient immortal wyr. We do see a recognizable character in True Colors, but for the most part these characters are all new.
Both of these stories involved Wyr meeting their mates while also dealing with killers and greed and a great deal of intrigue. The stories were fun to read and the relationships between the couples escalated quickly but still felt right according to their situations and the way wyr mating works.
A great quick read to pick up if you have been enjoying the novels in the Elder Races series.
July 5, 2014
"Can't go wrong with Elder Races!"
My AUDIBLE Audiobook Review:
I am a huge fan of the Elder Races books... so anything in this series is a winner for me.
I really like the .5 books, b/c it shows different aspects of the Elder Races world that don't focus on Dragos or one of the Sentinels, although Dragos or the Griffins are my absolute FAVORITES!
The first story was my favorite. The whole Tarot Card killer thing was really interesting. This is a must for those who follow the series... a great credit, buy or sale.
Narration was superb...as Eastlake is one of the best!
My AUDIBLE Audiobook Review:
I am a huge fan of the Elder Races books... so anything in this series is a winner for me.
I really like the .5 books, b/c it shows different aspects of the Elder Races world that don't focus on Dragos or one of the Sentinels, although Dragos or the Griffins are my absolute FAVORITES!
The first story was my favorite. The whole Tarot Card killer thing was really interesting. This is a must for those who follow the series... a great credit, buy or sale.
Narration was superb...as Eastlake is one of the best!
April 27, 2014
Really happy the novellas are finally starting to come out in audio. This collection is the first two novellas in the Elder Races series:
and
Both are good stories and the narration is excellent
and
Both are good stories and the narration is excellent
June 7, 2014
For some reason, I really connected with the True Colors story even though it was only a short story. So, that story felt like a 4* to me. The second story I was less engaged with and felt it was more 3*.
Upon re-listen, I've updated overall rating to 4. Liking the second short story more. I really enjoy Ms. Eastlake's narration.
Upon re-listen, I've updated overall rating to 4. Liking the second short story more. I really enjoy Ms. Eastlake's narration.
July 15, 2016
I enjoyed these novellas, despite preferring longer, richer tales, but be aware, especially if you're the sort of reader who counts on seeing the HEA in an epilogue: Natural Evil (Elder Races #4.5 / part 2 of 4 in the Tarot subseries / the 2nd half in this release) ends with little relationship resolution
at all
.
November 15, 2016
I've read everything Elder Races except the non-Dragos short stories (which I love). These are good, but I think I would like them better if they were a bit longer or if I'd already known the characters. We just get a taste of them. I would like more.
December 8, 2014
Audiobook review: Divine Tarot by Thea Harrison, narrated by Sophie Eastlake http://wp.me/p3NkNy-6SQ. Good fun.
May 2, 2014
The first half was ok, but the second half ended so abruptly I thought my audiobook was defective.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews