What do you think?
Mated Heart and Soul #2
Amended Soul
Jamie Hardin has had his fair share of ups and downs. He's been widowed once and divorced once--with extreme prejudice. Due to the machinations of his ex-wife, Jamie's son Rio ran away at sixteen. Two years later, Jamie has the chance to reconnect with Rio and so he moves himself and his five-year-old adopted son to a new town in a new state to start over. The welcome he receives from Rio is everything Jamie had wanted; what he wasn't prepared for was Jed Matranga. From the moment they meet, a simple handshake is all it takes to light a fire Jamie has no idea how to handle.
Jed Matranga, single werewolf, has just met his mate. In addition to being gentle, caring and clever, Jamie's emotionally wounded. He's also not gay. For Jed it will be the challenge of a lifetime to prove to Jamie that trusting his own judgment is the right thing to do, and where relationships are concerned, it's feelings and not gender that matters.
Jed Matranga, single werewolf, has just met his mate. In addition to being gentle, caring and clever, Jamie's emotionally wounded. He's also not gay. For Jed it will be the challenge of a lifetime to prove to Jamie that trusting his own judgment is the right thing to do, and where relationships are concerned, it's feelings and not gender that matters.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2016
About the author
Kate Steele
74 books170 followersAs a kid, from the time I learned to read, I've treasured books. Fiction mostly, because I'm the type of person who likes to be taken on journeys of imagination. I guess it was only natural I'd try to orchestrate some of those journeys myself, and share them with others.
Writing can be fun, frustrating, and sometimes even frightening, but it sings a siren song that entices. And whether you end up in the arms of a gorgeous muse, or wreaked on the rocks of broken thought, when you feel the urge to write, you do it.
I do my writing in a turn-of-the-century house located in the midst of Indiana farm country. In addition to dogs, cats and lovebirds, my family keeps me company. When not writing, I read, am an enthusiastic grower of iris, and a fanatic fan of Japanese manga and anime.
Writing can be fun, frustrating, and sometimes even frightening, but it sings a siren song that entices. And whether you end up in the arms of a gorgeous muse, or wreaked on the rocks of broken thought, when you feel the urge to write, you do it.
I do my writing in a turn-of-the-century house located in the midst of Indiana farm country. In addition to dogs, cats and lovebirds, my family keeps me company. When not writing, I read, am an enthusiastic grower of iris, and a fanatic fan of Japanese manga and anime.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 15, 2016
So... well... I liked it, but nothing more. Somehow nothing really happens :( *sigh* *is sad*
*squeals* OMG I've been waiting for this book forever!!!!! Ever since reading Altered Heart I wanted to read Jamie and Jed's story and now, here it is!!! *happy dance* *cuddles Kindle*
*squeals* OMG I've been waiting for this book forever!!!!! Ever since reading Altered Heart I wanted to read Jamie and Jed's story and now, here it is!!! *happy dance* *cuddles Kindle*
January 19, 2019
Didn’t like this one as much as the first, I felt like nothing actually happened, there was almost zero plot throughout the entire book. It also seemed like Jack was just kinda pushed aside the whole time, I really would’ve liked to have seen more of him interacting with Rio.
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March 15, 2016finally!
April 23, 2016
** I received a free copy to read and review for wicked reads review team**
I enjoyed this book, i never read the 1st in there series but i was never once confused as to what was happening.
Jamie wanted to make amends with his oldest son so he makes the decision to divorce his second wife and move closer to Rio.
When Jamie meets Jed he feels something he has never felt before. The problem is Jed is a man.
This is a great book and i liked that it focused on the love story before anything else.
I marked it down a star because i am not a fan of flowery descriptions, they really put me off especially during sex scenes.
other than that i enjoyed the book.
I enjoyed this book, i never read the 1st in there series but i was never once confused as to what was happening.
Jamie wanted to make amends with his oldest son so he makes the decision to divorce his second wife and move closer to Rio.
When Jamie meets Jed he feels something he has never felt before. The problem is Jed is a man.
This is a great book and i liked that it focused on the love story before anything else.
I marked it down a star because i am not a fan of flowery descriptions, they really put me off especially during sex scenes.
other than that i enjoyed the book.
March 15, 2016
just about 3 stars
This was an unexpected sequel to a book I'd read in my early mm days. It follows Mick's brother Jed and Rio's dad Jamie as they discover they are mates - though Jamie isn't a wolf. The story was okay but just lacked something- unlike the first book where you've Rio's recovery and trauma as well as the work Mick does for the magical law enforcement agency. This had, well nothing outside of the main pair's relationship. There were some questions - like who was Chris that Jamie was mistaken for? and there were too many characters whose names started with J!!
This was an unexpected sequel to a book I'd read in my early mm days. It follows Mick's brother Jed and Rio's dad Jamie as they discover they are mates - though Jamie isn't a wolf. The story was okay but just lacked something- unlike the first book where you've Rio's recovery and trauma as well as the work Mick does for the magical law enforcement agency. This had, well nothing outside of the main pair's relationship. There were some questions - like who was Chris that Jamie was mistaken for? and there were too many characters whose names started with J!!
March 21, 2016
To be honest, I didn't remember the sequel all that much. This was okay. Nothing much happened. Jamie gets back together with Rio, he and Jed spar and dicks around (ha!) until Jamie decides and that's it. I suppose there is the hint of something going down with Jamie's brother who he lost touch with. But I didn't really love this.
July 7, 2024
this one was a good story about rio's dad and Mick's brother it is a little heart breaking to see rio so confected about thier relashionship, and he gets really upset thinking about what happed to him,but things get resloved and they all get thier happy ever after's, these are to great storys.
May 23, 2016
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
Jamie Harden, along with his five-year-old son, Jack, has decided to move closer to his teenage son, Rio, and Rio’s werewolf partner, Mick (Altered Hearts). Rio had disappeared when he was sixteen and they’ve only recently reconnected. Jamie is still smarting over the fact that his second wife abused Rio without Jamie’s knowledge. When he found out, he immediately divorced her, and he made sure he got full custody of Jack. An optometrist, he’s purchased a home with attached office. All he needs now is to get it renovated, and he can open his business in the town where Rio lives.
And that’s when he meets Mick’s brother, Jed. For some odd reason, he feels a shock as they shake hands at their first meeting, and he finds himself looking Jed over as if he was attracted to him. But he’s never been attracted to a man before so he’s stumped. On the other hand, Jed is gobsmacked when he meets Jamie. He knows immediately that Jamie is his mate and he and his wolf rejoice in having found him. But he’s smart enough, and cautious enough, to know that it will take time to win Jamie over. This isn’t the time to rush forward, or Jamie might reject him, and Jed will never have his heart’s desire.
Jamie hires Jed to renovate his office and the two start to form the bonds of friendship and a slow-building attraction. Jamie still can’t figure out why he’s so attracted to Jed, but goes with the flow, staying open-minded. After all, he’d be a hypocrite to criticize an attraction between men when his own son is married to one. An accidental fall causes Jamie to break his arm, and it’s Jed to the rescue—in more ways than one. Jed and his wolf are still taking it slow, but they are now with Jamie twenty-four-hours a day, and Jed has all he can do to keep his wolf from staking his claim, especially when it’s evident that Jamie is now attracted to him as well.
I really enjoyed this story, more so than the first one. Jed is the kind of guy I’d love to meet. Tall, alpha, handsome, and yet sweet and patient and caring. He goes out of his way to make sure Jamie can accept him fully before making a move. Jamie is a great guy as well. A wonderful father, and a kind, loving man, he’s got a pretty good head on his shoulders and is able to sort out his feelings from his gut reactions—at least he does after a while. I enjoyed the romance and the buildup. To be honest, the last scene in the book, which featured multiple orgasms, did go on a bit too long, in my opinion. However, the author managed to do a great job with the slow burn-UST up to that point. And it wasn’t that the sex scene wasn’t good, it was just a bit too prolonged in comparison to all the other scenes in the story. But overall, it’s a really nice paranormal story that ties up any loose ends left after Altered Hearts, and brings both couples to their HEA.
If you like shifter stories, I definitely recommend you try this one.
Jamie Harden, along with his five-year-old son, Jack, has decided to move closer to his teenage son, Rio, and Rio’s werewolf partner, Mick (Altered Hearts). Rio had disappeared when he was sixteen and they’ve only recently reconnected. Jamie is still smarting over the fact that his second wife abused Rio without Jamie’s knowledge. When he found out, he immediately divorced her, and he made sure he got full custody of Jack. An optometrist, he’s purchased a home with attached office. All he needs now is to get it renovated, and he can open his business in the town where Rio lives.
And that’s when he meets Mick’s brother, Jed. For some odd reason, he feels a shock as they shake hands at their first meeting, and he finds himself looking Jed over as if he was attracted to him. But he’s never been attracted to a man before so he’s stumped. On the other hand, Jed is gobsmacked when he meets Jamie. He knows immediately that Jamie is his mate and he and his wolf rejoice in having found him. But he’s smart enough, and cautious enough, to know that it will take time to win Jamie over. This isn’t the time to rush forward, or Jamie might reject him, and Jed will never have his heart’s desire.
Jamie hires Jed to renovate his office and the two start to form the bonds of friendship and a slow-building attraction. Jamie still can’t figure out why he’s so attracted to Jed, but goes with the flow, staying open-minded. After all, he’d be a hypocrite to criticize an attraction between men when his own son is married to one. An accidental fall causes Jamie to break his arm, and it’s Jed to the rescue—in more ways than one. Jed and his wolf are still taking it slow, but they are now with Jamie twenty-four-hours a day, and Jed has all he can do to keep his wolf from staking his claim, especially when it’s evident that Jamie is now attracted to him as well.
I really enjoyed this story, more so than the first one. Jed is the kind of guy I’d love to meet. Tall, alpha, handsome, and yet sweet and patient and caring. He goes out of his way to make sure Jamie can accept him fully before making a move. Jamie is a great guy as well. A wonderful father, and a kind, loving man, he’s got a pretty good head on his shoulders and is able to sort out his feelings from his gut reactions—at least he does after a while. I enjoyed the romance and the buildup. To be honest, the last scene in the book, which featured multiple orgasms, did go on a bit too long, in my opinion. However, the author managed to do a great job with the slow burn-UST up to that point. And it wasn’t that the sex scene wasn’t good, it was just a bit too prolonged in comparison to all the other scenes in the story. But overall, it’s a really nice paranormal story that ties up any loose ends left after Altered Hearts, and brings both couples to their HEA.
If you like shifter stories, I definitely recommend you try this one.
March 28, 2016
This is the sequel to Altered Heart and I’d definitely recommend reading these in order. Technically, I suppose you could figure out things if you didn’t, it just wouldn’t be as rich an experience.
The story literally takes off where book one left us, with the barbeque at Rio and Mick’s house and Jamie and his son coming to visit.
Jed realizes right away that Jamie is his mate, but he knows Jamie has never been with a man and doesn’t want to push him… but he does anyway. Jamie reacts in both hot and cold ways, sometimes flirty, sometimes reserved, but the connection is established.
As Jamie settles in to his new life, he has Jed there helping him remodel his house to fit his new business, and remodel his life as he becomes attracted to a man for the first time and a werewolf’s mate to boot.
**
I was very psyched to see this sequel because I enjoyed Altered Heart so much! Jed is a great character, fun, witty, snarky… Jamie is harder to love, he’s guilt ridden and sometimes acts a bit too much like an old fuddy duddy.
There were some world building issues that confused me in this story – mostly about the difference between mate bites and “turn” bites – and also the aging process and what’s going to happen to Jamie as he ages if he doesn’t become a werewolf… stuff that I didn’t really understand.
Jamie was also enough of a downer, that at times I was pretty frustrated with him – he just seemed to keep giving these mixed signals that would drive someone crazy. In the end, when he does finally commit to his new feelings, it felt a bit rushed and out of nowhere. Also, Jack is never really part of the story and his absence was felt.
Another missing component was any serious hurdles. Yes, Jed did have to “win” Jamie’s affections and yes, Rio did have some initial objections, but those were fairly well resolved even at the beginning, so there wasn’t much “struggle” for our MCs. This made the waffling even more annoying, because it was only Jamie’s own feelings that really kept him from immediately giving in to the allure.
So, though it was a good story, it wasn’t as good as book one and though I liked it, I didn’t love it.
3.5 of 5 stars
The story literally takes off where book one left us, with the barbeque at Rio and Mick’s house and Jamie and his son coming to visit.
Jed realizes right away that Jamie is his mate, but he knows Jamie has never been with a man and doesn’t want to push him… but he does anyway. Jamie reacts in both hot and cold ways, sometimes flirty, sometimes reserved, but the connection is established.
As Jamie settles in to his new life, he has Jed there helping him remodel his house to fit his new business, and remodel his life as he becomes attracted to a man for the first time and a werewolf’s mate to boot.
**
I was very psyched to see this sequel because I enjoyed Altered Heart so much! Jed is a great character, fun, witty, snarky… Jamie is harder to love, he’s guilt ridden and sometimes acts a bit too much like an old fuddy duddy.
There were some world building issues that confused me in this story – mostly about the difference between mate bites and “turn” bites – and also the aging process and what’s going to happen to Jamie as he ages if he doesn’t become a werewolf… stuff that I didn’t really understand.
Jamie was also enough of a downer, that at times I was pretty frustrated with him – he just seemed to keep giving these mixed signals that would drive someone crazy. In the end, when he does finally commit to his new feelings, it felt a bit rushed and out of nowhere. Also, Jack is never really part of the story and his absence was felt.
Another missing component was any serious hurdles. Yes, Jed did have to “win” Jamie’s affections and yes, Rio did have some initial objections, but those were fairly well resolved even at the beginning, so there wasn’t much “struggle” for our MCs. This made the waffling even more annoying, because it was only Jamie’s own feelings that really kept him from immediately giving in to the allure.
So, though it was a good story, it wasn’t as good as book one and though I liked it, I didn’t love it.
3.5 of 5 stars
March 15, 2016
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
A huge amount of time has passed between book 1 Altered Heart and now book 2 Amended Soul being published. If my memory serves me right Altered Heart was one of my first shifter books when I started reading MM romance and I fell in love with Mick and Rio. I re-read their story before this one just to give myself a reminder and a catch up on the world that was created around them.
Jamie is Rio’s father and their relationship is less than ideal after Rio finally admits why he ran from home. Jamie is left devastated and feeling like a total failure having had no clue what was going on under his nose. He leaves his wife, takes his younger son and moves to be closer to Rio to try and mend some bridges and help heal his family.
Jed is the slightly goofy good time brother of Mick’s who never takes anything too seriously. Things get more serious though when he realises Jamie is his mate – talk about keeping it in the family and things get a little bit awkward for a while.
This is a slow burn romance with Jed having to show patience whilst Jamie and Rio try to fix their relationship and Jamie slowly learns to trust again. He also needs to get to a point where he believes he can have a second chance at happiness. They are actually very good together but after the fast pace and angst of the first book this felt a little slow.
A huge amount of time has passed between book 1 Altered Heart and now book 2 Amended Soul being published. If my memory serves me right Altered Heart was one of my first shifter books when I started reading MM romance and I fell in love with Mick and Rio. I re-read their story before this one just to give myself a reminder and a catch up on the world that was created around them.
Jamie is Rio’s father and their relationship is less than ideal after Rio finally admits why he ran from home. Jamie is left devastated and feeling like a total failure having had no clue what was going on under his nose. He leaves his wife, takes his younger son and moves to be closer to Rio to try and mend some bridges and help heal his family.
Jed is the slightly goofy good time brother of Mick’s who never takes anything too seriously. Things get more serious though when he realises Jamie is his mate – talk about keeping it in the family and things get a little bit awkward for a while.
This is a slow burn romance with Jed having to show patience whilst Jamie and Rio try to fix their relationship and Jamie slowly learns to trust again. He also needs to get to a point where he believes he can have a second chance at happiness. They are actually very good together but after the fast pace and angst of the first book this felt a little slow.
May 2, 2016
Jamie Hardin is starting life over; he got divorced then bought a house in another state. Jamie wanted to be close to his eldest son, Rio. However, Rio is not the only one Jamie wanted to be close to; Jamie discovered he has an instant attraction to werewolf Jed Matranga.
Amended Soul is the sequel to Altered Heart. The characters are charismatic with a touch of humor. The plot reveals the reason why Rio ran away from home, as well as the actions Jamie took to insure his adopted son, Jack, would never have to deal with the same horrors Rio endured.
Reuniting with Rio generates several new dilemmas for Jamie. Although Jamie’s son is now a werewolf, Jamie knows very little about werewolf culture. Jamie is perplexed by Rio’s reaction when Jamie and Jed happen to be in the same room together. It is as if Rio is jealous of Jamie’s attention directed towards someone else. Rio reverts into an angry protective wolf.
Jamie has never been attracted to another man before so he is puzzled by his sexual feelings for Jed. Because Jamie is human, Jed refuses to enlighten Jamie on the real meaning of interspecies mating, which causes a number of misunderstandings between the two men. Jed wanted Jamie to recognize his true feelings devoid of pressure from others.
Kate Steele has created a splendidly moving and exceptionally enjoyable heartwarming saga.
Amended Soul is the sequel to Altered Heart. The characters are charismatic with a touch of humor. The plot reveals the reason why Rio ran away from home, as well as the actions Jamie took to insure his adopted son, Jack, would never have to deal with the same horrors Rio endured.
Reuniting with Rio generates several new dilemmas for Jamie. Although Jamie’s son is now a werewolf, Jamie knows very little about werewolf culture. Jamie is perplexed by Rio’s reaction when Jamie and Jed happen to be in the same room together. It is as if Rio is jealous of Jamie’s attention directed towards someone else. Rio reverts into an angry protective wolf.
Jamie has never been attracted to another man before so he is puzzled by his sexual feelings for Jed. Because Jamie is human, Jed refuses to enlighten Jamie on the real meaning of interspecies mating, which causes a number of misunderstandings between the two men. Jed wanted Jamie to recognize his true feelings devoid of pressure from others.
Kate Steele has created a splendidly moving and exceptionally enjoyable heartwarming saga.
March 28, 2016
Finally!
I've been waiting for years for this sequel to 'Altered Hearts' to come out. I checked over and over again through the years. There it was after I had given up.
I wasn't expecting the same amount of trauma and angst as in the first book, but I do like the way the aftermath was handled. Beyond the relationship rebuilding between father and son, this is more of a love story between two men with one being a werewolf.
You don't need to read the previous book to enjoy this one, but I would think you'd have a better understanding of what Rio and Jamie are recovering from.
One question - who's Chris? And do I have to wait years to find out what the scene at the restaurant was about? If it was just a catalyst for the resulting scene, it was unnecessary.
I've been waiting for years for this sequel to 'Altered Hearts' to come out. I checked over and over again through the years. There it was after I had given up.
I wasn't expecting the same amount of trauma and angst as in the first book, but I do like the way the aftermath was handled. Beyond the relationship rebuilding between father and son, this is more of a love story between two men with one being a werewolf.
You don't need to read the previous book to enjoy this one, but I would think you'd have a better understanding of what Rio and Jamie are recovering from.
One question - who's Chris? And do I have to wait years to find out what the scene at the restaurant was about? If it was just a catalyst for the resulting scene, it was unnecessary.
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March 25, 2016Really liked the first book so this one was a quick buy for me, but ultimately didn't live up to my expectations. Anticlimactic. I enjoyed seeing Rio & Mick again more than I was interested in the leads of this book, which is unfortunate, what with Jamie & Jed being the main characters and all. Towards the end, there seemed to be a pretty obvious set-up for another book, which I don't really get, but maybe it will offer a pleasant surprise.
March 18, 2016
Decent
I liked this story and the characters, but I just couldn't get into this book like I wanted to. This is clearly not the first book in this world and while it's not necessary to have read the previous book, it certainly would have made some of the character interactions easier to follow. I'm not sure if, after reading this, I want to read the previous book though...
I liked this story and the characters, but I just couldn't get into this book like I wanted to. This is clearly not the first book in this world and while it's not necessary to have read the previous book, it certainly would have made some of the character interactions easier to follow. I'm not sure if, after reading this, I want to read the previous book though...
March 18, 2016
3 stars
March 19, 2016
It was boring, boring and still boring.
May 5, 2016
Good book but the characters didn't appeal to me as much as the ones in the first book.
June 25, 2016
Sweet uncomplicated read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews