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Unspun #2

Stealing Fate

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The USA Today Recommended Read.

She stole his fate...
Lachesis is a Fate, an ancient goddess in whose hands our destinies are unraveled. When she's not weaving fortune, she does what she wants when she wants. That all changes when she runs into the man she craves but prayed to never see again. And she'll soon discover the god of terror can really hold a grudge.

Now it's his turn...
The most frightening of gods, Phobos is a predator who takes pleasure in terrorizing the world. After millennia of relentless searching, he finds the Fate who caused him to be cast down from Olympus. Now he plans to use every bit of his talents on the goddess to regain his lost heritage.

77 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 2012

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142 people want to read

About the author

Berinn Rae

10 books59 followers
RACHEL AUKES writes horror stories, and as BERINN RAE she writes sci-fi romance and paranormal romance. Rachel was raised on a farm in Iowa where she boasted the small town’s largest (and only) comic book collection, and she's still addicted to stories starring characters with kickassitude. When not writing, Rachel flies old airplanes in the American Midwest with her awesomely supportive husband and caters to an incredibly spoiled sixty-pound lap dog.

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Laurie Garrison .
728 reviews174 followers
December 14, 2015


Very vividly written novella! Welcome to a fast pace Greek Mythology tale and a sexy romance. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be coming back for more. I love how she gets into the detail and how she carries out the romance between the hero and heroine. You know how you get some romance books that are just all about sex and no romance. Well, in this story you get the best of both romance and sex because the author builds the romance with great teasers here and there, I loved every minute of it


I am a sucker for a love hate romance especially if it’s well written. I liked how the author took Lachesis and Phobos down a road of truly finding out their love for each other after years of thinking they hated each other. I really enjoyed reading Lachesis she one tough Fate and I sure can’t blame her for wanting the son of Aries and Aphrodite, you know he has to be one hot Greek God;). I also loved the roll Phobos bother plays in the story I never suspected a thing.

If your one for Greek Mythology this is a must read to add, I for one am so glad I have gotten to read this and I’ll be going back for the other Fate stories.
Profile Image for A.R. Miller.
Author 5 books29 followers
June 12, 2012
Let me start this with a few disclaimers. I was sent an ARC of Stealing Fate by the author, Berinn Rae. I don’t give 5 star reviews. As a reader I don’t always trust them. They could have been written by a friend or family member. They could have been written by the author under another name. Reviews are for readers not writers. To me, 5 stars means something is perfect and in ‘my’ opinion nothing is perfect. Also it would seem terribly biased if I were to give this novella 5 stars. Some of you may know Ms. Rae and I are acquaintances. I’d like to say friends, but we’ll wait till after the review for that call.
I’m not a huge fan of short fiction, it usually leaves me feeling unsatisfied. A lot of the time it feels rushed, with an ending all wrapped up in a nice, bright bow of unanswered plot holes. Or, as I’ve found lately, they read like chapters of a much larger work. Somehow, Berinn managed to pull it off, she made me love her story from enticing beginning to neatly wrapped ending. She kept me reading, even when I was supposed to be doing other things. I even read it twice to make sure it wasn’t friendship blinding me. Nope, it was just that good.
The action moved along at a decent pace—love a well written fight scene—yet not so fast I couldn’t catch my breath. There was a young, fresh feel to the tried and true Greek mythology by taking enigmas, like the Fates and lesser known gods, such as Terror and molding a deeper history. No sweet, sappy romance here—many thanks for that, not a fan—it’s gritty and real, forged in the fires of lust. Warning to parents, while this is fantasy, it’s adult fantasy. No, I don’t mean a walk down pervert lane. This is a tastefully done story about adults, for adults. If you don’t like it spicy this probably isn’t the story for you.
For me this was a story about regret, redemption and doing the right thing at the right time. As stated before I’m not big on the sappy stuff, but Berinn didn’t over do the true love conquers all. She left two little openings that could change everything. I won’t spoil it for you, you’ll need to read Stealing Fate to find out what. I hope Fate leads her to grab those plot threads and weave them into another installment.

Profile Image for Rhonda.
244 reviews57 followers
July 12, 2025

They sat together in the park
As the evening sky grew dark
She looked at him and he felt a spark tingle to his bones
’Twas then he felt alone and wished that he’d gone straight
And watched out for a simple twist of fate
- Bob Dylan

When I heard about this series of novellas in the works I was very excited that I would be introduced to two new authors. This is the first time I've read Berinn Rae, and I loved what she brought to this series! These are the stories of the three Fates; life, destiny, and death. This is the the story of Lachesis aka Lacey, the Fate of destiny and Phobos the Greek god of terror.

Centuries ago Lacey betrayed her one true love Phobos, after which time Phobos was banished from Olympus along with his twin brother Deimos also known as Fear. They were stripped of their godly gifts and sent to earth. Phobos swore vengeance against Lacey for her betrayal. Over the centuries the two have engaged in somewhat of a game of cat and mouse, and Lacey always slipping away. This time it wouldn't be so easy, Lacey is sent to earth, and dropped right in the middle of a night club practically face to face with Phobos. This time Phobos' prey won't slip away so easily.

"How I've dreamed of tearing the life from your veins," he said. "The dark maiden who sealed my doom." - Phobos

Berinn Rae did an excellent job with this story in setting it up, and the writing was clean, and the character development was great! I really enjoyed Lacey who is sassy, strong, and quick witted. I loved the contrast between she and her sister Chloe, and I think that's one of the things I really enjoy about this series, is that each author brings something different to the table, and I have really enjoyed them so far. I also thought Phobos was presented very well, he just oozed dangerous sexuality from the moment he appeared in the story, YUM! I was kinda sad when this story was over, I found myself invested in the characters very quickly. Berinn Rae has a great voice, and I really look forward to more from her.

"Give up the self-loathing thing, Phobos. You're scrumptiously sexy. Deal with it." -Lacey
Profile Image for Vanessa theJeepDiva.
1,257 reviews117 followers
June 11, 2012
Stealing Fate (very appropriately titled) is the second book in the Unspun series. This series follows the three Fates to their happily ever after and is written by three different authors. I found that Stealing Fate works perfect as a stand-alone. One does not need to read the first book to jump right in this series.

Lachesis, the Great Measurer who weaves the length of life is now known as Lacey. She knows first-hand that her role as a Fate is not difficult. She has had to shorten a life, the life of her one true love. In a desperate act to save her father she had to kill Phobos.
Phobos has still harbors what he thinks is anger towards Lacey. He has searched for her, determined to have his vengeance, regain his powers and be returned to his station in godhood. Without his full powers being the God of Terror on the human plane is not as amusing as he had hoped.

Lacey and Phobos were fun to read. They are the classic I love you but I thought I hated you couple, at least on Phobos’s part. He soon finds out the hard way that there is someone that wants Lacey’s death even more than he does. It takes this heinous evil doer to open his eyes.

This installment in the series definitely has more mythology. Both the hero and heroine are immortals. Bored Olympians are also more meddlesome and add to the drama that Phobos and Lacey have to go through to find their common ground so that they can get past the betrayal from their past. I have certainly enjoyed reading the Fates having to go through the trails that they weave as Fates.
Author 7 books35 followers
January 26, 2015
My Thoughts

One series…three novellas by three different authors…Brilliant idea!

This series tells a story of the Fates of Greek mythology – Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos. Clotho spins new life, Lachesis sets the destiny and length of one’s life, and Atropos ends life.

Stealing Fate is the story of Lachesis (who modernized her name to be Lacey while on Earth) and Phobos (otherwise known as the God of Terror and son of Ares and Aphrodite), and their long overdue reunion. With vengeance on his mind, Phobos has been looking for Lacey for centuries, hell bent on exacting revenge for her betrayal. After she basically falls in his lap, it was time for her to get her comeuppance. And so their adventure begins.
________________________________________
Some may not feel this way but I’m a big fan of novellas and short stories. It takes an incredible amount of talent to write a good story with just the right amount of detail that will capture a reader’s interest, hold that interest and leave a reader with a satisfied ending. Berinn Rae is one of the very special authors who have this talent.

I was immediately intrigued with the mythological element of the series to begin with. Then, my curiosity was piqued after discovering the tragic past of the hero and heroine; enthralled with the intensity of their passion and completely engaged throughout the story wondering how it would all play out. Their desire for each other was intoxicating from the very beginning and felt throughout the entire novel.

In such a short story, Rae made me love these characters, fret when obstacles were thrown in their way and want to slap Hera silly. Those are some pretty varying emotions to feel from a 100-page novella. A true testament to this authors mastery of the written word.

Happy Reading!!

5 Stars – Absolutely Loved It!!!!
Profile Image for Theresa Jones.
Author 10 books130 followers
July 27, 2012
Received this book free from the author through a giveaway.

After reading a YA novel based on Persephone and Hades, I was excited to read another Greek Mythology inspired story, though this is definitely not YA.

The story is about Lacey, one of the 3 Fates, and her long relationship with the God of Terror, Phobos. You learn briefly about their history, and why they are the way they are. They fight for each other and against each other throughout the whole story.

The writing was smooth, funny a times, and dark in others.

There was some steamy romance, and some serious action scenes, there was love and hate, redemption and vengeance all rolled into a short novella.

The only problem with this… is its too short. You say, “Duh! It’s a Novella!” But I just like LONGER stories! I want to know more! I want to know more of their history and more of their future!

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this. Recommended to anyone who likes mythology and steamy romance (over 18)


Review written by Mrs Jones. Go check out at: her AWESOME blog
Profile Image for Melissa.
787 reviews8 followers
June 27, 2012
Disclaimer: I know Berinn and thinks she's awesome!

Now that that is out of the way, Stealing Fate is the second novella in the "Unspun Trilogy" and I enjoyed it as much as I liked Creating Fate. Lacey and Phobos seem like the epitome of Murphy's Law in relationships - everything that can go wrong will do so! Lacey was a character I could appreciate from her kick-ass attitude to her love of her sisters. Phobos was a sexy, bad ass - what's not to love?

Stealing Fate was a fast-paced, enticing read. My only criticism is that there were a few threads in the story that didn't seem fully wrapped up by the end. If you like a good paranormal with a twist on Greek mythology, I'd highly recommend this trilogy.
Profile Image for Jordyn Meryl Author.
Author 17 books27 followers
June 11, 2012
My love for Greek mythology was enticed and sparked by this daring story. It’s how I imagine their passions and lust existed as the immortals of the gods. Lachesis and Phobos while are some kick-ass lovers, the action holds you spellbound. Great read.
Profile Image for Mei.
1,897 reviews479 followers
August 29, 2013
Good novella!

I love greek myths and I greatly enjoyed this novella about Lachesis and Phobos.
The story has a twist and I found out that Phobos was a tad too headstrong, but I'm intrigued enough to try the other books in this series! :D
Profile Image for Diantha Jones.
Author 18 books395 followers
August 11, 2012
Even though I liked Stealing Fate (Unspun #2) better than Creating Fate (Unspun #1), there was something about it that still felt forced to me. It’s my main issue with short stories and novellas driven by romance. They’re rushed, and books always lose stars that way. Doesn’t mean I’m going to stop reading books like these. As I mentioned in a previous review, I love Greek myth, I love the Fates. I’ve already purchased Chasing Fate, and that review will be up as soon as I’m done.

I really liked how even though each Unspun book has a different author, the voice is the same. By that I mean, they flow and work well together as a series. Stealing Fate was good because of Phobos (Terror, the love interest) and Deimos (Fear, his brother and the antagonist). I’ve always loved these two gods in Greek myth and found them interesting. I loved how their personality traits and abilities to incite terror and fear in those around them was used to drive the story. Worked very well. I liked Lachesis (Lacey, the Fate) and her fight-back personality. It was cute and complimented Phobos’ tougher-than-nails demeanor well. I really liked them as a couple.

That said, back to the forced romance. Even though “Lacey” and Phobos had history (and a very strained one at that), the rekindling of their relationship just didn’t do it for me. I guess I’m trying to say in so many words, I wanted more! A longer book would have made all the difference and with Deimos coming through and making trouble for them, it probably would have been a four star book, EASY.

But I liked Stealing Fate and I’m looking forward to reading about my favorite Fate, Atropos (Attie) in Chasing Fate.
Profile Image for Anastasia Emel.
12 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2014
The story is quite interesting right from the start. The only problem (for me at least) was that the characters’ appearance, all dressed up in leather, reminded me of some old series about Ancient Greek heroes and Gods(see Xena warrior princess). Apart from that, the story continues with a twist and ends even better. My favourite character I must say was Phobos, who shows both the cruel and the romantic side of a dreamy man. In general, it was a pleasant book to read, with both romance, revenge, and a humorous touch at times.
Profile Image for Lynn Rush.
Author 39 books914 followers
August 4, 2012
Wow. This book was great. Fast read. Energetic and gut-wrenching. I really enjoyed the characters and how well the story was crafted. Nicely done, Berinn!!! :)
Profile Image for Dahlia (yadkny).
943 reviews141 followers
November 5, 2012
From the moment Lacey and Phobos see each other again, the sparks fly off the pages. I loved that these two already had a history albeit a love/hate one. Lacey is a strong character and as a Fate with an oracle power she has to be, but she is sensitive to her feelings especially when it comes to Phobos. The battle hardened war god, never saw her coming and changing his life completely, so his thoughts easily become jumbled between his desire to keep her and kill her.

The pacing, the action, and the love story are fast and furious, but written in a very engaging way. The story once again focuses on the hero and heroine and their developing relationship, but once again not without a trip to Olympus. I am curious to see if and when the sisters get their reunion and what Zeus has planned next.

Lacey also known as the Fate Lachesis is grateful for the small reprieve when she is sent from Olympus into the mortal realm to search for her sisters. Grateful so she can find a mortal distraction from the centuries old hunt started by her betrayal. However, Lacey isn't on the mortal plane long before he shows up. The man from both her dreams and nightmares in the flesh and sporting some new ink.

Phobos a god of war has been waiting to catch his prey for a very long time. It is because of her that he is almost completely powerless and stuck with mortals. To regain his power, Lachesis is the key and now that he's found her, he's not letting her go until he's has what he wants. Only problem is he doesn't know what that is until it's too late and a new betrayal is revealed.

Review soon-to-be posted @ Night Owl Reviews
Profile Image for Myrt.
76 reviews8 followers
August 10, 2016
A Spicy Turn of Fate

Lachesis is the middle sister of the three Fates of mythology. She is the one who determines the lifespan of each being. Carrying such lofty responsibility, a girl can use a break once in awhile which is how we find Lachesis or Lacey as she prefers to go by, hanging out at a Goth bar in the Mortal Realm looking for a good time. What she finds instead is the god of war's son, Phobos, also known as Terror, a good-looking badass with a personal grudge against this particular Fate.

This is a steamy adventure with the two immortals using epic fighting as foreplay before diving into a passionate and intense romance. This short novella is one of three novellas focusing on each of the three Fates. It's a sexy and fun look at a major figure in Greek mythology.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
435 reviews9 followers
July 26, 2016
Mythology meets todays world this story is about a fate that crossed terror even though their love is great his need for vengeance is greater, but what happens if you kill someone you love? This story has a few twists but is pretty good all in all. the characters are well defined and the story is well written. Thegods as always must intervene but whati s the cost? What is one person willing to do to save their own soul?
Profile Image for Cathy Geha.
4,409 reviews122 followers
May 2, 2014
Greek mythology presented with a twist – this story of Lachesis and Phobos introduced me to characters I may have heard about briefly at some point in time but did not know well. Liberties are no doubt taken with the story lines and in this novella one of the Fates meets the God of Terror. There is steam, action and attraction in this story. I will say that the book has interested me in Greek Mythology.
Profile Image for Lydia.
532 reviews60 followers
September 9, 2014
"You are only a prisoner in the sense that if you run, I will follow. I’ll be right behind you, doing everything in my power to earn your forgiveness. I love you too much to let you go." - Phobos

Don't you just love when, between books that really make you want to bang your head on the wall, you get stories that feel like a breath of fresh air? Stories like this one, for example...



Lachesis - who lately answers to the name Lacey - had to betray the one man she ever loved in the past. Add to her regrets the fact that said man has been hunting her around ever since, and you get why she's not so eager to meet up with him again. Phobos, on the other hand, is out for blood - particularly that of a certain Fate's. Problem is, when he finally finds her, he's not so sure he wants her really dead after all. And Lacey is getting tired of running away already...

Seeing as this was a short story, there is not much to say. Other than compliments, that is! Because - God bless you, Mrs. Rae - I really needed this kind of story lately, especially after all these books focusing on a collection of the most annoying heroines ever!

Lacey was a sassy, funny heroine, sarcastic and witty despite the danger she was in. She was feminine in her affections towards Phobos, but she also had strong survival insticts. So her heart and mind were always at war - though they didn't make her act like a bipolar teenager like the women I've been reading about lately...



Then there was Phobos, one of the most delicious fictional hunks I've ever had the pleasure of "meeting". Yeah, OK, one does not have the right to be called a hot-blooded woman if a hot, tall, muscular male dressed in tight leather and covered with tattoos doesn't make her panties evaporate on the spot, but this is not all that this war god had to offer. The guy was not only oozing manliness - hell, I think even his sweat screams "sex" - but also emotions, raw and oh-so-powerful, I thought at times I would drown in them. He had his issues, which were understandable, but he also had his feelings towards the woman who had betrayed him, and it was borderline adorable to see him try to deal with all this (well, adorable, that is, when it was not being sexy as heck).

All in all, this was a hot little read that was a true gem. Its story may have been short, and left some things to be answered, but I think the fact the characters were so well-developed, with witty dialogues, and a pace that matched the intensity of their situation, covered up for it just fine. If Mrs. Rae can do so much in just a few pages, I'm dying to see what she can do with a full-length novel!

"I loved you first so you’ll just have to deal with that." - Lacey

***I was given a review copy from a LibraryThing Member Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews