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Blood Fest: Cursing Fate
She has some deadly secrets…Tabitha Norkus wants only one thing in life—freedom from slavery for herself and the others held captive at the Lithuanian weretiger compound. When she gets the chance to escape, she grabs it. Taking three other Weres with her, she bolts for England, hoping to find sanctuary with her cousin in the British weretiger pride. But Tabbi’s fierce attraction to Drake Gatos, the English pride leader terrifies her, compounding her inability to trust him. She has no doubt he’s strong enough to protect her from her old pride leader. But will he? Her mind tells her, Drake’s the real deal. But her heart fears that once he discovers the truth, he’ll send her packing.He can’t afford to let her keep them…Drake catches Tabbi and her three young charges hiding in a barn. Realizing they’re on the run and terrified, he takes them into his home and offers them protection. He knows Tabbi is trouble, but she’s also in trouble, and his sense of honor won’t let him turn her away. His instincts warn him the woman’s deep, dark secrets may endanger his whole pride. So why does he find her so irresistible? Can he gain her trust in time to get the answers he needs in order to protect her from the danger that’s stalking her—or will he die trying to save her?
298 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 16, 2018
I live a busy lifestyle and love books, so I was very happy to find this heartwarming story on Audible. I wasn’t sure what to expect when reading a book titled. Blood Fest: Cursing Fate. I realized, after downloading, that it wasn’t the first book in the series, but it read as a standalone, so I had no problem keeping up with the story or its characters. Pepper O’Neal does a wonderful job of developing heros and heroines, as well as giving the backstory needed for the supporting cast. I found myself drawn in immediately to the fast paced adventure that proved to be a wonderful romance.
Sold by her uncle, at the early age of twelve, to a pride leader who uses her body to earn income for his own coiffures, Tabby is now thirty and has found a way out. She has a strong constitution and a warm heart. Taking three other weres with her, she uses her tech skills to relieve the Lithuanian pride of the money acquired from their abuse. She leaves a body count behind, which sends the corrupt new pride leader after them. Running to safety is anything but safe, as she makes her way across the channel to England for her cousin’s help.
Drake is a pride leader with a lot of responsibility, and protecting his pride is number one. When he hears about four weres on the run from a pride he isn’t fond of, he's on high alert. Drake immediately senses something is terribly wrong when he's led to the four runaways hiding out in a stable. It becomes his purpose to protect these abused weres and keep them safe. He knows Tabby has a secret, but can he keep her safe from herself. Handsome strong and a gentleman at every turn, Drake is the perfect hero.
I love that this story champions those who suffer abuse in a way that lends victims strength and purpose. Though some of the details are heartbreaking, it warms the reader to know that all is not lost. It pushes the message home, that we are not defined by what happens to us, but in the way we live our lives from today on. I think its an important message for abuse victims and everyone. Fantastic read! Characters so real, that I almost forgot I was reading a fantasy.
Sold by her uncle, at the early age of twelve, to a pride leader who uses her body to earn income for his own coiffures, Tabby is now thirty and has found a way out. She has a strong constitution and a warm heart. Taking three other weres with her, she uses her tech skills to relieve the Lithuanian pride of the money acquired from their abuse. She leaves a body count behind, which sends the corrupt new pride leader after them. Running to safety is anything but safe, as she makes her way across the channel to England for her cousin’s help.
Drake is a pride leader with a lot of responsibility, and protecting his pride is number one. When he hears about four weres on the run from a pride he isn’t fond of, he's on high alert. Drake immediately senses something is terribly wrong when he's led to the four runaways hiding out in a stable. It becomes his purpose to protect these abused weres and keep them safe. He knows Tabby has a secret, but can he keep her safe from herself. Handsome strong and a gentleman at every turn, Drake is the perfect hero.
I love that this story champions those who suffer abuse in a way that lends victims strength and purpose. Though some of the details are heartbreaking, it warms the reader to know that all is not lost. It pushes the message home, that we are not defined by what happens to us, but in the way we live our lives from today on. I think its an important message for abuse victims and everyone. Fantastic read! Characters so real, that I almost forgot I was reading a fantasy.
July 12, 2015
A young tiger shifter escapes from a Lithuanian brothel only to risk her hard-won freedom (and her life) when she returns to put an end to the operation.
I received a print copy of the first book in this series, BLOOD FEST: CHASING DESTINY, from the author and loved it so much I immediately downloaded CURSING FATE and read it straight through the night. Almost everything works in this book. From page one, we care intensely about Tabby and the three youngsters she takes with her when she breaks out of sexual bondage and travels across Europe to the safety of England. She heads there because it's the home of her only living relative. Chase Alcott--now Fernwood--is the heroine of CHASING DESTINY.
Before she can meet Chase, Tabby must face the leader of the local Weretiger pride. Drake Gatos and Gray, his second in command, were in book one, and it's great to see them play a more central part in the action. The romantic tension between Tabby and Drake is palpable. The erotic aspect builds more slowly. This is good call by author Pepper O'Neal, as it aligns with the horrific nature of Tabby's background. Total trust between the pair takes even more work. Tabby has a plan to destroy the brothel once and for all, and she knows overprotective (and kind of overbearing) Drake will try to leave her out of the mission.
Drake is a little thick-headed about things. For me, the only rough spot in the book was watching his missteps with Tabby. I know it was all in the service of telling an exciting story. But he's such a dolt at one point, that it wasn't only Gray who wanted to beat the stuffing out him.
It's a testament to O'Neal's skill at creating believable characters that the INSANE secret plan Tabby and Chase come up to destroy the brothel seems reasonable. Of course, the operation doesn't go quite as they imagined, which means lots of action and suspense for readers. It also provides a chance to meet up with Danyer, head of the Los Angeles pride. He's a favorite of mine from book one, and I hope he eventually gets to star in a Blood Fest book.
The climax is a nail biter. Even better, we're left with a brand new mystery. Why does Echo, one of the female weres Tabby saved, beg the others not to contact her family now that she's free?
Book three, where are you?????
I received a print copy of the first book in this series, BLOOD FEST: CHASING DESTINY, from the author and loved it so much I immediately downloaded CURSING FATE and read it straight through the night. Almost everything works in this book. From page one, we care intensely about Tabby and the three youngsters she takes with her when she breaks out of sexual bondage and travels across Europe to the safety of England. She heads there because it's the home of her only living relative. Chase Alcott--now Fernwood--is the heroine of CHASING DESTINY.
Before she can meet Chase, Tabby must face the leader of the local Weretiger pride. Drake Gatos and Gray, his second in command, were in book one, and it's great to see them play a more central part in the action. The romantic tension between Tabby and Drake is palpable. The erotic aspect builds more slowly. This is good call by author Pepper O'Neal, as it aligns with the horrific nature of Tabby's background. Total trust between the pair takes even more work. Tabby has a plan to destroy the brothel once and for all, and she knows overprotective (and kind of overbearing) Drake will try to leave her out of the mission.
Drake is a little thick-headed about things. For me, the only rough spot in the book was watching his missteps with Tabby. I know it was all in the service of telling an exciting story. But he's such a dolt at one point, that it wasn't only Gray who wanted to beat the stuffing out him.
It's a testament to O'Neal's skill at creating believable characters that the INSANE secret plan Tabby and Chase come up to destroy the brothel seems reasonable. Of course, the operation doesn't go quite as they imagined, which means lots of action and suspense for readers. It also provides a chance to meet up with Danyer, head of the Los Angeles pride. He's a favorite of mine from book one, and I hope he eventually gets to star in a Blood Fest book.
The climax is a nail biter. Even better, we're left with a brand new mystery. Why does Echo, one of the female weres Tabby saved, beg the others not to contact her family now that she's free?
Book three, where are you?????
February 9, 2014
"Blood Fest: Cursing Fate" is an interesting tale about a despicable group of weres who have enslaved both human and were children for the sole purpose of the sex trade. So, image the anger of Victkor, newly appointed Alpha when Tabitha Norkus (Tabbi) escapes with three children, jewels and over six million dollars of the pride's money.
Tabbi has been planning to escape the cruel confines of her pack. She and the children travel from country to country until they arrive in Lithuania at the home of her cousin Chase. Unfortunately, Chase is on her honeymoon and won't be back for a week. Unable to trust others she refuses Chase's father-in-law's offer to wait there.
As Tabbi and the children take refuge in a barn, they are discovered by Drake, the Alpha of the Lithuania pack. He manages to convince them that he means them no harm and offers them refuge in his home. He quickly determines they are victims of abuse and sets out to make things right. However, soon he finds himself falling in love with the guarded female.
When Chase returns, she is eager to get to know her cousin. Unfortunately, Victkor arrives looking for Tabbi and tells some unflattering tale to Drake. While Drake does not believe him and sends him packing out Goethe country, he doesn't use a little is common sense when attempting to talk to Tabbi about it.
As things start to settle a bit, Tabbi is ready to embark on the next part of her plan. She plans to go back to her old pride alone and rescue the other enslaved children. When Chase and Drake get wind of her plan they have to intervene. A war is about to be waged and the question is who will be the victor?
Although, the subject matter was distasteful and uncomfortable at times, I truly enjoyed this read. Unbeknownst to me, this is the second book in the series rather than the first. However reading the books out of order did not interfere with my understanding or enjoyment. There is plenty of action, moments that make you smile as well as tenderness. The ending is a cliffhanger and left me wanting more. If you enjoy a good paranormal romance, this series could very well be the one for you.
Tabbi has been planning to escape the cruel confines of her pack. She and the children travel from country to country until they arrive in Lithuania at the home of her cousin Chase. Unfortunately, Chase is on her honeymoon and won't be back for a week. Unable to trust others she refuses Chase's father-in-law's offer to wait there.
As Tabbi and the children take refuge in a barn, they are discovered by Drake, the Alpha of the Lithuania pack. He manages to convince them that he means them no harm and offers them refuge in his home. He quickly determines they are victims of abuse and sets out to make things right. However, soon he finds himself falling in love with the guarded female.
When Chase returns, she is eager to get to know her cousin. Unfortunately, Victkor arrives looking for Tabbi and tells some unflattering tale to Drake. While Drake does not believe him and sends him packing out Goethe country, he doesn't use a little is common sense when attempting to talk to Tabbi about it.
As things start to settle a bit, Tabbi is ready to embark on the next part of her plan. She plans to go back to her old pride alone and rescue the other enslaved children. When Chase and Drake get wind of her plan they have to intervene. A war is about to be waged and the question is who will be the victor?
Although, the subject matter was distasteful and uncomfortable at times, I truly enjoyed this read. Unbeknownst to me, this is the second book in the series rather than the first. However reading the books out of order did not interfere with my understanding or enjoyment. There is plenty of action, moments that make you smile as well as tenderness. The ending is a cliffhanger and left me wanting more. If you enjoy a good paranormal romance, this series could very well be the one for you.
September 4, 2014
I loved this book!! I'm not normally a fan of romances (even paranormal romances) but this was amazing. The relationship did not overwhelm the story, which was beautifully written. I am excited to see what else she writes!!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews