BOOK REVIEW ~~~~~ MARKED AND MATED by Delta James ~~~~~

Marked and Mated: An Alpha Shifter Romance 

(Wayward Mates Book 2) by Delta James

My Review - 4.25 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✧

 

Although this is interlinked to the story in "Brought to Heel" , it can very easily be read as a stand alone.

For me I did feel that the pace was a little slow at first, but this was because of the recapping of (essential) story from Book #1.  If you haven't read that you won't notice nor have this issue. I appreciate it's difficult to give sufficient backstory to new readers but I did feel a chunk of the information could have been relayed via conversations and thoughts rather than 'in real time' so to speak.  For me it repeated a little too much of the previous book.

I did like that we got to see Darby and Jean-Michel together at Calon Gwyllt, as this was where their relationship developed.  Seeing their interactions in the first few days was important for us to believe and buy into their love.  However I would have liked this to have had more time with them back in New Orleans amongst their own pack, getting to know key characters there.  The 'suspense' part of the story felt a touch rushed, though was still executed to a high standard and felt believable.

This is a very patriarchal society, and it's very much a case of the women being spanked if they don't behave in a way the men want them to.  Whilst it is spanking and domestic discipline, in this case it borders on dubious and non-consent, so please bear that in mind when deciding whether to purchase this book. I feel that the 'good guys' do try and give the women as much choice and freedom AS THEIR SOCIETY ALLOWS.  This is a fictional shifter world so the rules are somewhat different here.

Whist the 'bad guys' from another were clearly dealt with in an authoritative way, I would like to see some of the male pack members disciplined for unacceptable behaviour.  Just to help balance the book out a little.  I did feel in this book that, as long as she spoke in a polite manner, the heroine was allowed to say what she truly felt or thought without punishment by her mate. 

I really enjoyed both books so far, I find the writing style easy to read and I like dubious and non-consent in stories so that doesn't bother me.  These have more substance than a lot of shifter stories I've read and Darby sure is one strong and determined woman.

Blurb

She ran from her mate. Now she must be punished.

Darby Callan doesn't want a mate, but it isn't up to her. Her old pack has been disbanded, and when the powerful, handsome alpha of a well-established pack makes it clear that she belongs to him, her instincts reveal the truth of his words despite her furious protests and attempts to escape.

Jean-Michel Gautier knows that his new mate's past makes her wary of him, but an alpha cannot tolerate disobedience, and when Darby defies him he strips her bare and spanks her until she is sore and sobbing. Her beautiful body's response to his dominance is obvious, and his stern correction leaves her helplessly aroused, but before he claims her he plans to make her beg.

Naked and quivering with desperate, shameful need, Darby cannot help pleading with Jean-Michel for the climax she has been denied, and soon she is crying out with pleasure more intense than she would have ever thought possible as he makes her his. But when the vicious brute who once hurt her comes looking for Darby again, can she trust her new alpha to protect his mate?

Publisher's Note: Marked and Mated is a stand-alone novel which is the second entry in the Wayward Mates series. It includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book. Also note that Marked and Mated shares its setting with Adaline Raine's previously published books Marked by the Alpha and Rules of the Pack, and it was written only after receiving Adaline's permission and support.

Purchase Links

Amazon US - http://a.co/d/1iL2u00

Amazon UK - http://amzn.eu/d/1lzTM89