Entwined by Fate Review by S.A. Price – People, We Have Weresnakes!
29 Nov, 2009 in Erotic Romance 47 Comments
ISBN: 978-1-607667-077-3
Title: Entwined by Fate by S.A. Price {144 pages}
Genre: Erotic/Paranormal Romance
Release Date: January 19th 2010
This is an uncorrected proof ARC given to me by the author
Thirty females of the Ophidian race have gone missing. Believed to be dead by every Archon in the states, Merrick leads a quiet and unassuming life, saving those of his race that are lost and need it most. It’s a solitary existence, one that he hates every day. He yearns for his mate, the woman he left over a decade before, and the woman who thinks him dead to this day. When Elise Rizdon gets the official invitation to the Archon meeting in Ohio, she never expected to see the love of her life at the woman’s side, a man she was told was dead and buried. She lost him once upon a time, and she never fully recovered. Focusing on the issues, and not the man that has always made her body burn is not going to be easy. A disturbing event is on the horizon, one that threatens all Ophidian’s and their way of life. In order to survive they will have to work together, give up old grudges and take chances on the things that matter most. Love, life and the continuation of their race. ARC OF A PRINT RELEASE COMING JANUARY 19th 2010
So much of the erotica and paranormal market is flooded with the usual vampires, demons, and shapeshifters. Where may I ask, is the love for Weresnakes? Hmmm? I will say that I have read many an ebook about tigers, lions, wolves and bears. But snakes…? This was unchartered territory for me! To get in the zone, I put on my sparkly snake bracelet, tucked my juicy sweat pants into my uggs and prepared myself to go where not many readers have gone before.
To start off, I began Entwined by Fate by Googling Ophidian. I found it interesting that this was an actual term used in conjunction with serpentine or ’snake-like’, go figure. This is what I liked about the book. The author s really spent her time gathering her research to build a believable reality in her fantasy world of were-snakes. There are not many authors out there who can write the word nest and not have me run screaming in the other direction. She really delved into the intricacies of how this race of people survived, their dynamic and I was impressed with her attention to detail. I enjoyed doing a little research just to make sure I was ‘in the know’ about some of her terms. Besides we all I know I heart Google.
My Take
Merrick and Elsie were destined to be mates when Merrick is called to South America. Elsie is told he is dead and has been morning his loss ever since. Fast forward 10 odd years later, Elsie still wearing the promise ring Merrick gave her long ago, sees Merrick at the Archon meeting in Ohio. She is devastated to find that he is alive and in the arms of another Archon female. Merrick has never forgotten the love of his life; he waits patiently to be together with her again, only after he finds out who is behind the kidnapping of the Ophidian females. I liked how the story jumps right into the present day of Merrick’s and Elsie’s relationship. We also get to meet Aiden, a lady’s man weresnake, who also happens to have Ophidaphobia. Love it! I really enjoyed the multiple character point of views. It provided a unique personality and glimpse into each character. I may make a wide berth to avoid the snakes in Petco, but for my reading pleasure, weresnakes are a okay.
Another key highlight for me was the author’s ability to make what most of us find as squeal-worthy into something sensuous and enchanting. A difficult feat since snakes and I haven’t gotten along since the Temple of Doom. I found myself captivated by their world and watching reruns of the MTV music awards when Brittany came out on stage with a boa constrictor. Lucky girl. I want my own snakie to rub my fantasy scales with! Move over werewolf’s there’s a new game in town.
Rating
Would you read about Weresnakes?
Author’s Website: www.stellaandaudra.com
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Buh. Snakes. *shudder*
Probably not. I mean, in a purely intellectual sense, I can kind of see it but… *shudder*
I have noticed that Nalini Singh has mentioned weresnakes, or I guess, changeling snakes, in her Psy/Changeling series.
overall though, I think i’d rather not. *shudder*
ack, snakes freak me the heck out. But hey, I will give weresnakes a chance if they have hips like that cover. yum.
@Nicola I too shudder at snakes, I mean things that smell with their tongues, WTH?! I did think the author captured the sensuality of being a weresnake, I didn’t shudder once. Promise!
@Tiffany LOL! That’s the spirit.
Wow, this should be an interesting read! Weresnakes? Really? I’m not sure if I wouldn’t shudder… I mean… snakes!! But the cover sure is hot enough to give it a try
Very nice cover but I have to take a pass on anything snakey. Just a personal thing–nightmares and all. I’m glad you were able to give this a go since the author took a chance on a fairly unique idea.
Weresnakes, huh? I have nothing against snakes but do these shifters also molt(is that the correct term for what snakes do with their skin from time to time)? That’s the most disgusting thing about snake in my opinion. Sounds nice nonetheless. Will check it out!
Weresnakes… it does not appeal to me at first sight, I only read about one in Pamela Palmer’s Ferial Warriors series, and I did not like him! But this sounds like an interesting read, great review! And is that Nathan on the cover?!?
Hi Everyone!
Well I’m one half of the writing team. Audra, my sister, and I write this series under S.A. Price as a change from the other work we do. Its a bit less erotic then the previous books, thats why the name change.
Anyway, First, THANK YOU for trying out the book. Its interesting, but as your comments say, general consensus is that Snakes are creepy and scary and freak people out. I’m really glad you tried the book, weren’t skeeved out and gave it a real chance at liking it. A lot of publishers wouldn’t touch this book because they couldn’t get marketing behind it, but you have just proven to me that there IS a market out there for this kinda work, and Audra and I weren’t insane when we wrote it.So again THANK YOU for understanding it all.
To answer questions:
SusiSunshine: No they dont molt. Think of it as this. as humans, we loose skin all the time right? Well as humans they do too. NO molting and no extremely gross feeding scenes.
Also, theres three stories out right now we wrote, they are novella’s and with Total E Bound and are the erotic side of this idea, three bachelors from Elise’s next that found their mates. If you want to see a bit more about this, and see some back story, pick those up.
And thank you for the compliments on the cover, I did it myself, LOL.
I’m looking forward to starting this book soon!! I have read about weresnakes one other time, and they didn’t bother me…but I’ve read a lot of shifter stories. When I read about the wereswan with a downy chest and made it through that ok, snakes are a piece of cake
Awesome review – hiss hiss.
@ErotRomReader (Janna)give it a try you never know *wiggles eyebrows*
@Fiction Vixen I feel a challenge coming on. I will get you to like snakes, just think of Britney I’m a slave for you!
@Susi The authors did a fab job in my opinion of capturing the sensuality of snakes vs the freaky side.
@Marissa the cover is verra sexy
@Stella and Audra Price Welcome! I think we can totally get people on the weresnake bandwagon. Whose with me?!!!
@Mandi You almost made me spit my coffee out with the hiss hiss.
Weresnakes, now that is an unusual topic and one that intrigues me. I love it when an author has done her research and makes it all so believable…I think this is one for me when I have my e-reader
Thanks everyone!
I’m working right now on a Sprout for the book.. Lets hope we can convert everyone, LOL.
@Leontine yes this is a perfect ebook
@Stella crossing my fingers for you
After reading your review I would SOOO read about weresnakes. I enjoy through world building – and anything unusual… MORE unusual that the usual paranormal… LOL
You already know how I feel about weresnakes, K.C! Like NO THANK YOU! LOL
before i read your review im sure i would have *vehemently* said NO WAY to weresnake romances. although this reminded me that Nalini Singh does mantion them in her Psy/Changeling series.
Awesome review and great comments by one of the authors makes this worth a try! Now I just have to find my fake uggs and juicy sweatpants to get all geared up to read it!
Sorry I can’t do snakes — no sir thank you very much. I don’t care how sexy they are.
Honestly..no. Weresnakes are this book’s catch and it’s not caught me. Nope. And I like snakes, I truly do. Used to let my boyfriend-now-hubbster’s boa wrap herself around my arm for warmth. I just…I dunno. It seems like a bid for “what creature can we make into a shape-shifter next” to make what sounds like a familiar book blurb more exciting. Then again, maybe I’m just shifter-ed out.
All the best to the author’s though. Obviously somebody will find the series appealing.
@Miranda so your saying I did a good job pimpin this book out…yes {pumps fist into the air}
@Wendy think Britney Spears with her sparklie top w/ a boa around her neck. Snakes can be sexy.
@Lusty Reader hon don’t forget to accessorize with a snake bracelet it’s a must to get into the mood.
@Colette you’ve already come this far by reading the excerpt. Baby steps my friend
Hey Marnie and Wendy:
That’s Ok! Its not for everyone! Audra and I don’t find Werewolves sexy, and that’s one of the reasons why we tried snakes. For us, there’s nothing sexy about the smell of wet dog or the viciousness of their pack structure. With Snakes, they are sensual and sexy, there’s a reason why they are used in sexual rites and associated with darker, forbidden passions the world over.
We knew it wasn’t for everyone when we wrote it, but for those of you that are thinking of reading it… thank you SO much!
We do also write Demons, Satyrs, Fallen, Unicorns, Dragon and Genies as well…
Hey KMont:
I’m totally sorry you feel that way, but to each their own I guess. We didn’t start writing weresnakes because of the “what shifter can we do” fad, though I get why you think that. This is something that’s been in the works for us for almost 4 years, after we both got fed up with the wolves and coyote shifters. We did it because it appealed to us AS snake lovers (Thulsa Doom is like our favorite!) and wanted something that was different and sexy at the same time. Wolves never caught us as sexy, but snakes always did. *shrug*
@KMont you are so much braver than I. I have yet to touch a snake *shudder* no thank you. Not gonna happen! I do see your point about the shifter bandwagon. For this book, a nice change as the the authors did their research and made it interesting and creative. I mean I read the word nest and didn’t shudder once – that is magic.
@Stella and Audra Price I have to say I didn’t feel that your book expressed the shifter bandwagon – I really thought you took this into a creative direction. I loved the different snakes and their abilities etc. Go Team Weresnake!!!
I love snakes. I’ve even kept several in my home. I can’t wait to read this. It’s always nice to read about new shifters. Plus I’ve already read a couple of great reviews.
Lemme drop this here…
3 novella’s in e book at Total E Bound (reason why this book isnt with TEB is because its not heavy on the erotic side):
Beyond the Vision of Dreams
Surrender in Moonlight
A Gift of Daybreak
http://www.total-e-bound.com/Series/Knossos-West/c-1-83-131/
If you guys are interested, and you can meet Elise in these as well.
Well, Stella and Audra Price, I didn’t actually think you DID write it because it seems the way I said above. It’s just the way it felt when reading the blurb. I wouldn’t assume that about any author, whatever their personal motives might be for writing a story and that’s not what I was saying.
It’s the flood of shifter stories in the market in general that suggests a bandwagon-esque feeling. It’s that general, overall curtain of shifters that sometimes has a reader stepping back and drawing that particular curtain closed. Kind of like how some people are tired of vampire recs right and left. It’s just a phase readers go through at times. Who knows, a few weeks down the road, a weresnake story might totally work.
@JenB welcome to Team Weresnake!
KMont:
I totally understand where you are coming from. Audra and I dont write vamps either (well we write one but he isnt a vamp really) and when we do, like wolves, we kill them off in bloody and heinous ways, LOL. We tend to write out of the box, for the past few years we have been writing that way, and have been seeing the “races” we love so much becoming more mainstream because people are getting tired of the Vamps and wolves… It comes in waves, you know?
Sorry but no, no, no weresnakes for me. No way no how. I have this huge, HUGE and were not talking shudder or dislike here, no a HUGE full-blown fear of snakes. To the point I can’t even look at that cover because of what’s in the righthand top. So while admiring the author’s creativity and guts to put this out there, admiring KC for having the courage to read this and Admiring the ones not scared out of their pants of snakes, I will stick my wussy self to bears, wolves and lions…
Nice review KC! Weresnakes are certainly a different spin on the paranormal aspects in the shapeshifting world. Glad you enjoyed it but for some reason this one doesn’t appeal to me. Not scared of snakes either, just don’t see them romantically or awe inspiring in any way.
Hmmm, don’t think I could do weresnakes. Snakes just are not appealing to me.
@Pearl I now have made it my mission to bring you over to Team Weresnake, we’ll start small ok, like snake jewelry or something. We’ll slowly work you up to literature. I can feel it Pearl, it’s gonna happen!
@Donna the snake aspect was secondary in this book, like being Scottish if this were a historical romance. I find it so fascinating that people are so set against reading this book. This brings out the sociology major in me! Donna I’m still shuddering about your cat bringing snakes into the house.
@TBV I am wearing you and Fiction Vixen down. By 2010 you will be on Team Weresnake!
@KC Oh no we aren’t. snake jewelry also creeps me out! It’s sweet of you to try and work with me on it but you really underestimate the depth of my enormous fear of these animals. Team Weresnake is really have to going to do it without me *wink* I’ll stick to the other animals.
What did I just type??? “Team Weresnake is really have to going to do it without me”
I blame this awful grammar on the fear of snakes LOL
I meant to say Team Weresnake is going to have to do without me…
So this is what all the were-snake conversation has been about. Normally I’d say no, I wouldn’t read about were-snakes, but it’s not everyday you read about shapeshifting snakes, so yes I’d read this one!
@Pearl Ok you can be on team WereReindeer but Team Weresnake could be a lot of fun….
@Colette another one to Team Weresnake!!!
“team WereReindeer”
*slaps knee* You crack me up KC.
*giggle*
I slink off to write for a day and a half and you guys are still going back and forth, I love it! Seriously though, I think people need to know that even though they are weresnakes, they arent creepy or anything. they are just people that happen to turn into snakes once in a while. They spend the majority of their time as humans, mate as humans, and live as humans. they just let their wild side out to play so to speak. Oh and they are quite flexible too… makes for some interesting sex scenes.. LOL!
Thanks to everyone that will try the book, and to those who wont, Its totally cool. If you like Satyrs or Demons or Genies… We got those too. *wink*
Hmmmm….weresnakes….I don’t know. I’ve never been a fan of snakes. Truthfully, they freak me out and I’ve never thought of them of sexy, only poisonous…
Interesting review though. It’s obvious that you enjoyed it so I suppose my final answer is maybe.
Love your commentary hon…
I am quite liberal, but snake ….. I have to think about that one…
E.H>
Quote KC: ” @Pearl Ok you can be on team WereReindeer but Team Weresnake could be a lot of fun…. ”
This is how you try and reel me in for Team Weresnake??? Come on! I KNOW you can do better than that sweetie! *snicker*
I find this so funny. So many erotica readers can read about threesomes, bdsm, male vs. male, (we won’t even go into the steamy scenes with wolves that Kate Douglas writes) but somehow can’t seem to want to at least try a little weresnake. Cracks me up. This just proves the power of ‘to each their own’. KC you had me rolling on the floor, with your comment about how EC will publish a book with a demon with two ding-a-lings but somehow someone who shifts occasionally into a snake is ‘going too far’.
Even though I ran screaming from my yard when a gardener snake dared to slither to me, I find the idea of a snake very sensuous. Sounds like the authors really have something different here!
Count me in to team Weresnake!
Do you actually believe that’s true? You did a good job expressing your point, but I believe you need to put some more thought into this discussion and perhaps post a reply to the opposite side of this argument.