The Joy of “Connected” Series

If you don’t know by now, you should. I love book series. I started very young when I first stumbled upon The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley. This series ignited my love of books. It also led me to other short book series.

Somewhere along the line, I started reading “The Dragonriders of Pern” series by Anne McCaffrey. Between what Ms. McCaffrey has written, and the ones written by her son, Todd McCaffrey, this series currently stands at 25 books. Ms. McCaffrey has written several other series, but it seems that none of them connect to the others in any way.

Anna Lowe has also written several series, Twin Moon Ranch, Blue Moon Saloon, Aloha Shifters: Jewels of the Heart, Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire, and Billionaires and Bodyguards. While characters from one series are mentioned in the next, there is no real interplay between the two. So not exactly what I call “connected.”

So what do I mean by “Connected?”

I’m going to use the books of Delta James as my examples. Her books were what started me on this quest. Ms. James has written a number of series, some of which are obviously connected, others are not so obviously connected.

A prevalent theme throughout her books is the Dominant/submissive (D/s) theme. Keep that in mind during this discussion. There are things and places mentioned in almost all of her books that are tied to other books. This is the type of connection I am talking about.

In the Wayward Mates series, we are introduced to 9 strong-willed she-wolves (women) and the males who love them. I would say “alphas” but Nick from Claiming His Mate isn’t an alpha, he’s the pack Beta. None of these couples embrace the D/s dynamic but Marco DeMedici and the Florence pack own the club, Dante’s, in Florence, Italy. We learn this little fact in “In Vino Veritas“

The next series is “Tangled Vines” and its Prequel, “Corked.” In the prequel is where the brothers, Damien and Linc Steele, buy the small boutique hotel and famed BDSM club, Torch Light” to renovate. Linc and his mate, Grace live a D/s life 24/7. Damian meets his mate in Uncorked with the help of Marco Demedici. As the series continues onward, more couples embrace the D/s dynamic in their lives. We also see them crossing paths and pursuing connections with the alphas from Wayward Mates.

Fated Legacy is a series that introduces us to the adult children of the couples from both Wayward Mates and Tangled Vines. Set 40 years after the two series, the new generation battles an evil force called the “Darkness” thought to have been vanquished by Jean Lafitte, the original alpha of the New Orleans pack. In this series, we are taken to the London club, Baker Street.

Now, I had to check this out and actually ask Ms James, but it turns out that Baker Street is owned by the Cerebus Group from Mercenary Masters! This is actually the first club in the group. You may or may not be surprised to find out that this group are all humans. Nevertheless, the players freely interact in each other’s series.

This club also features prominently in the current series, Masters of the Savoy. As a side note, the opening story, “Advance” has an interesting history. It began life as a story in the 2020 anthology Dirty Daddies. Expanded and rereleased as Best Seller, it was once again re-edited and found its place as the opening story in this paranormal mystery series.

The final set of connections that I’ve traced is to the stories of “Alpha Lords.” This series is set in the post-apocalyptic future and feature the packs of Calon ‘Onest and Ravenscar, among others.

It’s the many connections like these that keep my mind interested and involved with a story. See what connections you can find in your favorite series!

Touch of Ice: Fated Legacy Book 4

I struggled with this one. It’s well written, both main characters are great, but… The heroine is decidedly strong-willed and is a missing piece of the puzzle that is needed to finally get rid of the Darkness, but ….. There’s just something that isn’t sitting so well with me.

Book Blurb:

The Darkness has never seen anything like me.

I have been rejected my whole life because I am a sorceress and a wolf-shifter. I have only shifted a few times in my life. I live outside of the closest pack on unclaimed land and have worked hard to make a life for myself in a small village in the Outer Hebrides.

Branson Norris is the son of the Alpha of Ravenscar and the Madonna of the North. He’s a man who is celebrated for his family and his accomplishments; he thinks he can claim me as his fated mate.

He is willing to take on the Darkness and the Ruling Council when they try to intervene. He will stop at nothing to claim what he thinks is his.

We must face the Darkness together to begin understanding the evil that is stalking our world.

Anne Young-Cronister
5.0 out of 5 stars Bran and Renata💕
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2021
I loved this story!! Renata’s character has a rough start in life but definitely overcomes that! Bran has everything he could want except a fated mate. The two of these characters come alive when your reading this book! The emotional ride of their romance sucks you in to enjoy it also. And as you know, the path to a fated mate is never truly very easy. The loneliness and seclusion is not a good thing for anyone. For this writer to actually convey such feelings makes such a wonderful read!! Of course, the HEA is an absolute rewarding thing of beauty. I love this series that Delta James has created is just so detailed that I feel as the reader that I’m actually have stepped into that story. I definitely recommend if you like a good book!!

I reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Marybeth
5.0 out of 5 stars Renata and Branson
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2021
We are getting closer to the end. They have found their sorceress. Renata is both a wolf shifter and a sorceress. She has been raised outside of the packs, so she is at a loss when dealing with an alpha. Branson is an alpha and he has found his mate in Renata.

This is a wonderfully complex book. The author skillfully weaves all the different threads together to give us a better picture. This is not the last book in the series, that is still coming. I loved the HEA for Renata and Branson and am looking forward to the next book.

I received this book as am Advanced Reader Copy and this is my honest opinion.
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Touch of Fire: Fated Legacy Book 3

This book is one that makes me truly thank the author in every way I can. “Why?” you ask. All through the Tangled Vines series, Fated Legacy, and the newest series, Paranormal Mystery, she has been mentioning three famous BDSM clubs. Dante’s in Italy, Baker Street in London, and Torchlite in California.

If you read “Corked”, the prequel to the Tangled Mates series, then you recognize that Torchlight is owned by the Sonoma Pack led by Damian Steele. If you grab the novella, “In Vino Veritas” from Delta, you will find that the DeMedici pack owns Dante’s.

But it wasn’t until Mariah Halsey takes refuge at Baker Street that the missing series fell into place. Remember Mercenary Masters? The series debuted in July of 2020. It’s the only human owned club that Ms. James mentions. It’s also mentioned several times in the new Paranormal Mystery series. I can’t wait!

Mariah is obviously the daughter of Oliver and Rosalyn Halsey. Simon, on the other hand, is a new alpha to our group. He’s the heir to the Alpha of London, and full of his own tricks to bring to bear on the problem of the Darkness.

Book Blurb:

The Darkness has fallen on London and needs a new host.

I use a blowtorch to make sculptures out of twisted iron. I’m an artist, independent, tough and an American. My life plan is to create beautiful art and follow my own destiny.

My fated mate is Simon Howard, the newly crowned Alpha of London.
Simon’s plan is different as I find out when he kidnaps me from a gala event featuring my art.

The Darkness possessed a wolf in the pack and learns many things about shifters. Secret things only known to us.

When the Darkness threatens all they hold dear, will Mariah and Simon be bound together to banish the Darkness?

Redrabbitt
5.0 out of 5 stars THE DARKNESS HAS COME TO LONDON, ENGLAND
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2021
The series is an ongoing saga. I love that we see the next generation—the offspring of those from Wayward Mates and Tangled Vines—but we also get to catch up with the couples from the first two series. The story takes place in 2048 and moves around the globe. The fourth story will have Mariah Halsey in London for a charity auction where she has donated several pieces of her unique artwork. Simon Howard has avoided taking over as Alpha of his clan, but it is time to step up and take his rightful place, and once he realizes his fated-mate is here, he is ready to claim her.

“Hello, Mariah. I can’t believe we haven’t met before now, but then I understand your mother eluded your father for years. Rest assured, my sweet mate, you will not be allowed to report that mistake.”

The story’s plot continues with another couple finding themselves as fated mates; this time, it will be Simon Howard of London and Mariah Halsey of the Hamptons. But, it also has issues with the Hunters and the Darkness—who has found itself a new, weaker host. Mariah is in London for a charity auction where all the other couples will also be attending—the last thing she expected was to be called to by her fated mate. The two will have a standoff, shift, and the chase is on—but don’t count this alpha she-wolf out; after all, she is Roz’s daughter.

Genevieve Howard: Simon, are you sure?
Simon: Quite sure, as the other alphas who saw my mate respond to my call, can attest.
Mariah: I’ve lost my appetite. I’d rather go back to the hotel.
Simon: I’m sure you would, love, but let’s table the discussion about where you’re going to spend the night until after dinner. If I loosen my grip on my beautiful mate, she will try and steal away from me.
Mariah: You’ve got that right. Let go of me.
Simon: That is enough, Mariah. You will behave yourself, or you will find yourself receiving my discipline before anything else.
Mariah: Who do you think you are?
Simon: I believe I answered your question, pet. I am Simon Howard, your fated mate.

The story includes Simon taking control of the London pack, declaring he has unseated his weak-willed father as Alpha, and having the loyal backing of their pack. It will have Simon and Mariah playing cat and mouse in the merry chase, capture, capitulation, and claiming.

Simon: Come here, pet. I won’t bite. Well, I suppose that’s not technically true, is it?

“Sated and replete, her eyes closed, and the realm of dreams rose up to embrace her. Sighing, her mind taunted her that she had lost. But her heart whispered to her that she had won. She would choose to listen to her heart.”

The story has the good, the bad, and the evil, and with it comes the loss of some of the London pack members, a new fated-mate pairing, and yet, the Darkness is still a problem. Will the wolves be able to once again defeat and lock away the Darkness preying on the world? This series will continue with at least two more books.

“Taking its next host, the Darkness absorbed its knowledge. The destination seemed a good place to feed, to heal, to become invincible. Then it would return to the city across the sea. It had a score to settle with those descended from the one who had trapped it so long ago.”

Sherri D
5.0 out of 5 stars Holy Hot Alpha!
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2021
Mariah is an alpha she-wolf who will not bow down to any alpha wolf, fated mate or not. Once the extremely sexy Simon gets his hands on her, she doesn’t have a choice. The Darkness possesses Simon's father.

Touch of Light: Fated Legacy Book 2

If you haven’t started keeping track of families in this series, you are definitely going to want to. Things are heating up and getting hotter by the book!

Jed Steele is in Italy, visiting the DeMedici vineyards. Looking to learn more to help take his family vineyard in Sonoma, he is startled to find his fated mate. If his mate’s father hadn’t been with him, things might have taken an entirely different path.

Book Blurb:

The Darkness has risen and has a new host in its grasp.

I have known Jed Steele my whole life. It isn’t until he sees me walking in the family vineyards in Tuscany that he decides I am his fated mate.

I have my life planned and it does not include a fated mate. A job offer in San Francisco combined with an invitation to visit New Orleans for a friend’s restaurant opening gives me the perfect excuse for leaving home. He can’t claim me if I am not here.

The trip was supposed to be something new and exciting. Instead it has turned into a nightmare. Evil was waiting for me and its powers are growing. Only a force greater than evil can stop what’s coming next.

An ancient evil on the rise. Will they be able to work together before the evil extinguishes the light?

Dorothy
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
This was a good read. It was not as exciting as Skylar and Travis story but still good. I am still not a fan of BDSM clubs I feel that should be in private and at home not in a club but again to each his own. And not to scare anyone off who reads my review no the book is not only talking about that. This is a true keep you on your toes story. A good read. I am looking forward to the next read.

Redrabbitt
5.0 out of 5 stars FATED MATE—WHO’D HAVE THOUGHT IT?
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2021
“Your granddaughter has destroyed his minion, but the Darkness is clever and abandoned the body before its demise. The Evil One hides in the shadows of the city, seeking another to help it escape. Watch over your people, Calista. The Darkness seeks to conquer the Light, and it is the children of the wolves who will battle this evil.” –MawMaw Chantal

“The Darkness had been banished for now, but not vanquished. The Darkness could only be contained, but she feared it might never be defeated.”

The series is an ongoing saga. I love that we see the next generation—the offspring of those from Wayward Mates and Tangled Vines—but we also get to catch up with the couples from the first two series. The story takes place in 2048 and moves around the globe. Josiah ‘Jed’ Steele will be in Florence, Italy, visiting Marco DeMedici’s vineyards and seeing Luca Marion. Still, when he sees Katarina Marino, he knows she is his fated mate.

“Still, without thought he rumbled to her quietly, enjoying her surprised response.”

Luca: No apology for calling to my daughter before speaking with me?
Jed: I fear not. My family history is not that of wolves who ask permission to claim what is theirs. Would I like your blessing and that are Marco? Of course, but one way or another, your daughter is my fated mate and you saw proof of that with your own eyes.
Luca: That I did, and I suspect it was what provoked her sudden departure.

The story’s plot will have Jed calling to Kat, and she decides to use the excuse of going to New Orleans for the soft opening of Loup de Mer restaurant, to go there early. She will leave Italy, and it won’t be long before Jed learns she has left—but he knows that she is his—and she has to know, he will come for her. With the multiple murders in New Orleans tied to a dark entity, MawMaw Chantal warns Skylar and Kat that the Darkness is not gone and seeks a stronger host, one who will do its bidding. The story will revolve around the relationship and claiming of Kat by Jed—but also it will include the Darkness, and how it will affect them.

“The stronger the host, the stronger the Darkness. Wolves are inherently stronger; it would value one of you as a host.”

Kat: I-I don’t understand
Jed: What? I wasn’t supposed to understand that you can’t allow this Darkness thing to roam free to create havoc and mayhem? Come on Kat, give me credit for being smarter than that.
Kat: You’re coming with me?
Jed: What else would I do?
Kat: But what about your responsibilities here?
Jed: I am your fated mate. You are my primary and most important responsibility. So no, my beautiful mate, we are in this together.
Kat: You understand
Jed: I do indeed. Again, I am your fated mate.

“Often what we don’t understand is easier to dismiss than to explain.” –Chantal

The story will leave America and have Kat and Jed going to London, England, to attend Mariah’s exhibition. They will meet with Simon Howard, the son of the Alpha of London, and discuss some things that have happened—the next story will pick up from here.

Jed: We were able to track the Darkness and the Hunters to England and then lost them.
Simon: Any idea why it came here?
Jed: We think looking for more Hunters.
Simon: That would make sense. What is your plan?
Jed: Keep my mate safe and destroy it.
Simon: How will you do that?
Jed: That’s the problem—we don’t have the faintest idea.

Touch of Darkness: Fated Legacy Book 1

The last thing Skylar wants is exactly what she needs

A serial killer is killing women in Crescent City. Skylar Gautier, New Orleans cop, and alpha female is determined to track and catch the killer herself. As she closes in on the killer, Travis Nichols, her fated mate shows up, ready for happy ever after. He is a distraction she does not need or want.

At first the killer thinks it is a great game to lead the female cop on but then he discovers her secret and now she is the hunted. He wants her for his piece de resistance. Her lifeforce will make him stronger than the master.

A premonition shows Skylar the darkness covering the land. It will take two alpha mates working together to create something only ever heard of in legends to stop the evil. They will both have to give up something and risk everything.

The Reviews!

MGKA
5.0 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
What an excellent way to begin a spin-off series of the incredibly addicting shifter writings of Delta James!

In this book, we get to experience the now adult children of two beloved couples from the "Tangled Vines" series. Travis and Skylar are wonderful. Travis is such an amazing character. We have come to expect the alpha wolf way of "being brought to heel" once they claim their fated mate. Travis was so different. He gave up what was to be his pack by rights, in order to let Skylar spread her wings and fly, with him right by her side. His acceptance of her strong personality, courtesy of her strong willed female descendants as well as his, allowed for this story to be so different from the rest. Instead of the usual fight for acceptance of being fated mates, Skylar welcomed this pairing, knowing that Travis would not suffocate her into the life of Mistress of the Pack, letting her live the life she was meant to live all along. The passion and strength of their love, allowing for the dile wolf to form...swoon!

	Twinmom
5.0 out of 5 stars I want to be an alpha female Wolf shifter!
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
The Wayward Mate series was fabulous! Characters were well developed sassy strong and sultry heroines and their Alpha Mates are hot hunky and hilarious even when being overbearingly sexy. The Legacy series is just as good. Delta James is a fabulous author spinning erotic romance with suspenseful stories that keep you hooked from each chapter to the next book. Can’t wait for the next release!

Denise DeCrescito (From In Here)
5.0 out of 5 stars An intense and creative story with lots of passion and intrigue
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2021
“Touch of Darkness” is the second book in the ‘Fated Legacy’ series by Delta James. First let me say you need not have read any of the books related to it in order to understand and enjoy this one. I’d like to take a minute to set the stage, though. This series presents us with the next generation of lead characters from two of the author’s other series - ‘Wayward Mates’ and ‘Tangled Vines’. They are all paranormal stories with wolf-shifters and humans, and are interconnected standalone stories.

The heroine in “Touch of Darkness” is Skylar Gautier. She’s the she-wolf alpha daughter of Jean Michele and Darby Gautier, who are the Alpha and Mistress of Orleans. Skyler's fated mate is Travis Nichols. He’s the alpha son of Cameron and Riley Nichols, the Alpha and Mistress of Galveston. An Alpha is a pack leader and a Mistress of a powerful pack runs things with him. An alpha is born with the traits of a leader but for various reasons may not end up actually serving as the Alpha of a pack.

Skyler is a strong female character. She’s an uncommon female alpha, and a tenacious police officer seeking to become a detective. Tyler, destined to be her mate, is a successful chef by trade. His birthright is to eventually take over for his father as a pack Alpha, but he’s perfectly willing to give that up and change his life around so he can support, encourage and protect Skylar any way he can while she pursues her dangerous career. Make no mistake, it’s extremely dangerous … especially now that she’s chasing a demented serial killer who seems to have Skylar as one of his intended victims. Skylar is not in any way submissive – except to Tyler, when she accepts that they are fated for one another, and accepts him as her Alpha.

This book has an excellent story, multidimensional characters, hot passion, cold-blooded murders, irresistible intrigue and lots of creativity woven into everything. It’s intense. Although the book has a conclusion, it’s clear that a broader storyline will carry forward into the next book, and I look forward to experiencing it.

I received an ARC of this book and am sharing my honest opinion after reading it.

Touch of Fate: Fated Legacy Book 0.5

Touch of Fate bridges the gap between Jean-Michel and Darby’s love story chronicled in the Wayward Mates and Tangled Vines series and the new Fated Legacy series set to begin on September 23, 2021, with the release of Touch of Darkness.

Part One is set in 2028 on the tenth anniversary of Jean-Michel and Darby’s bonding. Part Two is set in 2038, on their twentieth anniversary. And Part three is set in 2048 on Jean-Michel’s 50th Birthday.

Throughout the novella, readers will get to catch up with a lot of their favorite couples and be introduced to the next generation who will populate the novels of the Fated Legacy series.

Hang on to your hat!Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2021Verified PurchaseFirst things first, if you don’t remember all the couples and packs from Wayward Mates and Tangled Vines, you might want to pause a moment. All the couples AND their family are in this series.
This story focuses on the New Orleans Pack. Both the current generation and the next are highlighted. The laughter and the tears will flow as you immerse yourself in the love to be found between Darby and Jean-Michael!

They say I died… they are wrong

Once more a malevolent presence threatens wolfen society. They say my love story with my fated mate, Darby, ended with my death, but they were wrong. They say my eldest son, Jean-Edouard, is nothing at all like me, they are wrong about that as well. They say a lot of things, but I will prove them wrong.

The Reviews!

Amy Reads Romance
5.0 out of 5 stars Jean-Michele and Darby's continuation
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
This prequel to the Fated Legacy Series is a bridge between Jean-Michel and Darby's and friends' stories and their children. Jean-Michel and Darby's love story is one for the ages, and their chemistry is still off the charts hot. In 2028, they have been mated 10 years with three children, and are still very much in love. In 2038, their 20th anniversary year, their love is renewed, and they have added two more sons. In 2048, Jean-Michel is 50, and his son Jean-Edouard is poised to take over the pack of New Orleans, and is ready to claim his fated mate.
Delta James' books are entertaining always, and I am particularly fond of her paranormal stories. This offshoot of one of my favorite series of hers is sure to be spectacular, and I cannot wait for the next!

	sandee74
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Just wow!
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
Normally Delta James books, fated mate and corked series have me shaking my head, some I skip much off. But nonetheless I’m vested in her characters which are all amazing. Sometimes she gets carried away with the whole alpha male thing and it is a bit abusive and completely unrealistic but I must say this new series so far is the BEST! Ok I cried my ass off Darby and Jean Michael have always been one of her best couples and to think off them not dieing at the same time during a knot they fall asleep together to is heart wrenching. Thank god Delta had other ideas. This story is of their family and friends it’s definitely worth the read and I’m excited for the next, Little Skylar and Dax story.

Kindle Customer
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars I can't wait for more of this one
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
OMG, there is nothing not to love in 'Touch of Fate', Delta James' first book in her "Fated Legacy" series!! Getting to see characters that I've fallen in love with from her "Wayward Mates" and "Tangled Vines" series was phenomenal! There are three distinct parts to this book all with ten years between so we're seeing the different stages of Jean-Michele Gautier and Darby's relationship and how all these friends tie into their love of family. I laughed. I cried. I got butterflies in my stomach. I was thrilled. I can't wait for more of this one.

Sue B
5.0 out of 5 stars This was a simply wonderful read, the end of one era and the start of another
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2021
This is the first book in the Fated Legacy Series and as always with all of Delta James books I am always excited to read the start of a new series and this was no different. It started with the wonderful celebration of the tenth anniversary of Jean-Michel Gautier and his Fated mate Darby becoming Fated Mates. Along with their three children and their friends and pack as they all come together to celebrate and wish their friends and Alpha and Mistress the very best.
It was wonderful to reconnect with characters in her past books the women and now mates from Bae Dogal and their Alphas and their children who are already starting to make their way in their packs, the males are as dominant as their fathers and daughters are as stubborn and opinionated as their mothers and all would die to protect their pack and anyone in need of help.
I do not want to give away too much about this book but I will say that I am not ashamed to say that I shed a tear at one point and I am sure other readers will do the same, after reading these books since the very beginning you feel an affinity for the characters almost as though they are friends you have come to know and regard fondly.
I cannot wait for the next book in this two part series, I have loved reading about the children of the past alphas and their mates as they begin to make their own way in life, taking over the responsibility for their own packs and its members.
I truly wonderful read.
I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading “Touch Of Darkness” second book in this two part series.
I look forward to any future publications; keep up all the great writing.Sue B
5.0 out of 5 stars This was a simply wonderful read, the end of one era and the start of another
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2021
This is the first book in the Fated Legacy Series and as always with all of Delta James books I am always excited to read the start of a new series and this was no different. It started with the wonderful celebration of the tenth anniversary of Jean-Michel Gautier and his Fated mate Darby becoming Fated Mates. Along with their three children and their friends and pack as they all come together to celebrate and wish their friends and Alpha and Mistress the very best.
It was wonderful to reconnect with characters in her past books the women and now mates from Bae Dogal and their Alphas and their children who are already starting to make their way in their packs, the males are as dominant as their fathers and daughters are as stubborn and opinionated as their mothers and all would die to protect their pack and anyone in need of help.
I do not want to give away too much about this book but I will say that I am not ashamed to say that I shed a tear at one point and I am sure other readers will do the same, after reading these books since the very beginning you feel an affinity for the characters almost as though they are friends you have come to know and regard fondly.
I cannot wait for the next book in this two part series, I have loved reading about the children of the past alphas and their mates as they begin to make their own way in life, taking over the responsibility for their own packs and its members.
I truly wonderful read.
I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading “Touch Of Darkness” second book in this two part series.
I look forward to any future publications; keep up all the great writing.