Wayward Mates – Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree

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!

Captured and Claimed Wayward Mates Book 8

She never wanted to be a wolf. That won’t keep her mate from claiming her.

Taken captive, held prisoner, and turned against her will by the leader of a rogue pack, Shannon Livingston was just about to be sold at auction. Then an alpha wolf decided she belonged to him.

The moment James Norris sets eyes on Shannon, bare and on display yet still fierce and proud, the former special-ops agent knows the beautiful spitfire is his mate. Disobedience quickly earns Shannon a sound spanking, and despite her fury at his bold dominance, her helpless arousal is undeniable as she is claimed hard and thoroughly with her well-punished bottom still burning.

But when another band of wolves attacks the auction before James has time to put his rescue plan into action, mistrust born of harsh experience leads Shannon to seize her chance to escape. When her mate tracks her down, will she remain defiant or surrender to her instincts at last?


CWJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Great End To A Truly Wonderful Series
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2019Verified Purchase
I read an advance copy of this book and agreed to give an honest review. Since I just bought my own copy I guess that says almost everything needed to be said. I love this series and it's wonderful to read Shannon's story because fans have known about her since book 4. I am an unashamed fan of all Delta's books and especially this series. And in the epilogue I have hopes that another series of shifters is out there.....somewhere..........perhaps in Wales


TLG
3.0 out of 5 stars Good ending
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2019Verified Purchase
Finally reached the end. Shannon's ordeal is over and she too has a mate worthy of her. Loved how the ladies brought down the corruption in their world. Loved how all the couples (except Griifin) were back in the scene. Editing could have been much better though. Did not like that Shannon and James' wolves were not described in detail. Also, cover model was used for Declan. Really? Are handsome dark-haired white guys in such short supply

CChase
5.0 out of 5 stars Love love claimed and captured
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2019Verified Purchase
Amazing series , wayward mates one those series that will stay with me all times. One that will reread again . Love of paranormal, and spanking . This touches all the spots . Shannon is such great character, love how she didn't let evil get her down . Came out ahead in the end. Found love with James. Love that he was undercover, so he could help stop the evil.
Seeing all the others from previous books was great. Love how the Alpha's understood how their mates felt about the situation in helping free the women.
Epic epic series. Truly loved reading

Hunted and Claimed (Wayward Mates Book 7)

She thought she could run from her mate. Then he lassoed her.

Riley decided years ago that she would be better off on her own, but when the alpha of the local pack finds out there’s a lone wolf causing trouble on his turf he takes matters into his own hands.

As far as Cameron Nichols is concerned, Riley will be joining his pack whether she likes it or not. Her only choice will be whether to submit to his authority with or without needing to be stripped bare and spanked over his knee until she is kicking and crying and promising obedience. When she chooses the latter, the Navy SEAL turned cowboy is more than happy to oblige.

But Cameron knows instantly that Riley isn’t just a feisty female in need of an alpha’s firm hand. She is his mate, and she knows it too, despite her best efforts to deny it. No matter how many times she tries to run, he will always chase her down, punish her thoroughly, and then mount and claim her so roughly that all she can do is scream her helpless, shamefully intense pleasure into the pillow as her body betrays her and surrenders ever more completely to his demands.


Salli
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful heroine
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2020
I have loved the Wayward Mates series and have reread all of the previous books in the series. Delta James is one of my favorite romance authors and no one does shifter romance better. I especially liked Hunted and Claimed because of Riley, arguably the strongest of the many strong heroines in this series. I also liked the hero’s appreciation of Riley’s strengths and his persistence in pursuing her. The books may be standalone, but are best read in order. I highly recommend this series.


Marybeth
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2019 Verified Purchase
First of all, let me tell you that I love this series! The women are so strong and the men are wonderful overprotective asses! 😁 Riley and Cam are no different.

Riley has run from her pack so that she can have her own life. She spends time with Bae Diogel and Skylar before they are disbanded. Riley rescues the women that are being stolen and abused by the clans that don't have mates. She is found by Cam and he realizes that she is his fated mate. Riley doesn't disagree, she just doesn't want to be mated. She wants to continue her mission. She escapes before he is able to mate her and that is the start of their game of cat and mouse.

I loved this story, as I have loved all the stories in this series. I rejoice with the women when they defy their men, who are overprotective and overbearing. But, I still like them. I can't wait for the final book to come out! I give this book 5 stars. I would give more if I could!


CChase
5.0 out of 5 stars Riley & Cameron amazing love story.
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019 Verified Purchase
Loved Riley and Cameron, amazing chemistry together. Fated to be mated. But only thing is Riley didn't want to be Mated. Cameron was determined that Riley was his mate. Will not let her go. Well hence s for a surprise of hide and seek. Will he be able to catch up to her. Specially when the other mates help her with her mission of getting the women that being changed, kidnapped.
Do you think he will catch up with her? If or when he does will she go willingly?
Ya have to read see what happens if Can does catch up, with Riley.
Amazing love story also much more. So enjoyed reading this book and the others before it.


Judith D. Woronka
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2020 Verified Purchase
This is my first book in this series and I know starting 7 books in is stupid but I did it ,it does make me want to read the series.
as for this book I Loved the hero the heroine I just wanted to hit upside the head always always thinking only she could do everything the elusiveness of avoiding her mate was dragged on far to long that I almost stopped reading quite a few times but the premise of the story was to good to stop

Claimed and Mastered (Wayward Mates Book 6)

She vowed she would never be mated. He claimed her anyway.

Ava Rhys has always chafed at submitting to the authority of her pack’s alpha, but when he tries to sell her body in return for money and influence, she decides she would be better off on her own. Ava’s plans to live as a lone wolf in the backwoods of Maine are thrown into turmoil, however, when the local game warden makes it his business to take her in hand, and the battle-hardened former Army Ranger soon proves to be just as fiercely dominant as any alpha shifter.

Declan Collins knows a woman in need of a man’s firm hand when he sees one, and it isn’t long before Ava is kneeling naked at his feet with her well-spanked bare bottom on display. Once he has taught her a better use for her sassy mouth, she quickly finds herself screaming her helpless, shameful submission into the bedsheets as he claims her so roughly and so thoroughly that she is left in no doubt that she belongs to him and there is nothing whatsoever she can do about it.

With each passing day he masters her body ever more completely, never hesitating to punish any hint of defiance before using and enjoying her in ways more humiliating than she could have ever imagined. But when instinct causes her to bite him in the throes of yet another intense, desperate climax, will she lose him forever or will she end up mated to an alpha shifter after all?


CChase
5.0 out of 5 stars Ava and Declan story
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2019Verified Purchase
At first I wasn't to sure about Ava , after reading her story . I understand why she was way she was with others.way she raised . She didn't want to believe in fated mates. Ran from her pack when they were going to look for a mate for her. Then she met Declan, almost feel the sparks from them . Hot heavy . Even thought first she didn't want nothing to do with him . The chemistry between them was off the charts. Enjoyed reading Ava's story. Wayward mates series keeps getting better and better. Already amazing from the first book .

Marybeth
5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT series!
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2019Verified Purchase
When we were first introduced to Ava, she was not a loved character. But, she spoke to the author and her story was written. It turns out she is just misunderstood!

Ava wants a love, but she doesn't believe in fated mates. When she escapes from her pack, she goes to the United States and starts over. But, fate is keeping an eye on her and she meets Declan. Their story is wonderful and I love how the complications are resolved!

This series keeps getting better. I can't wait for the next book!


TLG
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2019Verified Purchase
Ava runs from Wales to escape a forced mating. She unwittingly puts herself in the clutches of her mate - her human mate. What's an alpha wolf girl to do? Steamy as all heck. Still don't like men's attitudes. Alphas. Bleh.


Renee
5.0 out of 5 stars Yay! Ava's story... my favorite so far
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2019Verified Purchase
I think this is my favorite so far in this series. Ava was not a character I liked in an earlier story. However in this story we see another side of her. Declan is so dominant even as a human. I really liked how quickly and easily he took to the idea shifters and wolves. He is the perfect fated mate to Ava. Their chemistry is purely explosive. This series just keeps getting better and better.

Taking His Mate (Wayward Mates Book 4)

She is his to protect, whether she likes it or not.

Years ago, Madeline Stone was attacked by a rogue band of wolves. Now they are hunting her again, but to get to her, they’ll have to go through Griffen Owen. The ex-Special Forces operative is the rightful alpha of his pack, and the moment he sets eyes on Madeline he knows the beautiful, feisty human is his mate. But to keep her safe, he will need to teach her to obey.

Doing as she is told doesn’t come easily to Madeline, and it isn’t long before she finds herself naked, helpless, and tearfully promising to be good as her bare bottom is soundly spanked. Her mate’s mastery of her body is put on full display as Madeline is brought to a quivering, shameful climax while still over his knee, and soon she is begging to be taken hard and thoroughly.

Madeline’s need for Griffen only grows stronger as she is marked and claimed, and his savage lovemaking leaves her in no doubt that she belongs to him. But with war brewing between the packs, can Griffen protect his mate from both their enemies and her own headstrong defiance?

Mozzy
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2018Verified Purchase
What a thrilling and exciting story this was to read. Maddie a romance writer human but converted not long after meeting Griffin. She is his fated mate, but like a few other women she also is firey and has a temper, which she is spanked for. But things are heating up and the men must take down the rogues. The women including Maddie wont to be apart of the takedown, but the men wont hear of it. These men, Alpha males wont hesitate to lock them up to keep them safe.

What i loved most about this story is that we get to hear more from the women of Bae Biogel as they make their appearences in the book. They sre all so happy but still give their men grief occasionally.
This series i really have to say has been great to read, and i will be looking forward to Deltas next book


21st Century Woman
5.0 out of 5 stars Alpha male knows what he wants
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2019Verified Purchase
The story of Maggie and Griffin will make you laugh out loud, feel warm inside, and sizzle your girlie parts. Fun read with all of Maggie's sassiness and antics. Enjoyed hearing from ole friends from the previous stories , like Marco and Jean-Michel. Griffin made you want to be possessed, by him, like Maggie and the spankable offenses just made the story hotter. And I agree with Griffin that beautiful mates do not use bad language without themselves earning a mouth full of soap and a trip over their mate's knee - a lesson Maggie learned the hard way. And yes, there is a happily ever after.


Nancy Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed the whole series
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2020
I would recommend all of the books that Delta James has written. I have read all of her books and have enjoyed every one of them. The women are strong in all her books and love their mates just as much.


Patrice
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2020
I love all the books from this series. This is definitely my second favorite. My first one is Darby’s Story. I recommend this book to anyone that loves an amazing shifter romance novel with a little bit of action!!

Marked and Mated (Wayward Mates Book 2)

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?

There were so many times that I just wanted to laugh at Darby. I totally understand the need to make sure your mate is strong enough to stand up to and for you. But I still could see the humor.

Kindle Customer5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2020Verified Purchase
I like that each book follows all the characters from different points of view. keeps me connected and my interest in the next book strong. Love all the strong and sexy alphas who are also very loving and not afraid to show that side


Gail Hodges
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2020
It is a continuous story but not a cliff hanger. The books take different women and men to be leads in each story. Actually, very romantic stories. Strong alpha males and strong female characters. I have enjoyed reading each and every one

Brought to Heel (Wayward Mates Book 1)

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Before he claims his mate, she must be brought to heel.

Skylar Owen is not used to taking orders from anyone and the last thing she wants in her life is an alpha who will demand her submission, but her world is turned upside down after a band of rogue wolves attacks her small, all-female pack. Ordered to disband her pack so that she can be matched with a mate, Skylar defies the Ruling Council, only to be hunted down and captured.

Though he can tell Skylar will be trouble the moment he sets eyes on her, Dylan Grainger knows how to tame a wayward woman, and it isn’t long before the beautiful, feisty redhead is tearfully promising obedience as her bare bottom is soundly spanked. But Dylan quickly realizes that Skylar is much more than just a headstrong female in need of an alpha’s firm-handed correction.

With each passing day, he grows more certain that she is his mate, and he knows that soon he must claim her, mark her, and take her hard and thoroughly. But will she resist her instincts, or will her body’s response to his bold dominance leave her in no doubt that she belongs to him?

AP 5.0 out of 5 stars Strong Series. WolfShifter. HEA Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2020

D. James has created a strong paranormal wolf shifter series. Male dominated wolves seeking lifemates. It has HEA endings. The author should continue former characters stories in new books. Give reader highlights of the characters HEA.

Amber F. 3.0 out of 5 stars Repetitive but good Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2020

I found myself pretty frustrated reading this even though I enjoyed it. Many of the reviews state problems with what they called a lack of respect for the women and the sexist attitude of the story. That wasn’t my problem. I have always been a pretty laid back reader who is able to accept the rules and customs of the world in which I am reading about. They are shifters, not humans. Their beliefs and their reality is different and that is fine with me. My main issue was how repetitive it was. The same things are said over and over again by different people and sometimes even the same person. That gets boring really fast. I also thought that the story was quite busy. I wish more time had been focused on Dylan and Skylar, rather than all the glimpses of the other girls and stuff. The other stories are about them so I didn’t need them taking up so much space in this one.

I plan to read the next one to see if things start to flow a little better as the series progresses.