Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh – a Review

Links to order Wild Invitation:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depostory / Kobo

Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh consists of 4 novellas, which takes place in her wonderful  Psy/Changeling world. Below is my review on each novella.

Beat of Temptation

Beat of Temptation is the story of Tamsyn; healer of Dark River Leopards, and Nathan Ryder, a Dark River Sentinel.  This novel was a plethera of different nuances.  At times tender, at times romantic, at times frustrating, and more than a little intense with its emotion.

This story held a unique mood, in that our two main characters knew for several years that they were mates, and yet had not completed the bond.  First Tamsyn was much too young when Nathan knocked upon her door to wish her happy birthday on year, and felt the “pull”.  From then on, he was shadowed by the night the world turned upside down for all the Pack of Dark River.  The night when young Tamsyn beame healer.

Honorable to his core, and loving Tammy for as long as he could remember, Nate fights his inner beasts demands for its mate, struggling to give the woman who is his everything–some semblence of freedom.  Knowing his own level of dominance, and that once the bond was completed she would probably have no more.  Tamsyn on the other hand, wants no such freedom.  And faces her own struggle to make her man see that what she truly needs is Nate by her side, anchoring her with his love.

Can Nate realize the error of his misplaced honor before he loses her forever?   

This short story is one of my personal favorites.  And seeing the soul deep connection of a young Lucas Hunter, with the members of his pack–long before he even became Alpha–was wonderful. 

Stroke of Intimacy

The second addition to Nalini Singh’s novella is titled Stroke of Intimacy–and features a Human teacher named Annie, and a Dark River Leopard named Zach.  

I was the least excited to read this segment, simply because I had only ever heard mention of this couple briefly.  Typically, its the characters I know well from previous installments that draw me into the story; more than ones I know little about.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by how thuroughly entertained I was by this unlikely courtship.  Zach is one of those rare male protaganists that are somehow equal parts dominant, and equal parts tender in the dealings with their woman.  I fell in love with this chraracter instantly…and enjoyed how quickly Zach charmed Annie’s Changeling prejudiced mother into liking him.

The heroine Annie has not had the best example of how a man who truly treasures his lady behaves.  Although cleary falling in love with Zach, she struggles with letting him in completely. 

It was wonderful to witness Zach showing Annie what Changeling love looks like, and Annie learning how to trust.

Declaraton of Courtship

Declaration of Courtship, Nalini’s third segment of the Novella Wild Invitation, also offers a truly unique situation unto the Psy-Changelings world.  In this short story we see Grace; one of the most submissive wolves in the SnowDancer den pursued by a dark, lethally dominant Luietenant named Cooper. 

These two changelings are literally on polar opposite sides of the heirarchy that exists in Snow Dancer.  So one can imagine the utter shock Grace receives when she hears the quietly spoken declaration of Cooper’s plan to “court” her.  There wasn’t a single thing I didn’t emphatically enjoy about this couple’s harrowing journey to come to terms with their differences, in order to achieve love.  

Cooper’s single minded focus, and drive to win the woman who has captivated him.  The lengths with which he goes to show her that their love can overcome the vast gap seperating them in the heirachy.  The gentleness with which he calms her wolf out of it’s fear of his intense dominance. 

I loved how shy, submissive Grace also fights with a strength of will at par with her mate, in order to discover–and heal–the pain Cooper hides from everyone.

This was a highly emotional, and fun filled story.  I applaud Ms. Singh’s ability to give her readers the feeling of a full length novel–with a beginning, middle, and end–in a little over 100 pages. 

Texture of Intimacy

Last but SO not least; is Texture of Intimacy. This is a futhering of Walker Lauren and SnowDancer healer; Lara’s story. The book begins the day after Walker and Lara’s mating bond snaps into place. The timeline is set after the events in Kiss of Snow. It is only ten chapters long. And for one reason alone….I would have paid any price to read it. Walker Lauren.

First, I must convey that although Judd Lauren is my third utmost favorite male character in literature, I am head over heels in love with his brother. I have been fascinated with this stoic, silent, mysterious man since he first stepped onto the pages in Slave to Sensation. I can only state that there is no other character in literature quite like him. Not only is Walker THE most moving character of the Psy-Changelings series for me–hands down, but he is one of the most moving characters in all of fiction. Period. To put it into the simplest of terms….Walker breaks. My. Heart.

I lost count how many times I was moved to tears while learning about the horrors of this man’s past. A lone Psy professor helpless against a twisted society hell bent on turning children into weapons. Walker; issuing out detention under the watchful eye of the other adults…comforting the broken, batterted, sobbing children behind closed doors. Risking everything in order to give them what little rest, and reprieve he could offer. Walker; helpless as the innocence, laughter, and life was beaten from his own brother every day–until all that was left of the Judd he knew was a killing machine. Walker; witnessing the suffering of his sister, as she was forced to relinquish her child to a monster. Walker, powerless to stop his sister’s suicide. Walker, unable to save the niece he had always loved like a daughter. Walker; learning of the termination of his unborn child…silently dying inside, as the viscious cycle began with his other two children.

*rubbing the ache in my chest*

I am staggered with emotion for this character. Depsite the brutal attempt of his handler’s to drive the emotion out of him, Walker continued to feel. Walker continued to protect. Walker continued to act as an anchor for his brother, his niece, Marlee, Toby, and countless other children. I am awestruck by the size of this man’s heart, and the beauty of his soul. He never broke. Never wavered in his ability to supress the chaos going on inside him. Learning, and utilizing his vast telepathic gifts to appear wholly “silent” so that nothing outworldly shown. This survival mechanism was devloped out of desperation, knowing the moment the other Psy learned Walker was not like them, it was over. I liken this man’s strength of will to that of an immovable mountain, and I will FOREVER lament that this phenomenal, once in a lifetime character did not receive a full length novel.

The interactions between Walker and Lara, as they struggle to adjust to the demands of their bond–is heartbreakingly tender. But it was the emotionally poignant interactions between Walker, and Judd that just about did me in. Seperately these two characters could bring a reader to their knees with the pain they have suffered, but together in happy moments? Mr. Iceman Judd Lauren smiling? Laughing? Teasing and making jokes with the brother who never gave up on him? Stone faced Walker Lauren’s cheeks creasing??? GAWD. These moments with the Lauren brother’s were like a soothing balm applied on scorched skin for me.

Texture of Intimacy was a wonderful short story that offers readers previously unknown glimpses into the arrival of the Lauren’s at SnowDancer…and bears the answer to two very important questions. Can a man with the deeply ingrained instinct to close himself off in situations of extreme emotional duress–open himself up completely to the woman he loves? Can the woman with a Healer’s soul penetrate the barrier surrounding her mate’s heart, so that she may become HIS anchor?

I cannot get enough of the Psy-Changeling‘s world created by Nalini Singh, and Wild Invitation was a wonderful treat leading up to the release of the next installment Heart of Obsidian.        

Reviewed by Miranda