Title: The Mating
Author: Nicky Charles
First published January 1, 2010
340 pages, ebook
Rating: 3.96
Overview
He held her close, their bodies entwined in a bond that neither of them wanted. It wasn’t love that brought them together, but duty and tradition.
As a member of a powerful werewolf family, Jared had always known that his life would be dictated by the needs of his pack. He never expected that he would be forced into a mating with a woman he barely knew.
But when he laid eyes on Elise, he knew that he had to have her.
Elise was shocked when she learned that she was to be mated to Jared. She had always known that her family had connections to the werewolf community, but she never expected to be thrust into the middle of it.
Now, she finds herself torn between her duty to her family and her own desires. She can’t deny that Jared is handsome and powerful, but she’s not sure if she can ever learn to love him.
As they navigate their new relationship, Elise and Jared must also contend with the political machinations of their respective packs. They soon learn that their mating has far-reaching consequences, and they must stay one step ahead of those who would use their bond for their own gain.
Will they be able to find love amidst the chaos, or will duty tear them apart?
About the Author
Meet Nicky Charles, an independent writer and publisher who stumbled into the world of writing by chance. Despite always seeing herself as a reader rather than a writer, she owes her current career to her friend and editor, Jan Gordon, who encouraged her to pursue her passion for storytelling.
In 2009, Nicky wrote a fanfiction for an old TV series, “Scarecrow and Mrs. King”, which sparked her love for writing.
She joined a fan-based group for the show and met Jan Gordon, who inspired her to write her first original story, Forever In Time. She followed it up with The Mating, The Keeping, and The Finding, which formed a loosely connected paranormal trilogy called The Law of the Lycans.
Nicky continues to expand the Lycan series and has a long list of possible plots waiting in the wings.
Despite working full-time, Nicky writes in her free time, hoping to retire from her day job in the next few years to focus on her passion for writing. When she writes, she envisions the story unfolding like a movie and aims to include enough detail for readers to visualize it as vividly as she does.
Creating realistic main characters is also important to her, giving each one a unique backstory and making their actions and emotions logical to make readers care about their journey.
Nicky resides in Canada and uses Canadian spelling and punctuation in her work to support her country. She is passionate about animal shelters, nature conservancy, food banks, and various charities.
She currently owns two indoor cats and one outdoor cat, although several strays tend to visit her garden each year.
When she’s not writing, Nicky enjoys reading, gardening, spending time in nature, taking day trips, and indulging in dark chocolate. Her favorite authors include Elizabeth Peters, S.C. Stephen, and Cherise Sinclair.
Editoral Review
In Nicky Charles’ novel The Mating, readers are transported into the world of werewolves and a centuries-old pack hierarchy. Published in 2010, this book is a classic example of the paranormal romance genre, with its blend of fantasy, action, and steamy love scenes.
The story revolves around the two main characters, Elise and Kane. Elise is a human who suddenly finds herself in danger when she is kidnapped by a rogue werewolf.
Kane, the Alpha of the North American werewolves, is tasked with rescuing her and keeping her safe. But as they spend more time together, their attraction to each other becomes undeniable, causing a rift in the pack and putting their lives in danger.
One of the strengths of The Mating is Charles’ ability to craft a unique and intricate world of werewolves, complete with a detailed pack structure, hierarchy, and rituals. The author also succeeds in creating well-rounded characters with complex personalities and motivations.
Elise is a strong, independent woman who is not afraid to speak her mind, while Kane is a protective, yet conflicted leader torn between his duty to the pack and his feelings for Elise. Charles’ writing style is engaging, with a good balance of action, romance, and world-building.
The pacing is steady, and the plot has enough twists and turns to keep readers hooked until the end. One criticism of the book is its predictability.
Some readers may find the plot and the ending formulaic, and the book lacks the element of surprise that is essential to a truly great story. That being said, The Mating is still an entertaining read, especially for fans of the paranormal romance genre.
The book’s exploration of the themes of love, duty, and loyalty adds depth to the story, and the steamy love scenes are sure to satisfy those looking for a bit of romance. Overall, The Mating is a solid addition to the world of paranormal romance.
It’s a well-crafted story with relatable characters and an engaging plot, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. The book receives a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
