Rating: 4.25 🌈
Werewolves and mages just seem to be a great match! So I always gravitate to any story and series with these elements to check out what the author’s take will be.
The Alpha’s Warlock (Mismatched Mates #1) by Eliot Grayson was a story I thought was very entertaining, and had characters I enjoyed reading about.
It certainly opens with Warlock Nate Hawthorne in the worst possible situation. Running for his life.
“It had been years since I set foot in the Armitage pack’s territory, and I’d hoped to keep that winning streak going for a while longer. Of course, being kidnapped and cursed had a way of changing your plans.”
— The Alpha’s Warlock (Mismatched Mates Book 1) by Eliot Grayson
Immediately, we are seeing the story, and immediate scenario, from the perspective of a very human and hurting Nate. He’ll give us a lot of the history on the backgrounds of the beings we meet and their relationship dynamics.
For the most part.
The others are the Alpha werewolves of the Armitage pack. Head Alpha Matthew, who you initially think is the one referred to. And Ian Armitage, Matthew’s brother, also a Alpha.
That I found really interesting, as other authors have packs as a one Alpha structure. Having 2-alpha pack, with brothers as a supportive structure is a great idea.
There’s a huge discordant past relationship between Ian and Nate, one that never fully gets explored in terms of the misunderstandings and history. I wish we got a more layered picture of that weird start but I have the feeling the author may intend to use it in future books.
It means their relationship is always a little unbalanced in terms of equality. That’s probably realistic in that Ian’s a were, Nate’s a human, while still a warlock. It’s a status that seems to be a element that’s a factor going forward that at least one is aware of, in terms of what they want in their future plans.
Nate’s a character dealing with serious emotional and physical issues due to a traumatic past. Having to “mate”, his choice taken away is a topic that’s brought up and continues to be addressed. I appreciate that this wasn’t romanticized.
The themes of forced mating, the right of personal choice, trust. All not only big storylines here but ones used throughout the series.
Grayson’s story gives us romance, suspense, elements of horror, touches of humor , and a great plot that leaves plenty of room to explore new territory and characters ahead.
That’s certainly true for the way it’s left for a main character here to lead into the next novel.
I’m on my way there.
If you’re a lover of shifters, magic, and paranormal romance, here’s a series and book to add to your list. I’m recommending this!
Mismatched Mates:
🔹The Alpha’s Warlock #1
🔹Captive Mate #2
🔹A Very Armitage Christmas #2.5
🔹First Blood #2.6
🔹The Alpha Experiment #3
🔹Lost and Bound #4
🔹Lost Touch #5
🔹The Alpha Contract #6, only loosely connected to the above series
Synopsis:
Cursed, mated, and in for the fight of their lives…
Warlock Nate Hawthorne just wants a cup of coffee. Is that too much to ask? Apparently. Because instead of precious caffeine, all he gets is cursed by a pack of werewolves who want to use him for his magic. Now the only way to fix the damage is a mate bond to a grumpy and oh-so-sexy alpha in the rival pack, who happens to hate him. This is so not how he wanted to start his day.
Ian Armitage never intended to take Nate as his mate. The Hawthorne family can’t be trusted. Ian knows that better than anyone. The fact that he’s lusted after the way-too-gorgeous man for years? Totally irrelevant. Ian’s just doing what is necessary to protect his pack. This whole mating arrangement has nothing to do with love and never will. That’s his story and he’s sticking to it.
Nate and Ian will have to work together if they have any hope of staving off the pack’s enemies and averting disaster. That’s assuming they can stop arguing (and keep their hands off each other) long enough to save the day…
The Alpha’s Warlock is an explicit M/M paranormal romance featuring a snarky warlock, a brooding alpha werewolf, knotting, enchanted socks (long story), and a guaranteed happily ever after. This series does not contain mpreg.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 