The Dryad's Pawprint: A Dryad-Panther Shifter Fated Mates Paranormal Romance

Kemnebi Davis, aka Kem, was an accountant in the human world and panther shifter in the paranormal world, younger brother to his Alpha. He had been summoned to the Paranormal Council. It seemed they wanted to form an alliance with the Nymph Council. Without the alliance, the Council runs the risk of being pushed out of the High Council's decisions. Kem knew there were only a few ways in which an alliance was made: 1) a takeover 2) a treaty and 3) a marriage. Aella was the only storm nymph born in three hundred years. The Council was proposing they marry. But Kem had no intention of marrying anyone other than his true mate; unfortunately, he didn't think he'd have an option in the end. This quick, easy read was just what was needed. Laura Greenwood has given us a shifter romance that just takes a twist and turn here and there, gives us a slight mystery in the middle, and leaves us with a happily ever after and a sigh of feels. I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.

A year ago, Kemnebi Davis had been taken to a club by his co-workers and met a woman he could not stop thinking of. They had one night of passion, but all he knew was her first name and nothing more. Since they hadn’t spent much time talking, he wasn’t even sure she lived in this area. Now Kem looked again at the summons he received from before the Shifter Council. Kem’s brother was an alpha, and he himself had avoided paranormal politics for almost 30 years. He wasn’t looking forward to this meeting. When he arrived before the 5-member Council, they told him they wanted to form an alliance with the Nymph Council. In that regard, they wanted him to marry the daughter of the Dryad nymphs leader. He refused to marry Aella, but they ignored his refusal. He was the right age, worthy of being an alpha himself, and unmarried. But he wanted to marry his true mate, not be forced by the archaic method for aligning themselves to gain power. But without that alliance, they risked being pushed out of the High Council’s decisions, and that could have serious consequences. He would be meeting his bride-to-be at the reception. Aella tried to get her sister Lia to wear a more noticeable gown than the pale blue she chose, but Lia preferred blending into the background. She hurried into her gown with minimal fussing and put a cherry blossom in her hair. From across the room, Kem saw Aaron Dentro with two women, but he couldn’t make out their faces. His mind immediately went to Lia, though. He looked away and the blonde had disappeared. Aaron introduced him to his eldest daughter Aella, who bore a striking resemblance to Lia, and he whispered “Lia” without thinking. Aella glared at him for the mistake. She was used to men falling all over her, yet Kem was completely distracted, so she pushed past him. He thought he heard his name whispered, but when he turned, he caught only a slight scent of cherry blossom. Lia had recognized Kem coming toward them. She ran from the room, not wanting her “secret” to come to light. Eight months ago, her moody sister had been in a horribly bad tirade and Lia had fled from her, her own strong emotion of anger which no one had ever seen in her before forcing her to her room. Suddenly, although not a shifter, she had shifted into a panther due to the strong emotion! That could only happen if she had met her mate and he was a panther! She had not been with any man since a year ago when she had met Kem in a “normal” nightclub – so she presumed he was not a shifter. Before she reached her room which was close to where the reception was held, Kem caught up to her. She took him through the garden and they ended up in each other’s arms. He knew she wasn’t a shifter, but he thought he felt a bite on his neck as the two of them lost themselves in each other. Could he go through with the marriage to Aella that the Council insisted on – especially when he is pretty sure the intended mate they chose for him was the sister of the woman he suspects is his true mate? This was a wonderful story with a good story line and well-portrayed characters. What would Kem choose? Duty or love? Grab your copy and find out how this will be resolved!

a new twist for the paranormal council: a shifter and his mate can begin to take on traits from each other. fun for a dryad, who can now run and climb like a panther - not sure attachment to a tree would be great for a mobile big cat. but the alliance between the nymphs and shifters might be greatly strengthened by a true mate, true love match - good news for Kem and Lia! Sexy and sassy love story! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.