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Werewolf Natalya Stravinky rose to the occasion and helped defend her pack. Now she basks in the love of her boisterous Russian family and perhaps hoard—or collect more holiday babbles, trinkets, and doo-dads.

Her life is on the up and up, right? Another crisis comes barreling the Garden State Parkway when the Russian werewolf mafia kidnaps Nat’s father. Using the help of her lovingly neurotic supernatural friends, including her ex-boyfriend Thorn and the gallant wizard Nick, Nat is ready to take action, or loss everything in the process.

Coveted Series:
Prequel Novella: Collected
Book One: Coveted
Book Two: Kept
Book Three: Compelled

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2012

57 people are currently reading
1295 people want to read

About the author

Shawntelle Madison

39 books476 followers
Shawntelle Madison is a web developer who loves to weave words as well as code. She’d never admit it, but if asked she’d say she covets and collects source code. After losing her first summer job detassling corn, Shawntelle performed various jobs—from fast-food clerk to grunt programmer to university webmaster. Writing eccentric characters is her most favorite job of them all. On any particular day when she’s not surgically attached to her computer, she can be found watching cheesy horror movies or the latest action-packed anime. She lives in Missouri with her husband and children.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
Profile Image for Carmel (Rabid Reads).
706 reviews391 followers
November 26, 2012
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

I was impressed my Shawntelle Madison’s ability to bounce back after a, in my opinion, sub-par first installment. I’m not going to lie; I expected the worst when I first started reading Kept but the blurb sounded promising and I’m not one to give-up on a series after only one book, especially when werewolves are involved! It quickly became obvious after the first couple of chapters that Madison took her reader feedback to heart and made huge steps towards rectifying the shortcomings of the first novel. There’s nothing that I admire more than a debut author who actually listens to her fans. The pacing was excellent, the story entertaining and the characters showed amazing growth and maturity. Shawntelle has completely redeemed herself with this second installment!

I began this book absolutely hating Nat because of the way she acted in Coveted. Originally I’d found her condescending, immature, weak and incredibly scattered-brained. However, it didn’t take me long to realize that that was the old Stravinsky. This new version is taking steps to deal with her illness, facing adversity head-on and no longer seems to suffer from a superiority complex. I like the Nat in Kept; she’s actually someone who I’m interested in learning more about! By the end of this novel she’d done a complete 180 from her original character and I was overjoyed with her transformation.

Thorn is another character that evolved into a much better version of himself. In book one I found him underdeveloped, unappealing as a love interest and just plain bland. It’s extremely hard for me to become interested in an alpha male when he’s not overly hunk-y. Thorn really brought his A-game in this installment and by the end I was no longer adamantly opposed to him being a potential mate for Nat. I still prefer Nick over the werewolf but seeing how I gave this series a second chance I think that Thorn deserves one as well. Plus, there were some interesting twists thrown into this love triangle that lead me to believe that even though a choice was made at the end of Kept, nothing’s final.

The overall story was 100 times better than the one in the first novel; this book actually felt like it had a purpose instead of the previous one’s questionable attempt at a relevant plot line. I was engaged to the point of being eager to find out what was going to happen next. There’s a few storylines in this novel and I enjoyed the way that Shawntelle transitioned from one to the other. It was smooth, logical and ensured that there was never a dull moment to be had. The ending was surprising and I’ll definitely be picking up the third book when it’s released.

Kept is a fantastic read that can easily stand on its own; in fact, I’d probably recommend you start with this one. The quality of the writing, story and characters is remarkably better than those seen in the book one. Had this been the first installment I wouldn’t have been so hesitant to continue reading this series. I’m happy that I gave Shawntelle Madison a second chance and if you also struggled with Coveted, you should too.

Profile Image for Tracey.
1,459 reviews70 followers
December 29, 2012
What a different book from book one, so much more engaging.

This is book 2 of a series centred around natalya a russian descendant and a werewolf i would recommend reading book 1 first even though I didn't rate it that highly, but it gives you back story.

We still have the whole cast of paranormal people in this book, yes fairy, mermaids, werewolves, wizards, warlocks, imps etc etc..... But as you know them more from book one it didn't seem so silly.

Onto the story, Natalya is still trying to deal with her OCD, still trying to keep away from soon to be alpha male Thorn who is engaged to the horrid Erica (eeeew) she only wantsThorn so she can be the alpha female, where as Natalya wants To be withThorn because she loves him. We also have Nick the sexy and cute wizard, who also has OCD!!! Making moves on our Nat. Even though Thorn is engaged he keeps being there to help Nat.........

Unfortunately more problems occur as Nats dad owes a moon debt, so she takes over this debt and an adventure begins with lots of mystical folk involved.

We also have the trials to rejoin the pack which are very interesting shall I say :)

We have a bit of a wait for romantic emotions to start to show in this book about 40% but when they do, they got my heart beating faster, hoping, wanting.

I enjoyed this book so much more than book one, and look forward to book 3 which i have an idea what it might be about.

Giving this 4 stars.

**i received this book from netgalley for an honest review.**
Profile Image for Laurie Gold.
221 reviews73 followers
October 29, 2012
Though Kept is the second in Shawntelle Madison's Coveted series, it's the first I've read, leaving me at somewhat of a disadvantage given that urban fantasy novels are notoriously tough to dive into unless you start at the beginning. But the notion of a werewolf heroine with OCD was something I couldn't pass up, so I downloaded the book via Netgalley. Then I sat down and didn't get up again until hours later when I'd finished reading.

Natalya Stravinsky lives in Jersey. She comes from a large Russian immigrant family. They love her--well, except for her horrendous alpha great aunt, who has my vote for Bitch of the Year. Nat suffers from OCD and a lack of control when stressed out, something which led to her being tossed out of her pack. But she's got great friends from her paranormal therapy group, in particular, a wizard, a mermaid, and a muse. When her father goes missing, they assist her as she tries to find and free him from a paranormal mobster in Atlantic City. Turns out her dad owes a blood debt, and Nat swears she'll pay it. To fulfill the debt, though, she must fight an ever-more and ever-growing number of dangerous paranormals.

As far as her personal life, well, it's a mess. Nick, whom she met in therapy, wants to be more than a friend. But he's a wizard, and werewolves and wizards don't mix. Even worse, she still has feelings for her ex-boyfriend Thorn, the alpha heir of her pack, now set to marry another werewolf. Okay...let me revise. That other werewolf is actually Bitch of the Year. Nat's great aunt is just Bitch of the Family.

And then there are the trials, a set of physical labors she will need to endure if she is to rejoin her pack. Her brother arranges to train her for them, but it's really a trick to re-involve Thorn in her life. While this works in terms of the story, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Why would her brother put Thorn and Nat together knowing they cannot have each other? As a plot device, therefore, it's both a strong and weak one.

Her re-involvement with Thorn extends beyond their training sessions when Nat goes to free her dad. Along the way she learns scary and sad things about both men who love her regarding their paranormal skills and futures. But she also learns what her heart wants, and what she's willing to do get her man.

It's pretty hard to categorize this series in that it rarely requires more than one book to unite a couple in a romance. Then too, a great deal of Kept is straight urban fantasy, including the descriptions of intimate moments (which means they aren't as well written as those in a romance), although I will say that there is no indiscriminate sex. In the end I'd put this one in the romance camp because as the story shifts to home and the trials she must endure, Nat's love life becomes a major focus. She shows herself to be pretty spectacular, as does the man she loves.

Look for Kept in late November in both print and digitally. My digital copy came from Netgalley.
Profile Image for Frankie Ness.
1,587 reviews94 followers
May 14, 2014
Full review at Talk Supe

Oh, Nat! Thank God you finally found your way. For a second there I thought you're just going to roll over like the good pup that you are.

KEPT is leaps and bounds beyond its predecessor, if you've read Coveted and had doubts about the series and SMadison's storytelling throw that out the window because KEPT will blow you away! SMadison was just warming up and went full throttle with this one, I can't wait to read what's next for Natalya Stravinsky now that she's got the pack and the guy. Can she live up to being South Tom's River Alpha female?
Profile Image for Christal.
940 reviews67 followers
November 20, 2012
See this review and others like it at BadassBookReviews.com!

Kept is the follow-up to Shawntelle Madison’s debut novel, Coveted. It was a strong entry into the series and featured an interesting plot filled with double-crosses, insecurities, challenges, failures, and triumphs. Natalya continues to be a strong voice in the over-crowded UF genre, but the supporting characters are what makes this novel unique and gives the world a depth I think would be missing if the series focused solely on the werewolves. I really enjoyed this novel, but I did have two issues with it that had me waffling between 3 and 4 stars. I finally settled on 4 stars because the many positives outweighed my gripes.

The characters in this series are fabulous. I love that Natalya’s OCD isn’t magically cured overnight and that it is a constant struggle for her. We can see that she has made progress in this novel, but the urges are still there. Nat’s internal battles help to ground her as a character and make her flawed and believable. Even though Nat refers to herself as a submissive wolf, I think she has an inner dominant streak. If she can just believe in herself more consistently, I think we will be seeing a much more “alpha” Natalya Stravinsky. Nat’s family is back in this novel and I like them much better here. They have finally accepted her and treat her the way she should be treated. I still love her grandmother and am eager to see if the Old Magic comes into the story more in the next book. Of course Nat’s therapy group makes an appearance! I love them all; they are quirky and funny, but truly supportive and Nat connects to them in a way she doesn’t seem to connect with anyone else.

The first 60% of this novel deals with Natalya and her father’s moon debt. He has gotten himself into some trouble and it is up to Nat to get him out. She showed a lot of backbone and self-confidence here. I was really proud of her for standing up for her family and doing the right thing. The “road trip” with Nat, Abby the Muse, Holly the mermaid, and Nick the white wizard was hilarious and thrilling all at once. I love the way these characters interact and the support that they give one another. I hope that we see more of Abby and Holly in the next book, as they are off on their own adventures by the end of this one. The moon debt is wrapped up around the 200 page mark, with Natalya returning to her family and finally getting the recognition from them that she deserves.

The last 100 or so pages of this novel focus on Nat’s challenge to rejoin the pack. She must complete a ten-mile run, make it through an obstacle course, and win a fight against another initiate. She is determined to rejoin the pack and regain her honor, but of course stinky Erica has a plan to deteriorate Nat’s chances of completing the challenges. Nat has infinite amounts of intestinal fortitude, but she’s not the most physically powerful werewolf around. The way the challenge day finished was a shock to me; I didn’t see that coming at all. It’s a game changer for this series and I’m eager to see how it affects Nat (and Thorn) going forward. I still really dislike the pack and its dynamics. I’m hoping that the events of this book will have an effect on the pack leadership and change the way the pack members are treated.

This is where my first gripe comes into play… I didn’t feel like the two stories were connected enough. It was almost like we had two books in one because each wrapped up separately and didn’t really intertwine. They were like vignettes of Nat’s life that didn’t come together to form a cohesive story. They each had a conflict, separate characters involved, and a resolution. It seemed as if they could have been separated into two different books. Good thing I enjoyed both of the stories though. Anyways…

During her time back with her family, Nat also begins to examine her feelings for ex-boyfriend Thorn and possible new flame Nick. Thorn is still engaged to Erica but both he and Nat cannot deny their continued attraction to one another. Nick and Nat share so many things in common and are definitely starting to spark, but an action Nick takes to save Nat’s life during the moon debt story sets their relationship back and has Nat questioning the extent of Nick’s magic. I appreciated that Ms. Madison didn’t keep dragging this triangle out; Nat makes her decision between the two men by the end of the book. I’m not going to tell you who she chooses, but my second gripe was that I didn’t buy Thorn’s feelings for Nat. I truly feel her longing for him and I am completely invested in Nick’s feelings towards Nat, but Thorn always came off kind of flat to me. I’m not sure why, but I never connected to him and his love for Nat. We’ll see how the feelings both men have for Nat are dealt with in the coming novels; even though Nat made her choice, you can be sure that there are still complicated feelings running throughout the trio.

All in all, this was a solid read and I recommend this series to anyone looking for a new take on the werewolf story. While Natalya isn’t as physically kick butt as some UF heroines, she is smart and feisty and can hold her own in a confrontation. The world itself is unique and the characters are very enjoyable. I am looking forward to the next novel in Ms. Madison’s world.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Ballantine Books for providing an ARC copy of this book!
Profile Image for Naoms.
705 reviews173 followers
November 17, 2012

Review originally posted on Confessions of an Opinionated Book Geek


3.5 Stars

At the start of “KEPT” Natalya Stravinsky is exactly where she left off in “COVETED,” at least mentally. Though she fought beside the pack and showed herself to be a brave wolf that will defend her family, she is still not accepted. Farley, the Pack Alpha, is finally willing to give Nat a chance to regain her place in the pack. First, she must succeed in ‘The Trials.’ The trials are a series of boot camp like tests that start with a 10 mile run and end with a fight to conquer the other wolves struggling for a place in the pack. On top of the training for the trials, which Natalya has yet to begin, Nat discovers that her father is missing.

Armed with the assistance of her colorful cast of co-stars and a bag of disinfected wipes, Nat goes on a journey that takes her throughout the North East in search of her father. Like its predecessor “KEPT,” is full action, heartbreak, triumphs and obsessive compulsive behaviors.

“KEPT” is an entertaining story that questions right from wrong and duty vs. desire. At the start of the series, we learn that despite their obstacles and past behavior Natalya and Thorn love each other. Five years prior, Thorn went to the west coast and didn’t return for five years. It was Thorn’s abandonment that led to Natalya’s breakdown and ultimately her being kicked out of the pack. Finally we learn what kept Thorn away and why they were separated in the first place, still excuses and explanations cannot solve the problem. Natalya is an outcast and Thorn is engaged to be the mate of a rich female chosen by his father. No matter how hard they try, these two cannot seem to avoid each other and sparks always fly.

Especially, when you add in Nat’s therapy partner the white wizard Nick. Things with Nick are easy. They get along well, they understand each other and Nick has proven time and again that he will come to Natalya’s aid whenever she needs him. They have a spark, but Natalya cannot seem to let Thorn go.

It’s probably obvious from my earlier review of “COVEDTED,” that I really enjoyed that book. Loved it, read it quickly and could not put it down. While entertaining I did not love “KEPT.” Perhaps it was because I went into the first book with no expectations and into its sequel full of hope and excitement, but “KEPT,” just did not stand up to my expectations.

First, I thought that Natalya made choices that weakened her character. I don’t mean due to her OCD or the actions she takes to rescue her father and win the respect of the family. No, it is her relationship with Thorn that turned me off to the book. Madison made some choices that really villainies Thorn’s fiancé Erica and even to a lesser extent, Nick. It was as if Madison wanted to give her characters reason to make choices that are not really acceptable.

There were times where I downright disliked Thorn. He’s this alpha male, who has buckled underneath his father’s demands and yet refuses to leave Natalya alone. There were moments where it felt as if Thorn was purposely baiting and making Natalya crazy with jealousy and want. He never takes a step back and always finds himself in the middle of her business as if he wants her to rely on him, even when she cannot have him. Madison tries to explain this away and make it seem that no matter what his situation, he loves her and must help her. Unfortunately, I’d made my mind up about Thorn since book 1. Also, Nick really comes through when Thorn is off being a pack wolf.

Love triangles aside, the story progresses in a way that did not stun me. I thought that Natalya’s journey to help her family was interesting, but as a whole I wasn’t wowed. There are new creatures introduced in this book, but I felt I was more interested in learning more about the creature we’ve already met. I wanted to know more about nymphs, muses and mermaids. Still, we’re introduced to the fae and Madison’s vision of them is very interesting. They are terrifying, vengeful and powerful. They have powers that could keep you up at night and at moments I was happy to see their power at work.

Despite being slightly disappointed, I will continue this series. Huge events take place at the end of this story and I really want to see where Madison is going to take her characters from this point.
Profile Image for Melliane.
2,071 reviews351 followers
January 16, 2013
Mon avis en Français

My English review

I must say that I was completely blown away by this book. I liked the first one but I didn’t expect to completely succumb to this second volume. Once I had the opportunity to get into the story after a few sentences I could not put it down until the end as I wanted to know and understand everything.


Nat hoped to return to a quiet life after the terrible events of the first volume, but her fate does not seem to want to follow her desire. After her brother, it is the turn of her father to disappear as soon as we start the novel. Worried, she realizes that her father went to repay an old debt from a Russian mobster. But without any news, she leaves with Alex, her brother in Atlanta City to find him. What she did not expect was certainly the presence of Thorn as he is determined to come and help whatever she might think. It really warms my heart to see how he cares about her to the point that he is ready to leave everything behind to help her, even a furious Erica. But no, he will be there for her and will do anything to help Natalya. The only problem? His presence shows again and again to our heroine the only thing she wants the most in the world and can not have. She realizes that she must move on and leave him behind but his constant presence is not helping things. And when she tries to make him understand this fact, Thorn stay quite deaf to her demands, wanting only to protect her. It hurts so much to see her like that, constantly asking herself many questions, trying to understand how she should act, and especially trying to control herself so he does not realize how he destabilizes her. We fully understand the motivations of each but that does not change the situation either. And while she managed to save her father and to change her place with his, her whole world is turned upside down. The child born, Alex is forced to leave her alone, Thorn returns at home to accompany her father who is in a bad posture, which leaves us with a Nat; who needs to meet the demands of the mafia, alone. In fact, to erase the debt of her father, she must make a convoy that seems more dangerous than it seems. But even in the worst case, she still has friends to turn to, like Nick, Heidi and our beloved muse who will be there for her in the worst moments. The convoy will help our heroine to evolve. I was really happy to see that she could take herself in charge, trying to deal alone with the situations in which she is placed. Being away from Thorn is going to be very effective, and Nick will also do anything to help her.

We encounter new creatures in this novel and it's true that I'm really intrigued by their power and all the things they can do. It was a really good idea to introduce them here and we only want more. Shawntelle Madison knows beautifully how to play on the feelings of the reader. I was completely swept away at every opportunity. We cry, we laugh, but it is especially sad for our heroine. Her life is not easy and some persons seem to take pleasure by demolishing her at every opportunity. However, the end was a nice surprise and we could not wish for better things for Natalya. I really look forward to discover the third volume of the series. This book was truly a sublime discovery and this is a new series I’ll follow now. I loved it!
Profile Image for Beth.
3,162 reviews289 followers
December 18, 2012
Natalya Stravinsky struggles with OCD every day. She definitely has some interesting neuroses. Did I mention that Natalya is also a werewolf? She was recently an outcast but after valiantly defending her pack/family from another pack attack, Natalya has a chance to redeem her position.

Although she wants to regain her life in the South Toms River pack, every time she turns around she is tormented by her ex-boyfriend, Thorn. His father has decided as pack leader, that Thorn will marry Erica.

Natalya is constantly tortured by her failures which are repeatedly thrown in her face by Erica and her aunt. Although Natalya has lots to face, she has a great core group of friends and her family (except for her one aunt) are extremely supportive.

When Natalya’s father is kidnapped by the Russian werewolf mob in Atlantic City, Natalya is willing to sacrifice everything to save him.

I really enjoyed Natalya’s story. A quick, entertaining read, Kept had the perfect mix of action, adventure and romance to keep you invested till the end. I grew up one town over from South Toms River so it was really interesting to have your home town area included in the storyline. Heck, we could have gone to high school together and I never realized the werewolf pack lived so close by…although I did know the Jersey Devil wasn’t too far away. I will definitely be following the Covet series, it truly was a fun read. 4 Stars.

This copy of Kept was given to me by Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date November 27, 2012.
Profile Image for Andrea Heltsley.
Author 15 books324 followers
July 31, 2012
Oh Thorn, *sigh* you are so swoon worthy, and Nick, *awe* you are so sweet! How will Nat choose between two such men? Well I guess you will have to read Kept to find out...

The story picks up where Coveted left off and I was immediately swept away. Coveted was such a great read and I expected nothing less of Kept.

Despite her flaws, Nat is such a strong and realistic character. I love her quirks and flaws. All the characters blended into a strongly woven story.

Just when I thought the book would tie up and end, the story picked back up with a rolling pace, leaving me breathless. The book was action packed and full of twists.

Even though I have a soft spot for werewolves, this book was no exception. I also enjoyed the other supernatural characters that were present.

I highly recommend this book to all supernatural fans and paranormal romance lovers. I give this book five glittery stars for its' fascinating storyline! Read Coveted now and check Kept out for yourselves when it graces bookshelves on November 27, 2012!
Profile Image for Bea .
2,031 reviews134 followers
November 13, 2012
Quote:

The child leapt into my arms.

I expected to cringe. To cry out from the filth that crawled all over her. But she smelled of forever. Youth. The warmth of my babushka's blankets wrapped around me.

I cried out, but it wasn't in pain. It felt good to do the right thing.

Bea's Thoughts:

When the first book came out, I was intrigued. An OCD werewolf? That was different. I never did get around to reading the first book but that wasn't a problem when reading this one. Madison did an excellent job of working in information about events from book one without dragging down the story. That's a good thing as much of what happens in this story unfolds from those events.

Approximately the first half of the story is Nat and friends paying off her father's debt, but not in any way the mob boss expects. Despite the difficulties and some challenging choices, Nat is honorable. That sense of honor which led her to shoulder her father's debt also leads to her endangering her father and her place in the pack. Packs in this world live by a Code, a strict code with severe consequences for failure to abide by it. It's that Code that led to her father's debt and her assuming the debt.

Nat is a different sort of wolf, with her OCD, and attending therapy for it. The group therapy scenes were among my favorites in the book. Due to circumstances in the first book, Nat lost her place in her pack. Unlike most werewolf books I've read, the packs in this world don't grant automatic admission, you have to pass a trial. She lost her pack status previously and in this book, she strives to regain it. The actual trial itself happens at the very end of the book. There were some cliches and "twists" that really weren't twists but even so, Madison manages some tension about the outcome. The trial also serves to resolve the love triangle, no, quadrangle, that Nat's involved in.

Nat loves Thorn, the Alpha-elect, who loves her but is required to marry Erica. But Nat also has feelings for Nick, a wizard from her therapy group, who loves her. Happily, Madison doesn't drag out this storyline but resolves it by the end of this book. The book is a curious mix of straight up urban fantasy and romance. At times, the romance felt grafted on and while I believed Nat's feelings Thorn, his for her never felt real to me. I liked the romance between her and Nick and was rooting for them. Who does she end up with? You'll have to read and see for yourself.

I liked Nat; she's a little gruff but kind, loyal to her family and friends, tries to deal with her disability (trust me, in the werewolf world OCD is a disability), is snarky, and while she sometimes acts before thinking, she's not one of those too-stupi-to-love heroines so common in urban fantasy books. I loved Madison's world building and how different it is from other werewolf books I read; I loved the humor and the secondary characters (I really want to know what happens with Heidi and Abby).

In between the trial and paying off her father's debt, Nat deals with her family, her former lover's jealous fiance, her OCD, magic, and various other odds and ends. At times, the book felt less like a cohesive story and more like a collection of anecdotes and short stories.

There are some cliches and predictable events, the characters could have used some additional depth, but in all, it was a good book and I expect I'll be back for more.

The ARC I read did have a lot of typos, some wrong words and missing words, and several oddly constructed sentences. I hope that these were fixed in the final copy as they were frequent enough to keep me from buying it if not.

Some favorite quotes:

"You have the pace of a were-sloth participating in the Olympics. You'd slow me down to the point of aggravation."

"Do you do everything in heels? Never mind, don't answer that. My mind went to the wrong place real fast."

Thanks to being a clean freak, I was used to being stared at by the other werewolves back at home. In comparison, a few humans I'd never see again didn't seem like a problem. The cheap plastic gloves brought me a strange comfort just looking at them.

No one said anything after that. What the hell could I say to back up a story about an evil hitcher and his trained killer monkey?

I sighed deeply. Everything I'd learned so far should've been a warning, but I wanted to learn more.

He sounded all confident and smug. Too bad Auntie Yelena didn't know he had that rampant a***ole disease going around the on the East Coast.

"I'm not just your average truck-driving, bartending mermaid who likes roughnecks."

I received an eGalley from the publisher for review.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
7,947 reviews201 followers
December 1, 2012
KEPT (Coveted #2) by Shawntelle Madison (3.5stars)

KEPT is the second storyline (November 27, 2012 release) in Shawntelle Madison’s paranormal Coveted series. Now that her return to the pack was to be tested, Natalya Stravinsky would have to overcome a few obstacles including her OCDs, a penchant for collecting holiday ornaments and a broken heart that has been five years in the making. But when her father is called in to repay a ‘moon debt’ to another pack, it will be Natalya and her therapy group of supernatural friends that will make right a wrong from so many years ago.

As in the previous storyline, Natalya continues to suffer through a series of emotional disorders that hamper her life as both human and wolf. When her father does not return from repaying a debt, Natalya, along with her brother Alex and pack alpha Thorn will venture into enemy territory. But no sooner do they arrive when Nat must make a decision that could affect everyone she loves. Hoping to save her father’s life, Nat agrees to repay the debt herself and in doing so, has now risked her own life.


Nick continues as Natalya’s therapy buddy as well as something more. As a wizard, it was Nick who was instrumental in helping Natalya when the Long Island Pack wanted to take her life, but now that they are on an adventure to save her father, Nick will profess that his feelings for Nat are more than just friendship. But Nat’s heart has and always will be lost to Thorn, even though he is promised to someone else. I am terrible with the love triangles. I am not a fan. I want everyone to be happy. Love triangles suck!!

Shawntelle once again brings together the many varied and vibrant supernatural friends from therapy. As Heidi continues to struggle with her fear of the ocean, she and Abby, along with Nick will join Natalya as she endeavors to repay her father’s moon debt. But the cargo they must transport is magical and the power emanating from the most unlikely of passengers will help Nat as she keeps her promise for her father.

Throughout the storyline, Thorn continues to send mixed signals to Nat. She has never stopped loving the man who is now the pack alpha, but his betrothal to another has all but shattered her heart. Thorn will reveal the truth behind the nature of the union, and in doing so will admit to Nat the truth. And all too soon, Nat would become the target of a very enraged alpha-female to be, and must accept a fight to the death in order to prove her worthiness.

Shawntelle writes a fast paced, engaging storyline that kept my attention from the very first page. Although at times my heart broke when Natalya’s fears and anxieties would overcome such a young woman, it only made it worse knowing that there were members of her family who believed she wasn’t worth the air that she breathed. Many people suffering rejection and loss will sympathize with the heroine but it was, at times, difficult to read how badly she wanted to fit in and those who professed to be family could destroy her with only a few words-sometimes family need to be shown the door. Shawntelle takes us on an emotional ride that is very reminiscent of many of today’s real-life stories. Congratulations on a wonderful storyline. I hope everyone gets a chance to read the Coveted series by Shawntelle Madison.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

see all of my reviews at : thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for Sophia.
Author 5 books394 followers
September 30, 2012
Alas, I must say that I enjoyed this sequel because I was past the 'introductory' material and partly because much of what I wanted to get answered from the first one was answered though in a way that left the door wide open still.

In this installment, things don't slow down for Natalya in the slightest. There are a lot of brands in the fire for her. At the beginning, Nat is still getting used to being back into the bosom of her family with the addition of a great-aunt from up north on a long term visit who makes her life miserable. Alex is now adjusting to marriage and pending fatherhood, but he takes the time to arrange for her to personally train for the upcoming pack entrance trials. Nat observes that something is off with her parents, but until her dad disappears she wasn't aware of how bad the issue was. Her dad owes a blood debt that has been called in full. He either achieves whatever task is set for him or forfeits his life. So when he is gone too long, off to the rescue go Nat, Alex and Thorn who Nat is still breaking her heart over. When they track down her dad, Alex has to leave them because his wife goes into labor so it is up to Nat and Thorn to complete the first task in her father's stead. The first task offers some difficulty, but then there is worse to come that results in Natalya off on a mission to fulfill the debt and she can only call upon Nick and her resourceful therapy group friends to help her see it through.

The plot was tighter in this one since there wasn't as much world building required- though there was the introduction of the fae- and it was a direct continuation of what had gone on before in the first book with the addition of her father's debt. There was excitement, danger and light amounts of romance. The exciting moments when Nick and the gang joined her were my favorite parts and I was thrilled to finally read Thorn confess what happened five years ago when with no explanation, he left Natalya. I'm not big on love triangles and so the whole Nick-Natalya-Thorn thing was not quite something I fancied. To be honest, there's not much chance for a romance because she spends so much time getting out of bad situations with the help of one or the other of the men and her friends and she has an obvious preference. I have to admit that for the most part Nat tries really hard not to use anyone and goes for honesty in her dealings with both men. I think for me its just that I have a decided preference too, but I don't want to see the other one hurt because they're both hero types. The last portion of the story gets back to the pack trial and I didn't see the result of that turning out the way it did. Nat's one of those heroines that gets through on a lot of guts and luck.

As to characters, Natalya is still struggling with her hang-ups, but there is an obvious growth as she learns to deal and show a core of strength. Nick proved himself loyal, worthy and allowed his feelings to finally surface, but in one action he does something that Nat finds difficult to get past. Thorn was still the conflicted man who knows what he wants, but duty is always there to pull him back. Aggie gets some scenes, but for me I just adore Nat's grandmother who is the fount of wisdom and some humor. And yes, Evil Erica with all her envy and jealousy is back and in rare form.

It was an entertaining read. I look forward to seeing what is going to happen next for Nat and the gang.
Profile Image for Stacy.
1,335 reviews61 followers
November 27, 2012
Natalya really is working to become more than the scared, hoarding, outcast wolf we met in the beginning of COVETED. A good part of the book Nat is on a mission to save her father from a debt he owes. I have seen quite a few reviews that state that you can read KEPT as a standalone but I liked COVETED and I enjoyed having the full story so I will say, yes you can but you should read COVETED anyways.

KEPT was nicely paced, full of action, suspense, growth and I was hooked to the story from a few pages in. I liked how Natalya had to deal with situations on her own for a bit. She proved to herself she can hold her own when needed. There were some neat characters introduced and some nice twists. The romance was pretty good. I really do like Nick but I wasn't rooting for him in KEPT. He comes to Natalya's aid when no one else does and helps her complete her mission but I really only see him as a really good friend to her. Thorn has had Natalya's heart for a while and he really redeemed himself in KEPT. I wasn't totally sure of him for Nat in COVETED but I love him now and couldn't imagine a better mate for her. I am glad to have the love triangle cleared up and cant wait to see the reactions decisions and events from KEPT will bring. I enjoyed learning more about Nat's family and what they have been through. Nat's OCD is still very much present but it seems to be getting better.

KEPT was the best of of the two books so far in the series in my opinion for the ending alone. WOW that rocked by socks off. I was on the edge of my seat with suspense. Can not wait to see what will happen next, the ending surely changed the game dramatically. AHHH when will book 3 be out? Someone mentioned in another review that it might not feature Natalya? PLEASE tell me that isn't true, her story is FAR from over in my opinion and I can't say that I would be satisfied if her story ended here.
Profile Image for CD Keith.
389 reviews16 followers
December 30, 2012

Kept picks up where Coveted left off. Natalya is a werewolf with OCD , anxiety disorder, and an obsession with collection Christmas ornaments. Due to all of her issues she was thrown out of her pack. She was just recently accepted back into her family. One thing positive in her life is her best friend Aggie. She goes to therapy with other supernaturals who are trying to deal with disorders. In therapy she has met Nick the wizard and she spends the entire book struggling with her attraction to him. The problem is her heart will always belong to Thorn who true love.

Kept has a much more in depth story line and plot. Nat has a purpose in this book and that is really is to prove to herself and her family that she is stronger. She takes on the responsibility of fulfilling her father's debt to the werewolf mafia. With the help of her therapy friends she battles the constant roadblocks to she has to face. Thorn tries to stay by her side and protect her but since he is engaged to another as part of a pack arrangement Nat knows she must keep her distance. Her heart can only take so much.

In addition to all of this she is suppose to be preparing for the pack trials. This is her chance to prove she is worthy to be part of the pack again. The problem is with everything that keeps happening she hasn't even began to condition for tests. This girl has the worst case of bad luck ever. The good news is there is a happy ending in sight. True love conquers all and with a heart as determined as Nat's there is a way to overcome some of life's challenges.

I hope there is more to the series. I want to see how much further Nat can go. I also really want Aggie's story big time. I want to see her go head to head with her dad and ex.

Thank you to Ballentine Books and Netgally for allowing me to read.
Profile Image for Lady Lioness.
1,085 reviews92 followers
September 14, 2012
At the RWA literacy signing, Madison said that Kept is the last book she's contracted for in this series so sales of Kept will determine if we get another book set in this world. If you liked Coveted, you will like Kept.

I would still classify Kept as urban fantasy, but Madison gives her characters a happy ending, although I do think the story would have been better served over three books rather than two. I feel pretty satisfied with where Madison left Natalya and her hero, but I would love to see more books featuring some of the supporting characters, especially Holly. Madison alludes to some stuff going down with the phobic mermaid, but the book ends prior to any resolution.

I preferred Kept over Coveted because Natalya was infinitely more bad-ass. She wasn't 'fixed,' she still suffered from OCD, but she basically said 'F-it, nothing's going to stop me from helping my family.' I admire that kind of strength. Madison also had an unusual take on the mythological races we've seen before. For example, Madison's Fae were scary, the type of scary found in the TV show Supernatural or Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series. There aren't a lot of romances/urbans out there about merfolk and, via Holly, Madison described the culture in terms that made me really curious, but also a little wary. There will be no Ariel and Flounder in Madison's oceans.

I do hope we end up seeing more books by Madison. Coveted and Kept are solid reads, and I feel Madison has the potential for a break-out book in the future.
Profile Image for Paris.
Author 19 books66 followers
October 15, 2012
Like the first book in the series, Kept is filled with awesomeness. It’s funny and heartbreaking and heartwarming and action-packed. The characters are well developed and interesting even down to the clichéd mean girl. Shawntelle Madison has quickly jumped on to my must read author list. I’m actually bummed that there are only two books of hers to read so far, but I can’t wait to purchase them for my collection. This is most definitely a series I can read over and over.

Natalya is exactly what I love to see in a main character. She’s flawed, yet strong and after everything that happened in Coveted she has grown instead of remaining stagnant. I absolutely hate when characters don’t learn from the events in their lives. In this book she no longer whines about her circumstances. Sure she might complain, but she looks her circumstances in the eye and faces them head on. She stands up for things even though she knows that she is weaker than those around her.

I am glad that we got to see storylines wrapped up in the end of this book, including the love triangle between Nat, Nick and Thorn. And even though it seems like the next book in the series (if we’re lucky enough to get one) will likely not feature Natalya as the main character, I know that the book will be amazing. I will not be disappointed because I know that whichever character Shawntelle picks to headline the book will be strong enough and dysfunctional enough to make me care about what happens to them…especially if it’s Aggie, or Abby or even Nick.

ARC provided by Netgalley.
Profile Image for P. Aaron Potter.
Author 2 books39 followers
May 23, 2013
This suffers a bit from the 'sophomore slump' that is typical of series fiction, and perhaps most particularly in series fiction which is coming from a vein which is being particularly richly mined right now, the urban paranormal second wave.

That said, this was still a remarkably fun entry into the sub-genre. Eventually. The prior book in the series felt somewhat rushed at the ending, as the supposed fight-to-end-all-fights was crammed into a few pages, and characters were suddenly dropping plot resolutions left and right. This one tries to slow that breakneck pace, and for the first half of the novel, not much happens.

However, once the protagonist hits the road (literally) in the second half, we get both more rollicking action (including some *very* spooky fairies I wish I'd written) and more interesting character development. The romantic sub-plot is pushed a bit more forward here, which is a touch unfortunate since it's not the strength of this series. We're given little reason, other than sexual desire, for our heroine to pursue this union. The friendly relations she has with the variously psychologically damaged side characters are much more satisfying. Happily, there's plenty of opportunity for that here during the second act of the novel, and I look forward to even more in the inevitable sequel.
Profile Image for April.
33 reviews2 followers
March 7, 2013
I absolutely loved this book, Nat is quirky and refreshing! I also like the fact that she is not perfect and that all of the characters are flawed in some way! I also love the fact that she is working through her issues and is making progress as a character. Thanks for this great book Shawntelle, you know I love ya ! Keep up the wonderful work!
Profile Image for Jen (That's What I'm Talking About).
1,680 reviews309 followers
December 14, 2012
My Rating: 4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Originally posted: http://www.twimom227.com/2012/12/revi...

WARNING: this review discusses multiple plots that occur throughout the book. Due to the nature of how the book is set up, I may reveal things about the story that some would consider spoilers. So, if you don’t want to know anything that happens in this book, you may want to avoid my review!

After surviving numerous attempts on her life and helping her former pack win an attempted takeover battle, Natalya (Nat) Stravinsky realizes it’s time to work past her mental and emotional issues and rejoin the South Toms River pack. Kept opens a few months after the conclusion of the first book, Coveted. During dinner with Nat’s family, it appears that her relatives have welcomed her back into the fold (she’s been a rogue wolf for the past several years, having been kicked out of the pack). However nasty Auntie Yelena (dad’s sister), reminds Nat, as well as the rest of the family, of Nat’s past failures. Yelena apparently lives to put down, degrade and bully Nat.

At dinner, we learn that Nat will have to compete in some sort of trial to rejoin her family’s pack (and that she’s supposed to be training). We also catch up on family events (like the wedding of Nat’s brother Alex). In addition, Nat overhears her parents in a serious conversation that leaves her a bit worried.

Nat’s concerns blossom to fruition, when her dad goes missing. He’s gone back to Atlantic City, where he once worked for a crime syndicate, to repay a “moon debt.” Nat’s training for the trail is put on hold, while she, along with Alex and her ex-lover (and future pack Alpha), Thorn, journey south to save Nat’s father.

Although there is a lot that happens in Kept, I enjoyed the crossing storylines and changing scenes. Early on, we get insight that Nat is lonely. She's working on her OCD and learning to deal with changes in her schedule (thanks to her therapist). She has blown off training to get back into her pack, which tells me that although she says she really wants back in, she's scared that she'll fail and remain the outsider. And although she’s back in with her family, she doesn't feel like she has too many wolves on her side. But what we do see is that Nat finally has some spine and believes in herself. This is such an improvement from her behavior in Coveted.

The next section of the book is dominated by Nat’s attempts to save her father. She agrees to fulfill his moon debt, and the first task is to retrieve a missing item from a goblin. With Thorn at her side, they take on the task, and we finally get some one-on-one time between Nat and Thorn. I was NOT a fan of Thorn after the first book. I was hoping this alone time would win me over, but during the first half of the book, I still felt like he is a total ass. He has no people skills and apparently thinks only about himself.

After that task is completed, Nat must drive a delivery truck north to a pack in Maine. She has no idea what the cargo is, but understands that it’s not going to be a safe journey. For this part of the story, we get some excellent group bonding action. Nat is accompanied by her friends from therapy, including her other potential love interest, the good wizard Nick. The trip to deliver the mysterious freight was one of my favorite parts of the book. I enjoyed the group of friends working together. They make a great team. In addition, the action was excited and much better than the first book. I also enjoyed the tender scenes between Nick and Nat.

When Nat fulfills the blood debt halfway through the story, I wondered what would happen for the rest of the book. It’s here that the story shifts back to the pack and Nat’s personal life. We witness Nat interacting and learning from her Grandma about Old Magic. We find out more about Nick. And we also witness more of Nat’s loneliness and continued outcast status, even though she saved her father. At a Welcome Home party, Nat starts to finally see the that Thorn is sort of a jerk. Then at a family dinner, Yelana is utterly horrid to Nat, and once again Nat is unable to stand up for herself. Although the scenes were tough, I felt that they added some needed emotional depth to the book. 

One of the things that I really enjoyed in Kept, that was missing from Coveted, was the intimate and honest dialogue between Nat and various characters. Nat and Nick share some fabulous moments, some of which hurt a bit emotionally. Likewise, Nat and Heidi (her mermaid friend) also share a few tender moments. Also, Nat and Thorn finally air everything that has passed when they were apart for five years. Each of these interactions made for a much richer overall story.

When Nat and Thorn finally have their moments, it is both hot and romantic (even in a run down cabin), but also incredibly heartbreaking. Thorn is obligated to another (total b*tch), and although he says he is willing to put aside his duties and commitments, Nat is not. However, the truth and weight of pain is finally out in the open, and I have to admit, even I fell for Thorn (at last!)

The story concludes with Nat’s attempts to rejoin her pack. The physical trial for Nat was as good as any action scene. I loved that some of her fellow competitors helped her out. It shows that despite what some may say or even what she thinks of herself, she is liked. The final battle was gruesome, but a good fight scene. I don't feel like it was cut short or ended too quickly.

Overall Kept is near one-hundred percent better than its predecessor, Coveted. Although there is a LOT that happens, and the scenes shift dramatically within the book, the storylines and dialogue are tight. In addition, there is great emotional depth, giving the book the extra heft needed to make it so good. Kept has everything I enjoy in a story… great heart, action, romance and a happy ending that didn't compromise our heroine.
Profile Image for Southern Today Gone Tomorrow.
493 reviews60 followers
October 10, 2019
This novel is the sequel to Coveted by Shawntelle Madison and picks up with Nat again, still not with the wonderful Thorn, but this time her father has been kidnapped.

Good news, we get some Thorn in this novel. If I felt like giving spoilers, I would tell you exactly how happy that makes me, but I won’t.

The only reason I picked up this book is to read more about Nat and Thorn. I enjoy their interactions, and honestly could do with out the big plots that they put in each book.

And Thorn is engaged. Sigh.

Again, this book really wasn’t that great. The characters should be more interesting, but it just seems like they focus on the wrong things and when I’m not reading about Thorn, the rest just isn’t that interesting.
256 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2023
Good read. Characters weren't over established but solidly described. I liked that there was more emphasis on the main plot and not so much in the romantic exploits. I didnt read the first in the series but this was easy to get into. Nat is an underdog in the werewolf pack and needs to scrouge courage to survive the tribulations ahead of her to take up her dads blood debt. Otherwise he might not survive the mob boss's dept collection. Fast paced and intriguing.
193 reviews
April 12, 2022
the week shall win

With a neurotic main character, friends from her support group and a family that means everything to her, can she find her place, choose between 2 men and win everything in the end? This book has 2 storylines, and when the first finished and half the book was left it felt like a bonus. Good read.
Profile Image for Stacey.
550 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2024
I love the Coveted series!
In this book, Natalya travels across the Eastern United States to save her father from a Blood pact. She's joined by friends from her therapy group. Supernatural creatures need therapy. I love it.
Thorn is in it, he's my fav. Madison writes so well and Natalya kicks ass while thinking she's a failure. I relate.
On to the next!
Profile Image for Erin.
358 reviews16 followers
September 3, 2022
DNF. I made it about halfway through and just got bored and didn’t want to force myself to continue when I wasn’t enjoying the book anymore.
Profile Image for Jen.
1,559 reviews
November 29, 2012
Nat and Thorn/Nick

Interesting concept of an OCD heroine. Not sure she was quite for me though. Full review to come on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews

I am always on the look out for a good new urban fantasy series. When I saw the blurb for Kept I was excited that I might have found one.

Fresh from defending her pack in battle, Natalya Stravinsky, a whip-smart werewolf with a lovable neurotic streak, wants a little rest and relaxation. Once an outcast, she’s now eager to rejoin the ranks of her New Jersey pack, and has even gotten a handle on her obsessive urge to hoard holiday ornaments.

I like the idea of the hoarding of holiday ornaments too. It makes me laugh. A kick ass heroine with hoarding issues? What an interesting concept.

Natalya is trying to move on with her life after the recent fight. She has decided to take part in the pack’s upcoming trials in order to return to the fold. She must prove herself to everyone in order to be allowed back in. Unfortunately she has a ton of issues that must be overcome. Because of her neurosis she gives of the smell of fear and submissiveness something that makes other wolves dismiss her as weak and unimportant. She has a nasty case of OCD and is a germaphobe on top of that. She cannot touch anything without giving it a severe wipe down.

As she is preparing for the trials she gets word that her father has gone missing. Her brother is expecting his first child to be born any day so Nat is on her own in finding her father. She seeks out the person responsible for his disappearance and learns that her father owes him a blood debt. Nat agrees to settle the debt in place of her father. She is given a large dump truck and 24 hours to deliver the contents to another wolf pack. The dump truck is magically sealed so she has no idea what is in there. So we have a short deadline, Nat has never driven a dump truck before and she has a pack of imps chasing her every move.

She calls in the help of a friend and love interest, Nick. Nick is a white wizard and when he arrives he brings two other friends. The four of them must get the goods there on time in order to settle the debt. While transporting the stuff the magical lock comes undone and Nat finds a child in the back of the truck. She would never willing send a child in to harm so she releases the child even knowing that her family’s blood debt will now go unsettled. The child turns out to be a powerful imp with a family that is willing to help. Between the imp’s family and her friends Nat is able to settle the debt and return home to prepare for the trials.

When I started this book I was looking for a heroine like Kate Daniels or Mercy Thompson. Those are my two UF favorites. They are kick ass chicks and have awesome men in their lives that compliment them. Unfortunately I didn’t get that with Nat. She is so over the top OCD that she is painful to read about. Everything she does is prefaced with how dirty something might be or the germs that will spread. Pulling out a pack of baby wipes in the middle of a good scene is a total buzzkill. I can handle my heroines having issues, take Chess for example. She is a drug addict but she is not weak. She does not drag the story down. I like her in spite of her serious issues. Nat is submissive on top of having major issues.

On top of that there is a love triangle. Normally I am all for the alpha dude but in this case I wasn’t. Thorn is the local pack leader and Nat’s ex boyfriend. He is engaged to a real peach of a woman and still cannot stay away from Nat. He is constantly taking phone calls with his fiancée right in front of Nat. Nick is our other love interest and he is sweet. He seems like someone that could have genuine interest in Nat and shares her OCD issues. He does something to save Nat that really puts a damper on their relationship and Nat is turned away. By the end of Kept our love triangle is mostly settled, from what I can tell anyway, but I am not sure where it will really go.

I will say Kept ended on a high note for Nat. She managed to pull some dominance out of nowhere but I was a bit confused. It wasn’t really true to her character or maybe it was? Maybe this is really where the series is supposed to go? Nat has now found her true self and things will go from there? I am still curious about the next book because I wonder what will happen with the pairing and how Nat will react after the conclusion we saw.

Overall, if you are looking for a new UF series this one has potential. Just don’t go in expecting Kate or Mercy like I did. Nat is a bit different. The writing is clean and fast paced though so you won’t have any trouble breezing through. Final grade- C+

Favorite Quote:

No matter how much we run away, what we fear most always catches up to us.

Profile Image for Stephanie.
1,475 reviews81 followers
October 10, 2012
Original Post on Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust 10/10/2012
KEPT by Shawntelle Madison
Love Versus Duty, Which is Right?


KEPT: A Coveted Novel
Shawntelle Madison

Ballantine/Random House November 27, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and e-book formats: 320 pages
E-Galley Loaned by Random House via Edelweiss. No remuneration was exchanged and unless noted otherwise, all opinions herein are my own.

Fresh from defending her pack in battle, Natalya Stravinsky, a whip-smart werewolf with a lovable neurotic streak, wants a little rest and relaxation. Once an outcast, she’s now eager to rejoin the ranks of her New Jersey pack, and has even gotten a handle on her obsessive urge to hoard holiday ornaments. Yet Nat barely has time to revel in her progress before the next crisis comes howling at her door.

Nat’s father has suddenly gone missing, captured by the Russian werewolf mafia. And as Nat steps up to save her dad from a mob boss’s deadly game, two men step in to play another round for her heart: her gorgeous alpha ex-boyfriend, Thorn, and her new flame, the sweetly sensitive wizard Nick. With her life growing more harried by the minute, Nat must stay cool, calm, and collected . . . or else risk losing everything. Coveted Series Website http://coveted-series.com/


In every writer's were-world the wolves seem to have the strongest pack ties and the most rigid customs. They also seem to have really hot hook-ups. But once they pick a mate, they are pretty irretrievably bound. If THEY pick the mate. If the mating is arranged it can go downhill fast.

Such is the problem for Nat and Thorn. Their hearts have chosen each other but the politics of interpack relations has made an unhappy arranged engagement.

Nat is an wolf with OCD and,except for one nasty, hateful aunt who I think should be put out of Nat's misery, a loving family. I had an aunt like this and she made life tough for just about everyone but me, who she favored. Madison pegs that cyka (bitch). She also has some good friends—some really good friends.

I had a tough time engaging in the story; at first it just seemed the book would be about the various ways life rains crap upon Natalya. When the dangerous stuff started, I got caught up in the seamy Atlantic City Were-Underground plot and the quest Nat, the heroine, has to undertake (to Maine!). It's very much an "epic-hero-Joseph-Campbell" quest compressed into a shorter time period. It's here where we begin to see what Natalya is really made of, and she becomes a very sympathetic character who can push her own limitations when she has to. For Natalya, others come first and proving herself, saving herself, is less important than her family's honor and her father's well-being.

Some of the publicity for the book compares Natalya to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum. Nat's character is pretty well developed and I didn't see her as being so similar to Plum. Her mom and grandmother are heavily reminiscent of Stephanie Plum's family though (which the publisher plays up). Like Plum's family, Natalya's is deeply rooted in its ethnicity. There's lots of Russian foods and culture, as well as a focus on the importance of family. Her mom is family oriented and her grandmother, while not obsessed with viewings (wakes) is Natalya's confidant and a wise wolf. And, while we know Stephanie Plum has a couple of interludes they are more along the lines of "The moon goes behind the clouds," sexy stuff left up to your imagination. Madison's scene in here is tasteful AND tasty.

It's family, duty, honor, friendship and love that are the constants here. Madison provides several arcs to the story which, of course, all intersect: Nat and Thorn, Nat and Nick Thorn and his fiance, the treacherous Erica (also a cyka), fulfilling a blood debt, a new niece, and surviving the Hunger Game style trials Nat must win in order to rejoin the pack. Can she move on from Thorn and settle for someone else? And, Thorn has to decide if he can be both a leader and settle for a treacherous woman he doesn't even like?
Can a leader ever put herself or himself ahead of the group s/he leads? What do you think?

There are lots of plot twists and some real tension about how things will pan out. Will Nat win, will she save her father, will she end up with someone or alone?

KEPT is the second book in a series but stands on its own with only a minimum of back story needed. It also blurs the line between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance by having non-romantic and romantic story arcs. This is a solid RECOMMEND.
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