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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Donya Pedigo

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a phenomenal read that will have you yearning for more tales about these unique characters, Aranha, Dag, and Jonah. It made me think of the survival skills of The Hunger Games series mixed with the often unusual adopted family dynamic of The Originals TV show, while also adding in some romantic tensions and tendencies. In other words it has it all including vampires, werewolves, daywalkers, and a kick but take names, snarky spider shifter heroine.
**⚠️There are a couple of small trigger warnings in this book.. The first is for talk of suicidal thoughts due to being alone for centuries and having to feed on humans. The second is for one of the secondary characters who deals with trust issues due to having suffered emotional and physical abuse. For me these didn’t hinder the enjoyment of the story at all as it is a great read and it is minimal in grand scheme of the overall story.⚠️**

The dual POV helps you get into the mindset of the characters as they face many adventures and challenges such as Aranha being the last surviving webmaker (Spider shifter). She is just trying to stay hidden under the radar of the vampires and werewolves that can kill her when fate leads her to Dag’s bar where she meets the hunky daywalker for the first time. From there the true adventures begin as they face danger, supernatural politics, mysteries, and other emotions that they aren’t really sure how to handle at first. This is the first book I’ve read by Courtney Davis, but I guarantee it won’t be my last. She has built a world that not only has intriguing primary and secondary characters but an amazing, unique backstory as well. I really enjoyed this book and hope the author gives us more Aranha, Dag, and Jonah.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Amanda Williams

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was so unusual. I’m usually a bit shaky with shifters but I wound up liking this a lot. The character development is unlike anything else. Throughly enjoyed. I would really be interested to see what else this author comes out with as I see a big future ahead for them. 100% original and entertaining. A real good read.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Cindy Rushin

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All I can say is wow. This novel was so good. I don’t even like spiders and I found myself intrigued and loving Aranha’s story. Who would have thought that I would really like a story about a spider shifter, definitely not me. The story had everything that I love, drama, romance and the supernatural. This author created a really nice world and I look forward to reading more from her.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Sarah King

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolute loved this book. The unique take on the paranormal world that I have not read anything like before to the different characters themselves. Aranha is a spider shifter, believed to be the last of her kind after being hunted by other paranormal. She sticks to the shadows, moves, and only hunts to feed and even then only those who deserve it. One on one of her hunts, she walked into Dag’s bar. Dag is a daywalker, another paranormal believed hunted to extinction. After a confrontation the two realize that there are things that they can learn from each other and that there may be hope after all. Aranha and Dag work together to try to figure out what the vampires in their community are up to and safe and innocent human girl while they are at it. Will Aranha be able to learn to trust Dag after everything she thought she knew? Will Dag realize the depth of his feelings before he does something he cant take back?
I loved this book!!!! I can’t wait to see what comes next for Arahna and Dag as well as the different paranormal in their world. Hoping to see Jonah get his own story along the way. Wishing the next story was already here!

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Katie Kearney

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Talk about blowing my mind good! When I read what this book was about I was excited because it just sounded so different and exciting! I sometimes have a little trouble getting into a paranormal read unless I’m really in the mood but I definitely didn’t have that problem with this great story! I really appreciate just how original this storyline was, the author definitely hit the mark of a great story with this one. Aranha and Dag will be forever in my mind. Each one truly makes this story the greatness that it is! The storyline was written well and thought out nicely. It’s got a nice pace to it and an easy to follow flow! Go one click as fast as you can I promise you won’t be disappointed! Five huge stars and highly recommended!

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Emily Beehler

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s a light read that has very intriguing aspects. The story follows Aranha who is a webmaker, or an immortal that can shift into a spider. Her collection of abilities as a webmaker are interesting and fun to read about such as her webbing and how she can collect memories. Aranha meetsthe handsome Dag who is an interesting creature himself; a vampire that can tolerate the sun. The two embark on a quest to discover what secrets lye within the vampire and werewolf system, and see how they can help or stop whatever they may be plotting. Overall, this is a nice read, that moves along quite quickly. I recommend this story for anyone that like’s low-fantasy as it takes place in the modern world, so there is not much world building needed apart from the types of species introduced and their governing system. This book also deals with growth and development as Aranha is discovering things about herself that she hadn’t known prior to meeting Dag.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Jasmin Marie

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was drawn to this book by the cover. Although spiders creep me out, Aranha is just as fierce as portrayed on the cover of this book. As the last of her kind, she lives a secluded life but that all changes when she meets Dag, a daywalking-vampire. Although sparks quickly fly between the two characters, I appreciated the realness of Aranha’s hesitation to change the life she has known.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Helani Kihe

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Spider in the garden is definitely a story filled with fantastical creatures I have never heard of. I’ve read many stories about vampires and werewolves but this was the first with day walkers and web makers. I actually heard of day walkers but this story made them more than just vampires that walked in the sun.I absolutely love that the author gave these creatures such a beautiful beginning in the garden of Eden.
The relationships that were created in the story were so beautiful. Unexpected but so beautiful. The chemistry between the main characters was hot and steamy made you want to keep reading to find out where it would end up.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Kerry Baker

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an amazing book! Before I started reading I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book. I was honestly blown away. This was such a fantastic book – great characters, a great story line and just so well written I didn’t want to stop reading.
I thought the story was original and exciting. At times it felt like the pages were turning themselves. I was so engrossed by this book I really didn’t want it to end. As the First book that I have read by this author it was the best type of introduction. I cannot wait to read more.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Rachel Moss

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting read! Not the kind of story I was expecting, even with reading the synopsis. It was an entertaining story with various threads of suspense, crime, action and other elements woven throughout the story. While I enjoyed reading this one it wasn’t my favorite. I felt like I had some trouble getting into the story and staying enthralled. It was hard for me to escape during this book. I liked the characters and it was a very unique (in my humble opinion) spin on shifters but I just had trouble concentrating with this one. I wouldn’t be opposed to reading from this author again in the future and maybe I’ll like the next one just a little better!

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Megan Watson

A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

It’s late and I’m still not ready for this book to end! Alas, I have finished it and there is no more adventure for Arahna, Dag and Jonah. I don’t know what it is about the alpha attitude and the snarky female comebacks; but, I love them and I want more!!

Aranha is the last of her kind and as much as she resembles a spider (I’m terrified of them), she was a character I could root for and relate to. She’s just surviving with her clingy, adopted werewolf until she meets Dag and then her content life of hiding in the shadows is not possible anymore. Dag is a daywalker vampire that’s just floating under the radar as much as he can until Aranha walks into his bar one night; and then it’s all he can do to keep himself in check as he tries to win her affections and protect her at the same time.

I loved this book and really hope the author gives us more of Aranha and Dag. I didn’t want to put this book down from the very beginning and got to experience the butterflies you get when you read smitten characters. The steam was tasteful and very well written and I want so much more!!

 

 

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Jamie Zabolotney

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! This author was a first for me but I can say with certainty that it will not be the last book of hers that I will read. I found the writing and story line to be fast paced and very entertaining and the characters relatable.

Aranha is the last of her kind, a spider shape shifter. Being one of a kind can prove to be very lonely. Enter Jonas, her adopted werewolf son who helps to give her life a bit of purpose and companionship. They thought having each other was all they would need until Dag, a daywalker, entered the picture.

This book was a rollercoaster for me and I didn’t want it to end. I hope this series has many more to come!

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Heather Goodman

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I first started to read this book I expected it to be along the same line as other paranormal books but it completely surprised me. It’s very interesting to see other characters besides vampires and werewolves. This book draws you in from the first chapter and keeps giving you twist and turns until the very end. You will not be disappointed after reading this one.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Ember Daley

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t even know where to start. This book was beyond good, and honestly one of my favorites I’ve read so far this year. This is my first book I’ve read written by this author and I’m invested. I really hope to see more for this series.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Lisa Helmick

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was hesitant about this story. But I love vampire stories so I gave it a try. I was so glad I did! What is in here is a wonderful story with characters that make the reader care and worry about them. I am completely surprised how much I love this story! The writing is smooth and easy to follow along. I was pleased with the movement of the story.

The characters are down to earth and realistic…to an extent. I enjoyed learning about the life of Aranha and the hardship she has endured. When she collects her adopted son, I couldn’t have been happier for both of them. Dag was a surprise and I enjoyed him and his friends.

Overall this story surprised me and made me look forward to diving back into it after a long day. I wouldn’t hesitate to read another by this author.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Anastasia Dodson

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An Interesting read from a new to me author. It pulled me in with the writing style and kept me interested with the characters and story telling. I am looking forward to more by this author in the future and would recommend to anyone that likes YA Paranormal reads!
Happy Reading!

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Stephanie Nordling

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading a paranormal story about a spidershifter. I was pleasantly blown away by the depth of the character who was so much more than my initial thought of “just a spidershifter”. I don’t hate spiders, but don’t have a specific love for them either. This novel gave me a different perspective and new appreciation. I hate reviews that give spoilers, so I won’t go into depth about certain elements. However, there are so many fully fleshed out characters in this. From Aranha to Jonah to Dag, even Lars. I’m deliberately giving zero context on these characters, so that you can go into them with your own thoughts. The story has multiple layers and is, thankfully, not a one note storyline. I love that the author switches between perspectives, it really adds to the “flawed narrator” aspect while giving you a true picture of the situation. You can see why one character would read a situation one way while another will see it completely differently. This is the first book from Courtney Davis that I’ve read, but it was engrossing enough that she has now been added to my (literal) list of authors that I hunt down every month to see if a new book has been released or announced for release. I really need A Spider in the Garden to be the first in a long running series. Basically, if you love paranormal stories like Anita Blake, Rachel Morgan, or Mercy Thompson, this will definitely be worth your time.

 

Reviewed by @StephanieNordling

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book caught me in it’s web and I couldn’t and didn’t want to break free until I finished it! I have never read a shifter book about spiders before and I am so glad I gave this one a chance! It was so good!! I said “one more chapter” until 1am and I was done. LOL! Aranha is the last of her kind. She’s a spider who is forever on the run from other super naturals who thought they killed out her kind long ago. She only preys on the worst people, so she can stay in the shadows and not draw attention to herself. Dag is a daywalker and one of the last ones left. His species is a dying bread as they have lost their only companions in the world with no other way to have children. Aranha walks into Dag’s bar and Aranha’s web spins out of control. She’s not sure she can trust him and he needs her help. Can a daywalker earn the trust of this scared spider and save a human from the vampires? They can’t believe that one another even exist, so working together might prove to hard. Aranha has only heard tales and doesn’t know what to expect from another species from The Garden of Eden. Dag sees a future for the first time in centuries, but will he scare her off before he can even explain? Boy oh boy, does this one just crawl up your spine. I for one would love to see this book turned into a movie! Hoping for more! I can see a great series with this one!!

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Reviewed by: @jaimie0459

A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Reveiw by Amanda Kimble

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5/5 Stars

A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis

This is the first book I’ve read by the author. Although it will not be my last, I can promise you that. The author sure does know how to capture a reader’s attention. A Spider in the Garden is an amazing book!

Aranha thought she was the last of her kind. When she saves a boy from his abusive father only to find that he’s a werewolf. Then she is found out by a Daywalker who she has taken a liking to. The quote I chose for Aranha is: “He won’t hurt you ever again, and I will get you out of here. I won’t harm you, Jonah, I swear it. No one is going to harm you ever again.”

Dag likes to be alone and doesn’t want to follow anyone. When a webmaker walks into his bar he wants to get to know her more. He finds that he wants to spend more time with. The quote I chose for Dag is: “Yeah, you didn’t come back alone, apparently the girl was primed enough to take on Eve’s spirit and when you escaped back from the garden she came too. Turned her into a webmaker as a result.”

Highly recommended for Fantasy Paranormal lovers.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Amanda Gonzalez

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A spider-shifter for a main character makes for an incredible new world of possibilities. I’ve never read anything with a Webmaker before and found this to be a more magical and interesting story because of it. I felt like I was reading the wild-west equivalent of urban fantasy and wasn’t sure what to expect, but thoroughly enjoyed reading more about this world. The story had a great and natural flow to it that got me to read it faster than I would have with a book of a similar length. The author created an amazing tale with a strong, female lead, enthralling plot, and intriguing side characters!

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Ashley Johnson

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So I was surprised at how much I loved this book! I am terrified of spiders but Aranha needs to be my new best friend! The story was original and refreshing! The is one of the best books that I have read a while. This is going to be in my top five for 2022, can’t change my mind. If you love shifter books and need something different you HAVE to read this. You won’t be disappointed.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Shelly Kittell

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was a definite treat for a fantasy reader like me. It was the first I read with a spider shifter. Aranha is a spider who thinks she is on the verge of extinction. She meets up with Dag, a daywalker who feels the same. Neither really trusts the other. They both end up on a mission that brings surprises. The book is full of action. I even finished it with my fear of spiders. The description of her fangs coming down, shifting into a spider or her little buddies coming out creeped me out. It made the book even better. I loved seeing the bit of romance develop between Dag and Aranha because walls had to fall. Twists and turns throughout the plot made it kind of like a wild slide. The characters were cool in a butt kicking way. I definitely recommend this.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Kayleigh Allen

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I defiantly judged this book by its cover. It looked like my kind of book, and it was! Aranha is such a strong amazing character. She defiantly needs a series, and I would read every single one of the books she’s in! I just couldn’t get enough of this book at all. Courtney Davis just gained a follower!

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Kerry Carr

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this paranormal story. The author does an amazing job with the characters and using characters that are unique such as the spider shifter. The author does an amazing job at building the characters and their stories and the romance between Aranha and Dag is special. Both are supposed to be enemies however they can’t help their attraction.

Aranha is a spider shifter. She is the last of her species and she likes to stay below the radar of other supernatural beings. The spider shifters have a lot of enemies and Aranha wants not part of running into them. She lives her life quietly and feeding off people who deserve to lose their life. In her mind she is saving people bu removing the dangers.

On one such mission she meets Dag a day walker. She immediately feel suspicion and danger around him but when he asks for her help to save an innocent she just can’t refuse.
Now placing herself in danger and the fact she exists out in the open she needs to be extra cautious about who she can and can’t trust. And as her feelings grow for Dag how are they going to deal with it. Can two sworn enemies become lovers?

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Moriah Venable

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Living alone for two hundred years, Aranha is the last of the spider shifters.

Dag is a vampire who can walk in sunlight. The two at some point may become extinct.

Once they meet, things get complicated as Dag sees a future in Aranha’s face.

I don’t really like spiders but the cover caught my attention before I read the premise. Not often you see spider shifters in a paranormal romance novel so I couldn’t pass it up.

I am glad that I picked this up. It was a wild ride but I did not want to put this book down even with the main character being a spider shifter. It was a refreshing take on the genre. With the romance being between a spider shifter and a vampire, I will admit I was curious how that was going to work.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and recommend this people looking for something different to read.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Jacque Flynn

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Aranha, a webmaker, spends 200 hundred years running and hiding just trying to survive. She rescues Jonah, a werewolf, and becomes a mother. She meets Dag, a daywalker, and the temperature gets turned way up. This book was original and had an interesting spin on the paranormal with the Garden of Eden being the beginning of all things. Aranha is strong and kind despite being a natural predator. I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down from start to finish.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Edie Kelleher

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Addictive and original! I loved the authors refreshing new take on this genre. With plenty of action and a bit of romance, it has everything you need to be hooked. I enjoyed the 2 different POVs, and felt connected to the character’s. I’m really hoping there are more books coming, and cant wait to dive into some other stories from this author.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Nakyshia Leger

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a fun read. Aranha is the last spider shifter alive. She lives a secluded life, always on alert and feeds on those that cause harm to the world. When she meets Dag, a daywalker, she wants nothing to do with him. But he sees nothing but a future with her. Neither really understands the existence of the other, but they find themselves teaming up to face a common enemy.

Aranha is a strong, fierce, warrior of a heroine. She is the kind of character that makes you want to be a stronger woman. When she starts to feel a spark with Dag, she doesn’t know how to handle it, and that is so relatable. She has to soften herself and let him closer to face the task at hand. The fantasy world the author has created is nothing short of magical. The background story is fascinating and like no other I have heard before. I was drawn into their world and found it hard to leave. I would love to read more stories about these creatures.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis-Review by Elena Tobar

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a captivating shifter book. Aranha is such a great heroine. She’s strong and beautiful and she has such a big heart. I was pulled right into the colorful world that the author creates from the very first page. This is so different from the other shifter stories that I’ve read and I absolutely loved it! There’s so much action, and the electricity between Aranha and Dag is incredible! I was fascinated by the Garden of Eden theme, how so much was shielded from everyone and faded into the background until it was brought back in a very startling way! It was great seeing the interactions between the different species that happens in this book, it’s one book that you definitely won’t want to miss.

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A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review By Angela Hayes

A Spider in the GardenA Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

5 Stars

 

It’s books like this that make keep me coming back for more. I get so excited when I find a book that looks like it will be an interesting read, but turns out to be so much more- providing an escape that just blows me away….
A Spider In the Garden is a fantastic urban fantasy from Courtney Davis. This may be my first read by Ms. Davis, but after reading this book she has definitely gained a stalker, ummm I mean avid reader, for life!!!! #mustreadauthorlist
This is such a wonderful, and refreshingly original paranormal romance that completely captivated me right from the beginning. As a major arachnophobe, like I can’t even stand to be in the same room as a spider (even a teeny-tiny one)- the chances of me falling in love with a spider-shifter story wasn’t a high probability. But as I love to read different things and push myself out of my comfort zones, I thought I would take a peek at this story. And I am soooooooooo happy I did, because I absolutely LOVED it!!! Yep, this may have cured me of my arachnophobia- well let’s not get too carried away, but at the very least this has cured me of my fear of spiders in the printed world lol.
Aranha is a spider shifter, and the last of her kind. Her days are a constant struggle for survival. Humans don’t pose a threat to her, but the vampires and werewolves certainly do. It’s imperative that she stay hidden from other paranormal creatures who would kill her if they knew of her existence. Much better for them to think webmakers to be extinct. But then fate leads her into Dag’s bar, and things get….interesting. Add in some hidden agendas, an innocent girl captured by vampires with a diabolical plan, intrigue, mystery, emotion, paranormal politics, and palpable danger- and this story really takes off. I hope there are more books planned for this ‘world’ as Ms. Davis has left me with a bit of an addiction and I need another ‘fix’.
I am so thrilled to have discovered Ms. Davis and her wonderful stories. I am off to read her other book ‘A Werewolf in Women’s Clothes’ and can’t wait for her to release more stories for me to devour…..
Happy Reading!

Thank you, Courtney Davis!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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