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Shifter's Destiny
Nothing can stop a shape-shifter from fulfilling his legacy… except a beguiling yet forbidden young woman on a quest to save her sister.
There are some boundaries mustangs must never cross—even for true love.
Libby wasn't looking for anything but escape when she took her little sister and fled the malevolent cult they once called family. When a horse appears to carry them from danger, she sees only a ride—and not the horn set in its forehead.
Josh knows he wants Libby from the moment their eyes meet. Trouble is, his heritage demands that he claim a virgin bride—or else suffer dark consequences. But he can't turn away from a female in need, either. With "The Community" closing in, the unicorn-shifter will have to summon all of his strength to resist Libby's allure and protect the sisters from harm.
He may be no knight in shining armor, but he's got the hooves to back up his claim.
There are some boundaries mustangs must never cross—even for true love.
Libby wasn't looking for anything but escape when she took her little sister and fled the malevolent cult they once called family. When a horse appears to carry them from danger, she sees only a ride—and not the horn set in its forehead.
Josh knows he wants Libby from the moment their eyes meet. Trouble is, his heritage demands that he claim a virgin bride—or else suffer dark consequences. But he can't turn away from a female in need, either. With "The Community" closing in, the unicorn-shifter will have to summon all of his strength to resist Libby's allure and protect the sisters from harm.
He may be no knight in shining armor, but he's got the hooves to back up his claim.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 21, 2012
About the author
Anna Leonard
11 books12 followersaka Laura Anne Gilman
aka L.A. Kornetsky
aka L.A. Liverakos
aka L.A. Kornetsky
aka L.A. Liverakos
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 1, 2023
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POV: You got this wereunicorn book to laugh at it and ended up loving it. Who had that on their 2023 bingo card? Because I didn't.
I found out about this book because my friend, karen, shelved it and I thought HAHA THAT'S SO RIDICULOUS. I MUST READ IT. I have a "weekly" challenge called What the Actual Fuck Wednesday that I've become fairly well-known for where I read and review weird romance and erotica books that people recommend to me. Most of them are just lolwut funny and I don't actually enjoy them, but some I end up loving.
Like this book.
Maggie and Elizabeth are two sisters who are on the run from an evil cult that's been up to weird culty shenanigans that involve murder and other shit. When they're cornered, something saves them from being dragged into a van: a big white unicorn.
Enter Josh Thee Unicorn, the hero of our story. They're basically wereunicorns who live normal lives except when they all convene together every few years. However, if they don't mate with a virgin, they end up losing the ability to become human. Too bad Elizabeth, the older sister, isn't a virgin. Anyway, apart from this one incel-y tradition, Josh is a stand-up guy, a consent king, who is so comfortable with his masculinity that at one point he refers to himself as a "pretty pony." The Mustang community is matriarchal and Josh is a stan for the strong women he feels compelled to protect: in this case, Maggie and Elizabeth, his honorary herd.
I don't want to say too much more because spoilers, but this was such a great romance with the perfect amount of tension, and just enough weirdness to make it memorable rather than wtf. I loved Elizabeth and Josh and even Maggie, the kid sister, was a great character. It's not spicy and the couple doesn't even do it until the very end of the book, but I loved that the heroine wasn't a virgin and I thought the author tweaked her nose at the virgin/unicorn myth in a funny way.
P.S. Anna Leonard is apparently a pen name for the fantasy/pnr author Laura Anne Gilman, who I LOVE, and I didn't even know that before buying this book. So if you're a fan of her work and you ran out of books of hers to read, now you have a new backlist to explore.
3.5 to 4 stars
June 11, 2017
SHIFTER'S DESTINY is an original and beautiful take on shape-shifting, where the male character transforms to a unicorn stallion, ready to protect young females and take them into his herd - even if the herd they are leaving is vile and threatening.
Elizabeth and Maggie are close sisters, with young Maggie just thirteen, when life changes at their isolationist commune in New England and they flee the new leader and his sinister plans for them. He sends workers to pull them back but a stray horse knocks down the commune members and the two girls seize their chance to escape. Only as they shelter in a nearby wood do they realise that the horse is in fact a white unicorn. Next morning it has vanished and they are being watched over by a tall, strong fair-haired man. He tells them his name is Joshua Mustang and he will see them to safety.
Joshua is of a tribe of shape-shifters which lived in peace with the native peoples of North America but hid and adapted when colonisation occurred. Mares rule the herd and young males leave at the age of nineteen, wandering as humans until called by the demands of their bodies to find a mate for life. If Josh doesn't succeed he will be stuck in his four-legged shape forever. Elizabeth and Josh can't avoid feeling the growing chemistry between them but there are two problems: Elizabeth is not a virgin, which unicorns traditionally require, and the commune is sending evil genetically altered cat and bear beasts to track the girls. Soon the three are running and fighting for their lives.
Anna Leonard has created a story for all those of us who love horses and love shapechangers, with plenty of fast-paced adventure in a deceptively simple and well-realised location. More of these please.
Elizabeth and Maggie are close sisters, with young Maggie just thirteen, when life changes at their isolationist commune in New England and they flee the new leader and his sinister plans for them. He sends workers to pull them back but a stray horse knocks down the commune members and the two girls seize their chance to escape. Only as they shelter in a nearby wood do they realise that the horse is in fact a white unicorn. Next morning it has vanished and they are being watched over by a tall, strong fair-haired man. He tells them his name is Joshua Mustang and he will see them to safety.
Joshua is of a tribe of shape-shifters which lived in peace with the native peoples of North America but hid and adapted when colonisation occurred. Mares rule the herd and young males leave at the age of nineteen, wandering as humans until called by the demands of their bodies to find a mate for life. If Josh doesn't succeed he will be stuck in his four-legged shape forever. Elizabeth and Josh can't avoid feeling the growing chemistry between them but there are two problems: Elizabeth is not a virgin, which unicorns traditionally require, and the commune is sending evil genetically altered cat and bear beasts to track the girls. Soon the three are running and fighting for their lives.
Anna Leonard has created a story for all those of us who love horses and love shapechangers, with plenty of fast-paced adventure in a deceptively simple and well-realised location. More of these please.
May 5, 2014
I was quite smitten with this unique shifter experience. The whole concept was very original, and I was thrust into a very vivid world where Unicorn shifters existed, and a love story that didn't just happen based on insta-love, but it took some realistic time to develop.
The core of the writing was very rich. I believed all these characters were real, and I wanted to be inside this story. I was reading, and it felt like I was watching a movie because the author wrote the world so well I was so lost in it. The mytho behind the Unicorn shifters was brilliant. I understood it, I believed it, and that is the most important part of a fantasy romance--when you set the tone and create a believable vivid world that the reader can get lost in.
I felt connected to every character, and I wanted more when the story was over. I was so hoping we would get a sequel with Maggie finding a love, but alas, I don't think that is going to happen.
I really liked the villain, he was so super-villian eccentric perfect! The whole set up with the community was kind of brilliant, and I didn't expect what was coming at all. I felt it added a perfect dynamic to the tension pacing of the book! Honestly, in a world were we get very little horse/unicorn shifters I highly recommend this book!
The core of the writing was very rich. I believed all these characters were real, and I wanted to be inside this story. I was reading, and it felt like I was watching a movie because the author wrote the world so well I was so lost in it. The mytho behind the Unicorn shifters was brilliant. I understood it, I believed it, and that is the most important part of a fantasy romance--when you set the tone and create a believable vivid world that the reader can get lost in.
I felt connected to every character, and I wanted more when the story was over. I was so hoping we would get a sequel with Maggie finding a love, but alas, I don't think that is going to happen.
I really liked the villain, he was so super-villian eccentric perfect! The whole set up with the community was kind of brilliant, and I didn't expect what was coming at all. I felt it added a perfect dynamic to the tension pacing of the book! Honestly, in a world were we get very little horse/unicorn shifters I highly recommend this book!
February 20, 2015
3.5 stars - Time is running out for shape shifter Josh, he must heed the call to find a mate for if he doesn't the consequences are dire. But when he comes across Libby and her young sister Maggie struggling to avoid being forcibly taken back to the 'Community' they have fled, Josh's protective instincts trump his more basic 'needs' and he will risk everything to keep Libby and Maggie safe.
I have been a huge shape shifter fan for years but I can honestly say that I have never come across another leading man like Josh. A were-unicorn stallion - how cool is that? And that he is a protector at heart who is willing to sacrifice his future - and lose the chance of a mate and family -to keep Libby and her sister free from those who hunt them, makes him doubly appealing. I also liked the romance part of the story, Josh has good chemistry with the 'unsuitable' Libby and I liked the conflict generated by the background plot even though I didn't care for the 'what' of the background plot itself and don't think that the secret that is lurking in the shadows of Libby's closed community make much sense.
Nits aside, I liked Shifter's Destiny which was nice light paranormal romance read from Anna Leonard, who is the romance alter ego of my beloved Retrievers' author Laura Anne Gilman.
I have been a huge shape shifter fan for years but I can honestly say that I have never come across another leading man like Josh. A were-unicorn stallion - how cool is that? And that he is a protector at heart who is willing to sacrifice his future - and lose the chance of a mate and family -to keep Libby and her sister free from those who hunt them, makes him doubly appealing. I also liked the romance part of the story, Josh has good chemistry with the 'unsuitable' Libby and I liked the conflict generated by the background plot even though I didn't care for the 'what' of the background plot itself and don't think that the secret that is lurking in the shadows of Libby's closed community make much sense.
Nits aside, I liked Shifter's Destiny which was nice light paranormal romance read from Anna Leonard, who is the romance alter ego of my beloved Retrievers' author Laura Anne Gilman.
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December 27, 2014Unicorn shapeshifter!
I really enjoyed this book on many different levels. The plot was interesting. The characters were original. The writing inspired by many horse-y thoughts. Overall a delightful read. ~ Kim S.
I really enjoyed this book on many different levels. The plot was interesting. The characters were original. The writing inspired by many horse-y thoughts. Overall a delightful read. ~ Kim S.
October 24, 2012
Laura Anne Gilman is an autobuy author for me, so when I discover she had a new Paranormal Romance out under the name of Anna Leonard, I snapped it up.
And I am glad I did.
I fell in love with this story.
The shapeshifting unicorns felt unique, and was a welcome relief from the standard shapeshifters like Werewolves. What I liked was how believable their traits felt. Ms Leonard had included traits from horses, and used them that made total sense, and at the same time added an extra layer of tension.
. That both Maggie and Elizabeth had gifts were obvious, but I liked how different they were. Maggie's was obvious, but Elizabeth's gift was more neboulus.
The plot sucked me in, and it kept me hooked. The sexual tension between Josh and Elizabeth, the rut, the fear that the villain will catch them... All of it works together to create a tense, fast paced story set against the quaint New England country side. That the plot built up towards an confrontation with the bad guy was clear. But how it happened took me by surprise.
It was touching to see how Elizabeth cared for Maggie, and how Maggie loved her in return. Josh was a reluctant hero at first, since he had to return home. Yet, I adored him for the fact that he was there for them when they needed him the most.
September 2, 2012
3.5 to 4 stars
This was better than I was expecting. I wanted to read it because the hero is a were-unicorn. That sounded a little ridiculous, but Josh turned out to be a pretty cool guy. This book has action, evil villains who want to alter the path of humanity, and likable heroes. It dragged a little between the action scenes, but it kept me turning the pages.
This was better than I was expecting. I wanted to read it because the hero is a were-unicorn. That sounded a little ridiculous, but Josh turned out to be a pretty cool guy. This book has action, evil villains who want to alter the path of humanity, and likable heroes. It dragged a little between the action scenes, but it kept me turning the pages.
July 23, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and well developed and the plot moved along well. The romance was sweet and I just really enjoyed reading this one.
December 26, 2012
Though I found this book lacking in heat. That was the only place i found it lacking. It was a fast paced and riviting read. The best of my recent reads.
December 9, 2013
Took a little bit for the romance part to appear because there was a lot of focus on the conflicts but otherwise I really enjoyed it.
May 13, 2017
This book was good. Libby escapes the cult and takes her little sister with her after her parents had died when a bad flu was going around. She knew there was something very, very wrong about the cult but couldn't figure it out. On the run, she meets up with Josh, who is a unicorn shifter. He has left his herd looking for his mate and decides to help them stay hidden until the cult cannot find them anymore. Lots of action and good plot. Kept my interest from the very first. Recommend.
June 13, 2013
While I'm all for a story featuring a were-equine as H, this really suffers from a dearth of background. I don't get the sense that the author HAS a world built for this either. Too bad too because with a little more background from the H's people, it would have been really good. Well, that and maybe a bit more explanation as to what the villain was actually doing. The feel that one was just plunked down in the middle of a world built might be ok, if a bit disconcerting, in a series. On a free-standing novel though, it makes for confusion and frustration because it can't be solved by reading another book.
So... my review is essentially based on a story without knowing or ever being able to find out "the rest of the story". It's kinda like reviewing a sample except in this case there is a HEA there so theoretically it's done. Enough about that.
Our H is a shape-shifting unicorn who according to tradition must mate with a bonafide virgin while in the rut. All we know about the rut is that he's horny, he has difficulty not shifting to equine form, and if he doesn't complete this task by an unspecified time, he'll be stuck in equine form. Forever. Yeah. Lots of info there. We don't really know how long he's been like this, or how long he has, but he's only sidetracked by the h for 4 stinkin' days and is at risk of being stuck.
The h...has premonitions about monsters. Her kid sister can call animals. She can also cause people to be afraid. The bad guy wants her under his thumb for essentially a breeding program to create people with animal characteristics. Besides the fact that no explanation is given how he created his manimals he has caged up in the first place, the most obvious hole in this plot is if she can control the beasties at all, she can turn them on him at any moment. And she could render him incapable of fighting back. But that notion seems to be overlooked in favor of him sending goons and monsters after her.
Eventually, the kid overhears the concern that the H is gonna get stuck in equine form, and leaves, letting the bad guy catch her. H/h run to her rescue, bad guy killed, all but one remaining mutant killed, H badly injured though no real explanation as to how (that seems to be the norm - the equine is clawed up a bit, next thing you know, the H is bleeding all over the place and dying.), some weird reactions on his part to...what? The rut? Don't see how it could cause him to bleed out the nose/mouth. Then again, I thought that required you to oh I dunno, have a punctured lung or something - no indication that happened. Less than half an hour later, he's walking - sort of - to the escape vehicle. I get that he heals fast but he goes from being sure he's dying to well on his way to recovery in nothing flat.
Oh. And the rut? Does not take the almighty hymen to cure; just the mate. All that drama for nothing. He could have boinked her in the first chapter or two and been cured.
So... my review is essentially based on a story without knowing or ever being able to find out "the rest of the story". It's kinda like reviewing a sample except in this case there is a HEA there so theoretically it's done. Enough about that.
Our H is a shape-shifting unicorn who according to tradition must mate with a bonafide virgin while in the rut. All we know about the rut is that he's horny, he has difficulty not shifting to equine form, and if he doesn't complete this task by an unspecified time, he'll be stuck in equine form. Forever. Yeah. Lots of info there. We don't really know how long he's been like this, or how long he has, but he's only sidetracked by the h for 4 stinkin' days and is at risk of being stuck.
The h...has premonitions about monsters. Her kid sister can call animals. She can also cause people to be afraid. The bad guy wants her under his thumb for essentially a breeding program to create people with animal characteristics. Besides the fact that no explanation is given how he created his manimals he has caged up in the first place, the most obvious hole in this plot is if she can control the beasties at all, she can turn them on him at any moment. And she could render him incapable of fighting back. But that notion seems to be overlooked in favor of him sending goons and monsters after her.
Eventually, the kid overhears the concern that the H is gonna get stuck in equine form, and leaves, letting the bad guy catch her. H/h run to her rescue, bad guy killed, all but one remaining mutant killed, H badly injured though no real explanation as to how (that seems to be the norm - the equine is clawed up a bit, next thing you know, the H is bleeding all over the place and dying.), some weird reactions on his part to...what? The rut? Don't see how it could cause him to bleed out the nose/mouth. Then again, I thought that required you to oh I dunno, have a punctured lung or something - no indication that happened. Less than half an hour later, he's walking - sort of - to the escape vehicle. I get that he heals fast but he goes from being sure he's dying to well on his way to recovery in nothing flat.
Oh. And the rut? Does not take the almighty hymen to cure; just the mate. All that drama for nothing. He could have boinked her in the first chapter or two and been cured.
December 10, 2014
2.7 Stars. Public Library 12/9/14. I found this one to be disappointing. It was everything the description said it would be but the ending missed its mark for me. Josh is a were-unicorn who must return home and find a virgin mate once he goes into rut. Libby and Maggie are running from a bad man in their hometown when Josh comes to the rescue. Libby and Josh are smitten with each other as soon as they meet but she's not a virgin. I wasn't a fan of the virgin theme especially since I doubt Josh as a 30 year old man was one and giving him a rut where he wanted to sleep with any woman insight seems counterproductive to finding a shy virgin. Then when Libby and Josh finally get together as we knew they were going to we have a just kidding moment I didn't need a virgin and then moved on. A lot of time is spent talking about the Community which is the town Libby and Maggie grew up in as well as the people but as we hit the climax and defeat the bad guy the issues aren't really resolved just left laying about. Overall good idea for a story, liked the Community, and were-unicorn but the book lacked a strong finish. Not to mention the adult fun times were disappointing and happened too late in the book.
June 4, 2013
I was really into the idea of a unicorn shifter, and the book's language was vivid and fluent. Unfortunately, I wound up feeling pretty disappointed by a couple things. For one, the Evil Plot that drives the story turned out too weird to be believable. It was hard to see how the villain would get anywhere with the stuff he's trying to create/set up, even if everything worked well for him. For another, the romance felt like an afterthought. I got the idea that the author was into the paranormal worldbuilding, and didn't really have time for a romance considering all the action she wanted to put in. If I'd bought the book in another context that would have been okay, but when I read a Harlequin title, I really want the romance to be front and center.
April 18, 2015
I picked up this little book with an unassuming title at the grocery store one day because I liked the purple cover with the handsome man and the unicorn on it. Plus, the blurb snagged me and I wanted to know more. It's taken me a while to get to reading it, but boy am I glad I did. This story starts in the middle of realistic action and doesn't let up until the end. It's full of drama, adventure, sexual tension and suspense, plus Ms. Leonard addresses the misogynistic rules and beliefs about "purity" and "virginity" in such a cool way. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is I would've had a little more action and "sizing" up between the Lead Mare and Elizabeth at the end. Great tale and I'll be interested in more of Ms. Leonard's work.
December 14, 2012
One of the best worst books I've ever read. This is a romance (albeit a largely unconsummated one till some awkward final pages) featuring a vegetarian were-unicorn named Josh. Who, you know, finds himself "in rut" and needing that human virgin mate before he's stuck forever in unicorn form -- but then winds up distracted rescuing two sisters fleeing The Community (why not a little touch of the Amish?), where the crazed cult leader's been concocting crazy beasts of his own. Monster show-down and lots of "riding" things and "horse sense", because, obviously. What more do you need to know?
January 11, 2013
Although this read like nothing I have ever read.. er sort of.. I have to say that I felt awkward the whole way through. I don't know if I was turned off by the animal nature or what?. It just felt strange reading about the love interest. The actual writing wasn't terrible. It was just the story that didn't gel well with me.
November 1, 2014
This was a fast paced, quick read. I really enjoyed the idea of a were-unicorn. I mean, wow, what completely off-the-wall imagination. Wonderful.
Josh is hot and so wonderful. I did find Libby a bit rubbish at times, but she finally comes into her own as lead mare and makes Josh stay in his human form when he has to. I liked Maggie, a really sweet secondary character.
Josh is hot and so wonderful. I did find Libby a bit rubbish at times, but she finally comes into her own as lead mare and makes Josh stay in his human form when he has to. I liked Maggie, a really sweet secondary character.
May 14, 2016
Interesting storyline and characters. I liked that for once the shifter is not of a predatory kind but still very alpha and protective. This was a nice feeling.
The story lack some elements to make it more realistic but I still enjoyed it.
The story lack some elements to make it more realistic but I still enjoyed it.
Shelved as 'consider'
October 7, 2012I'm not sure I can get behind a unicorn shifting man without giggling. I'll try to hunt this book up and see...
September 27, 2014
Fun little read. Very quick. Also very original for the genre.
July 19, 2015
It's a harlequin
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