Review: Declaration of Courtship – Nalini Singh

Posted 23 February, 2016 by Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 14 Comments


Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
Review: Declaration of Courtship – Nalini SinghDeclaration of Courtship by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #9.5
Published by Berkley on 5 November 2013
Genres: Adult, Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 119
Format: Kindle
Source: Kindle Purchase
5 Stars

A dominant changeling wolf, SnowDancer lieutenant Cooper is not known for his patience. But when it comes to courting the shy, sexy woman he wants in his life and in his bed, he’ll have to use every ounce of control in his body to keep both man and wolf in check…at least until he convinces Grace he only bites a little.

One of the most submissive wolves in the SnowDancer pack, Grace knows nothing can come of her sensual fascination with big, bad, beautiful Cooper. He might possess her over and over in erotic dreams that leave her aching for the rough heat of his touch, but she knows that in reality, he is far too dangerous for her to handle. Then Cooper decides to change all the rules…

I have missed the psy-changeling universe, and Declaration of Courtship was the perfect cure! Very cleverly done, with an unconventional romance between an alpha lieutenant and a submissive female, I can’t stop smiling at their loving interactions!

Review - (un)Conventional Bookviews

Singh was so very clever with Declaration of Courtship! I am not always a fan of novellas, because they feel somehow rushed in many ways. At the beginning of this one, however, it was made clear that Cooper and Grace had wanted each other ever since she joined the Snow Dancer pack six months ago. Thus, what might have felt like a rushed romance wasn’t rushed at all, and the story spanned over enough time for the courtship to be delectable.

Grace was a submissive in many ways, but she was definitely not a doormat, and as she got to know Cooper even better, she wasn’t afraid to tell him no, or to even get mad at him when the situation warranted it. I loved how Cooper tried to be so careful around her at first, until he realized that she didn’t really need him to – she wanted all of him – even the dominant parts. When he made his intentions clear, with a real declaration of courtship as it were, she was both elated and a little scared. He was pretty straight forward about wanting her forever.

As always, I was feeling right at home in the Psy-Changeling universe, and I think the biggest difference between the novella format of Declaration of Courtship and a full length novel in the series was that the whole focus was on the couple, with no extreme danger coming from outside. There was plenty going on, though, both between Cooper and Grace, and with the pack, and even her brother and sister from a neighbouring pack. As Grace dared to show her own strengths, Cooper got what he needed as well – a love that was strong and pure, with no holding back.

Written in third person point of view, past tense, and with some sassy dialogues and humorous quips, Declaration of Courtship was a quick, hot read, and one I recommend if you’re a fan of this series.

Fave Quotes - (un)Conventional Bookviews

He’d stayed away from his sexy new systems-maintenance engineer for over six months. Six months. It might as well have been a decade, as far as he was concerned.

Don’t run from me sweetheart, he thought as he took the final steps to her. I only bite a little. Not quite true, but he was planning to be on his best behavior until she trusted him enough to handle the aggressive sensuality that was an integral aspect of his nature.

Even no, the lingering whisper of it caused her skin to prickle, her mind cascading with sensory memories of the dark heat of his muscled body, the deep bronze of his skin, the black hair he’d taken to shaving so close to his skull she had to constantly fight the urge to reach up and brush her hand over the bristles. 

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.

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14 responses to “Review: Declaration of Courtship – Nalini Singh

  1. The Psy-Changeling universe sounds very intriguing. I’m glad to hear that despite being submissive, Grace dared to show her own strengths – sometimes submissives are just that, submissive, and authors forget that just because a person is submissive doesn’t mean they can’t be strong too.

    Majanka recently posted: Teaser Tuesdays (39)
  2. I was a little concerned when I first saw you picked this up and then saw it was not listed as available for audio version. I do love this series on audio, so I don’t know how I would feel about reading it. I’ve never read anything in this series, just listened. After reading your review, I started thinking and looked this story up. It was originally included in Wild Invitation, so I have listened to it.

    I like novellas for series that I’m already reading. They usually give us a glimpse into the lives of some of the secondary characters who don’t get as much page time. Or there are some who go back revisit past PNR couples to see how they’re doing, maybe when a crisis isn’t going on. I do agree that sometimes the relationships feel rushed. That is one reason I prefer to stick to series I’m already reading, the authors don’t have to world build or even develop the characters as much, because we are already familiar with them. Stand alone novellas tend to be too short, but sometimes work. Just depends. Great review.

    Melanie Simmons @mlsimmons recently posted: Grave Visions Audiobook by Kalayna Price (REVIEW)
    • I have listened to two of the novels in this series in audio, and I loved it, too! So well done, I was completely transported. I still enjoy reading it, though, but I totally get what you mean, Melanie.
      Getting glimpses into the lives of other characters is what I love with novellas in my fave series as well, and often, I have already encountered the characters, so it’s much easier for me to be swept off my feet 🙂

  3. I’m happy this was the perfect ‘fix’ for you, Lexxie. It does sound like Singh did well in giving you a fulfilling story in a novella package – and that’s great. I really need to start this series but I want to finish the Hunter’s Guild first. 😉
    I hope you’re having a terrific Tuesday! *BIG HUGS*

  4. Braine
    Twitter:

    Sounds perfect!

    I Don’t know when or if I’m ever going to get around to reading this series. It’s too darn long to get caught up with. I know I’m missing out because it sounds so good and very old school PNR

  5. I have read the first two-read one, listened to one, and really love the series. Not sure if I would be on board with the dom-sub premise though. Just not my thing, but I am glad you enjoyed it 🙂

  6. oh yay for the changelings. I loved this novella as well Lexxie. It was so well done, and Singh handled this relationship in just the right way. I have already re read it, I enjoyed it so much hehe. These two are such a addicting couple. I did like the whole dominant-submissive relationship especially with the hero being so patient (which the dominants aren’t known for their patience right?) But you see how much he holds himself back to give her what she needs. Love that.

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