Wild Rites Saga Series by Anna McIlwraith

Magic is real? Big deal. Bills still gotta be paid. Especially when you’re heading into vet med. Emma Chase is nothing special – if anything, with a roomie who turns into a jaguar on a regular basis, she’s the sidekick, not the heroine. Her superpowers have more to do with acing her finals and overworking herself. Knowing her best friend’s secret makes it easier to justify her own inclination to keep people at a distance, but it doesn’t change her life... moreMagic is real? Big deal. Bills still gotta be paid. Especially when you’re heading into vet med. Emma Chase is nothing special – if anything, with a roomie who turns into a jaguar on a regular basis, she’s the sidekick, not the heroine. Her superpowers have more to do with acing her finals and overworking herself. Knowing her best friend’s secret makes it easier to justify her own inclination to keep people at a distance, but it doesn’t change her life. Until others like him show up on her doorstep, convinced she’s the fated savior of their race, telling her she’s destined to command the magic of – well, Emma doesn’t quite catch that part, she’s too busy getting her ass the hell out of there. What she does know? The Jaguar King is after her, his rivals want her dead, and she doesn’t have to believe in prophecy to believe they’ll stop at nothing to catch her. Violence. Magic. Inappropriate humor. Step into a world of wonder and savagery in a gritty urban fantasy with an unlikely heroine, sizzling heroes, and complicated villains. The Jaguar King is a full-length read and the first in a series, and all the books have satisfying resolutions as well as a series-spanning story arc. Definitely no cliff-hangers – just bad-ass shifters with one goal: claim the prize. Claim the Caller of the Blood. less

A hidden stronghold in the heart of Egypt — a kingdom on the edge of ruin, ruled by fear and forgotten magic.Sounds like a great place for a vacation, right? Emma Chase isn’t exactly thrilled by the idea, but the jackals will do anything to get their claws on her, for she is the Caller of the Blood, a human woman destined to command the magic of all shapechanging races — which is a teensy bit more complicated than it sounds... moreA hidden stronghold in the heart of Egypt — a kingdom on the edge of ruin, ruled by fear and forgotten magic.Sounds like a great place for a vacation, right? Emma Chase isn’t exactly thrilled by the idea, but the jackals will do anything to get their claws on her, for she is the Caller of the Blood, a human woman destined to command the magic of all shapechanging races — which is a teensy bit more complicated than it sounds. And while Emma and her weird assortment of friends, allies and protectors are safe on an enchanted farm in the California Mountains, the Jackal Prince’s invitation is too dangerous to refuse. Problem is, accepting it could be just as deadly, especially since Emma’s going to need the help of a powerful ancient with an unbreakable — and totally unfair — grudge against her.Emma’s got a few tricks up her sleeve, but she’s human, and she can be broken. Somehow she’ll have to get her friends out of the jackal kingdom alive before the jackals kill her first — or worse, find a way to claim her power for their own. less

A desperate king, a dying princess, and an orphaned boy who won’t speak of the horror that claimed his pack. Of all the shapechanger races Emma’s met so far, the wolves are the most loyal — and the least tame. When the Russian wolves beg Emma for help, she jumps at the chance to use her burgeoning powers for good, in spite of the misgivings of those who would rather she stay safe and untouched under their protection... moreA desperate king, a dying princess, and an orphaned boy who won’t speak of the horror that claimed his pack. Of all the shapechanger races Emma’s met so far, the wolves are the most loyal — and the least tame. When the Russian wolves beg Emma for help, she jumps at the chance to use her burgeoning powers for good, in spite of the misgivings of those who would rather she stay safe and untouched under their protection. After all, Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood, destined to command the magic of all shapechanging races — and if her power can’t save one innocent kid, what the hell is it good for? Besides, the Russian wolves might be able to help her solve the mystery of her own stray wolf’s origins, or at least give her some tips on how to stop him chewing up the furniture. But old enemies have been biding their time, and Emma’s promise to the wolves sets events in motion that will push her to the limits of her mind, body and soul, and finally awaken the ancient powers that have, until now, lain dormant within. Can she save the wolf’s heir — and herself? Caller of the Blood | Series Reading Order: Book 1 — The Jaguar King Book 2 — The Jackal Prince Book 3 — The Wolf’s Heir less

Betrayed, bereft, and beaten — but not broken. Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood, destined to command the magic of all shapechanging races. She’s been to Hell and back and she’ll never be the same, but she’s rebuilding her life — and her sanity — with the help of some totally unexpected allies. If only she knew how to heal the one person whose soul is bound to hers forever... moreBetrayed, bereft, and beaten — but not broken. Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood, destined to command the magic of all shapechanging races. She’s been to Hell and back and she’ll never be the same, but she’s rebuilding her life — and her sanity — with the help of some totally unexpected allies. If only she knew how to heal the one person whose soul is bound to hers forever. But that’s soon to be the least of her problems, because there’s a war coming, and the only one who knows how to stop it is Alexi, the Serpent Priest. He’s also the one who caused it. With her friends scattered and their fates unknown, Emma is on the run and searching for answers in far-flung places. She will risk everything to save the people she loves — even if it might mean losing her humanity somewhere along the way. less

One call can change everything. The war with the serpent priesthood is over, and as the dust settles, Emma’s seizing her happiness while she can – especially when it comes to the tall, dark and deadly serpent priest who risked everything to keep her safe and claim her for his own. Things with Alexi are complicated, and to make matters worse, the walking god is back: “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe how Emma feels about him... moreOne call can change everything. The war with the serpent priesthood is over, and as the dust settles, Emma’s seizing her happiness while she can – especially when it comes to the tall, dark and deadly serpent priest who risked everything to keep her safe and claim her for his own. Things with Alexi are complicated, and to make matters worse, the walking god is back: “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe how Emma feels about him. They’ve got no idea just how complicated things are about to get when a call from Aunt Chase – who thinks Emma’s still back in LA, living her old, human life – sends Emma and her friends on an emergency trip to the UK, landing them right in the middle of an ancient feud between Emma’s beloved warrior Red Sun and the ruthless royal bear clans that shunned him. That would be enough to contend with, but there’s also a stealthier enemy watching the streets of London, and the ravens bow to no one, not even their destined savior. Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood, fated to command the power of all shapeshifter races and bound to many through magic and through love. She’s the miracle cure for the wasting illness claiming shapeshifter kind, and there’s a chance she might be the harbinger of the end of the world, not to mention the questionable status of her own humanity now her powers have fully awakened. Aunt Chase can’t know the truth. And rivals both old and new are closing in… less

This is a short story of about 17,000 words, or 40—45 pages. Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood, chosen by fate and ancient magic to hold the power of all shapeshifting races in her hands. She’s held her own against monsters, gods, and even a bloodsucking ex-boyfriend, but none of that can help her when it comes to untangling the mysteries of her complicated bear warrior, Red Sun... moreThis is a short story of about 17,000 words, or 40—45 pages. Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood, chosen by fate and ancient magic to hold the power of all shapeshifting races in her hands. She’s held her own against monsters, gods, and even a bloodsucking ex-boyfriend, but none of that can help her when it comes to untangling the mysteries of her complicated bear warrior, Red Sun. Please note, this is a short story set in the universe of the Wild Rites Saga, and as such it contains massive spoilers for the previous books. If you’re new to the series and want to start the story at the beginning, here’s where you need to go (copy and paste into your browser) - https://www.amazon.com/Jaguar-King-Wi... The Bear’s Surrender takes place halfway between books 5 (The Raven Thief) and 6 (yet to be released) of The Wild Rites Saga. It contains massive spoilers for the previous books and features characters and relationships that may not make sense out of context. It also contains some steamy scenes. If that’s not your cup of tea, you don’t need to read this short story to understand the events of the next upcoming book. less