myworldinwordsandpages

Years ago when Grimm first saw Red, he did what he'd never done before. What he never thought he'd do. He broke a law. An important Reaper law and granted reprieve to Tess by not taking her soul in death. Nate has once again disregarded his calling for another along with taking a life before it's time. Nate hasn't received his visit from the judges yet. They always come to discipline him. But the delay now has him scared for Tess. He won't let her out of his sight, especially not on their case trying to apprehend the dangerous escapee from the Asylum. Nate's past and Reaper background has caught up with him, and the woman he loves.

Kate and her prologues. Such a needed view of an important past event to set the stage of our main character. Nate's words, his story, bleed the feeling and  emotions felt. I felt them. The prologue sets it all with the first time he ever saw Tess. The story follows suit splendidly. Nate's first sight of Tess is so romantic and yet has a twinge of tragic to it.

This whole novella is through Nate's eyes. Dang, that man! Oh my! I love Nate, always have. But after reading this... We learn the secrets that Nate holds near and dear to him. The secrets he fears losing Tess for if she ever knew the whole truth, the Reaper part and before. Wow. We learn the meaning of his "tattoos" and for what he paid penance for to receive them. Nate has been guilty time and again for what Reapers aren't to do. Then he took a life before it's time, even though she was cruel and evil it was still before her time.

Kate has once again crafted a mystery story and weaved it through with romance. She is amazing at this creation. The escape from the Asylum. The story behind Nate and his worry for Tess's safety. So much depth to the story!

This story takes place just months after the first book Red. But, I like that it didn't come out until after the third book. There are hints here that reference what happens in the third book, Along Came a Spider. So to keep that feeling and the feel of "aaah" here, I would say read the first three books before this. But, definitely wait until after readingRed before this one, it won't make as much sense or hit the cord with Red and Tess in your heart otherwise.

There are little answers to things we didn't see in the books with the POVs we were seeing through. One is the Tribunal coming to their decision over a mysteriously disappearing body. We see Nicky asking his favor of Nate.

This novella ties together all the books and their happenings smoothly. A must read if you are loving Kate's Transplanted Talesseries as much as I am.