The world of ‘Windbrothers Desert’ fascinated me as much as the first time when I recently reread the first novel in the series, so I was excited to get to read these stories again as well. A lot of the world building is explained and deepened in the five stories in this collection, and since they take place before the beginning of ‘Windbrothers Desert’, they make excellent background reading. More than that though, they are wonderful tales in their own right. The winds are a force to be listened to in this world, and magic can be found in many different ways. Each of these five stories gives a unique perspective, and I enjoyed all of the glimpses I got.

Coming Home
Bren is an orphan without a home, so once he is a young man he joins a band of thieves – none of whom have a home either. When Bren gets left behind and caught by Iral, the farmer they were stealing from, he expects to be killed. But Iral has a six-year-old daughter and she puts in a good word for Bren. Not because she likes him, but she is too young to be cruel. What follows is entirely unexpected for Bren who can’t remember having a real home. The reason for that becomes apparent in a crisis, and Bren expects the worst – only to be surprised yet again.

If you like sweet stories about characters who have known nothing but rejection before finding a place to call “home”, then you will probably like this short story as much as I do. It’s sweet, just a little mysterious, and an emotional testament to the true meaning of family.

Turtle
When Satta, a lonely warrior and hunter, runs into two playful strangers while guarding his tribe’s borders, he is immediately drawn to them. All three of them know they belong together, and even though Satta knows the elders will not understand him being involved with two men who are also otter shifters, he finds that his quickly growing feelings are more important to him than tradition or rules. But when he wants to return to the tribe to share his good fortune, the elders are relentless and decide to punish him – and the cruelty of what they do made me cry.

If you like the idea of fated mates, if you believe that three men can belong together, and if you’re looking for a read full of the joys of explicit activities as well as the reward for courage in the face of defeat, then you will probably like this story as much as I do.

The Wind’s Will
Semon is a ba’chi, a man with paranormal abilities, who was rejected by his tribe. The man he was meant to be with, a one-armed warrior named Benik, does not want to accept him at first – and when he does, there is a lot of courting and catching up to do to convince Semon he is wanted after all. Benik has not had an easy life among strong men with two functional arms, and Semon has been turned away too many times to have any self-confidence left. The way they accept and heal each other is beautiful and had me rooting for them every step of the way.

If you like stories about two wounded men finding strength in each other, and if you believe love is more important than almost anything else, then you will probably like this short story as much as I do.

Blown Together by the Wind
Two men from very different cultures are brought together in this story, and since they are too different – initially – to be able to communicate, they have to learn as they go. It was a fascinating process to see Delen learn about the Other and his preferences while he figured out how to deal with the coming winter without any of his furs or his pack – all taken a long time ago by a big cat. Unar is mystified by who seems to be following him, but the trading of food builds trust and brings them closer. Unar does not like people, but this stranger fascinates him.

If you think that two men from different worlds can figure out how to live together, and if you’re looking for a read full of discoveries, sweet moments, a few doubts, and lots of learning, then you will probably like this story as much as I do.

Weaver
Sebak is a man looking for his mother’s tribe, but what he finds is Azen, his dead brother’s mate. Azen was left behind and cursed by a tribe who does not think a ba’chi should survive his partner’s death. As the truth of Azen’s situation, his desperate loneliness and unique talent emerge, Sebak feels more and more drawn to this man who would be so easy to love. Azen’s loneliness is so obvious, and the cruelty with which he has been treated made me want to yell at the people in his former tribe. I was glad Sebak decided to claim him!

If you like stories about men with unique talents, if you believe rejection for no good reason is wrong, and if you’re looking for a read full of pain, the gradual development of hope, and a very happy ending, then you will probably like this short story as much as I do. It’s an unusual and very touching love story.


NOTE: This book was provided by DSP Publications for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

First, this collection of stories assumes the reader is familiar with the setting (of Where Flows the Water). Second, these stories have virtually no tension. Third, each story is a simple romance between two males and all of the stories have a theme of defining home.

The opening story, "Coming Home" is the strongest, in my opinion. It is about a shapeshifter who finds acceptance with a widower and his daughter. The weakest story, "Blown Together by the Wind", details a meeting and subsequent love between two people who have a mutual vocabulary of about five words. The three other stories are light, pointless, and often smutty. I recommend you find something better than this to read. ( )