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Mythos Legacy #0.5
Unintended Guardian
Cursed to darkness, he makes a wish for freedom. She shows up instead…
A shapeshifting gryphon cursed to eternal darkness…
Sunlight shouldn't be deadly to Griff Cyrus. Determined to break his curse, he follows an oracle's bizarre instructions to have a magical package shipped to his apartment. Since when do brown trucks deliver mystical cures?
A lonely woman craving the spice of life…
Kala Kaneko's social life couldn’t be more bland. When a strange parcel arrives at her door by mistake, she seizes the excuse to introduce herself to the intended recipient, her mysterious neighbor.
Fate has a twisted sense of humor…
Griff expects the package to free him from the curse, but opening the box unleashes a mythical creature bent on Kala's death. Yet if Griff follows his instincts to protect her, he could sacrifice his last chance at freedom.
*****
Welcome to the Mythos Legacy!
Unintended Guardian is the short story introduction to the Mythos Legacy series, where real myths find real love. The first chapter of Treasured Claim, the first full-length novel in the series, is included at the back of this book!
Each standalone story in the series can be read in any order (and ends happily!), as each of these contemporary fantasy/paranormal romances feature different mythological beings—like shapeshifting gryphons—finding their perfect match among humans.
You may like this short story if you like: sexy-hot kissing used as a very effective distraction, guys with wings (especially when they look like Thor), seductive strawberry-eating scenes, Japanese-American heroines, troublesome leprechauns, matchmaking stories, and guys who aren't afraid to let a woman take charge
A shapeshifting gryphon cursed to eternal darkness…
Sunlight shouldn't be deadly to Griff Cyrus. Determined to break his curse, he follows an oracle's bizarre instructions to have a magical package shipped to his apartment. Since when do brown trucks deliver mystical cures?
A lonely woman craving the spice of life…
Kala Kaneko's social life couldn’t be more bland. When a strange parcel arrives at her door by mistake, she seizes the excuse to introduce herself to the intended recipient, her mysterious neighbor.
Fate has a twisted sense of humor…
Griff expects the package to free him from the curse, but opening the box unleashes a mythical creature bent on Kala's death. Yet if Griff follows his instincts to protect her, he could sacrifice his last chance at freedom.
*****
Welcome to the Mythos Legacy!
Unintended Guardian is the short story introduction to the Mythos Legacy series, where real myths find real love. The first chapter of Treasured Claim, the first full-length novel in the series, is included at the back of this book!
Each standalone story in the series can be read in any order (and ends happily!), as each of these contemporary fantasy/paranormal romances feature different mythological beings—like shapeshifting gryphons—finding their perfect match among humans.
You may like this short story if you like: sexy-hot kissing used as a very effective distraction, guys with wings (especially when they look like Thor), seductive strawberry-eating scenes, Japanese-American heroines, troublesome leprechauns, matchmaking stories, and guys who aren't afraid to let a woman take charge
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2015
About the author
Jami Gold
5 books452 followersDon't miss Jami's next release! Sign up at jamigold.com/mail to be notified when her next book goes on pre-order and sale!
After building a Fortress of Solitude from books in her to-be-read pile, Jami Gold moved to Arizona and decided to become a writer, where she could put her talent for making up stuff to good use, including winning the 2015 National Readers’ Choice Award in Paranormal Romance for Ironclad Devotion.
Fueled by chocolate, she writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy tales that range from dark to humorous, but one thing remains the same: Normal need not apply. Just ask her family—and zombie cat.
Visit Jami at jamigold.com for more information & to connect with her on social media!
Concerned about the content of her books? Get content guidance and advisory information here.
After building a Fortress of Solitude from books in her to-be-read pile, Jami Gold moved to Arizona and decided to become a writer, where she could put her talent for making up stuff to good use, including winning the 2015 National Readers’ Choice Award in Paranormal Romance for Ironclad Devotion.
Fueled by chocolate, she writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy tales that range from dark to humorous, but one thing remains the same: Normal need not apply. Just ask her family—and zombie cat.
Visit Jami at jamigold.com for more information & to connect with her on social media!
Concerned about the content of her books? Get content guidance and advisory information here.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 28, 2015
"The Mythos Legacy, where real myths find real love." Unintended Guardian is a short (too short) but very tasty introduction to the upcoming Mythos Legacy novels. It may be brief, but it gives a very clear flavour of what you can look forward to. I can already tell that the Mythos books are going to contain humour, fun, a gentle eroticism, and that they will reference a whole world of mythological creatures.
What if myths are real? What if there is another world alongside our own, inhabited by creatures we know only from story and legend. What if they are looking for love - an all too human characteristic? And what if one woman chooses to write a series of books about them - and that woman is Jami Gold, whose writing is clever, clear and sublimely entertaining. It's got to be good, hasn't it? Try this out and see for yourself.
What if myths are real? What if there is another world alongside our own, inhabited by creatures we know only from story and legend. What if they are looking for love - an all too human characteristic? And what if one woman chooses to write a series of books about them - and that woman is Jami Gold, whose writing is clever, clear and sublimely entertaining. It's got to be good, hasn't it? Try this out and see for yourself.
June 3, 2015
Great start to the series. Loved the mythological characters and the unusual use of magic. Looking forward to Treasured Claim's dragon heroine.
April 27, 2015
One star for massive instalove*, a heroine who is as stupid as she is annoying** and a ridiculous plot. Short stories are destined to fail when an author tries to cram a full length story into a few pages. A short story should be a snapshot, nothing more. We've got a snapshot here, but a snapshot that fits events that should take at least months, if not years, to unfold into the space of about half an hour. I've added a plot summary to give you an idea what I mean.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***.
1.Unintended Guardian begins with Kala whinging about how bored/lonely she is.
2. She signs for a parcel delivery for her neighbour and is such a ditz that she manages to cut herself on the clipboard. The parcel shakes like there's something alive inside. Now, if it was me, I would contact either a) the police or b) the apartment manager/landlord/etc assuming said neighbour was up to some dodge, but Kala decides that as she's sooooo lonely, having just taken her parents to the airport, she'll drop it off and make a new friendy.
3. Kala drops it off with surly neighbour and even though he orders her to leave, she decides to have a nose around his apartment. Because he's hot and shit. Plus, remember, she's sooo lonely.
4. Kala decides he is either odd or a terrorist because he doesn't have many personal items. I mean, talk about jumping to conclusions. Just because even her emptiness is capable of "putting up knickknacks", does not mean every minimalist is a terrorist, seriously.
5. The parcel turns out to be a leprechaun and Surly Neighbour is a griffin. Rather than acting like just about any rational person at this point and legging it out of there, Kala is all 'But he's hot.' and "The emptiness in his heart tempts (me) like an irresistible flavor that (makes my) tongue beg for another taste." and 'My dad taught me tae kwon do, so I could totally escape if I need to, but he's hot.' and 'I'll sick my dog on you if you don't do what Surly Neighbour does now you meany leprechaun' *looks at Surly Neighbour* 'See, I'm a great friend'.
6. The leprechaun says he's all innocent and don't know nuffink.
7.They kiss a bit and Surly Neighbour is all 'noooooo I can't; I'm cursed etc etc'***. Kala rationalises feeling Surly Neighbour up because she's a pastry chef and she likes to knead her dough and whatnot. This may or may not be a euphemism.
8.They decide to have sex before he kills himself to escape his curse. He decides to have sex before killing himself to escape his curse. Kala decides to have sex because he's hot and she's lonely and she's going to save him and she's down with the whole mate for life with someone she only met like ten minutes before plus she loves how he looks at her ("like an eagle scrutinising an ant", what a turn on that must be). All of which amounts to: because she's stupid.
9. And then, before they actually do anything other than feed each other strawberries and kiss a bit, the leprechaun pretends to attack Kala to show Surly Neighbour that actually she's his treasure and can break his curse, because there weren't enough cliches already.
10. And they're madly in love and meant to be and all that shit, ergo they live Happily Ever After. Hopefully.
*and by instalove I mean insta-let's-mate-even-though-if-we-do-it's-for-life-and-we-only-met-ten-minutes-ago
**and that's saying something because she is really fucking annoying
***His curse is to never see the sun until he finds his treasure.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***.
1.Unintended Guardian begins with Kala whinging about how bored/lonely she is.
2. She signs for a parcel delivery for her neighbour and is such a ditz that she manages to cut herself on the clipboard. The parcel shakes like there's something alive inside. Now, if it was me, I would contact either a) the police or b) the apartment manager/landlord/etc assuming said neighbour was up to some dodge, but Kala decides that as she's sooooo lonely, having just taken her parents to the airport, she'll drop it off and make a new friendy.
3. Kala drops it off with surly neighbour and even though he orders her to leave, she decides to have a nose around his apartment. Because he's hot and shit. Plus, remember, she's sooo lonely.
4. Kala decides he is either odd or a terrorist because he doesn't have many personal items. I mean, talk about jumping to conclusions. Just because even her emptiness is capable of "putting up knickknacks", does not mean every minimalist is a terrorist, seriously.
5. The parcel turns out to be a leprechaun and Surly Neighbour is a griffin. Rather than acting like just about any rational person at this point and legging it out of there, Kala is all 'But he's hot.' and "The emptiness in his heart tempts (me) like an irresistible flavor that (makes my) tongue beg for another taste." and 'My dad taught me tae kwon do, so I could totally escape if I need to, but he's hot.' and 'I'll sick my dog on you if you don't do what Surly Neighbour does now you meany leprechaun' *looks at Surly Neighbour* 'See, I'm a great friend'.
6. The leprechaun says he's all innocent and don't know nuffink.
7.They kiss a bit and Surly Neighbour is all 'noooooo I can't; I'm cursed etc etc'***. Kala rationalises feeling Surly Neighbour up because she's a pastry chef and she likes to knead her dough and whatnot. This may or may not be a euphemism.
8.
9. And then, before they actually do anything other than feed each other strawberries and kiss a bit, the leprechaun pretends to attack Kala to show Surly Neighbour that actually she's his treasure and can break his curse, because there weren't enough cliches already.
10. And they're madly in love and meant to be and all that shit, ergo they live Happily Ever After. Hopefully.
*and by instalove I mean insta-let's-mate-even-though-if-we-do-it's-for-life-and-we-only-met-ten-minutes-ago
**and that's saying something because she is really fucking annoying
***His curse is to never see the sun until he finds his treasure.
March 5, 2015
Although this is a short story, it's one of the best shapeshifter books I've ever read. I love the hero as much as the heroine. Griff was gorgeous and the perfect tortured, slightly villainous hero to fall for, and Kala with her Asian background and unique character was a wonderful choice too. I'd happily read a 300-page novel with these two... alas, this is a short, eventful and emotional read, and I'll just have to dream up more stories with them. I'll definitely check out Gold's first Mythos Legend novel too!
October 24, 2015
Goog
It was a good story, that I was really enjoying. Then bam...over. I couldn't believe it just ended. I feel it could have been so much more. What was there was so good, I wish the Author had not cut off the story.
It was a good story, that I was really enjoying. Then bam...over. I couldn't believe it just ended. I feel it could have been so much more. What was there was so good, I wish the Author had not cut off the story.
July 15, 2015
New author with a great voice. This was a very well written short story that brings two lonely hearts together to save each other. One just happens to be a cursed Gryphon.
December 12, 2015
I think I got this as a free gift when I signed up to her website. Jami Gold has a lot of great info and templates for using Scrivener and I thought I ought to read some of her work.
Sadly, I’m not sure this story was the best place to start.
There is a glitch in my epub file: every apostrophe appears like this “shouldn’t” which is a trifle annoying because it does it for speech marks as well. Like this:
Almost unreadable. But that could just be me.
***
So… our heroine is Japanese Hawaiian and works as a pastry chef. She sleeps all day (why? All the baker’s I know started before dawn but were up during daylight hours) and has just taken her parents to the airport. She’s feeling super lonely and new to this neighbourhood when she gets an incorrect parcel delivery. She decides to take it to the rightful owner.
But when she does, she sees him open the box and extract a tiny man who talks like a movie leprechaun and says now she’s seen him, she has to die.
Sadly, I’m not sure this story was the best place to start.
There is a glitch in my epub file: every apostrophe appears like this “shouldn’t” which is a trifle annoying because it does it for speech marks as well. Like this:
“I recently moved in down the hall. I’m Kala. You’re Griff?â€
Almost unreadable. But that could just be me.
***
So… our heroine is Japanese Hawaiian and works as a pastry chef. She sleeps all day (why? All the baker’s I know started before dawn but were up during daylight hours) and has just taken her parents to the airport. She’s feeling super lonely and new to this neighbourhood when she gets an incorrect parcel delivery. She decides to take it to the rightful owner.
But when she does, she sees him open the box and extract a tiny man who talks like a movie leprechaun and says now she’s seen him, she has to die.
February 26, 2020
Just because it's a short story doesn't mean that it should have been rushed to its conclusion. The female protag - Kala - did things that weren't believable; she started out being quirky, and ended up being annoying. The story had too much info about the h at the beginning, some kissing, then breezed through with a lot of partially explained and/or unanswered stuff (mainly in regards to the H, Griff) at the end.
Note that the story ends at 69% on a Kindle, with the rest of the space being used for the intro to 'Treasure Claimed' (the first book of the series). There were also some editing issues. 1.5 stars.
Note that the story ends at 69% on a Kindle, with the rest of the space being used for the intro to 'Treasure Claimed' (the first book of the series). There were also some editing issues. 1.5 stars.
March 2, 2015
This gets 3.8 out of 5 stars from me. It was a fabulous short story that I read in less than an hour.
It was well-written - which is no surprise since Jami is an experienced writing teacher and editor. The pace was excellent and the characters charmed me.
It was just too short. I found I wanted to believe the love-at-first-sight trope, but I couldn't. It isn't part of my makeup. Attraction, yes, but love that makes someone risk their own life? Not happening after an hour or less.
It was a great story though, and the sample chapter for the first full-length novel in the series whetted my appetite for more. I love Jami's premise and the world of Mythos she's creating. It's sure to be a great series for paranormal romance lovers. It might be on the more erotic side...so I don't know if I'll be investing in the series. Sorry, Jami. I love you and your writing, but that genre just doesn't do it for me.
It was well-written - which is no surprise since Jami is an experienced writing teacher and editor. The pace was excellent and the characters charmed me.
It was just too short. I found I wanted to believe the love-at-first-sight trope, but I couldn't. It isn't part of my makeup. Attraction, yes, but love that makes someone risk their own life? Not happening after an hour or less.
It was a great story though, and the sample chapter for the first full-length novel in the series whetted my appetite for more. I love Jami's premise and the world of Mythos she's creating. It's sure to be a great series for paranormal romance lovers. It might be on the more erotic side...so I don't know if I'll be investing in the series. Sorry, Jami. I love you and your writing, but that genre just doesn't do it for me.
June 19, 2015
I don't usually read short stories, and this one reminded me of exactly why... It introduced 3 delightful characters, a serious story problem, delightful tension... and I was hooked. I was ready to spend 10 or 12 hours with Kala and Griff, as they went on a novel length quest to regain his treasure... (gradually falling in hot hot love along the way, right? Oh, yes.)
Also, I wanted to kick that Lil' bastard Leprechaun. Hard. So more pages of story where events could slap around that little punk would have been nice, too.
And then... bam! it was over - it was lovely, and I shouldn't complain, but... dangit! It left me wanting much, much more.
So I'm off to read the Mythos legacy novels, with high expectations of enjoying them very much! :)
Also, I wanted to kick that Lil' bastard Leprechaun. Hard. So more pages of story where events could slap around that little punk would have been nice, too.
And then... bam! it was over - it was lovely, and I shouldn't complain, but... dangit! It left me wanting much, much more.
So I'm off to read the Mythos legacy novels, with high expectations of enjoying them very much! :)
April 6, 2015
This was a fast and fun read, a great introduction to the series! I've never read anything featuring a Gryphon, and I really liked it. Great writing. Definitely made me want to read more.
March 21, 2015
This was too short. I wanted more... Loved it.
August 11, 2018
This short is probably meant to be read as humour, because it doesn't make any sense. A young woman in Los Angeles accepts a package delivered for her snarling neighbour, and accepts that he manhandles her to get it. Then she sees a moving little person pop out of the package. She goes away, comes back, feeds her neighbour strawberries and starts stroking his face.
The grumpy man (he does have a reason) is three hundred years old. Sorry, that's creepy.
I have not read any of the series in which this story occurs, and I might like it better if I had. Then again, the man is still hundreds of years older than the woman. This is not romantic. Just my opinion and I like other material this author writes. The text presentation is nicely put together.
I downloaded an ARC from Kindle. This is an unbiased review.
The grumpy man (he does have a reason) is three hundred years old. Sorry, that's creepy.
I have not read any of the series in which this story occurs, and I might like it better if I had. Then again, the man is still hundreds of years older than the woman. This is not romantic. Just my opinion and I like other material this author writes. The text presentation is nicely put together.
I downloaded an ARC from Kindle. This is an unbiased review.
October 20, 2018
I am not a big fan of insta-love but in a short story like this there isn't a lot of time.
The story was nonetheless ok, your typical supernatural meets mate thing, two strangers both lonely finding each other. Up until the point where Griff
The story was nonetheless ok, your typical supernatural meets mate thing, two strangers both lonely finding each other. Up until the point where Griff
February 13, 2018
A very brief introduction to the Mythos series. I love the fun, humorous language. I think the length is just appropriate for the plot. I'm not really into romance, I'm more into fantasy/paranormal genre, therefore the love side of the things didn't really pull me in, but I liked the rest of it. I definitely recommend for romance readers who are looking to discover a quality, professionally self-published series.
October 31, 2018
Good Short Story
This was an amazing short read. It left me pinning for more. Saucy, sexy, and brazen. Well written. Thank you Jami.
This was an amazing short read. It left me pinning for more. Saucy, sexy, and brazen. Well written. Thank you Jami.
April 23, 2020
Unintended Guardian a must reas
Brilliantly written. The only bad comment that can possibly be leveled at this story, is that it was too short!
Brilliantly written. The only bad comment that can possibly be leveled at this story, is that it was too short!
August 12, 2017
Entertaining
Cute but too short. I definitely would love a longer book. The leprechaun was a fun addition to the story.
Cute but too short. I definitely would love a longer book. The leprechaun was a fun addition to the story.
March 5, 2015
More meat, Less unnecessary fat
Pretty clean, just poorly written kissing. There's a lot of extra baking info, that could've been left out. Other interesting stuff could've filled those pages. Like a better explanation of things at the end. Editing should be taking a look at this as well. I think the girl's last name got changed half way through. I'll forget about it by tomorrow.
Pretty clean, just poorly written kissing. There's a lot of extra baking info, that could've been left out. Other interesting stuff could've filled those pages. Like a better explanation of things at the end. Editing should be taking a look at this as well. I think the girl's last name got changed half way through. I'll forget about it by tomorrow.
August 14, 2015
As an introduction to a series, this very short story has me intrigued. The author did a brilliant job of bring bringing the characters to life without unnecessary filler, a writing style that appeals to me.
Thankfully I picked it up for free, or I might have had a hissy fit when an already short story, was made even shorter by ending at the 68% mark.
Thankfully I picked it up for free, or I might have had a hissy fit when an already short story, was made even shorter by ending at the 68% mark.
August 4, 2016
Unintended Guardian was fun to find out about each character.
I loved this book, it kept my attention. (Which is about the size of a nat.) I could not wait to find out more about Griff.
I loved this book, it kept my attention. (Which is about the size of a nat.) I could not wait to find out more about Griff.
Read
March 2, 2016This was a wonderful introduction to the Mythos universe. I enjoyed the characters and was very intrigued by the world that Gold has created for us. The short story was steamy but not explicit, which I enjoyed. I would recommend this to others!
February 9, 2016
I wanted more!! I know it is a short story and yes they did advertise it as short and sweet and that's exactly what it was. A quick sweet read that could have easily been so much more. I did finish it I laughed and then it was gone
October 7, 2015
As expected for the awesome Jami Gold - fabulous frolicking well written fun. X
February 8, 2016
This was a freebie.
A short and sweet lightning romance. It had to be, because it's only a short story. Still, I liked them both and how the got their HEA.
A short and sweet lightning romance. It had to be, because it's only a short story. Still, I liked them both and how the got their HEA.
September 12, 2016
Harmless fun, well written, insta-love, perfectly predictable. Fans of Paranormal Romance will surely enjoy it.
December 29, 2022
This was my first experience with books from this author. It was a quick read and an intriguing enough story. I almost wanted more at the end.
May 3, 2017
I love that the moral of the story is that a treasure is not always a possession or thing. I also like that it takes a woman to each a man that lesson.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews