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Psy-Changeling #9.6

by Nalini Singh

A short story featuring Clay, Talin, Jon and Noor from the DarkRiver pack.

Timeline: Takes place some time after Play of Passion and before Kiss of Snow.

This story can be found on Nalini Singh's official website.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Short Stories, Shapeshifters, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

5 pages, ebook

First published November 25, 2014

About the author

I've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.


I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).

So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.

Reviews

[Sophia Triad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clay, Talin, Jon and Noor have become a family.

The little girl was the sweet, affectionate heart of their home. She’d started calling Talin and Clay, Mommy and Papa two months earlier and each time she did, Clay felt as if he’d been given a gift.

So sweet!

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

That Noor is so adorable!! I love that Clay and Tally brought her and Jon into their home. Another beautiful glimpse into their lives.

[Somia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and short morsel. Hope to see more of Noor and Jon in future full length books.

Available via: https://nalinisingh.com/extras/psycha...

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short Psy-Changeling story from the Newsletter collection, set about mid-way in the series, about Clay and Tally, a couple I barely remember, renovating their home. I like these “slice-of-life” scenes especially the ones with the kids, but think it’s a shame they always have to throw in a (admittedly discreet) shag to remind us how horny the characters in these books are. Enough!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st read - December 2014
2nd read - September 2020

Nalini kills me with these short stories & I love every minute of it! This one gives us a chance to catch up with Clay & Tally and we get to see how Jon & Noor are doing. The family has come such a long way & it makes me happy to see them getting on so well :-)

[Dali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the family dynamics in this series! How about this sweet scene between big brother and younger sister?

“You can come in my room if you like. I’ll let you sit on the bed.”

Laughing at the generous offer, Jon scooped her up and plopped her in his lap.

If you want to read these free short stories you can always to to her web page and/or subscribe to her newsletter.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Clay and Talin isn't readers' favorite couple, but I love them - so I loved this peek into their lives too, of course.

[Angela (Angel's Book Nook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww a cute morsel featuring Clay and Tally. It's so nice to see these sweet moments in their life and how the kids are adjusting.

Read on Nalini Singh's Website under Psy-Changeling Free Short Stories.

[Val_99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ay, mis niños. Noor es adorable pero Jon, ay, me encanta. Ojalá tenga libro y sea feliz porque se merece el mundo (ambos me encantan pero Jon, ay, Jon)

[Zaskya Benítez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwww que historia más tierna
Noor es amor, la manera en la que Jon la cuida y juega con ella me derrite y ver a Clay en su faceta de padre de familia junto a Talin no puede ser más perfecto

[Patricia Lopes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short snippet into Talin, Clay, Noor & Jon lives.

[Fanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clay y Tally son una de las parejas que menos me ha gustado de esta serie pero esta escena fue muy linda, principalmente porque Jon y Noor son tan dulces que me hacen olvidar mi odio hacia Talin * risa malvada *.

2.75 Estrellas!

[Malinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5 stars

This was a sweet story about Clay, Talin, Jon and Noor. Basically, the story shows Clay and Talin expanding their house to make more of a home for the kids. It has a warm family feel that adds a bit more of a HEA to Clay and Tanil's story. :)

[Esthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually this novella made me cry😢 Noor calling Tally and Clay mummy and papa? Gosh ☺️☺️☺️

[Dawnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute little domestic scene from a previous couple and their kids.

[Musings on Living · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet!

[Alexandra Taco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me gustó mucho leer una actualización de Clay, Talin, Noor y Jon.
Son una familia feliz, ellos como padres son muy protectores y amorosos.
Noor es la más dulce y Jon es muy paciente.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the risk of being thought repetitive as I mention, yet again, that my response to this short vignette was smiles and ahhhhs. Clay and Tally do some remodeling of their aerie home so Jon can have some personal space and they make the last touches and then spring surprise gifts on the kids. Clay reflects with sheer joy on the blessings of family and a loving mate.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short story available on Nalini Singh’s site and accessible by subscribing to her newsletter, “Home” is 9.7 in the chronology in the Psy-Changeling paranormal romance series. The family focus is on Clay, Tally, Jon, and Noor.

My Take
It’s a sweet story — Singh easily played on my compassion for an abused child and my appreciation for a loving couple wanting to make the children welcome and feel a part of the family.

I do wish I knew if Jon was their natural-born son or an acquired one. It’s frustratingly brief in this. We only know that Clay and Tally are DarkRiver leopards. We don’t know what they do or much about their home other than it’s being up in a tree.

The Story
A quick peek into Clay and Tally adapting to their foster children as they build onto their home to welcome the children and provide all with some privacy.

The Characters
Clay and Talin "Tally" are a DarkRiver leopard couple who have taken in the very young Noor as well as the very patient teenaged Jon.

More DarkRiver leopards include…
…Sascha Duncan, a Cardinal E Psy, mated to the DarkRiver alpha. Dorian is a gifted sniper in the DarkRiver pack. Vaughn is a DarkRiver leopard mated to Faith NightStar, a Psy.

The one SnowDancer wolf is Tamsyn Ryder, the SnowDancer healer.

The Title
Once you’ve read the story, the title becomes so much deeper and important, for Clay and Tally are creating a “Home” for their family.

[Sheila Melo · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOME is one of Singh's reward for fans. She has various free short vignettes that give glimpses into the lives of her Psy-Changeling series characters apart from the drama of the novels. HOME features Clay and Talin from MINE TO POSSESS along with their adopted children Jon and Noor. The story is about the changes to their home that Clay and Talin make to accommodate their children. As the title of the story suggests it about making a home for their family. I like the story. It is sweet and cute and just made me smile.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little short was so cute. I love that we get to see Noor and John secure in their new family and that Clay and Tally let them know by giving them something special in their personal space. It was also great to see Noor willing to share her present, even though John probably wouldn't be caught dead in it.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this snippet is one of the moments that made me retroactively become a lot more fond of Tally and Clay, which makes me wish all the more that these scenes has been a larger part of their own book (Mine to Possess). Looking at my notes I apparently thought it was very rude of Nalini to once again go full domestic and endearingly cheesy.

Case in point:

- Noor insisting on wearing her ponytail the exact same way as Tally.

- Every day he woke to her scent, and every night when he fell asleep, it was with the touch of her skin against his own.

- Young, Clay thought as he locked the bedroom door behind them, he felt so young when he was with Tally. So full of possibility and hope and faith in the future.

I mean. How dare she.

[Julianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Home” is a short story of only about four pages in Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling world that takes place sometime between Play of Passion and Kiss of Snow in the series chronology. It involves Clay, Talin, Jon, and Noor. Clay and Tally have just completed a new addition to their aerie which will allow Jon more independent space and they’ve also updated Noor’s room. Now that it’s all finished, they want to surprise the kids with some special gifts followed by a little sexy, fun time for the adults.

Clay and Tally are one of my favorite Psy-Changeling couples, so I’m always eager to read more about their little family. I love how sweet Jon is with his little sister, Noor. I think he’s going to grow up into an amazing young man. This is a heartwarming little slice of life story for these characters that was very enjoyable.

[Tara♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewing Wolf School ( 9.1) & Clean and Dirty (9.2) here as well because it's not listed on GR for some reason.

Wolf School

This is really just a very quick scene where Indigo comes upon Drew being adorable and teaching Ben how to howl. Adorable!! Spoiler: Ben gets it!! Drew does seem a very good teacher though so it's no surprise.

Clean and Dirty

Cute Faith and Vaughn scene. Faith trying to clean all the dust caused by Vaughn's job and him trying to distract her seems about right. :D

The coffee thing is wild!



Home

I do love Clay and Tally and their little family. They make my heart happy. I especially love how good Jon is with Noor, a teenager being so patient with a little girl who wants tea parties and princess rooms is unrealistic but adorable and I'm here for it. Jon is one of my favourites!

[TinaMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Per author's website this short fits between Play of Passion and Kiss of snow. Clay and Talin just finished the renovations to their aerie. The love and care they have for the children, Jon and Noor and each other shines through in this short story.

More of my reviews can be found at https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

[BooksLoveBrains · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay and Talin’s book are one of my favorite books in this series. And tbh, I don’t really think either of them get as much attention in the main series as other side characters do. So these little snippets of their lives post-mating are sorely loved. I especially love getting to see snippets of Noor and Jon.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clay and Talin create a room with a little more privacy for Jon and buy a princess bed for Noor.

Maybe more or a 3.5, in the portrayal of a loving family, just not much that furthers the story or understanding.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute

[Angel Padillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story about Clay, Tally, Jon and Noor, that was full of love.