Mai, Thierry's BFF from the Black Dog series, bumps into a friend from her past at FanExpo and comes face to face with a mystery that makes her doubt herself. It was great to see more of Mai and to learn more about the kitsune in this world. Mai is fantastic, her background is rich, and I'd love to read more following up on this book.

[I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.] ( )

~ 2 Stone-Cold Stars ~

Stone-Cold Fox is a short quick read that takes place in the same world as the Black Dog series by Hailey Edwards.

If you have not read the Black Dog series then you should pick it up first. Mai is introduced to us in [b:Dog with a Bone|23211040|Dog with a Bone (Black Dog, #1)|Hailey Edwards|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410914716s/23211040.jpg|42753864].

Mai is Thierry's friend. She is also a strong independent women who has this drive to find her true mate, but doesn't understand why she keeps searching so hard. Ryuu I didn't like the guy, but we really don't get to know him.

To start I don't like how this story begins with Mai being kidnapped. Not a way to win your mate over. I felt that Mai deserved so much better then Ryuu. He didn't handle things correctly and then close to the end he does a big no no, which hurts Mai deeply. Mai and Ryuu also don't get a chance to grow closer together or to know each other. It's like the story is an introduction to "How I Meet Your Mother (Mate)," but with all the wrong things happening. I just can't see these two together.

The one thing I enjoyed the most was Thierry. She is there to help and support her friend in what every decision she makes. She also brings a little levity to a bad situation.

Stone-Cold Fox left me in the cold. I picked it up; because Mai has become a character I have come to love from the Black Dog series. I wanted to read her HEA, but I was disappointed in this short story and sad that it did not have the elements I have come to enjoy and love from this author.

( )

Very nice novella. Ryuu was really hot. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep me interested. Couldn't put it down once I started. I'm looking forward to the next. ( )

There's a chance, not sure how large of a chance it might have been, but a chance I might not have finished this story if I hadn't read four books by this author before reading this one. I don't know, maybe a 25% chance?

The whole kidnapping someone, holding them against their will, forcing them, or attempting to force them into marriage . . . really rubbed me the wrong way. I was looking for a nice good short story. Not a 'damsel in distress' story. mmphs.

Luckily I continued reading and I was able to enjoy the story.

If I had the power to rearrange series, and the like, I'd rearrange that Black Dog series. The first book would be renumbered 0.5. Everything else moved up (as in, book 2 is now book 1). And this story here would slot in as 3.5 (or, if I didn't move book 1 to 0.5, this would be 4.5). Why? To show the importance of reading the other stories first. Mai was in those other books. Not a main character, but there are important tidbits of information in those books which would help with this story here. Plus, Thierry, the main character of that other series, does play a role in this book. Granted her role is that as a side character, but still. Chronologically this story falls at 3.5 (reordered series) or 4.5 (original numbering on series).

One of those tidbits that would have been picked up is how kitsune have this need to find their mate. And it's determined by the female. She goes around testing people, and the test 'sparks' something, like magic. This little tidbit helps to be known because the story starts with Mai and Thierry at a cosplay convention/contest. Mai spots a man and feels drawn to him. Which is fine and dandy, except moments later said man knocks out Thierry and kidnaps Mai.

Story unfolds from there - with Mai all pissed off, and um . . I forget the guys name now. Ryu I believe. Acting all . . . 'this is for the best'.

Well, as I mentioned, I enjoyed the story. Started off feeling like I wouldn't, but I did. Learned more about Mai and the Kitsune culture. Thierry's characterization is kind of thin, unless you, the reader, had already spent time with her through 4 works. In which case you have the information to fill in the blanks. ( )