Texture of Intimacy

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Synopsis

Now that they're mated, SnowDancer healer Lara revels in the bond she shares with quiet Psy teacher Walker Lauren, but she knows that a relationship with a man who spent most of his life in the cold Psy world of Silence won't be without its challenges. Before meeting Lara, Walker fought every day to maintain the veneer of Silence even as his mental shields began to fracture. He knows what it's like to experience trauma and have to make seemingly impossible choices for the sake of his family. After believing he'd never find happiness, he's constantly surprised by the love he feels for Lara and his children, but when his old conditioning kicks in during an emergency, leaving Lara sensing his cold, emotionless state over their mating bond, it could cause trouble for this newly mated couple.

Review

"Texture of Intimacy" is a short novella that falls between Kiss of Snow and Tangle of Need in the Psy-Changeling series chronology. It picks up Walker and Lara's love story right after they go through with the mating bond. Then it follows them as they go about their daily lives, showing how things change for them as they move in together and begin to plan their official mating ceremony and how Lara blends into Walker's family life with his kids. We also get to see how things have changed for the pack in the aftermath of the huge battle with the Psy and how Sienna's power continues to flow through all of them, especially Lara as the pack healer. However, Walker hasn't fully been able to let go of his Psy conditioning and when an emergency causes it to kick in, leaving Lara sensing his cold, emotionless state through the mating bond, it could cause some friction in their relationship.

I absolutely loved Walker and Lara's scenes and the building of their romance throughout Kiss of Snow. I'd been shipping them for some time, and they were every bit as compelling of a couple as Hawke and Sienna were for me. Lara is a strong, determined woman, but as the pack healer, she has a gentle, nurturing side that is seen every time she treats a patient, and those qualities shine through in her relationship with Walker and his children as well. In his life before breaking Silence and leaving the PsyNet with his family, Walker was a teacher, mainly to Psy boys in the Arrow training program, and after becoming a trusted member of the SnowDancer pack, he was once again entrusted with teaching and mentoring the younger pack members. Walker is a kind, reserved man who has his own nurturing side, but at the same time, he wouldn't hesitate to kill to protect his family and those he cares about. His enthusiasm for love-making after a lifetime without is sweet and adorable, while also making him a patient and observant lover. Walker and Lara are a wonderful couple who clearly love each other very much and blend together superbly as a family, too. I realized as I read this book just how much growth has taken place within the entire Lauren family since they were first introduced toward the beginning of the series, after taking refuge with SnowDancer. They've all made huge strides and continue to learn more about their powers and how to control them outside the PsyNet. It was also interesting learning what's happening within the pack following the events of Kiss of Snow. Some things will be different moving forward, but the one thing that will never change is the love and support this pack shows to one another always. I can't wait to read more about Walker, Lara, and all the other characters in future books of this series.

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Nalini Singh

Themes

Babies & Children
Beta Heroes
Doctors, Nurses, & Medical Professionals
Geniuses, Scholars & Scientists aka Geeks - Heroes
Tortured Heroes