Title: Healing Minds
Series: The Shifters 05
Author: M.D. Grimm
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novel (186pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (3rd July 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Josh McPhee always wanted to be an agent. To keep from going crazy at the Agency’s New Mexico substation, he talks to the imprisoned wolf shifter—or tries to. Their one-sided conversations only prove the shifter is not getting the help he needs. After all, he is a victim too.
Wolf shifter Xavier doesn’t remember much before his time with the Knights or the time under their control, where he was brainwashed and used to kill innocent shifters. He wants to recover his memories, and yet he fears what he might find. He would escape were it not for the aide whose voice quiets Xavier’s implanted urges.
Late one night the Knights attack the station to retrieve what’s theirs. Overpowered, Josh cannot stop them before they unlock Xavier’s cage. But Xavier rushes to Josh’s rescue and, sensing his opportunity, escapes, taking Josh with him. When Josh wakes up on the road, they strike a bargain: Josh offers Xavier one month of freedom before he calls in the Agency. Both doubt he can be cured, but something about Josh makes Xavier better. They just have to figure out what before the past catches up to them.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3965
Review: This story is part of a series and can be read as a standalone, but is best read in order. Josh has always wanted to be an agent, but he is stuck as an aide in the Agency’s New Mexico substation. He spends his days talking to the wolf shifter, who was captured a year ago, but never getting any response. Josh is left alone and just making a breakthrough with the wolf, when the Knights attack to retrieve their property. Josh won’t let them get the wolf without a fight. Xavier doesn’t remember much and he wants to know everything that has happened to him, and whose voice is urging him to kill? Josh is Xavier’s lifeline. His voice drowns out the other voice’s urgings to kill. So when the Knights attack, Xavier protects the only one who can help him. Xavier and Josh come to an agreement, for one month Josh will help Xavier to try to overcome the voice before he calls the Agency.
This is a great addition to The Shifter series. Josh wants to be an agent more than anything else. When he develops a connection with the wolf shifter, Xavier, he jumps at the chance to help him and to further his own chances with the Agency. Xavier just wants to know what was done to him and to stop the voice in his head. Josh is the only thing that stops the urges and now Xavier needs Josh’s help and forces Josh to come with him. Xavier wants more from Josh than just his help; he wants his body as well. But, Josh can’t be involved with a shifter, not if he wants to be an agent. no matter how much he might want the sexy shifter.
I really enjoyed this story and how it showed Xavier’s trust in Josh being built over time and Xavier’s reliance on Josh to keep him calm. And, Josh’s determination that Xavier could be coaxed as he becomes uncontrollable and his trust that Xavier wouldn’t hurt him. Josh is caught in the middle though, when it comes to what he wants. The Agency took him in and has given him a sort of family and he wants nothing more than to become an agent. But, Josh is drawn to Xavier and the Agency has strict rules concerning interaction with shifters. If he gives into his attraction to Xavier, he will lose the Agency. So we see his struggle as he weighs up what he truly desires. With Xavier, you see his soul-searing pain as he remembers what was done to him and what he was forced to do. His guilt is palpable, you can feel his need for revenge, and it is only his love for Josh that stops him.
I found this story to be enjoyable and we see characters from previous books. It was nice to see them again and they did add a bit to the story. We get some great action and danger as the Knights are determined to get Xavier back. and Josh’s and Xavier’s love is truly tested when the owner of the voice tracks them down. I am beginning to get a healthy dislike for the Agency, because of what it expects from its workers. during this story I got the feeling that their purpose was more to thwart the Knights than any true desire to help shifters.
I recommend this to those who love shifters with problems, danger, trust, love, choosing the right path, hot sex and a happy ending.