Some Kind of Magic by R. Cooper

R. Cooper - Some Kind of Magic CoverTitle: Some Kind of Magic

Series: Being(s) in Love #1

Author: R. Cooper

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Length: Novel (192 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (May 4, 2011)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 hearts 

Blurb: Being a police detective is hard. Add the complication of being a werewolf subject to human prejudice, and you might say Ray Branigan has his work cut out for him. He’s hot on the trail of a killer when he realizes he needs help.

Enter Cal Parker, the beautiful half-fairy Ray’s secretly been in love with for years—secretly, because while werewolves mate for life, fairies…don’t. Ray needs Cal’s expertise, but it isn’t easy to concentrate with his mate walking around half-naked trying to publicly seduce him. By the time Ray identifies the killer—and sorts out a few prejudices of his own—it may be too late for Cal.

ISBN: 978-1-61581-969-0

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/some-kind-of-magic-by-r-cooper-3887-b

Reviewer: Lisa

Review:  This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone story.  I realized this after I read the stories out of order so I didn’t really miss too much of it.  It is a fascinating story if not a bit too dark for my taste.  I don’t much care for fairy tales but the fairy in question is very hot and tempting, especially for a sexy detective.

Ray has been in love with Cal for some time, but Cal is a fairy whereas Ray is a werewolf.  Werewolves mate for life but fairies do not.  So his bond with his mate is driving him crazy but he is determined to get his mate.  Well that and to find out who is behind the killings.  It doesn’t make it easy when his mate is trying to always seduce him.  Oh did I mention that the love has always been a secret.

To Ray fairies are very whimsical and flighty, so he fears that Cal will not want to settle down with one mate.  So what does Ray do, he is denying his wolf his mate.  Trying to stay away just a bit.  However it never really works.  Now this story starts off with a very grumpy and moody wolf.  Ray has not been sleeping nor eating because he misses Cal.  To me it his own fault.  Cal was easy to figure out, seeing as he is a fairy.  He is always sucking on candy, always tempting Ray and feels the same way.  

Now there are some issues I found off about this story.  For one Cal is short for Calvin and Calvin is Cal’s father.  The secondary character Penelope, well at first I was beginning to get some of the characters mixed up.  It doesn’t start off the way I would have hoped it would have.  For one we get a look at what should have been the beginning but it was just a flash back.  So for me the beginning felt like the middle.  I didn’t like the racist part of the story whatsoever.  For our main guy to be, brought the story down for me.  However not enough to get a big kick out of it.

This is the first story I have come across where our werewolf is a loner and doesn’t automatically jump his mate, well to mate.  He hides it for over two years.  I love how Cal is in the story though.  He does everything to get his mates attention, without knowing the mating part.  Now as for the story itself, the sentences were underdeveloped, weird word’s added in and it came off like it was written by a very new author.  The story didn’t flow like it should have and the pace was quirky.  The mystery was figured out before the story was even half way there.  It felt like it was just pushed in to make the story longer. 

So where as the story had great potential it failed to deliver.  I did enjoy it but spent more time trying to figure it out.  I know from the fact that I read it out of order, that they do get better.  So I am off to read book two.

Being(s) In Love Bundle by R. Cooper

R. Cooper - Being(s) In Love CoverTitle: Being(s) in Love Bundle

Series: Being(s) in Love Books 1 – 5

Author: R. Cooper

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (914 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 14, 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: Beings fall in love, too.

In a world where magical creatures came out of the closet after the First World War, romance still pops up in unexpected places. Police detective and werewolf Ray Branigan will have to overcome his own prejudices to find a happy ending, in Some Kind of Magic. Dragon and historian Philbert Jones has a challenge to face in A Boy and His Dragon—convincing Arthur MacArthur that his worthy of being a dragon’s treasure. In A Beginner’s Guide to Wooing Your Mate, Zeki Janowitz, wizard, and Theo Greenleaf, werewolf, have a second chance at a relationship, if they can learn what love’s really about. Tim Dirus is on the run from his own kind, in Little Wolf, but werewolf and local sheriff Nathaniel Neri is determined to teach him that it’s not all about how alpha you are. And in The Firebird and Other Stories, R. Cooper takes us from the turn of the twentieth century to present day with stories that explore beings throughout history.

ISBN-13: 978-1-63477-629-5

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/beings-in-love-by-r-cooper-7633-b

Reviewer: Shorty 

Review: I really wanted to love this bundle. But alas I was unable to enjoy it as much as I normally would. Each story had great plot ideas but failed to keep the reading smooth. I was unsure whether this was done deliberately or not. At times I found myself annoyed at some weird sentence phrasings. 

I feel each main character of the stories should have had background stories, yet some did not. As a result I was disappointed. But aside from those things it was a good read with great ideas to expand on or go through and eliminate some things while adding others.

This bundle is a total of five stories in the series that have werewolves, fairies, dragons, wizards, humans, imps, firebirds and quite a few others are in these stories as they all struggle to survive and to find the one they are meant to be with for all time while overcoming prejudices and danger. Dramatic and entertaining to a point this bundle has it all.

Good read.

Little Wolf by R. Cooper ~ Audiobook

R. Cooper - Little Wolf COverTitle: Little Wolf

Series:  Being(s) in Love 04

Author: R Cooper

Narrator: Robert Nieman

Genre: Paranormal

Length: 18 hrs, 54 mins

Publisher: Dreampsinner Press LLC (2nd May 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Blurb: On the run from his old-blood werewolf family, Tim Dirus finds himself in Wolf’s Paw, one of the last surviving refuges from the days when werewolves were hunted by humans and one of the last places Tim wants to be. Kept away from other wolves by his uncle, Tim knows almost nothing about his own kind except that alpha werewolves only want to control and dominate a scrawny wolf like him.

Tim isn’t in Wolf’s Paw an hour before he draws the attention of Sheriff Nathaniel Neri, the alpha-est alpha in a town full of alphas. Powerful, intimidating, and the most beautiful wolf Tim has ever seen, Nathaniel makes Tim feel safe for reasons Tim doesn’t understand. For five years he’s lived on the run, in fear of his family and other wolves. Everything about Wolf’s Paw is contrary to what he thought he knew, and he is terrified. Fearing his mate will run, Sheriff Nathaniel must calm his little wolf and show him he’s more than a match for this big, bad alpha.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Upfront I’m going to say that Little Wolf is a very long audio and you will need the patience to listen. This is book 4 in R Cooper’s series, but the books work as standalone stories too. I have only heard/read the previous book in the series, A Beginner’s Guide to Wooing Your Mate, which despite it being predicated on mates who met in high school and a massive miscommunication, I found quite enjoyable.

The story is about Tim Dirus, who is on the run but was able to settle in Wolf’s Paw for a spell (not literally, well, maybe). Tim is the titular Little Wolf. He also happens to be half human and is hiding a massive secret from his mate and his new friends in Wolf’s Paw. Then there is the town’s sexy sheriff Nathaniel Neri. He instantly knows that Tim is his mate, but is forced to wait for his wary mate, who does not know much about being shifter, while Tim learns about were (though some would say he is quite unwilling).

I know that there will be a lot of people like me – they don’t mind a book which is based off of miscommunication and a rebellious runaway who refuses to get close to anyone, let alone the man that he doesn’t realize is his mate. However, at the same time, like me, there will be plenty of people that find that the plot drags along fairly slowly. It annoyed me to the point I sped up the audio because I couldn’t handle the thought of not finishing. Luckily I did a lot of listening while doing edits on my thesis so things weren’t so bad.

However, there is something I know will annoy a lot of fans of the shifter theme – that’s when one of the main characters sort of/maybe cheats on his mate (even if in this case Nathaniel basically pushed Tim to be with the other wolf if only for experience or to understand his feelings). Tim’s thoughts tend to go around in a lot of circles, which is a major reason why the story seems to drag so long.

But all in all, I have to say I still did enjoy the book. It does have all the elements of enjoyable romance. Not only that, Nathaniel and Tim work well together. I love a good paranormal/shifter romance and this certainly delivers, if only the plot and character development is slow. The other saving grace for the book is Robert Nieman’s wonderful narration.

A Beginner’s Guide to Wooing Your Mate by R. Cooper ~ Audiobook

R. Cooper - A Beginner's Guide to Wooing Your Mate Cover AudioTitle: A Beginner’s Guide to Wooing Your Mate

Series:  Being(s) in Love 3

Author: R. Cooper

Narrator: Robert Nieman

Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

Length: 7 hrs, 43 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Zeki Janowitz has returned to his hometown of Wolf’s Paw to start his wizarding career. Unfortunately, Wolf’s Paw, a werewolf refuge, follows centuries of tradition and shuns human magic and a very human Zeki. He knows he’s in for a struggle, but a part of him has always belonged in the mountain town, or rather belonged to Theo Greenleaf. Years away at school haven’t lessened Zeki’s crush on the quiet werewolf. When town gossip informs him Theo still suffers from his mate’s rejection and does not date, it does little to ease Zeki’s embarrassing feelings. He decides now’s the time to get the man he’s always wanted.

Werewolves usually don’t recover from losing their mates, and Theo barely pulled through by focusing on his love of baking. It’s a daily struggle, and Zeki’s return to Wolf’s Paw shatters his peace. Theo doesn’t know what to think when Zeki attempts to woo him, talking about his wizarding business and settling in town for good. It’s like Zeki doesn’t have a clue how his words years before left Theo a shell of a werewolf.

Beginners in love, Theo and Zeki must seduce each other with a bit of heavenly baking and magic.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: If you like paranormal romances – and I know that most of us that do will devour just about anything with wolves and mates as long as there is a sign for a HEA and a lot of loving – then this is one of those impulse reads (audios) that are just wonderful to come across. Yes, it is part of a series, but you needn’t have read the previous books, these works as a standalone. However, with hints of the next book in the series I’m seriously looking forward to the next installment.

A Beginner’s Guide to Wooing Your Mate is aptly named because the MCs are so inexperienced when it comes to love they really are beginners. Their mating bond kicked in too early in life that they never were able to start anything – what with teenage hormones and emotions in the way. Zeki and Theo are strong characters and that is why life happened the way it did for both of them. Zeki may be a human in a world where shifters are superior, but he is also a wizard and therefore capable of channeling magic, even though that is also seen as second best in a world where men can change into animals.

The only thing that really bugged me about this book is that the pack treat Zeki shitty to begin with when what happened between him and Theo was a misunderstanding between two teenagers still in high school. Yes, Theo has suffered but he is stronger as a result but the main theme in this book is that we always see things differently as children as we do when we’re adults.

As for the narration, really well done and on point, I’ve heard Robert Nieman in the past but I don’t think I’ve ever been as fully on board with his narration as I was during this book.

A Dandelion for Tulip by R. Cooper

r-cooper-06-a-dandelion-for-tulip-coverTitle: A Dandelion for Tulip

Series: Being(s) in Love #6

Author: R. Cooper

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Length: Novel (200 Pages)

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (June 24, 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Blurb: David is in love with Tulip, a kind and unusually quiet fairy in his social circle. But everyone knows Tulip doesn’t date humans. David tells himself he is happy to be Tulip’s friend, because he doesn’t believe a fairy could love him and Tulip has never tried to “keep him”—as fairies refer to relationships with humans.

Fairies are drawn to David, describing his great “shine,” but David knows only too well how quickly fairies can forget humans, and thinks he’s destined to be alone. He can’t see his own brilliance or understand how desperately Tulip wants him, even if Tulip believes David can do better.

But exhausted and more than a little tipsy at a Christmas party, David makes his feelings too obvious for Tulip to deny any longer. Because of a past heartbreak involving a human, Tulip is convinced someone as shiny as David could never want a “silly, stupid fairy” in his life. Now, if he wants to keep David, he’ll have to be as brave as his shiny, careful human.

ISBN: 978-1-63477-314-0

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/a-dandelion-for-tulip-by-r-cooper-7186-b

Reviewer: Lisa

Review:  Each one of these stories can be read as a standalone.  Although it is much more fun reading them altogether.  I am afraid that I have read them out of order so I am a test to the fact that you don’t have to read them in order.  

After reading the other stories I have to admit that I am not really that impressed with them. The writing is a bit off as are the characters just a bit. Although I did like Arthur and Bertie in the other book. The title does not compliment the story what so ever. To be honest I was beginning to think that this author was trying to turn the characters into m/f romance what with the one characters names being female.  But I will go into that later.  

Fairies, werewolves and dragons live among the humans. However fairies are known to be distracted and forgetful.  They also run around half naked most of the time. They see humans as treasures. The problem with fairies is that they don’t normally stay with one person. Tulip however is not like that. He only wants one man and that man is David.

Now David is into self-pity stage. He sees that everyone who he has been with loses interest in him soon after. The fairies see him as being shiny and tempting. However Tulip is not like that. Although Tulip doesn’t date humans either so it makes it perfect. He doesn’t date humans and David doesn’t date fairies. What a perfect pair we have here.

Now what kind of name for a man is Tulip. This author has a thing about giving her characters really weird names that do not do anything for the character whatsoever. It brings the story down in my mind, because the whole time I am thinking female and stupid.  Even though they are all male the names make them very off.  I am afraid that I don’t think I want to read any more by this author. Or at least not this series. They are completely off, and the writing is a bit difficult in some parts. I was not pleased at all I am afraid.    

I have to admit that I ended up skimming through most of this story. It had potential but failed. I am afraid that this book was not for me at all. 

A Dandelion For Tulip by R. Cooper Blog Tour, Guest Post & Excerpt!

R. Cooper - A Dandelion for Tulip _FBbanner_DSP

Hi guys, we have R. Cooper popping in today with her upcoming release A Dandelion For Tulip, we have a brilliant guest post where R. chats stories, fairies, Tulip and David, and we have a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

R. Cooper - A Dandelion for Tulip Cover s

A Dandelion For Tulip

(Being(s) In Love 06)
by

R. Cooper

David is in love with Tulip, a kind and unusually quiet fairy in his social circle. But everyone knows Tulip doesn’t date humans. David tells himself he is happy to be Tulip’s friend, because he doesn’t believe a fairy could love him and Tulip has never tried to “keep him”—as fairies refer to relationships with humans.

Fairies are drawn to David, describing his great “shine,” but David knows only too well how quickly fairies can forget humans, and thinks he’s destined to be alone. He can’t see his own brilliance or understand how desperately Tulip wants him, even if Tulip believes David can do better.

But exhausted and more than a little tipsy at a Christmas party, David makes his feelings too obvious for Tulip to deny any longer. Because of a past heartbreak involving a human, Tulip is convinced someone as shiny as David could never want a “silly, stupid fairy” in his life. Now, if he wants to keep David, he’ll have to be as brave as his shiny, careful human.

Continue reading “A Dandelion For Tulip by R. Cooper Blog Tour, Guest Post & Excerpt!”

Little Wolf by R. Cooper

LittleWolfLGTitle: Little Wolf
Series: A Being(s) in Love Story, #4
Author: R. Cooper
Genre: Paranormal/ Mystery/Suspense/ Urban Fantasy
Length: Novel (380 Pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (May 8, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: On the run from his old-blood werewolf family, Tim Dirus finds himself in Wolf’s Paw, one of the last surviving refuges from the days when werewolves were hunted by humans and one of the last places Tim wants to be. Kept away from other wolves by his uncle, Tim knows almost nothing about his own kind except that alpha werewolves only want to control and dominate a scrawny wolf like him.

Tim isn’t in Wolf’s Paw an hour before he draws the attention of Sheriff Nathaniel Neri, the Alphaest Alpha in a town full of Alphas. Powerful, intimidating, and the most beautiful wolf Tim has ever seen, Nathaniel makes Tim feel safe for reasons Tim doesn’t understand. For five years he’s lived on the run, in fear of his family and other wolves. Everything about Wolf’s Paw is contrary to what he thought he knew, and he is terrified.

Fearing his mate will run, Sheriff Nathaniel must calm his little wolf and show him he’s more than a match for this big, bad Alpha.

ISBN: 978-1-63216-976-1

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6355

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

I have always loved romance stories especially when they are male on male romance. Now when you put it all into a good paranormal I am usually the first one in line for it. Now I must admit that this story does come off a little dark to me. However it didn’t take away from the story though.

Tim just pulls at your heartstrings. He is running away from his old werewolf blood family. However he is a bit lost. He thinks Alphas are cruel, dominating and just too much for someone like himself. He had listened to his uncle just a little too much. Then he meets a sexy Alpha. Nathaniel just draws him in. He makes him feel things he didn’t feel before. Now it is up to Nathaniel to show him the true meaning of mates.

I would definitely recommend this amazing story. It has a lot to offer you in many ways that some paranormal stories just don’t have. I have not been one to be captivated by a story’s darkness. However this one is a pretty damn good story. Now to get to the down and dirty. I was not pleased that it took Nathaniel too long to admit that they were mates. It does drag just a bit though.

I had a blast reading this and look forward to reading the next story. To me it had way too much description in it then was needed, but it didn’t take away from the story. It had enhanced it. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. I also had such a blast with the title. It gave me almost everything I could want in a story.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series and others by R. Cooper.

Portia’s Two Cents:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

It is those dark aspects that I loved about this title.  The romance is strong, but the suspense is its equal…

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *