Blurb:Can these two fall for one another while making hot, steamy…cider?
Tyler has a problem. He doesn’t have the funds to cover his fraternal dues this year and needs to find a job. After going to his fraternity treasurer, Mitch, Tyler finds himself working with Mitch’s hot twin brother, Sawyer.
Sawyer has had a crush on Tyler since he first saw the man at his twin’s crazy fraternity. When opportunity arises for the two to work together at the cider mill, Sawyer won’t waste any time to ask Tyler out and hope the two will become more.
Will there be steamy feelings, and will they fall for each other?
Review: Tyler is in need of a job to make his frat dues. He has some good friends in his Frat and wants to keep his room. He also has a crush on His frat mate Mitch’s brother Sawyer. He is really excited when he finds his new job is working with the sexy swimmer Sawyer.
I have read a few of these stories from this series and find them all so refreshing. Don’t let that this is number 18 scare you off. They all stand-alone quite well. This is a great story for one of those times you want a sweet feel-good read. It’s like a warm cuddly blanket or a yummy soothing mug of hot cider (couldn’t resist).
I recommend this if you like a sweet romance with a happy end and a nice holiday themed story and apple cider and burnt donuts!!
Blurb: Wells thinks life is all work and no play, and Jaret thinks life is all one big party. When the tow clash, an attraction develops that nobody saw coming.
Jaret may be a paramedic, but that doesn’t mean he lets the everyday horrors he sees keep him down. Every day is a reason to party, and he always loves to be the center of attention. When he finds out that his new partner is Wells, the stuffy medic in the company, Jaret is less than thrilled.
But the longer they work together, the more Jaret finds himself drawn to Wells. Wells, on the other hand, seems not to even notice that Jaret is there. Will Jaret be able to attract Wells’ attention? Or do opposites really distract?
Review: The author does a skilful job of making the reader take a deeper look at characters in this story. Because on the surface, this story it looks like a story of opposites attracting. This story is really the case of a very shy Englishman not knowing how to relate to his fellow EMS workers. And the life of the party is covering a very caring heart that feels deeply.
When paired together, both Wells and Jaret think it’s a disaster waiting to happen, both giving it less than a shift to blow up. Both get on each other’s nerves until they get a call to rescue a very large diabetic woman, where each gets a look into the true heart and character of their new partner. Here starts the change of heart for both of them. This change in how they view each other continues when Jaret invites Wells to movie night with another co-worker Dallas. In the rash of calls that Jaret and Wells field, several are for over doses of a new drug called The Gate.
In between work and seeing each other, Jaret is dealing with his brother who is leaching off of him. Baby brother does nothing but drain Jaret’s money for clubbing every night. Wells along with everyone else sees this happening and Jaret knows he’s being used, but it’s his baby brother.
This was another fun, enjoyable read from this author. The writing flow, the characters have depth, the plot was a bit predictable but still well done.
Blurb: Can surviving the horrors of the night lead Colin to find the one that was meant to love him and bring him back to the light?
Colin Brantford is an Omega wolf. When his pack is destroyed by hellhounds, he and his brother are transported to Moon Compound. There, Colin must enter into a world where all wolf shifters are sent to learn to shift. Two years prematurely.
Sloan Atwater has been at the compound for three years and still has no control of his wolf. That is until he spots Colin, making Sloan crave the slightest touch. Will he be able to claim Colin for his own? And when Colin needs Sloan, will he be able to control his wolf?
Review: All right, this is it people. This exactly what I love and crave when I read a paranormal book that involves wolf-shifters. Damn this read was one hell of a ride and damn if I’m not anxiously waiting for #2 of the series.
Let me tell you, this was a 117 pages novella that I surprisingly devoured in a couple of hours with people going in and out of the house, kids screaming their heads off and elders demanding my presence, yet I noticed nothing. Nothing at all!
From line one, I was lost to the known world. From chapter one it was a miracle I still breathed, and by the end of book, well even now it’s a wonder I have the presence of mind to write the review and actually function.
The idea of pre-shifting wolves getting in a secured compound that would allow them to come to terms and control their wolf without hurting someone was freaking brilliant. I mean it, it is so damn logical and sane I wonder how no one else thought of that first.
Here we have Collin. He is anxious and freaking out of his mind, because in two years’ time he not only has to submit himself in a prison for his kind, but he has to go through the horror and the pains of his shift. Stay in the compound till he controls his wolf and in general be away from his pack and brother (his only blood relative) for at least a year. However, an attack to his pack leaves him and his brother the only survivors, his brother seriously injured, and they have nowhere to go except follow the guard from the nearby Moon Compound and make that “prison” their residence. Collin feels like he’s going to lose it.
On the other hand, we have Sloan. Damn that hot, hot, HOT Alpha. He stole my heart, period. He’s been in the compound for three years and still hasn’t mastered his wolf. A night before the full moon and yet another change he sees a new addition coming in and his heart is lost. Not understanding why he spends all night kneeling in front of his call and watching over the new arrival, praying he’s ok. Next day he goes into a fight with another Alpha that dared go near this new Omega. And the same night, without even thinking twice about it, he offers Collin his iPod so he’ll be able to not hear the screams and horrors of the shifters.
And how many times have I said that I totally hate the “Fate” and inevitable of the mating ritual? Yes, too many to count and I take it all back shamelessly on this occasion. This mating ritual ROCKED, and it’s one of the best I’ve read so far. Congratulations to the author, that was bloody brilliant, and one hell of an achievement pulling it off the way she did.
The pair took me with it and dragged me along its story without a hitch. One moment I was starting the read, the next it was over and I was left in agony, as the final line was the beginning of the next installment, and God damn it, it was so hooking that waiting I don’t know how many months for book #2 to come out seems like the biggest cruelty ever done to me.
Oh God, I’m still upset it is over. Yeah, keep that in mind before you read this awesome, awesome book. I totally loved it.
Blurb: Into the paranormal world: When Fate pairs opposites, will the magnetism push them apart or draw them together?
Cornelius Roister is a flirt, has been since coming out. He lives loud, proud, and for the moment. What only his best friend, Gustav Gus Hermance, knows is that it’s a defense mechanism, an act, used to keep people from getting too close. People that are close can hurt you, and he’s had enough pain to last him a lifetime.
When Cornelius visits Gus at his new home, he is ecstatic to discover his mate in Einan, a gargoyle enforcer. Until him and large-and-in-charge Einan have their first personality clash…and then their second. They just can’t seem to carry on a conversation without disagreeing or arguing. Is Cornelius’s mating doomed before it even gets started? Or can Cornelius and Einan find some common ground?
Review: Cornelius was a rhino shifter and best friends with Gus, who is mated to a gargoyle. He always wanted to be loved, but from his past comes pain. Then he met Einan, a gargoyle enforcer. And at first, every time they talked they seemed to argue and Cornelius runs. His ex-boyfriend not only hurt him, but also shared him with his friends, and since Cornelius was a sub, he had taken the abuse, till one day he got away. Then the past came back and Cornelius needs to save his sister from his ex. He just prayed Einan would care enough and forgive him to come save him. What Cornelius didn’t understand was Einan loved him and would always save him. I loved this story and cannot wait till the next book of this series.
Blurb: For three thousand years, the dark servants of the Lord of Night have waged war against the monstrous armies of the Unmaker. An ancient prophecy gives them hope of eventual victory, but now the underpinnings of their salvation are threatened, for the Unmaker seeks to destroy a central player of the prophecy before he comes into his own. Cursed with the rare gift of foresight, high priest S’Rak suffers a series of visions showing the same man dying a hundred different deaths. To save the ancient prophecy, S’Rak is duty bound to travel to a sun kingdom and, if necessary, give his life to defend this unknown prince.
Review: This would be a great book for those who loved the paranormal and multiple lovers. I had a difficult time getting into it, but the story line was good. His name is Rak, but for honor reasons you always put the S before the name S’Rak. S’Rak is a high priest with the gift of foresight. He sees a young man, an unknown prince and knows he must save him. There is a lot of world building and you are left with many unanswered questions. But, for the first of a series, it’s not bad. I look forward to more of this world.
Blurb: Travis has done everything to keep his daughter safe. He’s fought a long, hard battle in the courts to gain full custody and has finally found some breathing room. But that security comes at a heavy price.
Staying in a motel and living off his quickly dwindling savings is no way to raise a toddler, so when Liam steps into his life and offers him hundreds of dollars just to watch his dogs for a weekend, it almost seems too good to be true.
But when he finds out there is more to Liam than he ever thought, he has a hard decision to make. Can he and his daughter stay and be safe or will he need to leave?
Review: This is a warm and sweetly written story which deals with a parent, Travis, having to swallow some pride when he finally wins custody of his daughter, Hannah. However, it was at the cost of everything else in his life. Down on his luck, he runs into Liam while trying to find work.
Something about the smaller man calls to Liam. It makes him want to offer help without hurting the other man’s pride more than it’s already been. Using the excuse of an out-of-town trip for his boss, who is also his Alpha, he persuades Travis to watch Lucy and Ethel, his mastiff dogs. He figures that’s a start, but how do you tell a human that you’re a shifter?
I love how Hannah knew instinctively that Liam was a shifter, by calling him Puppy every time she saw him. And, I love how Liam became a protective de facto parent around Hannah, even before he and Travis got together. His Alpha is so not happy that Hannah can see the “puppies”; it brings back the stories of hunters who can see the wolf in them. So now, Liam gets to deal with his feeling for Travis, his need to protect Hannah while getting her to stop calling them puppies and to placate his Alpha at the same time.
This was an enjoyable story to read, well written. Travis, Liam and Hannah are well-rounded characters and very likable. I look forward to reading more of this series and more of this author’s work.
Blurb:Kenneth and Thorn have become Enforcers, those who keep the peace, monitor major societal changes, and if necessary, hunt down criminals. Luckily, their first mission seems easy. They must explore a new alchemy school, meet with the governor of the local village, and determine if the school’s presence has upset the local population of people who cannot use magic at all. As a talentless himself, Thorn especially is concerned. He knows the inequality the talentless face in a world ruled by mages, and he is anxious to see how he will fare as an Enforcer.
When they arrive, the governor is friendly enough. But as Kenneth and Thorn begin to explore the school and surrounding village, they find signs of something far more serious than simple friction between the talentless and the magi. Students at the alchemy school displays feats of magical strength far beyond what Kenneth has seen before, and Thorn finds out that talentless people are disappearing. They set out to figure out what is going on—but run into problems when they meet an old enemy.
Review:This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Kenneth and Thorn are now Enforcers, with Thorn becoming the first Talentless Enforcer. It is now time for their first mission. Check out the new alchemy college, meet the governor, and see how the college’s presence is affecting the local village… easy right? The governor is friendly, the college welcoming, but the village is hostile. Thorn and Kenneth split up to discover what is truly going on and while Kenneth is being seduce by the college, Thorn is being spat upon by his fellow talentless, and as they both draw near to the truth they have to face a deadly enemy again.
First Mission begins about three weeks after The Exam finished. It continues the story of Kenneth and Thorn, a mage and a talentless, who is life mates and set on becoming Enforcers. To uphold the law and in Thorn’s case to bring some equality for the talentless. On their first mission together, Thorn’s fears seem to be realized, when he is spat upon and called a traitor by his own people. But, his determination to help them won’t let it get to him. Kenneth has his own concerns when he realizes that he is being distracted from his job, trying to determined what is happening isn’t easy when he can trust no one but Thorn.
I really do enjoy this series as the storyline develops and we see both Kenneth and Thorn confronting their future together. Their first mission isn’t as easy as they hoped as they come across a cesspit of corruption and dark magic. Their love is still strong and strengthening every day, they face what is thrown at them, the contempt and anger, the wiles and seduction with the knowledge that they can fight against it together. They are a wonderful couple and their passion for each other doesn’t waver… even when temptation is being force upon Kenneth. The storyline is really good, and has excitement and danger, with both men fighting against the evil deeds to save the village but with Thorn finding himself in great danger.
I have to recommend this to those who love magic and Steampunk, stronger bonds being forged, fighting against dark deeds, building a bridge between Enforcers and talentless, with a great ending that leaves the way for more great stories.
Blurb: S’Rak, a high priest of the Lord of Night, has been sent far from home to defend both a prophecy and a prince. His problems began the very day he arrived in a kingdom that views him and his kind as demons, and his half-brother Prince Jethain, the man he has sacrificed everything to save, isn’t helping matters.
Only Jisten, the captain of the palace guard, is willing to help S’Rak, but can the two learn to work together in time to save the prince.
Review: This is a really good read, but is very hard for me to get into. S’Rak is a high priestess with a very high sexual drive. He has many husbands and wives, but can take lovers to keep the fires at bay. S’Rak was sent to a kingdom to defend a prophecy and a prince, who was no other than his half-brother Prince Jethain. He sacrificed everything he had to save his brother, but his brother is still very wary of him. There are many characters in this story that are considered slaves, but the stories told about them are amazing. If I was into this type of book, I know I would love it.
Blurb: Tiberius has met the man he wishes for his own, but Keir isn’t willing to be one of many. He plans to be the Alpha’s only.
Tiberius, Alpha of the Black Creek pack, is tired of being alone. When Keir, a new Beta joins the pack, Tiber is startled to learn he’s found his mate. Keir isn’t interested in becoming one of a couple of Alpha mates. He plans to be the one and only. First, however, they need to defeat their enemies and weed out the ones who are trying to destroy them from within.
Review:This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Tiber is the Alpha of Black Creek pack and wants to find his mate, and stumbles across him when he is looking for signs of Oscar. Keir is overjoyed to finally meet his mate, but he does not intend to ever share his mate with anyone else. Tiber and Keir have other concerns first though they have to hunt down Oscar and rescue pack members and they discover there is a traitor in their midst.
Oh, Keir is one confident puppy and Tiber soon learns that surrender is bliss. Tiber is still hunting for Oscar, the insane wolf who is murdering Tiber’s pack members, while on a hunt he and Conner discover an injured red wolf and take him to Josh. Keir was looking for Tiber’s pack when he was attacked by a back wolf. Even though he is injured, he is still overjoyed to meet the alpha. Now, he just needs to convince the shifter that they are meant to be together. With Tiber accepting new pack members, he doesn’t realize that he may have accepted a traitor, but it soon comes to a head and all is revealed.
I really enjoyed this story. I really liked the way that Keir, as a red wolf, was slightly different from the gray wolves, fully believing in the mate bond for red wolves. Keir is also super confident, even though he knows alpha’s usually take more than one mate he is determined to prove his newfound mate otherwise and that he is the only mate Tiber needs. Tiber has been alone for some time and although he doesn’t say outright, at first you get the feeling he has no intention of having more than one mate anyway. He just likes tease Keir. Their relationship is passionate and they get along brilliantly, the storyline has a good hint of tension with a healthy dose of danger. I must admit to being slightly surprised as to the traitor and cheered happily when they got what they deserved.
I recommend this to those who love shifters, a great storyline, brilliant characters, hot sex, shifters getting their just deserts and a great hot ending.
Blurb: At over four hundred years of age, Xavier Agueda has all but given up hope of finding his beloved, his soul mate. Then Detective Owen Hanson comes to the vampire’s estate to question Xavier’s coven leader’s partner. Owen’s blood calls to him like nothing he’s scented before. When his leader learns that Owen may be his beloved, he helps Xavier plan to meet him again. It takes a couple of weeks, but finally they schedule a BBQ at a mutual friend’s home, giving him the opportunity to see Owen again.
Can Xavier convince Owen to accept the attentions of a man? And if so, how will Owen react to learning vampires exist?
Review: I have always loved Charlie Richards’s stories and this was no exception. Xavier was four hundred twenty-seven years old and wanted a mate. Owen was a detective and very much in the closet. So much so, that he had never been with a man before. Yet, he wanted Xavier at first sight. The only thing that worried Xavier was how to introduce him into the vampire world. During the kidnapping of his leader’s mate, Owen got introduced real fast. However, he realized that no matter what, he wanted to be with Xavier. The sex was amazing and the fact that he had bonded with Xavier, Owen knew he would have to tell his family. Xavier was worth coming out.
This story was fast told, but the story line was really good. I would read it more than once.
Blurb: Into the paranormal world: A man’s idea of good and bad can be put to the test at the most unexpected moments.
Maelgwn, leader of a clutch of gargoyles in Durango, Colorado, only planned to be in Stone Ridge a few days to help a fellow gargoyle’s mate through laying their first egg. His plan to leave changes when he scents his mate in the hospital. He discovers his mate is Bobby Truman, a human who has no idea the paranormal world exists, even though a number of his friends are shifters. Maelgwn begins the arduous process of watching and waiting, searching for that perfect opportunity to make contact with his mate.
Bobby Truman is tired of his boyfriend, Seth’s, abusive friends, especially when Seth doesn’t do anything about their antics. The broken nose, compliments of Seth’s buddy Grant, is the final straw. When he’s attacked by muggers and rescued by a mysterious stranger in the dark, Bobby hopes it’s the opportunity he needs to make a clean break from Seth. Even if it doesn’t work out with Maelgwn, maybe Bobby can keep his new love interest’s attention long enough to prove to Seth they are really done.
Bobby thinks it’s odd that Maelgwn won’t come into the light, always meeting him after dark, but he’s nowhere near prepared for the truth when it finally comes out.
Can Maelgwn convince Bobby that the things that go bump in the night aren’t always bad and to take his place at Maelgwn’s side in a paranormal world? Even when that means uprooting his life and moving?
Review: I absolutely loved this story. It is a wonderful start to a new series. Charlie Richards has done gargoyles before, but Maelgwn and his crew are fresh and sexy. Readers first meet Maelgwn in Book 14 of the Wolves of Stone Ridge series, Gustav’s Gargoyle Adventure. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16121818-gustav-s-gargoyle-adventure
This book is very funny and sweet at the same time. Just the kind of thing I’ve come to expect from Charlie Richards. I love the tender moments that Maelgwn and Bobby have. At first Maelgwn was afraid to let Bobby know what he truly is, a gargoyle. When Bobby does find out, it was an accident. There is also a bit of suspense thrown in, which is nice.
The sex between the two is very hot and passionate. They have a little bit of problems to work through, but love shines through. I never laughed so hard in my life. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Blurb: Into the paranormal world: It’s all fun and games until someone’s life is threatened.
Adalric Bachmeier is the leader of his vampire coven and not accustomed to being patient, but to win his beloved’s affection, he tries to be just that. Unfortunately, time runs out too soon. Adalric can’t put off returning to his coven, as well as his duties, any longer, and he plans to take Seth Goodwin with him, willingly or not.
Seth never would have believed that creatures of myth and legend existed. Coming face to face with a vindictive, bloodthirsty vampire opens his eye
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa
Review: This is a wonderful series to read and lose yourself in. The paranormal world is a dangerous world to live in, but it is worth it when there is someone who loves you so much, that he would give you the world. Seth’s introduction into Adalric’s world is not good, he is running scared, but there is this bond he feels for Adalric. The bond of a mate. Adalric has to have great patience waiting for Seth to give in and love him back. I wish this book had a few more chapters to read, but would read it more than once.
s real quick to a whole new set of evils in the world. He can’t figure out why Adalric continues with his overtures of friendship, especially when he’s been nothing but rude and cold to the guy. After all, Seth wants nothing to do with a vampire.
Adalric insists that Seth must go with him to his coven, and he uses the guise of marking him as taken—making him off-limits to other vampires—to finally sink his fangs into the human. Even though Seth finds great pleasure in Adalric’s arms, when the truth of their relationship comes out, will their fragile bond withstand the tension? Or will it snap, sending Seth running?
Review: As much as I’m attracted to paranormal stories, and yes, the vampires do hold an exquisite appeal, I’m not fond of an unchallenging plot as was the case with this one. The shallowness here was almost boring.
A Vampire coven leader finds his beloved (mate). His mate has been introduced to the paranormal world through violence and is now utterly afraid of any creature non-human. The Vampire seduces and misleads the human to get him on his grounds. The human throws a fit, and before our eyes, everything magically changes as “the bond” does its thing. Of course, to heighten the intensity, there is the bad Vampire there as well who attacks his Master’s beloved in order to throttle the Old Master and take leadership for his own. But true love prevails and Happily Ever After occurs.
I was utterly put off from the magic changing of feeling on Seth’s part. So unchallenging for Adalric, the text implication that he was wondering how to woo his beloved went out of the window in a matter of a few pages. Why couldn’t there have been more depth between the lovers? Why couldn’t there have been something in their personality, the chemistry needed to make the declaration of love credible? Why Fate is implored all the time for a feeling that is supposed to grow, evolve, and overrule all other? Would it be so hard to put the pair through some work toward that goal?
I don’t know, everything about this plot – the romance and the action – was so blasé, so been-there-done-that and read-one-read-em-all, that I found no real enjoyment in this. I simply want more and this book was found lacking for my tastes.
Blurb:Pack Shaman and wolf shifter, Reece, has been mated to Sean for years. Even though their love for each other is true…there has always been something left unspoken, something missing between them.
With Sean’s hybrid body warring between his vampiric thirst and his wolf’s need, he can’t believe it when the one thing he secretly wants yet can’t give his mate literally falls into his arms. How is he going to hold it together long enough to understand and accept the cost it brings, when all he can think about is getting five minutes alone with Reece?
Review: This was a first read for me written by this author. In addition, I found her world building to be exceptionally well done. Her character building is complete with both Sean and Reese being complex and well-rounded, as are the secondary character too.
Sean and Reese have been together for years and as gay male shifters, both have giving up the dream of having cubs of their own. So they are more than surprised when Reese’s spirit guide has him driving around in the dead of night, in a storm too unsettled to sleep and not knowing what he’ll find in the rain. Sean of course has gone along for the ride, he’s not about to let his mate do this alone. They are more than surprised when they find a pregnant bear shifter alone beside the road. Tehya is a Shaman too, and her guide has brought her battered body to the ones she must find.
What fate has in store for them is their hearts desire, a bear shifter cub, an adopted daughter. But, she comes at a high cost. They will have to love her, raise her and protect her from the ones who harmed her mother. Sean and Reese are more than ready for the challenge, because their world is now complete.
Blurb: Simon may be the best tracker out there, but somebody else is on his trail, and if he doesn’t watch it, they may just catch him and not release him.
Raised to never trust any other shifters outside his inner circles, the last thing Simon wants to do is to work with a Wolf, much less an Omega.
Finn doesn’t want to work with Simon any more than Simon wants to be with him. Not only does the assassin intimidate him, but also Simon is nothing more than a jerk.
But, despite all that, Finn finds himself growing attracted to Simon, which is crazy because he hates Simon. Will Finn and Simon be able to put their differences aside to give love a chance?
Review:This story is part of a series and is best read in order. Simon is an assassin, he is the best tracker in the group, but when hunting for some giant baby spiders he is assigned The best tracker the wolves have… an omega. Finn really doesn’t want to work with an assassin, but if he wants more missions than he has to prove he can handle himself, but damn Simon is a jerk! As the two work together, they surprise each other and soon their attraction flares to life but will their budding love survive when they face opposition from Finn’s brothers.
This is a great addition to Wayne County Wolves with us being introduced to more shifters who have suffered in the past. When Simon and Finn first meet neither man is really impressed with the other, they might look good enough to eat but first impressions are poor. Working together, they see beneath the surface and their attraction flares, but they both want to see what they can have together before broadcasting it to the world. Finn has his brothers to think about, especially his protective older brother Tate, but his feelings for Simon won’t be denied. Simon has only ever had his fellow assassins and has never really cared for anyone before, but Finn has shattered all Simon’s defenses to worm his way into his heart.
So we meet new characters in this installment of Wayne County Wolves and I have to say that I really hope that two of them will be getting stories of their own. We meet Finn who isn’t like normal omegas, he knows how to fight and has a super sensitive nose, he wants to do more for the pack, but his older brother is protective. Simon is an assassin and Finn is the one who finds the chink in his armor, showing Simon himself that he can have more than meaningless sex and that he is more than just an assassin. They get to know each other before they act on their attraction and then wait longer before they finally admit how they feel about each other, but they have to bring Tate around because he is opposed to the relationship. Finn also has to make his twin brother, Kline, let him go and make Tate accept that Kline should also have a life of his own.
I really enjoyed this story and loved the way that neither Finn nor Kline is a typical omega, both of them learning to fight and protect after their parents were killed. Both brothers are unique and I think they make a great addition to the series, Finn and Simon’s story is great, and we see them clearing all the spiders that escaped in The Leopard Who Changed His Spots.
I recommend this to those who love shifters overcoming their pasts, danger, great characters, hot sex, tension and a great ending.
Blurb:Out of the Cage: When taking on a wild animal, prepare to be bit.
Persecution from Jason Truollo’s immediate family becomes too much—his stepfather’s backhand to the jaw is the final straw—and he heads toward the only family who had understood when he came out, his Uncle Raul Braga. When he gets there, he’s shocked when not only does his uncle welcome him with open arms, but he finds his uncle in a committed relationship…with a man. Not only that, but many of Uncle Raul’s friends are gay, too.
Finally, Jason feels like he’s found a place he fits in. Even better, he meets a man who pushes all his buttons, Michel McDover, but surely, the sexy rugged mountain man can’t possibly be gay. Except he is, and he makes his interest in Jason plain. Deciding learning the joys of sex from an older man is perfect; Jason begins a torrid fling with Michel. A surprise encounter with some strangers in the woods makes Jason realize he may have far more to learn than he ever thought possible. For the hope of love and acceptance, is he willing to keep an open mind?
Review:This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Jason leaves home and sets off for his uncles when his stepfather goes too far and hits him, he has put up with verbal abuse, but the violence is too much. When Jason arrives at his uncle Raul’s he is pleased when Raul welcomes him with open arms and discovers that Raul has a male partner and that most of his friends are gay, it makes him feel safe. Michel is living up in the mountains putting distance between himself and the town. While visiting his packmate Raul, he discovers his mate. And as he gets to know Jason, disaster strikes and Michel has a lot of explaining to do.
This is a good addition to the Wolves of Stone Ridge series, but was a bit of a letdown, as well. Michel has been around for a long time and is happy to have found his mate, but his mate Jason is a lot younger than him and he isn’t sure how Jason will react to being his mate. Jason is hoping to be welcomed by his uncle Raul (Choosing His Christmas Miracle) but fears rejection, but meeting his uncle and his friends eases him and he jumps at the chance of a date with the sexy mountain man. Just as things seem to get interesting between them, strange visitors drag Jason into a world Michel hasn’t had a chance to inform him about. Just as Jason seems to have wrapped his head around it all a misunderstanding happens that nearly drives them apart.
While I did enjoy this story I found it to be a little strained, as though everything that could happen has happened and it was a strain to come up with something new. Jason’s predicament with his stepfather seemed a convenient excuse for Jason to visit his uncle; I mean suddenly after years of knowing that Jason is gay his stepfather starts to verbally abuse him and then hits him. It was pushing the boundaries of reality a bit. When I first started reading the story I thought Jason must be around eighteen but he was twenty-two, but really came off as younger. Another thing that was a bit unbelievable was when Michel was thinking about how he had removed himself from the human society, so he can reappear in the future with a new name. Living a long time can cause problems and the only hope is that he will be forgotten. But, ten years really isn’t that long and unless all the town members have really bad memories then someone would recognize him.
But, saying all that, I have a soft spot for Charlie Richards wolves. Jason and Michel are one hot couple, and while they have misunderstandings and a bit of danger, it is a nice little story for them. The conclusion to the mad scientist plot was a fizzle, which really surprised me, after all the effort that has gone into that storyline both with Wolves of Stone Ridge and Kontra’s Menagerie; I was expecting something a lot more explosive. I still enjoyed this story though but not as much as I have the previous books.
I recommend this to those who love shifters, hot sex, and new characters, a touch of shock and danger, misunderstandings, hot making up and a very happy ending.
Blurb: When a cat invades a vampire’s kitchen, there’s bound to be hubble, bubble, boil and trouble. Zefran is a witch-vampire, a duality of blood that dangerously complicates his life. He’s hired as the Monsters inK chef—on one condition that in exchange for his work, he is granted sanctuary. Zef believes that it will protect him from all trouble. How wrong can a guy be? Trouble enters his life in the form of the snow leopard shifter, Shandor, whose sexy smile and emerald eyes are firmly set on Zef. The damn cat won’t take no for an answer and Zef and Shan play a game of catch me if you can. More than whiskers twitch in the game of chasey between the two men. But, when Zef thinks he can trust a cat, Shan discovers the truth about Zef and that sets the cat among the vampires…
Review: This is book number 7 in the series, and I hadn’t read the others before this. I had no trouble following this book, so I believe that these can be read as stand alones. That said, I did enjoy this book and do want to read the rest of the series.
This was a fun story about vampires, witches, cat shifters. Zef is hiding, but whom or what is the question that needs to be answered. Shandor is a snow leopard shifter, a tattoo artist and older than Zef, who is still looking for his mate. Zef is working as a chef for Bas and his Monsters inK crew. When they leave to take care of some business, after Bas has given Sanctuary to Zef, he and the business is left in the care of Shandor. This gives Shandor the chance to capture his mate, now if only Zef would realize that they are life-mated. I loved watching his gentle and controlled pursuit of his skittish mate. And Zef total clueless-ness of Shandor’s pursuit.
At the ceremony to formally add Zef to the Monsters inK crew, as well as celebrate his birthday, Shandor informs all that Zef is his mate was well. When Zef dad shows up wanting Zef back in his coven as his heir, the Monster’s inK crew takes care of their. And with some help from the king of Vampires too.
Blurb: Lies…lies…lies….all of it is lies…until the truth comes back to bite you in the ass, and you have to deal with it or risk losing everything you fought so hard to protect.
Donny left his childhood pack behind him when his father couldn’t accept the fact that his son was just an Omega. Destined to be the lowest on the pecking order of the pack, Donny acts out in ways that are sometimes not too healthy for his wellbeing. Proctor is coming to Black Creek to visit an old friend. The last thing he expects is to find himself hanging out with some young, blond brat. What’s more, Proctor doesn’t expect himself to be attracted to the little troublemaker. But things aren’t what they seem to be in Black Creek, and as Proctor digs deeper, he discovers secrets that are explosive. Will he be able to accept the truth? And more importantly, will he be able to accept Donny?
Review:This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Donny is an Omega, because of how his father treated him Donny thinks he is useless and the way his pack mates treat him sometimes doesn’t help. So what if he is a bit of a klutz and he sometimes does stupid things they could at least give him a chance. Proctor is coming to visit his best friend but what he finds at Black Creek has him suspicious, his friends are acting strange and there’s a twink spying on them. Proctor can’t deny the attraction he feels for the little twink though and soon pursues a relationship with Donny, but Proctor finds out the hard way that the town has secrets
This is a great continuation of the Building the Pack series, this time we have young Donny and Proctor, Connor and Josh’s friend, leading the story. Proctor’s cop instincts are instantly pinging when he is visiting his best-friend Connor, both Connor and Josh are acting oddly and Proctor is determined to get to the bottom of it. Donny is keeping an eye on Connor’s and Josh’s place while they have a visitor to ensure no secrets are spilled but he gets caught by Proctor and feels an attraction to the human. Both men embark on a friendship, which quickly changes to more. Donny hates keeping secrets but he can’t betray his pack, but when the evil wolf turns up again Donny doesn’t know if Proctor will ever forgive him.
This story continues in the same vein as The New Wolf keeping the unique fresh shifter story where everything isn’t instant mates and easy acceptance. Both Proctor and Josh are great characters with Donny being sweet and bratty and Proctor being protective and suspicious, they fit together perfectly as they hang out and get to know each other (barring secrets) and when they finally get it on, wow are they hot! But as always, danger comes and both Donny and Proctor handle it badly before forgiveness is sought and given. It wasn’t all perfect as Proctor has to deal with the secrets the hard way and Donny acts like the brat he is and sulks, I did expect a slightly different reaction from Connor and Josh though seeing as what they had also recently been through, they could have been a bit more understanding of Proctor’s reaction.
I recommend this to those who love shifters, danger, secrets, hot sex, finding love, great characters and life changing discoveries.
Blurb: Sometimes the only way to let love in is to let the wolf in, too.
Ten years ago, Mason fell for his best friend while at university. Little did he know just two years later, that same friend would turn his world upside down in a way Mason could never have imagined. Now, he lives a cursed life. Living in solitude, Mason does everything he can to keep people away, not only for his safety, but for theirs, too. The night of the full moon. Niall has no idea he’s a werewolf, but fate brings him and Mason together. A trick of the moon or something deeper, the men are drawn to each other. Together they must find a way to deal with what has happened to them both. But first Mason must learn to trust Niall and realize being alone is not always for the best.
Review: Mason has had to live with in fear with a terrible secret since the night that his best friend turned it into a nightmare that he could never have imagined. Living a life in solitude he does all he can to keep the monster at bay. Mason stumbles across a newly turned werewolf who has no clue what he is, Mason tries to help but Niall doesn’t believe a word he is told…. until the next time he wakes up naked in a strange place with no memories. Both Mason and Niall are drawn together but Mason knows what a monster he really is, and with his vile enemy closing in again, Mason just wants to run. Niall wants to find a solution to both their problems and Mason has to learn to master his wolf and realize that being alone doesn’t have to be the only solution.
This is a brilliant story that takes us back to the horror of werewolves, where they are near mindless monsters that revel in murder and terror. Mason is a man who is desperate to silence his monster, he has done terrible things, which haunt him, and he resorts to desperate measures each month. Niall is a man who went to bed with the wrong person, now he is drawn into a world that he wants out of, and Mason is his only hope. The two men are drawn together, but Mason doesn’t want his burden falling on someone else and after the final confrontation, Niall has to convince him that the two are meant to be together.
I loved this story for the visceral feel to it, the unapologetic way it shows the werewolves as nasty and the darker haunting way that Mason has dealt with it. The opening scenes to this story strike to the heart of the plot, men reveling in their wolves and enjoying the destruction and terror that they unleash. Mason is the good wolf though, he never sinks to the darkest levels that others have and tries to change his path but he is always tracked by the one who made him. Niall falls victim to the deranged wolf and finally turns to Mason when he accepts the truth of what has happened. Their attraction is mutual but it is a very difficult rocky path, Mason has a huge amount of guilt that eats at him and Niall has a fight on his hands to convince Mason that they should be together.
I recommend this gem to those who love base werewolves, fighting instinct and urges, a battle for life, destroying the evil and finding a happiness that was never expected.
Blurb: After enduring a painful rejection, Kennedy journeys to discover first love and support in the unlikeliest place.
Junior year has completely sucked for Kennedy. On his last day, out in his front yard, no less, he’s outed by classmates in front of his own father. When questioned about it, Kennedy comes out to his parents, only to find himself being sent to spend the summer with his aunt the very next day. Pained by the rejection, he has a hard time coping with his new environment until he meets his aunt’s neighbor, Evan. Together, the two will spend the summer enjoying friends and discovering first love. However, there’s the dark cloud hanging over their newfound relationship—thoughts of what will happen at the end of the summer and with Kennedy’s parents.
Review: I loved this short novel! It was a really short and sweet. Fireflies and Crickets star Kennedy. Now, Kennedy is very shy and tiny guy trying his best to survive high school. After he comes out to his parents as gay guy, they kick him out and send him to live with his Aunt Holly. Kennedy is devastated, but after meeting Evan, his entire life changes.
I loved Kennedy! He was shy, sweet, and caring just like Aunt Holly. I hated Kennedy’s parents. Those two bigot bastards kicked him out for being himself. I’m glad that Kennedy stayed with his aunt because those two did not deserve a son like him. To me Evan was amazing! I absolutely loved him. He was always there for Kennedy, to love and protect. I was also glad to see Drew in this novel. He was the star of another short novel by the same author. I’m so glad that the author linked the two short stories because they went perfectly together.
Overall, this was an amazing little read. If you’re looking for a short, but gooey love novel about life, family, and friendship, this one is the one for you.
Blurb:On the Road: To combine two lives, first one must understand the components of each.
When Ryan Carpenter realizes the scientists he works for are torturing sentient beings, he feels the need for penance in the form of helping the shifters free their comrades. To that end, Ryan heads to Oregon to offer aide in shutting down one of the scientist’s training facilities and freeing any captive shifters. He’s unprepared for one of the men, Sam Abbott, a Texas longhorn bull shifter, to express an attraction to him. Unfortunately, Ryan has secrets of his own, and knows if he becomes involved with Sam, a shifter, his own transgressions against Sam’s kind would eventually come out, and destroying anything, they might have built. Walking away—especially for the good of everyone—should be easy, right?
Review: Ryan used to work for scientists that had convinced him shifters were bad and not sentient. He found out after a while that they had lied and he regretted his life and agreed to help Kontra free the captive shifters at the compound. When Ryan arrives immediately, a shifter grabs him. He didn’t know what to think especially when he found out Sam thinks they are mates. Both men have secrets that could affect their decisions.
This is actually the thirteenth book in this series and my first. I can say it stands well alone. I do however want read the other books to find out more about the other men. The characters are interesting though you don’t learn much about any of them; not even the main ones. The story line of the rescue is good but a bit short, but the romance between Sam and Ryan was amazing. I usually grimace when the first meeting is yelling Mine, etc. Ryan’s reaction and reluctance really made it much easier to swallow and both characters were so likeable I was rooting for them from the beginning.
I recommend this if you like a fresh take on shifters, a fast-moving romance, some actin and some sweet loving sex with a satisfying ending.
Title: Steamy Cider and Apples 
