Blurb: Out of the Cage: A bit of Irish magic isn’t always a good thing!
Frederick Reb Drunger is accompanying his alpha and the alpha’s mate on vacation. He’s one of the wolves charged with protecting them while they all enjoy the sights of Ireland. He never expects to discover his mate is a human friend of the local Irish pack. That should make him easy to claim, since Daithi Murphy knows all about shifters. Except Daithi already has a boyfriend, Evan, who’s extremely possessive and not at all happy when Reb wants to get to know his mate. When an Irish goblin targets Reb, can he find the culprit behind the attacks and convince Daithi it’s worth uprooting his life and moving to Colorado with him?
Review: This was the first book of the series I’ve ever read. Yes, I know it’s the thirteenth book but I like sexy tattooed shifters. I think I may have missed some of the back story that endeared me to the packs but followed along fine. So you could read this as a standalone.
Reb is on bodyguard duty in Ireland at a pack party when Daithe catches his eye. He’s obviously with someone else, but doesn’t look happy. Reb is feeling an attraction and need to claim he’s never felt before. The sexy human with another man is his mate.
Daithe has stayed with his boyfriend for way too long. He knows he’s just passing the time but he’s comfortable and his family doesn’t accept him so he stays with him. Until at a pack party one night, a sexy American shifter claims Daithe is his mate. He feels the strong attraction to the man, but he’s sworn off shifters. Daithe can’t deny the pull between the two of them and decides to get to know Reb. Problem is, something is out to get Reb before they can see where those feelings take them.
I enjoyed this book. It was short and sweet. The bad guy was obvious, but didn’t take away from the romance. Not a ton of world building but I guess that’s not really needed with a series this long. I like the other supernatural beings thrown in with the shifters and the set up for the next couple. I’m not always a fan of the insta-love mate thing, but the guys did try to get to know each other. I honestly don’t know that I’ll seek out more books in this series, but I did find another book by the author to try.
Publisher: Silver Publishing (29th September 2012)
Heat: Moderate
Heart: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb:Joe is consumed with grief about his wife and baby and wants nothing more than to lash out. Nick is Joe’s best friend, but he will do anything to help Joe fight the people who want to kill them both.
Joe Christie is consumed with grief, and when new information about his wife and baby comes to light, his first instinct is to kill.
Nick Alexander is first and foremost Joe’s best friend. When Joe met Mara, Nick stood to one side and respected Joe’s decision to settle down, despite being in love with the man who was his lover. Now, in the middle of a case that is murder and betrayal, he has to fight his love for Joe and the people who are trying to kill them both.
Review: This story is part of a series and I recommend they be read in order. Joe is still grieving the loss of his wife and unborn baby when he is told new information about them. Rage strikes and he needs the help of his friends to get to the truth. Nick is Joe’s best friend and ex-lover and has stood on the side lines for years and is there for Joe no matter what. But, getting Joe to keep calm is next to impossible when they discover the depths that some humans have gone to.
Splintered Lies is the third book In the Shadow of the Wolf series and is an excellent addition to the series. Joe suffers from grief over the loss of his wife and baby, but he also harbors guilt over his attraction to Nick. He forces himself to ignore the attraction, as he tries to discover the truth about the new information. But, as he struggles with his emotions, his need of Nick won’t be denied. Nick stood aside when Joe chose Mara, but he never stopped loving him. After the shocking revelations concerning a senator, Nick knows that Joe needs him more than ever, but will Joe ever accept what Nick has to offer?
I must admit to being torn with some of the storyline. I wasn’t quite sure how to take Joe’s adamant vows of love for Mara, who was he trying to convince, himself or me? It was also the way that he phased his relationship with Mara as ‘He had made a choice’ and ‘The decision had been a good one’ it seemed cynical. Anyway, the rest of the book was spanking good, his guilt over feeling attraction to Nick made sense and his rage when the new information came out was not unexpected. Nick was a darling, pure and simple; he was there for Joe through everything and loved him that much, that he let him go with no recriminations.
The new discoveries that the men made were haunting and there is a bit of danger as a result. there are some passionate sex scenes with one or two tinged with guilt. Joe and Nick are great characters and we also get to see characters from previous books as they are still integral to the continued storyline. There’s angst, guilt, anger, rage, grief and some happiness. Joe has been through a lot and it leads others to make choices about how shifters should really be treated. Nick also goes through a lot and it shows just what a strong character he is, that he can let things go when some of us might have been screaming blue murder.
So, I will recommend this to those who love shifters, danger, a complex continued storyline, a range of emotional distress, some hot lovin’ and a new beginning for Nick and Joe.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (19th September 2012)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Twenty-year-old virgin Aaron Thorne has a lot of irons in the fire. He’s on a career-making case investigating a new party drug that induces shifts in werecreatures, and his friend is the prime suspect. Outside of work, a literal silver fox has captured his attention. And just when life start going smoothly for Aaron, a tall, dark, scowly bobcat shifter named Iggy appears and sweeps him off his feet.
After being attacked in the course of his investigation, Aaron starts to feel like he has something to prove. It’s a good thing he’s got all the energy of his shifter animal, the spider monkey. He’s going to need it to solve the case, sort out his love life, and decide what kind of man he wants to be.
Review: This story is part of a series and I recommend they are read in order. Aaron is a monkey shifter who is a police officer. During an investigation, he is attacked and finds himself doubting his skills and wondering if he has really got what it takes to continue with his line of work. Meeting Gerry, a silver fox, gives him a boost and makes him feel safe. But, meeting sexy Iggy’s eyes across a room knocks the breath out of him and leaves him confused. With the help of his friends, he gets his case solved; his love life mediated and sets him on the road to recovering his confidence.
Well, boys and girls, this book is definitely one not to miss if you want a shifter story that is slightly different from most that have come before (except Snakeskin Boots of course, seeing as that’s the first in the series… you know, I’m just gonna shut up now). Aaron is a cute monkey shifter, a bit hyper and very bouncy. He is working undercover to discover who is selling a new drug, but in the process finds himself in danger from someone he thought was a friend. Aaron meets Gerry and has hopes for something more than friends, but then Iggy comes on the scene and throws him for a loop.
This is not an M/M/M it is an M/M for those out there that are confused by the blurb. Gerry is a hopeful love interest, but they never progress from friends, so no cheating or anything like that. just Aaron feeling very confused by his feelings. Okay, so this book is a mixture of all the best ingredients stirred together and baked so we have a wonderful yummy book that delights the senses as we take another bite and discover a different flavor (oh shut up that description is perfect). One minute we have sweet and goofy, then we have harsh and scary, then we have depressed and scared, then we have sweet and sexy, then we have funny and nervous, so you see the further into the book we get a whole new aspect of Aaron and what the storyline entails.
Aaron is a character that you take to heart quite quickly and he holds a place there all the way through the book. When you first meet Gerry you hope that he will be the rock that Aaron needs, but you soon see that although there is an attraction between them there is a spark missing. When Iggy comes on the scene it is pretty late in the book but you get a great idea, straight away, of what was missing with Gerry. Aaron’s feelings were described perfectly throughout the book. the intensity of them at times made my breath catch, and the storyline was brilliant and was pulled together wonderfully.
Although we don’t see much of Iggy and Aaron together, their scenes together are very intense, and you are in no mistake of their feelings for each other. Aaron’s investigation and the turn it takes add a lot of suspense and danger and will keep you reading to the conclusion. We see a lot of Jeff and Brad in this one and they are still as in love as ever. They add a lot in the way of support without ever once overtaking the story.
So, if you love shifters, an investigation, overwhelming instant attraction, danger, a great storyline and a very happy ending then this is a book that I highly recommend.
Blurb:A war is brewing, and a man born of two worlds holds the key to its prevention. Will Quinn allow Manning to convince him that love can exist between enemies before the coming battle consumes them both?
A centuries-old feud has pitted Ba’Kal–shifters—against Vam’kir–vampires. Quinn has suffered the pain of the ongoing contention in ways no man ever should. Once the respected son of the Vam’kir king, his life was forever altered the day his father realized a truth of which even Quinn was unaware.
As the Ba’Kal ruler, it is up to Manning to seek justice for the vicious attacks the Vam’kir have perpetrated against his kind, but his very beliefs are called into question when he discovers his mate is also his enemy. To keep Quinn safe, he must learn to trust in the impossible–that love might exist beyond boundaries, for failure means the end of his future and the rest of his race.
Review: Quinn suffered for years at the hands of his father for being different, but now hiding out with his sister in America he has some semblance of peace. That is, until he spots a shifter who makes him feel things he shouldn’t. Manning wants revenge on the ones who killed his mother, but when he smells his mate all he can think about is finding and claiming him. When the two meet weeks later, Quinn has a secret that he can’t tell Manning and Manning thinks he knows what is for the best. Can the two sort out their problems so that they can save their races?
This is a shifter/vampire story that puts a different spin on the races and makes for an interesting storyline with a twist. Manning is a Ba’Kal (Shifter), in fact he is the ruler of them. he has many responsibilities and one of them is to mate and produce an heir, but he has other problems like finding his mother’s killers and the Vam’kir (vampires) who are targeting shifters. Manning puts everything on a backburner when he meets his mate, Quinn. Quinn though just wants to run, he knows he is different from his kinsmen Vam’kir and he can’t let Manning know that he is Vam’kir, as they are enemies, but he knows he isn’t safe whichever way he turns.
There is quite a bit to this storyline, as we have Quinn who is both Ba’Kal and Vam’kir. He has been punished severely by his father for years, his sister rescues him but even she doesn’t know the full truth. And now he has a mate and when Quinn finally learns the full truth of what he is, he has a whole load of new problems to face. Manning and Quinn do make a great couple, even with the problems they face, and Manning has a world of patience as he waits for Quinn to become comfortable with him.
I wish I could go into more detail about the ongoing struggle that Quinn and Manning are facing, but it is kinda complex with its explanations, and it would also give away the entire storyline. All I will tell you is that Manning and Quinn are great together and although they have problems with trust, they do come through it by the end. This storyline is really good and the story is really well written. we get to know the characters really well and although they do have their faults, which make you want to slap them at least once, they do crawl into your hearts.
So, if you love shifters and vampires, hot sex, gentle love, earned trust, complex plans from the goddess, a hard past, a happy ending and a superb twist then this is the story for you.
Author: Anthology – Andrew Gray, Mary Calmes & Amy Lane
Genre: Shifter, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Novel (320pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (27th July 2012)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: For time immemorial, the goddesses of fate have decided which human threads will shine and which will be cut short. But even the fates have off days.
Fate Delivers a Prince by Andrew Grey
Finding love shouldn’t be that difficult for a diplomat’s son, except Cheyenne is part of a grand tradition of werewolves, and a werewolf with a skin condition needs more help than most mortals. When Chey meets the prince of his dreams, it takes Clotho’s intervention to keep him from letting go.
Jump by Mary Calmes
When two lovers die, their threads of life are collected instead of scattered, as one of them was the brother of a god. Can the fates reunite two lovers whose threads should have twined together for eternity? Or will Cassidy allow Raza’s interest to pass his pale, mortal self by?
Believed You Were Lucky by Amy Lane
The gods’ meddling isn’t always welcome. It’s given Lief good luck but poor fortune, and Hacon a family curse he’s lived in fear of all his life. But when Lief’s good luck saves Hake’s life, Hake has to reevaluate everything he’s ever believed about luck, life, and love.
Review: Well readers you are in for a treat with three wonderful stories from three wonderful authors, with three slightly different sets of Fate that include Greek, Egyptian and Norse mythology.
Fate Delivers a Prince by Andrew Grey
Cheyenne is a werewolf who has a skin condition, he’s picked on by his brothers and his father has a hard time with him being gay. When he meets his mate Arthur, he is happy but there is a problem. Arthur is a human Prince and is expected to have an Heir. Arthur has a secret of his own, he knows more about werewolves than Chey thinks and knows that it will work out with Chey, but he wants to get to know Chey better before being claimed. But, Chey overhears a conversation he shouldn’t have and reacts badly and Clotho’s has to step in.
This is a sweet story that has misunderstandings, sweet loving, forgiveness, and interference from the Fates, a father who has difficulty accepting his son has a male mate, a mother who puts her husband in his place and two young men who love each other. A story to shake your head at, as Chey has to decide if he is going to fight for what he wants. It’s a story to smile at, as finally he comes to his senses and pursues Arthur, and a story to grin at as Arthur turns the tables and gets the wolf he deserves.
Jump by Mary Calmes
When a pair of lovers is ripped apart, Anubis makes a deal with the Fates to ensure his brother Horus and Cassius are entwined in future lives. Cassidy has the sight, he can see a short way into people’s lives, and one night when he is out drinking with friends he ends up saving Raza’s life. Raza is fascinated by Cassidy and doesn’t want to let him go. But, his time in Chicago is coming to an end and he has to convince the man he wants to come with him after his secrets are revealed.
This is another wonderful story from the Queen of feel good love stories. A beautifully written story that draws Raza and Cassidy together, two souls torn apart but now reunited. But, Cassidy has decisions to make as Raza has no choice but to leave Chicago. He has too many enemies and is too well-known to have a normal life. So Cassidy has to make choices he isn’t sure he is ready to make yet, but he also has to keep Raza alive, when his sight shows him that he is in grave danger… yet again. So we have two wonderful characters, a wonderful love story, really hot sex and a very happy ending.
Believed You Were Lucky by Amy Lane.
The god, Loki, messed about with Fates threads and now the Fates have to fix what he has broken. But, it isn’t without its consequences. Lief and Hake are two opposites, Lief has luck, while Hake has a curse, but when they collide Lief’s luck just might have rubbed off on Hake.
This is a slightly stranger story, as we have interludes of the Fates and gods as they watch over the two men, Lief and Hake. Lief and Hake are complete opposites in every way. But, when they collide and Lief ends up accidentally saving Hake’s life, they become involved and their threads become entwined. Both characters are great in their own right, but together they are perfect. The storyline is really good and I loved the secondary characters. They brightened up the story and added a bit more depth. This is an enjoyable mystery with interfering Fates and gods.
I recommend this anthology to everyone who loves the Fates, gods, love stories, hot sex, three wonderful stories, three great couples and three very happy endings.
Blurb:Todd Benson almost died for the freedom to love Adam Soames. Now they face obstacles that once again place both of them in danger.
Todd Benson had figured he’d be alone forever. He had the best friend any guy could want in Gabe Staley, and Gabe’s partner Mika was okay, too. But a personal life and any kind of true happiness was out of the question. With Todd’s bigoted and violent parents and the Sheriff he worked for trying to torture animals and Gabe, Todd knew he’d do well just to survive his job as a deputy in the small town of Shasta, Texas.
Adam Soames needed to get away from the big city. His best friend had found his perfect man and moved away, and Adam felt lost in the city. The opportunity to have his own veterinary practice in a small town sounded perfect. He didn’t know he’d soon be living a life he’d only dreamed of—or the cost he and the man he loved would have to pay.
Together Todd and Adam face seemingly insurmountable odds, from Todd’s recovery from a vicious attack to the prejudices and trials many couples have. Then there’s the big shocker of finding out Gabe and Mika aren’t humans, exactly, but wolf shifters instead, and a whole new door is opened and trouble soon comes barreling through it.
Review: This story is part of a series and I recommend reading the series in order, as nearly all the characters from previous books have roles in this one. We met them in the very first story and now they have a story of their very own, sweet, sexy Todd and caring, hunky Adam. This story begins before Rescued when Adam first moves to the town; you see the developing friendship between Adam and Todd and their story as they face the town together after events with Todd’s father. Next they discover the secrets that Gabe has kept hidden, and which leads to the discovery that Marcus might have some information on Adam’s missing friend. We then go on an adventure with Adam, Todd and their friends as they hunt for Jameson (Adam’s friend) and Todd and Adam end up with more than they bargained for.
Bailey Bradford has given us a wonderful conclusion to Todd and Adam’s romance. Yes, we knew they got together, but we never saw their story and now we have it in full with some surprises for us to enjoy. Todd has been bullied and beaten for most of his life, but for Adam he starts to stand up for himself. After Todd’s recovery, Todd and Adam find out just how much support they really have in town and they begin their life together. We get a lovely view of Todd and Adam sharing their life and with Todd accepting that he doesn’t want his past to affect him anymore and wanting to do something for Adam.
The story is in three parts and is split quite well, the first part is when Adam and Todd first get together, the second part is seeing their life together and where they discover they are shifters and the third is focused on finding Adam’s friend Jameson. We see Gabe, Mika, Aiden, Zane, Marcus and Nathan and they all play a part in this story and are quite involved in what is going on. The friendships between them all are great and Todd and Adam warm up to Aiden, Zane, Marcus and Nathan quite well, although it was a bit tense at first. Todd and Adam’s lives change forever with the discovery of shifters and when Adam is injured their lives are turned upside down in shocking circumstances.
This is a great story that has a wonderful relationship between two wonderful men. They love each other with passion, compassion and caring. They support each other through anything that is thrown at them and the sex between them is hot, loving, erotic and at times passionate. The storyline is great and opens the shifter world into a new branch as the Southwestern shifters look for Jameson in Amsterdam and we connect to the shifters there.
So, I will recommend this to those who love shifters, hot sexy men, hot loving, surprises and shocks, some danger, some laughs and giggles, with a great storyline and a happy ending.
Blurb:Coleman Wilder, a half-breed werewolf, struggles to control his instincts. Horse shifter, Jonah Marks, lets his stallion run free but fears his family’s judgment. They will each have to face their fears to have the love they’ve always wanted.
Coleman Wilder is a half-breed werewolf. Some days the tension between his human side and his werewolf instincts threaten to tear him apart. But the challenge of running a horse farm as a gay man in a conservative Tennessee town keeps him focused until he meets horse shifter, Jonah Marks.
Jonah’s family insists that shifting is sinful, but Jonah longs to let his stallion run free. Desperate to escape his family’s judgment, he asks Cole, his secret crush, for a job. Cole turns him down, scared his desire for Jonah will make him lose control. When Jonah’s brother threatens his life, Cole struggles to save him and give them both a second chance at the life they’ve always wanted.
Review: Cole is a half-breed werewolf and a cowboy who owns a horse farm. When horse shifter Jonah approaches him for a job he declines, his wolf instincts driving him hard. Jonah is desperate to get away from his brother, Nathan, who thinks shifting, is a sin and Jonah being gay pushes him over the edge. Cole and Jonah have to find the strength to fight Nathan in the human world.
This is a very good shifter story, showing us how these people deal with their shifter instincts and their love, while fighting a bigot who is against shifting and gays. Cole struggles with his wolf instincts and urges, fighting for dominance over the wolf. But, when Jonah comes into his life, it’s a fight he seems to be barely winning. Jonah is a young man who has been treated badly by his brother and stepfather. When Cole rescues him, he doesn’t know how to be strong enough to fight his brother, but, with Cole’s help he finds a reserve of hidden strength he didn’t know he had.
I loved these characters of Jonah and Cole; both of them have their own troubles; Jonah, his family, and Cole, his wolf instincts. Cole’s situation is an intriguing one, as a half-breed he isn’t expected to shift, but, his wolf instincts are strong and it is tearing him apart, as his wolf and human side struggle for dominance. Jonah is in another unique situation, his family are horse shifters but they are so religious that they think shifting is a sin, add in the fact that Jonah is gay and you have a brother who would commit murder to cleanse him. The way the shifters and humans seem to grudgingly live side by side is interesting, the shifters aren’t hunted down but they aren’t fully accepted either… some people accept them, others ignore them and some sneer and snarl at them… it spookily reminded me of how gays are treated.
The relationship between Cole and Jonah is not an easy one at first, as Cole and Jonah have to fight their animal instincts of predator and prey, the urges to chase and flee. Jonah has an easier time of his control as he accepted him stallion many years before, but Cole has never truly accepted his wolf because of his inability to shift. Their sex life is passionate and intense with a few ups and downs as Cole fights his instincts to bite and tear (it’s very hot, very hot). There are also times when they conflict because of their protective natures, each trying to protect the other and do the right thing.
I will recommend this to those who love shifters, hot sex, conflict, danger, two men who are struggling to be themselves, a wonderful love and a happy ending.
Blurb:As a child, Liam was kept isolated by the power of his abusive Alpha. Years later Liam escapes to find a fragile peace — until Griffon storms into his life. Can Liam overcome his past and seize his future?
As a child, Liam was kept in isolation and under control of his abusive pack Alpha. He eventually escaped and forged a life as a lone wolf.
After finding out Liam survived the explosion that killed his parents, Griffon immediately throws himself into rescuing Liam. Ten years later, Griffon finally finds his lost mate.
All Griffon wants to do is take Liam home and protect him, but Liam is scared to leave the only peace he’s known. Then an emergency forces Liam to confront his past and risk his future.
Will Liam be able to follow his instinct and believe in the happiness and safety Griffon represents, or has his ability to trust been completely shattered?
Review: Liam escaped from the hands of an abusive Alpha with the help of his only friend Cale. Now, he lives in the wilds of Canada as a wolf, keeping to himself. But, one day someone finds him, wanting him to return to the place where his nightmares reside. Griffon has hunted for Liam for years and finally he has tracked him down. But, the hardest part is yet to come; to convince his mate to return to civilization and to face his fears. An emergency forces them both to confront the past and Liam learns just where his real strength is.
This book is Kam Miller’s first published work and for a first timer, she’s done a great job. Liam is an Omega. When his adoptive parents were killed in an explosion, he was taken by his biological grandparents and kept as a prisoner. Everyone believing he died in the explosion. Now, ten years after his escape from his cruel grandparents, he is wary of ever trusting anyone again, but he feels safe with the wolf who finds him. Griffon is a strong but caring Alpha and tried to get to Liam before he disappeared. Now, after ten years of hunting he has finally found the wolf who is his mate, but getting Liam’s trust is hard. Especially when they are forced to return to pack lands by the kidnapping of one of their own, Cale.
Liam is a very gentle wolf and so very, very sweet. The way that he was treated was appalling and I was so glad that the author wrote about his escape. Griffon is a strong but compassionate wolf and he rules his pack like they are family and he has been devoted to finding Liam since he first discovered he was alive. Both Liam and Griffon click when they first meet and it does get very sexually charged between them, but they get to know each other a little bit before jumping each other’s bones.
The storyline is quite good. Liam being an Omega can help calm wolves and unfortunately Liam’s grandfather was completely insane and looked down on Omegas, so Liam was punished just for living. Now a threat connected to his past re-emerges and both Liam and Griffon fear the outcome when a pack-mate is in danger. The council failed him badly in the past and I think Kam Miller should write a story that shakes up all their rules (you’ll understand why when you read this). Now I love hot man on man sex as much as the next person and this has plenty to keep you going, but sometimes it just felt out-of-place.
Hmmm, I will recommend this to those who love shifters, hot sex, a good storyline, some danger, some great characters (and there are a few of them) and a happy ending.
Genre: Gay / Contemporary / Fantasy / Shapeshifter
Length: Novel
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5Hearts
Blurb: More than twenty years ago, Branimir Javlosk moved from Montana to Kentucky, following the man he loved to a strange new place. They started a rescue farm and rehab center for retired racehorses, or any equine that needed their help. Branimir gained a reputation as a horse whisperer, able to teach the most frightened horse to trust. They were on top of the world—until Branimir’s lover died in a car accident.
Since then, Branimir’s continued on, allowing the horses that need him to fill the empty place left by his tragic loss. Yet Branimir has a secret hidden deep inside of him. One he lets out only on rare occasions when there is a need.
Austin Jameson Spellsin is the youngest and favored son of one of the country’s richest men. But Austin’s not interested in working in the family business of building oilrigs. He wants to ride horses in the Olympics, eventing, to be specific. Yet with all his money, he’s never found the right horse for him. Until one morning, he stares at a scar-covered, half-starving mare named Mary’s Gospel and sees the look of eagles in her unvanquished gaze.
Of course, falling in love with the damaged mare isn’t going to make her want Austin, so he turns to the one man he knows can help him. Taking Mary’s Gospel to Branimir seems the best way to win the mare’s troubled heart. Little does Austin expect that Mary’s Gospel will lose her heart to the older cowboy, but Austin will also find himself aching to heal the wounded soul hiding inside Branimir…
Review: I found “The Longest Stride” a very peculiar book to read. While decently written and with a potential theme, it did not met with my expectations. By the end of the book, I was left wondering why Chase included a shifter thread. She could as well gone with a talented horse whisperer and have the same result. Also, I found the blurb and book itself not match in the little details, it felt like the blurb was written first based on the draft and the novel was chopped of later during editing, but they forgot to correct the details of the blurb…
Let’s start by saying that this is the story of Branimir and Austin.
Branimir is a middle-aged man, quite handsome and well endowed. He has a Rehabilitation Center for retired and abused horses. He and his late partner (Tilman) were quite famous due to Tilman’s great riding and Branimir’s special talent with horses. He is rumored to be a horse whisperer. Now I know that in the blurb we are informed that Tilman died in a car accident, but I didn’t found that information in the book… Branimir is also a horse-shifter, however we only see him shift a couple of times right at the start of the book and then one last time at the end and while he has certain abilities with the horses due to his inheritance, he almost never uses them because he feels like he’s cheating!? So all in all I got the impression that his entire “magic” of being a shifter in this book served no other reason than the explanation of his relationship with his father (herd stallion). Too bad that this new shifting form was left unexplored, it would have been interesting to read.
Austin comes from a wealthy family, but he has no interest on his father’s business. He loves horses and has made quite a name in the circle as an excellent event rider and trainer. He’s passionate with horses, loving them even if they don’t “pay their expenses”. Bran and Austin meet when Austin saves a mare that was being abused by her owner. Bran offers him his help with the mare’s mental health and that is the start of their anticipated relationship. For the months that it took Bran to help the mare Austin stayed with him at his farm and the two men steadily fell in love. A change comes in the plot when Bran’s little brother, Drahomir, shows up suddenly and after him their Father. It was then that I thought that the shifting would serve its purpose and give us something to blow our mind at last, alas, it didn’t happened.
As I said in the beginning, while this book had potentials it simply failed to get there and I would not recommend it if you are an avid paranormal/shifter reader. This is not that kind of book. However, if you’re up for a m/m cowboyish romance you might want to give it a try. And if you love horses this book is quite detailed about them and their mentality.
Blurb: When Cal gives his best friend, Jin, a thank you gift, the magical pendant appears more curse than blessing. The moment the jade pendant touches Jin’s skin, he ends up possessed by an insane dragon spirit.
Cal has loved Jin forever, but since Jin is straight, Cal accepts it as one-sided love, never to be fulfilled. Or at least that was what he thought until Jin is taken over by Jade.
Now Cal will do anything, even offer his body and accept a twisted form of his most desperate desire. But is it all to keep the jade dragon from using Jin’s body to rampage through the city or the chance to satisfy his darker desires?
Review: Wow, such a cool idea to develop. If only it was longer…
The story starts with Cal and his little brother getting a gift for Jin, a thank you gift. Cal and Jin had been friends since college and during the 6 years they got apart Jin inherited his father’s money and is very wealthy. while Cal… well something happened to Cal and he was left on the streets with his baby brother trying to survive, until Jin helps him out, giving him a job as his bodyguard. So, Cal and his brother get Jin a present to thank him, a jade pendant of a dragon, but the moment Jin wears that on he gets consumed by “Jade”, the dragon that had been trapped and imprisoned inside the pendant. Jade is angry and hungry for destruction and in a moment of clear fear for Jin and his brother Cal tries to convince the Dragon to give Jin his freedom. The two of them end up making a deal, Jade would have control of Jin during the night and give him his freedom during the day, as long as Cal makes his best to entertain Jade and help him satiate his hunger…
What follows is simply HOT sex. I mean what else would it be having a dragon claiming you. I loved it. It took my breath from the very beginning and the moment I said that this is going to be a story I’m going to absolutely love… it ended!!! It didn’t end with leaving you wanting for more in the good way no, rather left you unsatisfied. I honestly hope Ms Shannon gives this one a chance and expand the story into a novel. As it is it was just a very nice idea for a great book.
Don’t forget to scroll down and check out Pixie’s interview with Caitlin.
Title: Almost Paradise
Series: Pine Hollow Wolves 01
Author: Caitlin Ricci
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novel
Publisher: Silver Publishing (June 16th, 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Travis will do anything to keep his daughter safe, now that he finally has custody. Financially ruined, he cannot even afford food for himself most days. Could a stranger’s offer to dogsit be the solution Travis has been hoping for?
Travis has done everything to keep his daughter safe. He’s fought a long, hard battle with 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: Liam is running an errand for his Alpha when the scent of a man gets his attention. Even without his shifter senses, he can tell the other man is down on his luck. But, being a shifter he is keenly aware that the other man is just as attracted, if not a tad leery of Liam. But attraction isn’t enough to make Travis accept Liam’s invitation to lunch. Fortunately, Travis’s daughter, Hannah, has no reservation about getting to know Liam better.
I’m not sure how Almost Paradise is going to be received. I personally loved it. There was enough of a break from the same ole same ole paranormal shifter stories that flow through my inbox that I was hooked from the beginning. There’s enough back-story to hook me, but enough left unsaid for me to look forward to the next book. And as I know that Book 2 is about the Alpha, who came off like Don Corleone, I can’t wait to see how he redeems himself. Not to mention the Alpha’s sister, who is a rather scary woman.
Anyway, back to this book. We are introduced to Liam first and I wasn’t sure if I was even going to like him. I got that his position was similar to a traditional pack’s beta, but because of the dynamics, he came off as more of a mob errand boy. But, as he interacted with Travis and Hannah, he shifted, in my mind, from paid lacky to more like Tony Soprano. And not just his character, but all the shifters. They have a clannish elitism that just reminded me of New York mafia family. Which might not mean anything to you, but I’ve always found authoritative men with an air of mystery uber hot. The fact that he’s all about the pack and family only made him that much sexier.
And as much as I loved Liam, I loved Travis more. He’s been through hell, trying to retain custody of his daughter. Now that everything is pretty much settled, he’s broke and unemployed, yet trying to maintain some level of normalcy for his child. Sue me, but I’m a sucker for real daddies. And, as much as he wants Liam, he is no pushover. He makes Liam work for their mating bond, like a first-rate trial attorney.
I really applaud Ms. Ricci for creating a shifter world that is both interesting and different. I look forward to reading Samson’s story and getting to know Liam, Travis and Hannah more in the future. I’m recommending this title to readers who believe that men can handle a bit of courtship, patient shifters and far-sighted little girls.
Caitlin stopped by the MM Good Book Reviews interview room, yes we have one and agreed to be interogated…I, mean interviewed by Pixie. 😉
Caitlin Ricci I’m good. Just woke up and had some breakfast. How’s your afternoon?
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews It’s wonderful. Kids not back from school yet, so a bit of peace and quiet.
Caitlin Ricci That’s got to be nice. No kids here (yet), but planning on at least three.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Lol. I have three, makes me crazy sometimes. Well, Caitlin, I have looked around a bit and you are an honest to god brand new writer. So tell us a bit about yourself
Caitlin Ricci Yep, I am completely brand new. I’ve been writing for years, ever since middle school, so around the age of twelve. I don’t know what middle school is called there (England), since I know you have primary and then secondary, but for some reason, I thought secondary was for older kids. I never really felt like my stuff might be good enough to publish though until I wrote a short a while back and submitted it. It got rejected but after that I realized that the sting wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be so I got on this path with the Pine Hollow Wolves and Almost Paradise was born. I’m 27, live in Colorado, have a dog, a fiancée and a Blue Tongue Skink which is honestly the coolest reptile people can have as a pet. I’m in college for my bachelor’s in Human Services with a concentration in Domestic Violence and then I’ll be getting my master’s in either Social Work or Child Psychology. I want to be a school counselor with a primary focus on GBLTQ kids and their issues of bullying, acceptance, coming out, dating and suicide.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Wow. So you want to help all those poor kids who are having a hard time in school or at home. I think that is admirable. I hope you get your qualifications for that. And as for the Blue Tongue Skink, I’ll take your word for it. Lol. I know you got knocked back a few times by publishers before Silver Publishing snatched you up, so can you tell us a little about your experience with that and what would you say to someone going through the same situation now?
Oh, and secondary school is for ages 11-16, then they can go onto college and then university.
Caitlin Ricci Good to know if I ever have a book set in the UK 🙂
As to your question, mostly I’d say…just keep writing. I love a quote that NaNoWriMo sent me once that said that you can’t edit a blank page. Yeah, it hurts to be rejected, especially when you love the story and the characters, but it’s gonna hurt when someone gives you a less than stellar review or a good friend says that they didn’t like your book or any number or other things. You can’t please everybody and if your story is good someone will publish it.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Lol. So, you are my first Silver author interview. Can you walk us through their process and how much support you get ;-)?
Caitlin Ricci Wow. That’s kind of awesome. Yay, team SP! The process is actually really simple. They’ve got a form on the website that you just fill out so no query letter stress there and you don’t have to try to sell yourself or your book. Just be honest, sound a little interesting and put in the info that they want. I submitted Almost Paradise the day before the deadline for the father’s day submission call. You get an automatic response saying that they got it and then a week later Alison sent me an email saying that it was accepted. It was 5 am when I read it and I was getting ready to go into work. I was bouncing around the room trying not to wake Scott (my fiancé) up.
I signed the contract, did the pre-edits, sent it back, talked to my cover artist, and did some more edits, talked to the cover artist again, a few more edits and then boom! Everything was done. The process is actually very easy, the editors are there to help and my cover artist is an awesome person who I would gladly work with again.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews I am glad Silver looks after you so well. So have you had support from other m/m authors? I know Dreamspinner has an author forum, does Silver have something similar?
Caitlin Ricci They do and we’re all very friendly over there. I’ve connected with a lot of SP authors here on FB as well. And I belong to a group that is just for MM authors in Colorado which is fun since we’re hoping to do some in person events pretty soon and our Out in the Rockies blog hop is going on right now. Networking is just as important as an author, as it is in any other arena. Although writing is often a lonely solo type of excursion it’s great to have other people around to bounce ideas off of, get help when you’re feeling unmotivated or jazz over a new cover.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews That’s great, I also heard that you are quite new to reading m/m as well, tell the readers how that came about.
Caitlin Ricci I am actually, which is pretty crazy that my first book published is MM. I’ve been reading erotica for a while including Lauren Dane and Maya Banks so the idea of MMF or MMMF wasn’t new to me. Then a friend told me to try out Kim Dare. I read her free shorts and then read Duck!. I fell in love with the characters and decided to start writing MM. The idea of two guys in love though wasn’t completely new to me. In high school I was reading Yaoi and Shonen-Ai, watched Queer as Folk and loved Will and Grace.
I still write other pairings including MF and FF and MFF, but my guys have sort of taken over WIPs.
Caitlin Ricci Yep :). I like it a lot and thankfully I’ve got friends and a fiancée who support me.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Yeah, your guys are kinda wonderful. Just in case none of you readers know Caitlin’s new book is Almost Paradise which is the first in the Pine Hollow Wolves series. Can you tell everyone about your book?
Caitlin Ricci Thanks for saying that they’re wonderful :). Alright, so what few people know is that Almost Paradise was actually the second book that I wrote in the series. The sequel (working title Man’s Best Friend) is about the alpha and his love interest. Travis (from Almost Paradise) was mentioned in it and I liked him instantly, had to know more about him and after I finished Samson’s story I wrote Almost Paradise. Luckily it came together in time for the submission call. AP is about Travis, a single father who has worked his butt off to keep his little girl. Liam sees him when he’s trying to get a job and invites him to lunch, knowing that he’s got to do something to make this guy’s day just a little better. While they’re there Liam gets a call from his boss, Samson, telling him that he’s got to go out-of-town. With no time to get a sitter for his two dogs he asks Travis to do it and things just sort of fall in place from there.
And Hannah is freaking awesome. She’s the little girl and she’s adorable.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Yeah I know, me and Portia had a cat fight over who was doing your review… I got to interview you Lol. *mean boss* Not that it isn’t lovely to be chatting to you!! Now I also heard that there is a Nap sized story about Travis and Liam, will that be published at all?
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Yeah, a really short one. It’s like the smallest short story that doesn’t take long to read… Nap sized.
Caitlin Ricci Ah okay. Sorry, wasn’t familiar with the term. *blush* wow so I’m a noob. There is a short with Travis and Liam that I’m hoping silver will accept for their Christmas line. In it they’re off on vacation with Hannah and they’ve been together for seven years now and they’re visiting Ireland. Some interesting things happen in that story that set up Hannah’s YA series later on when she’s 15.
I love this couple and couldn’t just let either them or Hannah go by the wayside.
Caitlin Ricci Total long game. They’ve been married for years at that point, Hannah loves having two dads and in her series her best friend is a younger Shifter named Ippy (Phillip) so she’s all for having a Shifter father and belonging to the pack.
I like HEA and for me that’s when they’re old they’re still sitting on the back deck, drinking sweet tea and watching their grand kids run around with more giant dogs.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews And as for the Nap thing I think it all depends who you talk to. Some would class it as a day-dream. Whatever floats your boat…for me its nap sized. Anyhoo, tell us more about your book, was it a conscious decision to not have any sex or was that how the characters wanted it.
Caitlin Ricci I put myself in Travis’s shoes. He’s not having hook-up. His daughter is right there in the next room and he’s trying to do what’s best for her. He’s a father first and always has been. That lessens in later stories when he realizes that he doesn’t have to be the only one there for Hannah and that she’s actually got an entire pack right there waiting for her if she ever needs anything, but right now his primary concern is making sure that she’s taken care of. For me having sex in there felt like it wouldn’t be doing that side of him justice. There’s one point when he’s angry, but Liam doesn’t want it to be like that with him. When they come together it’s because the time is right for both of them and Travis is willing to let Liam into their lives fully and let him be Hannah’s dad as well. The later stories are all explicit, including theirs.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Oh, you authors are always teasing me with future books, damn. So, where did the idea originate from? And although there are shifters we don’t see a change and it seems like you have put a lot of thought into what your shifters will be like… you know not instant mates and changing at the drop of a hat.
Caitlin Ricci There is a change :). I don’t like instant mates because it seems to be forcing the other person into a relationship. Arranged marriages are fun and I may do a story about one someday but forced forever binding relationships are not something I find sexy. The idea started with Samson. In his story (Pine Hollow Wolves #2) he rescues a child from a fire, finds himself overcome with smoke and passes out. He finds himself in an animal shelter and can’t get out without exposing himself since there’s cameras in the shelter. I like magic based Shifters as opposed to traditional werewolves where the bones break, there’s lots of pain, they end up naked, etc. I thought about having them naked but with Hannah around that wasn’t going to happen. They can choose clothes or not though. They’re no larger as dogs than they are as humans, which is still really big. But there’s no sudden change of mass to try to explain.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Yeah, but that change doesn’t count *raspberry*, Ha Hannah is a proper cutie and I loved how you worked her into the book without it getting to silly… got to say though that I admired Travis’ patience. I so wouldn’t have been able to stop myself from hauling off and giving someone a beat-down!!
So tell us about your hobbies or what you do in your spare time.
Caitlin Ricci Me neither. I think the only reason he didn’t was because he knew that Hannah was there and no good parent wants their child to see that. It was a hard line though deciding how much Liam would do, since he’s far more into justice and making sure that his new little family is safe than worrying about what people think.
Classes take up a lot of my spare time when I’m not writing. I’m also a nurse aid and I work with Alzheimer’s patients and other forms of dementia. I have a dog that I love that I try to take on a walk every day. I enjoy movies, listen to loads of different music and do a ton of laundry. Ideally, though, I’d like to cut that back to writing most of the day, walk with the dog and a movie at night. I enjoy horseback riding. I used to write poetry, but I haven’t in years, camping, fishing, shooting at the range, painting and cooking.
Caitlin Ricci Lol. Most of that I do on my minimal vacations. Generally, my life is writing, school, work, fiancée, dog. I work part-time so that makes the rest of it fit in nicely. Shooting is done on the weekends, same with fishing generally since we like to go early in the morning. Writing I can do whenever I want to though since I take a pen, paper and my tablet with me everywhere. A few hundred words is still writing and when people get nosy I get to tell them that I’m working on my next novel. They either get curious or give me the “you’re crazy” look and go away.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Lol. So you said Scott (the fiancé) is supportive. What did he first think when you started writing m/m?
Caitlin Ricci He said the same thing that he says now- that he’s happy for me, but wants me to go back to writing my YA MF series that he told his family about, so he can share it with them. They are supportive of that I write, but they don’t know what. Same with my family. He stopped caring that I watch gay porn and call it research though which is a nice plus. Really though, he’s supportive no matter what I choose to write, because it makes me happy and my eventual goal is to live off writing. If I can support us both with something that I love to do and he can take care of the house and the kids while I play with beautiful men in my head that would be awesomeness rolled in chocolate and dusted with glitter.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Aww. That’s so lovely. I must admit I have heard some horror stories from other authors about how their family’s reacted badly or someone leaked it and they lost their jobs *shakes head* some people are just stupid. Right, so any secrets you want to share? *raises eyebrow*
Caitlin Ricci I write under a pen name, so that I don’t lose my job or my future career. Not many people would be okay with their child’s counselor writing MM erotic romance, or any erotica actually. I’m still debating on whether or not to keep the name for my YA stuff or not.
Caitlin Ricci Hmmmm…. secrets…. I worry that I bother the SP staff too much and that they’ll realize I’m not worth the trouble :).
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews *Laughed myself silly* Damn girl, I read your book they won’t be letting go any time soon.
Caitlin Ricci Thank you darling 🙂 With my book coming out the day after tomorrow I realize that’s not likely, but it’s still hard to believe that my story got turned into a book which people have read and will be reading and that people will hopefully like and that my second book, Taming the Lion Tamer, was accepted as well, but there’s no release out on that yet.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Ohhhh new book *stars in eyes as gazes off into a dream world*. ~shakes head~ Okay, I was about to ask if there was anything else in the pipeline other that Pine Hollow Wolves. Will Taming the Lion Tamer be a series or a stand alone?
Caitlin Ricci And, if anyone is wondering if they’ll like my writing or not they can always pick up the Silver Shorts which are available for free off the SP website. I’ve got shorts in most of the ones from week 20 on.
Caitlin Ricci Right now it’s a standalone, but there is a sequel that might happen. Taming is about Quinn and Charlie. Charlie has a sister who has been divorced for about 2 years now, but she will get back together with her ex in her own book.
Blurb for Taming the Lion Tamer- Charlie thought it would be like any other Friday working as an animator. Then in walked Quinn and his rescued Asiatic Lion. For years Quinn has devoted his life to rescuing big cats so when an animation company offers him a donation in exchange for bringing one of the cats in to model he jumps on it.
Charlie’s so nervous that he can barely look at Quinn, much less talk to him. Quinn is confident, friendly and too handsome for words. Charlie can’t believe it when Quinn notices him, and then invites him up to the sanctuary for the weekend. He’s enthralled and finds himself falling hard for the man his sister calls Sex God Quinn Fitzgerald.
Draft blurb…so it won’t be the final, but it’s a sneak peek.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Hmmm. looks interesting… we will all keep our fingers crossed for you. **whispers* You are supposed to push books at the end so you can put up all the links *wink**
Caitlin Ricci There’s no link though yet: P. I will follow the rules next time!
Hmmm, more new stuff…… working on Pine Hollow Wolves 2 and 3.
Book 3 being with Samson’s sister, Evangeline.
I have another MM planned called The Runaway. I also have two MM stories (a 5k short and something over 20k) awaiting acceptance at Silver Publishing
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews So, there will be a lot of scope for you to play with and a lot to choose from.
Caitlin Ricci The 5k short is a St Patty’s Day fun little thing and the 20k is (working title) Marked by Grief which I’m pretty proud of. It made a beta reader cry so at least the emotion is strong in it 🙂
Caitlin Ricci totally busy but that’s how I like it. Oh! And I forgot to mention the MMM story that is my current WIP PITA. I say that lovingly, of course. It’s my first time writing MMM, so getting the dynamics right is like playing with lit matches and trying to juggle them all at once.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews MMM is a hard one to do. But, if you have the right balance between the characters it should work well. Looks like you will be keeping Silver busy for some time 😉 and we will have lots to look forward to *g* lucky readers.
Caitlin Ricci :) I certainly hope so. It’s a lot of fun to write about guys and before trying it I had no idea how enjoyable it could really be. I still like writing about women, but there’s something different and fun and OMG sexy about two guys who happen to fall in love.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews There is and you also have more diversity with the characters as well. Okay, so I am getting dirty looks off my starving kids so just a few more questions. This is the most important one… if the world were to change into a magical world what magical or mythical creature would you be?
Caitlin Ricci Hmmm…. gah hard one. And I thought this would be easy :P. Okay… thinking…. thinking… thinking… A shifter absolutely. But something that could fly…. so probably a dragon. Something fierce, protective, could still go bounding around the countryside with my dragon friends, but wouldn’t be nearly helpless like a unicorn or Selkie.
And flight would be important, although I’d be large so staying hidden would be an issue. And eating knights would be a pain. But, being a griffon wouldn’t be that much fun either and there’s no way I’d be a basilisk. So yep, a dragon.
Western, not eastern.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Lol. You wouldn’t go back in time. *snigger* Hell Hound beats all of them hands down… that’s what I’d be.
Caitlin Ricci A hell-hound would be an awesome choice, especially considering all of their powers. It’s the imminent death thing that I wouldn’t like though. Sounds lonely when if someone sees you, they know they’re going to die.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Yeah, but remember they guard the gates of hell, which means they would have loads of friends on tap. 😉
Okay. So, before I choke to death laughing, tell all the readers who will become your fans *scowl* they will!! Where they can find you, so they can tell you how awesome you are.
Caitlin Ricci Lol. True. I’ve wondered what it would be like to be Ammut, too. Same idea, only not nearly as cool looking. And she just eats the hearts so only sort of the same.
Lol. Fans would be awesome and comments are always appreciated! They can contact me here on FB or on my blog at http://authorcaitlinricci.blogspot.com/. And Silver Publishing is giving away a copy of Almost Paradise tomorrow so make sure to enter if you haven’t already. My blog is also a great place to find good music and sexy pictures of guys.
Stalkers are welcome, too. Since it’s a public profile :P.
Gah Hannah is so freaking cute on that cover!
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Yep. So, I have to bring this interview to a close (why do we call it an interview when it’s a chat and free for all?) and I have to thank you for being gracious enough to join us here at MM Good Book Reviews and thank you for being a good sport and putting up with me;-)
Caitlin Ricci Seriously, the pleasure was all mine and I had a great time. Thanks for inviting me over and it was great talking with you.
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews Great talking to you to, and we will do something in the future when you are an old hand at being an author. Thanks again Caitlin… Bye.
Caitlin Ricci Sounds great. Have an excellent evening and thanks again for your time. Bye!
Blurb: When the west clashes with fantasy, a group of rejected souls find themselves tangled in the same situation. A danger lurks close behind as they try to high tail it out of wherever they may be. On their journey escaping the persistent shadow they fall right into his hands. Raylan, a cowboy with the heart of fire and a sword sharper than the Grim Reaper’s scythe, progresses through the lands. Ready for a quick kill, he gets more than he bargained for by an innocent trip to take a piss, a day that would forever change his lone ranger habit. Gabe, a man who suffers from gaps of time, searches for something he doesn’t even know. Day by day he idly wanders unsure how he ended up in one place or another. One day he wakes up in bed, naked, beside Raylan. No memory of the night before, he struggles against the fate binding him to this cowboy who insists not leaving him behind. Fresh out of bed, the two venture off on their long journey side by side.
Review: Raylan is a drifter. He drifts from town to town and maybe sometimes he might do a bit of robbing… okay, so he’s a wanted man and on this night he enters a town where his fate just might change. Gabe wakes up next to a cowboy, but he has no recollection of him. Unfortunately, for Gabe the cowboy doesn’t remember much either. But, circumstances throw them together repeatedly. Mako ends up tagging along and ends up with his own companion Zack.
This story has a very good premise, but the execution was poorly carried out. Raylan is alternatively running from and then hunting something that used to be an old friend. Gabe is in a roundabout sort of way looking for revenge although he doesn’t know it. Zack just wants to be accepted and Mako is a young man who prefers the company of animals to humans. These four end up together traveling across the flatlands having adventures and facing enemies. While, Gabe begins to trust Raylan, in between his blackouts, and Zack and Mako become very close.
I found this book really hard to get into because of the writing style; it jumped from POV to POV with no warning. So one second you are in Gabe’s head and the next you were in Raylan’s. it was hard to follow what was going on and I would lose the thread as it jumped from subject to subject. But, if I ignored all that and just concentrated on the bare bones it held my interest. The storyline is more complex than we are led to believe, because Gabe’s blackouts are not just blackouts, and we are introduced to a variety of characters that inhabit his body. So, the very first encounter between Raylan and Gabe is actually between Raylan and Bane. Zack is really a wolf who can take on a humanoid form and Mako is very sensitive to auras.
Anyway, if this book had been from my personal library then I really don’t think I would have finished it, because, by the time I got to page 70 I had a killer headache from all the jumping about of POV (we even had the horses POV) and trying to keep the thread alive and the only reason I didn’t set it aside for a later date was because I was reviewing it. (I always said I’d be honest.) But, this author has a lot of potential, the bare bones are great, it was just the execution that fell short in my eyes and I am a sucker for this type of story. If the POV hadn’t jumped about so much or was at least clearer when it happened, and their own background stories clearer it would have got at least a 3 Hearts . And I would love to know what happened to the eye patch?
So, if you want a story at combines the Wild West with the paranormal, with shifters, unexpected trouble, a complex man, a brooding cowboy and a happy for now ending then give this book a try.
Blurb: Upon witnessing a sultry, naked young man turn into a wolf after a car crash, Detective John Hamdon thinks he must be pretty messed up. When John’s beautiful hallucination arrives at Chicago police headquarters as a new detective, John knows he’s perfectly screwed. John can’t tell anyone he saw the new man turn into a wolf when John doesn’t believe it himself.
Detective René Bast from New Orleans is sexy, irresistible, and all wrong. John finds it tough to investigate a series of murders when he’s sure he’s riding shotgun with the perp. John knows his new partner has a past, but Bast’s records got washed away by Hurricane Katrina. Even as John digs into Bast’s ties to a Chicago crime lord, Bast won’t stand still to be hunted. It’s clear that John Hamdon is running from his own past. Bast turns the hunt around, even as he’s falling for the man he may need to kill.
Review: John’s involved in a crash when a dog runs in front of his car. But, he isn’t sure if he is hallucinating or not, when he briefly sees a hot man under his car. But, when the man turns up at his station, as a new detective, he has suspicions from the start. Bast is John’s suspect when the murders begin, because John knows what he saw and he is determined to take Bast down. Bast knows that John knows and digs into John’s past to find something to hold over him, but neither man can count on their own feelings anymore.
Jez Morrow produces some wonderful shifter stories that draws the imagination out. The beginning of this book is quite bizarre and slightly dark and shows us with actions what is later explained in further detail, so we can get clearly in our mind how it could happen. The legend of the loup-garou was really good and differs from the werewolf stories that we usually get with the loup-garou fighting the evil shadows. I really liked the way that Bast was portrayed, was he good? Or was he bad? We teeter between the two, as we wonder just what side he will fall on.
I will admit that I got thrown a bit when I started chapter six and I thought that I had missed something, but that was the way it was actually written. it just felt like there should have been more warning or at least a hint of what was to come and I can see where Bast had started to soften towards John… but love. It was thrown in from nowhere. I also really wanted to know how John came to fall into the trap and I really did think that as revenge it went too far. I was just really glad that Bast took it into his own hands and evened the score.
There are a couple of twists in this book that are quite good, but there are a couple of loose ends that do get tied up, but as they start to play out you wonder where the hell the storyline is going with it. But, explanations do clear everything up, it just felt a little disjointed. The relationship between Bast and John is more complex than you think, as we find out that John hasn’t been quite himself, but they are cute together when they finally figure it out.
I will recommend this to those who like a slightly darker shifter story, shifters with a difference, a more complex story line with some twists and turns and a couple that aren’t instant mates.
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing (25th May 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Blake feels lost after his best friend settles down with a mate. They were both initiated into the Marcelle wolf pack as orphans, but now it’s only Blake without a past or future. He has a spark of hope when his alpha mentions a buried box that could contain the answers he seeks.
The only problem—the box is deep in bear territory.
When Gage meets a foreign bear near his bathing pond, he’s immediately attracted to the dark-haired stranger. They engage in a passionate love affair, only to question their relationship when the lust settles. Blake’s different customs continually rouse Gage’s suspicions. Is he a human, bear, or a wolf trespassing on their land?
Can an alpha bear and wolf bridge the gap in their worlds for the sake of love? Will the contents of the buried box bring them closer or tear them apart?
Review: Blake is finding it hard to keep steady after Jacob mated. They were best friends, but now Blake feels all alone and it is made worse by the fact that he has no clue as to his past. Well, now he has a clue, but will he brave bear country to find an answer. Gage is fed up with his parents trying to force him into a mating, so when he comes across a strange man in his forest he is intrigued by him. They both quickly realized that they feel a pull to each other, but insecurities and unanswered questions just might pull them apart.
I so love the way that these shifters live. They don’t live in harmony with other shifters, they are closer to their animals and don’t interact that much with humans. Blake is a wolf who wants to know something, anything about his past and Redden (Alpha) has finally admitted that there is a box that might have something in it. But, the box is buried in bear country. Blake goes against his Alpha’s wishes when he hunts for the box. But, Blake doesn’t care, as he meets Gage, a bear who appeals to him like no one else ever has. Gage lives mostly in his bear form, he finds it hard to handle human emotions and feelings, but when he comes across Blake he finds that he is quite happy to follow the human urges. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been quite honest with Blake and now he has to try to see a way forward for a bear and a wolf who are mates.
I really enjoyed this story and thought the story line was really good. Both Blake and Gage are lovely characters with Blake feeling lost, as he is now the only wolf in the pack with no knowledge of where he came from. Gage is an absolute sweetheart, who due to bear customs is a virgin and is expected to mate with a female his parents have chosen, but he really doesn’t want to. When these two come together it’s hot and sexy, with Gage and Blake being a perfect match, but that doesn’t mean it is going to be easy. Blake ends up hurt when he finds out about the betrothal and they also have to find a way to be together without aggravating a war between the wolves and the bears… although it is a close run thing.
So, if you love shifters but want them a bit more animal, want a story with a bit of bite, a mysterious box that could hold answers, hot sex between a hot wolf and an alpha bear and a happy ending with just a bit of conflict, then I recommend this book for you.
Blurb: When David, an old contact and sometimes friend, hires Jed Walker to look into a series of seemingly unrelated disappearances in Cairo, Jed jumps at the chance to show his partner, Redford Reed, more of the world he’s been missing. David’s boyfriend, supernatural expert and resident stuffy professor Victor Rathbone, joins them in their journey to Egypt, which holds many more dangers and mysteries than Jed ever expected. Hidden natures resurface, relationships collide, and instincts are stretched to their breaking point. What seems to be a simple case turns out to be anything but.
David may have called for help, but he has his own suspicions about who’s behind the kidnappings—suspicions that, along with clashing personalities, make getting to the bottom of the mystery difficult. While Jed and Redford grow more intimate and trusting with each new obstacle in their path, David and Victor struggle not to lose their trust in each other in the face of their differences. As the four close in on the kidnappers, David is forced to face the one thing more dangerous than the mastermind behind the disappearances: himself.
Warning: Scenes of blood during sex (David), extreme violence (Jed), extreme possessiveness (Redford) and extreme tea drinking (Victor).
Review: Jed and Red are hired by David to dig into the disappearances of people in Cairo. Jed jumps at the chance and now, along with Red, David and Victor, it’s time to find out the truth of what is happening in Cairo. Red is fascinated by Cairo, but Jed’s behavior is putting a downer on his enjoyment. Will Jed finally notice that his behavior is upsetting his little wolf? David is keeping secrets which could have an adverse effect, especially when Jed finds out what they are really up against. Victor’s secrets come out and his relationship is rocky, as David finds it hard to resist the allure of his past.
Wow. This is a really well-written novel that has a lot of twists and turns and at the end you sit there thinking ‘after all that, there’s no real answers? But damn it was good.’ This story is written from Jed, Redford, David and Victor’s POVs so there is switching back and forth between them. As we get to see everything, from each person, we begin to really see into each personality. David is laid back, cool and sophisticated, but it is all a façade that begins to crumble when he sets foot in Cairo. Victor is quiet, bookish and intelligent, but it hides a kinky heart. Redford is shy, innocent and sweet, but he is now also conflicted with a wolf that is possessive and dominates. Jed is brash, sexually out-going and a hard case to crack, but he also likes to be submissive in bed and is completely devoted to Red and he really loves to blow things up.
This story is quite complex in its weaving as nothing is quite what it seems and the ending is not what you’d want. It’s quite bittersweet as we follow the relationship of Victor and David, and their feelings for each other. Red and Jed’s relationship is a great one, but Jed really should curb his flirting, unless he wants an angry wolf on his hands. The actual storyline seems quite simple, David has noticed a pattern of kidnappings in Cairo and wants Jed to investigate and stop the culprits… the only problem is David hasn’t been forthcoming with the full details, and the truth shocks the shit out of Jed, before his attitude embraces it that is.
In this book we see both Jed and Red’s relationship, as well as David and Victor’s… which means twice the sex *squee*. We find out the truth about David and about Victor as their secrets get spilled. We see Red struggling with the after effects of Filtiarn’s (from Blood Howl) experiment and we see Jed’s absolute trust and belief in Red. And we see David’s weakness in the face of an old lover, as the doubts about himself seep in.
So we have secrets, doubts, violence, explosions, blood and guts galore, rescues, hunting, surprises, hot, hot sex, lots of showers to wash off all the blood, more explosions and an ending that has you wondering what will happen next. So really I can’t think of anything more enjoyable than grabbing some drinks, some nibbles and this book, and having a good read that would rival any Hollywood blockbuster for explosions.
Blurb:Magical species must never mix. According to the rules, Simon Osborne should ignore the children’s cries for help. After all, they’re werewolf cubs, and he’s an apprentice mage. But for once in his life, Simon breaks the rules and rescues the cubs, saving them from a demon intent on draining them of their magic.
Of course, all actions have consequences, and Simon’s bold move earns him the displeasure of his peers and the attention of the cubs’ alpha, a man named Gray Townsend.
The last thing Gray needs is a mage in his life, but Simon did save his son. Since Simon is now a friend of the pack, Gray doesn’t have much choice about it—or the forbidden attraction that goes along with it. Unfortunately for the alpha, he needs Simon’s help to track down the demon behind the kidnappings—before it strikes again. Simon and Gray must join forces to protect the pack, even as they struggle to resist the temptation that threatens to destroy them both.
Review: Simon breaks the rules when he saves some werewolf cubs from a demon and two humans. He becomes further involved when their alpha (Gray) asks for his help and lands in further trouble when he saves Garon’s (Gray’s son’s) life. Gray needs all the help that he can get when it comes to Others, because they don’t mix he has no clue how to deal with the problem of the demon. With the help of Simon, they just might get to the truth.
This is an extremely well written fantasy that grips you from the start. Simon breaks the Mage’s rules when he goes to the rescue of some werewolf cubs. Even knowing that he will be punished doesn’t stop him from helping them… and then he has to face their Alpha who he feels an instant attraction to. But, the troubles that he faces just keep coming as he has to face his Master and then coming to Garon’s rescue again, all while feeling ill from a magical attack. Gray also feels the attraction, but his concern is for his pack and the demon who took the cubs. As they work together to get to the bottom of the problem, secrets emerge from Simon’s family history.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the characters to be enchanting, the storyline incredible and the plot great. Poppy Dennison has wrote an fantastic piece of work that draws you in from the beginning and doesn’t let you go as you discover the well woven plot and the intrigue and secrets and deceptions of this fantasy world. I loved the way that the supernatural circles were set up; each species keeps to themselves and has no interaction with the Others, instant distrust towards Others and it is filled with a world of possibilities. In this story, we have werewolves, mages, a demon and a vampire, the background building is brilliant and we get an idea of the everyday workings of werewolves and mages.
The characters in this book were great and I especially loved the cubs, Garon and Emily, and their personalities. The adults were good as well, with Simon and Gray being a good match, but the one who intrigued me the most was Cormac and I would love to learn more about him (hint). There are some really hot scenes between Simon and Gray. I loved the way that they worked together and just seemed to fit so well together. The way that the pack was described as a huge family and the interactions between them warmed the heart, but the way that the mages worked left me feeling sorry for the loneliness that they most all feel.
With this one, I am going to recommend it to everyone who loves fantasy, shifters, mages, vampires, demons, unexpected danger, intrigue, hot sex and a fantastic storyline… I advise everyone to give this a go because I really don’t think that you will be disappointed if you give this one a shot.
Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (29th April 2012)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Sam’s life changes completely when his boss Jeremy finally reveals the secret he’s been keeping from Sam since the day they met: They’re mates and not only is Jeremy a panther, but so is Sam.
With rules to follow so they can be together, Sam has to step up and be the patient lover his formerly straight mate needs him to be while learning about his new self as a panther.
Review: Jeremy has struggled through the last 9 months, being near his mate but refusing to claim him as Jeremy isn’t gay. But, now the time has come that he can deny it no longer. Sam has fancied his straight boss since he started working at the Tattoo parlor, he knows that he isn’t the most outgoing of employees; he stutters, is shy and for some reason fights keep breaking out around him.
This story was originally offered as a 13 page freebie at the m/m Goodreads group, so this is the expanded version for those who may have read the original. So, Sam has wanted Jeremy since he started working for him, but now after being the reason for another fight he thinks Jeremy has had enough, until he finds out the truth. Jeremy has tried to keep his distance from Sam but, it’s causing problems. Jeremy now has to face the fact that he must claim his mate and also explain to his mate just what they are.
I quite liked this novella, it was cute, sweet and slightly funny in places and it is a good shifter romance. Now it wasn’t instant mates because, one, Sam doesn’t know he is a shifter, even though he does have a strong attraction to Jeremy, and two, Jeremy is straight and fights his attraction to Sam until he can no longer put it off. Even though it seems as though Jeremy really doesn’t want a male mate, it doesn’t mean that he hadn’t made arrangements for the inevitable. Both characters are interesting and mesh well together and the reactions of both of them are good. There are some really good scenes between the MCs as well and I really enjoyed the fact that Jeremy wasn’t an Alpha; he’s just a normal member of the pride. There’s no angst, danger or drama, this is just a nice relaxing shifter story.
So if you like shifters, hot sex, uncomplicated stories and a happy ever after then I recommend you give this story a read.
Blurb: Waking up with memories of an erotic night spent in the arms of the sexiest man he has ever met, Azizi Dane is determined to track Manu Ucathya down and find out if there is a chance for more. But getting to Manu may be harder than he thought, especially when Azizi’s father arrives to take him home, by force if necessary.
Manu Ucathya is bound and determined to claim his anamchara once he meets him. He follows the time honored traditions of his tribe and approaches Azizi Dane’s father. When Azizi is brought to him unconscious and handcuffed, Manu is enraged. When Azizi wakes up with no idea why he is there, Manu feels like his heart is breaking.
But keeping Azizi proves harder than Manu thought, especially when a misunderstanding drives Azizi from his side and right into the hands of the hunters. Saving Azizi may be just as hard. Someone close to the Manu holds his anamchara responsible for things that Azizi has no knowledge of but they are determined to make him pay anyway—with his life.
Review: Manu decides to go the way of the old traditions and offers a mate price for Azizi, but it doesn’t turn out quite the way he had hoped. Azizi is hoping to find Manu again, but his plans are interrupted when his father turns up. The next thing Azizi knows he is waking up in a strange room with Manu. Both Manu and Azizi struggle with the changes and Azizi ends up in more danger than any of them thought.
This story is more serious than the previous two books with much more hatred between the species. It also continues with the rogue hunter theme and also betrayal from an ally. Azizi faces a lot in this book, from finding out about the paranormals, finding out the true nature of his father, his father’s betrayal, his friend’s actions and being tortured. How he kept his nice nature I really don’t know. Manu struggles with having a mate that is a human who has no clue whatsoever about how he is supposed to act, but he doesn’t make it any easier when he doesn’t exactly explain anything.
Azizi is a lovely man who ends up being hurt by a friend and betrayed by his father. Azizi is one of those humans that you would love to know and keep close always just because of his innate goodness and his forgiving nature. Manu seems to be very much the traditionalist, but he does soften up eventually with the understanding of different backgrounds. We also see Seth, Rowan, Luca, Gregory and Daniel in this one. all are woven well into the story and Seth isn’t very nice in this oneL.
There were a few niggles that bothered me and it was mainly to do with Azizi’s reactions, because at first I thought he knew about vampires because he didn’t turn a blind eye over what Manu was telling him about soul-mates and anamchara etc. But, it was more of a deduction that he came to and he didn’t have a clue as to what it actually meant. Then it was about the shifters, because he had a conversation about Rowan’s old alpha. But, then later he was really shocked that Rowan and Seth were shifters. It just threw me a bit.
I will recommend this to those who love shifters, vampires, hot sex, soul-mates, danger, betrayal, misunderstandings because of different cultures and a happy ending.
Blurb: Kris Ellis thought that the time of arranged marriages was long past—but that was before the Great Unveiling revealed creatures of myth living among humans. Now a routine medical test has determined that Kris has a mate, a werewolf named Rafael King.
Kris is fresh out of college and has plans for his life. None of them include being tied forever to someone he’s never met. But then Rafe calls him, and Kris starts to reconsider. After all, what must it be like to wait for your soul mate for two hundred years?
Rafe is patient, strong, and kind, not to mention attractive. True to what Kris has heard about mates, sparks fly the second they meet. But Kris and Rafe are very different, and the werewolf way of life is dangerous. Is the fight for love really worth it?
Review: Kris is about to get the shock of his life. A simple routine blood test changes his life forever, when he is matched as a mate to a werewolf. Now he has choices to make that don’t just include what he should do after college. Rafe has waited two hundred years for his mate and although he is desperate to meet his mate, he can wait another couple of weeks, while his mate gets used to the idea.
I found this to be quite a refreshing story. The whole idea of a world where every human is aware of all paranormal and mythical creatures, and together have come up with a registry where humans and paranormals can be matched is good. But, what is even better is that not all the people who are matched wanted to be matched. Kris is one of those people. He has plans for the future and if he accepts the mating, then he will have to give up his dreams. Rafe just wants a chance to meet his mate and show him his life won’t be over if he accepts the mating, but things happen during Kris’s visit that make Rafe think that Kris would be safer on his own.
A very good story that interested me from the start. When Kris and Rafe meet there is a strong sexual attraction which scares Kris. He is terrified that he will become a slave to his sexual needs and resents the power that Rafe could have over him. Rafe has a strong need to protect Kris and to love him, but it’s hard to fight someone’s fears. Kris is really resentful of being mated, of having his choices ripped away from him and is terrified of what he has heard of the mating instinct and it takes him a while to come around. Rafe is such a sweetheart that you feel sorry for him at the way that Kris keeps reacting.
I will recommend this to those who love the paranormal, shifters, hot sex, confused men, an unexpected attack, some hot sex and a happy ever after.
Blurb: After watching all his friends mate, Jay North is beginning to get depressed. Is it so hard to have a mate of his own? Then one night—well, morning—as he drowns another bottle of Jack Daniel’s, his phone rings, his alpha demanding they meet. Upon arrival he is met with the sweetest scent he has ever come across. Chocolates and oranges—his mate’s scent.
After being thrown from his pack, something tells Danny James to go to Texas. He has no idea why, but when he finds himself at the door of the light pack’s alpha, his entire world gets thrown upside down. His mate not only lives in the light pack but also is their enforcer. Yet Danny can’t find it in himself to be happy. He thinks because of his homosexuality he has given up his right to a destined mate of his own.
Review: Jay has been a bit jealous of his friends all meeting their mates and longs for his own. When he is called to his Alpha’s house in the middle of the night he smells the most delicious scent he has ever inhaled and discovers his mate seated with his Alpha. Danny was chased from his old pack for being gay and now he has finally found the pack who accepts gays. He also discovers his mate and learns that he has a connection to the Alpha that he never knew about.
This story has an interesting twist that adds greatly to the storyline for this little novella. Danny has run for his life now after days of hiding out and travelling he has come to the door of the Alpha who might accept him into his pack. He discovers his mate, fights his internal demons, finds out a secret, and proves to his mate that he is an equal. Jay discovers his mate within his Alpha’s home and is over-joyed. It isn’t easy sailing as Danny proves to Jay that he can be just as dominate as he is. Jay also has to come up with a plan to keep his mate safe, and to accept he doesn’t have to be top dog all the time.
Danny and Jay’s relationship is really good. As we see Danny struggle with what he has been taught all his life, he feels cautious towards Jay, until he gets jealous and teaches Jay a lesson he will never forget. Jay is instantly protective of Danny, with good reason, and is really happy when all the connections between the friends are known (all the couples being related in some way). The relationship between Danny and Jay is a relatively smooth one, without too much angst or danger, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few surprises because there are. I loved the way that the sex was dealt with between them because it turned out to be very give and take, with both of them being able to be both Dominate and submissive, so it leads to some very hot sex scenes between them.
With this one I will recommend it to those who love paranormal, hot sex, D/s, slight BDSM, danger, secrets being discovered, great characters and a happy ever after.
Title: Catching A Bit of Irish
