Tag: Toni Griffin

Frankie's Vamp by Toni Griffin

Title: Frankie’s Vamp

Series: Hot Encounters 01

Author: Toni Griffin

Genre: Paranormal, Vampire

Length: Novella (131pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (12th May 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Merrick has never had to chase anyone in his life, but then he’s never met his mate before. Frankie has dated some losers and just escaped an abusive ex. Trusting his vamp won’t be easy.

After five centuries, Merrick Winters is bored with life. He’s tired of the same kind of men throwing themselves at him. His coven is secure and his bar is a success. He needs a challenge. When he meets his mate, he’s certain he’s found just the challenge he was looking for.

Frankie Reynolds doesn’t have time for an abusive man and he wishes his ex would get the message. After one night at Hot Encounters, both an ex and a master vampire won’t leave him alone. He doesn’t mind the vampire so much, but this mate business is a little much.

An amazing attraction makes sparks fly, but can Merrick convince Frankie to trust again?

CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains scenes of near rape.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/859/?zenid=c3142b00277168ac40b6da660cd0e653

Review: Merrick is slightly bored with the same old same old. After all, there is only so much a vamp can do in five hundred years.  But, that all changes when he spots Frankie on the dance floor of his club and he has a feeling that he will be forever kept on his toes. Frankie is just letting loose on the dance floor when he spots the most gorgeous man ever, but after coming out of a relationship where his ex-boyfriend hit him, he is cautious.

Toni Griffin has written a nice easy read that is uncomplicated and low on angst. Merrick is thrilled when he meets his mate and his mate isn’t a walkover. Frankie stands up to him and doesn’t let him get away with anything… now if only he can get him to agree to be his mate. Frankie has had enough of loser boyfriends and isn’t sure if he can trust himself to choose a decent man. So, when the Master vampire declares he’s his mate, he is very wary of jumping in feet first.

Frankie is quite a strong-willed man and knows how to take care of himself; he is determined to take his time getting to know Merrick before committing to a mating that will last for eternity. This I found to be brilliantly done, because although they both felt sparks flying between them, they both still held off until Frankie was really ready. The problem of the ex-boyfriend was handled well, but I would have liked to know more about the rogue vampires. Both characters were well suited and I would have liked to get to know them better; some more background on them, but I liked them all the same. I found this storyline flowed well and the story easy to read and get into.

I will recommend this to those who like strong characters, hot sex, vampires and paranormals, a bit of conflict, instant attraction and a happy ending.

 

 

 

Forbidden Mate by Toni Griffin

Title: Forbidden Mate

Series: Holland Brothers 04

Author: Toni Griffin

Genre: Shifter/Paranormal

Length: Novel (173pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (1st October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: On a trip for his Alpha, Jake is forced into close quarters with the one man he has kept at a distance for ten years. While so close to the man he secretly loves, can he keep his mind on business and off his forbidden mate?

Rick Holland has watched as his brothers settled into mated bliss, quietly dying inside knowing he will never have the same. Rick has lived for the last ten years with the knowledge his mate doesn’t want him.  When his brother and Alpha asks him to take a trip, will Rick have the courage to forget his hurt and move on with his life?

Jake Richmond has watched from the sidelines as his mate grew from a surprisingly sexy sixteen years old into a stunningly handsome man. He’s done everything within his power to keep that man safe–aware that his mate believes he’s not wanted but unable to reveal the truth. Can Jake finally let go of the man he loves or will everything come crashing down when the pair are thrust together in their search for much-needed answers?

Review: Jake has stayed as far away from his mate as shifterly (is that a real word? Lol) possible trying to protect him and keep him safe.  All the while longing that he could claim him. Rick has accepted that his mate won’t claim him even as he still longs for the other man.   Now they are thrown together to do a task for their Alpha.   Can they both survive the longing to be together?

A well written story that answered many of our questions… well mine anyway, but still left a few to be answered (maybe a new series involving the Alpha of all of Australia (hint hint)). Rick has waited for Jake to claim him since he was 16 years old and after ten years knows it’s just not going to happen.   Jake wants nothing more to claim his mate but knows that if he does his mate’s life will be in danger.

I think this storyline was strong.   One mate protecting the other mate, although I was disappointed that Jake took it all onto himself but really what can we expect he’s male lol. I liked that it seemed a bit angsty for the two men and it wasn’t easy for them to spend time together.   and I thought that Rick has a core of steel and a very forgiving heart to be able to forgive his mate so quickly. Jake, on the other hand, I thought he was a bit spineless at first because there were a lot of people that he could have turned to who would have helped him out.   I found that I began to admire him though and he kinda grew on me.

As for the twist from the last book, yeah the explanation was good but the reasoning for keeping it secret from the packs especially the Alphas is stupid and causes more harm than good.   But, I have to keep reminding myself that it’s fiction and to let it go… it’s just a story. That’s how good Toni Griffin’s writing is.

So what do I recommend… this is for those who love shifters, hot men, hotter sex, a good storyline, a bit of angst and a bit of danger.

 

 

Protective Mate by Toni Griffin

Title: Protective Mate

Series: Holland Brother’s 03

Author: Toni Griffin

Genre: Shifter/Fantasy

Length: Novella (130pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (3rd September 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥ 3 1/2Heart

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Within the space of two years Zack lost nearly everyone that had ever meant anything to him. After his parents are killed in a car accident and his best friend succumbs to cancer, Zack is left alone in the world with only his eighteen month old daughter.

The ultra religious and homophobic grandparents, however, will do anything they can to try and take his daughter away from him. To stop this Zack packs up and moves to a small town in northern Victoria.

Simon has known he was gay since he was fifteen. With this fact firmly entrenched in his mind he had resigned himself to never being a father. Walking into his house one afternoon he is shocked to find not only his mate, but a two year old calling his mate Daddy.

Is Simon ready to be a father? Can Zack open his heart after so much hurt and risk loving someone else?

Review: Ok, I was really enjoying this book, the storyline is one we all empathize with, the in-laws or parents trying to take a child off a gay man and trying to do it in or out of the law. We have Zack moving to start a new life with his cute daughter Hayley. We also had sexy shifters who find their destined mates.

This story was really good, Zack was thoughtful about what Hayley needed as well as what he wanted and the effect on Simon’s mom when she found out that she was now a grandmother was touching.

What we didn’t really need was the twist near the end, I hate to say it but too many authors have gone with this plot recently and it only really work’s if it affects the entire species and not just a select few, especially when no one even knows or it’s a big secret.

All in all it was a very good book and I would recommend this to anyone who loves family, shifters, hot sex and a pretty decent storyline.