ROME AND JULES by Tara Lain

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date published: March 6, 2018
ISBN: 9781640802025
Werewolf, Shape shifter

eBook

Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)

Weblink: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/rome-and-jules-by-tara-lain-9339-b

Obtained via publisher

Rating: 4 Hearts

What do you do when fate brings you face to face with the man of your dreams in your enemy? Werewolves Rome and Jules live this question first hand. Even when the two recognize what the other means to them there is nothing that they can do or is there? Help comes from an unexpected source and the two men must decide if their love is worth fighting for or if they will let others choose their destiny. Will these two sworn enemies find a way to true love or will hate continue to rule their lives?

Jules and Rome are both good men who will do what is demanded of them to save their families but once they meet emotions soon begin to change their thoughts. Each man is pulled in two different directions; do they follow their hearts or let their fathers dictate their lives? I was quickly lost in their story and both men easily endeared themselves to this reader.  Rome and Jules are much more than what they show to the world and because of it they have much more to lose.  Their story is a heart wrenching tale of love and pain. Emotions are strong and the two fight hard for trust and love to develop between them. I enjoyed watching their story unfold as Rome and Jules search for a way to defy the odds and find a happy ever after.

The author does a wonderful job of bringing this world and its characters to life with great depth and emotions. I hope that this is not the last that we see of these characters and their lives.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

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DRAGON’S HOARD by M. A. Church

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Date published: December 12, 2017
Fantasy, Werewolves, shapeshifters

Audio book
Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)

Weblink: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/dragons-hoard-by-ma-church-9272-b

Obtained via publisher

Rating: 4 Hearts

When a dragon comes calling during Avery’s birthday celebration his world is turned upside down. It seems that Avery’s father borrowed a huge sum of money from Warwick years ago and it is now time to pay up. Yet Avery’s father has not made any provisions to pay the dragon back and has nothing to even give to Warwick to show that he is trying to pay.  Avery soon finds out that his father has agreed to give him to the dragon as part of the payment that is due. Can Avery find a way to forgive his father and go with Warwick? Has fate given Avery what he truly longs for?

Avery and Warwick’s story is full of emotions and depth. Narrator Dorian Bane brings this book to life and pulled me right in to their adventure. Both men are so much more than what they show the world. Together they find that love and trust come easily, and it was nice to see their attraction grow into something much deeper. As the two work through everything they find that life has given them something special and they must decide if they want to fight for it or not. I enjoyed getting to see the softer side of Warwick and the stronger side of Avery. Their roles in life are so much different in private than what they are able to share in public. I loved that Avery fought for what he wanted and stood up for what he believes is fair and just.  With Warwick by his side Avery can accomplish so much. Their romance is a sweet story that shows just what you can accomplish with someone that you trust and that believes in you by your side.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.


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A POSSESSIVE ALPHA by Marcy Jacks

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand
Date published: April 2016
ISBN: 9781682951576
Erotic Alternative Paranormal Romance, M/M, werewolves
Ebook
Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)
Weblink: http://278450-app2.app2.bookstrand.com/book/a-possessive-alpha

Obtained via publisher

Rating: 4 Hearts

When Ash decided to run from his abusive relationship he never thought that he would end up meeting someone like Dakota. Fate somehow brought the big man to Ash when he needed him the most but Dakota has some secrets and a past that once revealed may frighten Ash away. As the two begin to bond Dakota must make the decision to tell Ash everything or loose what they have been building. Will Ash be able to accept what Dakota is or will Dakota lose another mate? After what Ash has been through will he be able to understand and accept Dakota’s true nature? Their bond grows stronger with each day but is it truly enough?

Life never turns out as you expect it and Ash learns this the hard way. He is trying to survive and stay under the radar. All is fine until his ex finds him. Ash thinks that it is the end but life is not ready to give up on him just yet and brings Dakota to Ash. I enjoyed watching these two men find their way to a happy ever after. Dakota is a good man and he has gone through so much yet he is willing to do so much for Ash no matter that it goes against his nature. Ash is a wonderful man that got mixed up with the wrong partner but is trying to turn his life back around. The two make a great couple. It was nice to see the attraction between them turn into something much deeper. Their love shines brightly through everything that they do.

Not only do we get to watch Dakota and Ash’s adventure but we are also introduced to Calvin who makes quite the impression and I hope that we get to see more of him in this series.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

The Firebird and Other Stories by R. Cooper

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date published: November 28, 2016
Mythology, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves/Shapeshifters
Audio book
Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)
Weblink: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-firebird-and-other-stories-by-r-cooper-7999-b
Obtained via publisher
Rating: 4 Hearts

The Firebird and Other Stories is a great collection of short stories by R. Cooper. I enjoyed meeting each of the magical creatures and humans in these stories. Love comes to those who are worthy even if they themselves do not think they are. You will meet many wondrous beings in this world. I liked the way that many of these stories were interwoven and connected to each other. These stories are full of great characters that show so much emotion. Robert Nieman does a good job of bringing this world to life and I was quickly lost in this audio book.

I loved all of the characters in this book. From the Firebird to the imp, they all had great personalities and so much to say. None of them imagined that love would be something that they could attain but attain it they do. These are not all the beautiful fairy tale creatures that always come to mind. Alongside the Firebird and werewolf you will find a troll, an imp and more. These characters show great emotions and depth. Each of them is so much more than what they appear to be. Their human counterparts are just as unique and have just as much to say.

I was immediately immersed in their adventures and felt drawn to each couple and their adventure. As they learn that love is always worth the risk they also learn that they are worth that risk. Taking that chance may be hard but it could be so worth it. I hope that this is not the last time we get to visit these characters and their worlds.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

 

 

A Beginner's Guide to Wooing Your Mate by R. Cooper

Publisher Date published ISBN Genre Book format (E-book? Mass Market

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date published: October 20, 2016
Urban Fantasy, Werewolves
Audio book
Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)

Weblink: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/a-beginners-guide-to-wooing-your-mate-by-r-cooper-7824-b

Obtained via publisher

Rating: 4 Hearts

 

When Zeki returns to his hometown he never guessed what he was walking into.  Always the odd human out Zeki does not recall his high school days fondly. The only thing from high school that he cares to remember is Theo: the wolf he had a crush on. Upon his return he finds out the Theo’s mate rejected him and since than Theo has led a lonely life. Zeki is determined to help Theo and even if he is just passing through. The years away have not diminished Zeki’s attraction to Theo and Zeki is about to find out just what truly happened all those years ago in high school. Will the truth come out and will it finally fix what went wrong or is there no going back for these two?

I really enjoyed this book. Robert Nieman does a wonderful job of narrating Theo and Zeki’s story. Their adventure is full of emotions. Zeki is a human and even though he grew up in a werewolf town he still has no clue about all the rules surrounding mates and dating. It was nice to see Zeki and Theo work through it all. Theo never blames Zeki and is more than willing to try again. I loved both Zeki and Theo. The feelings that they have for each other are evident in all that they do and say. Especially as they defend each other to other people even before they come together. The two make a great couple. Each one is always ready to understand and give the other what he needs. I cannot wait to see what more comes from these two once everything is all settled.

Their story moves at a nice pace and pulls you in right from the start. Not only was I engaged in Zeki and Theo’s story but I also found myself wanting to know about many of the other inhabitants of the town. The narrative brought this story to life for me and I enjoyed this visit and am excited to return again.


This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

CAST THE FIRST STONE by Katherine Halle

Publisher: Torquere Press
Date published: 10/8/14
ISBN: 978-1-61040-815-8
MM, werewolves
E-book
Reviewed by Helen
Weblink: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_85&products_id=4276
Obtained via publisher
Rating: 3

Human Julian Hart is a werewolf hunter. He is chasing a rogue werewolf who tuned a woman against her will but has to stop the chase when the rogue moves into another clan’s territory. He obtains permission to enter Alpha Stone’s territory and continue the chase, but Stone himself becomes part of his problem, not to mention the entourage he’s surrounded by and the evil rogue himself. The minor characters are interesting and add to believability and the depth of story, even ones we only meet for a few lines occasionally are well drawn.


This is a fascinating plot with the main characters, Stone and Julian, very three dimensional and multilayered. I enjoyed learning more about them and their lives and motivations as the layers of their personality were revealed and their thought processes unpacked.
Ms. Halle writes excellent, detailed, hot MM sex. The sex scenes were varied, emotional and a fulfilling read.

The plot had some interesting twists and turns that added great suspense and drama to the story.

So why didn’t I give this book four and a half stars?
First, it felt like I was arriving halfway through a series. There was backstory and characters it seemed like I ought to know about and relate to their past history, yet nowhere on the blurb or in the book itself does it say this story is part of a series, or a sequel to something else. Even when I went to the publisher’s website and the author’s blog there was no mention of this book being part of a series or a sequel to a previous story. Yet the author clearly expects the reader to relate to Zoe’s situation and to know about Zax and his pack and the boundary rules.

Secondly, during the book I was completely thrown out of the story by a werewolf answering their cell phone while they were running. Later it seemed that shifted wolves in this world maintain human characteristics (such as being able to speak, answer phones, remain clothed etc) but at the time it hit me as a massive plot hole and had me scrolling back wondering if I’d skipped a chapter or something. More explanation of the world was absolutely needed before this happened.

A much more minor point, but one that still aggravated me, was that humans and wolves are always called that, not who. Using “that” denies their humanity and to relate to shapeshifters as humans they must be called who. And denying the humanity of humans is just plain weird.

To sum up, this is a great story with marvelous characters. But to make it a better read the author needs to link it to previous books in the series, or if there aren’t any, to add some more backstory explaining her world and the past history of some characters.


This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

SEX, WOLVES & ROCK N ROLL (1 Night Stand Series) by Mina Carter

Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Published: January 7, 2014
ISBN:  978-1-61333-648-9
Genre: M/M, contemporary, erotic, paranormal, werewolf, shapeshifter
Book format: E-book
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by name and email address: Helena helenastone63@gmail.com

Four

Trent Savage, Sav, is the drummer in Lyric Hound, a very popular band, consisting of Werewolf musicians. For as long as he can remember he’s been attracted to Karlan Rixx, the band’s guitarist. What’s more, for years he has known that Karlan is his preordained mate. Karlan however is as straight as they come and, as far as Sav can tell, completely unaware of or ignoring Sav’s feelings as well as the bond between them.

After years of trying to deny his feelings just to hold on to Karlan’s friendship, Sav can’t take it anymore and leaves the band as well as the only life and family he’s ever known.

Karlan may be a womanizer, in his heart there is only one person he’s interested in. When Sav disappears Karlan feels lost. The band isn’t the same with Sav to drive the beat and Karlan’s life is incomplete without the man behind him on stage, next to him in life.

When he discovers that Sav has contacted Madame Eve to organize a one night stand, Karlan does what he can to be Sav’s date. There was a reason Karlan didn’t know he and Sav were mated. With Karlan’s problem solved both man are in for a few surprises when they meet again. But will it be enough for them to embrace their destiny?

Allow me to start with a few qualifiers. I’ve never read a One Night Stand or Lyric Hound story before. I don’t read a lot of supernatural stories, erotic or otherwise and, I very often find myself having issues with novellas. For all intents and purposes requesting this book for review seemed to be an exercise in setting myself up for failure.

Imagine how happily surprised I was to discover that being new to the One Night Stand series and Lyric Hound stories didn’t make a difference. I fell into and was captured by this story from the very first word and stayed hooked until I’d finished the last one. What’s not too like? We’re meeting Sav, a sexy and dominant werewolf rock star who, despite his rough exterior is breaking up inside because his mate appears to be rejecting him. And, not only do we get to enjoy this hunk, we’re also treated to Karlan, and equally hot werewolf. The reader is being spoiled.

Talking about werewolves; I’ve obviously been missing something while ignoring supernatural (erotic) stories. If this story sets the standard, this is a discrepancy I’ll be fixing in the not too distant future, very likely starting with the other Lyric Hound stories.

As far as the fact that this is a novella rather than a full novel is concerned all I can say is that I was very impressed. This was as complete a story as any reader can wish for. The characters are well described and fully fleshed, there’s enough back story to give the reader not only everything they need to know but also a real connection to the character’s feelings and actions. This story may only have counted 35 pages, it provided everything a good story needs: a beginning that puts the reader straight into the story, a middle that provided all the explanations needed without slowing the story down and a beautiful and very satisfying ending.

And did I mention this story is hot? Well, it is. But then, that’s exactly what you would expect when you pick up a story about two Alpha werewolves giving in to their feelings for each other after years of having to deny then.

This in short was about an hour’s worth of pure reading delight, leaving me with yet another author I have to add to my must-read list.