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Born to Be Badger by Shelly Laurenston – Dual Review

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Born to Be Badger by Shelly Laurenston – Dual Review

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Description:
Emily “Tock” Meyerson-Jackson is on a mission to rid the world of shifters trafficking humans for hunting and cash. And now that she’s narrowed down her suspects to a brutal coalition of male lions, nothing will get between this honey badger and her prey—not even a dog-loving Tiger with absolutely no time management skills. Doesn’t matter that Shay Malone is ferociously adorable. With a war brewing between cat families, Tock doesn’t have time to lounge around with a football-playing tiger shifter. But when she realizes the coalition is also responsible for the death of Shay’s father, she’s forced to partner up with the flirtatious feline. . . .

Revenge is most definitely on the menu for Shay and his tiger shifter brothers. But when it comes to Shay’s alluring partner in crime-solving, so is seduction. Tock might be a bad-ass of a honey badger, but she’s awfully cute when she’s flashing her fangs, which she’s pretty much doing all the time these days. Good thing revenge is a dish best served hot. Because when it comes to Tock, Shay knows just how to turn up the heat. . . .

 

 

Barb’s Review:
Born to be Badger by Shelly Laurenston is the 5th book in her fantastic The Honey Badger Chronicles. I was happy that Laurenston was giving us more Honey Badgers, as this is such a great series, with so much fun from start to finish.  With the honey badgers being the center of this story, expect crazy badgers, violence, mayhem in a wild hilarious, pulse pounding story.  So many wonderful characters, with many from the previous books. No surprise, since everything Laurenston writes, is filled with not only great stories, but fun humorous laughter throughout each book she writes.

This book focuses around Emily (Tock]) and her magnificent honey badger team, and the start of a romance with Shay, a tiger (with his daughter Dani playing a big part in this story). Shay was immediately attracted to Tock, who loved his daughter, but she did not want him to be part their fight; when she learns that the coalition is responsible for Shay/Finn/Keane father’s death, she allows them to help.  Tock and her team are determined to stop shifters who are trafficking humans for a hunt or cash.  They set out to find them, only to discover that they are in the middle of an ambush.

Tock and Shay were a slow burn romance, with them being a great couple.  I loved how Tock and Dani became close, and loved the cute little puppies that Dani took care of. We got to see so many new characters, as well as many previous characters. Tock’s grandmother was a powerful badger, but Tock and her bonded team were so insanely amazing, with nothing stopping them.   I absolutely loved Charlie, who played a major role throughout the book. Everyone feared Charlie, especially with her amazing abilities; and always able to take control.  Not to mention that when Charlies was stressed, she baked, and all the bears, lions, wolves ran to get her baked foods.

What follows is an exciting adventure that was also fun-filled, with wild & crazy action, a fantastic group of characters, and so much laughter throughout.  In order to stop a coalition of shifters trafficking humans, the Badgers will team up with the badger family, lions and wolves to defeat the enemy and stop the war.

When it comes to fun, wild crazy antics, hysterical and exciting, no one does it better than Laurenston.  Telling too much more would be spoilers, and this is the kind of story that needs to be read and fully enjoyed.

Born to be Badger was another fun, hilarious story, with great characters, sweet romance, action, suspense and so much laughter.  I cannot wait for the next book.   If you have not read Shelly Laurenston, you are missing an author that always gives us fantastic stories, who should not be missed.

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Sandy’s Review: BORN TO BE BADGER is the fifth instalment in Shelly Laurenston’s contemporary, adult HONEY BADGER CHRONICLES paranormal, romance series-set in the author’s Magnus Pack and Pride Worlds. This is Amur tiger shifter and single father Shay Malone, and badger shifter Emily ‘Tock’ Meyerson-Jackson’s story line. BORN TO BE BADGER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives including Tock and Shay BORN TO BE BADGER follows several overlapping scenarios including the hunt for the person(s) responsible for murdering Finn, Keane, Dale and Shay Malone’s father; the take down of a human trafficking ring; and the ongoing investigation into a powerful drug created to take down the honey badger shifters.

Shay and his brothers are desperate to find the person(s) responsible for the murder of their father but without the help of some powerful shifters, Shay struggles to ferret out those responsible. Meanwhile, the honey badgers have been targeted, and Tock Meyerson-Jackson has found herself the victim of a powerful tranquilizer, a drug meant to incapacitate the violent badger. As part of a search and rescue team, that was ambushed, Shay becomes guardian and protector of our story line heroine, something Tock does not need in the face of her large extended vengeful family. The search for any and all suspects reveals a human trafficking ring and a possible connection to a larger coalition somewhere in Europe.

The world building is detailed, complex and elaborate with many references to a number of shifter sports league and powerful groups, including families and deep ops organization, most of whom we met in the PACK series. We are up close and personal with Tock’s broad circle of blood family and family by friendships, as well as the considerable extended matriarchal family of questionable cousins (The MacKilligans), aunts, sisters and close friends. If you have not read any of Laurenston’s previous story lines or series, I recommend starting with The Magnus Pack then the Pride Series where the author begins to build her fantastic shifter world full of snark and fun-you will have to have a sense of humor for some of the darker scenarios. Ultimately, all of the shifters are predators, and therefore, killing is part of the cycle of life.

The secondary and supporting characters are numerous, powerful and energetic.-wolves, bears, lions, tigers, hyenas, badgers etc. We are introduced to Shay’s brothers Finn, Keane and Dale, as well as his daughter Dani, and the return of several Van Holtz including Ric and Niles, and the Dunn Triplets. The requisite evil has many faces.

The relationship between Tock and Shay is slow to build as there is limited break in the action, the impending war between the badgers and everyone else, and the take down of the people responsible. The Badgers are a powerful and vicious group of shifters, a group that every other shifter fears the most. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

BORN TO BE BADGER is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, friendships and family, acceptance and love. Shelly Laurenston pulls the reader into a humorous and frenetic action-packed story of secret organizations run by animal shifters, and the fight for control. The fast paced, character driven premise is intricate and fantastic; the characters are determined, dynamic and boisterous; the romance is subtle.

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Breaking Badger by Shelly Laurenston-dual review

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Breaking Badger (Honey Badger Chronicles 4) by Shelly Laurenston-dual review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 31, 2021

It’s instinct that drives Finn Malone to rescue a bunch of hard battling honey badgers. The Siberian tiger shifter just can’t bear to see his fellow shifters harmed. But no way can Finn have a houseful of honey badgers when he also has two brothers with no patience. Things just go from bad to worse when the badgers rudely ejected from his home turn out to be the only ones who can help him solve a family tragedy. He’s just not sure he can even get back into the badgers’ good graces. Since badgers lack graces of any kind . . .

Mads knows her teammates aren’t about to forgive the cats that were so rude to them, but moody Finn isn’t so bad. And he’s cute! The badger part of her understands Finn’s burning need to avenge his father’s death—after all, vengeance is her favorite pastime. So Mads sets about helping Finn settle his family’s score, which has its perks, since she gets to avoid her own family drama. Besides, fighting side by side with Finn is her kind of fun—especially when she can get in a hot and heavy snuggle with her very own growling, eye-rolling, and utterly irresistible kitty-cat .

••••••••

Sandy’s Review

BREAKING BADGER is the fourth instalment in Shelly Laurenston’s contemporary, adult HONEY BADGER CHRONICLES paranormal series-a spin off from the authors PACK, and PRIDE series. This is honey badger /basketball player Mads Galendotter, and professional football player / Siberian tiger shifter Finn Malone’s storyline BREAKING BADGER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as it pertains to the MacKilligan sisters and family.

Told from third person perspective including Mads and Finn, BREAKING BADGER follows several paths including the building relationship between Mads and Finn. Finn Malone, and his brothers Keane and Shay are desperate to find the person(s) who ordered the kill and murdered their father, a father who appears to have been abandoned by the controlling Katzenhaus, and his extended family. With the help of the strange group of honey badger shifters Mads, Nelle, Streep and Tock, whom they met during an op that went all to h*ll, the Malone brothers begin a search for the truth but not before discovering the over the top lifestyle and existence of honey badger shifters. To thank the tigers for saving their lives, the honey badgers offer a token of appreciation that is immediately denied, and with it begins the acrimonious relationship between the tigers and the honey badgers. But as Finn begins to dig deeper into their father’s death, they make themselves targets of a powerful group, who may or may not be connected to the people in charge.

Meanwhile Mads and her ‘teammates’ prepare to do battle both on and off the court. Hoping to make the basketball playoffs, the shifters, once again, find themselves targeted when Mads’ extended family accuse our heroine of theft of a priceless family artefact. Mads knows she is going to have to face the family that continue to destroy her life but never expected the help from the new family she has come to love.

Again, Shelly Laurenston pulls the reader into an ongoing war between shifter species, discrimination, the fight for power, and the numerous secrets ops groups that control and regulate the shifter community. The level of violence continues to escalate in both human and animal form; there is no forgiveness or sympathy in a world where one is more animal than human.

As per Laurenston’s style, the humor and snark between characters is front and center in the dysfunctional family units that are often beyond repair but the bonds of friendship usually make up for years of questionable upbringing.

BREAKING BADGER begins a new story line arc, and introduces the reader to a new cast of characters: Mads teammates and friends Nelle, Emily aka Tock, Cass aka Streep; Finn’s brothers Keane and Shay, sister Natalie, youngest brother Dale, and mother Lisa Malone, as well as the Yun mob family. Several familiar faces return for cohesion including honey badgers Max, Charlie and Stevie MacKilligan, Dee-Ann Smith, Niles Van Holtz, Finn’s cousin Cella Malone, bears Berg, Dag and Britta, Panda Shen, Jaguar ZeZe, Lou Cruschek, Dez MacDermott Katzenhaus, The Group, and a cameo appearance by one lion shifter with a thing for his hair, and a feisty wolf dog on roller blades.

BREAKING BADGER follows several paths including the slow building relationship between Finn and Mads. Secondary to the storyline premise, the romance is more of an after thought around the 75% mark, a romance that feels like a friends with benefits relationship more than anything else. The fast paced and often frenetic premise is intense, twisted and entertaining; the characters are fun, familiar and sassy.

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Barb’s Review:
Breaking Badger by Shelly Laurenston is the 4th book in her wonderful Honey Badger Chronicles series. After reading the first three books in this series focusing on the three sisters, I was thrilled to see that Laurenston was giving us more Honey Badgers, and so much more from Charlie, Max and Stevie.  I love love this series, which is so much fun to read.  As I have said before, no one gives us such great stories, with so much laughter from start finish. As always, thank you  Shelly Laurenston for another fantastic addition to this series, and I hope you continue with more.

Breaking Badger centers on Finn Malone, our hero, who along with his Siberian Tiger brothers and sister, are determined to find out who killed their father.  Mads Galendotter, our heroine, loves basketball and her teammates, who are mostly honey badgers, which includes our wild crazy, Max; they have been together since they were kids, with Mads being the leader of the basketball team. Though the background romance is Finn and Mads, the McKilligan sisters (Charlie, Max, Stevie), their teammates, as well as the Malone family play major parts throughout the story. 

The Malone’s get off on the wrong foot with the honey badgers, especially with Max bringing them Danishes to thank them for helping during a fight; and one of the brothers rudely kicks them out.  Max is fit to be tied (which is dangerous at all times), but it is Charlie who will convince Max, Mads and the girls to help the Malones find information.  Along the way, Finn begins to become attracted to Mads, and even though she doesn’t appear to be interested, it is her funny and crazy teammates who push her toward Finn.  A slow build romance will begin, and I really did like them together.  I also loved how Charlie and the McKillgans treated Mads like their own family, since hers were awful to her all her life, even to the point of hurting her.  It was so much fun to watch the tigers slowly accept the honey badgers and how great they were together.  They are an amazing group that are wild, scary and insane, but hysterically funny; and loved how close they were.  Charlie was amazing in this story, since she always has an uncanny ability to take control of any situation, with everyone frightened of her.     

What follows is an exciting adventure that was also fun-filled, with wild & crazy action, a fantastic group of characters, and so much laughter throughout. When it comes to fun, wild crazy antics, hysterical and exciting, no one does it better than Laurenston.  Telling too much more would be spoilers, and this is the kind of story that needs to be read and fully enjoyed. 

Breaking Badger was another fun, hilarious story, with great characters, sweet romance, action, suspense and so much laughter.  I cannot wait for the next book.   If you have not read Shelly Laurenston, you are missing an author that always gives us fantastic stories, who should not be missed. 

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Hot and Badgered
In A Badger Way
Badger to the Bone

 

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Badger to the Bone by Shelly Laurenston – Dual Review

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Badger to the Bone by Shelly Laurenston – Dual Review

 

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Description:
She’s the woman he’s been hired to kidnap. But ZeZé Vargas has other ideas . . . like getting them both out of this nightmare alive. Just one problem. She’s crazy. Certifiably. Because while he’s plotting their escape, the petite Asian beauty is plotting something much more deadly . . .

Max “Kill It Again” MacKilligan has no idea what one of her own is doing with all these criminal humans until she realizes that Zé has no idea who or what he is. Or exactly how much power he truly has.

But Max is more than happy to bring this handsome jaguar shifter into her world and show him everything he’s been missing out on. A move that might be the dumbest thing she’s ever done once she realizes how far her enemies will go to wipe her out. Too bad for them Zé is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her alive . . . and honey badgers are just so damn hard to kill!

 

 

Sandy’s Review:

BADGER TO THE BONE is the third instalment in Shelly Laurenston’s contemporary, adult HONEY BADGER CHRONICLES paranormal series-a spin off from the authors PACK, and PRIDE series. This is honey badger /basketball player Max MacKilligan, and jaguar shifter, former US Marine and Black Ops member ZeZé Vargas. BADGER TO THE BONE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order.

Told from several third person perspectives including Max and Zé BADGER TO THE BONE follows several paths but continues to focus on the MacKilligan half- sisters: badger/ wolf Charlie; honey badger Maxie, and badger/ tiger Stevie MacKilligan.

In the aftermath of an abduction in the Netherlands of badger shifter Max MacKilligan. Max is surprised to discover one of her would-be rescuers is a jaguar shifter, a shifter who is unaware of his DNA. Upon return to American soil, Max would become ZeZé Vargas’ mentor in an effort to acclimate her foundling ‘kitty’ into the unfamiliarity of the shifter world but everything continues to spiral out of control as the fractured and broken MacKilligan family dynamic targets our heroine from a number of sides. What ensues is the slow building relationship between Max and ZeZé, as Max, along with Charlie and Stevie, must come to terms with the fall-out of their father’s life.

Like their human counterparts, the shifter world is constantly at war. From secret military organizations, to illegal money laundering, and the battle between shifter nations, specieism and discrimination are at the heart of everything that continues to go wrong. The MacKilligan family’s reputation is well known in the world of the shifters but Charlie, Max and Stevie are a weapon unto themselves. When another ‘secret shifter’ organization recruits Max to help shut down a human trafficking ring, Max knows, not only will her sisters be by her side, but her basketball shifter team that will always have her back.

Once again, as per Laurenston’s style of writing, the back and forth, frenetic energy between characters and situations is fast paced, humorous, snarky and fun. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters-many whom we have me in this (who doesn’t love the bears) and the author’s previous series, as well as the introduction of more members of the cat nation, and a surprising addition to the MacKilligan family. The premise is imaginative and thrilling; the characters are spirited, sassy and playful; the romance is passionate and enticing.

 

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Barb’s Review:
Badger to the Bone by Shelly Laurenston is the 3rd book in her wonderful paranormal shifter Honey Badger Chronicles series.  I have said this before, Laurenston is a master at giving us wild crazy and hilarious stories, and the Honey Badger Chronicles series is totally a wild, violent, hysterical action-packed adventure that has us engrossed in the story and laughing all the way.  If you have not read this series, you need to start with the first book, otherwise you may find yourself confused, not to mention you need to read about all three of these wonderful crazy sisters.  They are Honey Badgers, who are hard to kill, as well as terrifying to all their opponents.

Max MacKilligan, our heroine in this story, is kidnapped by someone who wants to use her to find her father. Even though the kidnappers are big strong dangerous men, they have no idea who they are dealing with, as our Max brings out her knives and kills them all, freeing herself, and an injured man, who doesn’t know he is a jaguar shifter.

ZeZe Vargas, is an undercover agent, and when he sees the cute Asian young girl, he wants to come to her defense; to his shock she quickly takes care of all of them, as well as taking him to her house to recover from his injuries, and find a way to tell him he isn’t human.  When Ze recovers, he also meets Max’s two sisters, Charlie and Stevie, who push Max to start proving to him he is a cat, and teach him how to be a shifter.  The chemistry between both of them was totally sizzling, and I loved them together.  In a short time, Ze will shift and realize he needs to be around the MacKilligan girls, as well as their family and friends to survive this crazy world. 

Though the main focus of the story revolved around Max and Ze, there were many other things going on with their father, cousins, and other shifters.  Make no mistake, this is a wild crazy family and a hilarious adventure throughout, which is the norm for Laurenston.  I loved Charlie, who has an uncanny ability to take control of any situation, and terrify everyone.  A riot all the way.  Max is also amazing, as she is totally fearless, not to mention a bit crazy.  Stevie, the youngest sister, who is a genius, also stepped up and was able to take a little more control.  Love this family that Shelly Laurenston has created.

What follows is an exciting adventure that was also fun-filled, wild & crazy action, three great sisters, wonderful secondary characters, and so much hilarious laughter.  When it comes to fun, crazy, hysterical and exciting, with fantastic characters, no one does it better than Laurenston.  Telling too much more would be spoilers, and this is the kind of story that needs to be read and fully enjoyed.  if you have not read Shelly Laurenston, you are missing not only a gem of an author that she not be missed

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In A Badger Way (Honey Badger Chronicles #2) by Shelly Laurenston-dual review

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IN A BADGER WAY (Honey Badger Chronicles #2) by Shelly Laurenston-dual review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 26, 2019

Petite, kind, brilliant, and young, Stevie is nothing like the usual women bodyguard Shen Li is interested in. Even more surprising, the youngest of the lethal, ball-busting, and beautiful MacKilligan sisters is terrified of bears. But she’s not terrified of pandas. She loves pandas.

Which means that whether Shen wants her to or not, she simply won’t stop cuddling him. He isn’t some stuffed Giant Panda, ya know! He is a Giant Panda shifter. He deserves respect and personal space. Something that little hybrid is completely ignoring.

But Stevie has a way of finding trouble. Like going undercover to take down a scientist experimenting on other shifters. For what, Shen doesn’t want to know, but they’d better find out. And fast. Stevie might be the least violent of the honey badger sisters, but she’s the most dangerous to Shen’s peace of mind. Because she has absolutely no idea how much trouble they’re in . . . or just how damn adorable she is

•••••••••

Sandy’s REVIEW: IN A BADGER WAY is the second instalment in Shelly Laurenston’s fun and fabulous contemporary, adult HONEY BADGER CHRONICLES paranormal, romance series-a spin-off from the author’s PRIDE and PACK series. This is prodigal genius and badger hybrid Stevie Stasiuk-MacKilligan, and security specialist/panda shifter Shen Li’s story line. IN A BADGER WAY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Shen and Stevie IN A BADGER WAY follows several paths but continues to focus on the MacKilligan half-sisters: badger/ wolf Charlie; honey badger Maxie, and our heroine badger/ tiger Stevie MacKilligan. Stevie is a prodigal, a genius but suffers from severe anxiety, panic attacks and depression that when provoked or threatened, her self preservation instincts result in a beast that no one is able to control. Currently housing another child prodigy, Kyle Jean-Louis Parker, and his security guard Shen Li, Stevie struggles with demons from the past including a father and uncle who may or may not be threatening the people she loves. When a number of hybrid shifters are found dead, Stevie is contracted by Dr. Irene Conridge, to go in search of the people responsible in an effort to protect shifters like herself. With Shen Li at her side, Stevie will face down her demons, the Bears, the Wild Dog Nights, and possibility of losing herself in the name of science. What ensues is the building romance and relationships between Stevie and Shen, and the potential fall-out as Stevie is targeted by a man desperate to eradicate the impure shifters.

IN A BADGER WAY has all the requisite snark, humor, fun, and over the top craziness expected from Shelly Laurenston’s shifters. The MacKilligan sisters are over protective, fiercely loyal, and when threatened are a force unto themselves. Feared by other shifters, the sister’s reputations as hybrids of unknown consequences places everyone on alert when the proverbial sh*t hits the fan-Stevie is no match for the strongest and biggest shifters, or science, itself.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including some very familiar shifters (Dee-Ann and Ric; Niles Van Holtz and his human wife Irene Conlan, Bo and Blayne, Loch and Gwen, and Marcella Malone), the Berg triplets Berg, Dag and Britta Dunn, Kyle Jean-Louis Parker and his sister Oriana as well as Maxie’s best friend, wolverine shifter Dutch Alexander.

A fantastic story teller, Shelly Laurenston brings her imagination to life blending animal characteristics with a human mind set ensuring no character is entirely free from one or the other. A spirited, energetic and animated series The Honey Badger Chronicles, and thusly the Pride and Pack series are a definite must read.

 

Barb’s REVIEW:  In a Badger Way by Shelly Laurenston is the 2nd book in her wild crazy exciting and hilarious Honey Badger Chronicles series.  Trust me when I say, if you have not read Shelly Laurenston, you are missing not only a gem of an author, but so much fun as you read each and every one of her books. I cannot say enough about Laurenston, as she continually has me engrossed in the story, which has a lot of action and violence, but at the same time I am laughing all the way.  Needless to say, I adore Shelly Laurenston and cannot get enough of her books.  Now for my review  🙂

In the first book of this trilogy, Charlie, the oldest sister was the heroine.  She was an awesome heroine, tough, respected and devoted to her two younger sisters, as well as being the sister who is always in control and feared the most.  They are Honey Badgers, but hybrids; together all three made a wild crazy and terrifying team.  In a Badger Way, the youngest sister, Stevie is our heroine, and we can’t help but love Stevie; she is the child prodigy that everyone wants, even at times to kill her.  Stevie is a genius in everything she does, whether its music or physics, but she has a flaw; she has anxiety panic attacks and when scared, she loses control and shifts into a huge tiger monster.

What I love about this series is that the three sisters are there for each other, even if they also fight each other.  In this story, Charlie and Max are always helping to protect Stevie, even if she can handle herself, if she stays in control.   We also get to meet many of the other shifters we have met previously, like Blayne, Irene, Dee Ann, Jess, just to name a few.   It will be Irene who will convince Stevie and her sisters, as well as some of the MacKilligan family to help bring down a group that are planning to create  a drug that will neutralize hybrids.

Shen Li, our hero, is a panda shifter, as well as a bodyguard.  Shen finds himself spending more time trying to protect Stevie, then what he was hired for.  But living with the MacKilligans is a non-stop wild ride, and life will never be the same.  Stevie likes having Shen around, as she find the panda cute; in a short time after all those around him (especially Max and Charlie) hint that something is going on between him and Stevie; first Stevie and then slowly Shen start falling for each other. Shen realizes that he enjoys being with her and her sisters; he was the perfect person for Stevie, not only protecting her but helping her learn to control her violent anger and shifts.

What follows is an exciting adventure that was also fun-filled, wild & crazy action, three great sisters, wonderful secondary characters, and so much hilarious laughter. Telling too much more would be spoilers, and this is the kind of story that needs to be read and fully enjoyed.  I cannot wait for the next book.   If you have not read Shelly Laurenston, you are missing an author that always gives us fantastic stories.  When it comes to fun, crazy, hysterical and exciting, with fantastic characters, no one does it better then Shelly Laurenston.


Click HERE for our reviews of book one Hot and Badgered.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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Hot and Badgered (The Honey Badger Chronicles #1) by Shelly Laurenston-a dual review

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HOT AND BADGERED ( The Honey Badgers Chronicles #1) by Shelly Laurenston-a dual review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 27,2018

It’s not every day that a beautiful naked woman falls out of the sky and lands face-first on grizzly shifter Berg Dunn’s hotel balcony. Definitely they don’t usually hop up and demand his best gun. Berg gives the lady a grizzly-sized t-shirt and his cell phone, too, just on style points. And then she’s gone, taking his XXXL heart with her. By the time he figures out she’s a honey badger shifter, it’s too late.

Honey badgers are survivors. Brutal, vicious, ill-tempered survivors. Or maybe Charlie Taylor-MacKilligan is just pissed that her useless father is trying to get them all killed again, and won’t even tell her how. Protecting her little sisters has always been her job, and she’s not about to let some pesky giant grizzly protection specialist with a network of every shifter in Manhattan get in her way. Wait. He’s trying to help? Why would he want to do that? He’s cute enough that she just might let him tag along—that is, if he can keep up .

••••••••

Sandy’s REVIEW: HOT AND BADGERED is the first instalment in Shelly Laurenston’s contemporary, adult THE HONEY BADGERS CHRONICLES paranormal, romance series –a spin off from the author’s Pack and Pride Series. This is hybrid honey badger/ wolf Charlie Taylor-MacKilligan, and grizzly shifter Berg Dunn’s story line.

NOTE: Fans of the author’s Pride and Pack series will recognize a number of the secondary and supporting characters including the Jean-Louis Parkers, Bo and Blayne, and of course the Van Holtz and Smith Packs; Sissy Mae Smith and her mate lion shifter Mitch Shaw.

Told from several third person points of view including Berg and Charlie HOT AND BADGERED introduces the MacKilligan Honey Badgers and their large extended family, and the Dunn grizzly bear family and friends of the BPC –Bear Protection Council-the international protection agency for the bear nation. HOT AND BADGERED follows the MacKilligan sisters as the struggle to stay one step ahead of a group of mercenaries intent on taking them down –dead or alive. Charlie, and her half-sisters Maxie (honey badger) and Stevie (honey badger/tiger) have been on the run for years. Their father, Freddy MacKilligan, an a$$hole of the first degree, has endangered his daughter’s lives since the moment they were born, and in this, the trio have battled enough evil in their lives to ensure a lifetime of therapy for everyone involved. When news comes that their father has died, the girls go in search of the truth only to discover that desperate times call for desperate measures and the trio find themselves hiding out amongst the shifter bears of New York. Enter Berg Dunn, grizzly shifter and security expert, and the man with whom Charlie will fall in love. What ensues is a complex battle with several forces intent on taking down the MacKilligan sisters, as a series of events and catastrophes threaten their less than well-ordered lives.

HOT AND BADGERED is a detailed storyline with all of the author’s requisite humor, sarcasm, wit and charm. Charlie MacKilligan, the eldest sister, is very protective of Stevie and Max. As members of the honey badger shifters, the trio are feared for their aggression and ability to kill but it is their ‘hybrid’ genes that make them an unknown threat in the world of the shifter nations. Stevie has a copious number of emotional and psychological problems, and her ‘shifter abilities’ attracts some unwanted attention. Maxie is a trained killer; a warrior in her own right, and a woman whose ability to get the job done catches the eye of The Group, and The Carnivore’s shifter hockey team.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including some very familiar shifters (Dee-Ann and Ric; Niles Van Holtz, Bo, Blayne, Loch, Crushek and his mate Marcella Malone) and the introduction of many more including Berg’s triplet brother and sister Dag and Britta Dunn, and Maxie’s best friend wolverine shifter Dutch Alexander. Panda shifter Shen Li, Kyle Jean-Louis Parker’s body guard has caught the eye of Stevie MacKilligan.

HOT AND BADGERED advances the series several years as there are now a number of off-spring spawned by the Pride series characters. It was great to reconnect with so many familiar characters, and witness the next-generation of shifters taking their place in the author’s story lines and series.

Shelly Laurenston has an amazing ability to pull the reader into an elaborate world of spirited and playful shifters with her fantastic story line banter, and characteristic charm. Maxie’s on-going and stingingly successful raids on the local honeycomb and bee apiaries is nothing short of pure unadulterated fun; and Stevie’s inability to navigate the world in which she was born is both heart breaking and humorous. HOT AND BADGERED is a fantastic and imaginative take on the paranormal; Shelly Laurenston is an author you do not want to skip.

 

Barb’s Review:

Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston is the 1st book in her new The Honey Badgers series. I was happy to see that Laurenston was starting a new series, as I know whatever I read by her I will have fun and laugh my way through a great story. Once again, Shelly Laurenston gives us a wild crazy hysterical story, with three fantastic heroines.  

Charlie MacKilligan, our main hero in this book, is the oldest sister of the crazy MacKilligans, who are honey badgers.  Charlie is the one who keeps the other two girls in line, and believe me when I say that is some job. Lol  The three sisters are hybrids, not full honey badgers, and they have the same father, but different mothers.  All the MacKilligans, including the three sisters, hate the father who lies and steals from everyone, which gives them one common bond, they want him dead and out of their lives.  Charlie and her sisters, Max and Stevie are usually on the run, with villains trying to kidnap the child prodigy Stevie or using the girls to get the father.  Right from the start, there is an epic battle that allows us to see how powerful and good all three are, and they complement each other.  They manage to fight and kill their enemies, but run to a safe house to hide.

Berg Dunn, our hero, is a bear, and he meets a naked Charlie, when she comes out of a shower.  Seems Berg was on assignment to protect a famous musician, and before he could learn who she is, Charlie is gone.   He will come upon her again a bit later, and will offer to help them hide in his bear pack territory.  Berg is a triplet, and I loved his sister Britta, who is leader of their pack.  Berg knows he is falling hard for Charlie, but she isn’t interested in any long term relationship, as she feels it is too dangerous to be associated with the MacKilligan sisters; though she is very attracted to the cute Berg.

What follows is an exciting adventure to find out who is threatening the sisters, as well as stepping in to help some of their cousins.  There are some villains, and the story is very good.  But what makes this so good is Shelly Laurenston’s amazing ability to have us loving her characters; laughing all the way though the wild craziness that happens constantly, and create a good storyline. 

I loved loved all three of the MacKilligan sisters, who were all hilarious.  Charlie was the strongest and most respected by her Mackilligan relatives, as she has an uncanny ability to take control of any situation, as well as calm things down.  Max was a fearless amazing and yes crazy middle sister.  Everyone fears her, since she is lethal, as she smiles while she happily kills those who are threats to her sisters.  Lastly, Stevie is the younger sister, who is a genius and a prodigy, whom those nasty  villains want.  Stevie with all her smarts, has anxiety and always flips out, leaving us in hysterics at her antics.  LOL   I never had so much fun spending time with all three of these girls. 

Laurenston never lets up, as we just gobble up all the fun, with our own smiles throughout.  The romance between Berg and Charlie was slow built, and very nicely done.  I love how Charlie’s sisters try to push her toward Berg, knowing she too is falling for him.  I loved the relationship between the girls and Berg, Britta and Dam.  Trust me…this was so much fun.

Hot and Badgered was a fun, hilarious story, with great characters, sweet romance, action, suspense and so much laughter.  I cannot wait for the next book.   If you have not read Shelly Laurenston, you are missing an author that always gives us fantastic stories.  When it comes to fun, crazy, hysterical and enjoyable stories, no one does it better then Shelly Laurenston.

 

Copy supplied by Publisher via Netgalley

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The Unyielding (Call of Crows 3) by Shelly Laurenston – Dual Review

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The Unyielding (Call of Crows 3) by Shelly Laurenston – Dual Review 

 

The Unyielding
Call of Crows series – Book #3
by Shelly Laurenston
Release Date: March 28, 2017

The Unyielding

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

About the Book: Release Date March 28, 2017

Stieg Engstrom, Angriest Viking Ever, has got big problems. The human Viking Clans of earth are in danger of being obliterated—along with the rest of the world—and the only one who may be able to save them is a super pain-in-the-ass Crow. Most people annoy Stieg, but this is the one woman he really can’t stand…

Erin Amsel loves being a Crow! Why wouldn’t she when the other Viking Clans are so hilariously arrogant and humorless? She’s not about to let all that come to an end! She just didn’t expect to be shoulder to shoulder in battle with Stieg. Then again, he’s so easy to torment—and also kind of cute.

With the future of the world riding on them, Stieg knows he’ll have to put aside his desperate need to kiss the smirk right off Erin’s face. Wait. What? He didn’t mean that—did he? No! They have one goal: To conquer the idiots. Because nothing bugs Stieg more than when idiots win. If only he can keep himself from suddenly acting like one….

••••••••••••

Barb’s Review:

The Unyielding by Shelly Laurenston is the 3rd book in her Call of Crows series.  This is a different type of series then Laurenston’s other two series that I read, but this one is equally as fun and wild crazy.  I love Shelly Laurenston; she is one author I can’t get enough of, as her humor has you laughing so often, even if it’s totally crazy.  Well in this case, I guess its fun to be crazy.  LOL

The Call of the Crows series takes place in a modern day Nordic world with Gods, Goddesses, Vikings, Crows, Ravens, and Protectors. As I have said before, every character is wild, vicious, and crazy; but so much fun. This was an exciting action filled story about the world possibly coming to end with Ragnarok near.  Whereas, much  of this series is centered around the Crows, in this story, all the clans,and their gods play big parts.

The Unyielding belongs to Erin Amsel, one of the Crows we know so well.  Erin is not liked by many, but she loves it that way; she is tough, obnoxious at times, enjoys being bitchy, but she is a great hardnosed warrior.  Kera and Jace have been working long hours to find a way to kill the evil Goddess Gullveig, who is indestructible, before she causes the Ragnarok that will kill all humans and destroy the world.  When all the clans meet, the conclusion is that Erin is the only one who can possible go into other realms and try to steal Sutr’s sword,which can kill Gullveig.  The only problem, the chance of survival is slim, especially since she has to steal it from a mighty Dragon. 

Erin is determined to save the world, even if she knows the odds are against her.   Steig Engstrom is our hero, and a Raven, who also hates Crows, and Erin.   But in a short time, Steig has been told to keep an eye on Erin, and keep her safe until she can go on the mission.  Along the way, he slowly begins to respect and fall for her.  It will be Steig, who will go with her to the forbidden lands, and they will help each other try to survive. 

The first half of the book, is about Erin and Steig getting into all kinds of situations, but it also is about all the clans trying to come up with a plan.  The last half is when everything is falling apart, for both the clans and Erin & Steig.  The fighting on both sides were amazing well done, really violent, but hysterical at times, which relieves the tension.  I can’t really tell too much more, since this is a difficult review to do, as despite all the tense action, great characters, bantering, and deathly situations, Laurenston has us laughing in between.  Now how can I write about those crazy people?  LOL  You really have to read it to fully understand.

Laurenston has created a fantastic paranormal fantasy world, with her leading characters totally nasty or wacky, and we love it all.  I will say the last third of the book had us unable to put the book down, and I loved the romance between two unlikely people, such as Erin and Stieg.  They were great together.  But then again, I loved Kera and Jace too, in the previous books. If you like fantasy, in a Norse mythology setting, filled with action, dangerous and crazy warriors or gods, and Laurenston’s unbelievable humor , then you need to start this series.   Lastly, Thank God I found you, Shelly Laurenston (Thanks, Sandy).

Sandy’s Review

THE UNYIELDING is the third installment in Shelly Laurenston’s contemporary, adult CALL OF CROWS fantasy/paranormal romance series based in Norse mythology. The continuing story focuses on the upcoming battle of Ragnarok and the end of the world as we know it. This is Viking warrior Stieg Engstrom, and Crow Erin Amsel’s story line. THE UNYIELDING can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion, enjoyment and backstory I recommend reading the series in order.

For more information about Ragnarok follow this link: http://norse-mythology.org/tales/ragnarok/

Told from several third person points of view THE UNYIELDING continues to focus on Norse mythology-the birth, life, death and rebirth cycles-including the destruction of everyone and everything, known as Ragnarok. With the resurrection of the goddess Gullveig, the end was fast approaching and Erin Amsel-crazy, manic, and most hated of the Crows (the warrior clan of the goddess Skuld)-is tasked with retrieving a magical weapon to destroy the goddess before H*ll comes to Earth. Enter Stieg Engstrom, Viking warrior, and the man with whom Erin will fall in love but not before our leading couple must survive the Nine Worlds and all of the dangers wrought within.

Shelly Laurenston’s THE UNYIELDING is a story of action, suspense, adventure, humor and a mythological apocalypse with sass, snark, the Viking Clans, shifters, dragons, gods, goddesses, elves, dwarfs, giants, Maids, rotting corpses, a rabid squirrel, a dog blessed by the gods, and a goat-yep, a goat. Laurenston’s ability to weave humor, playfulness and comedy into a tale is amazing. The whimsy, wit and charm of the back and forth banter is fabulous, unique, insane and energetic. For fans of Laurenston’s Pride and Pack series, as well as her DragonKin series (written as G.A.Aiken) the humor is familiar, entertaining and seductive. You can never go wrong with a story by Shelly Laurenston !

Previous Reviews and Reading Order
The Unleashing
The Undoing
The Unyielding

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The Undoing (Call of Crows #2) by Shelly Laurenston-dual review

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THE UNDOING (Call of Crows #2) by Shelly Laurenston-dual review

The Undoing

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date march 29, 2016

No one would ever accuse Jace Berisha of having an easy life—considering her husband…you know…killed her. But that was then! Now she fights for mighty Viking gods with the spectacular and vicious Crows.

But things are turning very bad, very quickly because a vengeful, ancient goddess has come into the world with just one thing on her mind—ending it. And the only way they can hope to stop her is if the Crows join forces with their one-time enemies, the Protectors. A Viking Clan created to do nothing but kill every Crow they see.

Thankfully, Protector Ski Eriksen is a peace loving kind of guy. Because the woman he is desperately trying to get close to is the beautiful and not-very-chatty Jace. Battling Nordic clans? Unkillable goddesses? Jace’s mean-spirited dog? None of these things would ever get in the way of a true Viking!

•••••••••••••••••

Sandy’s REVIEW:

THE UNDOING is the second installment in Shelly Laurenston’s adult, contemporary CALL OF CROWS paranormal / fantasy series based upon the gods and goddesses of Norse mythology. The continuing story focuses on the upcoming battle of Ragnarok ; and the building relationship between Jacinda ‘Jace’ Berisha-a Crow, a Beserker, and a specialist in ancient languages, and Viking Protector Danski ‘Ski’ Eriksen. THE UNDOING can be read as a stand alone but for backstory and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as each installment prepares for ‘The Doom of the Gods’.

For more information about the meaning of Ragnarok click on this link: Norse Mythology: Ragnarok

Told from several third person points of view THE UNDOING is a story line steeped in modern day Norse mythology; of gods and goddess; of a pending war to end all wars; and the return of the goddess Gullveig-who wreaks havoc on Earth in order to instigate ‘The Doom of the Gods’. But there is a potential for human involvement as Jace’s ex husband-a false prophet-has a strong support network with close ties to our leading heroine.

THE UNDOING follows the Crows (Jace and her fellow sisters), the Protectors (Ski and his warrior brothers of Viking scholars), the Ravens and a whole other assortment of earth bound warriors whose duty is to protect, to battle, and to defend their gods.

The relationship between Jace and Ski is slow to develop as Jace must decipher and translate ancient text to unearth the secrets and stories of Ragnarok, and the end of the world. While our heroine is under the protection of the Protectors, she finds herself falling in love with her very own personal guard. The $ex scenes are limited, provocative and seductive. Jace and Ski are quiet but strong; shy but passionate-the romance is secondary to the over arcing story line premise.

THE UNDOING has a very large ensemble cast of characters from Norse and Celtic Mythology including gods, goddesses, Scandinavian and Viking influences, folklore and legacies. The world building continues to focus on the coming of Ragnarok, and the end of life as it is or once was. Jace’s Crow-sisters are a force unto themselves, while Ski’s Viking Protectors wait quietly to be called into war.

Shelly Laurenston blends humor with crazy characters and dangerous situations. You can always count on Shelly to add a bit of sarcasm and witty word play to her story lines making a difficult situation easier to fathom but in comparison to her Pride, and Dragon Kin series I found the humorous situations lower in number and less in your face ‘slapstick’ funny. The kickass heroines are strong and capable yet avoid the bitchiness factor that is the doom of many story line premises.

THE UNDOING is a story ripped from Norse mythology and Celtic lore. The premise is intense yet humorous with playful and entertaining moments; the characters are animated, colorful and action-oriented; the romance is a slow build between two quiet and introverted warriors. Shelly Laurenston’s CALL OF CROWS series is as much a story about family, as it is about the mythological gods and goddesses.

 

Barb’s Review:

The Undoing by Shelly Laurenston is the 2nd book in her wild crazy fun exciting Call of Crows series. If you have not read anything by Laurenston, then you are missing an adventure that will have you filled with wild excitement, sexy romance, and laughing all the way. There is no one like Shelly Laurenston. Thank you, Sandy. 🙂

The Call of the Crows is a totally different type of series, which takes place in a modern day Nordic world with Gods, Vikings, Crows, Ravens, Protectors, and even a flying pit bull. Every single one of the characters, many of whom we have come to love, are wild, vicious, and mostly crazy; but darn so much fun.

The Undoing belongs to Jace Barisha, who is a member of the female clan, Crows. Jace was murdered by her husband, and brought back to a second life after she promised her loyalty to a God. Jace is shy, and quiet, but she has the rage of a beserker, which helps when the crows have to fight the other clans or Vikings to save the world. In the last book, Kera became a Crow, and she is the one who is closest to Jace.

Ski Eriksen is our hero, a key member of the Protectors. Jace’s knowledge of all languages will put her in closer contact with the Protectors, helping them translate their many books. In a slow built romance, Jace will learn to control her rages, befriend all the Protectors, and fall in love with Ski. Ski falls hard for Jace, and is instrumental and helping her control her powers.   I loved most of  the Protectors, how they began to care about Jace. Everyone usually fears Jace when she flips into her berserker rages. Keep in mind, all the clans usually hate each other. Most of all I loved the crazy antics of the Crows, as well as the other clans. All the clans are vicious and wild, but we spend time with all the members of the crows, especially Jace, Kera and Erin , not to mention the Protectors and Ravens.

There are two parts of this story, which involves Jace’s ex who was released from jail, after murdering her. The other is about trying to stop a powerful goddess from causing the end of the world. I couldn’t even explain to you about the wild fierce fighting & battles among each other. It is non stop action; fierce and violent; loyal sisters who do anything to protect their own; but most of all it’s like following a wild bunch screaming along the way. I had so much fun reading this, as you couldn’t help laugh at the antics.

The climax was pulse pounding, as all our favorites work together to fight the goddess; but it will take Jace to rise up out of an  impossible situation to help save her sisters. Wow.   Shelley Laurenston, I do not know how you do this. You make us enjoy the crazy, wild, fierce and violent situations; you make us laugh hysterically at the antics of them all; and most of all, you make us love them too.

Reading Order and previous review
1. The Unleashing
2. The Undoing

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Barb’s Review

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The Unleashing (Call of Crows #1) by Shelly Laurenston-a review

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THE UNLEASHING (Call of Crows #1) by Shelly Laurenston-a review

The Unleashing

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 31, 2015

Kera Watson never expected to face death behind a Los Angeles coffee shop. Not after surviving two tours lugging an M16 around the Middle East. If it wasn’t for her hot Viking customer showing up too late to help, nobody would even see her die.

In uncountable years of service to the Allfather Odin, Ludvig “Vig” Rundstrom has never seen anyone kick ass with quite as much style as Kera. He knows one way to save her life—but she might not like it. Signing up with the Crows will get Kera a new set of battle buddies: cackling, gossiping, squabbling, party-hearty women. With wings. So not the Marines.

But Vig can’t give up on someone as special as Kera. With a storm of oh-crap magic speeding straight for L.A., survival will depend on combining their strengths: Kera’s discipline, Vig’s loyalty… and the Crows’ sheer love of battle. Boy, are they in trouble.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE UNLEASHING is the first installment in Shelly Laurenston’s new fantasy/paranormal romance Call of Crows series loosely based on Norse mythology. As per the author’s introductory comments Laurenston has taken some liberties with the gods and their backstories, adding her own twist to the stories. This is Viking descendant and Raven Clan member Vig Rundstrom, and former marine and the newest Crow Clan member Kera Watson’s storyline. The Clans are the present day human representatives of the Viking gods on Earth and do battle each evening with the enemies of the gods.

The storyline follows Kera’s murder and admittance into the Clan of the Crows-a women-only mythological Clan whose membership initiation results from a violent death or murder. Too late to save the woman with whom he had fallen in love, Vig Rundstrom called upon the god Odin to give Kera a second chance at life. What ensues is Kera’s immediate introduction into a world she knew nothing about-not only will Kera be the recipient of special powers and wings-but her rescue dog pit bull Brodie will be bequeathed some skill and talent of her own.

THE UNLEASHING introduces a large ensemble cast of characters from several mythological Clans which may seem overwhelming in the initial stages of the series but as per Laurenston’s style of writing, all of the characters will, most likely, have some role in future storylines. The focus of THE UNLEASHING follows the Crow and Raven Clans and I hope to see some future relationship developments. The Raven Clan is an all male Clan descended from the Vikings-big, bearded and tough. The romance in the storyline is not particularly strong as the author focuses more on the mythology and character introduction.

The first half of the storyline acquaints the reader with the characters, the set up and some of the background of Norse mythology and the development of the Clans. In the second half of the story, there is more action as the Clans must join together in battle-someone or something is trying to release a dangerous power.

If you are a fan of the author’s paranormal, shifter PRIDE series, you will recognize many similarities between character nuances and personality traits especially with the females of the Crow Clan. I recognize similarities of Dee, Blayne, Jessica, Sissy Mae, Gwen, Ronnie Lee, and even a little bit of Hannah (Beast Behaving Badly) who comes through with the introduction of Jace. The females of Laurenston’s SMITH PACK from her Pride series are well represented by the Crow Clan.

Shelly Laurenston’s trademark wit, humor and snarky one-liners are present as the character personalities begin to develop and come through as the storyline builds. All of the females are warriors; fighters in their own right; kick a$$ heroines who defend, protect and, in the case of the Crow Clan, bringers of death. THE UNLEASHING is a wonderful introduction to a new series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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