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Wolf Gone Wild (Stay A Spell #1) by Juliette Cross – Dual Review

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Wolf Gone Wild (Stay A Spell #1) by Juliette Cross – Dual Review

 

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Description:
What’s the worst thing that can happen to a werewolf? Unable to shift for three months, Mateo Cruz knows all too well. His wolf has taken up residence in his head, taunting him night and day with vividly violent and carnal thoughts. Convinced he’s cursed, he needs the help of a powerful witch before he literally goes insane.

​Evie Savoie has always obeyed the house rules of her coven–no werewolves. They’re known for being moody and volatile. So, when a distempered, dangerous werewolf strolls into the bar and almost strangles one of her late-night customers, she’s ready to bounce him through the door. But the desperation in his eyes when he begs her to help him softens her heart and convinces her to bend the rules.

​What Evie doesn’t know is that Mateo’s wolf has a mind of his own. And now that she’s in his sights, he wants only one thing. Her.

••••••••••••••

Sandy’s Review:

WOLF GONE WILD is the first instalment in Juliette Cross’ contemporary, adult STAY A SPELL erotic, paranormal romance series focusing on the Savoie sisters. This is witch, waitress and aspiring artist Eveleen ‘Evie’ Savoie, and werewolf/ metal sculptor Mateo Cruz’ storyline.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Mateo and Evie) WOLF GONE WILD follows the building relationship between witch, waitress and aspiring artist Evie Savoie, and werewolf/ metal sculptor Mateo Cruz’. Mateo needs help. Someone has cast a spell, and our hero is unable to shift thusly allowing his blood lust to build to extraordinary levels. Hoping the Savoie sisters of New Orleans are able to help, Mateo approaches the witches in an effort to get the ‘hex’ removed. Enter Evie Savoie, witch and Hex-breaker, and the woman with whom Mateo will fall in love. What ensues is the slow building romance and relationship between Mateo and Evie, as Evie and her sisters struggle to unravel the hex that has spelled Mateo into something he’s not.

Evie Savoie is a powerful Hex-breaker but struggles with the spell surrounding the man that she loves. Unable to break through the layers of magic, Evie, along with her sisters Jules, Clara and Violet go in search of something else, a book that quite possible holds the cure to what ails Mateo Cruz. Mateo Cruz is a renowned metal sculptor who owns his own gallery in New Orleans but someone or something has bound Mateo’s powers, powers that are slowly tearing him apart, from the inside out.

The relationship between Mateo and Evie begins as a business arrangement as Evie is forced to work with a man she considers dangerous and dark. Witches and werewolves do not get along but something about Evie calls to Mateo when his Alpha demands Mateo make Evie their mate. The $ex scenes are limited but intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to three of Evie’s sisters Jules, Clara and Violet; their mother Serena Savoie; Mateo’s assistant Missy; his cousin Nico; fellow artist Sandra; ancient vampire and overlord Ruben Dubois; witch and seer Beryl; numerous employees at the family run bar the Cauldron; Bam, the comic store owner, as well as Mateo’s alter ego-the Alpha; Z and Fred the bow-time wearing rooster.

The world building introduces the Savoie sisters-their personalities, their powers, and the individual specialities, as well as the different supernatural beings that inhabit New Orleans, Louisiana.

WOLF GONE WILD is a story of power and control; of betrayal and vengeance; of family, friendship, romance and love. The premise is imaginative and engaging; the characters are sassy, fun and flirty-there is plenty of non-stop back and forth between Evie and her sisters, as well as between Evie and Mateo, and Mateo and the Alpha; the romance is heart warming and energetic. WOLF GONE WILD is an animated and sensual introduction to Juliette Cross’ STAY A SPELL paranormal, romance series.

_________

Barb’s Review:
Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross is the 1st book in her new Stay a Spell series.  I cannot say enough about Juliette, who is one of my favorite authors.   She never fails…never ever…to give us a fantastic story in an equally fantastic series.   Did I like Wolf Gone Wild??  I loved it, and was thrilled to see a different kind of series for Juliette.  Loved all the witches and werewolves….awesome.

Mateo Cruz, our hero, is a wolf shifter and has not been able to shift to his wolf for over three months; his inner wolf has been driving him crazy with loud, snarky and violent comments. He knows something is wrong, that he is cursed; so, desperation drives Mateo to seek out a witch who is known to be a hex-breaker.  The problem?  Witches do not help werewolves.

Evie Savoie, our heroine, is the hex-breaker in her witch family, the Savoie sisters.  Evie is working at a local bar, where she meets with clients, and immediately notices Mateo.  She tries to avoid him, knowing the rules…no werewolves; but Evie sees the desperation in his eyes, not to mention her immediate attraction. To make matters worse, Mateo’s wolf (Alpha) is constantly yelling to him about his insatiable desire for the pretty witch.

Evie decides to help Mateo, and brings him home for her to plead her case to her sisters, each of whom have their own powers.  They all agree to help Mateo find out who has cursed him, even though they discover that he has been affected by a powerful witch. 

What follows is an exciting, intense, and sexy adventure to save Mateo.  Juliette’s addition of Alpha, was not only downright dirty, but a lot of fun too.  I loved Evie and Mateo together (with the added comments from Alpha); they did make a fabulous sexy couple with amazing chemistry.  No surprise here, as Juliette always comes up with fantastic couples.  The sisters were also great, especially Jules, Violet and Clara, just to name a few; I can’t wait to meet them all in the future books.

Wolf Gone Wild was so well written by Juliette Cross.  To tell too much more would be spoilers.  If you enjoy a paranormal romance, exciting action, surprise twists, great secondary characters, and a couple that has sizzling chemistry; you need to read this book.  I cannot wait to see what Juliette has in store for us next. 

Copies supplied for Review

Link to Read First 3 chapters: https://www.juliettecross.com/single-post/2020/01/04/Wolf-Gone-Wild-First-3-Chapters

Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance–brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.

Juliette is a multi-published author, including her Nightwing series with Kensington Publishing and The Vessel Trilogy with Samhain Publishing.

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THE BEAR’S FATED MATE (Borealis Bears) by Vivian Arend-a review

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THE BEAR’S FATED MATE (Borealis Bears) by Vivian Arend

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ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE November 19, 2019

He’s going to pick someone perfectly wrong for him—because fate isn’t in charge of his world!

A stand alone title in a brand-new shifter trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Vivian Arend.

As head of security for the family company, polar bear shifter Alex Borealis has intel warning something big is about to happen. His prime suspect? Tantalizing, infuriating Lara Lazuli, youngest daughter of Borealis Gems’ main competitor. But when mating fever hits, he decides she’s the perfect one to turn to. They’ve got chemistry hot enough to melt the polar ice caps, but he doesn’t trust her enough for a permanent connection to form.

Being with Alex is one step shy of torture for Lara. As a wolf shifter, she scented the truth the instant she met him months ago—he’s her mate. But she’s not about to trap anyone into being with her, especially not a man who thinks she’s up to no good. Add in her own suspicions of wrong-doing in her pack and Lara’s caught between heaven and hell.

But tangled sheets lead to real communication, and a bond of friendship forms that neither expected. When Lara asks for help, Alex finds himself living in the pack house, scaring off random Alpha wolves and fighting at her side.

Because the mating fever knows a thing or two about fate and forever.

•••••••••

REVIEW: THE BEAR’S FATED MATE is the second instalment in Vivian Arend’s contemporary, adult BOREALIS BEARS erotic, paranormal romance series focusing on the Borealis brothers. This is head of security for Borealis Gems, polar bear shifter Alex Borealis, and head of security for Midnight Inc, wolf shifter Lara Lazuli. THE BEAR’S FATED MATE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Patriarch Giles Borealis is hoping to hand over the reigns of Borealis Gems to his three grandsons but in an effort to help things along, Giles blackmails his heirs into finding mates, or lose control of Borealis Gems. James, Cooper and Alex have no intention of tying themselves down with one woman but the mating fever is about to take control.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Alex and Lara) THE BEAR’S FATED MATE follows the building relationship between Alex Borealis and Lara Lazuli. Lara Lazuli knows that polar bear shifter Alex Borealis is her mate but the rivalry between companies weighs heavily between our leading couple. A surprise invitation to a local spa finds Lara fantasizing about the man with whom she would fall in love, a man whose polar bear is about to enter into the mating fever. Offering a week of no strings attached $ex, Alex will soon come to the realization that Lara is also his fated mate. What ensues is the enemies to friends to lovers quick building romance and the potential fall-out when our couple return to civilization, and Alex soon discovers that not all is well within the Yellowknife, NWT wolf shifter pack.

Lara Lazuli’s wolf knows Alex Borealis is their mate but the polar bear’s mating fever overrides all good common sense including the reality of forever and a happily ever after. When Lara challenges the pack Alpha for control, Alex will step up to assume the position of protector and guardian of the woman he loves.

The relationship between Lara and Alex is an enemies to lovers, fated mated romance that is given a kick in the pants by competing sides. Lara struggles with her attraction to a man she believes despises her existence, and Alex battles between head and heart knowing his grandfather has decreed that each of his grandsons must mate or lose control of Borealis Gems. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Alex’s brothers James Borealis and his mate Kaylee Banks: Cooper Borealis and his best friend Amber Myawayan; grandparents Giles and Laureen, as well as Lara’s sister Crystal, and Auntie Amethyst. Cooper and Amber’s story line is next in THE BEAR’S FOREVER MATE.

THE BEAR’S FATED MATE is a story of family, friendship, adversaries, destiny, and love. The premise is entertaining and energetic; the characters are colorful and dynamic; the romance is captivating and seductive. THE BEAR’S FATED MATE is an imaginative and charming addition Vivian Arend’s BOREALIS BEARS paranormal romance series.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE BEAR’S CHOSEN MATE

Copy supplied for review

Copy supplied for review

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Silver Town Wolf #9 ) by Terry Spear-a review

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Silver Town Wolf #9 / Heart of the Wolf) by Terry Spear-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2019

Silver Town is howling with Christmas cheer

Gray wolves Meghan MacTire and Sheriff Peter Jorgenson plan to spend the rest of their lives together, and what better time to start forever than Christmas? But they are both harboring dark secrets that are about to surface and threaten their future together. With holiday magic in the air and all Silver Town ready to celebrate, Meghan and Peter have to conquer the past if they’re to have any hope of celebrating this Christmas together.

•••••••••

REVIEW: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is the ninth instalment in Terry Spear’s contemporary, adult SILVER TOWN WOLF / Heart of the Wolf paranormal romance series focusing on the wolf shifters of Silver Town. This is wolf shifters Silver Town hotel co-owner Meghan MacTire, and Sheriff Peter Jorgenson’s story line. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Meghan and Peter) HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS follows the building relationship between Silver Town hotel co-owner Meghan MacTire, and Sheriff Peter Jorgenson. As the Christmas holidays approach, Meghan MacTire is hoping her long-time beau Sheriff Peter Jorgenson will ask her to mate but when an ex-boyfriend demands a second chance, Meghan gets suspicious considering said ex-boyfriend knows Meghan’s secret, a secret our heroine is desperate to keep buried.

Meanwhile, Meghan and her sisters are able to see and speak to the spirits who have yet to move on, and in this the Silver Town hotel resident ghost Chrissy, has some surprising information for our story line heroine. Hoping to help Chrissy cross-over, Meghan goes in search of Chrissy’s beloved, a man whose own death brings up too many memories from the past. As Peter struggles to move beyond his own demons, his mating with Meghan is put on hold when Peter’s former love demands retribution for sins of the past.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is a story of family, betrayal, vengeance and love. There is an inordinate amount of telling not showing, and in this the redundancy tends to overwhelm. Repetition of events slows down the story line build up, as the reader is subjected to numerous replays of story line development, plot points and information. The premise is entertaining; the romance is gradual and passionate; the characters are numerous, colorful and energetic including several ghosts who have yet to move on.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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You Had Me at Jaguar (Heart of the Jaguar #6) by Terry Spear-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR (Heart of the Jaguar #6) by Terry Spear-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters Indigo / Google Play / Apple /Indiebound / /BAM /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 26, 2019

They’re not the only ones on the prowl…but they’re the most dangerous…
The United Shifter Force gives jaguar agent Howard Armstrong an impossible task—to protect fierce she-jaguar Valerie Chambers, when the last thing she wants is protecting. They’re going international to take down a killer and he can guard Valerie all day long. But guard his heart? He doesn’t stand a chance.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is the sixth instalment in Terry Spear’s contemporary, adult HEART OF THE JAGUAR paranormal, romance series. This is she-jaguar Enforcer Valerie Chambers, and United Shifter Force (USF) Agent Howard Armstrong’s story line. YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Valerie and Howard) YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR follows the building relationship between she-jaguar Enforcer Valerie Chambers, and United Shifter Force (USF) Agent Howard Armstrong. Valerie Chambers’ latest assignment as a member of the Enforcer Team is to hunt, and take down a killer; a jaguar male who killed his newly turned mate, then ran to places unknown. While on assignment Val will come face to face with former Enforcer, and new USF agent Howard Armstrong, whose own assignment is to shadow and protect our story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Val and Howard, and the potential fall-out as several investigations cross paths in Belize, placing the Enforcers and USF team in the line of fire.

As a Enforcer, Valerie’s job is to take down the worst rogue shifters, and sometimes the human who were killing jaguars or shifters in the wild but never had Valerie suspected that the USF would assign backup, on her latest solo mission. Howard Armstrong’s attraction to Valerie began during Valerie’s training as a jaguar Enforcer. Now, months later Howard ‘volunteered’ along with his USF partner and wolf-shifter Jillian Greystoke, to cover and protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.

Meanwhile Valerie’s parents, and jaguar Guardians are on an assignment of their own, tracking a drug dealer in Belize, who may or may not have connections to the jaguar shifters, and the man for whom Valerie and Howard are on the hunt.

The relationship between Valerie and Howard is one of mutual attraction; a friends to lovers romance heightened by their current working assignments that forces our couple to work and live in close proximity. The quick building romance is fated, passionate and hot.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including human homicide detective Rowdy Sanderson whom we have met on a number of previous occasions; wolf shifters Jillian Greystoke and her mate Vaughn ; Valerie’s parents; Izzie Summerfield- a woman whose life is about to change, and jaguar female Emmie Bancoft. The requisite evil has many faces including jaguar and murderer Benny Canton.

The world building continues to look at the law enforcement and secret society of shifters; their private police and investigative forces, as well as the political hierarchy of the shifter nation.

YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is a character driven story line of family, friendship, betrayal and love but a story line with more telling than showing driven by the conversations between most of the characters. There is some redundancy and repetition when the characters restate or explain previous conversations. The premise is engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are numerous, colorful and energetic. YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is a fast paced and intriguing story of shifters and the human world of which they inhabit.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Savage Hunger
Jaguar Fever
Jaguar Hunt
Jaguar Pride
A Very Jaguar Christmas
You Had Me at Jaguar

Copy supplied for Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

As soon as he’d seen the striking redhead again, he was reminded of how she’d pinned him down during training. She’d cast him the wickedest smile. With his back on the floor and her on top of him, he couldn’t help smiling back at her. Of course, after her unorthodox move, the testers had made a new rule—no one was to move before the bell rang—because they were afraid they’d have chaos otherwise. When they’d mentioned the new rules, Howard had glanced in Val’s direction, and she’d given him a cat-that-ate-the-mouse look similar to the one he’d given her when she was lying on top of him at the training. He’d smiled back at her, thinking they might really have had a chance to date.
The three branches—the Enforcers, JAG, and Guardians—all had a common mission: deal with jaguar shifters who posed a threat to humans and shifters alike, though each handled different situations. The Guardians focused more on providing aid to injured jaguars, while the JAG went after the rogues, or humans who were dealing in jaguars. The end result—incarceration or death for the rogues—depended on the situation. The Enforcers were sent to terminate murdering jaguars. Period. They didn’t consider jail time for the offender.
Howard and Jillian were now with the USF, a special section of the JAG that took care of jaguars and wolves creating trouble or in trouble. They were currently the only two agents who had a break between cases. Since Howard was a former Enforcer, his boss felt he would be right for the job. The branches worked together when necessary, but usually all the agents involved would be well aware of the situation.
Jillian was mated to Vaughn, a gray wolf SEAL who was busy tracking down a murderous wolf with the two other jaguar team members of the USF. They hadn’t needed Jillian and Howard too.
Jillian got another text, the fourth one in a half hour. She texted back.
Howard didn’t have to guess who it was from. “Vaughn should have taken you with him.”
“This guy that Val is trying to neutralize is supposed to be a lot less violent than the one Vaughn’s team is trying to track down. At least as far as the general population is concerned. Benny’s wife was a different story.”
“I still wish Martin had allowed us to tell Val we are here watching her back.”
“The boss said she doesn’t like working with anyone else. Since many Enforcers work alone, she’d think her boss felt she couldn’t handle the case on her own. How well do you know her?” Jillian asked.
“I’ve been in training with her. Never worked with her though. She’s got some kick-ass moves, and I have to say she’s extremely quick-witted.”
Jillian smiled at him. “Did she ever get the best of you?”
He gave her a dark smile back. “Not that I’d ever admit to.” He ordered another beer. “You know, her mother, Gladys, was the first female Enforcer we had, and she and her mate, Jasper, are still on the force.”
“Wow. They don’t want to leave all the excitement behind?”
“That’s about it. They’re both good people, wanting to right the wrong and deal with the bad guys. And Gladys wanted to prove to her dad, who was an Enforcer, that she could do as good a job as any man. She and her mate have one of the highest success rates for eliminating rogue jaguars. They make a great team. But there has to be a time when Enforcers need to retire, when they might not be as quick to react or as strong as they had once been. Their boss just doesn’t want to force retirement on them. Not while they’ve been so successful, despite being in their golden years.”
“I think it’s great. Better to die doing what you love than live to an old age wishing you were still fighting the good fight.”
He smiled at Jillian. “Easy for you to say. Your kind lives much longer than we do. What a deal.”
“True. You know, Val’s been watching you. And she’s been watching the entrance. Do you think she’s onto us?”
“I doubt it. What would the odds be that Martin would send two of his USF agents to protect an Enforcer in a simple takedown operation without her being informed?”
“Not likely. Do you want to dance?” Jillian grabbed Howard’s hand before he could object.
“Hell, do you want this to get back to Vaughn? As a SEAL wolf, he’d kill me.”
Jillian laughed. “He knows we’re undercover, and this is just for fun. You never dated Val?”
“No. I never dated anyone in the Enforcer branch. How do you know she’s been watching me?” he asked as they danced to the loud beat, the lights flashing all over the dance floor. “Wait. It was when you went to the ladies’ room. That’s why you took so long to return. You were observing her.”
“And others. And you.”
“Me? I wasn’t about to blow our cover. What if she had a meltdown because we’re here to protect her?”
“You did good. You only looked her way five times and only when she was busy ordering a drink, telling a patron to bug off, and looking around at other people at the time. If you had caught her eye though, then what?”
“I would have waved. She knows me. I know her. It would be foolish to pretend I didn’t recognize her.”
They continued to dance to the faster beat, which Howard was glad for. He really didn’t want Vaughn to get any ideas about him and Jillian.
“You ought to ask her to dance. You’re no longer an Enforcer. Then she’ll know we’re not together in a boyfriend/girlfriend way. It might help our mission if it looks like we’re just here to have fun.”
“She’s on a job.”
“Right. But you aren’t supposed to know that. You’d be her cover too, though she wouldn’t realize it.”
“All right. You just don’t want it to get back to your mate that I only danced with you.”
Jillian laughed.
He led her back to the table, but the next dance was a slow dance, and he wasn’t going to ask Val then. Not that he didn’t want to, but he hated being here under false pretenses, as far as Val was concerned. What if they got a little too hot and heavy on the dance floor, as he’d like to with her, and then she learned he was only there on an assignment?
He sat down across from Jillian.
She smiled. “Coward.”
“Next dance.” But it was a slow one too. “Next fast dance,” he clarified.

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Love, love, love romance, the paranormal, hunky Highlanders with their delicious brogue and hot kilts, so Terry Spear writes about those hunky Highlanders both in medieval times and as wolves in contemporary times. Jaguar shifters too! And young adult urban fantasy. And romantic suspense. She grew up reading mystery, adventure, mythologies from around the world, ghost stories, the paranormal, fell in love with Dracula and Wolfman, and felt they needed loving too. Everyone should have someone to love. Which means her stories always have a HEA. USA Today Bestseller residing in Central Texas from Sacramento, California who creates award-winning teddy bears too!

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Raven’s Gift (All The King’s Men #10) by Donya Lynne-a review

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RAVEN’S GIFT (All The King’s Men #10) by Donya Lynne-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 15, 2019

She’s a beauty. He’s a beast. Only her love can make him whole.

As a lycan, Barrett is physically superior, built like a god, with movie star good looks. But he’s hindered by one small defect. He was born mute, and for a lycan, being mute is the kiss of death. Terrified that he could pass on his inability to speak to his offspring, female lycans in search of a mate pass him over every mating season, leaving him desperately alone.

Orphaned as a baby, Raven has no idea she’s a lycan. Raised as a human, she ends up marrying her college sweetheart. But after years struggling to conceive, her marriage comes to a heartbreaking end. Hoping for a fresh start, she moves west. When she meets Barrett, there’s no denying her attraction to him, or the way the odd sensations she’s been battling for weeks intensify into an aroused, dizzying frenzy anytime he’s near.

In one passionate, turbulent night, Barrett finds what he’s waited a lifetime for, even as Raven’s life unravels into a frightening new reality. When the dust settles, will what they’ve found in each other be enough to keep them together? Or will the truth be too much to overcome?

Welcome to the next chapter of All the King’s Men. In Raven’s Gift, author Donya Lynne gives readers a more in-depth look at the lycans she introduced in the novel, BLACK. For a reference to the series timeline, Raven’s Gift takes place at the same time as Rise of the Fallen.

NOTE: Raven’s Gift was originally written as a novella for the Fangs Fur and Fa La La holiday anthology. This rerelease includes over 10,000 new words, making it a novel.

•••••••••

REVIEW: RAVEN’S GIFT is the tenth instalment (and novella) in Donya Lynne’s contemporary, adult ALL THE KING’S MEN paranormal, romance series. This is lycan shifter and home renovator Barrett Lowe, and twenty-five year old, occupational therapist Raven Di Marco’s story line. RAVEN’S GIFT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary. Raven’s Gift takes place at the same time as Rise of the Fallen (All the King’s Men #1).

NOTE: RAVEN’S GIFT was originally released in the December 2018, multi-authored anthology Fangs, Fur and Fa La La but the author has added an additional 10,000 words for the new release.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Barrett and Raven) RAVEN’S GIFT follows the building relationship between lycan shifter and home renovator Barrett Lowe, and twenty-five year old, occupational therapist Raven Di Marco. Barrett Lowe and his brother Julian had no idea that their new tenant, Raven DiMarco, was a lycan shifter, an unmated, female, lycan shifter entering into her most fertile period, the infloria. Unaware of her lycan heritage, Raven is a prime target for all unmated male lycans. After one failed attacked, hoping to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love, Barrett and his brother Julian are forced to take Raven to the lycan compound where our heroine will learn the true nature of the beast. What ensues is the building relationship between Raven and Barrett, and the potential fall-out as Raven struggles with the unreality of her new life.

Barrett Lowe is considered imperfect; damaged goods amongst the lycan population. Born mute, Barrett is an unacceptable mate for the female shifters, females who see Barrett as unworthy and unlikely to produce healthy offspring. Raven DiMarco’s first marriage was a failure, ending in divorce when she was unable to get pregnant, Raven moves to Tuscon Arizona in the hopes of starting anew, never dreaming that her life was about to dramatically change.

The relationship between Raven and Barrett is one of immediate attraction, an attraction not only predicated on lycan DNA but the sexual, palpable energy of want and need. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate, without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to a large number of the lycan population including mated couple Siron and Jupiter; Barrett’s brothers Julian and Chase Lowe; as well as Priest, Rameses and Wrex; Payne, Titus, Sinner, Klaw and Krul.

RAVEN’S GIFT introduces a number of the characters and Lycan’s in Donya Lynne’s world of All the King’s Men. For fans of the series, the lycans were first introduced in the BLACK (AKM #8) but you do not have to have read the previous instalment to follow or comprehend. The premise is spirited and imaginative; the characters are animated; the romance is fated and captivating.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Rise of the Fallen ebook is FREE at Amazon
Heart of the Warrior
Micah’s Calling
Rebel Obsession
Return of the Assassin
All the King’s Men-The Beginning
Bound Guardian Angel
Black
Micah’s Bride

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Reviewed by Sandy

About The Author beige

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donya lynneDonya Lynne is the bestselling author of the award-winning All the King’s Men Series and a member of Romance Writers of America. Making her home in a wooded suburb north of Indianapolis with her husband, Donya has lived in Indiana most of her life and knew at a young age that she was destined to be a writer. She started writing poetry in grade school and won her first short story contest in fourth grade. In junior high, she began writing romantic stories for her friends, and by her sophomore year, she’d been dubbed Most Likely to Become a Romance Novelist. In 2012, she made that dream come true by publishing her first two novels and a novella. Her work has earned her two IPPYs (one gold, one silver) and two ELit Awards (one gold, one silver) as well as numerous accolades. When she’s not writing, she can be found cheering on the Indianapolis Colts or doing her cats’ bidding.

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All’s Fair in Love and Wolf by Terry Spear-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WOLF (Heart of the Wolf #25) by Terry Spear-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway Tour

ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WOLF
Heart of the Wolf #25
by Terry Spear
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, romance
Release Date: May 1, 2018

Amazon| Amazon.ca | Barnes & Noble| iBooks|Kobo| IndieBound| Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 1, 2018

The Silver Town wolf pack has your back

Wolf shifter Sarandon Silver’s in trouble with the law, and bounty hunter she-wolf Jenna St. James is determined to bring him in for trial.

Lucky for Sarandon, the entire Silver Town pack is ready to fight for his innocence. But until the case is solved, Jenna’s sticking to Sarandon like glue…

•••••••••

REVIEW: ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WOLF is the twenty-fifth instalment in Terry Spear’s contemporary adult HEART OF THE WOLF paranormal, romance series. This is Silver Town wolf Shifter Sarandon Silver, and bounty hunter, she-wolf Jenna St. James’s story line. ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WOLF can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from third person perspective including Sarandon and Jenna, ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WOLF focuses on wildlife tour operator and wolf shifter Sarandon Silver’s determination to prove his innocence when he is mistakenly targeted by a she wolf bounty hunter. Enter Jenna St. James, bounty hunter and wolf shifter, and the female with whom Sarandon will fall in love. What ensues is the slow building story line and romance between Jenna and Sarandon, as they search for the wolf impersonating our story line hero-a wolf whose resemblance to Sarandon goes more than skin deep.

ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WOLF is a detailed and complex tale with a large ensemble case of secondary and supporting characters; many twists and turns that bring our couple in contact with another pack, a couple of rogue wolves, and the probability that not only is Sarandon targeted in a case of mistaken identity but identity theft as well. The premise is cleverly written; the romance is slow to build as our couple struggle with the possibility of a long-distance relationship as such that neither one is willing to walk away from family and friends; the numerous characters are passionate and spirited including the introduction of the St. James family; the leading couple is energetic and sensual.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

CJ removed his deputy cowboy-style gray hat. He was wearing a denim jacket and cowboy boots, and had a badge affixed to his belt. His hair was as dark brown as Sarandon’s, but less wavy. His eyes were a lighter brown, but there was an obvious similarity between the two brothers. And Jake and Darien, for that matter.
Like Darien, CJ was unsmiling, but unlike the pack leader, CJ didn’t offer to shake Jenna’s hand. She suspected CJ was looking out for his older brother, and as far as the deputy was concerned, she was the enemy wolf, ready to arrest Sarandon. CJ wasn’t going to pretend friendship, which she appreciated. She much preferred meeting everyone at face value. Otherwise, she felt like she’d stepped into a Stepford Wolves town.
Alicia hurried into the living room wearing jeans and a T-shirt and sandals. She had dark-brown curls hanging to her shoulders , and her dark-brown eyes widened when she saw Jenna. “Sorry, I had to take a call from the sitter. It’s so good to see you again, Jenna. I’m Alicia, now Jake’s mate.”
“And a wolf.” Jenna didn’t know Alicia well, although she’d heard rumors the bounty hunter was going after a mob boss single-handedly. Jenna’s family had talked about how they’d never take on a mob boss. They’d thought Alicia was either the bravest woman in the business, or a little bit crazy. Jenna had met her at the El Paso County Jail and Criminal Justice Center in Colorado Springs when they were bringing in a couple of bail jumpers, but Alicia had been human then.
“Yeah, big changes in my life. I never suspected you were a wolf either.”
“I was born a wolf.” Jenna couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be to not only have the issues with shifting while raising kids, but also those related to working a job. She could see the benefits of living in a wolf-run town if the wolf was newly turned.
“Don’t you find that makes you see someone differently? When you learn the person you’re talking to is a wolf and not just human? Like you have a secret you can share with him that you can’t with others?” Alicia asked.
Jenna glanced at Sarandon. He smiled a little. “Yeah, but not as far as doing my job.” She returned his smile.
His smile only grew. He was so cocky.
In truth, Alicia was right. Knowing he was a wolf made a lot of difference—but only because of the way he’d pinned her down and the physical interest they’d shown in each other. She was beginning to think he was innocent, and that meant she was even more intrigued with him.
“Honey, what would you like to drink?” Jake asked his mate.
“I’ll have what Lelandi’s drinking,” Alicia said.
“I’m good,” CJ said to Jake as he brought in the other drinks.
“Sarandon?”
“A beer.”
Jake smiled at Sarandon. “Yeah, me too.”
After Jake finished getting drinks for everyone, they all took their seats, except for CJ. He stood near the fireplace, arms folded across his chest, looking like he was ready to arrest her! He towered over everyone who was sitting, making him king of the forum. It was an act of intimidation any good deputy sheriff would use to ensure he had the upper hand. If he’d wanted to give the impression he was treating Jenna as an equal, he would have joined them on one of the couches.
From what she could tell, Lelandi was the easygoing pack leader, and Darien played the role of the tough pack leader.
She wondered if Lelandi was a family physician, since she had canceled on her patients. Jenna guessed none of the cases needed immediate care, or Lelandi would have taken care of them. It went to show how important Sarandon was to her. Jenna couldn’t help but admire the pack for that.
“Okay, so what makes you think Sarandon has committed any crime?” Darien asked, getting the matter on the table.
To CJ’s credit, he pulled out a notepad and began taking notes. Jenna had thought he might be totally arrogant and dismiss her concern completely, as if she had no say in any of it and they would take care of it.
She pulled her phone from her jacket pocket and began listing all the acts of fraud the perp had committed.
“So, let me get this straight,” CJ said.
She knew he was going to be a hard-ass. Mostly because he was Sarandon’s brother, but also because he was the law. And this was his jurisdiction. “Ask away.”
“An identity thief uses one of the identities he has on him, and everyone believes that’s his true identity. Why?”

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USA Today bestselling author Terry Spear has written over sixty paranormal and medieval Highland romances. In 2008, Heart of the Wolf was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. A retired officer of the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry also creates award-winning teddy bears that have found homes all over the world. She lives in Spring, Texas with two Havanese puppies.

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Fearless Mating by Milly Taiden – a Review

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Fearless Mating by Milly Taiden – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM

 

Description:
Sergeant Major Candace Obermier has arrived at Alpha League Federal Agency headquarters with one task in mind–shutting it down. While A.L.F.A.’s pledge to protect humans from paranormal threats is noble, they’ve caused nothing but mayhem as far as Candy can tell. And their director? He’s the worst of the lot.

Director Josh Tumbel has finally found his mate. And she’s doing everything she can to shut down operations, while he struggles to control his mating instincts. But when A.L.F.A. headquarters is taken in a hostage situation, Josh has a chance to demonstrate the critical nature of the agency’s existence, and prove his worth to Candy as a protector and lover.

 

 

Review:

Fearless Mating by Milly Taiden is the 4th book in her A.L.F.A. series. . Though each book revolves around an A.L.F.A. agent and finding his mate, these do read very well as standalones.

Josh Trumbel, our hero, is the director of A.L.F.A, as well as a wolf shifter.   When he meets a new government official, he is shocked to see that she is his mate.   Sergeant Major Candace Obermeier, our heroine, is a tough woman, who works in a new position reporting to the new president.  She is determined to save money for the budget, and when she meets the director, she tells him she is immediately shutting down his office.  Josh doesn’t take her too seriously, as he is still in shock and very happy to be looking at his mate.  Before he can explain to her the value of his group, she ups and leaves telling him to make sure he tells his employees.   Candace is in a rush to get out of Josh’s office, as she feels a strong attraction to him, making her feel uncomfortable, as she is not interested in men, except to rule them.

Later that evening, at a dinner honoring A.L.F.A., Candace shows up and reminds Josh to tell his team not to come to work the next day.  But just then, all hell breaks loose as a Russian terrorist group takes over part of the building, forcing Josh and Candace to work together.  Though Candace tries to take control, she will see Josh and his men in a different light, as she discovers they are shifters, which also gives them other benefits to fight off enemies. 

What follows is an ultra exciting, action packed  story, with Candace, Josh, his team trying to stop the terrorists and discover who and why they are under attack. During their rescue attempts, Josh continues to flirt and call Candace his mate.  At first she ignores him, but slowly she finds herself succumbing to his advances, especially when he keeps finding ways to kiss her.   When things are under some kind of control, both Candace and josh have a bad feeling that something is still not right.  This will escalate as they discover the new president is the target.  When they will race to protect the President and First lady, they begin to get closer, as their lives are in constant danger. One of the best things about this series is Taiden’s trademark humor throughout, as well as being very sexy. You can’t help but laugh at some of the situations, and find yourself enjoying the banter, even in difficult spots.  Just when things seem over, both Candace and Josh will find themselves in a death defying situation that looks hopeless. 

I did like Candace and Josh, and even enjoyed the President and his wife.  I was surprised how I came to like Candace, as she was a bit too tough and unbending early on.  Josh was simply great, and you knew in time he would change her mind about him, as well as the A.L.F.A team.

Fearless Mating was an exciting, suspenseful story, with lots of action.  If you enjoy paranormal romances, with humor and suspense, as well as a hot sexy read, then you should be reading this series.  Milly Taiden once again gives us another fun filled exciting story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Mating A Grizzly by Dianna Love – a Review

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Mating A Grizzly by Dianna Love – a Review

 

Mating a Grizzly
League of Gallize Shifters series – Book #2
by Dianna Love
Release Date: January 30, 2018

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

 

Description:
MATING A GRIZZLY is book two in the unusual League Of Gallize Shifters series (all stand alone paranormal romances).

Justin is an elite black ops warrior on a unique shifter team. He’s as deadly as they come and determined to succeed on every mission. He turns into a monster grizzly and rushes into danger without hesitation to do his duty … but he’s having second thoughts on his current assignment. If there’s one thing he can’t tolerate it is arrogant people like the jerks he grew up around who acted superior to him. Justin can’t believe he’s stuck playing bodyguard for a Russian shifter princess. He’d rather face down a pack of armed terrorists alone than spend time with a cold-hearted prima donna. Except, Elianna turns out to be unlike anything he expected. She’s hot, but he’d like to see her smile. He’s on a mission to get that smile—and more. First he has to stop the assassin trying to kill him and kidnap her.

Having lived her life as an outcast among her own kind, Elianna hates being called princess. She’s the ugly mistake of a Russian grizzly shifter who got her polar bear mother pregnant while on a sabbatical from his mate. With the exception of the little boy she saved after his clan abandoned him, men are the bane of Elianna’s life. When she makes a miscalculation under duress, her biological father coerces Elianna into accepting a deal with high stakes if she fails.

Justin is unlike any other man, human or shifter, she’s ever been around. He makes her want things she can’t have—like mating—because the deal she struck prevents a relationship with him or she’ll never see the little boy again who is everything to her. Her plan was simple and doable, but meeting Justin complicated everything.

 

 

Review:

Mating a Grizzly by Dianna Love is the 2nd book in her League of Gallize Shifters series. The Gallize shifters, are run by an ancient and powerful shifter (Guardian), who secretly protect humans from bad shifter groups.  In Mating a Grizzly, we meet Elianna, our heroine, right from the start, as she is running away from a group of wolf shifters. When she gets caught, she fears for the life of her younger brother, Nico, but just in time, she is rescued by her father’s bear pack.  Elianna’s father is a powerful grizzly, who is married with other children, and looks upon her as his first child, by a woman he left long ago.  Elianna is the outcast princess.  To save Nico, she makes a deal with her father to go to the United States and mate with a member of Clan Boudreaux; once she does that they will send Nico to live with her.

Justin, our hero, is one of the Gallize shifters, and the Guardian forces him to take on an assignment to protect and bring a princess to her new Clan.  Justin, is a grizzly shifter, and is unhappy about this assignment to be a bodyguard for some princess.  He prefers to stay back and help his friend and partner recover from a previous attack (part of earlier novella).  When Justin meets Eli, she is not what he expected; as she is strong, determined and smart, though she does have a language barrier being Russian. Eli wants a 5 day break before she is taken to Clan Boundreaux, which she also secretly plans on finding a way to escape and get Nico back. 

Eli has trouble shifting, since she has no real control over her bear, not to mention suffering embarrassment from people who do not like her bear.  When she is injured, Justin will force her to shift, and he tells her she is a Ursine hybrid, but that that her bear is special and  unique.   Everything will begin to change, as Justin’s grizzly (named Herc) will recognize Eli’s bear as his mate.   This is an exciting and dangerous adventure that will put their lives in danger often.   Eli will fight off her growing attraction to Justin, as she knows she must mate someone from her new pack in order to save young Nico. Their slow built romance begins to sizzle, with both knowing their love is real, but can there be any future?

What they do not know is that someone is determined to stop Eli from arriving at Clan Boudreaux.  Who is trying to kill Eli?  

What follows is an exciting action packed story, but I do not want to ruin it for you by giving any spoilers. The last half of the book was great, especially as we raced to the wild climatic ending, It was an edge of your seat suspense that had us holding our breaths to find out if they would survive.  I loved Justin and Eli together, but even close to the end, I was not sure if they could find a way to become mates.  Dianna Love once again gives us another wonderful story, and a series that continues to wow us and look forward to more of the same.  Mating a Grizzly was a fun, exciting, action packed adventure; with a great sexy couple, which you should be reading. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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