Tag Archives: shifters

Baby, I’m Howling For You by Christine Warren – a Review

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Baby, I’m Howling For You by Christine Warren – a Review

 

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Description:
WELCOME TO ALPHAVILLE, where the she-wolves and alpha-males play. . .for keeps.

Renny Landry is a wolf on the run. Pursued by a shapeshifting stalker and his slobbering pack of killer coyotes, she is forced to flee her job as a librarian to find sanctuary in the wooded hills of Alpha, Washington. A well-secluded safe space for troubled shifters, Alpha is Renny’s last hope. But the first person she meets there is a gorgeous alpha male with fiery eyes, fierce tattoos, and one ferocious appetite—for her…

Mick Fischer thought he left his past behind when he moved to Alpha. But fate has a way of biting him in the tail when a female wolf shows up on his property. Wounded, desperate—and disarmingly hot—Renny brings out the snarling, protective alpha beast in Mick like no other woman he’s known. Can these two haunted, hunted wolves manage to mate for life…even as the deadliest past demons howl at their heels?

 

Review:

Baby, I’m Howling For You by Christine Warren is the 1st book in her new Alphaville series. Having enjoyed the novella (Something to Howl About) to open this series, I looked forward to reading this one, and I am happy to say this series is already a winner.

Renny Landry is our heroine, and a wolf shifter on the run.  Renny has a stalker, who is the leader of a coyote shapeshifer  pack, and no matter where she goes, they always find her.   Her last hope is to get to Alpha, populated by various species of problem or damaged shifters.  Before Renny can get there, she is attacked by some of the members of the coyote pack, but lucky for her, someone comes to her rescue. 

Mick Fischer, our hero, moved to Alphaville years before after his mate was murdered. He still grieves for his deceased mate, and doesn’t understand why he is still alive, since mates usually follow one another. 

When Renny regains conscious, she opens her eyes to 4 people staring at her.  Mick, Molly (paramedic), Jaegar (the mayor) and Zeke (local deputy, and Molly’s brother).   She tells them who attacked her, and why she comes to Alphaville. Though they know the stalkers will follow her here, they all agree to help her and offer her protection.  She stays in Mick’s cabin just overnight to recuperate, and Molly will help her, with clothes and sharing an apartment.  But before that, Mick’s wolf keeps telling him she is his mate.  Mick brushes him off, and says he already had his mate.   When Renny begins to feel better, she senses her strong attraction to Mick, and also knows he is her mate.  But when she tries to mention that, Mick ignores her. 

When Renny moves to town, she and Molly will be attacked by the coyote pack members, with Mick, Zeke and others coming to their rescue.  Mick is determined he will bring her back to his cabin to protect her, and in a short time, though he doesn’t understand this, he starts falling hard for Renny, and accepts that his wolf is right…she is his mate.  But Renny, though she wants Mick, acts distant a bit, because of how he brushed her off earlier.  Of course, that won’t last, especially with her staying in his cabin.   The chemistry between them was sizzling hot, and they truly did make a great couple.   But first they need to find a way to stay alive and stop the coyotes.

Geoffrey is the leader of the coyote pack, and he is insanely obsessed with Renny.  She has turned him down a number of times, but he refuses to let go, and continues to attack.  Mick remembers Geoffrey, who happened to be his ex mate’s brother.  Mick knows Geoffrey is not only crazy, and but very dangerous.

What follows is an exciting, at times tense paranormal story that was fun, and very steamy.  There were so many dangerous situations that held my breath a few times, wondering if they will survive.   There was a number of intense edges of your seat moments, with lots of action.  I also like the chemistry between Renny and Mick.   In Baby, I’m Howling for You About, we meet some excellent characters that I would love for them to have their own books, such as Zeke and Molly, who were great.   There is a lot of potential in this series, as we have different types of shifters; bears, lions, cougars, just to name a few. 

Christine Warren once again gives us an exciting new series, a great couple and wonderful secondary characters.   I look forward to the next book in this series. If you like romance, paranormal, and shifters, then you should start this series.
Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Mikhail by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

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Mikhail by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

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DESCRIPTION

A dragon never leaves his hoard unguarded. His heart is another matter. 

The second eldest in an ancient line of Russian dragon shifters, Mikhail Barinov had one job: protect one of the family hoard of jewels. Distracted by the English virgin queen Elizabeth, who was as dazzling as she was devious; he lost everything. Five centuries of exile later, news that a construction crew has unearthed a massive trove of gold and jewels sends him racing to London, determined to steal back his family’s treasure…and his honor. 

Professional gemologist Piper Linwood can’t wait to bury herself in her newest project, evaluating a hoard of Elizabethan-era treasure. But both her life and career are threatened when a mysterious, brooding man with a dangerous smile—and an even more dangerous kiss—snatches the lot. 

Unwillingly swept along for the ride, Piper discovers Mikhail is no mere thief. And the dragon on his back is more than a tattoo. It’s a living, breathing extension of a bad boy she’s finding harder and harder to resist. But his heart is a treasure she can never own…because to save her career, she’ll have to betray his trust.

 

 

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Dragons and dragons and dragons .. OH MY!  Love me some yummy dragon shifters and boy did this dragon shifter ever turn up the heat! 🙂

Mikhail by Lauren Smith (love it when book titles come with just a name) is the second book in her “Brothers of Ash and Fire” series and I have to say this one delivered as well as the first one did.  This series is based on a family of dragon men who are guarding their “precious” and finding their mates.  Obviously a paranormal romance but it’s the dash of history that really nailed it for me.  You will get some adventure, intensity, a good myth story line and some hot yummy dragons who journey towards their eternal happiness .. and the sexy is a super bonus.

Mikhail Barinov is a dragon shifter who had been responsible for guarding precious gems for his family but was betrayed by none other than Queen Elizabeth I and had those gems stolen from him.  What made it worse was that the Queen was his mate and inflicted serious pain and humiliation his way.  Now hundreds of years later, Mikhail learns that those gems have been uncovered and he does all he can to make sure he gets them back to save face.  Mikhail is dark but not so that he is annoying.  He is loyal and losing his gems really hit him hard, so he became focused quite intensely on recovering them.  This led to him being broody and a little stand offish.  When he meets another woman who can potentially ruin his chance of turning things around he take extreme actions to ensure she won’t.  This includes sweeping her away and showing her his world.  Little did he realize that there is possibility of another mate being found, but this dragon isn’t sure he can trust second chances.

Piper Linwood is a gemologist and is excited about the find that makes all her hard worth it.  Piper is spunky and sweet and knows she has literally struck gold when gems from 500 years ago come across her path.  She comes to realize that there is another as interested in these gems and she finds herself strangely drawn to him.  NOTHING will distract her from her job though .. until it kinda does, and she finds herself swept away to a place that only exists in books and stories.  When broody dragon shows his scales, she realizes that she is in a world of danger, and her losing her heart may be the mot dangerous thing she has done yet.

I LOVED these two together.  What a perfect match they were.  They each took chances on the other and boy can you ever appreciate Lauren’s writing when it comes to the passion.  You will find yourself totally rooting for these two.  Once again I was swept away in a world that Lauren created and I am eager for more.  Always writing with a natural flow and ease, I never once fell bored during the story.  I will say the historical twist was epic as I am a huge Tudor lover, so having two genres merged the way this is was a real treat.  

This is not a long read and I do recommend that you read the first book of this series before this one.  Mikhail is introduced there and you can appreciate his character far more by understanding what other around him feel.  Trust me on this one.

Another grand slam Lauren Smith .. please keep them coming!

HAPPY READING!

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for review

 

 

Giveaway-Green/Gold

Lauren is graciously offering a  signed paper copy of a book of your choice from Lauren’s backlist to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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To Have and To Howl- From This Fae Forward by A.E. Jones – Reviews

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To Have and To Howl- From This Fae Forward by A.E. Jones – Reviews

 

To Have and To Howl
Paranormal Wedding Planners series – Book #3
by A.E. Jones
Release Date: November 13, 2017

To Have and to HowlAmazon / B&N / Kobo / Book Depository

Description:
Law means following the rules. Love means breaking them.

Julia Cole is a lawyer on a mission. After three long years, her husband’s murderers have been convicted. Until their leader breaks out of magically-strengthened, impossible-to-break-handcuffs in the courtroom, that is. Someone is helping them. And that someone is threatening Julia. But she will not back down from them or the man tasked to protect her…a man who scrambles her long-buried emotions.

Jack Dawson is a werewolf with a secret. One that could change his life forever. But his problems have to take a back seat while he protects Julia. He can’t afford to let down his guard—against the evil forces threatening Julia, against his growing feelings for her, fighting to be heard, and against his secret—which could destroy everything.

Can Julia and Jack finally let go of their pasts and begin a new happy ever after together?


Paranormal Wedding Planners Series:
In Sickness and In Elf – Book 1
From This Fae Forward – Book 2
To Have and To Howl – Book 3

Review:

To Have and To Howl by A.E. Jones is another great book in her fun Paranormal Wedding Planners series. 

Julia is a woman on a mission……Her husband had been murdered and, as an attorney, she had a duty to see his killer brought to justice. But in most cases, that’s not always that simple, the killer ( the leader of a gang) had friends, and they helped him to escape, and now they want Julia !!!! 

Jack Dawson has to protect Julia from the evil that is chasing her.  But he has a secret (keeps it hidden from his werewolf community and his twin brother) and he feels very confused by his feelings toward Julia. And this secret if it comes out ……  could change his future and not for the better. He just needs more time to work it all out. Time he might not have.

The cast of characters from previous books were in here and they were  as hilarious as usual. And the new group of characters in this book, they just added to the growing family of people you just want to read more of.

The wedding was hilarious couldn’t help but laugh through the whole scene ? As usual the A.E. Jones draws you in with such a descriptive narrative.

So to be honest,I think  you’d have to read them in order (you could just read this one, but I think you’ll get more enjoyment and not so much confusion) 

I really can’t wait for the next Paranormal Wedding Planners book.

 

From This Fae Forward
Paranormal Wedding Planners series – Book #2
by A.E. Jones
Release Date: October, 2016

From This Fae Forward

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Description:
What if Romeo and Juliet were paranormal…

Exiled from her woodland nymph clan, Sheila Hampton works as an exercise instructor for stressed-out paranormal brides—until her father tries to force her to marry as part of a political power play. Her unlikely hero/fake fiancé? A sexy-as-sin sea nymph from a rival clan. She should hate him, she really should…

Charlie Tucker has protected people in the past. It’s just a job—until it’s not. Not when it comes to a beautiful and headstrong woodland nymph. Now he’s posing as Sheila’s loving fiancé and planning the biggest fake nymph wedding of the century with her. He should hate her, he really should…

But when Sheila’s life is threatened, can this paranormal Romeo and Juliet find a way to change their tragic ending to a happy ever after?

 

 

Review : 

With the supernatural world reeling from Devon and Alex’s recent marriage (In Sickness and in Elf – Book 1), along comes From This Fae Forward (Book 2) a great page turner by A.E. Jones.  I had moments where I couldn’t put the book down. I had already been hooked with book 1, with book 2 I was reeled back in until the last page. 

The love then turned to hate relationship both these nymphs (woodland nymph and sea nymph) had for each other. A wonderful page turner.

Why had the love they had for each other turn to hate. It was intense in the first book, so to find out more about them, put a lot into perspective. 

Sheila is a feisty wood nymph and she lives outside her clan, banished she has made her own way in the (human) world. She makes a living as a fitness instructor and enjoys it, but her father decides on a political marriage  and guess who her fiancé is …..

Sea Nymph Charlie Is hotness with a capital HOT !!!!  Tall blonde and charming, this nymph never seems to be able settle for long. But he is a good man, and when he finds out what’s going on, he warns Sheila. 

When forced to play fiancé’s the lines begin to blur. Add the attraction they have for each other it makes for an interesting read. And danger lurks in every corner, so who is the trouble maker and why target Sheila ? 

Can the 2 of them overcome centuries of hatred between their clans to gain true love?  You need to read this book to find out.

Reviews by Julie B.

Copy supplied for review

 

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Wolf Leader/Wolf Hunter by Jane Godman – a Review

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Wolf Leader/Wolf Hunter by Jane Godman – a Review

 

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Description:
They are the Arctic Brotherhood.

They are deadly fighters, fierce protectors and loyal mates.

Their sworn enemy is dead, but the Arctic Brotherhood can’t relax. Fenrir, the Norse god of destruction is still determined to destroy the world. Vigo Durand agrees to lead the team against the most feared werewolf the world has ever known, but dark secrets from his past are threatening to catch up with him.

Amber Merova has been on the run for the last five years ago. When she meets Vigo, her werewolf mating impulse almost overwhelms her human instinct for survival. Almost. Feisty, determined, and hostile, Amber initially turns down Vigo’s offer to stay with the Brotherhood. When it looks like the men who murdered her pack have caught up with her, she has no choice but to take his offer of protection.

Both seem damaged beyond repair, but, as they work together to bring down Fenrir, they discover hidden ties that bind them together. Before they can look to the future, they must unravel the mysteries of the past.

 

Review:
Wolf Leader by Jane Godman is the 6th and final book of her The Arctic Brotherhood series.  When we last left off in Wolf Hunter, the evil Fenrir, was imprisoned, but the Arctic Brotherhood of the Midnight Sun team members were still very much in fear.  Fenrir, even chained, had the ability to mind control others to take over their body.  The Brotherhood knew they needed to kill Fenrir before he acted on his plan of destruction of the human race.  But a god can only be killed by another god; how can they find a way to stop Fenrir?

Vigo Durand, is our hero in Wolf Leader and he though respected, he is also a bit of a newbie; but it is his turn to lead this mission.  Vigo is also the only member of the 7 team Brotherhood who does not have a mate, nor is he interested in finding one.  Vigo meet Amber Merova, another Arctic werewolf, who keeps to herself. 

Amber, our heroine, sees the brotherhood arrive and feels a strong pull.  She fights the attraction of one of the men coming off the plane, and ignores it.  When Vigo is told he is now in charge by Gunnar, he learns that the woman he saw earlier is now going to be added to the team.  She has a reputation as being tough and a loner, but she fits the Brotherhood requirements. Vigo goes to see her, and realizes that she is his mate.  They both try to fight off their sizzling attraction to no avail.  Once he forces Amber to meet his team, she slowly begins to accept the inevitable, and senses that being part of the Brotherhood, and helping save the world is something she truly wants.

What follows is an exciting adventure to stop Fenrir, which looks like an impossible task.  Just when you think things will work out, all hell breaks loose and Amber finds herself very much in danger.  I will not tell too much more, other than to say that Godman did a good job in bringing this series to a satisfactory conclusion.  I did like Vigo and Amber together, and they made a great team, as warriors and as a couple.

If you enjoy shifter stories, a fantasy world steeped in Norse Mythology, exciting action, and great characters you get to see throughout this series, you should be reading this fun series

 

Wolf HunterAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM

Description:
They are the Arctic Brotherhood.

They are deadly fighters, fierce protectors and loyal mates.

Six months ago, the Arctic Brotherhood was torn apart when a respected former member, Hendrik Rickard was murdered. Cindy Harper, Hendrik’s best friend and housekeeper, is still struggling to come to terms with his death when she feels an invisible presence watching her. Alone and frightened, she turns to the only man who can help her.

Sebastian Novak is the maverick of the Arctic Brotherhood. Infuriated at the lack of progress they have made toward defeating their sworn enemy, Chastel, Sebastian wants to go on the attack. The discovery that Cindy is being targeted, increases his fury further. Forced to deny his feelings for Cindy in the past, Sebastian is overwhelmed by the strength of his desire for her as he protects her from this new threat.

Sebastian and Cindy succumb to the intensity of the attraction between them, but their lives are thrown into turmoil by a series of unexpected events. Before they can claim the happiness they have long denied themselves, they must face the evil mastermind determined to destroy the brotherhood.

 

Review:

Wolf Hunter by Jane Godman is the 5th book in her Arctic Brotherood series. I have enjoyed this series, as they are fun, exciting and quick reads. A brief refresher:  Arctic Brotherhood is a shifter series, with an ancient species of Arctic werewolves, who are part of the 7 members of the Brotherhood of the Midnight Sun.

In the last book, one of the members (Hendrik) of the Arctic Brotherhood was murdered, and the villain, Chastel has once again escaped.  Six months have passed, and Sebastian Novak, our hero, is determined to find Chastel before he kills again.  Sebastian goes to visit, Cindy Harper, our heroine, who was Hendrik’s friend (though everyone thought she was his lover).  Sebastian has always loved Cindy, knowing somehow she was his mate, but he did not follow up in deference to his friend, Hendrik.

 In a short time, Sebastian will find out the truth about Cindy, and she will tell him that she has always had feelings for him.  A hot combustible romance begins that will change both of their lives forever.  But first they both need to survive the onslaught of two vicious and powerful evils. When Sebastian arrives, he is just in time to help a worried Cindy, who claims someone is following her. Sebastian can also feel the evil close by, and knows that Chastel is targeting Cindy.   The entire team will meet up to find a way to stop Chastel, and when an old friend comes back, the danger escalates threatening them all.   Rather than say too much more, the team will fight their toughest battle, facing not one, but two very powerful enemies.  It was wonderful to see our favorites back, as the  entire Arctic Brotherhood team is great; including the women or men that find their mates.  I really did love Sebastian and Cindy as a couple.

Wolf Hunter was an exciting adventure with nonstop action, edge of your seat suspense, and steamy sex scenes.   This is an excellent series, with Godman continuing this ongoing storyline smoothly in a wonderful fantasy world steeped in Norse Mythology. If you enjoy werewolves, action packed stories, suspense, exciting, adventure and great characters, then you should be reading this series.  They are quick and fun reads.

Reviews by Barb

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The Panther’s Lost Princess by McKenna Dean – a Review

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The Panther’s Lost Princess by McKenna Dean – a Review

 

The Panther’s Lost PrincessAmazon

Description:
Ellie West has always known there was more to her story than being abandoned at birth. A child of the foster-care system, she didn’t get many breaks, but the one thing she can do is sing. It’s her only ticket out of poverty and obscurity. Nothing else matters, not even the nagging sense that she’s different. She’s headed for great things. She only needs a chance.

Jack Ferris couldn’t agree more. His firm, the elite paranormal agency Redclaw Security, has been hired to find a missing princess and return her to her family. Discovering that Ellie, a waitress in a hole-in-the-wall diner, is both the princess and his fated mate is like being hit with a sledgehammer. Ellie West can’t be his mate. She’s the mission.

The sooner Jack completes this job, the better, only Ellie has no intention of throwing her dreams away for a kingdom she’s never known. With hired assassins on their trail, Ellie might not have a choice. They must do whatever it takes to stay alive.


Review:

The Panther’s Lost Princess by McKenna Dean is the 1st book in her new Redclaw Security series. 

Ellie is a waitress with a dream, she wants out of the small town she lives in, she dreams of being a singer, so when a chance to audition, Ellie grabs it with both hands.
She knows she can sing, but Ellie lacks belief and confidence in herself.  Ellie thinks she’s a monster ……

Her parents abandoned her at birth, and the foster families never seemed to want her for long, there has to be something wrong with her ….. right?  And on the night it all comes crashing down around her, she notices things ….. things that a “normal” person shouldn’t be able to do.

Jack is employed by Redclaw security (a firm specializing in shifter business),  from bodyguards to surveillance.  He’s suppose to find a “princess” retrieve her and bring her back into the arms of her “real” family.

But what jack doesn’t bank on is finding his “mate”, yup you got it …… the princess, except she’s not what he was expecting, he assumed she would be tall, blond and a complete bitch …… “Ellie” is the exact opposite, and all his animal side wants to do, is bite, mate and carry her off to safety. But he knows that the princess would never look at a lowly bodyguard, she deserves better, and so he is determined to get her to safety and the live he thinks she deserves.

The story moves along at a nice pace, finding out about the characters along the way.
The secondary characters were great to read as well, I’m hoping they get stories too.
There is a nice balance of action (and not all between the sheets) and romance, nothing worse than skimming pages due to bedroom gymnastics (that last for pages, and pages, and pages)

Why was Ellie abandoned by her parents ? Who wants to kill her? (There are several attempts) and if she isn’t a monster, then what is she? Will Jack get his wish? You will need to read this book to find out.

It’s a fun read that can be done in an afternoon.

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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Mating Needs by Milly Taiden – Review & Giveaway

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Mating Needs by Milly Taiden – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
A cougar shifter meets his mate and match in this latest sexy paranormal adventure in the A.L.F.A. series as another Alpha League Federal Agent finds love and passion in the midst of danger by the New York Times bestselling author of Elemental Mating.

 

Review:

Mating Needs by Milly Taiden is the second book in her A.L.F.A series.  When I read the first book in this series (Elemental Mating), I had mixed feelings and was not sure I would continue reading this, but since I did like the shifter theme, I decided I would give the next book a chance.  I am glad I did. I really enjoyed Mating Needs.   This book also had a lot of humor, but it was very well done, and seriously fun, exciting and endearing throughout the book.

Ameralla Capone, our heroine, is a Mafia princess, who is totally different than most princesses.  When we meet Amie, she is doing personal business in her bank, when a robbery occurs.  Amie recognizes two of her cousins behind the robbery attempt, with one getting killed.  Amie is beside herself to watch her good cousin die, and despite the danger, tells the detective she will testify what she saw against her bad cousin. 

Frank Dubois, our hero, is a member of the A.L.F. A.  ( Alpha League Federal Agent), who is assigned to be the bodyguard for Amie.  But when they meet, there is a big surprise….Frank and Amie were lovers back in their college days, when she up and left him.  Frank has never forgotten Amie, who is the love of his life and as it turns out..his Mate.  Frank is a cougar shifter, which helps him be one of the best agents A.L.F.A. needs.

Amie is in trouble, as her Mafia uncle will do anything to find her.  Unbeknownst to most people, Amie has a young son, whom she worries about because he has some strange quirks, like claws coming out on his hands.  Amie thinks the boy is seriously ill, and tries to teach him to not show anyone.

What follows is Amie and Frank spending all their spare time together, as this second chance romance builds very quickly.  The lust for each other is sizzling hot, something neither can resist.  This is definitely a sexy romance, with lots of sexual scenes.  But the best part of this story, is the fun when Frank takes Amie to live in his mom’s house in home town (all shifters) to protect her.  I loved this part, as it was a blast, especially since Amie did not know about shifters. The townspeople were great, as Amie shows the women how to dress, or change their business to look nicer and how to treat their men.  I got such a kick out of the comments made early on that almost gave away the secret….send the cat; she has many bunnies; he’s a wolf, etc.  When Amie finds the truth, she did accept it really well, and laughed at those hints.  

Mating Needs turned out to be an exciting suspense story line, but the fun humor elevated this to a different level that made this book such a enjoyable read.  You can read this very well as a standalone.  Milly Taiden won me over in this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

giveaway

Milly Taiden’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of A.L.F.A. Mates (Book 1 & 2 in one Volume) to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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9.. Giveaway runs from October 19-23, 2017

 

 

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Dreaming of a White Wolf Christmas (White Wolf #1 / Heart of the Wolf #23) by Terry Spear-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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DREAMING OF A WHITE WOLF CHRISTMAS (White Wolf #1 / Heart of the Wolf #23) by Terry Spear-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway
Dreaming of a White Wolf Christmas

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About the book: Release Date October 3, 2017

In the first installment of Terry Spear’s bold, sexy White Wolf series, a romance writer’s life is changed forever when a white puppy bites her and turns her into an Arctic wolf shifter.

May all your Christmas wolves be bright…
Romance writer Candice Mayfair never missed a deadline in her life–until the playful bite of a werewolf puppy accidentally turns her into an Arctic wolf shifter. Talk about a life-changing event! Candice is at the end of her rope with the unpredictable shifting, a strong desire to howl, and the need to vacuum constantly to keep the shedding fur under control.

Enter werewolf private investigator Owen Nottingham. Owen has a new mission: convince the pretty she-wolf she needs to join his pack in time for Christmas…and be his mate. It’s the only way he can think of to keep her safe…

••••••••••••

REVIEW:  DREAMING OF A WHITE WOLF CHRISTMAS is the first installment in Terry Spear’s spin off, contemporary, adult WHITE WOLF paranormal, romance series and the twenty third installment in the continuing HEART OF THE WOLF series. This is Arctic white wolf shifter PI Owen Nottingham, and paranormal author/white wolf Candice (aka Clara Hart) Mayfair’s story line. DREAMING OF A WHITE WOLF CHRISTMAS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines and series is revealed where necessary. As well, some of the characters and couples cross over from the author’s HEART OF THE JAGUAR series including Arctic wolf shifters Cameron and Faith MacPherson, and their wolf pup Corey whom we met in A VERY JAGUAR CHRISTMAS (October 2016).

Told from dual third person perspectives (Owen and Candice) DREAMING OF A WHITE WOLF CHRISTMAS follows the search for reluctant heiress Clara Hart. Two years earlier, while camping with some friends, Clara’s life changed the night she attempted to feed a hungry looking white wolf cub- a werewolf Arctic shifter-who accidently bit and transformed our story line heroine. Fast forward to present day and our heroine, who now goes by her professional name author Candice Mayfair, finds herself a lone wolf in a world she brings to life in her popular romance novels. Enter private investigator and Arctic wolf shifter Owen Nottingham, and the man with whom Candice will fall in love. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Candice and Owen, and the potential fall out as Candice and Owen battle the clock, and their shifts, as the deadline to claim Clara’s inheritance is fast approaching.

DREAMING OF A WHITE WOLF CHRISTMAS is a sweet story of family and friendship; of one man who discovers his other half; and one woman who finally finds a place where she belongs. There is no conflict between our leading couple; their attraction to one another is immediate and intense; Owen knows he has found the mate that calls to his heart. The $ex scenes are passionate; Clara/Candice’s questions about life as a wolf are entertaining and educational.

We are introduced to Owen’s business partners, friends and fellow Arctic wolf shifters David Davis, and Gavin Summerfield, as well as the familiarity of Cameron and Faith MacPherson, and their triplet wolf pups; Candice /Clara’s uncle Strom Hart, and Montana homicide detective Rowdy Sanderson who is aware of the supernatural world of shifters.

DREAMING OF A WHITE WOLF CHRISTMAS is a predictable but cute story line; an easy read. The author’s writing style is almost too simple for an adult novel. I don’t know when or where the change in style began but there is something different in the water-downed presentation within the last few tales of Terry’s paranormal shifters. The conflict is limited; everyone gets along; there is no competition for the few female shifters that are potential mates to the numerous single males. I am looking forward to Gavin and David’s storyline, as well as the possibility that Clara’s Uncle Strom will find someone to love.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Dreaming of a White Wolf Xmas teaser

excerpt

 

 

Candice had been writing for two days straight, working on her publisher’s book deadline, when she wrote the ending, smiled, and set the book aside. She would start proofing it tomorrow after she’d given her brain a break. Now she’d do what she always did when she finished a book or reached a good stopping point in one. Clean house. Check her backlog of emails. Pick up some more groceries. And take a run on the wolf side.She finished vacuuming and dusting, swearing every window must let in all the outdoors, and then started a batch of gingerbread cookie cutouts to celebrate the Christmas holiday season and finishing another book. While they were baking, she finally settled down to check her emails. Fan mail always came first, and one from her website got her attention right off. She opened it and read:

Hello, I’m Owen Nottingham, private investigator for White River Investigations, White River Falls, Minnesota. My client, Strom Hart, hired me to locate you. Your parents, John and Cynthia Hart, left you an inheritance, and you need to see the lawyer about it so you can claim it. I need to verify that
you are the right woman first. Is there any way we could meet and get this taken care of so you can collect your inheritance? Strom Hart will be the one to receive it by the end of the month otherwise. His assistant, Jim Winchester, said Mr. Hart is your uncle.

Candice reread the message, not believing her eyes, tears filling them. She quickly looked at the date of the message. Two days ago! She knew she shouldn’t have neglected her emails, but when she was into a story, she couldn’t break away.

She ground her teeth, raised her fingers to respond, and heard a knocking at her door. No one came here. Never. Ever. Not even salesmen.

She glanced at her phases-of-the moon calendar. The waxing gibbous was just beginning. She should be fine. Just to be on the safe side, in case the person at the door was trouble, she pulled a can of mace from her desk drawer and headed for the door. She peered through the peephole. Waiting at the door was a handsome black-haired man with rugged features and intense blue eyes. He was dressed in a black suit, a red shirt, and a dark-purple tie covered in red, purple, and gold Christmas balls. She raised her brows.

“I’m Owen Nottingham,” he said to the door, holding up his PI license and driver’s license. He couldn’t know that she was watching him, so he must have hoped she was there, observing him. “I tried getting ahold of you through the contact form on your website about your inheritance. Your contact form might not be working, so I had to locate you in person.”
So this was the man who had sent the message. Was he for real? He had to be. He wouldn’t have come all this way to see her if he wasn’t. But how had he found her?

Candice opened the door, the bells jingling on her Christmas wreath, and the man glanced down at the can of mace in her hand. He smiled, his gaze holding hers with such intensity that it was as though he could see clear through to her soul. “Really, just a PI doing my job.”

A chilly breeze carried his scent to her. Wolf scent. All at once, she felt so light-headed that she grabbed the door to keep herself upright and dropped the can of mace on the tile floor. It clattered, but she couldn’t have reached for it if her life depended on it.

Oh. My. God.

This couldn’t be real. He couldn’t be real. No wonder he’d been talking to the door. He must have heard her footfalls as she’d approached.

He took a deep breath at the same time, and when he smelled her scent, his eyes widened in surprise. His hand shot out to grab her arm and steady her. For a minute, she tried to control her breathing and her heart rate, neither of which she could steady. She felt like she was going to pass out.

“Hell, you’re the wolf I saw across the White River, aren’t you?”

Her jaw dropped, and her knees buckled. He swept her up in his arms and she wanted to object, but he slammed the door behind him with his hip and carried her into the house. He was the wolf she’d seen across the river that day on the camping trip in Minnesota two years ago, sipping from the water? She still remembered it like it was yesterday. Him looking up and seeing her staring at him while she’d believed she was hallucinating.

Until the next night, and then she knew she hadn’t been dreaming at all.


 

about the author

Terry Spear Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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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Her Dark Half by Paige Tyler – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Her Dark Half by Paige Tyler – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

Her Dark Half
X-Ops series – Book #7
by Paige Tyler
Release Date: September 5, 2017

Her Dark Half_ coverAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository / IndieBound

Her Dark Half spotlight graphic

 

Description:
Trevor Maxwell
Coyote shifter with an attitude
Covert operator
Trusts no one, especially his devastatingly beautiful new partner

Alina Bosch
Former CIA, newest operative on the covert team
Hired to spy on her partner
Motto: “Never be deceived again.”

Coyote shifter Trevor Maxwell is teamed up with CIA agent Alina Bosch to catch a killer. But when the mission becomes much more dangerous than they expected, they’re going to have to ignore the attraction between them and learn how to trust one another to come out on the other side…

 

Review:

Her Dark Half by Paige Tyler is the 7th book in her wonderful X-Ops series.  When we last left off in the last book, our heroes throughout this series were all on the run. The man they trusted who ran DCO (Department of Covert Operations) was killed, and the two major villains were out to arrest and kill them all. It was a huge game changer.

In Her Dark Half, Trevor Maxwell, our hero, was still working with DCO, but he was acting undercover helping his former teammates in hiding.   The goal was to find evidence to prove that Thomas Thorne, who was now in charge, was behind all hybrids being created to build his own army.  Trevor is forced to accept a new partner, who was new to DCO.

The story starts off a few years prior, where we meet our heroine, Alina Bosch, who is  a CIA agent leading a mission that goes bad.  Alina lost her whole team because her partner betrayed them and had set up a trap.  Alina has spent this few years wanting revenge, but has not been able to find her ex partner.  Alina leaves her job with the CIA and accepts a job with DCO, having been tempted by DCO that they will help her find her ex partner.  Alina is told by Dick (one of the two villains) that she needs to spy on her new partner…Trevor. She finds it hard to trust anyone, but she sees something about Trevor that makes her suspect that there is more than she has been told.  Trevor, at first also doesn’t trust Alina, but pretty quickly they are in the middle of some attacks, and Alina begins to realize that Dick is using her information to kill those that they have interviewed.

Trevor and Alina will also become very attracted to each other, and in a short time a romance will begin.  Alina will realize that Trevor is a good guy, and also learn about him being a shifter; they will join hands to fight off hybrid attacks. What follows is an intense, fast paced, exciting and dangerous attempt to reveal the truth about Thomas Thorne and those now in charge at DCO.  It was great and fun to see all our former heroes, such as Landon, Ivy, Tanner, Declan, Kendra, Danica, Adam, Braden, Dreya, just to name a few.  It will take the entire team to band together to fight these ultra powerful hybrids, who are impossible to kill. Of course, one of those powerful hybrids, is the man Alina has been trying to find all these years.

The last half of the book was very suspenseful, with a few twists, and a thrilling ride to the finish.  Paige Tyler, as always, gives us another terrific story, with another wonderful couple. I do not know what she has in store of us next, but the game has changed and I can’t wait to see how this will affect our team.  Her Dark Half should not be read out of order; this is not a standalone.  You need to start from the beginning, in order to enjoy all the wonderful characters and the continuing story line.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

excerpt

“What’s the plan here?” she asked Trevor quietly as the restaurant’s patrons eyed them curiously. “Because I don’t see anyone warming up to us enough to invite us into the back room.”
“We’re Trevor and Alina Hoffman, a filthy rich, newly married couple from Silicon Valley,” Trevor said, glancing around as if taking in the ambience. “We’ve been on an extended honeymoon for the past few months and are currently heading for a trans-Atlantic cruise out of New York City. We decided to do some gambling and got tired of dealing with all the crap at the local casino.”
“You think they’ll buy that?” she asked as he led her across the room toward the door with the guards.
“You sell the fact that we’re a newly married couple, and I’ll make them believe I’m a rich guy with a gambling addiction.”
She could do that. Then she realized one big flaw in their cover story. “If we’re a newly married couple, shouldn’t I be wearing a ring?”
Trevor gave her a sidelong glance. “What makes you think you aren’t?”
She looked down at her hand in confusion and almost fell off her stacked heels as she saw the monstrously large diamond he’d somehow slipped onto her ring finger when she wasn’t looking. Oh crud, it was huge! And as beautiful as any she’d ever seen.
“When did you put this on? More importantly, is this thing real?” she whispered.
Thank goodness she had his arm to keep her steady. She was feeling faint at the idea of wearing a diamond that was probably worth more than her entire apartment.
“I put it on you when we were married on the first of June in Monaco,” he whispered back. “And of course it’s real. I would never put something fake on the love of my life.”
“Trevor, I’m serious,” she said.
He made a face. “Okay. I slipped it on your finger when I was helping you out of the SUV. And yes, it’s real, so don’t lose it. I had to sign my life away to get it out of the DCO safes.”
She gulped. “How much is it worth?”
“Nothing compared to you, sweetheart,” he said in a romantic tone as they stopped in front of the two guards.
The bouncers working this door were a little bit more professional than the ones outside.
“Can I help you?” one of the men asked in a deep, rough voice that made Alina wonder if he chewed gravel for fun.
“Someone told me a man might be able to find a friendly game of poker somewhere near here,” Trevor said casually. “I don’t suppose you two might be able to point my wife and me in the right direction for a game like that?”
The two men regarded him suspiciously.
“I think you’re talking about the Horseshoe Casino,” Gravel said. “It’s nearby, very clean and friendly.” Trevor chuckled. “The Horseshoe is very friendly. But the place doesn’t have the quite the atmosphere we’re looking for. It’s a little too…what’s the word?… sanitized for our liking.”
Gravel studied Trevor for a moment, then glanced at the bar, giving someone there a nod. Ten seconds later, a slim man in an expensive suit appeared at their side.
“My name is Teddy,” he said in a cautious yet friendly tone. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m Trevor Hoffman. This is my wife, Alina. We’re getting ready to head out on a cruise in a few days and decided to do some gambling while we’re in town. Someone told us this place runs a clean game, so I thought I’d spend some money here.”
Teddy surveyed them with a practiced eye, taking in the cut of Trevor’s suit and her expensive gown, not to mention the big honking ring she wore. He must have liked what he saw, because he nodded.
“If I could get some identification and a credit card from you, Mr. Hoffman, I can quickly check your credentials and set you up with a line of credit.”
Alina tensed as Trevor handed over the requested ID and credit card. They could be in trouble. The fake ID and credit card by themselves would have taken quite a bit of time and money to pull off. Coming up with an Internet background to support that would take even longer.
“What are they going to find when they run your name and that credit card number?” she whispered as he slipped his arm around her and casually urged her away from the two men guarding the door.
“Relax.” He flashed her a grin. “They’ll find us with all the relevant financial and societal tidbits one would expect to see when looking at the rich and bored.”
She glanced at Teddy. He typed something into a computer just out of sight behind the bar. A moment later, he lifted his head and frowned in their direction.
“Something’s wrong,” she whispered.
Even the two guards were eyeing them funny now. She was starting to wish she had a weapon. If things went bad, they were in trouble.
“Alina,” Trevor said softly as he tightened his arm around her waist and tugged her closer. “Now’s the time for you to sell the newlywed thing.”
She opened her mouth to ask him exactly how he suggested she do that when he pulled her even closer.
She wished she could have said it was years of CIA training that took over and made her kiss him. But that wouldn’t have been true. Instead, it was a totally different kind of instinct. The kind that made a woman want to kiss a hot guy.


 

About The author

Paige Tyler

Paige Tyler is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy, romantic fiction. Paige writes books about hunky alpha males and the kick-butt heroines they fall in love with. She lives with her very own military hero (a.k.a. her husband) and their adorable dog on the beautiful Florida coast. Visit www.paigetylertheauthor.com.


Find Paige Online:
Website: http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaigeTylerAuthor/
Twitter: @PaigeTyler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2300692.Paige_Tyler

 

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