Romance Book Review: Celia Kyle's Wolf's Mate

Title: Wolf’s Mate

Author: Celia Kyle

Series Connection: Shifter Rogues

Genre: Paranormal, Shifter Romance

Date of Release: August 1, 2017

Purchase Link: Amazon

Danger shouldn’t be this sexy . . .

Cougar shifter Abby Carter always plays it safe. That’s why she’s an accountant—no excitement, no danger, and no cocky alpha males. She loves her quiet life, but fate has other plans. When Abby uncovers the shady dealings of an anti-shifter organization, she’ll have to trust the too-sexy-for-her-peace-of-mind werewolf 

Declan Reed . . . or end up six feet under.

Declan Reed is starting over. After two years with Shifter Operations Command, it’s time to put his past behind him. Now Declan is the only thing standing between the gorgeous Abby and an early grave, and if he’s going to have any chance of keeping her alive, he’ll have to embrace the darkness he’s fought to keep at bay. But first he has to convince Abby that there’s no safer place in the world than the arms of a big bad werewolf.

Declan Reed is starting over. After two years with Shifter Operations Command, it’s time to put his past behind him. Now Declan is the only thing standing between the gorgeous Abby and an early grave, and if he’s going to have any chance of keeping her alive, he’ll have to embrace the darkness he’s fought to keep at bay. But first he has to convince Abby that there’s no safer place in the world than the arms of a big bad werewolf.

I'm a big fan of Celia Kyle. She has a fantastic ability to make you laugh out loud while you're reading. Many of her stories are quick reads. "Wolf's Mate" is a little different from her previous books. This one is a little more serious in nature and a little longer than some of her others. 

In Wolf's Mate the two lead characters are a little more complicated. The hero, Declan, knows that he isn't a good person and can't possibly be good enough for innocent Abby. 

Abby witnessed her parents being killed by a group that kills shifters when she was a child. When she grew up she decides to live a quiet life as an accountant. Two couldn't be more different. 

I also think she spent a little more time world building on her subject, which leaves the reader a chance to get into the characters and the story behind the characters relationship.

This is a continual series, although you could stop with just this one story, but you'll be looking forward to reading more in the end. 

Romance Book Review: Emma Alisyn's Bear's Touch

Title: Bear Touch

Series Connection: Clan Healer

Author: Emma Alisyn

Genre: Paranormal Shifter Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤  

As a healer Lea is in demand, but for all the wrong reasons as far as she’s concerned. She kept from being sold into mating by keeping her head down. Taking care of her cousin while she’s pregnant, Lea gets roped into taking a job for her cousin’s alpha mate. Now she was heading off to the middle of nowhere to help another alpha male and Lea didn’t have a good feeling about this. 

Yuri’s stepson was burned by dragon fire and being a new shifter bear, he needs to help from a healer desperately. He’s immediately attracted to Lea, but he expected that because any healer would draw his attention. He’s sure she’s too young for him and Yuri made a promise to Lea’s alpha to protector and not try to mate her. 

Quickly Yuri is fighting his attraction and trying to protect Lea from not only from dragons but also from himself. 

Lea is having a hard time keeping away from Yuri. He’s not what she wants, but is he just what she needs?

This is a part one to a three part story, but if you just want to read the first story it can stand alone. Good world building for a first book, but apparently reading further brings up a whole more info about the new world that Lea has moved into. 

Yuri and Lea are good characters. They work together and keep the reader interested and rooting for them. 

Interesting note: This is re-write story from the author’s pen name as a gay romance, so if you feel you read this story before, you may have. The author re-wrote and publish this book under her regular name. She’s decided to stop writing gay romance and move to more MF stories. 

Description:

A Healer who can kill with a Touch. An Alpha Bear determined to save his son. Will they clash- or will they accept their bond?

Brilliant, skittish Lea spent years downplaying her power as a Healer. She doesn't want to bond to an Alpha, doesn't want to lose control of her life, or her gift. But when called upon by the Territory ruler to do something useful with her gift, Lea reluctantly travels to a strange Clan in order to heal a dangerously injured young Bear.

Alpha Yurii promises he won't try and bond the Healer to him. But resolve flees when he sees the snarky, curvy female for the first time. His Bear knows they were meant to be together- but Yurii can't break his word. And healing his son, Tanner, is more important than convincing a wary Healer that he is worth the risk to her heart and body.

Lea struggles to control her power, struggles to retain her independence in the face of unexpected temptation... should she trust that Yurii isn't a tyrant, but is a rare Alpha male willing to allow her autonomy? Is a fated matebond worth risking freedom- or her life? Because Yurii left out one important detail out when requesting her aid…

Fire breathing Dragons trying to take over the Clan territory.

This paranormal shifter romance is for readers who enjoy sassy, curvy heroines with major ‘tude, alpha males who leave their a**hole side at the gate, fated mates, and enough conflict to keep that thumb swiping left. 1st in a 3 part completed series, steamy love scenes and some language. Not really meant to be read as a standalone.

For a steamy, heartfelt romance, download your copy now.

Previously published under a pen name. Has been substantially revised and re-edited for the enjoyment of a new audience.

Romance Book Review: Elle Thorne's Cross

Cross: Shifters Forever Worlds 

Series Connection: Barely After Dark

Author: Elle Thorne

Genre: Paranormal Shifter, Erotic Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Ariadne is on the run from her ex and a devastating betrayal. In danger she goes to her best friend from college who sends her to Mae Forester. Mae knows just who she needs to send Ariadne to and brings her to Cross. 

Cross is part of a special military shifter group, who is taking a break from his normal life. He's on his home turf when Mae brings Ariadne to Cross to protect. The minute Cross meets Ariadne his bear tells him she's his mate. Cross isn't sure he wants a mate, especially one that is human. 

It isn't long before trouble comes Cross and Ariadne's way. Can Cross get Ariadne to safety before its too late. 

This is a pretty short story that would have been interesting if it was a little longer. I enjoy the world Elle Thorne has built around Mae and her "nephews". It would be nice to have a full length novel as part of the series. 

One note, I once took a writing class which referenced naming characters and not making it a name that isn't common enough that the name doesn't just roll off the tongue. I think this is just one of those cases. 

Although Ariadne is a beautiful name, and I appreciate the use of a name from Greek mythology, is it a name that just didn't come easy to read throughout the story. 

(In Greek mythology means Ariadne is the daughter of Pasiphae and the Cretan king Minos. In Britannica.com says "She fell in love with the Athenian hero Theseus and, with a thread or glittering jewels, helped him escape the Labyrinth after he slew the Minotaur, a beast half bull and half man that Minos kept in the Labyrinth.")

Description:

Cross del Cruz is a former Compliance Enforcer with the Shifter Council. He did his duty. He enforced the Council's will around the country and even out of the country. Stress the word former, because all he wants now is to be left alone. He's been living in his cabin on Bear Canyon Mountain Range, overlooking Bear Canyon Valley and enjoying the solitude of the forest. The quiet. The simplicity. The drama free environment that doesn't involve other shifters. Not even family.  

Except now Mae Forester, who has dubbed him as one of her "nephews" has decided she needs his help. He can't turn Mae down, not when she gave him and his brothers a home during the worst days of their lives.

He didn't expect Ariadne Fueller. Who could ever expect that curvy spitfire. She flipped his world upside down.

Before meeting her, Cross never would have called his existence lonely--until he met her.

If hot sex skeeves you out, you may want to pass on this book.

If freaky, downright dirty sexy talk bothers you, yeah, for sure you gotta pass on this one.

We believe in sex--hot, dirty, delicious sex.

Yup, make it sweaty, too. It's not just sex, it's about the romance.

But good romance has sex, and we keep the doors open! Oh, and the lights on! ;)

Romance Book Review: Elle Thorne's Cross

Cross: Shifters Forever Worlds 

Series Connection: Barely After Dark

Author: Elle Thorne

Genre: Paranormal Shifter, Erotic Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Ariadne is on the run from her ex and a devastating betrayal. In danger she goes to her best friend from college who sends her to Mae Forester. Mae knows just who she needs to send Ariadne to and brings her to Cross. 

Cross is part of a special military shifter group, who is taking a break from his normal life. He's on his home turf when Mae brings Ariadne to Cross to protect. The minute Cross meets Ariadne his bear tells him she's his mate. Cross isn't sure he wants a mate, especially one that is human. 

It isn't long before trouble comes Cross and Ariadne's way. Can Cross get Ariadne to safety before its too late. 

This is a pretty short story that would have been interesting if it was a little longer. I enjoy the world Elle Thorne has built around Mae and her "nephews". It would be nice to have a full length novel as part of the series. 

One note, I once took a writing class which referenced naming characters and not making it a name that isn't common enough that the name doesn't just roll off the tongue. I think this is just one of those cases. 

Although Ariadne is a beautiful name, and I appreciate the use of a name from Greek mythology, is it a name that just didn't come easy to read throughout the story. 

(In Greek mythology means Ariadne is the daughter of Pasiphae and the Cretan king Minos. In Britannica.com says "She fell in love with the Athenian hero Theseus and, with a thread or glittering jewels, helped him escape the Labyrinth after he slew the Minotaur, a beast half bull and half man that Minos kept in the Labyrinth.")

Description:

Cross del Cruz is a former Compliance Enforcer with the Shifter Council. He did his duty. He enforced the Council's will around the country and even out of the country. Stress the word former, because all he wants now is to be left alone. He's been living in his cabin on Bear Canyon Mountain Range, overlooking Bear Canyon Valley and enjoying the solitude of the forest. The quiet. The simplicity. The drama free environment that doesn't involve other shifters. Not even family.  

Except now Mae Forester, who has dubbed him as one of her "nephews" has decided she needs his help. He can't turn Mae down, not when she gave him and his brothers a home during the worst days of their lives.

He didn't expect Ariadne Fueller. Who could ever expect that curvy spitfire. She flipped his world upside down.

Before meeting her, Cross never would have called his existence lonely--until he met her.

If hot sex skeeves you out, you may want to pass on this book.

If freaky, downright dirty sexy talk bothers you, yeah, for sure you gotta pass on this one.

We believe in sex--hot, dirty, delicious sex.

Yup, make it sweaty, too. It's not just sex, it's about the romance.

But good romance has sex, and we keep the doors open! Oh, and the lights on! ;)

Romance Book Review: Alyse Zaftig's An Heir for the Billionaire Werebears

Author: Alyse Zaftig

ASIN: B014AMJXGK

Genre: BBW Romance, Paranormal Shifter Romance, Erotic Romance, Menage Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon

Down on her luck to the point of being evicted from her apartment and no money to continue school, Zeva meets a twin brothers with a proposition that could help her, all she has to do is move in with them and have their child. 

Not something you hear everyday, but Zeva takes them up on their offer.

This could be a good story with a little extra work, but it seemed a little abrupt and was written "tell" a story instead of "showing" it. That's just fine for some people, but I would have liked a little more description of the characters and would have loved for Zeva to ask a few more questions before jumping into a situation before she knew what these two "werebears" was. 

That being said the story had a lot of potential. There was a good strong base for erotic romance, good scenes in that respect and the overall story theme worked well. 

For the most part it was a good, short read with a lot of fun loving. 

Description:

A curvy girl down on her luck + two billionaire bear shifters + one evil cousin = a thrilling, steamy ride! 

When Zeva leaves her school heartbroken because she can't afford to be in college any more, she runs into a complete stranger. She has no clue that Asher is about to change her life. 

Asher and Xavier are the heads of the local sleuth of bears. They have to produce an heir within the next two years or lose it all. 

Can Zeva help them, or will Asher and Xavier's evil cousin ruin everything in his quest for power? 

Note: If you have ever had a miscarriage, please note that the story does include one.

Romance Book Review: Brynna Curry's Claiming Ana

Author: Brynna Curry

Series Connection: Triple Star Ranch

ISBN: 9781616502874

Genre: Romance, Erotic, Paranormal, Shifter

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase Link: Lyrical Press | Brynna Curry

The first book in a new series, adds mystery and paranormal. The Triple Star Ranch owner has been killed and since one of his sons is the local police chief, they sons have been ordered to keep their nose out of the investigation. The investigation is moving too slow, so the brothers higher their own Private Investigator, Howl Raven. 

Giving his report at the local diner, Howl meets Dr. Anastasia Brannon and realizes right away that the veterinarian is his mate. The wolf that lives inside him is just as attracted to the young doctor as he human half is. 

Howl is a cursed werewolf and always makes it to his basement where he chains himself to make sure that he doesn't hurt anyone, that is until this one night when the change comes before the full moon. When the wolf escapes the basement he is shot by the hunter that has been after him. Now all he can think of is to get to Ana before the silver kills him.

Ana is just as attracted to Howl as he is to her. She has just as many secrets of her own. Can Ana's gypsy magic help Howl deal with his curse. 

Interesting intro to the series. So far there doesn't appear to be any other paranormals we've been introduced to so far. I'd be interested in reading further to see how the stories move on, although this book didn't jump out and grab me.

Description: 

The child of a gypsy and fey, small-town veterinarian Dr. Anastasia Brannon has always hidden her magic for fear of ridicule. A red-hot encounter with the new PI in town makes their attraction impossible to deny. Throwing caution to the wind, she indulges her desires but keeps her secrets close.

A man with a shady past and secrets of his own, Howl Raven uses his feral talents and tracking skills to make a living, doing his best to lay low and hide the curse that haunts him every month. So far, so good…until an uncontrollable shift outside the full moon leaves him the victim of a werewolf hunter.

When she finds the enigmatic investigator wounded in the woods near her cabin during a storm, Ana provides medical care on instinct. She may be the only one who can banish the wolf from Howl’s blood, but at what cost?

CONTENT WARNING: Contains a brief, mostly off-page, violent scene which may disturb some readers. Violence, strong language and graphic love scenes.

Romance Book Review: Sara Humphreys' Untouched

Author: Sara Humphreys
Series Connection: Amoveo Legacy
ISBN: 978-1402258466
Genre: Paranormal romance/ Shifter
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


All her life Kerry has felt nothing but pain any time some on touched her. All except her best friend Samantha. Now worried for her safety her friends decide she needs a bodyguard. Now she has found a second person that she can touch without being hurt. As a matter of fact not only does it not hurt, but his touch is seductive and filled with possibility. 


Dante has known that he had finally found his mate the first time he saw Kerry. A fox shifter as part of the Amoveo, Dante was pleased when he learned he had finally met his match. Unfortunately she doesn't know anything his people or that she is also part Amoveo herself. Now as the danger heats up will the two come together to with their friends to save the day.

Good series featuring well formed characters. I liked Kerry in her role as a large size model and I'm always a sucker for a big red head who turns into a red fox. 


Description:
She should be seen, but never touched... Kerry Smithson’s modeling career ensures that she will be admired from afar, which is essential since mere human touch sparks blinding pain and terrifying visions.