REVIEW - THE WITCH'S FAMILIAR - Grizzly fated mates

The Witch's Familiar by TJ Nichols

Date read: 17th September 2022

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: Paranormal Romance (m/m) 

Buy link: Amazon 

What a fab book! A maligned witch and an unusual familiar. 

Neither of these guys were looking for love. 

Jude just needs to get the job done to save his hide. 

Mack is not quite your average small town grizzly dude.

Friction and resentment abound.

But the Fates can be tricksy. 

There's a whole heap of danger and lust - a wonderful combo imho. Especially when there's magick thrown into the mix. And this one's all kinds of tingly!

Also, I love the beast's name. It's a genuine 'myth' but it still sounds very rude - LOL. 

A fun, sexy take on the familiar trope with a good dose of excitement. 

The first of a big series - yay! 

A solid 4.5* from me.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - WOLF AT THE DOOR - it's alright noooow

Wolf at the Door by CA Hall

Date read: 13th June 2022

My rating: 3.5*

Genre I reckon: f/f shifter romance

Buy link: Amazon 

It's Pride Month, and I realised that I've read a heap of m/m romance lately, but have neglected f/f - oops!

I really wanted to like this one more. But a couple of things held me back. 

I loved the premise; a strong, female wolf shifter with alpha potential. And both ladies had already come out, so it wasn't a story about that i.e. not cliché. Everyone around them seem supportive of their sexuality; hoorah. 

This is a story about Alison - a human. Hm, this could be problematic when a she-wolf decides Alison is her mate!

A journey of self-discovery? I think that's what I'd call it. 

The pair don't face any major challenges. There is a lack of tension, chemistry and intensity I'd expect in a shifter book. And there's only one, tame bedroom scene. However, there is a sweetness which develops between the pair, after some initial animosity.

I personally found the references to "pelt" jarring. It's what the wolves call their furry selves. However, that word is more associated with dead animals. 

It's nice. A quick, easy, sweet read. Give it a go. I may be getting fussy!

3.5* from me.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - A GROWL, A ROAR AND A PURR - a lion, a tiger, a bear; oh my!

A Growl, A Roar, And A Purr by KC Wells

Date read: 4th June 2022

My rating: 4.5*

Genre I reckon: m/m/m shifter romance

Buy link: Amazon 

I was scouting for a good male triad, and boy, did I find one?! Oh my! 

I love the slow-burn, character development of this book. The forces-style mission to release the captive is on. And it came as quite a shock to them all that fated mates really are a thing. 

Each of the three guys is individual and kickass in their own way. 

I was surprised and pleased that there wasn't a single wolf shifter mentioned. I adore the "kitties"!!

This story has everything; a dangerous mission, a great host of hilarious sidekicks and, most importantly, a soul-deep kind of love. There is a sweetness amongst the angst, and it is delicious!

I can't wait for the next one. Well, there was a cliff-hanger at the end of this one, so...(*kerching noise as I purchase book 2*).

Easy 4.5* 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - SLEEPWALK - ironically, kept me awake!

Sleepwalk by Anna Fury

Date read: 15th January 2022

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: Omegaverse

Buy link: Amazon 

A garbled, "Arrrgh!" followed by a stronger, "NOOOOO!" Then an expletive starting with f and ending in er! - and that was just me!!

Ah man, that twist punched me in the gut! Don't you love it when an author can shock you? Doesn't happen to me often these days, so I especially appreciate it. 

So, I was thrilled to see Griz and Jude finally got their own book.

I spent most of the book screaming at them, "Just talk!!" - LOL

Griz is all kinds of wonderful. A calm, measured man with Kenyan heritage. Big, strong yet compassionate. And of course, a great planner. Oh, and he cooks. (*swoons*)

Jude is all kinds of messed up. Her father is a douche! 

Watching those two desperately trying to get together yet distancing was excruciating pleasure. 

I laughed at his 'other arrangements' - fun to read a different spin on that (that's all I'm saying!).

There's also a new pack to contend with. 

And Jude's brother who's struggling to return to himself after The Task Force evilness. 

All kinds of exciting and emotional! 

I think this is my favourite in this series so far. 

I need the next one NOW! 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - CHRISTMAS ON DRAGONBACK MOUNTAIN - scorching!

Christmas on Dragonback Mountain by Kimberly Forrest

Date read: 12th December 2021

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Christmas Shifter Short m/f

Buy link: Amazon 

This is a lovely short story. But you know what? It'd be even better as a novel.

This has angst and heat, and is good. But I'd love to explore that angst more, to have more effort to overcome challenges and to see what else happens during the pregnancy. 

I like how it starts after a break up. And Kayla is fabulously feisty. 

But as a short story with a dragon shifter, it's fun anyway. 

And there's a couple of saucy scenes to set Christmas sizzling.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - The Alpha Awakens - stirring stuff!

The Alpha Awakens by Anna Fury

Date read: 21st July 2021

My rating: 3.5*
Genre I reckon: Dystopian shifter

Buy link: Amazon 

So, this book just about gets onto my blog with a 3.5* (rounding up to 4 on review sites). Let me explain...

Firstly, I did really enjoy this book. It's a very different take on the shifter genre. 

It calls itself omegaverse, but the pack are called Alphas - so by definition, there's no betas.

THE Alpha Awakens is maybe not the correct title? 

There's a virus which 'awakens' male humans. This is a vicious process, and many have died as a result. The remaining human population are living in fear, especially the women.

There's a feisty heroine, Mal, who I really like. Once she gets past her fear, she's pretty gutsy. 

And Orion is a gorgeous male - strong, dominating yet caring. I actually really like this balance in him. 

But getting back to the title, Orion lives in a pack of Alphas - every one of them. This is a new concept to me, and I'd expect that many 'top dogs' to be involved in regular fierce challenges/battles for pack leadership. 

The guys are all pretty balanced in their roles and behaviours though. Don't get me wrong; I liked this. It's just not what I expected. Alpha to me is a "there can only be one" type scenario. 

Given what happens, I thought maybe 'The' Alpha of the title would turn out to be someone else. But the alpha-est alpha remains. So many questions about this by the end!

Maybe 'The Alphas Awaken' would be better? This book delves into the initial setup of the Alphas as they transition. Or maybe change the 'Alpha' word?

All that aside, what is fab...

The banter between Orion and pretty much everyone he meets. 

A host of characters I was invested in. 

Some great steamy moments. 

Exciting action.

The developing relationship between the MCs is raw, intense and honest.

A unique story.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - Midnight Temptation & Torment - oooowwwww

Date read: 20th December 2019

My rating: 4*

Genre I reckon: Shifter Romance

Buy link (for series): Amazon
(available as ebook, audio and paperback)

Follow author on Facebook: L. Ann

Sometimes a large TBR gets in the way! I read book 1 of this series way back in January 😲
So, to make up for it, I've now read books 2 and 3 in quick succession. But then, having read book 2 I HAD to dive straight into book 3!

Can we just take a minute to admire these covers here? 😍 Awooga!!!

Let me start with a little caution: this series does contain women who have been abused. Not in great detail of what they went through, but those with a sensitivity to that may not want to read this.
And these guys, well, they're full on alphas, baby.
You've been warned!

OK, with all that out the way, let me just say I really enjoyed this series.
Each book looks at a different blokey from the trifecta.
My review of Midnight Touch (book 1) reflected on how I loved Shaun, the good guy with a bad past.

Now, in book 2, the focus shifts to Deacon. Man, that guy's an a*hole! But a lovable one 😁
He's a lone wolf...or always has been until now.
Gemma has been through a LOT! And he forces her to face her problems head on.
I love their interactions. Snark meets snarkier!
Has Deacon bitten off more than he can chew?
There's a whole heap of action; the pack are being hunted.

Then in book 3, Midnight Torment, we get to see more of Cormac. He's always seemed to distant but then he is the alpha of the Midnight Pack.
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Well, everyone should be!!
The path to true love never runs smooth, and this book has so many challenges. Can any of them survive? Will Damien ever pay for his monstrous crimes?
Long-term plans are just rising to the surface.

I'm so conscious of spoilers here.
But, what we see in each book is that if you scratch the surface of big, rough, tough guys, you get to see their inner selves. There is goodness waiting for the right woman.
And make no mistake, the women in these books are tough cookies!

But what you get with these is so much more than testosterone-fuelled hotness. Sure, there's plenty of that. However, there's a lot of healing and overcoming difficulties. The work involved is real!

The possessiveness created by the mate-link is extreme - there is nothing the guys won't do to protect their females.

If you love shifters you HAVE to read this series!

Always in love and light,

TL