Cover Reveal for Nightside: An Erie Vampire Tale by V.L. Locey (giveaway)

ADD TO GOODREADS

Release Date: October 23 2019

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Length: 50,236 words

Erie Series

An Erie Collection – Universal Link

Blurb

Being a new member of the undead sect has its ups and downs, something that newly embraced Akio Lee is finding out first hand. Being able to spend eternity with his beloved Vincente, the man who introduced him to life in the nightside, is a definite up. Having to sneak up and feed on strangers? That’s one of the downsides, and something that Akio is finding difficult to swallow. But what other option is there for a recently wed vampire couple who need blood to survive?

Finding a new donor perhaps? One who comes into the lifestyle willingly, as Akio had done, and is open to the unique and sensual relationship that develops when three men have a blood bond. A man who can exist in both the nightside and the dayside worlds. A man like Dalton Briggs, the tall, dark, and handsome caretaker of the manse Akio and Vincente now call home? Dalton seems to tick every box Akio and Vincente have: he’s comfortable around vampires, he’s obviously into men, he’s drop dead gorgeous, and he’s human. But will the outgoing handyman be willing to offer two vampires his vein, his body, his heart?

USA Today Bestselling Author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.

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A Stella Review: Gentleman Wolf (Capital Wolves Duet #1) by Joanna Chambers

RATING 4,5 out of 5 stars

An elegant werewolf in Edinburgh…

1788. When Lindsay Somerville, the most elegant werewolf in Paris, learns that the man who held him in abject captivity for decades is on his way to France, intent on recapturing him, he knows he must leave the Continent for his own safety. Lindsay cannot take the risk of being recaptured—he may have been free for a century but he can still feel the ghost of his old chains under his fine clothes.

… on a mission…

While he’s in Edinburgh, Lindsay has been tasked with acquiring the “Naismith Papers”, the writings of a long-dead witchfinder. It should be a straightforward mission—all Lindsay has to do is charm an elderly book collector, Hector Cruikshank. But Cruikshank may not be all he seems, and there are others who want the papers.

… meets his match

As if that were not enough, while tracking down the Naismith Papers, Lindsay meets stubborn architect Drew Nicol. Although the attraction between them is intense, Nicol seems frustratingly determined to resist Lindsay’s advances. Somehow though, Lindsay can’t seem to accept Nicol’s rejection. Is he just moonstruck, or is Nicol bonded to him in ways he doesn’t yet understand?

Note: this is the first book of a duology – the story continues and will complete in the second book, Master Wolf.

How could I have resisted when I saw this new release from Joanna Chambers? Not just an historical, but a paranormal too with werewolves. I was over the moon and I wasn’t disappointed at all. Apart from a little particular, the novel ends with a cliffhanger, which I’m not a fan, at all. In this case, it’s a one more reason I can’t wait for the next installment in the duology.

I was gone for Lindsay from the beginning, sure the first pages weren’t easy to read but later I found myself in a beautiful world enlightened by this eccentric, loyal and lovely person Lindsay is. I followed him through his journey to Edinburgh and there I saw seeing him be so bewitched with Nicol. I learnt how much they both suffered in the past, in different ways, how much they were still linked to that past, especially Nicol, who’s still too deep in grief and guilt.

The story is full of surprises, I wasn’t waiting for the twist at the end (didn’t see it in the least), and I wasn’t expecting Nicol to be so firm in resist Lindsay and his obvious interest and so much more for the sombre human. I can’t wait to know how their relationship will develop.

When it comes to historicals, this author is a guarantee, although I hugely prefer contemporary stories, I’m always so happy to make an exception for her, the writing style is perfect, the plot and the characters so interesting, each time I end with a full heart and a stupid smile on my mouth.

The cover art by Felix d’Eon is different and cute, I like the style and the frame.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 216 pages

Published August 26th 2019

ASIN B07VF2JWW3

Edition Language English

A Lucy Review: The Low Road by Eleanor Harkstead

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Can a lonely driver and a tragic hitchhiker cheat both time and death?

One night in the pouring rain, Alex stops on Gallows Hill to pick up a hitch-hiker. But when the hitch-hiker vanishes from the passenger seat, Alex fears for his sanity.

Then he discovers that Gallows Hill is a place filled with ghosts – smugglers, witches and highwaymen.

And a young, tragic hitch-hiker named Joe.

When Joe appears again on Gallows Hill, Alex dares to hope that they can cheat both time and death. But how can there be a future for them when Joe is trapped in a few minutes of a rainy night forty years ago?

This very short (25 pages of content) ghost story centers on Alex, a traveler on a stormy night who picks up a drenched hitchhiker named Joe. Joe is friendly, flirty and very grateful for the ride. He is heading to a party with his friends in town and Alex is happy to help out. When they shake hands, “Alex tried not to wince at the iciness of Joe’s grip”, and turns the heat on for him. It is only when he turns to talk to Joe and discovers he has suddenly disappeared that Alex begins to question his own sanity. Alex lost his father a year ago and decides it has something to do with that. He will find a counselor and also figures that since he can’t find a boyfriend, his mind has conjured one up.

On returning to the same road, Alex picks up Joe again and again. Each time they share a little more information about each other and Alex is falling a bit. With a ghost, how can this happen? He doesn’t know and he tries to find out who the sweet, tragic Joe was. I loved the use of the library for research, since today almost everyone uses the Internet instead. Alex finds the information he is looking for, but what to do about it? It’s like Groundhog Day for Joe, reliving (so to speak) the same short journey over and over again.

The story is very short but I felt it was developed enough to give some depth to the characters, particularly Alex, and I liked the ending, as well as the little twist. This probably won’t be everyone’s cuppa tea, mainly due to the length, but it was a super quick interesting ghostly romance. This was my first time reading Eleanor Harkstead, the author, and I will be trying another of her books.

The cover, showing Alex in his suit, was pretty but didn’t fit the story in my opinion.

Sales Links: Pride Publishing | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 45 pages
Expected publication: October 15th 2019 by Pride Publishing
ISBN139781913186357
Edition Language English
URL https://www.firstforromance.com/book/the-low-road

Check Out the Review Tour and Giveaway for Gentleman Wolf (Capital Wolves Duet #1) by Joanna Chambers

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Length: 216 pages

Cover Design: Felix d’Eon

Blurb

An elegant werewolf in Edinburgh…

1788. When Lindsay Somerville, the most elegant werewolf in Paris, learns that the man who held him in abject captivity for decades is on his way to France, intent on recapturing him, he knows he must leave the Continent for his own safety. Lindsay cannot take the risk of being recaptured—he may have been free for a century but he can still feel the ghost of his old chains under his fine clothes.

… on a mission…

While he’s in Edinburgh, Lindsay has been tasked with acquiring the “Naismith Papers”, the writings of a long-dead witchfinder. It should be a straightforward mission—all Lindsay has to do is charm an elderly book collector, Hector Cruikshank. But Cruikshank may not be all he seems, and there are others who want the papers.

… meets his match

As if that were not enough, while tracking down the Naismith Papers, Lindsay meets stubborn architect Drew Nicol. Although the attraction between them is intense, Nicol seems frustratingly determined to resist Lindsay’s advances. Somehow though, Lindsay can’t seem to accept Nicol’s rejection. Is he just moonstruck, or is Nicol bonded to him in ways he doesn’t yet understand?

Note: this is the first book of a duology – the story continues and will complete in the second book, Master Wolf.

Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review here. We highly recommend it.

About The Author

Joanna Chambers always wanted to write. She spent over 20 years staring at blank sheets of paper and despairing of ever writing a single word. In between staring at blank sheets of paper, she studied law, met her husband and had two children. Whilst nursing her first child, she rediscovered her love of romance and found her muse. Joanna lives in Scotland with her family and finds time to write by eschewing sleep and popular culture.

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Cover Reveal for T.A.D. – The Angel of Death by MD Neu (excerpt and giveaway)

M.D Neu has a new MM paranormal/alternate universe book out: T.A.D – The Angel of Death.

Tad loves bouncing around in time and watching mankind grow and change. He loves humanity and helping when he can. However, his job isn’t conducive to helping people. He’s an Angel of Death.

Doug is fun loving and a drama queen. Despite his witty exterior, he has a dark history and is prone to self-destruction. He’s also an amazing drag queen and hairstylist with big dreams.

When Tad pushes the boundaries of his duties too far, his angel wings are stripped away from him, and he is sent to New York City to live as a human. Lost and alone he ends up meeting Doug, and the two start a friendship that will shape them both and last a lifetime. But nothing is simple when you’re dealing with a former Angel of Death and a Drag Queen. Could these two cause the fabric of our world to collapse or will they manage to keep the future as it should?

NineStar Press | Goodreads

Giveaway

Giveaway:

Marvin is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this reveal and tour. Enter via Rafflecopter:

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Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d4781/?

Excerpt

Doug glanced up at the big void where the buildings once stood.

How could anyone do that? All those people, and for what? Thank God, no one I know was there. Thank goodness, Garret’s train was running late. Even from across the river, seeing the buildings fall, one minute there, the next not, awful. Not knowing if Garret was alive or dead. The not knowing was awful, and it seemed to last forever. Then getting his call when the phones were back up. It was a relief. Still, the not knowing? Horrible. How do survivors do it?

Doug shuddered. He had to look away before he started to cry again. That day. The world wasn’t the same. How could it be? Would it ever be the same again? He swiped at his eyes, keeping the tears he was trying to hold back from dropping. He caught his reflection in one of the storefront windows and fussed with his blond spiky hair.

One year.

The months right after the attack had been hell for everyone. People from all over the world sent support and offered help. But New York was moving on, as it should. They already had seven different architects offering new designs to fill the empty skyline. Mayor Giuliani was doing everything he could for the city, and there was even talk of him running for president.

Doug checked his flip phone and picked up his pace. He was running late. He shouldn’t have spent the night at Tim’s, but leaving such a sexy guy was no easy task. Not to mention they might have partied too much.

I doubt that is even possible. You can never party too much.

There was a large group of mourners, and he had to step to the side to let them pass. He took a deep cleansing breath, pushing all thoughts from his mind, and started walking again. He rushed past the families and friends heading to Ground Zero. Now he had to hustle to make it to work. He’d gotten lucky no one he was familiar with was killed. Still, every time he thought about the attack and looked up at the twin lights filling the night sky, he wanted to cry.

Monsters.

Why President Bush didn’t blow up the whole of the Middle East after the attack, Doug would never understand. Instead, the president sent troops to Afghanistan, searching for Osama bin Laden and taking out Al-Qaeda.

Just as long as they find and kill the monsters who did this to us.

Doug couldn’t help but stop again and glance up to where the twin towers once stood. He quickly wiped at his eyes. “I need to get out of here.” He moved over to the brick façade and leaned against the wall as more people passed him, heading to the memorial ceremony.

“So much suffering and for what?” Doug mumbled. He started walking again, taking a deep breath and trying to avoid the crowds. A woman in a dark jacket passed him and bumped his shoulder, causing him to step closer to an alley. She didn’t bother saying anything; however, Doug thought she said something about his size. He caught his reflection again. He hated how everything made him feel so fat. Nothing he wore looked right on him. Even the baggy pants still made him look fat and messy. He would need to start at the gym if he wanted to continue dating Tim and keep up with his partying. He frowned.

At least I have good hair.

He played with the spikes of his hair.

“It’s my fault,” a gruff voice whispered from behind him.

Doug startled and turned around, but no one was there. He glanced over to the dumpster.

Sitting there, a raggedy black man, with kinky hair in desperate need of a cut and wash, stared at him. The man had the most beautiful green eyes Doug had ever seen. The rich tones of his skin really made his eyes pop, quite possibly the unkempt man’s best feature. The man was in shambles, and tears streamed down his dirty cheeks.

The anniversary affects everyone.

“I did this,” the man groaned through his sobs. “And now I’m being punished.”

Doug wasn’t sure what to do or say. Should he walk away and get to the salon? Leave what appeared to be the crazy homeless guy alone? Could he do that now that they made eye contact? Could he do that today of all days? The man needed help. The man needed a shower and clean clothes. Perhaps, if he talked to him, that would be enough…well, the talk and ten bucks.

That’s what Shannon would do. Talk to him and give him money. Shannon was such a kind soul, and I need to be more like him, more like he was. To honor him. Just like my drag name. Maybe Miss Enshannon needs to be more. I need to be more.

Doug’s heart ached at the memories of Shannon and how wonderful he was. When he picked his drag name there was no doubt on what it would be, but to honor someone you loved had to be more than using their name.

“It’s not your fault.” He knelt close to the man, still keeping his distance just in case. “It was the work of terrorists. They killed all those people, not you.”

“I should have stopped them. I should have done more,” the dirty man moaned.

“Oh, baby, no one could have done more,” Doug offered. Some people thought the government knew about the attack beforehand and the president allowed it to happen. Doug didn’t buy it. Why anyone listened to these people was beyond him, but they did. He just wished they would shut up and crawl back under the rocks they came from. They weren’t helping anyone, and in the long run, their remarks and comments only hurt people more.

“Now, I’m being punished. They sent me here and took my wings,” the man whispered.

Was this guy a pilot? Oh, that would be awful. I bet he was supposed to fly one of the planes, and he couldn’t take it. Survivor’s guilt.

Author Bio

M.D. Neu is a queer Fiction Writer with a love for writing and travel. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley (San Jose, California) and growing up around technology, he’s always been fascinated with what could be. Specifically drawn to Science Fiction and Paranormal television and novels, M.D. Neu was inspired by the great Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas, Stephen King, Alice Walker, Alfred Hitchcock, Harvey Fierstein, Anne Rice, and Kim Stanley Robinson. An odd combination, but one that has influenced his writing.

Growing up in an accepting family as a gay man he always wondered why there were never stories reflecting who he was. Constantly surrounded by characters that only reflected heterosexual society, M.D. Neu decided he wanted to change that. So, he took to writing, wanting to tell good stories that reflected our diverse world.

When M.D. Neu isn’t writing, he works for a non-profit and travels with his biggest supporter and his harshest critic, Eric his husband of twenty plus years.

Author Website: http://www.mdneu.com

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/mdneuauthor/

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/Writer_MDNeu

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormdneu/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17206592.M_D_Neu

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-neu/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/M-D-Neu/e/B076FK1S14/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

More Sports Romances and Recommendations. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

More Sports Romances and Recommendations

Yes, its officially September and a perfect time to continue our chat about sports and sports in romances. Football and tailgating, airhorns and goals scored. Fall just speaks of sports. Among other things of course.

As I hurried to put in rows of mums, HB was commenting with a wonderful list of sports recommendations. Here they are below. This will give me a breather to find my dusty list and add to it. Where do you put some of your favorites? What heading do they fall under?

Check them all out below and leave a comment. You never know when a gift cert might pop up!

Sports Romance Story Recommendations by Sport

From our reader, HB:

I haven’t read too many sports books but what I can remember seeing and have read in each category are:

Rugby/Soccer.
Ten in the Bin by N.R. Walker
Offside by Ryan Loveless
Ravages by R.A. Padmos
Glasgow Lads series by Avery Cockburn
Pull Me Under by Zarah Detand
Hunted by Liz Powell
More Than the Ball by Brandon Redstone
Balls and Strikes by Sean Michael

Ice Sports:
Frozen Hearts by Teegan Loy
Power Play by J.M. Snyder
The Magic Broom by Teegan Loy
See the Light by Cassandra Carr
Seattle Marauders 1-2 by Riley Shane
Blue Line Hockey 1-9 by Stephani Hecht
Home Ice by Kate Sherwood
How To Quit Playing Hockey by Isa K.
Him 1-2 by Sarina Bowen
Heart in Hand by salifiable
Straight Shooter by Heidi Belleau
Training Season by Leta Blake
Breathing Snow by Dev Bentham
Cold War by Keira Andrews
Winging It by Ashlyn Kane
Crashing the Net by Samantha Wayland
Home and Away by Samantha Wayland
Different Dynamics by Tamir Drake (A/B/O)
City Boy by A.E. Wasp

Noah by Ben Ryder
Enforcing Emory by Mickie B. Ashling

Rodeo:
Bully for You by Catt Ford
Bullheaded by Catt Ford
A Wild Ride by Andrew Grey
After the Sunset (Timing 2) by Mary Calmes
Home of His Own by T.A. Chase

Equestrian (Polo,Jumping, Racing, Dressage):
Polo series by Mickie B. Ashling is the only one I know of and you’ve already mentioned,
Force of Law by Jez Morrow has a small polo scene written in too but is not a sports romance.
One Step Forward by Tia Fielding

Water Sports:
My Hero 1-2 by Max Vos
Riding the Board by Cate Ashwood
Heels Over Head by Elyse Springer
Slow Bloom by Anah Crow and Dianne Fox
Aquamarine by Sara Bell
Stroke! by M.J. O’Shea
Rocking the Boat by Christopher Koehler
Synchronicity by Keira Andrews
Making It by Louis Stevens

Baseball/Football American NFL:
A Perfect Game by Reno MacLeod and Jaye Valentine
Deep in the Count by Madison Parker
Four Corners by Kate McMurray
Caught Running by Madeleine Urban
Out in the Field by Kate McMurray
Grand Slam by J.T. Cheyanne
Bromosexual by Daryl Banner
Caught Looking by Kathleen Lee
Southern Scrimmage series (book 1-6) by Mercy Celeste
Playing for Keeps by Lexi Ander
Safety Net by Keiko Kirin
Quarterback Sneak by Pepper Espinoza
Man-to-Man Coverage Series by Nico Jaye (free)
Long Pass Chronicles series by Tara Lain
Horizons by Mickie B. Ashling
Steamroller by Mary Calmes
Fourth and Long by Michele Micheal Rakes
Given the Circumstances by Brad Vance
Sacking the Quarterback by Carol Lynne
Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg
Out of Position books by Kyell Gold
Rebound by Remi Ryan

Other:
All for the Game series by Nora Sakavic
Wrestling With Desire by D.H. Starr
Kieran & Drew by L.A. Gilbert
Superhero by Eli Easton
Match Maker by Alan Chin
The Unforgiving Minute by Sarah Granger
Prize Package by Kyle Adams
Overdrive by Ariel Tachna
Pinned by Maris Black
Pool Hall Green by Sara Bell
Fight by Kelly Wyre
The Locker Room by Amy Lane
Dance With Me by Heidi Cullinan
Heart of the Race by Mary Calmes
Exposed by Skylar M. Cates
Out of Bounds by T.A. Chase
Jock Dorm series by Bobby Michaels
Volley Balls by Tara Lain
Gearshark series by Cambria Hebert

Dumb Jock Series by Jeff Erno, covers multiple sports.
Out in College 1-3 by Lane Hayes also covers a different sport in each book.
Jock Series by Wade Kelly is another

And now for our week ahead…..

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, September 1:

Sports Romance and Recommendations
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, September 2:

Review Tour – Joanna Chambers – Gentleman Wolf
Cover Reveal Angel of Death by MD Neu
Book Blitz – Various Authors – Between The Covers
MelanieM Review:Empty Net (Scoring Chances #4) by Avon Gale
A Stella Review: Gentleman Wolf by Joanna Chambers
A Lucy Review The Low Road by Eleanor Harkstead

Tuesday, September 3:

Blog Tour Pure by JM Dabney
Blog Tour – Just Like Heaven by T.L. Bradford
A MelanieM Review: Pure (Trenton Security #4) by J.M. Dabney
A Melanie Review Just Like Heaven by T.L. Bradford
A Lila Review The Windmines of Bora Bora (Virasana Empire: Sir Yaden Book 2) by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus

Wednesday, September 4:

BLITZ Beyond Identity by Karrie Roman
Cover Reveal – Nightside: An Erie Vampire Tale – V.L. Locey
Audio Review Tour – RJ Scott – Single
A Stella Review If You’re Going Through Hell Keep Going (Mann of My Dreams #1) by Tinnean
A Free Dreamer Review: Art of Death (Lychgate #1) by Bob Appavu
A MelanieM Audio Review :Single (Single Dads #1) by R.J. Scott and Sean Crisden (Narrator)

Thursday, September 5

Release Blitz – Sam Burns – Wolf Lost
An Alisa review Him Improvement by Tanya Chris
A MelanieM Review: Dine with Me by Layla Reyne
An Alisa Review: Him Improvement by Tanya Chris
A MelanieM Review:Drama Dance (Nicky and Noah Mystery #8) by Joe Cosentino

Friday, September 6:

Release Blitz Eli Easton – Puzzle Me This
DSP PROMO Victoria Sue
Blog Tour Resonance by Neve Wilder
A Melanie Prerelease Review: Hellion (415 Ink #3) by Rhys Ford
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:In Safe Keeping (Heroes and Babies #2) by Victoria Sue

Saturday, September 7:

A MelanieM Review:Coach’s Challenge (Scoring Chances #5) by Avon Gale

Blog Post and Giveaway for Gentleman Wolf (Capital Wolves duet #1) by Joanna Chambers

Hello, and thanks for having me here to talk about my new book, Gentleman Wolf. I thought I’d talk a little bit about why I set this book in 18th century Edinburgh and why I called the book “Project Two” before it had a title…

Gentleman Wolf is the first of two historical werewolf romances featuring Lindsay Somerville and Drew Nicol (their story completes in the second book, Master Wolf).

So it’s two books about two men—and what’s more, it’s about werewolves—people who have two forms: wolf and human. It’s written in two points of view (Gentleman Wolf is all in Lindsay’s point of view. Master Wolf will be all in Drew’s). There’s classic dualism themes too: mind and matter; good and evil. All in all, there’s lots of two sidedness and that called for an appropriately two-sided setting. So of course, I thought of my own city of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is full of two-sided things.

Most obviously, Edinburgh has an Old Town and a New Town—in fact, it was around the time that Gentleman Wolf is set that the development of the New Town really began. These two aspects of the city are very different. The Old Town contains the ancient, historical parts of the city and has a distinct aesthetic, all crow-stepped gables and tall tenements. By contrast, the New Town is rational and clean with classical architecture and spacious streets and crescents.

It’s not just the physical features of the city that give Edinburgh its dual nature though. Two-sidedness is a theme that crops up in many other famous Edinburgh stories, both true and fictional. Think of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The rational scientist and the dark monster. Or Deacon Brodie—a real life man who was hanged in the same year Gentleman Wolf is set—Brodie was a respectable cabinetmaker by day and a burglar by night. Or contrast the long tradition of religious faith (John Knox, for example) and the enlightenment thinking of the late 18th century.

See why I called it Project Two?

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Length: 216 pages

Cover Design: Felix d’Eon

Blurb

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A MelanieM Review :Escape (Rebellion #1) by Annabelle Jacobs

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

This isn’t the life Cole dreamt of, but what choice does he have?

With his twenty-third birthday behind him, Cole Moreton now faces the shifter compatibility test which will decide his future. Testing positive means joining a pack and eventually taking the bite. Unfortunately, with enviable skills in self-defence and hand-to-hand combat, the kind of packs interested in him aren’t any he’d want to join.

Logan has been a member of the McKillen pack for most of his life. Pack is family and loyalty is everything, but when the shifter government turns out to be no better than the oppressive humans before them, he questions everything.

Right from their first meeting, Logan knows that a life with the McKillan pack isn’t right for Cole, but with his alpha taking a keen interest in Cole’s skills, Logan’s hands are tied. Mutual attraction builds between them, but acting on it is futile—helping Cole will put their lives at risk and an end to any future they could’ve had.

What an unexpected turn from Annabelle Jacobs! A grab you by the seat of your pants, white knuckle, hair raising ride of a shifter story but just not in keeping with the wonderful were universe the author had previously created for her Regents Park Pack series. That was a much more benign universe, shared with multiple species that had learned to coexist together.

Not here. Not in Escape (Rebellion #1) by Annabelle Jacobs. No, right from the Prologue, we are offered a bleak dystopian picture of species at war. At first we get a glimpse of the human treatment of weres under a human government, the type to trigger a war and rebellion. Then only to see the wolfshifers replaced it with exactly the same or worse structure, giving and regarding humans much the same as they themselves had been treated. Only wolf/were pack structure and culture make their domination all the worse, especially given their power and healing abilities.

The world building is simply superb. From immediately setting the tone and resentment and initially putting the reader on the wolves side, we are then flipped over and see where the results of that scene carried that man into history and the impact its still having on society and both species around him. It’s an unrelentingly grim atmosphere, the moments of levity (mostly around a pet cat) few in the beginning and gone completely thereafter.

I will tell you now if you are looking for fun and lightheartedness in your story, this novel is not for you. And while it is a love story, at the moment it’s definitely not even a romance. It’s a race for survival.

What Jacobs introduces along with her vulnerable, easy to connect to character of Cole Moreton, is a increasing feeling of dread and suspense. He feels it and we absorb it. The characters around him voice it as the date of the mandatory “testing” arrives. A Shifter draft as it were that no one escapes from unless you have the wrong stuff. Which Cole definitely does not. As the author let us learn Cole, love him and his family, she binds him further with narrative cords of chilling suspense about his future with a pack that the more we learn about the more it scares us…and him.

The one caught between? Logan, a shifter from the McKillen Pack that seems to rule London, wants Cole badly for themselves and has set Logan up at his recruiter, the one to tell Cole he can’t say no to the Pack.

And Logan has just as many facets to him as you could hope for and is almost in as ugly a position as Cole. Or maybe a worse one. Because the attraction sparks between them, one that either way can never happen. Especially as Logan knows what will happen to Cole once he is inside his pack.

And our own insides clench tighter. The suspense and tension ratchets higher, and oh, is the writing incredible.

There is no resolution here in this story. When it ends, if anything, the future for them all looks to be bleeker, grittier and uncertain. Their goals set higher. Cole and Logan know how they feel about each other but will they be together?

It’s hard to tell how the author will frame out this series. Will this couple be the main couple in each story? It’s looking like that has to be the path forward because the stakes are so high, but there are others here so deserving of their stories too. And mates.

And the journey to a new rebellion. Will it be long or short? Can I take the suspense which is already killing me now? lol

Did I have fun reading this novel? No. Did I love reading this story? Absolutely. I was caught up in the world, the characters, their flight for survival , and their cause immediately. The writing is spectacular, the characters layers, and I honestly don’t have a clue where Jacobs is going with this but I am going to follow each step of the way.

If you love shifters, suspense, and what will be an incredible love story, this is the book and I suspect the series for you.

Cover art: Natasha Snow. What a powerful cover. That is Logan in every way.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link – Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 319 pages
Published August 20th 2019
ASINB07WGYRNDH
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesRebellion #1

Review Tour for Escape (Rebellion #1) by Annabelle Jacobs

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link – Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

Length: 74,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Natasha Snow

Blurb

This isn’t the life Cole dreamt of, but what choice does he have?

With his twenty-third birthday behind him, Cole Moreton now faces the shifter compatibility test which will decide his future. Testing positive means joining a pack and eventually taking the bite. Unfortunately, with enviable skills in self-defence and hand-to-hand combat, the kind of packs interested in him aren’t any he’d want to join.

Logan has been a member of the McKillan pack for most of his life. Pack is family and loyalty is everything, but when the shifter government turns out to be no better than the oppressive humans before them, he questions everything.

Right from their first meeting, Logan knows that a life with the McKillan pack isn’t right for Cole, but with his alpha taking a keen interest in Cole’s skills, Logan’s hands are tied. Mutual attraction builds between them, but acting on it is futile—helping Cole will put their lives at risk and an end to any future they could’ve had.

Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 5 stars Review Here

Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with three rowdy children, and two cats. An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They’re usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.

Twitter – https://twitter.com/AJacobs_fiction
Website – www.annabellejacobs.com
Email – ajacobsfiction@gmail.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ajacobsfiction