Tag: A Paul B Review

A Paul B Review: For a Dragon’s Persuasion (Highland Dragons, #7) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

For A Dragon's Persuasion coverThe seventh book in the Highland Dragons series opens as Kaiser and Perth, two members of the black dragon counterintelligence caste, are trying to meet with the chieftain of the MacDuffan clan.  As they wait for the chieftain’s return the next day, Kaiser decides to get some intelligence by bedding the son of the chieftain.  Perth meanwhile, refuses the advances of Hamish, one of the MacDuffan clan’s lead warriors.  Instead, Perth decides to go to the stables to check on his horse, which has a reputation of being aggressive to people whom she does not know.

Aodhan is an apprentice to the stable master.  When Master Doohan realizes that Aodhan is more talented at handling the horses than he is, he makes Aodhan’s life miserable.  However badly Doohan treats him, Aodhan puts up with it since his father bartered his services to the stable master and feels he cannot let his family down.

When Perth gets to the stables, he sees a young man skillfully handling his horse.  As he approaches Aodhan, Perth realizes that the young man is an asda, or human compatible to mate with a dragon.  As the rules of courting asdas have recently been changing, Perth decides to try his luck in wooing the young man.  After having a late dinner with Aodhan, Perth homes his caste leader will back his claim of Aodhan as his mate.  Now he has to hope that the apprentice will accept the world of dragons.

Perth’s plans of a normal courtship are cut short when Kaiser informs him that Hamish has told the chieftain that Perth was seen near the entrance of the chieftain’s daughter’s room late last night.  Even though false, Kaiser suggests that Perth leave the area.  Not wanting to leave his potential mate with the abusive stable master, Perth convinces Aodhan to run away with him.  When Perth is forced to reveal his true form to Aodhan, the young man says dragons are only tales.  Can Perth calm Aodhan’s fears and show him that life with him would be better than the existence he now has?

While I usually enjoy the books in this series, I thought there was something missing with this one.  The romance between Perth and Aodhan was as usual for this series well done.   Readers new to the series are caught up in the author’s world building through Perth’s answers to Aodhan’s questions about dragons.  However, unlike previous books, the conflict (Hamish’s allegations) just did not seem equal to dragon fights or potential clashes between dragons and humans.  In light of the times though, Perth’s concern about Aodhan’s reputation in the clan regarding same sex couples does make sense.

The cover art by Angela Waters once again delivers.  In the foreground is young Aodhan shirtless.  In the background is Perth’s dragon.  Ms. Waters never fails to deliver gorgeous covers for this series.

Sales Links:  Extasy Books | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 78 pages
Published October 1st 2015 by eXtasy Books
ISBN139781487404796
edition language English

Series:  Highland Dragons

  • For a Dragons Touch (Highland Dragons #1)
  • For a Dragon’s Protection (Highland Dragons #2)
  • For a Dragon’s Treasure (Highland Dragons #3)
  • For a Dragon’s Protection (Highland Dragons #4)
  • For a Dragon’s Redemption (Highland Dragons #5)
  • For a Dragon’s Healing (Highland Dragons #6)
  • For a Dragon’s Persuasion (Highland Dragons #7)

A Paul B Review: Kissed by Nemesis (Kissed by an Immortal, #2) by Andi Anderson

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars  ★★★★

Kissed by Nemesis coverJared McHughes must choose between the god he just met and the wayward brother whom Jared thinks can redeem himself. His choice will affect the afterlives of all three men.

Men whom have been slighted by his twin brother are holding Jared McHughes captive. They want his brother to pay for taking their stash of drugs without paying for them. Jared knows that his time is getting short as they are beating him regularly and refusing to give him anything to eat or drink. The only thing that is keeping Jared halfway going is the figure in the corner who appears to be watching things transpire.

Nemesis is the god of vengeance. His duty is to judge humans and send them to their just reward after they have died. Lately though, he has been thinking about the relationship his brother Thanatos, the Grim Reaper, has just started. He too would like to develop such a relationship. He begins to admire what the man he is watching is putting up with. He is also shocked when said man starts to talk to him, begging him to release him from the situation he is currently in.

Nemesis explains to Jared that he is merely there as an observer and cannot interfere with the situation. When Thanatos and his mate Gregory come for Jared after he is shot, Nemesis asks the pair for some time to so that he can see what type of relationship he can build with Jared. Seeing as how Nemesis helped the pair out when they first started out, they agree.

As Jared and Nemesis spend time together, Jared realizes that it will be Nemesis’s duty to judge his brother Carey for the things he has done. He asks the god to give Carey time to straighten himself out and that he is only doing things because of the drugs. This puts Nemesis in a bind. Does he do his job and condemn Carey’s eternal soul or give in to his boyfriend and thus condemn his own? How will each man live with the circumstances of Nemesis’s decision?

I enjoyed this second book in Ms. Anderson’s Kissed by an Immortal series. We meet more of Thanatos and Nemesis’s family in this book, which I thought was missing in the first book. Again, most of the gods featured are second-generation Greek gods who are not usually the focus of many stories, besides maybe Cupid/Eros. I thought the way that Jared was torn between the two men in his life was well written and you could feel his way of thinking begin to change. Nemesis of course makes assumptions for the human, which almost cost them both in the end. I am glad that this series has resumed after a break.

The cover art by Latrisha Waters shows two shirtless men, one pressed against the other. Nemesis’s long hair is on display. It is a decent cover for the book, but nothing extraordinary.

Sales Links:  Extasy Books | All Romance (ARe) |  Amazon |  Buy It Here

Book Details

Ebook, 130 pages
Edition: English
Published: September 15, 2015 by Extasy Books
ISBN: 978-1-4874-0440-6
Series: Kissed by an Immortal

Kissed by Death (Kissed by an Immortal #1)
Kissed by Nemesis (Kissed by an Immortal #2)

A Paul B Review: Craig (Gillham Pack #3) by Catherine Lievens

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars  ★★★★

Craig coverCraig used to work for Glass Research Company as a security guard.  However, was also working for the local lion pride to rescue shifters being held by Glass.  Can he make a new life after his final rescue attempt while staying with the local wolf pack?

After his last rescue effort that brought Gillham pack alpha mate Zach home, Craig has decided to stick around the wolf pack in order to disappear from his former employers.  He has developed a special friendship with Jago, the elephant shrew shifter that was among the last of his rescues.  During a pack gathering in which the nearby lion pride is also invited, both men notice a man walking from the woods.  Craig could see himself in bed with the man if it weren’t for the cheesy moustache the man has.

Thomas is a member of the inner circle of the Gillham pack.  His pack alpha Kameron has noticed that Thomas has not been behaving normally the last few months.  To get his mind off his troubles, Kameron assigns Thomas to befriend the human Craig in order to convince the man to make the pack a permanent home.  It would not be so bad except that he gets jealous whenever Jago is hanging around Craig.  After meeting the man, Thomas realizes that Craig is his fated mate.  There are only two complications.  Craig seems to already have a boyfriend in Jago and Thomas has a wife and family.  Thomas must decide whether he wants to fight for his mate and possibly break several hearts in the process or walk away and have his broken instead.  When Thomas sees what appears to be kiss between Craig and Jago in the pack house, Thomas takes an action that answers his question.  But what will be the ramifications of it?

This is the third book in Catherine Lievens’ Gillham Pack series.  She does a nice job in bringing a minor character in the previous book and gives him the main story in the next.  Thomas must deal with his marriage that has been falling apart for a while before Craig ever shows on the scene.  He must also deal with his brother who does not understand how after years of marriage Thomas decides to mate with a man.  The scenes with Thomas’s son Eli talking to both his father and Craig are heart warming.   I am looking forward to seeing where the author takes the story.

The cover art by Latrisha Waters shows the shirtless torso of a well build man who is wearing blue jeans along with a wolf howling.  It fits the motif of other books in the series.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

Ebook, 137 pages
Edition:  English
ISBN:  978-1-4874-0404-8
Published:  August 15, 2015 by Extasy Books

Series:  Gillham Pack

  • Xavier (Gillham Pack #1)
  • Zach (Gillham Pack #2)
  • Craig (Gillham Pack #3)

A Paul B Review: Zach (Gillham Pack, #2) by Catherine Lievens

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Zach coverZach desperately wants to be with his mate Kameron.  However, his sister’s husband is forcing him to stay away or else Ella will be hurt.  Will Zach be able to help not only his sister but also himself?

Kameron has been Alpha of the Gillham pack for six months.  He has felt a pull towards fellow pack member Zach for well over a year.  The only problem is that Zach does not smell like his mate.  Disappointed that the tell tale sign is not there, Kameron still spends all the time he can with Zach.  When he decides three months into his Alpha tenure that he wants Zack as his mate despite not being fated mates, Zach disappears on him.  Hurt by his disappearance, Kameron tries to move on by leading his pack.

Having known Kameron was his mate for seven years has been hard on Zach.  He first realized that Kam was his mate when he was fourteen, too young to do anything about it.  However, in order to protect Zach from their previous Alpha Erskine, his parents obtain some pills that mask Zach scent to Kam.  After Kam has defeated Erskine in an alpha challenge, Zach’s hopes of getting together with Kam are dashed when his brother in law Stan threatens both his sister Ella and Kam if he doesn’t come live with them to take over the household chores from a pregnant Ella.

However, that does not prevent Zach from sneaking over to the alpha house to catch glimpses of his should be mate.

After Kam and his friends rescue both Zach and Ella from Stan’s house, Zach explains the whole situation to Kam.  Kam insists that the injured Zach recovers in the alpha suite.  As the two renew their friendship and move toward a relationship, Zach decides his role is to be alpha mate.  However, one of the former inner circle members who had been abusing pack members slips apprehension.  Tom goes to the alpha house to look through the office files when Zach surprises him.  Tom subdues the injured man and takes off.  When Kam returns from interrogating the prisoners they do have finds Zach gone with no sign of a struggle, he isn’t sure what happened.  Was Zach kidnapped or did he run away again like the last time?

This is the follow up to Xavier in the Gilliam Pack series.  This is a good follow up to the story that was hinted at in the last book.  The reasons for Zach being so elusive in the first book are fully explained here.  The major theme of the book is misplaced distrust of one’s mate.  Zach does not trust Kam to help him out of his situation.  Kam does not trust Zach not to run away again, which caused a delay in his rescue.  The scene stealer in this book is the elephant screw shifter that was rescued from the labs.

The cover art by Latrisha Waters shows a well-built torso with a wolf looking out in front of him.  It’s a fairly standard cover for a shifter story.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book details

Ebook, 116 pages
Edition:  English
ISBN: 978-1-4874-0387-4
Published:  July 15, 2015 by Extasy Books

Series:  Gillham Pack

  • Xavier (Gillham Pack #1)
  • Zach (Gillham Pack #2)
  • Craig (Gillham Pak #3)

A Paul B Review: The Homecoming by J. Scott Coatsworth

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars   ★★★★★

The Homecoming - cover2Aldiss Harrison’s exploration voyage back to Earth became a mission of survival even before it began.  With no hope of returning back to the planet he calls home, will Aldiss and his crew survive the planet their ancestors left over 500 years ago?

The people of Antana had abandoned Earth over 500 years ago.  The ravages of mankind on its home planet had taken their toll.  They have settled on Antara building a new society.  Aldiss Harrison is scheduled on a mission to explore what has happened to earth since their departure.  Aldiss hopes he is more successful than his grandfather, who disappeared without a word on a similar mission.

However, their mission of exploration quickly becomes one of survival as a massive solar flare takes aim at Antara.  The crew of six becomes a crew of four as two of the crewmembers had not arrived in time to launch.  Left behind was Aldiss’ ex Lorin the team archaeologist.  As the team crash-lands into Earth, they realize that their team might be even smaller as one is having trouble coming out of stasis.

Hari is a member of the Blackthorn clan of wolves.  These wolves have two forms.   Their winter form is that of wolves.  Their summer form resembles the two-legged creatures of yore.  Hari is one of the few members of his clan to shift between forms at will.  When Hari sees a streak of light across the sky followed by a loud noise, he sets out to investigate.  When he arrives, he sees an object obviously made by the two legs and a pair of eyes coming from it.  Hari alerts the pack.  Most back off but one, Neru,  goes off alone.  Hari’s mother sends him to keep track of the troublemaker.  When Hari stops the attack on the two leg (Aldiss), Hari finds that he has found his errah, his chosen mate.  Aldiss and Hari must fight dissention among the clan of wolves and make sure the remaining crew members adapt to their new home world in order for them to enjoy their new relationship.

This book clicks on just about every level.  The heartbreak Aldiss feels at the loss of not only his home planet but his ex (even though he states there is nothing romantic between them anymore) is palpable.  The hope of a new home world is quickly set back first by the crash landing and the dangers that caused but also with the troubles of Cat’s illness coming out of stasis.  Add in the inter clan squabbles about what to do with their now returned ancestors and it spells trouble.  Hari is guided not only by his mother but the keh, the spirits of his ancestors.  The two “Law & Order” type twists near the end of the book complete the upheaval.  But the feeling of hope at the end of the book makes the ride worth taking.  This author is new to me and I look forward to reading more from him.

London Burden has come up with one of the most gorgeous covers I have seen this year.  It is drawing of a winter scape, with Hari in his white wolf form, standing on a hill overlooking the crash site that Aldiss’ ship landed.  This cover should make the list of top ten for the year.

Sales Links:   Less Than Three Press | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book details

Ebook, 71 pages
Edition:  English
Published:  July 29, 2015 by Less Than Three Press
ISBN:   9781620045831

A Paul B Review: Alpha Coder (Geek Pack #1) by Kathryn Sparrow

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Alpha Coder coverWhen Liam Reed meets his very male mate who is interning at Soft Corp, his place of employment, will it add to the already high tensions that exist in his pack?

Liam Reed never wanted to be alpha. His brother Jason was groomed to take over for their father. When Jason and his family die in a single car accident, Liam agrees to take over, as the alternative, Bradley, is worse. Though Bradley never really challenges Liam directly but does everything he can to make Liam’s life miserable. When he tries to add his friend Thomas to the pack council, Bradley utters a homophobic comment under his breath just loud enough for Liam to hear. Frank, the pack beta, tells Liam that he needs to do something soon or else the pack will split apart.

Cody Jones is a student at MIT. He is the newest intern at Soft Corp. When he meets his supervisor, Liam Reed, things take a turn that neither man expects. They realize that they are mates, even though neither has had any feelings for a man before. Things are complicated on three fronts. First, Liam is dating a woman named Alice whom he has recently suggested that things were leading toward a marriage. Second, pursuing a relationship with each other is strictly against company policy and the director of human resources is fanatical about the policy. Third, they have to deal with Bradley and his friends who will not accept a gay alpha, let alone a gay member of the pack council.

I thought this first book in the new Geek Pack series was a decent novel but the amount of angst throughout the book was a bit much for my tastes. Liam is concerned he does not compare to his father or brother as alpha. Liam is worried about Alice’s feelings and whether or not she will turn them in for the office romance. Liam and Cody are concerned that Tiger Johnson, the human resource guy will figure out what is going on. They both worry about Bradley and his plans for the pack when it is known that they are now the alpha pair. Add in the fact that Cody and Thomas think that Jason and his family had help in their accident and one can go on overload quickly. I think one less subplot would have sharpened this book a bit.

The cover art by Mina Carter shows Liam and Cody shirtless with the full moon above them. They are over a keyboard that has a bullet on top of it. It is a decent cover but with a title of “Alpha Coder” I would think of something different would be in order.

Sales Links:   Loose id LLC |  All Romance (ARe)  |  Amazon |  Buy It Here

Book details
Ebook: 261 pages
ISBN: 978-1-62300-953-3
Edition: English
Published: July 2015 by Loose ID
Series: Geek Pack (first book)

A Paul Review: Pint-Sized Protector (Wolves of Stone Ridge #30) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 4 out of 5 starts    

Pint Sized Protector coverReturning home from a negotiation mission for his wolf shifter pack, Cayden Rochette smells the scent of his mate upon entering the house he shares with his brothers.  Can he convince the skittish cat shifter that his problems are behind him and to accept Cayden as his mate?

Ajax has recently been rescued from a group of scientists.  Having spent most of his life in his Andean mountain cat form trying to survive in the wild after the death of his mother, he prefers that form to his human one.  Currently staying with a wolf pack that helped attain his freedom, Ajax is waiting for the time to leave the wolves behind and return to his favorite pastime of climbing trees away from civilization.

Cayden Rochette is a negotiator for the Stone Ridge wolf pack.  He has been away talking with a local coyote pack about expanding the wolf pack’s territory.  He arrives back home and is met by his brothers.  When he goes to introduce himself to the shifter that is staying in their collective home, he realizes that the Andean mountain cat is his mate.

After Cayden convinces Ajax to shift and tells him that they are mates, Ajax has no idea what he is talking about.  However, Ajax is drawn to Cayden because of the mate pull.  Afraid that hunters might take him again, Ajax expresses his concern to Cayden.  Cayden assures him that they are on pack lands and nothing will happen to him.  However, one of the coyotes of the pack that Cayden negotiated with is not happy with the deal that he made with the coyote alpha and comes to renegotiate the terms of the deal.  When Cayden says he will deal only with the alpha, the coyote shifter promises to be back.

This is the thirtieth edition of the Wolves of Stone Ridge series.  As with a few of the books in this series, it deals with a rescued shifter who meets their mate because of their rescue.  Ajax’s innocence and naivety comes across as sweet even though it has been used before in this series.  However, Ajax does show he is not to be messed with later in the book.

The cover art by Angela Waters shows Cayden in his human form with Ajax in his mountain cat form in the background.  It is a pretty standard cover for the series.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books  | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon |  Buy It Here

Book Details

Ebook, 104 pages,
Edition:  English
ISBN:  978-1-4874-0473-1
Published:  August 1, 2015 by Extasy Books
Series:  Wolves of Stone Ridge

Find the list of all 30 books to date 

  at eXtasy Books  or at Goodreads Wolves of Stone Ridge Page

A Paul B Review: Kissed by Death (Kissed by an Immortal #1) by Andi Anderson

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Kissed by Death coverHaving fallen for an angel of death when he almost died at fourteen, Gregory awaits to see his angel again. Will he find a way to be with his man?

Fourteen year old Gregory Harris had just hit the winning home run in his baseball game. As he is rounding the bases, he notices that is having trouble breathing. Thinking he is just tired from the game he runs harder. Just before he reaches home plate, he collapses.

Thanatos is an angel of death. His duty as the Grim Reaper is to escort souls to the final reward. When he meets young Gregory, he is bewildered that the young man is not afraid of him. When Thanatos asks Gregory why his isn’t afraid, Gregory replies that he is more sad than afraid. He believes that is parents are not prepared to lose their son yet. Gregory asks the Reaper if he could have some more time with his parents. Thanatos warns Gregory that is life will not be easy. The damage to his heart is too great that there will never be a cure. He will face pain and suffering. Gregory agrees to the terms.

Seven years have passed and Gregory is on his deathbed. He sees the Reaper once again and knows his time is at an end. After saying good-bye to his parents, Gregory has one last favor of the angel of death. As his health never permitted him to have a boyfriend, he asks Thanatos to grant him one last wish. Thanatos agrees, stating that the two days for the wish’s completion, Gregory will be in a coma and then he will die at the end of that time. Gregory wishes that he be able to join Thanatos in the afterlife.

The two of them spend the next two days in a tropical paradise. After attending a party hosted by one of Thanatos’ brothers, they realize that their time is coming to an end. Will they find a way to be able to stay together forever or must they part company when Thanatos delivers Gregory into the afterlife?

While I enjoyed the story the characters really did not connect with me as other stories by author Andi Anderson have. The romance seems a bit forced. I would have preferred maybe having several interactions between their first meeting and Gregory’s eventual death. That might have put more gravitas in the relationship. This is a decent book, just not my favorite from the author.

This is a reprint from an earlier publication. The publisher has changed but the book has remained the same.

The cover art by Latrisha Waters has two young men; one leaning in to kiss the other’s neck it appears. It’s a decent cover but makes no use of one of the main character’s being the Grim Reaper.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book details
Ebook, 98 pages
ISBN: 978-14874-02998-3
Published: June 15, 2015 by Extasy Books
Edition: English
Series: Kissed by an Immortal
Kissed by Death (Kissed by an Immortal #1)

A Paul B Review: Sharing a Demon’s Bond (A Loving Nip #5) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Sharing a Demon's Bond coverPeople have been found dead with a smile on their face. Rumors of a demon being in the area have the local vampire coven nervous. When Peter Connelly, human blood donor and protectorate of the coven goes missing, the search to find him begins.

Peter Connelly has lived in a vampire coven since he was six years old. He has spent the past 20 years in the company of different paranormal species. Surely, he knows all there is to know about other beings. When he meets a sexy man in a diner, he feels an instant attraction to him. He begins to wonder if this man might be a paranormal and he might be his mate. After all, he has seen all the signs when members of the vampire coven have found the beloved.

Balthazar is a demon. He has spent the past millennium serving his master bringing him souls. After such a length of service, a demon may find his amina, his soul. He must complete his bonding within a three day period before he must wait another thousand years for the chance to find his mate. Balthazar spots Peter in a local diner. He follows Peter in the restroom. Knowing that Peter is at least aware of vampires from his smell, Balthazar informs Peter that he is his amina. He convinces Peter to offer himself and whisks him away to his cabin in the woods.
Toni Bastille has been Peter’s lover for the past 7 years. Although they are quite close, Toni knows that Peter is not his beloved. So they keep their relationship open in order to allow each of them to find their mate. When Toni realizes that Peter has not returned from his errand, he begins to worry. With the possibility of a demon on the loose, he wants to find Peter as soon as possible.

After the vampire coven has found the hideout and the three men come to an understanding as to what will happen in the future, outside forces kidnap Peter. Balthazar, who knows he must complete the bonding ceremony soon or else lose his chance forever with Peter, seeks the aid of the vampire coven. Will they find Peter in time for Balthazar to find his soul?

This is the fifth book in the Loving Nip series by Charlie Richards. This series focuses on the various vampires that have been introduced into her Stone Ridge universe. I like the introduction of demons into the series. It could give Ms Richard’s an avenue of another series within her universe. I found myself pleased that Peter has finally found his mate yet ache for Toni as he has lost his companion for the last few years through no fault of his own. I hope that Toni will soon find his own beloved to soothe his broken heart.

Carmen Waters’ cover once again strikes the right tone for the book. It shows a shirtless Peter in the foreground with what looks like Balthazar’s demon in the doorway of the local vampire coven or his cottage in the woods.

Sales Links: eXtasy Books | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book details
Ebook: 87 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4874-0437-6
Published: July 1, 2015 by Extasy Books
Edition: English

Series: A Loving Nip
• A Nip of Good Cheer (Loving Nip #1)
• A Rose for Paul’s Protector (Loving Nip #2)
• An Unforgettable Bite (Loving Nip #3)
• More than Patient (Loving Nip #4)
• Sharing a Demon’s Bond (Loving Nip #5)