Audiobook Review: The Gryphon King's Consort by Jenn Burke

Love takes flight.

The sudden death of the Gryphon King throws the kingdom of Mythos into uncertainty, and Crown Prince Luca rushes both his coronation and an arranged marriage to a man he’s never met. Eirian is young and idealistic, and while they both want what’s best for their people, their philosophies couldn’t be more different. While Luca believes in honoring tradition, Eirian is determined to infuse modern values into their kingdom of magical creatures. When given the choice between loyalty to his husband and his own crusade, Eirian makes a decision that might doom their marriage.

Still, Luca is committed to making their union work, and that means forgiving his brash consort. But when Eirian becomes the target of a deadly conspiracy, Luca must act fast—or forever lose the chance to explore their burgeoning love.

Narrated by: Andrew McFerrin
Listening Length: 5 hours and 51 minutes

My rating doesn’t accurately reflect my love for the narrator. This is my first listen by him and I’ve already added more of his narrated stories to my Audible wishlist. He does a great job of emoting sincerity realistically and all his characters were distinctive.

The story itself intrigued me. Gryphons? Kings? Consorts? Yes, please! I liked the premise that humans and mythos coexisted. The world was an interesting one, I just felt that the politics of it all overshadowed the relationship between Luca and Eirian. The two are from two different political factions, Luca is a traditionalist and Eirian is a modernist, so they had a lot of fuel for banter. And banter they did, but it was all contentious and political.

It was obvious the two of them were forming a bond and were attracted to each other. They had a foundation to build from, I just had a little trouble reconciling their horny selves with their public political personas. I really liked when the two of them were letting their guards down, I could see how they’d be good together. I especially loved Eirian’s voice in these moments, his dialog was a treat to listen to.

But, then some kind of political thingy would happen and they’d get dragged away from happy times and end up arguing. The conversation would start rationally but end up going off the rails. Eirian was incredibly passionate about his modernist ideas and Luca’s thoughts were steeped in tradition, clashing was inevitable, but even when they seemed to agree, they didn’t and Eirian would stay his original course regardless of what the agreement he and Luca had come to. Luca would get righteously pissed and they’d take many steps back.

There was obligatory drama at the end that brought them together for keeps and I should have been happier for them than I was. I could just see more arguing in their future. If there had been some additional resolution to their political differences it would have been easier for me to believe. It was paid some lip service with inner dialog in the heat of the moment but I needed some of the resolution to play out in a few situations to believe it long term.

I loved the ending though. The author had a creative way to strengthen bonds that worked well with the crazy villain angle and with the world that had been built. If I would have had more relationship between the MC’s throughout it would have had more impact, but I still appreciated how Luca and Eirian got their HEA.

**a copy of this sudiobook was provided for an honest review**

Review: Stray by Kari Gregg

With a lycan father, a human mother, and the human side of his genetic makeup dominant, Luke left his birth pack to try living among humans, but he felt awkward and uncomfortable isolated from the culture that raised him. He’s still searching for where he fits in.

After losing his family in a vicious attack, Dean rebuilt his pack by accepting loners, rejects, other survivors, and even ferals. He and his ragtag group of strays made a warm and welcoming home.

Luke believes he’s finally found where he belongs. Meddling parents and a neighbor who isn’t as human as he seems won’t sway him. Luke wants Dean to take in one last stray...him.

Content Warning: Shifter knotting/tying, mating heats (yes, plural), and jerky!

"The human," Dean said, rubbing his cum into Luke's ass cheeks, "is mine."

I have now returned to The Gregg's Planet Fuckatron. All unicorn bot systems engaged.

If you're not familiar with The Gregg, know she writes erotica really, really well. And if non-con & dub-con are your kind of kink, she really excels in writing those kinks.

But...there is none of that in her latest, Stray. Triggers: past abuse (off page)

If I had to describe Stray in few words: softer erotica in a alternate universe/paranormal world where werewolves are known.

And KNOTTING.

Ahem, KNOTTING with lycan penis that is always hard. Did I just hear simultaneous grunts through the screen?

Set in Maryland, Luke is a thirty-six year old human/lycan hybrid accountant who is short, a little paunchy in the middle area and tired of fitting in the human world. He checked out a local pack known for taking in strays and he wants to be their latest one. Luke has hangups but he bravely enters on territory he might get run off since the pack's leader has a horrific past with humans. But nature doesn't care about potential problems. You see the blurb. *leers*

Stray has good characters, the most developed were Luke and Jeremy, Luke's neighbor. The story explains a lot about werewolf society and how they survive in modern day USA. While helpful, the story came across as info dumpy in parts. And The Gregg can set up suspense and great thrillers. Stray is more about explaining the world and the other parts include a mating couple who possibly have crosses to bear.

I think the problem with this story was the plot was underdeveloped. It had potential - pack-born human who was getting over past abuse, touch starved and human enough to live in human society meets lycan who doesn't trust humans and had some of the worse crimes committed against his family and land. It could have been mega angst central. But not so. This was closer to romantic, definitely softer. It was more about courting and mating. It didn't really expand on either men getting over their baggage, or striving how to learn one another. It was more like - move in, sex, mating, done.

Strongest parts? 

The dialogue when it did finally happen in between the explanation was good, at some parts really great. The entire dialogue between Luke, his mother, and Jeremy about their sex lives? Comedic gold. I felt for Luke especially when his mother started to discuss her vagina and lube. Just...yeah. Moving on!

The world created was super interesting. Werewolves live in modern America where prejudice is heavy. There are rights on paper for anti-discrimination but it depends on the part of the country you live in to expect it actually followed. And even if it is, their rights are still tentative in a human dominated world. While on one hand the story is heavy handed with explaining just about all the history of werewolves, it also was a great idea. As usual, the world Gregg created would be a place I'd love to revisit, maybe with one of those ferals? (I won't hold my breath)

The smut was hot as hell.

"You're a skittish little thing for a pack-born human.""Nervous.""You should be nervous. Undress."

It hit my kinks: exhibitionist sex (lycans don't care where they fuck or who is there) and KNOTTING. Lots of semen, swollen holes and growling. Hot. So while the story isn't in my Gregg favorites *coughs* I, Omega, Pretty Poison, that really long title with space cats*coughs*, the erotica is worth a gander. Dean was a considerate patriarch (alpha) of his pack. And it also applied to his mate. He fucked Luke thoroughly. Put that permaboner to great use but never let his wolf behavior dictate how he treated Luke.

The ending was kinda expected, so it didn't really surprise. Usually, I'm left with wanting more at a Gregg story ending. This one it wasn't as urgent.

Still hot though.

Because KNOTTING.

And since the strongest parts were favorable, I'll go with the higher end of my 3-3.5 Hearts rating range.

Check out on Goodreads or Booklikes!

Review: Dangerous Territory by Cari Z.

With his father barely in the ground and his sister married to a scheming bastard, Carter is on the verge of losing the family ranch. His only chance at holding onto his inheritance is to get his cattle to market before his brother-in-law. That means braving Mason Canyon, which on top of being snake-infested and easily flooded, is also shifter territory. Most clans would just as soon shoot humans as look at them.

His only hope of making it is to trust the shifter who's agreed to help him, and pray that Rani won’t double-cross him. If Carter doesn't go he loses everything, and if he doesn't make it there his family is as good as dead.

Another Cari Z. winner for me! Aw yeah!

Carter is on borrowed time.

The human cowboy has to try to salvage what is left of his inheritance, thanks to his sister's recent marriage to Percy, an idiotic businessman who knows nothing about ranching. Anyone with half a brain can see what Percy is about but Carter's sister has a personality transplant and lets this d-bag run amok. Carter has to sell cattle quickly and must travel through deadly shifter territory.

In the alternate universe paranormal historical, America is broken up into territories. Humans and shifters don't get along for the most part. But Carter has to trust shifter Rani as his guide through the rough shifter terrain of Oklahoma Territory since he has no other choice. Rani has his own agenda as son of the nearest shifter tribe's chief.

I enjoyed the main characters (though I wished we got to learn more about Rani). The relationship between the men starts off slow since Rani is quiet and seems to be contemptuous. But you know the sort: quiet, scornful but underneath the sarcastic, biting exterior, lives a hot, possessive interior who notices everything. My kind of guy that shifter Rani. I was practically drooling from the moment he entered the scene. Carter is fighting his feelings for men (which even in the alternate universe is still against the law) but is drawn to the persnickety Rani. The chemistry is there. :D

I thought the premise was interesting. The kind of slow build between Rani and Carter (how slow could it be in 56 pages) I mean, they are forced on a road trip (is this a Cari Z. theme?) with a common goal of saving Carter's inheritance for about two weeks and they don't immediately jump in the sack...er...tent...erm, plain? This is an alternate historical western.

And trust Cari Z. to make it interesting as fuck. The storytelling is good. Seriously, I read about venomous snakes and didn't get creeped out. I read with bated breath for when they were going to attack or when Rani was going to attack them. Of course, Rani being an unusual shifter was an added bonus, with demon like features. *squee* I really thought the shifter set up was different and dope. Wouldn't mind returning to this world again or maybe reading a sequel *cough*hint*cough*


What I wished we could had seen? The aftermath especially to the sister and the "scheming bastard" husband, Percy. (I never liked that name, so it made it even worst for that guy). I'm a lusty sort. I like to read revenge when it's due. And for those two, it's overdue.

The story ends with a HFN walking toward the HEA if Rani has anything to do about it. I like that there are possibilities with the ending but I still wouldn't have minded a little more.

I'm greedy that way when the story holds my attention. ;)
And the entire story, how it all came together? That was the best part.

Recommended for unusual shifter lovers such as myself who enjoy biting.

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!

A copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review.

Review: Until Forever Comes (Mates #2) by Cardeno C.

A sensitive wolf shifter and a vicious vampire challenge history, greed, and the very fabric of their beings in order to stay together until forever comes.

Plagued by pain and weakness all his life, Ethan Abbatt is a wolf shifter who can’t shift. Hoping to find an honorable death by joining his pack mates in a vampire attack, Ethan instead learns two things: draining his blood releases his pain and his wolf, and he has a true mate—a vampire named Miguel.

Over four centuries old, strong, powerful, and vicious, Miguel Rodriguez walks through life as a shadow, without happiness or affection. When a young shifter tells Miguel they're true mates, destined to be together, Miguel sends him away. But Ethan is persistent and being with him comes so naturally that Miguel can't resist for long. Their challenge is staying alive so they can be together until forever comes.

Miguel and Ethan were sweet and loving. I adored them together.

Ethan was a shifter who's unable to shift. When he and his pack go to attack vampires, he's drained of some blood, which miraculously helped him shift.  During this attack, he also meets Miguel, who also happened to be Ethan's mate.

Miguel was intrigued by Ethan, but a Mate? Um, no. But he found the shifter irresistible and gave into his urges.

The blood! There was so much blood. And sexiness, of course.

Vampires and shifters did not mate. They don't even like each other, so two mating was unheard of. I really liked the dynamics of their mating and how their bodies responded naturally to each other. Ethan's body produced all the blood Miguel needed to survive and he didn't have to feed from anyone else. In turn, the feeding helped Ethan to shift, when he never was able to before.

Ethan was the cutest thing and I adored him. I just want to put him in my pocket and keep him forever. He was sweet, but stood his ground with Miguel and his insistence on their mating. Miguel tried to stop it, but he couldn't deny the pull or his possessiveness.

The "bad guy" thing... eehh... made me roll my eyes a bit. Mostly, I didn't really get that Miguel was this big bad vampire. He's supposedly really strong and other vampires are scared of him, but I didn't get that feeling.

Until Forever Comes is an easy, relaxing read, and fans of PNR and Cardeno C will  for sure enjoy this. 

 A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Shift in Time (Out of Time, #1) by Mercy Celeste

True love’s first kiss will not break a curse.
 
Everyone knows that. Even a Normal like Morgan Monstros knows that. But Fane Llewellyn isn’t everyone. He’s like no one Morgan has ever met.

Small, fragile and fierce, Fane doesn’t remember who he is or where he came from. He remembers pain and loneliness. Decades of pain and loneliness. And Morgan Monstros. He could never forget Gan. Gan was his from the day he came to the island. And Fane would fight to the death to keep Morgan safe. Even if he has to fight the whole world to do it.

Take one powerless witch, a sassy Siamese familiar, a panther shifter with amnesia, a meddling wolf clan, and a coven of witches hell bent on war, swirl all together and you get the perfect spell for all out mayhem…..oh yeah and there’s chocolate cake too.

Before reading: Mercy Celeste? Cat Shifters?

It's going down!

After reading: As a Mercy Celeste fan, I can say this is one of the lightest stories I've read from her. Not saying it's bad or good. It was different. When I see a Mercy Celeste story, I know to expect hot, Southern men who love hard and scorching sexy times.

This book, set in Alabama and Florida, most definitely delivered that. Morgan Monstros is a normal in a family of witches. (Think Muggle to Wizards (hey HP fans)) He's in the closet and a virgin, running his family's bed & breakfast on an island in Alabama. His sister leaves her Siamese cat, Starbuck in his care while she returned to the mainland. The cat seems to claim Morgan and has a secret. Morgan and the cat, Starbuck aka Fane Llewellyn have a connection. Through magic, Fane returns to his human form. Both men are fated mates - they face angry family members, witches council and discover Fane's past life before he was turned into a cat.

Human Fane was funny in the first half of the book. I didn't care for the cat speak to be honest but it led credence to Fane's character and the way he was written. His possessiveness of Morgan was a nice touch. And he was supposed to look like jailbait in human form (don't worry about his age - he's legal), so when Fane got Alpha lover on Morgan, it made the scenes more interesting in my head as I read. An Alpha twink? Different. I do like the Civil War angle, anything to do with real historical events always catches my interest. (It was tamer in description than the actual war)

I think Morgan helping Fane acclimate to present day was my favorite, even over the shifter and sex parts. I enjoyed the Llewellyn family reuniting especially the brothers, Falyn and Fane.

Morgan and Fane were a hot couple, sometimes their affection was laid on thick but the sentiment is nice. The story is good. If you like cat shifter stories that are low angst, sassy and dosed with insta-love (paranormal fated mates get a pass for me), you might want to check it out. I prefer Mercy Celeste's contemporary over her paranormal it seems. This was my second paranormal romance I've read from this author.

Great ideas can be found in her paranormal - a Siamese cat shifter who comes from a family of werewolves? Different.  A witch who is ordinary from a family of extraordinary? Cool. The first half stronger than the second half for sure. Once the pair gets to Florida, the focus isn't as sharp as in the first half. More plot lines get introduced, some get lost in the wind.

A few items from the story that wasn't as strong or unclear:

Laurel - villain or not? She's Morgan's homophobic sister who hates magic, seems to be plotting with the evil witch and then she fell off to the wayside. And was forgotten.

Falyn's attraction to Morgan? I won't lie - I was hoping it'd turn into a threesome, a permanent one. Fane's brother started to desire Morgan, he went from homophobe to lusting after a man and not any man, his brother's man. And then it too went off into wayside.

Fane's youthful appearance was explained (mostly) but nothing was discussed as to why he received a new eye and hair color. And the biggest question of them all, how was he able to turn into a cat from his original shifter shape in the first place? The ending made it seem that he could choose any shape so what happened to his original one?

The last 15% - It got a little sloppy with trying to connect the dots with the plot twists. The effect wasn't a big moment which I usually get from this author. The villain had an agenda - what happened with the progeny? Some ideas were introduced and then kind of dropped. The epilogue didn't make much of an impact either - the ghost bit was a little late to the party. When the story focused on just Fane and Morgan without the family members, witches and drama, Shift in Time read great. It ends with a sappy HEA and no cliffhanger.

If the future pairing for the next story is who I think it is, I'm definitely down for reading #2.

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!

Series Review: Chronicles of the Shifter Directive by Scarlet Hyacinth

Hundreds of years ago, werewolves and vampires started a war that nearly wiped out all of humankind. They lost, and to pay for their crimes, they became the slaves of the draechen, trapped by the provisions of the new Shifter Directive.


 

 



 So, I am sitting here one day in between books and I think to myself, “I wanna read some fluff.  Some shifter fluff.  Yeah, with mpreg!”.  I search around for a bit until I come across Scarlet Hyacinth.  Now, I’ve already read her entire Mate or Meal series so I know what I’m in for.  I decide to check out her other works.  I see Werewolf’s Way and think, “why not?”.  I settle down for a nice, light, fluffy afternoon read.

Boy, was I wrong!

This series was an epic, and I do mean EPIC, story.  I should have known.  I mean, the cover of each book clearly states “Epic Romance” but I didn’t pay it any attention.  I just wanted my fluff.  Yes, it had shifters.  Yes, it had mpreg and matings and claimings and all the stuff I was looking for.  But that’s not all I got.  I also got action and adventure and intrigue.  I got a mystery with convoluted plot lines.  I got the whole gamut of emotions.  I got stories within stories within stories.  And let me just tell you; there was not a single plot hole anywhere to be found.  I was not prepared to be sucked into this series like I was.  As soon as I finished one book I was immediately purchasing the next (at full price no less).  I hungered for these books.

In the first book, Werewolf’s Way, we meet Caelyn, a sprite and Graham, his werewolf mate.  Theirs is a forbidden love and we see their flight to freedom.  Do they make it?  Do they stay together or are they ripped apart by the evil Draechen?

The second book, Draechen’s Mate is about Prince Karien of the Draechen (dragons) and his arranged marriage to Prince Sari of the fae.  In this book we get to see that the Draechen may not be so evil after all.  Well, at least some of them aren’t.

The third book, Warrior’s Dream, is about Kael and Tali.  They are the stuff of legends and we finally get to learn all about the Great Sacrifice.  You have to pay attention with this one because it is the reason behind the entire story arc.

Book four, Naga’s Concubine,  introduces us to Lieutenant Sage of the Draechen and Prince Camden of the Naga.  Here we learn more about the ins and outs of the Shifter Directive and why it needs to be abolished.

Book five,  Emperor’s Consort, is about Hareem and Taryn.  This story plays a pivotal role in the overall arc.  This is also one of my favorites.  Taryn will always hold a special place in my heart.

In book six, Fire’s Embrace, we get to experience the love between Alwyn and Rachen.  We also get to experience one of the most tender and passionate love scenes I have ever read.  I thought my heart would burst from reading it.  This book also ends on a MAJOR cliffhanger. 

Each of these stories was closely interwoven with the others.  All of the main characters and most of the secondary ones are in every book.  The plot is intricate and full of red herrings.  It kept my attention throughout.

But wait!  What about the seventh and final book? 

Book seven, From the Ashes, took every storyline in all the previous books, stuffed them in a jar, shook them up and dumped them on their heads.  At first I didn’t know my up from down, my right from left, my backward from forward.  Everything I learned was gone; all the truths were now lies.  I felt a pang of loss so great that it was a physical thing.  I grieved for these characters and what they were put through.  I still haven’t completely recovered from this book.

Overall, this series was beautifully written.  Scarlet Hyacinth has a way of describing scenes to where you can’t help but feel like you’re there in the story even if there’s no way it could be real.  Her words when expressing how a character feels are almost like poetry.  My heartstrings were not just tugged - they were yanked on.  You can really tell a great deal of thought was put into this series.  It was so detailed, so intricate and absolutely nothing was left out. 

So, while I may not have gotten what I was originally searching for I am delighted at what I discovered.  If you like shifters, claimings and matings, you should check out this series.  If you like fantasy with fae and magic, you should check out this series.  If you like an epic story filled with action and intrigue and mystery, you need to read this series.  If you like paranormal romance, read this.  I certainly will read this again and again.  Just make sure you set aside enough time to read the whole thing because, seriously, it will suck you in and not let go until the end.

Review: An Unauthorized Field Guide to the Hunt by Kari Gregg

On Mariket, the strongest competitors win...by losing.

Narone native and former heir of Class II shipbuilder Denbo-West Industries, Shane West surrendered his perilous birthright to compete in the Hunt and tried his luck with the lusty cats of Mariket. Shane’s mastery of survival craft in the untamed forest made him an early favorite among gamblers, fans, and arena officials. When he lured a cat into an arousing chase the first night, mating with Lore to become the season’s first victor seemed guaranteed.

Then news from Arena 4 slowed to a trickle. Rumors emerged about cats who’d gone feral as well as shocking breaches in security. Unconfirmed reports of assassins and rogue predators circulated before offworld communications screeched to a halt.

In this unprecedented glimpse inside the arena, Shane peels back the veil of secrecy. What does it take to tempt a sexy cat? How does being marked as prey by a feline lover feel? Experience the wanton pleasures of the heat with Shane and his mysterious mate—and discover which of last season’s scandalous rumors are true.

Run, pounce, fuck.

Mate?

Welcome to the Hunt.

"Life. Fear. Sex. In the arena, everything is confusing and surreal. Whatever you think you know is wrong." ~ Shane West

Kari Gregg's "An Unauthorized Field Guide for the Hunt" is a sci-fi cat shifter/alien clusterfuck of primal mating and a Hunger Games-esque competition told from human competitor, Shane West's POV. Shane is being hunted by a murderous family and the Hunt on the shifter alien world Mariket is his only salvation. He plans on taking part in the Hunt and wants to lose...in order to win. To be a "victor" means to mate with a Mariket shifter...think large, primal, lusty cats. The Hunt are for competitors to try to either win the competition by not having succumbed to the mating cats or become a victor. The hunt takes place when the cats are in mating heat - the cats can force their pheromones on you at their will but to actually have one keep you is a prize.

The start of the story is jarring. We are thrown into the hunt with Shane, slowly learning the objective of the competition and what exactly Shane hopes to gain. He's human, weaker compared to the natives of Mariket. The Hunt's arena is all lush forests with wild beasts, cats looking to mate and arena wardens roaming loose. The world Gregg built is a beautiful one. The Hunt is brutal, competitors can't be trusted and the mating...the mating is animalistic. The cats are known to stalk and fuck their prey until resistance is but a thought. And Shane catches the eye of a solitary puma named Lore. When these two were together, whether the chase, the mating, the nonverbal communication...it was memorable.

And the sex?!

"Their sex was beautiful, consuming. And cruel."

Oh. My. Stars! The sex was off the Richter scale. Dubious consent enthusiasts can definitely enjoy the primal fucking that Gregg delivers. And can I say Lore's puma anatomy--self lubricating cock and intoxicating semen...totally different. But made for one erotically intense read.

I enjoyed Lore's dominance and masterfulness over Shane. He did so with minimal effort but did not humiliate Shane. And compared to my favorite Kari Gregg, "I, Omega"- where there's a power struggle between Dom and sub-Shane fights the entire way while becoming a victor or pseudo-sub. Even when being given mating hormones to make him lust for his mate's touch all the time, Shane yields but grudgingly. I enjoyed his struggle until the very end. Just when I thought the hormones or the Lore pounding got the best of Shane...he would fight his feelings. And Lore trying to court his lover and chosen mate? Adored it for all of it's gruff awkwardness.

A few of my favorite Lore seducing Shane quotes:

"Precious," the cat said and leaned forward, angling his head. Shane longed for the cat's kiss, but instead the cat bent to nip Shane's chin. "So mine. And so hungry."

Enjoyed it!

"Want my spend, Precious?" Shane shuddered, the pleasure from his ass streaking to his balls and then to his untouched cock.

"Please. Yes. I--"

"I would give you the world."

*squeals*

Kari Gregg's writing works for me because she does not tell everything at one shot. The full picture unfurls at its own pace. (So if you need to have all the facts from the beginning, I don't think this will work for you) And her sex scenes are so elemental- blood, semen, fucking, contact, skin, fur...it's delicious.

And the last 10-15% of the story took such an unexpected twist that even after finishing (don't worry, it's a HEA), I still can't believe that happened. Fucking awesome! Violent but thoroughly entertaining and no sugar coated easy way out. The reader is thrown into the hunt from the beginning. It gave a true sense of what Shane was experiencing. At the end of the story, all questions were answered.

For less than 100 pages, this novella was one hell of an action filled, erotically masterful ride. Kari Gregg has yet to let me down. Dig her writing. I hope there will be more stories from the Mariket world *coughs*Mareo*coughs* I think this has legs to make for an interesting series.

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