BOOK REVIEW - 4.5 STAR PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES

A Shifter's Rage

A Gritty Urban Fantasy Novel 

(Rouen Chronicles Book 2)

by Raven Steele and Ava Mason

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Review - 4.5 stars

Fast paced, action packed and full of unexpected surprised

This is the second book in the Rouen Chronicles series and does need to be read after Book #1. This story picks up fairly close to the end of that book, with Briar in captivity and Dominic looking to destroy her. The book then twists and turns through quite a few startling events, one of which gutted me and let to Briar making some foolish choices.

Her bond with Luke continues to grow, though they still haven't got down and dirty! However a vampire by the name of Angel (*swoon*) adds an unexpected element to the plot. There is still a character I'm not totally sure I trust (view spoiler at bottom of this post). We find out more about the threat that is growing for both paranormals and humans, but there is still a long way left before this threat is neutralised. 

My attention was held from the very first to the very last line. The writing flows so smoothly, the characters are well crafted and multifaceted. Within the pages we find intrigue, lies and secrets along with some long hidden truths being revealed. A Shifter's Rage is a wonderful follow up to A Shifter's Curse and I am massively looking forward to reading Book 3.

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Synopsis

"I never go to bed angry. I stay awake and plot my revenge." 

Imprisoned for killing Silas, Briar's only chance of surviving is to rely on her roommates and Luke, the sexy shifter she loves to hate. But getting free won't solve her problems. She still has to kill Dominic, the pack Alpha who murdered her entire family. 

To do that, she has to make Dominic believe she's still team bad guys so she can get close to him and find out whom he's working with. Especially when she learns just about everyone and their evil dog is looking for the one thing she has sworn to protect--the Abydos, powerful and ancient blood that could either end the world or save it. 

But playing the other side has some severe consequences, especially when she gets too close to the darkness and savors it's poisonous flavor one too many times. If Briar can't let go of her demons, she'll lose everyone she loves. 

** Intended for adult readers due to violence and language. **

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Amazon - http://a.co/d/doW6kb2

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Ratings

5 stars - This is a book I will not forget and would definitely read again.

4 stars - I really enjoyed this book, I might not read it again but I would definitely recommend it to others.

3 stars - This story was good but either forgettable or just very typical of its genre.

2 stars - Whilst the book was readable I either didn't enjoy parts of the plot or just could not connect to the main characters.

1 star - This is a book I simply could not finish for reasons listed in the review.

BOOK REVIEW ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Taking His Mate by Delta James

Taking His Mate: An Alpha Shifter Romance (Wayward Mates Book 4)

by Delta James

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"An enjoyable and well written story"

4.5 stars

One of the things that I really like about this series is how each book is truly unique. In too many series' all that really changes are the characters names, not the plot. Delta James retains a consistency in her backstory and in the characteristics of her alphas, whilst giving us a new story and a different feel every time.

I loved that this had much more of the underlying story arch. We find out a LOT of what has been happening in Europe, and why the Bae Dogial pack were first attacked. We got to see a lot more of previous characters in this book, as well as meeting some important new ones too. Yet none of this was to the detriment of the romance between Madeline and Griffen, I still felt their passion and love.

The prologue of the book was amazing and very different but also very familiar. It both added something special to the book and expanded on the idea of fated mates. I found both the main characters to be very likeable and Madeline was very easy to connect to. Taking his mate is an action packed, engaging, steamy and very well written story. It can be read as a stand alone, though personally I think the whole series is well worth reading.

It does have spanking and dominant/submissive themes, it is packed with Alpha males who are TOTALLY in charge. There women are strong willed, but if they defy and upset their partners, they will find they feel their lovers hand or belt. If those type of scenes would upset you then perhaps this isn't for you. If you love your men to love their women hard but with the understanding that their word is law, then fire up your kindle and get reading!

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Synopsis

She is his to protect, whether she likes it or not.

Years ago, Madeline Stone was attacked by a rogue band of wolves. Now they are hunting her again, but to get to her, they'll have to go through Griffen Owen. The ex-Special Forces operative is the rightful alpha of his pack, and the moment he sets eyes on Madeline he knows the beautiful, feisty human is his mate. But to keep her safe, he will need to teach her to obey.

Doing as she is told doesn't come easily to Madeline, and it isn't long before she finds herself naked, helpless, and tearfully promising to be good as her bare bottom is soundly spanked. Her mate's mastery of her body is put on full display as Madeline is brought to a quivering, shameful climax while still over his knee, and soon she is begging to be taken hard and thoroughly.

Madeline's need for Griffen only grows stronger as she is marked and claimed, and his savage lovemaking leaves her in no doubt that she belongs to him. But with war brewing between the packs, can Griffen protect his mate from both their enemies and her own headstrong defiance?

Publisher's Note: Taking His Mate is a stand-alone novel which is the fourth entry in the Wayward Mates series. It includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book. Also note that Taking His Mate shares its setting with Adaline Raine's previously published books Marked by the Alpha and Rules of the Pack, and it was written only after receiving Adaline's permission and support.

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Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Taking-His-Mate-Shifter-Romance-ebook/dp/B07K4BW1TH/


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Ratings

5 stars - This is a book I will not forget and would definitely read again.

4 stars - I really enjoyed this book, I might not read it again but I would definitely recommend it to others.

3 stars - This story was good but either forgettable or just very typical of its genre.

2 stars - Whilst the book was readable I either didn't enjoy parts of the plot or just could not connect to the main characters.

1 star - This is a book I simply could not finish for reasons listed in the review.

BOOK REVIEW ~~~~~ MASTERING HIS MATE by Delta James

MY REVIEW - 4.5 STARS  My favourite book of the series so far

I loved how Delta James introduced us to a little more of the shifter's world with each book. Whilst this can be read as a stand alone, and is my favourite book so far, I do think reading either of the first two books will give you a better understanding of the all female Bae Diogel pack and the politics behind disbanding them.

I really liked both main characters, Roz is one tough as nails heroine who NEVER backed down and never lost her fire. Oliver was very sympathetic to and incredibly understanding of Roz's plight of her pack being forcibly disbanded. It didn't stop him punishing her a few times, but I loved how he took the time to discuss with and listen to Roz, as well as taking into account that she wasn't a natural shifter. He's an alpha through and through but clearly put Roz's well being before anything else.

It is a patriarchal society and whilst Oliver insisted on having Roz's submission, he not only respected her for it but also gave the impression that he would like to see females having more of a say in the structure of their society. 

There is a story thread that runs throughout the series, building towards some type of conflict. Whilst that part of the story isn't completed in this book, it IS a complete story with a HEA. The background story will continue in future books that feature other couples and I for one can't wait to read them.

He has been patient with his mate for long enough. Now she needs to be mastered.

After she was injured in an attack by a rogue band of wolves, Rosalyn Kincanon awoke to discover that her life had changed forever. Angry and distraught, she fled from those that nursed her back to health and found her own place in the world. But now the all-female pack she helped lead has been disbanded and the women are to be claimed as mates whether they like it or not.

The moment Oliver Halsey saw Rosalyn, he knew she was his mate. But she was born a human, and the vicious brutes who turned her did so against her will, so he set aside his rights as alpha and gave her the freedom she needed to come to terms with her new reality. Now her time is up.

Oliver knows what Rosalyn needs, even if she doesn't. When she runs, he will catch her and bring her back. When she disobeys, he will bare her and punish her. He will take her harder and longer than she would have ever thought possible, and she will scream and beg as one climax after another is forced from her naked, quivering body. It is time for his mate to be mastered.

Publisher's Note: Mastering His Mate is a stand-alone novel which is the third entry in the Wayward Mates series. It includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book. Also note that Mastering His Mate shares its setting with Adaline Raine's previously published books Marked by the Alpha and Rules of the Pack, and it was written only after receiving Adaline's permission and support.

Available on Amazon and #Free in KindleUnlimited

BOOK REVIEW ~~~~~ MARKED AND MATED by Delta James ~~~~~

Marked and Mated: An Alpha Shifter Romance 

(Wayward Mates Book 2) by Delta James

My Review - 4.25 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✧

 

Although this is interlinked to the story in "Brought to Heel" , it can very easily be read as a stand alone.

For me I did feel that the pace was a little slow at first, but this was because of the recapping of (essential) story from Book #1.  If you haven't read that you won't notice nor have this issue. I appreciate it's difficult to give sufficient backstory to new readers but I did feel a chunk of the information could have been relayed via conversations and thoughts rather than 'in real time' so to speak.  For me it repeated a little too much of the previous book.

I did like that we got to see Darby and Jean-Michel together at Calon Gwyllt, as this was where their relationship developed.  Seeing their interactions in the first few days was important for us to believe and buy into their love.  However I would have liked this to have had more time with them back in New Orleans amongst their own pack, getting to know key characters there.  The 'suspense' part of the story felt a touch rushed, though was still executed to a high standard and felt believable.

This is a very patriarchal society, and it's very much a case of the women being spanked if they don't behave in a way the men want them to.  Whilst it is spanking and domestic discipline, in this case it borders on dubious and non-consent, so please bear that in mind when deciding whether to purchase this book. I feel that the 'good guys' do try and give the women as much choice and freedom AS THEIR SOCIETY ALLOWS.  This is a fictional shifter world so the rules are somewhat different here.

Whist the 'bad guys' from another were clearly dealt with in an authoritative way, I would like to see some of the male pack members disciplined for unacceptable behaviour.  Just to help balance the book out a little.  I did feel in this book that, as long as she spoke in a polite manner, the heroine was allowed to say what she truly felt or thought without punishment by her mate. 

I really enjoyed both books so far, I find the writing style easy to read and I like dubious and non-consent in stories so that doesn't bother me.  These have more substance than a lot of shifter stories I've read and Darby sure is one strong and determined woman.

Blurb

She ran from her mate. Now she must be punished.

Darby Callan doesn't want a mate, but it isn't up to her. Her old pack has been disbanded, and when the powerful, handsome alpha of a well-established pack makes it clear that she belongs to him, her instincts reveal the truth of his words despite her furious protests and attempts to escape.

Jean-Michel Gautier knows that his new mate's past makes her wary of him, but an alpha cannot tolerate disobedience, and when Darby defies him he strips her bare and spanks her until she is sore and sobbing. Her beautiful body's response to his dominance is obvious, and his stern correction leaves her helplessly aroused, but before he claims her he plans to make her beg.

Naked and quivering with desperate, shameful need, Darby cannot help pleading with Jean-Michel for the climax she has been denied, and soon she is crying out with pleasure more intense than she would have ever thought possible as he makes her his. But when the vicious brute who once hurt her comes looking for Darby again, can she trust her new alpha to protect his mate?

Publisher's Note: Marked and Mated is a stand-alone novel which is the second entry in the Wayward Mates series. It includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book. Also note that Marked and Mated shares its setting with Adaline Raine's previously published books Marked by the Alpha and Rules of the Pack, and it was written only after receiving Adaline's permission and support.

Purchase Links

Amazon US - http://a.co/d/1iL2u00

Amazon UK - http://amzn.eu/d/1lzTM89