Tag Archives: Shapeshifters

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh ReRead

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Slave to Sensation
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2006

Thoughts

Every time I do a reread of Slave to Sensation (or the entire Psy-Changeling series), I find something more to love. More subtle hints and easter eggs to love, more moments to absolutely adore. Which, of course, just makes me fall more and more in love with every reread. Which is why it’s a series that I’ve reread a number of times at this point – there’s something new and more loveable with every reiteration, and the story manages to enthral me from the very beginning each and every time.

Lucas and his past are really tragic, and every time I read about it, I find new scars and horrors that he has survived and healed from. What I love most about him having such a tragic past though is that it’s his love for Sascha that tempers him and brings some of his humanity back. A good relationship is about balancing and supporting one another, and Sascha is able to do this wonderfully for Lucas, pulling him back from a ledge that even he didn’t realise he was balancing on.

I am absolutely obsessed with Sascha’s role as an empath and her ability to grow into herself and her powers. I know that throughout this series, Sascha discovers more and more about being an Empath, but these first steps are phenomenal to read about. Plus, she has the strength of self to realise that she was treated abominably, and to rise above the way that they have treated her. With grace and dignity, probably why Sascha continues to be one of my favourite females in the Psy-Changeling series.

Although this story is all about Sascha and Lucas, Tammy is most definitely still a favourite. I love how welcoming she is, but also tough and unwilling to compromise on the safety of her people. Between her and Sascha, they both highlight the power of love and emotion, and how this can help those to overcome anything. I mean, there’s still a lot of hard work and intelligence going into these decisions. But at the very core of this story is how love and emotion are integral to who we are and functioning as decent beings.

<- Whisper of Sin ReReadVisions of Heat ReRead ->

Image source: Hachette

Whisper of Sin by Nalini Singh ReRead

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Whisper of Sin
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #0.6
In: Burning Up (Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2010

Thoughts

I love reading about Emmett and Ria – they are a great couple, and it’s also really interesting to see how DarkRiver begins to gain power in their city. Neither person features all that prominently in the main series, but, their adventures definitely inform how things unfold a little. Plus, they are just too fantastic and adorable for words. I absolutely adored them.

Ria is kind of a sheltered individual and naïve in a number of ways. Yet, she also has a backbone of steel. She’s ballsy and sure enough of herself and what she wants to fight for it. There’s also the fact that she sees the love that her parents and brother have, and knows that she wants it. Sometimes those that our families think will be our “perfect match” aren’t that at all. Tom and his underhandedness is a perfect example of just how wrong our parents can sometimes be.

Although Ria and Emmett are a great couple, and I really loved reading their story, it’s got to be Ria’s grandmother who is my favourite character. I mean, I love all of the women in this novella – there is something great about Singh’s writing in that she always creates such strong female characters. But, Ria’s grandmother is a whole other level of fun and entertaining. The kind of grandmother that I want to be when I grow up.

This novella was incredibly fun as a standalone novella. But, mostly I love how it gives context to the ways in which DarkRiver acts to protect those who live in their city. And how they first begin to gain power and influence, all before they start to use them to shift the world around them.

<- Beat of Temptation ReReadSlave to Sensation ReRead ->

Image source: Nalini Singh

Beat of Temptation by Nalini Singh ReRead

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Beat of Temptation
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #0.5
In: Wild Invitation (Nalini Singh)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance,  Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2013

Thoughts

No matter how many times I read it, I still absolutely adore Tammy and Nate’s origin story. They are just too damn cute and adorable. And their whole relationship is such an important foundation for a lot of stories and couples throughout the rest of the Psy-Changeling series. It’s also a great reminder that even the most solid couples have rocky moments throughout, and Tammy and Nate are no different.

Nate’s reluctance and controlling nature, whilst coming from an admirable place are incredibly frustrating to read about. I mean, I love that he’s originally supressed his urges because the age difference was yucky. But then, he just stubbornly decides that he knows more because Tammy is young and somewhat naïve. Luckily, before you get really irritated, he realises that he’s doing more damage than good. And makes amends…

As with most books / romances that I read, it’s the woman I like to resonate the most with. I absolutely adored Tammy from the first moment I read about her, and that feeling hasn’t changed with all of my rereads. I love that, even if she’s fumbling a little in her relationship, she is actually incredibly confident in her self and own abilities. She’s also, ultimately, confident enough in herself to actually go after what she wants in life.

<- More Nalini SinghWhisper of Sin ReRead ->

Image source: Nalini Singh

The Lady and the Rabbit by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Lady and the Rabbit
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: The Shifter Season #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Regency romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I love that Denise got her own story after Victoria. I was really hoping on reading about the twins in The Fox and the Viscount that I would get to read her happily ever after. And, I was not disappointed in the slightest. It was a wonderful and fun story. And fit in perfectly against The Fox and the Viscount.

The idea of a rabbit and a fox together was a really interesting predator / prey mix. And I kind of dug it. I love stories that feature a more passive man with a strong willed woman. Although Denise is very subtle with her strength, it is there in her stubbornness to act exactly the way she wants to when attending balls and conducting herself in public.

I love that The Lady and the Rabbit had many of the exact same scenes as The Fox and the Viscount, but written from Denise’s point of view. Whilst they were a bit repetitive, they were a great way to learn more about Densie and her points of view of the same moments. I also though that Greenwood did a great job of having both sides of a conversation in an engaging way.

Denise’s relationship is entirely built upon intellect and connection. I absolutely adored that they first start to make a connection through books, and then find a way to get to know each other from there. A very cute and sweet story. One that I look forward to reading again in the future.

<- The Fox and the ViscountThe Peacock and the Wallflower ->

Image source: Kobo

The Fox and the Viscount by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Fox and the Viscount
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: The Shifter Season #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Regency romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Like most of Greenwood’s stories, I found The Fox and The Viscount to be a beautiful and sweet story. A nice indulgence to depart from reality and the nonsense of responsibilities. Victoria and Edmund are a really sweet childhood friends to lovers story at their core. The fact that this is a regency romance with shifters mixed in made it all that much more of a beautiful indulgence. One that makes me incredibly excited to read about the rest of the couples finding their happily ever after in The Shifter Season series.

I’ve not actually read many stories which are a paranormal regency romance. I have a few regency / Victorian era steampunk stories, and one or two with a paranormal spin. However, I don’t have any that are actually paranormal romances with a regency setting. And I absolutely loved the mismatch of genres. It was great having the restrictions of class and social expectations, alongside the differences of being a shifter in a non-shifter world. Honestly, I can’t get enough of this idea and hope that Greenwood continues to write such stories!

Densie and Victoria are really wonderful as twins – I absolutely adored the fact that, even though they are close, they still have their moments of contention. A sibling relationship just isn’t realistic if they get along all of the time! It was nice to read about moments when they niggled at sniped at each other. But, in the next moment had each others’ backs and kept each other safe. I can’t wait to read Denise’s story – her partner is hinted at within The Fox and the Viscount, but now I want to find out how that all comes about. Plus, more sister relationships!

The Fox and the Viscount was a great adventure and romance with two fox shifters finding their happily ever afters. I also love that Victoria is able to dodge an engagement with a seriously ick male lion. One who tries everything he can to blackmail her into a loveless marriage. Everything about this story made it absolutely adorable and incredibly difficult to put down. Now I can’t wait to sink my teeth into The Lady and the Rabbit!

<- More Laura GreenwoodThe Lady and the Rabbit ->

Image source: Kobo

Born to Be Badger by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Born to Be Badger
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Max and her team of insane honey badgers are absolutely, totally and utterly freaking fantastic. I mean, they are completely ridiculous and insanely violent, which I love. And then the whole finding their forever partners who want to put up with the ridiculousness and go along for the ride… priceless. Plus, aggressive mayhem and honey badgers – I’m never not going to love that combination.

Tock and her inability to even quite fit in with the rest of the honey badgers is brilliant. I love that she literally makes her own app to keep track of time and her scheduling. I mean, I feel how frustrating this is, and wish that I had her app. And ability to actually keep to whatever schedule I plan. Plus, she just embraces the fact that she’s a little abnormal, and uses it to freak people out and make her escapes… something that I honestly do myself. Frequently.

Shay is so completely calm and sane, which I feel like is necessary for someone who loves an insane honey badger. I love that Tock manages to also fall for one of the few men who is unable to keep any concept of time. She is so regimented, and he doesn’t really care where he is or when. They are completely enjoyable and fun opposites attract. Plus, it’s just fun to have Tock getting so completely out of control and frustrated every time Shay decides to just meander along.

Shay’s daughter, Dani, is completely adorable and I love that she is happily able to bond with Tock over STEM. That, and they agree that Stevie just shouldn’t be involved in the tutoring. Because Stevie is nuts and still completely capable of taking over the world… plus, there’s the fact that Tock is able to help Dani reinforce when she says the word “no”. I love how the girls in Shay’s life bond over STEM and telling a boy no… consent and STEM. Two incredibly important things for young women to learn.

Now that I’ve read Born to Be Badger, I’ve decided that I’ll probably need to reread the Honey Badger Chronicles and Pride series. Just because they’re hilarious, and I love doing rereads amongst all of my reading – revisiting beloved worlds is relaxing and enjoyable in a whole other way.

<- Breaking BadgerTo Kill a Badger ->

Image source: Amazon

Jace by Deanna Chase

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Jace
Author: Deanna Chase
Series: Wolves of the Rising Sun #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Werewolves
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

This was a much shorter and easier read than I was anticipating. Which honestly made me ridiculously happy – sometimes a short and easy romance is exactly what is needed to reset the brain and just drift off for a little while. This was incredibly pleasant with a whole lot of yummy lust in it. Incredibly enjoyable and fun.

Lannister is a truly horrifying ex and villain – I mean, it’s obvious that Skye is running from someone not so nice. But, it gets even worse the more the story unfolds. Plus, when it becomes obvious that he’s also the villain in Jace’s story – it’s pretty intense. But, I love how Skye is able to get her life back from his insanity.

Jace and Skye were a little bit instalove in this story, but it was kind of built on a friendship as well. I love that although both jump to a few conclusions, they are also able to give each other the benefit of the doubt. They worked as a very good couple, and I can’t wait to see what other women fall in love with the werewolves of the rising sun.

This was an incredibly easy and light story, one with just enough drama and action to make me not want to put the story down. I can’t wait to read more stories in this series.

<- More Deanna ChaseAiden ->

Image source: Deanna Chase

Filthy Grizzly by Liza Street

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Filthy Grizzly
Author: Liza Street
Series: Junkyard Shifters #6
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This was one of those books that was in a box set on my ereader. Which means I jumped into the series halfway through. And honestly, now I’m just completely intrigued by this whole world and world building. I mean, it’s a fairly typical paranormal romance, but with a shifter prison. Sort of, that was my understanding. And then, because I really loved all the characters in this… I wonder WHY they are in the junkyard prison.

For all that this had some fun and unique elements, it fit beautifully into the brother’s best friend trope. Which, because it was an awesome romance ended up backfiring on the silly couple. Although, I really didn’t enjoy how Octavia’s brother completely dumps on his supposed best friend. Its one thing to be protective, but he was kind of an arse to both if them. Luckily, Octavia is one of those fun and strong female leads. One who manages to absolutely hand their butt’s to them.

Dallas is that very typical overbearing ‘alpha’ type. And whilst I liked that in so many ways, he was still a bit of a fool. I speak from experience… a man who is too busy protecting you to communicate deserves a smack up the side of the head. I’m glad Octavia pretty much did that to him.

I loved this story for so many reasons. One of which is the many layers of evil and deception throughout. Coming in partway through the series, the multitude of threats has been established. And now I can’t wait to go back to the beginning as they begin to filter through to those community.

<- Filthy PrinceFilthy Thief ->

Image source: Goodreads

Filthy Beast by Liza Street

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Filthy Beast
Author: Liza Street
Series: Junkyard Shifters #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I found it a bit difficult reading about Lena’s fight and fleeing of her pack. I mean, entitled men alone are creepy. But Shaw and his obsession with her family… man, I was glad from the very beginning that it was the catalyst for her escaping. It’s also an interesting way to start off the series – a woman being stuck in a purgatory as her punishment for declining Shaw’s advances. Honestly, there is nothing scarier to me than a man who feels entitled to a woman’s body.

At the beginning of this story, I found Carter to be crazy angry. I mean, like, off the charts angry. But, then as his story unfolds, you kind of get it. It’s still not a great character flaw, but it becomes understandable fairly quickly, which makes him a sympathetic lead. It was kind of sad though that when he finally starts to heal and forgive the past, even more tragedy hits.

This story was a little bit too lust driven for me to fall crazily in love with the story and the characters. But I did love that Lena does tell Carter off. Repeatedly. And with gusto. Alright, she succumbs to the lust frequently, but she also manages to hold her own and have a sense of self that is admirable. Particularly when she is stuck in a situation not of her own making. One that her inner strength helps her to survive.

Although Shaw was a fantastic and kind of terrifying villain, I kind of wanted more of an explanation to his obsession. I mean, he’s repeatedly told to be obsessed with Lena and her bloodline, but there is no explanation of why. Plus, he obviously had a plan by coming into the junkyard and preying upon Lena. But, surely he also had a plan to get out… again, I feel like there needed to be a whole lot more explanation. Maybe this will come to light later within the series…

Filthy Beast is a great introduction to the Junkyard Shifters and just how the Junkyard works. I love that it’s a holding pen for criminals, but there are already some serious questions as to how ‘criminal’ many of these characters are. And I can’t wait to meet more of them as they fall in love!

<- Filthy VandalFilthy Wolf ->

Image source: Amazon

The Dryad’s Pawprint by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Dryad’s Pawprint
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: The Paranormal Council #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

As always when I find a random new series that I like, I actually read this series slightly out of order. I read The Bear’s Claws first, and then really wanted to go back in the series to find out more about Vic’s brother Kem. Lucky for me, the very first book in this series is actually about Kem, and so I didn’t have long to wait to learn his story. Plus, it’s a good introduction into the Paranormal Council. So far the shifters and the dryads have been introduced, and I can’t wait to read more and find more of the other paranormals throughout this series. And how the power plays are going to work.

Lia and Kem are a sweet couple, they kind of have the insta-love vibes, but it’s just managed to mature over the year of their separation. It gives plenty of sweet steam to the book, without feeling too contrived and forceful. For me, the perfect balance to reach in these shorter novels. Stories that give you a happily ever after and a whole lot of enjoyment. Plus, I love that, although there are barriers to their relationship, they are fairly simple ones. Which meant that this was a much more pleasant story.

I thought that Lia’s sister was going to be a much bigger problem than she ended up being. Although it is obvious that Lia adores her sister, there is a lot of jealousy in many of the actions. And, you know, the whole part where Kem is supposed to marry the wrong sister. Luckily, this had the kind of sister relationship that I always love – one that’s actually supportive and kind. They might bicker, but they ultimately adore each other and support one another.

I get the feeling that the activities and alliances formed in The Dryad’s Pawprint are leading into a bigger time of change within this world. I’m incredibly excited to see how this occurs, removing the stuffy old guard and replacing it with the new.

<- More Laura GreenwoodThe Vixen’s Bark ->

Image source: Amazon