Tag Archives: Shelly Laurenston

The Mane Attraction by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mane Attraction
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #3
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: 2008

Thoughts

Sissy Mae is one of those show stealing secondary characters since you meet her in Christmas Pride. She is sassy, witty and full of attitude. Just the kind of woman that I love. But, she’s also obviously got a heart of gold underneath all of that violence that she happily totes around. Which means that I very quickly dived right into The Mane Attraction… I had to know how she got her happily ever after! And what kind of supportive male she ends up with.

I love that Sissy is an incredibly tough (and very violent) woman. She might have the best heart ever, but it’s how happy she is to stir other people up that I truly fell in love with. Although I don’t have the gumption to constantly cause a ruckus wherever I go, it was fun to read about someone who enjoys doing so. Her good heart also makes it a little bit more difficult to read about the treatment that she endures from some of her brothers and her mother. The mother is definitely misplaced affection… but her brothers?

As a nice counterpoint to Sissy Mae’s less-than-kind brother, Mitch’s relationship with his own sibling is really sweet. I love how the two lion brothers fall for wolf-shifter women. And literally just go along for the ride. Mostly in horror and confusion at the antics of Sissy Mae and Ronnie Lee. I mean, the driving? The weird derby race? I can completely understand the fear of the two males, but also how freaking fun would that all be!?!?!?

There are so many good (well-written I should say) sibling relationships throughout this story. But, honestly, I particularly like that when Sissy Mae is pushed to show her strength (and alpha-ness), she manages to break her brothers knee. I mean, that is a wonderful way to show that she is able to take care of herself. There are some other wonderful consequences to that action, but I just like that Sissy has no hesitations to get her revenge on someone who has been treating her seriously poorly.

Alongside the sibling relationships and issues are the older generation of women in both families. They are so happy meddling in the relationship of Sissy and Mitch. Although, most of this manipulation is quite obvious, there are a lot of subtle moments throughout that the couple are completely oblivious to. I particularly like how the matriarchs on both sides of the family unwittingly band together to stop threats to the couple. And give us all a happily ever after.

<- The Beast in HimThe Mane Squeeze ->

Image source: Amazon

The Beast in Him by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Beast in Him
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2008

Thoughts

Smitty and Jessie Ann are a wonderful and fun couple. I mean, you have two canine shapeshifters to start with. I’m obviously going to love that. And then, there’s also the whole childhood history and prejudices that are so obviously present in the Shifter World. I loved that Jessie Ann is an African Wild Dog shifter – not a shifter that I’ve seen very often, and one that I really enjoyed. I also loved how Laurenston highlighted the differences between the two types of shifters.

Jessie Ann might be small with a history of being a bully victim, but she is incredibly tough. I seriously enjoyed all of the ways in which she led her Pack and found a way to compensate for the size difference. Particularly when she decides to enact her revenge on Sissy Mae. She also continuously fights with Smitty to make sure he sees her as an equal, not someone who is smaller and weaker.

Smitty’s parents are secondary characters in Like a Wolf with a Bone, and I didn’t get overly attached to them in that story. But, their manipulations and energy in this novel was brilliant. I absolutely adored them and found their antics quite funny. Don’t get me wrong, I would HATE the idea of having such people as my parents, but it was still quite an entertaining plot driver.

I honestly read this paranormal romance from cover to cover. I thought that the characters were lovely, and the romance passionate, with a little sweetness rubbed in. Although, I must say, that I loved the Wild Dog Pack the most. I really want more of them in my future readings!

<- The Mane EventThe Mane Attraction ->

Image source: Shelly Laurenston

The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mane Event
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #1
In: The Mane Event (Shelly Laurenston)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection, eBook
Year: 2007

Thoughts

This might be the first novel in The Pride series, but it’s really two novellas in one. And they are not a disappointment. A great introduction (for me) into the world of the lions, and the joys of cat-shifter romances. Plus, there is just something fun about lions playing with their mates before finally getting them to commit.

Honestly, I absolutely adored the stubbornness and cunning of both of the male lions in this collection. Both choose women that are not exactly settled with the idea of forever-after. Yet, they use their smarts and little manipulations to wait them out. Kind of like I imagine an impala feels being hunted by a lion in the wild… with a much better reward at the end.

Both of the women are exactly the kind of female leads I enjoy reading about in a romance – a little off-kilter and, quite frankly, nuts. But tough as nails, and loyal to boot. Whilst they are vastly different in every other way (also something I like, because otherwise, boring), they were such a pleasure to read about!

Although these are two separate novellas, there is plenty of overlap between the two stories. It almost reads like a part one and two of a greater tale. It made for a nice cohesive whole, and I look forward to diving into this as a reread in the future.

<- Shaw’s TailThe Beast in Him ->

Image source: Amazon

Shaw’s Tail by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Shaw’s Tail
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #1.2
In: The Mane Event (Shelly Laurenston)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2007

Thoughts

I’m not going to lie, this is one of the most laugh out loud stories I’ve read in a little while. As in, I frequently found myself laughing out loud while reading this. Luckily it was at home, with no one around to get confused by the giggling maniac in the corner… and it’s all because Brendan Shaw (lion extraordinaire) is freaking hilarious in a fever delirium!

I loved that this was one of those kind-of love-at-first-sight type romances. I mean, Shaw decides that Ronnie is his before he even sees her. Just smells her (weird if you don’t think of him as part cat admittedly) and decides, yup, that’s the woman for me. Everything that follows is just him digging in and being stubborn. I loved that there was no hesitation, and he was just like “yup, that’s my person.”

Then, there’s also the nice backdrop of the drama of Mitch’s life. For starters, just the mystery of what crap Mitch is actually mixed-up in. but also a little bit more about the Shaw brothers’ relationship. It’s a good counterpoint to make you want to read this even fatster. If you know, the fever delirium shenanigans, lust and sass between the main couple isn’t enough for you.

A multi-layered and fun novella that I thoroughly enjoyed. One I’ll definitely be reading again and again.

<- Christmas PrideThe Mane Event ->

Image source: Amazon

Christmas Pride by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Christmas Pride
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #1.1
In: The Mane Event (Shelly Laurenston)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection, eBook, Novella
Year: 2007

Thoughts

Christmas Pride is a very sweet and delicious novella. It was incredibly easy to just… inhale this whole story in one sitting. Difficult to even look away for the two seconds it took to have a glass of water. Which is honestly exactly what I want in a novella – they’re short enough to read in one sitting, and they have to be amazing so that I want to read them in one sitting.

I loved that this romance focused on a couple that grew up together and reconnected. It’s the usual feelings of inadequacy and class separation. But it works. Therefore, rather than feeling like an insta-love story, it’s one that feels like it’s been decades coming. Plus, there’s also the great acknowledgement that although they had feelings for each other as teenagers, they actually needed the time apart to grow into the people they became. I mean, it’s all well and great to be able to spend your whole adult life with a person, but it’s pretty hard to actually grow and change in that circumstance (I speak from experience).

Mace is wonderfully stubborn in his pursuit of Dez. I particularly loved all of the “cat games” that he played with her in his pursuit. Personally, I prefer someone coming head on in this kind of situation. But I love that his sneaky cat tactics are exactly what Dez needs to realise that what they have is real. I also love how Dez is able to constantly stick up for herself… when she really feels the need. It’s a great relationship with a lot of give and take.

Then, behind the lovely romance that definitely takes centre stage is the mystery of just who killed Petrov. And then the dynamics and politics of the hyena / lion antagonism. Something that I want more of as the series unfolds… I’m also wanting more hyena-based stories in the greater Smith’s Shifter World…

<- Miss CongenialityShaw’s Tail ->

Image source: Amazon

Breaking Badger by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Breaking Badger
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #4
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: 2021

Thoughts

I absolutely love honey badgers. I have since I went to South Africa and was introduced to the reality that these awesome buggers exist on planet earth. Finding this series which features shapeshifting honey badgers hits all of my happy points. And this next instalment in the series just didn’t disappoint! Particularly since, after being introduced to Mads and all of the basketball team in Badger to the Bone, I’ve been wanting to know more about all five of the insane women. And now you get to.

Mads and the rest of the team are the ultimate girl power team. A group of independent women who have each others’ backs. But also let each other be the independent and brilliant women that they each are. Alright, some of this is because they’re all certifiably insane, and like to steal things… and just do all sorts of dodgy behaviours. But it’s also just all about support. And love. Even if Mads spends the entire time calling them her “teammates” and not her friends…

There was also the fact that Mads’ love interest is one of the Black Malones. Which would have been interesting enough on its own (now I need to read Bear Meets Girl to get to know other branches of the Malone family, but I digress). But, other than the three brothers who are definitely freaky and seriously stubborn, you also get to know their half-sister. Yet another completely nuts MacKilligan sister. Nat is going to be great when she finally gets her own story. I love that all of the interconnectedness and relationships in this world continue to build upon one another. Totally unforgettable.

Mads and Finn are a really cute couple. I found that this story was a whole lot more about the rest of the team and introducing a whole new set of players that are going to be important in future books. But, I still enjoyed the ease with which they built their relationship. Sometimes it’s nice to have the relationship development nice and easy, with the dramas of other relationships being the primary obstacles. I can’t believe I now have to wait another few months for Born to Be Badger to be released…

<- Badger to the BoneBorn to Be Badger ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Miss Congeniality by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Miss Congeniality
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #0.75
In: When He Was Bad (Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Year: 2008

Thoughts

Irene was a great character to be introduced to in In A Badger Way, she is clinical and terrifyingly brilliant. But you can tell that she actually cares about others, she’s just completely unable to show to, well, anyone. The fact that she has her own novella about falling in love decades before… it was even better than I imagined. Wonderful, funny and kind of sweet. A perfect novella.

As expected, Irene is all sass and attitude. Some of it is just pure personality, but some of it is the fact that she’s pretty protective of her feelings. And, you know, there are apparently multiple government agencies spying on her and watching her every move… all of this just meant that even as Irene falls in love with Niall, she is still sassy and feisty and everything I love in the character.

The wedding that finishes out this story is kind of perfect. I mean, it’s always nice to skip forward a little bit so that you can see how the couple ends up. But the fact that Irene genuinely forgets that its even her wedding day and cares not at all about it, was brilliant. It also pulled in the Jean-Louis Parkers into the story. And how that clan of terrifying geniuses had their beginnings too…

All in all, this was a wonderful novella. And I can’t wait to see what happens next in this story. Definitely a strong argument for continuing to fill my ereader with books by Shelly Laurenston.

<- Like a Wolf with a BoneChristmas Pride ->

Image source: Goodreads

Like a Wolf with a Bone by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Like a Wolf with a Bone
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #0.5
In: Howl For It (Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Year: 2012

Thoughts

I’m really not used to reaching any kind of story with incredibly Southern names in it. Names like Darla Mae, Egbert…. It took me a little bit to get used to reading such names. But, once I moved past that, I definitely enjoyed this story. Particularly when I realised that it’s a tale about Dee Ann’s parents. Who I’ve only really met in the Honey Badger Chronicles, but I know I will have a greater appreciation for as I delve into the Pride series.

I thought that this was quite a humorous novella. Kind of like the Laurenston stories that I’ve already read so far. It had me smiling and laughing, and just all round enjoying this storyline. I mean, it’s a story of two individuals falling for each other. But in the meantime, there is a whole lot of family drama, killers on the loose and siblings who are determined to put their nose into everything. The perfect combination for a fun and fast paced tale.

I loved how Darla was able to just… handle everyone. She might be the meeker of the sisters, but she is only like that because she doesn’t feel the need to fight. The moment her sisters step too far over the line, she happily shoves them back into line and handles their nonsense. A perfect match for a man who is a known killer. Then, she also finds a way to mess with Egbert’s brothers, family and race fast cars.

A great novella that has me ready to dive into a whole new Laurenston series. I’ll definitely be devouring this series just as quickly as the rest of the books on my shelves.

<- Howl For ItMiss Congeniality ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Badger to the Bone by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Badger to the Bone
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #3
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: 2020

Thoughts

Like ever other book in this series, or, indeed, by this author, Badger to the Bone is freaking hilarious. It’s witty, cute, fun and humorous. Although, I did have a bit of a moment of regret – this is the last romance of the three MacKilligan sisters. But, it did also introduce Max’s basketball team and those four women also need their own stories, so I have another rabbit hole to dive into. Very, very happily.

As much as Max is totally a psycho, I’ve been dying to read about her since the prologue in Hot and Badgered. I loved getting more of an insight into just why she acts the way that she does. Particularly in her relationship with Stevie – finally, the way that Max is constantly aggravating her begins to make sense. Plus, Max is the only full honey badger of the three siblings, and this difference was incredibly fun to read about.

I love that although you know that Max is chaos personified, she is actually kind of a do-gooder. She hides it really, really well. And she refuses to let others in on her goodness. That, and the fact that although Max thinks that Charlie is unaware of many of her extracurricular activities, the older sibling is still completely in tune about the insanity that is her younger sister. Yet another amazing sibling moment that had me grinning from ear to ear.

ZeZe is a great counterpoint to the insanity that is Max. Where Max is just pure chaos and happy in her own skin, she is also a serious handful. ZeZe, being entirely cat is quite happy to just stand back and watch the insanity unfold. With humour. And feeling entertained. Much like a real cat would I imagine. His smugness and contentment (once he accepts what he actually is) made me an incredibly happy woman.

ZeZe’s journey in this, whilst totally overshadowed by my love for Max was fun. I love the idea that he doesn’t actually know that he’s a shapeshifter and anything about fitting into the world that he should have been born into. Likewise, the relationship with his grandfather is a little bit tender, but ultimately beautiful. A reminder that sometimes people do the wrong things for love. And a great way to get more and more glimpses into Laurenston’s world of shapeshifters. Now I just need to keep diving into these amazing stories.

<- In a Badger WayBreaking Badger ->

Image source: Kobo

In a Badger Way by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: In a Badger Way
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #2
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: 2019

Thoughts

I must admit, I’m kind of completely obsessed with the Honey Badger Chronicles, because… well, honey badgers. But also, Laurenston writes amazing romances that are filled with wonderful friendships, strong women and a whole lot of humour. They make me smile with every single page turned and leave me incredibly happy that I’ve had the pleasure of discovering such amazing books. The fact that this continues to follow the MacKilligan sisters, who are most certifiably insane and completely lovely, well, that made me dive right in. Actually, it took me a little while to actually get to this – because I can’t seem to put these books down once I start reading them.

I love that this story is about Stevie, who is most definitely the most neurotic of the MacKilligan sisters. I particularly enjoyed that she just… decides that Shen is her boyfriend. He is such a chilled being and kind of just meanders along. The dichotomy between Stevie’s intensity and inability to relax, and Shen’s calm nature worked really well in this relationship. It was fun getting to know another species of shapeshifter in this series – Shen’s enjoyment in upsetting the other bears with his bamboo chomping in particular. There’s also the way that, although Shen is so damn calm all the time, he is also not exactly the kind of being that you want to mess with… kind of making him the perfect laid back balance to Stevie’s high-strung reality and tendency to find herself in dangerous situations.

Stevie’s other form is definitely terrifying and intense – as demonstrated in Hot and Badgered. It was thoroughly enjoyable getting to know more about just what Stevie is capable of in this form. And just how much damage she can truly do. Although, the moment when she realises that she is actually a badass with DNA that eats other DNA… I thought this was freaking fantastic. And may have laughed for a good minute after reading this. Stevie’s ability to finally accept a part of herself that she’s both feared and reviled was a really nice moment. Definitely gently helped along by Shen’s quiet presence, but also just finally growing enough to realise that just because you’re scary, it doesn’t mean you’re bad.

This might have been a romance about Stevie and Shen, but, yet again, it’s the MacKilligan sisters and their honey badger kin that really steal the show. I genuinely loved the parts where everyone attends a honey badger funeral… there’s a truck vs. badger collision, Charlie wanting to kill her father (again), and a whole bunch of snakes thrown into the mix. It’s not quite what I expected, but fits in completely with the idea of honey badgers being certifiable, down to the last one. I honestly don’t want to stop reading about any and all of the crazy honey badgers that are running rampant through this series. But, it’s not just the honey badgers that steal the show, it’s all of the sibling pairs. Laurenston has a wonderful way of writing about sibling relationships which just feels genuine – there’s loving and affectionate antics, but also those that are about just pushing each others’ buttons, because that’s always fun. I’m honestly hoping that Shen’s, Berg’s and Kyle’s siblings all get their own stories as this series continues on….

This was such an amazing paranormal romance. Not just for the wonderful, steamy sex. The beautifully matched couple. But also the high jinx and shenanigans. Every time I read one of the wonderful stories written by Laurenston, I’m transported to a wonderful world that has me smiling and laughing. Also having all the feelings, because that’s what you should always have in a good romance.

<- Hot and BadgeredBadger to the Bone ->

Image source: Amazon