Reviews by Christy Duke

It was hard not to totally fall for both Aldrid and Jonah. Aldrid is so stinking adorable and Jonah needs someone to help him see the joy in life. I really liked this. The mystery portion was done pretty well and was fairly plausible which is always good in my book.

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I kind of got the so-so’s from this book in the series. I think a lot of that came from things that were said, but then never followed up on, so I’m left with questions. The whole “bad guy” after Race was just a little too scripted for me, as was that plot line. (Sorry, Stormy, not my fave) The guys are great, though, and of course, very hot together.

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Just because I had already guessed who was abusing Andrew, and why, it still didn’t make me hurt any less for what he suffered through. Bear is just as wonderful as I imagined he’d be and these two men were really great together.

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4.5 Stars ~ I love it that this third installment focuses on Simon, the lion representative to the cat’s council. He’s beyond arrogant, to be honest, and is all about keeping his bloodline pure, positive that the Fates will mate him with another lion who will be his lubirea mai. He definitely is a bit focused on speciesism. The fact that Jessie is human, and has a mind of his own, goes against all of Simon’s plans. Throw in that “little” curse his brother-in-law, Riley, threw at him (and, yes, it’s perfect), and I knew I’d be in for a good time. Dang it, Bellann, I was determined not to feel any softness for Simon, and within a few pages you gave me an alternate view of what his position on the council costs him. Granted, it doesn’t excuse his behavior, but it did make me weaken just a little toward him *stomping my foot*. Oh no, he didn’t! Okay, I take back all of my softening feelings for Simon, the conceited a**hole. You do NOT get to rid yourself of having a human mate in that manner. Thank goodness his older brother, Sabastian, arrived to take over as the lion representative to the council. Sabastian is stronger than Simon and he will make this right. (I hope, anyway, for Jessie’s sake.) “Tell me you didn’t reject your mate.” “He is human,” Simon repeated. What more needed to be said? Sabastian’s eyes flared with rage and his large hand, now containing razor-edged claws, swiped toward Simon. “You idiot!” Sabastian shouted, stalking over to him. Strong fingers enclosed around his neck and Simon was lifted like a ragdoll until his feet no longer touched the floor. “Fate gave you the gift of a mate and you threw it away?” Unfortunately for my softening feelings, it would appear their dad told Simon one thing but their mother never got the chance to have her talk with him, and then he was sent to the council to study for two years. He was ten years old and stuck with the arrogant, egotistical, high-and-mighty old council members. It still doesn’t excuse him. Not completely. I might be weakening. A little. Again. But I hope Jessie tears him up. Fate definitely knew what it was doing when it paired Simon and Jessie. Jessie is no weak, puny human, and in fact, even after they’ve completed the mating, Jessie manages to put a wall around his feelings preventing Simon from having access to his emotions - something unheard of. “We’ve both been told fate had decided this mating. You tried the coward’s way out and that didn’t work. So now what are you going to do?” Jessie asked. A flash of guilt crossed Simon’s face, and then it was gone. Jessie wasn’t sure if it was because he had called him out on his behavior or Simon was up to something new. I liked this novel so much more than I thought I would! It was absolutely perfect and the love story was sublime. I finally got to see a birth and it was well done. I’m glad Riley’s curse worked, but happier to see Jessie work his own human magic on Simon. Now I can jump into the fourth installment which is actually a revised short previously released in an anthology. I can hardly wait.

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I enjoyed the first book in this series quite a lot so I jumped straight into Riley and Samuel’s tale. I met Samuel at the end of Stephan and Todd’s adventure when Samuel showed up to “escort” the newly paired lubirea mai couple to the council for their mating to be sealed. Samuel is a true lion meaning both his parents are lion shifters and they are a mated lubirea mai pair. This means Samuel is much stronger because his blood, so to speak, is pure. Riley is with his friend Katherine, a lion shifter, and they are headed to a home where they can escape the cat council’s decree that would force Katherine to come to the council for a week and have sex with a stranger in the hopes of getting pregnant. The cat population is way down so the council determined this was the answer. All unmated cats, after the age of five hundred, must appear every other year for one week in order to help propagate the species. (It’s the main thing Stephan was so angry at the council for and why he built the secret tunnels under his house to help those who wanted to disappear.) Before they can reach the secret entrance, Katherine finds her mate, and Riley is slammed by a huge lion - Samuel, his mate. Turns out that Riley and Samuel are lubirea mai mates which makes them even more important in the shifter world. Because they are lubirea mai, even though Riley is male, he will still be able to bear children for Samuel which is one of the extra gifts in these matings. Unfortunately, Samuel’s brother, Simon, the lion representative on the council, is not happy to find that Riley is a human. He had assumed that the fates would bless them with another lion shifter plus being a lubirea mai so the brothers could produce more pure lions. Pfft. Pure, schmure. That’s my opinion, anyway. Good thing Riley already distrusts the council because he needs to keep his eyes on Simon. His brother knew that with the bond not sealed completely, and it being a lubirea mai mating, that this would fuck with his mind and body. It was just like his arrogant, pompous, bigoted brother to punish him for daring to mate with a human and taint their pure, true blood. A wonderful second novella in the series that I enjoyed very much. Simon is arrogant, pompous, and a bigot to boot. Riley gets him in the end, though, and I’m looking forward to Simon’s story as I’m positive it’s not going to be an easy one. I adored Samuel and Riley although I really wanted to see a birthing and find out how many kits Riley had! Samuel forgot to tell him multiple births are normal for lions. Bad kitty.

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In an unusual coincidence, I read a short by this author in an anthology which I then discovered she was rereleasing as an extended version of the original short. Well, turns out the extended rerelease is book 4 of the ‘Lubirea Mai’ series, and I’m biologically incapable of beginning a series unless I start at the beginning. So naturally, I must read the first three installments before I can continue. It’s a real hardship I tell you. *grins* Stephan is a hoot and he doesn’t even mean to be. Todd calls him Crabby Bastard because that’s what Todd’s dad called him when they used to live next door twenty years ago. Imagine Todd’s surprise when he discovers the paranormal world is real, Crabby Bastard still lives next door, and apparently the reason Todd never forgot this house or his neighbor is because they’re mates. Stephan really is a cantankerous, grumpy, seven-hundred-year-old cougar shifter and he should spend his days yelling at kids to get off of his lawn. He doesn’t understand why his mate won’t let him finish the mating… why do they have to talk? Frustrating human. Lubirea mai is an ancient Romanian word and it means more than soul mates. In the paranormal world finding your lubirea mai is a miracle as they don’t happen often, although in Stephan’s years he has noticed a trend of more happening at certain times. Regardless, Stephan is stunned when Todd and he turn out to be lubirea mai. For one thing, as a human, it means Todd can have Stephan’s kits. Todd isn’t so sure how he feels about that and I don’t blame him. Todd also isn’t too sure about being mated to a man he has to constantly drag information out of, but what’s done is done, so they’re both going to have to adjust. I can admit to enjoying watching them fumble, especially Stephan as he tried to keep his lubirea mai from learning about the cat council and several of their “rules”. A very interesting and unique new way of handling the fated mates trope. I really enjoyed this introduction into the world and I’m looking forward to jumping straight into the next books in the series. I’m hoping to see more advancement within the cat council on changing some of their archaic traditions.

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From the moment I knew about this book, ‘The Stormy Glenn Collection Convention’, actually scratch that..... from the instant I got to read the blurb I just knew the author was going to take it out of the stratosphere. And, I was so right! The idea of Stormy’s characters - the ones whose series haven’t taken off yet - being invited to a convention and then having to help Stormy find her muse? Oh.... I was in hog heaven just thinking about the possibilities. For example, here’s Harper and his mate, Memphis from ‘Broken-Nail Diva’ (which I haven’t read yet but it’s being added to my TBR now) walking into the resort lobby and: “Okay, that was weird,” Harper said. Memphis smiled as he hugged his mate close to his side. “Baby, this is the Stormy Glenn Convention. I doubt that’s going to be the weirdest thing you see this weekend.” I won’t tell you what they saw in the lobby but I can tell you I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR STORMY right now. Can I just say ‘Scales and a Tail’ people? Those of you who know me....... And, some more with the MC’s of ‘Sunshine’s Kiss’ “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been pregnant? We’re talking eons here.” Jesse held up his hands. “Hey, don’t blame me. I didn’t get writer’s block after the first book was written. That’s all on Stormy Glenn.” Do you see the SHEER FUN? Not just the fun but the ingenuity of the story is phenomenal. I loved the way the couples interacted with one another upon meeting. So many of the omega, or more submissive, members of the couples have read all of Stormy’s books so they recognize many of the other people there. Hands down, though I laughed a lot through this book, when all the big, bad alphas were standing around trying to figure out what a muse looks like, I practically snorted water through my nose. Hilarious! Samuel glanced at the men with him as they made their way to the elevators. He hadn’t been formally introduced to them, but he knew who they were. He had read their stories. He’d read all of Stormy’s stories. He was just as interested in the worlds she wrote about as he was in his own story. Stormy, I think you’re incredible. I did before this, but this book has cemented the fact. Now, I suggest you take the suggestions and write some of these people’s stories or you’re going to end up lying face first in the road again. Glowy things. Plot bunny. CACKLING MADLY! Amazing and fantabulous ending - loved it. Hell, I loved everything about this book. Thank you, Stormy, you knocked my socks off!

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So, so, so glad to finally get Boone’s story. Of course, based on information in the book, it’s possible he has even more half brothers, so who knows? Perhaps Ms. Glenn will write more in this series. If nothing else, I think Boston deserves his own happy ever after....oh, and Yuji, too. This was a great addition to the series. Some storylines were nicely put to bed, but the author opened up a few more possibilities. I guess I’ll have to wait and see if her Muse leads her back.

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I knew, before I even started reading this first book in the series, that based on the blurb, I was going to like Keaton, but possibly have some issues with Cameron. I warmed up, a little, to Cam by the end, but essentially, he was way too arrogant, overbearing, and dominant for me. I know, I know. I was surprised, too. Regardless, I loved the premise of this story. The fact that the bears have been living with a lie all of these years and it’s only when Keaton finds his great-great-great-grandfather’s journals and scroll, that he and his cousins set out to right a wrong in order to find their true ones. I’m really looking forward to Silver and Mikey’s story.

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Definitely enjoyed Silver and Mikey a lot more than I did Cameron and Keaton. Not that I didn’t like Cam and Keaton, but I adored Silver and Mikey. Mikey was just snarky enough for me to love him. I’m still really enjoying the worldbuilding and I’m looking forward to Owen and Charlie, and Sasha and Dante’s stories. Especially Sasha and Dante!

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I can’t believe I missed reading this on my initial rounds way back when. Hercules and Rory are great together and I liked their story. The ending was definitely a little over-the-top, but I’m not complaining. It all worked well together.

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Definitely a favorite in the series for me. I adored Apollo and Grayson plus getting to see more of Iben, Zack, Ares, Simon, Djal, and Rory, always makes me happy. I loved the little “extra” mystery the author threw in as well. I want to live in that pack with the beautiful lake and gorgeous mountains. Pretty sure I could be very happy there. Now, I have to bug Stormy to write more in this series. I think Brandon’s story needs to be told, plus they haven’t weeded the bad apples out from the Wolf Council. Just sayin’!

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I really enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I think it might have a lot to do with the relationship, the friendship, that DB and Nick have had since they were kids. The tragedy that struck Nick was written so beautifully that it brought tears to my eyes. The sex was super hot, but then again, this is a Stormy Glenn novella. She knows her way around the bedroom, or bathroom, or kitchen, or truck, or..... well, you get my meaning. Adored seeing DB and Nick get such a gorgeous HEA.

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Decidedly adorable, much like Artie. I liked the undercover portion of the story because it didn’t come across as too far fetched, although there were certainly things which happened that I’m not so sure would in the real world, but that’s why it’s called fiction. Dorian and Artie are smoking hot together and now I can’t wait for Bear’s story.

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Yep. Noah’s story was just as heartbreaking as I imagined it would be. I’m glad he had Raff to help him, although their insta-love wasn’t very realistic. Who knows? I do believe in love at first sight so maybe it wasn’t that big of a stretch.

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I adored Joey. He went through hell and he might’ve thought he’d lost himself but his strong, stubborn self was still there. Harvey is a gentle giant and so besotted over Joey. I liked the MC storyline and it’d be nice to see some more of Dorian, if possible.

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A delightful addition to the series. I was disappointed that there wasn’t more interaction between Sammy and Hank, but the 2nd storyline revolving around Sammy’s horrible family in Boston, and Phoebe, his married brother’s pregnant girlfriend, certainly brought some spice to the table. Enjoyable, fun, and hot.

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3.5 Stars ~ I liked Jonny and Russ’s story but I wasn’t blown away by it. Partly that comes from two men who had to be the absolute worst at communicating AND interpreting what each other did say. The sex was hot which was expected from Stormy. I do still love how Cade Creek comes together for its own.

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Not my favorite so far. That’s NOT to say that I didn’t enjoy it because I definitely did. Jack is awesome and I really liked him. Something about Chester kind of bothered me and I’m not 100% sure what it was. I think it was the way he just shut down on a discussion leaving Jack frustrated and trying to figure out what he did wrong, when IMHO, Jack did nothing wrong. I think Chester just frustrated me. Loved Arson the fire station dog. He pretty much kicked ass!

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I realized last night that there are far too many Stormy Glenn books that I haven’t read, so I set out to change that. First, I bought the other 13 novellas in the ‘Cade Creek’ series, and now I’m starting to read them. *grins* It was so awesome to see the Blaecleah family again. In fact, now I’ll probably need to reread those books, too. Oh, where’s the time? I adored Elliot and Mitch right from the start and seeing Cade Creek come together to help their own always reminds me why I want to live there. Looking forward to the next installment.

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This was so much BETTER than I had even imagined. Trust Stormy to throw out the rulebook and bring something completely unexpected to the table. So unexpected, in fact, that I can’t say a word because it’s a HUGE spoiler. I loved Ian and his geek squad. Hank and his crew are way hot. Stormy, ya better make this a series. PLEASE!!

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I'm so happy that this second installment in the ‘Wolves of Emerald Valley’ series focuses on Atlas. He is one of the five alpha wolves who left their hometown years ago - leaving it to be taken over by a corrupt pack - and Atlas also left his mate, his omega, Larry. They continued to meet in secret twice a year, even though Larry had chosen to be with an enforcer for the Lunar Fire pack that had overtaken Emerald Valley, but it has been a year since Larry was murdered, and Crash, Atlas, Colton, Dante, and Lee returned to their hometown. Since Crash and the guys helped Blake, alpha of the Lunar Fire pack, consolidate his power, and defeat Luka, his former beta, Blake and a vampire coven keep the peace in Emerald Valley. When Joe finds Royce cheating on him, he decides it's finally time for him to leave the pack and strike out on his own. Joe has been told by a pack doctor that he is defective and will never carry strong alpha pups. *eye roll* Joe is incredibly lucky to have Atlas come to his rescue when Joe’s car breaks down one mile before the town limits. “The last time Atlas handed his heart on a platter to a man he thought he loved, Larry spat on it. Comparing Joe to Larry was pointless though. Joe was so open, and eager to give, whereas with Larry, Atlas had to rely on scraps.” It was wonderful to see Joe really open up and show his true personality without being in his brother’s shadow. Joe took to the job of organizing Atlas’s office like a champ and the two men slowly got to know one another. Joe was afraid of giving his heart to the big alpha because what if it was rejected? Atlas wasn't used to an omega like Joe and he was afraid it was all too good to be true. Oh, what a delightful addition to the series! I loved watching Joe come into his own and find his true mate, and I loved seeing Atlas finally find his omega who is honest and loving with him! They both needed each other and I adored being on this journey with them!

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Oh wow. I've really been interested in reading Lee and Magnus’s story ever since Magnus was introduced as the head of the vampire coven that Lee called upon when Blake needed help consolidating his power within his pack. There were a lot of sexual undertones between Lee and Magnus, so I was pretty sure there was more to their story than I had heard. Interspecies relationships are uncommon in this world but they do occur, and the way Lee’s wolf has always responded to Magnus can only mean one thing. Mate. But Lee refuses to believe it, or even contemplate it. Magnus has known Lee is his mate ever since he met him five years ago when they made their pact. Their pact that they would track down Magnus’s sadistic older brother, Eduardo, kill him, and liberate from being Eduardo’s blood slave a young man Lee considers his brother. It has taken five years to finally locate Eduardo and it is time for Magnus to take what he wants from Lee. I liked watching Lee and Magnus figure out a way to have a relationship when they're different in so many ways. It wasn't easy, no doubt about it. Lee has an inherent distrust of vampires and certainly can't imagine one feeding from him. Whereas for Magnus, a lover who is willing to let him feed from them, shows an incredible amount of trust. This is just one of the issues they had to work on. I struggled, again, with quite a few editing errors and I continue to hope that those will be addressed in future novellas. However, overall, I did enjoy this addition to the series.

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"The six of them, Lee, Dante, Colton, Atlas, Larry, and he had made a pact a decade ago to leave bumfuck heaven behind and move on to better things. Larry stayed, but Crash never did really move on." I love nothing more than a brand-new alpha/omega shifter series. The blurb for 'Crash and Burn' really appealed to me and I wanted to know why these guys made this pact, why their friendship ended up being nothing more than some infrequent emails in the ten years since they left, and especially why Larry, their omega, stayed, and who murdered him. I figured I had at least five books to look forward to and that always makes me happy. Crash hit a lot of my buttons right from the start. He's big, snarly, is an illegal MMA cage fighter, and has bad boy written all over him. Except, he's still not over Mark, the omega who broke his heart and sent him running away from Emerald Valley years before. Crash is intense, brooding, loves too much, too deeply, and takes everything too seriously. I was prepared to not like Mark, but that didn't last long. Mark said what he said all those years ago, knowing Crash would run, because Mark felt betrayed. When Crash presented him with wedding rings, Mark was ecstatic, until he realized that Crash had no intention of staying in their hometown and helping to care for it. After the five left, the Lunar Fire pack moved in and claimed the territory, and nothing has been the same since. "He swore to himself that if Crash ever decided to show his face back in town, he had a whole lot of things to say to the Alpha who’d left him and the entire town to the mercy of outsiders." The Lunar Fire pack takes what they want, are vicious with no morals, and they pass their omegas around to be bred and to take care of them. Mark has seen the empty eyes of those omegas, and Larry had, too. Larry tried to run away once, and was black and blue for a month afterward. I really despised Luka, beta of the Lunar Fire pack, and intended mate to Mark. Luka is a viper, plain and simple, running the show behind the scenes while Blake, the alpha, is just a figurehead. Luka is beyond cruel and he scared me as much as he scared Mark. I very much enjoyed the story and the ending. I had a few issues with editing problems and the flow of the story. There were instances where something occurred, not on the page, and I was left guessing as to the how, what, when, and where. However, I liked seeing Crash and Mark finally end up together, and I definitely think there's a lot of promise in the idea of, at the very least, four more books. I'll be looking forward to them.

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Definitely liked this story of Rick (from the future, Rick; Jesse and Frank's son, Rick) and Cooper (son of the head of the hunters; the guy whose death in a different timeline is what caused the pack to be killed). It was intense, insane, and now that James has found his mate, Austin, who was taken by Cooper's dad and beaten half to death........ Well, there's a war coming....no doubt about it!

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