Marcy Jacks

This third book in the series tackles yet another preconceived idea present in many shifter books, and gives us an interspecies couple that is not only mated but able to conceive a child (thus adding a second male pregnancy to the overall story). Now, you may say it's all fantasy and therefore not real in any case, and you would be right. And yet, as I am very much into this sort of fantasy and love different shifter worlds, I am intrigued by someone who seems to turn much of the "accepted wisdom" on its head and comes up with something slightly different - equally fantastical to be sure. If you are a fan of paranormal and shifter stories, you might be able to understand my delight about this; and yes, I am usually on the side of the "rebels", the ones who don’t necessarily obey all the rules. If you are not a fan, well, you've probably already stopped reading this review by now.

David, an omega luna wolf shifter, has survived the impossible. Or the almost impossible, at least: he has broken a mating bond. Shocking, right? Actually, his mate is an a**hat and not only cheated on David but hit him as well. Just the once, but that is enough. Rightfully, David decides to leave. I've always wondered if "bad mates" existed and what would happen if a good guy was mated to a bad guy. Supposedly, that won't happen, but this author has asked the question "but what if it were possible", and has given us this story. Complete with the pain and suffering both ex-mates go through. I loved how David still doesn’t give up, and is willing to try again despite his bad experience.

Ash, the bear shifter, couldn't be more perfect for David if he tried. He's gone through his own traumatic loss (his mate dies, killed by hunters), and doesn't expect to find another mate. Especially not one of a different shifter species! I thought it was super cute how the big bear of a man doesn’t think he belongs with the wolves, even though they invite him into their pack. Realizing that David is his mate, his second chance at happiness, changes that, of course. Ash is super protective and thank God he is as strong as he is – when David's ex suddenly reappears, David needs all the help he can get.

Finally, in this book Westley, from book one, gives birth. We don’t get to see any details, but we do find out he has the baby. I'm hoping for more in book four. If you like shifter stories that don’t adhere to the "traditions" of the paranormal genre, if you enjoy reading about mates who get second chances but have a hard time accepting that at first, and if you're looking for a read with lots and lots of hot and loving shifter-on-shifter action, then you will probably like this novella.
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As hoped for, volume four in the series deals with another preconception of werewolf lore that seems quite widespread - other than when dealing with bonded triads in ménages where each member does get two mates. The fact that each wolf shifter only has one mate, and that's it, is widespread in my reading experience. However, the author neatly ignores that and gives Damien a second chance with Warren. Both of them have much to learn, since Damien isn’t used to such a "pushy omega" as a mate, and Warren has a hard time with suddenly not being independent anymore.

Warren wants a mate. He looks forward to the intimacy and to have someone to love. But when he discovers that Damien is the one he is bonded to, and how bossy the alpha is, Warren is no longer so sure. Being coddled while he is still recovering from the wounds he received in a fight at the end of book three is one thing, but being told to stay in the house and not go into the town is not what he was hoping for. The pack needs money, and Warren wants to contribute, so he plans to become a waiter at the diner. Unsurprisingly, Damien is against it, and, equally expected, Warren ignores the man's edict. He puts himself in danger – but he also discovers vital information.

Damian is possessive, but he has good reason. After losing his first mate, a traumatic experience, to wolf shifter hunters, he is scared to death the same might happen to Warren And even though he is a very capable omega, the fear Damien feels isn’t rational. Can't say I blame him after what he's been through. Luckily, Damien is an alpha with a brain, and when he sees how much having a job mans to Warren, he manages to deal with the situation amazingly well.

The hunters are definitely at it in this installment of the series, developing into a real threat. I loved how Warren ends up making a valuable contribution to the pack's safety, Damien learns how to deal with his fears, and both of them become a very strong couple as a result. If you like shifter stories that don’t necessarily follow the "traditions" of the paranormal genre, if you enjoy reading about mates who get second chances but have a hard time dealing with the reality of how different that second mate is from the first, and if you're looking for a read with lots and lots of hot and reciprocal shifter-on-shifter action, then you will probably like this novella.



NOTE: This book was provided by Siren Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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