REVIEW - Bite Me (Pride #9) by Shelly Laurenston

The Book

Release Date: 25 March 2014

Goodreads Link

Livy Kowalski has no time for idiots. When you shapeshift into a honey badger, getting through life’s irritants is a finely honed skill. Until she gets stuck housing her nutso cousin and dealing with her dad’s untimely and unexplained demise.

That’s where Vic Barinov comes in—or his house does. Vic can’t step outside without coming back to find Livy devouring his honey stash and getting the TV remote sticky. It gets his animal instincts all riled up. But he’ll have to woo her at high speed: all hell is breaking loose, and Livy is leading the charge…

My Review   5 STARS

This is the last book in the series and is on Livy and Vic who were in the previous book where we got a good idea about the types of personality they had.

Livy is hot blooded and reacts just as fast with her emotions even though she appears cold unless you know her, and Vic is good at reading people.  She is also a Honey badger and loves honey, crawling into small dark places and has a unique skill set.

Vic worked with Dee-Ann Smith and now works independently, he is also a Bear, Tiger hybrid.  He is on the more patient side and seems to know what Livy needs instinctively.

Both bait each other in ways until they cannot fight their attraction and both are the type of character that are there for others they know and love.

We get to see a lot more of Livy's family in this book two after a revelation has Livy focused on revenge and the end finally of Whitmore and the person shielding him.  Livy is the good girl of her family and she has never asked them for something before, so they all help her and hilarity certainly ensues as honey badgers love to fight and steal and look after themselves.

I have enjoyed this series, even if it took a while to get into this authors writing style, but the stories were good, there is a continuation of a longer story through out the books and the characters certainly keep us engaged and are linked into each others stories.  I may well read more from this author in the future.

REVIEW - Wolf with Benefits (Pride #8) by Shelly Laurenston

The Book

Release Date: 26 March 2013

Goodreads Link

There’s nothing like a good-ol’-boy wolf. And ace security expert Ricky Lee Reed serves, protects and seduces with all the right moves...

Sure, Toni Jean-Louis Parker has to be the responsible oldest sister to a crazy-brilliant clan of jackal siblings. But now she’s cutting loose for some hot, sweaty, no-commitments fun—and the sexy, slow-talking, swift-moving predator assigned to keep her family safe is just the right thing to shapeshift her love life into overdrive. Trouble is, he’s starting to get all obsessive wolf on her every time he looks in her direction...

Getting serious about anyone isn’t in Ricky Lee Reed’s plans. Hell, even now he doesn’t really have a plan—outside of catching whomever is threatening this dangerously brilliant family. But the more he sees of Toni, the more he’s howling for her. And whatever it takes to convince her that what they have is everything, well, this wily wolf is down for the sizzling chase...

My Review  4 STARS

**My thanks to Netgalley and the Kensington Books, Brava for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This book continues with the underlying story and is told from multiple points of view that you still do not get a warning about who the narrative has changed to.

Ricky Lee Reed is one of Rony Lee Reeds brothers and he is a lovely character and mostly waits for drama to come to him for something entertaining and is more than happy just to sit and wait for it, being around Antonella (Toni) Jean-Louis Parker means unlimited drama is around him and he loves it.

Toni comes from a family where she is and her father are the only normal people as her mother and siblings are all geniuses in one form or another.  Having helped her parents raise her siblings, she now finds her organisational skills come in handy at Ulrichs Hockey business, especially as she can handle and manage the demanding Bo Nokivich.  

We get lots of humour and areas that make you laugh in this book and we are also introduced to Toni's best friend Olivia (Livy) who comes in to help her with some photography shots and is also very entertaining.

I really enjoyed this book and aI am looking forward to reading the last book of the series.

REVIEW - Bear Meets Girl (Pride #7) by Shelly Laurenston

The Book

Release Date: 27 March 2012

Goodreads Link

He's big, burly, and way smarter than your average shapeshifting bear. He's also about to get trapped by own his game. . .

Lou Crushek is a reasonable, mellow, easygoing kind of guy. But once someone starts killing the scumbags he works so hard to bust, that really gets under his fur. Especially when that someone is a curvy she-tiger with a skill set that's turning Crush's lone-bear world upside down--and bringing his passion out of hibernation. . .

As a member of an elite feline protection unit, Marcella Malone has no problem body-dropping anyone who hunts her kind. But Crush is proving one major pain in her gorgeous tail. The only reason she's joined forces with him is to track down the wealthy human who's got her entire species in his ruthless sights. It sure isn't because Crush's stubborn and contrary attitude is rubbing Cella in all the right ways. . .

"Laurenston's characters shine with wit and depth." --Publishers Weekly on Belong to the Night

My Review  4 STARS

Lou Crushek is a bear who does not like change and when he finds that he is being transferred to another department in the police force he is not happy.  It makes it a little easier when he finds that he is Desirees partner as he knows her, but he still does not like it.  He also does not like that the naked female he woke up with after a party at her house before he is transferred also happens to pop up a lot around her.

Cella Malone is a Derby player and a hockey player with Ric and Bo Novikov.  She has a bit of a temper and likes to beat down other players as part of her being an enforcer on the team.  She is also one of the only people who seems to be able to handle Novikov and his OCD ways.

I really like how the pair interacted with each other and the way that Cella pulled Crush out of himself and into a relationship with her without having to cajole too much, but she would not take no as an answer.

The another of other past couples has been scaled down n this one as we mainly just see Novikov, Blayne, Dee-Ann and Ric and Dec with a little of Mace.

Now I just wonder who the last two books are going to be for.  I am enjoying this series, but the only thing that annoys me is the change in point of view from each main character without warning.

REVIEW - Big Bad Beast (Pride #6) by Shelly Laurenston

The Book

Release Date: 26 April 2011

Goodreads Link

Seeing is deceiving. And Ric Van Holtz, the wolfishly sexy hero of Shelly Laurenston’s sizzling, wildly entertaining new tale, is nothing you expect—and everything you want…

When it comes to following her instincts, former Marine Dee-Ann Smith never holds back. And this deadly member of a shifter protection group will do anything to prove one of her own kind is having hybrids captured for dogfights. Trouble is, her too-cute rich-boy boss Ric Van Holtz insists on helping out. And his crazy-like-a-fox smarts and charming persistence are making it real hard for Dee to keep her heart safe….

Ric can’t believe his luck. He’s wanted this fiercely independent she-wolf from day one, but he never expected teamwork as explosive as this. And now is his last chance to show Dee what she needs isn’t some in-your-face Alpha male—but a wily, resourceful wolf who’ll always have her back in a fight…and between the sheets.

My Review  4 STARS

I really enjoyed having Dee-Ann Smith and Ric Van Holtz find their happy ending and the partnership that completes them.

Dee-Ann is a really strong character and Richard does well to soften up her edges, but still let her be who she needs to be without holding her back unless she needs it.

Ric certainly likes to have fun, but does certainly have a serious side and is another strong character with lots of friends, I like who he is there for them and is someone who can be counted on.

I lost some respect for the Shaw brothers with their whining and their selfish behaviour.

Looking forward to see who gets a book next in the series.

REVIEW - Beast Behaving Badly (Pride #5) by Shelly Laurenston

The Book

Release Date: 3 March 2013

Goodreads Link

Some men just have more to offer. Like hard-muscled, shape-shifting Bo Novikov--part polar bear, part lion, pure alpha. . .

Ten years after Blayne Thorpe first encountered Bo Novikov, she still can't get the smooth-talking shifter out of her head. Now he's shadowing her in New York--all seven-plus feet of him--determined to protect her from stalkers who want to use her in shifter dogfights. Even if he has to drag her off to an isolated Maine town where the only neighbors are other bears almost as crazy as he is. . .

Let sleeping dogs lie. Bo knows it's good advice, but he can't leave Blayne be. Blame it on her sweet sexiness--or his hunch that there's more to this little wolfdog than meets the eye. Blayne has depths he hasn't yet begun to fathom--much as he'd like to. She may insist Bo's nothing but a pain in her delectable behind, but polar bears have patience in spades. Soon she'll realize how good they can be together. And when she does, animal instinct tells him it'll be worth the wait. . .

"Non-stop laughter, snark, and witty banter." –SmexyBooks

Praise for the novels of Shelly Laurenston

"Delicious, sexy and wicked fun!" --New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter on Bear Meets Girl

My Review.  4 STARS 

I have been looking forward to Blayne's story as she has been a character that I have loved.  She is nutty, funny and like a human on speed.  Here we get her falling for the bear-lion hybrid Bold (Bo Novikov from  a polar bear community.

Blayne is half wolf and half dog, which certainly can cause problems, but she makes friends wherever she goes and has the personality that most cannot help but love her.  She is a very loyal friend and most are there the moment that she might need them.

We find that Blayne's name has been sold to a syndicate that organises kidnapping of hybrids in order to get them pit fighting.  Dee-Ann Smith is charged with following her for her safety, but known tells Blayne.

Bo is a shifter hockey player with attitude and a penchant for lists and schedules he does not like interrupted.  However Blayne soon comes along and challenges everything and turns his ordered world upside down.  But there is just something about the girl that keeps him from turning away from her.

We get to see more of previous characters in the series, and introduced to new ones and I really like the bears.  Blayne is a charming character, full of spice and all things nice, but she does have her point where she snaps.

I have certainly enjoyed this book the best so far in this series and wait to see where this goes and how the plot line will play out.

REVIEW - The Mane Squeeze (Pride #4) by Shelly Laurenston

The Book

Release Date: 30 December 2014

Goodreads Link

Growing up on the tough Philly streets, Gwen O'Neill has learned how to fend for herself. But what is she supposed to do with a nice, suburban Jersey boy in the form of a massive Grizzly shifter? Especially one with a rather unhealthy fetish for honey, moose, and…uh…well, her. Yet despite his menacing ursine growl and four-inch claws, Gwen finds Lachlan "Lock" MacRyrie cute and really sweet. He actually watches out for her, protects her, and unlike the rest of her out-of-control family manages not to morbidly embarrass her. Too bad cats don't believe in forever.

At nearly seven feet tall, Lock is used to people responding to him in two ways: screaming and running away. Gwen-half lioness, half tigress, all kick-ass-does neither. She's sexy beyond belief and smart as hell, but she's a born protector. Watching out for the family and friends closest to her but missing the fact that she's being stalked by a murderous enemy who doesn't like hybrids…and absolutely hates Gwen. Lock probably shouldn't get involved, but he will. Why? Because this is Gwen-and no matter what the hissing, roaring, drape destroying feline says about not being ready to settle down, Lock knows he can't simply walk away. Not when she's come to mean absolutely everything to him.

My Review  4 STARS

Gwen is the half sister of Mitch and not blood related to Brendan and his twin, but Brendon still claims her as a sister.  Finally she stands up for herself and goes into business with her best friend Blayne.

Lock is a bear who first saw Gwen at the wedding of Bobby Ray and Jessie and knew that the woman was something.  When she turns up near his property and is attacked he looks after her and promises she will be safe even though she does not trust hospitals.

Lock very quickly knows that he wants Gwen as his but takes his time burrowing under Gwen skin and showing that he is there for her, even if it means standing up to her brothers, but often with funny results.

I really loved the dynamic between this pair and the family and friends around them and I really loved Lock and his calm in the storm.

This is the best book in the series for me so far.

REVIEW - The Mane Attraction (Pride #3) by Shelly Laurenston

The Book

Release Date: 6 March 2012

Goodreads Link 

Even the king of the beasts can find himself unexpectedly tamed by the right woman. . .

Weddings have the strangest effect on people. Exhibit 1: Sissy Mae waking up in Mitch Shaw's bed the morning after her brother Bobby Ray's nuptials. Exhibit 2: the gunmen trying to kill Mitch. Exhibit 3: Sissy Mae escorting a bleeding yet sexy lion shifter to her Tennessee Pack's turf for safe keeping. It doesn't help that Mitch's appraising gaze makes her feel like the most desirable creature on earth. . .

Mitch is an undercover cop about to testify against some dangerous ex-associates. Even more worrisome, he's harboring hot, X-rated fantasies about one fast-talking little canine--and he has to deal with every male in Sissy Mae's Pack sniffing around her in a way that makes his hackles rise. Mitch has his pride, and he intends to show Sissy Mae that when a lion sets out to make you his mate, the only thing to do is purr, roll over, and enjoy one hell of a ride. . .

"Laurenston's latest couple is unabashedly sexual, which makes their emotional battle of wills all the more enjoyable." --Romantic Times

My Review  4 STARS

Sissy is the brother of Bobby Ray Smith and is an Alpha female with her own pride, she is a very strong willed woman with a heart of gold if you treat her right.

Mitch is the half brother of Brandon and Marissa Shaw and has been working for the police undercover, however now he is in trouble as he is now a star witness on a case that could get him killed.

When Mitch is shot in front of Sissy in his hotel room, Sissy agrees to take his back home to Smithville Tennesse in order to keep him safe.  However being a pride male he is lazy, wants to be looked after and eats Sissy out of house and home and is constantly hungry.

The constant togetherness has the couple fighting and then making up as the sexual awareness ups in spades and sissy showing Mitch just how good a cook she is.

Although the case gets sorted in ways out of Mitch control, there is one dangerous part where an assassin tries to kill him in Smithville, but a family member and Sissy manage the situation and Mitch finds himself a free man.

I really liked this book and loved how Mitch and Sissy reacted to each other and the way the packs and family stand up for each other again.

REVIEW - The Mane Event (Pride #1) by Shelly Laurenston

The Book

Release Date: 1 October 2009

Goodreads Link

Mace Llewellyn. Brendon Shaw. Two tall, gorgeous, sexy alpha heroes who are 100% male―with a little something extra. Lion-shifters, to be exact, who can unleash every woman's animal side and still look good―make that spectacular―in a suit... and even better out of it...

NYPD cop Desiree "Dez" MacDermot knows she's changed a lot since she palled around with her childhood buddy, Mace. But it's fair to say that Mace has changed even more. It isn't just those too-sexy gold eyes, or the six-four, built-like-a-Navy Seal body. It's something in the way he sniffs her neck and purrs, making her entire body tingle...

Meanwhile, for Tennessean Ronnie Lee Reed, New York City is the place where any girl―even one who runs with a Pack―can redefine herself. First order of business: find a mate, settle down, and stop using men for sex. Even big, gorgeous, lion shifter men like Brendon Shaw. But she needn't worry, because now that Brendon's set his sights on her, the predator in him is ready to pounce and never let go...

My Review.  3 STARS

This book is the beginning of a series but this one has two separate stories inside of Lion shifters who find their mates.

Mace is a breeding male lion and is in a pack where the females are the ones in charge.   One of his sisters is the head of the pack and she is not that nice a person.  Having come back from the military he wants to find the person that he knows is his mate, the only problem being that she is a human.

Dez is a cop and when Mace show back up in her life thing get turned on their heads especially then she find out about the shifter world, but she takes that all in her stride.  Mace however will do what ever he needs to do to get her to accept him as the man in her life and certainly helps with her safety especially when she is taken by hyenas.

The other story in this book is of Lion shifter Brendan Shaw and wolf shifter Ronnie Lee.  Ronnie is another strong female character and when she is told to look after tan injured male lion while he is at the hospital she finds a man that does not give up like Mace for what he wants.  He too plays dirty and sneaky to make sure he get what's he wants from his woman.  For her to accept him as her mate.

Although I enjoyed these stories and the main story line continues within, I was not expecting two short stories with insta love.  Although old I did thing there was a little something lacking for me to get completely absorbed into the story.