Review: Be Were (Southern Shifters #5) by Eliza Gayle

Title: Be Were (Southern Shifters #5) by Eliza Gayle
Author: Eliza Gayle
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: January 28th 2014
Reviewed by: Ollie

Rating - 3
Sexual - 4

Dean had a family once. Until tragedy and betrayal consumed them. Now he lives on his own terms keeping life simple and carefree. Then one night leads to one bite and he’s forced back into a dangerous world that reminds him he’s still as angry as ever and this time he’s not leaving until he gets what he wants. Niki.

Niki Harris has lived a life of secrets and solitude with no interest in making a change. But an easy one night stand turns complicated and she finds herself marked. Now she has to decide, tell the sexy shifter with a possessive streak a mile wide she’s pregnant and in danger or do what she’s always done–run.

Take a very alpha mixed jaguar shifter and a dangerous female white cougar on the run and you have an explosive tale of passion, determination, possession and some good old sexy time. Be Were is a fun. quick read with two characters who know what they want and are determined to get it, the only problem is one may need convincing of what they need.

Dean is a drop, dead gorgeous jaguar shifter who has lived a lonely existence ever since his world around him came crashing down and his ability to ever be close to anyone seemed impossible until Niki's arrival.
Niki isn't you average female shifter but a white rare cougar who have reputations of being ruthless, dangerous and loners. On Christmas Eve Niki finds herself alone in a bar until fate places her literally in the arms of a shifter who makes her body burn like an inferno.

Before Niki allows herself to accept this gorgeous shifter who may be what has been missing in her life, she disappears vowing never for Dean to find her again. Unfortunately for Niki she doesn't realize that Dean is just as determined to go after what he knows is the best thing to have happened to him in a long time. The only thing is they both have many obstacles to overcome before they can have any chance of making it work with each other.

I really loved the premise of the storyline and Dean really knows how to make a woman melt. My only problem is the the story did not flow smoothly and was it confusing at times as I had to re-read paragraphs over again to figure out how one scene changed to the next. The other thing that I found a little frustrating is the story did not really explain clearly why Niki was on the run and the implications. Yes we are provided with an explanation, but I didn't not feel there was enough world-building. It felt at times that it waa just thrown out there and that was it. I know this is book #5 in the Southern Shifters series, but it should be mentioned by the author whether this book can be read as a standalone or not in order to understand the world and the background of the characters.

Overall, the characters were very likable and I enjoyed watching them spar with each other even when at times I felt like smacking Niki in the head for giving Dean such a hard time.

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Stories from New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Aubrey Rose, Eliza Gayle, Terry Towers (writing as Elixa Everett), Tawny Taylor , Aphrodite Hunt (writing as Dawn Steele) and Marina Maddix ,as well as #1 Paranormal author Celia Kyle, Top 20 Shifter Romance author Cynthia Brint, Top 10 Barnes & Noble and Top 100 Amazon BBW Romance Author Adriana Hunter, and Top 100 Amazon and Barnes and Noble bestselling and award winning author Selena Kitt.

LAID BEAR by Marina Maddix: Curvy Bethany can't believe her luck when her devastatingly hot neighbor Max falls for her. But his secret threatens her future...and her life.

BEARED TO YOU by Tawny Taylor: Curvy city girl Abby is thrilled when a hot, naked man shows up on her cabin's front doorstep and stokes a blaze or two, in the fireplace and in her body...until he turns into a bear...and the two of them are forced to run for their lives through the untamed Alaskan wilderness.

HE AIN'T LION by Celia Kyle: Life sucks... And then you get turned into a werelion... And then have lotsa awesome sex...

WHATEVER HE NEEDS HER TO BE by Elixa Everett: What would you do to win over the man of your dreams? For shape shifter Selena, it's simply a matter of being whatever he needs her to be.

WANTED BY THE ALPHAS by Dawn Steele: New girl in a new town, Shannon, meets two extremely gorgeous and extremely different men who are vying for her attention -- but who happen to be a witch and an alpha werewolf at war with each other.

BLIND WOLF by Aubrey Rose: A blind werewolf leading a pack of stragglers finally finds his one true mate -- then realizes she's human...

UNTIL THE FLOOD by Cynthia Brint: Fiona believes the love of her life died years ago, so how will she handle his return...and the fact that he's no longer human?

DESIRES OF THE WOLFMAN by Julianne Reyer: A newlywed couple faces their deepest fantasies and fears as they're thrust from their little rural community into a world of werewolf turmoil and mystery.

CAT LOVER (Book 1) by Selena Kitt: Sebastian and Katie are having relationship issues when her ex shows up to complicate things, but that's the least of their worries, because Katie is finally changing--into something not quite human.

BETTER MATE THAN NEVER by Adriana Hunter: Caleb Stone has wanted Paige for as long as he can remember but there's a reason he's always kept his distance. Wolves, more specifically, Lycan's, can't mate with humans. Worse, he can sense her incredibly intense hunger for him but he knows that he can never give her what she wants, or needs.But when Paige is kidnapped by a powerful enemy Caleb has no choice but to go after her even if it means revealing his true identity...even if means risking it all.

LUCAS by Eliza Gayle: An uneasy alliance, a mating call that won't be denied, rituals that must be honored, and unrelenting enemies who will stop at nothing to get what they want. In the end, there's really only one choice... for Lucas.

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Shifter Romance Boxed Set Book Blast 11/06 - 11/23

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BDSM Challenge review Power Play by Eliza Gayle

Want to learn more about this event please click here

Title: Power Play (Pleasure Playground, #2)

Author: Eliza Gayle

Source: Author

Genre: Contemporary BDSM Erotic Romance

Length: Novel

She wants the escape. He wants control. They both need love.

Jennifer Croft is at the peak of her career. As a bondage model at Altered Ego, she’s become the crème de la crème of the fetish world, ensuring herself a top spot in her profession. The world is her oyster. Her personal life on the other hand… It’s not pretty. Only her fascination with pain play keeps the ghosts of her past at bay.

After tragedy sends Daegan McKenna to the South for a much needed change of pace, the last thing he expects to find is a closet submissive hiding in plain sight. She’s hot-tempered and in denial — a heady combination that brings out the dominant looking for a challenge. He’s already loved and lost more than one man should, but the haunted look in her eyes prompts him to make her an offer. He’ll indulge her darkest fantasies, if she’ll agree to give up control. Then he’ll let her go.

Unfortunately, the past never stays in the past and old insecurities cause complications neither of them wanted. Now temporary is not enough.

Review Kane By Eliza Gayle

Title: Kane (Black Cougar #2)
Author: Eliza Gayle
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance - Shifters
Format: eBook, 233 pgs
Release Date: April 2010
Author Website





Kane Gunn is beyond frustrated. He has a kill order to fulfill and after weeks of chasing his quarry he's boiling over with tension. Then he catches the woman who's become his obsession and Kane becomes consumed by a desire that overwhelms everything...including his quest for justice.

Lara is determined to seek revenge against the were-cougar guardians. Consequences don't matter and distraction isn't an option. Until she finds herself face to face with the pair of green eyes that have been haunting her day and night. Time is of the essence as the tables are turned and a tenuous truce is formed.

In the face of passion enemies become lovers, tempting fate, testing trust, and satisfying an undeniable need. Lies and secrets. Corruption and Revenge. Choices that change lives. Don't miss the revelation...of Kane.




Rating -


Sexual -


My Review:

What happens when you discover unbridled lust for someone you hate and who tried to kill your brother? The second book in Gayle's Black cougar series. The subject of our hero's desire is the female antagonist from the first book in the series. One of the unanswered questions from the first book is answered here.

The basic story premise is a good one. At 233 double-spaced pages, this is another fast read. There is betrayal by a friend, shocking revelations and sex (an interesting shower scene, couple of outdoor scenes, a Jacuzzi tub scene and a quick somewhat unclear anal scene) with a little bit of reluctant, unconventional romance thrown in. While not as sensually hot as the first book, there is alot of chemistry going on.

Kane, the main lead, is the easy going brother forced into being the clan enforcer and guardian when his brother is banished from the clan for at least a year for mating outside the clan. While he kills when necessary, he doesn't like to.

Lara, the female lead, is a real hard witch and it is difficult to call her the heroine. Agressive, strong-willed and apparently evil, she comes off as nasty and willing to do anything to get revenge. She has been molded from an early teenager to hate and get revenge so it is very hard to be sympathetic or like her when she shows a little weakness and humanity. Kane eventually and affectionally describes her as having "wicked dark side and a knack for creating havoc". Gayle is very successful in creating a character that is very easy to not like. You would think this would hurt the story but it really doesn't - it works well.

While I did enjoy the story, there is so much foreshadowing throughout the story that it is very easy to figure out the secrets, and there are several, only some of which are unveiled by the end. Less than half way through the book I had already figured out what was supposed to be subtly alluded to. There was also a small continuity issue.

If this and the first book were interweaved together into a single book, both stories would have reaped great benefits and made for a potentially 4 or 5 star full length novel.

The story ends on a cliffhanger which hopefully is answered in the next book in the series. One wonders since there are three brothers and no other real characters developed partially or fully, if this will end up being a trilogy instead of a series.

Review Lucas by Eliza Gayle

Title: Lucas (Black Cougar #1)
Author: Eliza Gayle
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance - Shifters
Format: eBook 230 pgs
Release Date: June 1st 2010
Author Website





Kira MacDonald is in trouble. Plagued by false visions and erotic dreams of a man she's never met, she fears losing both her psychic powers and her sanity. The cure? Finding and bonding with her mate. The stubborn red-haired warrior might not want one, but fate has other plans, plans that include her rescuing Lucas Gunn.

As the Guardian of his shapeshifting clan, Lucas Gunn lived a quiet, solitary life until he was kidnapped, examined, and tortured. Now imprisoned, his only tie to the outside world is the memory of his dreams and the passionate woman who appears in them. He thought she was nothing more than a vision. Then she came for him.

An uneasy alliance, a mating call that won't be denied, rituals that must be honored, and unrelenting enemies who will stop at nothing to get what they want. It all comes together in the first of Eliza Gayle's sensational Black Cougar Series. Passion and pride. Duty and danger. In the end, there's really only one choice...for Lucas.



Rating -


Sexual -


My Review:

This is the first in Gayle's sexy Black Cougar series. It has a very good story line. I think in the future, this could be the basis for a full length print paranormal romance novel. At only 230 double-spaced pages, it is a very quick read. There is action, clan opposition, shifters, a witch, a budding romance, as well as a nefarious plot against our hero. The sex is very hot - on a scale of 1-4, it is a 3.5 including one anal scene, some spanking, one short m/f/m scene and talk of bondage (but no action).

The hero, Lucas, is definitely an alpha male who makes a lot of assumptions (and you know what they say about assuming things) however in the end turns out to have a loving and forgiving nature.

The heroine, Kira, is a psychic in a mental meltdown due to the mating urge that makes serious PMS look and feel like a day in the park. However she is lucid enough to be seriously wary of mating - she isn't going to let some male subjugate her. She has some family issues as well. Even so, the chemistry between these characters is smoking.

There is also a nice foreshadowing for the subject of the next book in the series.
While I did enjoy the story, there were some continuity issues and several unresolved/unexplained things, perhaps due to page length and/or word count constraints? Because of this, the ending feels quite abrupt and I felt left hanging - but definitely wanting more of this story.

There is a sneak peak of the next book in the series at the end.

Bewitching Book tours: Guest post with author Eliza Gayle and give away!

Loving the Alpha Hero

Love em or not there is clearly a lot to be said for the Alpha hero in a book. He’s strong, sexy, with a take charge attitude that can make a heroine tingle in all the right places just as quickly as he can make her want to throttle him for his stubbornness. Long before I was an author I was a voracious reader, devouring romance novel after romance novel in my everlasting quest to fall in love with as many of these hot alpha men as I could.

I’ve learned over the years that I never tire of the natural friction between an uber aggressive man and a strong woman. Unfortunately not all alpha heroes are created equally nor are reader’s tastes in just how alpha heroes should be. Of course I don’t actually see that as a bad thing. Can you imagine a world where men could only be one way? Variety makes the world go round and discovering new characters every time you pick up a book only enhances that experience.

So what exactly makes up my perfect alpha hero?

That answer of course depends on the writer but for me there are a lot of factors, a few of which I’ll highlight here. First and foremost he needs to be wickedly intelligent with more than enough confidence to see a problem through. No wimps need apply. As in everyday life as well as in fiction, hard choices must be made and we have to count on our alpha leaders to be willing to do so.

I don’t see my men sitting around discussing their emotions all that often. Their feelings may run deep but those thoughts are kept close to the vest and only drawn out during intense moments. If it were easy to bring an alpha to his emotional knees where would the fun in that be?

When it comes to goals these guys can get a little single minded. It may be enough to drive the heroine crazy but it doesn’t make them mean or unkind even if they sometimes come across that way. Which gets to the heart of an alpha male. Inside somewhere is a soft spot aching to be uncovered, the challenge is simply in finding it. I don’t know about you but I relish that challenge.

Do all alphas have to be extremely hot and sexier than most men? God I hope so. J While I don’t always want my heroes to be physically perfect I do expect a certain amount of magnetism that manages to come naturally to these overly confident men. I personally tend to lean towards a big, strong, physically imposing man and that’s going to come through in my writing. First impressions do count and a man like that reminds me of big appetites and I definitely want my hero to be insatiable.

At the end of the day I’ll eagerly take your alpha male hero—flaws and all. Just be sure to pair him with a heroine smart enough to find his weak spot.

Eliza Gayle is the best selling author of a variety of paranormal and contemporary erotic romances. Her latest book, Malcolm, is the third installment in the action packed Black Cougar series and is now available from most ebook retailers. She currently makes her home in the gorgeous piedmont area of North Carolina as close to the water as she can get. You’ll often find her on Twitter chatting about random slices of life at @elizagaylebooks or on Facebook as ElizaGayle. To find out more about Eliza and her books visit her website at http://elizagayle.net

Blurb for Malcolm:


He can run be he can’t hide. Not from duty. Not from danger. And especially not from the woman who forces him to face the truth.


Malcolm Gunn’s time is running out along with his ability to shift. When confronted with his past he thinks he’s found a solution. With the help of a little rope, he can let nature takes its course. Unfortunately the woman who is the key to his existence harbors a powerful secret that will destroy them both.


Cheyenne’s been hired to track and retrieve Malcolm at any cost. Her only plan is to get in, get out and keep her sanity intact. In that order. But she’s been warned…If he catches her, he will stake his claim whether she is willing or not.


Deceit and lies bring them together. Murder puts them on the run. Their enemies are closing in and there’s only one, irreversible way out. Some choices can never be forgiven and one man’s anger can destroy it all…Malcolm

For the giveaway Eliza is offering 1 digital copy of any of the cougar books ( Kane, Lucas or Malcolm) in the format of their choice. So, please leave a comment below along with your email if its not on your profile.

Review: Malcolm by Eliza Gayle

MALCOLM

Eliza Gayle

Gypsy Ink Books

Published: April 6, 2011

Paranormal Romance

E-book, 302 pages

Requested Review

Eliza Gayle's Website

 

RATING

SEXUAL

MY REVIEW

This is the 3^rd story in the Cougar Series.  At this point I haven’t read Kane or Lucas.  While there were a few things that were alluded to from these books, one can easily read this book without being lost. 

Holy Hotness Batman!  Whew, I need a cold shower.  Malcolm and Chey may have their issues, but when they put their minds to it the know how to have sex!  And while Malcolm mentions a love for bondage, there really isn’t any of that in the book. 

As I said, they have their issues.  They’ve been apart for nearly 5 years, even though they are mates.  They have trust issues and huge misunderstandings.  At times I wanted to shake the both of them.  They let their pride and anger get in the way of a relationship.  Things do get cleared up by the end, but the story definitely has moments where you are really frustrated with both of them.  Of course, that’s what helps make the book so good.