Review: Run with the Moon by Diana DeRicci

Title: Run with the Moon (Men of Silo #1)
Publisher: Purple Sword Publications
Length: 197 pages

Grade: B+



BLURB

Jamie Ness is homeless and on the run. After divulging his deepest, guarded secret, his father attacked him, which left no choice but for Jamie to leave everything behind he'd once known.

His greatest fear is that his father will realize the mistake he made in throwing away the only real income coming into their home and hunt for Jamie. Putting distance between his father and wherever he stops is his only priority. After walking for days, putting one foot in front of the other, it's impossible to turn down a hot meal when Chris Rose pulls up at his side on the outskirts of a town he doesn't know.

Offering the young man a helping hand is ingrained in Chris. Something to eat, a warm bed, and safety, even if he could only get Jamie to grudgingly agree to one night. He would have offered that and more to the young man with the shadowed eyes, except more trouble was looming for Jamie. It isn't just Jamie's dad that Jamie has to worry about, because there is nothing in his life that could have prepared him for Chris's secrets.


MY REVIEW

Jamie Ness is a frightened young man who runs away from his physically abusive father at the beginning of this novel. Chris Rose, a veterinarian, picks him up as Jamie is walking down the highway. From there, they start a relationship, first as friends/roommates/co-workers and later as lovers. There is one thing that Chris is keeping from Jamie though, something that might change their relationship forever. Chris has a secret, and just when Jamie is learning to trust again, Chris reveals the fact he's a shifter. Will Jamie be able to accept Chris' wolf and can their love survive Jamie's past?

This is the first book of Diana DeRicci's I've ever read and it was utterly enjoyable. I love a secret shifter plot where one half of the romantic equation is human and the other a wolf. For readers who adore the hurt/comfort genre, Run with the Moon will be a virtual delight. Jamie is the ultimate woobie who needs tender loving care and Chris is all too willing to provide it. I say this as a great lover of the hurt/comfort theme and found this novel to hit all my buttons as the love between Jamie and Chris grew, so did my enjoyment of all the characters. I was so engrossed in reading it, I would get upset when I had to return to work after a break because I'd had to put the book away!

So, if you'd like to read a very sweet, well-paced and interesting shifter romance with two characters who will steal your heart, then Run with the Moon is for you. I eagerly look forward to the next book in this series, hopefully one of Chris' (sexy) brothers will find his mate too! Recommended. 

Guest Author Libby Drew: Interview

Let's welcome Libby Drew to the site. She's talking about her new paranormal book, 40 Souls to Keep and the genre we all love!

To celebrate her new release, she is giving a free copy of 40 Souls to Keep AND Beneath Lake Redemption (I forgot about the other book during our opening giveaway. My forgetfulness is your bonus!) Please leave your name and email address to be entered into the contest.


Without, further ado, here's Libby:

Is 40 Souls to Keep your first paranormal?

Nope. I’ve written two other paranormal stories. State of Mind, a mystery/thriller, is about a group of people with telekinetic powers. In Beneath Lake Redemption, a reporter sets out to disprove that ghosts haunt the ruins of a flooded town. I write erotic romance as well, but I have to admit I’m partial to paranormals.

Why do you love the paranormal genre?

That’s hard to explain. The term paranormal encompasses so much. I think I enjoy the mystical aspect the most. I don’t usually try to explain why so-called unbelievable things happen. I’d rather explore how they affect and change us. How they scare us. And how they save us.

Guest Author Diana Copland: Why A Ghost Story?

Since today is Veteran's Day in the U.S., I think it's very appropriate to talk about the many soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country. But these men who died in far-away lands, and some right here in our own country during The Civil War...what happens to them after their sacrifice is over? 

In this post, guest author Diana Copland talks about ghosts, Gettysburg and her new book, A Reason to Believe (which I reviewed last week: A+) and how they all tie into one another. Add in the fact, the Steven Spielberg movie, Lincoln comes out this Friday, it seems a perfect time to talk about the ghosts of Gettysburg. 

ADDED: Ms. Copland is giving away another book, Beautiful Forever. If you like vampires, leave your name and email address in a comment to put yourself in the running!

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Why A Ghost Story?

Diana Copland

One question I get asked about A Reason to Believe is, “why a ghost story?”  Not “why gay romance”, (people who know me know my commitment to writing M/M romance goes back at least a decade), or why a murder mystery. More often than not, it’s “why a medium who talks to ghosts?”

There’s a simple answer; I believe in ghosts. Ghosts have never been a stretch because I’ve believed for as long as I can remember. I had an aunt who ‘talked to dead people.’ But I think the belief was solidified during a family trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

We have a winner!

The winner of the 13 Paranormal M/M books to celebrate this site's grand opening is: Lee M.

Enjoy all those shifters, vampires and ghosts! I also want to thank all the authors who contributed their books to the contest. Thanks for making the opening of Lasha's Paranormal M/M Reviews so successful.

Review: A Reason to Believe by Diana Copland

Title: A Reason to Believe
Publisher: Carina Press
Length: 217 pages

Grade: A+


BLURB

Detective Matthew Bennett doesn't believe in ghosts. So when the spirit of a murdered child leads him to her body, he's shaken to the core--and taken off the case. Unable to explain his vision, or to let go of the investigation, Matthew turns to renowned medium Kiernan Fitzpatrick. Though he has doubts about Kiernan's claims to communicate with the dead, Matt is nevertheless drawn to the handsome psychic, who awakens feelings he thought were long-buried.

Haunted by the lingering spirit of the little girl, Kiernan is compelled to aid in the search for her killer. The chance to get closer to the enigmatic Matt is an unexpected bonus. Although Kiernan's been betrayed by people who turned out to be more interested in his fame than in himself, with Matt he's willing to risk his heart. As the two men grow closer, Kiernan helps Matt rediscover that life offers no guarantees--but love offers a reason to believe...

MY REVIEW

This is the first book of Diana Copland's I've ever read, and I know it will not be the last. In A Reason to Believe we meet Detective Matthew Bennett who is investigating the disappearance of six-year-old Abigail Reynolds around the holidays. At the child's house, he think he sees what is the missing girl and follows her to the basement, but she disappears again; however,  not before showing Matt where her dead body is located. The disappearance turns into a murder case of which Matthew is not allowed to participate in because of his ghostly "sighting." (Basically the police think he's lost his mind, overcome with grief at the loss of his partner/lover about 18 months previously, so they pull him off the case.)

Enter his best friend/sister-in-law, Karen who takes him to a mass reading with psychic Kiernan Fitzpatrick. Together, the two form an unique bond and with the ghost of little Abby helping them they are determined to find the killer.

What I loved about this novel was...everything. A Reason to Believe had amazing characters, a creepy murder mystery, hot sex scenes, an interesting ghostly twist and excellent pacing that kept the plot moving along at a steady pace. First, Kiernan and Matt's relationship made sense and while some readers may be turned off at the falling in love in under a week, I thought in their case it worked under the extreme circumstances. Second, there were great secondary characters like Matt's sister-in-law and Kiernan's sister, Aiden. Finally, compelling female characters in a m/m romance that are three dimensional and not bitches! I was ecstatic about that development. Lastly, the murder mystery while towards the end was a little predictable, it still drew me in and kept me guessing until the murderer and their motives were revealed. To me that is an important piece in a novel that features a murder mystery.

Since every one who reads my reviews knows I am extra picky about law enforcement polices and procedures, I was pleasantly surprised at the realism this book had in that regard. Did Ms. Copland get everything right? No, but despite the missteps with correct police procedure, I was still engaged in the plot, so the other things I could hand-wave.

Overall, if you are looking for an excellent book that brings in a terrific plot with eerie paranormal elements, interesting characters, a slow-building romance that fit in perfectly with the tone and pacing of the book, then look no further. I can only hope Ms. Copland is planning a sequel, because I would read about Kiernan and Matthew again in a heartbeat.

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Next week Diana will be here to discuss A Reason to Believe and more. Check back for the post!

Shifters & Vampires welcome...

PLEASE READ: For everyone leaving their name and email address in the comments of this post, I appreciate it, but those posts will not be counted for the giveaway unless Rafflecopter goes down. Per directions, please enter the giveaway with the Rafflecopter widget below. Thank you! (Now, if you just want to chat with me, feel free to leave a comment. *g*)


Welcome to the official opening for Lasha's Paranormal M/M Book Reviews! To celebrate my love for the paranormal genre, we are having a free book giveaway. I want to thank my many author friends for donating their amazing paranormal novels. Up for grabs is THIRTEEN amazing books.

To enter, click on the Rafflecopter widget and enter. The contest will end next Thursday, November 8th. I will announce the winner November 9th! (Names left in the comments will not be counted UNLESS Rafflecopter is not working. E-mail me if that happens!)

You can get extra points by Tweeting a link to the giveaway. 

Here is the spectacular list of m/m e-books (unless otherwise indicated) that are in the giveaway:

1. Kari Gregg's I, Omega
2. Storm Grant's YA M/M novel, Few Are Chosen  --Nominated for Bookie Award Best Short YA Story of the Year (2012)
3. Diana Copland's A Reason to Believe
4. Libby Drew's State of Mind
5. Cardeno C.'s Wake Me Up Inside
6. Diana DeRicci's Run With the Moon
7. Kayley Scott's A Werewolf's Soldier (Warwolves)
8. S.J. Frost's Instinct series (one title)
9. J.L. Merrow (one book from her paranormal back-list)
10. Lou Harper's Tomfoolery (print or ebook)
11. Charlie Richards (pick one from her Wolves of Stone Ridge series)
12. Tedi Sinclair's Heaven and Hell 
13. Marcy Jacks' DeWitt's Pack series (one title)
    

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A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Review: Pocket-Sized Prince by Stormy Glenn

Title: Pocket-Sized Prince
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand
Length: 157 pages

Grade: B+


BLURB

Iben Khenti knew he was an alpha by the time he learned to walk. Unfortunately, due to his small size, no one ever takes him seriously until it is too late. Having lived over two hundred years with a wolf that refuses to accept anyone that Iben is interested in makes for a very lonely life, and one that is quickly coming to an end. Iben is losing control of his wolf, and if that happens, the bloodshed will be unimaginable. Iben needs someone to counter his feral nature. He just never expected to find it in the omega of his new pack.

When Zack Evens is sent to welcome the new alpha into pack lands, he could think of a million other places he would rather be. When Iben steps down from the plane, Zack is positive that there has to be a mistake. He is all of five feet seven and a hundred and thirty-five pounds. When Iben shows interest in him, Zack is positive that the alpha is just like the one that had abused him. He can't help but show every bit of disdain he feels for Iben, putting them both in a dangerous situation that could cost them not only the pack but their very lives.

MY REVIEW

Stormy Glenn's paranormal books are a secret pleasure that I slip in periodically to my reading/buying habits. When I want a really enjoyable shifter or vampire novel, she's the author I turn to. In Pocket-Sized Prince, Ms. Glenn once again weaves a charming and quirky tale of werewolf mates and their struggle to be together.

Zack Evens is a low-ranking enforcer in his pack. His family was banished and he was forced to stay on when his old Alpha was deposed and he's been alone ever since. The current Alpha and his inner circle have been abusing pack members ever since until Zack's Alpha challenges the wrong wolf -- and loses -- causing a leadership change. (Fort hose with triggers, there is mention of past abuse, but it is not on-screen or graphic).

The new Alpha, Iben Khenti is 5'7 and maybe 150 pounds soaking wet. What he lacks in stature, he makes up for in attitude. Zack cannot fathom how Iben ever won the challenge with his former Alpha. Once Zack and Iben meet, Iben is immediately attracted to the other wolf, but Zack is too confused about his past to reciprocate. (This is what starts the Big Misunderstanding in the book.) However, when it looks like Iben might go feral if Zack doesn't agree to be his mate, will Zack's fears cause him to lose the only man he's ever cared about?

What I Liked

The characterization of Iben. Far from a fragile flower that needs protecting from his bigger mate, this man is fierce and his werewolf is powerful and scary. Score one for the little guy! A delightful change to the normally big burly Alphas that usually appear in this genre. I love a man who wears eyeliner and can kick ass!

Add in some amazing secondary characters in Iben's childhood friends, twin siblings -- who I hope get their own books -- one who is a woman (and not an evil b - yeah) and this has the makings of a great paranormal series in my opinion.

What Needed Some Work

The Big Misunderstanding. It's a trope that I despise. I understand the motivations behind putting this in the plot, and while it might have worked for the short-term, it became unnecessary after a certain point and dragged the plot down and caused me to lower my rating.

However, overall I really enjoyed Pocket-Sized Prince. I like it when an author scrambles up the Alpha trope and creates something interesting and new in the genre. Throw in some steamy Stormy Glenn sex scenes and I was engrossed from beginning to end. Recommended for shifter enthusiasts like me!

Originally posted at Reviews by Jessewave