Review: Of Ocelots and Sexy Yetis (Winsford Shifters Short Story) by Alice Winters

Short and cute.

3 out of 5 stars

To get access to this free story, join Alice’s Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/419742381890887/user/100028775325444/

Blurb:

A prequel story about Ari and Logan’s first meeting.

Likes:

  • Cute.
  • Short.
  • Free.

Dislikes:

  • The promise of a followup novella never came to pass.
  • Ari’s personality is a bit much when he’s the main character.

Throughout the Winsford Shifters series, I alternated between finding Ari funny and finding him annoying. After reading this short story, told entirely from Ari’s point of view, I can definitely say that Ari is a lot. He actually reminded me of a stereotypical influencer who’s only funny in small doses, has no marketable skills, and is kind of an airhead.

That sounds a little mean, and its true that I don’t have the highest opinion of Ari (and his actions in this story didn’t improve my opinion) but I don’t hate him. He can be funny and charming. If the promised novella about Ari and Logan’s relationship had been written, I would have happily read it. Especially because Logan seems like a practical, kindhearted person and I like their dynamic.

Sadly, despite the comment that Ari’s story would show up in a novella that came out after Of Betrayal and Monsters, I don’t think it was ever written. Maybe people didn’t like Ari enough. I don’t know.

I am glad for this story thought. It was cute, short, and free. The perfect trifecta. And since I was already a part of Alice Winters’ Facebook group, I had easy access to the story. Even though this was a prequel story, I read it after finishing the series, and it was nice to briefly revisit some familiar characters again.

Be sure to check out the reviews for the rest of the series – Alice Winters – Of Secrets and Wolves (Winsford Shifters #1), Of Betrayal and Monsters (Winsford Shifters #2), Of Redemption and Vengeance (Winsford Shifters #3), Series Review: Winsford Shifters 

Review: Of Redemption and Vengeance (Winsford Shifters #3) by Alice Winters

A good ending to the series.

4 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 251 pages. Published July 6th 2021 by Alice Winters

Blurb:

Emery
It all comes down to this.

I should have known my freedom from Mercer would only last so long before my pack was hunted down and I was dragged back into it all. It’s suffocating being back in this place that twisted my shifter side forever and threatened to change who I am. But this time is different.

Because I’m not alone.

As threats to us and our pack pile up, I’m forced to rely on Graham, the overly protective shifter I feel a strange pull toward. We know we have to get away to warn the others of what’s to come, but with Mercer’s shifters breathing down our necks, we’re being thrust into a fight for our lives. We are determined to make it back to the pack and tear down the threat before it consumes all of us.

Graham
I’ve literally never met a more stubborn man in my life than Emery, yet I can’t get him out of my head. He covers up his insecurities and concerns with snark and teasing, but I know that underneath it all is a man who just wants someone to give him a chance. And I’m prepared to be that person if we can fight our way through this. First, we have to escape the threat left behind by Mercer, but escaping isn’t enough. We need to destroy everything the group’s ever worked for to keep each other and our pack safe.

Join Graham, Emery, Rowan, and Quinn for the exciting conclusion to the Winsford Shifters trilogy. This series contains action-filled romance with a dash of comedy, and should be read in order. 

Likes:

  • Good ending to the trilogy.
  • Loved Graham and Emery.
  • New bad guy.
  • Fast paced.
  • Kept me hooked.
  • Everyone got POV sections.
  • Lots going on.
  • Hopeful.

Dislikes:

  • A lot of things went wrong for the main characters.
  • Graham and Emery needed a lot of outside help.
  • Emery was stubborn.
  • Bit of a slow burn with the romance.

After the way the previous book ended, I was eager to get to this book. Plus, I knew that Graham and Emery were going to be the main characters, and I already liked them and was eager for them to finally get together.

What I didn’t fully appreciate from the previous books was how stubborn Emery was. Even though he was drawn to Graham, he resisted. It definitely wasn’t what I expected from the romance, but it fit with Emery’s personality. He’s been hurt so many times in the past, that letting someone close to him, physically or emotionally, was difficult.

I loved how Emery’s default was to be a sarcastic asshole. It could have easily gotten annoying, but it wasn’t. Again, I think that’s because both the reader and Graham could tell that it was a defense mechanism. That and Graham genuinely cared for Emery, so he was willing to put up with it.

Like the first two books, there was a whole lot more going on than the romance. In a way, it felt like this book had the most going on of the trilogy, since Graham and Emery were dealing with one thing while Rowan and Quinn were dealing with another. All four men got point of view sections, which was nice. The bad guys were coming for them from all sides, and having everyone split up really upped the tension.

There is a downside to that too. A lot of things went wrong for the main characters, and everyone was in danger at some point. Since I’ve grown attached to these guys, it was a little hard to read at some points. I don’t like seeing characters I like get hurt, and had to put the books down for a few days at one point, because it seemed like they kept going from one bad situation to the next.

Luckily, the shifters finally got some allis they could trust. They needed it too, what with the introduction of yet another bad guy. Honestly, it felt like Graham and Emery had a lot of outside help, more than Quinn or Rowan, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand, they needed the help. On the other, it felt like Graham and Emery were focused more on saving themselves than protecting the pack.

In the end, I thought everything was wrapped up really well. Graham and Emery got to return to the shifter town, and it’s obvious that they’ll make their relationship work. Quinn and Rowan also got a nice ending moment together, finally getting to relax knowing that no one else is out to get them. There was an overall feeling that everything will settle down and be peaceful for the pack.

There’s also a hopeful air to the ending when it comes to shifters at large. Even though none of the main character get to see it in person, there’s talk about how humans are siding with the shifters and helping to work towards equality.

In the author’s note at the end of the book, Winters says she might write a short story or novella about some of the other characters in the books, and I think that would be great. I’d love to see more of this world, and to see that people, both human and shifter, are working towards positive change.

Be sure to check out the first two books – Of Secrets and Wolves (Winsford Shifters #1) and Of Betrayal and Monsters (Winsford Shifters #2)

Review: Of Betrayal and Monsters (Winsford Shifters #2) by Alice Winters

Hooked me and didn’t let go. Can’t wait to get started on the final book.

4 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 324 pages. Published March 11th 2021

Blurb:

Quinn

I thought pulling my pack away from Winsford would save us. I never realized how wrong I could be.

After Rowan and I escape Mercer’s hold, we have to get the pack somewhere safe, but my only option is a pride run by a controlling alpha. With everyone safely inside the walls of Winterhaven, Rowan and I attempt to search for the truth, but we’re being hunted and driven further from the answers we need. I want to do everything to protect my mate, but as I learn more about his past, I realize that I might need to protect him from more than just Mercer.

Rowan

I never thought I could embrace this other side of me, especially when I’ve always been taught to hate it.

But Quinn makes me feel alive and happier than I ever thought I’d be after shutting away a part of myself for years. When he’s with me, I feel like we can accomplish anything, and figuring out why Mercer is targeting us is only the first step. However, we could lose everything if we make a single mistake. One thing I know about my mate, though, is that he’s the most determined man I’ve ever met. And I’ll be right by his side as we bring Mercer crashing to the ground.

Of Betrayal and Monsters is an action-filled romance with a dash of comedy. It’s the second book in a series with a continuing storyline and an HFN. 

Likes:

  • Rowan in his snow leopard form.
  • The tension throughout the book.
  • Emery and the way he interacts with everyone.
  • Quinn’s struggle to deal with everything was realistic.
  • Fantastic non-romantic plot.
  • Hooked me fast.

Dislikes:

  • Very little smut.
  • Ari flips between cute and annoying.
  • Not much character development for any of Quinn’s pack.
  • The relationship between Quinn and Rowan didn’t really grow or change.
  • Rowan’s father.

I was a little worried after finishing Of Secrets and Wolves that this book would be full of pain and suffering for Quinn, Rowan, and their pack. Quinn knew that taking everyone to Winterhaven wouldn’t be the end of things, and he was right. Winterhaven wasn’t the paradise it pretended to be, but it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.

There was this tension throughout the book that I just loved. Everyone was trying to make the best of their situation, to find a way to make things better and live their lives, but they all knew something was coming. It made for a really compelling read, and I had a hard time putting the book down.

The non-romantic plot really makes this book. Because it’s a continuation of the first book, there’s layers and complexity to the plot. As the book continued, Rowan and Quinn find themselves hitting dead end after dead end. They know there’s more to what’s going on than they know, and that someone’s pulling the strings. The buildup to the end, where all is revealed, was nicely paced. The end itself was both satisfying and made me instantly download the final book to see what happens.

As for the romance, it was definitely less present in this book. Part of that was because of the rules in Winterhaven. Part of it was because Rowan and Quinn didn’t have time to think of much besides their quest to find answers. There’s only one brief sex scene, which I didn’t mind. I don’t need smut. But I also felt like their relationship didn’t really grow or change.

In fact, there’s not much development, or page time, for most of Quinn’s pack. Ari and Emery are present for most of the book. Ari flipped from cute to annoying more times than I could count. It’s Emery who got the most character development in this book. It was fun watching him interact with everyone. He’s still not entirely sure of his place in the pack, but he’s determined to help. I really warmed up to him, and am excited that he gets to be the star of the next book.

Rowan got some personal development and growth in this book. We finally learned more about his past, including his childhood. His father’s utter trash, and I wish he’d gotten some sort of punishment, though Rowan doesn’t seem the sort to hurt his family. Despite everything, he still believes in his brother, and I hope that belief turns out to be true. Rowan’s gotten better at shifting, and comes to really embrace his snow leopard side. There were several funny moments with him shifted in this book, as in the last.

Quinn had his own personal problems. He’s unsure if he’s made the right decision to bring his pack to Winterhaven. I really felt for him, because he has so few options and none of them are great. He’s never really sure if he’s doing the right thing, and with lots of people depending on him, he knows that any mistake could cost his pack.

The anti-shifter sentiment is still alive and kicking in this book. It didn’t bother me as much this time, perhaps because I was expecting it. Plus, the institutional hatred really did help drive the plot, in that Quinn had almost no one to ask for help.

I can’t wait to start the final book. There are questions that need answering and bad guys who still need their comeuppance. Not to mention the semi-cliffhanger at the end concerning the two pack members who chose to stay behind and cover the pack’s escape.

Be sure to check out my review for the other two books in the series – Of Secrets and Wolves (Winsford Shifters #1) and Of Redemption and Vengeance (Winsford Shifters #3).

Review: Of Secrets and Wolves (Winsford Shifters #1) by Alice Winters

Some great humor, but also a lot of discrimination against shifters.

3.5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 345 pages. Published January 28th 2021

Blurb:

Rowan
My whole life, I’ve been taught to despise shifters. So when I’m hired to track two escaped convicts, I’m suddenly thrust into the world I hate—or thought I did. Yet I’m inexplicably drawn to the alpha of the pack whose land the convicts may be hiding on. He’s different than any shifter I’ve ever met—laid back and quick to laugh, caring and protective, and makes me feel complete for the first time in my life. As secrets are revealed, I start to wonder if everything I’ve been raised to believe was a lie, though it may not matter because it seems like someone wants us dead.

Quinn
I’m no stranger to prejudice from humans, but it’s different when Rowan comes into my life. Though I shouldn’t let myself be distracted, I’m captivated by him. At first, he’s stiff, fighting to keep his misconstrued beliefs intact, but as I break down the wall he’s created, I’m able to show him a place among the fun chaos of my pack. After one of my pack goes missing, it leaves Rowan and me racing to bring them home, but the only way we’re going to survive this is if Rowan learns to accept the bond that’s growing between us—a bond that could give us the strength to put aside our reservations and give in to what both of us want.

Of Secrets and Wolves is an action-filled romance with a dash of comedy. It’s the first book in a series with a continuing storyline and an HFN. 

Likes:

  • Quinn is a different kind of alpha.
  • Rowan’s journey of self-acceptance.
  • Catnip hijinks.
  • The humor I’ve come to expect from Alice Winters.
  • The town and pack Quinn built.

Dislikes:

  • Took me a while to get invested.
  • Not a ton of backstory on Quinn or Rowan.
  • Some of the world building doesn’t make sense.
  • How horribly shifters are treated.
  • The tone didn’t always work for me.

I’m a huge fan of Alice Winters, but I’m mature enough to realize that not everything she writes is going to be a perfect fit for me. And while I enjoyed this book, it paled in comparison to some of her other books.

It took me a while to get invested, in part because of how the story starts. Events are already in motion at the beginning, with Rowan having been brought in to help track the escaped prisoners. Tensions are high as Rowan and Scott meet Quinn for the first time. And Scott’s presence didn’t help matters much.

I’m not the biggest fan of scenarios where a marginalized group is heavily and openly discriminated against, and the shifters in this book are treated like trash by society. It definitely put a dampener on the overall tone, as well as not making a ton of sense. If you have people with enhanced senses and abilities, why prevent them from joining the military or police force? I understand that the second class citizen aspect was what moved the plot forward in many ways, but man was that a lot of unfair treatment for one book.

It was the hint that Rowan was hiding a big secret, then the reveal of that secret, that finally got me invested. Rowan had a lot of personal things to sort through, and had to go through a lot before accepting himself. It was alternatively fun and a little cringe to watch. And as much as I liked the journey, Rowan definitely believed all the negative stereotypes about shifters, even if he wasn’t as much as an asshole as Scott.

Quinn was a fun character. He was easy to like from the get go, especially with how he refused to let other people’s cruelty keep him down. He’s a different type of Alpha, not big and strong, but smart and caring. The pack he built and the town they made was a big testament to him. I do wish he’d been more than just the quirky, non-typical Alpha. We don’t learn much about his backstory, other than that he had a hard life, and I feel like he could have been a more rounded character. Maybe that’ll happen in the next books.

My final complaint about the book is the tone. It’s inconsistent, flipping from the humor that I’ve come to expect from Alice Winters (hello catnip shenanigans) to gut-wrenching cruelty. There’s not an excess of blood or violence in the story, but the implications of what the bad guys are doing is horrendous. It does fit with the way society treats shifters, but it was definitely hard at times to watch characters I’d grown attached to get treated so badly.

I actually expect things to get worse in the next book, rather than better. The note at the end of the book says it’s tentatively a trilogy right now, so hopefully the final book will show things getting better for shifter society at large.

Be sure to check out the final two books – Of Betrayal and Monsters (Winsford Shifters #2) and Of Redemption and Vengeance (Winsford Shifters #3)

Review: Peregrine (Forbidden Desires Spin-off #4) by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly

A lot of angst and heartbreak, but a fantastic (and happy) ending.

4.25 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Edition. 347 pages. Published June 3rd 2021

Blurb:

1508
Sebastian Drake, stoic protector of the Drake family, always gets what he wants—and there is nothing he wants more than the half-starved Pedigree omega named Peregrine he comes across on his travels. It doesn’t matter that Peregrine is a Disgrace. Sebastian will do whatever it takes to keep him… and somehow, as impossible as it might be, find a way to be his mate.

Present Day
For hundreds of years, Peregrine has enjoyed life as Sebastian’s mate. Sure, as one of the only bonded omegas in recent history he’s been kidnapped more times than he can count, but with Sebastian there to save him it’s little more than an inconvenience. And attacks from hostile clans? That’s just a typical Tuesday.

But there is one thing Peregrine fears, yet desperately wants.

One thing that has hurt him time and time again.

One thing Sebastian can’t save him from.

And now it’s happening again.

He’s pregnant.

Please use the Look Inside or Download Free Sample feature to read the Content Warning for possible triggers. 

Likes:

  • Trigger warning in the blurb
  • The right amount of angst.
  • A good mix of history and present day.
  • Sebastian was more likeable than I expected.
  • Got to meet the older clutch.
  • Super sweet ending.

Dislikes:

  • Bertram and Raven.
  • Perry keeping everything to himself.
  • Sebastian getting called away for months.

I binged this series, but hesitated before reading this book. I very much appreciated the trigger warning in the blurb, even though the contents aren’t triggering to me, because it was a clear indication that the book would contain a fair amount of angst and heartbreak for the characters.

Perry has been likeable since book one, so I knew ahead of time that I’d enjoy his part of the story. What I wasn’t sure of was Sebastian. He’s taciturn and physically strong, but I didn’t have any particular feelings towards him either way. To my surprise, I enjoyed his character just as much as Perry’s. Sebastian acts very instinctively, so he knew Perry was meant to be his right away. But he wasn’t violent or controlling, and didn’t treat Perry like he was lesser.

The alternating timelines worked well, with enough time dedicated to both. It was nice to see how Perry and Sebastian met, and the struggles they went through, all while knowing that everything worked out for them in the end. Yet at the same time, they were still facing struggles with Perry’s new pregnancy.

My heart went out to both men, but especially Perry. Not only did he have to go through the heartbreak and loss again and again, but he did so without telling anyone. He was constantly worried that he’d miscarry again, and on top of all that, he was under attack from Raven.

The end of this book had me absolutely loathing Bertram and Raven. They both hurt characters I liked, and I’m honestly not looking forward to their story. It’s going to take a hell of a lot for me to warm up to them when their story does come out. I’ll definitely read it. Bertram and Raven have been teased for a while, but it seems as though Raven is mentally disturbed and Bertram has his other name/personality thing going on.

I think there was just the right amount of angst in the book. It was paired with some happy moments along the way, and a really fantastic ending. It was the kind of ending where I wouldn’t have been mad if this was the last book in the series. Which is another reason why I’m not looking forward to Bertram and Raven’s book.

I liked that Sebastian and Perry’s first clutch got some page time. They haven’t been mentioned much in the series, but they seemed great, and Perry was so happy to see them. On the other hand, I was disappointed that Sebastian was called away for several months, leaving Perry to deal with the pregnancy on his own.

Overall, I’m glad that Sebastian and Perry got their own story. It was definitely worth the read, though I’m glad I was in the mood for angst when I read it.

Be sure to check out the other books in the series – Clutch (Forbidden Desires #1), Bond (Forbidden Desires #2), Mate (Forbidden Desires #3), Swallow (Forbidden Desires Spin-off #1), Magpie (Forbidden Desires Spin-off #2), Finch (Forbidden Desires Spin-off #3) 

Review: Finch (Forbidden Desires Spin-off #3) by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly

My favorite couple of the series so far!

5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Edition. 286 pages. Published September 30th 2020 by Self-Published

Blurb:

Hugh Drake, the most whimsical member of the Drake family, wants a clutch badly… and despite his sanctioned period to reproduce nearing its end, he just might get his wish. New information has emerged that suggests Disgraces are dragons and able to bear eggs. All that’s left to do is find one Hugh can tolerate, and who better to help him find his perfect match than his steadfast and faithful secretary, Finch?

If only Finch were a Disgrace, but alas. Some things simply aren’t meant to be.

Sensible and straightforward Finch has served as Hugh Drake’s secretary for over a decade, and secretly loved him for just as long. Hugh is the light of his life, but he’s also entirely too gullible, which is why Finch refuses to believe his claim that Disgraces are dragons. They’re not. Finch would know, since he is one. But that little fact will have to stay a secret, because Finch would rather his love go unnoticed than be the one who breaks his dragon’s heart when he fails to produce a clutch.

Finch is an 80,000 word hilarious omegaverse mpreg-ish romance set following the events of the Forbidden Desires series. It contains an adorably clueless dragon, a faithful secretary whose heart is invested in more than just his job, the best Funfetti cake ever, “slippery” situations, and a single amethyst cufflink. For maximum enjoyment, Finch is best read following the events of Clutch, Bond, Mate, Swallow, and Magpie. 

Likes:

  • Finch and Hugh, together and separately.
  • Hugh was adorably oblivious.
  • Just the right amount of angst.
  • How Hugh doted on his nieces and nephews.
  • The marijuana incidents.
  • How things with Finch’s dad turned out.
  • Finch didn’t believe that Disgraces were dragons.
  • Chef Funfetti.

Dislikes:

  • How hurt Hugh was by not having a clutch.
  • Raven.
  • Wanted more time with Hugh and Finch as an established couple.

Finch and Hugh were like the spring after a hard winter. I hated Magpie, and was a little worried about this book as a result. I didn’t expect that Finch and Hugh would end up being my favorite couple so far. Harry’s still my favorite character, and Mate still has the best overall ending, but the way Hugh and Finch came together is hands down the best.

Hugh hasn’t been in any of the previous books that I remember, though he’s been mentioned as the brother who most wants a clutch of his own. And he does. He wants to be a dad, and there’s this happy excitement about him that makes me feel like he’ll be a good one. He’s good with his nephews, even if it hurt him not to be chosen for Harry’s experiment. It was easy to root for Hugh, despite the fact that he’s a little simple. Not in a bad way. In fact, it’s part of what makes him so charming.

Finch was raised as a Disgrace to serve dragons sexually. And though he aged out of the Pedigree, he’s determined to continue to serve as the best secretary, no sex needed. Which is a shame since he’s in love with Hugh, a fact he’s determined to keep to himself. He’s a perfectionist when it comes to his job, and it was heartbreaking to watch him help Hugh try to find a mate despite his own feelings.

Finch was easy to like, because he genuinely cared for Hugh and wanted what was best for him. The angst was there, but it was different from Geoffrey, Ian, and Mattheu. Finch didn’t begrudge Hugh or any of the Disgraces. He was determined to serve until the point that it got too emotionally painful for him.

I liked that Finch didn’t believe that Disgraces were dragons. He thought all of the Drake’s mates and children were flukes. It was a nice addition to the series, because it showed that it’s not easy to change everyone’s thoughts, even with scientific data to back you up.

Watching how oblivious Hugh and Finch were about their feelings was adorable. Hugh was the most oblivious, which to my surprise, I really enjoyed. He honestly had no idea his dragon was courting Finch, and Finch thought Hugh was losing it. Their interactions were fun, adorable, incredibly sweet, and sometimes downright hilarious. The marijuana incidents were a blast, especially when it came to Chef Funfetti.

There was just the right amount of angst in the story, coming from both men. It took extraordinary effort on Hugh’s part to convince Finch they should be together. I didn’t like Raven’s part in everything, small though it was. Again, it was something that Bertram promised to take care of, and likely won’t be explained until book eight.

At least Finch’s interactions with his father had a good outcome. It was something unexpected, and a nice, touching way to wrap up Finch and Hugh’s story.

Honestly, I could have read more about Hugh and Finch. While their story is complete, I enjoyed them so much that I want more. Their romance felt like it took longer to really begin in earnest (with both of them aware that their feelings were mutual) than the other books, and then events kept them apart. I wanted more time with them together as an established couple.

Be sure to check out the other books in the series – Clutch (Forbidden Desires #1), Bond (Forbidden Desires #2), Mate (Forbidden Desires #3), Swallow (Forbidden Desires Spin-off #1), Magpie (Forbidden Desires Spin-off #2)