Book Review for The Mane Squeeze (Pride #4) by Shelly Laurenston

The Mane Squeeze
Pride # 4

By:Shelly Laurenston

 5 stars

Reviewed by:Angels
Format:Kindle/Mp3/Paperback/Audio

Published: Brava
Source: Purchased Copy Gene:Paranormal Romance

Book Blurb/Synopsis-

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.

Our Review

I have been reading this series and absolutely love it.I love all the characters and that they all carry on from one book to the next. I find that I really love and like the way that this writer writes.This author has me laughing from the beginning to the end of each and every book.Love the lines that she uses also thinking hum well said.Shelly's sexual encounter scenes a very erotic and very hot along with all the HOT men she has you drooling over wishing that was you  !LOL. The aspect that I like about the book and the series so far is that fact that she mixes all character's together like grizzly bears. she-wolfs, hyenas, wild dogs, tigons (mixed breeds) etc and having those characters search and find their mates among other breeds. The characters are strong , like-able and very protective of others and their mates.Well written and a very enjoyable story. A recommended read to all.

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Book of Interest ! Building Sandcastles by Carol Lynne a Short Story

Available @ E-book 1.99

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After a brush with death, he begins to live...

After a mugging and near death experience, Leo Gorgan realizes the only thing he has in New York City is business contacts. He decides to take a year off and travel the country. When a needed repair on his motorhome lands him in Destiny, Iowa, Leo has no idea the ruggedly handsome man at the hardware store will be able to fix more than his leaky faucet.

William “Tank” Borsoiv loves his life. The farm he owns is enough to feed his soul, but not enough to make ends meet. Working at the hardware store has always bridged the gap financially, but it also allows Tank to interact with the townspeople. When a stranger with dark red hair enters the store, Tank’s body takes notice.

Tank knows Leo has a life in New York he’ll eventually go back to, but he won’t let that stop him from entering into the hottest relationship he’s ever experienced. Loving Leo may come with a price, but Tank will gladly pay the debt.

 As requested, Leo met Tank in the parking lot of the town’s grocery store. He’d offered to pick up the needed supplies for dinner before Tank got off work, but Tank had refused the offer.

Watching Tank cross the distance between them, Leo couldn’t shake the feeling he’d seen Tank before. The moment Leo laid eyes on Tank, he felt an instant connection, something he’d never felt with another man.

“Hey,” Tank greeted Leo with a quick kiss.

Leo glanced around, surprised at the public display of affection. There were a few people around, but not one of them bent to pick up a stone to throw at them.

Beside him, Tank chuckled. “Relax. The town may be small, but they’ve gotten used to me.”

Although he’d just met Tank, the remark felt like a quick punch in the gut. “So, you do this kind of thing all the time?”

“No!” Tank shook his head. “I had a boyfriend a couple of years ago. They did all their staring then.” He bent to whisper in Leo’s ear. “They like to think they’re very cosmopolitan now. Shhh, don’t tell them that accepting us just makes them better people.”

Leo smiled up at Tank. “It’s nice that you can be yourself here. I was worried. You read a lot about intolerance in small towns.”

Tank pulled a cart out of the rack and headed toward the produce aisle. “Oh, I didn’t say everyone accepted me, but I like to think I’ve proven myself enough in most people’s eyes.”

Leo followed Tank around the store. It amused him the way Tank nodded and spoke briefly to others as he passed them. “Is this a thing around here? I had three people wave at me today. The first time it happened, I spun around, thinking there was someone behind me. By the time I realized they were waving at me, they were already gone.”

Tank pulled two roasted chickens out of the warmer and put them in the cart. “Another perk of small-town living. You’ll get used to it.”

Leo doubted he’d be in town long enough to become accustomed to complete strangers wishing him a good day. His attraction to Tank was undeniable, but he had to go back to New York at some point, and he still had half a country to see.

“I think that does it,” Tank remarked, heading for the checkout counter.

“Here, use this.” Leo held out a hundred-dollar bill. Tank shook his head. “Thanks, but I got it.” It wasn’t often that Leo offered someone money, so

he wasn’t sure how to react at the rejection. He squeezed by Tank and took up position at the end of the counter, ready to bag the items after they were scanned.

“Excuse me, sir,” a teenager with acne said.

Leo stepped aside and watched the young man efficiently place the items into the reusable sacks Tank brought with him.

“These go in a separate sack,” Tank told the cashier, indicating the break in the line of groceries.

Leo had no idea what the difference was, but didn’t want to make a fool of himself by asking in front of the cashier and sack boy. He glanced back at the teenager once again. The boy had to know Tank was gay, yet he looked at the bigger man with a combination of friendliness and hero worship.

“Thanks, Sharon,” Tank said, taking his change. He watched as the last of the groceries were put into bags. “You playing baseball in the spring, Carl?”

“Yes, sir. Coach Wilton thinks it’ll be a good way to keep me in shape for football.”

“He’s right, but then again, Coach is always right.” He slapped Carl on the back before leaving the checkout counter.

Leo followed Tank out of the store. “Why the two different bags?”

Tank stopped at his truck and began unloading the cart. “I need to make a quick stop on the way home. Hope you don’t mind. It shouldn’t take but a minute.”

Leo placed three sacks in the back of Tank’s truck. “Seems like a lot of groceries for no more than you paid.”

“Guess you just have to make wise decisions.” Tank held up a box of Twinkies. “My one and only splurge every shopping trip. As long as I give myself permission to buy a box of these, I can stick tight to the rest of the list without being tempted to add to it.”

Indulging himself with everything he desired had become a way of life for Leo. Of course, it hadn’t always been that way. He’d grown up in the Bronx, one of four sons. His father had been a diehard fisherman until he died of a heart attack when Leo was barely fifteen. The money coming into the household sucked, but Leo’s father refused to take another job, claiming he was born to work on a boat.

Leo’s three older brothers had carried on in their father’s footsteps, knowing what kind of life they would be able to eke out of the ocean. It hadn’t made sense to Leo. He was determined to go to college and make something of himself, and he had.

“You still with me?” Tank asked, interrupting Leo’s thoughts.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” “I asked if you wanted to just ride with me.” Leo glanced at the expensive motorhome. “I’d rather

follow you. I’d hate to leave it out here all night.” Tank gave Leo another of those quick, but deadly, kisses. “I like the sound of all night.” He opened the

driver’s door. “Let’s go.”

 

For those who like Erotic Gay Contemporary check out Under One Roof by Diana DeRicci

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Description

Two men. One roof. Who knew togetherness could be so dangerously tempting?

Korbin is looking for a renter to help make ends meet. Not quite ready to make the offered room a squatter's paradise with a public ad, he advertises by word of mouth. Turns out he's doing it at just the right time.

Cage is relocating for a new job and needs a no-hassle place to live. He's wary about sharing space with a total stranger, but the opportunity to be able to start at his new job without this stress is too good to pass up.

Except one of them is hiding a secret identity and his past has taught him to not talk about it. Friendship brings the men closer, but will the secrets they both carry keep them from exploring a deeper attraction between them?

Excerpt:

Korbin tapped the wheel, singing to the radio. His foot even bounced a little, trying to keep the beat while paying attention to the road. Where is that stupid stop sign? Aha! The tree branches moved in the breeze and the stop sign appeared. He slowed and made the stop, the lone car at the four-way, then pressed for gas.

A sudden and very loud pop made him startle as he reached the other side. Then his car wobbled and thunked. “You have got to be kidding me.” He smacked the wheel with a fist.

Checking his mirrors more out of habit than there being anyone else on the road, he limped to the side, then put the car in park on the shoulder. After releasing his belt, he raised his left arm out of the way to snag the door handle with his right fingers. Once the latch was loose, he pushed with his shoulder and the door swung open. It was a practiced move, and had been for the last two weeks. The cast on his arm was a hindrance he’d learned to maneuver around.

He walked to the front of the car and groaned, then cussed a little under his breath while he was at it. Now there was no doubt he was going to be late to meet the renter for the interview at his house. Korbin kicked the tire and flinched at the shot of pain that lanced his toes.

“Smooth, dummy.” Why doncha break a foot and an arm? Well, nothing to be done about it now. Maybe if he was lucky, the guy he was meeting was desperate for a place to stay and would wait.

He could hope.

Leaning through the car window, he popped the trunk and turned on the flashers. The tick-tock of the lights blinking made his teeth clench. Today was not a day he needed this to happen.

What sucked was he was off the beaten path, a back road to his place that would have saved him about ten minutes, making it to his house before his visitor easily. That cushion of time was now destroyed.

Rummaging through the trunk, he pulled the floor cover out of the way to expose the wheel well. He was bent over the trunk lip with his rear in the air when the sound of a car right behind him had him peering over his shoulder. He straightened, taking in the bright blue, small- size pickup.

The man behind the wheel gave him a welcoming smile and opened his door with a metal creak. “Need some help?” he called, standing to his feet on the ground. Korbin had become used to the accents of the area since coming to live there, but this man’s was rich and robust, pure southern hospitality.

“Depends. I don’t have any money.”

The guy standing beside the truck blinked and gripped the door, not coming any closer. “Money? I thought you needed help.”

Korbin crossed his arms and leaned a hip on the car’s bumper. “Unofficially, I do. I have to change a tire and this makes it difficult.” He dropped his chin to his healing arm.

A gaze of sympathy swept over the guy’s face. “Oh, man. What happened?”

“Me and a ladder had a disagreement. The ladder won by dumping me twelve feet.”

The man behind the open truck door winced. “Sorry, but ouch.”

Korbin chuckled. “No biggie. I’m a klutz by nature.”

“Well, I can help with that,” he said, meaning the tire with a pointed look to the car. “And I won’t charge you, though if you could tell me how to get to Honeyhock Road, I’d appreciate it.”

“I can do that,” Korbin replied, though he was more afraid of being mugged than having to pay for the help. The man smiled again and Korbin took in his friendly appearance, still on his guard. A man doesn’t move out of the big city and forget everything he’d learned because he was now in some small everyone-knows-everyone country town.

As he approached, Korbin admitted he was good looking. Solid shoulders with a body that tapered to snug jeans and a firm waist. He was probably a few years older than Korbin. From the distance he couldn’t make out his eyes, other than they sparkled and he tended to squint a little when he smiled. Thick brown hair was trimmed over his ears and was most likely finger combed more than not. It looked rugged but good on him.