[Siren Classic Erotic Alternative Fantasy/Paranormal Romance, M/M, shape-shifters, fae, sex toys] The Gathering is called. The spell is cast. There is no escaping the Midnight Matings. Elder Davan Solaris has secrets, the most important being the love he still harbors for Manuel Tejarda, the man he bonded with four years ago at the last Great Gathering. Some days, thoughts of Manuel are the only thing that keeps him going. Other days, the anguish of being abandoned brings him to his knees. Manuel will always hold his heart. When Manuel appears at this year's Great Gathering, Davan panics. He's given up too much to let Manuel rip his heart apart again. Besides, he has an even bigger secret to hide, and this one he needs to hide from Manuel. Manuel knows Davan betrayed him. He has the proof. But he can't help but seek Davan out when he attends the gathering. A cloud of rage fills him when he discovers the plans of the elder council, and he takes that anger out on Davan, claiming the man as his mate. When his mind clears, Manuel's only thought is to guard his heart from the one man that has the power to destroy it, even if that means not having Davan as his mate. Destroying the forces bent on keeping them apart might be easier than giving Davan up, especially when Manuel discovers the secrets Davan has been keeping from him. ** A Siren Erotic Romance
About Me I believes the only thing sexier than a man in cowboy boots is two, or three men in cowboy boots. I also believes in love at first sight, soul mates, true love, and happy endings.
I live in the great Northwest region of the USA, with my gorgeous husband and soul mate, two boxer/collie puppies, one old biddy cats, and three fish. When I'm not being a mother to my six teenagers or cleaning up after my two 70 pound lap puppies, you can usually find me cuddled in bed with a book in my hand and a puppy in my lap. Or on my laptop, creating the next sexy man for one of my stories.
I welcomes comments from readers, so drop me a line. stormyglenn@hotmail.com
What do I do ? I'm a writer of erotic, paranormal, werewolf, futuristic, contemporary, gay, and Ménage a Trois romances. I'm currently published with Siren Publishing, Torquere Press, and Noble Ellora's Cave.
This was book ten in the "Midnight Mating" series. Elder Davan Solaris has secrets, the most important being the love he still harbors for Manuel Tejarda, the man he bonded with four years ago at the last Great Gathering. Four years ago, Manuel thinks that Davan who is Fae cheated on him, so he left him without saying goodbye or leaving a note at the gathering the Elder's put a mating spell in the champagne that everyone drank and before he knows it, he is claiming Davan. Four years ago, after being left by Manuel Davan was beaten and left for dead at the hands of Manuel's family when he went to tell Manuel some important news. Davan is still in love with Manuel and although he thinks that Manuel had him beaten, he is unable to stop loving him and he has a secret that will change his life forever. This was a good read with a lot of emotions with two families that don't want the two to be together and with both of them scheming to keep them apart. When Manuel goes to one of the Elder's about breaking the spell he was asked to talk to Davan to find the answers that he is looking for. This book was well written with no errors in spelling or grammar. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
This book makes me think that the world depicted in this series doesn't need forced matings as much as it needs a good translation device that can overcome this me Tarzan you Jane thing.
The MCs are practically poster boys for relationship counselling everywhere. I can picture it already: a dimly lit room, a projector projecting a blurry and unfocused image of men slamming doors and crying and screaming at each other. Suddenly, a row of delicate china is swept off the shelves! Hysterical screaming ensues! The counselor steps into the light, and with his vaguely ominous voice, he'll say, "This, ladies and gentlemen, is how not to behave like a woman that women would detest being associated with."
Or maybe they should just rename this one to Misunderstanding and Misunderstood, because that's what it feels like. 70% of the book was about how much they hate each other (but not really, because you know, romance) and the other 30% were fluffy things like kids bonding time and taking care of the Conflict.
And of course sex.
Good thing I love misunderstandings and angst and wawawa-he-doesn't-love-me or this is going straight to the one-star pile.
3.5* These stories all sort of follow the same storyline, but that's ok. I liked this one, although Manny was an idiot , but he groveled nicely so that helped! ;)
Miscommunications galore which for me is something that works 99% of the time. Lots of tension, angst and of course misunderstandings turn this into a joy to read and save it from being too sweet. Exactly what I needed this weekend.
This book is just as much fun as the others in the series. Maybe even more so, because we finally get to see some more of the background - from an elder's perspective. While the urgency behind the idiocy they are committing (essentially forcing paranormals to mate) still isn't clear, the fact that this decision was apparently debated and seemed like the lesser evil to them made me think. Whatever it is that forced them to do this might be truly serious.
Davan is a great character. He's a fae who is loyal to his last breath but misunderstood by the man he chose to mate with - without that man mating him back. He is courageous, kind and has suffered more than should be possible. This is revealed only gradually, and with each piece of information that came to light, I liked him a little more. Dvan is also too shy for his own good, and his lacking self-confidence (which I don't understand at all) causes a lot of pain.
Manuel is a fierce jaguar shifter with preconceived ideas about fae that cost him the man he fell in love with - or rather, separated them for four painful years. I don't like the way he reacted, the signals he missed, but I can see how that fits with his hot-headedness. Thank God he redeems himself!
If you liked the other books in this series, you will like this one. If you are looking for some light entertainment, and cute characters who are just as stupid as people in real life can be, this is your book. It's a stand-alone story, but for those of you who have been following this series, it will begin to explain some of the questions that may have been bothering you for a while. I know they've been bugging me - and they are far from answered!
So far, I think this is the best one of the series. I loved the earlier ones because of the different characters (bunny, mouse, ferret, etc), but this one seemed to have a lot more depth (story and characters).
Davan is Fae and an elder of UPAC. He is also brokenhearted. Enter Manuel, who we learn is the reason for the broken heart. Through the forced matings they are reunited and mated. Their new relationship takes them through why they split and the deceit of those involved in their split.
I really liked them together and the mystery of their betrayal was better than I thought it would be.
FYI - this is an M-Preg and mm with children story.
Oh, what to say! I realize that I'm so not the target reader for this kind of book, I only read it because I had to read an MPreg-book for a challenge.
I've read some Paranormal Romance before, but those were M/F. This book might as well have been too, but I actually felt that the two MCs were even less equal than the MCs in the M/F PNRs I've read. Ms Glenn could have written Davan as a female and it would have made very little difference to the plot, or to the dynamics between the MCs.
The two MCs, Davan and Manuel have such communication issues that it became ridiculous. I realize that in many Romance books there has to be "The Big Misunderstanding", but the level it was taken to in this book... Just... *SIGH* I don't know what to say about people - grown-up people - who don't even ask the person they're with - and want to be with - about something, but instead just runs away and more or less ruins both of their lives! Just... *SIGH*
The whole "mate"-thing is not for me either, nor is the annoying "Alpha-male"-thing. What's wrong with equality? Am I the only one who gets turned on by that? Well, as I already stated, this isn't my genre, and this is probably no place to be looking for equality.
So why the 3 stars, when I clearly didn't like the book? I had no problems with neither Ms Glenn's prose (except for too much repetition in the sex scenes) nor her world-building. I might not want to read about that world, but for those who do, I think that this book is probably fine. So if this is your thing - go for it!
Similar to the other Midnight Matings stories, this one features two protagonists who get permanently bonded. In this case, Davan, a Fae, is bonded to Manuel, a jaguar shifter. The twist is that they came together for the first time four years ago and Davan thought he had found the love of his life. In his mind, they were bonded back then, but Manual disappeared one night, without a word, and never returned.
Unknown to Davan, someone had slipped pictures of him with another man to Manual and Manuel reacted by categorizing Davan with all Fae-- everyone knows they can't be faithful. But Manuel is wrong and never learned the truth. Davan has remained faithful and, in fact, he's also given birth to twins. When Manual returns now, four years later, Davan sends the twins away so that Manual won't find out about them. But Manual is tricked by the Elders at the Great Gathering and when he seeks out Davan as his mate, they become bonded again.
The premise is quite simplistic but Stormy Glenn always makes these stories work. In fact, in this one we get more than the usual. There's more action, murder and mayhem, forgiveness and healing and as the guys move toward their HEA there's even more .
Update: 3/27/17 ~ having reread this story I've got a much different opinion of it than I obviously had the first time, which is why I changed my rating from a 2 star to a 4 star. I have no idea where my brain was at when I wrote the review below, but my view of Davan and Manuel is of two men betrayed by their families, lied to, and instead of just confronting each other when it initially happened, they were dumb and did what a lot would have in their situation. Regardless, I was thrilled to see them work everything out and admit their love. So happy I reread this!
This book was way too predictable for my liking. Davan and Manuel's issues with each other and their feelings of betrayal stemmed from a total lack of honesty with each other - that is not a committed relationship. How the families were involved was just too trite.
A wonderful tale of a romance full of misunderstandings that gets a second chance. Davan was such a sympathetic character, you want him to find happiness even if it means with Manuel. Now Manuel you want to kick, the man just ran! What the heck kinda love is that? You do feel bad for him though, he lost a lot doing something that was just an immature mistake.
I just recently read a book from this series. I'm not much for paranormal but I'm finding that i'm intrigued by the different species that each book is about. This book was about a Jaguar and a Fae...odd combo but they 'finally' made it work.
These books are fun...i think I'll grab another whenever i can squeeze it into a challenge!
I liked most of the story but hated parts too and some parts were just blah and others were just repetitive I would give it 3.5 stars if GR would let me give half star ratings
Going on a binge re-read of the series Midnight Matings. This series was one of the first I found when I discovered the M/M genre. Have not revisited in a few years so here I go. Comments for all will be Characters are basically developed but diverse ( there is at least one wacky or eccentric character in each story) - The world-building is solid and simple - the plots are also basic but do not copy each other - which is a plus. Characters tend to be vers, but not always.
Another one by Stormy Glenn who always takes it up a notch with characters and plot.
***zaterdag 27 augustus 2022*** I know I've read this series before because once upon a time I was on binge and read almost everything by these authors. Like everything.
But I also didn't logged it back then and that is bugging me now so I'm adding them based on the one review I did wrote:Fur And Flightless by Joyee Flynn
Pretty alright. The beginning was nice. My only problem with that book was the "You're a liar", "no, you are the liar" back and forth. I get it for the purpose of the story but at some point if the plot is only based on that...
Oh my! Embarrassed how many of this series I bought, way back when. Naive, optimistic me saw potential in the series premise, then got caught up in the in morbid fascination at just how bad the books are.
They are bad. One review for all, then - Cull, cull, cull
YES! It finally happened. Someone took down an Elder. They got a taste of their own medicine, and it was sweet. SPARKLE AND PURR is the 10th in the Midnight Mating series and I think this is my favorite of the series…..so far. Not only do we find out more of the backstory as to why the Elders made the decision to force matings, but now we know it was not a unanimous vote.
Elder Davan Solaris thought he had everything; he was in love and couldn't be happier, until Manuel Tejarda left him with no explanation. Devastated and needing something to focus on to work through the loss, Davan throws himself into being elected the youngest Elder on the council. Now four years later, Davan didn't realize how hard seeing the man that he mated and left him would be until they came face to face.
Manuel has never forgiven Davan for betraying him. He is a proud jaguar shifter and no one is going to make a fool of him, especially some fae whore. He has the proof and he is going to confront Davan at the Gathering. When he learns what the Elders have done, he claims Davan in a fit of rage. Now he has to deal with the fallout and do what he should have done 4 years ago….talk to Davan.
But even if Davan and Manuel can find a way past the hurt and betrayal, there are still people that do not want them to be together.
This story is heart wrenching and an emotional rollercoaster. I felt myself wanting to shake Manuel and tell him to grow up. The hurt and lies that tear these two people apart could have been avoided if Manuel had just talked to Davan.
Davan is one of those strong-when-they-have-to-be characters that you can't help but root for. The outside manipulation and the heartbreak that it creates felt so real. I love when an author can make me care about their characters that much. You can relate to the hurt that both characters felt with their versions of what happened.
This is one of those stories that will make you believe in second chances and the power of true love. This is a great addition to the series and for me the most developed of the storylines. It also makes you think that maybe there is something more going on with Elder Burke, because he seems to be in the middle of a LOT of the pairings.
This review originally posted at The Romance Reviews.
My review is in spoiler tags because it hasn't been edited yet. It probable has too much negative stuff as that's what I tend to think to write down. If I'm enjoying myself, I don't want to stop reading!
Another great read in the Midnight Matings series by Stormy Glenn. For those who’ve read the previous books and wondered who Elder gets attacked by on the dais after the mating announcement, this is the novel where you find out the answers.
Elder Davan Solaris, a fae, does not agree with the other Elders about forcing people to mate at the Great Gathering. His own love life is a mess. His ex-lover, jaguar Manuel Tejarda, is at the Gathering and is now in the throes of the mating heat. Attacking Davan, the two bond; but their past problems are still there. And the big one? Manny doesn’t know that in their time apart Davan has given birth to their children.
What I love about this series is how each author builds on the last book, adding to the mythology and world building. As with any Stormy Glenn book, we have some bad guys, some good guys and extremely sexy times between the two protagonists. Once Manny and Davan reunite, they are unstoppable. This was one couple I could see being together forever, even without a mating bond.
Easily recommended for fans of the series, the author, and paranormal fans alike.
This story of two lovers forced apart by a misunderstanding and given another chance is my favorite of the series so far. I love Davan. He's got a warm and caring personality and the pain he's experienced over Manuel's abandonment is heart wrenching. The personal history of both men is interesting, the pace is smooth, there is plenty of conflict and passion and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing from beginning to end. That includes Davan's long-held secret. I have to admit that I didn't expect this one but it worked into the plotline beautifully. I wasn't expecting a Fae male to get pregnant in this series and the kids are adorable.
The part of the story revolving around what happened to keep Manuel and Davan apart was very well done. Terrifying and horrible but well done. Ms. Glenn really outdid herself with this one. It's a real keeper.
Such a fun series! There are currently 20 books in the series, each book is written by either Joyee Flynn, Gabrielle Evans or Stormy Glenn. They could keep writing more as long as they continue creating interesting characters who shift into all kinds of wonderful and different animals/mythical beings and coming up with unique stories full of romance, crazy drama, angst and let's not forget the very hot sex!
You don't have to read them in order, very rarely are other characters mentioned, but each story is very different and engaging and together they make for a fun few weeks of entertainment.
There is a spin-off series by Joyee Flynn with 8 books out so far called "Unmated by Midnight." I have not read those yet but they are on my to-be-read list next.
This was so heartbreakingly wonderful! I cried, I cheered, and cried again at the MC's stupidity and love. Yes, they both made mistakes, and Manny seemed like a total prick in the beginning. But the more you get to know those two, the more you see their deep love and devotion and, yes, the hate. I cried so hard when they finally started talking about their shared past. So lovely and honest. I liked that this wasn't the typical "We're mates, so we fall in love in the next five minutes and remain glued at the hips forever" story. The MCs had to fight for their love and HEA. Loved Davan's sweet litte secret ;)
I can recommend this book for all who enjoy struggling characters, misunderstandings, deep love, and hot sex-scenes. Damn, where they hot!
I think this is one of my favorites. But the annoying buttinski family really pissed me off. They caused so much pain to Davan and Manuel. FINALLY Manuel talked to Davan and they began to get things straightened out. Whew, they had me worried for a while. But tough times dealing with parents who have their own agenda, using their children for their own purposes.
The love was always there, and Davan and Manuel began working together to make sure it stayed. Another good read. One of my favorite series.
Recommended =========================== 1st read - Sep 18, 2011 2nd read - Jun 22, 2012 3rd read - Oct 23, 2016
I have loved all the midnight matings books. They all have a little bit of non-consent because two different paranormals are thrown together and forced to mate whether they like it or not. It is supposed to bring peace. Most of the time the mating are far from peaceful in the beginning.
In this book you have Davan and Manuel. They were lovers previously. Manuel left because he felt Davan betrayed him and Davan was hurt because Manuel just disappeared.
There are some definite plot twists in this story. It had been a while since I read it and I forgot most of what these twists were. Lets just say that they kept me on my toes during the second reading also.
Wow. Talk about a major misunderstanding on BOTH sides. YIKES. Yet, both of them are stubborn enough not to talk and waste years :( THAT is what made me sad.
I will say that it irked them when they called their dads 'Father' and neither one of them got along with their dads, yet Davan referred to Manny as 'Father'. Wouldn't that leave a bad taste in your mouth?
Sparkle is a beautiful love story that ensnares the reader from the first page. Manuel and Davan are two wonderful men who are separated by misunderstandings and only the reader knows the whole story. I thoroughly loved reading this outstanding literary contribution from Stormy Glenn. I highly recommend Sparkle and Purr, the series Midnight Matings, as well as Stormy Glenn.