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Northern Shifters #4
Running Wild
"The road to believing can be one wild ride. "
A "Northern Shifters" Book
Seamus O Connor thought his friendship with Zachariah Smithson was just that a relationship born on one horrific night seven years ago. He never thought he d end up inheriting the old man s farm.
Tons of chores and hard work are nothing new for Seamus. The farm comes equipped with all he needs and something he didn t expect. Unsettling, late-night visits from Zachariah s grandson Ri, a man who appears and disappears like a ghost.
Ri has had little contact with the outside world, with good reason. Horse shifters aren t any human s idea of normal. Plus, he s wary of being the next target of the werewolves who took his twin brother. Trust his matchmaking grandfather to give him a reason to come home Seamus.
As Seamus gradually learns the truth of Ri s life, their relationship tentatively grows and danger grows closer. For it was Ri who rescued Seamus on that terrible night long ago. Seamus is about to realize he s had his own encounters with werewolves. He just doesn t know it yet.
Warning, this story contains unexpected night visits, expected night visits, wild rides and growing love. "
A "Northern Shifters" Book
Seamus O Connor thought his friendship with Zachariah Smithson was just that a relationship born on one horrific night seven years ago. He never thought he d end up inheriting the old man s farm.
Tons of chores and hard work are nothing new for Seamus. The farm comes equipped with all he needs and something he didn t expect. Unsettling, late-night visits from Zachariah s grandson Ri, a man who appears and disappears like a ghost.
Ri has had little contact with the outside world, with good reason. Horse shifters aren t any human s idea of normal. Plus, he s wary of being the next target of the werewolves who took his twin brother. Trust his matchmaking grandfather to give him a reason to come home Seamus.
As Seamus gradually learns the truth of Ri s life, their relationship tentatively grows and danger grows closer. For it was Ri who rescued Seamus on that terrible night long ago. Seamus is about to realize he s had his own encounters with werewolves. He just doesn t know it yet.
Warning, this story contains unexpected night visits, expected night visits, wild rides and growing love. "
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2012
1 person is currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
Joely Skye
15 books150 followersJoely Skye has written for more years than she can remember. Her latest writing passion is romance and shapeshifters. She lives with her husband and two children in Canada.
To learn more about Joely Skye, please visit www.joelyskye.com or her Yahoo Group.
She also writes as Jorrie Spencer (www.jorriespencer.com).
To learn more about Joely Skye, please visit www.joelyskye.com or her Yahoo Group.
She also writes as Jorrie Spencer (www.jorriespencer.com).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 20, 2012
Joely Skye writes great m/m shifter romances. This one is very unusual in that it features a horse shifter. Ri is a fantastic character. Like his were nature he is skittish and flighty. It takes a lot for Seamus, the human who has inherited Ri's grandfathers farm, to tame him. Even when making love Ri shows a nervous, trembling passion which is quite special. It contrasts perfectly with Seamus's calm, determined approach. These two guys are a perfect match. I'm hoping we'll see a story about Ri's brother and I suspect we haven't seen the last of Peter either because this author does like to redeem her most hopeless characters with their own HEA.
June 21, 2012
The last Shifter book from Joely Skye that I read was Wolf Town back in 2010 and I didn't like it. So I decided not to continue that series. However, when I found out that this was part of the Shifter series instead (after Marked, Feral, Lynx), I decided to give it a try since I love that one.
It feels SO GOOD to have a different animal as shifter. Zachariah III or "Ri" is a horse-shifter. I find Ri to be such an interesting character. Ri feels like a wild horse, like it's in his nature to be skittish. He's cautious around people, like he is ready to flight at anytime. His needs to run is part of him, and there are times I even imagine Ri prancing like a horse.
In that sense, Seamus is the steady one -- which is pretty interesting since the story opens with Seamus running away from home (not such a calm, steady attitude). With Ri, Seamus is like a horse whisperer, ready to tame this wild horse. It's a great balance, as it calms Ri, helps Ri to stay in his human form instead of being in horse form all the time. It even shows in their lovemaking -- as Seamus teaches the rope of pleasure to Ri.
If I have complain on this story is related to the wolf issue. Ri is so scared with wolves, being hunted almost the first half years of his life. And the way that plot is being introduced, I expect that there will be something big in the end, especially after finding out . But nothing really happens. There is no climax; the problem just deflates. Everything is being build up for, well, nothing.
Luckily, I enjoy the time reading Seamus being with Ri so much, that I can dimiss that issue somewhat. Therefore, I can still give it 4-stars.
It feels SO GOOD to have a different animal as shifter. Zachariah III or "Ri" is a horse-shifter. I find Ri to be such an interesting character. Ri feels like a wild horse, like it's in his nature to be skittish. He's cautious around people, like he is ready to flight at anytime. His needs to run is part of him, and there are times I even imagine Ri prancing like a horse.
In that sense, Seamus is the steady one -- which is pretty interesting since the story opens with Seamus running away from home (not such a calm, steady attitude). With Ri, Seamus is like a horse whisperer, ready to tame this wild horse. It's a great balance, as it calms Ri, helps Ri to stay in his human form instead of being in horse form all the time. It even shows in their lovemaking -- as Seamus teaches the rope of pleasure to Ri.
If I have complain on this story is related to the wolf issue. Ri is so scared with wolves, being hunted almost the first half years of his life. And the way that plot is being introduced, I expect that there will be something big in the end, especially after finding out . But nothing really happens. There is no climax; the problem just deflates. Everything is being build up for, well, nothing.
Luckily, I enjoy the time reading Seamus being with Ri so much, that I can dimiss that issue somewhat. Therefore, I can still give it 4-stars.
July 8, 2019
I liked reading about something other than a predatory shape shifter. It was interesting to see how the aspects of the horse's instincts influenced Ri, and I was very glad to see that while fighting is not his first response he isn't incapable of standing up for himself, and those he loves.
July 1, 2012
Warning might be some minor spoilers.
In the prologue it's clearly said several times they got his backpack with his Wallet. All his money, his name and address. Then later it's said they spent a year tracking him by scent . A year were he had same name and lived in same place. So reading his address too easy? Have to spend a year sniffing him out?
This story is really slow. Like its on life support and just barely hanging on.
Half the book ri is a horse and nothing happens. Extremely boring and pointless.
I don't see any chemistry between them am there is no tension. The first day they actually spend together ri as a human what's his face gives ri a handjob. They don't even kiss.
They have a mild and uneventful conversation were Pete explains his side of things. Later that night mc and ri talk boringly forever about the same stuff Pete just told them. But they act like Pete didn't tell them and they have to figure it out on their own. Sorry same info dump twice even more boring second time
Life support failure. Time for the Defibrillator or maybe just mark it off as dead on arrival
Nurse Heather said "I think it need a cardioversion" so please editor get one of those for the book or it'll be a dnf. I'm only 59% so it might seem unreasonable but I thought something would happen by now.
This is just so mundane. Not even being a horse shifter or anything adds to this. This Could easily be converted to contemporary. Just change the horse shifter to a skittish crackhead hippie. Maybe have him smoke pot too since hippie horse eats a lot
Hard for me to think he likes/cares for seaslut when he can just disappear for three days not even think of HM and then jut show up for sex... He's been shifting this whole book and never had this "just shifted lust" before. This book stupid. Lots of little things that just don't make sense. I'm only pointing out the ones I find really stupid.
Why are sex toys in old mans bedroom? He won't even sleep in there but will have sex in there?
Is making the crack head hippie cry during sex sexy? Cause I found the scene to be not sexy at all.
This book doesn't seem anything like joely Skye previous books. This seems kind of like someone first attempt at writing. I still managed to finish so two stars I guess but it's my least favorite book by this author
In the prologue it's clearly said several times they got his backpack with his Wallet. All his money, his name and address. Then later it's said they spent a year tracking him by scent . A year were he had same name and lived in same place. So reading his address too easy? Have to spend a year sniffing him out?
This story is really slow. Like its on life support and just barely hanging on.
Half the book ri is a horse and nothing happens. Extremely boring and pointless.
I don't see any chemistry between them am there is no tension. The first day they actually spend together ri as a human what's his face gives ri a handjob. They don't even kiss.
They have a mild and uneventful conversation were Pete explains his side of things. Later that night mc and ri talk boringly forever about the same stuff Pete just told them. But they act like Pete didn't tell them and they have to figure it out on their own. Sorry same info dump twice even more boring second time
Life support failure. Time for the Defibrillator or maybe just mark it off as dead on arrival
Nurse Heather said "I think it need a cardioversion" so please editor get one of those for the book or it'll be a dnf. I'm only 59% so it might seem unreasonable but I thought something would happen by now.
This is just so mundane. Not even being a horse shifter or anything adds to this. This Could easily be converted to contemporary. Just change the horse shifter to a skittish crackhead hippie. Maybe have him smoke pot too since hippie horse eats a lot
Hard for me to think he likes/cares for seaslut when he can just disappear for three days not even think of HM and then jut show up for sex... He's been shifting this whole book and never had this "just shifted lust" before. This book stupid. Lots of little things that just don't make sense. I'm only pointing out the ones I find really stupid.
Why are sex toys in old mans bedroom? He won't even sleep in there but will have sex in there?
Is making the crack head hippie cry during sex sexy? Cause I found the scene to be not sexy at all.
This book doesn't seem anything like joely Skye previous books. This seems kind of like someone first attempt at writing. I still managed to finish so two stars I guess but it's my least favorite book by this author
June 19, 2012
After a disastrous coming out to his parents, Seamus O’Conner runs away. But as he is running through the woods, he is threatened by a group of guys. Confused as to what is going on, he becomes even more confused when a huge black stallion gallops up to him. The horse is very steady and eventually Seamus realizes the horse wants him to get on. Scared and confused, Seamus gets on the horse. Exhausted, Seamus comes to in a strange house. He meets an elderly man by the name of Zachariah. He encourages Seamus to contact his parents, and Seamus eventually goes home but he keeps in contact with Zachariah and visits his farm in the following years.
Seven years later, Seamus learns Zachariah has died and left his entire farm to him. Stunned and saddened, Seamus goes to the farm to see if he wants to fix it up or sell it. It is here that Seamus meets Zachariah’s grandson, Ri. But Ri is very mysterious, coming and going at all hours. Never giving out personal information and he acts very skittish. But Seamus is intrigued by Ri. He had no idea Zachariah had a grandson and there is definitely a chemistry between them. The big black stallion also visits him on this farm, and Seamus can’t help but remember that odd night seven years ago.
I’ve read a couple of Joely Skye’s books, and I like the relationship in this one. Seamus goes from a scared nineteen year old kid who just came out to his parents to seven years later, feeling a little more secure in the world. He has recently broken up with a long time lover, and is ready for something more in his life. While the farm he inherits is a lot of work, he also feels he owes something to Zachariah’s memory. When he meets Ri, while he is confused as to who he is and what he wants, Ri becomes so much more to him. Ri is very scared and shy, but also Seamus can feel that he needs him.
Obviously, Ri is the big black stallion that saved Seamus all those years ago. The strength of this book is the way Ri is portrayed. I think the author does a great job making Ri not quite human. You never once forget that Ri is a shifter - a wild stallion who needs to run for days on end. You never forget that he could forget to come back to being human, or that he could run himself to death. But all the while, he still comes across as a well done romantic interest for Seamus. I believed in their quiet, complicated romance, and Seamus has great patience for Ri, letting him run wild when he needs out, and eagerly waiting his return.
I think the weakest part of this book is the conflict with the werewolves. In this world, werewolves came out to the public years ago. So when Ri finally tells Seamus he is a horse shifter, while Seamus has never heard of a horse shifter, because wolves are out, it is not that big of a stretch. Werewolves hunt horse shifters, and Ri has been battling them for years. He is always on the lookout for them and when Ri learns that Seamus’s ex-boyfriend was a wolf, he feels like something more is going on. This conflict is greatly built up in this book but leads up to…nothing. I won’t say how it is resolved, but it is very weak. I was expecting something big at the end, and it all fizzles. Big time.
So I didn’t like the werewolf part of the story, but I think the romance in this one is nicely done.
Rating: C+
Seven years later, Seamus learns Zachariah has died and left his entire farm to him. Stunned and saddened, Seamus goes to the farm to see if he wants to fix it up or sell it. It is here that Seamus meets Zachariah’s grandson, Ri. But Ri is very mysterious, coming and going at all hours. Never giving out personal information and he acts very skittish. But Seamus is intrigued by Ri. He had no idea Zachariah had a grandson and there is definitely a chemistry between them. The big black stallion also visits him on this farm, and Seamus can’t help but remember that odd night seven years ago.
I’ve read a couple of Joely Skye’s books, and I like the relationship in this one. Seamus goes from a scared nineteen year old kid who just came out to his parents to seven years later, feeling a little more secure in the world. He has recently broken up with a long time lover, and is ready for something more in his life. While the farm he inherits is a lot of work, he also feels he owes something to Zachariah’s memory. When he meets Ri, while he is confused as to who he is and what he wants, Ri becomes so much more to him. Ri is very scared and shy, but also Seamus can feel that he needs him.
Obviously, Ri is the big black stallion that saved Seamus all those years ago. The strength of this book is the way Ri is portrayed. I think the author does a great job making Ri not quite human. You never once forget that Ri is a shifter - a wild stallion who needs to run for days on end. You never forget that he could forget to come back to being human, or that he could run himself to death. But all the while, he still comes across as a well done romantic interest for Seamus. I believed in their quiet, complicated romance, and Seamus has great patience for Ri, letting him run wild when he needs out, and eagerly waiting his return.
I think the weakest part of this book is the conflict with the werewolves. In this world, werewolves came out to the public years ago. So when Ri finally tells Seamus he is a horse shifter, while Seamus has never heard of a horse shifter, because wolves are out, it is not that big of a stretch. Werewolves hunt horse shifters, and Ri has been battling them for years. He is always on the lookout for them and when Ri learns that Seamus’s ex-boyfriend was a wolf, he feels like something more is going on. This conflict is greatly built up in this book but leads up to…nothing. I won’t say how it is resolved, but it is very weak. I was expecting something big at the end, and it all fizzles. Big time.
So I didn’t like the werewolf part of the story, but I think the romance in this one is nicely done.
Rating: C+
Read
July 18, 2012There are books when you have to agree with both reviewers who rated it low and reviewers who rated it high, and I think this is one of those.
The best part is, in my opinion, the character of Ri, the horse shifter. It's an interesting departure from the usual cat and wolf shifters and I think the author was successful in showing how the traits of the animal, its wildness and skittishness (sorry, don't know if it's a legitimate word), transfer to Ri in his human form. Ri was really difficult to tame, ready to bolt at the first signs of danger.
Seamus was the right character to place as his love interest, because he was a sort of anchor to Ri.
Unfortunately I felt the pacing wasn't right. It seemed the plot went forward not on a straight line, but in a sort of waltzing dance, around and around the same points, then it leapt forward with revelations that seemed dumped on the reader, therefore the impression that there were plot holes, even if when I think back on it, it was all the machinations of one character.
It's the first book I've read from this author, so I am sure I sort of missed the joy of seeing the recurrent characters as it happens when you read a series in order, but the book doesn't rely too heavily on previous information, it could be read as a stand alone.
The best part is, in my opinion, the character of Ri, the horse shifter. It's an interesting departure from the usual cat and wolf shifters and I think the author was successful in showing how the traits of the animal, its wildness and skittishness (sorry, don't know if it's a legitimate word), transfer to Ri in his human form. Ri was really difficult to tame, ready to bolt at the first signs of danger.
Seamus was the right character to place as his love interest, because he was a sort of anchor to Ri.
Unfortunately I felt the pacing wasn't right. It seemed the plot went forward not on a straight line, but in a sort of waltzing dance, around and around the same points, then it leapt forward with revelations that seemed dumped on the reader, therefore the impression that there were plot holes, even if when I think back on it, it was all the machinations of one character.
It's the first book I've read from this author, so I am sure I sort of missed the joy of seeing the recurrent characters as it happens when you read a series in order, but the book doesn't rely too heavily on previous information, it could be read as a stand alone.
July 8, 2012
Running Wild is a fast, easy read with likable characters and minimal plot. The fact that one of the protagonists is a horse shifter gives it a slightly unique feel, but in all other respects it is a standard shifter romance. There is a good bit of tension between various characters in the story, but at no time are they in much real physical danger. As a result, the ending feels a bit anticlimactic. I did like Joely Skye's writing style, though, so I might try some of her other shifter novels.
June 24, 2012
3.5-4*
I enjoyed Ri, I liked that he was a horse shifter, something you don't read about much, if at all.
And Ri had a lot of horse characteristics while he was human, which added to the story, because lots of shifter stories have them acting totally human when not in shifted form and this one showed how the horse influenced a lot of Ri's behavior.
The 'romance' between Ri and Seamus developed very slowly and took a second place to the world building and slight mystery IMO.
Can't wait to see who the next ne is about, Zach maybe? And hopefully see more of Ri and Seamus since it left a lot of questions regarding their relationship and future together.
I enjoyed Ri, I liked that he was a horse shifter, something you don't read about much, if at all.
And Ri had a lot of horse characteristics while he was human, which added to the story, because lots of shifter stories have them acting totally human when not in shifted form and this one showed how the horse influenced a lot of Ri's behavior.
The 'romance' between Ri and Seamus developed very slowly and took a second place to the world building and slight mystery IMO.
Can't wait to see who the next ne is about, Zach maybe? And hopefully see more of Ri and Seamus since it left a lot of questions regarding their relationship and future together.
June 5, 2013
I gave this 3 stars because unlike the earlier books in this series, this one just didn't grab me. For me the action didn't really start until I was about 70% through. It just felt as if the main part of the story and the tension and drama came very quickly at the end and that was that. Earlier books have had tension and some mystery and suspense from the very beginning. I do like this series though and I am a great fan of shifter stories so I will read the next one.
September 3, 2016
Joely Skye's romances always center around one character being a complete mess, and the other one gently picking up the pieces and teaching them how to trust, how to feel safe, and how to accept love. It's like chapstick to my soul haha and I love reading them.
May 5, 2020
This book felt like a solid 4-star read....right up to the end. The story was ostensibly the tale of Seamus, a human, winning the trust of Ri, a horse shifter, and developing a relationship with him. There were a couple of sub-plots with Ri's missing twin brother, and Seamus' ex boyfriend, Pete (who unbeknownst to Seamus was a wolf shifter).
The two subplots seemed fairly minor until the situation with Pete completely blows up, seemingly out of nowhere and that conflict resolves rather quickly and coincides with a rather abrupt ending of the book. There needed to be a bit of foreshadowing that there really was more going on with Pete than just Ri's distrust of wolves.
By the end, I felt like Ri & Seamus' relationship hadn't really gelled into something satisfactory, and the Epilogue really contributed nothing further to the story. I really expected something there to tie up the dangling sub-plot of Ri's missing brother, but that was still left wide open.
The two subplots seemed fairly minor until the situation with Pete completely blows up, seemingly out of nowhere and that conflict resolves rather quickly and coincides with a rather abrupt ending of the book. There needed to be a bit of foreshadowing that there really was more going on with Pete than just Ri's distrust of wolves.
By the end, I felt like Ri & Seamus' relationship hadn't really gelled into something satisfactory, and the Epilogue really contributed nothing further to the story. I really expected something there to tie up the dangling sub-plot of Ri's missing brother, but that was still left wide open.
April 22, 2018
This book has a good premise, but it was poorly executed. The story as a whole was ridiculously anti-climactic. One interesting point for me was the relationship dynamic between the MC and the horse sifter, mainly their sex lives (I know I know), but it was a big contention point between the two and seeing how they worked through the hypersensitivity of Ri’s condition let alone how their sexual relationship began is interesting and sorta redeemed the book for me (a little).
June 21, 2012
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/06/18/...
I love me some shifters, and when those shifters are m/m… Even better! Then, getting to read about a horse shifter – something I’d never heard of before – was like the icing on the cake.
Seamus ran away the night he told his parents he was gay, and found himself in more trouble than he ever expected. But a friendly wild horse and an old man save his life, in more ways than one. Now that Seamus is older, he finds that old man has died and willed his farm to Seamus. He goes back to see if it’s worth keeping, and finds that wild horse as well as a mysterious man who claims to be the old man’s grandson.
Ri knows what it’s like to be hunted, having lived through it in the worse possible way. He lives most of his life as a horse, and although his grandfather told him he could trust Seamus, he is worried that might not be the case. But Seamus and Ri grown closer than either expected. When Seamus’ ex shows up, Ri freaks because the man is not only possessive, but a horse’s worst nightmare: a werewolf.
I have to start by saying mad props to Skye for creating such a unique and interesting shifter in Ri. Most shifters in today’s popular fiction are either wolves or cats, and getting to see a horse, an animal that is usually so docile and loving was such a neat and different experience. I loved the little things: like Ri being a vegetarian, his desire to always run, his need to go out and graze, his desire to be wild and free. It was all so well done and such an incredible twist on the shifters of today. Plus, add in the bad wolves who hunted down the horse shifters, and this was one paranormal book that is absolutely, positively unique.
A signification portion of the book was spent on building up Ri’s distrust in wolves, how scared he was of their intentions, and how worried he was that Pete, Seamus’ ex, was not a good guy. While the build up was significant and intense, the resolution of everything didn’t exactly live up to the hype. I was expecting a lot more action to resolve Ri’s fears and get to the bottom of everything, instead all the pieces seemed to fall perfectly into place at exactly the right time, wrapping it all up seamlessly with a bow on top.
The romance in this book moved very slowly. Seamus and Ri start off as hesitant acquaintances and slowly move toward a tentative friendship. While there is attraction on both sides, they also don’t know or trust each other well enough to do anything about it. Once they get to the point where they are both ready to act on it, things move almost too quickly. I would have liked to see these two spend a bit more time as lovers before committing so fully to one another.
All in all I think Skye did a wonderful job creating such a unique and intriguing main character with Ri. He was tortured and confused and somewhat naive, but also a hero I wanted to root for. I do have some questions that I hope get addressed in future books, mainly what happened to Ri’s brother and fellow horse shifter? While I don’t know that this book is my favorite in the m/m paranormal genre, it was definitely an interesting and unique read.
I give Running Wild a C+
I love me some shifters, and when those shifters are m/m… Even better! Then, getting to read about a horse shifter – something I’d never heard of before – was like the icing on the cake.
Seamus ran away the night he told his parents he was gay, and found himself in more trouble than he ever expected. But a friendly wild horse and an old man save his life, in more ways than one. Now that Seamus is older, he finds that old man has died and willed his farm to Seamus. He goes back to see if it’s worth keeping, and finds that wild horse as well as a mysterious man who claims to be the old man’s grandson.
Ri knows what it’s like to be hunted, having lived through it in the worse possible way. He lives most of his life as a horse, and although his grandfather told him he could trust Seamus, he is worried that might not be the case. But Seamus and Ri grown closer than either expected. When Seamus’ ex shows up, Ri freaks because the man is not only possessive, but a horse’s worst nightmare: a werewolf.
I have to start by saying mad props to Skye for creating such a unique and interesting shifter in Ri. Most shifters in today’s popular fiction are either wolves or cats, and getting to see a horse, an animal that is usually so docile and loving was such a neat and different experience. I loved the little things: like Ri being a vegetarian, his desire to always run, his need to go out and graze, his desire to be wild and free. It was all so well done and such an incredible twist on the shifters of today. Plus, add in the bad wolves who hunted down the horse shifters, and this was one paranormal book that is absolutely, positively unique.
A signification portion of the book was spent on building up Ri’s distrust in wolves, how scared he was of their intentions, and how worried he was that Pete, Seamus’ ex, was not a good guy. While the build up was significant and intense, the resolution of everything didn’t exactly live up to the hype. I was expecting a lot more action to resolve Ri’s fears and get to the bottom of everything, instead all the pieces seemed to fall perfectly into place at exactly the right time, wrapping it all up seamlessly with a bow on top.
The romance in this book moved very slowly. Seamus and Ri start off as hesitant acquaintances and slowly move toward a tentative friendship. While there is attraction on both sides, they also don’t know or trust each other well enough to do anything about it. Once they get to the point where they are both ready to act on it, things move almost too quickly. I would have liked to see these two spend a bit more time as lovers before committing so fully to one another.
All in all I think Skye did a wonderful job creating such a unique and intriguing main character with Ri. He was tortured and confused and somewhat naive, but also a hero I wanted to root for. I do have some questions that I hope get addressed in future books, mainly what happened to Ri’s brother and fellow horse shifter? While I don’t know that this book is my favorite in the m/m paranormal genre, it was definitely an interesting and unique read.
I give Running Wild a C+
February 9, 2013
Overall I liked the story mainly because it continued the shifter series that I really enjoyed. I liked it because Jonah and Trey from Lynx showed up and it was nice to see them. I liked it because I needed something pretty vanilla after the book I had read earlier in the day. But that's about it. Other than that, I found the story lacked chemistry between the MC's Ri, the horse shifter, and Seamus, the man who inherited Ri's grandfather's farm.
They kind of slipped into having sex together because they were bored or because Ri hadn't had any in awhile and needed to be calmed or because? I just don't know why. And their romance seemed to have happened by the end of the story, yet there wasn't any moment that seemed to mark the beginning of a stronger relationship.
And, the threat posed by the werewolves, especiall by Pete, a werewolf who was Seamus' former boyfried, just dissipated. There should have been some excitement or a confrontation when Jonah, in lynx form, leaped through the screen door to defend Seamus from Pete but Pete just calmly sat down and gave up. So yes, the drama was lacking and disappointing.
I hope that if Ms. Skye does a story on Zach, Ri's missing brother, she kicks it up a notch and adds some drama and adventure to finish out the series with a better bang.
They kind of slipped into having sex together because they were bored or because Ri hadn't had any in awhile and needed to be calmed or because? I just don't know why. And their romance seemed to have happened by the end of the story, yet there wasn't any moment that seemed to mark the beginning of a stronger relationship.
And, the threat posed by the werewolves, especiall by Pete, a werewolf who was Seamus' former boyfried, just dissipated. There should have been some excitement or a confrontation when Jonah, in lynx form, leaped through the screen door to defend Seamus from Pete but Pete just calmly sat down and gave up. So yes, the drama was lacking and disappointing.
I hope that if Ms. Skye does a story on Zach, Ri's missing brother, she kicks it up a notch and adds some drama and adventure to finish out the series with a better bang.
July 11, 2012
I am a big fan of shifter stories and this series features everything I love about them. While the third book (Lynx) remains my favorite, this installment is a quality read. In a good shifter story, you should be able to recognize the character's animal alter ego in their general personality and this trait is exemplified in our leading man. Ri is a horse shifter and he behaves like a wild horse. From his skittish nature to the fact that he's a vegetarian... Ri is one fine equine. And his human lover is well suited for him.
Some reveiws talk about a plot hole regarding a lost wallet. I don't think these people followed the story very closely because that plot point is well explained in the end (it's actually a major aspect of the final resolution).
4.5 stars: I'd recommend this book (and series) to anyone who likes their m/m romance mixed with a little animal magnetism. :)
Some reveiws talk about a plot hole regarding a lost wallet. I don't think these people followed the story very closely because that plot point is well explained in the end (it's actually a major aspect of the final resolution).
4.5 stars: I'd recommend this book (and series) to anyone who likes their m/m romance mixed with a little animal magnetism. :)
February 7, 2013
A horse shifter is unique. I have read many shifter stories but never one of a horse shifter. I was not sure I would like it. I did enjoy it. Ri (the Horse) is an intriguing character. He is skittish like a horse. He does not trust easily and his first instinct is to run. So horse.
Seamus is his rock although he had never been anyone's rock in the past. His past record with love is not good. His last love was Pete but that has ended, although Pete seems to want in contact. Seamus was saved by a beautiful black horse years earlier. That horse took him to safety at the ranch of Zackeriah. Years pass and Seamus inherits the ranch and in some respects, Ri.
This was not a torrid lust story. It is a story of the building of trust and feeling. It is the story of acceptance. There is some problem with Seamus past relationship, but it is not an action story. It is a sweet story of two people who learn to care for each other. Not Skye's best but a nice story in the series. Do not read if you have not read earlier stories in the series.
Seamus is his rock although he had never been anyone's rock in the past. His past record with love is not good. His last love was Pete but that has ended, although Pete seems to want in contact. Seamus was saved by a beautiful black horse years earlier. That horse took him to safety at the ranch of Zackeriah. Years pass and Seamus inherits the ranch and in some respects, Ri.
This was not a torrid lust story. It is a story of the building of trust and feeling. It is the story of acceptance. There is some problem with Seamus past relationship, but it is not an action story. It is a sweet story of two people who learn to care for each other. Not Skye's best but a nice story in the series. Do not read if you have not read earlier stories in the series.
May 27, 2013
I was very surprised to read a book about a horse shifter. It is not very common at least in what I have come across and it was a really good book. It was a good adventure and I wouldn't mind hearing more about Seamus and Ri's. I loved the characters and I think Pete added a twist to the story in a good way but I was happy with how things turned out. Since I didn't read the first three books in the series as this is a new author discovery for me I am excited to go and read the first books in the series. I would definately recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in shifters, romance and believing in the unexpected.
I'm supposed to disclose in my review that I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. It in no way impacted my review on the book (because if I didn't like it I would say so whether it was free or not) and I am really glad that I was chosen. Thanks.
I'm supposed to disclose in my review that I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. It in no way impacted my review on the book (because if I didn't like it I would say so whether it was free or not) and I am really glad that I was chosen. Thanks.
June 22, 2012
3.5 stars The other reviews have been pretty much on the mark with this one (See MandyM and Ami). It's great to read about something different in the shifter world, a skittish horse shifter, & I think the characterization of Ri was great. I love the dynamics between Seamus & Ri & I seem to always enjoy Joely Skye shifter world.
Still, it did peter out at the end & the conflict between the wolf shifters just fizzled. It does seem to set up a couple of characters for their own story though. For this one, I did enjoy for the characters even with the issues with the storyline.
Still, it did peter out at the end & the conflict between the wolf shifters just fizzled. It does seem to set up a couple of characters for their own story though. For this one, I did enjoy for the characters even with the issues with the storyline.
June 23, 2012
The story was solid and enjoyable. But truthfully I don't really enjoy horse shifters compared to wolves. Seamus and Ri were a strange couple. I didn't feel connection between them, sure there was friendship, but somehow I didn't like them as a couple. At the end we never found out what happened to Zach.
November 7, 2012
I give this book a 2.75
I think Running Wild had a good plot, just not so well executed - at least for my tastes. I felt like certain things - more like certain thoughts - were repeated way too much. Take out all the repeats and the story would be better - shorter - but better.
I will say that the last quarter of the book was good, the story flowed well and the plot was interesting.
I think Running Wild had a good plot, just not so well executed - at least for my tastes. I felt like certain things - more like certain thoughts - were repeated way too much. Take out all the repeats and the story would be better - shorter - but better.
I will say that the last quarter of the book was good, the story flowed well and the plot was interesting.
July 3, 2012
2.5 stars. Ok paranormal m/m romance about a college student who's rescued from some bad guys by a strange black horse, then left at an old man's farm, with his rescue seeming more like a dream... Besides a major plot hole (what, wolf shifters can't read, only sniff?), this seemed to drag a bit.
August 27, 2012
A great addition to the Northern Shifter series, as it is a wonderful way to bring in to amazing and powerful characters -- snow leapord Jonah and lone Alpha Wolf Trey. Reading from the point of view of a horse shifter is great, fun and exciting.
The smut is definitely a 5/5.
The smut is definitely a 5/5.
February 18, 2013
I gave this an extra star for being original and not playing on some silly humor about being hung like a horse or something. I liked that Ri was totally lacking in social skills as that feels more realistic.
June 22, 2012
I like this series a lot. This book however did not have the same suspense story as the others. So even though I stll liked it, not as much as the others in this series.
June 23, 2012
With each book its getting better and better. I like that couple.
June 28, 2012
3.5 stars
November 21, 2012
of all the books from this series this one i found lacking.
April 25, 2013
Reviewed for RT Book Reviews May 2013 issue: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/running-wild-3
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