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Twin Pines Grizzlies #1
Powerful Alpha
[Siren Everlasting Classic ManLove: Erotic Alternative Paranormal Romance, M/M, shape-shifters, HEA]
The power of two…
Shy loner Danny Jones lives in a world of vivid dreams, mostly kinky sexual fantasies in which the football players he caters to indulge their lusts upon him in every conceivable way. Lately, though, the slump-shouldered waterboy’s dreams are being invaded by a golden-brown grizzly bear who reminds him of someone on the team.
When Matthew Edwards is offered a full scholarship to Twin Pines College, the chance to pursue both his athletic and academic dreams is all he needs to switch schools. That the college is all male and rumored to be gay friendly is just the icing on the cake. When Matthew meets the timid Danny, he sees right through his camouflage. All Danny needs is a little encouragement to come out of his shell, and with Matthew’s help, Danny transforms.
When he discovers Danny has been attacked and left for dead, Matthew is surprised to find himself shifting into a bear, and he’s even more shocked to learn Danny—and the whole team—might just be bears, too.
Will Danny and Matthew’s love be enough when their bond unleashes a startling new legacy? Or will the unknown enemies who want to prevent the team from fulfilling its fate prevail?
Note: Powerful Alpha [Twin Pines Grizzlies 1] was previously published as Waterboy [Gridiron Gods 1]. Due to popular demand, the series has been revised to emphasize the bear shifting. If you have already read Gridiron Gods 1 to 7, you do not need to read Twin Pines Grizzlies 1 to 7 in order to continue with Strong Alpha [Twin Pines Grizzlies 8].
Powerful Alpha will be available on its release date in your bookshelf for download if you have already purchased Waterboy directly at BookStrand (this option is not available if purchased elsewhere).
The power of two…
Shy loner Danny Jones lives in a world of vivid dreams, mostly kinky sexual fantasies in which the football players he caters to indulge their lusts upon him in every conceivable way. Lately, though, the slump-shouldered waterboy’s dreams are being invaded by a golden-brown grizzly bear who reminds him of someone on the team.
When Matthew Edwards is offered a full scholarship to Twin Pines College, the chance to pursue both his athletic and academic dreams is all he needs to switch schools. That the college is all male and rumored to be gay friendly is just the icing on the cake. When Matthew meets the timid Danny, he sees right through his camouflage. All Danny needs is a little encouragement to come out of his shell, and with Matthew’s help, Danny transforms.
When he discovers Danny has been attacked and left for dead, Matthew is surprised to find himself shifting into a bear, and he’s even more shocked to learn Danny—and the whole team—might just be bears, too.
Will Danny and Matthew’s love be enough when their bond unleashes a startling new legacy? Or will the unknown enemies who want to prevent the team from fulfilling its fate prevail?
Note: Powerful Alpha [Twin Pines Grizzlies 1] was previously published as Waterboy [Gridiron Gods 1]. Due to popular demand, the series has been revised to emphasize the bear shifting. If you have already read Gridiron Gods 1 to 7, you do not need to read Twin Pines Grizzlies 1 to 7 in order to continue with Strong Alpha [Twin Pines Grizzlies 8].
Powerful Alpha will be available on its release date in your bookshelf for download if you have already purchased Waterboy directly at BookStrand (this option is not available if purchased elsewhere).
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2011
8 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Anitra Lynn McLeod
129 books237 followersReading, writing, and white-water rafting are the three things Anitra Lynn enjoys the most. She is the author of erotic romances from contemporary to science fiction and everything in between. Even though her tales range from sensual to sizzling, with settings from the high rises of New York to the distant shores of an alien world, one thing all her stories share is compelling characters involved in unforgettable romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 3, 2011
I was curious about this book from the moment I read the blurb. There is no hint about a link to shapeshifters, and yet, the publisher's category description says it is a paranormal with shifters. This one, I had to figure out. Much like the blurb, most of the story reads like any other contemporary. So, if you expect the paranormal element to play a major role, you might be disappointed.
When the paranormal 'stuff' did finally appear it was so out of the blue (I had forgotten all about it and was immersed in the story by then, which is a good sign), it totally blindsided me. Let me say that it is an interesting, somewhat unusual shifter concept this author has come up with and I suspect she can take it pretty far. I just wish there had been more hints, and more of a buildup, in this first book. Nevertheless, I like this story and the concept behind it enough to want to know more. I am looking forward to the next volume.
If you like paranormals that 'sneak up on you', want to read a story with interesting characters that pull you right in, and if you are patient enough to wait for more revelations in the sequel, you will probably like this book. It is a promising start to a series that could be really new and different.
When the paranormal 'stuff' did finally appear it was so out of the blue (I had forgotten all about it and was immersed in the story by then, which is a good sign), it totally blindsided me. Let me say that it is an interesting, somewhat unusual shifter concept this author has come up with and I suspect she can take it pretty far. I just wish there had been more hints, and more of a buildup, in this first book. Nevertheless, I like this story and the concept behind it enough to want to know more. I am looking forward to the next volume.
If you like paranormals that 'sneak up on you', want to read a story with interesting characters that pull you right in, and if you are patient enough to wait for more revelations in the sequel, you will probably like this book. It is a promising start to a series that could be really new and different.
July 10, 2012
well, this is a first; a siren book that does not suck big yellow chunks through a small straw. not even the cover is as hideous as usual, though the text treatment reminds one that this is still siren.
i really enjoyed danny and the contrast between his meek exterior and his super-smutty day dreams. his romance with matthew is sweet; matthew being a genuinely good guy who brings danny out of his shell. the shifter concept here is something new too. i laughed out loud at what happened on the bus. the book isn't anything real deep, but it was fun to read, and i might even buy the next one. i had long since given up on siren; maybe it's time to re-evaluate that? wait and see.
("everlasting classic"? you crack me up, siren, you do.)
i really enjoyed danny and the contrast between his meek exterior and his super-smutty day dreams. his romance with matthew is sweet; matthew being a genuinely good guy who brings danny out of his shell. the shifter concept here is something new too. i laughed out loud at what happened on the bus. the book isn't anything real deep, but it was fun to read, and i might even buy the next one. i had long since given up on siren; maybe it's time to re-evaluate that? wait and see.
("everlasting classic"? you crack me up, siren, you do.)
January 28, 2012
The created plot in this new series was strange one, and to be clear, all those daydreams from Danny side, were just off. As characters both Danny and Matthew weren't well developed. All we got was two young students who fell in love at first sight. And from this point of view it was boring.
November 15, 2011
I was pleasantly surprised with this.
The first part is contemporary and very sweet. I was a fan of Michael as soon as he met Danny. There were only a few paranormal clues in the beginning and they were left by the wayside as Michael and Danny build their relationship. Past that point then the paranormal activity picks back up-quickly. I like both aspects very much and though they could have been blended more, I enjoyed the surprise as well as the unique shifter twist. I really look forward to Quarterback and to see what interesting places the series is going to take me!
The first part is contemporary and very sweet. I was a fan of Michael as soon as he met Danny. There were only a few paranormal clues in the beginning and they were left by the wayside as Michael and Danny build their relationship. Past that point then the paranormal activity picks back up-quickly. I like both aspects very much and though they could have been blended more, I enjoyed the surprise as well as the unique shifter twist. I really look forward to Quarterback and to see what interesting places the series is going to take me!
June 17, 2013
Gay football players... who are also bear shifters - this I had to read. I was hoping this would be like one of those cheesy, bad movies that shows up in the wee hours of the morning, on a cable channel you've never heard of, but you thoroughly enjoy. So, props to the author for trying such a wacky idea even if it didn't really work. The characters were one dimensional & I expected more from a story about gay, bear-shifting, football players than what I got here. I wanted a story that matched the audacious premise.
April 10, 2012
Really should be 3 stars, but got an extra star for original shifter concept.
August 7, 2016
2012 Review:
Oh. Wow.
Okay, this was simultaneously very sweet and really, really weird. The whole college/football aspect of the story had a realistic (if idealized) feel to it, at least in the interactions between characters. Not in a gritty way. No gritty here. (Which later made the even more shocking.) But just the way the guys talked to one another and their inner workings, such as Danny’s years of smutty fantasies about the locker rooms and how at first both guys seem to be thinking of sex non-stop and that appeared to be the motivating factor.
Except it wasn’t, in the end. This is an actual romance. Okay, it is somewhat too short, given the depth we get, so there was a bit of a disconnect to the rest of the guys. That was being fixed the moment they re-entered the story, though.
Because yep, this is a good writer. :O Oh, it is still smut, but it is really good, intelligent smut. It’s even kinda hot. I know! When was the last time I encountered that?
Next, the shifter thing… It really creeps up slowly. It also makes no sense, but has a mystical thing going that is way more interesting than the usual stuff. And the combining aspect of how it works? That really surprised me. I think we can agree that this is very different indeed.
Also, interesting terminology. I might have come across the use of “breed” once before like this but only in passing (and possibly in porn), while this book uses it almost exclusively for what it signifies in sex-speak.
So. This book filled me with the warm fuzzies. It also shocked me terribly and I’d have had another trauma added to try to ignore if Danny . But he didn’t and while there’s a certain sadness to the setting (Dylan, obviously, but also a general sense of loneliness and isolation) and a threat that might be even more frightening due to its lack of definition (those guys were scary; superb writing), I am really happy now.
I wonder how the series will work out in the long run. I mean it feels like I want more of Danny and Matthew, not switch to other guys. But we’ll see.
This is in fact a reworked version, meant to enhance the shifter side of things. Although if this is the enhanced version then I wonder if they featured in the original at all.
Yeah. Not your average shifter series, that’s for sure.
Oh. Wow.
Okay, this was simultaneously very sweet and really, really weird. The whole college/football aspect of the story had a realistic (if idealized) feel to it, at least in the interactions between characters. Not in a gritty way. No gritty here. (Which later made the even more shocking.) But just the way the guys talked to one another and their inner workings, such as Danny’s years of smutty fantasies about the locker rooms and how at first both guys seem to be thinking of sex non-stop and that appeared to be the motivating factor.
Except it wasn’t, in the end. This is an actual romance. Okay, it is somewhat too short, given the depth we get, so there was a bit of a disconnect to the rest of the guys. That was being fixed the moment they re-entered the story, though.
Because yep, this is a good writer. :O Oh, it is still smut, but it is really good, intelligent smut. It’s even kinda hot. I know! When was the last time I encountered that?
Next, the shifter thing… It really creeps up slowly. It also makes no sense, but has a mystical thing going that is way more interesting than the usual stuff. And the combining aspect of how it works? That really surprised me. I think we can agree that this is very different indeed.
Also, interesting terminology. I might have come across the use of “breed” once before like this but only in passing (and possibly in porn), while this book uses it almost exclusively for what it signifies in sex-speak.
So. This book filled me with the warm fuzzies. It also shocked me terribly and I’d have had another trauma added to try to ignore if Danny . But he didn’t and while there’s a certain sadness to the setting (Dylan, obviously, but also a general sense of loneliness and isolation) and a threat that might be even more frightening due to its lack of definition (those guys were scary; superb writing), I am really happy now.
I wonder how the series will work out in the long run. I mean it feels like I want more of Danny and Matthew, not switch to other guys. But we’ll see.
This is in fact a reworked version, meant to enhance the shifter side of things. Although if this is the enhanced version then I wonder if they featured in the original at all.
Yeah. Not your average shifter series, that’s for sure.
February 14, 2012
"Waterboy" is the first book in Anitra Lynn McLeod’s Gridiron God’s series. To be honest, the initial pull of this book was its football theme and the fact that it is M/M. How much hotter can you get?!? The dedication of this book even states: “This one is for everyone who has ever watched football just to enjoy the tight pants.” This made me smile.
I loved both the main characters! Danny is the shy, waterboy for the football team of Twin Pines who tries to hide behind his longish hair, slouching and baggy clothes. Matthew is the new kid on the team, a big linebacker who’s HOT, outgoing and genuinely a nice guy. Matthew helps Danny come out of his shell (and come to terms with some abuse in his past) as they are holed up alone in the dorms during a couple of snow storms.
As the story progresses, we discover that many of the other football players on this team are in fact gay! Which is a big deal to Danny, who has always assumed he was the odd man out, even though he loves his job as the senior equipment manager. When I initially read the blurb about this book, I didn’t realize that it was a paranormal (PNR) book. In fact we don’t really get much of anything about the paranormal world throughout the first three-quarters of the book, except for the strong pull that Danny and Matthew have toward one another. Things come to a head when Danny is attacked by unknown assailants and some bizarre things happen all at once.
This book ends with many more questions than answers, but it has an HEA for our primary couple, Danny and Matthew, and we are left with glimpses what’s next. Matthew is a lovable guy who I couldn’t get enough of, and I hope he and Danny have a primary role in the books to come! I would recommend this book to lovers of PNR shifter books with a M/M focus and a little sports on the side.
I loved both the main characters! Danny is the shy, waterboy for the football team of Twin Pines who tries to hide behind his longish hair, slouching and baggy clothes. Matthew is the new kid on the team, a big linebacker who’s HOT, outgoing and genuinely a nice guy. Matthew helps Danny come out of his shell (and come to terms with some abuse in his past) as they are holed up alone in the dorms during a couple of snow storms.
As the story progresses, we discover that many of the other football players on this team are in fact gay! Which is a big deal to Danny, who has always assumed he was the odd man out, even though he loves his job as the senior equipment manager. When I initially read the blurb about this book, I didn’t realize that it was a paranormal (PNR) book. In fact we don’t really get much of anything about the paranormal world throughout the first three-quarters of the book, except for the strong pull that Danny and Matthew have toward one another. Things come to a head when Danny is attacked by unknown assailants and some bizarre things happen all at once.
This book ends with many more questions than answers, but it has an HEA for our primary couple, Danny and Matthew, and we are left with glimpses what’s next. Matthew is a lovable guy who I couldn’t get enough of, and I hope he and Danny have a primary role in the books to come! I would recommend this book to lovers of PNR shifter books with a M/M focus and a little sports on the side.
February 17, 2017
3.5 Stars - I liked the uniqueness of how shifting works in this series. It is very different which is hard to find in this genre. I had all the markings of shifter fluff, but it was done well. I am looking forward to the other books in the series.
September 23, 2014
Part of me kind of wanted to rate this two stars but overall it isn't that bad of a book. It is a standard type college story through out most of it. Shy unpopular boy finds out that he is hot thanks to a hot jock that likes him. Hot monkey or in this case bear sex ensues. For more than 75% of it that is the story. Then the paranormal stuff comes in the end of the book and this is where I feel let down but kind of intrigued at the same time. It is a different spin on the shifter trope but it just isn't developed at all. The most we get for explanation is "I heard a voice" I really feel like an eye roll when I read this. I also have a big nitpick with Dylan the "homophobe" There is a BIG difference in being a homophobe and not wanting to be around people. More than likely future books will explore the unique shifter aspects, what this has to do with a college football team, and "the voice". Unfortunately the lackluster holding back on world building in hopes of hooking me into future volumes backfired since the rest of the book was average and I have a feeling that development of the paranormal stuff is going to take a backseat to sex if this first book was to go by. I also can't help but think this book SHOULD NOT have been rename since the new name makes no sense.
February 17, 2012
I loved both the main characters! Danny is the shy, waterboy for the football team of Twin Pines who tries to hide behind his longish hair, slouching and baggy clothes. Matthew is the new kid on the team, a big linebacker who’s HOT, outgoing and genuinely a nice guy. Matthew helps Danny come out of his shell (and come to terms with some abuse in his past) as they are holed up alone in the dorms during a couple of snow storms.
This book ends with many more questions than answers, but it has an HEA for our primary couple, Danny and Matthew, and we are left with glimpses what’s next. Matthew is a lovable guy who I couldn’t get enough of, and I hope he and Danny have a primary role in the books to come! I would recommend this book to lovers of PNR shifter books with a M/M focus and a little sports on the side.
This book ends with many more questions than answers, but it has an HEA for our primary couple, Danny and Matthew, and we are left with glimpses what’s next. Matthew is a lovable guy who I couldn’t get enough of, and I hope he and Danny have a primary role in the books to come! I would recommend this book to lovers of PNR shifter books with a M/M focus and a little sports on the side.
September 20, 2013
This is marketed under the title Powerful Alpha at Amazon.
Re-reading this one wasn't a chore at all ... in fact, it became a solid ★★★ read this time around ... I found the whole story a nice smexy romp ... it's not brilliant, but given some of the books I've slogged through recently, it's a reasonably good read ... if you like power bottoms and über Alphas; hot smex with a dash of kink; and a good series premise, you'll probably enjoy this book and the series ... I'm definitely adding this series to my already-teetering TBR pile.
Original Review...
I was vacillating between 2 & 3 stars for this one. I liked the premise but it just didn't click for me. I'm going to put it aside & re-read it before writing a more detailed review. Something felt 'off' with the story but I can't quite pin-point what the main issue is. Hmmm
Re-reading this one wasn't a chore at all ... in fact, it became a solid ★★★ read this time around ... I found the whole story a nice smexy romp ... it's not brilliant, but given some of the books I've slogged through recently, it's a reasonably good read ... if you like power bottoms and über Alphas; hot smex with a dash of kink; and a good series premise, you'll probably enjoy this book and the series ... I'm definitely adding this series to my already-teetering TBR pile.
Original Review...
I was vacillating between 2 & 3 stars for this one. I liked the premise but it just didn't click for me. I'm going to put it aside & re-read it before writing a more detailed review. Something felt 'off' with the story but I can't quite pin-point what the main issue is. Hmmm
July 19, 2013
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting. I really liked the relatively slow dominance/submission within the relationship. So OK, the relationship was insta-lust/love (really instant - like on day 1), but it was clear that the 'alpha' was giving his mate plenty of time to mature (being a virgin etc) before they took the next step. This was much more than I expected, and I appreciated that aspect.
The shifting was pretty left of centre, and some the characters were a bit underdeveloped, but I guess that is why this is a series... I guess I will read the next book when I feel the need for some bear-shifting football action ;)
I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting. I really liked the relatively slow dominance/submission within the relationship. So OK, the relationship was insta-lust/love (really instant - like on day 1), but it was clear that the 'alpha' was giving his mate plenty of time to mature (being a virgin etc) before they took the next step. This was much more than I expected, and I appreciated that aspect.
The shifting was pretty left of centre, and some the characters were a bit underdeveloped, but I guess that is why this is a series... I guess I will read the next book when I feel the need for some bear-shifting football action ;)
September 6, 2012
This book was reviewed for musings of a bookworm
This book was a real suprise, I read this just because it sounded good and boy was it. Not only was it sexy but it was also a really good start to a series. I loved the idea that it took two people to make a whole shifter, one alpha and one omega, each pair just waiting for that connection to snap into place. I am so looking forward to reading more of these stories and learning about this world the author has painted and most importantly the hot men that populate this wonderful little books.
This book was a real suprise, I read this just because it sounded good and boy was it. Not only was it sexy but it was also a really good start to a series. I loved the idea that it took two people to make a whole shifter, one alpha and one omega, each pair just waiting for that connection to snap into place. I am so looking forward to reading more of these stories and learning about this world the author has painted and most importantly the hot men that populate this wonderful little books.
July 21, 2013
Okay, I admit, I wasn’t sure about this book. I love shifters, but sports aren’t my favorite thing. This story had a LOT of things going for it, though. A hot football player has feelings for the waterboy. He doesn’t understand them, but he knows there more to the young man than it seems.
This book surprised me on many levels. The story is strong, the characters are engaging, and the set-up is definitely unique.
When a tragedy occurs, everything begins to fall into place. Secrets are revealed and are future stories are laid out. I’m eager to get involved in this world.
Lucky's 4 1/2 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
This book surprised me on many levels. The story is strong, the characters are engaging, and the set-up is definitely unique.
When a tragedy occurs, everything begins to fall into place. Secrets are revealed and are future stories are laid out. I’m eager to get involved in this world.
Lucky's 4 1/2 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
April 4, 2016
The PNR element didn't come in until the end.
Very interesting take on shifters. I like when there is a twist to the standard shifter rules.
I'm not so sure how well I like this particular twist, because there haven't been enough details....but I'm interested in finding out.
I had low expectations going into this story, and turned out to be better than I thought it would be. With the twist on shifters, I wouldn't mind learning more about how that plays out.
Very interesting take on shifters. I like when there is a twist to the standard shifter rules.
I'm not so sure how well I like this particular twist, because there haven't been enough details....but I'm interested in finding out.
I had low expectations going into this story, and turned out to be better than I thought it would be. With the twist on shifters, I wouldn't mind learning more about how that plays out.
November 25, 2011
Very unique start to a series that I think has great potential and one that I might really love! The paranormal aspect came into the story pretty late, but I thought the idea was different and interesting. I really liked the characters, especially Danny, and I'm looking forward to the next stories in this series!
January 23, 2012
This was an interesting start to a series. I do believe there could have been a little more detail to the paranormal facets of the story though. The sex scenes were good, charachterization was good, editing was better than a lot of Siren releases I've seen. I will be looking forward to reading book 2.
July 14, 2012
okay I liked this a lot. It's one of those books that's so bad it's good. Danny was so loveable and the heat factor was blazing. Now the drawbacks. For a pnr the paranormal was just sad. I get the whole shapeshifter mated pair thing. That could turn into a interesting concept but the author just left to many unanswered questions. It's still worth reading though.
November 29, 2014
Start of Bear Clan This is a case of me being in the mood for some 'brain bleach' after a few heavy reads. This is nowhere the quality of McLeod's SOLD! series but it was fun and if the sequels are not too expensive I'll read them. This is the beginning of a clan of bears.
Ridiculous Cover!
Ridiculous Cover!
December 26, 2011
started a bit slowly but half the book, I was hooked !!!
November 20, 2011
In the beginning I thought the book was only a plot about a waterboy but towards the end the book made you want more and leaves you hanging, but it was good.
November 23, 2011
This was a really cute story and a great beginning for the series, I enjoyed the 2nd half a lot since thats when the paranormal stuff began. looking forward to reading more in this series.
January 28, 2012
3.5
I had a little trouble at the beginning, trying to figure out what the paranormal element(s) might be and how it fit into the story. But eventually I just got into the story and enjoyed it.
I had a little trouble at the beginning, trying to figure out what the paranormal element(s) might be and how it fit into the story. But eventually I just got into the story and enjoyed it.
April 7, 2012
Still one of my favorite couples in the series!
July 24, 2012
Interesting take on bear shifters. I liked the characters and plot building. Looking forward to the next book.
December 27, 2012
Nothing very spectacular, but both main characters were likeable :)
January 8, 2015
i kinda find it weird that
January 16, 2014
3.25 rating
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews