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Leopard's Spots #2
Oscar
One sexy wolf is determined to show a grouchy kitty just how perfect they are for each other.
Oscar Travis has always been different, and not just because he’s a snow leopard shifter. Petite and pretty in a family where even the women are bigger and stronger than he is, Oscar has been protected by them except the times when no one could keep him safe. When he had to take another shifter’s life to protect his own family, Oscar’s world became a scarier place, at least in his head, not that he’s going to let his family know that. He will, however, help his dad Henry hunt down the cougar shifter who is trying to destroy one of Oscar’s own, his brother in law, Lyndon.
Which is why Oscar finds himself in San Antonio. Curiosity-always Oscar’s potential downfall-is the reason he’s in one of the city’s biggest gay nightclubs. And it’s his bad luck that he is cornered by four obnoxious shifters who are out to ruin his night. Josiah Baker has other plans for Oscar, plans of mates and forever, but once he makes sure his kitten is safe, he’s ditched like a two dollar whore. Good thing he’s a shifter too, and a determined one who doesn’t shy away from Oscar’s attitude. He sees the hurting man behind the pretty façade, and no one is going to keep him and Oscar from the happy ending they deserve.
Unless the cougar shifter Oscar was hunting has anything to say about it. Then Oscar and Josiah’s ending will be painful and in the immediate future.
Reader Advisory: This book is part of a series and is best read in sequence.
Oscar Travis has always been different, and not just because he’s a snow leopard shifter. Petite and pretty in a family where even the women are bigger and stronger than he is, Oscar has been protected by them except the times when no one could keep him safe. When he had to take another shifter’s life to protect his own family, Oscar’s world became a scarier place, at least in his head, not that he’s going to let his family know that. He will, however, help his dad Henry hunt down the cougar shifter who is trying to destroy one of Oscar’s own, his brother in law, Lyndon.
Which is why Oscar finds himself in San Antonio. Curiosity-always Oscar’s potential downfall-is the reason he’s in one of the city’s biggest gay nightclubs. And it’s his bad luck that he is cornered by four obnoxious shifters who are out to ruin his night. Josiah Baker has other plans for Oscar, plans of mates and forever, but once he makes sure his kitten is safe, he’s ditched like a two dollar whore. Good thing he’s a shifter too, and a determined one who doesn’t shy away from Oscar’s attitude. He sees the hurting man behind the pretty façade, and no one is going to keep him and Oscar from the happy ending they deserve.
Unless the cougar shifter Oscar was hunting has anything to say about it. Then Oscar and Josiah’s ending will be painful and in the immediate future.
Reader Advisory: This book is part of a series and is best read in sequence.
155 pages, ebook
First published March 26, 2012
11 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Bailey Bradford
191 books552 followersA few things about me...
I am a married mom of four who spends most of the day writing, either on stories or at the blog. I love to write as much as I love to read. I am generally quiet and laid back, choosing to let things slide off me rather than stick and irritate me.
And it's really hard trying to think of descriptives for myself, so I'll just let y'all e-mail me or comment at the blog if there's something specific you'd like to know, and spare you from reading a boring bio:D
I am a married mom of four who spends most of the day writing, either on stories or at the blog. I love to write as much as I love to read. I am generally quiet and laid back, choosing to let things slide off me rather than stick and irritate me.
And it's really hard trying to think of descriptives for myself, so I'll just let y'all e-mail me or comment at the blog if there's something specific you'd like to know, and spare you from reading a boring bio:D
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 28, 2015
Serious retcon on the Albert situation. Darts, not noxious fumes. And Oscar’s mother was not with them at the time. Pfft!
How can Oscar’s maternal grandmother be Ms Travis, i.e. carry the same last name as her son-in-law? Somehow I don’t think they went that route when they married…
And I am still waiting for an explanation on how it comes that none of the leopards appear to be even remotely Asian-featured. Himalaya, anyone? Although maybe the next book will shed some light on that, who knows.
Obviously I am full of complaints. Those aren’t the reason for the low rating, though. That’s due to a) a certain lack of tension of any sort; this sure is a pedestrian series thus far, even when people get killed. And b) the fact that Oscar pulled a Gabe. He intrigued me in the previous book but here he simply turns into a bully. He’s grumbly and violent, tends to physically attack people without actual provocation even. Not liking this one bit. There’s quite a bit of stupid, too, but I won’t even go into that.
The characterization of side characters seems more than thin as well. Guess we need to use all available space for violent sex instead, but whatever. Needless to say, the latter did not appeal to me even slightly.
Still, the lack of attention the author displays for her own story continuity is beginning to annoy me. Not that this is strictly new for her. But come on. While typos or bad grammar can happen to anyone and don’t necessarily reflect on the story too much (it seems more an issue of missing aftercare), continuity issues feel slovenly – like laziness or even disinterest in her own stories and that sort of attitude tends to transfer to a reader.
So yes. Not too happy with this book and I am considering switching to something else for now.
How can Oscar’s maternal grandmother be Ms Travis, i.e. carry the same last name as her son-in-law? Somehow I don’t think they went that route when they married…
And I am still waiting for an explanation on how it comes that none of the leopards appear to be even remotely Asian-featured. Himalaya, anyone? Although maybe the next book will shed some light on that, who knows.
Obviously I am full of complaints. Those aren’t the reason for the low rating, though. That’s due to a) a certain lack of tension of any sort; this sure is a pedestrian series thus far, even when people get killed. And b) the fact that Oscar pulled a Gabe. He intrigued me in the previous book but here he simply turns into a bully. He’s grumbly and violent, tends to physically attack people without actual provocation even. Not liking this one bit. There’s quite a bit of stupid, too, but I won’t even go into that.
The characterization of side characters seems more than thin as well. Guess we need to use all available space for violent sex instead, but whatever. Needless to say, the latter did not appeal to me even slightly.
Still, the lack of attention the author displays for her own story continuity is beginning to annoy me. Not that this is strictly new for her. But come on. While typos or bad grammar can happen to anyone and don’t necessarily reflect on the story too much (it seems more an issue of missing aftercare), continuity issues feel slovenly – like laziness or even disinterest in her own stories and that sort of attitude tends to transfer to a reader.
So yes. Not too happy with this book and I am considering switching to something else for now.
September 27, 2017
This is book two in Bailey Bradford's highly entertaining series 'Leopard's Spots' and I was excited to get it. Oscar appealed to me, A LOT, in book one so I really wanted him to find what he needed in a mate. I was also intrigued because this book goes outside the feline shifters and now we've got a cat and dog scenario. HA! So far, this author has not disappointed on the action and plot line so I had high hopes for this second installment.
From the moment Oscar stepped onto the pages I adored him. He's smaller, physically, than everyone else in the family and cursed (he thinks) with features almost pretty enough to be feminine, but he's definitely got the biggest attitude and I loved his sarcastic snark! It made the story even funnier. But hiding under that attitude is a sensitive man who is reeling from killing the cougar out to get his brother-in-law in Levi's story. So when he meets Josiah, a very large shifter, in a gay bar in San Antonio, after dealing with four large shifters, he's about had it and every memory of bullying he endured growing up comes busting out…along with his temper. And his temper is fierce.
Josiah is son of the San Antonio wolf pack alpha, and he doesn't know what to make of the gorgeous, young, blond, and somewhat small shifter he meets in the club. Until he gets close enough to realize he's his mate. Josiah can tell that Oscar is hiding behind a facade and he's determined to get to the bottom of his mate's confidence issues. But, not until he finds out why three cougar shifters are stalking Oscar and his dad, Henry's, hotel room.
It was so much fun watching Oscar and Josiah together. Their strengths and weaknesses totally balanced each other out and made the mating fantastic. As they made their way from Texas to Oscar's family home in Colorado, they dealt with cougar shifters chasing and hunting them, all the while bringing them closer together as a couple. Of course, once they get home, Oscar's family welcomes Josiah wholeheartedly, but even that doesn't stop the danger after them all.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to more. This isn't a brain drain type of book, but the writing is fast-paced and the characters are immanently likable. If you like shifter stories that are full of family, drama, action, love, and hot sex this might be for you.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
From the moment Oscar stepped onto the pages I adored him. He's smaller, physically, than everyone else in the family and cursed (he thinks) with features almost pretty enough to be feminine, but he's definitely got the biggest attitude and I loved his sarcastic snark! It made the story even funnier. But hiding under that attitude is a sensitive man who is reeling from killing the cougar out to get his brother-in-law in Levi's story. So when he meets Josiah, a very large shifter, in a gay bar in San Antonio, after dealing with four large shifters, he's about had it and every memory of bullying he endured growing up comes busting out…along with his temper. And his temper is fierce.
Josiah is son of the San Antonio wolf pack alpha, and he doesn't know what to make of the gorgeous, young, blond, and somewhat small shifter he meets in the club. Until he gets close enough to realize he's his mate. Josiah can tell that Oscar is hiding behind a facade and he's determined to get to the bottom of his mate's confidence issues. But, not until he finds out why three cougar shifters are stalking Oscar and his dad, Henry's, hotel room.
It was so much fun watching Oscar and Josiah together. Their strengths and weaknesses totally balanced each other out and made the mating fantastic. As they made their way from Texas to Oscar's family home in Colorado, they dealt with cougar shifters chasing and hunting them, all the while bringing them closer together as a couple. Of course, once they get home, Oscar's family welcomes Josiah wholeheartedly, but even that doesn't stop the danger after them all.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to more. This isn't a brain drain type of book, but the writing is fast-paced and the characters are immanently likable. If you like shifter stories that are full of family, drama, action, love, and hot sex this might be for you.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
November 16, 2017
I read until about 100 pages or so, and just got SO BORED. The beginning was fine, but by the middle, it just got stupidly loveydovey and really really boring. I stopped for a couple weeks before I finally forced myself to sit down and finish it. It was hard. The whole scene with the family was just stupid. I mean, Josiah was just perfectly at home. You're not telling me you're not even a little awkward around your new inlaws? And all these grown ass kids acting like five year olds. The reasoning and forgiveness is so quick and I was so done. I don't really know why with this particular book; it's not any worse than most shifter books, but I just couldn't do it.
August 29, 2015
Bradford's writing is dull and uninspired. These stories just couldn't hold my interest for long. Thankfully, they were short, so there was that. Had they been any longer, I would've given up. Hell, I did give on #5...
October 1, 2017
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
There are some exciting scenes in this story but it will probably be the last one I read in the series.
Oscar was my favourite character in the first book but I found him obnoxious and bratty at the start of this one. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a worse case of Little Man’s Syndrome and he irritated me to no end. He grew more likeable later in the story as he settles into his relationship with Josiah but only the ‘fated mate’ thing could explain what Josiah saw in him at the start. Unlike the characters in the first book, we actually see some character development and growth with Oscar which I enjoyed.
Josiah isn’t a terribly well developed love interest. As a wolf in a pack who is familiar with the shifter world, he helps move the series forward with the information he brings to Oscar’s family. As a man, I’m not sure we ever learn too much about him.
This story might actually have more graphic violence than the first book. This story continues the story from the first book as Oscar’s family attempts to track down Lyndon’s siblings and his evil father. It isn’t the strongest series plot ever and it is full of slightly tired shifter tropes. There is something about the Travis family that doesn’t work for me. The siblings don’t always read as adults and as grown adults, they are all way too comfortable with each other.
There are some exciting scenes in this story but it will probably be the last one I read in the series.
Oscar was my favourite character in the first book but I found him obnoxious and bratty at the start of this one. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a worse case of Little Man’s Syndrome and he irritated me to no end. He grew more likeable later in the story as he settles into his relationship with Josiah but only the ‘fated mate’ thing could explain what Josiah saw in him at the start. Unlike the characters in the first book, we actually see some character development and growth with Oscar which I enjoyed.
Josiah isn’t a terribly well developed love interest. As a wolf in a pack who is familiar with the shifter world, he helps move the series forward with the information he brings to Oscar’s family. As a man, I’m not sure we ever learn too much about him.
This story might actually have more graphic violence than the first book. This story continues the story from the first book as Oscar’s family attempts to track down Lyndon’s siblings and his evil father. It isn’t the strongest series plot ever and it is full of slightly tired shifter tropes. There is something about the Travis family that doesn’t work for me. The siblings don’t always read as adults and as grown adults, they are all way too comfortable with each other.
November 11, 2020
Not what I expected from Oscar after reading the first book. The whole beginning felt like a plot device since they really accomplished nothing during their trip except for Oscar meeting his mate. Not surprising since they had no real plan of action. The book was mostly sex with a little family drama and a tiny bit of a plot with a villain. I already own the 3rd book so I'll probably read it but I'm pretty sure after that I'll be done with this series.
November 8, 2018
I enjoyed this very much. I love Oscar!
Unfortunately, there are still problems due to lack of editing. Honestly, a good proofreading would have caught most of the problems but a good professional editor is greatly needed.
Also, is there a large British settlement in the mountains of Colorado? I can’t think of any other reason the characters would use Britishisms or words would be spelled in UK English.
Unfortunately, there are still problems due to lack of editing. Honestly, a good proofreading would have caught most of the problems but a good professional editor is greatly needed.
Also, is there a large British settlement in the mountains of Colorado? I can’t think of any other reason the characters would use Britishisms or words would be spelled in UK English.
August 29, 2017
I loved it! That's the problem with anything Bailey Bradford writes, you love it & now you have to read more of her works.
July 3, 2018
Meh. A basic shifter book with most of the story being sex, a little bit of family drama, a bad guy and more sex. Not horrible but.....
September 15, 2017
Oscar (Leopard's Spots #2) by Bailey Bradford
4 stars
M/M Shifter Romance
Triggers: Stalking, Murder, Attempted Murder
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This is the second book in this series and it is helpful to have read book #1, as there are several characters and themes that carry over.
Oscar has always considered himself the runt of his family. He's the odd man out and has developed a complex about himself because of those feelings. When he sacrifices a part of his soul in book 1, he has to deal with the fallout and he chooses to deal with it alone.
Josiah is someone that we don't really know much about. We meet him while he's trying to help Oscar, but there is really not a lot of history. Josiah is a shifter too and knows immediately that Oscar is his mate. He didn't realize that he would ever have one, but he'll do anything to see Oscar again.
Josiah and Oscar delve in to their relationship and with the help of their family members figure out that despite what people preconceive about their relationship, Josiah loves when Oscar takes over and Oscar likes when Josiah can take what is given.
The crazy father of Oscar's brother in law is still on the loose and more characters are introduced. More brothers are found and they are funny, if not a little immature. I do hope that we get to see more of these new characters.
4 stars
M/M Shifter Romance
Triggers: Stalking, Murder, Attempted Murder
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This is the second book in this series and it is helpful to have read book #1, as there are several characters and themes that carry over.
Oscar has always considered himself the runt of his family. He's the odd man out and has developed a complex about himself because of those feelings. When he sacrifices a part of his soul in book 1, he has to deal with the fallout and he chooses to deal with it alone.
Josiah is someone that we don't really know much about. We meet him while he's trying to help Oscar, but there is really not a lot of history. Josiah is a shifter too and knows immediately that Oscar is his mate. He didn't realize that he would ever have one, but he'll do anything to see Oscar again.
Josiah and Oscar delve in to their relationship and with the help of their family members figure out that despite what people preconceive about their relationship, Josiah loves when Oscar takes over and Oscar likes when Josiah can take what is given.
The crazy father of Oscar's brother in law is still on the loose and more characters are introduced. More brothers are found and they are funny, if not a little immature. I do hope that we get to see more of these new characters.
October 30, 2016
I was hugely disappointed in this second installment in the series! I really thought that Oscar was a funny and spirited character in the first book and was so glad that he was getting his own story; boy what a let-down! Oscar comes across as a violent, abrasive brat in this book. Numerous times he is confrontational to the point of throwing punches or outright brawling. Josiah once thinks to himself that Oscar has "short man's syndrome" of overcompensating for his petite size by being overly aggressive and testosterone driven. The other thing that I really didn't like about the book (and something that I had hoped was only a characteristic of the first book) was the rough sex. There is wall-to-wall biting and clawing and blood drawing. Spanking comes into play and they talk excitedly about fisting in the future. The have sex at one point without any sort of lubrication because of the "stretch and burn they'd feel for days". Uh, sex without lube is extremely uncomfortable/painful and can cause damage. There's also public sex/near exhibitionism when they have vigorous sex out on the front porch--keeping in mind that the family lives in cottages all around! As before, Oscar's family is completely enmeshed and without boundaries. At one point the family all troupes in and starts breakfast while the couple is still in bed--then they joke openly about their intimacy. After this I don't have any interest in continuing the series.
February 13, 2013
This had the violent, bloody sex-with-claws-and-fangs that I'd remembered not liking so much from the first one. I still didn't like it so much. It also had the delightfully zany snow-leopard family that I remember being cracked up by in the first one. And they still made me smile a time or two.
What I I'd not anticipated in this one was how much I like Oscar's character. I don't usually like the toppy little guys because they just seem like they're trying too hard. I loved that Josiah brought up "small person syndrome" or whatever it's called right when he first met Oscar and thought he was overcompensating with violence and attitude for what he lacked in height.
I also really liked how Oscar was trying to find his role in his family, and that he didn't let his human size affect his desire to protect them.
Also enjoyable was the way the plot carried over from the first book and we got to see more of how they're resolving the problems created by Lyndon's crazy father.
Plus, this book has one of my new favorite quotes:
"Oz, I hope you know now that being strong doesn't mean suffering in silence. The strongest people are those who know when to ask for help."
I was thinking of giving this 3.5 stars, but I think I'll round up because I really did enjoy this more than the first book, and I want the rating to reflect that.
What I I'd not anticipated in this one was how much I like Oscar's character. I don't usually like the toppy little guys because they just seem like they're trying too hard. I loved that Josiah brought up "small person syndrome" or whatever it's called right when he first met Oscar and thought he was overcompensating with violence and attitude for what he lacked in height.
I also really liked how Oscar was trying to find his role in his family, and that he didn't let his human size affect his desire to protect them.
Also enjoyable was the way the plot carried over from the first book and we got to see more of how they're resolving the problems created by Lyndon's crazy father.
Plus, this book has one of my new favorite quotes:
"Oz, I hope you know now that being strong doesn't mean suffering in silence. The strongest people are those who know when to ask for help."
I was thinking of giving this 3.5 stars, but I think I'll round up because I really did enjoy this more than the first book, and I want the rating to reflect that.
April 26, 2012
Barely a plot to speak of, and made even less cohesive since the storyline was struggling to fit through continuous and expansive descriptions of sex. Now, you expect sex scenes considering the author and series, but this was ridiculous.
October 26, 2018
Meine Meinung
In „Leopards Spots: Oscar“ geht es um Oscar, der ein Gestaltenwandler ist sein Tier ein Leopard. Er wird oft unterschätzt und bei einem Clubbesuch trifft er auf Werwolf Josiah der ihm hilft und er scheint sein Gefährte zu sein.
Wird Oscar ihn annehmen und scheint es eine Zukunft zu geben ???
Oscar wird aufgrund seines Aussehens oft unterschätzt und seine Tiergestalt als Schneeleopard sticht dagegen sehr vor. Was passiert, wenn er seinen Gefährten findet?? Er hatte es nie leicht in der Schule und wurde öfters gemobbt.
Josiah ist ein Werwolf und kommt Oscar in einer schwierigen Situation zur Hilfe. Das er sein Gefährte ist kann dieser nicht glauben.
Der Schreibstil ist angenehm flüssig und wird im Wechsel aus der Perspektive von Josiah und Oscar erzählt. Der Leser kann so beide näher kennen lernen und ihre Gedanken und Gefühle erfahren während der Handlung. Die Kulisse wechselt und man kann wieder einiges über die Gestaltenwandler erfahren. Die Nebenfiguren sind ebenso authentisch und gestalten die Geschichte mit.
Die Spannung und Handlung haben mich mit jeder Seite mehr in die Geschichte von Oscar und Josiah gezogen. Als Schneeleopard lebt er mit seiner Familie zusammen und ahnt nicht welche Gesetze es gibt unter den Gestaltenwandlern, weil viele seine Familie von früher getötet wurden und somit nicht viel weiter gegeben werden konnte. Als er auf Josiah trifft scheint es direkt es gäbe es ein Band, doch Oscar kennt nichts über Gefährten und ist erst mal auf Abstand. Beide lernen sich kennen und dann gibt aber noch Probleme von anderen Gestaltenwandlern mit denen Oscars Familie einiges erlebt hat und dieser vor nichts zurück schreckt.
Das Cover sieht einfach genial aus und macht direkt Lust in die Geschichte zu starten.
Fazit
Eine mitreißende Fantasy Gay Romance Geschichte, die Lust auf mehr macht. Ich freue mich auf mehr von der Autorin.
In „Leopards Spots: Oscar“ geht es um Oscar, der ein Gestaltenwandler ist sein Tier ein Leopard. Er wird oft unterschätzt und bei einem Clubbesuch trifft er auf Werwolf Josiah der ihm hilft und er scheint sein Gefährte zu sein.
Wird Oscar ihn annehmen und scheint es eine Zukunft zu geben ???
Oscar wird aufgrund seines Aussehens oft unterschätzt und seine Tiergestalt als Schneeleopard sticht dagegen sehr vor. Was passiert, wenn er seinen Gefährten findet?? Er hatte es nie leicht in der Schule und wurde öfters gemobbt.
Josiah ist ein Werwolf und kommt Oscar in einer schwierigen Situation zur Hilfe. Das er sein Gefährte ist kann dieser nicht glauben.
Der Schreibstil ist angenehm flüssig und wird im Wechsel aus der Perspektive von Josiah und Oscar erzählt. Der Leser kann so beide näher kennen lernen und ihre Gedanken und Gefühle erfahren während der Handlung. Die Kulisse wechselt und man kann wieder einiges über die Gestaltenwandler erfahren. Die Nebenfiguren sind ebenso authentisch und gestalten die Geschichte mit.
Die Spannung und Handlung haben mich mit jeder Seite mehr in die Geschichte von Oscar und Josiah gezogen. Als Schneeleopard lebt er mit seiner Familie zusammen und ahnt nicht welche Gesetze es gibt unter den Gestaltenwandlern, weil viele seine Familie von früher getötet wurden und somit nicht viel weiter gegeben werden konnte. Als er auf Josiah trifft scheint es direkt es gäbe es ein Band, doch Oscar kennt nichts über Gefährten und ist erst mal auf Abstand. Beide lernen sich kennen und dann gibt aber noch Probleme von anderen Gestaltenwandlern mit denen Oscars Familie einiges erlebt hat und dieser vor nichts zurück schreckt.
Das Cover sieht einfach genial aus und macht direkt Lust in die Geschichte zu starten.
Fazit
Eine mitreißende Fantasy Gay Romance Geschichte, die Lust auf mehr macht. Ich freue mich auf mehr von der Autorin.
September 26, 2017
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book two in the Leopard's Spots series, and I strongly recommend you read book one, Levi, before this one. It will give you a much better picture as to why Oscar is in San Antonio, and what he is suffering because of what he did in that book.
I was worried, you know, going into this one. I don't much care for main characters who are late teens/early 20, and Oscar is 18 here. I don't know why, I just don't. But I need not have worried.
Oscar is, as I said, 18, but he has a wise old head on his shoulders. And going into San Antonio to find Lyndon (his brother in law)'s father to make him stop what he is doing, is probably not the best idea he ever had. Visiting the club was probably a worse one, but Josiah (kinda, sorta) steps up to save his kitty. And it's clear very quickly, that Oscar IS Josiah's kitty, claws and all.
Josiah is a wolf, and his wolf wants that kitty, in his life, in his bed, and in his heart forever. And Josiah will follow Oscar wherever he goes. And they go to Oscar's home. And they encounter a great deal of ribbing from his brothers! Amusing in places, heartbreaking in other, and sexy as heck in others still!
Lyndon's half brothers play a part, and I'm still not convinced there aren't more that are gonna come out of the woodwork!
Still too long for a hang over cure, but I think *shock horror!* I actually enjoyed this one slightly more than Levi's story, and again, not a too complicated difficult read. We meet Timothy, a cousin of Oscar's and I have his story to read next.
Thoroughly enjoying these, and I hope to be able to read them all.
4.5 stars (rounded down to 4)
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book two in the Leopard's Spots series, and I strongly recommend you read book one, Levi, before this one. It will give you a much better picture as to why Oscar is in San Antonio, and what he is suffering because of what he did in that book.
I was worried, you know, going into this one. I don't much care for main characters who are late teens/early 20, and Oscar is 18 here. I don't know why, I just don't. But I need not have worried.
Oscar is, as I said, 18, but he has a wise old head on his shoulders. And going into San Antonio to find Lyndon (his brother in law)'s father to make him stop what he is doing, is probably not the best idea he ever had. Visiting the club was probably a worse one, but Josiah (kinda, sorta) steps up to save his kitty. And it's clear very quickly, that Oscar IS Josiah's kitty, claws and all.
Josiah is a wolf, and his wolf wants that kitty, in his life, in his bed, and in his heart forever. And Josiah will follow Oscar wherever he goes. And they go to Oscar's home. And they encounter a great deal of ribbing from his brothers! Amusing in places, heartbreaking in other, and sexy as heck in others still!
Lyndon's half brothers play a part, and I'm still not convinced there aren't more that are gonna come out of the woodwork!
Still too long for a hang over cure, but I think *shock horror!* I actually enjoyed this one slightly more than Levi's story, and again, not a too complicated difficult read. We meet Timothy, a cousin of Oscar's and I have his story to read next.
Thoroughly enjoying these, and I hope to be able to read them all.
4.5 stars (rounded down to 4)
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
October 29, 2018
Im zweiten Band Leopard's Spots findet Schneeleopard Oscar seinen Gefährten.
Zur Handlung. Als Oscar nach einem Clubbesuch von feindlichen Pumawandlern angegriffen wird, eilt ihm der Wolfswandler Josiah zu Hilfe. Im Gegensatz zu Oscar erkennt dieser sofort, dass der Leopardenwandler sein Gefährte ist. Oscar hingegen kann sich die Gefühle für Josiah nicht erklären. Zu wenig weiß er durch seine Großmutter über Wandler, da diese als Kind ihr Rudel verloren hat und nur noch wenige Erinnerungen daran hat. Das ändert sich erst, als er Josiah näher kommt und dieser ihm vom Leben im Wolfsrudel erzählt.
Mir hat der zweite Teil noch etwas besser gefallen, als der Serienstart. Der Kampf gegen den Puma Taveres und seine Nachkommen geht weiter. Leider kommt die Handlung auch hier wieder zu kurz, da gut ein Drittel der Story nur aus Sexszenen besteht. Besonders gestört hat mich allerdings das Spanking Oscars, das ich ziemlich unpassend fand. Auch als Paar konnten mich Josiah und Oscar nicht überzeugen. Am Ende bleibt ungeklärt, wo die beiden leben werden, denn schließlich ist Josiah der Sohn eines Alphas und damit sein Nachfolger.
Die Story erhält von mir 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.
Zur Handlung. Als Oscar nach einem Clubbesuch von feindlichen Pumawandlern angegriffen wird, eilt ihm der Wolfswandler Josiah zu Hilfe. Im Gegensatz zu Oscar erkennt dieser sofort, dass der Leopardenwandler sein Gefährte ist. Oscar hingegen kann sich die Gefühle für Josiah nicht erklären. Zu wenig weiß er durch seine Großmutter über Wandler, da diese als Kind ihr Rudel verloren hat und nur noch wenige Erinnerungen daran hat. Das ändert sich erst, als er Josiah näher kommt und dieser ihm vom Leben im Wolfsrudel erzählt.
Mir hat der zweite Teil noch etwas besser gefallen, als der Serienstart. Der Kampf gegen den Puma Taveres und seine Nachkommen geht weiter. Leider kommt die Handlung auch hier wieder zu kurz, da gut ein Drittel der Story nur aus Sexszenen besteht. Besonders gestört hat mich allerdings das Spanking Oscars, das ich ziemlich unpassend fand. Auch als Paar konnten mich Josiah und Oscar nicht überzeugen. Am Ende bleibt ungeklärt, wo die beiden leben werden, denn schließlich ist Josiah der Sohn eines Alphas und damit sein Nachfolger.
Die Story erhält von mir 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.
March 3, 2020
Oscar has quite a chip on his shoulders but he is a fascinating character and is more troubled than Levi. He’s known more pain and has had to make some hard choices to protect others. Josiah and Oscar are a great match, even though Oscar isn’t immediately onboard with the whole mates thing which did great things for the emotional intensity of their story. We also get a closer look at Henry, Oscar’s father, who is a loving and wonderful parent, I really liked what he brought to the story. One of the other memorable secondary characters is Bobby, who is awesome, even though he easily aggravates others.
I liked the world-building and the way the author wrote the fated mates angle, keeping a perfect balance between the powerful insta-lust/-love that almost overwhelms the MC's and the actual building of trust and a relationship that is very much needed in any good romance.
I liked the world-building and the way the author wrote the fated mates angle, keeping a perfect balance between the powerful insta-lust/-love that almost overwhelms the MC's and the actual building of trust and a relationship that is very much needed in any good romance.
August 13, 2018
A young male leopard shifter finds his mate in a male wolf shifter. Events from the last book add some danger to the plot. There was too much sex for me but I liked the characters and the families.
Typos: baked for naked, apostrophe misuse, like for as, missing words, misplaced period, core for corps, adjectives used as nouns or adverbs, pealed for peeled, subject verb mismatch, Devon used for Chris, wold for would.
Typos: baked for naked, apostrophe misuse, like for as, missing words, misplaced period, core for corps, adjectives used as nouns or adverbs, pealed for peeled, subject verb mismatch, Devon used for Chris, wold for would.
August 17, 2022
Nawet jak na książkę, która miała być tylko prostą rozrywką to słaba. Słabi bohaterzy (im dłużej czytam tym gorzej), fabuła, dialogi, styl pisania bardzo infantylny? Jedyny plus to pomysł ze zmiennym (pantera śnieżna), ale żaden rzeczywisty aspekt książki nie wciągał
March 24, 2023
I bought this immediately after reading Levi and I could not put it down I even was reading during calls at work thankgod for copy and paste lol. I would tell people get on this series you won't be disappointed.
December 21, 2018
It was better than the first one but I’m keeping my word, I’m definitely not reading the rest of the series, I can’t stand the bad writing.
February 4, 2019
3.5 stars. I didn’t like who aggressive and violent Oscar was in the beginning of the book. But once he settled down, I really enjoyed it.
April 26, 2012
Rating: 3.75
Oscar Travis has always been the odd cat out in his Snow Leopard shifter family. He is physically smaller and his coloring is different. And he is the youngest of four brothers in a family that had been isolated by their shifter nature and geography from those around them. But if those differences weren't enough, the childhood shock and disfigurement caused by getting caught in a steel trap ensured him of a sheltered position within his close knit family, while leaving him vulnerable to schoolyard bullies.
When Levi, his brother, takes a cougar as mate, everything changed. They now know there are other shifters out in the world. Lyndon, his new brother in law, is being threatened by his cougar shifter father and hunted by his siblings. During one such attack, Oscar had to kill one of Lyndon's brothers in order to protect his family and that has left him traumatized to the extent that he is not eating or sleeping. When his father takes him to San Antonio to track down Lyndon's father, Oscar decides a trip to a gay bar will alleviate the stress he has been under. Instead he ends up being targeted once again because of his size and looks by a group of men intent on the pretty boy in front of them. Only the intervention of Josiah Baker, alpha wolf and future mate, keeps the event from ending in disaster. But Oscar can't handle either the situation or Josiah, and flees, leaving his mate to track him down.
As the situation with Lyndon's family worsens and there are more attempts on Lyndon's life, Oscar and Josiah must come to some reconciliation of their status as mates if they are to help save the family and find the happiness they seek.
Oscar is the second in the Leopard's Spots series and should be read in sequence to get the full backstory of the Snow Leopard, Cougar, and Wolf families involved (see review for Levi here). The character, Oscar, is introduced in the first book, and to me he was immediately the most interesting character. While Oscar may be small in stature, he is large in attitude and deeply troubled by events that happened in his childhood. Because Oscar is small, pretty, and has a disfigured hand, he was an easy target for bullies in school, something he never told his parents. Then he figured out that he liked boys instead of girls, and the school bullies daily harassment threatened to turn lethal. Oscar dealt with these threats by not telling anyone, a common problem. Instead, as he aged he became aggressive at almost every instance. And this is the state Josiah, a large and imposing figure, finds him in. He realizes that Oscar is hurting emotionally and tries to find out the source of his pain. Then just as the relationship dynamics are getting interesting, the familiar story of large mate/small mate starts to play out as the duo accept their mated status, help protect the family from the cougar shifters, and my interest is lost.
Being bullied at school and its effect on Oscar was a key component of his character's development. An added facet of this story is that as a shifter, Oscar had the physical tools to take down the kids threatening him, but couldn't use them without outing his family's secret. This added more stress to an already stressed out child who was already used to internalizing his problems and made Oscar a very relevant character in these times. All this combined to make Oscar a character multidimensional and worth remembering had the story gone in a different direction. What a story it would have made to see a shifter deal effectively with this situation that now grabs headlines daily.
I think that this book represents a missed chance on the author's part to speak about the problem of bullying and its long term effects on its victims. Bradford clearly started to address this as it is brought up again and again throughout the story that Oscar has been damaged emotionally by his past. But then Lyndon's family drama takes center stage with an abduction, Oscar and Josiah resolves their differences and mate, then its back to solving the problem of the cougar shifters. Been there, done that.
Without giving anything away, I will say the ending seemed too quick and unsatisfactory given the buildup it received. And this is a shame because Bradford can write convincing, realistic characters and put them into situations that we can recognize and empathize with even as their shifter nature removes them from our reality. This is the way Oscar started out. I just wish this is how Oscar had ended.
I will continue with the series as Oscar's cousin heads to the Himalayas' and the secret of the Snow Leopards. The promise of a better story and Oscar's family history pulls me forward.
Cover: Another gorgeous cover by Posh Gosh.
Oscar Travis has always been the odd cat out in his Snow Leopard shifter family. He is physically smaller and his coloring is different. And he is the youngest of four brothers in a family that had been isolated by their shifter nature and geography from those around them. But if those differences weren't enough, the childhood shock and disfigurement caused by getting caught in a steel trap ensured him of a sheltered position within his close knit family, while leaving him vulnerable to schoolyard bullies.
When Levi, his brother, takes a cougar as mate, everything changed. They now know there are other shifters out in the world. Lyndon, his new brother in law, is being threatened by his cougar shifter father and hunted by his siblings. During one such attack, Oscar had to kill one of Lyndon's brothers in order to protect his family and that has left him traumatized to the extent that he is not eating or sleeping. When his father takes him to San Antonio to track down Lyndon's father, Oscar decides a trip to a gay bar will alleviate the stress he has been under. Instead he ends up being targeted once again because of his size and looks by a group of men intent on the pretty boy in front of them. Only the intervention of Josiah Baker, alpha wolf and future mate, keeps the event from ending in disaster. But Oscar can't handle either the situation or Josiah, and flees, leaving his mate to track him down.
As the situation with Lyndon's family worsens and there are more attempts on Lyndon's life, Oscar and Josiah must come to some reconciliation of their status as mates if they are to help save the family and find the happiness they seek.
Oscar is the second in the Leopard's Spots series and should be read in sequence to get the full backstory of the Snow Leopard, Cougar, and Wolf families involved (see review for Levi here). The character, Oscar, is introduced in the first book, and to me he was immediately the most interesting character. While Oscar may be small in stature, he is large in attitude and deeply troubled by events that happened in his childhood. Because Oscar is small, pretty, and has a disfigured hand, he was an easy target for bullies in school, something he never told his parents. Then he figured out that he liked boys instead of girls, and the school bullies daily harassment threatened to turn lethal. Oscar dealt with these threats by not telling anyone, a common problem. Instead, as he aged he became aggressive at almost every instance. And this is the state Josiah, a large and imposing figure, finds him in. He realizes that Oscar is hurting emotionally and tries to find out the source of his pain. Then just as the relationship dynamics are getting interesting, the familiar story of large mate/small mate starts to play out as the duo accept their mated status, help protect the family from the cougar shifters, and my interest is lost.
Being bullied at school and its effect on Oscar was a key component of his character's development. An added facet of this story is that as a shifter, Oscar had the physical tools to take down the kids threatening him, but couldn't use them without outing his family's secret. This added more stress to an already stressed out child who was already used to internalizing his problems and made Oscar a very relevant character in these times. All this combined to make Oscar a character multidimensional and worth remembering had the story gone in a different direction. What a story it would have made to see a shifter deal effectively with this situation that now grabs headlines daily.
I think that this book represents a missed chance on the author's part to speak about the problem of bullying and its long term effects on its victims. Bradford clearly started to address this as it is brought up again and again throughout the story that Oscar has been damaged emotionally by his past. But then Lyndon's family drama takes center stage with an abduction, Oscar and Josiah resolves their differences and mate, then its back to solving the problem of the cougar shifters. Been there, done that.
Without giving anything away, I will say the ending seemed too quick and unsatisfactory given the buildup it received. And this is a shame because Bradford can write convincing, realistic characters and put them into situations that we can recognize and empathize with even as their shifter nature removes them from our reality. This is the way Oscar started out. I just wish this is how Oscar had ended.
I will continue with the series as Oscar's cousin heads to the Himalayas' and the secret of the Snow Leopards. The promise of a better story and Oscar's family history pulls me forward.
Cover: Another gorgeous cover by Posh Gosh.
March 20, 2017
Good shifter series but a little drawn out for me, I found myself getting bored with the whole cougar drama.
January 28, 2024
Definitiv besser, als der Vorgänger. Deutlich mehr Handlung, auch wenn sie zum Ende hin stark nachlässt und Lücken aufweist. Angemessenes Maß an spicy Szenen. Auch wenn diese nur bedingt meinem Geschmack entsprechen (Blut, Körperbehaarung, zarter Top...um nur ein paar zu nennen). Auch was die Textfehler angeht, gab es eine Verbesserung. Empfehlung für Leser, die harten Sex mit Kinks und stark behaarte Männer mögen.
April 9, 2012
First published at Mm Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Oscar lands in a bit of trouble when he visits a nightclub and a bouncer who thinks he’s coming to Oscar’s rescue doesn’t help. Josiah finds his mate in the little kitty shifter, but he keeps getting brushed off. Oscar has an attitude about large men who try to take control, but with Josiah he might have met his match.
A well written story that continues with the story-line from Leopard’s Spots 01- Levi. Oscar has forever been protected by his family because he is smaller. He had a hard time at school with bullying and he just feels like he is a misfit and has developed a hard external shell. Josiah might be an Alpha, but even he knows that he doesn’t stand much of a chance against his mate unless he can convince Oscar that he doesn’t see him as a misfit and there is nothing wrong with him.
I really liked this one, because although Oscar felt the mating pull he refused to give into it straight away and he also feels unsure of how Josiah will feel about him killing someone. The dynamics of Oscar’s and Josiah’s relationship was more even balanced with both men treating each other as though they are equals, with Oscar being slightly more Alpha than Josiah. The sex between them is really hot and erotic and again the dynamics are equal between them.
Oscar struggles to face what he did in the first book and he has a hard time believing that he won’t snap and do it again. Believing that he is turning into a monster, we get a good feel for what he is going through and the support that Josiah offers him. They are great characters and fit well together and the supporting characters are good, I really enjoyed the banter that Lyndon’s brothers brought into the book and there are a few surprises from them as well.
So if you love shifters, hot men, hot sex, twists, semi betrayal, dominate men, twisted guilt and a happy ending then I recommend that this book is for you.
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Oscar lands in a bit of trouble when he visits a nightclub and a bouncer who thinks he’s coming to Oscar’s rescue doesn’t help. Josiah finds his mate in the little kitty shifter, but he keeps getting brushed off. Oscar has an attitude about large men who try to take control, but with Josiah he might have met his match.
A well written story that continues with the story-line from Leopard’s Spots 01- Levi. Oscar has forever been protected by his family because he is smaller. He had a hard time at school with bullying and he just feels like he is a misfit and has developed a hard external shell. Josiah might be an Alpha, but even he knows that he doesn’t stand much of a chance against his mate unless he can convince Oscar that he doesn’t see him as a misfit and there is nothing wrong with him.
I really liked this one, because although Oscar felt the mating pull he refused to give into it straight away and he also feels unsure of how Josiah will feel about him killing someone. The dynamics of Oscar’s and Josiah’s relationship was more even balanced with both men treating each other as though they are equals, with Oscar being slightly more Alpha than Josiah. The sex between them is really hot and erotic and again the dynamics are equal between them.
Oscar struggles to face what he did in the first book and he has a hard time believing that he won’t snap and do it again. Believing that he is turning into a monster, we get a good feel for what he is going through and the support that Josiah offers him. They are great characters and fit well together and the supporting characters are good, I really enjoyed the banter that Lyndon’s brothers brought into the book and there are a few surprises from them as well.
So if you love shifters, hot men, hot sex, twists, semi betrayal, dominate men, twisted guilt and a happy ending then I recommend that this book is for you.
August 9, 2016
We met Oscar in book 1 of the series and there was just something about him that pulled at my heartstrings! When I started reading this book, it was amazing being able to learn more about Oscar and what he had been through in his life. And it did explain his little attitude he had going on.
My only real complaint about the book is with this being the second book in the series, I had hoped for some backstory on the snow leopards and just finding out more about them in general. It was strange to me that they don’t really know anything about their past and haven’t met anyone else like them.
I think that the author did a really great job at Oscar’s character. With him having been a victim of bullying, I liked how she was able to help show that it made him stronger in a way. I did also like how she didn’t just have Oscar instantly “get over” what had happened to him in the first book, for me personally, with her adding the detail she did it gave the book a more realistic feel to it.
With Josiah’s character, I really did like him. I think that his character was written very well and it was really easy to connect with him.
I did like how the action and drama from the first book did end up coming back into this book. I am only left wondering what to expect in the future books since things went down the way they did in this book. Will they be as action packed as the others or will they be more calmed down.
I did still enjoy this book, I thought it was a really quick and easy read and the author was able to deliver another great book!
Reviewed by Crystal for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for honest review*
My only real complaint about the book is with this being the second book in the series, I had hoped for some backstory on the snow leopards and just finding out more about them in general. It was strange to me that they don’t really know anything about their past and haven’t met anyone else like them.
I think that the author did a really great job at Oscar’s character. With him having been a victim of bullying, I liked how she was able to help show that it made him stronger in a way. I did also like how she didn’t just have Oscar instantly “get over” what had happened to him in the first book, for me personally, with her adding the detail she did it gave the book a more realistic feel to it.
With Josiah’s character, I really did like him. I think that his character was written very well and it was really easy to connect with him.
I did like how the action and drama from the first book did end up coming back into this book. I am only left wondering what to expect in the future books since things went down the way they did in this book. Will they be as action packed as the others or will they be more calmed down.
I did still enjoy this book, I thought it was a really quick and easy read and the author was able to deliver another great book!
Reviewed by Crystal for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for honest review*
May 9, 2016
love that this is the guy dealing with killing someone even though he had to. So many of these books act like its no big deal.
This is so funny. I love how strong Oscar is, how he's not only not a pushover, he really is strong enough to do damage. Even in other books with "feisty" mates, they're still little weaklings.
Proportions are off. One is kneeling on the floor but body on the bed and his body is the right height for the other guy to penetrate. Huh?
Really hate the British spellings in a book that takes place entirely in the U.S. with American characters.
I still don't get the whole it's not okay to even say, "hell," but you can physically hurt each other.
"You've got the sexiest little tits, soft and topped with pink nipples..." Huh?? I hope she means aeriolas. All along I thought she meant years when she said tits but now... Eww, man boons, ick.
Too much sex.
Why do they do this? Why why why? Someone is so wounded, the other is crying and then the next scene is the epilogue where everything is fine. I want the touch and go part, the hospital or sickbed scene. Am I the only one?
Plus, all the resolution scenes are missing. We're just told what happened. It's like a chapter is missing. I hate it.
I did love all the violent sex and Oscar's dominating streak. I loved that they butted heads but in an I love you way rather than the opposite. I just wish there hasn't been like ten sex scenes (and I'm not exaggerating).
3.5 stars
This is so funny. I love how strong Oscar is, how he's not only not a pushover, he really is strong enough to do damage. Even in other books with "feisty" mates, they're still little weaklings.
Proportions are off. One is kneeling on the floor but body on the bed and his body is the right height for the other guy to penetrate. Huh?
Really hate the British spellings in a book that takes place entirely in the U.S. with American characters.
I still don't get the whole it's not okay to even say, "hell," but you can physically hurt each other.
"You've got the sexiest little tits, soft and topped with pink nipples..." Huh?? I hope she means aeriolas. All along I thought she meant years when she said tits but now... Eww, man boons, ick.
Too much sex.
Why do they do this? Why why why? Someone is so wounded, the other is crying and then the next scene is the epilogue where everything is fine. I want the touch and go part, the hospital or sickbed scene. Am I the only one?
Plus, all the resolution scenes are missing. We're just told what happened. It's like a chapter is missing. I hate it.
I did love all the violent sex and Oscar's dominating streak. I loved that they butted heads but in an I love you way rather than the opposite. I just wish there hasn't been like ten sex scenes (and I'm not exaggerating).
3.5 stars
November 25, 2014
This was definitely a fluff read for me, but that isn't a bad thing. At all. Oscar and Josiah's relationship is a fun balance that breaks the usual top/bottom shifter rules. Oscar may be small but he's no pushover! But at the same time, he's willing to take it too. Their romance was fun and sexy.
The continuing plot from book one with the insane cougar came to its grand finale here. I was a little disappointed that Josiah didn't step in the final scene, really, but thank goodness for Henry. *rolls eyes* I'll probably keep going with this series though.
The continuing plot from book one with the insane cougar came to its grand finale here. I was a little disappointed that Josiah didn't step in the final scene, really, but thank goodness for Henry. *rolls eyes* I'll probably keep going with this series though.
April 24, 2015
OK but not as good as the first one.
Oscar is a little damaged. His smaller stature got him bullied in school so to compensate, he's a bit snarky and aggressive. He also had to kill someone in order to protect his family and his conscience is troubled.
When he runs into Josiah, he's not sure what to make of him. Sure he's supposed to be his mate and all but will he submit to a shorter man? Josiah has no problems with this and the chemistry heats up.
I had some issues with the plot and the "bad guy". I just found the whole thing a little far fetched and anti-climactic.
Oscar is a little damaged. His smaller stature got him bullied in school so to compensate, he's a bit snarky and aggressive. He also had to kill someone in order to protect his family and his conscience is troubled.
When he runs into Josiah, he's not sure what to make of him. Sure he's supposed to be his mate and all but will he submit to a shorter man? Josiah has no problems with this and the chemistry heats up.
I had some issues with the plot and the "bad guy". I just found the whole thing a little far fetched and anti-climactic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews