What do you think?
Rate this book
Ariel Estates #1
On Thin Ice
Silas Murdock, lion Pride leader of Ariel Estates, is on the trip of a lifetime, big game hunting with his entourage in Alaska. Everything had been perfect right up until a freak storm barreled into the area ruining their plans followed by an assassin’s bullet plummeting them into the frozen tundra. Enter wolf shifter and former pack physician, Theodor Lucas. Returning from a trip to a nearby village, he witnesses the crash and finds the wreckage along with an unconscious and barely alive Silas. Theo’s ethical sense won’t allow him to walk away, leaving the male to suffer and freeze to death when there’s a chance he could be saved. Despite the personal risk and his vow to never be responsible for another soul, Theo takes the lone survivor back to his cabin to care for his injuries. The stranger's unusual scent has Theo stumped. The gorgeous male is definitely not human, but exactly what is a mystery. But Theo’s unexpected guest is the only one with any answers as to who he is, and why their pilot ended up with a bullet to the back. There’s just one now that the male is awake, he doesn't have a clue. In fact, who, what, and where he is, is a total blank. But for Silas, there is one thing he does know for when it comes to Theo, his hot-as-hell rescuer, a lifesaver has never looked more delicious.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 29, 2012
7 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Lee
227 books279 followersJessica Lee is an EPIC eBook Award winner and international bestselling author of paranormal romance. She lives in the southeastern United States with her husband and son. In her former life, Jessica was a science geek and spent over twenty-five years as a nurse. But after the birth of her son, she left her medical career behind. During that transition, she discovered her passion for writing romance and has never looked back. Jessica Lee is currently published by Entangled Publishing and Resplendence Publishing. In addition, she has several self-published titles available.
Twitter: @jessleenovels
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessicaleenovels
Twitter: @jessleenovels
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessicaleenovels
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 16, 2015
I don't know about you but when a freebie is actually a solid read, I am pretty happy.
And I ate this book up. Was it flawless? Nope. There were a couple editing issues but it did not detract from the story. Plus the mushy hint of MANTEARS towards the end from the alpha...not a favorite of mine.
BUT the story was solid. A few tweaks here and there to make the standard cat/dog shifter trope slightly different. This isn't a mind blowing book but definitely something this shifter romance enthusiast likens to wearing a favorite pair of jeans and finding a dollar in the pocket.
Silas is a ginger lion shifter that is the alpha leader of his pride. He's openly bisexual which has caused death threats and tension from a few members of his Ariel Estates pride in North Carolina. While on vacation in Alaska, an assassination attempt is made while in flight back to Ariel Estates. Silas is the only survivor thanks to loner doctor and wolf shifter, Theo.
Unfortunately, Silas has amnesia. But it doesn't stop the two men from falling for each other. And the sex scenes were pretty steamy. (Silas is the owner of one unusually delightful cock)
This is novella, it's fast paced. And the ending is more HFN than HEA. But more realistic with how the MC handled everything. (Aside from it being paranormal because hello, wolf & lion shifter)
My rating: 3.5 stars rounded up mainly because the main parts of the story worked and I definitely will be reading the rest of the series.
And I ate this book up. Was it flawless? Nope. There were a couple editing issues but it did not detract from the story. Plus the mushy hint of MANTEARS towards the end from the alpha...not a favorite of mine.
BUT the story was solid. A few tweaks here and there to make the standard cat/dog shifter trope slightly different. This isn't a mind blowing book but definitely something this shifter romance enthusiast likens to wearing a favorite pair of jeans and finding a dollar in the pocket.
Silas is a ginger lion shifter that is the alpha leader of his pride. He's openly bisexual which has caused death threats and tension from a few members of his Ariel Estates pride in North Carolina. While on vacation in Alaska, an assassination attempt is made while in flight back to Ariel Estates. Silas is the only survivor thanks to loner doctor and wolf shifter, Theo.
Unfortunately, Silas has amnesia. But it doesn't stop the two men from falling for each other. And the sex scenes were pretty steamy. (Silas is the owner of one unusually delightful cock)
This is novella, it's fast paced. And the ending is more HFN than HEA. But more realistic with how the MC handled everything. (Aside from it being paranormal because hello, wolf & lion shifter)
My rating: 3.5 stars rounded up mainly because the main parts of the story worked and I definitely will be reading the rest of the series.
March 24, 2012
Silas is a leader of a Pride. When an assasination attempt to his life failed, and his plane crashed, Silas is saved by Theo, a wolf-shifter doctor who went away from his pack because of a tragedy that happened to his lover. Silas suffers from amnesia as Theo treats him. Attraction flies between the two guys; but Silas's life is still threatened ...
This seems like a first of series. I know that amnesia could be a cheesy theme, but I can't help to like it. The story is not long, there's some sort of insta-love. It's quite entertaining, despite the seemingly non-conventional ending (not completely HEA) -- which I hope it means there will be sequel!
This seems like a first of series. I know that amnesia could be a cheesy theme, but I can't help to like it. The story is not long, there's some sort of insta-love. It's quite entertaining, despite the seemingly non-conventional ending (not completely HEA) -- which I hope it means there will be sequel!
April 5, 2014
If an author is going to write a story that takes place in the Alaskan Bush, that author needs to either spend some time in said Bush or talk extensively with several people who have. My first uneasy suspicions arose when Lee described the plane that eventually crashed. Those suspicions increased when she described the area where the cabin was located and the cabin itself, never mentioning the need for the off-grid facilities that type of area usually demands. When she described a sled that had just transported three months of supplies as barely able to carry a 200-pound man, I really furrowed my brow. But when she called a vehicle a “snowmobile” instead of using the Alaskan term “snow machine,” I knew that Jessica Lee had probably never seen Alaska by any other means than a cruise ship.
There were other obvious research errors, particularly since Lee is clear to the reader that the story takes place in northwestern Alaska. Therefore, the natural travel patterns would involve Fairbanks, not Anchorage. Also, the distance between the Bush area and North Carolina is repeatedly referred to as 3000 miles and that one of the main protagonists travels this pattern several times in just one day. By car or by plane, 3000 miles will only get you from North Carolina to Washington State. And then you need to traverse Canada and the Yukon before you climb almost the entire state of Alaska to get to the region described – closer to 5000 miles than 3000. And that one day of travel? Even by plane, it’s at least two – one day to get down to the Lower Forty-Eight and another to get to North Carolina. Lee didn’t need to visit Alaska to get these facts straight. All she needed was a good map and the Delta Airlines website.
And then there are the editing errors. Missing words, misspellings, and incorrect words abound. And please, using the word “prostrate” instead of “prostate” in this genre is absolutely inexcusable.
Once you filter out the geographical and the cultural inconsistencies, the storyline is fairly substantial. Silas Murdock is the alpha for a pride of lion shifters in North Carolina. He is returning from a hunting expedition in the Alaskan Bush when one member of his party attempts to kill him but shoots the plane’s pilot instead. Though not a pilot himself, Silas tries to get the plane under control. But without sufficient altitude and with too great an airspeed, the plane crashes.
Dr. Theodore Lucas is nearly mowed down by the plane as it careens over his cabin. After arriving at the crash site, he finds only one survivor, Silas. Theo hauls Silas back to his cabin and is successful in treating his injuries. Himself a wolf shifter, he can tell that Silas is also a shifter, but he cannot tell what kind.
When Silas regains consciousness three days after the crash, he realizes two things – he doesn’t know WHERE he is and he doesn’t know WHO he is. And Theo realizes one more thing – Silas doesn’t know WHAT he is.
The remainder of this short novella revolves around the relationship that develops between Silas and Theo. The fight scenes and the shifter sequences are well done, concise and realistic. The sexual encounters are appropriately placed in the storyline and, while explicit, are neither crude nor gratuitous in nature.
Because of and through their relationship, Silas regains his memory and learns the identity of his enemy. Because of and through their relationship, Theo learns to deal with a past circumstance that had him leaving his Bush medical practice and his wolf pack. And both learn about second chances and the transcendence of love over genetics.
There were other obvious research errors, particularly since Lee is clear to the reader that the story takes place in northwestern Alaska. Therefore, the natural travel patterns would involve Fairbanks, not Anchorage. Also, the distance between the Bush area and North Carolina is repeatedly referred to as 3000 miles and that one of the main protagonists travels this pattern several times in just one day. By car or by plane, 3000 miles will only get you from North Carolina to Washington State. And then you need to traverse Canada and the Yukon before you climb almost the entire state of Alaska to get to the region described – closer to 5000 miles than 3000. And that one day of travel? Even by plane, it’s at least two – one day to get down to the Lower Forty-Eight and another to get to North Carolina. Lee didn’t need to visit Alaska to get these facts straight. All she needed was a good map and the Delta Airlines website.
And then there are the editing errors. Missing words, misspellings, and incorrect words abound. And please, using the word “prostrate” instead of “prostate” in this genre is absolutely inexcusable.
Once you filter out the geographical and the cultural inconsistencies, the storyline is fairly substantial. Silas Murdock is the alpha for a pride of lion shifters in North Carolina. He is returning from a hunting expedition in the Alaskan Bush when one member of his party attempts to kill him but shoots the plane’s pilot instead. Though not a pilot himself, Silas tries to get the plane under control. But without sufficient altitude and with too great an airspeed, the plane crashes.
Dr. Theodore Lucas is nearly mowed down by the plane as it careens over his cabin. After arriving at the crash site, he finds only one survivor, Silas. Theo hauls Silas back to his cabin and is successful in treating his injuries. Himself a wolf shifter, he can tell that Silas is also a shifter, but he cannot tell what kind.
When Silas regains consciousness three days after the crash, he realizes two things – he doesn’t know WHERE he is and he doesn’t know WHO he is. And Theo realizes one more thing – Silas doesn’t know WHAT he is.
The remainder of this short novella revolves around the relationship that develops between Silas and Theo. The fight scenes and the shifter sequences are well done, concise and realistic. The sexual encounters are appropriately placed in the storyline and, while explicit, are neither crude nor gratuitous in nature.
Because of and through their relationship, Silas regains his memory and learns the identity of his enemy. Because of and through their relationship, Theo learns to deal with a past circumstance that had him leaving his Bush medical practice and his wolf pack. And both learn about second chances and the transcendence of love over genetics.
March 18, 2013
Interesting characters, a mystery to solve and a plot with a twist – what a great way to start a new series. While Silas and Theo are shifters, that plays less of a role in the way their relationship develops than the kind of men they are; it was more of a background fact that determined their character than a real influence on what happened. I liked that a lot, and enjoyed reading a shifter book where the romance developed independent of a ‘mate bond’.
Theo is a heart-breakingly lonely doctor who gets pulled into saving the survivor of a plane crash much against his will. I loved how I only gradually found out that he is a wolf shifter and what had happened to drive him into the solitude of the Alaskan winter. Even though he thinks he is a bad doctor, and carries around enough guilt for three men, he cannot help himself. He just has to do the right thing.
Silas is a leader, used to getting what he wants. When he ends up wounded and with amnesia, he has to rely on himself for the first time since he was a kid. With the trappings of leadership all gone, he learns what it means to just be him and fall in love. Even though he wants to stay with Theo, he does the right thing too, wanting to find out who did this to him.
The twist at the end may not have caught me unaware, but it was well done. The suspense as to how these two will make things work is high right up until the end and there are no unrealistically easy solutions. The fact that Silas has to figure out how to fit what he wants (Theo) around his duty as a pride leader makes him a better man in the end. If you like shifter stories set firmly in this reality (well, as much as they can be), if real men who struggle with their duties interest you, and if a slowly blooming relationship between ‘a lion and a wolf’ sounds interesting, you will probably, like this book. I look forward to the next one.
NOTE: This book was provided by Resplendence Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Theo is a heart-breakingly lonely doctor who gets pulled into saving the survivor of a plane crash much against his will. I loved how I only gradually found out that he is a wolf shifter and what had happened to drive him into the solitude of the Alaskan winter. Even though he thinks he is a bad doctor, and carries around enough guilt for three men, he cannot help himself. He just has to do the right thing.
Silas is a leader, used to getting what he wants. When he ends up wounded and with amnesia, he has to rely on himself for the first time since he was a kid. With the trappings of leadership all gone, he learns what it means to just be him and fall in love. Even though he wants to stay with Theo, he does the right thing too, wanting to find out who did this to him.
The twist at the end may not have caught me unaware, but it was well done. The suspense as to how these two will make things work is high right up until the end and there are no unrealistically easy solutions. The fact that Silas has to figure out how to fit what he wants (Theo) around his duty as a pride leader makes him a better man in the end. If you like shifter stories set firmly in this reality (well, as much as they can be), if real men who struggle with their duties interest you, and if a slowly blooming relationship between ‘a lion and a wolf’ sounds interesting, you will probably, like this book. I look forward to the next one.
NOTE: This book was provided by Resplendence Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
April 19, 2012
On Thin Ice tells the story of Silas Murdock, a lion shifter who while on a trip to hunt big game in Alaska is involved in an assassination attempt on his life on the return plane trip home. The plane crashes and everyone on board dies except Silas, who is then rescued by wolf shifter, doctor and recluse Thedor Lucas. As Theo nurses Silas back to health, they begin a relationship built on the knowledge that they cannot be together (inter-shifter politics) and the fact that Theo doesn’t want to leave his home and Silas knows he has to return to his and catch the traitor in his pack. So, most of the novel is fraught with the understanding that this relationship is temporary.
Add in the fact that that in the beginning of the book, Silas has amnesia, Theo is recovering from the death of his former lover and hired guns are out to kill Silas and you have a real page turner. What really drew me into this novel was the underlying sexual tension between Silas and Theo. It sizzles and even when Silas is clueless about who he is, he’s that take-charge Alpha. Another good plot point was Theo’s back-story, which brought in some sympathy for his situation and explained why he thought a relationship with Silas could never work.
My only two complaints were: the bad guy’s characterizations and how the end felt unfinished. The endgame reveal was very easy to spot, sort of clichéd in his reasoning of why the bad guy hated Silas and wanted him dead (why are so many shifters homophobic? Why?) But the final fight scene kicked ass in my opinion. However, the conclusion also felt rushed and the universe of Ariel Estates never fully developed and explained. Perhaps this will be picked up in the next book?
So, if you have a shifter fetish like me, or just love the idea of two hot men stuck in an Alaskan cabin, one healing the other as one tries to get back his memories, then this book is for you! If shifters are not your thing, you still might to try out the book for the hurt/comfort aspect.
Reviews by Jessewave
Add in the fact that that in the beginning of the book, Silas has amnesia, Theo is recovering from the death of his former lover and hired guns are out to kill Silas and you have a real page turner. What really drew me into this novel was the underlying sexual tension between Silas and Theo. It sizzles and even when Silas is clueless about who he is, he’s that take-charge Alpha. Another good plot point was Theo’s back-story, which brought in some sympathy for his situation and explained why he thought a relationship with Silas could never work.
My only two complaints were: the bad guy’s characterizations and how the end felt unfinished. The endgame reveal was very easy to spot, sort of clichéd in his reasoning of why the bad guy hated Silas and wanted him dead (why are so many shifters homophobic? Why?) But the final fight scene kicked ass in my opinion. However, the conclusion also felt rushed and the universe of Ariel Estates never fully developed and explained. Perhaps this will be picked up in the next book?
So, if you have a shifter fetish like me, or just love the idea of two hot men stuck in an Alaskan cabin, one healing the other as one tries to get back his memories, then this book is for you! If shifters are not your thing, you still might to try out the book for the hurt/comfort aspect.
Reviews by Jessewave
September 15, 2020
I enjoyed this book although it was a bit of an insta love connection. I liked the characters and I even liked the way the amnesia plot played out. It was a bit short and I would have liked a bit more character depth so I could feel a better connection. This also seemed to be a HFN ending so hopefully we'll see more of these two in the next book.
March 18, 2012
Good paranormal m/m romance about a lone wolf shifter/doctor in the Alaskan wilderness who rescues the amnesiac sole survivor of a plane crash. Who and what is the man he rescued... and was he responsible for the crash?
April 12, 2014
A nice, light read that kept my attention throughout and caused me to want to read the rest of the series.
April 9, 2014
Good story that would have been better as a longer novel. Too much happens off page, usually within time jumps, and the story felt incomplete.
June 5, 2013
I never read m/m with shifters but WOW SO FREAKING HOT.
I loved it. This series def deserves a go.
I loved it. This series def deserves a go.
August 1, 2013
The setting is Alaska. The opening: Caribou hunting and a few days of hanging with the guys. To the naked eye, this would seem like a normal “guy” storyline except for one niggling detail: these men are actually Lion shifters. Before they can get their shift on, so to speak, a storm moves in, necessitating the need for an early flight back to North Carolina. As the men prepare to leave Alaska, we find out that the Pride leader, Silas, has actually been the victim of several death threats and that everyone who attended this trip with him had been carefully vetted, everyone except young Travis. He was a last minute addition to the team and as he was the growing love interest of one of the other guys that Silas knew well, Silas dismissed the need for caution and allowed him to go on the trip. Big mistake. While in the air, Travis pulls a gun and shoots, but the bullet intended for Silas goes wild after Mac, head of security for the Pride, throws himself at the assassin. Unfortunately the bullet blows directly through the pilot, killing him. The plane, now unattended, begins a fatal tailspin. Silas is the only one to survive the crash.
Theo, a doctor by trade, sees the accident and brings Silas back to his cabin to heal. But Theo has a secret of his own. He, too, is a shifter—a wolf shifter. Cat and Dog—could this get any more tongue-in-cheek? As the story progresses, we also come to find out that Theo is living apart from his pack. Things between these two men heat up very rapidly with lust running gradually into something more. Theo quickly discovers that Silas is suffering from amnesia, so throughout a good portion of this story we are constantly reminded that this relationship potentially has no future—the dog/cat dynamic notwithstanding. Eventually we find out the reason that Silas is under a death threat and how, this too, greatly impacts the idea of a lasting relationship between he and Theo. There are definitely a few tense moments (the arrival of two assassins at Theo’s doorstep) that keep this story line moving along. Unfortunately, for me, they were too few to really make this a solid and complete story.
I do think that this author has great potential as an m/m fiction writer. The scenes she writes between these two men are dynamic and the sex is hot! However, given the shorter length, I felt too much time was spent describing their mutual lust in the bedroom leaving a lot of story lines unattended. For instance, at the very beginning of the novel it is alluded too that Silas has had many partners, both male and female. We are then led to understand that no relationship would ever come between he and his Pride—but then the issue dies there—only to be conveniently toted out as an explanation as to why he and Theo might never be partners. I wanted to understand this dynamic more—read more about what made Silas tick—what made him such a good leader. I wanted to read a bit more about the Pride dynamic and why there were some so opposed to a bisexual leader (as Silas deems himself). I did hear a good retelling of why Theo was alone and I felt that of the two main characters he was more solidly fleshed out. However, that he was so drawn to this man, Silas, yet so easily gave him up, even for a short time, did not ring true.
Ultimately this novel received 3 stars because I felt it was unfinished. So much time and space was devoted to the sexual aspect of Silas and Theo’s relationship that we never saw how their love for each other blossomed and grew beyond simple lust. However, as an author, I feel Jessica Lee definitely deserves another chance! She is a good writer; this simply was a weak story—too short to be fully developed. Hence, this reader was left a bit frustrated and wanting more. As paranormal stories go, On Thin Ice is a good beginning to what could have been a great story had it had a bit more meat on it’s bones.
Theo, a doctor by trade, sees the accident and brings Silas back to his cabin to heal. But Theo has a secret of his own. He, too, is a shifter—a wolf shifter. Cat and Dog—could this get any more tongue-in-cheek? As the story progresses, we also come to find out that Theo is living apart from his pack. Things between these two men heat up very rapidly with lust running gradually into something more. Theo quickly discovers that Silas is suffering from amnesia, so throughout a good portion of this story we are constantly reminded that this relationship potentially has no future—the dog/cat dynamic notwithstanding. Eventually we find out the reason that Silas is under a death threat and how, this too, greatly impacts the idea of a lasting relationship between he and Theo. There are definitely a few tense moments (the arrival of two assassins at Theo’s doorstep) that keep this story line moving along. Unfortunately, for me, they were too few to really make this a solid and complete story.
I do think that this author has great potential as an m/m fiction writer. The scenes she writes between these two men are dynamic and the sex is hot! However, given the shorter length, I felt too much time was spent describing their mutual lust in the bedroom leaving a lot of story lines unattended. For instance, at the very beginning of the novel it is alluded too that Silas has had many partners, both male and female. We are then led to understand that no relationship would ever come between he and his Pride—but then the issue dies there—only to be conveniently toted out as an explanation as to why he and Theo might never be partners. I wanted to understand this dynamic more—read more about what made Silas tick—what made him such a good leader. I wanted to read a bit more about the Pride dynamic and why there were some so opposed to a bisexual leader (as Silas deems himself). I did hear a good retelling of why Theo was alone and I felt that of the two main characters he was more solidly fleshed out. However, that he was so drawn to this man, Silas, yet so easily gave him up, even for a short time, did not ring true.
Ultimately this novel received 3 stars because I felt it was unfinished. So much time and space was devoted to the sexual aspect of Silas and Theo’s relationship that we never saw how their love for each other blossomed and grew beyond simple lust. However, as an author, I feel Jessica Lee definitely deserves another chance! She is a good writer; this simply was a weak story—too short to be fully developed. Hence, this reader was left a bit frustrated and wanting more. As paranormal stories go, On Thin Ice is a good beginning to what could have been a great story had it had a bit more meat on it’s bones.
April 11, 2014
This is my second Jessica Lee book and probably the last.
It's poorly written, cliched and has plot points that make little sense.
Lion shifter Silas survives the attempt on his life but ends up with amnesia. He doesn't remember that he is a shifter and the first time he starts to shift, he freaks out big time. I didn't understand why Silas would assume he was human. Why is that the default for a shifter with no memory? Even if he doesn't remember that he's a shifter, when faced with it, why would he lose his shit?
Plus the first time Silas has sex with his rescuer, Theo, there are no memory issues. He knows exactly how to prepare Theo's "tight rosette" for some buttsexing in a move that is automatic - even though Silas can't remember if he himself is gay. Because its a reflex. But somehow shifting is not.
Then there is Theo, a wolf shifter, who moved away from his pack to a remote, unpopulated area in the Alaskan wilderness after a traumatic event. He hasn't had sex with anyone in 3 years and goes long stretches of time without seeing other people. Yet he still remembered to bring lube along. Now, no, he didn't bring any condoms but he didn't need to, because in this world shifters can't get STDs. They can die of the flu (as Theo's parents did), but they can't get STDs.
At 88 pages, I read the whole story but if it had been any longer, I'd have cut my losses.
It's poorly written, cliched and has plot points that make little sense.
Lion shifter Silas survives the attempt on his life but ends up with amnesia. He doesn't remember that he is a shifter and the first time he starts to shift, he freaks out big time. I didn't understand why Silas would assume he was human. Why is that the default for a shifter with no memory? Even if he doesn't remember that he's a shifter, when faced with it, why would he lose his shit?
Plus the first time Silas has sex with his rescuer, Theo, there are no memory issues. He knows exactly how to prepare Theo's "tight rosette" for some buttsexing in a move that is automatic - even though Silas can't remember if he himself is gay. Because its a reflex. But somehow shifting is not.
Then there is Theo, a wolf shifter, who moved away from his pack to a remote, unpopulated area in the Alaskan wilderness after a traumatic event. He hasn't had sex with anyone in 3 years and goes long stretches of time without seeing other people. Yet he still remembered to bring lube along. Now, no, he didn't bring any condoms but he didn't need to, because in this world shifters can't get STDs. They can die of the flu (as Theo's parents did), but they can't get STDs.
At 88 pages, I read the whole story but if it had been any longer, I'd have cut my losses.
August 10, 2016
3.5 stars
A short hot M/M shifter romance between Silas, leader of a lion pride, and Theo, a wolf in self-imposed exile.
Silas, the sole survivor of a plane crash in the Alaskan tundra, is rescued by Theo, a physician living apart from his wolf pack. Despite suffering from amnesia, Silas is definitely attracted to Theo, and a bond quickly develops between them. Nothing prepares them though, for the way Silas's memories come rushing back, nor the way those memories will impact their lives.
There are a few twists to this story and combined with some steamy love scenes, it makes for an enjoyable read. True, there isn't a great deal of depth to the story, as one would expect from a novel this long, but it's definitely a great diversion when time is on the short side.
A short hot M/M shifter romance between Silas, leader of a lion pride, and Theo, a wolf in self-imposed exile.
Silas, the sole survivor of a plane crash in the Alaskan tundra, is rescued by Theo, a physician living apart from his wolf pack. Despite suffering from amnesia, Silas is definitely attracted to Theo, and a bond quickly develops between them. Nothing prepares them though, for the way Silas's memories come rushing back, nor the way those memories will impact their lives.
There are a few twists to this story and combined with some steamy love scenes, it makes for an enjoyable read. True, there isn't a great deal of depth to the story, as one would expect from a novel this long, but it's definitely a great diversion when time is on the short side.
August 3, 2016
Basically a DNF, that is: I skipped a lot.
Positive points: shifter story with no mate trope; addressing ''shifter racism'' (no relationships with other kind of shifters). It was for free, but I feel compelled to give an honest review.
For the rest there were too many pet peeves of mine: insta-love + fuck fest, predictable plot, abrupt ending, mistakes: I feel prostrate each time I find ''prostrate'' for ''prostate'' in a m/m book. And apparently there are also factual mistakes about with Alaska, see review by Patricia. Nowadays researches are much easier than in the past, writers are expected to research on a subject not completely familiar to them.
Positive points: shifter story with no mate trope; addressing ''shifter racism'' (no relationships with other kind of shifters). It was for free, but I feel compelled to give an honest review.
For the rest there were too many pet peeves of mine: insta-love + fuck fest, predictable plot, abrupt ending, mistakes: I feel prostrate each time I find ''prostrate'' for ''prostate'' in a m/m book. And apparently there are also factual mistakes about with Alaska, see review by Patricia. Nowadays researches are much easier than in the past, writers are expected to research on a subject not completely familiar to them.
April 6, 2013
Lion Pride leader Silas Murdock is not a coward by any stretch of the imagination. However, Silas did regret his rash decision to allow a stranger to travel along with some of his pride members. That last minute judgment resulted in the loss of lives from an assassin’s attempt to murder Silas, as well as the plane crash. Silas, too, would have died had it not been for Dr. Theo Lucas, an Alaskan wolf shifter.
On Thin Ice is the first book in the Ariel Estates series. The plot is a budding romance story with plenty of enemy fighting action, mystery and sensual lovemaking. The characters are creditable. Silas is a natural born leader, whose first priority is the welfare of his pride. Believing honesty is the best policy, Silas did not hide his bisexual nature from the other shifters living on the estate. Nevertheless, not all pride members were as accepting as others. The trip to Alaska proved to be an emotional revelation for Silas on several levels. Not the least of them being his immediate desire for Theo. All too soon, the reality of having a long term relationship between them is brought to light. Theo, who has his own emotional issues, is needed by his wolf pack. Silas fears the lions will never accept a wolf in their territory. I will be interested to see how this long distance romance develops in the future.
Jessica Lee has created a fantastic HFN saga that I thoroughly enjoyed.
On Thin Ice is the first book in the Ariel Estates series. The plot is a budding romance story with plenty of enemy fighting action, mystery and sensual lovemaking. The characters are creditable. Silas is a natural born leader, whose first priority is the welfare of his pride. Believing honesty is the best policy, Silas did not hide his bisexual nature from the other shifters living on the estate. Nevertheless, not all pride members were as accepting as others. The trip to Alaska proved to be an emotional revelation for Silas on several levels. Not the least of them being his immediate desire for Theo. All too soon, the reality of having a long term relationship between them is brought to light. Theo, who has his own emotional issues, is needed by his wolf pack. Silas fears the lions will never accept a wolf in their territory. I will be interested to see how this long distance romance develops in the future.
Jessica Lee has created a fantastic HFN saga that I thoroughly enjoyed.
February 15, 2017
This was disappointing. :(
May 11, 2013
What happens when a cat, thrown from a horrible plane crash is found by a dog? Well that’s a little simplistic, but when a lion shifter and leader of his pride is thrown from a plane crash and is found by a wolf shifter that happens to be a doctor naturally there’s going to be an adventuresome romp.
Silas Murdock is the leader of his pack, but unfortunately someone is his pack is out to make sure he doesn’t come back from an Alaskan hunting party. Luckily for him, Theo is in the right place to see the plane go down. Theo uses his medical knowledge to nurse the ailing Silas back to health.
This is a romance, first and foremost. Jessica builds the budding relationship with wanton abandon. Things are running along very smoothly for the young couple when reality busts into the Alaskan cabin and rears its ugly head. There are unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat! It’s definitely a book that once you start reading, you don’t want to put down!
This is the first in the series, and is followed by In the Pride’s Best Interest. Once you’ve read On Thin Ice you’re going to want the next in the series by Jessica Lee.
Silas Murdock is the leader of his pack, but unfortunately someone is his pack is out to make sure he doesn’t come back from an Alaskan hunting party. Luckily for him, Theo is in the right place to see the plane go down. Theo uses his medical knowledge to nurse the ailing Silas back to health.
This is a romance, first and foremost. Jessica builds the budding relationship with wanton abandon. Things are running along very smoothly for the young couple when reality busts into the Alaskan cabin and rears its ugly head. There are unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat! It’s definitely a book that once you start reading, you don’t want to put down!
This is the first in the series, and is followed by In the Pride’s Best Interest. Once you’ve read On Thin Ice you’re going to want the next in the series by Jessica Lee.
March 5, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed On Thinc Ice by Jessica Lee. Admittedly, I am not a M/M romance reader because it's just not a genre I read often. But this book was more than m/m, m/f, m/m/f or whatever combination you want to throw in there. It was just great romance! I loved that both Silas and Theo were sexy, independent men in their own right, and brought so much to each other. I personally wouldn't have minded being trapped with either one of them...or both of them, as the case may be. LOL! Can you say ROWR! Yes, the sex was hot--again, Jessica Lee may have turned me out on the M/M thing--but more than that, the plot was solid, the twist at the end cool, and the characters were wonderful and rich. Awesome book!
October 30, 2012
I didn't like this story. The main plot is way to undeveloped. As for Silas and Theo, they were to bland and boring. The storyline is drawn way to much around sex. I was glad when it ended!
April 14, 2014
3.5stars very good story but several loose ends. Looking forward to next in the series.
March 5, 2017
An ok afternoon read.
Never really connected with any of the characters to me they were distant and I had a hard time seeing any feelings developing but, wham, they were getting it on. The timing felt wrong. When it felt like it had been several days passing, it had only been one of two. Confusing.
I also felt the ending was a bit abrupt. Somewhere between HEA and HFN.
Never really connected with any of the characters to me they were distant and I had a hard time seeing any feelings developing but, wham, they were getting it on. The timing felt wrong. When it felt like it had been several days passing, it had only been one of two. Confusing.
I also felt the ending was a bit abrupt. Somewhere between HEA and HFN.
July 13, 2022
Pretty good! This was a very short story, so I can understand the author’s need to rush the relationship a bit. Would have been a lot nicer if the story was longer in order to stretch out their relationship and lean it towards slow burn.
April 30, 2014
2.5 stars This was OK. I liked the development between Theo and Silas as Silas healed and they got to know each other. Although Theo's attitude and the way he talked to himself initially made it seem like he was on the run or hiding out or had done something horrible, so the big-reveal was kinda anti-climactic.
There were several instances where things weren't explained fully. I found myself getting distracted with details that she'd left out and nit-picking, only to have them mentioned later and think, "Oh, that's what they meant." One example of this was the plane crash itself and another is the culprit of the crash .
Like I said, my favorite parts where the two of them together. Once we got into the Pride stuff it all felt like filler, like they needed to explain the minimum possible so you can get the idea, but who really gives a fuck. And that's the problem, I didn't give a fuck. I couldn't get a sense of how the Pride ran, it seemed huge and Silas more like a president than an Alpha. There didn't seem to be the familial/emotional connection that I love from my wolf-shifter books
Anyway, nice light read. The few sex scenes were hot. HFN transitioning into HEA, although I would have liked a little more explanation on that .
There were several instances where things weren't explained fully. I found myself getting distracted with details that she'd left out and nit-picking, only to have them mentioned later and think, "Oh, that's what they meant." One example of this was the plane crash itself and another is the culprit of the crash .
Like I said, my favorite parts where the two of them together. Once we got into the Pride stuff it all felt like filler, like they needed to explain the minimum possible so you can get the idea, but who really gives a fuck. And that's the problem, I didn't give a fuck. I couldn't get a sense of how the Pride ran, it seemed huge and Silas more like a president than an Alpha. There didn't seem to be the familial/emotional connection that I love from my wolf-shifter books
Anyway, nice light read. The few sex scenes were hot. HFN transitioning into HEA, although I would have liked a little more explanation on that .
January 29, 2013
Silas is a copper hair, green eyed, lion-shifter, gorgeous man, leader of his Pride and bisexual. That last thing is perhaps a cause for trouble for him. His vision for the Pride, the freedom he wants to give to his people is not viewed with acceptance by everyone. An assassination attempt during the ride home from a hunting trip clarifies that. He has an enemy back home wishing him dead.
Theo is white blond, with beautiful blue eyes, a doctor, oh and yes! He is a shifter too. A wolf-shifter. He has his own past he’s running away from. Having lost his loved one on an accident after a fight they had, Theo left his pack and isolated himself along with his guilt. He has given up all hopes on love. While leading a lonely life he witnesses a plane crash. After debating with his inner voice that tells him not to interfere he goes at the crash site only to find Silas barely alive. Theo takes Silas to his cabin and takes care of him only to find out when he regains consciousness that Silas suffers from temporary amnesia.
While his body recovers Silas remembers nothing about his life. Where he came from, who he is and what awaits him. All he knows is that his doc is hot and very desirable. Theo tries to help him regain his memory, but Silas’ beauty stirs long lost feelings in him and he succumbs to all that he’s been trying to burry for a long time. Their lovemaking is breathtaking and he starts to fall in love with Silas and as the days pass by he doesn’t want to let him go as he inevitably must. And that becomes more necessary when two assassins locate Silas and try to kill him. Driven by his despair that his lover might get hurt, Silas allows himself to shift into his lion form and the rush of adrenaline, the fight with the two shifters brings back his memory.
He must go back to his Pride and most importantly he must find the person that wants him dead. To do that he has to leave Theo. A Wolf and a Lion can not be together, can they? Can Silas make their relationship work?
A very exiting story that has it all. Love, sensuous and hot lovemaking, suspense, mystery, conspiracy, interesting characters and a plot with a twist in the first part of “Ariel Estate” series that will make you want for more.
Theo is white blond, with beautiful blue eyes, a doctor, oh and yes! He is a shifter too. A wolf-shifter. He has his own past he’s running away from. Having lost his loved one on an accident after a fight they had, Theo left his pack and isolated himself along with his guilt. He has given up all hopes on love. While leading a lonely life he witnesses a plane crash. After debating with his inner voice that tells him not to interfere he goes at the crash site only to find Silas barely alive. Theo takes Silas to his cabin and takes care of him only to find out when he regains consciousness that Silas suffers from temporary amnesia.
While his body recovers Silas remembers nothing about his life. Where he came from, who he is and what awaits him. All he knows is that his doc is hot and very desirable. Theo tries to help him regain his memory, but Silas’ beauty stirs long lost feelings in him and he succumbs to all that he’s been trying to burry for a long time. Their lovemaking is breathtaking and he starts to fall in love with Silas and as the days pass by he doesn’t want to let him go as he inevitably must. And that becomes more necessary when two assassins locate Silas and try to kill him. Driven by his despair that his lover might get hurt, Silas allows himself to shift into his lion form and the rush of adrenaline, the fight with the two shifters brings back his memory.
He must go back to his Pride and most importantly he must find the person that wants him dead. To do that he has to leave Theo. A Wolf and a Lion can not be together, can they? Can Silas make their relationship work?
A very exiting story that has it all. Love, sensuous and hot lovemaking, suspense, mystery, conspiracy, interesting characters and a plot with a twist in the first part of “Ariel Estate” series that will make you want for more.
April 27, 2013
ON THIN ICE is a good MM romance which doesn't rely on the mate trope to develop the romance of the two shifter leads.
Silas is the alpha of the North Carolina lion shifter pack vacationing in Alaska when an assassination attempt crashes the plane he's on. Wolf shifter Theo finds Silas who has amnesia and nurses him back to health. But can a dog and a cat ever have a relationship?
Shifter romances almost always rely on the mate trope to bring the leads together. That this novella doesn't rely on that convention was rare and I really enjoyed that. Instead, the author has Silas and Theo be attracted first sexually, then to each other's personalities. Theo especially opens up to Silas and I enjoy a romance that offers this emotional connection. Silas has amnesia so shares less of himself initially but at the ending he's the emotionally vulnerable one and that offers great balance in the romance.
The assassination plot offers the tension necessary as Silas has to first hide and then flush out the traitor. This novella was a very quick read for me and I think other readers will enjoy it as well.
I should also mention that this novella doesn't take the easy ending I thought it might. It allows both Silas and Theo to be the characters they are and still show a commitment to the relationship. This was a perfect balance for me.
ON THIN ICE is an enjoyable MM read for me that I recommend to other readers.
*Originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews* Review copy from publisher*
Silas is the alpha of the North Carolina lion shifter pack vacationing in Alaska when an assassination attempt crashes the plane he's on. Wolf shifter Theo finds Silas who has amnesia and nurses him back to health. But can a dog and a cat ever have a relationship?
Shifter romances almost always rely on the mate trope to bring the leads together. That this novella doesn't rely on that convention was rare and I really enjoyed that. Instead, the author has Silas and Theo be attracted first sexually, then to each other's personalities. Theo especially opens up to Silas and I enjoy a romance that offers this emotional connection. Silas has amnesia so shares less of himself initially but at the ending he's the emotionally vulnerable one and that offers great balance in the romance.
The assassination plot offers the tension necessary as Silas has to first hide and then flush out the traitor. This novella was a very quick read for me and I think other readers will enjoy it as well.
I should also mention that this novella doesn't take the easy ending I thought it might. It allows both Silas and Theo to be the characters they are and still show a commitment to the relationship. This was a perfect balance for me.
ON THIN ICE is an enjoyable MM read for me that I recommend to other readers.
*Originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews* Review copy from publisher*
February 11, 2014
The first book in the erotic m/m paranormal Ariel Estates series scorches the reader with romance and intrigue.
Pride leader Silas Murdock’s trip of a lifetime is interrupted by a freak storm and by an assassin’s bullet that causes the plane to plummet into the frozen tundra. Former pack physician, Theodor Lucas witnesses the crash and finds Silas unconscious and barely alive and takes him to his home to care for his injuries. Silas awakes with no memory of whom or what he is, but he knows that his hot-as-hell rescuer never looked more delicious.
This fast paced plot keeps the reader on their toes while Silas tries to regain his memory, not only does he to accept that the doctor is a wolf, but that he is a lion and that either he is a killer or someone tried to kill him. The author describes the scenes with vivid imagery and details that make the reader feel like they are part of the story. The characters are strong, compelling and easily related to and draw the reader deeper into the story.
The chemistry between Silas and Theo radiates heat from every page and the sex scenes are red hot and sizzling. The reader can practically feel the passion between the couple and the torment Silas endures while trying to remember.
This shapeshifter romance captures the imagination and leaves the reader wanting to know more. I thoroughly enjoyed this quick erotic read and I can’t wait to read more in the series.
Pride leader Silas Murdock’s trip of a lifetime is interrupted by a freak storm and by an assassin’s bullet that causes the plane to plummet into the frozen tundra. Former pack physician, Theodor Lucas witnesses the crash and finds Silas unconscious and barely alive and takes him to his home to care for his injuries. Silas awakes with no memory of whom or what he is, but he knows that his hot-as-hell rescuer never looked more delicious.
This fast paced plot keeps the reader on their toes while Silas tries to regain his memory, not only does he to accept that the doctor is a wolf, but that he is a lion and that either he is a killer or someone tried to kill him. The author describes the scenes with vivid imagery and details that make the reader feel like they are part of the story. The characters are strong, compelling and easily related to and draw the reader deeper into the story.
The chemistry between Silas and Theo radiates heat from every page and the sex scenes are red hot and sizzling. The reader can practically feel the passion between the couple and the torment Silas endures while trying to remember.
This shapeshifter romance captures the imagination and leaves the reader wanting to know more. I thoroughly enjoyed this quick erotic read and I can’t wait to read more in the series.
June 9, 2013
I presume you know what the book is about. I'm letting you know what I liked or disliked about it.
You know how there are simply those authors you know you're going to enjoy reading? Well Ms. Lee is that type of author for me. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. She is truly every bit as excellent an author as the any of the big names out there.
Enjoyed the read and here's a couple, two - three quotes I loved the most.
"Still lost as a motherfucker." -- oh, yes - that kinda inner dialog always hooks me.
And my new favorite line I've told a hundred people about if I've told one...
"She was a bizarre mix of Sunday brunch and crazy."
Lee, Jessica (2013-03-06). In the Pride's Best Interest (Ariel Estates Series, Book Two) (Kindle Location 1706). Resplendence Publishing, LLC. Kindle Edition.
Good God that made me laugh!!! I mean, I've met people like that before and never would I have come up with such a diabolically witty way to describe it. haha - still cracks me up.
Lee, Jessica (2013-03-06). In the Pride's Best Interest (Ariel Estates Series, Book Two) (Kindle Location 1706). Resplendence Publishing, LLC. Kindle Edition.
Ms. Lee.... I'm still wondering how the Enclave story ends. I miss those guys ;)
You know how there are simply those authors you know you're going to enjoy reading? Well Ms. Lee is that type of author for me. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. She is truly every bit as excellent an author as the any of the big names out there.
Enjoyed the read and here's a couple, two - three quotes I loved the most.
"Still lost as a motherfucker." -- oh, yes - that kinda inner dialog always hooks me.
And my new favorite line I've told a hundred people about if I've told one...
"She was a bizarre mix of Sunday brunch and crazy."
Lee, Jessica (2013-03-06). In the Pride's Best Interest (Ariel Estates Series, Book Two) (Kindle Location 1706). Resplendence Publishing, LLC. Kindle Edition.
Good God that made me laugh!!! I mean, I've met people like that before and never would I have come up with such a diabolically witty way to describe it. haha - still cracks me up.
Lee, Jessica (2013-03-06). In the Pride's Best Interest (Ariel Estates Series, Book Two) (Kindle Location 1706). Resplendence Publishing, LLC. Kindle Edition.
Ms. Lee.... I'm still wondering how the Enclave story ends. I miss those guys ;)
October 1, 2014
Good beginning to a new story line. Major complaint would be that the series title Ariel Estates at this time makes no sense to this story. This is where Silas came from as head of the Pride but it's a brief mention.
I would have also liked to get more background info on the exact reasons why there's been assassination attempts on Silas. Near the end, the only explanation is being gay AND the added insult (now) of having relations outside the lion species. Good fight scene thou and the ending left a lot in the air without a true HEA type ending.
I would have also liked to get more background info on the exact reasons why there's been assassination attempts on Silas. Near the end, the only explanation is being gay AND the added insult (now) of having relations outside the lion species. Good fight scene thou and the ending left a lot in the air without a true HEA type ending.
January 9, 2014
I loved it, totally loved it. For a start I am a sucker for a cat shifter but I really liked that these two were not even the same species, and then add to that they are gay ....... Yeah there is gonna be some resistance. The other thing I really liked was the ending, I don't think it's a spoiler to say the guys end up together and I love how they don't just drop everything to be together, that they have responsibilities to deal with, it just adds another layer of realism, if such a thing is possible in a shifter book lol
August 29, 2014
I loved Theo. He was a sweet guy, still healing after his last relationship that ended in a tragedy.
He's not all too happy when the plane crashes neer his cabin and he's forced to go on a rescue mission.
If someone survived.
And there is indeed just one man there Theo is capable of saving.
The only problem is the said man doesn't remember his own name and his past may hide some secrets that will endanger Theo's very life.
I liked the book, thought the mystery was... not very mysterious.
He's not all too happy when the plane crashes neer his cabin and he's forced to go on a rescue mission.
If someone survived.
And there is indeed just one man there Theo is capable of saving.
The only problem is the said man doesn't remember his own name and his past may hide some secrets that will endanger Theo's very life.
I liked the book, thought the mystery was... not very mysterious.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews