Ervin's Dilemma

Wayne County Wolves #1

by Stephani Hecht

First there were the Lost Shifters; now there are the Wayne County Wolves.

Ever since his old pack had given up their criminal ways and joined the Wayne County Wolves, Ervin's been depressed. Not only is his new pack completely goody two-shoes, it's also sadly lacking gay members. So Ervin has little hope of ever finding his mate. But just when he least expects it, he finds shy yet sexy wolf shifter Miles. Unfortunately, Miles has vowed to never belong to a formal pack, which makes him a rogue; in the shifter world that makes him both dangerous and a target.

Although Miles tries to resist Ervin, he can't help being drawn to the domineering man. When Mile's siblings are captured, he knows he won't be able to get them back on his own. Will Ervin help? And at what price?

Genres: M M Romance, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Romance, Werewolves, Contemporary, M M Paranormal

92 pages, ebook

First published May 15, 2012

About the author

Stephani Hecht is a happily married mother of two. Born and raised in Michigan, she loves all things about the state, from the frigid winters to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. Go Wings! You can usually find her snuggled up to her laptop, creating her next book or gorging on caffeine at her favorite coffee shop.

When she’s not running around like crazy, trying to get her kids to their various activities, she’s currently working on numerous projects. In the coming months, she has several books coming out with eXtasy Books in both The Lost Shifter Series and Drone Vampire Chronicles, plus a few additional projects that are still in the development stages.

Visit Stephani on the web at:
Email her at:
archangelwriter@yahoo.com

Reviews

[Phaney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This really does not bear scrutiny. Not only because of the whiplash-inducing speed at which love apparently happens, but incongruities in what supposedly happens.
For example Ervin only knew about Miles’ brother, and in the time since Miles’ woke up he mentioned his siblings and may even have mentioned his parents while getting dressed between perspective shifts, but obviously there has been no time for Ervin to discuss with his alpha to go looking for the parents.

The entire thing was more than flimsy – then again that’s par for the course in the parent series. I still enjoyed it to an extent. Maybe a touch of semi-fresh environment helped? Although we didn’t really get anyone or anything truly fresh. Eh, I’ll take it.

[Mirka]

I love Mrs. Hecht's shifter world. This one was a bit rushed, but still very sweet. Hoping for Braxton's story...with Nico, if possible :D

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it but it felt like it was too short for me.

[Sui Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series for this author and although the ground work was done in her "Lost Shifter" series, there is a lot of potential as I've always wondered about Chris's pack and I hope to learn the differences between being part of the pack vs being part of the cat coalition.

The story between Ervin and his half wolf/half human mate Miles, although very similar to a lot of stories available on the market was pretty good. The characters, though stereotypical were well rounded enough that I was able to care about them. The love story was sweet but not over done. I'm hoping that there will be more to this as this first book really doesn't lead anywhere. There's no big story line, no major problems left open, so I'm not sure where this author is going with this series.

I normally really like this author's work, but this really came off as a cookie cutter story with very few if any original elements. I hope that the next story will lead to a more original and better thought out story line.

[Beck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I think you need to have read the previous series because there was a lot of assumed knowledge that the reader was familiar with certain aspects of the world (by the author) ... because I didn't have this prior knowledge, my enjoyment of the story was diminished. Aside from that, I found the story a bit too rushed & shallow for true enjoyment ... the insta-love was another turn off for me too. If you had read & loved the previous series, this book might appeal more ... as a stand alone series it seems to be lacking IMO.

[Meggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a new series and for being a first book it should be longer and better developed. Definitely not as boring as this. What I read here was plain, undeveloped, and the main emotions of love were not real.
I'm disappointing! I guess even a writer can burn out.

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 3 out of 5]

First in this series was a good start, but as usual it felt a bit rushed and I hope they get a bit more in depth as the series continues.

[☔️ Stormy Day Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is for all of the Lost Shifters, Wayne County Wolves, and Assassin's Loyalty books since they are all interconnected and I read them back-to-back pretty much nonstop over a 10 day period. If I have anything to say about a particular book I'll add it under this bulk review. First, I'd like to mention these are more like novellas than books but they have the same underlying theme and pretty much continue where the last left off but with a different couple.

Everything starts out with the Lost Shifters. To summarize there was a war between the feline shifters and the raven shifters. 20 years or so before the first book there was an all out slaughter in which hundreds of feline homes were attacked and burned down all of the occupants believed to be killed. Turns out that the babies and toddlers that were assumed lost were not. They were hidden within the human foster care system for the most part. I won't say how because that'd be a big spoiler. In addition to foster care some kids were sold into slavery and that's where the whole assassin thing comes in. A couple of the main characters marry into the wolf pack so that's where those books come in as well.

Pros: Since the books are so short there are no long drawn out boring details or general angst. There's usually only one sex scene although it's normally long as hell. Which makes the fact some people shelved these as erotica confusing. I liked the world building and even though there were times I think a little more info might have been nice it never detracted from the story or left me confused. Most of the relationships were a sort of love at first sight thing. Or maybe lust or obsession? Despite this the shifters all seem adamant that's not a thing that happens. There wasn't one character I didn't like. My favorite character was Shane and he must have been the author's as well since he got a few extra books and a side series Shane's Chronicles. There's no big end battle or anything but the last book Baily's 9th Life does pretty much tie things up nicely. I think if I'd been reading the series when they were released I'd be a bit miffed because that book didn't come out until a few years later if you weren't reading the assassins books. Also, these books all have some really funny moments and/or dialog.

Cons: The last several books didn't appear to have been edited at all. If if wasn't for the fact that I was so invested in the overall story arc I would have quit reading them. Things like sent instead of scent and too instead of to they instead of them and random wrong words completely. There were also a couple of times that things were said/thought almost verbatim in different parts of a book as if the author forgot she'd already put that info in there already. At the start of the series, they state that all feline shifters are bisexual but at some point the author must have forgotten that detail because suddenly there are gay shifters and homophobia and all this hate. Which brings me to my next con, the themes of the different books started to repeat. Suddenly all these shifters had been thrown out of their previous pack or coalition or human home for being gay. And throughout this huge series of books there was only one straight couple. Like not even a straight friend or whatever. Even the females were all lesbians. It was just kinda unrealistic especially with the whole gay hate thing going on. Usually there's at least a few couples or friends or something on the periphery in gay romances especially in a world this huge. Which brings me to my final con, I had a hard time remembering who was who and what there story was after awhile especially if they weren't mentioned much in previous books. I wish there had been some sort of glossary to review.

Despite the cons, I would still recommend these books. All-in-all I really enjoyed them and was dreading the end although the editing in the last few books really had me also looking forward to the end if I'm being honest.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of A VERY SHANEY VALENTINE'S DAY (Lost Shifter#17.5) I was torn over which direction to take. Should I read the next Lost Shifter book or the first book in the new spin-off series? I am so glad I opted for the beginning of this series.

I've decided to read Hecht's two series in chronological order. Especially since they share characters and the same premise protecting members of the pack & coalition from Ravens, Jackals, Hyenas, Snakes, Spiders, and now thanks to the Ravens, Human hunters.

It is important to at least read Lost Shifter#17 COLBY AND THE LITTLE WOLF for an introduction of Ervin and best friend Nico of Russell's pack. Also you learn about the important occurrence of the two packs merging. This is critical to the plot of this story as well as the WCW (Wayne County Wolves) series. Alpha Wolf Chris and his Jaguar mate Cassie are in charge of the Pack that now includes Russell's formerly criminal enterprise wolves.

In ERVIN'S DILEMMA Ervin and Nico have been feeling discombobulated even before the merge. Given up the criminal aspects of their pack due to their alpha finding a mate was bad enough. Now they are expected to find their way in this new pack environment. With new rules and expectations. Where heterosexual couples and male wolves abound. And here come their gay selves, So what now? Sometimes just getting away even briefly is a good way to escape all the multitude of changes.

We are introduced to servers on new characters. The brother and sister doctor team at the WC pack. And a new shifter mixed mating that had never come up before: a human wolf hybrid. To say full blooded wolf shifter packs were not pleased with that mixture is an understatement. This little family was rejected so much they stopped looking for sanctuary and started avoiding other wolves. Like so many others in this harsh shifter world, these four were orphaned after a Raven attack.

They are barely carving out an existence for themselves. They have health, financial, as well as physical problems due to their age and half human inheritance. They are hiding out from enemies known and unknown. Because of how they were raised their shifter knowledge is sorely lacking. Their vulnerability and mixed human heritage leave them with big targets on their backs. They need help, but they are too afraid to seek it or even accept it when it's offered.

Ervin and this family are on a collision course. Everyone else is brought along for the ride. And what a scary death defying roller coaster adventure it turns out to be. Strap yourselves in tightly.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great spinoff series from The Lost Shifters. It’s similar but not the same.
It’s so great. Lots of hospital scenes and danger and a little angst although not much.

The leader of the pack is a het couple and both are considered alphas and the two doctors are male and female, the latter a lesbian. I hope there are going to be other women in the series as supporting characters. I don’t want M/F romance, I just want female characters. And there are children!This is already more appealing than the Lost Shifters which I loved.

One of the MCs is of Native descent!

As usual in her books there are gobs of made up words, typos, autocorrect words etc. It’s so frustrating.

Please explain what this means:
Shoot, even their long eyelashes and big blue since their parents ate anymore, and eyes made them look like a pair of Hummel bookends.

[Tj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do think that this book should have a bit of a warning about needing to read the Lost Sifters series. You can read it and understand the story without it but it will definitely improve the reading. The story is the typical for this author. If you enjoy her other books you will this one as well. From the blurb it is easy to expect more from the story, but if you looked at the page length you see that it isn't true. The book could have used some "more" to the story but as is it is enjoyable if light read.

[Lola · Rating 2 out of 5]

The instalove is pissing me off. However, I remember how sweet the lost shifters series got several books in, so I'm attempting to be patient.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

too damn short

[Julie scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin's Delemma (Wayne County Wolves Book 1)

This was great and I can't wait to read more of this series and I will be reading it next.....

[Gabbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Stephani Hecht’s books. They give me a sweet escape from my everyday life while I read them. They are definitely a guilty pleasure for me and I’m glad she’s starting a new series. Since the blurb does an outstanding job at describing the book, I won’t rehash it. Instead I’ll write about what I liked and disliked about this book.

I really enjoyed meeting the characters in this story. I thought both Miles and Ervin were interesting and likeable people and I enjoyed reading about them. I also thought the reason why Miles refused to join a pack was understandable. I was also glad to see Ervin do what was necessary to be supportive of Miles and his family, and be understanding of his decision. I liked how Ervin worked to gain Miles’s trust and I really enjoyed watching these two heroes dance around their attraction and feelings for each other. It was also great seeing Miles and Ervin bring out the best of each other, and I thought the chemistry between them was sizzling hot. The secondary characters were also interesting people. I’m looking forward to reading more about them in the future books in this series.

I also liked the fast moving storyline and Ms. Hecht’s take on wolf shifters. Even though a lot of shifters stories are very similar in ways, Ms. Hecht does seem to know her plot and characters inside and out, so even a well-used shifter story reads fresh written by her. One of my gripes about the book is that it was very short. Just when things seemed to get really interesting, BOOM it was over. The ending to me seemed a little rushed, but all in all I really enjoyed this book and I hated to see it come to an end. If you are looking for a quick, sexy and easy read with unique and fun characters, Ervin’s Dilemma would be a great choice for a quick afternoon read. Recommended.

[TT · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a special affinity for shifter series, they were my first introduction into reading MM stories. At the time, I didn’t know there was anything better out there to read, and I devoured several in a row, each book hooking me onto characters for the next several books. So reading them during tax time (where I work) seemed like a no brainer-something to read, but nothing too demanding of my attention. Problem is, reading these stories is a lot less satisfying than it used to be. I’m a lot more critical of the writing, dialog, ‘insta-love’ and errors so I have a harder time getting into these.

Ervin’s our MC, feeling disconnected from his new touchy feely pack that are all one big happy family, while he just wants to be able to go back to his old less than reputable ways. He meets with Miles, who is as down on his luck as he can get, his twin is sickly, he has two younger siblings that are more or less starving, and the last thing he needs is a complication like Ervin, but the two fall into insta lust that quickly, within the span of a couple days turns to love. Miles is young, and he often sounds childish, which I assume the author thinks is charming and hilarious, like his tangents about bigfoot, but instead it came across as immature. Ervin, in a very short time realizes he’s lucky to have a good supportive pack and decides he’s ready to be a family man and take on Miles sibling, along with Miles. Happily ever after in no time at all!

Ok book, very formulaic but kinds enjoyable. I am going to try to continue the series as it works for my schedule for now, but my intellect and emotions are not engaged at this point… course I guess that’s the point of these fluffy books!

[Jessie Potts · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is the first series of Cassie and Chris' wolf pack. I was really happy that we would move towards the wolves (though the Feline Coalition will always be my favorite!). Unfortunately I wasn't blown away by Miles and Ervin's story.

The positives
I liked that we got more into rogue wolves and how dangerous they are normally considered
I liked that the characters didn't fall into bed in the first chapter
Due to above we really get a chance to get to know the two heroes
It's a Hecht book I love the HEA!

The cons
The love was a bit unrealistic, they fell way too fast
There was one action scene and we don't get to see it, just hear about them rescuing the kids
Again it was a short story for the price of $5 for those of you buying all her books, congratulations you just spent a small fortune

All in all this new off shoot series has potential. I will keep buying these expensive little novellas because at the end of the story I'm usually smiling and in a better mood.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a creative solution to keeping the awesome world of the Lost Shifters going yet making sure that it doesn't get too complicated. The characters in this novel are connected to those in the Lost Shifters series yet they are also stand alone. You don't have to read the other series to understand this book, but I would highly recommend it in order to get the most out of this book. I can't wait to see what happens and I'm rooting for Nico and Braxton to get together (just saying, Nico needs his own runt now...). A great new series, can't wait to see where it goes.

[The TBR Pile *Book review site* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...

Within a short framework, a great story and quick read evolves. I enjoyed the snark between the characters in the story and how taking care of Miles and his family made Ervin finally appreciate what he has. Although there is plenty of explanation so that anyone could read this story alone, if you have read the Lost Shifters series first, many characters are mentioned or appear whose stories were told before, allowing a fuller picture of the world in which this story is set.

[Heather♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I too wish the story had been a little longer, but I enjoyed Ervin and Miles together and getting to know a few of the others in Chris and Cassie's pack of Wayne County Wolves. I hope we hear more about Nico and/or Braxton in the future.

As a side note, I enjoyed Mile's comments about his brother Dawson's fascination with the Finding Bigfoot show. My son and I are also fans and have been known to practice our own Bigfoot calls from time to time, much to the chagrin of our family :)

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK...short is good...I am short and the series goes faster when you know that you can read a story in a "short" amount of time!!!! I find myself going back to see where and when I was first introduced to the different MC's in the first series...then I go "ahhhhhhhh" when I figure it out! At times like this I wish I had a normal memory! Oh well....such is life! Looking forward to the rest of this series!!!

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read this series, but I kept holding off because I didn't want to walk into the middle of a series even though it's the first one. It's intertwined with The Lost Shifter series and I am glad I waited.

Ervin and Miles :) I liked these two. Especially Miles and his protectiveness over his family.

[Rachel Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

So excited to see a new series that's a spin off from her Lost Shifters series, which I love. Great first book. I really liked how it was plot and character driven and the sex was at the end. Looking forward to more!

[Alterian · Rating 1 out of 5]

First thing I've read of this author. Feels like some prior knowledge to this world would have helped. The story felt rushed in my opinion and there isn't space given to develope the relationship in the main pairing.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much setup and world building for this being the first book of a new series. Not a stand alone book - need to read the Lost Shifters series.

Too short - no relationship development even for mated instant love. Plot/logic discrepancies too.

[Clover · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was cute, cute, and cute ! this spin-off of Lost Shifters is as good as the main serie !

[Cherie Noel]

OH, Hell Yeah! More shifters from Stephani Hecht? Let the *happy dancing* begin.

[Erotic Horizon]

mmmm..

[Lexi Ander · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Mandy Beyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...