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Naked Tails
Seth McDaniel wasn’t raised among a shifter passel and has no idea what it’s like to turn furry once a month. An orphan, torn from his father’s family at an early age, he scarcely remembers Great-aunt Irene. Now her passing brings him back to Possum Kingdom, Georgia, to take up a legacy he doesn’t understand and reconnect with a friend he’s never forgotten.
As Irene’s second-in-command, Dustin Livingston has two assume control of the passel or select another replacement. Unfortunately, the other candidates are either heartless or clueless. Dustin’s best hope to dodge the responsibility is to deliver a crash course in leadership to his childhood pal Seth, a man he hasn’t seen in twenty years. However, while Dustin's mind is set on his task, his heart is set on his old friend.
Seth’s quest for answers yields more questions instead. What’s with the tiny gray hairs littering his aunt’s house? Why do the townsfolk call each other “Jack” and “Jill”? Do Dustin’s attentions come with ulterior motives? And why is Seth suddenly craving crickets?
As Irene’s second-in-command, Dustin Livingston has two assume control of the passel or select another replacement. Unfortunately, the other candidates are either heartless or clueless. Dustin’s best hope to dodge the responsibility is to deliver a crash course in leadership to his childhood pal Seth, a man he hasn’t seen in twenty years. However, while Dustin's mind is set on his task, his heart is set on his old friend.
Seth’s quest for answers yields more questions instead. What’s with the tiny gray hairs littering his aunt’s house? Why do the townsfolk call each other “Jack” and “Jill”? Do Dustin’s attentions come with ulterior motives? And why is Seth suddenly craving crickets?
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2012
10 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Eden Winters
88 books673 followersYou will know Eden Winters by her distinctive white plumage and exuberant cry of “Hey, y’all!” in a Southern US drawl so thick it renders even the simplest of words unrecognizable. Watch out, she hugs!
Driven by insatiable curiosity, she possibly holds the world’s record for curriculum changes to the point that she’s never quite earned a degree but is a force to be reckoned with at Trivial Pursuit.
She’s trudged down hallways with police detectives, learned to disarm knife-wielding bad guys, and witnessed the correct way to blow doors off buildings. Her e-mail contains various snippets of forensic wisdom, such as “What would a dead body left in a Mexican drug tunnel look like after six months?” In the process of her adventures, she has written over thirty gay romance novels, lost count of novellas and short stories, has won Rainbow Awards, was a Lambda Awards Finalist, and lives in terror of authorities showing up at her door to question her Internet searches.
When not putting characters in dangerous situations she’s cosplaying for children's charities or hanging out at the farm being a mother, grandmother, and vegetarian.
Her natural habitats are hardware stores and on the backs of motorcycles.
Driven by insatiable curiosity, she possibly holds the world’s record for curriculum changes to the point that she’s never quite earned a degree but is a force to be reckoned with at Trivial Pursuit.
She’s trudged down hallways with police detectives, learned to disarm knife-wielding bad guys, and witnessed the correct way to blow doors off buildings. Her e-mail contains various snippets of forensic wisdom, such as “What would a dead body left in a Mexican drug tunnel look like after six months?” In the process of her adventures, she has written over thirty gay romance novels, lost count of novellas and short stories, has won Rainbow Awards, was a Lambda Awards Finalist, and lives in terror of authorities showing up at her door to question her Internet searches.
When not putting characters in dangerous situations she’s cosplaying for children's charities or hanging out at the farm being a mother, grandmother, and vegetarian.
Her natural habitats are hardware stores and on the backs of motorcycles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
June 9, 2016
What first attracted me to this story was the cover. A novel titled "Naked tails" with a Possum on the cover? I read the summary and I was hooked! I dropped everything else and started reading this one and I am so glad that I did so.
Possum Shifters! How much more originality do you want? In a world filled with Werewolves and other predatory shifters, they are certainly a fresh breeze.It takes serious talent and humor to turn a nightly invasion in to material for paranormal M/M romance.
This book is unique, funny and enjoyable. There are great characters and there is a certain heart-warming depth to the entire story.
Seth is the main character. He might be annoying and weak at the beginning but you can't help but understand his situation and be sympathetic. I constantly hoped for him to develop some backbone and take matters into his own hands. Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised. His growth in this story moved me and made me very happy. He was a normal city boy and he proved that we can change into something beyond our wildest dreams if we try and put our mind into it. Also, he made his decisions all by himself and didn't allow his emotions, even his love to influence his actions. He didn't make any dramatic moves and his actions were realistic (as much as possible in a Possum city) and reasonable. Applause for such a great character!
Speaking of great characters, I have to mention Johnson triplets as well. They turned the story into pure win for me! They put a smile on my face every time I think about them!
This is a great book. It's not flawless. Certain parts may drag a little or you may desire a little more drama and angst but the thing is, this is a unique story and has a certain pace that is necessary for character development. It's not PWP. Keep that in mind while reading it.
At the end, I have to repeat myself. Possum Shifters! How can you not read it?XD
Possum Shifters! How much more originality do you want? In a world filled with Werewolves and other predatory shifters, they are certainly a fresh breeze.It takes serious talent and humor to turn a nightly invasion in to material for paranormal M/M romance.
This book is unique, funny and enjoyable. There are great characters and there is a certain heart-warming depth to the entire story.
Seth is the main character. He might be annoying and weak at the beginning but you can't help but understand his situation and be sympathetic. I constantly hoped for him to develop some backbone and take matters into his own hands. Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised. His growth in this story moved me and made me very happy. He was a normal city boy and he proved that we can change into something beyond our wildest dreams if we try and put our mind into it. Also, he made his decisions all by himself and didn't allow his emotions, even his love to influence his actions. He didn't make any dramatic moves and his actions were realistic (as much as possible in a Possum city) and reasonable. Applause for such a great character!
Speaking of great characters, I have to mention Johnson triplets as well. They turned the story into pure win for me! They put a smile on my face every time I think about them!
This is a great book. It's not flawless. Certain parts may drag a little or you may desire a little more drama and angst but the thing is, this is a unique story and has a certain pace that is necessary for character development. It's not PWP. Keep that in mind while reading it.
At the end, I have to repeat myself. Possum Shifters! How can you not read it?XD
June 22, 2016
Author & Book of the Month (June)
Possum? *pauses* Possum shifter? Possum shifter romance? *scratches head*
Huh? Que what?
I won't lie. When us unicorns chose this book to be our book of the month, I was a little stunned. Because WTF is interesting about possums, right?
Wrong.
Who wants to read romance between roadkill garbage munchers?
Apparently this girl.
What I expected? Some shifter fluff about an underwhelming species.
What I got? A story with more depth than I expected. It's not angst-ridden but it's not sticky diabetic coma inducing either.
Seth McDaniel is a lonely orphan who is half possum shifter and doesn't know anything about his family background or duality. He's been snatched away by an evil grandma and raised in Chicago away from his Georgia possum kin and best friend, Dustin Livingston.
Cut to twenty years, Seth's only living relative passed away and he has to go back to his birthplace, Possum Kingdom, Georgia. He has no prospects in Chicago, he's obsessed with social media- a member of dozens of sites with thousands of friends but has no real life friends. He's a veritable doormat, hell, even his on & off boyfriend, dicks him over. And Seth just takes it.
But his loneliness made me sympathetic to him. He's not a bad guy, he's been cowed down to all his life and with his unknown secret nature, I expected nothing more from him. Seth is a normal man who's insecure who might be a bit of a loser at certain points of his life but a decent man nonetheless.
Enter Possum Kingdom and learn their crazy possum shifter and sympathetic (not everyone is a possum shifter in the town).
There is a secret society of possums (passel) living in plain sight, temporarily headed by Seth's former (ginger)best friend, Dr. Dusty Livingston. The two rekindle their friendship and can't deny their childhood bond is still strong...even more so as adults.
Two guesses what two healthy gay men with an undeniable attraction do together? Have some hot sex, indoors and outdoors is what.
This is a novel not PWP, the detail to the possum's nature was quite nice. There's some funny mixed in. Some sweet. No heavy angst. A cute little epilogue where everyone sort of wins.
My favorite characters were the Johnson triplets - Eddy, Freddy & Teddy (cutesy names I know but if I ever have triplet boys-Huey, Dewey and Louie are major contenders damnit) and Seth.
The triplets for comedic factor. And Seth because he learned to man up on his own time, he became more than he ever thought he could and he did it on his own. No major penis made the decision for him. Yes, he got help but I was proud of him.
Is the story without faults? No. I would have gotten rid of about 10-15% of filler, maybe pad some of the transitions. A points they were rough. But for a quirky romance between the least romantic shifter I could think of, it works.
Oh yes...and Monica. She's a fault too. Monica was annoying in the beginning. A curmudgeon, really. She might prove to have a heart of gold but she was off putting because she blatantly was an asshole. Yes, she cleaned up her act in the long run but she needed to be chin-checked just once. There's no need for posturing, madam. Act like a human being.
Overall, a good story with some heart. Light but not without a plot. 3.75 HEARTS rounded up because I'm still smiling about it
December 22, 2012
3.5
A really unique shifter world created here. Maybe a bit too much of a focus on the politics to the point that the romance was back burnered but the MC's were endearing when together. I enjoyed learning about the whole possum culture but I felt that they were pretty harsh to Seth for his absence. A really interesting read and I loved the ending.
A really unique shifter world created here. Maybe a bit too much of a focus on the politics to the point that the romance was back burnered but the MC's were endearing when together. I enjoyed learning about the whole possum culture but I felt that they were pretty harsh to Seth for his absence. A really interesting read and I loved the ending.
December 17, 2012
4.5 rounded up for the refreshingly unusual concept.
At first glance I was like, huh, opossum shifters--seriously?
Don't be fooled by that. There's so much more to this book than troublesome little critters (although the Johnson triplets certainly count as such...)
This is the story of Dustin and Seth, best childhood friends who haven't seen each other in years. Seth used to live in the small town of Possum Kingdom, but after his parents died, his maternal grandmother took him away. However, Seth is back now to take care of Grand-aunt Irene's legacy--and totally ignorant to the fact that said legacy entails more than real estate.
Dustin used to be Irene's second in command as passel leader, and that's what he liked to be as he never wanted to be a leader himself. This isn't the only reason why he's happy to learn that Seth is coming back; he never forgot his childhood friend, even though all his letters remained unanswered. But Seth is very different from the friend Dustin remembers. Seth is reluctant to be here, oblivious to his inheritance--and the possible danger that might come with it. And now Dustin's got his hands full with keeping the passel together and safe and helping find a new leader, he needs to take care of Seth too. A task made all the more difficult by the fact that what he feels for Seth is far, far more than friendship...
This book is full to the brim with colorful, well-wrought characters, quirky ideas and imaginative plot twists. It's an entertaining read, beautifully written, poignant at times, hilariously funny at others. But at the core, it's a wise and heartwarming tale about family, friendship, loyalty and finding one's place in life. I can only warmly recommend it.
At first glance I was like, huh, opossum shifters--seriously?
Don't be fooled by that. There's so much more to this book than troublesome little critters (although the Johnson triplets certainly count as such...)
This is the story of Dustin and Seth, best childhood friends who haven't seen each other in years. Seth used to live in the small town of Possum Kingdom, but after his parents died, his maternal grandmother took him away. However, Seth is back now to take care of Grand-aunt Irene's legacy--and totally ignorant to the fact that said legacy entails more than real estate.
Dustin used to be Irene's second in command as passel leader, and that's what he liked to be as he never wanted to be a leader himself. This isn't the only reason why he's happy to learn that Seth is coming back; he never forgot his childhood friend, even though all his letters remained unanswered. But Seth is very different from the friend Dustin remembers. Seth is reluctant to be here, oblivious to his inheritance--and the possible danger that might come with it. And now Dustin's got his hands full with keeping the passel together and safe and helping find a new leader, he needs to take care of Seth too. A task made all the more difficult by the fact that what he feels for Seth is far, far more than friendship...
This book is full to the brim with colorful, well-wrought characters, quirky ideas and imaginative plot twists. It's an entertaining read, beautifully written, poignant at times, hilariously funny at others. But at the core, it's a wise and heartwarming tale about family, friendship, loyalty and finding one's place in life. I can only warmly recommend it.
January 29, 2013
I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed by an Eden Winters book, and this one didn’t break the chain either.
A wonderful light hearted whimsical tale of Opossum shifters. Funny and sweet with plenty to keep the reader interested.
As cute as the possum’s are, Seth as a man had my heart aching. Thanks to an overbearing Grandmother, Seth is raised without the love and affection he would of received if he had been left with his Great Aunt. In turn Seth has little self worth and allows himself to settle for any scraps of affection he can find.
Dustin is his childhood friend, and the one guy Seth never forgot. Likewise Dustin never forgot his best friend from childhood. Watching the two of them reunite and grow together was wonderful.
Monica was a bitch, an opinionated, loud, crude nasty bitch. At least for the first half. She did somewhat make up for things by the end, but I still dislike her. Others will see another side to her, but for me I’m still fixated on her behaviour at the beginning.
The Johnson triplets are a riot. Loved them to pieces.
Overall another great read by Eden Winters. This one full of Fun, Romance, a tiny spot of angst (probably not enough to register with most people) and entertainment.
I have to mention how much I loved the scene near the end when Seth lets the Johnson boys come forward as they had earned their place, such a simple small thing but had me choking up like the wuss I am lol.
A wonderful light hearted whimsical tale of Opossum shifters. Funny and sweet with plenty to keep the reader interested.
As cute as the possum’s are, Seth as a man had my heart aching. Thanks to an overbearing Grandmother, Seth is raised without the love and affection he would of received if he had been left with his Great Aunt. In turn Seth has little self worth and allows himself to settle for any scraps of affection he can find.
Dustin is his childhood friend, and the one guy Seth never forgot. Likewise Dustin never forgot his best friend from childhood. Watching the two of them reunite and grow together was wonderful.
Monica was a bitch, an opinionated, loud, crude nasty bitch. At least for the first half. She did somewhat make up for things by the end, but I still dislike her. Others will see another side to her, but for me I’m still fixated on her behaviour at the beginning.
The Johnson triplets are a riot. Loved them to pieces.
Overall another great read by Eden Winters. This one full of Fun, Romance, a tiny spot of angst (probably not enough to register with most people) and entertainment.
I have to mention how much I loved the scene near the end when Seth lets the Johnson boys come forward as they had earned their place, such a simple small thing but had me choking up like the wuss I am lol.
February 21, 2013
One of, if not the most, unique and original shifter tale I've ever read!
Possums are not particularly clever... nope. Nor are they the most sexy things. They eat crickets, snuffle about, and are generally uninteresting.
HOWEVER.
Eden Winters is clever. She creates sexy and interesting!
This wasn't a sappy once-upon-a-time we were best friends now we're boyfriends. There's plenty of mercenary shifter politicking to keep Dustin and Seth from their insta-love HEA now that they've been reunited.
Seth is amazing! Basically, he walks in and saves an entire shifter town from itself.
How does he accomplish this, given that until he's bitten by one of thestupid shifters, Seth knew absolutely nothing about the possums and it seems his dead auntie didn't bother to tell the rest of her passel the reasons for his absence and subsequent lack of knowledge?
Well, that is a complicated question to answer! But mark my words, Seth is amazing. He makes it through to his HEA without bitch-slapping anyone, which I deem a heroic feat. Plus he gets his swerve on. Ha!
Possums are not particularly clever... nope. Nor are they the most sexy things. They eat crickets, snuffle about, and are generally uninteresting.
HOWEVER.
Eden Winters is clever. She creates sexy and interesting!
This wasn't a sappy once-upon-a-time we were best friends now we're boyfriends. There's plenty of mercenary shifter politicking to keep Dustin and Seth from their insta-love HEA now that they've been reunited.
Seth is amazing! Basically, he walks in and saves an entire shifter town from itself.
How does he accomplish this, given that until he's bitten by one of the
Well, that is a complicated question to answer! But mark my words, Seth is amazing. He makes it through to his HEA without bitch-slapping anyone, which I deem a heroic feat. Plus he gets his swerve on. Ha!
May 31, 2014
3.5 Stars
June's UM Buddy Read and Chat Book - YAY!
This was a fun read. I liked that it didn't take itself too seriously, yet didn't become a joke either. I did feel bad for Seth through a lot of the book. The poor dude didn't have it easy and not too many people/possums cut him much slack. Considering he was in the dark for quite awhile I had to sympathize with him. To his credit though, he didn't whine and hide he took the opportunities in Possum Kingdom and made something from them.
I liked Dustin a lot, he was a total sweetheart and the description of him physically had me feeling swoony at his cuteness.
Gratuitous possum pic of Heidi - RIP
June's UM Buddy Read and Chat Book - YAY!
This was a fun read. I liked that it didn't take itself too seriously, yet didn't become a joke either. I did feel bad for Seth through a lot of the book. The poor dude didn't have it easy and not too many people/possums cut him much slack. Considering he was in the dark for quite awhile I had to sympathize with him. To his credit though, he didn't whine and hide he took the opportunities in Possum Kingdom and made something from them.
I liked Dustin a lot, he was a total sweetheart and the description of him physically had me feeling swoony at his cuteness.
Gratuitous possum pic of Heidi - RIP
August 14, 2016
3.5
Cute shifter story with more than a few moments that had me grinning. Other moments were more serious, and some were a little silly.
Moments that made me laugh:
Things I wasn't crazy about:
Monica...she was over the top rude and bitchy. Even though she got better, I was still mad about her earlier actions.
I hate long separations, even if it's boyhood friends, maybe especially then. Don't hurt my MCs!
Cute shifter story with more than a few moments that had me grinning. Other moments were more serious, and some were a little silly.
Moments that made me laugh:
Things I wasn't crazy about:
Monica...she was over the top rude and bitchy. Even though she got better, I was still mad about her earlier actions.
I hate long separations, even if it's boyhood friends, maybe especially then. Don't hurt my MCs!
October 17, 2022
DNF at 40%
I was excited to read unique shifters, and especially possums!! How cute!!
alas.
I think I may have been able to trundle through this book, in a meh-2 or 3 star reading experience, but a secondary character soured me so badly on the whole thing that I couldn't continue.
Monica.
I guess I'll start with the background summary for context:
So, the premise is that Seth was living with his grandmother and aunt as a child after his parents died. His aunt is the leader of possum. His grandmother resents possums for her daughter dying. So, grandmother decides to take Seth, who doesn't know about shifters, away from Possum Kingdom (yes, actual town name) to Chicago, and then prevent his best friend Dustin and aunt from contacting him. And also tell him that they don't want to contact him, and tell him negative things all the time he's growing up, etc.
Point is, Seth was moved away as a child, and told lots of negative things. Of course he wouldn't want to contact his aunt, who he thinks doesn't want to talk to him. Even after his grandmother died. Why do you think parental alienation is such a big thing in custody cases?? it's damaging! Children don't know any better. So, Seth does not contact possum kingdom at all, because he thinks they don't like him etc.
He is summoned to Possum Kingdom to settle his aunts estate after she dies, and is picked up by Monica, a possum, at the airport. THis is where I was 100% soured on the whole thing.
the monica rant
She immediately attacks Seth for never coming back, she is mean, vicious, damages his things, steals his phone, rude, etc. It is absolutely ridiculous how she acts. He was a child when he was taken away! He thought no one wanted to contact him!! what the hell is your problem lady. It is a fucking mess and it goes on for pages. I did not want to encounter this character again.
other thing
i just didn't feel the chemistry between these characters, not even in a fated mates kind of way. If they were. idk. I was bored and DNFd mid sex scene.
Overall, this could have probably been a meh-ish read, if it weren't for irrational and mean side characters. It probably could use editing down by about 100 pages too.
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
I was excited to read unique shifters, and especially possums!! How cute!!
alas.
I think I may have been able to trundle through this book, in a meh-2 or 3 star reading experience, but a secondary character soured me so badly on the whole thing that I couldn't continue.
Monica.
I guess I'll start with the background summary for context:
So, the premise is that Seth was living with his grandmother and aunt as a child after his parents died. His aunt is the leader of possum. His grandmother resents possums for her daughter dying. So, grandmother decides to take Seth, who doesn't know about shifters, away from Possum Kingdom (yes, actual town name) to Chicago, and then prevent his best friend Dustin and aunt from contacting him. And also tell him that they don't want to contact him, and tell him negative things all the time he's growing up, etc.
Point is, Seth was moved away as a child, and told lots of negative things. Of course he wouldn't want to contact his aunt, who he thinks doesn't want to talk to him. Even after his grandmother died. Why do you think parental alienation is such a big thing in custody cases?? it's damaging! Children don't know any better. So, Seth does not contact possum kingdom at all, because he thinks they don't like him etc.
He is summoned to Possum Kingdom to settle his aunts estate after she dies, and is picked up by Monica, a possum, at the airport. THis is where I was 100% soured on the whole thing.
the monica rant
She immediately attacks Seth for never coming back, she is mean, vicious, damages his things, steals his phone, rude, etc. It is absolutely ridiculous how she acts. He was a child when he was taken away! He thought no one wanted to contact him!! what the hell is your problem lady. It is a fucking mess and it goes on for pages. I did not want to encounter this character again.
other thing
i just didn't feel the chemistry between these characters, not even in a fated mates kind of way. If they were. idk. I was bored and DNFd mid sex scene.
Overall, this could have probably been a meh-ish read, if it weren't for irrational and mean side characters. It probably could use editing down by about 100 pages too.
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
January 24, 2013
This starts out with Seth still a little boy and about to have his life changed forever.
Poor Seth, I felt so sorry for him, alone and he seemed to stay that way until he came back to his hometown to settle his great aunt's estate.
He comes into a town that is different although he doesn't quite know what is off, but that's ok, he just wants to get everything in order and leave again, until he sort of doesn't want to.
His childhood best friend Dustin has grown up and the friendship they once shared has turned into an affair, but at first the secret of Dustin ( and almost the entire town) being possum shifters doesn't lend itself to a good relationship, but then Seth's dormant strain is brought out and a whole new load of issues have to be faced.
Possum politics are not any easier than human ones it turns out and there are decisions to be made and although the romance time was cut into a little to deal with all the possum world stuff, i liked it! It was cute and I love 'different' shifters and these certainly are that!
I sat down and started this one and didn't stop till I had my furrytale ending! ;)
On a side note, I really really want a skunk-penguin story! :)
July 16, 2017
Oh my God. Possum shifters!
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Loved it! A really refreshing shifter story.
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Loved it! A really refreshing shifter story.
December 17, 2012
Oh this was fun. I have a super soft spot for possum shifters stories and was so excited that Winters wrote one. This was long enough to really spend time creating the characters and world of this 'possum society. Very well plotted in terms of what happened with the characters and story arc from prodigal son to leader of the 'passel. Integrity and family being the biggest themes. Sexy, fun and characters you want to spend time with. Nicely done.
May 30, 2014
Possum shifter zaniness! Best part: human thoughts in possum form. Worst part: not liking the MC >__>, then feeling super duper sad and sorry for him. Overall: enjoyable, but otherwise not too memorable for me.
May 29, 2013
As a huge shifter fan, I'm always looking for a unique twist given to the typical shifter story. In this case, Ms. Winters does a pretty awesome job of making this unique by having it based off werepossums.
I adored the fact that this was a light-hearted, slightly funny but cute read. Seth is actually pretty depressing. He lets people walk all over him because he just wants to be loved, accepted, and liked. Unfortunately, others see him as easily manipulated. When he reconnects with Dustin, things start to change and he grows a spine, realizes he's worthy of the things he wants and then stands his ground when he needs to. Dustin was hard for me to like, only because he seemed very standoffish while obviously attracted to Seth. Over the course of the book, I started to like him and it was obvious these two have a great connection.
What I really liked about this story, though, is the little details here and there. The 'Jack' and 'Jill', the opossum culture, the whole community and how it functions. I loved that Ms. Winter did such a great job of showing the little things that make this story definitely about possums. It was also so cute watching Seth put together everything and finally realize what he is and then his desire to inherit his rightful place.
While I really enjoyed this story, toward the end, it started to drag for me. I also didn't really like the fact that Dustin was 'testing' Seth and using his ex to do so. More than that, while this has unique elements, the story grew pretty predictable as it progressed. Not that it's a bad thing, I did enjoy it, but I knew mostly what was going to happen before any conflict surfaced.
Overall, a very good story. If you're looking for something cute that's light-hearted and funny but a bit different in the shifter type, this is definitely the book for you.
I adored the fact that this was a light-hearted, slightly funny but cute read. Seth is actually pretty depressing. He lets people walk all over him because he just wants to be loved, accepted, and liked. Unfortunately, others see him as easily manipulated. When he reconnects with Dustin, things start to change and he grows a spine, realizes he's worthy of the things he wants and then stands his ground when he needs to. Dustin was hard for me to like, only because he seemed very standoffish while obviously attracted to Seth. Over the course of the book, I started to like him and it was obvious these two have a great connection.
What I really liked about this story, though, is the little details here and there. The 'Jack' and 'Jill', the opossum culture, the whole community and how it functions. I loved that Ms. Winter did such a great job of showing the little things that make this story definitely about possums. It was also so cute watching Seth put together everything and finally realize what he is and then his desire to inherit his rightful place.
While I really enjoyed this story, toward the end, it started to drag for me. I also didn't really like the fact that Dustin was 'testing' Seth and using his ex to do so. More than that, while this has unique elements, the story grew pretty predictable as it progressed. Not that it's a bad thing, I did enjoy it, but I knew mostly what was going to happen before any conflict surfaced.
Overall, a very good story. If you're looking for something cute that's light-hearted and funny but a bit different in the shifter type, this is definitely the book for you.
Read
December 23, 2012I beta'd this book, so my rating should be obvious even if I'm trying to be impartial and not put stars.(It's hard. I enjoyed myself from Chap 1 to "Fin".) I adored the concept of taking a rather unattractive animal and making a world around it that sucks you in. This is a completely realized world, different from any other shifter universe I've read, and the characters jump off the page. From Monica, second in command and highly opinionated, to the MC's Dustin and Seth, to the Johnson triplets, who better darn well be playing dead after their misdeeds are discovered, I loved these characters and this concept.
Seth, who's so wholly fish out of water that he hasn't even evolved gills yet, is adorable, finding his way to love and a backbone. He might need a little coaching, but the seeds of leadership are within him. His heart is good, even if it needs a little direction in practical matters. Dustin is the best sort of leader, the one who doesn't want the position but takes it because the other choices are worse. Together they can do right by their passel, and if they don't, well, Monica would kick their butts from Possum Kingdom to Wapiti Creek. And together, they'll find the love that their elders thwarted for too long.
There's a lovely combination of serious matters, love, and jolly good fun here. And I found a pic of the Johnson Triplets!
Seth, who's so wholly fish out of water that he hasn't even evolved gills yet, is adorable, finding his way to love and a backbone. He might need a little coaching, but the seeds of leadership are within him. His heart is good, even if it needs a little direction in practical matters. Dustin is the best sort of leader, the one who doesn't want the position but takes it because the other choices are worse. Together they can do right by their passel, and if they don't, well, Monica would kick their butts from Possum Kingdom to Wapiti Creek. And together, they'll find the love that their elders thwarted for too long.
There's a lovely combination of serious matters, love, and jolly good fun here. And I found a pic of the Johnson Triplets!
December 14, 2012
Release Day: December 17, 2012
A copy of this book was provided to me for a fair and honest review.
This is a book to savor - every word, every page. It is definitely a character-driven book, and what characters they are! NAKED TAILS is like an addictive drug. When you get to the end you will be sad it’s over and may even do like I did and write to Ms. Winters asking for more stories about Seth , Dustin, and the possum passel, Andy and the fox skulk, Seth’s ex-boyfriend Michael and his unlikely new boyfriend, Monica, who has all the charm of a Marine drill sergeant, the skunk and chipmunk lifeflight helicopter pilots, the mischievous Johnson triplets, and on and on. I HIGHLY recommend this often funny, sometimes poignant, always entertaining, beautifully written book about the importance of tradition, love, and finding one’s place in the world.
Please see my complete review and an opportunity to win a copy of NAKED TAILS on December 17, 2012 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
A copy of this book was provided to me for a fair and honest review.
This is a book to savor - every word, every page. It is definitely a character-driven book, and what characters they are! NAKED TAILS is like an addictive drug. When you get to the end you will be sad it’s over and may even do like I did and write to Ms. Winters asking for more stories about Seth , Dustin, and the possum passel, Andy and the fox skulk, Seth’s ex-boyfriend Michael and his unlikely new boyfriend, Monica, who has all the charm of a Marine drill sergeant, the skunk and chipmunk lifeflight helicopter pilots, the mischievous Johnson triplets, and on and on. I HIGHLY recommend this often funny, sometimes poignant, always entertaining, beautifully written book about the importance of tradition, love, and finding one’s place in the world.
Please see my complete review and an opportunity to win a copy of NAKED TAILS on December 17, 2012 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
April 18, 2013
"We embark!" I said grandly to my husband, as I opened this book.
"Hmm?"
"Possum shifters!" (waving the e-reader triumphantly)
::snickering::
"No, seriously."
Seriously: it was good. To be sure, a waddling possum doesn't have the same je ne sais quois as an alpha wolf, but this was not that story. This was a sweet, well-developed tale (sorry) of a community of possum shifters in the rural South.
"Hmm?"
"Possum shifters!" (waving the e-reader triumphantly)
::snickering::
"No, seriously."
Seriously: it was good. To be sure, a waddling possum doesn't have the same je ne sais quois as an alpha wolf, but this was not that story. This was a sweet, well-developed tale (sorry) of a community of possum shifters in the rural South.
December 17, 2012
4.5 stars
A highly entertaining read with just the right mix between funny and cute.
A highly entertaining read with just the right mix between funny and cute.
April 19, 2016
Ok I admit it I started reading this book for 2 reasons 1. the author was Eden Winters and in general writer of some of my favorite stories & 2. Possums? Really? I just couldn't see it,I mean I understand how shifter stories about wolves, big cats, eagles, hawks, bears and even horses can work there's something powerful and riveting about all of these animals and it can be translated into very appealing human atributes when done properly. But really possums? Sorry they are just not cute critters I've seen them up close and personal and if you get one mad it's like looking at a very large, very angry rat, they are just nasty and scary looking. So I had to see how it was possible to make a story like that appealing. Needless to say I was very pleasantly surprised Naked Tails was cute, charming and totally captured my attention even when in their possum form the characters in this story were endearing and I found myself cheering for the possums and hoping that maybe Ms Winters will take us back to the possum kingdom for future adventures.
May 9, 2015
*sigh* I probably have no one to blame but myself for this. How I thought a book about opossum shifters was going to work out for me I just don't know. I typically like this author so I thought I would give this a try. I just could not take this seriously. Parts that weren't supposed to be funny made me laugh out loud. Others made me roll my eyes. (ie. the MC is walking past a playground and just can't resist going to the monkey bars and hanging upside down). Even if I got past the cricket eating opossums (So NOT sexy)there were just a bunch of plot issues for me and things that just didn't make sense. On a positive not the romance wasn't bad and the sexy scenes were really good. Very much not the book for me.
January 10, 2020
3.5 Stars
December 20, 2012
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
I'm always excited when Eden writes a new book, but this one was even more exciting because it's about possum shifters! The seed of the story came from a very wild tale Eden wrote about on her blog, and with the encouragement of friends, turned into this story. I remember reading about the whole opossum debacle, and if I could find the post(s) on her blog, I'd share it/them, but I can't. Nevertheless, that's no reason not to read this book and thoroughly enjoy it too!
Seth was torn away from his loving aunt and best friend Dusty when he was a young boy, taken from a world of playing in the wilds of Georgia to living with his strict, narrow-minded grandmother in Chicago. He's grown into a man who is afraid to stand up for his beliefs and tends to take what life, and people, dish out to him -- leaving him as a single photographer whose on-again-off-again boyfriend seems to enjoy giving him surprises (of the off-again variety) and a host of "friends" that seem to care very little about him. Unbeknownst to him, he's the heir to a powerful family of possum shifters in Georgia, headed by his dying aunt Irene. Growing up away from the passel (group of opossums) means that he doesn't understand anything about his heritage or the dormant strain within him. It also means that he's missed out on a lifetime of loving families and his best friend.
Dusty is now Dustin Livingston, MD, the doctor of the town of Possum Kingdom and interim Jack (leader) after Irene passes away. Yet, some of the old woman's last choices were matchmaking for the nephew she always loved as a son and the young boy who grew into a man as her second in command. Brought back to Possum Kingdom to setting his aunt's estate, Seth and Dusty meet again and find that their friendship as boys might easily evolve into a relationship as men, if only Seth doesn't make all the wrong choices.
The best thing I can say about Eden Winters is that I'm never nervous, or anxious in any way to start her books because I know they'll always be well crafted. And, as a reviewer, that's nothing to scoff at. With the pesky craft details taken care of, I really enjoy her books without nitpicking plot and characterization and pace. That was really valuable here, because while I was enjoying the story I could see the small details she made in the story to make it unique and to make it shine.
Following the first thought I imagine that many readers have when they think of possum shifters, this story was actually quite funny and made me laugh several times. It has a charm that exceeds the cracks at typical possum behavior and permeates the whole story, giving it a lighthearted flare. It never emerges into fluff, however, don't mistake my meaning on that count. I noticed some deliberate choices that took this story beyond a typical shifter story and the character growth and relationship alone gives it legitimacy. There tends to be a kind of shifter ethos surrounding so many shifter stories in a certain genre that feed off one another, specifically with details. This story diverges from many of those, in creating the shifter culture here that is more real world, and pertaining to the south.
I also have to give props to the creation of a real kickass female character in Monica. I hated her in the first couple chapters, though I sorta-kinda understood her. But she grew on me throughout the story and I ended up loving her, and I knew that's the way I was supposed to feel. But more than this being a lighthearted shifter romp with funny possum behavior and a cute romance, the core of the story is about the growth of Seth. He starts the story a shade of the man he could be and the crux of the story is based on his growth.
This is another story by Eden Winters that I recommend, and Eden has offered to give a copy away to a commenter. So be sure to leave a comment to enter, and if you don't win, consider getting this book anyway. You'll enjoy it! I promise :)
I'm always excited when Eden writes a new book, but this one was even more exciting because it's about possum shifters! The seed of the story came from a very wild tale Eden wrote about on her blog, and with the encouragement of friends, turned into this story. I remember reading about the whole opossum debacle, and if I could find the post(s) on her blog, I'd share it/them, but I can't. Nevertheless, that's no reason not to read this book and thoroughly enjoy it too!
Seth was torn away from his loving aunt and best friend Dusty when he was a young boy, taken from a world of playing in the wilds of Georgia to living with his strict, narrow-minded grandmother in Chicago. He's grown into a man who is afraid to stand up for his beliefs and tends to take what life, and people, dish out to him -- leaving him as a single photographer whose on-again-off-again boyfriend seems to enjoy giving him surprises (of the off-again variety) and a host of "friends" that seem to care very little about him. Unbeknownst to him, he's the heir to a powerful family of possum shifters in Georgia, headed by his dying aunt Irene. Growing up away from the passel (group of opossums) means that he doesn't understand anything about his heritage or the dormant strain within him. It also means that he's missed out on a lifetime of loving families and his best friend.
Dusty is now Dustin Livingston, MD, the doctor of the town of Possum Kingdom and interim Jack (leader) after Irene passes away. Yet, some of the old woman's last choices were matchmaking for the nephew she always loved as a son and the young boy who grew into a man as her second in command. Brought back to Possum Kingdom to setting his aunt's estate, Seth and Dusty meet again and find that their friendship as boys might easily evolve into a relationship as men, if only Seth doesn't make all the wrong choices.
The best thing I can say about Eden Winters is that I'm never nervous, or anxious in any way to start her books because I know they'll always be well crafted. And, as a reviewer, that's nothing to scoff at. With the pesky craft details taken care of, I really enjoy her books without nitpicking plot and characterization and pace. That was really valuable here, because while I was enjoying the story I could see the small details she made in the story to make it unique and to make it shine.
Following the first thought I imagine that many readers have when they think of possum shifters, this story was actually quite funny and made me laugh several times. It has a charm that exceeds the cracks at typical possum behavior and permeates the whole story, giving it a lighthearted flare. It never emerges into fluff, however, don't mistake my meaning on that count. I noticed some deliberate choices that took this story beyond a typical shifter story and the character growth and relationship alone gives it legitimacy. There tends to be a kind of shifter ethos surrounding so many shifter stories in a certain genre that feed off one another, specifically with details. This story diverges from many of those, in creating the shifter culture here that is more real world, and pertaining to the south.
I also have to give props to the creation of a real kickass female character in Monica. I hated her in the first couple chapters, though I sorta-kinda understood her. But she grew on me throughout the story and I ended up loving her, and I knew that's the way I was supposed to feel. But more than this being a lighthearted shifter romp with funny possum behavior and a cute romance, the core of the story is about the growth of Seth. He starts the story a shade of the man he could be and the crux of the story is based on his growth.
This is another story by Eden Winters that I recommend, and Eden has offered to give a copy away to a commenter. So be sure to leave a comment to enter, and if you don't win, consider getting this book anyway. You'll enjoy it! I promise :)
July 25, 2019
Re-read May/19 3 stars
Seth loses his parents, and his maternal grandmother takes him away from the only home he has ever known. Seth also loses his best friend, Dusty. Flash forward 20 years, and Seth's great aunt dies and leaves him the family home. Unbeknownst to Seth, his parents were possum shifters, and his great aunt was the head of the passel. Seth has a dormant gene, and has never shifted.
Seth heads back to his aunt's place so that he can assess things and get everything ready for sale. His home is in the city now, even though he doesn't have a lot of friends, and his on/off boyfriend just got engaged to another man.
Dustin has taken over the passel, as per Irene's instructions, but he doesn't really want to do it full time. When his childhood friend returns, Dustin is happy, but a little resentful because Seth doesn't know about his heritage, and made no effort to keep in contact with either his aunt or Dustin.
Seth annoyed me a little, because he knew what his grandmother was like, how cold she was, and he still thought that Dustin and his aunt had abandoned him. Once he figured out what his family heritage was, though, I liked the resolution and how Seth came to win the townspeople over.
Dustin and Seth made a good team, and I liked the fact that Dustin was not the one who taught him all about being a possum. Still, they didn't actually spend a lot of time together, and since they hadn't seen each other since they were kids, it was a little hard to believe that they were so in love with each other.
Original rating: 2.5 stars
Seth loses his parents, and his maternal grandmother takes him away from the only home he has ever known. Seth also loses his best friend, Dusty. Flash forward 20 years, and Seth's great aunt dies and leaves him the family home. Unbeknownst to Seth, his parents were possum shifters, and his great aunt was the head of the passel. Seth has a dormant gene, and has never shifted.
Seth heads back to his aunt's place so that he can assess things and get everything ready for sale. His home is in the city now, even though he doesn't have a lot of friends, and his on/off boyfriend just got engaged to another man.
Dustin has taken over the passel, as per Irene's instructions, but he doesn't really want to do it full time. When his childhood friend returns, Dustin is happy, but a little resentful because Seth doesn't know about his heritage, and made no effort to keep in contact with either his aunt or Dustin.
Seth annoyed me a little, because he knew what his grandmother was like, how cold she was, and he still thought that Dustin and his aunt had abandoned him. Once he figured out what his family heritage was, though, I liked the resolution and how Seth came to win the townspeople over.
Dustin and Seth made a good team, and I liked the fact that Dustin was not the one who taught him all about being a possum. Still, they didn't actually spend a lot of time together, and since they hadn't seen each other since they were kids, it was a little hard to believe that they were so in love with each other.
Original rating: 2.5 stars
January 10, 2016
Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance
I enjoy reading shifter stories. However, I tend to stick to the "normal" shifters -- wolves and big cats mostly. My engineering brain has a hard time suspending disbelief for large mammal shifters. Small mammals? Yeah, I just can't go there. For this reason, I have put off reading Naked Tails by Eden Winters for quite a while. Despite REPEATED pleas by good friend and fellow reviewer Becky Condit, Naked Tails by Eden Winters has remained firmly on my "eventually, maybe" list.
For Complete review see Prism Book Alliance: http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
December 17, 2012
A refreshingly new shifter story: an opossum shifter!
Yet, while the world building is interesting, I didn't get much on the romance front. The last part of the book is too crowded with possum politics that I didn't really care much.
Yet, while the world building is interesting, I didn't get much on the romance front. The last part of the book is too crowded with possum politics that I didn't really care much.
kindled
January 27, 2013Possum shifters??? Hell, yeah. :)
December 18, 2012
Jack and Jill went up the hill to get a fairy ending, Jack fell down and up he shifted into a possum that caught my laughter. ^__*
July 17, 2024
This is a sweet second chance shifter romance.
I have a soft spot for unusual shifters and possum shifters sure hit the spot.
I loved the found family and overall 'family first' theme.
I have a soft spot for unusual shifters and possum shifters sure hit the spot.
I loved the found family and overall 'family first' theme.
July 14, 2022
Seth and Dustin are Childhood friends, who were separated when Seth's parents died from being ran over and his maternal Grandmother took him to Chicago. About 21 years later, Seth's Great Aunt Irene dies and gives most of her wealth to Seth in the will. Dustin is now the local doctor. Dustin has to explain to Seth that he is now, after being bitten by a possum shifter, an active possum shifter as opposed to the dormant one he was. He is also a candidate for Leader of the possum passel. Seth gets challenged by a Rival, and the rival brings in help that injures Dustin. The friends become lovers.
January 1, 2013
Review:
Seth lost his parents when he was a child and had to move in with his grandmother, away from his childhood home, his aunt and his best friend Dusty. Now, 20 years later, Seth lives in Chicago, has a career he likes as a photographer and more than 1000 friends on his page. His relationship status isn't looking very good and after getting his hopes up about another reunion, with his sometimes boyfriend Michael, there is bad news he has to deal with. First Michael tells him about his engagement to an old lover, and then he gets a letter about his aunt’s death and has to go back to Georgia, Possum Kingdom, to settle her estate. It's there that things start to become interesting for Seth and he learns more about his parents death, his family history and something new about himself.
Now Seth has to deal with an unwanted suitor, a newfound appreciation for his former best friend Dusty and an unfriendly female Jill Monica, whatever that was supposed to be! And there isn't even an internet connection in his new home, just to top it all off. After a possum encounter, where one bites him, strange things start happening. Suddenly there is the possum’s community he has to win over and a challenge to face if he wants to retain his family's heritage.
Overall, it's quite an enjoyable novel, well written and it's not the typical wolf/cat shifter paranormal romance, so it gets point for creativity! Seth is cute, a bit of a loner but one can empathize with him. Dusty, well I have mixed feeling about him and their instant attraction. For a guy who only had three lovers Seth is quick to offer sex to Dusty, I found that a bit out of character. The whole possum thing is actually pretty funny, because really a werepossum doesn't sound all that glamorous (Seth agrees with me there after reading his mothers book/diary). Preening possums youth, crickets and issues with dogs are quite entertaining.
The plot is a bit predictable, I'm afraid and I don't like instant lust/love, which more or less happens here. Also, there is the issue of Dustin; I disliked him and Andy setting Seth up, about the coyote issue, to see if Seth would cheat in a fight. What loving partner would do that and then not tell Seth about it all being a test? A hurt lover should come first, at least in my humble opinion. The hot/cold behaviour in the beginning didn't endear him to me, either.
Should you read this? Well everybody to their own, but if one likes shifter, stories and want something different, then I would recommend Naked Tails. If one need some fun, light read, which is also well written and doesn't mind were possum... say it with me: WEREPOSSUM, that concept alone sets me off laughing, then this is a perfect fit.
Review original written for pants off reviews
Seth lost his parents when he was a child and had to move in with his grandmother, away from his childhood home, his aunt and his best friend Dusty. Now, 20 years later, Seth lives in Chicago, has a career he likes as a photographer and more than 1000 friends on his page. His relationship status isn't looking very good and after getting his hopes up about another reunion, with his sometimes boyfriend Michael, there is bad news he has to deal with. First Michael tells him about his engagement to an old lover, and then he gets a letter about his aunt’s death and has to go back to Georgia, Possum Kingdom, to settle her estate. It's there that things start to become interesting for Seth and he learns more about his parents death, his family history and something new about himself.
Now Seth has to deal with an unwanted suitor, a newfound appreciation for his former best friend Dusty and an unfriendly female Jill Monica, whatever that was supposed to be! And there isn't even an internet connection in his new home, just to top it all off. After a possum encounter, where one bites him, strange things start happening. Suddenly there is the possum’s community he has to win over and a challenge to face if he wants to retain his family's heritage.
Overall, it's quite an enjoyable novel, well written and it's not the typical wolf/cat shifter paranormal romance, so it gets point for creativity! Seth is cute, a bit of a loner but one can empathize with him. Dusty, well I have mixed feeling about him and their instant attraction. For a guy who only had three lovers Seth is quick to offer sex to Dusty, I found that a bit out of character. The whole possum thing is actually pretty funny, because really a werepossum doesn't sound all that glamorous (Seth agrees with me there after reading his mothers book/diary). Preening possums youth, crickets and issues with dogs are quite entertaining.
The plot is a bit predictable, I'm afraid and I don't like instant lust/love, which more or less happens here. Also, there is the issue of Dustin; I disliked him and Andy setting Seth up, about the coyote issue, to see if Seth would cheat in a fight. What loving partner would do that and then not tell Seth about it all being a test? A hurt lover should come first, at least in my humble opinion. The hot/cold behaviour in the beginning didn't endear him to me, either.
Should you read this? Well everybody to their own, but if one likes shifter, stories and want something different, then I would recommend Naked Tails. If one need some fun, light read, which is also well written and doesn't mind were possum... say it with me: WEREPOSSUM, that concept alone sets me off laughing, then this is a perfect fit.
Review original written for pants off reviews
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