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Bayou Heat #1-2
Raphael/Parish
RAPHAEL
The brilliant and dangerous diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters, Raphael has devoted his life to discovering the key to the infertility that is threatening the extinction of his puma race. Creating a vast network of spies worldwide, he never expected to discover that the answer might be beneath his very nose. But when Ashe, a beautiful human female, crosses his path, his most primitive instincts are stirred. Unable to resist, he takes her to his bed, and is shocked when she becomes pregnant with his child. It’s a miracle that might prove to be the salvation of his people, but only if he can keep her safe from the mercenaries determined to kill her.
PARISH
Untamed and undeniably sexy, Parish, leader of the Pantera hunters, rarely leaves the magic of the Wildlands to deal with the humans he despises. But with the prized and risky Pantera birth on the way, puma shifter, Parish must travel to New Orleans to find and bring back a human doctor. The moment he sees the lovely, talented and all too human Dr. Julia Cabot he cannot resist the wild, potent drive to make her his. Betrayed and destroyed by love, Julia will not let her heart choose her path again. But as she and Parish fight to save the life of an unborn child, a fierce and overwhelming bond develops between them, threatening her frozen heart with the secret hope and ultimate temptation of love and family.
The brilliant and dangerous diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters, Raphael has devoted his life to discovering the key to the infertility that is threatening the extinction of his puma race. Creating a vast network of spies worldwide, he never expected to discover that the answer might be beneath his very nose. But when Ashe, a beautiful human female, crosses his path, his most primitive instincts are stirred. Unable to resist, he takes her to his bed, and is shocked when she becomes pregnant with his child. It’s a miracle that might prove to be the salvation of his people, but only if he can keep her safe from the mercenaries determined to kill her.
PARISH
Untamed and undeniably sexy, Parish, leader of the Pantera hunters, rarely leaves the magic of the Wildlands to deal with the humans he despises. But with the prized and risky Pantera birth on the way, puma shifter, Parish must travel to New Orleans to find and bring back a human doctor. The moment he sees the lovely, talented and all too human Dr. Julia Cabot he cannot resist the wild, potent drive to make her his. Betrayed and destroyed by love, Julia will not let her heart choose her path again. But as she and Parish fight to save the life of an unborn child, a fierce and overwhelming bond develops between them, threatening her frozen heart with the secret hope and ultimate temptation of love and family.
183 pages, ebook
First published January 3, 2013
98 people are currently reading
2665 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Ivy
141 books5,178 followersI'm not exactly sure when I fell in love with books. Probably on my mother's knee listening to her read Dr. Seuss to me. I do remember that I was barely old enough to cross the street by myself when I discovered the delights of the local library. Could anything be more wonderful than spending summer days surrounded by stacks of Nancy Drew mysteries? Over the years I fell in love with Victoria Holt, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and J.R.R. Tolkien just to name a few. I read poetry, essays, biographies, and plays. In fact, I read anything I could get my hands on.
Years later (no, I'm not admitting how many) I'm still an avid reader, and my tastes are still as varied as they were in my youth, which I suppose helps to explain why I enjoy writing regency historicals under the name of Deborah Raleigh, as well as my contemporary paranormals as Alexandra Ivy. For now that is enough to keep me busy, but who knows what the future might hold!
I do have a few other loves in my life besides reading and writing, the most important being my unbelievably patient husband, David, and my two sons, Chance and Alexander. Without their constant support and belief in me, I never could have been able to follow my dreams. They are truly my heroes.
--From authors website--
Years later (no, I'm not admitting how many) I'm still an avid reader, and my tastes are still as varied as they were in my youth, which I suppose helps to explain why I enjoy writing regency historicals under the name of Deborah Raleigh, as well as my contemporary paranormals as Alexandra Ivy. For now that is enough to keep me busy, but who knows what the future might hold!
I do have a few other loves in my life besides reading and writing, the most important being my unbelievably patient husband, David, and my two sons, Chance and Alexander. Without their constant support and belief in me, I never could have been able to follow my dreams. They are truly my heroes.
--From authors website--
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 445 reviews
August 5, 2013
4.5 RAWR Stars
Deep in the Louisiana Bayou, forgotten in the mist of time, live the Panthera. An ancient race of Puma shape-shifters, seductive and ruthless, considered only a myth, is struggling to survive. The magic that sustained them in the Wildlands are weakening. Infertility is plaguing them. To continue their existence, they must do the unthinkable... Venture into the human world to seek some answers. But maybe the answer is to ask the right question and sometimes you have to delve deep in the past, in your own roots, at the beginning....
Excellent shifter stories!!!
Raphael by Alexandra Ivy
The introduction to the Panthera was a fast paced short story about Raphael and his human mate Ashe. Raphael, a diplomat for his people, is stunned to discover that his one-night-stand turned out pregnant and his mate. The right amount of sexy and possessiveness, action, mystery and minimum answers, an awesome shortie!
Parish by Laura Wright
The second novella presented us with Parish, a tormented Hunter (a soldier for the Panthera) and his mate, a human OB/GYN, brought to help Ashe with her unexpected pregnancy. Another good story which took us deep in the Wildlands, home of the Panthera. No more answers for us but certainly there are some traitors within, ready to pounce (pun intended!).
I had no idea that a novella could end with a cliffie!!!!!!!!!!!!
But I'm keeping my cool....
Great mythology and world-building, a very good work between the two authors, I'm definitely sticking with this series. I NEED SOME ANSWERS!!
This review can be found on my blog: infinity-of-time.blogspot.com also known as...
Deep in the Louisiana Bayou, forgotten in the mist of time, live the Panthera. An ancient race of Puma shape-shifters, seductive and ruthless, considered only a myth, is struggling to survive. The magic that sustained them in the Wildlands are weakening. Infertility is plaguing them. To continue their existence, they must do the unthinkable... Venture into the human world to seek some answers. But maybe the answer is to ask the right question and sometimes you have to delve deep in the past, in your own roots, at the beginning....
Excellent shifter stories!!!
Raphael by Alexandra Ivy
The introduction to the Panthera was a fast paced short story about Raphael and his human mate Ashe. Raphael, a diplomat for his people, is stunned to discover that his one-night-stand turned out pregnant and his mate. The right amount of sexy and possessiveness, action, mystery and minimum answers, an awesome shortie!
Parish by Laura Wright
The second novella presented us with Parish, a tormented Hunter (a soldier for the Panthera) and his mate, a human OB/GYN, brought to help Ashe with her unexpected pregnancy. Another good story which took us deep in the Wildlands, home of the Panthera. No more answers for us but certainly there are some traitors within, ready to pounce (pun intended!).
I had no idea that a novella could end with a cliffie!!!!!!!!!!!!
But I'm keeping my cool....
Great mythology and world-building, a very good work between the two authors, I'm definitely sticking with this series. I NEED SOME ANSWERS!!
This review can be found on my blog: infinity-of-time.blogspot.com also known as...
May 22, 2015
Re-read April 2015...... 3.5 Stars
Ok, I'm gonna hold my hand up and admit that I must have had an off day the last time I read this as enjoyed it a lot more and have upgraded the rating. In my defense I'm writing this as nearing the end of Bayon / Jean-Baptiste and am getting into the series rather than having to stop and frustratingly wait for the next addition. I still think each story is way too short and would have benefitted from being longer, but now want to have answers to the questions that was left unanswered.
The books from this series cannot be read as stand-alones.
Originally read Feb 2013.......2 Stars
I really wasn't bowled over with this one and can't decide if I should give it 1 or 2 stars hence the rating.....it just just too brief and lacked any substance! I didn't feel any connection or chemistry between the H's & h's and can't say I was wowed by any of the characters :(
There was nothing wrong with the style of writing, I like both AI and LR but suppose this one just wasn't for me!......Not really sure if I am gonna continue with this series :(
Ok, I'm gonna hold my hand up and admit that I must have had an off day the last time I read this as enjoyed it a lot more and have upgraded the rating. In my defense I'm writing this as nearing the end of Bayon / Jean-Baptiste and am getting into the series rather than having to stop and frustratingly wait for the next addition. I still think each story is way too short and would have benefitted from being longer, but now want to have answers to the questions that was left unanswered.
The books from this series cannot be read as stand-alones.
Originally read Feb 2013.......2 Stars
I really wasn't bowled over with this one and can't decide if I should give it 1 or 2 stars hence the rating.....it just just too brief and lacked any substance! I didn't feel any connection or chemistry between the H's & h's and can't say I was wowed by any of the characters :(
There was nothing wrong with the style of writing, I like both AI and LR but suppose this one just wasn't for me!......Not really sure if I am gonna continue with this series :(
December 9, 2015
3.75 Stars
Basic Info
Standalone or Part of a Series:
MF, Ménage, etc.:
POV:
Triggers:
Cheating:
Descriptive Sex with OW/OM:
HEA:
Safety Gang Notes:
Personal Overview
Raphael(3.5 Stars)
This story was a good introduction to the series, and it opened all the plot for the successor books. It was a good story, except for the fact that I didn't like that the H erased their encounter from the h mind, so when she found herself pregnant she had no idea how that happened. His action and the fact that he didn't didn't actively searched for her (apart from checking if she showed up at the bar), and that by chance Ashe was drawn to the bayou, where he was and caught the scent that she was pregnant, it made me think that if she hadn't cross paths with him again and she was pregnant, maybe she was never going to see him again.
Ashe was dealt a bad hand by life, so, from an early age she bad to raise herself, deal all her life with her drunken mother, and her debts, who upon finding out she was pregnant kicked out of her house, so she found herself, pregnant, lonely and without nothing, until Raphael entered her life.
After realizing that she wasn't part of a trap, he was completely devoted to her and their child, taken care and loving them unconditionally, and most of all defending them against all the harm that was lurking to end, the miracle that was their baby.
Parish(4 Stars)
I really loved Parish, he was such a sweetheart, a true marshmallow with a hard and broody outside.
He was living with the guilt and pain of the loss of his sister, and Julia, was coming from a relationship where she from his cheating ex-boyfriend in their bed with a nurse on the hospital were they both worked, and in the end she was the one left with nothing, no job, no house, no one. That is until a handsome Pantera kidnapps her, and they find out that two broken souls can heal one another.
Their chemistry was off the charts, we could almost feel the air sizzling when they were together,
and, of course, it transpired to the sex scenes, which were were really hot.
And how wonderful was he, bringing the only thing she wanted from her past, "the only thing she valued outside the Wildlands", her cat, Fangs, and incredibly happy he was when she accepted to stay with him in the Wildlands...
What I really didn't need all the references to Bayon's manwhoring ways, especially since he is the H of the next book, so I was immediately put off by the character.
Basic Info
Standalone or Part of a Series:
MF, Ménage, etc.:
POV:
Triggers:
Cheating:
Descriptive Sex with OW/OM:
HEA:
Safety Gang Notes:
Personal Overview
Raphael(3.5 Stars)
This story was a good introduction to the series, and it opened all the plot for the successor books. It was a good story, except for the fact that I didn't like that the H erased their encounter from the h mind, so when she found herself pregnant she had no idea how that happened. His action and the fact that he didn't didn't actively searched for her (apart from checking if she showed up at the bar), and that by chance Ashe was drawn to the bayou, where he was and caught the scent that she was pregnant, it made me think that if she hadn't cross paths with him again and she was pregnant, maybe she was never going to see him again.
Ashe was dealt a bad hand by life, so, from an early age she bad to raise herself, deal all her life with her drunken mother, and her debts, who upon finding out she was pregnant kicked out of her house, so she found herself, pregnant, lonely and without nothing, until Raphael entered her life.
Their gazes locked, her dark eyes revealing the lonely, wounded child who’d been unwanted her entire life.
Until she’d walked across his path.
Now she would never, ever be lonely or unwanted again.”
After realizing that she wasn't part of a trap, he was completely devoted to her and their child, taken care and loving them unconditionally, and most of all defending them against all the harm that was lurking to end, the miracle that was their baby.
Parish(4 Stars)
I really loved Parish, he was such a sweetheart, a true marshmallow with a hard and broody outside.
Unlike so many other females, she didn’t fear him.
He was living with the guilt and pain of the loss of his sister, and Julia, was coming from a relationship where she from his cheating ex-boyfriend in their bed with a nurse on the hospital were they both worked, and in the end she was the one left with nothing, no job, no house, no one. That is until a handsome Pantera kidnapps her, and they find out that two broken souls can heal one another.
A mile from anything Pantera, anything that wanted to talk, lecture or demand, the caves had been his solace. While the scent of the bayou, the sharpness of the rocks, and even the intensity of the heat had become his family. He’d never needed more than that to feel whole, never craved more.
Until now.
Until her.
Their chemistry was off the charts, we could almost feel the air sizzling when they were together,
Just the thought of it made him mad with lust. He’d never wanted anything or anyone like he wanted her. The intensity of his desire almost frightened him.
and, of course, it transpired to the sex scenes, which were were really hot.
“You know what I am.”
Her eyes lifted, connected to his. She nodded.
He growled softly at her. “Then open your legs for me, Julia. This cat must have his cream.”
And how wonderful was he, bringing the only thing she wanted from her past, "the only thing she valued outside the Wildlands", her cat, Fangs, and incredibly happy he was when she accepted to stay with him in the Wildlands...
What I really didn't need all the references to Bayon's manwhoring ways, especially since he is the H of the next book, so I was immediately put off by the character.
Bayon didn’t say anything at first. Parish’s second-in-command was undeniably one of the top Hunters in the Faction, but to him females were for play and pleasure, and commitment was to be avoided.
March 15, 2013
Great story & story-line... another friggen cliffhanger!!
*sigh*... Now I have to continue with the series to find out what happens! *grin*
Thanks for the recommendation Megan!
December 31, 2019
I am so screwed! WHY do I do this to myself?! I have literally hundreds of books on my TBR that are already paid for! So what do I do? This idiot here gets sucked right into another series that I am now going to have to buy because the damn books are really a serial! Ok, bitching about my total lack of discipline over.
This is two stories written (I guess) by two authors. The first I liked but was not completely sold on the series. Raphael had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that his mate was human and . Never thought it could happen. His pushing away I would have normally hated, but the damn book was too short to hold a grudge. At this point though, I felt confident that I would read the next story and be done with it. It was too incomplete and I like more conclusion in my stories.
Well shit. Then I read Parish - who I loved! And now I am hooked! This story ends in a huge cliffhanger (not about their relationship) and I have to know what happens!
So I am off to buy another book! Joy!
This is two stories written (I guess) by two authors. The first I liked but was not completely sold on the series. Raphael had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that his mate was human and . Never thought it could happen. His pushing away I would have normally hated, but the damn book was too short to hold a grudge. At this point though, I felt confident that I would read the next story and be done with it. It was too incomplete and I like more conclusion in my stories.
Well shit. Then I read Parish - who I loved! And now I am hooked! This story ends in a huge cliffhanger (not about their relationship) and I have to know what happens!
So I am off to buy another book! Joy!
January 10, 2013
I love these two authors and jumped at the chance to read this book that they had written together.
Rapheal ,written by Alexandra Ivy and Parrish,written by Laura Wright.Both entries were equally as good with Ivy's being more erotic and Wright's the more romantic.I enjoyed them both and cannot wait for the next installment as this ended in a dratted cliffhanger.I hate cliffhangers!
Rapheal ,written by Alexandra Ivy and Parrish,written by Laura Wright.Both entries were equally as good with Ivy's being more erotic and Wright's the more romantic.I enjoyed them both and cannot wait for the next installment as this ended in a dratted cliffhanger.I hate cliffhangers!
August 16, 2014
This review was posted at Under the Covers
Bayou Heat is unrelated to either Alexandra Ivy’s or Laura Wright’s worlds, and it features one of my favorite shifters…pumas. No need to go into any more detail than that. Yes? Oh…you want me to? Fine.
Pumas are the less talked about felines of the shifter world and, to me, they’re so sexy. Something raw and primal always surrounds them. In this series it’s no different. The Pantera shapeshifters of Louisiana are somewhat of a myth. Humans don’t really believe in the tales of magic that surrounds the area they live in. And the Wildlands is an area full of magic. Actually that’s the only place the Pantera can shift.
Raphael by Alexandra Ivy
I have to say this was my favorite of the two stories. It caught my attention with the story, the intro to the world and, of course, the sexy as sin Raphael. After what he thought would just be one night of hot sex with a woman he couldn’t resist, she ends up pregnant with his child. Due to the rarity of that occurrence, Ashe has some mercenaries after her. Raphael, big bad mate that he is, steps up for the protector role. The alpha male sparks were oozing off the pages. This story was all raw sex appeal.
Parish by Laura Wright
Parish can be sexy and scary at the same time. I mean, he lives in a cave, never smiles and prefers his animal form. That can be intimidating. Then he’s sent on a mission into the human world to bring back a Doctor that can help Ashe through her pregnancy. Of course, the terms talking and asking are not very familiar to him so he pretty much kidnaps Julia and brings her to the Wildlands. There’s a little bit more action in this story and probably more world building than in the previous story, but I connected less with the characters. At the end of the day, Parish still won me over because he did what was necessary to make sure that his woman would be happy.
I am looking forward to reading more of this series. The cajun feel of the setting and the sexy characters will keep me coming back for me for sure.
Bayou Heat is unrelated to either Alexandra Ivy’s or Laura Wright’s worlds, and it features one of my favorite shifters…pumas. No need to go into any more detail than that. Yes? Oh…you want me to? Fine.
Pumas are the less talked about felines of the shifter world and, to me, they’re so sexy. Something raw and primal always surrounds them. In this series it’s no different. The Pantera shapeshifters of Louisiana are somewhat of a myth. Humans don’t really believe in the tales of magic that surrounds the area they live in. And the Wildlands is an area full of magic. Actually that’s the only place the Pantera can shift.
Raphael by Alexandra Ivy
I have to say this was my favorite of the two stories. It caught my attention with the story, the intro to the world and, of course, the sexy as sin Raphael. After what he thought would just be one night of hot sex with a woman he couldn’t resist, she ends up pregnant with his child. Due to the rarity of that occurrence, Ashe has some mercenaries after her. Raphael, big bad mate that he is, steps up for the protector role. The alpha male sparks were oozing off the pages. This story was all raw sex appeal.
Parish by Laura Wright
Parish can be sexy and scary at the same time. I mean, he lives in a cave, never smiles and prefers his animal form. That can be intimidating. Then he’s sent on a mission into the human world to bring back a Doctor that can help Ashe through her pregnancy. Of course, the terms talking and asking are not very familiar to him so he pretty much kidnaps Julia and brings her to the Wildlands. There’s a little bit more action in this story and probably more world building than in the previous story, but I connected less with the characters. At the end of the day, Parish still won me over because he did what was necessary to make sure that his woman would be happy.
I am looking forward to reading more of this series. The cajun feel of the setting and the sexy characters will keep me coming back for me for sure.
February 5, 2013
I really wanted to Love this book but i just couldn't , I found it rather lacking to be honest, i know they are short books. but still, i was left wondering about a few things most of the time .. I didn't like how either book finished it was like running and then hitting a brick wall they just ended. full stop. yes i know, "cliff Hanger" the concept was good but i found both stories rushed and left a lot out that could have been added...
January 6, 2013
New World! New Species! New Addiction! I love this fresh new series, Bayou Heat by Laura Wright and Alexandra Ivy. I read books one and two, Raphael and Parish, straight through and am totally hooked. Fresh world building, super sexy alpha heroes and the strong heroines who tame them. The ending left me aching for more. Can't wait for book two, Bayou and Jean Baptiste.
January 13, 2013
My biggest complaint is the length of the stories. They are too short. Besides that, I'm not a big fan of the ending in book 2. It's rather abrupt and a way to create space for the sequels. It doesn't really match with the rest of the book. I prefer a complete story, not such an open ending.
February 17, 2014
Short, but enjoyable. Love how the story is unfolding.
December 7, 2014
I have only 3 words to say: W.T.F.
This book has two novellas that were completely underdeveloped. There's absolutuely no explanation as to why things happened and in both stories, the heroine is figthing the hero one moment and agreeing to go into the sunset with him in the next, deciding to leave to leave the world they knew after knowing the men less than a day.
And then the second story had the gall to end in a crazy cliffahnger!!! I mean, WTF???
I originally rated this 2 stars but after reading my own review, I brought it down to one star. This wasn't good as individual novellas or packaged together, because nothing was really solved or explained. Don't read it!
This book has two novellas that were completely underdeveloped. There's absolutuely no explanation as to why things happened and in both stories, the heroine is figthing the hero one moment and agreeing to go into the sunset with him in the next, deciding to leave to leave the world they knew after knowing the men less than a day.
And then the second story had the gall to end in a crazy cliffahnger!!! I mean, WTF???
I originally rated this 2 stars but after reading my own review, I brought it down to one star. This wasn't good as individual novellas or packaged together, because nothing was really solved or explained. Don't read it!
January 31, 2013
Holy Cow! WOW! These women can write!! I’m a huge fan of Laura Wright and have read all of her MOTV series books and some of her contemporary novels. Totally LOVE Laura Wright!! This was the first time reading Alexandra Ivy! Now I LOVE Alexandra too!!!
This book contains two novellas written by Alexendra (Raphael) and Laura Wright (Parish). They wrote them individually but follow the main arc of the story. The transition between stories is smooth making it an easy read! You get action from the very beginning and the fast pace continues throughout both novellas. However, you won’t get that feeling that something is missing as the authors have done a fantastic job of providing the readers with all the necessary background and world building information. How the feck do they do this? They write a novella, yet make it as if it’s a full length novel. You get a full story! The reader is left wanting more. However, this wanting of more is the good kind. We want more stories! We want to get to know these characters more!!
Raphael:
When I couldn’t put this down, I knew! I KNEW! Freaking awesome! Draws you in and doesn’t freaking let you go!
Raphael was pure Alpha! Sexy as hell and determined! As the synopsis states, Raphael is a diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters and his race is facing extinction. The moment he meets Ashe, he knows. She’s different and cannot resist his inner beast’s desire for her. When they get together its HOT and STEAMY!! It’s a complete surprise when she learns she’s pregnant. A surprise for him because up until this moment, there hasn’t been any successful pregnancy between Panteras and humans. A surprise for her because she doesn’t remember their encounter thanks to Raphael scrubbing her memory. Six weeks have past and their paths cross again. When he approaches her, he anticipates she will fear him and run as other human women have reacted to him and his kind. When she confronts him and stands her ground not only is he surprised and impressed, he is intrigued and the urge to mate with her is undeniable.
Ashe has always been strong. She’s had no choice, with an alcoholic mother and no father she’s always had to be the one in charge. That’s not about to change now that there’s a strange man in her life stating she must let him protect her. Yet, a part of her knows him and wants to be taken care of.
Placing her trust, her life and the life of their baby on Raphael’s hands, they begin a new journey together. Enter some bad guys and well, don’t want to spoil things for you, you’ll just have to read it to learn more.
Parish:
Book 2 picks up more or less where Book 1 left off. With Ashe being pregnant, human and considering this is the first pregnancy for the Panteras in many years, they need a human doctor to help with the pregnancy and delivery of the baby. Raphael sends Parish, Leader of the Pantera Hunters, to speak with Dr. Julia Cabot and convince her to assist Ashe and Raphael. Parish is also the wildest of the Hunters and has isolated himself from other Panteras for many years. His hatred of humans is also well known. He is completely caught of guard when from the moment he sees Dr. Julia he has the urge to protect her and something else he won’t admit to.
Julia has had her heart broken by the man she loved and trusted. Her whole life has been turned upside down because of him. She will not break though. She will start over, she just doesn’t know where. When she is approached by Parish, who informs her that her services are needed and must go with him to a place she’s never heard of, she finds it hard to believe his story.
She awakes in a strange place, in a room filled with strangers. She finds out that Parish had brought her to the Wildlands and is told of the Pantera race. Ashe, who has gone through this revelation recently aides Julia to understand what is going on and fast become friends. However, because Julia is human, she must be protected while in the Wildlands. Parish will have no other Pantera guard her other than himself.
Their chemistry is undeniable but both are guarded due to their past. They get to know each other and she opens up her heart to him and Parish opens himself Julia.
I loved Parish from the beginning! That wild, ferocious way he had but you knew there was something more. Something that caused him to be the way he is now.
Though both were the same length, Parish felt shorter. That’s because I wanted more! So it’s a good thing.
Again, I’m a HUGE fan of Laura Wright! So I shouldn’t have been surprised by the ending!! Yes, Laura LOVES her cliff hangers and man, she’s great at them. As I read the last sentence and “the end” I literally said aloud “Are you Fecking Kidding Me? Laura!!!” Knowing her, she’s smiling at this part right now!! (Love you!!)
Overall – a great read! A fantastic start to a new series and cannot wait for the next installment.
This and other reviews available at Viviana, Enchantress of Books
This book contains two novellas written by Alexendra (Raphael) and Laura Wright (Parish). They wrote them individually but follow the main arc of the story. The transition between stories is smooth making it an easy read! You get action from the very beginning and the fast pace continues throughout both novellas. However, you won’t get that feeling that something is missing as the authors have done a fantastic job of providing the readers with all the necessary background and world building information. How the feck do they do this? They write a novella, yet make it as if it’s a full length novel. You get a full story! The reader is left wanting more. However, this wanting of more is the good kind. We want more stories! We want to get to know these characters more!!
Raphael:
When I couldn’t put this down, I knew! I KNEW! Freaking awesome! Draws you in and doesn’t freaking let you go!
Raphael was pure Alpha! Sexy as hell and determined! As the synopsis states, Raphael is a diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters and his race is facing extinction. The moment he meets Ashe, he knows. She’s different and cannot resist his inner beast’s desire for her. When they get together its HOT and STEAMY!! It’s a complete surprise when she learns she’s pregnant. A surprise for him because up until this moment, there hasn’t been any successful pregnancy between Panteras and humans. A surprise for her because she doesn’t remember their encounter thanks to Raphael scrubbing her memory. Six weeks have past and their paths cross again. When he approaches her, he anticipates she will fear him and run as other human women have reacted to him and his kind. When she confronts him and stands her ground not only is he surprised and impressed, he is intrigued and the urge to mate with her is undeniable.
Ashe has always been strong. She’s had no choice, with an alcoholic mother and no father she’s always had to be the one in charge. That’s not about to change now that there’s a strange man in her life stating she must let him protect her. Yet, a part of her knows him and wants to be taken care of.
Placing her trust, her life and the life of their baby on Raphael’s hands, they begin a new journey together. Enter some bad guys and well, don’t want to spoil things for you, you’ll just have to read it to learn more.
Parish:
Book 2 picks up more or less where Book 1 left off. With Ashe being pregnant, human and considering this is the first pregnancy for the Panteras in many years, they need a human doctor to help with the pregnancy and delivery of the baby. Raphael sends Parish, Leader of the Pantera Hunters, to speak with Dr. Julia Cabot and convince her to assist Ashe and Raphael. Parish is also the wildest of the Hunters and has isolated himself from other Panteras for many years. His hatred of humans is also well known. He is completely caught of guard when from the moment he sees Dr. Julia he has the urge to protect her and something else he won’t admit to.
Julia has had her heart broken by the man she loved and trusted. Her whole life has been turned upside down because of him. She will not break though. She will start over, she just doesn’t know where. When she is approached by Parish, who informs her that her services are needed and must go with him to a place she’s never heard of, she finds it hard to believe his story.
She awakes in a strange place, in a room filled with strangers. She finds out that Parish had brought her to the Wildlands and is told of the Pantera race. Ashe, who has gone through this revelation recently aides Julia to understand what is going on and fast become friends. However, because Julia is human, she must be protected while in the Wildlands. Parish will have no other Pantera guard her other than himself.
Their chemistry is undeniable but both are guarded due to their past. They get to know each other and she opens up her heart to him and Parish opens himself Julia.
I loved Parish from the beginning! That wild, ferocious way he had but you knew there was something more. Something that caused him to be the way he is now.
Though both were the same length, Parish felt shorter. That’s because I wanted more! So it’s a good thing.
Again, I’m a HUGE fan of Laura Wright! So I shouldn’t have been surprised by the ending!! Yes, Laura LOVES her cliff hangers and man, she’s great at them. As I read the last sentence and “the end” I literally said aloud “Are you Fecking Kidding Me? Laura!!!” Knowing her, she’s smiling at this part right now!! (Love you!!)
Overall – a great read! A fantastic start to a new series and cannot wait for the next installment.
This and other reviews available at Viviana, Enchantress of Books
April 25, 2024
I had read several of both author’s books by the time their new Bayou Heat partner came out. I loved the idea of puma shifters hidden away in the Bayou as legend so when the pair of first stories was free, I jumped on it. And, years later, to meet a few reading challenges, I finally read it.
Whew, this was a fast and furious ride of sizzling sexiness and paranormal danger. Raphael is the first novella and it gives a brief intro to the world by way of a legend the heroine and everyone else on the edge of the bayou knows about, but doesn’t believe- legendary cat creatures... right.
Until her blurry memory of a one night stand leads to pregnancy and the man comes back into her life with a tail, ahem, tale to tell her that she is forced to believe when the situation gets extreme.
Raphael is inflamed by a need to claim the human woman and is rocked to the core when she turns up pregnant with his child. His people, the Pantera, have grown desperate because of infertility and even tried mating with humans. Why did it suddenly work and why is he driven to claim and mate with her?
So much happens in a short amount of time, but whoa, that abrupt stop of an ending with lots of things left unanswered might have made me mad if I hadn’t had the second book and discovered that while Raphael and Ashe were not the primary couple, their story continues.
The second story is Parish and pediatric doctor, Julia Cabot’s tale. With Ashe’s pregnancy, all the Pantera including Ashe and Raphael want her to have the best care and that means a human doctor. Parish isn’t keen on humans, but the moment he catches the sight and scent of Julia, he’s in a hurry to whisk her away to the Wildlands. And, oddly, Julia isn’t as worked up over being kidnapped as she should be because Parish is wild and take charge, but he’s honest unlike her cheating ex.
I wasn’t as surprised by the climax action leading to a stunning surprise and then an abrupt end. Oh and the romances in this one are lightning fast with the mating urge on the puma shifters, but also the humans feel it as well to a lesser extent, I suspect. I’ve got some theories about what is going on here, but I’ll have to wait and see if I’m right.
Word to the wise, this is one of those serial-style series of quick novellas that the reader will likely have to invest in the whole enchilada to get a complete wrap on the series plot conflict. As it happens, I did invest in the first six stories at least so I’ll keep going with them. Hot Paranormal Romance in a quick-read novella form will suit the mood and time constraints for some readers.
My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About 4.8.24.
#ThriftyThursday
Whew, this was a fast and furious ride of sizzling sexiness and paranormal danger. Raphael is the first novella and it gives a brief intro to the world by way of a legend the heroine and everyone else on the edge of the bayou knows about, but doesn’t believe- legendary cat creatures... right.
Until her blurry memory of a one night stand leads to pregnancy and the man comes back into her life with a tail, ahem, tale to tell her that she is forced to believe when the situation gets extreme.
Raphael is inflamed by a need to claim the human woman and is rocked to the core when she turns up pregnant with his child. His people, the Pantera, have grown desperate because of infertility and even tried mating with humans. Why did it suddenly work and why is he driven to claim and mate with her?
So much happens in a short amount of time, but whoa, that abrupt stop of an ending with lots of things left unanswered might have made me mad if I hadn’t had the second book and discovered that while Raphael and Ashe were not the primary couple, their story continues.
The second story is Parish and pediatric doctor, Julia Cabot’s tale. With Ashe’s pregnancy, all the Pantera including Ashe and Raphael want her to have the best care and that means a human doctor. Parish isn’t keen on humans, but the moment he catches the sight and scent of Julia, he’s in a hurry to whisk her away to the Wildlands. And, oddly, Julia isn’t as worked up over being kidnapped as she should be because Parish is wild and take charge, but he’s honest unlike her cheating ex.
I wasn’t as surprised by the climax action leading to a stunning surprise and then an abrupt end. Oh and the romances in this one are lightning fast with the mating urge on the puma shifters, but also the humans feel it as well to a lesser extent, I suspect. I’ve got some theories about what is going on here, but I’ll have to wait and see if I’m right.
Word to the wise, this is one of those serial-style series of quick novellas that the reader will likely have to invest in the whole enchilada to get a complete wrap on the series plot conflict. As it happens, I did invest in the first six stories at least so I’ll keep going with them. Hot Paranormal Romance in a quick-read novella form will suit the mood and time constraints for some readers.
My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About 4.8.24.
#ThriftyThursday
March 13, 2013
KcLu‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
3.75 Stars
Growing up in Louisiana I have always heard the legends of men that were able to turn into certain animals. It was even rumored that my great grandfather had the power to turn into a big black dog, which he enjoyed scaring people so this fit him. The book Bayou Heat Raphael / Parish are two really great novellas that play on the legends of the Pantera, or men that can turn into giant cats.
The Pantera numbers are slowly declining. There hasn’t been a cub born in many years, so it comes to the great shock that two of their lead men fall for humans. First we have the story of Raphael who meets his mate in a bar known to be the hang out of his kind. After one night of passion he scrubs her memory, but leaves her with the last present he thought he could leave behind, his baby. Ashe thinks she has lost her mind. She is pregnant, and has no memory of how she got that way except for flashes of memory or dreams. Raphael has his work cut out for him convincing her that they belong together, and that he isn’t quite human.
Parish is sent into the city to try and talk one of the leading Ob doctors into coming to live with the Pantera to help Ashe with her pregnancy and birth, but when he gets with in her company he realizes that she is the last thing he would ever want his HUMAN mate. He decides he wants her and nothing will stop him from bringing her with him, so he does what any man would do right?? He kidnaps her. LOL .. He also has his work cutout for him. He has to talk her into staying not only for himself, but to help out with Ashe.
These are really two great quick and hot reads! I really can’t wait to read the next installment of this series!! Hope y’all like them as much as I did!!
3.75 Stars
Growing up in Louisiana I have always heard the legends of men that were able to turn into certain animals. It was even rumored that my great grandfather had the power to turn into a big black dog, which he enjoyed scaring people so this fit him. The book Bayou Heat Raphael / Parish are two really great novellas that play on the legends of the Pantera, or men that can turn into giant cats.
The Pantera numbers are slowly declining. There hasn’t been a cub born in many years, so it comes to the great shock that two of their lead men fall for humans. First we have the story of Raphael who meets his mate in a bar known to be the hang out of his kind. After one night of passion he scrubs her memory, but leaves her with the last present he thought he could leave behind, his baby. Ashe thinks she has lost her mind. She is pregnant, and has no memory of how she got that way except for flashes of memory or dreams. Raphael has his work cut out for him convincing her that they belong together, and that he isn’t quite human.
Parish is sent into the city to try and talk one of the leading Ob doctors into coming to live with the Pantera to help Ashe with her pregnancy and birth, but when he gets with in her company he realizes that she is the last thing he would ever want his HUMAN mate. He decides he wants her and nothing will stop him from bringing her with him, so he does what any man would do right?? He kidnaps her. LOL .. He also has his work cutout for him. He has to talk her into staying not only for himself, but to help out with Ashe.
These are really two great quick and hot reads! I really can’t wait to read the next installment of this series!! Hope y’all like them as much as I did!!
January 20, 2013
Myth & Legend turn into reality in Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright’s Raphael/Parish. Books one and two in Ivy & Wright’s new joint series Bayou Heat.
In Raphael (bk1) we get introduced to the world of the Pantera Shapeshifters. Ivy does a great job of creating the world in this first story. Boy does Raphael’s story start with a bang. We get to meet Raphaels mate as she is being kicked out of her house by her drunk of a mother for being pregnant. Problem is Ashe can’t remember who or when.... But this is going to be the least of her problems when she wakes up to find Raphael in her dark hotel room talking about lost myths, shifters and that they are now mated.
In Parish (bk2) we pick up with Parish on a mission to find a human doctor for Ashe. But when Parish see Julia for the first time something in him changes. This change scares Parish. He doesn’t like humans, doesn’t trust humans not after what happened to Keria. But Parish is drawn to Julia so much so that he is willing to kidnap her and keep her if that is what it will take to make her his.
I really enjoyed both of these stories and good golly Wright leaves us hanging at the end of Parish. I am so looking forward to Bayon/Jean-Baptiste (bk 3&4) release day is scheduled for April 15th, 2013 (Happy Tax day to me!!) and Talon/Xavier’s (bk 5&6) scheduled for release summer of 2013
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
In Raphael (bk1) we get introduced to the world of the Pantera Shapeshifters. Ivy does a great job of creating the world in this first story. Boy does Raphael’s story start with a bang. We get to meet Raphaels mate as she is being kicked out of her house by her drunk of a mother for being pregnant. Problem is Ashe can’t remember who or when.... But this is going to be the least of her problems when she wakes up to find Raphael in her dark hotel room talking about lost myths, shifters and that they are now mated.
In Parish (bk2) we pick up with Parish on a mission to find a human doctor for Ashe. But when Parish see Julia for the first time something in him changes. This change scares Parish. He doesn’t like humans, doesn’t trust humans not after what happened to Keria. But Parish is drawn to Julia so much so that he is willing to kidnap her and keep her if that is what it will take to make her his.
I really enjoyed both of these stories and good golly Wright leaves us hanging at the end of Parish. I am so looking forward to Bayon/Jean-Baptiste (bk 3&4) release day is scheduled for April 15th, 2013 (Happy Tax day to me!!) and Talon/Xavier’s (bk 5&6) scheduled for release summer of 2013
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
April 14, 2013
I can say that individually these authors are awesome, but you put them together and you have magic. I devoured Raphael's story so fast I think I had barely time to let soak in this wonderfully, steamy short story. I almost immediately fell in love with Raphael. He is definitely is my type of guy, pure sexy alpha male.
For as short as this book is, I completely could feel Ashe's heartache and pain regarding her family or rather her treatment by them. Make sure you have the a/c on too while you read this because you definitely will need something to cool you off when you finish.
I am so torn here, I thought Raphael won me over but Parish I think stole my heart. He is grouchy, gruff, tortured (I think that's what did it, I am a such a sucker for a tortured hero) and ever so sexy too. I honestly cannot not say which story I loved more, in fact I know I can't. Raphael and Parish are somewhat the same but different and their mates as well. Both girls, whom I just adore, have heartbreak in their lives, before meeting these sexy shifters.
These authors did a fabulous job in such a short period of time of grabbing me and not letting go until the stories ended, even now I crave more. I will be diving into the Bayon/Jean Baptiste's as soon as I finish this review .. I have a feeling I will be come more addicted with the Pantera and all these sexy shifters.
If you have yet to read this, do so right now, seriously it is such a fast read you won't even know what time it is until you are finished. One last thing I must say, if I could have rated this higher I would have.
For as short as this book is, I completely could feel Ashe's heartache and pain regarding her family or rather her treatment by them. Make sure you have the a/c on too while you read this because you definitely will need something to cool you off when you finish.
I am so torn here, I thought Raphael won me over but Parish I think stole my heart. He is grouchy, gruff, tortured (I think that's what did it, I am a such a sucker for a tortured hero) and ever so sexy too. I honestly cannot not say which story I loved more, in fact I know I can't. Raphael and Parish are somewhat the same but different and their mates as well. Both girls, whom I just adore, have heartbreak in their lives, before meeting these sexy shifters.
These authors did a fabulous job in such a short period of time of grabbing me and not letting go until the stories ended, even now I crave more. I will be diving into the Bayon/Jean Baptiste's as soon as I finish this review .. I have a feeling I will be come more addicted with the Pantera and all these sexy shifters.
If you have yet to read this, do so right now, seriously it is such a fast read you won't even know what time it is until you are finished. One last thing I must say, if I could have rated this higher I would have.
March 18, 2013
Wow! I loved both Raphael and Parish. This is a combination of two stories in one book. First is Raphael and Ashe. They have a rocky beginning but I love how they are both strong characters and can roll with whatever changes come their way. Raphael is a strong character and needs Ashe to balance his control. I think they are a great couple. Second was Parish and Julia. Parish is wilder than Raphael and not use to dealing with others. Dr Julia Cabot is a wonderful woman who is getting out of a bad relationship with another doctor.Between Parish and his distrust of others and Julia's distrust after the doctor broke her heart they have a rocky start. Julia doesn't trust her heart to tell her what she wants. Parish has to fight his dislike of outsiders and his desire to have Julia as his forever. They are another couple that are very well balanced for one another. I loved their chemistry.I will be looking for more books in the Bayou Heat series. I will recommend them to my friends who read shifter books.
January 20, 2013
I enjoyed these shorts. The flow between the 2 different author's stories was fluid and worked well.
Basically a shifter nation of magical Pumas live in the bayou. Hidden away from society, their race has been unable to procreate until a chance encounter ends in a human woman carrying a 1/2 Pantera baby.
The second short story is basically a hunter of the Pantera brings back a human gynecologist to assist in the pregnancy. The hunter and the doctor have instant chemistry and another human/Pantera mating occurs.
These were quick, spicy, easy reads, a wet your whistle type story, leaving you wanting more.
Basically a shifter nation of magical Pumas live in the bayou. Hidden away from society, their race has been unable to procreate until a chance encounter ends in a human woman carrying a 1/2 Pantera baby.
The second short story is basically a hunter of the Pantera brings back a human gynecologist to assist in the pregnancy. The hunter and the doctor have instant chemistry and another human/Pantera mating occurs.
These were quick, spicy, easy reads, a wet your whistle type story, leaving you wanting more.
December 11, 2012
Wow -- got a special early read of this book and what a smoking-hot story it is! I'm a Laura Wright fan, but this is the first Alexandra Ivy book I've read -- these two pair up nicely in this sizzling tale of shape-shifting males and the very, very lucky human women who stumble out of the "normal" world and into the magical Wildlands. The start of an inventive and entertaining series!
July 20, 2020
Two combined novellas involving members of the Pantera puma shifters world. They play right off one another so it kinda feels like one story. Raphael ends and Parish picks up a few weeks later with new characters but we get to see what's happening with the old ones. Still don't know if I love this yet.
Raphael - a diplomat for the Pantera, he discovers that a woman he screwed and subsequently "brain-blanked" is pregnant with his child (which is a miracle since the Pantera have been infertile for years). Ashe doesn't remember having sex so discovering her pregnancy is surprising to say the least and when her mother kicks her out it just tops off her day. Raphael goes after her and upon seeing him, Ashe begins to remember...For Raphael, the mating urge is off the charts and he can't keep away from Ashe. He needs to take her back to the Wildlands to protect her anwyay, but his plan gets rushed when they're attacked by strange men who want to end her (and her pregnancy). This was okay. It was a lot of sex and pretty much no character development. It's all lust and mating urges and not much romance and love. Ashe needed to smack Raphael a few times for being bossy, controlling (and for making her forget the sex in the first place) but she melts into a puddle of goo the second they're near each other. In the end, there isn't really love so much as Ashe accepts her future and this ends hopefully.
Parish - this picks up with Parish, a hunter, out in New Orleans looking for Dr. Julia Cabot, an obsetetrician. She is desperately needed to take care of Ashe and make sure her pregnancy goes well. Julia's life has just been upended so she's completely available, but she doesn't not appreciate Parish kidnapping her and forcing her back to the Wildlands. Then she has to be told what it was all about. She's attracted to the wild Parish, but wary of getting hurt. This felt a bit more complete and I liked Parish's restraint even in the face of his mating urges. He waited for Julia to feel comfortable and safe before he made any moves on her. And Parish and his awkwardness and his traumatic past make him very sympathetic. These two together were a much more romantic pair and you could feel the love building between them. This ends on a bit of a cliffy .
Raphael - a diplomat for the Pantera, he discovers that a woman he screwed and subsequently "brain-blanked" is pregnant with his child (which is a miracle since the Pantera have been infertile for years). Ashe doesn't remember having sex so discovering her pregnancy is surprising to say the least and when her mother kicks her out it just tops off her day. Raphael goes after her and upon seeing him, Ashe begins to remember...For Raphael, the mating urge is off the charts and he can't keep away from Ashe. He needs to take her back to the Wildlands to protect her anwyay, but his plan gets rushed when they're attacked by strange men who want to end her (and her pregnancy). This was okay. It was a lot of sex and pretty much no character development. It's all lust and mating urges and not much romance and love. Ashe needed to smack Raphael a few times for being bossy, controlling (and for making her forget the sex in the first place) but she melts into a puddle of goo the second they're near each other. In the end, there isn't really love so much as Ashe accepts her future and this ends hopefully.
Parish - this picks up with Parish, a hunter, out in New Orleans looking for Dr. Julia Cabot, an obsetetrician. She is desperately needed to take care of Ashe and make sure her pregnancy goes well. Julia's life has just been upended so she's completely available, but she doesn't not appreciate Parish kidnapping her and forcing her back to the Wildlands. Then she has to be told what it was all about. She's attracted to the wild Parish, but wary of getting hurt. This felt a bit more complete and I liked Parish's restraint even in the face of his mating urges. He waited for Julia to feel comfortable and safe before he made any moves on her. And Parish and his awkwardness and his traumatic past make him very sympathetic. These two together were a much more romantic pair and you could feel the love building between them. This ends on a bit of a cliffy .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2022
This has been on my tbr for a really long time, and I finally got to it. So glad I did, it had such a unique and addicting magical world to get into. It is very insta-love, as it features a fated mate style or paranormal romance where the Pantera are instantly drawn the second they smell their mate. I happen to have a bit of a soft spot for this type of quick paranormal romance where we get straight to it and everything resolves in 100 pages. They're the perfect little wind down/switch off story.
In this book, it's only a small part of the magic world we're introduced to, but most real world lore comes from Raphael, and more of the individual pack type stuff comes from Parish.
I must say, I really loved Raphael, but didn't find Parish held the same appeal. Mostly because Parish didn't have much of the wider world and politics involved, it featured more around the two main characters. Really hoping some of the other ebooks go on sale, I'd be interested in continuing this series but I'm not hooked enough yet to commit.
In this book, it's only a small part of the magic world we're introduced to, but most real world lore comes from Raphael, and more of the individual pack type stuff comes from Parish.
I must say, I really loved Raphael, but didn't find Parish held the same appeal. Mostly because Parish didn't have much of the wider world and politics involved, it featured more around the two main characters. Really hoping some of the other ebooks go on sale, I'd be interested in continuing this series but I'm not hooked enough yet to commit.
January 23, 2013
This was a great read but too short!!! The world that the two authors created is an intriguing one, and I am eager to visit again with more books to come!
We start with "Raphael" which is written by Alexandra Ivy: We are introduced to a woman named Ashe who has just found out she is pregnant; but she can't really remember how it happened!!...UH..OKAY??.. She has left her acoholic mother and gone to stay at a hotel to figure out what she is gonna do. In the night she starts having vivid flashbacks of passionate sex with a very sexy man and begins to wonder if she is remembering reality instead of dreaming.
Meanwhile, Raphael, who is a Pantera; (puma shifter) he is needing to get back to his "female" as he needs to protect her and his unborn child. He realizes that she is his mate and that nothing will stop him from claiming her. The Pantera people have not been able to have children in many years. They have tried to impregnate human woman but have failed at every angle...until now with Raphael and Ashe. THis is the basis of this story and it is great when these two characters come together face to face..My only complaint is that I wish it was a full length novel because this world and it's people are really fascinating!
Next up we have the story of Parish and Julia which is written by the talented Laura Wright! This was my favorite and I fell in love with Parish. He is a little more wild ( and of course I love my men just a little untamed...hmmm or maybe alot!!!) He lost his twin sister years ago to murder and now he has a hate on for humans, as they are the ones who took his sisters life. He now has no family and a wild streak a mile long! (He even lives in a cave!!)He is on the hunt to find a human doctor to bring back to the "Wildlands" for Raphael and Ashe and their unborn child. He finds Julia who is very good at delivering babies, but also he is immediately attracted to her and her scent.
Julia has just been cheated on my her boyfriend who is also the head doctor at the hospital she works at. Needless to say, she is leaving her job and the house she shared with him. Julia has no family and she has no idea where she is going to go next. When her and Parish meet, it doesn't go that great considering she thinks he is a madman who has been following her. Parish, not being the most civilized Pantera around, ends up picking her up and taking her full speed ahead to the "Wildlands". Of course, he doesn't think about how fast he is going and Julia ends up passing out. These two are wonderful together, and even tough Parish is tough and gruff he has a soft side just for Julia and I fell in love with him right along her.
Even though this book has two short stories, they are full of action, sex, and love. The perfect recipe for a great PNR series! I look forward to getting to know more characters from the "Wildlands" and share in all of the adventures I am sure are going to come in the future. Bravo to the authors who have done a wonderful job of coming together to write about an exciting new world!
We start with "Raphael" which is written by Alexandra Ivy: We are introduced to a woman named Ashe who has just found out she is pregnant; but she can't really remember how it happened!!...UH..OKAY??.. She has left her acoholic mother and gone to stay at a hotel to figure out what she is gonna do. In the night she starts having vivid flashbacks of passionate sex with a very sexy man and begins to wonder if she is remembering reality instead of dreaming.
Meanwhile, Raphael, who is a Pantera; (puma shifter) he is needing to get back to his "female" as he needs to protect her and his unborn child. He realizes that she is his mate and that nothing will stop him from claiming her. The Pantera people have not been able to have children in many years. They have tried to impregnate human woman but have failed at every angle...until now with Raphael and Ashe. THis is the basis of this story and it is great when these two characters come together face to face..My only complaint is that I wish it was a full length novel because this world and it's people are really fascinating!
Next up we have the story of Parish and Julia which is written by the talented Laura Wright! This was my favorite and I fell in love with Parish. He is a little more wild ( and of course I love my men just a little untamed...hmmm or maybe alot!!!) He lost his twin sister years ago to murder and now he has a hate on for humans, as they are the ones who took his sisters life. He now has no family and a wild streak a mile long! (He even lives in a cave!!)He is on the hunt to find a human doctor to bring back to the "Wildlands" for Raphael and Ashe and their unborn child. He finds Julia who is very good at delivering babies, but also he is immediately attracted to her and her scent.
Julia has just been cheated on my her boyfriend who is also the head doctor at the hospital she works at. Needless to say, she is leaving her job and the house she shared with him. Julia has no family and she has no idea where she is going to go next. When her and Parish meet, it doesn't go that great considering she thinks he is a madman who has been following her. Parish, not being the most civilized Pantera around, ends up picking her up and taking her full speed ahead to the "Wildlands". Of course, he doesn't think about how fast he is going and Julia ends up passing out. These two are wonderful together, and even tough Parish is tough and gruff he has a soft side just for Julia and I fell in love with him right along her.
Even though this book has two short stories, they are full of action, sex, and love. The perfect recipe for a great PNR series! I look forward to getting to know more characters from the "Wildlands" and share in all of the adventures I am sure are going to come in the future. Bravo to the authors who have done a wonderful job of coming together to write about an exciting new world!
January 6, 2013
The Pantera shapeshifters exist only in legend, a story told to humans about a place that is not a place within the deep bayous of Louisiana.
The brilliant and dangerous diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters, Raphael has devoted his life to discovering the key to the infertility that is threatening the extinction of his
puma race. Creating a vast network of spies worldwide, he never expected to discover that the answer might be beneath his very nose. But when Ashe, a beautiful human female, crosses his path, his most primitive instincts are stirred.
Unable to resist, he takes her to his bed, and is shocked when she becomes pregnant with his child. It’s a miracle that might prove to be the salvation of his people, but only if he can keep her safe from the mercenaries determined to kill her.
But they exist and Raphael, a dedicated diplomat of his people, is seeking the reason his people are failing to continue. The Puma have not bred successfully in years and he's been seeking the answer. A human female, Ashe, crosses his path and every mating instinct Rafael has suddenly lights up like a fire. He takes her to his bed and she conceives, and he finds he has to face not only the human mercenaries hunting her but his own people who are not accustomed to having humans know about them.
Parish is totally against Rafael's choice, humans killed a member of his family and, as a hunter, he is not given to changing his mind, or heart about anything. But with Rafael's obvious choice of mate, he is sent into New Orleans to try to convince a human doctor to come back to the Wildlands with him. He never counted on falling in love and bonding with the female, Dr. Julia Cabot, whose broken heart at the hands of a callous, uncaring mate has cast her into the void in life. Can he convince her to come back with him, to help Ashe, and also stay with him?
I didn't know quite what to expect with this book. Two parts, two stories written by two different writers seemed a challenge. Could Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright manage the two, untamed Puma males they had chosen to write about and make the story consistent enough to satisfy?
Oh yeah. This did. The first two stories of the Bayou Heat series made quite the impression on me. Filled with a good story and some of the most smoking-hot sex ever to grace book pages. The males are hot, strong, and wild, the women very willing and smart.
I cannot wait for the second book, with the furthering of Ashe/Julia's story and two more hot Pantera males, Bayron and Jean-Baptiste, due out in April, 2013. It's worth tracking down and reading. Just have a nice glass of ice tea to cool off with in the heat of this Bayou!
The brilliant and dangerous diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters, Raphael has devoted his life to discovering the key to the infertility that is threatening the extinction of his
puma race. Creating a vast network of spies worldwide, he never expected to discover that the answer might be beneath his very nose. But when Ashe, a beautiful human female, crosses his path, his most primitive instincts are stirred.
Unable to resist, he takes her to his bed, and is shocked when she becomes pregnant with his child. It’s a miracle that might prove to be the salvation of his people, but only if he can keep her safe from the mercenaries determined to kill her.
But they exist and Raphael, a dedicated diplomat of his people, is seeking the reason his people are failing to continue. The Puma have not bred successfully in years and he's been seeking the answer. A human female, Ashe, crosses his path and every mating instinct Rafael has suddenly lights up like a fire. He takes her to his bed and she conceives, and he finds he has to face not only the human mercenaries hunting her but his own people who are not accustomed to having humans know about them.
Parish is totally against Rafael's choice, humans killed a member of his family and, as a hunter, he is not given to changing his mind, or heart about anything. But with Rafael's obvious choice of mate, he is sent into New Orleans to try to convince a human doctor to come back to the Wildlands with him. He never counted on falling in love and bonding with the female, Dr. Julia Cabot, whose broken heart at the hands of a callous, uncaring mate has cast her into the void in life. Can he convince her to come back with him, to help Ashe, and also stay with him?
I didn't know quite what to expect with this book. Two parts, two stories written by two different writers seemed a challenge. Could Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright manage the two, untamed Puma males they had chosen to write about and make the story consistent enough to satisfy?
Oh yeah. This did. The first two stories of the Bayou Heat series made quite the impression on me. Filled with a good story and some of the most smoking-hot sex ever to grace book pages. The males are hot, strong, and wild, the women very willing and smart.
I cannot wait for the second book, with the furthering of Ashe/Julia's story and two more hot Pantera males, Bayron and Jean-Baptiste, due out in April, 2013. It's worth tracking down and reading. Just have a nice glass of ice tea to cool off with in the heat of this Bayou!
June 18, 2017
I nearly panicked when Parish's story ended. And Raphael's story also felt a bit short. That's my biggest peeve with these stories, they're much too short! I mean, gah!
The stories should be too short to really get a chance to connect with the characters. And that's somewhat true. Just as you get under their skin, it's over.
Worse yet, I have to wait three months to read the next two stories. I might have been good with a month, maybe even 6 weeks - but three months is making me want to cry. :D
I have three wishes for this series. 1: I wish each story was longer. 2: I wish the books were published closer together. 3: I wish there would be more than 3 books/6 stories for this series.
Now, on to the actual stories.
Raphael and Ashe by Alexandra Ivy
They meet and hook up, he does something to make her forget about him, 6 weeks later she's pregnant. This story hits the ground running, and it's a little confusing at first. Until you figure out what happened 6 weeks ago. I loved their connection, but the story ended too abruptly. We of course meet them in the next story, but it's not the same. I wanted to spend some more time with Ashe and Raphael, get to know them better. Their falling in love felt a little rushed, but that's due to the fact that the story is a little short and very fast paced.
Parish and Julia by Laura Wright
I loved Parish. I loved his brooding self and his intensity. I never got on board with Ms Wright's Mark Of The Vampire series. Granted I only ever read book one, but I just couldn't connect with it. Parish's story however is a whole different ballgame. But again, just as I was falling completely in love with Parish and Julia, the story ends. And they are making me wait until April before I get to read the next book! My favorite line in the whole book, is probably this: "...then open your legs for me, Julia. This cat must have his cream."
There is a red thread that keeps the stories connected, other than the characters, is Ashe's pregnancy and someone trying to kill both Ashe and her baby. Who is trying to off them we probably won't find out until book three is out in July. Yup. They are making us wait for 6 months before we get to find out anything.
Other than feeling a little short and rushed, these stories are solid. And they go straight into my favorites shelf.
The stories should be too short to really get a chance to connect with the characters. And that's somewhat true. Just as you get under their skin, it's over.
Worse yet, I have to wait three months to read the next two stories. I might have been good with a month, maybe even 6 weeks - but three months is making me want to cry. :D
I have three wishes for this series. 1: I wish each story was longer. 2: I wish the books were published closer together. 3: I wish there would be more than 3 books/6 stories for this series.
Now, on to the actual stories.
Raphael and Ashe by Alexandra Ivy
They meet and hook up, he does something to make her forget about him, 6 weeks later she's pregnant. This story hits the ground running, and it's a little confusing at first. Until you figure out what happened 6 weeks ago. I loved their connection, but the story ended too abruptly. We of course meet them in the next story, but it's not the same. I wanted to spend some more time with Ashe and Raphael, get to know them better. Their falling in love felt a little rushed, but that's due to the fact that the story is a little short and very fast paced.
Parish and Julia by Laura Wright
I loved Parish. I loved his brooding self and his intensity. I never got on board with Ms Wright's Mark Of The Vampire series. Granted I only ever read book one, but I just couldn't connect with it. Parish's story however is a whole different ballgame. But again, just as I was falling completely in love with Parish and Julia, the story ends. And they are making me wait until April before I get to read the next book! My favorite line in the whole book, is probably this: "...then open your legs for me, Julia. This cat must have his cream."
There is a red thread that keeps the stories connected, other than the characters, is Ashe's pregnancy and someone trying to kill both Ashe and her baby. Who is trying to off them we probably won't find out until book three is out in July. Yup. They are making us wait for 6 months before we get to find out anything.
Other than feeling a little short and rushed, these stories are solid. And they go straight into my favorites shelf.
August 14, 2015
RAPHAEL By Alexandra Ivy
Ashe's Mum is the town drunk so Ashe goes to "Cougar's Den" to pay her tab. Six weeks later she is pregnant and she doesn't know how (there are only memories that she doesn't know if she can trust. Her Mum has kicked her out so she drives to the "Cougar's Den" and that is where Raphael the Puma Shifter smells that she is with his child. The Puma Shifters are called the Pantera and descend from a Goddess according to folklore. This Goddess has a twin and they have been fighting against one another. They haven't been able to have children in the past 50 years that is why Ashe is a miracle. BUT there are people who want to kill her. This a novel but it being short the characters have been adapted well and the story is interesting to follow. By the way Raphael can call me ma cheré any time he wants to.
PARISH By Laura Wright
Parish is sent to New Orleans to find a doctor for the cub of Ashe and Raphael. They are interested in Dr. Julia Cabot and his inner Puma claims her. Parish unfortunately isn't that keen on humans but that all changes (his ti´win sister is harmed) Very cute that Julia says that the only thing that she misses from her cheating ex boyfriend is her pussy cat Fangs.
The book is well written and more of the story comes out that the Pantera are split up into factions. Hunters, Nurturers, Suits etc.
Ashe is injected with something that leaves the book as a cliffhanger. I loved Parish deep down he is a big softy.
Ashe's Mum is the town drunk so Ashe goes to "Cougar's Den" to pay her tab. Six weeks later she is pregnant and she doesn't know how (there are only memories that she doesn't know if she can trust. Her Mum has kicked her out so she drives to the "Cougar's Den" and that is where Raphael the Puma Shifter smells that she is with his child. The Puma Shifters are called the Pantera and descend from a Goddess according to folklore. This Goddess has a twin and they have been fighting against one another. They haven't been able to have children in the past 50 years that is why Ashe is a miracle. BUT there are people who want to kill her. This a novel but it being short the characters have been adapted well and the story is interesting to follow. By the way Raphael can call me ma cheré any time he wants to.
PARISH By Laura Wright
Parish is sent to New Orleans to find a doctor for the cub of Ashe and Raphael. They are interested in Dr. Julia Cabot and his inner Puma claims her. Parish unfortunately isn't that keen on humans but that all changes (his ti´win sister is harmed) Very cute that Julia says that the only thing that she misses from her cheating ex boyfriend is her pussy cat Fangs.
The book is well written and more of the story comes out that the Pantera are split up into factions. Hunters, Nurturers, Suits etc.
Ashe is injected with something that leaves the book as a cliffhanger. I loved Parish deep down he is a big softy.
May 7, 2013
Heh. DNF for me. Oh and this review is full of spoilers so.. youve been warned.
I mean this whole book was ridiculous ( and i only read half of it so it couldve actually gotten worse but il never know). No but seriously, looking at all those 4-5 star reviews i was hoping more.
First things first, now lets imagine a person somehow gets pregnant and cant remember having sex with anyone. The author made it seem like it was abit weird, I personally found it VERY weird. Now moving on from that- lets say her mom kicks her out and she has to go to a hotel. So she is blisfully sleeping in her bed, naked, having an erotic dream. Suddenly she wakes up and discover that theres this creepy ass dude in her room who was in her dream aswell. HOW IS IT NOT WEIRD?! Did the heroine scream or act like a rational human being? Oh no, 5 mis later he was telling her he is a mythical creature ( i feel the need to point out, again, that they just met and she is in a room with a STRANGER who claims to be the father of her baby) ..that just seemed wrong on so many levels. And yes, I wouldve thought that guy was a lunatic but ehh. Now 5 minutes after that they are suddenly having sex - heh that was actually more of a facepalm moment.Ladidaa more sex, " mating", the mandatory saving scene and ... I was done.
Seriously, what the fuck ?!
I mean this whole book was ridiculous ( and i only read half of it so it couldve actually gotten worse but il never know). No but seriously, looking at all those 4-5 star reviews i was hoping more.
First things first, now lets imagine a person somehow gets pregnant and cant remember having sex with anyone. The author made it seem like it was abit weird, I personally found it VERY weird. Now moving on from that- lets say her mom kicks her out and she has to go to a hotel. So she is blisfully sleeping in her bed, naked, having an erotic dream. Suddenly she wakes up and discover that theres this creepy ass dude in her room who was in her dream aswell. HOW IS IT NOT WEIRD?! Did the heroine scream or act like a rational human being? Oh no, 5 mis later he was telling her he is a mythical creature ( i feel the need to point out, again, that they just met and she is in a room with a STRANGER who claims to be the father of her baby) ..that just seemed wrong on so many levels. And yes, I wouldve thought that guy was a lunatic but ehh. Now 5 minutes after that they are suddenly having sex - heh that was actually more of a facepalm moment.Ladidaa more sex, " mating", the mandatory saving scene and ... I was done.
Seriously, what the fuck ?!
January 9, 2013
A big fan of both Laura Wright and Alexandra Ivy, I was delighted to hear they'd written a new series together! Loved the books they'd written themselves and they didn't disappoint with this one :)
In a brand new series, they bring us to this secret and beautiful world in the Bayou - the Pantera's Wildlands - a place kept secret from human eyes and the home of some very sexy shifter men. In this book we meet two of these very hot puma shifters, first - Raphael - (a Pantera diplomat) who is dedicated to finding the reason behind the infertility which is leading the puma shifters to extinction. - and Parish - leader of the Pantera Hunters, he rarely leaves his homeland and prefers his life in the solitary caves of the Wildlands. These two men will be led on a journey which might save the lives of the Pantera shifters from those who would kill them and find their (very lucky in my opinion :D ) human mates.
Join Raphael and Parish as they battle for both their people and women - with some smoking hot scenes that will leave you breathless (Parish *sigh*) - you'll be left begging for more of these sexy, alpha shifters!
I'm so glad these two brilliant authors got together to create this new world for us and I can't wait to read more from them :)
In a brand new series, they bring us to this secret and beautiful world in the Bayou - the Pantera's Wildlands - a place kept secret from human eyes and the home of some very sexy shifter men. In this book we meet two of these very hot puma shifters, first - Raphael - (a Pantera diplomat) who is dedicated to finding the reason behind the infertility which is leading the puma shifters to extinction. - and Parish - leader of the Pantera Hunters, he rarely leaves his homeland and prefers his life in the solitary caves of the Wildlands. These two men will be led on a journey which might save the lives of the Pantera shifters from those who would kill them and find their (very lucky in my opinion :D ) human mates.
Join Raphael and Parish as they battle for both their people and women - with some smoking hot scenes that will leave you breathless (Parish *sigh*) - you'll be left begging for more of these sexy, alpha shifters!
I'm so glad these two brilliant authors got together to create this new world for us and I can't wait to read more from them :)
October 10, 2018
Finished Raphael today, August 24. It introduced the Pantera world. Quick, hot fantasy 3.5* (only because it's under 100 pages. looks like the world building and plot arc will unfold throughout the series).
Edit to add second story 8/25/18
I was right, Laura Wright's story Parish picks up right behind Raphael and continues the Pantera world and sees the plot deepening. Well it's not yet a very deep plot, because all the smexy mate heat times you understand. But there is a nice and juicy cliff that is a big enuf hook to keep me reading the next duology. 4*
Read in Bayou Heat Collection One (Bayou Heat, #1-6)
Edit to add second story 8/25/18
I was right, Laura Wright's story Parish picks up right behind Raphael and continues the Pantera world and sees the plot deepening. Well it's not yet a very deep plot, because all the smexy mate heat times you understand. But there is a nice and juicy cliff that is a big enuf hook to keep me reading the next duology. 4*
Read in Bayou Heat Collection One (Bayou Heat, #1-6)
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