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Divination Fall Trilogy #2
Beast in Me
Beast in Me by Sommer Marsden - Book Two in the Divination Falls trilogy Weather worker Cameron Bale rolls into Divination Falls after being prompted by Spirit and Brother Lighting. He discovers that the small, hidden town full of shifters and magical types is suffering a series of unsettling events. There's speculation from the town seers that he could be the answer they've been looking for. Cameron's willing to try and help: he's got nowhere to go and nothing to lose. His life is simply about loneliness and it turns out that Trace, a grumpy wolf with stunning eyes, knows just what that feels like. Cam finds himself wishing maybe they could be alone ... together. Oh yeah, and battle whatever evil it is that still lurks in Divination Falls.
156 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2013
6 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Sommer Marsden
267 books281 followersProfessional dirty word writer, gluten free baker, sock addict, fat wiener dog walker, expert procrastinator. That sums it up.
Sommer Marsden has been called “…one of the top storytellers in the erotica genre” (Violet Blue), “Unapologetic” (Alison Tyler), “…the whirling dervish of erotica” (Craig J. Sorensen),and "Erotica royalty..." (Lucy Felthouse). Her erotic novels include Restricted Release, Restless Spirit, Boys Next Door, and the Zombie Exterminator series. Sommer currently writes for Harper Collins Mischief, Ellora's Cave, Xcite Books, Pretty Things Press, Excessica and Resplendence Publishing.
You can find Sommer's short works in well over one hundred and twenty-five (and counting) erotic anthologies.Visit her at Unapologetic Fiction http://sommermarsden.blogspot.com
Sommer Marsden has been called “…one of the top storytellers in the erotica genre” (Violet Blue), “Unapologetic” (Alison Tyler), “…the whirling dervish of erotica” (Craig J. Sorensen),and "Erotica royalty..." (Lucy Felthouse). Her erotic novels include Restricted Release, Restless Spirit, Boys Next Door, and the Zombie Exterminator series. Sommer currently writes for Harper Collins Mischief, Ellora's Cave, Xcite Books, Pretty Things Press, Excessica and Resplendence Publishing.
You can find Sommer's short works in well over one hundred and twenty-five (and counting) erotic anthologies.Visit her at Unapologetic Fiction http://sommermarsden.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 3, 2015
Keeping in mind that by GR standards a 2 star means a book is OK.
While this wasn't a horrible book, it wasn't all that great either. I'm really glad that I got it for free. It certainly wasn't as good as book one. I think the best way to describe it is clumsy and abrupt. The writing is clunky, with pretentious descriptions of emotions substituting for solid, believable emotional developments.
What I mean is that Mrs. Marsden uses heavily evocative language to create artificially poignant responses in the reader. I call it artificial because the plot didn't allow for the characters to develop the feelings the reader is told they suddenly have for one another. But contradictorily, we're hit with some lovely imagery that if placed within a more thoroughly and patiently established story could have made for a gripping read.
This is a serious case insta-lust, moving to instant 'I want to support and heal him' as step one of insta-love. It's that second one that really drives me crazy. Insta-lust I can handle. Insta-love I don't like, but I've learned to accept. (They're shifters after all.) But the whole idea of instantly knowing, trusting, and seeking to meaningfully support another is just too much for me and my distaste for sappy hearts and flowers in general. It's wholly unsupportable in a plot.
Seriously, this instant connection between the two starts before the two men have even seen eachother's faces. It's so abrupt that that the book just feels like a listing of emotions, events and sexual positions with no real story attached.
What's more, the weak attempt to provide a mystery as a plot was essentially a failure. Seeing Cameron go around and listen to everyone's stories, when the information could have just been recapped for him, felt like filler. Then he suddenly and almost miraculously knew what to do, with no evidence of an impetuous to his sudden insight. Isn't that convenient for him?
Add to that so much sex that it actually started to feel redundant and I'm bound to lose interest. (And for the record, I love me some smexy yum-yum. But too much is too much.)
Lastly, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but the whole thing kind of had a bit of a YA feel to it. Cameron went around and met a variety of different shifter and a lot of time (that the book really couldn't afford to dedicate to such distractions) was spent describing them and their quirks. It gave the whole thing a bit of a Hogwarts/Harry Potter-like feel. By which I mean a 'lets go see some strange and marvellous mythological creatures just for the amazement factor.' It didn't contribute anything to the story and IMO detracted from the already lagging attempt at a plot.
Additionally, Cameron's tendency to just say anything with no filter and to space out easily and repeatedly, gave him a childlike quality. When paired with the litany of fairytale beasts I'm reminded of young adult (or even middle grade) literature...except for the sex, of course. Lots and lots of sex. It wasn't a successful combination for me.
Final thought...Ms. Marsen can write. She proved that more book one of the series than here, but she's proven it. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm a huge fan of what she writes, or rather the relationships she chooses to create. (This is another completely inflexible top/bottom, dominant/submissive pairing, for example.)To each their own, of course, but it's not topping any of my favourites lists.
While this wasn't a horrible book, it wasn't all that great either. I'm really glad that I got it for free. It certainly wasn't as good as book one. I think the best way to describe it is clumsy and abrupt. The writing is clunky, with pretentious descriptions of emotions substituting for solid, believable emotional developments.
What I mean is that Mrs. Marsden uses heavily evocative language to create artificially poignant responses in the reader. I call it artificial because the plot didn't allow for the characters to develop the feelings the reader is told they suddenly have for one another. But contradictorily, we're hit with some lovely imagery that if placed within a more thoroughly and patiently established story could have made for a gripping read.
This is a serious case insta-lust, moving to instant 'I want to support and heal him' as step one of insta-love. It's that second one that really drives me crazy. Insta-lust I can handle. Insta-love I don't like, but I've learned to accept. (They're shifters after all.) But the whole idea of instantly knowing, trusting, and seeking to meaningfully support another is just too much for me and my distaste for sappy hearts and flowers in general. It's wholly unsupportable in a plot.
Seriously, this instant connection between the two starts before the two men have even seen eachother's faces. It's so abrupt that that the book just feels like a listing of emotions, events and sexual positions with no real story attached.
What's more, the weak attempt to provide a mystery as a plot was essentially a failure. Seeing Cameron go around and listen to everyone's stories, when the information could have just been recapped for him, felt like filler. Then he suddenly and almost miraculously knew what to do, with no evidence of an impetuous to his sudden insight. Isn't that convenient for him?
Add to that so much sex that it actually started to feel redundant and I'm bound to lose interest. (And for the record, I love me some smexy yum-yum. But too much is too much.)
Lastly, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but the whole thing kind of had a bit of a YA feel to it. Cameron went around and met a variety of different shifter and a lot of time (that the book really couldn't afford to dedicate to such distractions) was spent describing them and their quirks. It gave the whole thing a bit of a Hogwarts/Harry Potter-like feel. By which I mean a 'lets go see some strange and marvellous mythological creatures just for the amazement factor.' It didn't contribute anything to the story and IMO detracted from the already lagging attempt at a plot.
Additionally, Cameron's tendency to just say anything with no filter and to space out easily and repeatedly, gave him a childlike quality. When paired with the litany of fairytale beasts I'm reminded of young adult (or even middle grade) literature...except for the sex, of course. Lots and lots of sex. It wasn't a successful combination for me.
Final thought...Ms. Marsen can write. She proved that more book one of the series than here, but she's proven it. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm a huge fan of what she writes, or rather the relationships she chooses to create. (This is another completely inflexible top/bottom, dominant/submissive pairing, for example.)To each their own, of course, but it's not topping any of my favourites lists.
April 2, 2013
After reading the enjoyable "Lion Hearted", I must declare myself disappointed with this second instalment in this loosely connected M/M fantasy series.
The ideas are there and are good, characters are potentially likeable but writing is painfully disjointed. Paragraphs do not flow into the next, every transition is rough.
Narrative tension is fleeting if not entirely absent, feelings are clumsily overdescribed, the love between the leads is unconvincing.
A thorough revision might be in order.
The ideas are there and are good, characters are potentially likeable but writing is painfully disjointed. Paragraphs do not flow into the next, every transition is rough.
Narrative tension is fleeting if not entirely absent, feelings are clumsily overdescribed, the love between the leads is unconvincing.
A thorough revision might be in order.
September 4, 2019
Quite good. Hit all my fav sweet spots in shifter stories - peaceful, shifter and paranormal friendly small town, m/m and het romance, some suspense. All good stuff. Made me want to read more of this series.
Freebie from author.
Freebie from author.
July 17, 2013
Sommer Marsden is quickly becoming not only one of my go to authors, but one that I actually anticipate her new releases. Beast In Me, the second installment in her Divination Falls Trilogy, is a prime reason why. While I supposed you could read this as a stand-alone story, my OCD mind is screaming that you’ll find it so much more entertaining if you start with the previous book. Sure it's a paranormal tale with some of the hottest sex I've read in a long time, but it's also a love story between two lonely men that through no fault of their own have braved circumstances that might have done in a weaker person.
Beast opens with Cameron running for all he's worth while being herded along by jolts sent by "Brother Lightning", ending up literally in Tryg and Luke's backyard and interrupting an intimate moment between the two. After some suspicion on the part of Tryg, they recognize that he’s been called to their town to battle the evil we saw manifest itself in the first installment of the series. Cam is given a place to stay at the rectory with the local priest (who also happens to be a jackal) and encounters the most stunning and compelling man he’s ever come across. One that makes him miss being able to have a relationship without the fear of shocking his partner – literally.
Trace is more than attracted to Cam, but has secrets of his own that make him continuously try to keep Cam at arms’ length. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that I was alternately fanning myself and reaching for the tissues. These two had baggage that no matter how out of the ordinary they might have seemed, really tore at my heart. They were lonely, and while they’d seemed to accept it in some fashion as the “way it is”, it didn’t stop them from trying to work it through anyway.
I think that’s what I like most about Ms. Marsden – she has an innate ability to take the most out of the norm situations and make you suspend your belief without you even being aware of it. I instantly felt connected to Cam and Trace; I rooted for them to open up to one another and even wanted to smack them upside the head when the pair was being stubborn. I absolutely loved Beast in Me by Sommer Marsden and I can’t wait for the third installment of the Divination Falls series!
Beast opens with Cameron running for all he's worth while being herded along by jolts sent by "Brother Lightning", ending up literally in Tryg and Luke's backyard and interrupting an intimate moment between the two. After some suspicion on the part of Tryg, they recognize that he’s been called to their town to battle the evil we saw manifest itself in the first installment of the series. Cam is given a place to stay at the rectory with the local priest (who also happens to be a jackal) and encounters the most stunning and compelling man he’s ever come across. One that makes him miss being able to have a relationship without the fear of shocking his partner – literally.
Trace is more than attracted to Cam, but has secrets of his own that make him continuously try to keep Cam at arms’ length. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that I was alternately fanning myself and reaching for the tissues. These two had baggage that no matter how out of the ordinary they might have seemed, really tore at my heart. They were lonely, and while they’d seemed to accept it in some fashion as the “way it is”, it didn’t stop them from trying to work it through anyway.
I think that’s what I like most about Ms. Marsden – she has an innate ability to take the most out of the norm situations and make you suspend your belief without you even being aware of it. I instantly felt connected to Cam and Trace; I rooted for them to open up to one another and even wanted to smack them upside the head when the pair was being stubborn. I absolutely loved Beast in Me by Sommer Marsden and I can’t wait for the third installment of the Divination Falls series!
November 14, 2014
2* - as stated by GR 'It was OK'.
I had not read the first book in the series, so was starting on the back foot in terms of scene setting and back story - would suggest reading in order. Also fantasy, mythical stories are not my favourite genre so I have to work to keep things straight in my head, though this wasn't actually too far from reality. (I think I may have picked this up as an Amazon free read)
Having said this, I did think the story plot was a good one though the book went a bit up and down between the action and then the hot and heavy scenes between Cam and Trace, but not quite tight enough to keep me fully engaged.
I had not read the first book in the series, so was starting on the back foot in terms of scene setting and back story - would suggest reading in order. Also fantasy, mythical stories are not my favourite genre so I have to work to keep things straight in my head, though this wasn't actually too far from reality. (I think I may have picked this up as an Amazon free read)
Having said this, I did think the story plot was a good one though the book went a bit up and down between the action and then the hot and heavy scenes between Cam and Trace, but not quite tight enough to keep me fully engaged.
June 25, 2013
This was a good second book in the trilogy but it could have done with a sharper look at the editing. The transition from one scene to another were not marked so that occasionally I was left thinking "WHAT!" before realising that the scene had changed. Apart from that the concept was good and the execution was fair but a little bit too short on tension. At least the romance between Cameron and Trace was good and the sex scenes were hot.
July 21, 2014
Beast like me..
In some ways I enjoyed this one more than the first one. A few parts seemed a bit rushed but I think that may have been needed to keep the story from being drawn out too much. I really liked that we got to see the MCs from the first book and got to see more of the Sheriff and Eliot. I wish we could have learned more about the MCs in this book though, their pasts were barely skimmed over.
I look forward to more books in this series.
In some ways I enjoyed this one more than the first one. A few parts seemed a bit rushed but I think that may have been needed to keep the story from being drawn out too much. I really liked that we got to see the MCs from the first book and got to see more of the Sheriff and Eliot. I wish we could have learned more about the MCs in this book though, their pasts were barely skimmed over.
I look forward to more books in this series.
April 21, 2013
Yummy.... Shifters, seers, weather workers, and more. Oh my! Seriously though. This book was right up my alley. I'm glad these are somewhat written as standalones. I now desperately want to read the first book in the series. I think I know what my next splurge is going to be on Amazon because if I enjoyed the second book in the series this much I can only imagine how much I'll love the first one.
October 29, 2014
Enjoyed it, but not quite as much as the first one. Maybe the characters didn't draw me in as much? I think this book could have benefited from showing both MCs pov. Trace seemed deep but at the same time flat and I think getting to see his side of things too would have fixed that. Still a fun read.
July 28, 2013
This is my first book from this author. It was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed reading thos book and the wonderful characters in it. I didn't understand everything going on, because I did not read the first book in this series, my fault. I will get to that as soon as possible.
This was a kindle freebie.
This was a kindle freebie.
April 21, 2013
I hate to say it, especially after thoroughly enjoying the first book, but this one bored the hell out of me. The writing is not on par with the first book and I felt no connection with either MC individually or together as a couple.
June 5, 2014
Very good. Short & Sweet yet kept the plot moving. Good use of the characters from the 1st book as well. I hate when so called "series" immediately ditch the characters from preceeding books. Why spend all that time making them so 'real' just to never hear from them again?
July 16, 2014
I'm really looking forward the the final book! Very much enjoying this series!
April 26, 2013
Read it out of order.
But I liked the book, so I need to find the rest of the series
But I liked the book, so I need to find the rest of the series
owned-to-read
January 1, 2014*free on ARE
March 13, 2016
Review to come
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews