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Blood of the Pride #2
Claws Bared
Book two of Blood of the Pride
Rebecca Desjardin, a P.I. and cat shifter, doesn't normally find herself in strip clubs. But a popular male dancer has been murdered in Pennsylvania, and it looks like the work of a shifter from the local Pride. Rebecca has a duty to help protect her kind—and she needs to find justice for the dead.
Her impromptu trip leaves her boyfriend, reporter Brandon Hanover, unhappy. He's only just come to terms with the fact that she's a Felis, and their relationship is still so new… Rebecca is determined to deal with the murder first, then deal with their future.
As her investigation unfolds, she's met with grudging cooperation and half-truths. Does the Pride want her to find justice, or help them hide a killer? Frustrated and unable to shake the sexy local shifter who says he's on her side, Rebecca can't seem to scratch out the truth—at least, not on her own. But when Brandon shows up, is he there to help or to mark his territory?
Rebecca Desjardin, a P.I. and cat shifter, doesn't normally find herself in strip clubs. But a popular male dancer has been murdered in Pennsylvania, and it looks like the work of a shifter from the local Pride. Rebecca has a duty to help protect her kind—and she needs to find justice for the dead.
Her impromptu trip leaves her boyfriend, reporter Brandon Hanover, unhappy. He's only just come to terms with the fact that she's a Felis, and their relationship is still so new… Rebecca is determined to deal with the murder first, then deal with their future.
As her investigation unfolds, she's met with grudging cooperation and half-truths. Does the Pride want her to find justice, or help them hide a killer? Frustrated and unable to shake the sexy local shifter who says he's on her side, Rebecca can't seem to scratch out the truth—at least, not on her own. But when Brandon shows up, is he there to help or to mark his territory?
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2013
3 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Sheryl Nantus
60 books369 followersSheryl Nantus is an award-winning romance writer published by Entangled, St. Martin's, and Harlequin's Carina Press.
When she's not writing about hunky heroes, she is sipping tea, playing board games and writing haiku.
A total fangirl at heart, she met her husband through an online fanfiction community and currently lives in Pennsylvania.
When she's not writing about hunky heroes, she is sipping tea, playing board games and writing haiku.
A total fangirl at heart, she met her husband through an online fanfiction community and currently lives in Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 25, 2012
Rebecca Desjardin was pushed out of her pride and placed in foster care at a young age. Now that she is an adult she has made a life for herself as a PI. It seems the pride now wants to pull her back in. They’ve called on her once again to help with a murder investigation.
Reb has her first boyfriend, Brandon Hanover. He’s unhappy with the fact that Felis, who have cast her out, keep calling upon her now. Brandon wants a commitment from Reb but she wants to solve this murder first. She is unsure how she feels about having someone full time in her life, since she’s never had anyone to lean on before.
As the truth behind the murder is uncovered, Reb discovers that maybe the pride truly didn’t want it revealed. She hits road blocks at every turn. Brandon shows up unexpectedly and the tension in their relationship accelerates because a handsome, single, pride member also has his eye on Reb.
I enjoyed Claws Beared. It was a fast paced, action adventure with a pretty good mystery that kept me invested until the end. I haven’t read the first book in this series so I was unfamiliar with past characters and their interaction with Reb, but for the most part I was able to pick up enough that it didn’t effect this storyline. This is a shifter series that I will definitely be following. 4 Stars
This ARC copy of Claws Bared was given to me by Netgalley and Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date January 21, 2013.
Reb has her first boyfriend, Brandon Hanover. He’s unhappy with the fact that Felis, who have cast her out, keep calling upon her now. Brandon wants a commitment from Reb but she wants to solve this murder first. She is unsure how she feels about having someone full time in her life, since she’s never had anyone to lean on before.
As the truth behind the murder is uncovered, Reb discovers that maybe the pride truly didn’t want it revealed. She hits road blocks at every turn. Brandon shows up unexpectedly and the tension in their relationship accelerates because a handsome, single, pride member also has his eye on Reb.
I enjoyed Claws Beared. It was a fast paced, action adventure with a pretty good mystery that kept me invested until the end. I haven’t read the first book in this series so I was unfamiliar with past characters and their interaction with Reb, but for the most part I was able to pick up enough that it didn’t effect this storyline. This is a shifter series that I will definitely be following. 4 Stars
This ARC copy of Claws Bared was given to me by Netgalley and Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date January 21, 2013.
August 29, 2017
Another great whodunit framed by secret shifter society worldbuilding, two lovers struggling to make sense of it all
"Whodunit" fans will be left slapping their foreheads like a V-8 TV commercial from bygone days when the murderer--and the murder weapon--come to light. But that's not why I enjoyed this book.
Like the first book, this was another study into the lives of a woman and her man dealing with what life has thrown at them. Reb is Felis, but given she's only shifted once in her adult life (and then under duress) begs the question--is she *really*? That comes to the fore early on as she has to deal with a Pride from another city, another state, another country, another culture. As she struggles her way through the thorny questions Bran must come to terms with what he is to her. What *they* are to one another, as a couple, and what they're not and likely never will be. Though neither of them will ever stand accused of being shrinking violets, that's for sure.
Finally, romance fans will surely swoon at Bran becoming so delightfully alpha toward the end of the book. While his doing so navigates treacherous waters between what it means to be human and what it means to be Felis, he goes boldly forward believing doing necessary for him and Reb both. Though each of them seem eminently pleased with the, uhm...outcome.
"Whodunit" fans will be left slapping their foreheads like a V-8 TV commercial from bygone days when the murderer--and the murder weapon--come to light. But that's not why I enjoyed this book.
Like the first book, this was another study into the lives of a woman and her man dealing with what life has thrown at them. Reb is Felis, but given she's only shifted once in her adult life (and then under duress) begs the question--is she *really*? That comes to the fore early on as she has to deal with a Pride from another city, another state, another country, another culture. As she struggles her way through the thorny questions Bran must come to terms with what he is to her. What *they* are to one another, as a couple, and what they're not and likely never will be. Though neither of them will ever stand accused of being shrinking violets, that's for sure.
Finally, romance fans will surely swoon at Bran becoming so delightfully alpha toward the end of the book. While his doing so navigates treacherous waters between what it means to be human and what it means to be Felis, he goes boldly forward believing doing necessary for him and Reb both. Though each of them seem eminently pleased with the, uhm...outcome.
August 7, 2017
Like the first, a good reading, enjoyable and with a good plot.
Funny.
Funny.
January 19, 2013
File Size: 415 KB
Print Length: 186 pages
Publisher: Carina Press (January 21, 2013)
Book two of Blood of the Pride
The debut novel, Blood of the Pride, was published last year. I recommend that you do read it before tackling this book. The back-story it will give you will make things so much clearer for you. I had read and reviewed it and thought that it was a good start to a new series. Now that I have read the next book in the series, I know it was a good debut and it is a good series. This second book is nearly as strong as the debut novel. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it has a few things that make it not quite perfect, but I think this series is on the right track.
In this second novel, cat shifter (and not a lion or tiger mind you!) Rebecca Desjardin a shifter who is unable to shift at will, (read the first novel for a clearer explanation) and is also a PI in Toronto Canada, has been asked to come to America to investigate a murder. The thinking is that this murder has been committed by one of the communities many shifters and may have been a lovers’ quarrel.
Bran, Rebecca’s new human lover whom we met in the first novel, is a bit concerned when Rebecca needs to head off and is quite unhappy. They had just entered this new relationship and Bran is just starting to come to terms with the fact that Rebecca is a ‘shifter’. Now Bran wants to, as the synopsis says, “mark his territory”.
The story is good with an interesting mystery and a red herring that may really throw you off of the correct track.. It is medium paced and at less than 200 pages, it is a fairly fast read. The characters for the most part, are very well written. What I do see as a problem is that Bran and Rebecca have some, shall we say, quirks that are nearly enough to almost make me give up on this book. Bran is almost always winking, waggling his finger in someone’s face or giving huge grins. He is very nearly written as a clown would be. Rebecca on the other hand, can come off as a *itch instead of the tough as nails PI that the author wants us to think of when reading this book. They both can sometimes be super childish.
Print Length: 186 pages
Publisher: Carina Press (January 21, 2013)
Book two of Blood of the Pride
The debut novel, Blood of the Pride, was published last year. I recommend that you do read it before tackling this book. The back-story it will give you will make things so much clearer for you. I had read and reviewed it and thought that it was a good start to a new series. Now that I have read the next book in the series, I know it was a good debut and it is a good series. This second book is nearly as strong as the debut novel. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it has a few things that make it not quite perfect, but I think this series is on the right track.
In this second novel, cat shifter (and not a lion or tiger mind you!) Rebecca Desjardin a shifter who is unable to shift at will, (read the first novel for a clearer explanation) and is also a PI in Toronto Canada, has been asked to come to America to investigate a murder. The thinking is that this murder has been committed by one of the communities many shifters and may have been a lovers’ quarrel.
Bran, Rebecca’s new human lover whom we met in the first novel, is a bit concerned when Rebecca needs to head off and is quite unhappy. They had just entered this new relationship and Bran is just starting to come to terms with the fact that Rebecca is a ‘shifter’. Now Bran wants to, as the synopsis says, “mark his territory”.
The story is good with an interesting mystery and a red herring that may really throw you off of the correct track.. It is medium paced and at less than 200 pages, it is a fairly fast read. The characters for the most part, are very well written. What I do see as a problem is that Bran and Rebecca have some, shall we say, quirks that are nearly enough to almost make me give up on this book. Bran is almost always winking, waggling his finger in someone’s face or giving huge grins. He is very nearly written as a clown would be. Rebecca on the other hand, can come off as a *itch instead of the tough as nails PI that the author wants us to think of when reading this book. They both can sometimes be super childish.
March 16, 2018
A good mystery I didn't guess, but w/messy relationship stuff.
Should be rounded up to 4 on Amazon, though down to 3 on Goodreads: I did like it; just with reservations.
I found the solution to the male stripper's death to be cleverly unexpected, and the challenges of investigating despite barricades of Pride secrecy believable, but I could've done with a bit less male posturing and possessiveness. I especially would've preferred the heroine not to have been briefly (but repeatedly) tempted by the seductive advances of a local shifter, even if his dismissiveness re. humans bothered her. Was a triangle really necessary, given that it's danger and determined courage which finally cement her relationship with Brandon by the end?
EDIT: I'd forgotten to put my evaluation of the proofreading. Unfortunately, this one had more than a handful of iffy or wrong bits, though generally minor. There's an untagged dialog exchange where I think she messed up the quotation marks, because I can't figure out to whom one line belongs. There's a hyper-correction error: "myself" is NOT just a fancy way to say "I". One sentence has inconsistent single vs. plural ("girlfriend or mates"), and another inconsistently transliterates an accent (/TH/ to "d'an dat" — ridiculous, one right after the other!). Speaking of accents, Ms. Nantus, "the right way" to say Desjardin (from "des jardins") is /day-ZHar-dan/; softer (unvoiced) /shar/ would be spelled w/"ch" as in chardonnay or cherie; if you're going to make a point of it, do it well! There are a couple more things I marked ("to chat to with fellows"??), but I'll stop with the odd choice to have a minor character named Mike, in the same sentence as talk of the dead man, also named Mike; at the first occurrence, I thought it was the wrong name written.
Should be rounded up to 4 on Amazon, though down to 3 on Goodreads: I did like it; just with reservations.
I found the solution to the male stripper's death to be cleverly unexpected, and the challenges of investigating despite barricades of Pride secrecy believable, but I could've done with a bit less male posturing and possessiveness. I especially would've preferred the heroine not to have been briefly (but repeatedly) tempted by the seductive advances of a local shifter, even if his dismissiveness re. humans bothered her. Was a triangle really necessary, given that it's danger and determined courage which finally cement her relationship with Brandon by the end?
EDIT: I'd forgotten to put my evaluation of the proofreading. Unfortunately, this one had more than a handful of iffy or wrong bits, though generally minor. There's an untagged dialog exchange where I think she messed up the quotation marks, because I can't figure out to whom one line belongs. There's a hyper-correction error: "myself" is NOT just a fancy way to say "I". One sentence has inconsistent single vs. plural ("girlfriend or mates"), and another inconsistently transliterates an accent (/TH/ to "d'an dat" — ridiculous, one right after the other!). Speaking of accents, Ms. Nantus, "the right way" to say Desjardin (from "des jardins") is /day-ZHar-dan/; softer (unvoiced) /shar/ would be spelled w/"ch" as in chardonnay or cherie; if you're going to make a point of it, do it well! There are a couple more things I marked ("to chat to with fellows"??), but I'll stop with the odd choice to have a minor character named Mike, in the same sentence as talk of the dead man, also named Mike; at the first occurrence, I thought it was the wrong name written.
January 28, 2013
This review was written by Amber Hansford, reviewer with the Fantasy Book Addict!
Had I known when I picked up this book from NetGalley that this was Book 2 in a series, I probably would have passed it by. I’ve been burned with being thrown straight into a world that was explained in the first book that aren’t identified in the second. So I was pleasantly surprised by Claws Bared by Sheryl Nantus, Book 2 in her Blood of the Pride series in that it didn’t really confuse me. I’m sure there are many moments that would have been better for me to read with the first book, but if you’re looking for a solid shifter story, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Rebecca Desjardin, a P.I. and cat shifter, doesn’t normally find herself in strip clubs. But a popular male dancer has been murdered in Pennsylvania, and it looks like the work of a shifter from the local Pride. Rebecca has a duty to help protect her kind—and she needs to find justice for the dead.
Her impromptu trip leaves her boyfriend, reporter Brandon Hanover, unhappy. He’s only just come to terms with the fact that she’s a Felis, and their relationship is still so new… Rebecca is determined to deal with the murder first, then deal with their future.
You can read the full review here: http://www.fantasybookaddict.com/2013...
Had I known when I picked up this book from NetGalley that this was Book 2 in a series, I probably would have passed it by. I’ve been burned with being thrown straight into a world that was explained in the first book that aren’t identified in the second. So I was pleasantly surprised by Claws Bared by Sheryl Nantus, Book 2 in her Blood of the Pride series in that it didn’t really confuse me. I’m sure there are many moments that would have been better for me to read with the first book, but if you’re looking for a solid shifter story, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Rebecca Desjardin, a P.I. and cat shifter, doesn’t normally find herself in strip clubs. But a popular male dancer has been murdered in Pennsylvania, and it looks like the work of a shifter from the local Pride. Rebecca has a duty to help protect her kind—and she needs to find justice for the dead.
Her impromptu trip leaves her boyfriend, reporter Brandon Hanover, unhappy. He’s only just come to terms with the fact that she’s a Felis, and their relationship is still so new… Rebecca is determined to deal with the murder first, then deal with their future.
You can read the full review here: http://www.fantasybookaddict.com/2013...
January 20, 2013
Claws Bared was a really good read, that kept me guessing till the end. I loved the romance between Rebecca and Brandon, especially after he meets up with her to lend a hand in her investigation. The pacing was good and I really enjoyed the ending.
My only real problem with the book is mostly my fault, since I haven't read the first book. With Rebecca going on the case at the very beginning I didn't feel very attached to Brandon throughout the first part of the book, and if I'd read the first book I think I would have felt differently about him. By the end it didn't matter too much because I grew to love him. I'd recommend reading the first book, Blood of the Pride, first, to get the full effect.
Overall really good read. Loved the mystery and figuring out who the murderer was, the author did an excellent job of keeping me wondering. I'd love to go back and read the first book because I feel like I've missed out on another good story! I'd recommend it, especially if you like a good mystery and enjoy a good shifter PNR.
***Review Copy provided by the Publisher for my Honest Review***
My only real problem with the book is mostly my fault, since I haven't read the first book. With Rebecca going on the case at the very beginning I didn't feel very attached to Brandon throughout the first part of the book, and if I'd read the first book I think I would have felt differently about him. By the end it didn't matter too much because I grew to love him. I'd recommend reading the first book, Blood of the Pride, first, to get the full effect.
Overall really good read. Loved the mystery and figuring out who the murderer was, the author did an excellent job of keeping me wondering. I'd love to go back and read the first book because I feel like I've missed out on another good story! I'd recommend it, especially if you like a good mystery and enjoy a good shifter PNR.
***Review Copy provided by the Publisher for my Honest Review***
December 23, 2012
I wish a did a decent job of describing a story. But I don't. Synopsis (synopses??) are not my strong point. Thank gawd publishers provide that here.
I haven't read the first book in the series so I came in without knowing a blessed thing about this world. And you know what? I had no questions (well aside from wanting to see how Reb & Bran hooked up...) because the author gave me such an incredible world. I will be hunting for the first book and impatiently prowling as I wait for the third because oooooh what little teases the author wove in. What ifs...delicious.
There was no cliff hanging ending (thank you!) though the mystery wasn't much of one to me. Nailed it when I met the character. And the cover doesn't really do the story justice.
Claws Bared is the kind of book that makes me shake my fist at no 1/2 stars (yes...I say this a lot but it's true) because this is a 3 rating doesn't quite do this story justice.
ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley
I haven't read the first book in the series so I came in without knowing a blessed thing about this world. And you know what? I had no questions (well aside from wanting to see how Reb & Bran hooked up...) because the author gave me such an incredible world. I will be hunting for the first book and impatiently prowling as I wait for the third because oooooh what little teases the author wove in. What ifs...delicious.
There was no cliff hanging ending (thank you!) though the mystery wasn't much of one to me. Nailed it when I met the character. And the cover doesn't really do the story justice.
Claws Bared is the kind of book that makes me shake my fist at no 1/2 stars (yes...I say this a lot but it's true) because this is a 3 rating doesn't quite do this story justice.
ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley
January 5, 2013
I was excited when I saw this one pop up on Netgalley. Having read the first one in this series I was ready to jump back in with the world of Felis. This book picks up a short time after the first one. Reb and Brandon are trying to make a human/shifter relationship work even though Reb isn't sure to what end. Of course life wouldn't be complete if this dysfunctional cat shifter didn't have some crazy case. This time she is enlisted to travel to the US and hunt down a Felis who has murdered a human.
As always nothing is as it seems in this world of secrets and coverups and Reb is tested both physically and mentally by the new "family" she is trying to help.
I found this second book to be just as good as the first. Its always interesting to read about shifters that are not wolves. Nantus has built an interesting world with its own set of rules and an even more interesting cast of characters. This was a fun read with an interesting mystery. I was glad to ad it to my read pile.
As always nothing is as it seems in this world of secrets and coverups and Reb is tested both physically and mentally by the new "family" she is trying to help.
I found this second book to be just as good as the first. Its always interesting to read about shifters that are not wolves. Nantus has built an interesting world with its own set of rules and an even more interesting cast of characters. This was a fun read with an interesting mystery. I was glad to ad it to my read pile.
January 31, 2013
I liked and didn't like this book. The story-line was interesting but little else was. There wasn't enough information for me to connect to the characters or the situations they were put in, to form an opinion on them. I also wasn't a fan of the writing style.
This series has tons of potential though and I will keep an eye on it.
This series has tons of potential though and I will keep an eye on it.
January 28, 2013
Book two, urban fantasy. Rebecca is an outcast Felis who can't shift. When she's called out of town to solve a murder, she quickly finds herself in murky water with a large Felis clan that has permeated both the police and town council. A good mystery, but it was the developments in Rebecca and Bran's relationship that I really enjoyed.
October 23, 2014
Another book one through Groodreads.
Much like the first book, Claws Bared is an enjoyable, though not remarkable book of the urban-fantasy genre. No big revelations in the world were made over what the first book created, which is a good case of "if it's not broke, don't fix it." I will continue on with the third and fourth book soon.
Much like the first book, Claws Bared is an enjoyable, though not remarkable book of the urban-fantasy genre. No big revelations in the world were made over what the first book created, which is a good case of "if it's not broke, don't fix it." I will continue on with the third and fourth book soon.
November 23, 2013
Enjoyed this brook as much as the first. Reb's tough girl attitude is refreshing whether it's to support what she believes in or to put the men in her life in check. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
March 20, 2013
~* 3.5 Stars *~
Review Pending.
Review Pending.
June 5, 2013
Plot was weak
December 8, 2023
I liked the romance and suspense in the book.
Loved the romance between the mates!!
Enjoyed this book!
Loved the romance between the mates!!
Enjoyed this book!
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December 29, 2014Miniseries: Blood of the Pride
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews