Sebastian Seb Russo is forced to take a commercial flight to his next assignment since the Vampire Council doesn’t have any planes available. His leaders have charged him with assisting the alpha of the wolf shifters in Stone Ridge, Colorado with communications between paranormals and the human government. Except, the one thing that would delay him happens…he discovers his beloved, his soul mate, on that plane. Now, Seb finds himself in Las Vegas, trailing the human Dirk Lemans. His attempts to woo the human are successful, until he makes one too many verbal slips, and he discovers a powerful truth. Dirk thinks Seb is a shifter…and not too long ago, shifters held him captive. Can Seb convince Dirk that not all paranormals are the same?
While I personally think this series is starting to lose some of it's... Appeal? Edge?... Sorry cant think of the right word, anyway... I'm continuing to read this series purely because I'm stubborn and wont give a series up, but a few of the more recent books just haven't been as good as the first few in the series. This one isnt too bad, better than some of the others that's for sure, but I'm just wondering whats going to happen in the future of this series as it seems to have hit a sort of standstill after getting rid of the scientists, at least for now anyway.
All right. I pretty much liked this. It wasn’t perfect but I’d count it among the better ones in the series. Either that or it’s simply that this specific story hit one of my preferences.
So while I was not a huge fan of Seb to begin with, the way Dirk clearly needed comfort and bolstering made him appealing to me. Of course I might have liked it if Dirk had stood up a little more for himself as the story went on – instead of turning into Seb’s beloved snuggle-pet. But it still worked for this story.
Seb’s constant crooning was a bit much. I suppose it’s meant to be his thing, of his defining traits, but this is just such a specific word. It doesn’t seem to fit more than half the times it is used. If he really does croon all that, I am left with a truly strange impression of him.
Okay here’s something else that puzzles me. Seb’s eyes go red sometimes. At one point it is just a hint that looks to Dirk like allergies. So I think, “Oh, so it’s the skin around his eyes that reddens. Or maybe possibly the whites.” But later on his eyes go completely red and eventually the red recedes from the pupils to show blue again. Um. First, the pupils are not blue, that would be the iris. And does this mean only the colour in that area changed? Or where his eyes (eyeballs and irises and pupils) covered by blood? I just want to know how to visualize it, please. <3
Also, Deke? You’re cute and all but is kind of… insensitive at the very least. This is not the solution to traumatic experience – except in books that feature the magical healing power of cock. Which is kinda what happens, so… um. Nice job of working within the book’s version of reality, Deke?
The felt obligatory, not to mention highly improbable. As though a romance has to have mortal danger in it to be complete. Meh.
Now for the more formal aspects. This newest instalment of The Hunt For Homophones gives us faze for phase. It took me a few seconds to figure it out. ^^; Editing in general is a bit of a mess. Repetitions, wild comma growth, missing words. And stuff like this: “Frowning, Dirk frowned at Sebastian (…)” Yeah. That’s a little lacking.
And yet? I had my share of fun, at times enjoying it significantly more than you’d think reading this post.
I need an intervention. Seriously, I can not stop reading these books even though I end up grumping about certain aspects. I mean, it's not like I read vampire/shifter stories for the realism. I LIKE the mate/mine trope. The instant attraction and undeniability of the pairing in these kind of stories. But *I spoiler here so go away if you don't want to know what's going to happen*
Dirk was abducted and sexually and physically assaulted by a group of shifters. I can totally get he's freaking the fuck out about this new guy saying pretty much the same lines to him as kidnapping/rapist asshole did, but Seb ( the vampire who lurves him) breaks in to his room and explains it all, he's just all, oh yeah, I trust you, awesome, I am totally over that and let's get on with the sexing. *sigh* Then ( totally irrelevant, I know) how did all these other people/wolf shifters/ vampires etc manage to get rooms in the hotel a convention is being held at? LAST MINUTE. I know, I know, Mandy, let it go, but you know, it's in my brain the whole time. Then how many homophobes does a short book really need? How many people need to get threatening or muttering fag? I don't know, but I guess you need quite a few of them. ( not to forget the bimbo chicks hitting on hot vamp) I don't mind per-names too much but cutie got old really fast. Oh and did Dirk really refer to his abductor and rapist and abuser ( whiles he you know, trying to re-kidnapp him) as his EX??!' I know we all have ex's that were assholes, but referring to this guy as an ex? Well..NOT ok. He's not an ex, they met had dinner, 4 days later he's in a cage being passed around as a sex toy and beaten. Although that does make all my ex's look really good in comparison. Who knew? Just for those of you who are worried, all the abuse is in the past on only fleetingly referred to, since you know, all Dirk needed was the magical Vamp and his bites and dick to totally get over any of that trauma. *sigh* I'm grumpy and I shouldn't be. I know this is how these books sometimes are and yet I can't stop, because when there aren't stupid characters in them acting, you know, stupid. I LIKE the mate-mine-growl-sex. Rinse and repeat. Just for the pure brainless fluff of it, but then sometimes my brain won't take a hike like I want it too and I end up grumpy.
First read 12-22-13 Seb and Dirk. I really liked them, but I thought Dirk did a quick personality change. I am not sure I liked that. I mean, he's reclusive and really only talks to his BFF Deke, but yet
Much like Stormy Glenn, Charlie Richards infuses her stories with just enough intrigue and endearing romance to make it possible for to me overlook bad writing. Not great, but a pleasant way to pass the time if you're in the mood for some sappy m/m shifter fun. Be warned that Richards sucks at dirty talk. The sex scenes can be a little awkward at times.
Seb is Dobs’ friend and another vampire. On his way to Vegas he meets a very shy, very geeky Comicon attendee who happens to be his mate.
Unfortunately, Dirk was kidnapped by some unscrupulous Dingoes and is afraid of all things Paranormal.
Of course, with a little explanation, and some Beloved Pheremones, all things get resolved pretty quickly.
And… we now get introduced to another split off from the main pack – the dingo shifters who near rehabilitation – that we see in future stories. (We also meet Deke who will play a role in the future as well.)
I love me a good geek story and this was chock full of it!
I loved some things about this book - comic book geeks - and others, like the rape recovery, I did not enjoy at all. Still, I am liking this series and author is an auto-buy, so hoping next book will be more to my reading tastes.
An intriguing Stone Ridge story, where there is a vampire and human pairing that causes issues because of past experiences. Sebastian finds his beloved on a plane trip and stays in Vegas at the comicon to woo him. Dirk is a comic creator who is not great with social situations or large crowds and doesn't believe Seb could be interested in him, but decides to take the chance. The reveal that Seb is paranormal has Dirk running and we get to learn about a past experience. The two work well together and the action is intriguing. Good story.
Seb and Dirk were a good addition to this story line. It was nice that all of his Vampire Council friends made an appearance. If you've read this series, I highly recommend this book.
I have been binge reading this series, so maybe that is why this one stuck out as less fleshed out. There were some bits of the characters' nuances that were a bit confusing. Still love the series and am excited for the journey!
I once picked up a random book from the Stone Ridge universe, and I liked it. Now I’m going through the whole universe and completing the whole list on the author's website.
(trope spoilers below)
There is a lot of insta-love and soulmate/beloved stuff and I love it. In the background there is a continuous bigger plot and the series are all interconnected. Some books I like more than others, but in general it’s a great adventure, and I do not regret starting all those books at all.
I liked this book in particular because it was very Comic-Con-nerdy, and I love going to Comic Con.
If you'd like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
Sebastian Russo "Seb" while traveling on an airplane smells his Beloved during a regular flight. He walked the aisles from his first class seating even though he still finds flying commercial tedious and annoying. He found the gingerbread scent coming off of a geeky, shaggy red head, wearing baggy jeans, a band t-shirt, and worn sneakers. Dirk Lemans is on his way to a Comic-Con in Las Vegas and he has a terrible headache. Surprisingly a tall distinguished looking gentleman offers him aspirin. When he couldn't control a deep flush to his fair complexion at the attention of such a handsome stranger, the blood rising close to the surface sang to Seb confirming his Beloved was just inches away. And later defends him against a bully. A man so far out of Dirk's league all he can do is fantasize about him. He can't imagine why this man seems to be showing interest in him.
Coming to the Comic-Con is a nightmare of sorts. Dirk doesn't like interacting with lots of people, but is required to as part of his obligations to his employer. One on one with other geeks interested in comics is fine, it's just more people seem more intimidating. He's lucky to be able to attend at all especially after a particular lying harrowing experience when something (a Dingo) claimed to be his mate, but instead used it as an opportunity to literally make a "Pet" out of Dirk. It wasn't used as a term of endearment. It was meant to denigrate. Meaning he and the other Human captives were nothing more than animals. Deserving of no niceties, but caged and held in a kennel as sex slaves by a rogue pack of New Orleans Dingoes. Human toys for sadistic pleasure and torture. Even though he escaped, Dirk remained traumatized and fearful, to add to already being socially awkward. This made it very hard to for him to trust others, in particular someone expressing interest in him.
Seb makes a huge mistake that sends his Beloved running for the hills. Dirk wonders why he is such a magnet for paranormals? Luckily he has a great best friend, Deke who jumps on the next flight when he calls for HELP! This was a fun read. Even when Dirk was terrified of the Vampire claiming to be another form of "mate". The bonding pull was so strong Dirk allowed Seb into his hotel. A lot of questions needed answering as well as a great deal of patience on Sebastian's part and a whole bunch of trust on Dirk's part. A great number of Vampire myths were debunked except the need to drink blood. Dirk learned that Shifters have Canines and Vampires have "sensitive" Fangs.
Finally some headway was made and Dirk has never been happier. Even when his skeptical and wary friends arrives, Dirk was in the first stages of falling in love. Seb was determined to spoil Dirk. Lots of subtle PADs: hand holding, arm around his waist, butterfly kisses. Amusement parks, roller coasters, comic books, dance games. Meals, birthday party, laughs and then abject terror.
New characters are introduced, both Humans and shifters: Chris, Byron, and deeply closeted Luther who likes Deke, but won't admit it. Being on the Vampire Council means traveling. Is that something shy, reclusive Dirk is capable of doing?
You're perfect just the way you are. Never in a million years would Dirk believe that if someone else except Seb told him. He's far from perfect. And how the Dingoes treated him made him realize that without any doubt. Because of his confession of torture and abuse, the Paranormal Councils were notified of a terrible pack of Dingoes that needed disciplining. Dirk was even able to give them some specific names.
I love that the two partners aren't these perfect specimens of male beauty. They each have flaws be they physical, emotional, mental. Sometimes its impatience, expressiveness, allowing a bond to oversee reason. Ms. Richards knows how to write a good story. I'm looking forward to the next book in which ever series.
Although the storylines are interesting, all her books have the same plot regardless of the series and there hasn't been one book without a spelling mistake. I am now reading the books only for purpose of finishing the cross over series rather than because actually anticipating what is going to happen in the next book, thus making her books feel like a chore to read.
My review is in spoiler tags because it hasn't been edited yet. It probable has too much negative stuff as that's what I tend to think to write down. If I'm enjoying myself, I don't want to stop reading!
I always love seeing the vampires make an appearance in the series and Seb was no exception. He is sexy, sensual, fun-loving and so eager to find his beloved that he makes it easy to like him and his story. Dirk? Now he was a bit of a push for me. I got the reason his character was the way it was. He had experienced something truly horrific that truthfully I can't believe he handled things as well as he did. That being said, after he got with Sebastian, I didn't feel much spark. Heat yes; spark no. I can believe that he felt safe and he felt desired, but I think he is one of those characters because of his past that doesn't make a believable insta-mate type.
That being said, I enjoyed the fun and different backdrop for this story there at the ComiCon and visiting all the fun places and restaurants in Vegas. I loved meeting up with old friends- Cass and Casie, Vince and Frankie, Manion and Chris and Lex was fun too.
Though not one of my favorite stories, this still was an enjoyable read.
Overuses of the day... The word 'crooned' Phrases: his man; his human
I just can't help myself to continue with her series even with a somewhat lackluster approach at times. Hey, I might miss out on something!
The other thing that bothers me the most lately is that it seems like hardly ANY of the stories are in Stone Ridge and not all of them involved wolves.. hello.. series name and neither one is a focal point of the story.. This particular one, the MC was supposed to do a job in Stone Ridge but was sidetracked by finding beloved.
I also had a little trouble feeling the passion between the two of them. They don’t feel evenly matched. I mean, yeah opposites attract but they seem way too apart to me, personally.
I did enjoy the whole different-ness of not only a 'geek' but the comic book angle. Hopefully the 'hint' of a next set of mates with the BFF involvement will go smoothly. At this point I am looking forward to how that story unfolds.
I always enjoy it when the geeky underdog gets the handsome alpha male.
There were a few typo issues that bothered me, but nothing major.
The Las Vegas setting was also a treat since I haven't been there in several years and reading about it always stirs memories.
Seb and Dirk are good together. Seb has to help Dirk overcome his fear of paranormals while trying to woo his beloved at a comicon in Vegas. The vampire is so gracious in his easing his live mate into the world of 'others' that when he finds out Dirk already knows about shifters he's surprised when the little man runs, terrified, from him.
While the book is subtitled as part of the Wolves of Stone Ridge, it's not really. The few members of the pack that are in the story are secondary characters at best.
Awwwwwwwww, one of our favorite Vampire Council vamps has found his mate :) Can't wait to see what happens next with Deke though and what will happen to Phil and to Marlow. Oooooo - so many things going on :D
I liked Sebastian and Dirk together. They had cute moments. I wish we’d gotten more background, tho. Also, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I didn’t care for the condescension towards the con-goers. It felt unnecessary.