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A run through the woods turned anything but typical when Levi found the one thing he never expected to find-his mate.
After a week spent in family reunion hell, Levi Travis is more than ready for a little break. But who knew shifting into a snow leopard and loping around in the woods could turn into such a steamy event?
When Levi encounters a cougar shifter in the woods, the attraction is so hot it threatens to shoot off sparks. Levi has fantasised about having a stronger man than him want him, and he’s sure the cougar is just such a man. Which is why Levi lets himself get caught, and the intensity of their mating is only equaled by Levi’s confusion when the man shifts back into a cougar then turns tail and runs.
Lyndon Hines has been running for months. Hunted, taunted, he didn’t know what else to do-until he met a man who made him realise that some things were worth fighting for. Two shifters, each a different breed, neither knowing much about their heritage, Levi and Lyndon come together and find the strength to take on the mad man who is out to end Lyndon’s life.
After a week spent in family reunion hell, Levi Travis is more than ready for a little break. But who knew shifting into a snow leopard and loping around in the woods could turn into such a steamy event?
When Levi encounters a cougar shifter in the woods, the attraction is so hot it threatens to shoot off sparks. Levi has fantasised about having a stronger man than him want him, and he’s sure the cougar is just such a man. Which is why Levi lets himself get caught, and the intensity of their mating is only equaled by Levi’s confusion when the man shifts back into a cougar then turns tail and runs.
Lyndon Hines has been running for months. Hunted, taunted, he didn’t know what else to do-until he met a man who made him realise that some things were worth fighting for. Two shifters, each a different breed, neither knowing much about their heritage, Levi and Lyndon come together and find the strength to take on the mad man who is out to end Lyndon’s life.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2012
84 people are currently reading
599 people want to read
About the author
Bailey Bradford
191 books552 followersA few things about me...
I am a married mom of four who spends most of the day writing, either on stories or at the blog. I love to write as much as I love to read. I am generally quiet and laid back, choosing to let things slide off me rather than stick and irritate me.
And it's really hard trying to think of descriptives for myself, so I'll just let y'all e-mail me or comment at the blog if there's something specific you'd like to know, and spare you from reading a boring bio:D
I am a married mom of four who spends most of the day writing, either on stories or at the blog. I love to write as much as I love to read. I am generally quiet and laid back, choosing to let things slide off me rather than stick and irritate me.
And it's really hard trying to think of descriptives for myself, so I'll just let y'all e-mail me or comment at the blog if there's something specific you'd like to know, and spare you from reading a boring bio:D
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January 17, 2019Freebie at the zon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Levi-Leopard...
November 7, 2018
Looks like I’ve read but not rated this entire series. Sooooooooo, I guess I’ll have to read them again.
*Review after second read November 7th, 2018*
This turned out to be a pretty enjoyable read. The usual shifter mates trope but Levi’s family doesn’t know much about being snow leopards because their matriarch was raised by humans after they killed her family when she was six. Lynond doesn’t know much about being a cougar because he was raised by his human mother.
The secondary characters are interesting and add depth. The bad guy and his reasoning broke my heart for Lyndon.
There are a more than a few serious editing problems. Or, should I say this book obviously did not have a professional editor. I’m not talking about proofreading, which is needed. There are several instances where the author uses the wrong name, forgets who is human or shifter and leaves extra words in sentences. There are also quite a few instances of British spellings of words which is odd for the mountains of Colorado. That is why a professional editor, or good one, is needed.
I was able to get past the lack of editing and am going to continue with the series.
*Review after second read November 7th, 2018*
This turned out to be a pretty enjoyable read. The usual shifter mates trope but Levi’s family doesn’t know much about being snow leopards because their matriarch was raised by humans after they killed her family when she was six. Lynond doesn’t know much about being a cougar because he was raised by his human mother.
The secondary characters are interesting and add depth. The bad guy and his reasoning broke my heart for Lyndon.
There are a more than a few serious editing problems. Or, should I say this book obviously did not have a professional editor. I’m not talking about proofreading, which is needed. There are several instances where the author uses the wrong name, forgets who is human or shifter and leaves extra words in sentences. There are also quite a few instances of British spellings of words which is odd for the mountains of Colorado. That is why a professional editor, or good one, is needed.
I was able to get past the lack of editing and am going to continue with the series.
June 30, 2012
This was an okay read for me. Pretty typical shifter tropes with the mates, this one with a penchant for violent sex that ends in blood (that no one in the family seems to notice huge scabbed over scratches, punctures and bites on their arms, neck, etc, hmmm.) Lyndon is a cougar shifter on the run after someone seems to be stalking him, another cougar shifter. He comes across Levi in the woods (both in cat form) and they shift and have some sex then Lyndon runs leaving Levi a little emo about the whole thing. However Lyndon hangs around town until he finally runs into Levi and then they have amazing sex, repeatedly, with zero recovery time. When the other cougar finds him at Levi's family compound they all band together but there is a show down with the other cougar who seems to be Lydon's half-brother and their uber-wealthy father (who Lyndon didn't know) has pitted his sons against each other as only the remaining son alive will inherit his multi-millions. It was okay, but while Levi was a bit of a subby bottom it was even a bit too sappy for me, which is saying a lot.
The next book is younger brother Oscar and I do have a thing for spunky little twinks but I'm not in any great hurry to read it.
The next book is younger brother Oscar and I do have a thing for spunky little twinks but I'm not in any great hurry to read it.
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December 6, 2013DFN.
It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. There were too many typos and grammatical errors, it was getting on my nerves.
I just want to read a book that will own me, not a book that I'm bored and wanting to hurry up and finish just so I can read another one.
It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. There were too many typos and grammatical errors, it was getting on my nerves.
I just want to read a book that will own me, not a book that I'm bored and wanting to hurry up and finish just so I can read another one.
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July 19, 2013Price drop to $0.99 today at Amazon US! 7/19/13!
February 6, 2019
This was an ok read for me. I just couldn’t get into the book all that much. I’ve been reading a lo of shifter books lately and this one was just average.
November 28, 2017
So, this was okay. Maybe 2.5 stars. It was difficult for me to get invested or stay interested. I actually started and stopped and restarted it several times over the last few weeks. It just didn't grab my attention.
There are so many characters that are introduced. I understand that this is the first book in a series, but there are just so. many. people. I couldn't keep anybody straight other than the MCs and Oscar, one of the brothers. Even then, when all the brothers are in the room they all run together.
Shifters. There is an unusual aspect (at least for me). These shifters are unaware of any other shifters outside of their families. They have never come across any before and definitely none of another species. It seems unlikely, then again they probably never leave their compound or stray far from their tiny hometown.
Somehow, Lyndon has come across exactly one other non-family shifter and he happens to be the same species. And that shifter also seems to know nothing about shifters in general. It just seems implausible. Why haven't any of these people researched their backgrounds? Searched for others?
Plot. It revolves around Lyndon and his need to run from an unknown, unseen, stalker. He is probably the poorest example of a shifter. He has the speed of his shift on his side, but all of his senses seem to be dull. Definitely not heightened in any form.
Romantic aspects...there is a lot of sex here. Even the epilogue is just a gratuitous sex scene. Instalove, fated mates, no conflict...none on the romantic scale anyway.
Confusion. There are several times that Levi's dad, Henry, is referenced as looking somewhere or making a sound...but he wasn't supposed to be in the scene. As in, he had left and was not in the house anymore. Maybe that is fixed in the final version, except this is just a re-edited version so was this in the original version? It is odd, jarring and confusing.
I was intrigued enough by Oscar that I want to read his story, but I am in no hurry for it. I'm sure I will get to it eventually.
There are so many characters that are introduced. I understand that this is the first book in a series, but there are just so. many. people. I couldn't keep anybody straight other than the MCs and Oscar, one of the brothers. Even then, when all the brothers are in the room they all run together.
Shifters. There is an unusual aspect (at least for me). These shifters are unaware of any other shifters outside of their families. They have never come across any before and definitely none of another species. It seems unlikely, then again they probably never leave their compound or stray far from their tiny hometown.
Somehow, Lyndon has come across exactly one other non-family shifter and he happens to be the same species. And that shifter also seems to know nothing about shifters in general. It just seems implausible. Why haven't any of these people researched their backgrounds? Searched for others?
Plot. It revolves around Lyndon and his need to run from an unknown, unseen, stalker. He is probably the poorest example of a shifter. He has the speed of his shift on his side, but all of his senses seem to be dull. Definitely not heightened in any form.
Romantic aspects...there is a lot of sex here. Even the epilogue is just a gratuitous sex scene. Instalove, fated mates, no conflict...none on the romantic scale anyway.
Confusion. There are several times that Levi's dad, Henry, is referenced as looking somewhere or making a sound...but he wasn't supposed to be in the scene. As in, he had left and was not in the house anymore. Maybe that is fixed in the final version, except this is just a re-edited version so was this in the original version? It is odd, jarring and confusing.
I was intrigued enough by Oscar that I want to read his story, but I am in no hurry for it. I'm sure I will get to it eventually.
May 30, 2017
**Grammar**
The story was short, but still interesting. I liked Levi and Lyndon chemistry and I wanted to see more of them together (not talking about sex, bcs there is plenty of it and was also hot with the fact that they change positions...).
All the plot revolves around Lyndon meeting his father for the first time, finding out that he is a jerk and an abusive asshole who only cares about his money and wants his sons to fight for his heredity. His father beats him, the man is used on using his animal form and is stronger than him for this, and Lyndon almost dies. He is rescued by a man, Gray, that will be like a father for him. Some years later, the man will die and Lyndon will decide to leave town, only to be stalked by someone wherever he goes. Is while he is running from his stalker that he meets Levi and the pull btw them is so strong that Lyndon can't leave him. U can easily imagine what happens next.
We find out that the stalker is Lyndon's half-brother, one of many that he didn't know he had, and the guy wants to kill him to get their father's heredity, since in his twisted mind the old man decided that only the one who will kill all his siblings will get the money.
In the end Oscar, Levi's little brother (and damn I love that sassy young man), will be the one to kill that crazy stalker, to save his brother and Lyndon's life.
This is the base of the 2nd book, where we will find again Oscar, and our 18 years old brave shifter will find his mate.
Like I said before, the characters are good and I really liked Levi's family, but the story is too short.
The story was short, but still interesting. I liked Levi and Lyndon chemistry and I wanted to see more of them together (not talking about sex, bcs there is plenty of it and was also hot with the fact that they change positions...).
All the plot revolves around Lyndon meeting his father for the first time, finding out that he is a jerk and an abusive asshole who only cares about his money and wants his sons to fight for his heredity. His father beats him, the man is used on using his animal form and is stronger than him for this, and Lyndon almost dies. He is rescued by a man, Gray, that will be like a father for him. Some years later, the man will die and Lyndon will decide to leave town, only to be stalked by someone wherever he goes. Is while he is running from his stalker that he meets Levi and the pull btw them is so strong that Lyndon can't leave him. U can easily imagine what happens next.
We find out that the stalker is Lyndon's half-brother, one of many that he didn't know he had, and the guy wants to kill him to get their father's heredity, since in his twisted mind the old man decided that only the one who will kill all his siblings will get the money.
In the end Oscar, Levi's little brother (and damn I love that sassy young man), will be the one to kill that crazy stalker, to save his brother and Lyndon's life.
This is the base of the 2nd book, where we will find again Oscar, and our 18 years old brave shifter will find his mate.
Like I said before, the characters are good and I really liked Levi's family, but the story is too short.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2012
Took me a while to get into the story, but about a third of the way through I really started liking Levi and his family. I do wish there had been a bit more attention to editing...words left out, names missing, little things that distracted me from the story. Other than that, I think this is a great new series and I look forward to more!
August 5, 2016
interesting enough book but total crap copy editing: misspelled words, names left out, incorrectly used apostrophes... in fact, if anybody actually edited this book, i'd be shocked- and requesting their job. seems like this is common in bradford's books, & it's a shame b/c aside from that, they're decent quick reads.
August 27, 2014
Average shifter book with most of the normal stereotypes coming in. Pretty much cotton candy read that doesn't have much in the way of substance but at the same time is fun to read. I did like Levi's protective family and made a good contrast to Lyndon's family.
May 15, 2012
I really enjoyed this shifter story. It was a slightly different take on the shifter genre because the cats didn't know much about their histories. On to the next one in the series.
October 27, 2017
Hands up, I love shifter stories and especially male/male. The idea of a cougar and a snow leopard is enticing too. Therefore this book is a bit of a conundrum for me because I loved and loathed it in fairly equal measure.
It's the kind of story where I promised myself 'just one more chapter', I was intrigued about Lyndon's stalker, and whether Levi could actually live the relationship he fantasized about. These two aspects kept me reading to the end.
I also experienced a significant amount of eye rolling because sweet as Levi and Lyndon are, that's exactly the problem, they are saccharine.
It seems unlikely to me that Lyndon has grown up in a single parent family with his mum struggling with mental health issues; and is subsequently run out of town on the death of his mother by his alpha father and yet this appears to have very little impact other than a yearning for family. It just didn't ring true for me.
Then we have Levi, apparently dreaming of a guy who can dominate and take charge in the bedroom, and yet I didn't see much sign of that either. If anything it appeared a passing phase.
Levi has a close-knit multi-generational family including adult siblings. They are loving and protective, and yet it is acceptable for his parents to occasionally slap him and his brothers (mostly his younger brother) around the head to indicate displeasure generally for cursing or lewd comments. Personally I found it inappropriate and infantilizing.
Finally I have to say Levi and Lyndon take every opportunity to have intercourse ad nauseam. Frankly that was neither particularly relevant nor inspiring. Even the epilogue is a gratuitous sex scene. Essentially there is a bevy of shifter tropes including instalove, fated mates, and fairly rough intercourse including biting and mauling. There is limited conflict other than their initial 'wham bam, thank you man' first meeting.
A light and entertaining read but without enough substance to keep me satisfied. In a nutshell this is all a bit cheesy, there's the opportunity for further stories but I won't be rushing back for more anytime soon.
** My thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. **
It's the kind of story where I promised myself 'just one more chapter', I was intrigued about Lyndon's stalker, and whether Levi could actually live the relationship he fantasized about. These two aspects kept me reading to the end.
I also experienced a significant amount of eye rolling because sweet as Levi and Lyndon are, that's exactly the problem, they are saccharine.
It seems unlikely to me that Lyndon has grown up in a single parent family with his mum struggling with mental health issues; and is subsequently run out of town on the death of his mother by his alpha father and yet this appears to have very little impact other than a yearning for family. It just didn't ring true for me.
Then we have Levi, apparently dreaming of a guy who can dominate and take charge in the bedroom, and yet I didn't see much sign of that either. If anything it appeared a passing phase.
Levi has a close-knit multi-generational family including adult siblings. They are loving and protective, and yet it is acceptable for his parents to occasionally slap him and his brothers (mostly his younger brother) around the head to indicate displeasure generally for cursing or lewd comments. Personally I found it inappropriate and infantilizing.
Finally I have to say Levi and Lyndon take every opportunity to have intercourse ad nauseam. Frankly that was neither particularly relevant nor inspiring. Even the epilogue is a gratuitous sex scene. Essentially there is a bevy of shifter tropes including instalove, fated mates, and fairly rough intercourse including biting and mauling. There is limited conflict other than their initial 'wham bam, thank you man' first meeting.
A light and entertaining read but without enough substance to keep me satisfied. In a nutshell this is all a bit cheesy, there's the opportunity for further stories but I won't be rushing back for more anytime soon.
** My thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. **
August 4, 2018
Start einer neuen Wandlerserie von Bailey Bradford, das Pairing Schneeleopard und Puma klingt interessant.
Zur Handlung. Levi Travis ist ein Leopardenwandler. Er lebt in einer liebevollen Familie, die immer füreinander eintritt. Seine Großmutter Marybeth stammt aus dem Himalaya, ihr gesamtes Rudel wurde von Jägern getötet, die nur Interesse am Fell der Tiere hatten. Ihre Rettung verdankt sie nur dem Umstand, dass sie für ein verlassenes Menschenkind gehalten wurde. Da sie noch klein war, als ihre Eltern und Geschwister getötet wurden, hat sie nur eine bruchstückhafte Erinnerung an ihre verlorene Familie. Umso wichtiger ist ihr die jährliche Familienfeier, die Levi immer als ziemlich anstrengend empfindet. Als er sich in Leopardengestalt eine kurze Verschnaufpause von dem Trubel gönnt, begegnet ihm im Wald ein Puma, zu dem er sich merkwürdig stark hingezogen fühlt.
Lyndon Hines ist ein Pumawandler. Nach dem Tod seiner Mutter ist er auf der Flucht vor seinem Vater, für den er nur ein unehelicher Bastard ist. Eigentlich ist er nur auf der Durchreise, als ihm Levi begegnet. Er erkennt ihn als seinen Gefährten, doch der Zeitpunkt ist denkbar ungünstig, um die Flucht vor seinem Verfolger zu unterbrechen.
Die Story um Levi und Lyndon hat mir gefallen. Beide wissen zu Anfang nicht, dass es auch noch andere Wandler gibt. Auch Levis Familienmitglieder waren sympathisch, besonders die Großmutter, aber auch sein Bruder Oscar. Ich freue mich schon auf seine Geschichte im zweiten Band.
Allerdings empfand ich persönlich den Anteil der Sexszenen bei der Länge der Story unverhältnismäßig hoch. Da hätte ich gut und gerne auf einige verzichten können und hätte lieber etwas mehr über Lyndons Vergangenheit erfahren. Aber vielleicht gibt es im zweiten Band noch mehr darüber zu lesen.
Die Story erhält von mir 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.
Zur Handlung. Levi Travis ist ein Leopardenwandler. Er lebt in einer liebevollen Familie, die immer füreinander eintritt. Seine Großmutter Marybeth stammt aus dem Himalaya, ihr gesamtes Rudel wurde von Jägern getötet, die nur Interesse am Fell der Tiere hatten. Ihre Rettung verdankt sie nur dem Umstand, dass sie für ein verlassenes Menschenkind gehalten wurde. Da sie noch klein war, als ihre Eltern und Geschwister getötet wurden, hat sie nur eine bruchstückhafte Erinnerung an ihre verlorene Familie. Umso wichtiger ist ihr die jährliche Familienfeier, die Levi immer als ziemlich anstrengend empfindet. Als er sich in Leopardengestalt eine kurze Verschnaufpause von dem Trubel gönnt, begegnet ihm im Wald ein Puma, zu dem er sich merkwürdig stark hingezogen fühlt.
Lyndon Hines ist ein Pumawandler. Nach dem Tod seiner Mutter ist er auf der Flucht vor seinem Vater, für den er nur ein unehelicher Bastard ist. Eigentlich ist er nur auf der Durchreise, als ihm Levi begegnet. Er erkennt ihn als seinen Gefährten, doch der Zeitpunkt ist denkbar ungünstig, um die Flucht vor seinem Verfolger zu unterbrechen.
Die Story um Levi und Lyndon hat mir gefallen. Beide wissen zu Anfang nicht, dass es auch noch andere Wandler gibt. Auch Levis Familienmitglieder waren sympathisch, besonders die Großmutter, aber auch sein Bruder Oscar. Ich freue mich schon auf seine Geschichte im zweiten Band.
Allerdings empfand ich persönlich den Anteil der Sexszenen bei der Länge der Story unverhältnismäßig hoch. Da hätte ich gut und gerne auf einige verzichten können und hätte lieber etwas mehr über Lyndons Vergangenheit erfahren. Aber vielleicht gibt es im zweiten Band noch mehr darüber zu lesen.
Die Story erhält von mir 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.
October 21, 2020
Typical shifter book with most of the normal tropes you get with one of these. It was sweet and a quick read but nothing to stand out. The romance was lightning fast since it was a fated mate concept. I did like Levi's protective family and I liked how Lyndon wanted that so much since his family is the complete opposite. There were also some glaring errors like listing one character as speaking when they aren't even in the room. I already have books 2 and 3 so I will probably read them anyway but unless things get a lot better won't continue after that.
September 12, 2017
3.5 Stars
I love shifter books. Love them. Love, love, love new takes on shifter lore! WIth Levi’s story we meet his family-very outspoken, loving and protective. The complete opposite of Lyndon and his family.
When they meet the attraction is immediate, yet not knowing their shifter history they doubt everything. They actually TALK to each other. Crazy, right?
Well written relationships, still needs some growth and fleshing out of their world but I am definitely along for the ride.
I love shifter books. Love them. Love, love, love new takes on shifter lore! WIth Levi’s story we meet his family-very outspoken, loving and protective. The complete opposite of Lyndon and his family.
When they meet the attraction is immediate, yet not knowing their shifter history they doubt everything. They actually TALK to each other. Crazy, right?
Well written relationships, still needs some growth and fleshing out of their world but I am definitely along for the ride.
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July 30, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/30/2020)! 🎁
April 14, 2021
Levi
Bailey Bradford
Bailey Bradford
April 25, 2012
Rating. 4.25 stars
Levi Travis is feeling overwhelmed during his family's annual get together with the constant reminders of happy couples and families. A little time alone in the woods in his shifter form, a snow leopard, will shake off the last of the family reunion hell, or so he thinks.
Lyndon Hines is running from his past and a mysterious stalker that has tracked him through many states. The trucker who gave him a ride has left him by the highway tired and hungry. The woods bordering the road look too inviting to pass up. Lyndon, in his cougar form, is exploring the woods on the Travis family ranch when a musky aroma catches his attention. It's Levi dozing in a glade. Levi is startled as he has never met another shifter outside the family before. But Lyndon is everything Levi wants in a man: strong, dominant, and a shifter. Instant attraction flashes into a frenzied mating. But afterward, Lyndon flees and Levi is left hurt and confused. However, when the stalker finds Lyndon again, both men must put aside their fears and confusion to come together to save each other before it's too late.
This is the first book in the Leopard's Spots series by Bailey Bradford and she sets everything in place here for the books to come. The reader is immediately introduced to Levi's family and their shifter history. Levi's family is a large one full of likable and endearing characters. Characterization is one of Bradford's strong suits and that is evident in this story. I loved them all, especially Levi's youngest brother, Oscar (Oscar has the second book in the series).
I like Levi too. His physical body shouts dom while his actual nature is more submissive, something he has never been able to convey to the few sexual partners he has had. Lyndon, on the other hand, is as territorial and aggressive as his cougar's nature. Lyndon's character comes from a background of parental neglect and abuse. The author has added enough layers to each man that they are easy to sympathize with and understand. Both have been raised isolated from other shifters but in very different circumstances. I can see the difference in histories playing out nicely over several books, including the theme of nature versus nurture in different shifter societies.
My one quibble here is that in setting the stage for Oscar and the second novel in the series, Bradford has made Oscar such a strong character that he almost takes the stage away from Levi and Lyndon. I say almost because the blazing hot sex scenes between the two shifters are enough to bring out the fans. Oscar will have to wait for his book.
Lastly, when I have read about or watched movie/shows about shifters, there seems to be two varieties. Those that shift seamlessly from person to animal. You know, one minute a person then instantly a wolf mid-leap (think Twilight commercials). And then there are those Werewolf in London transitions that are so popular as well. You know, the torturous breaking of bones, stretching of skins, fangs emerging from bloodied mouths sort of thing that takes time and getting naked before hand. (Reviewer's note: when it comes to Joe Manganiello's Alcide from True Blood, the more naked the better is my opinion). The two types of shifters here each transition in a different way. Cougars shift instantly into form while the snow leopards are more of the second variety. I can't help but wonder if this isn't going to be a factor in the books coming up as I have not seen both types in one story before. Either way it is an interesting take.
I am looking forward to Oscar's story and exploring more of Bailey Bradford's view of shifters.
Cover: Cover Art by Posh Gosh. Well, isn't this just a gorgeous cover. Gorgeous cats, gorgeous men, great fonts. What's not to love? Again, my only quibble is with the model types here. Both men in the book are large, masculine and hairy. Not exactly the body type of the young man in front. He is more in keeping with Oscar. Where is a truly hairy chest when you need one?
Levi Travis is feeling overwhelmed during his family's annual get together with the constant reminders of happy couples and families. A little time alone in the woods in his shifter form, a snow leopard, will shake off the last of the family reunion hell, or so he thinks.
Lyndon Hines is running from his past and a mysterious stalker that has tracked him through many states. The trucker who gave him a ride has left him by the highway tired and hungry. The woods bordering the road look too inviting to pass up. Lyndon, in his cougar form, is exploring the woods on the Travis family ranch when a musky aroma catches his attention. It's Levi dozing in a glade. Levi is startled as he has never met another shifter outside the family before. But Lyndon is everything Levi wants in a man: strong, dominant, and a shifter. Instant attraction flashes into a frenzied mating. But afterward, Lyndon flees and Levi is left hurt and confused. However, when the stalker finds Lyndon again, both men must put aside their fears and confusion to come together to save each other before it's too late.
This is the first book in the Leopard's Spots series by Bailey Bradford and she sets everything in place here for the books to come. The reader is immediately introduced to Levi's family and their shifter history. Levi's family is a large one full of likable and endearing characters. Characterization is one of Bradford's strong suits and that is evident in this story. I loved them all, especially Levi's youngest brother, Oscar (Oscar has the second book in the series).
I like Levi too. His physical body shouts dom while his actual nature is more submissive, something he has never been able to convey to the few sexual partners he has had. Lyndon, on the other hand, is as territorial and aggressive as his cougar's nature. Lyndon's character comes from a background of parental neglect and abuse. The author has added enough layers to each man that they are easy to sympathize with and understand. Both have been raised isolated from other shifters but in very different circumstances. I can see the difference in histories playing out nicely over several books, including the theme of nature versus nurture in different shifter societies.
My one quibble here is that in setting the stage for Oscar and the second novel in the series, Bradford has made Oscar such a strong character that he almost takes the stage away from Levi and Lyndon. I say almost because the blazing hot sex scenes between the two shifters are enough to bring out the fans. Oscar will have to wait for his book.
Lastly, when I have read about or watched movie/shows about shifters, there seems to be two varieties. Those that shift seamlessly from person to animal. You know, one minute a person then instantly a wolf mid-leap (think Twilight commercials). And then there are those Werewolf in London transitions that are so popular as well. You know, the torturous breaking of bones, stretching of skins, fangs emerging from bloodied mouths sort of thing that takes time and getting naked before hand. (Reviewer's note: when it comes to Joe Manganiello's Alcide from True Blood, the more naked the better is my opinion). The two types of shifters here each transition in a different way. Cougars shift instantly into form while the snow leopards are more of the second variety. I can't help but wonder if this isn't going to be a factor in the books coming up as I have not seen both types in one story before. Either way it is an interesting take.
I am looking forward to Oscar's story and exploring more of Bailey Bradford's view of shifters.
Cover: Cover Art by Posh Gosh. Well, isn't this just a gorgeous cover. Gorgeous cats, gorgeous men, great fonts. What's not to love? Again, my only quibble is with the model types here. Both men in the book are large, masculine and hairy. Not exactly the body type of the young man in front. He is more in keeping with Oscar. Where is a truly hairy chest when you need one?
September 7, 2017
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This story throws every single popular shifter trope into one short novel. There is insta attraction between fated mates when Leopard shifter Levi first sees cougar shifter Lyndon on his property. Then there’s the super rough sex which pushes the boundaries between kinky and violent. And don’t forget the extended shifter family’s comfort with nudity, loud sex and semi public sexual encounters.
I enjoyed the mystery of Lyndon’s stalker - though the obsession with odours and scat was a little too ‘big cat’ and not quite ‘sexy shifter’ enough for me. I also liked the glimpses we get into Lyndon’s family background. In Levi’s family, only his twinky yet fierce little brother Oscar caught my attention.
The action in the last scenes is exciting and the fighting is pretty graphic and gory. This story kept my attention but I’m not sure I’ll be racing out for the next story in the series.
This story throws every single popular shifter trope into one short novel. There is insta attraction between fated mates when Leopard shifter Levi first sees cougar shifter Lyndon on his property. Then there’s the super rough sex which pushes the boundaries between kinky and violent. And don’t forget the extended shifter family’s comfort with nudity, loud sex and semi public sexual encounters.
I enjoyed the mystery of Lyndon’s stalker - though the obsession with odours and scat was a little too ‘big cat’ and not quite ‘sexy shifter’ enough for me. I also liked the glimpses we get into Lyndon’s family background. In Levi’s family, only his twinky yet fierce little brother Oscar caught my attention.
The action in the last scenes is exciting and the fighting is pretty graphic and gory. This story kept my attention but I’m not sure I’ll be racing out for the next story in the series.
September 4, 2017
Levi (Leopard's Spots #1) by Bailey Bradford
4 stars
M/M Shifter Romance
Triggers: Stalking
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Lyndon is on the run. He's been running for so long, but he has never had a reason to stay anywhere for long. And, with someone hunting him through states, he has to keep moving. Lyndon is a cougar shifter and even though their kind tend to be loners, Lyndon is truly alone in the world. His father threw him out and his mother died, so Lyndon believes that he's alone in the world.
Levi is surrounded by family, almost all of the time. He's a snow leopard shifter and loves his land. His brothers are supportive, his grandmother the head of their shifter family. When he feels restless, he runs their land.
Lyndon and Levi meet while they are both running. Levi has always had the fantasy that someone will be bigger, stronger than him - will take him without mercy. Lyndon does just that and then... he disappears.
What follows is a tale of who is the hunter and why. I can't wait for book 2, because Levi's family is awesome and I really want Oliver to find his happiness.
4 stars
M/M Shifter Romance
Triggers: Stalking
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Lyndon is on the run. He's been running for so long, but he has never had a reason to stay anywhere for long. And, with someone hunting him through states, he has to keep moving. Lyndon is a cougar shifter and even though their kind tend to be loners, Lyndon is truly alone in the world. His father threw him out and his mother died, so Lyndon believes that he's alone in the world.
Levi is surrounded by family, almost all of the time. He's a snow leopard shifter and loves his land. His brothers are supportive, his grandmother the head of their shifter family. When he feels restless, he runs their land.
Lyndon and Levi meet while they are both running. Levi has always had the fantasy that someone will be bigger, stronger than him - will take him without mercy. Lyndon does just that and then... he disappears.
What follows is a tale of who is the hunter and why. I can't wait for book 2, because Levi's family is awesome and I really want Oliver to find his happiness.
September 13, 2017
Lions and tigers and leopards and cougars, oh my! Oh wait, no lions and tigers but a whole lot of snow leopards and cougars. I adore shifter stories and wolves and cats are usually my favorites so it was obvious that I was going to like the storyline in this first book of the 'Leopard Spots' series by Bailey Bradford. My curiosity was whet when I realized that this world created by the author is one where these shifters have none to very little knowledge of other shifters or even their own type of shifter. Very different from the normal or standard paranormal stories that I've read.
Levi is a snow leopard who grew up in a pretty good sized family. After their latest yearly family reunion he's reminded of how much he really wants that special person in his life and he takes off for a romp in the forest. Where he meets an extremely hot cougar shifter, they have the most amazing sex of Levi's life and then the cougar disappears.
Lyndon was attacked by his father the day of his mom's funeral and ordered to stay out of his dad's territory. Years later when Lyndon came home from his job and found his apartment having been foully marked by an unknown cougar, he took off. He's been hitchhiking around the country trying to stay one step ahead of his mysterious stalker. When he finds a beautiful forest, he shifts to hunt and finds Levi, instead.
Levi and Lyndon run into each other a week later and the sparks fly. After discovering his stalker has found him, Lyndon goes with Levi to his home, where some very hot mating happens. And, then Levi's family shows up to interrogate Lyndon! Needless to say, when it's all said and done, Lyndon has a family now, one that will stand with him against the threat stalking him.
I enjoyed this story and the world created by the author. It's very interesting to have shifters so unaware and it makes their learning and discovery process fairly entertaining. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
Levi is a snow leopard who grew up in a pretty good sized family. After their latest yearly family reunion he's reminded of how much he really wants that special person in his life and he takes off for a romp in the forest. Where he meets an extremely hot cougar shifter, they have the most amazing sex of Levi's life and then the cougar disappears.
Lyndon was attacked by his father the day of his mom's funeral and ordered to stay out of his dad's territory. Years later when Lyndon came home from his job and found his apartment having been foully marked by an unknown cougar, he took off. He's been hitchhiking around the country trying to stay one step ahead of his mysterious stalker. When he finds a beautiful forest, he shifts to hunt and finds Levi, instead.
Levi and Lyndon run into each other a week later and the sparks fly. After discovering his stalker has found him, Lyndon goes with Levi to his home, where some very hot mating happens. And, then Levi's family shows up to interrogate Lyndon! Needless to say, when it's all said and done, Lyndon has a family now, one that will stand with him against the threat stalking him.
I enjoyed this story and the world created by the author. It's very interesting to have shifters so unaware and it makes their learning and discovery process fairly entertaining. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
July 10, 2012
3.5 stars
This has the most effective (or perhaps just closest to what I imagine it to be) description of the initial pull of shifter mates toward each other that I've yet found. And I loved that both Levi and Lyndon (after the initial freak-out, anyway) actually TALK about what they're feeling and what they're both going through.
My favorite was when they run into each other in town, and are headed back to Lyndon's hotel room. When they scent the other cougar, Lyndon starts getting all alpha and protective, and Levi gets defensive. And instead of arguing or demanding or any of the other stupid supposedly-tough-guy-alpha things that I've seen dozens of shifters do, Lyndon says
What kept this from getting more stars from me was, first, the editing. Not just technical stuff, either: in one of the big, suspenseful scenes, Levi's mom gets called both Cheryl and Henry (his dad's name) in the narration, and is once even called "his dad," so that threw me off and interrupted the build-up of the action.
The second thing was the epilogue. We've seen Levi and Lyndon having plenty of sex throughout the book. What we haven't seen is how well they're able to live together with their clothes ON. For example, Lyndon is still unemployed. What is he going to do for work? Is he going to even bother finding a job now, or is he going to hang out with Levi's family and try to track his own down? Why couldn't questions like these have been answered in the epilogue instead of having yet another sex scene?
And the last thing--more of a niggle, really--if this is set in Colorado, and is about a native Coloradoan and a Texan, why all of the British spellings?
This has the most effective (or perhaps just closest to what I imagine it to be) description of the initial pull of shifter mates toward each other that I've yet found. And I loved that both Levi and Lyndon (after the initial freak-out, anyway) actually TALK about what they're feeling and what they're both going through.
My favorite was when they run into each other in town, and are headed back to Lyndon's hotel room. When they scent the other cougar, Lyndon starts getting all alpha and protective, and Levi gets defensive. And instead of arguing or demanding or any of the other stupid supposedly-tough-guy-alpha things that I've seen dozens of shifters do, Lyndon says
"'All right. I'm sorry. I just don't know how to handle all this--all these emotions and instincts I feel when I'm with you.' Lyndon contemplated stopping there, but figured he might as well finish what he wanted to say and damn being coy. 'Or when I think about you. And I don't want you hurt, okay? I won't apologise for that or try to stop wanting you safe.'"
What kept this from getting more stars from me was, first, the editing. Not just technical stuff, either: in one of the big, suspenseful scenes, Levi's mom gets called both Cheryl and Henry (his dad's name) in the narration, and is once even called "his dad," so that threw me off and interrupted the build-up of the action.
The second thing was the epilogue. We've seen Levi and Lyndon having plenty of sex throughout the book. What we haven't seen is how well they're able to live together with their clothes ON. For example, Lyndon is still unemployed. What is he going to do for work? Is he going to even bother finding a job now, or is he going to hang out with Levi's family and try to track his own down? Why couldn't questions like these have been answered in the epilogue instead of having yet another sex scene?
And the last thing--more of a niggle, really--if this is set in Colorado, and is about a native Coloradoan and a Texan, why all of the British spellings?
January 18, 2019
I liked a lot about this story. I liked the characters and the mystery/story conflict. I liked that it is part of a series that currently has 6 books. It would have been an easy 4-star book if not for a few inconsistencies that came up multiple times.
The worst offender was when the narrator/author mentioned one of the main character's dad when it was clear--because Dad isn't a shifter, Mom is--that it should have referenced the character's mom. This happened no less than three times, possibly more. That is really pretty sloppy. I might have really thought hard about continuing with the series if I hadn't already purchased all of them earlier based on the strong beginning of the story.
There was also an incident of head hopping and then not following the pattern of switching POV, but the latter of these two issues isn't too big a deal since the story needs to go where it needs to go. It might not have been quite as noticeable if not for the head-hopping immediately before the chapter that didn't change POV as expected.
The worst offender was when the narrator/author mentioned one of the main character's dad when it was clear--because Dad isn't a shifter, Mom is--that it should have referenced the character's mom. This happened no less than three times, possibly more. That is really pretty sloppy. I might have really thought hard about continuing with the series if I hadn't already purchased all of them earlier based on the strong beginning of the story.
There was also an incident of head hopping and then not following the pattern of switching POV, but the latter of these two issues isn't too big a deal since the story needs to go where it needs to go. It might not have been quite as noticeable if not for the head-hopping immediately before the chapter that didn't change POV as expected.
May 28, 2015
This felt much shorter than its word count. I mean, there just didn’t seem to be that much to it, despite a fairly average plot and a few people besides the protagonists characterized just enough to set the scene.
But it wasn’t bad or anything. Maybe it’s my off-balance mood; maybe it’s the focus on sex to express emotion. I simply did not get as involved as I could have.
And then there’s Levi’s explanation about his first time with Yancy. Yancy was afraid to bottom, so Levi did it instead – but somehow he wanted to do this because he knew how much Yancy enjoyed bottoming? Come again? I am thinking that part about being afraid to bottom may have been a flub because other bits seemed victims of bad editing as well, but it sure confused me when I came across it.
So. We’ll see how things develop from here. Since the next book’s about Oscar and he seemed interesting so far, I am approaching this with optimism.
But it wasn’t bad or anything. Maybe it’s my off-balance mood; maybe it’s the focus on sex to express emotion. I simply did not get as involved as I could have.
And then there’s Levi’s explanation about his first time with Yancy. Yancy was afraid to bottom, so Levi did it instead – but somehow he wanted to do this because he knew how much Yancy enjoyed bottoming? Come again? I am thinking that part about being afraid to bottom may have been a flub because other bits seemed victims of bad editing as well, but it sure confused me when I came across it.
So. We’ll see how things develop from here. Since the next book’s about Oscar and he seemed interesting so far, I am approaching this with optimism.
September 16, 2012
Random comment on a plot point:
October 9, 2013
I liked this. I did. BUT, I did NOT like how neither Levi nor Lyndon knew about other shifters. What do I mean?
I liked the fight between Lyndon and his stalker. Seemed real to me.
Oscar made me laugh and he acted older than 18, but I don't think I am in a hurry to pay over $5 for his book.
Overall, it was a good read, but I a glad I only paid $.99 for it.
I liked the fight between Lyndon and his stalker. Seemed real to me.
Oscar made me laugh and he acted older than 18, but I don't think I am in a hurry to pay over $5 for his book.
Overall, it was a good read, but I a glad I only paid $.99 for it.
February 24, 2012
For a change interesting shifters story. Both main character, Levi and Lyndon, were good soul mated pair. I liked the atmosphere between them. That need to see each other again and feel this pulling attraction, was well written into the story. I liked Levis family, sure the storyline was simple with nothing freshness in it, but hey it was good promising new series.
July 24, 2016
2.5 stars.
I liked the characters and the plot but (don't hit me) I was pretty bored with the sex scenes. This is becoming a common problem for me - I LOVE plot but the long sex scenes have me tuning out.
As other reviews have pointed out, there were some glaring editing/writing errors as well - but I'll leave those errors to be pointed out in the other reviews :)
I liked the characters and the plot but (don't hit me) I was pretty bored with the sex scenes. This is becoming a common problem for me - I LOVE plot but the long sex scenes have me tuning out.
As other reviews have pointed out, there were some glaring editing/writing errors as well - but I'll leave those errors to be pointed out in the other reviews :)
March 20, 2012
I really like this books. When I read the blurb did not call to me, but then I decided to give it a try, as a like the author a lot, and it did not disappointed me. Nice story. I look forward to read Oscar's story
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