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Cloverleah Pack #2
The Runaway Cat
Griff Matthews knew he looked like trouble but for a wolf shifter mechanic he was fairly laid back most of the time. Pleased that his Alpha was finally settled with his new mate, Griff longs to meet the man of his dreams. Little did he know he would find it that same evening, when he was too drunk to realize that his good looking hook-up was actually his mate. Problem is when he woke up sober his bed was empty.
Derrick “Diablo” Franklin was just looking for a hook up with a like minded shifter. The sexy cat shifter was deep undercover for the FBI and although his case was coming to an end, he had hopes for his career that didn’t involve finding a mate. However after meeting Griff Diablo realized his plans might have to change.
But nothing is easy for the two men as they battle the FBI, a crime lord from Baton Rouge and a host of contenders looking to take Diablo away from Griff. And just who is Angel Bandures?
Please note this is book two of the CLoverleah Pack series. It can be read as a standalone, but you will learn more about the characters and story line if you read book one, The Reluctant Wolf as well.
Warning: Some people may find the content of this book objectionable. Includes m/m, graphic sexual situations, a few BDSM elements (not related to actual sexual scenes), strong language and a wolf and a cat that are looking for their own happily ever after.
Derrick “Diablo” Franklin was just looking for a hook up with a like minded shifter. The sexy cat shifter was deep undercover for the FBI and although his case was coming to an end, he had hopes for his career that didn’t involve finding a mate. However after meeting Griff Diablo realized his plans might have to change.
But nothing is easy for the two men as they battle the FBI, a crime lord from Baton Rouge and a host of contenders looking to take Diablo away from Griff. And just who is Angel Bandures?
Please note this is book two of the CLoverleah Pack series. It can be read as a standalone, but you will learn more about the characters and story line if you read book one, The Reluctant Wolf as well.
Warning: Some people may find the content of this book objectionable. Includes m/m, graphic sexual situations, a few BDSM elements (not related to actual sexual scenes), strong language and a wolf and a cat that are looking for their own happily ever after.
526 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2014
112 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Oliver
210 books951 followersLisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams. Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips.
When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it, is to promise her chocolate. Lisa will do anything for chocolate.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers and other writers. You can friend her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor), or email her directly at yoursintuitively@gmail.com. If you want to chat with her on Skype, then email for contact details.
When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it, is to promise her chocolate. Lisa will do anything for chocolate.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers and other writers. You can friend her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor), or email her directly at yoursintuitively@gmail.com. If you want to chat with her on Skype, then email for contact details.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
June 9, 2014
The writing is bad. It's clunky, awkward, and missing quite a few commas that would have made reading so much easier. The story itself seemed to have potential to begin with, but that quickly fizzles out and we're left with a whole bunch of blah and meh. The characterization seems actually characterization-y at first, but quickly devolves into painful caricature. I completely lost interest about half-way through because really, nothing happens except passive plot, and I kept waiting for something to happen.
Comment as I went, interspersed with a few holistic asides.
*
Honestly, the writing is shit. For a while, all I could really think to phrase it in terms of was a Simpsons reference (The writing was rough, the continuity was like bark. The punctuation was grrr.) Okay, the writing wasn't that bad. It was still pretty painful, though, I think because there was a glimmer of some potential there. It's consummate pulp, sure, but there's just a glimmer of something...I dunno, dark and meaningful and scary and powerful. For all that the prose is clunky, it does build up momentum pretty quickly. I kept glancing anxiously at the progress bar because HOLY SHIT I'M ONLY LIKE LESS THAN A QUARTER OF THE WAY THROUGH AND ALREADY EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING SO MUCH o_o.
And srsly wtf, what's with all these "I ain't a bottom, yo" books I've encountered lately? Then again, I have been reading slightly older M/M romance stories lately, so maybe it's that?
Eh, I dunno, actually. Maybe the bleakness comes from the pre-mass-LGBT-social-justice era...except wait a mo' this was published this year. O_o wtf? This sort of sheer subliminal sexuality-fueled despair feels more in keeping with, say, 10 years ago than it does today.
Eh. It built up momentum quickly, but that momentum doesn't really go anywhere. These characters feel...unrealistic. Like they're more caricatures of gay men than actual people.
Also, wtf, "on heat"? Wow, author shifter game clearly not pro enough *shakes head sadly*
But wow, this book. It's actually kind of scary. There's something just dark and sad and self-loathing-filled about it all
What the fuck went up with Asshole Kane? Like literally I glance away for a moment to add some more to this and everything just...180'd.
At about less than half way through, it devolved into clunky bullshit. Much sadness; it had potential.
Eh. The premise had potential. The story itself...
Okay, personally, what I expected/hoped for/think probably would have worked helluva lot better
It's at once painfully cynical and unrealistically (dare I say, childishly?) idealistic and reminds me uncomfortably of the mentality of abuse victims.
...oookay, actual abuse.
I dunno. Maybe I've been spoiled with relative open-mindedness because of where I live and my relative age demographic?
Maybe I'm trying too hard to be make allowances for this mentality.
O_O HOLY SHIT WTF. Dude, Griff is like full-on abusive. Okay, this is not cute, cool, or awesome. holy shit holy shit holy shit O_O wtf
He totally disregarded Diablo's protests and steam-rolled over him and coerced him with sex. Okay, not sexy.
I dunno, it all just falls apart. I'll be hard-pressed to exactly pin down what it is that's bothering me so much about this latter half, but I'm just alternately uninterested and very deeply disturbed by the proceedings.
Eh. No I'm out. I'm done. That's it.
DNF ~62%
122p
Edit:
Hahaha awkward, look at this, it has a 4+ rating. Wow. That's almost enough to make me doubt myself (like O_o was I just too sleep-deprived and cantankerous to appreciate the poignant subtly of the underlying genius of the -yeah no more literary bullshit.) Srsly, though, probably not. It was potentially good-ish at one point, which is a massive bait and switch, but I still lost interest before the halfway point, so there's that. *shakes head* Look at all these other reviews. Sheesh, did I accidentally read the wrong book or something? (No, I don't think so, all the names are the same. O_o I must have tripped and fallen into the Twilight Zone)
Comment as I went, interspersed with a few holistic asides.
*
Honestly, the writing is shit. For a while, all I could really think to phrase it in terms of was a Simpsons reference (The writing was rough, the continuity was like bark. The punctuation was grrr.) Okay, the writing wasn't that bad. It was still pretty painful, though, I think because there was a glimmer of some potential there. It's consummate pulp, sure, but there's just a glimmer of something...I dunno, dark and meaningful and scary and powerful. For all that the prose is clunky, it does build up momentum pretty quickly. I kept glancing anxiously at the progress bar because HOLY SHIT I'M ONLY LIKE LESS THAN A QUARTER OF THE WAY THROUGH AND ALREADY EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING SO MUCH o_o.
And srsly wtf, what's with all these "I ain't a bottom, yo" books I've encountered lately? Then again, I have been reading slightly older M/M romance stories lately, so maybe it's that?
Eh, I dunno, actually. Maybe the bleakness comes from the pre-mass-LGBT-social-justice era...except wait a mo' this was published this year. O_o wtf? This sort of sheer subliminal sexuality-fueled despair feels more in keeping with, say, 10 years ago than it does today.
Eh. It built up momentum quickly, but that momentum doesn't really go anywhere. These characters feel...unrealistic. Like they're more caricatures of gay men than actual people.
Also, wtf, "on heat"? Wow, author shifter game clearly not pro enough *shakes head sadly*
But wow, this book. It's actually kind of scary. There's something just dark and sad and self-loathing-filled about it all
What the fuck went up with Asshole Kane? Like literally I glance away for a moment to add some more to this and everything just...180'd.
At about less than half way through, it devolved into clunky bullshit. Much sadness; it had potential.
Eh. The premise had potential. The story itself...
Okay, personally, what I expected/hoped for/think probably would have worked helluva lot better
It's at once painfully cynical and unrealistically (dare I say, childishly?) idealistic and reminds me uncomfortably of the mentality of abuse victims.
...oookay, actual abuse.
I dunno. Maybe I've been spoiled with relative open-mindedness because of where I live and my relative age demographic?
Maybe I'm trying too hard to be make allowances for this mentality.
O_O HOLY SHIT WTF. Dude, Griff is like full-on abusive. Okay, this is not cute, cool, or awesome. holy shit holy shit holy shit O_O wtf
He totally disregarded Diablo's protests and steam-rolled over him and coerced him with sex. Okay, not sexy.
I dunno, it all just falls apart. I'll be hard-pressed to exactly pin down what it is that's bothering me so much about this latter half, but I'm just alternately uninterested and very deeply disturbed by the proceedings.
Eh. No I'm out. I'm done. That's it.
DNF ~62%
122p
Edit:
Hahaha awkward, look at this, it has a 4+ rating. Wow. That's almost enough to make me doubt myself (like O_o was I just too sleep-deprived and cantankerous to appreciate the poignant subtly of the underlying genius of the -yeah no more literary bullshit.) Srsly, though, probably not. It was potentially good-ish at one point, which is a massive bait and switch, but I still lost interest before the halfway point, so there's that. *shakes head* Look at all these other reviews. Sheesh, did I accidentally read the wrong book or something? (No, I don't think so, all the names are the same. O_o I must have tripped and fallen into the Twilight Zone)
May 22, 2014
1.5 stars
I don't know how this book got so many high reviews. I could not get into it. It did look promising in the beginning, I liked how it started but the pet names started and it was horrible. I fckin hate "honey" o "Hon" being used especially from men who are suppose to be ultra alpha. It just didn't fit. Among the other ones being used that I also didn't see fitting. The grammar felt off but Maybe it was just me. This had potential that I don't think it met and several issues that never really bother me, but I couldn't get past here.
I don't know how this book got so many high reviews. I could not get into it. It did look promising in the beginning, I liked how it started but the pet names started and it was horrible. I fckin hate "honey" o "Hon" being used especially from men who are suppose to be ultra alpha. It just didn't fit. Among the other ones being used that I also didn't see fitting. The grammar felt off but Maybe it was just me. This had potential that I don't think it met and several issues that never really bother me, but I couldn't get past here.
July 2, 2014
A fun follow-up to the Reluctant Wolf. This book picks up right where the first leaves off. Griff is at Claude’s watching Kane and Shawn dance. He decides to cut loose and drink himself out of loneliness. Before he is done with his drinks he meets Diablo. Diablo is a cat shifter and works for the FBI. He has been on an undercover case for the past two years and finally has a weekend free, so he is looking for someone to keep him company for the night. These two have a wild night that ends with Diablo’s cat claiming Griff. Neither of them realized, when they met, that they were fated mates.
The next morning, Diablo gets a call from his handler and he needs to go back to his assignment right away. He is distraught because he just found his mate and didn’t want to leave him. When Griff wakes up, he is disappointed that Diablo left, but while he was thinking about him he was shocked to find that they had a mate connection and could speak telepathically. Diablo promises Griff he will return in two weeks, so Griff goes back home and waits for his mate come back.
Nothing is as it seems, and Griff and Diablo do everything they can to ensure the safety of their mate. These two characters are very sweet together. They are prefect for each other. You get a lot of information into Griff’s childhood. The whole pack is present in the book, but they do not play as big of a role like in the first book.
This story was full of twists and turns. Much like the first book, the story starts off in one direction, then follows another plot, then ends with yet another mini plot. It can be frustrating at times, but overall it flowed somewhat smoothly. The book starts with bang, slows down a little, then picks back up and slows down again.
The writing itself was okay. There were some parts that I just shook my head at the silliness of it, but this is fiction. We are reading about shifters and teleportation, so I didn’t take anything seriously. If you didn’t like the first book, then you would not enjoy this story. I was disappointed in how Kane welcomed Diablo into the pack. It was out of character for him.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. It was a fun, easy, simple read. Great for a lazy afternoon. I would definitely continue reading the series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
The next morning, Diablo gets a call from his handler and he needs to go back to his assignment right away. He is distraught because he just found his mate and didn’t want to leave him. When Griff wakes up, he is disappointed that Diablo left, but while he was thinking about him he was shocked to find that they had a mate connection and could speak telepathically. Diablo promises Griff he will return in two weeks, so Griff goes back home and waits for his mate come back.
Nothing is as it seems, and Griff and Diablo do everything they can to ensure the safety of their mate. These two characters are very sweet together. They are prefect for each other. You get a lot of information into Griff’s childhood. The whole pack is present in the book, but they do not play as big of a role like in the first book.
This story was full of twists and turns. Much like the first book, the story starts off in one direction, then follows another plot, then ends with yet another mini plot. It can be frustrating at times, but overall it flowed somewhat smoothly. The book starts with bang, slows down a little, then picks back up and slows down again.
The writing itself was okay. There were some parts that I just shook my head at the silliness of it, but this is fiction. We are reading about shifters and teleportation, so I didn’t take anything seriously. If you didn’t like the first book, then you would not enjoy this story. I was disappointed in how Kane welcomed Diablo into the pack. It was out of character for him.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. It was a fun, easy, simple read. Great for a lazy afternoon. I would definitely continue reading the series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 20, 2016
2e essai et toujours aussi bof plat et sans interet. Je reesaierai juste le tome 5 sur Dean parce son personnage me plait...
December 12, 2022
✮3.5 Stars✮
August 13, 2016
Ok, here's the deal. I can somewhat forgive the author's use of Britishisms (like using bloody, pissed in the drunk sense, and barmy), and I could maybe get over the horrific grammar errors (run on sentences, missing or incorrect punctuation, etc), but the author is really falling down on writing a coherent story.
The characters seem to change to fit the moment and don't feel cohesive or well-conceived, the author's view of American life shows a real lack of research (reminds me of how back in the 1980's everyone thought all Texans were like they saw on Dallas) and while I like the fact that she has two big guys coming together instead of the stereotypical big-guy-and-twink trope, I'm just not getting the feeling of emotional connection here. It feels more like a hook-up with lots of good sex. I couldn't even connect with Diablo's frustration at how he had been abused by his FBI handlers nor Griff's response to his mate's emotional pain - it just felt too one-dimensional and forced.
Oh yeah - and I'd love to know how a cougar shifter and a tiger shifter in a cage "mated in cat form through the bars" and then the woman let the tiger out of his cage and he ran off. It's not like the man wasn't able to change to human form and let himself out, for pete's sakes. Plus how in the hell a cougar and a tiger produce a black panther cub is absolutely baffling to me.
I don't know. I'm just not feeling this story at all, though the initial...perhaps 25%...of the story did pull me in and I liked it. But after the rescue...meh. I'm about halfway through now and am not sure I even care enough to finish the story.
Edit: Okay, I did end up finishing the book. I'm keeping the rating the same, but I will say that the last quarter of the book was better than the middle 50%. I'd recommend reading up to the rescue and then skip to the last quarter of the book - you'll miss a bunch of worthless boring tripe in the middle and enjoy the story more. Ultimately, I'm left thinking that this author didn't do much, if any, research other than watching a few American TV dramas.
IMO, she needs to invest in the services of a good proof-reader and editor and learn to do her research if she really wants to be successful long-term. People will put up with a few errors from a beginning author that shows promise (which she does if she can learn to sustain her characterizations throughout a book and not change willy-nilly) but they won't tolerate it in an established author, even a self-published one.
I liked her first book in this series enough to read this one...and I'll likely read the 3rd book (I picked up all three at the same time) but that's as far as I'm going to go unless she really improves. She's got potential but I've got enough unread books by established authors not to miss this one if the quality of the writing (and editting) doesn't improve significantly in the third book.
The characters seem to change to fit the moment and don't feel cohesive or well-conceived, the author's view of American life shows a real lack of research (reminds me of how back in the 1980's everyone thought all Texans were like they saw on Dallas) and while I like the fact that she has two big guys coming together instead of the stereotypical big-guy-and-twink trope, I'm just not getting the feeling of emotional connection here. It feels more like a hook-up with lots of good sex. I couldn't even connect with Diablo's frustration at how he had been abused by his FBI handlers nor Griff's response to his mate's emotional pain - it just felt too one-dimensional and forced.
Oh yeah - and I'd love to know how a cougar shifter and a tiger shifter in a cage "mated in cat form through the bars" and then the woman let the tiger out of his cage and he ran off. It's not like the man wasn't able to change to human form and let himself out, for pete's sakes. Plus how in the hell a cougar and a tiger produce a black panther cub is absolutely baffling to me.
I don't know. I'm just not feeling this story at all, though the initial...perhaps 25%...of the story did pull me in and I liked it. But after the rescue...meh. I'm about halfway through now and am not sure I even care enough to finish the story.
Edit: Okay, I did end up finishing the book. I'm keeping the rating the same, but I will say that the last quarter of the book was better than the middle 50%. I'd recommend reading up to the rescue and then skip to the last quarter of the book - you'll miss a bunch of worthless boring tripe in the middle and enjoy the story more. Ultimately, I'm left thinking that this author didn't do much, if any, research other than watching a few American TV dramas.
IMO, she needs to invest in the services of a good proof-reader and editor and learn to do her research if she really wants to be successful long-term. People will put up with a few errors from a beginning author that shows promise (which she does if she can learn to sustain her characterizations throughout a book and not change willy-nilly) but they won't tolerate it in an established author, even a self-published one.
I liked her first book in this series enough to read this one...and I'll likely read the 3rd book (I picked up all three at the same time) but that's as far as I'm going to go unless she really improves. She's got potential but I've got enough unread books by established authors not to miss this one if the quality of the writing (and editting) doesn't improve significantly in the third book.
April 15, 2014
DNF 24%
I couldn't get into it. It started promising enough, in fact, I really liked it. Then That set-up is too transparent and predictable from very early stage, not to mention its unconvincing distorting of FBI.
Don't know, I might be to harsh, but this one is really not my cuppa.
I couldn't get into it. It started promising enough, in fact, I really liked it. Then That set-up is too transparent and predictable from very early stage, not to mention its unconvincing distorting of FBI.
Don't know, I might be to harsh, but this one is really not my cuppa.
March 18, 2021
My opinion only - This was a fine story but you had to skim through the sex to find it. Much more than 50% of the book was devoted to rather repetitive and boring sex scenes. If you like a lot of sex and not much story, you'll love this. I don't.
January 29, 2022
Rating this a one star because it really didn't deliver. I thought from the blurb the premise was Fated Mates sleeping together but too drunk to realise they are fated mates. Turns out in this universe fated mates have telepathy and the plot evolved into some weird FBI thing with one fated mate rescuing the other from having to have undercover sex. I lost interest pretty quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
🎧2.75 rounded up
I finished it but I was more annoyed by them than loving them. Their endearments sounded stilted and not romantic. I didn’t like how they used sex and sexual favors to get their way. Griff did it more I think, where Diablo wouldn’t like tbe idea of surging and griff would start something and while doing it here for Diablo to agree. It didn’t sit right with me.
Not sure if I’ll continue the series
I finished it but I was more annoyed by them than loving them. Their endearments sounded stilted and not romantic. I didn’t like how they used sex and sexual favors to get their way. Griff did it more I think, where Diablo wouldn’t like tbe idea of surging and griff would start something and while doing it here for Diablo to agree. It didn’t sit right with me.
Not sure if I’ll continue the series
April 6, 2021
Enjoyed the storyline but this book needs the services of a editor who knows what they're doing.
August 24, 2014
2.5-2.75 stars. This story begins right were the first one ends. Griff finds himself at the bar in a BDSM club with the key to one of the rooms and tries to get buzzed so he can find a warm body for the night. Diablo's an undercover FBI agent on break from his current assignment. Griff and Diablo meet and sparks fly despite Griff being a wolf and Diablo being a cat, and they hook up for the night with Griff's key. Things get intense, and Griff is still a bit drunk, but Diablo marks Griff as his mate. Not the best beginning because Griff didn't consent but before Diablo can explain his FBI handler drags him back into the case and into his role as the sub for Georgio, a scum bag in Baton Rouge. It's not all bad, the mating has opened the mind link and Diablo and Griff can talk and Griff finds out Diablo's all alone on this op with no back up so Griff contacts his own FBI handler and goes in after Diablo as his alter ego, Florida crime boss Angel. Rescue ensues and Griff takes Diablo back home to get to know his mate. But the FBI case goes sideways and Diablo learns how badly the FBI has betrayed him over the last seven years.
I have to say I liked this story better than the first and the first third to half of the book is pretty decent. There was plenty to enjoy....Diablo mating with a drunk Griff (which Griff finds amusing), the case Diablo is working on, Diablo and Griff's chemistry, Griff's alter ego Angel (which was just that silly to be funny), and Diablo's other form (though how a Siberian tiger and a cougar beget a 400 panther I'll never know). I even liked Kane giving Diablo the evil eye because I do like Kane and he does the oddest things as alpha. I also appreciated how devastated Diablo became upon learning his handlers have used him and betrayed him. In fact my heart broke for him and Griff does everything he can to help.
But the middle half is difficult to get through. It's over crammed with sex and contains awkward family drama that really doesn't add anything to the plot. The workable aspect is the FBI and the case all but gets dropped to spin around with more homophobic family members and that story line is getting old.
The last third of the book had its moments. The case gears back up with a kidnapping, though the resolution to that is so short I wondered why it happened. And you have the Mating Challenge which has very bad ass Diablo, a sight I always like to see.
As a whole, the story ran into the same problems the first one had. Too many tangents or plot turns that didn't add much to the story or just become awkward. Conversations drag on past where the point has been made. And too many Britishisms. The story needs tightening up.
The potential was there and I enjoyed reading several parts of this story, it just fell apart in other places. I do come away though with a crush on the 400 pound little kitty cat.
I received a copy of story as part of the M/M Group DBML program.
I have to say I liked this story better than the first and the first third to half of the book is pretty decent. There was plenty to enjoy....Diablo mating with a drunk Griff (which Griff finds amusing), the case Diablo is working on, Diablo and Griff's chemistry, Griff's alter ego Angel (which was just that silly to be funny), and Diablo's other form (though how a Siberian tiger and a cougar beget a 400 panther I'll never know). I even liked Kane giving Diablo the evil eye because I do like Kane and he does the oddest things as alpha. I also appreciated how devastated Diablo became upon learning his handlers have used him and betrayed him. In fact my heart broke for him and Griff does everything he can to help.
But the middle half is difficult to get through. It's over crammed with sex and contains awkward family drama that really doesn't add anything to the plot. The workable aspect is the FBI and the case all but gets dropped to spin around with more homophobic family members and that story line is getting old.
The last third of the book had its moments. The case gears back up with a kidnapping, though the resolution to that is so short I wondered why it happened. And you have the Mating Challenge which has very bad ass Diablo, a sight I always like to see.
As a whole, the story ran into the same problems the first one had. Too many tangents or plot turns that didn't add much to the story or just become awkward. Conversations drag on past where the point has been made. And too many Britishisms. The story needs tightening up.
The potential was there and I enjoyed reading several parts of this story, it just fell apart in other places. I do come away though with a crush on the 400 pound little kitty cat.
I received a copy of story as part of the M/M Group DBML program.
July 11, 2014
I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review through the DBML program of the M/M Romance group at Goodreads.
Overall, I did enjoy the book when I finished it. I liked the characters and the plot (for the most part). But this second installment to the series has the same problems as the first book: asking yourself questions that never get answered, way too many sex scenes (for some that’s not a con), and large loop holes.
This book is about Griff, the pack’s beta (but also has potential to be an alpha), and a panther shifter, Diablo, who is an undercover FBI agent. The have a drunken one night stand where Diablo mates and marks Griff... and then leaves him while the wolf is asleep. Not the best way to start a long-term relationship, but okay. Diablo has to leave because he is called in to go back to work and can’t wake the guy… cool.
I thought that Diablo as an undercover agent was a neat character career. Diablo is a very good agent and is loyal to his job. But over the years he has been assigned certain cases because he is gay. And his handlers didn’t treat him with the best care either (not giving him a partner or team to back him up, leaving him on the case longer than needed, etc). And the case he has to return to isn’t any different.
But that’s okay because we learn that Griff helps the Director of the FBI is his spare time. When that fact was introduced, I was thrown for a loop. Griff [and the pack] became essential for Diablo to finish his case and make it out alive. I don’t want to ruin the details for people who haven’t read the book, so I’m not going to write anything particular about the case. There were inaccuracies with the FBI and that bothered me a bit (but that’s just me).
Like the first book, we start off with one plot, but then move to another storyline, but then suddenly we have a different plot, and then we come back to the original plot. It was confusing at times, but near the end of the book it all comes together.
I was happy to read a little more about Shawn’s magical limits. I was so confused in the first book why Shawn couldn’t solve all of his own problems instantly.
Also like the first book, our main characters are strong, big alphas in their own ways. I enjoy that Griff and Diablo are both stubborn to get what they want and want to protect each other (instead of one man always needing to be protected). The side-characters also have personalities and play a part in the storyline.
In the end, I did enjoy the characters and the overall plot. There are details that made me grind my teeth and left me frustrated, but the book was simple enough to read through in one sitting. I am looking forward to the next installment and I really hope Troy and his mate are part of it.
Overall, I did enjoy the book when I finished it. I liked the characters and the plot (for the most part). But this second installment to the series has the same problems as the first book: asking yourself questions that never get answered, way too many sex scenes (for some that’s not a con), and large loop holes.
This book is about Griff, the pack’s beta (but also has potential to be an alpha), and a panther shifter, Diablo, who is an undercover FBI agent. The have a drunken one night stand where Diablo mates and marks Griff... and then leaves him while the wolf is asleep. Not the best way to start a long-term relationship, but okay. Diablo has to leave because he is called in to go back to work and can’t wake the guy… cool.
I thought that Diablo as an undercover agent was a neat character career. Diablo is a very good agent and is loyal to his job. But over the years he has been assigned certain cases because he is gay. And his handlers didn’t treat him with the best care either (not giving him a partner or team to back him up, leaving him on the case longer than needed, etc). And the case he has to return to isn’t any different.
But that’s okay because we learn that Griff helps the Director of the FBI is his spare time. When that fact was introduced, I was thrown for a loop. Griff [and the pack] became essential for Diablo to finish his case and make it out alive. I don’t want to ruin the details for people who haven’t read the book, so I’m not going to write anything particular about the case. There were inaccuracies with the FBI and that bothered me a bit (but that’s just me).
Like the first book, we start off with one plot, but then move to another storyline, but then suddenly we have a different plot, and then we come back to the original plot. It was confusing at times, but near the end of the book it all comes together.
I was happy to read a little more about Shawn’s magical limits. I was so confused in the first book why Shawn couldn’t solve all of his own problems instantly.
Also like the first book, our main characters are strong, big alphas in their own ways. I enjoy that Griff and Diablo are both stubborn to get what they want and want to protect each other (instead of one man always needing to be protected). The side-characters also have personalities and play a part in the storyline.
In the end, I did enjoy the characters and the overall plot. There are details that made me grind my teeth and left me frustrated, but the book was simple enough to read through in one sitting. I am looking forward to the next installment and I really hope Troy and his mate are part of it.
July 20, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First I'd like to state that I have not read the first part of this series, and maybe that is something I should do someday, buy a copy and read that one first and then give this one another chance.
The very beginning did grab my attention and I was cursing the fact that I'd not read the first book, since by then my expectations were high.
I like'd the initial meeting of the MCs and the tention between them.
First sign that I wasn't going to be so into this book was the fact that I started to think about how intriguing it would've been to read about Angel and Ramon (the hooker Grif took as his slave when he went to resque Diablo).
The part about Diablo seducing all his marks and never having anla sex with them sounded very strange to me. All I can think is that he must have some serious bj skills if he kept all those criminals happy.
By any stretch I can't say that this book was bad. The way Kane and Shawn were a part of this story didn't feel too much like pimping them to the readers, as sometimes is the case. The writing was nice and it's always a treta to have two strong-willed guys as the main couple.
Maybe it's just a case of me not being in the mood for this kind of book.
I always feel like I should try and sey something really smart and constructive when writing reviews and even more so when the author has been kind enough to offer their book for free. Unfortunately, I'm a very objective reader and most of what I do and don't like or feel so-so about, is due to these abstract things.
If I were to name two of my pet peeves so to speak that were present in this book, Iäd have to go with the poor-mother-who's-not-homophobic-just-afraid-of-her-husband-thing. Just once I'd like to read about abusive/violent mothers and wives.
The other one is two dimentional bad guys. If a story is short I don't need every character to be complex and thought out, but I still don't like it becomes automatic that someone with deep prejudice is automatically a thoroughly evil person.
So, final conclusion, I see the charm of this book and why it has such high reviews, it just wasn't a hit for me. So two and ahalf stars, that I'm rounding up for three.
My thanks to the autor as well as the DBML program for the chance to read this book.
First I'd like to state that I have not read the first part of this series, and maybe that is something I should do someday, buy a copy and read that one first and then give this one another chance.
The very beginning did grab my attention and I was cursing the fact that I'd not read the first book, since by then my expectations were high.
I like'd the initial meeting of the MCs and the tention between them.
First sign that I wasn't going to be so into this book was the fact that I started to think about how intriguing it would've been to read about Angel and Ramon (the hooker Grif took as his slave when he went to resque Diablo).
The part about Diablo seducing all his marks and never having anla sex with them sounded very strange to me. All I can think is that he must have some serious bj skills if he kept all those criminals happy.
By any stretch I can't say that this book was bad. The way Kane and Shawn were a part of this story didn't feel too much like pimping them to the readers, as sometimes is the case. The writing was nice and it's always a treta to have two strong-willed guys as the main couple.
Maybe it's just a case of me not being in the mood for this kind of book.
I always feel like I should try and sey something really smart and constructive when writing reviews and even more so when the author has been kind enough to offer their book for free. Unfortunately, I'm a very objective reader and most of what I do and don't like or feel so-so about, is due to these abstract things.
If I were to name two of my pet peeves so to speak that were present in this book, Iäd have to go with the poor-mother-who's-not-homophobic-just-afraid-of-her-husband-thing. Just once I'd like to read about abusive/violent mothers and wives.
The other one is two dimentional bad guys. If a story is short I don't need every character to be complex and thought out, but I still don't like it becomes automatic that someone with deep prejudice is automatically a thoroughly evil person.
So, final conclusion, I see the charm of this book and why it has such high reviews, it just wasn't a hit for me. So two and ahalf stars, that I'm rounding up for three.
My thanks to the autor as well as the DBML program for the chance to read this book.
July 12, 2014
This book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review, as part of Goodreads M/M Romance Group's 'Don't Buy My Love' event.
I have always loved me a good shifter romance, because of the rich bouquet of imagination and fantasies the subgenre makes possible. 'The Runaway Cat' by Lisa Oliver certainly lives up to that requirement, in my opinion.
It is the second book in the 'Cloverleah Pack' series, and tells the story of Griff, the pack beta, who has a drunken tryst with Diablo, a feline shifter (a panther, in fact) he picks up in a bar. During their sexcounter, Diablo loses control over his inner animal and inadvertedly gives Griff a mating bite. To say that he is surprised would be an understatement, as cat shifters are usually loners who rarely take true mates. But just as he comes to grips with his unexpected mating to the now-passed out wolf, he is called away to complete his mission.
Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that Diablo works as an undercover agent for the FBI? When Griff wakes up and discovers the mating bite on his shoulder, he is simultaneously delighted to have found his mate, chagrined that he was so drunk that he didn't recognize that Diablo was his mate, and hurt that his mate has left.
That is the point at which the plot takes off, and I leave it to the readers to pick up the story. It is an interesting and engaging mixture of danger, emotional turmoil, violence, intrigue and lots and lots of hot sex - all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. The story contains several surprises, which should keep readers fully engaged, with handsome and well-developed characters who do some pretty naughty things to each other. That last bit is always a plus in any good shifter story. Both characters are typical alpha males, which leads to all kinds of interesting clashes of personality and some surprising twists, with just a hint of light domination-submission dynamics.
Overall, I feel that Ms Oliver did a decent job at writing a book I wouldn't mind reading again at some point, and I am happy to recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good m/m paranormal romance.
I have always loved me a good shifter romance, because of the rich bouquet of imagination and fantasies the subgenre makes possible. 'The Runaway Cat' by Lisa Oliver certainly lives up to that requirement, in my opinion.
It is the second book in the 'Cloverleah Pack' series, and tells the story of Griff, the pack beta, who has a drunken tryst with Diablo, a feline shifter (a panther, in fact) he picks up in a bar. During their sexcounter, Diablo loses control over his inner animal and inadvertedly gives Griff a mating bite. To say that he is surprised would be an understatement, as cat shifters are usually loners who rarely take true mates. But just as he comes to grips with his unexpected mating to the now-passed out wolf, he is called away to complete his mission.
Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that Diablo works as an undercover agent for the FBI? When Griff wakes up and discovers the mating bite on his shoulder, he is simultaneously delighted to have found his mate, chagrined that he was so drunk that he didn't recognize that Diablo was his mate, and hurt that his mate has left.
That is the point at which the plot takes off, and I leave it to the readers to pick up the story. It is an interesting and engaging mixture of danger, emotional turmoil, violence, intrigue and lots and lots of hot sex - all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. The story contains several surprises, which should keep readers fully engaged, with handsome and well-developed characters who do some pretty naughty things to each other. That last bit is always a plus in any good shifter story. Both characters are typical alpha males, which leads to all kinds of interesting clashes of personality and some surprising twists, with just a hint of light domination-submission dynamics.
Overall, I feel that Ms Oliver did a decent job at writing a book I wouldn't mind reading again at some point, and I am happy to recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good m/m paranormal romance.
April 5, 2016
Nous retrouvons la petite meute de Cloverleah. Au moment même ou nous l'avons laissée dans le tome 1. Shawn et Kane sont aller batifoler et Griff est au bar. Il a décidé, en attendant son âme sœur, de s'amuser un peu et de s'envoyer en l'air. Après une bonne rasade d'alcool, il fait la rencontre de Diablo. Diablo, mec super sexy, blond aux yeux noirs et qui ne cache pas son attirance pour lui. N'y pouvant plus ils montent dans une chambre de la boite et passent la nuit la plus intense de leur vie. Au réveil Diablo se rend compte que son coup d'un soir est en fait son compagnon et qu'il l'a marqué dans le feu de l'action, sans lui demander la permission. Mais voilà, Diablo est un agent infiltré du FBI, et il est appelé de toute urgence sur son affaire. Il quitte la chambre à contre cœur, mais prend la décision de démissionner le plus rapidement possible et de retrouver Griff. De son côté lorsque Griff se réveille, satisfait et la tête un peu embrouillée, il ne se rend pas tout de suite du changement. C'est en entendant la voix de Diablo dans son esprit qu'il comprend. Mais lui aussi travaille en secret pour le FBI. Et il n'a pas l'intention de laisser son compagnon se débrouiller seul, dans son affaire foireuse.
J'ai aimé leur relation à tout les deux, c'est très intense comme d'habitude, mais aussi très profond. Et puis comme le premier tome, l'auteure nous donne un peu de toute la meute. Ce que j'apprécie. L'affaire dont s'occupe Diablo est bien menée, on a droit à des infiltrations, un enlèvement et tout le toutim. La meute est toujours aussi solidaire. Alors, il y a quelques incohérences, mais elles ne m'ont pas dérangées. Donc je ne suis pas déçue par ma lecture, au contraire j'ai adoré, tellement que j'ai l'intention de lire le tome 3 en anglais. Parce-que à la fin nous avons en bonus le premier chapitre du tome suivant, et c'est juste pas possible d'attendre la suite !!!
J'ai aimé leur relation à tout les deux, c'est très intense comme d'habitude, mais aussi très profond. Et puis comme le premier tome, l'auteure nous donne un peu de toute la meute. Ce que j'apprécie. L'affaire dont s'occupe Diablo est bien menée, on a droit à des infiltrations, un enlèvement et tout le toutim. La meute est toujours aussi solidaire. Alors, il y a quelques incohérences, mais elles ne m'ont pas dérangées. Donc je ne suis pas déçue par ma lecture, au contraire j'ai adoré, tellement que j'ai l'intention de lire le tome 3 en anglais. Parce-que à la fin nous avons en bonus le premier chapitre du tome suivant, et c'est juste pas possible d'attendre la suite !!!
July 20, 2014
I received my copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review through the "Don't Buy My Love" event hosted by the M/M Romance Group on Goodreads.
Quick Note: I have not read the first book in the series at the time of this review.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Plot: I almost felt as though there were two plots to this book. The first dealt with Diablo's FBI case and the second dealt with the pack politics/mating ceremony. I'm not sure the two plots really meshed. Maybe if one of the plots had been the main focus, with the other plot adding a few scenes for support/development, it would have flowed better for me. But it felt more like the author couldn't decide where to focus with the characters.
Main Characters: Diablo and Griff were an interesting pair. Both of them certainly have their dominant traits, but it doesn't become an issue between them.
Side/Secondary Characters: I like Kane and Shawn, even if Kane was a bit of a jerk at times. I wish the rest of the pack had more of a presence in the story, the little bit that they appeared in the story made me want to know more. I feel like I need a family tree to keep Kane and Griff's family straight.
I'm definitely going to be reading the books 1 and 3.
Quick Note: I have not read the first book in the series at the time of this review.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Plot: I almost felt as though there were two plots to this book. The first dealt with Diablo's FBI case and the second dealt with the pack politics/mating ceremony. I'm not sure the two plots really meshed. Maybe if one of the plots had been the main focus, with the other plot adding a few scenes for support/development, it would have flowed better for me. But it felt more like the author couldn't decide where to focus with the characters.
Main Characters: Diablo and Griff were an interesting pair. Both of them certainly have their dominant traits, but it doesn't become an issue between them.
Side/Secondary Characters: I like Kane and Shawn, even if Kane was a bit of a jerk at times. I wish the rest of the pack had more of a presence in the story, the little bit that they appeared in the story made me want to know more. I feel like I need a family tree to keep Kane and Griff's family straight.
I'm definitely going to be reading the books 1 and 3.
August 25, 2021
I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review through the DBML program of the M/M Romance group at Goodreads.
This is the second book in a series and definitely recommend reading in order. This book picks up right where the first one leaves off and has lots of different twists and plots to keep reader hooked. I enjoyed the fact that like in the first book we have two strong, alpha type main characters. Each who are stubborn and determined to protect each other. This was a nice change from one strong alpha and one weaker mate who is always in need of protection. Also enjoyed getting to see the side characters / packs again and the rolls they play in the storyline. Loved seeing these characters fleshed out more and being set up for books of there own.
The story has a mix of danger, turmoil, violence, and sex, but a no time did it feel overwhelming or heavy. That along with the storyline twists keep me entertained throughout the whole book.
The only negative I have is the overuse of terms of endearment. (Hon, etc). I just don't think alpha men go around saying it all the time to each other. If I set that aside, overall I found the story to be a fun and easy read. Great for a palate cleanser and I will be looking for the next in the series.
This is the second book in a series and definitely recommend reading in order. This book picks up right where the first one leaves off and has lots of different twists and plots to keep reader hooked. I enjoyed the fact that like in the first book we have two strong, alpha type main characters. Each who are stubborn and determined to protect each other. This was a nice change from one strong alpha and one weaker mate who is always in need of protection. Also enjoyed getting to see the side characters / packs again and the rolls they play in the storyline. Loved seeing these characters fleshed out more and being set up for books of there own.
The story has a mix of danger, turmoil, violence, and sex, but a no time did it feel overwhelming or heavy. That along with the storyline twists keep me entertained throughout the whole book.
The only negative I have is the overuse of terms of endearment. (Hon, etc). I just don't think alpha men go around saying it all the time to each other. If I set that aside, overall I found the story to be a fun and easy read. Great for a palate cleanser and I will be looking for the next in the series.
July 3, 2014
I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review through the DBML program of the M/M Romance group at Goodreads.
Hot shifter love between an Alpha Wolf and an Alpha Black Panther. The love and lust from these two in the second of the Cloverleah pack books is combustible. you know that when the only thing that you complain about is the formatting of the book and the misuse of British term when the character are American and in the US, you have read a great book. I enjoyed in spite of the formatting which looks like it was formatted with out having margins and then justified. The mating challenge before the ritual had Griff (wolf) and Diablo (panther) and the pack (minus Dean, an Omega) plus 4 temporary members fighting of 60 challengers because as a non wolf there is a rule that any wolf who thought he could fight better than Griff and the pack could challenge for the right to mate with Diablo. this rule was in place for most of the non wolf shifters were non combatant who couldn't protect themselves and wanted to make sure they weren't a drain on the pack. even with the flaws mentioned this is a five star book.
Hot shifter love between an Alpha Wolf and an Alpha Black Panther. The love and lust from these two in the second of the Cloverleah pack books is combustible. you know that when the only thing that you complain about is the formatting of the book and the misuse of British term when the character are American and in the US, you have read a great book. I enjoyed in spite of the formatting which looks like it was formatted with out having margins and then justified. The mating challenge before the ritual had Griff (wolf) and Diablo (panther) and the pack (minus Dean, an Omega) plus 4 temporary members fighting of 60 challengers because as a non wolf there is a rule that any wolf who thought he could fight better than Griff and the pack could challenge for the right to mate with Diablo. this rule was in place for most of the non wolf shifters were non combatant who couldn't protect themselves and wanted to make sure they weren't a drain on the pack. even with the flaws mentioned this is a five star book.
January 12, 2016
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
This book was a awesome addition to this series!
Okay I have to say I love cat shifters almost as much as I love reading about wolf shifters which is a lot so when I get to read about both of my favorite shifters mating in a book that was this good.. Let me just say I loved it!!!
Griff who is the second in command in his best friends Kane's pack goes to a club with his friends which is where he meets Diablo.
Diablo is a undercover FBI agent who is a cat shifter.
These two together fit so well with each other. Because you get the protectiveness these two feel towards each other, then the steam which was off the charts hot and the action too. I was on the edge of my seat and could not put this book down until the end it was just so good!
You see a lot of the characters from the first book in this series which I loved and got to see them grow as mates as well.
So all together I 100% loved this book!
I would recommend this book!
This book was a awesome addition to this series!
Okay I have to say I love cat shifters almost as much as I love reading about wolf shifters which is a lot so when I get to read about both of my favorite shifters mating in a book that was this good.. Let me just say I loved it!!!
Griff who is the second in command in his best friends Kane's pack goes to a club with his friends which is where he meets Diablo.
Diablo is a undercover FBI agent who is a cat shifter.
These two together fit so well with each other. Because you get the protectiveness these two feel towards each other, then the steam which was off the charts hot and the action too. I was on the edge of my seat and could not put this book down until the end it was just so good!
You see a lot of the characters from the first book in this series which I loved and got to see them grow as mates as well.
So all together I 100% loved this book!
I would recommend this book!
July 4, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. I really like this series. I'm glad I read book #1 first, so I had some background information on Kane and Shawn and all of the other packs. Diablo was my favorite character. A black panther shifter and undercover FBI agent. He was really lonely until he met Griff, his mate. And I love that they are both very Alpha. Not the typical Alpha/helpless little guy formula that you see in so many shifter stories. Overall, it was great and I can wait to read the next book. Scott and Damien's story.
There is only one thing that bothered me...the European slang. Bloody hell, bonnet instead of hood, nutters instead of crazy. These are bad ass, motorcycle riding, leather wearing, alpha wolves(cat), in America. They don't want to lay you across the bonnet and bugger you. It took me out of the story a few times. But, other than that, good. 3.5 stars.
Wow. I really like this series. I'm glad I read book #1 first, so I had some background information on Kane and Shawn and all of the other packs. Diablo was my favorite character. A black panther shifter and undercover FBI agent. He was really lonely until he met Griff, his mate. And I love that they are both very Alpha. Not the typical Alpha/helpless little guy formula that you see in so many shifter stories. Overall, it was great and I can wait to read the next book. Scott and Damien's story.
There is only one thing that bothered me...the European slang. Bloody hell, bonnet instead of hood, nutters instead of crazy. These are bad ass, motorcycle riding, leather wearing, alpha wolves(cat), in America. They don't want to lay you across the bonnet and bugger you. It took me out of the story a few times. But, other than that, good. 3.5 stars.
April 20, 2022
I loved the story itself. It is creative but still has some of the things I love about shifters. The writing is really a big problem though. The editing is bad, which I don't count against writers as a whole. What really through me though was the use of European phrases. This is all about homework on the writers part. Arse instead of ass and Bloody as a curse is not used in the U.S. unless the character came from Europe (or Australia) which isn't the case here. This really distracts from the story because I kept getting thrown out of it. This may seem like a petty thing to gripe about but it really did bring my overall enjoyment of the story down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2014
I actually really enjoyed the story itself however it needs some serious editing. It could've been made more cohesive with a good editor and things like "bought" being used instead of "brought" every single time wouldn't have happened. It drove me nuts, I'm afraid. Also, "my lover" was used and that is a personal squick for me. Just can't stand it. I did try book 2 as well and it was the same issue.
If some of this could be cleaned up and edited, I think this could be a very enjoyable series but I won't be reading the next books in the series.
If some of this could be cleaned up and edited, I think this could be a very enjoyable series but I won't be reading the next books in the series.
January 12, 2016
So as I mentioned in the review for the previous book, I gave this one a shot, but no. This one was written if not as bad as the first one, worse. I feel like a real amature has written these books. Not to be rude or anything, but seriously, if you can't write dialogue, don't write books. Everyone knows that if you have a dialogue continuing in the next paragraph, you don't close it off. I've had to go back to see who really said something a bunch of times just so I wouldn't get confused, but now I've given up. I can't enjoy the story anymore.
July 25, 2024
This book was just suspend all belief and logic and just enjoy the ride fun. I liked Griff and Diablo and I enjoyed their story. There were some things that bugged me, like the fact that Diablo, an alpha cat shifter who is bigger and badder than everyone around him, put up with a job that exploited him for so long and all the British terms that did not make sense because neither of the characters were British. Fortunately, the other issues with the plot that stood out, did not ruin the overall story for me.
November 21, 2014
This is the second in this new addicting wolf/shifters series for me that I've already started the 3rd one as well so this tells you how much I enjoy this series!! Another perk about this series also is that this is no 100 page read each book so far as been well over 350 pages!! Can't wait to continue 3rd book. :-)
August 24, 2014
4.5 out of 5
I liked this book better than the first. I like the fresh take on shifters and how the characters carried from the previous book. Diablo was a great mate for Griff and the plot moved smoothly. I just wanted a little more, but overall a good read.
I liked this book better than the first. I like the fresh take on shifters and how the characters carried from the previous book. Diablo was a great mate for Griff and the plot moved smoothly. I just wanted a little more, but overall a good read.
February 18, 2017
Loved it as much if not more than book one. Yeah, so there are holes in the story ie a panther from a mating of a cheetah and a tiger but this is a fantasy so just let it go and enjoy the story. Straight into bk 3, in the mood for light fluff.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
June 21, 2024
2.75⭐
Why am I reading this again? This series is pure trash but it is my trash and I'm addicted 😂
There were so many issues with the topics in this book/series but it's a good popcorn read 🍿
Narrator: John York
Why am I reading this again? This series is pure trash but it is my trash and I'm addicted 😂
There were so many issues with the topics in this book/series but it's a good popcorn read 🍿
Narrator: John York
November 12, 2024
Adorable!
This is such an awesome story. I love the connection between the characters that plays out in a totally unique way. There was more than one time when I had to keep from laughing 🤣. Thanks for sharing this!
This is such an awesome story. I love the connection between the characters that plays out in a totally unique way. There was more than one time when I had to keep from laughing 🤣. Thanks for sharing this!
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