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Pack #4
Purple Sky
An Alpha shifter confidently strolling through his smooth, easy life meets his unexpected mate—an Alpha whose journey has been wholly different and who has long since given up on hopes and fairy tales. Two different backgrounds. Two different views on power. One perfect pairing.
Purple Sky Alpha Brian Berger has led a life blessed with familial love, good friends, and success. He is certain of his place in the world and confident in his destiny to be a powerful Alpha leading a strong pack. The only thing missing is the sweet, obedient mate he’s awaiting.
Brian’s expectations are upended when he meets Keith Iredell. He’s damaged, he’s strong-willed, he’s chaotic, and he’s an Alpha. Keith is the opposite of what Brian thought he wanted, but he is exactly who Brian needs.
Word 42,267
Purple Sky Alpha Brian Berger has led a life blessed with familial love, good friends, and success. He is certain of his place in the world and confident in his destiny to be a powerful Alpha leading a strong pack. The only thing missing is the sweet, obedient mate he’s awaiting.
Brian’s expectations are upended when he meets Keith Iredell. He’s damaged, he’s strong-willed, he’s chaotic, and he’s an Alpha. Keith is the opposite of what Brian thought he wanted, but he is exactly who Brian needs.
Word 42,267
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2026
About the author
Cardeno C.
72 books2,401 followersCardeno C. - CC to friends - is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few "awwws" into a reader's day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno's stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.
Heartwarming Stories. Strong Relationships. Forever Love.
Website: www.cardenoc.com
Blog: (Shared Blog) https://gayromanceauthors.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @CardenoC
FB Profile: http://www.facebook.com/CardenoC
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carde...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6M...
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cardenoC/
Heartwarming Stories. Strong Relationships. Forever Love.
Website: www.cardenoc.com
Blog: (Shared Blog) https://gayromanceauthors.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @CardenoC
FB Profile: http://www.facebook.com/CardenoC
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carde...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6M...
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cardenoC/
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 20, 2026
3.5 stars, but oh how I've missed the fluffy Cardeno C gooeyness.
February 9, 2026
3.5 stars
Fun, paranormal romance with two alphas...what's not to like? For me, the only thing I didn't love was how long it took Brian to listen to Keith.
Fun, paranormal romance with two alphas...what's not to like? For me, the only thing I didn't love was how long it took Brian to listen to Keith.
February 10, 2026
Keith is super awesome and Brian is a super bore. He irritated me through out the story, disliked his character.
August 22, 2026
I love the cover! Didn't love the story so much. Or rather, didn't love the characters so much. I guess I built up my expectations because I enjoyed the other stories in the series and when I started this I liked the way the author wove in a refresher on the other stories and the pack dynamics. But the overly energetic and, in fact, downright hyperactive Keith irritated me to no end. I found myself tense in every scene he was in, literally clenching my teeth and hunching my shoulders and arm muscles as if he were real and buzzing around the room. I am not a fan of people who can't sit still and he eagerly hopped from subject to subject, place to place, and topic to topic-- to a point where he appeared to be a cartoon character.
All this occurred after he was at death's door and Purple Sky alpha Brian Berger came to his rescue. And the closer Brian came to the man who was near death's door and locked away in a basement, the more he realized the man was his mate. So the beginning starts with a rescue of a guy who's pretty emaciated and beat down and was willing to die and then, within hours, he's cracking jokes and running around and jumping Brian's bones.
It was not what I expected from the author and often took on a comedic feel. And while all this was going on, Brian was holding to the role of protector: "I am alpha, hear me roar" sort of attitude. "You are my mate and I will protect you" and "you will not go alone" were the types of things Brian said over and over until well into the second half of the story. And when Keith stood still and Brian shut up for a minute they had sex. Lots of sex, especially after Brian realized he wasn't going to have to submit. He acted like it would be the end of the world if he did. TBH, it just didn't fit in with 2026 and didn't flow well with the other stories, IMO. Let's just say if this had been the first book, I wouldn't have read the series.
All this occurred after he was at death's door and Purple Sky alpha Brian Berger came to his rescue. And the closer Brian came to the man who was near death's door and locked away in a basement, the more he realized the man was his mate. So the beginning starts with a rescue of a guy who's pretty emaciated and beat down and was willing to die and then, within hours, he's cracking jokes and running around and jumping Brian's bones.
It was not what I expected from the author and often took on a comedic feel. And while all this was going on, Brian was holding to the role of protector: "I am alpha, hear me roar" sort of attitude. "You are my mate and I will protect you" and "you will not go alone" were the types of things Brian said over and over until well into the second half of the story. And when Keith stood still and Brian shut up for a minute they had sex. Lots of sex, especially after Brian realized he wasn't going to have to submit. He acted like it would be the end of the world if he did. TBH, it just didn't fit in with 2026 and didn't flow well with the other stories, IMO. Let's just say if this had been the first book, I wouldn't have read the series.
February 14, 2026
This final book is about Brian, who took over the Purple Sky pack instead of Wesley Stone in the second book, and Keith who has gone completely off the rails after his mate died in an explosion. He caused a lot of trouble in the last book.
Brian is the golden boy who grew up in the prosperous Red River pack - not a lot of surprises there. He is strong, kind, dependable, and effective, and he is making good progress bringing the Purple Sky pack back on track. His life has been easy in many ways.
Not so with Keith. He grew up in the Green Field pack, not far from Purple Sky, but his parents died when he was a child and he was left with his mother's shitty ex. Keith was supposed to take over the pack when he came of age, but then his omega mate died and he has been spiraling ever since.
Now they have to get to know each other's very different personalities, and get to the bottom of a surprisingly convoluted plot years in the making. A very satisfying end to the series.
Brian is the golden boy who grew up in the prosperous Red River pack - not a lot of surprises there. He is strong, kind, dependable, and effective, and he is making good progress bringing the Purple Sky pack back on track. His life has been easy in many ways.
Not so with Keith. He grew up in the Green Field pack, not far from Purple Sky, but his parents died when he was a child and he was left with his mother's shitty ex. Keith was supposed to take over the pack when he came of age, but then his omega mate died and he has been spiraling ever since.
Now they have to get to know each other's very different personalities, and get to the bottom of a surprisingly convoluted plot years in the making. A very satisfying end to the series.
February 24, 2026
OMG, I feel like I haven't read anything but Heated Rivalry fanfiction these days and I need to actually finish some books for my ongoing challenges.
So I decided to grab a Cardeno C book and this was classic Cardeno C. I love Keith. I feel like I need to reread the rest of this series books as a refresher but I wasn't lost because the author took the time to explain. As usual, I want more after the ending but that's expected from this author.
I'm hoping for more from this author, fingers crossed. It feels like they are finishing their ongoing series so hopefully there's new one(s) in the horizon?! 🤞🤞
So I decided to grab a Cardeno C book and this was classic Cardeno C. I love Keith. I feel like I need to reread the rest of this series books as a refresher but I wasn't lost because the author took the time to explain. As usual, I want more after the ending but that's expected from this author.
I'm hoping for more from this author, fingers crossed. It feels like they are finishing their ongoing series so hopefully there's new one(s) in the horizon?! 🤞🤞
August 30, 2026
S. What did I like: the love, protection, and overall affection Keith and Brian had for each other. Classic and so tasteful it warms my heart. What I didn’t like: everything else. Keith being this hidden powerful Uber funny badass did nothing for me. He went from weak and damn near a skeleton from how Brian described him to just fun loving and “oh ho I’m actually more powerful than you” but there was so bridge to that. All of the first 3 books are favorites of mine, and this pails in comparison.
March 12, 2026
A fourth book in the series!
This has always been a series that I read over and over again. This new book fits perfectly with the other books.
You are the first author of MM I ever read and now it’s the only one I currently read. Thank you for all the work you do.
{{{{Hugs & chocolate}}}}
This has always been a series that I read over and over again. This new book fits perfectly with the other books.
You are the first author of MM I ever read and now it’s the only one I currently read. Thank you for all the work you do.
{{{{Hugs & chocolate}}}}
March 1, 2026
I’m so happy Cardeno C is writing again, I’ve really missed them writing and so snapped this up. It didn’t flow as well for me as the books written before their writing break, but it was still an enjoyable read and I look forward to more books.
February 8, 2026
Loved this
I LOVED Keith! I am so glad this author continues to give us awesome stories. I always feel good after finishing one of their stories.
I LOVED Keith! I am so glad this author continues to give us awesome stories. I always feel good after finishing one of their stories.
February 17, 2026
Review to follow
February 26, 2026
Good story and series and author
Good story and series and author it's worth reading this book and all of her other books too binge read everything enjoy 💞 🌻 🥂
Good story and series and author it's worth reading this book and all of her other books too binge read everything enjoy 💞 🌻 🥂
March 27, 2026
Genre: Contemporary shifter MM romance
Series: Book 4 of 4
Trope:Werewolf/fated mates
Heat: 6/10
Humour:Oddly, yes!
One of the MCs has a completely quirky nature that adds humour.
Writing: 7/10
I'm a huge Cardeno C fan and was very pleasantly surprised when this book was released. This is not my favourite shifter series of this author but it is pleasant enough and I've read basically the entire catalogue of books (I also frequently reread some books).
I can't remember the details but Bryan, one of the MCs, is a character in a previous book. This one was different from the others, the tone lighter and the characters of a different bend. A sweet and short read.
Series: Book 4 of 4
Trope:Werewolf/fated mates
Heat: 6/10
Humour:Oddly, yes!
One of the MCs has a completely quirky nature that adds humour.
Writing: 7/10
I'm a huge Cardeno C fan and was very pleasantly surprised when this book was released. This is not my favourite shifter series of this author but it is pleasant enough and I've read basically the entire catalogue of books (I also frequently reread some books).
I can't remember the details but Bryan, one of the MCs, is a character in a previous book. This one was different from the others, the tone lighter and the characters of a different bend. A sweet and short read.
February 9, 2026
In Book 2, Red River Pack and Purple Sky traded Alphas, with BRIAN leaving Red River to become Purple Sky’s Alpha.
Book 3 focused on Golden Valley Alpha Morgan Peters and his rivalry with KEITH, though their repeated “challenges” never turned deadly.
Now, in this story, Brian (33) rules Purple Sky while Keith (25) lives in the neighboring Green Field pack. Keith was originally Green Field’s Alpha heir, but after his father died, Rupert seized control as Alpha. Keith was also supposedly rejected by his mate, leaving him depressed and on a hunger strike, basically waiting to die.
Purple Sky and Green Field border each other, separated by a river. Brian wants access to the river for irrigation, so he visits Green Field to negotiate a treaty with Rupert. While there, Brian senses darkness across the territory and feels drawn toward the Alpha’s house. Rupert is absent, but inside Brian finds Keith in terrible condition, near death from starvation. Believing Keith is being abused, Brian decides to take him back to Purple Sky. Rupert barely protests because he actually wants Keith gone.
At Purple Sky, Keith slowly recovers. He’s shocked to realize Brian is actually his mate, since he believed he’d already been rejected by another man, Tim. Learning Tim was never truly his mate seems to lift a huge emotional burden, and Keith suddenly becomes upbeat and euphoric, confusing Brian, who knows nothing about Keith’s past.
Things get complicated when Morgan Peters arrives accusing Brian of kidnapping Keith after Rupert spread that story. Morgan also bluntly says Keith is the strongest fighter of the three of them, Morgan second, and Brian the weakest, which comes off hilariously rude.
It soon becomes obvious Rupert wants Keith dead. When Morgan doesn’t kill him, Rupert sends a former Purple Sky resident to Brian’s house pretending to ask for help, but she instead tries to poison Brian in an over-the-top villain scene that Keith easily catches.
Keith finally reveals Rupert had only been meant to rule as Regent until Keith turned 18. Rupert also introduced him to Tim, whose fake “mate rejection” emotionally destroyed Keith for years, possibly as part of Rupert’s scheme to stay in power. By the end, Keith decides to return to Green Field and defeat Rupert himself, despite Brian worrying he’s still too weak after nearly dying.
Book 3 focused on Golden Valley Alpha Morgan Peters and his rivalry with KEITH, though their repeated “challenges” never turned deadly.
Now, in this story, Brian (33) rules Purple Sky while Keith (25) lives in the neighboring Green Field pack. Keith was originally Green Field’s Alpha heir, but after his father died, Rupert seized control as Alpha. Keith was also supposedly rejected by his mate, leaving him depressed and on a hunger strike, basically waiting to die.
Purple Sky and Green Field border each other, separated by a river. Brian wants access to the river for irrigation, so he visits Green Field to negotiate a treaty with Rupert. While there, Brian senses darkness across the territory and feels drawn toward the Alpha’s house. Rupert is absent, but inside Brian finds Keith in terrible condition, near death from starvation. Believing Keith is being abused, Brian decides to take him back to Purple Sky. Rupert barely protests because he actually wants Keith gone.
At Purple Sky, Keith slowly recovers. He’s shocked to realize Brian is actually his mate, since he believed he’d already been rejected by another man, Tim. Learning Tim was never truly his mate seems to lift a huge emotional burden, and Keith suddenly becomes upbeat and euphoric, confusing Brian, who knows nothing about Keith’s past.
Things get complicated when Morgan Peters arrives accusing Brian of kidnapping Keith after Rupert spread that story. Morgan also bluntly says Keith is the strongest fighter of the three of them, Morgan second, and Brian the weakest, which comes off hilariously rude.
It soon becomes obvious Rupert wants Keith dead. When Morgan doesn’t kill him, Rupert sends a former Purple Sky resident to Brian’s house pretending to ask for help, but she instead tries to poison Brian in an over-the-top villain scene that Keith easily catches.
Keith finally reveals Rupert had only been meant to rule as Regent until Keith turned 18. Rupert also introduced him to Tim, whose fake “mate rejection” emotionally destroyed Keith for years, possibly as part of Rupert’s scheme to stay in power. By the end, Keith decides to return to Green Field and defeat Rupert himself, despite Brian worrying he’s still too weak after nearly dying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews