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Siphon #1
Johnnie
A Premier lion shifter, Hugh Landry dedicates his life to leading the Berk pride with strength and confidence. Hundreds of people depend on Hugh for safety, success, and happiness. And at over a century old, with more power than can be contained in one body, Hugh relies on a Siphon lion shifter to carry his excess force.
When the Siphon endangers himself and therefore the pride, Hugh must pay attention to the man who has been his silent shadow for a decade. What he learns surprises him, but what he feels astounds him even more.
Two lions, each born to serve, rely on one another to survive. After years by each other’s side, they’ll finally realize the depth of their potential, the joy in their passion, and a connection their kind has never known.
When the Siphon endangers himself and therefore the pride, Hugh must pay attention to the man who has been his silent shadow for a decade. What he learns surprises him, but what he feels astounds him even more.
Two lions, each born to serve, rely on one another to survive. After years by each other’s side, they’ll finally realize the depth of their potential, the joy in their passion, and a connection their kind has never known.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2015
87 people are currently reading
739 people want to read
About the author
Cardeno C.
70 books2,382 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...
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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/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
July 31, 2023
Reread July 2023.
My original rating stands. What I noticed this time around is the lack of an epilogue.
When I first read Johnnie, I assumed the second book would be forthcoming. Eight years later, I'm certain it's not.
I don't know why CC stopped writing. I so enjoyed their books.
4.25 stars
CRACK, that's what.
I started this puppy late last night and couldn't stop reading. Despite being connected to an espresso drip all day, I'm still yawning. I blame CC. Also, Daylight Savings Time.
But this isn't about me.
It's about Johnnie the book. And Johnnie the person. And Hugh.
Hugh wins Oblivious Douchebag of the Century award. At age 102, Hugh apparently doesn't realize that treating a person like an object, ignoring his very existence, makes that person feel worthless. And people who feel worthless don't have much desire to live.
Hugh is the Premier (alpha, leader, president) of a large, successful lion pride.
All Premiers have dark hair, eyes, and skin. At 7 feet and 300 pounds, Hugh is a big man, a powerful man. His body needs an outlet for all that energy and strength.
So Hugh fucks a lot. But that's not enough. Hugh also has a Siphon, a lion with blue eyes assigned just to him, who always hovers nearby and draws Hugh's excess power. Siphons are rare and special, but the Siphon is just a nameless entity to Hugh.
Then a near tragedy forces Hugh to finally wake up and pay attention to the one person in his pride he's neglected.
The majority of the story focuses on the relationship between Hugh and Johnnie, Hugh's realization of how much he's wronged Johnnie, and their growing connection.
There is a side plot involving betrayal by one of the pride members, but there's not a lot of world building in terms of lion prides or shifters. How do 1,400 lions go undetected on land that abuts a national park? Does anyone have a job? Who cares?
One thing is certain: Lions are sluts.
They fuck indiscriminately and often. Group orgies and public nudity are the norm. And monogamy is nonexistent. Hugh has sex with all his pride members.
Hugh doesn't understand love.
But Johnnie does.
Sadness tinges the story initially. Johnnie has lived a bleak existence. The POV is mostly Hugh's, but we get glimpses of Johnnie's after he climbs out of the darkness.
Johnnie is so giving and adorable, and so damn wanton in his innocence, I can't even.
Maybe Johnnie's depression is too easily cured with Hugh's attention, but this is a shifter story, and shifters are not like us. I choose to believe that. Don't ruin it for me.
Another thing that MUST be mentioned: Hugh's cock has SPINES.
This is a real thing. Google "lion penile spikes," and you'll see. I just did this at work, so if I lose my job tomorrow we'll know why.
During my Google research, I also discovered that it's common for lions to engage in homosexual behavior.
Because. LIONS ROCK.
CC always delivers in terms of heat, and this book is no different. I liked the careful tenderness between the men that turns into intense passion. These are LIONS, people. They're going to fuck, and fuck hard.
And the HEA is lovely. Of course.
I want more.
CARDENO C + LION SHIFTERS
My original rating stands. What I noticed this time around is the lack of an epilogue.
When I first read Johnnie, I assumed the second book would be forthcoming. Eight years later, I'm certain it's not.
I don't know why CC stopped writing. I so enjoyed their books.
4.25 stars
CRACK, that's what.
I started this puppy late last night and couldn't stop reading. Despite being connected to an espresso drip all day, I'm still yawning. I blame CC. Also, Daylight Savings Time.
But this isn't about me.
It's about Johnnie the book. And Johnnie the person. And Hugh.
Hugh wins Oblivious Douchebag of the Century award. At age 102, Hugh apparently doesn't realize that treating a person like an object, ignoring his very existence, makes that person feel worthless. And people who feel worthless don't have much desire to live.
Hugh is the Premier (alpha, leader, president) of a large, successful lion pride.
All Premiers have dark hair, eyes, and skin. At 7 feet and 300 pounds, Hugh is a big man, a powerful man. His body needs an outlet for all that energy and strength.
So Hugh fucks a lot. But that's not enough. Hugh also has a Siphon, a lion with blue eyes assigned just to him, who always hovers nearby and draws Hugh's excess power. Siphons are rare and special, but the Siphon is just a nameless entity to Hugh.
Then a near tragedy forces Hugh to finally wake up and pay attention to the one person in his pride he's neglected.
The majority of the story focuses on the relationship between Hugh and Johnnie, Hugh's realization of how much he's wronged Johnnie, and their growing connection.
There is a side plot involving betrayal by one of the pride members, but there's not a lot of world building in terms of lion prides or shifters. How do 1,400 lions go undetected on land that abuts a national park? Does anyone have a job? Who cares?
One thing is certain: Lions are sluts.
They fuck indiscriminately and often. Group orgies and public nudity are the norm. And monogamy is nonexistent. Hugh has sex with all his pride members.
Hugh doesn't understand love.
But Johnnie does.
Sadness tinges the story initially. Johnnie has lived a bleak existence. The POV is mostly Hugh's, but we get glimpses of Johnnie's after he climbs out of the darkness.
Johnnie is so giving and adorable, and so damn wanton in his innocence, I can't even.
Maybe Johnnie's depression is too easily cured with Hugh's attention, but this is a shifter story, and shifters are not like us. I choose to believe that. Don't ruin it for me.
Another thing that MUST be mentioned: Hugh's cock has SPINES.
This is a real thing. Google "lion penile spikes," and you'll see. I just did this at work, so if I lose my job tomorrow we'll know why.
During my Google research, I also discovered that it's common for lions to engage in homosexual behavior.
Because. LIONS ROCK.
CC always delivers in terms of heat, and this book is no different. I liked the careful tenderness between the men that turns into intense passion. These are LIONS, people. They're going to fuck, and fuck hard.
And the HEA is lovely. Of course.
I want more.
CARDENO C + LION SHIFTERS
September 1, 2016
Woah, this was just... woah!
Cardeno C. crack in the hizzous!
I usually start my audiobook reviews by talking about the story and then, at the end, I talk about the narrator. However, I just can't even talk about ANYTHING before I say what a freakin' AMAZING job Greg Tremblay did with this book. He narrated his butt off! I can't even picture this book with any other narrator. Greg made this story come to life, and he proved again why he is one of my favorite narrators. I heart you, Greg Tremblay!
Story-wise, this book was pretty awesome, too. Usually Cardeno's stories are a little on the insta-lovey side for me, but this was a niiiice slow burn. It packed a lot of relationship development in for a novella. To boot, I really liked the world-building, which I wasn't expecting. The concept of a premier and siphon was really well thought out, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Johnnie and Hugh.
The plot itself, the action, was a bit "meh" for me, but the super hot virgin sex made up for it. I LOVE me a virgin, as you all know!
This book, though not anything groundbreaking, is a fun, sexy, easy listen with an awesome narrator and an interesting story. You won't be disappointed.
**Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
September 21, 2015
This is my guilty face.
Many, many months ago I promised myself that the next time I less-than-favorably reviewed a book by one of my favorite authors I wouldn't sound so damn apologetic about it.
But I knew I was lying.
Apologizing for your opinion doesn't do jack for anyone but I don't think I can help it--I've got a real guilt-complex thing going on here. Mainly about three things: my appallingly bad grammar, everything ever ever and the fact that there doesn't seem to be a writer in existence I can't find fault with. (Or with which I can’t find fault. Is that right? Fuck it.)
Even Jane Austen. I love her more than I love my dog (maybe) but you know what, Jane? I FUCKING HATE MANSFIELD PARK. I hate it. I just want to karate kick Fanny Whatsherbutt in the kisser and then strongly suggest she take her thumb out of her ass.
See? Now I feel guilty and I'm talking about a book by a dead chick. I mean, I'm sure Jane was trying her best. Can't win 'em all…yada, yada, yada.
Okay, the way I'm talking you'd expect I also hated Cardeno's Johnnie. Which I didn't. I don't. I like Hugh and Johnnie and their romance. I like the whole lion shifter pride thing and the idea of Premiers and their Siphons--it actually put me in mind of the daemons in Pullman's His Dark Materials and whenever that happens I consider it to be a very good thing. (Unfortunately, instead of being treated like a treasure, Johnnie spends his first 26 years treated like a briefcase. A cell phone gets more attention than that guy.)
The problem is that the world-building doesn't feel so much like world-building as it does like repetitive info dumping. For instance:
Generally, after eating they all ended up fucking in one of the common areas. Sex was a tried and true method of bonding as well as a good way for a Premier to release his high levels of semen, so it was a regular part of Hugh's visits with his pride members. [loc 681]So Hugh is a super powerful Premier (lion shifter alpha) and lions like to fuck. A lot. I got it. This information is very important to the plot, but I got tired of hearing it, and other info about the lion shifter world, over and over and over again. I'm capable of retaining that type of info the first time I read it. It bored me so I kept putting the book down in favor of yet another fanfic--and this is Cardeno C., people! That [almost] NEVER happens. Usually once I start one of their books not even a Nutella crepe could drag my attention away.
Group sex was very frequent, particularly among lions who lived together, so when Hugh was invited to share a meal with lions in a Berk den, he was always welcome to join them for fucking late into the night. [loc 1109]
A Premier Pride, especially one led by a Premier as experienced and powerful as Hugh, often had over a thousand adult lions and, other than females who were interested in getting pregnant, those adults fucked one another with the same casualness and ease as a simple conversation or a handshake. [loc 2738]
I was also seriously bummed that there was no . I felt like there was a lot of foreshadowing but nothing every came of it. It's not my favorite trope, but I don't think CC has ever had that in any of their books and I was seriously excited to read their version of it. Alas, no. Maybe in the next book?
So, basically [cue guilty face], it's a 2 star read for me. However, now that Greg Tremblay has done the audio version I'm really interested in listening to it. I might actually enjoy Mansfield Park if he read it to me.
**The ARC was provided by the author 800 years ago in exchange for an honest review.**
***********************************
NEW CC!!!
July 25, 2020
3.5 Stars
Admittedly, I’m a little late to the party, but I quite enjoyed this tale about lion shifters and their interesting culture.
As per the blurb, Hugh is a much respected and powerful lion. He’s the leader, the Premier, and though he has many strengths, it can also be his potential downfall. Hence, he has luckily acquired a coveted and rare member of lion society called the Siphon, one who can take his excess energy so it doesn’t eventually kill him. What Hugh never realizes despite him having more than a 1000 lions under his care is that the one member of his pride, the only person who is absolutely crucial to his survival, Hugh has ignored and taken for granted for years. The audacity of this astounded me and frankly, when Johnnie tries to end his life because he’s understandably despondent and feels hopeless and unseen, Hugh gets what he deserves and that’s a good wake up kick in the balls!!
Despite my indignant snark, this was of course excellently narrated by Tremblay. It was also satisfying to see that as Hugh finally takes notice of Johnnie, their forced companionship as he watches over him allows Hugh to realize his grave mistakes and to actually get to know the wonderful young man who has a voice, who is smart, and should count as an equal of importance. What follows is a sweet development of feels with a good amount of smexy.
So, there’s not much to complain about this unique shifter story, but I still will complain about Hugh, and his absolutely careless cluelessness. He makes up for it though and realizes Johnnie’s worth, and their love was satisfying because obviously, together they are stronger than they’re apart, making their pride all the more powerful, happy, and invincible.
The End
Admittedly, I’m a little late to the party, but I quite enjoyed this tale about lion shifters and their interesting culture.
As per the blurb, Hugh is a much respected and powerful lion. He’s the leader, the Premier, and though he has many strengths, it can also be his potential downfall. Hence, he has luckily acquired a coveted and rare member of lion society called the Siphon, one who can take his excess energy so it doesn’t eventually kill him. What Hugh never realizes despite him having more than a 1000 lions under his care is that the one member of his pride, the only person who is absolutely crucial to his survival, Hugh has ignored and taken for granted for years. The audacity of this astounded me and frankly, when Johnnie tries to end his life because he’s understandably despondent and feels hopeless and unseen, Hugh gets what he deserves and that’s a good wake up kick in the balls!!
Despite my indignant snark, this was of course excellently narrated by Tremblay. It was also satisfying to see that as Hugh finally takes notice of Johnnie, their forced companionship as he watches over him allows Hugh to realize his grave mistakes and to actually get to know the wonderful young man who has a voice, who is smart, and should count as an equal of importance. What follows is a sweet development of feels with a good amount of smexy.
So, there’s not much to complain about this unique shifter story, but I still will complain about Hugh, and his absolutely careless cluelessness. He makes up for it though and realizes Johnnie’s worth, and their love was satisfying because obviously, together they are stronger than they’re apart, making their pride all the more powerful, happy, and invincible.
The End
March 12, 2022
UPDATED 07/07/2015 for audio book:
Once again Greg Tremblay narrates beautifully. Completely enjoyable!
This is yet another winner by Cardeno C! It's all angsty, fun, sexy goodness.
Trigger Warning: Suicide attempt
Hugh is the Premier of a very large, very successful pride of lions, overseeing almost 2,000 lion shifters. Because he's a Premier he amasses an enormous amount of energy and needs an outlet to "siphon" it, a special lion shifter (always within sight or no more than a room away) that is able to draw away Hugh's excess power, so Hugh doesn't die.
The Siphon came to live with Hugh over a decade ago but he's unseen. No one communicates with him, no one acknowledges him, he's alive but does not live.
So the Siphon decides to kill himself. The night he almost succeeds is the first night Hugh finally "sees" him. In order to prevent the Siphon from endangering Hugh and the pride again, Hugh keeps the Siphon close. This means Hugh (finally!) begins to get to know the person who has been keeping him alive for last ten years. The first major realization? The Siphon was never named - when he was born he was seen to be a siphon and therefore kept away from everyone so he would not be harmed before he could come of age and be given to a Premier.
Hugh names him Johnnie.
The majority of the story focuses on the relationship between Hugh and Johnnie and their growing connection.
Once again Greg Tremblay narrates beautifully. He's able to take the different character voices and bring them to life. He's an auto-buy narrator for me - he's that consistently awesome.
Read 03/14/2015:
Admittedly, at first it's all:
But then:
And then finally, it's all:
And there's even a bit of DANGER and INTRIGUE!
But in the end:
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave
Once again Greg Tremblay narrates beautifully. Completely enjoyable!
This is yet another winner by Cardeno C! It's all angsty, fun, sexy goodness.
Trigger Warning: Suicide attempt
Hugh is the Premier of a very large, very successful pride of lions, overseeing almost 2,000 lion shifters. Because he's a Premier he amasses an enormous amount of energy and needs an outlet to "siphon" it, a special lion shifter (always within sight or no more than a room away) that is able to draw away Hugh's excess power, so Hugh doesn't die.
The Siphon came to live with Hugh over a decade ago but he's unseen. No one communicates with him, no one acknowledges him, he's alive but does not live.
So the Siphon decides to kill himself. The night he almost succeeds is the first night Hugh finally "sees" him. In order to prevent the Siphon from endangering Hugh and the pride again, Hugh keeps the Siphon close. This means Hugh (finally!) begins to get to know the person who has been keeping him alive for last ten years. The first major realization? The Siphon was never named - when he was born he was seen to be a siphon and therefore kept away from everyone so he would not be harmed before he could come of age and be given to a Premier.
Hugh names him Johnnie.
The majority of the story focuses on the relationship between Hugh and Johnnie and their growing connection.
Once again Greg Tremblay narrates beautifully. He's able to take the different character voices and bring them to life. He's an auto-buy narrator for me - he's that consistently awesome.
Read 03/14/2015:
Admittedly, at first it's all:
But then:
And then finally, it's all:
And there's even a bit of DANGER and INTRIGUE!
But in the end:
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave
July 23, 2015
Written July 23, 2015
3 1/2 - Tender sweet and quite adorable
Johnnie is a newly published lion shifter M/M by Cardeno C. who's romances usually are tender good-feel reads. — 5:50 audiobook hours narrated by Greg Tremblay - one of my favorite M/M narrators.
Smiling glad & satisfied...
As with every Cardeno C book I've read is this a touching, easy read —yummy smexy— story about characters in need of love and friendship. ~ A good one!
*********************************************************
Hugh Landry is a strong, huge, over an century old, lion-shifter leading the Berk Pride. With more power than can be contained in one body, Hugh relies on a Siphon lion shifter to carry his excess force. For his help is, like a invisible slave, Johnnie a young blue-eyed shifter. Hugh has in their years together hardly recognized his Siphon before the day Johnnie (then still nameless) tries to end his own, and with that also Hugh's, life.
Sigh, poor Johnnie's life has been so lonely and sad and I really felt for him. He was in such a need for love and to be cared for. Berk is a man with a big caring heart and when he at last "discovered" Johnnie was he so very touching sweet. Their spiriting love was like between young inexperienced teens, every kiss and touch was light, sweet and fresh. The 'steam' here is hot and intense and it made me feel even more for these two.
I'm not sure where or exactly when this story is set, it felt like a fiction huge African (or US) place where a lot of lions has enough room to run around without intruding humans. The feeling is nevertheless contemporary. This paranormal shifter "world" and their society is interesting and I wished for more facts about it. ~ The love story is a nice heartwarming read and perfect as an not to long in-between book. Maybe too much of a two person drama just speaking and explaining feelings and life to each other and not much of a real storyline, but tender sweet in all ways.
*********************************************************
I both liked and enjoyed Johnnie, and this audiobook narrator, very much. A little bit tedious (much explaining, a lot of talking and less story) in the end, but anyway a recommended nice M/M shifter read. I'm looking forward to my next Cardeno C. book. ~ Cuddling cat shifters are always adorable to meet.
I LIKE - lovely sweeeeeet reads
3 1/2 - Tender sweet and quite adorable
Johnnie is a newly published lion shifter M/M by Cardeno C. who's romances usually are tender good-feel reads. — 5:50 audiobook hours narrated by Greg Tremblay - one of my favorite M/M narrators.
Smiling glad & satisfied...
As with every Cardeno C book I've read is this a touching, easy read —yummy smexy— story about characters in need of love and friendship. ~ A good one!
*********************************************************
Hugh Landry is a strong, huge, over an century old, lion-shifter leading the Berk Pride. With more power than can be contained in one body, Hugh relies on a Siphon lion shifter to carry his excess force. For his help is, like a invisible slave, Johnnie a young blue-eyed shifter. Hugh has in their years together hardly recognized his Siphon before the day Johnnie (then still nameless) tries to end his own, and with that also Hugh's, life.
Sigh, poor Johnnie's life has been so lonely and sad and I really felt for him. He was in such a need for love and to be cared for. Berk is a man with a big caring heart and when he at last "discovered" Johnnie was he so very touching sweet. Their spiriting love was like between young inexperienced teens, every kiss and touch was light, sweet and fresh. The 'steam' here is hot and intense and it made me feel even more for these two.
I'm not sure where or exactly when this story is set, it felt like a fiction huge African (or US) place where a lot of lions has enough room to run around without intruding humans. The feeling is nevertheless contemporary. This paranormal shifter "world" and their society is interesting and I wished for more facts about it. ~ The love story is a nice heartwarming read and perfect as an not to long in-between book. Maybe too much of a two person drama just speaking and explaining feelings and life to each other and not much of a real storyline, but tender sweet in all ways.
*********************************************************
I both liked and enjoyed Johnnie, and this audiobook narrator, very much. A little bit tedious (much explaining, a lot of talking and less story) in the end, but anyway a recommended nice M/M shifter read. I'm looking forward to my next Cardeno C. book. ~ Cuddling cat shifters are always adorable to meet.
I LIKE - lovely sweeeeeet reads
January 11, 2019
Re-listen January 2019
Greg Tremblay really brings this book alive. The story was enjoyable, but it's just such a joy to listen to this narrator.
------------------------------------------------
Audio version (and it’s SO good).
Narrator: Greg Tremblay
I really loved this one. It was way sweeter than I expected (I mean, helloooo, lion shifters). But of course it’s Cardeno C, so I son’t know how I could have ever doubted this book would be anything but sugary sweet.
This book was different than any other shifter book I’ve read, because there are no humans in it. These lions don’t live with humans, they don’t think like humans, they are lion shifters and therefore absolutely not human.
Hugh is the pride’s premier. He is almost a century old and he is very successful in leading his pride.
When premiers grow older they have trouble wielding their power. They need a Siphon. A Siphon stores the premiers power and has to be close to him at all times. Siphons are very rare and Hugh is lucky he has one. Not that he has ever noticed him.
Hugh only notices his Siphon when that Siphon tries to kill himself one night. And with him Hugh and the entire pride. Because a premier dies without his Siphon and the pride dies without its premier.
It is then Hugh realizes he knows nothing about the man who has been his Siphon for the past 10 years. It becomes clear that the Siphon has never been treated as a fellow lion. No one ever speaks to the Siphon, and he doesn’t even have a name. Hugh slowly finds out that life has been very tough for Johnnie, as he calls the Siphon now.
Johnnie has been ignored his entire life. He only knows depression. But all of that changes when Hugh finally notices him…
This story is very low angst and you might want to bring out the toothbrush before starting.
I liked reading about the pride and how they have almost no contact with humans. Hugh is the premier and takes care of everyone.
Lions don’t have the same view on relationships as humans. They don’t do relationships. Everyone kind of lives together, eat together, have sex together.
I loved how Hugh went from a regular lion shifter (having sex with everyone and everything) to being in a loving relationship with Johnnie. Lions are supposedly horny 24/7, so I was a little worried, but there is no cheating in this book.
I even liked the dick with spines sex! Different, but hot anyway. It wasn’t as weird as I expected it to be and the spines only made an appearance at 70% of the book. It wasn’t quite such a big deal as I thought it would be.
Very sweet, low angst story about lion shifters. Very typical Cardeno C.
Greg Tremblay really brings this book alive. The story was enjoyable, but it's just such a joy to listen to this narrator.
------------------------------------------------
Audio version (and it’s SO good).
Narrator: Greg Tremblay
I really loved this one. It was way sweeter than I expected (I mean, helloooo, lion shifters). But of course it’s Cardeno C, so I son’t know how I could have ever doubted this book would be anything but sugary sweet.
This book was different than any other shifter book I’ve read, because there are no humans in it. These lions don’t live with humans, they don’t think like humans, they are lion shifters and therefore absolutely not human.
Hugh is the pride’s premier. He is almost a century old and he is very successful in leading his pride.
When premiers grow older they have trouble wielding their power. They need a Siphon. A Siphon stores the premiers power and has to be close to him at all times. Siphons are very rare and Hugh is lucky he has one. Not that he has ever noticed him.
Hugh only notices his Siphon when that Siphon tries to kill himself one night. And with him Hugh and the entire pride. Because a premier dies without his Siphon and the pride dies without its premier.
It is then Hugh realizes he knows nothing about the man who has been his Siphon for the past 10 years. It becomes clear that the Siphon has never been treated as a fellow lion. No one ever speaks to the Siphon, and he doesn’t even have a name. Hugh slowly finds out that life has been very tough for Johnnie, as he calls the Siphon now.
Johnnie has been ignored his entire life. He only knows depression. But all of that changes when Hugh finally notices him…
This story is very low angst and you might want to bring out the toothbrush before starting.
I liked reading about the pride and how they have almost no contact with humans. Hugh is the premier and takes care of everyone.
Lions don’t have the same view on relationships as humans. They don’t do relationships. Everyone kind of lives together, eat together, have sex together.
I loved how Hugh went from a regular lion shifter (having sex with everyone and everything) to being in a loving relationship with Johnnie. Lions are supposedly horny 24/7, so I was a little worried, but there is no cheating in this book.
I even liked the dick with spines sex! Different, but hot anyway. It wasn’t as weird as I expected it to be and the spines only made an appearance at 70% of the book. It wasn’t quite such a big deal as I thought it would be.
Very sweet, low angst story about lion shifters. Very typical Cardeno C.
May 26, 2015
The problem I had with this story was I can't get my head around on a fact that you'll fall in love with the person you've been ignoring and unintentionally mistreating for almost a decade.
Good thing the rest of the story was adorable and lovely. Plus, Hugh has dick spikes. :D
Try to remember this mantra I keep saying to myself to at least appreciate the story:
Or else, you'll go crazy understanding why their minds work how it did.
3.5 STARS. (rounded down)
Good thing the rest of the story was adorable and lovely. Plus, Hugh has dick spikes. :D
Try to remember this mantra I keep saying to myself to at least appreciate the story:
"They're not human, they're shifters. "
Or else, you'll go crazy understanding why their minds work how it did.
3.5 STARS. (rounded down)
March 20, 2015
4.5
This was such an interesting twist on shifters. I liked how it was very insulated and focused on the community. I found the Premier/Siphon relationship very different from any other shifter book I've read before so I'm interested in seeing how the author expands and explores it in the
further books in the series.
Poor nameless isolated Johnnie. This young man's story was so angsty and sad. More so for the fact that not one person in the pride noticed or cared about him. I don't blame him for his actions after years and years of being invisible.
One of the best parts of this read for me was seeing Hugh wake up and actually see Johnnie as a person and not a tool. This is a slow build and a sweet, sexy one. I wanted all the things for Johnnie who, even though he tried to make the most of the life he had, still yearned for more.
I was glad to see Hugh finally live up to those expectations. I'm so intrigued with this idea of the Siphons and where the series will go next with it. This was a great read. Lots of angst, interesting characters and storyline with endless chemistry between the MC's. I loved it.
**Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
This was such an interesting twist on shifters. I liked how it was very insulated and focused on the community. I found the Premier/Siphon relationship very different from any other shifter book I've read before so I'm interested in seeing how the author expands and explores it in the
further books in the series.
Poor nameless isolated Johnnie. This young man's story was so angsty and sad. More so for the fact that not one person in the pride noticed or cared about him. I don't blame him for his actions after years and years of being invisible.
One of the best parts of this read for me was seeing Hugh wake up and actually see Johnnie as a person and not a tool. This is a slow build and a sweet, sexy one. I wanted all the things for Johnnie who, even though he tried to make the most of the life he had, still yearned for more.
I was glad to see Hugh finally live up to those expectations. I'm so intrigued with this idea of the Siphons and where the series will go next with it. This was a great read. Lots of angst, interesting characters and storyline with endless chemistry between the MC's. I loved it.
**Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
April 2, 2017
How to say this.....
Unfortunately this one did not do it for me. I couldn't get into the story and I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters.
This book is about lion shifters. The Leader is called a Premier and he can lead large groups of lions. Over the years his power and size keeps growing. There comes a point when all that power gets to be too much. That's where the siphon comes in. A siphon holds all the power that is too much for the premier. Shipons are pretty rare so not al premiers have them. They are mostly given to them as a gift...A premier without a siphon will eventually die, because of a poweroverload. If a premier does have a siphon he can go on and live forever together with his siphon, because a siphon ages at the same pase as him.
Hugh is a premier and fortunately he does have a siphon. The shiphon was given to him 10 years ago by a pride (pack) that was in a bad place. They gave him the siphon so they could emerge with the premiers pride.
Now Hugh is a dick !! He and everybody else in the pride have been ignoring the siphon, who at this point doens't even have a name. He is always close to the premier, because if they get seperated their connection breaks and the premier would die. Nobody talks to him, it's like he doesn't even excist.
Now when the siphon tries to take his own life, by hanging himself...Hugh kind of freaks. Everybody is upset about The siphon trying to end the life of their premier...bunch of assholes.
Hugh starts to spend more time with the siphon to keep him from making another attempt to kill himself. He gets to know the siphon and starts to really like him. Together they decide to name him Johnnie. From this point on their relationships evolves. They start to have feelings for one another and they start a sexual realtionship.
Lions appareantly, are horny basterds....the sexscenes were oke, but for me...I was already dissapointed in the story and the characters, so I didn't really care. Yes Hugh has a spiked dick...what the fuck ever !!
I just didn't care anymore. There was no real suspence...there was a little plot in the back of the story about lions that wanted to upduct the siphon, but it wasn't really suspencefull and it was over in a flash.
They ignored him for ten freaking years....he had nobody to talk to and was treated like he was some kind of furniture. Maybe Johnnie could forgive that shit, but I sure as hell couldn't, so sorry to say i didn't enjoy reading this one.
2,5 stars from me :(
Unfortunately this one did not do it for me. I couldn't get into the story and I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters.
This book is about lion shifters. The Leader is called a Premier and he can lead large groups of lions. Over the years his power and size keeps growing. There comes a point when all that power gets to be too much. That's where the siphon comes in. A siphon holds all the power that is too much for the premier. Shipons are pretty rare so not al premiers have them. They are mostly given to them as a gift...A premier without a siphon will eventually die, because of a poweroverload. If a premier does have a siphon he can go on and live forever together with his siphon, because a siphon ages at the same pase as him.
Hugh is a premier and fortunately he does have a siphon. The shiphon was given to him 10 years ago by a pride (pack) that was in a bad place. They gave him the siphon so they could emerge with the premiers pride.
Now Hugh is a dick !! He and everybody else in the pride have been ignoring the siphon, who at this point doens't even have a name. He is always close to the premier, because if they get seperated their connection breaks and the premier would die. Nobody talks to him, it's like he doesn't even excist.
Now when the siphon tries to take his own life, by hanging himself...Hugh kind of freaks. Everybody is upset about The siphon trying to end the life of their premier...bunch of assholes.
Hugh starts to spend more time with the siphon to keep him from making another attempt to kill himself. He gets to know the siphon and starts to really like him. Together they decide to name him Johnnie. From this point on their relationships evolves. They start to have feelings for one another and they start a sexual realtionship.
Lions appareantly, are horny basterds....the sexscenes were oke, but for me...I was already dissapointed in the story and the characters, so I didn't really care. Yes Hugh has a spiked dick...what the fuck ever !!
I just didn't care anymore. There was no real suspence...there was a little plot in the back of the story about lions that wanted to upduct the siphon, but it wasn't really suspencefull and it was over in a flash.
They ignored him for ten freaking years....he had nobody to talk to and was treated like he was some kind of furniture. Maybe Johnnie could forgive that shit, but I sure as hell couldn't, so sorry to say i didn't enjoy reading this one.
2,5 stars from me :(
August 16, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Well this began with a lot of anger inducing emotions. I felt so bad for the siphon, he was so lonely, surrounded by thousands that treated him like he didn’t exist. Until he tried to escape his lonely life and put the premier (like an alpha) in danger, angering the whole pack.
To me it made no sense for the siphon to be treated like a second class citizen. As the being that’s basically keeping the premier alive, he should’ve been revered.
I did appreciate the mindset that Hugh (the premier) went through. He figured out that he did wrong by Johnnie (the siphon) and he did change his behavior.
The evolution of their newfound relationship was lovely, it grew naturally before they became lovers. Then the discoveries they made is everything I love about pack shifters, like fated mates.
The conflict was a little laissez faire, a little too messy and the climax to said conflict felt abrupt and a bit of a let down.
I also wanted more for Johnnie, I wanted the pack to know everything he means to Hugh, to treat him as the treasure he is. But I did find comfort in how much Hugh treasured him.
The steam was good, I always like interesting genitalia. That was kinda the driving force for me, the rest of the story I could give or take.
Well this began with a lot of anger inducing emotions. I felt so bad for the siphon, he was so lonely, surrounded by thousands that treated him like he didn’t exist. Until he tried to escape his lonely life and put the premier (like an alpha) in danger, angering the whole pack.
To me it made no sense for the siphon to be treated like a second class citizen. As the being that’s basically keeping the premier alive, he should’ve been revered.
I did appreciate the mindset that Hugh (the premier) went through. He figured out that he did wrong by Johnnie (the siphon) and he did change his behavior.
The evolution of their newfound relationship was lovely, it grew naturally before they became lovers. Then the discoveries they made is everything I love about pack shifters, like fated mates.
The conflict was a little laissez faire, a little too messy and the climax to said conflict felt abrupt and a bit of a let down.
I also wanted more for Johnnie, I wanted the pack to know everything he means to Hugh, to treat him as the treasure he is. But I did find comfort in how much Hugh treasured him.
The steam was good, I always like interesting genitalia. That was kinda the driving force for me, the rest of the story I could give or take.
April 15, 2022
Re-read - April 2022, September 2015, June 2018 - still fun and easy to read. Nothing overly unique compared to other shifter stories, but sometimes that's best :-)
Review:
Yep loved this book! Just like always it's a sweet easy read, in this case a nice protective and possessive alpha and the extra special, yet totally normal man who was invisible but now seen.
Hugh was very ignorant to Johnnies feelings at the beginning of the book and seemed quite cold hearted, but he soon saw what he had being doing wrong in ignoring his Siphon. Hugh and Johnnie were just so great together and I loved seeing their friendship and then lust, then love blossom.
I tend to forget that C. Cardeno books are fucking hot... but they really really are, or at least this one definitely was! Hugh is such a good dirty talker and such a delicious toppy top! It was seriously sexy!! And loved the possessive 'mine' moments.
Review:
Yep loved this book! Just like always it's a sweet easy read, in this case a nice protective and possessive alpha and the extra special, yet totally normal man who was invisible but now seen.
Hugh was very ignorant to Johnnies feelings at the beginning of the book and seemed quite cold hearted, but he soon saw what he had being doing wrong in ignoring his Siphon. Hugh and Johnnie were just so great together and I loved seeing their friendship and then lust, then love blossom.
I tend to forget that C. Cardeno books are fucking hot... but they really really are, or at least this one definitely was! Hugh is such a good dirty talker and such a delicious toppy top! It was seriously sexy!! And loved the possessive 'mine' moments.
June 29, 2015
3.5 stars rounded up.
Hugh is a Premier lion shifter that dedicates his life to leading the Berk pride. Like all Premiers, he has black skin and hair. He's over a century old and weights three hundred pounds, because his body grows along with his power as he ages. Hugh has a Siphon that helps him storage his energy, which he can no longer contain himself.
Siphons, the blue-eyed lions, are rare. The Siphon can never be far from the Premier, otherwise the Premier will die. Even though the role of the Siphon is really important, he's not a valued member of the pride.
Johnnie and Hugh have never spend any time together. The first time Hugh really looks at his Siphon is after he endangers himself. Then Hugh realizes that he has been mistreating his Siphon for a decade and he tries to correct his mistakes.
Johnnie and Hugh's relationship develops slowly and they learn about love together. Especially Hugh, since he doesn't understand what that emotion means. However, Johnnie has always been sure how he felt about Hugh.
This story is so sweet. And Johnnie is just adorable, I want to squeeze him. Plus, now I know what penile spikes are.
Hugh is a Premier lion shifter that dedicates his life to leading the Berk pride. Like all Premiers, he has black skin and hair. He's over a century old and weights three hundred pounds, because his body grows along with his power as he ages. Hugh has a Siphon that helps him storage his energy, which he can no longer contain himself.
Siphons, the blue-eyed lions, are rare. The Siphon can never be far from the Premier, otherwise the Premier will die. Even though the role of the Siphon is really important, he's not a valued member of the pride.
Johnnie and Hugh have never spend any time together. The first time Hugh really looks at his Siphon is after he endangers himself. Then Hugh realizes that he has been mistreating his Siphon for a decade and he tries to correct his mistakes.
Johnnie and Hugh's relationship develops slowly and they learn about love together. Especially Hugh, since he doesn't understand what that emotion means. However, Johnnie has always been sure how he felt about Hugh.
This story is so sweet. And Johnnie is just adorable, I want to squeeze him. Plus, now I know what penile spikes are.
March 15, 2015
It's Cardeno C and shifters. You know that's a good combination. And you already know what to expect.
There's the growly, emotionally constipated alpha. Who's a lion in this case!
There are a lot of sweet moments between the two MCs. Hugh and Johnnie almost put me into a sugar coma a few times. I'm not complaining.
A lot of hot sexin'. Your inner perv should be satisfied.
And a little bit of a action to top it off.
Overall, 'Johnnie' is a sweet and enjoyable read. Despite not being a fan at first, I've come to really like Cardeno C's brand of fluff. It looks like the next Siphon book was set up at the end, and I'm looking forward to reading it!
There's the growly, emotionally constipated alpha. Who's a lion in this case!
There are a lot of sweet moments between the two MCs. Hugh and Johnnie almost put me into a sugar coma a few times. I'm not complaining.
A lot of hot sexin'. Your inner perv should be satisfied.
And a little bit of a action to top it off.
Overall, 'Johnnie' is a sweet and enjoyable read. Despite not being a fan at first, I've come to really like Cardeno C's brand of fluff. It looks like the next Siphon book was set up at the end, and I'm looking forward to reading it!
September 1, 2019
Cute love story with lion shifters. It mainly focuses on the relationship between Hugh, the powerful pride leader, and Johnnie, the Siphon of all this power. Hugh initially does not treat Johnnie as a person. He treats him mostly as an object that it shouldn't be touched or talked to. As a result, Johnnie is an unhappy isolated lion that wants to kill himself. At some point, there will be Hugh's realization of how much he has wronged Johnnie and their connection will grow.
Unfortunately, there is not much world building in terms of lion prides or shifters. I would like more details and maybe more action on the side besides a lame betrayal.
Unfortunately, there is not much world building in terms of lion prides or shifters. I would like more details and maybe more action on the side besides a lame betrayal.
July 17, 2015
3,5 stars
Well.Darn.what.will.I.say?
This was – I don’t know….
The story is about Lions shifters!! It begins that the Siphon is rescued from a suicide attempt. This would’ve been disastrous for the Berk pride as the Premier Hugh would’ve died also. The most important job of the Siphon is to release the Premier of his powers/burdens. If not doing so the Premier wouldn’t stand a chance surviving.
Although Hugh has lived a hundred years , he is absolutely oblivious in understanding why the Siphon had the need to end his life. Being the Siphon, he has been ignored all his life, was not a real member of the pride and was feeling very lonely….
Hugh starts to take notice of his Siphon, trying to prevent him from harming himself again. He finally starts to “see” the man behind the Siphon. He names his Siphon Johnnie.
Gosh Hugh… Enlightning to know that that would matter to a person, being named… geez
The other thing I learned about this book is that Lions are horny and will fuck most frequently with females or males for that matter.
Hugh considered the way other lions responded to him physically. “They enjoy our time screwing.”
In fact, they seemed to enjoy it more than Hugh. For him, sex served a need. It emptied his body of semen and evened out his hormones and temperament. But relief wasn’t the same as pleasure, which was something he’d discovered a week earlier when he’d brought himself to a fast, but delicious climax while staring at Johnnie.
Another thing that I would like to mention, and Dani already mentioned it. But Hugh’s cock has spines…. I too googled this and found out that this is common with felines. It is meant to trigger female hormones so they get pregnant.
But with Hugh being human having this was......
He felt as though dozens of tiny fingers were caressing him and every time Hugh dragged his cock past Johnnie’s prostate, those fingers tapped it one by one.
“Johnnie,” Hugh said, his voice hoarse, breathless, and confused. “Something’s different.” In and out he went, not slowing down or speeding up. “My cock is…” He arched his neck and gasped. “There’s more… I feel it everywhere… I…”
Finally I want to express my utter admiration for Greg Tremblay for narrating this story…. I know I was not supposed to, but I was laughing so hard… This story was ridiculous… But Greg’s panting and grumbling made it totally awesome!!!!
*kudo's to you*
So my final verdict will be:
Story: 2,5 stars
Narrating: 1 star extra!!!
Total: 3,5 stars
July 11, 2015
***audio narration review only***
It's Greg Tremblay. I seriously shouldn't have to say anything else for you to understand. My word that man's growl sends shivers up my spine.
It's Greg Tremblay. I seriously shouldn't have to say anything else for you to understand. My word that man's growl sends shivers up my spine.
March 20, 2015
Cardeno C. is writing a new shifter series. This time, with LION shifters.
Gimme it at once!!!
Seriously, CC's books are like a drug to me. My own personal brand of heroin. Marshmallows on crackers. With chocolate, all ooey-gooey.
But enough of my addiction, let's talk about this book.
This book, people. This book with Hugh Landry, a Premier Lion shifter, who at over 100 years old is as oblivious to some things as the day he was born. Welped. Whatever.
See, a Premier has so much awesome power that he needs a Syphon to carry some of it, or he'd implode from the pressure. So Hugh has his Syphon, had him for years, without ever paying any mind to the young man who's constantly in his vicinity, ever ready to absorb some of the immense powers of this super oblivious Lion man.
Until the Syphon nearly succeeds in what he's apparently been trying for a while, and Hugh gets a huge wake-up call.
And this is just in the first few pages, folks.
From there, CC takes us on a journey where obliviousness gives way to awareness and eventually a grand romance.
Crack, I tell you. The fluffy, sweet, tooth-achingly sugary crack that are CC novels, and I'm an addict.
Considering this is the first in what is shaping up to be a great series, the required world-building is cleverly integrated into the plot, without ever becoming boring, and I read and read and read until I was at the end. And even then I wanted more. MOAR!! NOW!!!
I utterly adored Johnnie (the Syphon) who is so amazingly sweet and kind and smart, and who blossoms visibly under the attention and care of his Premier, and while I initially wanted to smack Hugh over the head a few times, he too won my heart about halfway through when it becomes clear that he's falling head over heels for the young man he's never noticed before.
The action scenes, that stem from the plot to bring down Hugh, are well done, edge-of-my-seat tense, and worked well within the overall direction of the book. I loved, loved, loved the scenes between Hugh and Johnnie, and I adored how CC let both men grow into what they were supposed to be, as well as setting the stage for the next novels.
Gimme more, CC! Gimme lots more!!
** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. **
Gimme it at once!!!
Seriously, CC's books are like a drug to me. My own personal brand of heroin. Marshmallows on crackers. With chocolate, all ooey-gooey.
But enough of my addiction, let's talk about this book.
This book, people. This book with Hugh Landry, a Premier Lion shifter, who at over 100 years old is as oblivious to some things as the day he was born. Welped. Whatever.
See, a Premier has so much awesome power that he needs a Syphon to carry some of it, or he'd implode from the pressure. So Hugh has his Syphon, had him for years, without ever paying any mind to the young man who's constantly in his vicinity, ever ready to absorb some of the immense powers of this super oblivious Lion man.
Until the Syphon nearly succeeds in what he's apparently been trying for a while, and Hugh gets a huge wake-up call.
And this is just in the first few pages, folks.
From there, CC takes us on a journey where obliviousness gives way to awareness and eventually a grand romance.
Crack, I tell you. The fluffy, sweet, tooth-achingly sugary crack that are CC novels, and I'm an addict.
Considering this is the first in what is shaping up to be a great series, the required world-building is cleverly integrated into the plot, without ever becoming boring, and I read and read and read until I was at the end. And even then I wanted more. MOAR!! NOW!!!
I utterly adored Johnnie (the Syphon) who is so amazingly sweet and kind and smart, and who blossoms visibly under the attention and care of his Premier, and while I initially wanted to smack Hugh over the head a few times, he too won my heart about halfway through when it becomes clear that he's falling head over heels for the young man he's never noticed before.
The action scenes, that stem from the plot to bring down Hugh, are well done, edge-of-my-seat tense, and worked well within the overall direction of the book. I loved, loved, loved the scenes between Hugh and Johnnie, and I adored how CC let both men grow into what they were supposed to be, as well as setting the stage for the next novels.
Gimme more, CC! Gimme lots more!!
** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. **
March 26, 2021
That was like one big long warm hug. Absolutely adorable. Johnnie was so sad and the way he grows over the course of the story is wonderful. And Hugh is a big ole' clueless prat, who learns so much about himself through his relationship with Johnnie. Loved it.
Audio performed by Greg Tremblay who does a terrific job. His voice for Johnnie is just perfect.
an audiobook copy of Johnnie was generously provided by the author, the opinions are my own
Audio performed by Greg Tremblay who does a terrific job. His voice for Johnnie is just perfect.
an audiobook copy of Johnnie was generously provided by the author, the opinions are my own
January 18, 2022
Loved: both MCs, how Hugh discovered things about Johnnie and how Johnnie thrived under Hugh's attention, relationships development and sexy times. When they went for it, it was hot 🔥 plus lion penile spines are real - I googled it 😉
Lion shifters and the pride were a pleasant diversity from wolves and packs.
Niggles: the pride existed in a limbo, Hugh was very busy but I couldn't figure out what they all did for living and how they blended with the human world. I would appreciate a more thorough world building. It didn't affect the story but I still wanted to know more.
I wish there were more books set in this world, definitely recommended
Lion shifters and the pride were a pleasant diversity from wolves and packs.
Niggles: the pride existed in a limbo, Hugh was very busy but I couldn't figure out what they all did for living and how they blended with the human world. I would appreciate a more thorough world building. It didn't affect the story but I still wanted to know more.
I wish there were more books set in this world, definitely recommended
December 9, 2021
3-3.5 stars
It was interesting, focused pretty much solely on the main characters with little other character interactions.
I did enjoy it but I just wanted more especially seeing the people I follow praise this so highly.
Overall good read but wanted more
It was interesting, focused pretty much solely on the main characters with little other character interactions.
I did enjoy it but I just wanted more especially seeing the people I follow praise this so highly.
Overall good read but wanted more
March 16, 2015
Not sure how to rate this one
It is a very rare occurrence that I have such a powerful negative reaction to one of the MC’s within a couple of chapters.
Hugh is a premier lion who at over 100 years old has too much power to exist without a siphon lion. For a siphon to carry the premier’s power he must remain close to the premier at all times. Siphons are so rare that only 1 in 100 premiers ever get one, so you would think that they would be a highly valued and regarded member of the pride. Not in this pride.
When we first meet Hugh he is having an orgy with 4 other members of his pride, when all of a sudden he starts feeling over full from all of his power. Realising that something has happened to his siphon of 10 years, the other members of the orgy investigate to find that the siphon has tried to hang himself.
Hugh’s first reaction to this is “why did you try and kill me and destroy the pride” (I find destroying the pride laughable, but I will come back to that later). Yeap the big JERK only wonders about himself. Not once did he wonder, what had made the siphon want to kill himself? What could have been so bad in his life that that was the only option? Nope it was all about him and his precious pride. Now that Hugh’s life is in danger, from the one actually keeping him alive, Hugh actually starts talking to the siphon and more information comes out. Now these guys have been together for 10 years, in that 10 years Hugh has NEVER spoken to the Siphon, in fact he doesn’t even know that the Siphon doesn’t have a name. At 26 years old he has never been named and is always referred to as “The Siphon”. Now Hugh doesn’t think this is a big deal as he is the Siphon so why does he need a name and quickly throws out a name for him. Here we have Johnnie. At this point Hugh still can’t understand why Johnnie has tried to kill himself countless times and is horrified to hear that he has tried for nearly all of their 10 years together.
See the part I find appalling is that not only Hugh has never spoken to Johnnie, not one member of the 1000 plus (actually I think it was closer to 2000) pride has ever acknowledged or spoken to the siphon in 10 years. Here is Johnnie, the one person keeping their Premier alive, who should be the most valued member of their pride and he is worse than mud on their boots, he is invisible to everyone. No wonder Johnnie did what he did, I’d want to escape an eternity of being nothing to these people as well. There is a lot of talk during this book that a lion can’t live without a pride. This is hilarious because Johnnie has been living his entire life without a pride. He may be classified loosely as part of the pride but he was never treated as a member of this pride.
Johnnie is such a sweet character. Born as a siphon he never had a chance. He was always going to be a tool, for his home pride and the Premier who he would eventually end up with. I found it devastating that in 10 years not one person had ever acknowledged him or spoken to him. He escaped into books. He knew instinctively what his relationship was meant to be with the Premier, in fact he was looking forward to being with the Premier and when that was denied to him, he went into a deep depression that no one was aware of. Once he was out of that depression we started seeing things from his POV. He general happiness at Hugh actually seeing him was beautiful and yet painful.
Johnnie should have been the most important member of the pride to Hugh, and when he finally pulls his head out of his own butt, he finally starts to realise this, but it was too little too late for me, the damage had already been done in the first few chapters. Hugh never really had to grovel, he apologised to Johnnie, but never really had to go out of his way to make things better, all he did was take notice and talk to Johnnie.
The pride was never taken to account either for their treatment of Johnnie. The general reason for this was that Hugh being Premier had to be considered by the rest of the Pride as flawless and couldn’t be seen as being either unsure or making mistakes. This is a CROCK, everyone in that pride should have been taken to task for their treatment of Johnnie. Yes Hugh was to blame but so was everyone else who ignored him
I’ve given this one 2.5 stars, because the author should get credit for making me feel so passionately about Johnnie’s treatment that I hated Hugh and the pride from the first 4 chapters. Unfortunately the author did such a good job that he never recovered in my eyes.
It is a very rare occurrence that I have such a powerful negative reaction to one of the MC’s within a couple of chapters.
Hugh is a premier lion who at over 100 years old has too much power to exist without a siphon lion. For a siphon to carry the premier’s power he must remain close to the premier at all times. Siphons are so rare that only 1 in 100 premiers ever get one, so you would think that they would be a highly valued and regarded member of the pride. Not in this pride.
When we first meet Hugh he is having an orgy with 4 other members of his pride, when all of a sudden he starts feeling over full from all of his power. Realising that something has happened to his siphon of 10 years, the other members of the orgy investigate to find that the siphon has tried to hang himself.
Hugh’s first reaction to this is “why did you try and kill me and destroy the pride” (I find destroying the pride laughable, but I will come back to that later). Yeap the big JERK only wonders about himself. Not once did he wonder, what had made the siphon want to kill himself? What could have been so bad in his life that that was the only option? Nope it was all about him and his precious pride. Now that Hugh’s life is in danger, from the one actually keeping him alive, Hugh actually starts talking to the siphon and more information comes out. Now these guys have been together for 10 years, in that 10 years Hugh has NEVER spoken to the Siphon, in fact he doesn’t even know that the Siphon doesn’t have a name. At 26 years old he has never been named and is always referred to as “The Siphon”. Now Hugh doesn’t think this is a big deal as he is the Siphon so why does he need a name and quickly throws out a name for him. Here we have Johnnie. At this point Hugh still can’t understand why Johnnie has tried to kill himself countless times and is horrified to hear that he has tried for nearly all of their 10 years together.
See the part I find appalling is that not only Hugh has never spoken to Johnnie, not one member of the 1000 plus (actually I think it was closer to 2000) pride has ever acknowledged or spoken to the siphon in 10 years. Here is Johnnie, the one person keeping their Premier alive, who should be the most valued member of their pride and he is worse than mud on their boots, he is invisible to everyone. No wonder Johnnie did what he did, I’d want to escape an eternity of being nothing to these people as well. There is a lot of talk during this book that a lion can’t live without a pride. This is hilarious because Johnnie has been living his entire life without a pride. He may be classified loosely as part of the pride but he was never treated as a member of this pride.
Johnnie is such a sweet character. Born as a siphon he never had a chance. He was always going to be a tool, for his home pride and the Premier who he would eventually end up with. I found it devastating that in 10 years not one person had ever acknowledged him or spoken to him. He escaped into books. He knew instinctively what his relationship was meant to be with the Premier, in fact he was looking forward to being with the Premier and when that was denied to him, he went into a deep depression that no one was aware of. Once he was out of that depression we started seeing things from his POV. He general happiness at Hugh actually seeing him was beautiful and yet painful.
Johnnie should have been the most important member of the pride to Hugh, and when he finally pulls his head out of his own butt, he finally starts to realise this, but it was too little too late for me, the damage had already been done in the first few chapters. Hugh never really had to grovel, he apologised to Johnnie, but never really had to go out of his way to make things better, all he did was take notice and talk to Johnnie.
The pride was never taken to account either for their treatment of Johnnie. The general reason for this was that Hugh being Premier had to be considered by the rest of the Pride as flawless and couldn’t be seen as being either unsure or making mistakes. This is a CROCK, everyone in that pride should have been taken to task for their treatment of Johnnie. Yes Hugh was to blame but so was everyone else who ignored him
I’ve given this one 2.5 stars, because the author should get credit for making me feel so passionately about Johnnie’s treatment that I hated Hugh and the pride from the first 4 chapters. Unfortunately the author did such a good job that he never recovered in my eyes.
March 18, 2015
*3.5 Rounded up*
If you’re a fan already then you'll not be surprised to find that once again this feline shifter story delivers on the sweet and sexy front. And you'll notice I said feline, because this time we've got big cat shifters, lead by Hugh Landry: their gorgeous, black in both his human and cat shape, 7 foot..300 pound leader or Premier…the lion equivalent of an Alpha.
Premiers are special. Stronger and able to live much longer, they possess a power that grows as they age to a point where it can't be safely held within themselves, so a 'Siphon' is needed as a receptacle to help contain the power overflow. Siphons themselves are a rarity and Hugh has only had his for a decade, since a smaller, weaker pride of lions gave him as payment for taking them into Hugh’s thriving lion community.
There’s a downside though. If the Siphon dies, the overload of power is fatal to the Premier, so they need to be in close proximity of each other at all times. Something that is brought home to Hugh and his lions when at the beginning of the book he has a near death experience brought on by his Siphon's emotional crisis.
For the ten years he's been with Hugh, Siphon has been woefully neglected and taken for granted. Not only by his Premier but by the rest of the pride too, to the point where he's simply become an asset that helps to keep the pride running smoothly...but an invisible one. When the near disaster is averted, it's a wake up call for Hugh and a chance to put things right for the undervalued and disheartened young shifter who he realises has never even been given a name...he's just always been 'Siphon'!
The first thing he does is name him Johnnie, which straight away makes the conflicted lion feel less of a nobody and more of a person in his own right. He's a complete innocent, in a way almost childlike; with quirks that when Hugh finally starts to "see" him, show that not only is he important to his Premier in terms of keeping him stable and steadfast as a leader, but is also unique because he has gifts of his own that are beneficial to the pride as a whole. Johnnie is a very special person, with a lot more to give if only they would give him a chance.
This is such a sweet story, made all the more so by Johnnie himself. I defy anyone not to be drawn to him because of his sad start in life and struggle to find himself outside of his usefulness to his peers. I think he's probably one of Cardeno's most engaging, adorable characters and I loved watching him blossom from just an insignificant pride resource, into a person with a true sense of self and purpose in his own right, as he worked his magic on Hugh. I adored Johnnie.
Hugh didn't work his magic on me quite as much, so I didn’t feel as close to him as I usually do to Cardeno's MC's, probably because of his initial actions, but by the end he did end up endearing himself to me more. Ultimately though, my heart always belonged to Johnnie....
For rest of review follow Link: http://bit.ly/1F0VdEL
If you’re a fan already then you'll not be surprised to find that once again this feline shifter story delivers on the sweet and sexy front. And you'll notice I said feline, because this time we've got big cat shifters, lead by Hugh Landry: their gorgeous, black in both his human and cat shape, 7 foot..300 pound leader or Premier…the lion equivalent of an Alpha.
Premiers are special. Stronger and able to live much longer, they possess a power that grows as they age to a point where it can't be safely held within themselves, so a 'Siphon' is needed as a receptacle to help contain the power overflow. Siphons themselves are a rarity and Hugh has only had his for a decade, since a smaller, weaker pride of lions gave him as payment for taking them into Hugh’s thriving lion community.
There’s a downside though. If the Siphon dies, the overload of power is fatal to the Premier, so they need to be in close proximity of each other at all times. Something that is brought home to Hugh and his lions when at the beginning of the book he has a near death experience brought on by his Siphon's emotional crisis.
For the ten years he's been with Hugh, Siphon has been woefully neglected and taken for granted. Not only by his Premier but by the rest of the pride too, to the point where he's simply become an asset that helps to keep the pride running smoothly...but an invisible one. When the near disaster is averted, it's a wake up call for Hugh and a chance to put things right for the undervalued and disheartened young shifter who he realises has never even been given a name...he's just always been 'Siphon'!
The first thing he does is name him Johnnie, which straight away makes the conflicted lion feel less of a nobody and more of a person in his own right. He's a complete innocent, in a way almost childlike; with quirks that when Hugh finally starts to "see" him, show that not only is he important to his Premier in terms of keeping him stable and steadfast as a leader, but is also unique because he has gifts of his own that are beneficial to the pride as a whole. Johnnie is a very special person, with a lot more to give if only they would give him a chance.
This is such a sweet story, made all the more so by Johnnie himself. I defy anyone not to be drawn to him because of his sad start in life and struggle to find himself outside of his usefulness to his peers. I think he's probably one of Cardeno's most engaging, adorable characters and I loved watching him blossom from just an insignificant pride resource, into a person with a true sense of self and purpose in his own right, as he worked his magic on Hugh. I adored Johnnie.
Hugh didn't work his magic on me quite as much, so I didn’t feel as close to him as I usually do to Cardeno's MC's, probably because of his initial actions, but by the end he did end up endearing himself to me more. Ultimately though, my heart always belonged to Johnnie....
For rest of review follow Link: http://bit.ly/1F0VdEL
January 5, 2017
I brought it because it was recommended by amazon based on a book I had recently read and loved. Also the our five star reviews looked promising. How wrong could I be. The premise of the book was good, two lion shifters who are at the opposite ends of the hierarchy system learning to love and respect one another despite and perhaps because of their differences.
Yet what I found completely unforgivable was how Johnnie is treated by his pride and the other hero (the premier or Hugh). At the start of the book he doesn’t even have a name. As the author explained Siphon’s make it possible for the Premiers to live after a certain point. Without them siphoning off the Premier’s excess power they implode upon themselves. They are also extremely rare with only 1 in 500,000 lion shifters being born a shifter. That compares to the 1 in 5,000 Premier lions that are born. Given this I was expecting the Siphon to be treated with respect and care. Perhaps overly protected, slightly naive. I was not prepared for them to be completely neglected, abused and seen as sub-human or sub-shifter.
The book starts with Johnnie trying to kill himself, which in turn harms the Premier. Rather than the pride being concerned over Johnnie’s attempted suicide it is viewed as selfish because he dared to indirectly harm the Premier. The pride ties him up and leaves him in a room to wait until the Premier is ‘able to deal with him’; he has just tried to take his own life and not one person from his pride asks why. All of this occurs from the Premier's POV and at no time does he show any indication of caring about the Siphon or Johnnie, but instead is irritated at him for threatening the security of the pride.
Is it surprising that someone whose entire life for the last ten years has revolved around someone so selfish, egotistical and rude that they haven’t even bothered to ask someone if they have a name would want to end it? Seriously Johnnie has been completely ignored for his entire upbringing before being fundamentally sold to the Premier. Yet despite that he manages to be a more decent human being / shifter than Hugh or the Premier.
The one redeeming feature in this book was Johnnie who was so sweet, caring, smart and sexy. I wish he had been given a HEA with someone who deserved him. Someone who could have saved him from Hugh.
Yet what I found completely unforgivable was how Johnnie is treated by his pride and the other hero (the premier or Hugh). At the start of the book he doesn’t even have a name. As the author explained Siphon’s make it possible for the Premiers to live after a certain point. Without them siphoning off the Premier’s excess power they implode upon themselves. They are also extremely rare with only 1 in 500,000 lion shifters being born a shifter. That compares to the 1 in 5,000 Premier lions that are born. Given this I was expecting the Siphon to be treated with respect and care. Perhaps overly protected, slightly naive. I was not prepared for them to be completely neglected, abused and seen as sub-human or sub-shifter.
The book starts with Johnnie trying to kill himself, which in turn harms the Premier. Rather than the pride being concerned over Johnnie’s attempted suicide it is viewed as selfish because he dared to indirectly harm the Premier. The pride ties him up and leaves him in a room to wait until the Premier is ‘able to deal with him’; he has just tried to take his own life and not one person from his pride asks why. All of this occurs from the Premier's POV and at no time does he show any indication of caring about the Siphon or Johnnie, but instead is irritated at him for threatening the security of the pride.
Is it surprising that someone whose entire life for the last ten years has revolved around someone so selfish, egotistical and rude that they haven’t even bothered to ask someone if they have a name would want to end it? Seriously Johnnie has been completely ignored for his entire upbringing before being fundamentally sold to the Premier. Yet despite that he manages to be a more decent human being / shifter than Hugh or the Premier.
The one redeeming feature in this book was Johnnie who was so sweet, caring, smart and sexy. I wish he had been given a HEA with someone who deserved him. Someone who could have saved him from Hugh.
March 14, 2015
Well.....it's CC, so that right there tells you everything you need to know about this book. I like her novel-length stories much better than the novellas, so I had that going here too.
Here's the thing though. I don't know if I'm more sensitive to it now, but here's my pet peeve. There's a fine line between romance and cheesy. This is one of those authors that's skated past that line many a time, but it's CC and she's crack. However, the cheese is affecting me more lately, and I hate that.
I can sum up this pet peeve of mine with one word: "Oh." This word is permitted when learning something new or realizing something. The peeve comes in when used like this: "Oh, Hugh." Or even worse (during sex) "Oh. Oh. Oh." What the hell is that? My mind immediately goes to "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh........ the right stuff" from the glory days that were NKOTB. I just can't tolerate it anymore in dialogue, especially smexy dialogue. I was gritting my teeth.
I'm sure it's a case of "it's just me," but it really grated on me with this book. The story was great otherwise. I love that the nature of lion shifters is to constantly have sex with other lions and never form romantic relationships, and that's all blown out of the water here.
But my mind can't get past the peeve....
Oh, CC.
Here's the thing though. I don't know if I'm more sensitive to it now, but here's my pet peeve. There's a fine line between romance and cheesy. This is one of those authors that's skated past that line many a time, but it's CC and she's crack. However, the cheese is affecting me more lately, and I hate that.
I can sum up this pet peeve of mine with one word: "Oh." This word is permitted when learning something new or realizing something. The peeve comes in when used like this: "Oh, Hugh." Or even worse (during sex) "Oh. Oh. Oh." What the hell is that? My mind immediately goes to "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh........ the right stuff" from the glory days that were NKOTB. I just can't tolerate it anymore in dialogue, especially smexy dialogue. I was gritting my teeth.
I'm sure it's a case of "it's just me," but it really grated on me with this book. The story was great otherwise. I love that the nature of lion shifters is to constantly have sex with other lions and never form romantic relationships, and that's all blown out of the water here.
But my mind can't get past the peeve....
Oh, CC.
March 18, 2015
More like 3.5 stars.
There's no insta-love. It's slow building romance. There's nothing like what we've read about PNR shifter book in here. This book is unique. Totally different.
I have to admit I yawned a lot for the first 25% of the book. I know, first book of the series is quite difficult. We have to get to know about the background story.
For the first 4 chapters, I hated Hugh. It's hard for me to liked him. For the way he treating Johnnie. Well, eventually I did liked him. And yes, they're totally HOT together. But I don't love him. I loved Johnnie.
Overall, I liked it.^^
********************************************************************
Come on, seriously..
How could I not adding this?
It's Cardeno's shifter book.
There's no insta-love. It's slow building romance. There's nothing like what we've read about PNR shifter book in here. This book is unique. Totally different.
I have to admit I yawned a lot for the first 25% of the book. I know, first book of the series is quite difficult. We have to get to know about the background story.
For the first 4 chapters, I hated Hugh. It's hard for me to liked him. For the way he treating Johnnie. Well, eventually I did liked him. And yes, they're totally HOT together. But I don't love him. I loved Johnnie.
Overall, I liked it.^^
********************************************************************
Come on, seriously..
How could I not adding this?
It's Cardeno's shifter book.
June 7, 2015
Tired. Review on blog
http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
However, the overview is as follows -
I liked Johnnie. It’s trademark Cardeno C – sweet, sexy, easy reading with one protagonist who starts off somewhat annoying, one who is very sweet and wins over the oblivious one. There is my must-have ‘mine’ used – I need mine in para-shifter romance… I look for it. There is some minor drama via antagonists which helps drive the story without detracting from the romance. Hugh wakes up and comes to the party in the loving stakes for Johnnie… and life is a happy and nice place, ahhh. I have to say this book was needed by me over the weekend and if you’re looking for something to pick you up too, Johnnie is just the novella to do that.
http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
However, the overview is as follows -
I liked Johnnie. It’s trademark Cardeno C – sweet, sexy, easy reading with one protagonist who starts off somewhat annoying, one who is very sweet and wins over the oblivious one. There is my must-have ‘mine’ used – I need mine in para-shifter romance… I look for it. There is some minor drama via antagonists which helps drive the story without detracting from the romance. Hugh wakes up and comes to the party in the loving stakes for Johnnie… and life is a happy and nice place, ahhh. I have to say this book was needed by me over the weekend and if you’re looking for something to pick you up too, Johnnie is just the novella to do that.
March 19, 2015
I enjoyed this quite a bit, but I was left with questions. There were a couple of things introduced that were never explored or explained.
February 18, 2016
3.5 Stars
Going to contemplate my review for a bit.
Going to contemplate my review for a bit.
Read
December 21, 2023I was looking for a shifter book where it's not the usual
hair colour = fur colour
but rather
skin colour = fur colour
And tadaa (thx Ezra for finding this!)
The premise
This is a world where you are born into certain roles. Premiers are leaders of Lion Prides. They are born with black fur and black skin and continue to grow bigger and more powerful over the course of their life. At some point they can't contain all their power anymore and they need a Siphon to help them siphon off the energy so they don't overload.
The leader of this Pride has had a Siphon for the past ten years, when one evening the leader collapses and has seizures. Why? His Siphon had tried to commit suicide. The Siphon is also recognisable as one at birth, born as he is with blue eyes. This particular young lad was immediately segregated from the Pride he was born into, never got to know his parents, is never given a name and is sold to a different Pride once he is old enough to siphon energy: at 16.
He has been ignored and treated as less than an object his entire life. 26 years. A quarter of a century! And he can only think of one way to free himself: death. His body can however heal itself, and he has tried and failed repeatedly over the years to commit suicide and this is the first instance he nearly achieved it which was only realised because the Pride leader's energy was no longer being siphoned hence he overloaded and nearly died as well.
So: a tale of these two men falling in love would need to be an epic journey of increased self-awareness, learning, of grovelling and talks of mental health right? Right?
When the Pride leader Hugh first realises what happened he thinks his Siphon was trying to murder everyone. He doesn't care about the mental health of his Siphon, no. He keeps him close to him so he doesn't attempt suicide again because it would kill Hugh which would bring chaos to the pride.
There's some learning and increased self-awareness:
Oh no poor Hugh. Uncomfortable.
After 122 pages Hugh realises:
This realisation takes way too long. Poor Johnnie got his name 100 pages ago. His shock and glee about getting a name was heart-wrenching.
And then! Then Hugh has the audacity:
You don't deserve this "damaged Siphon" (p. 34) with a "unique brain" (p. 48) Hugh!
Also there's no real grovelling nor talk of mental health: finally being talked to for the first time in his life Johnnie is immediately fine.
From what I've written here this book sounds absolutely terrible. It did draw me in and it wasn't all terrible but it could have done a lot better!
NSFW infos:
Old Lion
Young lion (virgin)
intracrural
69-ing
strict top/bottom dynamic
hair colour = fur colour
but rather
skin colour = fur colour
And tadaa (thx Ezra for finding this!)
The premise
This is a world where you are born into certain roles. Premiers are leaders of Lion Prides. They are born with black fur and black skin and continue to grow bigger and more powerful over the course of their life. At some point they can't contain all their power anymore and they need a Siphon to help them siphon off the energy so they don't overload.
The leader of this Pride has had a Siphon for the past ten years, when one evening the leader collapses and has seizures. Why? His Siphon had tried to commit suicide. The Siphon is also recognisable as one at birth, born as he is with blue eyes. This particular young lad was immediately segregated from the Pride he was born into, never got to know his parents, is never given a name and is sold to a different Pride once he is old enough to siphon energy: at 16.
He has been ignored and treated as less than an object his entire life. 26 years. A quarter of a century! And he can only think of one way to free himself: death. His body can however heal itself, and he has tried and failed repeatedly over the years to commit suicide and this is the first instance he nearly achieved it which was only realised because the Pride leader's energy was no longer being siphoned hence he overloaded and nearly died as well.
So: a tale of these two men falling in love would need to be an epic journey of increased self-awareness, learning, of grovelling and talks of mental health right? Right?
When the Pride leader Hugh first realises what happened he thinks his Siphon was trying to murder everyone. He doesn't care about the mental health of his Siphon, no. He keeps him close to him so he doesn't attempt suicide again because it would kill Hugh which would bring chaos to the pride.
There's some learning and increased self-awareness:
Receiving praise for being decent to a man he'd been neglecting, if not mistreating, made Hugh uncomfortable (p. 69)
Oh no poor Hugh. Uncomfortable.
After 122 pages Hugh realises:
How he could have seen Johnnie's desperate act as an attack on the pride, Hugh didn't know. Johnnie didn't want to harm anyone, Hugh now understood, he'd merely been trying to save himself the only way he known how. (p. 122)
This realisation takes way too long. Poor Johnnie got his name 100 pages ago. His shock and glee about getting a name was heart-wrenching.
And then! Then Hugh has the audacity:
"I love you, Hugh." He forced himself to be brave and look Hugh in the face. "I love you and it hurt for so long when you didn't notice me. It ate me up inside and left a hole, but now, the way you are with me fills that space." He looked at Hugh imploringly. "Do you love me?"
"I'm not sure what that means." (p. 179-180)
You don't deserve this "damaged Siphon" (p. 34) with a "unique brain" (p. 48) Hugh!
Also there's no real grovelling nor talk of mental health: finally being talked to for the first time in his life Johnnie is immediately fine.
From what I've written here this book sounds absolutely terrible. It did draw me in and it wasn't all terrible but it could have done a lot better!
NSFW infos:
Old Lion
Young lion (virgin)
intracrural
69-ing
strict top/bottom dynamic
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