Centuries ago, Hawk made a terrible mistake which has haunted him since. Fear of responsibility and feelings of unworthiness leads him to denying the mate Wha-tay showed him in a vision. So now Hawk runs his bar, has casual sex, and never, ever dates men with blond hair and brown eyes. But then Simon walks into his bar, and the future he’s feared is about to end up in a brawl if Hawk doesn’t do something—fast.
Simon Carter has a smart mouth and a bulldog temperament. So when Hawk runs, Simon pursues the sexy man, only to be rejected. Just as Simon decides to give up, someone—or something—visits him to change his mind… and scares him to death. Now Simon is backpedaling, and Hawk is in pursuit.
Desperate to reassure Simon and keep him safe, Hawk is forced to reveal his secrets before he’s ready. Can Simon learn to accept things aren’t always as they seem? Is the connection between them strong enough to help Hawk overcome centuries of pain? The only way the two men will move beyond Hawk’s past is for both of them to take a leap of faith.
M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!
When not writing, she’s on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two grown children.
Member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
In the beginning of the book we see Hawk in the past, way before the white people came to America. He goes by the name Chetan, is a hawk shifter, and the leader of a buffalo hunt. But something goes wrong and an endless circle of guilt and negative thinking is born. Chetan has a dream about his mate but his mate is white…
Centuries later Chetan goes by the name Gus Hawkins, aka Hawk. He’s the proud owner of a bar where everyone feels welcome. Only a few of the original shifter clan survived and have adapted to the world. It’s very nice to see them as you met them in the beginning of the story, but also in the previous book.
One day Simon Carter walks into the bar (no this isn’t the start of a bad joke) to try to hook up with someone. He starts playing pool with a good-looking guy but they end up almost in a fight with a homophobe. Enter Hawk… He stops the fight and smells his mate. So, now Simon wants Hawk, Hawk wants Simon but is stuck in his ‘rules’ of not dating blondes.
This story is just as wonderful as the previous book in this series. There’s not a lot of action like fights or dangerous situations, but it’s more about the journey of how Hawk learns to trust again. How Simon learns about shifters and how Wah-tay cares about them. It’s beautifully written, and there’s a lot of humor in it. I was especially cracking up at the parts where Hawk’s totem spirit talks to Hawk. It’s hilarious.
The love story isn’t overly romantic or sappy, it’s more about how Simon and Hawk connect on a fun level. They hang out, fish, talk and genuinely get to know each other. Of course there is some sex. Hawk is kinda dominant when it comes to the bedroom, so this makes the sex different, but fun.
All in all, you could say that this book is funny, well written with a nice paranormal story line. There’s not a lot of action or angst, but it didn’t matter in this story. The connection between Simon and Hawk is strong but fun, and so is the one between Hawk and his totem. The side characters are promising a next book, and that always makes me happy when a series is well written.
I definitely recommend this book.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Rating: 3.5 stars I enjoyed this book way more than I expected to. Usually, I don’t like books that take place during the events of the previous book, but in this case, it didn’t bother me. Mainly because even though it was during the same time line, most of the events didn’t coincide with each other. The plot focused mainly on Hawk’s and Simon’s mating. Considering the fact that I thought the plot of the previous book pretty cheesy that is a good thing.
I liked both of the MCs, Simon especially. I also liked Hawk, but his refusal to let go of the past got annoying after a while. I just wanted to shake him and say, “Get over it already.” Still I liked his character. I especially liked his totem spirit. I do wish we got some insight to the two of them merging their lives together. Especially considering Simon’s messy habits.
All in all, a big improvement over the first book in the series. I really enjoyed reading about Hawk’s and Simon’s journey.
I love this series. We start off seeing a glimpse into their lives back before the white man gets here and take over and basically decimated the tribes. What happened during a hunt totally broke my heart. I can understand Hawk blaming himself but, after hundreds of years I was like dude you really need to move on. It wasn’t your fault, it was a horrible accident. I loved Simon as he is just a firecracker. We meet both Hawk and Simon in the first book. Simon is Chip’s best friend, as is Hawk and Jason. The two books are basically during the same timeline, but that was fine as it’s focused on a different couple and we don’t rehash the events from the first book. I love Hawk's totem, or spirit animal. He is so snarky. The banter between the two cracked me up to no end. The one thing I had wished for in the first book, Chip being able to communicate with his totem, well Simon was able to communicate with his and I loved it. This book did not have the action/danger that the first book had. It was all about the romance. I loved the dates. I’m hoping that the next book is about Owen, the sheriff as he seems like a nice guy. If you read and enjoyed the first book, then you need to pick up this one. You won’t be disappointed.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest, I was a little bored with this book. Not much happens other than the characters getting together, not like the first book which had some action. As well I disliked that the location was inconsistent with the first book.
To Touch the Sky is the second novel in M A Church's Leap of Faith series. M A Church is able to re-cap most of the Native American history well enough to grasp its relevance to this second book, meaning that reading Shadows in the Night isn't necessary, but I feel it gives the reader a more powerful connection to the characters. Before I read these two novels I had become relatively indifferent to Shifter stories, but M A Church has made me change my mind again! These characters do not shift because of an animal attack or curse; their connection to their totem spirit is rooted in their heritage and though this is urban fantasy, the centuries-old stories are almost believable. Hawk is strong, sexy and has rules: no man shares his bed and no hook-up goes past the third date. Hawk is punishing himself for an accident that happened lifetimes before and refuses to let himself fall in love. On first appearances, Simon is the complete opposite of the bar-owner. He despises the term but is often referred to as a 'twink'; not quite 6 foot with blonde hair and brown eyes, looking younger than his 23 years. Yet beyond his fragile exterior, Simon is a complex character; loyal, intelligent, feisty, brave and tired of the assumption that he can be sexually dominated. This is not insta-love, although this genre is limited by certain related concepts, like 'mating'. M A Church incorporates this idea into her story well, especially when we 'hear' the dialogue between human-Hawk and his shifter identity. Simon is a stronger match for Hawk than he anticipated and I think we are ready for Hawk to reveal his true self, even before the moment at which he is forced to. The only reservations I had about the story were how I felt about particular aspects were down-played, like Hawk's past, and as I had read Shadows in the Night there was a point at which the narratives were almost identical, although I was unsure whether this was an intentional move by M A Church. I really enjoyed the paranormal twist on this sexy M/M romance, without the element of danger or fear. Simon and Hawk are perfect mates and I know their story will be loved by many fans of the genre.
Centuries ago, Hawk made a mistake that cost him someone he loved. Since then, he hasn’t been able to let that guilt go and he’s done everything in his power to avoid any type of happiness. When it comes to mates, he’s determined to avoid finding his at all costs. But when Simon walks into his bar, he can’t run any longer. Simon went to Hawk’s bar to get laid and ended up almost getting in a fight. Saved by Hawk, he’s enamored by the darkly dangerous man and determined to catch Hawk’s attention. Even when Hawk’s an asshole and standoffish to Simon, he knows there’s something that keeps pulling him toward Hawk. Will Hawk be able to withstand the mating pull especially when Simon’s determined to at least get the man’s attention?
This one was sooooo cute! I really loved that Simon didn’t backdown and would babble when he was nervous. When he was around Hawk at first, it was like he couldn’t stop talking, which would either amuse or confuse Hawk to no end. With Hawk, I didn’t really like him at first. I thought he was being ridiculous but then I could also understand why he was being that way. I loved that he was so emotionally broken but I didn’t exactly love some of his decisions. As a couple, though, I adored them together and I especially loved Hawk’s totem who had some great one-liners.
I enjoyed this one a lot but there was just way too much sex for me. So, I really wished there had been more of Simon and Hawk getting closer together shown instead of just told.
But, in the end, I still really liked it. It was great to get back to this world and seeing Simon get his story. As characters, I adored them both and enjoyed seeing their journey. I especially loved Hawk’s totem! I hope there’s more to this series because now I want Owen’s story!!
I like this story, though shifters aren't my thing. It appeals to me because I really like the idea of becoming a bird and yet retaining the human side in order to remember the experience and think about being alive on those terms.
Hawk has been a shifter since before the Europeans came to the Americas, and he lives alone on forest preserve land. He owns a bar, and he has a hard and fast rule about not taking home any man more than three times, and never, ever, a blond.
There are other animal shifters in this community, as they all once belonged to the original Native American tribe, The People. There is more to their story in "Shadows in the Night," and both these books comprise the Leap of Faith series at this point. The shifters are friends Hawk can count on and who also depend on him. Hawk doesn't like to have anyone depend on him, because his history contains a story of his failure in that regard. Thus he lets no man close to his heart so he won't end up being responsible for them and letting them down, letting them die. But he needs to find his mate, as his inner hawk totem nags—reminds him. I liked this bit of play between human and totem and shared consciousness.
Simon hates being called a twink, but he is cute and blond, a "toppy bottom" as Hawk eventually teases him. Though Hawk needs to change and grow in order to claim his mate, it's Simon who changes the most, in my opinion. Both men have to reach beyond their ordinary lives and the ruts they've fallen into in order to be together and thrive together. Hawk carries the story, but I loved the scenes with Simon accepting the paranormal into his life and the change in him.
If desperately hoping that those last few pages won't end up being previews and author overviews but just a little but more of the story doesn't mean that it's a good book you've just read, I don't know what would mean it!
This was such a sweet, comprehensive, well written, intriguing story. The relationship is the true focus of the story and it flows and develops beautifully. This is impressive considering this is essentially an insta-love sort of situation; The People have mates, and there is a definite sense that when you meet your mate you should be together and that's it. In this day and age that is a weird as all get out thought, since we're talking skipping any dating, courting, foreplay.....hell at one point another of the People blatantly asking why they hadn't pretty much gone to a semi-private room to get it on and get it over with. This would seem to point towards a book that will just be insta-love and then a lot of relationship whining like YA books are these days. But there was none of that. I loved reading how Church fleshed out and created this bond between Simon and Hawk. She takes time and works them through their reservations and difficulties, creating this amazing story.
I have absolutely loved this series. I would kill for another book (it seems like Owen's relationship is ripe for the telling). Not to mention some in between stories, say a little actual talk of how it's actually going in 'Freaksville'? Maybe a double date with Simon and Hawk, and Chip and Jason. Anyway, this is an excellent series and well worth your time to read!
Original review on Molly Lolly Four and a half stars! I truly enjoyed this story. I didn’t read the first book in the series and there was never a time I felt lost or needed to know something that wasn’t there. Simon and Hawk were wonderful together. Poor Hawk was resistant at first because he was scared. He had his reasons, but he also hurt Simon. It was love at first sight for Simon. Or almost-love anyway. He didn’t understand why he had such strong feelings, yet Hawk kept running away. Their dates were so laud back and fun, they had an easy time getting to know each other. I’m curious who the person was that Simon saw in the alley all those years ago. Maybe he will play a role in later stories? I would have liked to see Hawk and Simon together more at the end. How they blend their lives and how Simon handles being a shifter now. I enjoyed watching Simon give up control in the bedroom. He needed that release from putting his trust in someone and not having to keep thinking. It was also super hot how Hawk just effortlessly told Simon how it was going to be when they are intimate. I am curious to read Chip’s story since part of it seems to run concurrent to this one. I’m also hoping there will be another story in the future. Maybe the sheriff and Simon’s pool playing friend? Hopefully!
It takes a special kind of courage to let go of the past and step forward into a future that is unknown.
I loved Simon's personality. He is open, outgoing and refuses to conform to stereotypes. Willing to make sacrifices while in pursuit of his goals, especially his attraction to Hawk, Simon is the kind of friend everyone wants to have in their corner.
I had a harder time warming up to Hawk's character. He's stubborn and carries a lot of guilt, mostly due to pride, but also because of the high expectations he has for himself. He hurts Simon deeply when he goes against his natural instinct to protect his mate and makes his own pain a priority instead. He eventually gets his act together, but by then a lot of damage has already been done.
TO TOUCH THE SKY is second in the Leap of Faith series but I had no trouble reading it as a stand alone story. I loved the way Church blends her shifter's history into existing Native American culture. She doesn't sugar coat their emotions and their fallibility is what gives them depth. A well written and engaging story with adventure, romance and a sense of spiritualism that perfectly exemplifies the theme of taking a leap of faith, I'm looking forward to following this series in the future.
In book II of the Leap of Faith series we get the story of Hawk and Simon. Now, since we roundabout knew of them from book 1, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It wasn’t the amazing story that came. We got mythology mixed with shifters mixed with 21st century mentality.
Can I just say it was fabulous? Hawk eschewed ever taking a mate and since he was given a vision early on that he would mate with a blond white man, he made sure to only have physical relations with men who didn’t fit the mold. However, you can’t quite mess with the Great Spirit, now can you? When she decides it’s time for you to meet your mate, you’re gonna meet him – whether you want to or not.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one? I LOVED! From Hawk’s spirit totem who consistently talked to him – there’s one sassy bird – to the other members of the tribe we ‘met’ in book 1, but now we know who they are. Also, I adored Simon. He was definitely a good match for Hawk.
Plus, I think I’ve spotted who the next book will be about. Come on Ms. Church! Bring on Owen and Douglas
FourStars To Touch the Sky is the second book in the Leap of Faith series. I liked the first book and this one didn't disappoint me in any way. I actually thought this one had more humor than the first one. It was a good shifter story. It started at the same time frame as the first one, and did reference many things from the first book. It was nice that you could compare references from the first book. The writing was flawless.
This story was about Hawk and Simon. Hawk had way to many rules he was trying to live by. Then he met his mate Simon. Simon was amusing. Theirs was a meet and instantly attracted kind of romance. It was so entertaining to me how their romance developed. A couple of new shifters were introduced, so I imagine we are in for more romantic stories.
I look forward to read more in this series. It is a very light hearted and easy read.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Okay companion book to Leap of Faith, taking place at the same time and involving Hawk, the bar owner, Hawk shifter and best friend of Jason, and Simon, the young blond mouthy best friend of Chip (oh look convenient, two sets of best friends finding their mates at the same time). Unlike Jason and Chip's story, there isn't really much plot here aside from the Hawk and Simon getting together, which involves Hawk letting down the defenses he put up after his nephew was killed. I thought (hoped) there was going to be more to the story than just them getting together but no, sadly not.
Simon and Hawk make brief appearances throughout the first book in the series, so it’s nice to see what’s happening to them at the same time as Chip’s story.
Hawk and Simon have a good relationship even if it takes them time to get there. I liked how open Simon was about everything. I also loved Hawk’s spirit speaking to him. He was a nice comedic relief.
There are hints of another couple coming and I do hope the author continues the series.
Much more consistent than the first book as I expected. I really want to read more of this series. I'd love to hear Douglas & Owen's story, as well as Manny's and a few of the other single shifters. Maybe even the Wolf that Simon saw.