What do you think?
Rate this book
Between a Wolf and a Hard Place - Parts 1-6
One woman. Two shifters. One shot at love.
Iris Zahn's life is thrown into chaos when she and her sister, along with their best friend, are kidnapped from their home in Oregon. When their captors separate the three women, they vow to reunite, no matter the cost.
Of course, things go from bad to bonkers when she wakes up between two of the hottest men she's ever seen, and they both want to make her theirs.
Barron Davies and Evan Hearne have always shared everything, including women. Unfortunately, fate had yet to find them a mate to complete their triad. When they discover a curvy, tattooed and unfortunately battered vixen, they want to keep Iris in their bed and their hearts forever.
The life Barron and Evan dreamed of is within their grasp--if only they can get Iris to trust them with her heart and her secrets.
If you like determined shifters who prefer mates with a little sass and plenty of curves, then you'll love Annalise Nixon's sensual and humorous tale of unexpected and untraditional love.
The complete collection is a 85,518 word story with no cliff hangers.
Iris Zahn's life is thrown into chaos when she and her sister, along with their best friend, are kidnapped from their home in Oregon. When their captors separate the three women, they vow to reunite, no matter the cost.
Of course, things go from bad to bonkers when she wakes up between two of the hottest men she's ever seen, and they both want to make her theirs.
Barron Davies and Evan Hearne have always shared everything, including women. Unfortunately, fate had yet to find them a mate to complete their triad. When they discover a curvy, tattooed and unfortunately battered vixen, they want to keep Iris in their bed and their hearts forever.
The life Barron and Evan dreamed of is within their grasp--if only they can get Iris to trust them with her heart and her secrets.
If you like determined shifters who prefer mates with a little sass and plenty of curves, then you'll love Annalise Nixon's sensual and humorous tale of unexpected and untraditional love.
The complete collection is a 85,518 word story with no cliff hangers.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2016
106 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 15, 2016
This is going to have more negatives than positives I’m afraid. I liked the idea of the series. I enjoyed parts of this. There are definite problems. Editing and wrong word usage are big ones. Names were incorrect or switched. This was not edited very well and it did take away from the story. There were development issues and flow problems and holes in the plot(s). I am reviewing each part as I read it. It does contain some spoilers just to warn you.
Part 1
We meet Iris who’s been kidnapped by some ruffians who are selling her to a Alpha wolf shifter to breed basically. This is sorta of a apocalyptic type but not. There’s a virus that was released or a vaccine but I just don’t remember. I was touched on very briefly and it really should have been elaborated. Females are scarce hence a lot of kidnapping goes on. Iris is a pretty strong woman. She’s a bbw and a tattoo artist/something else we’ll get into later. She can set people on fire…not full on but a little bit. That’s not necessarily explained in this first part either. She escapes only to be found by Evan and Barron and not in very good shape. A wolf and a bear. Things don’t go too good at the first meeting. Seems a lot of assumptions are made because she’s not too familiar with shifters. Evan is a hot head and jumps to conclusions a lot. Barron is pretty laid back. She is their mate…at least they are pretty sure. Its hot and cold with Iris and Evan…and always hot with Barron.
Part 2
Barron has done a 180. He’s turned from so very sweet and laid back to a total jerk. Iris is going through some stuff and they are pushing her a little too much with seduction I might add to tell them everything. She wont do it. Mainly because she doesn’t want them hurt and its something she needs to figure out. Barron wants all or nothing. He says some pretty horrible things to her when Evan is in bed asleep. He hurts her. A lot of that is his way of dealing because of his past. Evan finds out and isn’t happy with Barron and just doesn’t understand. Barron lets her walk away. These supposed powers of her aren’t elaborated as of yet and its sorta frustrating.
Part 3
Heck breaks loose and Evan stupidly stops after seeing a van pulled over and lo and behold it’s the creeps who kidnapped her. So, things are kinda getting read and they go to Evan’s pack for help. Bryce, Evan’s alpha will protect her IF she mates within the pack. She counters because she wants Barron to and its agreed upon and they mate fully. Iris sorta did stuff backwards and should have come clean BUT in her defense she tried to tell them before mating but you know men. I hate that we don’t know whats going on with her sister and friend. Lots of things bother me about this series. If your going to do this in parts you need to be thorough. Like whats happening in the world? You cant just say women are scarce because of a virus/vaccine and leave it at that. We need more. Were halfway through the series and her gifts aren’t talked about yet.
Part 4
I actually liked part 4 way better than any others. It made the most sense and was developed and flowed really good. We FINALLY understand what her powers are what she is and possibly what she’s becoming now that shes mated Barron and Evan. She gets to know Evans pack and they are a good bunch of guys. Definitely rough around the edges and extremely protective. They have all been involved in military or some kind of Special Forces. She meets an awesome woman named Michelle who is a cat I am guessing and the Bryce is working on an alliance with her father Sean. We actually meet Barrons brother Alexander. Now THAT guy is interesting. He’s a total dick but it’s a façade and he’s in a MC and is going to be searching for her friend and sister. However, at the end all hell breaks loose again. Once again Evan and Iris are at odds.
Part 5
So, she turns into a wolf and saves Michelle’s life and Barron can’t deal? So jealous he throws their mating away by walking away because it wasn’t a bear she shifted into? Then to top things off Evan abandons her too? I mean he might still be in the pack but hes “keeping his distance” to “give her space” she apparently wanted? Um no she didn’t. She didn’t even ask for it. She needed her mates after that crap! They totally and completely abandoned her. Then the one guy whose got her back is Shane her guard and friend. Evan starts to come around after realizing how dumb he is and rekindles only to demand she not spend time with Shane? Um ok on some level I get it he’s jealous. When she asks Evan to cut Barron out after how Barron treated her and hurt her he declines and walks away from Iris. Iris has constantly tried to please those guys and get them to come back only to be shot down. Barron walks away from her 3 times. Treats her like crap and uses her. Bryce ins’t happy and has come up with a solution to dissolve their mating. As far as I am concerned these mates of hers are wimps. Treated her like crap over and over again. Yeah…shes made mistakes and owned up to them and hell has apologized. They’ve done none of that concerning her and break her heart and stomp all over it. Shane graciously offers to be her mate although they are more friends than anything else. She HAS to be mated in order to keep her safe from the psycho alpha still after her. So, I’ve read enough about shifters to know that mates just don’t act like this. Yeah some of them do but it’s an overkill as much as Evan and Barron are written constantly screwing up. I’m not sure why she decided to write the story like this. One moment it makes sense and the next it doesn’t. Leaves a reader scratching their heads.
Part 6
So…the Shane thing was all a set up to get Evan and Barron to pull their heads out and reclaim their mate. Well…unfortunately I think Shane’s feelings were genuine on some level. Poor guy. Iris made them work HARD to have her back. Honestly, that scene at the cabin where they talk about stuff wrecked me a little. I freakin cried for poor Iris and Barron. LOL. You know…if he would have just told her everything and communicated instead of keeping secrets and walking away..she wouldn’t have gotten so hurt. I know they are all good together and I was worried for a minute she would walk away. She had every right. Guys aren’t good at emotional stuff and that took a lot of courage to do that for her. Showed that Barron put her first before pride.
I have to be honest as it is I can’t recommend the series. It needs to be cleaned up editing wise. More development and flow between parts/books needs to happen. I like the idea of the story and some was good and made sense. I think I had a lot of issues with Barron and Evan. I didn’t like how they were written. The constant hurt they caused their mate just isn’t done in typical shifter romance stories. Of course there has to be some conflict but it was over and over and just didn’t make them very likable. Treated her poorly most of the time unless they wanted sex. Wasn’t much romance in the series very little anyways. We needed more about what kind of world this was in. Not descriptive enough. We didn’t learn anything about what her friend and sister were dealing with. I don’t know if she plans on doing more or continuing things. I’d guess yes but hopefully it gets better.
Part 1
We meet Iris who’s been kidnapped by some ruffians who are selling her to a Alpha wolf shifter to breed basically. This is sorta of a apocalyptic type but not. There’s a virus that was released or a vaccine but I just don’t remember. I was touched on very briefly and it really should have been elaborated. Females are scarce hence a lot of kidnapping goes on. Iris is a pretty strong woman. She’s a bbw and a tattoo artist/something else we’ll get into later. She can set people on fire…not full on but a little bit. That’s not necessarily explained in this first part either. She escapes only to be found by Evan and Barron and not in very good shape. A wolf and a bear. Things don’t go too good at the first meeting. Seems a lot of assumptions are made because she’s not too familiar with shifters. Evan is a hot head and jumps to conclusions a lot. Barron is pretty laid back. She is their mate…at least they are pretty sure. Its hot and cold with Iris and Evan…and always hot with Barron.
Part 2
Barron has done a 180. He’s turned from so very sweet and laid back to a total jerk. Iris is going through some stuff and they are pushing her a little too much with seduction I might add to tell them everything. She wont do it. Mainly because she doesn’t want them hurt and its something she needs to figure out. Barron wants all or nothing. He says some pretty horrible things to her when Evan is in bed asleep. He hurts her. A lot of that is his way of dealing because of his past. Evan finds out and isn’t happy with Barron and just doesn’t understand. Barron lets her walk away. These supposed powers of her aren’t elaborated as of yet and its sorta frustrating.
Part 3
Heck breaks loose and Evan stupidly stops after seeing a van pulled over and lo and behold it’s the creeps who kidnapped her. So, things are kinda getting read and they go to Evan’s pack for help. Bryce, Evan’s alpha will protect her IF she mates within the pack. She counters because she wants Barron to and its agreed upon and they mate fully. Iris sorta did stuff backwards and should have come clean BUT in her defense she tried to tell them before mating but you know men. I hate that we don’t know whats going on with her sister and friend. Lots of things bother me about this series. If your going to do this in parts you need to be thorough. Like whats happening in the world? You cant just say women are scarce because of a virus/vaccine and leave it at that. We need more. Were halfway through the series and her gifts aren’t talked about yet.
Part 4
I actually liked part 4 way better than any others. It made the most sense and was developed and flowed really good. We FINALLY understand what her powers are what she is and possibly what she’s becoming now that shes mated Barron and Evan. She gets to know Evans pack and they are a good bunch of guys. Definitely rough around the edges and extremely protective. They have all been involved in military or some kind of Special Forces. She meets an awesome woman named Michelle who is a cat I am guessing and the Bryce is working on an alliance with her father Sean. We actually meet Barrons brother Alexander. Now THAT guy is interesting. He’s a total dick but it’s a façade and he’s in a MC and is going to be searching for her friend and sister. However, at the end all hell breaks loose again. Once again Evan and Iris are at odds.
Part 5
So, she turns into a wolf and saves Michelle’s life and Barron can’t deal? So jealous he throws their mating away by walking away because it wasn’t a bear she shifted into? Then to top things off Evan abandons her too? I mean he might still be in the pack but hes “keeping his distance” to “give her space” she apparently wanted? Um no she didn’t. She didn’t even ask for it. She needed her mates after that crap! They totally and completely abandoned her. Then the one guy whose got her back is Shane her guard and friend. Evan starts to come around after realizing how dumb he is and rekindles only to demand she not spend time with Shane? Um ok on some level I get it he’s jealous. When she asks Evan to cut Barron out after how Barron treated her and hurt her he declines and walks away from Iris. Iris has constantly tried to please those guys and get them to come back only to be shot down. Barron walks away from her 3 times. Treats her like crap and uses her. Bryce ins’t happy and has come up with a solution to dissolve their mating. As far as I am concerned these mates of hers are wimps. Treated her like crap over and over again. Yeah…shes made mistakes and owned up to them and hell has apologized. They’ve done none of that concerning her and break her heart and stomp all over it. Shane graciously offers to be her mate although they are more friends than anything else. She HAS to be mated in order to keep her safe from the psycho alpha still after her. So, I’ve read enough about shifters to know that mates just don’t act like this. Yeah some of them do but it’s an overkill as much as Evan and Barron are written constantly screwing up. I’m not sure why she decided to write the story like this. One moment it makes sense and the next it doesn’t. Leaves a reader scratching their heads.
Part 6
So…the Shane thing was all a set up to get Evan and Barron to pull their heads out and reclaim their mate. Well…unfortunately I think Shane’s feelings were genuine on some level. Poor guy. Iris made them work HARD to have her back. Honestly, that scene at the cabin where they talk about stuff wrecked me a little. I freakin cried for poor Iris and Barron. LOL. You know…if he would have just told her everything and communicated instead of keeping secrets and walking away..she wouldn’t have gotten so hurt. I know they are all good together and I was worried for a minute she would walk away. She had every right. Guys aren’t good at emotional stuff and that took a lot of courage to do that for her. Showed that Barron put her first before pride.
I have to be honest as it is I can’t recommend the series. It needs to be cleaned up editing wise. More development and flow between parts/books needs to happen. I like the idea of the story and some was good and made sense. I think I had a lot of issues with Barron and Evan. I didn’t like how they were written. The constant hurt they caused their mate just isn’t done in typical shifter romance stories. Of course there has to be some conflict but it was over and over and just didn’t make them very likable. Treated her poorly most of the time unless they wanted sex. Wasn’t much romance in the series very little anyways. We needed more about what kind of world this was in. Not descriptive enough. We didn’t learn anything about what her friend and sister were dealing with. I don’t know if she plans on doing more or continuing things. I’d guess yes but hopefully it gets better.
March 29, 2018
I loved this book there where parts in this book that broke my heart but it turned out good didn't think it would turn out
January 25, 2019
An enjoyable story with a lot of ups and downs but with an annoying heroine.
An enjoyable story with a lot of ups and downs and some annoyance thrown in for good measure. Persevere past the first half, it is worth it.
Beginning of this book just goes back and forth with one or the other of them being an idiot and hurting the other two, they cannot get their act together. Due to being written as a 6 part serial there is too much drama and rehashing. This book could do with being redone and tidied up. As I have read the next two books I know the author has the ability to write a great story.
I really did enjoy this book by the end but for the first third I was just annoyed with Iris, wanted to slap her so hard.
Females are in short supply due to a government induced problem. Surprise anyone.
Iris, her sister and their best friend are kidnapped to be sold as mates to Alpha shifters.
Iris is saved by Evan, a wolf shifter and Barron, a bear shifter. They both know Iris is their mate but Iris refuses to tell them what happened or anything apart from her name. All she cares about is finding her two besties and saving them. She keeps worrying about what is happening to them.
SPOILER
Her sister and friend are kidnapped by shifters, but she doesn't think that shifters would be the best way to deal with her problem and find her besties. HUH, doesn’t make sense to me. I would be utilizing every tool I had at my disposal.
Even though Iris will not tell Evan and Barron where she is from or what happened to her, she has sex with them. Only fooling around sex but Iris still allows them to sleep with her in the bed.
So, does she trust them or not. Her logic is screwy and I found I just couldn’t like her.
The fact Evan and Barron try to get her to talk by seducing her is also a no no for me.
The continual banging on about HAVING to leave to find her friends gets tiring.
If finding them is so important why is Iris wasting time spending the day with Evan instead of leaving like she keeps saying she has too. I understand she is drawn to them, but stop see sawing in what she is doing. She then really upsets Barron by implying that all she wants is sex and she HAS to leave, being their mate is not important. I understand Iris has issues about being a bigger girl but it seems to rule her thinking.
Barron has been scarred by his nasty mother and is right to be wary of giving his heart if Iris does not care, but he didn’t need to be a jerk about it and leave saying there were plenty of women to have sex with if Iris did not want all of him.
When Barron comes back after storming off, Iris is laying on the floor eating popcorn and watching a movie with Evan. AGAIN, where is the urgency to find her friends? I hate this yo-yoing that is going on.
Because she doesn't tell Evan and Barron what has happened, instead of being prepared for trouble, Evan and Barron get attacked.
The last half of the book was really enjoyable and did not annoy me as much as the beginning.
The story really started to come together with more about what was going on and I found it well written and fast paced. It became what it should have been from the start. Lots going on and we start to meet other characters.
I understand this was a six-part novella serial and I believe that is what has caused the problems I described above. Being marketed as one book, there is too much drama, angst and stupidity, but this would have been needed in shorter stories.
Will I be reading the next book, you bet, as I really want to know what happens to the other characters we have met. There are so many I want to see get their HEA’s so I hope this becomes a long series. Shane needs to be the mate of Iris’s sister Rose to make my life happy. He is half in love with Iris so if Rose is his mate that will balance it all out nicely.
This is my honest review of this book.
An enjoyable story with a lot of ups and downs and some annoyance thrown in for good measure. Persevere past the first half, it is worth it.
Beginning of this book just goes back and forth with one or the other of them being an idiot and hurting the other two, they cannot get their act together. Due to being written as a 6 part serial there is too much drama and rehashing. This book could do with being redone and tidied up. As I have read the next two books I know the author has the ability to write a great story.
I really did enjoy this book by the end but for the first third I was just annoyed with Iris, wanted to slap her so hard.
Females are in short supply due to a government induced problem. Surprise anyone.
Iris, her sister and their best friend are kidnapped to be sold as mates to Alpha shifters.
Iris is saved by Evan, a wolf shifter and Barron, a bear shifter. They both know Iris is their mate but Iris refuses to tell them what happened or anything apart from her name. All she cares about is finding her two besties and saving them. She keeps worrying about what is happening to them.
SPOILER
Her sister and friend are kidnapped by shifters, but she doesn't think that shifters would be the best way to deal with her problem and find her besties. HUH, doesn’t make sense to me. I would be utilizing every tool I had at my disposal.
Even though Iris will not tell Evan and Barron where she is from or what happened to her, she has sex with them. Only fooling around sex but Iris still allows them to sleep with her in the bed.
So, does she trust them or not. Her logic is screwy and I found I just couldn’t like her.
The fact Evan and Barron try to get her to talk by seducing her is also a no no for me.
The continual banging on about HAVING to leave to find her friends gets tiring.
If finding them is so important why is Iris wasting time spending the day with Evan instead of leaving like she keeps saying she has too. I understand she is drawn to them, but stop see sawing in what she is doing. She then really upsets Barron by implying that all she wants is sex and she HAS to leave, being their mate is not important. I understand Iris has issues about being a bigger girl but it seems to rule her thinking.
Barron has been scarred by his nasty mother and is right to be wary of giving his heart if Iris does not care, but he didn’t need to be a jerk about it and leave saying there were plenty of women to have sex with if Iris did not want all of him.
When Barron comes back after storming off, Iris is laying on the floor eating popcorn and watching a movie with Evan. AGAIN, where is the urgency to find her friends? I hate this yo-yoing that is going on.
Because she doesn't tell Evan and Barron what has happened, instead of being prepared for trouble, Evan and Barron get attacked.
The last half of the book was really enjoyable and did not annoy me as much as the beginning.
The story really started to come together with more about what was going on and I found it well written and fast paced. It became what it should have been from the start. Lots going on and we start to meet other characters.
I understand this was a six-part novella serial and I believe that is what has caused the problems I described above. Being marketed as one book, there is too much drama, angst and stupidity, but this would have been needed in shorter stories.
Will I be reading the next book, you bet, as I really want to know what happens to the other characters we have met. There are so many I want to see get their HEA’s so I hope this becomes a long series. Shane needs to be the mate of Iris’s sister Rose to make my life happy. He is half in love with Iris so if Rose is his mate that will balance it all out nicely.
This is my honest review of this book.
November 8, 2018
This book needs a better editor. The technical structure and tone problems are vast, and that's leaving aside the emotional structure and tone problems. Every single character in this book is emotionally three years old, with the attention span of said. Some of this can be set down to the serial nature of the stories, but a smart editor could and SHOULD HAVE smoothed a lot of this out.
This is the second story I've read by Annalise Nixon and I am left just as frustrated with this one as I was with the last. The author HAS talent. The bones of a really fun and compelling story are here! But there is so much that is under-developed or inconsistent or just plain left out of her work that I just can't dive further into this author's other stories.
Basically, until the author gets a new editor who will PUSH this author into cleaning up their work, creating a consistent emotional tone, and help the author smooth out their pacing and structure, HARD NOPE.
This is the second story I've read by Annalise Nixon and I am left just as frustrated with this one as I was with the last. The author HAS talent. The bones of a really fun and compelling story are here! But there is so much that is under-developed or inconsistent or just plain left out of her work that I just can't dive further into this author's other stories.
Basically, until the author gets a new editor who will PUSH this author into cleaning up their work, creating a consistent emotional tone, and help the author smooth out their pacing and structure, HARD NOPE.
October 18, 2017
A menage story of a woman, a wolf shifter and a bear shifter. You would think it would be a good story, right? Not this one.
The grammar is atrocious. The editor needs to be fired, hired back, then fired again. There were story lines that just didn't go anywhere. Why put them in, then? The virus and the vaccine. Ok, what about it? What more did it do? Why are women scarce? What the hell's going on???
The story is not linear. You're made to believe one thing is happening, when the next sentence blows you away because that's not what you were just reading about. Names are switched, people are upstairs but then downstairs.
This book COULD be great, if only it were EDITED and PROOFREAD properly!!!
The grammar is atrocious. The editor needs to be fired, hired back, then fired again. There were story lines that just didn't go anywhere. Why put them in, then? The virus and the vaccine. Ok, what about it? What more did it do? Why are women scarce? What the hell's going on???
The story is not linear. You're made to believe one thing is happening, when the next sentence blows you away because that's not what you were just reading about. Names are switched, people are upstairs but then downstairs.
This book COULD be great, if only it were EDITED and PROOFREAD properly!!!
October 20, 2017
My Disclaimer:
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…
Iris is sweet, sassy, and curvy. She’s also been kidnapped. Iris, her sister, and her BFF were grabbed by some really nasty guys. The gals swore they would get free and make sure that all three of them were safe. Then they were drugged. When Iris woke up, her sister and friend were gone. She managed to get away from the two guys who had her, but when she woke up again, two different guys had her. And they couldn’t have been more different. These guys were both really hot looking, built, and tattooed.
Barron and Evan were BFFs, too. They did everything together. Evan even joined Barron’s wolf pack, though he wasn’t a wolf. They had always hoped to find the right woman to share for the rest of their lives. To them, Iris seemed like a gift. She’s lovely, curvy, and tattooed. What more could they possibly want?
Iris has her mind set on freedom and finding her sister and BFF. Can Barron and Evan change her mind long enough to make her theirs?
Technical Tidbits…
The cover just didn’t seem to work. The picture of the threesome at the top seems too dark to see the separate people, so it’s just heads and hair. And the font used for the title is just outlandish. It’s hard to read and outdated. I did like the wolf and bear in the lower third.
The storyline was good. It was full of twists and turns. Information kept popping up and things kept changing.
The characters were well developed and we learned more with each chapter. With Iris, most of her information was upfront and she shared it. With Barron, most of his came towards the beginning. But with Evan, we had to wait until later on to get to know him very well. But it was worth the wait.
The pace was a bit irregular. Sometimes we were running around trying to get away and others we were just sitting around the cabin being bored. It sort of stuttered.
The tension was a bit uneven because of the pace and some of the characters.
And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰⭒
Iris was what the average guy seemed to consider a little on the “chubby” side. Full-figured? The first guys who kidnapped them made snarky comments about her figure calling her “the fat one”. So when she was first with Barron and Evan she didn’t expect that they would like her figure. She really had hang-ups about her appearance. She didn’t expect men to be attracted to her. But they really liked what they thought of as curvy and sexy. In fact, it seemed like all the wolves in the pack thought that about her. Certainly, Bryce and Shane shared that thought about her. She had self-esteem issues, but both of the guys went to work on those right away, and they got through to her. I really like the fact that they realized she had issues and they immediately went to work bolstering her up in that regard. They also genuinely liked her figure, so that helped. But they did it all with intent.
Evan isn’t a wolf, but he and Barron have been together so long and so close, sharing everything including women that it’s just one more thing to share. And the pack seems to accept him for what he is. He’s certainly useful in a fight. But Evan decides Iris needs the support of the pack and he should bow out, he really hurts her. Without talking to her about what he was doing, why he was doing it, or whether or not she wanted it. He just shut down! Shut off!
When Iris gives Barron the choice of her and the pack or Barron, he panics and she’s hurt again. That’s when Shane steps up and becomes her friend and confidant. Finally, someone, she can talk to and relax with. But he’s also in charge of security and under orders to take good care of her. Since the three have gone through a mating ceremony, the pack will take care of its own if the guys can’t get their heads screwed on straight. It’s wonderful that Shane becomes such a great friend, but it’s too bad that he has to be ordered to do it. They did have a rocky start, but still, it would have been nice for it to be a genuine friendship from the beginning. They did become real friends in the course of the pretend just because Iris is a really great person.
But someone better make up their mind pretty soon because the Montgomery Pack is already in town and they want Iris. It appears they already have Sherry, Iris’ BFF. No need to worry there, though. It seems Barron’s brother, Alexander, the one that’s 10 minutes older and a heck of a lot tougher, is going to rescue her. Don’t know much about him, yet. I’m hoping Sherry and Alexander have the next book. He sounds rather intriguing.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…
Iris is sweet, sassy, and curvy. She’s also been kidnapped. Iris, her sister, and her BFF were grabbed by some really nasty guys. The gals swore they would get free and make sure that all three of them were safe. Then they were drugged. When Iris woke up, her sister and friend were gone. She managed to get away from the two guys who had her, but when she woke up again, two different guys had her. And they couldn’t have been more different. These guys were both really hot looking, built, and tattooed.
Barron and Evan were BFFs, too. They did everything together. Evan even joined Barron’s wolf pack, though he wasn’t a wolf. They had always hoped to find the right woman to share for the rest of their lives. To them, Iris seemed like a gift. She’s lovely, curvy, and tattooed. What more could they possibly want?
Iris has her mind set on freedom and finding her sister and BFF. Can Barron and Evan change her mind long enough to make her theirs?
Technical Tidbits…
The cover just didn’t seem to work. The picture of the threesome at the top seems too dark to see the separate people, so it’s just heads and hair. And the font used for the title is just outlandish. It’s hard to read and outdated. I did like the wolf and bear in the lower third.
The storyline was good. It was full of twists and turns. Information kept popping up and things kept changing.
The characters were well developed and we learned more with each chapter. With Iris, most of her information was upfront and she shared it. With Barron, most of his came towards the beginning. But with Evan, we had to wait until later on to get to know him very well. But it was worth the wait.
The pace was a bit irregular. Sometimes we were running around trying to get away and others we were just sitting around the cabin being bored. It sort of stuttered.
The tension was a bit uneven because of the pace and some of the characters.
And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰⭒
Iris was what the average guy seemed to consider a little on the “chubby” side. Full-figured? The first guys who kidnapped them made snarky comments about her figure calling her “the fat one”. So when she was first with Barron and Evan she didn’t expect that they would like her figure. She really had hang-ups about her appearance. She didn’t expect men to be attracted to her. But they really liked what they thought of as curvy and sexy. In fact, it seemed like all the wolves in the pack thought that about her. Certainly, Bryce and Shane shared that thought about her. She had self-esteem issues, but both of the guys went to work on those right away, and they got through to her. I really like the fact that they realized she had issues and they immediately went to work bolstering her up in that regard. They also genuinely liked her figure, so that helped. But they did it all with intent.
Evan isn’t a wolf, but he and Barron have been together so long and so close, sharing everything including women that it’s just one more thing to share. And the pack seems to accept him for what he is. He’s certainly useful in a fight. But Evan decides Iris needs the support of the pack and he should bow out, he really hurts her. Without talking to her about what he was doing, why he was doing it, or whether or not she wanted it. He just shut down! Shut off!
When Iris gives Barron the choice of her and the pack or Barron, he panics and she’s hurt again. That’s when Shane steps up and becomes her friend and confidant. Finally, someone, she can talk to and relax with. But he’s also in charge of security and under orders to take good care of her. Since the three have gone through a mating ceremony, the pack will take care of its own if the guys can’t get their heads screwed on straight. It’s wonderful that Shane becomes such a great friend, but it’s too bad that he has to be ordered to do it. They did have a rocky start, but still, it would have been nice for it to be a genuine friendship from the beginning. They did become real friends in the course of the pretend just because Iris is a really great person.
But someone better make up their mind pretty soon because the Montgomery Pack is already in town and they want Iris. It appears they already have Sherry, Iris’ BFF. No need to worry there, though. It seems Barron’s brother, Alexander, the one that’s 10 minutes older and a heck of a lot tougher, is going to rescue her. Don’t know much about him, yet. I’m hoping Sherry and Alexander have the next book. He sounds rather intriguing.
September 19, 2020
Iris's bear and wolf mate
Absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to all readers who love great romantic shifter tales. What makes this book great is the menage relationship involving one beautiful woman and two hot shifters. Iris is a big beautiful woman who has been teased about her weight. When she gets kidnapped with her sister and best friend she awakens to find that they have been separated which makes her mad. Being empathic and having special powers she escapes and is found by two shifters who realise that she may be their mate. Readers should enjoy the adventure featuring one beautiful woman and two hot shifters as well as the Alpha wolf who thinks that Iris belongs to him.
Absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to all readers who love great romantic shifter tales. What makes this book great is the menage relationship involving one beautiful woman and two hot shifters. Iris is a big beautiful woman who has been teased about her weight. When she gets kidnapped with her sister and best friend she awakens to find that they have been separated which makes her mad. Being empathic and having special powers she escapes and is found by two shifters who realise that she may be their mate. Readers should enjoy the adventure featuring one beautiful woman and two hot shifters as well as the Alpha wolf who thinks that Iris belongs to him.
September 15, 2023
To mate or not
An amazing plot that keeps you up all night reading! Who needs sleep when you’re part of this fantastic story! The characters are unpredictable, handsome heroes, a sassy and unique woman (you would love to be friends with), BFFs ’ new and old, and evil villains! All plotting to get the woman! Many surprises await, as you get swept into their lives! Hold on tight,
An amazing plot that keeps you up all night reading! Who needs sleep when you’re part of this fantastic story! The characters are unpredictable, handsome heroes, a sassy and unique woman (you would love to be friends with), BFFs ’ new and old, and evil villains! All plotting to get the woman! Many surprises await, as you get swept into their lives! Hold on tight,
June 6, 2017
Wow amazing.
I don't know what to say this book grabbed me and held on to the last page. Steamy romance, shifters, suspense, drama, tears and laughter. The plot is good and the characters are well developed. I would have to put the book down to get through the emotions. It is a fairly quick read and I highly recommend this book.
I don't know what to say this book grabbed me and held on to the last page. Steamy romance, shifters, suspense, drama, tears and laughter. The plot is good and the characters are well developed. I would have to put the book down to get through the emotions. It is a fairly quick read and I highly recommend this book.
August 3, 2017
I liked the overall story line of the book, though it was a little jumpy in some places. Part of that may be due to the fact it's a serial combined together. All three main characters need to take a lesson in communicating together...they really do. I liked it well enough that I'm looking into the next book to find out what happens with her sister and friend.
October 5, 2018
So not what I expectted
Figured this would be one of those 'standard ' romance sets...wow was I wrong!! Yes, there is romance, love, heat but there is sacrifice, dislike, animosity...oh and so much more. This is the story of Iris and looks to be the first of a few sets...the others about her sisters. Absolutely amazing story and great characters and beautifully written
Figured this would be one of those 'standard ' romance sets...wow was I wrong!! Yes, there is romance, love, heat but there is sacrifice, dislike, animosity...oh and so much more. This is the story of Iris and looks to be the first of a few sets...the others about her sisters. Absolutely amazing story and great characters and beautifully written
June 15, 2019
I chose to read and review this book I loved reading this series wolves are my number one shifters so hot sexy I liked how the main characters meet and start interaction Iris Barron and Evan are a joy to meet it has some action thrill but lots of steam sparks that fly between so great recommend it
May 17, 2018
Wolf Lover
I am a werewolves fan. This was a different kind of story finding out about shiftters. I didn't know if I liked humans knowing about them already but the story worked it out for me. Very good storytelling. It almost made me believe it could be true.
I am a werewolves fan. This was a different kind of story finding out about shiftters. I didn't know if I liked humans knowing about them already but the story worked it out for me. Very good storytelling. It almost made me believe it could be true.
October 16, 2022
Sooo I have fallen in low with paranormal/shifter romances. I feel crazy letting that cat (ummm wolf, bear, etc) out of the bag. But I absolutely loved this book. Mix wolf with his best friend bear and a menage-a-troi with their human. Who isn't fully human.
May 26, 2017
Sexy
These books have a good story line but I thought they would have been a little sexier with threesomes going on
These books have a good story line but I thought they would have been a little sexier with threesomes going on
August 27, 2017
Wonderful
Wonderful amazing great read thank you great series can't wait till thee next book I am so excited great read
Wonderful amazing great read thank you great series can't wait till thee next book I am so excited great read
August 29, 2017
Brilliant
From the moment I started reading this book I could not put it down brilliant story line never stopped reading until I finished the whole book
From the moment I started reading this book I could not put it down brilliant story line never stopped reading until I finished the whole book
June 19, 2021
Did not live up to what I thought this would be. Disappointing.
June 13, 2023
It felt like I took a bite of a sandwich and someone grabbed it away, it's way too short 😭😭 I'm so invested, the men are delicious in this book.
July 8, 2024
Again I found a good read in this book. I would not mind more stories in this series.
February 15, 2017
At first I thought that this was just going to be a fluffy love-ish sort of story centered around sex and shifters. I was surprised here and then to see it was not fully going to be that way. I think I might have killed someone if I relied on reading it when it was in its serial form.
There was a lot more, emotion wise, that went on in the story. Instead of the whole wham-bam-we-be-mated schpeel I was expecting ... it was not all roses.
Baron was a pain in the ass with his wishy-washy emotions and Evan acted like a petulant child sometimes. I think I liked the male secondary characters a lot more than the two male leads. In some respects, though it didn't seem like it would be that way at first, Iris was more mature than they were.
Going back to my comment about the serial format.... When I saw where some books stopped at I was very glad I had the bundle so I didn't have to suffer. I think that I wouldn't have bothered to read the other installments if I had only read the first book; I'm just not into that way of putting out a book.
I'm not the world's expert when it comes to grammar and punctuation, but if I noticed it I'm sure the grammar obsessed wanted to mangle stuff when they saw them. One other complaint I had was about the world building. It seemed like there might've been a good start to it, but the interesting stuff was glossed over and not brought up again later in the book. From reading the samples of the next two books in the series I see that it was fleshed out a bit more. However, I just read the samples and they might do the same thing that this book did and those descriptions might taper off once you get past the first 1/3rd of the book.
Which sort of stinks because I was kinda interested in reading Alex and Shane's books.
There was a lot more, emotion wise, that went on in the story. Instead of the whole wham-bam-we-be-mated schpeel I was expecting ... it was not all roses.
Baron was a pain in the ass with his wishy-washy emotions and Evan acted like a petulant child sometimes. I think I liked the male secondary characters a lot more than the two male leads. In some respects, though it didn't seem like it would be that way at first, Iris was more mature than they were.
Going back to my comment about the serial format.... When I saw where some books stopped at I was very glad I had the bundle so I didn't have to suffer. I think that I wouldn't have bothered to read the other installments if I had only read the first book; I'm just not into that way of putting out a book.
I'm not the world's expert when it comes to grammar and punctuation, but if I noticed it I'm sure the grammar obsessed wanted to mangle stuff when they saw them. One other complaint I had was about the world building. It seemed like there might've been a good start to it, but the interesting stuff was glossed over and not brought up again later in the book. From reading the samples of the next two books in the series I see that it was fleshed out a bit more. However, I just read the samples and they might do the same thing that this book did and those descriptions might taper off once you get past the first 1/3rd of the book.
Which sort of stinks because I was kinda interested in reading Alex and Shane's books.
June 29, 2016
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
In this book we meet Barron, Evan, and Iris. When this book opens we find Iris in the back of a van. She doesn't know why she, her sister, and her best friend were kidnapped from their home, all she knows is she has to get away and find her girls. However while trying to escape she ends up somewhere she never thought she would between two hot men. The problem she is finding no matter how hot these men are she needs to find her girls and staying with them could only mean bringing trouble into their world. The other problem is these men just keep screwing up. Can they find a way to be a triad without all the pain and heartache?
Barron and Evan know what they want and what they want is Iris. Can they get her without hurting her over and over as well as getting hurt themselves? These two men have shared almost everything most of their lives, this includes women. But when they meet Iris they wonder will jealousy drive a wedge between them or make them even stronger? Also can they figure out what their woman is hiding and not only protect her body but her heart as well? Or will their careless acts push her past her breaking point?
This is an amazing book you will find all of the parts in one spot. You will find yourself wanting to smack this group at one point and cry for them at others. This book has many ups and downs that will have you on edge from the beginning of this story to the very end. I would love to tell you more about this story but I don't want to ruin any of the surprises for you. I will say that I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
In this book we meet Barron, Evan, and Iris. When this book opens we find Iris in the back of a van. She doesn't know why she, her sister, and her best friend were kidnapped from their home, all she knows is she has to get away and find her girls. However while trying to escape she ends up somewhere she never thought she would between two hot men. The problem she is finding no matter how hot these men are she needs to find her girls and staying with them could only mean bringing trouble into their world. The other problem is these men just keep screwing up. Can they find a way to be a triad without all the pain and heartache?
Barron and Evan know what they want and what they want is Iris. Can they get her without hurting her over and over as well as getting hurt themselves? These two men have shared almost everything most of their lives, this includes women. But when they meet Iris they wonder will jealousy drive a wedge between them or make them even stronger? Also can they figure out what their woman is hiding and not only protect her body but her heart as well? Or will their careless acts push her past her breaking point?
This is an amazing book you will find all of the parts in one spot. You will find yourself wanting to smack this group at one point and cry for them at others. This book has many ups and downs that will have you on edge from the beginning of this story to the very end. I would love to tell you more about this story but I don't want to ruin any of the surprises for you. I will say that I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
August 24, 2016
Between a Wolf and a Hard Place by Annalise Nixon is the complete collection containing all six parts. I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Without blowing it for anyone who hasn’t read the story, I will say this: overall I liked the idea and thought it interesting, however with that being said, the whole thing collapsed like a badly-done souffle. From the lacking concept and plot, inconsistencies and/or conflicts in character personalities and/or their actions, not to mention all the errors in editing that should have been caught before going to print, caused the flow to switch up and really took away from any reading enjoyment to be found. It’s frustrating to a reader to have to go back and continuously need to reread various parts because an author got the wrong name and such. So fix the issues, kick up the romance a notch while taking down the heat a titter to accommodate for more romance and I’d be able to say, “definitely pick this one up.” As it stands, I’m saying, “meh not a chance.”
July 2, 2016
Iris and her sister and best friend are kidnapped by wolf shifters to be sold to the highest bidder. Iris manages to escape from her captor, but is found unconscious by Evan a wolf shifter and Barron a bear shifter. When she wakes up, she is in bed between these two gorgeous, sexy males. She won't tell them where she is from or about the trouble she is in. She doesn't trust them because they are shifters; but she trusts them enough to have sex with them. This part is a little confusing and delays anyone going to help find and free her sister and her friend.
The next part is very exciting with lots of action, lots of hot steamy sex and lots of angst and misunderstandings between Iris, Evan and Barron. But it all works out in the end; some of the bad wolf shifters are killed; Barron's brother goes to find Iris's friend Sherry and Shane goes to find her sister Rose. Looking forward to reading the next two books in the series and hope that there are many more planned in the series. I was given this copy as an ARC for an honest review.
The next part is very exciting with lots of action, lots of hot steamy sex and lots of angst and misunderstandings between Iris, Evan and Barron. But it all works out in the end; some of the bad wolf shifters are killed; Barron's brother goes to find Iris's friend Sherry and Shane goes to find her sister Rose. Looking forward to reading the next two books in the series and hope that there are many more planned in the series. I was given this copy as an ARC for an honest review.
July 18, 2016
I enjoy paranormal romances and menage and this is a good story for those who like those elements in their romances. Iris is a tough woman who has survived under difficult circumstances. Male shifters need human women and some groups kidnap them to sell them at auctions. Iris and her sisters (one is a good friend) are caught up in it all. Fortunately. Iris gets found by two shifters named Barron and Evan. They have been looking for a mate and intend to keep Iris but she wants to find her sisters first.
There is a lot of back and forth in terms of the relationships as the story goes on. Barron and Evan seem to have difficulty really opening up and it creates conflicts and issues for them all. Iris tries to bridge the issues. I did get a little upset with the guys and their behavior. They make promises and then tend to not always be there for her when she really needs them,. There are some insecurities that need to be put to rest.
I was glad to read all the parts together. I felt the story flowed well among the parts.
I received a copy in return for a honest review.
There is a lot of back and forth in terms of the relationships as the story goes on. Barron and Evan seem to have difficulty really opening up and it creates conflicts and issues for them all. Iris tries to bridge the issues. I did get a little upset with the guys and their behavior. They make promises and then tend to not always be there for her when she really needs them,. There are some insecurities that need to be put to rest.
I was glad to read all the parts together. I felt the story flowed well among the parts.
I received a copy in return for a honest review.
July 18, 2016
Part 6 - 3.5*stars
Things wrap up a little too well between Iris, Barron and Evan - she is a little too forgiving?? However, it's a HEA for them, even if the awaited *big bad* doesn't make an entrance and sister and friend are now to have their own books, so no neat endings for them!
It could've done with an edit, a number of sentences needed tidying up with missing or extra words. The writing and plot did improve as you read through the 6 parts - the first 3 parts were very hit and miss, but my irritation at Barron and Evan only grew stronger as the stories continued - I understand the angst and drama needed in the individual parts, but reading straight through - didn't really work - for two grown men, my teenage daughters give me less drama and silliness than these two......!!
The cliffhangers made my jaw clench....
Iris had her moments, strong willed, sassy with the one liners but I seriously question her sense around the muppets she has taken as mates?!?
And I still love Shane, I'm hoping he gets his HEA *sigh*
Overall, it was an entertaining read with promise.
Things wrap up a little too well between Iris, Barron and Evan - she is a little too forgiving?? However, it's a HEA for them, even if the awaited *big bad* doesn't make an entrance and sister and friend are now to have their own books, so no neat endings for them!
It could've done with an edit, a number of sentences needed tidying up with missing or extra words. The writing and plot did improve as you read through the 6 parts - the first 3 parts were very hit and miss, but my irritation at Barron and Evan only grew stronger as the stories continued - I understand the angst and drama needed in the individual parts, but reading straight through - didn't really work - for two grown men, my teenage daughters give me less drama and silliness than these two......!!
The cliffhangers made my jaw clench....
Iris had her moments, strong willed, sassy with the one liners but I seriously question her sense around the muppets she has taken as mates?!?
And I still love Shane, I'm hoping he gets his HEA *sigh*
Overall, it was an entertaining read with promise.
July 11, 2016
This is the entire collection of the six installments of between a wolf and a hard place so no cliffhangers. At the beginning of the book Iris, her sister and her best friend are kidnapped from their home to be sold to shifter alpha's as wives. Iris escapes from her captors by causing an accident and is hurt in the accident. She is found barely alive by Evan and Barron who are able to help heal her. Evan and Barron know that Iris is their mate, but she is afraid of shifters and does not know that they are both shifters. In this collection they get to know one another better and become mates, but it is a rocky road and their is trouble from the alpha that 'bought' Iris. The ups and downs in this story kept me reading this set from beginning straight through to the end and I am very glad I got the whole collection together instead of each installment separately with waiting in-between for each to be released!
July 8, 2016
I apparently lost my original review in my computer during a change from windows 7 to 10. I have a very poor memory but I do remember that 3 woman were kidnapped they had their own business. Rose, Sherry and Iris were separated Iris wakes up in the back of a van, bound by her hands. She somehow discovers that she has the power to set these bad wolves on fire. At the side of the road after causing the accident she is rescued by Barran a bear shifter and his best friend. She wakes up naked between them with desire floating through her yet she knows them not. This is just the beginning of their tale which I found both intriguing and enjoyable and I believe if others who enjoy shifter romances grab their own copy that they will not be disappointed.
I was given an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review
I was given an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review
February 13, 2017
Content warnings: kidnapping, violence, sex, death
Review tba.
Review tba.
June 30, 2016
I've gotten this book from Annalise Nixon's newsletter.
I really liked the book(s) and the writing was very good.
I could really feel for Iris and I hated the guys from time to time.
Some things were really funny and I was laughing out loud and sometimes my tears were rolling over my face.... good thing, I read this book at home....
Barron was a real dick sometimes but I get why she can't let him go...
I really hope Shane will get his happy ending too but I guess that will be clear in the rest of the series.
I'm looking forward to read how things will go with Sherry and Rose.
I really liked the book(s) and the writing was very good.
I could really feel for Iris and I hated the guys from time to time.
Some things were really funny and I was laughing out loud and sometimes my tears were rolling over my face.... good thing, I read this book at home....
Barron was a real dick sometimes but I get why she can't let him go...
I really hope Shane will get his happy ending too but I guess that will be clear in the rest of the series.
I'm looking forward to read how things will go with Sherry and Rose.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews