The Country Alpha: Ned's Story

The Downing Cycle #2

by Penelope Peters

One text is all it takes to spin a life into a different direction.

After a devastating accident, alpha Jake Downing has set aside his dream of hockey stardom, and narrowed his choices down to one—life as a hermit on a mountain in the middle of nowhere, with no city, no strictures of society, and especially no omega. He just needs to take one trip into the city – and then he’s free.

This is how the story begins.

Within hours of his arrival, however, a single text message will twist the course his life takes, spinning his life in two alternate realities – determining not only the ownership of Jake’s mountain, but also the person with whom he might end up sharing it.

This is how the story might go.

In this reality, Jake gets his mountain, but he also gets Ned Reilly, an omega whose secrets have been ripped away one by one. The whole city knows why Ned’s first alpha broke their bond—or thinks it does. The whole city is wrong. No one’s ever taken Ned seriously before—except the one man Ned can’t afford to ignore. Now Ned’s life is at stake… and Jake’s mountain might just save them both.

Sometimes love is just a matter of circumstance.

One night in the city, one inexplicable bond formed in a moment of passion, will bind Jake to the person destined to be his mate. Only their growing faith in each other will keep them from being torn apart.


The Country Alpha is a story told two different ways. The Country Alpha: Ned is m/m non-shifter paranormal mpreg romance. Read The Country Alpha: Veronica for an alternate version of what happens after that text message.

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Omegaverse, LGBT, M M Paranormal, Romance

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2016

About the author

Penelope Peters wrote her first story at the age of nine, based on a dream she couldn’t shake. This is probably why most of her romances usually include the weird and whimsical. Penelope has been happily married to her college sweetheart for two decades, which is probably why her romances are practically guaranteed happy endings. Armed with her two kids, her husband, and her somewhat-trusty laptop, Pen’s traveled to more countries than you can count on two hands. (She’s very close to filling up that third.) Currently Penelope has returned to the land of her birth (somewhat reluctantly), where she is surrounded by trees, taco trucks, and her collection of counted cross stitch kits.

You can find Penelope on Facebook (www.facebook.com/PenelopePetersAuthor), Twitter (@penelope_writes), Tumblr (azriona – it’s her personal account, you are hereby warned), and her website (www.penelope-peters.com), where you can learn about how to receive updates and ARCs.

Icon by anotherwellkeptsecret.tumblr.com

Reviews

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series called the Downing Cycle. I read the first book, Country Omega, and I’d advise that you read it first, as well. When I started reading, I expected a shifter plot, but it is not. It is set in a world where everyone presents as alpha, beta or omega. The world is relatively like ours with the exception that any omega, male or female, can get pregnant, and having children is their primary duty. So there are ‘bonding pools’ run by the parents trying to mate alphas with an appropriate omega, so they can have grandchildren.
In this book, Ned’s story, Ned’s first bonding had been broken because he didn’t get pregnant in two years, so finding another mate is impossible. Jake was a famous hockey player, who, after a terrible accident had a leg amputated, so finding a mate is impossible. Both men are broken in a way, so they are not encouraged to bond.
However, they are very attracted to each other, and you may be able to guess who actually is able to get pregnant.
This is a fun book to read, and I don’t want to lead into spoiler territory. Well characterized, well written, worth your time.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written book with a cast of strong , well developed characters all centering around Ned and Jake. I enjoyed the story line and watching their relationship grow as well as the mystery.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in The Downing Cycle Series. I really liked this one, these books have a mystery to them which adds to the fun. In this one Evan's younger brother has a tragic accident and believes no one will want to bond with him. He meets Ned, who we met in the 1st book, and is fascinated by him. There is a mystery though, who was Ned yelling at and what kind of trouble is he in?

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read. An omega and an alpha. A mountain with a remote cabin. Threats to a new love. A really good story about life after a career changing injury and standing up for what one really wants.

[Pati · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a ridiculous way to present a book. One mf one mm, same story with alternate characters. SMH.... I won't read this author again.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book! I love this book SO much!

If you had read the The Country Omega, the previous book in this series, you'll know some of the secondary characters, and will probably be as happy as I was to be revisiting the Valdez clan, Larissa, and the Downings.

But Jack and Ned's story is something else. I love romance, I really, really do. But when it's spiked with a side of intrigue? well, you have me, hook, line and sinker.

And Penelope did just that. What we have here is a romance, but it's also a mystery. We're following both, Jack and Ned POVs along the story, which helps us to see what's going on on their heads, which is good. But also so very frustrating! Because you see how these two are perfect for each other's, and how oblivious they are to the fact.

We are slowly getting hints and tips about what went in their lives in the last years, what got them where they are today. And all the while there is a different mystery growing. Who is Angel? What is really going on between him and Ned?

When we finally get the full picture, the clock is already ticking, and there is danger to all who are involved while we run to the end. And no, I won't tell you what happens!

So, in short, I got trapped by the story, felt in love with the protagonists and I actually devoured the book. because I simply couldn't. Put. It. Down.

Penelope Peters writing is compelling and humorous; hot and sweet in the exactly right amounts to make the reading of any of her stories a delight.

And this particular book? I can't recommend it more <3