What do you think?
Rate this book
Seaside Shifters #2
Wild Instincts
A Seaside Shifters Tale
Police cadet and bear shifter Tyson Dakota looks forward to his on-the-job training in Seaside, Oregon, working alongside his cousin, Chief of Police John Dakota. Their goal is to investigate the growing meth epidemic and identify the kingpin bringing the drugs into their community. All signs point to someone inside law enforcement working with the drug traffickers, and Tyson must find out who before the body count gets any higher.
Along the way, Tyson meets Amante, a charismatic and attractive man in town for reasons he doesn’t want to share. Tyson is drawn to Amante despite his secretive ways and is sure there could be more between them than explosive passion, if he could just get Amante to make his stay in Seaside permanent. But when Tyson’s pursuit of justice puts him at odds with Amante, they could lose more than their fledgling relationship.
They could end up losing their lives.
Police cadet and bear shifter Tyson Dakota looks forward to his on-the-job training in Seaside, Oregon, working alongside his cousin, Chief of Police John Dakota. Their goal is to investigate the growing meth epidemic and identify the kingpin bringing the drugs into their community. All signs point to someone inside law enforcement working with the drug traffickers, and Tyson must find out who before the body count gets any higher.
Along the way, Tyson meets Amante, a charismatic and attractive man in town for reasons he doesn’t want to share. Tyson is drawn to Amante despite his secretive ways and is sure there could be more between them than explosive passion, if he could just get Amante to make his stay in Seaside permanent. But when Tyson’s pursuit of justice puts him at odds with Amante, they could lose more than their fledgling relationship.
They could end up losing their lives.
129 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2017
4 people are currently reading
37 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 18, 2017
2.5 stars I rounded this up to 3 stars cuz it's your run-of-the-mill shifter story, but I rounded down to 2.5 stars because it's your run-of-the-mill shifter story. Instant connection that, while steamy, was too unexplained for me to feel. Not quite insta-love, but definitely insta-lust and much too quick progression to love given how little they knew about each other.
But i'm always willing to suspend reality for stuff like that if there's good chemistry and I feel a connection, unfortunately that didn't happen here. It was steamy for a while, although that got old quick and I started just skimming the sex scenes cuz I was sorta 'meh'.
The mystery plot was alright, although some 18 year old not-even-cadet being so involved in the case is ludicrous. And I did actually like the one twist I didn't see coming , because Tyson was so annoying about his "instincts" and "hunches". There were two important components to the plot that were way too easy/not realistic/not followed up on.
1) Reality doesn't work like this. WTF.
2) The identity of the big Mr. Bossman is a total throwaway in the effen epilogue, again, solved by the not-even-cadet.
And just a 3rd niggle that wasn't necessary and annoyed me to probably an unreasonable degree
So I love shifter books, but the shifter aspect was pretty secondary. Yes, it ended up being relevant to the plot, but it seemed like just that. A plot device. I saw a lot of good reviews for book 1, and I doubt the writing style is any different. So if you liked book 1, have at it! You'll probably like this too. I read this over the course of 2 days in less than 24 hours, it's readable. It just wasn't great and I'll probably have forgotten it once I finish writing this review. But if you need a distraction for your brain, you could do worse.
Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
But i'm always willing to suspend reality for stuff like that if there's good chemistry and I feel a connection, unfortunately that didn't happen here. It was steamy for a while, although that got old quick and I started just skimming the sex scenes cuz I was sorta 'meh'.
The mystery plot was alright, although some 18 year old not-even-cadet being so involved in the case is ludicrous. And I did actually like the one twist I didn't see coming , because Tyson was so annoying about his "instincts" and "hunches". There were two important components to the plot that were way too easy/not realistic/not followed up on.
1) Reality doesn't work like this. WTF.
2) The identity of the big Mr. Bossman is a total throwaway in the effen epilogue, again, solved by the not-even-cadet.
And just a 3rd niggle that wasn't necessary and annoyed me to probably an unreasonable degree
So I love shifter books, but the shifter aspect was pretty secondary. Yes, it ended up being relevant to the plot, but it seemed like just that. A plot device. I saw a lot of good reviews for book 1, and I doubt the writing style is any different. So if you liked book 1, have at it! You'll probably like this too. I read this over the course of 2 days in less than 24 hours, it's readable. It just wasn't great and I'll probably have forgotten it once I finish writing this review. But if you need a distraction for your brain, you could do worse.
Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
February 24, 2017
***2.63 stars (Rounded-up)***
Okay, I do not even know where to even start with this one, but so help me I will try!
This book had the makings of a decent shifter story IMO. There were: Drugs/Gangs (Mystery and Suspense aspect), mates (instalove) and Mpreg. However, when I finished reading this book I was left wondering WTF just happened between book one and two. I am not talking about the story per say; more so the quality.
From the moment Tyson and Amante meet things are hot, and it doesn't stop there. Both have the typical instafeelings you get with a shifter book; however, Tyson is unaware Amante is his mate and Amante is unaware of shifters. They agree to “a no strings attached” relationship; both enjoying the time they have with one another. However, the more time the spend together the harder it is for them to part.
Of course we find out that Amante has an aversion to cops, which of course is Tyson’s life goal. You soon start to figure out from the blatant clues that Amante isn’t on the up and up. Shortly after it feels like the author is throwing conflict after conflict at the reader; with a dash of conflict on the side.
While this story did pull me in, it failed to keep me glued to the pages unlike the first book. I felt that the plot wasn't as solid as the first book. It seemed quickly thrown together, making the mystery/suspense part lacking. Seriously, it is super obvious!
Case in Point :
1. Tyson, being the awesome police cadet he is, figures out who the big bossman is at the end without much to go on.
2. Tyson miserably fails to pick up on his mom’s drug use. He not only notices a drastic change in demeanor, but her scent changed as well. All of a sudden, his instincts are shit.
3. Amante ends up turning evidence over in exchange for immunity due to his involvement with . Why doesn’t he go into witness protection immediately? You know he’s just going to wind up dead if he doesn’t.
In the end, the bad guys lose and the good guys win. Everything is neatly wrapped up in a bow for us with both characters getting their HEA.
Side Note : If there is a third book in this series, I really hope it is dramatically better than this. Seriously, WTF is going on now with a majority of the shifter books coming out?!?
I am one of many reviewers at Gay Book Reviews and can be found here: http://gaybook.reviews/author/steph/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, I do not even know where to even start with this one, but so help me I will try!
This book had the makings of a decent shifter story IMO. There were: Drugs/Gangs (Mystery and Suspense aspect), mates (instalove) and Mpreg. However, when I finished reading this book I was left wondering WTF just happened between book one and two. I am not talking about the story per say; more so the quality.
From the moment Tyson and Amante meet things are hot, and it doesn't stop there. Both have the typical instafeelings you get with a shifter book; however, Tyson is unaware Amante is his mate and Amante is unaware of shifters. They agree to “a no strings attached” relationship; both enjoying the time they have with one another. However, the more time the spend together the harder it is for them to part.
Of course we find out that Amante has an aversion to cops, which of course is Tyson’s life goal. You soon start to figure out from the blatant clues that Amante isn’t on the up and up. Shortly after it feels like the author is throwing conflict after conflict at the reader; with a dash of conflict on the side.
While this story did pull me in, it failed to keep me glued to the pages unlike the first book. I felt that the plot wasn't as solid as the first book. It seemed quickly thrown together, making the mystery/suspense part lacking. Seriously, it is super obvious!
Case in Point :
1. Tyson, being the awesome police cadet he is, figures out who the big bossman is at the end without much to go on.
2. Tyson miserably fails to pick up on his mom’s drug use. He not only notices a drastic change in demeanor, but her scent changed as well. All of a sudden, his instincts are shit.
3. Amante ends up turning evidence over in exchange for immunity due to his involvement with . Why doesn’t he go into witness protection immediately? You know he’s just going to wind up dead if he doesn’t.
In the end, the bad guys lose and the good guys win. Everything is neatly wrapped up in a bow for us with both characters getting their HEA.
Side Note : If there is a third book in this series, I really hope it is dramatically better than this. Seriously, WTF is going on now with a majority of the shifter books coming out?!?
I am one of many reviewers at Gay Book Reviews and can be found here: http://gaybook.reviews/author/steph/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2020
Seaside, Oregon, is the setting for this story about shifters living peacefully (if not openly) among humans – but it is proving to be a lot less idyllic than it sounds. After the series of gruesome murders that bearshifter chief of police, John Dakota, dealt with in the first volume, it is now time for one of the secondary characters, John’s cousin Tyson, to be the focus of attention. Tyson was a kid with attitude problems in book one, but that has totally changed. He is a bearshifter adult now, it is his turn to meet and fall for a human, and he has to deal with a ton of doubts, questions, and a growing meth epidemic nobody would have suspected in such a small town. It’s a story full of subterfuge, surprises, and suspense.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
March 22, 2017
Book & Author: Wild Instincts by Ethan Stone
Rating: 3 Stars
You know me, I love shifter stories. And yes, this was a shifter story but the shifter as[ect was not something that played large role. I wanted more of that part to feel like I wasn’t reading just any old story. There wasn’t much about it that differed from many others except for the mpreg part.
One of my issues with this book was that the chemistry between Tyson Dakota and Amante was basically not there. The opening bar scene felt stilted and off, with no sizzle or heat between them. I don’t mind that the sex had happened so soon in the book, but that the whole lead up and that scene felt...weird. Like I was waiting for some big thing to happen that then didn’t come about.
Another thing for me was Tyson’s involvement in the whole drug thing. He was 18 years old, not even a cadet yet, and somehow he would be involved that much in a crime that big? It felt so unreal right from the start. If the author had made him older, a bit more mature, and maybe already a cadet with some training it could’ve been written off for a small town thing. That at least would’ve made it a bit more believable.
There were a couple of other things that that jolted me from the story but they’re spoiler type things so I won’t go into them in my review.
Overall, the writing was moderate, no errors or issues, it just made the story feel blah to me right from the start. I struggled to push myself to get through it, but I didn’t read book one. So if book one worked for others this one may as well. I feel like this one would be a subjective to the reader type story that will have a varying degrees of likes to dislikes.
*I received a copy of this book through http://diversereader.blogspot.com/*
Rating: 3 Stars
You know me, I love shifter stories. And yes, this was a shifter story but the shifter as[ect was not something that played large role. I wanted more of that part to feel like I wasn’t reading just any old story. There wasn’t much about it that differed from many others except for the mpreg part.
One of my issues with this book was that the chemistry between Tyson Dakota and Amante was basically not there. The opening bar scene felt stilted and off, with no sizzle or heat between them. I don’t mind that the sex had happened so soon in the book, but that the whole lead up and that scene felt...weird. Like I was waiting for some big thing to happen that then didn’t come about.
Another thing for me was Tyson’s involvement in the whole drug thing. He was 18 years old, not even a cadet yet, and somehow he would be involved that much in a crime that big? It felt so unreal right from the start. If the author had made him older, a bit more mature, and maybe already a cadet with some training it could’ve been written off for a small town thing. That at least would’ve made it a bit more believable.
There were a couple of other things that that jolted me from the story but they’re spoiler type things so I won’t go into them in my review.
Overall, the writing was moderate, no errors or issues, it just made the story feel blah to me right from the start. I struggled to push myself to get through it, but I didn’t read book one. So if book one worked for others this one may as well. I feel like this one would be a subjective to the reader type story that will have a varying degrees of likes to dislikes.
*I received a copy of this book through http://diversereader.blogspot.com/*
April 27, 2017
2.5 stars.
Blurb is pretty good – I would add Tyson, now two years older than when we last met him and recently graduated from high school, is doing a summer internship with the Seaside Police department as a cadet to gain some experience. Just days before he starts his job, he picks up a hot Latino guy at the local gay bar and the instant attraction is mutual. Both Tyson and Armate are carrying secrets, but when Tyson’s estranged Father shows up in town, everything starts to unravel.
Oh dear, this had so many issues for me. Where to start, where to start… at the beginning is usually best. I didn’t care for the opening salvo – a rather lengthy bar pick-up scene with a lot of chitchat and sex scene five pages in. While I understand the Insta-Love in the shifter genre, this was a bit fast even for me.
So, book is not off to the best start: I found Armante’s and Tyson’s dialog odd, there were a handful of inconsistencies from what the characters said and what they ended up doing, and the relationship was just too fast. Yes, yes, it’s all about the mate, but Armonte's and Tyson's hook-up didn’t work for me.
There shouldn't be any spoilers here since it was brought up in book one: Male Pregnancy. We got it in spades in this one and it’s just not my thing. Even taking into account the whole paranormal bit (fantasy), from a biological standpoint I can’t wrap my head around it. I just can’t resolve how your basic human male can get pregnant from a thorough pounding up the back end by another male. We’re missing the egg bit! Not to mention all the incubation parts. I will give credit to the author for at least attempting to show how the kids were born via magic. I know m-preg works for some, but it’s totally not my cuppa tea (or coffee, or pop, or mixed drink).
The overall plot had merit: drug runners are setting up in Seaside, Chief is fighting political pressure to shut them down, but doesn’t know the how or the where of it. BUT, an 18 year old can figure out the mystery? Righhttt… at least he had the smarts to call the Chief when necessary.
So there were aspects I struggled with: instalove, m-preg, the Mexican gang connection, Tyson's involvement in the plot to mention a few. There was one sub-plot I thought made sense: Tyler’s Mom, and I would like to have seen that elaborated upon for some emotional investment. Author came close, but then veered off into another lane.
So where book one drew me into Seaside, book two had me pulling out and heading up the coastal highway.
Review is cross posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
Blurb is pretty good – I would add Tyson, now two years older than when we last met him and recently graduated from high school, is doing a summer internship with the Seaside Police department as a cadet to gain some experience. Just days before he starts his job, he picks up a hot Latino guy at the local gay bar and the instant attraction is mutual. Both Tyson and Armate are carrying secrets, but when Tyson’s estranged Father shows up in town, everything starts to unravel.
Oh dear, this had so many issues for me. Where to start, where to start… at the beginning is usually best. I didn’t care for the opening salvo – a rather lengthy bar pick-up scene with a lot of chitchat and sex scene five pages in. While I understand the Insta-Love in the shifter genre, this was a bit fast even for me.
So, book is not off to the best start: I found Armante’s and Tyson’s dialog odd, there were a handful of inconsistencies from what the characters said and what they ended up doing, and the relationship was just too fast. Yes, yes, it’s all about the mate, but Armonte's and Tyson's hook-up didn’t work for me.
There shouldn't be any spoilers here since it was brought up in book one: Male Pregnancy. We got it in spades in this one and it’s just not my thing. Even taking into account the whole paranormal bit (fantasy), from a biological standpoint I can’t wrap my head around it. I just can’t resolve how your basic human male can get pregnant from a thorough pounding up the back end by another male. We’re missing the egg bit! Not to mention all the incubation parts. I will give credit to the author for at least attempting to show how the kids were born via magic. I know m-preg works for some, but it’s totally not my cuppa tea (or coffee, or pop, or mixed drink).
The overall plot had merit: drug runners are setting up in Seaside, Chief is fighting political pressure to shut them down, but doesn’t know the how or the where of it. BUT, an 18 year old can figure out the mystery? Righhttt… at least he had the smarts to call the Chief when necessary.
So there were aspects I struggled with: instalove, m-preg, the Mexican gang connection, Tyson's involvement in the plot to mention a few. There was one sub-plot I thought made sense: Tyler’s Mom, and I would like to have seen that elaborated upon for some emotional investment. Author came close, but then veered off into another lane.
So where book one drew me into Seaside, book two had me pulling out and heading up the coastal highway.
Review is cross posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
June 4, 2017
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
The second book in this series focuses on Tyson Dakota, police cadet and bear shifter. Tyson works with the police to find and stop the drug runners and mafia members that are causing increasing harm to Seaside residents. At the same time, Tyson gets close to a new lover and unravels more Dakota family secrets.
This second story is exciting - it definitely pushes believability barriers but I enjoyed Tyson’s trial-by-fire initiation into the police force. I felt like there was more focus on the whole Seaside community in the first book. The focus here is more on the visiting criminals and I found myself wanting a little more of the Seaside residents.
Without spoilers, it is difficult to discuss the romance in this story. Honestly, it didn’t work for me. I enjoyed the steamy scenes at the start of the book but as the book progressed, I found myself questioning Tyson’s choices and I really struggled with the ending. This story is more action/suspense than romance and I didn’t feel there was enough character or relationship building to get me properly invested in the romance.
And finally, about the MPreg storyline. I kinda forgot the MPreg revelation at the end of the first book when I requested this one. It was only briefly mentioned in the first book but it is a running plot thread in this second story. I can’t emphasise how much I hate MPreg storylines. I was surprised to see one from a male author because they usually show up in m/m romance by female writers who feel the need to turn one male character into the ‘woman’ in the relationship, completely emasculating him in the process. Here, the pregnant man does become the worst kind of stereotypical pregnant woman, complete with cravings, mood swings and decorative nesting urges. Urgh. Why can’t 1950s gender roles die? And why on earth would male couples want to replicate such a toxic and outdated heterosexual relationship model?
Anyways. I enjoyed the first book in this series more than I liked this one. I did enjoy some of the action storyline and I like Tyson as a main character.
The second book in this series focuses on Tyson Dakota, police cadet and bear shifter. Tyson works with the police to find and stop the drug runners and mafia members that are causing increasing harm to Seaside residents. At the same time, Tyson gets close to a new lover and unravels more Dakota family secrets.
This second story is exciting - it definitely pushes believability barriers but I enjoyed Tyson’s trial-by-fire initiation into the police force. I felt like there was more focus on the whole Seaside community in the first book. The focus here is more on the visiting criminals and I found myself wanting a little more of the Seaside residents.
Without spoilers, it is difficult to discuss the romance in this story. Honestly, it didn’t work for me. I enjoyed the steamy scenes at the start of the book but as the book progressed, I found myself questioning Tyson’s choices and I really struggled with the ending. This story is more action/suspense than romance and I didn’t feel there was enough character or relationship building to get me properly invested in the romance.
And finally, about the MPreg storyline. I kinda forgot the MPreg revelation at the end of the first book when I requested this one. It was only briefly mentioned in the first book but it is a running plot thread in this second story. I can’t emphasise how much I hate MPreg storylines. I was surprised to see one from a male author because they usually show up in m/m romance by female writers who feel the need to turn one male character into the ‘woman’ in the relationship, completely emasculating him in the process. Here, the pregnant man does become the worst kind of stereotypical pregnant woman, complete with cravings, mood swings and decorative nesting urges. Urgh. Why can’t 1950s gender roles die? And why on earth would male couples want to replicate such a toxic and outdated heterosexual relationship model?
Anyways. I enjoyed the first book in this series more than I liked this one. I did enjoy some of the action storyline and I like Tyson as a main character.
May 9, 2017
~ 2.5 Stars ~
While I enjoyed the first book in this series, I wasn’t best pleased with this sequel. The plot and the writing was clean, clear, and concise, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. The mystery was easily solvable with the clues given by the author, but it was the romance aspect and the characters themselves I took issue with.
The interesting changes to the cliched genre of shifters just seemed lacking in this installment. All the regular tropes, i.e. insta-lust/love, mates, and Mpreg made an appearance in this book, and I didn’t really care for style in which it was introduced. Not that I don’t enjoy these types of writings sometimes, but all of them at once, in the same novel, was a bit overt and ambitious, and it didn’t work well for me.
The main characters, to me, had little chemistry together. Amante was shifty from the very beginning, and felt untrustworthy. Tyson was very young, just eighteen, and his character profile didn’t fit much with what was written in the summary. He was just a cadet, just entering law enforcement, but he had all these hunches and instincts that played out in his favor for solving the cases he attended. In fact, he solved the mystery of the drug ring and instigated its break-up all by himself, while the seasoned lawman ran around like a chicken with its head missing.
Overall, I just didn’t enjoy this sequel as much as I thought I would because the entertaining changes to the genre from the first novel were missing in this one.
Reviewed by Angel for The Novel Approach
While I enjoyed the first book in this series, I wasn’t best pleased with this sequel. The plot and the writing was clean, clear, and concise, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. The mystery was easily solvable with the clues given by the author, but it was the romance aspect and the characters themselves I took issue with.
The interesting changes to the cliched genre of shifters just seemed lacking in this installment. All the regular tropes, i.e. insta-lust/love, mates, and Mpreg made an appearance in this book, and I didn’t really care for style in which it was introduced. Not that I don’t enjoy these types of writings sometimes, but all of them at once, in the same novel, was a bit overt and ambitious, and it didn’t work well for me.
The main characters, to me, had little chemistry together. Amante was shifty from the very beginning, and felt untrustworthy. Tyson was very young, just eighteen, and his character profile didn’t fit much with what was written in the summary. He was just a cadet, just entering law enforcement, but he had all these hunches and instincts that played out in his favor for solving the cases he attended. In fact, he solved the mystery of the drug ring and instigated its break-up all by himself, while the seasoned lawman ran around like a chicken with its head missing.
Overall, I just didn’t enjoy this sequel as much as I thought I would because the entertaining changes to the genre from the first novel were missing in this one.
Reviewed by Angel for The Novel Approach
November 15, 2017
3/5 for Wild Instincts - I'm always a sucker for a good shifter book!
I was a little wary about reading this book because I wasn't sure how bear shifters would come across, since I haven't read any other books with bear shifters, but that part of the book went quite alright. I life in the lovely state of Alaska, where seeing bears is relatively common, and this author captured their nature perfectly when describing Tyson's shifts.
I also liked the way that this was written in that it felt like it was Tyson's journal. It's written from Tyson's POV with an adolescent/young adult-like innocence and excitement to it and I really enjoyed reading it from Tyson's viewpoint. That being said, it did feel a little short and there were a few times that I felt like I was being told what was happening rather than having the author show me through the story what was happening.
The other thing that I didn't like about this book is that so much of the first chapters revolve around Amante and Tyson that I didn't realize Tyson had anything to do with the police until wayyyy later in the book. If I hadn't gone back to read the blurb I probably wouldn't have understood everything that was happening.
This is my first read by Ethan Stone. I don't belive I've seen or read any other books by this author, and it was pretty good. I liked the plot and I loved the characters, but at the end I felt like I needed the story to be a little more detailed, especially with how many major things happened throughout this novel.
I was a little wary about reading this book because I wasn't sure how bear shifters would come across, since I haven't read any other books with bear shifters, but that part of the book went quite alright. I life in the lovely state of Alaska, where seeing bears is relatively common, and this author captured their nature perfectly when describing Tyson's shifts.
I also liked the way that this was written in that it felt like it was Tyson's journal. It's written from Tyson's POV with an adolescent/young adult-like innocence and excitement to it and I really enjoyed reading it from Tyson's viewpoint. That being said, it did feel a little short and there were a few times that I felt like I was being told what was happening rather than having the author show me through the story what was happening.
The other thing that I didn't like about this book is that so much of the first chapters revolve around Amante and Tyson that I didn't realize Tyson had anything to do with the police until wayyyy later in the book. If I hadn't gone back to read the blurb I probably wouldn't have understood everything that was happening.
This is my first read by Ethan Stone. I don't belive I've seen or read any other books by this author, and it was pretty good. I liked the plot and I loved the characters, but at the end I felt like I needed the story to be a little more detailed, especially with how many major things happened throughout this novel.
July 9, 2017
Ty is eighteen and ready to take on the world or at least Seaside. So when he meets the man of his dreams at the town’s only bar, is his future brighter than even he knew?
Wild Instincts by Ethan Stone is second in the Seaside Shifters series. I don’t feel I missed anything having not read the first in this series.
I enjoyed meeting Ty and Amante. While Ty is young, he had a good head on his shoulders. He wasn’t expecting much more than a night with Amante so he was just as surprised as anyone when it became more. This was my first time reading Mr. Stone’s work and it won’t be the last. Amante was secretive but as honest as he could be. He never hid that his time in town was limited but Mr. Stone showed us how he struggled with his purpose the more he got to know Ty. And Ty was smart as a whip which I enjoyed given his young age. I loved that Mr. Stone gave Ty a maturity much older than his years. Overall, I enjoyed this story and look forward to returning to Mr. Stone’s world.
Five Shooting Stars
Wild Instincts by Ethan Stone is second in the Seaside Shifters series. I don’t feel I missed anything having not read the first in this series.
I enjoyed meeting Ty and Amante. While Ty is young, he had a good head on his shoulders. He wasn’t expecting much more than a night with Amante so he was just as surprised as anyone when it became more. This was my first time reading Mr. Stone’s work and it won’t be the last. Amante was secretive but as honest as he could be. He never hid that his time in town was limited but Mr. Stone showed us how he struggled with his purpose the more he got to know Ty. And Ty was smart as a whip which I enjoyed given his young age. I loved that Mr. Stone gave Ty a maturity much older than his years. Overall, I enjoyed this story and look forward to returning to Mr. Stone’s world.
Five Shooting Stars
March 8, 2017
Tyson Dakota is a bear shifter, and he loves nothing better than a good run in his shifter form. He's also just turned eighteen and is about to start work as a local police cadet, something he’s always wanted to do. On his first night out as an ‘adult’ to a gay club, he meets the enigmatic Amante, who's in town for a few weeks supposedly checking things out for a business colleague. Amante clearly has secrets, and he also hates cops for some reason. That doesn’t stop the chemistry between them, which is hot right from the start, and they're soon spending all their spare time together. They both know their time is short and Tyson really wants more but Amante, being secretive as usual, insists that can't be; strange considering he says he cares for Tyson so much! Is Amante really Tyson’s fated mate? Even Tyson isn’t sure. If they are, then how does he tell Amante, a human, about his true nature and about the shifter community that lives among them?
Meanwhile, the town of Seaside has a drug problem, and meth is becoming much more common. Tyson's cousin, John Dakota, is the police chief so, when Tyson shows up for his first day on the job, he gets to see the problem first hand and learns it's far worse for shifters because of their nature. The two of them become involved in investigating the issue. Also, adding to the secrets in this story, John’s boyfriend is pregnant, and because seeing a man pregnant would raise a lot of questions, he’s confined to their home. It becomes clear that this is an important and integral part of this story as it unfolds.
The action and plot move fast when Tyson's estranged father shows up. What's his connection to Amante? What’s Amante’s connection to the drugs? Is he one of the bad guys or just being pulled along by events outside his control? What's wrong with Tyson's mother? All these questions are answered, and the story is well finished off, including an epilogue which ties up some of the back story. I have to admit, although I loved Tyson, I didn’t really warm up to Amante at the start but, as the story unfolds and his position is explained, he becomes more ‘human’ and likable. The story is a good one and moves at a quick pace, but it’s not a long book. I finished it in one sitting as I found I really need to know how everything turned out. This book is definitely worth a read, and I’m sorely tempted to dip into the rest of the series.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
optimummblog.wordpress.com
Meanwhile, the town of Seaside has a drug problem, and meth is becoming much more common. Tyson's cousin, John Dakota, is the police chief so, when Tyson shows up for his first day on the job, he gets to see the problem first hand and learns it's far worse for shifters because of their nature. The two of them become involved in investigating the issue. Also, adding to the secrets in this story, John’s boyfriend is pregnant, and because seeing a man pregnant would raise a lot of questions, he’s confined to their home. It becomes clear that this is an important and integral part of this story as it unfolds.
The action and plot move fast when Tyson's estranged father shows up. What's his connection to Amante? What’s Amante’s connection to the drugs? Is he one of the bad guys or just being pulled along by events outside his control? What's wrong with Tyson's mother? All these questions are answered, and the story is well finished off, including an epilogue which ties up some of the back story. I have to admit, although I loved Tyson, I didn’t really warm up to Amante at the start but, as the story unfolds and his position is explained, he becomes more ‘human’ and likable. The story is a good one and moves at a quick pace, but it’s not a long book. I finished it in one sitting as I found I really need to know how everything turned out. This book is definitely worth a read, and I’m sorely tempted to dip into the rest of the series.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
optimummblog.wordpress.com
March 17, 2017
Review can be read at It's About The Book
Tyson Dakota is finally old enough to have the kind of job he wants and date the kind of man he wants. When he picks up a guy, Amante, in the local gay club he doesn’t expect to hit it off so intensely. Amante doesn’t care to disclose why he’s in town, and he’s noticeably uncomfortable with the fact Tyson is starting his career with the local police department. It doesn’t take long for Tyson to learn the biggest problem facing Seaside is drugs. Specifically, drug use by shifters. Tyson isn’t thrilled with the lack of answers he gets from Amante, but he figures their time together is going to be short lived anyway. Tyson takes what he can get. Things get weird when Tyson’s father shows up. Tyson’s father is not a nice man. Tyson’s father and Amante are working together. It’s not good. Tyson had no idea how not good it could potentially be.
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first in the series. The mystery and police procedural aspects were my favorite part of the story. There are mystery aspects in this, but more of this story is about catching and convicting the bad guys you know are bad. I did like that both books are ultimately about cleaning up messes created by fathers. In many ways Tyson doesn’t have a functional parental figure in his life. His mom has done her best, but she’s got a lot on her own plate already. The romance and how to get past Amante’s and Tyson’s issues that were thrust upon them by their parents are front and center in this story. That doesn’t make for a bad book, but I had been hoping for more of a mystery.
Tyson Dakota is finally old enough to have the kind of job he wants and date the kind of man he wants. When he picks up a guy, Amante, in the local gay club he doesn’t expect to hit it off so intensely. Amante doesn’t care to disclose why he’s in town, and he’s noticeably uncomfortable with the fact Tyson is starting his career with the local police department. It doesn’t take long for Tyson to learn the biggest problem facing Seaside is drugs. Specifically, drug use by shifters. Tyson isn’t thrilled with the lack of answers he gets from Amante, but he figures their time together is going to be short lived anyway. Tyson takes what he can get. Things get weird when Tyson’s father shows up. Tyson’s father is not a nice man. Tyson’s father and Amante are working together. It’s not good. Tyson had no idea how not good it could potentially be.
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first in the series. The mystery and police procedural aspects were my favorite part of the story. There are mystery aspects in this, but more of this story is about catching and convicting the bad guys you know are bad. I did like that both books are ultimately about cleaning up messes created by fathers. In many ways Tyson doesn’t have a functional parental figure in his life. His mom has done her best, but she’s got a lot on her own plate already. The romance and how to get past Amante’s and Tyson’s issues that were thrust upon them by their parents are front and center in this story. That doesn’t make for a bad book, but I had been hoping for more of a mystery.
March 5, 2017
This is such an amzing series thus far. You honestly never know what to expect to happen next and that is what makes this series so special.
I love how Ethan took John and Trevor from the first book and made sure that they was such a huge part of this second book. I also love that Ethan took one of the supporting characters, which was also John's nephew from book one, and made this book about him.
Tyson came to the first book as a teenager that had an attitude. He is not much older in this book with only being eighteen but the attitude has definitely subsided and now that he has graduated high school and is of age, he wants to follow in his uncles foot steps and join the police force along side John. Tyson wants to do everything possible to do the exact opposite of his sperm donor father who is nothing more then a criminal.
Right before his first day as a cadet Tyson decides to check out the towns one and only gay bar since he can now go and that is how he meets his mate, Amante. The chemistry between these two men is off the charts from first meeting. The only thing is Tyson would have never seen hisself falling for a human and a human that knows nothing about shifters too boot. But that is exactly what starts to happen the more these two men spend time together.
The thing is though, Amante is very closed off when it comes to talking about anything involving his life. At first Tyson is not too concerned about it but once the meth case that Tyson and John have been working on starts to heat up and the fact is revealed hat Amante knows and works with Tyson's father Ricky, Tyson can no longer ignore the information that keeps coming to light and that Amante is caught up in it all the way up to his eyeballs.
The situation turns even more dangerous when Tyson starts to recall memories that he could not remember previously about finding a dead suspect and what happened after that that followed. Now Tyson, Amante, and Trevor find themselves in a dangerous situation that could go horribly wrong rather wuickl. The situation takesn even more turn for the worse when John's Trevor goes into labor with their shifter babies. The question is, can they all make it out alive or will Tyson's father be the one to bring them all down in the end? Will Amante be able to turn his life around for the good or has time ran out and caught up too him?
This was an amzing addition to the first book in this series and I can honestly say that I think this book was just as amzing as the first book was and if there is a third I have no doubt it will be just as amzing as the previous two. Ethan Stone proved that with this series to be an amazing author, if not before this series came out. I truly love these books and think others will also.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review.
I love how Ethan took John and Trevor from the first book and made sure that they was such a huge part of this second book. I also love that Ethan took one of the supporting characters, which was also John's nephew from book one, and made this book about him.
Tyson came to the first book as a teenager that had an attitude. He is not much older in this book with only being eighteen but the attitude has definitely subsided and now that he has graduated high school and is of age, he wants to follow in his uncles foot steps and join the police force along side John. Tyson wants to do everything possible to do the exact opposite of his sperm donor father who is nothing more then a criminal.
Right before his first day as a cadet Tyson decides to check out the towns one and only gay bar since he can now go and that is how he meets his mate, Amante. The chemistry between these two men is off the charts from first meeting. The only thing is Tyson would have never seen hisself falling for a human and a human that knows nothing about shifters too boot. But that is exactly what starts to happen the more these two men spend time together.
The thing is though, Amante is very closed off when it comes to talking about anything involving his life. At first Tyson is not too concerned about it but once the meth case that Tyson and John have been working on starts to heat up and the fact is revealed hat Amante knows and works with Tyson's father Ricky, Tyson can no longer ignore the information that keeps coming to light and that Amante is caught up in it all the way up to his eyeballs.
The situation turns even more dangerous when Tyson starts to recall memories that he could not remember previously about finding a dead suspect and what happened after that that followed. Now Tyson, Amante, and Trevor find themselves in a dangerous situation that could go horribly wrong rather wuickl. The situation takesn even more turn for the worse when John's Trevor goes into labor with their shifter babies. The question is, can they all make it out alive or will Tyson's father be the one to bring them all down in the end? Will Amante be able to turn his life around for the good or has time ran out and caught up too him?
This was an amzing addition to the first book in this series and I can honestly say that I think this book was just as amzing as the first book was and if there is a third I have no doubt it will be just as amzing as the previous two. Ethan Stone proved that with this series to be an amazing author, if not before this series came out. I truly love these books and think others will also.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review.
June 30, 2019
Ugh, instant love, mad guys that you can see from a mile away, characters with no depth, and an ending that made little sense.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one was just sort of okay. Tyson is pretty blind to everything around him and he wants to be a cop. Amante was clearly keeping pretty big secrets, Tyson's mother's behavior gave everything away, there was an obvious leak and Tyson saw none of it. Of course, he was given an amazing amount of responsibility for a cadet in his first week of work and armed with only pepper spray.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one was just sort of okay. Tyson is pretty blind to everything around him and he wants to be a cop. Amante was clearly keeping pretty big secrets, Tyson's mother's behavior gave everything away, there was an obvious leak and Tyson saw none of it. Of course, he was given an amazing amount of responsibility for a cadet in his first week of work and armed with only pepper spray.
December 19, 2020
This was the second book to the Seaside Shifters series and I have to say I enjoyed both books tremendously. They kept my attention throughout the books--the characters are interesting and the storyline is exciting. Anyone who enjoys shifter stories and a bit of mystery I would recommend they try out these stories.
January 13, 2021
Low angst, quick read but a good story.
March 8, 2017
I’m a big fan of shifter romances – huge! There are two things that I love the most – I think – about shifter romances. First, I love when the shifters get to be more than people who can turn into animals but rather people who share their spirit and their human is influenced by that relationship. I love it when they shift a lot or have animal senses in human form – that kind of stuff. The second thing I love about shifter romances is the “MINE” aspect that comes from either meeting and/or claiming one’s mate.
I didn’t get either of these from this story.
There are occasional references to his “bear” and he shifts once or twice and has an “instinct” but really, that’s a mere taste of what being a shifter is all about. He’s not even sure he’s met his mate when they are together and there’s no amazing “MINE” scene or claiming or any of that drama.
The scene – Seaside, Oregon – was nice. I’m always a fan of local stuff, but that’s about it. It was nice.
The main arc of the story – the drug ring and Amante’s involvement in it left me cold and uninterested.
I really didn’t like the fact that we had to hear about Amante’s past love interest and I wasn’t too keen on the fact that Tyson is only 18.
Overall, this just didn’t impress me much. I guess, if you’re a big shifter fan and looking for something relatively quick to read this might be good… but, I can’t recommend it otherwise.
The writing was fine and I didn’t see any editing issues but I think the first story looked more interesting than this one.
2.5 of 5 stars
I didn’t get either of these from this story.
There are occasional references to his “bear” and he shifts once or twice and has an “instinct” but really, that’s a mere taste of what being a shifter is all about. He’s not even sure he’s met his mate when they are together and there’s no amazing “MINE” scene or claiming or any of that drama.
The scene – Seaside, Oregon – was nice. I’m always a fan of local stuff, but that’s about it. It was nice.
The main arc of the story – the drug ring and Amante’s involvement in it left me cold and uninterested.
I really didn’t like the fact that we had to hear about Amante’s past love interest and I wasn’t too keen on the fact that Tyson is only 18.
Overall, this just didn’t impress me much. I guess, if you’re a big shifter fan and looking for something relatively quick to read this might be good… but, I can’t recommend it otherwise.
The writing was fine and I didn’t see any editing issues but I think the first story looked more interesting than this one.
2.5 of 5 stars
March 11, 2017
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
Wild Instincts was a well-paced, well thought out, book two in the Seaside Shifters series. I enjoyed getting to know John’s cousin Tyson. Tyson is young, but has experienced much in his short 18 years. I admired him from the start; his wanting to make better choices than his father was the sign of a strong man.
Amante is mysterious but I saw how he and Tyson clicked. We have a very short time span in the book for them to fall in love, but the fated mate trope helps to overcome my objections to the fact that Tyson doesn’t really know Amante all that well. It’s not love at first sight but it definitely is strong attraction.
I thought the mystery part of the book was well done with little misdirections keeping me guessing. I had a good grasp of “where” in this book, as well as “who”. The “how”, in the case of the mpreg, was a little lacking but it’s amazing what can be solved with a little paranormal magic.
There were a lot of sexy times in the book, but all of it hot. I loved seeing their connection.
Definitely recommend for lovers of shifter stories.
Wild Instincts was a well-paced, well thought out, book two in the Seaside Shifters series. I enjoyed getting to know John’s cousin Tyson. Tyson is young, but has experienced much in his short 18 years. I admired him from the start; his wanting to make better choices than his father was the sign of a strong man.
Amante is mysterious but I saw how he and Tyson clicked. We have a very short time span in the book for them to fall in love, but the fated mate trope helps to overcome my objections to the fact that Tyson doesn’t really know Amante all that well. It’s not love at first sight but it definitely is strong attraction.
I thought the mystery part of the book was well done with little misdirections keeping me guessing. I had a good grasp of “where” in this book, as well as “who”. The “how”, in the case of the mpreg, was a little lacking but it’s amazing what can be solved with a little paranormal magic.
There were a lot of sexy times in the book, but all of it hot. I loved seeing their connection.
Definitely recommend for lovers of shifter stories.
December 19, 2020
Seaside, Oregon, is the setting for this story about shifters living peacefully (if not openly) among humans – but it is proving to be a lot less idyllic than it sounds. After the series of gruesome murders that bearshifter chief of police, John Dakota, dealt with in the first volume, it is now time for one of the secondary characters, John’s cousin Tyson, to be the focus of attention. Tyson was a kid with attitude problems in book one, but that has totally changed. He is a bearshifter adult now, it is his turn to meet and fall for a human, and he has to deal with a ton of doubts, questions, and a growing meth epidemic nobody would have suspected in such a small town. It’s a story full of subterfuge, surprises, and suspense.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
April 5, 2017
2.5 stars
April 27, 2017
Most of the reviews have already covered what a train wreck this book is. The writing is also really boring. Very, very linear.
Everybody else rounded up from 2 something to 3 but I rounded down because of the whole messy Mexican-guy-is-a-gang-banger. And not just any run of the mill gang, but La M. I'm Mexican. I know thousands of Mexicans, and I don't know anyone in La M.
Also, since Tyson's father is Mexican, presumably Tyson would have some familiarity with Mexican culture, but nada.
Also messed up: barely-legal main character who says he likes guys 10 or 15 years older than him, and the other main character when he was fourteen had a sexual relationship with a forty-year-old (and of course his Mexican parents didn't care because, you know, Mexican!)
Maybe the first book was very successful and the writer felt a need to rush this one to market. Big disappointment
Everybody else rounded up from 2 something to 3 but I rounded down because of the whole messy Mexican-guy-is-a-gang-banger. And not just any run of the mill gang, but La M. I'm Mexican. I know thousands of Mexicans, and I don't know anyone in La M.
Also, since Tyson's father is Mexican, presumably Tyson would have some familiarity with Mexican culture, but nada.
Also messed up: barely-legal main character who says he likes guys 10 or 15 years older than him, and the other main character when he was fourteen had a sexual relationship with a forty-year-old (and of course his Mexican parents didn't care because, you know, Mexican!)
Maybe the first book was very successful and the writer felt a need to rush this one to market. Big disappointment
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 27, 2017Full review Coming Soon to The Novel Approach. Pretty meh about almost the entire thing as a it started off pretty good, but then a massive case of Insta-lust turned love and MPREG ruined it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews