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Forbidden #1
Jake
Jake Winslow’s marriage to the money grubbing shrew is over. Cutting off her funds, and the simple use of the word “no” sends her packing. When he comes home from work and finds his house empty of everything, including food, he feels—liberated.
Jake’s grandmother, Jenna, calls her friend and attorney, Forrest Stout, to handle Jake’s messy divorce. She can’t stand Jake’s soon-to-be ex-wife and is leaving nothing to chance. Only the best for her grandson, and the best is Forrest.
Forrest is a Were Tiger, and he knows “who” he is. He is an oddity in his paranormal world because he is gay. His kind mate for life, and after a recent disastrous attempt to find companionship, he has given up hope of ever finding his life mate.
From the moment Forrest meets Jake for the first time, he knows that Jake is his life mate, and he wants to run in the opposite direction because Jake isn’t gay. To claim and lose a mate would spell disaster for him. How can he ask a straight man—that he wants with every fiber of his being—to conform to his way of life? He can’t….
Ex-lovers, and ex-wives can be a dangerous combination. Especially when neither are right in the head….
Jake’s grandmother, Jenna, calls her friend and attorney, Forrest Stout, to handle Jake’s messy divorce. She can’t stand Jake’s soon-to-be ex-wife and is leaving nothing to chance. Only the best for her grandson, and the best is Forrest.
Forrest is a Were Tiger, and he knows “who” he is. He is an oddity in his paranormal world because he is gay. His kind mate for life, and after a recent disastrous attempt to find companionship, he has given up hope of ever finding his life mate.
From the moment Forrest meets Jake for the first time, he knows that Jake is his life mate, and he wants to run in the opposite direction because Jake isn’t gay. To claim and lose a mate would spell disaster for him. How can he ask a straight man—that he wants with every fiber of his being—to conform to his way of life? He can’t….
Ex-lovers, and ex-wives can be a dangerous combination. Especially when neither are right in the head….
- GenresParanormalM M Romance
151 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2017
9 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Kathi S. Barton
444 books673 followersKathi Barton, author of the bestselling series Force of Nature, lives in Nashport, Ohio with her husband Paul. In addition to writing full time Kathi likes to spend time with her eight grandkids, three children and three children-in-laws. She writes to relax and have fun.
Her muse, a cross between Jimmy Stewart and Hugh Jackman brings them to life for her readers in a way that has them coming back time and again for more. Her favorite genre is paranormal romance with a great deal of spice. You can visit Kathi on line and drop her an email if you’d like. She loves hearing from her fans. aaronskiss@gmail.com.
Follow Kathi on her blog: http://kathisbartonauthor.blogspot.com/
Her muse, a cross between Jimmy Stewart and Hugh Jackman brings them to life for her readers in a way that has them coming back time and again for more. Her favorite genre is paranormal romance with a great deal of spice. You can visit Kathi on line and drop her an email if you’d like. She loves hearing from her fans. aaronskiss@gmail.com.
Follow Kathi on her blog: http://kathisbartonauthor.blogspot.com/
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 8, 2019
This book is ridiculously bad!
The Sharknado of books. If you ever wondered how not to write a book, this is your book!
1 fat star for beeing unintentionally hilarious.
I wouldn't even know where to start..
It's like the author went for every possible trope there is. From GFY, insta love, psychotic ex'es, shifters, mates, disfunctional families, throw in a vamp just 'cause you can, to murder left and right.
It turns your brain to mush.
Don't expect any reason or rhyme, it's got none.
The Sharknado of books. If you ever wondered how not to write a book, this is your book!
1 fat star for beeing unintentionally hilarious.
I wouldn't even know where to start..
It's like the author went for every possible trope there is. From GFY, insta love, psychotic ex'es, shifters, mates, disfunctional families, throw in a vamp just 'cause you can, to murder left and right.
It turns your brain to mush.
Don't expect any reason or rhyme, it's got none.
March 30, 2017
Oh how I struggled to finish this one. It was a way too all over the place for me. The concepts were great, but there were too many lumped into one big mess. I am not big on listed a book as DNF, but I came extremely close with this one.
March 29, 2017
Usually, I wouldn't rate a book as frustrating as this, but I liked the story and the characters. So I'm giving it a tentative 2.5 when 0 would have been my preference.
So... The writing? I thought it was written by a newbie and surprise surprise the lady has more titles than I would have guessed. So I'm guessing it's the editor's fault. Maybe?
Anyway, what annoyed me and caused me a headache and I had to write the review was the way the talking over the phone happened.
i.e
“[...] I would have been able to do but to talk to you, but I would have been there for you.” Forrest said he wasn’t thinking right, just terrified. “We should have some sort of notes that come up to call each other when we’re hurt. [...]”
Why, just why do that? Why couldn't the sentence be in dialogue mode? It happens everytime someone says something. They get interrupted by "he also said that". Like, for God's sake, let me see how they conversed. Don't tell me what they said . I am supposed to be there with them. I can't explain it because I don't know if it's a tense issue or x person issue.
Pff. I'm going to try another of her books. Hopefully, it's the only one in this format.
So much pity though because even though I can't believe Carol can exist I was enjoying the story. It's just this damned dialogue interruptions!
*EDIT* minus the 1/5 star SPOILERS ALERT
I just finished it and I'm disappointed. In the end, the book doesn't deliver at all.
It is supposed to be paranormal/ fantasy whatever you want to call it but where is the world building? Shifters, vampires oh my exist but how and when are not explained. Only some differences between pride and packs were told but that was all. (Frankly, had it been a non-paranormal mm romance it would have been just the same)
The scene where his grandmother dies is, honestly, weird. I understand what she tried to do but I was just shaking my head wondering what had I just read.
Thomas .... I don't think he existed for any other reason than to "force" Jake and Forrest together.
All in all this book contains so many surprises, twists and "shocking" moments, that it was just overkill.
Stick to the psycho ex with parents that want to get rid of her so they forced her to another family. That was a good plot on it own.
So... The writing? I thought it was written by a newbie and surprise surprise the lady has more titles than I would have guessed. So I'm guessing it's the editor's fault. Maybe?
Anyway, what annoyed me and caused me a headache and I had to write the review was the way the talking over the phone happened.
i.e
“[...] I would have been able to do but to talk to you, but I would have been there for you.” Forrest said he wasn’t thinking right, just terrified. “We should have some sort of notes that come up to call each other when we’re hurt. [...]”
Why, just why do that? Why couldn't the sentence be in dialogue mode? It happens everytime someone says something. They get interrupted by "he also said that". Like, for God's sake, let me see how they conversed. Don't tell me what they said . I am supposed to be there with them. I can't explain it because I don't know if it's a tense issue or x person issue.
Pff. I'm going to try another of her books. Hopefully, it's the only one in this format.
So much pity though because even though I can't believe Carol can exist I was enjoying the story. It's just this damned dialogue interruptions!
*EDIT* minus the 1/5 star SPOILERS ALERT
I just finished it and I'm disappointed. In the end, the book doesn't deliver at all.
It is supposed to be paranormal/ fantasy whatever you want to call it but where is the world building? Shifters, vampires oh my exist but how and when are not explained. Only some differences between pride and packs were told but that was all. (Frankly, had it been a non-paranormal mm romance it would have been just the same)
The scene where his grandmother dies is, honestly, weird. I understand what she tried to do but I was just shaking my head wondering what had I just read.
Thomas .... I don't think he existed for any other reason than to "force" Jake and Forrest together.
All in all this book contains so many surprises, twists and "shocking" moments, that it was just overkill.
Stick to the psycho ex with parents that want to get rid of her so they forced her to another family. That was a good plot on it own.
June 13, 2018
Jake is something completely different than what we have seen from Kathi S. Barton before.
Jake has allowed everyone to walk all over him. From his parents to his wife. When she leaves him and takes everything inside the house with her Jake is finally free from the nagging of a wife he isn't sure he ever loved.
The one person Jake has ever had any love for is his grandmother Jenna. When he decides to divorce his wife of 10 years she demands he have the best, and Forrest is the best lawyer to handle the case.
Forrest hasn't had the best of luck in where his love life is concerned. As a gay were-tiger, something that is almost unheard of, he's learned it may almost be impossible to find a mate. However, leave it to fate to throw him a mate who's currently divorcing his wife, and probably as straight as an arrow.
With a wife determined to keep Jake along with his parent willing to do whatever it takes to keep him under their thumbs, it would almost seem impossible for Jake and Forrest to ever find a calm quite minute alone.
This book is quite different from anything I've read from Kathi and I have to admit I was quite impressed. I can't wait to see how this series and the characters develop over time.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book**
Jake has allowed everyone to walk all over him. From his parents to his wife. When she leaves him and takes everything inside the house with her Jake is finally free from the nagging of a wife he isn't sure he ever loved.
The one person Jake has ever had any love for is his grandmother Jenna. When he decides to divorce his wife of 10 years she demands he have the best, and Forrest is the best lawyer to handle the case.
Forrest hasn't had the best of luck in where his love life is concerned. As a gay were-tiger, something that is almost unheard of, he's learned it may almost be impossible to find a mate. However, leave it to fate to throw him a mate who's currently divorcing his wife, and probably as straight as an arrow.
With a wife determined to keep Jake along with his parent willing to do whatever it takes to keep him under their thumbs, it would almost seem impossible for Jake and Forrest to ever find a calm quite minute alone.
This book is quite different from anything I've read from Kathi and I have to admit I was quite impressed. I can't wait to see how this series and the characters develop over time.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book**
March 21, 2017
Jake, a lawyer, didn't have the normal reaction most men would upon learning their wife of ten years left them. He can't help but feel a sense of relief. He never loved Carol, was essentially forced into the marriage, and has known for years there was something not quite right with her or her thinking. Thankfully, his grandma, Jenna, the person most important to him, warned Jake to take precautions to ensure his finances are safe from Carol as she constantly spent his hard earned money on unnecessary things.
Forrest, a lawyer, is helping his friend and client, Jenna, by representing her grandson, Jake, in his pending divorce. Though he's never met Jake as of yet, he's glad to help free the man from his wife. Forrest can tell just by the short interaction he's had with her, and the stories from Jenna, that Carol is an evil woman and he can't get her out of Jake's life quick enough, especially upon learning of a few secrets Carol has been keeping.
Forrest knows what it's like to be hurt, betrayed, by someone you thought cared for you and he's still struggling with getting his former lover, Thomas, out of his life and seeing he pays for his crimes.
When Jake and Forrest first meet, Forrest immediately recognizes Jake is his mate. Forrest, a tiger shifter, being who and what he is, never expected to find his mate as his sexual preferences are rare in the shifter community and has reluctantly resigned himself to his fate. Forrest has always known what he likes, however, Jake has not. He's only been with Carol, yet the feelings Forrest brings out in him seem right. Jake is questioning everything he ever thought or knew about himself. But when Forrest is injured, Jake doesn't hesitate to take care of him, knowing the time together will only strengthen their connection.
What happens when Jake and Forrest live together as Forrest recovers? Will Thomas pay for what he's done to Forrest? Will Jake ever truly be free of Carol? How far will Carol go to get her way? Are Jake and Forrest safe? Is his grandma? Will Jake and Forrest's new living arrangement become permanent? How will Jake adapt to the changes occurring in his life? Will Jake and Forrest get their HEA?
One-click now and follow along as two people are brought together by circumstances and discover their fate. This is the first in a series and I highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to the next one.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
Forrest, a lawyer, is helping his friend and client, Jenna, by representing her grandson, Jake, in his pending divorce. Though he's never met Jake as of yet, he's glad to help free the man from his wife. Forrest can tell just by the short interaction he's had with her, and the stories from Jenna, that Carol is an evil woman and he can't get her out of Jake's life quick enough, especially upon learning of a few secrets Carol has been keeping.
Forrest knows what it's like to be hurt, betrayed, by someone you thought cared for you and he's still struggling with getting his former lover, Thomas, out of his life and seeing he pays for his crimes.
When Jake and Forrest first meet, Forrest immediately recognizes Jake is his mate. Forrest, a tiger shifter, being who and what he is, never expected to find his mate as his sexual preferences are rare in the shifter community and has reluctantly resigned himself to his fate. Forrest has always known what he likes, however, Jake has not. He's only been with Carol, yet the feelings Forrest brings out in him seem right. Jake is questioning everything he ever thought or knew about himself. But when Forrest is injured, Jake doesn't hesitate to take care of him, knowing the time together will only strengthen their connection.
What happens when Jake and Forrest live together as Forrest recovers? Will Thomas pay for what he's done to Forrest? Will Jake ever truly be free of Carol? How far will Carol go to get her way? Are Jake and Forrest safe? Is his grandma? Will Jake and Forrest's new living arrangement become permanent? How will Jake adapt to the changes occurring in his life? Will Jake and Forrest get their HEA?
One-click now and follow along as two people are brought together by circumstances and discover their fate. This is the first in a series and I highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to the next one.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
March 30, 2017
I don't know if it was simply my PDF copy, but this book was very poorly formatted. I had a very hard time following who was doing the talking which ruined the read.
As for the story, I enjoyed some aspects (the humor) but I found myself annoyed with others very quickly, like yes, I get that some/most of the characters are insane but the continuing escalation was unrealistic and exasperating.
Then there was the actual story. Without giving away spoilers, we started with one idea, a man getting out of a bad marriage and finding love with another man. Then we get introduced to shapeshifters (and apparently everyone knows? It wasn't really clear). Then the same thing happened with the introduction of vampires. Then right at the end there was another element added, obviously to help continue the series, but it didn't make sense in relation to the rest of the book. It was like the author kept thinking, 'ooh I have to add another BIG idea' which was made even more annoying because the basic story was good. The characters were funny and likable, she didn't need to keep adding shock elements.
As for the story, I enjoyed some aspects (the humor) but I found myself annoyed with others very quickly, like yes, I get that some/most of the characters are insane but the continuing escalation was unrealistic and exasperating.
Then there was the actual story. Without giving away spoilers, we started with one idea, a man getting out of a bad marriage and finding love with another man. Then we get introduced to shapeshifters (and apparently everyone knows? It wasn't really clear). Then the same thing happened with the introduction of vampires. Then right at the end there was another element added, obviously to help continue the series, but it didn't make sense in relation to the rest of the book. It was like the author kept thinking, 'ooh I have to add another BIG idea' which was made even more annoying because the basic story was good. The characters were funny and likable, she didn't need to keep adding shock elements.
March 19, 2017
What an interesting start to a great new series. Ms. Barton has created some unique characters and some interesting twists and turns. When I start a new series from this author I am never sure what to expect as her mind works in mysterious ways. :). As always, she doesn't disappoint and I have found some new characters to fall in love with. Jake is quiet and seems like a pushover , but underneath that unassuming demeanor is a powder keg ready to blow. Forrest is the shifter but he seems like he is uncomfortable with his power. Together these two shy guys are going to be a force to be reckoned with. Jenna was a surprising character, she was solid, strong, fierce of those she loved and quite a charming old lady. She had me smiling and snickering with her wit and quirky sense of humor. Nothing ever comes easy to Ms. Barton's characters , Jake and Forrest will have to overcome some trying circumstance before they can have a HEA. The story was fast paced, easy to read, keeps your interest and leaves you with questions. I look forward to finding the answers in the next book.
I volunteered to review this story for my honest opinion.
I volunteered to review this story for my honest opinion.
April 14, 2017
My first book by Ms.Barton, I read mainly m/m and when I saw she had penned a book within my genre, I jumped at a chance to read her writing. Very interesting first book to a new series, not knowing if it will continue to be m/m, this maybe my only read of the series. Lol
April 9, 2017
DNF - 20% - sorry but this was just a mess - couldn't continue
April 2, 2017
Too much story in the same story, at the end I was lost.Too bad.
April 10, 2018
I know I'll never be disappointed with a book from Kathi S Barton. I was excited to find this book as it was one I hadn't read yet, and even more intrigued with it being a M/M paranormal romance. What can I say, it had all aspects of what I have come to expect from one of her books with the added allure of a male couple. Since this is the 1st book to another series, I'm intrigued to continue with Jake's story line and all the adventures being alluded to. Great job once again!!!!
May 12, 2020
This was a struggle to read.
I was confused most of the time as to who was saying and doing things. It seemed that Forrest and Jake was interchangeable at times and it confused the hell out of me.
And the so called plot was all ove r the place.
I was confused most of the time as to who was saying and doing things. It seemed that Forrest and Jake was interchangeable at times and it confused the hell out of me.
And the so called plot was all ove r the place.
March 21, 2017
I Love me some Jake & Forrest. It was different but good. Two sexy men in need of love. Really nice read.
April 21, 2018
I loved the book but was a little disappointed with the ending. I like an epilogue all books should have them. Did they or didn't they.
December 14, 2024
My first and last book to read from this author,sorry 🙄🫣☹️
March 30, 2017
Confused
This was an interesting storyline but I kept getting lost. There were a number of twists and various point of views and scene jumps that added to the confusion. Not for me.
This was an interesting storyline but I kept getting lost. There were a number of twists and various point of views and scene jumps that added to the confusion. Not for me.
March 31, 2017
DNF 45%
April 6, 2017
This book was a pleasant surprise. I have been complaining lately that the books were just flowing into each other. This one is different, yet the same. I have to admit I am not a big MM book reader, yet this one was quite good.
April 18, 2017
Wow a different kind of story for Kathi.
Her first M/M story is not that bad Kathi has come out of her comfort zone and has created amazing story. Yeah there was times that the story didn't flow so well but I gave her the benefit of the doubt as this is her first M/M story it will be a bit of trail and error but I loved it.
Forrest is a lawyer who believes he is not going to find his mate with being homosexual and a shifter.
Jake is a man that is getting out of a loveless marriage that he was forced into for years with a woman.
Jenna is the grandmother to Jake who uses her attorney Forrest to get Jake of the awful marriage. This is how the 2 men meet and where they start to find their feet in a relationship that is a first to Jake and for Forrest who did not think he will find his mate.
This story has a few twists involved which can pull on your heart strings and that can make you go 'Noooo' but all in all I loved this story.
Her first M/M story is not that bad Kathi has come out of her comfort zone and has created amazing story. Yeah there was times that the story didn't flow so well but I gave her the benefit of the doubt as this is her first M/M story it will be a bit of trail and error but I loved it.
Forrest is a lawyer who believes he is not going to find his mate with being homosexual and a shifter.
Jake is a man that is getting out of a loveless marriage that he was forced into for years with a woman.
Jenna is the grandmother to Jake who uses her attorney Forrest to get Jake of the awful marriage. This is how the 2 men meet and where they start to find their feet in a relationship that is a first to Jake and for Forrest who did not think he will find his mate.
This story has a few twists involved which can pull on your heart strings and that can make you go 'Noooo' but all in all I loved this story.
May 3, 2017
OMG i really really love this, From the start i found my self pulled in and hated having to put this down, I would totally recommend this as a must read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews