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Gladstone Shifters #1
Expectant Moon
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B07CNPYSCB
Tolerated. Ignored. Threatened. Modern gay shifters struggle for equality, but history paints a different picture. When Alpha Ben Blair challenges the status quo, he unintentionally ignites a controversy which divides the community.
While Gladstone soon becomes the focus of competing forces, Ben gains new allies who change everything: Evan Reid, a misunderstood Arctic wolf possessing unique gifts, and Jack Eby, an ancient shifter holding the key to their future.
Join the Gladstone shifters as they find love, acceptance and purpose in a time of monumental change. Expect the unexpected. Expectant Moon.
Notice: Contains male/male romance and sexuality. Recommended for readers 18+.
Tolerated. Ignored. Threatened. Modern gay shifters struggle for equality, but history paints a different picture. When Alpha Ben Blair challenges the status quo, he unintentionally ignites a controversy which divides the community.
While Gladstone soon becomes the focus of competing forces, Ben gains new allies who change everything: Evan Reid, a misunderstood Arctic wolf possessing unique gifts, and Jack Eby, an ancient shifter holding the key to their future.
Join the Gladstone shifters as they find love, acceptance and purpose in a time of monumental change. Expect the unexpected. Expectant Moon.
Notice: Contains male/male romance and sexuality. Recommended for readers 18+.
369 pages, ebook
First published April 25, 2018
409 people are currently reading
394 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Elliott
17 books74 followersAlexander Elliott lives in the upper Midwest and is the author of books in multiple genres, including science-fiction, fantasy, paranormal, and romance. His work is replete with themes of love, passion, family, humor, hope, and acceptance.
The author is praised for masterful storytelling and creative world-building. His books feature realistic, well-developed characters, emotional depth, sizzling romance, and all the adventure, action, and intrigue necessary for a great read.
If you have enjoyed his work, Alexander would love to hear from you!
Email: aelliottbooks@gmail.com
Website: https://aelliottbooks.com/
The author is praised for masterful storytelling and creative world-building. His books feature realistic, well-developed characters, emotional depth, sizzling romance, and all the adventure, action, and intrigue necessary for a great read.
If you have enjoyed his work, Alexander would love to hear from you!
Email: aelliottbooks@gmail.com
Website: https://aelliottbooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
August 8, 2020
Color me IMPRESSED!
Now that I have corrected my error of accidentally reading book 3 first and have now finished book one I am blown away by the author's intricate and detailed world-building and his striking ability to create characters. They literally jump off the page/kindle grab you by the throat and drag you incredibly deep into his world! At 337 pages this book is no novella, however every one of those pages is important and necessary in creating this wonderful thrill ride of fated mates, danger and love!
Now that I have corrected my error of accidentally reading book 3 first and have now finished book one I am blown away by the author's intricate and detailed world-building and his striking ability to create characters. They literally jump off the page/kindle grab you by the throat and drag you incredibly deep into his world! At 337 pages this book is no novella, however every one of those pages is important and necessary in creating this wonderful thrill ride of fated mates, danger and love!
September 22, 2020
I really wish I had enjoyed this more.
While I'm not a big fan of books that open by laying out pretty much the entirety of their worldbuilding and the background thereof in a massive infodump, the world itself was fantastic. Adding new elements to the classic wolfshifter dynamics made things more interesting and allowed it to stand out among the masses of books in the same genre. Both the concept of True Elders and having deltas added to the usual alpha/beta/omega classification were clever, well developed ideas that I really liked. I loved the ideology behind the Gladstone pack - gay shifters fighting for social justice, equality and inclusivity? Sign me up! That part of the story was well executed and was what kept me reading.
Unfortunately, the romance angle fell flat for me. The story involves two couples (among them one older couple, which I was thrilled to see as it's rather uncommon in the genre), both finding each other at the same time. Now, I know instalove comes with the territory in this world - it is, pun intended, very much the nature of the beast - but I still expected at least a little relationship development that went beyond "veni, vidi, let's make babies right this instant". Sure, we're told there's this instant, intense, all-consuming bond of love and lust and whatnot between the characters - but that's all it is. Telling. Did I feel all the feels these characters are supposedly experiencing? Not so much.
As for the sex scenes... I love a good sex scene (or three, or five), but these didn't really do it for me. What makes a sex scene enjoyable for the reader is very much a matter of subjective likes and dislikes, and for me, there was just too much distinctly unsexy vocabulary involved in these. "Hot veiny sausage"? "Tasty syrup"? "Meat"? No. Please just... stop and decide whether you're talking about sex or dinner. (On that note, that food and fucking scene? Also, just no.) Don't even get me started on "dripping pole". None of those says sexy to me. I started skimming the sex scenes after a while, because there were just entirely too many of them that didn't really add anything to the plot.
Also, had I known this series included an mpreg element as a rather prominent part of the plot, I would have skipped it. Really not my thing.
Ultimately, I can see why many readers might love this book, but it just wasn't for me.
*** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
While I'm not a big fan of books that open by laying out pretty much the entirety of their worldbuilding and the background thereof in a massive infodump, the world itself was fantastic. Adding new elements to the classic wolfshifter dynamics made things more interesting and allowed it to stand out among the masses of books in the same genre. Both the concept of True Elders and having deltas added to the usual alpha/beta/omega classification were clever, well developed ideas that I really liked. I loved the ideology behind the Gladstone pack - gay shifters fighting for social justice, equality and inclusivity? Sign me up! That part of the story was well executed and was what kept me reading.
Unfortunately, the romance angle fell flat for me. The story involves two couples (among them one older couple, which I was thrilled to see as it's rather uncommon in the genre), both finding each other at the same time. Now, I know instalove comes with the territory in this world - it is, pun intended, very much the nature of the beast - but I still expected at least a little relationship development that went beyond "veni, vidi, let's make babies right this instant". Sure, we're told there's this instant, intense, all-consuming bond of love and lust and whatnot between the characters - but that's all it is. Telling. Did I feel all the feels these characters are supposedly experiencing? Not so much.
As for the sex scenes... I love a good sex scene (or three, or five), but these didn't really do it for me. What makes a sex scene enjoyable for the reader is very much a matter of subjective likes and dislikes, and for me, there was just too much distinctly unsexy vocabulary involved in these. "Hot veiny sausage"? "Tasty syrup"? "Meat"? No. Please just... stop and decide whether you're talking about sex or dinner. (On that note, that food and fucking scene? Also, just no.) Don't even get me started on "dripping pole". None of those says sexy to me. I started skimming the sex scenes after a while, because there were just entirely too many of them that didn't really add anything to the plot.
Also, had I known this series included an mpreg element as a rather prominent part of the plot, I would have skipped it. Really not my thing.
Ultimately, I can see why many readers might love this book, but it just wasn't for me.
*** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
June 17, 2018
When I started this book it took me longer to get into it then it should have. It starts off dry and monotone, which bored the shit out of me and it never really changed. I even went to read the reviews thinking I was missing something, but nope I still don't get it. It felt like I was reading a very dry report... This book is in my Could not continue folder, maybe sometime later I will give it another look but I am afraid that will probably not happen...
November 13, 2018
I couldn’t do it.. I got to 6% and have to stop. So far it doesn’t feel like an actual story. It’s like bits and pieces of a report that’s all over the place.
May 26, 2018
I’m going to review this as I go.
When I got this on amazon for 99 cents, with a cover that doesn’t make it stand out very much, I wasn’t expecting much. But boy let me tell you, so far I am very surprised!
28% this first bit has been completely engrossing, the writing is fantastic, the plot is great (which is hard to come by in gay shifter stories now days) the pacing feels just right. The only thing people might struggle with is the point of view switching, but honestly I am already emotionally invested in all of the main characters! I’m pulling an all nighter for this one... easily 5 stars for the first 28%.
46% It just gets better! Ugh! I can’t give spoilers.. so far this is probably my best spent 99cents. I need to look at this author’s other books when I’m done with this one. I’m keeping it at 5 stars... this book is trying to squeeze into my “all time favorites” tag
The food + sex scene! 😂
70% A bit too much sex in my opinion, you can be tender and touch and caress your partner without having an orgasm, it’s still a special moment (sometimes more special). Every time the couples engage in anything physical, it seems they have to continue on to sex and orgasm, which I think detracts from the true sexual moments. It’s a niggle I have with a lot of books, I want more “tender” moments that have nothing to do with sex.
The book has slowed down significantly for sure, but I’m still really enjoying it and I’m keeping the rating at 5 stars for now.
100% cute. What a great little story! Overall this was a really fun read with some unique ideas for shifters. The pace was pretty much perfect. Easy recommend! Final rating at 4.5 stars (but I’m just rounding up.)
When I got this on amazon for 99 cents, with a cover that doesn’t make it stand out very much, I wasn’t expecting much. But boy let me tell you, so far I am very surprised!
28% this first bit has been completely engrossing, the writing is fantastic, the plot is great (which is hard to come by in gay shifter stories now days) the pacing feels just right. The only thing people might struggle with is the point of view switching, but honestly I am already emotionally invested in all of the main characters! I’m pulling an all nighter for this one... easily 5 stars for the first 28%.
46% It just gets better! Ugh! I can’t give spoilers.. so far this is probably my best spent 99cents. I need to look at this author’s other books when I’m done with this one. I’m keeping it at 5 stars... this book is trying to squeeze into my “all time favorites” tag
The food + sex scene! 😂
70% A bit too much sex in my opinion, you can be tender and touch and caress your partner without having an orgasm, it’s still a special moment (sometimes more special). Every time the couples engage in anything physical, it seems they have to continue on to sex and orgasm, which I think detracts from the true sexual moments. It’s a niggle I have with a lot of books, I want more “tender” moments that have nothing to do with sex.
The book has slowed down significantly for sure, but I’m still really enjoying it and I’m keeping the rating at 5 stars for now.
100% cute. What a great little story! Overall this was a really fun read with some unique ideas for shifters. The pace was pretty much perfect. Easy recommend! Final rating at 4.5 stars (but I’m just rounding up.)
February 12, 2021
DFN
I started this because it was free and I gave it a try
but the writing is odd and I started skimming, a thing that I hate!!
I strongly dislike the contact change of POV
and now I am at page 124 (38% of the book) and the sex scene is cringe-worthy
"hot veiny sausage" really???????
nope, not for me. I always try to finish all the books I start but I just can't.
I started this because it was free and I gave it a try
but the writing is odd and I started skimming, a thing that I hate!!
I strongly dislike the contact change of POV
and now I am at page 124 (38% of the book) and the sex scene is cringe-worthy
"hot veiny sausage" really???????
nope, not for me. I always try to finish all the books I start but I just can't.
probably-not-but-freebie
January 12, 2019Freebie at the zon.com right now: https://www.amazon.com/Expectant-Moon...
June 17, 2021
I'm not sure how I feel. It has a compelling story, but it winds down through many roads, more than one antagonist, and it has more than one couple we're following. It jumps from point of views, which can be a bit exhausting, but it's never confusing. You can always tell who's eyes we're seeing from, and that'sa hard feat.
The beginning is a long info recap, in order to understand what the world has gone through and where the characters come from. It takes a bit to start the story, but it's nice to not have random blanks on the worldbuilding. The characters also had a good, long moment of friskiness that was pretty exhausting. I feel like we went through two book, even though I went through just the first of four.
Did I love it? No. Was it good? Yes. Will I read the rest of the series? Yes.
The beginning is a long info recap, in order to understand what the world has gone through and where the characters come from. It takes a bit to start the story, but it's nice to not have random blanks on the worldbuilding. The characters also had a good, long moment of friskiness that was pretty exhausting. I feel like we went through two book, even though I went through just the first of four.
Did I love it? No. Was it good? Yes. Will I read the rest of the series? Yes.
September 25, 2020
Expectant Moon is the first book in the Gladstone Shifters series and it takes you to a current world where things are changing. Here we find Evan, a Delta, and Ben, an Alpha. Their two lives are separate at the start but once they meet, fireworks explode!
I found the beginning of this book to be slightly discombobulated, simply because we shift from one time to another, with different characters being introduced each time. HOWEVER, stick with it because each of those characters and situations is incredibly important to the overall story arc.
Once this story progressed, I was completely hooked. I loved this history of how times and attitudes had changed, how ways of life were forgotten and how they really needed to be remembered. Luckily for everyone, Jack is on hand to help and Evan will make sure it continues.
There was enough steam to melt my Kindle - which I loved! You really get a two-for-one deal with this book as Jack and William are magnificently interwoven with Evan and Ben - only in the literary sense! There is also pain, hate, tenderness, love, and hope.
Really, this was an amazing read that I thoroughly enjoyed. An amazing start to a new series with intricate details and new situations giving a brilliant twist to the 'standard' MM Paranormal Romance genre.
Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I found the beginning of this book to be slightly discombobulated, simply because we shift from one time to another, with different characters being introduced each time. HOWEVER, stick with it because each of those characters and situations is incredibly important to the overall story arc.
Once this story progressed, I was completely hooked. I loved this history of how times and attitudes had changed, how ways of life were forgotten and how they really needed to be remembered. Luckily for everyone, Jack is on hand to help and Evan will make sure it continues.
There was enough steam to melt my Kindle - which I loved! You really get a two-for-one deal with this book as Jack and William are magnificently interwoven with Evan and Ben - only in the literary sense! There is also pain, hate, tenderness, love, and hope.
Really, this was an amazing read that I thoroughly enjoyed. An amazing start to a new series with intricate details and new situations giving a brilliant twist to the 'standard' MM Paranormal Romance genre.
Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
November 21, 2023
OMFGs, what a beginning.
The plot, the characters, the setting, everything coalesced into one hell of a story and I can't wait to continue this series.
It takes a while for the spicy goodness to arrive, but you don't miss it with the charming cast, the intriguing and disturbing groundwork being laid for the conflict, and the villains lurking just awaiting their moment.
This is a new to me author and I'm excited to see what's in store next.
The plot, the characters, the setting, everything coalesced into one hell of a story and I can't wait to continue this series.
It takes a while for the spicy goodness to arrive, but you don't miss it with the charming cast, the intriguing and disturbing groundwork being laid for the conflict, and the villains lurking just awaiting their moment.
This is a new to me author and I'm excited to see what's in store next.
October 7, 2020
A Heartwarming Gay Wolfshifter Romance
This book is warm, sweet, funny and steamy paranormal gayromance. The world-building is fascinating and detailed and unique, a different kind of shifter world. It was an engaging and heartwarming read.
This book is warm, sweet, funny and steamy paranormal gayromance. The world-building is fascinating and detailed and unique, a different kind of shifter world. It was an engaging and heartwarming read.
June 17, 2018
Rating: 3.5 stars
While I thought the story interesting, there is just something a bit off with the author’s writing that I don’t like. I think it is because it feels like I’m be told the story instead of living the story. Usually I complain about the lack of world building. In this case, it was way too much world building. There is a big info dump at the beginning of the book and there were many places were the amount of detail given felt a bit tedious.
As far as the story goes, I was invested in the lives of the characters. I really liked the MCs and the rest of the pack. I wasn’t a big fan of the wolf sex and the whole pregnancy thing was a bit weird. I liked them enough and am curious enough that I will probably read the next one in the series.
Overall, I thought the book was good. Just a bit too long. I think it would have been better if it had been edited down a bit.
While I thought the story interesting, there is just something a bit off with the author’s writing that I don’t like. I think it is because it feels like I’m be told the story instead of living the story. Usually I complain about the lack of world building. In this case, it was way too much world building. There is a big info dump at the beginning of the book and there were many places were the amount of detail given felt a bit tedious.
As far as the story goes, I was invested in the lives of the characters. I really liked the MCs and the rest of the pack. I wasn’t a big fan of the wolf sex and the whole pregnancy thing was a bit weird. I liked them enough and am curious enough that I will probably read the next one in the series.
Overall, I thought the book was good. Just a bit too long. I think it would have been better if it had been edited down a bit.
July 11, 2019
Wow, amazing!
I have to say, this is one of the best, well written, descriptive books I've read in a long time. (I read a book a day)
Definitely pick this one up! I can't wait for the next in the series.
I have to say, this is one of the best, well written, descriptive books I've read in a long time. (I read a book a day)
Definitely pick this one up! I can't wait for the next in the series.
April 4, 2019
Epic story with 2 romantic couples. Not my cuppa. DNF @ 33%.
March 13, 2021
The beginning of the book shifts around between different characters in different times, so it can seem a bit disjointed to start, but it is setting up the story. There is a purpose. We learn about Delta wolves and their important role in the pack. Then we move into present day where our MCs come into play: Ben, an Alpha shifter, and Evan, a Delta shifter. Ben wants to change attitudes of not only the elders but of other packs so his pack and others like him can live peacefully. Evan and his friend and fellow Delta, Jack, are the ones who can help make that change. Things aren't easy for Ben, which makes for a lot of tension in the story and good action. But there's loads of romance. If you like smoking hot sex, and plenty of it, you've found your book. And we soon learn that Delta's have other special abilities.
The world building is well done and with the addition of Deltas, is a bit different from other shifter books making it somewhat unique. It has good dialogue and action scenes. I highly recommend this to fans of shifter books.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world building is well done and with the addition of Deltas, is a bit different from other shifter books making it somewhat unique. It has good dialogue and action scenes. I highly recommend this to fans of shifter books.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 14, 2020
Great storylines
Always good to read a different version of shifter events. Loved the characters and the way they were brought together. Good filling out of the different stories of the various clans and their growth.
Enjoyed meeting the main characters and seeing how they reacted to their new places in their clans.
Looking forward to reading the continuing story in Alexander's next novel.
Always good to read a different version of shifter events. Loved the characters and the way they were brought together. Good filling out of the different stories of the various clans and their growth.
Enjoyed meeting the main characters and seeing how they reacted to their new places in their clans.
Looking forward to reading the continuing story in Alexander's next novel.
December 27, 2022
just finished this and have to confess I was frustrated with it.
I had high hopes when I started reading it as the development in the first quarter promised a great world building and interesting characters.
But the instant-love thing with fated mates frustrated me.
The storyline was interesting but as it is it feels too long sometimes and events which were hyped up, were resolved in a blink.
Not sure I will read the next book, although I would love to see Nolans mate
I had high hopes when I started reading it as the development in the first quarter promised a great world building and interesting characters.
But the instant-love thing with fated mates frustrated me.
The storyline was interesting but as it is it feels too long sometimes and events which were hyped up, were resolved in a blink.
Not sure I will read the next book, although I would love to see Nolans mate
July 17, 2022
This is a new to me author and I had no idea what to expect when I started reading. I found it very hard to get into and a number of times I stopped and started and wondered if it was worth persevering. Yes it was. It was an amazingly rich saga full of interweaving themes and interesting characters. I am really looking forward to reading more of his works.
May 6, 2018
A new twist.
I love a great shifter novel and this one did not disappoint in any way. Along with the usual shifter tropes a few elegant surprised await. If you like wolf shifter novels, do not miss this read!
I love a great shifter novel and this one did not disappoint in any way. Along with the usual shifter tropes a few elegant surprised await. If you like wolf shifter novels, do not miss this read!
October 1, 2020
Speechless
This book is amazing. The dram was intense and the sex was hot. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
This book is amazing. The dram was intense and the sex was hot. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
January 14, 2022
Amazinh
Very well written. The story line is amazing. The first couple chapters pretty much introduce everyone and what braught them to where they are now. Then the stories merge. Loved this book. I hope it continues and there are more than just 3 books.
Very well written. The story line is amazing. The first couple chapters pretty much introduce everyone and what braught them to where they are now. Then the stories merge. Loved this book. I hope it continues and there are more than just 3 books.
July 14, 2022
Fantastic!
I loved everything about this novel: the complexity of the story, Ben and Evan’s love story, how the author takes us back at the beginning of the book to establish background history, the incredible action, and the cliffhangers for the next novel-which I’ll be starting today. Mr. Elliott has created an amazingly interesting world, and I can’t wait to continue visiting it!
I loved everything about this novel: the complexity of the story, Ben and Evan’s love story, how the author takes us back at the beginning of the book to establish background history, the incredible action, and the cliffhangers for the next novel-which I’ll be starting today. Mr. Elliott has created an amazingly interesting world, and I can’t wait to continue visiting it!
August 1, 2022
.net read
I am a huge shifter fan, and I'm an avid mm love story reader I have read several m. Romance and this is becoming one of my favorite.
I am a huge shifter fan, and I'm an avid mm love story reader I have read several m. Romance and this is becoming one of my favorite.
May 4, 2018
Hot gay shifters!
Great characters. Wonderful setting. Amazing plot! Hot sex!! What more could you want? I can't wait to read the next story!
Great characters. Wonderful setting. Amazing plot! Hot sex!! What more could you want? I can't wait to read the next story!
October 18, 2021
I'm in love with this book, it's characters, the unique twist to the shifter genre. The attraction between alpha and 'elder' is great. You throw in other characters who you know are important to building this series and all I can say is settle in readers we / you are in for a 5 star treat.
September 25, 2020
I enjoyed this new take on the Alpha/Omega shifter story. While the first few chapters seemed choppy and disjointed, once all the main players came together it flowed beautifully and the reason for all the jumping around and focus on backgrounds became clear. The cast is wonderfully diverse and includes people from all walks of life. While the romantic interests at the core of the book are M/M, many types of couples are represented. I also enjoyed the occasional glimpses of dramatic irony when the reader was able to see into the mind of the villains.
As well as romance, the story delves deeply into the societal problems of bigotry, loss of heritage, broken families, the marginalization of those perceived as "different", and the lengths some people will go to in order to justify their cruelty as righteous. But love is strong and many characters are able to see the error of their words and actions and learn from their mistakes. The pack support base is a wonderful idea that I would love to be a part of.
While the book deserves its given 18+ warning, I never felt the steamy scenes were overly gratuitous or distasteful.
*I received an eARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
As well as romance, the story delves deeply into the societal problems of bigotry, loss of heritage, broken families, the marginalization of those perceived as "different", and the lengths some people will go to in order to justify their cruelty as righteous. But love is strong and many characters are able to see the error of their words and actions and learn from their mistakes. The pack support base is a wonderful idea that I would love to be a part of.
While the book deserves its given 18+ warning, I never felt the steamy scenes were overly gratuitous or distasteful.
*I received an eARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
August 26, 2020
A new twist on the werewolf concept
This isn’t just one story, there are several that all intertwine into one epic story. There’s humour, love and sex, a LOT of sex. There’s also anger, hatred and bigotry and several anxious angst-loaded moments, and you might find your eyes are watering, probably allergies. It felt like a long book that could have been split into three or four parts, but it’s better this way. There’s almost a happy ever after, except for the hinted at massive menace that will be revealed in another book.
This isn’t just one story, there are several that all intertwine into one epic story. There’s humour, love and sex, a LOT of sex. There’s also anger, hatred and bigotry and several anxious angst-loaded moments, and you might find your eyes are watering, probably allergies. It felt like a long book that could have been split into three or four parts, but it’s better this way. There’s almost a happy ever after, except for the hinted at massive menace that will be revealed in another book.
May 21, 2019
It took a little while to grasp the rolling POVs, and much of this is storytelling, so there is no great indepth emotion, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. Just when you think you knew how the tale would turn it took off on a new and interesting tangent. Also an engaging twist of the wolves among us and their breakdown of alpha, beta, delta and omega.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews