**Author's note: This book was previously published under the title, "The Alpha's Honor." If you already purchased that book, please don't purchase this one.
- -*- - He only cares about becoming alpha . . .
There’s only one thing standing in the way of Duke Fairborn taking over his pride as alpha, and that’s choosing a mate. According to pride law, matings must be among their own kind, and only a mated male can become alpha. Mating an outsider means facing exile. After giving the pride matchmaker the go-ahead, he soon finds himself betrothed to a lioness, with a mating ceremony scheduled for the following weekend. Now, everything is falling into place in his life and he couldn’t be happier. Right?
Her broken heart doesn’t trust easily . . .
Memory Hendrix isn’t interested in dating, and doesn’t even believe in happily-ever-afters. After one too many broken hearts, Ree knows that the only person she can trust is herself. Accompanying her younger sister to a bar for a drink to kick off the weekend, she finds herself in the arms of the sexiest guy she’s ever laid eyes on. He’s built like a tank and he purrs! One night with him, and her broken heart is all but mended.
Not all is what it seems . . .
Duke knows that taking Ree to bed is going to be the end of his bid for alphaship, but he couldn’t care less. Nothing is as important to him as his new mate. Believing she’s safe in his room above the bar, he leaves her sleeping and goes to the pride elders to accept his exile. He’d rather have Ree than be alpha. But the jilted lioness isn’t going to go down without a fight, and when Ree believes that Duke will never choose her, she runs. He’s not about to let her go, and no lioness or pride laws will stand in his way. He’ll choose honor over duty, and love above all else. - -*- -
This is the first book in the Tails series.
The material in this book is aimed at mature audiences as the story contains graphic sexual content and adult themes. Intended for readers aged 18+ only.
This was just ok for me. Duke wanted to become pack alpha enough to take an arranged mate instead of a heart match. not knowing he would meet his heart match the very same night.
- no cheating - no om drama -ow drama- the woman who was to be his mate caused drama but it didn't separate them - not very steamy - no epillogue
Ree and Duke story was written so beautifully the trails and struggle they face to be together and standing together trying to fight for each other. The connection between the characters is awesome to read. I love RE books no spoilers here.
R.E. Butler has a wonderful imagination and from what I've seen on on line a very and kind personality. I mention those things because saying something negative about her work is really unpleasant for me. There might be spoilers.... but there isn't much to this. It reads like a short story that was started and never finished. Their are none of the layers or depth I know I've read from Ms. Butlers work at times in the past. I know this is really short,only seven brief chapters but that doesn't mean these characters or their story have to feel 1/2 forms or developed. Duke is a bit of an impatient arrogant self entitled brat of a man and he's cocky to. Duke isn't bad per se but he's (too) young and brash . Too full of false hope for a future he shows too little care or planning for and yet has this vain almost narcissistic belief that "matting" a complete stranger he has NOTHING in common w/or even likes will work out just fine. That the repellent atypical spoiled vapid princess won't upset apple cart of future plans in any way. Sure why not. Of Course. you want to be the "alpha" just because your impatient. Because you "think" your ready. Soo you should be "alpha". Right ? Why is he in such a hurry,they his parent's plea's for him to wait and make a "heart match" fall on not just deaf but completely closed off ears ? We don't know. We don't really know either his age or his parents. He feels' young,like mid twenties but other than his delectable body and golden "Flame" eyes and cocky attitude I didn't feel like I knew much about Duke. But I know something's off when a shifter woman in her 70's is described as old. Human women can still look awesome. Helen Mirren not withstanding. We sadly won't all look that great. But shifters should live longer and age slower soo 70 should be nothing for a lion shifter female. Not hugely important but something that bothered me. Anyway impatiently rushing into something he honestly doesn't seem ready for and comes off really shallow, Ree on the other hand,is barely introduced to use before she's pushed into Duke's path by her overly eager sister. Duke one minute foolishly agrees to be w/his spoiled bigoted future bride and the next he's bedding Ree he's barely known an hour. Then biting and mating her because Ree can't be bothered to talk,too eager for sex. Rolls eyes Then next morning Duke runs off to have a convo w/his parents he obviously could have had via phone but is "needed" to give conflict a chance to take place. A conflict that is as thin as tracing paper or hospital toilet paper. and the fix to problems w/jilted "mate match" is recycled other stories I've read from this author and just feels too pat . Ms Butler is a talented writer but you can't/ won't see it here. if you want something good go and look for some of her early stuff. Books w/several 100 pages. It hurts but there isn't anything here really. Characters thinner than paper dolls (do they still make them?) and less imagination your child might give you w/them. Sorry
The Alpha's Honor: Howls Romance by R. E. Butler ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I discovered R.E. Butler quite by accident a few years ago when I was browsing at my local used book store, and I came across the first book of a Wolfs Mate Book-1 Jason&Cadence, of course I ended up purchasing the book and finished it later that evening. Within the next two days, I bought every book that R.E Butler had published to that date. If you are like myself you are elated when you find an author they can binge on, but I have continue to be enthralled by R.E. Butler even to date. Her world building is exquisite, richly layered, with great developed characters who always leave you wanting more. If The Alpha's Honor is not your ideal for Paranormal material, this may not be the series for you, as it does tend to structure the plot and arcs around Duke Fairborn the hero. The romance, is everything you expect from R.E. Butler . Although Duke main concern is to become Alpha. He only cares about becoming alpha.There is only one thing standing in his way and that’s choosing a mate. Because of pride law, their mates must be of their own kind and only a mated male can be alpha. Memory Hendrix isn’t interested in dating, she doesn’t believe in happily-ever-afters. Because she had one too many broken hearts, she feels the only person she can trust and depend on is herself. Duke and Ree meet at his bar one weekend. Duke realize that Ree is his mate and this ends his bid for being alpha plus he is willing to except his exile because he has no intention of giving up his mate now that he has found her. But Duke has a fiancee who is a spoil lioness and she isn’t going to go down without a fight, so when she confronts Ree, Ree believes that Duke will never choose her, so she runs. But Duke’s not about to let her go, and no lioness or pride laws will stand in his way. He’ll choose honor over duty, and love above all else. I enjoy it when the characters along with their actions are consistent and this is one of their biggest strengths. As a reader, this is one of the things I really appreciate about R.E. Butler series. this a delightful story about a alpha who thought that any mate would do. I didn’t feel lost while reading this book. There are some compelling characters that I really found interesting, so that I want to find out if these characters will get their own story. As I mentioned earlier, there were some interesting characters I’d like to read more about, and I liked the author’s writing style enough to read more from her. This is is a extraordinary read, plus it's entertaining and I’m glad I read it.
This is a novella in the Howls Romance series by various authors and this one is written by R.E. Butler. Duke Fairborn is a lion shifter and he's been training his whole life to take over as Alpha of his Pride when his father steps down. The only thing standing in his way of becoming Alpha is the fact that he hasn't found his mate yet. There are two ways pride members choose a mate - a heart match, which is their fated mate, or a mate-match, where they consult the pride matchmaker who chooses a mate for them. Some shifters wait their whole lives to find their heart mate but Duke doesn't have the time so he's consulted Abbie, the pride matchmaker. He needs a strong alpha female who can effectively lead by his side and give him cubs. Abbie picks Madison Clary, a 23 year old lioness from another pride who is the daughter of the Alpha. There's no question that Madison is beautiful but she's also a spoiled, cold bitch who hates humans and other kinds of shifters. But Duke cannot let that deter him because being Alpha is the most important thing to him and he's certain their lack of love for one another won't matter. That is until Memory walks into Tails, the bar he owns with his best friend, Titus. Memory (Ree) works at the local bank, she lives across the hall from her best friend/sister, Mercy. Ree has a very hard time trusting men which started with her dad leaving and her mom never getting over him. After a rough week at work her sister talks her into going to the next town over to a bar called Tails that is run by and frequented by shifters. She feels the pull towards Duke but doesn't understand it and is reluctant to trust him. Duke knows Ree is his mate and for the first time in his life he doesn't care about the fact that he'll have to forfeit being Alpha and most likely be exiled from his Pride. He's already signed the mate-match contract but luckily there is an out-clause if he finds his heart mate. Now all he has to do is talk to his parents and tell his psycho fiancée that the wedding is off.
I really enjoyed this story. I read this book in one sitting and didn’t put it down once. I liked Memory and Duke. The chemistry between them was clear to see. At the beginning of this book I had mixed feelings on Duke. I didn’t like that he was making a mate match rather than a love match. I understood his reasons but I was shouting at him to wait. I will admit that the whole ‘’ signed to a mate match and then found his love match’’ was predictable. I had already predicted that he would meet his true love match after signing the contract to mate for the sake of his pack. I liked that Duke went ahead and claimed Memory. He stood up for his love match. He was willing to lose the alpha ship and be exiled in order to keep the mate he loved. I liked Memory and was happy that she gave Duke a second chance. I liked that Memory’s sister went on to find love too. She and Barron were cute together and I would’ve liked to see more scenes with them in. The storyline for this book is easy to follow and an enjoyable read.
Duke has wanted one thing and that is to be the next alpha of his pack. Since he is next in line he needs one more thing. A mate. She wasn't in his pack he knew that already that much he knew. Enter in Abbie the matchmaker, she is seventy year ago lioness with a sixth sense about mates. Abbie pick? Mafia on clary the daughter of another pride's alpha. BUT is she his mate match for him to become alpha or his heart match his perfect match? Memory Hendrix is a human that shows up a Dukes night club. TAILS. His beast roars mate! Heart mate. The very thing he thought would never hapoen. Lots of drama and fun storyline. I lover the characters. There so easy to connect to. The story is fast paced and straight forward and made for a fun afternoon. Shifter fans this is for you. Voluntarily reviewed a copy and I honestly loved it.
Don’t understand these high star reviews, there is no story. The blurb tells you most of the story. Short okay coffee time read but don’t expect much. Everything happens in less than a day. Duke is impatient and signs a contract to marry a power-hungry shallow barbie doll. That night he meets his perfect woman, his heart match. Insta sex, mated then O/W barbie doll snipes and sneers. Heroine runs home to lick her wounds. Duke’s lion side showed more sense than he did. Know hardly any more about Memory (stupid name) at the end, than we did at the beginning. Her sister and another pride male also meet and mate on same night. No real story to get your teeth into. Feels like an idea that popped into the authors head and was put to paper. A couple of errors that should have been picked up. Sorry I wasted my money.
Memory (Ree) has had her heart broken one to many times so she barely dates. When she agrees to go to a bar with her sister, she has no idea how much her life will change. Duke only wants one thing - to be Alpha of his pack. The only way he can do that is to take a mate. With no prospects in sight, he goes to see the packs matchmaker. He doesn't care who she chooses for him since it's not a love-match...until he walks into his bar and discovers Ree, his heart-match. Now what will he do?
I loved this short but sweet story. It has love, danger and intrigue, some angst, and smexy-times. Ree and Duke are so good together.
*I received an Advance Copy of this book but then bought a copy as well. My reviews and opinions are my own.
I absolutely love this authors writing. This book was so sweet. We have Memory (Ree) who is human and Duke a lion and also the alphas son. Their pride has some old ways and laws that include only mating the same kind of shifter and only being able to take over alpha when he gets a mate. So he's ready and goes to their matchmaker for a mate. She finds him one and they agree on it. All in the span of the same day he also finds his true mate. He realizes what a mistake he made with the matching and tried to get it voided. Of course things do always go as planned and now he must convince her thats she's what he wants and is willing to do whatever and endure whatever to get her. These two were great together.
Memory has no intention of going out with her sister to a shifter bar. She has been let down and broken hearted enough. She should never underestimate the power that is her sister. Duke is tired of waiting for his heart match, he wants to take over for his dad and be alpha. But he needs a female, so the match maker will have to do. To bad he did not know that the very night he signed the binding papers he would meet his heart match, a perfectly beautiful human named Memory, Ree for short. Duke has some problems ahead, a mate contract, and the fact that the pact law will not allow humans as mates, but he is prepared to walk away for his mate, but the matched bride would have her pride declare war. Wonderful characters, great story line that has plenty of awesome lions waiting for their mates, and a HEA I live for. Re Butler has another great series.
Every time I read another RE Butler book I am reminded as wht I love her books so much. There is a true love match that has irs challenges and sometimes heart break, but it always comes back to the love between the two, and in the case it is a lion shifter and a human. Duke is willing to give up his heritage for his true love match, he knows that Ree is the one. But what of the contract he signed? Loved this book,a great HEA. If you have not read RE Butler I highly recommend it. Her books are consistantly great reading.
When Duke got up this morning all he,wanted was to become alpha of his Pride. Even will to go to the match maker to find a match, not of heart but of convenience. That night after signing contracts, he walks into the bar he co-owned. And later meeting a human that's his hearts match. Ree didn't want to go to the bar but her sister convinced her to. What happens a the bar is like a fairy tale when her eyes meet his. Nice short entertaining self-contained story to read.
Duke wants alpha so bad that he'll let match maker select a mate/ bride instead of waiting for a heart mate which could take years. Memory was done with love and getting her broken and she couldn't let her sister go to a shifters bar by herself. At the bar Duke looks across the room and sees Ree and her sister and he knows that his heart mate is very close. He never expected this to happen. Would Duke have to withdrawal his petition for alpha and also face being exiled from his lack for dating to love a human?
Duke must find a lion bride in order to inherit the title of alpha from his dad. After signing a contract with Madison, the daughter of another prince's alpha, to become his mate, his heart is soon captured by his true mate, but she is human. Will he go with his heart or with what is needed for the pride and his desire to be alpha. Another short book that is a standalone and not part of any of this authors series. I really enjoyed it.
Our hero, Duke, accepts a mate-match thinking it will give him what he wants. Later when he arrives at his club, he realizes what his lion has been trying to tell him, his heart is here. Now he has to protect her from the vindictive female he contracted with. Good thing his father has his back.
I was super excited to read advanced readers copy for my honest opinion. I love the flow of the story each character had their own personality and you really enjoyed getting to know them I can never go wrong with read an RE book.
Man, er, lion meets his human match but previous circumstances (smooth sailing) are not the norm. Per pride law a lion must mate in his species--no cross over breeding allowed. One doesn't need to finish t know the ending.
Another fantastic tale by R.E Butler. She never fails to pull at the heartstrings with lovable and, of course, sexy characters. Loved the lion shifters and really want to hear more from this pride in the future. Fingers crossed.
I enjoyed the story. Lovely HEA with action. The storyline was interesting and evenly paced. The characters were dynamic. The storyline was a bit different. In a good way.
This story has got some good characters in and their interaction makes it worth the time to read it. The inner emotional conflict of the alpha really makes the story.
I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book.
This is a quick fun read about a lion who decides not to wait on a love match but signs a contract for a mate and wouldn't you know it. She's going out to a shifter bar with her worrisome sister. She Not looking but wouldn't you know it, lol. Enjoy I did.
The whole Howls Romance series is wonderful and this is no different. The story is a smart, fun , and fast read. If you're looking for a shifter romance with good passion and some drama get this book
Well written story and well developed characters! Those are the most important things to me in a book! I couldn't put this book down and read it in just one afternoon! Loved it!