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Lost Shifters #1

Backwoods Asylum

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Skylar is used to the way people think of him as frightening, mean, and dangerous. Snakes are not the most popular shifters around and the fact he grew up wild doesn't help. He knows the way he's chosen to live alone in the woods only makes things worse, but he didn't think it meant people thought him capable of killing a couple of wolf puppies.

Determined to find the real monster who left them to die, Skylar calls up the only wolf he knows, a man he always wished would see him as more than a snake...

54 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2013

26 people are currently reading
461 people want to read

About the author

Megan Derr

283 books2,937 followers
Megan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.

meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr

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5 stars
350 (23%)
4 stars
595 (39%)
3 stars
442 (29%)
2 stars
93 (6%)
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30 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
Profile Image for ☆ Todd.
1,442 reviews1,584 followers
August 23, 2015

Okay, I fully *admit* I'm being a sappy fucker here, but I really did enjoy this short 60 page novella, Backwoods Asylum. Or as I like to call it:
"Felonious Use of Puppies on Unsuspecting M/M Readers"



Basically, our hero, Skylar, a cottonmouth snake shifter, is awakened at 3 am one night by the sound of two whimpering wolf puppies (later to be known as Hansel and Gretel ) that have been abandoned in the snow, close to his secluded cabin in the middle of the woods.

The shifter puppies immediately bond with Skylar and the reader due to ridiiiiiiiculous amounts of adorable puppy prose. And nuzzling. And licking. And I fell for it hook, line and goddamn sinker.

Reel my puppy-lovin' ass into the boat already. It's damn cold out here. *sigh*



As Skylar only knows one wolf shifter, Brady, he calls the (hot, sexy) wolf that he crushed on all through college for help to figure out where the pups came from and how to get them safely home.

There is, of course, a conspiracy to use the a-freaking-dorable pups to pin their kidnapping on the big, bad, antisocial snake, which pretty much immediately backfires (it's only 60 pages here, folks), someone very deservedly gets fanged (take that ya big stupid beeatch), then the pups are returned to pack lands.

The big, bad, antisocial snake is heartbroken, but to the pack's dismay, so are the hearts of the puppies. One impossible holiday wish, comin' right up, so suspending reality in 3, 2, 1... Go!

Skylar and Brady begin dating and unseen wheels turn behind the scenes, custody arrangements are made and we have what looks very likely to transform from an HFN to an HEA for *5*.

THE big, awesome, (however unlikely,) sugary END.



This one rates 3 3/4 stars for me, although I do confess that I rolled my eyes on several occasions and felt like one of those bulls with a ring through its nose being led around Disneyland now and again.

But I can be a sucker for cute and a complete SLUT for puppies, so I'm sticking to my guns on this one. It genuinely made me smile -- between eye rolls.
Profile Image for Drusilla.
1,065 reviews424 followers
April 18, 2025
This is very cute and beautiful. It’s short, but it is a complete story. The only thing I have to complain … not a fan of fade to black … Well, the sex is not really necessary, but it would have been a lovely extra. Because, that kiss was hot. But, this is a story about family and love between a snake shifter and a wolf shifter. Unheard of. These two together just make sense. This book also is about a silly misunderstanding and some serious prejudices.
Oh, and it’s also funny.

"Why would I want to swallow something whole and still furry when I can have a fried chicken dinner and ice cream? Ovens and microwaves exist for a reason." 😂

Brady wouldn't find it amusing if he said 'if I could keep you locked up in the kitchen I really, really would.' 😳
Profile Image for Susan.
2,349 reviews457 followers
December 25, 2015
Wait, let me put on my big suspension of disbelief pants.

description

So this is about a snake shifter. Okay, I can go with that. But wait, Skylar puts on his clothes, turns into a snake, slithers into the woods and when he shifts back his clothes are still on?? Okaaaay….

Trying to hold on to my suspension of disbelief pants here.
description

And then we have Brady, a wolf shifter Skylar knows from college. Brady has always acted like a dick to Skylar because he wanted to get to know him better but was irritated that Skylar was afraid of him. Because yes, acting like a dick totally helps when you want to get to know someone better.

description

When Skylar finds two shifter pups in the woods they instantly take to him. But now to find out who has abandoned these babies. When they find out whodunit everyone immediately caves and confesses. Of course they do!

Trying. To. Hold. On. To. Pants.

description

Now that the 'case’ is solved, Brady and Skylar are trying to date. And of course this means spending the weekend together, talking about the pup you are planning to adopt and ask if you want to raise her together. Because yes, that is totally acceptable when you have just started dating.

description

And now that these pups have no parents it is obvious that Skylar is perfectly fit as a parent. So while the paperwork is getting done, the pups are taken away from their foster home and being brought to Skylar and Brady. Sure, why do we need paperwork and official channels anyway.

I’m sorry, my pants just caught fire. I think I need a new pair.

description


PS: sex in off page. I repeat, there is NO SEX whatsoever.
Profile Image for Ami.
6,241 reviews489 followers
May 23, 2013
3.5 stars

Editing problem aside (since I am familiar with that 'issue' of LT3 releases), I thought the story was really lovely. There wasn't plenty of snake shifters out there and Sky was an adorable one.

As always, Megan Derr's stories were chaste on sex scenes, so forgot about finding hot sweaty men, banging on the wall, bending of the sofa, head pounding on headboard stuffs. You just have to 'believe' that Brady and Sky were doing it :).

I did thought the conspiracy stuffs were a little bit too behind the scene. The story was talking about rallies and meetings but we never really "see" it; including the confrontation that Sky had with one of the characters. In that sense, the story felt a bit isolated... though considering the setting (Sky's place was indeed 'isolated' from others), this might be intentional. But it made the story was rather on the "told" not "shown" spectrum.

Still, the wolf puppies won my heart BIG time; especially since they stayed as puppies (and not shifting into human babies). They were quickly taking Sky as their "Mommy", it was so cute!
Profile Image for Rosa, really.
583 reviews327 followers
March 2, 2015

Cute little romance, but let's face it--it's the werewolf puppies, Hansel and Gretel, who make this story. Poor little puppies. Especially poor puppies who will apparently be stuck with the names Hansel and Gretel. Have fun in middle school, boys!

**Audio**

Paul Morey narrates this story and he's pretty good as well. I've listened to his narrations of Dance with the Devil and Dance in the Dark about 150 times. Let's just say I like them.

However, he (or someone, somewhere) made the decision to give MC Skylar a Southern accent and everyone else in the story a General American accent. I kept getting distracted trying to think of a logical reason Skylar's accent wouldn't reflect his parent's--is it because he was adopted? But he lived as a snake until he was adopted, so...I guess in Derr's Lost Shifters world all snakes sound like extras from Designing Women?

That's kind of awesome.

Profile Image for Barbara➰.
1,662 reviews459 followers
November 6, 2017
So I was in a reading slump and decided to give this quickie a try. I've never read a book about a snake shifter. It was "okay". Way too short to have much substance. It's also "clean", not even fade to black really. Just very basic. Sadly, I'm a bit disappointed.
Profile Image for Heller.
973 reviews118 followers
May 22, 2013
This is a cute story about a snake shifter finding some lost shifter wolf puppies on his territory. He calls the only wolf he knows to help him get to the bottom of the mystery.

I love the puppies bonding with Skylar, the snake, and how unique Skylar is as a shifter. Brady, the wolf, had some history with Skylar so it was nice to see that resolved. I found the storyline a bit convoluted especially for such a short piece and while things worked out in the end the build up didn't work for me as much as I would have liked. Also, there was one typo that threw me out near the beginning:

Tugging a toboggan down over his head, smooshing his poor curls and guaranteeing they'd look stupid later, he sat down to lace on heavy, fur-lined boots.


Tuque is the word that should be used here, not toboggan.

Still this was cute and the puppies very sweet. I liked the MC's and if the story didn't have the shifter politics my rating would have been higher.
Profile Image for Mandy*reads obsessively* .
2,197 reviews341 followers
May 23, 2013

I'm a fan of Ms Derr's stories, she has a way of making me care about the characters and the stories are usually very caste and cute.
I also like unusual shifter stories and the only other snake shifter story I read Snakeskin Boots I enjoyed.
The world is interesting and we get a feel for the politics going on between the different fractions and of course the two young pups Skyler finds are just as much a pawn in this game as he is.
Skyler calls the wolf shifter he has liked and admired since college for help and things go from there.
I didn't quite get why in all the years of college and then the following Brady didn't make a move or try and get to know Sky, here two weeks after the call they are almost to the point of moving in together and raising children but up until that call Sky thought Brady hated him?
I think I wanted to see more of their attraction to each other and see why they didn't get together at school, but it was still a cute short story.
Profile Image for Deeze.
1,789 reviews286 followers
December 14, 2025
A wonderful little read. I would certainly love to see Skylar and Brady a few months down the road. To watch them both grow as a couple and as a family.

The puppies of course stole the show, I really want to watch them grow up.

Although a short, I was happy to see this was all story and not over run with sex scenes like so many other shorts.

At the risk of repeating myself, would really love this to be turned into a mini series. I think I need more snake shifter stories, especially if they involve adopted interspecies lol.

ETA Still a cute read.
Profile Image for Arthur.
783 reviews94 followers
May 24, 2013
3.5 stars

It's nice story, but somehow I didn't get as much sexual tension from the MCs. Given their predicament, I'd expect to see more.

I like the story. It reminds me that activists--regardless which side they are on--sometimes hurt their own cause with their actions.

The cover, that shows Hansel and Gretel, is so cute--although at that time they're probably afraid being left alone in the forest at 3 AM. Hey, to think about it, the pond looks like where Harry Potter found the Gryfendor sword!
Profile Image for ♥Laddie♥ (Lee Lee).
353 reviews127 followers
May 23, 2013
A really adorable story about a snake shifter, two adorable abandoned wolf pups, and a wolf shifter. Sky is a snake shifter who's an absolute sweetheart. Brady is the wolf shifter who comes at Sky's call for help. Hansel and Gretel are the two cutest wolf pups ever. Ever. There's some shifter politics and whatnot which were interesting enough that I thought this could have been a fleshed out novel. I hope we get to see more of Sky, Brady and the pups. I adored them.
Profile Image for Sandra.
4,121 reviews13 followers
September 4, 2013
Really sweet little short story, no need to recap, the blurb sums it up perfectly. I liked the relationship development between Brady and Skyler and even though it was technically one freaken day it felt natural and they did a good job at the end basically saying, "this is the beginning, let's give it a shot" as opposed to "I fucking love you so much even though I don't know you at all!" So that was cool. And wolf pups? A-freaken-dorable.

Warning: No sex scenes, sorry ladies and gents!

Won during Celebration 2013 in M/M Romance Group... still waiting on this one though :)
Profile Image for Jane (PS).
2,776 reviews103 followers
July 17, 2021
I loved the emotion in this book and I loved Skylar and Brady, Hansel and Gretel! I suspect this will be a reread for a short hit of fun and love :)

Reread 24 June 2017
Narrated by Paul Morey
Loved it. Such a sweet story but with some (snake & wolf) grunt. The cubs are delightful, and Skylar's protectiveness is so genuine and sincere, especially with his background.
Profile Image for Emily.
509 reviews54 followers
June 11, 2015
I absolutely loved this story, and would love to see it continued. Wasn't sure how I'd like snake shifters, since they're usually evil and I'm not a fan of snakes, but now my opinion's changed a bit. I highly recommend Backwoods Asylum.
Profile Image for Ro.
3,124 reviews16 followers
June 2, 2013
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews

I would have given this a 4 rating just for Skylar. I liked this character so much. I felt for him, alone in the cabin because of prejudice. Brady, I did wonder why if he was attracted to Skylar and didn’t hate him he never tried to talk to him.

I thought it was a unique twist that the shifter puppies (Hansel and Gretel, could that be any cuter?) stayed puppies until they were older. I liked the world this was set in and wanted to know more about the whole thing. Skylar’s immediate attachment to the puppies was, to me, completely understandable. He himself had been alone for twelve years so he understood fear and loneliness. As for the puppies, of course they bonded. The man is lovely!

The reason behind the “puppynapping” was difficult to fathom yet again, I could see it happening there. People with an agenda don’t think about the real consequences. I would have liked to have more of the turmoil going on within the shifter communities to better understand why anyone would go to such lengths.

While Skylar is lovely and Brady a good character, the stars are Hansel and Gretel. Those babies know what they want and what is good for them. The little ferocious baby protecting his Skylar was freaking adorable. I liked this story very much and I would love (hint!) to see more of this world in the future.
Profile Image for Lexxi Kitty.
2,060 reviews477 followers
January 8, 2017
So . . . decided to try more audio. Wandered to Audible.com and put in the various publishers I've read stuff by, including: Bella Books (2 books), Bold Strokes (60), Riptide (43), Ylva (1), and Less than Three.

Well, this one is released by Less than Three and involved weresnakes, wolves, baby wolves (puppies), etc.

The weresnake (cottonmouth), the main character (Skylar), is awakened near 3 am by something. Rather quickly the guy realizes that he heard wolves - baby wolves. Finds puppies that apparently had been abandoned. Investigates.

It should be noted that it is very cold out. And the little baby puppies were huddled, whimpering, trying to keep warm - when the weresnake - in snake form - appeared. One puppy darted backwards, other darted forward. Snakeman quickly turns back into human form. Puppies tentatively crawl forward and into his lap . . . awwww

- I did not particularly like Brady (the other main character), nor how he kept winking for no known reason. Though that might be because he sounded like the grim gruff version of Batman when he was attempting to speak with the darkest grimest voice possible.

- This is a short story - took me a lot longer to devour than if I just read instead of listened.

Rating:
---- Narrator: 3.9
---- Story: 3.70
----= 3.80

January 8 2017
Profile Image for Mary.
490 reviews105 followers
May 4, 2020
1st. read: 5/22/13

I'm a major Megan Derr fan. I love her works, and this one was no exception. I've lost count of the times I've read this already b/c it just boosts my spirit and gets me all melty. Skylar rescues two wolf shifter puppies abandoned near his home. Angry and curious as to why, he looks for answers from Brady, a wolf shifter-the only one he really knows and who just happens to be his long time crush. Already in love with the pups, and after unmasking the reason behind their abandonment, Skylar fights to be the home for this cute pair of puppies that have taken to him as much as he adores them.

This was a feel good read for me. A very heart melting story of acceptance, and finding the place you belong.

3/29/18 audible ed.
Profile Image for Borderstar.
912 reviews17 followers
December 17, 2014
3.5 stars

Cute and sweet short story with a HFN ending.

This is the first thing I've read by this author...I just saw it and fancied it, as I liked the idea for the series.

The writing seemed almost simplistic in nature, but it still worked and it was an enjoyable read - I still got pulled into it and liked the characters. Admittedly it was slightly [read very :P] far-fetched and everything went at a mentally fast pace without most things being developed too thoroughly, but it made for a sweet little read and there was just something I really liked about it anyway.

No on-page sex though, BOO!
Profile Image for Serena Yates.
Author 104 books768 followers
January 18, 2020
This is a wonderful story on so many levels: the main characters are great guys, the two wolf pups are, of course, adorable, the villain is appropriately evil (and then some), and the overall message of love and acceptance winning the day is the icing on the cake. If you're looking for feel-good, this is an option you should seriously consider.


Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Profile Image for Mell.
Author 69 books279 followers
September 17, 2013
This is a fun story. I enjoy reading and rereading it often. Skylar is such an interesting person and the puppies are so adorable. I just wish that the world Megan created for this book didn't feel so small and restricted. Backwoods Asylum gives off a feel of a side story to a larger work where everything that isn't explained in this wonderful short story is made clear.
Profile Image for Molli B..
1,533 reviews63 followers
September 14, 2015
ADORBS. Tiny wolf shifters! (Who are too little to shift yet.) CUTE. Just lots of cute and sweet.

This was a sweet story with just the right amount of drama. It's a quick read, only 17k, but if you're looking at plot, it's well-paced and quick moving.

I wouldn't call what Skylar and Brady have insta-love, because they've known each other for awhile, but it's kinda like...insta-life, maybe. Haha. Which is actually okay because the story isn't very long and, really, you just want everyone to be happy in the end, regardless of how it happens. I like how it happened =)

I have to mention that I really enjoy stories about other kinds of shifters (read: not wolves, although I like wolves too), so it was fun reading about snake shifters, even if snakes are a little icky (sorry, Skylar and family!). I like reading about what the various kinds of shifters experience, so Skylar's aversion to cold, his need for glasses, the way he doesn't feel compelled to live near his family (like wolves do), it was all interesting and well done.

The story, despite its brevity, touches on some big issues, including racism/speciesism and adoption rights. But it's certainly not too full of itself or anything.

Anyway, super quick, super sweet read. Yay!

P.S. Todd's review of this is pretty awesome. Puppy gifs!
Profile Image for Serena Yates.
Author 104 books768 followers
January 18, 2020
This is a wonderful story on so many levels: the main characters are great guys, the two wolf pups are, of course, adorable, the villain is appropriately evil (and then some), and the overall message of love and acceptance winning the day is the icing on the cake. If you're looking for feel-good, this is an option you should seriously consider.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Profile Image for Wax.
1,295 reviews22 followers
March 21, 2019
So cute. I love stories with unusual shifters, and this was no exception. If only it had been a bit longer to really flesh out what happened. I felt like everything went so quickly that I couldn't really get a good feel for the MCs' relationship.

Re-read 5/20/17: Still such a fun, little quirky story. But really wish it were longer.
Profile Image for Trisha Harrington.
Author 3 books144 followers
April 18, 2014
This was a short cute read. Very sweet, so it won't be for everyone, but I enjoyed it. I wouldn't recommend this if you're looking for something with a lot of drama. To be honest, this was easier than I thought it would be.
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