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Bloodrunners #1
Last Wolf Standing
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This title is being re-released in a revised and expanded 2nd Edition.
This title is being re-released in a revised and expanded 2nd Edition.
First published February 26, 2008
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About the author
Rhyannon Byrd
82 books1,309 followersRhyannon Byrd is the national bestselling author of more than forty contemporary and paranormal romance titles, including the romantic thrillers LONDON AFFAIR and NEW YORK SCANDAL, and her books have been translated into ten languages. After years of enjoying the California sunshine, Rhyannon now lives in the beautiful Malvern Hills in England with her family and their ever-growing collection of concert T-shirts and coffee mugs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
December 31, 2012
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Content: Explicit sex, swearing and profanity, lots of bloody gore, references to child molestation, etc.
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This book started off so good!! I chuckled several times during the opening scenes at the café (Mason must do something drastic to catch Torrance's attention, and his friend Jeremy makes things worse). That first meeting was warm and sexy -- instant attraction, and really well done. I could feel the chemistry. Soon, things got scary, with a psychopathic werewolf on Tor's trail and Mason and Jeremy watching her back. All good.
But it gradually lost that fun, sexy, and adventurous flavor. Where did that fabulous humor go?! Tor, the heroine, was just too wishy-washy, alternatively brave and fear filled, frequently remembering her childhood and reflecting on whether Mason loves her (they just met!!). I started to skim past her reflections. Then, she blew hot and cold with Mason in terms of sex, which didn't feel fair. I couldn't get too excited about Mason, despite his oft-mentioned six pack abs and heroic nature. A werewolf who smokes? That's not attractive to me. Tor and Mase think a lot about sex, but when finally they clinched ... it fell flat.
So... I guess I wasn't emotionally invested in these characters, and the plot was nothing new. There were some icky bits, too -- references to child molestation, rape, eating of ....never mind. I'm not crazy about so much profanity, either. Just not my cuppa.
Too bad. I love a good werewolf or shifter story. (But several friends have loved this series.)
Werewolf romances I have enjoyed:
Kristen Callihan's Moonglow
Patricia Briggs' urban fantasy Hunting Ground (loved the whole Alpha & Omega series)
Illone Andrews' urban fantasy Bayou Moon
Molly Harper's How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf
Nalini Singh's changeling series, especially Kiss of Snow
Elizabeth Eden's The Wolf Within
Susan Krinard's Prince of Shadows
For something different, I also liked the dystopian Nightfall, by Ellen Connor and the steam punk Soulless, by Gail Carriger.
Content: Explicit sex, swearing and profanity, lots of bloody gore, references to child molestation, etc.
**********
This book started off so good!! I chuckled several times during the opening scenes at the café (Mason must do something drastic to catch Torrance's attention, and his friend Jeremy makes things worse). That first meeting was warm and sexy -- instant attraction, and really well done. I could feel the chemistry. Soon, things got scary, with a psychopathic werewolf on Tor's trail and Mason and Jeremy watching her back. All good.
But it gradually lost that fun, sexy, and adventurous flavor. Where did that fabulous humor go?! Tor, the heroine, was just too wishy-washy, alternatively brave and fear filled, frequently remembering her childhood and reflecting on whether Mason loves her (they just met!!). I started to skim past her reflections. Then, she blew hot and cold with Mason in terms of sex, which didn't feel fair. I couldn't get too excited about Mason, despite his oft-mentioned six pack abs and heroic nature. A werewolf who smokes? That's not attractive to me. Tor and Mase think a lot about sex, but when finally they clinched ... it fell flat.
So... I guess I wasn't emotionally invested in these characters, and the plot was nothing new. There were some icky bits, too -- references to child molestation, rape, eating of ....never mind. I'm not crazy about so much profanity, either. Just not my cuppa.
Too bad. I love a good werewolf or shifter story. (But several friends have loved this series.)
Werewolf romances I have enjoyed:
Kristen Callihan's Moonglow
Patricia Briggs' urban fantasy Hunting Ground (loved the whole Alpha & Omega series)
Illone Andrews' urban fantasy Bayou Moon
Molly Harper's How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf
Nalini Singh's changeling series, especially Kiss of Snow
Elizabeth Eden's The Wolf Within
Susan Krinard's Prince of Shadows
For something different, I also liked the dystopian Nightfall, by Ellen Connor and the steam punk Soulless, by Gail Carriger.
February 28, 2008
First he tripped her...made her spill her soup all over herself. Now she's being stalked by a murderous werewolf! And it's all his fault!!
As soon as he smelled her, he had to have her. Now his enemy is targeting her...and she's scared of the dark, much less werewolves.
Elements of humor, hot passion, and a good lead-in to the upcoming 2nd book in Byrd's series.
As soon as he smelled her, he had to have her. Now his enemy is targeting her...and she's scared of the dark, much less werewolves.
Elements of humor, hot passion, and a good lead-in to the upcoming 2nd book in Byrd's series.
September 11, 2019
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but why have I wasted so much time with vampires when werewolves have been right THERE.
This was fun, very INSTA, all around alpha, hella sexy and exactly what I needed. Well, I would have done with more steam, but hey.
This was fun, very INSTA, all around alpha, hella sexy and exactly what I needed. Well, I would have done with more steam, but hey.
May 17, 2012
Well, I'm kind of kicking myself for buying all three books at once. Oh well.
I thought the premise of the paranormal world was good. I also thought the technical quality of the writing was good. The sexytimes were spicy (in a very good way!).
I didn't like the heroine, though, and I didn't really feel invested in the story or the characters and their HEA. I can't really pinpoint it beyond that...and a general sense of "eh, okay" once I finished it.
I guess I'll eventually read the other two before listing the trilogy on eBay, but yeah...let's just say I'm in no rush to do so.
I thought the premise of the paranormal world was good. I also thought the technical quality of the writing was good. The sexytimes were spicy (in a very good way!).
I didn't like the heroine, though, and I didn't really feel invested in the story or the characters and their HEA. I can't really pinpoint it beyond that...and a general sense of "eh, okay" once I finished it.
I guess I'll eventually read the other two before listing the trilogy on eBay, but yeah...let's just say I'm in no rush to do so.
June 9, 2009
This book started out great. The "theme" was the same as any other werewolf story out there – the tall, dark, brooding were-hunk walks into a bar (and no, it’s not the beginning of a joke) and sniffs his predestined mate – who also happens to be human (ooh, big shocker there – not!). But it was the way they hooked up that was a bit different – at least at the beginning.
The tall, dark, brooding were-hunk actually tripped his fragile, petite, human future-mate, turning her into a walking tribute to a modernist painter, since she fell into her bowl of tomato soup.
So he and his friend quickly established she was his and because she was his she was automatically in danger because of the big, bad, psycho wolf on the loose with a huge chip on his god-wannabe shoulder and a enormous grudge against the tall, dark, brooding were-hunk. At the same time the fragile, petite, human future-mate figured the two hunks were nuts and bolted...And proceeded to walking into a trap by the big, bad, psycho wolf laying in wait at her home.
The two hunks – who were not crazy, BTW – rescued this silly, fragile, petite, human future mate...And that’s when the story really started,
Unfortunately the only good thing about this book was the beginning. The rest of the story never lived up to the expectations the beginning spawned and it was mostly due to heroine. While I somehow understood the Mason’s motivations and reasons, Torrance was something else entirely. She was all over the place, first she didn’t want anything to do with him, second she wanted nothing more than to jump his bones (not that I blame her), third she was afraid of getting hurt, fourth she didn’t give a damn about anything just jumping his bones (again, I don’t blame her)...On and on it went, with the author's attempt at justifying this with the way she grew up and the number her mother did on her. Sorry, I just didn’t buy it, and it quickly grew repetitive and eye-roll inducing.
I merely skimmed the pages through the second part, just wanting it to end already.
I was curious about the rest of this trilogy at first, but now, having read this one, I’ll most certainly pass on the rest. Sad, but true.
The tall, dark, brooding were-hunk actually tripped his fragile, petite, human future-mate, turning her into a walking tribute to a modernist painter, since she fell into her bowl of tomato soup.
So he and his friend quickly established she was his and because she was his she was automatically in danger because of the big, bad, psycho wolf on the loose with a huge chip on his god-wannabe shoulder and a enormous grudge against the tall, dark, brooding were-hunk. At the same time the fragile, petite, human future-mate figured the two hunks were nuts and bolted...And proceeded to walking into a trap by the big, bad, psycho wolf laying in wait at her home.
The two hunks – who were not crazy, BTW – rescued this silly, fragile, petite, human future mate...And that’s when the story really started,
Unfortunately the only good thing about this book was the beginning. The rest of the story never lived up to the expectations the beginning spawned and it was mostly due to heroine. While I somehow understood the Mason’s motivations and reasons, Torrance was something else entirely. She was all over the place, first she didn’t want anything to do with him, second she wanted nothing more than to jump his bones (not that I blame her), third she was afraid of getting hurt, fourth she didn’t give a damn about anything just jumping his bones (again, I don’t blame her)...On and on it went, with the author's attempt at justifying this with the way she grew up and the number her mother did on her. Sorry, I just didn’t buy it, and it quickly grew repetitive and eye-roll inducing.
I merely skimmed the pages through the second part, just wanting it to end already.
I was curious about the rest of this trilogy at first, but now, having read this one, I’ll most certainly pass on the rest. Sad, but true.
June 12, 2009
Rhyannon Byrd's Last Wolf Standing stars Torrance Wilson and werewolf Mason Dillinger. Torrance is minding her own business, getting lunch at a cafe when she meets Mason. Their eyes meet and it's instant magic. Mason is busy trying to feed his friend and catch a rogue werewolf at the time but when he catches the delicious scent of his mate he's instantly on the prowl. Desperate to get to her but unsure of how to approach her, he does the only thing he can think of to get her to stay and talk with him. Thinking fast, he employs a foolproof plan and trips her. Gallantly he comes to her aid but his intensity unnerves Torrance and pretty soon she's fleeing him. Unfortunately, the rogue werewolf Mason was tracking caught the whole spectacle and follows Torrance to her home and attacks her. Luckily for her, Mason was hot on his mate's heels and was able to thwart the attack. He takes her up to the mountains to protect her and to also hopefully lay claim to the woman nature has decreed as his mate. Due to the hierarchy within the werewolf clan, Mason and his family have dealt with prejudice all his life and because of it he's afraid to love and to trust, believing it will make him vulnerable. Torrance is willing to mate with Mason and accept the strange and frightening new world she's been thrust into, but she won't do it without his love. Mason is going to have to learn to let go of his own pride and let his little mate into his heart if he's going to win her.
The introduction of Mason and Torrance was extremely fun. I've never read about the hero grabbing his heroine's attention by tripping her. His near frantic attempts to make Torrance believe that he was harmless was so funny to read about, especially after he starts freaking her out with his intensity. Unfortunately, once the fun of their first meeting passes, it all goes downhill. The rogue werewolf that attacks Torrance is a barely fleshed out, one dimensional bad guy. He's angry that Mason killed his brother 5 years ago and has just now found a way to get his revenge. After that we don't see the villain again until the end, but he does pop up every now and again through lame phone calls, where he passes along his dire threats.
The worldbuilding of the werewolf clan and their hierarchy was not very informative or imaginative and the whole pace of the book was slow. Rhyannon Byrd really doesn't do anything with the story except have the the hero and heroine go back and forth on why they can't love each other. The villain pops up every now and again with his telephone tough guy act, while the heroine bemoans the fact that the love of her life won't love her back and the hero stresses that his mate can't get past the fact that he's a werewolf.
The sex was also boring, I thought. I was surprised that a Rhyannon Byrd novel would have such tepid, lukewarm love scenes. There was only two sex scenes in the book and they were pretty yawn worthy.
All in all, I was disappointed with the Last Wolf Standing and can't recommend it. It didn't have any interesting characters that I would want to revisit, the sex was nothing to write home about and the pace of the book was as riveting as watching paint dry. :(
The introduction of Mason and Torrance was extremely fun. I've never read about the hero grabbing his heroine's attention by tripping her. His near frantic attempts to make Torrance believe that he was harmless was so funny to read about, especially after he starts freaking her out with his intensity. Unfortunately, once the fun of their first meeting passes, it all goes downhill. The rogue werewolf that attacks Torrance is a barely fleshed out, one dimensional bad guy. He's angry that Mason killed his brother 5 years ago and has just now found a way to get his revenge. After that we don't see the villain again until the end, but he does pop up every now and again through lame phone calls, where he passes along his dire threats.
The worldbuilding of the werewolf clan and their hierarchy was not very informative or imaginative and the whole pace of the book was slow. Rhyannon Byrd really doesn't do anything with the story except have the the hero and heroine go back and forth on why they can't love each other. The villain pops up every now and again with his telephone tough guy act, while the heroine bemoans the fact that the love of her life won't love her back and the hero stresses that his mate can't get past the fact that he's a werewolf.
The sex was also boring, I thought. I was surprised that a Rhyannon Byrd novel would have such tepid, lukewarm love scenes. There was only two sex scenes in the book and they were pretty yawn worthy.
All in all, I was disappointed with the Last Wolf Standing and can't recommend it. It didn't have any interesting characters that I would want to revisit, the sex was nothing to write home about and the pace of the book was as riveting as watching paint dry. :(
April 25, 2011
I was glad I chose this book off of the bookswap. It was not something I had planned to read. I was pleasantly suprised with the book and do not regret ordering it. I absolutatly enjoyed reading this first book out of a trilogy. Now I have to find book 2 and 3 so I can finish with the other characters.
This book had action, suspense, drama, love, and of coarse some steamy. All requirements for this kind of book and enough of it to keep you reading.
From the beginning we find Mason a strong, georgeous half breed werewolf looking for a psychotic killer. He and his partner Jeremy stop in a cafe to eat when he immediately detects his "Life Mate". All he does he smell her at first, he doesn't know who she is. Then he finally sees her and is afraid that she will walk out of the cafe without ever noticing him. So what does he do...he trips her. The minute she looks at him there is the connection. He knows he must be with her. Now that he has noticed her he feels Simmons (the pscho) will want to harm her.
Torrance a quiet, petite woman that really wants nothing to do with men or relationships. As a girl she grew up with her mother constantly going through relationship after relationship. So she now sees that men will just leave you in the end so why bother. She wants nothing but what her dream is and that is Love. She believes that without it nothing will last. Then she meets Mason...after being tripped of coarse. She can't help feel drawn or connected to him someway. Even though he appears to be some kind of lunatic as he tries to get her to go with him but he can not tell her why. So of coarse what does she do...she flees the scene.
But fate has other plans for them. Afterall Simmons was watching Mason and now wants nothing more to destroy anything and everything he holds dear, including Torrance. So of coarse circumstances bring Torrance and Mason together again. He can't help is forwing attraction to her and wanting to be with her. Yet he wants nothing to do with a blood bond to her. He wants nothing to do with actually loving her. He tells Torrance that he wants to be with her, he would never leave her, and will always be faithful.
Torrance can't help her growing feelings for Mason. She knows she is falling in love with him. Yet he has already told her that he can't love her, he's just not wired that way. Growing up with seeing men constantly leave her mother Torrance doesn't want anything less than love. Afterall without the men always leave. She knows he will never give her what she wants but she doesn't know if she is strong enough to leave him or live that kind of life.
Can Mason get over his fear of loving her and actually open up his hear before it is too late. With a killer stalking her, love may be his only way of saving her. He may be strong physcially but will he be strong enough emotionally to love her and let her love him. With time running out he is in a fight for his heart and her life.
This book had action, suspense, drama, love, and of coarse some steamy. All requirements for this kind of book and enough of it to keep you reading.
From the beginning we find Mason a strong, georgeous half breed werewolf looking for a psychotic killer. He and his partner Jeremy stop in a cafe to eat when he immediately detects his "Life Mate". All he does he smell her at first, he doesn't know who she is. Then he finally sees her and is afraid that she will walk out of the cafe without ever noticing him. So what does he do...he trips her. The minute she looks at him there is the connection. He knows he must be with her. Now that he has noticed her he feels Simmons (the pscho) will want to harm her.
Torrance a quiet, petite woman that really wants nothing to do with men or relationships. As a girl she grew up with her mother constantly going through relationship after relationship. So she now sees that men will just leave you in the end so why bother. She wants nothing but what her dream is and that is Love. She believes that without it nothing will last. Then she meets Mason...after being tripped of coarse. She can't help feel drawn or connected to him someway. Even though he appears to be some kind of lunatic as he tries to get her to go with him but he can not tell her why. So of coarse what does she do...she flees the scene.
But fate has other plans for them. Afterall Simmons was watching Mason and now wants nothing more to destroy anything and everything he holds dear, including Torrance. So of coarse circumstances bring Torrance and Mason together again. He can't help is forwing attraction to her and wanting to be with her. Yet he wants nothing to do with a blood bond to her. He wants nothing to do with actually loving her. He tells Torrance that he wants to be with her, he would never leave her, and will always be faithful.
Torrance can't help her growing feelings for Mason. She knows she is falling in love with him. Yet he has already told her that he can't love her, he's just not wired that way. Growing up with seeing men constantly leave her mother Torrance doesn't want anything less than love. Afterall without the men always leave. She knows he will never give her what she wants but she doesn't know if she is strong enough to leave him or live that kind of life.
Can Mason get over his fear of loving her and actually open up his hear before it is too late. With a killer stalking her, love may be his only way of saving her. He may be strong physcially but will he be strong enough emotionally to love her and let her love him. With time running out he is in a fight for his heart and her life.
October 26, 2018
2.5 stars
I am sorry Rhyannon Byrd, but I really do not like your books. This is the second book from Bloodrunners series that I have read, and even though it was better than the other one, it is still not my cup of tea. The first half of the book was a bit dragging, but at least funny at moments. The second half was rushed, too full of mushy stuff and whining. The world itself is interesting, but the execution... The killer's story was the only thing that actually interested me, like a sort of murder mystery where you want to see if the serial killer gets killed. The romance stuff? Not so much. Dialogues where all blah blah blah. Boring. The love scenes made me yawn and think about what I am cooking for dinner. The ending was disappointing - too fast and where did all his army go? It also had too much repetitiveness. It is annoying how all characters either rasp, murmur or drawl. Makes me think about a bunch of middle aged men, who sit in a bar, their heads hanging and feed their beer-bellies with more beer, and rasp for more beer, murmur about their unjust lives and drawl insulting comment to barmaids. Just saying.
I think it would be wise to save myself more torment and to save author some bad ratings if I just start avoiding these books like the plague. Well unless I need another book with a smoking main character for my reading challenge. But even then, I would need to be bribed to do this again. I am sorry. I tried to like it, I really did, even after I hated the other book. It is just not working for me.
I am sorry Rhyannon Byrd, but I really do not like your books. This is the second book from Bloodrunners series that I have read, and even though it was better than the other one, it is still not my cup of tea. The first half of the book was a bit dragging, but at least funny at moments. The second half was rushed, too full of mushy stuff and whining. The world itself is interesting, but the execution... The killer's story was the only thing that actually interested me, like a sort of murder mystery where you want to see if the serial killer gets killed. The romance stuff? Not so much. Dialogues where all blah blah blah. Boring. The love scenes made me yawn and think about what I am cooking for dinner. The ending was disappointing - too fast and where did all his army go? It also had too much repetitiveness. It is annoying how all characters either rasp, murmur or drawl. Makes me think about a bunch of middle aged men, who sit in a bar, their heads hanging and feed their beer-bellies with more beer, and rasp for more beer, murmur about their unjust lives and drawl insulting comment to barmaids. Just saying.
I think it would be wise to save myself more torment and to save author some bad ratings if I just start avoiding these books like the plague. Well unless I need another book with a smoking main character for my reading challenge. But even then, I would need to be bribed to do this again. I am sorry. I tried to like it, I really did, even after I hated the other book. It is just not working for me.
May 2, 2009
Torrance is the human mate of Mason who is half werewolf half human. A Bloodrunner.
This shifter romance in particular stands out from some in recent memory. The author takes time to not only flesh out the main characters but provide entertaining secondary characters and an interesting background for the wold of the werewolf.
A hundred pages in your wondering who is going to be in Book 2 (there is teaser at the end =D). The story is so evovling you want more. I liked that Torrance (Tor) tried to be strong and make a stand against what Mason proposed. Being mated w/o love. Of course, that, would never work.
I liked that Mason "got it" from all sides. His friends, family and
even a dream-visit from his dead brother. The conflict of Bloodrunnning (hunting rogues) added to the plot. It was not distracting or time consuming. You got the sense that being a Bloodrunner was every bit apart of Mason as him being mated to Tor.
This shifter romance in particular stands out from some in recent memory. The author takes time to not only flesh out the main characters but provide entertaining secondary characters and an interesting background for the wold of the werewolf.
A hundred pages in your wondering who is going to be in Book 2 (there is teaser at the end =D). The story is so evovling you want more. I liked that Torrance (Tor) tried to be strong and make a stand against what Mason proposed. Being mated w/o love. Of course, that, would never work.
I liked that Mason "got it" from all sides. His friends, family and
even a dream-visit from his dead brother. The conflict of Bloodrunnning (hunting rogues) added to the plot. It was not distracting or time consuming. You got the sense that being a Bloodrunner was every bit apart of Mason as him being mated to Tor.
June 19, 2013
Great light, escape type read! Good start to another series! I was a little concerned with the start of the book, took me a while to get into it, but after getting the feel for the characters, I found it pretty funny, really. The book went on to finish well!
April 9, 2022
Last Wolf Standing, by Rhyannon Byrd, is the first in the "Bloodrunners" series. The main characters are Mason Dillinger, a half-werewolf, and Torrance Watson, a human woman.
As a member of the Bloodrunners, it's Mason's job to hunt down and eliminate rogue werewolves. He has no time for love, but when a chance encounter with Torrance rocks his world, Mason finds himself unable to just let her leave. Unfortunately, the rogue he's tracking notices his regard for the human woman, making Torrance a target. Now Mason feels compelled to take Torrance under his wing to protect her, all while maintaining the focus he needs for the hunt.
Torrance has always had an irrational fear of monsters, and when she learns they're real, her entire world view shifts. She is both frightened by and drawn to Mason even as he attempts to keep her at arm's length. Will Torrance be able to break through the icy walls around her wolf's heart?
Incidentally, my "blurb" above is nothing like the blurb on the back of the book. Did the creator of the book blurb actually read the book? Le sigh.
Okay. If I were to sum up this story in one line, it would be A horrifiying homage to misogyny, Stockholm Syndrome, and blithering idiocy.
To begin with, when Mason first saw Torrance, it was in a coffee shop. He hadn't ordered yet, and she was about to leave with her order. Heaven forbid she just walk out of his life (never mind the fact that she'd only been in it for a moment); therefore, he tripped her. He tripped her. Silly me, I didn't realize that our male lead was an 8 year-old boy. I guess this is what passed for a 'meet-cute' in 2008. Honestly, I would have thought this book was written in the 1980's, considering how domineering he was and how quailing she was. I wish I could go back in time and kick my own ass for reading (worse, enjoying) such books when I was a teen. Moving on. After this physical abuse (don't you dare call it anything else), Mason is coming across as too intense, and Torrance smartly dips out.
Skip ahead to where the rogue breaks into Torrance's apartment, physically abuses her, sexually abuses her, and threatens to rape and murder her. Cue Mason and his partner arriving on the scene to chase off the interloper, whereupon our blithering idiot of a female lead wilts into Mason's arms. She now knows he's a monster, you know the thing she has a pathological fear of, she's just been assaulted by another monster, yet she feels safe and protected in his arms? I think most people would have been in the midst of a screaming panic attack by then. Torrance dips out once more, but of course Mason tracks her down again (stalkerish much?), which is when he convinces not only her but her BFF that he and only he can protect Torrance, but she has to go with him. Wow. With friends like Michaela, Torrance didn't need any enemies, did she? "Yeah, sure, go off with that hunka-hunka gorgeous man who's brought shocking violence into your life. What's the worst that could happen?"
They finally reach Mason's cabin (after more drama and violence), which is when Mason insists that he can't protect Torrance unless she shares his bed. And...she fell for that. I just cannot with how spineless and stupid this woman was. Sexual activity ensued, although no actual intercourse, after which our blithering idiot realized that she was falling for Mason. After two days. Because she was drawn to him. Since he was so attractive. What if he'd been homely? Moving on.
Mason, of course, knows that Torrance is his mate, but he has no intention of falling in love with her, because, EW. More like, 'I cannot love someone, for it will make me weak.' Good ol' Mason channels his inner Meatloaf and tells her, "I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you." At least he was honest with her. Torrance finally starts to develop a tiny spine and declare that she can't settle for a man who won't love her, which angers Mason, because why must she make things so complicated? No joke, "complicated" is the word he used. Often.
Let's not forget the 'spring a meeting with my parents on my mate surprise' that Mason subjected Torrance to. Why she had not yet run screaming into the wilderness is beyond me. Finally, there was the finale. I called it about one-third of the way through the book. 'Bad guy will kidnap the female lead, and the hero will have to come save her in some overwrought fight to the death, after which he will FINALLY declare his undying love for her.' While writing this, the author must have channeled her inner Kathleeen E Woodiwiss. I loved her books! When I was young and dumb. I should have read this one when I was young and dumb; I might have enjoyed it then. I was so relieved when this was over. I stuck with it, because I ain't no quitter. That, and it was the only thing I had at work to read on my lunch breaks.
You know what the worst part about this book was? Torrance apologized to Mason for the fact that she hurt his feelers when she said she wanted a life partner who could love her. It was like, 'Oh, ha ha, what was I thinking? It was naive of me to have this ideal in mind. I should just love you the way you are, even if you can never return my feelings, thus leaving me to spend my entire fucking life heartbroken and unfulfilled so you can cling to your own ideal of being a tough he-man who don't need no love.' I need some brain bleach after reading this.
I'm giving the book two stars. It gets more than one because the writing itself was good, even though the content was beyond awful. If you like your male leads to be domineering, cold-hearted bullies and your female leads to be simpering little airheads, give it a read!
As a member of the Bloodrunners, it's Mason's job to hunt down and eliminate rogue werewolves. He has no time for love, but when a chance encounter with Torrance rocks his world, Mason finds himself unable to just let her leave. Unfortunately, the rogue he's tracking notices his regard for the human woman, making Torrance a target. Now Mason feels compelled to take Torrance under his wing to protect her, all while maintaining the focus he needs for the hunt.
Torrance has always had an irrational fear of monsters, and when she learns they're real, her entire world view shifts. She is both frightened by and drawn to Mason even as he attempts to keep her at arm's length. Will Torrance be able to break through the icy walls around her wolf's heart?
Incidentally, my "blurb" above is nothing like the blurb on the back of the book. Did the creator of the book blurb actually read the book? Le sigh.
Okay. If I were to sum up this story in one line, it would be A horrifiying homage to misogyny, Stockholm Syndrome, and blithering idiocy.
To begin with, when Mason first saw Torrance, it was in a coffee shop. He hadn't ordered yet, and she was about to leave with her order. Heaven forbid she just walk out of his life (never mind the fact that she'd only been in it for a moment); therefore, he tripped her. He tripped her. Silly me, I didn't realize that our male lead was an 8 year-old boy. I guess this is what passed for a 'meet-cute' in 2008. Honestly, I would have thought this book was written in the 1980's, considering how domineering he was and how quailing she was. I wish I could go back in time and kick my own ass for reading (worse, enjoying) such books when I was a teen. Moving on. After this physical abuse (don't you dare call it anything else), Mason is coming across as too intense, and Torrance smartly dips out.
Skip ahead to where the rogue breaks into Torrance's apartment, physically abuses her, sexually abuses her, and threatens to rape and murder her. Cue Mason and his partner arriving on the scene to chase off the interloper, whereupon our blithering idiot of a female lead wilts into Mason's arms. She now knows he's a monster, you know the thing she has a pathological fear of, she's just been assaulted by another monster, yet she feels safe and protected in his arms? I think most people would have been in the midst of a screaming panic attack by then. Torrance dips out once more, but of course Mason tracks her down again (stalkerish much?), which is when he convinces not only her but her BFF that he and only he can protect Torrance, but she has to go with him. Wow. With friends like Michaela, Torrance didn't need any enemies, did she? "Yeah, sure, go off with that hunka-hunka gorgeous man who's brought shocking violence into your life. What's the worst that could happen?"
They finally reach Mason's cabin (after more drama and violence), which is when Mason insists that he can't protect Torrance unless she shares his bed. And...she fell for that. I just cannot with how spineless and stupid this woman was. Sexual activity ensued, although no actual intercourse, after which our blithering idiot realized that she was falling for Mason. After two days. Because she was drawn to him. Since he was so attractive. What if he'd been homely? Moving on.
Mason, of course, knows that Torrance is his mate, but he has no intention of falling in love with her, because, EW. More like, 'I cannot love someone, for it will make me weak.' Good ol' Mason channels his inner Meatloaf and tells her, "I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you." At least he was honest with her. Torrance finally starts to develop a tiny spine and declare that she can't settle for a man who won't love her, which angers Mason, because why must she make things so complicated? No joke, "complicated" is the word he used. Often.
Let's not forget the 'spring a meeting with my parents on my mate surprise' that Mason subjected Torrance to. Why she had not yet run screaming into the wilderness is beyond me. Finally, there was the finale. I called it about one-third of the way through the book. 'Bad guy will kidnap the female lead, and the hero will have to come save her in some overwrought fight to the death, after which he will FINALLY declare his undying love for her.' While writing this, the author must have channeled her inner Kathleeen E Woodiwiss. I loved her books! When I was young and dumb. I should have read this one when I was young and dumb; I might have enjoyed it then. I was so relieved when this was over. I stuck with it, because I ain't no quitter. That, and it was the only thing I had at work to read on my lunch breaks.
You know what the worst part about this book was? Torrance apologized to Mason for the fact that she hurt his feelers when she said she wanted a life partner who could love her. It was like, 'Oh, ha ha, what was I thinking? It was naive of me to have this ideal in mind. I should just love you the way you are, even if you can never return my feelings, thus leaving me to spend my entire fucking life heartbroken and unfulfilled so you can cling to your own ideal of being a tough he-man who don't need no love.' I need some brain bleach after reading this.
I'm giving the book two stars. It gets more than one because the writing itself was good, even though the content was beyond awful. If you like your male leads to be domineering, cold-hearted bullies and your female leads to be simpering little airheads, give it a read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2016
Reviewed at Haunted Bookshelf
I’ve wanted to read the Bloodrunners series for some time now. I actually do take my own suggestion of starting an established series from the very beginning simply because it makes the most sense. Yet I know it’s rather daunting both time wise and financially to go back to the start of a series. Finally I stopped hesitating and bought the first trilogy bundle, and will probably do the same for the next three stories that come after these. This series began in 2008 and at this writing has eight titles – that’s a commitment for a person who has a lot of promised reviews on my schedule. But since I’ve been looking at Bloodrunners for actually years now… it’s time to simply dive in and make the time.
At the beginning of any series (or trilogy) I expect there to be some world building. It was rather easy to fall into this world since the world building was gradual and flowed with the development of the story. There was no great information dump, which I greatly appreciate. Bloodrunners are actually a, let’s call it a career choice for those wolves who are half human. Somewhat outcast by the official pack, these wolves police the full werewolves who have gone rogue and are now hunting humans as their choice of prey. There is only one solution for a rogue… death.
Mason is… oh, let’s just say it, he’s sex on a stick. Handsome, hot and somewhat arrogant. He’s the longest active Bloodrunner at this time, and he does his job well. Right now there are murders of young human women happening in the surrounding area. Attacks that are calculated and most definitely the work of a rogue. When we first meet Mason he and his partner, Jeremy are out on the hunt for this murderer and have stopped at a cafe to refuel.
The very last thing Mason ever expected to find was his mate. Every wolf knows instinctively that smell of their mate, and her scent was flowing over him something fierce. When she finally came into his view, obviously on her way somewhere else he did the only thing his shocked mind could think of to keep her near. He stuck out his foot and tripped her… and so the romance of Mason and Torry begins.
Torry is adorable, feisty, scared and stubborn. A young woman who works in a shop surrounded by the paranormal, but one who refuses to believe. Her nightmares give her enough to be afraid of… she doesn’t need to know about the real thing. Unfortunately, she’s about to get a huge dose of the real thing since Mason’s obvious attraction to this human has been observed by the very rogue he’s hunting – and Torry is now his target, for what better way to destroy Mason than to harm his mate.
I was captivated by Last Wolf Standing, there’s simply no other way to put it. Drawn in, and engaged in this couple’s struggle to deal with each other when neither one was looking for love or a life long partnership. Torry is a dreamer and wants the romance, Mason has seen how love can destroy a person so he’s determined to give everything to his mate that she needs and desires, but not his heart… no, that he cannot do. The action and mystery of this story is gripping, the sexual tension and actions are definitely sizzling and the love is there for Mason and Torry to discover.
I would definitely recommend this story to any Paranormal Romance or Shifter Romance reader. It will draw you into their world, and have you searching for the next novel in the series.
I’ve wanted to read the Bloodrunners series for some time now. I actually do take my own suggestion of starting an established series from the very beginning simply because it makes the most sense. Yet I know it’s rather daunting both time wise and financially to go back to the start of a series. Finally I stopped hesitating and bought the first trilogy bundle, and will probably do the same for the next three stories that come after these. This series began in 2008 and at this writing has eight titles – that’s a commitment for a person who has a lot of promised reviews on my schedule. But since I’ve been looking at Bloodrunners for actually years now… it’s time to simply dive in and make the time.
At the beginning of any series (or trilogy) I expect there to be some world building. It was rather easy to fall into this world since the world building was gradual and flowed with the development of the story. There was no great information dump, which I greatly appreciate. Bloodrunners are actually a, let’s call it a career choice for those wolves who are half human. Somewhat outcast by the official pack, these wolves police the full werewolves who have gone rogue and are now hunting humans as their choice of prey. There is only one solution for a rogue… death.
Mason is… oh, let’s just say it, he’s sex on a stick. Handsome, hot and somewhat arrogant. He’s the longest active Bloodrunner at this time, and he does his job well. Right now there are murders of young human women happening in the surrounding area. Attacks that are calculated and most definitely the work of a rogue. When we first meet Mason he and his partner, Jeremy are out on the hunt for this murderer and have stopped at a cafe to refuel.
The very last thing Mason ever expected to find was his mate. Every wolf knows instinctively that smell of their mate, and her scent was flowing over him something fierce. When she finally came into his view, obviously on her way somewhere else he did the only thing his shocked mind could think of to keep her near. He stuck out his foot and tripped her… and so the romance of Mason and Torry begins.
Torry is adorable, feisty, scared and stubborn. A young woman who works in a shop surrounded by the paranormal, but one who refuses to believe. Her nightmares give her enough to be afraid of… she doesn’t need to know about the real thing. Unfortunately, she’s about to get a huge dose of the real thing since Mason’s obvious attraction to this human has been observed by the very rogue he’s hunting – and Torry is now his target, for what better way to destroy Mason than to harm his mate.
I was captivated by Last Wolf Standing, there’s simply no other way to put it. Drawn in, and engaged in this couple’s struggle to deal with each other when neither one was looking for love or a life long partnership. Torry is a dreamer and wants the romance, Mason has seen how love can destroy a person so he’s determined to give everything to his mate that she needs and desires, but not his heart… no, that he cannot do. The action and mystery of this story is gripping, the sexual tension and actions are definitely sizzling and the love is there for Mason and Torry to discover.
I would definitely recommend this story to any Paranormal Romance or Shifter Romance reader. It will draw you into their world, and have you searching for the next novel in the series.
December 29, 2014
3 stars
Last Wolf Standing is my first try to Rhyannon Bryd and also the first book of Bloodrunners series. I'm in the mood for Harlequin Nocturne, an imprint that start my love for anything paranormal. Yeah, Nocturne is my guilty pleasure, since I know the worldbuilding can be too simple, the story and characters are all the same. But heh, guilty pleasure, right? ;)
This book is a typical Nocturne story with jackass hero that so hot headed I want to smack some sense to his head. Mason Dillinger is your typical alphahole hero, act tall, dark and dangerous, but balk when hear L-word. I rolling my eyes reading his stubborness, but well, all paranormal heroes always have big denial when it comes to discover their mates. Luckily, the heroine, Torrance is likable enough. She's a dreamer, not my kind of heroine, but she's not annoying or what. I think she deserve better than Mason. Like, maybe with Mason bloodrunners comrade, the sexy Irishman Cian Hennessey or the easy going Jeremy Burns. Much better. Sadly she must spend her time with infuriating man like Mason.
The worldbuilding even simple, still intriguing. I'm a little bit disappointed because Ms Byrd not explain the setting more and also with Torrance's nightmare problem. I know that if this one is not Nocturne, she can develop some plot holes. What I like is the dynamic between Bloodrunners, and how the secondary characters more appealing than our hero. Especially Cian. Well, I always have a weakness for Irish and Cian fall into this category. Sexy, a bad boy and having so much roguish charm. I also love a humoris Jeremy, the brooding Brody Carter, and Mason's parent. The only unlikable character in this book maybe just Mason, lol!
For a first book, Last Wolf Standing is a good start. For Nocturne this book also sooo steamy and hawt! Very hawt compared to another Nocturne I'd read (or I just easy to please). I guess if you in the mood for light paranormal that have solid worldbuilding and intriguing characters, consider to try this one. I'm myself want to read the next, Last Wolf Hunting that is Jeremy's book.
Last Wolf Standing is my first try to Rhyannon Bryd and also the first book of Bloodrunners series. I'm in the mood for Harlequin Nocturne, an imprint that start my love for anything paranormal. Yeah, Nocturne is my guilty pleasure, since I know the worldbuilding can be too simple, the story and characters are all the same. But heh, guilty pleasure, right? ;)
This book is a typical Nocturne story with jackass hero that so hot headed I want to smack some sense to his head. Mason Dillinger is your typical alphahole hero, act tall, dark and dangerous, but balk when hear L-word. I rolling my eyes reading his stubborness, but well, all paranormal heroes always have big denial when it comes to discover their mates. Luckily, the heroine, Torrance is likable enough. She's a dreamer, not my kind of heroine, but she's not annoying or what. I think she deserve better than Mason. Like, maybe with Mason bloodrunners comrade, the sexy Irishman Cian Hennessey or the easy going Jeremy Burns. Much better. Sadly she must spend her time with infuriating man like Mason.
The worldbuilding even simple, still intriguing. I'm a little bit disappointed because Ms Byrd not explain the setting more and also with Torrance's nightmare problem. I know that if this one is not Nocturne, she can develop some plot holes. What I like is the dynamic between Bloodrunners, and how the secondary characters more appealing than our hero. Especially Cian. Well, I always have a weakness for Irish and Cian fall into this category. Sexy, a bad boy and having so much roguish charm. I also love a humoris Jeremy, the brooding Brody Carter, and Mason's parent. The only unlikable character in this book maybe just Mason, lol!
For a first book, Last Wolf Standing is a good start. For Nocturne this book also sooo steamy and hawt! Very hawt compared to another Nocturne I'd read (or I just easy to please). I guess if you in the mood for light paranormal that have solid worldbuilding and intriguing characters, consider to try this one. I'm myself want to read the next, Last Wolf Hunting that is Jeremy's book.
November 26, 2012
I've never really been into werewolves in books.(or outside of books for that matter???)
But then I read a bundle I bought, written by another author and found that I actually do like them. Simply because they are very "YOU ARE MINE AND THAT'S THAT"-ish. If I'd met a man like that real life, it wouldn't matter that he looks like mr.hottie wolf from True Blood, he'd meet Miss.PMS.
But when it comes to books it's a whole different story. I love when they claim their woman and doesn't really give her a choice. I'm still not used to the whole fated-to-be-mated idea, one one hand I like the idea that someone is made for each other. On the other hand I'm thinking that you can easily draw the short straw on that one.
Might contain slight spoiler:
Mason is described as the ultimate hot guy in this book, however I’m more curious to the delicious Brody that we meet as a side character (and he has his own book, #3 in this serie. So I’m going to read #2 in superspeed) It’s the regular paranormal romance dilemma, hot alpha male falling for a woman but doesn’t want to admit to it and instead acts like a 10 year old robbed for his candy. I also have a little problem with the heroine, Torrance. She is very on and off and can’t seem to decide on anything. I also wish the author could’ve explored her fear for wolves a bit more. No one gets cured of a fear that easily!
”Honey”, he rumbled with a low chuckle, “I hate to break your illusions, but there’s nothing I can do in a bed that can’t be done in a car”.
The book for me was 3,5 stars. But I’m letting go to 4 stars simply because the start of this book is great (I can’t believe he actually did that!) and he is very sweet and clumsy with his words.
Brody, you can run but you can’t hide…..
But then I read a bundle I bought, written by another author and found that I actually do like them. Simply because they are very "YOU ARE MINE AND THAT'S THAT"-ish. If I'd met a man like that real life, it wouldn't matter that he looks like mr.hottie wolf from True Blood, he'd meet Miss.PMS.
But when it comes to books it's a whole different story. I love when they claim their woman and doesn't really give her a choice. I'm still not used to the whole fated-to-be-mated idea, one one hand I like the idea that someone is made for each other. On the other hand I'm thinking that you can easily draw the short straw on that one.
Might contain slight spoiler:
Mason is described as the ultimate hot guy in this book, however I’m more curious to the delicious Brody that we meet as a side character (and he has his own book, #3 in this serie. So I’m going to read #2 in superspeed) It’s the regular paranormal romance dilemma, hot alpha male falling for a woman but doesn’t want to admit to it and instead acts like a 10 year old robbed for his candy. I also have a little problem with the heroine, Torrance. She is very on and off and can’t seem to decide on anything. I also wish the author could’ve explored her fear for wolves a bit more. No one gets cured of a fear that easily!
”Honey”, he rumbled with a low chuckle, “I hate to break your illusions, but there’s nothing I can do in a bed that can’t be done in a car”.
The book for me was 3,5 stars. But I’m letting go to 4 stars simply because the start of this book is great (I can’t believe he actually did that!) and he is very sweet and clumsy with his words.
Brody, you can run but you can’t hide…..
March 8, 2019
I spent a lot of time listening to this book and this it was a little “cheesy” but I was having a very stressful time at work so it was actually just what I needed to relax on my commute home. That in itself probably saved it a star along with the fact that the supporting characters seem to be more intriguing than the two main ones.
The universe and setting the author created were very good and I like the mythology around the wolves and how the hierarchy of the pack works. The other bloodrunners were immediately likeable and is the only that kept me going during some points in the book. The two main characters were just okay and I’m good with that but I didn’t really feel like I was invested in their relationship.
My biggest issue was the conflict and bad guy. I thought he was a little lame and was really getting worn out waiting for it to all be over. I just didn’t see why Mason didn’t end it sooner. I also had an issue with the blood bond – it gave the story a twinge of ickiness. The two characters are chosen life mates and the whole love thing seems to be just a side note so it was hard to decide if Torrance and Mason were actually in love or just bonded.
I will be continuing the series as I am interested in seeing how the other bloodrunner’s stories go. The author did create a unique, diverse of characters among the bloodrunners.
The universe and setting the author created were very good and I like the mythology around the wolves and how the hierarchy of the pack works. The other bloodrunners were immediately likeable and is the only that kept me going during some points in the book. The two main characters were just okay and I’m good with that but I didn’t really feel like I was invested in their relationship.
My biggest issue was the conflict and bad guy. I thought he was a little lame and was really getting worn out waiting for it to all be over. I just didn’t see why Mason didn’t end it sooner. I also had an issue with the blood bond – it gave the story a twinge of ickiness. The two characters are chosen life mates and the whole love thing seems to be just a side note so it was hard to decide if Torrance and Mason were actually in love or just bonded.
I will be continuing the series as I am interested in seeing how the other bloodrunner’s stories go. The author did create a unique, diverse of characters among the bloodrunners.
May 26, 2011
Really 3.5 Stars.
First in the trilogy of Bloodrunners, Mason Dillinger is the head Bloodrunner for the Silvercrest Pack.
In the middle of a bloodrun, tracking & killing rogue werewolves, he and his partner Jeremy stop off in a coffee shop for something to eat. Mase is totally blindsided by a delicious scent, it's her, she's here, who is she? Mase narrows it down to Torrance Watson, redheaded human. She seems less than impressed however, and Mase must resort to tripping her to get her attention.
It is a dangerous time to find your mate in the middle of a bloodrun and so it proves when Simmons the object of the run targets Torrance, her apartment, her friends and her place of work.
This bloodrun is throwing up all kinds of political pack stuff not simply a rogue gone bad.
I really enjoyed the story, and Mason's growth over the course of the book, however, Torrance didn't seem quite as real to me. I never got a feeling of WOW! She was terrified of wolves at the beginning of the book, without even knowing that werewolves were real and then in the course of 3 days she is asking to be bitten, without sufficient reason IMO.
I'll still be reading the next one though.
First in the trilogy of Bloodrunners, Mason Dillinger is the head Bloodrunner for the Silvercrest Pack.
In the middle of a bloodrun, tracking & killing rogue werewolves, he and his partner Jeremy stop off in a coffee shop for something to eat. Mase is totally blindsided by a delicious scent, it's her, she's here, who is she? Mase narrows it down to Torrance Watson, redheaded human. She seems less than impressed however, and Mase must resort to tripping her to get her attention.
It is a dangerous time to find your mate in the middle of a bloodrun and so it proves when Simmons the object of the run targets Torrance, her apartment, her friends and her place of work.
This bloodrun is throwing up all kinds of political pack stuff not simply a rogue gone bad.
I really enjoyed the story, and Mason's growth over the course of the book, however, Torrance didn't seem quite as real to me. I never got a feeling of WOW! She was terrified of wolves at the beginning of the book, without even knowing that werewolves were real and then in the course of 3 days she is asking to be bitten, without sufficient reason IMO.
I'll still be reading the next one though.
September 2, 2013
I picked up this 3-book bundle because I had already picked up book 4 as a freebie from Amazon. Who can start a series four books in? Anywhoo...I liked it, but it was lacking that passionate all consuming mating/bonding feeling I love in PNR. The beginning really reeled me in because it was funny and the bond instantaneous, but it slowed down almost immediately. The banter between the characters never really regained its momentum and the mating bond between the main characters was rather anticlimactic. I read another review where the reviewer read book 4 first and really enjoyed that one, then read books 1-3. She wrote that had she read in order she probably would have never made it to the fourth book, and I have to agree. This is pretty tame as far as PNR goes and had I not bought the bundle (and got book 4 as a freebie) I most likely would not be reading the subsequent books in this series. I will pick the series back up later, but for now I'm in no rush to get to the next stories. The characters and world that have been created are just not that awe inspiring. Good start, eventual let down.
January 26, 2013
Mason and his Bloodrunner partner walk into a crowed coffee shop to get a bite to eat before continuing their hunt of a rogue werewolf. All of a sudden he smells her, his true mate. Once he finds her in the crowd coffee cafe he is so determine not to let her leave that he trips her.
While Mason is hot and yummy, Torrance has had nothing but trouble since meeting him. Not only does he trip her and makes her spill her soup all over herself but he has accidently led a dangerous rogue werewolf to her. Mason is trying to protect her from the rogue while protecting his heart from loving Tory.
A great start to an intriguing and yet humorous paranormal romance series! I quite enjoyed the story and found it to be not to short or too long. Looking forward to reading more about the Bloodrunners.
While Mason is hot and yummy, Torrance has had nothing but trouble since meeting him. Not only does he trip her and makes her spill her soup all over herself but he has accidently led a dangerous rogue werewolf to her. Mason is trying to protect her from the rogue while protecting his heart from loving Tory.
A great start to an intriguing and yet humorous paranormal romance series! I quite enjoyed the story and found it to be not to short or too long. Looking forward to reading more about the Bloodrunners.
January 8, 2013
The story is the same story as any other warewolf/vampire novels. He finds his mate, and needs to have her. Good thing it's a safe story to take on, because it's still good! Mason and Torrance were pretty great characters.I loved that Torrance wasn't afraid to tell him what she wanted out of life with him. The writing wasn't as gripping as I would have liked, and their internal dialogues with themselves ran a bit long and dry. When he finally decided to bond with her, I would have loved to see a bigger production of it! It was such a big deal to Mason, yet when it happened, it fell short. Absolutely loved Jeremy and looking forward to his story.
June 3, 2011
2.5
I had to skip several parts because it got so sappy and repetitive, but good enough to keep going. I think the next one will be better. The plot is thickening and the male lead has already been introduced and their story sounds better.
I had to skip several parts because it got so sappy and repetitive, but good enough to keep going. I think the next one will be better. The plot is thickening and the male lead has already been introduced and their story sounds better.
November 15, 2017
Yet another book I found organizing my book shelf. This book was so amazing!!
January 22, 2025
บลัดรันเนอร์เป็นเรื่องราวของนักล่าหมาป่านอกรีตที่ทำผิดกฎของเผ่าพันธุ์ บรรดาบลัดรันเนอร์ หรือนักล่ามีที่มาจากบรรดาลูกครึ่งของหมาป่าพันธุ์แท้กับมนุษย์ กลุ่มลูกครึ่งนี้จะไม่ได้รับการยอมรับให้มีศักดิ์และสิทธิเทียบเท่าสมาชิก ที่มีสายเลือดบริสุทธิ์จนกว่าจะล่าพวกนอกรีตครบจำนวนที่ตั้งเป้าไว้เสียก่อน เมื่อนั้นพวกนี้จึงจะกลายเป็นสมาชิกของฝูงอย่างเต็มตัว
ข่าวว่าเรื่องชุดนี้จะมีอย่างน้อยหกเล่ม สามเล่มออกปีนี้ติดกันสามเดือนตั้งแต่เดือนมีนาจนถึงพฤษภา แม็กซ์อ่านไปแล้วและจะรีวิวให้ฟังกันก่อนสองเล่มค่ะ
เริ่มต้นด้วย Last Wolf Standing หนังสือที่แม็กซ์คงบอกได้แค่ว่า ไม่เห็นจะมีอะไรใหม่หรือแตกต่างเป็นจุดเด่นมากไปกว่าแค่เป็นหนังสือแนว พารานอมอลโรแมนซ์อีกเล่ม
เมสัน ดิลลิงเจอร์ได้พบกับ "คู่แท้" ของเขาในเวลาที่ไม่เหมาะสมอย่างที่สุด นั่นเพราะเขากำลังอยู่ระหว่างการล่าศัตรูตัวร้าย หมาป่าแหกกฎที่ชื่อซิมมอนด์ แต่เขาก็ไม่อาจปฏิเสธทอร์เรนซ์ได้ ทั้งที่รู้ว่าซิมมอนด์จะต้องใช้เธอเนเครื่องมือในการตอบโต้เขา แต่เขาต้องการเธอราวกับเป็นออกซิเจน ไม่อาจขาดเธอได้
ปัญหาแรกของเรื่องนี้ก็คือ ชื่อของนางเอก ที่อ่านไปทำให้แม็กซ์เกิดความรู้สึกเหมือนกำลังอ่านเรื่องแนว MM อยู่พิกล ทอร์เรนซ์ยังไงยังไงก็ไม่ใช่ชื่อของผู้หญิง แม็กซ์ยอมรับและทำให้ไม่ได้ อ่านไปอารมณ์สะดุดตลอด
อีกเรื่องคือความที่ไม่มีอะไรใหม่เลยในพล็อตเรื่อง เมสันเจอทอรี่ (ขอเรียกอย่างนี้นะ ทำใจกะทอร์เรนซ์ไม่ได้จริงจริง) เขารับรู้ในทันทีว่าเธอเป็นคู่ของเขา ซิมมอนด์กลายจากผู้ถูกล่ามาเป็นนักล่าด้วยการตามล่าทอรี่ เมสันจำเป็นต้องปกป้องเธอ ในขณะเดียวกันก็พยายามทำให้เธอยอมรับเขาเป็นคู่ แต่ปากก็บอกเธอตลอดเวลาว่า เขาไม่อาจรักเธอได้ เพราะอดีตที่พี่ชายของเขาเองเคยประสบมา
ไม่ใช่ว่าไม่สนุกนะคะ อาจเป็นเพราะแม็กซ์อ่านเรื่องแนวนี้มามากเกินไป สำหรับคนที่ไม่คุ้นเคยกับแนวพารานอมอลเท่าไหร น่าจะชอบเล่มนี้นะคะ เพราะการเขียนถือว่าสมูธและลงตัวใช้ได้
คะแนนที่ 57
ข่าวว่าเรื่องชุดนี้จะมีอย่างน้อยหกเล่ม สามเล่มออกปีนี้ติดกันสามเดือนตั้งแต่เดือนมีนาจนถึงพฤษภา แม็กซ์อ่านไปแล้วและจะรีวิวให้ฟังกันก่อนสองเล่มค่ะ
เริ่มต้นด้วย Last Wolf Standing หนังสือที่แม็กซ์คงบอกได้แค่ว่า ไม่เห็นจะมีอะไรใหม่หรือแตกต่างเป็นจุดเด่นมากไปกว่าแค่เป็นหนังสือแนว พารานอมอลโรแมนซ์อีกเล่ม
เมสัน ดิลลิงเจอร์ได้พบกับ "คู่แท้" ของเขาในเวลาที่ไม่เหมาะสมอย่างที่สุด นั่นเพราะเขากำลังอยู่ระหว่างการล่าศัตรูตัวร้าย หมาป่าแหกกฎที่ชื่อซิมมอนด์ แต่เขาก็ไม่อาจปฏิเสธทอร์เรนซ์ได้ ทั้งที่รู้ว่าซิมมอนด์จะต้องใช้เธอเนเครื่องมือในการตอบโต้เขา แต่เขาต้องการเธอราวกับเป็นออกซิเจน ไม่อาจขาดเธอได้
ปัญหาแรกของเรื่องนี้ก็คือ ชื่อของนางเอก ที่อ่านไปทำให้แม็กซ์เกิดความรู้สึกเหมือนกำลังอ่านเรื่องแนว MM อยู่พิกล ทอร์เรนซ์ยังไงยังไงก็ไม่ใช่ชื่อของผู้หญิง แม็กซ์ยอมรับและทำให้ไม่ได้ อ่านไปอารมณ์สะดุดตลอด
อีกเรื่องคือความที่ไม่มีอะไรใหม่เลยในพล็อตเรื่อง เมสันเจอทอรี่ (ขอเรียกอย่างนี้นะ ทำใจกะทอร์เรนซ์ไม่ได้จริงจริง) เขารับรู้ในทันทีว่าเธอเป็นคู่ของเขา ซิมมอนด์กลายจากผู้ถูกล่ามาเป็นนักล่าด้วยการตามล่าทอรี่ เมสันจำเป็นต้องปกป้องเธอ ในขณะเดียวกันก็พยายามทำให้เธอยอมรับเขาเป็นคู่ แต่ปากก็บอกเธอตลอดเวลาว่า เขาไม่อาจรักเธอได้ เพราะอดีตที่พี่ชายของเขาเองเคยประสบมา
ไม่ใช่ว่าไม่สนุกนะคะ อาจเป็นเพราะแม็กซ์อ่านเรื่องแนวนี้มามากเกินไป สำหรับคนที่ไม่คุ้นเคยกับแนวพารานอมอลเท่าไหร น่าจะชอบเล่มนี้นะคะ เพราะการเขียนถือว่าสมูธและลงตัวใช้ได้
คะแนนที่ 57
April 10, 2023
I genuinely can’t make up my mind about this book… half the time I thought it was so cringey I could barely keep reading, and the other half I was totally getting into the whole dark and moody thing the book had going. Honestly, Torrence wasn’t my favorite… she was a little too damsel-in-distress, head-in-the-clouds type without anything to spice her up. I thought Mason was better, but still far from the most well-developed character I’ve read.
The plot was… there, definitely, although I got the impression that the author had the first quarter of the book all planned out and then… things kinda fizzled. The exposition at the beginning was great, but then things kind of go nowhere as far as the plot was concerned; for example, Torrence’s best friend (who owns some sort of antique/spiritual store) and her brother seem like they’re going to be interesting, potentially prominent characters when we meet them in the beginning, but then we literally never hear from them again. Also, some parts were a bit over-written… I mean, you have to cap the adjective use at some point. Just saying.
All that being said, I somehow didn’t hate reading it? I think it’s short enough that the lack of plot in the second half of the book doesn’t really give you a chance to get bored, and the… not quite slow, but “medium burn” romance worked out okay. So, a decently satisfying werewolf romance.
The plot was… there, definitely, although I got the impression that the author had the first quarter of the book all planned out and then… things kinda fizzled. The exposition at the beginning was great, but then things kind of go nowhere as far as the plot was concerned; for example, Torrence’s best friend (who owns some sort of antique/spiritual store) and her brother seem like they’re going to be interesting, potentially prominent characters when we meet them in the beginning, but then we literally never hear from them again. Also, some parts were a bit over-written… I mean, you have to cap the adjective use at some point. Just saying.
All that being said, I somehow didn’t hate reading it? I think it’s short enough that the lack of plot in the second half of the book doesn’t really give you a chance to get bored, and the… not quite slow, but “medium burn” romance worked out okay. So, a decently satisfying werewolf romance.
July 23, 2013
Setting: Coffee and Croissant; Michaela’s Muse; homes on Bloodrunner Alley (secluded, slightly slopeing glade, surrounded by wild, natural beauty of the forest; ritualistic murder scenes – warehouse, alley, forest;
Theme: justice; life mate; love; fighting evil; conspiracy;
Characters:
Silvercrest Lycans: pack; lifemates; but if lifemate is human, than offspring looked down on; halfbloods can become Bloodrunners, and after a set number of kills, can petition full membership into pack; rogue wolves – who have given into baser nature, killing and eating humans; Bloodrunners entrusted to track and destroy rogue wolves; bonding involves male biting/taking blood from female – binding them… he can then forevermore locate her,
Mason Dillinger: Bloodrunner: head Bloodrunner of Silvercrest; has enough kills to petition for membership, but is not interested – if they didn’t want him from day one, he doesn’t want them now; grew up with mated parents (one were, one human) who loved each other deeply; had older brother who mated, but when mate died, he feared becoming rogue so committed suicide; thus Mason determines he will never give his heart – he does not want to be that vulnerable – until her smells Torry;
Jeremy Burns: Bloodrunner; Mason’s partner; easier going; seems to be mated to the Spirit Walker, but he avoids her – he isn’t good enough as half breed?, she has put him down?; Mason teases him a few times about not following his fate; he explains things to Torry; in end, he is chosen to petition joining pack so as to spy on the council – next book?
Torrance ‘Torry’ ‘Tor’ Kimberly Watson: librarianish; needs glasses to see; analytical, compassionate, insightful; did not know father; mother flitted from one man to another, looking for ‘the one’; Torry determined men unreliable, and she would not be like her mother; yet a big romantic at heart, reading romances; growing up, her mother fascinated by paranormal, and took her to all vampire/were scary movies – and some of her mother’s men would purposefully scare her for her reaction – she has had nightmares forever; partners with Mic and Max in a paranormal bookstore – in part to overcome her fear of paranormal;
Michaela ‘Mic’ and Max: good friends to Torry – Max in college; Mic handles the books/ordering, Torry handles the register and accounting; Max is mainly for muscle in moving things around;
Jillian: Pack’s Spirit Walker, holy woman/healer; don’t meet her, but hear about her
Robert and Olivia Dillinger: come to meet Torry; happily married; disappointed that Mason has not embraced his beloved, and bonded with her; dad once on pack council, but gave it up when found his human mate; feels blessed, and does not rail against pack rules;
Simmons: rogue wolf; family high in pack hierarchy; ritualistically killing human women; taunting Mason – especially when determines that he has found his mate; recruiting other rogue wolves – wanting wolves to take their ‘natural, superior’ place in the world; but in part does so by exploiting wolves – we meet one young were (19 years old), fascinated by human, warned that he may be too wild for her, wants to learn self control, directed to Simmons, after a few meetings Simmons gives him too much to drink, takes him to a warehouse, gives him a human to ‘practice’ on – he kills the human (or does he? He doesn’t remember it, only wakes up with her dead and blood all over) – and Simmons tells him his choices are gone, he must join them or die;
Summary:
Mid hunt for Simmons, in a crowded café, Mason smells his lifemate. He can’t believe it – he never intended to have a lifemate. And when he finally identifies her, and she is passing him, he sticks out his foot and trips her… there is an immediate sizzle for both of them… until his partner points out to one and all that he tripped her on purpose (not understanding that this is his lifemate)… and thus begins their courtship.
He tries to convince her that she is potentially in danger – but his awkward explanations, her innate fear of the paranormal, her strong physical reaction to him all convince her to keep her distance… and even after Simmons is lying in wait for her, she runs away from him (he of course follows, and guards her from outside)… he finally convinces her to come with him when her friends seem to be at risk (the store is broken into).
And he is totally comfortable with his body’s desire to have her… but intends to keep his heart separate… he promises (and genuinely so) to take care of her, to be faithful to her, to have great sex with her – but he wants to keep his heart out of it – and she even understands (after Jeremy tells her of his brother), but she doesn’t want to settle for less than love. He blames her reluctance on her not accepting the beast side of him – in spite of her reassurance that she is over that. They sleep in same bed – he brings her to orgasm… she finally decides to live in the moment, and trust tomorrow will take care of itself – she loves him…
But then Simmons takes her and his mother … and Mason is in a panic, finally realizing she is his heart – and dad shows up, and because he bonded he knows where they are…
And knowing dad will require it, he extends an official Challenge (so dad wouldn’t) to Simmons… he refuses to bond with Torry (who offers, wanting his safety, wanting him to have the additional strength), but he wants it to be done right – not in reaction to Simmons so refuses… they fight… he is down… he sees Torry across the room, and is imbued with the determination and strength to protect her and defeat the enemy… and does so… when Simmons realizes he is going to die, he warns him that his role is nothing – that worse is coming.
Memorable scenes:
“The guy can’t keep his eyes or his mind off you. You’re just going to have to trust him and give the big dolt some time to sort it all out in his head.” (Jeremy to Torry about Mason)
“So the Challenge is raised. May justice be done when victory falls to the last wolf standing.”
“Don’t you know I think you’re beautiful, no matter what skin you wear?” (Torry to Mason)
Theme: justice; life mate; love; fighting evil; conspiracy;
Characters:
Silvercrest Lycans: pack; lifemates; but if lifemate is human, than offspring looked down on; halfbloods can become Bloodrunners, and after a set number of kills, can petition full membership into pack; rogue wolves – who have given into baser nature, killing and eating humans; Bloodrunners entrusted to track and destroy rogue wolves; bonding involves male biting/taking blood from female – binding them… he can then forevermore locate her,
Mason Dillinger: Bloodrunner: head Bloodrunner of Silvercrest; has enough kills to petition for membership, but is not interested – if they didn’t want him from day one, he doesn’t want them now; grew up with mated parents (one were, one human) who loved each other deeply; had older brother who mated, but when mate died, he feared becoming rogue so committed suicide; thus Mason determines he will never give his heart – he does not want to be that vulnerable – until her smells Torry;
Jeremy Burns: Bloodrunner; Mason’s partner; easier going; seems to be mated to the Spirit Walker, but he avoids her – he isn’t good enough as half breed?, she has put him down?; Mason teases him a few times about not following his fate; he explains things to Torry; in end, he is chosen to petition joining pack so as to spy on the council – next book?
Torrance ‘Torry’ ‘Tor’ Kimberly Watson: librarianish; needs glasses to see; analytical, compassionate, insightful; did not know father; mother flitted from one man to another, looking for ‘the one’; Torry determined men unreliable, and she would not be like her mother; yet a big romantic at heart, reading romances; growing up, her mother fascinated by paranormal, and took her to all vampire/were scary movies – and some of her mother’s men would purposefully scare her for her reaction – she has had nightmares forever; partners with Mic and Max in a paranormal bookstore – in part to overcome her fear of paranormal;
Michaela ‘Mic’ and Max: good friends to Torry – Max in college; Mic handles the books/ordering, Torry handles the register and accounting; Max is mainly for muscle in moving things around;
Jillian: Pack’s Spirit Walker, holy woman/healer; don’t meet her, but hear about her
Robert and Olivia Dillinger: come to meet Torry; happily married; disappointed that Mason has not embraced his beloved, and bonded with her; dad once on pack council, but gave it up when found his human mate; feels blessed, and does not rail against pack rules;
Simmons: rogue wolf; family high in pack hierarchy; ritualistically killing human women; taunting Mason – especially when determines that he has found his mate; recruiting other rogue wolves – wanting wolves to take their ‘natural, superior’ place in the world; but in part does so by exploiting wolves – we meet one young were (19 years old), fascinated by human, warned that he may be too wild for her, wants to learn self control, directed to Simmons, after a few meetings Simmons gives him too much to drink, takes him to a warehouse, gives him a human to ‘practice’ on – he kills the human (or does he? He doesn’t remember it, only wakes up with her dead and blood all over) – and Simmons tells him his choices are gone, he must join them or die;
Summary:
Mid hunt for Simmons, in a crowded café, Mason smells his lifemate. He can’t believe it – he never intended to have a lifemate. And when he finally identifies her, and she is passing him, he sticks out his foot and trips her… there is an immediate sizzle for both of them… until his partner points out to one and all that he tripped her on purpose (not understanding that this is his lifemate)… and thus begins their courtship.
He tries to convince her that she is potentially in danger – but his awkward explanations, her innate fear of the paranormal, her strong physical reaction to him all convince her to keep her distance… and even after Simmons is lying in wait for her, she runs away from him (he of course follows, and guards her from outside)… he finally convinces her to come with him when her friends seem to be at risk (the store is broken into).
And he is totally comfortable with his body’s desire to have her… but intends to keep his heart separate… he promises (and genuinely so) to take care of her, to be faithful to her, to have great sex with her – but he wants to keep his heart out of it – and she even understands (after Jeremy tells her of his brother), but she doesn’t want to settle for less than love. He blames her reluctance on her not accepting the beast side of him – in spite of her reassurance that she is over that. They sleep in same bed – he brings her to orgasm… she finally decides to live in the moment, and trust tomorrow will take care of itself – she loves him…
But then Simmons takes her and his mother … and Mason is in a panic, finally realizing she is his heart – and dad shows up, and because he bonded he knows where they are…
And knowing dad will require it, he extends an official Challenge (so dad wouldn’t) to Simmons… he refuses to bond with Torry (who offers, wanting his safety, wanting him to have the additional strength), but he wants it to be done right – not in reaction to Simmons so refuses… they fight… he is down… he sees Torry across the room, and is imbued with the determination and strength to protect her and defeat the enemy… and does so… when Simmons realizes he is going to die, he warns him that his role is nothing – that worse is coming.
Memorable scenes:
“The guy can’t keep his eyes or his mind off you. You’re just going to have to trust him and give the big dolt some time to sort it all out in his head.” (Jeremy to Torry about Mason)
“So the Challenge is raised. May justice be done when victory falls to the last wolf standing.”
“Don’t you know I think you’re beautiful, no matter what skin you wear?” (Torry to Mason)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2019
okay, so this is my first try for RB's Bloodrunners' stories.
the first three chapters were great; Mason was this likeable hunk of a badass werewolf and Torrance, with her nerdy streak (in a good way!), was a witty heroine. then, just like that, after they got in the same car because he insisted to bring her to his place, BAM! the plot and the writing went downhill. It was too plain and too confusing for me, because sometimes I felt like the author lost her grip on the hero and heroine--they became different people than the two we met at the start! I never skipped, though, and I must say the ending was... sigh-worthy. the villain was not that frightening either. honestly, the only thing that kept me going was Mason's fellow Bloodrunners (Cian, particularly) and Elliot. my rating? almost 3 stars, but RB used too many adjectives it was not funny, so 2
the first three chapters were great; Mason was this likeable hunk of a badass werewolf and Torrance, with her nerdy streak (in a good way!), was a witty heroine. then, just like that, after they got in the same car because he insisted to bring her to his place, BAM! the plot and the writing went downhill. It was too plain and too confusing for me, because sometimes I felt like the author lost her grip on the hero and heroine--they became different people than the two we met at the start! I never skipped, though, and I must say the ending was... sigh-worthy. the villain was not that frightening either. honestly, the only thing that kept me going was Mason's fellow Bloodrunners (Cian, particularly) and Elliot. my rating? almost 3 stars, but RB used too many adjectives it was not funny, so 2
August 14, 2020
I tried to like this book. It has been on my to read list for a long time. I finally got a chance to sit down and read it last night. Unfortunately, I did not like this book at all. It did not hold my attention. The storyline was boring. The romance was mediocre. The character development was non existent. Explicit sex scenes do not make a good romance novel and the sex scenes here can't even compare to Sylvia Day's writing. I'm used to reading Kresley Cole and Nalini Singh paranormal romance novels. I just finished reading D.B. Reynolds Vampires in America series. Those authors have set the bar pretty high. I had to basically convince myself to get through this book. The quality of writing in this novel is much lower than what I'm used to reading, so I will not be reading the rest of this series or quite frankly anything else from this author.
January 14, 2024
Du début à la fin du livre, j’ai été emportée dans l’histoire, j’ai eu beaucoup de mal à lâcher la lecture pour dormir.
On y rencontre Torrance jeune femme qui vit tranquille et qui ne veut plus d’homme dans sa vie jusqu’à ce qu’elle trouve enfin le bon !
Et puis mason ( mi homme mi loup garous) qui en entrant dans le fast food ou se trouve Torrance, se met à sentir l’odeur de son âme sœur et d’un coup il ne pense plus qu’a l’a trouvé.
S’ensuit une première rencontre compliquée, puis tout s’enchaîne.
Torrance se retrouve mêlée à une lutte entre loup-garous bon et méchant et elle apprend à découvrir Mason et ses amis. Ainsi que leurs ennemis.
Le premier tome pose les bases de l’intrigue, hâte de lire le tome 2 pour savoir ce qui se passe. Et pourquoi des loups garou deviennent hostiles envers les humains.
On y rencontre Torrance jeune femme qui vit tranquille et qui ne veut plus d’homme dans sa vie jusqu’à ce qu’elle trouve enfin le bon !
Et puis mason ( mi homme mi loup garous) qui en entrant dans le fast food ou se trouve Torrance, se met à sentir l’odeur de son âme sœur et d’un coup il ne pense plus qu’a l’a trouvé.
S’ensuit une première rencontre compliquée, puis tout s’enchaîne.
Torrance se retrouve mêlée à une lutte entre loup-garous bon et méchant et elle apprend à découvrir Mason et ses amis. Ainsi que leurs ennemis.
Le premier tome pose les bases de l’intrigue, hâte de lire le tome 2 pour savoir ce qui se passe. Et pourquoi des loups garou deviennent hostiles envers les humains.
December 5, 2023
✨ Bloodrunners ✨
📖 Rating: 4/5
🌶️ Rating: 3.75/5
Tropes:
- Instalove
- Shifter/Werewolf Romance
- Possessive Alpha Male
- 'Touch her and die'
My thoughts:
It's been 3 years since I last read this book and I still love it! Though the emotional turmoil of the characters doesn't quite make sense (flitting between staying and leaving), I can't get over the chemistry and the possessiveness of the MMC. He is super hot and a complete slave to the mate bond despite trying to fight it. And the FMC is the relatable kind, completely in awe of this crazy but hot guy and the absurd world he lives in.
I would recommend every day of the week!
📖 Rating: 4/5
🌶️ Rating: 3.75/5
Tropes:
- Instalove
- Shifter/Werewolf Romance
- Possessive Alpha Male
- 'Touch her and die'
My thoughts:
It's been 3 years since I last read this book and I still love it! Though the emotional turmoil of the characters doesn't quite make sense (flitting between staying and leaving), I can't get over the chemistry and the possessiveness of the MMC. He is super hot and a complete slave to the mate bond despite trying to fight it. And the FMC is the relatable kind, completely in awe of this crazy but hot guy and the absurd world he lives in.
I would recommend every day of the week!
June 15, 2018
*2.75
Any sappy romance reads are usually my guilty pleasures 😅 I can't help it.
I liked the overall story, the characters were all pretty likeable and the villains pretty hate-able, nice political wolf pack intrigue happening... but something about the writing, I just didn't enjoy so much.
There's a lot of run-on paragraphs about the whole mating bond thing, how the two main characters feelings towards one another is like, yada yada. It got repetitive. I ended up sometimes just skipping over parts until it got to the action scenes and the... "action" scenes.
Any sappy romance reads are usually my guilty pleasures 😅 I can't help it.
I liked the overall story, the characters were all pretty likeable and the villains pretty hate-able, nice political wolf pack intrigue happening... but something about the writing, I just didn't enjoy so much.
There's a lot of run-on paragraphs about the whole mating bond thing, how the two main characters feelings towards one another is like, yada yada. It got repetitive. I ended up sometimes just skipping over parts until it got to the action scenes and the... "action" scenes.
August 24, 2020
The story is pretty interesting. There’s some good start world building here. Unfortunately the whole book was just flat.. I can’t pinpoint exactly why, I think it was maybe the characters. There was just nothing about them to grab your attention. The best part of the book is the first three chapters.
I see all the next books in the series have much higher ratings. Maybe I will give them a try.
I see all the next books in the series have much higher ratings. Maybe I will give them a try.
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