Alexi

Tangled Tentacles #1

by J.P. Sayle, Lisa Oliver

The Fates are tricky and land Danik with a mate right when he least expects it. Can Alexi’s persuasive tentacles woo the jaded detective?

Detective Danik Kaloshnik, the only detective in Crampton, has no time for anything other than working hard to solve the growing list of missing paranormals. When his captain brings in a consultant to help, Danik does his best to avoid him. Only the universe has other ideas.

Now Danik has to deal with a very sexy fated mate, a murder, and a guy proclaiming to be a serial killer. What could possibly go wrong?

Alexi Thalassa has been treading the seas for centuries, dreaming of finding his fated one. When the Crampton Police Department reaches out seeking his firm’s help, Alexi’s kraken is all for it. One look at Detective Danik Kaloshnik, and Alexi is ready to give Danik his sea treasures. Then regulations Alexi’s firm have in place interfere and upset his mate, putting him in direct danger.

The race is on to figure out how all the pieces fit together so Alexi can help find the missing paranormals and keep his mate out of harm’s way.

Alexi #1 is a paranormal gay romance, with a large, grumpy bear frightened of water and a kraken who learns he’s not the only one who wants to be in charge. This is the first book in the Tangled Tentacles Series. Each book in this series will deal with a new couple, therefore while the HEA is guaranteed. The Epilogue for each book will lead into the next title.

Genres: M M Romance, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Omegaverse, M M Paranormal

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2022

About the author

Where does one start with about what I do?
I’m a writer, but I’m sure you guessed that by now if you’re reading this, hey? What you might not know is I’m a little quirky, live in my pj’s most of the time and have cake Saturdays with my sisters every week. I dedicate a little of my time to taking care of my grandbabies and on the dedicated writing days I like to write an eclectic mix of romance, suspense and paranormal fantasy. In the main I’ve written gay romance but I’m branching out under another the pen name in the future, so watch this space.
I’ve a passion for books like you would not believe and it led me down this path and now I’ve over 29 books released and heading towards releasing a whole lot more. The way my head is I never know where I’ll be headed next. I hope you’ll find a little joy in my words and follow me to see where the journey takes me and you.
If you’re interested at some point in 2021 I’ll be writing under the name JP Paton which will be F/M crime and Fantasy two of my favourite things. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled 


French
Par où commencer par ce que je fais?
Je suis écrivain, mais je suis sûr que vous l’avez deviné maintenant si vous lisez ceci, hein? Ce que vous ne savez peut-être pas, c'est que je suis un peu excentrique, que je vis dans mon pyjama la plupart du temps et que je prends un gâteau le samedi avec mes sœurs chaque semaine. Je consacre un peu de mon temps à m'occuper de mes petits-enfants et lors des journées consacrées à l'écriture, j'aime écrire un mélange éclectique de romance, de suspense et de fantaisie paranormale. Dans l’ensemble, j’ai écrit une romance gay, mais je vais dans le futur sous un autre nom de plume, alors surveillez cet espace.
J'ai une passion pour les livres comme vous ne le croiriez pas et cela m'a conduit dans cette voie et maintenant j'ai plus de 29 livres publiés et je me dirige vers la sortie de beaucoup plus. La façon dont ma tête est, je ne sais jamais où je vais me diriger ensuite. J'espère que vous trouverez un peu de joie dans mes paroles et que vous me suivrez pour voir où le voyage vous mène, moi et vous.
Si vous êtes intéressé à un moment donné en 2021, je vais écrire sous le nom de JP Paton qui sera le crime F / M et Fantasy deux de mes choses préférées. Assurez-vous de garder les yeux ouverts 


Spanish
¿Por dónde empezar con lo que hago?
Soy escritor, pero estoy seguro de que ya lo habrá adivinado si está leyendo esto, ¿eh? Lo que quizás no sepas es que soy un poco estrafalario, vivo en mi pijama la mayor parte del tiempo y tengo pastel los sábados con mis hermanas todas las semanas. Dedico un poco de mi tiempo a cuidar de mis nietos y en los días dedicados a la escritura, me gusta escribir una mezcla ecléctica de romance, suspenso y fantasía paranormal. En general, escribí romance gay, pero en el futuro me voy a diversificar con otro seudónimo, así que mira este espacio.
Tengo una pasión por los libros que no creerías y eso me llevó por este camino y ahora tengo más de 29 libros publicados y me dirijo a lanzar muchos más. Por la forma en que está mi cabeza, nunca sé a dónde me dirigiré a continuación. Espero que encuentres un poco de alegría en mis palabras y me sigas para ver adónde nos lleva el viaje a ti y a mí.
Si está interesado en algún momento en 2021, escribiré bajo el nombre de JP Paton, que será F / M Crime y Fantasy, dos de mis cosas favoritas. Asegúrate de mantener los ojos bien abiertos 

Reviews

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 2 out of 5]

MM Romance
Detective Fated Mates
2 Stars

DNF @ 82%

I’ve been eyeing this series for years but it’s never been on KU until now but ugh I found this so cheesy that I just cannot keep reading it. I checked out around 30% and have been skimming ever since but because I don’t find this completely awful I don’t think it deserves one star.

My main issue is how instalove this story is. Yes, they are fated mates and usually I can get over the insta everything reading those kinds of books but this was even insta for instalove and corny on top of it 🙄 So, alpha bear shifter Danik is a detective working on a string of missing person’s cases that appear to be linked together and his boss calls in a special team kind of like the FBI but the supernatural kind to help solve it. Alexi and his brothers own this agency and are all kraken shifters. Alexi is also an alpha and his kraken told him he needed to take this case and once he arrives he realizes it’s because Danik is his fated mate.

Kraken shifters are rare in this world and treasure their mates which would have been cute had it not been so sudden and overwhelming. Hell, it even overwhelmed Danik to go from a single grumpy bear addicted to work and whiskey to mates overnight but Danik’s bear also refused to stay away from its mate once they met. Their animals instinctively knew they belonged to each other and I usually eat this shit up ☹️

The problem for me was how cheesy this became because we have Alexi calling Danik “heart of mine” as a nickname plus giving him a pearl from the bottom of his sea lair that holds the power of the kraken’s love by 25%. The “heart of mine” pet name was used so often and I rolled my eyes each time 🙄 They need to claim each other immediately so the first sex scene was just too lovey-dovey for me with the “You will forever be mine. From this eternity to the next, our souls and animal spirits will be as one” while he’s thrusting into his mate. I will say that I absolutely adored the water cuddles between kraken and bear especially the way it was phrased. Because this is written in third person, “their bear” was used a lot and anytime it was on the page it made me smile. Unfortunately that wasn’t enough to hook me into their love story or the actual storyline of this book. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I actually kept reading in large part because I was super interested in Alexi’s brother Victor. Victor scents his fated mate at a crime scene and it makes his kraken lose its shit. His fated mate is a vampire and I seem to be on a vampire kick lately because I keep picking up vamp books not realizing it until I’m smitten with the characters. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I was going to read book 2 despite not liking this one but then learned it had mpreg 😭😭😭 I’ve read egg-preg before and not minded it but it’s just not my cup of tea to have pregnancy in any of my books. I also hated it when I used to read MF romance 🤷🏻‍♀️ So it looks like I will be leaving this series alone. Now if only Amazon would stop recommending me every Lisa Henry shifter story ever on my kindle screen that would be great thanks 😂

Also, as much as I love tentacles reading about them coming out of Alexi’s chin was just a bit off-putting. 😬

[Rachel Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a few chapters to really get into this story - lots of characters introduced early on, and a lot going on between the couple trying to form a relationship and the drama with the missing persons case. But once I got into the groove of this story, I found myself really enjoying it.

I think that even though this is dealing with shifters and fated mates, the world building still felt very...ambiguous? Something that just kept me from falling into the story immediately. However. I did really enjoy Alexi and Danik - and I can't wait for Alexi's brothers to have their stories.

The epilogue sets things up nicely for the next story in the series. The way things end, I also think that the overall story with the missing shifters will continue into the next book?

[Xiomara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended too soon. 4.9 stars

I’m so upset at myself that I waited so long to start this book. This is the first book of a five book series. This is the first book of the series it was great. The plot was good. The story is building on point. It set everything up nicely. The couple was good together and cute. It got 4.9 stars only because the book ended. Yes I plan to read the second book right after this one.

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series opener gives us a great cast of characters with a grumpy bear shifter detective, a family of rare kraken shifters with zero boundaries, and other paranormals.
There was great chemistry between the leads and the steamy scenes are fire!
Personally, I wanted a little more resolution of the main plot, I have a few unanswered questions. This makes if definitely more of a HFN than HEA.
I liked the look into the next book, each of the brothers are getting their own, and wonder if the plot from this will continue into the next.

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've long been a Lisa Oliver fan, especially her Cloverleah series. However, this will be the first book I've read by J.P. Sayle. I do have another book of Sayle's on my TBR, but I haven't decided if I'm ready for a book about a potato yet LOL. One day, perhaps.

In this series debut, this duo gave us an interesting world and cast of characters. I love the fact that there is an entire group, or should I say shaol, of kraken brothers we get to read about. And yes, I did google what the scientific term is for a group of Kraken and majority agrees on shaol since that is the term used for a group of squid. I'm sure my work's IT department will get a good chuckle about that particular computer search.

Both Alexi and Danik were alpha male types so we get some flip floppy goodness along with the tentacle fun. Speaking of tentacles, Alexi and his brothers have some pretty cool abilities that go along with their extra appendages and not all of them involve sexy times. On top of this being a romance, it also has a mystery to solve as Danik is a detective in the police department and Alexi is a consultant on the case. Seeing these two try and work out how their relationship was going to play into their daily jobs/lives was fun to read and not without some mild angst.

The book ends with Alexi and Danik solidly together, but the case they were working on is still ongoing. There is an epilogue which gives us a glimpse into the next books couple as it is from another brother's POV. It appears those two are going to have to jump some major hurdles for their own HEA, but I look forward to reading it and seeing how the brothers come together to help their own and his new mate.

[Taylin Clavelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for Love Bytes – 4 hearts.
Danik Kaloshnik, is a gruff, seasoned detective who could be obnoxious on a good day. He also cared for those who deserved justice. They included all the shifters who’d gone missing over the last several months. When his politically mindful captain brings in consultants to help, the last thing Danik expected was to come face to face with his fated mate - Alexi.
Alexi is the first in the Tangled Tentacles series, whose books follow the four Kraken shifter brothers find their mates. While the story for each brother is completed within their specific novel, there are crossovers. So, I guess they are intertwined novels with no cliffhangers – wuhoo.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Alexi and Danik. Technically, it was good, containing enough imagery without overdoing it while maintaining an engaging pace. The extended cast, too, was minimal, which suited my reading comprehension. This included a patrolman who was akin to a chihuahua in a uniform that I wanted to slap.
As already stated, Alexi is an alpha Kraken and is a man who has some amusing chats with his inner animal. Danik’s shifter animal is a bear with needs but doesn’t talk. Both men are possessive and protective but live on different sides of the financial divide. Thus, Danik’s pride, need for a family, and feelings of inadequacy spark some combative conversations.
I enjoyed this shifter story because it was different. The imagery of a Kraken cradling a bear in the water takes a little getting used to, but I like different, and I soon found the coupling endearing. It certainly made the cross-species mating something else. Kraken/Bear snuggling was both weird and adorable.
As this story is primarily a fated mates offering with a backdrop of law enforcement, sex is, understandably, a prominent feature. I particularly liked the immediate acceptance of who Alexi and Danik were to each other and the enveloping support – although a story wouldn’t be right without some bumps in the road. The investigation side of the arc highlights the nasty things some people do to get their kicks – though this aspect leaves more to the imagination than is written. There is more to it, but to say anything else would give away spoilers.
Overall, I found Alexi a splendid read. It contained drama, angst, and was fast-paced. And while the percentage of sex was more than I generally like, it was in keeping with the storyline. Events kept me turning the page, and I returned from my day job eager to continue where I left off.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.

[Ronie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, it's a nice #tentaclewednesday type of read. I'm several selections behind. Guess this is going to be a sucker of a week.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ stars.. A good start as Danik has another case of a missing cougar reported missing and the news was spreading. Urr I wouldn't get on Danik's bad side..lol
Solving one case doesn't solve them all but it gets messy with the captain.
Danik and Alexi know their mates but not what there mates where but they soon find out.
Sexy scenes included and a mystery to solve but that's the tip of the tentacle with this one. 🐙
Scenes playout and it gets complicated with known clauses in place causes Danik to do something painful. Dangers and a mix of humour for these guys and not to forget the sexy scenes.
A great book to read with unusual paranormal shifters and concluded with HEA. Hot switching scenes are hot, I loved those scenes in this. The next follow on book is Vincent's which will another great story with lots of feels I think.

Det Danik is the lead person for an investigation with missing paranormals.
Alexi was asked to help the police force solve a missing persons but couldn't help like the Detective name in charge.

[Stephanie Murillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Loved this book! Great collaboration. Can't wait for book 2 to be released. Totally recommend this book. The interaction between all the characters made for an interesting story and loved the tentacles!

[Audi♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Kraken’s pearl is a gift of their heart"

"His hand was constantly moving the pearl the kraken had given him across his fingers – something Danik had taken to doing whenever they were sat just enjoying time with each other. Alexi’s ancient kraken loved the newly developed habit, singing and swooning all over the place…it was weird. His kraken had never appeared the type to swoon over anything"

I was swoon, too.
Off to Victor's story 💚

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was very interesting, since I hadn’t read any books about kraken shifters before.

Alexi was a sweet, possessive alpha kraken. And Danik was a caring alpha bear shifter.

The case they were working on was interesting, and I liked how the storyline continues in the second book.

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

MAGNIFICENT

WOW! WOW!! WOW!!! OKAY, If you are a Shifter of any kind fan, get this Book!!! This is a collaboration project with two top of their game Authors. JP SAYLE and LISA OLIVER, two successful AMAZING women. This book has two different species of shifters. Alexi is the shifter type I've never encountered before. Amazing character. Danik is a shifter type I'm familiar with. This is a MAGNIFICENT pairing. These characters are entertaining together and very different. This writing duo is going to create a series that is going to go unmatched. I'm looking forward to seeing them blossom this series into something absolutely INCREDIBLE. I can't recommend this Book highly enough. This Book is an absolute treat. Treat yourself today. I couldn't put it down. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This was a great start to a new series, really enjoyed the characters and Danik and Alexi story as well as the over arching storyline which I’m guessing will continue on the series. I wish for more info about krakens and their mates. A few typing errors but looking forward to book 2

[Cookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kracked Me Up!

I'm a huge fan of author Lisa Oliver and read everything that she writes. What a fantastic idea to write about krackens as a paranormal. This story was entertain sand leaves me desperately waiting on the sequel!

[Thomas Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

Thank you Lisa and JP for a start to another great group of shifters. I curious about the brothers yes but also intrigued by the Shadow Group as well.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I am enjoying the kraken brothers. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series hopefully soon.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review:
https://www.mmromancereviewed.com/202...

[SophiaH · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.5***
I liked the general premise of this new series. A mystery insta-matinglust police-kidnapping story. I liked the characters, the storyline, the side characters and the general world. What took me out of the story sometimes was the costant talk about them wanting to be with each other, kissing, foreplay and being intimate. I don't know if it only was because they just met each other and the new mating bond is driving them crazy but it seems strange to me to think about being intimate when working on a kidnapping case, on the way to his bosses office, on the way to possibly find a kidnapp victim...
Don't get me wrong, the scenes where steamy and I like my MC's verse as well but there should be a time and a place for it as well as the correct headspace. But that's just me and I encourage you to make up your own mind about that :-)

[Judith D Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collaboration!

I have purchased all books by Lisa Oliver as soon as they are released. JP Sayle is now added to that. I really enjoyed the storyline about endangered species, and this story had that and lots of humor. I look forward to Victors story. Thank you ladies and keep up the great work.

[mrs k langstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual but amazing

Having read books by both authors I did wonder how this would work but it turn out fabulously, the art of picking weird shifters just adds to the entertainment
Danik is seriously hot and serious, Alexi more fun but professional to see them rub together to solve cases is great and the sexy stuff is smoking hot
Hinting at the next story was an added bonus and I just can't wait for it

[Margy Cerny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute

Enjoyed the new book, as always. Happy you came out with a new series. Love Krakens and that both mates were big men.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5✨

[Jen Bookryptonite M · Rating 5 out of 5]

cowabunga

Amazing writing. I loved everything about this book and can’t wait for the next one. The authors did a great job taking two in charge men and fating them together. They were both extremely self aware and knew what they wanted in life. No hemming and hawing over trivial things just to create page drama. Everything written had is place in the plot.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never thought that I would read a book about tentacles. I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book but then again there hasn't been a book of Lisa Oliver's that I haven't enjoyed. I've never read a book by J.P. Sayle before I'll have to try one. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Mary Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love a kraken

And a kraken in love is something else...Loved the story line.. Also mated to a bear no less was interesting...And a good Story line that will continue is the best.. Can't wait for Victors story

[Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This was an amazing book! Two of my favorite authors together was perfect. These characters were great. Grumpy and bossy. And ya know tentacles and all that bear. Very happy with this new series and can't wait for the next!

[Candy Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Loved it can't wait for more great series loved the characters and the story great collaboration of two great authors

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALEXI is the first book in a new series about a group of Kraken shifters who are called in to assist the police on several missing people cases - or is it a serial murderer? Danik is worried it will be swept away as a serial killer when he just knows they are still alive. Alexi soon puts those fears to rest once they realise they are mates. No way will Alexi go against Danik like that.

So, what do you have? A group of close brothers who tease each other constantly. Different personalities I am looking forward to getting to know. A possibly crooked police force. Missing paranormals, presumed dead, but oh so alive according to Danik. It's all here, and it's FUN.

I loved the way the personalities worked well with each other. Danik and Alexi are just wonderful, giving me warm, squidgy feelings whenever they are soft and cuddly. It is funny, with some brilliant one-liners that kept me amused. The pacing is spot-on, and the ending leads perfectly to the next book.

What's next? A Kraken and a Vampire. Oh, boy!

I honestly can't wait to continue this series. Absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 21, 2022

[Monika · Rating 2 out of 5]

If the story didn't take a back seat to the "romance", I would be much happier. It seemed like a cool mystery, but the romance sucked. The characters did not have any chemistry, there was no character development, it was all insta happiness -- I could not feel any of the emotions described in the book. There was also too much sex on page and since I did not feel anything, it was not fun or hot or anything, I actually had to skip some of the scenes...

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty solid read with enjoyable characters.

I didn't quite connect to either of the MCs even though they had a great relationship. I didn't care about the central mystery with the missing shifters at all and the business with the corrupt police force was eye rolling.

There were a lot of sexy scenes but I actually found the steam levels to be quite low. I wish they were replaced with more bear and kraken cuddles :).