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Graham Pack Mates #2
Checkmate
What’s an alpha shape-shifting wolf to do when the woman pre-destined to be his mate no longer trusts men?
After returning home from an eight-month security job, Eli Graham is ready to claim his best friend’s little sister as his mate. He’d put it off for years, thinking he was doing the right thing by waiting. Instead of the stubborn, independent, carefree girl he left behind, Eli finds a shell of the woman he once knew.
Having lived through a near fatal attack, Nikki Taylor has hidden herself away from the world. Now the time has come to face head-on the one man who could devastate her completely, Eli Graham. She’s loved him forever, craves him, body, heart and soul, but he’s never treated her as anything but a little sister.
When Nikki witnesses a murder, she has no choice but to rely on Eli’s expertise. While guarding her from the man bent on wiping out a witness, Eli shows Nikki that he’ll not only protect her body, but he’ll show her just what it means to be a wolf’s mate.
Warning, this title contains the hot, explicit sex, graphic violence and language, and is not for the faint of heart!
After returning home from an eight-month security job, Eli Graham is ready to claim his best friend’s little sister as his mate. He’d put it off for years, thinking he was doing the right thing by waiting. Instead of the stubborn, independent, carefree girl he left behind, Eli finds a shell of the woman he once knew.
Having lived through a near fatal attack, Nikki Taylor has hidden herself away from the world. Now the time has come to face head-on the one man who could devastate her completely, Eli Graham. She’s loved him forever, craves him, body, heart and soul, but he’s never treated her as anything but a little sister.
When Nikki witnesses a murder, she has no choice but to rely on Eli’s expertise. While guarding her from the man bent on wiping out a witness, Eli shows Nikki that he’ll not only protect her body, but he’ll show her just what it means to be a wolf’s mate.
Warning, this title contains the hot, explicit sex, graphic violence and language, and is not for the faint of heart!
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2007
29 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
About the author
Annmarie McKenna
28 books352 followersAnnmarie McKenna lives with her husband and five kids in the Midwest. Throw in a dog and a cat and she’s well over her limit for the average family. Luckily, writing fantasies has proven to be an excellent way to de-stress from her daily life of being a cleaning woman, chauffeur, cook and mom. Okay, cleaning woman—not so much. She leaves that to her hubby. Now if only she could figure out how to de-stress her kids, she’d be all set.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 21, 2009
The last eight months for Nikki Raine have been hell on earth. One evening she is attacked and nearly raped by three men in a deserted parking lot. It's every woman's worst nightmare but she manages to get away. While driving away from her attackers, they follow her and drive her off the road. Eight months have passed and she's still fighting to stay in control of her life and is just beginning to emerge from her self imposed solitude. She joins her friends for what used to be their weekly girl's night out and ends up interrupting a killer who has just finished butchering her friends. He notices and chases after her, managing to shoot her in the shoulder. While in the hospital, the police are concerned that the killer will come after her and they recommend protection. Luckily, her brother's friend Eli Graham has just returned from a security post overseas and he and his twin are on hand to protect her in case the killer attempts to silence her.
Eli Graham has been in love with Nikki Raine since she was a little girl. He's run away from her because he doesn't know how to tell the lovely, human Nikki that he's a werewolf and she's his predestined mate. He goes away for eight months for a security assignment and promises himself when he comes back he's finally going to claim her. When he arrives, he has no idea of the horrors his mate has gone through during his absence. He is furious that he wasn't there for her and that no one told him. Nikki didn't want anyone to tell Eli because she's afraid that one, he won't want her now that's she's an attempted rape victim, and two, her face was scarred in the accident. He could care less about any of that and when he gets to her side, Nikki knew instinctively that she'd been waiting for him all this time and that only her mate could make her feel safe and protected again.
Eli and Nikki Raine have loved each other from afar for a very long time and when they finally get together it's very sweet and passionate. Annmarie McKenna always writes such take charge, yet tender lovers and intelligent, slightly wounded heroines. The way her heroes always bring their ladies back to life is so romantic and appealing. Nikki goes through so much trauma in such a short amount of time in the beginning part of the book that I honestly didn't know how she was going to recover. With Eli by her side she goes through a believable recovery and faces her attackers and the killer of her friends. The sex in Checkmates is graphic but not raunchy. The supporting characters are all from the first book in the Mates series, Seeing Eye Mate, but they are introduced in a way that doesn't detract from the main story. There are some definite references to the first book, but it's not essential that you read them in order.
Eli Graham has been in love with Nikki Raine since she was a little girl. He's run away from her because he doesn't know how to tell the lovely, human Nikki that he's a werewolf and she's his predestined mate. He goes away for eight months for a security assignment and promises himself when he comes back he's finally going to claim her. When he arrives, he has no idea of the horrors his mate has gone through during his absence. He is furious that he wasn't there for her and that no one told him. Nikki didn't want anyone to tell Eli because she's afraid that one, he won't want her now that's she's an attempted rape victim, and two, her face was scarred in the accident. He could care less about any of that and when he gets to her side, Nikki knew instinctively that she'd been waiting for him all this time and that only her mate could make her feel safe and protected again.
Eli and Nikki Raine have loved each other from afar for a very long time and when they finally get together it's very sweet and passionate. Annmarie McKenna always writes such take charge, yet tender lovers and intelligent, slightly wounded heroines. The way her heroes always bring their ladies back to life is so romantic and appealing. Nikki goes through so much trauma in such a short amount of time in the beginning part of the book that I honestly didn't know how she was going to recover. With Eli by her side she goes through a believable recovery and faces her attackers and the killer of her friends. The sex in Checkmates is graphic but not raunchy. The supporting characters are all from the first book in the Mates series, Seeing Eye Mate, but they are introduced in a way that doesn't detract from the main story. There are some definite references to the first book, but it's not essential that you read them in order.
August 3, 2008
Red alert! Hot Alpha werewolf tale!! If you enjoy werewolf erotica, then don't miss Annmarie McKenna's 'Mate' series. "Checkmate" is the second book and "Seeing Eye Mate" was the first. Her weres are uber-hot, uber-sexy, and uber-Alpha!
Eli is ready to declare himself to his mate. He's known she was his for many years, but waited for her to mature. AFter six months away on a pack security assignment, he's ready to get home and claim his mate! But it turns out someone's been keeping things from him, and his mate is traumatized and in danger. His instincts kick in...
Nikki has loved Eli for what seems like her whole life. But how could anyone love her now? After being attacked and then run off the road, she has scars...both external and internal. She'll have to overcome her fears and a deranged killer before she can commit herslef to Eli.
Loved this book, and the first one. The suspense is good, the plot is handled well, and the sex is fabulous! What more do you need from paranormal erotica?
Eli is ready to declare himself to his mate. He's known she was his for many years, but waited for her to mature. AFter six months away on a pack security assignment, he's ready to get home and claim his mate! But it turns out someone's been keeping things from him, and his mate is traumatized and in danger. His instincts kick in...
Nikki has loved Eli for what seems like her whole life. But how could anyone love her now? After being attacked and then run off the road, she has scars...both external and internal. She'll have to overcome her fears and a deranged killer before she can commit herslef to Eli.
Loved this book, and the first one. The suspense is good, the plot is handled well, and the sex is fabulous! What more do you need from paranormal erotica?
August 13, 2011
Another good story by Ms. McKenna, even though there wasn't really any conflict in Eli and Nikki's relationship (everything went very smoothly between them) and I didn't care much for the scenes with the killer (he was too cliché). Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this read. I guess I was in a good mood, LOL.
September 28, 2010
Very enjoyable. Good suspense.
I always enjoy this author’s alpha-type guy who is focused on only one woman, he has to have her, he wants to protect her, he is totally possessive about her, and he treasures her forever. It was a good story about wolf/shape-shifter Eli who leaves town for 8 months. He knew Nicole was his mate, and he planned to tell her so when he returned. While he was gone, she was attacked by three rapists but barely escaped. Later she witnessed a murder. The murderer wants to kill Nicole because she is a witness. Eli returns and tries to protect her from the murderer’s attempts.
Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: current day St. Louis, Missouri. Copyright: 2007. Genre: erotic paranormal romantic suspense.
For a list of my reviews of other Annmarie McKenna books, see my 5 star review of "Finding Strength" posted 7/12/08.
I always enjoy this author’s alpha-type guy who is focused on only one woman, he has to have her, he wants to protect her, he is totally possessive about her, and he treasures her forever. It was a good story about wolf/shape-shifter Eli who leaves town for 8 months. He knew Nicole was his mate, and he planned to tell her so when he returned. While he was gone, she was attacked by three rapists but barely escaped. Later she witnessed a murder. The murderer wants to kill Nicole because she is a witness. Eli returns and tries to protect her from the murderer’s attempts.
Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: current day St. Louis, Missouri. Copyright: 2007. Genre: erotic paranormal romantic suspense.
For a list of my reviews of other Annmarie McKenna books, see my 5 star review of "Finding Strength" posted 7/12/08.
June 16, 2010
Checkmate is my first book by Annmarie McKenna, and I hope not my last. It was a good story, very quick read, and I had no problem buying into the existence of shape shifters and Ms. McKenna's world.
Actually, this book would have been just fine without the inclusion of shifters and in fact didn't really stress it as part of the plot. The twin shifters, Caelmon (featured in Mate 1) & Eli, live together in the wonderful kind of home that is split for privacy and joined together for communal eating. Eli shifts only once, to show his mate (Nikki). Otherwise, their "wolf" only comes out in their possessiveness and dominance of their women.
The premise of this book is also its failure, however, IMO. Nikki has been in love with Eli forever; he's been around her because he's best friends with her brother, Derek, and has only seen her (she thinks) as "the kid sister". Eli has been out of the country for most of the past year, but has thought about her and realized that she is his mate. While he's gone, Nikki is attacked by 3 men and gets badly hurt escaping them. She begs her brother not to tell Eli and thinks that the remaining scars will scare him off. She is also now terrified of men. And to top it off, while Eli is coming home from his mission, Nikki discovers her three best friends horribly murdered and mutilated (by weres?) - and the murderer sees her.
The problem I had was that Nikki's attraction to Eli overshadowed her fear pretty easily. So all the build-up about her fears, of walking to her car for instance, are quickly deflated by Eli's hotness. That just wasn't believable. Also, even though we're led to believe the two should be and will be together, it happens just a little TOO easily. Like, Derek smacks Eli in the jaw while driving him home - and after asking him to help protect his sister - when Eli admits he's planning to mate with Nikki. But that's it, just a smack. No tension before or after.
I think that Ms. McKenna has a great imagination and can be a great writer someday with a bit more time to learn some of the art of writing. And I look forward to that time!
Actually, this book would have been just fine without the inclusion of shifters and in fact didn't really stress it as part of the plot. The twin shifters, Caelmon (featured in Mate 1) & Eli, live together in the wonderful kind of home that is split for privacy and joined together for communal eating. Eli shifts only once, to show his mate (Nikki). Otherwise, their "wolf" only comes out in their possessiveness and dominance of their women.
The premise of this book is also its failure, however, IMO. Nikki has been in love with Eli forever; he's been around her because he's best friends with her brother, Derek, and has only seen her (she thinks) as "the kid sister". Eli has been out of the country for most of the past year, but has thought about her and realized that she is his mate. While he's gone, Nikki is attacked by 3 men and gets badly hurt escaping them. She begs her brother not to tell Eli and thinks that the remaining scars will scare him off. She is also now terrified of men. And to top it off, while Eli is coming home from his mission, Nikki discovers her three best friends horribly murdered and mutilated (by weres?) - and the murderer sees her.
The problem I had was that Nikki's attraction to Eli overshadowed her fear pretty easily. So all the build-up about her fears, of walking to her car for instance, are quickly deflated by Eli's hotness. That just wasn't believable. Also, even though we're led to believe the two should be and will be together, it happens just a little TOO easily. Like, Derek smacks Eli in the jaw while driving him home - and after asking him to help protect his sister - when Eli admits he's planning to mate with Nikki. But that's it, just a smack. No tension before or after.
I think that Ms. McKenna has a great imagination and can be a great writer someday with a bit more time to learn some of the art of writing. And I look forward to that time!
August 3, 2022
This is the second book. The first being Seeing Eye Mate. Though I would suggest reading the first one; you could just read this one, and it would make total sense.
Eli is an identical twin, and his twin brother just happens to be Prime of a wolf shape-shifter pack. So that makes him the second. He has wanted one particular girl for a long time and has been waiting for the right moment to go after her considering he has known her for almost forever and she just happens to be his best friend's little sister.
Nikki has been attracted to Eli for a long time she just never worked up the guts to go after him. She is just about ready to make a move when one night she is violently attacked and then run off the road. She struggles for her sanity and peace of mind from the moment she wake until she finds peace in the arms of the one man she doesn't believe can truly love her.
She couldn't be more wrong and so begins the fight for Eli to make her believe that she is his and that he loves her no matter her flaws and battle scars. Not to mention that she has a run of bad luck and walks in on a murder in progress that puts her life in further danger. Now it is Eli's turn to make sure his mate doesn't end up dead. But will he be able to protect what he claims is his from a man out to make her pay.
I loved this book even more than the first. I just felt closer to all the characters and the struggles and obstacles were bigger and more heart wrenching to me. If you read the first you have gotta read this one, and if you didn't read the first one you should still read this one. Another great read.
Wishing you many hours of terrific reading.
Eli is an identical twin, and his twin brother just happens to be Prime of a wolf shape-shifter pack. So that makes him the second. He has wanted one particular girl for a long time and has been waiting for the right moment to go after her considering he has known her for almost forever and she just happens to be his best friend's little sister.
Nikki has been attracted to Eli for a long time she just never worked up the guts to go after him. She is just about ready to make a move when one night she is violently attacked and then run off the road. She struggles for her sanity and peace of mind from the moment she wake until she finds peace in the arms of the one man she doesn't believe can truly love her.
She couldn't be more wrong and so begins the fight for Eli to make her believe that she is his and that he loves her no matter her flaws and battle scars. Not to mention that she has a run of bad luck and walks in on a murder in progress that puts her life in further danger. Now it is Eli's turn to make sure his mate doesn't end up dead. But will he be able to protect what he claims is his from a man out to make her pay.
I loved this book even more than the first. I just felt closer to all the characters and the struggles and obstacles were bigger and more heart wrenching to me. If you read the first you have gotta read this one, and if you didn't read the first one you should still read this one. Another great read.
Wishing you many hours of terrific reading.
December 15, 2011
I had never heard of this author until I saw this book in a used book store and picked it up. I'm glad I got this book BUT some things are a little misleading from what the back cover says. Nikki is scared of the world but she is never scared of Eli not even for a second and he's a security expert but all he does is hide her at his ranch there's not a moment when Eli is doing anything to find out who is after Nikki. Nikki trust Eli from the moment she sees him when she wakes up in the hospital so he never has to worry about earning her trust. I liked the book but looking back I didn't feel like I got to know any of the characters in the book. You never get to meet the rest of the pack which was kind of disappointing. I found the ending very predictable you have the cops saying they got the killer and Eli went along with it when his gut was saying it was wrong. Then she leaves and puts herself in the killers hands because of some very stupid ideas to catch the killer and Eli once again goes along with it. He was supposed to be a security expert and goes along with a plan that really wasn't a plan at all. If you don't take this book to serious and don't mind alpha males and their female mate just being stupid at times you will be ok with this book. The up side is the book has smoking hot sex scenes.
November 15, 2013
It was unrealistic and the plot was weak and predictable. I'm starting to think that the author needs to pick a genre and stick with it. I'm glad that the heroine was stranger in this book but she was an idiot. From the description in both books it is hard to differentiate between the lead male characters, which shouldn't happen.
The plot was weak, the killer didn't fit the profile earlier described and the romance was non-existent again. It's the same as the first, they just want to jump each other all the time and nothing else matters. I wonder the why the author even include the other plot or even other scenes. I thought because they knew each other it would be different. And the rape was downplayed. I didn't feel her emotions or pain. She was disappointing and Eli was none the better. He just found out she was raped and all he wanted to do was "claim" her (cause that sounds more supernatural). After reading two books from this author I have given up.
The only reason it has two stars was because I enjoyed the banter (that wasn't sexual) more in this book than the first so it should be 1 1/8 of a star. I left it at 2 to show which book I preferred but if I could go back in time, I would read neither.
The plot was weak, the killer didn't fit the profile earlier described and the romance was non-existent again. It's the same as the first, they just want to jump each other all the time and nothing else matters. I wonder the why the author even include the other plot or even other scenes. I thought because they knew each other it would be different. And the rape was downplayed. I didn't feel her emotions or pain. She was disappointing and Eli was none the better. He just found out she was raped and all he wanted to do was "claim" her (cause that sounds more supernatural). After reading two books from this author I have given up.
The only reason it has two stars was because I enjoyed the banter (that wasn't sexual) more in this book than the first so it should be 1 1/8 of a star. I left it at 2 to show which book I preferred but if I could go back in time, I would read neither.
August 23, 2013
I was looking for a good shifter's book for a while now, and although this one was more romantic suspense than paranormal I still liked it. There was very little about the shape-shifters - Eli turned into a wolf once, he roared a bit and the bite connecting him with his mate forever and a sentence or two about how the pack works and that was all. The other part was about how Nikki "saw" the murderer and he targeted her and etc. But still a pretty good read.
June 16, 2018
*** contains spanking and wording about submission. Also, two scenes of attempted rape. *** Decent plot. Would be a way better read with out the submission and hitting. Lack of understanding of post-trauma sex.
November 1, 2018
1.5 Stars
May 19, 2022
Book two of Grahams mates this book focuses on the younger twin brother of Caelan Eli who has been in love with his best friend Derek’s younger sister Nikki Taylor for years but was afraid to tell her that he was a werewolf and she’s his mate. This book is set eight months after the previous book. This book has a good murder mystery plot throughout the book along with some steamy scenes.
Nikki Taylor’s life has been hell for the last eight months first she’s accosted by three men who nearly rape her she gets away but is run off the road she survives but has scars on her face along with the trauma of nearly being raped she’s embarrassed, ashamed and self conscious and doesn’t want Eli to know about it she loves him but can’t bear the thought of him knowing what happened and think of her as tainted. She’s harbours fears from her encounter and one night heads over to her friends place only to see them being murdered by an assailant that shoots her shoulder as she escapes.
Eli returns home from an out of country assignment for the pack security company and is determined to claim Nikki as his mate only to be told the horrifying events that have unfolded while he’s been gone determined to protect her and help her heal, after another failed attempt by the killer they fake her death and he whisks her away to his shared family ranch with Caelan and Tieran heavily pregnant at this stage. They confess to Nikki about being shapeshifters aka werewolves which she already knew to an extent and that she’s Eli’s mate she gradually begins healing only to be called to the police station to identify three men that have killed a woman they way they nearly raped her, she identifies them but reporters take her photo revealing to the other killer that she’s still alive and begins hunting her. Tieran goes into labour and Nikki takes her to the hospital where the killer is doctor Emerson who nearly rapes and kills her before she’s saved by Caelan and Eli, Eli recovers from his stab wound, Tieran and Caelan become parents to a baby boy. Happy endings all round.
Nikki Taylor’s life has been hell for the last eight months first she’s accosted by three men who nearly rape her she gets away but is run off the road she survives but has scars on her face along with the trauma of nearly being raped she’s embarrassed, ashamed and self conscious and doesn’t want Eli to know about it she loves him but can’t bear the thought of him knowing what happened and think of her as tainted. She’s harbours fears from her encounter and one night heads over to her friends place only to see them being murdered by an assailant that shoots her shoulder as she escapes.
Eli returns home from an out of country assignment for the pack security company and is determined to claim Nikki as his mate only to be told the horrifying events that have unfolded while he’s been gone determined to protect her and help her heal, after another failed attempt by the killer they fake her death and he whisks her away to his shared family ranch with Caelan and Tieran heavily pregnant at this stage. They confess to Nikki about being shapeshifters aka werewolves which she already knew to an extent and that she’s Eli’s mate she gradually begins healing only to be called to the police station to identify three men that have killed a woman they way they nearly raped her, she identifies them but reporters take her photo revealing to the other killer that she’s still alive and begins hunting her. Tieran goes into labour and Nikki takes her to the hospital where the killer is doctor Emerson who nearly rapes and kills her before she’s saved by Caelan and Eli, Eli recovers from his stab wound, Tieran and Caelan become parents to a baby boy. Happy endings all round.
October 15, 2018
I have a few books by this author and this series is probably the one I like least.
This is the story of Eli, the brother/twin from book one. We know in that book he has a mate but has not even told her, let alone claimed her yet. He plans to do this after the mate killer has been caught.
For some reason this book starts 8 months after that has happened. Eli has been off working on a case for all this time.
In this time Nikki has been attacked, nearly gang raped and driven off the road. Then she witnesses a murder. Don’t get the feeling he really cared about his mate during this time frame as he never took any means to keep in touch or have her looked after.
Of course once he is back it is all sex and gung ho alpha male protective crap.
Though I wanted to applaud Nikki for being strong, I just didn’t feel she was. Too wrapped in her own self pity, she has wallowed and allowed her attackers to keep her a victim.
Though she stands strong and does eventually point them out in a line up, her actions with the killer are once again those of a weak victim. He grabs her and says he is going to kill her anyway but she allows him to unclothe her in an attempt to rape her. I am sorry but I would not be going down without a fight and letting him get his jollies before he killed me.
Once again I find this could have been so good but it really needs more to make it a great read.
I have seen there is a third book after many years but I don’t think I will be bothering to pay out what is asked to just be annoyed again.
Had read and reviewed this book and book 1 many years ago. My reviews have disappeared.
This is the story of Eli, the brother/twin from book one. We know in that book he has a mate but has not even told her, let alone claimed her yet. He plans to do this after the mate killer has been caught.
For some reason this book starts 8 months after that has happened. Eli has been off working on a case for all this time.
In this time Nikki has been attacked, nearly gang raped and driven off the road. Then she witnesses a murder. Don’t get the feeling he really cared about his mate during this time frame as he never took any means to keep in touch or have her looked after.
Of course once he is back it is all sex and gung ho alpha male protective crap.
Though I wanted to applaud Nikki for being strong, I just didn’t feel she was. Too wrapped in her own self pity, she has wallowed and allowed her attackers to keep her a victim.
Though she stands strong and does eventually point them out in a line up, her actions with the killer are once again those of a weak victim. He grabs her and says he is going to kill her anyway but she allows him to unclothe her in an attempt to rape her. I am sorry but I would not be going down without a fight and letting him get his jollies before he killed me.
Once again I find this could have been so good but it really needs more to make it a great read.
I have seen there is a third book after many years but I don’t think I will be bothering to pay out what is asked to just be annoyed again.
Had read and reviewed this book and book 1 many years ago. My reviews have disappeared.
March 9, 2021
Nikki is nearly killed not once but twice and she has the scars to prove and the man of her dreams is home and she can’t face him ever again…
I am of a mind that Nikki may be one the strongest women characters I have come a crossed, after everything she has been through of course she took a knee but when she stood back up she was ready to reclaim her life. Thankfully she had her Eli there to help her regain her self. The evil villain was so well written that you could feel the evil coming of the pages when the story focused on him and you will be looking forward to seeing him get his when he finally gets caught.
If you are in the mood for the terror ride from hell, then the beginning of Checkmate will deliver and keep you hooked. Don’t get me wrong the book does come with a few rather dull, long winded moments but they are short lived and move onto the next action packed moment that leaves you gripping your e-reader and yelling “get that dirty son of bitch” or ‘that’s it punch the fucker again” your choice one or the other will fit. The bedroom scenes though not overly detailed or heated were well written and enjoyable.
I originally posted this review here https://laurasbookbinge.wordpress.com...
I am of a mind that Nikki may be one the strongest women characters I have come a crossed, after everything she has been through of course she took a knee but when she stood back up she was ready to reclaim her life. Thankfully she had her Eli there to help her regain her self. The evil villain was so well written that you could feel the evil coming of the pages when the story focused on him and you will be looking forward to seeing him get his when he finally gets caught.
If you are in the mood for the terror ride from hell, then the beginning of Checkmate will deliver and keep you hooked. Don’t get me wrong the book does come with a few rather dull, long winded moments but they are short lived and move onto the next action packed moment that leaves you gripping your e-reader and yelling “get that dirty son of bitch” or ‘that’s it punch the fucker again” your choice one or the other will fit. The bedroom scenes though not overly detailed or heated were well written and enjoyable.
I originally posted this review here https://laurasbookbinge.wordpress.com...
March 20, 2016
Oh. My. God. The women in these books have absolutely no sense of self-preservation. It's so ridiculous how they are made completely aware of the danger but still go off half-cocked and are surprised when something bad happens. I won't be reading the third book because I don't think I can take the frustration. It would be a different story if they had some valid, impending reason but they only have the reasons they've made up in their heads. I think the worst part is that they are fully and completely aware of the type of people they are dealing with. For God's sake she saw her brutally murdered friends, was shot at twice, and she still doesn't expect an attack from someone that appears to be pretty determined. If I could have gotten past my frustration I would have really liked this book, however I still enjoyed it despite my struggle with my aggravation.
July 25, 2018
This almost got shelved under angst but it was resolved pretty quickly. Nikki is traumatized and scarred from an attack and is afraid to see her brother's best friend again because she thinks he will be disgusted with her appearance and pity her for her trauma. She's been in love with him for years and assumes she has no shot at all with him. Little does she know, he's a werewolf and her mate. A fair bit of action and suspense. This would have been 3.5 stars but I felt like the angst was resolved pretty quickly and I like it a bit more drawn out. Instead, most of the focus was on the suspense part of the plot. Hot sex though.
March 23, 2015
The action scenes in this book were superbly written. Everything was fast-paced, we felt the fear, experienced the pain, saw the events unfold...
The rest of the book was weaker. The action scenes (of which there were a few) saved the book from being boring same-old shapeshifter romance. The hero and heroine were nothing exceptional, not memorable, but the action scenes were brilliant. *shrugs* If you like shapeshifter romance, you'll probably enjoy it. It was certainly readable and if, like me, you read the start (which begins with an action scene) you'll probably find yourself drawn into the story. A nice story, with some outstanding scenes.
The rest of the book was weaker. The action scenes (of which there were a few) saved the book from being boring same-old shapeshifter romance. The hero and heroine were nothing exceptional, not memorable, but the action scenes were brilliant. *shrugs* If you like shapeshifter romance, you'll probably enjoy it. It was certainly readable and if, like me, you read the start (which begins with an action scene) you'll probably find yourself drawn into the story. A nice story, with some outstanding scenes.
September 12, 2012
Just happened to pick up this book from a friend and loved it! Dark and at times graphic, yet it was deeply erotic. After being attacked and witnessing a brutal murder, Nikki-Raine struggles to regain her life. She's worried Eli, the only man she's ever loved, won't look at her the same. She's thrown into a bit of a tailspin when he comes home from working abroad to claim her as his mate. Yep - he's a shifter! A well-written story, hot in all the right places, I think I'll check out more of this author's work.
October 2, 2009
loved it! the suspense was well done. there was no typical scooby doo ending. even though this is a story based on shifters there wasn't chapter after chapter of pack politics. actually the shifting took a second seat in this one. it was all secondary to the story of Eli, Nikki, and the danger at hand. the scenes between Eli and Nikki were enough to steam the windows but the underlying love and affection poured through it all.
all around quick and suspenseful read.
all around quick and suspenseful read.
October 30, 2011
This is the second book in this series, and like the first book you can't help but love the "alpha's male" possessive, protective, overbearing but loveable behavior and thank goodness the herione isn't a doormat she stands up for herself and doesn't take "BS" from anyone, but just like the first book everything was rushed for me i have no idea why the writer felt the need to sqeeze everything in such short timespan.
But still i enjoyed it
But still i enjoyed it
Read
March 2, 2009This the second story of this series about the twin brother Eli who is a shiftshaper. He has known Nikki for a long time and is best friends with her brother. He knows that she is is mate but wants to hold off claiming her. But while he is away on a trip, someone attacks Nikki. He realises that he almost lost her and decides that he needs to make his claim known. Very good read.
December 31, 2015
This one to me was just okay. It was missing something from my point of view although it is difficult to put my finger on what exactly. Overall I would say that story seemed forced. I usually really enjoy her books, but this time, I found myself skimming pages as I read.
Not a great follow-up to Seeing Eye Mate.
Not a great follow-up to Seeing Eye Mate.
February 28, 2013
Not going to repeat what other reviews say on the story line.
But will comment on the writing.
I thought this could have been written better.
The premise was good, but the story line was just not believable. I know, this is fiction, but too much happened to the main characters to be believed.
The sex scenes were just not that exciting either.
But will comment on the writing.
I thought this could have been written better.
The premise was good, but the story line was just not believable. I know, this is fiction, but too much happened to the main characters to be believed.
The sex scenes were just not that exciting either.
May 14, 2011
I wish that I liked this story better because it wasn't bad -- I just didn't connect with the two leads. I don't think others would have the same issue just different chars relate to different people. I just found Eli hard to believe as an alpha.
October 28, 2011
It was a great read. There was suspense that was a little cliche, but still good. I really liked that the "mated pair" got together without the drama that comes with other stories. You know she won't admit to loving him, one or both fight the attraction.
December 17, 2012
Ok I was a little harsh the first time and in the end I found this book better than the first! Not brilliant but still it was ok! The best bits for me were the ones involving the psycho killer and at least the ending wasn't as predictable as the first book.
December 31, 2013
This is a decent book. Unfortunately this was rather predictable, not much charcacter development. Could have used some actual romance but in its place were steamy sex scenes. I wasn't that impressed with the story line or the perpetrator. Was still a good read.
July 24, 2014
There is a time and place for every thing. Apparantly the time for this book is on a simple night in, my the kids are at the BFF's house. With all the twists, turns, and dark corners, this book will keep you entertained. Enjoyed this!
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January 20, 2016Always a good read
I can read this over and over. Which I've done a few times already. Who doesn't love a hot shifter novel? Sexy. Hot. Passionate. Suspenseful. Even when I know what's going to happen I can't put it down!
I can read this over and over. Which I've done a few times already. Who doesn't love a hot shifter novel? Sexy. Hot. Passionate. Suspenseful. Even when I know what's going to happen I can't put it down!
June 14, 2016
A quick read erotica - ending drove down rating - security expert hero is no security expert and highly intelligent killer suddenly willing to compromise his safety and goes suicidal? Too far of a stretch for me - 2.5 stars
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