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Refuge Shifters #1
Extinction
Professor of Environmental Science/Wildlife studies at UNLV, Jack McBain has spent his adult life trying to track a legend overheard during his youth. Born and raised in the Canadian Province of Newfoundland, Jack remembers his grandparents telling stories of a race of people eradicated by European settlers in 1829. According to the legend, the Beothuk people didn’t die out as first thought, but were transformed into wolf shifters.
When Newfoundland wolves began to appear in great numbers, the European settlers began killing them under the guise of population control. In 1910, the last of the Newfoundland wolves was shot, making them one of the few extinct species of wolves in the world.
Following spotty leads, Jack begins to track what he believes are Beothuk/Newfoundland shifter wolves. His search leads him to the Lake Mead National Recreational Area outside of Las Vegas. There, on Spirit Mountain, he finally comes face to face with not only the shifter he’s been looking for, but the man of his dreams he didn’t know he needed.
When Newfoundland wolves began to appear in great numbers, the European settlers began killing them under the guise of population control. In 1910, the last of the Newfoundland wolves was shot, making them one of the few extinct species of wolves in the world.
Following spotty leads, Jack begins to track what he believes are Beothuk/Newfoundland shifter wolves. His search leads him to the Lake Mead National Recreational Area outside of Las Vegas. There, on Spirit Mountain, he finally comes face to face with not only the shifter he’s been looking for, but the man of his dreams he didn’t know he needed.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2009
12 people are currently reading
471 people want to read
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Carol Lynne
251 books1,197 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 29, 2009
This is a little bit of a departure for Ms Lynne as it is paranormal and interesting in it's lexicon. Earth Mother and Father Sky as well as Gaurdians, Alpha's and King are part of the weaved lore and learning. They must work together to begin to unravel the story of the shifter packs and figure out how to save them. Magic abounds and changes everything once our heroes mate.
The shifters are losing to the hunters in a big way by the time circumstances and timing allow for them to try and band together to fight back. Not very many are left of any of the bands and safety in numbers and high security is the only option to prevent total genocide. Our heroes have been destined to be together and to help lead them to safety, but is destiny enough to save them all?
As always with Ms. Lynne, the heroes fall in love quickly but with the paranormal twist the premise of her formulaic standard plot seems newer and more exciting then expected. And as expected, the sex is smokin' hot.
This sets up yet another series for the author. There is an excerpt for the second book following the end of this one that looks like it will be very good too (a threesome this time).
The shifters are losing to the hunters in a big way by the time circumstances and timing allow for them to try and band together to fight back. Not very many are left of any of the bands and safety in numbers and high security is the only option to prevent total genocide. Our heroes have been destined to be together and to help lead them to safety, but is destiny enough to save them all?
As always with Ms. Lynne, the heroes fall in love quickly but with the paranormal twist the premise of her formulaic standard plot seems newer and more exciting then expected. And as expected, the sex is smokin' hot.
This sets up yet another series for the author. There is an excerpt for the second book following the end of this one that looks like it will be very good too (a threesome this time).
Read
August 13, 2010Jack McBain, Professor of Environmental Science/Wildlife studies at UNLV has spent the better part of his adult life looking for a legend. On a less than spectacular weekend and quite by chance he gets his first break, after all these years.
Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, he pushes himself up the mountain and meets the most spectacular wolf – for him the search was all worth it, For the wolf it sets a chain of events in motion that might just cause him his life.
Another series for the very versatile Carol Lynne. I am liking the premise behind the blurb and Ms. Lynne’s voice is no easy thing to over look either – she has some style. However while the characters are endearing enough, there is a convenient feel to the book. There are angsty moments but there is also a “at the right place at the right time” feel as well – that took some of the pleasure of the book away.
As is Ms Lynne’s way, she write in such a way that she builds up her next book and make sure the reader is left on a anticipatory high and this is no different in EXTINCTION. While I am not loving this first book – I cannot wait for the next book in this series to hit the shelves.
For lovers of Ms. Lynne work this is a not to be missed first book in a new and looking to be different series, for new comer's probably not the book you want to start with, however Ms Lynne style does ring out in this one – so you wont regret starting with this either.
Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, he pushes himself up the mountain and meets the most spectacular wolf – for him the search was all worth it, For the wolf it sets a chain of events in motion that might just cause him his life.
Another series for the very versatile Carol Lynne. I am liking the premise behind the blurb and Ms. Lynne’s voice is no easy thing to over look either – she has some style. However while the characters are endearing enough, there is a convenient feel to the book. There are angsty moments but there is also a “at the right place at the right time” feel as well – that took some of the pleasure of the book away.
As is Ms Lynne’s way, she write in such a way that she builds up her next book and make sure the reader is left on a anticipatory high and this is no different in EXTINCTION. While I am not loving this first book – I cannot wait for the next book in this series to hit the shelves.
For lovers of Ms. Lynne work this is a not to be missed first book in a new and looking to be different series, for new comer's probably not the book you want to start with, however Ms Lynne style does ring out in this one – so you wont regret starting with this either.
March 26, 2012
Carol Lynne gave an interesting history into the shifters history , and a new take on the shifter not always being this huge, commanding, alpha top! And she even explained why he wasn't!
So this was the first on the series and introduced us to Toby, the wolf shifter and his special human mate.
A bunch of others were introduced and the beginning of the next book seemed to be at the end of this one.
So this was the first on the series and introduced us to Toby, the wolf shifter and his special human mate.
A bunch of others were introduced and the beginning of the next book seemed to be at the end of this one.
January 11, 2013
Jack McBain is a Professor that is researching the disappearance of a secret people that are believed to be wolf shifters. He has dedicated his life to his research and has been tracking down clues for years. At last Jack believes he has met one of the lost Beothuk people in wolf form, high in the mountains.
Toby, a shifter who has hidden in his wolf form for years, knows instantly that he has met his mate. Honestly, I have lost interest in the insta-love shifter-meets-mate genre. The first 500 similarly themed books were quick, fun reads, but it's beginning to wane. Of course, it's not Carol Lynne's fault that I'm reading this particular shifter series as my interest in insta-love is seriously flagging, so I'll try not to let that reflect in my review.
I did like Jack's character, but I didn't like the twist that the King's of each shifter species is a twink. I like my shifters to be Alpha males and having the shifter King be a twink was a bit of a let down (no offense to the twinks of the world, you're all beautiful).
Toby, a shifter who has hidden in his wolf form for years, knows instantly that he has met his mate. Honestly, I have lost interest in the insta-love shifter-meets-mate genre. The first 500 similarly themed books were quick, fun reads, but it's beginning to wane. Of course, it's not Carol Lynne's fault that I'm reading this particular shifter series as my interest in insta-love is seriously flagging, so I'll try not to let that reflect in my review.
I did like Jack's character, but I didn't like the twist that the King's of each shifter species is a twink. I like my shifters to be Alpha males and having the shifter King be a twink was a bit of a let down (no offense to the twinks of the world, you're all beautiful).
Read
February 23, 2010In the first book of the Refuge Shifters series, Carol Lynne sets the basis for the development of the entire story. She borrows the ancient legends that see shifters as favourite sons of Mother Nature and descendants of the old Native Americans; she also continues in the myth that homosexuals are the favourites among the favourites since Mother Nature gave them two spirits, so to be able to understand the needs of their people. The consequence is that, having more female genes than a normal man, the men who are destined to lead the shifter people are not “manly” men, they are small and fragile, almost feminine.
It’s strange to read of how Toby, the little wolf / man chosen to lead the werewolves, almost goes in heat when he meets his fated mate, Jack. Jack is not a shifter, he is human, and at the beginning of the story I was expecting from him to be the omega man in the couple. And instead, with wonder, I found out that Toby is almost androgynous, and fragile; he needs protection, in everything, and not mating with Jack cause him pain, like he was in heat. So much the author pushes on the heat button, that I was almost expecting for Toby to change sex and becoming a female wolf able to give birth…
Maybe in this Carol Lynne plays a bit with the yaoi elements: Toby whimpers, cocks his head like a curious puppy, and has temper tantrums… quite the imagine of the half man / half animal characters so loved in the yaoi manga. From what I understand, the series will evolve in a series of connected episodes where those two spirits feminine male will find the strong Alpha who will protect them. They all will go to live in a reserve, an high tech place in the Canadian woods called Refuge.
It will be interesting to notice how the author will resolve the issue of their extinction, I have the feelings that she will mix male/male stories with ménages, to resolve the problem in the most “natural” way…
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002U0KYKE/?...
It’s strange to read of how Toby, the little wolf / man chosen to lead the werewolves, almost goes in heat when he meets his fated mate, Jack. Jack is not a shifter, he is human, and at the beginning of the story I was expecting from him to be the omega man in the couple. And instead, with wonder, I found out that Toby is almost androgynous, and fragile; he needs protection, in everything, and not mating with Jack cause him pain, like he was in heat. So much the author pushes on the heat button, that I was almost expecting for Toby to change sex and becoming a female wolf able to give birth…
Maybe in this Carol Lynne plays a bit with the yaoi elements: Toby whimpers, cocks his head like a curious puppy, and has temper tantrums… quite the imagine of the half man / half animal characters so loved in the yaoi manga. From what I understand, the series will evolve in a series of connected episodes where those two spirits feminine male will find the strong Alpha who will protect them. They all will go to live in a reserve, an high tech place in the Canadian woods called Refuge.
It will be interesting to notice how the author will resolve the issue of their extinction, I have the feelings that she will mix male/male stories with ménages, to resolve the problem in the most “natural” way…
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002U0KYKE/?...
Read
November 11, 2016I started this book with high expectations. It had gotten good reviews, and it seemed to be another take on shifters. I'm sad to say, it didn't live up to expectations. I read the first couple of chapters, then started skimming the rest.
March 19, 2011
interesting story line - makes me really want to find out more of the back story now. Even tho these two were in love like in 15 seconds, I understand that's how everyone perceives "mates" to happen so I'm ok with it. I like the new and different way that "alphas" are in this series - where they share the Alpha rank with each other, each with a different way of using that status.
May 22, 2014
This one started out interesting enough but since it's the first in the series there was a lot of explaining which, for me, took away from this couple's story. There were a lot of elements at play..we had Earth Mother, Father Sky, different shifter breeds, the Hunters, old journals, asshole brothers etc. Just didn't do anything for me.
December 9, 2010
Couldn't finish it.
February 13, 2019
MM Re-Read Challenge:
As I've stated before Carol Lynne is my favorite MM writer. However, this first book in the Refuge Shifters series was disappointing, but I refused to disparage her over one book. The rest of the series is exactly what I expect from Ms. Lynne.
I believe I rated this book, singularly, at three stars because its still well written; smooth and engaging. Ryker, Jack, and all the others were strong, genuine.
The character Toby is where the stars were deducted - too immature when I feel he would have been better represented as being naive, not the mentality of 16 year old.
Like I claimed before, the rest of the series was more on par with Ms. Lynne's writing - of course, by my expectations.
As I've stated before Carol Lynne is my favorite MM writer. However, this first book in the Refuge Shifters series was disappointing, but I refused to disparage her over one book. The rest of the series is exactly what I expect from Ms. Lynne.
I believe I rated this book, singularly, at three stars because its still well written; smooth and engaging. Ryker, Jack, and all the others were strong, genuine.
The character Toby is where the stars were deducted - too immature when I feel he would have been better represented as being naive, not the mentality of 16 year old.
Like I claimed before, the rest of the series was more on par with Ms. Lynne's writing - of course, by my expectations.
May 29, 2020
La historia estubo divertida, un poco rara al incio, pero realmente no me esperaba todo ese desarrollo de la trama.
Es super cortita, y super recondable para leer algo ligero sobre shifters.
Es super cortita, y super recondable para leer algo ligero sobre shifters.
January 17, 2011
Well that was a bit of yummy shifter goodness!
Jack McBain is a professor of Environmental Science/Wildlife at the University of Las Vegas. He is also in search of shifters, Beothuk shifters to be exact. Using his weekends and holidays to scout among the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where he has tracked at least one of them to. When he finally gets a break and spots one in wolf form, he follows it up the mountain, where he makes camp and proceeds to talk to the shifter, who remains in wolf form, until well into the night. What Jack doesn't know though, is that the were he yackin' to is his destined mate. A destined mate that is being hunted, along with the rest of the world's shifters, by a group referred to simply as The Hunters.
Jack needs to help protect his mate and the remaining shifters. He, along with his best friend, Ryker, who happens to be Mother Earth's son and Jack's mate, Toby, set out to convince the remaining Beothuk shifters, as well as others, to move to a protected area in Canada. Doing this is obviously easier said than done and there are more than a few twists and turns along the way.
This was a fast paced, thoroughly enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to reading the next one. More Ryker! Woot!
Jack McBain is a professor of Environmental Science/Wildlife at the University of Las Vegas. He is also in search of shifters, Beothuk shifters to be exact. Using his weekends and holidays to scout among the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where he has tracked at least one of them to. When he finally gets a break and spots one in wolf form, he follows it up the mountain, where he makes camp and proceeds to talk to the shifter, who remains in wolf form, until well into the night. What Jack doesn't know though, is that the were he yackin' to is his destined mate. A destined mate that is being hunted, along with the rest of the world's shifters, by a group referred to simply as The Hunters.
Jack needs to help protect his mate and the remaining shifters. He, along with his best friend, Ryker, who happens to be Mother Earth's son and Jack's mate, Toby, set out to convince the remaining Beothuk shifters, as well as others, to move to a protected area in Canada. Doing this is obviously easier said than done and there are more than a few twists and turns along the way.
This was a fast paced, thoroughly enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to reading the next one. More Ryker! Woot!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2012
sooooooo confusing, great start but the rush to tell the story was unnecessary, and I would appreciate a warning because I DON'T READ twincest or brothercest.
I don't have many problems, and few things can be out of my comfort zone, so I wish there would be more respect, and a warning
What I most like in this book is the original idea, the werewolf is the small and lean man, while his human mate is the powerfully built man of the couple.
I don't have many problems, and few things can be out of my comfort zone, so I wish there would be more respect, and a warning
What I most like in this book is the original idea, the werewolf is the small and lean man, while his human mate is the powerfully built man of the couple.
April 23, 2010
The beginning was promising enough that I bought the ebook and read it almost immediately. As the story progressed, however, the writing seemed a bit weak--there was too much exposition and stating of the obvious for my taste. Also, I think overuse of fate/destiny undercut the main characters' agency, to the point where outside events would fix their problems almost entirely, or the stepping in they actually did to overcome obstacles required leaps in their established personalities, which, while explained away as Shifting changes (fate/destiny taking over, essentially), were rarely questioned or reflected upon by the characters themselves.
Still, the premise behind the Shapeshifters, Hunters, and world-building behind each group's weakness was well done, and this book does well as a series foundation.
Finally, despite the issues I had with the writing, I'm still curious about the second book in the Refuge Shifters series. Sneaky, sticking an excerpt of RS#2 at the end of my ebook!
Still, the premise behind the Shapeshifters, Hunters, and world-building behind each group's weakness was well done, and this book does well as a series foundation.
Finally, despite the issues I had with the writing, I'm still curious about the second book in the Refuge Shifters series. Sneaky, sticking an excerpt of RS#2 at the end of my ebook!
July 13, 2015
I'm not a big fan of shifter books but I had to find one for reading challenges. That said, I'm glad I did. Even though this book didn't get the highest of ratings, I forged ahead knowing that my opinions don't always jive with the majority.
This was sweet and sexy. Toby and Jack had a great sexual chemistry and their characters were wholly unique. Destined to be mated, Jack, a college professor, is obsessed with finding the last of a werewolf breed that is on the brink of extinction. He finds Toby in his shifted form and feels an instant and irresistible draw to the small wolf. Toby, upon seeing Jack for the first time, instantly knew that this human was fated to be his mate.
Sex, drama and Interspecies war ensue. It wasn't the best book I ever read, but I found it to be quick, enjoyable and sexy.
This was sweet and sexy. Toby and Jack had a great sexual chemistry and their characters were wholly unique. Destined to be mated, Jack, a college professor, is obsessed with finding the last of a werewolf breed that is on the brink of extinction. He finds Toby in his shifted form and feels an instant and irresistible draw to the small wolf. Toby, upon seeing Jack for the first time, instantly knew that this human was fated to be his mate.
Sex, drama and Interspecies war ensue. It wasn't the best book I ever read, but I found it to be quick, enjoyable and sexy.
September 27, 2022
(full review at dark Divas: http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2010/0...)
Fast, fast, fast. That's my overwhelming first and strongest impression of this book.
I've noticed that Ms. Lynne's characters fall to side of indestructible. It's comforting to know all will be well, but I never felt any real threat to any of them, despite the disasters that happened around them.
All in all, I loved the premise, really liked the quick read and smooth flow, but just, somehow, wish there could have been more of everything. Good thing it's only the first in the series!)
My Recommendation: Read this book as an intro to the series, and expect to find more of Ms. Lynne's likeable, tough men.
Fast, fast, fast. That's my overwhelming first and strongest impression of this book.
I've noticed that Ms. Lynne's characters fall to side of indestructible. It's comforting to know all will be well, but I never felt any real threat to any of them, despite the disasters that happened around them.
All in all, I loved the premise, really liked the quick read and smooth flow, but just, somehow, wish there could have been more of everything. Good thing it's only the first in the series!)
My Recommendation: Read this book as an intro to the series, and expect to find more of Ms. Lynne's likeable, tough men.
February 8, 2014
There were definitely some interesting twists in this shifter/mate story and the start of a new series. For example, the shifter (Toby) is the less Alpha of the pair and his human mate (Jack) actually grows stronger after the mating. I enjoyed the back story of how the shifters came to be. As expected, the story moves pretty quickly and sets a lot of foundation for the next book in the lineup, so reading in order is important. I was not entirely enamored with the first meeting between these guys – it felt a little crude. I also thought Toby’s dialogue didn’t quite fit with the fact that he hadn’t lived in his human form for very much of his life. Other than that, I enjoyed it and found that the preview for the second book definitely captured my interest!
September 30, 2015
I have to say this was a strange book.
Jack is doing research into the first shifters. He climbs a mountain to find a white wolf.
At camp, the white wolf comes to meet Jack as he is jacking off. He ends up giving the wolf a red bandana which he used to clean himself up.
Jack goes back down the mountain telling the wolf he will be back in 4 days.
Said wolf goes back to cave and shifts to man. He is in pain. When Jack comes back, the first words the wolf says is F*** Me. Jack says ok then and does.
Strange!
This was a different take on shifters from the o9ther books I have read. Although this book ends quite abruptly, and there are further books in the series, I don't think I will be reading them.
Jack is doing research into the first shifters. He climbs a mountain to find a white wolf.
At camp, the white wolf comes to meet Jack as he is jacking off. He ends up giving the wolf a red bandana which he used to clean himself up.
Jack goes back down the mountain telling the wolf he will be back in 4 days.
Said wolf goes back to cave and shifts to man. He is in pain. When Jack comes back, the first words the wolf says is F*** Me. Jack says ok then and does.
Strange!
This was a different take on shifters from the o9ther books I have read. Although this book ends quite abruptly, and there are further books in the series, I don't think I will be reading them.
August 31, 2009
This book left me wanting. The premise was unique and I liked the direction the book was heading. I felt like all the pieces of a good story were there, but the connection between the characters was lacking. Everything seemed rushed. Hero finds long lost shifter, they screw, the prophecy is fulfilled. The sex came across as more like duty than desire. The rest of the book is a series of scenes that happen in quick succession without giving the reader a feeling of connection to the characters. I'll probably read the next book in the series just to see what takes place in the Refuge universe.
March 16, 2011
Not sure how to review this one! Well, it was different, which isn't a bad thing, and I liked the premise. There were lots of aww cute moments and Toby was just the sweetest little wolf, I could just squeeze him! And Jack McBain, my fellow environmental scientist, took his rather hefty role with stride, having no problem protecting and loving his mate.
But the writing seemed choppy to me and I had a hard time following who was talking/thinking. This is my first exposure to Lynne's writing, so I'm not sure if that's just her style.
It ended rather abruptly and seems to flow right into the next book, which at this point, I'm on the fence about continuing...
But the writing seemed choppy to me and I had a hard time following who was talking/thinking. This is my first exposure to Lynne's writing, so I'm not sure if that's just her style.
It ended rather abruptly and seems to flow right into the next book, which at this point, I'm on the fence about continuing...
December 7, 2011
i have been fascinated by the Native American culture which is so Pagan and extremely intriguing especially, the logic which is almost instinctual in all shifter stories.
Lynnne has written some real good work prior this but i think i have liked this one more because of the historical context with the modern life mingled within a single thread that makes it a good experience for the reader, the sex is just the cherry on the cake.
Lynnne has written some real good work prior this but i think i have liked this one more because of the historical context with the modern life mingled within a single thread that makes it a good experience for the reader, the sex is just the cherry on the cake.
January 9, 2015
Not nearly what I expected from a Carol Lynne book. I almost always give her books 5 stars, but this one just fell short for me. Now I know because it is book 1 in the series, it tends to have more set up and therefore not as much of a love story for me. I like the characters and the different take on the shifters. I enjoyed the story behind the Hunters and the Refuge. Unfortunately I won't be reading more of the series as it seems they are all ménage books which I hate.
October 3, 2015
Very different take. I really like it.
Pure silver is too soft to stab anyone to death. Why would you keep a weapon that killed a relative anyway?
Like most of Lynne's books, I'm left feeling like something's missing. But it was different and sweet.
Argh! The rest of the books in the series are ménage! Why do authors do that?? I get into a series and then it turns into something completely different. That's so frustrating.
3.75 stars
Pure silver is too soft to stab anyone to death. Why would you keep a weapon that killed a relative anyway?
Like most of Lynne's books, I'm left feeling like something's missing. But it was different and sweet.
Argh! The rest of the books in the series are ménage! Why do authors do that?? I get into a series and then it turns into something completely different. That's so frustrating.
3.75 stars
January 6, 2010
A complex world building story that felt rushed. It should either have been several thousand words longer or have left out some of the sub-plots and developed what was there in more depth. I would have given it four stars but the errors that had been missed in editing dragged the story down for me - no publisher should ignore the misuse of your/you're as often as it occured in this.
November 3, 2015
3.5*
This had a totally different take on shifter stories. A lot of backstory as it always goes in the first book of a new series. I liked how Jack was drawn to something but he didn't know what. It took 11 years for him to find it. Toby knew instantly that Jack was his mate years before and waited for him. I liked them as a couple but the story not so much.
This had a totally different take on shifter stories. A lot of backstory as it always goes in the first book of a new series. I liked how Jack was drawn to something but he didn't know what. It took 11 years for him to find it. Toby knew instantly that Jack was his mate years before and waited for him. I liked them as a couple but the story not so much.
December 8, 2010
I enjoyed this read. We got some back ground on Toby and Jack, but also got to know some about two of the characters in the next book. I look forward to more and I'm curious to see what happens with the Shifters and Hunters next.
April 7, 2010
I truely enjoyed the book. The first book does not give you enough to go on. It did give me enough that I want to read on. I have already down loaded books 2-4.
April 1, 2011
This book was way different than I had thought it would be. I can't wait to see where the storyline and series goes from here.
December 1, 2010
3.5 stars
April 3, 2011
I really liked this book. I will definitely be looking at getting the rest of the books in the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews