Marked

by Sean Michael

Cody can't help but watch Barker, even if he knows it's stupid, especially around the full moon. Even with sunglasses to hide his deformity, though, he can't keep Barker away from him, and he can't manage to say no when Barker calls Cody "mine". Barker has never agreed with the pack banishing Cody. So what if Cody doesn't fit into the narrow confines of what the pack says is normal? He should never have let Cody go, and he's not about to let his mate slip through his fingers again.

Full moon or not, Cody is not your average werewolf. When the pack finds out he's back in town, the pack is concerned enough to stick their noses in. When they discover that Barker may have figured out how to solve Cody's shifter problems, the situation turns dangerous. The pack wants to make sure Cody's secret doesn't affect their entire way of life. Can Barker keep Cody safe, and make his mate understand that they're meant to be together?

Genres: M M Romance, Shapeshifters, Romance, Paranormal, M M Shapeshifters, Gay, BDSM

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Often referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and persuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."

A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.

Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.

Reviews

[Deanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not even sure why or how I finished this book. I probably skipped at least half of the sex scenes. Which were prevalent.....on almost every single page......and punctuated with lots of "Mate!" exclamations. I think the author was trying to convey an wolf/animal/simplistic thought process. It just made me want to bang my head against the wall......a lot.

[The Bursting Bookshelf of a Wallflower · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to confess that it took me a long time to pick up Marked. The horrible cover of the edition I acutally have put me off - but I refused to shelve it and switched to this edition for aesthetic reason (I don't want to see the ugly cover poping up in my bookshelves again and agin) - and I'm always picky when it comes to shifter stories.

I read a few reviews on Goodreads and I was afraid that the repetitive use of the word mate would make me throw the book in a corner within minutes, but I guess the fair warning made me way more indulgent.

Marked is by no means a thoughtful read, where you start to care for the characters and where you want to read more and more about them. But it wasn't horrible either. The idea of a wolf shifter, that can transform at daylight and has some further special abilities isn't bad at all and I really wanted to know more about the why of Casy's condition. Unfortunately, the story is focussing on uncountable times of mating. The tiny little pieces of plot that the story is able to offer are lost within the huge amount of sex scenes and I wasn't able to care for the characters at all. The sex scenes weren't especially hot and I saw myself skimming huge parts of them.

I unusally like Sean Michael as an author and I will keep looking out for his books, but I wouldn't recommend this one to anybody starting to read this author's works. There are way better works of Sean Michael out there.

2 stars!

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from the absolutely horrid cover and the admittedly somewhat repetitive sex, this was actually a very good werewolf story with a twist. Without going into too much detail, what I liked was that the "standard mythology" about mates and how they interact was left behind and Sean Michael introduced a variation on the theme which added a new aspect. Also, the "bad guys" for once weren't the humans but one of the packs.

Cody's and Barker's suffering was heartwrenching, and their determination to make things work came through loud and clear. Barker's acceptance of Cody's differences and problems was wonderful. The lesson about acceptance that both of them learn was one of the high points of the story for me.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok paranormal m/m romance about two werewolves who are mates, but who have been separated for ten years, living half lives, because one can't shift and was cast out from the pack. If the word "mate" had been used half as many times, it would still have been excessive.

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sure I lost a few brain cells whilst reading this.....The word mate was used 751 times! (?_?)

[Lexi Ander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cody is broken, caught between human and werewolf, his body constantly trying to shift but it can't. For ten years he has been stuck like this in constant pain, cast out of his Clan, unable to be with his mate, Barker. So when he can, he takes a hotel room across the street from his mate's apartment and watches Barker live his life.

Barker is older now, not as easily intimidated as he was when Cody was cast out. Six time in the last ten years, Barker has caught Cody in town only to have Cody to vanish the next morning. This time, Barker isn't going to let Cody slip away so easily. He wants his mate, broken or not, by his side. How far will the Clan Elders go to keep these two apart?

I don't want to say anything to give away the discoveries. The characters, Cody and Barker, were wonderful. Just the right amount of sex and plot twisted together. I loved the feeling that both men's wolves were always right under the surface, snapping, biting and chuffing in human form. I like how the plot unwinds and nothing important is left incomplete nor was it rushed. I loved this book.

[Riayl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly the cover is hideous, every time I look at it I cringe and it almost turned me off the book...if only I had listened.

Second. I cannot even comment on anything in the book other than the excessive use of the term "mate".

Mate. Mate. mate mate mate mate mate MALCOM! - sorry, had a MirrorMask moment - honestly that is what I was saying in my head as I tried my best to read this. But a little ways into the book, once they "officially" mate it becomes almost impossible because every. damn. sentence. has mate at the beginning or end or in the middle. Even when they speak telepathically. And their intelligence level dropped exponentially with each utterance of the word until towards the end all we were getting were things like "Mate. Need." "Love. Mate." "Mate, okay?" "Mate. Mate, happy. Mate."

*runs off screaming and ripping at hair*

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Cody and Barker are mates but have been apart since Cody was banished by his pack years earlier. Unable to fully shift and considered an abomination he's been alone ever since. However Cody can't deny his compulsion to be near his mate and he's back in town to catch glimpses of Barker. But this time things will be different since Barker's finally decided to take a stand and fight for his mate. Will he be able to convince Cody to forgive him for not fighting for him before and more importantly, how will they survive the pack's murderous intentions?

I've always enjoyed reading shifter stories, especially those featuring werewolves, and so I was looking forward to reading Marked. I did enjoy reading Sean Michael's take on the shifter theme but the story suffers some from the repetitive overuse of the word "mate".

Cody's condition and their separation made for an interesting and different plotline since most shifter stories go out of their way to show the mated pair together no matter what. I liked how Cody tried to keep his heart from further pain by insisting that they were mates but not in love. This was an important distinction for him and it took a bit for Barker to prove himself to Cody. Frankly I was slow to warm up to him too. Barker's written as the Alpha of the pair and I found their long separation strange but since it worked for the plot I was ultimately okay with it.

Aside from the two protagonists there are a few other characters in the story and they fall into two groups, the "bad guys" which are the pack leaders and the "good guys" which came as a surprise to Cody and Barker. Things turn really ugly when the pack finds out that Cody, with Barker's help, may finally have come into his own. As their lives are threatened the lovers have to decide who they can trust and with the help of the "good guys" the story comes to an action-packed ending.

This story is typical of the author with solid writing, mostly likable characters, an interesting and fast-paced plot and many scorching hot sex scenes. Sean Michael's put a bit of a different spin in his werewolf story with Cody's condition and it's always nice to see something different in this genre. Something that I rarely mention in a review but felt I had to bring up is the cover of the book which I found very unappealing. Luckily I read the ebook version and so didn't have to look at it too much but still in my opinion I don't think it's the best choice for a M/M romance story. Not even for a shifter romance.

Overall I did enjoy reading Marked despite the constant, and quite annoying, repetitive use of the word "mate". Fans of the author and those interested in shifter stories may enjoy this story as well.

[Nerine Petros · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading this story, but honestly, it wasn’t at all what I thought it would be. From page 3 you are invested in Cody, and by the time the hot, heavy sex is over on page 10, you are also invested in his mate, Barker. With a minimum of background information, Sean weaves a story that you have no choice but to finish reading.

I did enjoy reading ‘Marked’. Cody is featured as the underdog (or wolf) who has found his outcast feet over the years and may now just have a trick or two up his sleeve to share with Barker, the Alpha of the pair, as they find their way together. A solid plot with a few twists and turns thrown in to keep it interesting just when you think things are starting to settle down. Will Cody and Barker get their chance?

[Ashley♥Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I thought this was going to be a solid 4 star read. I really enjoyed the writing and the story was great. I even enjoyed how the author made it seem like their wolf was always there, even In human form. What I didnt like was that every conversation was followed by a sex scene. I could have gotten over that and still given this book 4 stars but when I was 75% into the book and they were still calling eachother "mate" every sentence I just couldn't deal with it anymore. I feel like it seriously took away from the story. It was so distracting. With that said. I'm glad I read the book but I'm going to avoid shifter stories for a bit because of I read another "mate" anytime soon I'm gonna hit someone.

[Cookie Moretti · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a lot of repetitive "mate" talks and a bunch of "mine". Lots of sex too but I didn't mind lol I actually liked Cody and Barker as a couple. Cody wasn't the alpha but he wasn't just some twink. He suffered for 10 yrs and survived. Didn't let Barker push him around.

Barker was the typical dominant, possessive alpha but he wasn't too overbearing. He could be pushy, yeah, but you can feel his love for Cody. I liked the twists. It was a simple read but wasn't boring to me.

Wish they'd change the dang cover though. Its terrible!

3 1/2 stars.

[Mandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad read, but I admit the use of the word 'mate' got on my nerves after the fiftieth time or so. (it's actually used much, much more than that) I have to say, it took most of my enjoyment from the story. Plus, I never really warmed up to Barker.

I did like the werewolf aspect of the story (Cody's condition and such were interesting), and the sex is pretty hot even if I didn't like on of the MC's. :)

[Cori]

I had to give up on this one. The sex wasn't very sexy (in my opinion) and that was really all there was. Even one of the characters said that all they do was have sex. Plus the mate, mine just got a bit too repetetive.

I might pick this up again someday, but couldn't finish it for now (made it about 50% through)

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the story and the twist on werewolves. But I got really tired of all the "Mine" and "Mate". I lost track of how many times "Mate" was used (by both of the main characters) in the first dozen pages.

[Jimmy Hanson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best Sean Michael werewolf novel I've read, and it left me frustrated. He seemed to be churning out the exact same story as one of his other novels, except with different charas. ><;;

[Meggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is to simple for my taste but the read is fast, clean and enjoyable. To much of sex through the book, but if you consider the type
of the book it's normal.

Good read. Recommended.

[Tamarrion Lash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Очень милая история, но одна из самых омерзительных обложек, виденных мною.

[ReviewerLarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story started out really good (and very hot) but it quickly stopped evolving and sort of of hung without exploring more. Too bad, because I liked how different this story was.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cody is caught somewhere between being a man and a wolf. In agonizing pain every month but unable to fully change, he has struggled alone with this for more than ten years. He can’t help himself though, Cody is constantly drawn back to Barker, his mate, whom Cody can’t resist but equally can’t give in and finally bond with. Thrown out by the pack, cursed and assumed he would soon die, Cody knew his would be a life of isolation and pain. But Barker isn’t willing to give up on his mate and is determined there must be something they can do to help Cody. Can they find a way to work through this?

I enjoyed this paranormal romance. Cody and Barker have a bucket-load of chemistry and the attraction sizzles right from the very first page. While it’s clear the two men have been circling each other for years, the sex between them is explosive immediately and as the reader it took me a few minutes to catch up and realise this was far deeper and more emotional than an erotic story of insta-lust. Both Cody and Barker are right on the edge, having denied themselves over and over for a decade now and each have grown and matured to the point where they’re ready now to try and make their situation work.

Often these sort of highly intense and explicit paranormal stories are written so the growth between the main characters and the relationship itself is the plot – but I was really pleased the author made this story much more than that. While yes, Cody and Barker need to define and grow into their relationship and the issues they’ve each carried with them for their ten years of back-and-forth there was also quite a few other plotlines – Cody’s inner wolf, his inability to shift and the complications from his Clan and family having thrown him out and tried to kill him when he was excommunicated. There is quite a lot of other items happening in this story and I feel that balances out the large amount of explicit sex quite well.

I was impressed the author didn’t just hedge around a number of these plot points and personal issues – I feel they were well detailed and resolved throughout the story in between the sex and relationship development. While Cody and Barker’s relationship was central to the story I feel the author did justice to the paranormal plot and particularly the more complicated plot surrounding Cody’s family as well. Readers should be aware though that there is a suicide attempt in this story (not overly graphic and certainly not in a titillating manner) that might be difficult/confronting for some readers.

Seriously hot and explicit but with solid character development, a complicated relationship and a number of interesting sub-plots I really enjoyed this story and feel it should satisfy many readers.

[Colleen Cremen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good shifter book

I really enjoyed this book. It is the first shifter book of Sean Michael's that I have read. Everything good about Sean Michael with shifters! I will definitely read more.

[PurpleBunny♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. This was Sean Michael through and through! Lots of sex and a great story. 👍

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading--the story was good with the different shifter lore. Barker and Cody were good characters. The beginning of the book was a bit sad, was so glad they found their home.

[Joelle Mendes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half fell a little flat for me. I didn't really connect with the MCs and didn't feel their connection. I felt the word "mate" was overused. Cody and Barker hardly ever referred to each other by their names, everything was "mate." It felt forced. There was also a ton of sex in this book. I normally love that but at times, I felt like the sex was a filler when there could have been more story.

I picked up this book because I love books with a "broken" MC. I was dying to know what Cody's deformity was. I liked that it wasn't horrific and that Cody overcame it. But when that happened before the mid-mark of the book, I thought we were in real trouble.

But then the second half of the book happened. The story changed and got really interesting. I liked how Cody became more aggressive and really stood up for himself and protected his mate. Their connection solidified and they became a couple I wanted more of. I wish that the scenes with the Clan members would have been a bit longer and more intense though. They had potential but were resolved a little too quickly.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

While I love me some "mate" and "mine" I have to agree that the length of this book would have been significantly shorter if the words were trimmed down to one or less a page. That having been said, in true Sean Micheal fashion, the sex is hot and plentiful. The concept of Cody's illness is original and plays out in an interesting way. I liked the development of the relationship as they had ten years of hurt to move beyond. One of Micheal's longer works, this doesn't feel rushed the way so many of the others do. Well worth the money.

[Ilona Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book but I did find that I was beginning to hate the word 'mate' by the end. It was used every time the two main characters referred to each other or were having sex. In total the word 'mate' was used 602 times and this doesn't count all the times 'mated' mates' 'packmate' or 'mate's' was used.

[Lada · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thin plot, the rest is sex, sex, and sex.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Isha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I was entertained while reading this book. Although I would have loved to have learned about the other mates and their special gifts.