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Delany's Catch
Can love overcome the destructive force of an unnatural secret? Alone since his boyfriend left him for another man, Jake Holiday has been working his bookstore, treading water, and keeping to himself. It was simple and uncomplicated. Delany Coltrane changed that.
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First published September 29, 2010
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About the author
Diana DeRicci
71 books186 followersDiana DeRicci is the sexy, flirty pen name of Diana Castilleja. A romance author at heart, DeRicci’s writing takes you into a saucier spectrum of sensuality and sexual adventure, where a happily-ever-after is still the key to any story.
Diana lives in Central Texas with her husband, one son and a feisty little Chihuahua named Rascal.
Diana lives in Central Texas with her husband, one son and a feisty little Chihuahua named Rascal.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 25, 2011
3.5 Stars
Jake runs a book store and one morning, Delaney, who runs a body guard company, comes in to ask directions and is instantly smitten. It’s soon revealed that Delaney is a wolf shifter, and he realizes immediately that Jake is his mate, however he doesn’t want to freak him out. Jake has been celibate since his ex left him three years ago but is equally drawn to the hotness that is Del who commits to going slowly and not freaking Jake out with the shifter stuff. Things are going well for a couple of months, when he invites Jake to his family/pack BBQ. When one of the kids gets trapped in the forest in his wolf form, the truth comes out and Jake doesn’t take it very well, and Delaney retreated into a bottle unless his secretary kicks his ass. I do find I have a penchant for shifter stories. So sue me. J But I like the whole mate scenario and yes, the characters were pretty stereotypical - book geek, ex-army bodyguard. I liked that Del tried to be patient; he didn’t do the claiming thing because he wanted Jake to like him first, although by hiding it he obviously screwed up. So it’s an enjoyable read without much angst save for the short separation which is handled pretty quickly once Del sobers up. If you're in the mood for a shifter it's worth checking out. This is the second book I've read by this author and she has an easy to read enjoyable style for me.
Jake runs a book store and one morning, Delaney, who runs a body guard company, comes in to ask directions and is instantly smitten. It’s soon revealed that Delaney is a wolf shifter, and he realizes immediately that Jake is his mate, however he doesn’t want to freak him out. Jake has been celibate since his ex left him three years ago but is equally drawn to the hotness that is Del who commits to going slowly and not freaking Jake out with the shifter stuff. Things are going well for a couple of months, when he invites Jake to his family/pack BBQ. When one of the kids gets trapped in the forest in his wolf form, the truth comes out and Jake doesn’t take it very well, and Delaney retreated into a bottle unless his secretary kicks his ass. I do find I have a penchant for shifter stories. So sue me. J But I like the whole mate scenario and yes, the characters were pretty stereotypical - book geek, ex-army bodyguard. I liked that Del tried to be patient; he didn’t do the claiming thing because he wanted Jake to like him first, although by hiding it he obviously screwed up. So it’s an enjoyable read without much angst save for the short separation which is handled pretty quickly once Del sobers up. If you're in the mood for a shifter it's worth checking out. This is the second book I've read by this author and she has an easy to read enjoyable style for me.
May 5, 2013
Delany's Catch is what I would call a "Werewolf Lite" kinda book. Anything to do with werewolf issues could have been condensed down to 2 or 3 pages. What this book does do is explore the burgeoning romance/relationship between a closeted werewolf and a nebbish kinda bookseller. The story is good, but I had hoped for more werewolf content. Aside from that, I did like the book.
November 5, 2011
CAUTION: Long Review, Spoilers
Delany's Catch is a short story about a closeted werewolf who chanced upon his mate. Jake Holiday is a tall but timid bookstore owner whose ex-boyfriend of three years ago cheated on Jake and left Jake romatically scarred. Taller than Jake, Delany Coltrane is an ex-bodyguard who came into Jake's bookstore looking for direction but suddenly found himself looking at his new mate Jake Holiday. Like most romance, the story ends on a HEA.
Delany's Catch is told in 3rd POV, splitting between Jake and Daniel's perspectives. The romance is fast-paced so I recommend this for readers who don't prefer a slow-building romance and like the Love at First Sight trope. The story focuses on Jake accepting Del as a boyfriend and, near the end, as a werewolf, there is no outside drama or other issue going on. I recommend this story for readers who want a pure protagonists-driven story, just two dudes trying to trust and falling in love with each other.
Sexual Content
There are a total of two sex scenes, one near the beginning and one near the end. Each is graphically detailed, starting off with a long foreplay scene. In fact, their first flirting immediately becomes their foreplay scene which culminates into a penetration scene. I don't recommend this story for readers who dislike sex on the first date or rather at first meeting in this case where neither characters are prostitute or looking for a one-night stand. Regardless, the attraction between the two is instant, the sex spontaneous.
Even though Jake is submissive and Del is dominating, don't be fool into thinking this is a d/s relationship — it isn't. The second and final sex scene have Del bottoming for Jake. I would have rated the story a lot higher if Jake just stick to being a bottom and a Jake a top.
The Main Conflict
As I said before, the story is pure protagonists-driven. The story uses the Third Act Misunderstanding trope, three in all. The biggest T.A.M. is when Jake felt horror at discovering werewolves are real and betrayed when he discovered Del is one of them. The second T.A.M. has Del secretly bringing business to Jake's failing bookstore without Jake's knowledge. The third T.A.M. has Del not answering Jake's call because Del didn't know it was Jake who was calling which directly led Jake into thinking their relationship was over.
However, the crux of the story depends on whether or not Jake will accept Del for who Del is and love him.
Overall
While I do dislike stories for sometime using the Misunderstanding trope, the trope in this story wasn't the reason why I didn't 4-5 stars rate Delany's Catch. The unfulfilled expectation of a pure bottom-top theme is what irked me.
Sorry, but the story had me going for a d/s relationship. Instead, I got an equal-partnership relationship which itself is NOT a bad thing but wasn't something I wanted for this story to have. LOL, turns out the story wasn't cliché enough for my liking. However, readers who dislike cliché relationship, beside the Love at First Sight trope, could find themselves liking this sweet romance.
I rate Delany's Catch a soft 3-stars for an I-liked-it.
Delany's Catch is a short story about a closeted werewolf who chanced upon his mate. Jake Holiday is a tall but timid bookstore owner whose ex-boyfriend of three years ago cheated on Jake and left Jake romatically scarred. Taller than Jake, Delany Coltrane is an ex-bodyguard who came into Jake's bookstore looking for direction but suddenly found himself looking at his new mate Jake Holiday. Like most romance, the story ends on a HEA.
Delany's Catch is told in 3rd POV, splitting between Jake and Daniel's perspectives. The romance is fast-paced so I recommend this for readers who don't prefer a slow-building romance and like the Love at First Sight trope. The story focuses on Jake accepting Del as a boyfriend and, near the end, as a werewolf, there is no outside drama or other issue going on. I recommend this story for readers who want a pure protagonists-driven story, just two dudes trying to trust and falling in love with each other.
Sexual Content
There are a total of two sex scenes, one near the beginning and one near the end. Each is graphically detailed, starting off with a long foreplay scene. In fact, their first flirting immediately becomes their foreplay scene which culminates into a penetration scene. I don't recommend this story for readers who dislike sex on the first date or rather at first meeting in this case where neither characters are prostitute or looking for a one-night stand. Regardless, the attraction between the two is instant, the sex spontaneous.
Even though Jake is submissive and Del is dominating, don't be fool into thinking this is a d/s relationship — it isn't. The second and final sex scene have Del bottoming for Jake. I would have rated the story a lot higher if Jake just stick to being a bottom and a Jake a top.
He [Jake] liked the mastered feeling of being a bottom, like being dominated by a stronger male.That's what I read in the beginning of the story. That's how I came to expect a pure bottom-top relationship but was later disappointed when the story wasn't.
The Main Conflict
As I said before, the story is pure protagonists-driven. The story uses the Third Act Misunderstanding trope, three in all. The biggest T.A.M. is when Jake felt horror at discovering werewolves are real and betrayed when he discovered Del is one of them. The second T.A.M. has Del secretly bringing business to Jake's failing bookstore without Jake's knowledge. The third T.A.M. has Del not answering Jake's call because Del didn't know it was Jake who was calling which directly led Jake into thinking their relationship was over.
However, the crux of the story depends on whether or not Jake will accept Del for who Del is and love him.
Overall
While I do dislike stories for sometime using the Misunderstanding trope, the trope in this story wasn't the reason why I didn't 4-5 stars rate Delany's Catch. The unfulfilled expectation of a pure bottom-top theme is what irked me.
Sorry, but the story had me going for a d/s relationship. Instead, I got an equal-partnership relationship which itself is NOT a bad thing but wasn't something I wanted for this story to have. LOL, turns out the story wasn't cliché enough for my liking. However, readers who dislike cliché relationship, beside the Love at First Sight trope, could find themselves liking this sweet romance.
I rate Delany's Catch a soft 3-stars for an I-liked-it.
August 15, 2012
Jake Holiday is running a small bookstore that is going under. While balancing boxes, he’s assisted by Delany Coltran, who is lost and needs directions. When Del meets Jake he realizes he has found his mate.
Del is an ex-bodyguard with his own company. Though Del has just met his mate, he can’t tell him who and what he is. He stakes his claim with a kiss. When Jake needs Del’s help with the truth of whom and what Del is – will it tear them apart for good?
Delany’s Catch by Diana DeRicci is a fun, sweet, yet hot read I could not put down. I like the shy insecure Jake; he has layers which made me really fall for him. He’s smart in some ways, tender in others and then he can turn all shy and needy. Del is used to being the big, bad alpha, the one taking care of someone else. The fact Jake needs him is even more of a turn on for the alpha inside him. Unfortunately he can’t be totally truthful about who and what he is. Yet, he doesn’t want to lose the man he knows is his.
I liked how this book was paced; it went at just the right speed and the relationship between the two men didn’t seem rushed. I loved the connection between the characters – it just made me want more. I pick up a Diana DeRicci book because I know I will get a hot story with characters I can fall in love with and Delany’s Catch is no exception.
Del is an ex-bodyguard with his own company. Though Del has just met his mate, he can’t tell him who and what he is. He stakes his claim with a kiss. When Jake needs Del’s help with the truth of whom and what Del is – will it tear them apart for good?
Delany’s Catch by Diana DeRicci is a fun, sweet, yet hot read I could not put down. I like the shy insecure Jake; he has layers which made me really fall for him. He’s smart in some ways, tender in others and then he can turn all shy and needy. Del is used to being the big, bad alpha, the one taking care of someone else. The fact Jake needs him is even more of a turn on for the alpha inside him. Unfortunately he can’t be totally truthful about who and what he is. Yet, he doesn’t want to lose the man he knows is his.
I liked how this book was paced; it went at just the right speed and the relationship between the two men didn’t seem rushed. I loved the connection between the characters – it just made me want more. I pick up a Diana DeRicci book because I know I will get a hot story with characters I can fall in love with and Delany’s Catch is no exception.
July 2, 2012
I really enjoyed Delany's Catch. Its a good example of what I expect from a shifter story; the standard power dynamic is there but the human counterpoint - or mate - isn't weak or just an accessory to the shifter, the storyline is relatively interesting, and there's other players/characters in the storyline as well as the main two and not just because they're supposed to be obstacles.
This is one of those stories that is good to give to someone who wonders what the whole shifter genre is about without scaring them away. I would've rated it higher if there was just a bit more plot depth, instead you get a lighter read that comes off as either a simple single novel story or the perfect beginning to a series.
I'd go back for more, so that's a great sign. Also, I have to say that I LOVED how original the author was with Jack's introduction to the shifter world. It was very realistic in the fact that everyone's put off telling someone something or doing something because they were worried about the outcome and then realized that they waited too long and had to deal with the fallout and it was interesting how events unfolded after his secret was revealed.
This is one of those stories that is good to give to someone who wonders what the whole shifter genre is about without scaring them away. I would've rated it higher if there was just a bit more plot depth, instead you get a lighter read that comes off as either a simple single novel story or the perfect beginning to a series.
I'd go back for more, so that's a great sign. Also, I have to say that I LOVED how original the author was with Jack's introduction to the shifter world. It was very realistic in the fact that everyone's put off telling someone something or doing something because they were worried about the outcome and then realized that they waited too long and had to deal with the fallout and it was interesting how events unfolded after his secret was revealed.
February 25, 2017
I don’t quite know why I keep coming back to this book. Perhaps it was one of the first reasonable shifter stories I read back then and so I associate easy entertainment with it.
And it’s still a nice story. Admittedly, the black moment and its resolution seem awfully forced to the detriment of characterization. That did get a little annoying.
Still, it is strange how many of the elements present here have made their way into my personal arsenal of story pieces. Wasn’t aware of it at all. Then again, maybe they’re all relatively universal anyway.
So yes, not a bad re-read. But I really crave something more now.
And it’s still a nice story. Admittedly, the black moment and its resolution seem awfully forced to the detriment of characterization. That did get a little annoying.
Still, it is strange how many of the elements present here have made their way into my personal arsenal of story pieces. Wasn’t aware of it at all. Then again, maybe they’re all relatively universal anyway.
So yes, not a bad re-read. But I really crave something more now.
July 22, 2012
It was frustrating, to say at least. Not stupid and lame in their worst, but both nonetheless.
*shakes head*
Jake was great. Delany was overall okay, though I'm still wondering how on Earth can he be so stupid.
They were hot together. I would have loved to have seen (read about) the marking.
*shakes head*
Jake was great. Delany was overall okay, though I'm still wondering how on Earth can he be so stupid.
They were hot together. I would have loved to have seen (read about) the marking.
November 7, 2010
Extra kudos for the fact that when Delany foolishly hides what he is, yet brings Jake to a pack picnic and then jake finds out the hard way, that Jake doesn't say, oh yay, shifters, and move on. Jake is shocked and terrified and hurt, and he shows that. Good! I like Jake a lot, and I hope Sierra gets her man
October 28, 2012
Cute enough. I did enjoy it. It was short and sweet, and not boring at all. I think the big guy shoul have answered the phone and avoided most of that heartache, but oh well. Where would all the lovely angst be if he had?
August 4, 2014
My first shifter book! Surprisingly it’s just like a classic romance with one more complication- the MC becomes a wolf! Well written and I feel like there is more to come, was this a series? I will look out for Ms DeRicci’s novels in the future.
October 9, 2010
Another good one by this author - I almost thought there would be HEA but it happened. Yeah!!!!
October 28, 2010
3.5 stars
November 26, 2010
Cool story line...this writer shows true potential. I look forward to watching her grow as a weaver of words.
December 1, 2010
I absolutely adore Delany.
December 29, 2010
Pretty good short paranormal m/m romance about a wolf shifter who walks into a bookstore to ask for directions and realizes that the proprietor is his mate.
November 10, 2011
Love this book!!
November 29, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. My only gripe is that it wasn't long enough LOL I shall be eagerly looking for more of this author's work.
February 20, 2014
Oh I wish there were more stories with this world! What happens to Sierra? What about Andrew and Lincoln? Who is Alpha? So many questions!
October 24, 2010
I Really enjoyed this! Well written and may make it on my re-read shelf.
December 11, 2012
...Whatever.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews