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Hunting Season (The Gathering #1)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 1,586 ratings · 130 reviews

Stubborn, lethal, and from Jersey...what more could a Viking warrior want from his woman?

The Gathering, Book 1

Neecy Lawrence, winged warrior for a Viking goddess and second-in-command of the fierce Crows, doesn't know what to do with a nice guy. As it is, making up for a past she'd sooner forget leaves her barely polite most days. But Raven leader and loyal Odin warrior, W...more

ebook, 267 pages

Published October 2nd 2009 by Samhain Publishing (first published October 2009)

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Jul 28, 2010 Katie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, paranormal, shapeshifters

I really had to think about how to rate this book. I liked the characters, but the story was so over riddled with sex that there was no plot movement. Now don't get me wrong I love reading a good sex scene. Especially when the sex is used to further the plot or reveal a characters real nature, because inhibitions are down during sex --but this sex was just page filling irrelevant. I had hope it was getting better in the last third (during healing) but unfortunately it digressed back into only se...more

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Sep 23, 2010 Suzanne the Mighty ~Satin Seductress~ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, author-goddess-shelly-laurenston, funny-funny-har-har, paranormal-creature-menagerie, hot-male-in-my-harem

I loved this book, it had the perfect combination of humour, romance, sex, violence and bitchy female frienships that I adore. If you are a fan of SL other works then you will definately enjoy this and if you have never read anything by her, then this is a good place to start! I am really hoping that she writes more in this series soon as I absoloutley love it!

Here are some quotes that I really loved from this book to try and induce others to read it!

He looked at Mike Molinski, who had somehow b...more I loved this book, it had the perfect combination of humour, romance, sex, violence and bitchy female frienships that I adore. If you are a fan of SL other works then you will definately enjoy this and if you have never read anything by her, then this is a good place to start! I am really hoping that she writes more in this series soon as I absoloutley love it!

Here are some quotes that I really loved from this book to try and induce others to read it!

He looked at Mike Molinski, who had somehow become the baby brother he never had…and started to realize, he never wanted.

Lowering the bottle of water, she slowly licked her lips.
“Uh…Lawrence? My eyes are up here.”
“So?”
Yager laughed. “God, I love your honesty.”
Well, why bother lying? When a man sports a cock that big and it was all yours for the next twenty-three hours, why waste time with bullshit?

“Aren’t you hungry, baby?”
“This is another one of those trick questions, isn’t it?”
He grinned as he fought with her to pull the covers back. He always knew he’d enjoy tusslin’ with Neecy Lawrence. “Don’t be ridiculous.” He snatched the covers out of her hands. “Besides, what else could I mean when I say, ‘So, do you like protein in your diet?’”
“I thought you were talking about that diet where you only eat meat.”
Laughing, he slipped his arms under her neck and legs, easily lifting her off the bed. “In a way…I was.”

“I’m not finicky about food.” She snagged a piece of barbeque pork and popped it into her mouth. “Especially when I’m actually allowed to eat.”
“Don’t give me that look. I gave you time for lunch.”
“Letting me eat soup while you lick me out is not really conducive to getting in a full meal.”
“But it was chicken noodle. It had everything necessary to get back to sex.”

“Every time you take down some scumbag. Every time you try to make Arri feel welcome and stop Janelle and Mike from fighting. Or when you go out of your way not to show Tye when he’s completely freaked you out. And every time you smile. Every time, Neecy Lawrence, you bring me joy.”

With her tucked into his big arms, Yager moved easily to the enormous bathroom. Carefully he lowered her onto the toilet. Then he stood back and stared at her.
“Well…go on,” he pushed.
Her mouth dropped open in shock, but she quickly recovered. “Have you lost your mind? Get out.”
“Come on, Neecy. Aren’t we past this?”
The last of her control snapped. “Out!”
Chuckling, “Okay. Okay. I’m going.” He stepped to the doorway. “And, you know, you can do whatever you need to in here. You don’t have to keep it to peeing.”
“Yager!”
He laughed a little louder and walked out, closing the door behind him.

“One night, me, Tye, and Mike got really drunk and named our cocks.”
Neecy studied him before asking, “Excuse me?”
“We named them. We were really drunk.”
He saw a smile tug at the corner of her lips. “And what, exactly, did you name them?”
Well, this was awkward. “Mike’s was Mr. Lovespussy.”
“Of course.”
“Tye’s was Dangerous Dan.”
“I’m not even going to ask why. And yours?”
He scratched the back of his head. “Remember. We were really drunk.”
“Cough it up, Yager.”
With a shrug, “Master and Commander.”
When the laughing got so bad she started wheezing, the birds flew back out the window they came in.

And there are many more in the book : )

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Apr 04, 2013 MrsJoseph rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 100-books-in-2011, adult, heroine-kick-ass-female-character, romance-pnr, romance, series, series-to-build, heroine-woman-warrior

This books is vulgar and fun!

Neecy Lawrence is a Crow. Crows are women who are murdered and given a second chance by being brought back to life by the Viking goddess Skuld. They are called The Gathering. The Crows chase, capture, (and usually) kill people who commit crimes against the Viking gods and goddesses (steal magical runes, etc).

Will Yager is a Raven. Ravens are descendants from the original protectors and warriors of the Viking god Odin.

Usually the Crows and the Ravens don’t mix and m...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Ivie Hill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, erotica, not-what-i-expected, kick-ass-heroine

With Ms. Laurenston it's a hit or miss for me. Although i must admit it's more of a miss considering i wasn't able to finish any of her previous books. I stumbled across Hunting Season and got interested in the description and got all fired up, but got a tad deflated when i saw who the author was. But still boredom prevailed and i got a pleasant surprise.

A fast paced erotica full of paranormal beings derived from two different Norse deities. The dynamic between the characters reminded me of immo...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Monica rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: devoured

A story of Ravens and Crows; Neecy and Yeager; as the story unfolds we learn that Crows are a group of women who are offered a new life as champions of the goddess Skuld; Ravens are Nordic heirs and champions of the God Odin. Both fight for their Gods, both are strong and intelligent, both are trying to keep the world safe from the magic's of the other side. The good: Great beginning familiar themes and plot from the author The bad: Not as good as any of her other works, a little confusing, slow...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Sheera rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book & look forward to the next & next & next ...

There were some excellent points; though, oddly the characters I liked the BEST weren't the main characters.
(view spoiler)...more

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Nov 12, 2011 Starry rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Stubborn, lethal, and from Jersey…what more could a Viking warrior want from his woman?

The Gathering, Book 1

Neecy Lawrence, winged warrior for a Viking goddess and second-in-command of the fierce Crows, doesn’t know what to do with a nice guy. As it is, making up for a past she’d sooner forget leaves her barely polite most days. But Raven leader and loyal Odin warrior, Will Yager, isn’t just nice. He’s gorgeous, hot, and a distraction she simply can’t afford.

Yager has wanted Neecy in his life—a...more Stubborn, lethal, and from Jersey…what more could a Viking warrior want from his woman?

The Gathering, Book 1

Neecy Lawrence, winged warrior for a Viking goddess and second-in-command of the fierce Crows, doesn’t know what to do with a nice guy. As it is, making up for a past she’d sooner forget leaves her barely polite most days. But Raven leader and loyal Odin warrior, Will Yager, isn’t just nice. He’s gorgeous, hot, and a distraction she simply can’t afford.

Yager has wanted Neecy in his life—and in his bed—for a long time. Not just for a night, but forever. And, like any self-respecting Viking, he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. So what if she’s the most difficult, complex, never-gives-him-a-break woman he’s ever known? She’s more than worth the effort. In fact, she’s worth everything.

And if it turns out that twenty-four hours of non-stop, any-way-she-wants-it sex doesn’t work with Neecy? Then it looks like he’ll just have to get a little more creative…
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________=_

Yager has had a total obsession with Neecy since the time when he first saw her and she kicked him in the face. He knows that she's the one that he wants to be with forever, but everytime he sees her she pushes him away and doesn't let him get close enough to her to convince her she's his...Well, all thats going to change, because when Yager has a goal in mind, he plans to suceed in his goal...And trust me, he never loses.
Neecy has feelings for Yager, but she doesn't want anything serious between them. She just want a one-night-stands with him, but she knows his goal is way more than that for her. and it doesn't help at all that her sisters are doing everything to try to make her like Yager.
My favorite background characters would definately be mike and tye!!i love love love the pranks that they put on each other, especially the bird seeds being put in mike's pockets so that the crows would attack him!that was smart and a hilarious prank!xDDD
There is also the crow sisters who are the best! and the horny raven dudes xDDD ill just say this...if you tell them that there are lesbian girls dancing in their house, all the raven dudes would make a move for it.
Later on in the end they find out that the queen of the underworld wants arri, and neecy and Yager are together as a couple.Mike likes Arri, and Arri thinks that Mike has something to do with the brand that she has of another god(the queen of the underworlds-Hella)...
#148(less)

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Aug 10, 2011 Kathy Davie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica, fantasy, urban

First in the Gathering Season urban fantasy series revolving around Valkyries, Ravens, Crows, Odin, and Skuld in the Viking pantheon.

The Ravens are all male direct descendants of Odin's Elite Guard who are born with their blue-black wings and answer directly to Odin. They perform "rescue missions, help those in need, and sometimes get involved in the politics of gods.

The Crows are all female descendants of those women stolen by Vikings who receive their blue-black wings as they are breathing th...more

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Feb 11, 2011 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

I swear, I worship at the alter of Shelly Laurenston's writing talent. I just finished Hunting Season for the second time...in fact, I just finished rereading all of the books I have that she's authored, alternating with a new book in between, because I had gotten into a reading slump, picking books that were highly rated but I wasn't liking very much. Returning to the Magnus Pack, or reviewing the Pride stories, or spending time with my favorites - the Dragon Kin Series (which she pens under th...more I swear, I worship at the alter of Shelly Laurenston's writing talent. I just finished Hunting Season for the second time...in fact, I just finished rereading all of the books I have that she's authored, alternating with a new book in between, because I had gotten into a reading slump, picking books that were highly rated but I wasn't liking very much. Returning to the Magnus Pack, or reviewing the Pride stories, or spending time with my favorites - the Dragon Kin Series (which she pens under the name G.A. Aiken), is much akin to a cool sherbet between courses of a too-heavy meal. Definitely a delicious palate cleanser.

Hunting Season, the first in The Gathering series, is no exception. I just adore Laurenston's writing style. I love the mythos she creates and the way the series' overlap characters in the same wonderful, wacky world. I loved the originality of the story here, with the bawdy, beautiful, culturally diverse Crows - a group of woman...with a bit extra - that fight for their goddess Skuld in an effort to maintain the balance of good and evil, and their male counterparts, the Ravens - winged Viking warriors for the god Odin. And I absolutely adore seeing these two groups mingle. There is some real originality in the mythos in this series, and I'm totally jonesing for another book to get my next fix.

I can't say enough about the characters Laurenston creates, either. Her males define the term "alpha" and her females are powerful, intelligent, and deliciously self sufficient. In Hunting Season, Neecy Lawrence is second in command of the Crows and a more dedicated, vicious warrior for Skuld has rarely been seen, but Neecy has a lot of layers and quite a bit of baggage from a past that left her dead before being chosen by Skuld. That's not that unusual, though, as all Skuld's warrior women died first. What's great about Neecy is that she's not just a total badass, she's also a well published and revered Ph.D. with degrees from several prestigious schools and a day job that sees one Dr. Denise Lawrence lecturing to college history students. She's one of my favorite of all of Laurenston's characters in all her series, actually, because I think the blend of tough bitch and brainiac is particularly appealing. And Willhelm Yager, the head of the Ravens, is certainly no slouch either - he's sexy as hell and such a wicked computer geek. And he kills bad guys too. What's not to love?

One of the best things about Hunting Season is the role reversal. Will is desperately and completely in love with Neecy. Neecy is deeply disturbed and uncomfortable with his attentions. She may want him...but she sure doesn't want to be with him. The hoops Will jumps through to try to make Neecy his are at turns hilarious and endearing. By far these two are just flat-out awesome together.

Laurenston has really outdone herself here with world building, pacing, complexity of plot and diversity and depth of characters, and of course, trademark Laurenston - bawdy and crass sexuality blended brilliantly with a physical humor that is unmatched and not to be missed. Whenever I need to laugh a lot and maybe tear up a little...whenever I yearn for a sure-fire awesome read that makes me feel for the characters and their lives, I reach for Laurenston. You should, too. No one does what she does as well as she does it.

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another. (less)

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Feb 05, 2011 Blackraven's Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Tamara’s Review:

Hot damn! That’s right, Ms. Laurensten has once more created a sizzling hot shifter book. It’s been this reviewer’s privilege to have read almost every book that this incredible author has produced and this book is no exception to the standard she has created. In fact this is the first actual shifter book I’ve passed onto my significant other. He normally doesn’t do the paranormal stuff but with the sexy hockey playing, stick toting Yager as the hero and the sassy, playful, but n...more

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Dec 23, 2009 Shelita Thomas rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Rolanda, Emily

Shelves: ebooks

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 28, 2009 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, paranormal-romance

Laurentson is my new favorite author. This book was definitely not like others I've read. It's about the Crows (women sworn to the Viking goddess Skuld) and the Ravens (men sworn to the Viking god Odin).

They uphold the will of the gods and do their best to rid the world of evil, yadda yadda.

Second in command of the Crows is Neecy. She's a bad ass chick who is doing her best to stay away from the leader of the Raven's Will. Too bad he wants nothing more than to stay in her path.

As those two are...more

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Dec 07, 2011 Vanessa theJeepDiva rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, paranormal-romance, erotic

I loved Neecy and Yager. I loved reading the lengths that this man went through to get his woman. Yager was a great hero to read. He was humorous. He totally rocked the hunky dork image. Neecy knows she’s one tough kick ass chick. She can handle anything life throws her way. Neecy thinks she can handle a sex with no strings attached relationship with Yager. He is willing to get her into his life by any means possible. Yager knows once he gets to her once he can just keep up his persistence and b...more

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Apr 04, 2011 Jane (PS) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fun light story... I had a smile on my face for quite a bit of the book, and outright laughed at some of the Crows' and Ravens' antics, however the story was just missing some depth from my perspective.

I guess I would read another of her books in this series if she put one out. I would, in fact, read this series in preference to the 'Magnus Pack' and 'Dragon Kin' series - I think I prefer this 'world'. (Which is unusual becuase I generally don't like 'god' based storylines much.)

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May 19, 2012 Booklover, Indianapolis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-in-paper, own-in-e-format, paranormal-misc, reread-in-2012, pnr-all-time-favorites, 5-star-books

I'm not sure what it is about this book - I know a lot of fans do not like this one - but I absolutely love it. Not quite as funny as a lot of SL's books - a bit darker, perhaps, but I find myself rereading this at least twice a year and enjoying it every time. I think I'm in love w/Yeager and Neecy both! It kills me that SL does not plan to continue the series - if nothing else, at least tell Mike and Arri's story as well as Janelle and Tye's! Maybe one day - but then again, the last couple of...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Wai rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

As second in command of the Jersey Crows in service of Skuld, a Norse goddess (equivalent to Fates), Neecy Lawrence doesn't have time for romance which means she really doesn't have time nor appreciate Wilhelm Yager, genuine nice guy and leader of the Ravens, Odin's warriors.

Whilst the story is set in Shelly Laurenston's New York and there are shifters in it, there are no characters from the Pride series making an appearance. In fact, despite their name, the Crows and Ravens aren't shifters at a...more As second in command of the Jersey Crows in service of Skuld, a Norse goddess (equivalent to Fates), Neecy Lawrence doesn't have time for romance which means she really doesn't have time nor appreciate Wilhelm Yager, genuine nice guy and leader of the Ravens, Odin's warriors.

Whilst the story is set in Shelly Laurenston's New York and there are shifters in it, there are no characters from the Pride series making an appearance. In fact, despite their name, the Crows and Ravens aren't shifters at all but human who can grow huge black wings from their namesakes and fly at night.

Their role is a simple one; hunt down anyone that has earned the enmity of their respective deity generally by stealing an artefact and even worse, activating it.

Hunting Season contains everything that characterises a Shelly Laurenston book; alpha characters, snarky dialogue, hilarious scenes, bloody fights and hot sex scenes all tied together with a story woven throughout.

Aside from the bad guys which are not supposed to be liked anyway, I adored each character and how they were portrayed especially given how strong the Neecy and Yager are in terms of their character strength that there was no submission from either side but rather a breaking down of self-imposed barriers.

There were stand out moments that had me literally laughing out loud. There are books that are funny and will make me smile but few will have me stop reading because I'm laughing so hard. All I will say is that the antics going on whilst Neecy and Yager play chess would make Abbot and Costello proud.

I found the story and its mix of Norse mythology to be interesting as well such as how the Crows and Ravens come to be and the interplay between the gods and their servants. But it's also clear that Shelly Laurenston also researched the mythos and didn't simply pick names at random.

The only thing I didn't like about Hunting Season? To date, it's the only book in the series. Given that the Pride and Dragonkin series are the focus at the moment, I can only hope that this gets continued in the future.

A great book for those new to Shelly Laurenston's work and / or fans of Norse related tales. An absolute must for existing readers.(less)

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Jul 02, 2012 Shelly Blackmore rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: supernatural

Neecy is a member of the Crows, a group of women who have been approached by the goddess Skuld at the moment of their death and given the choice to either die, or join her, thus aquiring special powers, including, but not limited to the gift of wings and flight. The Crows protect the earth from scumbags who steal magical items that are meant for the gods, and who try to use them. They also like to party...a lot.

Yager is a Raven, Odin's group of hand-selected Vikings, also winged, who work (somet...more

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Oct 23, 2011 Crazy4more rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5-4 stars

I can't really decide but the fact that I had to contemplate said I'm taking these reviews too serious...seriously... Nah, it's S.Laurenston, I can't not give her my aweness!

I did finished it in one gulp, enjoyed it thoroughly and wanting more, geez, now I sounded like her characters, lol...isn't that a sign of a 4-stars read? I love Ms. Laurenston writing style. It's fun & exciting, hot & sweet, yummy-witty-smart characters.

The Crows, fun-wild-witty-reborned female warrior le...more

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Nov 25, 2012 Ren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars, alpha-hero, ass-kick-heroine, author-autobuy, dont-forget-write-the-review, drooling-cover, e-books, god-goddes, group-challenge, make-me-nosebleed, paranormal, pnr-challenge-2012, read-english-book-challenge, shape-shifter-and-or-werewolf, special-ability, steamy, stubborn-chara, there-are-hot-men, there-s-hot-and-dangerous-heroes, utc-shifter-challenge-2012, valkyrie, viking, beta-hero

Hunting Season is about Denise"Neecy" Lawrence, a history professor with PhD by day and a fearless Crow second in command by night. She feel annoyed since Willhelm Yager, The Raven's leader seems interested to her and always follow her like a dog with bone, or a bird with worm. Whatever. Yager want Neecy for forever even Neecy think she's not worthy for him. She was drug dealer before she gunned down by her boyfriend, almost dead and become Crow. Neecy thing Yager is a nice guy. What she doesn't...more Hunting Season is about Denise"Neecy" Lawrence, a history professor with PhD by day and a fearless Crow second in command by night. She feel annoyed since Willhelm Yager, The Raven's leader seems interested to her and always follow her like a dog with bone, or a bird with worm. Whatever. Yager want Neecy for forever even Neecy think she's not worthy for him. She was drug dealer before she gunned down by her boyfriend, almost dead and become Crow. Neecy thing Yager is a nice guy. What she doesn't know is, Yager is a nice HOT guy. They have sex for 24 hours, just to scratch the itch, but of course its not enough for Yager.

There's a threat from Hunters and Hunting Season is begin. Neecy must train her new member Arri Chang with the help of her fellow comrade Janelle, Katie and her leader, Didi. While she also resist her feeling to Yager. Now, this Viking must play dirty to win the heart of the most stubborn Crow member.

I have been read a lot of Shelly Laurenston books lately and I think she will become the "Author of the Year". At last for me. Her books is full of humor and crazy people. Snark fly everywhere. Add it with strong heroine that you want to shake your head when reading their bitchines and snark comment but you can help to adore them because of their strength. And Laurenston write a resilient, strong, annoying-but-cute, alpha-beta hero. Oh, and don't forget she write the steamiest story ever. What I can ask more?

She do it again with Hunting Season, even the craziness not as much as Pride series or her other series Dragon Kin. Love the way she take a new direction of Norse legend with creating The Ravens, Odin's warrior and The Crow. Imagine The Crow as Amazon women just from the Norse. The Crow is made by Skuld, one of the Norse Fate. Skuld also love to read Penthouse magazines and The Crow kinda remind me of Valkyrie from Immortal After Dark by Kresley Cole. Nosy, bitchy, snarky but full of fun. Funny thing is, the Valkyrie in this book are Crow's "enemy". Not enemy after all, just they like to pissed The Crow off. Valkyries is full of bimbo that Odin created and meaningless creature. But some Old School Valkyries, the true Valkyries is a healer to the Ravens and don't give Odin a shit.

I feel sometimes Neecy is too stubborn and I got impatient with her try to resist her feeling toward Yager. As for Yager, I love his Alpha-Beta character. He's a geek but also 6 ft 7 inch Viking that make him ....hunk. He does care for Neecy, and wait patiently for her. He also tend her when she got wounded by the Hunters. The other characters are crazy like always. I see the possibilities of the sequel, since there's a chance some characters will get their own story. Such as Tye, Yager second in command, with Janelle. And Mike who is like typical dumb hero Laurenston created with the meek Arri Chang. Shelly Laurenston implied at her site that she doesn't know when she will write the sequel. But I really hope some times in the future, she will write it.(less)

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Dec 31, 2010 Anita rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, laugh-out-loud-funny, paranormal-romance

A new series by Shelly Laurenston, this one features Norse mythology and two winged troops of warriors in modern day New York. The Crows are all women brought back from violent death by Skuld, and the Ravens are male warriors born with wings that serve Odin. The two troops are usually on the same side. This story is about the leader of the Ravends, Will Yager, getting together with the 2nd in command of the Crows, Neecy Lawrence, who has more than a few issues about men. There are also some psyc...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Tank rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-erotica

I really liked this one and although this is listed as #1 of a series, Laurenston never wrote another book after this was published in 2009 (I think). Laureston does kick-ass-take-no-shit-smart-as-all-get-out women so very well. Had this series been continued it would be similar to Kresley Cole's "Immortals After Dark" series, and that's definitely a good thing to me. I wonder why Laurenston (aka G.A. Aiken) never continued this series. I could easily read a dozen books with these characters. La...more

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May 19, 2013 Lea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would...not sure why as I've read other books by Shelly Laurenston and enjoyed them all - to varying degrees.

This was an interesting mix that included Odin and other mythological gods, but mostly it dealt with their warriors. It had some shifters in it too. I enjoyed that Yager, the hero, was the one who was pursuing the heroine, Neecy, and that he was the first to show the love sickness! Didn't hurt that he is one hunky man! The wings are pretty sexy t...more

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Apr 20, 2012 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: friends, fighting, fate, erotic, death, clans, blood, alpha, aggression, adventure

I really liked this book. It took me awhile to finish it but it was worth picking back up. Neecy is a winged warrior for a Viking goddess. She is second in command of the crows. All the women have died in some horrible fashion before being asked into thr group. The Crows work together with the Ravens who are Vikings as well. These men show loyalty to Odin. The Ravens leader is Yager and he is infatuated and in love with Neecy but can't seem to win her over.
It's a cute book with sex and lots of...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Sasha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, shapeshifters

I like the concept and the world building. But it was just too long, since there wasn't enough real story or emotional payoff in the last third of the novel.

The beginning was amazing. I was really fascinated. But then SL just lost me. The resolution of the heroine's baggage was too abrupt, considering how deep seated they were (and how it was all bemoaned endlessly prior to said resolution), and then the final fight with the villain was anticlimactic to say the least. For so much buildup, he sho...more

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Nov 13, 2012 lia rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

What a load of crap! I wasted my precious time reading this until I finally had had enough and delete this from my ebook reader.

There's no storyline to speak of. What constitute as storyline in here is the two people slammin' it in any available surface in so many pages. The language that use in this book has so many profanity in it I feel like I'm living on the street.

I don't understand the high rating that this book get. I feel that writers these days put more efforts in imagining sex scene...more

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Sep 30, 2010 Stacy {Texas Reader} rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first Laurenston book I have read, and I have to say I liked it. It was a different spin on the usual romance with the man chasing the out-of-control woman. Not much about the underlying series is covered, which was fine with me, we learned enough to make the story tie together, even though I know nothing about Norse Gods. The characters in this book are absolutely hilarious! They are well written, with very different personalities. And the sex was not over the top but fit just right...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Janina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, shifters

Neecy Lawrence is a winged warrior for a Viking Goddess and the second in command of the Crow. While making up for her past that she hasn't forgotten, she is rarely in a nice mood. And when it comes to guys, Neecy doesn't know what to do with a nice guy. But Raven leader and loyal Odin warrior, Will Yager, isn't just nice. Yager has wanted Neecy for a long time, and being the Viking that he is, he will stop at nothing to get her. Not just for the moment but forever. But Yager knows in order to k...more Neecy Lawrence is a winged warrior for a Viking Goddess and the second in command of the Crow. While making up for her past that she hasn't forgotten, she is rarely in a nice mood. And when it comes to guys, Neecy doesn't know what to do with a nice guy. But Raven leader and loyal Odin warrior, Will Yager, isn't just nice. Yager has wanted Neecy for a long time, and being the Viking that he is, he will stop at nothing to get her. Not just for the moment but forever. But Yager knows in order to keep Neecy, he's going to have to be creative, not matter how difficult she may be.

I loved this book! Out of all the Shelly Laurenston's books I've read, I have loved every single one of them. This book was a fun, light read. I enjoyed it so much much. I loved the plot and the characters, even all the side characters.

Neecy and Yager, of course, were my favorite. Those two together had me laughing every single time. I really loved that fact, that this book had me laughing throughout it the entire time I was reading it. Especially with Neecy and her attitude towards Yager. I also loved there chemistry with each other. They could burn a house down with all that chemistry! Yager was a sweetheart, but I loved that dominant attitude. I loved how the roles were kind of reversed. Neecy was the one with the internal issues towards the relationship with her past, instead of Yager. It's usually the guys with the problems. So I liked that fact.

The side characters: Mike, Arri, Janelle and Didi had me laughing tears. Arri, when she the Crows finally accepted and she became comfortable around everyone, had me laughing. Especially at that last party!

The action was great. Neecy is a bad ass character which I really like. All the crows were. Oh, and speaking of crows, I have never read a book about crows! I was kind of freaked out about that in the beginning! Lol
And the ending tripped me out. I was sitting there trying to turn to the next page but I realized it was the end! Typical Neecy. I want the sequel to be released badly! I want to know what Yager does.

Overall the book was a quick read. It was light and very entertaining. Definitely for people 18 and older. If you want a good laugh, I seriously recommend this book to you!(less)

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Oct 06, 2011 Magda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelly Laurenston can do no wrong.

Loved the humor, the characters, the story.

Funny quotes:

1-“I’d like this dress more if I wasn’t forced into it.”
“Forced?”
“Yeah. Janelle held me down while the rest of ‘em put it on me.” Yager stood up straight, his eyes looking off blindly.
“My God, woman. The visual. Was there porn music in the background?”

2- “Hey, Chuck. Do me a favor and stop at the drug store before we get to Dr. Lawrence’s apartment.” “You got it.” He looked over at Neecy and found her w...more

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Nov 03, 2011 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is a paranormal erotic romance by Shelly Laurenston.
It is the first of a new series called The Gathering.
I enjoy Shelly Laurenston books and was quite interested in reading this one as well. Although not as good as her usual shifter books, it is still a very good read.
Neecy Lawrence is a Crow - a woman brought back from death by a Viking Goddess to become one of her winged protectors (The Crows). The women are given wings, and fight in their Goddess's name. Yager is a Raven Warrior,...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Jage rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kick-ass-heroine, two-povs, shapeshifters, supernatural, romance, nordic-mythology

So, I've been rereading some of Shelly's books and lovign it and I decided to give this another read since it's one of the few books of hers that I enjoyed but read all the way through only once.

I sort of wish I hadn't reread it because on a reread, the original issues I had with it (putting it down and forgetting about it) popped back up. Except this time it didn't get better.

I don't mind the characters but the plot didn't work for me. Maybe it's because I've gotten so familiar with her writi...more So, I've been rereading some of Shelly's books and lovign it and I decided to give this another read since it's one of the few books of hers that I enjoyed but read all the way through only once.

I sort of wish I hadn't reread it because on a reread, the original issues I had with it (putting it down and forgetting about it) popped back up. Except this time it didn't get better.

I don't mind the characters but the plot didn't work for me. Maybe it's because I've gotten so familiar with her writing style now and I can see the improvements a lot better but this just isn't close to the quality of work in her Pride series or even the G.A Aiken books.

The sex didn't flow with the relationship. Big Bad Beast had a couple where one was in love with the other for ages and it worked really well and the sex was believable. This felt like it was sex for sex's sake and I just couldn't with it.

I think that was an issue I had with the Magnus Pack books as well although those I can still enjoy. This not so much, even the plot didn't work for me.

The subplot felt all over the place and the POV switches weren't very smooth.

I'm dropping my review from a 4 to a 2.5 stars because I had to really, really push to get to the end.

ORIGINAL REVIEW - April 2, 2011 - Four Stars
I've tried to read this book quite a few times since I really like the other books by this author set in this world [the Pride and Pack books] but for some reason, about three chapters in I'd put it down and forget about it. This time I decided I'd push through and I'm glad I did.

I really like the fact that we have a male lead who should for all purposes be alpha-mine! and he's actually a nice guy, even if that worries him, lol. I adore the fact that he's the one who has been in love with her since forever and she's the one putting up boundaries because she thinks she gets enough companionship from her sisters.

For people who haven't read Shelly there are quite a few threats thrown around at friends and a bit of cussing but the female relationships are solid. I think it would have been interesting to seen Neecy's relationship with the shyer/quieter Crow play out a bit more just because she was such a contrast from the others and it would've been cool to see a more nurturing friendship instead of just the kick-ass one that they have.

(less)

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About Shelly Laurenston

Originally from Long Island, New York, Shelly Laurenston has resigned herself to West Coast living which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should be. Shelly Laurenston is also The New York Times Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, creator of the Dragon Kin series. For more info on G.A.'s dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons, check out her...more

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Hunting Season (The Gathering #1)

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