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Assassin/Shifter #4
Half Moon Rising
After more than a decade, Troy Bishop is going home to the family he left behind when his parents died. Little does Troy know, he's about to get a lot more than he bargained for....
Sawyer Quinton has been waiting for his mate for as long as he can remember, and was beginning to think he'd never find him. Until Troy Bishop walked back onto the Reservation.
The attraction is immediate for both men, but one is hiding a secret and the other must finally open is heart.
Sometimes you can't go back home....and sometimes when you do...you never leave.
This is the fourth book in the Assassin/Shifter stories. To fully appreciate the characters, I recommend you start with "A Marked Man" then "Alaska with Love" and finally "By the Light of the Moon"
This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices, violence.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2012
19 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Sandrine Gasq-Dion
79 books1,346 followersI have been blessed in this life to not only have parents that support me, but kids that do as well. I grew up in a loving but "Old School" French household. My parents worked for the airlines (TWA) so I was able to see a lot of Europe as a kid. I moved to Seattle Washington at the age of 22 and stayed there for twelve years before moving to Alaska for a little over two. Fairbanks, AK was one hell of an experience and I wouldn't hesitate to go back! I spent a little over a year in South Carolina before moving back to Arizona. I then left for Kansas for five years and now reside in Arizona. I've been connected to the military in one way or another for over half my life and wouldn't change a thing about it. Writing has become my full time job and I've never been so happy doing a job I love and being able to do it in my jammies. I plan on writing until I dry up and die. Hopefully, that won't happen soon!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 21, 2013
I shameless admit that I love these kind of books. They are so wonderfully shitastic, honestly. There's something about trashy, mediocre books that make me just that happy. They are the best legal mood boosters that I could have the pleasure of partaking, perhaps apart from ice cream.
So yes, this isn't exactly quality literature. The writing isn't quite up to par to perhaps other authors I've read. But it's fun. And quite lovely. And a tad ridiculous. Okay, maybe a bit more than a tad.
A dark haired flight attendant was smiling at him.
"I put a sleeping pill in her coke." She said.
Troy smiled wide, taking her hand and kissing the top of the soft skin.
No matter how annoying his seat buddy was, I'm pretty sure that what the flight attendant did is um.. illegal? Very illegal?
Anyway, ridiculous scenarious galore, average unrealistic love galore and whatnot. Expect something along those lines.
So yes, this isn't exactly quality literature. The writing isn't quite up to par to perhaps other authors I've read. But it's fun. And quite lovely. And a tad ridiculous. Okay, maybe a bit more than a tad.
A dark haired flight attendant was smiling at him.
"I put a sleeping pill in her coke." She said.
Troy smiled wide, taking her hand and kissing the top of the soft skin.
No matter how annoying his seat buddy was, I'm pretty sure that what the flight attendant did is um.. illegal? Very illegal?
Anyway, ridiculous scenarious galore, average unrealistic love galore and whatnot. Expect something along those lines.
December 10, 2016
Every story so far in this series has been a delight to listen to. Half Moon Rising was quick, fun, a bit cheesy, thoroughly entertaining and somewhat predictable.
Told from the dual POV of Sawyer and Troy, the story follows the two meeting, with Sawyer in wolf form at first and recognizing Troy as his mate, and then again as humans. Troy is immediately captivated and, after an initial hard time with the whole werewolf thing, is enthusiastically on board with having Sawyer as his own. Unfortunately, there is someone actively trying to destroy anything that belongs to Troy...including Sawyer. So Troy calls on his brother assassins to help take care of his man, and take care of this problem, once and for all.
I really enjoyed Greg (Tremblay) Boudreaux's narration. He continues to raise the bar with how well this series is narrated. Greg blends the ridiculous with the passionate and makes everything completely delightful to listen to.
What I liked: Troy's honest reaction to finding out his partner was a werewolf, there was a better cohesiveness to the writing of so many on-page characters, and the chemistry between Troy and Sawyer is off the charts. Thankfully, even though there were a lot of characters again, I found it easier this time around to follow along with the audio.
What I didn't like: The "bad guy" was almost laughable, and the stories are starting to really blend together with all their similarities. The series definitely needs an infusion of originality.
Bottom line, I really enjoyed the narration and the series is like crack - so very hard to put down.
Note: This is the fourth book in the Assassin/Shifter series, and I would not recommend trying to read it as a standalone.
Audio copy of Half Moon Rising (Assassin/Shifter #4) provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
January 22, 2015
God, not even finding out about the other brothers, or even the General (the reason I came this far) can make me read any more. I know this is basically smut, but I like my smut to have a storyline and stuff going on too, which this lacked. I also felt that the characters were a little 2D and that too much unlikely sex was going on.
Also, the author needs to pick a word for parts of the male anatomy and stick with them!
And the sheer volume of gay guys in this was ridiculous. Clearly I enjoy gay smuttiness, but BECAUSE I support the freedom to love, I like my stories to have a little more believability in them (she says, talking about a shape shifter book) I also support diversity!
Also, the stereotypical love-marriage-kids thing was also annoying. Not everyone wants to marry, not everyone wants kids. More variety please.
Must go find something with a solid plot and no smut to stop brain leaking from my ears.
Also, the author needs to pick a word for parts of the male anatomy and stick with them!
And the sheer volume of gay guys in this was ridiculous. Clearly I enjoy gay smuttiness, but BECAUSE I support the freedom to love, I like my stories to have a little more believability in them (she says, talking about a shape shifter book) I also support diversity!
Also, the stereotypical love-marriage-kids thing was also annoying. Not everyone wants to marry, not everyone wants kids. More variety please.
Must go find something with a solid plot and no smut to stop brain leaking from my ears.
October 9, 2012
I'm afraid I am going to have to give up on this series. I've tried to like it. I read books one through four, but for me each installment gets worse in regards to characterization, plot and originality. While the sex scenes are what saves this from being a 1 star review, sex alone cannot drive a plot -- unless it's a PWP. *g* I liked Sawyer from book three and his mate Troy was also interesting; but the over-the-top villain who came out of nowhere with demented eyes and intentions was so unbelievable I laughed. It made absolutely no sense. I get the author needed a huge climatic ending, but this was wasn't it since it echoed the themes in the last couple of books.
Since I own the rest of the books in the series, I might try Wyatt's story at a later date, but for now it is time to put this series down as I don't like leaving negative reviews. I will say one thing, while the editing was not perfect in this installment, it was so much better than the last three books! So a definite improvement there.
Since I own the rest of the books in the series, I might try Wyatt's story at a later date, but for now it is time to put this series down as I don't like leaving negative reviews. I will say one thing, while the editing was not perfect in this installment, it was so much better than the last three books! So a definite improvement there.
November 13, 2018
So this is a thing I did I decided to get the first 6 books in this series because hey...audible and narrated by Greg Boudreaux (or Greg Tremblay) so I'll do a bit of a ramble about the first 6 books when I get to the last one that I listened to which was 'For the Love of Caden' I was going to add the cover but apparently GR would rather I didn't so words it is.
February 3, 2013
1.5 Stars
Troy Bishop is a member of the elite Skull Blasters. A decade after leaving the Reservation, he returns to find and fall in love with his mate. Sawyer Quinton has been waiting for his mate for as long as he can remember and was beginning to think he'd never find him. Until Troy Bishop walked back onto the Reservation.
This book irked me. Sawyer was a likeable character in By the light of the Moon and I was looking forward to his story. Unfortunately, Sawyer went from bad-ass werewolf to chick-with-a-dick in this book. His insecurities and neediness grated on my last nerve. Secondly, am I the only one that noticed that there is not one het amongst these characters?!? Not. A. Single. One. Josh was one but then found his male mate. All the others? Nope. Which is fine except give me an explanation. Aside from the obvious opportunity to create more characters for future sequels. Ugh. I don't like authors who treat their audience like they're stupid or slow. Lastly, this series is becoming so predictable it stretches the bounds of reason.
Bottom line: a irksome book in what's becoming a too-predictable series. I doubt I will continue with this series.
Troy Bishop is a member of the elite Skull Blasters. A decade after leaving the Reservation, he returns to find and fall in love with his mate. Sawyer Quinton has been waiting for his mate for as long as he can remember and was beginning to think he'd never find him. Until Troy Bishop walked back onto the Reservation.
This book irked me. Sawyer was a likeable character in By the light of the Moon and I was looking forward to his story. Unfortunately, Sawyer went from bad-ass werewolf to chick-with-a-dick in this book. His insecurities and neediness grated on my last nerve. Secondly, am I the only one that noticed that there is not one het amongst these characters?!? Not. A. Single. One. Josh was one but then found his male mate. All the others? Nope. Which is fine except give me an explanation. Aside from the obvious opportunity to create more characters for future sequels. Ugh. I don't like authors who treat their audience like they're stupid or slow. Lastly, this series is becoming so predictable it stretches the bounds of reason.
Bottom line: a irksome book in what's becoming a too-predictable series. I doubt I will continue with this series.
March 5, 2020
2nd Read Feb 2020
Same thoughts as the first time.
First Read 1-19-2014
Troy and Sawyer. Too damn cute. "Little Shit". BWAHAHA!
I do have one thing to say though
I liked Sawyer in this one, but I thought he was a little subdued. It felt like he wasn't the same guy from the last book.
Moving onto the next book.
Same thoughts as the first time.
First Read 1-19-2014
Troy and Sawyer. Too damn cute. "Little Shit". BWAHAHA!
I do have one thing to say though
I liked Sawyer in this one, but I thought he was a little subdued. It felt like he wasn't the same guy from the last book.
Moving onto the next book.
January 27, 2013
3.5 stars. This segment was predictably cute with Sawyer finally finding his mate. I always feel like the guys have taken it a bit too easily about the whole werewolf deal, but I'm still enjoying this series quite a bit. It's great seeing the other guys, and we even met a few new ones in this one. Off to book 5.
March 18, 2015
3.5 stars
I liked this one better than the first one actually.
You know that reaction when you know that you're partner was a werewolf. Troy freaked out. That, my friend. I am waiting for that.
I skimmed the sex scene. It's not because It's boring or something like that. I just feel..'same old, same old'. That's all. I'm sure it's hot.
Damn. I liked those two. :))
I liked this one better than the first one actually.
You know that reaction when you know that you're partner was a werewolf. Troy freaked out. That, my friend. I am waiting for that.
I skimmed the sex scene. It's not because It's boring or something like that. I just feel..'same old, same old'. That's all. I'm sure it's hot.
Damn. I liked those two. :))
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2013
Even though the story was quite predictable, i still liked seeing the guys all together again. Don't quite see Sawyer as all badass like he became at the end,but thats minor. Troy is a hottie and i love the cover.
January 10, 2015
Troy Bishop and sawyer Quinton. Sigh.
So sweet, there's no real angst, just an asshole ex.
And the whole werewolf family thing. Adorable.
It's sweet. Very sweet. Don't read this one if you search for an angst. You won't find it here.
Otherwise, I liked it.
Headed to book 5.
August 16, 2016
This is a definite re-read, just don't know which one.
October 3, 2015
Lots of drama and danger and sexual tension, the latter of which was really good. I love the characters, even if the quantity of gay men is a bit absurd. I like it better when other people are described, not just the ones from the romance arcs. I love these characters though, and I really liked snarky Sawyer from the earlier books and was disappointed that he was much sweeter here.
The book is quite funny in parts. One funny scene is at the beginning and stars when Troy goes out to his balcony with "his morning cup of calm-the-fuck-down..." I loved that.
I really like the continued storyline and the characters who are brought back each time, although it can be confusing as the characters are very similar, particularly the alpha males.
The complex emotions were good and the interactions between the MCs, particularly when one was in wolf form before the other knew about werewolves, are very sweet and sexy. There is a lot of wonderful sexual tension, although there is way, way, way too much sex.
Dramatic scenes were great; that's something that's really important to me in this sort of book, and Gasq-Dion. Unfortunately, the big climax didn't last long enough for me and the injured party healed too quickly. (I know, I'm sick.)
I had a few other issues with the book:
There were lots of typos such as your vs. you're, plurals where words should be singular, and so forth.
The child comes across as four or five but turns out to be nine. I was shocked.
There aren't any female wolves. The only real female character is a motherly figure.
It totally doesn't make sense that a person grew up on this reservation where half of the people are werewolves doesn't know shifters exist, especially given that he was adopted by a mostly wolf family when he was very young.
Understanding of the geography of the area was lacking. They are on the ocean in Washington State but it snows in April a lot. This really is an alternate universe apparently. I remember it snowing in April in Western Washington lowlands once and I've lived here 41 years of the last 45. I looked up the weather data and I just don't see anything different than I remember over the past 45 years. The Olympic mountains are snowy of course but they're inland. People don't live there. Tribal lands are sea level on the coast.
In addition, a character has to get his truck fixed and he sends it to Tacoma. Why? The closet city is Port Angeles or Aberdeen, depending on where you are on the coast. The closest big city is Olympia. The worst is when someone lands at Seatac, the airport serving and between the two cities of Tacoma and Seattle. He then comments on his drive through Seattle before he reaches Tacoma. I don't think that was the best way to get from the airport to Tacoma. At least he commented that despite freeway crowding, Seattle hadn't lost its lure (allure?) and that Washington is always beautiful. Yes it is.
There are gobs of continuity errors such as the fact that all day and night of the first two nights Troy is in town and yet the narration says he's been there a week. The next scene is the same day as it had been before that was said. At one point Sawyer is on the beach thinking when he then sits down on the forest floor.
But the worst thing is the POV changes that often don't have proper names to describe what's going on. Jumping heads is bad. Doing so while still just using pronouns is beyond confusing--it's aggravating.
Despite these problems, I really liked the book a lot. It was a step up from typical shifter fare which is why I'm rounding my 3.5 rating up instead of rounding it down due to the mangling of the geography (verifiable on plenty of places online, including Google Maps and Mapquest).
The book is quite funny in parts. One funny scene is at the beginning and stars when Troy goes out to his balcony with "his morning cup of calm-the-fuck-down..." I loved that.
I really like the continued storyline and the characters who are brought back each time, although it can be confusing as the characters are very similar, particularly the alpha males.
The complex emotions were good and the interactions between the MCs, particularly when one was in wolf form before the other knew about werewolves, are very sweet and sexy. There is a lot of wonderful sexual tension, although there is way, way, way too much sex.
Dramatic scenes were great; that's something that's really important to me in this sort of book, and Gasq-Dion. Unfortunately, the big climax didn't last long enough for me and the injured party healed too quickly. (I know, I'm sick.)
I had a few other issues with the book:
There were lots of typos such as your vs. you're, plurals where words should be singular, and so forth.
The child comes across as four or five but turns out to be nine. I was shocked.
There aren't any female wolves. The only real female character is a motherly figure.
It totally doesn't make sense that a person grew up on this reservation where half of the people are werewolves doesn't know shifters exist, especially given that he was adopted by a mostly wolf family when he was very young.
Understanding of the geography of the area was lacking. They are on the ocean in Washington State but it snows in April a lot. This really is an alternate universe apparently. I remember it snowing in April in Western Washington lowlands once and I've lived here 41 years of the last 45. I looked up the weather data and I just don't see anything different than I remember over the past 45 years. The Olympic mountains are snowy of course but they're inland. People don't live there. Tribal lands are sea level on the coast.
In addition, a character has to get his truck fixed and he sends it to Tacoma. Why? The closet city is Port Angeles or Aberdeen, depending on where you are on the coast. The closest big city is Olympia. The worst is when someone lands at Seatac, the airport serving and between the two cities of Tacoma and Seattle. He then comments on his drive through Seattle before he reaches Tacoma. I don't think that was the best way to get from the airport to Tacoma. At least he commented that despite freeway crowding, Seattle hadn't lost its lure (allure?) and that Washington is always beautiful. Yes it is.
There are gobs of continuity errors such as the fact that all day and night of the first two nights Troy is in town and yet the narration says he's been there a week. The next scene is the same day as it had been before that was said. At one point Sawyer is on the beach thinking when he then sits down on the forest floor.
But the worst thing is the POV changes that often don't have proper names to describe what's going on. Jumping heads is bad. Doing so while still just using pronouns is beyond confusing--it's aggravating.
Despite these problems, I really liked the book a lot. It was a step up from typical shifter fare which is why I'm rounding my 3.5 rating up instead of rounding it down due to the mangling of the geography (verifiable on plenty of places online, including Google Maps and Mapquest).
December 9, 2016
Following a discredited impulse, I chose this book because the guy looked hot. Also I like books with "Moon" in the title.
That's about all I can say about the book's highlights, unless you like sex. ... You do? Then, all the guys are hot and tall and muscled and seem to have green eyes, and they are always ready for it -- or doing it.
Because there was almost no plot, I admit the story (though short) just wore me out. I got bored with all the sex and all the positions and started worrying about all the laundry they'd be doing if they ever stopped for a while.
That's about all I can say about the book's highlights, unless you like sex. ... You do? Then, all the guys are hot and tall and muscled and seem to have green eyes, and they are always ready for it -- or doing it.
Because there was almost no plot, I admit the story (though short) just wore me out. I got bored with all the sex and all the positions and started worrying about all the laundry they'd be doing if they ever stopped for a while.
October 4, 2012
Finally better formatting and improved writing. Although there is still head hopping.
Loved Troy and Sawyer. They are such a cute couple. Wyatt threatened to steal the show. He is such a cutie! Was nice having the other characters return and help out.
Loved Troy and Sawyer. They are such a cute couple. Wyatt threatened to steal the show. He is such a cutie! Was nice having the other characters return and help out.
June 11, 2012
3.5. LOVED Sawyer and Troy, but the twist was lame and I'm not happy with what happened to Troy. I already had to deal with it once. Why am I reading the same story, in a different book?
September 25, 2020
Troy acaba de regresar de una mision y quiere volver a su casa cerca de la reserva para poder reencontrarse con su gente, pero sabe que va a ser dificil volver a casa de sus padres sin ellos ahi. Sawyer tiene un unico sueno, encontrar a su pareja y vivir feliz, pero cuando su pareja resulta ser un ser humano, y uno que hace muchos anos no volvia a la reserva, tiene que aprender a domar a su lado lupino para poner estar con el.
La relacion entre Troy y Sawyer inicia de dos formas, una con Sawyer como Lobo, y otra Sawyer como ser humano, ambos lados tienen a Troy ansioso y deseando mas, hasta el momento que Sawyer pierde el control y Troy se da cuenta de que es y se asusta.
Pero todo esto tiene que esperar cuando se dan cuenta que hay alguien detras de Troy y al parecer es alguien de su pasado, tienen que enfrentarlo y detenerlo antes que haga mas dano, asi que Troy junto con sus amigos y parte de la manada localizan y detienen al hombre, pero ya el dano estaba hecho, Sawyer tiene que decidir si dejar ir a Troy y conservarlo a su lado.
El libro es basicamente la historia de amor de Sawyer y Troy, no hay mayor accion sino al inicio, con Troy terminando su mision y huyendo y al final cuando capturan al ex de Troy que quiere matarlo, cosa que me parece obligada, ya que al inicio se ve que el ex de Troy no le importa nada de lo que este piense, y de golpe ahora lo odia y quiere destruirlo? Es como si le hiciera falta algun conflicto para volver a Troy hombre-lobo y se sacaron eso del sombrero.
Si les interesa la tematica de shifter-lobo, tengo entendido que todos los libros a partir de aqui tienen que ver con eso, asi que si les gusta eso pueden continuarla.
No puede decir que es malo, pero no es algo que me emocione continuar leyendo, asi que voy a dejar la serie aqui. Quizas en otro momento continue la serie, ya que he leido varios libros del autor y me han gustado, asi que quizas mas adelante le de otra oportunidad.
La relacion entre Troy y Sawyer inicia de dos formas, una con Sawyer como Lobo, y otra Sawyer como ser humano, ambos lados tienen a Troy ansioso y deseando mas, hasta el momento que Sawyer pierde el control y Troy se da cuenta de que es y se asusta.
Pero todo esto tiene que esperar cuando se dan cuenta que hay alguien detras de Troy y al parecer es alguien de su pasado, tienen que enfrentarlo y detenerlo antes que haga mas dano, asi que Troy junto con sus amigos y parte de la manada localizan y detienen al hombre, pero ya el dano estaba hecho, Sawyer tiene que decidir si dejar ir a Troy y conservarlo a su lado.
El libro es basicamente la historia de amor de Sawyer y Troy, no hay mayor accion sino al inicio, con Troy terminando su mision y huyendo y al final cuando capturan al ex de Troy que quiere matarlo, cosa que me parece obligada, ya que al inicio se ve que el ex de Troy no le importa nada de lo que este piense, y de golpe ahora lo odia y quiere destruirlo? Es como si le hiciera falta algun conflicto para volver a Troy hombre-lobo y se sacaron eso del sombrero.
Si les interesa la tematica de shifter-lobo, tengo entendido que todos los libros a partir de aqui tienen que ver con eso, asi que si les gusta eso pueden continuarla.
No puede decir que es malo, pero no es algo que me emocione continuar leyendo, asi que voy a dejar la serie aqui. Quizas en otro momento continue la serie, ya que he leido varios libros del autor y me han gustado, asi que quizas mas adelante le de otra oportunidad.
January 31, 2014
Is it just me or was this book much shorter than the preceding volume?
Anyhow, I think what I like about these books is that (at least since volume three) I get a sense of actual caring between the protagonists. That’s the draw for me and it seems to make up for the copious weaknesses in the writing, plotting, characterization &c.
What does it for me becomes obvious when I compare this book to the one I raged about the other day.
The basic plot is remarkably similar. We have a virgin-by-choice and an experienced guy, both affected severely by the mate attraction, both having lost one or more parents. Yet things play out so differently.
This is how not to be a jerk, thank you. All it takes is a tiny bit of attention for the other person’s needs and the wish to avoid hurting them.
I’m fascinated by the fact that Troy and Sawyer managed to never meet, when we consider that Troy is only six years older and they grew up on the same reservation. Particularly as Nadine played surrogate mother to both of them after their respective mothers died. (Okay, that last bit I understand, since Sawyer’s mother died eight years previously and Troy was already gone by then.)
The details of how it came about are mentioned later, although I still find it strange that Troy never visited the family that basically adopted him after his parents’ death, not even during the holidays from boarding school.
It’s so funny that out of the four guys in the first volume only Mateo was gay. By now it’s become apparent that one of the three others has been fucking guys for a while, and another has had at least one go at a guy before. Only a single one of them was, in fact, as straight as they professed to be (or thought he was, anyway). And this from guys with an in-your-face attitude. Go, figure.
What I do like and what matches the author’s tendency to throw me a bone just when I start to question something, is that Mateo acknowledges this unexpected outcome later.
Maybe it’s just me but I get the sense that these books nurse a real hate-on for half the female population.
In general women tend to be depicted as slutty and stupid – or slutty and sweet – or loving super-mothers. (There’s a fourth category of uncaring Bad Mothers, but they only really appear peripherally.) Those are apparently the options. And the first category is relentlessly ridiculed by the protagonists. That doesn’t make the guys look particularly good, to be honest.
On a related note, I sure hope Sabine did not really put a sleeping pill into that one woman’s drink because… that’s not only fucking dangerous (the woman might be allergic or have some other medical condition) but in fact assault.
I realize this bit is supposed to be funny, but to me it’s off-putting.
Still on the topic of female representation, I am slightly perturbed by the fact that Nadine’s single pleasure in life seems to consist in cooking for people, mothering them, and bugging them about having kids. It’s not that I dislike such qualities but they appear to be all she is. And it presents such an unfortunate stereotype.
Ah, I can’t seem to gather my thoughts properly, so I will close this out with assorted musings.
I’m amused at how stupendously happy I tend to be when someone takes sensible action (such as Sawyer informing his father of the weirdness surrounding Nick even though Sawyer is in the midst of his own heartbreak at the time). If nothing else, getting upset with irritating characters makes me relish moments of sound reason even more.
Heh. I wish this author would stop using the expression of someone’s spine snapping for an oncoming orgasm. In my mind I always see it snapping in half and that’s not a sexy image.
Anyhow, I think what I like about these books is that (at least since volume three) I get a sense of actual caring between the protagonists. That’s the draw for me and it seems to make up for the copious weaknesses in the writing, plotting, characterization &c.
What does it for me becomes obvious when I compare this book to the one I raged about the other day.
The basic plot is remarkably similar. We have a virgin-by-choice and an experienced guy, both affected severely by the mate attraction, both having lost one or more parents. Yet things play out so differently.
This is how not to be a jerk, thank you. All it takes is a tiny bit of attention for the other person’s needs and the wish to avoid hurting them.
I’m fascinated by the fact that Troy and Sawyer managed to never meet, when we consider that Troy is only six years older and they grew up on the same reservation. Particularly as Nadine played surrogate mother to both of them after their respective mothers died. (Okay, that last bit I understand, since Sawyer’s mother died eight years previously and Troy was already gone by then.)
The details of how it came about are mentioned later, although I still find it strange that Troy never visited the family that basically adopted him after his parents’ death, not even during the holidays from boarding school.
It’s so funny that out of the four guys in the first volume only Mateo was gay. By now it’s become apparent that one of the three others has been fucking guys for a while, and another has had at least one go at a guy before. Only a single one of them was, in fact, as straight as they professed to be (or thought he was, anyway). And this from guys with an in-your-face attitude. Go, figure.
What I do like and what matches the author’s tendency to throw me a bone just when I start to question something, is that Mateo acknowledges this unexpected outcome later.
Maybe it’s just me but I get the sense that these books nurse a real hate-on for half the female population.
In general women tend to be depicted as slutty and stupid – or slutty and sweet – or loving super-mothers. (There’s a fourth category of uncaring Bad Mothers, but they only really appear peripherally.) Those are apparently the options. And the first category is relentlessly ridiculed by the protagonists. That doesn’t make the guys look particularly good, to be honest.
On a related note, I sure hope Sabine did not really put a sleeping pill into that one woman’s drink because… that’s not only fucking dangerous (the woman might be allergic or have some other medical condition) but in fact assault.
I realize this bit is supposed to be funny, but to me it’s off-putting.
Still on the topic of female representation, I am slightly perturbed by the fact that Nadine’s single pleasure in life seems to consist in cooking for people, mothering them, and bugging them about having kids. It’s not that I dislike such qualities but they appear to be all she is. And it presents such an unfortunate stereotype.
Ah, I can’t seem to gather my thoughts properly, so I will close this out with assorted musings.
I’m amused at how stupendously happy I tend to be when someone takes sensible action (such as Sawyer informing his father of the weirdness surrounding Nick even though Sawyer is in the midst of his own heartbreak at the time). If nothing else, getting upset with irritating characters makes me relish moments of sound reason even more.
Heh. I wish this author would stop using the expression of someone’s spine snapping for an oncoming orgasm. In my mind I always see it snapping in half and that’s not a sexy image.
November 28, 2016
"Amazing story+Fantastic narration= Awesome Audio!"
Would you consider the audio edition of Half Moon Rising to be better than the print version?
Not better, just as good. It's like the companion story to the written one where a fantastic narrator brings your favorite characters to life.
What did you like best about this story?
How Boudreaux was able to breath life into Gasq-Dion's characters and somehow make them exactly the way I see and hear them in my head.
Which character – as performed by Greg Boudreaux – was your favorite?
Troy and Sawyer. I really enjoyed the way Boudreaux used different inflections and nuances with his tone to make them seem more abstract. I could literally hear everything they were feeling.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Both, actually.
Any additional comments?
If you know me, you know that this is my favorite MM series as well as my favorite narrator so this was an auto-buy for me. I cannot even begin to explain the magnificence of this series on Audiobook. The Assassin/Shifter series is 25 books in and counting and yet, I'm never bored and there is always something new. As well, Boudreaux has no trouble giving each and every character their own voice. Sometimes it is just a subtle change in tone or nuance, but you always know exactly whose head your in at any given moment.
Definitely a must listen!
Tams e-book review from December 2012
Troy Bishop is another member of the elite Skull blasters unit. He’s been a secondary character in all the books, until now. Troy grew up on the Reservation with fellow skull blaster Sam. When he was a child he witnessed his parents horrific murder during a convenience store robbery and he left the reservation shortly thereafter, he hasn’t been back in years. Sawyer Quinton grew up on the reservation as well and is a few years younger than Troy, he’s also a werewolf. When the 6 foot 4 native American assassin and the 6 foot werewolf with flowing black hair and mesmerizing green eyes meet, Katie bar the door!
Sparks fly and passion ignites as these two embark on a whirlwind romantic courtship. Both having suffered tremendous loss during their young lives they are finally given a reprieve, the thought of happiness dangling like a carrot on a stick in front of their noses. Someone has a secret, a secret he’s scared will drive his mate away. And when the past doesn’t stay buried and lives are at stake, what would they sacrifice to protect their mate.
This series just gets better with each installment. Gasq-Dion has trademarked this perpetual continuing writing style where each book centers around a particular couple, giving great attention to details and emotions. And yet, the background characters stand just as strong from one book to the next. You never know who will be on the main stage from one book to the next, but you know it will be someone you’ve already met. The character development and storylines are fantastic! And the sex is off the charts, but there is still an intriguing backdrop and the story continues to flow. I am immediately starting the next book, Best Laid Plans.
I give this one 5/5 stars, but that’s just my two cents!
Would you consider the audio edition of Half Moon Rising to be better than the print version?
Not better, just as good. It's like the companion story to the written one where a fantastic narrator brings your favorite characters to life.
What did you like best about this story?
How Boudreaux was able to breath life into Gasq-Dion's characters and somehow make them exactly the way I see and hear them in my head.
Which character – as performed by Greg Boudreaux – was your favorite?
Troy and Sawyer. I really enjoyed the way Boudreaux used different inflections and nuances with his tone to make them seem more abstract. I could literally hear everything they were feeling.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Both, actually.
Any additional comments?
If you know me, you know that this is my favorite MM series as well as my favorite narrator so this was an auto-buy for me. I cannot even begin to explain the magnificence of this series on Audiobook. The Assassin/Shifter series is 25 books in and counting and yet, I'm never bored and there is always something new. As well, Boudreaux has no trouble giving each and every character their own voice. Sometimes it is just a subtle change in tone or nuance, but you always know exactly whose head your in at any given moment.
Definitely a must listen!
Tams e-book review from December 2012
Troy Bishop is another member of the elite Skull blasters unit. He’s been a secondary character in all the books, until now. Troy grew up on the Reservation with fellow skull blaster Sam. When he was a child he witnessed his parents horrific murder during a convenience store robbery and he left the reservation shortly thereafter, he hasn’t been back in years. Sawyer Quinton grew up on the reservation as well and is a few years younger than Troy, he’s also a werewolf. When the 6 foot 4 native American assassin and the 6 foot werewolf with flowing black hair and mesmerizing green eyes meet, Katie bar the door!
Sparks fly and passion ignites as these two embark on a whirlwind romantic courtship. Both having suffered tremendous loss during their young lives they are finally given a reprieve, the thought of happiness dangling like a carrot on a stick in front of their noses. Someone has a secret, a secret he’s scared will drive his mate away. And when the past doesn’t stay buried and lives are at stake, what would they sacrifice to protect their mate.
This series just gets better with each installment. Gasq-Dion has trademarked this perpetual continuing writing style where each book centers around a particular couple, giving great attention to details and emotions. And yet, the background characters stand just as strong from one book to the next. You never know who will be on the main stage from one book to the next, but you know it will be someone you’ve already met. The character development and storylines are fantastic! And the sex is off the charts, but there is still an intriguing backdrop and the story continues to flow. I am immediately starting the next book, Best Laid Plans.
I give this one 5/5 stars, but that’s just my two cents!
December 3, 2016
Ooooo, more fun with the guys! Troy is one of the assassins in Mateo’s group and he grew up with Sam and the Quintons but has never met Sawyer since Troy left before Sawyer was born.
Sawyer, in an amazingly cute way – saved himself for his mate! So he’s very, very excited to meet Troy! Troy doesn’t know about the shifter thing yet (I’m not sure why they didn’t just tell him right away like they did so many of the others – but they don’t hesitate once they learn he’s Sawyer’s mate… okay they hesitate a little and it’s pretty funny – but not too long!)
Just as with the others in this series, there’s a bit of external drama that puts Troy in mortal danger with predictable results as well as a bit of emotional drama in Troy’s past to be dealt with. Sawyer and Troy are SCORCHING HOT together and the smexy times in this are pretty off the charts.
Though I don’t remember Troy being gay or bi before, it’s not an issue in this story, and it’s really hot when Troy introduces Sawyer to sex for the first time! But… Sandrine is great at giving us feels too and when Troy and Sawyer fall in love, my heart definitely went pitty pat!
Sam and Dakota as well as the other Quintons are around a lot and we see Mateo and Josh and Riley and Mark a bit as well.
It’s a super fun addition to the series. Nothing ground breaking, but reliably enjoyable, funny and sexy.
Audio
Can I just say how FRIGGIN’ AWESOME it is that Greg is doing this series! It’s an awesome series and I probably would have bought it regardless of the narrator, but since I buy all of Greg’s stuff just to hear him narrate it’s a total match made in heaven!
Greg has a great way of giving the Native Americans in the story a nice, subtle accent. I don’t love the country twang he’s given Sawyer and his brothers, but it definitely grew on me and I could appreciate that with this series and the vast number of characters who will all (one day) have their own books – giving a unique voice to each one is definitely a challenge.
In any case, this was a delight to listen to and a much appreciated addition to the series.
Highly recommended.
4.5 of 5 stars for the book and the narration
Sawyer, in an amazingly cute way – saved himself for his mate! So he’s very, very excited to meet Troy! Troy doesn’t know about the shifter thing yet (I’m not sure why they didn’t just tell him right away like they did so many of the others – but they don’t hesitate once they learn he’s Sawyer’s mate… okay they hesitate a little and it’s pretty funny – but not too long!)
Just as with the others in this series, there’s a bit of external drama that puts Troy in mortal danger with predictable results as well as a bit of emotional drama in Troy’s past to be dealt with. Sawyer and Troy are SCORCHING HOT together and the smexy times in this are pretty off the charts.
Though I don’t remember Troy being gay or bi before, it’s not an issue in this story, and it’s really hot when Troy introduces Sawyer to sex for the first time! But… Sandrine is great at giving us feels too and when Troy and Sawyer fall in love, my heart definitely went pitty pat!
Sam and Dakota as well as the other Quintons are around a lot and we see Mateo and Josh and Riley and Mark a bit as well.
It’s a super fun addition to the series. Nothing ground breaking, but reliably enjoyable, funny and sexy.
Audio
Can I just say how FRIGGIN’ AWESOME it is that Greg is doing this series! It’s an awesome series and I probably would have bought it regardless of the narrator, but since I buy all of Greg’s stuff just to hear him narrate it’s a total match made in heaven!
Greg has a great way of giving the Native Americans in the story a nice, subtle accent. I don’t love the country twang he’s given Sawyer and his brothers, but it definitely grew on me and I could appreciate that with this series and the vast number of characters who will all (one day) have their own books – giving a unique voice to each one is definitely a challenge.
In any case, this was a delight to listen to and a much appreciated addition to the series.
Highly recommended.
4.5 of 5 stars for the book and the narration
January 23, 2015
This is the fourth book in the series. I love the way this series deals with homosexuality and the beauty of being true to yourself. The characters become like family, and you want all of them to find their happily ever after. I could not put down this book, it grabs you from page one. I love a great love story, and I enjoy twists and turns that Sandrine puts in her books.
Troy is heading back to the reservation. He has broken up with a cheating boyfriend, and he needs to face his demons. When his parents were murdered by a robber at a gas station, he went to live with Sam and his parents. Nadine is like his mom now. He tried to stay on the reservation, but the pain was too great, so he went to boarding school in Seattle and hasn't been back. He is not sure he can handle this, but it is time.
Sawyer is the oldest of the four Quinton boys. He is 24. Grayson, Xander and Wyatt are his little brothers. Along with their dad, John, they live on the reservation by Sam's parents. Sawyer lost his mom when she died giving birth to Wyatt. He has kept himself pure for his mate, but fears his mate may never come.
Troy Bishop finally comes to the reservation to meet Sam's boyfriend, Dakota. When he meets Sawyer, things don't go so well. Sawyer can't control his lupine side around Troy, so he has to be in wolf form so he doesn't let Troy know he is a werewolf. Troy tries to apologize to Sawyer for being a jerk, but ends up kissing him. They fall for each other, but bad things start happening to them, and they call in the team. Someone is trying to hurt one of them, and they need to get to the bottom of it before they get killed. When they are intimate, Troy finds out the truth about Sawyer and a few more people. Can Troy accept what Sawyer is? Can they stop the bad guy before he succeeds in killing someone? What will Troy do when his world is ripped apart? These stories are so fast paced, you won't be able to set it down. I know I could not. What will happen next?
Troy is heading back to the reservation. He has broken up with a cheating boyfriend, and he needs to face his demons. When his parents were murdered by a robber at a gas station, he went to live with Sam and his parents. Nadine is like his mom now. He tried to stay on the reservation, but the pain was too great, so he went to boarding school in Seattle and hasn't been back. He is not sure he can handle this, but it is time.
Sawyer is the oldest of the four Quinton boys. He is 24. Grayson, Xander and Wyatt are his little brothers. Along with their dad, John, they live on the reservation by Sam's parents. Sawyer lost his mom when she died giving birth to Wyatt. He has kept himself pure for his mate, but fears his mate may never come.
Troy Bishop finally comes to the reservation to meet Sam's boyfriend, Dakota. When he meets Sawyer, things don't go so well. Sawyer can't control his lupine side around Troy, so he has to be in wolf form so he doesn't let Troy know he is a werewolf. Troy tries to apologize to Sawyer for being a jerk, but ends up kissing him. They fall for each other, but bad things start happening to them, and they call in the team. Someone is trying to hurt one of them, and they need to get to the bottom of it before they get killed. When they are intimate, Troy finds out the truth about Sawyer and a few more people. Can Troy accept what Sawyer is? Can they stop the bad guy before he succeeds in killing someone? What will Troy do when his world is ripped apart? These stories are so fast paced, you won't be able to set it down. I know I could not. What will happen next?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2017
Romance and Fantasy for Cosmopolitan Girls
Eccoci giunti al quarto libro di questa serie degli “Assassin Shifters” che vira sempre più sul paranormal. Nonostante non sia il mio genere preferito e la scrittura non sia fluida, ormai ho iniziato a leggere di questi mercenari alla A-Team e sono entrata nel tunnel.
Come nei libri precedenti il cambio improvviso di pov anche all’interno di una stessa azione spiazza e fa sì che sia difficile seguire la narrazione, portando a rileggere uno stesso paragrafo per capire di preciso chi stia facendo cosa. A parte questo e la trama piuttosto semplice, la storia passa in fretta e intrattiene abbastanza piacevolmente.
Troy è il primo a non prendere immediatamente bene la questione dei mutaforma, finalmente una reazione piuttosto sensata, anche se poi si riprende quasi subito per giurare eterna devozione a Sawyer. Scopre anche poi che gran parte dei suoi amici alla riserva dov’è nato sono lupi e che, senza volere, era destinato a far parte di questa comunità.
Sawyer desidera un compagno e incontrando Troy capisce subito di averlo trovato, ma per lui è difficile sopprimere la sua parte lupina dopo questa rivelazione. Sarà per lui difficile avere a che fare con Troy senza spaventarlo subito con metamorfosi e discorsi da compagni per la vita.
Una storia semplice che tenta, con strani incidenti e atti vandalici, di inserire una nota di mistero nella narrazione, ma che comunque non presenta grandi colpi di scena o forti emozioni.
Adesso non resta che aspettare di vedere chi sarà il protagonista del prossimo libro di questa serie.
Eccoci giunti al quarto libro di questa serie degli “Assassin Shifters” che vira sempre più sul paranormal. Nonostante non sia il mio genere preferito e la scrittura non sia fluida, ormai ho iniziato a leggere di questi mercenari alla A-Team e sono entrata nel tunnel.
Come nei libri precedenti il cambio improvviso di pov anche all’interno di una stessa azione spiazza e fa sì che sia difficile seguire la narrazione, portando a rileggere uno stesso paragrafo per capire di preciso chi stia facendo cosa. A parte questo e la trama piuttosto semplice, la storia passa in fretta e intrattiene abbastanza piacevolmente.
Troy è il primo a non prendere immediatamente bene la questione dei mutaforma, finalmente una reazione piuttosto sensata, anche se poi si riprende quasi subito per giurare eterna devozione a Sawyer. Scopre anche poi che gran parte dei suoi amici alla riserva dov’è nato sono lupi e che, senza volere, era destinato a far parte di questa comunità.
Sawyer desidera un compagno e incontrando Troy capisce subito di averlo trovato, ma per lui è difficile sopprimere la sua parte lupina dopo questa rivelazione. Sarà per lui difficile avere a che fare con Troy senza spaventarlo subito con metamorfosi e discorsi da compagni per la vita.
Una storia semplice che tenta, con strani incidenti e atti vandalici, di inserire una nota di mistero nella narrazione, ma che comunque non presenta grandi colpi di scena o forti emozioni.
Adesso non resta che aspettare di vedere chi sarà il protagonista del prossimo libro di questa serie.
August 21, 2012
Sandrine Gasq-DionThey say you can never go home...
After more than a decade, Troy Bishop is going home to the family he left behind when his parents died. Little does Troy know, he's about to get a lot more than he bargained for....
Sawyer Quinton has been waiting for his mate for as long as he can remember, and was beginning to think he'd never find him. Until Troy Bishop walked back onto the Reservation.
The attraction is immediate for both men, but one is hiding a secret and the other must finally open is heart.
Sometimes you can't go back home....and sometimes when you do...you never leave.
Ok, this was good I love the characters haw the interact the banter is great & Wyatt is just too cute! BUT, yes there is always a but. Sawyer dives me crazy!! Why is her such a rough tough guy in the other book snd in the first few pages of this one BUT as soon as Troy shows up, he falls apart? Like a bomb he explodes into a needy, weepy, feminine guy....GGRRRR it just pisses me off. These books have potential but way to much of the perfectly falling into place stuff & all the sex is exactly the same in every book. All vanilla & all alike.
January 15, 2014
Half Moon Rising was another extremely enjoyed read in the Assassin/Shifter books Although I don't usually read books about werewolves it seems I really do love them when written by Sandrine Gasq-Dion.... I think it's because the books have so much more going on and is not just about a pack of shifter''s
This series is fast paced with so much action and suspense I find myself reading slower than usual so I can take everything in, remember names and catch my breath. I like the fact the main characters are very alpha males and work as assassins who only kill the bad guy's. Watching their sensitive side take over when they find romance is written so beautifully that you can feel the heat, love and tension coming off the pages.
This series was recommended to me by GGR-Review.com so if you enjoy m/m reads that are full of action, romance and suspense than I can not recommended this series highly enough although you will become addicted to it!
There is over Twenty books in this series and I am so happy I can move straight onto the next book and am not waiting in suspense for the next book to be released. As I move on to the next book in this wonderful series check out A Marked Man, you will not be disappointed!
This series is fast paced with so much action and suspense I find myself reading slower than usual so I can take everything in, remember names and catch my breath. I like the fact the main characters are very alpha males and work as assassins who only kill the bad guy's. Watching their sensitive side take over when they find romance is written so beautifully that you can feel the heat, love and tension coming off the pages.
This series was recommended to me by GGR-Review.com so if you enjoy m/m reads that are full of action, romance and suspense than I can not recommended this series highly enough although you will become addicted to it!
There is over Twenty books in this series and I am so happy I can move straight onto the next book and am not waiting in suspense for the next book to be released. As I move on to the next book in this wonderful series check out A Marked Man, you will not be disappointed!
April 29, 2014
There are some things which are just so consistent in these books. All of them must fall in love at first sight. One of the hero must be giggling all the time. And then there is lots of sex, and then comes the bite, I think maybe even the words were same "It's ok, I want you to do this" And then the marriage and the kids.
Every one is just so cool with Wolves. Nadine was like "Oh ok my son is a wolf, who wants dinner'
No man, not even gay, would act so out of character, like "Dakota told me that Sam took him there in the open' They don't seem like werewolves, but a bunch of girls with so much time on their hands. I just pushed through and finished it.
Every one is just so cool with Wolves. Nadine was like "Oh ok my son is a wolf, who wants dinner'
No man, not even gay, would act so out of character, like "Dakota told me that Sam took him there in the open' They don't seem like werewolves, but a bunch of girls with so much time on their hands. I just pushed through and finished it.
September 29, 2022
Troy Bishop & Sawyer Quinton
3 stars
Read May 2014
Read April 2016
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They say you can never go home...
After more than a decade, Troy Bishop is going home to the family he left behind when his parents died. Little does Troy know, he's about to get a lot more than he bargained for....
Sawyer Quinton has been waiting for his mate for as long as he can remember, and was beginning to think he'd never find him. Until Troy Bishop walked back onto the Reservation.
The attraction is immediate for both men, but one is hiding a secret and the other must finally open is heart.
Sometimes you can't go back home....and sometimes when you do...you never leave.
3 stars
Read May 2014
Read April 2016
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They say you can never go home...
After more than a decade, Troy Bishop is going home to the family he left behind when his parents died. Little does Troy know, he's about to get a lot more than he bargained for....
Sawyer Quinton has been waiting for his mate for as long as he can remember, and was beginning to think he'd never find him. Until Troy Bishop walked back onto the Reservation.
The attraction is immediate for both men, but one is hiding a secret and the other must finally open is heart.
Sometimes you can't go back home....and sometimes when you do...you never leave.
August 3, 2014
This has been my favorite so far from the series. 2.5 stars! However it was mainly thanks to the family tree that was made by a fan. Otherwise the sheer number of people present would make me want to throw this book across my room (if it was a real book and not an e-book).
Family tree: https://sites.google.com/site/assassi...
*this tree will spoil future books since it informs you who is mated to who but I didnt care since it helped keep track of people.
*the # of giggling assassins is INSANE!!!!
*I swear there is something wrong with the rating system in this series, there is NO WAY it could have such a high rating.
Family tree: https://sites.google.com/site/assassi...
*this tree will spoil future books since it informs you who is mated to who but I didnt care since it helped keep track of people.
*the # of giggling assassins is INSANE!!!!
*I swear there is something wrong with the rating system in this series, there is NO WAY it could have such a high rating.
July 12, 2014
I am loving this series the more I get into it! Good thing since there are so many books!
I loved the easy nature of this one. There was no major drama or angst. Just two guys finding each other. Of course it wouldn't be an assassin/shifter book without someone trying to kill someone.
But, I didn't even see the bad guy coming!
Although I have to admit. I have reading gaps between books. So it's sort of hard to remember back to the pervious books, in regards to who's who and all that jazz.
I can't wait to work the next one in!
I loved the easy nature of this one. There was no major drama or angst. Just two guys finding each other. Of course it wouldn't be an assassin/shifter book without someone trying to kill someone.
But, I didn't even see the bad guy coming!
Although I have to admit. I have reading gaps between books. So it's sort of hard to remember back to the pervious books, in regards to who's who and all that jazz.
I can't wait to work the next one in!
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