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Pride #1 (story 1 of 2)
A Pride Christmas in Brooklyn
This story is also in The Mane Event (Pride, #1) and is named Christmas Pride.
Mason “Mace” Llewellyn has just gotten out of the Navy after a 14 year career as a SEAL. He is also a lion shape shifter. Mace has one thing – one woman – on his mind. Desiree “Dez” MacDermot, his childhood crush and good buddy, has been on his mind since they were both 14. He has plans for Dez when he finds her, most of them involving being naked. Unfortunately, a murder and a little war between the lions and the hyenas is in danger of getting in the way of his plans!
Mason “Mace” Llewellyn has just gotten out of the Navy after a 14 year career as a SEAL. He is also a lion shape shifter. Mace has one thing – one woman – on his mind. Desiree “Dez” MacDermot, his childhood crush and good buddy, has been on his mind since they were both 14. He has plans for Dez when he finds her, most of them involving being naked. Unfortunately, a murder and a little war between the lions and the hyenas is in danger of getting in the way of his plans!
358 pages, ebook
First published September 25, 2007
About the author
Shelly Laurenston
47 books7,983 followersOriginally 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. Aiken's dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons, check out her website at www.gaaiken.com.
Pseudonym G.A. Aiken
Pseudonym G.A. Aiken
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 25, 2012
June 3, 2014 - I love the pride series!
Just in case you are curious, I am posting the chronological reading order for the Pride series:
1. Howl For It (anthology) – LIKE A WOLF WITH A BONE
Set in: 1974
Published: August 28, 2012 -
Featuring: Egbert (Eggie) Ray Smith and Darla Mae Lewis
2. When He Was Bad(anthology) - MISS CONGENIALITY
Set in: 1984
Published: June 1, 2008
Featuring: Niles Van Holtz and Irene Conridge, PhD
3. The Mane Event – Published: Oct. 1, 2009
Includes 2 stories:
1. CHRISTMAS PRIDE - Mason (Mace) Llewellyn (lion) and Desiree (Dez) MacDermot (human)
2. SHAW’S TAIL - Brandon Shaw (lion) and Ronnie Lee Reed (Wolf)
4. The Beast in Him - Published: April 1, 2008
Bobby Ray Smith (Smitty) (Wolf) and Jessie Ann Ward (wild dog)
5. The Mane Attraction - Published: November 1, 2008
Mitchell (Mitch) Patrick Ryan O’Neal Shaw (lion) and Sissy Mae Smith (Wolf)
6. The Mane Squeeze - Published: November 1, 2009
Lachlan “Lock” MacRyrie (bear) and Gwen O’Neill (tigon)
7. Beast Behaving Badly - Published: May 25, 2010
Blayne Thorpe (wolfdog) and Bold (Bo) “The Marauder” Novikov (polar bear loin)
8. Big Bad Beast - Published: May 1, 2011
Dee Ann Smith (Wolf) and Ulrich (Ric) Van Holtz (Wolf)
9. Bear Meets Girl - Published: March 27, 2012
Lou (Crush) “By the Book ” Crushek (polar bear) and Marcella (Cella) “Bare Knuckles” Malone
10. Wolf with Benefits - Published: March 26, 2013
Ricky Lee Reed (Wolf) and Antonella (Toni) Jean-Louis Parker (jackel)
11. Bite Me – Published: March 25, 2014
Olivia (Livy) Kowalski (honey badger) and Victor (Vic) Barinov (bear tiger)
Just in case you are curious, I am posting the chronological reading order for the Pride series:
1. Howl For It (anthology) – LIKE A WOLF WITH A BONE
Set in: 1974
Published: August 28, 2012 -
Featuring: Egbert (Eggie) Ray Smith and Darla Mae Lewis
2. When He Was Bad(anthology) - MISS CONGENIALITY
Set in: 1984
Published: June 1, 2008
Featuring: Niles Van Holtz and Irene Conridge, PhD
3. The Mane Event – Published: Oct. 1, 2009
Includes 2 stories:
1. CHRISTMAS PRIDE - Mason (Mace) Llewellyn (lion) and Desiree (Dez) MacDermot (human)
2. SHAW’S TAIL - Brandon Shaw (lion) and Ronnie Lee Reed (Wolf)
4. The Beast in Him - Published: April 1, 2008
Bobby Ray Smith (Smitty) (Wolf) and Jessie Ann Ward (wild dog)
5. The Mane Attraction - Published: November 1, 2008
Mitchell (Mitch) Patrick Ryan O’Neal Shaw (lion) and Sissy Mae Smith (Wolf)
6. The Mane Squeeze - Published: November 1, 2009
Lachlan “Lock” MacRyrie (bear) and Gwen O’Neill (tigon)
7. Beast Behaving Badly - Published: May 25, 2010
Blayne Thorpe (wolfdog) and Bold (Bo) “The Marauder” Novikov (polar bear loin)
8. Big Bad Beast - Published: May 1, 2011
Dee Ann Smith (Wolf) and Ulrich (Ric) Van Holtz (Wolf)
9. Bear Meets Girl - Published: March 27, 2012
Lou (Crush) “By the Book ” Crushek (polar bear) and Marcella (Cella) “Bare Knuckles” Malone
10. Wolf with Benefits - Published: March 26, 2013
Ricky Lee Reed (Wolf) and Antonella (Toni) Jean-Louis Parker (jackel)
11. Bite Me – Published: March 25, 2014
Olivia (Livy) Kowalski (honey badger) and Victor (Vic) Barinov (bear tiger)
September 6, 2015
Mace just got out of the Navy after fourteen years of service. Now that he's back home he only has one goal in mind, to find Dez. Dez left him when they were in high school and he never got over it. He want's to go confront her but first he has to deal with a death in is Pride, which means going back home. He never expected to walk into his sisters office and see the woman from his fantasies. The second he see's, the now all grown up, Dez his anger deflates and lust rushes in. She's not the same girl he used to know, but she's certainly the woman he isn't going to let run from him again.
This was a good story and I liked the intensity between Dez and Mace. She was running from her feelings but Mace kept catching her and I loved that he was so pushy about it. Dez was a really funny character and had a dry humor that I found hilarious. I was laughing the whole time reading and she just kept getting funnier. Mace was perfect for her and wouldn't give up on her, and I really liked that.
The story did get a little slow in the beginning and I found myself skimming because there just really wasn't anything happening. It picked up at the end again, though and I got back into it. There was a little bit of a mystery going on and that kept my attention at the end.
Overall, this was an okay book and I liked the premise of it, it just got a little slow for me. The secondary characters were super interesting and I hope they all get their own books.
This was a good story and I liked the intensity between Dez and Mace. She was running from her feelings but Mace kept catching her and I loved that he was so pushy about it. Dez was a really funny character and had a dry humor that I found hilarious. I was laughing the whole time reading and she just kept getting funnier. Mace was perfect for her and wouldn't give up on her, and I really liked that.
The story did get a little slow in the beginning and I found myself skimming because there just really wasn't anything happening. It picked up at the end again, though and I got back into it. There was a little bit of a mystery going on and that kept my attention at the end.
Overall, this was an okay book and I liked the premise of it, it just got a little slow for me. The secondary characters were super interesting and I hope they all get their own books.
March 10, 2018
If I’d read this first I’m not sure I’d be so into Laurenston. Too much sex. And the heroine was slightly aggravating. Overall a fun quick read. But the badger book was 1000% better.
January 19, 2018
Read 2016, re-read 01/2018
May 31, 2018
Loved this, I will definitely get into the series.
September 16, 2012
Fabulous!! just like the rest of the series. Laugh out loud funny, Yummy alphas and characters you wish you knew.
Description:
Mason “Mace” Llewellyn has just gotten out of the Navy after a 14 year career as a SEAL. He is also a lion shape shifter. Mace has one thing – one woman – on his mind. Desiree “Dez” MacDermot, his childhood crush and good buddy, has been on his mind since they were both 14. He has plans for Dez when he finds her, most of them involving being naked. Unfortunately, a murder and a little war between the lions and the hyenas is in danger of getting in the way of his plans!
My Thoughts:
This will be a short review since this is a small part of "The Mane Event" I'm not sure if SL decided to stretch this into a full novel with Mane event or was just trying to catch more readers attention. But it was a great reminder to me why I loved The Pride series so much.
I have to give it 5 stars just because I so loved Mace and Dez's story.
Read it, Review it, Post it, Your Authors will Thank You
Description:
Mason “Mace” Llewellyn has just gotten out of the Navy after a 14 year career as a SEAL. He is also a lion shape shifter. Mace has one thing – one woman – on his mind. Desiree “Dez” MacDermot, his childhood crush and good buddy, has been on his mind since they were both 14. He has plans for Dez when he finds her, most of them involving being naked. Unfortunately, a murder and a little war between the lions and the hyenas is in danger of getting in the way of his plans!
My Thoughts:
This will be a short review since this is a small part of "The Mane Event" I'm not sure if SL decided to stretch this into a full novel with Mane event or was just trying to catch more readers attention. But it was a great reminder to me why I loved The Pride series so much.
I have to give it 5 stars just because I so loved Mace and Dez's story.
Read it, Review it, Post it, Your Authors will Thank You
May 10, 2012
Funny, but this was also in the book The Mane Event. It's about Dez (human & NYPD) and Mace (Lion) and meeting during her investigation into Mace's sister, then Christmas and the mess their families are when they get together. It's a abbreviated version, but is part of the other book, so you'd be better off reading the full version.
February 17, 2014
February 10, 2014
liked it! liked the part 2 of the story better though
December 24, 2015
liked it better the second time, added star.
liked it! liked the part 2 of the story better though
December 24, 2015
liked it better the second time, added star.
April 5, 2014
Read #1: 2014
Read #2: June 27, 2016
Read #2: June 27, 2016
May 24, 2019
Fucking hilarious! The writing could be much better.
July 29, 2026
I was introduced to Laurenston through her badger series, which is fantastic. The characters are quirky, unique, and the humor ~literally~ has you laughing out loud.
This series, built in the same framework/world, still has interesting characters and humor, but the scale seems too heavily weighted on the sex side. Who would've thought you could get bored with well-crafted sex scenes?? But, c'mon, at least let me go more than a couple of pages before you drop me into yet another one. The characters are more interesting when you let them do something other than moan.
Characters: 4 stars
Unique world building: 4 stars
Gratuitous filler sex over plot: 1 Star
This series, built in the same framework/world, still has interesting characters and humor, but the scale seems too heavily weighted on the sex side. Who would've thought you could get bored with well-crafted sex scenes?? But, c'mon, at least let me go more than a couple of pages before you drop me into yet another one. The characters are more interesting when you let them do something other than moan.
Characters: 4 stars
Unique world building: 4 stars
Gratuitous filler sex over plot: 1 Star
January 10, 2022
I read this as part of book one The Mane Event, it was included as the first story, which is slightly longer than the 2nd. 2013 was my first read. I loved it.
March 22, 2018
Reading this is a Christmas tradition. It never gets old.
February 27, 2019
Loved Mace and Dez’s story
November 16, 2020
Aka The Mane Event
March 26, 2021
Read as part of my Pride series pack
April 12, 2021
Love Shelly's books so enjoy and makes me laugh out loud at times
They are saucy, funny and entertaining
They are saucy, funny and entertaining
September 28, 2022
Fairly simple, and not as interesting as the Magnus pack series.
Read
November 4, 2024I love these characters and this world, but I never remember the plot of the stories with each reread! This is hilarious. Mace is so delicious!!!!
July 12, 2013
4 stars
This was a pretty good story. I've read some stories by Shelly Laurenston but never tried this series before. I like it so far.
Dez grew up in the Bronx and because a police detective. She’s tough and doesn’t take any crap and loves her job. Unfortunately she has issues with men not being able to accept her or her job. She tends to avoid dating and when she meets back up with Mace again (after not seeing each other since they were 14 years old) she tries to keep her distance from him, thinking he only wants one thing.
Mace is a Lion shifter. He was a runt when he was younger and still loved Dez, the girl who always accepted him as he was. He was in the Navy for years but as soon as he gets out of the service he looks Dez up. He’s determined to get in to her life and make her part of his in a very permanent way. Unfortunately this is difficult since she won’t give him a chance and is constantly pushing him away.
There is a plot line that brings Dez in to the shifter world to an extent, when a Pride male is killed and she’s investigating it. It makes things interesting and brings things out pretty quickly. When things become too hard to explain, Mace ends up having to entrust her with his secret faster than planned to, knowing that if he lied to her he’d end up paying for it in the end. I was happy with how well she handled the shifter issue. TBH, she had more problems with Mace trying to get seriously involved with her than she did with him being a shifter…an interesting problem to have…
I liked Mace and Dez’s story and liked seeing them together. I will admit that Dez being determined that Mace was only looking for sex (without any actual knowledge to back it up) and always pushing him away was a bit annoying a times (and funny at others). It did become gratifying thought, to see Dez gradually slack up on her defenses and letting Mace in little by little, even while she’s still protesting. I really liked Maces’ relationship with his Wolf pack buddies and there were some interesting secondary characters that look like they will be fun to see more of in future stories.
Overall this was a pretty good story and was an enjoyable read. I will be continuing the series. I'd recommend this book. :D
*Note – I listened to the audiobook version of this and the narrator did a good job.
This was a pretty good story. I've read some stories by Shelly Laurenston but never tried this series before. I like it so far.
Dez grew up in the Bronx and because a police detective. She’s tough and doesn’t take any crap and loves her job. Unfortunately she has issues with men not being able to accept her or her job. She tends to avoid dating and when she meets back up with Mace again (after not seeing each other since they were 14 years old) she tries to keep her distance from him, thinking he only wants one thing.
Mace is a Lion shifter. He was a runt when he was younger and still loved Dez, the girl who always accepted him as he was. He was in the Navy for years but as soon as he gets out of the service he looks Dez up. He’s determined to get in to her life and make her part of his in a very permanent way. Unfortunately this is difficult since she won’t give him a chance and is constantly pushing him away.
There is a plot line that brings Dez in to the shifter world to an extent, when a Pride male is killed and she’s investigating it. It makes things interesting and brings things out pretty quickly. When things become too hard to explain, Mace ends up having to entrust her with his secret faster than planned to, knowing that if he lied to her he’d end up paying for it in the end. I was happy with how well she handled the shifter issue. TBH, she had more problems with Mace trying to get seriously involved with her than she did with him being a shifter…an interesting problem to have…
I liked Mace and Dez’s story and liked seeing them together. I will admit that Dez being determined that Mace was only looking for sex (without any actual knowledge to back it up) and always pushing him away was a bit annoying a times (and funny at others). It did become gratifying thought, to see Dez gradually slack up on her defenses and letting Mace in little by little, even while she’s still protesting. I really liked Maces’ relationship with his Wolf pack buddies and there were some interesting secondary characters that look like they will be fun to see more of in future stories.
Overall this was a pretty good story and was an enjoyable read. I will be continuing the series. I'd recommend this book. :D
*Note – I listened to the audiobook version of this and the narrator did a good job.
February 11, 2013
Now, I know this is a sex book and this will come out as a shock, but there was just so much sex. I mean, I lost the plot because there was so much sex. How does Mace convince Dez to be with him? Sex. How does he convince her to do things? Sex. It proved to be very effective. Anyway, if you ever just want a book that is just sex, then I highly recommend this book to you. However, if you want a nice blend of sex and plot, I wouldn't really recommend this book. I felt like Laurenston was trying too hard to make Dez into a bad ass. I mean, I get it, she can do this and that, blah blah blah. She equipped her soldier with too many weapons, in my opinion. This book wasn't bad, it was just average.
March 7, 2013
This is just The Mane Event redone.
Wow. I was recommended this series by many people but really had no idea what it was about until I read it. I was surprised, this was almost Lora Leigh league erotic romance. The couples in both stories were well written and likable. The men are hot and the women are independent without being too butch. My only issue stems from a common romance related plot line. Why are all women in these books afraid of love? I really don't understand it, honestly. I wish it wasn't used so often in these sort of books because its overdone and really not that believable in my eyes. Really though the scenes were hot, the men hotter and the story was enjoyable. The comedy really helps make it a fun erotic romance.
Wow. I was recommended this series by many people but really had no idea what it was about until I read it. I was surprised, this was almost Lora Leigh league erotic romance. The couples in both stories were well written and likable. The men are hot and the women are independent without being too butch. My only issue stems from a common romance related plot line. Why are all women in these books afraid of love? I really don't understand it, honestly. I wish it wasn't used so often in these sort of books because its overdone and really not that believable in my eyes. Really though the scenes were hot, the men hotter and the story was enjoyable. The comedy really helps make it a fun erotic romance.
June 1, 2016
Loved this book. Within a couple of pages u fall deeply in love with Mace's cocky, arrogant, romantic way about him. Dez is hilarious not giving in to Maces demands to be together. Really love the strong alpha females that are in Laurenston books. Struggle to like the whole breeding contract n lion lifestyle with no commitment but what I really like is the character not following the norm and mating outside their wealth and specie for love.
Loved how crazy the females seem to be and getting the guys to work for it. Love how romantic the guy are as well. Really like that I went straight from 1st to 2nd book for this series. Can't wait to see bobby ray work for his ladylove.
Loved how crazy the females seem to be and getting the guys to work for it. Love how romantic the guy are as well. Really like that I went straight from 1st to 2nd book for this series. Can't wait to see bobby ray work for his ladylove.
May 26, 2014
My first complaint about the audiobook was that the narrator didn't have the main character Dez, speak with a Brooklyn accent even though she was supposed to have a thick Brooklyn accent.
Well, that quickly changed, and was in fact part of the story. So it worked.
All in all, I liked this story.
Though, the baddie got confusing because .
But all in all, I did like it. I liked Mace a lot.
I look forward to reading/listening to the rest.
Well, that quickly changed, and was in fact part of the story. So it worked.
All in all, I liked this story.
Though, the baddie got confusing because .
But all in all, I did like it. I liked Mace a lot.
I look forward to reading/listening to the rest.
May 19, 2013
Christmas Pride
Reread: Oh, I have no idea how many times I have reread this. I love it. It is always a bit dirtier than I remember and funnier.
I love this lion shifter who know what he wants and goes after it. I love Dez. She is just awesome.
That is all.
Shaw's Tail A no holds bar sexy romp as a lion shifter goes after a wolf shifter female with is whole heart. The role playing sexy times are off the hook and these characters are so much fun.
Reread: Oh, I have no idea how many times I have reread this. I love it. It is always a bit dirtier than I remember and funnier.
I love this lion shifter who know what he wants and goes after it. I love Dez. She is just awesome.
That is all.
Shaw's Tail A no holds bar sexy romp as a lion shifter goes after a wolf shifter female with is whole heart. The role playing sexy times are off the hook and these characters are so much fun.
October 10, 2012
It is a part of the mane event
November 5, 2012
The Mane Event, shortened
December 16, 2012
as per usual with Shelly's books, loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews