Cops Tucker Storm and Wesley Foster know who they want to spend the rest of their lives with. Almost a year has gone by since they discovered that two firefighters - Kurt Maguire and Austin Jacobson - were their mates, chosen for them by the fates who match all werewolves with life partners. Unfortunately, both firefighters are straight. They leave Alaska for Seattle, just to be close to the men. After all, the fates know what they’re doing, right? Right?
Austin Jacobson and Kurt Maguire are colleagues and good friends, but each is hiding a secret from the other. Both raised in tiny towns by rigid, bigoted parents with a 'gay is wrong' mentality, their minds are opened when they meet gay coworkers and realize that their parents were wrong. Love is love and lucky is the person who finds it. A chance meeting with two cops from Alaska sends both men reeling emotionally. Austin can’t stop thinking about Tucker and Kurt always has Wesley on his mind.
When the foursome meets again, feelings are revealed and a fragile journey begins. Can Austin and Kurt open up and actually be with the men who occupy their thoughts? Or will a lifetime of exposure to bigotry overrule their own hearts?
WARNING: This book contains material that maybe offensive to some: Violence, graphic language, homosexual relations, adult situations.
I 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!
Painful cheesy without any of the sexy humor that could have made it fun. It's like candy coated cotton candy with a liquid sugar center doused with powdered sugar.
Again we have two parallel romances in one book. And by parallel, I do mean the plots and pace are almost precise echoes. These two-in-one stories would be a lot more interesting if the couples were not copies of one another personality-wise. I was having a hard time keeping them apart.
I also keep forgetting how old these guys are supposed to be, because they feel so excruciatingly young. I mean, yeah, they’re in their mid-twenties, but they sound and feel like fresh-faced teenagers. (Then again, given that most people here look ten years younger than they are, this might make sense.) That sense of raw youth really applies to a lot of the couples in this series.
The actual romances were kind of okay, certainly well-meaning, but just not particularly memorable. (Still better than the previous double feature.) Kory was fun. Yes, I do like Kory. I think he’s the best thing I’m taking away from reading this.
What we get here among the parental sets has to be among the silliest depictions of homophobic Christians I have ever seen. I don’t mean silly in a good sense. And yes, I know there are people like that but it’s just a bit too much here. No nuance whatsoever. It’s weird seeing the “good guys” berate them about stereotyping when that’s precisely what the author is doing as well. Also, I find this polarization offensive to guys who may lisp or be limp-wristed – or even both at the same time (gasp!). For one thing, that does not necessarily mean they are gay, and secondly, they should be free to be comfortable with who they are too. Painting them as somehow “less” is actually a sign of internalized homophobia. Just pointing this out.
He didn’t know any circumstances when the human mate wanted to be changed (…)
Seriously? It seems the logical step for me. Resilience, longevity. And given that you guys get the super duper mate love it only makes sense that you’d want to stay together for as long as possible, no? I’ve actually been confused about the professed lack of wanting it from both sides in earlier volumes. Even just from the wolf point of view it’d mean increased safety for your beloved, plus that aging thing. I’ve been puzzled by this ever since the series started having shifters. So yeah, when Wayne eventually says that “most humans mated to wolves choose to be changed” I just nod my head. Guess it’s merely the young ones who are shocked for some reason.
As for the update on wolf-lore… Oh, come on! So utterly convenient that you get second chances to mate if it doesn’t work out – within predetermined timeframes no less. *eyeroll*
Cops, firefighters and werewolves, oh my! Holy hat-trick! I feels like this book was written just for me. Two hunky werewolf police officers fall for (and are "mated" for) two hunky straight firefighters. Of course the straight boys see the error of their hetrosexual ways and fall for the hot cops and all live happily-ever-after.
This book is part 10 in a long series called Assassin/Shifter, and I have only read one other book in this series, but it was pretty easy to pick up on the secondary characters. Actually, they didn't matter much to me as I preferred to keep my focus on the hat trick boys.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you like M/M firefighter/cop/werewolves stores. You don't really need much more convincing than that! It was hot! (But, dude, what is with the horrible Assassin/Shifter series book covers? It's like the newest one tries to out-do the last one in the ugly department. I'm such a cover snob that I'm pretty sure the covers were what held me back from starting this series. Gotta get over that...)
Just notes because I don't have time to write a proper review:
They have a lot in common because both are from antigayish communities?
Because of "whom" they are. It's so funny when people use "whom" because it sounds more formal but use it incorrectly.
Head jumping and indistinguishable characters make scenes confusing.
"The" Seattle firehouse like there's only one
Lake Cushman. I've actually been there!
An all ages dance club that serves beer?
His dick shooting out in all directions happens a couple of times. Sounds dangerous.
Walking their dates to the door but not going in? Seriously?
Kurt would not be ready to kiss in public, especially not where he lived.
I don't get why people vote this series so high. They're fine but they're all the same and as poorly written as other shifter books, sometimes worse. At least most of the Glenn/Kell type books don't have the head hopping and really poor grammar. the only thing these have going for them are secondary plot lines (which generally only take up half the book and in some cases, like this one, don't even exist).
If the wolf was standing protectively in front of Kory, how did Dean even touch Kory let alone throw him down?
Such a mess. One guy said he had something for the other guy at home and then we didn't see them that night and never found out what the thing was. It didn't sound like it was sex. Out of the blue it was added in that "all the guys" were finding surrogates "but it was slow". The baby thing hadn't even been mentioned in this book. It was added mid-paragraph, where a project that came out of this book was being discussed. No plot, two short exciting scenes in the middle, then lots of exclaiming about how much they love each other. Both stories were identical, including homophobic parents and being kicked out for being gay.
This installment in the Assassin/Shifter series by Sandrine Gasq-Dion is like a glue piece in the series, in a way, most of Tucker Storm & Austin Jacobson and Kurt Maguire & Wesley Foster's story is already told in the previous book, and with their book, Reflash, the author is simply giving them the time to consolidate their relationships. Tucker and Wesley seem to be joined at the hips, they were changed together, they found shelter in Wayne's home and they both became cops. They are not twin but it's like they were, and it was fitting that, not only they find their soul mate at the same time, but also that Austin and Kurt are friends and with very similar upbringing.
Austin and Kurt are from very conservative families, Kurt's family even arriving to host a anti-gay camp for "troubled" kids. No wonder that, even if they are probably both gays, they weren't able to live their sexual orientation freely while living at home. Austin and Kurt moved from different places to Seattle, to work at the local fire department, and it was logical they became roommate. Like there isn't a sexual relationship between Tucker and Wesley, so is for Austin and Kurt, they are all really good friends with each other. And so, when both find their pairing, there isn't jealousy but actually support, a support that is also emotional, helping each other to come to term with their feelings, feelings they were taught are wrong, but that to them, didn't feel wrong at all.
This is the second book in this series(so far) that has had two couples instead of just one. The first time it was two brothers. I would have preferred them each having their own book but could accept them in one. This time though was just a bit too much for me. Two pack mates meet their mates on the same day. Both pack mates are cops, thrown out by their parents at a very young age, turned werewolf at the same time. Both of the mates are human, straight, firefighters that work in the same firehouse on the same shift, are roommates, and were both raised by religiously homophobic parents. Can we say lazy character development? I sometimes had to go back a few lines to figure out who I was currently reading about since there were SOOOOOO many things the same from one character to the next. It actually took me three days of forcing myself back to this book to finally finish reading it when I had been reading 2 books of this series in a single day before this. Oh, and maybe I've read too many books but I figured out who the arsonist was by the time Austin got his black eye.
Wow. Book 10. At least I FEEL like we're getting closer to Wayne's story since he appears in this one with Connor.
I'm giving this one a 4 because it's HOT HOT HOT! Wesley and Tucker move to WA to be closer to Austin and Kurt. They happen to run into each other at Cuffs and Stuff and Austin and Kurt admit that they are a little hurt that Wes and Tuck have been in Seattle for a month and hadn't called.
Austin and Kurt go camping and a bear attack is thwarted by some awesome and amazingly friendly wolves;) It's just a matter of time before our guys come around to realizing how much they really care for Wes and Tuck. It was cute how Austin and Kurt were shy about being with the guys but also jealous as hell about any attention the cops got from anybody else.
I also liked the Kory story line and can't wait to see what happens with him in Book 11 since his mate has already found him. But SERIOUSLY! WHEN ARE WE GETTING WAYNE'S STORY?!?!
SG-D is again writing about two couples in the one book. The other book I've read where she works them together wasn't good for me. In fact, if I reread the series, I'll be skipping that book (Best Laid Plans). However in this book, she has much more successfully incorporated personality and plot into her four characters and storyline. The book introduces a few new character as usual and sets the scene for some upcoming stories.
These stories are quick and easy to read - great to squish in or vege out :)
I really liked this story. The plot was paced perfectly; the characters were adorable and believable. Unlike the first 7 books in this series, it wasn't insta love and the sex didn't happen until 1/2 way thru. There was a nice slow buildup to them finally getting together. I really saw an improved change in the writing/pace/and character development in this series starting with book 8 Russian Prey. I'm really enjoying this series now and can't wait to start book 11.
Just finished this for the second time. I think I enjoyed it more this time.
Austin and Tucker, and Kurt and Wesley get together amd some of the scenes are very sweet and romantic. It's another gay-for-you plot.
More characters are introduced including Korey, Kurt's brother and his future mate Jacob Steele - with the porn star name. Chaz & Cole are frequently mentioned and Sebastian comes back in preparation for his book.
Another 2 for 1 story where we are basically getting the same exact story told two times, page after page. Watch this couple on their date. Watch that couple on their date. Oooh, this couple has sex. Now this couple has sex. These would be a little more enjoyable if it wasn't like deja vu...didn't I just read this scene? Not bad but I was more interested in Kurt's younger brother Kory and Jacob, sadly it looks like theirs is another double story and that truly disappoints me.
I find the books with two side-by-side couples a little tiring, and this was no exception. I do love the cops vs. firemen though, and am still hooked on this series. Chaz and Cole are funny as ever, and it's always fun seeing the other guys. Cooper was a bit sad, and I'm really looking forward to his and Wayne's story.
This is the type of story where I read to the end just to find out if I'm right about what I think will happen not because I'm necessarily enjoying it.
I used to really like this author but as I've gotten older my tastes have changed dramatically. I'm not sure how I ever gave her anything above 2 stars. At least it proves personal growth!
Anyway, the believability of this story is practically nil. And I don't mean the fact that there are werewolves. The way these people act and react towards one another and life would never happen. The story was predictable edging on boring and the sex was.... yeah. I've been going through all of my books deciding on what stays and goes and this one is well in the out pile.
Whilst I enjoyed the premise, the dual set of MCs made some elements come across as a little duplicated and unnecessary since there weren't any real differences between each set of characters behaviours, only that one MC had some crappy parents and a little brother. Although I did like the fated mates storyline, the whole acceptance of the non-shifters realising their mates were werewolves felt too easy and inconsequential and I felt it warranted more than a cursory, 'oh well'!
Another great add to the series. Here we get to see more Tucker Storm, Austin Jacobson and Wesley Foster and Kurt Maguire. Even though it is more then one couple highlighted here they still get enough screen time where you will fall more in love with them. Can't wait for the next.
I liked this story, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I have the earlier installations in the series. Some part of this was actually rather boring. And It was a bit too much with following 4 POV's in the same book. It was far too short for that.
Cops and pack mates Tucker Storm and Wesley Foster have waited what seems like a lifetime to find their mates. Imagine their shock and dismay to learn that they are straight. Firefighters and best friends Austin Jacobson and Kurt Maguire were both raised by extremely narrow minded and down right homophobic parents. Being brought up to think being gay is a sick and a sin they are both momentarily thrown off at their new friends and fellow firefighters, since the majority of them are gay. They quickly learn that what they were taught was wrong. Not only are these men fiercely loyal to them but they would lay down their lives for them. And watching the love story play out between Preston and Wyatt leaves them longing, wanting that for themselves.
Quick to play the straight card in the beginning, but softening over time; Austin can’t stop thinking about Tucker and Kurt always has Wesley on his mind. Can a lifetime of abuse and hatred be overcome with unconditional love? All the while these two couples are trying to work out the kinks in their would be relationships, there’s an arsonist on the loose wreaking havoc in Seattle. Can Austin and Kurt get past the crap that has been hammered into them since birth, or will Tucker and Wesley break down that wall and convince them that love is love, no matter how it’s wrapped. Most importantly, who the hell is running loose in Seattle setting everything on fire??
This would not be a true Gasq-Dion book without the usual roundup of assassins and shifters. We are introduced to a few new characters in this story as well, most notably Kurt’s younger brother Kory and a werewolf from a new pack Jacob Steele. Oh yes, it promises to be a juicy storyline in coming books. I for one want somebody to lock Devin and Andrei in a room until they kiss and make up! Just sayin.
Ding Ding Ding, we have another winner folks. 5/5 for me, but that’s just my two cents!
I loved this book! I loved the message that this book told. It showed that true love was honest and true and that it is okay to question and reevaluate what you have been taught. That it is okay to not believe what your parents believe and that hate is never the answer. I loved that some characters got to see how destructive their ways were from the other side. Love is love, and its no different if you are straight or gay. At the end of An Ignited Passion, Tucker and Wesley had found their mates, but they thought the fates were cruel for giving them straight men. This story picks up a year later, after they had moved to Seattle to be near their mates and were working as cops on the night shift. Tucker Storm and Wesley Foster were made into werewolves with Preston. The fates select a mate for every werewolf, and Austin Jacobson and Kurt Maguire were theirs. Austin and Kurt are roommates and firefighters. They grew up in Montana, and both had very strict, homophobic parents who preached it was a sin to be gay. It was hard for them to overcome this, but they were changing their minds. They both hid the fact that they thought they might be gay from each other, but they needed Wesley and Tucker. Sparks fly when they run into each other at the club.Slowly there is hope for the werewolves, and things get steamy. When Kurt's little brother comes to stay and shares his thoughts with them, they loosen up. An arsonist is on the loose and Austin and Kurt are hurt, so their men take care of them and more. But when things turn deadly, its all up for grabs. Can Austin and Kurt admit they love men? What about the little brother? Will the not so straight guys be able to accept their men when they know the truth about what they are? Who is setting deadly fires? And don't forget all the secondary story lines! Things are starting to get very interesting with the group. These books just keep getting better and better!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cops Tucker Storm and Wesley Foster know who they want to spend the rest of their lives with. Almost a year has gone by since they discovered that two firefighters - Kurt Maguire and Austin Jacobson - were their mates, chosen for them by the fates who match all werewolves with life partners. Unfortunately, both firefighters are straight. They leave Alaska for Seattle, just to be close to the men. After all, the fates know what they’re doing, right? Right?
Austin Jacobson and Kurt Maguire are colleagues and good friends, but each is hiding a secret from the other. Both raised in tiny towns by rigid, bigoted parents with a 'gay is wrong' mentality, their minds are opened when they meet gay coworkers and realize that their parents were wrong. Love is love and lucky is the person who finds it. A chance meeting with two cops from Alaska sends both men reeling emotionally. Austin can’t stop thinking about Tucker and Kurt always has Wesley on his mind.
When the foursome meets again, feelings are revealed and a fragile journey begins. Can Austin and Kurt open up and actually be with the men who occupy their thoughts? Or will a lifetime of exposure to bigotry overrule their own hearts?
First let me say that I love this series and all the characters, and even though this is not my favorite, it is still better than most. This story just felt a little rushed, or maybe forced. I've read lots of GFY (gay for you) stories and if the relationship is well developed it's great, here, however, they meet, don't see each other again for a year and then wam bang thank you ma'am, bite me and let's get hitched (not exactly, but pretty close). The author was relying to much on the werewolf mating mythology to carry the story. I mean come on, HOT firemen and werewolves that come with their own handcuffs, how could this relationship not be smoldering. I would recommend anyone invested in the series should read this to keep up with the new arrivals (Will, Kory and Jacob), but thus far, not my favorite.
Alright, so this one was better than the other combo couple.
Tucker and Austin/Wesley and Kurt. I liked how Austin and Kurt really did have a lot in common and they talked things through, even if they were embarrassed.
Tucker and Wesley were great, giving them space when they needed it but still watching over them.
I liked the addition of Kory :) Can't wait for his book.
Once again though, the trend I am not a fan of :( It's making me sad.