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Leap of Faith #1
Shadows in the Night
Leap of Book One
When Chip Riley's beloved granny passes away, she leaves him all her money, her land, and a house that needs some tender love and care. She never mentioned the legacy comes with a Native American shifter who intends to claim Chip as his mate.
Jason Sky has lived since buffalo roamed the land. When his totem spirit, a black cougar, saves a little girl, he doesn’t realize that generations later, her grandson will become his mate, leaving him to take on a modern man with modern ideas. But that’s the least of his problems.
Garon, another shifter with a long-held hatred for Jason, plots to kidnap Chip and lure Jason to his death. Soon Chip finds himself in an untenable position between a rock and a hard place. A leap of faith may be the only way to save himself and the man he’s learned to love.
When Chip Riley's beloved granny passes away, she leaves him all her money, her land, and a house that needs some tender love and care. She never mentioned the legacy comes with a Native American shifter who intends to claim Chip as his mate.
Jason Sky has lived since buffalo roamed the land. When his totem spirit, a black cougar, saves a little girl, he doesn’t realize that generations later, her grandson will become his mate, leaving him to take on a modern man with modern ideas. But that’s the least of his problems.
Garon, another shifter with a long-held hatred for Jason, plots to kidnap Chip and lure Jason to his death. Soon Chip finds himself in an untenable position between a rock and a hard place. A leap of faith may be the only way to save himself and the man he’s learned to love.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2013
31 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Church
61 books679 followers M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!
When not writing, she’s on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two grown children.
Member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
My Facebook: MA churh http://www.facebook.com/pages/MA-Chur...
When not writing, she’s on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two grown children.
Member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
My Facebook: MA churh http://www.facebook.com/pages/MA-Chur...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 2, 2016
This review can be found at The Blog of Sid Love.
3.5 stars
Chip's life isn't going as planned. He's just lost his job and now he's lost his granny, the only person in the world who's ever cared for him. Returning to the town she lived in, he finds out he was left with her house and a sizable fortune. Now living in the small town he spent his childhood summers in, he's meeting all types of new people that make him nervous, including Jason Sky, who makes Chip feel like a bumbling idiot. As they get to know each other, Chip starts to realize there are things out there he doesn't know or understand like the fact Jason's a rare black cougar and that he's Jason's mate. Chip doesn't have any time to process what he's learned before an old enemy of Jason's plots to use Chip as bait to finally kill Jason. Jason's finally in a position to claim his mate but will he lose Chip before he can actually complete the mating ritual?
When I started this book, I felt bad for Chip because he's just lost his job and he's feeling lonely. When he goes back to his granny's town, he starts to blossom more because of the country air and doing what he loves most - fixing things. I have a sort of fascination with red heads so Chip appealed to me from the beginning with his flaming hair as a child that turned slightly darker as he aged. I liked the fact that when he finally figures out what Jason is, he's so freaked out he thinks he's going crazy. In the beginning, I found Jason sort of annoying. He's very prejudice against whites and even goes into a few rants about how white folks ruined his people and such. Considering that Chip is white, I had a hard time accepting the fact that he seems to hate white people but yet he's so eager to mate with Chip. After a while, he mellows out and I liked that he was so sweet towards Chip. He wants Chip happy because a happy Chip is a happy almost mate and a happy almost mate becomes HIS mate. I just found it adorable how much he wanted to dominate but please Chip.
What I liked most about this book was Jason's inner cougar. He's an old wise spirit that is sometimes indignant and grumpy. I found Jason and the cougar's conversation highly amusing because they're almost like brothers bickering. I also loved Chip's granny. I loved that even after she passed, she still had a hand in how Chip handled certain situations. More than anything, I found the ending quite sweet and cute. I adored the last scenes and their playing. If anything, I wished there had been more of it. I also liked the world that was created and how Jason's animal side was his totem spirit. The mates in this series are handled in a slightly different way than in other shifter books. I found how the mates were handled (I refuse to say) gave it a fresh concept that I enjoyed a lot and hope that we get to explore more of in future books.
One of the things that I had an issue with was the way all the characters who had POVs talked to themselves out loud. Generally, I don't have a problem with this, and in fact, I didn't mind it in the beginning but as the story progressed and not one, not two but three characters all had this trait, it was hard to differentiate between them. The first half of the book I felt like the characterization was good but the second half they weren't distinct enough and started to blend together in personalities, especially Jason and Chip who started acting very similar, which I thought was off character for both of them. More than that, I felt like the story overall was predictable. The human identities of the shifters are a mystery to the reader until half way through but I knew right away which was the good one, the bad one, and who were going to play a part in saving Chip when he eventually would get kidnapped and/or injured (which I also predicted correctly). In the end, I was a bit disappointed with the resolution of the conflict; so much build up to kidnapping Chip and then Garon was handled in just a few paragraphs making the resolution feel flat.
Overall, it's not a bad story. Enjoyable if you are looking for something easy to read that will give you some entertaining moments. The characters are at least funny sometimes and the overall premise had a lot of potential. I'll be looking forward to reading the next in the series because I have a feeling it'll be about Chip and Jason's friends, Simon and Hawk, who I found interesting even though they didn't have much of a role in this story.
3.5 stars
Chip's life isn't going as planned. He's just lost his job and now he's lost his granny, the only person in the world who's ever cared for him. Returning to the town she lived in, he finds out he was left with her house and a sizable fortune. Now living in the small town he spent his childhood summers in, he's meeting all types of new people that make him nervous, including Jason Sky, who makes Chip feel like a bumbling idiot. As they get to know each other, Chip starts to realize there are things out there he doesn't know or understand like the fact Jason's a rare black cougar and that he's Jason's mate. Chip doesn't have any time to process what he's learned before an old enemy of Jason's plots to use Chip as bait to finally kill Jason. Jason's finally in a position to claim his mate but will he lose Chip before he can actually complete the mating ritual?
When I started this book, I felt bad for Chip because he's just lost his job and he's feeling lonely. When he goes back to his granny's town, he starts to blossom more because of the country air and doing what he loves most - fixing things. I have a sort of fascination with red heads so Chip appealed to me from the beginning with his flaming hair as a child that turned slightly darker as he aged. I liked the fact that when he finally figures out what Jason is, he's so freaked out he thinks he's going crazy. In the beginning, I found Jason sort of annoying. He's very prejudice against whites and even goes into a few rants about how white folks ruined his people and such. Considering that Chip is white, I had a hard time accepting the fact that he seems to hate white people but yet he's so eager to mate with Chip. After a while, he mellows out and I liked that he was so sweet towards Chip. He wants Chip happy because a happy Chip is a happy almost mate and a happy almost mate becomes HIS mate. I just found it adorable how much he wanted to dominate but please Chip.
What I liked most about this book was Jason's inner cougar. He's an old wise spirit that is sometimes indignant and grumpy. I found Jason and the cougar's conversation highly amusing because they're almost like brothers bickering. I also loved Chip's granny. I loved that even after she passed, she still had a hand in how Chip handled certain situations. More than anything, I found the ending quite sweet and cute. I adored the last scenes and their playing. If anything, I wished there had been more of it. I also liked the world that was created and how Jason's animal side was his totem spirit. The mates in this series are handled in a slightly different way than in other shifter books. I found how the mates were handled (I refuse to say) gave it a fresh concept that I enjoyed a lot and hope that we get to explore more of in future books.
One of the things that I had an issue with was the way all the characters who had POVs talked to themselves out loud. Generally, I don't have a problem with this, and in fact, I didn't mind it in the beginning but as the story progressed and not one, not two but three characters all had this trait, it was hard to differentiate between them. The first half of the book I felt like the characterization was good but the second half they weren't distinct enough and started to blend together in personalities, especially Jason and Chip who started acting very similar, which I thought was off character for both of them. More than that, I felt like the story overall was predictable. The human identities of the shifters are a mystery to the reader until half way through but I knew right away which was the good one, the bad one, and who were going to play a part in saving Chip when he eventually would get kidnapped and/or injured (which I also predicted correctly). In the end, I was a bit disappointed with the resolution of the conflict; so much build up to kidnapping Chip and then Garon was handled in just a few paragraphs making the resolution feel flat.
Overall, it's not a bad story. Enjoyable if you are looking for something easy to read that will give you some entertaining moments. The characters are at least funny sometimes and the overall premise had a lot of potential. I'll be looking forward to reading the next in the series because I have a feeling it'll be about Chip and Jason's friends, Simon and Hawk, who I found interesting even though they didn't have much of a role in this story.
July 19, 2013
Eh... I really enjoyed this book. For the most part, anyway. I am kind of getting into shifter stories. And this one had a nice enough plot that I was able to get into it straight away. I liked the characters and had guessed early on what would happen with Simon and Hawk. It didn't surprise me in the slightest.
But...
“Nice cut meat you have there.”
I have learned that that is quite a common way of talking in mm books. Now, I have read many names. Many of them are ones I would use. But... I can honestly say that the one above is not a personal favourite of mine. It just reminds me of sausages. Or meat in general.
After I read that, all I could think about was that line when I was reading a sex scene or a scene that would mention ^^^. So, I am giving this three stars because for a large part I enjoyed it. Had that sentence not been there the book could have easily been 4. I will admit it wasn't going to be a favourite.
Fans of shifter stories should like this. Recommended to those people and be prepared for "nice cut meat".
But...
“Nice cut meat you have there.”
I have learned that that is quite a common way of talking in mm books. Now, I have read many names. Many of them are ones I would use. But... I can honestly say that the one above is not a personal favourite of mine. It just reminds me of sausages. Or meat in general.
After I read that, all I could think about was that line when I was reading a sex scene or a scene that would mention ^^^. So, I am giving this three stars because for a large part I enjoyed it. Had that sentence not been there the book could have easily been 4. I will admit it wasn't going to be a favourite.
Fans of shifter stories should like this. Recommended to those people and be prepared for "nice cut meat".
July 20, 2022
I really enjoyed the story. There were a couple of issues with the plot, and it kind of fell apart a few times, but it was pretty exciting, and pretty good overall.
I liked Chip's character. He went through a lot of heartache, but tried to stay true to himself. Jason needs to do some personal growth, but he's got time.
M.A. Church has created an interesting world in the Leap of Faith series, and I plan to read the second book.
I liked Chip's character. He went through a lot of heartache, but tried to stay true to himself. Jason needs to do some personal growth, but he's got time.
M.A. Church has created an interesting world in the Leap of Faith series, and I plan to read the second book.
July 12, 2013
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
3.5 stars
Shadows in the Night is the first book I've read by MA Church. I was really in the mood for a shifter story when this book came up in the review rotation just prior to release, so I decided to take a chance. After all, I've been interested in several other books by this author, but I've never tried any of them. I got what I wanted, this is a shifter story. And while it would maybe be insulting to call it a simple shifter story, by which I mean maybe a classic shifter romance with mating bonds and all, that's really what this is. And because of that, it was a satisfying read.
Chip grew up in a loveless home. His spoiled and cold mother and a workaholic absentee father made his relationship with his Granny grow and grow with age. Granny lived in a small town in Mississippi and every summer Chip escaped there to run in the grass, swim in the ponds and fish and play with his "horsie", a very large black animal that he used to ride like a horse. He remembers those days with fondness when he loses his job and his Granny dies. It's a low period for him, but it's important to return to her home and the small town to pay respect to her and to remember such a wonderful, independent and loving woman, the only real mother Chip ever had.
His grandmother's last words to him -- "Trust him. He's the one." -- baffle him, but Chip puts them out of his mind as he goes through her arrangements and her will. She left everything to him, which was surprisingly a large amount of money and her home and land. He no longer has to worry about finding a new job, which is freeing. Chip can spend the time he needs to go through her things and then live as he's always wanted to, there in her house in the country. He soon meets the colorful characters of the town, her wizened lawyer, the creepy realtor, and his neighbor Jason, with beautiful Native features and long black hair. Jason seemed to know his Granny rather well and rather quickly Chip grows to know him well also. The two form a quick bond that seems perfectly right. It's only when he's nearly attacked by a tawny brown cougar and rescued by a black cougar -- one that by all means shouldn't exist -- that things change drastically.
As I said before, in many ways this is a typical shifter story. We have a shifter and his secrets from the man he's recognized as his mate, and the man himself who knows nothing of the paranormal world. There's a mating bond and a threat coming from one of the men's past that acts as a catalyst to move the plot and relationship forward. It makes an enjoyable read, but not a wholly original one. But, that's okay. It's all about what you like to read that will make this book good for you or not. I know that shifter stories such as this one do really well, because there are so many fans of shifters out there. There are also some of you that don't like to read these stories that much. I fall somewhere in between. Every now and then I will always want a shifter story to fall back on and read. It's comforting and why I'm a big proponent of not hating on the "fluff". Sometimes that's what you want to read, and there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, most people (or those that don't read romance) would call all romance fluff as a blanket term (so let's not nitpick people).
Anyway, sorry for going tangential on you. While I maybe wouldn't define this completely as reading candy (in the fluff sense), it is mostly a lighthearted read. I found the shifter culture in this book to be rather interesting, in that there didn't seem to be highly defined pack structure. The community of shifters are all related by Native American culture and Jason, when he finally must tell Chip everything, talks a bit about the creation of the shapeshifter. I liked this part of the book the best, and I found the author's genesis of the shifter and their human's relation to the animal totem to be pretty interesting. There is mention of a little detail about a representation of their totem that I really wanted to know more about that isn't much explained, but hopefully that will come up in the next book. This story focuses mainly on Chip and Jason and their world in this book is incredibly insular. There are a few moments where other characters are present, but this book is highly focused on their relationship and their internal conflict, with the external conflict I mentioned before acting as a catalyst to their relationship's progression. I'll be really interested in reading the next book because I'd like to see if there is more of their native cultural history.
This is a fairly quick read and definitely a book that you should know if you'd like from reading the blurb and from reading this review. If you're a fan of shifter stories then this is definitely something you'll want to pick up. It's not trying to push any boundaries or re-define the shifter romance novel, but that probably opens it up to a wider audience as well. Sometimes what you want to read is something that you know will give you pleasure and which you won't have to stress over while reading. It makes for a pleasant experience and this was a book that I enjoyed. Plus, you'll love Jason in bed. HOT!
3.5 stars
Shadows in the Night is the first book I've read by MA Church. I was really in the mood for a shifter story when this book came up in the review rotation just prior to release, so I decided to take a chance. After all, I've been interested in several other books by this author, but I've never tried any of them. I got what I wanted, this is a shifter story. And while it would maybe be insulting to call it a simple shifter story, by which I mean maybe a classic shifter romance with mating bonds and all, that's really what this is. And because of that, it was a satisfying read.
Chip grew up in a loveless home. His spoiled and cold mother and a workaholic absentee father made his relationship with his Granny grow and grow with age. Granny lived in a small town in Mississippi and every summer Chip escaped there to run in the grass, swim in the ponds and fish and play with his "horsie", a very large black animal that he used to ride like a horse. He remembers those days with fondness when he loses his job and his Granny dies. It's a low period for him, but it's important to return to her home and the small town to pay respect to her and to remember such a wonderful, independent and loving woman, the only real mother Chip ever had.
His grandmother's last words to him -- "Trust him. He's the one." -- baffle him, but Chip puts them out of his mind as he goes through her arrangements and her will. She left everything to him, which was surprisingly a large amount of money and her home and land. He no longer has to worry about finding a new job, which is freeing. Chip can spend the time he needs to go through her things and then live as he's always wanted to, there in her house in the country. He soon meets the colorful characters of the town, her wizened lawyer, the creepy realtor, and his neighbor Jason, with beautiful Native features and long black hair. Jason seemed to know his Granny rather well and rather quickly Chip grows to know him well also. The two form a quick bond that seems perfectly right. It's only when he's nearly attacked by a tawny brown cougar and rescued by a black cougar -- one that by all means shouldn't exist -- that things change drastically.
As I said before, in many ways this is a typical shifter story. We have a shifter and his secrets from the man he's recognized as his mate, and the man himself who knows nothing of the paranormal world. There's a mating bond and a threat coming from one of the men's past that acts as a catalyst to move the plot and relationship forward. It makes an enjoyable read, but not a wholly original one. But, that's okay. It's all about what you like to read that will make this book good for you or not. I know that shifter stories such as this one do really well, because there are so many fans of shifters out there. There are also some of you that don't like to read these stories that much. I fall somewhere in between. Every now and then I will always want a shifter story to fall back on and read. It's comforting and why I'm a big proponent of not hating on the "fluff". Sometimes that's what you want to read, and there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, most people (or those that don't read romance) would call all romance fluff as a blanket term (so let's not nitpick people).
Anyway, sorry for going tangential on you. While I maybe wouldn't define this completely as reading candy (in the fluff sense), it is mostly a lighthearted read. I found the shifter culture in this book to be rather interesting, in that there didn't seem to be highly defined pack structure. The community of shifters are all related by Native American culture and Jason, when he finally must tell Chip everything, talks a bit about the creation of the shapeshifter. I liked this part of the book the best, and I found the author's genesis of the shifter and their human's relation to the animal totem to be pretty interesting. There is mention of a little detail about a representation of their totem that I really wanted to know more about that isn't much explained, but hopefully that will come up in the next book. This story focuses mainly on Chip and Jason and their world in this book is incredibly insular. There are a few moments where other characters are present, but this book is highly focused on their relationship and their internal conflict, with the external conflict I mentioned before acting as a catalyst to their relationship's progression. I'll be really interested in reading the next book because I'd like to see if there is more of their native cultural history.
This is a fairly quick read and definitely a book that you should know if you'd like from reading the blurb and from reading this review. If you're a fan of shifter stories then this is definitely something you'll want to pick up. It's not trying to push any boundaries or re-define the shifter romance novel, but that probably opens it up to a wider audience as well. Sometimes what you want to read is something that you know will give you pleasure and which you won't have to stress over while reading. It makes for a pleasant experience and this was a book that I enjoyed. Plus, you'll love Jason in bed. HOT!
July 15, 2013
1.5 stars - This book started out promising but soon turned into a dud for me. The plot was just everywhere, and I didn't quite buy it. I never warmed up to the characters, and the word flow wasn't to my liking. I was little intrigued by Hawk and Simon, the MCs' best friends, but they were barely in the picture. If these two end up having a book of their own later on though, maybe I'll revisit this series.
April 28, 2018
Rating: 2
I had a really hard time finishing this book. This book was just too cheesy for me. The villain was especially cheesy. I liked Chip okay. I liked that he struggled with the mating, even though he still caved in the end. Jason, I didn’t like at all. Something about him just rubbed me the wrong way. Part of the problem is that I don’t particularly like stories where a much older shifter meets his mate as a child. Nothing happens until Chip is an adult of course, but something about it just doesn’t sit right with me. All in all, not a very good read.
I had a really hard time finishing this book. This book was just too cheesy for me. The villain was especially cheesy. I liked Chip okay. I liked that he struggled with the mating, even though he still caved in the end. Jason, I didn’t like at all. Something about him just rubbed me the wrong way. Part of the problem is that I don’t particularly like stories where a much older shifter meets his mate as a child. Nothing happens until Chip is an adult of course, but something about it just doesn’t sit right with me. All in all, not a very good read.
July 16, 2013
This story is a little strange at the beginning, but stay with it to get into the flow. We know that this is going to be the story of a young man, Chip, and a shape-shifter (cougar) who we come to know as Jason.
It seems as though Chip's grandmother has known that this unlikely pairing was going to occur decades before it does. There is a special relationship between Chip's family and the cougar, and we see glimpses of the prior relationship in the story.
Over the first twenty years of Chip's life, Jason is a bit of a "peeping tomcat" and he is keeping his eyes on Chip as he grows to be a young man. Jason comes across as a bit of an icky voyeur at the beginning of the story.
As he becomes older, Chip inherits his grandmother's house, farm, and money. There are certain conditions on the inheritance. All of the conditions are meant to drive Chip and Jason towards each other. And it appears to be succeeding until, one day, Chip has stumbled upon a cat fight (literally, between two feuding cougars.). It is a classic good vs. evil fight in cougar land. And, we know who is bad and who is good from the beginning of the book.
Well, Jason finally tells Chip all about his all ego as a cougar, and his overwhelming desire to mate with Chip. Along the way to their union, there is a kidnapping, and a classic fight of good vs. evil. In the end, though,we know this will be a happily ever after ending (and the author does not disappoint.)
This is a good take on the shape shifter genre. I enjoyed the characters quite a bit. I certainly hope that there could be a sequel or two to this novel. It clearly held my interest from beginning to end. It looks like I may be in the minority on this book, but i gladly give it five stars.
It seems as though Chip's grandmother has known that this unlikely pairing was going to occur decades before it does. There is a special relationship between Chip's family and the cougar, and we see glimpses of the prior relationship in the story.
Over the first twenty years of Chip's life, Jason is a bit of a "peeping tomcat" and he is keeping his eyes on Chip as he grows to be a young man. Jason comes across as a bit of an icky voyeur at the beginning of the story.
As he becomes older, Chip inherits his grandmother's house, farm, and money. There are certain conditions on the inheritance. All of the conditions are meant to drive Chip and Jason towards each other. And it appears to be succeeding until, one day, Chip has stumbled upon a cat fight (literally, between two feuding cougars.). It is a classic good vs. evil fight in cougar land. And, we know who is bad and who is good from the beginning of the book.
Well, Jason finally tells Chip all about his all ego as a cougar, and his overwhelming desire to mate with Chip. Along the way to their union, there is a kidnapping, and a classic fight of good vs. evil. In the end, though,we know this will be a happily ever after ending (and the author does not disappoint.)
This is a good take on the shape shifter genre. I enjoyed the characters quite a bit. I certainly hope that there could be a sequel or two to this novel. It clearly held my interest from beginning to end. It looks like I may be in the minority on this book, but i gladly give it five stars.
July 20, 2013
Normally I don't rate my DNF but this was so awful. The first third of the story took forever to get through. It was literally waiting through boringness to get something to happen. The inner thoughts of apparently a old, old 'were' cougar were goofy and immature (I skipped much at the end and didn't get the story behind whatever his name was). Chip's character would flip between a just a dude and then a 10 year old girl, which happened when Chip found out about his cougar/I would say lover or boyfriend but f&*k buddy kinda fits better. Ridiculous.
So I flip to the end it bam more ridiculousness. Argh moving on now.
So I flip to the end it bam more ridiculousness. Argh moving on now.
July 15, 2013
I read many better shifter's stories compared to this one. To be sincere, the main storyline is personally, to plain boring. I wish the plot was better developed. I got bored from the beginning and was glad when it ended.
July 18, 2013
OK, so there are some mixed reviews here, but I absolutely loved this story. I really liked the characters, Chip and Jason, and I loved their chemistry together.
I thought the writing was solid, and really enjoyed it. I am definitely looking forward to more! (I hope it's Hawk and Simon!)
I thought the writing was solid, and really enjoyed it. I am definitely looking forward to more! (I hope it's Hawk and Simon!)
August 24, 2016
Great start with a new series. I love M.A. Church's books. I loved how her shifters did things.
December 9, 2018
I enjoyed this one a lot. I would have liked more of the shirted together. I also would have liked Chip to have been able to communicate with his spirit right away. I knew there was something up with Garan as soon as he stepped on page, he made my skin crawl. I’m glad we got to see them together when Chip was a child so even when he did freak out when Jason told him who/what he was, it didn’t take as long for he came to terms with it. I’m glad that Jason has been a part of Chip’s family for a long time. We never found out but, I would have liked to have known how old Jason was. Doesn’t matter for the story, just to satisfy my own curiosity. OMG a hummingbird shifter, that was awesome! I’ve never read about one before, and would like more of different type of creatures. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2020
HIGHLY enjoyable!
I love m.a. church's books, but I was a bit leery jumping into a shifter book after that house cat series. I couldn't even get through half of the first one before closing it in disgust. It was just so bad.
This book however was very enjoyable. Poor chip. He and Jason really did have great chemistry. I'm glad that chip called Jason on his crap and didn't just accept him because of the sexual tension. Definitely super hot sexy scenes, action, and some humor dashed in. The scenes with chip and the cougar before he knew what was what were funny. Again, poor chip.
Well done all the way around!
I love m.a. church's books, but I was a bit leery jumping into a shifter book after that house cat series. I couldn't even get through half of the first one before closing it in disgust. It was just so bad.
This book however was very enjoyable. Poor chip. He and Jason really did have great chemistry. I'm glad that chip called Jason on his crap and didn't just accept him because of the sexual tension. Definitely super hot sexy scenes, action, and some humor dashed in. The scenes with chip and the cougar before he knew what was what were funny. Again, poor chip.
Well done all the way around!
November 17, 2017
3.5 stars
June 15, 2018
I enjoyed the story; it’s premise and execution was great. It was a new take on shifter lore and I definitely want to read the next book.
January 12, 2017
Sort of cute. But nothing to tear my hair for
May 30, 2015
Shadows in the Night was an enjoyable shifter novel. I loved the way Ms. Church opened the book with a scene from Chip’s past. Not only did we get to see the bond that young Chip had with the black panther (sorry, I’m a Florida girl and that’s what we call them) but also the bond the cat had with Chip’s grandmother. This introduction served as a nice foundation for the story and goes a long way in explaining why Jason seems to move so fast when Chip returns to town to take up residence in his recently deceased grandmother’s home.
Because she helped raise him and was an influential person in his life, Chip loved his grandmother immensely and her death was an unexpected blow. That it came so close after losing his job due to downsizing turned out to be an unwanted blessing in disguise as it gave him a place to live, a much needed change of scenery, and a sense of purpose as he was able to focus on fixing up the house a bit. I will admit that even knowing that this was a shifter book, I was a little thrown by Chip’s reaction toward some of the side characters – well, except for his reaction to Garon because that dude just screamed bad news. But none of that compared to his reaction to Jason – now THAT man sounds like sex on a stick and I was right there with Chip in wanting to tangle my fingers in Jason’s hair. Yummy!
Being privy to Jason’s true nature made watching their courtship unfold rather entertaining. On one hand you’ve got Chip who feels a stronger attraction to Jason than he has ever felt for anyone before and who is trying hard the rein in his inner slut (his words). On the other hand you’ve got Jason who we know is a shifter and we assume from the opening chapter that he recognized Chip as his mate when Chip was a child (not as gross as it sounds, just think Renesmee and Jacob and you’ll get over it). So while Chip feels as though he’s just met Jason and doesn’t want to move too fast, Jason has been waiting more than 20 years for Chip to become an adult so that Jason could claim his mate. Fun times, fun times. Jason’s slow seduction over several dates made for some steamy foreplay encounters, I particularly enjoyed the drive-in movie scene. But Chip’s life has never been easy and the manner in which he learns Jason’s secret was no exception. The threat to Chip’s life makes Jason want to speed up the claiming of his mate, while Chip merely wants to catch the first train out of Freaksville (again, Chip’s word – the man did make me laugh a lot). As the remainder of the story plays out, Ms. Church treats readers to the fascinating tale of Jason’s history and how it converged with Chip’s ancestors, Chip finding himself in a whole lotta danger as someone uses him as a means to seek revenge on Jason, a snazzy little hummingbird, and a seriously hot bout of mating sex. Yep, I thoroughly enjoyed Shadows in the Night and have added its sequel, To Touch the Sky, to my to-be read list so that I can enjoy Simon and Hawk’s story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
Because she helped raise him and was an influential person in his life, Chip loved his grandmother immensely and her death was an unexpected blow. That it came so close after losing his job due to downsizing turned out to be an unwanted blessing in disguise as it gave him a place to live, a much needed change of scenery, and a sense of purpose as he was able to focus on fixing up the house a bit. I will admit that even knowing that this was a shifter book, I was a little thrown by Chip’s reaction toward some of the side characters – well, except for his reaction to Garon because that dude just screamed bad news. But none of that compared to his reaction to Jason – now THAT man sounds like sex on a stick and I was right there with Chip in wanting to tangle my fingers in Jason’s hair. Yummy!
Being privy to Jason’s true nature made watching their courtship unfold rather entertaining. On one hand you’ve got Chip who feels a stronger attraction to Jason than he has ever felt for anyone before and who is trying hard the rein in his inner slut (his words). On the other hand you’ve got Jason who we know is a shifter and we assume from the opening chapter that he recognized Chip as his mate when Chip was a child (not as gross as it sounds, just think Renesmee and Jacob and you’ll get over it). So while Chip feels as though he’s just met Jason and doesn’t want to move too fast, Jason has been waiting more than 20 years for Chip to become an adult so that Jason could claim his mate. Fun times, fun times. Jason’s slow seduction over several dates made for some steamy foreplay encounters, I particularly enjoyed the drive-in movie scene. But Chip’s life has never been easy and the manner in which he learns Jason’s secret was no exception. The threat to Chip’s life makes Jason want to speed up the claiming of his mate, while Chip merely wants to catch the first train out of Freaksville (again, Chip’s word – the man did make me laugh a lot). As the remainder of the story plays out, Ms. Church treats readers to the fascinating tale of Jason’s history and how it converged with Chip’s ancestors, Chip finding himself in a whole lotta danger as someone uses him as a means to seek revenge on Jason, a snazzy little hummingbird, and a seriously hot bout of mating sex. Yep, I thoroughly enjoyed Shadows in the Night and have added its sequel, To Touch the Sky, to my to-be read list so that I can enjoy Simon and Hawk’s story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
July 23, 2013
Blog Post: http://headouttheoven.blogspot.com/20...
Published July 12th 2013 by Dreamspinner Press
Purchase Link
File Formats Available: .epub, .mobi, html, pdf, Paperback
My Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
A cute and light read, Chip and Jason are two men who have a deep understanding of each other, even if Chip has no idea of Jason's paranormal side.
Chip just became a statistic: the economy has driven his company to cut operations costs and he is laid off. Jason had been watching out for Chip to be born and eventually become his mate. It may have taken more or less a hundred years, but he trusts the All Knowing Whatay to keep the promise of a fated mate. Problem is, Chip has no idea all this is going on, even if his granny does and makes sure he gets mated. Then there is the jealous Other, a rogue shifter who psychotically wants to get even with Jason. His presence poses a complication to the mating dance and Chip finds himself drowning in the paranormal world.
This could have been a great story, unfortunately, somewhere along the way, I found myself clicking the fast forward button faster and faster as the story developed. The story plodded uncomfortably in many places, there were times when it was tedious to read that I found myself saying quietly "yada, yada, yada" as I clicked the forward button. Curiously enough, this is not how it started. It was really doing great at the beginning, but somewhere around 45% that is when the story sort of hicupped, dragged and then became static. By the 89%, it sort of resuscitated itself then it gave a gasp and then a hiccup once more.
The story is good, don't get me wrong. It was just a bit dragging in the middle. It did end with an HEA and it was well deserving an ending for these two men. I loved Jason's inner conversations with his cougar and it showed that the cougar was separate and yet part of him. As for Chip, well.....
This is a nice light and short read. It could have been better and I hope the succeeding installments would get better.
Published July 12th 2013 by Dreamspinner Press
Purchase Link
File Formats Available: .epub, .mobi, html, pdf, Paperback
My Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
When Chip Riley's beloved granny passes away, she leaves him all her money, her land, and a house that needs some tender love and care. She never mentioned the legacy comes with a Native American shifter who intends to claim Chip as his mate.
Jason Sky has lived since buffalo roamed the land. When his totem spirit, a black cougar, saves a little girl, he doesn’t realize that generations later, her grandson will become his mate, leaving him to take on a modern man with modern ideas. But that’s the least of his problems.
Garon, another shifter with a long-held hatred for Jason, plots to kidnap Chip and lure Jason to his death. Soon Chip finds himself in an untenable position between a rock and a hard place. A leap of faith may be the only way to save himself and the man he’s learned to love.
A cute and light read, Chip and Jason are two men who have a deep understanding of each other, even if Chip has no idea of Jason's paranormal side.
Chip just became a statistic: the economy has driven his company to cut operations costs and he is laid off. Jason had been watching out for Chip to be born and eventually become his mate. It may have taken more or less a hundred years, but he trusts the All Knowing Whatay to keep the promise of a fated mate. Problem is, Chip has no idea all this is going on, even if his granny does and makes sure he gets mated. Then there is the jealous Other, a rogue shifter who psychotically wants to get even with Jason. His presence poses a complication to the mating dance and Chip finds himself drowning in the paranormal world.
This could have been a great story, unfortunately, somewhere along the way, I found myself clicking the fast forward button faster and faster as the story developed. The story plodded uncomfortably in many places, there were times when it was tedious to read that I found myself saying quietly "yada, yada, yada" as I clicked the forward button. Curiously enough, this is not how it started. It was really doing great at the beginning, but somewhere around 45% that is when the story sort of hicupped, dragged and then became static. By the 89%, it sort of resuscitated itself then it gave a gasp and then a hiccup once more.
The story is good, don't get me wrong. It was just a bit dragging in the middle. It did end with an HEA and it was well deserving an ending for these two men. I loved Jason's inner conversations with his cougar and it showed that the cougar was separate and yet part of him. As for Chip, well.....
This is a nice light and short read. It could have been better and I hope the succeeding installments would get better.
July 12, 2013
3 1/2 - 4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
Chip has always been close to his granny, when she passes away he is distraught and is surprised when she leaves him everything. He is even more surprised to discover the legacy that comes with the property, a Native American shifter who intends to make Chip his mate. Jason has watched over Chip’s family for a couple of generations and used to play, in his cougar form, with Chip when he was a child. Now it is time for Chip to come home and be claimed, but Chip has no idea about shifters and doesn’t take the news too well. Add in a jealous, insane shifter bent on revenge and Jason has his hands full trying to keep his mate and keeping him safe.
This is a great shifter story that takes in the Native American spirit Totems and sentinel spirit animals. Chip is a great character who is a very modern man, he might like working with his hands and the outdoors but he also loves romantic gestures. Chip has some brilliant reactions to the events going on around him and he has no intention of just lying down and rolling over when Jason tells him about shifters…. No he plans on running as fast and far as he can. Jason has been around for a very long time and has some matter-of-fact attitudes when it comes to mates, he soon learns that his mate is no pushover and isn’t going to accept his word as law.
I really enjoyed this story and thoroughly enjoyed the background for the shifters. I liked how the shifters were portrayed as two separate spirits sharing one body and that the animal side were just as sentinel as the human side, I also loved that the animal spirit could communicate with the human side and be sarcastic when needed. The relationship between Chip and Jason was really good at the beginning with Jason wooing Chip, it wasn’t insta-mating or having to mate straight away because of a bond, if circumstances had allowed they would have taken more time. Jason could be a bit overbearing at times in his worry and attitude, but Chip could be near hysterical and stubborn so they make an interesting read.
The storyline was quite good with an unexpected enemy emerging from Jason’s past and Chip’s reaction to everything that was thrown his way. Jason and Chip are hot together, but, they have some mountains to climb to get on the same footing when it comes to the progress of their relationship. The shifter aspect was wonderful and I really hope to see more of these Native American shifters in the future.
I recommend this if you love Native American Legends, shifters, enemies from the far past, lurking danger, some angst, hot sex, great characters and a wonderful ending.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
Chip has always been close to his granny, when she passes away he is distraught and is surprised when she leaves him everything. He is even more surprised to discover the legacy that comes with the property, a Native American shifter who intends to make Chip his mate. Jason has watched over Chip’s family for a couple of generations and used to play, in his cougar form, with Chip when he was a child. Now it is time for Chip to come home and be claimed, but Chip has no idea about shifters and doesn’t take the news too well. Add in a jealous, insane shifter bent on revenge and Jason has his hands full trying to keep his mate and keeping him safe.
This is a great shifter story that takes in the Native American spirit Totems and sentinel spirit animals. Chip is a great character who is a very modern man, he might like working with his hands and the outdoors but he also loves romantic gestures. Chip has some brilliant reactions to the events going on around him and he has no intention of just lying down and rolling over when Jason tells him about shifters…. No he plans on running as fast and far as he can. Jason has been around for a very long time and has some matter-of-fact attitudes when it comes to mates, he soon learns that his mate is no pushover and isn’t going to accept his word as law.
I really enjoyed this story and thoroughly enjoyed the background for the shifters. I liked how the shifters were portrayed as two separate spirits sharing one body and that the animal side were just as sentinel as the human side, I also loved that the animal spirit could communicate with the human side and be sarcastic when needed. The relationship between Chip and Jason was really good at the beginning with Jason wooing Chip, it wasn’t insta-mating or having to mate straight away because of a bond, if circumstances had allowed they would have taken more time. Jason could be a bit overbearing at times in his worry and attitude, but Chip could be near hysterical and stubborn so they make an interesting read.
The storyline was quite good with an unexpected enemy emerging from Jason’s past and Chip’s reaction to everything that was thrown his way. Jason and Chip are hot together, but, they have some mountains to climb to get on the same footing when it comes to the progress of their relationship. The shifter aspect was wonderful and I really hope to see more of these Native American shifters in the future.
I recommend this if you love Native American Legends, shifters, enemies from the far past, lurking danger, some angst, hot sex, great characters and a wonderful ending.
September 20, 2013
This was one of MA Church's stories that I didn't read before it went to publication. I have the benefit of being friends with the lovely author, and I do get a few sneak peeks. Sometimes, though, it is refreshing to read a story without any prior knowledge of the plot.
Jason's character was much as I expected him to be. He didn't feel as old as he was, though, in the number of years he'd been alive. That made him feel more contemporary to the other main character, Chip. Since they're a romantic couple in the story, that was good because the element of Jason knowing Chip as a child could have been creepy later on with the added element of age. I also enjoyed the distinct personalities between Jason and his cougar. The quips, which I expect and love in MA Church's writing, were definite highlights throughout the storyline.
The distance, when Jason 'went away' so Chip could grow up was good as well. Definitely reduced the squick factor. However, the whole introduction of Jason and Chip's history made for the main events in the plot very transparent. I knew what was going on with Hawk and Simon which led me to know that Jason was back and things would start happening. The foreshadowing of all the backstory derailed the connection I could have had with Chip as he discovered who Jason really was and the history between him and his family.
I adore shifter stories, and alpha males, so I did like the romance between Chip and Jason. It wasn't instant: Oh, I'm a human guy that this creature says is his. Okay let me fall right into this fantastical new relationship model that comes from fantasy... on Chip's part. I believe in instant lust, even instant connection. Love takes work and getting to know a person. That wasn't ignored here, even when dealing with a somewhat pre-ordained type of romance that goes along with shifter plots in a lot of MM stories.
Overall, Shadows in the Night earned my 4 stars. I'm not quite unbiased, but I try to review with an eye to fairness on what I like and don't like regardless. I would encourage you to try out this eBook if you like shifter stories with a lot of plot. I, for one, can't wait to see if Simon and Hawk have a story coming out in this series next.
Jason's character was much as I expected him to be. He didn't feel as old as he was, though, in the number of years he'd been alive. That made him feel more contemporary to the other main character, Chip. Since they're a romantic couple in the story, that was good because the element of Jason knowing Chip as a child could have been creepy later on with the added element of age. I also enjoyed the distinct personalities between Jason and his cougar. The quips, which I expect and love in MA Church's writing, were definite highlights throughout the storyline.
The distance, when Jason 'went away' so Chip could grow up was good as well. Definitely reduced the squick factor. However, the whole introduction of Jason and Chip's history made for the main events in the plot very transparent. I knew what was going on with Hawk and Simon which led me to know that Jason was back and things would start happening. The foreshadowing of all the backstory derailed the connection I could have had with Chip as he discovered who Jason really was and the history between him and his family.
I adore shifter stories, and alpha males, so I did like the romance between Chip and Jason. It wasn't instant: Oh, I'm a human guy that this creature says is his. Okay let me fall right into this fantastical new relationship model that comes from fantasy... on Chip's part. I believe in instant lust, even instant connection. Love takes work and getting to know a person. That wasn't ignored here, even when dealing with a somewhat pre-ordained type of romance that goes along with shifter plots in a lot of MM stories.
Overall, Shadows in the Night earned my 4 stars. I'm not quite unbiased, but I try to review with an eye to fairness on what I like and don't like regardless. I would encourage you to try out this eBook if you like shifter stories with a lot of plot. I, for one, can't wait to see if Simon and Hawk have a story coming out in this series next.
August 20, 2013
I am a sucker for shifter stories, so I snapped this book up. There were elements that I enjoyed. There were some situations that had me chuckling and shaking my head.
Poor Chip was having a very rough time, it seems like everything in his life was falling apart. Enter Jason whose pursuit is a welcome distraction from his grief. From the first moment he is drawn to the powerful alpha and quickly finds himself in over his head.
Jason was all sexy, dominant beast, ready to claim his mate. His animal was always very real to him and their interactions were frequently amusing. I liked that Chip was always his priority. He had always known Chip was his mate, but Chip was completely in the dark about his very existence. I found it odd that they weren’t already friends or that Chip didn’t at least know of Jason from his grandma.
I liked that Chip didn’t immediately fall into Jason’s arms, but made him explain how mating would change his life. The way that Jason, and Chip’s grandmother, left Chip with no real options seemed very unfair. I liked the close relationships that Chip had with his grandmother and his best friend, Simon. I liked the Native American elements in the story and all of the different types of shifters. I would have liked to have seen more world building regarding these shifters and how their world worked, maybe that will come in the future books in the series.
I struggled with the way that all of the characters were incapable of having an inner monologue. I found their constant talking aloud to no one very distracting. I felt that the bad guy, Garon, had too much page time. He was a little over the top for me and I found him to be confusing and inconsistent.
This was a different type of book, it won’t be for everyone. But if you like your shifters to come in unusual flavors and are looking for a different reasoning for their origins, this book definitely follows its own rules.
Reviewed by Nina
Hummingbird Sounds http://www.worldofhummingbirds.com/so...
Poor Chip was having a very rough time, it seems like everything in his life was falling apart. Enter Jason whose pursuit is a welcome distraction from his grief. From the first moment he is drawn to the powerful alpha and quickly finds himself in over his head.
Jason was all sexy, dominant beast, ready to claim his mate. His animal was always very real to him and their interactions were frequently amusing. I liked that Chip was always his priority. He had always known Chip was his mate, but Chip was completely in the dark about his very existence. I found it odd that they weren’t already friends or that Chip didn’t at least know of Jason from his grandma.
I liked that Chip didn’t immediately fall into Jason’s arms, but made him explain how mating would change his life. The way that Jason, and Chip’s grandmother, left Chip with no real options seemed very unfair. I liked the close relationships that Chip had with his grandmother and his best friend, Simon. I liked the Native American elements in the story and all of the different types of shifters. I would have liked to have seen more world building regarding these shifters and how their world worked, maybe that will come in the future books in the series.
I struggled with the way that all of the characters were incapable of having an inner monologue. I found their constant talking aloud to no one very distracting. I felt that the bad guy, Garon, had too much page time. He was a little over the top for me and I found him to be confusing and inconsistent.
This was a different type of book, it won’t be for everyone. But if you like your shifters to come in unusual flavors and are looking for a different reasoning for their origins, this book definitely follows its own rules.
Reviewed by Nina
Hummingbird Sounds http://www.worldofhummingbirds.com/so...
August 10, 2013
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews - 3 1/2 hearts
I’ve long been a fan of the “fated mate” shifter stories. I found this one a little bit different and unique in several ways:
- Jason was aware of Chip’s existence and the nature of their relationship when Chip was just a baby and so did Chip’s granny. Jason’s cougar side interacted with Chip as a young boy up until the point that it became too difficult without raising questions. After that, he kept tabs on Chip as he grew up until circumstances brought them together as adults.
- Chip didn’t just instantly fall into the role of the “mate”. He wasn’t overpowered due to the bond. He definitely fell in instant lust with Jason, but as information was revealed, he was very skeptical and ready to run in the opposite direction.
- The shifting process itself wasn’t just an easy “wham bam” one second I’m human and the next I’m a cougar event. Each change was a distinct feeling and the process was painful to experience.
- The mating bond has an interesting side effect on the mate – in this case, Chip.
- Jason’s cougar was like another physical entity within him. His human side and cougar side carried on actual conversations with each other that were very humorous and entertaining.
As shifter stories go, I enjoyed this one. Jason and Chip were interesting characters with a good dynamic. I loved Chip’s granny and the role she played in the story – I was very saddened by her death. There was an aura of danger lurking in the story to ramp up the angst level. I felt it building throughout the story, but was slightly disappointed in how easily it got resolved. The ending was satisfying and I’m curious in seeing where the series goes from here. I’d recommend this book for shifter and fated mate fans as well as those who enjoy a bit of snarky humor – not necessarily for those who are looking for a sappy love story.
I’ve long been a fan of the “fated mate” shifter stories. I found this one a little bit different and unique in several ways:
- Jason was aware of Chip’s existence and the nature of their relationship when Chip was just a baby and so did Chip’s granny. Jason’s cougar side interacted with Chip as a young boy up until the point that it became too difficult without raising questions. After that, he kept tabs on Chip as he grew up until circumstances brought them together as adults.
- Chip didn’t just instantly fall into the role of the “mate”. He wasn’t overpowered due to the bond. He definitely fell in instant lust with Jason, but as information was revealed, he was very skeptical and ready to run in the opposite direction.
- The shifting process itself wasn’t just an easy “wham bam” one second I’m human and the next I’m a cougar event. Each change was a distinct feeling and the process was painful to experience.
- The mating bond has an interesting side effect on the mate – in this case, Chip.
- Jason’s cougar was like another physical entity within him. His human side and cougar side carried on actual conversations with each other that were very humorous and entertaining.
As shifter stories go, I enjoyed this one. Jason and Chip were interesting characters with a good dynamic. I loved Chip’s granny and the role she played in the story – I was very saddened by her death. There was an aura of danger lurking in the story to ramp up the angst level. I felt it building throughout the story, but was slightly disappointed in how easily it got resolved. The ending was satisfying and I’m curious in seeing where the series goes from here. I’d recommend this book for shifter and fated mate fans as well as those who enjoy a bit of snarky humor – not necessarily for those who are looking for a sappy love story.
May 1, 2017
This was an intriguing premise but it was bogged down by WAY too much telling. The first half was a little slow moving, and the suspense wasn't that suspenseful since we knew what was going on. There was some good danger and OMG he's gonna die moments, but they didn't last long enough for me. But on the whole, there was good action and drama in the second half. Many scenes were broken up into small segments in other to switch POVs. While it's better than head-hopping, it was still annoying and distracting. There were still some scenes that did head-hop and/or were omniscient which is just annoying, especially the inconsistency. Overall, though, it was a better than average shifter fated mates story, certainly more original.
Nitpicks:
Nitpicks:
Nurses can't call time of death.
Why did Chip go along with the weird not having sex thing? There was no reason he knew not to when they'd practically mauled each other twice, had a place to go, and were consenting sober adults.
The way Jason showed him what he was and let him be so afraid was an asshole thing to do. I never warmed up to Jason that much, but then it fit his ridiculous age.
Here it says the grandma figured it out when Chip was a teen but we knew from the prologue that she knew when Chip was three.
I wouldn't have run in the beginning but I sure as hell would have run from
How would a trail of antifreeze trail out and how would a cougar lose it?
April 16, 2015
Shadows in the Night is the story which introduces The People, an ancient group of Native Americans who lived in harmony with nature and in return each child born was bound to a spirit from land, water, Earth or sky. From the story's first chapter we are aware that Chip's connection with "Horsey"; a black cougar he plays with; goes deeper than that of a normal child/animal and are unsurprised when, years later, Chip is protected by the black cat again.
M A Church's novel is compelling, thrilling and very hot! Chip and Jason are two characters totally at ease with their own sexuality and this increases the intensity of their time together. Yet, in being honest with Chip about his true identity, Jason then feels he must give Chip a choice about the mating ritual. This backfires on the pair though, when Jason is kidnapped.
I really liked the fact that M A Church uses this revenge concept to reveal more about Jason's tribal history and introduce more shifters including my particular favourite, a hummingbird. Due to the fact that there is a third-person narrator, we are informed about the golden cougar's human counterpart, his intent and motives, but we have to wait for the other characters to catch up. This is tortuous at times and I was heard shouting at my kindle several times!
From the romance, to the action, to the fantasy and the passion, I was hooked on every part of Shadows in the Night and luckily have a copy of its sequel, To Touch the Sky, to read straight away! This is a great start to the Leap of Faith series and definitely a story I would recommend.
M A Church's novel is compelling, thrilling and very hot! Chip and Jason are two characters totally at ease with their own sexuality and this increases the intensity of their time together. Yet, in being honest with Chip about his true identity, Jason then feels he must give Chip a choice about the mating ritual. This backfires on the pair though, when Jason is kidnapped.
I really liked the fact that M A Church uses this revenge concept to reveal more about Jason's tribal history and introduce more shifters including my particular favourite, a hummingbird. Due to the fact that there is a third-person narrator, we are informed about the golden cougar's human counterpart, his intent and motives, but we have to wait for the other characters to catch up. This is tortuous at times and I was heard shouting at my kindle several times!
From the romance, to the action, to the fantasy and the passion, I was hooked on every part of Shadows in the Night and luckily have a copy of its sequel, To Touch the Sky, to read straight away! This is a great start to the Leap of Faith series and definitely a story I would recommend.
March 13, 2016
I'm pretty sure this is my first time reading this author. I really liked this book aside from a few small issues.
My first issue was that there were slight inconsistencies between the beginning and the end as far as the cougar spirit was concerned. In the beginning there really was no sign of a separate spirit and Jason seemed completely in control and cognizant in his shifter form. It wasn't until after he told the story of his people that the separate spirit became active in the story. It was kind of like the author had one plan going into the book and, upon creating the mythos story halfway through, decided to change the key aspects of the shifters. If the author had planned the mythos from the start, I'm sure the beginning would have been different. I'm curious how the next book starts if it was completely written after the first.
My other issue was very small in comparison. I just would have liked to see more of the scene between the two cougars at the waterfall. I was kind of disappointed when it was omitted, but that might also relate to the spirit confusion. After changing the cougar's dominant personality halfway through, I'm sure the author was unsure about how to present such a scene and decided to just gloss over it.
Despite all of this, I look forward to the next book as well as reading more from this author.
My first issue was that there were slight inconsistencies between the beginning and the end as far as the cougar spirit was concerned. In the beginning there really was no sign of a separate spirit and Jason seemed completely in control and cognizant in his shifter form. It wasn't until after he told the story of his people that the separate spirit became active in the story. It was kind of like the author had one plan going into the book and, upon creating the mythos story halfway through, decided to change the key aspects of the shifters. If the author had planned the mythos from the start, I'm sure the beginning would have been different. I'm curious how the next book starts if it was completely written after the first.
My other issue was very small in comparison. I just would have liked to see more of the scene between the two cougars at the waterfall. I was kind of disappointed when it was omitted, but that might also relate to the spirit confusion. After changing the cougar's dominant personality halfway through, I'm sure the author was unsure about how to present such a scene and decided to just gloss over it.
Despite all of this, I look forward to the next book as well as reading more from this author.
March 3, 2015
Enjoyable story, desperately fast read (because I needed to know what happened!). Loved that the idea was touched on warring between lust, love, and choice. Really, what Chip was feeling there at the start was unabashed lust- yes, he wanted a relationship, but it was lust at first sight, not love. And if things had continued merrily along, then it could turn to love and all that. After all, Chip would have likely said yes all along given a choice, but the key was that he wasn't given that choice. And I really liked that the kidnapping didn't make that discomfort about lack of choice have him falling all over himself to mate with Jason because of the near death experience; he made it clear that this was still a relationship that was going to require work and effort from both parties, and an ever enduring need for choice and control. But I did love the risk the kidnapping threw in, really amping up the climax. So many romance stories shy away from true risk and they really suffer from it. I just wish that Garon didn't die from a broken neck. After all, if he survived a bullet to the head, I feel like he could survive that......hmmm, maybe that's something the next book will actually touch on. Either way, good story, hot romance, looking forward to the rest of the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2013
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Shadows in the Night by MA Church is a great story about shapeshifters that has an original twist. The blurb does a great job of covering the basics of the story, but you need to read it to really appreciate it.
This is a character and plot driven story that has a smoothly flowing plot that take you from start to finish with no jarring jumps. The backstory lays a solid foundation and I really like the richly detailedand convincing history that is presented. The characters are solid, with the same faults, foibles, and all the other traits that make us human. The sex in the story is hot, and I really like the fact that the MCs don't immediately jump into bed with each other.
The author's writing style is a little quirky, but solid, clean, and straightforward, with a unique and original twist on the usual shifter tale. I enjoyed reading the book, and the story has a HEA ending after a pulse pounding confrontation that had me glued to the page. If you're looking for a shifter story that is anything but ordinary, then this is a book for you.
Shadows in the Night by MA Church is a great story about shapeshifters that has an original twist. The blurb does a great job of covering the basics of the story, but you need to read it to really appreciate it.
This is a character and plot driven story that has a smoothly flowing plot that take you from start to finish with no jarring jumps. The backstory lays a solid foundation and I really like the richly detailedand convincing history that is presented. The characters are solid, with the same faults, foibles, and all the other traits that make us human. The sex in the story is hot, and I really like the fact that the MCs don't immediately jump into bed with each other.
The author's writing style is a little quirky, but solid, clean, and straightforward, with a unique and original twist on the usual shifter tale. I enjoyed reading the book, and the story has a HEA ending after a pulse pounding confrontation that had me glued to the page. If you're looking for a shifter story that is anything but ordinary, then this is a book for you.
July 15, 2013
This is a nice easy read story, with a good element of humour that I am coming to expect from this author. It’s a nice change to have a cat shifter and the added bonus of an interesting history to the shifters and their link to Native American tribes. It was also nice to see some positive female characters. Essentially, Chip Riley, in timely fashion having just lost his job, inherits his grandmother’s estate which includes the family home and land. When he moves there he meets Jason Sky, whose totem animal is a mythical black panther. There is the usual paranormal insta-mate-love, but it’s well done and there isn’t instant acceptance. Into their growing relationship interrupts a rogue shifter with a grudge against Jason. This is marked as the first in a series and I shall look forward to the others
January 20, 2015
Shifter stories are not ones I would normally go and buy - I won this copy in a competition.
It is an easy read in that the story flows along quite quickly and I certainly was kept in the story.
The interesting feature with this one was the lack of pack structure and how the Children came to be, tied in with Native American culture.
The need to claim a mate is the main focus, and that follows the standard bite rules, but here we also see the reaction to the bite.
I quite liked it, Jason got a bit he-man at times and Chip went a bit light but generally the were quite funny too. There were a few sections were either knowledge was assumed - I thought there may be previous books - or questions still to be answered.
It is an easy read in that the story flows along quite quickly and I certainly was kept in the story.
The interesting feature with this one was the lack of pack structure and how the Children came to be, tied in with Native American culture.
The need to claim a mate is the main focus, and that follows the standard bite rules, but here we also see the reaction to the bite.
I quite liked it, Jason got a bit he-man at times and Chip went a bit light but generally the were quite funny too. There were a few sections were either knowledge was assumed - I thought there may be previous books - or questions still to be answered.
March 28, 2015
fourstars
Shadows in the Night was a good shifter book. It had a well thought out plot and the characters were perfect for the story.
Started a little slow but definitely got much better, the story built up as the ending neared. Well worth reading.
Jason was the Native American cougar shifter and knew Chip was his mate since he was born. I liked that Jason was always watching and keeping Chip safe. I thought Chip handled learning about Jason quite well. Loved the part where Jason is in his shifter form and leaves Chips house and Chip wonders how he got out. Nice touch of humor added to the story.
I'm hoping the next book covers Hawk's story. Definitely going to be a good series to follow.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Sherry
Shadows in the Night was a good shifter book. It had a well thought out plot and the characters were perfect for the story.
Started a little slow but definitely got much better, the story built up as the ending neared. Well worth reading.
Jason was the Native American cougar shifter and knew Chip was his mate since he was born. I liked that Jason was always watching and keeping Chip safe. I thought Chip handled learning about Jason quite well. Loved the part where Jason is in his shifter form and leaves Chips house and Chip wonders how he got out. Nice touch of humor added to the story.
I'm hoping the next book covers Hawk's story. Definitely going to be a good series to follow.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Sherry
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