The Qualm Before the Storm

by Lilo Quie

Rayne has never been close with his family, never found love or even someone who understands him. He finds himself graduating college at the tail end of another bad breakup and needs to get as far away as possible. A thousand miles away sits the most striking horse he’s ever seen, and he cannot resist petting it. Now he’s stuck with a god, but he’s not too mad about it. Especially since he gave him a pet chicken!

The Tempest Spirit has wandered this world for over a thousand years. He has changed his skin and species more times than he can count, but none of his loves tend to live long, for a god. His worshipers grow fewer by the day and he thinks about moving on, joining the sky as storm, or as the wild mustangs that wandered this land so long ago, their hooves bringing thunder. When the most curious human shows up in his paddock, he thinks he might stick around a little longer. After all, he can feel the Rayne coming.

If you like your gods fickle, your witches plucky, and roosters as small as they are mean, try downloading The Qualm Before the Storm today.

Warning, may contain gods, lemon bars, b*tchy witches, and an inappropriately named miniature rooster whose sole goal in life is to mate the largest hen possible. [And that ostrich is looking mighty fine.]

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, M M Romance, Paranormal, Supernatural, Magic, Shapeshifters

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2024

About the author

https://liloquie.net
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Reviews

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan

The author always pulls me into their stories.
There's amazing world building, wonderful, relatable characters and lots of humorous situations.
Storm and Rayne were so wonderfully supportive of one another but they also created chaos everywhere.
Pecker was absolutely hilarious and Mama Vy was such a heartfelt character.
I really hope the author is able to continue in this world.

[Bradeemk · Rating 5 out of 5]

best in series so far…

I’m totally enthralled by your writing style. I just had to write a review before I finished the book because I’m enjoying it so well. I don’t want the story to end at all, and want to stay immersed in the world of Storm, Buck, Rayne, Mama Vy and PECKER. Pecker is my hearts soul animal, so much bigger than he seems, small as a thimble with the attitude of an Ostrich.

[LJ Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting book! I normally don’t read books that deal with gods, but this was so good. Storm is a god of thunder. He’s lonely but doesn’t think he’ll ever find his mate. He’s developed a relationship with a wolf shifter/witch group and they love him.

Rayne has a worthless boyfriend who he tells nicely that he wants more, that they aren’t good together and that ex boyfriend won’t take no. He harasses Rayne so much that Rayne moves to another state.

Meeting Storm and the shifters and witches help Rayne realize what he really is, an aspect and Storms mate.

I enjoyed every character in this book and can’t wait to read the next book in this series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be an Excellent read! But then it wasnt how a MMALE OMEGA shifts to be a MARE is just riidiculous, this coupled with the cliff hanger ending means once again it isnt a story begining - middle - no end! ah well another author off the list!

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was this book weird af? Yes. Did this book make me laugh many, many times? Also yes.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing the names

Book is pretty good but who is the ex? Is it Dylan or Brad something. Crazy, I didn’t even know who was who. Would I read it again nope. The other characters where good and story line in fine.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I absolutely loved this story. The characters were all so interesting and the story line was fascinating. This ended on a HFN and I really hope to read more in this world.

[Shelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when the Tempest Spirit meets his human? All kinds of magic and mayhem. There is all manner of supporting characters from elderly witches to a tiny little rooster with a huge complex and a love of larger babes.
Storm meets Rayne and while they may fall in love, they also create chaos. With all of the books by Lilo, you can expect some chaos, steamy smexy times, fun and crazy characters and possibly a babe. This new book opens up a new world and hopefully series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[P Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this one down - I really enjoyed it.

Interesting characters and a unique storyline. Pecker made me laugh countless times - he wanted all the hens, even the big ones lol.

Amazing book!

[Sharon L · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I want you. I want to hold you and listen to you breathe. I want to kiss you like we did that first time.”

I'm loving this new multi-authored series called Love Sync Mates. Each time one of these series' books pop up on Booksprout I have to get them, this author is an immediate grab for me anyway, so bonus!!!

This book was written by Lilo Quie and I just want to say, this better become the first book in a new series because I loved it!!!

The supporting characters in this book are just as entertaining as the main characters. How the author comes up with these stories and characters blows my mind, what an imagination. I'm excited by the prospect of this becoming its own series. All these characters need their own HEA.

I had to add a Kindle note so I could share this in my review so you could understand my love for this book;
"In the end, I saw red flags. In retrospect, they were less like red flags and more like an interpretive dance parade of prancing unicorns waving about one red flag and banner after another."

This book will make you happy!!!

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

I have been so excited to read this for the last few months and it was so worth the wait. I absolutely loved Rayne and Storm and I am really hoping we get to see more stories with them in the future!

[Daana Pierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing book

[Karissa Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the chicken alone

Possible spoilers:
I have to say if you want a good laugh, this book has some amazing moments that had me cracking up and they all involved a mini chicken. So the main character (Rayne) gets a pet chicken and as he comes into his powers and himself he starts to hear the chicken’s thoughts and OMG!!! They are so freaking funny. This chicken has a Neapolitan complex the size of the world and in his mind Rayne is his hen and he takes care of him, but the chicken has decided that Raynes mate Storm is a rooster as well and he doesn’t want to share but as the book go on he learns to kinda. Since he has such a Neapolitan complex he ends up collecting many hens including trying to breed and keep an ostrich. This book really is very good even without the chicken. I know it’s a part of a different series but part of me really wants to see a second book with Buck getting a mate as well.

[Likes2Explore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had me continuously giggling to myself, the mini rooster is hilarious. There are so many fun, unique elements woven into this Mpreg shifter romance that makes me want more. I enjoy shifter MM Romances so when you give me something unique I find myself jumping for joy :)

There are sweet tender moments mixed in so you get a little bit of everything (I had my tissues out at a few points while tears were running down my cheeks and at others I wanted to do bodily harm to some characters) although I would lean towards more of a silly humorous (Rom-Com) vibe with this story.

I fell in love with the cast of characters and the world Lilo Quie has created and I look forward to reading more from this New to me author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Storm who is a godbeast and he falls in love with Rayne who is a human omega that is also a Demi once he dies turns into a godbeast as well. He is Storm’s aspect. There is a lot of action in this story and growth for Rayne when he starts his transition from human to godbeast. There is an ex-boyfriend who causes a lot of trouble. Eventually things work out for Rayne and Storm after they mate, and eventually have their offspring which will help their people that they dwell amongst. It had a few of the beginning of a series, but who knows.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really felt unsure about how this book would turn out. I never read anything like it. I chose to read it because I love Omega books. This book truly was amazing. Rayne was trying to remove himself from toxic relationship. It started out with neglect and then when he broke it off it became violent. Storm is a lonely Godbeast. Upon their unlikely meeting he discovers Rayne is his mate and Aspect. With how the book ended I really hope they'll be another one. And I was really hoping that Buck would get his own book and find his own aspect. I would also love to see River have a child.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that needs more stars

I definitely need more stars to give this book because it’s marvelous. The world building is the best thing about this story and the bit at the end is hopefully an indication that we are getting more of this world from Lilo Quie. I have read a lot of stories where authors have rewritten tales about gods but most have been about greek or roman myths. Quie has taken ideas from native mythology and come up with ancient gods trying to survive in modern times. It felt absolutely epic to me and it’s up there with the best books for me. Going on my reread every year list.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lilo, sets the best worldbuilding with the coolest characters. Rayne, raised in a slightly dysfunctional environment. He focused on graduating with a high average. Then his ex, Dylan made life at his home, impossible. He left town and found the spirit beast, Storm. The back story, the characters, the found family are exquisite. Lilo created a baseline of a cross between science, history, mythology and a fanciful world that will bring many hours of fun and fantasy. Stormy's and Rayne's story is fun and delightful with a hint of drama and hot spice thrown in. Nicely writting, good flow, nice setup. Well done! I received an ARC and am volunarily leaving a review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'My heart squeezed at his sweetness and his spirit flared, the flame of it flicking a beautiful array of colors for me.'

I loved this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. You really feel for Rayne just wanting to settle down but dealing with a crazy mess of an ex instead. I was completely fascinated by Storm. I loved the relationship that formed between him and Rayne. They were really sweet together. And I loved the supporting characters. And Pecker! Omg that rooster! <3 I've read over a dozen of Lilo's books, but I think this one is my favorite. 5 stars.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Lilo Quie so I was always going to love it

Just read the blurb then you're going to want to inhale this book. I couldn't put it down and I didn't want to. I was so invested in Storm and Rayne and their extended family, and I know Lilo is going to make this a series because how could she not? I need Buck's story and I can't wait for River and Brook to get what their hearts desire above all else.
I'm not going to spoil this for you but if you like imaginative and quirky tales with wonderful characters and a lot of heart, Lilo's books are for you.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Qualm Before the Storm by Lilo Quie. I loved Rayne and Storm's story. I loved the new world that the author has made and all of the supporting characters. I loved the godbeasts and the aspects. I also loved Rayne's pet rooster named Pecker. I loved how his mind worked, and his inner thoughts were hilarious. I can't wait to find out what happens next with the god-beast Grim Dawn, who wants a tribute after Rayne killed his ex-boyfriend after being stabbed by him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hannah Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!

This book was so out of left field but exactly what I needed to read right now. I could not put it down, I was hooked.
As always with this author the world building was next level and you can feel it all the way through the book.
I will be gutted if this doesn't turn into a series! I did slightly feel like I had missed a prequel when I first started the book but once I got into the story more things were explained and that fell away. Read this book it's brilliant! Who knew a little chicken would provide such humor... 😄

[Joslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First! The Forgotten Gods series

Quie is a fantastic author and I have loved everything I’ve read so far. My only complaint is the naming of this one and “Buck Stops Hare: The Forgotten Gods, Book 1”. It was a lot of fun to read along as this world was built and these characters introduced. I understand things a lot better now and will reread in proper order next time. (I read “The Buck Stops Hare” first and was confused on a lot of things since “Qualm Before the Storm” is actually set in time before it.)

[Mir Jak · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The boner returns, part two, revenge of the erection." Bahahahahahahaha

I enjoyed this one very much.....great storyline, enough background to get who's what and all that (especially good because I've not read the others in this book and it was perfectly fine - with cameo from other characters, so there are spoilers in that). Had a touch of suspense...but it was also quite funny, sweet and steamy !! I'm very keen to go and read others in series now !!

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bit long winded to be such a short story but still enjoyable. It was all the praise of that insta bond that true mates have. I do have one question though, it was heavily implied that aspects are a piece of the godbeast … so does that mean that one god can have multiple aspects??? Not a bad thought, i like a good harem story every now and then.

OAN: Pecker was almost the best character I’ve read all year. Hilarious.

[Kelly Gress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Start to New Series

I truly enjoy the author's writing style. I was pulled into the story immediately and couldn't put down the book. I think Pecker and Mama Vy was my favorite characters. I definitely shed a tear at the end for her. I hope the author plans to expand this world as I am totally invested.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like how Rayne finds his place and love with Tempest after he leaves his old life and a stalker ex. The ex is dealt with in an unique way but there may still be trouble from it. I got chuckles a I read about Pecker.

[Leonie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I great start to a new series and I loved it! I love how this author creates whole worlds with super unique characters. This story is no exception, Storm and Rayne a wonderful and ALL the secondary characters bring so many aspects of this story together. I loved it and am looking forward to more! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Gemi Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Qualm before the storm. Rayne and Storm are so perfect for each other and then Rayne gets a chicken and chaos ensuses and well Rayne can hear the chickens thoughts and wow Lilo has an imagination that leaves me speechless.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Challenges in reading this book:
-Meandering; I have no idea what the climax of the book was.
-Unappealing sex scenes. Sometimes, it's okay to leave out certain details.
-Could not bring myself to care about the MCs or anyone else
-Felt like a bait & switch. I did not intend to read an A/B/O book