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Dead and Breakfast #2

Fangs for the Memories

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One wolf has lost his memory, but they'll both lose their hearts. Bitten werewolf Tom owes the folks at the Dead and Breakfast big for saving his life. So when they ask for help with a rogue wolf at the B&B, he's happy to do his part, Though he isn't quite prepared for what he'll find. Werewolf Nathan lost everything to a sadistic kidnapper-his freedom, his memories, and maybe even his ability to be human. But as soon as he meets Tom, he knows he might be able to reclaim his life. And even a turned wolf like Tom feels the mating call. The trouble is, Tom isn't the only one who wants Nathan, and they'll need help from all their supernatural friends at the D & B to defeat a powerful enemy and keep their love-and themselves-alive.

218 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2018

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About the author

Julia Talbot

308 books273 followers
Julia Talbot lives in the great Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia is a hybrid author, and has been published by many presses as well as self publishing. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. Julia also writes as Minerva Howe. Find Julia at @juliatalbot on Twitter, or at www.juliatalbot.com

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5 stars
78 (41%)
4 stars
68 (35%)
3 stars
30 (15%)
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12 (6%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for * A Reader Obsessed *.
2,822 reviews618 followers
November 6, 2018
2 Hearts

Oh how this pains me to give such a rating but for some reason, unlike the first book Fangs and Catnip, I just wasn’t feeling it with this sequel.

Don’t get me wrong. I still find the entire premise charming - a B&B that caters to the supernaturals, portraying plenty of fun characters that now boasts the addition of a magpie, a raven, a fox, and an imp! This go around focuses on Tom, who we saw in book one and is now a successful werewolf who’s made it his life’s calling to help other shifters in need. When he gets a call from his old friends Tanner and Connor, Tom doesn't hesitate to help them with a rogue wolf prowling the Dead & Breakfast’s property. Tom for sure, never expects to find his perfect match in the process who unfortunately, is caught up in some very awful evil.

Having originally listened to Fangs and Catnip, I think this sequel would totally benefit from another audio by Dorian Bane, as he lent an authenticity and dramatic flair to the quirky humor and endearing qualities of each shifter character. It seems though, that DSP has stalled on producing more audios for their Beyond line which is terribly terribly disappointing and thus, we might not get an audio for this book. By actually reading this, the over the top silliness was made all the more blatant, and the constant “mate, lover, mate, honey, mate, love, mate” (can you tell that mate was used here no less than 200 times???) drove me a lot wonky.

For those of you who fancied the first book I have no doubt you’ll like this sequel for the same original reasons, especially as this continues mostly as a cute and sexy romantic romp. Alas for me, the different “reading” experience was just too stark, and my enjoyment just couldn’t be stoked to previous levels.

Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review

Profile Image for Meags.
2,568 reviews736 followers
July 7, 2021
3 Stars

In this paranormal themed sequel to Fangs and Catnip, we return to the Dead and Breakfast B&B, to follow newly found mates, werewolves Tom and Nathan, as they explore their new love while working together to unveil and heal Nathan’s very recent traumas, which he seems to be suppressing at great emotional and physical cost when the story kicks off.

This story was heavy on the hurt-comfort themes, which is right up my alley. Meeting Nathan while stuck in his shifted wolf-form endeared me to him all the more—reminding me heavily of many of my favourite Sterek fics where Derek spends an extended time as his wolf, due to the many traumas experienced.

The mystery here, of discovering what ordeals Nathan had been through, and whether or not he was now truly safe in the safe haven that was the Dead and Breakfast B&B, added to the story nicely, giving the story a sense of urgency and intrigue.

I adored how whole-heartedly and unwaveringly Tom took to Nathan, too, acknowledging the mate-bond happily and willingly, but also fiercely slotting into the role of alpha and protector for the very fragile and timid Nathan.

Their love was super quick to form, but that’s largely expected in shifter romances where this type of mate-bond is present, so I didn’t have any issues where the insta-love part of the story was concerned. Overall, I liked Nathan and Tom, quickly falling into their story with eagerness in those initial chapters.

When all was said and done though, I wanted to enjoy this story more than I did. Much like with book one, I liked the overall premise, particularly enjoying the setting of the Dead & Breakfast B&B, which serves as a sanctuary for all supernaturals in need. I also love the loyalty and camaraderie between the cast of characters, especially in how they give steadfast support to one another in times of need and just all-around act as great friends and made-family together.

However—and it’s a big however—the execution of the story just wasn’t up to scratch. My biggest issues lie in the awkward dialogue. Paranormal setting or not, people just do not speak like these characters. It’s cringey. It’s juvenile. And because of this, it’s hard to connect to the characters, the romances and the larger plot, when every few sentences (or sometimes every few words) take you right out of the story. This is an ongoing issue I experience with authors like Talbot (and even her apparent writing twin Sean Michael), but I guess it’s on me for returning time and again—sucked in by intriguing synopses and adorable characters!

Ultimately, I can put aside my strong feelings against the dialogue to appreciate the aspects of the characters, relationships, the setting and the story at large that I do enjoy. As such, I’ve decided to maybe be a bit more generous with my rating than I may have been in the past with stories similar. Whether I’ll return for the final book in the series remains unseen, for now.
Profile Image for Serena Yates.
Author 105 books772 followers
September 11, 2020
Oh, this book is such a treat! From the just about perfect title to a return of the well-known characters from book one – with a few excellent additions – and the touching romance, I was entertained from beginning to end. The Dead and Breakfast, nestled in the mountains, is back in full force and as much a character as its very diverse supernatural inhabitants and visitors.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Profile Image for llv.
2,354 reviews14 followers
December 6, 2018
Rating: 4.5
I was eyeing this book when a friend lent me copy. She knew how much I loved the first book in the series. While I can’t say that I liked it quite as much as I did the first one, I did love it. I loved both MCs. Nathan and everything that he went through just broke my heart. I was glad that he and Tom got their HEA in the end. I loved the addition of new characters. Ed was a hoot. Hopefully we’ll get more in this series soon because I really want Tanner to find his mate. Overall, a wonderful story that made me smile.
Profile Image for Mimi.
2,605 reviews
February 1, 2021
3.5 stars

First, I would like to say that overall I really like the characters of this series!! Fallon, Tanner, Tom, Nathan, Ed and our bouncy cat Carter. But this one was a little like reading a Sean Michael's book with all the "love this and sweet that". Even with that said I want to see Tanner get his HEA!!! 🐻🐻🐻
Profile Image for Amber.
1,766 reviews8 followers
November 8, 2018
Full review available at: https://optimumm.blog/2018/11/07/revi...

Fangs for the Memories is the second book in the Dead and Breakfast series and the thirty-first book in the Dreamspun Beyond series. Ever since reading Fangs and Catnip, the first book in the Dead and Breakfast series, I have eagerly awaited this book since it’s about Tom and his fated mate. We first met Tom in Fangs and Catnip. He was at the Dead and Breakfast Inn because he was a bitten wolf shifter and he was having trouble controlling his shifts. He became fast friends with Carter, a mountain lion shifter, who bounces around like Tigger on crack, Carter’s mate Fallon, who’s a vampire, and Tanner who’s a fierce bear shifter with a mothering streak.

When Tanner and Carter notice a rogue wolf on the property, they know that they’ll have to find a way to either get him to move on or he may end up one of their customer’s lunch. They think that maybe another wolf will be able to talk to him and help him so they contact Tom and see if he can come and help. Tom’s wolf loves to play in the snow, and the D & B has just gotten six inches of fresh powder. He also loves to help other shifters like he was helped by the D & B gang. He wasn’t expecting that the rogue wolf would be his mate or that he would be stuck in his wolf form, injured, malnourished, and missing his memories. Luckily for Tom because of the mate bond, they are able to communicate mentally, and he eventually finds out as his mate’s memories come back that his name is Nathan. It’s through the mate bond that Nathan will finally find the courage to shift back into his human form so that he can have a physical relationship with his mate.

Nathan lost everything to a sadistic kidnapper, his freedom, his memories, and maybe even his ability to be human. But even stuck in his wolf form he recognizes his mate when Tom comes out in his wolf form to help him. But he’s been a wolf for so long, relying on his wolf’s instincts that it will be quite a while to learn to trust his mate and move in with him and allow him to help him. As his memories come back, he remembers where he was kept captive and that there were other shifters that were in cages with him when he escaped. When he tells the D & B gang, they figure out what kidnapped him and know that it’s only a matter of time before he tracks him down and captures him again. But will the D & B gang be able to defeat this powerful enemy and keep their love, and themselves, alive?

I loved reading this book and getting to see the Dead and Breakfast gang again. I’m hoping that the next book will be about Tanner finding his mate.

***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book ***
Profile Image for Alexis Woods.
Author 58 books84 followers
November 26, 2018
All the great characters from book one return with the addition of more. Don't read unless you've read book one otherwise you will be lost.

Another excellent book by Ms. Talbot. Love her style and the amazing characters she creates. We've got two werewolves in this one and a new magpie friend named Ed. Oooo... sparkly. Even though the story moves quick you are sucked right in and don't feel like there is a thing missing. Already looking forward to another friend finding their mate.
Profile Image for Kirstin.
2,176 reviews20 followers
November 2, 2018
I was super excited to read this because of the blurb. I love a well written shifter romance and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one.

High atop a snow covered mountain sit the Dead and Breakfast, run by Tanner. He's employed a motley crew of shifters to help him run the place, including a bear, a gargoyle, a cat, a vampire and a magpie.

Tom is a wolf from Austin, Texas visiting with Tanner and Carter. When they see a lost, hurt wolf hiding in the woods, they ask Tom to help. He is able to calm the wolf down and bring him into one of the lodge rooms. He discovers he was kept in a cage, tortured and somehow escaped. And his name is Nathan and he's Tom's mate.

After realizing that Nathan is working through some amnesia, Tom is solely worried about taking care of his mate and ensuring he's got anything he wants. While on a trip to the grocery store, Nathan is abducted again by the same ogre who took him previously. In an effort to get him home safely, it takes everyone working together to find him.

Okay, so the premise for the story was there. I loved the character of Ed, the magpie. He was flighty and funny and bouncy. He was probably my favorite character and he wasn't even one of the MC's.

The main issue that I had with this book was the dialogue and writing style. I don't know what it was but it seemed so rudimentary to me. All of the exchanges between characters were reduced to single lines or sentences. Some were even one word. It made it really difficult for me to relate to any of them or to get a feel for any of the characters.

I also felt like a majority of details were missing. I had no idea what Tom did for a living. I knew he was from Austin, but apparently it wasn't necessary for him to go back. Everyone else had a job and duties, but Tom was able to solely care for his mate and spend money.

If you are looking for a quick, weekend shifter read, the story was entertaining, but I just couldn't get there with the rest.

*Arc generously supplied by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted on http://gaybook.reviews/ *
Profile Image for Serena Yates.
Author 105 books772 followers
November 16, 2018
Oh, this book is such a treat! From the just about perfect title to a return of the well-known characters from book one – with a few excellent additions – and the touching romance, I was entertained from beginning to end. The Dead and Breakfast, nestled in the mountains, is back in full force and as much a character as its very diverse supernatural inhabitants and visitors.


Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Profile Image for Badh.
3,310 reviews66 followers
October 17, 2021
Lost and found

Poor Nathan, he got stuck in his wolf and was having a hard time, but then Tom found him. I loved watching Tom's patience with Nathan and Nathan rediscovering himsrlf.
Profile Image for Kristin.
1,231 reviews35 followers
November 2, 2018
Blurb sums up the premise of the book so I won’t rehash the plot. It does help if you’ve read book one, which explains the background.

I do so enjoy the cast of characters at the Dead and Breakfast:
Tanner - lonely bear shifter, part owner of the D&B
Fallon - vampire, mated to Connor, part owner of the D&B
Connor - cougar shifter, mated to Fallon (read book one)
Tom - newly turned werewolf, now trying to help other shifters
Ed - magpie shifter, a bit flighty, likes shiny things
Glenda - gorgon, don’t look her in the eye
Yardley - gargoyle, dating Glenda
Nathan - abused werewolf everyone is rallying around

There are a handful of others who pop in and out, making the variety of characters interesting and fun which is what kept the book at three stars.

Where the characters are the strength of the book, I struggled with the simplistic dialog style. The first half the book is establishing Tom and Nathan’s bond, with repeated declarations of:
“Mate!”
“Yes. Mate.”
“Need.”
“So sweet, Mate.”
“Love. Want.”
“You can have, Mate.”

I found this - rather than endearing - to be annoying. At the halfway point, I was starting to yearn for a complete sentence and was seriously contemplating skipping to the end.

This got better once the dramatics started and our group rallied together for the climatic conclusion. But it was a bit of a trudge getting there.

The books strength, in my humble opinion, is in the delightful cast of characters and when they are all together. The overly simplistic dialog between our fated mates grated on my nerves and detracted from an otherwise enjoyable plot.

Review is cross posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Profile Image for Ali.
2,100 reviews18 followers
November 7, 2018
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This was another cute story in this series. Tom doesn’t think he will ever have a mate and is even more surprised when he finds him at the D and B. Nathan is struggling to survive and find how he can trust, he feels a pull to Tom and the safety he provides.

There are many more at the D and B now, which gives the hope of more stories to come. Once Nathan regains himself he is the bouncy one in this relationship, with the help of Ed, but I think it also helps Tom to unwind and let go a bit too.

We get to see the story from both characters’ points of view and it helps to understand them both. Though we don’t see as much into Nathan’s past probably because it would be painful for him we find out what has happened which made me so happy that he has found love and a new family. Tom will carry everything on his shoulders if he can and I love that his friends won’t let him do that. I continue to love how the characters give into their animal’s basic instincts so much, it is so entertaining.

Cover art by Aaron Anderson is great and I love how it goes with the series.
Profile Image for Danielle.
1,061 reviews6 followers
January 23, 2019
I didn't read the first book in the series so there is a slight possibility that I would have enjoyed this book more if I had but the writing was bad. The characters were all super one dimensional and disturbingly childlike. They all had the same personality and immediately loved each other upon sight, including those who were just friends. There was little to no chemistry between the two main characters, which made the sex scenes kind of gross to read. Perhaps the world building all took place in the first book, but there was very little of it in this story which is strange for a universe populated by mostly supernatural folk. Very disappointing.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,005 reviews8 followers
July 14, 2020
Nathan is a werewolf who has escaped a fate worse than death. Now he has lost his memories of his human self, is starving and freezing to death. Tom is called back to the B&B to help with a feral wolf that is causing problems at the Inn. Carter has been feeding Nathan on the sly with Tanner turning a blind eye. Tom finds that Nathan is his mate and swears to keep him safe, but danger is lurking and Nathan is kidnapped. How to find his beloved? An excellent addition to this loving series of growing oddball growing family of paranormal people who find love or wished they could.
Profile Image for Sugarpop.
922 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2025
Read this without part 1 because my library did not have the first book and did not notify me that it is a second book in a series.
It was okay-ish. With some references to the first part, I was clearly missing some parts needed to truly enjoy this book.
The characters were also okay. There was no deep characterization but it also wasn't the focus of the story as it focused more on hurt-and-comfort elements.
Profile Image for Altivo Overo.
Author 6 books20 followers
July 4, 2019
Pretty funny with lots of clever stuff. Some very sweet characters, too. Main climax of the action comes a bit early, resulting in a rather drawn out resolution, but still a nice light read. I'd recommend reading the first book in the series, Fangs and Catnip, before this one.
Profile Image for Scott McQ.
279 reviews7 followers
November 10, 2019
Sped right through this book. I felt some of the conflicts were resolved far too quickly. Some of the dialogue seemed “childish”, could have been made mature sounding. All in all though, these are just my opinion, I enjoyed the book regardless.
3,051 reviews14 followers
September 16, 2021
Loved this book as much as the other one. Enjoyed the story maybe a bit more with Nathan being such a mystery. The old and new characters were all spot on and enjoyed them so much. Recommend reading. Getting ready for the next book.
Profile Image for Ana.
1,046 reviews
August 28, 2023
It was a nice book. A bit predictible sometimes but with enjoyable. It has a tiny bit of angst, perhaps too little for my taste, but I guess that would be great for readers who don't like much angst. It had nice characters and the shift forms sounded so adorable.
Profile Image for Chavon.
59 reviews
February 21, 2019
I loved the whole story line of a B&B for the supernatural. But the dialog was very childish, I just couldn't get past the way they spoke to each other.
6 reviews
January 30, 2021
Howling Good Fun

Man, I love this series!! I read 2 & 3 out of order but that just made me want to reread book 3 LOL. Anything in this series is a one-click for me!
Profile Image for Nicole.
304 reviews
February 16, 2021
Bittersweet love

Poor, poor Nathan, I am glad he made it to the D&B like he did. And I'm thrilled that he found Tom. But sweet Tanner needs his HEA.
Profile Image for Anera Shell.
178 reviews4 followers
November 23, 2018
Nice 2nd book

A little darker than the last but also funnier. Lots of new characters to make you laugh but plenty old friends too. Nice Thanksgiving read.
Profile Image for Love Bytes Reviews.
2,529 reviews38 followers
December 27, 2018
Reviewed by Cindy

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Julia Talbot and her paranormal stories. I love how she gets us into the head of her characters, giving us a glimpse of who they really are on the inside.

Tom and Nathan are truly the sweetest characters I’ve read so far.

Tom is caring and protective and does everything he can to help Nathan find himself after a terrible tragedy. I love how he coaxes Nathan out of his shell by providing the safest, most caring place he can for the lost wolf. With the help of Tanner, Fallon and Carter, along with everyone else who works at Dead and Breakfast, Tom and Nathan find something beautiful in each other.

Nathan is a true sweetheart. Even after everything that’s happened to him, he manages to retain a kind of child-like innocence that makes him impossible to resist. His relationship with Tom is beautiful, and his budding friendship with Ed the magpie is so adorable to read.

Like I said before, my favorite part of this story is seeing inside Tom and Nathan’s heads when they are wolves and how different they are as humans. There is a simple earnestness to the wolves and it is the best hook of the story.

It’s nice to catch up with Tanner and Fallon and Carter, the hero’s from the first book in the Dead and Breakfast series. It always makes me happy to see little bits of the happy ending past characters got to have. Also, if I could be so bold Ms. Talbot, I’d love to see Tanner find himself someone to love. He’s a lovable bear with a huge heart to share!

I can’t think of anything I don’t like about this story and that’s unusual for me. There’s just enough angst and heartbreak to make the sweetness all the better, but not so much as to turn off those who prefer their stories fluffier.

I heartily recommend this story and if you haven’t read it already, I also recommend going back and reading Fangs and Catnip.

This book was provided for free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Profile Image for Katherine.
2,874 reviews13 followers
January 23, 2019
Another great story of love found at the D&B!

This time we follow Tom, the bitten wolf shifter from the last book, as he helps out another wolf. This wolf has staked the D&B as its territory, dangerous with so many shifters about, so they call in Tom to relocate the wolf, which is part of Tom's job these days. Tom is shocked to find out the wolf is a shifter, Nathan, and his mate. From there the whole D&B works together to bring Nathan and his memories back.

Since Nathan and Tom meet when Nathan is in wolf form and has been for a while, much of their initial interactions are very simple and occasionally even primitive. Nathan has been through some trauma and does not remember being a shifter or having ever turned to be a man. As such, though he does not think like a wolf, he does think in more simple terms than a man. Even as he spends time with Tom it takes effort to think beyond basic needs and the desire for safety. Much of their interactions revolve around mate, love, and protect. Though simple it is very loving and it is part of the process to bring Nathan back after what he has been through. I enjoyed watching Tom work to bring Nathan back just as much as I enjoyed watching Nathan develop through the book into the person he was.

As with the last book though Tom and Nathan are the central focus the other characters are just as important as well. I really enjoyed getting to meet Ed, the magpie shifter. Jami si still there (though we see less of him). Tanner is still doing amazing in charge, but it is sad to see him be so happy for those around him with their matings, but so lonely himself. Each new character opens up so much story and so much life that really makes this book.

There is a but of an evolution for the D&B in this book. This is the second incident with a mating and with concerns that has come up for them, so it is beginning to be familiar. Not to mention the events in the book bring other people into the group with concerns, and Tom's job revolves around helping shifters in trouble with their forms. It feels like there may be a change if this series continues in what the D&B will be for and I am curious to see that happen!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews