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A Loving Nip #8
Pulling the Vampire's Braid
Tate Locklear has worked as a vampire enforcer at his coven for almost two centuries. He’s ready for a change of pace. When his master calls for volunteers to protect shifters in the forest, he thinks it’s the something new that he needs. Tate discovers it’s so much more when the scent of a reclusive leopard shifter’s blood calls to him. Somehow, he must convince the pretty kitty known as Psion, that staying in human form longer than it takes to open and close a door can be extremely pleasurable and beneficial to both of them. Unfortunately, that also reveals a new problem. Can Tate get Psion past his fear of blood so he can claim him?
87 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2016
22 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 10, 2016
I knew very well this was book whatever in the series but I was in the mood for a vampire and this one popped up. I've read many stories by this author and I should know better. *shrug* Tate is a vamp who is tasked to go and serve as a guard, blah blah blah. Anyway, he meets the leopard shifter who was abused and " Somehow, he must convince the pretty kitty known as Psion, that staying in human form longer than it takes to open and close a door "
Okay, in Charlie Richard's style, it takes about 3.5 seconds to convince the cat that Tate is his mate and he rarely if ever turns back into a cat after that. I'd hoped for some wooing? "Here kitty kitty" as Psion hides under the bed? Something? Psion? Isn't that those connections in your brain? Or are those prions. Anyway, I didn't love this, in fact I barely liked it but I didn't hate it. (I apologise this descended into snark, but Psion?)
Okay, in Charlie Richard's style, it takes about 3.5 seconds to convince the cat that Tate is his mate and he rarely if ever turns back into a cat after that. I'd hoped for some wooing? "Here kitty kitty" as Psion hides under the bed? Something? Psion? Isn't that those connections in your brain? Or are those prions. Anyway, I didn't love this, in fact I barely liked it but I didn't hate it. (I apologise this descended into snark, but Psion?)
June 25, 2024
Classic Charlie - still enjoying my Richards' binge.
On a major re-re-read of the Stone Ridge world. I usually enjoy Charlies' short stories and novellas (the occasional one is a clunkier) but I have found that the best way to read them is to series binge and read them in the recommended reading order for the 'world' instead of by series. This gives a much more satisfying read with a more consistent plot line and world. Even the clunkers become acceptable as a small part of the whole. The characters are still good, and as usual Charlie uses stereo types with skill and develops characters indirectly. The only characters that develop depth are those who appear and then reappear frequently.
As individual reads? 2 or 3 - though 3 is more common.
On a major re-re-read of the Stone Ridge world. I usually enjoy Charlies' short stories and novellas (the occasional one is a clunkier) but I have found that the best way to read them is to series binge and read them in the recommended reading order for the 'world' instead of by series. This gives a much more satisfying read with a more consistent plot line and world. Even the clunkers become acceptable as a small part of the whole. The characters are still good, and as usual Charlie uses stereo types with skill and develops characters indirectly. The only characters that develop depth are those who appear and then reappear frequently.
As individual reads? 2 or 3 - though 3 is more common.
April 3, 2016
Cute...not mind-blowing...but cute. It was readable.
January 15, 2018
This was another compelling read from the, A Loving Nip, series. There's so many paranormals that it can be difficult for me, sometimes, to keep them all straight. However, I loved the two main characters, Tate, and, Psion. I really disliked the invading haters that they had to deal with (their bigotry). Outside of them, though, Psion is so adorable in his animal form, and irresistibly playful, especially with swatting at Tate's braid. Enjoyable and imaginative. =)
October 21, 2019
Enforcer Tate and Leopard Psion
August 9, 2025
Great story with Tate and his beloved Psion.
Trent seemed patient with Psion, but not Kiesha nor Brahms. But they knew what Psion is like!
Trent seemed patient with Psion, but not Kiesha nor Brahms. But they knew what Psion is like!
May 13, 2016
Personally I enjoyed the book and like that it was quick and easy to read. This is not the strongest book in the series, and I feel like the author is loosing a little steam. I get a feeling the series are coming to an end because there doesn't seem to be that much new to write about. Maybe. Or the author will give it a rest and then breathe new life to the series.
The MCs' are a bit bland. I would have liked to get to know them a bit more, to learn more about their past. Psion's past is glossed over, just telling that he had been tortured by witches that left him scarred and disgusted by blood. Tate is a vampire that has lived a long life, but there is nothing specific about him or his past. I missed those pieces a little.
There is not that much of a plot other than Psion's self consciousness (that is not as damaged as the blurb suggests) and his revulsion of blood. Most of the events in this book is connected to previous books and there are some loose threads that will have me coming back for the next book in the series.
The MCs' are a bit bland. I would have liked to get to know them a bit more, to learn more about their past. Psion's past is glossed over, just telling that he had been tortured by witches that left him scarred and disgusted by blood. Tate is a vampire that has lived a long life, but there is nothing specific about him or his past. I missed those pieces a little.
There is not that much of a plot other than Psion's self consciousness (that is not as damaged as the blurb suggests) and his revulsion of blood. Most of the events in this book is connected to previous books and there are some loose threads that will have me coming back for the next book in the series.
June 30, 2016
This is a very short little story about Tate – a vampire who moves to help guard the shifters in Dorian and Kai’s pack. While there he meets his mate, Psion, a leopard shifter who is scarred from being tortured for years.
The story moves along quickly with Tate and Psion realizing they are mates right away but not bonding due to some hurdles surrounding mating and the bite.
Meanwhile, more baddies are after the pack and Tate ends up wounded in the struggle.
**
If you like this series you’ll want to keep reading – as a Charlie addict of COURSE I needed to read this!
I thought it was a little too short for my liking but the mating was sweet and sexy, as usual.
I was a bit disappointed in how easily Psion accepted his mating status – I’d have thought it would have been a bit harder for him, considering his past. But, Tate was very sweet and I loved the “cat-time” and playing with the braid.
(I looked up clouded leopard and WOW they are gorgeous!)
The story moves along quickly with Tate and Psion realizing they are mates right away but not bonding due to some hurdles surrounding mating and the bite.
Meanwhile, more baddies are after the pack and Tate ends up wounded in the struggle.
**
If you like this series you’ll want to keep reading – as a Charlie addict of COURSE I needed to read this!
I thought it was a little too short for my liking but the mating was sweet and sexy, as usual.
I was a bit disappointed in how easily Psion accepted his mating status – I’d have thought it would have been a bit harder for him, considering his past. But, Tate was very sweet and I loved the “cat-time” and playing with the braid.
(I looked up clouded leopard and WOW they are gorgeous!)
May 5, 2016
In this story, we have the vampires from Adalric's coven helping out with protecting the shifters of Dorian's pack. The volunteers include Tate, Toni and Felicia. When they arrive, one of the previously abused shifters - a snow leopard named Psion - recognizes Tate as his mate. Psion's been free only a short time and had been captured when he was 12, so he's pretty clueless about the ways of mates, sex, etc. He's also sickened by the sight and smell of blood - as a result of his years of captivity and abuse. Not so great when your mate is a vampire. When Tate is injured though, Psion has to fight to do the right thing for his mate.
I liked Tate a lot in this one but I would have liked a little more story. Hopefully we'll see these two in future books as they seem to bring out the best in each other.
I liked Tate a lot in this one but I would have liked a little more story. Hopefully we'll see these two in future books as they seem to bring out the best in each other.
September 15, 2018
Attacked
Psion had a hard life captured at age 12 by witches and tortured and used in spells. Tate is his mate a vampire problem is psion has a blood phobia. After the attack they bonded.
Psion had a hard life captured at age 12 by witches and tortured and used in spells. Tate is his mate a vampire problem is psion has a blood phobia. After the attack they bonded.
March 17, 2016
It was another, ok books but not memorable. And although we see progress on Psion's part with blood issue we don't see a return claim from shifter's side of things.
March 23, 2016
Pulling the Vampire's Braid (A Loving Nip Book 8)
Loved it it was so great and I can't wait to read the next one in any series she writes.....I hope it's soon...
Loved it it was so great and I can't wait to read the next one in any series she writes.....I hope it's soon...
July 19, 2016
All these characters are so damn cardboard. All of them. But this is also so addicting. I'm screwed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2017
Great book!
I love the moral behind the story, you should always embrace your fears to overcome them...Charlie Richards is a fantastic author!!! Michelle Walker
I love the moral behind the story, you should always embrace your fears to overcome them...Charlie Richards is a fantastic author!!! Michelle Walker
October 14, 2020
Sweet and sexy
Psion,with his fear of blood, ironically ends up with a vampire for a mate. Really e noted this fast paced, no angst, sweet and sexy read.
Psion,with his fear of blood, ironically ends up with a vampire for a mate. Really e noted this fast paced, no angst, sweet and sexy read.
July 26, 2022
Also diese Zopfspielsache ist wirklich putzig 😁
Die Story beinhaltet ein kleines Drama, explizite Szenen und Humor.
Liest sich gut, schön für zwischendurch.
Die Story beinhaltet ein kleines Drama, explizite Szenen und Humor.
Liest sich gut, schön für zwischendurch.
June 7, 2021
👍👍💖😍👬🐈
September 20, 2016
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews