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Alphas' Homestead #1
Home Is Where You Are
By the winter of 1870, Caleb Fletcher has carved out a sheltered existence for himself in a simple cabin, outside a small town in the backwaters of Nebraska, resigned to living out his days as a solitary wolf. But his quiet life is interrupted when another werewolf lands on his doorstep on the eve of a snowstorm, brutalized almost beyond repair, with nowhere else to turn.
When Caleb reluctantly welcomes Jacob into his cabin, and eventually his bed, it forces him to face up to the traumas he’s been running from; the shame that made him leave his pack behind, and the horrors of war he endured.
As the weeks pass, it seems that Jacob’s arrival might not be the coincidence it first appeared. Jacob has an agenda. One that involves Caleb. And if Caleb agrees to it – if he can let go of his past and his prejudices – it will change Caleb’s whole world. Maybe even for the better.
Without a mate – a family, a pack – a wolf has no home.
But what if home finds you?
The Alphas' Homestead series - Book One
66k words
When Caleb reluctantly welcomes Jacob into his cabin, and eventually his bed, it forces him to face up to the traumas he’s been running from; the shame that made him leave his pack behind, and the horrors of war he endured.
As the weeks pass, it seems that Jacob’s arrival might not be the coincidence it first appeared. Jacob has an agenda. One that involves Caleb. And if Caleb agrees to it – if he can let go of his past and his prejudices – it will change Caleb’s whole world. Maybe even for the better.
Without a mate – a family, a pack – a wolf has no home.
But what if home finds you?
The Alphas' Homestead series - Book One
66k words
244 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2016
48 people are currently reading
606 people want to read
About the author
Alex Jane
26 books181 followersAfter spending years creating stories in her head, Alex started writing them down and then found she couldn’t stop.
Despite the late start, she now writes m/m romance about found families, sometimes with a historical feel—and the occasional werewolf.
Free from aspirations of literary greatness, Alex simply hopes to spin a good yarn of love and life, wrapped up with a happy ending. And if her characters have to go through Hell to get there, she’s a-okay with that.
Alex writes and walks on the South Coast of England—even when her heart and spellcheck are in New York.
You can now find her dark m/m romance under Alexis Jane if you like love…but darker.
Blog and Newsletter available on my website - www.alexjane.info
Despite the late start, she now writes m/m romance about found families, sometimes with a historical feel—and the occasional werewolf.
Free from aspirations of literary greatness, Alex simply hopes to spin a good yarn of love and life, wrapped up with a happy ending. And if her characters have to go through Hell to get there, she’s a-okay with that.
Alex writes and walks on the South Coast of England—even when her heart and spellcheck are in New York.
You can now find her dark m/m romance under Alexis Jane if you like love…but darker.
Blog and Newsletter available on my website - www.alexjane.info
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
December 2, 2022
This is a slower paced MM/shifter romance. It takes place in 1870, on a homestead near a small town, with small-minded townsfolk. There are multiple prejudices here, mostly that Caleb is a wolf shifter. Not many know exactly what that means, but they look down on him just the same.
The story opens with the local sheriff bringing Caleb an extremely wounded young man. Caleb smells him and instantly and knows it’s another shifter.
"Best I can tell, whoever did it, caught him off guard, chained him, beat him, and then dragged him 'til all was left was meat and bone."
Jacob is such a gentle and beautiful soul, slowly healing and at the same time battling Caleb’s past demons and fears. Their love story is slow moving, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it a slow burn as their first intimacy is around 40%. Caleb is hard to warm up to, but he’s had a brutal life and is emotionally covered.
There is so much accurate historical knowledge in this story. From the orphan train, to churning butter. It’s obvious the author wanted to make it feel authentic for the time period.
As much as I did enjoy this story, it was very choppy at times, and the flow stumbled. After finishing it, all I felt was a calm sort of love for these two characters who survived so much to be together. This is a beautiful story, that would have easily been phenomenal had it undergone a bit of cleaning up before publishing. The lack of lubrication was painful, but the heart was all there!
Jacob sits and raises his head to the sky, howling; not the low, longing howl Caleb had heard before, but one full of joy, not calling anyone home, but announcing he is already there. He is home.
******
It is very difficult to find well-told MM shifter stories. So in case you’re looking, here are some others I’ve enjoyed:
The Big Bad Wolf series by Charlie Adhara (Police/mystery)
Strength of the Pack by Kendall McKenna (Active military)
Wolves of Black Pine by S.J. Himes (Comfort/pack heavy)
Wolfsong by T.J. Klune (Comfort/pack heavy)
Kick the darkness by Keira Andrews (Zombies/apocalypse)
Their Precious Own by Lia Black (Apocalypse/police/mystery)
The story opens with the local sheriff bringing Caleb an extremely wounded young man. Caleb smells him and instantly and knows it’s another shifter.
"Best I can tell, whoever did it, caught him off guard, chained him, beat him, and then dragged him 'til all was left was meat and bone."
Jacob is such a gentle and beautiful soul, slowly healing and at the same time battling Caleb’s past demons and fears. Their love story is slow moving, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it a slow burn as their first intimacy is around 40%. Caleb is hard to warm up to, but he’s had a brutal life and is emotionally covered.
There is so much accurate historical knowledge in this story. From the orphan train, to churning butter. It’s obvious the author wanted to make it feel authentic for the time period.
As much as I did enjoy this story, it was very choppy at times, and the flow stumbled. After finishing it, all I felt was a calm sort of love for these two characters who survived so much to be together. This is a beautiful story, that would have easily been phenomenal had it undergone a bit of cleaning up before publishing. The lack of lubrication was painful, but the heart was all there!
Jacob sits and raises his head to the sky, howling; not the low, longing howl Caleb had heard before, but one full of joy, not calling anyone home, but announcing he is already there. He is home.
******
It is very difficult to find well-told MM shifter stories. So in case you’re looking, here are some others I’ve enjoyed:
The Big Bad Wolf series by Charlie Adhara (Police/mystery)
Strength of the Pack by Kendall McKenna (Active military)
Wolves of Black Pine by S.J. Himes (Comfort/pack heavy)
Wolfsong by T.J. Klune (Comfort/pack heavy)
Kick the darkness by Keira Andrews (Zombies/apocalypse)
Their Precious Own by Lia Black (Apocalypse/police/mystery)
November 23, 2016
Oh.... How I loved this story!!
Very slow paced in the beginning. We really get to see into Caleb's thoughts, what he was living with. His guilt and shame for being who he was. It hurt him so much, he left his pack, went to war and has been an alone wolf ever since.
But one day another werewolf is delivered at his home, severly injured, no other place to come and recover from his injuries. Caleb tends to Jacob's injuries and Caleb's wolf is overjoyed he has found his mate. But Caleb fights his wolf and his own human feelings, too burdened with his shame.
This story made me think so much about Kim Fielding's Brute. Wonderful worldbuilding and some great characters.
I was truly captivated.
September 21, 2024
4 Stars!
This here is great shifter goodness with an interesting and different slant to the world building.
Caleb is an alpha and is alone on purpose. Having left his pack due to his secret shame, he resigns himself to his self imposed exile, seemingly thinking he deserves it. However, when the sheriff brings a severely injured alpha to his door, he can’t help but notice his inner wolf has marked him as his mate.
Set in the 1800’s, I typically don’t like my M/M’s historical, but thankfully, Caleb and Jacob being a couple was at the bottom of their worries, as prejudices and fear run deep regarding their werewolf natures instead. I typically also don’t mind the day in and day out look at a couple’s life - though these two have a lot of hurt comfort between them and a ton of resistance on Caleb’s part to overcome. Be forewarned that the majority of this story is ultimately, them making a life together. For some reason it works.
Overall, I loved the pull and the connection these two had, especially how it affected Jacob and his past. It was sweet how their inner wolves influenced a lot of their actions, but they weren’t overrun by base desires. Unfortunately smexy light, of course I would’ve wanted more in this department, but life is obviously not fair. Regardless, very satisfying on all fronts as we witness Caleb overcoming his fears and finding his much deserved happiness with Jacob.
This here is great shifter goodness with an interesting and different slant to the world building.
Caleb is an alpha and is alone on purpose. Having left his pack due to his secret shame, he resigns himself to his self imposed exile, seemingly thinking he deserves it. However, when the sheriff brings a severely injured alpha to his door, he can’t help but notice his inner wolf has marked him as his mate.
Set in the 1800’s, I typically don’t like my M/M’s historical, but thankfully, Caleb and Jacob being a couple was at the bottom of their worries, as prejudices and fear run deep regarding their werewolf natures instead. I typically also don’t mind the day in and day out look at a couple’s life - though these two have a lot of hurt comfort between them and a ton of resistance on Caleb’s part to overcome. Be forewarned that the majority of this story is ultimately, them making a life together. For some reason it works.
Overall, I loved the pull and the connection these two had, especially how it affected Jacob and his past. It was sweet how their inner wolves influenced a lot of their actions, but they weren’t overrun by base desires. Unfortunately smexy light, of course I would’ve wanted more in this department, but life is obviously not fair. Regardless, very satisfying on all fronts as we witness Caleb overcoming his fears and finding his much deserved happiness with Jacob.
June 25, 2021
DNF @ 61%
November 24, 2016
I normally don’t like historicals much, but since this had shifters I wanted to try it anyway.
Caleb is an Alpha who has chosen to live alone in a cabin in the woods. The townspeople know he is a wolf, but mostly leave him alone. Then all of a sudden the sheriff brings over a young man. The young man is nearly beaten to death, but because he is a wolf, he survived the brutal attack. Caleb takes him in because he sees no other way the young wolf will survive the harsh winter that’s coming.
Caleb stubbornly refuses to act on his attraction to Jacob once Jacob is fully healed, but eventually Caleb just cannot resist it anymore, and gives in. The two are happy, despite some troubles along the way. Then they find two children in need of care, Ephraim, a wolf and his human sister, Martha…
There was some hurt comfort in this that I really liked. I also really liked the kids and how eventually they became a real family.
I do have to say that it’s not a book that concentrates all that much on the romance. After some initial back and forth Caleb and Jacob get together around 50%, and after that it’s mostly stuff that happens around them (finding the kids, settling in with them, being threatened). Jacob spends a portion of the time being mad at Caleb (for several things). But even after that was resolved, it’s not like there is a lot of romance. Even the ‘I love yous’ were suddenly there and kind of squeezed in as an afterthought.
But I still think most shifter lovers will like this book.
Caleb is an Alpha who has chosen to live alone in a cabin in the woods. The townspeople know he is a wolf, but mostly leave him alone. Then all of a sudden the sheriff brings over a young man. The young man is nearly beaten to death, but because he is a wolf, he survived the brutal attack. Caleb takes him in because he sees no other way the young wolf will survive the harsh winter that’s coming.
Caleb stubbornly refuses to act on his attraction to Jacob once Jacob is fully healed, but eventually Caleb just cannot resist it anymore, and gives in. The two are happy, despite some troubles along the way. Then they find two children in need of care, Ephraim, a wolf and his human sister, Martha…
There was some hurt comfort in this that I really liked. I also really liked the kids and how eventually they became a real family.
I do have to say that it’s not a book that concentrates all that much on the romance. After some initial back and forth Caleb and Jacob get together around 50%, and after that it’s mostly stuff that happens around them (finding the kids, settling in with them, being threatened). Jacob spends a portion of the time being mad at Caleb (for several things). But even after that was resolved, it’s not like there is a lot of romance. Even the ‘I love yous’ were suddenly there and kind of squeezed in as an afterthought.
But I still think most shifter lovers will like this book.
Want to read
March 5, 2017FREE at Smashwords after coupon SFREE Until March 11th, 2017. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
June 8, 2016
So every so often I find a book that I really want to recommend to everyone. This is that book for me at the moment. A shifter book, but not, and you'll see what I mean when you read it. There are very few cliches in this book, more a whole new look at the shifter trope. Add in the alphas, and a suspicious town, and heroes... oh and children... my heart...
Give this book a try, a new author, and a gorgeous world she has created.
Give this book a try, a new author, and a gorgeous world she has created.
December 2, 2019
Ok, that was rather lovely. An interesting mixture of brutality, healing, courting, learning to trust, excitement, a growing family, and love. Well written but needs an editor.
Feb 6, 2018: Reread and still a strong contender for one of the best shifter stories in our MM romance genre. Bumping it up to 4.5 stars and rounding it up.
Feb 6, 2018: Reread and still a strong contender for one of the best shifter stories in our MM romance genre. Bumping it up to 4.5 stars and rounding it up.
August 25, 2016
Caleb is a werewolf, but he lives a solitary existence far from his home pack. He's isolated himself, because ever since he was a teen, he's been attracted to other male Alpha wolves. And that's forbidden. He left home abruptly, and went off to the Civil War, not following the man he wanted, but in some kind of hopeless echo. He still has nightmares from it. The man he might have loved died there, not in his arms, but on some other battlefield, already the wife of a woman back home. And what Caleb did, so as not to die himself, haunts him.
For a long time he's been the only local werewolf, tolerated by most, sometimes employed for his strength and scenting abilities, but mostly living on his isolated homestead, alone except for occasional letters from his older sister. Then the sheriff, who is as close to a friend as he has, shows up with a horrifically injured werewolf in his wagon. Caleb doesn't want to share his space, least of all with another unfamiliar male Alpha, but there's really no place else for the guy to go that he would survive. So Caleb takes Jacob in and tends him as he heals. And discovers that what he thought he knew might be incomplete.
There is interesting world-building in this story. Werewolves are known, sometimes tolerated, sometimes abused (in a bit of an odd mix, given the stated wealth and aggressive potential of werewolf packs.) They have a power structure built on birthright. They seem to tolerate more power for their women than the parallel human society, although we don't meet many of them here. Otherwise the world parallels that of 1870's US.
I enjoyed this book - both Caleb's slow (sometimes very slow) fight to change what he'd believed to be his limits, and the various other characters who come into it. Jacob is a cool guy, although we are still waiting to see what makes him an Alpha since that's not his aspect when around Caleb. There are two kids who are not overly cute, with a plausible backstory. The little bit at the end was perhaps a bit convenient and cutesy, thrown in to give us an extra warm sigh as it finished. I hope in a sequel it will induce some complications and real plot to justify it, and I did smile on that last page. I'll probably read the next one to see how this interesting worldbuilding looks in the more complicated setting of an urban pack, rather than a solitary rural homestead.
For a long time he's been the only local werewolf, tolerated by most, sometimes employed for his strength and scenting abilities, but mostly living on his isolated homestead, alone except for occasional letters from his older sister. Then the sheriff, who is as close to a friend as he has, shows up with a horrifically injured werewolf in his wagon. Caleb doesn't want to share his space, least of all with another unfamiliar male Alpha, but there's really no place else for the guy to go that he would survive. So Caleb takes Jacob in and tends him as he heals. And discovers that what he thought he knew might be incomplete.
There is interesting world-building in this story. Werewolves are known, sometimes tolerated, sometimes abused (in a bit of an odd mix, given the stated wealth and aggressive potential of werewolf packs.) They have a power structure built on birthright. They seem to tolerate more power for their women than the parallel human society, although we don't meet many of them here. Otherwise the world parallels that of 1870's US.
I enjoyed this book - both Caleb's slow (sometimes very slow) fight to change what he'd believed to be his limits, and the various other characters who come into it. Jacob is a cool guy, although we are still waiting to see what makes him an Alpha since that's not his aspect when around Caleb. There are two kids who are not overly cute, with a plausible backstory. The little bit at the end was perhaps a bit convenient and cutesy, thrown in to give us an extra warm sigh as it finished. I hope in a sequel it will induce some complications and real plot to justify it, and I did smile on that last page. I'll probably read the next one to see how this interesting worldbuilding looks in the more complicated setting of an urban pack, rather than a solitary rural homestead.
August 24, 2016
Really really enjoyed this lovely book.
It's got this atmosphere of historical/fantasy that, if written well, I can hardly put down.
It reminded me a bit of Kim Fielding fantasy books (Treasure, Guarded, Brute) that I like a lot.
I also really like books that tell a story that begins with one of the MCs being badly hurt, and the other MC is taking care of him, helping him to heal, and in the proces the two fall in love.
(If the MC that takes care of the wounded one is a reclute, a misunderstood outcast, a "hermit"... Even better!!
*sigh*
So romantic!
Yes, I'll be reading the next book!
It's got this atmosphere of historical/fantasy that, if written well, I can hardly put down.
It reminded me a bit of Kim Fielding fantasy books (Treasure, Guarded, Brute) that I like a lot.
I also really like books that tell a story that begins with one of the MCs being badly hurt, and the other MC is taking care of him, helping him to heal, and in the proces the two fall in love.
(If the MC that takes care of the wounded one is a reclute, a misunderstood outcast, a "hermit"... Even better!!
*sigh*
So romantic!
Yes, I'll be reading the next book!
February 8, 2017
A werewolf romance. Who thought I'd ever become a fan of those?!
I absolutely loved the story of Caleb, the lonely alpha wolf living in a homestead in the woods of Nebraska, and Jacob, the injured wolf who stays with him and eventually becomes his mate.
Growing up with the knowledge of being different isn't easy for Caleb. As a teenager he experiences the strong urge to mate for the first time, but not only is the object of his desire another boy, it's also a soon-to-be alpha wolf, just like Caleb himself. A mating among alphas is unthinkable, so Caleb doesn't have any choice but to let the guy go and leave his pack to lead a life in solitude where he cannot bring dishonor upon his family.
After years spent alone in Nebraska, the nearby town's sheriff leaves a half-dead man on Caleb's doorstep, informing him that someone 'played' with the younger wolf and tortured him until hardly more than a bloody bag of bones remained that the undertaker was about to bury when the 'corpse' started to show signs of life again. Werewolves have incredible healing powers, so Caleb takes in the injured man and allows him to recover in the safety of his homestead.
Jacob is everything that Caleb ever desired. But he's an alpha wolf, just like Caleb. The trusting bond that forms between both guys seems to be doomed from the start, since Caleb is unable to overcome his fear of a social stigma that comes with this kind of mating. As if being gay wasn't bad enough in the 19th century, right?!
I absolutely loved this story. Caleb, the brooding muscled alpha taking care of the younger, loving wolf who coaxes him out of his shell, showing him how both guys could succeed in setting the foundation for their own pack. When the story eventually even includes rainbow family themes towards the end, with both guys becoming fathers, I was totally in love.
I can hardly wait to read the next installment. 'Home Is Where You Are' is an incredibly sweet novel that isn't heavy on fantasy elements (which is a HUGE plus for me) and totally showed me what's so fascinating about werewolf/shifter fiction. Even if the werewolf element had been missing completely, this story would have worked well in the time period it was set in. Having both buys be werewolves was the spice that turned this book into something really unique for me.
I also found the co-existence between humans and werewolves interesting. Humans were obviously very well aware of the wolves, but they treated them with fear and hate, resulting in the wolves staying by themselves instead of mingling with the human townsfolk. Only few humans were trusting and good-hearted enough to allow the wolves into their lives as friends. An amazing concept!
5 stars and a top 10 read in 2016 that opened up the werewolf genre for me ;-)
I absolutely loved the story of Caleb, the lonely alpha wolf living in a homestead in the woods of Nebraska, and Jacob, the injured wolf who stays with him and eventually becomes his mate.
Growing up with the knowledge of being different isn't easy for Caleb. As a teenager he experiences the strong urge to mate for the first time, but not only is the object of his desire another boy, it's also a soon-to-be alpha wolf, just like Caleb himself. A mating among alphas is unthinkable, so Caleb doesn't have any choice but to let the guy go and leave his pack to lead a life in solitude where he cannot bring dishonor upon his family.
After years spent alone in Nebraska, the nearby town's sheriff leaves a half-dead man on Caleb's doorstep, informing him that someone 'played' with the younger wolf and tortured him until hardly more than a bloody bag of bones remained that the undertaker was about to bury when the 'corpse' started to show signs of life again. Werewolves have incredible healing powers, so Caleb takes in the injured man and allows him to recover in the safety of his homestead.
Jacob is everything that Caleb ever desired. But he's an alpha wolf, just like Caleb. The trusting bond that forms between both guys seems to be doomed from the start, since Caleb is unable to overcome his fear of a social stigma that comes with this kind of mating. As if being gay wasn't bad enough in the 19th century, right?!
I absolutely loved this story. Caleb, the brooding muscled alpha taking care of the younger, loving wolf who coaxes him out of his shell, showing him how both guys could succeed in setting the foundation for their own pack. When the story eventually even includes rainbow family themes towards the end, with both guys becoming fathers, I was totally in love.
I can hardly wait to read the next installment. 'Home Is Where You Are' is an incredibly sweet novel that isn't heavy on fantasy elements (which is a HUGE plus for me) and totally showed me what's so fascinating about werewolf/shifter fiction. Even if the werewolf element had been missing completely, this story would have worked well in the time period it was set in. Having both buys be werewolves was the spice that turned this book into something really unique for me.
I also found the co-existence between humans and werewolves interesting. Humans were obviously very well aware of the wolves, but they treated them with fear and hate, resulting in the wolves staying by themselves instead of mingling with the human townsfolk. Only few humans were trusting and good-hearted enough to allow the wolves into their lives as friends. An amazing concept!
5 stars and a top 10 read in 2016 that opened up the werewolf genre for me ;-)
June 24, 2019
Overall book rating: 4.25
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 4
Yap. I Liked it!
I know this is a really lazy review but I feel there has been plenty of good ones. Go read them.
The story is touching and emotional and really great. Worth the read in so many ways.
Loved the characters, the feel of it all and even some of the side characters.
Warm and cozy.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 4
Yap. I Liked it!
I know this is a really lazy review but I feel there has been plenty of good ones. Go read them.
The story is touching and emotional and really great. Worth the read in so many ways.
Loved the characters, the feel of it all and even some of the side characters.
Warm and cozy.
April 28, 2018
Re-read 4/28/18. Still absolutely love!
----------
Absolutely loved!! This author has a beautiful writing style that draws you in right from the start, and keeps you hooked till the last page. Love how descriptive she is without rambling, and how she manages to make the story both tender and sexual, romantic but with a bit of violence too. This story had generous helpings of tropes I love - winter/cabin, hurt/comfort, alpha pairing, m/m, shifter/wolves, ranch life, horses and kids. Combine all of that with superior writing, and a few tearjerker moments, and I am in heaven!
I LOVED Caleb and Jacob. Set in the 1800s, they are two alpha shifters. Caleb has been attracted to alpha wolves since he was a teenager, but this is an uncommon pairing and an ill-intentioned family member leads Caleb to believe it is disgusting and heinous. He leaves his family (for that and other reasons) to join the war. He now lives alone in the woods, only venturing into town as needed. Jacob has left his family behind and is traveling alone. Viciously attacked by humans, he is left for dead and rescued by the town deputy and taken to the sheriff. He brings him to Caleb's cabin so he can heal.
The hurt/comfort angle is perfect, and the sexual tension as Jacob and Caleb become aware of their attraction to each other is delicious. Caleb, of course, grew up thinking an alpha-alpha pairing was unnatural; thank goodness Jacob was there to set him straight no pun intended! Jacob never really struck me as an Alpha though, more like a beta or a fiercely outspoken and protective Omega. We would see small glimpses of his strength here and there, and he did dominate once or twice in the bedroom, but he was never really given an opportunity to show himself as an Alpha. He tended to defer to Caleb, which is perfectly fine but it would have been nice to see him have to defend Caleb, or their family, at some point instead of Caleb doing the fighting, and him always staying behind with the children. Still, I loved them as a couple, and I loved the children. The addition of the children, to two men living in the woods, was at times hilarious but I loved their journey and love how the children came to trust, and love, their Pa and Papa.
Stylwise, this author is extremely easy to read, and the writing just has a 'curl up with a cup of hot chocolate' feel. I shed tears, and or sat with a goofy smile on my face a few times. I was confused once or twice when the author would mention something that we weren't yet privy to eg. John asked Caleb if Jacob was mad because he'd written to Caleb's sister. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out when he'd done that, but then it's explained in the next paragraph. So slightly confusing in spots, but nothing too bad.
Editing was pretty good. A few errors here and there but, again, nothing horrible. It did make me grin a little every time the author referred to someone's brain in the plural ie. couldn't get it through his brains. :)
4.5. A favorite, and one I will definitely read again. On to Book 2!
----------
Absolutely loved!! This author has a beautiful writing style that draws you in right from the start, and keeps you hooked till the last page. Love how descriptive she is without rambling, and how she manages to make the story both tender and sexual, romantic but with a bit of violence too. This story had generous helpings of tropes I love - winter/cabin, hurt/comfort, alpha pairing, m/m, shifter/wolves, ranch life, horses and kids. Combine all of that with superior writing, and a few tearjerker moments, and I am in heaven!
I LOVED Caleb and Jacob. Set in the 1800s, they are two alpha shifters. Caleb has been attracted to alpha wolves since he was a teenager, but this is an uncommon pairing and an ill-intentioned family member leads Caleb to believe it is disgusting and heinous. He leaves his family (for that and other reasons) to join the war. He now lives alone in the woods, only venturing into town as needed. Jacob has left his family behind and is traveling alone. Viciously attacked by humans, he is left for dead and rescued by the town deputy and taken to the sheriff. He brings him to Caleb's cabin so he can heal.
The hurt/comfort angle is perfect, and the sexual tension as Jacob and Caleb become aware of their attraction to each other is delicious. Caleb, of course, grew up thinking an alpha-alpha pairing was unnatural; thank goodness Jacob was there to set him straight no pun intended! Jacob never really struck me as an Alpha though, more like a beta or a fiercely outspoken and protective Omega. We would see small glimpses of his strength here and there, and he did dominate once or twice in the bedroom, but he was never really given an opportunity to show himself as an Alpha. He tended to defer to Caleb, which is perfectly fine but it would have been nice to see him have to defend Caleb, or their family, at some point instead of Caleb doing the fighting, and him always staying behind with the children. Still, I loved them as a couple, and I loved the children. The addition of the children, to two men living in the woods, was at times hilarious but I loved their journey and love how the children came to trust, and love, their Pa and Papa.
Stylwise, this author is extremely easy to read, and the writing just has a 'curl up with a cup of hot chocolate' feel. I shed tears, and or sat with a goofy smile on my face a few times. I was confused once or twice when the author would mention something that we weren't yet privy to eg. John asked Caleb if Jacob was mad because he'd written to Caleb's sister. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out when he'd done that, but then it's explained in the next paragraph. So slightly confusing in spots, but nothing too bad.
Editing was pretty good. A few errors here and there but, again, nothing horrible. It did make me grin a little every time the author referred to someone's brain in the plural ie. couldn't get it through his brains. :)
4.5. A favorite, and one I will definitely read again. On to Book 2!
December 3, 2016
What a peach [cobbler] of a story this was, and big hugs to JR for his review that made me want to read it. Another UK author to follow [congrats Alex!!], and a delightful story about love, family and friends...ooh and werewolves set in Nebraska after the American Civil War. There were a few little niggles as far as editing and typos are concerned, but the sequel is already locked and loaded on my kindle and the baddies got what they deserved, woot!!
November 30, 2019
3 stars in the true Goodreads meaning: I liked it.
There was something clunky, for lack of a better word, in the relationship development and the book could’ve used a second round of editing (lots of misplaced commas and misspelled or missing words), but I really liked the worldbuilding and I enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of the story.
There was something clunky, for lack of a better word, in the relationship development and the book could’ve used a second round of editing (lots of misplaced commas and misspelled or missing words), but I really liked the worldbuilding and I enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of the story.
May 8, 2017
3.5 Stars
Interesting world building, well fleshed out characters, all in all I found it to be an engrossing and entertaining read.
Single POV, which was a little disappointing, but Caleb was such a strong character, it didn't hurt the story.
I'll definitely check out the next book in the series.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
Interesting world building, well fleshed out characters, all in all I found it to be an engrossing and entertaining read.
Single POV, which was a little disappointing, but Caleb was such a strong character, it didn't hurt the story.
I'll definitely check out the next book in the series.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
July 9, 2016
This was a lovely story about a lonely Alpha who gave up his family and pack thinking it was wrong to want a male as his partner. He lived isolation, keeping to himself until a seriously injured wolf was brought to him to recover. Caleb was confused by Jacob and couldn't reconcile his feelings especially as Jacob was also an Alpha. Time heals all pain and as new pups were slowly left in Caleb's care he came to realize that he truly was an Alpha of his own pack. This was a sweet easy read ❤️
November 22, 2022
Wow, I think I've found another favorite author.
This story swept me up and it didn't want to let go...I'm actually jumping directly into book 2.
Caleb is a lone wolf and was misled into thinking that loving other male alphas is a terrible thing. He's been traumatized in the war and is now a recluse on his homestead in Nebraska.
When Jacob is brought to him...almost dead, he doesn't know what to make of him. He tries to repress his feelings but Jacob has other ideas.
This story swept me up and it didn't want to let go...I'm actually jumping directly into book 2.
Caleb is a lone wolf and was misled into thinking that loving other male alphas is a terrible thing. He's been traumatized in the war and is now a recluse on his homestead in Nebraska.
When Jacob is brought to him...almost dead, he doesn't know what to make of him. He tries to repress his feelings but Jacob has other ideas.
December 3, 2016
Beautiful shifter story. Well written, interesting world building, nice, believable romance.
1870s shifter society seems to be a lot more progressive than our world today, particularly when it comes to gay mates. Caleb's older brother leads him to believe otherwise, so he runs away from home at the first opportunity to fight in the Civil War. Years later, he's living alone in Nebraska when a younger shifter male is brought to him practically on his deathbed. Jacob is his mate and came looking for him. Things are tense at first, but they soon become friends and fall in love.
There is some drama and tense times, mostly due to outside forces, but they stick together and work through it all.
1870s shifter society seems to be a lot more progressive than our world today, particularly when it comes to gay mates. Caleb's older brother leads him to believe otherwise, so he runs away from home at the first opportunity to fight in the Civil War. Years later, he's living alone in Nebraska when a younger shifter male is brought to him practically on his deathbed. Jacob is his mate and came looking for him. Things are tense at first, but they soon become friends and fall in love.
There is some drama and tense times, mostly due to outside forces, but they stick together and work through it all.
November 28, 2016
I really dug this book. I had never heard of this book or author before but it caught my eye in that big group of free books that came out recently. I am SO glad I gave it a try.
The story is historical and is set post Civil War era. Caleb is a shifter who fought in the war and has isolated himself due to PTSD and some other issues (which I'm being vague on cuz....spoilers). He desperately misses having a pack but has resigned himself to being alone for the rest of his life. One day the local sheriff brings him a severely injured male shifter, Jacob, and things take off from there.
The writing was really good and there is this quiet flow to the story that just really worked for me. It set the atmosphere of the wilderness and Caleb's isolation so well. The love story is a slow burn but felt very realistic. They had some struggles but it wasn't done in an angsty way. Jacob was a really great MC and his plotline brought a little "aww..." into the story. There are a few side characters and they all were well developed and added a great deal to the plot.
This is one of those books that really surpassed my expectations. (I always get so excited when that happens) I plan to buy the next book in the series immediately.
*as of this writing 11/27/16 this book is still free so scoop it up while you can*
The story is historical and is set post Civil War era. Caleb is a shifter who fought in the war and has isolated himself due to PTSD and some other issues (which I'm being vague on cuz....spoilers). He desperately misses having a pack but has resigned himself to being alone for the rest of his life. One day the local sheriff brings him a severely injured male shifter, Jacob, and things take off from there.
The writing was really good and there is this quiet flow to the story that just really worked for me. It set the atmosphere of the wilderness and Caleb's isolation so well. The love story is a slow burn but felt very realistic. They had some struggles but it wasn't done in an angsty way. Jacob was a really great MC and his plotline brought a little "aww..." into the story. There are a few side characters and they all were well developed and added a great deal to the plot.
This is one of those books that really surpassed my expectations. (I always get so excited when that happens) I plan to buy the next book in the series immediately.
*as of this writing 11/27/16 this book is still free so scoop it up while you can*
![Profile Image for annob [on hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1674812294i%2F68231680._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 31, 2019
3.75 stars
Shifter tale with a warm, homely family vibe—once past the quite dramatic start. I really enjoyed reading about Caleb & Jacob and their world. Both were pleasant characters to spend my reading time with, and how their respective pasts were gratually revealed was well done.
During the last third of the book the story took a new turn. While I found the plot twist enjoyable, I was frustrated that Jacob was pushed into little more than a background character role from that point on. For me it felt odd, like the author abandoned the romance before the book ended. This last bit also changed in terms of the writing style, becoming heavy on telling rather than showing. This final part of the book turned my rating down a few notches.
Still, this book is definitely one of the more enjoyable shifter romances I've come across.
Shifter tale with a warm, homely family vibe—once past the quite dramatic start. I really enjoyed reading about Caleb & Jacob and their world. Both were pleasant characters to spend my reading time with, and how their respective pasts were gratually revealed was well done.
During the last third of the book the story took a new turn. While I found the plot twist enjoyable, I was frustrated that Jacob was pushed into little more than a background character role from that point on. For me it felt odd, like the author abandoned the romance before the book ended. This last bit also changed in terms of the writing style, becoming heavy on telling rather than showing. This final part of the book turned my rating down a few notches.
Still, this book is definitely one of the more enjoyable shifter romances I've come across.
February 7, 2017
Very well written and engaging
This is the first book of author Alex Jane's that I've read and I really enjoyed it. The level of writing was high and the shifter plot engaging. The dialogue between the characters was honest and not overly sappy. I appreciated that we learned about this shifter world through the actions of the characters in the story rather than by reading a rambling exposition in which the character (read: author) provides and internal monologue to tell the reader everything. Thank you Alex Jane for allowing the characters to show us their world and story through actions.
I will definitely read another book by this author!
This is the first book of author Alex Jane's that I've read and I really enjoyed it. The level of writing was high and the shifter plot engaging. The dialogue between the characters was honest and not overly sappy. I appreciated that we learned about this shifter world through the actions of the characters in the story rather than by reading a rambling exposition in which the character (read: author) provides and internal monologue to tell the reader everything. Thank you Alex Jane for allowing the characters to show us their world and story through actions.
I will definitely read another book by this author!
December 12, 2016
Albeit it being fantasy this book has silent sorrow about it that is simply mesmerizing to behold as it's characters flounder towards the golden glow of happiness.It echoes with a subtle realism even though it's about two blue eyed alphas meeting under horrendous circumstances in a world where men are aware that preternatural predators hunt amongst them.Set in the old west it resonates with the theme that mankind is somehow more violent in nature than any beast ever found in nature.
If you in the mood for a quiet read than this book is the one for you!
If you in the mood for a quiet read than this book is the one for you!
October 10, 2017
I'm surprised I didn't write a review for this back when I read it. I really, really liked this book and the sequel.
August 26, 2022
2.5 stars
May 12, 2022
4.5 Hearts
Ahhh…a historical m/m book I actually really, really enjoyed. Who would have thought it possible? This was so friggin good. If you are like me and shy away from historical m/m romance please give this book a go. I think I initially felt interest in this one due to the shifter influence because I love me some wolf shifters. This book doesn’t disappoint. Its angsty and passionate. It’s sweet and soft. It’s so many different feels that you can’t help but get wrapped up in the story and the lives of these men.
Caleb Fletcher was led to believe early on in life that any attraction to another man was disgusting and forbidden. Believing he would shame his family he chooses to set out on his own as a lone wolf and denies his attractions. Years on his own he suddenly finds himself the caretaker of another lone wolf, Jacob.
Seemingly a coincidence Caleb finds himself attracted to Jacob and vice versa. Working together on the farm and coming to terms with their feelings the men start a life together and get more unexpected surprises.
There is so much good in the story. There’s a bit of an angsty, push/pull thing going on. There’s violence, action, drama, and like I mentioned earlier so much sweetness.
So incredibly different from a lot of other shifter stories that I couldn’t help but fall in love especially with the characters.
Great writing and an amazing plot this author is extremely talented and I can’t wait for the other books in the series to come out. I HIGHLY recommend this one. Get it…you won’t be disappointed!!
This book was provided 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.
Ahhh…a historical m/m book I actually really, really enjoyed. Who would have thought it possible? This was so friggin good. If you are like me and shy away from historical m/m romance please give this book a go. I think I initially felt interest in this one due to the shifter influence because I love me some wolf shifters. This book doesn’t disappoint. Its angsty and passionate. It’s sweet and soft. It’s so many different feels that you can’t help but get wrapped up in the story and the lives of these men.
Caleb Fletcher was led to believe early on in life that any attraction to another man was disgusting and forbidden. Believing he would shame his family he chooses to set out on his own as a lone wolf and denies his attractions. Years on his own he suddenly finds himself the caretaker of another lone wolf, Jacob.
Seemingly a coincidence Caleb finds himself attracted to Jacob and vice versa. Working together on the farm and coming to terms with their feelings the men start a life together and get more unexpected surprises.
There is so much good in the story. There’s a bit of an angsty, push/pull thing going on. There’s violence, action, drama, and like I mentioned earlier so much sweetness.
So incredibly different from a lot of other shifter stories that I couldn’t help but fall in love especially with the characters.
Great writing and an amazing plot this author is extremely talented and I can’t wait for the other books in the series to come out. I HIGHLY recommend this one. Get it…you won’t be disappointed!!
This book was provided 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.
February 4, 2017
2- 3* rounding up. Probably being generous as reviewing a time after reading.
It's good, the characters are likeable, but it lost a lot from being all telling which kept it distant, can't muster up much enthusiasm for the book when with a little more effort it could be an easy favourite. Unfortunately there's very little conversation in the book at all.
The Were aspect seemed an unnecessary addition in fact the stress on being Alpha often confused me with it's significance. Maybe if Alpha/Omega stories are your thing then it'll all make sense but I wanted more clarity. Some aspects of their backstory and reactions didn't make sense to me. There were any number of ways their isolation and non-acceptance could have been covered. As the couple are so isolated the historical aspect isn't a major feature either.
There's several mini dramas, but each are dealt within a page or two, meaning they're resolved before catching on emotions, moving on to the next. Thought some things promised to mean more but ultimately didn't
It's good, the characters are likeable, but it lost a lot from being all telling which kept it distant, can't muster up much enthusiasm for the book when with a little more effort it could be an easy favourite. Unfortunately there's very little conversation in the book at all.
The Were aspect seemed an unnecessary addition in fact the stress on being Alpha often confused me with it's significance. Maybe if Alpha/Omega stories are your thing then it'll all make sense but I wanted more clarity. Some aspects of their backstory and reactions didn't make sense to me. There were any number of ways their isolation and non-acceptance could have been covered. As the couple are so isolated the historical aspect isn't a major feature either.
There's several mini dramas, but each are dealt within a page or two, meaning they're resolved before catching on emotions, moving on to the next. Thought some things promised to mean more but ultimately didn't
December 10, 2016
Caleb is a wolf shifter and an Alpha, who settled all alone, away from his pack after the Civil War. Jacob is an Alpha as well and when he is brought to Caleb after being severely injured, they quickly connect. But Caleb thinks that there can never be more between them because they are both Alphas.
Very often I am not completely enjoying shifter stories because some of the rules and assumptions seem to have the sole purpose to explain the story or even make a story possible. This happened here as well. Why would 2 guys who fall in love and who's wolves obviously want to mate and who live away from their pack, not be able to form a relationship?
The writing was nice, maybe a little slow, especially in the middle it got a little boring and I almost lost interest, but towards the end it got more interesting again and overall it kept me entertained and was a good story.
For me it was a 3.5 star read, however I would only recommend it, if you are really interested in shifter stories.
Very often I am not completely enjoying shifter stories because some of the rules and assumptions seem to have the sole purpose to explain the story or even make a story possible. This happened here as well. Why would 2 guys who fall in love and who's wolves obviously want to mate and who live away from their pack, not be able to form a relationship?
The writing was nice, maybe a little slow, especially in the middle it got a little boring and I almost lost interest, but towards the end it got more interesting again and overall it kept me entertained and was a good story.
For me it was a 3.5 star read, however I would only recommend it, if you are really interested in shifter stories.
July 23, 2018
Ah, family of choice *starry eyes*. I love this theme. Despite it started rather sad with Jacob arriving at Caleb's house -- well, Sheriff John brought him, to be exact -- after being beaten to a pulp but the rest was a feel-good, heartwarming, making a family, kind of story.
I love Caleb, Jacob, and then later on the children that comes into their homestead: Ephraim and Martha. I love the dynamic of this family. I love that it's expanding into even bigger family with the addition of the animals, and the in the Epilogue.
Good thing that there are more books already released. I imagine a marathon-like reading for the next week.
I love Caleb, Jacob, and then later on the children that comes into their homestead: Ephraim and Martha. I love the dynamic of this family. I love that it's expanding into even bigger family with the addition of the animals, and the in the Epilogue.
Good thing that there are more books already released. I imagine a marathon-like reading for the next week.
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