When children in Rohahen’s tribe come of age, they receive shifter forms from the gods. Sometimes these forms come with an extra gift: strength-sharers can give mental commands while heart-singers can shape others’ emotions.
Rohahen has been hiding his crush on Tier for fifteen years. For the balance of the tribe, the Chief must marry a heart-singer, not a strength-sharer like himself.
Only Rohahen is starting to wonder if there might be other ways of being a heart-singer. When Tier starts to return his affection, perhaps he can find the bravery to show the world who he really is.
Because the ways of the gods are mysterious. And maybe they didn’t get it wrong after all.
The Hummingbird’s Gift is a companion story to Hummingbird and Kraken. It will not make sense as a stand-alone. It has an adorable bison shifter, a possessive bobcat, a heart-singer coming into his own, plenty of heat, and a HEA.
Reese Morrison lives in Philadelphia with their partner, two precocious children, and intermittent housemates, guests, and homeless, queer teens. Their hobbies are volunteering on too many boards, planting gardens that they forget to water half-way through the summer, making up songs for their kids, and putting off writing their dissertation.
Reese and their partner both identify as genderqueer and are part of a vibrant community of queer and trans folks. They started writing because they were dissatisfied with the lack of trans and genderqueer characters in what they were reading and finally decided to do something about it. Many, but not all, of their books are kinky (for a whole range of kinks...) and they feel that it's important to represent a range of backgrounds, dis/abilities, gender presentations/ identities, and body types in their writing.
This is definitely a direct continuation after the first book, so I highly recommend you read that first.
In the first story, Rohahen totally stole the scenes that he was in. For originally being meant to be just a minor side character, I fell in love with him and wanted his story, so I'm SO glad that Reese was already working on the sequel for Ro and Tier.
Ro is designated as a "strength-sharer," what would typically be called an alpha role; however, he's always felt like he was a "heart-singer," a more submissive type of person and who is meant to pair up with the alpha. Despite both of them wanting the other, they have stayed somewhat-awkward friends instead.
But thanks to some meddling with Declan, Geir's mate, these two take a chance on each other and I'm so glad they did! This is such a sweet story, and I love how Reese relates the paranormal pack designations as a metaphor for real world transgender. It's a beautiful ending for these two and I'm so glad Reese wrote us such a lovely story for these two!
I hope this author will be back to writing in this 'verse eventually! (I still want a story set 5 years in the future where Geir makes Declan immortal LOL)
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited to read a short about Ro and Tier and I was even more thrilled that it ended up being it’s own short story. Declan was barely in this, but I could just feel how excited he would be about how everything worked out.
a perfect addition to this series. You must read the first book before otherwise youre gonna be super duper confused. I LOVED Rohahen in the first book and am so so happy he gets his HEA.
The Hummingbird's Gift by Reese Morrison is a novella about Rohahen and Tier. You've met them in Hummingbird and Kraken and this story won't make sense if you haven't read that one.
I think I liked this more than the first even tho it’s just a novella. I fell in love with Ro the second he was on page in the first book so it was really nice to see his interest was returned the whole time and see him and Tier finally come together.
It’s still a little too kinky for my liking but I adored the cute moments and Tier telling the council that if they can’t accept Ro as his mate that he would step down from the Chief position to be with Ro 🥰🥰🥰🥰 Tier going around and asking for permission to marry him while Ro was sulking thinking that his feelings weren’t reciprocated ?? It was so cute 🥺
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved all the little cultural pieces to it from the Native American perspective as well. Ro and Tier belong together except for the fact that Ro isn’t a heart-singer, which is who can marry the chief, but a strength sharer, at least to the outside world. But inside, he feels like a heart singer. He just doesn’t think he’s cut out to be the chiefs mate for that reason. Tier has loved Ro for years, but didn’t realize how much, until our friendly neighborhood hummingbird dropped the clues for him to figure it out. Once he realizes it, there is no stopping him.
The only negative I have is I wish it were longer, and we got to see more of Ro and Tier together as a couple once they figured out they were meant to be together. And I have questions!
**spoiler alert** How did May react to Tier? Did they adopt her? Did Nina get back to her family? What about the other kids they didn’t know where they came from? Did Ro and Tier adopt any of them? How did Ro do with his Guide training? **end of spoilers**
I’m going to have to answer those for myself I guess with what I want to have happened :) Such a great book, and highly recommended! Just make sure you read The Hummingbird and the Kraken first (which is also a great book and recommended as well) as Ro and Tiers story starts there.
I was provided an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow- Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile' or ‚Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the kids' series from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or 'Liberty' from Seth King), it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times a year (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in hospitals). I can recommend them definitively! It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, maybe 2-3 times a year. It’s like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time- reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok). It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
All the plans I had for the day were completely forgotten when I was approved for this DRC. I loved this so much!!! I thought I was fully prepared to have my heart melted by Rohahen but his sweetness exceeded all expectations Seeing a POC character being written in a non-stereotypical way, a man being physically impressing and not fitting the sick male beauty standard, that equalizes muscles with strength while that is not at all true was such a novelty that it made me sad. Ro is physically a giant and the way he wants to be seen doesn't always align with that but that is never used as a way to humiliate him or make him feel ashamed of his feelings by others. I really enjoyed the parallel between transness and the assigned occupations inside the tribe and how differently Native Americans look at gender and societal expectations. I was rooting for Ro so hard and I loved seeing a man being loved and cherished because of his softness and curves without it being seen as a flaw but as something beautiful and the source of his strength. The entire story was so, so sweet and I loved all the Native American traditions and culture, the poetry of all those names, and the magic system. Thank you to Reese Morrison for this DRC.
Who you are, who you need to be. Can you have both?
What a wonderful spin -off from the Hummingbird & Kraken book. Although this is basically a two person book, I found old friends peeking in. This book is all about discovery, embracing your inner spirit, going for what you want, and submitting to fate. You will love this book! For 15 years Rohanen has crushed on Tier. But Tier is Chief, and needs to marry a heart- seeker. Ro believes the Gods gifted him with the wrong power. Even so, he performs all the things needed to keep balance in both Tier and the tribe. Tier has loved Ro just as long but never acted on his desires because of tradition. Until Ro is kidnapped, shattering his heart. Then a certain hummingbird pushes things to a head, and Ro & Tier finally realize their dreams. HEA is assured. Yes, events from the last book are talked about. You really should read it first. You will be glad you did. This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.
Sweet continuation of the secondary romance from the first book (definitely read that first). Not quite long enough for my tastes. A little rushed perhaps, although they certainly had a very long run up to their acknowledgment of their mutual attraction. Some sweet scenes, nonetheless.
After reading Hummingbird and Kraken I was really looking forward to Ro and Tier’s story.
Even though it was meant to be a short bonus, it ended up being a decent length and a satisfying story of its own. After meeting Ro in Hummingbird and Kraken, he became a magnetic and interesting character on his own. Shy, but kind and generous, he runs the gardens for the Tribe.
Tier is the chief and relies on Ro for his quiet guidance and friendship. Both secretly pine for a more intimate relationship with the other. Their journey to each other is nudged along by Declan.
My only problem with this one was the light D/s between Ro and Tier, I think I needed to understand Tier more before jumping into that part of the story, but since it was a ‘short’ I understand why there wasn’t more development of Tier’s character.
Overall this is a sweet story and a great addition to the story of Declan and Geir.
I don't cry or even get teary-eyed often when I read. And I can't remember the last time it happened with a short story. I definitely got teary with this one. Not because it is sad at all, no there's hardly any angst and no hurt. But it is full of feelings of true love. Teir and Ro are such amazing characters, Reese Morrison did such a great job of giving these two men depth of character in such a short amount of time. I am glad they wrote too many words to have it just be a happy ever after scene. 😍 They also did a wonderful job of including thoughtful research and knowledge of the Native tribes and their culture. No fetishizing or cultural appropriation here.
The tears came when Teir and Ro admit their feelings to each other. It is such a heartfelt moment of coming together. Definitely read the previous book in this series to get the full effect of their relationship. AND three fires for steam!
Oh, this was cute. I know I say that a lot but trust when I say this was downright adorable. Ro already had my heart from the first book (we stan large tall guys with a submissive side). Tier, I didn't know how to feel about him because he kind of rubbed me the wrong way at first but I warmed up. His protectiveness was very swoon. They were cute, the relationship was cute, the smut was...amazing. I mean it's Reese Morrison so what else is new but still... STILL.
I don't have too, too much to say because this was pretty short and more of a continuation piece than a full story in it of itself but I really enjoyed it. It was cute, it was endearing, it has awesome rep (I mean I can't speak on it personally but as the B in BIPOC, I think it was done well), and Ro with kids my new favorite thing. I think it will make a nice addition to any cozy afternoon. 5 stars because that chase scene was both cute and hot. No one's upset.
After reading Hummingbird and Kraken – I was super excited for this extra. Honestly, Ro and Tier are too precious. Plus, nothing wrong with a little shifter romance, am I right? The only thing I can say – I want more. They finally got their shi** together and I did not get enough of them. I wanted a scene with Ro, Tier, Dec, and Geir. I needed to see Dec interacting with everyone now that they are all together. But wanting more is always a good complaint to have. It means the characters have made an impression, which is the foundation for a good book.
Reese Morrison is a great author when it comes to character development and putting an unique twist on repetitive tropes. It is why I have notifications on for their writing releases. Always a joy with a side of kinky love.
We met Rohahen and Tier in the book Hummingbird and Kraken and I love that they get their story told in this book. Ro is a great character that endeared himself to this reader in the previous book and continued to do so in this one. In Hummingbird’s gift we get a deeper look at Ro and Tier. The two are good together and it seems it is only Ro and Tier that cannot see them as a couple. Their story is full of emotions and pulled me right in form the start. I enjoyed getting more of a look at Tier as well. He is a good man that has a lot on his shoulders and tries to keep everyone safe and happy even when it begins to stretch him too thin. Seeing these two find their way made for a beautiful read. The author does a wonderful job of making the reader feel the love that the two share and I hope that this is not the last that we get to see of this world and all the great characters in it.
This can't be read as a stand-alone because of events that took place in Hummingbird and Kraken so you must read this in order. Ro and Teir's story is expanded as we learn more about heart-singers and strength-sharers. I love how Reese explained everything in detail about the shifter forms that children change into when they come of age in their tribe. Ro is both heart-singer and strength-sharer but doesn't realize it yet because his shifter forms present as strength-sharer. In this case the shifter forms that children change into when they come of age are fluid much like gender and it finally takes something tragic happening in the first book for Teir to admit he wants Ro as his heart-singer and for him to be the Guide for the village. One of my favorite couples and I hope there is a book 3 :)
Most romances focus on the relationship between the two love interests and leave the rest of the world to adjust to them. Love is that powerful a force, or so the fantasy magic of romance tells us.
But community is a true powerhouse in reality, and as a chief, Tier's duties are to his people and being in balance for them. Any relationship he takes on much consider these duties because they are as much a part of him as his shifter abilities.
Rohahen understands this and has kept his distance, but since the gardener's abduction Tier is no longer keeping his.
Can they find balance without harming their beloved community?
Although, at times, the dialog is somewhat stilted, overall the story is a sweet (and spicy M-M) short story romance. I always adore a story where the society pressures are based on love, not hate. Reese Morrison delivers again.
Ro and Tier's little story was much better then Declan and Gier's.
I was really excited after reading the Hummingbird and Kraken, because Ro was a really interesting character and I wanted to know how their lovelife will end.
This kind of folklore story telling is not my cup of tea, and after a while I got bored reading those 'dry' scenes, and I just wanted Tier and Ro to be together. And I thought the book will start where the last had ended - with the dancing scene - but not.
They were really cute and I loved when Ro baked something for Tier, those scenes were super cute. And my favorites in shifter books: when they shift! Loved when they were in their animal forms, it was really lovely.
Liked reading this book, it was a cute short story.
So, didn't think it could get better than the first book in this series. I WAS WRONG FRIENDS! We are talking: one sweet, burly, subby, adorable, MC, and one dom without even trying, ready to break the rules for love, super yummy MC. What we get is stereotype breaking, SUPER sweet love!!! I LOVE IT!!! AHHH! The PINING!!! How does Reese do pining with minimal angst? Perfectly done. We were teased by these two in Hummingbird, and i was so excited for this to come out! It delivered and more. And guys, this was supposed to be a short! Let this tell the story of how good this author is. Rising to my top favs fast. We need MORE!
"The Hummingbird's Gift" is a terrific follow-up novella to author Reese Morrison's "Hummingbird and Kracken." This definitely isn't a standalone because it begins in the aftermath of the first book's big event and builds upon established relationships (and besides, Book 1 is fabulous so go read it!). This novella is deliciously angsty as Rohahen and Tier struggle with reconciling their decade-long mutual longing for one another with their gifted - and seemingly incompatible - roles and self-identities. There are plenty of sweet, hot and intimate moments, both in human and shifter form, in the slow burn build-up to their HEA and it's all so gloriously worth it.
I was so excited when Reese Morrison said we were getting Ro and Tier’s story!! This was a short, super sweet novella featuring shy Rohahen and the Chief Tier. Ro has had a crush on Tier for 15 years, but he is a strength-sharer and cannot be with Tier. The only way he could is if he was a heart-singer. They have such wonderful chemistry together, really a perfect fit for one another. I loved the way the family within the tribe is so open and welcoming. This was so good!! I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
The was a truly tender novella length continuation of Ro and Tier's story. Ro's feelings of inadequacies and Tier's living responses made this a beautiful read. It was also really nice to see the physically larger character be the "submissive" partner and see it not bother Tier in the least . I will say, this should be read in series order to make sense but don't expect there to be much more about the "bad guys" from the first book. This is all about Ro being accepted and loved for who he is. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.
I loooooved the book! The MC are so sweet, aspecially Rohahen, and both deserve that HEA, after so many years of flirting. I fell in love with Rohahen and Tier in Hummingbird and Kraken and wanted their story sooo bad. And here it is sweet and telling everyone that you can be what you're feeling and not what everbody expects. I recieved a ARC from the Author, but I would have bought that book no matter what.
4.25 stars Gorgeous story, wonderfully complex people, fantastic follow-up to Hummingbird and Kraken! I love how many ways this author shows not to judge people by their outward appearances. Tier, Ro, Nina, all of them have more than one gift to share with their tribe. I read nearly all of this book with my hand against my heart, treasuring the warmth and hope there instead of the fear of disappointment.
This is a paranormal shifter romance without mpreg, and you have to read book 1 first. I love the respectful way that this author weaves Native American traditions and mythology into “The People” and it’s honoring to the story as well. I wish there was more to this series but I especially loved this story built with intrigue, love and finding who you really are.
I legit couldn’t put this down once I started it. Tier is strong for everyone on the tribe. Ro listens to everyone and mediates. These two strengths truly balance each other perfectly. I adored the way the tribe takes care of each other and is able to embrace seasons as they change for the better. Beautifully written.
No spoilers of any kind included. The Hummingbird’s Gift was pretty dang awesome and that is all I’m going to say about this book. So it’s going to be a big HECK YEAH I most definitely do recommend this book to anyone searching for a fantastic story to climb into.
*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or a promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review*
i am so glad reese decided to write this and give these two the amazing story they needed... it was wonderful and so different..i love when Ro figures it all out.. i love Tier.. they were interesting but kinda not completely sure in the first book but this one i fell head over heels for them. it was an amazing subject that was different from stuff ive read.. i loved it