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Shifting Into Midlife #1
Pack Bunco Night
A bunny bit me on the finger and everything went sideways after that.
That’s just the beginning of my insane life. The Fascinators, the local ladies’ club, suddenly are incredibly interested in having me join their next Bunco night, which is a thinly veiled excuse to drink and gossip. I’ve been dying to get into that group for years; why now? I’m over forty, my daughter is grown, and all I do is temp work. What’s so special about me?
After I shift into a dragon, things become clearer. They’re not a Bunco group. The Fascinators are a pack of shifters. Yes, shifters. Like werewolves, except in this case, it’s weresquirrels and a wereskunk, among others.
And my daughter? She wants to move home, suddenly and suspiciously. As excited as I am to have her home, why? She loves being on her own. It’s got something to do with a rough pack of predators, shifters who want to watch the world burn. I hope she’s not mixed up with the wrong crowd.
There’s also a mysterious mountain man hanging around out of the blue. Where was he before the strange bunny bite? Nowhere near me, that’s for sure.
Life is anything but boring. At this point, I’m just hoping that I’ll survive it all with my tail—literally—intact.
That’s just the beginning of my insane life. The Fascinators, the local ladies’ club, suddenly are incredibly interested in having me join their next Bunco night, which is a thinly veiled excuse to drink and gossip. I’ve been dying to get into that group for years; why now? I’m over forty, my daughter is grown, and all I do is temp work. What’s so special about me?
After I shift into a dragon, things become clearer. They’re not a Bunco group. The Fascinators are a pack of shifters. Yes, shifters. Like werewolves, except in this case, it’s weresquirrels and a wereskunk, among others.
And my daughter? She wants to move home, suddenly and suspiciously. As excited as I am to have her home, why? She loves being on her own. It’s got something to do with a rough pack of predators, shifters who want to watch the world burn. I hope she’s not mixed up with the wrong crowd.
There’s also a mysterious mountain man hanging around out of the blue. Where was he before the strange bunny bite? Nowhere near me, that’s for sure.
Life is anything but boring. At this point, I’m just hoping that I’ll survive it all with my tail—literally—intact.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2021
155 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Boruff
264 books636 followersL.A. Boruff lives in East Tennessee with her husband, three children, and an ever growing number of cats. She loves reading, watching TV, and procrastinating by browsing Facebook. L.A.’s passions include vampires, food, and listening to heavy metal music. She once won a Harry Potter trivia contest based on the books, and lost one based on the movies. She has two bands on her bucket list that she still hasn’t seen: AC/DC and Alice Cooper. Feel free to send tickets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
December 30, 2021
I had originally picked up the book as I love real-life bunnies and the synopsis offered a suggestion of bunny shifters. Unfortunately, the bunny was only a minor character in the book to set up for the paranormal world, and even then, it wasn't very accurate to real life. :(
Story-wise, the setup for the middle-class suburban mother shifter pack was very boring, and actually a little unbelievable considering the stereotypical requirements for the pack alpha to be a strict athletic and both physically and mentally dominant personality. The dialogue and writing were generally dry with one-dimensional surface-level character development and lots of showing instead of telling. The whole book could really be summarized as "middle-aged single mom worried about college-aged daughter hanging out with the wrong people and simultaneously found out about secret supernatural heritage while trying to avoid capture by the super evil people."
I started heavily skimming about halfway through the book just to see where the plot would go. The supernatural society was very poorly developed, and shifter packs were made of random individual species with no rhyme or reason - one pack was made of a koala, beaver, cat, raccoon, skunk, and squirrel. A bunny shifter joined a pack full of predators (bear, fox, wolf, owl, snake, alligator) and nobody thought it was really an issue other than that the pack was full of low-class criminals.
The romance was very trivial insta-lust, and I could see the "twist" coming from across the country. Of course he was the .
I'm passing on the rest of the series and probably all these collaborative authors as well. I had found the book due to Andersen, but I have since established that her books aren't really my cup of tea.
Story-wise, the setup for the middle-class suburban mother shifter pack was very boring, and actually a little unbelievable considering the stereotypical requirements for the pack alpha to be a strict athletic and both physically and mentally dominant personality. The dialogue and writing were generally dry with one-dimensional surface-level character development and lots of showing instead of telling. The whole book could really be summarized as "middle-aged single mom worried about college-aged daughter hanging out with the wrong people and simultaneously found out about secret supernatural heritage while trying to avoid capture by the super evil people."
I started heavily skimming about halfway through the book just to see where the plot would go. The supernatural society was very poorly developed, and shifter packs were made of random individual species with no rhyme or reason - one pack was made of a koala, beaver, cat, raccoon, skunk, and squirrel. A bunny shifter joined a pack full of predators (bear, fox, wolf, owl, snake, alligator) and nobody thought it was really an issue other than that the pack was full of low-class criminals.
The romance was very trivial insta-lust, and I could see the "twist" coming from across the country. Of course he was the .
I'm passing on the rest of the series and probably all these collaborative authors as well. I had found the book due to Andersen, but I have since established that her books aren't really my cup of tea.
December 29, 2021
Pack Bunko Night is a delightful first in a new series. Bethany is a single mom and new empty nester whose world is about to be turned on its edge when her daughter comes home from school, Beth gets bitten by a bunny, she finds a new circle of friends and discovers a whole new world. This story is at turns sweet, funny and scary. All in all a good read that left me wanting more.
January 12, 2022
This is book one of the Shifting Into Midlife series and the main character is a middle aged woman called Beth (Bethany) Georgia Renwick. She lives alone in a small house in the nice area of Doveport and has never been married. She has a college age daughter Tilly, whose father died in an accident before she was born. Her routine is upset by the sudden arrival home of Tilly, who is running a fever and just crashes in her bedroom and is out like a light. Tilly hasn’t been in touch as much as she usually did and something seems to have changed in her daughter. She is not quite as confident and happy go lucky as she was. Beth does the typical hovering mother thing and falls asleep across her doorway, worried she might be sicker than she seemed. When she wakes the next morning to find her daughter missing from the house and her bedroom in turmoil, she starts to worry and look everywhere for her, but ends up getting bitten by a harmless looking bunny of all things! By the time she gets downstairs and cleans her wound and returns, her daughter is back in bed and her room is tidy! Is she hallucinating? She wonders if she has caught whatever Tilly had. When Tilly gets up later that day, she seems perfectly well and no signs of being ill, insisting she is going out to meet friends and not to wait up.
Beth gets on with her day and bakes some cookies for a fundraising event and goes to deliver them to the high school. There she is pulled into a conversation by two sisters Juniper and River and invited to the exclusive Fascinators next bi-monthly Bunco night at one of the prominent resident’s Esther’s home or should I say mansion! Now Beth is not exactly up in social circles, rarely even going out and never really dating. She is lucky to have inherited the house she lives in and only works part time in temp jobs when she needs money for bills. She walks to the evening and soon finds that although there have been tables out for the ladies to play Bunco as well as drinks and nibbles, they have gathered her there for a very different reason! She is now one of them, a shifter and the Fascinators are actually a pack of a wide variety of shifters and not the really popular ones most of us have heard of! They warn her to be aware of a certain pack in town who are dangerous and also the danger if vampires ever found out that the town was a safe haven for shifters of all kinds. She doesn’t really believe them until she starts to feel unwell and ends up running out the back of the house towards the lake and finding her limbs all seeming to be swelling up in size. When she looks at her reflection in the lake, all she can see is a dragon and this scares her even more! She soon finds herself back in her human form but also naked and has to run through the woods to reach her house. Only to find one of the sisters and their leader Esther in her back garden at about the same time. They help her find her stashed key in a rock, which she had forgotten about and come in to chat with her some more.
Beth goes through the woods to collect her belongings after wrecking her clothes and leaving her purse and phone behind and is stopped from leaving Esther’s by a strange and slightly grubby looking mountain man, who seems to be hanging about in the woods! She comes to realise that her daughter is also a shifter and has clearly shifted into a bunny and was the one that bit her to begin the story. Tilly seems to be avoiding her and when Beth next goes into town, she runs into a group of almost homeless looking young men who scare her subconsciously. When she sees Tilly joining one of them and being rather friendly with one in particular, she isn’t happy, but knows to be careful with what she says. Tilly has been brainwashed by this dangerous pack into believing shifters are far superior to humans and should be ruling the country! Their pack leader is Holly and she is a fox shifter, their alpha but also sister of Tabi, one of the Fascinators. Holly is using Tilly for nefarious reasons and says she wants to help Tilly. When in fact she is making a deal with the enemy for one of them. One who has much stronger powers but is completely unaware of them and would be easy to catch. What Holly or their enemies would do with person is unthinkable. Beth is given a job for a day, helping Esther to organise a party at the mayor’s home and soon finds that all her previous temps jobs make it something she is rather good at and likes doing, even if it was a bit stressful to begin with. She gets to relax and enjoy herself once the party starts and is soon approached by a very clean cut version of the mountain man and is instantly attracted to him.
More to come from him at the end of the story and in the future I hope! A confrontation is to come, with Tilly in danger and Beth not wanting to let anything happen to her. There is a secret about Beth and Tilly that few know and that they weren’t even aware of just a few days ago, but it makes them highly sought after. She has a protector who comes in and helps in the dangerous face off, but this won’t be the end of Holly and her dangerous pack, nor the danger from vampires and the general public finding out about shifters living amongst them. Lots more to come from this group of women in the mid-point of their lives and their secret identities as shifters, the Fascinators. Great name for a pack and it looks like Beth and Tilly will have a safe place to learn more about their new lives, from these other women and to hopefully save Tilly from becoming part of the dangerous Bennett pack. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series to see what happens next. I received an ARC copy of this book form BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above
Beth gets on with her day and bakes some cookies for a fundraising event and goes to deliver them to the high school. There she is pulled into a conversation by two sisters Juniper and River and invited to the exclusive Fascinators next bi-monthly Bunco night at one of the prominent resident’s Esther’s home or should I say mansion! Now Beth is not exactly up in social circles, rarely even going out and never really dating. She is lucky to have inherited the house she lives in and only works part time in temp jobs when she needs money for bills. She walks to the evening and soon finds that although there have been tables out for the ladies to play Bunco as well as drinks and nibbles, they have gathered her there for a very different reason! She is now one of them, a shifter and the Fascinators are actually a pack of a wide variety of shifters and not the really popular ones most of us have heard of! They warn her to be aware of a certain pack in town who are dangerous and also the danger if vampires ever found out that the town was a safe haven for shifters of all kinds. She doesn’t really believe them until she starts to feel unwell and ends up running out the back of the house towards the lake and finding her limbs all seeming to be swelling up in size. When she looks at her reflection in the lake, all she can see is a dragon and this scares her even more! She soon finds herself back in her human form but also naked and has to run through the woods to reach her house. Only to find one of the sisters and their leader Esther in her back garden at about the same time. They help her find her stashed key in a rock, which she had forgotten about and come in to chat with her some more.
Beth goes through the woods to collect her belongings after wrecking her clothes and leaving her purse and phone behind and is stopped from leaving Esther’s by a strange and slightly grubby looking mountain man, who seems to be hanging about in the woods! She comes to realise that her daughter is also a shifter and has clearly shifted into a bunny and was the one that bit her to begin the story. Tilly seems to be avoiding her and when Beth next goes into town, she runs into a group of almost homeless looking young men who scare her subconsciously. When she sees Tilly joining one of them and being rather friendly with one in particular, she isn’t happy, but knows to be careful with what she says. Tilly has been brainwashed by this dangerous pack into believing shifters are far superior to humans and should be ruling the country! Their pack leader is Holly and she is a fox shifter, their alpha but also sister of Tabi, one of the Fascinators. Holly is using Tilly for nefarious reasons and says she wants to help Tilly. When in fact she is making a deal with the enemy for one of them. One who has much stronger powers but is completely unaware of them and would be easy to catch. What Holly or their enemies would do with person is unthinkable. Beth is given a job for a day, helping Esther to organise a party at the mayor’s home and soon finds that all her previous temps jobs make it something she is rather good at and likes doing, even if it was a bit stressful to begin with. She gets to relax and enjoy herself once the party starts and is soon approached by a very clean cut version of the mountain man and is instantly attracted to him.
More to come from him at the end of the story and in the future I hope! A confrontation is to come, with Tilly in danger and Beth not wanting to let anything happen to her. There is a secret about Beth and Tilly that few know and that they weren’t even aware of just a few days ago, but it makes them highly sought after. She has a protector who comes in and helps in the dangerous face off, but this won’t be the end of Holly and her dangerous pack, nor the danger from vampires and the general public finding out about shifters living amongst them. Lots more to come from this group of women in the mid-point of their lives and their secret identities as shifters, the Fascinators. Great name for a pack and it looks like Beth and Tilly will have a safe place to learn more about their new lives, from these other women and to hopefully save Tilly from becoming part of the dangerous Bennett pack. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series to see what happens next. I received an ARC copy of this book form BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above
December 31, 2021
Pack Bunco Night by L.A. Boruff , Lia Davis , Lacey Carter Andersen ; is the first book in the Shifting Into Midlife Series and can be easily read as a stand-alone.
Blurb:
A bunny bit me on the finger and everything went sideways after that.
That’s just the beginning of my insane life. The Fascinators, the local ladies’ club, suddenly are incredibly interested in having me join their next Bunco night, which is a thinly veiled excuse to drink and gossip. I’ve been dying to get into that group for years; why now? I’m over forty, my daughter is grown, and all I do is temp work. What’s so special about me?
After I shift into a dragon, things become clearer. They’re not a Bunco group. The Fascinators are a pack of shifters. Yes, shifters. Like werewolves, except in this case, it’s weresquirrels and a wereskunk, among others.
And my daughter? She wants to move home, suddenly and suspiciously. As excited as I am to have her home, why? She loves being on her own. It’s got something to do with a rough pack of predators, shifters who want to watch the world burn. I hope she’s not mixed up with the wrong crowd.
There’s also a mysterious mountain man hanging around out of the blue. Where was he before the strange bunny bite? Nowhere near me, that’s for sure.
Life is anything but boring. At this point, I’m just hoping that I’ll survive it all with my tail—literally—intact.
Elizabeth is just a normal woman when in the blink of an eye everything changes. Bitten by a bunny she changes into a dragon. Oh girl what I wouldn't give for becoming a dragonlady sometimes.
A highly entertaining read that had me in knots, gave me all the feels, let me easily connect with the characters. A great read, 5 stars.
Blurb:
A bunny bit me on the finger and everything went sideways after that.
That’s just the beginning of my insane life. The Fascinators, the local ladies’ club, suddenly are incredibly interested in having me join their next Bunco night, which is a thinly veiled excuse to drink and gossip. I’ve been dying to get into that group for years; why now? I’m over forty, my daughter is grown, and all I do is temp work. What’s so special about me?
After I shift into a dragon, things become clearer. They’re not a Bunco group. The Fascinators are a pack of shifters. Yes, shifters. Like werewolves, except in this case, it’s weresquirrels and a wereskunk, among others.
And my daughter? She wants to move home, suddenly and suspiciously. As excited as I am to have her home, why? She loves being on her own. It’s got something to do with a rough pack of predators, shifters who want to watch the world burn. I hope she’s not mixed up with the wrong crowd.
There’s also a mysterious mountain man hanging around out of the blue. Where was he before the strange bunny bite? Nowhere near me, that’s for sure.
Life is anything but boring. At this point, I’m just hoping that I’ll survive it all with my tail—literally—intact.
Elizabeth is just a normal woman when in the blink of an eye everything changes. Bitten by a bunny she changes into a dragon. Oh girl what I wouldn't give for becoming a dragonlady sometimes.
A highly entertaining read that had me in knots, gave me all the feels, let me easily connect with the characters. A great read, 5 stars.
January 11, 2022
A fun beginning to a Cozy PN series. Shifters & other magical beings, mother-daughter, action-adventure, cozy, midlife, and young adult.
"After I shift into a dragon, things become clearer. They’re not a Bunco [ladies game night] group. The Fascinators are a pack of shifters. Yes, shifters. Like werewolves, except, in this case, it’s were-squirrels and a were-skunk, among others...."
With a little comedy, some scary moments, and the power of mother and child, both mother and daughter face milestone moments in their lives and grow in confidence and strength as people with a little help from friends. This has a thoroughly readable and engaging plot and is set in a small town. While I question some of the in-actions of some of the characters, I hope they lead to a satisfying HEA at the end of the story arch. This is book one of so far, of two parts. TV level action and as of yet, this story is not padded with gratuitous sex scenes. There is a hint of future romance for the current single mother. That takes an amount of strength and grit many in society overlook. This is a tale of strong women who don't yet realize their own strength and self-worth. Book one is the beginning to both of them finding it I think. It is a story of feminism without being blatant virtue signaling. I like that the author lets readers draw their own conclusions and look forward to the second book of the series.
** I received a reviewer copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my honest feedback as a KU subscriber.
"After I shift into a dragon, things become clearer. They’re not a Bunco [ladies game night] group. The Fascinators are a pack of shifters. Yes, shifters. Like werewolves, except, in this case, it’s were-squirrels and a were-skunk, among others...."
With a little comedy, some scary moments, and the power of mother and child, both mother and daughter face milestone moments in their lives and grow in confidence and strength as people with a little help from friends. This has a thoroughly readable and engaging plot and is set in a small town. While I question some of the in-actions of some of the characters, I hope they lead to a satisfying HEA at the end of the story arch. This is book one of so far, of two parts. TV level action and as of yet, this story is not padded with gratuitous sex scenes. There is a hint of future romance for the current single mother. That takes an amount of strength and grit many in society overlook. This is a tale of strong women who don't yet realize their own strength and self-worth. Book one is the beginning to both of them finding it I think. It is a story of feminism without being blatant virtue signaling. I like that the author lets readers draw their own conclusions and look forward to the second book of the series.
** I received a reviewer copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my honest feedback as a KU subscriber.
May 25, 2022
PACK BUNCO NIGHT is the first book in the Midlife Shift series. This series will definitely need to be read in the order of release.
Beth has enough life changes with being a new empty-nester single mom. Then her daughter returns home from college, the local gossip group wants her to join them for their Bunco Club, and she meets a grumpy mountain man. That’s just the beginning of this seriously wonderful book. Yes, I believe that I were suddenly to find out that the paranormal world were real, this would be my life story!
One of the twists that I love about this paranormal world is that being bit will change you into a shifter, but not necessarily the same as the person that bit you. Beth was bit by a bunny (it’s not hard to figure out who the bunny is, long before you’re told), but she’s no bunny-shifter! I love what Beth becomes and wish I could be one too. (I’m not telling what her alter-persona is. Read and find out!
I have the next book in the series and will begin reading immediately. I’m already in love with this world.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: PACK BUNCO NIGHT
Series: Midlife Shift #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused.
Received from: L.A. Boruff
Beth has enough life changes with being a new empty-nester single mom. Then her daughter returns home from college, the local gossip group wants her to join them for their Bunco Club, and she meets a grumpy mountain man. That’s just the beginning of this seriously wonderful book. Yes, I believe that I were suddenly to find out that the paranormal world were real, this would be my life story!
One of the twists that I love about this paranormal world is that being bit will change you into a shifter, but not necessarily the same as the person that bit you. Beth was bit by a bunny (it’s not hard to figure out who the bunny is, long before you’re told), but she’s no bunny-shifter! I love what Beth becomes and wish I could be one too. (I’m not telling what her alter-persona is. Read and find out!
I have the next book in the series and will begin reading immediately. I’m already in love with this world.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: PACK BUNCO NIGHT
Series: Midlife Shift #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused.
Received from: L.A. Boruff
January 30, 2023
Bethany’s quiet life is changed forever when her daughter, Tilly, comes home from college with a strange illness. When her daughter is missing in the morning and a strange rabbit is in her room, Bethany is rightly concerned. But the bite from the rabbit turns out to be the least of her worries. She gets invited to a party with other ladies of the town and learns that their is a secret world of supernatural beings. Worse, her daughter is caught up with a dangerous rogue shifter pack. She has to come to terms with her new abilities and trust her new friends in order to save her daughter.
This is the first book in a trilogy and therefore not a standalone story. The authors set up the world nicely, giving explanations on shifters and the relationships with other supernatural beings. Bethany is very relatable as an awkward woman who never quite fit in. Her love and concern for her daughter is her driving force and gives her the strength to face the changes in her life. Tilly is portrayed perfectly as a young adult who is struggling after a disastrous relationship. The other women in the pack welcome Bethany and give her and Tilly the support they need to face the future as shifters.
I look forward to seeing the growth of these characters in the future installments.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book in a trilogy and therefore not a standalone story. The authors set up the world nicely, giving explanations on shifters and the relationships with other supernatural beings. Bethany is very relatable as an awkward woman who never quite fit in. Her love and concern for her daughter is her driving force and gives her the strength to face the changes in her life. Tilly is portrayed perfectly as a young adult who is struggling after a disastrous relationship. The other women in the pack welcome Bethany and give her and Tilly the support they need to face the future as shifters.
I look forward to seeing the growth of these characters in the future installments.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 10, 2022
Although I haven't read anything from these authors before, I took a chance on this story after reading the blurb and thought I'd be getting a quirky, fun shifter romance providing some light into a genre that tends to be quite heavy. It was quirky, but that's the only thing I got right. The main character (Bethany) is a single mum, with her daughter in college. There's quirky and then there's Bethany. As a reader, we're given insight into Bethany's thoughts and honestly, it's like she never left adolescence. She's a combination of middle aged teenager & helicopter mum.
The shifter storyline of packs and conflict was actually quite enjoyable but nothing was really explained about the shifter community or lore or rules that they abide but, which they obviously do since there were some who weren't playing by the rules.
Then there's the whole mountain man romance storyline which didn't really start until almost the end of the book (no HEA here). Lastly, this isn't a standalone story and gives more of a serial rather than a series feeling. For such a short story, this book is overcrowded with ideas, none of which feel complete, which makes it feel like a mess. This book left me disappointed and I won't be seeking out any more from these authors.
The shifter storyline of packs and conflict was actually quite enjoyable but nothing was really explained about the shifter community or lore or rules that they abide but, which they obviously do since there were some who weren't playing by the rules.
Then there's the whole mountain man romance storyline which didn't really start until almost the end of the book (no HEA here). Lastly, this isn't a standalone story and gives more of a serial rather than a series feeling. For such a short story, this book is overcrowded with ideas, none of which feel complete, which makes it feel like a mess. This book left me disappointed and I won't be seeking out any more from these authors.
December 29, 2021
The blurb pretty much says it all without spoilers. I can relate to Bethany’s deep concern and parental worry. I guess many parents with adult children have experienced the confusion and doubts about whether they are doing the right thing. Beth was truly lucky to have an experienced support group for the unusual developments she and Tilly experienced. The group/pack even stood by her after the terrible first impression and humiliating events at her first bunco night. Separating Tilly from the “bad influences” was made even more difficult by the mind control exerted by their alpha. Her other new (male) friendship also got off to an inauspicious start. Beth was lucky to have so many new friends backing her up. There are lots of laughs and humorous situations in this story, like what happens to your clothes when you shift into a dragon and back. It’s not a cliffhanger, but the ending will leave you eagerly awaiting the next book.
January 12, 2022
You know that curse, the one about may you live in interesting times? Well, our heroine is the embodiment of that statement and she is going to have to adapt to a whole new world.
This is book one of the series, so a good place to start.
So this is loosely an urban fantasy story with shifters and perhaps a bit of romance. But normality ends there. The types of shifters we get here are all over the map and definitely unusual. The bunny in the intro should have given that away. Add in mature characters, intriguing mysteries and a lot of dry humor and you have a good sense of what the book is about. I found the story to be well written, easy to read and loads of fun which makes it tops in my book. So pick up a copy and join the ride. You will soon be looking out for the next book, just like me.
Highly recommended
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is book one of the series, so a good place to start.
So this is loosely an urban fantasy story with shifters and perhaps a bit of romance. But normality ends there. The types of shifters we get here are all over the map and definitely unusual. The bunny in the intro should have given that away. Add in mature characters, intriguing mysteries and a lot of dry humor and you have a good sense of what the book is about. I found the story to be well written, easy to read and loads of fun which makes it tops in my book. So pick up a copy and join the ride. You will soon be looking out for the next book, just like me.
Highly recommended
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
January 17, 2022
Beth always wanted to be part of the midlife womens group that met regularly, longing to have close friends now that her daughter is off starting her own life. When a bunny bites her, she is asked to join the club, finding out it is really a shifter group and now she is one of them. Suddenly her whole life is turned upside down and things she never expected to see are very real.
Enjoyed the characters and that is the perfect word for them. All the different traits, animals and quirks that bond them together. The storyline easily flowed and entertains on many levels. The banter and situations, misconceptions and surprises all come together in a great ending. Can not wait to read more about this group.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Enjoyed the characters and that is the perfect word for them. All the different traits, animals and quirks that bond them together. The storyline easily flowed and entertains on many levels. The banter and situations, misconceptions and surprises all come together in a great ending. Can not wait to read more about this group.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2023
Welcome to Your Brand New Midlife
This book’s middle-aged heroine certainly experiences some dramatic life changes that drastically alter her perception of herself and her world… and eventually her path. After being bitten by a bunny, she discovers she is a dragon shifter! And that bunco group she's been trying to become a member of? It's a group of shifters! What she thought was her everyday existence living in a community is so very different from what she believed it to be. I enjoyed reading about her adventures as she comes to understand herself and how she fits into this new world. She's also got a potential paranormal romantic interest. This book is amusing but also has heartfelt moments between the heroine and her adult daughter. A fun start to a great series.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
This book’s middle-aged heroine certainly experiences some dramatic life changes that drastically alter her perception of herself and her world… and eventually her path. After being bitten by a bunny, she discovers she is a dragon shifter! And that bunco group she's been trying to become a member of? It's a group of shifters! What she thought was her everyday existence living in a community is so very different from what she believed it to be. I enjoyed reading about her adventures as she comes to understand herself and how she fits into this new world. She's also got a potential paranormal romantic interest. This book is amusing but also has heartfelt moments between the heroine and her adult daughter. A fun start to a great series.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
January 8, 2022
I found this book to be really a lot of fun. I love that our leading lady is a woman of “a certain age “, well beyond that first flush of youth. It's a very different collection of struggles than for a leading lady in her twenties. I kind of liked that the species of animal that everyone shifted into was a very mixed bag. It may not be accurate for the real world, but that's one of the biggest reasons I read fantasy. It's also a new and unusual twist on paranormal creatures that I thought was fascinating. Please note, this book ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger. So, I'm now a little desperate to get my hands on the next book in the series to find out what else will happen.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
January 5, 2022
Bethany is an average single-mom, just trying to make a living. Until her daughter comes home from college, she's bitten by a bunny, and then turns into a dragon. Now Beth has new friends, her previously good-girl daughter is running with a dangerous crowd, and there's a cute but crabby mountain man she just might wanna get to know a little better. Could Beth's midlife get anymore complicated?
An interesting and intriguing start to what should be a fun new PWF series. I'm looking forward to reading what happens next.
Many thanks to the author and BookFunnel for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.
An interesting and intriguing start to what should be a fun new PWF series. I'm looking forward to reading what happens next.
Many thanks to the author and BookFunnel for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.
January 12, 2022
Is She Dreaming ? . . .
Bethany is a single mother over 40 who works temp jobs. But things are about to change quickly in her life. Her daughter returns home from college, Bethany is bitten by a bunny, and then she actually turns into a dragon!
All of that is strange enough, and she’s trying to figure whether she is hallucinating this stuff. But then Beth starts getting friends, a ladies club wants her to join them, her daughter begins to hang out with a rough crowd who are up to no good, and a mountain man catches her interest. Things are getting complicated. Can Beth find answers to whatever is going on here?
Bethany is a single mother over 40 who works temp jobs. But things are about to change quickly in her life. Her daughter returns home from college, Bethany is bitten by a bunny, and then she actually turns into a dragon!
All of that is strange enough, and she’s trying to figure whether she is hallucinating this stuff. But then Beth starts getting friends, a ladies club wants her to join them, her daughter begins to hang out with a rough crowd who are up to no good, and a mountain man catches her interest. Things are getting complicated. Can Beth find answers to whatever is going on here?
January 13, 2022
This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW of Pack Bunco Night by L.A. Boruff, Lia Davis and Lacey Anderson Carter. This is the first book in the Shifting Into Midlife series. This is a relatively quick read that is laughter packed. Beth is your typical mom entering midlife and suddenly finding herself with an empty nest and no real prospects. When she suddenly becomes a shifter after being bitten by a bunny and allowed to join the Pack Bunco Night she realizes she may have just taken a step into the Twilight Zone! Hilarity ensues. This story does not resolve, but does setup for the next book.
This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
January 16, 2022
A Fun Fast Exciting Start To The New Series!!!
Elizabeth "Beth" is joining the The Fascinators, the local ladies’ club, on their Bunco night that turn out to be a group of woman shifters and Beth turns out to be a Dragon shifter. Beth's life is turn upside down, inside out with all the exciting magical adventurous that happen to her new life. This book is a of lot fun full of imagination with action, magic, humor, and romance. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Elizabeth "Beth" is joining the The Fascinators, the local ladies’ club, on their Bunco night that turn out to be a group of woman shifters and Beth turns out to be a Dragon shifter. Beth's life is turn upside down, inside out with all the exciting magical adventurous that happen to her new life. This book is a of lot fun full of imagination with action, magic, humor, and romance. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2021
Good
One minute Beth is perfectly normal, the next she finds herself bitten by a bunny and somehow changing shape into a dragon…
Another addition to the midlife paranormal women’s fiction out there, introduces us to a pack of shifters- all women of a certain age.
They’re not your average shifter though; bunnies, squirrels, skunks and beavers are all represented!
It’s an enjoyable, and quick read, with plenty of action, and a little tension. There is a hint of romance to come, and perhaps some battles yet to be fought.
An entertaining book for PWF fans.
One minute Beth is perfectly normal, the next she finds herself bitten by a bunny and somehow changing shape into a dragon…
Another addition to the midlife paranormal women’s fiction out there, introduces us to a pack of shifters- all women of a certain age.
They’re not your average shifter though; bunnies, squirrels, skunks and beavers are all represented!
It’s an enjoyable, and quick read, with plenty of action, and a little tension. There is a hint of romance to come, and perhaps some battles yet to be fought.
An entertaining book for PWF fans.
January 7, 2022
Who are Tilly and Bethany? How do they know one another? When Bethany gets bitten by a rabbit, what happens? What would you do, havinga cup of joe in the morning, sitting outside and finding a beaver, cat, raccoon koala, skunk, and a squirrel sitting in your yard staring at you? What are the Fascinators? Who are they? Who are Holly, Cam, and their 'friends'? What is happening with Tilly? Oh, what surprising information do we find out from Holly during a secret rendevouz in the woods? I cannot wait for book 2, Alpha Males and Other Shift to come out! This was a very interesting read!
January 3, 2022
Brilliant read. Great start to a series.
Beth loves having her daughter back home from college. but sometimes time away changes teenagers and not for the better. Tilly has come home and she is not the same sweet girl that left. Beth is having to deal with these changes while having to deal with the fact that she has been invited to the popular ladies Bunco night a selective party that all the women wish to be a part of. what could go wrong.
Brilliant read. I cannot wait for the next.
Beth loves having her daughter back home from college. but sometimes time away changes teenagers and not for the better. Tilly has come home and she is not the same sweet girl that left. Beth is having to deal with these changes while having to deal with the fact that she has been invited to the popular ladies Bunco night a selective party that all the women wish to be a part of. what could go wrong.
Brilliant read. I cannot wait for the next.
January 9, 2022
how distressing. her daughter came home with a fever and she finds a bunny in her bed the next morning- and it bit her
one bad nightmare for a momma bear follows another as mom and daughter find themselves in the middle of a pack war and a vampire threat
intense friendships, drama and dangers with more ahead!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
one bad nightmare for a momma bear follows another as mom and daughter find themselves in the middle of a pack war and a vampire threat
intense friendships, drama and dangers with more ahead!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2022
Bethany is over forty, single with a grown daughter, and spends her time working temp jobs. Then one day she gets bit by a bunny, becomes a dragon shifter and now her daughter wants to come home. Life takes some dramatic twists for Beth in this entertaining read and I loved all the quirky characters in the Bunco night pack. This is book one in the series and I can't wait to read the rest of the Shifting Into Midnight series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
January 16, 2022
Very enjoyable and entertaining read. This is a relatively quick read that packed with lots of hilarious moments. Their some action, and a little bit of tension. There hint of romance to come, and maybe a battle yet to be fought. So I'm interested to see what else is in store for this series. As always my reviews are totally voluntarily and no monetary compensation was received and the opinions I have expressed are completely my own.
January 21, 2022
First off bravo for different which was refreshing. Bethany begins a whirlwind different kind of life after being bitten by a bunny. A group she has been eyeing for ages now interested in her. The Fascinators are unique also. Being older it made this more my cup of tea. Discovery will be a mainstay for her lol. Her daughter Tilly comes home abruptly which sets off mom radar. She gets new friends with there also being a mystery man. Turn the pages on this delightful beginning of a new series.
January 26, 2022
Oh my. What a way to start this new series! Although the abrupt ending was shocking, I wasn’t ready for it to end. It was just getting fired up. I was gearing up for the next pack bunco night. I have major suspicions about “mountain man” and his role in everything. Ah. I need to know. The world building is well thought out and develops nicely. Beth and her daughter had some major changes, I can’t wait to read more.
April 18, 2022
One of the to midlife books, Yay!
I had to keep searching for a good story. It's started a couple that became disappointing in the sample read and took a break. This one appeared in my search for new books in Kindle unlimited and decided to give it a shot. It's much different from others in that it's not witchy, but gives mystery, interesting characters and romance on the horizon. Try it out I think you will like it if you are into the fantasy, paranormal genre.
I had to keep searching for a good story. It's started a couple that became disappointing in the sample read and took a break. This one appeared in my search for new books in Kindle unlimited and decided to give it a shot. It's much different from others in that it's not witchy, but gives mystery, interesting characters and romance on the horizon. Try it out I think you will like it if you are into the fantasy, paranormal genre.
December 26, 2022
I wasn't quite sure what I was going to be reading with a title like Pack Bunco Night but so glad that I read this book. I really enjoyed it.
We find Bethany waiting for her daughter to return home from college. Something happened to Tilly, and she wants to come home for a while. Bethany doesn't push Tilly to share what happened. She figures that Tilly will talk when she feels the need. Bethany doesn't realize it, but her world is going to be turned upside down. Will Bethany handle it with grace or freakout?
Strange things are happening after Bethany gets bit by a rabbit, which was under her daughter's bed. Not to mention that the town's ladies club, The Fascinators want me to join their bunco night. Never have I been invited before now which is strange upon itself. Full of mystery and intrigue the story caught me up in a world of shifters.
I really enjoyed the story, characters and couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book. Which I did the next day. Once you start reading Pack Bunco Night you can't stop...at least that is what happened to me.
Highly recommend this series and you should read them in order.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for allowing me to read a digital copy of this book for an honest review. While I am not eloquent with my reviews they are my words and my words alone. From the heart
We find Bethany waiting for her daughter to return home from college. Something happened to Tilly, and she wants to come home for a while. Bethany doesn't push Tilly to share what happened. She figures that Tilly will talk when she feels the need. Bethany doesn't realize it, but her world is going to be turned upside down. Will Bethany handle it with grace or freakout?
Strange things are happening after Bethany gets bit by a rabbit, which was under her daughter's bed. Not to mention that the town's ladies club, The Fascinators want me to join their bunco night. Never have I been invited before now which is strange upon itself. Full of mystery and intrigue the story caught me up in a world of shifters.
I really enjoyed the story, characters and couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book. Which I did the next day. Once you start reading Pack Bunco Night you can't stop...at least that is what happened to me.
Highly recommend this series and you should read them in order.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for allowing me to read a digital copy of this book for an honest review. While I am not eloquent with my reviews they are my words and my words alone. From the heart
October 3, 2023
Bethany, an over 40 single mother & temp worker, is bitten by a bunny while checking on her daughter Tilly, who has moved back home. She then unexpectedly receives an invitation to bunco night from the Fascinators, the local cool ladies group. Turns out the group is a pack of shifters, including a were-beaver & were-squirrel. And Bethany is now a dragon shifter, so her life is about to change drastically.
July 9, 2024
Bethany's daughter Tilly comes home on break from college, stumbles in with a high fever and goes to bed. When Bethany goes in Tilly's room to check on her, Tilly is nowhere to be seen. What is there though is a bunny under the bed that bites Bethany's finger. Sounds fun, right? This story is funny, has multiple shifter types, and some action, ending with a cliffhanger. Very highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book in a box set via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book in a box set via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2021
I enjoyed this story. It made me laugh and giggle over its cuteness. It all starts with a bite by a bunny and just gets weird from there. Bethany was a riot and the people she ends up meeting and the Bunco night just add to all the fun. A few surprises pop in and made me just shake my head. But a good story to start a new series that is light hearted and fun to read.
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