Flashback Friday - Big Bad Beast by Shelly Laurenston

Big Bad Beast, Shelly Laurenston
Pride #6
When it comes to following her instincts, former Marine Dee-Ann Smith never holds back. And this deadly member of a shifter protection group will do anything to prove one of her own kind is having hybrids captured for dogfights. Trouble is, her too-cute rich-boy boss Ric Van Holtz insists on helping out. And his crazy-like-a-fox smarts and charming persistence are making it real hard for Dee to keep her heart safe...

Ric can't believe his luck. He's wanted this fiercely-independent she-wolf from day one, but he never expected teamwork as explosive as this. And now is his last chance to show Dee what she needs isn't some in-your-face Alpha male-but a wily, resourceful wolf who'll always have her back in a fight…and between the sheets.




REVIEW:
Dee-Ann Smith, former marine and resident bad-ass, doesn't really care what people think of her. She is quite anti-social for a pack animal and really doesn't like to feel "hemmed-in". Her work with The Group allows her to continue doing what she does best, and that is protect shifters, even if it's from other shifters. Still investigating the hybrid pit fights Dee-Ann is forced to play nice with the other members of a joint task force. She is also forced to put up with Ric Van Holtz, her supervisor, and his desire to always feed her.

Ric Van Holtz has been in love with Dee-Ann since the first time he saw her, but being a smart man he knows a full frontal assault will never work with her. But Ric is not your average wolf...he is a Van Holtz, and that means he is sneaky and patient and isn't afraid to use his fabulous culinary skills to get him what he wants.

While Dee-Ann, Dez and new comer to the series, Cella Malone try to put an end to the pit fights by following the money, Ric is following some money of his own. Unfortunately for him this money leads right to his Dad and the fact that he may be stealing from the pack. Neither trail is going to end happily, and one of them ends up someplace I never saw coming.

I have to say how glad I was that Ms. Laurenston stayed true to the personality traits that we saw in Dee-Ann in previous books. I was really afraid that we were going to get a kinder, softer Dee-Ann, like some other authors have done when writing the HEA (happily ever after) story of their tougher female characters. Dee-Ann was strong and abrasive but she also showed that she was there for Ric emotionally when he needed her. Ric may come across as a beta, but he was strong enough to get what he wanted. One thing that Ms. Laurenston does so well is include previous character's in all of her stories without it seeming contrived or weighing down the story. I loved the 4th of July party and how it brought everyone together again. I mean who doesn't love to see Bo with his lists, Lock dragging the Shaw brothers around by their heads, the wild dogs being wild dogs and Dez once again the only full human in the bunch more than holding her own. It was also a very nice surprise to read the cameos from Sara and Angelina. This book like all in this series had a lot of laugh out loud moments....at one point I woke my husband up I was laughing so loud. But it also has some very awwwww moments, the prologue in this book has to be one of my favorite parts. I can't wait to see where she takes us next....Rory Lee Reed, Cella Malone, Hannah, Stein or somewhere we weren't even looking. 

Bodyguards Bite - @Silvia_Violet

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to be here today to share my upcoming release, Bodyguard’s Bite, and offer a giveaway. It’s the second book in the Howler Brothers series. The Howler family are the most powerful werewolves in their city. They own a BDSM club for shifters and several other legitimate businesses, but most of their wealth and position have been supported by crime for generations. King Howler, the new leader of the family, and his four younger brothers want to change that. They also want to make life safer and easier for shifters, and along the way, they hope to find their fated mates. King’s story, Claiming Bite, is the first in the series, and you can find it here Amazon US | Amazon Global

Or you can jump right into Bodyguard’s Bite. Here’s a little more about it. 

Wealthy werewolf Storm Howler wants a chance to act out his submissive fantasies without his overprotective brothers scaring off every dominant man in sight. If he can’t choose his own partners, how will he ever find his fated mate? 

As the former leader of a shifter special forces unit, Jax knows how to keep people safe, but he also craves the one thing he never had in the military: control. 

When Storm and Jax meet, tension sizzles between them. It only takes one night of control and surrender for each of them to question whether they’re fated for one another. But the next day, they discover Storm’s brothers have hired Jax as Storm’s new bodyguard. Rather than resign, Jax agrees to the hands-off policy in his employment contract, because no one can protect Storm as well as he can. But when danger threatens, Storm needs a man who can calm his mind as easily as he protects Storm’s body. The two begin spending more time together, and there’s only so long anyone can fight against fate—or love. 

Learn more here: Amazon US | Amazon Global

How about an excerpt? 

“Do you like the room?” Storm asked, sounding concerned. 

“It’s very nice, just not the kind of place I’d usually stay. All we really need tonight is a bed, though the floor would do, or a wall would make a decent substitute.” 

Storm sucked in his breath, and my dick appreciated the sound. “The bed would be more comfortable, but I’m up for any or all of those options.” 

I studied him until color rose in his cheeks. “You asked for me to take charge, so I’ll decide where I’m going to have you and how.” 

Storm ran his teeth over his lower lip. “I did ask that, didn’t I?” 

I prowled toward him, holding his gaze. “You did.” 

His hazel eyes widened, and his lips parted with a soft moan. I loved how expressive he was. He made no attempt to hide his desire. 

“I like being told what to do, but I don’t surrender easily. My… job has forced me to learn to be more aggressive than I might be naturally.” 

It was more than his job. I was sure of that. Something about his life circumstances had caused him to learn to be assertive when he needed to be—not that it was a bad thing. I wanted to know more about Storm, though I knew I should respect his desire for privacy. He obviously had money and privilege. Should I recognize him? Was he someone famous? He’d said he worked at the club, but something had seemed off about that. He’d certainly known his way around. When he’d left me by the emergency door, I’d watched him closely enough to see that he’d gone into the supply room and then an office. Maybe he was friends with the owner, King Howler. He was the man I’d be interviewing with the next day. From what my friend had told me, King was very wealthy and quite powerful. I’d done a cursory search to learn more about him, but he might as well be a ghost for all the concrete information I could find. If I was offered the job, I had a hacker friend who could help me find out more, but I didn’t want to bother him if the situation didn’t feel right. 

“I can push past your resistance if that’s what you want. In fact, I’d enjoy it.” 

“I’d enjoy it too.” 

“Good. What’s your safeword?” 

“I’m really boring. I use ‘red’ to stop and ‘yellow’ to slow down.” 

I trailed my fingers down his arm. “There’s nothing boring about you.” 

He licked his lips. “Thank you.” 

I slid my fingers into his hair, loving that his loose curls were as soft as they looked. Then I let my hands slide free and trailed my fingers over his cheek and down his neck, relishing the warmth of his tanned skin. I’d spent most of the weeks since I’d left the army holed up at home. I felt directionless and out of step with everything. Then I’d seen Storm and felt a connection that pulled me to him. It was like I was waking up for the first time in weeks. “Strip for me.” 

Storm’s eyes widened. 

“Don’t make me wait.” 

***For a chance to win a copy of your choice of Howler Brothers book, comment telling me your favorite kind of shapeshifter.*** 

Thanks again for having me here. If you’d like to learn more about my writing, check out my website or join my Facebook group, Silvia’s Salon.