Toni's Review of Shifter's Song by Vanessa North ***5 Stars***

Edouard Bonsaint has a bear-sized problem. He hasn't shifted in ten years, and isn't sure he even can anymore. Chaperoned by his youngest brother, Bruno, he heads to the Wiccan Haus to ask Rekkus for help. But when Bruno doesn't show up on the other side of the portal, Edouard's inability to shift is no longer his biggest problem.

Lincoln Tucker has it all: money, fame, and a golden voice. But he's in the closet twice over--few people know he's gay, and even fewer know he can shift into a songbird at will. Downtime at the Wiccan Haus between tours allows him to be himself. Throw a big toppy bear-shifter into the mix, and Lincoln might just have all he's ever wanted--if he can trust himself to hold on to Edouard.

With passions and tempers burning hot, can Lincoln help Edouard bring forth the bear and save his brother?

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If I had the ability, I’d be doing back flips.

When I finished Shifter’s Dance earlier in the week I was hoping, praying and I likely would have been begging to read about Stephen’s brothers, Edouard and Bruno.  I knew there was another Wiccan Haus book out there, but since I didn’t have it in my greedy little hands, I let it go.  I actually thought there was no way Vanessa already had finished one of the brother’s books.  Boy was I 110% wrong.  Not only is it done, published and excellent; a little birdie told me she is working on the last brother’s book as we speak.  Again, imagine the back flipping and dancing around.  Trust me it is all in my head and not in reality, because I’d hurt myself.

The Bonsaint brothers are heading to Wiccan Haus for a little R&R and to give newlyweds Stephen and Romy some peace and quiet.  Edouard also plans to work on his inability to shift into his bear.  Things didn’t go as planned.  For some reason Bruno didn’t make it to the other side of the portal.  Edouard is understandably upset, but the sexy Lincoln is there to take his mind off his troubles.

Lincoln is a man in need of a break.  He is a high profile singer and the stress of touring and the pressures his big sister keeps piling on him; have him at his wits end.  It’s time to break away and relax in the comforting arms of Wiccan Haus and he’s seen the arms he wants wrapped around him, Edouard’s.

Edouard’s stress from his missing brother and the likelihood he won’t be able to help search for Bruno, because he can’t shift, has him stir crazy.  One note from a lovely Blackburnian Warbler settles his soul and he is able to shift into his brown bear once again.  Now the only thing he needs to worry about is hurting his lover Lincoln.  He will not let the past repeat itself.

First the thing that stood out for me in Shifter’s Song was that even though they are both shifters they didn’t fall in the shifter’s mating trap; the zing and recognition, lust fills the air, they fall in bed together, because hello, their instincts are making them do it and the horns toot and the bells ring and they live happily ever after.  Nope these men fought it all the way.  Yes, one of them accepted it sooner than the other, but there was a bit of a battle to accept fate.  It wasn’t absolute instinct for them.  They had to work for it and let me just say, YAY!

Second thing that was a shining beacon for me…I absolutely loved these two men’s names.  Both are first for me and well like I said, I loved them!!

Finally third, I’d like to congratulate Vanessa for writing the first M/M Wiccan Haus story.  You have set the bar high and if I was sitting next to you, I’d be patting you on the back; very well done.  Their romance felt natural, yet very sexy and steamy. 

I think I only had one slight problem with the story.  Edouard wasn’t upset enough about his brother being missing.  I can understand that he was distracted by the loveliness of Lincoln, but with him being the oldest and a big protective bear, I felt there should have been just a bit more angst.  It really isn’t a big deal, but I just had to put it out there.  Now that I’m over it, Shifter’s Song was AWESOME!!

The story was well thought out and it was nice to see Stephen and Romy again.  I also love how all three of their books are flowing so well together and I personally can’t wait for Bruno’s book.  You hinted a bit about Bruno, without giving anything away and I’m booking my trip to Wiccan Haus to watch it unfold firsthand.  All aboard, the ferry is about to leave the port!

Below are my reviews of the series!

Thanks for reading ~Toni

Toni's Review of Unveil My Heart by Nya Rayne ***5 Stars***

Death is a glorious thing when one can find a reason to live in spite of it.

I have roamed the earth for over three millennia alone, secretly hoping to one day find the other half of my soul. The one woman who would make my deadened heart beat once more. I never imagined I’d find her in a bloodied heap beneath the claws of a despicable Yazaron, the bane of my existence. I saved her and as a reward was given three days to make her love me or I would cease to be. 

She spent those three days in ICU fighting for her life.

Fate, what a cruel bitch.

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I think Nya has forged new ground for me.  What are the Anubi?  Got it! – Check.  And who or what are Yazaron?  Now I have an idea – Check.   Ms. Rayne actually made Wiccan Haus seem even more refreshing and new.  Now that is an amazing feat, because it is already pretty darn great.

Blaine could likely be the most unlucky person.  She is so unlucky that she believes that if anything ever good happens, something even worse is coming and sadly; she would be right.  She has lost everything, not once but twice.  Now she is trying to heal and she unexpectedly has “won” a trip to Wiccan Haus.  Even though she knows nothing good will come from accepting the trip; what does she have to lose?  Everything is already gone.

On the night Blaine lost everything, Hayze found something he thought he would never find; his mate.  Now with only three days to claim her, she is in no condition to accept him.  His fate has been sealed.  Months later he is taking one last chance to be with her on the island.  Even though she wants nothing to do with him, he just wants to be near her before all is lost forever.  He doesn’t want her to hurt anymore, so he is giving everything up for her.

Reading how these two found each other was wonderful.  At times I wanted to just smack Blaine for being such a cruel wench, but if you looked past her pain you could almost understand it.  At times I also was inclined to smack Hayze around a bit too.  With his warrior heart, he should have fought harder, but he likely didn’t expect much after so much time had passed.  After the fog lifted and all was said and done, their mating was intense and very unique.  Great job Ms. Rayne!

Unveil My Heart is an exceptional addition to the series and Ms. Rayne did a fabulous job.  This is yet another treasure to be included in the Wiccan Haus world.

Below are my reviews of the series!

Thanks for reading ~Toni

Toni's Review of Shifter's Dance by Vanessa North ***5 Stars***

Romy Lewis, a ballet dancer at the peak of her career, loses everything when she is blinded by a mean prank. Her agent suggests a visit to the Wiccan Haus resort to sort out what she wants to do with her life now that both her career and her eyesight have been taken from her.

Stephen Bonsaint, bear shifter, computer programmer, and sometime spy, always figured he’d meet a sturdy mama bear someday and have a couple of cubs with her. A tiny human ballet dancer who can’t even see is not at all who he imagined as a mate.

Together they dance around their feelings for each other as Romy learns how to navigate her new life, and Stephen learns that sometimes, strength isn’t something you can see from the outside.

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Truthfully after several hundred books, I still have not wrapped my head around what makes a short story a short story or a short novel a novella.  All I do know is that it is really darn hard to tell a complete story with character development, intriguing plot and a believable romance in a few chapters, but Vanessa North and the other authors of Wiccan Haus do time it and again with flying colors.

This is my sixth Wiccan Haus installment.  I also believe this is my sixth 5 stars review.  The people of Musa have really done exceptional job with picking quality authors with the ability to weave great tales in a confined amount of time.  They have kept the story line consistent, fun and exciting love stories and even throw in some new twists along the way.

Ms. North is a new author for me and she did a fantastic job.  I loved the angle she went with; a blind struggling heroine and a big burly bear shifter.  I sit here and envision a tiny ballerina and a huge bear of a man and chuckle.  Talk about opposites attracting.  They had some issues to overcome and this couple could have held up to a longer book, but Ms. North did a great job capturing Romy’s frustration and Stephen’s patience in her allotted time.  They were really made for each other.

One of the best treats about this series is that you consistently get to revisit the original members of the staff.  They bring such color to the stories and I’m glad that the authors incorporate them seamlessly.  They really help weave the stories together and make them even better.

Shifter’s Dance was a wonderful treat.  I could even see myself enjoy a couple of stories about two brothers (hint hint).  You never know.  If what Ms. North says is true, Stephen’s brothers will be booking a trip to Wiccan Haus.  If that is the case sign me up too.  I’m always game for some bear shifters.  Bring the boys on!

Below are my reviews of the first five books in the series!

Thanks for reading ~Toni

Callie has secrets, too many to count.

For twenty years she’s been living a lie as Callie Worthington, hiding from the monsters who brutally murdered her parents for possession of the Elixxir of Life. Unsuccessful before, their killers have found her and will stop at nothing to acquire the Elixxir. And see her dead.

Nathanael has a couple of secrets, too. A nasty one in particular blurs the line separating Good from Evil. As an immortal Brethren Warrior, though, he must retrieve the Elixxir before it falls into the wrong hands. Just how he’s going to get it out of Callie’s is the big question.

Tempers flare as Callie and Nathanael reach out to each other with their own hidden agendas. She needs his protection. He needs the Elixxir. Will their fiery passion lead to lasting love, or will their web of intrigue ultimately destroy them both?

Secrets, lies, and love’s loyalties tested. What price for immortality? What price for love?

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This is another great book by Deena.  Right from the beginning this story takes you into it's grip and pulls you along into intrigue, action and romance.

This is Callie's story and it gives us a better idea as to why Callie is such a hard-ass.  Deena does a wonderful job of revealing a complex character, she has a hard shell but a soft interior.

Nathaniel is an angel warrior who is on a mission to find something that only Callie can tell him where it is.  The chemistry between these to is steamy!

I really don't want to write any spoilers for this book, but this is a great addition to Deena's Angel series.  Cannot wait for the next one!

I recommend this book to those who enjoy angels, the fight between good and evil, the paranormal and actions seekers. 

I give this book 5 STARS!