Sandy M’s review of Finding Forgiveness (Poconos Pack, Book 1) by Dana Marie Bell
Paranormal Romance ebook published by Samhain 5 Jul 11
I’ve read a few of Dana Marie Bell’s shifter books, as well as her Gray Court series, and I’ve enjoyed them all so far. Therefore, I was looking forward to this shifter book. Unfortunately, a lot of elements in this book just don’t work for me, especially because the one reason I read shifter books – the shifting itself – is nearly nonexistent.
On top of that, while m/m stories are not my favorite reads, I’m always open to trying whatever an author is offering in the genre, with the hopes I can perhaps find a gem among all the other offerings out there. There are very few authors, to me, who can do same sex stories well, so any time I can add a new name to my short list, I’m happy to give them a chance. Though Ms. Bell has the sex element of this genre down pat, what’s missing is the romance and the love, which I don’t feel all that often between these characters.
I do like the packs that Ms. Bell has created in her series. She utilizes all pack positions other than Alpha, and I feel that adds a lot to understanding pack dynamics. So I’m a little confused as to why Ben, the Marshall of the pack – the one who feels any and all pain of the pack and its members – does no investigation, asks no questions, just assumes his mate – his mate! – is an alcoholic because of the fuzziness, the dizziness, the headaches Dave frequently experiences. His excuse is his father was an alcoholic and he just can’t go through living that kind of life again. Okay, I can understand that, but I sure don’t get why he’d turn his back on his mate with no word whatsoever, no chance of explanation. Doesn’t compute.
Dave is the Beta of the pack, second only to the Alpha, so he’s got huge responsibility. He suffers from migraines, the type that makes him ill at times. I know Ms. Bell wanted to showcase the hazards and damage of migraines, and, for the most part, she does do a good job. I have a good friend who suffers from them – not as badly as Dave but close – and I do sympathize with the man. Closing himself in a dark room with cold compresses and praying for the oblivion of sleep is exactly what friend has to do to combat her pain. This part of the book is done very well.
Ben and Dave have known each other and known they’re mates for years, since they were teenagers. It’s Ben who avoids and stays away from Dave because of his erroneous assumptions, but Dave is mystified as to why because Ben refuses to talk to him about his feelings. Dave’s wolf is also suffering without his mate, thus a huge trigger for the migraines he suffers from to go along with the stressors of his position. Dave’s latest bout is quite severe, which finally sheds light on Ben’s attitude and reasons for his avoidance. Hurt that his mate would do such a thing, Dave decides to go on his long-awaited vacation to Walt Disney World. While there he’ll also look for another mate, because it’s Gay Pride Week and he should have a sea to choose from.
Okay, where to start now. I feel Dave should have sat down with Ben once he learns of Ben’s error. He’s doing the same thing to Ben by not talking to the man that Ben has done to him for years. No lesson learned there, especially, as I’ve said, when it’s his mate. Ben does try to make up for the hurt he’s caused, leaving little love tidbits in his wolf form for his mate. But Dave doesn’t get this, prefers it if Ben would do the same only in human form. Well, that’s sucky. The man is trying and all he gets is criticism and no acknowledgment. And this little bit of Ben running around in his wolf form is the only shifting in the entire book. That’s why I read this type of books. I want the shifting as much as possible.
Next, I don’t feel Ms. Bell has stayed true to Dave’s character. He may be a gay character but he’s also a shifter, a wolf, the Beta of his pack. When at WDW there’s moments when he acts like a girl. Not a child, which is what I’d expect of any adult who’s never been to the Magic Kingdom (hell, I’m that way myself when I go to Disneyland!), but much too girlie, and I just can’t take my heroes being any sort of feminine. Throwing a sheet over his head when in bed and bantering with Ben, just like a woman would do, no. Just flat-out no.
Also, there’s really not any romance between Dave and Ben once they reconcile. It’s fine to have them still acts like guys, boys will be boys type of thing, but when it comes to the bedroom and all that goes with it, love and tenderness and caresses and all that, it’s just not there. Love is love, and I expect the same romance I get in any H/h romance in all other romance genres. These two are supposed to be in love, together forever, but I never feel that. And Ben doesn’t grovel nearly enough for his years-old treatment of Dave. And what little groveling there is, it’s not loving enough for the forgiveness that is needed.
So I am a bit disappointed in this book. I like it a little better than Ash, though. I’m giving a couple of points for the realism of the migraine issue and the consistency of the pack dynamics and the secondary pack characters. If those had been missing, I don’t want to think about what my grade would have been then.
Grade: C-
Read Ash’s review here.
Summary:
To forgive is divine…if he can pin his lover down long enough to beg for it.
Ben Malone’s role as Marshall attunes him to every nuance of the pack’s wellbeing—which means he’s forced to feel every one of his mate’s hangovers. It’s the one reason Ben will never claim Dave Maldonado. Being alone is better than being with someone who lives in a bottle.
Dave was destined to be a pack Alpha until his first migraine hit at age fifteen, the day he caught his future mate holding hands with another boy. In the nine agonizing years since, he’s contented himself as Beta, but never learned to live with the pain and confusion of Ben’s rejection.
Dave’s worst attack yet sends him to the hospital—and brings them both face to face with the misunderstanding that’s kept them apart all these years. It’s too late, though. Dave is headed for Gay Pride Week at Disney World with one goal in mind. Forget Ben Malone.
Ben’s got a problem with that. Only one man is destined to hold his David. And he’ll give anything, even his last shred of pride, to win forgiveness—and the right to finally claim his mate.
Read an excerpt.
