C2’s review of Primal Bonds (Shifters Unbound, book 2) by Jennifer Ashley
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 1 Mar 11

In Primal Bonds, we return to Austin’s Shiftertown and learn more about the inner workings of Shifter clans and the politics involved when Feline, Lupine, and Ursine Shifters live in close quarters. Dogs and cats aren’t usually natural friends and when you throw bears into the mix, well…things can get very interesting, very quickly.

I really enjoyed both books in this series and think they stand alone easily. Ms. Ashley’s Shifters have a very organic feel to them – very much like creatures who spend part of their lives as animals probably would behave with each other, I think. That their existence is tied to magic (they were created by the Fae to serve them) makes them seem more real, in some odd way.

Sean Morrissey is a Feline Shifter and the Guardian of Austin’s Shiftertown. When a Shifter dies, the Guardian must pierce them with the Sword of the Guardian to ensure that their soul leaves the body and enters the Summerland (Shifter Heaven). Since that’s kind of creepy, Shifters tend to give Sean a wide berth, so his chances of finding a mate are not good. Until…

Andrea Gray is a half-Fae Lupine Shifter and has recently relocated from Denver’s Shiftertown to Austin. Before her transfer to Austin’s Shiftertown could be approved, someone in Austin had to mate claim her, so Sean offered and Andrea accepted. She requested the move because another Shifter would not leave her alone, even though she rejected his mate claim – the male can stake his claim on an available female and other males will honor it until or unless the female rejects his claim. Since the male in question is the son of the Shiftertown’s leader, he didn’t take her rejection well. Especially since Andrea’s Fae blood meant she’s very low in status in the pack.

Since her arrival in Austin, Andrea and Sean have been dancing around each other. There has been some flirting, but nothing much has developed and Sean is getting frustrated. When a group of humans shoot into the bar where Andrea works, the bouncer Ursine Shifter is wounded. Sean (with his sword) is also in the bar when the shooting happens. When they take Ronan the bear to the office to do some first aid (bears are tough, you know), Sean finds out that Andrea’s Fae blood has given her a little healing magic. She is able to lessen Ronan’s pain and speed his healing a bit.

After a bit of investigating, it seems that a nearby Shifter clan is working with humans to stir up dissension among and between humans and Shifters and also between different types of Shifters. In the years since Shifters submitted to the Collar that subdues their violent impulses, different types of Shifters have begun to work together toward common goals. Also, since the Collar, some humans have begun to allow Shifters in their shops, restaurants, etc. Apparently, some among the Shifter community would prefer a return to their wilder roots.

During all this intrigue, Sean and Andrea begin to move toward the mating frenzy, but who has time for hours and hours of non-stop sex when their are murderous Shifters and Humans to catch? And what do Andrea’s nightmares mean? Who does the mysterious voice belong to? And what does it all have to do with the Sword of the Guardian? Oh, faithful reader, you know you want to find out the answers.

Grade: B+

Summary:

When half-Fae, half-Shifter Andrea Gray flees an abusive would-be mate, the only way she is allowed to relocate to the Austin Shiftertown is if a Shifter there claims her as mate.

Sean Morrissey, the Guardian of his clan and all of Shiftertown, is mateless, lonely, and has a tough job–to send the souls of deceased Shifters into the afterworld. He volunteers to claim her, sight unseen, but doesn’t realize that one look at the gray-eyed, dark-haired Andrea will stir the mating frenzy in him. Even though the mate-claim isn’t finalized, official, or yet blessed, Sean will do anything to get Andrea into his life and keep her there, forever.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Gwen’s review of Pride Mates (Shifters Unbound, Book 1) by Jennifer Ashley
Paranormal romance released by Dorchester/ Leisure 26 Jan 10

This is the first of  a new paranormal romance series from the ever-busy Jennifer Ashley. We are given a new world where Shifters are “out”, learning to live in a world where humans know what they are and treat them as second-class citizens.  It’s a very promising start to what should be a fresh take on a well-worn idea.  Plus, the book is based in Austin, so how bad can it be? 

Turns out, not bad at all.  I really enjoyed this book.  It seemed like a short, category length book, though it’s over 300 pages.  I think the book’s pacing and terrific dialogue (internal and external) made it seem shorter.

The heroine, Kim, is funny, smart, and righteous.  She stands by those she believes in and this makes her the Shifter leader’s worst nightmare.  The leader and the book’s villain, Fergus, has his own selfish reasons for Kim to fail in her defense of one of his clan.

The hero, Liam, is sexy, smart, loving, and oh-so-alpha.  He’s a very complex hero and I loved that.  Ashley has drawn him as a complicated mix of all that is admirable in a man and some of the things women bemoan.  I loved his easygoing nature and how he supported his community.  His love for Kim caught him by surprise and this makes him endearing.  One of the better heroes I’ve read lately.

The book sets a lot of groundwork for this new series.  We’re introduced to a new world where Shifters will have to fight for their rights.  The degree to which Shifters are treated as second-class citizens seems a bit extreme in our PC, ACLU afflicted world (not permitted new cars or cable television? huh?).  I’m ready to roll with it if Ashley is careful not to take it to too much of an extreme and use it for plot devices, and not to beat us over the head with it.

The paranormal elements of this world are very interestingly different from what I have come to expect.  The origin of the Shifters as playthings of the fae is one that should introduce some very good plot elements in the future.  The story in The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance, out 9 Feb, tells much of this history, as well as the origin of the Guardian’s sword (read Pride Mates for this detail).

This book is worth reading simply for the fun of the relationship between the hero and heroine.  I was left smiling several times, and sometimes laughing out loud at some of the things they said.  It is a clever, quick book with some interesting twists that has whetted my appetite for more.

I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of shapeshifter romances or Jennifer Ashley books.  If you like clever dialogue, then you’ll love this book.

Grade: A

Summary:

Twenty years ago, shape shifters of all kinds banded together and announced themselves to the world, only to be shunted to areas no human wanted (“Shiftertowns”). They are forced to wear Collars that control their hunting and fighting instincts (referred to by Shifters as “Taking the Collar”).

Liam Morrissey is currently liaison between the Shifters of Austin, TX, and the humans of the city. Kim Fraser, attorney, finds herself in the unique position of having to defend a Shifter on a murder charge.

She ventures to Shiftertown to seek out Liam’s help, and there stumbles across too many secrets the Shifters want kept secret. The un-mated Liam is forced to protect Kim against the wrath of his clan leader and his own father, and to his surprise he discovers a powerful attraction to the sassy, sexy lady.

Read an excerpt here.  Go here for the series’ site.

Other books in the series: