This book, I had to admit was a little strange for me, and made me wonder at some points where it was really headed but it was well written, short and sweet. It's funny how our main character turns into a bottom when he saw Luc. but the gargoyle thing was a nice touch. ( )

A new, magical, and even dangerous world discovered by hunky, kindhearted firefighter Mason? Sign me up! This story starts harmlessly enough, not a trace of the supernatural. It sucked me in, curious for the “big reveal” Mason was about to unearth, but what I got instead was a most delicious gradual unveiling with small mystery after small mystery pointing in the direction of “something is going on here” – but no clarity about the details until almost the last possible moment. Masterfully done!

Mason is a really great guy. No matter how tired he is after a double shift, he stops for the old man wandering around in the dark, then ensures that the slightly confused guy makes it home safely. But what Mason finds there is more than odd: a group of people around a bonfire, naked guys all over the place, and a woman who treats him reverently just for bringing home her grandfather. The mysteries and riddles just keep coming, and nobody seems willing to give Mason a straight answer.

Then there is Luc. The man is gorgeous to the point of being beautiful, slightly arrogant at first, and definitely intriguing. When it is all too weird for Mason and he flees, Luc follows him. A few intriguingly mysterious statements later they fall into bed together, and Mason begins to feel possessive. And when Luc finally reveals who and what he is, who his people are, it’s only the beginning of an even more astounding adventure than Mason could have ever imagined.

I read this book's first edition many years ago, but coming back to it hasn’t reduced my fascination with the world Mary Calmes has created here. And yes, I am STILL hoping for a sequel. I think there is potential for a few more stories.

If you like paranormal stories with unusual touches, if “a mystery on top of a riddle wrapped in an enigma” is your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that contains a touching love story as well as an intriguing journey of discovery, then you will probably like this novella as much as I did.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

A good short story. ( )

I think what attracts me most to this author is her original world-building. In Chang of Heart, it was cats. And it was not just cats as placeholders for the more common werewolves. She built a unique society with laws, rules of etiquette and a social hierarchy. It was imaginative and fun, and gave the underlying gay romance a lot of depth. Here we have another unique shifter race, and the hint of another such original society. It is only a hint because this is a novella, not a novel.

When Mason stops to help what he thinks is a lost old man find his way home, he discovers a gathering of some very strange and very naked people. Exhausted after a double shift as a fireman, the events of that night seem surreal until Luc shows up near his home and proceeds to turn his world upside down. This novella is obviously intended to have sequels, so while we get a bit character development and minor world-building, it isn’t much. Mainly, readers get an introduction to the heroes, some piping hot sex and hints of a plot to come.

I will warn readers, the main characters once again border on Mary-Sueism. That doesn’t bother me because this author has a lot more to offer in her stories, but if that character-trait rubs you wrong... Overall, I was intrigued by the world introduced in Romanus and found the initial romance satisfying. I will not hesitate to order a sequel when it comes along. ( )