Book Reviews

Book Blurb

When jackal shifter Quade Danas was banished from his pack for being gay, he spent years in the military escaping his father's prejudice before returning to civilian life as a bodyguard for Roman Howell, the teenage son of a very rich man. After Roman is in an accident that leaves him physically scarred and emotionally distant, Quade is the only one who can get through to him. As Roman becomes a man, he realizes what he wants—his bodyguard by his side and in his bed. Unfortunately, Quade can’t seem to see past the kid Roman once was to the man he has become, certain Roman’s feelings are merely misplaced gratitude. But Roman knows a lot more than Quade realizes, and he’s used to persevering, no matter how many impediments life throws his way. He wants the chance to prove to Quade that he’s strong enough for a jackal alpha to call mate.

Despite the decades Quade has been away, and the heartache of his father’s rejection, his inborn loyalty to the pack remains, and his abrupt departure left the jackal shifters without an alpha heir. As a psychopath shifter staking claim as alpha draws Quade back home, and Quade feels compelled to heed the call, he may be forced to make a choice he never anticipated. But doing so means he must leave Roman behind… unless somehow they find a way to make loyalty and love work together.

 

 

First edition published by Dreamspinner Press, December 2013.

 

Book Review

It has been too, too long since my last Mary Calmes book, and oh how I've missed her. Mary, don't leave me hanging like that again, please. *grins* Since I'm extremely familiar with Mary's shifter stories, I was excited to see her delving back into the genre, with jackals, no less. Even better, I knew from the first page that I would be adding Roman and Quade to my list of favorite couples as they are definitely as deserving as Sam and Rory and Jin and Logan.

More importantly than the shifter element of the story, though, is the incredible courage I found in Roman. The story begins with him at twenty-seven, ten years after the tragic accident that, for all intents and purposes, ruined his face and a portion of his upper body. If you've ever known someone or, goddess forbid, visited the burn unit in a hospital, it has to be one of the most profoundly painful injuries to sustain. So many nerve endings are all located in our skin, and the treatment to deal with third degree burns is unimaginably painful. So, watching this young man deal with his physical scarring with humor and grace simply amazed me. Although, I don't believe he would have gotten to that point so well if it hadn't been for Quade's tough love.

Quade is an alpha jackal shifter who left home after coming out to his parents and his sister. He has lived at Roman's chateau for almost twelve years as his bodyguard and friend. Quade knows he's going to have to start thinking about leaving soon because he can't keep his desire for Roman in check and he's certainly not going to give in to temptation. The last thing he wants is Roman to sleep with him out of a sense of gratitude and since Quade is forty-six he doesn't want someone like himself for Roman. Roman has very different ideas, though, and he very much wants Quade, and his jackal, for himself and for forever.

Before that can happen, though, Quade's sister, Raisa, shows up and what she has to share isn't good. Apparently in the past almost thirty years since Quade left the pack, there have been many changes to the alpha position. The current alpha, Ray, is a pimp and a drug dealer and he has decimated the pack's numbers. He has his sights set on Quade's niece, Josie, and just last week he and four of his men put Raisa's husband in the hospital. Naturally, Quade is going to have to return and take care of Ray to make it safe for the pack. He doesn't want Roman involved at all, and I loved the way Roman stands his ground and does what he knows is best for them both. Roman is a strong, strong man and I really adored him. "....you need to get it through your head that the only one for you is me. And you might think you're a monster, but you don't know what I'm capable of if you try and leave me."

The more I saw of Quade and Roman, the more I fell in love with them and the amazing relationship they had. It started with friendship, and the best ones always do. The passion, the laughter, the ease, the sheer joy and love…it was breathtaking. This is definitely one of my more favorite books, although since Mary wrote it, I'm not surprised. Thank you, Mary, you are amazing and so were these guys.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been purchased by the reviewer.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 273 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	25-June-2020
Price	$4.99 ebook, $12.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Old-Loyalty-Love-LAnge-Book-ebook/dp/B08BWPS2N2