BLOG TOUR INCL REVIEW - UNNATURAL - HOLLOWAY PACK BY J.A. BELFIELD

Title: Unnatural

Series: Holloway Pack

Author: J.A. Belfield

Publisher: J Taylor Publishing

Release Date: 7th April 2014

BLURB supplied by Author

Unnatural. One word to sum up werewolf Kyle Larsen—his mood swings, abnormal body, and choice of female.

The first two, he blames on the vampire venom.

The third, though? No, feline shifter Brook Nicholls was all his doing—a female of whom the pack will never approve.

As part of the Coalition, an organisation with even stricter rules than the pack and a rigidly warped sense of responsibility, Brook comes with a whole lot of opposition of her own.

No wonder the two of them keep their relationship secret for as long as they can.

Now, distanced from his family by his own indiscretions, Kyle’s left to fight battles he’s unsure how to win—some of them even against his own pack.

Is one woman really so important that he’s willing to defy his Alpha for her?

If his heart has any say in the matter, the answer will be yes.

Goodreads Link

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Best known for her Holloway Pack Stories, J. A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with her husband, two children, two cats and a dog. She writes paranormal romance, with a second love for urban fantasy.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website | Blog | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

EXCERPT

Warm breaths hit the side of Brook Nicholls’ neck, the rise and fall of a chest pressed into her back like a heartbeat in slow motion, and the deadweight of the arm across her stomach told her he had fallen asleep.

With the heat of his body lulling her to join him, Brook’s breathing slowed, her lids lowered, and the fingers of oblivion beckoned her weary and sated mind forth.

A beat kicked in somewhere below—his, she thought with a smile.

The drumming picked up, in volume as well as in tempo.

He probably ran in his sleep. Brook did, as feline, so it stood to reason that he would as her opposite.

“Brook!” More bangs, followed with thuds. “Brook! I know you’re in there!”

Her eyes snapped open.

“Brook! If you don’t open this door, I swear I’m gonna knock it down myself!”

Clive! “Oh, no!” She spun around, fingers already reaching for her lover’s arm. “Wake up,” she whispered, shaking him. “Kyle, you have to wake up.”

“Whah?” His lids fluttered, and he rapid-blinked. “Brook?”

“We are in big trouble. You have to get up.” She thrust into a sitting position, grabbing his arm and dragging him with her. “Please, Kyle.”

“What’s going o—”

“Brook!” Clive roared again.

Kyle’s eyes widened. “Shit!” He dove from the bed, fingers folding around his boxers on the floor where they’d fallen. As he bent to feed them over his feet, the door rattled beneath more blows.

“Dammit, Brook, open the door!”

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TOP TEN FAVOURITE SHIFTER BOOK'S

To me, a ‘shifter’ book can be any kind of book containing any kind of shifter, in which the shifter doesn’t have to be the main character but should play a fairly predominant role. When I was asked to write this post by Sandra, it occurred to me that, for an author of what we could categorise as shifter romance, I haven’t actually read that many shifter books by other authors. But, of those I have read, I’ve picked out my favourites and listed them all the way up to my number 1.

Check them out. Maybe some of them are on your list, too.

10. Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken

This was one entertaining read. Not only did it contain hotness galore—and not just because the shifter happens to be a fire-breathing dragon—but it also was crammed full of witty dialogue that entertains to the full.

9. On the Prowl by Karen MacInerney

Another hilarious title that kept me smiling and giggling for hours. Mostly because the werewolf MC is about as idiotic as they come, and the plot for the most part is fairly ridiculous, but take it with the light-hearted approach with which it’s meant to be taken, and you will enjoy yourself between these pages for sure.

8. For Now and Always by Stella Berkley

This is the only novella to make it onto my list, but whilst short, this tale packs in a decent story and one HAWT male feline shifter that made me want to lie in the dark and listen to his imagined growly voice.

7. Six Moon Summer by S.M. Reine

This was the first werewolf book I’d read that hadn’t succumbed to the lure of a happy ending and had trodden its own path. Also, the concept as a whole was pretty unique and the cast were well thought out and delivered with care.

6. Crossroads by Jonathan Lister

Main character Leon is definitely the driving force of this novel—he’s da man! (or wolf)—as well as the werewolf world that has been built. A great plot, cool butt-kicking action, and intriguing characters all had me turning the pages, too.

5. Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong

Clay. What more is there to say? Clayton was the first male werewolf I ever fell in love with. He’s tortured, rude, slightly deranged and definitely untamed in today’s society … but he also knows how to love, and fiercely.

4. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

I’ve chosen this specific title from the Mercy Thompson series because this was the one I felt outdid all of the others. If you haven’t read it, this series contains a whole host of supernatural creatures, with Mercy the Native American shifter who turns into a coyote, alongside adorable werewolf Samuel and Alpha-male werewolf Adam, as well as very clever plots, so these books are a must read for shifter fans.

3. Alpha by Rachel Vincent

Man, what to say about Alpha. I’ll come clean and admit that I wasn’t sold on this series when I read the first title Stray, but something about these feline shifters intrigued me enough to continue on, and the series just got better and better with each book … until Alpha, which kicked emotional butt and left me with a very satisfied smile on my face as I stepped away from the series. This is where I watched the early maturing of Ms Vincent’s writing and it was a mighty fine pleasure to do so.

2. Surrender by Aimee Laine

Like unconventional shifters? Ones who are unique to those done by everyone else? Then check out the Mimics of Rune books and behold the shifters who shift into … other people. I’m sure you can imagine the government organisation that would be perfect for them job-wise, as well as the trouble—I mean adventures that role could get them into. Check these out. They’re cool and original.

1. Soul Avenged by Keri Lake

This is top of my list for a reason. This is a little hard to describe without giving everything away, but imagine two MC’s, one who’s NOT a shifter, and one who is ‘becoming’ one, as well as a chemistry that the female really doesn’t want to be there (for very good reason), plus amazing world building and characterisations, an evil baddie, a whole mansion full of smoking hot demons, lots of fight action, and one of my favourite intimate scenes I have read TO DATE … and you have Soul Avenged by Keri Lake. Oh, and BTW, the second in the series, Soul Resurrected is even better, ‘cept I couldn’t list it as shifters weren’t in the forefront of the book. If this title isn’t on your to-read list, you might want to rectify that post haste.

So, was I right? Do you have any of these on your shelves?

MY REVIEW

Title: Unnatural

Series: Holloway Pack

Author: J.A. Belfield

Publisher: J Taylor Publishing

Release Date: 7th April 2014

BLURB supplied by Author

Unnatural. One word to sum up werewolf Kyle Larsen—his mood swings, abnormal body, and choice of female.
The first two, he blames on the vampire venom.
The third, though? No, feline shifter Brook Nicholls was all his doing—a female of whom the pack will never approve.
As part of the Coalition, an organisation with even stricter rules than the pack and a rigidly warped sense of responsibility, Brook comes with a whole lot of opposition of her own.
No wonder the two of them keep their relationship secret for as long as they can.
Now, distanced from his family by his own indiscretions, Kyle’s left to fight battles he’s unsure how to win—some of them even against his own pack.
Is one woman really so important that he’s willing to defy his Alpha for her?
If his heart has any say in the matter, the answer will be yes.

Goodreads Link

INITIAL THOUGHTS

Well to say I have high expectations for this book is an understatement. I have loved every other Holloway Pack novel I have read so of course am totally relaxed in one way as I know I'm going to be reading a great standard of book, yet I'm on edge and highly anticipating what will happen in this book.

MY REVIEW

I received an e-arc of this one from JA Belfield via her publishers J Taylor Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

The cover shows a large black cat, whom we met in the previous book. The large angry looking cat is Brook, so I know she is going to be involved in this book somehow.

Would the cover make me pick the book up in a bookstore? Yes, I really enjoy reading shifter books and I love,love,love J.A. Belfield and her writing style. 

Once you read the blurb you find out it is a story about Kyle and his chosen female partner.

Kyle has been a bit of a love them and leave them type. That's exactly how hie relationship with Brook began and was meant to end. Kyle and Brook share their trauma and what they went through in the previous  book, at the hands of the vampires. They were both changed by that experience.

Though both Kyle and Brook know they should not be compatible as a couple but both feel an instant and instinctive draw to each other that neither can walk away from. They are also both aware their families will not be happy about their union but still they cannot be apart.

The Holloway Pack discover the relationship first and to say they are in shock is a modest description of their reaction. When Brook returns to her feline pack it seems the relationship has also been discovered by the coalition (the felines at the top, who make the rules). Brook's family literally take her hostage until they can arrange a party to pair her with one of their own pack. Which may not sound so bad except that she is expected to have a kitten with the chosen one and then will have to choose another mate and another and keep re-producing to increase the pack. Brook feels nothing but contempt for the other Toms, all bar one, Clive. Clive has been a friend since they were children. . . could the answer lay in choosing Clive? Could Brook perhaps escape once she has chosen without having to "seal the deal" with Clive. After all it is Kyle that Brook truly loves.

Without going into much detail, things go according to Brooks plan, she does get away, only o be kidnapped by a Tom who wants her to breed with him to improve his position in the Coalition.

Clive and Kyle end up working together to find the feline they both love. So do they rescue Brook? Do the other Toms help or interfere? How do a Dog and a Cat work together? Which family turns out to be the most supportive?

There's a great scene in the book with Sean and Kyle talking about soul mates and how much and intensely it hurts when they are kept apart. This book also shows the deep friendship between Kyle and Ethan. It also shows a potential troublemaker in the pack in the shape of Dan and his lack of understanding towards Kyle. Beth, and Jem don't feature a great deal but when thy do they show where the real strength of the pack lies! I also love the fact baby Lia has the whole pack wrapped around her little finger!

So did I enjoy the book? Oh yes, I totally loved it! Would I recommend the book? Of course I'd recommend to all readers who love a great shifter book. These books have a fantastic family feel. Make some time to sit and read this one, you won't want to put it down I didn't!Would I read another book in this series? Yes please just tell me when! What more can I say I adore this brilliant series!Would I read other books not in this series by this Author? Yes I love J.A. Belfield's writing style as well as well as her characters.