Too much anger. Too depressing. Not enough romance for me. And this was not really mpreg book. I only liked Dio. The rest of it, not so much.

The blurb was pretty important in breaking down what happened to Nox and should be read even though clues are dropped about what occurred to make Nox who he is in the book. The story picks up with Farron, the alpha of Nox’s pack stepping down so an alpha fixer, someone who is a bit of an intermediate, can step in and do as his title suggests. Nox is the last to accept the new alpha, Dios, and Farron and Nox’s father taking Dios to meet a skittish Nox.

Starting out I really enjoyed this story. I actually wished it was longer and there wasn’t a six month gap between the prologue and first chapter. I really enjoyed getting to know Nox, Dios and Joth. The pack dynamic was extremely screwed up and the view of omega and their place in the pack was intriguing albeit misguided. I liked that both Nox and Dios weren’t typical shifters as their class dictated.

The story was very unique, ingenious really in terms of pack behavior and mentality. I liked that Mrs. Gregg’s delved into exploring it and breaking the mold of what is normal and what wasn’t. The overall message that we define what is normal and we have to live our lives as we want not as what is expected was well incorporated.

3.75 HEARTS--Once again, I finished a story by the Gregg a little confuzzled, slightly aroused and wanting more.

Act Two: New Beginnings starts directly after that steamy ending in Act One: Safe Travels. You will be lost not reading in order.

Becket, the bibleot, is fully ensconced in the world of Ket. The giant ginger from Earth is to be trothed (arranged married) due to a sentinel scrying for him. His sentinel is Becket's uncle Theo's rival, Kellan is immediately attracted to Becket. And Becket can't deny immediate attraction as well.

So maybe this magic stuff might not be all that bad for the man devoid of magic?

The two have to be guarded until Becket makes a decision. Bibelots are to be protected since they're suppose to be unworldly. Becket doesn't fit the mold. And Kellan wants his man, his bibleot...now. He schemes to get his ginger right where he wants him.

The kittery buzz of arousal arcing between him and Becket wasn't a magic Kellan could scry in a pool of water or mix inside a witch's bottle. It couldn't be conjured with herbs or focused with stones, candles, or heartfelt pleas to the four powers. The attraction that drew Becket a stumbling step closer was more primal. Elemental.

Told from Kellan's POV, Act Two continues the heavy high fantasy world building. It starts in the constrictive, stone dwelling aerie Nitcha and ends in the tree dwelling aerie of Melaeum (think massive Redwoods with elevators!) Besides the hot attraction between Kellan and Becket, there is the mystery of both men. Kellan is a master magic practitioner who knows Becket is lying about where he's from and can't figure out why he is or who he is. The reader already knows Becket's background from Act One, don't expect a rehash in Act Two.

Kellan can't put his finger on where the lies start with his bibleot, but Becket is his. And he'll take him, lies and all. I enjoyed being in Kellan's head. I want to know more of these "secrets" that he kept alluding to. Melaeum definitely is a more interesting world. Kellan and Co. had to fly to get there on mythical creatures!

My fantasy loving heart squeed when Pegasus, griffins and phoenixes were mentioned. I hope for more of that in future Acts. The story is the beginning of Kellan and Becket's bonding. Becket's uncle and his magical crusade is secondary to Kellan's rush to troth, There is a presence of imminent danger, but no one knows where it's coming from.

Becket and Kellan succumb to their lust but surprisingly it doesn't take up the entire book. What does is more of the world building. We get to read about stones and their magic or gardening and its yield. It doesn't overtake the book, but it is heavy throughout.

Immediate gratification lovers, this is still not one for you.

The story is still slowly unfurling, along with the world.

But this was the start of the foundation of Kellan and Becket. I like them together. I can't wait to read how they grow together s a couple and how they face this magical world of Ket with its intrigues.



A copy provided for an honest review. 

Not the usual Kari. Sure enough first 15 or so percent of the book was good, but then it strayed (ha-ha.... that totally makes sense now!) ... so, then  ....it strayed into werewolves being green and organic and environment friendly and just.... just... ugh! :/

 

I was hoping for rough, tough and sexy, instead I got this

 

I'm 40% done with Stray: This is hard to read. There are too many words about pretty much everything but the developing relationship. I don't care about US packs politics, nor do I give a rat's bottom about where the wolves are getting their hot water from. Or why their kids are so careful around solar panels. More were-love, DS and knots galore, pretty please! =)