Begging for Forgiveness by Astrid Cielo

Title:  Begging For Forgiveness

Author:  Astrid Cielo

Series:  Pinewood Creek Shifters #2

Published:  September 17th 2013 by Astrid Cielo

Page Count:  192

Genre:  Erotic Paranormal Romance

Shelf: Review Copy

Rating:  ★★★★★

Book Blurb:

When Aspen Clarke saw Skylar Ashmore for the first time, her cougar screamed that this wolf would be hers. But Aspen can't trust the mating call because she knows all too well that sometimes fate can get it wrong. After a steamy night with Skylar, Aspen is broken-hearted to find that her worries are founded when she awakens alone and confused. So, she runs back to Pinewood Creek and her old pride that’d always made her feel welcome, unlike her own parents. Little does she know that she carries more with her than emotional baggage. Now faced with motherhood alone she's decided that she doesn't need a mate.

Skylar just wanted to forget his last assignment, so like he had for the past six months after he was forced to execute yet another shifter he stopped at the little restaurant a town over from his apartment to lose himself in good food. He never expected to lose himself in a female. He took the beautiful Aspen to bed the moment he caught her scent, his wolf beside itself wanting to claim its mate. But after it was over he knows he's made a mistake...because he's already mated. So, he runs and hopes he can beg his mate for forgiveness.

Xavier had never felt a betrayal as deep as when Skylar slid into bed beside him smelling of a female, not even when his old pack had nearly beat him to death. But soon that feeling of betrayal faded to confusion, then surprise when he realized that whatever female his mate had taken was also his mate.

Now Skylar and Xavier will hunt for their missing mate. But little do they know, Skylar's last assignment has a loose end that's just waiting for the right moment to strike--and it's set its sights on Aspen.

Can Aspen accept the man who left her pregnant and doubting mating all over again? Can Skylar and Xavier convince her to mate with not one, but both of them? Will Aspen survive to forgive?

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages

Excerpt:

Aspen's scent haunted him. From the first time he'd captured a whiff of her unique scent clinging to Sky's skin, he'd struggled with his wolf for control. Although extreme jealousy and rage had been his first instinct, he quickly realized her scent for what it was--his second mate. And though he'd never heard of such a combination before--three true mates--he was willing to see where this led.

The tantalizing mix of jasmine and forest made his mouth water, but he'd never smelled it quite from the source, having never met Aspen in person before. He was totally unprepared for the immediate connection he felt with her when her particular scent reached him in the passenger seat of Sky's Tahoe. The subtle scent of her sadness only enraged him and his wolf to the point he didn't know who he was anymore. Before he could piece together his intentions, he'd ripped Aspen from the unknown male's arms and punched him in the face. His wolf howled in satisfaction, even as his human side gloried in the satisfying crunch of a broken nose he'd dealt. No one touched his mate.

"Xavier!"

Someone tackled him, taking him to the ground. His first instinct was to growl, but familiar lips claimed his, familiar but rough hands pinned his arms above his head and soothed his beast in the way that only Skylar knew how. Xavier's wolf whined with need--not only of Sky, but of the tantalizing cat whose scent still teased his nostrils.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Skylar relinquished his lips, but the firm grip on his arms, and the firm way Sky's hips held him to the ground mixed with the stern look in Sky's eyes had Xavier nodding, agreeing to an unasked question. Xavier went loose and pliant underneath his mate.

Xavier looked up at the bare-chested male with brown hair and golden-brown eyes who stood in the middle of what Xavier could only describe as chaos. Xavier looked to the porch and found Aspen, her face pale and tears tracking down her cheeks. She'd curled herself into a ball, and even from this distance, he could see the terror in her grey eyes. Xavier knocked Skylar to the side with ease and would've made it to his mate had three men not tackled him.

"Calm the fuck down, Xavier!"

"Get your friend under control or I will take care of this!" The bare-chested male stated.

Xavier continued his struggle, his only goal to hold his Aspen who so obviously needed him. The scent of her pain and sadness were torture to both him and his wolf, and his wolf howled in protest.

"What's going on?"

A petite brunette sat on her knees, pulling Aspen's head into her lap, soothing Xavier somewhat, especially when Aspen clung to the unknown female. Xavier stopped struggling, and worked at getting his wolf back under control. He ignored those around him, listening to the petite brunette speak to his Aspen.

"Aspen, sweetie, what's wrong?"

"I...my stomach hurts-"

"Oh my god! Caleb we've got to get her to the hospital now! Andrew!"

Xavier found his voice, his wolf struggling against him to reassert control.

"What is wrong with my mate?"

Xavier felt Skylar release him to move toward Aspen and the bare-chested male intercepted him, taking him to the ground. Xavier's wolf howled and his control snapped. There was no way anyone could watch two mates in trouble.

"I don't see how anything gets done with you men! Stop this instant! Aspen needs help now!"

Xavier's wolf whined, but relinquished his control over Xavier as the petite brunette's words reached his brain. She was right. They needed to stop fighting and focus on Aspen. He swallowed a growl when the male known as Andrew stepped onto the porch and bent to look at Aspen.

"Andrew! You're bleeding!"

"It's alright, Sis. Just a broken nose, I'll be okay. Now, Aspen, tell me where do you hurt?"

"In my stomach."

"I'm going to need you to point to it, okay. Great. Now, we're going to load up and go to the emergency room. I'm sure it's nothing since I didn't see you receive a blow, but better safe than sorry with your condition. I'll call Dr. Sanchez on the way in. Okay."

Xavier breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Aspen's face regain some color. He stepped cautiously towards her and when she would've gotten up by herself, Xavier stopped her.

"Let me carry you."

Aspen's pupils dilated as she took in his scent and he knew the moment she knew.

"Mine."

"Yes, sweetheart, let me carry you."

Aspen bit her lip as she looked toward the petite brunette.

"It's up to you, sweetie."

Aspen took a deep breath and her grey eyes returned to his. He'd never believed in love at first sight, even with Skylar he'd fallen in love weeks into an intense courtship, but with Aspen something inside him shifted into place, something he'd not realized he'd been missing. He was undeniably in love with this woman.

My Review:

Holy flipping twist and a half with this one. I definitely didn’t see it coming at all, yet loved every minute of it.

Cielo is an explicitly detailed author who goes the extra mile to draw her audience fully into the heart of her story. As a reader you can visualise each and every aspect of the novel while still having the leeway to use your imagination and let it run wild (and believe you me, it will). Cielo has not only developed a uniquely racy supernatural tale, she has also created a fully rounded, heartfelt story. This novel may have had my pulse racing (more than once), but it also brought tears to my eyes.

I absolutely love the variety of shifters that Cielo brings into play in this novel, as well as the large variety of personalities that we get to know. Characters are fully developed without becoming overdeveloped. I also really appreciate the fact that couples remain individuals and part of a team, rather than becoming a single inseparable entity as one sees with many shifter matings.

I definitely can’t wait to read more from this talented author, both in the Pinecreek shifters series and her other works. I fell in love with this world all over again with this novel and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this novel to anyone who likes to spice it up a little.

Add to your Goodreads shelves or your Shelfari shelves.

Buy online via Smashwords, Kobo, B&N, or All Romance eBooks.

About the Author:

Astrid Cielo is a Mississippi girl who enjoys a variety of things. By night, she is a nurse in her local ER, and by day, she is spilling her imagination out on paper.

Astrid began writing when she was a child her stories featuring a variety of characters (including her imaginary friends). When she was in high school she wrote her first completed story and was published twice in poetry anthologies. Gathering her courage, Astrid self-published her first book, Surrender Serenity, Salin's Salvation, Book 1 and enjoyed every minute of it.

Now she balances her time between being a nurse (which she loves) and writing down the scenes that play out in her mind. She also plays World of Warcraft (which all of her friends think is weird)!

Website: http://www.astridcielo.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/astrid.cielo.9
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AstridCielo1
Blog: astridcieloauthor.blogspot.com
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111525346592736297791/posts
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AstridCielo1

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A Game of Cat & Mouse by Astrid Cielo

Title:  A Game of Cat & Mouse

Author:  Astrid Cielo

Series:  Pinewood Creek Shifters #1

Published:  November 15th 2012 by Astrid Cielo

Page Count:  238

Genre:  Paranormal Romnace

Shelf:  Books I Bought

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Caleb Anderson took over the job as alpha of his pride upon his parent’s sudden death. Ever since the females of his pride have been relentless in their bid to become his alpha female, but Caleb won’t settle for anything less than his true mate. Escaping for a few moments to relax in his favorite spot may have been the best thing to ever happen to him, especially when his true mate just happens to scurry by.
Miranda Sullivan could not be more lost in the woods behind her new house. When cougar shifter Caleb finds her he is determined to claim her. Falling hard and fast for the sexy cougar is the least of a mouse shifters worries. Now Miranda must defend her place as Caleb’s alpha female against a crazy and angry kitty cat! What’s a tiny little mouse to do?

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

This is definitely the biggest twist on shifter mates that I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t have been able to come up with this one in my wildest dreams. It was brilliant. Not only that, but the story itself was quite well developed. Everything was clearly laid out for the audience while keeping you enthralled and entertained.

Cielo brought her story out in vivid colour with her past paced, in your face writing style. She laid out this shifter community in a manner that you can’t help but visualise. She also draws her audience into the community, allowing them to become a part of the story. You can’t help but giggle at the characters when they refuse to swear yet find themselves in hot and racy situations (that definitely add to the story, rather than detracting from the storyline). You also feel the tension and impending issues while the storyline progresses.

I love how Cielo has some minor overlaps of scenes as she switches perspective from character to character. It really draws you into the story and lets you get to know both of the main characters intimately. Cielo ensures that we get to know these two individuals on many different levels, making them complete and well-rounded individuals. On top of that, they are people that you want to know in real life. You don’t want to leave them behind at the end of the novel (thank God for sequels). The supporting cast was also quite well developed. You don’t get to know them quite as intimately as the main characters, but you know them well enough to be neighbours. It helped add to the sense of community in the novel.

As a whole, this was a brilliant introduction to this shifter community, leading you into the series with a brilliant kickoff. At the same time, Cielo doesn’t leave you hanging at the end of the novel. It is a complete story in and of itself. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to anyone who wants a racy shifter novel.

Add to your Goodreads shelves.

Buy online via Amazon, B&N, Kobo, or Smashwords.

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