The Moon Pack series by Amber Kell
The Blurbs:
Attracting Anthony
Anthony is getting over the death of his lover. What is he to do when the pack alpha singles him out to be his mate?
Baiting Ben
Ben joined Silver’s club to meet a mate. But just when he thinks he found his mate in the elegant Thomas, Dillon a man from his old pack, comes into town to claim Ben for himself. What is a wolf to do?
Courting Calvin
Calvin was attracted to the vampire Alesandro. But could he get involved with the gorgeous creature of the night when he knew he would be sacrificing Anthony to get his sister back?
Denying Dare
Weretiger Dare longs for the attention of Steven. But the werewolf is searching for a mate among his own kind. Until Anthony douses his friend in a batch of catnip and the big kitty pounces.
Why I bought it:
I picked up Attracting Anthony a couple of weeks ago because I enjoy reading sharp shorts between longer length stories and reading books for review purposes. My version of a ‘breather’.
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ I admit that after reading Attracting Anthony I wasn’t sure if I would read any more of the series. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the story, but at approx. 11,500 words there wasn’t a heck of a lot of meat to the plot other than the ‘we are mates’ theme and my lingering curiosity about Anthony. What the heck is he??
Like~ So I picked up the other three in the series on the weekend, which has nothing to do with me putting off reading a book for Wave’s blog. *snort* In all seriousness though, I was interested to see where the author was going with this series and I wasn’t disappointed. Although each story explores the romance between a particular couple (or threesome as the case maybe), there is an underlying mystery plot that connects them. This is particularly evident in Books C and D. It is almost like each book is a sub-plot to the overarching mystery. I like it.
Dislike~ I would like to see more world-building, but realise it would be difficult to do in such a short format. Perhaps more information about the world will filter through as the series progresses.
Like~ I’m really enjoying the writing of this new-to-me author. I think she (? I assume) has a tight style and paces the plot very well for this short format, which some of you may know is one of my pet peeves with these kind of stories.
So, what I think:
I’m hooked now. Unless something disastrous happens, I’ll be reading the lot of ‘em.
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
So is it like a whole alphabet series? I too like shorts sometimes. As someone said at Wave’s, sometimes you want to read something but don’t want to put the energy into 150+ pages. Might be worth checking out when I’m in the mood.
I’m thinking it is an alphabet series. I was also thinking about running a competition to, you know, help the author out with those ‘hard to’ alphabet names. What do you reckon?? Something like:X = Xander, short for Alexanderz = Zane or ZekeI’m sure s/he would think it an enormous help. :)They’re only about 40 pages long. The story and writing is getting better and better as the series progresses so if you do get them stick through the first couple.
I saw these books on your ‘recent reads’ panel earlier in the week and was curious because I’ve not heard of this author before. It’s great that you’ve satisfied my curiosity! Especially as they sound interesting, quick reads.Did you get them at ARe?
Hey JenI did get them at AReB. It’s a new publisher to me as well.I liked them. I thought they were pretty good for short reads and, as I said, the main plot arc seems interesting. The most recent ones are, I think, the better, but I still thought all of them pretty good, especially considering the page length.
Q for QuincyY for ….. Yvon? He’s a French werewolf.
What about U?? The only thing that immediately comes to mind is Udon. Umm, he could be a weresnake??
Oh, maybe he’s a Japanese wererat and called Uri after one of my fave anime characters.
I’m gonna go with Ulrich and Xavier and Quinn and of course the ever popular Zach! :)Ok – I should be cussing your name right now because the last thing I need right now is more books but damn if I’m not a huge sucker for shifter book! Dammit! lol Now I want them. As if my poor little tbr needs more weight! 🙂 And the fact that they’re short is pulling me in as well.Thanks for the review…I think.
Nice choices, Tracy. I’m loving Ulrich. :)I was thinking Sven or Stefan for S. Could be a big, hulking nordic wolf or a Russian werebear… or Siegfried the Siberian tiger. Yeah that would work. Okay; I think I’m getting a bit carried away now. Gee, Tracy, I’m sorry… not. Consider it payback for the Shiloh Walker’s, which nearly sent my tbr pile to collapse.
Evuuuul! That’s what you are. You enjoy making me spend money, don’t you? You know you do! Ok – S has to be something like Seth or an Irish Shamus – there are so many great S names for men. Oooh what about a When Harry Met Sally moment…Sheldon! lol Do me big Sheldon! Ok, I’m tired now and getting entirely too much pleasure from my own sense of humor. Time to retire for the night! lol
Hehehe. *thinking about other shifter stories in the virtual bookshelf*Sheldon. *snort* What about V? Victor, Vane. Oooh, Valentine. Now where the heck have I got that name from…
Vance, Vaughn, Vince…we could stick with the “sheldon” them and go with Virgil! *snort*O is another difficult one. Well, Owen but other than that? Nothing sexy imho.
You gotta stop encouraging me with this, Tracy. I’ve now got to the point where I’m googling boy’s names. Must. Stop.Psst, I found a very cool O name. Ogilvie. Oh, and Orville too. 🙂
LOL You’re googling name….you crack me up. Too bad the author hasn’t seen our suggestions! :)Orville? Really? Does he have a pocket protector? lol (I’m horrible, I know)
Yes, too bad. We’re being sooo helpful. *snort*Orville isn’t the name of a nerd. Orville is the name of an innovator and dare devil, who makes flying machines and other neat shit.
I’m intrigued…I’ve only been reading m/m romance for a short while, so I’m always on the lookout for more books, and since I have to read eBooks on my computer short novellas sound good 🙂
*rubbing hands together in glee* Yet another reader I get to pimp m/m romance to and help spend their precious $$. Mwahahaha! But damn. Only short reads?? I’ll put the thinking cap on. :)Seriously though, Orannia, I did like these for what they are and the underlying plot gets more and more interesting as each book comes out. Fingers crossed that the momentum is maintained.
Orannia, you’ve also made me realise that I don’t really tag the genres for the different books I read. Hmm, perhaps I should start doing that.
Orville…who makes flying machines and other neat shit.And wear a pocket protector! lolSorry…poor Orville he just doesn’t scream alpha male werewolf to me or were-anything…or vamp. Need I go on? :)btw – I caved and bought these last night. Weak, I’m sooooo weak.
Oh come on. Oliver, he’s British, with a to die for accent. Too funny you guys.
Tracy: As you know, it’s now Orville the wereoctopus. He has lots of… appendages to hold things so he doesn’t need a pocket protector.What did I tell you. Book Sluts R Us. So true to our lack of willpower.Tam: Dammit. How could I have missed the name Oliver in my googling. Oliver, a stiff upper lip type vamp. Noice one.It’s Tracy’s fault, Tam She egged me on.
Oliver. Oliver? Seriously? Of course he’s British…the little beggar/pickpocket. Should we name the F character Fagin? lmao! Oh too bad she already did D we could have had Dodger too. 🙂 Ok, so actually Oliver is a pretty cool name but it also brings to mind Laurel and Hardy – which also doesn’t scream wear anything. Now, that being said and after reading the first 3 stories Oliver might be a good name for one of the mates since they tend to be a little…well, less alpha.
Yes I’ve had a margarita! Dammit. I just typed wear anything instead of were-anything. I suck. lol
The technical term is beta or omega, you drunkard. *g*Hmmm, were anything, hey…
Beta/omega. Alpha/beta. Less…alpha. Technicalities. Really. Let’s call a spade a spade…giggling boys and Oliver fits right in! lol
I spose we could call him Ollie???