In a world that is still getting used to shifters, where everyone thinks omegas are second class citizens, nature photographer and omega Braden Payne lets everyone think he’s a beta. That way no one gives him a hard time and he doesn’t have to live a repeat of his failed relationship. But when his car breaks down in the remote Blackwood forest in Western Australia, without the medication that … lets him hide who he is, he’s faced with what he fears most: an unmated alpha.
Government forest guardian and alpha Coll MacDubhar is tired of illegal loggers, foolish tourists and people who underestimate the wilds of Western Australia. He discovers Braden lost and in need of medical assistance in the forest he protects and knows something’s not right.
But there’s hidden depths to Braden that capture his interest, and no decent alpha would walk away when Braden’s unwelcome past comes to visit.
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Blackwood is the first book in the Perth Shifters series by author Pia Foxhall. I really liked this story. It has good characters and really has some good world-building. I liked the index at the start on all the Australian slang, as well. I think the story was well thought out and put together.
In a world where Omegas are second-class citizens Brayden has been hiding. He has been taking meds to make him appear to be a Beta rather than the Omega he is. He has good reason to fear Alpha’s. he has been through a lot and trust is in short supply with him.
He is a gifted photographer. Brave and stronger than even he thinks he is.
Coll, he is a government forest guardian. Alpha. He is strong kind, and honorable. He is bisexual and I just loved his strength. He is a good soul, and it shines through the pages of this book.
Overall, I loved this story and would like to read more in this series. I love to fall in love and this story really allows me to experience that.
Five Shooting Stars
his is the first time I’ve ever read a book written by Pia Foxhall and I was pleasantly surprised. The core story about Braden and Coll finding each other in a very interesting manner is just in the middle of one of the more fascinating world building I’ve ever read and helped to round up a captivating plot. This is basically a shifters story with a twist and kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time. Wonderful reading!
I enjoyed the setting of this story. Australian shifter series are not that common in my experience so the world building caught and held my attention immediately. I also enjoyed the fact that one of the main characters was a forest ranger who could provide interesting information about the world to both Braden and the reader in a way that made sense. I enjoyed this couple and have already read the second volume in the series.
This was just chocked full of little moments, you know those sweet exchanges between characters. Little things that make you go awwww that leave your heart full of hope.
Braden has survived an abusive relationship but he is still shadowed by those who question the truth of him being the victim (I liked how the author approached this subject) He has remade himself and moved forward or so he thought.
The past seems to have an uncanny way of reappearing when we least expect it.
But don’t fear this time Braden has someone at his back.
Coll
Coll has his own reasons for being in the middle of nowhere with a home designed for a pack but no pack living there full time. He can’t help his need to rescue the lost and protect the weaker. Knowing that weaker does not mean less than.
This was a full length emotionally engaging romance that plucks all the heartstrings. I loved the way the characters were crafted. Each brought something to the story they were not just place holders. The dialogue and the interactions.
I was easily transported to the forest of Australia and I think I am going to settle in and stay awhile. There are more shifters to be saved and loving to occur.
The A/B/O dynamic was unusual in the story line. Braden is an omega who’s been hiding as a beta. When his vehicle breaks down, he must camp out and wait until his friend realizes that he’s missing. Coll is an alpha with out a pack by choice. He finds Braden, brings him home and helps him thru his heat. There were a lot of things happening in this story. I loved learning about the forests in Western Australia and the story line was good. The story line had great world building. I received an advanced copy, and this is my voluntary review.
Blackwood by Pia Foxhall is tge first book in the Perth Shifters series. The world building here was very well done, and it piqued my interest…. I loved how we explore the world this story is set in and the dynamics of this relationship. It is a bit different than most omegaverse I read and really kept me interested to see what would happen. These characters were well developed and really interesting. I really enjoyed their dynamic and interactions. I look forward to reading more about this universe.
I really enjoyed this read. It was well written, with a great setting. Had a different take on the whole shifter/Alpha/Beta/Omega world which was soon good.
Coll and Bradens story does have some angst and grittiness.
A new take on a world of shifters, this was such a sweet read. When Braden’s car breaks down out in the wild, he ends up stuck. For the most part he is prepared for this, but he doesn’t have enough of his suppression meds for him to stay out there too long. Without the meds, Braden starts to go into heat, something that he has avoided for years. When Coll comes upon Braden, he is already in a bad way but Braden maintains that he does not want to go to the hospital. So, Coll takes him to his house, but the more he learns about Braden the more Coll wants to help him. Braden’s lack of trust and the fear that cripples him from past events means that Coll has to go at this as slow as possible. Can someone that is so broken learn to trust again?
I found this to be a very sweet slow burn type of read. The story that plays out, is a bit sad actually and at time kind of breaks your heart. With drama, some intense naughty times, and a bit of violence, I give this 4 stars.