Mages almost destroyed my pack … how can one be my mate?
Dylan fought in the war between my pack and his mage clan … and now the wolf inside of me wants to claim him. I can’t bind myself to a man who was once my people’s enemy. Regardless of the pull between us, I know that fate must be wrong.But Dylan is determined to help us fight our coming battles, and despite his prickly nature I can’t keep … battles, and despite his prickly nature I can’t keep away. And when he dedicates himself to training and protecting me, my heart is lost. I’m going to do what it takes to win him over and claim him.
Danger looms on the horizon and dark visions torment my mate. An ancient enemy is waking and if we’re not ready to fight everything we hold dear will be destroyed. We’ll have to work together if we’re going to succeed, but even the combined forces of shifters and mages may not be enough to defeat our fiery foes.
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Sometimes Fate Has A Terrible Sense of ….
by and1515
After a long cold winter the weather today was warmer in fact spring was practically around the corner.
Leo and his mate had decided to invite nearly everyone to enjoy tons of barbecue.
Landon might not be my nephew by blood but I’d do anything to protect him.
I saw my parents and the look of disapproval on my mother’s face said everything but quite frankly I didn’t care anymore. However the way she reacted when Leo and his mate made their appearance proved they didn’t trust Zac.
And after everything those two faced in the last year they deserved to be happy.
Okay something felt really weird I’d thought I was use to the feel of magic but this was almost similar but different.
And my wolf was wide awake adding his own two cents worth.
Aiden kept starring at the new mage in front of him, Zac’s uncle when one word came flying out of him mouth.
Meeting Aiden didn’t exactly surprise me but that one word he uttered in front of me nope I really didn’t have any use for an overbearing wolf and all his stupid protective instincts. I’d hoped my other half would have been human but at last we don’t always get what we want.
I honestly did owe Aiden a few minutes of my time so he’d understand exactly what my expectations were in regards to their situation.
I felt like fate had just punched me in the face of all the people in the whole freaking world I ended up with a cold an unemotional jerk who simply left me turned off and extremely disappointed.
I’d grown use to my dreams waking me up usually covered in sweat trying to control my rapid heartbeat. My dreams were a warning but I still couldn’t figure out exactly where the danger was coming from and after last year when they’d faced dark mages who’d had wanted to kill Zac.
Aiden honestly wasn’t one for riddles he had enough on his mind and didn’t need the added pressure.
Yeah stay true to himself and not to give up on someone who didn’t even want to try all he’d wanted was the equivalent of a business arrangement.
I knew when it came to my nephew I’d be pushing my luck Zac had a knack for deciphering bull crap and he wasn’t one to let things slide. We truly needed to train and be prepared for whatever beast showed its stupid self here and It really wasn’t a matter of if but when.
I hated dinners at my parents the moment my brother showed up I cease to exist everything was about him.
But I knew my mother would hound me to no ended if I didn’t make an appearance.
The look on his face said it all he’d reminded me of some poor puppy who’d been kicked one to many times.
But I couldn’t do that to him as well somewhere my desires changed and as much as I would love to run like a bat out of Hades I needed no wanted him just as much as he wanted me.
Staying is hard letting someone in is even harder but here I was faced with so many choices and deep down I knew which one the old me would have jumped at without a single qualm.
I honestly should have realize that they’d be really angry with me especially after the stupid stunt I’d just pulled on all of them but honestly I should have had more time but that’s when it hit me we had none our time was up everything had changed in a blink of any eye.
Dylan desperately wanted to keep his true half safe from the danger about to hit them like an atomic bomb because he wouldn’t survive if he lost him.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Concealed Magic, written by Liam Kingsley and Jill Haven, is the second installation of the Magic and Claws series. I didn’t have the opportunity to read or listen to book one of the series, but I was given a copy of Concealed Magic for an honest review of the audiobook. From what I gather, the Magic and Claws series is about mages and wolf shifters, two enemy species, coming together to fight for the greater good. This series also focuses on fated mates/tether bonds between the wolves and mages.
Dylan is a mage and the uncle of Zac, the mage mate of the wolf pack’s alpha, Leo. Aiden is the wolf pack’s second in command. Dylan and Aiden cross paths during a barbeque at Zac and Leo’s home. It’s immediately obvious that there’s a connection between the two men pulling them together. The problem is Dylan doesn’t want a true mating with Aiden. Instead, he proposes he and Aiden have a sexual arrangement only. That would feed Aiden’s inner wolf’s needs and help strengthen the tether and Dylan’s magic.
Aiden’s been overlooked by his parents his entire life. They’ve favored his older brother, who can do nothing wrong in their eyes. Because of that, Aiden has always felt like he’s not good enough. So, when Dylan only wants Aiden for sex, Aiden feels like Dylan is just one more person who doesn’t feel like he’s good enough. That absolutely broke my heart. As a person, I struggle with self-esteem issues and crippling self-doubt which means Aiden’s feelings hit my heart hard.
I understood Dylan not wanting to get too close to another person, especially a shifter. He’d given his heart to a wolf shifter in the past who ripped his heart out and betrayed him in the worst way possible. It made Dylan put walls around his heart to protect himself. But, the way he dismissed Aiden as a human being with feelings and emotions made me so mad. It was just a bad situation. Aiden didn’t want to be used or treated like he was only good for sex. Dylan doesn’t want his heart hurt again. It was just a sad situation for two emotionally scarred men.
Despite not seeing eye to eye, Dylan and Aiden have to come together to fight against a common enemy. Both Dylan and the pack’s Seer have a vision about the trouble to come regarding the reawakened dragons, a common enemy for both mages and wolves. Together, the mages and wolves have to train to prepare for the upcoming fight. That preparation leads to Dylan and Aiden becoming closer until they open up about their feelings, pasts, and struggles.
I thought this book was great. They fight with the dark mages, battle the woken dragon, and saved a young man that looks an awful lot like a relative of both Dylan and Zac. Together with Zac, Leo, Harper, and the young man they save, they were able to overcome the antagonist of the book for the time being. It was such a good read. I was very much captivated by the audiobook and the way the narrator, Joseph Thorson, read the book.
I would honestly recommend this book to anyone interested in fantasy m/m romance novels. There are good mages, shifters, and dark mages. There are hints of more boiling under the surface for the overall series arc that makes me want to read the first book and the rest of the series to come. If you’re a fan of Liam Kingsley, Jill Haven, and/or Joseph Thorson, I’d say give this book a go. It’s worth the time.
Another great book in this series! I really wanted to know more about Dylan from the first book. He seemed so cold. And Aiden just needed someone to see him for who he is. You will not be disappointed reading! I can’t wait for the next book!!
Mages and shifters you can’t go wrong. Dylan is afraid of losing people, and doesn’t want to let anyone close. Fate has different ideas. Great story with interesting characters.
Dylan and Aiden story is intense, with many emotions happening at the same time, fear, hate, desire, love, etc, all around a complex plot about betrayal, intolerance, magic, destiny and faith. Even if some parts are difficult to read, causing some angst and a few tears, the way the story continued in this amazing world created by the authors, caught me since the beginning and I couldn’t stop until the very end. I loved especially how the twists and turns made some parts of the book unpredictable. I strongly recommend to read the book in order to fully understand the interaction between the characters. And the unexpected revelation at the end of the book? Priceless!!! I can’t wait for book 3!!
This is book two in the series and while the story stands alone there are things that will make more sense if you read book one first.
This book revolves around Dylan, a powerful mage and Aiden, the second in command of the Porter wolf pack. As the story begins Dylan realizes Aiden is his tether and Aiden realizes Dylan is his mate. But Dylan blows Aiden off saying he wants nothing from him but perhaps they can hook up so he can use his as a tether to help with his magic. Aiden is wounded and insulted and then angry. But Dylan has some serious baggage and he’s trying to protect his heart.
The story and the relationship move along at an uneven pace. There are parts I wish moved along quicker as they didn’t seem to add to the story and parts that I thought would have benefitted from some more depth. As the relationship grows and we see the impact the two men have on each other and what it does to heal each of their inner wounds it ties in nicely with the storyline as the growth in their relationship mirrors what they need to move the action elements forward.
The crisis scenes and the action are compelling…both exciting and emotional. There are some interesting twists and the book ends on an intriguing cliffhanger that make me really look forward to book three.
Mages and dragons and wolves… Oh my!
This is a great second book in the Magic & Claws series. It basically picks up where the first book ends. I was reunited with my old friends Zac, Leo, and Dylan. One threat defeated, another on the horizon. There is intrigue, courage, strength, and an unexpected & unwanted bond. But Fate always wins. You are going to love this book!
Dylan was betrayed by the man he thought might be his tether. His heart is cold and locked away. That is until he meets his fated tether…a persistent & patient wolf shifter. What’s a mage to do? Aiden is second- in- command of the Pack. Although his pack alpha Leo is mated to a mage, Zac, Aiden never expects his mate to be Zac’s uncle Dylan. He must use all his skills to break down the barriers surrounding Dylan’s heart and truly becomes his mate & tether.
Dylan’s visions will take them all on a mission to save a boy, and defeat a dragon. They are trained, but will their combined strength be enough? I love this book!
This story continues in the next book. I can’t wait to see what happens! I recommend reading the first book. You will be glad you did.
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.
I really enjoyed reading this fascinating MM shifter romance with a slight “enemies to lovers” undertone. There are character crossovers from the first book “Forbidden Magic” & I would suggest reading that book first to fully understand the underlying story-line. The plot is interesting, & well-written with good scene descriptions & world building. The characters have with complex personalities & display believable emotional feelings when placed in unexpected situations although one of them is inclined to be rather distrustful at times.
There is: a male mage (Dylan) with memories of betrayal decides to approach his alpha male wolf shifter mate (Aiden) with a rather unusual offer but Aiden is not too impressed with the suggestion as it feels as if he is being rejected once again, wolf shifters, mages, dragon shifters, covens, fated mates, visions, adventure, action, twists & turns, drama, intrigue, suspense, secrets, memories, betrayal, emotional turmoil, anguish, magic, mystery, hostility, attractions, danger, threats, enemies, destruction, violence, confrontation, conflict, attacks, compromises, bonding, steamy scenes, contentment & a satisfying conclusion with a interesting ending that could be paving the way for the next book in this series. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading this genre.
Wow! This book was just awesome! While the dark mages are still the main enemy, they’ve decided to up the ante and re-introduce an old enemy that really seems to be quite short sighted, on their part. I loved that Dylan had been so shattered by his past experiences with love that he built up walls to keep Aidan at a distance; and yet, Aidan refused to be put aside and fought for what he knew they should be. While the pack & the Cole’s did everything that they could to thwart the dark mages, it was interesting that neither side really got what they wanted, however, I would have to think that we ended this round with a slightly more hopeful situation for our heroes than the villains. But the bombshell that dropped at the end of the epilogue, will, I predict, be a game-changer.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
What happens when your mate ends up not being what you expected?
AIDEN – Second in command to Leo and a wolf shifter. Surprised to see that shifters could mate outside of their fellow wolf packs. Always taught about traditional mate pairings, love, commitment, happiness, and support.
DYLAN – Mage, natural enemy to shifters, Zac’s uncle and his only remaining family. Definitely a powerful streak of independence. A true loner. Not one to trust anyone and his past speaks volumes as to why.
Mages and wolves have a dangerous and violent past. Yet, they went from fighting one another to inevitable mates/tethers.
Dylan had this reserved feeling of not wanting to be claimed so he’d hoped his tether would be a human. No such luck. That coldness towards his tether spilled out in front of Zac and Leo. In his mind, their pairing was nothing more than a necessity. The traditions of the usual mating would not happen. “Don’t expect to fall in love. That won’t happen. That’s a fairy tale. This is real life, and I’m a realist.” So his offer was personal needs met as a deal to Aiden. A strengthening and control of distinctive wolf and mage powers.
Aiden was not at all settled with what was being offered. It was heartbreaking, actually. Being raised with witnessing happiness and bonding among mates, Dylan’s callous offer seemed to tear at him all while his wolf was clawing the surface to get to his mate. “This isn’t how things work with mates.” Aiden went from shock to seeing his mate as self-centered.
Here is a man contemplating his future if the near impossible, loveless, and disturbing arrangement, yet there was an initial voice of reason – Zac – who said just to give him time and he’ll come around. A reminder that Zac was not initially on board with being Leo’s mate either.
Not one to give up, Aiden continued to reach out to Dylan. He wanted his mate to see what love and intimacy can be. Not the pain and heartbreak he’s endured.
With all the ups and down, they managed to pull through for one another. There were many times I did not think that would happen. Of course, I should known better. An HEA was in order and was not disappointed.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
We get to follow Aiden’s story this time. My heart broke for him quickly when Dylan, Zac’s uncle, showed up and what he said. Dylan has me mad shortly after we see him return. What happens when Aiden confronts his family? What visions do we see Dylan having? Who is Kyland? What do we learn in this story? What does Dylan realize? Read and see why I cannot wait for the next story in this series!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT from Booksprout FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin’ With M. Brennan.
I am loving this series so far. This book is centered around Dylan and his tether/mate Aidan. We were introduced to Dylan in the last book. He is a powerful mage with a lot of attitude and likes to do things on his own with no help from others. There is also danger (it seems like) always lurking in the background and they have to work together to eliminate the threat to the pack. Dylan and Aidan introduction to each other was kind of cold and you would never have thought these two would be friends even more so mates but both felt the pull. With all the danger and the ominous visions, the two found a way to work together while forming a united bond that will ultimately lead to Dylan feeling free to love and trust and Aidan feeling worthy of that love and trust. What a lovely book and I’m dying to read the next chapter in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Concealed Magic by Liam Kingsley & Jill Haven is the second book in the Magic & Claws series. This is a great paranormal m/m romance with shifters, mages, hesitant fated mates and danger. This story had action, angst and stwam.. The characters were fun. I really like the story and this series is great.
Dylan and Aiden are a force of power as strong as Zac and Leo. While Dylan tried resisting Aiden in the beginning, Aiden’s charms and determination eventually won Dylan over and eventually let go of his hurtful past. This book introduced dragons as a common enemy between mages and wolves and introduces a few new characters who I’m sure will have their own happily ever afters in the future.
A really good story, once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Good story line with great supporting side characters. Aiden is a wolf shifter and Dylan is a mage, and his mate. Only problem Dylan does not want a mate or to fall in love, he tried that once before and was betrayed. Aiden wants his mate and to have love, he will have to have patience. It was easy to fall in love with the characters, low angst and very easy to read.
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received from Gay Romance Reviews. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.