REVIEW: Black Bird – Ofelia Gränd

Black Bird Book Cover Black Bird
Ofelia Grand
MM Romance
JMS Books LLC
May 16, 2020
201

After seven years of being on the move, Arlo Barman wants nothing more than a place to call home. But unbeknownst to him, Arlo is a caladrius healer, so staying in one place has never been an option. The compulsion to separate himself from those he's healed is all-consuming and leaves him little choice but to pack up yet again.

Nash Silver is the only werewolf in his small coastal town. Living undetected in a human world is imperative for his kind, and he and his small circle of friends -- a vampire and a psychic -- have done so for decades. But Nash's anonymous existence is jeopardized when a man with an enticing scent moves into town. From the moment Nash lays eyes on the stranger, nothing is more important than being close to him. Not even guarding his secret.

Arlo isn't interested in a relationship or even a date, his past has taught him nothing good comes from it, but the rather pushy local popping up everywhere he goes has his heart somersaulting. If he's heart is somersaulting or not doesn't matter, because when Nash gets injured, Arlo is the only one who can save him.

Having used his powers, Arlo has to leave Nash and the cozy town he wanted to make his home, but can Nash survive being separated from his mate?

Reviewed by Linda Tonis

Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

This was my first book by this author but won’t be my last. This story was interesting from beginning to end, and I couldn’t put it down—a story of two men both with a past and yet fate puts them together.

 

Arlo Barman had no idea what he was until the day he watched his mother dying in the hospital. He had no idea what happened but suddenly he absorbed his mother’s darkness, curing her and leaving him violently ill. He knew immediately that he could never see his mother again or any other person he healed. For seven years he has moved from place to place, never being able to put down roots because he was unable to block himself from helping anyone that he came in contact with and it forced him to leave.

 

Nash Silver is a werewolf bitten 62 years ago, but never turning into an actual wolf. He is half man and half wolf and no pack will accept him. His two friends are Ellis, a psychic ,and Gilbert, a vampire, each of them having to keep a low profile so that their true identities are never discovered. A visit to a coffee shop where Arlo is working has a serious effect on Nash but he has no idea why.

 

Arlo loves the town he has made his temporary home. He is trying to stay away from touching or being close to anyone. He wants to be able to finally stay put for a while, but Nash’s constant attention is making him see the futility in staying. More and more, Nash pushes himself on Arlo until he finally gets Arlo to invite him in for coffee. The more Nash pushes, the more Arlo pushes back, until Nash loses control and shows his beast. Arlo discovers he is not the only one less than human when he discovers Nash is a werewolf and what Ellis and Gilbert are.

 

Arlo never knew what he was. He only knew what he could do, but there are others out there well aware of him. When he is kidnapped, Nash comes to his rescue. Nash can’t be away from Arlo and his first thought is Arlo is a witch. However, his friends know he is Nash’s mate. If they aren’t bonded, Nash will lose control and destroy everything and everyone in his path, which would lead to his death.

 

Nash saves Arlo but is seriously injured leaving Arlo in the position of having to save him and leave. This is where I will stop explaining what happened because it is something you have to read for yourself. What Arlo is and why he needs to leave everyone he helps is answered, what happens between Arlo and Nash doesn’t happen without a lot of work. There are surprises, romance, secrets, and that’s all folks.

 

Can’t recommend this book highly enough.

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