Second Chance Paranormal Romance
Amazon Digital Services LLC
February 10, 2020
160
Ryder’s on the company bonding trip from hell, five days of competitive cycling with competitive colleagues and an even more competitive boss. Faced with yet another vertical climb, he ignores his uninvited, insistent inner cheerleader. No, he cannot keep up, and what’s more, he’s had enough. And the weather appears to agree he should stop, when sun turns in an instant to thick fog.
Callan’s at Whittaker’s Auction House to bid on fae land that his werewolf pack need as their new home, when an unsuspecting human stumbles through the door. Ryder is out of breath, out of luck, way out of his depth—and apparently the newest item on the auctioneer’s block. Unexpectedly tempting, if Callan had the money.
As the bidding heats up and Ryder proves dangerously irresistible to the assembled supernatural creatures, the situation grows more and more precarious. When Callan interferes, he puts his pack’s future in peril. Despite knowing how devious faeries can be, desperation makes Callan accept a deal, a chance to win the land for his pack and a future with Ryder. But it’s a risk. Possibly a deadly one.
This is not 'just another Valentine's story', it's a Barbara Elsborg Valentine's story (ish). So don't expect the usual sonnets and flowers and Cupids, but do expect the unexpected - vampires, weres, witches and warlocks. Oh, and a vengeful fae. Things are not quite as they may seem. You have been warned!
Reviewed by Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Ryder Fox has had a heart replacement and now finds himself on a team building event, cycling and praying it will soon be over. While everyone seems to love the trip Ryder, absolutely hates it, riding up and down hills is so far from what he would call entertaining. Unfortunately, as the last one in the pack when a sudden fog causes him to fall no one is there to help. Unable to see where he is and not knowing which way to go, he wanders until he sees lights and finds himself at Whittaker’s Auction House surrounded by a weird variety of men and even weirder items up for auction. Ryder has entered the twilight zone because the men are gargoyles, vampires, werewolves, witches, fae and more.
Callan is a werewolf at the auction house to bid on property and a house that would ensure his pack’s safety. The land is on fae territory and they would finally be able to run free, but it all depends on him winning the bid, and there are other packs after the same property. As soon as Callan sees Ryder, he is drawn to him and all his instincts tell him to protect. Unfortunately, an fae ex-lover of his is also there. Padraig who did not take well to Callan leaving him for his mate, Nico. Nico is dead but Padraig is not one to forget the insult and this auction will give him all the ammunition he needs to get his revenge.
As if things weren’t crazy enough for Ryder, he finds himself the next item up for bid, apparently a human is fair game. What happens at the auction is not something I will reveal but the end game involves Ryder, Callan, and Padraig and three conditions. As a werewolf and having dealt with the fae Callan knows better than anyone to read the fine print, or in this case to take what is offered and consider the possible outcome from every angle, but he didn’t, and he quickly regretted it.
My favorite character in this book was Ryder who just made me laugh out loud with the things he said. Instead of shaking all over when he discovered what Callan was, he repeatedly asked him things like do you run after balls, do you sniff butts, do you pee on furniture to mark your territory and much more. It seems that when nervous his mouth opens and forgets to shut, and words just spill out.
There were so many surprises some of which I never could have guessed at and there was explicit sex, wonderful characters and everything you could want in a paranormal romance. Highly recommend reading this book.