Release Day Review: Alpha Unit One, New York by Chris T. Kat #Review #Giveaway

Author: Chris T. Kat
Title: Alpha Unit One, New York
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood
Publication Date: July 27, 2018
Length: 161 pages

Reviewed by Jenn

Synopsis

The cat’s out of the bag….

In a world that accepts shifters as normal and thinks nothing of human/shifter couples, baby shifters and small shifters are treated as subpar. They are not allowed into the more dangerous professions, and their mates have legal control over what they can and cannot do.

Nicholas Reed is about to challenge the established rules. At twenty-eight, Nick has just been accepted into New York’s Alpha Unit One—an elite law enforcement team, composed equally of humans and shifters, that specializes in drug crimes. It is Nick’s dream job. But if they find out what he’s hiding, his career could be destroyed.

Enter a huge complication in the form of Sam Black, an older lion shifter who is the leader of the unit… and Nick’s mate. Nick wants Sam, and he wants to keep his job, but he can’t have them both. He also can’t choose between them.

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Review

I have not read very many shifter books, but this one is definitely different than any I’d read before.

We have a world where shifters are accepted and human/shifter couple are as well. Nicholas Reed has started his dream job in New York’s Alpha Unit One-a very elite law enforcement team. Nick is excited, nervous and hiding a couple secrets. When Nick meets his new boss, Sam Black, he knows all his secrets are going to be found out. 

Sam is a lion shifter and everything about Nick calls out to the man and his lion. Sam knows he’s met his mate and he knows Nick is hiding something. Once Nick’s secrets come out, the mates have some adjustments to make. Sam has to control every protective instinct he and his lion have and put their trust in Nick. This is easier said than done at times, but Sam loves his mate and wants him to be happy. The author does a good job of keeping the police work a part of the story and not just focusing on the mating of Nick and Sam.  I love myself some kinky books, really, but there were some parts of this book that even I felt uncomfortable. That was my only issue though. That said, this was a good read with some really cute moments.

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Release Day Review: Stained by Chris T. Kat #Review #Giveaway

Author: Chris T. Kat
Book: Stained
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication Date: June 1, 2016
Length: 119 pages



Reviewed by Meredith



Synopsis

Blair Clark has reached his breaking point. Forced to leave one job because of sexual harassment, he’s having difficulty finding another. Since no one believes what happened, Blair’s left with a stain on his employment record that he can’t get rid of. He’s had to move back home with his mother. As if that’s not bad enough, he realizes his crush, Travis, is simply using him. His romantic life looks as hopeless as his job search.

Jack Ross is sure he’ll never find anyone who’ll love him for who he is. All anyone sees is the port-wine stain on his left cheek—not the man behind it. Even his mother thinks he should get rid of it. But the procedure is difficult and painful.

When Blair applies for a secretarial position with Jack’s firm, both men learn that beauty is, indeed, in the eye of the beholder. It’ll take a lot of trust to chase away their insecurities, but if they take a chance on one another, love will find a way.

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Review

I really loved the premise of this story. I liked the lesson to be learned here and I loved how the main characters have as much in common as they do.

Blair Clark has pretty much spent his entire existence being bullied because of his effeminate appearance. Even from so called friends.  Not a lot of support and defense for him when it came to the constant attacks against the way he looks. Now, if you’ve never been bullied in your life you may find Blair’s attitude toward it and lack of backbone a bit annoying and frustrating. Keep in mind, we all handle things differently.

Jack Ross, who becomes Blair’s boss has a dark red birthmark adorning one side of his face. He’s not a stranger to odd looks and bullying himself. So when Blair and Jack come face to face you realize how much they can both relate to each other.

Jack is stained on the outside. Blair is stained on the inside. They really do discover so much about who they are with each other. It was rewarding to see them find that sort of love.

The emotions run high in this book. Hate to love and everything in between. 

I would have liked this book to slow down in parts. I felt rushed in some situations and I wanted to pause so much to try and absorb the moment but like a sudden breeze the moment was blown away.

Another issue I had was too often I found myself saying “I think this and I think that.” I thought too much so to speak. Many times emotions, or whatnot were unclear. I wasn’t sure if Jack or Blair felt a certain thing or if I was in the right mind frame for a scene.  More clarity was needed.

This was a sweet yet emotional book and even humorous at times.

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