Title: Change of Heart (Change of Heart #1)
Author: Mary Calmes and Sean Crisden (Narrator)
Publisher: Hudson Audio Publishing
Release Date: February 3rd 2010
Genre(s): M/M Paranormal
Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
Reviewed by: Belen
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Change of Heart Series: Book 1
(First published by Dreamspinner Press November 1st 2009)
As a young gay man—and a werepanther—all Jin Rayne yearns for is a normal life. Having fled his past, he wants nothing more than to start over, but Jin’s old life doesn’t want to let him go. When his travels bring him to a new city, he crosses paths with the leader of the local were-tribe. Logan Church is a shock and an enigma, and Jin fears that Logan is both the mate he fears and the love of his life. Jin doesn’t want to go back to the old ways, and mating would irrevocably tie him to them.
But Jin is the mate Logan needs at his side to help him lead his tribe, and he won’t give Jin up so easily. It will take time and trust for Jin to discover the joy in belonging to Logan and how to love without restraint.
This is not your standard fluffy Mates romance – this shifter story has bite.
See, here’s the thing. Usually, most shapeshifter stories drive me nuts and I get super hyper critical. There are only a few that I really like.
- Spoiler
- Laurell K. Hamilton’s “Anita Blake” series and Patricia Briggs “Mercy Thompson” series to name two.
That being said, I loved the werepanther world Calmes has built. I really liked the story, even though I felt like the lore wasn’t super fleshed out and there were a couple of little problems and issues, BUT my enjoyment trumped any niggling points by far.
This is not a fluffy romance either, and it’s not your typical “we’re mates let’s fuck!” shifter story, either. There’s some deeper stuff happening, Jin’s past isn’t for the faint of heart (some of the scenes are downright brutal), and just because Jin and Logan recognize each other as “Mates” doesn’t mean everything is smooth sailing.
Look, I’m not going to lie…Mary Calmes just does it for me. The insta-love, the sarcasm, the humor, the pain in the ass MC…it all works for me. The alpha / dominant who’s also able to let his lover be himself hits all my tingly spots.
Sure, it’s not going to be for everyone but, for me, it was a super enjoyable read and for those who love Calmes’ work, I don’t think they’ll be disappointed to try the series.
I love Sean Crisden’s narration. That does not mean I am blind to it’s flaws or faults. The first time I listened to this book I thought he made Crane sound like a Muppet, Domin sound like a bad weird D-movie actor, and Logan sound like Christian Bale’s version of Batman. It was still a REALLY good listen, but I was surprised by some of the voices used.
The second time I listened I liked Crane and Logan more, and now that I listen to this story almost every single month (Yeah, yeah…what can I say? It’s become a favorite of mine in so many more ways than I can explain to you.) it’s funny, but when I listen now I absolutely love the character voices for Crane and Logan (I still hate and cringe every time Domin is voiced), and I always feel something’s missing when Jeff Gelder narrates books two and three. I’m weird, I know.
So considering I’ve listened to this audio book a dozen times (by this publication date – wait a month and it’ll be more) – I cannot express my love enough for it.
I LOVE THIS SERIES!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Change of Heart Series
