R.E. Butler

A Flash of Fang is the follow up novella to A Curve of Claw and joins Elizabeth, Ash, and Axe several months into their married life. Bad dreams stalk her from the darkness and leave her with a sense of foreboding. When the fall mating heat comes upon her husbands, the only thing she can think of is how dangerous her life is and how unfair it is to bring a child into their world. Ash and Axe reassure her that they will keep her safe at any cost, but her fears are only compounded by their show more earnestness. When her husbands have had enough of her keeping secrets from them, they become creative in getting her to talk.

Elizabeth must protect her ware-bear den from evil. All the while deciding what her place is within the coven and her feelings on having a child.

A Flash of Fang is the sequel to a Curve of Claw. It is a fantastic book and even better than the first book.With out me giving too much away. Elizabeth is struggling to balance her life at the Wicca store, being one of the four corners of the coven and starting a family with Axe and Ash. While Elisabeth thoughts and concerns are dealing with her own personal problems, Someone is attacking the were-bear den. Elizabeth contacts her spirit guide who shows her how in the traitor among them and then embarks on a journey where she has to say goodbye to a member of her family. Once Elisabeth sorts out the attack from outside forces then she finally can sort out her own personal issues and decisions. Well written and a great story…leaves me hoping for a third book.

7 out of 10 show less

“It’s not you, it’s me,” is a classic breakup line that’s often a cop-out. I am confessing that this review is a variation of that classic. The story is adequately written and edited, but my mental editor ruined the story for me. I was distracted by my constant comparisons to Laurell Hamilton’s 2 major series and, for me, this story failed to rise above those distractions. In just the first part of the book there is: Petite and curvy heroine doing 1st person narration. show more Power/political/protection alliances, multiple bed partners, unusually-strong powers, pressure to act for the good of the group. Bodyguards everywhere. Detailed descriptions of gorgeous bedmates. A vamp who sends her event-specific clothing and loves to watch her eat food.

Then, I consciously started searching for ways that the narratives were different—even more distracting.

This brings us back to my cop-out—it’s not the book, it’s me. The book is a quick read that spends too much time on some details and rushes through others, but was well-written enough that I finished reading it, even though I struggled with myself to get there, primarily because I had included it on my list for a Goodreads group challenge. show less

4.5 stars

I really liked this story. What I liked about it most, I think, was the fact that even though the heroine is in danger it resolved with a lot of story left over. The ending is not rushed, feels natural and is believable. This is the second book in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

Sydney is one of the strongest heroines I’ve read in a while. She has so much to deal with, yet does with courage and an eye to the future. Sydney is sold to be mated by her very neglectful show more mother when she’s only 18. Her new “mate” abuses her in every way for years. The one act of kindness shown to her is when she is given the means for escape. Before she runs her abusive mate does something that makes the night very hard on her and very interesting for her and her rescuers.

I just loved Orion, Crux, and Sterling. Not only have they found their mate, but they have to deal with her being a survivor of terrible abuse. Of course they help her through what was done to her on the night of her escape, but after that they back off and try to let her lead. What they don’t know is she’s waiting for them to make the first move. This causes a bit more hurt to Sydney, but it is straightened out shortly. The men’s personalities came out clearly, their different characteristics were apparent and they had depth.

The sex was oh so HOT and plentiful, but never repetitive. Butler handled the ménage scenes very well. I would recommend this to those looking for an extended happily ever after with lots of steamy action and tender caring Heroes who happen to turn furry every now and then. This will probably be a book I will re-read. show less

This series is interesting and unsettling.

I detest the pack politics and the blatant sexism of this world. The plots of the individual storylines are therefor uneven, as it depends on how close the couple is to the politics.