The Mane Event (The Pride Book 1)

Why you should treat yourself to a Shelly Laurenston paranormal novel – (beginning with the 1st in the series): Character Development:The author does such an unbelievable job of blending the animal behavior in so well with the human side thus creating characters that are so realistic for a paranormal story that it is so easy to suspend belief and actually see the characters in your mind. The wolf shifters behave like wolves, the feline shifters do not act like lap cats, and bears lumber. The attitudes of the animal side are so well incorporated in the characters to make them real to the reader and cause a laughing spell. The characters are so well portrayed that a mental picture is easily established for the reader. You come to know the characters and can’t help but be not only fascinated by them but also care about them. Humor:The humor can be considered rude, crude, sarcastic and totally believable for the characters. It is so realistic that you can imagine yourself saying the same thing in the same situation. The interactions between the determined Alpha Males and the Strong Willed Females are some of the funniest moments in the novels that I have ever read. The attitudes of the animal side are so well incorporated in the characters to make them real to the reader and cause a laughing spell. (Warning, do not start reading any of these books in public if you don't want people staring at you when you start giggling uncontrollably. I am a grown woman - I never giggled - until I started reading this series.) Alpha Males:Strong, caring, not perfect Alpha Males that when they set their minds to making a certain female his – has no problem being as sneaky as a feline, as determined as a wolf or as patience as a bear. Each novel involves a different Alpha who comes across that particular female that just happens to make him want to roar or howl to let everyone know that she is his and his only, if he can only get that suborn female to acknowledge it. Strong Female Characters:In the animal world, the female of the breed is often more dangerous than the male and/or capable of taking care of themselves and not waiting to be "rescued". This means that the females in any of Laurenston’s novels are strong, sarcastic and are fighters whether shifter or human. They do not suffer fools or weaklings gladly or at all. It takes a strong Alpha male to even get their attention but he had better not try any sh*t on them or they’ll take his a** down a notch. Originality and Creativity:Out of this world! The only way to describe it is to tell you what it is not:No fated mating – each couple has their own unique reason as why they find themselves attracted to each other – just as in the real world.None of the same plot line just with a different couple – each novel has a unique plot line – no repeats or rehash.No cardboard cutouts for characters. Every character has his or hers unique personality – again, just like in the real world.This still does not touch on how creative the writing is – there are just no words to really describe it. World Building:Both the South and New York are used as backdrop for this series and the author successfully incorporates the regions with all their local uniqueness. I did live in New York but, I've lived in the South most of my life and while most parts are urban and not so "country", there is still to this day what one could call "redneck" communities that are as "unique" as Smithville or Smithtown. And YES - there are adults named Sissy and even some Bubbas (I don't like to admit it - but, yes I have known a few of them.) Editing Problems:Simply put – there are none. WARNINGS:The series must be read in order because the world building is continued from one novel into the next. Also, the previous characters are continued into the next novel as part of the world building which creates a unique world that you are able to visit whenever you get a chance to escape from this reality.If you like your romance to be sweet with the female protagonist waiting for her "Knight in shining armor" to save her - this novel is not for you.If you are offended by explicit sex scenes and profanity - again, this novel is not for you.If you want your hero or male protagonist to be the strong but sensitive type - this novel is not one you will enjoy.If you do not like or get sarcastic humor - then skip this series.This is a very long review but please keep reading.If you look at all my reviews you will see that the first couple pages are all 5* reviews for Shelly Laurenston/ G A Aiken novels as well as a few other authors (after that you can see the good, bad and real ugly). That is because I have done the authors an injustice and am finally catching up on what I should have done a long time ago. I usually do not review all the books in a series unless or until they start to go downhill. I figure that once you are hooked on a series it does not matter what anyone says – you’ll make up your own mind to either stay or quit the series. I did not think that maybe my reviews might actually help on newer books in the series – attract attention from readers who were not even aware of the wonderful writings of the authors. That is why you will see this same review on most of the novels. I actually did an injustice to one of the few writers who actually help me get through this past year events because I just did not want to take the time to write a review.Last summer, I had several life altering events that happened to me – not the good type either. The events, the constant problems that had to be resolved after, the decisions that had to be made were all devastating emotionally, physically and financially. (The old saying that trouble or bad things come in threes is a lie – it can be multiples of that.) It was a time when I wasn’t taking a day at a time – I was taking it minute by minute – just to get through the next decision – face the next problem. Late one night when once again sleep eluded me, I picked up my e-reader and scanned my books to see if I could distract myself with anything. My eyes fell on my section of Shelly Laurenston novels. I started with the 1st in the series – The Mane Event and for the 1st time during that period I could escape from all the pain, troubles and sorrows that I was experiencing. While I couldn’t laugh – they did make me smile and forget for just a little while everything else. While I have read other author’s novels over the past year, it has been Shelly Laurenston/G A Aiken’s series that I have read over and over again to escape to a more pleasant place – to smile again. And for that, Shelly Laurenston deserves a 5* review on every one of her books that I have practically memorized over the past year.

The Pride series is a series I frequently go back to when I don’t want to read review books, or I’m just in a slump. Laurenston’s books are funny and sexy, and always get me in the mood… for reading, of course. ;) The Mane Event features the first two books (or rather, novellas) in the series, and introduces us to the main characters that the series will be featuring.Christmas Pride – five starsI admit it took me a few months to strum up the courage to buy this book. I wasn’t the hugest fan of shifter romances, after quitting the Anita Blake series (I don’t want to talk about it. -.-) Thankfully, Laurenston and Laurell K. Hamilton aren’t even in the same ballpark. Laurenston is laugh out loud funny, and her books get sexier in every book. She excels at keeping a reader entertained, throughout all her books, no matter the size of the series. I absolutely loved this story, and thought she did an excellent job of pulling me into the story, and keeping me intrigued all the way to the end.Another great thing about this author is the character development. They are all well-rounded, to the point I kept thinking, damn, I hope all these characters get their own story! You either hate these characters, you love them, and you may even want to bash a chair over their head and boss them around, but there’s never a blah moment. I don’t know about you guys, but the one thing I hate is not feeling anything for the characters in a book. What’s the point of reading a book and having zero connection? There is no point, and I’m glad I don’t have this problem with Mace, Dez, or any of the characters. In fact, I may have a mild obsession with most of them. hehe.. *ahem*“Cats attach themselves to one person.” He raised his head to glare at Smitty. “We just don’t let them know.”Mace and Dez have known each other since high school, and secretly crushed on one another for just as long. Twenty years later, when Mace leaves the Navy and comes back home, he realizes Dez has moved back to New York, and achieved her dreams of becoming a police detective. His love for her has grown over the years, and his plan to hunt her down and make her fall for him has just got easier… Or has it? Anytime he tries to spell out his feelings for her, she flees. To say she has commitment issues would be putting it mildly. Unfortunately for Dez, Mace is a “tricky cat” and no isn’t a word in his vocabulary.“My family moved, Mace. To Queens. My sisters and I went to a different school. I assure you it was nothing personal.” He stared at her. “It wasn’t!”Mace is so cute in his adoration for Dez. Okay, he’s cute regardless. At times I can see he’s literally a cat marking his ownership, and he’s jealous (in a cute way, not in a creepy, manipulative way) of any attention she shows to others, even her pets. . .much like a real cat would act. I like that the shape shifters in this series have actual characteristics of the animals they shift into. I’ve run across many a shape shifter novel where the characters just seem like regular Joes, until they grow hair and claws. He’s also a gentleman, and incredibly ungentlemanly in bed.“I don’t like to be f***** with, Llewellyn.” “Then you shouldn’t bend over and hand me the lube.”Dez. . . She’s the kinda woman I crush over. She’s extremely direct, kinda dangerous, and downright sexy. Plus, she shares a chocolate love that gave me wide hips. I dig this women so hard, plus I like that she’s just as troublesome as Mace is, making them an entertaining couple. It’s also nice to see that the woman is dragging her heels at commitment, instead of the man. :]All-in-all, this story gave me a love for Shelly Laurenston, and started my attraction to humorous paranormal romance books.Shaw’s Tail – five starsIf there are any doubters claiming that Christmas Pride is Laurenston’s one hit wonder, Shaw’s Tail proved them wrong. I fell more in love with the characters, especially Brendon who I was curious about in the first story. The writing is as brilliant as ever, and I was super excited about Ronnie and how she interacts with her big, overprotective brothers – one of my favorite familial themes in romance.Shaw’s Tail is the story of how Ronnie Lee Reed, Sissy’s best friend and cohort, nurses Brendon Show back to health after he deadly beating by a pack of sketchy lions (yeah, you heard me. Lions.) Brendon was contracted to breed two children with the Llewellyn Pride, and created two wild, rambunctious children (that I can’t wait to read more about!). Because the pride is all kind of f***** up, nobody came and visited him in the hospital, so Ronnie was ordered to stay with him until he got released. She didn’t bet on him coming down with the shifter fever, (which heals badly hurt shifters and ultimately makes them *ahem* nuisances until they are fever-free) and wrecking havoc on New York City… and her panties."There were rock stars with cleaner pasts than her and Sissy."Ronnie Lee Reed is a fun she-wolf to have as a main character. She’s trying so hard to settle down and stop getting into trouble, but it’s a difficult task to accomplish while babysitting feverish lions who can’t keep it in their pants, and like to dance the mumba in lion form in front of stranger’s houses. Plus, he’s crazy sexy and can keep up with her kinky sexual needs, which include some very hot roleplaying that may or may not involve a Catholic school-girl uniform. What’s a she-wolf to do, but to keep him around until she gets bored?"Ronnie’s head tilted to the side. Is he…? Yup. He was doing the mambo. Paws crossing over paws. Head bopping to the beat. Thick, regal mane waving in the cold December air. He actually wasn’t too bad. For a big cat doing the mambo."While I loved Ronnie and her outrageous–sometimes illegal–sense of fun, I crushed hard on Brendon… He’s just too cute not to fangirl over. Seriously, Laurenston, what’s with the cute males? I want them all to myself… I don’t mind cooking, cleaning, and satisfying all of their urges… as long as they do the same for me! *ahem* Moving on… He’s über sensual, but also really silly. He made me giggle and made me hot. What else could a girl ask for?This book was freaking awesome. I strongly urge all shape shifter/paranormal romance junkies to pick this book up. It’s totally worth the laughs, awes, and sex – and the kindle version is pretty dang cheap!** Visit onecurvyblogger[dot]com for reviews, author interviews, giveaways, and more!

Meh. The characters were really vibrant and likeable but the plot was lacking and it seemed mostly a series of explicit sex scenes written in a "porn-y" way rather than sensual. The characters are dripping/hard with excitement all the time, hornier than could ever be realistic. It will just say something like "She deep-throated him" rather than describe it in a way that makes you live the experience. And then there's the exaggerated near-orgasms from something like a smile. I don't know what this book is meant to be, a parody perhaps? It fell flat for me, perhaps because I haven't read Twilight or much paranormal romance or whatever it is that this book is meant to be referencing. Which is a real shame because in terms of writing it seemed decent and when the characters weren't humping each other they were really quite likeable.TL;DR - Reads like furry porn. If you like furry porn, you'll probably like this. Otherwise avoid or proceed with caution.

I can't say how much I love Shelley laurenston books the are funny,sexy with real men and strong crazy women and this book is no exception I really recommend it

I enjoyed the story but was disappointed it finished at around 50% it doesn't mention anything about another story included and I don't like that especially when I buy a book instead of using my kindle unlimited, I'm not sure I would buy another book from the series because of this when I read a book I want to finish a book at 100% not half way through

A lion shifter chasing after his first love, who's now a detective investigating his pridemates murder, sounds like a lot of other books, it's not this has books 1&2 of the pride series in and is like nothing you have read before a fresh humorous take on shapeshifter romances. Where else could you hope find a lion on a new jersey street doing the Macarena.

I absolutely loved Dez and Mace's story. He was on her the whole time and he did not give up until he got her. The stories are humorous. Great read. I enjoyed book 1 more than book 2. I am going to keep reading the series because the characters are growing on me.