Title: A Game of Cat and Mouse
Author: Astrid Cielo
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult (18+)
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions.
Caleb Anderson took over the job as alpha of his pride upon his parent’s sudden death. Ever since the females of his pride have been relentless in their bid to become his alpha female, but Caleb won’t settle for anything less than his true mate. Escaping for a few moments to relax in his favorite spot may have been the best thing to ever happen to him, especially when his true mate just happens to scurry by.
Miranda Sullivan could not be more lost in the woods behind her new house. When cougar shifter Caleb finds her he is determined to claim her. Falling hard and fast for the sexy cougar is the least of a mouse shifters worries. Now Miranda must defend her place as Caleb’s alpha female against a crazy and angry kitty cat! What’s a tiny little mouse to do?
I’m not the biggest fan of shapeshifters. I can’t really explain why. I’ve always preferred vampires, witches, demons and even fallen angels above shifters. Maybe because I prefer the slick type of predators, the ones that are sophisticated and mysterious and you wouldn’t expect they’re a heartless monster in disguise. But for werewolves and other types of shapeshifters, I always thought they were a bit more…crude powers. Less brains. I know that’s a bit of a discriminatory viewpoint toward our supernatural society, but that’s the way I’ve always felt. Werewolves tend to give in to their basic desires. They’re slaves of the moon. I prefer supernatural beings a less bit controlled by their own emotions.
Every so often, I tell myself it’s time to get past my prejudices and turn back toward werewolves and other shapeshifters. Give them another choice. Sometimes that turns out dissapointing, but not so here. I gave A Game of Cat and Mouse a chance for two reasons: it’s been a while since I’ve read erotic paranormal romance, and secondly, I thought the plot sounded light and exactly what I needed after studying for one month in a row. Well, the book didn’t fail to meet my expectations. The story is light, but has enough depth to keep me reading. There were no life-changing, world-threatening choices but the plot was well-developed and there were some twists and turns I didn’t see coming, but enjoyed.
What I liked most about this book however was how the main characters aren’t werewolves. I was stupid enough not to put 2 and 2 together, and figured it would tell another werewolf story. But the shapeshifters in this book are in fact a panther, and a mouse. Now I know it might not sound like the best thing ever to be able to change into a mouse, but it was pretty cool. Caleb is the alpha male of his tribe, and he’s also a shapeshifting panther. Ever since he took on the position as alpha, the females of his tribe have been competing endlessly for his attention. But Caleb has let his eyes fall on an insignificantly small mouse named Miranda, who thinks she’s no match at all for the girls battling for Caleb’s attention. But Caleb falls for her, and is determined to make her his…
The romance was the focus of the story of course, and I liked it. As usually, I’m not a big fan of the immediate feelings thing. It’s one thing to think a guy/girl is hot, and something else alltogether to have feelings for them right away. However, it works in bringing the reader instant romance, and I got over it soon enough. The romance scenes were great, and the author did a great job with the more erotic scenes. The writing was fitting, and the character’s feelings and passion dropped off the pages.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It’s one of the better erotic romances. The character’s feelings for each other were obvious, the romance was well-done. The plot could’ve been a bit tighter, as could the writing, but those were minor issues. I recommend this book to fans of erotic paranormal romance and shapeshifters.
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