Genres: Paranormal, Romance
LGBTQ+ Identities: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About the Book:
Tobias Rogan never wanted to be a leader. But in the past several months, he’s gone from a quiet life as Alpha of the smallest pack in the United States to ruling the entire Northeast Region. With his mate, Kyle Slidell, by his side, Tobias is adjusting to his new normal.
But now, with the future of the entire werewolf world at stake, Tobias must step further out of his comfort zone. The Anax, ruler of all werewolves in the United States, is no longer competent to rule. Only Tobias is dominant enough to defeat the Anax. And when Kyle’s life hangs in the balance, Tobias must choose: Challenge the Anax to claim the rank, or allow the Anax to declare war.
This book includes references to past child abuse and sexual assault, depictions of PTSD, and homophobia from minor characters. This book was previously published in 2014. This edition has been moderately revised and re-edited from the original, and includes a newly-written ending.
The Review:
Hezekiah Wheelwright, Anax of the werewolves of the United States, is slowly destroying all of them, as well as their packs and regions. His dementia, senility, compulsions and wickedness have caused the bad to become worse and the innocent to die. The Anax is causing conflicts in packs and between the regions, and war is certain if he’s not stopped. As the disturbance grows amongst the werewolves, humans have started to notice. There are those who will follow the Anax, but there are also many who will stand against him.
Tobias Rogan, Arkhon of the Northeast Region, has never wanted to be a leader. He was taken in by Jed Howe of the NH Mass Pack at the age of fifteen. His change into a werewolf was violent, and his abuser was killed because it’s against werewolf laws to change humans. Tobias grew to be a strong and fair werewolf, earning himself the position of Arkhon. He lives happily with Kyle Slidell, his mate. Kyle’s transformation into a werewolf was also abusive and violent. He was a werewolf without a pack, but Tobias’s love gave him a place to be.
When an unwanted intruder enters Tobias’s home, he is ready to destroy the invader. He kills the intruder, but his senses tell him there’s more behind what has just occurred. Then he and Kyle are threatened by one of Tobias’s human employees with silver bullets, which would mean an end to both of them. But Kyle can only do what he knows is right – to protect Tobias.
Tobias has called on some regional Arkhons and Alphas to explain the situation, and to follow the rules and laws to make his decision. Killing a human means a certain death for any werewolf, but with all the facts laid out, Kyle is found innocent. But the occurrence will have to be brought before the Anax.
There’s an upcoming meeting called by the Anax. All Arkhons, Alphas and many other werewolves from the United States and Canada will meet – over six hundred of them. Tobias will have to bring their case before the insane and hateful Anax. The moment they step off the plane, Kyle is put under arrest. Tobias has to make a plan that will end the madness. He knows who will support him but there are those who will not.
Will his plan work in his favor? Will Kyle be free? And what’s in store for the US werewolves?
Colcroft offers her own take on the werewolf shifter genre with Tempeh for Two, the fifth installment in “Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat” series. It’s an intense story with many characters and arcane rules, as Tobias has to make decisions that affect not just him and Kyle but also the future of the werewolf race. It’s filled with excitement, action, humor, friendships, and romance.
There are many strong women in this story, including Brianna, Suzzannah, Kendra and Avery. Beside Tobias and Kyle, there are many characters that are friends and foes: Zane Wolfskin, Justin Ruel, Paul Drake, Kirk McCoy, Hiram Cunningham, Wayne Biakeddy, Nathan Giguere, and Devin Chambers and many more.
I was very entertained by Tempeh For Two. It wasn’t what I had expected. The sixth book in the series will be Take Some Tahini comes out in July 2024.
The Reviewer:
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.