Title:    Lion Hearted

 Author: Sommer Marsden

 Publisher:  Xcite Books LTD

 Genre:   GLBT, Paranormal, Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense

 Publication date: January 31, 2013

 ISBN:    978-1-909335-58-5

 # Of Pages: 167

 Rating: 

 Heat: 1.5 pepper (M/M, Oral Sex, Anal Sex, Masturbation, Public Sex)

 Series:   Book 1, Divination Falls

Book Blurb:

As the muscle for his pride, Tryg Avondale’s particular skills are called upon to track down two missing teenagers.  He’s under no illusions – this job is a way for him to experience a break from the unforgiving attitude the pride has towards his preference in sexual partner.  He’s a lion and gay, something the pride, who’s huge on procreation, isn’t too keen on.

Along for the road trip is one sweet looking empath by the name of Luke Dorchester.  He seems to sooth the savage beast in Tryg, while heating up the sheets in ways that the lion shifter has never known.  Tryg is determined not to look into the attachment he feels with his new lover, but he’s just as convinced he cannot and will not let him go when the trip is over.   A lusty adventure from nature’s camp grounds to out of the way motel rooms follows as they race to locate the missing shifters.  Their journey find themselves in an “other” friendly place none of the locals really know about, Divination Falls.  There they confront a deep, dark evil that threatens not only the townspeople but also the growing love between Luke and Tryg.

Review:

The first book in the Divination Falls Trilogy, Lion Hearted by Sommer Marsden is a hit right out of the gate.  A plot full of suspense, sex, and romance between two unlikely men kept me on the edge of my seat with a glass of ice water at the ready.  Yes, it was THAT hot.  I appreciated how the author took two men who were essentially outcasts from their respective peer groups and showed how with a little love and understanding, anything was possible.  The relationship seemed to form easily, but not so much so that I found it a leap.  Both Luke and Tryg were lonelier than each realized, denied the loving touch of those that should accept them not because of who they loved, but just because.  The fact that Tryg would still be loyal and dedicated enough to track down a couple of abducted pride members, even after knowing how unaccepting they were overall, speaks well to his character.  Was he perfect? Oh god, no.  He yelled a lot and made assumptions based on past events, but Luke faced each with a quiet calm that you just had to admire.

I’d never read anything by the author prior to this book but I’ll be honest – I can’t wait for the second installment of the trilogy to be released (hopefully it will be Sam and Eliot’s story!).  In the meantime if you like strong male alpha types with a soft heart, hot sex and a good dose of heart stopping suspense, I highly recommend Lion Hearted by Sommer Marsden!

Review originally appeared on TwoLips Reviews