Tempting the Bear

Title: Tempting the Bear

Author: Charlie Richards

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Publisher URL: www.extasybooks.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-4874-0326-3

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Series

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Wren Cleaver has watched over his goddaughter Penelope since her parents died when she was a teenager. Now she’s an adult and he still worries—this time because Golren, the man she’s dating, is so much older. One night when they leave on a date, Wren follows them to the mysterious Falias Estate, outside of town. He sneaks inside the arboretum and hides, hoping to learn more about Golren and the estate residents. Instead, he sees two huge snakes change into men and promptly passes out, hitting his head.

When Wren wakes, he’s faced with facts he never imaged. The paranormal world isn’t a creation of fiction—it’s real and he’s fallen into the middle of it by following Penelope to the estate. What’s more he’s attracted to a stranger and has feelings he can’t explain. Can Wren make sense of the changes in his life and move forward with his new mate, or will he reject the paranormal world and what it offers?

Tempting the Bear is release twelve in Charlie Richards’ A Paranormal's Love series.  Be aware that there isn’t an ongoing plotline at this time but since there are numerous recurring characters, reading some of the previous books would be helpful.

I found Wren to be different than many of the other leads in this series. Yes, he’s gay but he starts off acting like an overprotective and disapproving father. That he’d follow Penelope on a date and hide in the shrubs is kind of cute, in a stalkerish kind of way. I also liked how he reacted to his first view of a paranormal shifting. It’s a nice change of pace and a creative opening to him meeting his mate. Good going Ms. Richards. 

Perseus, the clutch doctor, has been waiting a long time for a mate and I’m glad he’s finally found his in Wren. They are an unexpected pairing on the surface but ultimately it works between them. I admit their relationship is rushed and I think it’s because of the lengthy set-up. There just didn’t seem to be enough time devoted to developing and making their new relationship work. It suddenly did. Initially I thought the health inspector bothering Wren had the potential of being interesting but I was disappointed. There was little additional development and the issue is handled abruptly at the end. It almost turned into a plot idea that could have been eliminated. There are also a few inconsistencies. 

Anyway, I liked seeing all the previous characters and how their relationships are progressing. The pace is fast, there are enough descriptions to pull the reader into the story and the sex is sizzling. Watch for the next one.