Saturday, August 31, 2013

Release day Review & Giveaway. Lesson's Learned by Sandrine Gasq-Dion**

** Warning ** The Assassin/Shifter series is a M/M, paranormal and contemporary romance series, not recommended for anyone under the age of 18. Also not recommended for narrow minded people that can't appreciate the beauty of strong, sexy gay men! ** Just sayin..
 
 
Years ago, sensitive Jude Brooks got tired of watching junior high life
through the vents in his locker. Unfortunately, handsome Hayden
Cox’s favorite pastime was putting him in there.  When Jude’s
werewolf friends torment Hayden for being human, he takes it out on
distractingly beautiful Jude. A lot.
Tired of having his son picked on, pack member Henry Cox moves
his family away. “Cox the cock” is gone – so why does Jude feel
disappointment mixed with his exhilaration? In another city, Hayden
is finally being accepted – so why is he constantly haunted by the
memory of mesmerizing violet eyes?
Fast-forward to a meeting as adults, and the air is so thick with
tension and anger that it can be grabbed and shaped into adorable
animals. Jude’s rage toward his nemesis has boiled over and nothing
Hayden can do or say will make it go away. Hayden’s efforts to make
peace convince everyone but Jude he’s a changed man. In fact, he’s
a werewolf now and he wants nothing more than for Jude to forgive
him. Jude wants nothing more than to ignore Cox the cock and be taken
seriously as a protector of the pack.
If longing looks and lustful thoughts are anything to go by, this situation
is far from resolved. Is Jude’s best friend really dating Hayden? And why
does he care? Can he ever completely trust the person who spent years
treating him like an algebra book? Will a survival test in Siberia and a
stunning revelation bring them together or tear them farther apart?
Maybe they’ll both be taught a lesson about love.
 
 
Jude Brooks and Hayden Cox share a past that threatens a possible future. When they were teenagers, their father's were members of the same pack. Young and inexperienced, Hayden was confused by his feelings for Jude so he bullied the young wolf in hopes it would cover up the growing attraction he had for Jude. Hayden as well is picked on by the other wolves within their pack for being human, so when Noah and Ross want to tell Jude's father, Jonas the pack alpha, about the abuse Jude is suffering from Hayden, Jude won't allow it.
 
Knowing what his son is enduring and why, Henry Cox severs ties with the pack and moves his family away. Jonas begs him not to remove himself or his family from the protection of the pack, and years later Henry's decision has devastating consequences. As a parting gift he bites Hayden and turns him and Jonas is there to pick up the pieces. Hayden is sent of to boarding school with Noah and Ross and given time to adjust to his new self, but he never forgets the dark haired wolf with the violet eyes that consumes his thoughts.
 
Fans of this series are fully aware of Jude and Hayden's story and the lengths Hayden goes to trying to convince Jude that he's a different person than he was all those years ago. But Jude is stubborn and he has resigned himself to hating Hayden, fighting the pull he feels toward the wolf every time they are in the same room together tooth and nail. When the pair are sent on a mission to Siberia together and alone will the mutual attraction finally be explored? Or will Jude continue to fight against his feelings for Hayden and finally push him away completely with hurtful comments and ignorance?
  
One of my favorite aspects of this series is getting to follow the lives of characters and couples and watch them grow, into themselves and as individuals and eventually becoming friends and lovers. I've been following the story of Jude and Hayden since Jude threw Hayden into the wedding cake a dozen or so books ago. I've been watching their story develop on the sidelines for ages, covert glances and innuendos over the years have shown us that the attraction is mutual. But the pain Hayden inflicted on Jude when they were younger is not so easily forgotten. Now they are alone in Siberia and the threat from the rogue wolves looms over them and they are more open and honest with each other than they've ever been. And the sex is off the charts! That backwards lap dance alone had me fanning myself, good god almighty!!
 
This series and this author continue to amaze me, I mean this is book nineteen in the series and I'm still not bored! With every installment Gasq-Dion manages to bring something new to the table. I am so invested in these characters, I feel like they are extended family, and with each new book it's like a little family reunion where I get to catch up with everyone! Sexy, steamy, detailed and devious are all characteristics of Gasq-Dion's writing. If you're a fan of the M/M genre and you haven't read this series, my only question is why not??
 
Note: this is the 19th book in a series that most definitely should be read in order..........
  01 - A Marked Man 
02 - Alaska, with Love 
03 - By the Light of the Moon 
04 - Half Moon Rising 
05 - Best Laid Plans 
06 - For the Love of Caden 
07 - The General's Lover 
08 - Russian Prey 
09 - An Ignited Passion 
10 - Reflash 
11 - The Red Zone 
12 - Irish Wishes 
13 - Pleading the Fifth 
14 - Betrayed 
15 - Summer of Awakenings 
16 - Into the Lyons Den 
17 - The Nik of Time 
18 - The Littlest Assassin-Shifters 
 
 
 
 


 
Sandrine (Sandy) Was born in Inglewood, California. Raised by "Old School" French parents, she later moved to Tucson, AZ. It was there that writing became a hobby. Always told she had a great imagination, Sandy wrote short stories for her friends in High School. In college, she took more writing classes while working on her Criminal Justice degree, but it wasn't until a soap opera caught her eye that she got involved in male on male romances. On the advice of a friend, Sandy dipped her toes into the world of M/M Romance. Sandy takes the writing seriously and has had countless conversations with gay men as well as hours of research. She's been involved with the military in one way or another for over twenty years, and has a great deal of respect for our men in uniform. She's traveled the world, but is currently enjoying the South.
There is now an Assassin/Shifter website!! Many thanks to the talented Jenn Watts for all her hard work! You can friend Sandy on Facebook or follow her website. You can also follow her author page on Facebook for up to date details on the Assassin/Shifter series, as well as other books by this author.


 
Sandrine is nothing if not generous to her loyal fans! Up for grabs is a signed paperback copy of one of the books in this series, to be determined at the time the winner is chosen. As well as a unique, one of a kind 'Skull Blasters' T-shirt and Keychain. Be sure to visit Sandy's facebook page and tell her your thoughts on this series, and thank her for her generosity!





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39 comments:

  1. My favorite shifter is Chance. Well, they all are. I love this series!

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  2. My favourite is Half Moon Rising

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  3. My favorite is Scott!!! Because he is so hot!!!

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  4. Scotty!!!!! Him and Tristan. Well, them and Wayne.. and Devin... well crap, this is an incredibly unfair question! My favorite character in this series???? Yep, the whole frigging cast of them. They are all so unique and amazing!

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  5. My favorite is Devins Tanner Mckinley Lyons Panchenko. I just love his bluntness.

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  6. My favorite shifter is --depends on which book I am reading! I love all the characters. I think Mateo is really the first one we met and a real character--because after he was changed he was still the same and he has Riley. Or maybe Riley is my favorite because he is cute and generous and he has Mateo.

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  7. I haven't had a chance to read the series yet, but I think I'd like Hayden's journey to change Jude's mind and show he has changed.

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  8. Saw Alaska in a book's title & have been addicted to this & all of Sandrine's books. Always anxious for release dates! Stress & pleasure! Need more pleasure, less stress .... so write faster Sandy! Ann Alaskan here

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  9. I'm new to the series and this author, so I cant comment on a favorited, but I can't wait to start reading this!

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  10. You are a new-to-me author, so I do not have a favorite yet, but I am looking forward to finding one! ;)

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  11. I can't comment on a favorite because I can't decide on which ones I like the best. I like Devin, Cayden, Nikolai, Mateo and several others.

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  12. i havent read this series yet but im sure it is great.

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  13. I love all the people in this series can't wait for more books u r awesome sandy

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  14. Honestly, this is the first I have heard about this series, so I have no favorites. I have gone and bought A Marked Man to read, I love a good shifter series. Thanks for the introduction.

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  15. Haven't read any of this series, yet! Sounds interesting.

    gisu29(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. I've only read the first two books of the series but so far Mateo.

    Tj

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  17. I just started reading this series, so I can't really pick a favorite character yet, but I can't wait to read this whole series. I have read nothing but wonderful reviews about this series.

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  18. You want me to pick one?! Aha.. not a chance that's gonna happen! I love them all so much! lol..
    hmm..hmm... I think I might have to go with Derek though... <3 Still love them all very much~

    Thank you for the contest!!

    Judi P

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  19. I admit that though I've been eyeing this series for awhile, I've yet to start it! After this review, though, it's definitely jumped to the top of the list. *eyes checkbook*

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  20. I love this series. I have them all. My favourite - impossible to pick one. Riley, Vince, Matteo, James. Ok, I love them all.

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  21. Love the Series and love the author!! Favourite - Vince, Keegan, Devin and Andrei!! Oh and Mr. Hotti Nikolai!

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  22. love this series so much I've lost track of how many times I've re-read them.

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  23. I love the series. It's a must buy.

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  24. this is why I like your Assassin/Shifter series..... Your Characters are so lovable and though some are paranormal you can almost relate to each of them in certain ways. You write just the right amount of humor and sorrow to balance one another. You really make the characters come to life and make me want to know them! I like the fact that they stay true to one another and have this unbreakable bond that is so hard to have in real life. You can find it but it is hard lol. This series never seems to drag on or have dull spots, I am always 100 percent into it. I like the fact that you welcome your fans comments and always have nice things to say to each one of us. I thank you for your hard work and look forward to many more of your stories!!!!!

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  25. Ok let me try this again lol My favorite shifter is Scott Delange because he is a badass and I love his humor. He has a sweet side that he doesn't show that often. Most of all I love his sarcasm!!!

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  26. hmmmm I love them all but I would have to say Wayne is one of my Fav. I love all of the character, it is like and extended family!

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  27. You know Nik is my favorite. His whole personality and sense of humor is wonderful. Even though he is as vicious as his father, Vince, he still has his vulnerable side, as they all do. He is also not afraid to get up there and shake his stuff for a full bar. Love him.

    Brandi Reynolds

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  28. I love all them but Riley is my favorite. When i am feeling down and in need of cheering up..I would go back to the beginning of the series and reread them all over again. When I am done I have forgotten why I was feeling down in the first place...

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  29. I have to say I really fell for Nik. I agree that he just made me laugh the most, then I would have to say my next fave would be Mateo since he was the first one I read and fell in love with.

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  30. i love all the wonderful men. but my two faves i can't in anyway chose between them are Scott and Vince. they both had very bad childhoods they both are hot. I can keep going...... but my absolute fave thing about them they tell you EXACTLY what they thinkabout you and are 100% loyal.

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  31. Can't get any better than Devin Lyons and Andrei Panchenko!! Definitely my favorites! And I could soooo rock a Skull Blasters shirt ;)

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  32. Sandy is awesome writer. I love all her books.they are very addicting. Cant wait for her next books

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  33. Asking about ones favorite shifter in a series when you cannot help but fall in love with every single character, makes this a cruel question because I now much choose my fave from a pot full of love! Preston in for sure one of my top favorites, he went through a lot and loved Wyatt all the more through every step.

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  34. I love the whole series and can't just pick one. I love the fact that it talks about Washington state as I left there a couple of years ago and I am planning to go back. But if I had to pick a couple that I love the most it would have to be Wyatt and Preston.

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  35. I have to say if i would have to choice it would be Devin and Andrei. I think the reason i love them is because they have so much where they are always fighting to build up for when they finial got together.

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  36. I would be happy with any of them. Though father and son Markov would be the choice!

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  37. I love them all!! Each does so in their own unique way!

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  38. Thank you so much for the great giveaway! Can't believe I won.

    Kimberly S

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  39. Ok so my all time favs are Vince, Mateo, Nic, Devin, Tristan, yeah those are my favorites they have the whole asshole attitude so perfect and god help their mates.... but to be honest I love the whole series....all the characters are funny, badasses, and sexy hot and damn I need to stop before I get carried away..

    This is my favorite author and I thank her for sharing this awesome books with us..

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