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Howl at the Moon #5
How to Run with the Wolves
Zeus loves his job on the new Mad Creek Search & Rescue team, and his inner Saint Bernard is finally being used to his full potential. When he sees a mysterious and wild-looking quickened—a dog shifter—at an earthquake site in Alaska, Zeus is compelled to investigate. Zeus falls hard for the primal beauty of Timo and of Alaska itself. Both call to his deep canine soul. But the Quimmiq pack’s laws are as harsh as the Alaskan winters, and Timo is out of his reach.
Timo’s pack of dog shifters left their Inuit village generations ago and have lived wild ever since. Not trusting the “one-skinned,� and with their numbers dwindling, the Quimmiq are on the verge of extinction. Timo is shocked to discover a whole group of “two-skinned� working as a rescue team, and he is particularly fascinated by Zeus, a gentle giant. He senses what Zeus feels for him� but it’s forbidden.
Can Mad Creek save this lost quickened clan? Perhaps—if they can learn how to run with the wolves.
Timo’s pack of dog shifters left their Inuit village generations ago and have lived wild ever since. Not trusting the “one-skinned,� and with their numbers dwindling, the Quimmiq are on the verge of extinction. Timo is shocked to discover a whole group of “two-skinned� working as a rescue team, and he is particularly fascinated by Zeus, a gentle giant. He senses what Zeus feels for him� but it’s forbidden.
Can Mad Creek save this lost quickened clan? Perhaps—if they can learn how to run with the wolves.
231 pages, ebook
First published July 19, 2019
108 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Eli Easton
81books2,792followersHaving been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a game designer, an organic farmer, an avid hiker, and a profound sleeper, Eli is happily embarking on yet another incarnation as a m/m romance author.
As an addicted reader of such, she is tinkled pink when an author manages to combine literary merit, vast stores of humor, melting hotness and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, three bulldogs, three cows and six chickens. All of them (except for the husband) are female, hence explaining the naked men that have taken up residence in her latest fiction writing.
Her website in
You can email her at [email protected]
COMING SOON:
See what's in the pipeline here:
As an addicted reader of such, she is tinkled pink when an author manages to combine literary merit, vast stores of humor, melting hotness and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, three bulldogs, three cows and six chickens. All of them (except for the husband) are female, hence explaining the naked men that have taken up residence in her latest fiction writing.
Her website in
You can email her at [email protected]
COMING SOON:
See what's in the pipeline here:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
August 28, 2019
I can't with how amazing this book is. I did not want it to end. I love this dog-human world Eli Easton has created, and I'm here to say: she can do no wrong.
Timo, whose dog is a husky, wants a lot of things. He wants his sister Hitty, born small and sickly, to get better. He wants his brother Yuki, the pack alpha, to put his trust in Timo. He wants his two-skin (human and dog) tribe, the Qimmig of Alaska, to survive even as their numbers dwindle.
But most of all Timo wants Zeus.
Zeus is a St. Bernard, a big, gentle giant. He speaks softly and is kind to his very core. He volunteers on Mad Creek's Search and Rescue team and travels to Alaska to help find survivors following an earthquake.
And in Alaska, Zeus sees Timo.
Timo is all self-assured confidence, which borders on arrogance. Timo is smart, and Timo likes to have his own way. But his heart is in the right place. Timo doesn't understand why he's so drawn to Zeus, why his dog needs Zeus, why it feels so good to cuddle together and touch.
I loved how organically their relationship develops, how they complement each other in every way. Timo wants to lead, and Zeus has no problem giving up control. Zeus never felt like he belonged until he ran free with Timo in the wilds of Alaska.
I adored the Alaskan setting and literally SOBBED when I read that Eli Easton is writing a new quicken series (a spin-off from Howl at the Moon) set in Alaska.
In How to Run with the Wolves, we revisit with all four Howl at the Moon couples. We see Matt lead the rescue team, Roman be all protective, Milo offer comfort, Sammy be kind and intuitive, and Jason be ... well, JASON: serious and intense.
It's Jason who figures out how to help the Qimmig, and it’s all about genetic diversity, baby.
The secondary characters are wonderful: Hitty who’s so strong despite having a body that’s giving up on her; Yuki, who never falters in his faith for his tribe; Zeus’s parents who fall in love with Hitty and take both Hitty and Timo under their wing. Also, Simon, the hyper Jack Russell terrier, is back and all gaga over Hitty! So damn cute!
There are a couple of very sexy scenes between Zeus and Timo, and Timo definitely knows how to take charge. I always love it when the bigger guy gives up control. The slow burn was perfect.
There isn’t a single thing I didn’t love about this story: the setting (because ALASKA); the MCs (whose voices sound so distinct: Timo’s, simpler, direct, spontaneous, untamed; Zeus’s, careful, measured, solid, thoughtful); the relationship (which has a defining turning point when Zeus shares his feelings with Timo, and Timo freaks out and runs away).
I have so many favorite moments, it’s hard to pick one, but a couple stand out: Timo and Zeus meeting the wolf pack and Timo having Milo send numerous texts to Zeus asking him everything but to come home. And the question he asks himself about phones: ICONIC. (Come on, we've all wondered this very same thing!)
He wanted to live in a world where everyone did what they wanted ... Where Timo could choose who he loved. He wanted to live in a world where you mated with the person you most wanted to be with. Where that did not mean one of the pair was weak. Where the two stood shoulder to shoulder, looking eye to eye. Where rocks loved water. And couches ... he wanted to live in a world with couches.
Timo, whose dog is a husky, wants a lot of things. He wants his sister Hitty, born small and sickly, to get better. He wants his brother Yuki, the pack alpha, to put his trust in Timo. He wants his two-skin (human and dog) tribe, the Qimmig of Alaska, to survive even as their numbers dwindle.
But most of all Timo wants Zeus.
Zeus is a St. Bernard, a big, gentle giant. He speaks softly and is kind to his very core. He volunteers on Mad Creek's Search and Rescue team and travels to Alaska to help find survivors following an earthquake.
And in Alaska, Zeus sees Timo.
Timo is all self-assured confidence, which borders on arrogance. Timo is smart, and Timo likes to have his own way. But his heart is in the right place. Timo doesn't understand why he's so drawn to Zeus, why his dog needs Zeus, why it feels so good to cuddle together and touch.
I loved how organically their relationship develops, how they complement each other in every way. Timo wants to lead, and Zeus has no problem giving up control. Zeus never felt like he belonged until he ran free with Timo in the wilds of Alaska.
I adored the Alaskan setting and literally SOBBED when I read that Eli Easton is writing a new quicken series (a spin-off from Howl at the Moon) set in Alaska.
In How to Run with the Wolves, we revisit with all four Howl at the Moon couples. We see Matt lead the rescue team, Roman be all protective, Milo offer comfort, Sammy be kind and intuitive, and Jason be ... well, JASON: serious and intense.
It's Jason who figures out how to help the Qimmig, and it’s all about genetic diversity, baby.
The secondary characters are wonderful: Hitty who’s so strong despite having a body that’s giving up on her; Yuki, who never falters in his faith for his tribe; Zeus’s parents who fall in love with Hitty and take both Hitty and Timo under their wing. Also, Simon, the hyper Jack Russell terrier, is back and all gaga over Hitty! So damn cute!
There are a couple of very sexy scenes between Zeus and Timo, and Timo definitely knows how to take charge. I always love it when the bigger guy gives up control. The slow burn was perfect.
There isn’t a single thing I didn’t love about this story: the setting (because ALASKA); the MCs (whose voices sound so distinct: Timo’s, simpler, direct, spontaneous, untamed; Zeus’s, careful, measured, solid, thoughtful); the relationship (which has a defining turning point when Zeus shares his feelings with Timo, and Timo freaks out and runs away).
I have so many favorite moments, it’s hard to pick one, but a couple stand out: Timo and Zeus meeting the wolf pack and Timo having Milo send numerous texts to Zeus asking him everything but to come home. And the question he asks himself about phones: ICONIC. (Come on, we've all wondered this very same thing!)
But Zeus did not come home, no matter how many text messages Timo had Milo send. And if Zeus could ignore the messages, what was the point of stupid phones?
July 30, 2019
*3.5 stars*
I love the Howl at the Moon series by one of my favorite authors, , and I couldn't wait to get my hands on . In the end, I really enjoyed it, even though I didn't love this story quite as much as my fellow reviewers.
This series just makes me smile. If you like the infectious love of a dog, then you will connect with this series. is as adorable as the rest of them, even if it didn't grab me as much as my favorites in the series ( and ).
I enjoyed how Zeus was different from many of the quickened we've met. He's more introverted, more of a loner, and I liked that about him. I also liked the concept of Timo and his extremely isolated pack, and found those aspects of the story to be really interesting. I was pretty interested in Timo's pack health issues, from a medical standpoint, so that was cool for me.
Where I struggled was with the romance. I kept checking how far along in the book I was, waiting for the romance to really begin. For me, it took a really long time to get any feelings out of Zeus and Timo (especially Timo), and I thought it felt a bit rushed by the end. I actually was more interested in the dynamics and details of Timo's pack than the romance itself. There was a lot going on, plot-wise, and I think it detracted from the romance.
I still enjoyed this story all the way through, but, if I'm being honest with myself, I left the story wanting more. I really loved visiting with my favorite couples from previous books and reading about the happy, loving quickened, so just being "there" made my day. Even if this particular story doesn't do it for you, you will be so happy to be back in the Howl at the Moon world that you'll still feel that squishy-glee inside.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|||
I love the Howl at the Moon series by one of my favorite authors, , and I couldn't wait to get my hands on . In the end, I really enjoyed it, even though I didn't love this story quite as much as my fellow reviewers.
This series just makes me smile. If you like the infectious love of a dog, then you will connect with this series. is as adorable as the rest of them, even if it didn't grab me as much as my favorites in the series ( and ).
I enjoyed how Zeus was different from many of the quickened we've met. He's more introverted, more of a loner, and I liked that about him. I also liked the concept of Timo and his extremely isolated pack, and found those aspects of the story to be really interesting. I was pretty interested in Timo's pack health issues, from a medical standpoint, so that was cool for me.
Where I struggled was with the romance. I kept checking how far along in the book I was, waiting for the romance to really begin. For me, it took a really long time to get any feelings out of Zeus and Timo (especially Timo), and I thought it felt a bit rushed by the end. I actually was more interested in the dynamics and details of Timo's pack than the romance itself. There was a lot going on, plot-wise, and I think it detracted from the romance.
I still enjoyed this story all the way through, but, if I'm being honest with myself, I left the story wanting more. I really loved visiting with my favorite couples from previous books and reading about the happy, loving quickened, so just being "there" made my day. Even if this particular story doesn't do it for you, you will be so happy to be back in the Howl at the Moon world that you'll still feel that squishy-glee inside.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|||
February 12, 2020
This was a nice addition to Easton's "Howl at the Moon" series, and I liked both Zeus and Timo right from the very beginning, especially once we got to the parts where they were spending a lot of time on-page together, in both their 2-legged and 4-legged forms.
As the book began, Matt's Mad Creek Search & Rescue team had been sent to Anchorage, Alaska to assist with rescue efforts after a major natural disaster, which was how Zeus first caught a glimpse of Timo. Right before he quickly disappeared from Zeus' sight, but not from his mind.
Timo was also fascinated by Zeus, but he'd vowed to keep his distance, at least until a pack member was in danger and Timo needed Zeus' help.
But it wasn't only Timo that needed help. His pack was slowly dying out, and only Mad Creek could help with that much larger problem, and help they did, Jason in particular.
Hearing about all of the severe health problems that the Quimmiq were having due to their very isolating was heartbreaking. Empty blankets, just... GAH!
The story was partially set in Mad Creek, so we got to see a fair bit of Lance, Tim, Matt, Roman and Jason (from the previous books), but Sammy and Simon completely stole the "past characters" show for me. They were both so perky and easily-excited that I couldn't stop smiling.
The plot line with Timo's sick sister, Hitty, was a bit of a snooze-fest for me -- until she met Simon, that is. After that point, I was all in, with my proverbial tail wagging to beat the band.
The many detailed descriptions of Alaska sounded extremely beautiful. AND COLD. So I was much happier when the book shifted back to Mad Creek, with its warm California sunshine, creature comforts, and hundreds upon hundreds of happy dog shifters playing in the park. #FuckTheSnow
This book had a lot of irons in the fire, so for me at least, the romance could've taken slightly more front-row center focus, instead of how things went down when Zeus finally let Timo see his true feelings.
Fortunately, there was only a relatively short separation before that conflict was resolved, and even more thankfully, an weak attempt at was headed off at the pass before it could take hold.
However, once The Big Plan to save the Quimmiq was finally enacted, the book seemed to be on a race to the finish line, with at least what *felt* like more telling than showing.
For instance, I would've liked more of Timo's brother Yuki's first-hand reaction to Timo taking a same-sex mate "on-page", instead of it being glossed over as a very loud, but private conversation that the brothers had had off-page.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, which I'd rate around 3.5 stars, but I wasn't 1,000% entirely blown away.
-----------------------------------------------
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
-----------------------------------------------
As the book began, Matt's Mad Creek Search & Rescue team had been sent to Anchorage, Alaska to assist with rescue efforts after a major natural disaster, which was how Zeus first caught a glimpse of Timo. Right before he quickly disappeared from Zeus' sight, but not from his mind.
Timo was also fascinated by Zeus, but he'd vowed to keep his distance, at least until a pack member was in danger and Timo needed Zeus' help.
But it wasn't only Timo that needed help. His pack was slowly dying out, and only Mad Creek could help with that much larger problem, and help they did, Jason in particular.
Hearing about all of the severe health problems that the Quimmiq were having due to their very isolating was heartbreaking. Empty blankets, just... GAH!
The story was partially set in Mad Creek, so we got to see a fair bit of Lance, Tim, Matt, Roman and Jason (from the previous books), but Sammy and Simon completely stole the "past characters" show for me. They were both so perky and easily-excited that I couldn't stop smiling.
The plot line with Timo's sick sister, Hitty, was a bit of a snooze-fest for me -- until she met Simon, that is. After that point, I was all in, with my proverbial tail wagging to beat the band.
The many detailed descriptions of Alaska sounded extremely beautiful. AND COLD. So I was much happier when the book shifted back to Mad Creek, with its warm California sunshine, creature comforts, and hundreds upon hundreds of happy dog shifters playing in the park. #FuckTheSnow
This book had a lot of irons in the fire, so for me at least, the romance could've taken slightly more front-row center focus, instead of how things went down when Zeus finally let Timo see his true feelings.
Fortunately, there was only a relatively short separation before that conflict was resolved, and even more thankfully, an weak attempt at was headed off at the pass before it could take hold.
However, once The Big Plan to save the Quimmiq was finally enacted, the book seemed to be on a race to the finish line, with at least what *felt* like more telling than showing.
For instance, I would've liked more of Timo's brother Yuki's first-hand reaction to Timo taking a same-sex mate "on-page", instead of it being glossed over as a very loud, but private conversation that the brothers had had off-page.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, which I'd rate around 3.5 stars, but I wasn't 1,000% entirely blown away.
-----------------------------------------------
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
-----------------------------------------------
July 22, 2019
PUPDORABLE!
I love this series so much but this one holds a special place in my heart.
Why, you ask?
Zeus!
Zeus is the classic gentle giant which appeals on multiple levels for me but what pulled on my heartstrings was how displaced he feels. He wants more than anything to be useful, but he oftentimes doesn't really get people and their vernacular which feeds into his feelings of being "different".
The underdogs always get to me and Zeus got to me.
But Timo is totes adorbz in his own rite. His mindset is VASTLY different from Zeus'. He's part of a pack that's been isolated in the wilds of Alaska for generations.
He's so mischievous and playful not just in his dog form either. His vivaciousness is infectious and he makes it difficult not to fall for him.
What I liked best about their relationship was how blind they both are to the way it's evolving. They're both independent and self-reliant so watching them slowly realize that they want to spend more time with each other warmed the cockles of my heart.
This is a prototypical slow burn romance with minimal sexy times which was fine by me! To have rushed would have rang of inauthenticity and I probably wouldn't have enjoyed watching them fall in love as much I did.
The voices of all the dogs/shifters in this series have been fantastic but the uniqueness of Zeus and Timo's voices was phenomenal. Never did I question whose head I was in and they both had me smiling throughout this read. Of course, I loved touching base with some of the previous Mad Creek couples. Milo is still sixteen different kinds of adorable.
Clearly, I loved this book to pieces and if you want a read that will make you want to hug it out with your kindle then you should give it a try. I hope we've not seen the last of Mad Creek but my heartfelt thanks to Ms. Easton for all the smiles these puppers have put on my face if it is. However, I'm excited as all get out about the spinoff series! Recommended!
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
I love this series so much but this one holds a special place in my heart.
Why, you ask?
Zeus!
Zeus is the classic gentle giant which appeals on multiple levels for me but what pulled on my heartstrings was how displaced he feels. He wants more than anything to be useful, but he oftentimes doesn't really get people and their vernacular which feeds into his feelings of being "different".
The underdogs always get to me and Zeus got to me.
But Timo is totes adorbz in his own rite. His mindset is VASTLY different from Zeus'. He's part of a pack that's been isolated in the wilds of Alaska for generations.
He's so mischievous and playful not just in his dog form either. His vivaciousness is infectious and he makes it difficult not to fall for him.
What I liked best about their relationship was how blind they both are to the way it's evolving. They're both independent and self-reliant so watching them slowly realize that they want to spend more time with each other warmed the cockles of my heart.
This is a prototypical slow burn romance with minimal sexy times which was fine by me! To have rushed would have rang of inauthenticity and I probably wouldn't have enjoyed watching them fall in love as much I did.
The voices of all the dogs/shifters in this series have been fantastic but the uniqueness of Zeus and Timo's voices was phenomenal. Never did I question whose head I was in and they both had me smiling throughout this read. Of course, I loved touching base with some of the previous Mad Creek couples. Milo is still sixteen different kinds of adorable.
Clearly, I loved this book to pieces and if you want a read that will make you want to hug it out with your kindle then you should give it a try. I hope we've not seen the last of Mad Creek but my heartfelt thanks to Ms. Easton for all the smiles these puppers have put on my face if it is. However, I'm excited as all get out about the spinoff series! Recommended!
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2019
4 Stars
It’s no secret that I love this series. It’s seriously sweet and endearing with a cast of characters who are kind, earnest, with no artifice or malice, ever. Such a set up of dog shifters hiding in plain sight and reading about how they live and love always just brings a smile to my face.
There’s nothing new that I can add to the already multitude of reviews out there. Just know there’s the biggest gentlest giant (Saint Bernard Zeus) who falls for a fellow quickened (Husky Timo) who’s as wild as the Alaskan frontier that he’s from.
It was wonderful revisiting all the other previous couples in this series, and this nicely sets the reader up for the spinoff that Easton says she’s planning. I for one will be at the front of the line to see how the other Alaskan quickened start to thrive and get their well deserved happy ending too!
It’s no secret that I love this series. It’s seriously sweet and endearing with a cast of characters who are kind, earnest, with no artifice or malice, ever. Such a set up of dog shifters hiding in plain sight and reading about how they live and love always just brings a smile to my face.
There’s nothing new that I can add to the already multitude of reviews out there. Just know there’s the biggest gentlest giant (Saint Bernard Zeus) who falls for a fellow quickened (Husky Timo) who’s as wild as the Alaskan frontier that he’s from.
It was wonderful revisiting all the other previous couples in this series, and this nicely sets the reader up for the spinoff that Easton says she’s planning. I for one will be at the front of the line to see how the other Alaskan quickened start to thrive and get their well deserved happy ending too!
July 26, 2019
I've had a fantastic time with this series but (for me) it's lost a bit of its strength as it's continued. At least as far the bonding and mating aspect.
And for shifter stories, I hold that with high regard.
I LOVED being back in Mad Creek.
I LOVED the time we spend in Alaska.
I LOVED Zeus...every single bit of his ginormous self.
And...
I Liked Timo.
I Liked the merging of the new wild Alaskan pack.
And I Liked watching Jason discover the genetic mutation eradicating the Qimmig.
But...
I really didn't like how long it took before they were mated.
I don't mind slow burn but man, I sure do wish it wasn't nearly the end before Zeus and Timo were together. I was rather bummed that the pacing took off a stellar speed near the end.
I wanted...to see them settle into life together...and we missed that.
I also struggled with Timo's attitude at times.
Zeus might be my favorite two-skinned from this series. And I'm thrilled that he found his mate. I just longed to witness them being mates. And I'm kinda sad that we only had a peek.
Other highlights:
Solid secondary cast. Spin-off?
AND I absolutely adored checking in with the rest of the Mad Creek gang.
Gahhhh! Rings and pups and all the goodness!
Now that, I loved.
*3.5 patience-was-not-on-my-side stars*
And for shifter stories, I hold that with high regard.
I LOVED being back in Mad Creek.
I LOVED the time we spend in Alaska.
I LOVED Zeus...every single bit of his ginormous self.
And...
I Liked Timo.
I Liked the merging of the new wild Alaskan pack.
And I Liked watching Jason discover the genetic mutation eradicating the Qimmig.
But...
I really didn't like how long it took before they were mated.
I don't mind slow burn but man, I sure do wish it wasn't nearly the end before Zeus and Timo were together. I was rather bummed that the pacing took off a stellar speed near the end.
I wanted...to see them settle into life together...and we missed that.
I also struggled with Timo's attitude at times.
Zeus might be my favorite two-skinned from this series. And I'm thrilled that he found his mate. I just longed to witness them being mates. And I'm kinda sad that we only had a peek.
Other highlights:
Solid secondary cast. Spin-off?
AND I absolutely adored checking in with the rest of the Mad Creek gang.
Gahhhh! Rings and pups and all the goodness!
Now that, I loved.
*3.5 patience-was-not-on-my-side stars*
July 18, 2019
I'm pretty sure Eli Easton is a quickened and she's just giving us a peek into her world because there's no other way that she'd be able to capture the inherent characteristics of individual dog breeds and then convert them into human traits which match perfectly.
Also, I hadn't realised quite how much I'd missed Mad Creek until she said there was a fifth book coming and, believe me, this was so worth it.
Not only do we get a wonderful slow burn romance between husky Timo and Saint Bernard Zeus, but we get confirmation of a spin-off series featuring the Alaskan Qimmiq two skinned (and I'm really hoping I know who the first two paired off are going to be!)
Not a thing was out of place for this story, the strange culture shocks for both shifters as they saw how the other lived, the slow awakening of love, the conflicts and confusion each man felt when their worlds were so different and how they could possibly be reconciled.
The threat to Timo's pack, which was being squeezed by not only Mother Nature but also the nature of human/shifter genetics, which drove the plot was a great tension builder and worked well.
I won't go into details because the way Eli unfolds this story is so wonderful that it would ruin everything for people to not see everything open up just as beautifully as the landscape of the Innuit ranges north of Anchorage.
It's gorgeous, I'm so glad we're back in this world.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Also, I hadn't realised quite how much I'd missed Mad Creek until she said there was a fifth book coming and, believe me, this was so worth it.
Not only do we get a wonderful slow burn romance between husky Timo and Saint Bernard Zeus, but we get confirmation of a spin-off series featuring the Alaskan Qimmiq two skinned (and I'm really hoping I know who the first two paired off are going to be!)
Not a thing was out of place for this story, the strange culture shocks for both shifters as they saw how the other lived, the slow awakening of love, the conflicts and confusion each man felt when their worlds were so different and how they could possibly be reconciled.
The threat to Timo's pack, which was being squeezed by not only Mother Nature but also the nature of human/shifter genetics, which drove the plot was a great tension builder and worked well.
I won't go into details because the way Eli unfolds this story is so wonderful that it would ruin everything for people to not see everything open up just as beautifully as the landscape of the Innuit ranges north of Anchorage.
It's gorgeous, I'm so glad we're back in this world.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
July 14, 2019
I cannot recommend the highly enough - Eli Easton keeps the series fresh every time, introducing new characters while also incorporating past fan favorites.
In the fifth installment of the series, it's 2019, Rav Miller's distribution factory is up and running, and the town of Mad Creek is flourishing. which mean tons of new quickened. Zeus, a Saint Bernard and Lance's childhood best friend, is back in town and feeling awkward among the crowd.
When offered a chance to be on the new Mad Creek Search and Rescue team, Zeus jumps at the opportunity. During one of their S&R missions, Zeus meets another quickened, Timo, and fascinated by his reaction to him, Zeus agrees to visit Timo's pack. Timo is a husky shifter, but his pack has been dwindling and they need more pups, so Timo brings Zeus back home with the intention of his pack keeping him.
Zeus convinces Timo to return to Mad Creek to seek help from Dr. Jason Kunick in saving his pack, and as Timo and Zeus grow closer it brings up feelings neither are prepared for. Timo's pack needs him to return and Zeus has his whole life in Mad Creek.
Told from dual, third person points of view (Zeus, Timo) How to Run with the Wolves was a delightful paranormal shifter romance, with a bit of slow burn, and a very happy ending, which was made even better by the news that this might not be the last book in the series!
Recommended Series!
Advanced Review Galley copy of How to Run with the Wolves provided by the in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at .
In the fifth installment of the series, it's 2019, Rav Miller's distribution factory is up and running, and the town of Mad Creek is flourishing. which mean tons of new quickened. Zeus, a Saint Bernard and Lance's childhood best friend, is back in town and feeling awkward among the crowd.
When offered a chance to be on the new Mad Creek Search and Rescue team, Zeus jumps at the opportunity. During one of their S&R missions, Zeus meets another quickened, Timo, and fascinated by his reaction to him, Zeus agrees to visit Timo's pack. Timo is a husky shifter, but his pack has been dwindling and they need more pups, so Timo brings Zeus back home with the intention of his pack keeping him.
But the wild called to him. And ever since he’d been a boy, when the wild called, he answered with his whole heart.
Zeus convinces Timo to return to Mad Creek to seek help from Dr. Jason Kunick in saving his pack, and as Timo and Zeus grow closer it brings up feelings neither are prepared for. Timo's pack needs him to return and Zeus has his whole life in Mad Creek.
Zeus whispered, “I want to be enough for you. I love you, Timo.�
How can you not be enough for me? Timo thought, when you are everything?
Told from dual, third person points of view (Zeus, Timo) How to Run with the Wolves was a delightful paranormal shifter romance, with a bit of slow burn, and a very happy ending, which was made even better by the news that this might not be the last book in the series!
Recommended Series!
Advanced Review Galley copy of How to Run with the Wolves provided by the in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at .
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July 25, 2019I have been trying to read this for almost a week, and I am only at 30%. For some strange reason, I am really struggling with this one. I am not sure if it’s me or the story itself. I know the naiveté of the MC Zeus is supposed to be endearing, but it’s driving me crazy. I even tried skimming, and that didn’t work.
This author and series is usually an easy 4/5 star read for me, so I I refuse to dnf this one. I am quietly going to put this on my “go back to later� shelf and tip toe away. Shhhhh!!!
No rating, until I finish the book.
This author and series is usually an easy 4/5 star read for me, so I I refuse to dnf this one. I am quietly going to put this on my “go back to later� shelf and tip toe away. Shhhhh!!!
No rating, until I finish the book.
May 3, 2023
4 Stars
was a welcomed addition to this personal favourite M/M shifter series.
Reading about the Mad Creek quickened (dog shifters) has brought me bouts of pure happiness over the years, which isn’t an emotional response I can truly attribute to many books. Sometimes it’s good just to read something that’s not too angsty and simply makes you smile, am I right!?! 😉
In this fifth instalment, we are introduced to a new pack of quickened, or two-skinned, as they called themselves, in the form of the Alaskan Qimmig, who are descendants of Inuit huskies and who live a very insular life in the Alaskan wilderness � much different to the human connected life lived by the quickened of Mad Creek, California.
Although the MCs are new to readers � Zeus of Mad Creek and Timo of the Qimmig � their story is a unique one, chock-full of friendly, lovable faces from the quickened town of Mad Creek. It was particularly great to see Milo get a decent amount of page time in the second half of the story, seeing as he’s always been my very favourite character throughout the series. 🤗
Zeus and Timo’s story dealt with some interesting and serious issues impacting the quickened/two-skinned, but it never got too heavy, keeping that light-hearted and playful vibe the series excels at. For the most part, this was a lovely, sweet-natured adventure, one that should not to be missed by fans of the series.
was a welcomed addition to this personal favourite M/M shifter series.
Reading about the Mad Creek quickened (dog shifters) has brought me bouts of pure happiness over the years, which isn’t an emotional response I can truly attribute to many books. Sometimes it’s good just to read something that’s not too angsty and simply makes you smile, am I right!?! 😉
In this fifth instalment, we are introduced to a new pack of quickened, or two-skinned, as they called themselves, in the form of the Alaskan Qimmig, who are descendants of Inuit huskies and who live a very insular life in the Alaskan wilderness � much different to the human connected life lived by the quickened of Mad Creek, California.
Although the MCs are new to readers � Zeus of Mad Creek and Timo of the Qimmig � their story is a unique one, chock-full of friendly, lovable faces from the quickened town of Mad Creek. It was particularly great to see Milo get a decent amount of page time in the second half of the story, seeing as he’s always been my very favourite character throughout the series. 🤗
Zeus and Timo’s story dealt with some interesting and serious issues impacting the quickened/two-skinned, but it never got too heavy, keeping that light-hearted and playful vibe the series excels at. For the most part, this was a lovely, sweet-natured adventure, one that should not to be missed by fans of the series.
October 26, 2019
4.5 Stars
What a delightful romp in the Alaskan snow this book was! I have missed Mad Creek and it's quirky and playful inhabitants and How to Run with the Wolves is just the thing to help us weather the summer heat.
Eli Easton has said that How to Run with the Wolves was meant to branch off from Mad Creek and I think her transition from Mad Creek to the wilds of Alaska was perfect. Also, Zeus, in his quite gentleness and Timo with his frenetic energy were quite the pair. Timo was just clueless enough about his own feelings that he endeared himself to me quite easily.
With this book, the Qimmig are introduced, along with the stunning landscape of Alaska. I've never been to Alaska, but I hope to, some day. The picture the author paints is vivid and crisp and beautiful.
The Qimmig, as legend has it, were once Inuit sled dogs. Their bonds got so strong that the dogs became men and for a while things were good, until the human leader demanded they do something awful. Now they live in isolation and the pack is in danger.
Zeus Barkley is a St Bernard shifter. He's lived in Mad Creek his whole life and, unlike most of Mad Creek's inhabitants, finds crowds and overly touchy people a bit off-putting. Nature - that's what makes Zeus feel happy and at peace and his job as a Search and Rescue worker fulfills him. On an S&R trip to Alaska, after an earthquake, is where he first senses and then sees Timo; and Zeus is enthralled.
Timo is beautiful and head strong and pretty skilled at getting his way. His brother, Yuki, is the pack Alpha and he doesn't much let his people forget that. Timo wanted a bit of freedom to breathe, so talked his brother into letting him work in Anchorage with the hopes of finding new "two-skinned" to introduce to their dying pack. Finding Zeus was akin to a miracle, and though Timo knew that he wanted -- needed --- to get Zeus to go with him to his pack, it took him way longer to really understand why. Was it really because of his directive? Or is it more? Of course you already know the answer to this question, but Watching Timo work through it, and screw up royally, along the way, was perfect.
How to Run with the Wolves was delightful and gorgeous and it had just enough angst to give the story something for me to chew on. Timo's pack is dying, but they're distrustful of outsiders, so Timo and Zeus have to forge ahead carefully. We get two "fish out of water" situations, first with Zeus in Timo's camp and then with Timo and his sister, Hitty, in Mad Creek. Both were fantastically written.� We also get a nice slow burn and some sweet sexy-times, and a satisfying HEA.�
Eli Easton captures, perfectly, the different personalities of the different dog breeds and also what a small pack might be like if isolated for generations. I was never bored, and was left with a smile when the story was done. I can't wait to see where this new series goes and if the erm...pairing is who I think it will be. I guess time will tell!
Meanwhile, if you like cute as fuck shifter stories, do not pass this series up. You won't regret it.
dzԻ.�
------------------
ARC of How to Run with the Wolves was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
What a delightful romp in the Alaskan snow this book was! I have missed Mad Creek and it's quirky and playful inhabitants and How to Run with the Wolves is just the thing to help us weather the summer heat.
Eli Easton has said that How to Run with the Wolves was meant to branch off from Mad Creek and I think her transition from Mad Creek to the wilds of Alaska was perfect. Also, Zeus, in his quite gentleness and Timo with his frenetic energy were quite the pair. Timo was just clueless enough about his own feelings that he endeared himself to me quite easily.
With this book, the Qimmig are introduced, along with the stunning landscape of Alaska. I've never been to Alaska, but I hope to, some day. The picture the author paints is vivid and crisp and beautiful.
The Qimmig, as legend has it, were once Inuit sled dogs. Their bonds got so strong that the dogs became men and for a while things were good, until the human leader demanded they do something awful. Now they live in isolation and the pack is in danger.
Zeus Barkley is a St Bernard shifter. He's lived in Mad Creek his whole life and, unlike most of Mad Creek's inhabitants, finds crowds and overly touchy people a bit off-putting. Nature - that's what makes Zeus feel happy and at peace and his job as a Search and Rescue worker fulfills him. On an S&R trip to Alaska, after an earthquake, is where he first senses and then sees Timo; and Zeus is enthralled.
Timo is beautiful and head strong and pretty skilled at getting his way. His brother, Yuki, is the pack Alpha and he doesn't much let his people forget that. Timo wanted a bit of freedom to breathe, so talked his brother into letting him work in Anchorage with the hopes of finding new "two-skinned" to introduce to their dying pack. Finding Zeus was akin to a miracle, and though Timo knew that he wanted -- needed --- to get Zeus to go with him to his pack, it took him way longer to really understand why. Was it really because of his directive? Or is it more? Of course you already know the answer to this question, but Watching Timo work through it, and screw up royally, along the way, was perfect.
How to Run with the Wolves was delightful and gorgeous and it had just enough angst to give the story something for me to chew on. Timo's pack is dying, but they're distrustful of outsiders, so Timo and Zeus have to forge ahead carefully. We get two "fish out of water" situations, first with Zeus in Timo's camp and then with Timo and his sister, Hitty, in Mad Creek. Both were fantastically written.� We also get a nice slow burn and some sweet sexy-times, and a satisfying HEA.�
Eli Easton captures, perfectly, the different personalities of the different dog breeds and also what a small pack might be like if isolated for generations. I was never bored, and was left with a smile when the story was done. I can't wait to see where this new series goes and if the erm...pairing is who I think it will be. I guess time will tell!
Meanwhile, if you like cute as fuck shifter stories, do not pass this series up. You won't regret it.
dzԻ.�
------------------
ARC of How to Run with the Wolves was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2019
I know I’m in the minority (EDIT: seems many have had similar thoughts) but
1. There was no romance between MCs
2. 1 MC didn’t have any attraction (sexual or romantic) to the other until 75-80%
3. The only sexy times was a single scene at 85%
4. There wasn’t enough angst/issues to overcome
5. Neither MC had much character development (past or present)
1. There was no romance between MCs
2. 1 MC didn’t have any attraction (sexual or romantic) to the other until 75-80%
3. The only sexy times was a single scene at 85%
4. There wasn’t enough angst/issues to overcome
5. Neither MC had much character development (past or present)
March 18, 2020
The quickened are just so pure and innocent and I love their interaction with each other, with regular people and with their inner dog.
I just loved Zeus right from the start, he's a big softie with a heart of gold. Search and Rescue is the perfect job for his Saint Bernard and also his chance to meet the pack in Alaska and of course Timo. Timo is one of few of the Quimmig in his pack to interact with the one skinned but he isn't ready for Zeus or Mad Creak.
I must admit that I cried for Zeus after the incident in the water and I'm so happy that they got the ending they deserved,.
I just loved Zeus right from the start, he's a big softie with a heart of gold. Search and Rescue is the perfect job for his Saint Bernard and also his chance to meet the pack in Alaska and of course Timo. Timo is one of few of the Quimmig in his pack to interact with the one skinned but he isn't ready for Zeus or Mad Creak.
I must admit that I cried for Zeus after the incident in the water and I'm so happy that they got the ending they deserved,.
July 24, 2019
*3,5 stars*
I really love Eli Easton and I thoroughly enjoyed this series so far.
But I’m very sorry to say that this book did not click with me.
While Zeus and Timo are likeable characters, to me neither felt like an adult. I could have overlooked that more easily with 24-year-old Timo, but was struggling a bit with 34 year old - and a mountain of a man and dog � Zeus.
Timo has lived in the wild for most of his life, so it’s kind of logical that the ways and lives of people are alien and strange to him, but at times I got the impression he must have lived on another planet. He is so naïve and innocent on so many levels (and that despite spending some time in the town of Anchorage!) it was almost painful at times.
Alright, I reluctantly and apologetically admit to some eye-rolling. Even though I liked the guy.
As for Zeus � he has a job and responsibilities, but his mind in general seems closer to a dog than a human. And no, I don’t mean that he is thinking of bones and naps and chasing rabbits all the time (although there is that, too), but that his thought process seems quite simple.
I could be totally wrong with this, but I think this is reflected in the writing (like the use of predominantly shorter, simple sentences).
As Timo is on the same wavelength here, I sometimes felt I was reading about two young boys and their first crush. Well, it IS the first crush for both guys, but they’re grown up now!
This is also why the romance is very much side-lined. Timo doesn’t even know that he can like guys up to the later stages, and the first kiss and sex are very much like what teenagers might go through.
The main focus of the story is how Timo and his sister experience the big wide world (in Mad Creek) for the first time, and although this is entertaining and cute, it didn’t really do much for me.
It was nice, however, to revisit the characters from the previous books and see how they are getting on.
3,5 stars, mainly for sentimental value.
I really love Eli Easton and I thoroughly enjoyed this series so far.
But I’m very sorry to say that this book did not click with me.
While Zeus and Timo are likeable characters, to me neither felt like an adult. I could have overlooked that more easily with 24-year-old Timo, but was struggling a bit with 34 year old - and a mountain of a man and dog � Zeus.
Timo has lived in the wild for most of his life, so it’s kind of logical that the ways and lives of people are alien and strange to him, but at times I got the impression he must have lived on another planet. He is so naïve and innocent on so many levels (and that despite spending some time in the town of Anchorage!) it was almost painful at times.
Alright, I reluctantly and apologetically admit to some eye-rolling. Even though I liked the guy.
As for Zeus � he has a job and responsibilities, but his mind in general seems closer to a dog than a human. And no, I don’t mean that he is thinking of bones and naps and chasing rabbits all the time (although there is that, too), but that his thought process seems quite simple.
I could be totally wrong with this, but I think this is reflected in the writing (like the use of predominantly shorter, simple sentences).
As Timo is on the same wavelength here, I sometimes felt I was reading about two young boys and their first crush. Well, it IS the first crush for both guys, but they’re grown up now!
This is also why the romance is very much side-lined. Timo doesn’t even know that he can like guys up to the later stages, and the first kiss and sex are very much like what teenagers might go through.
The main focus of the story is how Timo and his sister experience the big wide world (in Mad Creek) for the first time, and although this is entertaining and cute, it didn’t really do much for me.
It was nice, however, to revisit the characters from the previous books and see how they are getting on.
3,5 stars, mainly for sentimental value.
July 19, 2019
Timo and Zeus
Oh my dogs, this story just floored me. I adore packs, dogs, shifters, wolves. This was a stunning story.
Zeus is a high-sensitive man/saint Bernhard. His heart is as big as his appearance. A friendly, easygoing and somewhat withdrawn character. I fell in love at first sight.
Zeus works with the Search and Rescue Team, helping out where needed
Timo is the most magical husky, part of a small isolated and vulnerable pack.
One of their first encounters is under heavy circumstances. Timo tempts Zeus to follow and rescue his little sister. After that feisty Timo dismissed him and is gone.
Zeus can’t get the beautiful creature out of his mind.
Circumstances bring Zeus and his team to Yakatuk, Alaska. And there he finds Timo again.
What follows is just a wonderful journey. A journey to the wilderness and pure nature, to civilization, learning there is more and learning you can live with less.
Timo comes from a whole different world than Zeus. A world with different dynamics and interactions.
“His dog was calling, calling for its mate.�
Zeus his heart goes out to Timo and his feelings are getting stronger and stronger.
Timo has strong feelings for Zeus only can’t place them, not with his belief in hierarchy.
Zeus understands he has to keep his feelings for himself and knows Timo’s brother and Alpha will never accept him or even such a bond.
This was an extremely enjoyable, extraordinary story. I was floored.
The observations, the dynamic, the medical side in this story, the interactions, all the feelings and emotions, the friendship, family, environments, landscapes, the beautiful vulnerable pack and the drift to survive.
Absolute stunningly written story with an excellent plot.
The originality of it was so captivating. I couldn’t put it down.
ALL the five stars for this story.
Oh my dogs, this story just floored me. I adore packs, dogs, shifters, wolves. This was a stunning story.
Zeus is a high-sensitive man/saint Bernhard. His heart is as big as his appearance. A friendly, easygoing and somewhat withdrawn character. I fell in love at first sight.
Zeus works with the Search and Rescue Team, helping out where needed
Timo is the most magical husky, part of a small isolated and vulnerable pack.
One of their first encounters is under heavy circumstances. Timo tempts Zeus to follow and rescue his little sister. After that feisty Timo dismissed him and is gone.
Zeus can’t get the beautiful creature out of his mind.
Circumstances bring Zeus and his team to Yakatuk, Alaska. And there he finds Timo again.
What follows is just a wonderful journey. A journey to the wilderness and pure nature, to civilization, learning there is more and learning you can live with less.
Timo comes from a whole different world than Zeus. A world with different dynamics and interactions.
“His dog was calling, calling for its mate.�
Zeus his heart goes out to Timo and his feelings are getting stronger and stronger.
Timo has strong feelings for Zeus only can’t place them, not with his belief in hierarchy.
Zeus understands he has to keep his feelings for himself and knows Timo’s brother and Alpha will never accept him or even such a bond.
This was an extremely enjoyable, extraordinary story. I was floored.
The observations, the dynamic, the medical side in this story, the interactions, all the feelings and emotions, the friendship, family, environments, landscapes, the beautiful vulnerable pack and the drift to survive.
Absolute stunningly written story with an excellent plot.
The originality of it was so captivating. I couldn’t put it down.
ALL the five stars for this story.
July 27, 2019
I've never met an Eli Easton book I didn't love but this series is something special. *sigh* I loved Zeus and Timo, and I loved what they brought to each other. I love how Mad Creek is always reaching out to others in need, even back when staying isolated was what helped keep them safe.
This was completely sweet and satisfying, and as far as a spin-off for the Quimmiq, I am so here for that! <3
This was completely sweet and satisfying, and as far as a spin-off for the Quimmiq, I am so here for that! <3
April 16, 2020
Eli Easton’s extraordinary Howl at the Moon series comes to a close with How to Run with the Wolves. Fans of these characters are going to especially enjoy this one, because a good part of the story takes place within the community of Mad Creek. To me, these guys are dear after five books, and this is a particularly sweet way to say goodbye. If you haven’t delved into this magical world, start with the first novel, How to Howl at the Moon, and read them in order!
The entire series is available in audio, performed by the marvelous Matthew Shaw. I’ve been impressed by the multitude of voices this talented narrator has come up with for the extremely diverse supporting cast! Plus, throughout the series Mr. Shaw has continued to find unique traits in all of the main characters to make each of them special. It’s been a true pleasure to listen to Matthew Shaw’s rich, warm voice as he brought these characters to life.
When Mad Creek’s Search and Rescue team head to Alaska to help after an earthquake, they discover a unique group of shifters. Structured more like a wolf pack, the Quimmiq tribe have purposely cut themselves off from the modern world. They look down on technology and want nothing to do with the ways of man. However, the Quimmiq aren’t thriving, and the pack is at risk of becoming extinct.
Though Zeus was born in Mad Creek, he’s always preferred small groups and wishes for a more low-key life. When handsome Timo invites him to spend a few days immersed in the Quimmiq’s more basic existence, Zeus finds he can definitely appreciate the way this tribe lives. Of course, Timo is curious about Zeus� world too, and a trip to Mad Creek shows him all the amazing and wonderful things modern technology can provide.
The negative aspects of the human world have been ingrained in Timo his whole life, and he has trouble understanding why the Mad Creek shifters would actually choose to live among men. Zeus tries to help Timo understand how it’s natural for dogs to be drawn to men, after all it’s only through this connection that dogs can get “the spark� and become shifters. His understanding will be the only way to save the Quimmiq tribe.
While each of the novels in the Howl at the Moon series has been completely unique, there’s been a common thread running through all of them. As the various breeds of dog shifters work together to build a community in Mad Creek, they learn to accept and embrace each other’s differences. This support network becomes particularly important once they share their secrets and include humans in their world.
What a wonderful thing it would be if beloved pets could get “the spark� and become quickened! I’ve enjoyed seeing all the ways Ms. Easton has explored so many aspects of this marvelous world. Listening to Mad Creek blossom and grow into the place it is at the end of the Howl at the Moon series, with How to Run with Wolves, has been a delightful experience, and I’m tempted to start at the beginning and do it all over again.
The entire series is available in audio, performed by the marvelous Matthew Shaw. I’ve been impressed by the multitude of voices this talented narrator has come up with for the extremely diverse supporting cast! Plus, throughout the series Mr. Shaw has continued to find unique traits in all of the main characters to make each of them special. It’s been a true pleasure to listen to Matthew Shaw’s rich, warm voice as he brought these characters to life.
When Mad Creek’s Search and Rescue team head to Alaska to help after an earthquake, they discover a unique group of shifters. Structured more like a wolf pack, the Quimmiq tribe have purposely cut themselves off from the modern world. They look down on technology and want nothing to do with the ways of man. However, the Quimmiq aren’t thriving, and the pack is at risk of becoming extinct.
Though Zeus was born in Mad Creek, he’s always preferred small groups and wishes for a more low-key life. When handsome Timo invites him to spend a few days immersed in the Quimmiq’s more basic existence, Zeus finds he can definitely appreciate the way this tribe lives. Of course, Timo is curious about Zeus� world too, and a trip to Mad Creek shows him all the amazing and wonderful things modern technology can provide.
The negative aspects of the human world have been ingrained in Timo his whole life, and he has trouble understanding why the Mad Creek shifters would actually choose to live among men. Zeus tries to help Timo understand how it’s natural for dogs to be drawn to men, after all it’s only through this connection that dogs can get “the spark� and become shifters. His understanding will be the only way to save the Quimmiq tribe.
While each of the novels in the Howl at the Moon series has been completely unique, there’s been a common thread running through all of them. As the various breeds of dog shifters work together to build a community in Mad Creek, they learn to accept and embrace each other’s differences. This support network becomes particularly important once they share their secrets and include humans in their world.
What a wonderful thing it would be if beloved pets could get “the spark� and become quickened! I’ve enjoyed seeing all the ways Ms. Easton has explored so many aspects of this marvelous world. Listening to Mad Creek blossom and grow into the place it is at the end of the Howl at the Moon series, with How to Run with Wolves, has been a delightful experience, and I’m tempted to start at the beginning and do it all over again.
July 24, 2019
The addition of the Alaskan community of shifters in the series was interesting. I enjoyed the change of scenery and I liked how the author played with the differences in Timo’s and Zeus’s background to come up with a dynamic that wouldn’t have been possible between two quickened-from-birth, if they had been both born and raised in Mad Creek.
That said, something didn’t ring true to me about Zeus.
He was born quickened, raised in Mad Creek, he went away to college, and he’s now working with the Forest Service. So, he had plenty of experience as a human and in the human world.
And yet, unlike Lance and Jason (both quickened from birth like him), he displayed some of the same traits of newly quickened (regular dogs who got the spark and developed the ability of shifting into humans) before they’ve learned to navigate human society as men. He reminded me of Roman as he was at the beginning of his own book, when Matt would make a joke about sex and it would go right over Roman’s head. It shouldn’t have been the case for Zeus, since he's 34 and was raised with all the usual experiences of men his age, unlike Roman, who had lived most of his life as a regular German Shepherd. There might have been a different explanation for that, but the story never gave it.
Also, other reactions from him felt a bit contrived and out of place, especially
I think this series peaked for me with the first three books, especially the second one, and one of the things I liked most about this book and the previous one was catching up with the couples from the earlier books and seeing how they were progressing with their happy endings. In that at least, I was satisfied.
That said, something didn’t ring true to me about Zeus.
He was born quickened, raised in Mad Creek, he went away to college, and he’s now working with the Forest Service. So, he had plenty of experience as a human and in the human world.
And yet, unlike Lance and Jason (both quickened from birth like him), he displayed some of the same traits of newly quickened (regular dogs who got the spark and developed the ability of shifting into humans) before they’ve learned to navigate human society as men. He reminded me of Roman as he was at the beginning of his own book, when Matt would make a joke about sex and it would go right over Roman’s head. It shouldn’t have been the case for Zeus, since he's 34 and was raised with all the usual experiences of men his age, unlike Roman, who had lived most of his life as a regular German Shepherd. There might have been a different explanation for that, but the story never gave it.
Also, other reactions from him felt a bit contrived and out of place, especially
I think this series peaked for me with the first three books, especially the second one, and one of the things I liked most about this book and the previous one was catching up with the couples from the earlier books and seeing how they were progressing with their happy endings. In that at least, I was satisfied.
Read
July 22, 20193.5 stars
I enjoyed Zeus and Timo's story, but I found it to be lacking in romance. This was a bit of a different entry in the series, with part of it set at Timos' home camp of a small shifter pack in Alaska before moving the story back to Mad Creek. This made even more sense when I read the author's note at the end saying that there will be a spin-off following the Qimmig pack.
While we've had quickened characters in the past that were new and naive to the human world, Timo comes from an altogether different situation. His pack remains fairly isolated, with only a couple of them going to work in Anchorage to make money. They don't trust the "one-skinned" humans and live more like an animal pack, with one alpha making the decisions. When Timo finds Zeus, a whole new world opens up to him.
Zeus is a sweet St. Bernard shifter who finds that he is more comfortable with nature than with most humans. He doesn't like crowds and often doesn't get the joke or understand when people talk around something. The Alaskan wild is the most beautiful place he's been and Timo is the most beautiful person. Neither of them really seem to understand their attraction, but Zeus catches on quicker than Timo.
This book was the slowest of slow burns. It actually felt to me that the two spent very little time together once they reached Mad Creek, so it was difficult for me to get fully invested in their feelings. Timo also was very uncertain of everything, especially his pull towards Zeus and the idea of a male mating another male. To this end, once things start to move forward, everything felt very rushed. There were so many issues to overcome, many were glossed over or just felt unresolved to me. Perhaps with the new series we'll see more of them and some of my questions will be answered.
It was great to see some of the older characters show up, especially Sammy and Milo. So while this wasn't my favorite of the series, I still love the town and its characters and I am intrigued by the Qimmig pack and how things will all work out.
I enjoyed Zeus and Timo's story, but I found it to be lacking in romance. This was a bit of a different entry in the series, with part of it set at Timos' home camp of a small shifter pack in Alaska before moving the story back to Mad Creek. This made even more sense when I read the author's note at the end saying that there will be a spin-off following the Qimmig pack.
While we've had quickened characters in the past that were new and naive to the human world, Timo comes from an altogether different situation. His pack remains fairly isolated, with only a couple of them going to work in Anchorage to make money. They don't trust the "one-skinned" humans and live more like an animal pack, with one alpha making the decisions. When Timo finds Zeus, a whole new world opens up to him.
Zeus is a sweet St. Bernard shifter who finds that he is more comfortable with nature than with most humans. He doesn't like crowds and often doesn't get the joke or understand when people talk around something. The Alaskan wild is the most beautiful place he's been and Timo is the most beautiful person. Neither of them really seem to understand their attraction, but Zeus catches on quicker than Timo.
This book was the slowest of slow burns. It actually felt to me that the two spent very little time together once they reached Mad Creek, so it was difficult for me to get fully invested in their feelings. Timo also was very uncertain of everything, especially his pull towards Zeus and the idea of a male mating another male. To this end, once things start to move forward, everything felt very rushed. There were so many issues to overcome, many were glossed over or just felt unresolved to me. Perhaps with the new series we'll see more of them and some of my questions will be answered.
It was great to see some of the older characters show up, especially Sammy and Milo. So while this wasn't my favorite of the series, I still love the town and its characters and I am intrigued by the Qimmig pack and how things will all work out.
July 23, 2019
I love this series and this book was an adorable addition. Timo & Zeus were both oblivious in regards to mating / bonding until they realized a connection had formed. Both from different worlds they cane to terms with the needs of each other... it was low level heat / passion but high level heart ❤️
July 13, 2019
I adore this series, Eli could read another 30 books about Mad Creek and I'd keep reading them. This was a wonderful addition.
July 19, 2019
I needed this book today. I needed the happy this series brings. There’s something about Mad Creek that’s pure magic. I’m madly in love with this town and the quickened. They are such a wonderful mix of human and dog, the best of both. It’s quirky and fun. This series never fails to put a smile on my face and genuinely make me feel happy. And I really needed some happy today. And these St. Bernard and Husky shifters really brought that to me.
I fell for Zeus immediately. The St Bernard shifter, a gentle giant of sorts. His whole presence calmed everyone around him, like if he’d wrapped you up and hugged you like a giant teddy bear. He’s not one for crowds � or hugs really. He is the happiest in nature protecting the forest. When we first meet him he’s joining the Mad Creek Search and Rescue team and with that team he truly found his place where he could use all of his skills to the fullest. It was on one such mission in Alaska he saw a strange man looking at him, the man smelling of the wild and of wolves. From that moment he needed to know more about this mysterious shifter.
Timo is equally fascinated by Zeus, the strange two-skinned walking around in Anchorage. But it’s not only Zach he marvels at, but how he and his pack are thriving. He needs to know their secret in order to help his dying pack. But during his time with Zach he learns so much more than he ever thought possible, shifting his view of the world just a bit at a time.
Most of this book is set in Mad Creek with Timo learning and exploring, trying to find the answers to why this pack was thriving when his was not. I loved exploring Mad Creek with Timo, learning with him. I felt his struggle and fight for his dying pack, I felt the urgency. The book kept building towards Timo going back to Alaska with answers of how to make his pack thrive. So I have to admit to being disappointed when that journey home happened off page between the last chapter and the epilogue. I know that there will be a spin-off and this isn’t the last we’ll see of this pack, but I guess I wanted more of Alaska.
What about the romance between Zeus and Timo? Well, it wasn’t really there for me. It did a 180 turnaround almost like an afterthought at the end of the book. There was no building tension, longing glances, anticipation or connection. At least not much beyond a mutual fascination. Sure we were told that Zeus struggled with his attraction for Timo, but we never really felt it. It’s beyond slow-burn, or rather no burn at all.
But you know what, despite all that I had a wonderful time reading this book. I love Mad Creek. I love all the characters in it. And I think that Easton might just make me believe that there are dog-shifters walking among us and that she knows her fair share. Because how else does she manages to capture the essence of each of the shifters? Making you see the dog in the man and vice versa. The most touching moment in the book was without a doubt that last scene, it was filled with so much hope and such yearning to mend the bonds between man and shifter so long ago. I can’t wait to read the next chapter in the Quimmiq story. The weather might be cold up there in Alaska, but I have a feeling the shifters will keep me warm.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
I fell for Zeus immediately. The St Bernard shifter, a gentle giant of sorts. His whole presence calmed everyone around him, like if he’d wrapped you up and hugged you like a giant teddy bear. He’s not one for crowds � or hugs really. He is the happiest in nature protecting the forest. When we first meet him he’s joining the Mad Creek Search and Rescue team and with that team he truly found his place where he could use all of his skills to the fullest. It was on one such mission in Alaska he saw a strange man looking at him, the man smelling of the wild and of wolves. From that moment he needed to know more about this mysterious shifter.
Timo is equally fascinated by Zeus, the strange two-skinned walking around in Anchorage. But it’s not only Zach he marvels at, but how he and his pack are thriving. He needs to know their secret in order to help his dying pack. But during his time with Zach he learns so much more than he ever thought possible, shifting his view of the world just a bit at a time.
Most of this book is set in Mad Creek with Timo learning and exploring, trying to find the answers to why this pack was thriving when his was not. I loved exploring Mad Creek with Timo, learning with him. I felt his struggle and fight for his dying pack, I felt the urgency. The book kept building towards Timo going back to Alaska with answers of how to make his pack thrive. So I have to admit to being disappointed when that journey home happened off page between the last chapter and the epilogue. I know that there will be a spin-off and this isn’t the last we’ll see of this pack, but I guess I wanted more of Alaska.
What about the romance between Zeus and Timo? Well, it wasn’t really there for me. It did a 180 turnaround almost like an afterthought at the end of the book. There was no building tension, longing glances, anticipation or connection. At least not much beyond a mutual fascination. Sure we were told that Zeus struggled with his attraction for Timo, but we never really felt it. It’s beyond slow-burn, or rather no burn at all.
But you know what, despite all that I had a wonderful time reading this book. I love Mad Creek. I love all the characters in it. And I think that Easton might just make me believe that there are dog-shifters walking among us and that she knows her fair share. Because how else does she manages to capture the essence of each of the shifters? Making you see the dog in the man and vice versa. The most touching moment in the book was without a doubt that last scene, it was filled with so much hope and such yearning to mend the bonds between man and shifter so long ago. I can’t wait to read the next chapter in the Quimmiq story. The weather might be cold up there in Alaska, but I have a feeling the shifters will keep me warm.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
February 18, 2020
Zeus, the St. Bernard finds Timo, a husky from the Alaskan wild !
Another walk in the life of our dog-shifters. This time it’s Alaska that has our attention. Zeus is a trained Rescue person, and ends up seeking a fellow dog-shifter, that he saw near his camp. When he finds him, all other things cease to matter. Back at Timo’s home, Zeus is discovering a big new world.
Zeus, 34, is a St. Bernard shifter, big, strong, smart and curious.
Timo, 24, a Siberian Husky shifter, an Alpha dog, talkative and curious,
is second in his pack. Timo’s small pack are in trouble if they don’t find strong, healthy mates to help procreate for the pack growth and strength.
We watch the guys enjoy the wilderness,
run with wolves,
hike and swim, plus explain their issues.
Zeus has a great idea and gets the project rolling.
Also, Zeus has fallen in love with Timo, but Timo doesn’t understand the concept of M/M matings, until he sees it for himself at Mad Creek.
We visit with our previous book’s characters. When Zeus kisses Timo, it results in a mess. Timo must figure out what to do, weigh both views and find his truth.
This series is amazing, bright, fresh and fun. It’s got marvelous stories, great characters, hot sexy times, and issues resolved.
Enjoy !
======
Another walk in the life of our dog-shifters. This time it’s Alaska that has our attention. Zeus is a trained Rescue person, and ends up seeking a fellow dog-shifter, that he saw near his camp. When he finds him, all other things cease to matter. Back at Timo’s home, Zeus is discovering a big new world.
Zeus, 34, is a St. Bernard shifter, big, strong, smart and curious.
Timo, 24, a Siberian Husky shifter, an Alpha dog, talkative and curious,
is second in his pack. Timo’s small pack are in trouble if they don’t find strong, healthy mates to help procreate for the pack growth and strength.
We watch the guys enjoy the wilderness,
run with wolves,
hike and swim, plus explain their issues.
Zeus has a great idea and gets the project rolling.
Also, Zeus has fallen in love with Timo, but Timo doesn’t understand the concept of M/M matings, until he sees it for himself at Mad Creek.
We visit with our previous book’s characters. When Zeus kisses Timo, it results in a mess. Timo must figure out what to do, weigh both views and find his truth.
This series is amazing, bright, fresh and fun. It’s got marvelous stories, great characters, hot sexy times, and issues resolved.
Enjoy !
======
July 20, 2019
Hmmm... I felt like this actually had a lot of potential problems, because of the two different worlds of Mad Creek and Alaska dog shifters. And I wasn't completely sold that Zeus and Timo were actually able to work those out. It was too much too soon near the end...
But it was FUN to find out about the previous couples :)
But it was FUN to find out about the previous couples :)
July 22, 2019
Just when I think I have read the best of the Quickened books, the next one is out and I’m amazed again. This book is my favorite of the series so far and I highly recommend it. Beautiful characterization and scenery, and a gorgeous love story running through every page.
July 21, 2019
4.5 stars
Another great addition to this series.
Can’t wait for the spin off series!
Another great addition to this series.
Can’t wait for the spin off series!
July 21, 2019
Generally, I enjoy Eli Easton's books, and others have rated this one highly, but I'm going to have to chalk it up as a complete miss.
I think the kindest way of describing this book is "unsophisticated". There's an inherent danger in writing a book from (essentially) a dog's point of view that it sounds like a child's primary reader. Unfortunately, that's what's happened here. The sentence structure is painfully naïve for page after page after page. Combined with a lack of character development, and an underwhelming plot, this all added up to a reading experience that actively disengaged me.
I think the kindest way of describing this book is "unsophisticated". There's an inherent danger in writing a book from (essentially) a dog's point of view that it sounds like a child's primary reader. Unfortunately, that's what's happened here. The sentence structure is painfully naïve for page after page after page. Combined with a lack of character development, and an underwhelming plot, this all added up to a reading experience that actively disengaged me.
August 11, 2019
I liked this one in a different way from the others of the series. I really enjoyed the change of setting, and the change of tone that spent less time in the cute world of domestic dogs, and more in the Arctic setting with its environmental and social and biological challenges. I really appreciated a new issue arising, one that was totally logical to the setting, and heartbreaking at times. I liked the misfit characters, finding each other outside the safety of Pack and Mad Creek's comfortable bounds.
The romance was less powerful in this story. Zeus and Timo had reasons to come together that were strong but superficial. Most of the time, their external problems took precedence over building their relationship. At the same time I believe they will remain together and that their relationship will become powerful over time.
My emotions were more engaged by some of the other themes, the effects of isolation, of ignorance, of people doing their very best in the face of too little information. There was a strength to this story and a reality that took it different places from the sweet warm fuzzies of the others in the series, even when they were angsty.
The ending is solid for our MCs, but sets up a new and precarious situation for the secondary characters, with both culture shock, and painful biological imperatives to be addressed. I look forward to seeing if the author pursues more stories in the Arctic setting.
The romance was less powerful in this story. Zeus and Timo had reasons to come together that were strong but superficial. Most of the time, their external problems took precedence over building their relationship. At the same time I believe they will remain together and that their relationship will become powerful over time.
My emotions were more engaged by some of the other themes, the effects of isolation, of ignorance, of people doing their very best in the face of too little information. There was a strength to this story and a reality that took it different places from the sweet warm fuzzies of the others in the series, even when they were angsty.
The ending is solid for our MCs, but sets up a new and precarious situation for the secondary characters, with both culture shock, and painful biological imperatives to be addressed. I look forward to seeing if the author pursues more stories in the Arctic setting.
April 6, 2023
Reread update: read it again before going for the new book in the series, as a refresher. I love how interesting this series is to reread. It feels just as good as it did the first time.
This book was everything I hoped for and more. One of the things I love about Eli Easton's writing is that every book comes not only with new characters, but with fresh and fun plot twists, which make them all more exciting. This one was absolutely fenomenal!
The alaskan quickened live such different lives from the ones in mad creek, the culture clash between them is fascinating! This is the kind of book that keeps you up at night because you simply cannot put it down, and I love finding books like that
This book was everything I hoped for and more. One of the things I love about Eli Easton's writing is that every book comes not only with new characters, but with fresh and fun plot twists, which make them all more exciting. This one was absolutely fenomenal!
The alaskan quickened live such different lives from the ones in mad creek, the culture clash between them is fascinating! This is the kind of book that keeps you up at night because you simply cannot put it down, and I love finding books like that
February 16, 2025
I didn’t love this book as much as the others in the series. I couldn’t get excited about Zeus and Timo. I also wasn’t happy with the way things turned out between Zeus and Yuki. This just didn’t have the wonderful feels I get from most Eli Easton books.
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