Product Description

(Gay / Erotic Romance / Dark Fantasy / Shapeshifter / Werewolf / Fantasy / Witchcraft / Magic / Exhibitionism / Public Places) Professor Seth Anderson has finally found sanctuary in Brier, Iowa. Even better, he's found Raphael 'Rafe' Dirisio, a strong, giant of a man who owns the town pool hall, and Seth has never felt so comfortable, safe, or close to anyone. When Seth is asked to give a series of lectures in Washington, DC, it seems only natural that Rafe come along. But in a few surreal days, Seth's true nature is exposed and he brings both their lives crashing down around them. Because Seth is not only a werewolf, he's also something much, much worse...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #297426 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-12
• Binding: Paperback
• 174 pages

Review
"...A wonderful shapeshifter story...Both characters are really wonderful. I like how Seth struggles with himself...Rafe doesn't understand why a clever and pretty man like Seth would be willing to set with an average man like him...A complex novel, not...for the plot, but for the development of the relationship between Seth and Rafe; the tension mounts...I was crying during the ride, and this is...thanks to the two characters (and the author who wrote them)."--Elise, Elise Rolle Live Journal

"5 Nymphs!...I loved this story. The author does such an excellent job pulling the reader into the story that you can see Seth as the wounded puppy he sometimes is, and when he becomes the Ravager, the intense anger is also felt. Rafe's reaction to both Seth and the situation he now finds himself in is a realistic portrait, as is his occasional shortness with Seth as things unfold...A definite 'must read' for those who love shifters, but keep the Kleenex handy. If we are lucky, we will see these two again soon."--Critter Nymphs, Literary Nymphs Reviews

"4 Stars!...A complex novel, full of twists and turns. McBride has built a rich fantasy world, complete with backstory, as he lets us watch Seth and Rafe react to each other's need, to each other's crises, to the unexpected...I love the way McBride writes, with evocative color...I recommend it; I think you will enjoy it..."--Carole, Rainbow Reviews

Customer Reviews

Surprisingly good plot, but some elements that made me uneasy
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 7/10

PROS:
- Two men who are vastly different and yet equally protective of each other. Each uses his strengths to cover the other's weaknesses, and their devotion is touching.
- Interesting subversion of the dominant/submissive dichotomy. This isn't BDSM; there are no toys, no bondage, no whipping, etc. But the werewolf stories I've read in the past (not that I've read many, I admit) have incorporated a fairly rigid idea of the sexual roles of the two characters. Those roles are stretched and explored in this story, which I found compelling.
- Additional, intriguing element to the typical werewolf-human love story. Again, I haven't read much fiction about changelings, so it could be that Seth's nature isn't really that unusual in werewolf stories, but I enjoyed it.
- Lovely, entertaining interaction between the two main characters and Rafe's family when he takes Seth home for the first time. I enjoyed that part of the story very much.

CONS:
- At times I felt that Seth's doglike nature was taken a bit far. It's not a book ruiner, by any means, but a few too many simplistic, Tarzan-like sentences (example: "Rafe mad at Seth?") began to grate just a touch.
- Sex scenes that didn't do much of anything for me...except make me cringe when one of the guys asks the other to stop and it doesn't happen. No, it's not *quite* rape, because the protests don't last long and the one who's being taken enjoys every minute of it, or so we're told, but yikes.
- Quite a bit of jealousy and self-loathing and despair and other angsty feelings that always make me a little uneasy.

Overall comments: This is a good book, as is evidenced by the fact that I read it in one day. I found the plot more interesting than most other books in this genre, if only because it contains some elements I haven't encountered in any other stories (yet, anyway). It isn't a sweet, light-hearted, "everything's coming up roses" novel, though, so you might rethink this one if you're looking for romantic comedy.

Deeply emotional and fascinating paranormal M/M romance
I could not put this down once I started. Like its title, the stark poignancy of Lone held me captive from page one as we get to know one lone werewolf, Seth. Ostracized and feared Seth is wanted dead by his own kind and the paranormal creatures that walk the earth. For Seth is a Ravager, a freak of magic, a monster who is feared for its savagery, its almost invincibility. But Seth has managed to survive for 32 years. In human form Seth is a mathematician genius, defenceless in appearance and small in physique and so much younger than his real age. But in his true form, Seth is wild and truly a monster. Seth only knows survival. But somehow Seth meets Rafe, a gentle giant who loves Seth. But does a monster know how to love. Seth only know he feels safe with Rafe and wants this human to owe him. The emotional struggles between these 2 characters is so well written and just tug at my heart strings. Rafe's turmoil when he finds out Seth's true nature. Seth's inability to love not because he couldn't but because he had never been loved or cared for before Rafe. The plot itself is original and refreshing, the encounters between the hunters and the hunted not for the squemish. The cast of supporting characters from Rafe's family to one anciet vampire named Dorian is just as well developed. But most of all it is Seth and Rafe and the deeply emotional and stirring interaction between them which hold me captive. And I really like the way the writer draws Seth's nature out as he walks a fine line between being human and a wild animal/monster. This is one amazingly well written paranormal romance and my only regret is that it ends too soon for Seth and Rafe. Dare I hope for a series!

Lone by Rowan McBride
It's not often that a book makes me cry, but when happens I can pour tears like if it's raining... or maybe I'm in tear since it's 2 in the morning and I can't let it go this book since I reached the last page... In a way or the other, Lone was a wonderful shapeshifter story, one that probably I can read over and over and always pouring some tears.

Seth is a small and cute man, 32 years old, at five foot five he looks most a teenager than a full grown man. And he is strange, sometime skittish, sometime cuddling, Seth reacts to the mood of his partner, when he is happy Seth is more than happy when he is sad Seth is more than sad... yes, actually Seth seems very much like a puppy, maybe since he is a werewolf? But Seth is not a normal werewolf, in a wolf pack he would be an omega, but since he is "different" he is a lone wolf, and a wolf without pack is easily a prey. How is it possible that a small man like Seth, who probably is also a small wolf, survived for all these years without the safety of a pack? Seth was always alone, wandering from city to city trying to find the one with less outworld creatures. And the little small town where he moved three months before seemed perfect, and he met also Rafe, six foot six of muscle and an even bigger heart. Rafe is gentle and caring, he has not a bad bone in him, and most of the safety Seth feels near him is due to the fact that no one dares to challenge such a mountain of man. But while they are visiting Washington DC they stumble upon a werewolves pack, and they are not at all scared by a simple human, and it's upon little Seth to protect his Rafe.

I have always had a kink for the story where there is a big physical difference between partners, I don't know if it's actually a theme, like the May / December or the Silver Romance... but Rowan McBride is one of my dealer in this theme. Here the contrast is even more nice, since there is also a disparity in strength, and it's not Rafe that is the strongest in the couple.

Both characters are really wonderful. I like how Seth struggles with himself, how he is easily pleased but the simplest cuddle, since he has never had one in his life; Seth is like a starving man and even a piece of bread is like a banquet for him. He is fiercely bonded with Rafe but at the same time he doesn't believe in a future for them, and so he has never asked, not for love neither for affection, or the simple things like "how old are you?"... Seth is like a stray dog Rafe collected on the street one night, and Seth is waiting for Rafe to be tired of him and to kick him out.

On the other hand Rafe doesn't understand why a clever and pretty man like Seth would be willing to set with an average man like him. And when he discovers the real nature of Seth, it's almost a shock, but in a way, it's also one more proof that Seth doesn't need him, he can take care of himself. Rafe at first doesn't understand that Seth needs a "pack", a family, even if of two, and he needs someone who is willing to play the alpha. Seth can be a man, but he is also a wolf, and his wolf needs the structure of a pack, the pack gives him safety. And Seth needs someone who is not scared or ashamed by his wolf, someone who lets his wolf out and play... yes, sometime Seth behaves like a dog (nuzzling, cuddling, licking), and he needs that.

Lone is a complex novel, not much for the plot, but for the development of the relationship between Seth and Rafe; the tension mounts, and even if I knew that I was leading toward an happy ending, nevertheless I was crying during the ride, and this is only thanks to the two characters (and the author who wrote them).