I really enjoyed the first book in this series and Raphael’s Power was even better. As usual, Nick J. Russo’s performance of the story was great. His voice is so easy to listen to and the different voices he uses for the characters make it easy to tell who is speaking.

I feel a bit obligated to say that there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of this – but it’s to set up the next book in the series; the romance for Ian and Colton has a good HEA but I’m sure we will hear more from them as this series goes along.

The blurb for this book is pretty detailed so I’m just going to say that I was kept on the edge of my seat a lot of the time and I found the story moved a good pace and pretty much kept me captivated throughout. I think it’s really interesting to read this somewhat different take on shifters – they each seem to have other powers in addition to being shifters.

There’s an ongoing mystery from book one to two, and I imagine it will carry on into the other books as it wasn’t solved yet. That’s enough to keep me coming back for more and I hope the remaining books will be coming out as audiobooks.

Reviews for Mary Rundle

Reviews for Nick J. Russo

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Steel entered the patio with Jackson and Colton in tow. “Okay, I’ve got them. Can we proceed?”

“Certainly, sweetie. Come, Jackson, sit down next to me. How’s my grandson today? Still kicking up a storm?”

“Yes, especially today. I think it’s because his other father hasn’t spent enough time with me today,” Jackson pouted.

“Hey, that’s not fair. You know I was trying to get everything taken care of before this weekend so you would have my undivided attention.”

“Hey babe, I was just teasing you. Jeez, you’re tense. What’s the matter and why did you want to see me and Colton. Oh shit! Is something wrong with the baby?” Jackson glanced at Colton.

“What?”

“No, no, babe,” Steel said. “Shit, no. This has nothing to do with the pup. It’s about Colton.”

“Colton? Oh, my gods! Is he sick? Did your mother tell you something was going to happen to him? Colton, why didn’t you tell me you were sick?” demanded Jackson.

“What? I’m not sick. What the fuck have you been telling Steel?” Colton shot angrily at Oracle. “And why are you upsetting Jackson?”

By this time, Maximus was laughing so hard, tears were running down his face. Oracle was chuckling softly but Steel was not amused.

Trying to get the meeting back on track, Steel huffed, “Listen to me. There is nothing wrong with the pup or Colton. This meeting is about a request I got from Slate concerning Colton. Can everyone calm down?”

“Then why did you say you were worried about Colton?”

Maximus was now howling with laughter as Steel turned to him. “Cut it out Dad. This isn’t funny. How the hell did this get so fucked up so fast?”

Oracle took control. “Jackson, dear, the meeting is about Slate’s request for Colton to go to Mexico to help him set up the hospital and clinic.”

“Then why…oh never mind. Let’s just get on with it. Why does Slate need Colton in Mexico to set up the hospital and clinic?”

Steel explained, “Slate wants Colton to join him in Mexico because the person who was scheduled became ill and he can’t find a replacement on this short notice.”

“Can’t he wait until the person recovers?” asked Jackson.

“No,” Steel said, “There was a fire last night that destroyed most of the old hospital, so they are desperate to get the new one up and running. Colton did the floorplan and the equipment list, so he has the most knowledge…medical knowledge…other than Dr. Luna, about getting everything set up properly.”

Colton listened with excitement at the possibility of going to Mexico to help out. When he was doing the planning with Dr. Luna and Slate he’d dreamt of it but was sure Jackson would never let him go. Now, though, maybe. After all, his brother was willing to let him go to Seattle on Monday. Oh Shit. When am I needed in Mexico? “Ahh, when would I be going?” Colton asked.

“Slate would pick you up Sunday morning and fly with you down to Mexico. He would stay with you until you finish and then fly you back.”

“But he’ll be going to Seattle on Monday,” said Jackson. “We’d have to cancel that and I’m not sure his brothers would understand since it’s all they’ve been talking about.”

“Let’s set that aside for the moment,” said Steel. “I think we need to focus on whether Colton wants to go to Mexico first and then, if so, is it safe for him.” He turned to Colton.

“Yes, I want to go. It would fulfill a dream of mine to be on the frontline of where medicine is needed the most. And since my ultimate goal is to work for Frontline Doctors, the experience would help me in my chosen field of work.”

“Okay, so we have the answer to the first part. What about his safety, Jackson? Your concerns?”

“You know my issues. Even though Silver Point has rescinded the kill-on-sight order, I don’t trust my uncle.”

“You were willing to let me go to Seattle. Mexico is further away, so I should be safer,” said Colton.

“Slate promised me he would guard Colton with his life while he was there,” said Steel, “sort of like his personal bodyguard. And Slate will be able to help Colton so it won’t take that long.”

Turning to Oracle, Jackson said, “I imagine the reason you’re in this meeting is to tell me if you’ve been told of any harm happening to Colton if he went?”

“Yes. I can only tell you Colton will return home.”

Jackson thought about what Oracle said but more troubling was what she didn’t say. There was a lot missing in her declaration about what would happen to his brother down there. How could he object? He knew the experience would mean a lot to Colton and give him hope about his future. Isn’t that why I agreed to the Seattle trip? So, his brothers would feel their lives were moving forward? Sighing, he said, “Okay, I won’t stop you from going Colton, but what do we do about the Seattle trip? Do we postpone it?”

“I don’t think that’s fair to my brothers. Why don’t they go ahead to Seattle while I go to Mexico? When I get back, maybe we can plan another trip to Seattle if the first one goes well.”

Jackson and Steel looked at each other, using their mind link to come to an agreement. Finally, Steel spoke, “Okay. Why don’t you go ahead and pack while I call Slate. I’ll let you know what time he’ll be here on Sunday.”

“Gosh, thanks guys.” Jumping up with ill-concealed excitement, Colton said, “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go figure out what I need to take.”

Blackwood Pack Series

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