Serpent’s Teardrop By Mary Rundle, Performed By Nick J. Russo
Genre: Erotica, Fantasy, Paranormal, Shifters, Dragons, GLBTQ, MM
Tropes: Alpha Character, Fated Mates, Soul Mates, Mpreg, True Love
Released: August 17, 2021 (audio); May 28, 2019 (ebook)
Publisher: Dragonheart LLC
Series: Blackwood Pack, Book 7
Length: 11 hrs, 25 mins; 451 pages; 110,559 words
The Blackwood Pack saga continues…
This is part of an on-going series by Amazon Bestselling Author, Mary Rundle, and catching up on previous titles is advised. Readers of the past books will enjoy meeting old friends once more as the pack does what it does best ̶ caring for one another and helping shifters everywhere.
Brian, a.k.a. “The Loch Ness Monster” has searched for his Fated Mate in vain for more than 600 years until he scents Reif in the frigid waters of the lake. But his mate seems to be purposely eluding him, so Brian turns to the Shaman of the Blackwood Pack to help find him.
Reif, one of a line of ancient shifters thought to be extinct is drawn to Brian but must focus on completing a mission to free his enslaved people from the clutches of an evil group. Despite his powerful attraction to Brian, he hides from him, believing it’s the only choice he has.
That changes when Reif surreptitiously kisses Brian while he’s sleeping, setting off a chain of events that puts both of them in mortal danger, and the powerful Blackwood pack resolves to help them stave off the wrath of vampires and witches.
Along the way, both Brian and Reif learn some hard lessons about the mutual trust necessary to achieve the happiness and fulfillment both have sought for hundreds of years.
A heartbreaking confession, an action-packed rescue, a riveting courtroom battle and many unexpected twists and turns make this passionate love story by Mary Rundle impossible to put down once you’ve read the first page.
Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003
Another captivating story in this series!
Nick J. Russo once again does an excellent job with his performance of the seventh book in this series. He manages to use very distinct voices for each of the characters and I love his Scottish accent. Since Brian, aka the Loch Ness monster, is one of the MCs in this story we get to hear a lot of that sexy Scottish voice. 😊
Mary Rundle has the most detailed blurbs for her books so please read the one for Serpent’s Teardrop. For me, I’ve enjoyed listening to this series so much; I’ve not read them with my eyes. I confess that I started listening to them because of Nick J. Russo; I was not familiar with Mary Rundle’s writing. But once I started listening to the series, I quickly understood why The Blackwood Pack series has so many fans.
Brian has been one of my favorite characters since he first appeared. Reif was a surprise because Brian never thought he’d find his fated mate. They don’t have the best start with each other but the Blackwood Pack comes through with their help, as always, and Brian and Reif get their well-deserved HEA.
In addition to Brian and Reif’s love story, Fionn – a dragon shifter introduced in an earlier book – finally gets some resolution to the problem he’s been having with his uncle. I enjoyed getting to visit with so many of the other characters in this series. Because this is an ongoing series everything is not resolved yet and there’s a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of this story.
If you enjoy a large cast of characters and a variety of different shifters, I don’t hesitate to recommend The Blackwood Pack series. I’m looking forward to listening to more of the books. If you can’t wait for them all to come out in audio format, books 1-10 are available to read now in Kindle Unlimited.
Story: ♥♥♥♥♥
Narration: ♥♥♥♥♥
O Factor: Scorcher
Available to borrow with Kindle Unlimited.
“Him? Are you sure?” Brian asked.
“Yes,” Kieran said, softly.
Relieved to know that much at least, Brian began, “I was doing a back float when a passing boat’s wake carryin’ my mate’s scent washed over me. Shifting, I dove down, searching for it, but twas weak and quickly dissipated. That night, I searched again and the scent was stronger, but as I followed it, I realized twas at least an hour old. It led to the shoreline, where I shifted and climbed onto the bank, but there was nae a trace…even though I felt its presence.
“Every night, the same thing happened, even though I went into the water at different times…sometimes early, other times later, but twas always the same…except for last night,” Brian said. “After cruising the loch, I waited until the sky turned pink before I shifted and climbed aboard my boat. As I headed below, I felt someone watching me and I sensed my mate was somewhere near the marina’s buildings, but still I could nae see him.” Brian was getting agitated by this time, prompting Kieran to lay a calming hand on him.
After a few moments of silence, the sea serpent continued. “I decided to search the area lookin’ for a clue to help me figure out who he was, but could nae find anything. I know he was close by, because I again could feel his stare and sensed his presence,” Brian said, his frustration now evident. “Please Shaman, I need yer help. I dinna know why my mate is hidin’ from me, but I feel something is amiss and he needs me.”
“Of course, we’ll help you won’t we, macushla?” Kieran asked, glancing at his mate.
“My mate’s right, Brian,” answered Logan. “Our Alpha regards you as a member of the Blackwood Pack so whatever needs to be done, we’ll do.”
After hearing a chorus of ‘absolutelys’ and ‘count-me-ins’, Brian felt his sea serpent relax, confident his mate would soon be found. “Thank ye, thank ye, I canna tell ye how much I appreciate it,” Brian said, with a sigh of relief.
“So,” Logan then proposed, “I think the first thing is to figure out what shifter can swim and breathe underwater while disappearing when he’s on land. Slate, Ian, any ideas?”
“I haven’t ever heard of a shifter doing that,” answered Slate. “I could ask my research team to look into it.”
“Let’s keep that as an option but, right now, until we know what kind of shifter Brian’s mate is, I think we should keep this to ourselves,” Logan said.
“Sorry, Logan,” said Ian, “I’ve studied every shifter alive today and none of them can do both things.”
“Maybe he’s a myth,” Zane offered.
“But he’s real!” exclaimed Dakota.
“Yes, I know, but maybe we can find a myth or legend that describes a shifter who can do what Brian’s mate can,” Zane insisted. “Just like the stories that described someone like David and Daniel.”
“That’s a great idea,” Kieran said, clapping his hands.
“I’ll do a search,” said Zane.
“Do that, bro,” said Logan, “and I’ll talk to Maximus and Mystia to see if they can shed any light on this shifter.”
“Why don’t we help Brian search?” asked David.
“Yeah,” said Slate, “we can spread out on land while you’re in the loch, Brian. Why don’t we stake out the places where we know he’s left the water?”
“Macushla, we can fly over the loch to look for him,” said Kieran.
Logan nodded, then asked Brian, “Do you know if your mate is ever at the surface?”
The sea serpent thought for a moment before answering. “Canna tell. The scent was auld when I found it and parts of the trail had vanished.”
“Okay,” said Logan, “Kieran and I will fly over the loch tonight while the rest of you will be stationed at the previously known exit points. Since we don’t know what we’re dealing with, I’ll have Groose assign a couple of enforcers to each team.”
“Macushla, Brian’s mate is not a threat!” exclaimed Kieran.
“I know that babe, but he may view us as a threat. I want the enforcers along so it gives us time to explain who we are and why we’re there,” answered Logan. “Do you see anything wrong with that, Brian?”
“Naw, I’m fine with it,” Brian said.
Mary is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card AND a “Love Queens” mug with this tour.
The first book I ever wrote was Dire Warning in 2017 and, much to my delight, it became an Amazon Best-Seller. Readers loved it and I was on my way to chronicling the Blackwood Pack, seven brothers who are gay wolf shifters in search of their fated mates—stories about love at first sight with twists and turns, angst and humor, romance and adventure and, of course, happy endings.
As my books began to be translated into other languages, I also became an Amazon International Best-Selling author and then achieved the honor of becoming an Amazon All Star due to their popularity. My tenth book, Darkness Master has just been published and audible versions of the entire series are in progress.
I love the M/M paranormal genre because it gives my imagination a lot of territory in which to roam. My mind can really run wild and come up with some amazing stuff when it doesn’t have to stay inside the box.
My readers tell me they feel like they’re members of the pack as the stories unfold…as if they’re right there in the middle of the action. Others tell me it’s like watching a fast-paced movie. My writing style pulls no punches…readers love it and are always clamoring for the next book.
Stories come to me as if channeled by my characters, all of whom I love (except for a few villains). They are eager to recount their lives, loves and adventures and are not inhibited when it comes to revealing steamy, sexy details.
I currently live in the Northeast and love the beautiful change of seasons, my husband, and our quirky calico cat, though not necessarily in that order. I’m always happy to hear from my readers and can be reached through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email, or my website.
Amazon | Bookbub | Contact | Facebook Author Page | Facebook Group Page | Goodreads | Instagram | QueeRomance Ink | Twitter | Website
Nick J. Russo
Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Audible
Tour materials and review copy provided by Other Worlds Ink.
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