Hellfire (MMMF)
Southwest Shifters 1

Professional Reviews

4 STARS: "Author Gale Stanley has created a fantastic tale that spans sixteen years and a cross country trek. Betrayal led to the massacre of their families and a fear of humans. Like many of the remaining men of their pack, Gage and Tanner turned to one another out of necessity, comfort and a scarcity of female Lycans. When a chance meeting with a lost female member of their pack, Kate, brings out their mating instincts they’ll have to decide if she’s worth the risk. Kate no longer travels alone. Gage and Tanner not only have to woo the wary female, they’ll have to decide if they can trust and love her very hot human cowboy protector. This is a short story so the reader isn’t required to relive the entire history of the characters but it is nicely sprinkled throughout the novella. Rather than overwhelming the story or holding back what is happening in the present, bits of the past and memories from Gage, Tanner and especially Kate add to the overall believability of the tale. Kate’s memories are especially compelling and paint her a sympathetic character. The only non-Lycan member of the cast of main characters is rodeo star Shiloh Ford. In a manner similar to Gage and Tanner, Kate and Shiloh hooked up based on necessity and comfort. Shiloh is a likable character who has immediate chemistry with both Gage and Tanner despite their secretiveness. There are several other character pairings mentioned throughout the story but mostly in passing conversation. We never really get to meet the other human/Lycan mates but their stories sound like they would be interesting. Ms. Stanley has already written and published the two follow-up books in the Southwestern Shifter series but they appear to be centered on other wolves in the pack. Readers may notice the scenes sometimes jump rather quickly between chapters without a truly smooth transition. Don’t get me wrong, though, this was really only a minor disruption and didn’t kill the overall enjoyment of the book. If you’re looking for a short story series with lots of heart and heat, check out the first book in the Southwestern Shifter series, Hellfire. This novella is great for a quick read and the follow-up stories are conveniently already published. Ms. Stanley is a clever writer and worth checking out." -- Honeysuckle, Long and Short Reviews

Excerpt

Story Excerpt

“Yeehaw!” Flush with excitement, Tanner waved his brand-new cowboy hat in the air. Gage elbowed him in the gut a couple of times until he got the hint. The straw Stetson went back on his head, and Tanner tried to look contrite but couldn’t quite pull it off.

 Frowning, Gage took off his own hat and wiped the sweat from his brow with a sleeve. The hat had been a gift from his lover, and although he’d made a big stink about wearing it, he had to admit it was good for something. The wide brim had kept the sun off his head. As the big orange ball disappeared over the horizon, the cavernous, dirt-filled arena felt as foreign to Gage as a lunar landscape. It wasn’t that he hated the rodeo—in fact, he’d never been to one before—but he felt totally out of his element. “What the fuck am I doing here?”

“Helping me satisfy my cowboy fetish.” Tanner tipped his Stetson and gave his boyfriend a wicked grin. “You know I’m a fan of men in tight chaps.”

“What am I, chopped liver?”

Tanner cracked up. “I hate liver. You’re filet mignon all the way, baby.”

“Then show a little appreciation.” He would do anything for Tanner, and had, many times over, but this was above and beyond. Crowded by a bunch of hot, sweaty bodies, and hot as a habanero, he felt like an ass decked out in full Western regalia, plaid button-down shirt, jeans, and high-heeled cowboy boots. It was tantamount to torture.

Tanner winked at him. “I’d love to, baby, but we’re a little too public.”

“You’re right about that.” The arena was packed. There wasn’t an empty seat in the rickety old wooden stands. Spectators must have come from all directions to see the riders and ropers. “So how about toning it down a little?” Sometimes he wished he had his partner’s exuberance and love for life, but one of them had to remember the rules—do not attract attention.

“Sorry, baby.” Tanner’s chin dipped to his chest. “Can’t help it. Guys in cowboy hats and tight jeans are hot.” He leered at Gage.

Gage hid his amusement. “Yeah? Well so far I haven’t seen anything worth writing home about.”

Tanner leaned in and spoke in an aside. “That’s because you already have me in your bed every night. You’re spoiled by my nine-inch dick.”

“Yeah, you’re bigheaded in every way.”

“And you love it.” Tanner chuckled and reached behind Gage’s back to tug on his long hair, held back by a piece of rawhide. “You know you’re number one on my fuck-it list. Just humor me this once, and let me drool over a real, honest-to-God cowboy for a couple of hours. Believe me, you’ll reap the rewards tonight.”

“Since when do you need inspiration to play cowboys and Indians?”

“Since never, you know you’re my man. But I’ve been following this guy on the Internet. I’m not kidding, Gage. Wait until you see him. He’s the hottest thing on the rodeo circuit.”

Suddenly the announcer’s voice crackled over the loudspeaker. “And now we’ve got Shiloh Ford, a champion bareback rider. Originally from Texas, Shi now calls this great state of New Mexico home.”

The second that bucking chute was slung open, Tanner’s face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. Gage had to admit he liked that look on his lover’s face, no matter how it got there. He would grin and bear it, even if it meant baking like an overdone potato. An oppressive mix of sizzling temperatures and high humidity had hit the Southwest with a vengeance, and with no relief in sight, it could be potentially dangerous. As far as Gage was concerned, the best place for a wolf was home with the air-conditioning turned way up.

Adult Excerpt

The mattress dipped, and Shiloh lowered himself to Gage’s side of the bed. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to do since I first laid eyes on you.”

Gage gasped in surprise when Shiloh gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him close. The cowboy reached around his neck and freed the thick black hair that hung down his back, sighing as he ran his fingers through the long strands.

“So pretty.” His hands twisted in Gage’s hair. Shiloh held his head still and looked into his eyes. The first press of his lips set Gage on fire. His heart beat faster as Shiloh forced his mouth open with his thrusting tongue and they shared a kiss.

Soft lips left his and traced a path over his jaw to nibble on his earlobe. “Shi…” Gage sighed, knowing he was lost. He might as well enjoy the ride.

“Shh. Lie back,” Shi whispered. Slowly he unbuttoned Gage’s shirt and pressed kisses to his chest. Finally, he took a nipple in his mouth and sucked lightly, flicking it with his tongue.

Gage arched his back, pressing his chest against Shiloh’s mouth, wanting more. The cowboy sucked harder then bit him. Fuck! Gage’s nipples were hardwired to his cock. His erection grew rock solid, and he reached for his own zipper.

“Uh-uh.” Shiloh sat up and pushed his hands away. “I was told to undress you.”

Gage eyed the cowboy’s leaking dick and groaned. “You’re taking too long.” From the corner of his eye, he saw Tanner smirking, but he was too hot to give a shit.

Licking his lips, Shiloh worked the zipper down and reached inside, groping Gage’s cock and balls, then freeing them. His erection stood straight up like the mast of a ship, the foreskin rolling back to expose the swelling head. Shiloh gave it a few strokes and pushed the foreskin back to his balls until the shaft was completely smooth. He spread leaking pre-cum over the head with his thumb. Then he bent to tongue the slit for a taste.

Fuck, Gage was impossibly hard. His breath growing harsher by the minute, he gripped the sheets in frustration. When Shiloh tried to straighten up, Gage held his head down. “Oh God, I want that sweet mouth on my cock. Suck me, cowboy.”

Shiloh struggled up and flashed an evil grin. “Not yet. I have my orders.”

“Fuck!” Gage growled. He heard Tanner snicker, and he looked over at him. His lover’s eyes were hot and hungry. Tanner liked to watch, and it was obvious he was enjoying this.

Gage had already taken off his shoes and socks earlier. He let Shi help him with his shirt then lifted his ass so the cowboy could remove his jeans. Despite the AC, Gage was on fire, and a fine sheen of sweat covered his body. His balls tightened at the look on the cowboy’s face as he lowered his head. But instead of sucking Gage’s aching dick, Shiloh pushed his legs in the air and spread his cheeks. A callused thumb rubbed over his exposed hole. Then Shi buried his face in the crease, and his long, wet tongue licked and sucked at his opening. Gage shuddered and let out a cry.

Shi lifted his head and grinned. “Like that, do you?”

“Urgh ha huh!”

“I thought so.” Shi laughed and began anew to drive him crazy. He sucked and nipped. His talented tongue breached the muscle and flickered in and out. Just as Gage reached the edge of an orgasm, he stopped.