Leap of Faith
The Moonlight Breed 1

Professional Reviews

5 STARS: "What a solid beginning to a new series! LEAP OF FAITH, the first in the Moonlight Breed series, is an m/m shifter love story bursting with love, humor and suspense. Using an old legend of shifters being tied to the phases of the moon, Gabrielle Evans puts her own twist to the phenomenon. The shifters featured in LEAP OF FAITH are different species, though each is white and they have been cast out from their birth families because of a legend that says white animals are cursed. And though their species vary, they have bonded together as a family. The hero Xander is the alpha of their family. When he first meets Braxton in the midst of a fight with his ex-boyfriend that lands Braxton in the hospital, Xander wants nothing more than to protect Braxton. And from that point forward, Xander is in constant battle with his (over)protective instincts as a shifter. When the author shows us his internal struggle with this, it is at times funny and other times poignant as it speaks to the ferocity of his devotion to his new mate. Don't let his big size fool you. Xander is sweet, patient, caring and incredibly gorgeous (just ask Keeton, he'll tell you!). Xander knows as soon as he smells Braxton that he is his mate but is cautious not to spook him. And though the attraction between Xander and Braxton is immediate, the development of the relationship is not hurried as tends to happen in shifter stories. Well done, Ms Evans! Xander tells Braxton the truth and gives him time to come to terms with his new reality. Just imagine… Braxton is being stalked by his crazy ex-boyfriend, is saved by this gorgeous guy who just happens to also be a white tiger, and finds out that he is the tiger's chosen mate. It can all be a bit much, right? So they take it slow. And Xander's patience is admirable – it makes me like him even more. While Braxton's ex-boyfriend continues to threaten Braxton, Xander's protective side causes Braxton to pull away as he asserts his need for independence. It's a bit of a push and pull as they develop the parameters of their relationship – Xander wanting to protect his mate and Braxton needing to defend himself. Though smaller in stature to his alpha mate, Braxton doesn't allow Xander to push him around and Xander respects him more for that. Though there may have been easier ways to solve his problems, I respected Braxton more for not simply bowing down to Xander's shielding. They were a believable couple with realistic troubles, fun dialogue that clearly showed they belonged together and great chemistry… hot, hot, hot. I would be remiss not to mention the fabulous secondary characters. Xander's "brothers" are four very large, muscular and delicious shifters who are each screaming for their own book and HEA… did you hear that, Ms Evans? And then there's Braxton's super funny and absolutely flamboyant best friend Keeton who gives us some of the best laughs in the book. LEAP OF FAITH is a great book. Read it. And then, like me, you'll be waiting for the next book to be published." -- Rebecca, The Romance Reviews

5 KISSES: "The Moonlight Breed series starts off with Leap of Faith by Gabrielle Evans. I really loved that Xander is a gentle alpha. He knows how to protect those he loves and he is strong enough to do it. Brax might be easy-going, but his determination to make it on his own and stand up to his ex really made me like him. He has a strong backbone that makes him very likeable and I was cheering for him all the way. I liked that Ms. Evans keeps her male characters very masculine but can still blend in the right touch of softness to give them a depth of character that I really love to see in the books I read. This is a great start to what promises to be a really intense and romantic series." -- Tina, TwoLips Reviews

Excerpt

STORY EXCERPT

“Okay, so what is it that you guys do? You know, like jobs?” Braxton asked the room at large.

They all sat around the kitchen table, eating an early dinner. Braxton perched in Xander’s lap, at his mate’s insistence, smiling at Xander’s brothers. It had been a week since he had showed up at Xander’s door, admitting he still didn’t know what was going on, but he was willing to give it a chance.

Braxton could not remember a happier time in his life than the week he’d spent with Xander. Though he had refused to move in yet, he spent more nights in Xander’s bed than he did his own. He insisted they take things slow, so they had done nothing more than kiss and cuddle, but he loved falling asleep curled up next to Xander’s big, warm body.

Xander agreed not to push the mating thing until Braxton was ready. They had spent time getting to know each other, walking in the woods that surrounded Xander’s house, cooking dinner together, and talking ceaselessly. They talked about movies, books, music, their likes and dislikes on everything from food to politics.

The more he learned about Xander, the more Braxton felt himself falling for the alpha. Xander was kind and giving, sweet and charming. Plus, he was a fireman, which Braxton found sexy as hell.

He had set down the rule for no sex in order to get to know Xander better without the physical attraction clouding his judgment. It seemed to be working, but Braxton did not know how much longer he could keep up his vow of celibacy. He didn’t know if it was the mating bond or just his natural attraction to the man, but every time he was near Xander, he imagined himself doing things to the bigger man that were probably illegal in several states.

Braxton had been so wrapped up in Xander, he hadn’t paid much attention to the rest of the men. He figured it was time he got to know Xander’s pack.

“Well, Talon and I work down at Carpe Noctem,” Boston said. “I bartend. Talon, he’s a bouncer—what with his sparkling personality and all.”

Everyone laughed, including Talon.

“Yeah, that’s me.” Talon smiled. “I’m just one big fucking ray of sunshine.”

Braxton snorted. He didn’t believe for a second that Talon was as big of an asshole as he would have everyone think.

“Jackson’s our tech guy,” Boston continued. “He can hack anything. Guy’s a genius.”

Jackson grinned. “He’s exaggerating. Right now, I’m working for Watson Security. I design and install security systems.” He snorted and rolled his eyes.

“What about you, Logan?” Braxton asked.

“I’m a paramedic,” Logan said in his quiet, mellow voice. “Get to see a lot of Xander when we go out on calls. I wouldn’t trade jobs with him, though.”

“Yeah, I’m the shit.” Xander puffed out his chest, and everyone laughed.

“I think what Xander is trying to say, in his own poetic way, is that he’s an excellent fireman, one of the best.” Logan chuckled.

“That’s what I said, asshole,” Xander grumbled.

“Right, very eloquent,” Jackson muttered around a sly grin.

Braxton just sat in Xander’s lap, grinning like a fool.

* * * *

Eventually, Boston and Talon had to get ready for work, and Jackson announced that he had a date with a cute guy he’d met at the deli by his office.

“So, are all of you gay?” Braxton asked.

“We’re basically gender neutral.” Boston laughed. “We really don’t care what accessories come with the total package.”

Everyone nodded agreement.

“We’re more interested in the person than what’s between their legs,” Talon added.

“Got it.” Braxton smiled and nodded.

“What about you, Braxton? Ever been with a girl?” Logan teased.

Talon and Boston stopped on their way out of the room and turned to hear his reply. Xander couldn’t blame them. Judging from his mate’s flaming red cheeks, and the way he had his head ducked, this was going to be good.

“Once,” Braxton mumbled.

“Spill it,” Jackson demanded, grabbing a kitchen chair and turning it backward to straddle it. He rested his chin on his folded hands over the back of the chair and stared at Braxton expectantly.

Braxton sighed. “Long story short, we got naked, and I couldn’t get it up. I panicked, and decided going down on her seemed like the best course of action. Obviously, I didn’t have a clue about what I was doing. It’s not like with guys, you know…not at all self-explanatory,” he stated indignantly. “Anyway, she seemed to be enjoying it until…” Braxton trailed off, looking sheepish.

“So, what happened?” Boston urged.

“I bit her. Just a little nip, ya know.”

Everyone just stared in shock before bursting into laughter. Xander tightened his arms around Braxton’s midsection in support, though he, too, was laughing.

“Yeah, it shocked her, too.” Braxton blushed again. “So much, in fact, she yelled, which scared the shit out of her cat that was hiding under the bed. The cat took off like a rocket, hissing and shrieking, which scared her. She jumped and kneed me in the face.” He rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Split my lip open, blood went everywhere. Completely accidental, of course, but the poor girl was so embarrassed, she ran into the bathroom and locked herself in. It took me close to an hour to talk her out.”

By the time Braxton finished his story, the entire room had filled with roaring laughter. Jackson had fallen to the floor, clutching his sides as tears streamed down his face. Xander was trying to cram his entire fist into his mouth to stifle his amusement. Oh, his mate was going to be a handful. At least they would never be bored.

ADULT EXCERPT

Xander felt his cock begin to fill, the need and desire to possess his mate overwhelmed him, and he decided to take a chance. “Strip,” he ordered.

Braxton just looked at him, one eyebrow raised. Then he crossed his arms over his chest and smiled mischievously. “No.”

 “No?” Xander wasn’t sure, but he thought Braxton was teasing him. He sure as hell hoped so.

“That’s right.” Braxton stood up and made his way to the bathroom, putting a little extra sway in his hips and looking over his shoulder to wink at Xander.

Oh, so his mate wanted to play? Xander reached the smaller man in two strides and hauled him up over his shoulder.

Braxton laughed even as he beat on Xander’s back with his small fists. “Put me down, you big bully!”

“Give me your lunch money, punk,” Xander growled.

Braxton laughed even harder, but still protested. “You are an idiot. Now, put me down!”

What his baby wanted, his baby got. Xander deposited his wiggling bundle into the shower, clothes and all, and turned on the water. Cold water rushed out of the showerhead, falling over them both. Braxton yelped. Whipping around, he glared at Xander as he pushed his wet hair out of his eyes. Xander decided his mate looked cute as hell when he was pissed.

“What the fuck was that for?” Braxton demanded, slapping at Xander’s chest.

Xander just snickered, pulling Braxton to him and cutting off the rest of his outburst by crushing their mouths together. He broke the kiss long enough to pull Braxton’s wet shirt over his head and drop it on the tiled floor with a plop.

He leaned back just far enough to look into Braxton’s eyes. “Are you sure, baby?”

“Hell yes,” Braxton growled and pulled him down into another mind-bending kiss.

Within seconds they were both fully naked, panting and moaning, undulating together under the warm spray of the shower. Braxton climbed his body, wrapping his legs around Xander’s waist.

“Mmm, I want you,” he breathed into Xander’s mouth.

Xander’s cock throbbed, demanding attention. “Tell me what you want, baby,” he murmured. His head was spinning just thinking about finally being inside his mate.

“I want you deep inside me. Stretching me. Filling me. Fucking me. I want you to come so hard you overflow my tight ass. I want to ride your dick. Ride it hard, until I scream,” Braxton whispered raggedly into Xander’s neck between licks and nips.

Oh, fuck.

Xander closed his eyes and groaned. The naughty words coming from such an angelic mouth had him squeezing the base of his cock to keep from blowing his load. He braced his mate between his own body and the shower wall. Braxton locked his ankles behind Xander’s back, grabbed the bottle of shampoo, flipped open the lid, and poured a generous amount into Xander’s waiting hand.

Xander slicked his hard length, then moved two slippery fingers down to rub against Braxton’s tight entrance. He pushed both fingers in, pulling a deep gasp from his lover. Braxton let his head fall back, rocking his hips, pushing against Xander’s fingers.

“More. Need more. Fuck me, Xander!”

Xander gripped his leaking cock in one hand, holding one perfect globe of Braxton’s ass in the other. He lined the dark red tip of his erection up with that sweet pink hole, and pushed. The tip slipped in past the first ring of tight muscle, and they both moaned loudly.

Xander pushed forward slowly, seating himself to the root inside his lover. It amazed him that someone so small could take all of him.

“Damn, you feel good, chulo. So tight. So hot. You were made for me.” He pulled Braxton to him, running his hands over him, pressing their chests together, and nuzzling his face against his hair.

He bathed his mate in his scent. Xander knew Braxton wasn’t ready to be claimed yet, but he wanted everyone to know that the little man belonged to him.

Braxton began rocking his hips as much as his position would allow, grunting in frustration. “Xander, move. Fuck me, damn it.” He leaned forward, latched on to the sensitive flesh where Xander’s neck met his shoulder, and bit. Hard.

Xander gasped as his hips jerked, slamming into his lover’s welcoming body. He tilted his hips for a better angle and nailed Braxton’s sweet spot on the next thrust.

“Oh yes. Harder. Fuck me harder,” Braxton cried.

Xander increased his pace, driving into Braxton’s sweet body with abandon. “Stroke yourself, baby,” he panted. “I want to feel those muscles clamp down and strangle my dick, want you to come on my cock.”

Braxton gripped his hard prick and began pulling in time with Xander’s thrusts.

“Who do you belong to?” Xander demanded.

Braxton groaned, his body going stiff.

“Say it,” Xander growled. “Say you’re mine.” He needed Braxton to say it, to admit they belonged together.