Review: Blue Mountain by Cardeno C.

Title: Blue Mountain (Pack Collection: Book One)

Author: Cardeno C.

Publisher: Self-Publishes

Pages/Word Count: 148 Pages

Rating: 4 Stars

Blurb: Exiled by his pack as a teen, Omega wolf Simon Moorehead learns to bury his gentle nature in the interest of survival. When a hulking, rough-faced Alpha catches Simon on pack territory, he tries to escape what he’s sure will be imminent death. But instead of killing him, the Alpha takes Simon home.

A man of action, Mitch Grant uproots his life to support his brother in leading the Blue Mountain pack. Mitch lives on the periphery, quietly protecting everyone, but always alone. A mate is a dream come true for Mitch, and he won’t let little things like Simon’s rejections, attacks, and insults get in their way. With patience, seduction, and genuine care, Mitch will ride out the storm while Simon slays his own ghosts and Mitch’s loneliness.

Review: There is a comforting rhythm to a Cardeno C. novel. While there may be some angst or turmoil, for the most part these are stories where love prevails and men genuinely care for each other. Some may say this author’s work is a tad too sweet, but I recognize the need for such stories where men can show their emotions and love can have the top billing. Blue Mountain, a new shifter series, is just that: a warm and gentle love story that just happens to feature men who shift into wolves.

A lone wolf caring for his failing mother most of his life, Simon has rarely seen the milk of human or shifter kindness. As an Omega, the more nurturing and gentle member of a pack, Simon has often had to stand firm and tough against those who would take advantage of him and hurt him. But wolves are not meant for a solitary life, and as Simon’s mother finally succumbs to a broken heart and fading will, Simon is discovered on the very pack territory he was tossed from so long ago. A male Omega was rare enough, but a gay Omega was something to be mocked and abused and, in Simon’s case, thrown away by a father who was not much more than a bastard in disguise.

But things have changed on Blue Mountain. Mitch and his brother, Frederick, have cleaned house, killing the former pack Alpha and his few followers, and now the pack is more stable and safe. But Mitch is also feared by most for his quiet and intense ways, and so he opts to live on the edge of pack territory. It is here that he brings a weak and angry Simon to be dealt with as either an intruder or potentially a new pack member. However, Mother Nature has other plans in mind, and Mitch is shocked when he scents his mate in Simon and now the game is on. Can Mitch woo Simon and keep him from running off again by month’s end? Can Simon resist the mate pull he feels every time Mitch is near?

The slow evolving love story that develops between the abused and wary Simon and the gruff yet sensitive Mitch is really quite lovely. Mitch is certain Simon is his, and he adapts his normal “take no prisoners” demeanor to be more willing to allow Simon to get used to the fact that they are mates. There is a slow burning need that develops within Simon that eventually pushes aside his fears that all will not work out to allow him to really see Mitch’s steadfast love.

Blue Mountain is a love story, hands down. And while some may not enjoy the declarations of ownership and loyalty by Mitch, the story is so very well written, with pathos and intimacy, that even the most hard hearted of us will no doubt sigh with satisfaction at seeing these two men fall in love. If you are looking for a sweet tale of romance and healing, Blue Mountain by Cardeno C. is the novel for you.