Review: Paws for Change by Charlie Richards

Title: Paws for Change

Author: Charlie Richards

Pages/Word Count: 107 Pages

At a Glance: A rather predictable but enjoyable addition to the Wolves of Stone Ridge series that would have benefitted from some tied up loose ends and a more satisfying finish.

Reviewed By: Sadonna

Blurb: Out of the Cage: Pause…a temporary stop or rest, a cessation of activity because of doubt or uncertainty.

Derek Sommers is fleeing a bad situation, made worse by foolish decisions from years before. He’d given into his father’s demands once and it had cost him a relationship with his brother, Deke. When Derek’s father demands he marry a certain woman, Derek has had enough. He decides to find out if Deke’s partner was telling the truth and travels to Stone Ridge in hopes of repairing ties with his brother. Except, even from states away, Derek’s father doesn’t want to let him go.

Dillan Shoreman travels to Stone Ridge to visit his godson, Edwin. When he nearly takes out a man jay-walking, he discovers the battered human is his mate. Having been alone a long time, Dillan thanks Fate’s oddly timed blessing. Unfortunately, he discovers that convincing his mate they have a future together will be harder than he thinks. Between a manipulative father, a guilt-tripping mother, and a conniving wannabe bride, Dillan’s mate already has plenty on his mind. Can Dillan convince Derek that he can give him the peace, healing, and strength that his heart so desperately needs?

Review: This is the latest episode in Charlie Richards’ The Wolves of Stone Ridge series – #28 for anybody who is playing along at home. ;) In this installment, we get to see more of Deke (the mate from #25 ) Sommers’ brother Dillan, and Edwin (the mate from #22) Aldridge’s godfather Derek Shoreman, who also happens to be a puma shifter.

When we last saw Dillan, he had interrupted some of the Stone Ridge pack as they were moving Deke’s things to Colorado, so he at least knows where his brother has relocated. He has had it with his controlling father and decides to try to make amends with Deke, so he takes off. He’s exhausted and not really paying attention by the time he arrives in Stone Ridge, and nearly is run over by a motorcycle. The driver just happens to be Derek, in town visiting his godson. Derek immediately recognizes that Dillan is exhausted and that, more importantly, he is his mate!

Dillan lets Derek take him to the cabin he is renting, and he gets some much needed rest. He can’t figure out why he is so attracted to Derek since he’s never let himself act on any desire for a man before. He used the excuse of studying in law school and working to keep from developing any relationships, and that way he has kept his mind off what he might really desire. He definitely learned his lesson after his parents disowned and threw out Deke when he came out.

Of course, breaking away from his family isn’t easy, and they really pull out all the stops to try to get him to return. Derek, of course, is supportive and tries not to pressure Dillan. There are a few surprises, but disappointingly we are missing the answers to several questions at the end of the story, and I’m hoping a character who was introduced in a rather offhanded way is going to make some sort of an appearance down the road since we’re left hanging about his role, his past and his skills.

We do get to see Jared Templeton (my favorite human mate in the series), but no Carson, :( so it’s a rather boring cameo. We also see Declan (the pack Alpha) but there’s no interaction. Finally, it just felt like the ending was a bit like missing the last step as you descend a staircase. I was thrown a little bit off balance. I hope the next story ties up some of the loose ends and gives us a more satisfying ending.