Only in My Dreams (Halle Pumas #5) ★★★★★

Author: Dana Marie Belle

     A few months ago one of my Goodreads groups read Bear Necessities.  At the time I didn't realize that the Halle Shifters series was a spinoff from the Halle Pumas.  In Bear Necessities there is a big confusion with Chloe's cousins over who her mate is.  They assume that it is Gabe the sheriff.  I now understand that sooo much better now that I've read this book.

     Let me just start off saying that Gabe is an idiot in this book.  It also doesn't make Chloe look very good either.  What happens is that shortly after Gabe and Sarah realize that they are mates Gabe has to leave for like 8 months.  Instead of mating Sarah before leaving he thinks it would be better to wait until he gets home.  Then he quits calling her because he doesn't want to disappoint her by not being able to share with her where he is and when he will be back.  Instead he asks Chloe to befriend Sarah and keep her spirits up.  Chloe lets Gabe think that this is what she's doing when instead she uses her friendship with Gabe to make it appear as if they are dating.  She does this because she is jealous of Sarah's relationship with Jim, Chloe's mate.  

     A lot of the reviews that I read for this book were negative because of Chloe and Gabe.  I gave this book 5 stars because of the intense feelings that it elicited in me.  Seriously, I was shaking at one point I felt Sarah's pain so thoroughly.  Any book that can you make that level of emotion deserves 5 stars in my opinion.  Another favorite part of this book were all of the Orlando hotspots mentioned.  I live close to Orlando and it was really cool reading about places like The Rainforest Cafe that I have visited.  

Steel Beauty (Halle Pumas #4) ★★★★☆

 Author: Dana Marie Bell

    I have fallen in love with this series!  This book is no exception.  In Steel Beauty we are introduced to the Pocono Pack.  Belinda from the Halle Pumas ends up being the mate of Rick, the alpha of the Pocono Wolves.  I found it interesting because my hubby is from The Poconos.  :)  As with the Halle Pumas pride this pack is struggling through a change in leadership.  Rick is the new alpha and his pack is still going through growing pains.

     One of the issues that this new pack is suffering is that Belinda or Belle can't join the pack because of the injuries that were inflicted in the last book while protecting Sheri the marshall's mate.  It is decided that it would be better for her to stay with the pride until her hip is better.  Which ends up being around five months.  During that time the most dominant female in the pack tries to take over.  She's a royal bitch and I couldn't stand her.  

     Rick and Belle have to struggle through not only a new mating and her coming from a pride to a pack but also a dominance battle.  I loved Belle in this book.  She really shows her stuff.  I also liked the packmates including the omega Chela and the second and Marshall Ben and Dave.  Looks like the next Pocono pack book will be with Ben and Dave as well!  I think my fav was Chela out of all of them.  The way she treated Belle and defended her against Gina was awesome.  

My favorite quotes:

"So this is what it's like to be pussy-whipped.
He decided not to share that little observation with Belle.  She'd probably do something gruesome to him in his sleep."

"And last, but not least, you will show deference to the Omega.
Because if you don't, you will regret it in a very bad, not good, terribly awful way."

Cat Of A Different Color (Halle Pumas #3) ★★★★☆

Cat Of A Different Color by Dana Marie Bell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So far this was my favorite of the Halle Pumas series. This series is really messing with my to-read books for this month. I only meant to read the first book in the series but I just can't stop myself. That's what I get for getting them all at once. The temptation is too much! While trying to figure out the reading order I found it and some free ebooks on Dana Marie Bell's website: http://www.danamariebell.com/eBooks.html

All of your favorite characters from the first 2 books are in this book to an extent. This book is about Sheri who we met in book 2 as the friend of Max and Simon from college that was joining the pride and was having personal problems. We discover her personal problems and a lot more at the beginning of the book. I really liked Sheri. We also get to know Belle or Belinda more in depth in this book which was pretty cool. Adrian as you know is the puma that shares a practice with Max. He finds his place in the pride in this book. I found all of that fasinating. We also get to meet Richard, the new alpha from the Pocono pack of wolves.

I enjoyed this short read. Although short there was a lot packed into it. And now for my favorite quote. It brought tears to my eyes!

"The snow-white puma came soaring out of the back window with an effortless grace that burned through him. Her bright red eyes were fixed on him with fear, love, relief and hope."

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The Wallflower (Halle Pumas #1) ★★★★☆

The Wallflower by Dana Marie Bell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had read Bear Necessities a few months ago, not realizing that the Halle Pumas series came first. I finally got back to this series and I'm glad I did. My only complaint is that it was too short, oh and I don't like the cover. I haven't checked yet but I'm assuming the next book is Becky and Simons? I'm looking forward to the rest of this series and then picking back up on the Halle Shifters series as well.

Emma was easy to relate to. Us wallflowers have to stick together! I thought her and Becky were both hilarious. I always appreciate when an author goes through the trouble to not make the characters perfect. What fun is that anyway? Max was your average alpha-male. But that's why we love these books though right? Max and Simon were almost as entertaining as Emma and Becky. Almost.

If you like shifters, romance and a little comedy thrown in you'll love Wallflowers. I have the feeling I've found another favorite author.

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