Whiskers of a Chance

De: Tempeste O'Riley

Narrado por: Craig Beck

Jason Grant runs his own IT business from home, owns his own home, and has the best friend he could imagine. What he doesn't have, or believe he will ever have, is love. When Jason catches a glimpse of his new neighbor on moving day, his libido ignites and his fascination in piqued. He even manages to concoct an excuse to go over and meet the man who makes him hope and want for more than he has in years.

Keith Skyler is a shifter in a world where his kind is known only to a few, but they don't often mix and they never mate. Keith has been hoping for a mate since before he can remember, but gay lynx don't have true mates. As far as he knows, they don't have mates at all. However, while moving his little family across Seattle - and away from their tribe - his reality tips and spins more than he thought possible.

When these two men meet over a dish of five-cheese broccoli noodle casserole, sparks fly. Who knew a welcome-to-the-neighborhood gift could give both of them their chance at love?

©2015 Tempeste O'Riley (P)2016 Dreamspinner Press

5 stars = I freaking LOVED this book!!!

I received a free copy of this audiobook to listen to and review for Wicked Reads.

Having only read one of O’Riley’s short stories prior to this, I count Whiskers of a Chance to be the first full-length novel of the author’s I’ve consumed (as read isn’t the correct term). That’s because my previous experience was a mere taste of the author’s writing, whereas this gave me the opportunity to fall into the world she created – and what a world it was. I must confess that I listened to Whiskers of a Chance completely out of order of my review schedule because the audiobook sample was a steamy scene that was made even sexier by Beck’s beautiful accent. It’s true that Beck’s narration was a big reason as to why I chose the audiobook, but O’Riley’s storytelling made this an extremely enjoyable tale that I cannot wait to listen to again.

I do believe this is the first book I’ve ever read featuring a lynx shifter, so it was nice how information about the animal was peppered throughout as Keith taught Jason about his cat, his tribe, and what the future would mean for them if Jason accepted Keith as his mate. But I’m getting ahead of myself a bit here, kind of. The book opens with Keith telling his father that he and his sister, Taylor, have purchased a house, closer to their jobs, and will be leaving tribe land. To say that daddy dearest was an unhappy alpha would be an understatement. Then again, scowling, grumpy, and controlling seems to be their father’s default setting, and it makes it easy for the reader to understand why the Skyler siblings are ready to be off pack land. What makes the move even more interesting is that Keith scented his mate in their new neighborhood, which both excites him because he never thought he’d find his mate, and terrifies him because he was raised being told that matings are always between a male and a female, so as a homosexual, he has no interest in finding his mate as he cannot envision fulfilling his duty as an alpha to produce an heir. Quite the quandary for Keith. Fortunately for him, Baast has bigger things planned for him and his mate, and their circle of friends, which grows significantly throughout the book.

I would apologize for my vagueness, except that there is so much that occurs in the novel that I don’t want to reveal because I don’t want to ruin the experience for others. O’Riley has created a fascinating world with the lynx shifters and the manner in which she weaves other supernatural beings into Keith and Jason’s world made Whiskers of a Chance an extremely enjoyable book. Although there isn’t a big rehash of Jason’s past, it’s clear from his insecurities and behaviors that he’s had more than one bad boyfriend experience. Watching Keith balance the courtship of his mate with hiding his mate’s existence from his father, all while trying to create a “safe” home for his sister and nephew was very entertaining – and that’s without even considering the steamy scenes. Yowser! But the combination of O’Riley’s story and Beck’s narrative talents made Whiskers of a Chance a truly lovely audiobook that I look forward to listening to again and again.

A fun shifter romance

Would you recommend Whiskers of a Chance to your friends? Why or why not?

For fans of shape-shifting, this story would be good. This is one of the first stories I've listened to in that particular genre, so I can't compare it to other stories.

Was Whiskers of a Chance worth the listening time?

It was certainly an easy listen, I finished it in two days.

i need more of these people, excellent narration

Any additional comments?

Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was ifted the audio file of this book.

Keith is Lynx, a shifter heir to his chain, his pack. But Keith is also expected to mate and have an heir. Difficult, since he is gay and gay Lynx don't have mates, let alone fated ones. Moving him and his sister and nephew off his father's lands, away from the tyrant he is, gives Keith an entirely different view of just what he has always been told. Jason is the neighbour of Keith's new home. There is an instant and powerful reaction between the two men. There is also a darker force at work trying to keep them apart. Can they really be fated mates??

OH!! I do love different shifters! Lynx, no less! Granted other shifters take part here but Keith is Lynx. First I've read of a Lynx shifter. Hope it won't be the last, especially if O'Riley writes it!

I loved that instant and powerful reaction between Keith and Jason, and I do mean INSTANT! Not the love, not instalove, but the lust is off the freaking charts!

I loved the parts the other paranormals play here, because I did not see Sasha (please excuse me if I spelt it wrong, but I listened to this and didn't see it written down!) being what and WHO he is. Loved the animosity between Keith and Sasha. But equally, I loved that they all learnt to play nicely, if only for Jason's sake.

Loved the way Keith found out so much from Sasha, and the wolves too. Loved that the Council were able to make Keith see just how insular his chain had become. Didn't love that Keith had to do what he did, but sometimes, these things are the only way.

But I'm left wanting more of these people. And I can't find any. So, anyone know if there are more of these books?? Because I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED them!

Craig Beck narrates. This is the first of his work I have listened to and on the whole, I did enjoy it. His reading voice was deep and clear and I had no problem defining the voices in multi person conversations. Its the voices themselves that I had *issues* with. The book is based, I believe, on the west coast of America, Seattle I think. But some of Beck's voices were distinctively NOT west coast America, Jason's especially was very much a London accent. BUT while odd in the beginning, once I got used to it, it was just Jason. I like Beck's work, I will listen to other work by him.

4 stars for the book
4 for the narration
4 overall

**same worded review will appear on: Goodreads, Booklikes, Dreamspinner Press, Audible.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and Kobo**

The story concept was amazing! Actual product…not so much

I don’t normally leave reviews. But…

The concept of this book was amazing. I needed to finish it BECAUSE I wanted to hear what happened next. The narrator did a good job with the story, but the story itself felt rushed. It skipped past any kind of character development, to hit the “big plot points.” Definitely not what I was hoping for, but I still needed to finish it.

Sexy Shifter story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Depends on whether or not they enjoy Paranormal Romance that's super spicy.

What did you like best about this story?

The world that O'Riley created, vividly described and conveyed.

What about Craig Beck’s performance did you like?

Everything!

Who was the most memorable character of Whiskers of a Chance and why?

I simply cannot chose just one, I have to say Jason and Keith. Jason wishes for something more and finds it not only in, but with Keith.

Any additional comments?

This is one hot tamale. Wonderful world building, the story flows well and the plot is carefully laid out as the story progresses. Neither man knows what's in store being mated to another man, but they are oh so very happy to figure it, together, as often they can and in as many positions as they can. If you're looking for a well written story that is narrated precisely and perfectly with a whole lot of lovin goin on... step right this way please.

Fun interesting shifter story

Keith is a gay Linx shifter and heir to the tribe. He is moving off with his sister and her son against their fathers wish. Thier father is very anti-gay and anti-human and insists Keith take a female mate. Keith goes ahead to check out the new house and woods and finds his mates sent. He is even more surprised when he finds his mate is a man.
I love how this story has a mix of Lynx shifters, vampires and also wolf shifters. I found the plot interesting and enjoyed the story a lot. There is a lot of sex, though.

Craig Beck does an excellent job of narrating the story. He more acts it out than just merely reading. I adored his accent as narrator, each voice and especially Sasha the vampire. I felt Craig brought the story a lot of life.

If you like intriguing characters, Lynx shifters, vampires, wolf shifters and were lynx, cute kids and lots of hot man-sex you will like this story.

Not Meow Mix...

Began listening to this book, not sure what to expect. I have become obsessed with shifter stories and the premise of this story sounding odd, but intriguing. Then when I noticed the narrator and the story was from Australia, I became skeptical (only because the last narrator with an Australian accent sort of ruined the book). But Craig Beck did an excellent job with the narration (new fan of his!). The story O'Riley created is a very interesting one. Love, intrigue, and surprises. Not going to spoil the surprises but let's just say that Keith and Jason and the cast of characters leave an impression. Enjoyed the ride....

Really gifted narrator, fun shifter story

Keith is a lynx shifter who suffers under the thumb of his autocratic father, who is also his alpha. In 3 years he will have a chance to stand on his own and challenge him, but for now he must either follow his rules or work around him.

Keith is positive he has no mate, as far as he knows there are no gay shifters, so he’s almost worried when he scents something “mate-like” on the air as he’s moving into his new house. He’s ecstatic to find that it is his mate and his mate is a man!

Jared is a little bit gun-shy in the love department. He’s been burned in the past and has a low self esteem as a result. When he spies his new neighbor moving in next door, he wants to be friendly and introduce himself. He is overwhelmed when he realizes that not only is this hot guy gay, but he’s totally into him!

There are quite a few things these guys have to work through to make it to their HEA. First there’s Keith’s very conservative (and controlling, evil, manipulative) father. There’s the whole “Introducing a human into the world of paranormals” and there is Jared’s resistance to a relationship based on the “mate bond” and his own low self-esteem.

But… love does conquer all and after some fierce fights, some fantastic alliances and some really hot chemistry… they do get their HEA.

**

I love shifter romances! The “mine”, that dramatic pull of attraction, the animal-like qualities that get explored, the magic… so much fun and creativity!

This follows a fairly common theme. Meet, mine, how to explain, oh-no not a human, it doesn’t matter, mine, etcetera. I did like the addition of the vampire-friend Sasha. He was fun and loyal and spunky and managed to force these guys into communicating when it looked like they were going to get stuck in the middle of a “Big Misunderstanding”.

The father was super-evil and it was nice that he got beaten down, so that was pretty satisfying. I enjoyed the “uber-skills” Keith ends up having – I love it when authors use the shifter element and actually do something with them as shifters!

I wasn’t super-impressed by anything being new or really unique, but it was a solid, fun, hot read. I enjoyed it and recommend it to fans of shifter romance.

4 of 5 stars

Audio

Craig Beck is PHENOMENAL. He does all the emotion, excitement, sensual times – superbly. He’s absolutely one of my top favorite narrators. I absolutely would choose a book to listen to based on him being the narrator. I know it’s going to be a great story – regardless of the author. He can do women, a variety of accents, kids… He has excellent timing, voice quality and sound quality. All in all. Perfect!

6 of 5 stars

Overall 5 of 5 stars

Didnt Care for narrator

The story is an okay story. Like most shifter stories it is an insta-love story although in this story it is very brief - like the first 30min and Then it is almost a non-issue. Therefore this story is a little different since the rest of the story mostly centers on pack dynamics. The narrator isnt very good at pausing for effect and sometime its so bad the scenes looses Their shock-effect. Furthermore - he is not American and narrating a story on an American werewolf pack with a British accent is just irritating. I hope they replace him for the sequal and then i May consider listening to that.

Too much time spent explaining

Any additional comments?

This book had some good elements about it and a lot of potential. The characters were interesting. However, I feel at least 70% of the time the author was just explaining things. She did work most of it into the dialogue, but it was still too much explanation. The narration was good, and probably the only reason I kept listening even though he did mispronounce a few words.