Honored Vow

Change of Heart, Book 3

By: Mary Calmes

Narrated by: Jeff Gelder

Jin Rayne is still growing into his frightening new powers as a nekhene cat and his place as reah of Logan Church’s tribe when he learns that a sepat, an honor challenge, has been called. Logan, who has never wanted to do anything but lead his small-town tribe, must travel around the world to Mongolia and fight to become the most powerful leader in the werepanther world.

Logan won’t be the only one making the journey. As his mate, Jin must fight with him to honor his commitment to Logan, his culture, and his tribe. But the trial is long, involving a prolonged separation between the two men, and Logan’s humanity is at stake. In order to make it through the nightmarish sepat, Jin and Logan must accept their fates, trust each other, and honor the vows between them no matter the cost.

©2011 Mary Calmes (P)2012 Mary Calmes

Change of Heart #3

I cannot stress this enough - THIS IS NOT A STANDARD FLUFFY ROMANCE - these shifter stories have bite.

I loved the audio so much for this one. I'll be honest I did not originally love this story as much as the first two, because of the enforced separation, but I practically squealed over it while listening... and it has since become one of my audio favorites.

When a special challenge is called, it means another separation between Jin and Logan, which takes a toll on everyone, before they are happily reunited. There are lots of changes that happen in Honored Vow, which will change the Tribe of Mafdet in ways they could never have imagined, leading to action sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Warning: While the first two books in the series were at times brutal, Honored Vow has brutal moments and then veers over to downright VIOLENT. Jeff Gelder's narration pushed me to love this despite the violence, so...KUDOS TO YOU, JEFF, because you killed this!

Look Mary Calmes just does it for me. Even the scratch your head and wonder what's going on moments...it all just works for me.

This is super enjoyable and has been included in my auto re-listen rotation. I don't think fans of the series will be disappointed. I LOVE THIS SERIES! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

INTENSE addition to the series

OMG.

Can we just say that?

So… Mary’s not done with us yet. This is the third book, and it must be read in order. No question.

Logan and Jin have come together and been torn apart in the first two books, a few times now. Well, that’s not done. There’s more separation as Jin continues to learn more about his cat and his powers and the politics of the various tribes.

And more fighting. WOW. More fighting. These guys do NOT have an easy go of it.

This is definitely the most (except for Crane ☹ ) brutal story and at one point I literally almost lost my mind. (You’ll know it when you read/listen to it.) But – the payoff is worth it. There is so much love when these guys settle down. So many strong emotions and I guess that’s the flip side to the violence is the extreme love that follows.

My favorite thing in this series is the growth of power Jin feels throughout each book. The developing nekhane cat and what happens once he’s bonded and grown his family. That is fascinating! I, personally, HATE the separation, it physically hurts to see these guys live without one another –but I guess that’s the mark of great writing, isn’t it? To make the reader feel so strongly.

I’m not a big Jeff Gelder fan, but he’s not the worst I’ve listened to either. Just like with book two, Jeff Gelder does a fair job with this narration. I still love Sean more because he adds unique character voices, emotion and (to me) pronounces things as they should be. While Jeff Gelder is a bit monotone and doesn’t do a lot for the accents, having someone read all the strange words and keep you going through the violence might make this book easier to take. (Since I’m a “cover my face and close my eyes in a horror movie kind of person”, it helped me!)

There are some surprises ahead and fans of the series are going to be pleased, if you’re new to audio, I’d listen to the sample before deciding if this is the book for you.

4.25 of 5 stars

Love the Series - Love the book

This is another series that I have listened to over and over. Wasn't even into listening to/reading paranormal/shifter stories when I first came across this one (I go in fits and starts) but I love this series. I love these characters. I love the world Mary Calmes had created.

I revisit this book the least often, however. It is *brutal*. Every one of my favorite characters is put through the hard-core wringer in this book and it is *painful* ... Love the moments all that torture results in, and it is a good conclusion to the story so far ... but damn is it tough to go with them through all of it to get there in the end.

I have said before, Jeff Gelder is hit and miss for me, but his is the voice hear in my head when I think of this series, and Logan in particular. I think he's grown on me as I've relistened.

If you like Mary Calmes, MM, paranormal ... and distinct mc's with both strengths and significant short comings then don't miss this series ... or this part of it.

Needs better audio editing

It's a good installment to the series. I like the narrator. Audio post-production needs work.

A must read/listen

This series is incredible. First read them many years ago. This series means so much to me, thru this book series and a matter of time, I learnt about positive male relationships and the possibility of happiness as a gay male, having grown up in a small town I was the only gay, I was 18 before I met anyone like me. I relied on these book to help me get through and to see there was hope.

Please don't end!

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

Yes I would it was a good listen

What other book might you compare Honored Vow to and why?

..............

Which character – as performed by Jeff Gelder – was your favorite?

Logan

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Some parts made me laugh but nothing extreme....

Even better than 1 and 2

Mary Calmes can write, of this there is no doubt, and this series is a perfect example. Her stories are fascinating, extremely interesting, and always fun. This book continues the journey of its two MC and is even more gripping than the first 2. I have listened to them while doing serious cleaning of my house, which helped me stay at it.

Just gets better

This series just gets better. When you think there is no way to top the last one...Mary Calmes just does it. Once you start these books you can't put it down or in this case, stop listening.
Jin and Logan are perfect for each other and I love Jin so much. He goes through so much and with his description you picture him as small and effeminate but Dang does he whoop butt! He sure can hold his own and doesn't like others fighting his battles.
In this book He thinks he has lost his best friend Crane, then finds out Logan is called up to fight for a title of head of all Panthers, a Title logan doesn't want. The challenge is long and drawn out with lots of battles and chances of losing a lot of his loved ones and closest friends. There is a lot of angst, action, violence and of course hot-man-sex.

I will admit I liked the narration in the First one best, but Jeff Gelder does a good job. I do still recommend getting these in audio as Jeff Gelder does bring the book to life and make the story even more nailbiting than just reading along. And you can listen while doing mundane stuff!

Honored vows

Would you listen to Honored Vow again? Why?

Yes! I already have listened and read Honored Vow multiple times because the story is wonderful.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I always adore Jin and Logan, they are such a great pairing and they are always fun and exciting to read about.

Domin Thorne is getting better with each story and I hope audible will have the next book 'Crucible..." on audio soon, I have already read the book half a dozen times.

Crane is such a sweetheart and I love him.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Gelder – was your favorite?

I haven't a favourite performance, Jeff does an excellent job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Logan calls to Crane in Cranes' room, after Jin makes him shift back to human, that scene with Logan and Crane is so touching. The bond between the Semel and his people is shown in such a simple and moving way in this scene.

Any additional comments?

Just hope Mary Calmes and Audible continue to work together and create more of the Change of Heart series.

LOVED IT!!!!!!!!

Thanks for a very wonderful series. I love every book in it. Just wondering if "Crucible of Fate" will be on audible soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU MARY CALMES