Loving a Rogue

The Springlake Pines Pack (A Springlake Pines Novella, Book 1)

By: Tamika Brown

Narrated by: Audrey Obeyn

What kind of witch are you when you can't even use your magic? Not a good one that's for sure.

Alise Davis has always felt the energy of her magic churning just below the surface. The only thing she's been able to do so far is draw pictures that for some reason, make people feel exactly how she was feeling at the time she drew it—a manifestation of her emotions. But all of a sudden she's been able to see the animals of the many shifters who live in Springlake Pines. She'd not been able to do that before. And it seems as if her magic is pulling her toward something, or someone. Inquiries to her father uncover her mother's grimoire and the fact her mother has a twin sister. Family may be just who she needs to get the answers to her magic problem.

Michael Cante is a monster created. Turned against his will. A monster too dangerous to live amongst the Springlake Pines Pack, relegated to the outskirts of the pack. But now, his wolf is on the hunt. Stalking a woman he's never seen before in town. It's dangerous for him to be in town. For the people that is. He didn't understand why his wolf fixated on this woman, until he scents her and locks eyes with her.

Mate.

The monster has a mate and she is the only one who can make him powerful enough to defeat the one person who has answers for the both of them. His Maker.

©2023 Tamika Brown (P)2026 Pink Flamingo Productions

Good

Alise and Michael

This was an enjoyable quick listen. Michael is a grumpy lone wolf shifter who was turned without his consent. Alise is a witch who is just coming into her powers. These two are mates. He is trying to deny his wolf her and he is determined to find the person who turned him.
I listened to the audio. The narrator did a good job.

Fated mates

Feeling everything each other felt. Being together just made them stronger. And omg while it was short, it was so good!!! Loved it so much.

3.5 stars from me

This was my first listen/read from this author and this was decent, has potential but it was not a new, refreshing idea but the execution was decent and I would be interested to see where this author goes with the rest of the series.

This was a shifter romance, with the vengeful creator trying to use his creations weakness against him. Again not a new concept but the author did a ok job with the background establishing Michael and his little stalking of his mate haha. I thought the best part of the story was when we got to see the pack and their alpha and the side characters. They felt like it would have a lot of good stories and I wonder if the author will give us some of their stories since this is a novella to introduce the world to us readers/listeners.

I think Michael was too mysterious in the beginning so I connect as much with him as I would have wanted. We got to be in Alise's head so it was easy to like her and root for her as she went through and learned about her magic and her having a fated mate. I think the reason I am giving this a 3.5 overall is yes it's a novella but it was very surface level so I couldn't give it a 4 or 5 like I do others that weave the story and character development into a fabulous story. Again the nature of how this book was structured. We get some steam between the two main characters, the undeniable pull they had towards each other. Again I think the author was just scratching the surface and I can see the potential here.

Narration was good, I haven't heard of this narrator before so I was interested to see how they did. Not bad, gave her 4 stars and will definitely listen to more of her in the future. I did wish there was a male narrator because not all female narrators can change their voice and not sound strained when trying to do deeper male voices. I felt the emotions though of Alise, how she was frustrated with her dad with withholding things from her, finding out what happened to her mom, the strong pull to her wolf but also hesitancy with everything happening so quickly with him and her powers.

🎧 Audiobook Obsession Reviewer - Flock Team 🎧

Am now addicted to this mysterious small town!

Imagine, finding out you’re a witch and discovering a fated mate / shifter situation, and trying to learn magic, and finding long-lost family members .. all at the same time? This was fast-paced and super fun, absolutely here for this town, and as much of it I can get!

Written in third-person POV, alternating.
Past tense.

Imagine: you meet your fated mate, and you think you looove him already, but your magic … doesn’t? It has an adverse reaction to him … oooh mysteries and drama!

Small town.
Fated mates.
Mysterious.
Found family - literally.
Magic.
Shifters.
Instalove.
“Touch her and unal!ve.”
Betrayal.
Secrets, conspiracy.

Tiny, quick read, but big experience—this book manages to pack it all in. I suspect I’ll re-listen because it was really fun. And now I’m hooked to this town.

4 stars.

🎙️ Audiobook:
This was a smooth, professional production with high overall sound quality and stunning narration. 5 stars. 🦩

Entertaining!

This is the first installment in the Springlake Pines series, a paranormal Regency romance. Alice and Michael's short story is well written, entertaining, fast-paced, and passionate. Alise, a witch, is smart and strong. Michael, a wolf shifter, is enigmatic, and powerful. They are mate, and they complement each other well. The world building is interesting and captivating. Audrey Obeyn has a beautiful voice. She did a fantastic job bringing these characters and this story to life. I enjoyed it. #PFPAudio