The Mane Attraction (The Pride Series)

The situation is perfect for Laurenston's brand of steamy goofiness but I just can't get into the main characters in this one - Sissy is a bit better than her hostile persona in the previous book, but likeable Mitch has suddenly turned into a total solipsist, convinced that the universe revolves around him and everyone is there to cater to his needs. Not unreasonable for a male lion, but other lions Brendon and Mace have enough human in them to be creditable as male leads, so I don't see why Mitch couldn't. Aside from the sex, there's just nothing here to make me understand why Sissy would want him.

I have just discovered this author and can not say how much I enjoy her books, I am trying to find all that she has published, I enjoyed her that much, I would not hesitate to recommend her to any of my friends

I have just discovered this author and can not say how much I enjoy her books, I am trying to find all that she has published, I enjoyed her that much, I would not hesitate to recommend her to any of my friends

I really wanted to like this book, but the portrayal of the South is fairly insulting and embraces the ridiculous. Mitch, Brendon and Mace are favorites, so hooking Mitch up with Sissy, my least favorite character in the series, is disappointing and completely frustrating. I can't stand car racing, football, and non-stop boozing (what's this stuff doing in a romance novel anyway?), so I must say that it's taking all my resolve and fortitude to wade through this book. I know some readers enjoy a hefty dose of humor with their romance, but these are like crossing the Beverly Hillbillies with Ghost Hunters. It just doesn't work for me. I'll take Lora Leigh's "Breed" series over this one any day.

That said, I LOVE her dragon stories written under the pseudonym G.A. Aiken. Perfect blend of humor, romance, paranormal, and a bit of erotica. Yummy.

Wolf-shifter Sissy Mae Smith and lion-shifter Mitch Shaw have been close friends for quite some time. So when Mitch is shot, Sissy volunteers to help hide him from his would-be killers. Only problem is that this consists of holing up in middle-of-nowhere Tennessee with Sissy's extended family, who is none too happy about her being back in town.

This wasn't my favorite from Laurenston, but it wasn't bad. Watching Mitch and Sissy circle each other was highly entertaining, but I never completely felt the attraction between them. This is probably because I don't care for the way Laurenston writes her lion shifters. Nine times out of ten I just want to strangle them. However, I have to say that Mitch was much more enjoyable than Mace and Brendan were in The Mane Event. I would recommend this to people who have read and enjoyed other works by Laurenston, but wouldn't advise someone to start reading the series with this one.

This really shouldn't have bothered me too but, but really? The heroine' s name is Sissy?! -_- Sissy is what my 10 year old and 5 year old niece cousins call each other. I couldn't read past the first few pages. Maybe I'll go at it again in the far future.

*Spoilers*

Ok so The Mane Attraction is the 3rd book in the Pride series, and it was a okay read for me. Not as good as the others. I thought after book two and the way Sissy Mae was such a bully to Jessie Ann when they were teens that I would be hatin on Sissy in this book. I wasn't. I didn't really have a big problem with Sissy Mae in this book. In fact I liked her more than I thought I would. Even though I still thought she was a trouble maker. Mitch was okay for the most part, although I found his lazy, feed me, and take care of me behavior annoying. Just sayin. The real problem I had with this book is it was very slow building and I got bored a lot. A LOT!!!!!!

It wasn't just that the story dragged. It took like forever for Mitch and Sissy to get together, and there wasn't this like awesome sexual tension build up or anything. It's just tons of friend zone, then well into the book, they share one kiss and that was it. Sissy was draggin him to a bed after one kiss. There really wasn't much of a romance to their relationship, because sissy wanted them to have fun and that's it. Towards the end there was a little romance but not much. No real build up. I didn't really find this book all that funny either. I might have giggled a few times, but no where near the humor that was in the other books.

Then the book finally does start to pick up at the end only to let me down with a big anticlimactic nothing . It took everything in me to finish this book. I just wasn't feeling it. I think I may have even fell asleep once or twice. I hope the next one is better!

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Every time I winding up reading a Shelly Laurenston book, I somehow find myself binge reading the Pride series. There is something wonderfully addictive about her books, they just never get old! They are silly, sexy, and downright adorable. I am deeply attached to her characters and since I have yet to review most of them (basically all of them except books 1 and 2), I’ve decided to review them this second time around.

Mitch O’Neil first appears in Shaw’s Tail, the second story in the first book of the Pride series. Mitch is the half-brother of Brendon Shaw and one of his favorite things to do is screw with people. It’s no wonder that he and Sissy Mae became fast friends when he decided to stick around and work for Smitty and Mace in their new security business. He needs to lay low and stay out of Philly for the moment, anyways. What he didn’t expect is to become best friends with the hottest and most mischievous she-wolf he’s ever met.

Mitch is one of my favorite lion shifters in the Pride series. He’s oh so naughty and delicious and mhmmm but what I love the most of all is that he makes me laugh in the most inappropriate times. For one, he eats so. Much. Food. And he does not share. It’s hilarious to watch he and Sissy battle it out for Oreos… of course most of their “fights” turn in to sex scenes, but I consider that a bonus. ?

He’s and Sissy are made for each other. They are both insatiable and such trouble makers. I have to say, Sissy Mae was never my favorite character because she was a mega-witch as a kid. Think “Queen B bully” but mix in the fact that she was the alpha wolf of her little clique… Yeah, I never really heard any plausible excuse for her being such a bully but it’s nice that she grew out of picking on the weak and channeled that aggression into protecting her pack, her family and friends, and getting herself and her BFF Ronnie Lee into trouble.

All-in-all, The Mane Attraction was a nice addition to the pride series and I had a fun time re-reading Sissy and Mitch’s story. While this isn’t my all-time favorite book in the series, it was a blast to re-visiting and watching the two get themselves in – and out – of all sorts of wacky situations!

Mitch is an undercover police officer who is due to testify against a mobster. Sissy is an alpha wolf who is a bit of a trouble maker who has the oddest relationship with her family. These two have been friends for awhile but then an assassination attempt is made on Mitch and Sissy decides that she will take charge of his care and so she takes him to her home town in TN to recuperate. Together the two of them continue to get into silly situations but they also begin to realize they are attracted to each other more than they want to believe.

For whatever reason I had a hard time with this story. In part it is because I thought the story would have focused more on the plot against Mitch instead it was mostly banter in a small town and that was challenging for me to take seriously. The other issue is that I just did not really feel invested in the relationship between Mitch and Sissy. I have no problem with sex in books but I like a little intimacy as well and there was very little of that. As much as I like Mitch I think this is my least favorite couple in the series so far.

It is an easy read and there are funny parts but overall it just did not fully come together for me.

Shelly Laurenston's series about various wolves, lions, wild dogs and other shapeshifters continues with 'The Mane Attraction'. This was an enjoyable enough read, if a little light on actual plot elements. The hero, Mitch Shaw, is about to testify in a serious case and will have to go into witness protection afterwards. When a bounty is put on his head and he is almost killed, his friend Sissy Mae Smith takes him to safety to stay in Smithville, her family's town.

Of course there's nothing between Mitch and Sissy Mae who are just good friends. Sissy Mae has a wanderlust combined with a need to be with her family and Mitch will soon be living under a new name and in a new place. But as they share each others' lives and Mitch finds himself getting involved in Sissy's life and events in her hometown, the boundaries change. But is there any future for them, and can Mitch be kept safe?

As mentioned above, the plotline of the threat against Mitch is actually fairly subordinate in this book. Most of the content is the verbal banter between Sissy Mae and Mitch and it's very well written. I've read several of these books but I still get very confused by all the first names - Bubba Ray, Sissy Mae, Bobby Ray, Janie Mae, Ronnie Lee, Jackie Ray etc - as well as the few surnames for these big clans - Smith, Reed, Shaw etc. Still this was a reasonable read about two strong people learning about giving up control to each other and being supportive.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

This was my first Shelly Laurenston book and I was pleasantly surprised. I'll definitely be checking out more of her books! I loved the main characters as well as the supporting cast. The story was full of humor, crazy antics, mystery, drama, suspense, action and romance. Great, light hearted read! I couldn't put it down--read it almost in one sitting!

***EDIT / ADDITION***
I have now finished Laurenston's Pride series, Dragonkin series (written under GA Aiken) and read the first two Magnus Pack books. All of her Pride Stories are terrific, with my favorites being this book, The Beast in Him and The Mane Squeeze. I liked her Magnus Pack books to a lesser extent--still good but not great like the Pride Stories. I really enjoyed her Dragonkin series. Check those out if you haven't already. My favorite in that series was What a Draqon Should Know. It was hysterical! Loved the characters. Laurenston has now surpassed Lynsay Sands as my new favorite for funny paranormal romance.

If you are on the hunt for more books like this, check out my list of shapeshifter romance favorites...

http://www.the store.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R3RRBZ0PV9G1AI
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Following the wedding of her brother (see THE BEAST IN HIM), werewolf Sissy Mae Smith and lion shifter Mitch Shaw slept together. However, they agree the next morning their friendship is not worth risking due to an attraction.

When he is hurt by a bounty hunter, Sissy Mae takes him to her Tennessee pack to heal and keep safe; as no one messes with a Smith especially in Smithtown. However, as the two shapeshifters struggle to stay apart, his enemies come for him as they know who he is and her Pack males, showing some guts, begin to sniff them out from a distance. Mitch is an undercover cop ready to testify in court against his former associates who want him dead for his betrayal of their code and before he can send them up the river.

Shelly Laurenston's latest Smith shapeshifter romantic fantasy stars kick butt Sissy Mae and the only known male besides perhaps her dad not afraid of her bite and bark; as it takes the heart of a lion to go one on one with her. Although readers will need a scorecard to keep track of who's who in the extended Smith world (the family reunion would fill up Titan Stadium), fans will enjoy the MANE ATTRACTION, a battle between two superheavyweights in heated love.

Harriet Klausner

I loved this story! Ms. Laurenston is able to bring adult romance (i.e., sex ... great sex without being redundant) and humor together to make this a keeper in my library! The plot is great, the story holds your interest, and at the same time, makes you laugh out loud (much to the annoyance of my TV watching family). I love the irreverence to the mighty "King of the Jungle"! This series is one I have read multiple times.

I'm only half way through The mane attraction, its the first one of Shelly Laurenston I have ever read. I'm already bored to death not very descriptive she jumps from one subject to the next with out explaining the time laps and how we came to this point in time for and example sissy and Mitch are about to start a movie and some one comes to the door and sissy has a conversation with the new comer and then introduces Mitch and then the story jumps to the middle of the night and sissy wakes up on the sofa. that's just a little example so far what I read this book jumps around like that a lot. this book also has way to many story plots going on at the same time it jumps from des life trying to find out who is trying to kill Mitch to sissy's brothers trying to run her out of town then back to sissy and Mitch. To say the least I have read some peoples reviews saying how much they loved this book as well as saying how you don't have to read this series in order I think I beg to differ on that for one example I don't understand exactly why sissy doesn't get along with her new sister in law this book doesn't give you a very clear understanding of the background information into the story plot. As I understand that sissy and jess has a story of there own from some of the comment that I have read but Shelly Laurenston should of gone into a little bit of detail for those who didn't read the other books.

I really love ALL Shelly Laurenston books, I just wish she would write more!
If you are looking for strong, intelligent, funny heroines and sexy, powerful alpha men, this is for you. It can be read alone, and I did, but after doing so, I really wanted to get the other books too: The Mane Event (book 1)- The Beast in Him (book 2) and I was not disappointed.
Sissi is a wolf (alpha) shapeshifter who is determined to protect her friend Mitch, a lion shapeshifter, from assassins looking to collect a bounty that has been placed on his head. Along the way they discover a very strong attraction for each other and are not going to just stay just friends for much longer!

This was probably funnier than the last book. Which I love. Although I'm glad none of these people are my family. They are all pretty much crazy. But lots of fun to read about. Mitch is the coolest, just love him. And Sissy doesn't take crap from anybody. Ready to read the next one.

This was a hilarious fun read. I have purchased this author under the name G. A. Aiken before and really gotten a kick out of her work. You have to have a sense of humor and I hope a love of wild rides, both in the car and on the male of Sissy's dreams. This was fun now to get the rest of them.

This was a hilarious fun read. I have purchased this author under the name G. A. Aiken before and really gotten a kick out of her work. You have to have a sense of humor and I hope a love of wild rides, both in the car and on the male of Sissy's dreams. This was fun now to get the rest of them.

The Mane Attraction was the funniest and best character developed book I've read in a long time. It had the wittiest dialogue I've read in a while (and I've read a lot of romances over the years). I've read the book over and over again and laughed/smiled every time. It helped me through a tough time to "escape" for a little while into humor and romance. Thanks Shelly Laurenston! Please write a book for Dee (Sissy's cousin) too!

I laughed out loud so many times reading this book. I'm glad to see someone was finally able to catch Sissy Mae. Mitch and Sissy Mae are
two troublemakers who are great together. I just wish the author had
gone into a little more detail about this "power" that Sissy Mae is suppose to have.

This is the first book I read by Shelly Laurenston and she is a really good writer. This book was very easy to read, interesting and very much a romance novel. Her character development was easy to follow especially since I read that last book first. I will certainly read other titles by Shelly Laurenston.

I have just started reading this series. Loved the first books. But this one was a little harder to get into. I put it down several times before I finished it. It won't make me stop reading the series. It was just not the most engaging for my tastes.

I LOVE SHELLY. I was really looking forward to this next installment of her Pride/Pack books. She did not dissappoint me. I haven't laughed out loud so many times while reading a book in a while. If you love snappy one liners, irreverent characters all over the place, smokin sex scenes, and more laughter, then The Mane Attraction is for you.

Good points: very funny at times.

Bad points: I don't think I have ever gone to the slight effort of writing a negative review about a book until now. The author obviously is continuing a story from other books but made no effort to make this tale stand alone. New readers are likely to be confused for several chapters.

Yes, the book is occasionally funny. Much of the humor is rude and crude, based largely upon people acting badly. The heroine is a foul-mouthed, uncouth bully, the hero is a lazy and smug parasite. So unappealing I couldn't finish the book. Don't waste your money unless you like that genre.