Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Cowardly Cowboy and His Sultry Swan
SERIES: Pariah Pack #7
AUTHOR: Susan Laine
PUBLISHER: Siren Publishing
LENGTH: 122 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 29, 2017
BLURB:
Huck Cassidy is a cowboy at the Lazy L dude ranch. He’s a reformed bully trying to turn his life around and find redemption. One day Huck spots odd animal tracks by the perimeter fence. They’re massive in size. The discovery is soon proved dangerous when dead animals start appearing on the grounds and in the woods.
Séraphin Deschamps is a swan shifter, an exotic dancer, and a guest of the pariah pack. He’s sent to safety at the ranch where he encounters a handsome cowboy—who happens to be his mate.
But Huck is too timid to act on his desires. Séraphin sets out to seduce his would-be mate. Huck soon finds his resistance faltering.
A black beast stalks the midwinter night with murder on the brain. Humans and shifters must unite forces to battle the mysterious monster. When Séraphin ends up in mortal danger, Huck must choose whether to flee or fight for love.
REVIEW:
Not having read the first 6, I was kind of nervous. Mostly because most series you need to read all of and in order. Thankfully for the most part, this one could be read as a standalone and not be too confusing. There were, of course, characters from the other books because it is a series, but you could still keep up pretty well. That being said, this book was pretty good. It tugs at your heart in places and breaks your heart in others. Leaves you wanting more.
Huck has been trying to make his life right and make up to everyone he has wronged. Hanging around the wrong people got him in some major trouble and gave him a bad reputation he has to fix. The boss gave him a second chance but he still feels like he will never be able to fix what he has done wrong. No matter what he does. Just when he thinks he might be making a inkling of headway, along comes the most beautiful man he’s ever laid eyes on. It makes his body react in ways he never thought possible. The only problem is, he’s straight. Or is he? Sèraphin makes him question everything about himself and also makes him more ashamed and guilt ridden of the man he used to be. But Sèraphin knows Huck is his mate and he’s not going to give up on him. But as much as Sèraphin fights for Huck, the more Huck fights back and Sèraphin can’t fight a losing battle. Huck finally realizes what he may lose and begins to pull his head out of his ass. Just in time for the monster that’s been killing things and hurting people to take Sèraphin away. Huck knows he must do everything he can to save this beautiful man who he loves and gave him life. Even if it means his own death.
Oh my gah, talk about pulling on the heartstrings. I didn’t really know Huck from the previous books but I’ve seen what he’s like in this one and dear heaven. My heart just breaks over and over for him. Yes, he made mistakes. Yes, he hurt people and screwed up royally, but how much is he going to have to endure to make up for what he’s done? When will people see that he’s trying his best and doing everything he can to change? He’s even given up that he will ever find love. He just wants people to see he mixed up with the wrong people and he’s so sorry. He will do anything to make it right. And pretty much has. When he’s sees Sèf, he can believe his eyes. This man has breathed something in him he doesn’t know how to deal with. He’s struggling with everything he is to understand but he can’t be gay. Can he? All he knows, in the end, is this man has made him feel things he never has before and he can let that go. He can’t be ashamed and he needs to be up front with who he was. I love to see how hard Huck is changing. Not knowing him from before I still see a pretty good picture of all that’s happened and I just want him to know love so much. I want him to see he is worthy to be loved, no matter what his past. People deserve a chance at new beginnings. Especially when they really want to change and are truly sorry. And Sèf is actually perfect for him. But Sèf’s heart can only take so much rejection from his mate. But I love that even though Huck almost destroyed him from fear, he was still willing to try. And that’s what Huck needed.
It’s really a sweet story of second chances and redemption. Of love no matter who or what. And acceptance for who you are no matter what it may cost. For standing up for that love and believing in yourself.
RATING: 
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