New Release-Review: BLACKWOOD by Pia Foxhall (Perth Shifters #1)

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Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Length: 93,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Tiferet Design

Blurb

In a world that is still getting used to shifters, where everyone thinks omegas are second class citizens, nature photographer and omega Braden Payne lets everyone think he’s a beta. That way no one gives him a hard time and he doesn’t have to live a repeat of his failed relationship. But when his car breaks down in the remote Blackwood forest in Western Australia, without the medication that lets him hide who he is, he’s faced with what he fears most: an unmated alpha.

Government forest guardian and alpha Coll MacDubhar is tired of illegal loggers, foolish tourists and people who underestimate the wilds of Western Australia. He discovers Braden lost and in need of medical assistance in the forest he protects and knows something’s not right.

But there’s hidden depths to Braden that capture his interest, and no decent alpha would walk away when Braden’s unwelcome past comes to visit.

Carra's Review

This is the first time I’ve read anything by this author, and I’m very pleased to report I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more in the series!  There was a strong plot, the writing flowed smoothly, and the characters had enough depth and complexity for me to care about what happened to them.  This story was set in a human and A/B/O shifter world, one where things are not necessarily equal between different groups—just one area that is a point of strife in the story.

Braden was a strong, brave character even if he at times did not believe it.  You can tell from his reactions and thoughts that he does crave the safety and affection of a pack and alpha, even given his troubled past.  Coll is exactly the alpha to show Braden how an alpha/omega relationship should really be.  He’s thoughtful, protective, and nurturing even when his dominant, aggressive alpha traits want to rise to the surface.  He puts Braden’s needs first—always, even though Braden is a stranger to him when they first encounter each other.

In most A/B/O stories I’ve read, there is a lot of focus on mating and sex.  Here, the focus is concentrated more on the relationship development and Coll’s need to show Braden he is safe and cared for.  That’s not to say there’s no physical intimacy—you’ll find that Coll and Braden are a very well-matched pair and are crazy hot together.  But the emphasis here is on Braden’s well-being and the meaning of pack.

The story sets some solid groundwork for this world and for the beginnings of the betterment of not just omegas, but shifters in general.  That along with a solid cast of supporting characters who genuinely piqued my interest has me excited to see what direction the author takes the series.  I was particularly intrigued by Braden’s friends Aodhan and Hunter, as well as Coll’s fellow alpha Dazza.  There’s definitely plenty that can be explored with these characters and world.

Blackwood was a 4.5-star read for me, and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of shifter romance with A/B/O settings.  This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language, sexual content, and mentions of past abuse.

Author Bio

Pia Foxhall is a queer, nonbinary and disabled Australian author who lives in the most isolated major city in the world – Perth, Western Australia – with two rescue cats. Much of their time writing is spent working on the Patreon-supported Fae Tales serial, a dark fantasy BDSM erotica epic that has been in production for many years. They’ve always been fascinated with all types of trauma recovery stories, and they like their character’s comfort to be earned, and the growth to feel real, and need a happy ending after that trauma recovery!

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