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Love in the Shadows 1. In The Shadows Shifters and Shadows

   (10 reviews)

Mason, an alpha lycan shapeshifter, discovers that a young mage, Vincent, is his destined mate. While Mason attempts to woo him, Vincent continues to develop his magical power, and hunt down his parents' killer. Together, these men will build trust for each other, create everlasting memories, and track down the dangerous mage, Stefan.

Story content warnings:  sexual acts between consenting adults, violence, mention of death, and crude/vulgar language.
April 4th, 2023 - This marks the date of this story's second edition. Thanks to the efforts of @Carlos Hazday, this story now reads clearer and is in much better shape than when we began edits. Original word count was 225,177. All pertinent information from the first edition remains.
Copyright © 2020 astone2292; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (47 members)

  • Action Packed 42
  • Addictive/Pacing 41
  • Characters 46
  • Chills 7
  • Cliffhanger 26
  • Compelling 18
  • Feel-Good 14
  • Humor 10
  • Smoldering 24
  • Tearjerker 17
  • Unique 38
  • World Building 31

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Al Norris

   5 of 5 members found this review helpful 5 / 5 members

@astone2292 first came to my attention because of my reading @kbois shifter stories. So after reading those stories, I sought out Aaron as an author. Yup! Found him and looked over his stories. Found (obviously) Love in the Shadows and that it was his first story. Yay! Another shifter story! Of course, I had to start reading. It was wonderful to watch as his craft grew. It was also wonderful to see how he designed his shifter universe.

For those of you that like a good love story as well as a good action yarn, you will be delighted. If you like a good fantasy that includes not only shifters, mages, and also a few gods that are constrained (by their own rules?) from directly interacting with the human/shifter world, then you have hit the jackpot.

Response from the author:

Thanks for reading, Al! 

Oh, dear. This dusty thing. I can't wait to finally be done with the edit to this thing. 

Regardless, I'm excited you found it to be an entertaining story! Now off you go, two more stories in the series to read. :)

-Aaron

  • Like 2
  • Love 3
Patch1

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

Absolutely one of the best stories I've had the pleasure of reading!!!  The only reason it is not the best is because of the other stories you have written....I guess it would be considered a tie between the "Shadow" series and Cernunnos.  You have the uncanny ability to put me in a zone where I am so involved that time just stands still.... the "grey" zone for me.  Everything around me stops when I read your works.  This first story got me hooked!!! Big time!  I am on my 3rd reread!! I have always loved shifter stories but this one takes it to another level altogether!!!  Different views...perspectives....stunning characters with fantastical powers....superior character development...so involved that you "feel" like you are there with them...  You, my friend, have a talent that is unparalleled!  You are definitely a 🌟!  I've said it before in my comments, keep shining bright like a 💎!  Amazing author and an even more amazing friend!!!! :heart::worship:👑

Response from the author:

You'll never know how hard this review has made me smile, Patch. Thank you so much!

I love that my stories have the ability to stop time for you. I always look forward to your comments, no matter what story I write. Thank you for being such a loyal reader!

  • Like 1
  • Love 2
Sherye Story Reader

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

I gave the story 5 stars cause it was very well written as well as entertaining. Loved how you kept us in suspense at the end of each chapter. You are a very talented writer and will go far if you do exactly what your imagination takes you. 

Response from the author:

Thank you for the review! I am so happy you enjoyed this book, and are looking forward to the next one!

  • Love 7
Rkench

· Edited by Rkench

   3 of 3 members found this review helpful 3 / 3 members

An addictive read that is simultaneously a beautiful love story and an action-packed tale of a young man growing into his new powers while finding family along the way. All of this comes for Vincent in the wake of tragedy that has scarred him and set him on a path of destiny and determination.

You’ll find scarring is a theme that subconsciously unites several of the characters. It’s also funny, and sexy. Most will enjoy how the inner wolf expresses itself.

Vincent’s mate, Mason, is also a complex character and worthy protagonist. Highly recommended. Looking forward to starting the second part. 

Response from the author:

Thank you for the review, Rkench!

I'm tickled pink you enjoyed this story, and am excited to see you continuing the trilogy. Read on! 💜

  • Like 2
  • Love 1
Dan South

   3 of 3 members found this review helpful 3 / 3 members

This novel checks all of the boxes. All 12 of the checkboxes offered here to recommend a story, specifically. Without question it is a love story. More so, it explores the many forms love takes.

The love of, and from, family seemingly shapes the love of the two lead characters. Family in all its forms. Biological, chosen, and herein the love of a diverse pack.

We’re taken on a journey of self-discovery as a young man comes into his own and finds his place in the world as he continues on a personal mission to extract revenge for a long-ago wrong.

Make room on your reading list for Aaron Stone’s grand adventure here and all of his works. Trust me, it will be time we’ll spent.

 

 

Response from the author:

Thanks so much for the review, Dan! I'm ways pleased to see a new reader. Have a blast reading the rest of the series!

  • Like 1
  • Love 2
centexhairysub

   3 of 3 members found this review helpful 3 / 3 members

Really enjoyed this book, there will be a second one coming per the author.  It was well written and the pacing and flow of the story was first rate.  The character development was better than average and there was some unique takes on were creatures that I had not found in other stories.

My one issue with the book was that a couple of the story lines got mentioned and then just never resolved; but perhaps they will be in the second book.

Recommend for anyone that enjoys were creature stories or those with mages and magic.  

Response from the author:

Thank you for the review! I did leave several plot openings and several other details for the second, and potentially third book to cover. Glad you enjoyed the book!

  • Love 4
raven1

   2 of 2 members found this review helpful 2 / 2 members

As the first novel written by astone2292, Love in the Shadows is a powerful demonstration of raw talent. You will be impressed with the unique world astone2292 has built.  His characters are so engaging that your emotions will always be in high gear trying to get to know them better and bond with them.  My favourite characteristic however, is the great humour richly embedded throughout every chapter.  

Vincent is a young orphaned mage who wanders the world seeking revenge against Stephan, the shadow mage who murdered Vincent's parents.  He lands in the town of Owensville and begins to settle in community.  There he soon is stalked by an Alpha shifter, becomes the target of assassins, finds he destine mate and begins to learn how to control his powers.  His adventures, intrigues, love and friends will enthral you, and keep you reading for hours on end.  I know you will enjoy all the thrills and chills as well as the love in this tale.

Response from the author:

Thank you so much for your review, raven!

It was a blast following your comments as you read this book. I'm tickled you enjoyed it, and I hope to see you reread it. A certain Signature Author and I are working on a major edit. Eliminating wordiness, repetitions, and bending the story-telling into one POV per scene. Same story and plot, just a lot cleaner. It's still going to take several months, but it'll be worth the wait. 

  • Like 2
  • Love 2
empath

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

I’m a fan of a good shifter story.  This certainly fits the bill.  The writing started out a bit rough, but the story kept me in it.  The writing and the story just kept getting better and better.  I can’t commend @astone2292 enough on his willingness to stick with it and grow as a writer.  

I especially like the character development.  Each character is unique and stays consistent.  That is hard to do.  It is clear there has been a lot of time spent thinking about the story outside of what we get to read.  

Thanks for taking me to another place that is mostly believable and very fun!  I'm very excited to read the next story!

Response from the author:

Thank you for the review, empath!! Very much appreciated!

A note for when you start book two: I am in the process of editing it, as it does have POV shifts. I was young and inexperienced in the rules of English writing. 

  • Love 2
Erik0101

  

I recently came into contact with story's of were creatures and I must say it's one of the best so far.

 

I loved the pace, the detail and the general enviromantel building.

The characters have an satisfying depth to them, that let's you really connect with them and their feelings. I'm exited to begin the next book.

Please keep writing like you do. (Sry for grammatical or vocabular mistakes, English isn't, y mouthertounge)

  • Like 2
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