I just realized I had this book marked as read, when in fact I did not go further than page 96 - that's what you get when you mix the books from your list while trying to put your reading challenge in some kind of line.... Oh, well...

I'm not gonna take long with this one. Basically, it had werewolves, and that's always a plus for me. Add to that the fact that a heroine with a troubled past unlike anything I've read so far was the main female lead, and you probably know why I was so intrigued to choose to read this story.

But it all fell terribly short. Kristen was not as deep a character as I would have liked, sure, though she wasn't the one ruining this for me, surprisingly (I'm usually angry at most female leads). It was Nicholas. Honestly, this whole thing gave me a very stalkerish vibe - it was kinda creepy, not in a good way, mind you, and I kept itching to put the book down ever since I passed page 50 (which is my usual standard page number for a book to impress me enough to keep reading). It's a miracle I even made it this far!

Unfortunately, this book didn't do it for me. I'm very sad to say I won't be reading the rest of the series...

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

One life, one mate. Nicholas Konstantine has been waiting over a thousand years for his mate. But when he finds her, she's completely unaware of her Lycan biology, and she's battling her own personal demons. Kristen O'Connor is a recovering addict, with some major trust issues. By not letting anyone get close, she won't get hurt. Yet after one meeting with Nicholas, her walls are crumbling, and she wants more with this man. But Nicholas reveals his Lycan side, and hers as well. In addition, ghosts from both of their pasts come back to haunt them. Will they face everything together, or will Kristen's fears be stronger than her love?
This was a pretty decent book for a new author. She tackled having a main character with very bad baggage and I commend her for that. That said, it’s not a subject I really like reading about but since it was paranormal I still gave it a shot. There were a lot of basic tropes put in there and the damaged human with a lycan was probably the biggest curve ball. There were some issues with the story and I did skim a bit. I will probably try this author again.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I really enjoyed this book! Before I read this book, I was not familiar with the author but now I am now a fan! The world building was great as well as the well thought out characters. I am anxiously waiting for the rest of the series!

I was going to give 5 stars to the book, but in the end, it didn't work for me as much as I thought it would. First of all our heroine is an addict. That is not bad, unless you count all the bad things she did when she was using (and has regretted them) and how little faith some people aka her brother have in her. Secondly, you have the brother and Cass. I wanted them to get their happy ending in this book and have Dante have his in the third. Now I will have to wait for them to get over their problems in the third book with the unknown release date. I do not know Cass well enough to understand her reaction to her mate's secret (I honestly cannot remember his name). I want them to solve their problems in the next book and get their happy ending. And speaking of the second book, let's talk about how the relationship of the next couple was ruined. Everything was going great and they had admitted the whole "you are my mate thing" but then the heroine had to go and ruin it which led to a cliffhanger ending. Nicholas and Kristen's story ends on a happy note, but two other couples are broken at the moment and even the second book doesn't have a release date. How am I supposed to cope until then?

The book is not bad for the first in a series, but it's also not great. It got me hooked though and I plan on reading the next two and see what the author plans to do with this unique universe.

3.5 stars

Return of the Lycan King is the first in the series from Candace Blackburn.
This is a familiary “one mate” story. Nicholas Konstantine has been searching for his mate, but when he finds her, she’s got some issues of her own – one being that she doesn’t know what she is, and secondly, she’s a recovering addict and third, she’s got family issues in the sense that her parents disappeared.

Nicholas helps Kristen realize what she is and that he is her mate. They have good chemistry together and Nicholas tends to ignore some of her more annoying human traits. Of course they have some obstacles in their way and the ending leaves some unanswered questions in anticipation of the next book in the trilogy.

I did have some pacing issues with the story. When I find myself skimming, that’s usually not a good sign. Perhaps another pass at editing would have helped with that. The dialogue in some places also seemed to be a bit choppy and not flow very well.

Overall, this was an interesting story, but it did have some places where it could have been improved.

An ARC was provided for review.

A story filled with suspense, danger and passion; Return of the Lycan King: Nicholas and Kristen had the potential to be a great tale. Unfortunately, I found the writing stilted and Kristen’s character hard to embrace.

I’m sure the story will appeal to many readers, but I just found it lacking. Will I give book two a go? Yes. Because I always believe an author has the ability to improve.

This was a good read. I liked the story as well as the characters. Nicolas is a Lycan and has lived for over a thousand years, right now he is a doctor specializing in genetic research. Kristen is a recovering addict and her Lycan side is awakened through contact with her mate, Nicolas. Coping with her addiction Kristen has built up many walls, will Nicolas be able to tear them down? This is a fast-paced read with plenty of drama and suspense. I liked the characters as well as the story, however it could have used a bit more editing to make the story flow better. Overall it is an entertaining read and I am looking forward to more in the series.

With shifters, they have one mate in their life.
Nicholas Konstantine has been waiting over a thousand years for this very day. Counting the agonizing years..... Then she shows up. But has no clue of her origin.....

Kristen has a troubled past, one she would rather forget. And Nicholas takes the pain away, and shows her what its like to feel loved.

Return of the Lycan King was an angsty love story that had me in tears.
A beautiful tale.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Barclay Publicity
I’ll start by saying that despite my mixed feelings on this I fully intend to read the next one.
The chemistry between Nicolas and Kristen was hot.
This book has a lot of potential, but it just needs some additional editing.

Return of the Lycan King: Nicholas and Kristen by Candace Blackburn.
Nicholas is a Lycan who has been looking for his mate from his first thought of one. Nicholas is the owner and head of genetics research institute which investigates common human conditions and offers money for humans to donate blood for testing. Kristen happened to be of the humans that showed up to give blood in exchange for money. Nicholas knew as soon as she walked in that she was his mate but that she was still human, her Lycan physiology hadn't assert its self yet. But it would only be a short time before it did.
Kristen has a troubled past and it has changed her to be cautions when dealing with something that might have her fall back to her additions. But her pull to Nicholas is strong and they try to work through the changes that are coming
I enjoyed this book and hope the next book will be out soon.

A paranormal romance with a little mystery and romance.
Characters were okay ,story was good but could use a little bit more to it.
In all it was a okay read.

I enjoyed reading Return of the Lycan King: Nicholas and Kristen. I found the storyline compelling and the characters interaction well developed. I look forward to reading book 2.

This was a first read of this author for me and I absolutely LOVED IT! I cannot wait for the next book but it looks like it might be a while since this was published in 2015. The chemistry between Nicolas and Kristen was hot. I loved how real Kristen's character was with the flaws she was dealing with mainly in her mind as she had overcome her issues. For me I love when books such of this nature still have very real human characteristics and then those with some of the harder to relate to make it just more believable in my opinion. As normal with mates it is instant attraction, but with Kristen being raised human she doesn't quite understand it which I think is a universal thing when it comes to the "perfect man" showing interest in you. The side characters were perfect and I love the twists throughout the book and they were done just right. Yes there is a cliffhanger but it wasn't the worst one I've read but it will definitely leave the mind reeling.

Reviewed by Sarah of the GothicMoms Review Team

One life, one mate. Nicholas Konstantine has been waiting over a thousand years for his mate. But when he finds her, she's completely unaware of her Lycan biology, and she's battling her own personal demons. When I started reading I couldn't put it down I read the book is one day.Candace is magnifysent writer.I cannot wait to read more of her books.Keep up the great work.

3.5*


This is the kind of book that’s difficult to review and I’m not sure where to even start. I will say it’s the first in a series of three and you’ll be left with a whole host of unanswered questions at the end of it.

I’ll start by saying that despite my mixed feelings on this I fully intend to read the next one.

This isn’t your basic Lycan romance for a start here the actual shifting is painful. Nicholas Konstantine is over a thousand years old and like all Lycans he’s spent all that time searching for his mate. To keep him busy he’s studied he’s a doctor many times over, a scientist and also a professor and now specialises in genetic research to help all races.

Kristen O’Connor has a brother she loves. She’s never known her father and her sick mother disappeared without a trace five years ago. Kristen is also a recovering addict, she hit an all time low several years ago where she sold her body for pills. She’s clean now but it’s always there it the background, the possibility that she’ll relapse.

Kristen is not only a Lycan but also mate to Nicholas and it’s through contact with Nicholas that her Lycan side is awakened.

At times I enjoyed this book at others I was annoyed and even bored. Now there’s a good book here it just lost itself in places, it needs to be sharper, cut and rearranged a little.

While Kristen is a recovering addict I felt this was mentioned far too much. Also it felt overlong in places and I found myself skimming.

At the end of the book we not only get a little taste of the next one but we also get a bonus scene plus an alternative scene as well.
The alternative one is where Nicholas comes across Kristen for the first time, I actually preferred this version so if you read this book make sure you check it out.

#### SPOILER ####

Lycan trackers are amazing they can track Lycans who have left no visible trail for centuries but yet Dragunov (who’s described as brutal, ruthless but efficient) can’t track one Lycan he believes to be his mate. I just didn’t buy it at all, I mean obviously she’s not his mate but the fact that she’s Lycan means he should be able to track her anywhere yet he doesn’t even know if she’s alive or not.

Also, and I’m fully aware that I’m being picky here but Dragunov is or was a tracker and therefore he has a silver blade. Why would he ever use anything else?
I know for the story to work he can’t use silver but he would wouldn’t he? He’d never take the chance of not having it with him just in case he came across a Lycan so if he’s got it with him he’d use it.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Barclay Publicity

Exciting wonderfully written book that held my attentions from the very being. I would definitely recommend this book.

This was an interesting read! Nicholas Konstantin is a lycan and scientist. In this story we have Nicholas who has been looking for his mate for over a thousand years. Then we have Kristen, a narcotic recovering addict who decides to donate blood that just happens to be owned and operated by her mate, though neither is aware. Once Kristen comes to donate and she does this because the money is good and will help her pay down her student loans, she is a researcher and just finished graduate school, Nicholas realizes she is his mate and has her come back a 2nd time to test her blood again. The courtship is quick as Kristen is getting ready to shift and she still doesn't know that she is a lycan. She will need his help, not to mention the fact that he will never let her leave his sight again. Lol.
I liked a lot of aspects of this book. The medical terminology is well documented and the fact that Kristen's brother, Darren was an insulin dependent human, was knowledgeable as well. I say was because Darren surprises us, as you will find out, once you read the story yourself.
We have secondary characters Lex, a skilled tracker for the Lycans, older than Nicholas with his fated mate, Elizabeth who's also a vampire. There is also a surprise with these 2 as well. Then we have Darren who is Kristen's brother who meets Cass, the last known royal family from the Lycans. The story was a bit confusing at times to me. For instance, why did Darren and Kristen's father kidnap their Mom for all these years? Still not really answered. Why do they keep mentioning over and over about Kristen's addiction and what she did to get her next fix? I found that to be a bit redundant. Also, there is a brief intro into the next story which discusses Lex and Liz but we know from this story that they are mates, so I wonder what tale their read will bring. Then there is Darren and the secret that I know his sister Kristen has no idea about. Like how did that just get thrown in? I mean Kristen and Darren are super close for brother and sister and I just can't imagine that he never told her. Lastly the title of this book threw me for a loop. I mean I kind of figured it out halfway through, however I thought by the title it would be more about the main characters Nicholas and Kristen. It was still good but different. All in all a very thorough and at times too much detailed story, but it did not diminish my interest entirely. I look forward to the next book by this author. 4 stars!!!

I received a copy of Return of the Lycan King: Nicholas and Kristen by Candace Blackburn from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the summary and really wanted to like this novel, but the storyline could have been pulled together better and the characters developed better.

Simply put "Return of the Lycan King" was so good. Totally liked it. I want more.