Pride

The Dark Underbelly #1

by Candace Blevins

Jess and her all-female pride would be fine if random male lions didn't feel the need to come to town to try to take over.

Until the Amakhosi, the king of the lions, pays them a visit.

Warning: This isn't a romance. Pride is unapologetic paranormal erotica, and the Amakhosi's only rules are the ones he makes up. He's come to town to enact consequences and enforce his rule, and at over eight hundred years old, he's gotten very good at getting his point across.

Oh, and cats have spiked penises.



This story is also in the Paws and Claws anthology under the title Lioness.

Genres: Paranormal, Erotica, Shapeshifters, BDSM, Paranormal Romance, Novella, Dark

45 pages, ebook

First published August 19, 2015

About the author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Candace Blevins writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, epic fantasy contemporary BDSM romance, and two kick-ass motorcycle club series. She’s published more than fifty books. Candace lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two teenaged daughters. The family’s beloved, goofy, retired racing greyhounds are usually at her side as she writes, quietly keeping her company. Or sometimes not so quietly.

Her urban fantasy series, Only Human, gives us a world where weredragons, werewolves, werelions, three different species of vampires, and a variety of other mythological beings exist.

Candace's various paranormal romance series are all sister series to the Only Human series, and give some secondary characters their happily ever after.

Her Dark(ish) Faerie Tale series gives us a close-up and personal look at Queen Mab, and her Dark Underbelly series is, as you’d expect, dark and (if you’re a little twisted) oh-so-yummy.

Her contemporary Safeword series gives us characters who happen to have some extreme kinks. Relationships can be difficult enough without throwing power exchange into the mix, and her books show characters who care enough about each other to fight to make the relationship work. Each couple in the Safeword series gives the reader a different take on the lifestyle.

You can visit Candace on the web at candaceblevins.com. Feel free to friend her on Facebook at facebook.com/candacesblevins and Goodreads at goodreads.com/CandaceBlevins. You can also join facebook.com/groups/CandacesKinksters to get sneak peeks into what she's writing now, images that inspire her, and the occasional juicy teaser.

Stay up to date on Candace’s newest releases, and get exclusive excerpts by joining her mailing list at http://bit.ly/cb-new-release.

Only Human series, urban fantasy
• Only Human
• An Unhuman Journey
• Of Humans and Monsters
• Defining Human
• Edge of Humanity
• Infinitely Human
• Unhuman Acts

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club
• Duke
• Brain
• Bash Volume I
• Bash Volume II
• Bash Volume III
• Horse
• Gonzo
• Nix
• Ghost
• Bud
• Razor
• Bubbles
• McGyver

The Birmingham RTMC
• Bobcat
• Dementor
• Frost
• Squatch

Cat out of Hell, series, paranormal romance:
• Cat out of Hell Volume I
• Cat out of Hell Volume II
• Cat out of Hell Volume III

The Dark Underbelly of The Chattanooga Supernaturals
• Pride (A short story featuring The Lion King)
• Indentured Freedom: Owned by the Vampire
• Leashed
• An Elegant Weapon

A Dark(ish) Faerie Tale
• Slave
• Lady
• Consort
• Queen

A Paranormal Halloween, paranormal romance
• Hallowed Destiny – Forged by Darkness
• Unhallowed Murder
• Countdown to Murder
• Unholy Murder

Pleasure Times Four Christmas series, ménage/RH paranormal romance
• Unexpected Gifts
• The Gift
• Present Tense
• Imperfect Gifts

Chattanooga Supernaturals series, paranormal romance:
• The Dragon King
• Riding the Storm
• Acceptable Risk
• Careful What You Ask For
• Uncaged
• Cocky Queen

The Safeword series, intense BDSM contemporary romance
• Safeword Rainbow
• Safeword: Davenport
• Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon
• Safeword: Quinacridone
• Safeword: Matte
• Safeword: Matte – In Training
• No Safeword: Matte – The Honeymoon
• No Safeword: Matte – Happily Ever After
• Safeword: Arabesque
• Safeword: Mayday (TBA)

Reviews

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 4 out of 5]

What did I just read? First of all, I'm speechless Ms. Blevins wrote a short story. I didn't think she knew books less than 100K words existed. Nathan is the King of all big cats. I never liked Nathan. I still don't like him. This story doesn't make me like him anymore or dislike him any less. He's an alpha male who I may want dead based on furious female feelings, but I do respect his authority. He's not a bad guy. He's just following the Lion shifter rules and as a feminist, I want to tell him, "Fuck you!"

Second, seriously, being a lesbian or a feminist and being a lion shifter basically means you are fucked. Because these assholes lion shifters are more animal than human. I am happily reveling in what Jess and her all female pride do to the male lion shifters. I'd be right there with them. I can't begin to describe the anger, frustration and desire to kill every male crossing my path after reading this book.

The one redeeming thing about Nathan is how he handles this situation with the female only pride. It is something I can respect. As a side note, from a submissive standpoint, I can't help but want to bare my throat for Nathan.

This dichotomy is captured so well by Ms. Belvins. She shows how two conflicting sides can come to a mutually beneficial solution. This story is well written with no wasted words or extra scenes. Each punishing scene is transitioned beautiful into an enlightenment moment between Jess and Nathan.

Lastly, from a sexual perspective, this is dark and probably non-con and some dub-con. Is there rape? Yes. Is it wrong? Probably... but I liked it. I delighted in each sexual transgression. The pain and humiliation perpetrated on these strong females by a physically stronger male is so wrong but so guiltily arousing. The scenes are not too graphic, just enough to wet the panties and start looking for a vibrator.

This book can be read as a standalone. For those new to this world, it's a great place to start. You'll want to read the rest of the books in this world. Recommended for paranormal romance lovers who enjoy dark, punishing and an alpha male with a very well hidden soft center.

Gifted by the author whilst I was on vacation with NO access to read the book. No review requested but I gave one anyway.

[Jeanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possible pet-peeves, warnings, & a brief review.

This is not a full book, it's 46 pages of what I'd call a long scene. At its core & in its simplest form, this scene consists of one long rape with the victim developing a case of Stockholm syndrome IMHO.

We first met the Amakhosi, the king of the lions Nathan in . I quickly decided he was an asshole & developed a quick case of strong dislike. After reading Pride, I continued to think him an asshole. However, it'd be unfair to say nothing has changed.

As dirty as pride is, it serves a purpose. It allows established readers a peek into cat society, allowing us some insight into his majesty's world. I wouldn't recommend anyone who is not familiar with the author's previous works read this. This is a minuscule look into the Amakhosi & his duties.

The scene was disturbingly hot.
I give it 3 stars.

UF:
Only Human gives us a world where dragons, werewolves, werelions, three different species of vampires, as well as a variety of other mythological beings exist. *Description is from CB's Amazon page

Only Human is a complete 7 book series.
Where to start?
Book one: Only Human
Book two: An Unhuman Journey
Book three: Of Humans and Monsters

[JenMcJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not at all sure why I love this author and this series so much but I every time I think I can walk away from not buying the next book....I race off to buy the next book in the series.

I wanted to get a bit more info on Nathan since I haven't read the Only Human part of the series taht predates the RTMC and Chatanooga Supernaturals series. This was really just a short book that seemed to ride a razor thin line of noncon rape... That's not super unusual in some of these books, but because this was a strong woman that was leading her own life, it smacked of more punishment than dominance. I don't know. It made me cringe at times.

I like the mix of strong women, brutal men and situations that just have to be dealt with that makes everyone stronger in different ways just makes this a great series.

[Mirjam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, very hot story about Nathan, the Amakhosi, which is a fancy word for the Lion King. Of the planet.We get an insight in how Nathan deals with his responsibilities as the king.
He is brutal, even cruel at times, but sexy as hell.

When Jessica, one of his lioness in charged of an all female pride, fucked up by badly disciplining Becca, one of her female pride members, for an issue involving a male lion, Nathan needs to act accordingly.




Part of the The Dark Underbelly of The Chattanooga Supernaturals Series:

[Jaycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jaycee for BOOKS 'N COZY SPOTS BOOK REVIEWS, www. Talon-ps.com
-ARC copy provided by author for honest review

In a very short story that packs a lot of punch in just about every way, Ms. Blevins manages to deliver just about the steamiest little ditty ever read, while seamlessly and quite brilliantly furthering the link between her supernatural clans in the “Kirsten Shea Universe”.

Nathan, who has been previously introduced in the series and is known as the global Head of the Lion shifters Clan (the Amakhosi), is brought to exquisite life in this perfectly executed short story intended to give readers a bit more depth into his character, until his full story comes. But I also wonder, as an avid reader of the series, if we aren’t meant to see a bit more of his true powers as a way to ease him into his part in the next full installation in the series somehow. I’m not certain how or why Nathan might fit into Bash’s (MC) story but I’ve learned not to try and anticipate Ms. Blevins, nor that damned Muse of hers. I’ve learned to just go with it because “it” will be stunning!

And “it” is fully contained in this powerful and purely erotic short. There is no, nor will there likely ever be any romance between Nathan and Jess, but there is some serious power exchange in deference to Nathan’s status. But personally I don’t see it as “unapologetic erotica” either. I see a leader in an imaginary animal shifter clan, establishing his Dominance for not only his own global clan, but for other supes. I see, actually, a fairly benevolent leader considering the circumstances, and as always with Ms. Blevins, I see the whole thing through a rendering that leaves the content full and rich and in no way gratuitous or without connection. My own definition of pure erotica would not include any character I could invest in, and while admittedly highly erotic, this story also has depth of character, emotion and a connection which while not romantic, has a far greater purpose than just sex.

"Nice" and "short" are seldom words I use together, but damned if Ms. Blevins doesn’t make me “see the light” with just about every outing. I not only highly recommend this powerful little short, I highly recommend the entire series to every paranormal lover, and suggest to those who don’t read paranormal??: This series might just change your mind…

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short quick paranormal read that I liked. Jessica who leads in all female pride has had problems with males showing up trying to take over. When the Amakhosi, comes to town they must answer for the things that they have done. This book was well written with no errors or spelling. Overall this was a good short read.

[Kimmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the novella. Still a great Candace story. I'm never disappointed.

[Kath Pigou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story from Candace Blevins, and unlike her longer books, it hasn’t got romance. However, it does have her usual deft touch with erotic scenes. In other books of the Chattanooga Supernaturals series, Nathan has been a character who doesn’t communicate much and has stayed mostly in the background. Here, he is front and centre, and we see a bit more of how his mind works.
Beware – Nathan is a sadist, and although he keeps his lion side under control, it’s still pretty brutal stuff.
Nonetheless, I think I can add Nathan to the list of lustworthy men from Ms Blevins’ pen, right there with Brain, Ethan, Aaron, Isaac, Duke and Tyler. (As long as he keeps the spikes to himself *VBG *)
I love all Candace’s work, and this is a tasty morsel while we wait for the next full-length book.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Def not for the timid - If you don't like steam, don't read!

PRIDE is the perfect erotic paranormal read if you're looking for a steamy, short read with an extremely strong, dominant female and an even stronger, dominant male! Even females strong enough to lead a group/pride of others can feel when to be submissive to a more dominant individual.
The main characters in this short story are well portrayed and the storyline is laid out in such a way there are no gaps or "huh" moments, like in so many short stories. And as in all of Candace Blevins' work, the only drawback is that the story doesn't go on and on!
Well-written and entertaining as always! I'm craving more about both Nathan & about Jess.

[Marie Vayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I refused to pay for a 37 pg book, its ridiculous to publish a 37 page book, its not even a novella, especially since all the rest of the series runs 300-500 pages. Nathan deserves his own story not just a handful of pages.

Now with that said, a friend did buy it and was sorry she did...from all the reviews Nathan was portrayed as an A%% which he really wasn't. He had to show Jessica that HE was the alpha/king and even though she was over her little pride of females he was still the Alpha. It was ok for the few pages but other than settling Jessica's pride's issues there really wasn't anything else.. don't bother doesn't add or take away from the overall series...

[Susan H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a puurrrfffeeeccccttttt short with bite! Yeah so that was corny, but I really like Nathan. There is something about the strong silent type, even when he is an ass that just gets me going. He's the boss, he makes no bones about it and his word will be law even if he has to hurt feelings while he's making his mark. But, at the same time he gives respect as he's given respect. Well, he demands respect, but he does give it as well where it's deserved. And he knows how to get his point across. Intense.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

To The Extreme....

I don't know if I really like the brutality of this king Nathan, why would any man/king need to treat a woman, not matter her preferences, that badly... I never heard of lion acting that way, All the contrary I hear the lioness is the boss, sorta.....Still I think Nathan is kind of intense in his dealings with Jess, but all that said I have a feeling she is going to be important to him in the future....Jess has a big part in Nathan's plans.

Lot's of intense brutal sex, not intended for under 18.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

She isn't joking this ain't romance but it sure is hot!! A glimpse into the life of the almighty Lion King Nathan (who'd have thought a Lion King would be named Nathan LOL) show's us the link between the animal world and the paranormal is it's brutality but fear not Nathan hasn't lost his humanity and all in all things could have gone a whole lot worse. The best part is that Nathan found a way to help this little pride have the life they are happy with.

[Thea™ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een kort verhaal over één van de characters (the Lion King) uit de paranormale wereld die je met name in de RTMC-series tegenkomt. The Lion King ben ik ook in bijv. The Dragon King tegengekomen. Beetje laf en raar (erg kort en nietszeggend) verhaaltje; ging eigenlijk nergens over. Maar goed, t'is weer een titel die naar de read-shelf kan. ;-)

[Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting book - Candace Blevins is known for her BDSM stories - no holds barred really so this was different (read it because I wanted to find out whether it resembled Lora Leighs Breed series) and although there are similarities the book wasnt verbatim - enjoyed it, short, not sweet, very controlling male (or lion) and worth a read if you prefer the harder view of a bdsm relationship.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

[Deb B · Rating 4 out of 5]

read it before. very short and a story wholly based on forced submission but it added to the whole story arc and left me hoping to see a hea in nathan's future

[~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~ · Rating 1 out of 5]

WTHeck was this mess?!!! Really???
SMDH

[Littlebookterror · Rating 1 out of 5]

When the worldbuiliding is more interesting and developed than the actual smut scenes you have a problem.

[Fritz Sands · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a romance. Repeat -- not a romance.

This is a short story set within the author's Only Human series, and gives insight into Nathan, the king of the lion shifters.

Nathan is an extremely powerful character and enters to dominate (but not take over all of the time) an all-female pride of lion shifters. (Yeah, yeah, wut?). The pride has been successfully fighting off lone male lion shifters who come to take them over, but those fights have had consequences. Nathan takes care of those consequences and will preclude other attempts, but at a cost in submission. And some very brutal sex.

A quite interesting story and certainly not a light-hearted shifter story.

[Sue Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Different But Still Good

You have Jess and her all female lion pack. They live on their own except when male lion shifter decide they can take the pack from Jess then she must deal with them or lose her pack. Then the Amakhosi (King of all lion shifters) finds out and comes to them hiding his power. He must break Jess to show her she is his....but not his mate, just a female lion under him. They will end with a plan so she will not have to kill any many male lions. But his way is a hard way, but Jess seems OK with it.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A group of all female lions living off the grid. Minding their own business. But Oh no, this cannot be. In steps the King of Lions to bring them to heel. But they don’t wanna man. But no, they cannot continue as they are because they have killed one male trying to take over their pride. So, the head lioness must pay for not keeping the pride in line. So, he brings her to her knees just because he can. Will he leave them alone or will he bring them back into the fold?

[Gea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s raw, animalistic and strangely appealing.
Of course it helps that these shifters have the ability to heal so quickly.

I don’t understand why anyone has to be broken in order to receive respect. I do understand that dominating a ‘normally’ dom won’t be easy.

Anyway, it was an interesting read for me.

[Donna Hokanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting take on lion prides

Well written short story that introduces a female who has her own little pride of woman that don’t want a man in charge of them.
In comes the lion King because of an issues one of the pride member took upon herself to do to another male lion.
Dominance and submission takes place in this book.

[Melanie Marnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Amakhosi finds it necessary to exert his power and dominance over a pride of lionesses who have gone rogue. The fact that the behavior of this pride is brought to Nathan's attention because of their rebellious behavior greatly displeases him. He doles out the appropriate punishments, gains loyalty and establishes his role in the pride.

[Dar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pride is exactly what the blurb states it is, an unapologetic erotic read. We have our all female pride of lions that has no want for males - but when the King of all lions comes to town, he has his own rules that need to be followed!

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

À good read

This story was a good read, but I found that it ended way to quickly without a lot of description to the story's beginning.

[Rene' Hurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is short story with lots of dominance.

[Gerald Sessions · Rating 5 out of 5]

In charge

An all female pride this is not the norm and the king of all lions has to take charge. An interesting story with some surprising twist.

[Pansy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful

An interesting bedtime story. I am not sure how pleasant the dreams might be. This was rough but also thoughtful and kind. A fascinating dichotomy.