Pretty good series :D

I'm listening to the audio version of this that has books 1-4 all done together.

Book#1: Impact
3 stars

Audio time: 0-2:05

This is a short story about 2 ex-lovers that get trapped together in a crashed plane during a storm in the wilds of Alaska. Wren and Skip grew up together and were each other's first loves. The full details are sketchy but it appears that certain things ended Wren on a path where she got hooked on drugs and Skip had to arrest her for her own good. I didn't have an issue with that but I did find it strange that he dropped out of her life for 5 years and thought it would be easy to get back in her life. There was a rather confusing mix of emotions and blame that Wren and Skip needed to work through. They don't get through them completely but they do realize what they've been missing enough that Skip and Wren are back together by the end of the story.

This was an enjoyable story. Wren and Skip both seemed like good people but, TBH the story isn't long enough to get to know them very well (especially considering all the conflicting emotions that had to be dealt with). I think this would have been better if it had been a bit longer (to work through things a bit better) but overall is was a decent story and I'm reading book #2 in the series next.

Book #2: Moosed Up
4 stars

Audio time: 2:05-5:46

This was a very good story. I liked Eva and Lynx and their story was enjoyable with a bit of a surprise twist.

Eva is a nurse practitioner. She had been in a happy relationship (or so she thought) but her life took an unexpected turn when she discovered her boyfriend in bed with her BFF. What was even more shocking for Eva is that her BFF is a gay man and now her (ex)boyfriend is living happily with her (ex)BFF. Eva needed a change so she moved to Alaska for a 2 year contract at a small clinic.

Lynx is the law enforcement for the local Wildlife refuge in his town and he's also a vet. He grew up in Alaska and most of his family lives in the same town he does.

Eva isn't in town too long before she gets lost in the woods near her house and gets chased by a Moose. She climbs a tree to get away from it and ends up attracting Lynx's attention. Lynx gets the Moose to leave her alone and then helps her with an injury she got from the tree. There's a strong attraction between them but there's also a certain amount of antagonism between them since Eva can be a bit bitchy when she's stressed/freaked and Lynx isn't very good with talking to women (at least it seems that way outside of sex). Regardless of his annoyance at this outsider, Lynx can't help but want her and feel the need to find out more about her. He manages to get Eva to agree to a date but unfortunately for both of them, things seem to keep going wrong in ways that makes Eva unsure of where she stands, if Lynx actually liked her or if he's really just a jerk. I liked Lynx and Eva together though and although the story is an insta-love, I felt enough of a connection with them that it worked for me. By the end, Lynx and Eva are pretty solidly together. When it ends there's still some things that need to be worked out but there's a confidence that they're good together and will do what's needed to ensure their HEA together.

I enjoyed this story very much. Lynx and Eva were both likable characters. They had their issues getting together but I liked how they both worked towards it, even if sometimes haltingly. I actually was a bit surprised by what Lynx's secret ended up being (think Dr. Doolittle). Overall, I thought this was a very good story and I'd recommend it. :D

Book #3: Dreamweaver
3.5-4 stars

Audio time:5:46-10:19

This was a pretty good story. I liked both Gemma and Lucky. Their story was unusual but interesting. There is a bit of a love triangle but it all works out so it actually ends up being a good thing.

Gemma is a nice lady that owns a book store in Alaska. She was raised there by her hippy parents. Her dad died when she was young and Gemma's mom was loony enough that Gemma became the adult of the relationship. Emma hasn't had much luck with men but has recently started having very intense sex-dreams with a guy she doesn't know.

Lucky was a professional mountain climber and the type of guy who was always looking for the next adventure. He loved women but never found one he wanted to commit to. Lucky was killed and now languishes in Limbo.

Lucky and Gemma were meant to be if Lucky hadn't been killed. When he ended up in Limbo he found his connection to earth only existed through Gemma. This connection was made stronger by the particularly strong northern lights displays going on right now. Lucky fell for Gemma as soon as he saw her and hasn't been able to move on from Limbo because of his connection to Gemma (and his longing to be near her). Gemma thinks she might be nuts with the dream lover thing and is even more worried when he mom starts talking about a dreamwalker trying to take her soul. Gemma is drawn to Lucky but he's not real (not real enough to have a relationship with at least) and she's really not sure what to do.

Things get even more confused by the fact that she's just starting to see a guy she knows and the whole dream lover thing makes things that much more confusing. It also doesn't help when Gemma's BFF (for her own reasons which I found a bit disturbing) suddenly starts encouraging Gemma to be with Lucky when she had previously been discouraging her. I really wasn't too hot on the love triangle but it actually works out quite well when all is said and done. Gemma and Lucky made a good couple but there is a good amount of angst they have to deal with. Thankfully, there ends up being a way for things to work out for Lucky and Gemma and they end the story starting a HEA together.

This was and enjoyable story. Gemma was a nice woman and I wanted her to get the man that was meant for her. Lucky was a bit cocky but nice and proved he wanted what was best for Gemma over his own needs which I loved. There were a couple points I wasn't thrilled with but overall I liked this story and am looking forward to reading the next story in the series. :)

Book #4: Bearing All
4 stars

Audio time:10:19-13:37

This was a very good story. I liked Sergei and Kate, although since the story begins with Kate trying to kill Sergei it's a bit difficult to see her likable features at first.

Kate and Sergei have a convoluted past. She was an agent for the US and he was one for Russia and they got pitted against each other during a mission. They ended up sleeping together (which was part of both of their missions) but they didn't kill each other (which they were supposed to). Kate thought that Sergei was responsible for her partner's death (as well as for breaking her heart) and decided to hunt him down to kill him. After a couple years she finds him in Alaska and goes after him.

Sergei knew that Kate would come for him...actually he counted on it. The way Sergei felt about Kate wasn't part of his mission and now he wants to see if they can be together. When she comes to kill him, Sergei manages to best Kate and subdue her (which isn't easy at all). Sergei tries talking to Kate but it's hard to get past her anger to make her realize some painful truths. The time that Kate and Sergei have together isn't easy but they can't deny their attraction for each other and Sergei doesn't want to...in fact he tries to fan the flames of Kate's attraction, hoping it can be something more. Sergei and Kate have to get through some things that are rough (especially for Kate) but they do manage to come through things alright and ready to start a HEA together.

This was a very enjoyable story. I liked Sergei and Katre and they made a good pair (once they got past their past). The story could have been a bit longer but it's shortness wasn't really an issue. Overall, this was a very good story and I'd recommend it. :D

18 people found this helpful

Love This Author!

I found a new author. I love Ms. Helmer's love stories. I love reading about Alaska. The stories were funny, sad and addictive. I love the narrator too!

6 people found this helpful

Outstanding

This is the best way to enjoy new authors at a great price. I really enjoy the varied storylines and writing techniques as well as the life the narrator brings to the characters!

4 people found this helpful

Love, Love,Love

I read these books and loved them. I'm so excited to have them on audio so I can listen to them over and over.

4 people found this helpful

If you can get past the first story...

I enjoyed all of the stories except the first one. I almost stopped listening because of it.
Spoiler alert! Your plane has crashed in Alaska during a heavy snow storm and your first thought is about sex and more sex and not survival first you are an idiot.
My favorite was the last story.
Worth a listen to

2 people found this helpful

Great collection of stories

Would you listen to Wild Men of Alaska again? Why?

Yes I would! I really enjoyed each story and they all stood out without straying from the flavor of the title. Each character felt like their own person and while the story endings were satisfying they also made you wish there was more of each.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wild Men of Alaska?

For me it was the moose, it just made me laugh with the mischievous things it got up too lol

What does Erin Bennett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Erin's reading tone kept the female characters from becoming too whiny I think. When the characters were whining she whined, but otherwise didn't add any unnecessary tone that might of been picked up and read in one's head.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to a few of the stories each day until done but I had to finish the story. It was very exciting with how many there were to listen too and made me really look forward to not just the story themselves but what could be next.

2 people found this helpful

Adventure awaits!

Would you listen to Wild Men of Alaska again? Why?

Yes, I would. In fact, as soon as I was finished listening to Bearing All (last story in the bundle of novellas) I started it over again. It has to be my favorite, though I loved them all.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sergei. The narrator did such a fabulous job bringing him to life. I loved in when I read him and I'm now even more in love with him.

What does Erin Bennett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brought them alive.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A few, actually. Bearing All with the intense emotion and deep feelings the characters had for each other and the battles they were made to go through. I don't want to give away too much of the story as Helmer writes a terrific book.

Any additional comments?

Buy it! You will love it.

4 people found this helpful

Boring

Boring and slow and couldn't stay with the story. Just not my type of read I guess.

1 person found this helpful

Wild men of Alaska

I love these stories. And look forward to readi g more of your books. Thank you

1 person found this helpful

fun stories

four very enjoyable novellas, sexy guys. hot stories. reader was entertaining and had great voice.

1 person found this helpful