Jade Buchanan

(5 Nymphs) Jade Buchanan has done it again! The Pridelands 2: Zula’s Stand is definitely a book you will not be able to put down. The majestic mountain setting of the tale is just what is needed to create a cozy and inescapable paradise. Mike Zula and Jai are all very strong characters, each with something unique to give to their relationship and the story.

I have to say the intimacy is off the scale! I’ve never thought a tail could be so versatile, or being able to deliver such mind blowing ecstasy. You have to love the way Jade’s mind works. Her style is nothing short of wonderful. Jade incorporates a bit of humor, some action and a great deal of sensuality throughout the book. Each page holds your attention, and has the reader anticipating what is next to come in the Prideland’s series. Jade brings the spice and the thunder as usual. I have no doubt that fans and newcomers will be pleased with the book.

Reviewed by Scandalous Minx, Literary Nymphs

Mike slammed the tailgate shut, checking to make sure it was latched completely. His little rust bucket was almost ready to be sent to the truck cemetery, but she had a few more trips left in her.

Walking around the driver’s side, he figured he might have a few more of these trips to make if things didn’t change. It wasn’t as if he didn’t like visiting his cousin, Darren, but the circumstances weren’t the best.

Darren’s brother, Aaron, had gone missing two months ago after going up to visit their cabin north of Muncho Lake. Darren began getting worried when Aaron didn’t return, so he went up after him, only to find no sign of Aaron. It was as if he’d been abducted by aliens or something. A search and rescue team was called in, using aircraft and ground trackers, but there was absolutely no trace of him. If they didn’t have the proof of his gear and the food he’d brought up, Mike wouldn’t have believed Aaron had ever been in Northern B.C.

Darren had decided to stay up north instead of going back home, desperately hoping Aaron would just walk in one day. Mike knew better. If Aaron hadn’t come home yet, he probably wouldn’t. There was too much wildlife up near Muncho Lake and the Provincial Park was a huge area. If Aaron had gotten lost in the park, they’d never find his body.

He was trying to be positive, really he was, but he was more practical about these sorts of things. Mike didn’t want to get his hopes up.

Starting his truck, Mike slowly pulled out onto the road. He needed to stop for coffee before the trip. It was roughly 150 miles from Fort Nelson to the park and he needed to stay alert. Just coming off a twenty one day rotation working ten hours a day, he was exhausted. It was a good thing his project was done and he had a week off. He could just zone out on the couch and let Darren take care of food.

Mike pulled into the drive thru of his coffee paradise just before leaving town. He wasn’t in the mood for small talk, and thankfully neither was the lady working. Timmies in hand, he was now ready for the drive along the Alaska Highway.

Half an hour later, he had to admit he was glad to be out in the wilderness. Heck, he’d even brought his rifle in case he decided to do a bit of hunting while he was up here.

They called Northwest B.C. the Serengeti of North America for a reason. At any minute you could see any number of animals. Stone Sheep, mountain goats, bison, moose, elk, caribou, white-tailed and mule deer, wolves, coyotes, foxes, grizzly bears, black bears, lynx and wolverines roamed the countryside. It was an eco-tourists haven and a hunter’s paradise.

It was days like this that he was thankful he lived up here. He wouldn’t do well in a city. He was a small-town boy at heart. He liked to get his hands dirty, play in the dirt, sleep on the ground. He’d wither and die if he had to live among steel and glass buildings.

That was definitely one of the things that set him and his sister apart. They’d both grown up in the same place, but Mike treasured being out in the wild while Joy would really rather be living it up in the city. She was a party girl with a heart of gold. He sure did miss her some days.

Mike was glad when he entered the eastern park limits through the Alaska Highway Corridor. He really wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings. The view was almost wasted on him today.

Reaching the small campground where he normally left his truck, he got out to stretch his legs. Most of the park was protected land and you weren’t allowed to bring vehicles off the designated areas. He’d have to hike the rest of the way in. It wasn’t far, though. If they’d been smart, his family would have stocked up on a few trail ponies and they wouldn’t have to worry about carrying everything, but Mike’s father always believed a little work never hurt you.

Still, the first time Aaron and Darren had been told they’d have to hike with their overflowing packs up to the cabin… the looks on their faces had been priceless. They weren’t used to roughing it seeing as they’d been raised in the city.

Shrugging his heavy pack on, Mike breathed in the fresh air. It was starting to get fucking cold, but he didn’t mind it too much. They were definitely coming up on a cold snap. It was almost like being in heaven. Or at least it was his version of what he wanted heaven to be like. He took the heavy canvas case holding his rifle out, cradling it protectively before slinging it over his shoulder. His sidearm was next, a 454 casull, just in case he came upon anything larger than a deer. His bear spray was hooked on the side of his pack, so he didn’t have to worry about that.

It was too late to hunt mule deer but you never knew when you’d come upon a nice lynx. They were still in hunting season until February, so he was good to go. Hell, he’d even take a nice cougar if he saw one. Though he preferred mulies over any other animal. There was just something about a mule deer that called to him. Too bad they weren’t in season. Maybe he’d get some time off closer to the end of the year and he’d be able to get out again. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone on a nice hunt.

With one last check to make sure his doors were locked, Mike set out to find a little peace and quiet.