• Red River

  • Pack Collection, Book 2
  • By: Cardeno C.
  • Narrated by: Nick J. Russo
  • Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (275 ratings)

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Red River  By  cover art

Red River

By: Cardeno C.
Narrated by: Nick J. Russo
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Publisher's summary

Two Alpha shifters join together to lead their pack and build a family.

Commitment, loyalty, and strength aren't enough to make Wesley Stone's birth pack accept an Alpha with a physical imperfection, even if it's a meaningless mark. Putting the safety of his pack above his own wellbeing, Wesley trades himself for another Alpha and agrees to mate with a stranger in a mysterious, insular pack.

Alphas from Jobe Root's family have led the Red River pack from the first day shifters walked the earth. Now the time has come for Jobe to fulfill his destiny, but to do that, he needs his mate by his side. Spiritual, easygoing Jobe reveres Mother Nature and trusts in fate, yet he can't help being nervous about how his mate will react to his new life in Red River, his new life with Jobe.

Two Alphas with contrasting personalities, different upbringings, and divergent beliefs come together for the good of their packs. But to stay together, Wesley and Jobe must see beyond the surface and embrace every facet of themselves and their union.

©2016 Cardeno C. (P)2016 Cardeno C.

What listeners say about Red River

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    156
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Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    144
  • 4 Stars
    82
  • 3 Stars
    21
  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love the story and the narration!

Any additional comments?

I LOVE THIS STORY! This shifter story holds the elements of shifter lore that is my crack.

Wesley is an alpha wolf who’s shunned by his pack because of an odd scar on his abdomen he’s had since birth. Jobe is an alpha wolf who’s been patiently waiting for his mate to come to him.

When Jobe’s Red River pack makes an offer to Wes’s Purple Sky pack to trade alphas everyone is happy about the exchange except for Wes.

**QUOTE**
“Red River has an Alpha wolf they won’t accept as their Alpha. Our pack feels the same way about you. So Brian Berger will come take over for me, and in exchange, you’ll go to Red River and lead a pack, like you’ve always wanted.”
**QUOTE**

Wes will lead a pack, but he has to mate with a stranger in order to do it. There’s some anger on Wes’s part for feeling like he’s been sold to Red River. There’s also confusion because Wes and his pack have strayed from the old belief’s and customs for so long that they don’t even remember the old ways any more. Not the way Jobe and the Red River pack do.

Jobe’s Red River pack is tied deeply to the land and the nature surrounding it. They remember and practice the old ways and have not only survived, but thrived. Jobe knows Wes is his mate and perfect for him and their pack. When the two come together there’s great UST and a slow burn romance which eventually heats up for some major satisfaction.

There were so many things I loved about this story. I love how Jobe’s presence and calm is able to comfort Wes. I love how patient Jobe is with Wes until he finally sees. I absolutely love their HEA.

Nick J. Russo is a favorite narrator of mine. He just knows how to pace a story properly, to really infuse emotion into the character’s voices and tell the story in such a way it wraps me up and doesn’t just sound like he’s only reading from a page.

Nick manages to capture Wesley’s confusion, hurt, anger, and his longing for Jobe. He conveys Jobe’s peace, calm, love and passion beautifully.

It’s a terrific audio for an awesome story and it’s definitely going on my repeat schedule!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great narration and a great listen!

Cardeno C. does shifters! It's all feelings and mates and sexy-times up in here, and I'm LOVING it!

Cardeno C. is probably my biggest hit or miss author for me. I consider myself a HUGE fan of CC's work, but I think that CC has balls of steel sometimes for giving me all of these ARCs considering I'm just as likely to 1-star them as 5-star them. But this one I simply adored.

I'm actually surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did because this book is just filled with miscommunications and misunderstandings. In fact, I'd say that they were the primary factors that drove the plot! However, I was absolutely smitten by this sweet, instalove/slow burn (you'll see...) story with some seriously sexy action.

I was a little taken aback by the (view spoiler) element, which I see is included in a lot of reviews but I didn't expect it because it is usually a sci-fi thing. However, I was into it because, well, I'm weird like that! I thought that the whole book was a short, adorable slice of heaven, usual tastes be damned!

I think something that HUGELY affected my rating was the stellar narration by my new favorite, Nick J. Russo. He is seriously becoming an auto-listen narrator for me, as he has MADE my last few listens. His voices are just dreamy, and I really enjoyed his narration with this one.

All fans of Cardeno C., especially the shifter stories, should try this one. It was a very easy, satisfying listen, and I highly recommend it!

*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent narration of an excellent book.

Any additional comments?



Wesley's birth defect, hidden though it is, makes him different from his pack, and they don't want him as their Alpha, even though its his right. Swapping with another Alpha, in another pack seemed to be the only way Wesley will fulfill his right. Jobe's pack, however, is very different to Purple Sky, and life at Red River will take some getting used to.

Book two in the Pack series and you don't need to read book one, Blue Mountain. Mitch is mentioned, Simon not at all, and the Blue Mountain pack itself pops up, but only in a passing mention. So you don't need to read it. But you should. Just because I tell you to; because its Cardeno C and because its a five star read.

As is this one!!

I do love Cardeno C, ya'll know I do and the shifter books are by far my favourite of all the series. The Mates Collection, the Siphon Collection and these are all 5 star reads!

I loved this one, especially, because it takes a turn I did not see coming! Loved it!!

More generally speaking, I loved that Jobe knew straight away who Wesley was to him, and that it took time for Wesley to get it. I loved that Jobe knew so much more the Wesley about shifter lore, and that it took time for Wesley, and indeed, me, to get it all. I loved that Wesley threw himself into life in Red River, even though, at first, he really did not wanna be there.

Following a solid CC track, no major break ups/ make ups, no nutty ex, just the *ahem* minor misunderstanding which is more to do with a huge gap in Wesley's knowledge, than a fall out. Steam and passion a plenty, and lots and lots of CC love.

Thank you, CC, for another favourite, best one yet, that will undoubtedly be ousted off the top spot when the next book comes along.

AUDIO REVIEW

Nick J Russo narrates this second installment, he didn't narrate the first one. This is the second of his work I have listened to, and it threw me. Because in THAT book, Russo has a very NON-American speaking voice, but here, its very obviously American. It had me checking on Audible to see whether I had listened to his work before! Excellent switch though, very well done.

Russo's portrayal of Wesley and Jobe is brilliant. The voices are similar, but not so close that I, with my dodgy hearing, couldn't make out who was speaking when, without being told. Jobe's knowledge and Wesley's lack there-of comes across beautifully.

The major plot twist I did not see coming when I READ this does not have the same impact, but thats why I don't re-read. It didn't affect my enjoyment of the book second time around, and certainly did not affect my star rating, I just needed to say it.

Russo's reading voice is clear and even, and it makes for very easy listening, especially for me.

5 stars for the narration
5 stars for the book

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Different and Unique.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would, it's so good! The Shifter storyline is tweeked to fit a different kind of mold.

What other book might you compare Red River to and why?

Any other Cardeno C story, she is the queen of Shifter Romance

Which character – as performed by Nick J. Russo – was your favorite?

Jobe. I loved how he was devoted regardless.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I couldn't get enough, I immediately hit play again once I finished I just didn't want it to stop.

Any additional comments?

Wesley Stone is a born Alpha, next in line to lead his pack. He spends the better part of thirty years selflessly devoting all his time to train to replace his uncle as Alpha, only to learn that his pack doesn't want him to be their alpha because of a simple scar. Jobe Root is the next Alpa in line to lead the Red River pack, the first known pack. Red River is a far cry from Wesley's pack with their beliefs as well as how their Alpha's lead. What Wesley's born pack considers an imperfection, Red River embraces.

Let me tell you how much I loved this audiobook... as soon as I finished it, I started it again. I was blown away by the storyline, the uniqueness of the Red River pack and the way Wesley and Jobe's lives were intersected so long before they realized what they would come to mean to each other. It's always interesting to me when an Author can take a storyline and bend it to their will, turn something overused into something different and intriguing. That is exactly what CC did with this book. It lists as the second book in the Pack series, but the events actually happen prior to the events in the first book in the series. This doesn't change or upset any storylines though.

Narrated by Nick J Russo and I absolutely loved the voices he gave Wesley and Jobe. There were these subtle changes in tone and nuance that really added to the mood of the characters at given times. Another thing I enjoyed was how Russo emerged himself into the story in a way that you could hear every emotion in the characters voices. Short, sexy and steamy and definitely worth a listen, especially if you love Shifter stories, but are looking for something different and unique.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Nick J. Russo did an amazing Job with book Two in Cardeno C.'s Pack Series. Having already read the story I listened to the audiobook just because I enjoy Cardeno's books so much and I was please to see that the narrator did an amazing job of adding another layer and dimension to the story and making it come alive. I highly recommend this story and both author Cardeno C and narrator Nick J. Russo
5 Stars

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

OK story, great narration

First let me say at this point, I only listen to Cardeno C. shifter books and only if it is a narrator I like. I really enjoyed the first two in the Mates series, and will probably listen to the 3rd eventually. I also enjoyed the first book in this Pack series, and will probably listen to the 3rd one as well. That said, this one was just OK with me. It wasn't bad, primarily because Nick Russo is an awesome narrator. He really elevated this for me because I just love his voice and characterizations. The story was pretty predictable and I have no problem with the particular trope employed. There just wasn't any surprises or drama, just a sweet story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love Nick so much! Fantastic Series! Great Mix!

Wesley was born with a deformity on his stomach that marks him as “other”. Despite all his strengths, his pack won’t accept him as the next successor to be Alpha, even when it becomes clear that there is nobody else for the job.

Jobe is part of a long line of Alpha-Alpha mated pairs whose family is the only one that can lead his pack. He must find his Alpha mate – soon- to help him take over leadership of his pack as his pack is slowly declining with the absence of the new leadership.

When a trade is struck between Jobe’s and Wes’ pack – Wes for another Alpha in the Jobe’s pack – Wes is heartbroken. He’s only ever wanted to lead his pack and can’t believe that something as inconsequential as a cosmetic deformity would preclude that from happening. He’s worried about becoming a leader in a strange pack, worried about mating a man and worried about the pack he’s leaving in a stranger’s hands.

Jobe worries about rejection and hopes that Wes will come to trust and love him as a mate should. But, Jobe trusts fate, and fate tells him Wes is the right man for him to mate, despite all the fears and worries they share.

When Wes comes to his new Red River pack there are lots and lots of false-starts and misunderstandings to be worked through, but he can’t deny his attraction to Jobe and only hopes it will be enough to get them through.

In the end, after the explanations and secrets have been shared, there is more to rejoice about than simply being a good Alpha and Mate and the HEA is so wonderful!

**

Cardeno C.’s shifter books (all the different series) are my favorites! I love the world building and the unique properties that get revealed in this one! I won’t tell you what they are – and spoil your surprise – but they are fun and sweet and exciting!

Jobe is the clueless one in this couple and Wes has his work cut out for him in bringing him around, but I love how sweet they are as a couple.

I loved book one, but this is EVEN BETTER! (I hope we get the omega’s story next – it sounds so good!) I highly recommend this book and all of Cardeno’s books very highly!


5 of 5 stars

Audio
(I feel like I’ve been waiting for this forever! It did NOT disappoint!)

Nick J Russo is a favorite narrator of mine. He’s just SO easy to listen to. He clearly separates the two MCs, giving Job an even slightly different voice in his younger self than his older! I love the pacing and Nick’s cadence. His growly voice is well suited to these shifters and he does a tremendous job “acting” for us with this narration. Highly Recommended.

5 of 5 stars

Overall 5 of 5 stars

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another home run

What made the experience of listening to Red River the most enjoyable?

That not only is this a steamy M / M romance, it's also a great story about learning to love yourself imperfections and all.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Red River?

When Wes realizes that fated mates actually exist.

Have you listened to any of Nick J. Russo’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes and it's just as good as all the rest.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Neither, but is is an excellent story.

Any additional comments?

Not only is this a damn steamy M/M romance, it's also a great story about learning to love yourself no matter what.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

This was unexpected and short!

Any additional comments?

There are so many ways I could spoil this story with a review. Many of the revelations need to be experienced by the reader as the book progresses. My suggestion is to listen this before diving in too deep with reviews that contain spoilers,
I can recommend this sweet, touching, but often frustrating, shifter romance to all MM romance fans who like their shifter-wolves big and buff and hot as hell!
This book has something I haven't seen done yet in one of the books written by the author. I won't say what it is, but it has to do with a certain scar....

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

it was great

I love this series it is so worth it that you will not be disappointed for what it worth it is one of my favorites

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