

Nine Lives by Melinda Barron
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story
Other: M/F, M/F/M, M/M, Menage
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by Hibiscus
Cat shifter Ophelia Brown lives a nomadic life. She travels from town to town, dancing at clubs, and trying to help others with the money her parents left her. But when she gets to Denver things change.
Club owner Conner Riley is very attracted to his new dancer. He and his boyfriend, Fox Nichols, have always appreciated the female form, especially O’s. But when strange things start happening to O, it’s up to Conner and Fox, a private detective, to figure out what’s happening before their shifter loses any more of her nine lives.
I enjoyed this story of shape-shifters and attempted murder by Ms. Barron. I found myself enthralled by not only the storyline but by the character of Ophelia.
Ophelia reminded me a little of an eccentric millionaire. She is so kind and is always trying to help out others. When you look at her, she appears to be just a regular working stiff but she is anything but. Not only is most of her money given to others, she personally assists those in need. I understand Ophelia's need to move frequently but I found the reason given for relocating every six months to lack some credibility. Ophelia likes to dance and works as a stripper in a club owned by Connor. This further adds to her character’s eccentricity.
Connor is a very sexy boss who Ophelia is quite taken with. Unfortunately for her, he has a boyfriend named Fox who is a private investigator. This turns out to be a very good thing when attempts are made on Ophelia’s life. Fox tries to unravel the mystery that is Ophelia.
The story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. I enjoyed the who done it aspect and loved the sexual encounters, which had me fanning myself to keep from overheating.
All in all, I found Nine Lives a very hot story that I know I’ll be picking up to read again and again.