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Showing posts with label shifters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shifters. Show all posts
Friday, October 19, 2012
Review: A Jaguar's Kiss by Katie Reus
A Jaguar’s Kiss
Author: Katie Reus
Release Date: Oct. 1, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturnal Cravings
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Owen Wright, alpha of his wolf pack, hasn’t seen jaguar shifter Gabriela Segura in nearly ten years. She was his first love—until he did something to drive her away just as their relationship was heating up. Now Gabriela has returned to Montana, and his craving for her is stronger than ever.
But a recent string of brutal attacks on humans have the wolves suspicious of the jaguars, threatening the tenuous peace between the packs. Before he can claim Gabriela as his mate, they must join forces to prove her family’s innocence and track down the true predator.
What I’m talking about:
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Gabriela Segura left her small town of Bear Mountain, Montana almost five years ago. Secret work for the government and a broken heart has kept her away. But after losing her entire team, it was time for Gabriela to head home and regroup, hoping to avoid the man, Owen Wright, who hurt her ten years ago. When she arrives in town, she is almost immediately taken against her will by Owen’s little brother, who thinks he can use her as leverage to find out who’s been killing innocent humans in town.
Thankfully, once Owen finds out what Ethan did, he orders Gabriela freed. The couple reunite and sparks fly, now that the two are both consenting adults and clearly ready to pick up where they left off all those years ago. Although uncertain of what their passion will lead to, the pair agree to work together to solve the mystery of the human deaths.
A Jaguar’s Kiss is an entertaining addition to Ms. Reus' HQN Nocturnal Cravings novella series. In this third story, the setting moves from Alabama to Montana, where we are introduced to the Jaguar shifter species, as well as a new wolf pack. Although the setting and characters are all new, the story takes place in the same world as the first two novellas. This book is completely stand alone.
I like that the reader is given information about Gabriela and Owen’s past in small doses throughout the story, rather than one large information dump at the beginning. For example, we learn that although she’s only been away for four (plus) years, Gabriela has not seen or spoken with her childhood best friend and first love, Owen in a decade. For a while, the reader isn’t privy what happened just at the cusp of a relationship moving beyond friends when the pair were teens. Yet in time, the truth comes out, but only when the couple is ready to deal with the past and determine if there will be a future. It is enjoyable to see how both individuals have grown and matured in their time apart.
I thoroughly delighted in the easy nature of this novella. We are given just enough history to allow for us to care about the couple and cheer on their success. And wow! are they are hot together - years of pent up sexual frustration explode. I admire that Owen and Gabriela didn't even ask "who were you with while we were apart," or get hung up on past actions. And although she is determined to stay mad - Gabriela realizes it's not worth her happiness, and she takes a risk with her heart.
The mystery of who/what is behind the killings is dealt with quickly, but satisfactorily. It's not the drive of the novella - but provides reason for the pair to work together. Additional side stories such as involvement of Gabriela’s brother and Owen's sister serve to add some depth to the shortened-length story.
After reading three of her novellas, I have to say the Ms. Reus excels at the shortened format. She understands how to give the reader just enough background to understand the situation and care for the characters. She provides a conflict that can be wrapped up by the end without feeling contrived. If you are looking for a sexy, entertaining afternoon read, look no further than A Jaguar’s Kiss.
My Rating:
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Reviews in the Series
*Note: The first two books are related and are better read in order. The third book, A Jaguar’s Kiss, is stand alone.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Review: Primal Possession by Katie Reus
Primal Possession
Author: Katie Reus
Release Date: Sept. 4, 2012
Publisher: Signet
Moon Shifter #2
ISBN: #978-0451237781
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (362 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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To protect her, he will unleash the beast within…
As his pack’s second-in-command, lupine shifter Liam Armstrong gives orders and takes what he wants—until he meets red-headed, blue-eyed December McIntyre. Liam knows the human beauty is his intended mate the moment he sees her, but December is far too strong-willed to accept his protection.
December, whose brother is the town sheriff, has every reason to mistrust shifters after one killed her youngest sibling. But the forceful and handsome Liam has gotten under her skin in a way she hadn’t thought possible, and the desire she feels for him is almost too much to bear.
When a radical hate group targets all humans known to sympathize with paranormal beings, December is attacked in her bookstore. Reluctantly, she turns to the only one who can help her: Liam. And he is going to take her to places within herself she never knew existed.
What G & U are talking about:
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Primal Possession is the second release in the Moon Shifter series by Katie Reus. Gikany and Una had a few issues with the previous book, and we are happy to say that some of those issues were absent in this book. There are a few pet peeves in the novel but overall we enjoyed it and thought it was good.
In Alpha Instinct we were introduced to December and Liam. Ever since their meeting, Gikany and Una have been eager to read this book. We enjoyed their interactions and the obstacles that they would eventually need to overcome and we could not wait to see it play out. In Primal Possession we see it play out and although it doesn’t go exactly as we thought, it was still enjoyable. Their interactions were heartfelt and intriguing. Their passion and desire for each other was palpable. We would be doing a disservice if we did not mention that Liam and December’s romance just steams off the pages (Una had to wear contacts so her glasses didn’t fog up).
However, we felt there are a few moments where December seemed a bit weak, always listening and doing as her brother or Liam directed. Though she would rankle, she still would go along with them. However at the end of the novel she seemed to have gained some strength in her backbone. There is a scene…it’s a total spoiler so we won’t tell you it, but it was just brilliant! With December’s past overshadowing her and Liam’s protective instincts going “stupid”, it was satisfying to see them work it out.
The pace of the Primal Possession was simple and flowed nicely. It’s not overly complex; the clues are there to figure most of the plot out. However, it is the interactions and the mythology of the world that keeps us fascinated. The introduction of the Fae was thoroughly intriguing. We were surprised at how powerful they are and we are eager to see what type of role they will play. Also, with the mention of vampires, we are anxious to see them play a part in this series as well. Gikany and Una enjoy how in the Moon Shifter series that the world isn’t just unwrapped and handed to us. We are slowly immersed as if on a need-to-know basis. It helps to give the paranormal an air of mystery which we enjoy.
Thankfully there were not too many point-of-views (POVs) in this novel. It was very easy to follow and those POVs we had were integral to the plot and character development. We loved how we are given the foundation and introduction in Primal Possession for the couple in the next book, Mating Instinct. If you are interested there is a teaser chapter at the end. One element that is mentioned and seems to be an ingrained issue is the reoccurrence of men leaving to “protect” their woman or for their own good. Your mate is in danger and you leave so she will be safe, just seems so idiotic (which, Erin, a female shifter so eloquently points out). We cannot wait to see Erin’s story, by the way.
Even with the few pet peeves, we liked Primal Possession better than Alpha Instinct. Gikany and Una enjoyed Liam and December’s story and look forward to reading about Jayce and Kat’s story in Mating Instinct. Considering what transpired in Primal Possession we may receive third degree burns from just holding the book! As preparing for this review, we found that there is a 1.5 novella in the Moon Shifter series. Needless to say, we are going to pick it up and check it out. However, we didn’t notice anything while reading Primal Possession that hinted at us missing something. So feel free to jump in with Alpha Instinct if you enjoy paranormal romance, and especially hot shifters.
Their Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
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Monday, April 23, 2012
Guest Post & Giveaway with Lydia Dare
Today I have the honor of bringing to you paranormal romance author Lydia Dare. Lydia is the writing team of Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson. Both Tammy and Jodie are active members of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers and live near Raleigh, North Carolina. Their current release, The Wolf Who Loved Me features paranormal creatures in a Regency England setting. (My review HERE) Together they are working on the next book in their paranormal historical series titled, Wolfishly Yours, set to release in November 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.lydiadare.com/.
Keep reading for a chance to win a copy of The Wolf Who Loved Me.
Please help me welcome Tammy and Jodie toThat’s What I’m Talking About.
Webster’s dictionary defines “paranormal” as “not scientifically explainable.” Paranormal romance takes it a step further and is defined by Wikipedia as “A type of speculative fiction; paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror.”
We happen to like things that are not scientifically explainable. We like to write about men who are led by the waxing and waning of the moon. And ladies who have supernatural powers like the Coig witches. We like blending traits of animals with the traits of men. And giving women powers above those of physical strength and intellectual strength, which are often found in a typical novel heroine.
But even more than the melding of man with beast, or woman with magic, is the building of a world readers can believe in. It’s fun to set up your own parameters for your world, and then make it believable enough that a character can survive in it. Do your paranormal characters live forever? Do they walk in the sun? Do they shift into wolf form at will, or only the night of the full moon? Do your ladies kick ass with lightning bolts and extra-human strength? Do they read minds or heal wounds? How are they affected by falling in love? Do they share the same traits that human heroes and heroines have?
World building is the best part of writing paranormal romance – building a world people can believe in and characters that can support that world and thrive in it. Hopefully, readers can unfold the pieces of the world like turning pages in a book as they learn about your characters, their abilities, and how best these characters can survive in the world you’ve created.
We also like taking some of the power of a typical hero or heroine and removing it by ruling them with forces that cannot be explained. Then leading those characters to fall in love.
Aside from that, the part we enjoy the most is that we get paid to build these worlds and make supernatural being s fall in love, despite their reservations or backgrounds.
Do you get paid to do something you love like we do?
Jodie and Tammy, once again thank you so much for taking the time to tell my readers a little bit about yourselves and your writing.
You can find Jodie and Tammy as Lydia Dare on line at
GIVEAWAY: I have two (2) copies (two winners) of The Wolf Who Loved Me to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you to Sourcebooks for sponsoring the giveaway of Lydia Dare’s latest book. To enter, please leave a comment answering Jodie and Tammy’s question. If your email is not part of your profile, please leave it as well. Winners restricted to US and Canada mailing addresses. Contest open from April 23 until April 25, 2012 at 9:00 PM EDT. Two (2) winners will be selected from the comment entries using random.org.
THE WOLF WHO LOVED ME BY Lydia Dare
(Sourcebooks, April 2012)
Regency England Has Gone to the Wolves!
Lady Madeline Hayburn Has Money Problems...
Specifically, she has so much of it that she's dogged by fortune hunters, including her bewilderingly attractive, penniless neighbor, with his wild nature and uncouth manners...
Weston Hadley Has An Identity Crisis...
Specifically, he's just turned into a wolf while Madeline was watching. Now it's up to the regal lady to tame the wild beast... if she can...
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Friday, December 16, 2011
Review: Destined Mate
Destined Mate
Author: Katie Reus
Release Date: Oct. 1, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
Genre: Paranormal Romance, novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Almost a century ago, Angela Lavigne and Alpha werewolf Knox had a shared passion neither could control. Then Angela was turned into a vampire and disappeared.
The last thing Knox expects is for Angela to show up on his doorstep on a rescue mission, as sexy and irresistible as ever. And he can sense how much she still wants him, too. She’s gone against both their species’ rules and trespassed on his land. By law he can keep her as long as he wants—and Knox doesn’t intend to let her go ever again.
As their desire explodes once again, Knox is more sure than ever that he must claim her forever. But as vampire and werewolf, they are natural born enemies. Can she truly be his destined mate?
What I’m talking about:
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The story opens with our vampire heroine, Angela, infiltrating a werewolf stronghold to rescue her BFF just weeks before a historic peace accord between the two species. Angela is cunning and quick, but once she makes it to the mansion where she knows her friend is being held, she receives a shock: her once lover is this pack’s Alpha. Angela had run from Knox almost a century ago when she was turned into a vampire because she knew how much he and his kind detested vampires.
Knox is immediately attracted to his lost love. He gets all Alpha on her and forces her to stay after she finds out her friend snuck away from their coven when their leader forbade her to mate with a werewolf. He tries to balance his lust for Angela and taking the time to tell her how he really feels.
Destined Mate is an enjoyable novella-length, stand alone story. (If it’s attached to a series, I couldn’t find it.) Due to the shortened length, there isn’t much background on the two primary species: werewolves and vampires. However, Ms. Reus sprinkles the story with facts about her creations (like Angela is a daywalker, which is rare, or Knox heals faster than his pack, which is partly why he is the alpha), giving the tale a enough complexity to keep up interest and feed my curiosity. Of course with that said, I’d love to find out more.... like what is the history of the two species’ feuding, etc.
The story has two major conflicts, first when Angela confronts her coven leader and must choose to go home with the vampires or stay with the wolves. But it doesn’t end there, which is what gives this novella a plus in my book. Next, Angela and Knox must deal with the outfall of the Alpha wolf mating a vampire. It’s amazing that such a short story can adequately address both issues in a satisfying manner.
The attraction between the pair is immediate and intense, but both have been in love with the other for over 90 years. The smex is steamy and I really enjoy the interesting ramifications of a were and vamp mating.
My biggest complaint about the story is that I wish it was longer. Although it isn’t lacking because of its length, Ms. Reus has created a world that left me wanting to know more. This is a good little story to fit in between novels or, if you are like me, to read while in line at the grocery story, waiting at the doctor’s office, etc.
My Rating:
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Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Review: Heart of the Highland Wolf
Heart of the Highland Wolf
Author: Terry Spear
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks CasablancaWerewolf series, Book 7
ISBN: #978-1402245527
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (416 pgs) ebook
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
Ian McNeill, laird of Argent Castle finds his capital squandered through unwise investments and the wolf clan's home that has been theirs for centuries is in danger of being forfeit for nonpayment of taxes. When a movie producer contacts him with the notion of using his castle to produce a movie, Ian abhors the idea, but it's his only salvation. Even worse, his people become extras in this epic Highland movie. But when one American werewolf romance author, Julia Wildthorn, slips into the castle under the guise of being with the movie company, except she is trying to jumpstart her muse with writing a book set in old-world Scotland--specifically about his castle and his people as the characters in her newest book venture--she and Ian tangle.
What B is talking about:
Despite her Scottish roots, Julia MacPherson has been building a successful career in America as a writer of werewolf romance novels under the penname “Julia Wildthorn,” and with little wonder. She herself is a lupus garou: a werewolf. Unfortunately, she’s got a novel due but is having a nasty case of writer’s block. So, when her friend Maria heads to a genuine Scottish castle as part of a movie production crew, Julia tags along for inspiration. It should be easy, except that the very same castle holds a family secret: one she’s been ordered by her grandfather to steal and return.
Ian McNeill has given up on finding a mate after the disastrous first attempt he made long ago. Instead, he now devotes himself fully to his responsibilities as laird of his clan, a task that’s become increasingly difficult since an investment scheme left the clan nearly bankrupt. When an American film crew negotiates to use his estate as the location for their movie, he knows he has no choice for the sake of his people but to accept their offer. But he doesn’t have to like it. He intends to fight them all the way, until a beautiful redheaded American changes his mind.
Having read a lot of novels with Weres/shifters of varying sorts, I was prepared for a fairly predictable take on werewolves from Heart of the Highland Wolf. While there were some clichés, Spear does well with her wolves, and ties in enough true wolf behavior with her version of the Weres to keep the novel fresh. Her werewolves are both born and turned, are sensitive to the phases of the moon without all being slaves to them, and equate “pack” to family with all the humor, frustration, and affection the word entails.
Spear has written each novel in her Werewolf Series as a standalone, so there wasn’t a learning curve required to get into Heart of the Highland Wolf. Bless her. She also limits the setting to the specific locales where the action takes place, so she’s able to give plenty of details for the sake of imagery without skimping on the story itself.
I liked Ian and Julia much more once they became a couple than I did when they were trying not to be. Their “dance” around one another, while fairly predictable, wasn’t a very comfortable one. The attraction versus ineffectual denial that is somewhat common to the genre seemed more a necessary device than the erotic tension I got the impression it was meant to be.
Once they give in to one another, however, they are hot. Spear has a knack for writing yummy sex scenes and gives her couple quite a few. Ian and Julia revel in each other, both thoroughly enjoying the teasing, wanting, taking, and having that they find together. It works, with Ian’s Alpha assertiveness complimenting Julia’s modern sexual sensibilities.
Spear packs a lot into Heart of the Highland Wolf, combining action, intrigue, compelling characters, and magic into an all around good read. Though some aspects of the novel left me wanting, she makes up for it in others. If a quick, sexy story that embraces the familiar without being stale is what you’re looking for, this just might hit the spot.
My Rating:
Liked it a lot – recommend (B+)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Author Interview & Giveaway - Terry Spear
Today I have the honor of bringing to you author Terry Spear. With almost 70,000 copies sold, Terry Spear is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. She received her MBA from Monmouth University. An eclectic writer, she dabbles in the paranormal as well as writing historical and true life stories for both teen and adult audiences. Terry lives in the heart of Texas. Please help me welcome Terry to That’s What I’m Talking About.
Twimom: Terry, welcome and thank you for stopping by.
Terry: Thank you for inviting me here today.
Twimom: How long have you been writing and how did you start? What are your inspirations?
Terry: I started when I was a kid, reading and dreaming up stories of my own! Not only was my father a great storyteller, who also had lots of adventures which sparked my own interest in creating stories, but when he died, I wrote about his 13th mission over Germany in WWII. That ended up being my first published work. So my dad definitely inspired me. Beyond that, loving to read stories and wanting to create my own, and then sharing these with readers who enjoy them and want to see more of the wolf world is an even greater inspiration for me.
Twimom: You current release, Wolf Fever, is the 6th book in your romance series featuring werewolves. What first attracted you to the shape-shifting, paranormal genre?
Terry: When I was a kid, I loved “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” which was a Norwegian tale about a prince cursed to be a polar bear by day and man at night. I loved that story. Later, I saw the movie, Ladyhawk, where the man was a wolf during the day and the woman a hawk at night… and again, it was a love story where the two would never be able to be together as man and woman. Note, the hero was a wolf, and of course I was in love with him. But how much better would it be if she was a wolf too? And they could be together either in their wolf or human states? In my stories, that’s definitely the case. No curses, they’re all very well-adjusted werewolves. For the most part!
In the case of Wolf Fever, Carol isn’t accepting her werewolfism very well, but that’s to be expected. She foresees a future disaster within the pack and that pushes her to fight accepting what she is. And Ryan doesn’t want to concede she might actually have psychic abilities. But there’s more to the reason he can’t leave her alone. And she knows it too, even if he can’t admit to it being anything more than an investigator’s desire to learn the truth.
Twimom: Oh, I LOVE Ladyhawk, too. I haven’t thought of the movie in ages. I see that you enjoy researching your Scottish roots. What’s the most interesting/surprising thing you’ve discovered about your ancestry?
Terry: When I was researching my mother’s Scottish ancestry, I didn’t know the MacNeill’s first name or the Campbell’s either that had started the family in Scotland, which was on her mother’s side. I only had the fascinating oral history that had been passed down for generations about the Lady Campbell, daughter of the duke of Argyll, who ran off with the commoner MacNeill. They had paid for passage to the Carolinas and were taken to Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, instead to settle the island. That’s all I knew. So I put that little bit of information on the PEI site and got a response from a distant relation who was a descendent of a close family line. He had a letter from my great-great-grandfather, written in 1906, detailing something of the trip over and how they nearly starved until the native Indians showed them how to locate and kill walruses to keep them alive. But my ancestors on my mother’s father’s side, also include the Scottish-born Playfairs, one of whom, a crater was named on the moon for. The younger brother, William Playfair, who we directly descend from, was the founder of statistical graphs, and apprenticed with Andrew Meikle, the inventor of the threshing machine, and he became personal assistant to James Watt, also a famous Scottish inventor. Another brother was famous for architecture, and his son even more famous!
Twimom: Wow, how wonderful! Can you tell my readers more about your Highland Medieval Series?
Terry: I love historical romance, and so I had wanted to write about the Highlands in medieval times. No guns. I wanted an early age and I was fascinated with Henry I as having the most mistresses of any king, but also at the time, he was the most learned. But when his father died, and his older brother met with a tragic end during a hunting accident that Henry was participating in, and suddenly, he had the crown while the brother who should have had it was overseas, well, it just seemed like the perfect time period to write about—lots of conflict, romance, and adventure. I was fascinated with how the Saxon princess and her brother fled to Scotland when William of Normandy took over and she became the king’s wife, and then their daughter became Henry’s wife, thereby tying the Saxons and Normans and Scots royalty together. Yet the Highland clans didn’t want to give up their autonomy. In my book Winning the Highlander’s Heart, I actually included some of the people of that time period that the hero and heroine stay with, one in particular who was a Saxon lord who had sided with the Normans, and kept his castles and titles, when others lost everything after the invasion.Twimom: Do you write any other genres?
Terry: I have a vampire novel out, Deadly Liaisons—it’s about a vampire hunter who is bound and determine to find the vampire who killed her parents and terminate him, but the prince of the vampires in Oregon takes her under his wing, vowing to protect her, even though it looks as though the best protection he can offer her is to turn her. She’s torn between being one of the kind she’s supposed to terminate, and bringing an end to the vampire who has taunted her all her life, not to mention she’s falling in love with a vampire—which just cannot be.
I also write paranormal YA and have The Vampire…In My Dreams and Deidre’s Secret out.
Twimom: I always like to ask authors about their reading habits... What is the best book you've read in 2010? What types of books do you enjoy reading?
Terry: I read tons of books (many audio since I don’t have a whole lot of time to sit down and read). I try to list them on Goodreads after I’ve read a few because I have a mind like a sieve when it comes to titles and authors! I have a time remembering names anywhere I go! I listened to the Truth series by Dawn Cook recently and just loved it. On my trip to Scotland and back, I read several books, and when I visit my son, I read at night. Mostly, I read historical, and on the trip, I picked up all Highland romances. But I also love fantasy, as was the Truth series. I love time travels but it’s harder to find them. I also read YA, and read a series recently that I enjoyed, which was a fantasy by Tamora Pierce, the Beka Cooper stories.
Twimom: What upcoming release are you most excited to read?
Terry: I recently read one of Stephanie Laurens new books and am interested in her next one. And I’ve been enjoying Lisa Kleypas’s audio books also.
Twimom: Terry, once again thank you so much for taking the time to tell my readers a little bit about yourself and your writing. It was wonderful chatting with you.
Terry: Again, thanks for having me!! And good luck to everyone who comments!
Readers: You can find Terry on line at
Her Website: http://www.terryspear.com/
Her Blog: http://terry-spear.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TerrySpear
GIVEAWAY: I have two (2) copies (two winners) of Wolf Fever to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you to Sourcebooks for sponsoring the giveaway of Terry Spear’s latest book. To enter, please leave a comment and your email at the end of today’s interview or my review of Wolf Fever yesterday (Dec. 27, 2010). Winners restricted to US and Canada mailing addresses, only. Contest open from now until 9:00 PM EST on Friday December 31, 2010. Two (2) winners will be selected from the comment entries using random.org.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Review: Wolf Fever
Wolf FeverAuthor: Terry Spear
Release Date: December 1, 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Heart of the Wolf Series Book #6
ISBN: #978-1402237522
Genre: Paranormal Romance (werewolf)
Format(s): paperback (416 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
Be sure to check out my giveaway of Wolf Fever at the end of this review.
From the author’s website:
Carol Woods wanted more than anything to be a nurse at the hospital in Silver Town, Colorado where her family lives, but she never foresaw how she’d end up with the job. Now she’s a red werewolf facing a mating, trying to forestall shifting for a variety of reasons—one of which has to do with a swine flu virus that seems to be attacking the werewolf kind in a bad way, while working with a private investigator who doesn’t believe in her psychic abilities one bit. So why does she thinks she’s falling in love with the infuriating gray?
Chester McKinley can’t get his mind off the entrancing woman, a nurse, a newly turned red lupus garou belonging to another gray pack and the only one left who might be able to learn how to stop the swine flu virus from making a permanent impact on their kind. Although he doesn’t want to draw Carol into this dangerous situation or believe she is involved, he has no other choice. But does the woman really have psychic abilities that are keeping her from shifting, or is she a fraud, a master at deception, and is behind the infections of their people? And how can he keep his hands off the intriguing woman, and his mind on the mission as the virus takes its toll?
What I’m talking about:
The story kicks off with newly turned werewolf, Carol Woods, fighting the change from human to wolf. She was turned via an attack five months prior and she still hasn’t accepted her new life. She’s in the custody of Darien Silver, pack leader and Carol’s protector. She is a guest, with restrictions, until she finds a mate to help her adjust to her new life.
In addition to fighting her inner wolf, Carol is also psychic and she’s foreseen some serious trouble for her new pack. Several members of her pack will not be able to shift from wolf back to human, but no one believes her. And really, she just wants one man to believe in her - (Chester) Ryan McKinley, an alpha leader from a neighboring pack. Meanwhile, Ryan will do what it takes to learn the truth about Carol, and why he can’t stop obsessing over her.
This is the sixth book in Ms. Spear’s Heart of the Wolf series, and my first look at this wonderful world. Although I did not read any of the previous books, I found the story easy to jump into - never feeling lost or that I had missed out from skipping the earlier books. Although I may have gotten a deeper understanding of the pack life and rules from the previous books, Ms. Spear did a great job bringing me up to speed and I was able to enjoy.
Carol is a delightful heroine. She is a strong woman placed in a difficult situation. She is terrified of what may come to pass, but she also embraces her new life in her own way and at her own speed. She interacts well with all of the pack, even polite to those I wouldn’t have been. She understands pack politics and hierarchy, but challenges the alpha as a sister would.
Ryan is an alpha through and through, but he gives Carol space and time. Of course, this is partly because he isn’t sure if he is the right male for Carol, so he tries to keep their relationship professional. Thank God Carol makes the first move! Together they make a sweet pair, and I adored watching Ryan and Carol each overcome their personal obstacles to finally come together.
The overall story had some exciting twists and turns. Someone/wolf is after Carol - why? Will Carol’s promotions come to pass? Can Carol and Ryan put the pieces of the puzzle together in time to save the pack? There were some exciting moments, but all-in-all a fairly mild story - no cliff hangers or jagged edges. The romance was also sweet, and the sex somewhat hot, but definitely on the mild side compared to other romances I have read.
Wolf Fever is an entertaining shifter story and you do not need to read the prior books in the series in order to enjoy this one.
My Rating:
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
GIVEAWAY: I have two (2) copies (two winners) of Wolf Fever to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you to Sourcebooks for sponsoring the giveaway of Terry Spear’s latest book. To enter, please leave a comment and your email at the end of today’s review or my interview with Ms. Spear tomorrow (Dec. 28, 2010). Winners restricted to US and Canada mailing addresses, only. Contest open from now until 9:00 PM EST on Friday December 31, 2010. Two (2) winners will be selected from the comment entries using random.org.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Review: The Taming of the Wolf
The Taming of the WolfAuthor: Lydia Dare
Release Date: November 2, 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Westfield Brothers Series Book #4
ISBN: #978-1402244377
Genre: Regency Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (384 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purposes of an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purposes of an honest review.
From GoodReads website:
Lord Dashiel Thorpe has fought his true nature his entire life, but whenever the moonlight proves too powerful, Dashiel is unable to control the werewolf within him. It is on one such moonlit night that Dashiel accidentally bites the beautiful Scottish witch, Caitrin McLeod. Though now bound to him irrevocably, Cait decides that she wants nothing to do with him. When she flees to her native Scotland, Dashiel has no choice but to follow her and convince her that it was nothing short of destiny that has bound them together body and soul..
What I’m talking about:
Dash is a Lycan - a werewolf - but he was raised to believe he was a monster. Not knowing the truth of his nature, he fought long and hard to repress the beast within, which includes sequestering himself at each month during the full moon. On one such night, Caitrin finds herself stumbling into Dash and the two are drawn to one another. They share a kiss and Dash bites (marks) her. After that, Caitrin quickly leaves. It isn’t until later that Dash finds out that he accidentally claimed Caitrin as his Lycan mate.
The two independently set off to Scotland, but Dash chases down Caitrin at every turn. They even share a carriage (and a room *gasp*) for part of the trip. He is aggressive, obstinate and a typical alpha male. But Caitlin fights back - she is no meek lady. She is equally as stubborn, and attempts to fight her attraction at each turn. As a witch, Cait can see the futures of everyone around her, except Dash, which infuriates her even more.
The Taming of the Wolf is a delightful historical, paranormal romance. The book was a quick read - although I sometimes stumbled on the Scottish accents. (After a while, I learned to just “translate” the words in my head rather than try to pronounce the brogue.) The romance between Dash and Cait is sweet and humorous at times. At first I felt that Dash too quickly went from swinging bachelor to wanting to marry Caitrin, but I enjoyed his emotional transformation from “what kind of mess did I get into?” to a sweet and enduring love for Cait. And yes, his alpha male tendencies did annoy me once and a while - treating Cait as a possession and never asking her, but telling her to do something. However, those traits melted away as his obsession turned to love.
One question that nagged me from the start to the end was why wasn’t Dash a wolf in the opening scene? It was a full moon. The Westfield brothers were out enjoying their Lycan nature... It bothered me that Dash was human and other than the bite he gave Cait, seemed in total control.
There are several side stories - a mysterious man at an Inn, Cait’s vision of sister witch Blaire in danger, sweet Alec’s heart-break and future love - which are pleasant additions to the story, but don’t have any real conclusion within this book. I can only imagine that this was set-up material for future books.
I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to future stories from Ms. Dare.
Note: Although this is the fourth book in the series, it is an independent story and can be enjoyed without having read any of the other books.
My Rating:
3.5 stars: Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Labels:
3.5 stars,
Lydia Dare,
paranormal romance,
Regency,
shifters,
Westfield Brothers
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