Shannon C.’s review of Cry Sanctuary (Red Rock Pass, Book 1) by Moira Rogers
Paranormal romance eBook released by Samhain 21 Oct 08
Disclaimer: Moira Rogers and I are the kind of friends who send each other weird random emails all the time about nothing. This probably means I’m not qualified at all to review her first book with Samhain, but that has never actually stopped me before. And honestly, if she hadn’t been my friend, I probably would have had the same reaction to her book. I think that, though her debut Samhain book isn’t perfect, she is definitely an author to watch, especially if you enjoy well-written paranormals.
Keith has just returned from Europe, where he’s been fighting the ongoing war between the werewolves and the wizards when he is called on to rescue two werewolves who have entered the Red Rock territory in order to seek sanctuary. Keith is still not over Kelly, his first wife, even though he has been urged to settle down, so he is nonplussed when he meets Abby, the newly turned werewolf who arrives in Red Rock. Abby will need a guide to help her transition fully to her life as a werewolf, and Keith really wants it to be him she picks.
A lot works well here. Keith and Abby are both very likeable. I could totally picture both of them existing here in the real world. I particularly appreciated that, while Keith was definitely alpha, he was smart, and he was also a really nice guy. No random posturing for him. As for Abby, I thought as a fish out of water, she worked really well, and I liked that she knew what she wanted and went for it.
The other characters here are well-drawn. I didn’t get a sense of sequel-baiting, though any number of them could feature in their own books. I believed the connections that formed between the characters, and was glad that Abby and Keith had other people they would legitimately do things with besides each other.
Unfortunately, other aspects of the plot didn’t quite work for me. I didn’t feel that the villain’s motivations were fleshed out enough, and I thought the introduction of the concept of wizards, while unique, wasn’t explored much at all.
I really appreciated being tossed into this world, though, and I never felt like my intelligence was being insulted or that important bits were glossed over in favor of more sexual chemistry. I always appreciate when authors do this, particularly in ebooks.
Though this wasn’t a keeper book for me, I will definitely be looking forward to more stories set in the world Ms. Rogers has created.
Grade: B+
Summary:
He is tired of fighting. She has nowhere to run.
Red Rock Pass, Book 1
Keith Winston is tired of fighting. The war between werewolves and wizards rages on in Europe, but he’s come home to Red Rock, Montana in hopes of finding a bit of peace. Instead he finds more strife as he struggles against the pack’s dictates that he resume his place as the alpha’s right-hand man.
When he rescues a new wolf on the run, he knows his instant attraction to her could cause trouble. What he doesn’t expect is to find himself embroiled in another battle that goes against all his instincts—and his heart.
Abigail Adler learned about the existence of werewolves only when she became one. With her life threatened by a corrupt alpha, she flees to the only sanctuary she knows: Red Rock. While she’s grateful for the pack’s protection, she chafes under its unbreakable rules of conduct—except when it comes to submitting to the passion Keith stirs in her.
Then her tormentor kidnaps her sister in an attempt to lure her out of hiding. To save her, Abby and Keith must be willing to do the very thing that could get them all killed—break all of the rules.
Warning: Hot werewolf sex, violence, explosions, and a heroine wielding a makeshift implement of destruction.
Read an excerpt.
