Sandy M’s review of Sanctuary Lost (Red Rock Pass, Book 2) by Moira Rogers
Contemporary Paranormal Romance ebook published by Samhain 9 Jun 09

I’ve been in a shifter mood lately and what better way to feed that mood than to read a Red Rock Pass book by Moira Rogers. I’ve been anticipating this book since I read and reviewed the first book in the series, Cry Sanctuary, last year. Not only do we get a new romance in this book, but we also get to catch up with all those previous characters. And instead of slaking my hunger for shifters, SL only made me want more.

Joe Mitchell is a Guide, one who helps newly turned wolves through their journey, in the Red Rock Pass pack, and when Brynn Adler begins talking about wanting to be turned, because of a past experience gone bad as a Guide and his growing feelings for Brynn, he’s not sure he’s the man for the job. He tries to get her to slow down on this idea, but it’s Brynn’s fear of not being able to defend herself against the attack they all know is coming.

Alan Matthews is the wolf who turned her sister, Abby, kidnapped Brynn to get to Abby but was ultimately defeated, and they’ve all been relatively safe for the past few weeks. Not wanting to cause her sister any more trouble, to have Abby worry about her constantly, Brynn believes the only way to do that is to become a wolf herself. Then she can fight back on her own and not need everyone else around her to do her fighting for her.

Trying to get the situation in hand, the alphas of Red Rock Pass have brought in other alphas to discuss the problem, but even with all that power on site, Matthews continues his forays into enemy territory, becoming bolder and getting through the defenses of the pack. Brynn’s decision is made for her when she’s attacked by a Matthews wolf, her resulting transformation taking place during a full moon, a time when new werewolves rarely survive.

But Brynn is determined to survive, and with the help of Joe she tries to get her new nature and power under control. They’ve grown closer during this time, both afraid to love but just as afraid not to. When the chips are down, though, they do whatever is necessary for the pack and for each other, if tomorrow comes after a night intense fighting. Joe and Brynn are terrific together. They both have fears to overcome, one of which is to trust their hearts. Brynn doesn’t want to lose herself in the submission that comes naturally to her wolf and Joe isn’t sure a relationship is the thing for him after giving it a try once before that didn’t work out. But they’re worrying against something more powerful than those fears and they really don’t have a chance when it comes to their destiny.

The only thing I wanted more of in this book was shifting. I wanted to see their wolves run and fight and whatever else wolves are wont to do, but most of that went on in the background. What I did get, though, was terrific. Keith, Abby, Gavin and Sam, the Red Rock Pass alphas, are all involved full force in the story, as well as other secondary characters from Cry Sanctuary. They’re all family, they all fight for each other, and that comes through loud and clear in these books. I’m already anticipating the next book, so I headed over to Ms. Rogers’ website to find out what I could about it. So sad, nothing there yet. Please don’t keep me waiting too long!

Grade: A-

Summary:

If there’s one thing that Brynn Adler hates, it’s feeling helpless and vulnerable in unfamiliar territory. Three weeks ago, life tossed her into a just such a world. A world of werewolves she never knew existed-until she found out her sister is one of them.

The pack seems determined to hurry her back to the normal world of humans. But after everything she’s witnessed, she’s not sure she wants to go-especially if it means leaving not only her sister behind, but the one man who makes her forget her life is falling apart.

Now all she has to do is convince him to agree to a plan to force the pack to let her stay.

Joe Mitchell has been battling his protective instincts since he rescued Brynn from her kidnapper. Getting involved with her is a bad idea for a lot of reasons. She’s on shaky emotional ground, and a supernatural war is no place for a human woman. He’s not about to let her make a hasty decision, one that will only bring her pain and regret.

Now all he has to do is let her go.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: