Shannon C‘s guest review of Last Wolf Standing (Bloodrunners, Book 1) by Rhyannon Byrd
Paranormal romance released by Harlequin Nocturne 1 Mar 08

Rhyannon Byrd’s Blood Runners series will not be new to anyone who’s read paranormal romances for any given amount of time. The series features fated mates, blood bonds, a group who needs to hunt down rogues, and plenty of sequel-baiting.

The book tells the story of Mason, who discovers his lifemate, Torrance, while he’s in a coffee shop. Almost immediately, Torrance finds herself embroiled in an adventure for which she is unprepared with a sexy man she can’t get out of her head. But she wants more from Mason than just his body, desiring a commitment he can’t give her. Soon Mason must decide how much he wants Tori, and the wrong decision could tear their bond apart permanently.

I liked the fact that Mason wasn’t entirely sure what he was supposed to do about Tori. As he says early on, her scent is complicated, and he doesn’t need or want complications in his life. This is because he’s a Blood Runner, a werewolf who hunts down rogue werewolves. A rogue, of course, enjoys snacking on people like you or me. And our chief rogue here is a werewolf named Simmons, who is kind of cute in his cartoony sadistic evilness.

Unfortunately, I didn’t pick up much that was complicated about Torrance. She was Blandy McBlanderson. She has a bland job and she even has a bland best friend who runs an occult shop. (Am I seriously the only person ever who has gone to an occult shop run by kindly elderly grandma types? Because according to romancelandia, occult shops are all run by quirky, inexplicably wealthy young women who act as best friends.)

Anyway, my major issue with this book was that I’ve read stories like it before. I suppose if a reader was new to paranormal romances, they might find this more entertaining than I did, but I saw just about every plot twist coming, and I can pretty much name the heroes in at least the next six books. For all that, though, it’s a pleasant enough story, and it’s a quick read.

Grade: C

Read Devon’s review here.

     Five seconds ago, Mason Dillinger would have sworn that it could never happen . . .

     That a woman who was his perfect match even existed. And that he’d find her in a bustling café. Yet just the scent of sweet, mortal Torrance Watson ignited a driving, explosive need to claim her that he knew his Pack would never sanction. . . . Worse, the rogue werewolf he’d been hunting had sensed that attraction and made Torry his prey. Forced to safeguard her from this ruthless assassin who already posed a threat to his Pack, Mason now faced the ultimate challenge. Does he have the courage to cross the line by sealing the blood bond that will make Torry his alone-a disloyalty few of his kind ever survived-or live an eternity without love?

     Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Read more from ShannonC at her personal blog Flight Into Fantasy.

Devon’s review of Last Wolf Standing (Bloodrunners, Book 1) by Rhyannon Byrd
Paranormal romance released by Harlequin Nocturne 1 Mar 08

Soul mates, fated mates, life mates…just the mention of the device is enough to strike horror in the hearts of some readers and sighs of delight in others. The idea that there is someone out there meant for one of us, someone with whom you can have a bone-deep connection, is very romantic. However, the soul mate premise, so often used in paranormal romance, usually means that romantic and sexual tension is slim to none. There is no “will they-or won’t they,” no delicious drama where two disparate souls come together, because it’s all auomatic and “just because”. So when half-breed werewolf Mason Dillinger spots Torrance Watson across a crowded café and knows she is his, I was a little leery.

Last Wolf Standing was an entertaining shapeshifter romance. Ms. Byrd makes it clear that a chemical connection is not enough to sustain life mates, which I liked. I looked forward to seeing their connection fulfilled, but I was a bit disappointed in how it played out. A lot of this was due to Mason. He’s your standard broody, tough paranormal hero type, and although he craves Torrance sexually, and wants to know everything about her, he refuses to believe that he can love.

I hate that, it seems so contrived to produce tension. That “I refuse to fall in love…I’m just obsessed with you” crap. Whatever, dude. Here’s a quarter, buy yourself a clue. When he had his stunning revelation that he was in love, it was too little too late for me. Sigh. On the up side, Mason’s fellow Bloodrunners (half-breed werewolves that hunt rogue werewolves) showed far more personality than he did. I hope they get books, because I’d like to know more about each.

Torrance was the better character. Kind of timid, plagued by childhood fears, she was brave and strong when the chips were down. A likeable heroine, she deserved a more interesting hero than Mason. I also found the overall plotline intriguing. It was left open-ended, and I assume it will develop further in future books. I am definitely interested in how the storyline will play out.

Although I was disappointed in Mason and the development of his romance with Torrance, this was an action packed, fast read, with enough of interest that I will definitely read the next in the series. Worth a go for werewolf fans, and those who enjoy love on the run. The next two are out back to back, this April and May. (Squee! I want!)

Grade: B-

     Five seconds ago, Mason Dillinger would have sworn that it could never happen . . .

     That a woman who was his perfect match even existed. And that he’d find her in a bustling café. Yet just the scent of sweet, mortal Torrance Watson ignited a driving, explosive need to claim her that he knew his Pack would never sanction. . . . Worse, the rogue werewolf he’d been hunting had sensed that attraction and made Torry his prey. Forced to safeguard her from this ruthless assassin who already posed a threat to his Pack, Mason now faced the ultimate challenge. Does he have the courage to cross the line by sealing the blood bond that will make Torry his alone—a disloyalty few of his kind ever survived—or live an eternity without love?

     Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series: