Sandy M’s review of Cry Sanctuary (Red Rock Pass, Book 1) by Moira Rogers
Contemporary Paranormal Romance ebook published by Samhain 21 Oct 08

I have just found a new author to glom.  All thanks to ShannonC.  She suggested I read Cry Sanctuary because I love shifters and because Ms. Rogers is a friend of hers, she felt another review besides her own should be had.  Thanks, Shannon.  This is one terrific book, I loved every minute of it. And in checking out Ms. Rogers’ website, I’m going to have a wonderful time with all the new-to-me reads she has available. 

This is how a werewolf story should be written. Strong main characters, a good storyline, action to keep you on the edge of your seat, a little magic for good measure, and some of the sexiest, rawest love scenes around. I got to the end of this book and I was so disappointed it was over.

Keith is an enforcer for his pack. He’s back in Red Rock after fighting in the war with other werewolves against wizards in Europe.  He now just wants peace and quiet, but that’s not to be when he’s sent after two runaway wolves from another pack.  One is a newly turned wolf, and she’s the one trouble will be coming after even though his alpha has offered her sanctuary.  She’s also one that’s trouble to his senses and his heart.  He knows he’ll be perfect for her if she chooses him as her Guide to help her learn about her wolf and her new way of life because she’s a dominant wolf just as he is.  Keeping her out of the clutches of the neighboring alpha she ran from is the first order of business, though.

She never even knew werewolves existed and now Abigail’s life as she knew it is gone because she’s been turned and is on the run from a controlling alpha.  Hoping to be safe at last in Red Rock, she finds some peace and help in learning who and what she now is, but that peace doesn’t last long.  Alan Matthews is determined to get her back and he’s taken the one thing in her life that will guarantee her cooperation.  She doesn’t want to give her new life with Keith up, but she really has no choice.  Keith refuses to let her go along to face Matthews, so he and Joe, another pack member, team up to take care of Matthews once and for all, all without the knowledge of their own alpha.

Keith and Abby are a very strong hero and heroine.  Even though Keith has some emotional baggage from his prior Guide days, he has to learn to leave his guilt behind now that he’s found Abby, and with her he definitely can do that.  In between all that, he’s lethal at his job and a lover who can make any woman hot and bothered.  He made me shiver every time he wanted to rub his scent all over Abby. And their love scenes are powerful. Abby is definitely his equal in every aspect of their lives.  I enjoyed all the secondary characters from the alpha mates to Doc Cindy sniffing out the new guy to Joe, another Guide and badass wolf to die for.  Joe has a great sense of humor, especially when he gets to blow things up.  In fact, his book is next, Sanctuary Lost, due out sometime next year.

I look forward to that book, but in the meantime I’ve already purchased a couple of Ms. Rogers’ other books and I can’t wait to get started.  I haven’t been this excited about a new author since I discovered Beth Kery early last year. I see lots of good times ahead.

Grade: A

Read ShannonC’s review here.

Summary:

He is tired of fighting. She has nowhere to run.

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.

Read an excerpt.

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.