Sandy M’s review of Dreaming of the Wolf (Werewolf Series, Book Eight) by Terry Spear
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Dec 11

I have no idea how Terry Spear keeps her werewolf stories fresh and exciting, but she does book after book and she does it well. Her characters are always strong, and she’s true to those characters whether in their human or wolf form. Details, big or small, are never redundant from story to story, nor are the storylines. Each featured couple receives their own unique tale, including a mystery designed just for them. This series has been consistently one of the best, never letting me down from the beginning.

Jake Silver doesn’t believe in love, soul mates, or dream mating. So he’s not on the lookout for a long-term relationship at this point in his life, despite how happy his oldest brother is since he found his dream mate.  But the curiosity inherent in his animal nature leads him to follow the beautiful woman he spies while waiting for a photography shop to open in Breckenridge. He’s supposed to drop off his wild flower collection for exhibition, but he’ll have to be a tad late. Following the lady into the restaurant across the street finds her courting all kinds of danger.

Keeping her vow of vengeance uppermost in her mind, Alicia Greiston has turned bounty hunter to bring the men who killed her mother to justice. That they’re part of the mob doesn’t matter. Danger now goes with her job, and she’s facing it head on when necessary. When she notices the sexy, hot guy eying her, she’s definitely interested, but she has to keep her focus. She has a promise to uphold.

But in the onslaught that is Jake, Alicia doesn’t have much choice. She responds to him immediately. And I like that Ms. Spear gives us their lovemaking early on in this book. Anticipation is great when waiting for a couple to finally come together, but sometimes you need them to be together much, much sooner, especially if they’ve teamed up and are working to solve a mystery or are running for their lives, as examples. In this case, Jake’s protective streak is in full force when he learns what Alicia is up to. The need to keep her safe, to be with her, to want her like he does mystifies him. He’s wolf. She’s human. They can’t mate. What is it about this woman?

That’s another thing about Ms. Spear’s werewolf stories – we don’t get the same old reason over and over for a human to be turned. Alicia is definitely turned, of course, but it’s in a way I’ve not read before and that made the story much more interesting, because there are repercussions to be dealt with by both Alicia and Jake, depending on what happened during her conversion. Very nicely done without stringing it out to the very end. Tension about the situation is still high, but it’s all done quite succinctly in only a few chapters. I like the dichotomy of Jake’s alphaness and dominance versus his skill in taking photographs, with his favorite subject being flowers. He’s a fierce protector, but that softer side enjoys nature and wildness and beauty.

The best parts of this book are those love scenes between Jake and Alicia and all of the shifting scenes, especially those by Alicia once she’s turned, because she’s had no one to guide her or teach her about being a werewolf. First, the love scenes. Very hot. Jake is to die for and Alicia isn’t about to say no to him. Smart woman. He also has a very tender core and it comes out in some very romantic ways. Then those shapeshifting scenes, I enjoy those immensely when these characters are in their wolf form. There’s a scene where Jake and Alicia are running through the forest, along with a couple of other wolves, and he runs next to her, fur rubbing fur, a nose prodding here and there, all very descriptive of the way wolves behave. There are several such scenes throughout which make this book so appealing to a shapeshifter fan.

The action is jammed packed when needed, especially the fight scene between Jake and the villain late in the book. Even his story is interesting, despite his evilness. His henchmen are the oily, scummy kind and you can’t wait to see their end, hoping it’s as painful as can be. We also get caught up with Darien and Lelandi, as well as Tom, the third brother. I’m looking forward to his book. These triplets have been a lot of fun!

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: if you haven’t started reading Terry Spear, get with it! You won’t be disappointed. If you’re a few books into this series, stay with it. Each book is better than the one before. You can never get enough of werewolves like these.

Grade: A+

Summary:

Jake Silver doesn’t believe in fate or dream mating, despite the fact his brother and other family members have been afflicted with this strange notion. But when dreams begin to plague him about a woman so seductive, he wakes up in a sweat and he’s losing way too much sleep over it, he seeks to learn the truth. Can dream mating be a reality? Is the woman real?

Alicia Greiston doesn’t dream. Not ever. So when a man visits her in the first dream she’s ever had, she’s startled, pleased, then alarmed. He’s not going away, and the dreams take a sinister turn. He’s in trouble, and if the dreams are a foreshadowing of the future, she has to save him.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Heart of the Highland Wolf (Werewolf Series, Book 7) by Terry Spear
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Jun 11

I’ve been a fan of Terry Spear’s werewolves for a long time now. And now she’s added Highland heroes to her repertoire? Highlanders and werewolves. Be still my heart. Needless to say, I’m thrilled!

And this time we also get a hero who’s having financial difficulties, is on the brink of losing the castle that’s been in the family for centuries. Thus, Ian, laird of the MacNeill clan, is doing something he’d never think about otherwise – allowing humans to roam around his den while filming a movie. Not just the fact that humans will be so close to all those shifters, but the chaos he knows will result in him gritting his teeth the whole time.

On top of all that, his enemy is looking for the perfect time to strike AND an American female red wolf has caught his attention when she stalks around the castle against the rules he’s set for the filing crew. Julia isn’t really part of the crew; she’s a romance writer writing what she knows best – werewolves. So it’s a research trip for her, along with a secret rescue and retrieval mission for her grandfather. She has no idea what is contained in the long-hidden box he wants, but if she can get inside the castle, she’ll have a chance of finding it.

But with Ian’s suspicions and her attraction to him, Julia’s plans don’t always go as they should. Ian’s vigilance at keeping at eye on all visitors, as well as his three brothers’ following his orders, and his attraction to her, Julia gets only one chance to find the secret passage to begin her searching, and it doesn’t go well. I like the pull between them that nothing can break, not even Ian’s suspicions. When Julia decides to come clean about her sneaking about, their relationship moves to the next level, trust is established, and their lovemaking is explosive.

I was a little thrown after learning the brothers are quadruplets that they aren’t identical. It’s not until the description of Guthrie comes along (he has red hair instead of the familial black) that I finally got it why there’s no confusion when folks would see them together or not comment that Ian, Duncan, and Cearnach look alike. Not a huge deal, just some confusion for a bit.

What is a bigger deal for me is there’s not as much shifting going on as we usually get in a Terry Spear book, not as much of the running through forests or open wilderness, though there is a little of the forest scenes. That’s what’s always been the highlight for me when reading Ms. Spear’s shifters, lots of shifting and lots of wolves running everywhere. It’s just something she does so very well, and I certainly miss that in this story.

These new characters are charming and fun. The storyline isn’t quite as mysterious or dangerous as in previous books, though the battle scenes late in the story, broadswords swinging, are done very well. All in all, still a great read from Ms. Spear, and I’m looking forward to future additions to the series.

Grade: B+

Summary:

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 abhores 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.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

I always have such a hard time pulling out the books I really like from a previous year. Yes, there’s too many, but it’s also difficult because sometimes you can’t choose because you can’t compare books in different genres. Though I read mostly historical and paranormal, I also enjoy contemps and romantic suspense a lot. Thus, I poured over my entire 2010 review list, chose those that I really loved, and then the difficulty began in whittling it down. My biggest hurdle is books from a series, if an author released more than one book in the year. Sometimes one of many stood out. Sometimes I couldn’t choose one over the other and sometimes I could. In that case, I’ve cheated and listed all the books I loved in that series.     It’s my list and I can do what I want!

So here they are:

10.  The Taming of the Wolf by Lydia Dare

While I’ve so far enjoyed all of the books in this series, it’s the hero, Dashiel, who stole my heart and has ended up my favorite of the series. Lydia Dare has stayed true to her characters and given readers solid, consistent, and intriguing stories. See my TTotW review here.

9.   Lessons From a Scarlet Lady by Emma Wildes

As I said in in my review of this book, it’s a breath of fresh air. Emma Wildes writes a terrific couple who I loved to read about. They kept my interest the entire book, and I wanted more of them when I was done reading. I’m a new fan for sure.

8.   Broken by Shiloh Walker

It would be surprising to me if a Shiloh Walker book didn’t make my Top 10. She’s become a favorite very quickly and she’s never once disappointed me. Though I also enjoyed Fragile, it was Quinn who caught my interest and I anxiously awaited his story. I love a broken, tortured hero and Quinn fit the bill to a T. Read about him here.

7. The Fire Lord’s Lover by Kathryne Kennedy

I became a huge fan of Kathryne Kennedy from the first book of her Relics of Merlin series and was really disappointed when I found she’s not been able to write more it at this point in time. But with her imagination, I shouldn’t have worried at all. Ms. Kennedy has given us another series that is simply awesome. The Fire Lord’s Lover is a perfect start and I can’t wait for more. My review is here.

6.  Raising Kane by Lorelei James – Shoulda Been a Cowboy, Cowgirls Don’t Cry & Slow Ride short story

I can never get enough of Lorelei James. Her stories are real, as are her characters. She doesn’t pretty up a book if tragedy is called for, and in doing so she tugs so hard on your heartstrings it ain’t funny. Her cowboys walk the walk and talk the talk. Her love scenes range from intense and raw to fun and lighthearted. You get everything in a Lorelei James book. Every book she released in 2010 is a Top 10, but Raising Kane is my fave. See my RK review here.

5.   Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman by Lorraine Heath

Lorraine Heath has been a favorite of mine since I read her Texas trilogy and nothing changed when I read her first Regency. She’s simply and truly wonderful. I loved this entire London’s Greatest Lovers trilogy, but it’s Stephen’s story that I really remember. I had my doubts about him, as I said in my review, but he turned out to be one of those heroes you’ll never, ever forget.

4.   Moon Craving by Lucy Monroe

You know those books you wait for? And wait for? Forever, it seems? Moon Craving is one of those for me. I fell in love with Lucy Monroe’s werewolves in her first book, Moon Awakening, in her Children of the Moon series, and I wanted more. But it took a few years for that next one. The wait was worth it, however. Another terrific story for Monroe and paranormal fans. Read my review here.

3.   The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks – No Place to Run

I have so fallen in love with the Kelly Family in Maya Banks’ KGI series. Especially those Kelly boys. They’re alpha and yummy and they still obey their parents. And they fall hard when they find their heroines. So, hell, what’s not to love?? Read about those Kelly boys here.

2.   Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh – Play of Passion & Blaze of Memory

Nalini Singh is one of those authors who you’re going to love no matter what she puts on the page. I can’t imagine anyone arguing with that, if they’ve read any of her books. Bonds of Justice takes the No. 1 spot – by a very narrow margin over Play of Passion – for me of her books in 2010 because I sobbed reading this book. I very, very rarely cry when reading. It takes something so very special for me shed a tear while reading, but when it happens, I remember it. So due to my full-out sobbing near the end of BoJ, I’ll never forget Max and Sophia. Read my review about them here.

Now for my No 1. pick, I couldn’t decide between these two books, so they’re co-winners. They win not only for the story, the worlds the authors have created, but also for the beautiful, lyrical, haunting writing these authors possess. It takes an awesome author to be able to keep momentum and creativity and imagination in a series going, to make the next book better than the last. Both of these authors have those things down pat. I never have to hope the next book will disappoint me because it won’t be as good as the first or the one just prior. I know the next book will be even better.

1.  Haunting Warrior by Erin Quinn & Crown of Crystal Flame by C.L. Wilson

Erin Quinn’s Haunting series is just that, haunting. In storyline. In characters. In writing. Absolutely stunning all the way around. I am breathlessly waiting for the next installment this April. I will have myself locked in my room until that book is finished.

C.L. Wilson’s Tairen Soul series was a treat and a treasure to read. This last installment brought everything together for an absolutely stunning ending that left readers gasping. The way this woman strings words together is just amazing. I’m sad this series is now complete, but readers of the series know that their favorite characters will be featured in future books. That’s worth waiting for.

Notice I used “absolutely stunning” for each of these authors. Wasn’t a mistake. Completely intentional. Cuz it just is.

Because I had a huge list picked out before I cut it down to my Top 10, I do want to give mention to those that just barely missed the cut.  So here are my Honorable Mentions in no particular order :

Drink of Me & Stealing Kathryn by Jacquelyn Frank – An imagination that is just awesome!

Shadows at Midnight by Elizabeth Jennings – I know Ash didn’t care for this one, but it’s on my keeper shelf!

Taming the Highland Bride & The Hellion and the Highlander by Lynsay Sands – I love Lynsay Sands! I need to start reading her vamps…

Legend of the White Wolf, Seduced by the Wolf & Wolf Fever by Terry Spear – Yuuuuuuuuuuumy werewolves!

A Highlander’s Homecoming by Melissa Mayhue – Time travel. Scottish Highlanders. One of the best at both!

Marked & Entwined by Elisabeth Naughton – Zodiac warriors to die for! Also try her Stolen series.

Naked Edge by Pamela Clare – Hawt love scenes! Oh, and a great mystery and thrilling suspense too!

A Kiss to Kill by Nina Bruhns – Oh my! I want more, more, more!

Infamous by Suzanne Brockmann – I love her romances within a romance. And I love this cowboy!

The Chief by Monica McCarty – I love this concept of Highlander Special Ops! Fun, intense, and so romantic!

Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison – Debut author done good. Terrific and dark!

Shut Up & Kiss Me by Christie Craig – Only humorous book on my list. There’s a reason for that. She’s one of the very best!

Destined to Last by Alyssa Johnson – Beautifully written with such engaging characters. Can’t wait to see what she does next!

The Treasure Keeper by Shana Abe – Dragons! ‘Nuff said.

And even I have a few books that didn’t make the grade for me in 2010. Mikey really doesn’t like everything!

4.   Mad, Bad and Blonde by Cathie Linz

Waaaaaaaaaay too much snipping and sniping and insulting going on between the hero and heroine for me. It went on and on. And on. And on. And on. And that’s too bad because the first part of the book is good. Right up until the heroine went blonde. See my review here.

3.    Time Storm by Samanta Winston

Sigh. Even the time travel didn’t help this book. We only get to know the characters through their fucking. Pirates and danger and all that goes with it was okay, as was the time travel, but it just wasn’t put together to keep my interest. I remember being glad it’s a short story. My review can be read here.

2.   Tomorrow is Another Day novella by Sandra Hill in the Ladies Prefer Rogues anthology

Even the play on Gone with the Wind didn’t save this novella. The characters didn’t work for me either all because of their attitudes. At least the time travel element worked. Guess I should be grateful for that. My review is here.

1.   Passionate Pleasures by Bertrice Small

This book is just a mess all the way around. The characters are likable but that’s about it. It felt like Ms. Small just tried too hard to write erotic romance. I think her niche is historicals and she should stick with that. You can read my review here.

Sandy M’s review of Wolf Fever (Werewolf Series, Book 6) by Terry Spear
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Dec 10

I will never get enough of Terry Spear’s werewolf series. As long as she keeps giving me alpha heroes with strong and stubborn heroines who stand up to them and an interesting and fast-paced storyline, you can bet I’ll keep reading.

The storyline in Wolf Fever is actually the best of the series so far. Not only is there mystery and danger for Silver Town’s wolves, we get a little bit of humor in this book, along with, of course, some steamy sexual tension.

I like the fact that our hero, Ryan, has come back to Silver Town to, in his words, close his investigation by re-interviewing our heroine, Carol, about her psychic abilities that helped resolve past events in town, all because he doesn’t believe in psychics. I had to laugh out loud at this. The man is a werewolf, the stuff of legends. And he doesn’t believe in the paranormal. Carol gets a little sarcastic about that herself when talking to him about the issue. I also like that when Carol screws up, gets herself or someone else in trouble going against Ryan’s demands, most of which are for her safety, she learns from it. She doesn’t do it again. She may have to push the boundaries here and there, but she doesn’t push it to stupid just because she doesn’t like being told what to do. She has a mind of her own and she uses it. Ryan just wants her safe and she knows it and appreciates it. And that makes him even more attractive to her.

Carol is a newly turned wolf and is afraid to shift into her animal form. With her psychic gift, she’s been getting visions of members of the pack not being able to shift back into human form after shifting into wolves. Her fear and visions are justified, because the reader is privy to the danger being levied against the Silver Town wolves as it happens. Little by little as her visions come to pass, Ryan begins to believe in her more and more. Ryan has tried to fight the attraction to Carol over the past five months since he last saw her, but nothing he does gets her off his mind. That he has to watch Silver Town males compete to be her mate doesn’t help matters either. The sexual tension between Ryan and Carol begins early and smolders for a good bit, each scene more sensual and sizzling than the last. When Ryan finally does take her as his mate, they become attuned to one another so much they complement the other in everything they do.

Though the danger to the pack is serious and affects only a few of the wolves before it’s resolved, the perpetrators behind the danger are quite inept and don’t get away with their plan too much intact. They aren’t evil-doers, but just folks too desperate to make a new start and taking the easy way out, instead of working for what they want.

Another very nice addition to Ms. Spear’s series. She keeps it interesting in storyline, hot and steamy in romance, and charming and endearing while alpha and beguiling in character. And all of that makes me very happy as a reader.

Grade: A

Summary:

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?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Seduced by the Wolf (Werewolf Series, Book 5) by Terry Spear
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Aug 10

Somehow I missed reading this Terry Spear book back in August or even September. Shame on me, because it’s a terrific read. Ms. Spear has definitely come into her own with this werewolf series of hers. She pulls you in immediately, pounds you with emotion and action until the very end, gives you characters to love, and a story to bite into (sorry, couldn’t resist that one!). If you haven’t read any of her werewolf books, pick one up soon. You’ll be chomping at the bit for the next one as soon as you’ve finished reading it. Oops, sorry, wrong animal there.

Leidolf Wildhaven is having a time of it trying to right the wrongs of the former leader of his new pack. In the middle of it all, a wolf expert is in town to educate folks about wolves and their lives and habitats and anything else they want to know. He’s drawn to her and wouldn’t mind having a little dalliance with the human woman.

Little does Leidolf know, Cassie Roux is a red wolf just like his alpha self. She’s been packless for a number of years, giving her life over to keeping wolves of all kinds safe from regular folk, including lupus garous. While in the Portland area she spies a female red wolf with pups and is determined to help them. And that’s where all the trouble begins.

Between hunters and the local zoo employees wanting to keep wild animals safe, Cassie, and by extension Leidolf, get caught up in everything that can go wrong when either faction is near.

Cassie is a strong, independent female, but she’s afraid to commit to Leidolf, afraid to lose those she loves again. But Leidolf is total alpha male in either form, powerful and sexy and makes her feel oh so good. And he’s amazed when he finds out Cassie is one of his kind, but he’s also relieved because he wants the woman as his mate. He just needs to convince her of that.

And that’s part of the fun of this book, is watching Leidolf wear Cassie down with a touch, a nudge, a swift kiss. The more he does that, the more she falls under his spell. Doesn’t matter whether they’re human or in wolf form, everything he does is designed to show her she belongs with him. Ms. Spear does a wonderful job of translating wolf idiosyncrasies to human form. The characters are all very consistent in that respect, which makes everything so much more believable.

There’s a scene where Leidolf and Cassie play as wolves on the lake shore. I smiled the whole time. It was such fun. Another scene I enjoyed is when they’re captured and taken to the zoo, along with the lone red wolf and her pups. The employees thought Leidolf belonged with the red female because of her pups, but he took the situation in hand, stood apart from her and stared the men down until they understood he belonged with Cassie. Both terrific scenes.

The sixth book in the series is out this month and I am not waiting to get started on it!

Grade: A+

Summary:

His first priority is to protect his pack… Werewolf pack leader Leidolf Wildhaven has just taken over a demoralized pack. With rogue wolves on the loose causing havoc and the authorities from the zoo suddenly zeroing in on the local wolf population, the last thing he needs in his territory is a do-gooder female, no matter how beautiful and enticing she is…

She’ll do anything to help wolves…
Biologist Cassie Roux has dedicated her life to protecting wolves in the wild. On a desperate mission to help a she-wolf with newborn pups, the last thing Cassie needs right now is a nosy and entirely too attractive werewolf pack leader trying to track her down…

With rogue wolves and hunters threatening at every turn, Cassie and Leidolf may find their attraction the most dangerous force of all…

Read an excerpt. (scroll down)

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Legend of the White Wolf (Werewolf Series, Book 4) by Terry Spear
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Feb 10

Terry Spear has definitely come into her own as an author. I have very thoroughly enjoyed her last two books in her werewolf series, both of which show a lot of growth from her first book. After reading this latest edition, Ms. Spear is now on my autobuy list.

What I like best about this story is that the hero and heroine are not wolves. At least in the beginning. They meet while doing their own investigations for different reasons in the same place. And from that comes a great storyline not only from their perspective but also from the wolves in the area.

Cameron is on a mission to find his two missing partners in their P.I. firm who disappeared while on a hunt in the wilds. Faith is after the man who stole her father’s current project and her self-respect, leaving her without a word after pursuing a relationship with her for months. Now she knows what he was truly after. After bizarre and dangerous circumstances, along with a few sensual ones, Cameron and Faith join forces to get to their final destination and hopefully some answers.

However, once there only more unusual and weird things continue to happen, but they press onward to find what they’re seeking. In the midst of it all, they are attacked by a white wolf, Cameron jumping between Faith and the animal, suffering a bite in the process. And things then become more fantastical. Cameron dreams of running wild through the mountainous snow, a sense of freedom coursing through him. Only thing he comes to realize later is it’s not a dream. He’s become one of the magical creatures he’s recently learned about in the area.

Not sure what the future holds – a white wolf in Seattle? – Cameron continues his mission, and that future changes once again when Faith is accidentally bitten. They’re led further into the world of wolves who have done an amazing job of fitting in with normal people and are doing everything to protect that front. Cameron and Faith can rely on no one but themselves, and as their feelings for each other escalate, so does their drive and power to do what needs to be done.

I really like Cameron and Faith. Cameron is alpha to begin with, so as a wolf he’s awesome and will need a mate strong enough to be his equal, and Faith is that woman. She’s independent, fast on her feet, knows her own mind, and definitely takes no guff from anyone, even the local alpha wolf who wants her for his own. Ms. Spear has created an intricate and interesting world with her werewolves and has come a long way since her first book. Her characters, good and bad, are a delight to read.

She’s now one of the best, as far as I’m concerned, when it comes to shifter stories. I know I will get a top-notch read every time.

Grade: A+

Summary:

Private Eye Cameron MacPherson and Faith O’Mallery are both on quests that lead them into the world of magical wolves…Cameron arrives in the Canadian Arctic to search for his partners in his P.I. business who are late returning from a hunting trip. Faith is there to discover what her father had seen in the same area years earlier that had made him lose touch with reality—man-wolves, he called them.

The two tumble into an icy world of enemies bent on destroying the lupus garou kind. As they turn into lupus garou themselves, and bond with the pack that only they can rescue from destruction, Cameron and Faith find their soul mates in each other.

Read an excerpt. (scroll down)

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Destiny of the Wolf (Werewolf Series, Book 2) by Terry Spear
Contemporary Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Mar 09

This is my second book by Ms. Spear, the first being Heart of the Wolf, which I also reviewed. I had an issue with the heroine in HotW, but this time around I enjoyed everything about Destiny of the Wolf, and especially the heroine.

Lelandi is a strong and independent woman — she has to be if she’s to be an alpha’s mate. But when she begins her journey to find her sister’s killer, she has no idea that is where her life is headed. She’s a lone red wolf seeking information from a pack of grays, and their alpha is her sister’s widow. It doesn’t take long for Silver Town’s citizens to become suspicious of her and for attempts to be made on her life once she starts digging for answers, and that only guarantees the alpha will bring her closer to protect her.

Even donning a disguise can’t keep Darien from recognizing his dead mate’s sister. He also recognizes the pull of a mate’s bond with Lelandi that he doesn’t quite understand. He feels guilty for not protecting his mate, so he’s determined to protect Lelandi and get her out of his pack as soon as possible. But before that happens, too many questions begin to surface about his mate’s death and Darien also begins to realize his dreams of his mate are not what he thought.

These two characters are very intriguing and perfect for each other. Lelandi gives Darien all kinds of trouble with her stubbornness when she refuses to let her investigation go. Darien is a protector to the core, and with surprising facts surfacing about the mate he thought he knew, he now has to keep his pack as well as Lelandi safe.

The love scenes between Darien and Lelandi are intense and romantic, and their relationship takes off quickly and grows strong just as fast. They are a duo to be reckoned with once they both give in to their bond.

The action is fast paced, especially the fight scenes between rival packs. There’s also a couple of subplots that are very interesting and add to the story as a whole. Ms. Spear does a great job of misdirection throughout the story, so a couple of surprises spring up near the end to make the main mystery quite intriguing.

I really enjoyed Darien’s triplet brothers, Tom and Joe, too. They’re not as alpha as Darien, but they’re close enough to make them terrific heroes. I hope they eventually get their own books. But whether or not they are the heroes of Ms. Spear’s upcoming books, I’ll definitely be reading those stories. I can see a lot of growth in her writing, as this book attests, and I know there are more great stories ahead from her.

Grade: A

Summary:

All she wants is the truth…

Lelandi Wildhaven is determined to discover the truth about her beloved sister’s mysterious death.But everyone thinks she’s out to make a bid for her sister’s widowed mate…

He’s a pack leader tormented by memories…

Darien Silver blames himself for his mate’s death. When her twin arrives in his town, he finds himself bewitched, and when someone attempts to silence her, he realizes that protecting the beautiful stranger might be the only way to protect his pack…

and himself…

Read an excerpt. (scroll down)

Sandy M’s review of Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear
Contemporary Paranormal Romance released by Sourcebooks 1 Apr 08

I just happened upon this book, and because I’m a shapeshifter fan, I found I couldn’t resist.  So I picked it up and jumped right in.  I’ve not read Ms. Spear before. I enjoyed most aspects of this book, enough that I will give her another try. She has another shifter book that just released 1 Mar 09, Destiny of the Wolf, so I’ll more than likely be picking that one up too.

I did like the main characters, Devlyn Greystoke and Bella Wilder, though Bella did tend to irritate me just a tad later in the book with her continually doubting Devlyn’s ability to take down the enemy. Other than that, she’s a strong character, worthy of being an alpha wolf’s mate. Devyln and Bella grew up together, even though she’s a red wolf and he’s a gray. She was taken in by his pack when her family was killed in a fire. Reaching her teens, the alpha of the pack, Volan, takes notice of her and is determined to have her. She, however, wants Devlyn but knows that Volan will kill her choice of mates, so she chooses to run instead of seeing Devlyn die.

She’s been on her own for 150 years, living among humans and getting along quite well. There’s been a string of murders of young, red-headed women in the Portland area. When Bella is at her cabin to relax and enjoy the next few days to run free in her wolf form, she comes upon the scent of other red wolves. As she investigates, she’s caught unaware and is tranquilized by a hunter. She ends up in the local zoo as mate for their long-time resident red wolf. As word spreads of the new addition to the zoo, more reds come out of the woodwork to see the female in their midst, but Devlyn also shows up. She’s glad to see him again, but she knows he’s there for her only to take her to Volan.

I enjoyed the scene in the zoo when Bella is listening to a couple of men talk about her and those they’re observing around the wolf enclosure. They keep saying it seems as though she understands them because of her reactions to their words, which, of course, is true though they don’t know it. From this point on there is a lot of action, but it does get weighted down here and there throughout. There’s a lot going on, so you need to be on your toes. The story is two-fold: finding the killer of the area women and also defeating Volan so Devlyn and Bella can be together. The idea behind the murders is interesting and they solve the mystery with savvy investigation and logic.

Fighting the wolf way near the end of the book was actually the best part of the book, along with the love scenes. Devlyn is a large wolf, therefore a large man and a great lover. I wish Bella would have had faith in him much earlier in the book. It’s not until she’s really forced into it that she see what she truly has in him and decides to show him that, finally. The only thing that really kept the grade from going higher is the dialogue in places seemed very stiff and awkward. It’s those places where information needs to be given to the reader and it just doesn’t work very well in a lot of spots.

Other than that, an enjoyable read for shifter fans.

Grade: B-

Summary:
.
While searching for clues of a lupus garou who is killing women in the rainy Portland suburbs, Bella Wilder becomes the hunted. She had run away from the gray pack who had taken her in when she was she young. And she will do so again before the brutish pack leader can have her.
.
Devlyn Greystoke has a mission—return Bella to the gray pack for safekeeping before she exposes their kind and gets herself killed. But little red wolves are in short supply and high demand and Bella’s determined to be the bait to flush out the killer. Keeping her out of danger is only half the trouble Devlyn encounters as his compulsion to make her his mate grows and she fights being his, fearful the pack leader will kill him.
.
Volan Smith, the gray alpha leader, claimed Bella when she was young. Now that he has located her, he wants Bella back. And he will stop at nothing to have her.
.
Read an excerpt. (scroll way down)