Early Book Review: SEAL Wolf Hunting by Terry Spear

SEAL Wolf Hunting is the 16th book on the Heart of the Wolf series by Terry Spear. It is currently scheduled for release on July 7th 2015. Paul Cunningham is one of the only bachelors left on the SEAL wolf team, and he's less than thrilled to hear he's been volunteered for a local charity bachelor auction. Lori Greypaw suspected that her grandmother would use the auction as an opportunity to fix her up. So she's not surprised when she "buys" Paul to help Lori renovate her mountain cabin for a week. Lori's had a crush on the sexy SEAL wolf for years, but he proves to be handy with more than a hammer when two fugitives come knocking and he'll do anything to protect the woman he's falling for.

The description for SEAL Wolf Hunting does not give the plot and backstory justice. I have read a few Spear books, but not so many that I knew all the characters in this series. I was coming into the story cold, and that did not detract from the flow at all. There is a history of mutual attraction between Paul and Lori, and a bad end to Paul most resent SEAL mission. The pack is small, and needs a leader. A few loan wolves are causing trouble in the area, and then there is the auction. Lori's grandmother buys Paul and sends the pair off to fix her lakeside cabin with the hopes that the pair will mate. Problems and passion arise, surpassing expectations and bringing changes. But when Paul gets a call for an emergency mission everything is at risk.

I enjoyed SEAL Wolf Hunting and like that while it made me curious about the books that came before, and those to follow, it did not make me feel like I would be forced to read them for basic understanding of the story. It struck a good balance of engaging the reader in the series and satisfying them with the book in hand.  I would recommend this book to paranormal romance fans, and particularly fans of Spear's work.

Book Review: Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong

Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong  is the third volume of collected short stories in the Otherworld series. It includes brand-new tales, some that had only previously available on Kelley Armstrong's website, and a few that had been published in previous anthologies. Most of the stories will feature the werewolves of the Otherworld, Elena and Clay, Jeremy, Karl and other members of the American Pack. These are some of Kelley Armstrong's best-loved and most enduring characters, from bestselling books such as Bitten, Stolen and Frostbitten. The short stories included are: 

1) Demonology - Adam's mother discovers what he is
2) Stalked - Clay/Elena honeymoon story from "My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon"
3) Hidden - SubPress 2012 Elena/Clay novella
4) Twilight - a Cass story from "Many Bloody Returns"
5) Chivalrous - Reese's backstory from SubPress's long sold-out "Tales of Dark Fantasy 2" (the Dec'14 SubPress graphic novella picks up this storyline)
6) Lucifer's Daughter - Hope/Karl story from "Blood Lite II: Overbite"
7) From Russia with Love - Elena bonus story included with hardcover of "Thirteen"

8) Vanishing Act - brand-new Savannah/Adam novella set after "Thirteen" 

As a fan of all things Armstrong I was thrilled to see Otherworld Nights show up on Netgalley. I had read a few of the stories before, but it had been a while so I was glad to see them again If you follow the Otherworld series at all, you will be glad to see these in between bit that give us a better and unique look at some favorite characters. I was particularly glad to read Hidden, which was about Clay and Elena with their children. Vanishing Act was my other favorite oft he collection. All of the stories are solid, with some simply heart breaking (like Reese’s story in Chivalrous) while others just made me happy to get an extra glimpse into the lives of some great characters. 

I think Otherworld Nights is a must read for fans, even if you think you have read everything out there by Armstrong. I was glad to return to the world she has created and am looking forward to the next full novel I can get my hands on. 

Book Review: Werewolf in Alaska by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Werewolf in Alaska is the fifth book in the Wild About You series by Vicki Lewis Thompson. This is a series that does not need to be read in any real order or even as a series, each can stand on its own. It seems to be only the larger werewolf community, and the changes in it, that ties the stories together. In Polecat, Alaska, Rachel Miller and Jake Hunter have a mutual admiration for each other from across a lake. There’s nothing Rachel likes more than spying on the very fit wilderness guide when he skinny-dips each night. And Jake has always been curious about his reclusive artist neighbor. He even bought Rachel’s first wood carving: a wolf who looks suspiciously like him. Jake is a werewolf, and the founder of WARM (Werewolves Against Random Mating), which means a human like Rachel absolutely is off-limits. When Rachel is threatened by a bear, and Jake shifts to save her, their lives collide with an intense passion, one that could change everything they’ve ever felt about themselves, and each other.

Werewolf in Alaska is a fun read that had me happily turning pages. Rachel is an artist and enjoys her anonymity in the wilds of Alaska. She also enjoys using her binoculars to watch the very fit Jake skinny dip in the lake that separates them. It is only when Rachel’s safety is in question that Jake steps into her life, and risks his own secrets. The back and forth between the two is fabulous, I really enjoyed the humor of Rachel tending to the wolf’s wounds and the conversations it triggers. The inclusion of Rachel’s protective teenage assistant added to the complications and tension of the story. I liked how drastic the big climax was, though think some people gave in a wee bit too easily. All in all the read was great fun and I really enjoyed the interaction of the main characters. 

I would recommend Werewolf in Alaska to fans of Thompson, particularly those that are following this series. I was eager to see what would happen or be said next, and think it was a fun entertaining read.

Book Review: Werewolf in Seattle by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Werewolf in Seattle is the third book in the Wild About You series by Vicki Lewis Thompson. This is a series that does not need to be read in any real order or even as a series, each can stand on its own. It seems to be only the larger werewolf community, and the changes in it, that ties the stories together. The last thing Colin McDowell needs is to inherit and manage his Aunt Geraldine's mansion in the San Juan islands off the coast of Washington. As the pack leader of the Trevelyans in Scotland, he had little time to take care of his inheritance. With troubles enough at home, he is ready to sell the place and move on. But when he meets Luna Reynaud, the personal assistant his aunt hired shortly before she died. Luna's clever plan for turning the mansion into a resort and his relentless attraction to her intrigue him. However, Luna has a secret  and there is some serious trouble brewing. Can they overcome the odds and find their own happy ending?

Werewolf in Seattle is a quick read with a good combination of fun and suspense. Luna is smart and independent, but sometimes loses those smarts when she finds herself alone with Colin. She has survived on her own for a long time, and has some great business sense, but is also pretty gullible and naive. Colin is a pragmatist, with a great deal on his plate. Like most alpha males, he tends to get a bit arrogant, but sometimes he crosses the line into greedy or pompous. Like Luna's naivete, it is not often enough to have ruined the book for me, but left me less happy with the book than I normally as with Thompson's work. The suspense portion of the book worked pretty well, but wrapped up a bit too neatly. It was still a good read, just not up to the standards i have for my favorite authors.

Werewolf in Seattle is not the best of Thompson's work, but was still a fun and quick read. This would be a good read for a weekend of being snowed in, or for trying to ignore the movie or game the family is attending to again. I am hoping that the next book from her that I read is as great as I expect from her.