Romancing the Wolf by Various Authors

Romancing the Wolf
By: Heather Long, Melissa Schroeder, Brandy Walker, Saranna DeWylde, Virginia Nelson, Rebecca Royce, Cara Carnes, Desiree Holt, Gayle Donnelly, Jennifer Kacey
Publisher: Self Published
Published: June 30, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Anthology, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction
Length: Novella, Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 25, 2015

 

Sexy and we know it! They’re on the hunt after your heart. Discover 10 brand new passionate tales of friendship, desire, wolves, survival, and redemption. Escape to another world, another place, and another romance.

Warning: Contains wild heroes and heroines, tempestuous passion, old secrets, new discoveries, and pack ties binding them together. Sometimes love’s greatest challenge is romancing the wolf…

Books included:

Heart of the Wolf (The Devora) by Desiree Holt Shifter Lia Popescu is desperate to find the book Legends of the Werewolf, her only clue as to what happened to her pack. When she loses her heart to the sexy detective Riley Morgan, she wonders how he will handle knowing the truth about her.

The Ardennes Curse (Woolven Secret) by Saranna DeWylde Victoria’s determined to free her people from the curse that forces them to become mindless, slavering terrors every full moon. Even if it means taking, Armand Rommulus, their new Alpha to mate.

Odd Mate (Odd Stuff Series, #4) by Virginia Nelson Gretchen fell in love with Charly, a sweet, nerdy bear of a man but ran fast and hard from his side when she realized he'd hate her for a genetic twist of fate she couldn't change. Now she's back in town and drawn to his side. Can a wolf sworn to destroy all coyotes claim a coywolf mate or will he be forced to destroy the only girl he ever loved?

Running with the Wolf (The Cascadia Wolves) by Gayle Donnelly Abram spends his days protecting the pack children, but he finds himself wanting more. The quiet, elusive kindergarten teacher has sparked a hunger inside him and he knows it won’t be satisfied unless he makes her his mate. When her past comes calling, he must make a choice…defy pack law and bring her into his world or let her run and lose her forever.

Redemption’s Forgiveness (The Rending, Book 2) by Cara Carnes Marek will do anything to protect his pack and their land, including executing any Outsiders who dare enter pack lands. There’s no soft in war—until Felicity, a curvaceous wolf with more sass than sense limps into Redemption with an impossible tale of betrayal. 

Under Her Spell (Keystone Predators, Book 1) by Brandy Walker Diego wants Daphne as his mate instantly and is ready to do whatever it takes to make her his. Part wolf, and part witch, Daphne is a little more skeptical of the situation. Her wolf is telling her to go for it while her witchy side balks, knowing Diego will try to suppress her more enchanted side.

Always (Dragon Wars #3) by Rebecca Royce Robbie Owens has fought the dragons for seventeen years, leading his group of secret, elite werewolves. Tatyana Knox is a human in a world where humans are like unicorns—they simply don't exist. But she is real and she is Robbie's mate. If he can trust her, they will turn the tide of the war. But the clock is ticking and Tatyana's time with Robbie is almost up.

Violet's Shadow (Shadow Mates #1) by Jennifer Kacey Violet’s spent her entire life aching to belong and she finally finds it in the pack of Shadows she is destined to join. Everything she’s ever wanted in life and love is finally at her fingertips if she’s brave enough to embrace…her Shadow.

Wolf with Benefits (Wolves of Willow Bend) by Heather Long After graduating college and spending a summer breaking the law, Shiloh Sullivan needs to make amends and accomplish something for Willow Bend. When her best friend, the wolfish and playful Matt Montgomery moves her in with him, she’s hard-pressed to refuse. But pretending a relationship with a wolf is impossible, and while Shiloh might be human, she knows the rules...

The Alpha's Saving Grace (Lonestar Wolf Pack #1) by Melissa Schroeder Alpha Jacob Sanderson doesn’t have time for distractions as he hunts a vicious killer attacking his pack. Sheriff Alexandra Littlefoot is his best resource and a woman he can’t seem to resist. As secrets rise to the surface, the killer’s violence escalates and threatens to destroy the entire pack.

I picked up this rather large book for five reasons: Heather Long, Saranna DeWylde, Rebecca Royce, Cara Carnes and Virginia Nelson. But it was the addition of five other reasons that put additional yummy sweet frosting on my book cake.

This little voyage started with Under the Wolf Moon, written by the keeper ladies above. I started it because of one shining star and soon the other four were shining their own lights down on me. I absolutely devoured the book and couldn’t put it down. It started me on several new journeys with some totally exceptional characters. I finished the book excited, in love, totally pissed at the ladies.

I was pissed because I then had four additional series to read on top of Long’s, Wolves of Willow Bend. I had Woolven Secret, Dragon Wars, The Rending AND Odd Series. Four new series that took no prisoners and unconditionally devoured my only remaining free time. You want to know what those evil women did…they cackled at me. Yes others probably heard them sweetly chuckling or laughing, but it was cackling. There may have even been a muahahahaha thrown in there too. Evil I tell you!

Well thank goodness they took pity on me knowing they had a gem on their hands. I was late to the initial party, being the first book was out in January and I didn’t finish it until the end of May. One of the ladies that will LONGly remain unnamed actually sent me a teaser cover shot and mentioned that the next book was releasing thankfully at the end of June (hear the cackling? I do). The cover was gorgeous and tempting to all my womanly senses (yummilicious) but it had more names included: Schroeder, Walker, Holt, Donnelly and Kacey. WHAT?!?!

I couldn’t tell you if I was shocked or thrilled. I already knew I was neck deep in some great series and now I had the potential of more great series. But on the other hand I had the continuation of my initial five beloved series. See the problem?

I held out as long as I could. It took me days, yes days to read it. That alone is a shocker. I can read a novel easily in one day. This anthology is so HUGE that it took me days. As of today, it is cheaper than an Oreo Brownie Sunday from DQ and even sweeter! That’s quite the feat, those babies are sweet and tasty. Ten amazing stories and it’s so cheap.

I won’t go into each story, but I will say each were unique and special. This anthology can be read as is, without jumping into new series, if you don’t want to, but as I sit here you would be a stronger person than me. As soon as I’m done here I’m researching to see if the additional stories are one timers or are part of additional series.

So welcome Ms. Schroeder, Ms. Walker, Ms. Holt, Ms. Donnelly and Ms. Kacey. You have firmly placed yourself in with the women I love to hate. Into a well written group of women who love to torture me with waiting for the next installment of some of my favorite series and who love to know that my thoughts are always thinking of the amazing characters they have created. You are with some fine company. These are some of the best story tellers around. Bravo to you all. You did a fanfreakingtastic job!!

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Under a Wolf Moon by Various Authors

Under a Wolf Moon
By: Heather Long, Saranna DeWylde, Rebecca Royce, Cara Carnes, Virginia Nelson
Publisher: Self Publish
Published: January 30, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Anthology, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction
Length: Novella, Novel
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Toni
Date: May 26, 2015

 

Five brand new, hot paranormal romance stories from bestselling authors. Alpha heroes and heroines with dark pasts and the need to discover their own happy ever after will draw you in and make you turn to the next page.

Each novella offers a look into a different series and world, but each features the power of the wolf. Whether you like your wolves from small town, as billionaires, fighting wars they have to win or wrestling with ancient powers, Under a Wolf Moon has something for you.

Discover never seen before stories!
Meet tempestuous wolves!
Survive fiery battles!
Mark the date to meet their mates!

The wolf moon fills the sky and it’s time to howl!

Warning: Contains alpha heroes and heroines, scorching passion, tough love, family ties, and pack dynamics which bind them together. Sometimes a wolf’s greatest challenge is finding their way home…

Wolf Next Door by Heather Long
When Claire Webster was five years old Tyler Buckley, the wolf next door, told her he was her mate and then ordered her not to play with one of her friends. Butting heads throughout their childhood, her choice to leave Willow Bend tore them apart. Eight years later, she sends a request to the new Alpha—she wants to come home, and when he grants it, she’s both relieved and terrified. The first person she runs into is the last one who ever wants to see her again.

Princess of the Pack by Saranna DeWylde
Marchessa de la Luna’s duty is to the marriage arranged to the enigmatic and powerful, but aging Alpha Antony Rommulus. Her passion is for the rogue Cassius who can give her nothing except pleasure. Marchessa must choose if it will be duty or desire that will decide her fate and that of her pack.

Eternal by Rebecca Royce
Dougal Owens has served on the front line of The Dragon Wars for sixteen years. The last thing this Alpha werewolf expects is his mate to drop in with a plan to end the war. Together, they will battle to save the Wolves or die trying.

Hell’s Playground by Cara Carnes
The Quadrant Alpha once thought Mira’s death was the worst thing that could have happened. Learning she lives, and worse, survived torture and purgatory gives Adrik a chance to save Redemption and his mate.

Odd Wolf by Virginia Nelson
Dara is Alpha and used to taking control of the situation when it goes swirly. A rogue on her turf means a fight, and she’s ready to take him on. A woman with no plans to be tamed and a rogue wolf with no plans to stick around shouldn’t have more than a brief meeting to establish boundaries and be done. However, when Dara meets Lynwood, the call to mate might drown out logic altogether.

I got the Under the Wolf Moon anthology to read Heather Long's addition since I was reading Wolves of Willow Bend. I'm a stickler for reading order. Well, all I can say is that it downhill from there. I couldn't put the darn book down. Now I have read ALL of the stories and have countless additional series to read.

During my reading of this book I read, yes READ Saranna's Woolven Secret series - Blake Woolven is the bad boy CEO of Woolven Industries, but he’s badder than the luscious, BBW Randi Rutger would’ve guessed – Yes Please!!.

Researched and added Rebecca's Dragon Wars - Devin Owen has come back from the Dragon Wars a changed Werewolf – Dragons and werewolves. Sign me up!

I’m salivated for Cara's The Rending series - Hell's Highway--a parcel of land of genetically impure humans cast out during a savage battle between humanity's government, the NAH and the Paraspecies – Sounds dangerous and fun doesn’t it!

To top it off we have Virginia's The Odd Series – You get paranormal adventures, snark, sex and random acts of ineptitude – I’m always game for…well all of that!

I also need to finish Heather’s Wolves of Wolf Bend. Then I find out one of the next stories will be in this huge new anthology coming out, Romancing the Wolf with even more authors. I counted them, TEN new amazing stories. I’m excited and scared at the same time. I can see more series in my future.

Their evil plans worked! I'm now further buried under amazingly huge to be read list. The only reason I'm not jumping into the other right now is prior reviewing commitments. Please grant me more time in the day to read these new series before I add more with the next anthology. Pretty please!

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Tara of the Fey by Misha Tagliaferro

Tara of the Fey
By: Misha Tagliaferro
Publisher: Sweet Craving Publishing
Published: March 29, 2013
Genre: Historical, Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction
Length: Short Story
Heat Level: Sigh
Reviewer: Suki
Date: April 21, 2015

 

Sailing through the Minch, fey princess Tara enjoys her last taste freedom before facing her betrothal to an Irish prince—a man she doesn’t love and has no interest in marrying. The smooth voyage takes an abrupt turn for the worse when a group of ornery Blue Men of the Minch appear and brew up a storm. Tara has no choice but to give into their whims when she is swept overboard.

Caeden, a fey cursed to live as a Blue Man, can't believe he is seeing the grown version of his childhood best friend. He hopes she’ll be the one to break his curse and allow him to return to life on land. Tara sees the fey man trapped inside the blue exterior, but is she his one true love and the key to breaking the curse? Or will Caeden live as a Blue Man of the Minch forever?

Short story writing can be difficult and when dealing with the complicated work it can be made more complicated when a writer is delving into mythos. This story from the beginning had me confused I was unfamiliar with the what Minch were and eventually had to stop reading to look it up on line. Some descriptions of the other men or even a brief paragraph telling up about these creatures would have gone a long way for me.

The rest of the book seemed rushed as if the author had only 20 pages to tell a story that could have taken chapters. I love a good short story but this one just wasn’t given the time it needs. I wanted more information. What kind of serpent did she turn into when she went underwater? What did she look like? What were the punishments of the Chieftain?

In the end the book left me feeling like part of the story hadn’t been told. I would definitely give this author another read as she had passion for what she wrote.

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Elite Metal by A. Alexander, S. DeWylde, J. Kacey, H. Long, R. Rivera, R. Royce, S. York

Elite Metal
By: Anna Alexander, Saranna DeWylde, Jennifer Kacey, Heather Long, Roxie Rivera, Rebecca Royce, Sabrina York
Publisher: Never Settle Publishing
Published: February 10, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Anthology, Erotic Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: March 2, 2015

 

Eight novels from some New York Times, USA Today and award winning bestselling authors! Eight individual novels that create one giant book! One story leading into the next into the next! This is like no other boxed set you've ever seen before!!!!!!!!

For decades the US Marines funded a top-secret unit known as Elite Recon. A deadly group of men and women sent to infiltrate dozens of countries completely undetected. Mission objectives so extreme casualties were not only probable, but expected.

The current batch of operatives had returned from hundreds of assignments unscathed…until one mission went horribly wrong. Several men lost their lives and the group disbanded. The remaining leathernecks were scattered in the wind with new identities. They were told to blend in. Be normal. Or face being forever silenced just like their fallen brothers.

Now, two years later, each living member of the group is kidnapped and given a chance to make things right. But this time they’re no longer under the thumb of Uncle Sam. A mysterious private backer who knows about their past has brought them back together. No longer are they forced to turn a blind eye to the lost and forsaken.

Duty is their salvation.

A new life. A new future…Elite Metal.

Bound by Steele - Jennifer Kacey and Anna Alexander - To save his Marine brothers and sister he must accept the past isn’t dead and buried. Reuniting survivors means he is forced to first forgive…the enemy.

Chrome's Salvation - Jennifer Kacey - A former leader of Elite Recon, reduced to nothing more than an apathetic existence. Until his girl’s life hangs in the balance…now nothing will stand in the way of him coming back to life.

Adamantium's Roar - Anna Alexander - Adamantium left Beth to what he thought was a better life, only to find she had been living in hell. Now he’ll do anything, break any vow, to claim her as his for all time.

Pure Copper - Heather Long - Copper will do whatever it takes to get the job done, even if it means seducing and betraying the one man who really sees her.

Sterling's Seduction - Sabrina York - When a snoopy reporter threatens the Elite Metal, Sterling will do whatever it takes to kill her story about the team. Even if it means he has to tie her to his bed.

Platinum's Choice - Rebecca Royce - Platinum left the life he had with Rose in New York to rejoin his team and silence the nightmares from Operation Phoenix. But when Rose is forced to go on the run with Platinum’s hidden son, he will have no choice but to return to his old life and reclaim what he has ached for every day since. Red Wolf’s sniper wants to nudge Plat’s underbelly and they’re going to find out quickly how deadly he can be.

Mercury's Poison - Saranna DeWylde - A scarred, mad genius more monster than man must protect the beauty he's become obsessed with from a beast more terrible than himself.

Forged in Silver - Roxie Rivera - Rebel. Nomad. Troublemaker.

This is one intense book. You are catapulted into the action from the start and it never lets up. Throw in some sexy marines, compelling stories and some kick ass action and you have one wonderful boxset.

This boxset is amazing. The stories flow from one to the other and read like a well-tuned novel. The authors played so very well together and I couldn’t be more pleased. I can’t even give individual reviews, because I would just be repeating myself over and over.

These warriors were family. One bad mission separated them and then one secret organization brings them back together. The concept is fresh, the names are genius and the stories are great fun.

We start with the heartbreaking tale of what happened to separate the team. The events are so heartbreaking and tragic. What happens to them is devastating and then continues with the cruel dismantling of the group. As the team is slowly brought back together, we see how much pain and sorrow they are fighting through.

This is a brilliant boxset that isn’t just some common stories grouped together. It is well thought out and kept me reading until the very end. I could continue the gush-fest, but I won’t. It would get old quickly and I’m not going to waste your time, when you should just go to your favorite bookseller and get Elite Metal. It is the best deal out there! 

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The Masterful Mr. Montague by Stephanie Laurens

The Masterful Mr. Montague: A Casebook of Barnaby Adair Novel
By: Stephanie Laurens
Publisher: Avon
Published: April 29, 2014
Genre: Historical, Action/Adventure, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Suki
Date: January 24, 2015

 

Montague has devoted his life to managing the wealth of London's elite, but at a huge cost: a family of his own. Then the enticing Miss Violet Matcham seeks his help, and in the puzzle she presents him, he finds an intriguing new challenge professionally ... and personally.

Violet, devoted lady-companion to the aging Lady Halstead, turns to Montague to reassure her ladyship that her affairs are in order. But the famous Montague is not at all what she'd expected - this man is compelling, decisive, supportive, and strong - everything Violet needs in a champion, a position to which Montague rapidly lays claim.

But then Lady Halstead is murdered and Violet and Montague, aided by Barnaby Adair, Inspector Stokes, Penelope, and Griselda, race to expose a cunning and cold-blooded killer.who stalks closer and closer. Will Montague and Violet learn the shocking truth too late to seize their chance at enduring love?

First I want to say I am a huge Stephanie Laurens fan. Fell in love with the Cynsters years ago. That said, this is not your typical SL book. When I first started reading it I was confused, where was the love story with Montague and Violet? Wait, why are we in the bedroom of the other two characters, and in their head. None of this fit the usual style. If you have read SL’s books you have seen Penelope in a few other books and her story with Adair has already been told in the previous book, Where the Heart Leads, and although I love to catch up with past characters, I do not need to be in their bedroom again. We have seen it and been there; we know their love story...I digress. I was confused enough to finally go to Ms. Laurens website where it states The Masterful Mr. Montague is a mystery with romantic elements. AHHHHHH well that's a horse of a different color isn’t it. So now that I am not expecting the typical SL romance I can get down to the mystery. And this is a mystery, in fact it's one of many and it appears that they will now include this whole group solving them.

I have to say I didn’t guess who did it although there were times when I suspected. The story is good and I actually skimmed over the love scenes when they came (see above for why). My biggest complaint about the book is that the love story is shoved into the last few pages of the book and it is not given the time and the space these two characters deserve. I enjoyed these two very much and want to know more about them. Although I love the book, because the publisher is selling it as a romance I can't give it a 5, but because SL does explain on her website that it's a mystery with romantic themes it redeems the book back to a 4.

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Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

Whiskey Beach
By: Nora Roberts
Publisher: Berkley
Published: April 16, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Thriller
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Suki
Date: January 24, 2015

 

For more than three hundred years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore - and its secrets.

To summer tourists, it's the crown jewel of the town's stunning scenery. To the residents of Whiskey Beach, it's landmark and legend. To Eli Landon, it's home...

A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigation after being accused of murdering his soon-to-be ex-wife. And though there was never enough evidence to have him arrested, his reputation is in tatters as well as his soul. He need sanctuary. He needs Bluff House.

While Eli's beloved grandmother is in Boston, recuperating from a nasty fall, Abra Walsh has card for Bluff House, among her other jobs as yoga instructor, jewelry maker, and massage therapist. She is a woman with an open heart and a wide embrace, and no one is safe from her special, some would say over-bearing, brand of nurturing - including Eli.

He begins to count on Abra for far more than her cooking, cleaning, and massage skills, and starts to feel less like a victim - and more like the kind of man who can finally solve the murder of his wife and clear his name. But Bluff House's many mysteries are a siren song to someone intent on destroying Eli and reaping the rewards. He and Abra will become entangled in a centuries-old net of rumors and half-truths that could pull them under the thunderous waters of Whiskey Beach...

Passion and obsession, humor and heart flow together in a novel about two people opening themselves up to the truth - and to each other.

Whiskey beach starts in a way that had me checking that I didn’t miss a book before, perhaps a sister or family member of the Hero because when we start the story so much has already happened. Eli, who not an Alpha male I adored, has spent the last year in a state of depression because he is the main suspect in his wife's murder. So I think we were supposed to feel invested in him in the beginning. He has returned to the family estate after a long absence to feel and take care of the place for his Gran, Hester who I also adore.

In walked our heroine, Abra. Note I did not state I adore her. Because to be honest I had a hard time liking Abra. Abra who does a little bit of everything to perfection, who (Spoiler alert) seems to only carry around a ‘small carryon bag” of baggage from a past of tragedy. So even healing, she does perfectly. She, as Eli also wonders in the book, must own stock in little post it notes, which she posts like a mother all over the house and they drove us both crazy. She came off as meddling, holier than thou, and mothering. Not what I personally want from my heroines. I just couldn’t relate to her.

This is one of NR’s Romantic Suspenses and I pretty much figured out who killed his wife in the first few chapters. Who threw his Gran down the stairs took a bit more. That didn’t change the fact that I enjoyed the mystery part of the story. Though I would have liked to see the reactions to his innocence and some comeuppance from those who hounded Eli… I am speaking to you Officer Wolf.

Let me say that if you are a Nora Roberts fan, this one has all the things you love in a Nora book but I believe you will find much of the story, you have seen before in other books. Perhaps it is a case of kicking out too many books too fast, I don’t know. Overall I enjoyed it and don’t regret picking it up. To me if you are looking for a good NR Romantic Suspense try Carnal Innocence.

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