Book Review: The Shadow Wolf

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (23 Aug 2011)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0373618670
• ISBN-13: 978-0373618675

On the run from authorities, gutsy Megan Moraine knows shadow wolves like herself have no place in this world. But she's still prepared to do anything to protect her young charges. That resolve is tested when the trio is captured by Gabriel Robichaux. Everyone knows that Gabriel is a ruthless bounty hunter, a member of an elite group called the Enforcers. Why then is Megan so attracted to her enemy—a wolf who hunts his own people? A wolf whose languid, sexy drawl makes her dream the impossible?

The Shadow Wolf is a taut, sexy, emotional rollercoaster of a ride.

The novel follows escapee Shadow Wolf Megan as she flees her island prison to take her two nieces to New Orleans and hopefully to someone who can help them achieve a better life. Alex Robichaux is known to all shadow wolves as the go-to person who will aide them. Hungry, tired and untrusting, the three stumble into the path of Gabriel Robichaux, famous Enforcer with a savage reputation against shadow wolves. But the man they meet assures them he will not lay a finger to harm them, and takes them to his home where they find out his reputation is just to protect him – as he is the one who really helps the shadow wolves.

Slowly, Megan’s fear of Gabriel dissipates. Wanting and attraction taking its place. As they give in to their mutual desire, it becomes clear they are destined mates. But will Megan want it to stay that way when she learns of Gabriel’s true nature?

When a common enemy infiltrates Gabriel’s home, they flee to New Orleans where they seek help from his family.

The Shadow Wolf has plenty of twists and turns to keep the story interesting, and a mystery that keeps the readers glued to the page. Told in alternating POV’s of Gabriel and Megan, we get a unique insight into the inner workings of both these intriguing characters.

Megan is a sympathetic character – traumatised with valid fears. It was a pleasure to watch Gabriel help her overcome the fears. The romance between the two was scorching hot but also sweet and gentle.

The Shadow Wolf was an absolute delight to read and fall in love with. A fab new novel.

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Book Review: Beyond the Grave

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (23 Aug 2011)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0373210310
• ISBN-13: 978-0373210312

A haunting new tale in the Past Midnight series...

I can’t move forward with my life until I know my demons are confined to the past...

Being Charlotte Silver, the daughter of famous paranormal investigators, means my life isn’t like that of other teenage girls. Especially after what happened to my parents. Things changed. I missed prom and deferred my big college plans. But I still have my boyfriend, Noah. He’s everything I could want—if I can figure out what’s up with him. Suddenly Noah is secretive.

I fear it has something to do with what happened to us three months ago. The bruise Noah suffered during a paranormal attack has never completely faded. Now I’ve learned Noah is researching demons. And when he disappears, it’s up to me to find him—before something else does

Beyond the Grave was spooky and chilling -  a haunting ghost story with a warm beating heart at its centre.

The series continues with this new instalment, joining Charlotte and her paranormal-searching family once again. After the awful events of One Hundred Candles, Charlotte’s family are trying to heal themselves and get back to normal. But they all know it won’t be normal until they are all reunited. And as Charlotte’s sweet boyfriend Noah starts acting strange, she realises that things might get a whole lot worse before they can get better.

Beyond the Grave has an intricate take on the ‘other-worldly’ and paranormal phenomenon. It has a typical ghost hunter style feel but the great and sympathetic characters take it into another level of amazing. While I enjoyed all the characters, I would have liked to see more development for them and for the sub-plots also.

The novel breathes loss with every page but its courage and unshakeable faith makes it almost inspirational. The main character of Charlotte is very determined and has great motivation – the salvation of her mother and boyfriend.

While it is said that this is the last in the series, there is definitely room for another sequel. 

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Book Review: A Dragon Foresaken

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 209 KB
• Publisher: Krystal McLaughlin (17 Mar 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
• Language English
• ASIN: B004SP14H6

In a world of mystery and magic, Daphne is unique.

Unlike her friends, who have awakened to the magic inside of them, Daphne was born with it. Daphne was born a Dragon.

When her past begins to resurface, forcing her into a web of lies and deception, she is forced to accept unexpected alliances and risk everything for the sake of love. Something that she swore she would never let into her life.

As the newest installment of The Enchanted Island Series unfolds, she'll learn that nothing is ever what it seems, and when webs get this tangled, everyone's fate hangs in the balance, and nothing is coincidence.

In A Dragon Foresaken, the second instalment in The Enchanted Island series, the story this times follows Daphne on her mission to find adopted sister, Anna.

Daphne is an orphan – hazards of being a dragon. As a child she bounced around foster homes, never settling long enough to make friends or any kind of connection. But then she met the Hensley’s and she thought she’d found a home. Until tragedy tore them apart.

On her travels to find Anna, Daphne makes a few odd alliances. A few beloved characters from the first book of the story crop up, much to my delight. A Dragon Foresaken was more intense than The Witches Lottery. For one thing, there was way more action. Daphne was a kick-ass character with incredible strength and power – very reminiscent of Buffy.

But like Buffy, Daphne has her flaws. Like insisting she can handle everything alone. But like the Scoobies, Daphne’s friends are just as stubborn.

There is great suspense in the book that keeps the reader glued to the page, not wanting to miss a single thing. The twists and turns were well placed – catching the reader unawares just when they thought they had things figured out.

And a tender romance was the perfect breather for all the action. Like the first book, A Dragon Foresaken was enjoyable and a pleasure to read.

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