Review: 5 blue ribbons from Romance Junkies
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 10, 2009
Belinda `Belle' Campbell has had more than her fair share of pain - both mentally and physically.  She's been practically ostracized by many of the members of the Halle pride and injured severely enough to require a steel pin in her leg - which means that she can't shapeshift until they're removed.  The last thing she needs is more complications but that's exactly what she gets in the form of an Alpha wolf named Rick Lowell.Rick Lowell is the Alpha of the Red Wolf Poconos Pack.  He isn't exactly having an easy go of things here lately.  He's been shot, killed a rogue, found his mate, learned of her injuries, and now been told that he cannot take her home.  Why? Because she's Puma and the Wolf pack has to be prepared to accept a non-Wolf Luna.  He could handle all that but throw in an uppity dominant female looking to take over as Luna and things are bound to get very interesting.Belle has no doubt that Rick is her mate but she's not a push over and he's a little too full of himself for her taste.  Besides her doctors are in Halle and therefore she'll be staying put for the time being - possibly until the pin in her leg can be removed.  Rick's not willing to wait that long though, once the cast comes off he wants her with him - and it will still be another six months before she'll be able to shift.Belle's all for starting her life at Rick's side but she's not at all ready to take on Gina and her demands for full protocol.  Fortunately Belle isn't afraid to fight for what's hers and if that means taking on one conniving bitch then she'll use every means at her disposal to ensure that she comes out on top.  Rick is aware of just how devious Gina is and he's willing to take whatever steps necessary to ensure that Belle's transition into the pack is as smooth as possible and that she be allowed to recuperate before facing Gina and her challenge.  He shouldn't have worried.  Even being unable to shift, Belle is more than capable of facing down Gina and she does it with such style that you'll be left with no doubt that this `cat' is far superior to the `dog.'  Belle's the perfect match for Rick, but what will happen when Gina's plans push Rick and Belle into making decisions that could have disastrous results?Just when I thought the HALLE PUMA series couldn't get any better, it does!  STEEL BEAUTY is the fourth book in this delightful series and revisiting these characters is a pleasure you won't want to pass up.  This story is infused with humor, some real kick butt action, a memorable romance and proof that cats and dogs can be friends - and so much more. Belle won me over with her `in your face' attitude and the hilarious way she taunts Gina - as well as Rick.  She's not a gal who's going to let anyone get away with anything and I adore that about her.  Rick is exactly the sort of man Belle needs, he's just got to learn to share problems and worries - and she is chock full of ways of ensuring that he doesn't forget that she is his life partner.If you haven't read the other titles in this series, I'd highly recommend doing so - not because it's necessary to understand this book but because they're delightfully fun.  In order, they are:THE WALLFLOWERSWEET DREAMSandCAT OF A DIFFERENT COLORChrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)