Review: Hot Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 9, 2011
"I just needed a getaway...a vacation fling."When you attract the attention of two puma shifters, there is no such thing as a "fling". As oldest brother, Axel, explains at one point, "domesticated cougars mate for life, when they're ready".Litter mates and oldest of the six Falke brothers, Axel and Gunnar had not thought they were ready to settle down and reveal their family secret until they met Vegas vacationer Dakota Tokala. For her part, Dakota had the same reaction any breathing female would have had upon meeting five of the Falke brothers all at once: embarrassing case of the stares, slightly breathless and difficulty speaking. The only member of the Falke household she wasn't thrilled about meeting was the live cougar, apty named Falke, that guarded the store and travelled with them on the hiking expedition. Actually, Dakota's reaction to the cat as well as the men was refreshingly genuine. I could easily picture myself behaving the same way in her situation. I appreciate that the authors did not have her appearing overly confident in the face of an otherwise wild animal or such gorgeous male specimens.While Dakota is initially hesitant to get to close to the cougar, Falke, she has no problems at all with encouraging her guide, Axel. I liked her self-sufficient can-do attitude. The authors do not over-do her independent personality allowing the men the opportunity to get to know her a little better.The descriptions of the scenery as well as the attention to details are well plotted out in this enjoyable novella and yet I was left feeling that the story was rushed. There was sufficient opportunity if the authors had chosen to draw out the story for the sake of adding pages but it might have come off as filler rather than necessary story points.Falke's Peak appears to be the first in the Puma Nights series. If Ms. Layle and Ms. Keaton stay true to form in regards to the mating customs for these big cats then there should be at least two more books for the remaining brothers and hopefully a third book for their sister Heidi. I would really like to get to know this family better and look forward to the next installment.Originally posted at Whipped Cream Reviews