Review: Some Christmas presents Don't Come in a Neatly Wrapped Package
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 11, 2012
I had almost forgotten about the bits of foreshadowing Ms. Richards gave about this pair in 'Kyle's Valiant Hunt'.  But once I realized who the story was about I was eager for it.  Raul has been a minor character in many of the stories since 'Goading the Enforcer' so it was great to see him finally get his mate.Raul is a human, but maybe because he is around shifters so much he recognizes that what he is feeling even after just one chance meeting probably means that the wolf, Sean of the Idaho pack, is his mate.After moping about it for some time, Jared, Raul's best friend and working partner, finally says enough is enough.  Jared gets the truth out of Raul and they determine that they should try to find Sean who could be anywhere because of all the punishments put on that pack after what happened to Kyle and Val.Raul agrees to this action, but deep down he is torn.  He's not gay for one thing and for another, why hasn't Sean sought him out after all this time if they are mates?  Just as Raul, still with all this on his mind, reaches home, he gets a surprise.  The object of his thoughts is there waiting for him on his porch.  And Sean is not alone-Sean has finally found the man who is his mate.  It has taken him some time because first he had to deal with his sister's death and take custody of his baby niece and then he was punished with poison for letting Kyle and Val escape.  It is only now that he is finally well enough to seek out Raul.  It will take some adjustment to get used to having a male mate, but he is willing.Before  the two can really get past all the preliminary explanations, Raul must leave on an important assignment.  Raul is relieved for the chance to get his thoughts in order and Sean is fearful that Raul will get hurt or not come back to him.The plot in this one reminds me of some of the earlier ones- and yes, that's a good thing.  I was a little surprised by this one thinking that the loose thread at the end of Gus' book would be picked up in the next story, but I'm not disappointed that an older loose thread was what got pulled out instead.  Even though there is a mate bond, there is no immediate jumping right in and accepting it.  I like how Raul is a strong guy who wants to do the right thing, but he also has to adjust and figure out what the right thing is.There is also the exciting part of the plot when Raul, Jared, Carson, and yes!!!! Kontra (he's my fav) along with Payson break into an experimental facility to rescue any shifters there and destroy the place.  I love how the two separate series come together once in a while.The book has a holiday themed title and there is one really sweet scene near the end involving a leaning Christmas tree that was really good.So, all in all, I really enjoyed this one.  Normally, I don't think its a big deal when some of these in the series get read out of order, but in this case I strongly recommend that 'Kyle's Valiant Hunt' and 'Goading the Enforcer' are at least read before this one.