Review: What a Surprise!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 25, 2013
I have to admit that the genre of paranormal romance had never appealed to me in the past.  In fact, I never finished one of "those" types of novels - until now.  Nicky Charles has crafted a well-rounded love story that touched my heart and I could not put it down!  The romance of Elise and Kane was rich, well developed, and emotionally satisfying.  Elise is a typical young female, secure in her place within her family unit, on the cusp of adulthood and its associated pleasures and responsibilities, looking forward to starting her life with her childhood best friend.  She exhibits many of the same uncertainties about her ability to function as a woman that I could relate to at the same age.  Kane overcomes a turbulent childhood that lacked stability and a loving family unit until he was a teenager when he is "adopted" into an existing pack.  After serving as a Beta, he survives a challenge to become their leader.  He is a strong Alpha male who leads his pack with wisdom and a sense of justice unusual for one so young.Elise and Kane are mated to strengthen the political alliance between their two packs.  Unfortunately, Elise is unaware of the impending event and must deal with the loss of her expectations, being intimate with a stranger, leaving her home and relocating to a place where others may or may not accept her.  Additionally, she must find her footing as an Alpha male's wife that forces her to examine how she relates to others as an adult.  Over the course of the book she attempts to feel her way through unfamiliar situations with new people entering her life and discovers the dominant traits that have been dormant, just waiting for the occasions to assert herself and pave her way in her new world.The book describes their journey dealing with being newly mated along with a mystery surrounding the welfare of their pack's territory.  I was struck by the similarity of this storyline to those of historical romance where an arranged marriage is a common theme and the participants must learn to deal with each other as strangers while forging a life for themselves.The writing style is engaging and well paced.  I felt all of my senses participated in the storyline due to the author's descriptive talents. At times, the dialogue was very simplistic (especially in the beginning) but it was not much of a distraction.  It is a complete novel (thank you!) but the ending sets up for a series in a most enjoyable manner.  I'm glad that I gave this book and author a chance.  It was time well spent!