Review: HOT and funny paranormal romance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 18, 2012
Witches, wizards, warlocks and wolves ... oh, my! Yes, what an interesting read "Shadow of the Wolf" was. It had a little bit of everything and a whole lot of fun.Christopher Beckett is the middle son. He's restless and knows that it's time to call his mate to complete himself. He is a wizard whose line was cursed by a witch turning them into werewolves. He and his family have embraced the wolf side and have learned to live with both magic and the wolf. He sends out his spell into the universe to bring his mate to him. Enter, Alannah (Lana) Evans. She's a witch and not just any witch. She's from the most powerful family in the Witches Coven. Wizard's and witches don't mix - they are like oil and water. But, the goddess has chosen and so mote it be!I was hooked on this book from page one. The book opens with Chris casting his spell and then goes to Lana in a strip club at a bachelorette party. What happens from there had me laughing and sighing for the next few hours. Chris' biggest fear was Lana not embracing his wolf - wrong! That isn't was worried her the most - the joining of a witch and a wizard had her on edge. How would they make it work? But, they do and she doesn't even realize that she's accepted everything until she casts a spell asking the powers that be to protect her "mate".Chris and Lana together are hysterical. Now, throw in his 3 over-bearing brothers and Lana's Grammy and you have nothing but a smile-fest. I absolutely adored how she razzed them all about being wolves......""What is that?""Protection amulet," he responded absently. "Need it for a shielding spell."She stroked it, feeling the dormant magic within it. "Groovy."His lips twitched. He looked up at her over the top of his glasses. "Groovy?"She shrugged. "Isn't that what Shaggy always says?"He shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose under his glasses, but she could see the way his mouth trembled from trying to hold in the laugh.Next thing she knew Chris tumbled her into his lap. She squeaked, grabbing hold of his shoulders. He nipped her chin. "Who gets to be Thelma?""Not me!" Zach held up his hand, grinning, still writing scribbles on pieces of paper.Lana tapped her lips with her fingernail, getting into the game. She could sense some of the tension leaving their shoulders. "You're more Danger-Prone Daphne, I think."Zach sputtered indignantly while his brothers laughed.Chris leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. "Daniel would make an interesting Thelma.""And Gareth could be Fred, since he leads your merry little band of misfits."Chris grinned. "He has pulled Zachary's ass out of the fire more than once."Lana nodded, her own lips turning up. "And Zach does have a real fondness for the color purple."Gareth was leaning against a bookcase, face buried in his arm, his shoulders shaking. Daniel was openly grinning at his brother Zach."And that's just a little taste of the playfulness between Chris and Lana and her future brothers-in-law. I laughed when Chris wanted her to taker her Ibuprofen and she needed food...."She grinned up weakly at him. "I'll wait while you fetch something." One brow rose. "Fetch?" "Go, boy! Go!"". And, this went on throughout the whole book. Loved it!Then there is Cole. Christopher's nemesis. Why is he after Chris? Why is Lana the ultimate target? What happens when they all find out that Cole is not a wizard but he, and his family, are all warlocks? Most of these questions are answered in "Shadow of the Wolf" but a lot is left open for the rest of the series. And, honestly, I can't wait to read "Hecate's Own", Zach's story. Gareth's and Daniel's story should be just as interesting and fun - if the hint's in the book are any indication.So, if you love paranormal, with lots of hot sex and a little magic thrown in, you'll love this book. Dana Marie Bell did a wonderful job combining all of this together. Oh, yea, the sex - hmmm, steaming is a good word. **Shutters** remembering the scene when he claims his mate!Review copy provided for an honest review.