Wolf on the Edge by Paige Tyler – a Review

Wolf on the Edge by Paige Tyler – a Review

 

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Description:
He can’t be a werewolf without a pack…For SWAT member Carter Nelson, everything is on the line. Something has triggered the omega wolf in him causing violent outbursts and blackouts. Losing control means losing his pack, so when he’s ordered to see psychiatrist Hadley Delacroix, he grudgingly agrees. However, the more time they spend together, Carter begins to suspect she’s The One, but dating your shrink breaks all the rules. He needs her as his therapist, but he craves her as his soul mate. The decision is out of his hands when a serial killer with supernatural abilities targets Hadley. Carter will risk it all to save his mate, but he’s running out of time…

 

 

Review:

Wolf on the Edge by Paige Tyler is the 16th book in her fantastic SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team series.  I have been a big fan of Paige Tyler’s books, as she always gives us wonderful, paranormal romance suspense stories, that are exciting, pulse pounding action filled, as well as great couples and hot alpha men (werewolves) that are part of the SWAT team.

Carter Nelson has been a member of the Dallas Swat team for many years, but recently his omega wolf, has been causing outbursts, blackouts and losing control.  He is ordered to see psychiatrist Hadley Delacroix, in helping him figure out what is the cause of his violent outbursts/blackouts.  Carter finds himself enamored with Hadley, as in a short time he believes she could be The One for him (his soul mate). 

Hadley knows that Carter is a werewolf, as her deceased brother was a werewolf, and she has successfully managed to help those in need.  When she meets Carter, Hadley senses that he cannot control his omega side, and in no time, Hadley will ease Carter’s fears. Both will soon become attracted to each other, with Carter needing her therapist side, and craving her as his soul mate side.

Besides her private practice, Hadley also does consulting for the FBI. She agrees to meet a serial killer in prison, to learn more about him for the FBI.  But while doing the interview, he threatens to escape and come after her, since he is a Skinwalker (who eats his victims).  When the killer does escape, she knows she needs protection, and lets Carter take control, staying at his place to protect her. He is determined to be with her 24-7.

What follows is a wild suspenseful, gripping, intense and horrifying adventure, that has Hadley very much in danger, and all the Swat team members, and friends will do anything to stop this vicious killer. I was unable to put the book down.  I really liked Hadley and Carter, as they turned out to be a great couple, as well as soul mate.

Wolf on the Edge was a terrific addition to this series, as Paige Tyler once again gives us a fantastic thriller.  Wolf on the Edge was so very well written by Paige Tyler.  I look forward to more from this series. 

Reviewed by Barb

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Loving the Wolf by Paige Tyler – a Review

Loving the Wolf by Paige Tyler – a Review

 

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Description:
When you find your fated mate, don’t let go, no matter what… The problem with Jenna Malone is that she’s SWAT werewolf Trevor McCall’s best buddy’s sister. Trevor suspects she’s The One, but how the heck can he make a move? When Jenna invites Trevor to visit her in Los Angeles, he figures he can withstand the temptation. But what’s hiding in LA is much more dangerous and complicated than any of the SWAT team could have guessed, and Jenna’s right in the middle of it…

 

 

Review:

Loving the Wolf by Paige Tyler is the 14th book in her fantastic SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team series. I have been a big fan of Paige Tyler’s books, as she always gives us wonderful, paranormal romance suspense stories, that are exciting, pulse pounding action filled, as well as great couples and hot alpha men (werewolves) that are part of the SWAT team.

Jenna Malone, our heroine, has returned home from visiting her brother, Connor (last book hero); and after trying to convince him that he needs to help find their missing sister, Hannah (kidnapped 10 years ago). Connor has always thought Jenna was hallucinating, with her seeing Hannah being taken by a creature, and she angrily leaves to go back to LA.

While in Dallas, she met Trevor McCall, another member of the SWAT team, and they spent time together, enjoying their company. Jenna invites Trevor to visit her in LA, and he makes plans to take a vacation, as he begins to feel she is the ‘One’.
Jenna takes Trevor around LA, and while sightseeing, they hear a scream, with both running to help save the woman being dragged by a creature. Trevor has never seen this type of creature, but manages to save the woman. He later learns from Jenna that the creature is the one who kidnapped Hannah all those years ago. Trevor calls Hale to get some backups to help discover about the creatures, and to tell Gage, not to bring Connor. That didn’t work out, as Hale, Mike and Connor are send to help. Connor is upset, as he is angry that Trevor is around his sister; despite Jenna saying Trevor is staying at her place.

Throughout, there were fights between Trevor and Connor (he was really annoying), but Trevor knew Jenna was his soulmate.
The mystery behind Hannah’s disappearance, was an enthralling non-stop action filled adventure. The SWAT members go underground to battle the creatures (Ghouls), and try to rescue the people kidnapped, as well as find Hannah. When Hannah is seen, Connor realizes the error of his ways, knowing Jenna was right, and he did nothing to try and find Hannah. The team will work with Hannah to help rescue others, as she worked with a group of Ghouls, who want peace and stop the others.

What follows is a suspenseful, exciting, intriguing, action filled mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down. I loved Jenna and Trevor, as they made a great couple; especially when they both know that they are soulmates. I also loved the pack members who were there, Madeline, Jenna’s friend, and other great secondary characters.

Loving the Wolf was a fantastic addition to this wonderful series, as well as very well written by Paige Tyler.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Wolf is Mine by Paige Tyler – a Review

The Wolf is Mine by Paige Tyler – a Review

 

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Description:
Werewolf Connor Malone and his SWAT team are in San Antonio looking for their teammate. But Connor can’t stop worrying about his cat who went missing the morning he left Dallas. His furry friend has been by his side since he found her a year ago, and the fact that she’s disappeared is weighing on him. Things get much worse when he and his team realize they’re up against a powerful creature they might not be able to defeat…

Back in Dallas, Connor’s feline friend turns out to be the powerful woman who introduces herself as Kat Davenport…a witch who needs the SWAT team’s help to defeat the wicked warlock who cursed her. And when she and Connor are thrown together again, there will be no denying the connection they already share, and the white-hot chemistry that sizzles between them.

 

 

Review:

The Wolf is Mine by Paige Tyler is the 13th book in her fantastic SWAT series.  Connor Malone is part of the SWAT team, and with two of their members missing, he and a few members of the SWAT team investigate; only for them to enter a magical sign that also traps them.   

In the previous books, we knew about Kat, the cat, who spend lots of time with Connor, and he was worried when Kat was missing.  But it turns out that the cat has changed to a human, and really is a witch; who was under a binding spell, when the warlock killed everyone in her coven. Kat was given two weeks to become human, then the curse made her a cat again.   Kat Davenport returns to the pack compound to seek help, and those at the compound are shocked to see the human Kat.  She learns that Connor is among those also now missing, but she recognizes the magical sign that has them trapped.  Kat convinces the remaining team to allow her to go with them, and find a way to break the spell, and rescue them.

The SWAT team with help from Kat (now a witch) manages to rescue their packmates.  Connor is shocked to find out that the beautiful woman, who embraces him during the rescue, is the cat who stayed with him.  Kat, had loved Connor, in her cat form, as well as now as a human; at first Connor was having a hard time trying to deal with this new development. 

A few teenagers have gone missing, just vanishing out of their houses and nobody seems to know where they’ve gone. The team realizes that their newest enemy is a powerful warlock, who was the one who put the spell on Kat.   She needs to utilize her powers to help the team defeat this nemesis, who could destroy them all.  When Kat realizes the enemy is the warlock that put the spell on her, she needs to decide if she should stay and help fight or run away so that she can save Connor and the SWAT team.

What follows is a suspenseful, exciting, action filled story, with lots of Intrigue and mystery that kept me unable to put the book down.  I loved Kat and Connor together, as they made a great couple; especially when he realizes that she is the ‘One’ (his soulmate). I also loved all the members of the pack, who were great secondary characters, that had a wonderful bond.  The Wolf is Mine was a fantastic addition to this wonderful series, as well as very well written by Paige Tyler

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Rogue Wolf by Paige Tyler – a Review

Rogue Wolf by Paige Tyler – a Review

 

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Description:
There’s been a wicked attraction between SWAT werewolf Trey Duncan and medical examiner Samantha Mills since the two met, but Trey’s never worked up the nerve to ask her out. So when Samantha says she wants to cash in the favor Trey owes her for a date, it seems like the perfect time to confess his true feelings. But the trouble with wolves is that they’re never far from danger, and this time Trey is going up against a monster the likes of which his Dallas SWAT team has never seen… This time it’s going to take everything Trey and Samantha have to crack the case and protect each other.

 

 

 

Review:

Rogue Wolf by Paige Tyler is the 12th book in her SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team series.  I have been a big fan of Paige Tyler’s books, as she always gives us wonderful, paranormal romance suspense stories, that are exciting, pulse pounding action filled, as well as great couples and hot alpha men (werewolves) that are part of the SWAT team.

Trey Duncan, our hero, is a member of the SWAT team and together with his team mates, they are trying to find a serial killer, who has strength equal to their werewolf ability.  Someone is killing men for body parts, and leaving the remaining bodies in various different forests.

Samantha Mills, our heroine, is an assistant medical examiner, and has been on the scene of all the murders.  Her and Trey are attracted to each other, but acts on their feelings, but in the middle of this investigation, Samantha makes the first move inviting Trey out.  During the period of the investigations, their relationship escalates, as they have great chemistry, and Trey realizes she is the ‘ONE’; but he does not want to pressure her, since she knows nothing of him and his team being werewolves.  Samantha knows she is falling hard for Trey, but she has also been gathering information regarding the SWAT team, and some of their amazing abilities, such as speedy healing, and other suspicious things.  Will Samantha find out what the SWAT team is, and will she out them?

Trey and his teammates were deeply involved in trying to find and stop this killer, who they suspect may be a supernatural.  They have come across this monster, with supernatural strength and ability, as well as attempting to suck out their life source; but they have always been able to fight off the murderer, who quickly disappears.   

What follows is an exciting, intense, suspenseful, action-packed adventure that will keep us glued to our seats, especially when Samantha is kidnapped, and surprising twists and revelations are revealed.  The wild last ¼ of the book had me holding my breath, as both Samantha and Trey’s life was in danger. 

Paige Tyler does it again with another intense, intriguing, exciting and sexy story. The romance between Trey and Samantha’s romance was steamy, as they were great together; especially when they each fought to save each other’s lives.  I love the wonderful characters Tyler has created, including Kat (the cat). Rogue Wolf is another fabulous addition to this series.  If you have not started this series, I suggest you do so, as it is a fun, exciting and sexy read and Paige Tyler is an author you need to be reading. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Wolf Untamed by Paige Tyler – a Review

Wolf Untamed by Paige Tyler – a Review

 

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Description:

SWAT werewolf Diego Martinez has always had a protective side, so when he meets a newly turned teenage werewolf, and the kid’s intriguing mother, he readily offers to help Brandon learn what it means to be a werewolf. He also readily falls for for Brandon’s mother, Bree, and the attraction is mutual.

But as SWAT’s biggest case starts to converge with Bree’s family, Diego and Bree find themselves in danger they could never have imagined. It’ll take everything they’ve got to discover the truth and keep each other safe

 

 

Review:

Wolf Untamed by Paige Tyler is the 11th book in her wonderful SWAT (Special Wolf Alpha Team) series.  As mentioned in previous reviews for this series, I love how Tyler always gives us wonderful, romance suspense stories, that are exciting, pulse pounding action filled, as well as great couples and hot alpha men (werewolves) that are part of the SWAT team.

Diego Martinez, our hero, is the SWAT team negotiator, who is tries to talk down a crazed man who threatens to kill those around him in a diner.  Diego sees a mother and son trying to help a wounded victim, and senses something different about the young boy.  After the incident, Diego finds himself attracted to the mother, Bree and knows that her teenage son, Brandon, is in the beginning of being a beta werewolf.  Brandon had been shot awhile back, and Bree notices that her son was acting strange at times.  Diego decides to take them under his protection, and explain what is happening to Brandon.

Bree, our heroine, was an insurance investigator, and though it sounded farfetched, she saw signs that Diego showed her that her son was indeed becoming a werewolf.  I thought Bree was a great heroine, accepting what happened to her son, falling hard for Diego, and was willing to put herself into danger, when investigating her evil ex.   

Diego and his teammates were deeply involved in a strange case that has innocent people becoming violent and remembering nothing afterwards.  In a short time, both Diego and Bree realize that their cases are leading to the same conclusion.  Her ex is somehow involved in the robberies/violence, which also puts her in danger, since her ex wants her and Brandon back at any cost.

What follows is an exciting, intense, suspenseful, action-packed adventure that will keep us glued to our seats, especially when all hell breaks loose causing even teammates to react dangerously.  The last 1/3 of the book was a wild exciting race to stop those involved, before more deaths happen.  The romance between Diego and Bree was steamy, as they had sizzling chemistry. I also loved how close Diego came to Brandon, teaching him everything he needed to know and understand.

Paige Tyler does it again with another intense, intriguing, exciting and sexy story. I loved Diego and Bree, as they complimented each other, not to mention hot.  Wolf Untamed is another fabulous addition to this series.  If you have not started this series, I suggest you do so, as it is a fun, exciting and sexy read and Paige Tyler is an author you need to be reading.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Wolf Rebel by Paige Tyler – a Review

Wolf Rebel by Paige Tyler – a Review

 

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Description:
She let him get away

SWAT werewolf Rachel Bennett is hounded by nightmares after a vicious attack left her with PTSD. Not knowing who or what she can trust anymore, she’s relieved to be assigned to a high-profile protective detail. Diving into work might be the distraction she needs, until she notices the mysterious hunk who seems to follow her wherever she goes—and recognizes him.

Now he needs her help…

After he’s badly injured, former Navy SEAL Knox Lawson seeks out Rachel when he realizes he’s turning into a werewolf. He’d once been part of the group hunting her kind, but he knew he had to quit when he found Rachel in his crosshairs. Now he desperately needs her help.

Rachel isn’t sure she trusts Knox, but having him around keeps the nightmares—and the monster creating them—away. Knox might not know much about being a werewolf, but there’s no doubt he’ll do everything in his power to win her trust and keep her safe.

SWAT Series:
Hungry Like the Wolf (Book 1)
Wolf Trouble (Book 2)
In the Company of Wolves (Book 3)
To Love a Wolf (Book 4)
Wolf Unleashed (Book 5)
Wolf Hunt (Book 6)
Wolf Hunger (Book 7)
Wolf Rising (Book 8)
Wolf Instinct (Book 9)
Wolf Rebel (Book 10)

 

 

Review:

Wolf Rebel by Paige Tyler is the 10th book in her wonderful SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team series. As noted in previous reviews for this series, I love how Tyler always gives us wonderful, romance suspense stories, that are exciting, pulse pounding action filled, as well as great couples and hot alpha men that are part of the SWAT team. 

Rachel Bennett, our heroine, is a former cop turned werewolf, and is a member of the Special Wolf Alpha team.  Rachel suffers terrible nightmares (PTSD) from when she was seriously injured as a cop fighting off a deranged clown in Tennessee, which also caused her to become a werewolf.  The nightmares have begun to surface again, causing Rachel to be sleep deprived.   She is one of the Swat members assigned to protect an Assistant District attorney and family during a trial, which has caused a number of threats against the attorney.

Knox Lawson, our hero, is a former Navy seal, who is now working for a security firm.  Knox was part of a group of hunters that went after werewolves, until he quit when he realized that they were bad people; which he also got shot defending one the Swat team members, who was under attack.  The person he took the shot saving the swat member was Rachel.  In a short time, the injury will cause Knox to begin to display werewolf tendencies, and he goes to Rachel to get help learning how to deal with his new ability.  At first Rachel wants no part of him, but realizes he saved her life, and was not part of the hunter group, instead working with a security firm, also protecting the attorney. Knox was drawn to Rachel, especially after hearing her screaming during one of her nightmares, and slowly they both realize that they are “the One” for each other.  Both have their own issues; Knox with controlling his temper and his wolf and Rachel finding a way to get past her nightmares that have become very real.

Tyler continues to change the game a bit in this story; besides werewolves, and vampires, Wolf Rebel brings us an evil creepy entity in the form of the clown that Rachel sees, and is more than a nightmare.  This was a haunting new horror aspect, with the entity being able to switch to other bodies, and not only traumatizing Rachel, Knox, Diego, and but me too.  Lol   

What follows is an exciting, intense, action-packed adventure that will keep us glued to our seats, especially when this entity becomes very real.  The last 1/3 of the book was a wild exciting race to save the attorney, as well as their own lives.  The defendant in the trial, who was very powerful was hell bent on murdering the attorney, causing so many dangerous situations for all,; there was a surprising twist, as well as the part with Rachel and the entity also had us holding our breaths.   

Paige Tyler does it again with another intense, intriguing, exciting and sexy story. I loved Rachel and Knox together, and got a kick out of Rachel and some of her teammates finding a way for Knox to stay with them.  Wolf Rebel is another fabulous addition to this series.  If you have not started this series, I suggest you do so, as it is a fun, exciting and sexy read and Paige Tyler is an author you need to be reading.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Wolf Instinct by Paige Tyler – a Review

Wolf Instinct by Paige Tyler – a Review

 

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Description:
He’s a wolf shifter.
She hunts monsters.
How can she be The One for him?

SWAT werewolf Zane Kendrick will do whatever it takes to take down the man who attacked his pack. His search takes him to Los Angeles, but when he meets Alyssa, the smart, sexy agent who comes to his aid, he’s immediately interested in pursuing more than just the next lead. All his wolf instincts tell him that she’s The One.

FBI agent Alyssa Carson has investigated some weird stuff lately, and finding missing people drained of their blood definitely falls into that category. When following a clue leads her to Zane, she agrees to work with him and his team. She’s attracted to the gorgeous Brit, but she doesn’t have time for anything but finding answers.

When Zane and Alyssa discover the sinister truth, it’ll take everything they have to make it out of this mission with their lives―and hearts―intact.

 

 

Review:

Wolf Instinct by Paige Tyler is the 9th book in her wonderful SWAT series. I am a big fan of this series, as Tyler always gives us exciting stories that are pulse pounding action, with a great couple, and the hot men (werewolves) that make up the Alpha Swat team. Wolf Instinct was another wonderful romance suspense that Tyler does so well.

Zane Kendrick, our hero, is a member of the Dallas Swat team, and on assignment with two other members to Los Angeles looking for someone attacking werewolves.  Zane does not believe he will ever find the ‘One’ that some of his mates have found, but when he meets an FBI agent who helps him stave off an attack, his instinct senses something different about her.

Alyssa Carson, our heroine, has been working as a hunter to discover the reason why many deaths on different cases, were drained of their blood, seeming to be the work of animals (or monster).  She was a great kick-ass heroine, who not only was smart, tough, savvy, but also preferring to work as a loner.  But when Alyssa meets Zane, she realizes that they seem to be working on similar cases, and decides to work with him.

 Zane quickly knows that Alyssa is the ‘One’, but he also feels that because of her FBI job and hunting, she may not be willing to become his mate.  However, the chemistry between them heats up fast and furious, as they not only made a great team, but a hot one.  How will Alyssa react when she finds out that Zane is a werewolf?

What follows is an exciting action-packed adventure that will tie in both cases, which Zane and Alyssa are investigating.  The story line escalates when they discover that vampires are behind a major organization and the ensuing deaths.  Alyssa finds it difficult to believe that vampires exist, but when lives are at stake, and Zane calls in help from the Dallas Swat members, she will call in the FBI for help against a powerful enemy. As we raced to the exciting suspenseful climax, we held our breaths as to who will survive.

What I love about this series is not only the suspense and action-packed story; but Paige Tyler always gives us a wonderful sexy couple.  Zane and Alyssa had sizzling chemistry, and were great together

The last 1/3 of the book was very exciting; I was unable to put the book down.  I loved Zane and Alyssa; and I also like Zane’s two partners, whom I hope we get to learn more about them in future stories. 

Paige Tyler does it again with another intense, intriguing, fun and sexy story,  and as always Tyler manages to keep the story in the forefront, and still give us a beautiful sexy romance. Wolf Instinct is another fabulous addition to this series.  If you have not started this series, I suggest you do so, as it is a fun, exciting and sexy read and Paige Tyler is an author you need to be reading.

Reviewed by Barb

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Wolf Rising by Paige Tyler – Review, excerpt & Tour

Wolf Rising by Paige Tyler –  Review, Excerpt & Tour

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Description:
Werewolf SWAT Officer Jayden Brooks has yet to meet The One—but when he rescues teacher Selena Rosa from a hostage situation at her high school, he knows he’s in trouble. Her scent is irresistible.

There’s a reason for that powerful scent—and it isn’t an expensive perfume. Thanks to the traumatizing events at the school, the werewolf gene flipped on and Selena’s going through the change. Even scarier, she’s on track to become an omega—an out-of-control and violent breed. It’s going to take everything Brooks has if he wants any chance to pull her back from the edge…and ultimately win her heart

 

 

Review:

Wolf Rising by Paige Tyler is the 8th book in her wonderful  SWAT (Special Wolf Alpha Team) series. I love this series, as Tyler always gives us exciting stories that are pulse pounding action, with a great couple, and the hot men (werewolves) that make up the alpha swat team. Wolf Rising was another wonderful romance suspense that Tyler does so well.

Jayden Brooks, our hero, is sent with some of his teammates to a hostage situation at the local high school, where a gang member is threatening a student, as well as the teacher.  He arrives just in time to rescue them, and senses something different about the teacher.

Selena Rosa, our heroine, has stood up to gangs all her life, having lost her brother to one of them years before.  Selena refused to back down to the gang member, and when Jayden rescues her, she thinks he is badly hurt.  When she later goes to visit him at the Swat headquarters, she finds it strange that he was not hurt, since she saw blood, but accepts his explanation and soon a friendship starts.

We watch Selena put herself in danger when the student who she helped save, is again in the middle of a gang attack.  Selena loses control, and finds herself becoming strongly violent to scare off the gang.  She does not understand what has come over her.   Jayden can smell Selena’s scent and knows she is going through a change to become a werewolf.  After talking to his c- workers, it seems the traumatizing event at the school triggered the change in Selena.   How was he going to explain what is happening to her?

When their relationship becomes sexual, Selena panics when she sees that she bit Jayden and he is forced to tell her the truth, which she does not accept.  Jayden also sees how Selena is very strong, and out of control at times, which hints that she is an Omega (a more violent wolf).  In a short time, Selena will go to Jayden for help, and meet the rest of his teammates, and work with another experienced Omega wolf to learn how to control her urges.  It was a nice added feature to learn more about the other types of wolves, such as Omega or Beta.

The story line focuses on the gangs and the drugs they help sell.  One is a dangerous and at time lethal drug, and the SWAT team is determined to find the leader of this group creating the drug.  The chemistry between Jayden and Selena is hot, and he knows that she is the ‘one’ (his mate).  Selena has a nice best friend, Becca, who helps her come to terms with her change.  I also love the men on the SWAT team, and how well they get along. 

When things get dangerous, all hell will break loose, and Selena is once again in danger from the leader of the gang, someone she never suspected, (whom I did suspect from the start).  The last ¼ of the book was very exciting; I was unable to put the book down.  Paige Tyler does it again with another intense, intriguing, fun and sexy story, with a fabulous group of secondary characters.  I have said this before; Tyler manages to keep the story in the forefront, and still give us a beautiful sexy romance.  Wolf Rising is a wonderful addition to this fantastic series that you should be reading.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by  Publisher

 

The dayroom was big enough for the whole SWAT team to fit, as well as their extended pack, which was a good thing, since it was growing in leaps and bounds. In addition to the two couches and coffee table, there were beanbag chairs and a sweet big-screen TV. Since it was the holiday season, there was also a Christmas tree with all the trimmings. Brooks gestured to one of the couches, then sat down beside her.
“I’m glad we got a chance to talk in private,” Selena said. “I wanted to ask if you got injured in the rescue but wasn’t sure if I should bring it up in front of everyone else. I know guys can get embarrassed when women ask questions like that around other men.”
He was so distracted by the sexy curve of her hips as she crossed her legs that he almost missed what she’d said. “Injured? Nah.”
“You weren’t? Huh.” She frowned, confusion clouding her eyes. “There was so much blood on my clothes, not to mention the floor, and when I realized it couldn’t be Pablo’s, I naturally assumed it was yours.”
Brooks’s first instinct was to say nothing. That was the standard response anytime someone outside the Pack saw something they shouldn’t. But Selena looked so distressed, he had to tell her something.
“Oh, you must mean these.” He gestured at the freshly healed scars on his forearm from both the small bullet hole up near his elbow and the larger incision he’d gotten when Trey had dug Pablo’s bullet out of him. “I cut myself on a piece of glass picking you up. It was nothing.”
Selena studied the scars, her eyes narrowing a little before she looked back at him. Brooks had no doubt she was trying to figure out how scars that looked like they were a week old could possibly have produced as much blood as she’d had on her clothes. When she stared him straight in the eyes for several long moments, he wondered if this was what her students felt like when they’d been caught lying. He held his breath, sure she was going to call him on it.
But instead, she nodded and broke eye contact. “I’m glad it wasn’t anything more serious. You could have gotten shot shielding me like that.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “It was nothing. I was more worried about hurting you. I slammed into you pretty hard. I didn’t break anything, did I?”
Selena shook her head. “No breaks, thank goodness. The doctor was worried I might have gotten a concussion, though. He could be right. My head was a little wonky last night for sure.”
“Wonky?” It was his turn to frown. “What do you mean? Should you be out of the hospital?”
Brooks subconsciously moved closer, his heart beating faster at the thought that he’d hurt her. He was half a second away from sweeping her up into his arms and hauling ass for his truck to take her to the hospital.
Selena must have read his mind, because she stopped him with a smile and a gentle hand on his arm. “I’m okay…really. I’ll admit my heart rate was all over the place when I was there, and I had a fever nobody could explain, but thankfully, everything went back to normal. As it turns out, the doctor decided my symptoms weren’t related to anything physical.”
“What was it then?”
She took her hand away from his arm as she shrugged. “He seemed to think I’m dealing with post-traumatic stress.”
A part of Brooks was relieved Selena wasn’t physically injured, but at the same time, he was worried. PTSD wasn’t anything to mess around with. He’d known a lot of good cops who’d lost their jobs, their families, and sometimes more because they’d gone through a rough situation they’d never been able to get past.
“Have you thought of talking to someone about it?” he asked.
She sighed. “You sound like my principal and vice principal. They want me to talk to somebody, too. In fact, they’ve essentially kicked me out of my class for the rest of the week, so I can take time off to recover. Whatever the heck that means.”
“Selena, this is serious,” Brooks said. “Someone tried to kill you. It’s normal to be affected by something like that. Normal to feel confused, scared, and freaked out as hell. It’s also completely normal to sit down and talk with someone about it.”
Her shoulders sagged. “I know. And to be honest, I am a bit freaked out by everything that happened—the parts I can remember anyway. But honestly, I’m not sure who I’d even talk to about something like this. I don’t know if I could walk into a therapist’s office and open up to someone I’ve never met. My grandmother is the only family I have left, but I don’t want to worry her any more than she already is after what happened yesterday.”
Selena thought a moment. “I suppose I could talk to my priest, but he’s such a gentle soul that I’m not sure I could bring myself to tell him all the things I was feeling in the classroom when Pablo was waving that gun around.”
“You could always talk to me,” he said softly. “I mean, I know you just met me, but at least you don’t have to fill me in on all the details, since I was there with you. And I do a pretty good job of listening, if I do say so myself.”
That gorgeous smile returned. “Well, since it seems like I have the rest of the week off whether I want it or not, maybe we could get together and talk over lunch?”
“Lunch would work,” he agreed. “But how about dinner instead? If you’re comfortable with that, I mean.”
Selena didn’t answer. Crap. Had he completely misread the situation? It hit him then that he’d never even considered the possibility she might have a boyfriend…or a girlfriend, for that matter. But then he heard her heart thump a little harder and realized she was definitely intrigued by the suggestion.
“I’ll consider dinner,” Selena said slowly, her lips curving in a surprisingly sultry way. “But only if you come to my place.”
Brooks certainly didn’t mind going to her place, but he was a little taken aback by the invitation. Then he picked up a very distinct scent filling the room. Damn. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear she was getting aroused. Which immediately got him going, too. The image of him humping her leg came roaring right back.
Down, boy.
“Are you good in the kitchen?” he asked.
Selena gave him a look that suggested she knew exactly what she was doing to him. “I’m good in every room of my place.”
He chuckled, loving the unexpected flirty banter, especially when her face heated up, making him think she’d been more shocked by the words than he had.
“Well, in that case, dinner at your place it is. Tonight work for you?”
She hesitated, and again he was struck by the idea that this wasn’t the way she normally behaved. But then she took a deep breath and nodded her head. “Tonight sounds good. Eight o’clock?”
“Perfect.”
They talked a little while longer…and flirted a bit in between exchanging phone numbers, too. Every once in a while, he’d pick up the tantalizing scent of her arousal.
But now, it was mixed with the one he’d picked up when he’d first walked into the admin building. He tried to get his head around the amazingly complex aroma. It was equal parts delicate flowers, exotic spices, and something feminine and uniquely Selena.
He couldn’t believe how different her scent was today from yesterday. It was almost like he was smelling a different woman.
But no matter what Selena smelled like, Brooks couldn’t deny how strongly her scent affected him.
Some of the guys in the Pack had experienced this sensory sensation before, and in every case, it involved stumbling across The One.
Did Selena’s amazing scent mean she was his soul mate, a woman he’d known for all of thirty minutes?
His head spun at the idea. Not because he didn’t believe in the idea of finding The One. It was simply that he’d never expected it to happen. He’d tried a long-term relationship once, and it had failed spectacularly. After that, he’d stopped trying.
But if Selena was The One, that would all change, right?
He was still wrestling with those thoughts when Selena stood up. “I’d better get to the store and pick up some stuff for dinner if I’m going have everything ready by eight.”
“You know you don’t need to do anything fancy, right?” He flashed her a grin as they walked to the door. “I’d be happy with another tray of brownies.”
Selena laughed. “You know, I think you mean that.
But putting together a good meal isn’t work for me. I love to cook. It’s what I do for the important people in my life. Like you.”
Brooks gazed down at her, suddenly robbed of speech. Selena slowly ran the tip of her tongue over her lips, leaving a moist sheen behind that made his gums tingle as his fangs threatened to slip out. He leaned in to kiss her, when suddenly, the door jerked open.
Brooks shot out a hand and caught Selena before she could fall, but that didn’t keep her from blushing as Khaki and Rachel stood there with knowing looks on their faces. There were some introductions, a few apologies, and a lot of laughter as Selena got her feet back under her.
Neither of them spoke as Brooks walked her to her car. When they got there, Selena opened her door before turning to him with a smile.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
The urge to kiss her was still there, but he held himself in check and returned her smile instead. “I’ll be there.”
As Brooks watched Selena’s car disappear down the street, he replayed the moment right before Khaki and Rachel had opened the door and interrupted them.
The thought of Selena’s luscious lips had him thinking about all kinds of things a couple normally didn’t do on a first date.

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