Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear Pages: 403
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Goodreads
Danger, intrigue, and forbidden love in a wolf shifter world so compelling, you'll swear it's real life...
Bella, a female red werewolf, was adopted by a pack of gray wolves as a pup. Now grown up, the alpha of the pack tries to make her his mate against her will--Bella knows she has no choice but to run away.
She makes her way as a lone wolf until childhood friend, Devlyn, comes to bring her home. On their journey back, they get tangled in up in unimaginable danger and must apprehend a werewolf murderer while keeping their identity secret from humans. The chemistry between them sizzles like never before...but they both know if they mate, Devlyn will have to fight the pack's wicked alpha...and it's a fight to the death.
As a companion to Bella and Devlyn's story, this edition includes an exclusive, brand new novella that brings the story of the lupus garou family full circle.
Heart of the Wolf series: Heart of the Wolf (Book 1) To Tempt the Wolf (Book 2) Legend of the White Wolf (Book 3)Seduced by the Wolf (Book 4)
What People Are Saying about Terry Spear: The couple's chemistry crackles off the page." --Publishers Weekly for Heart of the Wolf, a PW Best Book of the Year "Funny, fun, and extremely intriguing...I haven't read a book by Terry Spear that didn't keep me glued to the pages and still wanting more." --Fresh Fiction for SEAL Wolf in Too Deep"A sizzling page-turner. Terry Spear is wickedly talented." --Night Owl Reviews Top Pick for Savage Hunger 5 Stars
Heart of the Wolf is a re-release and having only picked up one Terry Spear book in the past, I decided it was the perfect time to give this a read. I went in knowing little of the story, but having heard good things!
I picked up the story and it starts in 1850 so I was instantly curious about the world Spear created. Were these immortal wolves? Was this the story of the history of the pack? Was this a historical PNR?? Spear’s wolves, once they are of age, only age 1 year for every 30 human years. They exist in the world without human knowledge and the number one rule? Never let humans know! In the prologue, you meet Bella, the heroine, who is a red wolf that has been raised in a grey wolf pack after a wildfire killed her family. Volan, the grey pack alpha has decreed that Bella will be his mate, but she will do anything to avoid that fate.
Bella is a scrappy thing and I liked that about her! She is pragmatic yet vulnerable. She is smart, yet not so cocky she thinks she is invincible. Even though she is a wolf, Bella is an incredibly relatable character. However, she spends the first 30-40% of the book avoiding getting raped by so many men (and one actual wolf). Seriously, they all want to forcibly mate her because there is apparently a shortage of females (and a major shortage of red wolf females). She is in love with Devlyn, but fears that he will be killed if she mates him (because all the other dudes will be pissed!).
Bella wants Devlyn but Velan wants Bella. But, that isn’t their only problem! Alfred, Nicol, and Ross also want Bella and will NOT back down. Plus, there is a serial killer on the loose. So, you know, kind of busy! Bella wants to protect everyone and that makes Devlyn feel a bit less manly. I understand why his male ego would be wounded, but I also understand Bella’s desire to keep everyone safe. This point of contention was the biggest issue between these two. I wished they would have just talked through things. Obviously, Bella isn’t going to just stop trying to save everyone so Devlyn’s attempts to force her to stay in the car, go to a safe house, etc are irritating. I also wasn’t sure about their actual mating-was it official once they had sex or did they have to wait for the moon and change into wolves? Could the other wolves still take her for their own after she was mated? It just wasn’t explained well (or perhaps I missed it!).
Heart of the Wolf was an engaging read, even when it made me want to knock some skulls together! The end felt a little anti-climatic after all the build up but it was satisfying! I certainly plan to read more from Spear!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: shifters
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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Shifter’s Sacrifice by Lisa Ladew, Blade by Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright, Wolf’s Mate by Celia Kyle…then you will probably like Heart of a Wolf!
Heart of a Wolf
Thi looks good Sam. I actually have a book of hers on my Kindle and need to try her this year!
I have read a few of her books and loved them. This title is on my arc list. Glad to know you enjoyed it.
It was good! I liked that she has a slightly different take on the shifter world. The characters were good as well!
I just had a blast with this book, it was pretty good. Not my favorite of the series, but if you want to read my favorites you will LOVE them I promise!!!
She does a great job with the shifter romances though so glad you liked it even if it was a bit frustrating hehe
So, which ones did you LOVE!? I am planning to keep reading the series for sure. My library has almost all the books!
Book one in this series was a bit confusing and hard for me to get into, but I continued on and became hooked. Things become more clear on how they are officially mated, that they can live longer, don’t age, but as the series gets longer some of the rules change not sure why they get changed but they do. The characters are fun and their seams to be a bit of danger in each novel. I’m glad you enjoyed this first book. They do get better and most don’t have to be read in order to enjoy. I like that the cover has been changed for book 1. wasn’t a fan of the first edition cover.
I really am planning to keep reading. I like that the world Spear created is a little different! And yes, the new cover is much better!
I’d probably get pissed at all the attempted rape, but it looks like it’s a good book.