Captive Wolf: The Wildcrest Pack Book 1, L.C. Davis

This was by no means an easy read.  It was bloody, gritty, steamy, angsty, and had very little lighter moments.  What I enjoyed though was that it held a lot of believable resolution, one that wasn't all happiness and roses, but one that felt hard-won and completely right for the characters at the "end" of their journey.  With a very Romeo and Juliet feel to the overall story it could have taken a few unfortunate turns along the way, but thankfully their crazy road was kept focused on the points of the plot that really mattered to them.  Along with truly interesting side characters, this is shaping up to be a very good series.

There were quite a few things that weren't awesome, I will admit.  Roman was more interesting to me as a character because he had so much in his life that needed to be opened, changed, and softened.  He had the most growing to do...at least when we first meet him.  He definitely has the most drastic changes necessary for a happy ending, but it's actually Jake that has the most growing up to do.  His relatively sheltered life led him to a slightly naive world-view that makes progress between him and Roman stunted at times.  It's clear that his immaturity is more of a stumbling block than Roman's seeming coldness.

My interest was piqued by quite a few things as we followed Jake and Roman's story.  Shifter strains, bonding, fated mates and how they recognized one another, pack tensions, and omega gifts are chief among the draws to this new series.  It was the end of Jake and Roman's story however, that really solidified my interest.  There were a couple different and predictable solutions to the pack issues surrounding their mating and I'll admit to surprise that I was completely wrong on most counts.  The way the resolution played out was perfect for the couple and had a whole lot more depth for not only them but for the packs' interplay and dynamic from here on out.  I'll be very disappointed if the subsequent stories in the series fall short of the more surprising and satisfying ending we got here since I'll be expecting, at the very least, the same quality.

As Jake and Roman overcome the obstacles that appear insurmountable we're introduced to other characters, plot points for the overarching series, and bloodlines that are quite unique in the shifter and mpreg genres.  I'm incredibly interested in learning more about the different strains, their significance, and how they all can work together as the series progresses.  I think it's safe to say that I'm in for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

An alpha who thirsts for blood discovers his greatest temptation yet: an omega who belongs to the enemy.

As a Bloodstrain wolf, Roman Redthorne is one of the most feared shifters in the surrounding territories, and for good reason. His family line has been closely guarded for generations, all with the intent of strengthening the rare trait that allows them to draw power from the blood of their enemies.

There’s only one rule a powerful alpha like Roman must obey: find an omega who’ll strengthen the line.

Jake certainly isn’t that, but when Roman is betrayed and left for dead by his own brother, the feisty omega who takes him home makes him question everything he thought he knew. Captive behind enemy lines, Roman will have to fight for his freedom. But what if freedom doesn’t mean what he always thought?