Review: Wolf's Haven by Ambrielle Kirk

I found a freebee and wanted to read it. I love shifter romance novels and tend to take a chance when I find a free one. I finished this book in a day and a half so it's a quick read. Here's my take:

Wolf's Haven by Ambrielle Kirk

Blurb-

"Tamara would risk her life to gain freedom. She's finally built up the courage to escape from a world of abuse by the hands of the man who promised her the world. One night she makes a break for it, but her plans backfire. She begins to believe that she was never meant to be happy. When all hope of freedom fades, she stumbles across a wolf that brings her to safety. She learns to trust the wolf, but has yet to trust the man.

Devin, potential future leader of the Caedmon Pack, returns to the foothills of his Virginia home after five long years as a lone wolf. Rivals within the circle challenge him and threaten to strip him of his true birthright. Being bound to lead the pack was not something Devin had planned for his life, but letting his people fall prey to turmoil under the rule of his cousin Darius is out of the question. The night of Devin’s rise to Alpha leader is approaching. Despite opposition, he’s gained an impressive following. That is until he brings a human among the pack."



I'm a big fan of empowering women, especially abused women, and the first few chapters of this book really touched that mark for me. It starts with Tamara desperate to get away from an abusive dick. In her attempt to escape she jumps from a window and is found/rescued by a wolf. The wolf turns out to be a man, Devin. Through some trail and error she learns to trust men again, somehow.

I won't lie. This story left me wanting and not in the good way. There was a strong plot line, with some nice twists here and there, but altogether it could have been a little stronger. Also the character development was less than engaging. I think going a little more in depth with a side character or two would have helped a bit and developing both the main character some would have helped too.

The romance side of the story was also lacking. I understand the mated/bonded idea, but it's hard for me to wrap my head around it within this storyline. Tamara was abused and the writer does show moments when that abuse affects her mentally, but I really can't see Tamara jumping into a sexual relationship with Devin so fast. 

I don't like writing a bad review, but I will say that I'm going to give the next book, Wolf's Promise, a try. Maybe characters are developed a little further and more of the story opens up.


Until next time, happy reading and peace!

Fox Hunt Excerpt

I thought that a little peek at Fox Hunt may be in order. Enjoy the excerpt.

This feels so right, Mike thought, feeling Dilly’s fingers tracing down his chest as her lips left a trail of fire down his neck. Dropping hungry kisses on her throat, Mike groaned as her legs tightened around him. Her hips were slowly twisting, grinding her core against him. Just as his hand slid down her smooth back to squeeze her firm bottom, Mike felt Dilly tense above him. A wave of insecurity washed over him, and Mike slowed his kisses and hands.

He flicked his tongue lightly against the soft skin in the tender junction between her shoulder and neck. He knew that if Dilly had never been with another of their kind, then she would have reservations about laying with him. Surrendering yourself to a man who might be your mate would be scary. Feeling her relax a little into his gentle hands, Mike wondered if she knew how hot the fire was that her questing fingers burned against his skin.

Chancing a glance up to her face, Mike lost his breath. Her head was tossed back and her lips were parted as if waiting for a sigh to drift out. Her hair had fallen across her shoulders, and a burst of pride at how he made her feel coursed through him. Then he saw her wide eyes, and felt her confusion.

Smoothing his hands over her sides, Mike flattened them over her lower back. In the gentlest whisper he could muster, he spoke her name, “Dilly?”

Her eyes turned to his, and for a long instance they just stared at each other. Mike didn’t know what raced through her mind, but he saw the conflict between what she was doing and what she thought she should be doing. Leaning upwards, Mike brushed his lips across hers once more. “It’s okay. We don’t have to.”

As if his words sparked something inside of her, Dilly rushed to move. “I’m sorry,” she stammered, retreating to her knees several feet from him. “I don’t know what came over me. Look, I’ll tell you where my family is. You just go see them and take care of whatever business you have.”

Turned away, Dilly stood up and began searching for something. Mike took it as a sign to lift himself up off the floor and sat on the edge of the couch, straightening his shirt in the process. He watched Dilly throw her shirt back on, and return with a slip of paper. As she held it out to him, Mike asked, “What’s this?”

“Directions and a phone number. You should be able to find them with this,” Dilly answered. She wasn’t looking at him and a bright red blush had spread across her face.

Standing up, Mike took the paper and barely glanced at it before folding it up. As he slipped the directions into the pocket of his jeans, he watched Dilly. He brought his index finger up and nudged her chin up with his knuckle. “Thanks. I should have gone to your father first. I haven’t been very polite,” Mike said as her eyes drifted up to him.

Reaching into his back pocket, Mike pulled out one of his business cards. Gently, he took the pen that still hung loosely in her hand and scribbled his disposable cell number on the back of the card. “This is the number I’m using right now. If you need it, use it.”

Mike handed back the pen along with the card, hoping once her confusion cleared she would call. Seeing her take a small gulp, Mike wondered if Dilly was too young to understand why she was so mixed up. “Yeah, well, you take care,” she said, ushering him towards the door.

“You too, Delilah. Until we meet again,” he said, stepping through the open door.

Dilly crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned against the doorframe. “If we meet again,” she grumbled.

A little trace of her smile had returned, and Mike found himself smiling back. “Of course we will,” he assured her before making his way to his truck.

If you enjoyed the peek then you can find Fox Hunt for sale at:

Amazon

Barns and Noble

AllRomanceEbooks

Cobblestone Press