Review: Dreaming of the Wolf by Terry Spear

Dreaming of the Wolf
~Terry Spear 

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages 
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (December 6, 2011) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1402245556 
ISBN-13: 978-1402245558 
ASIN: B005UF0V7C 

From Goodreads:
Werewolf pack leader Jake Silver is an acclaimed photographer. He sees a beautiful woman at the art gallery where his photos are on display, and his intrigue turns into wolfish protectiveness. Alicia Greiston has never met anyone like Jake-he's sexy, alpha, and totally irresistible, and he calls to something primal in her soul.

Alicia Greiston is a bounty hunter.  She's working a big case, trying to bring in two hardened mob criminals.  This case is personal, they killed her mother and Alicia is determined to put them away.  They'll stop at nothing though, and after a threat to Jake, the gorgeous guy she's falling for, she's got to go into hiding to protect him.

Jake Silver is triplet-brother to the pack Alpha, Darien.  He's in town, dropping off his landscape photos at an art gallery.  When he comes across a young lady who seems to be in trouble, he pretends to be her boyfriend in order to scare off the guys threatening her.  He's intrigued by this woman, and wants to get to know her better, but he knows it's pointless since she's human.  But he can't get her out of his mind, and after a fabulous afternoon of amazing sex, she disappears...but then he starts dreaming about her - every night.  And when he gets a call that she might be back in town, he goes looking for her.  What he finds changes everything...

My thoughts:
Dreaming of the Wolf is the 8th book in Terry Spears' Heart of the Wolf series.  You can definitely read this book as a stand-alone, although Silver Town and it's inhabitants are featured in previous books.  It's actually nice to see how Darien and Lelandi are doing since their book, Destiny of the Wolf (book 2).

I must admit I had a hard time starting this book, Alicia was a bit annoying and the mob tie-in was a bit fantastical (But werewolves aren't?  I know, I know!), but as I read on I started to like Alicia more.  The other thing that put me off at first was that the romance happened a bit quickly - like the same day they met.  But, once they were separated and the story progressed, I fell into it and enjoyed their dream sharing.  Then, when they got together again it felt "right".  I should also mention here that the sex in Dreaming of the Wolf is pretty hot *winks*.

There were some plot twists I didn't see coming, which always makes me a happy reader.  I liked how Jake and his brothers helped Alicia with her problems - both being a new wolf and her legal issues that kept cropping up related to her bounty-hunting the mobsters.

The other thing I liked about Dreaming of the Wolf is that the secondary characters are not just wooden cut-outs.  They're interesting and bring depth and humor to the story; there were several characters I wouldn't mind seeing get their own book.

Dreaming of the Wolf is a nice installment to the Heart of the Wolf series.  I'm hoping we'll see more of Silver Town and it's residents soon.



My Rating: 
Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Interview and Giveaway with Terry Spear!

Please join me in welcoming Terry Spear, author of the Heart of the Wolf series:

Book Addict: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer questions! I’m going to just jump right in: I loved that Julia, the heroine in Heart of the Highland Wolf, is a Romance Writer! Did you write any of yourself in her? Are the tricks she tried to get rid of writers’ block ones that you use?

Terry Spear: Thanks so much for interviewing me, Patti!

Do I switch from one kind of a story to another while I’m still writing one? Yes. Am I inspired by a place or person that I might use in a story? Absolutely. Do I use tales that others share with me in my stories? Yes. Will a picture of a hunky man give me ideas? Hmm-hmm! When she is in the forest, thinking of a scene she could write about her hero and heroine, I do the very same thing. Awhile back, I went on a hike through a park with friends. I don’t know what they were thinking, but I was imagining being in the woods while a Robin Hood like character and his merry men were nearby. We crossed a wooden bridge that made me think of “The Billy Goats Gruff” and trolls, which made me think of “Willow”, and more trolls. When I visit places like that, my imagination takes over.

Book Addict: Laird Ian was a very sexy hero. Did you base him on anyone (living or historical)?

Terry Spear: I’m thrilled you found him sexy! I based him on a MacNeill ancestor that stole the heart of the Duke of Argyle’s daughter. From oral history, the tale stated they eloped and her father told Malcolm he could have all the land he could cover on foot in a day, though he was furious with him for stealing his daughter’s heart. But Malcolm was too proud and paid for passage to the Carolinas for Elizabeth and their two small sons and infant daughter. The ship was diverted to Prince Edward Island, and Elizabeth, unable to withstand the hardships,died. Later, my great grandmother and grandmother were questioned by Scotland Yard about the family Bible, as the last Campbell had died without issue and they were trying to find Elizabeth’s line. My family didn’t have the Bible that would prove their ties, but another more distant family did, so the history goes. I wanted a happy ending!

Book Addict: Your descriptions of Ian’s castle were thorough – did you research Scottish castles? Have you visited Scotland and/or a castle?

Terry Spear: I went to see several castles in Scotland in September, took pictures of them, and listened to some wonderful tour guide lectures. But I also have read about castles over the years and then made up my own to suit the story. The ones I loved the most were the ones mostly in ruins. Why? I think it was because I could use my imagination more to envision the occupants of a medieval time better, and how the castle would look today.

Book Addict: Julia’s books have been referred to in your previous books (apparently she’s very popular with the lupus garou crowd, lol), but this is the first time that we’ve actually met her. How do you keep all your characters straight and how do you choose who you’ll write about next?

Terry Spear: She’s done well with her lupus garou fans. It’s neat when you can have a secret fan base, don’t you think? It would be like a vampire writing about vampires, but only other real vampires knew they were based on the truth…

Of course, not everyone likes that she writes bout werewolves. Even though she doesn’t give a totally accurate picture of them, some worry that she might give enough about them away that people might begin to believe they really exist. Which for the werewolves would be a disaster.

My coworker at the library where I work suggested I write about a poor werewolf, but I’d wanted to write about a Highland wolf clan next. So I thought why not write about a laird who is about to lose his ancestral home and has to put up with an American film-making venture? But who would the heroine be? I thought, well, what if I had the romance writer sneak in with the film production crew to use Ian’s clan as a basis for her next story and help her to overcome her writer’s block? Sometimes, fans ask to see more of certain characters. Like with Meara, Hunter’s sister in To Tempt the Wolf. I really wrote her as an annoying sister, so hadn’t really thought anyone would want to see her find a mate to love. But several fans did. LOL. So I wrote the SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing (coming out in Spring 2012). My editor had been te one that joked that it would be fun to have a whole team of SEALs who were wolves, and I kept thinking about it, unil I thought, why not match up one of Hunter’s SEAL team members with Meara? But neither thinks that’s a great idea in the least. :-)

Book Addict: I like the world you’ve written for your wolves. You’ve written seven books in this series so far, and they encompass different heroes/heroines and wolf packs – how many different types of lupus garou are there (red, white, gray, etc.)? How long do they typically live?

Terry Spear: There are really only two- gray wolves and red wolves. Arctic (white) are really gray wolves. Wolves in the wild only live between 6-12 years. Up to fifteen or so in captivity. I couldn’t make them that short lived in my stories, and I based them on a semi-immortal creature because werewolves were hard to kill in the old horror stories, unless they were shot with silver bullets. So why not a semi-immortal creature?

Book Addict: Do you have a specific place/time to write? Is your desk messy or neat? Do you have a day job or is writing your full-time occupation?

Terry Spear: I work full time, so I write before and after work and during my days off. I have to or I’d never meet deadlines. My desk – okay, since you can’t see it, it’s very clean, no dust, no salt dotting the mahogany wood (from eating quick homemade meals while getting my writing down at night after work), no movies sitting on the corner (which somehow ended up on my desk and should have been left on the coffee table for this weekend, if I can get to them), no box of Kleenex sitting on the extended table (not for crying during emotional scenes but for annoying allergies), no bills sitting on the desk (if I tucked them away neatly somewhere, they wouldn’t get paid)…so yes, my desk is perfectly neat.

Book Addict: When you’re not writing, what do you like to read? Do you read other books in your genre?

Terry Spear: I LOVE Highland romances, and though I don’t write them, I love regency romances. I also love time travels. I don’t read werewolf stories unless I receive them in a contest that I have to judge. But none of the ones I have read are similar to mine, which is good. I don’t want to ever feel I am borrowing from someone else’s world. That’s partly why I love reading historical romances so much.

Book Addict: What’s coming up next for you?

Terry Spear: Right now I’m working on Heart of the Jaguar (Fall 2012 release date), the first in the jaguar series, lots of research, and lots of new world building, so it’s been fun! After that, probably Tom’s story, from Destiny of the Wolf.

Book Addict: Thanks again for answering my questions – I enjoyed Heart of the Highland Wolf and am hoping we’ll see some of Ian’s brothers in their own stories (hint, hint!).

Terry Spear: Thanks so much for having me, and yes, definitely!!! Duncan is in the next Highland story – though the title will probably change, but he’s in the Grand Cayman Islands being distracted by a female wolf when he’s trying to track down their stolen money in The Highland Wolf in Paradise (Fall 2012).

Thanks again for having me, Patti!!

Terry Spear

About the author:
A retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry Spear has an MBA from Monmouth College. An eclectic writer with a PW Best Book of 208 (Heart of the Wolf), she writes paranormal romance as well as historical and true life stories for both teen and adult audiences. Spear lives in Crawford, Texas. For more information,please visit www.terryspear.com.

http://www.terryspear.com/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/terryspear
https://twittercom/#!/TerrySpear
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/tspear

Heart of the Highland Wolf
~Terry Spear

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publish Date: June 1, 211
ISBN-10: 1402245521
ISBN-13: 978-1402245527
ASIN: B004Y5AV1K

Each holds a secret they can't possibly overcome alone...
Julia Wildthorn is sneaking into Argent Castle to steal an ancient relic,but reluctant laird Ian MacNeill may be the key to unlocking the one answer she really wants discovered...

From brilliant storyteller Terry Spear, modern day werewolves meet the rugged Highlands of Scotland, where instinct meets tradition, and clan loyalties give a whole new meaning to danger...

The Giveaway:
Sourcebooks has generously offered a copy of Heart of the Highland Wolf to two lucky winners!!

To enter, leave a question or comment for Ms. Spear and a way to contact you if you win. US and Canada only. Contest ends June 17.

Review: Heart of the Highland Wolf by Terry Spear

Heart of the Highland Wolf
~Terry Spear

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publish Date: June 1, 211
ISBN-10: 1402245521
ISBN-13: 978-1402245527
ASIN: B004Y5AV1K

From Goodreads:
Ian McNeill, laird of Argent Castle finds his capital squandered through unwise investments and the wolf clan's home that has been theirs for centuries is in danger of being forfeit for nonpayment of taxes. When a movie producer contacts him with the notion of using his castle to produce a movie, Ian abhores the idea, but it's his only salvation. Even worse, his people become extras in this epic Highland movie. But when one American werewolf romance author, Julia Wildthorn, slips into the castle under the guise of being with the movie company, except she is trying to jumpstart her muse with writing a book set in old-world Scotland--specifically about his castle and his people as the characters in her newest book venture--she and Ian tangle.

Julia Wildthorn is a werewolf. She's also a romance author with writer's block. She's accompanying her friend Maria (who's also a werewolf) to Scotland for a movie shoot in the hopes that she'll find inspiration for her next book. She's also got a secret task given to her by her grandfather - find an ancient box that's hidden somewhere in the castle.

Werewolf Ian MacNeill is Laird of Argent Castle. Due to some bad investments, his pack is having some financial difficulties, so he reluctantly agrees to let the production company use his castle to make their movie. He's forbidden any of his people to associate with the movie people, and has set very clear boundaries about what areas of the castle can be filmed and what can't.

When Julia and Maria are involved in a car accident, Ian and his brother come to check things out. Ian can't believe how attractive Julia is, and doesn't want to let her out of his sight. Julia, however, doesn't want Ian's attentions while she's searching for the box. The only problem with that is that she can't stop thinking about him.

My thoughts:
Another fun and sexy read by Terry Spear! I enjoy her werewolf world and the characters in it.

Julia was a fun heroine - I loved that she was a romance author. The scenes where everyone is reading her books were cute. I laughed when she tried to be stealthy and sneaky and find the box, she really wasn't very good at it. Ian was definitely an Alpha - he was good at barking out orders, and Julia was very good at ignoring them :)

The secondary characters were just as much fun - I'm in love with Ian's brothers and am hoping that they'll get their own stories later on. I also liked Heather, a young werewolf who wants to get out and see the world without her pack watching over her.

Some of my favorite scenes in the book were the movie fight scenes where all the locals dressed in kilts and re-enacted sword battles.

I can't really get into the plot point I didn't understand without spoilers: it has to do with the box and a binding promise handed down between generations. Once things got to a certain point in the book, I didn't understand why it was still important.

Overall though, a fun sexy read with lots of werewolves and highlanders (two of my favorite things!), and as I stated above, I'm hoping we'll see some of the characters again.

My Rating:

Come back tomorrow for an interview and giveaway with Terry Spear!

This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Wolf Fever by Terry Spear

From the author's website:
Carol Woods wanted more than anything to be a nurse at the hospital in Silver Town, Colorado where her family lives, but she never foresaw how she’d end up with the job. Now she’s a red werewolf facing a mating, trying to forestall shifting for a variety of reasons—one of which has to do with a swine flu virus that seems to be attacking the werewolf kind in a bad way, while working with a private investigator who doesn’t believe in her psychic abilities one bit. So why does she thinks she’s falling in love with the infuriating gray?

Chester "Ryan" McKinley can’t get his mind off the entrancing woman, a nurse, a newly turned red lupus garou belonging to another gray pack and the only one left who might be able to learn how to stop the swine flu virus from making a permanent impact on their kind. Although he doesn’t want to draw Carol into this dangerous situation or believe she is involved, he has no other choice. But does the woman really have psychic abilities that are keeping her from shifting, or is she a fraud, a master at deception, and is behind the infections of their people? And how can he keep his hands off the intriguing woman, and his mind on the mission as the virus takes its toll?

________________

Carol Woods sees the future - and she's a werewolf. She's not a natural born werewolf - she was attacked 5 months ago and turned. Since then, she's been fighting the change (successfully so far) and Darien, her pack leader, is concerned. She's fighting the change because she's been having visions of some of the men in her pack shifting into wolves and not being able to shift back. In addition to trying to convince her to shift, Darien is also trying to convince her to take a mate, as females are a precious commodity and he doesn't want her attacked and/or stolen.

Ryan McKinley is a former cop, now a PI, who assisted Darien's pack a few months ago with a problem they were having. Since then he hasn't been able to get Carol off his mind - he doesn't believe her visions are real. So he's back on Darien's turf to figure out how Carol figured out the clues to his case.

When Carol is almost kidnapped, she hires Ryan to be her bodyguard. He agrees, and that's where things start to really heat up. The attraction is definitely there, but Carol can't be with someone who doesn't believe in her "talent", and Ryan needs a mate who can embrace her wolf. Then, Carol's visions come true and the wolves can't shift back and the pack looks to her to find a cure.

My thoughts: I really enjoy reading Terry Spear's wolves; she is very good at making the wolf come across in their human counterparts. I love her Alpha males, and even though she was a new wolf, Carol was such a stubborn Alpha female, it was fun to see the Beta males trying (unsuccessfully) to win her affections. The social hiearchy of the packs was also well-done; although not the hero of this story, Darien was a great Alpha leader who was willing to work with another Alpha to resolve his problems. The sickness plot was interesting - biological warfare within werewolf packs is a novel storyline and it worked here, providing a dose of urgency to the story.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series - Heart of the Highland Wolf.


Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: December 1, 2010
ISBN-10: 1402237529
ISBN-13: 978-1402237522

My Rating:

This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Heart of the Wolf, Destiny of the Wolf, and To Tempt the Wolf by Terry Spear

I had seen Ms. Spear's To Tempt the Wolf all over the blogosphere recently. I thought it looked intersting, and added it to my TBR. Then, while perusing the aisles at Borders, they had Heart of the Wolf free if you bought two other romance books. Perfect!

Heart of the Wolf was the shortest of the three. It was an entertaining story of Bella, a red wolf, who ran away from the grey wolf pack that adopted her as a child to avoid being forcibly taken by the Alpha, Volan. She successfully lives alone for decades, until she accidentally gets caught in wolf form and taken to a zoo to breed with a real red wolf! Her childhood crush from her pack, Devlyn, comes to rescue her and take her back to Volan. But Devlyn wants her just as bad as she wants him. Add to that the problem of a local wolf killing humans, and the local pack realizing she's been living in their area, unmated. Good story, lots of action and romance. My only complaint was that they seemed to take a lot of naps. I kid you not, Bella and Devlyn probably napped at least a dozen times in this book!

Destiny of the Wolf is the story of Lelandi, a female red wolf who is searching for the killer of her sister, Larissa. Larissa was mated to a brutal red wolf and beaten repeatedly, then ran away. Lelandi heads into Darrien's grey wolf pack to investigate. Darrien is still grieving the loss of his wife, Larissa; he thinks she died from suicide, not murder. When the pack sees Lelandi, things start to happen almost immediately: she gets shot at and almost strangled and other wolves in the pack are killed. This story had girl-fights, Alpha posturing, deception, murder, blackmail, and suspense galore; I was suspicious of everyone! I liked Larissa and Darrien, and there were some surprises at the end that left me happy.

The latest book, To Tempt the Wolf, did not disappoint. Tessa is a human nature photographer who specializes in photographs of wolves. Her brother has just gone to prison for a crime he says he didn't commit. Hunter is a pack Alpha who has just fled his area with his siter due to forest fires and relocated at his uncles home. The rest of his pack did not follow, but went to Portland instead to "get a taste of city life". He comes home from an errand and his sister is gone and he can smell three male wolves. He sets out after them, and next thing the reader knows, his naked body is discovered on the icy beach by Tessa. Garret cannot remember anything other than his first name. Garret is attracted to Tessa, although she's a human, there's something different about her. When they get to her house, they realize someone broke in while she was out, Garret can tell it's a wolf, and the wolf rolled around in her bed. This book had a couple of mysteries going on at the same time: Trying to free Tessa's brother, figuring out what happened to Garret's sister, trying to track down Tessa's stalker, and what to do about Garet's wayward pack. It was fast-paced and enjoyable. Ms. Spear introduced some character that were unlikeable at first but soon became an enjoyable part of the story, and reintroduced some peripheral characters from previous books (although you can read this as a stand-alone).

I liked this series and it looks like she's got at least three more books planned - yay!