Never read this author before. This was a good read especially for paranormal lovers who are adults. Not because the book has sex rather than kissing but because the situations might be more interesting for adult readers, or readers who easily bore with high school. ( )

One of my all time favorite heroines. She was just so tough and smart without being a smart alec. She wasn't sarcastic or bitchy and didn't snipe at people to win points. She just knew what she was doing and she did it well. She liked to fight and she was good at it. You got to see her doing it and the descriptions of the action were quite well done.

This is the first in the series. I read the second one of these books first and this was just as well done. I really like the way that the shifter world is set up here. It makes sense, there are rules and consequences. The ménage element was well set up. The two men in the story each have their own clearly defined personality. There were of course some sex scenes but they didn't overwhelm the story. The relationship took a while to develop which made it more believable. The plot made sense and there were no slow spots. ( )

Victoria is an injured ex-marine and spy who discovers shifters when she tries to be a hero. She's given a special gift and makes a promise that leads her to a town filled with shifters and Otherfolk. She also finds herself attracted to both Calum and Alec as she seeks to determine if these shifters are a threat to her country. Instead she finds a home and a sense of belonging.
( )

From what I can tell this was Cherise first book in the Paranormal catagory. I have read lots of shapeshifter books. If they are all to cookie cutter you would get board reading them. Cherise take in this book was different from other that I had read - meaning that is a good thing. The story kept me fully engaged until the last page. I do have to admit I was thinking the sex was going to be as intense as it is in her BDSM books (which I love).. But to my surpise its not. She took the time to make sure Vic and Alex and Vic and Calum each had time together before the were all together.. I think it was a nicely written book and as always I look forward to any and all of her future books. ( )

My second Sinclair. First one was seemingly a long long time ago. Why? Because the previously book I had read angered me greatly. I think I have a better understanding of why now, after reading this book here. Apparently I'm like Vicki in the story. At least in suddenly getting turned off. Sinclair is a good writer. I like what she writes. And then . . . I get completely turned off. Not just "oh darn, oh well, guess I'm no longer aroused" but "I'm going to fucking rip someone's head off" turned off.

Right. Story-wise, I loved the fantasy aspects. The non-sexual dynamics between the characters. The small town. Everything really outside of the sexual parts. The sexual dynamics kept annoying the fuck out of me. Not the two men one woman. Not a strong women willing to submit. But how everything was described.

Like, Vicki had been with one brother. She was quite aroused by the other. They are in a cave. He advances. She says no. He ignores her. She notes that she is aroused by him but doesn't wish to betray the brother. Calum just tells her that Alec understands and wants Calum and Vicki together (or something like that). She keeps saying no. He keeps telling her to let go. To feel what it is like to surrender.

The problem? The reader knows that what Calum is saying is true (that Alec wouldn't mind). But Vicki? She has no fucking basis to know what Calum is saying is true about Alec and Calums reactions involving women. She's just supposed to take Calum's word. So she keeps saying no, and he overpowers her and uses her. And she has mind blowing sex. Um. hmm. That scene? Without Vicki feeling like she's going to betray someone? Or at least with the knowledge that she isn't? Might have been quite interesting. As it is? Annoyed me on many many levels.

To be fair to Calum, he's never been human (technically he is half-human but, he's lived in his own culture, not human culture). And his "cat" powers lets him know that Vicki wants him. Is aroused by him. And Vicki, for her part, does want him and does know she wants him. But . . . she still feels like she's going to betray Alec. There's no consideration here from Calum. It's just "you powerful closed up woman. me teach you how to surrender. you orgasm much from my manily dominating control" (not a direct quote). No fucking consideration at all. Plus, to top it off, he's the fucking God chosen guardian of the region. Power literally flows through him.

Re: Power:
"'Lie back, cariad.'
Unable to fight him, she reclined onto the warm rock."
...
"What are you doing?"
"exactly what I want to."
"Calum, no."
"At this point, cariad . . . you may beg, if you feel the need." (somewhere around page 152)

As I said in my status updates: Look, scene could be great. "show you you don't have to be in control" if it did not involve overriding the woman's desire not to betray someone else. And her constantly saying "no." And him ignoring those noes. I reinforce: he the fucking all powerful guardian dude with God given powers. She is in a situation new to her, unsure of her own abilities and feelings. Probably unintentionally, since there is a cultural clash, but he is abusing her here. Why does these type of things keep turning up in Sinclair's books? Fuck. Don't inject her feeling like she betraying someone else into the story (or give her that feeling I mean), or have confirmation she not betraying anyone. Lovely writing. Lovely scenes. Great story. Injections of something or other that immediately pulls me out and makes me wish to claw books into tiny tiny pieces.

So. What I've learned? I have certain issues with reading about powerful women being forced to "surrender themselves" to powerful men in ways that make it appear . . . like a violation. Even if unintentional on the part of the dominating man.

Truly, truthfully, whichever word works there - without that theme popping up? The culture clash/feeling of betrayal/shame/people acting stupidly. I'd probably have been quite happy to give this story five stars. As it is, I can't even give it four. ( )