TEST
Have you ever read a book—one that everyone else around you loved—and hated it? Whenever that happens to me I’m stuck staring at the book once I’ve finished, thinking back and wondering, “What do they see in it?” It’s as though the rest of the world understands something about humor or emotion or life, and I’m just clueless.
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That’s what happened when I read Werewolf in Alaska. I didn’t find myself laughing at werewolf organizations called HOWL and WOOF, or sighing sadly when the characters decided there was no way for them to be together. Too often I felt various silly moments pulling me out of the story and preventing me from really enjoying the book. Maybe there’s someone out there who really loves reading about the eternal werewolf struggle: To mate, or not to mate with a human?
As it turns out, I am not that someone.
Rachel Miller is just a woodcarver. Or she was, until her hot neighbor bought her first wolf carving three years ago. His purchase felt like a vote of confidence to her, so she pulled up her big-girl panties and jumped into the world of professional woodworking. Within three years she’s become the carver…and she owes it all to Jake, the mysterious and attractive across-lake-neighbor who goes skinny dipping almost every night in summer…much to Rachel’s delight.
But don’t worry, Rachel isn’t the only person on the lake struggling with an obsession. Jake the werewolf has been fixated on her since he bought the carving and lately has found he can’t keep away from her. At least Rachel stays on her own property, albeit with her eyes glued to a pair of binoculars. Jake apparently stalks around her backyard at night because he needs to smell her. I guess it’s a werewolf thing?
Whatever the case, Jake isn’t too happy about how obsessed with Rachel he’s become. As the founder of WARM (Werewolves Against Random Mating) he’s taken a very public stance against humans and werewolves mating. These feelings of his pose a huge problem, and he’s all geared up to get rid of them when he sees a bear at Rachel’s house. Or rather, two—a mother and cub, between whom Rachel is standing.
Not good. So Jake shifts to wolf form and saves the day, jumping between Rachel and the enormous jaws headed her way. Unfortunately, he’s injured in the process. Normally this wouldn’t be too big of a deal, as werewolves can use their shifting abilities to help heal faster. But alas, Rachel notices that her guardian wolf was hurt in the process of saving her.
This is where I started having problems. Up until this point, the book had been normal. Enjoyable. You have to suspend disbelief to a certain extent when reading a paranormal, and I was willing to do that.
Then Rachel brought her guardian wolf into her house, let him sleep under her bed, and cleaned his wounds with her own two hands. There was no calling a vet, or even Googling “the caring and keeping of wolves.” No, she just jumped into it all, insisting she felt a connection to the beast that meant he would never hurt her. Even when the wolf escapes her house she refuses to leave him be—there’s a bond between them now!
Eventually, Rachel’s continued attempts to locate and look after her wolf lead her to discover the existence of werewolves. This comes as a surprise to no one but Jake, who thought he’d been doing a great job of keeping her in the dark. Although he doesn’t seem too upset about her discovery, based on how quickly he begins an affair with her. The two enjoy about a day and a half of sexual bliss before thoughts of WARM intrude. All too soon Jake is protesting that he can’t stay with Rachel, a tune he sticks with until almost the very end.
I have enjoyed Vicki Lewis Thompson in the past, but lately I’ve felt her style has become a little too dramatic for me. I don’t know anyone, anywhere, who would bring a wild wolf into their house to tend to its wounds, and I can’t imagine many public figures like Jake would go back on all they stand for as easily as he does at the end.
It wasn’t the existence of werewolves I had the most trouble believing in.
Grade: C
Book Type: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 05/08/13
Publication Date: 2013/07
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.