4.5 stars from CataRomance! Woo hoo! The Covert Wolf is in bookstores on Tuesday, July 24! If you haven't seen the fun "tour" I've been doing with the book, please check out my Facebook page.
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Review of The Covert Wolf
“Since the mystique associated with werewolves has always
fascinated me while the risky exploits of SEALS also intrigues, I was very
excited to discover how the two would be blended in the first book of the
Phoenix Force miniseries. Bonnie Vanak certainly does not disappoint in her
latest Harlequin Nocturne story, as emotions, conflict and peril escalates.
There are eight men in the special Navy SEAL team to which
Lieutenant Matthew Parker belongs, and the Draicon werewolf is proud to serve
his country. All members of the Phoenix Force squad have paranormal abilities,
so they are better able to battle other supernatural beings who would terrorize
unsuspecting humans. Unfortunately, a good friend serving with him is killed by
demons when the two are setup, and Matt vows revenge against those responsible.
The same demons are seeking the powerful Orb of Light, so he is doubly intent
on finding them and keeping their destructive plans from becoming reality.
While Sienna McClare has agreed to work with a SEAL in order to
retrieve the Orb, she had no idea the person would be a Draicon werewolf, a
race of beings that she despises. Since she is a hybrid, the family by whom she
was raised has abandoned her, and she believes locating the ancient object
would get her back in their good graces. Matt and Sienna need each other to
reach their goals, and they soon realize the connection between them is also
very crucial to their future wishes.
Bonnie Vanak is an author of innovative paranormal books. Her
previous stories about supernatural beings have been inventively unique, and
the Phoenix Force miniseries has additional out-of-the-ordinary features.
Taking the real life profession of a Navy SEAL and giving these brave
individuals traits that cause them to be even more powerful is a noteworthy
premise, and Ms. Vanak makes every aspect of the story frighteningly
believable. Could the malevolence that takes place during war sometimes be
caused by demons and not ordinary humans?
While the SEAL activities at the start of the story come across as
possible, the rest of the book is just as conceivable. There are a number of
situations where supernatural capabilities come into play, and regardless of
the species, their talents seem very natural. Although every member of the SEAL
team is not human, there is still camaraderie amongst them like regular
soldiers, and these moments sometimes had me smiling and definitely sensing
their friendship. I am already eager for more of their stories!
The relationship between Matt and Sienna is totally realistic, as
they both have dreams yet see no way for them to become an actuality. Their
heartaches are so genuine, and any happiness practically leaps off the page
because of affecting feelings. I adored these two individuals with their
compassionate natures, and I saw Matt as a true hero on so many occasions as
the safety of others came first. The sexual awareness they each felt is intense
and causes plenty of tension, and when they finally express their inner
feelings, the scene is beautifully sensual with fiery heat.
There are a few
surprises to be learned before everything concludes, and I was shocked by
almost all of them. Several characters from past Bonnie Vanak books make an
appearance, and they enhance the story whether you have read about them or
not.
THE COVERT WOLF is a magically enthralling novel with imaginative
scenarios, particularly likable characters, a touch of humor and dangerous
suspense.”
Amelia Richard, CataRomance
