ARC Review: A Howl for a Highlander

A Howl for a Highlander (Heart of the Wolf #10)

by Terry Spear 

Blurb:

A Highland Wolf on a Mission...

Duncan MacNeill is hell-bent on catching the thief who's stolen the clan's fortune and run off to Grand Cayman Island. Duncan has rarely left his homeland and he couldn't care less about an island paradise. He never expected to find a beautiful distraction who will show him just how appealing paradise can be...

Meets a Dangerous Distraction...

Lone wolf and botanist Shelley Campbell headed to the island to study the old growth forests. She didn't count on meeting a handsome Highlander who can't keep his paws off her.

Publication Date:  Feb 5, 2013

Review:

The latest werewolf drama by Terry Spear is an awesome addition to your library.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this one before its official release, thanks to Terry, and was not surprised to be blown away.  Howl was full of passion, humor and intrigue, all of which I have come to expect from a Terry Spear novel.  The series picks up with the story of Duncan, the brother of Laird Ian MacNeill, whose story we read in Heart of the Highland Wolf, book #7 in the series.  Though there were some books in between the two stories, there are enough reminders in this book that you won’t be confused if it has been a while since you read Ian’s story.

The sexy Highland wolf hero in this story, Duncan MacNeill, has just arrived in the Cayman Islands, on the hunt for the thief that absconded with his clan’s funds when his nose catches a scent that will forever change his life.  Surprised to find a lone she-wolf in the airport, Duncan investigates and discovers the sweet but sassy Shelley Campbell, botanist extraordinaire.  Forced together through unforeseen circumstances, Shelley and Duncan soon are faced with the reality that their passionate natures might cause some problems.  But when danger comes around every corner, working together is their only option to thwart the killers after them as well as the thief Duncan has come for.

Duncan is a great hero, full of spirit, alpha stubbornness, and sweet silliness in perfect proportions.   Though he is initially determined to resist Shelley, not looking to settle down with a mate just yet, Duncan begins to see the beauty of having a mate like Shelley.  Working with her as a partner, Duncan’s expectations of how a she-wolf should act are soon blown all to hell.  He is determined to keep her safe and out of the line of fire, but that is definitely not the way Shelley works.  I loved how this sweet but alpha male came to accept Shelley as a true mate, working with her instead of trying to keep her out of everything.  As the mating progresses, Duncan grows into more mature participant in the relationship, showing that even if you can’t teach an old wolf new tricks you can modify his old tricks enough to make them perfect.

Shelley is a perfect counterpart to Duncan’s austere and severe personality.  She might not be young in age necessarily, but she is still young at heart, playful and sweet.  She isn't ready to settle down either, but denying the feelings she has for Duncan is becoming increasingly difficult as they spend more time working and living together.  Seeing how brave, sweet, stubborn and loving he can be firsthand is breaking down all her barriers.  When she is faced with the truth of the danger after them, she knows that she’ll need his help to stay safe, but she won’t stay in the background at his expense.  She has to make him see that she can cover his back as his true mate, or there’s no hope for them to have a future. In the end the sizzling heat is irresistible and she knows that giving in to Duncan will be worth the complications.

While the love story between Duncan and Shelley was thrilling to read, I wasn't bowled over with the subplot about Sal, the embezzling, womanizing wolf.   Even though there was plenty of intrigue and the challenges that his part of the story provided for the H/H were necessary, I wished there was a bit more info at times.  I was a little confused here and there about just who was the real bad guy… was it Sal? Carlotta? Sal and Carlotta equally? And who sent the killers after Duncan and Shelley? I appreciated the wrap up at the end of the story, but I still would have liked a bit more… something… along this plotline. 

Overall, I loved this story.  There was so much humor, wit, and heat that I found myself laughing and needing a cold shower in equal parts.  Duncan and Shelley are great characters and make a great couple, with a perfect blending of personalities and acceptance of each other’s shortcomings. It was also good to see a satisfactory outcome to the clan’s financial issues. There were some great fight scenes and cute scenes with the H/H in their wolf coats, with tons of imagery and vivid descriptions from the wolf’s POV.  I am already beginning to salivate for Cearnach’s story, coming in May 2013.  When this book hits the shelves I predict that they won't stay full for long. 

Rating:  4.25 stars

Rose Rating: 

p.s. In case I forgot to mention, there is a very cute scene with Duncan and Shelley buying him a new swimsuit… who knew such a sexy Alpha highlander could blush like that!

*ARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest review.  Thanks to Terry Spear for the chance to spread the word about her books.