THE LAST WOLF

THE LAST WOLF by Sue Brown

 

Pages:          162

Date:           08/09/2014

Grade:         4

Details:        No. 1 Sapphire Ranch Wolves

                   Received from Love Lane Books Ltd

                   Through Love Romances and More

Kindle

The blurb:

The only good predator is a dead one, as far as Joe Lowther is concerned.

That is until the day he shoots a wolf, only to watch the animal turn into a naked Callum Pope. Cal is being hunted by a group of humans who eradicate shifter packs for sport. 

Joe makes a decision to help Cal and discovers a deeper connection with the young shifter. One which he’d like to explore. If they live that long.

My thoughts:

Allow me to start by saying that my attitude towards paranormal stories is somewhat ambivalent. For some reason I’m convinced I’m not overly fond of shape-shifter stories only to discover I thoroughly enjoy them once I start reading. The Last Wolf didn’t break that pattern.

This book gives the readers a sweet love story in the midst of danger, heartbreak and tension. I’m sure some readers will read this book and frown upon what they perceive as ‘instalove’. For me the instant attraction and connection between Joe and Cal was an integral part of the myth. Cal, the wolf in danger, meets Joe his mate after the latter has shot him. The bond between them is immediately established because the two of them were meant to be. While it might be harder to swallow in a story without fantastical elements, it made perfect sense here.

The Last Wolf brings the reader full on action almost from the very first page and really doesn’t let up. In fact, the only breathers we get from the danger to Cal and Joe are the moments during with they get to know and explore each other. Those moments were beautiful, heartwarming and sexy; a pure delight to read. In fact, between the constant threat of violence and the developing relationship, this book grabbed a hold of me and refused to let go until I finished the story.

And yes, that brings me to the ending; which isn’t really an ending at all. I knew this book was the first title in a series before I picked it up. What I couldn’t know was that the book ends more or less mid-scene. I’m not sure the term cliff-hanger is strong enough to describe the final paragraph. In fact, I’d be inclined to view The Last Wolf as the first instalment in a serial novel rather than the first book in a series.

While I’m not overly fond of serial novels or cliff-hanger endings in general, I have to say I find myself very eager to read more about these characters and the dangers they face. This book was a well written delight and I can only hope it won’t be too long before we find out what happens next.