Title: Keeping Secret
Series: Secret McQueen #4
Author: Sierra Dean
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Format: eBook, 256 pages
Published: July 10, 2012
ASIN #: B007XL69RM
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Copy: from author
Something old, something blue, something deadly… what else is new?
It’s a nice day for a white wedding. At least that’s what Secret McQueen is hoping for, with her poofy-princess-dress marriage to a werewolf king looming closer and closer by the day. But as ever, nothing can be that easy for a vampire/werewolf hybrid for whom someone still harbors a death wish.
Summoned to the south by her werewolf uncle, who makes no bones about the fact her mate bond with Lucas doesn’t pass muster, Secret learns her furry heritage looks more like a tangled vine than a family tree. Getting her royal uncle’s blessing hinges on finding one of the missing twigs. Even with vampire sentry Holden Chancery at her side, she manages to land up to her neck in a swamp of trouble.
As an assassin’s scope zeroes in, family dramas boil up and a fast-collapsing love square threatens to bury her alive, making it to the church on time could be the least of Secret’s problems.
Product Warnings: Contains a grumpy bride who shouldn’t be wearing wedding white, a motley crew of bridesmaids, a dangerous scenic drive in the woods and a smoking-hot trio of suitors who might be too scorching to touch.
Keeping Secret delivers the story that I’d expected from the previous installment. McQueen’s finally growing into her new roles, the love triangle gets a much needed shakedown and this is the wolf-iest book yet. The story is no less action-y than its predecessors but there is a notable shift from assassin drama to powerful supernatural leader dilemmas which is exactly what I wanted to see happen. Prepare yourselves for the new and improved Secret McQueen!
The last three books have all focused on Secret’s vampire half while as this story brings her furrier side to the forefront. Finally! The moment I’ve been waiting for! There are significant differences between the two species and Sierra uses them to her advantage in this installment. The undead are all about “me, me, me” while as wolves are all about the pack. As protector and future Queen, Secret must adapt and learn to put the needs of others before her own and that personal sacrifices are a daily fact of life. Her character goes through some pretty significant changes in Keeping Secret and by the end I was actually proud of how far our little assassin has come.
I didn’t think that it was possible for me to detest Lucas any more than I already do but lo and behold, I was wrong. The werewolf king gives douchebag a whole new meaning in this book. He just expects Secret to fall in line and happily go along with whatever hair-brained idea he dreams up. Fans of this series know that our girl is no shrinking violet but apparently Lucas thinks otherwise. Fool! If it were up to McQueen they would get married Vegas-style but because she’s trying to be a good Queen she bites her tongue and lets Lucas plan the wedding. That was her first of many mistakes. However, leave it to Lucas to make the dumbest, most obvious faux pas of all time. Secret’s reaction is priceless and a re-read worthy moment.
Sierra’s writing is gripping no doubt about it; from her killer one-liners at the end of each chapter, to her trademark snark and jaw dropping cliff hangers. She drives her series forward like no other author I’ve ever read. It’s like a freight train, there’s no stopping it. Her books are hard to put down and Dean forever leaves readers wanting more.
Keeping Secret is balls-to-the-walls, oh-la-la, no holds barred, pure epicness. I want the next book now, now, now! *stomps feet* Best. Installment. Yet.
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| Recommendation: | Perfect for anyone who loves kickass heroines, yummy men and a whole lot of action both in and out of the bedroom. |
| Like this, like that: | Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep, Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton and Kat Redding series by E.S. Moore. |
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I am sad to see so many books already out. lol That just means a lot more to catch up on for me. From your review, its something I really want to go check out though.
@Amber I @ Awesomesauce Once you start you won’t be able to help. You’ll just fly through them!
I have wanted to start this series for too long, and after that review, now I have to know what is going on! And I have alot of catching up to do, but at least I can grab the next one with out waiting!
@Laurie These books are definitely worth your time. Enjoy! 🙂