Review: Strayed by Amber Lynn Natusch

Posted December 10, 2014 by Lorna in Lorna, Reviews, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves / 42 Comments

Review: Strayed by Amber Lynn Natusch
Strayed by Amber Lynn Natusch
Series: Caged #6
Published by Indie
Published on: December 16, 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Werewolves
Format: eARC
Source: Author
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Reunited at last, Ruby and Scarlet have tried to mend their fractured relationship. But Scarlet's unwillingness to share what she did during her three week expedition has Ruby frustrated and Sean seething. When Ruby starts to remember events she never witnessed, it becomes clear that Scarlet's days of secrecy were far more nefarious than she let on.

As though that weren't enough, an enigmatic note and key entangle Ruby in an off-the-book murder investigation. Detective Alan Beauchamp will stop at nothing to uncover the truth surrounding the death of his mentor. But when he and Ruby attempt to retrieve the evidence necessary to solve the case, they soon find themselves in the killer's sights.

With unknown assailants after her and Scarlet's dark deeds surfacing, can Ruby survive long enough to find a way out of death's path, or will events already set in motion lead to her ultimate demise? (less)

Howling Good Page Turner ARC Review

Caged is one of those series that always makes my top 5 list(in no particular order) of all series I read, and believe me that is saying a lot! It feels like it’s been forever waiting for this book, but it was worth every minute of the wait.

For those unfamiliar with this series, its about Ruby, a formerly blind, jewelry maker. It’s also about Scarlet, the rarest of all werewolves, that lives within Ruby. And yes, they are two distinct, completely different personalities, inside of Ruby. While Ruby is a good, caring person, loyal friend, with a side of snark, Scarlet is unbelievably strong in both mind and body, revengeful at times, stubborn, and mostly hardhearted. She’s pretty scary when she takes over, whether she is in her human body or as a wolf. Sean is Ruby’s love, and is the leader of the immortal PC, the organization that polices the supernatural. Cooper is Ruby’s best friend, roommate, and her alpha. He has been my favorite of all the characters since the first book. Gavin is the enigma, and the person that causes Ruby to tear her hair out due to his riddles. The new members of the pack, Alistair, Janner, and Beckett, are also back to add to the levity and chaos of Ruby’s life. Peyta, the teenage healer for the PC, and human, has a big surprise of her own this time. There are more characters, both good and bad, and I could go on and on. Happily, they were all back for this installment. The question here is, are they all going to still be there at the end?

Ruby’s got her hands full, juggling the new members of the pack-the boys from England-and all the renovation of her third floor for their living quarters. On top of that, Scarlet’s memories of her three week missing in action time, are now showing up in Ruby’s head. Ruby both wants to know what happened but also, is afraid to know. And the more the visions come, the worse it gets. Another stray from England shows up in the form of Lyla, Cooper’s childhood friend. Neither knew the other was even around, so even more surprises.


Trouble follows Ruby around like a puppy, and the life and death moments just keep coming. She can be so maddening when she takes off on her own without a word to anyone, almost gets killed on several occasions, to the point that the reader can’t help but to yell at her during this book, or really any of the books. Or maybe that is just me. I don’t always like that in a character, but with Ruby, she just can’t help it. She cares so deeply about people and she just wants to help. Through it all, the reader gets caught up in all things Ruby. Her love of Sean, Cooper, Peyta and others, her fashion commentary, even her trying to learn to play poker, makes her endearing to the reader. It’s all told in the first person of Ruby, and it has always worked for me, brilliantly.

A lot happens in this book, and to be honest I am not telling! The readers of this series have been waiting patiently for over a year or better, and they need to NOT know what happens ahead of time. We finally get almost all of the answers to everything we have been needing to know. So yes, this is the book of answers. I loved the whole thing, and as usual with this author, it is very well written. I will recommend this book to all adult paranormal romance or urban fantasy fans, as I have done since I read the first one. You will laugh at times, you might even cry, but I can all but guarantee you that you will have a good time reading this series.

It should be noted that it is not a standalone book, and should be read in order.


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I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.

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42 responses to “Review: Strayed by Amber Lynn Natusch”

    • Lorna  

      It is really different. Scarlet is Ruby’s wolf, and in most books wolves don’t come out unless they shift. In this Series, Scarlet can take over as a woman or wolf-which makes this series really different for me. (Usually Ruby has to let her out.)

  18. Berls  

    Where have I been? I seriously don’t recognize anything about this series and its SO ME. I love the concept of two separate entities inside one person – I always like it when authors play with that when they have a shifter. And that cover is breathtaking, which totally plays into my desire to pick it up. Thanks for sharing!
    Berls recently posted…The Barefoot Queen by Ildefonso Falcones

    • Lorna  

      I was lucky to find the first one as a freebie back in 2012, but actually these have been bestselling at many points in the last few years. All her covers feature an eye 🙂 If you try them,I hope you enjoy.

    • Lorna  

      Oh, I am so jealous now. You got to meet Amber..I would love to someday. Of course since I refuse to fly, that will probably never happen 🙁 I think you may really enjoy this series!