Desert Bound by Elizabeth Hunter
Series: Cambio Springs #2
Published by Indie
Published on: October 14, 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 280
Format: eARC
Source: Tour
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Can you turn the clock back on your first love? Would you even want to try?
Alex McCann and Teodora "Ted" Vasquez left Cambio Springs together. Ted came back. Alex didn't.
Now, years later, the future alpha of the McCann wolves has returned with plans to bring new life to the dying desert community. Plans that could change everything for the isolated enclave of shapeshifters in the California desert. Some love the plan. Others hate it.
As the town's doctor and one of the strongest daughters in the cat clan, Ted has her own concerns about exposing her community to outsiders. The two former lovers are at each other's throats. And everyone is watching to see what happens.
But when murder once again strikes Cambio Springs, can they overcome their past to help the community they both call home? And can the love they shared once burn again when so many stand against it?
DESERT BOUND is an adult paranormal romance in the Cambio Springs Mysteries series.
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When I got my first Kindle four(ish) years ago, a brave new world opened up for me. What had been a teeth gnashing lack of new Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance turned into countless new possibilities. I’d exhausted all of the big names in my preferred genres that I was remotely interested in, but I discovered new authors and series I’d never heard of from small and/or indie publishing houses . . . new authors and series as far as the eye could see . . .
A lot of them were terrible. A lot of them were MEH.
But a few of them were bright, shining beacons of hope in the midst of my lackluster reading frenzy.
Elizabeth Hunter was one of the latter, and more importantly, she has withstood my transition from reading-whatever-I-darn-well-please-without-much-thought to reading-critically-for-review (of which there are two . . . maybe three authors).
Whether it’s the world of the Elemental Mysteries, or this one in Cambio Springs, I loved it the first time, I’m loving it the second time, and I’m pretty sure I’ll love it the third time too.
In the first book, we were introduced to a community of shapeshifters. A couple hundred years ago, seven families looking for a place to settle, a place to escape prejudice, a place to breathe, found that place, and drank from a fresh spring hidden in a cave. It didn’t take the settlers long to figure out that there was something different about that spring, and starting with that generation, those families were able to shift into various animals. Cambio Springs became not only their home, but a place where they were safe, a place where they could let their dual natures coexist peacefully, without fear.
Enter modernity.
The safehaven is dying, more and more families are moving away from the springs, b/c there aren’t enough jobs . . .
Something has to change, and Alex McCann has a plan. In fact, he’s been planning his entire adult life, and he’s been so completely focused on finding a way to save his home, to ensure that its residents are protected, that the other areas of life have fallen to the wayside, and other things (or people) have been left in the dust.
Teodora Vasquez is also determined to protect her town. So much that she left her home for more years then she cares to remember to become a doctor. B/c how “safe” is a safe place without a qualified medical professional—in the know—looking after the inhabitants.
And no matter how much Alex and Ted wished otherwise, their paths were mutually exclusive . . . until they weren’t . . . *SQUEE*
Desert Bound is the second installment of Cambio Springs, and all I can say is . . . Hunter is a master of continuity.
She weaves subtle, yet intimate details throughout the story, laying a foundation that bridges the gap between character and reader. You feel like you’re on the inside of the inside joke—whether it’s about hats or pet names, it adds that nebulous something that separates the books that stick with you from the multitudes that . . . don’t.
Hunter also casually develops her secondary characters so that despite the HEA of the current story, you’re dying for the next chapter. And you don’t particularly care who the focus of that chapter is, you just want MORE. It happened in Shifting Dreams, so that I did a little tap dance when I found out that book 2 was Ted and Alex, and it happened again in book 2 . . . so that if we don’t find out what’s up with the bear and the fox . . . or the snake . . . or the wolfy water witch . . . and SOON, I might just die.<——TRUE story.
And I know that a lot of you aren’t big on the prequels and in-between stories like I am, so I only push the issue when I feel very, very strongly about it: you will be missing out BIG time, if you don’t read them in this series. They’re short, they’re cheap, and they are worth it. *pinky promises*
SO. If you haven’t checked Elizabeth Hunter out already, you should get on that. Desert Bound is merely the latest in a long line of fabulously entertaining fiction. I loved it so much that I’m in the middle of rereading Elemental Mysteries . . .
The Cambio Springs series:
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My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
I think I heard something. Yeah! This series is calling my name!
Bethzaida (bookittyblog) recently posted…Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King: Review
I think this might need to go on my kindle 🙂 🙂 My mom would love it and I think I might too!
Felicia the Geeky Blogger recently posted…Review: Redeemed by PC Cast
I have heard some great things about this author and this series. I need more hours in the day Jessica!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
You beat me to reading this one! I recently got a review copy and am really looking forward to it, especially after your review. This will be my first book by Elizabeth but I have a feeling it won’t be my last 🙂 Great review Jessica!
Lori recently posted…Blog Tour: BLOOD GATE by Amy Lee Burgess {Character Interview + Giveaway}
I have yet to read Elizabeth Hunter Jessica, so clearly I have some catching up to do!! Love the sound of this series, it’s so right up my alley. I’m definitely in the mood for a great paranormal read!
I don’t tend to read wolves but this one caught my eye:)
Melissa recently posted…Lets Talk Witches with Joyce & Jim Lavene, Authors of Spell Booked!
I do miss finding treasures on my own on Kindle the way I used to when I read more. It was easy to take a shot in something new for $0.99 and a lot times I got pleasantly surprise. This is new-to-me series, I like the the sound of it. Thank you for putting on my radar Jessica.
Lupdilup recently posted…Archangel’s Shadows Audiobook by Nalini Singh (Review)
Two years ago, when I’d never been to a book event/convention, there was a con happening in Chicago – The First Ever Indie Con – and I wanted to go to it sooo badly. But we’d just moved and I really couldn’t afford it. So I decided to read a book by every author attending. Elizabeth Hunter was on that list. Alas, as many of my challenges turn out, I didn’t get to her. 🙁 (I still need to read her, Nicole Willians, and Tarryn Fisher) I do have a few of her books – since I *did* intend to read her. And you know what, if you’re such a fan, I know I will be as well. So I just need to squeeze her in. 😉
I’m so happy EHunter didn’t let you down with Desert Bound, Jessica. It really does sound fantastic. Thanks for a great review!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~ Coming for You ~ JA Huss**
I think I may have a book or two of hers and after reading your review I will definitely be checking her out further. Thanks for the rave review.
sherry fundin recently posted…Cover Reveal & Giveaway for The Publicist by Christina George
i’m interested by this author since isaw the first review on shifting dreams but i did not dare to get one yet, now with such passion for teh author and teh series i ‘m decided to try it, not sure i could get teh novella ( if they are not free or in pdf ) but i will do my best to read teh series in order like you recommened
thank you a lot)
miki recently posted…Pyros ( Darkworld Origins 1) by T. G. Ayer
Oh god I can’t remember the last time I read a really really good paranormal book so i’m definitely intrigued by this one!
Lily recently posted…Falling Into Place: Review
That is why I like finding gems like these on blogs! You do the work wading through the terrible and meh (it’s legit… since I do my own wading… LOL). I so need to put these on my kindle (including the novellas).
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…A Sudden Light by Garth Stein
Shameful to say I have not read anything by her yet, but this series looks fantastic! I love finding gems from Indie authors <3
I guess that means I should read her books 😉
blodeuedd recently posted…An Irish Promise – Isabella Connor
This looks really good. Not that I need to grow my TBR list, but I love finding new indie authors and you’ve never steered me in a bad direction. Thanks. 🙂
Melanie Simmons recently posted…As You Wish Audiobook by Cary Elwes (Review)
Doesn’t look so romancy, and has a nice premise. Is it majorly romancy?
Nathan ( recently posted…Review: ‘We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves’ by Karen Joy Fowler
I love love this author but I’m so late! I need to read the first one in this series and I have another book by her to read too. So behind! Right! Great revuew!
This sounds like a fun series Jessica. I would love to see these little details woven throughout the story. And I love well developed secondary characters that leave you wanting more. Great review!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
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I know how you feel, I finally got a kindle last Christmas and I totally went crazy finding new authors. A spring that makes people shape shift into animals sounds awesome! When I read the synopsis I thought Alex was the girl and Ted was the boy oops. I love the whole inside joke thing!
Molly Mortensen recently posted…Cipher By Aileen Erin
Finding ones like that make all those meh ones a bit more worth it. It’s so great to have so many reading options these days 🙂
anna (herding cats & burning soup) recently posted…The Bucket List (5)–pumpkins, having to touch nature & the cross stitch from hell
Sold! I’m really excited about the concept especially, between the origin to the clash with modernity it sounds fresh! And you like it, which is pretty much enough for me to at least try it 🙂
Berls recently posted…Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis | Book Review
I’ve been hearing great things about this series and now your review… Yes, I have to read this series.
Great review.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Review: He’s No Prince Charming by Elle Daniels
Oh man, Jessica, I so KNOW what you are talking about! I’m a huge fan of Hunter largely because despite their paranormal natures her heroes are so normal and lack superiority complex I so often see in dark fantasy genre. I totally dig that. And high five for a bear and a fox. May they happen soon! 🙂
kara-karina recently posted…November Book Releases I’m Dying to Read!
Whyyyyyy Jessica, WHYYYYYY!?! Another series I’m totally sold off right now after reading your review!!
Adding this one to the wish list only cause of my book buying ban, until I recover from buying my new camera!
*must resist temptation*
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