Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright
Series: The Phoenix Pack #1
Published by Montlake Romance
Published on: February 19, 2013
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Werewolves
Pages: 428
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Amazon | Book Depo | B&N | GoodReads
When female wolf shifter Taryn Warner first encounters Trey Coleman, an alpha male wolf shifter with a dangerous reputation, she’s determined to resist his charms. After all, Trey—who was only fourteen when he defeated his own father in a duel, winning the right to be alpha of his pack—can’t have anything to offer the talented healer besides trouble, or so she thinks. Taryn finds herself drawn in by Trey’s forceful demeanor and arctic-blue eyes, and she eventually agrees to enter an uneasy alliance with him. If the two succeed in convincing their respective packs that they’ve chosen each other as mates, Trey will win valuable political allies, while Taryn will escape an odious arranged mating.
But there are a lot of potential pitfalls to this plan—including the very real possibility that the wolf shifters, overwhelmed by their growing attraction to each other, will be unable to maintain the clear heads needed to pull off the deception.
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So there is hot, and then, there is HOT! I think this book fits the HOT description, with no reservations. A wolf pack full of super hot guys? Yes, that’s part of what makes this hot-but it’s the sexy scenes that pushes it into HOT territory.
Taryn Warren is a wolf shifter that can’t shift. She’s the daughter of the alpha and since she is latent, he treats her horribly, and considers her an embarrassment to him. He’s arranged a mating for her with Roscoe, an alpha that gets his kicks from hurting women. When Taryn gets kidnapped out of the blue by Trey, the Alpha of the Phoenix Pack, and is given a chance to get out of mating Roscoe, she pretty much jumps at it. The fact that she has to pretend that Trey is her true mate just made it much easier since she is totally attracted to him, and so is her wolf.
I enjoyed the characters of Taryn and Trey. Taryn is a healer for her pack, and has sarcasm oozing out of her pores. Trey has a wolf that is so close under his skin that when he gets upset he goes feral, and nobody can calm him-except Taryn. He is so dominate that when he was fourteen he challenged, and won against his father. He left his pack, and started a new pack with several members of the old pack. Taryn is also an alpha even though she can’t shift. The two alphas together were nothing short of explosive. The rest of the Phoenix pack were all well realized as well. Marcus, the sweet womanizer, Dominic and his corny pickup lines, Dante, the hot beta, Tao, the head enforcer, and the one with a crush on Taryn, all become like friends before it’s all over. And then there is Trey’s grandmother, Greta. Sweet granny? Not even close. She is the bane of Taryn’s life, and the main object of Taryn’s sharp tongued sarcasm, and that was one of the funniest parts of the book for me. Of course there is a villain, Trey’s uncle. He has his own evil agenda when it comes to the Phoenix Pack.
To me the characters and the romance were the best part of this read. However, the author has done a ton of world building concerning shifters in this world where humans know about them, and are prejudiced against them. Mating rules are explored and expanded to included both true mates and imprinting-and there is a difference. Pack politics and alliances are all part of this story as well. There’s lots of violence, and pretty much an equal amount of sex scenes. The chemistry between Trey and Taryn is off the charts, and people that don’t enjoy erotica may have a problem with this read. Normally I am not a big erotica fan, but decided that since the story and romance were so good, that I was just going to go with it. It’s very explicit, but well written.
I read this in order to get background, and to better understand book four, Dark Instincts, which I have also read. I enjoyed both of these so much that I am probably going to go back and read books two and three. My review of Dark Instincts will post soon.
Just a heads up, I just read a review on Amazon that completely confused me. Evidently there was a graphic orgy/almost rape scene that readers hated, and it has since been deleted from the book. So if you do read other reviews keep that in mind. I think it made for a lot more bad reviews for a book that would have been rated higher-my opinion.
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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.
Oh I really love this series, so much fun! I loved seeing Greta and Taryn together. I need to read book 4!
Oh book four is really good. Marcus!
Wonderful review. I’ve been wanting to read this book/series and have it on my TBR. Thank you. You have just made it that much more to rest trying this novel out! ^_^
Angela recently posted…Author Interview: Danielle Annett (Cursed By Fire Tour) ~ Excerpt/Giveaway
Thank you! I hope you get a chance to read it and enjoy 🙂
Great review. I love this series. I started listening to it two years ago. I’ve really enjoyed the series. I love some of the really cheesy pickup lines that Dominic uses, even as bad as they are. I’m working on my review of Dark Instincts now. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Early Review: Gardens of Dreams and Desires by Kristen Painter
Thanks! I am really liking this series too. Dominic’s one liners were great!I loved Taryn’s with Greta a lot too.Got to write my review for Dark Instincts tonight too. Happy Easter!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright
oh this series is so fun!! one of my favorite shifter ones. I am planning on reading the fourth soon. Great review…I just loved everything about this one, and glad to hear you enjoyed it too. Hope you like books 2 and 3.
I am glad you liked it too! I heard since I wrote the review that book 2 was great but book 3 not so much-so not sure-may stop after I read book 2. And Thanks!
I do wonder when my pnr burnout will end
blodeuedd recently posted…Carole Reviews: Scent of the Soul – Julie Doherty
Hopefully soon-there’s a lot of good ones now 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Blitz and Review: Three Hours by Dannika Dark
That cover is awesome and this is exactly the kind of book that I love. Thanks for the great review. Now I need to put this in my wish list for later.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Happy Raturday!
Oh, I hope you like it!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright
Oooh, Lorna…guess what I just used some of my birthday GC on?!? Yep. Feral Sins. 🙂 I’m really curious to see all these alphas together. And I just hate sarcasm <– said with sarcasm. 🙂 I'm excited about it especially since you enjoyed it so much and erotica isn't really your cup of tea. I will do my best to squeeze this in really soon.
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Eire’s Devil King ~ Sandi Layne
Oh Brandee, I hope you love it! Sorry I just now saw this 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright
Oh oh this does sound Hot! I also like the idea of all the political stuff going on. You have me sold, I’ll give this one a try. And hey, who doesn’t like a little bit of smut every now and again. ;]
This one does have a lot going for it in the smut category, I will say lol. I hope you enjoy!
Lorna recently posted…Question: Is It Possible To Have Too Much Romance (with Angela Addams + Giveaway)?
Great review Lorna! This series sounds fantastic – I love the idea of an alpha female wolf that can’t shift, that’s quite the unique twist. And I’ll take HOT any day 🙂
Berls recently posted…“The Reckoning” S1:E9 | Outlander Thoughts
If you like HOT you will not be disappointed-at least hopefully not. I do hope you enjoy it 🙂