Curragh by Faleena Hopkins
Series: Werewolves of Chicago #1
Published by Indie
Published on: January 21, 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Werewolves
Pages: 371
Format: eBook
Source: Freebie
Amazon | Book Depo | Kobo | B&N | iBooks | GoodReads
The tight black dress.
The booze in her hand.
The soft-brown bedroom eyes.
The acceptance of his invitation to join him in the bar's locked bathroom right after they meet.
None of these things could have warned him she was a f-ing off-duty cop and after the same bad dude he was. Fuhhhhhhhck.
Detective Kara Monaghan and wolf Curragh Dominion are after the same guy, but by very different means. When they meet as strangers in a bar and chemistry flies, they have NO idea they're on different sides of the law until after they've had their delicious fill of each other. He wants her to go away AND come closer. What's a stubborn beast to do when his wolf has a mind of its own?
 |
 |
 |
 |
When Brandee at Bookworm Brandee’s Blog, posted about the Chicago werewolves series, I immediately bought Howard’s story, and recently read it. Turned the page after finishing, and there was book one, Curragh’s story. So I continued reading even though I was reading them out of order. At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like that, but ended up enjoying both of the books-a lot. That being said, it will make more sense to you if you read Curragh’s story first. It was originally published as a serial, and then included in it’s entirety, with Howard’s story.
Whereas the New York werewolves(the original series)have respectable high paying jobs, the Chicago group operates pretty much on the wrong side of the law. Both groups work to help people that are being mugged, raped, assaulted, etc. Now the Chicago group has taken on the biggest mob boss in Chicago, someone the police have been hunting for nine years. Curragh and his packmates, Xavier and Draik, keep to themselves, except for the women they sleep with, and of course keep the secret of their existence away from humans. Kara, a human, has transferred from New York to Chicago as a police detective, after a bad divorce. She is assigned to the mob division. See where this is going? Well it got there a bit differently than you can imagine, because Kara and Curragh’s meeting has zip to do with the mob, and everything to do with a gritty sexual encounter between two strangers. And I can’t believe I am going to say this but, it totally worked for me!
As usual with this author’s characters, most are all fully realized and complex, with the exception of a full back story for the Chicago wolves. I would like to know more about their life before Chicago, and more about how they pay their bills. Hopefully, the farther we go into the series, more details will develop. I really liked Kara and how smart and sarcastic at times she is. But she’s also tough as nails, with a vulnerability that she rarely shows anyone. Curragh is the epitome of an alpha wolf. He too, is smart, strong, and he just met his vulnerability in the form of Kara. Howard is introduced as a skinny wimp of a medical examiner-and a wolf. He’s brilliant, and is already a doctor at twenty two. All Howard wants is to be accepted by a pack, as his own pack wants very little to do with a wimp.
This was filled with exciting scenes, piles of dead bodies, suspense, and over the top romance. Sexual chemistry for days. This author gets better with every book I read by her. I liked the New York werewolves, but so far I am loving the Chicago ones. There was nothing simple about this story, and the premise became pretty intricate as it went on. In the end, I really enjoyed Kara and Curragh’s story and really look forward to reading Xavier and Draik’s stories, as well.
Highly recommended to adult paranormal romance fans. I also think some urban fantasy fans that don’t mind a romance, would find a lot to like about this book-especially when the book ends up spending a good portion of the story with characters running around underneath the city as this one does.
FYI-I received both books bundled together, but that might have been a limited time offer.
|
Werewolves of Chicago Series
|
||
  |
  |
  |
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.
First one is free so I shall give it a try. 🙂 Sounds pretty interesting anyway. 🙂
It really was-actually shocked me that it was so good and free! Hope you enjoy!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Curragh by Faleena Hopkins (@Mollykatie112, @FaleenaHopkins)
I love that you said this was thriller as well as a PNR. Great review!
Yes, it’s got mobsters so it was a thriller as well for sure. Exciting stuff 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Curragh by Faleena Hopkins (@Mollykatie112, @FaleenaHopkins)
I’m curious about these now with his mob connections and she’s a police detective. I like what you’re saying about the author spending time to develop the characters.
That’s curious about the first book tucked in behind the second one.
Yes, but the mob connections were only that his pack were vigilantes wanting to wipe out the mob-but not doing it legally. That was a good deal to get both-but I thought I was just getting Howard, because that’s the one Brandee featured so I didn’t realize it was a two-fer:)
Ah, gotcha!
Two-fers are great! 🙂
Lots going on on that cover
Yes, seems that way huh?
Lorna recently posted…Review: Curragh by Faleena Hopkins (@Mollykatie112, @FaleenaHopkins)
I am glad to hear this one worked for you. I don’t think i saw this series on Brandee her blog, even though i visit her quite regularly. The cover makes this one look like your typical paranormal romance, but hearing both you and Brandee enjoyed it, does make me curious!
I like it when characters are fully developed and feel like real people. It sounds like an exciting read with the romance and suspense. I hope you’ll continue to enjoy this series! Great review!
Lola recently posted…Sunday Post #179
Brandee’s blog was featuring Howard when I read about it and that’s the one I bought at the time, and got Curragh for free with it. Review for Howard will post next Saturday 🙂 Yes, this was way more than just a paranormal romance, lots of thriller aspects as well. Thank you!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Curragh by Faleena Hopkins (@Mollykatie112, @FaleenaHopkins)
How can I pass up piles of dead bodies? 😀 Sounds like a well-rounded book!
Christy LoveOfBooks recently posted…The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin
That’s actually from the book 🙂 I thought it was really good!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Curragh by Faleena Hopkins (@Mollykatie112, @FaleenaHopkins)
Oh this one sounds so good and it looks like that first one is free. Yep, snatched that one up. Sounds like a good PNR/UF book. Me likey. 😀
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Battlestorm by Susan Krinard
Oh good, I hope you enjoy 🙂 Her New York werewolves are good too.
Gah! You just reminded me that I have Curragh on my review stack! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it so much. That makes me look forward to reading it even more. 🙂 I giggled out loud over your comment that the gritty sex scene worked for you. *ha* Hopkins is in my stack (and her wolves of NY are on my kindle) thanks to you.
I sure do hope you like them! I would hate to think you bought all those if you don’t 🙂 Actually though, they are good reads 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Seven Weeks to Forever by Jennifer Farwell (@Mollykatie112, @jennfarwell)
Seriously..you keep adding to my pile. This was free so I grabbed it, and book one was .99cents..*eyes TBR pile*
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Haunted Destiny by Heather Graham
Well we are even then! I have so many of the books you added to mine as well 🙂 Seriously though, I hope you like it!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Seven Weeks to Forever by Jennifer Farwell (@Mollykatie112, @jennfarwell)
Haha! Sexual tension for days! Love that line!
Even though you’ve read these out of order, you have been able to keep up, which is great for a series. I hope you get all the answers soon!
Naomi Hop recently posted…Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@seeCwrite, @lolashoes, @SimonSchusterAU)
Thank you! I am really enjoying these 🙂 And her New York ones as well.
Lorna recently posted…Review: Curragh by Faleena Hopkins (@Mollykatie112, @FaleenaHopkins)