Page Princess: THE HOWLING HEART by April Bostic

2013...

Title: THE HOWLING HEART

Author: April Bostic

Publish Date: 08.01.13

Publisher: Eternal Press

Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance, NA

Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content & violence

Received from: April Bostic (in exchange for an honest review)

Tour by: Read Between the Lines
Goodreads link: The Howling Heart
Date completed: 12.27.13

Description from the publisher:

Paige Donovan is an ambitious college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s climbing fast when given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies, and just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, she has a car accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black River.

Soon, she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv---wolves descended from 13th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack.

Now, she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed of sharing.

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Paige dreams of a time when she ran away when she was a very little girl. Lost in the woods and befriended by a small animal, she is surrounded by a pack of wolves. Her little friend stands up to the wolves and she is spared, just as her parents and the sheriff find her.

Now an adult, rising the ladder at Elle magazine, she inherits the small cabin in the woods where she once was lost. Frightened once again by wolves she told do not inhabit the area, she has an accident in her car and is taken in by the new sheriff and his family. Soon she discovers that she is within the community of the Varulv, wolves descended from the Norse Gods with the ability to appear human. Paige falls in love with Riley, the Beta male of the pack, and must decide between her career in New York and her love in Black River, Colorado.

Ms. Bostic has created new rules for her werewolves. These are not men who become wolves, but wolves with the ability to look like men for a time. WARNING: There is talk of the possibility of bestiality, but there are no actual scenes of it. This part is extremely well done to reduce the squeamish factor.

I absolutely loved our two main characters, Paige and Riley. Every girl wants a boy like Riley. He is sensitive, but dominates. He knew he loved Paige from the time they first met and would do anything to get her to give him a chance. Paige is strong, independent, and fierce, but willing to submit to Riley for the sake of their pack. Her love grows for him in such an organic way, that nothing feels forced. I almost forgot I was reading a story instead of living another life. Oh, and the ending! The ending was such a fairy-tale perfect ending.

There is no indication that Ms. Bostic intends to make this a series, but I hope she will give this serious consideration. I would love to see Riley’s sister, Quinn, find her HEA. As always with a pack, there are supporting characters who could be brought out in future episodes to expand this into a series.

Grammar/editing: A – near perfect

Other Books from this Author:

A Rose to the Fallen
Eros, My Love
Right Here, Right Now
Love Addiction
A Dark Scandal

Riley was a beautiful wolf. It made sense, considering he was a beautiful man. The sunlight streaming through the windows in the living room touched parts of his body and revealed his entire coat was the color of pure snow. A soft glow emanated from his amber eyes, and they were almost hypnotic. In the light of day, they didn't glow as brightly as they did at night.

Riley and I were both still, our gazes locked on each other. I had lost the capacity to speak. I couldn't believe what I had witnessed. Two humans had transformed into wolves, one right in front of me. How is this possible?

He stepped forward, slowly and cautiously, and my muscles tensed. He took another step until he was close enough to touch. My breathing increased, and I pressed my back against the sofa. I wouldn't dare touch him. I wasn't sure if he could control his animal form. He whimpered as he sat on his hind legs and put his head on my knee. There was a message behind his eyes that I didn’t understand.

"He's not going to hurt you, Paige."

I turned my head to see Quinn had transformed back into her human form. Her breasts were exposed, but she didn't seem embarrassed. It became obvious the twins were comfortable being naked around me. She looked at her brother and then settled her blue eyes on me.

"It's still Riley," she said quietly. "He's fully aware of what's going on. He knows it's you."

Quinn must’ve noticed my hesitation. I'll admit her words made me feel more comfortable.

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