Beneath the Skin – Book #1
If you could shift into a wolf, what would you discover about yourself?
Two years after the deaths of her bond mates, Constance Newcastle is ready to start over. The problem? The rest of the Great Pack, gathered in Paris to shift into wolves together, is not so sure she deserves the chance. Although the Great Council ruled the car crash an accident, even Constance blames herself. She was driving, after all.
Treated like a pariah by those she longs to rejoin, Constance reunites with an old lover. Everything looks promising until he mysteriously dies. Accused of his murder and desperate to clear her name, Constance joins forces with handsome, confident Liam Murphy, a former Alpha pack leader with a past as tragic and troubled as her own. Guided by the mysterious Councilor Jason Allerton, Constance and Liam discover they are not alone– throughout the Great Pack, people are dying. Can all the deaths be accidents, or is something more sinister going on?
CONTENT WARNING: Vulgar language, some sexual situations
When I'm not si sure what rating to give to a book, I just divide my review into "likes" and "don't likes" to make it clear.
Overall this was a fast paced read, entertaining and yes, I think it is a series I may keep reading. This is only the beginning, so I believe the characters have yet to mature and be developed.
There is a lot of potential in "Beneath the Skin" so I hope the series takes advantages of it.
So, thoughts:
What I didn't like:
- Basically, I had a problem with the protagonist, Constance. She is winny, keeps drowning herself in self pity and I can't remember how many times throughout the book she felt like she was going to puke. I know she went through a rought situation, but it was time for her to get over it. I thought she didn't have any redeemable qualities, well, except that she likes Louboutin's shoes, but at the end she won me a little. (and I literally meana little, I still thinks she is annoying)
- I didn't like the way the author represented her wolf. Whenever constance shifted we read her thoughts and they go something like: "me run, me happy, me with friend, me scared" Seriously, it's kinda weird.
What I liked:
- As I said, the pace was fast, which made it entertaining
- The plot is ok, a bit of action, a bit of romance. Not much of any though. The mystery add to the story. Thumbs up.
- The originality of the approach. I mean, they are werewolces but turning has nothing to do with a full moon and the author created a unique world for these werewolves and their packs. I liked the way they joined in duos or triads and the ceremonies such as "the gathering". Also the idea of a Council, Grandmothers and Grandfathers.
- Looooooove the cover.
- I enjoyed the end very much, not only the discovery and solving of the mystery but Liam and Stanzie's renewed interaction.
- Liam Murphy. he is selfless, supporting, intriguing, smart and pretty interesting and he hides behind that smug, tough guy facade.
To sum up: I liked it, but didn't love it. It has a lot of potential, for me, it needs a bit more work.
Would I recommend it? Yes, it's a promising start.
Would I read the sequel? Probably yes. :)
Other books in the series:
Scratch the Surface – Book #2
Something’s rotten in the Riverglow pack.
Still learning more about each other as bond mates and adjusting to their new roles as Advisors to a Councilor, Constance Newcastle and Liam Murphy must deal with the ghosts of their past.
A quiet weekend in Boston is anything but that, when Constance comes face to face with the betrayal of those she considered the closest to her. Everyone has secrets, and wherever Constance goes, she has a knack for uncovering them. The only problem is that some secrets are deadly.
WARNING: Strong language, sexual situations, and a lot of graphic shoe description.
Hidden in Plain Sight – Book #3
As Stanzie discovers her wolf, she learns being herself is more
dangerous than ever.
Where is Bethany Dillon? The seventeen-year-old girl is missing from the Maplefair pack and Constance Newcastle–Stanzie–and Liam Murphy must find her. Fast. A serial killer still has not been caught. Bethany could have run away, or killed herself. But no one in her pack seems to know the truth. Or, they’re just not telling.
Constance’s knack for uncovering secrets leads her into peril, and to save Bethany, she must break every rule. She risks losing everything, including Liam…and her life.
CONTENT WARNING: Vulgar language, some sexual situations
Inside Out – Book #4
For Stanzie, being herself is more dangerous than ever.
There’s no place like home…or is there? When Stanzie is asked to investigate her birth pack- Mayflower–she isn’t prepared for what she finds. No one respects the Alphas and the newest adult member of the pack is being encouraged to leave. Why?
To make matters worse, the men are dangerously intent on mating and shifting with her. How far will the pack she thought she knew go to get what they want? Without her bond-mate, Liam, Stanzie must face this alone and, barely ahead of threat of violence, must solve the mysteries, and fast.
CONTENT WARNING: Vulgar language, some sexual situations
About Face – Book #5
Being herself is more dangerous than ever.
Stanzie’s job as Advisor to the Great Council is discovering other people’s secrets. When those secrets are being kept by the ones she loves most, can she find the courage to expose them?
Under orders from a Councilor, Stanzie journeys to Dublin and the MacTire pack. Her mission: warn her estranged bond mate, Liam Murphy, to abandon his overzealous search for the man responsible for the death of his first bond mate. Not only is he endangering himself, but also disrupting the delicate balance between opposing factions in the conspiracy threatening to tear the Great Pack apart.
Liam needs Stanzie’s help to protect their Alpha, who has entangled himself in the conspiracy’s deadly web. But he also desperately needs her back. In a race against time, Stanzie and Liam discover enemies often wear the faces of friends.
CONTENT WARNING: Vulgar language, some sexual situations
Across the Line – Book #6
When Councilor Allerton sends Stanzie to investigate a territory dispute between tiny pack Stony Fell and the British branch of much larger Mac Tire, it seems routine until someone sets a bear trap. A young Stony Fell man pays with the loss of his leg and now it’s up to Stanzie and Murphy to figure out who set the trap–and why–before more members of the packs are maimed.
Add a pair of star-crossed lovers, one love triangle, a grief-stricken bond mate with jealousy issues, and bad blood all around and the resultant twisted hell brew reveals the darker side of inter-pack politics that could prove too difficult–and dangerous–for even Stanzie to untangle.
CONTENT WARNING: Vulgar language, some sexual situations
About Amy Lee Burgess
Amy Lee Burgess is a transplanted New Englander living in Houston, Texas with two dogs and lots of DVDs. In an attempt to bond with the city after being forced out of New Orleans post-Katrina, she turned to her writing. Determined to finally finish that novel she’d been hacking away at since high school, Amy managed to come up with a wolf shifter character named Stanzie Newcastle. She and Stanzie have been BFFs ever since.
In addition to Stanzie, Amy has also forged a relationship with several vampires, a witch or two, and other assorted supernatural creatures she hopes will entertain her readers. But she will always have room for coffee and butterscotch squares with Stanzie.
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GUEST POST
Sshhh! I did something bad! I stole a recipe from councilor Kathy Manning. You may know her from The Wolf Within Series.
She showed up in Scratch the Surface and has been popping up ever since in most of the novels. She is always cooking. Although she can be fancy (like the time she took white chocolate drizzled strawberries steeped in Grand Marnier to the beach), she's best known for her awesome butterscotch squares.
She only makes them for the ones she really loves and if she knew I was sharing this recipe with you, I would be in so much trouble!
But I think if she knew you guys, she'd bake this for you. Since she doesn't you'll have to bake them for yourselves, and wait til you taste them! So here you go!
Kathy manning's Butterscotch squares:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350F. Line 8-by-8-inch pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray; set aside.
Place butter in a medium sauce pan and heat over medium-low to medium heat. Stir frequently to prevent burning. When brown specks appear, remove the pan from the burner, continuing to whisk for another 30 seconds. Pour butter into large mixing bowl and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
Add brown sugar to the butter. Whisk to combine. Whisk in egg and vanilla. Add flour, salt, and stir until just combined. Fold in butterscotch chips. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until bars are set. Allow bars to cool for at least 2 hours. Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
YUMMY! YUMMY! YUMMY!
I hope you guys liked it!
Rhomy.
