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The Austin Wolves #3
Dire Straits
Coming soon!
If you like urban fantasy with slow-burn romance, fast-paced action, and impertinent magical beings, consider checking out The Austin Wolves Series.
If you like urban fantasy with slow-burn romance, fast-paced action, and impertinent magical beings, consider checking out The Austin Wolves Series.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2023
139 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
C.P. Rider
19 books339 followersC.P. Rider has worked as a decorative and mural painter, a fitness instructor, and a background investigator for nuclear power plants, all of which prepared her in strange and different ways for writing paranormal and urban fantasy romance.
Originally from the California southwestern desert, she now lives a little closer to the ocean with her family, including 3 dogs, a cat, 2 fish, and the occasional friendly ghost.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 20, 2024
Home Sweet Home or Not
(3.5 stars)
It’s fun being back in the world of the Austin Wolves. In “Dire Straits” Emmaline returns to Change for her mother’s birthday. Juan is with her and frankly, she needs his settling presence. Home is a mixture of sadness and good memories.
Before the car can even cool down, Emmaline is faced with two cloaked wolves attempting to start trouble in her mother’s diner. It is all Emmaline can do to keep her vox in check. However, someone she loves dearly has been attacked and she will do anything to bring justice to her friend’s memory.
Of course, this installment is not complete without Eve and the legion’s minions showing up; however, Juan has his own issues to deal with back in Austin so he has to the unthinkable and leave Emmaline in Change while he goes off to handle an emergency.
Separation between the two is not the best choice but one thing for sure is that it helps them both realize what is most important in their lives and budding relationship.
While I enjoyed this read, it also suffered from too much going on with little to no satisfaction. At times I found myself somewhat frustrated and wanted to skip forward to a new scene but the plot seemed mired in too much muck and not enough meaningful actions. The plot has not really moved forward by very much and this read felt like “filler” rather than a great story. Hopefully, the next book will set things to right.
(3.5 stars)
It’s fun being back in the world of the Austin Wolves. In “Dire Straits” Emmaline returns to Change for her mother’s birthday. Juan is with her and frankly, she needs his settling presence. Home is a mixture of sadness and good memories.
Before the car can even cool down, Emmaline is faced with two cloaked wolves attempting to start trouble in her mother’s diner. It is all Emmaline can do to keep her vox in check. However, someone she loves dearly has been attacked and she will do anything to bring justice to her friend’s memory.
Of course, this installment is not complete without Eve and the legion’s minions showing up; however, Juan has his own issues to deal with back in Austin so he has to the unthinkable and leave Emmaline in Change while he goes off to handle an emergency.
Separation between the two is not the best choice but one thing for sure is that it helps them both realize what is most important in their lives and budding relationship.
While I enjoyed this read, it also suffered from too much going on with little to no satisfaction. At times I found myself somewhat frustrated and wanted to skip forward to a new scene but the plot seemed mired in too much muck and not enough meaningful actions. The plot has not really moved forward by very much and this read felt like “filler” rather than a great story. Hopefully, the next book will set things to right.
March 22, 2025
Emmaline is home in Chance, Arizona but the peaceful solution to her inner problems hasn’t appeared. Although she’s happy to be home, her past still haunts her as well as the Legion splinter group who are still chasing her.
With the threat to destroy her home town, Emmaline is still searching for answers and ways to stop them.
Juan is torn between staying with his mate, although no one is admitting the mate status, and going back to Austin to help with problems there.
There is a fair amount of action, lots of suspense with some surprises. Clive the chicken makes an appearance and is still quite the character but, in this book, he is joined by the chihuahua Rueben, another great animal character.
Neely, Lucas and Amir show up from Sundance to lend a hand as well.
Again, this is a book that I have trouble reviewing without giving things away.
This is another great, easy, enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the last book in the series.
With the threat to destroy her home town, Emmaline is still searching for answers and ways to stop them.
Juan is torn between staying with his mate, although no one is admitting the mate status, and going back to Austin to help with problems there.
There is a fair amount of action, lots of suspense with some surprises. Clive the chicken makes an appearance and is still quite the character but, in this book, he is joined by the chihuahua Rueben, another great animal character.
Neely, Lucas and Amir show up from Sundance to lend a hand as well.
Again, this is a book that I have trouble reviewing without giving things away.
This is another great, easy, enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the last book in the series.
September 8, 2023
Lots going on, lots of developments, both positive and negative. Loved it 💖
Phew - Dire Straits indeed! Another great addition to Em and Juan’s story. There’s plenty of action and dirty deeds done dirtily by the head of Infecta - whom we find out more about - plus yet another betrayal! 😱 The side characters don’t feel like side characters, but part of the whole woven wonderful-ness that is this fab series. But the showcase for me is the growth Em and Juan go through, both individually and as a couple 💖 Again, the writing is excellent, particularly regarding Em’s dark side and ptsd kicking in from her time held captive by Elias/Elijah, plus Juan’s inner battle with his other selves and duty vs love. Oh and we get cameos from Neely and Luke, yeay! 👌🏼 Very much looking forward to book 3 😁
Phew - Dire Straits indeed! Another great addition to Em and Juan’s story. There’s plenty of action and dirty deeds done dirtily by the head of Infecta - whom we find out more about - plus yet another betrayal! 😱 The side characters don’t feel like side characters, but part of the whole woven wonderful-ness that is this fab series. But the showcase for me is the growth Em and Juan go through, both individually and as a couple 💖 Again, the writing is excellent, particularly regarding Em’s dark side and ptsd kicking in from her time held captive by Elias/Elijah, plus Juan’s inner battle with his other selves and duty vs love. Oh and we get cameos from Neely and Luke, yeay! 👌🏼 Very much looking forward to book 3 😁
May 26, 2024
The tension is racked up and Emmaline is still out for only herself, but Juan loves her and so when they make it to Emmaline's mother, things go better for them personally, however Infecta are still a massive threat and so are a pack relating to someone in the village that they are in, Change. Emmaline steps in and it causes trouble. However with Juan's help it gets resolved and she even confronts her ex husband and accepts her mate bond with Juan. Infecta however are still ramping up the trouble and there isn't a lot anyone can do about it.
February 23, 2024
Self Blame
I am all for taking ownership when wrong, but not for something that was the right thing to do.
This book was ok. What I didn't like was the self blame and main story with the wolves. I felt that more time should have been given with the situation with Eve. Instead the main story was about a surrounding a woman we never met before, who I had no invested interest in.
Don't think I'll make it to 4. I just want the original story to finally be completed.
I am all for taking ownership when wrong, but not for something that was the right thing to do.
This book was ok. What I didn't like was the self blame and main story with the wolves. I felt that more time should have been given with the situation with Eve. Instead the main story was about a surrounding a woman we never met before, who I had no invested interest in.
Don't think I'll make it to 4. I just want the original story to finally be completed.
September 19, 2023
wow
Another great book in the series. This time we are in Change and Eve is being her usual nasty godlike self. Trying to separate Emmaline and her mate is a challenge but Eve does her best and soon Juan is back in Austin. Lots of surprises and even more changes come to change. Can’t wait for the next one.
Another great book in the series. This time we are in Change and Eve is being her usual nasty godlike self. Trying to separate Emmaline and her mate is a challenge but Eve does her best and soon Juan is back in Austin. Lots of surprises and even more changes come to change. Can’t wait for the next one.
September 7, 2023
This spin-off keeps getting better. Lookin' forward to more w/Dire End in 2024.
✮✮✮✮½
✮✮✮✮½
September 5, 2023
3.5 stars
September 5, 2023
Love The Dire Wolves
The author does a great job of keeping the reader involved in the story. The story is solid, and the romance is top notch.
The author does a great job of keeping the reader involved in the story. The story is solid, and the romance is top notch.
September 19, 2023
I can't get enough of this world, En, Juan, Noah but also old friends like Neely, Lukas, Dolores, or Amir. This story is in Em's hometown and it's a rollercoaster of emotions. Such a great read!
November 11, 2025
Great read
Rider is consistent in creating something different in each book, while maintaining a high standard for plot, action and character.
Rider is consistent in creating something different in each book, while maintaining a high standard for plot, action and character.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews