Wolves at the Door

Shapes of Autumn #2

by Veronica Blade

NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER: As with any Veronica Blade book, this is a ROMANCE NOVEL, meaning it's romance FIRST and everything else is secondary. Rated PG-13 for sexual situations and mild profanity.

THIS IS BOOK #2 IN THE SHAPES OF AUTUMN SERIES

Their forbidden love could cost them their lives...

Autumn’s just learned she’s a shape-shifter — something her parents should’ve told her long ago. Unless they adopted her and didn’t know she wasn’t human. Either way, learning the truth has the same outcome: her parents lied. Zack is the only one she can count on, but he’s a werewolf and the king’s decree forbids contact between the species, let alone love. Zack’s planning to leave after graduation, but letting him go isn’t an option. He’s becoming more a part of her every day, a part she would fight for, give up everything for — even kill for. If she’s not killed first.

If Zack’s experience with his own kind has taught him anything, it’s that werewolves can’t be trusted. He’d rather die free than live in a pack under the rule of the werewolf king. So, instead of preparing for college like any other senior, he’s planning to go on the run after graduation. Escaping won’t be easy with the werewolves guarding him. But until that day comes, Zack knows he’s endangering Autumn every moment he’s around her. If it’s this difficult staying away from her now, how hard will it be to leave her behind in just a few weeks?


See the book trailer: http://youtu.be/GEXgVD1NblU

Genres: Romance, Werewolves, Young Adult, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Supernatural

395 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Brain candy. Cleansing your reading palate one book at a time.

Veronica Blade lives in Southern California with her husband and children. By day she runs the family business, but each night she slips away to spin her tales. She writes stories about young adults to relive her own childhood and to live vicariously through her characters. Except her heroes and heroines lead far more interesting lives — and they are always way hotter.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict]]

Wolves at the Door is book #2 in the Shapes of Autumn series by Veronica Blade. Autumn is doing her best to navigate this new world of shapeshifters. Her boyfriend, Zack, is her only guide to help her through it. The problem is, Zack is a werewolf! In the werewolf world, shapeshifters are the lowest of low. They are either killed or used as slaves. And if any of the other werewolves learned of the relationship between Zack and Autumn, they would both be killed.



As soon as they graduate, Zack would be required to leave and serve under the werewolf king. He does not want to do this. So, he has planned to run. He is very close to his family, though, and his mother is ill. And the thought of leaving Autumn is more than painful. Can he really leave everyone that is most important to him? And can Autumn really let him go?

In this second book, Zack and Autumn have so much to navigate through. Not only are they still maturing as a werewolf and shapeshifter, they are dealing with Zack’s very sick Mother, high school dilemmas, Autumn’s strange parents and trying to adjust to their feelings for each other.

Charles is the scout that watches over Zack and is supposed to take him to the King after he graduates. But Charles is NOT a good guy. And he is constantly watching them. We also have a new werewolf in town, Renzo, and his niece Alura. Renzo is somewhat of a mystery. He says he wants to help Zack and Autumn but can he really be trusted or is he just waiting to turn Zack over to the King?



Autumn’s strength and powers really seem to be progressing quickly which leads to more mystery regarding her parents. Who or what are they really? I really enjoyed, though, watching Autumn mature. She can change easily into any animal she wants. She can be a grizzly bear one minute and the next be a hawk soaring overhead.



I really did enjoy reading this next chapter in Autumn and Zack’s journey together. Although most issues are resolved, there are still many questions to be answered. What is the mystery surrounding Autumn’s parents and what is Renzo’s story? The sweet romance between Zack and Autumn and the danger and adventure they are forced to endure to be together will keep me coming back for more.

[Suzanne]

Wolves at the door is a really good sequel to My Wolf's Bane and I enjoyed it a lot.

Zack and Autumn are together and biding their time, until Zack must run. As a werewolf, he must become part of a pack under the rule of the King, something Zack doesn't want, so he plans to run before he can be taken by any scouts. But if caught with Autumn, he'll be killed, no questions asked, for being with a shapeshifter. Shapeshifters are considered the lowest of the low by the werewolf community and are either killed or used as slaves.

This book is stronger on the romance side than it is on the paranormal but it still has a really enjoyable storyline running through it. The relationship is quite angsty and did have me worried for a bit. Zack and Autumn are characters that I really enjoy, and the secondary characters here work really well too.

There's some secrecy surrounding Autumn's parents, and also Rezno, which I'm really looking forward to solving in the next book. I was quite sure I had some of it worked out, but now I'm questioning myself.

This is a sweet series and I'll be (im)patiently waiting to find out what's going to happen next for Autumn and Zack

[Veronica Blade]

Of all the books I've written, this one might be my favorite. Hope you enjoy it too!

[Kimmie]

Wolves at the Door by Veronica Blade

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Wolves at the Door is the second installment in Veronica Blade’s Shapes of Autumn series. It picks up within a matter of hours where My Wolf’s Bane leaves off. And just like the first, I was drawn in from page one and couldn’t stop until I’d finished the entire book.

Blade does a remarkable job at capturing the essence of teenage romance. This one is even more passionate than the first as Autumn and Zack try to fight their desires. Some might expect a paranormal young adult novel to fall short in the romance department, but not with this author. Throughout all of the exciting twists Autumn and Zack go through, you never lose sight of their intense feelings for one another.

This series only gets better as it becomes more mysterious with new characters, a deeper level of affection, and unveiling secrets. Not to mention, Autumn becomes more comfortable in her supernatural skin.

I am in love with Blade’s writing style. The entire Autumn and Zack storyline is something I’ve not heard of before, which only sucks me in deeper. I know there are great things to come! In the meantime, I’m catching up on all the other Veronica Blade novels.

My poor family will be living off crockpot meals for quite some time…

***** 5 STARS!

[Megan]

What a great sequel!!! I love that the romance was just as heated as the first book, if not more! I also loved that we got to see more of the not-so-important characters. Like John, Ashley, and Janine. It was nice to see the school isn't run by mindless zombies that just watch Autumn's drama like reality TV. Maya and Trevor, and even John, cracked me up at the most random times, it was such a breath of fresh air :)

There was more drama in this one, too. With new characters and old ones that have changed for the worse, it's constant! We learn more about Autumn's parents and how they are connected, but a lot of questions are still left unanswered. I just want the next one immediately!!! I can't wait for Zack and Autumn to grow and see how they make it through their world! Not to mention, I'd like to know more about Renzo and Alura. Who are they? Where did they come from? So much mystery!!! I must have more!

[T.J. Dell]

So good!

This is exactly what I wanted from book number two. Lots of Autumn and Zack enjoying their limited time together before graduation comes and they have to say goodbye.

They still have to be careful. They need to be on their guard at all times. Autumn's secret needs to be protected, Zack needs an escape plan, and under no circumstances can their relationship be discovered.

Some of the secrets Autumn suspected her parents had been keeping from her are explained. But that just leaves us with even more unexplained secrets. Which of course left me salivating for the next installment.

If you are an Autumn and Zack fan you won't be disappointed.

[Emily]

I absolutely adore this series! I love Autumn and Zack and how much they care for each other. They go through a lot together, even a pseudo breakup, and still manage to keep it together. There are so many twists and turns that the story always kept me intrigued - never a dull moment! I have so many speculations on so many possible outcomes for this story that I am really eager to get my hands on the next installment jsut so I will know what happens. My advice, read it. You will not be disappointed!

[Katelyn]

I am so happy to report that Wolves At The Door, the second book in the Shapes of Autumn series is just as, if not more, exciting as the first book, My Wolf's Bane. I loved the first book because it was paranormal mixed with thrilling mixed with romance. I enjoy all three separately but I adore when all three are found together in one book. When it comes to Wolves At The Door though, there was even more paranormal, even more thrilling moments, and even more romance which made me over-the-moon ecstatic.

I was a bit worried going into this that I wouldn't remember all of the details from the first book considering it has been nearly a year since I read it. I was only a few pages into this story when I realized I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Not only does Veronica do a pretty great job of catching people up on the story, but she does it in a way that doesn't make it seem like a history lesson. I loved reading certain passages and being like, "Yes! I remember that from My Wolf's Bane!"

One of my favorite parts about this story and probably part of the reason I was able to catch up on the story so fast, is that it picked up almost exactly where it left off. Like mere seconds, minutes, perhaps hours, after the last book ended. It caused for a seamless flow between one story and another and I really appreciated that. There were no black holes in the story of these characters!

Since the story started from where the last one left off, that meant for the first time I got to experience Zack and Autumn together. As an actual couple! I absolutely adore these two characters separately AND together. They are both so realistic despite their werewolf/shape-shifting tendencies and I couldn't help but get sucked right back into their relationship. Autumn is this strong, opinionated girl but at the same time she had moments she is scared and insecure (I mean hello I would be too if I found out I was a shape-shifter and my boyfriend was a werewolf!). This made her seem that much more real to me. As for Zack, he is about as swoon-worthy as they come. He is just as scared and confused as Autumn, considering their relationship is wrong on so many levels in the shape-shifting community and he is also dealing with an ailing mother, but despite all of that, he is Autumn's rock. He stays strong when she begins to crumble and he pushes her to be her best. Like I said, totally swoon-worthy.

Now I can't say much as far as plot is concerned because I just don't want to give too much away, but it is so full of twists and turns that all left me flipping through the pages. In a manner much like the previous book, as soon as it answered one question (or I think it answered one question), ten more would pop up. I felt like I learned a lot more or at least thought of a number of theories concerning the many mysteries surrounding Zack, Autumn, their relationship, and the Werewolf & Shape-Shifting community, but as this series as taught me so far, what I think to be true is not always the case.

This story left me smiling. Confused and perhaps a bit too concerned with the fate of the Shape-shifting & Werewolf world as well as two awesome main characters, but definitely still smiling. Like I said, I love Autumn, I love Zack, I love their family and friends, I love the world Veronica has created, I love it all. This series has it all for me; a romance that makes me grin and melts my heart at the same time, an interesting and refreshing paranormal world (which can get really hard to find as far as werewolves are concerned!), and a whole lot of tension and mystery to keep me flipping the pages. If you are looking for a book that has all of this, I definitely suggest picking up this series!

[Tifferz]

Wolves at the door pick up right where we left off in book one. Autumn has just learned she is a shape shifter and she is running through the forest with her boyfriend Zack. Who is planning to leave Autumn after graduation to protect her. So, Autumn is a shape shifter and Zack a wolf. I enjoyed when they are morphed into animal form as they can speak to each other telepathically. Autumn and Zack are kinda breaking rules as shape shifters are not to socialized with werewolves unless they are slaves. So, they could get in big trouble should someone tell the werewolf king.

It was interesting to see how Autumn panic when running into other wolves who maybe scouts for the wolf king yet Zack seemed to keep his cool. They have a great balance. It is great how Autumn can be a cheetah, squirrel, hawk, wolf or any animal. That is really quit cool.

Autumn’s lovely parents want to move her yet again and right before prom again. She is really upset and expresses that she hates moving and wants to go to prom and graduate. Autumn holds her ground and stays. Her mom leaves shortly after. With Zack’s mom very sick. All are worried for her but she keeps refusing to go to the hospital.

Lives are endangered and people die. To be honest I was surprised with the turn of events that unfold. Secrets pile up and the thrilling ride continues. I would highly recommend this book! Veronica Blade has out done herself and I am eager for the next installment in the Shapes of Autumn Series



Just FYI~ This does have some mild swearing. It does not contain any sex but sex is talked about.

[Ann]

This story takes place immediately following Book One My Wolf's Bane ending, with Autumn and Zack agreeing to date and Charles waiting for Zack to finish high school before taking him to the werewolf King. While sad that Zack will be leaving, Autumn loves being his girlfriend, despite the insecurities Gina puts in her mind about what Gina and Zack did when they were together. Two new characters show up, Renzo and his niece Alura who seem to be watching Zack and Autumn and being too inquisitive. After fighting with Charles, Autumn and Zack feel they need to break up to keep each other safe and end up making themselves insecure about their relationship while playing their parts convincingly. Zack gets together with Gina for a science project and Cameron, a nice boy from school puts the moves on the now free Autumn. Both make each other too jealous and hurt while supposedly broken up. But it all ends with everyone getting what they deserve.
If you are an Autumn and Zack fan you won't be disappointed. Can't wait for book #3.

[Gena Robertson]

This is another home run for Veronica Blade. I got lost in the book as soon as I started reading. My friends, Amber and Zack, were immediately in a heart thumping, run for your lives situation that had me wondering what was going to happen next. The rest of the book had me anticipating every moment eagerly! And spectacularly, there were secondary characters that I got to know that were expanded; some who made me laugh and care about what happens to them, too.
Veronica's magic is that she pulls you in - no longer are you a 50 year old woman reading a book about teenagers, but you ARE the teenagers. You feel their angst, the intensity of first love, the confusion and anxiety of feeling pulled apart by parents, society, mysterious entities...I LOVE that I can get lost in that for a few hours!!
I highly recommend this book and ALL of Veronica's books to anyone to who likes a great read. And to anyone who wants to get emotionally involved, this is the author for you!!

[April]

Quick thoughts:
Utterly amazing! Veronica Blade is truly the Queen of Paranormal Young Adult. Once again Ms. Blade has crafted a tale that sucked me in deeply from beginning to end. Her characters are quickly and easily brought to life and written in a way that truly made me care about them. Loved the story line and plot and everything about the novel!
*Extended review coming soon!

[Jen]

Veronica's books always take me away to another place. I have to make sure there is food in the fridge for the kids for once I start I tend to forget my real life until I'm done. Excellent characters that I just fall in love with. It is always so hard to wait for a sequel and have it live up to the first book. I loved this one just as much!

[Brei-ayn]

what a awesome book zack and autumn's story continues in the second book Wolves at the door. This book is an amazing read and i can not wait for the next book Autumn and zack will have alot of impossible odds against them in this book. Will they make it threw? You have to read to figure that out. But i will say this is an amazing book and i love it. you wont regret reading it.

[Susan Hatler]

Loved this sequel and can't wait for Shapes of Autumn #3!

[Karie Spackman-Babbitt]

Loved, Loved, Loved this book!

[Rachel Carrington]

This series is seriously addictive. Once I finished My Wolf's Bane, I knew I'd have to continue Autumn and Zack's journey, and I'm glad I did. Wolves at the Door picks up almost immediately where book one ends. Honestly, I think I even liked this one a little better than the first, but that's a tiny, tiny distinction because they were both fabulous books.

Veronica has created a world that is unique and tantalizing with more twists and turns than a country road, and I'll continue to follow the adventures of Autumn and Zack while patiently waiting to see if any of the other characters get a spin-off!

[Cayt Landis]

Wolves at the Door by Veronica Blade is the sequel to My Wolf’s Bane, a book I recently reviewed. I really enjoyed the first book and the second one did not disappoint. As I stated in my review of My Wolf’s Bane, Veronica Blade’s books are, first and foremost, romance novels and I typically don’t enjoy romance novels that put the plot second to the love story. However, My Wolf’s Bane was a pleasant surprise and Wolves at the Door did not buck the trend. I enjoyed it immensely.

The story picks up where My Wolf’s Bane left off. Autumn is in a new and deeply passionate relationship with Zack, one that they have to be very careful about protecting from certain individuals who would hold it against them. Zack is a werewolf nearing the age where he will be recruited into service for the king and Autumn has discovered that she is a shape-shifter. Werewolves and shape-shifters can’t mix. In fact, werewolves rule over shape-shifters, keeping them as slaves, and the mingling of the two species is highly illegal. If Zack and Autumn were to be found out they would both be put to death. To make matters worse, Zack is near to being sent off to the king as an adult werewolf and he does not want to go. He plans to escape and go on the run before they can take him there by force. Zack and Autumn must deal with their budding relationship, their inter-species conflicts, and the constant threat looming over their heads.

I love Autumn and Zack. Both characters are fantastic and I love them together. They are pretty hot and heavy from the get-go. They’ve only known each other a couple of weeks but they are in love and ready to sacrifice themselves for the other. However, they are teenagers and this type of passion and quick moving relationship is pretty typical of romance novels and of teenagers in general. Though they move quickly, I bought their relationship and their care for one another rings true. I will admit that it got a little tiresome, what with Autumn constantly worrying about if Zack had as strong feelings towards her as she did to him, but I’m in the position of an outsider. An 18 year old in her first very serious relationship would most likely have those concerns, so it’s understandable. Overall, I really enjoy the romance. It’s believable and it’s very steamy, without being to graphic, as it is a teenage couple.

The story line, while not the main focus of the novel, certainly isn’t an afterthought. Werewolves tend to get on my nerves, what with them being overdone lately, but the lore for these wolves differs enough from the mainstream that I remain interested. I like the difference between the weres and the shape-shifters. Their underlying prejudice and bigotry is really interesting and the book is setting up for some good conflicts in the future. The werewolf society is overbearing, run by a king who controls everything. Wolves must be taken to the king and put in his service once they are of age. Female werewolves are married off as soon as they are old enough. There’s definitely a current of sexism running through their society and I love the idea of Autumn and Zack possibly working together, with other outcasts, to overthrow the old way of life. I’m hoping for some of that in the future.

In general, I really love these books and I can’t wait for the next one! If you’re as tired of crappy romance novels and typical werewolves as I am, don’t let the genre of paranormal romance of this book throw you off. These books are really worth a read!

Visit my blog for this review and many more!

[iamjenai]

The story picks-up right after book one ended. Zack starts to date Autumn while he literally prepares to run away from the wolf king. They both agreed to just enjoy the remaining weeks though Autumn is secretly wishing he would ask her to run away with him.

Some new characters show up and they don't know whether they are good or bad company. Book two is as intense as the first one. There are too many secrets now waiting to be revealed! Autumn's parents identity - are they human or shape-shifters like Autumn? Where is Daniel? Will he be back soon? Who is Renzo?!? Why is he in town and messing with Autumn and Zack? Waaaa, I want book number three!

Book 2 is full of action... love love Autumn's new powers .... and by the way - Zack's too hawt in this book! I promise you will love this as much as the first one! Definitely, my new favorite series to follow!

[Julie Witt]

So, so good! Full review to come very soon, but I just had to jump on here and say how impressed I am with this book! Not just because it is so well written and easy to read, but because it is the second book in a series and I know how hard it is to write your sophomore book in a series. In fact, it is very rare that I rate one as high as or higher than the first one, but I'm definitely giving Wolves at the Door 5 enthusiastic stars!!

[Karla]

Brilliant. Loved this book.

It left me with one question

When is book 3 bring released?

Totally addictive, intense with some action and a lot of romance.

Love the main characters, story line is going somewhere (got a few theory's, nothing concrete as of yet).

I think the reason Autumns scent is so light is because she is a vegetarian.


Theory 2 she is half werewolf and half shape shifter and that's possibly why she is also stronger and not weak.

[Deborah Gebhardt]

A new take a werewolves and shape-shifters, throw in some teen angst and you've got this book. This is the second of three books from Shapes of Autumn. It is obvious that this is the second book, too many references to events in the first book. I strongly recommend that the first book is read before this one. It is not a fast read, reasonable slow and steady.

[Ashley Lavering]

I want more

I enjoyed this book. however I was amazed that the characters didn't do a few things. the whole school thing was drawn out but boy was the romance there! spoiler----- why didn't she ever call her mom at the end of the book? really? that was extremely hard to swallow especially after they found out some stuff.

[Richard Fish]

Good read

This tale has a decent story being told of a young couple finding out about how life can be when your raised with protective deceit for your own safety even if it is dragged on longer than it should be so it can corrupt your own thoughts of truth in life. it has good.ending with much to think about in their futures

[Blythe]

Like the book much - entertaining to read.
Enjoy the interaction between Zack and Autumn -- there are plenty of romance, teen drama and paranormal elements!
Ill be waiting patiently for Book 3.
I have a feeling that they will not be able to separate when the time comes...we shall see.

[H.R.]

Not as good as the first book. Autumn really started to get on my nerves and it was like she didn't get better until right at the end. Very realistic for the emotion, but almost too much so.

[Jenn]

Loved, loved, loved it!

[Jdm74aol.com]

Good

I really liked the storyline. I was able to predict who the mysterious Renzo was right off. I enjoyed it and would recommend it as an easy read.

[Teresa]

DNF

[Vita]

Love it!!!!

I love how Autumn and Zack never gave up. I know who Sacks dad is. Can't wait to read more