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Taming the Pack #1
Past My Defenses
Vanessa is the fastest Lycan around. In wolf form, the only threat she can’t outrun is her allergies. After a feline dander-bomb takes her down, she wakes up naked in a cage staring at a hot park ranger who had no idea what he’d trapped. But ooooh, he smells so good. Mine.
Dane hoped to tame the silver wolf in his kennel, but all bets are off with the deliciously sweet Vanessa on two legs. Her temper makes his pulse race, and he can’t escape the feeling they belong together.
They’re hot as a forest fire even before they scent-match, but Glacier Peak’s Alpha considers Dane a danger to the pack. Meanwhile, Lycans are being poached, and Vanessa has been targeted. Dane will have to keep her close to protect her, but with Vanessa in heat and mad to mate, who will protect him?
Dane hoped to tame the silver wolf in his kennel, but all bets are off with the deliciously sweet Vanessa on two legs. Her temper makes his pulse race, and he can’t escape the feeling they belong together.
They’re hot as a forest fire even before they scent-match, but Glacier Peak’s Alpha considers Dane a danger to the pack. Meanwhile, Lycans are being poached, and Vanessa has been targeted. Dane will have to keep her close to protect her, but with Vanessa in heat and mad to mate, who will protect him?
348 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
19 people are currently reading
699 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Sparrow
67 books277 followersAt home in the Pacific Northwest, Wendy Sparrow writes for both an adult and young adult crowd in many genres but always with a happily ever after. She has two wonderfully quirky kids, a supportive husband, and a perpetually messy house because she hates cleaning. She’s an advocate both online and in her community for autistic children in addition to actively trying to raise awareness about obsessive compulsive disorder. Most days she spends on Twitter procrastinating doing the dishes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
June 25, 2014
New authors are given two things simultaneously when I read their work. Firstly the opportunity to stumble or lose track of a world. And more often than not this pass is readily applied to a first book. The second and harder to achieve is the chance to just blow me away. Well, Ms. Sparrow blew me away with this book.
There is something truly charming, witty and knee slapping hilarious when a shifter is allergic to EVERYTHING! Every time I thought I couldn't be more amused I was hit with another allergy that could not only take a wolf down but could kill it. And the first thing is the cat. I mean a house cat, not a tiger shifter or a cougar shifter but a run of the mill stay at home cat. I was in stitches and literally had to put my Kindle down because I was laughing so hard I was crying. And yes, I know how dangerous allergies are I have a weird one myself that causes me to get migraines. Not to mention a parent that can go into anaphylaxis by just smelling cooking onions. So I get the serious nature but this was handled in such a way that made it humorous and true delight to read rather than the horror of watching a loved one struggle for breathe because of onions being cooked on an open grill.
But back to the story, the story was well told. There was a true mystery that was solved. And to be perfectly honest, I had no idea who did it until the great reveal. So well played Ms. Sparrow. But then again it might also be partly due to the fact that the other portions of the book were so engrossing I was not trying to figure out the "Whodunit" so much as being swept away by the story.
Now our poor allergic heroine, Vanessa first meeting Dane Hansen, the new park ranger, after being attacked by a house cat and the cat winning. I love the fact that when Vanessa finally comes to in human form she mutters, "Oh, hell no," after seeing the cat in the same room with her. I'm still chuckling about that because I too am a cat magnet and I'm violently allergic to them as well. The fact that she not only evaluates the situation, grabs medication to calm the attack down and crashes is something I can completely not only say is true but I've experienced it myself. So for realism it is spot on. Well done, Ms. Sparrow.
Now our poor confused and curious hero, Dane, knows he caged a wolf and yet she never admits that this is the case. However he acts as a gentleman removes the cat, finds medication for Vanessa and a clean room where she can crash to sleep the whole event away.
However the stick in the situation is that Vanessa is "in heat" and not only does it impact Vanessa but Dane is also drawn to her as well. And she wakes to not only finding her mate but discovering it is the man that rescued her the night before eg Dane.
She should really open her eyes.
This was momentous.
She'd found her mate.
Open your eyes, Vanessa.
She opend her eyes and tipped her head back, and the memory of the cat and the cage and the man-sweet heaven on two legs-all rushed back in an awful, grim reel of a "he's a human" horror flick. Dane. The guy she'd been planning to convince that he was crazy today. The guy with that cat.
"Oh, hell no."
How can you not love an introduction that has everything wrong with it. This is another reason this book just worked for me. I just loved this sense of playfulness and willingness to say what we would be thinking if we were in that situation. So thank you, Ms. Sparrow for keeping it real but Hilarious!
But what you really want to know is what about Vanessa and Dane together. Best word to describe these two is Flammable. Neither of them want to give into the attraction or mating but they continue to pull towards each other through out the book. It was a true delight and joy to watch these two dance around each other and the obstacles that they had to overcome in order to sort out the mystery and find the killer.
Final Thoughts: If you enjoy a great sense of humor and are looking for something in the same vein as Darynda Jones or Molly Harper books then I would say that this book will fit the bill. And both of these authors are some of my personal favorites. Ms. Sparrow has huge shoes to fill when it comes to writing another book in this series but I'm hopeful that will she be able to make another couple as interesting and unique as Dane and Vanessa. This book is joining my Must Reads of 2014 list because it is a work that deserves to be seen by as many romance fans as possible. Well done, Ms. Sparrow. I greatly anticipate book 2.
Entangled Publishing Ignite provided me with a gifted copy of Past My Defenses but nothing else was exchanged for my honest review.
There is something truly charming, witty and knee slapping hilarious when a shifter is allergic to EVERYTHING! Every time I thought I couldn't be more amused I was hit with another allergy that could not only take a wolf down but could kill it. And the first thing is the cat. I mean a house cat, not a tiger shifter or a cougar shifter but a run of the mill stay at home cat. I was in stitches and literally had to put my Kindle down because I was laughing so hard I was crying. And yes, I know how dangerous allergies are I have a weird one myself that causes me to get migraines. Not to mention a parent that can go into anaphylaxis by just smelling cooking onions. So I get the serious nature but this was handled in such a way that made it humorous and true delight to read rather than the horror of watching a loved one struggle for breathe because of onions being cooked on an open grill.
But back to the story, the story was well told. There was a true mystery that was solved. And to be perfectly honest, I had no idea who did it until the great reveal. So well played Ms. Sparrow. But then again it might also be partly due to the fact that the other portions of the book were so engrossing I was not trying to figure out the "Whodunit" so much as being swept away by the story.
Now our poor allergic heroine, Vanessa first meeting Dane Hansen, the new park ranger, after being attacked by a house cat and the cat winning. I love the fact that when Vanessa finally comes to in human form she mutters, "Oh, hell no," after seeing the cat in the same room with her. I'm still chuckling about that because I too am a cat magnet and I'm violently allergic to them as well. The fact that she not only evaluates the situation, grabs medication to calm the attack down and crashes is something I can completely not only say is true but I've experienced it myself. So for realism it is spot on. Well done, Ms. Sparrow.
Now our poor confused and curious hero, Dane, knows he caged a wolf and yet she never admits that this is the case. However he acts as a gentleman removes the cat, finds medication for Vanessa and a clean room where she can crash to sleep the whole event away.
However the stick in the situation is that Vanessa is "in heat" and not only does it impact Vanessa but Dane is also drawn to her as well. And she wakes to not only finding her mate but discovering it is the man that rescued her the night before eg Dane.
She should really open her eyes.
This was momentous.
She'd found her mate.
Open your eyes, Vanessa.
She opend her eyes and tipped her head back, and the memory of the cat and the cage and the man-sweet heaven on two legs-all rushed back in an awful, grim reel of a "he's a human" horror flick. Dane. The guy she'd been planning to convince that he was crazy today. The guy with that cat.
"Oh, hell no."
How can you not love an introduction that has everything wrong with it. This is another reason this book just worked for me. I just loved this sense of playfulness and willingness to say what we would be thinking if we were in that situation. So thank you, Ms. Sparrow for keeping it real but Hilarious!
But what you really want to know is what about Vanessa and Dane together. Best word to describe these two is Flammable. Neither of them want to give into the attraction or mating but they continue to pull towards each other through out the book. It was a true delight and joy to watch these two dance around each other and the obstacles that they had to overcome in order to sort out the mystery and find the killer.
Final Thoughts: If you enjoy a great sense of humor and are looking for something in the same vein as Darynda Jones or Molly Harper books then I would say that this book will fit the bill. And both of these authors are some of my personal favorites. Ms. Sparrow has huge shoes to fill when it comes to writing another book in this series but I'm hopeful that will she be able to make another couple as interesting and unique as Dane and Vanessa. This book is joining my Must Reads of 2014 list because it is a work that deserves to be seen by as many romance fans as possible. Well done, Ms. Sparrow. I greatly anticipate book 2.
Entangled Publishing Ignite provided me with a gifted copy of Past My Defenses but nothing else was exchanged for my honest review.
November 9, 2019
Book source ~ NetGalley
Vanessa is the fastest werewolf in her territory. She’s a bit too dominant for the pack’s comfort, but she tries really hard to be properly submissive around their pack leader, Jordan. Oh, and she has allergies. Lots of them. When she runs across a cat while in wolf form it about kills her. Fortunately, Dane the Park Ranger finds her and tucks her safely in a cage in his basement. When she wakes up in the morning in human form she’s surprised to be alive. And more surprised she’s on a concrete floor in a cage. However, no one is more surprised than Dane who thought he was saving a wolf and ended up with a beautiful naked woman in his cage. What the hell?
While bad shit is going down in their territory, Vanessa scent matches with Dane, a human. This is bad. But not as bad as werewolves disappearing then reappearing in pieces. The plot isn’t horrible and the characters are okay, but the execution just seems to lack. I have to admit that the best part about the story is Vanessa and her allergies. She’s allergic to so much stuff that it should be ridiculous if I didn’t know people who are allergic to so many things that seem innocuous. I got tired of the constant he’s mine/she’s mine crap and how good they smelled to each other. I got it the 1st dozen times. Repetition is not your friend. Overall, it’s an okay story.
Vanessa is the fastest werewolf in her territory. She’s a bit too dominant for the pack’s comfort, but she tries really hard to be properly submissive around their pack leader, Jordan. Oh, and she has allergies. Lots of them. When she runs across a cat while in wolf form it about kills her. Fortunately, Dane the Park Ranger finds her and tucks her safely in a cage in his basement. When she wakes up in the morning in human form she’s surprised to be alive. And more surprised she’s on a concrete floor in a cage. However, no one is more surprised than Dane who thought he was saving a wolf and ended up with a beautiful naked woman in his cage. What the hell?
While bad shit is going down in their territory, Vanessa scent matches with Dane, a human. This is bad. But not as bad as werewolves disappearing then reappearing in pieces. The plot isn’t horrible and the characters are okay, but the execution just seems to lack. I have to admit that the best part about the story is Vanessa and her allergies. She’s allergic to so much stuff that it should be ridiculous if I didn’t know people who are allergic to so many things that seem innocuous. I got tired of the constant he’s mine/she’s mine crap and how good they smelled to each other. I got it the 1st dozen times. Repetition is not your friend. Overall, it’s an okay story.
June 24, 2014
The author is a friend, so I admit I'm biased, but seriously. A Lycan with severe allergies, including pollen. Cats. Marshmallows. And a lot more. Brilliant idea and written well!
So cute and funny! Can't wait for more in this series. :)
So cute and funny! Can't wait for more in this series. :)
July 29, 2016
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review
--Actual rating 3.5 Skulls
Past My Defenses, the first book in the TAMING THE PACK series by Wendy Sparrow was a cute read, and it had a GREAT surprise towards the end with the whodunit, but I didn't love the heroine. I spent too much time wanting to smack her and rolling my eyes and that took away from the overall enjoyment of the book for me personally. There are going to be readers who adore her though, she's quirky, utterly 'human' in her flaws, and makes her man work to win her...
I really loved Dane though. He is one of those instantly trusting and accepting heroes and has a protective streak a mile wide. Wendy also does a great job of making him just alpha enough while reminding the reader that he's just human, he's not this uber powerful werewolf like the other guys of the tale. When he's thrown into a world he didn't even know existed and confronted with a woman who both infuriates and fascinates him, it's incredibly entertaining to get inside his head.
The overall storyline was decently paced. There were some areas where I felt myself losing interest, but those were primarily the spots where I wasn't feeling Vanessa, but as soon as the gears shifted I found myself sucked back in and loving the surprises that Wendy spun into the plot. I also loved the tension and interaction between the supporting characters of the entire book. I instantly found myself wanting more of several, and I can only hope that as the series continues we'll get their individual tales.
Bottom line: Past My Defenses was a good paranormal romance - quirkily, different, fun, and surprising, and as mentioned, while I didn't connect with the leading lady, there will be readers who will absolutely love her. Plus, why wouldn't you want to check out a book that started out as a joke on Twitter!? Such a great birth of an idea. :)
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review
--Actual rating 3.5 Skulls
Past My Defenses, the first book in the TAMING THE PACK series by Wendy Sparrow was a cute read, and it had a GREAT surprise towards the end with the whodunit, but I didn't love the heroine. I spent too much time wanting to smack her and rolling my eyes and that took away from the overall enjoyment of the book for me personally. There are going to be readers who adore her though, she's quirky, utterly 'human' in her flaws, and makes her man work to win her...
I really loved Dane though. He is one of those instantly trusting and accepting heroes and has a protective streak a mile wide. Wendy also does a great job of making him just alpha enough while reminding the reader that he's just human, he's not this uber powerful werewolf like the other guys of the tale. When he's thrown into a world he didn't even know existed and confronted with a woman who both infuriates and fascinates him, it's incredibly entertaining to get inside his head.
The overall storyline was decently paced. There were some areas where I felt myself losing interest, but those were primarily the spots where I wasn't feeling Vanessa, but as soon as the gears shifted I found myself sucked back in and loving the surprises that Wendy spun into the plot. I also loved the tension and interaction between the supporting characters of the entire book. I instantly found myself wanting more of several, and I can only hope that as the series continues we'll get their individual tales.
Bottom line: Past My Defenses was a good paranormal romance - quirkily, different, fun, and surprising, and as mentioned, while I didn't connect with the leading lady, there will be readers who will absolutely love her. Plus, why wouldn't you want to check out a book that started out as a joke on Twitter!? Such a great birth of an idea. :)
June 25, 2014
A Lycan ends up mated with a human. While this kind of tale has been told and retold, Ms. Sparrow puts a spin on it that makes it her own. And I have to say, it’s super refreshing to read a story where the shifter isn’t impervious to human afflictions.
Vanessa’s everything a Lycan should be–strong, fast, deadly, beautiful–except she suffers from the worst case of allergies known to, well, anyone. Her medicine cabinet rivals a pharmacy, and the list of what she’s allergic to is so long it’s hard not to laugh just thinking about it. After she gets taken out by a cat (dander sucks!) she ends up scent-matched to the man who rescued her. A very sexy man who feels the same pull for her as she does for him.
Dane’s a park ranger, a cat babysitter, and human. But don’t let his humanity fool you one bit. While he might not understand Lycan laws or traditions, he understands that Vanessa is his. He might not like the authority her Alpha Jordan has over her, but he begrudgingly accepts it to keep her safe when trouble comes knocking.
The trouble nipping at Vanessa’s heels brings about two poignant moments in this story: Vanessa and Dane profess their love for one another, and Jordan discovers how close he was to his own happy ending. It was a bittersweet moment to experience that scene with all three of them.
I like your wit and your style of writing, Ms. Sparrow. Dane and Vanessa’s story is worth having and reading over and over again. My only question is, will Jordan ever have his own happy ending?
***Received from PYUB for an honest review***
Vanessa’s everything a Lycan should be–strong, fast, deadly, beautiful–except she suffers from the worst case of allergies known to, well, anyone. Her medicine cabinet rivals a pharmacy, and the list of what she’s allergic to is so long it’s hard not to laugh just thinking about it. After she gets taken out by a cat (dander sucks!) she ends up scent-matched to the man who rescued her. A very sexy man who feels the same pull for her as she does for him.
Dane’s a park ranger, a cat babysitter, and human. But don’t let his humanity fool you one bit. While he might not understand Lycan laws or traditions, he understands that Vanessa is his. He might not like the authority her Alpha Jordan has over her, but he begrudgingly accepts it to keep her safe when trouble comes knocking.
The trouble nipping at Vanessa’s heels brings about two poignant moments in this story: Vanessa and Dane profess their love for one another, and Jordan discovers how close he was to his own happy ending. It was a bittersweet moment to experience that scene with all three of them.
I like your wit and your style of writing, Ms. Sparrow. Dane and Vanessa’s story is worth having and reading over and over again. My only question is, will Jordan ever have his own happy ending?
***Received from PYUB for an honest review***
June 23, 2014
Vanessa has got to be the funniest Lycan I have ever read about. She is snarky, passionate and a hot mess. Vanessa is allergic to pretty much everything which makes it hard on her to track and do basic things in either form. She is sent out by her Alpha Jordan to track a member of the pack who has disappeared. Of course Vanessa tried to tell him she would be worthless with her allergies acting up but one cannot disobey an order form their alpha so off she goes. While she is on her tracking mission she is assaulted by a cat which brings her down and she is taken in by Dane who is a forest ranger to make sure she is ok. Dane gets the surprise of his life when he turns around to check on the wolf her brought home and comes face to face with a naked woman instead. Vanessa tries her hardest to convince Dane is nus but he is having none of that. TO top it off Vanessa realizes that Dane is her mate. While trying to figure out how she could possibly be mated to a human she finds out that the pack member she was sent to find hated her and wanted her dead. Elaborate plans were made to take her out. Jordan and Dane fight over who gets to protect her and of course being her she wants to protect everyone else. This is a wonderfully written story that will suck you in from the first paragraph. It is full of romance, sexy fights, and intrigue. Definite must read!
July 15, 2014
My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 Unicorns - I really liked it!!!
***Received ebook from Entangled Publishing for an honest review
The cover doesn’t do much for me, but the moon is cool. The guy on the cover screams serial killer, and I think he is supposed to be Dane but maybe that is sexy to someone else, for me “Oh Hell No”…lol
This a nice start to a series. There were a few parts that I was bored, but I think it happens sometimes with new worlds when they are created. There is lots of action, silliness, tension, and humor mixed throughout the book. I think this series will get better as it goes along.
I loved the quirky interactions and miscommunications happening between Dane and Vanessa. She is a strong alpha female, and I love that she is always herself. Dane is an Alpha who isn’t wolfy, and he butts heads with Jordan who is an Alpha who does go wolfy. Dane and Jordan are always humorous with their arrogance and competition. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next :)
Wendy does a great job pulling you into the story. Her writing style is fun, and I love all the humor she mixes into the story.
I recommend this series to my shifter lovin’ friends. I wonder how long until Book 2 comes out :)
***Received ebook from Entangled Publishing for an honest review
The cover doesn’t do much for me, but the moon is cool. The guy on the cover screams serial killer, and I think he is supposed to be Dane but maybe that is sexy to someone else, for me “Oh Hell No”…lol
This a nice start to a series. There were a few parts that I was bored, but I think it happens sometimes with new worlds when they are created. There is lots of action, silliness, tension, and humor mixed throughout the book. I think this series will get better as it goes along.
I loved the quirky interactions and miscommunications happening between Dane and Vanessa. She is a strong alpha female, and I love that she is always herself. Dane is an Alpha who isn’t wolfy, and he butts heads with Jordan who is an Alpha who does go wolfy. Dane and Jordan are always humorous with their arrogance and competition. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next :)
Wendy does a great job pulling you into the story. Her writing style is fun, and I love all the humor she mixes into the story.
I recommend this series to my shifter lovin’ friends. I wonder how long until Book 2 comes out :)
July 14, 2014
I don't know who I like more, Dane or Jordan, but I definitely DEFINITELY hope there is a book two with a focus on Jordan's HEA, after the events of this book!
Basically the entire premise of this book is fantastic. A werewolf with severe allergies! Food and environmental! It's like the dog el husband had that was allergic to the sun. You would NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS expect it, but Ms. Sparrow ran with it, and once I got into this one, I didn't want to put it down. But not just because of the premise and the execution of the werewolf-with-allergies element. ALSO because Every Single Character in this book is fully realized and comes alive off the page. Maybe you only get to meet them for a couple of lines or a single exchange of dialog, but they just pop, and I think this is one of Ms. Sparrow's greatest strengths!
And the other thing about this book? It's hot without being explicit, and it works REALLY REALLY well.
Basically the entire premise of this book is fantastic. A werewolf with severe allergies! Food and environmental! It's like the dog el husband had that was allergic to the sun. You would NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS expect it, but Ms. Sparrow ran with it, and once I got into this one, I didn't want to put it down. But not just because of the premise and the execution of the werewolf-with-allergies element. ALSO because Every Single Character in this book is fully realized and comes alive off the page. Maybe you only get to meet them for a couple of lines or a single exchange of dialog, but they just pop, and I think this is one of Ms. Sparrow's greatest strengths!
And the other thing about this book? It's hot without being explicit, and it works REALLY REALLY well.
April 14, 2022
fun and fabulous
Sparrow packs her werewolf heroine with lots of spunk /along with amusing allergies and an oh-so-wonderful hot human hero. It’s fun to watch the romantic alpha deal with the wolf pack alpha while Vanessa rolls her eyes at both, and they all figure out how to thwart someone who is trying to kill them.
Sparrow packs her werewolf heroine with lots of spunk /along with amusing allergies and an oh-so-wonderful hot human hero. It’s fun to watch the romantic alpha deal with the wolf pack alpha while Vanessa rolls her eyes at both, and they all figure out how to thwart someone who is trying to kill them.
January 21, 2020
3.5 stars
January 21, 2020
3.5 stars. This is a pretty good read for entertainment purposes. There were things that didn't make sense overall, but able to push through.
September 25, 2022
I listened to this on Audible. It's a solid book but not super serious.
dnfd
August 14, 2025I can‘t say anything about this book, I started listening and then just realized it ain‘t my thing right now. It was free on audible.
June 16, 2014
I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley for an honest review.
I’d like to start off by saying I wish this book had a different cover. There is something about the cover that didn’t click for me. I can’t put my finger on it, but I almost didn’t request it over at Net Galley. Then once I was approved for the title, that cover held me off again from starting it right away and it almost got pushed back in my to-read list. I double checked the release date and decided I needed to start irregardless of how drawn to it or not. The synopsis and cover just didn’t match up for me, I think. The description lead me to believe it was going to be a funny light-hearted read, and the cover was all dark and brooding.
I’m so glad I decided to not judge a book by its cover and requested the title. It was a blast to read. Filled with a great mix of humor, witty come backs, great chemistry, a suspenseful mystery to be solved and a killer to be stopped. For those paranormal romance lovers out there what it wasn’t filled with was lots of sex. Plenty of teasing, but I don’t think I read one steamy scene in the whole book. To me that was fine. I read a lot of books classified as romance and perhaps I am getting tired of the sex scenes. (Gasp! Say it ain’t so! Calm down. I think I just need a break for a while.) Quite frankly I think the story didn’t need them. The build up and bringing together of these two was interesting and fun enough. I didn’t feel gypped by not reading about their time in the sack.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I am definitely going to be checking into more of her titles. This was a fun ride. Interesting set up and world she has created. I am so glad that this is going to be part of a series. Much of the story centered around Vanessa and Dane, but there was almost but not really a love triangle with Jordan the Alpha. The story didn’t end so well for him and I would love to see him get his own book. The chemistry was not only good between the two love birds but with Dan and Jordan. Sure they were practically at each other’s throats the entire book, but I think there is a budding bromance in their future, especially if Jordan finds his own love.
We don’t learn a lot about the Were world here, like Dane we were kept in the dark a bit. I hope that in future books we get to explore more of the pack structure and rules. I don’t need a lot of details, but it would be nice to see behind the curtain a bit more than we did.
Only other complaint that I had was about Vanessa. I understand it was part of her character to be this way, but I wish she had not doubted herself so much. It got a bit annoying after a while. Most of the time she was this tough werewolf with a smart mouth, then she would get all wrapped up in her head and over think everything. I wish she would have had a bit more confidence at times. Then again it did give her room to grow, but man sometimes I just wanted to smack her upside the head and tell her to stop over thinking.
This was a great read. Surprised me quite a bit. If you are a fan of Patricia Briggs, Molly Harper, Jacqueline Rhoades, Lynsay Sands, or Kerrelyn Sparks you might want to give this one a try too.
I’d like to start off by saying I wish this book had a different cover. There is something about the cover that didn’t click for me. I can’t put my finger on it, but I almost didn’t request it over at Net Galley. Then once I was approved for the title, that cover held me off again from starting it right away and it almost got pushed back in my to-read list. I double checked the release date and decided I needed to start irregardless of how drawn to it or not. The synopsis and cover just didn’t match up for me, I think. The description lead me to believe it was going to be a funny light-hearted read, and the cover was all dark and brooding.
I’m so glad I decided to not judge a book by its cover and requested the title. It was a blast to read. Filled with a great mix of humor, witty come backs, great chemistry, a suspenseful mystery to be solved and a killer to be stopped. For those paranormal romance lovers out there what it wasn’t filled with was lots of sex. Plenty of teasing, but I don’t think I read one steamy scene in the whole book. To me that was fine. I read a lot of books classified as romance and perhaps I am getting tired of the sex scenes. (Gasp! Say it ain’t so! Calm down. I think I just need a break for a while.) Quite frankly I think the story didn’t need them. The build up and bringing together of these two was interesting and fun enough. I didn’t feel gypped by not reading about their time in the sack.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I am definitely going to be checking into more of her titles. This was a fun ride. Interesting set up and world she has created. I am so glad that this is going to be part of a series. Much of the story centered around Vanessa and Dane, but there was almost but not really a love triangle with Jordan the Alpha. The story didn’t end so well for him and I would love to see him get his own book. The chemistry was not only good between the two love birds but with Dan and Jordan. Sure they were practically at each other’s throats the entire book, but I think there is a budding bromance in their future, especially if Jordan finds his own love.
We don’t learn a lot about the Were world here, like Dane we were kept in the dark a bit. I hope that in future books we get to explore more of the pack structure and rules. I don’t need a lot of details, but it would be nice to see behind the curtain a bit more than we did.
Only other complaint that I had was about Vanessa. I understand it was part of her character to be this way, but I wish she had not doubted herself so much. It got a bit annoying after a while. Most of the time she was this tough werewolf with a smart mouth, then she would get all wrapped up in her head and over think everything. I wish she would have had a bit more confidence at times. Then again it did give her room to grow, but man sometimes I just wanted to smack her upside the head and tell her to stop over thinking.
This was a great read. Surprised me quite a bit. If you are a fan of Patricia Briggs, Molly Harper, Jacqueline Rhoades, Lynsay Sands, or Kerrelyn Sparks you might want to give this one a try too.
June 29, 2014
First Thoughts: A decent paranormal romance but at times I felt the wording was just to repetitive for me although the story line was a little different.
Vanessa is one of the best female lycan’s around and would make the perfect mate for an Alpha. She has no real interest in the Alpha of her pack except when she is in heat and then everyone seems to look good. She also has one little problem, she is allergic to just about everything. Being allergenic and running through the woods doesn’t always go so well.
Dane was out trying to find a missing person when he comes upon an injured wolf and he hopes to tame it. What he wasn’t expecting was for that wolf to turn into a woman. He is a park ranger and it’s hard for him to wrap his head around the fact that he put a wolf in a cage and now there is a woman. Vanessa tries to make him seem like he has lost his mind but he knows she is a werewolf whether she wants to come out and admit it or not.
Then of all the horrible things that can happen to a werewolf she sentmatches with Dane a human. She wants Dane and not just because he is her mate but because she is in heat and her hormones have gone wild. She can’t believe she is matched to a human and her Alpha is not real happy about it but they have more important problems going on like a poacher who is after lycans.
My Past Defenses was humorous because it was funny to have a werewolf who was allergic to a lot of different things. It was also interested to have one that was in heat and how the raging hormones go on overload. I just think that I got tired of being reminded about how much she was in heat and mated to Dane. Mine, Mine, Mine!
Vanessa is a pretty head strong wolf and not very submissive when it comes to her Alpha. Being head strong means that she does some really stupid things sometimes that made me want to role my eyes..like running off when there is a poacher out there hunting her kind. It serves her right to get matched to a human that is just as stubborn and head strong as she is, but his stubbornness is going to get him killed if he doesn’t come to terms with how the Alpha thing works in her pack. It doesn’t help that Dane and Jordan get off to a rocky start before he has even come to terms with the fact that werewolves exist.
Dane is instantly attracted to Vanessa and it’s almost like the whole sentmatch thing works on humans as well as wolves. He is instantly very protective of Vanessa and I think that is one of the reasons he really can’t stand Jordan. Some of my favorite parts of the book are when Dane and Jordan are trying to one up each other.
Overall I enjoyed this book but there was just some things such as the repetition of being reminded how he was her mate, etc that got on my nerves. It was a real fun and fast read so if you are into paranormal romances then I would recommend you give it a try because what bothered me might not bother you.
Vanessa is one of the best female lycan’s around and would make the perfect mate for an Alpha. She has no real interest in the Alpha of her pack except when she is in heat and then everyone seems to look good. She also has one little problem, she is allergic to just about everything. Being allergenic and running through the woods doesn’t always go so well.
Dane was out trying to find a missing person when he comes upon an injured wolf and he hopes to tame it. What he wasn’t expecting was for that wolf to turn into a woman. He is a park ranger and it’s hard for him to wrap his head around the fact that he put a wolf in a cage and now there is a woman. Vanessa tries to make him seem like he has lost his mind but he knows she is a werewolf whether she wants to come out and admit it or not.
Then of all the horrible things that can happen to a werewolf she sentmatches with Dane a human. She wants Dane and not just because he is her mate but because she is in heat and her hormones have gone wild. She can’t believe she is matched to a human and her Alpha is not real happy about it but they have more important problems going on like a poacher who is after lycans.
My Past Defenses was humorous because it was funny to have a werewolf who was allergic to a lot of different things. It was also interested to have one that was in heat and how the raging hormones go on overload. I just think that I got tired of being reminded about how much she was in heat and mated to Dane. Mine, Mine, Mine!
Vanessa is a pretty head strong wolf and not very submissive when it comes to her Alpha. Being head strong means that she does some really stupid things sometimes that made me want to role my eyes..like running off when there is a poacher out there hunting her kind. It serves her right to get matched to a human that is just as stubborn and head strong as she is, but his stubbornness is going to get him killed if he doesn’t come to terms with how the Alpha thing works in her pack. It doesn’t help that Dane and Jordan get off to a rocky start before he has even come to terms with the fact that werewolves exist.
Dane is instantly attracted to Vanessa and it’s almost like the whole sentmatch thing works on humans as well as wolves. He is instantly very protective of Vanessa and I think that is one of the reasons he really can’t stand Jordan. Some of my favorite parts of the book are when Dane and Jordan are trying to one up each other.
Overall I enjoyed this book but there was just some things such as the repetition of being reminded how he was her mate, etc that got on my nerves. It was a real fun and fast read so if you are into paranormal romances then I would recommend you give it a try because what bothered me might not bother you.
June 25, 2014
Title: Past My Defenses
Author: Wendy Sparrow
Publisher: Entangled Publishing LLC
Published: 6-23-2014
ISBN: 13-978-1-62266-737-6
ASIN E-Book: B00KP8FDPY
Pages: 271
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Tags: Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Shifters, Werewolves
Sensual Rating: Sizzling
Overall Rating: Great
Reviewed For: Entangled Publishing
Reviewer: DelAnne
Dane Hansen, a Glacier Peak Park Ranger, stops on his way to investigate an abandoned car off the side of the road and part way into a ditch. Things don't add up as an accident, yet the sheriff's office seems to be acting as if it is an everyday event. Later that night his sister's cat, Lucifer gets out and attacks a beautiful silver wolf and amazingly seems to win. Dane brings the unconscious wolf home to treat it. He keeps an eye on it through the night and suddenly where once there was a wolf in the cage is unexpectedly a gorgeous woman, a gorgeous naked blond woman.
Vanessa could not believe this had happened to her a homicidal house cat had brought her down. Even now it sat outside the cage trying to get to her. Her allergies were going to be the death of her yet, literally. She could barely breathe not to mention a human had found her and now knew about lycans. Jordan was going to be so mad, at best he might ask her to leave, at worst he would kill her and the human to protect the pack. Meds, she needed meds or Jordan wouldn't have to killer her. This was all Jordan's fault anyway for sending her out when he knew how her allergies were.
Now someone was out to make the lycan species extinct, the alpha female was missing and Vanessa's mate was a human. Could life get any more complicated? Yes the killer decided Vanessa needs to be eliminated next.
Humor runs throughout this story, as does suspense and romance. As unusual a paranormal romance Past My Defenses is I still found it to be an absorbing story I have read in a long time. I was laughing out loud as poor Vanessa and Dane got to know each other and Dane worked his way around the minefield of her numerous allergies. I especially thought it was hilarious how everyone keeps asking if he knows she is allergic to marshmallows like he is insane to get involved with someone so freakish. Dane even memorizes the two pages of allergies to ensure to avoid them. Now that is true love. I sincerely hope there will be more from Wendy Sparrow in her Taming the pack series. If so I hope Jordan will be next in line to find his pack, or if possible, maybe Travis. There is definitely more to these two than what meets the eye.
Wendy Sparrow is a new author for me, but I can see her becoming an author I will be following closely. Pick up a copy of Past My Defenses and enjoy yourself beyond belief.
Author: Wendy Sparrow
Publisher: Entangled Publishing LLC
Published: 6-23-2014
ISBN: 13-978-1-62266-737-6
ASIN E-Book: B00KP8FDPY
Pages: 271
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Tags: Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Shifters, Werewolves
Sensual Rating: Sizzling
Overall Rating: Great
Reviewed For: Entangled Publishing
Reviewer: DelAnne
Dane Hansen, a Glacier Peak Park Ranger, stops on his way to investigate an abandoned car off the side of the road and part way into a ditch. Things don't add up as an accident, yet the sheriff's office seems to be acting as if it is an everyday event. Later that night his sister's cat, Lucifer gets out and attacks a beautiful silver wolf and amazingly seems to win. Dane brings the unconscious wolf home to treat it. He keeps an eye on it through the night and suddenly where once there was a wolf in the cage is unexpectedly a gorgeous woman, a gorgeous naked blond woman.
Vanessa could not believe this had happened to her a homicidal house cat had brought her down. Even now it sat outside the cage trying to get to her. Her allergies were going to be the death of her yet, literally. She could barely breathe not to mention a human had found her and now knew about lycans. Jordan was going to be so mad, at best he might ask her to leave, at worst he would kill her and the human to protect the pack. Meds, she needed meds or Jordan wouldn't have to killer her. This was all Jordan's fault anyway for sending her out when he knew how her allergies were.
Now someone was out to make the lycan species extinct, the alpha female was missing and Vanessa's mate was a human. Could life get any more complicated? Yes the killer decided Vanessa needs to be eliminated next.
Humor runs throughout this story, as does suspense and romance. As unusual a paranormal romance Past My Defenses is I still found it to be an absorbing story I have read in a long time. I was laughing out loud as poor Vanessa and Dane got to know each other and Dane worked his way around the minefield of her numerous allergies. I especially thought it was hilarious how everyone keeps asking if he knows she is allergic to marshmallows like he is insane to get involved with someone so freakish. Dane even memorizes the two pages of allergies to ensure to avoid them. Now that is true love. I sincerely hope there will be more from Wendy Sparrow in her Taming the pack series. If so I hope Jordan will be next in line to find his pack, or if possible, maybe Travis. There is definitely more to these two than what meets the eye.
Wendy Sparrow is a new author for me, but I can see her becoming an author I will be following closely. Pick up a copy of Past My Defenses and enjoy yourself beyond belief.
June 26, 2014
Posted on What I'm Reading
Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expected in Past My Defenses. I have read other Wendy Sparrow books and they tend to have quirky characters, and I wonder how she was going to do this. When I think of the Entangled's Ignite line I think more suspense and danger. There is some suspense, but I found more humor. Of course, she brought out a quirky heroine and a lovable hero.
Vanessa quirk is she's a Lycan with allergies. Yes, that's right allergies. Not just a few, but a long list of them which the reason she ends up at Dane's home. If that wasn't bad enough she scent-matches with him. Which would be all fine and dandy if he was Lycan, but no he's just an ordinary human. However, it gets worse when her Alpha finds out and wants to kill him for something he didn't know he did.
When I started reading Past My Defenses, I was trying to get a feel for the story. So, it took me a couple chapters to get into the groove of the story. Once I found it, I found it funny and entertaining. I mean Vanessa's allergies are what almost get her killed along with psycho on the loose. Poor Dane doesn't know how to handle his stubborn "mate". To top it off, both Dane and Vanessa don't really know how the other feels, so they feel like the other doesn't understand what the other is going through. Then you have the secondary characters that make Dane and Vanessa's life a bit more interesting.
You have Jordan who is the Alpha of the pack who had his eye on Vanessa, but is a little too late. So, he has to tout his authority. Travis he's flying under the radar, because he gives off the impress that he's a bit slow on the uptake. But in reality, he's pretty quick and witty when he lets his guard down. Christa Dane's younger sister. Her part is pretty minor, but she definitely leaves an impression.
Here's the bottom line: If you are looking something fun with some quirky characters with a dash of suspense you might want to give Past My Defenses are try. Some of those lines will have you busting a gut.
Favorite Lines (This Christa having dinner with Dane and Vanessa. Christa is sharing embarrassing stories:
"You know, Dane really likes wolves."Christa shot him a look--a look that promised hours of embarrassment. ...
"Does he?" Vanessa asked. "I had no idea."
"Yep. He used to watch all these nature documentaries. My mom worried he'd be too dorky to date."
Vanessa tilted her head and fought a smile. "And here he is--all grown up, and still interested in wolves."
He knew it was a mistake to let his sister and girlfriend together. This night was going to be playback for both of them.
Copy provided by the publisher
Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expected in Past My Defenses. I have read other Wendy Sparrow books and they tend to have quirky characters, and I wonder how she was going to do this. When I think of the Entangled's Ignite line I think more suspense and danger. There is some suspense, but I found more humor. Of course, she brought out a quirky heroine and a lovable hero.
Vanessa quirk is she's a Lycan with allergies. Yes, that's right allergies. Not just a few, but a long list of them which the reason she ends up at Dane's home. If that wasn't bad enough she scent-matches with him. Which would be all fine and dandy if he was Lycan, but no he's just an ordinary human. However, it gets worse when her Alpha finds out and wants to kill him for something he didn't know he did.
When I started reading Past My Defenses, I was trying to get a feel for the story. So, it took me a couple chapters to get into the groove of the story. Once I found it, I found it funny and entertaining. I mean Vanessa's allergies are what almost get her killed along with psycho on the loose. Poor Dane doesn't know how to handle his stubborn "mate". To top it off, both Dane and Vanessa don't really know how the other feels, so they feel like the other doesn't understand what the other is going through. Then you have the secondary characters that make Dane and Vanessa's life a bit more interesting.
You have Jordan who is the Alpha of the pack who had his eye on Vanessa, but is a little too late. So, he has to tout his authority. Travis he's flying under the radar, because he gives off the impress that he's a bit slow on the uptake. But in reality, he's pretty quick and witty when he lets his guard down. Christa Dane's younger sister. Her part is pretty minor, but she definitely leaves an impression.
Here's the bottom line: If you are looking something fun with some quirky characters with a dash of suspense you might want to give Past My Defenses are try. Some of those lines will have you busting a gut.
Favorite Lines (This Christa having dinner with Dane and Vanessa. Christa is sharing embarrassing stories:
"You know, Dane really likes wolves."Christa shot him a look--a look that promised hours of embarrassment. ...
"Does he?" Vanessa asked. "I had no idea."
"Yep. He used to watch all these nature documentaries. My mom worried he'd be too dorky to date."
Vanessa tilted her head and fought a smile. "And here he is--all grown up, and still interested in wolves."
He knew it was a mistake to let his sister and girlfriend together. This night was going to be playback for both of them.
Copy provided by the publisher
July 26, 2016
Wow, I loved this story. My family didn't so much love me reading it in the car today (not while I was doing the driving, obviously. But I wanted to be reading it then, believe me) because I kept giggling like a fool, but whatever...
Wendy Sparrow has definitely written a werewolf (they go by lycan in this universe) story with a twist here. Our heroine does have super speed and fantastic hearing, but she also suffers from near-dibilitating alergies and has a relationship with her four(!) air purifiers that borders on unnatural.
Seriously. She's taken down by a housecat in the first scene. (I was going to say "common housecat", but I'm not entirely convinced he is.) She's allergic to marshmallows. (According to the author's note, so is Ms. Sparrow. My condolences...) Though I do love the fact that Dane puts her list of allergens on the fridge. And memorizes it. And they put the list to good use...more than once.
Ms. Sparrow's sense of humor really shines in this novel. Even though I will readily admit that a simple conversation or two could have resolved most if not all of Vanessa and Dane's relationship woes in--oh, the second chapter maybe--I so thoroughly enjoyed reading the rest of the novel I didn't even care. Plus, the "whodunnit" at the end isn't completely obvious, which made it fun (though that individual was on my short list of suspects, I wasn't at all sure until the big reveal).
Please tell me this is going to be a series! I need more from this universe. And I really, really want Jordan to get a HEA too.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-
I recieved a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wendy Sparrow has definitely written a werewolf (they go by lycan in this universe) story with a twist here. Our heroine does have super speed and fantastic hearing, but she also suffers from near-dibilitating alergies and has a relationship with her four(!) air purifiers that borders on unnatural.
Seriously. She's taken down by a housecat in the first scene. (I was going to say "common housecat", but I'm not entirely convinced he is.) She's allergic to marshmallows. (According to the author's note, so is Ms. Sparrow. My condolences...) Though I do love the fact that Dane puts her list of allergens on the fridge. And memorizes it. And they put the list to good use...more than once.
“What are you doing?” he asked, smiling against her skin.
“Listing out my allergies so I can keep my hormones from taking over.”
He shouldn’t keep going. They were meant to be paying attention to their environment. Plus, now “ragweed” had joined the list of words that couldn’t be said in mixed company. They should stop. He pulled back enough to drag his shirt off.
“You stopped on sesame seeds,” he said.
“Carrots, celery, cumin.” Cumin was said on a long moan. She made spices she couldn’t have sound even more forbidden.
“You forgot coriander.” He groaned as she bit his collarbone.
“I didn’t forget coriander. I just hadn’t gotten there yet.” It earned him another bite.
Oh, hell, they should really stop. “You were listing the Cs in alphabetical order.”
“I was just listing them.” She pressed herself closer to him. “Fennel, kiwi.” She tipped her head back and those nails scraped down his back again. “Coriander.”
Coriander was on the list of inappropriate words now.
Ms. Sparrow's sense of humor really shines in this novel. Even though I will readily admit that a simple conversation or two could have resolved most if not all of Vanessa and Dane's relationship woes in--oh, the second chapter maybe--I so thoroughly enjoyed reading the rest of the novel I didn't even care. Plus, the "whodunnit" at the end isn't completely obvious, which made it fun (though that individual was on my short list of suspects, I wasn't at all sure until the big reveal).
Please tell me this is going to be a series! I need more from this universe. And I really, really want Jordan to get a HEA too.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-
I recieved a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2016
“It’s not that long of a list.” Well, it was, but it could be longer…in theory.
He laughed in response. “I don’t even know what a couple of those things are.”
“Like what?”
“Annato seeds. And I don’t know anyone else who’s allergic to marshmallows.”
It’s one thing to have a long list of allergies, but it’s quite another when you are a werewolf! And for Vanessa, nothing is more embarrassing than waking up in a cage after having her wolf form taken down by Lucifer…the devil…cat, all because of those allergies! And to make matters worse, Dane, the forest ranger who found her and caged her, turns out to be her mate…and he’s a human, and it’s not going to be easy to get him to believe that she wasn't the wolf in the cage. Talk about having a bad day! Oh, and the fact that she’s currently in heat and can’t seem to keep her hormones from taking over…well doesn't that just add some extra fun...
For Vanessa, when things get difficult, she runs…except this time the lure of her mate has her rethinking her instinct to run. Throw into the mix the pack alpha who is thinking of making Vanessa the pack Alpha female, a poacher who his killed and has set his sights on Vanessa, and her mate who refuses to give in to desire because he wants to be sure that her attraction to him isn't just because she’s in heat…it’s a wonder why Vanessa hasn't already hit the other coast!
“When she’d taken off, he’d practically pulled muscles trying to chase her. He was sure he’d really screwed up – and, okay, he had, but then she’d turned at the edge of the landscaped portion of the cabin’s yard, and the alarm in him settled. The rush of adrenaline had turned to arousal. His brain filled with what seemed like an arrogant and outrageous certainty: she was his.
I just loved this fun read. Although there wasn't a lot of steam on the pages, the tension was off the charts as Vanessa and Dane battled their attraction to one another. The mystery of the poacher and who was behind the killings was great and, although I had a feeling I knew whodunit, there were still some twists that kept me surprised and turning the pages.
I really enjoyed the world and characters that have been created, the human/lycan connection was a nice twist to the traditional werewolf lore. There were a lot of great characters introduced and I can’t wait to read more about the pack, especially Jordan and Travis.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
July 25, 2015
Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
This book was such an amazingly awesome surprise of a read. I think this was the first paranormal romance that had my doing a bit of research to find out the difference between lycans and werewolves and the first that I can remember involving such paranormal creatures mixing it up with humans that made me laugh more than once. From the moment that Dane realizes the wolf he brought in had been replaced by a very naked Vanessa, I knew this was going to be a ride I wouldn't soon forget. I loved every minute of Dane and Vanessa's love story, especially the snarky moments involving not just the two of them but Glacier Peak alpha Jordan Hill as well. And talk about sexual tension! Dane and Vanessa had it in absolute spades!
I liked the idea of a human and lycan becoming scent-matched, which is an even higher level of mating, equal to an actual marriage for humans. It makes you wish that such things were possible in real life, where two people destined for each other become part of a committed relationship as soon as the fact that they're match is accepted by both parties. Dane and Vanessa went throw growing pains in their relationship, some of which were rather hilarious, but these two instinctively knew that they were ready to die for each other if a situation came to that point. Aside from the love story, of course, there was the whole poaching mystery and if the human poachers were being aided by someone from inside the pack.
The story itself was wonderfully creative and had that mix of humor and suspense that made sure I was entertained from start to finish, but this book also had a cast of characters that included several supporting characters that called your attention and proved to be unforgettable. Dane and Vanessa were opposites--he with his calm and patience and she with her neurosis and outspokenness--then you had Jordan who was such a scene-stealer, plus Deputy Travis Flynn who was more than he seemed to be. Both Jordan and Travis will get their stories told in books two and three, respectively. Suffice it to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Past My Defenses and it had me reading the next book immediately after. Five stars! ♥
This book was such an amazingly awesome surprise of a read. I think this was the first paranormal romance that had my doing a bit of research to find out the difference between lycans and werewolves and the first that I can remember involving such paranormal creatures mixing it up with humans that made me laugh more than once. From the moment that Dane realizes the wolf he brought in had been replaced by a very naked Vanessa, I knew this was going to be a ride I wouldn't soon forget. I loved every minute of Dane and Vanessa's love story, especially the snarky moments involving not just the two of them but Glacier Peak alpha Jordan Hill as well. And talk about sexual tension! Dane and Vanessa had it in absolute spades!
I liked the idea of a human and lycan becoming scent-matched, which is an even higher level of mating, equal to an actual marriage for humans. It makes you wish that such things were possible in real life, where two people destined for each other become part of a committed relationship as soon as the fact that they're match is accepted by both parties. Dane and Vanessa went throw growing pains in their relationship, some of which were rather hilarious, but these two instinctively knew that they were ready to die for each other if a situation came to that point. Aside from the love story, of course, there was the whole poaching mystery and if the human poachers were being aided by someone from inside the pack.
The story itself was wonderfully creative and had that mix of humor and suspense that made sure I was entertained from start to finish, but this book also had a cast of characters that included several supporting characters that called your attention and proved to be unforgettable. Dane and Vanessa were opposites--he with his calm and patience and she with her neurosis and outspokenness--then you had Jordan who was such a scene-stealer, plus Deputy Travis Flynn who was more than he seemed to be. Both Jordan and Travis will get their stories told in books two and three, respectively. Suffice it to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Past My Defenses and it had me reading the next book immediately after. Five stars! ♥
July 25, 2014
Vanessa may be a Lycan and the fastest one but she has issues with her allergies. They bring her down quickly. She even has allergies in her Lycan form. When a cat make her flare up her allergies extremely bad she awakes to find herself locked in a kennel. Dane is surprised when the wolf he has in a cage turns into a beautiful woman. He hasn't seen anything like her before but he just knows he wants to get to know her better. Vanessa has one thought in her mind and that is mine. Seems she has found her mate even if she doesn't want to believe it. Now the two struggle to come to an understanding. They have to work on their issues, hers being ready to run at the site of danger and his is to understand how the pack works. If that wasn't enough a killer is also out their and seems to be targeting Vanessa. They have their hands full and keeping Vanessa's allergies under control is just the start.
Dane is amazing to me. When he finds out their is Lycans, he takes it in stride really well and from the start does everything he can to protect Vanessa and become part of her world. He is also very sweet as he works to learn all her many allergies and help her. He is protective as well as he rushes into danger if he thinks it will save her. Vanessa is a funny character. She has problems not just a human with allergies but as a Lycan as well. It leads her into many problems. he is also a woman who is scared. She isn't used to facing her problems but used to running from them. She knows deep down Dane is her mate but tries to deny it and what she is many times.
This book is packed full of many things that make it amazing. You get lots of laughs with Vanessa's allergy issues. She has more medicine than anyone I have seen and more allergies. You also get the sexual tension between he two as they try to wait to do anything. They are different as night and day but they both need each other. You also have an element of danger as there is a killer running wild. The have to figure out who it is before the killer gets Vanessa. I liked all of this book and how the author tied everything together. It flows very nicely and was a joy to read. I look forward to more books in this series.
Dane is amazing to me. When he finds out their is Lycans, he takes it in stride really well and from the start does everything he can to protect Vanessa and become part of her world. He is also very sweet as he works to learn all her many allergies and help her. He is protective as well as he rushes into danger if he thinks it will save her. Vanessa is a funny character. She has problems not just a human with allergies but as a Lycan as well. It leads her into many problems. he is also a woman who is scared. She isn't used to facing her problems but used to running from them. She knows deep down Dane is her mate but tries to deny it and what she is many times.
This book is packed full of many things that make it amazing. You get lots of laughs with Vanessa's allergy issues. She has more medicine than anyone I have seen and more allergies. You also get the sexual tension between he two as they try to wait to do anything. They are different as night and day but they both need each other. You also have an element of danger as there is a killer running wild. The have to figure out who it is before the killer gets Vanessa. I liked all of this book and how the author tied everything together. It flows very nicely and was a joy to read. I look forward to more books in this series.
June 15, 2014
My Rating: 3.5/5
An overall enjoyable read, Past My Defenses was a good paranormal romance. It had its issues, but, with the sweet romance and some unexpected surprises, I still ended up liking it.
Vanessa was an okay heroine. I liked that she was so loyal to the people she cared about, very determined to protect them, and I liked how her allergies added some humor and made her a more realistic character. Unfortunately, I also found her very frustrating. Whenever things seemed to stop going her way, she ran. And, when it came to having a mate, she just couldn't stop running away. Not only was it annoying, but it was so unfair to Dane. Not to mention she could be reckless and had a tendency to jump to conclusions. It didn't get to the point that I outright disliked her, but I can't say that I really liked her, either. Overall, I was just okay with her...most of the time.
Dane, on the other hand, was amazing. He was so sweet and determined to help keep Vanessa safe. Thrown into a world he never knew about and a very crazy situation, his goal was always to protect her, if that meant grabbing a gun or struggling to learn pack politics. I thought he was wonderful and I adored him.
The romance was good. I wasn't really feeling it because of my issues with Vanessa, but I did root for them, if only because I wanted Dane to be happy. When Vanessa actually stayed for a bit, they were sweet together. There was a lot of chemistry between them, but this was a mostly clean romance. I thought they were a lovely couple.
The plot was well paced and I was kept interested most of the way through. There were a few parts where things started to drag. There were a few surprises along the way, not the least of which was who the killer turned out to be. I never suspected this person, especially not the full involvement this person had in the entire situation. I enjoyed the story and the ending was great.
Past My Defenses was a good paranormal romance. It wasn't perfect, but I did enjoy reading it. Romance lovers, this might be a book you'll want to look up.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
An overall enjoyable read, Past My Defenses was a good paranormal romance. It had its issues, but, with the sweet romance and some unexpected surprises, I still ended up liking it.
Vanessa was an okay heroine. I liked that she was so loyal to the people she cared about, very determined to protect them, and I liked how her allergies added some humor and made her a more realistic character. Unfortunately, I also found her very frustrating. Whenever things seemed to stop going her way, she ran. And, when it came to having a mate, she just couldn't stop running away. Not only was it annoying, but it was so unfair to Dane. Not to mention she could be reckless and had a tendency to jump to conclusions. It didn't get to the point that I outright disliked her, but I can't say that I really liked her, either. Overall, I was just okay with her...most of the time.
Dane, on the other hand, was amazing. He was so sweet and determined to help keep Vanessa safe. Thrown into a world he never knew about and a very crazy situation, his goal was always to protect her, if that meant grabbing a gun or struggling to learn pack politics. I thought he was wonderful and I adored him.
The romance was good. I wasn't really feeling it because of my issues with Vanessa, but I did root for them, if only because I wanted Dane to be happy. When Vanessa actually stayed for a bit, they were sweet together. There was a lot of chemistry between them, but this was a mostly clean romance. I thought they were a lovely couple.
The plot was well paced and I was kept interested most of the way through. There were a few parts where things started to drag. There were a few surprises along the way, not the least of which was who the killer turned out to be. I never suspected this person, especially not the full involvement this person had in the entire situation. I enjoyed the story and the ending was great.
Past My Defenses was a good paranormal romance. It wasn't perfect, but I did enjoy reading it. Romance lovers, this might be a book you'll want to look up.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
February 18, 2017
Forest ranger Dane Hansen is surprised that when he finds an abandoned car by the road, the sheriff will not let him stay and help find the driver.
When he gets home and the cat with the very fitting name escapes into the forest. His hunt for the cat brings a whole new world of discovery.
Lycan Vanessa Tucker wakes up in a cage after nearly being killed by a cat. Her severe allergies could literally be the death of her. Her being in heat with her hormones screaming "mate,mate,is not helping.
This story is hilarious, even if we have a psychotic killer on the loose. Poachers are killing lycans for their body parts. Although the one hunting Vanessa's pack seems to have a more personal reason.
This is the first in a boxed set and I can't wait to read the rest.
When he gets home and the cat with the very fitting name escapes into the forest. His hunt for the cat brings a whole new world of discovery.
Lycan Vanessa Tucker wakes up in a cage after nearly being killed by a cat. Her severe allergies could literally be the death of her. Her being in heat with her hormones screaming "mate,mate,is not helping.
This story is hilarious, even if we have a psychotic killer on the loose. Poachers are killing lycans for their body parts. Although the one hunting Vanessa's pack seems to have a more personal reason.
This is the first in a boxed set and I can't wait to read the rest.
June 13, 2014
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I think what sold me on this story was the ridiculous (not in the bad way) main character. Vanessa is a werewolf that's allergic to a crapload of things, including some other animals. It almost feels as if she should be allergic to the wolf version of herself. The allergies, for me, served the purpose of making Vanessa more likable. She was super stubborn, to the point of doing things that were kind of reckless. That ordinarily would have made me hate her, but then she'd have an allergy attack of massive proportions that would remind me she's not so bad (for some reason, perceived weaknesses can sometimes make a person seem a little more down-to-earth to me).
Dane's easy-going(ish) attitude was his big selling point for me. He seemed to take everything in stride, except for Jordan the Alpha. But he seemed super chill about discovering lycans were real and that he was mated to one because of some weird werewolf scentmatch. That would have been a bombshell for me, but not so much for Dane.
For the most part, I felt the story was pretty solid. The only thing that really drove me up a wall was the insane amount of insecurities in Vanessa and Dane's relationship and the fact that they couldn't communicate with each other. If one of them had bothered to broach the subject, it would have saved me a lot of frustration. Dane spent nearly the whole book wondering if Vanessa really wanted him or if it was all just the scentmatch (AND her being in heat). Vanessa spent an equal amount of time wondering if he even felt the scentmatch. Both were easily answered questions as evidenced by the moment when they finally asked them.
I did think this was a fun, quick read and I would definitely pick up more of Wendy Sparrow's work!
I think what sold me on this story was the ridiculous (not in the bad way) main character. Vanessa is a werewolf that's allergic to a crapload of things, including some other animals. It almost feels as if she should be allergic to the wolf version of herself. The allergies, for me, served the purpose of making Vanessa more likable. She was super stubborn, to the point of doing things that were kind of reckless. That ordinarily would have made me hate her, but then she'd have an allergy attack of massive proportions that would remind me she's not so bad (for some reason, perceived weaknesses can sometimes make a person seem a little more down-to-earth to me).
Dane's easy-going(ish) attitude was his big selling point for me. He seemed to take everything in stride, except for Jordan the Alpha. But he seemed super chill about discovering lycans were real and that he was mated to one because of some weird werewolf scentmatch. That would have been a bombshell for me, but not so much for Dane.
For the most part, I felt the story was pretty solid. The only thing that really drove me up a wall was the insane amount of insecurities in Vanessa and Dane's relationship and the fact that they couldn't communicate with each other. If one of them had bothered to broach the subject, it would have saved me a lot of frustration. Dane spent nearly the whole book wondering if Vanessa really wanted him or if it was all just the scentmatch (AND her being in heat). Vanessa spent an equal amount of time wondering if he even felt the scentmatch. Both were easily answered questions as evidenced by the moment when they finally asked them.
I did think this was a fun, quick read and I would definitely pick up more of Wendy Sparrow's work!
June 23, 2014
Since anyone who follows my reviews knows I love a good paranormal with also finding a author I have not read before. This is one such author with a catchy title that was the first thing I noticed then the little ditty on what it was about. Usually you find the guy is the lycan and the woman is the human but this is not the case in here so not the usual is good. Right off when I started reading Dane gets curious about a case the after finding a car abandoned but told to go home until daylight them handle it until daylight. Thanks to his sister's cat he has been opened up to a all new kind of case of lookie who is in his cage and wowzer this is all kinds of different.I really liked Vanessa the quirky character that she is. She is his and he is hers and oh boy the fun has begun. Even though trouble has come to the pack she is with that does not stop Dane from persueing Vanessa even though he learns more about her and the pack. Together they work to help solve a mystery on who is a murderer and who and what is after the pack. Thanks to the rules and regulations of a pack he has his work cut out for him on a relationship with Vanessa but she also has gone to pair with a human no less. This author has interjected through out this novel humor between them and other characters in novel that will have you chuckling quite often while waiting to see who the bad guys are and what is really going on. Not a easy guess either on who the main culprit turns out to be which makes for a good read when intrigue and murder are involved. The conclusion that is reached at the end is quite satisfactory that this is the novel is a good opener for a series. It leaves you also wanting to see more from the other characters leaving you with curiosity on where she will take you next. Received a arc for a honest review.
June 24, 2014
Is there any logical way of dealing with your partner being half human and part wolf coz it sure seems out of this world!? But Dane did just that, for a person who have never seen such a human or creature before I think he was kind of cool with it. The story brought reality and fantasy immaculately you wouldn't even recognize when the one ends and the other begins.
First the setting couldn't get any better . The weather is always cold and they are surrounded with forests, it's my kind of setting. We were also introduced to unique characters and all of them contributed to how extremely good the story is. At most times I found it funny Vanessa is allergic to so many things especially the cat when she is also part animal in a way, our author conveyed the story with angst and wit that it was so satisfying to read it. I have to admit I kind of feel like I am cheating on Dane because I also like Jordan and he makes a good alpha and I feel like there is an unfinished tension between him and Vanessa even if he scent matched to another character.
The minor characters in the story like Dane's sister who added some fun scenes when she arrived at his house and Vanessa was only wearing his t shirt, that was some awkward moment between the two and when she had dinner with them, it was crazy. I also like Travis because he was always ready to help but don't get fooled by his appearance there is more to him than meets the eye.There were a lot of intense moment between Dane and Vanessa and I guess them being scent matched to each other is the equivalent of love at first sight in humans. It ended pretty nicely if you ask me, swift and easy. I wouldn't mind reading another book of this series if it is this nice.
I received an ebook copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
First the setting couldn't get any better . The weather is always cold and they are surrounded with forests, it's my kind of setting. We were also introduced to unique characters and all of them contributed to how extremely good the story is. At most times I found it funny Vanessa is allergic to so many things especially the cat when she is also part animal in a way, our author conveyed the story with angst and wit that it was so satisfying to read it. I have to admit I kind of feel like I am cheating on Dane because I also like Jordan and he makes a good alpha and I feel like there is an unfinished tension between him and Vanessa even if he scent matched to another character.
The minor characters in the story like Dane's sister who added some fun scenes when she arrived at his house and Vanessa was only wearing his t shirt, that was some awkward moment between the two and when she had dinner with them, it was crazy. I also like Travis because he was always ready to help but don't get fooled by his appearance there is more to him than meets the eye.There were a lot of intense moment between Dane and Vanessa and I guess them being scent matched to each other is the equivalent of love at first sight in humans. It ended pretty nicely if you ask me, swift and easy. I wouldn't mind reading another book of this series if it is this nice.
I received an ebook copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2014
Vanessa is the fastest Lycan around. In wolf form, the only threat she can’t outrun is her allergies. After a feline dander-bomb takes her down, she wakes up naked in a cage staring at a hot park ranger who had no idea what he’d trapped. But ooooh, he smells so good. Mine.
Dane hoped to tame the silver wolf in his kennel, but all bets are off with the deliciously sweet Vanessa on two legs. Her temper makes his pulse race, and he can’t escape the feeling they belong together.
They’re hot as a forest fire even before they scent-match, but Glacier Peak’s Alpha considers Dane a danger to the pack. Meanwhile, Lycans are being poached, and Vanessa has been targeted. Dane will have to keep her close to protect her, but with Vanessa in heat and mad to mate, who will protect him?
Review:
I enjoyed this paranormal romance by new to me Author Wendy Sparrow.
With all her allergies, Vanessa needs to live in a plastic bubble...LOL There were parts to Vanessa's character that I did not like and at times I wanted to tell Dane to run away from her, she is too much trouble but I guess that would not make a very good romance ;) Vanessa seemed to get herself into trouble or put herself in harms way alot. Dane has the patience of a saint in my book! For being thrown into a world of shifters, finding out you are a mate to one and then trying to keep that mate from getting killed he really handles it well and tries to make this budding relationship work.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. The Author's voice had the right mix of humor and snark that I like in books. The ending was not all that surprising to me, I guessed who was behind the killings but I have to say I did not get why until the end. I would definitely like to read more from this Author!
3.5 Stars
Dane hoped to tame the silver wolf in his kennel, but all bets are off with the deliciously sweet Vanessa on two legs. Her temper makes his pulse race, and he can’t escape the feeling they belong together.
They’re hot as a forest fire even before they scent-match, but Glacier Peak’s Alpha considers Dane a danger to the pack. Meanwhile, Lycans are being poached, and Vanessa has been targeted. Dane will have to keep her close to protect her, but with Vanessa in heat and mad to mate, who will protect him?
Review:
I enjoyed this paranormal romance by new to me Author Wendy Sparrow.
With all her allergies, Vanessa needs to live in a plastic bubble...LOL There were parts to Vanessa's character that I did not like and at times I wanted to tell Dane to run away from her, she is too much trouble but I guess that would not make a very good romance ;) Vanessa seemed to get herself into trouble or put herself in harms way alot. Dane has the patience of a saint in my book! For being thrown into a world of shifters, finding out you are a mate to one and then trying to keep that mate from getting killed he really handles it well and tries to make this budding relationship work.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. The Author's voice had the right mix of humor and snark that I like in books. The ending was not all that surprising to me, I guessed who was behind the killings but I have to say I did not get why until the end. I would definitely like to read more from this Author!
3.5 Stars
June 23, 2014
The first in a new werewolf romance, this book is a riveting read that keeps readers shivering in suspense. When Vanessa wakes up naked in a cage and staring at a hot park ranger she has cause to worry, not only has Vanessa been targeted by poachers, but now she’s scent-matched to a human.
This fast paced and smooth flowing plot keeps readers on their toes with action, suspense, drama and romance. The author brings the story to life with well written scenes and details that capture the imagination and make it easy for the reader to picture the story as it happens and the well orchestrated intrigue and action scenes are exciting and believable. The characters are strong, compelling, easily related and draw the reader deeper into the story.
The attraction between Vanessa and Dane radiates lots of heat from every page, but these two has some serious communication problems and emotional issues that keeps their romance spiraling in every direction, not to mention the fact the Dane is human and the Alpha thinks he is a danger to the pack. Vanessa’s extreme allergies (which is a very interesting characteristic for a werewolf) adds some drama and spice to the story in addition to all the attempts on her life. There is also quite a few chuckles from snarky dialogue and the two alpha males competing for who is top dog.
The alpha has certainly created a fascinating shifter world with some interesting and captivating characters. I found this story to be enjoyable and entertaining and the author kept me guessing with some surprising twists, although I do feel as if there is something missing from the whole poacher issue, surely there’s more to it, I guess I will just have to wait and see…hmmm… when is the next coming out?
This fast paced and smooth flowing plot keeps readers on their toes with action, suspense, drama and romance. The author brings the story to life with well written scenes and details that capture the imagination and make it easy for the reader to picture the story as it happens and the well orchestrated intrigue and action scenes are exciting and believable. The characters are strong, compelling, easily related and draw the reader deeper into the story.
The attraction between Vanessa and Dane radiates lots of heat from every page, but these two has some serious communication problems and emotional issues that keeps their romance spiraling in every direction, not to mention the fact the Dane is human and the Alpha thinks he is a danger to the pack. Vanessa’s extreme allergies (which is a very interesting characteristic for a werewolf) adds some drama and spice to the story in addition to all the attempts on her life. There is also quite a few chuckles from snarky dialogue and the two alpha males competing for who is top dog.
The alpha has certainly created a fascinating shifter world with some interesting and captivating characters. I found this story to be enjoyable and entertaining and the author kept me guessing with some surprising twists, although I do feel as if there is something missing from the whole poacher issue, surely there’s more to it, I guess I will just have to wait and see…hmmm… when is the next coming out?
August 28, 2014
Just because you are Lycan with the ability to shift into a beautiful silver wolf and are the fastest creature around on four legs, does not mean you cannot be brought low by the itty-bitty kitty patrol. Past My Defenses is a fun and at times hilarious beginning for the new series Taming of the Pack. While the story has a primary focus on Vanessa, an unmated alpha female who is significantly allergy challenged with an air purifier in every room and enough medications to keep all the hypochondriacs in a small world country content, who suddenly finds herself waking in a cage and scent-matched to a hunky park ranger, who by the way just happens to be human, it also weaves a tale of treachery and betrayal. There are poachers in the area who have been preying on the packs and mutilating the wolves across the country. The pack leader and the ranger have a common goal, keep Vanessa safe and bring down the baddies.
I loved this story. The world building and character introductions were very well written and kept me on the edge of my seat with a silly smile on my face turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I am looking forward to reading the next offering in the series and would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy a fun shifter tale with a bit of romance, humor, and intrigue. I received this book with a request for my honest review without any compensation whatsoever, other than the joy of reading a new book.
I loved this story. The world building and character introductions were very well written and kept me on the edge of my seat with a silly smile on my face turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I am looking forward to reading the next offering in the series and would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy a fun shifter tale with a bit of romance, humor, and intrigue. I received this book with a request for my honest review without any compensation whatsoever, other than the joy of reading a new book.
June 24, 2014
Vanessa has allergies but then so do a lot of people me included. So I can relate to the allergy meds in her car, home, purse.... It would be very difficult to be a Lycan that couldn't smell due to your allergies. Thank goodness she is really fast. But not fast enough to get away from the cat that puts her allergies into overdrive. Thus allowing her to be caught by Dane,the park ranger, in wolf form. Now she is awake and in human form in a cage he keeps for wild animals. And what does she do? Well let's just try denying it. She wants to get away from Dane but has imprinted on him which makes it virtually impossible for a Lycan. And this is how their story begins.
There are so many funny parts in this story and the author does a fantastic job of drawing you in to where you are laughing out loud at the things these two say and do. Especially when they are trying to avoid admitting how they feel because they don't think the other person feels the same way.
Now throw in a psycho that is killing Lycans and selling their body parts on the black market. Oh and did I mention said psycho is after Vanessa?
Then add to it the pack issues since the pack leader was wanting Vanessa as his replacement mate. Lets just say he wasn't too happy when he realized she imprinted on Dane.
There is so much going on in this story to keep you entertained. I loved it!
I was given an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many funny parts in this story and the author does a fantastic job of drawing you in to where you are laughing out loud at the things these two say and do. Especially when they are trying to avoid admitting how they feel because they don't think the other person feels the same way.
Now throw in a psycho that is killing Lycans and selling their body parts on the black market. Oh and did I mention said psycho is after Vanessa?
Then add to it the pack issues since the pack leader was wanting Vanessa as his replacement mate. Lets just say he wasn't too happy when he realized she imprinted on Dane.
There is so much going on in this story to keep you entertained. I loved it!
I was given an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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