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Sentinels #7

Alpha Rising

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Time is running out for the Alpha to seduce his reluctant houseguest ...

Holly Faulkes's entire life had been spent in hiding, steering clear of the Sentinels. But now she is their prisoner, kept by Lannie Stewart, an undeniably sexy alpha wolf determined to initiate her into their world. Lannie's special gift of influence has never failed him, until Holly.

The full-blooded field Sentinel, though, can sense her untapped power. It is a power he is deeply drawn to, a power they all desperately need. For a new enemy has risen, one determined to destroy their kind. Holly can reveal this danger, but only if Lannie can convince her to accept ... to embrace ... to release, what she really is.

298 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 16, 2015

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About the author

Doranna Durgin

115 books227 followers
Doranna Durgin is an award-winning author (the Compton Crook for Best First SF/F/H novel) whose quirky spirit has led to an extensive and eclectic publishing journey across genres, publishers, and publishing lines. Beyond that, she hangs around outside her Southwest mountain home with horse and highly accomplished competition dogs. She doesn't believe in mastering the beast within, but in channeling its power--for good or bad has yet to be decided! She says, “My books are SF/F, mystery, paranormal romance, & romantic suspense. My world is the Southwest, and my dogs are Beagles!”

Doranna’s most recent releases encompass the three books of the Reckoners trilogy--a powerful ghostbuster raised by a spirit, her brilliantly eccentric backup team, a cat who isn't a cat, and a fiercely driven bounty hunter from a different dimension who brings them together when worlds collide.

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5 stars
10 (20%)
4 stars
26 (52%)
3 stars
10 (20%)
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3 (6%)
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1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Melindeeloo.
3,285 reviews158 followers
October 17, 2015
Holly Fawkes', whose family had been outed after years of hiding from the Sentinels, had been sent to wolf alpha, Lannie, whose talent is turning outsiders into pack. But Holly is furious about being dragged from the life and business she'd built for herself and had no desire to acknowledge her Sentinel otherself.

I really liked Alpha Rising. Both of the leads were strong: Holly, railing against the loss of her old life yet stepping up when she's the only one who can fight the evil invading the area around Lannie's prprty, and Lannie with his quite strength, who gives so much of himself that he fears there won't be anything left, but still does it because of his innate Alpha need to protect his pack -I really loved Lannie, he's one of the best kinds of heroes.

Alpha Rising was one of my favorites in this series which I've been following since 2009. This series has only improved over time, the bad guys aren't as over the top (or as cheesy as they've been on occasion), the 'initiation' piece was handled better, and there are good conflicts on the way to the romantic HEA and in the background plot. Plus, there's a nice cameo for the previous starring pair, Regan and Kai, (which included a reunion between Holly and her brother Kai) and there's a nice little set of supporting characters in Lannie's pack as well.

So all in all Alpha Rising was a very satisfying trek back to the world of Durgan's Sentinels -I'll be keeping an eye out for more.


ARC via Netgalley -Release date 2/1/15
Profile Image for Traceys.
1,502 reviews72 followers
February 16, 2015
3.5 stars

This author Is new to me, but the blurb and cover interested me and I took a chance.

Was I pleased, yes, it was an interesting read.

Lanny is a Sentinel, basically a shifter with other abilities, his a calm, down to earth characther and you'll soon warm to him.

Holly has been kidnapped, well that's how she sees it! In reality she's been taken to Lannys pack for her own protection, she is one strong Independant woman, that won't be caged. She has a lot of thinking to do and life choices to make, which is not made easy by the fact that Lanny is so attractive.

Don't expect these two to resolve things quickly, their journey is full of them pushing each other away, trying to protect their hearts. It's a relief when they give in.

An enjoyable read, it's my first in this series, this being book 7, I'd definetly pick up other books in series.

** I received an arc via Netgalley for an honest review **
Profile Image for Amelia.
794 reviews22 followers
January 12, 2015
In the Sentinels miniseries, there is always danger to a special group of beings plus the land where they live. In the seventh story, mysteries related to numerous strange events mount with no clear answers readily forthcoming. The Sentinels know about one devious enemy whom they have fought for years, but there are loads of questions about the newest individuals who seem determined to pick a fight without being provoked. Since the noble hero is paired with an unwilling heroine, solving the problems both have to face will not be easy unless they find a way to somehow work together. Doranna Durgin makes the paranormal events in ALPHA RISING fascinating and often emotional.

The family of Holly Faulkes has kept her hidden from the Sentinels even after she reached adulthood. Yet she has finally been discovered and brought to the New Mexico desert, where she will be watched over by Lannie Stewart. He is able to change into a wolf, and he also has the ability to help others connect to a pack. Holly wants nothing to do with him or others like him, but she does not have much choice since he knows being a Sentinel puts her in danger, even though she continuously denies her heritage.

As Lannie tries to learn more about Holly so he can assist her with whatever is discovered, her independent streak constantly makes things difficult for them both. She is definitely not a team player, but he still feels an intense connection to her, more than he normally does. Holly has been fighting against being a Sentinel all her life, and she is not interested in exposing what capabilities she may possess. Yet she must accept what secrets are concealed inside her, for not only her own sake but to help those with whom she is now associated.

In the previous books of the miniseries, those battling the Sentinels are usually the Atrum Core, a group who does not care about the land or those who protect it. But the latest story has adversaries whose mission is not as apparent, and I was left wondering just who they were and what they wanted. Plenty of surprises are revealed along the way, and Lannie plus Holly find themselves battling individuals who are determined and ruthless. It would really be advisable to have read the prior books in the miniseries, as possible reasons for what is taking place in the current story along with the purpose of the Sentinels would be much more understandable.

Though Lannie and Holly had extremely different views about the Sentinels, their opinions about each other gradually change as they become more acquainted. Holly had so many doubts about the group that she has tried to constantly avoid, yet events during her stay in New Mexico show her a side of them which challenges her future decisions. Doranna Durgin makes the lives of her main couple very complicated, yet Lannie and Holly never give up. Their sexual relationship is not without its own hurdles, especially when lusty desire fuels many of their choices. What these two ultimately decide to do in several situations proves their inner strength, and I am glad to have been on the journey with them. ALPHA RISING has imaginative circumstances and strong-willed characters.

CataRomance review
Profile Image for Njkinny (Njkinny's Blog).
758 reviews187 followers
May 26, 2016
Alpha Rising by Doranna Durgin is the seventh book in Sentinels series but the first that I have read, The author is also new to me. I got attracted towards this book because of the blurb and decided to give it a try.

In this book, we are taken into the world of shifters who have other abilities too. Lannie is a Sentinel and is attracted towards Holly. Holly, on the other hand, has been brought to Lannie's pack for her own protection but still feels like a kidnapped victim. While attracted towards Lannie's beauty, she still is wary of him.

A dark atmosphere of impending danger, passionate and explosive romance journey and the mysterious world of shifters had me interested in this book throughout.

The author's writing style is also expressive and narrative and I was able to visualize the scenes and scenarios with ease.

All in all, Alpha Rising by Doranna Durgin is an engaging and entertaining fantasy and paranormal romance that I enjoyed and look foward to reading the other books in this series too. 4 out of 5 to it and recommended to all fantasy, paranormal, romance and scifi lovers.


I received the book from the publishers via Netgalley and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
Read all reviews on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff
82 reviews
February 23, 2015
Doranna Durgin’s beautiful and complex prose takes us deep into her alternate world of Sentinel vs. Core. Alpha Rising is the seventh in Durgin’s Sentinel series. These books can be read as standalone romances, but it helps to be familiar with the Sentinel shifters and their ancient struggle with the Core. Holly Faulkes is the sister of Kai (the hero in #6) and has spent most of her life hiding from the Sentinel organization. When her brother contacts the Sentinels for help, they find Holly and take her into protection for integration into the Sentinel pack. Lannie Stewart is an alpha wolf, and his talent allows him to create and strengthen pack bonds. His task is to overcome Holly’s resistance and initiate her into pack life. The problem is Lannie’s talent been affected by Core’s evil amulets of power. Holly can sense the stench of Core evil, but doesn’t realize what it is. Lannie’s talent is compromised, Holly’s talents are undeveloped. This story tells of their journey of discovery, growth and falling in love.
Profile Image for Beyond the Pages with Eva K.
3,244 reviews170 followers
December 26, 2014
Sentinels: Alpha Rising sounded like such a great read when I first learned about it, and I desperately wanted to fall into it. Alas, I did not. The plain and simple truth is that I had a rather difficult time of it. It was, at times, a bit of a challenge to follow. There was too much going on. I also found the book to be rather wordy which made it laborious to read in certain moments. I confess that I did have to encourage myself to push through.

The saving grace for this book was the strength of character regarding the protagonists. Lannie and Holly were both strong in different ways. They cared and were both very passionate about what they were passionate about. The air of mystery surrounding their connection was intriguing.

Finally, I have to say that I felt like I would have understood more had I had a guide to know all the players and dynamics involved in this story. I do think that there is definitely something there that warrants a second look at the series.

Rating: 3/5
Profile Image for Gail.
Author 25 books217 followers
June 21, 2016
Good read. The heroine has been raised to hide from the others like her-- shapeshifters. Her parents have now come out of hiding to help her brother, who was left behind, and the Sentinels, the others like her, only organized, have snatched her away from her home and dumped her with the hero. He's an alpha wolf shifter whose specialty is creating team, or pack, bonds. He brings outsiders into the fold, helps teams learn to work together, that sort of thing. But it's hard on him to be creating and breaking pack bonds all the time. And this promises to be even harder because the heroine is angry and wants nothing he's offering. I liked this, but the metaphysical aspects were confusing and hard to follow. I also didn't get the heroine's change of attitude. Very little was really clear. Some of the language was so metaphorical and artistic, I couldn't understand what Durgin meant by it. Despite my frequent confusion, I enjoyed the story. It's a good read.
Profile Image for Harlequin Books.
18.4k reviews2,811 followers
Read
January 12, 2016
"Durgin’s description is sparkling as always, particularly in the detailed explanations of Holly’s waterscaping talent and the area around Lannie’s store. The character interactions are also quite good" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars ).

Miniseries: Sentinels
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews