Christmas Wolf Surprise

Red Wolf #3

by Terry Spear

Red wolf shifter Maverick Wilding is preoccupied with managing the Christmas activities that make the reindeer at his ranch so popular during the holidays, until a run-in with werewolf hunters cause the worst sort of trouble for his kind.

Gina Hutton is out on a Bigfoot adventure in the forest with her brother James when she is suddenly immersed in an adventure far more dangerous and surprising than she ever could have imagined. When she falls head over heels she is torn between the new world of wolves she is discovering and the world she must leave behind.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Christmas, Werewolves, Fiction

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2022

About the author

Love, love, love romance, the paranormal, hunky Highlanders with their delicious brogue and hot kilts, so Terry Spear writes about those hunky Highlanders both in medieval times and as wolves in contemporary times. Jaguar shifters too! And young adult urban fantasy. And romantic suspense.

She grew up reading mystery, adventure, mythologies from around the world, ghost stories, the paranormal, fell in love with Dracula and Wolfman, and felt they needed loving too. Everyone should have someone to love. Which means her stories always have a HEA.

USA Today Bestseller residing in Central Texas from Sacramento, California who creates award-winning teddy bears too!

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Wolf Surprise by Terry Spear is the third book in the Red Wolf paranormal romance series. This one features Gina Hutton and red wolf shifter Maverick Wilding. Gina, her brother, and two of his friends are hiking, camping, and looking for Bigfoot and werewolves in an Oregon state park when an accident brings danger, adventure, and more. Maverick and his brother are managing the holiday activities for their reindeer ranch when he hears something that means danger, and tries to warn Gina while in wolf form.

Gina and Maverick are likeable main characters. Gina is tenacious, fun, friendly, and a zoologist. However, how will she handle changes to her life? Maverick is patient, responsible, playful, but has secrets. The secondary characters are a blend of characters from the first book in the series plus some new additions, which gives continuity but keeps things fresh. Their connection is handled deftly, but happened a little too quickly.

Spear does an excellent job of blending romance and high stakes. Set around Christmas, this novel has a quick pace and lots of steam. My biggest quibble is that I wanted more suspense. The ending was wrapped up well, but it seemed too unrealistic. Nevertheless, the book captured the holiday spirit perfectly and was definitely enjoyable.

Overall, this was a fun and entertaining novel with some humor to go with the danger, holiday events, and romance. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Terry Spear provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for October 11, 2022.

---------------------------------------
My 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Linden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gina is camping with her brother and his somewhat dimwitted friends who are hunting for Bigfoot when she rescues what she believes is a dog trapped in an icy lake. Turns out it was Maverick, a wolf shifter who owns an Oregon reindeer ranch, who has accidentally turned Gina into a werewolf. She immediately falls hard for this handsome hunk, and meets the rest of the pack members, who welcome her with open arms. She looks forward to spending the Christmas holidays with them at the ranch. But what about her brother, his friends, and her parents? Should they be turned too, since knowledge of the werewolf pack isn't public? Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Marisa Hickman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for the arc!

Christmas Wolf Surprise has a great plot that reminds me of a Twilight meets Hallmark movie situation. However, I rated this book 2 stars.

Gina, the main character, who accidentally gets bite by a wolf shifter is a flat character. I felt as though we learned little about her personality besides she is a zoologist, sleep walks, and apparently is willing to trust and date a stranger within a few day time period.

Throughout the book, the pacing is very quick. Everything seems to happen within days. I felt that this was very unrealistic and made the plot hard to follow. I wish there was more detail and information given at the beginning of the book before Gina begins to hangout with wolf shifter Maverick and start dating him. Within the first five chapters, without many details, Gina is wanting to date him.

The writing throughout the book was an easy read. At times wording was awkward. . .for example the many uses of Gina and Maverick tonguing each other.

The middle to end of the book seemed to just wrap everything up in a perfect bow which also seemed unrealistic due to many characters in the book being quick to understand that the world has wold shifters in them.

I would have given this book a higher rating if it was longer, had more specific details, and went deeper into exploring the characters. The premise of the book seemed exciting, especially with the reindeer ranch and competition, but did not follow through.

[Leah Hester · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a fan of many of Spears books, but this one is a fairly weak showing. While not conceptually bad, it's poorly written particularly in regards to character interactions and reactions to overall plot action. I think it was in effort to keep things on the light and fluffy side for a holiday romance, but there was still introduced some heavy stuff that just gets...let go by the characters? No one acts in a way that makes sense, especially in the context of the story. And this pair is pretty bland as far as romantic leads goes for Spears novels. I will say I did like the playfulness they exhibited at points, even if simplistic. Also, delicious food descriptions.

All in all, not one I will come back to, but it was a quick little holiday read.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

My beautiful wife got this for me as part of secret santa as a joke.

It was a big nothing sandwich, poorly written, no defined characterizations or voices. There is absolutely no real conflict- they kinda set something up early on then the resolution is simple and straightforward and there's never anything to get invested in.

The H literally goes 'want to date?' and within a few weeks they are eternally mated so instalove to the max. Also h's parents are fully okay with this engagement because H has a nice car. Or something.

This is my first shifter romance and I'm not really interested in them afterward. Also they ate a TON of chocolate and it took 200 pages before someone actually said 'yes that is okay even though you're a wolf'.

2 stars because it was fun to send the really bad quotes in group chat.

[Alicia Calvaresi · Rating 1 out of 5]

They say never judge a book by its cover and I didn’t, but I should have with this one. This book had so much potential. It’s about a pack of wolf shifters in Oregon at Christmas time. Sounds intriguing right? Wrong. This book was so bad on so many levels. Everything happened so quickly, there was no plot or back story as to why they are all wolves. They just casually turned all of the characters into wolves and no one freaked out. Everyone was like “ok cool this is fun” lol I wish I could rate this 0 stars

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was fun to read, the only drama was from a competing reindeer farm and filled with lots of people who were excited to be turned into wolves. It was fun to see everyone react as they learned shifter wolves were real and that they had the option of being one, then seeing them on their first few wolf runs. Add all of that around Christmas and there really is no downside to this one!

[Marisa Hickman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for the arc!

Christmas Wolf Surprise has a great plot that reminds me of a Twilight meets Hallmark movie situation. However, I rated this book 2 stars.

Gina, the main character, who accidentally gets bite by a wolf shifter is a flat character. I felt as though we learned little about her personality besides she is a zoologist, sleep walks, and apparently is willing to trust and date a stranger within a few day time period.

Throughout the book, the pacing is very quick. Everything seems to happen within days. I felt that this was very unrealistic and made the plot hard to follow. I wish there was more detail and information given at the beginning of the book before Gina begins to hangout with wolf shifter Maverick and start dating him. Within the first five chapters, without many details, Gina is wanting to date him.

The writing throughout the book was an easy read. At times wording was awkward. . .for example the many uses of Gina and Maverick tonguing each other.

The middle to end of the book seemed to just wrap everything up in a perfect bow which also seemed unrealistic due to many characters in the book being quick to understand that the world has wold shifters in them.

I would have given this book a higher rating if it was longer, had more specific details, and went deeper into exploring the characters. The premise of the book seemed exciting, especially with the reindeer ranch and competition, but did not follow through.

[Rosemarie Grainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun holiday shifter romance the Terry Spear

Maverick is out in the park searching for a reindeer that was spotted there when he comes across Gina trying to pick through the ice to water on a lake/pond. She doesn't hear the ice cracking around her so he goes as a wolf to scare her off. Unfortunately, while she gets back, he falls in and accidentally nips her as she is trying to help him out of the water! And that is the very beginning of a convoluted story with reindeer, Christmas, family and shifting quickly as a newly turned wolf shifter!

The pace is fast and the tone is upbeat with a character oriented storyline that has some steamy scenes and some action. The characters are vivid and engaging. I would read all the books in this series in order, however it references some other series also. For me, I read all the Heart of the Wolf in the order they were published, including the Heart of the Jaguar series as they intertwine. However, there are a few that take p!ace earlier chronologically than their published dates. I have no idea if there is a better way to figure that out. I have recorded 37 Wolf ones with 5 novellas interspersed, 5.5 Jaguar stories and 2.5 United Shifter Force stories! I tend to like reading interconnected stories in chronological order, so I am pointing that out to you. This book is #37 in the Heart of the Wolf grouping by my record, if that is any help. No matter how you read them, if you like shifter romances with complex characters and action then this is for you! Enjoy!

[Maddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

At once high camp and boring, Christmas Wolf Surprise reads like a Hallmark movie but furrier. This is about a hot male werewolf who accidentally turns an equally hot woman while she is hunting for Bigfoot and werewolves with her brother and his pals. What I love about Terry Spear's work is the complete lack of conflict. Any problem that these characters have is solved immediately, and the characters go on to relax by eating a delicious meal that is described in incredible detail. That's another thing I love: Terry loves food. These books have so much discussion of cooking and eating. It's like a recipe book. These wolves eat so many omelets and potatoes, and I envy that.

In all seriousness, this wasn't great. The writing is bland, and both main characters are warning. For some reason, the solution to all their problems is to turn the FMC's whole family into wolves. The reasoning is never clear. And these people are barely phased by people turning to wolves right in front of them, and then becoming on themselves. It's truly ridiculous. Also ridiculous was the smut, which was almost written like a scientific how-to. I never, ever want to read this much about pheromones again.

Still, I had fun. I can't rate this lower than two stars because of how much I loved talking about it with my sister and friends. It was a nice, cozy read, and it did exactly what it set out to do. Who can be mad at that?

[Shifter Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Shifter Haven

Christmas Wolf Surprise is the third title in the Red Wolf series, which is a sub-series within the Heart of the Wolf connecting world. No, you don’t have to have read all of the stories within this world to enjoy Gina’s and Maverick’s adventure… but there are plenty more great stories should you want to dive in further, which I highly recommend.

I had fun with Christmas Wolf Surprise, but because of the shortness of the story, I don’t want to go into many details as I try not to spoil a book for other readers. I can say that the Bigfoot hunters were fun and slightly clueless, but Gina gets a surprise that keeps on giving when she believes she sees a dog on the frozen lake and tries to rescue it… not realizing that the ice is cracking around her – and that’s not a dog. Her life is about to change, and so is Maverick’s.

I can read a Christmas romance any time of the year, and this one is fun, quirky, with just a touch of danger. I love seeing familiar faces from other parts of this world as well as the earlier books. Overall, Maverick and Gina’s romance was a delightful romp in a world I love revisiting.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[H. Forrester · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the concept, but the execution left a lot to be desired. The overall story isn't bad, but the writing is clumsy and awkward.

One of the cardinal rules of creative writing is "show don't tell." However, there is a lot of telling where there could be showing and a lot of showing where it would have been better to tell.

In other words, the author will go into great detail about meal prep that has nothing to do with the story but then glosses over narration that would help readers know and connect with the characters or better develop the story.

It feels like she doesn't trust her writing to convey the message or she doesn't trust readers to pick up on context clues. Which makes the writing very flat and sometimes redundant.

There is also a lack of conflict in the story. There's no real threat or danger.

The main character jumps into a relationship with a stranger without any real stimulus or bond.

Again, it's an okay story, but not enough that I'm eager to read anything else by this author.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maverick Wilding
Gina Hutton

Maverick is a Red Wolf shifter and manages the Christmas activities that make the reindeer ranch popular during the holiday season. Gina is a Zoologist. When she is out on a Bigfoot adventure with her brother and his friends things change dramatically when she is accidentally bitten by a wolf shifter trying to save him when he falls through the ice. She takes the what she thinks is a dog back to camp and puts him in her tent. When Maverick realizes he probably bit Gina he escapes as soon as he can and finds his brother and then goes back to see if Gina is changing. This leads to the beginning of the relationship and changes. This is a very good, fast paced book. Shows strong family values and pack hierarchy. I liked Maverick, he was very patient and supportive of Gina and her family. I liked the partnership aspect of their relationship. I liked Gina too, she took all the changes in stride. I would definitely read more books by this author and this series.

[K-la Hugie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The third book in the Red Wolf series by Terry Spears has all the fixings for a perfect cozy shifter story. There are wolf-shifters that own a reindeer ranch, it’s Christmas, and the heroine is a zoologist-what is not enticing about that? There are a lot of aspects to the plot that are attractive and it doesn’t just concentrate on the romance between the two main characters, but actually has a story to go along with it.

I will say that this book was just not for me, but I do not want to deter anyone else from reading it because I think it is due to taste. It was a really quick read, and as stated above there are a lot of very attractive things about the plot. The issues that made it a lower rated book for me were that I did not find either of the main characters all that interesting, the writing style was a tad repetitive and, ultimately, I did not believe in the romance between the two MCs.

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gina is camping with her brother, Weston, and his two friends. The guys are Big Foot hunters, but if they happen upon werewolves, that would be great too. Gina's out on the frozen lake where she thinks she sees a dog. Maverick, a wolf shifter, who's out looking for a lost reindeer hears the ice crack and they fall in together. He winds up accidentally biting and turning her. She goes with him to the reindeer ranch, and the more time they spend together, the more the possibility of love comes up.

I absolutely love Terry's books and this one is a prime example of why. It's well-written with wonderful characters whom you'll love getting to know. I was drawn into this captivating tale from the beginning and kept hooked throughout. The story is full of intrigue, suspense, and romance and is an absolute must-read. I do suggest reading the others in the Red Wolf series first. I highly recommend both book and series.

[Miriam Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I always look forward to the next book in the Red Wolf series! It is even better when you get so see the previous couples included in the book - Josh and Brooke, Leidof and Cassie, and Adam when they need a cop.

This time, Maverick is rescued by a human woman, Gina, and in the midst of the rescue, he bites her. Good thing that they are attracted to each other and she is ok with being a wolf shifter! That part went much better than trying to stay ahead of Gina's brother and his friends who are out to look for Big Foot and werewolves. Since their friends died on a previous excursion and Sarge's body was never found, the group has been out trying to see if they run across werewolves and maybe some answers.

Lots of action and drama as they try to keep the wolves a secret, keep the competing reindeer company from using their marketing, and try to have a courtship! Great HEA and everyone ends up satisfied with the conclusion.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read that has it all alpha male shifter that is gorgeous to look at hot tough female lead that has a life of her own Throw in a few characters from past books and the female characters family and you have a well rounded story that draws you in and keeps you engaged

The third book in the red wolf series This is the story of Gina Hutton a zoologist hiking with her brother and his friends they are hoping to find bigfoot and maybe a werewolf she just wants to relax and hike But when she rescues a trapped dog that turns out to be a wolf and he bites her by mistake her life is irrevocable changed. Now she will have to learn how to be wolf and Maverick the man who bit her will help Before long feelings are growing between them but can they have a future You will have to read to see

[Dcw · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read Terry Spear for YEARS and this is yet another unexciting book. An accidental biting happened early on and the rest of the book is comprised of how to help Gina work with the turn and who else to turn and how to do it. Yes, the reindeer ranch folks and family are drawn in but it doesn't really add to the story line other than they work together as a pack. The very detailed explanations of the tooty-fruity drinks (even for the guys) and how to prepare all the meals really didn't add anything. After Seduced by the Wolf (2010) about Leidolf and Cassie (very good), the adventure and/or suspense of the stories just kept decreasing. No one, it seems, had much of a problem being turned to a wolf shifter (oh well...) and no real danger or action plot was introduced. I think I'm finished reading TS. It was great for a while.

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story with great holiday spirit in it. Gina is out on a hike with her brother and his friends trying to discover Big Foot and the existence of wolf shifters, all of which she doesn't believe but she does love a good hike and spending time with her bother. Unfortunately an accident happens when she tries to save a dog falling through ice with her bothers help they are able to pull him up and save him. Gina soon discovers some things can be true and dog she saves may not be what she thought he was. Maverick happens to have a reindeer farm he runs with his bother, both of which are shifters. They ended up searching for a lost reindeer when Maverick runs into Gina. Great story with some laughter, lover, and danger along the way.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red wolf shifter,  Maverick Wilding owns a reindeer ranch and have very busy Christmas seasons.  However when an animal could be in a dangerous situation he and his brother won't hesitate to rescue it.  

Our hero is about to have the most chaotic Christmas to date after a slip up.  

Gina Hutton is on a hunting trip with her brother and some friends,  with no real expectations of finding the things they search for.  They might however find something that will change their lives forever.  

A paranormal romance romp through the season.  Our wonderful characters love everything  about Christmas and use it all to lift our spirits to match theirs.  You can't help but fall in love with them all and smile your way through every page.  

Great fun.  

[Cindy Bolen]

I loved this story so much.

Gina goes on a camping trip with her brother on a Bigfoot hunt. She almost steps on ice but is warned by what she thinks is a German Shepherd. It falls through the ice and she tries to help it but its teeth grazes her. Maverick is a wolf shifter and discovered that he accidentally bit the woman trying to save him.
This book was amazing. It made me laugh to read that Gina is a sleep walker turned wolf shifter. Her antics of shifting in her sleep is enough to make anyone laugh. I also loved watching her and Maverick fall in love with each other and the difficulties they face together. I recommend this book.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gina is camping with her brother and his friends as they hunt for werewolves. Maverick, a wolf shifter, falls into the lake in his wolf form and is rescued by Gina and her brother. They assume he is a German Shepherd. The plot of course thickens when Maverick's tooth scrapes Gina's skin. Lovers of Christmas will enjoy all the festivities as this group embraces the holiday. Running a reindeer ranch has the advantage of bringing holiday cheer. I especially loves the holiday drinks and recipes, which I plan to try. Such a fun and delightful book to get you in the spirit of holidays and love.

[Jessica Kimbel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas Wolf Surprise is a paranormal romance filled with action and adventure and a little spice. I had to focus to finish it, as it was slow and repetitive at times. The writing was simple, elementary and a bit wordy in my opinion. I liked the idea of it, but the story seemed very unbelievable to me. Who meets a man in the woods, on a hike looking for a reindeer and suddenly decide to go home with him and date him? A very trusting woman, I suppose. And the chemistry between Gina and Maverick just wasn’t there.

[Sandy Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really, truly, wanted to love this story. And it isn't like it's a bad story. I just felt like there was lot more that could have been added or even done with it. It was very slow for me, and I had a hard time getting into it-which made it harder for me to push and finish it. Parts of it were funny and did make me laugh but there were other parts that just had me in disbelief, because as a woman-I would never do that! But, like I said-it's not like it's a bad story. Some people will probably love it, it just wasn't to my liking.

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks/Casablanca for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This I believe is part of a series, but reads well as a stand alone. This book is a bit different-at least the take on shifters appears to be. It just seemed like they turned a lot of people. I liked the characters and the reindeer were a fun touch. I enjoyed the antics. For me, it was not very realistic at all but was fun to read. 3.5 stars

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a long time since last I read a paranormal romance by Terry Spear and I enjoyed this one.
It's fast paced, action packed novel featuring likeable characters and sweet romance.
Festive and entertaining.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[April paust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hours of fun

I read this in one sitting. It's amazing to read and have a book entertain you for hours. The characters were so real that you got involved in the story. I liked the interaction with the reindeer and thought they added to the story. This was a great Christmas gift to myself.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically a hallmark movie meets a paranormal romance. Great setup with a wolf running a reindeer farm and a beautiful woman endangered on a lake who thinks the wolf is a German Shepard dog. Had me laughing. Cute, sweet fluff for the holiday season for fans of werewolves and romance with a dash of danger. I posted a positive review on TikTok.

[Cindy Cowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun read but would have to say my least favorite of all the wolf series so far. and it seemed to me there was a preoccupation with food and drinks. And it seemed unrealistic that no one of all those turned in the book had any real concern about the massive upheaval in their lives. Yes this is fiction but it was strange to me.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read.

Gina is camping with her brother when she's accidentally turned into a werewolf by Maverick. Mavericks community welcomes her with open arms and Gina soon finds she wants to be a part of their group.

These two fall fast and hard for each other and it's great to see them navigate this.