Teri-K’s Comments (group member since Mar 16, 2025)

Teri-K’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Finished this morning. Good story, lots of nice complications, and I love the ending. Everyone helps save the children. :)

The best part for me is all the inter-relationships between the characters. Charles, Joseph and Maggie; Anna and Maggie; Max and his siblings; Hosteen and everyone... lots going on here between people.

Briggs is such a good writer. I'm looking forward to snagging the next book at the library ASAP.

I started my reread of this one today. I just finished chapter 3, and I'm really impressed with how well Briggs melds Navajo spiritual beliefs like chindi and her fae. I think a lot of fantasy/UF writers want to meld their fantasy worlds with the real world and include the spiritual side of things but for me it doesn't always work. It does here. And of course in the previous book we had Bran and the church funeral which was also quite convincing. (And Mercy Thompson goes to church and discusses why occasionally.) So instead of throwing all of that out she brings the two worlds together really well.

I do think books where children are in peril are especially tense. Even though I've read this before and I trust Charles and Anna, I'm still worried. :)

Marvelous March
Level: Luck of the Irish - 8+ books
Completed: 14/8

Tasks
◄ March is Irish American Month. Read a book that takes place in Ireland, or was written by an Irish author.

◄ March is Women’s History Month. Read a book by a new to you female author.
A Family For Easter by Lee Tobin McClain 3/4

◄ March is said to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. Read a book that starts out strong and wimps out to the end.
No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer 3/25
Loved the first half, hated the rest. :(

◄ The flower of March is the daffodil. Read a book where the first letter of the title can be found in DAFFODIL.
Loyalty in Death by J.D. Robb 3/15

◄ March was named for Mars, the Roman god of war. Read a book with a red cover.
by Janet Evanovich 3/14

◄ March: to walk in a military manner with a regular measured tread. Read a book where a character is very determined with moving towards their goal.
Sweet Fortune by Jayne Ann Krentz 3/2
Hatch never loses sight of his goal.

◄ March splits Pisces and Aries for zodiac signs. Read the first book in a series.
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie 3/4
First in Miss Marple series.

◄ March Madness is the college basketball tournament performed each Spring in the US. Read a book featuring a sports team or someone who plays a sport.
Towards Zero by Agatha Christie 3/8

◄ March 2nd is Old Stuff Day. This is a day to try something new, break out of your routine, make a change! Read a book from a new genre or author. Break out of your reading rut!
Explosive Alliance by Susan Sleeman 3/11
New Author

◄ March 9th is Panic Day. Rather than freak out, read a book that calms you down! Alternatively, read a book that raises your blood pressure and makes you uncomfortable.
Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs 3/9
The identity of the bad guy freaked me out.

◄ March 12th is Girl Scout Day. Read a book where a character does community service.
Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace 3/10

◄ March 14th is Pi Day, a day that celebrates Pi, the number that never ends. It’s often abbreviated to 3.14. This year is ultimate Pi Day because the first 5 numbers of Pi are 3.1415 which corresponds to this date. It’s also Albert Einstein’s birthday. Read a book with an average rating of 3.14 or higher, a book that was published in March of 2014 or a book featuring a mathematician or bakery.
Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich 3/9
Rated 4.11

◄ March 17th is Saint Patrick’s Day. Read a book where the main cover color is green.
by Missy Tippens 3/17

◄ March 20th is the first day of Spring in the United States. Spring represents ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth. Read a book where the main character undergoes a transformation of some kind.
Grand Passion by Jayne Ann Krentz 3/8
Max

◄ March 29th is National Smoke and Mirrors Day. Read a book where something isn’t as it seems or where the main character is hiding something.
Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs 3/4
Both.

I haven't started rereading this one yet, but your conversations have made me want to get to it. :)

I guess when I read these before I assumed the series was finished and didn't expect any more books about Charles and Anna. I'm excited to see their relationship move forward in the next book.

Just finished this last night. Even though the lights kept going out I just grabbed a flashlight and kept reading. :) I've raised my rating from 3 to 4 stars for it. Since I wasn't expecting a Montana book focused on C&A this time I could relax and enjoy it more for what it was.

I won't restate all the reasons I liked it but will add that the ending is moving and awesome. I'm so glad I saw this thread and decided to reread these books!

The first time I read this I gave it three stars. I'll be moving that up this time. If I remember I was disappointed that this book didn't focus more on Charles and Anna in Montana, as I really liked them and the supporting characters there. But this time I went into the series knowing that it takes them out of Montana and I'm really able to enjoy how good the book is.

Also, I've read all the Mercy Thompson series now; I hadn't read any of it before, and that gives me a different perspective on these books and the Werewolves "coming out", which I thought was too abrupt in this series. The controversy is handled more in the MT books. (I couldn't believe all the werewolves would just agree to expose themselves and their families like that, and they didn't.)

Rereading these books reminds of one reason Briggs is such an amazing writer. It's not only that she writer really well - which matters. But she creates characters who are well rounded. Their actions and choices effect them for good or bad.

Charles is his father's enforcer for very good reasons and he understands and accepts them. But being the one who disciplines and kills effects him. He doesn't make friends, and he has to deal with the ghosts. His wolf doesn't because wolves don't have feelings, (though his has a sense of humor), but Charles isn't some iron man who kills and just lives with it. I love the internal conflicts that arise in her books because they feel so real. And they reflect the inner conflicts I feel in myself, so I can really relate to them.

Along those lines, Anna wants to help Charles and diffuse the tense situations they get in, but sometimes she can't because it would interfere with his ability to do what he needs to do. Or just because she can't fix everything for him. We'd like to be able to fix everything for those we love, but we can't. Sometimes we have to watch them live with their pain. Again, I share that with Anna so it makes me feel closer to her.

That's really good writing.

Just finished Hunting Ground. I'd forgotten Anna's actions in the last chapter - what a great way to show that she's not a victim! And I love that she used her brains rather than brawn.

Geri wrote: "There are some romance authors I won’t read because of the instant bond or love connection. I need real reasons for people to fall in love. Those are the best romances. "..."

I feel that way, too. A book with "insta-love" has to have other things going for it if I'm going to read it. Witty dialogue will work for me. But it's the most fun to watch the MCs learn to appreciate each other more slowly. In this book I feel like Charles is coming to appreciate Anna more for who she is and not just as Omega or his mate.

I like that Anna is vulnerable but not wimpy. Sometimes she gets scared but then reminds herself to be brave, which to me is braver than someone who doesn't feel fear at all.

And I love an Urban Fantasy-type heroine who doesn't automatically want to fight all the time. It's something I like about Mercy Thompson, too. Though she is more of a fighter than Anna.

I'll probably finish this one some time today. I've requested the next one from the library so I should have it in a couple of days.

I just got this from the library. It's a reread for me. I gave it 4 stars in 2016, so I'm looking forward to reading it again.

When it comes to relationships in books I prefer the ones that slowly develop to the instant ones. So, even though C&A were "instant" for their wolves, I enjoy watching them work things out as humans.

Laura wrote: " Though I 'm not sure I 'd want the two series to be a carbon copy of each other. I like that they are different. "

One of Brigg's strengths for me is that she doesn't write the same book over and over again. So they're a lot of fun to reread because each book is a bit of a different experience. And you're right, the two series are different.

Shannon wrote: "Mercy’s books have gone a bit further fantastical than A&O ever did (view spoiler). Still love them, but I do sometimes feel an eye roll trying to bust out."

That's part of why I enjoy them so much. I can't predict which direction a book will take - more fairies or vampires or shifters or something totally different. Though the one you mentioned was kind of weird. lol

I think so far this series is more grounded in the real world and maybe that means it's a little bit less fun for me.

Loriidae wrote: "Chapter Six of my reread. Listening this time. Loving Holter Graham's narration.."

I love the narrator, too. I've read and listened and enjoyed both, but I love the way he makes Charles sound. Just perfect. :)

Laura wrote: "Is it better because there are more books in the MT series and we get to know the characters better? I love the MT series but this series is growing on me!! Briggs can definitely write fantasy! "

I think I like Mercy better because of the direction this series goes. When I read it before I felt, without any spoilers, that it didn't focus as much on Anna and Charles as I wanted. It felt more about the big picture, where as the Mercy books are really about her and her friends all the way. And I primarily read books for the characters, plot is secondary for me. So I wanted to keep the focus on C&A but felt like it didn't enough. I may feel differently this time, though, and others may not feel that way at all.

I agree that Briggs can write. (I only know of one other UF writer I think is as good. And I've looked. lol) One of the things I like about Briggs' books is that she writes moral characters. They have lines they won't cross for any reason, and as their enemies figure out where those lines are it raises the stakes a lot because they keep getting pushed to cross them. A character that you know will do anything if pushed far enough isn't as interesting to me because there isn't that moral dilemma. Plus I have a harder time respecting them and I like to respect my MCs. :)

Laura wrote: "Geri wrote: "I haven’t read the Mercy Thompson books. But I may have to! I also like the interaction between Anna and Charles. I agree he is a quieter alpha. To me a better or stronger alpha actual...

Teri did you read the Mercy Thompson series as well? "

I have read Mercy Thompson a couple of times and recommended it to others. I think it and Kate Daniels are the best UF series out there. :)

I got into Mercy by stumbling upon this series, first. And as much as I like Anna and Charles, I think Mercy is better. Spoiler for this series... (view spoiler)[ This series gets into politics and national issues more. I like that MT stays local and more personal. Even when she ended up overseas it felt more personal to me. (hide spoiler)]

I finished Cry Wolf last night, and I liked it as much the second time around. Toward the end I just couldn't stop reading, even if the Super Bowl was on...

I've been thinking about the Latin quotations Anna uses and wondering why the author put those in. I can't read her mind of course, :) but to me they say "This is a woman who had a good family, people she laughed with who cared about her." And I think that's a strength she can use as she heals.

Plus, this time through I'm going to try and pay more attention to how her wolf helps - or slows down - the healing process.

Laura wrote:" Of course you can! I like buddy reads as I often find a different perspective about something that happened in the book I 'm reading. Plus, I love to talk about books:-)"

Thanks for explaining how things work. I read the series the first time through but I'm listening to this one this time. I like the narrator, he really makes Charles sound great. :)

So far I'm remembering how much I like the fact that Anna and Charles don't understand each other perfectly - they misinterpret things and misunderstand, which feels realistic to me. But they also don't let the little misunderstandings blow up into huge disagreements. It's fun watching them feel their way around their relationship. I especially like that Charles is definitely alpha, but he's not all-knowing, especially when it comes to her. (I get tired of men who supposedly understand their women perfectly from the first time they meet.)

I also enjoy that Briggs reveals thing a bit at a time instead of explaining everything so clearly. Just like Anna doesn't always understand what's going on, the reader doesn't either. So I feel like I'm sharing her uncertainty and watching everything unfold as she experiences it.

Level I : The Casual Traveler's Challenge:

Backpacker: Read five books from each continent. Each book has to be set in a different country (30 books in all)
Begun: Feb. 2018
Completed:5/30

Africa:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Asia:
1. Lebanon Dead Sea Cipher by Elizabeth Peters 3/15
2.
3.
4.
5.

Europe:
1. United Kingdom Something Fresh by P.G. Wodehouse 2/5
2. Austria The Salzburg Connection by Helen MacInnes 3/19
3.
4.
5.

North America:
1. Mexico The Puzzle of the Blue Banderilla by Stuart Palmer 2/22
2. US Backfire by Catherine Coulter 2/21
3.
4.
5.

Oceana:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

South America:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Can I join? I just started rereading the series a couple of days ago. I've never done a buddy read and I'm not sure how it works. Are we supposed to answer the questions in any particular time frame? Is there a time frame for reading the book?

I'll play.
All About You Challenge
Months Completed: 12/12

Month 1: Read your Birthday Month (Spell it out challenge)
O Out of this World by J.D. Robb 2/2
C Cover of Night by Linda Howard 2/2
T The Unfinished Clue by Georgette Heyer 2/7
O Oliver Sacks The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales 2/7
B Briggs, Patricia Cry Wolf 2/4
E Easter in Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad 2/22
R Robb, JD Vengeance in Death 2/5

Month 2: Read your Birthstone
O Ozark Reunion by Helen Gray 4/5
P Patricia Briggs Dead Heat 3/4
A Agatha Christie Dead Man's Folly 3/1
L Lee Tobin McClain A Family For Easter 3/4

Month 3: Read your sign (Spell it out challenge)
S Speare, Elizabeth George The Witch of Blackbird Pond 4/5
C Christie, Agatha The Man in the Brown Suit 4/3
O The Outlaw's Secret by Stacy Henrie 4/5
R Ross, Mia Blue Ridge Reunion 4/2
P Peck, Richard A Year Down Yonder 4/2
I Isabella Alan Murder, Plainly Read 4/6
O Ozark Wedding by Helen Gray 4/7

Month 4: Read your favorite flower (Spell it out challenge).
D Dorothy Gilman The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax 4/8
A Agatha Christie A Pocket Full of Rye 4/9
I Ireland, D.E. Wouldn't It Be Deadly 4/27
S The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner 4/10
Y A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle 5/8

Month 5: Read 3 or 4 books set in a country you'd like to visit
1. Australia Cooking the Books by Kerry Greenwood 5/11
2. Switzerland A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman 6/7
3. Greece Decision at Delphi by Helen MacInnes 6/16
4. Italy Island of the Mad by Laurie R. King 6/17

Month 6: Read 3 or 4 books from your favorite genre - Historical Fiction
1. Bewildering Cares: A Week in the Life of a Clergyman's Wife by Winifred Peck 6/21
2. The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry 6/24
3. An Inconvenient Beauty by Kristi Ann Hunter 6/25
4. Wildfire by Zane Grey 7/5

Month 7: Read 3 or 4 books with my grandson.
1. HarperCollins Treasury of Picture Book Classics: A Child's First Collection by Katherine Brown Tegen 7/12
2. Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers 7/8
3. Mary Engelbreit's Nursery and Fairy Tales Collection by Mary Engelbreit 7/10

Month 8: Read 3 or 4 books written by some of your favorite authors.
1. Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb 8/3
2. Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb 8/4
3. A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold 8/16
4. Clutch of Constables by Ngaio Marsh 8/17

Month 9: Read ebooks that you already own.
1. Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano 11/9
2. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree 11/16
3. The Far West by Patricia C. Wrede 11/20
4. Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland 11/23

Month 10: Read one of your favorite foods (Spell it out challenge)
C Coney I Shot You Babe by Leslie Langtry 12/7
H Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie 12/5
O Oliver The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie 12/2
C Cholmondeley Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory by Ben Macintyre 12/9
O An Old-Fashioned Girl by Betty Neels 12/2
L Lucy Ribbing and Runes by Nancy Warren 12/1
A Angela Seven-Year Witch by Angela M. Sanders 12/4
T Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie 12/6
E Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop 12/2

Month 11: Read 3 or 4 books by authors you've never read before, but have been meaning to
1. Murder Most Festive by Ada Moncrieff 1/7
2. Dracula (Large Print, Annotated) by Bram Stoker 1/9
3. On Thin Icing by Ellie Alexander 1/10
4. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro 1/23
5. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl 1/23
6. A Month In The Country by J.L. Carr 1/30

Month 12: Read your favorite Book Crush's name
B Buchan The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan 2/12
E E.H. Miss Mole by E.H. Young 2/1
R Regan King Lear by William Shakespeare 2/5
I The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde 2/9
N No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer 2/19
G Georgette Venetia by Georgette Heyer 2/3
A Agatha The Hollow by Agatha Christie 2/2
R Roderick Death on the Air and Other Stories by Ngaio Marsh 2/15