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Review
4 stars
The first book in the Stope Packs series, this story was originally released in kindle vella, and is now available as a full-length novel. It’s an intense and exciting paranormal romantic suspense, and a really strong series starter, and I loved it.
Mia Stone is an ex-FBI profiler whose career imploded, so when she’s offered the chance to investigate a murder with an old colleague in a small mining town, she jumps at the opportunity. The key suspect is Seth Volk, who inconveniently captivates her from the moment she lays eyes on him, but she is sure there is he is hiding something. In fact, it seems the whole town is hiding something, and when more women are murdered, it turns out that Seth is her closest source to finding out what is going on.
Seth is, in fact, hiding a big secret. He’s a wolf shifter, and an Enforcer for his pack, which is something we know from the beginning, but Mia does not. I loved the little clues and hints dropped, I loved trying to figure aspects of the story out with that ‘secret’ knowledge, and I loved watching Mia delve further and further into Seth’s world without even realising it. And when she finally discovers the big secret, things just get even more complicated considering the mad attraction between them both. And as human law and pack law collide, Mia finds herself right in the middle of it all, having to rely on Seth for her very survival – which is right where he wants her.
Yeah. It was going to happen. He’d face hell afterward, but it would happen. They would happen. He’d protect her with everything he had. Nothing would harm the delicate woman now in his arms. He wouldn’t let it.
It’s a great set-up, and Zanetti writes it so well. The mystery/suspense element is strong, with lots of shady characters around town, and I was constantly guessing who the bad guy was… and I was wrong right up until the end, which is great because I love to be surprised. The wolf politics are well written and work well with the story, and I really enjoyed the world building.
But, of course, the heart of this story is in its romance, and I loved Seth and Mia together! Seth is an alpha in all the ways, he wants Mia from the moment he lays eyes on her, and I loved his determination to get his girl.
“You’re courting pain – for us both.”
“I know … But life is full of pain. You’d make the hurt worth it.”
Seth holds nothing back when it comes to how much he wants Mia, which is always fun, but there’s a strong emotional element as well, which unfolds the more time they spent together, and it’s so gorgeous to see. Their story is complicated with lots of twists, and I loved the direction that it took. Full of surprises with plenty of steam, the chemistry is sizzling, and they are so good together!
“No. Seth, trust me. Don’t give me your heart.”
He released her, his eyes softening. “My heart? Jesus, Mia. You already have my soul.”
The romance blends beautifully with the drama, both of which bring emotion, and which also tie in really well with the suspense aspect of the story. While this book ends well, there’s a lot going on in this world and Mia and Seth’s story will continue in the next book of the series. I’m hoping that the series will branch out, because there are more characters just begging to have their story told!
I always get excited when Rebecca Zanetti has a new book to read, and this one is a great introduction to a new series. I can’t wait to continue.
4 stars.
Stope Packs
About the Author
Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over fifty romantic suspense and dark paranormal romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. The New York Times reviews has found that in her books, “humor surfaces in even the tensest moments, giving the high-stakes drama humanity and warmth.” She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out.
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