{"id":7004,"date":"2015-05-13T13:56:15","date_gmt":"2015-05-13T17:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=7004"},"modified":"2016-12-19T08:16:04","modified_gmt":"2016-12-19T13:16:04","slug":"arc-review-dark-instincts-the-phoenix-pack-4-by-suzanne-wright","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=7004","title":{"rendered":"ARC Review: Dark Instincts (The Phoenix Pack, #4) by Suzanne Wright"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buy: Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Audio<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n

\r\n <\/div><\/div>\n
\n

Review<\/strong><\/h4>\n

4.5 hot and hilarious paranormal stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

I love this series! An adult PNR based in the shifter world, these books are fast paced, exciting, sexy and romantic, and absolutely freaking hilarious! The character dynamics are fantastic, and the constant stream of insults, wise cracks, banter and teasing make these books such an enjoyable read, and I absolutely loved this one! It\u2019s fourth book in the\u00a0Phoenix Pack<\/em>\u00a0series and brings us the story of Marcus and Roni.<\/p>\n

Roni is the younger sister of Mercury Alpha, Nick, and was introduced in the last book. Like the other heroines in the series, she is a tough, no-nonsense female. She has had a rough past, but she\u2019s come through it and is now an Enforcer for her brother, and she and Marcus have been sharing broody stares and flirty banter for a while. Marcus is a Phoenix Pack Enforcer, a dominant shifter, a chronic flirt and a bit of a manwhore, and he\u2019s decided that he wants Roni. Things start to get interesting when Roni and some of the other wolves in their packs are injured in an attack, and the two of them are teamed up to investigate the threat \u2013 putting them in almost constant contact with each other. And what follows are the wise-cracks, epic banter and dirty flirting that I love about this series<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not your type,\u201d she again insisted.
\nHe didn\u2019t deny it, since it would only insult her intelligence. \u201cAnd yet, I want nothing more than to strip you naked and have my wicked way with you.\u201d She said nothing. \u201cYou want me as much as I want you, Roni \u2026 Admit it. I dare you.\u201d
\n\u2026
\n\u201cWhen she didn\u2019t answer, Marcus persisted. \u201cRoni?\u201d
\n\u201cSorry, I was just imagining putting a moth in your mouth. I saw it in a movie once.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Roni is a total smartass, and she wants Marcus just as much as he wants her, but she\u2019s not a \u2018relationship\u2019 kind of person, and as hot as he gets her, she wants nothing to do with the slutty playboy. But Marcus isn\u2019t to be deterred.<\/p>\n

\u201cCocky asshole.\u201d
\n\u201cNot cocky \u2026 just determined to get what I want.\u201d
\n\u201cA fuck.\u201d
\n\u201cYou,\u201d he corrected. \u2026 \u201cI\u2019ve wanted you since the second I laid eyes on you, sweetheart, and that\u2019s not going to change.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The UST builds brilliantly, and explodes in a frenzied, lust-fuelled encounter full of dirty talk, aggression and possession, and OMG, it\u2019s so freaking HOT!!! Suzanne Wright writes great smut, and this book had me frequently fanning myself!<\/p>\n

But there is more to these two than just sex, and what I loved most about them together is that there is no back and forth, there\u2019s no stupid, and there\u2019s no angst. They hook up, they realise the connection that they share, and they move forward to explore that further. Things develop naturally, and they work through their issues together, and they are open with each other the whole time.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother\u2019s going to tell you that I\u2019m not good for you.\u201d
\nTaken aback by the comment, she blinked him. He discreetly nodded toward Nick. If that scowl was anything to go by\u2026\u201cYep.\u201d
\n\u201cHe thinks I\u2019m a slut.\u201d
\n\u201cYep.\u201d
\n\u201cHe\u2019s going to confront me about it at some point, order me to stay away from you.\u201d
\n\u201cYep.\u201d
\n\u201cBut I won\u2019t.\u201d Marcus held her gaze, not wanting her to miss the determination in his eyes. \u201cJust thought you should know.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Marcus, in particular, isn\u2019t shy about his intentions – he\u2019s forward, possessive and protective, but he\u2019s not a mindless, controlling alpha and he wants to start something special with Roni. He appreciates her strength and outspokenness and he treats her as an equal and is always incredibly respectful of her, and I loved that. Actually, I loved everything about Marcus, and really enjoyed getting to know him better. He\u2019s happy to let people think that he\u2019s just a player, but there\u2019s so much more to him. His life hasn\u2019t been perfect, and a prediction for his future by a seer has left him unenthusiastic about his future, but he doesn\u2019t let that get to him. He lives life on his own terms and goes after what he wants, and is completely unapologetic about it, and I loved that about him!<\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as I\u2019m concerned, you\u2019re mine. I marked you and I staked a claim on you, and I wouldn\u2019t do either of those things lightly. If you do come across your mate and recognise him, you\u2019d better hope to God for his sake that he\u2019s stronger than me sweetheart, or he\u2019s dead. I\u2019ll kill him before I let him take you.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Roni is a complex character. She\u2019s thought of as a quiet, awkward, anti-social tom-boy, and she\u2019s content to let people think that of her while she happily flies under the radar, but, like Marcus, there is so much more to her. She has been through a lot, and she carries a lot of guilt for all that her family has gone through on her behalf, but she\u2019s so incredibly strong. I love that, even with the way she is, she is open to exploring something with Marcus, and I love that she doesn\u2019t let what she has been through dictate who she is and how she behaves. Plus, she has the most wicked sense of humour (her pranks with her brother, Eli, had me in hysterics!) and I loved her straight, no-nonsense nature.<\/p>\n

She pointed at her pussy. \u201cWell, it\u2019s not going to lick itself.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There\u2019s a fair bit of action with the Phoenix and Mercury packs teaming up to track a rogue pack of jackals who are violently, disturbingly and publicly attacking and slaughtering both humans and shifters. The action is intense, violent and a wee bit gory and the big climax had me on the edge of my seat as it all unfolded.<\/p>\n

I love the continuation we get for the other couples of the series. Trey and Tarryn, Dante and Jaime, and Nick and Shya all appear, with some great story progression for them. I particularly loved seeing Nick as the protective alpha mate and brother \u2013 and his ongoing arguing with Marcus is hilarious!<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have called me immediately.\u201d
\n\u201cNo, she should have called\u00a0<\/em>me\u00a0straight away. \u201cI\u2019m her Alpha, and her brother.\u201d
\nMarcus glanced at Nick curiously. \u201cYou say that like you\u2019re more important than me. I\u2019m confused.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Fast-moving, exciting and highly entertaining, I devoured this book. I listened to it as an audiobook, and like the previous books in the series, narrator Jill Redfield does a sensational job inhabiting the characters and bringing the story to life. I got swept up in the heat and passion between Marcus and Roni, my heart was pounding during the heavy action, and I laughed so hard all the way through at the antics of this fantastic group of characters. I couldn\u2019t put it down.<\/p>\n

I absolutely loved it \u2013 4.5 stars.<\/p>\n

An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Phoenix Pack series<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This series very closely ties in to and crosses over with the Mercury Pack series.
\n<\/strong>Check here for suggested reading order<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Feral\u00a0\u00a0\"Wicked\u00a0\u00a0\"Carnal\u00a0\u00a0\"Dark\u00a0\u00a0\"Savage\u00a0\u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0\u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

Feral Sins (#1)<\/strong> (Trey & Taryn)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Wicked Cravings (#2) <\/strong>(Dante & Jaime)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Carnal Secrets (#3)<\/strong> (Nick & Shaya)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Dark Instincts (#4)<\/strong> (Marcus & Roni)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Savage Urges (#5)<\/strong> (Ryan & Makenna)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Fierce Obsessions (#6)<\/strong> (Tao & Riley)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Wild Hunger (#7)<\/strong> (Trick & Frankie)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Untamed Delights (#8)<\/strong> (Dominic & Mila)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Audio<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

See our Phoenix Pack \/ Mercury Pack series page<\/a> for more information<\/strong>
\nand to see how these two series fit together (including suggested reading order).<\/strong><\/h4>\n

<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Buy: Kindle Ebook\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Audio Review 4.5 hot and hilarious paranormal stars I love this series! An adult PNR based in the shifter world, these books are fast paced, exciting, sexy and romantic, and absolutely […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6985,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":4.5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"Product","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79,454,65,10,9,29],"tags":[59,48,324,326],"class_list":["post-7004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-action","category-audio-recommendation","category-lol-funny","category-paranormal","category-romance","category-steamy","tag-arc","tag-review","tag-suzanne-wright","tag-the-phoenix-pack"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Dark-Instincts.jpg?fit=156%2C234&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-1OY","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7004"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7004\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6985"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}