Review: Born to Be Wild by Christine Warren

Dr. Josie Barrett brings out the animal in men, literally. As the local veterinarian in a town that's approximately sevent percent Others, most shapeshifters, Josie deals with beastly situations all the time. It's practically part of her job description. But when the wereswolves of Stone Creek, Oregon, start turning downright feral, Josie smells a rat--among others, more dangerous critters.

Teaming up with the feociously sexy Eli Pace, a ful-time sheriff and part-time were-lion, Josie tries to contain the shapeshifiting problem begore it spreads like a virus. But when more shifters get infected--and stuck in their animal forms--the fur really begins to fly. Josie and Eli have to find the cause very quickly, before the whole town goes "to the dogs." But first, they have to wrestle with a few animal urges of their own.

I have to start out by saying that I am an unmitigated Christine Warren fan and I have read everything I can get my hands on, as quickly as I can obtain it. When I saw this book on the shelf, I bought it without even thinking. And I want to say right at the outset that I was NOT disappointed in this book.

I think the setting is different from a number of her other books. Not urban or suburban, but a community that is small, remote, and 70% Other. Not her usual context. But it works, and the mystery surrounding the damage being done to the shapeshifter community is worrisome and hurtful right from the start. It is also the context in which Josie really comes face-to-face with the new sheriff who has left behind his position as a detective in Seattle so he can now be in a small community with room to run. His "lion" self could no longer endure the confines of the city. He is, of course, "taken" with Josie and she with him. They have been living in the town together but never really had any opportunity or need to meet before this. Now finding a wounded, unconscious, and slow-healing wolf in the forest has prompted their meeting.

Warren has a proven track record as a paranormal romance author and she continues to add to her reputation with this novel. It is readable, full of romance, sparkling dialogue, amusing repartee, and suspense. It is so well written that the perpetrator of the crime is not to be discovered until almost the end of the tale. No easy resolutions here. There is a real conflict also in deciding if the injured wolves should be treated by the local general practitioner (who is well versed in treating Others) or by Josie. Actually, the initial "call" was to bring the injured wolf to Josie since the GP was on a fishing trip.

This is a good novel, with colorful characters, great romance, good dialogue, and a plot that holds it all together. It will not be a waste of time, in my humble opinion, and I hope that lovers of paranormal romance, and especially those who like Warren's style and past offerings will consider reading this newest in her releases. I give this book a 4.25 out of 5.

Review: She's No Faerie Princess -- Christine Warren

It is no secret, if you have lurked around the ole Book Place, that I really like Christine Warren's writing, and I really like her series on all sorts of shifters and Others, as she calls them. The publisher states that this is the second book in "The Others" series, but in reality it is a continuation of the Fur Fantasies and continues to develop the stories of and relationships between characters that have figured prominently in previous books.

Princess Fiona is not your ordinary Faerie Princess, obedient to her Aunt Mab who is the Queen of Faerie and who has effectively prohibited any citizen of that alternate world to visit the world of humans. Fiona is tired of court politics, tired of the pressure she is getting from her Aunt, weary of trying to fight off the suit of males who want her as their mate/lover because they perceive that she is the next in line to the Faerie court, and coming to the conclusion that she needs a VACATION!!! So she fights off the objections of a couple of her closest friends and makes her way through one of the forbidden gates, where she is immediately attacked and chased by a fiend and rescued by Tobias Walker, Beta of the Silverback Clan of werewolves in Manhattan.

Her presence in the human world is not welcomed as the negotiations between the Council of Others and the humans is not proceeding well, is tentative at best, and is now in danger because of Queen Mab's prohibition. The Council doesn't need Queen Mab to come down on them as has happened in the past. Fiona is also surprised to find out that her Uncle Dionnu, Queen Mab's ex, is at the negotiating table as a so-called ambassador from Faerie, a fact that has been kept secret from Queen Mab's court. So the plot thickens when unlikely deaths begin happening that are clearly fiendish in origin, and Fiona's life is in danger. Add to that Tobias Walker's almost uncontrollable attraction to Fiona -- he has found his life mate in her -- and you have another very readable and fascinating journey into the world of werewolves, werejaguars, demons, fiends, and a faerie Princess. Fiona is a mouthy dame, and added to the wit and satire of several other women who are regularly involved in Warren's scenarios, this tale is cute, funny, witty, satirical, and oh, so engaging.

Warren is a past master at the writing task and has done a very credible job of developing her characters and putting these tales together. She is one of a group of writers who seem to be able to keep a consistent quality in her series so that there is legitimate anticipation of her next novel. I do have to say that I thought Walker was a little gruff--perhaps for longer than necessary, but he does have a very unusual situation on his hands with demon Rule and the fiends. There are twists and turns here as the mystery unfolds of who is seeking to upend the negotiations between the Others and the humans. It is sort of the background story that provides the conflict in a really good plot.

Warren fans will like this book. It is not quite so political and involved as the previous book which I liked. I think I like this one better. I also liked Fiona's pluck -- she stands up to everyone -- and the fact that in spite of it all, she and Walker find common ground and a way to muddle along as they acknowledge one another as mates. It is a very nice read and will be a nice experience for readers who like the paranormal and Warren's werewolves. I give this book a 3.75 out of 5 rating.