Big Bad Wolf
Series: The Others #8
Author: Christine Warren
ISBN-10: 031294795X
ISBN-13: 9780312947958
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks (Sept. 2009)
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Source: PaperbackSwap.com
BOOK BLURB:
Missy Roper’s fantasies have revolved around Graham Winters since the moment they met. But the imposing leader of the Silverback werewolf clan always seemed oblivious to Missy’s existence. At least he was, until Missy collides with him at a party and then abruptly runs away – arousing Graham’s interest…and wild desires. Lupine law decrees that every Alpha must have a mate, and all Graham’s instincts tell him that the sensual, beguiling Missy is his. Trouble is, Missy is human – every delectable inch of her. Convincing his clan that she’s his destined mate, and keeping her safe from his enemies, will be the biggest challenge Graham has ever faced. And now that he is determined to have her – as his lover and as his mate – Missy’s world is changing in ways she never imagined.
MY THOUGHTS:
Missy, a kindergarten teacher with self-esteem issues, has been set up on a “fantasy fix” by her best friends. Apparently, her friends think that shy and quiet Missy needs to “fix” her humdrum life by getting laid. Instead of going home with her intended date, however, Missy ends up with Graham, a womanizing werewolf and the alpha of his pack. What follows makes for a mostly fun, but problematic read.
I had to overlook a few things in order to enjoy the story more. I liked both Missy and Graham, but I felt I was being hit over the head one too many times by Missy’s self-image problem. Even after spending the weekend having marathon sex with Graham, she can’t bring herself to believe that he is truly interested in her, not even as a sex partner, much less anything more. Another thing that seemed odd, was Graham’s sudden and intense link to Missy through her scent. The two met weeks before and spent some time together due to a wedding they both participated in. Wouldn’t Graham have smelled her then?
The biggest issue I had was with the mate hunt that takes place toward the end. I don’t find anything remotely sexy about rape, or the threat of rape, no matter that those participating in the hunt were in wolf form at the time and fully aware of the risks involved. I’m glad that nothing like that happened to Missy, but it had to have happened to someone during that hunt and that put quite a damper on my happiness at Graham and Missy’s happy ending.
I did enjoy the book to an extent and will probably pick up another title by this author. There were quite a few funny scenes that I enjoyed reading aloud to my husband for a laugh. I also found it interesting that Missy herself addressed some of the plot issues I haven’t mentioned here. In a way, that helped me as a reader to deal with them because I felt that the author had at least acknowledged their existence and had attempted to explain them, even if the explanation didn’t quite work for me. I’d recommend this to established fans of the genre, but I think it might not be the best thing to recommend to a first-time reader.
Rating: 
