5/5 Stars!
Paranormal Romance at its BEST!
Reyna Daniels returns unannounced to her home in Minnesota. Having left almost eight years ago with only brief visits since, the event planner allows her family to believe she’s only in town long enough to help her boss coordinate a major social event.
But Reyna Daniels has a secret she’s not ready to divulge. However, she begins to realize there’s more going on with her brother, Madison ‘Maddy’ Daniels, and his ‘work crew’ than meets the eye and knows she’s not the only one with secrets.
From the beginning when a ‘trespasser’ is spotted on the property, Reyna’s nerves are on edge. Or is it because of six and a half feet of mighty, mouth watering manliness? To be fair, the whole ‘work crew’ is obscenely handsome, worthy of any magazine cover. But, it’s when Corbyn Bruschard is near, Reyna can’t think, can barely speak, and is always on the defensive.
And she’s at a total loss as to why.
Corbyn knows why… because he is Ùlfrinn and Reyna is his mate. He scents her the second he enters Maddy’s house.
Unlike the usual paranormal romance, the challenge isn’t so much convincing Reyna she is Corbyn’s mate… but making her accept her own Ùlfrinn heritage.
Not an easy feat when Reyna and Maddy’s parents convinced them long ago that hiding who they are kept them safe from the devastation of the past and those who lurk in the shadows of the present. Reyna buried her heritage deep and lived as a human. Can she change? Does she want to?
And that’s just the first 15% of the story!
Tightly written and deftly paced, author A.C. Melody straps us into a rollercoaster and holds us hostage, but it’s such a fun ride with no lag time.
Reyna Daniels is an independent woman. She left Pine Grove for college in Chicago, determined to live in peace on her own. Me thinks she might have been a bit hasty seeing as how her parents left town right behind her, RVing around the country. Still, I like Reyna. She’s practical and logical. She has a strong spirit, and she doesn’t take herself too seriously.
Corbyn Bruschard is 100% Alpha, make no mistake. But he’s not the harsh, iron-fisted Alpha–although I wouldn’t be the one to push his buttons—he’s the type who leads by example and compassion. He’s the type who thinks nothing of playing superhero with a three-year-old. He’s also the type who will rain devastation down on you if you mess with his pack… or his mate.
I like these two together, their chemistry has depth. When they let their guards down, it’s pure joy and romance. When they banter, it’s hilarious… okay, at least to me. The intimate scenes between them are graphic, but not gratuitous. The accompanying dialogue allows you inside their thoughts… and hearts.
I was not happy with Reyna Daniels for about five minutes. Her inner thoughts of ‘what if?’ and ‘probably not’ were becoming exhausting [to me]. She compares the burgeoning relationship with Corbyn to her past relationships—all three of them—attempting to predict the outcome of what she and Corbyn have. Reyna knows what she wants but is afraid the past will repeat itself.
But it can’t. Because she has never been as open (or open at all) with any man the way she has with Corbyn. Not knowing about Reyna’s prior relationships, I MUST give her the benefit of the doubt not only because I’ve trusted her this far, but because we all ‘are the sum of our experiences.’ Reyna’s thoughts didn’t take her out of character… just stalled her, not allowing her to move forward. When Reyna mentally smacked herself in the head and was honest with herself, we were once again BFFs.
Speaking of BFFs, this story has an amazing ensemble cast of memorable characters, but none more so than Serena Daniels, Reyna’s childhood best friend and sister-in-law. Regardless of the situation, Serena, petite though she may be, is large and in charge. Serena has no problem keeping a salacious bunch of male models, er, I mean pack members in line, mothering a three-year-old, having Reyna’s back, and being there for Maddy, the love of her life.
All of this is delivered on a tapestry of detailed Norse Mythology (NOT the Marvel Comics kind) that keeps you anchored in your seat and reading.
Wolf shifters, evil interlopers, secret government agencies, mythological beings, a Lamborghini and a Draumurhalda. Get ready for this read and 1-click!
Enjoy!
Source: “Hearthstone Alpha (The Ùlfrinn Series, Book 1)” by A.C. Melody #Review – Nesie’s Place
Brickley Jules Writes 