Secret of the Wolf

Warriors of the Rift #2

by Cynthia Garner

Warriors of the Rift

Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world-or send it spiraling into chaos.

As a werewolf liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, Tori Joseph is used to straddling the world between humans and immortals. She plays by the rules and always delivers justice, no matter the cost. But after a string of increasingly brutal attacks results in humans turning into werewolves, Tori doesn't reveal her horrifying suspicion: Someone very close to her might be responsible.

Investigating the paranormal violence, no-nonsense detective Dante MacMillan believes Tori is hiding something. His search for the truth draws him into greater danger as he gets closer to the dark realm of the immortals-and to the sexy werewolf who stirs his primal lust. Now with evil closing in around them, Dante must convince Tori to trust him . . . before her deadly secret destroys them both.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Vampires, Shapeshifters, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy

299 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 26, 2012

About the author

Cynthia Garner discovered her love for making up stories at the age of twelve when her teacher told her to write a story that started “It was a dark and stormy night…” But she didn’t think about making it a profession until 2005, when she began entering—and winning—writing contests.

Under her alternate ego Sherrill Quinn she has three Kensington Brava paranormal romance books and a novella as part of the Belong to the Night anthology, as well as several erotic romance novellas published electronically with Ellora’s Cave and Amber Heat. Her writing has been consistently rated with 4 and 5 stars and called “thrilling”, “imaginative” and “fresh.”

When she’s not working her day job, you’ll find her at her laptop writing. Or watching too much TV. Keep up to date by visiting

Reviews

[Ami · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gah, I'm so disappointed :(.

I hate it when a good first book in a series is ruined by the sequel. I enjoyed the first book, Kiss of the Vampire. I waited for this one to be released because Dante charmed me so much. Unfortunately, this book is filled with a number of character's stupidity, that makes me want to bang my head and kick their ass.

Let's see ...

First, Dante and Tori have chemistry and they flirt. But Dante doesn't want to pursue the relationship because he has a sick sister (she is recovering from cancer) AND because Tori is a pret, thus the possibility of her being in danger is big. He worries that he might lose her one day (just he might lose his sister to cancer). WTF? Is that how he sees Tori? Weak and easily be killed? I like the men in my paranormal romance / urban fantasy to have more determination than that! At least Tobias's reason when he broke it off with Nix (in book 1) made more sense. This one is just so off-putting *pout*.

Second, my God Tori, you are so naive, and it costs human their f*cking lives!! The idea that Tori wants to protect her brother because she think family should come first, when even readers can see the clues that Rand (her brother) is the one behind the human-being-turned-into-werewolves and later on, killings, as glaringly obvious, is just STUPID!!! The hatred that Rand has over humans, when Rand tells Tori that he thinks changing more humans into werewolf is a good thing, should give HER a frickin' clue that her brother is insane, right? Aaaargh, Tori's stupidity just pissing me off!!

Third, she also naively thinks that "because" Stefan is her "family" that he deserves a second chance. When it is CLEAR that Stefan's presence on Earth is not because he is punished but because he ESCAPES from punishment. The fact that Stefan turns out to be Natchnook, who tried to kill Nix in the first book doesn't help Tori's case to make me feel any sympathy towards her action.

Then of course, the ending ... it's just so BLAH. Suddenly *Dante realizes that he loves Tori when not so while ago, he is mad at Tori for keeping the secret about Rand is silly. Not to mention that Dante ASKS Tori to be turned into werewolf because yeah, his sister is attacked, and now a werewolf as well. So yay, I want to be with you Tori forever and ever so turn me, please. Stupid, stupid, stupid!! Then again, maybe stupid people deserve each other *sarcasm*

Sorry, but I am NOT jumping into book #3 anytime soon. *grumble and pout*

[Carmel (Rabid Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

The first book in this series was a little too Sci Fi-ish for my tastes but this installment does a much better job of staying on the paranormal side of the fence. Secret of the Wolf focuses on telling a good story rather than on explaining the intricacies of Garner's Warriors of the Rift universe. That being said, if you skip the first novel and dive right into this one you might end up feeling a little lost. Even though I didn't particularly enjoy Kiss of the Vampire, it's a necessary step in order to be able to fully grasp the details of Cynthia's world.

One of the things that I liked the most about this book is that the female protagonist is the one doing the chasing. In most Paranormal Romances it's the guy who's actively trying to get into the girl's pants but in this case it's the opposite which I found quite refreshing. Tori doesn't pull any punches either in her quest to score Dante. She plays dirty and I love that about her. MacMillan also manages to resist her charm for a lot longer than I expected which only added to the appeal of their romance. I hate it when characters give it up too easily!

I was a little disappointed by the lack of werewolf elements in this book. There are a number of tidbits scattered throughout the pages but not nearly enough to satisfy my furry standards. Mind you, I did enjoy Tori's occasional cravings for raw meat and how she felt the need to hide that side of her nature from her human counterparts. Secret of the Wolf's plot is more investigative in nature than preternatural which was surprising. So far the books in this series have been at complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Here's hoping that they meet somewhere in the middle for the third installment.

The paranormal elements aside, I did enjoy the overall plot of this novel. It was fun following Garner's well laid out trail of breadcrumbs and the side-story is equally as intriguing. Admittedly, the culprit is rather obvious but the story unfolds in such a way that the characters' inability to see what's right in front of their noses actually makes sense. The chemistry between Tori and Dante is hot and watching their relationship ignite was pure joy. Unfortunately, there aren't as many romp scenes as I would have liked but this lack in no way takes away from the story.

Secret of the Wolf puts a new spin on the origins of preternaturals and breaks away from the stereotypical structure of most Paranormal Romance relationships. I enjoyed this book and will be adding Heart of the Demon to my 2013 wishlist.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested Secret Of The Wolf from Netgalley for review.

Victoria Joseph (Tori) is a 176 year old werewolf who has the hots for human detective Dante Macmillan (who feels the same about Tori) but although they flirt constantly he will never allow himself to get too close for fear of losing her. They end up spending a lot of time together to try and figure out about the device that was taken from the enemy & they get closer & closer & develop real feelings between them. Add in to the mix Randall (Tori's moody OCD brother) and Lily (Dante's sister who is recovering from cancer) and you have yourself an action packed romance!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Secret Of The Wolf although I have yet to read the first book in this series but I completely understood what was happening as essential information from that first book was contained in this one so no confusion at all!

The characters are great. Tori is a strong female werewolf & Dante is a loveable hunk of a detective. Also Lily is a funny & kind character so I'm hoping to read more about her in future books.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars & would recommend it to lovers of Urban Fantasy, Paranormal romance genres.

[Carlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tori is a werewolf and Dante is human but they are brought together when they have to investigate a rogue werewolf who is turning people into werewolf's without the council's permission. The sparks fly between them but with Dante's sister sick and Tori's brother reappearing in her life, their road to happiness is full of up's and down's.
This story was full of suspence, romance and mystery. I will definately be reading more in this series!

[Viviana Izzo · Rating 2 out of 5]

For this and other book reviews, please visit Reading Between the Wines Book Club

Let me begin by saying this is the second book in the series (the first is “Kiss of the Vampire”) and I did not read the first book. I do not believe this works as a “stand alone” book. However, the author does a great job in providing the reader with a recap of the story at the beginning and even throughout the book to further provide details, so I never felt “lost” about the main story plot. Talk about a unique, new twist to the origins of vampires, werewolves and other paranormal creatures! Beings from a different world, cast out, sent to Earth where in order to survive they must possess a human’s body. Some of the traditional aspects of these paranormal creatures still remain: both Vamps and Wares can “transform” humans into their species as legends already state (bites).


The genre is Paranormal Romance; however there wasn’t much “paranormal” or “romance” throughout the story. Yes, the paranormal aspect comes into play at the beginning and in the end, as well as some of the characters, but it reads more like a mystery (whodunit?) for most of the book. Then there’s the lack of “romance”. I found Dante extremely charming and yes, I would have a crush on the guy if I knew him! The chemistry between Dante and Tori is there. They both flirt with each other (longing stares, a brush of his fingers here, her teasing him with caresses there) but as with any romance, there has to be obstacles for them, right? Here’s where I had the most issues with this book; the obstacles were, well, lame. I caught myself constantly yelling at Dante “Really? Come on!!! You’re going to use your sister as an excuse?” or “Oh now you’re saying it won’t work because she’s Pret. SERIOUSLY?” Side note, my hubby did give me a few glances of “WTF”, but then again, he’s one to talk as he’s literally LOL as he’s reading J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood Series (currently on book 6 “Lover Enshrined”). Back to Dante and Tori: So he fights their attraction and commits to being strictly friends. Yeah, the man breaks his own rule all the time. Usually, there’s an event (an attack, having the other person leave, near death experience, etc.), something that makes the hero (or sometimes the heroine) realize that the excuses no longer outweigh the reality of what is right in front of them, the possibility of being happy and loving someone and having them love you in return. Unfortunately, there is no such event in this book. He just changes his mind and when he does, Tori doesn’t question it at all. I would have at least asked “so what made you change your mind. You were so adamant before….” Then again, if he’s really as “hot” as everyone says he is, I may not have asked him immediately, but definitely later on, afterwards, I would have asked. So now that you’ve been waiting this entire time for them to finally get together, especially after Dante teases Tori (and us, the readers) by telling her “When I have you stretched out under me, I’m gonna take my time.” Shivers right? Imagine my disappointment when they do get together and well, it didn’t live up to the expectation (or what he said!)


Earlier I stated that this read more like a mystery than a romance. We don’t have to work too hard to figure out ‘whodunit’. Family relationships cloud Tori’s judgment and though she is originally portrayed a strong female, her actions and reactions all lead in the opposite direction. Gosh, I hate when that happens!!


And I’m not even going to get started on Tori’s brother. He’s like 100 years old going on 13. Can we say “issues”!!!


Could I have liked this book more if I had read the first book? Maybe, but I would still have had issues with it reading more like a mystery than romance, Tori’s family relationship dynamic and that its slow at the beginning and middle and then rushed at the end.

[N.L. Gassert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit I didn’t read Cynthia Garner’s first book in this new paranormal series, but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of her second book in the series, SECRET OF THE WOLF. In fact, enjoyment is a woeful understatement. I loved this book. Garner (a pen name for Sherrill Quinn) has earned a definite spot on my to-read and pre-order lists.

In SECRET OF THE WOLF, events set in motion in book one have consequences for sexy werewolf Tori and human detective Dante. Their professional relationship, which already includes a healthy dose of attraction, grows as the two work to solve the puzzle left to them by the vampire and half-demon in book one.

While they do their best not to be obvious, neither Tori nor Dante hide their attraction to each other. Dante, ever the gentleman, struggles with his need to commit fully. Thinking he’s too busy to enter into a relationship, he’s honest with Tori about his reluctance to date her. Tori, thoroughly modern in her approach to men, sees nothing wrong with a bit of fun on the side, but she can’t hide her longing for a deeper connection for long.

You have to give Dante credit for knowing full well that Tori is much better equipped to protect herself than he ever could, yet he still walks her to her car to see her safe. His very healthy male ego isn’t the least bit put off by the fact that he’s the prey and she’s the predator. I enjoyed this relationship dynamic immensely; it’s not often the guy relinquishes the top spot as gentlemanly as Dante.

Their romantic relationship sizzles as paranormal violence threatens to tear them apart. The identity of the bad guy isn’t much of a mystery for long. It’s Tori’s understandable reluctance to confirm what her instincts tell her that drive the conflict here.

Even though Tori and Dante solve the puzzle left to them in SECRET OF THE WOLF, what they uncover only sparks further questions. Garner’s next offering in this series will see demon Finn and fairy princess Keira try to get one step ahead of the bad guys out to dominate mankind (and I’m pre-ordering).

[KOMET · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took a break from most of the heavy reading I've done this year (i.e. of history, past wars, and memoirs and (auto)biographies) to read this book. By turns, a paranormal romance and a tale of horror and mystery, we are introduced to a world not unlike our own. Except that humans and "preternaturals" (beings from another dimension who entered Earth through periodic rifts or cosmic tears in the fabric of space and emerge as immortal shapeshifters, demons, and vampires with extraordinary powers) have learned to coexist together.

One of these preternaturals is Tori Joseph, a female werewolf liaison between the human and paranormal realms on behalf of the Council of Preternaturals. Any crimes or infractions resulting from interactions between humans and preternaturals are, by common agreement, investigated and adjudicated by both special liaisons like Tori and local (human) police authorities. Thus it was that Tori became acquainted with Dante MacMillan, a ruggedly handsome detective, when both were tasked with solving a series of attacks by a rogue werewolf in which some humans were turned into werewolves. Tori and Dante are strongly attracted to each other. Sparks fly between them. But Dante does his utmost to place business before pleasure. At the same time, there are also criminal elements within the preternatural community who want to effect a changeover whereby they achieve dominion over humans.

To see how everything turns out, take the plunge and set aside a a few hours to read this book. It's easy.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked that Tori was attracted to Dante from the start and pretty much didn't have an issue letting him know. It was funny to see Dante keep trying to think of excuses. At first I wondered if it was because she was a pret, but that was the least of his issues, it was more that he didn't really want any type of relationship. I was surprised that Tori kept trying after getting one brush off after another, I wouldn't have kept going.

I did like when finally, Dante, let things happen. However I was worried for them. I could see where things were going and I knew that there would be trouble ahead for them. And sure enough there was, I didn't expect it to be resolved so quickly. Although I do think that the end events were the best for all involved.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the bad guys and what they were trying to accomplish and if the new law passes.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn't like Secret of the Wolf as much as Kiss of the Vampire, the first book in the Warriors of the Rift series, it was still really good. Though the case the book focuses on was a bit predictable and I had it figured out early on, it didn't lessen the book's appeal for me. Dante and Tori are both very likeable characters and even though there were a couple of times I wanted to smack them upside the head for making stupid choices, I still enjoyed watching their story unfold.

The concept behind the Warriors of the Rift series is so frakkin cool and different that I just can't help but lurve it. The sci-fi angle is wicked and I can't wait to see what happens next. After reading the excerpt from Heart of the Demon and learning more about my favorite character in the series, Finn, I'm itching to get more of him like NOW! I give Secret of the Wolf 3.5 stars

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 1 out of 5]

กู้ข้อมูลสมัยที่เขียนรีวิวที่ exteen มาได้เลยเอามาแปะไว้ค่ะ สมัยนั้นรีวิวไปเล่าเรื่องส่วนตัวไป เลยจะมีเรื่องชีวิตประจำวันมาแทรกตลอดนะคะ ขออภัยด้วย


เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มที่สองในชุด Warriors of the Rift ซึ่งเล่าตำนานเกี่ยวกับแวมไพร์ หมาป่า และเดมอนใหม่หมด เพราะสิ่งมีชีวิตเหนือธรรมชาติเหล่านี้ไม่ได้เป็นอย่างที่เราเข้าใจอีกต่อไปแล้ว

พวกเขาไม่ใช่เป็นมนุษย์โลกด้วยซ้ำ หากแต่เป็นสิ่งมีชีวิตที่ถูกส่งมายังโลกผ่านรอยแตกระหว่างมิติ ที่ทุก ๆ เจ็ดสิบสามถึงเจ็ดสิบสี่ปี รอยแตกจะเปิดออก ทำให้มิติโลกอื่นจะส่งนักโทษของตัวเองมาทิ้งไว้ที่โลกมนุษย์ของเรา ผู้ที่มาถึงจะเป็นคลื่นพลังงานที่ไร้รูปร่าง ทำให้คนพวกนี้ต้องมายึดครองร่างของมนุษย์ และใช้ร่างของมนุษย์เป็นที่อยู่อาศัยต่อไป

ความจริงเรื่องนี้ได้รับการเปิดเผยออกมาแล้ว และมนุษย์เหลือเวลาอีกสองปี ก่อนที่จะรอยแตกจะเปิดออกอีกครั้งนึง นั่นทำให้เหล่ามนุษย์ปกติธรรมดาเริ่มหวาดหวั่น ในขณะเดียวกันเหล่าสิ่งมีชีวิตเหนือธรรมชาติก็พยายามรักษาความสงบ ด้วยการดูแลปัญหาที่เกิดขึ้นด้วยตัวเอง เพื่อพยายามทำให้มนุษย์วางใจได้ว่า พวกเขาจะไม่รุกรานมนุษย์มากกว่าที่เป็น

จริง ๆ ก่อนหน้าเล่มนี้มีเรื่องสั้นที่ออกขายเป็นอีบุ๊คชื่อเรื่องว่า Into the Rift แยกขายมาต่างหากด้วยนะคะ ดูจากพล็อตเล่มนั้น เข้าใจว่า เป็นเรื่องของนางเอกสมัยที่เดินทางมาถึงโลกมนุษย์ใหม่ ๆ แล้วไปสิงร่างโสเภณีในประเทศอังกฤษ แต่หลังจากที่อ่านเล่มนี้จบลง ไม่ได้ประทับใจอะไรมากมายจนคิดว่า ต้องลงทุนไปซื้ออีบุ๊คเล่มนั้นมาอ่านเลยค่ะ

เหตุการณ์ในเล่มนี้ต่อเนื่องจากมาจากเล่มแรก ที่ปมปริศนาของบุคคลลึกลับที่ก่อเหตุร้ายต่าง ๆ นานายังไม่จบสิ้น หลังจากที่พระเอกเล่มแรกเผชิญหน้ากับคนร้าย และแย่งเอาอุปกรณ์สำคัญที่ใช้ในการส่งสัญญาณไปนอกโลกเพื่อติดต่อกับอีกมิตินึง (เพื่อวางแผนร้าย) ได้สำเร็จ พระเอกเล่มแรกก็หมดหน้าที่ จึงนำเอาอุปกรณ์ดังกล่าวมาส่งมอบให้กับนางเอกเล่มสอง (คิดว่ามันประหลาดเหมือนอย่างที่เราคิดไหม)

โทรี โจเซฟเป็นตัวแทนของมนุษย์หมาป่าที่ทำงานรับใช้สภาปกครอง เธอถูกเรียกตัวมาทำคดีหมาป่าทำร้ายมนุษย์ ในขณะเดียวกันอีกเขตพื้นที่นึง ซึ่งไม่ใช่เขตที่โทรีรับผิดชอบก็กำลังเกิดปัญหา หมาป่านอกรีตออกอาลวาดไล่กัด และเปลี่ยนมนุษย์ให้กลายเป็นมนุษย์หมาป่าไปด้วย ทำให้โทรีต้องเข้ามารายงาน และสืบสวนว่า คดีที่เธอดูแลอยู่นั้น ไม่ได้มีส่วนเกี่ยวข้องกับอีกคดีนึง

นั่นทำให้โทรีได้มีโอกาสทำงานร่วมกับตำรวจหนุ่มนามว่า ดังเต้ แม็คมิลลัน ชายคนที่โทรีแอบปิ๊งอยู่พักใหญ่แล้ว แต่ดังเต้ซึ่งแม้จะมอง ๆ โทรีอยู่เช่นกัน เขาก็ยังไม่พร้อมที่จะยุ่งเกี่ยวกับหญิงสาวคนไหน โดยเฉพาะคนที่ไม่ใช่มนุษย์อย่างโทรี เพราะเขารู้ว่า อายุขัยของตัวเองมีจำกัด เขาไม่พร้อมที่จะมีความสัมพันธ์เพียงเพื่อจะต้องจบมันลงในที่สุด แถมชีวิตของโทรีในฐานะตัวแทนของสภาก็อยู่ในอันตราย ดังเต้ไม่ต้องการรักใครที่ต้องเสี่ยงอันตรายอีกต่อไป เพราะในเวลานี้เขาก็เจ็บปวดมากพออยู่แล้วกับการที่ต้องทนเห็นน้องสาวป่วยเป็นมะเร็ง



แต่เหตุการณ์ก็บังคับให้ทั้งโทรี และดังเต้ต้องทำงานใกล้ชิดกัน โดยเฉพาะการหาความจริงเกี่ยวกับเจ้าอุปกรณ์ที่โทรีได้รับมอบมาจากโทไบแอส (พระเอกเล่มแรก)

หนังสือเล่มนี้มีปัญหามากจนเราไม่รู้ว่า จะเริ่มต้นที่ตรงไหนก่อนดี

การต่อเชื่อมพล็อตเล่มหนึ่งและเล่มสองประหลาดมาก เหมือนการรับคบเพลิงโอลิมปิคเลย ประมาณว่า หมดหน้าที่ของฉันแล้วนะ เธอเอาไปวิ่งต่อ พฤติกรรมของตัวละครในชุดนี้ก็เป็นอย่างนั้น พระเอกเล่มแรกเมื่อหมดหน้าที่เพราะสมหวังในความรักแล้ว ภารกิจที่ได้รับมอบหมายก็ไม่สำคัญอีกต่อไป อุปกรณ์ของคนร้ายที่หามาได้ก็หมดความสำคัญ เขาโยนมันให้กับโทรีไปแบบง่าย ๆ ให้เหตุผลว่า เธอเก่งเรื่องอิเล็คโทรนิคส์มากกว่าเขา ตลอดทั้งเล่มนี้เราไม่เห็นโทไบแอสจะมาสนใจใยดีอะไรกับการตามหาตัวคนร้าย ซึ่งก็เป็นคนร้ายคนเดียวกะเล่มแรกนั่นแหละ (ในเล่มของเขาคนร้ายหนีไปได้) ทำเหมือนว่า เพื่อขึ้นเล่มใหม่ มีคาแร็คเตอร์ใหม่เป็นตัวเอก ฉันก็หมดหน้าที่ ในชีวิตจริงทำกันแบบนี้ได้เหรอคะ

แล้วเหตุผลของดังเต้ในการไม่อยากยุ่งเกี่ยวกับโทรี ยิ่งคิดก็ยิ่งขัดกันเอง เขาเห็นว่าตัวเองเป็นมนุษย์มีอายุขัยจำกัด ก็เลยไม่อยากมีความสัมพันธ์กับโทรีที่เป็นอมตะ แต่ในขณะเดียวกันก็บอกว่า ไม่อยากยุ่งกะโทรีเพราะกลัวเธอจะตายระหว่���งปฏิบัติหน้าที่ เพราะงานของเธอเสี่ยงอันตราย อ่านแล้วงงค่ะ มันขัดกันเองใช่ไหมเนี่ย ไม่อยากยุ่งเพราะอายุยืน แล้วก็ไม่อยากยุ่งเพราะกลัวอายุจะสั้น แล้วมันจะเอายังไงกันแน่ แล้วพอมาถึงบทสรุปของเรื่อง ก็ง่ายเกินเหตุ เหมือนจะให้จบ ๆ ไป เพื่อส่งต่อคบเพลิงให้เล่มสามทำงานกันต่อ

สุดท้ายคนที่ทำให้เรามีปัญหากะเรื่องนี้มากที่สุดก็คือโทรี เธอเป็นนางเอกที่ไม่ได้เรื่อง ไม่ได้เกี่ยวอะไรกับส่วนของโรแมนซ์หรอกนะคะ จุดนั้นพอโอเค แต่เป็นการทำหน้าที่ของเธอ (สปอยล์) โทรีไม่พูดความจริง เก็บข้อมูลสำคัญ เหตุผลของเธอก็คือ ทำเพื่อครอบครัว เธอปกปิดความลับ ทำให้เรื่องเล็กกลายเป็นเรื่องใหญ่ ปล่อยให้คนร้ายสำคัญหนีไปได้ ทุกอย่างก็บอกว่าเพื่อครอบครัว เธอตาบอดไปกับทุกอย่าง ทำงานได้ห่วยแตกมาก เห็นแก่ตัวก็เป็นที่สุด

ในแง่ของภาพรวมของชุด เล่มนี้ไม่ได้ให้ความกระจ่างอะไรมากไปกว่าเล่มแรกเลยด้วยซ้ำ ไม่มีข้อมูลอะไรที่น่าสนใจ ตัวร้ายก็แทบจะไม่มีบท (หรืออย่างน้อยก็ตัวร้ายที่พอมีพิษสง ไม่ใช่ตัวร้ายแบบประกอบฉาก)

สิ่งเดียวที่ได้จากเล่มนี้ก็คือ เรารู้แน่ว่า คงไม่ตามซื้อหนังสือของเธอต่อแล้วล่ะค่ะ (ถ้าได้ฟรีก็เป็นอีกเรื่องนึง)

คะแนนที่ 50

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

first time reading this author and she was pretty good..so this is the story of Tori Joseph who is a werewolf liaison for the Council of Preternaturals whose job is to help deal with new werewolves as well as work crime scenes in which they are involved..Tori works with other Pret like her as well as Eleves,Fey,Vampires etc and Humans like Dante MacMillan who Tori has fallen in love with..to make matters worse Tori's brother Rand and her cousin both show up in Arizona where she lives..and of course they are dealing with a pret(short for preternautrals) that is turning more people into werewolves and not suppose to..so if u like paranormal books about shifters etc and murder and mayhem and love then u will like this book I am sure

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.

Quick & Dirty: Fun characters but the story is a little predictable.

Opening Sentence: Hard muscles rippled beneath skin and fur.

The Review:

The Warriors of the Rift series features aliens that have been sent to Earth through a rift in space. The end result leaves these aliens transformed into what we know as the various supernatural species that dot the planet. Victoria Joseph is one such alien. Having gone through the rift over 150 years ago, she emerged as a werewolf, taking over the human memories and life from the vessel she inhabited. (Read more about Victoria’s life on the alien planet and the circumstances that forced her to come through the rift in Into the Rift. It is a short novella and it is not necessary in order to know Victoria but it is a nice, quick little backstory.)

Secret of the Wolf continues to follow the events that began in Kiss of the Vampire as Victoria has been put in charge of cracking a device taken from the enemy. Victoria enlists the help of the sexy and very human Dante MacMillan. Together they try to piece together the device and discover the enemies plan. While Dante and Victoria are working on the device, they must also work together to solve a series of werewolf attacks that are leaving the humans transformed with the werewolf virus or dead. As the werewolf liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, Victoria must go to crime scenes that involve werewolves and as a detective, Dante, often works the same crime scenes because humans are involved too.

Victoria is keeping secrets from the Council about her past. Her family has found her again after 150 years apart and she doesn’t want to lose them again. When evidence gives light to someone close to her she chooses not to believe it and goes against everything she stands for.

Victoria has definitely got the hots for Dante and she has no problem acting on it and those scenes are very heated until Dante’s standoffishness washes cold water over Victoria. He is too scared of losing something he doesn’t even have to try and see what could happen. Victoria almost gives up on him but eventually, Dante clears his head and the heat begins.

I liked Victoria. She was tough, strong and for the most part level headed except when it comes to her brother. She has only been able to rely on herself and she makes no excuses for what she has done to get by. She wants a family more than anything so when her brother comes back, she really believes that life could be like it was before she went through the rift. Dante was equally sexy in his own right, taking care of his cancer stricken sister. Understandably he doesn’t want to go through a huge loss but sometimes he was a little too annoying in his vehemence to not start a relationship with Victoria but if anyone needed that relationship, it was Dante.

Secret of the Wolf was a little too predictable. Almost all of it played out like I thought it would. There was only one thing in the end that did surprise me but the rest of the events played out like I figured they would. Even though it was predictable I still enjoyed the characters and story. It has a refreshing twist with the preternaturals that I really found entertaining. Although at times I felt the writing was a little too detailed in the characters actions from opening drawers to cleaning up after dinner. There are several points of view that Secret of the Wolf follows including Victoria and Dante to Finn Evnissyen setting up for his book, Heart of the Demon.

Overall, Secret of the Wolf was a bit predictable but I did enjoy the world that it sets up and I really liked Victoria and Dante. With the impending rift getting ready to open again, I can’t wait to see what happens next with Finn. This demon really has been raring to see where his story leads.

Notable Scene:

With a sigh she pulled out a small can of veggie juice, downing it in three long gulps. After tossing the can into the recycling bin, she scooped her wallet and keys off the counter and headed toward her bedroom. She opened the door and stopped dead in her tracks. “Rand!”

Her brother gave a start and looked up from the small black device he held in one hand. “Uh, hey, Tori.”

With deliberate movements and never taking her eyes off her brother, she put her wallet and keys on the dresser. He’d been so quiet she’d had no idea he was home. “What are you doing in here?”

He shrugged but didn’t do a very good job of hiding his nervousness. “Just wanted to see why you’re always holed up in your room.” He glanced at the small device in his hand. “So, what is this?” His voice was matter-of-fact and filled with just enough nonchalance to make her even more suspicious. For him to have found that device where she’d hidden it in the toe of her hiking shoe meant one of two things. Either he’d been spying on her and had seen her hide it, or he’d searched her room, which meant he was sneakier than she remembered. It also meant she needed to find another hiding spot.

She held out her hand and waited until he placed the device on her palm before she said, “It’s just a little something I’m trying to fix for a friend.” It was her turn to give a nonchalant shrug. “Nothing earth shattering.”

“Maybe I could help?”

Tori stared at him. “I don’t think so.” She forced a smile. “But thanks, though.” She curled her fingers around the cell phone–sized contraption and, as he got up from her bed, asked, “What do you want for dinner?”

FTC Advisory: Forever/Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group provided me with a copy of Secret of the Wolf. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[Casie Kreiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book if you like werewolves and vampires. Easy to read and keeps you interested from first page. Would recommend.

[Kristie Elston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Dark Faerie Tales: http://darkfaerietales.com/review-sec...

Quick & Dirty: Fun characters but the story is a little predictable.

The Review:

The Warriors of the Rift series features aliens that have been sent to Earth through a rift in space. The end result leaves these aliens transformed into what we know as the various supernatural species that dot the planet. Victoria Joseph is one such alien. Having gone through the rift over 150 years ago, she emerged as a werewolf, taking over the human memories and life from the vessel she inhabited. (Read more about Victoria’s life on the alien planet and the circumstances that forced her to come through the rift in Into the Rift. It is a short novella and it is not necessary in order to know Victoria but it is a nice, quick little backstory.)

Secret of the Wolf continues to follow the events that began in Kiss of the Vampire as Victoria has been put in charge of cracking a device taken from the enemy. Victoria enlists the help of the sexy and very human Dante MacMillan. Together they try to piece together the device and discover the enemies plan. While Dante and Victoria are working on the device, they must also work together to solve a series of werewolf attacks that are leaving the humans transformed with the werewolf virus or dead. As the werewolf liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, Victoria must go to crime scenes that involve werewolves and as a detective, Dante, often works the same crime scenes because humans are involved too.

Victoria is keeping secrets from the Council about her past. Her family has found her again after 150 years apart and she doesn’t want to lose them again. When evidence gives light to someone close to her she chooses not to believe it and goes against everything she stands for.

Victoria has definitely got the hots for Dante and she has no problem acting on it and those scenes are very heated until Dante’s standoffishness washes cold water over Victoria. He is too scared of losing something he doesn’t even have to try and see what could happen. Victoria almost gives up on him but eventually, Dante clears his head and the heat begins.

I liked Victoria. She was tough, strong and for the most part level headed except when it comes to her brother. She has only been able to rely on herself and she makes no excuses for what she has done to get by. She wants a family more than anything so when her brother comes back, she really believes that life could be like it was before she went through the rift. Dante was equally sexy in his own right, taking care of his cancer stricken sister. Understandably he doesn’t want to go through a huge loss but sometimes he was a little too annoying in his vehemence to not start a relationship with Victoria but if anyone needed that relationship, it was Dante.

Secret of the Wolf was a little too predictable. Almost all of it played out like I thought it would. There was only one thing in the end that did surprise me but the rest of the events played out like I figured they would. Even though it was predictable I still enjoyed the characters and story. It has a refreshing twist with the preternaturals that I really found entertaining. Although at times I felt the writing was a little too detailed in the characters actions from opening drawers to cleaning up after dinner. There are several points of view that Secret of the Wolf follows including Victoria and Dante to Finn Evnissyen setting up for his book, Heart of the Demon.

Overall, Secret of the Wolf was a bit predictable but I did enjoy the world that it sets up and I really liked Victoria and Dante. With the impending rift getting ready to open again, I can’t wait to see what happens next with Finn. This demon really has been raring to see where his story leads.

[Kristie Elston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Dark Faerie Tales: http://darkfaerietales.com/review-sec...

Quick & Dirty: Fun characters but the story is a little predictable.

The Review:

The Warriors of the Rift series features aliens that have been sent to Earth through a rift in space. The end result leaves these aliens transformed into what we know as the various supernatural species that dot the planet. Victoria Joseph is one such alien. Having gone through the rift over 150 years ago, she emerged as a werewolf, taking over the human memories and life from the vessel she inhabited. (Read more about Victoria’s life on the alien planet and the circumstances that forced her to come through the rift in Into the Rift. It is a short novella and it is not necessary in order to know Victoria but it is a nice, quick little backstory.)

Secret of the Wolf continues to follow the events that began in Kiss of the Vampire as Victoria has been put in charge of cracking a device taken from the enemy. Victoria enlists the help of the sexy and very human Dante MacMillan. Together they try to piece together the device and discover the enemies plan. While Dante and Victoria are working on the device, they must also work together to solve a series of werewolf attacks that are leaving the humans transformed with the werewolf virus or dead. As the werewolf liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, Victoria must go to crime scenes that involve werewolves and as a detective, Dante, often works the same crime scenes because humans are involved too.

Victoria is keeping secrets from the Council about her past. Her family has found her again after 150 years apart and she doesn’t want to lose them again. When evidence gives light to someone close to her she chooses not to believe it and goes against everything she stands for.

Victoria has definitely got the hots for Dante and she has no problem acting on it and those scenes are very heated until Dante’s standoffishness washes cold water over Victoria. He is too scared of losing something he doesn’t even have to try and see what could happen. Victoria almost gives up on him but eventually, Dante clears his head and the heat begins.

I liked Victoria. She was tough, strong and for the most part level headed except when it comes to her brother. She has only been able to rely on herself and she makes no excuses for what she has done to get by. She wants a family more than anything so when her brother comes back, she really believes that life could be like it was before she went through the rift. Dante was equally sexy in his own right, taking care of his cancer stricken sister. Understandably he doesn’t want to go through a huge loss but sometimes he was a little too annoying in his vehemence to not start a relationship with Victoria but if anyone needed that relationship, it was Dante.

Secret of the Wolf was a little too predictable. Almost all of it played out like I thought it would. There was only one thing in the end that did surprise me but the rest of the events played out like I figured they would. Even though it was predictable I still enjoyed the characters and story. It has a refreshing twist with the preternaturals that I really found entertaining. Although at times I felt the writing was a little too detailed in the characters actions from opening drawers to cleaning up after dinner. There are several points of view that Secret of the Wolf follows including Victoria and Dante to Finn Evnissyen setting up for his book, Heart of the Demon.

Overall, Secret of the Wolf was a bit predictable but I did enjoy the world that it sets up and I really liked Victoria and Dante. With the impending rift getting ready to open again, I can’t wait to see what happens next with Finn. This demon really has been raring to see where his story leads.

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

The heroine thinks she's obvious with the signals she's been sending the heroes way but it doesn't seem to be working. Sure, she can smell he's just as attracted to her and the ease and flirtatious manner of her personality makes their interactions all the more enjoyable but every time she tries to take their working relationship into a more personal direction, he clams up on her. Mixed signals much? But that doesn't stop her from looking for him at very crime scene or putting herself through the rejection whenever she tries to make advancements towards him. Lately it seems that they are meeting more and more frequently and though she enjoys seeing him, she doesn't enjoy the amount of inter-species conflicts they have to deal with.

She the liaison for werewolf people and he the liaison for human, they are finding an increase on conflicts particularly on the werewolf side. Struggling to find the one responsible for the murder and unauthorized changing of humans, they seem to be at a lost as to who could behind the attacks but know that it has something to do with the device they repossessed in the previous book. The heroine is also, on top of the stress at work and the confusing relationship with the hero, she has to deal with her long-lost brother who has returned after a couple hundred years of separation. The heroine, lonely after losing her family at the rift, is happy to have her brother back but confused why their relationship is so strained. His moodiness, his childish behavior and the fact that he just seems angry all the time are causing her a whole lot of pain. She just wants her family back. But when she begins to see connections between her brother and the attacks, she fears that her silence will risk everything she's built with the hero but she just doesn't want to believe her brother could be responsible. The hero didn't want to feel as attached to the heroine as he does for a lot of reasons but it seems he just can't help himself. Still, when it comes to light she hid things from him, things that endangered himself and his beloved sister, the hero must come to terms with forgiveness and finding it in his heart to forgive that woman he thought he could trust.

Good book. Rather....plain? I'd say. I was a bit surprised with just how naïve and vulnerable the heroine was considering her personality in the first book and her command of situations at the start of this book. I thought she was a strong, levelheaded woman with the ability to handle everything tossed her way. But quite quickly I began to see flaws in her character. Mainly, she was a complete pushover when it came to her brother. (A stupid character if I read one.) I didn't much like how hesitate and blind she was when it came to her brother behavior. Of course, you never want to expect the worst and she was just too damn happy to have him back again to put a lot of thought into the signs but at some point, you gotta wake up and see how much of an asshole the guy is. He made it clear that he didn't actually want to be home with her and at every chance he said something to hurt her feelings. She was also a tad bit whiny and she made excuses for things because she was lonely. I struggled to understand her character and get where she was coming from. The hero? Other than being sexy with a southern drawl he wasn't much of a stand out for me. He loved his sister. He was a good cop. He wanted to focus on those two things and found the heroine to be too much of a distraction but that didn't stop him from succumbing to desires without much of a fight given. All in all, I found this book to be alright. Again, nothing special and nothing in particular is standing out to me as something I will remember 2 weeks or a month down the road. Nothing I'm dying for the chance to read again.

[Dangerous Romance Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book blurb: As a werewolf liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, Tori Joseph is used to straddling the world between humans and immortals. She plays by the rules and always delivers justice, no matter the cost. But after a string of increasingly brutal attacks results in humans turning into werewolves, Tori doesn’t reveal her horrifying suspicion: Someone very close to her might be responsible.

Investigating the paranormal violence, no-nonsense detective Dante MacMillan believes Tori is hiding something. His search for the truth draws him into greater danger as he gets closer to the dark realm of the immortals—and to the sexy werewolf who stirs his primal lust. Now with evil closing in around them, Dante must convince Tori to trust him... before her deadly secret destroys them both.

This book took me total surprise and I loved reading every single page. The story Cynthia Garner has created is wonderful and I can’t wait to get my fingers into the first book in this series; Kiss of the Vampire, not to mention the e-novella that comes before Secret of the Wolf, which tells the story behind Tori and her brother (Randal's) punishment, to be sent to Earth.

Tori and her brother are souls that got transported from another dimension as a punishment for a crime their cousin did. When they got on to Earth they got separated in the nineteenth century. Tori hasn’t been able to locate her brother since, and she feels terribly alone. Tori’s a werewolf and she needs – and wants, her family around her. So when her brother suddenly appears on her doorsteps, she’s thrilled at first her brother finally found her, that she has some family again after all these years.

But slowly she becomes more concerned about and for him. He says he wants them to get understand and get closer to eachother, but he keeps pushing her away, staying out late, avoiding Tori and snapping at her when she asks about him, where he’s been and what he’s been doing when he’s out on his own.

Being the werewolf liaison means that when something goes wrong and a werewolf is involved, Tori get a call. So when people start to get attacked by a werewolf and turned against their will, Tori gets involved. The only up-side with the case? She gets to spend time with the yummy detective Dante, whom has stirred her interest for some time.

Dante is interested in Tori, but he has so much on his plate with his job, his horses and his sister Lily, who just got out of treatment for breastcancer. He feels like he doesn’t have the time to squeeze anything else in. Even if he would love nothing more than to squeeze Tori a little in all the right places. ;-)

In Secret of the wolf we get POV’s from both Tori and Dante. We can see how joyous Tori feels when Randal (her brother) shows up and how this turns into frustration when she time after time runs into the wall that surrounds him. We can follow not only Tori’s but also Dante’s reaction towards each other, and it’s so much fun to read. Their argument internally when they face new problems, Tori’s denial when it comes to her brother (and all the trouble that brings along), Dante’s fury, angst and frustration when it comes to his sister (Lily), Tori and her brother, Randal.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was amazing. The way the characters develope through the book, the joy, the fear and confusion they feel and the ending… ooohh, the ending. It still brings both tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.

If you haven’t read Secret of the Wolf, I recommend it. I really enjoyed reading this book and only had few problems with jumping into the series. I will definitely be buying the first book, Kiss of the Vampire and the e-prequel to Secret of the Wolf; Into the rift.

[Stephine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars


Tori Joseph is a werewolf liaison to the Council of Preternaturals. She loves her job and working with a man who makes her wolf want to roll over and beg. Human Detective Dante MacMillan won't deny the growing attraction between him and Tori but personal troubles and the fact she's immortal has him hesitant to act. Turning to their case, Tori and Dante are working to find who is responsible for werewolf attacks against humans. When Tori has a troubling suspicion as to who is behind it all, not only is her job in jeopardy but Dante is put in danger.

Every 73 years, a rift between the supernatural world and earth opens and creatures cross over to take a human host. Tori has been on earth for over 150 years. Her travels have brought her to Arizona where she now acts as a liaison for the Council of Preternaturals. I was drawn to Tori pretty quickly. As a werewolf in law enforcement, I was worried she'd have the need to prove how strong she is but that never was an issue. She knows she's good at what she does and I never got the feeling she had the need to prove her worth to others. Tori does want to have family around and when a couple relatives show up, she makes questionable decisions but I found neither to be a reason for animosity towards her character.

Like Tori, I was worried Dante felt like he needed to show he could hold his own because he works with shifters, vampires and demons. Again, this wasn't the case. Dante is a down to earth man who loves his sister and likes catching the bad guys. He's the type of guy you could take home to meet the parents while still having a naughty side that keeps things interesting. The big thing that bothered me about him was that I felt that he strung Tori along in the beginning. He'd flirt with her one minute and back off the next because it wouldn't be a good idea to get involved with an immortal. It's obvious she has feelings for him and I got annoyed with how long he played hot and cold with her.

I think because of Dante not knowing how to handle is feelings towards Tori, they didn't do much for me as a couple. Their sexy times were hot but because I wasn't sure if or when Dante would emotionally pull away; I didn't want to get upset along with Tori so I never fully invested into their relationship.

In the first book in the series, Dante is one of three who discovered a device that allows communication with the other dimension and will have some kind of effect during the upcoming rift opening. In Secret of the Wolf, Dante and Tori are trying to figure out exactly what it does and how it works while keeping it out of the wrong hands. I was happy to see this story continued. The mastermind behind the device is also back and he has an interesting connection to Tori I didn't expect and thought was nice twist. This doesn't really blend into what's happening with Dante and Tori's case involving the werewolf who is attacking and turning humans but I still thought they worked really well side by side.

Secret of the Wolf was an improvement over Kiss of the Vampire. I still wasn't keen on the romance and I wasn't 100% happy with the hero, but I did find that the heroine had more depth and it was an all-around more satisfying read. I'm still waiting for more information about what the world on the other side of the rift is like but I was given some clues from Tori to tide me over for now. For me, it was obvious who is behind the human attacks but I still enjoyed watching the investigation unfold. Overall, this was a quick read with a good mystery, a memorable heroine and a hero that will charm you into forgiving his faults.
- Stephanie

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please note that Secret of the Wolf is the second book in the Warriors of the Rift series and this review will contain spoilers for the first book Kiss of the Vampire. If you're new to the series I would suggest not reading any further but it is definitely worth checking out reviews for the first book.

Every 73 years a Rift opens between dimensions that allows incorporeal beings to come to earth. These beings must take over the body of a human host or they are unable to survive, the body they take over then becomes an immortal - either a vampire, shapeshifter or a demon. Traditionally the beings that were sent through the rift were other world criminals who were banished from their own dimension as punishment for their crimes but it seems like that is changing. Tori is a werewolf who works as the liaison for the Council of Preternaturals and she is currently investigating the device that Tobias managed to take from his enemy Natchook in the previous book. She must work alongside human police detective Dante to try and discover what the device is for. But work on the device comes second to investigating a spate of werewolf attacks - just why is the werewolf changing seemingly random people and can they find a way to stop them?

I enjoyed the second instalment to the Warriors of the Rift series but I have to admit that it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I had hoped to find out more about the ongoing story with Natchook (I still think that is one of the worst evil bad guy names I've ever come across!) but it didn't really feel like that plot thread moved much further forward. We learn a little more about his motivations but not enough to satisfy me. This series seems to straddle the line between urban fantasy and paranormal romance but it doesn't quite manage to tick all of the boxes for me in either category. There isn't quite enough action and intrigue for an urban fantasy series and the romance is a bit too slow and straightforward for a paranormal romance.

While I liked both Tori and Dante I wanted a bit more conflict between them. It was very clear from the beginning that they both had the hots for each other. The only thing stopping them being together was that Dante was afraid to fall in love with her and then lose her. He also didn't feel that he had enough time to devote to a relationship in between caring for his recovering sister and building his career. These just seemed like pretty poor excuses to me - especially considering the chemistry between them. I prefer my heroes to be a bit more of the go and get her type rather than too scared to attempt to claim their woman.

With regards to things that happened with Tori's brother Rand and Dante's sister Lily I felt that it was too easy to figure out what was going on. None of the reveals surprised me as I'd guessed quite early on how things would turn out for each of the main characters. It's a bit disappointing because I do think this series has a lot of potential but neither of the first two books have managed to live up to that. I do have hopes that when the author finally hits their stride with these books then there could be a massive improvement. Will I read the next book? At the moment I'm not too sure. I do want to know what happens next in the ongoing story line but characters Finn and Keira who are the focus of the next book aren't really ones that I'm particularly curious about. Don't let me put you off giving the series a try though - I've seen a lot of very positive reviews for Kiss of the Vampire and I think anyone who loved the first book will enjoy this one just as much.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/06/29/...

I love the concept of the Warriors of the Rift series, and when I found book two would be all about the wolves, I was even more excited. I do love me some werewolves!

Tori is a werewolf liaison, and loves her job dealing with both other wolves and humans. Although she is happy with her life, she also longs for a family of her own, so when her brother shows up after being apart for over a hundred years, she is so excited to have a second chance at a relationship with him. Along the way, she also starts to actively pursue things with the sexy human detective Dante.

Dante isn’t looking to be in a relationship. He wants to focus on his job and taking care of his sister. But the case of the rogue wolf turning humans has him and Tori working closely together, and the attraction between the two of them is something that Dante can’t keep putting off. But when the rogue wolf goes after someone Dante holds dear, will Tori’s desire to keep her family close be the reason they can’t make their relationship work?

One of the things I love about this series is how original it is. Who would have thought that having creatures come through some kind of cosmic rift would create the supernatural creatures we know and love today? I adore the concept and think that Garner does an incredible job keeping that aspect of the story fresh and new and exciting.

After reading the first book I was so glad to see an author who didn’t create a bunch of additional drama that kept the hero and heroine from being together. I loved the romance in that book and was hoping for much of the same in this one. Unfortunately, I felt as if the romance was the weakest aspect of this book. Both Tori and Dante danced around each other for much of the first part of the book, and once they started having an actual relationship – a commitment – I just felt as if things moved very quickly from the “lust” to “love” territory. Then, when Tori’s secret is revealed and Dante’s sister is attacked, I just felt as if there was a lot of extra emotional drama on Tori and Dante’s behalf that didn’t need to be there.

I’m very anxious to see how the series wraps up. The on-going story with Natchook didn’t really seem to go anywhere, and I am awaiting to see what is going on with the rift device that Tori and Dante had then lost. I can’t wait to see the final showdown and who is involved and how it becomes resolved. I really wish that aspect of the storyline had progressed a bit more, or that we had been given a little bit more insight into how all that is going to resolve.

All in all I was a bit disappointed in the second installment of the Warriors of the Rift series. I really enjoyed the first story, and look forward to continuing with the series, but the romance really dragged this story out for me. The plot itself seemed to stall in some parts and accelerate too quickly in others. While I enjoyed both Tori and Dante as individuals, I had a hard time really believing in the romance.
I give Secret of the Wolf a C

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Original review posted at Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance**

I have been eagerly waiting for Dante and Tori's story after I was ensnared by Kiss of the Vampire. And their story goes something like this:

Dante MacMillan and Tori Joseph (one a smoking hot human detective, the other a sultry werewolf) work side by side trying to figure out what is going on with the preternaturals (vamps, weres, fey and the like) that are turning up dead. Meanwhile, they're not only dealing with the murders but their feelings for each other and their siblings.

Tori's brother, Randall, showed up totally out of the blue after supposedly searching for her for 25 years. He's a bit on edge and totally secretive. She wants to be a family with him since he's all that's left. Well, except for shady cousin Stefan who kind of creeps me out a bit. The sexual tension between Dante and her isn't helping since neither want to do something to mess up their friendship *snort*

Dante has stood by his sister, Lily, not only through her divorce but her fight with breast cancer. He is focused on his job and his sister. Adding one more person to his life isn't such a good idea. Plus, if he gets involved and it becomes a 'forever' kind of thing, what happens to their children if Tori and Dante both work dangerous jobs? Suck it up man! You think she's sexy and she thinks you're all sorts of fuckable. Just do it!

As the danger closes in and the unthinkable happens to Lily, Dante and Tori must decide what to do. Will they get that 'forever' kind of love or will something tear them apart? And what about poor Randall? Will he and Tori be a family again?

Favorite Quote:

Damn it. Things got complicated way too fast around here.

Overall: Humans, vampires, werewolves and Torchwood-like rift activity...another fantastic read from Cynthia Garner. I had been waiting for this book since the teaser at the end of Kiss of the Vampire and thanks to the fabulous Kim of SOS Aloha who sent it to me in my RT box, I was able to get my hands on it early. And boy, am I totally ever grateful to Kim. Dante and Tori's chemistry definitely showed in the previous book but this time we get to see it front and center. They did not disappoint. Ms. Garner has created a world that is dark, dangerous, sexy and full of 'I totally did not see that coming and face planted' twists. Seriously, I had a few moments of those. Good thing I wasn't reading this while walking. I've been known to do that. I can't wait for Finn's book and after seeing the cover...Bring. It. On.



***review copy from (SOS Aloha)-picked up at RT***

[Kendell Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at Kenn's Reviews

Cynthia Garner’s ‘Secret of the Wolf’ is an Urban Fantasy leaning heavily towards Romance and Crime. This is the second book in the Warriors of the Rift series, what will definitely turn out to be a Must Read Series. The basis of the Fantasy is that Vampires, Demons, Werewolves and other mystical creatures are actually beings from a different dimension.

These beings were sent to our dimension as a punishment for crimes committed in their own. Most are using it as a second chance to live their life legally. The beings, referred to on Earth as ‘preternaturals’, have made their existence public knowledge and live freely among Humans. They have their own legal system, complete with laws, trials, punishments and enforcement officers.

Victoria ‘Tori’ Joseph is one of these enforcement officers. After being on Earth since 1866, she’s finally found the brother that she’s been separated from for over 130 years, the only family she has here on Earth. She is a werewolf liaison for the Council of Preternaturals, and as such is tasked with handling and investigating any illegal incidents involving Werewolves in her section of Phoenix. Tori is also required to work closely with Officer Dante of the Phoenix Police Department. The heat is obvious right from the start with these two as they investigate the scene of a bar brawl between a Vampire and a Werewolf.

As the story progresses we learn that there is a comet passing Earth in a few months, and when it comes it is dragging behind it a large rift between dimensions which will result in a giant influx of preternaturals into Earth’s population. These beings will take a human at will, merging with its consciousness. Tori has in her possession a device used to communicate across the rift, but she needs to figure out why it is here on Earth and what its being used for.

Tori’s relationship with Dante heats up as they are forced to work together to solve the riddle of the rift device. In the midst of these investigations, Dante and Tori’s co-workers have to deal with a rouge Werewolf who has moved from ‘turning’ humans to using them for a late night snack. When Tori hears details that leads her to believe her brother may be involved with the rogue Werewolf, she keeps the info to herself wanting to do her own investigation before turning him in. But it may be too late.

Tori has to try to balance her relationship with Dante, while investigating the rift device and trying to find a rogue Werewolf that has started killing in her sector (and may be her brother).
This is a book that is well worth the read and will have you on the edge of yours seat. Cynthia’s next book in the series, ‘Heart of the Demon’ can’t come soon enough for this reader. I, for one, have found this book mind-blowing with its realistic plot points and references. Superbly written and exceptionally well thought-out and researched.

[Lizzy Lessard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Warriors of the Rift series and though the author does a great job slipping in details from the first book into this one, I wouldn’t recommend reading Secret of the Wolf before the first book, Kiss of a Vampire. So much of the book is spent on telling the back-story, that the majority of the first half of the book is simply boring. It seems like everything either happens off screen or in the past. It becomes obvious very on in the book that there are two distinct plot lines - one is figuring out which werewolf is attacking humans; the other is deals with the rift device. I like that the series has a definite goal: Close the rift that was opened in the first book and let in all these supernatural beings that are using humans as hosts.

Tori is a werewolf who has been living on Earth in a human host for 150 years. Although she has been on Earth longer than most, there are many other supernaturals that are more powerful. She’s a werewolf liaison in Scottsdale, Arizona (and yes, the setting is 100% authentic…I wish I lived in that part of Phoenix with the clubs and fancy restaurants. Too rich for my wallet.) but is clearly anti-authority. Its only a matter of time before she has to decide between doing her job and retaining loyalty to her friends and family.

Dante is a human detective who works with Tori on the case to solve the murders involving a crazed werewolf. Tori and Dante, have amazing chemistry both on duty and off, yet Dante spends quite a bit of the book making excuses as to why they shouldn’t engage in a romantic relationship. Its frustrating to Tori but a refreshing chance from the traditional love-at-first sight relationships in most books of this genre.

Secret of the Wolf began with an amazing shifting scene in the Sonora desert of Arizona, but besides mentions of werewolves, vampires, and faes there is little paranormal on screen until the last couple of chapters. It felt like more of a detective mystery than a paranormal novel. I like more of an active fantasy role in the books I read.

Overall, I had to let this story sit in my mind for a couple days before I could make up my mind if I liked it or not. As a stand alone novel, it fails. If you want to read this book, check out the first book in the series prior to trying this one out. Fall in love with the characters and the world Cynthia Garner crafted. Only then read this book. As a second book in a series, it works. It advances the master plot quite well. I will check out the next book in the series when it comes out, despite the shortcomings of this one.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this take on preternatural existence. Supernaturals are actually beings from another dimension sent to Earth as punishment.

A rogue werewolf is on the lose, attacking humans in what appears to be an attempt to change them. But soon the rogue's activity escalates to murder and Werewolf Liaison Tori Joseph has to wonder if the strange behavior of her newly found brother is connected. But not wanting to lose the only family she has, she hides her suspicions from the Council and her human partner, Detective Dante MacMillian.

I loved Dante in Kiss of the Vampire. He was a man who would do anything for those that he loved, even if one of those people turned furry once a month. While he fought his attraction to Tori, one because he was a werewolf, but mostly because he didn't think he could give her the time and attention he deserved, he wore his heart on his sleeve as he tried to do the right thing. He was one of those tough on the outside but soft and squishy on the inside men that make you all gooey. Once he got out of his own way, he proved he was the type of man that stood by his woman...no matter what.

Tori was a great character as well. She'd spent the past 150 years without her brother, while knowing he was sent through the Rift at the same time she was. Having family was important to Tori, but she didn't look at family as anything other than blood relation. She had her friends, but to her that wasn't the same. When her brother Rand found her, she was excited to finally have what she'd craved. But their relationship wasn't what she though it would be. It wasn't until Dante and his sister Lily that she understood that family wasn't so much about blood, but about those that had your back and stood by your side.

Besides the romance between Tori and Dante, we have the on-going story about someone (or someones) determined to create their own Rift and send, what appears to be, massive preternatural beings to Earth. The villain from Kiss of the Vampire, Natchook, who (come to find out) is Tori's cousin Stefan, has managed to get his hands on the device Tori and Dante were trying to crack. Now that it's back in the wrong hangs, one can only wonder just what exactly is going to happen next.

If you like your vampire, werewolf, fey, etc stories with a twist, this is definitely a series you need to pick up.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

First--Be aware Secret of the Wolf starts off shortly after where Kiss of the Vampire left off. In my opinion that means you need to read the books in order to understand the world and relationships Ms. Garner has created.

I really like the concept for this series. Yes, its filled with many of the usual paranormal's you'd expect but the idea they come from another dimension makes it totally fresh and new. It's mixed with romance and crimes, turning it into a unique urban fantasy I only anticipate getting better. What's exciting is that there's still bits of information about their world coming to light as this second book progresses and there's still much to learn about the world they left behind. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Ms. Garner has concocted a complicated ongoing plot line that the law enforcement characters are following from one book to the next. Needless to say there are lots of dangling threads as they search for answers and I eagerly wait for the next release, Heart of the Demon.

Now back to Dante and Tori. These two are great characters. They make a wonderful couple--strong, determined, capable, stubborn and a good compliment to the other. Ms. Garner did a good job developing the personalities of both, delving deeply into their family ties. Tori's relationship with her brother is tense and uneasy, whereas Dante's with his sister's is tender and loving. The relationship between Dante and Tori is nothing but professional initially but you can feel the tension--nicely done Ms. Garner. When they finally give in to their emotions, the simmering desire turns physical.

I've rambled on long enough. It's safe to say I enjoyed the book. It's well written, has a fast plot, smooth pace and vivid description. I like both Tori and Dante, the story has plenty of twist and turns, and the new secondary characters are important and interesting. I usually complain when there are dangling thread but not with an ongoing story line. Yes I've got questions but I'm certain at least some will be answered in the next book.

[Heidi | Paper Safari Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is apparently the second book int his series but I don't think it really mattered. I didn't feel lost or like I was missing anything by reading this one first.

Apparently Werewolves, vampires and demons have crossed into our world from their planets and now inhabit the bodies of humans. This is an interesting twist and one I wish would be explored more because it seems that humans are worried that when the rift opens back up they may find themselves inhabited by one of these immortal creatures and no longer be themselves.

There is also the main story of a string of brutal murders and unsanctioned turnings of people into werewolves and a mysterious device that no one knows what it does. It is up to Tori and Dante to figure out what the device does and catch a killer. Not to mention that Dante and Tori have a steamy passion building between the two - the tension runs high and its like watching an early episode of the x-files where you aren't sure you really want them to get together or just keep that sexual tension building.

Most of the book really centers on family. Dante and his sister are very close and he has been taking care of her since she has been sick with Cancer. Tori has been alone on Earth of the past 150 years not knowing where or how to find her brother when he unexpectedly shows up. There is a lot of tension between Tori and her brother despite her wanting that close relationship that Dante and his sister share.

This was a fun read I am looking forward to the next one to see what is going to happen with the mystery device and the underlying plot by some of the Preternaturals to bring more of their kind through the rift...and for what purpose they are trying to do it.

[All Things Urban Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

SECRET OF THE WOLF is the second book the Warriors of the Rift series which introduced an interesting concept to paranormal romance with werewolves, vampires, fey, and demons being beings who came over from a parallel dimension. In a way that makes them even more fantastical than they already are and puts a fun spin on creatures we are very familiar with. I kept wanting to actually go to this other dimension since it was described as very interesting though dangerous place.

Potentially as dangerous as that alternate dimension was the romance between Tori and Dante. It was steamy and filled with anticipation as they kept inching towards acting out on their feeling for each other but backing away from any sort of intimate relationship due to various insecurities and concerns. It was a test in my patience waiting for them to get together but the slow build up of trust and acceptance these two go through to get to where they are at the end of the book was worth the wait. I also loved the fact that Dante was the one who was holding back on the relationship and Tori was the one pushing Dante for a relationship or even just a fling.

SECRET OF THE WOLF has a sizzling romance at the core of a thrilling, action packed story The third book in the Warriors of the Rift series; HEART OF THE DEMON comes out in 2013, I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Sexual Content: some sex scenes

[Jenni Ebba · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this one better than the first. This series is about a league of beings who have come through a rift in space to inhabit humans. These aliens were sent through for many reasons from criminal activity to being related to a criminal. The beings come to form the various preternatural branches; demons, vampires, werewolves, and fairies. Romance and fantasy combine in this series to create a devastating combination.
Victoria Joseph is one such being- she's a werewolf. She had the misfortune of having a killer for a cousin so was sent through the rift to Earth along with her brother. After centuries of going to alone and searching at times for her brother, Tori has finally fallen for someone. A human detective has caught Tori's eye and her heart for better or worse. After finally getting close to the man of her desires, Tori's brother has appeared out of the blue claiming he wants to reconnect with his long lost sister. Unfortunately not everything is as it seems and when a string of forced transformations take place in Tori's city she starts questioning everything she knows.
Garner's series seems to be getting better with each installation and the hints that the next one will be about a demon a a fairy make it all the more enticing. I think the story telling is quite sound and the world building better than the last. If you like your romance with a nip, this one is for you.
3 Stars

[Stephanie Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise and a nice quick read.

Tori is the main female lead and a werewolf... but unlike the traditional sense of a werewolf she is actually a rift traveller who has been sent here as a form of banishment for a crime a relative did back in her home dimension. She is a strong female lead and has her own issues with family - she wants them to be this happy loving entity but her reality is a brother who is aloof at best and a cousin who isn't who she wants him to be. She has to go thru a lot in this and fortunately she meets and falls in love with Dante...

Dante... sigh... is a human detective who works a lot of cases with Tori. They are definitely in lust with each other but he has his own demons to slay. He is a great man in that he has taken his sister and nephew in when their lives went to s#$%. There are quite a few steamy moments before they give in to their lusts and you see that while there is definitely heat there they are truly matched.

The bad guys in this aren't surprises but you feel for Tori as she realizes what is going on and you hope with her that Dante will stick it out and become the perfect match for her.

All in all a very solid read and it does make me want to go back and read the first book plus follow any others that come out.

Special thanks to netgalley.com and Carina Press for allowing me to read this in exchange for my impartial review.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little apprehensive about this book when I stared it because while I liked the first book in the series, Kiss of the Vampire, I was confused about the rift plot. I was hoping this book would explain the concept a little more, it did....and didn't. I like the characters that are in the series and find myself really wanting to know more about them. I'm still not sure how the soul picks it's form (werewolf, vampire, demon, elf ect. ect.).

Dante and Tori are a great couple. There was a real feel of sexual tension between the two that at times was kinda sweet. I mean who doesn't want a man that sacrifices his own feelings for yours? Thinking he doesn't have the time to give his complete attention to Tori because he's helping his sister he keeps her at arm's length only to realise that love doesn't go by a time table. Along with their budding romance they work together on the rift device and a case involving a rouge werewolf who might be closer then they expect.

I liked this book more then I thought I would and am looking forward to the next in the series which focuses on Finn, the demon. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a different take on the paranormal romance genre.