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Cold Run
It is amazing how quickly a phone call can interrupt your life, even when you’re a werewolf. Rick Keller hangs up from the unwanted call, but the shadowy organization he once belonged to doesn’t take such an answer lightly. Waking up collared and caged by MONIKER is a quick way to learn retirement isn’t always permanent. Death will be if he doesn’t accept their assignment. Keller and his new team follow a group of human traffickers on a thin trail across the globe. Their only hope is in a man who hasn’t had much practice being a werewolf in a really long time, a sadistic agent who loves making dog jokes, and a beautiful operative who is better with guns than relationships. If being forced back into service wasn’t bad enough, he quickly discovers they have many new experiments to try out on their pet wolf. Even worse, MONIKER now isn’t the only one who knows his secret. Hopefully an old dog can learn some new tricks, especially if he wants to stay alive. Recommended for mature audiences 18+
- GenresParanormal
236 pages, ebook
First published August 1, 2014
21 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Rachel A. Brune
33 books100 followersRachel A. Brune graduated from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts in May 2000, and was immediately plunged into the low-stakes world of entry-level executive assistant-ship. Her unexpected journey out of that world and into the military is chronicled in her self-published book Echoes and Premonitions.
Rachel served five years as a combat journalist, including two tours in Iraq, and a brief stint as a columnist for her hometown newspaper. After her second tour, she attended graduate school at the University at Albany in NY, where she earned her MA in Political Communication, and her commission as a second lieutenant in the military police corps.
Although her day job has taken in her in many strange, often twisted directions, Rachel continues to write and publish short fiction. She released her first novel, Soft Target, in early 2013. In addition to writing for the online military interest zine "Task & Purpose," she blogs her thoughts about reading and the writing life at The Infamous Scribbler. You can also follow her on Twitter, where she goes by the handle @rachelabrune.
Rachel served five years as a combat journalist, including two tours in Iraq, and a brief stint as a columnist for her hometown newspaper. After her second tour, she attended graduate school at the University at Albany in NY, where she earned her MA in Political Communication, and her commission as a second lieutenant in the military police corps.
Although her day job has taken in her in many strange, often twisted directions, Rachel continues to write and publish short fiction. She released her first novel, Soft Target, in early 2013. In addition to writing for the online military interest zine "Task & Purpose," she blogs her thoughts about reading and the writing life at The Infamous Scribbler. You can also follow her on Twitter, where she goes by the handle @rachelabrune.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 24, 2015
One bright and shiny star awarded for a kick ass heroine and one for the unusual aspects of the anti-hero and his interesting mix of jaded soldier and werewolf shifter.
I have been thinking long and hard about why this book and I did not gel.
- Werewolves?
- Covert operations?
- A human trafficking ring?
- A misunderstood anti-hero?
- A kick ass female partner?
- Double crossing?
Yes to all...That should be right up my street; and yet I was left as cold as the title of the book although instead of a run it dragged. I read dutifully onwards watching the time tick slowly down on my kindle.
I think it is a case of,'it is not you, it's me'. This was like being stuck at a party or bar with someone you have very little in common with and no means of polite escape - small talk carries on stilted and un-amusing and time drags.
The protagonist Rick Keller had very little that appealed to me, I saw the occasional glimpse and then it was gone again. His teammates had even less to endear them. The whole group appeared unpleasant leading me to wonder what could have occurred in their lives to make them so callous. None of the answers were forthcoming.
Again, perhaps that is my pacifist credentials showing, I like purpose and principle whilst reading adventure. Perhaps this is too realistic and these guys were just following (for the most part) orders. My disdain was plentiful.
I suspect the story told in first person by shifter Rick is expected to be sardonic or partly tongue in cheek. If he had witty repartee it fell flat for me. These people had no passion other than anger and contempt; and limited amounts of compassion. Their mission to break a human trafficking ring was undertaken with no particular enthusiasm or principle it seemed other than to complete a mission.
My mission was to read the book and provide an honest review.
What I thought was particularly clever was highlighting Rick's heightened sense of smell and his efforts to control his inner wolf whilst sometimes letting rip. Literally.
The fact that his teammates had no ethical problems shooting him and filling his body with toxins to either induce or repress his wolf quite simply appalled me.
So this book is not a good fit for me. Perhaps it is more suited to those who want a brutish adventure story with an unusual paranormal twist. My mistake was in thinking that there might be some depth to the story other than following orders often under duress for an unscrupulous secret organization that clearly has its own agenda not shared with the reader.
My thanks to the author who generously supplied the book via Shut Up and Read group's Read It & Reap event in exchange for an honest review. I really hoped I would like this more than I did there are some great elements and I can imagine that some could get really caught up in the cross continent adventure story.
I have been thinking long and hard about why this book and I did not gel.
- Werewolves?
- Covert operations?
- A human trafficking ring?
- A misunderstood anti-hero?
- A kick ass female partner?
- Double crossing?
Yes to all...That should be right up my street; and yet I was left as cold as the title of the book although instead of a run it dragged. I read dutifully onwards watching the time tick slowly down on my kindle.
I think it is a case of,'it is not you, it's me'. This was like being stuck at a party or bar with someone you have very little in common with and no means of polite escape - small talk carries on stilted and un-amusing and time drags.
The protagonist Rick Keller had very little that appealed to me, I saw the occasional glimpse and then it was gone again. His teammates had even less to endear them. The whole group appeared unpleasant leading me to wonder what could have occurred in their lives to make them so callous. None of the answers were forthcoming.
Again, perhaps that is my pacifist credentials showing, I like purpose and principle whilst reading adventure. Perhaps this is too realistic and these guys were just following (for the most part) orders. My disdain was plentiful.
I suspect the story told in first person by shifter Rick is expected to be sardonic or partly tongue in cheek. If he had witty repartee it fell flat for me. These people had no passion other than anger and contempt; and limited amounts of compassion. Their mission to break a human trafficking ring was undertaken with no particular enthusiasm or principle it seemed other than to complete a mission.
My mission was to read the book and provide an honest review.
What I thought was particularly clever was highlighting Rick's heightened sense of smell and his efforts to control his inner wolf whilst sometimes letting rip. Literally.
The fact that his teammates had no ethical problems shooting him and filling his body with toxins to either induce or repress his wolf quite simply appalled me.
So this book is not a good fit for me. Perhaps it is more suited to those who want a brutish adventure story with an unusual paranormal twist. My mistake was in thinking that there might be some depth to the story other than following orders often under duress for an unscrupulous secret organization that clearly has its own agenda not shared with the reader.
My thanks to the author who generously supplied the book via Shut Up and Read group's Read It & Reap event in exchange for an honest review. I really hoped I would like this more than I did there are some great elements and I can imagine that some could get really caught up in the cross continent adventure story.
September 4, 2014
~JERZIE’S REVIEW~
I love all things shifters and I was excited when Cassia offered me the chance to review it. Cold Run was a gifted copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Richard “Keller” is a wolf shifter, living out his freedom in solitude. One day that all changes, and he is thrown back into his old life. Keller is a strong male character and I loved his rough exterior and equally gruff demeanor. Being forced to work on yet another secret mission after so many years away from that life, and with no option but to obey would make anyone a bit jaded. Let’s just say, this wolf doesn’t like to be “collared” by anyone, not even by the sassy Dr. Karen Willet.
Karen also works for MONIKER. She is smart, tough and doesn’t take crap from anyone, including Keller. She carries a gun full of silver and isn’t afraid to use it. These two might not be the best match for partners, and along with their handler John "Tell", are all that’s left to fight these criminal masterminds. For partners to trust each other, they’re both going to have to give a little. Can the lone wolf and stubborn doctor find a way to work together to complete the mission or will outside sources pull them apart?
I enjoyed how original and fresh this story was. It was well written and I loved Keller's fierceness when in wolf form. There are a lot of twists and turns that keep readers guessing right up until the end.
I will warn you that this is not a love story. Those of you that want your typical shifter romance, this might not be for you. Now that’s not to say there isn’t a few brief moments between Karen and Keller that had potential and sexual tension that keeps the romance buff in me content but I just wish there was more passion.
But if you’re looking for something a little different and action driven, then one click this bad boy. Everyone knows I love a good romance, but I found Cold Run exciting and I couldn’t put it down. If you’re tired of the same old shifter stories, give this one a chance :)
**3 Deliciously Wicked Stars**
Jerz
deliciouslywickedbooks.com
I love all things shifters and I was excited when Cassia offered me the chance to review it. Cold Run was a gifted copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Richard “Keller” is a wolf shifter, living out his freedom in solitude. One day that all changes, and he is thrown back into his old life. Keller is a strong male character and I loved his rough exterior and equally gruff demeanor. Being forced to work on yet another secret mission after so many years away from that life, and with no option but to obey would make anyone a bit jaded. Let’s just say, this wolf doesn’t like to be “collared” by anyone, not even by the sassy Dr. Karen Willet.
Karen also works for MONIKER. She is smart, tough and doesn’t take crap from anyone, including Keller. She carries a gun full of silver and isn’t afraid to use it. These two might not be the best match for partners, and along with their handler John "Tell", are all that’s left to fight these criminal masterminds. For partners to trust each other, they’re both going to have to give a little. Can the lone wolf and stubborn doctor find a way to work together to complete the mission or will outside sources pull them apart?
I enjoyed how original and fresh this story was. It was well written and I loved Keller's fierceness when in wolf form. There are a lot of twists and turns that keep readers guessing right up until the end.
I will warn you that this is not a love story. Those of you that want your typical shifter romance, this might not be for you. Now that’s not to say there isn’t a few brief moments between Karen and Keller that had potential and sexual tension that keeps the romance buff in me content but I just wish there was more passion.
But if you’re looking for something a little different and action driven, then one click this bad boy. Everyone knows I love a good romance, but I found Cold Run exciting and I couldn’t put it down. If you’re tired of the same old shifter stories, give this one a chance :)
**3 Deliciously Wicked Stars**
Jerz
deliciouslywickedbooks.com
December 19, 2014
I love mysteries - straight up mysteries, cozy mysteries, romantic mysteries, and urban fantasies with mysteries. I also enjoy thrillers and action adventure books. And werewolves; give me a werewolf any day. Between the blurb and the cover (hello, good, I was sold.
Keller is a lone werewolf who is retired from spy work. When he's kidnapped and forced back into the work, he resists but then finds himself sucked back in. He's assigned to a handler, Tell, who is an all-around scumbag and a**hole. Then there's Karen, the other member of their team and the granddaughter of a woman that Keller once loved. Keller himself is something of an a**hole but recognizes that and has moments of compassion.
We don't actually learn about much about werewolves in this world though we get some hints towards the end of the story. Since I love werewolves so much, that was a disappointment for me. There were some humorous moments where Keller strolls into a room naked after a change from wolf to human but the overall tone of the book is dark. There's torture, killing, girls and women sold as sex slaves, and unethical experimentation. This is not a light and happy urban fantasy.
The story rambles for a bit, especially around the middle, but mostly there's a lot of action with a mix of the predictable and some surprises. I liked that, with one or two exceptions, the characters are gray, not all good or all bad, but a believable mix. I hope that there's a second book that expands on the world building as it was light in this one. It took me a while to get into the story, and then it slowed down a bit but once the action picked up it didn't stop.
"Cold Run" is a solid mix of thriller and dark urban fantasy that will keep you reading to see how events play out.
Keller is a lone werewolf who is retired from spy work. When he's kidnapped and forced back into the work, he resists but then finds himself sucked back in. He's assigned to a handler, Tell, who is an all-around scumbag and a**hole. Then there's Karen, the other member of their team and the granddaughter of a woman that Keller once loved. Keller himself is something of an a**hole but recognizes that and has moments of compassion.
We don't actually learn about much about werewolves in this world though we get some hints towards the end of the story. Since I love werewolves so much, that was a disappointment for me. There were some humorous moments where Keller strolls into a room naked after a change from wolf to human but the overall tone of the book is dark. There's torture, killing, girls and women sold as sex slaves, and unethical experimentation. This is not a light and happy urban fantasy.
The story rambles for a bit, especially around the middle, but mostly there's a lot of action with a mix of the predictable and some surprises. I liked that, with one or two exceptions, the characters are gray, not all good or all bad, but a believable mix. I hope that there's a second book that expands on the world building as it was light in this one. It took me a while to get into the story, and then it slowed down a bit but once the action picked up it didn't stop.
"Cold Run" is a solid mix of thriller and dark urban fantasy that will keep you reading to see how events play out.
August 21, 2015
Rick Keller liked his life in secluded Vermont where no one could bother him. Rick thought getting phone call telling him to be somewhere he's thrown back to the past when he worked for MONIKER. Rick hoped to be left alone but apparently that's not going to happen anytime soon. MONIKER has an assignment which Rick reluctantly agrees to. MONIKER has other ideas for Rick which don't make him any happier to be there. Rick dislikes his two partners John Tell and Dr. Karen Willet. Will Rick complete the assignment? Will MONIKER let Rick go? Your answers await you in Cold Run.
This new to me author created a wonderful world full of surprises, mystery, and intrigue. The story and characters are real, raw, honest, flawed, compelling, and intriguing too. I look forward to more from this author in the future.
This new to me author created a wonderful world full of surprises, mystery, and intrigue. The story and characters are real, raw, honest, flawed, compelling, and intriguing too. I look forward to more from this author in the future.
September 20, 2014
I made the pleasurable mistake of reading this really late last night and the result was that I stayed up until morning to finish it.
The MC dynamics of this story was entertaining and the story was awesome and kept me going until the very end. I loved that the Keller was a "wolf" in and out of his four legged form. And I loved that Karen doesn't take any shit.
This isn't a love story at least not in the conventional sense, but the undertones are there. It is also not a "fluffy" paranormal story, it is action packed and will keep you guessing through out.
The MC dynamics of this story was entertaining and the story was awesome and kept me going until the very end. I loved that the Keller was a "wolf" in and out of his four legged form. And I loved that Karen doesn't take any shit.
This isn't a love story at least not in the conventional sense, but the undertones are there. It is also not a "fluffy" paranormal story, it is action packed and will keep you guessing through out.
September 7, 2014
A conspiracy, a shirtless romance cover, a werewolf, an attractive operative, urban paranormal suspense. Now that that’s out of the way…
Even if you don’t normally go for those things, “A Cold Run” is also a damn good story. Keller has a centuries old need for justice and a real disdain for authority, in this spy-thriller-suspense that pairs him with Karen- the M-4 sharp-shooting operative who might be his redemption, equal, or downfall; and Tell, the contrary chain-smoking, disgruntled handler. When Keller is forcefully called out of retirement, he spends almost as much time gruffly battling his role in this trio as he does in fulfilling the mission, while also circumventing the rules of engagement, in what proves to be a likeable-hellion role.
What emerges is a three-dimensional character. On the one hand, I occasionally wondered why someone a couple hundred years old would fall prey to the follies of a chivalric knight in rusted armor, and at the same time, be as jaded as they come. The urban shape-shifting might throw you off for a minute, but he’s a classic hero, that’s why. Keller loves women (and no, not just the damsels in distress) and will go to any lengths to protect them. If he gets hurt or martyred in the process, well, it plays perfectly into the guilt and need for redemption that drive him. He’s also a ruthless killer with a conscience, who has isolated himself from people and his past to avoid this very quagmire and isn’t real keen on being forced back into it.
The story itself, while character-driven, is also so action-packed, it’s hard not to read it in one sitting. Rachel’s writing verges on journalistic, a just-the-facts-ma’am approach, with an economy of speech that keeps the reader solely focused on the story. Keller’s voice rings true throughout in statements like, “My luck held, which is to say the grenade was a dud, and then I found myself in the back of the truck with a dozen furious Russian soldiers…” There’s no beating around the bush and there’s no calling an ace a spade and yet there’s just enough detail to satisfy the senses. “A Cold Run” is a refreshingly direct novel with cross-genre appeal, a finely woven tale of conspiracy and conflict, akin to Stephen Hunter’s “Shooter”.
July 31, 2014
This book is one the you don't want to put down and also leaves you begging for more. The start of the book is hard to follow at first but then it really draws you in. By the end of the book you are sitting on the edge of your seat. Rick Keller is living his life in seclusion just like he wants. That is until the agency he use to work for needs his help and they are not taking no for a answer. He has no choice but to go back the only thing that helps the matter is his partner Karen. While they work to find out who the ringleader is taking girls and putting them into brothels. He has to work to control his wolf side but is it possible. At first the characters was hard to grasp but as the book goes on you get a better understanding for then and where they come from. Rick Keller will melt your heart when he shows compassion for the girls. I give this book a 4.5 fang review. *reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock*
November 7, 2015
WOW! Cold Run is not what I thought it'd be. I was pleasantly surprised. Shifter books are one of my fav's but Cold Run isn't your typical shifter romance. Nope, not even close. Dangerous missions, black op type situations and a smart-mouthed MC sums it up.
Rick Keller is forced back into a life he'd rather forget. No one likes being drugged and then waking up with a collar... not even a werewolf. As long as Keller can deliver the bad guys, he can return to the sedentary lifestyle. However, one wrong step leads to another until all hell breaks free. Keller and Karen, Keller's partner, find themselves in a world of trouble. Betrayed by the people they were supposed to trust, the two rush to finish the mission and save the day. Easy enough, right?
Rick Keller is forced back into a life he'd rather forget. No one likes being drugged and then waking up with a collar... not even a werewolf. As long as Keller can deliver the bad guys, he can return to the sedentary lifestyle. However, one wrong step leads to another until all hell breaks free. Keller and Karen, Keller's partner, find themselves in a world of trouble. Betrayed by the people they were supposed to trust, the two rush to finish the mission and save the day. Easy enough, right?
August 5, 2014
I received an ecopy of Cold Run in exchange for an honest review.
Although the story starts out a bit on the rough to register side, about midway through you will catch on…It is a great story once you start to understand it. I think maybe there was a bit too much left out in the beginning.
If you can power through a few hard chapters you will not be disappointed. The book gets really awesome!
I am glad I kept reading, and I would definitely recommend this book to others with the understanding that they have to read for a bit to understand the situation.
Although the story starts out a bit on the rough to register side, about midway through you will catch on…It is a great story once you start to understand it. I think maybe there was a bit too much left out in the beginning.
If you can power through a few hard chapters you will not be disappointed. The book gets really awesome!
I am glad I kept reading, and I would definitely recommend this book to others with the understanding that they have to read for a bit to understand the situation.
Read
September 2, 2014I truly enjoyed this book. I will be reading many of her other books. This one was very interesting to read and hope to one day find out there will be a movie made from it.
September 26, 2014
Action Packed, Page Turner!
May 2, 2025
Cold Run is about a spy being pulled back into the game against his will by his old organization, MONKIER after a decade out. They want him to do a run, an operation, with a team he never worked with, cold. Only instead of being a strict Spy Thriller investigating human trafficking (which is done very well), Ms. Brune also mixed in the Urban Fantasy genre where the spy is a werewolf (much much more OLD SCHOOL MONSTER than fuzzy love interest most modern UF feature) and MONKIER is using silver to force him to cooperate.
Overall the story is dark, between the werewolf and the human trafficking, trust is rare, between the dark-gray organization and cold-team, and no one is nice. If you are looking for humor or romance, this is not the book for you. If you are wanting international action-packed adventure of the dark-gray variety, you will have a great time.
The second book of the series came out recently.
Overall the story is dark, between the werewolf and the human trafficking, trust is rare, between the dark-gray organization and cold-team, and no one is nice. If you are looking for humor or romance, this is not the book for you. If you are wanting international action-packed adventure of the dark-gray variety, you will have a great time.
The second book of the series came out recently.
March 6, 2024
This book was phenomenal!! It reminded me of a mix between Taken, Reacher and Captain America but with a werewolf as the protagonist. I have soo many questions but in a good way that I'm certain the sequel and maybe even third can answer and there is sooo many open doors for additional storylines. It's written by a vet so there are subtle and "inside" military phrases and jargon used that are fun to identify. Overall I highly recommend this book!!
February 15, 2023
thriller
More thriller than UF. Well written. Werewolf disrupts sex trafficking in Europe. If you like high stakes thrillers this is for you.
More thriller than UF. Well written. Werewolf disrupts sex trafficking in Europe. If you like high stakes thrillers this is for you.
January 4, 2025
Ready for book two!
August 26, 2015
Cold Run really surprised me- in places it was a paranormal shifter novel and in others it was a mystery/crime thriller novel about some pretty dark subjects (human trafficking- which was dealt with up close and personal and in a very real way). I enjoyed what was a pretty unique shifter novel.
I was expecting PNR from cover but I'd probably call it paranormal/horror/thriller- there's virtually no romantic content and it's pretty gory and disturbing in places so do be aware of that before you pick it up. The blurb doesn't really mention romance but in my head topless guy generally equals romance. I enjoy those genres anyway so I didn't mind but if you were expecting a lighter book it might come as a bit of a nasty surprise.
Rick Keller is a bit of an antihero character- he's not particularly likeable but he's fun to read about. He's pretty abrasive with a very flexible moral code, he has flashes of real compassion that make him a sympathetic character at times.
As a shifter he's not a person who turns into a cute fluffball every now and then he's wolfy whichever form he's in. While he does act more human in human form the conditions he's in don't make him want to make much of an effort- after being forced back to work for MONIKER spends most of the book hating the organisation and most the people in it. MONIKER is apparently full of bureaucrats on their own little power trips- Rick Keller has every reason to be pissed off at them. Karen (the beautiful operative who is better with guns than relationships) is someone he respects- at least enough to make some attempt to act in a less abrasive manner.
I liked that Karen was there as a character in her own right- she's a sharpshooter, highly intelligent and a lot more than a romantic foil. Karen was also a pretty conflicted character- she's torn between her dislike of Rick- and annoyance at the way he acts and annoyance at MONIKER and the way they are acting. She thinks he's unprofessional and acts outside the limits of his MONIKER job, but also recognises that MONIKER isn't always right. I was never quite sure whether she wanted to shoot him or the third part of their team- Tell.
Tell (a sadistic agent who loves making dog jokes) is an a complete jerk. He hates seem to Keller and given a small level of power over him is going to make use of every bit of that power. While Keller and him are both abrasive jerks, they are very different characters- Keller is physical and impulsive while Tell is more of a long term plotter who like to think of himself as smarter than every one else.
The combination of perhaps the least cohesive team possible with characters full of their own faults makes for a really interesting read- they're all so different and uncooperative that it makes them unpredictable I never knew what stunt one of them would pull next. It made the story really unique as a shifter story- I had no idea where it was going and that was really refreshing (I've read a few too many similar shifter stories).
While the paranormal element did play a big part in the story in other places it could almost have been a crime story as we follow our characters all over the world as they hunt down an international human trafficking ring. For all the Keller is impulsive and a bit insane he's also trained as a covert operative and we really saw both sides of him (and the team). I'd like to see more of the world- we don't really get much about Keller's origins or the Paranormal side of the world in general- the story isn't focused on that and it doesn't feel like it's missing but I'd still like to see more of this world.
*ebook provided in exchange for review*
I was expecting PNR from cover but I'd probably call it paranormal/horror/thriller- there's virtually no romantic content and it's pretty gory and disturbing in places so do be aware of that before you pick it up. The blurb doesn't really mention romance but in my head topless guy generally equals romance. I enjoy those genres anyway so I didn't mind but if you were expecting a lighter book it might come as a bit of a nasty surprise.
Rick Keller is a bit of an antihero character- he's not particularly likeable but he's fun to read about. He's pretty abrasive with a very flexible moral code, he has flashes of real compassion that make him a sympathetic character at times.
As a shifter he's not a person who turns into a cute fluffball every now and then he's wolfy whichever form he's in. While he does act more human in human form the conditions he's in don't make him want to make much of an effort- after being forced back to work for MONIKER spends most of the book hating the organisation and most the people in it. MONIKER is apparently full of bureaucrats on their own little power trips- Rick Keller has every reason to be pissed off at them. Karen (the beautiful operative who is better with guns than relationships) is someone he respects- at least enough to make some attempt to act in a less abrasive manner.
I liked that Karen was there as a character in her own right- she's a sharpshooter, highly intelligent and a lot more than a romantic foil. Karen was also a pretty conflicted character- she's torn between her dislike of Rick- and annoyance at the way he acts and annoyance at MONIKER and the way they are acting. She thinks he's unprofessional and acts outside the limits of his MONIKER job, but also recognises that MONIKER isn't always right. I was never quite sure whether she wanted to shoot him or the third part of their team- Tell.
Tell (a sadistic agent who loves making dog jokes) is an a complete jerk. He hates seem to Keller and given a small level of power over him is going to make use of every bit of that power. While Keller and him are both abrasive jerks, they are very different characters- Keller is physical and impulsive while Tell is more of a long term plotter who like to think of himself as smarter than every one else.
The combination of perhaps the least cohesive team possible with characters full of their own faults makes for a really interesting read- they're all so different and uncooperative that it makes them unpredictable I never knew what stunt one of them would pull next. It made the story really unique as a shifter story- I had no idea where it was going and that was really refreshing (I've read a few too many similar shifter stories).
While the paranormal element did play a big part in the story in other places it could almost have been a crime story as we follow our characters all over the world as they hunt down an international human trafficking ring. For all the Keller is impulsive and a bit insane he's also trained as a covert operative and we really saw both sides of him (and the team). I'd like to see more of the world- we don't really get much about Keller's origins or the Paranormal side of the world in general- the story isn't focused on that and it doesn't feel like it's missing but I'd still like to see more of this world.
*ebook provided in exchange for review*
August 19, 2015
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I'm a bit unsure of how to rate this book. I did like the storyline. It was good to see a paranormal book from the perspective of a male character... and I did like Rick as a character. While he didn't have as much of a smart mouth as was implied by the narration, some of what he came out with did make me smile... and I thought his character had a lot of depth.
By the end of the book, I really didn't like Tell... even though I did have a lot of questions about him by the end. I also spent a lot of the book not liking Karen. While I could understand her hesitation about Rick, I thought she treated him as little better than an animal. I didn't like the fact that Rick was attracted to her, due to the strong negative feelings I had towards her.
While there wasn't a whole lot of mystery to this book, there was quite a lot of action. I would have liked to know more details about Rick's history... how he became a werewolf. At one point, I thought it was because he was bitten... and then I wondered if it was hereditary. I'm still not sure by the end of this book what it was.
I did find the bits and pieces I learned of Rick's past to be really intriguing and I would have liked to know even more of him. I thought he came across as a good guy... apart from the whole eating other humans thing. But when I was reading that, it actually seemed to make sense when Rick was doing that in his wolf form. Especially when he was hungry.
I did think there was a lot of weakening of their own allies. I was intrigued by Rick's relationship to Karen's grandmother and I would have liked to learn more about that, as well as the rest of his history.
There was a lot about this book that was well-written. I liked Alia's character and I would have liked to see more of her during the course of the book.
I'd like to read a sequel to this book at some point in the future. This book was very intriguing and it would be good to see more of Rick.
(This review may contain spoilers).
I'm a bit unsure of how to rate this book. I did like the storyline. It was good to see a paranormal book from the perspective of a male character... and I did like Rick as a character. While he didn't have as much of a smart mouth as was implied by the narration, some of what he came out with did make me smile... and I thought his character had a lot of depth.
By the end of the book, I really didn't like Tell... even though I did have a lot of questions about him by the end. I also spent a lot of the book not liking Karen. While I could understand her hesitation about Rick, I thought she treated him as little better than an animal. I didn't like the fact that Rick was attracted to her, due to the strong negative feelings I had towards her.
While there wasn't a whole lot of mystery to this book, there was quite a lot of action. I would have liked to know more details about Rick's history... how he became a werewolf. At one point, I thought it was because he was bitten... and then I wondered if it was hereditary. I'm still not sure by the end of this book what it was.
I did find the bits and pieces I learned of Rick's past to be really intriguing and I would have liked to know even more of him. I thought he came across as a good guy... apart from the whole eating other humans thing. But when I was reading that, it actually seemed to make sense when Rick was doing that in his wolf form. Especially when he was hungry.
I did think there was a lot of weakening of their own allies. I was intrigued by Rick's relationship to Karen's grandmother and I would have liked to learn more about that, as well as the rest of his history.
There was a lot about this book that was well-written. I liked Alia's character and I would have liked to see more of her during the course of the book.
I'd like to read a sequel to this book at some point in the future. This book was very intriguing and it would be good to see more of Rick.
February 2, 2015
This is the second book I've read by Ms. Brune, and it certainly won't be the last.
Cold Run is an exciting adventure from start to finish, and Ms. Brune displays her brilliant ability to tell a fast-paced, action packed story with humor, direct language and wonderful descriptions.
The story races from one country to the next, and the pace never lets up as the characters work to break a human trafficking ring. But there are any number of surprises as you work your way through this book, and the main character, Jake Keller is both flawed, humorous and vastly entertaining to read about. Personally, I'd love to see further stories involving Jake Keller, because he was sarcastic, jaded and yet, intrinsically appealing as a flawed character who was really being given a raw deal all around.
The secondary characters were also well written and enjoyable, with some being very easy to like, and others being particularly easy to loathe. Speaking of 'loathe', I found myself loathe to put it down until I got to the end, and definitely would define it as a 'page turner'.
Highly recommended for those who love thrillers, werewolves, military/weaponry, secretive operatives and a rollicking adventure. Beautifully written, edited really well and it will definitely stay on my Kindle to be enjoyed again in the future.
Cold Run is an exciting adventure from start to finish, and Ms. Brune displays her brilliant ability to tell a fast-paced, action packed story with humor, direct language and wonderful descriptions.
The story races from one country to the next, and the pace never lets up as the characters work to break a human trafficking ring. But there are any number of surprises as you work your way through this book, and the main character, Jake Keller is both flawed, humorous and vastly entertaining to read about. Personally, I'd love to see further stories involving Jake Keller, because he was sarcastic, jaded and yet, intrinsically appealing as a flawed character who was really being given a raw deal all around.
The secondary characters were also well written and enjoyable, with some being very easy to like, and others being particularly easy to loathe. Speaking of 'loathe', I found myself loathe to put it down until I got to the end, and definitely would define it as a 'page turner'.
Highly recommended for those who love thrillers, werewolves, military/weaponry, secretive operatives and a rollicking adventure. Beautifully written, edited really well and it will definitely stay on my Kindle to be enjoyed again in the future.
August 25, 2015
Keller, a werewolf and a former MONIKER operative, has been living in seclusion for the last ten years. He hasn't worked on controlling the change for quite sometime and his operative skills are rusty. He wants nothing more than to be left alone. Then, one night he is forcefully captured and re-enlisted by MONIKER. The agency has one goal in mind, and that is to stop criminal organizations responsible for the kidnapping and sex trafficking of young girls. Keller's partner Dr. Karen Willey is the only thing that makes his position a little more tolerable. Under handler John "Tell" the two set out to stop those responsible for the girls abductions.
This is not your typical shifter series. It is more of a suspense thriller with a touch of the paranormal. It is action packed and will keep you wanting more. You won't be able to put it down.
This is not your typical shifter series. It is more of a suspense thriller with a touch of the paranormal. It is action packed and will keep you wanting more. You won't be able to put it down.
September 14, 2014
What Angela thought: 5 stars
WOW! Cold Run is not what I thought it’d be. I was pleasantly surprised. Shifter books are one of my fav’s but Cold Run isn’t your typical shifter romance. Nope, not even close. Dangerous missions, black op type situations and a smart-mouthed MC sums it up.
Rick Keller is forced back into a life he’d rather forget. No one likes being drugged and then waking up with a collar… not even a werewolf. As long as Keller can deliver the bad guys, he can return to the sedentary lifestyle. However, one wrong step leads to another until all hell breaks free. Keller and Karen, Keller’s partner, find themselves in a world of trouble. Betrayed by the people they were supposed to trust, the two rush to finish the mission and save the day. Easy enough, right?
WOW! Cold Run is not what I thought it’d be. I was pleasantly surprised. Shifter books are one of my fav’s but Cold Run isn’t your typical shifter romance. Nope, not even close. Dangerous missions, black op type situations and a smart-mouthed MC sums it up.
Rick Keller is forced back into a life he’d rather forget. No one likes being drugged and then waking up with a collar… not even a werewolf. As long as Keller can deliver the bad guys, he can return to the sedentary lifestyle. However, one wrong step leads to another until all hell breaks free. Keller and Karen, Keller’s partner, find themselves in a world of trouble. Betrayed by the people they were supposed to trust, the two rush to finish the mission and save the day. Easy enough, right?
August 15, 2015
I received this book in exchange for a review.
Rick is a werewolf that has left a top secret organization. He is forced back into the organization but doesn't really know why. He is abused and tortured before finally leaving on the mission.
The book started out very slow for me. I think a lot of explanation is left out about the background of the book. The book does need some formatting. I also thought the ending left you just hanging. It isn't really explained why he betrayed by one of his "partners" on the mission. There could be a sequel to the book. I enjoyed the book but it wasn't a book that I just couldn't put down.
Rick is a werewolf that has left a top secret organization. He is forced back into the organization but doesn't really know why. He is abused and tortured before finally leaving on the mission.
The book started out very slow for me. I think a lot of explanation is left out about the background of the book. The book does need some formatting. I also thought the ending left you just hanging. It isn't really explained why he betrayed by one of his "partners" on the mission. There could be a sequel to the book. I enjoyed the book but it wasn't a book that I just couldn't put down.
August 25, 2015
What a joy to read a well-written, well-crafted story! I am not a werewolf fan, by any means, but I was immediately swept up in Rick Heller's adventure and found myself in complete sympathy with the character. His plight is horrific and the people who he needs to trust are the ones most ready to do him harm, it seems. The plot moved along at break-neck speed, but allowed for a few quiet moments of calm where I could catch my breath and worry about what would happen next.
Nicely done, Ms. Brune...
Nicely done, Ms. Brune...
August 6, 2015
Plot: 4 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Narration: 3 stars
Editing: 5 stars
I felt like I was dropped in to an existing, ongoing story. I didn't really sympathize with the protagonist, though I understand he's literally a lone wolf (by choice). In fact, I didn't really connect - or even like - any of the characters.
This might be the first book in the series, so there's lots of room for additional details, but overall I felt left out of things.
Lots of action and swearing.
Characters: 3 stars
Narration: 3 stars
Editing: 5 stars
I felt like I was dropped in to an existing, ongoing story. I didn't really sympathize with the protagonist, though I understand he's literally a lone wolf (by choice). In fact, I didn't really connect - or even like - any of the characters.
This might be the first book in the series, so there's lots of room for additional details, but overall I felt left out of things.
Lots of action and swearing.
August 17, 2015
1st - I received this book in return for my review 2nd - this book was OK - and I say that because the story is there - I can feel it, but wither I missed something or there is a lot of back story that just isn't there in this book. I feel like there should have been a little more info on what and where the main character comes from. You get snip its of it - same with the rest of the characters. But overall action packed book and I felt it could be great with just a little more
August 4, 2015
Cold Run was an interesting take on shifters. Between the conspiracy, the characters and the great writing it was hard to put down.
A very action packed thriller about an old shifter called out of his solitary retirement, his new partner and their handler trying to find out who the ringleaders are in a new human trafficking trade.
A very well written original story.
A very action packed thriller about an old shifter called out of his solitary retirement, his new partner and their handler trying to find out who the ringleaders are in a new human trafficking trade.
A very well written original story.
April 12, 2016
Captivating from beginning to end. Highly recommend this thrilling story!
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