Wolf Claim

Wolves of Willow Bend #3

by Heather Long

Gillian Whitford, darling of Willow Bend, brings out the protective instincts in all the dominants, but none more so than Owen Chase, the pack’s Hunter. A loner by nature and calling, Owen spends less time with his pack mates and more time on the borders of their land. Not even the change in the Alpha and the swearing of a new oath kept him around long.


Winds of change still drift through Willow Bend as they adjust to their new Alpha. When the Hudson River pack requests a fill-in healer to replace their own, Gillian, journeymen apprentice to their Pack healer, is the obvious choice to help. Owen forbids her to accept, but the sweet natured wolf rebukes his selfishness and volunteers anyway.


Risking a challenge, Owen faces off against his Alpha to appeal her decision and finds himself charged with her safety. Now, the loner will be escorting one of his pack’s most precious into foreign lands. He’s all that stands between her and a dozen potential threats…and if he doesn’t stake his claim, he may lose more than his heart.

Genres: Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Ebooks, Werewolves

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2014

About the author

I love books. Not just a little bit, but a lot. Books were my best friends when I was growing up. Books didn’t care if I was new to a town or to a class. They were always there, my trustiest of companions. Until they turned on me and said I had to write them.

I can tell you that my own personal happily ever after included writing books. I’ve always said that an HEA is a work in progress. It’s true in my marriage, my friendships, and in my career. I am constantly nurturing my muse as we dive into new tales, new tropes, new characters and more.

After seventeen years back in Texas, we relocated to the Pacific Northwest in search of seasons, new experiences, and new geography. I can’t wait to discover what life (and my muse) have in store for me.

Maybe writing was always my destiny and romance my fate. After all, my grandmother wasn’t a fan of picture books and used to read me her Harlequin Romance novels.

Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, friends to enemies to lovers, you name it, I love them and love to write them. I started with Earth Witches Aren’t Easy, the first in the Chance Monroe trilogy, but my characters and I have traveled a long way since I created that urban fantasy world.

One of the series I hear my readers recommend the most is the Untouchable series followed in quick succession by the Vandals, and that just delights me. No lie, whenever one of my readers brings up my wolves, I do a little a fist pump.

I’m active on social media, and I love hearing from readers. Feel free to tag me with a question about any of my books, or just say hi!

Reviews

[ZARIA (Sheldon Cooper lover) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillian Whitford, darling of Willow Bend, brings out the protective instincts in all the dominants, but none more so than Owen Chase, the pack’s Hunter.
Gillian


When the Hudson River pack requests a fill in healer to replace their own, Gillian, journeymen apprentice to their Pack healer, is the obvious choice to help.
Owen


Oh my, oh my. Smokin story, I do love wolves!! The characters are wonderful and the story line is interesting. I expected this book to be like a lots of shifter stories about dominant wolf and with a lot of sex. I was wrong so very wrong. This book was drama, pack dynamics, dominant vs submissive, danger, suspense and love.
5 stars and a book i defientely recommend!

[Annie Slasher (Booked & Loaded) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an original review from http://bookedandloaded.com ~ I personally purchased this title. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Wolf Claim is Heather Long‘s third installment in her Wolves of Willow Bend series. Wolf Claim broadens our knowledge of other packs as well as the dynamic between the healers and their pack. A great installment in this new paranormal series!

Long’s writing is addictive. The worlds flow with smooth consistency, like buttah. Her story telling truly does make you feel like part of this world and I don’t want to leave. So much so, I wanted to seriously kick this hero in the nuts. Maybe repeatedly. He was a flippin’ man idiot. The flip side is the healer heroine. She chased that idiot down until he had nowhere to go. That being said, Long did an amazing job giving the idiot, errr Owen a realistic feel with a genuine and honest reason he was the way he was. Their relationship dance was different and very entertaining to read!

The reverse chase on this was well done and I think the place I went slightly awry was my bizarre fascination with the Alpha from the other pack. I am now demanding a book about just him, because wowza. I want him! I am still thinking about him… *dreamy sigh* We learn about this other wolf pack to help solve a mystery! I love mysteries and it was another layer of joy added to this series.

This was a great paranormal romance with a traditional HEA. THANK GOODNESS! The light feel and realistic characters make this book and series a reread for me.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book 3 of this wonderful series the author delves more into the traits of a healer. I am lowing thif world. This author has a knack for telling an awesome story. To me, each book is like a new journey with the surprise of cameos by the previous characters we have fallen in love with. So far this series is a must read for me. On to the next book!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like these wolves and their pack structure and the characters involved. This was short but a good read.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I stumbled across this book whilst browsing for healer heroines, and it caught my attention. In a rare display of patience, I decided to read the two books that come before it in the series with the hope that I would have formed an attachment—due to the extra world and character building—by the time I got around to reading this book. However, I found the first two books so lackluster, that I almost decided not to even bother with this one. Alas, I had made it this far, so I decided to give this series one last chance, hoping that I would be rewarded. And I was. Kinda.

On one hand, I liked this book much more than the previous two. The mysterious deaths storyline was engaging, and I enjoyed seeing Gillian use her healer powers and expertise.

On the other hand, the execution of the mystery plot line left a lot to be desired. The antagonist wasn’t difficult to identify given that he was one of three developed characters in the Hudson River pack, and two of the three were—yet again—obviously not said antagonist. Also, I found the eureka! moments that the characters had difficult to follow; I just couldn’t understand the leaps of logic that got them to their conclusions.

Consistency was another issue that I ran into. Example:

Gillian’s Inner Dialogue

Toman had his own eccentricities. The disloyal thought didn’t sit well with her. She’d heard the stories and the rumors about Toman’s actions, most notably his abandonment of A.J. Buckley to the human justice system. There were other stories—seedier ones. The type she didn’t want to believe, so she didn’t ask about them.

Gillian Three Pages Later

“It’s when we pretend everything is all right when it isn’t that we run into trouble.” Delusion in a wolf was a dangerous adversary.

Maybe I misinterpreted, but hadn’t she admitted to remaining willfully ignorant of the previous alpha’s corruption solely because she didn’t want it to be true? And maybe I’m misinterpreting once again, but it sounds like Gillian is against the very thing she did—and continues to do—as if she herself wasn’t guilty of it.

Title: Wolf Claim
(Wolves of Willow Bend #3)
POV(s): Dual—Third Person
Interconnected Series: Yes
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA: Yes
Genre(s): Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Mystery-Suspense
Triggers: N/A
Tags/Tropes:
❖ Alpha-Male-Hero
❖ Friends-to-Lovers
❖ Grumpy-Hero-Sweet-Heroine
❖ Healer-Heroine
❖ Hero-Pushes-Heroine-Away
❖ Hero-Thinks-Heroine-Deserves-Better
❖ Hunter-Hero
❖ Mysterious-Deaths
❖ Near-Death-Angst
❖ Pack-Politics
❖ Protective-Possessive-Hero
❖ Slow-Burn
❖ Tortured-Hero
❖ Wolf-Shifter

[April ♥"LOS" ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so happy that I found Heather Long and the Wolves of Willow Bend. I really enjoyed this third book in the series. Gillian, the lovable and submissive healer of the Willow Bend pack is being sent to the Hudson River territory to help unravel the mysterious deaths of several wolves. Owen, a hunter and known loner in the Willow Bend pack, is sent along to keep Gillian safe. As if these unexplainable deaths weren't enough trouble, Owen is now forced to travel with the woman he loves, but has refused. After being rejected by Owen in the past, Gillian is hoping that time together may be what Owen needs to realize his feelings for her. When Gillian's life is placed in danger, Owen is forced to acknowledge how he truly feels, but will it be too late for them? I would highly recommend this series to shifter and PNR fans. I look forward to reading the next book in the Wolves of Willow Bend.

[Tanielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Owen and Gillian in this one, they set out to find out what was killing off the Hudson River pack and the mess they found waiting for them was well worth reading. In all I really wanted to read more on Brett, his character was really entertaining even in a quite kind of way. Can’t wait to read more on him and who comes along and snags him.

[BJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the caring h, a healer who is tiny yet fiercely protective of the H. She claims him, and influences another Alpha to better focus on his pack. Good murder-mystery, steam and likeable couple.

[Meiwilli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best of the series thus far...

Owen Chase is a Hunter for the Willow Bend Pack and also serves as counselor to the Alpha, Mason Clayborne. Owen is dedicated to his job and his pack and not interested in mating and will not be distracted until...

Gillian Whitford is a Healer, Journeyman apprentice to the Pack Healer, Emma Halifax who has the hots for Owen and has made it no secret to him that she wants him. Owen believes he is too old (three years older than her), not worthy and that their relationship would never work so he ignores her as best he can while secretly pining for her until Mason sends them together for a road trip to the Hudson River Pack that will change everything.

Owen and Gillian head to Hudson River at the behest of Mason not sure what they will find. They only know that the Pack's Healer is dead and several wolves have died suddenly and the deaths are continuing to rise. In the midst of the sadness and death, it seems the Alpha of Hudson River, Brett Dalton, may be looking for a mate and has set his sights on Gillian, raising Owen's hackles. Long story short, Brett doesn't play games and lets Owen know if he is not going to claim Gillian, he intends to.

Once Owen's hand is forced the courting begins. There are lots of posturing and dominance challenges--usually without a single punch being thrown but eventually, Owen, Gillian, and Brett must work together to find out what is killing of the Hudson River Pack.

Again, the editing is horrible which is the only reason I can't give this story or this series a higher rating.

On my Were Scale of Hotness, 3 stars.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Owen is a hunter that guards the boundries of his pack, hes a loner and walks around with an aggressive attitude and a chip on his shoulder.. He has feelings for his packs healer but he keeps them hidden because he thinks that because she is four years younger than him that she is too young.. He doesnt want anyone else near her either.
A neighboring pack asks for help from their pack when their healer dies as well as several other wolves. They would like our healer to go to their pack and heal the sickness that is taking their members one by one. Our healer decides to go and help but Owen is not happy and he is thankful when our Alpha sends him along to protect her. Our Healer uncovers some secrets and soon realizes its not a illness that is killing the pack members, its murder. she digs deeper and gets to close to the truth and almost pays with her life...
I really enjoyed this story but didnt care for Owen, even when he opened up his reasoning just didnt seem to be enough to why he carries such an aggressive attitude. I think there is more troubling Owen than what he said.. I would like to read more into this series...

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book we get to travel to another pack. Alpha of the Hudson River Pack, Brett Dalton has requested the assistance of Willow Bend. Mason will only assist if the parties involved are okay with it.

The problem, wolves are dying, the latest death, their healer. Brett is requesting a healer to come help solve the mystery.

Willow Bend is unique in that they have two healers, Emma and Gillian. Gillian is young and unmated but is more than capable of handling anything she may find.

Owen and Brett have some pretty interesting interactions concerning the sweet healer, but the problems take the priority.

With all the tension and the discovery of poison, this book quickly and relentlessly drew me in.

With Brett's intentions clearly stated, I had to wonder what Owen would do, I knew what Gillian's reaction would be.

Laughter, tears, twists and turns and so much more. I want more of Owen and Gillian and Brett too!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third installment of the Willow Bend wolves. Long's writing gets better.

I enjoyed Owen and Gillian's story. Gillian is a healer and a submissive wolf by nature. I liked that submissive didn't equal wimpy or someone who blindly obeys. Gillian effectively pushes against Owen and his inherent dominance. We also got to see outside just the Willow Bend pack when Gillian and Owen travel to the Hudson Bay pack to help after their healer died.

Typical of wolf shifter stories, the wolves have their one 'true' mate. In Long's stories, you get the attraction, but not necessarily the insta-love that catapults the characters together. There's alway some challenge thrown in the way of the characters. The mystery surrounding the deaths of the Hudson Bay wolves was entertaining. Plenty of clues to head toward the resolution and the conflict didn't overshadow the progression of Gillian and Owen getting together.

[Kyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been quite obsessed with this series.
I'm slowly working my way through all of the books. And there hasn't been one that I haven't adored yet. Because honestly, I'm trash for any type of Wolf Shifter romance.

Owen is a Hunter. Gillian is a Healer.
One protects. The other saves.
She's been after him for a while now. The attraction between the two of them so reaching a breaking point. But it won't until they are in another pack's territory, trying to help that Alpha figure out why his wolves seem to be dying off. Owen is wildly possessive of Gillian, desperate to make sure she is safe. It's through watching her fight for others, her putting herself in danger for him to realize what was right in front of him.

His protectiveness is just... everything. Every woman wants to be free to be herself, but feel protected by the man who cares about her the most. It was my favorite part of the book.

[Jamoz23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Owen is a loner. He prefers that life as he believes his parents are unhappy together due to being separated by job choice.
He wants Gillian but refuses to interact with her no matter what she says or does.
When Gillian has to visit another pack, Owen fights her going and ends up ordered to accompany her as protection.
Brett, the Alpha of the Hudson pack, makes a play for Gillian which forces Owen to wolf up.
The ending was just a bit silly as it was fairly obvious who the baddie was and Owen was even watching him at the time of the attack.
Sad so many lives were lost.
I read and reviewed this series more years ago than I want to remember.
Seeing there are a lot more books added to this series, I am rereading them through Kindle Unlimited.
Read in the box set through Kindle Unlimited.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillian Whitford, darling of Willow Bend, brings out the protective instincts in all the dominants, but none more so than Owen Chase, the pack’s Hunter. A loner by nature and calling, Owen spends less time with his pack mates and more time on the borders of their land. Not even the change in the Alpha and the swearing of a new oath kept him around long.

Winds of change still drift through Willow Bend as they adjust to their new Alpha. When the Hudson River pack requests a fill-in healer to replace their own, Gillian, journeymen apprentice to their Pack healer, is the obvious choice to help. Owen forbids her to accept, but the sweet natured wolf rebukes his selfishness and volunteers anyway.

Risking a challenge, Owen faces off against his Alpha to appeal her decision and finds himself charged with her safety. Now, the loner will be escorting one of his pack’s most precious into foreign lands. He’s all that stands between her and a dozen potential threats…and if he doesn’t stake his claim, he may lose more than his heart.

[niki_reads_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, with unexpected twists!

When the story began, I had a poor impression of Owen, based on previous books. As the story wound on, Gillian showed us that Owen had good qualities, was lovable, and oh so strong. Gillians task was difficult and unexpected, but with Owen by her side, she (and Hudson River) was able to overcome the odds and heal the fractured pack. All in all, a well though out and entertaining story!

[Juls' Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Loved this. Right amount of angst, tortured, stoic hero in love with the beautiful, gentle heroine. Love that ‘grumpy one is soft for the sunshine ones trope. Add in the werewolf aspect and the author totally had me. Loved it.

[M Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.

Wasnt going to continue with the series as book two was a bit meh for me but this book had it all. Fab plot, characters n sub characters. Great pace n writing. Loved it.

So onto the next 3!

[Keisha S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Force to reckon with....

This was a good fast read without being rushed! Owen is strong, protective, & loyal to his Gillian's caring, loving & maternal traits.....
Together they are a force to reckon with.....

[Kaylee Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed

Can I just talk about how well and truly obsessed I am with this author? I’m so excited to binge all of her stories! This one was no different. It made me so happy. I loved it.

[Delphine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, the old I’m-not-good-enough-for you! But in the middle of that, a mystery to solve, and challenges for her affections. Our heroine shocked them all, and I loved her at every turn, for it 😊

[John Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

[Sherill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf Claim - Is the third book - Wolves of Willow Bend series, each book a standalone. Heather's talent as an author truly shines as she lures you into an UNFORGETABLE story.

The characters are impressive and engaging: Mason-Alpha of Willow Bend, powerful, level headed, intelligent; Owen- powerful hunter of Willow Bend, counselor to Mason, Gillian's Protector; Gillian-journeyman, healer, sweet, courageous, curvy, beauty; Emma-Pack Healer;

Alpha of the Hudson River Pack Brett Dalton called Mason with an emergency favor. Fifteen packmates which included his healer had succumbed to death without reasonable cause. He asked if Mason would be willing to send him a healer to help identify the cause of death. Emma believes that Gillian is beyond the apprentice stage; so Mason allows her to go with Owen for protection. Mason's no dummy, he fulfilled his favor and knew Owen had it bad for Gillian; a little matchmaking didn't hurt as long as they both came home safe; he hoped. After examining and doing autopsies on the bodies, Gillian recognizes POISON to be the cause of the deaths. Gillian succumbs to unconsciousness for about 18 hours after being infected with the poison. She received IV liquid for hydration per Emma's orders via phone. When Gillian awakens she is in a confused state; Brett touched her ankle, called her by name and she shifted to a stunning golden wolf, leaving both men awe-struck. Brett blatantly warned Owen if he didn't claim Gillian; he was going to. Hell would freeze over before he let anyone claim her, he wasn't good enough for her, and he dam well knew the Alpha wasn't. He is livid; there is an unknown murderer on the loose, three boys are missing from Brett's pack, he hadn't slept in days, he's head over heels in love with her, and wants to throw her in the truck and head home!!!! fat chance of that happening.

From start to finish this story is absolutely enthralling. Jammed packed with banter, verbal sparring, hot-blooded romance, danger, life threatening incidents, murder, passion and believable characters. Yes this story has a HEA but the in between is astonishing, holds your attention and keeps you wanting more. I certainly have no reservations recommending this book as it truly is an exciting read....

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic Series - I highly recommend it. (12 Books to this point) = Overall Rating 4.5 Stars

I found the first book to be my least favourite - found heroine annoying and the sex a bit brutal, but Heather Long started building an interesting world with inter-related plots and relationships that became a series I could not put down - it just kept getting better with each book. (See ratings below)

One minor complaint - each book in the series needs a major edit of the Ebooks. There are at least a dozen mistakes in each book (spelling, wrong tense, grammar, missing words, etc.) that should have been corrected by a good edit.

WOLVES OF WILLOW BEND - MY RATINGS:

Book 0.5 Wolf at Law (Prequel) - 3 Stars
Book 1: Wolf Bite - 3 Stars
Book 2: Caged Wolf - 4 Stars
Book 3: Wolf Claim - 4 Stars
Book 3.5: Wolf Next Door - 4 Stars
Book 4: Rogue Wolf - 3 Stars
Book 5: Bayou Wolf - 4 Stars
Book 6: Untamed Wolf - 5 Stars
Book 6.5: Wolf with Benefits - 5 Stars
Book 7: River Wolf - 5 Stars
Book 7.5: Single, Wicked Wolf - 3 Stars
Book 8: Desert Wolf - 5 Stars

Book 9: Snow Wolf is on my 2016 MUST READ list..

[iliana G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillian Whitford, darling of Willow Bend, brings out the protective instincts in all the dominants, but none more so than Owen Chase, the pack’s Hunter. A loner by nature and calling, Owen spends less time with his pack mates and more time on the borders of their land. Not even the change in the Alpha and the swearing of a new oath kept him around long.

Winds of change still drift through Willow Bend as they adjust to their new Alpha. When the Hudson River pack requests a fill in healer to replace their own, Gillian, journeymen apprentice to their Pack healer, is the obvious choice to help. Owen forbids her to accept, but the sweet natured wolf rebukes his selfishness and volunteers anyway.

Risking a challenge, Owen faces off against his Alpha to appeal her decision and finds himself charged with her safety. Now, the loner will be escorting one of his pack’s most precious into foreign lands. He’s all that stands between her and a dozen potential threats…and if he doesn’t stake his claim, he may lose more than his heart.


These books just keep getting better and better!!!!
Soooo loved Gillian and Owen!!!
Fast paced with strong characters Heather Long doesn't disappoint!!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased books 1-3 together as an Amazon deal. I read them over the weekend. I liked the story development and the characters so much that over the last two weeks, I have read books 4 through 10. The characters were well developed, and although each book was a standalone, there was thread of continuity and overlapping characters throughout. The story came to life and the last book, although not a cliffie, makes you really want to read the next one (which is not out until March, 2017). Well worth your time and money to read the series.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gillian Whitford, darling of Willow Bend, brings out the protective instincts in all the dominants, but none more so than Owen Chase, the pack’s Hunter. A loner by nature and calling, Owen spends less time with his pack mates and more time on the borders of their land. Not even the change in the Alpha and the swearing of a new oath kept him around long.

Winds of change still drift through Willow Bend as they adjust to their new Alpha. When the Hudson River pack requests a fill-in healer to replace their own, Gillian, journeymen apprentice to their Pack healer, is the obvious choice to help. Owen forbids her to accept, but the sweet natured wolf rebukes his selfishness and volunteers anyway.

Risking a challenge, Owen faces off against his Alpha to appeal her decision and finds himself charged with her safety. Now, the loner will be escorting one of his pack’s most precious into foreign lands. He’s all that stands between her and a dozen potential threats…and if he doesn’t stake his claim, he may lose more than his heart.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really get a kick out of this series. Heather Long has done a fantastic job of bringing to life the world of the Wolves of Willow Bend. In this installment stoic, rough, tough hunter Owen Chase is felled by one of the gentlest wolves in the pack journeyman apprentice healer Gillian Whitford. What Owen is about to find out is that just because you may be small in stature and a submissive wolf doesn’t mean that you are weak. Gillian has crushed on Owen forever and has even thrown herself at him only to be rebuffed. Owen thinks he isn’t good enough for her but doesn’t think anyone else is either. It takes an emergency in a neighboring pack to throw them together long enough for Owen to quit being a bonehead and to realize that he may not be perfect but he is perfect for her.
This is a fantastic, colorful, fast paced, mystery with a bit of romance thrown in. Even if werewolves aren’t your thing give this a try you may be surprised.