Dark Wolf Unbound

Heart of the Shifter #2

by Stephanie Rowe

New York Times bestselling author, Stephanie Rowe, returns to the Heart of the Shifter series with her most riveting entry to date, in which a dangerous wolf shifter must face his darkest truth to save the woman he was born to protect.

Driven by his intense moral code, alpha Jace Donovan's only mission is to protect his pack, until deadly trick turns him into the monster he has spent his life hunting. Haunted by the nightmare he has become, Jace is faced with an impossible choice…until a bold, sensual woman tears him from his well-ordered path and thrusts him into the very situation that destroyed him the first time.

Raised as the daughter of a depraved killer, Abby Collins is being hunted by the pack she escaped from when she was nineteen. Haunted by the evil she was forced to do, Abby must call upon Jace to help her when her former pack hunts her down, even though he is the one man she should never trust.

Scorching hot passion ignites between Abby and Jace the moment they meet, hurtling them toward a deadly fate in a heart-pounding race against the psychopath who owns them both.

Books in the Heart of the Shifter
Dark Wolf Rising
Dark Wolf Unbound

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Shapeshifters

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

Hailed as a "paranormal star!" by J.R. Ward, Stephanie Rowe is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty-five novels. She is the 2018 RITA® winner for Best Paranormal Romance, as well as a five-time nominee for this prestigious award. For more on Stephanie and her books, visit her at www.stephaneierowe.com, or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StephanieRow....

A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn't realize it was her dream until she was an adult.

Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind "work" as the world defines it and went to "work" as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.

Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.

Stephanie lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, and her amazing family.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fast paced, gripping addition to the Heart of the Shifter series.

As this picks up literally after the first book I recommend reading that first as even though there are different couples in each book there is a main plot/bad guy running through all the books.

Jace Donovan was the pack leader who was on trial for killing a woman in the first book. In that book we find out he had been under a spell to make him do it. Jace is an alpha and leader who has a deep need to save people. The guilt over him taking a life is more than he can handle. Against the advise of his pack mates he goes to apologize to the woman's family.

Abby Collins is the woman's sister and can feel Jace's deep grief over what he's done. Even though she knows her sister died at his hands she also knows he is the only hope she has to locating the man who is responsible for both of their grief.

My only complaint is I still wish the books were longer but other than that I am always engrossed in the main couples story and we got a little more info about psychopathic shifter who is wrecking havoc on all their lives and that thread is still open at the end of this book.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed with this story, it was dark, edgy and I loved how Jace and Abby fit together overcoming their evil to fit like a glove. I loved everything about this story except for what to me felt like an abrupt ending but it does make me pant for more. I want to know about Drake and Savannah, will they be a couple in a future book and will Grigori get what he deserves?

I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review. This is my first Stephanie Rowe book and I hope to continue with this series. I would recommend this to other shifter lovers.

[Malinda Davis diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie does it again!! I loved every minute of this book. Jace Donovan goes to find closure for his crime in the grandmother of the woman he killed, only to find the sister of that woman is his true saving grace! Action packed! Intense love! Suspense!! This book has everything I love from Stephanie Rowe!! Ready for the next book!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just loving this new shifter series by Stephanie Rowe, she is the best of the best when it comes to paranormal romances. This is Jace and Abby’s story and is about two people united through extreme loss – Jace the loss of his humanity and Abby the loss of her family, in addition to them bonding over the loss of their free will when they were both forced to play a role in murderous acts while being controlled by an evil pack of werewolves. Jace and Abby come together to try and right some of the wrongs that have been committed and to ultimately learn to forgive themselves. Great story, great characters with top notch writing! Definitely a must read!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace is the alpha of a pack of misfit wolves. He has been under the control of Grigori, an evil shifter who used his own daughter to force others to kill innocents. Abby is the daughter of Grigori and was forced to be his weapon of destruction. Once Jace and Abby meet they soon realize who the other is. Jace is the wolf shifter who was forced to kill her sister and Abby is the reason he did it. They struggle to come to terms with each other and trust each other while feeling a mutual attraction. They both have their own demons to fight and to forgive themselves for things they had no control over. This book has it all, action, drama, romance, good and evil.
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I was given this arc book for an honest review.

[Scrap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review

I absolutely loved this book, Jace and Abby's story is one of the best I have read in a long time. Jace has been basically destroyed by Gregori, Abby is his salvation yet she could also destroy him, the guilt he lives with has put him in the frame of mind that he needs to be ended, Abby needs his help and he cannot resist helping her because that is who he is he protects the innocent . This book broke my heart over and over. I wish I was able to put into words just how this book touched my heart

[Nichola Kinsella · Rating 5 out of 5]

gripping sexy romantic as expected.

He pressed a kiss to her knuckle. "Don't be blind, Abby. Your love can't accomplish the impossible."

loved the charachters Abby soft subdued nearly destroyed but with a sharp edge and a love for her man. Jace with his self blame and tough leader exterior finds a woman to help him heal from his past and overcome his dark side. love conquers all but damn Stephanie you've left me on the edge of my seat with that ending.

[Lisa Rodrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my I LOVE this shifter series! This story pulled at my heart. Jace's soul is so broken and tormented and Abby is both broken and strong. She see's the goodness in Jace when Jace can only see depravity within himself. The action packed story line kept made it hard for me to put the book down! Stephanie Rowe nailed it again! I can't wait for the next book, because the end of this story left me with a huge question...What happened to Drake!!!??? I need to know!

[Ingrid Stephanie Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title:  Dark Wolf Unbound 
Series: HEART OF THE SHIFTER NOVEL
Destination: Book 2
Author:  Stephanie Rowe
Reviewer: Ingrid  Stephanie Jordan
Genre: #Paranormal. #WolfShifters
My Score: 5 Stars  ☆☆☆☆☆ More like 100

♡•°•♡•°•♡•°•♡•°•♡•°•♡•°•♡•°•♡•°•♡•°•♡•°•♡
OMG! This is Book 2 of a Phenomenal Series. I thought Book 1 Dark Wolf Rising was fantastic but Dark Wolf Unbound had me on the edge of my seat almost the whole time I was reading it. In fact I was up till past 2 am, I had to finish it. 
Jace Donovan is torturing himself because  being a Strong Alpha who believes that his wolves, can overcome the killer blood lust He has worked with his pack to do this and he did it. BUT then he became a killer of an innocent it didn't matter why, it happened and he wanted to kill himself for it.
Abby Collins needs Jace he's the only one who can help her. She hates him for what he did but she needed him. When she saw him again out of the court room she could sense his torturous pain he was inflicting on himself. She could feel his remorse and felt sorry for him but he murdered her sister. I was gifted this ARC for an honest and truthful review.
  

[Stephanie Bettis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The passion and suspense Stephanie Rowe puts into her writing is so addictive. This book hooks you from the beginning and doesn't let go. I can't wait for the next book.

[Kathy Senft · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2, in the Heart of the shifter series. It is in my opinion very important to read Book 1 Dark Wolf Rising.
As I soar through the world Stephanie paints for us, as Dark and dooming as it appears she proves that Love conquers all. And that things and people who once terrified you can in turn strengthen you. In your darkest hour near death and with no hope in sight, the love and faith in something more than oneself or in any other can and will pull miracles from the nether. I can not wait for the next edition in this series.

Jace & Abby

Jace, a fierce protector and mentor to others of his kind has been forced to kill against his moral code and against the entire grain of his soul. He has gone to attone for his sins to the family of the victim. But he is unprepared for what he finds here. He throws himself at the feet of the grandmother and offers his life to her. she refuses to release him from his torment.

Abby, just listening to the person on the other side of the door causes her heart to thud, even knowing he killed her sister. But she knows what he does not, that she is the cause of his torment and the blood of her sister and so many, many others are on her hands. She is his catalyst of destruction, it was her voice and her song that drives shifters to destruction. She would give up totally if it was not for Seth, her little nephew. She needs this tormented mans help to find Seth, and maybe in the process he can find peace he deserves that in the very least. What she doesn't expect is to feel safe and cherished by this broken soul.

They are both tormented by the same people and actions. Those action forced on them by others, by being manipulated by torture and fear. Can these 2 tormented souls find the peace and trust in the other?

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Wolf Unbound by Stephanie Rowe

Jace Donovan is a tortured soul. He is full of self loathing over the death of the innocent he killed and the lack of control he had upon hearing that song.
Abby Collins carries her guilt in her heart. She's responsible for the frenzied wolf reacting to her voice in song. Even though it's Grigori manipulating them both, their guilt and regret are punishing.

Second in the series. The first is Dark Wolf Rising.

Excerpt
“Every time he got close to her, he was trapped by the sheer intensity of his response to her. He was aware of her on every level as a woman. Every part of who he was responded to her. He needed to touch her, be with her, help her, and even claim her... except he had no right. He'd brought only hell and damnation upon her and her family. There was no way he was ever going to consider himself worthy of touching her the way he burned to.”
Excerpt From: Rowe, Stephanie. “Dark Wolf Unbound: A Heart of the Shifter Novel.”

These two are so self punishing. He's going to kill himself. He's going to protect her. He doesn't deserve her. He's alpha and needs to defend and stand for those weaker. But he makes sure his backup will shot him if he hears the song again.

[Christine Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. This is the second in the series following a pack of strong wolf shifters assembled by Jace who became Alpha to lone males who needed direction and had the potential to be rogues. Book one told Cash's story during which Jace was almost destroyed by an evil pack who developed a devastating weapon which turned him into a killer when he attacked and killed a young woman. Exonerated by the courts as he was not in control when it happened, he cannot forgive himself and goes to her family fully intending to give them the means to put him down. But they need his help. Can he fight the demons that the weapon triggers enough to help his victim's sister? Can she bring him back from the brink of madness, and can he ever forgive her for being the weapon that caused it all in the first place?
An uncompromising story with well rounded characters and a romance against the odds

[Jaclyn Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Stephanie Rowe. This is the second book I have read from the author and she doesn't disappoint me in her second installation of the Heart of the Shifter series. From the second I picked up the book I was hooked and read the book in one sitting.

Can Jace redeem himself and find love despite all that he's done? Will he be able to win Abby over? Does he deserve her? Will Abby save her nephew? Will she destroy Jace or will she be his redemption? The reader is driven to know these answers. And Ms. Rowe throws in a few clever plot twists to make it more unlikely that these two will fall in love.

Action packed, suspenseful, and full of tension. I loved this second installment and cannot wait to read the third.

[Sydney Hopke · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to be introduced to an author!! Jace was tricked into betraying his morals and ended up killing someone and now can't live with that memory. When he tries to apologize to the woman's family he meets her sister Abby. Abby knows it wasn't Jace's fault he did what he did and because of that needs his help to go after the man who tricked him and get back her nephew. The attraction between is intense but danger follows their every move. With the help of old and new friends they go after a madman.

WOW what an amazing story! Once I started I couldn't put it down until I was done. The author brings you into the story and you feel like you're right there with the characters. I only wish I didn't have to wait for the next book! I received this in exchange for a honest review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced intense action packed second book in this series.
Jace is so tortured by the events that made him kill an innocent that he is determined to end his life to protect everyone around him but when the sister of the woman he killed asks him for help to save a child from the same sadistic Alpha that turned him into a killer, he knows he has to help.
As the story unfolds we find out more about Grigori and how he's able to turn shifters into mindless killers, there's plenty of revelations making this a real page turner.
The question left on my lips is "just what Has happened to Drake ?" I guess I'll have to wait for book 3 to find out !

[Betty Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie Rowe has written a very intriguing shifter story. Any of her books I have read have been spellbinding and hard to put down.

Feeling he didn't have the right to live, Jace, goes to get absolution by giving his life for the one he took. Abby knows she must make Jace face his demons and help her to save her young nephew from the same fate that Jace has been dealt.

Together they must each fight their demons by helping each other while trying to destroy the evil that has plagued them both.

This is an awesome book for any Paranormal Romance reader.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie does it again - this story was a quick, intense ride racing us through this next installment of her new Alpha series! Delving deep into the minds and emotions of the shifters and humans caught up in the whirlwind of survival of fittest both mentally and physically, this story will grab you from the first page until you read the last page some hours later. Join the ride, you won't regret it.

[Kay Brigham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and although this is about a new couple it flows so well from book 1.
This took me on a rollacoaster of emotions one minute I was happy that they had found each other and next I was crying with the hopeless way that there relationship seemed to be going.
All in all a great book and I'm very much looking forward to the next 1.
Given in exchange for an honest review.

[Sherrisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this as a ARC. Well what happen when you try to redeem your self for a crime and try to amended for this . but are sent on a Mission to say a little boy and possible save your self along the way. This was a well written story well placed and characters you can relate to. It only took me 2 hours to read so it was a good read in my opinion.

[Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liking this series. The alpha wolf should protect his pack but this alpha feels damaged. Jace wants to atone for his sins. Can the woman who started it all also set him free.

Love the twist on the traditional shifter stories. This one is more urban. Has more grit. I like that this author gives us strong heroines to match those burly males. Looking forward to seeing how Jace leads his pack in their continued fight against evil forces.

Give this author a try. Only the second book in so great place to catch up on a series.

[Kiki Sidira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may not have read many books so far, but this is one of my favourites.
It gave me a twist up front, but I knew I had to wait for more. And it didn't disappoint.
I am known for my love for shifters and that's why I choose to read so many books for them. Not many of the shifter books are good.
But Stephanie's shifters are. They are worth my time of the day, any given day! I'd read them again and again, if I had the time. And I will make sure I get the time to do so!

P.S. I was given a coplimentary copy in exchange of an honest review. I'll be waiting patiently in my corner for the next one.

[Donna Bossert · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! this 1 word sums up the whole book
I love how it starts immediately where Dark Wolf Rising leaves off.
I had a really hard time putting it down. My housework suffered and I only slept a couple of hours, but it was SO worth it.
I really hope the next book will be Drake and Savannahs and that Grigori suffers excruciating pain

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

[Doreen Ewasiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading, Dark Wolf Unbound, By Stephanie Rowe. Jace and Abby went, as they say; to hell and back, just so they can be together. How they helped one another, just so that they could stay alive. This book kept me glued to the story, I just couldn't put it down.. So suspenseful and nail biting...I can't wait to read her third book.

[Elizabeth Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace Donovan, pack alpha, and broken man due to an act he was forced to commit in the first book of this series, Dark Wolf Rising. Jace knows he can never find peace for what he did, but he is trying to apologize to all impacted by his actions, actions beyond his control. Now he's always worried that it'll happen again so he has safeguards in place, in the form of promises from his two closest friends and pack mates, Cash and Drake, that they'll take him out if he breaks again.

Jace visits the last address he can find for Melissa's family to offer his sincerest apologies. Who is Melissa? If you've read the first book, you'll remember that Jace was essentially brainwashed by a special song to carry out someone's bidding whenever they needed him to. That meant going completely against his nature and killing an innocent woman...Melissa. Jace is still devastated by his part in it every day and can't forget the pain his actions caused. But not everyone holds him responsible.

Abby, sister of Melissa and Aunt to Melissa's son, Seth, doesn't blame Jace, she blames herself. The song is actually sung by her and after the evil ones realize what is can do, they decide to use it for their own gain. She feels her sister is dead because of her. But she has something she still needs to accomplish while struggling through her grief and guilt. Seth, Melissa's son, is missing and Abby has to save him and her deadline is very close. She knows she needs Jace's help. Plus, there's something about Jace that calls to her and vice versa.

Abby has her own demons she's struggling with, mainly the fact that Grigori's blood runs through her veins and she knows firsthand his level of depravity, plus that of his followers, including Lucius Stevens, Melissa's husband. A man determined to have Abby for his own twisted use.

As Jace and Abby start their journey to rescue Seth, they grow closer every hour, every minute, they're together. You can feel the attraction, the connection, continually growing as they get to know each other.

Will Jace ever conquer his fear of succumbing to the compulsion again? Will Abby ever find peace for her part, regardless of being threatened to do it, in so many experiencing pain and loss? Will Jace and Abby have a chance at a HEA? Will Jace be able to keep Abby safe when her worst nightmare, a part of her past she'd love to forget, comes after her again? Will Jace once again become the man, the alpha, he was?

Read now and find out. Do it. This book is so good. I fell in love with Jace in book one, Dark Wolf Rising, and was so happy to learn he'd be the hero of book two. I do, however, recommend you read the books in order for full enjoyment of the characters and the storyline as they are connected. The wait for book three, Drake and Savannah's story, may test my sanity. I can't wait to see what's in store for them.

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

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Wolf Unbound – Stephanie Rowe

A five out of five read that surpasses expectations based on the writer’s other works. Definitely worth reading.

I opened Dark Wolf Unbound on my Kindle and began to read. This is a usual occurrence for me and one book always leads to another – this was somewhat different in one respect though… I seriously lost track of time, not just a few minutes here or a half hour there either. I snapped at my family when I was interrupted and missed lunch, dinner and bed. In the early evening I connected the charger, leaned diagonally on the couch and clicked the next page. The hours ticked by until it was early morning, approximately 3 am, and I breathed a happy sigh, closed my Kindle and settled for the remainder of the night.

I wanted to be Abby; I wanted to meet my own Jace; I desperately wanted a happy ending and yet there was so much to fight against and through I couldn’t see how I’d get my wish. The characters are so well written you can believe you know them. The world within the book is real to the reader, hooking them and dragging them into a weave of intrigue where hope wars with fear.

Stephanie Rowe’s books are all-times favourite of mine, her writing as familiar to me as J R R Tolkien, Nora Roberts or Maggie Shayne. I read many different genres and sometimes convince myself I know what’s going to happen, then get disappointed if I’m correct. This book is as excellent as Ms Rowe’s other works and anyone familiar with books such as the ‘Order of the Blade’ series will know that her writing doesn’t take the usual route but instead twists until you can’t tell up from down, leaving you guessing.

[Linda Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace is still reeling from taking a life while under the control of another. He doesn't trust himself and wants to make amends to the family of his victim. He doesn't expect her sister to want his help. Abby has her own history and guilt to deal with and knows the Jace not like the killers she has met. Just maybe they can save each other.

I have really been enjoying this series. The first book was excellent too and this one picks with characters from the first book. You don't have to read the first book but I would recommend you do so.

The characters are rich and developed. The storyline is intriguing and keeps you guessing with lots of surprises revealed as the action continues. It has a great mix of romance and suspense as the characters work to stop an enemy that has destroyed many lives.

There are no weak characters. Abby is very strong and has survived a horrifying childhood. She does not give up and is willing to risk her life for those she loves. Jace is committed to doing the right thing for his pack of wolves. He has a strong moral character and that is why it is so difficult for him to deal with his loss of control and taking of a life. Abby and Jace seem to be made for each other.

The story ends with a cliff-hanger that will make you eager for the next book in the series.

I received a copy in return for a honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace Donovan, Alpha of his clan is exonerated of murder and released but he is a tormented soul looking for redemption. Finding out Melissa's murder was brought on by a trigger activated by the psycho Grigori, a song that will make a werewolf loose control didn't remove any of the guilt he felt. Needing to make reparations for what he did he does the only thing he can do, go to Melissa's family to show his true sorrow and offer his life for the life he took. Abby is listening as he speaks to her grandma and knows he is not at fault but she is hiding out from her own demons and secrets, even as they are drawn one to the other and knowing he is the only one that can help! As attracted as they are to each other will guilt keep them apart or will they heal each other wounds as they fight for survival and the lives innocents? Awesome, heart wrenching, steam up your windshield, heart pounding, action filled story with all the twists and turns that leave you breathless and wanting more! Awesome fully involved and evolving passionate storyline....I can't wait for more! Loved, loved this book and highly recommend it and the first in the series Dark Wolf Rising for those that have not read it! I was gifted an ARC for an honest review and man what a gift!

[Jessie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those looking for your run of the mill, wolf meets girl, girl falls in love paranormal novel…..stop this aint one! If you want balls to wall, edge of your seat, don’t see that coming, action to make your heart stop………..then you are in the right place!
For those that like their Paranormal with a twist of Magic, this book is for you! Jace Donovan is a broken, beat up, ex-con who just came to say, “Im sorry”. Little did he know behind the window was another broken down, emotionally torn up Abby Collins. She was drawn to Jace. She was no good for him, and he was no good for her. Maybe together they could stop the madness that was Grigori before he could do more damage? Before he could get his claws into Seth, the young innocent child……
Stephanie Rowe has written a powerful, dark, twisted novel steeped in anger and mayhem. You know you’re going to get hit, but with what and when? But all through the book there is this slight inkling of redemption………
So pull up your cozy chair, get your drink and open the world of Dark Wolf Unbound….oh and don’t plan on stopping till you reach the last page!
I received a copy for a Fair and Honest Review!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie Rowe is an outstanding writer you no whatever book she brings out will be just amazing.

I was so impressed with this book as well as the outstanding no epic story, it took us on a Roller Coaster ride of emotions at times it was dark, and edgy then light and super romantic.

I love how Jace and Abby fit together as one they overcome their evil to be together forever. I adored every little thing about this story. The only little nit pick I have is the rather abrupt ending but it does make me want more.

What I am intrigued about and what I want too really know/learn about is Drake and Savannah, will they be a couple and get their happily ever after soon? or maybe in a future book and will Grigori get exactly what he deserves and more?

Excellent Book and I am super excited for more.

5 Out Of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books