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Strained
Loving wife, protector, werewolf hunter. It’s what I do.
Alexa is keeping a secret from her husband and being half werewolf isn't it. After all, he’s a full-blood and doesn't care that there are those who think their union is an abomination. Despite their abnormalities, the Yorks have settled into suburbia and gone out of their way to look like the couple next door. Their ruse may have fooled an entire community, but not the Georgia Pack.
The Yorks have encroached on their territory. Most interlopers end up dead, especially when the bounties on their heads invite stalkers, killers, and psychos to collect. Despite the trouble the Yorks have brought with them, the domestic suburbanites have intrigued the pack.
Alexa’s less domestic than she seems. Eight months ago, her bounty hunting club disbanded after several team members lost their lives in an ambush. Since then, the club has reemerged and is expecting Alexa to take her rightful place among the ranks.
Keeping the truth from her husband about her extracurricular activities will strain the Yorks’ marriage and risk everything they’ve worked hard for. But, that’s the price Alexa pays when her deception becomes deadlier than her aim. A deception that also keeps her alive.
Alexa is keeping a secret from her husband and being half werewolf isn't it. After all, he’s a full-blood and doesn't care that there are those who think their union is an abomination. Despite their abnormalities, the Yorks have settled into suburbia and gone out of their way to look like the couple next door. Their ruse may have fooled an entire community, but not the Georgia Pack.
The Yorks have encroached on their territory. Most interlopers end up dead, especially when the bounties on their heads invite stalkers, killers, and psychos to collect. Despite the trouble the Yorks have brought with them, the domestic suburbanites have intrigued the pack.
Alexa’s less domestic than she seems. Eight months ago, her bounty hunting club disbanded after several team members lost their lives in an ambush. Since then, the club has reemerged and is expecting Alexa to take her rightful place among the ranks.
Keeping the truth from her husband about her extracurricular activities will strain the Yorks’ marriage and risk everything they’ve worked hard for. But, that’s the price Alexa pays when her deception becomes deadlier than her aim. A deception that also keeps her alive.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2015
6 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Colette
18 books223 followersParanormal author Marcia Colette is always hard at work on her next novel...assuming her day job doesn't get in the way.
Ever since her first book HALF BREED opened to fantastic reviews and became a Fictionwise Bestseller, she hasn't looked back. She can't write a story unless there are paranormal aspects or a certain level of creepiness involved. When not crafting novels with twisted plots and supernatural thrills, she's either diving into her massive DVD collection or working out on her elliptical. Marcia is a member of the Horror Writers Association, Paranormal Mystery Writers, and Infinite Worlds of Fantasy Authors.
The best place to find her is on her blog where she loves connecting with readers and other writers. Conferences/conventions where sci-fi, fantasy, and horror reign supreme are a good bet, too, along with the occasional romance conference.
For more information, check out her website at www.marciacolette.com"
Ever since her first book HALF BREED opened to fantastic reviews and became a Fictionwise Bestseller, she hasn't looked back. She can't write a story unless there are paranormal aspects or a certain level of creepiness involved. When not crafting novels with twisted plots and supernatural thrills, she's either diving into her massive DVD collection or working out on her elliptical. Marcia is a member of the Horror Writers Association, Paranormal Mystery Writers, and Infinite Worlds of Fantasy Authors.
The best place to find her is on her blog where she loves connecting with readers and other writers. Conferences/conventions where sci-fi, fantasy, and horror reign supreme are a good bet, too, along with the occasional romance conference.
For more information, check out her website at www.marciacolette.com"
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 2, 2016
I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
Alexa is half wolf – half human in her world she is called a Human Hybrid. Alexa is married to Matt a very wonderful person who loves his wife Alexa very much. Matt and Alexa are soulmates. They would each give up their own lives for the other. They would do anything possible to keep the other safe even if that meant not being completely honest with the other.
Alexa and Matt both have a bounty on their heads and have been on the run for quite a while now. They have been trying their best to find out who it is that has the bounty out on them so that they can take them out. But so far they have not had much luck in that department. They have been hiding out in Georgia which just happens to be territory of The Georgia Pack which could very easily turn out to be very dangerous to them. I mean you don’t just go into another wolf’s territory without their consent or at the least you don’t take up residence on it. They have been hiding out and trying to live among humans as if they were humans but have they or can they fool The Georgia Pack? Can any werewolf ever fool another werewolf?
While Alexa and Matt have been trying to find out who had put the bounty on them Alexa also has another secret that she is hiding and she is also hiding it from her husband Matt as well and it is not the fact that she is a Human Hybrid because Matt is a full blooded werewolf. So he doesn’t care that she is a Hybrid or not. He loves her with everything in him. Alexa is not keeping a secret from Matt because she doesn’t trust him she is keeping her secret from him because she loves him and in no way wants to bring harm to him besides she is afraid that he would try to stop her from doing what it is she has been doing for years. Her secret is not a bad secret and she would never intentionally harm anyone that was good and didn’t deserve it. She does what she does for the good of both the humans and the wolves. She only tries to protect the innocent.
To Matt Alexa is his woman his baby and like any male he wants to protect his baby. But what he doesn’t know is that Alexa is very independent more so than he knows and can take care of herself. Alexa is one tough woman and can kick but with the best of them. I love books like Stained where the heroine is a kick butt kind of woman and doesn’t need a man to take care of her or at least doesn’t need him to fight her battles for her. A woman always needs her man in one way or another. I have loved the world that Marcia Colette has created in Strained and would really like to get my hands on more of her work. I would recommend Strained to anyone who loves a good werewolf novel with a little action and a whole lot of love thrown in along with a strong willed woman. And also a man that could be a model who knows how to take care of his woman.
Alexa is half wolf – half human in her world she is called a Human Hybrid. Alexa is married to Matt a very wonderful person who loves his wife Alexa very much. Matt and Alexa are soulmates. They would each give up their own lives for the other. They would do anything possible to keep the other safe even if that meant not being completely honest with the other.
Alexa and Matt both have a bounty on their heads and have been on the run for quite a while now. They have been trying their best to find out who it is that has the bounty out on them so that they can take them out. But so far they have not had much luck in that department. They have been hiding out in Georgia which just happens to be territory of The Georgia Pack which could very easily turn out to be very dangerous to them. I mean you don’t just go into another wolf’s territory without their consent or at the least you don’t take up residence on it. They have been hiding out and trying to live among humans as if they were humans but have they or can they fool The Georgia Pack? Can any werewolf ever fool another werewolf?
While Alexa and Matt have been trying to find out who had put the bounty on them Alexa also has another secret that she is hiding and she is also hiding it from her husband Matt as well and it is not the fact that she is a Human Hybrid because Matt is a full blooded werewolf. So he doesn’t care that she is a Hybrid or not. He loves her with everything in him. Alexa is not keeping a secret from Matt because she doesn’t trust him she is keeping her secret from him because she loves him and in no way wants to bring harm to him besides she is afraid that he would try to stop her from doing what it is she has been doing for years. Her secret is not a bad secret and she would never intentionally harm anyone that was good and didn’t deserve it. She does what she does for the good of both the humans and the wolves. She only tries to protect the innocent.
To Matt Alexa is his woman his baby and like any male he wants to protect his baby. But what he doesn’t know is that Alexa is very independent more so than he knows and can take care of herself. Alexa is one tough woman and can kick but with the best of them. I love books like Stained where the heroine is a kick butt kind of woman and doesn’t need a man to take care of her or at least doesn’t need him to fight her battles for her. A woman always needs her man in one way or another. I have loved the world that Marcia Colette has created in Strained and would really like to get my hands on more of her work. I would recommend Strained to anyone who loves a good werewolf novel with a little action and a whole lot of love thrown in along with a strong willed woman. And also a man that could be a model who knows how to take care of his woman.
January 14, 2016
This isn’t your normal wolf book. Here we learn about rogue wolfs that kill because they haven’t gotten the urge under control, hunters who go after them, your packs and a couple who have some secrets but trying to stay out of the fray to survive.
Alexa is half wolf/human and it is hard for her and her husband. He needs a pack but loves Alexa so much that they have separated themselves for her. His old pack has a bounty on them so they run. Also when they find somewhere they need to be careful because when the pack for the area they are in finds them out usually they need to go.
Alexa’s way of surviving to this point is to be a hunter. She is a sniper and good at it. this however is not known to many and her husband is included. Her hunter job puts a strain on their marriage when it collides with their life and his dealing with the Georgia Pack who has found them in their territory.
From here all heck breaks loose and we have a lot of misunderstandings, anger and trying to figure out where you belong. The Georgia Pack is good for Alexa’s husband but wary of her. She doesn’t trust easily and puts the alliance with them on tenuous ground.
The story is a interesting fast paced action packed story that has some really steamy intimate moments with Alexa and her husband about them surviving and finding their home somewhere. About them taking a stand and being there for each other even if it means letting go of the other. Which never goes over well with a soulmate.
The characters are engaging. Alexa is stubborn, confused and fierce independent with her mind. She doesn’t take much from anyone and gets in scrapes because of this. Dane is a protector and alpha who won’t admit it. Sweet guy though. Alexa’s husband Matt is sweet and amazing. His love for Alexa shines through the pages. the alpha pack I have issues with their leader. He rubs me the wrong way but other them him they are a interesting dynamic. They are a mixture group who is trying to integrate themselves in human society. They want to function, work and interact with humans. This is what gets Alexa and Matt noticed. They are doing this successfully.
the storyline is intriguing. I never expected some of the twist that came about. The female wolf who started this by stalking Matt and Alexa wow that one was not expected. The interaction with the Georgia Pack and how they come together and Matt and Alexa become stronger after the strain on their marriage and Alexa comes forth with her secret is great. I love how the woman have strength in this book. this strength is respected as well.
A book on finding a home and finding a middle ground with different packs and people. A book on love being strong enough to survive the rough patches and allowing it to be supportive and unconditional. A wonderful read.
Alexa is half wolf/human and it is hard for her and her husband. He needs a pack but loves Alexa so much that they have separated themselves for her. His old pack has a bounty on them so they run. Also when they find somewhere they need to be careful because when the pack for the area they are in finds them out usually they need to go.
Alexa’s way of surviving to this point is to be a hunter. She is a sniper and good at it. this however is not known to many and her husband is included. Her hunter job puts a strain on their marriage when it collides with their life and his dealing with the Georgia Pack who has found them in their territory.
From here all heck breaks loose and we have a lot of misunderstandings, anger and trying to figure out where you belong. The Georgia Pack is good for Alexa’s husband but wary of her. She doesn’t trust easily and puts the alliance with them on tenuous ground.
The story is a interesting fast paced action packed story that has some really steamy intimate moments with Alexa and her husband about them surviving and finding their home somewhere. About them taking a stand and being there for each other even if it means letting go of the other. Which never goes over well with a soulmate.
The characters are engaging. Alexa is stubborn, confused and fierce independent with her mind. She doesn’t take much from anyone and gets in scrapes because of this. Dane is a protector and alpha who won’t admit it. Sweet guy though. Alexa’s husband Matt is sweet and amazing. His love for Alexa shines through the pages. the alpha pack I have issues with their leader. He rubs me the wrong way but other them him they are a interesting dynamic. They are a mixture group who is trying to integrate themselves in human society. They want to function, work and interact with humans. This is what gets Alexa and Matt noticed. They are doing this successfully.
the storyline is intriguing. I never expected some of the twist that came about. The female wolf who started this by stalking Matt and Alexa wow that one was not expected. The interaction with the Georgia Pack and how they come together and Matt and Alexa become stronger after the strain on their marriage and Alexa comes forth with her secret is great. I love how the woman have strength in this book. this strength is respected as well.
A book on finding a home and finding a middle ground with different packs and people. A book on love being strong enough to survive the rough patches and allowing it to be supportive and unconditional. A wonderful read.
January 1, 2016
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
Strained is the third book in a series, but the first one I’m reading and reviewing in this particular series. Despite it being the third book, it didn’t take too long for me to connect to the characters, figure out who is who, and what was going on. Alexa York, the main character, is half-werewolf, which means she’s shunned by most of the other werewolves. Despite that, she’s strong-willed, independent, witty and smart though, and she doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do.
I loved Alexa. She’s tough, and I liked that. Even Matt, her husband doesn’t have much to say over what she does and when she does it. I liked the world-building too. The author, Marcia Colette, has managed to craft an intriguing world filled with supernatural beings.
If you like urban fantasy, I would recommend this series. Although you might want to start with the first book. I hope I find some time soon to pick up books one and two.
Strained is the third book in a series, but the first one I’m reading and reviewing in this particular series. Despite it being the third book, it didn’t take too long for me to connect to the characters, figure out who is who, and what was going on. Alexa York, the main character, is half-werewolf, which means she’s shunned by most of the other werewolves. Despite that, she’s strong-willed, independent, witty and smart though, and she doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do.
I loved Alexa. She’s tough, and I liked that. Even Matt, her husband doesn’t have much to say over what she does and when she does it. I liked the world-building too. The author, Marcia Colette, has managed to craft an intriguing world filled with supernatural beings.
If you like urban fantasy, I would recommend this series. Although you might want to start with the first book. I hope I find some time soon to pick up books one and two.
January 14, 2016
A 5-star page-turner
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
Even though this isn't the first book in the series I was able to understand the plot and follow the story quite easily.
This is the first book I read from this author but it certainly won't be the last. Her writing style is a pleasure to read, her world-building is complex and interesting, and her characters are multi-faceted and believable. I mean I like my heroines intelligent, strong-willed, and driven just like Alexa York. I like my heroes to be strong and protective at the same time they're supportive and caring exactly like Matt York.
I don't like reading spoilers so I don't write them but the blurb is quite straightforward. Alexa has a secret she's been keeping even from her husband. Let me just say that's worth reading this book to find out what this secret is.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
Even though this isn't the first book in the series I was able to understand the plot and follow the story quite easily.
This is the first book I read from this author but it certainly won't be the last. Her writing style is a pleasure to read, her world-building is complex and interesting, and her characters are multi-faceted and believable. I mean I like my heroines intelligent, strong-willed, and driven just like Alexa York. I like my heroes to be strong and protective at the same time they're supportive and caring exactly like Matt York.
I don't like reading spoilers so I don't write them but the blurb is quite straightforward. Alexa has a secret she's been keeping even from her husband. Let me just say that's worth reading this book to find out what this secret is.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews