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Pride #0.5
Like a Wolf with a Bone
Quiet little Darla Lewis doesn’t know what to think when the most-feared member of the South’s rowdiest wolf pack kidnaps her. Does he want to protect her or kill her? It could be either! Everyone knows about Egbert Ray Smith and how dangerous he is. Every pack avoids him, and the U.S. military uses him as their own killing machine. And Darla is just a nice girl who likes to bake and occasionally follow the Grateful Dead around. She doesn’t have time for this sort of foolishness. And yet . . . there is something about Eggie Ray. He just doesn’t seem as bad as everyone says. In fact, the more she gets to know him, the cuddlier he seems.
Something her overprotective family is not going to be happy to hear . . .
Previously published in Howl for It box set.
Something her overprotective family is not going to be happy to hear . . .
Previously published in Howl for It box set.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2012
363 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
About the author
Shelly Laurenston
47 books7,945 followersOriginally from Long Island, New York, Shelly Laurenston has resigned herself to West Coast living which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should be. Shelly Laurenston is also The New York Times Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, creator of the Dragon Kin series. For more info on G.A. Aiken's dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons, check out her website at www.gaaiken.com.
Pseudonym G.A. Aiken
Pseudonym G.A. Aiken
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
July 24, 2020
I read this when it first was published in the Box Set Howl For It. I'm glad the author published this on it's own, so I can add it to my collection of the Pride series. Now if only we can get an audio for this novella. ^_^
Like a Wolf with a Bone features Dee-Ann Smith's, who we meet in Big Bad Beast, parents Egbert (Eggie) Ray Smith and Darla Mae.
Shelly Laurenston is one of my favorite authors. I love re-visiting her books either to read or listen too. Her books have a fabulous blend of crazy humor and energy.
This was a great read; especially for a fan. Darla and Egbert make a great couple. I enjoyed see the beginning and getting a glimpses into the Aunts and Uncles of the Smith Pack.
Like a Wolf with a Bone made for a nice fun read. I loved it!
Rated: 5 Stars
Like a Wolf with a Bone features Dee-Ann Smith's, who we meet in Big Bad Beast, parents Egbert (Eggie) Ray Smith and Darla Mae.
Shelly Laurenston is one of my favorite authors. I love re-visiting her books either to read or listen too. Her books have a fabulous blend of crazy humor and energy.
This was a great read; especially for a fan. Darla and Egbert make a great couple. I enjoyed see the beginning and getting a glimpses into the Aunts and Uncles of the Smith Pack.
Like a Wolf with a Bone made for a nice fun read. I loved it!
Rated: 5 Stars
January 22, 2021
Finally the story of Egbert (Eggie) Ray Smith and Darla Mae, the parents of Dee-Ann Smith (Big Bad Beast).
Shelly Laurenston is one of my fav authors, her books have a fab blend of crazy, humour and energy, and whilst this book didn't have me grinning like mad or laughing out loud it made for a nice light one time read. There just needed to be more depth to the plot and the main characters.
Shelly Laurenston is one of my fav authors, her books have a fab blend of crazy, humour and energy, and whilst this book didn't have me grinning like mad or laughing out loud it made for a nice light one time read. There just needed to be more depth to the plot and the main characters.
April 9, 2023
One of my favorite stories by Shelly Laurenston. I've re-read it several times since it was first released. I love Eggie and Darla Mae so hard.
Note: this is a re-release. The story was originally in the anthology "Howl for It", released in 2011.
Note: this is a re-release. The story was originally in the anthology "Howl for It", released in 2011.
July 4, 2020
I love pretty much everything I’ve read by this author. Anything she does just works for me. She’s my smutty rom-com queen.
January 22, 2021
I loved this book. I loved the characters and even though this is a short novella it felt full and complete. Both the hero and heroine are just fleshed out enough so we know them even with the page constraints. The sexy parts are done just right....hot and steamy but well balanced with the romance. As romantic as an assassin can get anyway. The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because the names bugged me...all Smith boys have Ray as their middle name (Frankie Ray, Nicky Ray, Bubba Ray, Benji Ray, and our hero Eggie Ray aka Egbert Ray) and all the Lewis girls....the Smith boys mates...have Mae as a middle name. Our heroine's name is Darla Mae. I know Laurenston is known for her humor and the names were added for humorous content but it just grated on me. I also disliked all the Smith boys were already mated with their Lewis girl mate. I would have liked to have been witness to all of their love stories. There might be another series this one is tied to as this is .5 in the Pride series. I'll definitely read more of them.
May 2, 2020
Eine total süße Novelle, die mir trotz der sich etwas zu schnell entwickelnden Liebesbeziehung besser gefallen hat als die schwächeren vollen Romane der Pride-Reihe. Die Geschichte bietet zwei sympathische, niedliche, gemeinsam sehr witzige Protagonisten und neben der Lovestory sogar einen überraschend vordergründigen Suspense-Anteil. Ich habe jede Seite der Novelle genossen.
June 8, 2020
Egbert Ray Smith is home from the US military for a couple of weeks thinking about when he can leave again and avoiding the drama his brothers seem to find themselves in. Darla Lewis is home for a bit and wondering how she can avoid the drama he sisters find themselves in when she finds herself meeting Eggie Smith. Eggie has a reputation of being scary intense and dangerous but to Darla she thinks he is sweet. One thing leads to another and Eggie is protecting and trying his best to woo Darla who is mutually smitten but what happens when family interferes?
Loved this, I cannot believe I had not read this before. Eggie is exactly what I expected. Darla is so free spirited it is completely opposite of Eggie but together they are perfect. Another brilliant read from one of my all time favorite authors.
Loved this, I cannot believe I had not read this before. Eggie is exactly what I expected. Darla is so free spirited it is completely opposite of Eggie but together they are perfect. Another brilliant read from one of my all time favorite authors.
July 28, 2020
Howl For It Anthology
August 12, 2020
Like a Wolf with a Bone was a quick and entertaining read, loved the humour throughout. The epilogue was my favourite part of this story, seeing Eggie with his ‘Sugar Bug’.
May 31, 2020
I read this as part of the Howl For It box set.
4-4.5 stars
This was a really good story. I liked Darla and Eggie but their families both had their issues. Darla is a pastry chef that works for the Van Holz pack...who happen to be the sworn enemies of the Smith pack. Regardless of this, when Eggie and Darla happen to be in the same are and he sees her getting attacked by humans, he can't help but step in. And then she's injured and he takes it upon himself to become her protector. Thankfully, despite the many stories of how bad Eggie is, Darla decides she's safe with him and they fall in serious like with each other that quickly turns into more. Eggie has some self worth issues and I liked that Darla wasn't afraid to tell everyone off for speaking that way about him, even her own family. In the end, the threat to Darla is dealt with and Eggie and Darla get their HEA. Very good story that I'd recommend, especially if you're a fan of Laurenston's books. :)
4-4.5 stars
This was a really good story. I liked Darla and Eggie but their families both had their issues. Darla is a pastry chef that works for the Van Holz pack...who happen to be the sworn enemies of the Smith pack. Regardless of this, when Eggie and Darla happen to be in the same are and he sees her getting attacked by humans, he can't help but step in. And then she's injured and he takes it upon himself to become her protector. Thankfully, despite the many stories of how bad Eggie is, Darla decides she's safe with him and they fall in serious like with each other that quickly turns into more. Eggie has some self worth issues and I liked that Darla wasn't afraid to tell everyone off for speaking that way about him, even her own family. In the end, the threat to Darla is dealt with and Eggie and Darla get their HEA. Very good story that I'd recommend, especially if you're a fan of Laurenston's books. :)
January 3, 2026
3 stars
Darla/Eggie Ray
This was a quick read and story about Dee-Ann’s parents Darla and the infamous Eggie Ray. I think reading this after Big Bad Beast helps a lot of things make sense. I also didn’t know that the Lewis sisters basically mated all the Smith brothers.
Darla/Eggie Ray
This was a quick read and story about Dee-Ann’s parents Darla and the infamous Eggie Ray. I think reading this after Big Bad Beast helps a lot of things make sense. I also didn’t know that the Lewis sisters basically mated all the Smith brothers.
May 29, 2020
I generally enjoy this author and her sense of humor. I liked that there were somewhat reasonable Smiths somewhere to be found.
November 10, 2020
Really enjoyed this one it was a cute and fun that made me laugh out loud. Fun characters! Darla you could not help but love. This was a light and fun read to pass the time. Loved it!
March 14, 2022
Boy this one was so funny i was literally shaking with laughter at every page.
March 10, 2025
An exceptional book. I enjoyed it immensely.
October 19, 2023
Loved this story of Dee-Ann's parent's story! And seeing this generation when they were at this time! It was so good, I loved their romance!
December 3, 2020
This book is a joke, written by a child.
May 9, 2025
Like a Wolf with a Bone is the story of Dee-Ann’s parents. Although Eggie is mentioned as a bit of a boogey man throughout the series, it is really Dee-Ann who keeps popping up and scaring everyone. So I kind of loved going back to this as part of my reread. It gives context to some of the things that come after, but also works really well as a standalone novella. I also love that there is a brief appearance of Sara Morrighan’s parents and the hints of what’s to come in their story too.
Although Darla Mae isn’t as aggressive as almost any of the women in this entire series, she is still an incredibly tough and strong willed woman. I love that she is a feminist and a pacifist who chooses not to engage and fight with others. Yet, when push comes to shove, she’s willing to dig her feet in for what (and who) she wants. It’s a reminder that strong women don’t have to fit a certain mold and can show their spine of steel in a multitude of ways. Plus, I’m always a fan of anyone who enjoys walking to the beat of their own drum.
As with all stories, I definitely want to talk about Darla Mae (the female) more than anyone else. I love that not only does Darla Mae fight her sisters for her right to choose the man she loves. But, ultimately, she also starts her own pie business (again, with her intense sisters) and starts the most intense and insane race known to Shifters. Having been part of my reread, I love how this ties in with Sissy Mae’s story and shows just how the car racing in Smithtown actually starts. Its hilarious. Its terrifying. And I plan on reading all about it again and again.
For some reason (that I should maybe talk to my therapist about), Eggie’s declaration of love to Darla Mae was incredibly beautiful and romantic. I love that within it is the fact that most people annoy him, but Darla Mae doesn’t. And therefore he loves her. It’s a funny approach, and one that I found ridiculously sweet. Declarations of love are always fun, but this just made it so much better.
Although Darla Mae isn’t as aggressive as almost any of the women in this entire series, she is still an incredibly tough and strong willed woman. I love that she is a feminist and a pacifist who chooses not to engage and fight with others. Yet, when push comes to shove, she’s willing to dig her feet in for what (and who) she wants. It’s a reminder that strong women don’t have to fit a certain mold and can show their spine of steel in a multitude of ways. Plus, I’m always a fan of anyone who enjoys walking to the beat of their own drum.
As with all stories, I definitely want to talk about Darla Mae (the female) more than anyone else. I love that not only does Darla Mae fight her sisters for her right to choose the man she loves. But, ultimately, she also starts her own pie business (again, with her intense sisters) and starts the most intense and insane race known to Shifters. Having been part of my reread, I love how this ties in with Sissy Mae’s story and shows just how the car racing in Smithtown actually starts. Its hilarious. Its terrifying. And I plan on reading all about it again and again.
For some reason (that I should maybe talk to my therapist about), Eggie’s declaration of love to Darla Mae was incredibly beautiful and romantic. I love that within it is the fact that most people annoy him, but Darla Mae doesn’t. And therefore he loves her. It’s a funny approach, and one that I found ridiculously sweet. Declarations of love are always fun, but this just made it so much better.
October 24, 2021
This was a quick short read by a new to me author as I was looking for more shifter books. Since it’s on the shorter side, it does have the insta-love aspect and any “conflict” is quickly resolved (almost didn’t even feel like there was a conflict in the book b/c Darla and Eggie met, quickly fell in love, moved in together, mated, and basically started their lives within the span of a few days). There really wasn’t a huge amount of world building beyond every kind of shifter-animal possible being existent, and that it took place in a small southern town. I wanted to like it — but the story tended to throw out a ton of characters I had to figure out in too short of time, and I would have liked more of a world building to be created. It kept going into how Eggie is the biggest bad wolf out there and all he’s good at is killing, yet doesn’t really even show that too much or get into why he’s in the marines, etc. Plus it takes place for some reason in the 70s, which pops up at very odd times like references to the Vietnam war, cars of that era, and Darla being kind of a hippy. Overall I probably won’t go out of my way to pick up the rest of the series…it wasn’t bad, just not amazing like I was hoping for in a new paranormal series.
April 4, 2025
Look, the writing was fine and the characters had redeeming moments, I did enjoy some of the banter, but oh god I was bored, and it's only a novella. Possibly somewhat a "me" thing, because I basically dislike a lot of the key elements woven into the characters / plot, i.e. American rednecks with super gender based interests... she cooks, and seems to be otherwise pretty boring other than she randomly drives cars fast, and he's military man who hunts and grunts and while he does have redeeming factors like respect for her consent it all felt a bit predictable. There were moments she warned him of her temper and I was like YES maybe she's super lethal or something and she'll go on a rampage and counteract some of those gender roles... alas no, she just pulls a girls hair and is kind of good at handling personalities. I also cringed at the only non white character being singled out as the baddie / possibly evil by her spidey senses (and those could have gotten interesting but then are randomly not really mentioned again or validated).
I read a lot of shifter books, this just wasn't for me, I don't think I'll read the rest of the series as the same families feature in the next few books.
I read a lot of shifter books, this just wasn't for me, I don't think I'll read the rest of the series as the same families feature in the next few books.
September 6, 2020
Nice to see this as a standalone book. Was in HOWL FOR IT.
I adore this short story set earlier in time from the main Pride series. It deals with the older generation we get to meet as the parents of the Pride series adults.
The main story is about (Eggie) Egbert Ray Smith and Darla Mae Lewis when they were younger, who become the parents of one of my favourite characters, Dee Ann Smith.
The fact all the Smith males are named ???Ray and all the Lewis girls are ???Mae just males me roll around laughing.
A great story with lots of carrying on and a high enjoyment factor.
I have owned this series from the onset and love to reread them all for the laughs.
It really gives you a taste of how the Lewis's and Smith's are like they are and why their packs are so tight.
Having met most these characters in some form in the Pride series books, it is a pleasure to read this back story which is now the prequel to this Pride series.
I adore this short story set earlier in time from the main Pride series. It deals with the older generation we get to meet as the parents of the Pride series adults.
The main story is about (Eggie) Egbert Ray Smith and Darla Mae Lewis when they were younger, who become the parents of one of my favourite characters, Dee Ann Smith.
The fact all the Smith males are named ???Ray and all the Lewis girls are ???Mae just males me roll around laughing.
A great story with lots of carrying on and a high enjoyment factor.
I have owned this series from the onset and love to reread them all for the laughs.
It really gives you a taste of how the Lewis's and Smith's are like they are and why their packs are so tight.
Having met most these characters in some form in the Pride series books, it is a pleasure to read this back story which is now the prequel to this Pride series.
July 3, 2024
Quiet little Darla Lewis doesn’t know what to think when the most-feared member of the South’s rowdiest wolf pack kidnaps her. Does he want to protect her or kill her? It could be either! Everyone knows about Egbert Ray Smith and how dangerous he is. Every pack avoids him, and the U.S. military uses him as their own killing machine. And Darla is just a nice girl who likes to bake and occasionally follow the Grateful Dead around. She doesn’t have time for this sort of foolishness. And yet . . . there is something about Eggie Ray. He just doesn’t seem as bad as everyone says. In fact, the more she gets to know him, the cuddlier he seems.
Something her overprotective family is not going to be happy to hear . .
Heather's Notes
I thought I had read all the Pride stories, but I do not remember previously reading this. I did enjoy the story and enjoyed the way the author pulled in other series as well. I like Edgart (Eggie) and Darla. I really liked this story.
Something her overprotective family is not going to be happy to hear . .
Heather's Notes
I thought I had read all the Pride stories, but I do not remember previously reading this. I did enjoy the story and enjoyed the way the author pulled in other series as well. I like Edgart (Eggie) and Darla. I really liked this story.
December 21, 2021
Shelly Laurenston's shifters are ridiculously sassy. And I kinda love that. For all that she's considered the quiet one of the family, Darla can hold her own against anyone. Even Eggie Smith -- big, bad, and feared by most everyone.
The family dynamics made me giggle -- the stoic brothers, the sisters who bake when angry, the over-protective vibe poor Darla has to put up with, Eggie's acceptance that everyone is afraid of him. Darla and Eggie's courtship (or whatever you'd call it when one kidnaps someone for their own good) was a hoot. Everyone in this book is just sassy. And fun. And I like them.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
The family dynamics made me giggle -- the stoic brothers, the sisters who bake when angry, the over-protective vibe poor Darla has to put up with, Eggie's acceptance that everyone is afraid of him. Darla and Eggie's courtship (or whatever you'd call it when one kidnaps someone for their own good) was a hoot. Everyone in this book is just sassy. And fun. And I like them.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
February 27, 2023
French & English reviews
Une nouvelle que j'ai dévoré =D
J'avoue j'étais hyper curieuse de découvrir comment les parents de Dee Ann s'étaient rencontrés et étaient tombés amoureux et j'avoue j'ai adoré !
Bref, une nouvelle que je recommande de lire juste après Big Bad Beast !
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A novella that I devoured =D
I have to admit I was super curious to find out how Dee Ann's parents met and fell in love and I loved them so much !
In short, a novella that I recommend reading right after Big Bad Beast !
Une nouvelle que j'ai dévoré =D
J'avoue j'étais hyper curieuse de découvrir comment les parents de Dee Ann s'étaient rencontrés et étaient tombés amoureux et j'avoue j'ai adoré !
Bref, une nouvelle que je recommande de lire juste après Big Bad Beast !
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A novella that I devoured =D
I have to admit I was super curious to find out how Dee Ann's parents met and fell in love and I loved them so much !
In short, a novella that I recommend reading right after Big Bad Beast !
June 1, 2020
Fantastic story!
I love this story. I have read all this author 's books in this series and they are all so good. Her characters are interesting and fun, her plots keep you reading. Once you start it's hard to put them down. In previous books Eggie Rae and his mate Darla Mae have been mentioned. So for me it was great to read about how they met and got together. This was so fun to read and made me want more. It also has inspired me to go back and read the whole series again. Yes, they are all that good! 😍
I love this story. I have read all this author 's books in this series and they are all so good. Her characters are interesting and fun, her plots keep you reading. Once you start it's hard to put them down. In previous books Eggie Rae and his mate Darla Mae have been mentioned. So for me it was great to read about how they met and got together. This was so fun to read and made me want more. It also has inspired me to go back and read the whole series again. Yes, they are all that good! 😍
April 3, 2021
Perfectly perfect
This book was the palette cleanser that I needed after too many heavy books. It was also wonderful to get the backstory of the parents of a number of characters that I’d gotten to know in Ms Laurenston’s other books.
I knew Eggie was a person that everyone feared. Learning why was interesting along with how he and Darla met for the first time. Seeing them together, and their unusual courting, was satisfying. I enjoyed them as a couple, loved the dynamic between them and their siblings and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This book was the palette cleanser that I needed after too many heavy books. It was also wonderful to get the backstory of the parents of a number of characters that I’d gotten to know in Ms Laurenston’s other books.
I knew Eggie was a person that everyone feared. Learning why was interesting along with how he and Darla met for the first time. Seeing them together, and their unusual courting, was satisfying. I enjoyed them as a couple, loved the dynamic between them and their siblings and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
November 19, 2021
The author goes to extremes with this opposites-attract story. I've curious about Dee-Ann Smith's daddy and mommy - getting the chance to see them when they first meet is quite the treat. Eggie Ray the younger matches what I expected from meeting Eggie Ray the elder. Miss Darla's youth on the other hand is surprising in light of her southern lady daintiness, but there had to be good reason for the Smith pack to accept her so fully. The epilogue to this novella was even more enjoyable - seeing Eggie and Darla as in-laws is ... interesting (in the Chinese sense).
January 4, 2022
*4- Stars*
The novellas in this series haven't worked for me nearly as well as the regular books. Might be timing, might be not enough to engage me. 🤷🏻♀️ Still I liked the characters, they were sweet with each other.
I listened to the audio of this narrated by Kasha Kensington, in the anthology Howl For It, and enjoyed it.
The novellas in this series haven't worked for me nearly as well as the regular books. Might be timing, might be not enough to engage me. 🤷🏻♀️ Still I liked the characters, they were sweet with each other.
I listened to the audio of this narrated by Kasha Kensington, in the anthology Howl For It, and enjoyed it.
June 5, 2020
Shelly Laurenston is an author that I have come to really like, and she tends to really make me laugh with her characters. I think this might have been one of her earlier books (I haven't checked to know this for sure) and it is a bit apparent with the writing. This book, to me, was a little bit too superficial and didn't seem to go too deep - with both the plot and character development. It was still a quaint story about a couple of characters that are still relevant in later books. For me, it was a look into the past to see how things started and became the way they are now.
And, it DID make me chuckle - those wolves sure can be crazy.
And, it DID make me chuckle - those wolves sure can be crazy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews