The Best of Both Wolves

Red Wolf #2

by Terry Spear

Where there's a wolf, there's a way...

Sierra Redding is on her way to her new job as an art teacher for a red wolf pack in Portland, when she thwarts a break-in. She's just in time to see the would-be thief and sketch him for detective Adam Holmes, earning her a job with the police department as a sketch artist, and bringing her closer to the handsome investigator...

Genres: Romance, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Audiobook, Family, Romantic Suspense

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2022

About the author

Love, love, love romance, the paranormal, hunky Highlanders with their delicious brogue and hot kilts, so Terry Spear writes about those hunky Highlanders both in medieval times and as wolves in contemporary times. Jaguar shifters too! And young adult urban fantasy. And romantic suspense.

She grew up reading mystery, adventure, mythologies from around the world, ghost stories, the paranormal, fell in love with Dracula and Wolfman, and felt they needed loving too. Everyone should have someone to love. Which means her stories always have a HEA.

USA Today Bestseller residing in Central Texas from Sacramento, California who creates award-winning teddy bears too!

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Best of Both Wolves by Terry Spear is the second book in the Red Wolf series. This one is a paranormal romantic suspense novel featuring female protagonist Sierra Redding, a red wolf shifter. She is a retired army finance officer who has moved to Portland, Oregon as a part-time art teacher for the red wolf pack children. She also has her retirement pay. When her hotel room is broken into and she sketches the intruder for Detective Adam Holmes, she gets a part-time job with the police department as a sketch artist. When the thief is caught, he has friends that make her life challenging.

Sierra and Adam are likeable main characters. Both are charismatic, loyal, playful, and well-liked by others. Their connection is handled deftly and it isn’t an instant love scenario. Seven months go by between chapters one and two to give credence to their developing friendship. The secondary characters are a blend of characters from the first book in the series plus some new additions which gives continuity but keeps things fresh.

Spear does an excellent job of blending romance, suspense, and action in this latest novel. I also enjoyed learning more about the job of a sketch artist in a police department as well as the various cases Adam was investigating. There was a lot of focus on friendship and family during the down-time from their jobs. My biggest quibble was that many of the criminals were a little too inept to make the cases much of a mystery.

Overall, this was a fun and entertaining novel with some humor to go with the suspense and romance. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Terry Spear provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

------------------------------
My 4 star review will be posted around 12/25/2021. (1 month prior to publication).

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was ok for me, but a big part of it was due to the police work. I am not in any way connected to the police or know anyone who is, but it seemed odd to me that every crime they had they needed a sketch artist. That seems like it would happen often, but not all the time like it happened here. I just had to ignore that bit. It did seem a bit too convenient that all of the crimes were tied into the same group.

I did like Adam and Sierra together, liked that Adam didn't push Sierra at the start and later when they started to date and was glad that things worked out for them.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

So needed. A little mystery, suspense, romance and wolf shifters in a small town. Pure enjoyment with all that is going on in the world today. I got out of my head and enjoyed the relationship growing, the paranormal family, the life of an police sketch artist. It never dawned on me it would be more than witness or missing person sketches! I like that even though Sierra took awhile she was the one who finally grabbed the bull by horns as Adam kept trying to give her time. I enjoyed the twists that Terry threw in and needed a little fan going in the winter with some of the make out scenes. Thank you for the arc Net Galley Sourcebooks Casablanca and Terry Spear. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions.

[Sandy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars—- THE BEST OF BOTH WOLVES is the second instalment in Terry Spear’s contemporary adult RED WOLF paranormal romance series. This is wolf shifters, former US soldier turned artist Sierra Redding, and police detective Adam Holmes’ story line. THE BEST OF BOTH WOLVES can be read as a stand-alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.


Told from several third person perspectives including Sierra and Adam, THE BEST OF BOTH WOLVES follows the building romance and relationship between former US soldier turned artist Sierra Redding, and police detective Adam Holmes. Sierra Redding is the new art teacher for the red wolf pack in Portland Oregon when an opportunity arises to work part time as a forensic artist with the local police department but an unresolved relationship back home in Texas, finds Sierra having to make a choice, a choice that may involve Portland police detective and wolf shifter Adam Holmes. A series of local robberies places Sierra front and center, and the man pulling the strings has targeted our story line heroine in an act of revenge. As Sierra and Adam’s relationship begins to develop, working together to take down the theft ring reveals a convoluted connection between a number of criminals and crimes including robbery and murder.


The relationship between Sierra and Adam begins as friends to lovers, a slow building affair as wolves take care to choose their mates but know almost immediately if there is a probably connection. The Portland Wolf Pack has more male wolves than females, and the arrival of a single, unmated woman begins to stir the competition between potential mates. As Adam begins his seduction of our story line heroine, the future reveals the possibility of their own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.


The secondary and supporting characters include Sierra’s brother Brad and his mate Janice, their parents Kirk and Rhonda Redding, Sierra’s ex-Richard Wentworth, as well as newcomer and Adam’s new partner Tori Rose; former police detective and wolf shifter Josh Wilding and his mate Brooke, Pack leaders Leidolf and Cassie. The requisite evil has many faces.


THE BEST OF BOTH WOLVES is a story of family and friendships, murder and vengeance, love and happily ever after. The premise is entertaining and detailed but once again, there is too much telling and not enough showing-an over abundance of information and detail that detracts from the actual story. The romance is fated but it felt like the couple were just going through the motions waiting for the inevitable; the characters are numerous, and energetic.



www.thereadingcafe.com

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sierra Redding is taking courses to become the local Red Wolf pack’s art teacher. After retiring from the military, she’s ready for a change in her life, but will it be with her long-distance boyfriend or in Portland, Oregon remains to be seen. Sierra is put in danger when someone breaks into her hotel room. A call to friend and local Detective Adam Holmes brings the culprit to justice. When the bad guy decides that revenge is needed. Adam is determined to protect the woman he works with. Sierra and Adam will become closer as the danger ramps up. These two will work together to keep danger at bay. Will the danger bring out The Best of Both Wolves as they face danger and attraction together?

The Best of Both Wolves is the second book in the Red Wolf series by Terry Spear. A woman making a change in her life must make decisions about her love life and where is wants to live. A man busy with his career as a detective who’s in need of a new partner. These two starts as friends because of a prior commitment to another. When danger comes after her, they’ll combine their talents to help put the danger in the past so they can look to the future. The Best of Both Wolves has suspense, danger, sexy characters whose attraction is hard to deny. Her artistic skills and his investigative talent will come together in their work to solve cases. Weather and a determined group of criminals just may help to bring together two people who try to stay friends until a long-distance romance is resolved. He’ll find the key to a mate's heart. She’ll realize the man for just maybe the hunky detective protecting her. Terry Spear the Best of Both Wolves is the second book in Terry Spear’s Red Wolf series. The book is a wonderful story of two red wolf shifters ready to settle down and find their mates but wondering if they’re the ones for each other. Ms. Spear brings these characters to life with witty conversation, a sexiness that’s hard to deny. There are new characters and old together to help the hero and heroine through the ups and downs of trying to solve cases and dating and becoming mates. A must read for Terry Spear fans and a great way story to be introduced to the talented author.

[Shifter Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Shifter Haven

The Best of Both Wolves continues the Red Wolf series with a fun, sexy, and dangerous romance between Sierra, who is retired from the military and a new art teacher for the pack’s school, and Adam, a police detective, and all-around sexy, good guy. I always have a good time with any of the connecting series/stories of the Heart of the Wolf series, and this one was definitely a fun time for me.

Although Sierra was planning on teaching art at the school, one break-in at her hotel has her taking on an additional assignment as a temporary police sketch artist as she defines who the thief is with her artistic talent. But this, of course, makes her a target of other crimes as their story moves on. Although Sierra and Adam may have had a strong attraction to start off with, they also felt more like a friends-to-lovers or slow-burn romance which I appreciated. We’ll get to meet several folks, some we know from the first book and others who are new to us as the secondary characters help this one leap off of the page. There is danger, laughter, frustration, and steamy moments… and eventually, the bad guys will be caught, but not without a few twists along the way.

I had fun in this world again and now comes the wait for the next installment in the Red Wolf series. The writing is smooth, the plot interesting, the main couple engaging, and the secondary characters add to the story. In all, The Best of Both Wolves is a story that drew me in and kept me entertained throughout. If you love a good, solid paranormal or shifter romance with interesting characters and situations then you’ll want to add to your collection with Sierra and Adam’s story.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Series: Red Wolf #2
Rating: 2 stars - It was ok

Sierra Redding has left the military and is starting her new job as an art teacher for the red wolf pack in Portland. When she stops a break in and sketches the thief, she finds herself with a part time job as a police sketch artist.

This book was ok. I found myself interested in the police cases that Detective Adam Holmes and Sierra were working on but their relationship itself was just ok. For the first part of this book, Sierra was in a relationship with another wolf who only wanted to spend time with her when it worked with his schedule. She stayed in the shitty relationship because she wasn’t a quitter (her words).

Sierra and Adam’s relationship moved pretty quickly after she left her ex. Which is fine, but it is also kind of meh. I didn’t get a lot of emotion during their short courtship. Yes, they really were attracted to each other and got along well but there wasn’t much of a spark, at least for me. I think part of this might also be because the police case parts took up so much of this book that their relationship kept getting buried under it and was losing its power.

Overall, this was an ok book. If you like police procedurals with some romance this book will probably work for you. But, it was a long 300 pages when you expect more romance than case work.

*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*

You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.

[Sandy Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Red Wolf series. Sierra Redding is the new art teacher for the Red Wolf clan. And when her hotel room is broken into she's just in time to see the thief and sketch him for detective Adam Holmes, which earns her a job with the police department as a sketch artist. But it also brings her closer to the handsome investigator. But when the thief is caught, he has friends that are out to make her regret turning him in.

So overall, I liked most of this story. It was a little on the slow side for me but on a whole it wasn't bad at all. Their romance was most definitely a slow burn. They start as friends and it takes months before they become more to each other. So on the one hand I liked that because they were truly friends, but on the other it seemed to drag the story on in ways I wasn't expecting. They truly are good for each other though, and I definitely liked how they treat each other vs just hopping into bed. The work she does with the police department seemed a little..over the top to me? I guess I just have never heard of needing a sketch artist as much as she is called in. It seemed slightly strange. I don't know. For the most part it was a decent story. I just felt like parts of it dragged out way more than needed. All in all, not bad and I will still be reading the next book in the series.

[Storied Conversation · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retired army finance officer Sierra Redding is a red wolf shift who has moved to Portland as a part time art teacher for the Red Wolf pack children. After her hotel room is broken into and she sketches the intruder she gets a part time job as a sketch artist with the police department.

While working with Detective Adam Holmes they develop a friendship that slowly becomes more. I love that it wasn't instant. sometimes it is with shifters. This was a slow, getting to know one another as the feelings developed.

Both characters are well written and I loved getting to know more about being a police sketch artist. Although I will say it was a much unbelievable that every one of Adam's cases needed an artist. However, author privileges allows for the unbelievable sometimes. I mean come on the man character turns into a wolf.


I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This review was originally posted on Storied Conversation

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sierra Redding is eager to begin her new job as an art teacher for a red wolf pack in Portland, when her hotel room is broken into. She's just in time to see her would-be thief and sketch him for detective Adam Holmes, earning her a job with the police department as a sketch artist, and bringing her closer to the handsome investigator.

Once Adam finds the culprit and puts him in jail, he hopes he'll have more time to get to know the police department's newest member. But thieves have friends in low places, and this one is determined to make Sierra's life miserable. With Adam by her side, she knows she's safe, and that she'd like to stay close to the intriguing cop as long as she can....

Terry Spear has written lots of excellent shifter books. This is another one. Both Sierra and Adam are likable characters. I love how they complement each other. A wonderful and suspenseful shifter romance.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an arc.

[Suzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sierra has decided to try living closer to her brother and move away from her current boyfriend. She feels like the relationship is going nowhere and since she is now out of the military she wants to put down roots and maybe try living in a pack for a change. She starts an art class in the community and picks up a part time job drawing sketches for the local police whenever they need a sketch artist for crime scenes. Adam is a detective for the police department and hopes that Sierra will break things off with her boyfriend and give him a chance. First night in Portland Sierra is robbed and Adam comes to the rescue. These two have chemistry and work well with each, which comes in handy when Sierra finds herself in danger and needs help trying to find the bad guys who are out for revenge.

I struggled with this story which is unusual for me with Terry Spear books. I just didn't find that the story flowed as well as past ones had though I liked the characters a lot.

[LoveYourShelf (LAB☺) · Rating 2 out of 5]

(ARC provided through NetGalley; opinions are my own.)

This was a light, easy read. I enjoyed the police work aspect of the story and the way the wolf pack all took care of each other. Once they got together their relationship was super fast and they were mated within a few days and moving in together. Now, they did know each other longer considering Sierra moved to the area 7 months ago but was still seeing someone else long distance, so they were not strangers and this lessened the insta-love feel somewhat. At times the book was repetitive, with one character thinking a particular thought then literally repeating this thought as dialogue moments later almost word for word. Dialogue was overused to move the story along, with the reader being told things that happened through conversations. Adam and Sierra were a great couple once they got together and it was enjoyable to watch them find happiness together.

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sierra is retired from the US Army and new to the Red Wolf pack in Portland where her brother and his mate live. She still has a boyfriend at Fort Hood, but lately isn't sure that the relationship is working out. She works part time as a sketch artist for the police bureau where Adam is a detective. When Sierra starts having trouble stemming from a case where she put a man in prison with her testimony, Adam works hard to keep her safe until they can put the whole gang away. As they work together, Sierra and Adam feel something starting between them.

As usual, Terry knocks it out of the ballpark with this book. Well-written with lots of action and intrigue, this book will capture you from the start. I was caught up in the story and my emotions ran from one end to another. The relationships, from friendship to romantic, are well-done. This was a fantastic read and I highly recommend both book and series. As she typically does, Terry leaves me wanting more from this series.

[Donna Schwartz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because I so thoroughly enjoyed the books written by Patricia Briggs about the werewolves and her main character. This author's style disappointed me. Instead of letting the characters tell the story, the author took short cuts and told the reader what was happening. For example, at the end, instead of having a scene where a pregnancy was announced by the main characters, the reader is simply told that a baby is on the way.
Also, while I enjoyed the detective work done by Adam, the book seemed more like a crime novel than one about werewolves. I was expecting that I would learn more about the wolf pack and what the rules were in this storyline, but there was very little about that. Yes, the reader is told that being a werewolf helped Adam to tell who was involved in a crime because of his sense of smell, but not much was included about the interactions of the pack.
Disappointed. Won't go back to this series.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red wolf shifter Sierra Redding has come to try living and working,  as an art teacher near her brother's pack in Portland. Having her hotel room broken into turns into a job offer. 

Detective and wolf shifter Adam Holmes was very impressed with his robbery victim's sketch of the villain.  Little did they know how big this case was going to get.  

This is an action packed paranormal,  romantic suspense.  The characters are lots of fun ,even in their fur. They have dangerous criminals to catch and many hours of difficult work ahead.  The "pack" and other personal relationships play a big part in both their lives and make the story so interesting.  

This is part of a very good series but each book can be read on it's own.  

I loved it. 

[Adaiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sierra Redding, red wolf, and retired army finance officer has move to Portland, Oregon. Sierra's new job will be to teach art classes to the pack-schooled kids, and well as a few adults. One particular adult is Police Detective Adam Holmes. Adam doesn't make a move on Sierra because Sierra is still in a long-distance relationship., Sierra is staying in a hotel, when she hears a noise in her room while she's taking a shower. She realizes she's being robbed and decides to shift into her wolf to chase the thief away. Sierra's able to tackle the thief, but he escapes. She's able to make a sketch of the thief for the police. Sierra did such a good job that the police are able to arrest Dover Manning, who's a career criminal. Dover tells the cops that Sierra wasn't there, but her "big dog" tackled him. After that, Sierra is offered a job as Police Sketch Artist. What follows is Dovers crew trying to find Sierra's dog, kill it and try to set up Sierra for kidnapping, and other criminal activities hoping without any witnesses alive Dover can get out of jail.

Sierra has to make a decision about her long-distance relationship and decides to end it. Adam, and Sierra begin working together at the Police station, and begin their courtship as Adam tries to keep Sierra safe from the continued attacks from Dover's buddies. Will Adam be able to protect Sierra as he realizes he's met his mate?

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.5 Hearts This is the second in the Red Wolves series. But it is far from the first in the stories that Terry Spear writes about wolves.

Sierra is part of the Red Wolf Pack and teaches the cubs. When her hotel room is broken into she becomes a sketch artist for the police department and a slow moving romance happens between Sierra and Adam the detective that helps her find the thief.

Honestly, it is hard to not read these books by Spear but she has written so many it seems some things are repeated and all too familiar. This was enjoyable and I really like the friendship turned romance between Sierra and Adam.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fast moving romance with mystery and intrigue. Sierra meets Adam, a police detective, when her hotel room is broken into and she gets drawn into criminals wanting revenge. When she moves to Portland and joins the pack, Adam has to work hard to keep her safe. Working with Adam, as Sierra is employed as an artist by the police department, makes Sierra question her long time noncommittal boyfriend back at Ft. Hood. Both leads are strong likable characters who value their family, friends and each other. I read this ARC on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks/Casablanca for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a fun book. Sierra is a transplant new to the area, and is a part time art teacher. She sketches her would be thief and voila she gets a job as a sketch artist for the police. Fun times with Adam a cop who wants to protect her. This story is probably part of a series, but reads great as a stand alone. It is full of suspense, action, romance and is cute. It was extremely easy to read and was just enjoyable. 3.5 stars

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Red Wolf series and can be read as a stand alone. Sierra has moved to Portland Washington to teach art to the Red Wolf Pack and see if she likes living with a pack. She draws a picture of a man who tried to rob her and the local police want her to work part time as a sketch artist. She loves both jobs and is attracted to Police Detective, Adam. A good story and fans of the paranormal will enjoy the steamy story. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! It's been awhile since I read about these red wolves.... enjoyed getting back in touch with them! Love the cop story theme and the romance blooming... bad guys make life miserable for Sierra... good thing Adam helps out. The whole pack gets involved when one wolf is involved... love how everyone has each others back, a very tight knit group. An awesome background for the mind to picture it all! Ms. Spear has an awesome talent for imagery! Love it and will be looking for more in the series!!!

[Lisa Malmquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sierra Redding is a retired Army Office er and has left Texas behind.
She has joined the red wolf pack in Portland, Oregon.
She takes on a job as a police sketch artist.
A local gang member breaks into her hotel room and she goes after him as a wold.
She has the sketch of the burglar, and hands it to Adam Holmes a local police detective and red wolf.
Thanks to Sierra, Adam now has a great lead on the robber and his gang of crooks.
The crook starts to target Sierra but Adam is going to help watch her back.

[Trish R. Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Best of Both Wolves is Book 2 in the Red Wolf series by Terry Spear. I didn't read Book 1, however, I have no problems diving straight into this book.

This series is set in the paranormal world where there are wolf shifters. Our FMC is Sierra Redding who was on her way to Portland to work as an art teacher when her room was broken into. She was able to sketch him and in this course ran into our MMC Detective Adam Holmes. Due to her ability to sketch the intruder, she was also given a part-time job at the police department as a sketch artist.

I would catergorize this book as more police procedural with a smattering of romance woven in. The romance between our MCs were slow as they started off as friends and then lovers. There was some heat of course but nothing too overly descriptive. I do enjoy the book but I thought it could be better. The world building was pretty good and Terry Spear created some interesting side characters as well. Hope there's be Book 3 as I'll be picking that up as well.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy, this is my honest review.

[Linda F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sierra and Adam

Adam wanted to date Sierra when he meet her but then he found out she was with someone. But then she broke up with him . Adam didn’t want to push her so soon after her split with Richard a military man . All of Terry Spear books are good especially wolf 🐺 books. She has cougars, jaguars, . You’ve got to read her books .

[Karen Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read. Lots of action and twists.. The bad guys were a bit slow but the kidnapping twist was new.
The title certainly fits the contents. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and freely leave this honest review

[Michelle the Romance Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow this one was different. i loved all the police work these two did together, but man there wasn't as much suspense as normal for sure. Hoping for a return to that in future stories, though i loved Adam and Sierra and their connection

[Cynthia Skeezix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolves in danger...

Terry Spear has done it again with this book. Lots of action, lots of mystery and the good guys win in the end no matter what. Sierra and Adam mating as wolves is a great ending to a wonderful suspenseful story. I can't wait to read the next book.

[MagicSoakedPages · Rating 5 out of 5]

read by Terry Spears.

I enjoyed following Adam and Sierra on their journey of love.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super paranormal romance.. I really liked it.. It has passion and mystery, drama and danger.. Likable characters..

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!! Adam & Sierra were a great match & I’m hoping Tori gets a book too!!