Dire Threat

The Austin Wolves #1

by C.P. Rider

Siren Emmaline Spirett thought she'd escaped her violent past when she rescued her wolf-shifter brother and fled a deadly paranormal organization. But when her past not only resurfaces but snatches her off the street and holds her against her will, she realizes it might not be so far behind her after all.

Wolf shifter Juan Martinez is the alpha leader of Texas's largest and oldest pack. Intelligent, protective, and controlling, he's faced down more than one murderous paranormal group. But, while he's not the sort to go looking for trouble, he never backs down when it comes looking for him—or his people.

Emmaline's brother Noah is one of his people. However, Emmaline is not. She has no intention of remaining in Austin and even less intention of joining his pack.
So why is he moving heaven and earth to find her?

If you enjoy urban fantasy with slow-burn romance, fast-paced action, and impertinent magicals, consider picking up a copy of DIRE THREAT, Book 1 of The Austin Wolves Series.

Please note: This is a long NOVELLA. Book 2 will be a full-length novel.

Genres: Shapeshifters, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Paranormal Romance, Slow Burn, Romance

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2022

About the author

C.P. Rider has worked as a decorative and mural painter, a fitness instructor, and a background investigator for nuclear power plants, all of which prepared her in strange and different ways for writing paranormal and urban fantasy romance. 

Originally from the California southwestern desert, she now lives a little closer to the ocean with her family, including 3 dogs, a cat, 2 fish, and the occasional friendly ghost.

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I'm sure some would say you could jump into this same-world series without first reading the author's Sundance series, I'd recommend starting there, then continuing into this one. I think it'll make for a more enjoyable read as there's not a lot of backstory to "The Legion" references throughout.

I'm thrilled this author has expanded this world, but I'm really hoping she hasn't ended Sundance which became an instant must-read, auto-buy series after book 1.

(✮✮✮½)

Sundance

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of C.P. Rider’s Sundance series and now she has written a new series, The Austin Wolves that crosses the two worlds nicely. “Dire Threat” is the first book in the series and introduces us to Emmaline Spirett a witch who has the ability to help people with insomnia through voice or touch. She and her brother were captured and held prisoner for two years by a evil group known as Legion. Now she is living among the wolves in the Austin pack but refusing to join.

Alpha Juan Martinez is at a loss as to why he feels so strongly and protective of Emmaline. He is certainly unhappy when she agrees to help the local mage out with his sleep issues especially once he finds out she will need to lie down next to him in his bed. She isn’t going to have sex with him but that doesn’t matter, Juan is not pleased.

Then, Emmaline is kidnapped off the streets when she makes a coffee run. Juan, his pack and the mage work together to free her but now Juan is wondering if he is feeling the mate bound between he and Emmaline. Only time will tell but first he must keep her safe from the maniacal people who kidnapped her.

I really enjoyed the world building and characters in this read. Emmaline is strong but not abrasive and I am interested in learning more about this group of kidnappers. My only complaint with this book is its brevity. It’s only 140 pages long so I kind of felt as though I only got only a half of a story rather than a full length novel. I hope the next book rectifies this.

[L.A. McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the setup for this new series!

How could you not love a story that starts with stealing a chicken named Clive? This story has a great balance of humor, intrigue, and budding romance. Emmaline is the kind of character you root for–funny, gutsy, and relatable. Throw in a cast of interesting characters, an Austin setting, and a new mysterious threat, and it's a great setup for the next binge-worthy series. I can't wait for the next installment!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly boring. These characters are a spin-off from the author’s Sundance series, which I very much enjoyed. So far, this book is a bit of a letdown. It feels a bit like a prequel, and maybe that is how the author intended it. It’s a short book (140 pages). I might give book 2 a chance to see if it picks up any more.

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting premise as a follow up to Sundance.

[Dallass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay.

I’m just going to say it… while this was okay, it’s not as good as the Neely and Lucas ‘Sundance’ books. Juan is an interesting character, but I just wasn’t that interested in this story. Perhaps it being a novella skewed my enjoyment, but the connection between Juan and Emmaline just wasn’t as compelling. However, the fact that we got to see Gert again, plus were introduced to Griffin, is what kept me reading. As per usual, I’ll still give the next book a go, but I am hoping that the author goes back to Neely and Lucas in the future.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring down a lot. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)


First time read the author's work?: No (I really like the series this is a spin off from)

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book and Spiked together, but started this one first since it was shorter and I was in the mood for a quicker book. After reading it, I saw the reviews that this was a spin off. With not reading the first series, I don't think I missed anything vital, but I guess time will tell since I am now starting Spiked.
This book is about werewolf Alpha Juan who has taken in a brother (Noah) and sister (Emmaline) after escaping a madman in charge of what is called Legion. Noah is a werewolf and Emmaline is a siren. Noah has joined the pack, but Emmaline is resistant. She has an issue with Alphas and she wants her freedom to help another former Legion hostage Griffin, who is a mage. But just when they think they are safe, Emmaline is kidnapped and Juan must work with the mage to save her.
Although short, this was an interesting book. There is a chicken named Clive that Emmaline steals from the mage. And how can you not love an intelligent chicken named Clive?! And the spin they put on what a siren does, I find new and refreshing. She uses her gift to help people who can't sleep, fall and stay asleep.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to the new series 😄♥️

Oo what a fab teaser novella for the new series! I was hoping there would be a spin off from The Sundance Series and I was hoping it’d be Juan! My wish has been granted, thank you! 😊 Laughed out loud at the beginning, love Clive btw - there’s more to be revealed there me thinks 🤨🤔 Emmaline is a delight and it’s great to be spending more time with the Martinez pack, plus starting to get to know the characters better that we briefly met in the Sundance books. I’m hoping there might be an appearance or two from Neely and Lucas in future books too 🤞🏼😁 A nice blend of humour, action, intrigue and the beginnings of a slow burn romance, all my fave things in one book. This sets things up nicely for the next book and I have a feeling it’s going to get better and better as the series develops. I just wanted to keep reading when I got to the end, so I’m very much looking forward to book 2 (and more Clive shenanigans? 😘)

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emmaline, a siren, and her brother Noah, a forced dire wolf, were set free from Legion when Neely and friends killed the leader. They have taken refuge in the Texas wolf pack under Juan Martinez as only he and his aunt Gert can help Noah control his wolf.
Noah is also getting magical counselling from the mage, Jude, who escaped with them.
One night after helping Jude sleep with her siren power, Emmaline is kidnapped, leaving Juan, Jude and some of Juan’s pack searching for her. The belief is that someone who was previously involved with the Legion is possibly trying to start it up again. That remains to be seen, I’m sure more information will be coming in the next books.
This book has action, magic, interesting characters, humour (a hen called Clive comes to mind), surprises and a possible romance.
This is a good follow up to the Sundance series, with some of the same characters, problems and world. It’s another great book by C.P. Rider.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novella about a siren who has escaped from a sinister org League (since destroyed) that forced paranormals to use their powers for evil thru torture etc and is now living with a wolf pack who is helping her brother (a wolf experimented on by bad guys) get control. Naturally there is something brewing between her and the pack alpha tho she has major trust issues. She is kidnapped by former League prisoners, so its Alpha to the rescue. Altho it says it is first in series it reads like a continuation so I am wondering if it is a spin off of another series which actually dealt with the League and it's defeat. Told in alt POV from Emmaline & Juan. I liked them but am more interested in Griffin's (Emmaline’s mage friend) story.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute- with Clive the gender neutral chicken. I rated it less than a 4 since it felt like it was trying to repeat the success of the first series (which I loved).

Now, Alpha Juan was one of my favorites in the previous series so I was super excited about a spin off for him. Unfortunately the character of Emmaline feels off to me and I am not excited about the whole Legion spin off. Not again!

Not sure what I was hoping for but this one just didn’t hit it for me.

And I was SO hoping it would pull me out of my reading slump…

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best intro to a new series I've ever seen

Instead of merely introducing the characters in her previous series, which she did, C P Rider gave us this Christmas gift of a short story to start her new series off with a bang. We learned more about characters we've read about before, met some new (loved Clive!), and were warned about new dangers. Can't wait for March to find out more.

[Anaïsu Anaïsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big fan of The Sundance series, I couldn't pass this new series in the same world with some old characters (Alpha Martinez was introduced in the previous series) and new ones (well, hello Emmaline nice to meet you) and of course it was completely worthed it.

What a great start for a new series. I can't wait to learn about Alpha Martinez, Emmaline, Griffin, Noah, and Infecta. Hopefully, we might see old friends from the Sundance Series in future installments.

I highly recommend it!

[2TNWalkers · Rating 2 out of 5]

First book by this author…did not feel the connection between Juan and Emmaline, Emmaline as a character was kind of flat…nothing stood out about her to incline me to care about her plight. Must have missed out on a previous book cuz I have no clue who this Legion is but it sounds like Juan rescued Emmaline and her brother…but she is indifferent to him so she has no gratitude for him saving her and her brother.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the start of a new series but follows on from the last series Sundance series books 1-5. It starts with Emmaline who goes with Juan and her brother to Texas. She is attracted to Juan but can't get past her actions within Legion and what she wants. She is attracted to Juan but is determined to go home at any cost and so she does. Juan then follows her, because he is already smitten by then. Emmaline ends up being kidnapped and a new legion threat is revealed.

[Aditi]

I didn't realize it's a novella. I was very excited for the book because I love the Sundance series. However I felt alpha Martinez with the 2 wolves was very different then the alpha Martinez we knew. Also not liking the chemistry with Emmeline, hope that gets better

Loved all the tertiary characters and hoping the full length book is better

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant spin-off from the Sundance series.
Loving Juan and its going to be really interesting to see more about the fall-out from Legion. A small bonus is that I feel less hungry reading this without Neelys pan dulce to tempt me! 😆

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I loved this story. Juan finally gets his story. This book had my attention from beginning to end. Emmaline is interesting and I can't wait to read more about these two in the next book. Great job C.P. Rider.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novella and as a start to a new series it's fine. There are a Lot of unanswered questions here though I liked it well enough to read the next in series. However, if we don't get some better development I can't see me continuing past the next book. So we'll see...

[Lennie McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is going to be a great series.

I liked this prequel and feel the series will be a good one.
Great intro to a sleep helper, mage, witches, and some bad folks to round it all out.
Kidnapping, friendship, and an alpha wolf make this a Great story for magic lovers.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️

This was just an okay read for me. I didn't connect well with the characters and had a hard time sticking with the story. Unfortunately, this isn't a series I will continue reading.

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute novella

I got this book on Kindle Unlimited. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I love the characters!! This seems to be an offshoot from a different series. Fun read but no real ending. 4 stars. Off to download part 2.

[alisa davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

A nice shift in this series. I enjoyed this jaunt into the Pack Alpha Raphael's world. I cannot wait until the next installment.

[Ryan Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish this author wrote standalone books instead of series. I quite enjoy her stories and her writing, but im not a follow one couple over multiple books kinda girl.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Forgot this was a novella.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed being back in the Sundance world for a little while. If you haven’t read that series yet, I would definitely start there to get the background.

[Orla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going to be honest this was just ok. I definitely prefer the authors other series.

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a world

Exciting and intense beginning!! Kept me on my toes and my pulse jumping. Don't know if I could survive a full novel. Leaves lots of questions.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dire Threat

Wow!!! What a gr8 story. I truly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next. I recommend this read. 5 Thumbs up