Red Wolf

Wolf Moons #1

by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom

Tory McKidd understands exactly what kind of monster is stalking the moonlit streets. She, too, is a werewolf and is ready to bring the rogue shifter to justice. What she isn't prepared for is Adam Scott, the sexy detective whose investigation crosses paths with her own—a human who inexplicably stirs her senses.

Adam Scott is searching for a killer, not a lover, but with one look at the flame-haired beauty, he is ensnared. When one steamy night ignites their animal passion, there is no denying their fate. But when werewolf meets human, danger lurks—and the one they hunt may be the one hunting them…

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Romance, Harlequin Nocturne, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Werewolves, Fantasy

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2010

About the author

Linda is the author of contemporary, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy books for Kensington, Amazon Montlake, GothicScapes, Harlequin Nocturne, and Harlequin Desire. She loves more than anything to write, and has a resident Muse who loudly sings all these stories to her.

Linda swears that all of her books come loaded with good karma for the readers, for helping to support her writing dreams.

You can see all of Linda's books at:
www.lindathomas-sundstrom.com

and interface at

http://www.facebook.com/LindaThomasSu...

Reviews

[Sandy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked up this book I knew I’d like it. It’s werewolves after all. My favorite paranormal read. What I wasn’t expecting is the different take on wolf mates that Ms. Thomas-Sundstrom uses. Its just enough to make the story unique from other shifter reads.

Tory is after her brother’s killer. She knows there’s a gang of wolves that roam the local park at night, all led by a rogue who is experimenting on humans to create himself an unstoppable army. Tory is from a long line of royalty and she embodies their gifts from ages past. She knows she can bring this evil down. Finding it is the problem.

Chasing a suspect through the park, Adam Scott is on a collision course with his destiny. With his suspect lying dead in the street, it takes only a second for Adam’s life to change when he meets the gaze of a beautiful redhead standing to the side of a crowd of onlookers. Having no idea what’s happened, he continues with his duty, but as each minute goes on, Adam begins to want, to crave something, someone. Someone he has to have now.

Not caring what it will do to his job, Adam searches for the woman from the park, coming to the conclusion she’s the source of his new restlessness. Finding her makes things better for him, and worse.

Surprised to find Adam in the park again, Tory isn’t able to keep her distance from her mate. One look between them and imprinting has connected them for life. Now they both need each other, even though Tory tries to keep herself focused on finding her brother’s murderer.

I really like the imprinting concept in this book. For Adam, it’s an unknown hell as he searches for Tory. Every part of him, his body, his mind, his heart, needs her, and I felt every itch, burn, pain, poke, and prod he went through in the description the author gives of his dilemma. Adam is single minded in his focus to find Tory and then learns she truly is the solution to his needs.

And when these two come together, it’s relief but it’s not. Relief to finally have that need fulfilled, but then a whole new need takes over, and they sizzle with it. You can feel it explode just as they do when they barely make it inside Tory’s front door before the fireworks break loose.

Adam’s partner, Dana Delmonico, is a terrific character, tries to keep Adam in line, though she’s the rookie to his veteran status. I enjoyed their interaction. She’s a tough and smart cookie. They all do find the rogue they’re looking for in the end, and what they find is horrible and incredible. Their lives will never the same.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com

[JJBMocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting werewolf story. I wasn't able to think too much about the story (headache), who did what and why but I enjoyed it. What I love is that both of them gave it a good thought to what was happening to them, what they are going to do about it. It wasn't just we are soul mates let's get together. I don't know what possessed Adam to go after the bad guys by himself, especially knowing what they are.
The moment Wilson was introduced my first thought was Fox Moulder :) Now I have to check if he has his own book. Thank you Linda!!!

[Telissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book at walmart over the weekend as a quick fix since the library was closed and I enjoyed it better than I thought! I read it in only a day I couldnt put it down. This book quickly pulls you in and grabs your attention. If you like a good werewolf/romance book this one is for you.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good and I look forward to reading more of this series.

[Morgan Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot hot hot paranormal dealing with two people (one a werewolf) going after a killer on the the dark streets Miami.
Tight writing. Sexy story. Intelligent fare. Really smart stuff here, folks. And a story with so much action, you won't be able to put it down.

Thomas-Sundstrom has created a new world for her werewolves, and I swear, it's totally believable. I mean - I look around now to see if someone I know could turn furry when the full moon comes out. She writes here in Red Wolf about a cop hero and an ex-attorney heroine who just happen to be going after the same killer - a rogue wolf who murdered Tory McKidd's (the heroines's) brother so brutally that there were only pieces left. Plot thickens when Tory and Adam accidentally imprint --- and sparks fly.

Let me tell you all - this is a good book, in my humble opinion. I will tout its merits all over the place, to all of my friends.

Give this a try! The sequel in this series comes out in March.

[Deirdre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a bad Werewolf romance. There are tensions here that don't often make it into many of these, real life tensions (the fated love thing is a bit overstated, and something I often have a lot of issues with). Tory is a werewolf, she's looking for the werewolves who killed her brother. Adam Scott is a policeman who is about to become a detective, a man looking for the murderers too but not aware of the werewolf subculture in his city.

I enjoyed the read, a little less run-of-the-mill than many of this genre, the tensions and work issues really did come across and the characters didn't have an easy ride of it. I'm looking forward to more in this series.

[E.V. Fairfall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to meet the author, Linda at a conference where she talked about her work and from there I picked up "Red Wolf." Great writing! This book took me awhile to read but only because it was my traveling book (as in, it lives in my purse for when I'm out and about) which worked well because it was very easy to pick up and get back into the story. The last four chapters were my favorite.

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book and I enjoyed reading it. It was not what I expected!

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wolf Moons series is especially innovative, as the supernatural beings have their own special traits which let them respond differently from your typical werewolf. Linda Thomas-Sundstrom has developed a well-crafted paranormal tale where the reader will be kept emotionally involved from start to finish. RED WOLF stirs the imagination with its unique take on the world of werewolves, where scenarios are emotionally intense and the unexpected frequently occurs.

Although Tory McKidd knows the park where her murdered brother was found is exceedingly dangerous, her only concern is locating the one responsible for killing her beloved sibling. As a werewolf, she is aware of the ruthless rogue who is a shifter like her but only brings suffering to both humans and other werewolves in Miami. Determined to see him pay, she frequently roams the park hoping to discover the whereabouts of this elusive being. One night, a human cop is chasing a criminal, and one brief glance is all it takes for a powerful connection to be formed between them.

By being a cop, Adam Scott is fulfilling his dream to protect others, and he gets plenty of chances by working the night shift. When he saw a woman for only a moment following an exhausting pursuit, thoughts of her constantly keep invading his mind and make it difficult to concentrate on his current case which is surrounded with much mystery. Tory does not particularly like cops as she feels they did not handle her brother's case well, yet realizes she and Adam are now linked with a possible future together. She also comes to understand his association with her could lead to him being in danger from the rogue werewolf, so Tory plans to make certain no harm comes to the human for whom she is coming to care.

Linda Thomas-Sundstrom entwines wonder with reality to create a compellingly fascinating paranormal read. The mystical aspects are believably depicted and leave one speculating as to what course of action would be followed if the same situations arose around you. Ms. Thomas-Sundstrom has given her werewolves their own abilities and does not follow the norm, making her story inventively original. When readers are introduced to Tory and her lifestyle is revealed, they will be charmed by her compassion and awed by her capabilities. The way werewolves blend in with the humans seems convincing, and left me wondering if there is the slightest possibility of fiction becoming fact. There are several extremely touching scenes where inner feelings come to the surface, and these sentiments frequently cause the reactions of Tory and Adam to be fueled by heartfelt sincerity. The desperate longing felt by these two for the other adds much tension to their lives, and also makes the passion between them all the more potent when they finally meet. Theirs is a complex love story, and the author definitely has numerous trials arising all throughout the book. When it comes to the suspenseful circumstances, some are frighteningly realistic and will leave your heart pounding as you await the outcome. There is another story in the intriguing Wolf Moons series next month, and I am very eager to see what happens. RED WOLF captivates with the enthralling combination of suspenseful supernatural phenomenon, earnest emotions and a passionate romance.

[Jae · Rating 2 out of 5]

After the brutal murder of her brother, Tory quit her lucrative job to exact vengeance. She’s a werewolf, like her brother, and so is the vicious felon who killed him. Chavez and his gang of werewolves have claimed a park in Miami as their base of operations, and when Officer Adam Scott chases a criminal into the park, he encounters a flame-haired beauty that he can’t get out of his mind. Tory is equally drawn to Adam, and she realizes that she and the human male have Imprinted. She is desperate to avoid the man, but his investigation into her brother’s death leads him straight to her door...and into her arms. Now Tory and Adam aren’t just fighting for justice, they’re fighting for one another.

Ugh. Imprinting (or whatever you want to call it) may seem all fierce and sexy, but when you really think about it, it’s extremely cringe inducing. Imagine having no choice in the matter. In these paranormal romances, of course, the characters are always attractive and noble, etc. Would this have been sexy had Tory Imprinted on Chavez? Blech. What if one of them was already married? With children? Aside from that, our main characters spent very little time together. Most of the narrative was taken up with Tory’s search for justice, Adam’s investigation, and their mutual pining and ‘I am drawn to this person even though I should avoid him/her’. They had two (maybe three?) very brief encounters before Adam arrived at Tory’s house, after which they fell on one another in a fit of lust. Cue more pining and avoiding until the inevitable showdown/climax. That’s another thing I disliked—there was precious little resolution to the story. At least Tory wasn’t assaulted, which seems to be a staple of Nocturne books. I appreciated that she could take care of herself. However, this was not an enjoyable read at all. The character I liked best was Adam’s new partner, Dana Delmonico. There was a short, bonus story at the end of this one featuring Dana, but I didn’t bother reading it. And “short” isn’t entirely accurate, as the bonus content was easily 20-25% of the entire book.

This was not in the least bit romantic, and there was no humor in it, either. It was dramatic, but not my cup of tea. Two stars.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Miami , where it is hot and there are forces that are magical . Tory McKidd is on the search for the werewolf that killed her brother . She is a threat in her own right a werewolf , a rare breed that will kill you just like that . Everything was going ok until she runs into a human and a cop. Adam Scott has awoken things in Tory that could be good but dangerous .
Man I forgot how involved I got when I read one of this author's books . The characters are so well written and complex . Adam well he is a detective and kind of a rogue . He is handsome and well really kind of sexy in his own way. He can also kind a be a crank and not want to work with any one else . He knows the city and he wants to end the crime . Tory is a special breed of werewolf . She is strong and sexy as sin . She is attracted to Adam but is trying so hard to say hidden and not let him find her. I really liked her, she is as bad as they come . She will love you and kick your butt at the same time . Alone these characters are wonderful but together they are unstoppable .
I truly love this series . Red wolf is a great read the author takes us on an ride full of twists and turns . I was turning pages all night long . I got so sucked into the story , and I love the authors take on the werewolf . The author gives each of her wolves their own distinctive abilities . She doesn't fall into the same werewolf trope . There is a lot that goes on this book , mystery , murder and yes sex . You will cry and laugh and want to throw your kindle a few times out of frustration . You want them to get together so badly. This could be read as a stand alone but I would say read the other books in the series so you will get the whole picture. Can't wait for the next book to come out.

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness...Another great read from Linda...With a female werewolf as the main character.
Tory is out to find who killed her brother....A cop..
Adam Scott is a cop, on his way to making detective...He catches a scent in the park...And his whole world changes.
Great read, looking forward to more in this series.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really action adventure and romance

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads says wolf moons 2 originally

[Becca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Il y a certains Nocturne qui sont de vraies pépites, qui nous embarquent dès les premières pages et nous font vibrer tout au long de notre lecture. Le secret des loups n'est pas de ceux-là.

Dans ce livre, nous découvrons la rencontre entre Adam Scott, policier à Miami et Tory McKidd, dernière louve-garou de sa meute après l'assassinat de son frère. Durant une bonne majorité de l'ouvrage, les deux héros vont se tourner autour, dans le vrai sens du terme, puisqu'ils vont (re)sentir la présence de l'autre, sans vraiment entrer en contact. Et ce point fait que l'histoire traîne en longueur et perd le lecteur en cours de route. Si certains détails inventés par l'auteur étaient intéressants, ils ne sont malheureusement pas assez développés. L'intrigue policière n'est pas des plus étoffées, ni originale et on a du mal à y croire.
De plus, il y a très peu de personnages secondaires autour du couple. Cette absence fait qu'on se retrouve simplement avec quatre protagonistes principaux qui ne nous emballent pas. Ajoutez à cela la relation entre Adam et Tory, qui est très rapide et même brutale, dans le sens où c'est la louve de l'héroïne qui reconnaît en Adam son compagnon, et elle capte "l'esprit", "l'âme" d'Adam sans qu'aucun des deux ne puisse rien y faire. Tory résiste pour ne pas mettre Adam en danger de mort et Adam fait tout pour découvrir qui est l'inconnue du parc. C'est assez prévisible et la seule scène un peu chaude entre eux (ils se croisent et se parlent seulement trois fois dans le livre) n'a rien d'exceptionnel.

Le style de l'auteur n'est pas mauvais en soi, il n'est juste pas suffisamment passionnant pour nous donner envie de découvrir l'histoire de Tory et Adam. Il y avait de la matière pour nous créer un univers nouveau et intéressant mais ce livre n'a rien d'inoubliable. Dommage.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Wolf is the first book in Linda Thomas-Sundstrom's Wolf Moons series, it centres around Tory McKidd a werewolf who is out for revenge after her Brother (Mark who was a cop) was murdered by a rogue pack of wolves. She inadvertently runs into Adam Scott a human Miami Detective who gets drawn into the case and can't stop thinking about Tory. This action packed story draws you into the developing attraction between Tory and Adam and rooting for them to make it through and turning pages to find out what happens and if they can get to Mark's killer and stay alive before it is too late!! I loved the characters and thought they made a good team and also what I love about Linda's books is that even the background characters stay with you and are integral to the story, the whole story and world really does draw you in and wanting more. In the M&B Nocturne October 2010 version that I have you get the added bonus of the novella 0.5 in the Wolf Moons series called "Blackout" which is fantastic!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miami beat cop Adam is searching for a killer and a motive. Tory knows who killed her brother but that won’t stop her from hunting him down. She understands that who killed her brother isn’t entirely human, because she isn’t either. With secrets abound, can Tory trust Adam to provide the justice she needs? Or will Adam not be able to handle the monsters that lurk in the park?

This was a pretty enjoyable story but I did have some issues with it. Tory seemed to be a strong woman sometimes, but almost helpless other times. I would have liked to see a little more consistency in her character. I did enjoy the fact that Adam was a beat cop. He wasn’t a detective, he was just a guy working hard to protect his city. Enjoyable, quick read with some fun romance.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this one was just okay. I felt that the author focused too much on the immediate and intense physical attraction between the two main characters (their imprinting) and not enough on the actual storyline, which wasn't developed enough and wasn't even resolved at the end. I realize that it is a romance novel, and I love romances, but I also want a story to go along with it. In this book it was as if the storyline itself was just an afterthought.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book so much - the writing, and the storyline - that the characters stayed with me long after reading the book. I think I see these characters on the street in my own everyday world. Hey - there's Dana Delmonico in that police car! I tell everyone to read Red Wolf for a good take on hot, hot, romantic heat, and really hope they do. I would love to see these characters come back for another adventure!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was then first book that I read of Linda Thomas-Sundstrom’s and I was hooked on her wolf series! Definitely one of my favorites. I love the spin the author puts on the werewolves making it different from every other werewolf series out there. I loved the dynamic characters in Red Wolf and I need to give a shout out to my favorite character Dana Delmonico. Lots of intense action so there’s not one dull moment in this story. Definitely a must read!

[Stacie]

Adam is a cop looking for a killer. Tory is a female werewolf looking for the killer of her brother. When Tory meets Adam, she finds that they are mates. She "imprints" on him and he is desperate to find her again even though he does not know her name. When Adam comes to her door and realizes who she is they search together and fall in love.

[mēloniee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une histoire mignonne mais passe partout, heureusement que le style de l'auteure est plutôt bon sinon on risquerait de s'ennuyer très vite. Je regrette, une fois de plus, une cover VF qui laissait supposer une histoire "unique" et non pas une série de bouquins... Je suis pas sûre d'avoir la force de me lancer dans la suite pour le coup.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Nothing to write home about. I love werewolves, but these were a different kind of wolf. And this time it was the GUY who kept running into the deep dark woods - almost a TSTL character. The continuous internal monologues were tiring and a replacement for action, for the most part. And did I mention insta-love? Yep.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Kind of bored me. Didn't finish the second story that was included.

[Jessica]

This was my first Harlequin book. Wasn't too big of a fan of this one in particular but I'm willing to try out more of them!! There are certainly plenty to choose from!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much of a storyline for me.

[Su]

Linda never fails to amaze me. She managed to catch me in her books and keep me there, ignoring what's going on around me and living in a world of werewolves. But not werewolves like you see in the movies or other books. Her werewolves are more like you used to see in old movies. These monsters walk upright and are truly beasts.

This book features Tory, a female werewolf. And Adam, a policeman seeking her brothers murderer. Her brother was also a cop and also, unknown to his friends in uniform, a werewolf. And when Adam and Your lay eyes on each other for the first time, they imprint. He can't help himself. He has to find her and help her find out who killed her brother.

I would recommend this book (and I do) to anyone over the age of consent. Linda does write some fiery love stories into her books. But the story is good, full of action and mystery. She really knows how to draw you in and keep you until the end.