When Elizabeth just barely made it through her first full moon as a werewolf, she thought the worst was behind her. She was wrong. While she struggles to control her temper and keep her wolf side at bay, she’s also juggling her old life as an attorney living in Raleigh, with being a werewolf in a pack in Asheville. Add in the fact that the man that attacked her is now killing women who look just like her, and she has her hands full. Good thing she has Abraham by her side. The werewolf who’s apparently her fated mate is the sexiest man she’s ever met, and all hers. So, why can’t she give him her heart like he’s given his? Can Elizabeth give up her old life in Raleigh and commit to Abraham and her new pack? If she puts aside her fears and stubborn pride, she might. That is if she can figure out who the serial killer is before he comes back for her.
Heather MacKinnon is a USA Today best-selling romance author living in North Carolina with her husband, adorable son, and three trouble making dogs. She grew up on Long Island and spent her young adult years living in various states in New England. This led to her subsequent addiction to Dunkin’ Donuts lattes and her gratuitous use of the word “wicked”. After a lifetime of enjoying other people’s words, she decided to write down some of her own.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one. At time the story was really drawn out and it made it difficult to read. I also found myself really not liking Elizabeth at all. Instead of a 28 year old grown woman, she acted like a spoiled adolescent. The wishy-washy got old quick and I get wanting to feel angst but it was more annoying. I will read book 3 because I want to see where this goes, I just hope it's better.
I am really trying with this series. I feel that there is no way Abraham is so oblivious to Peyton. I feel like Elizabeth acts like a jealous and ridiculous teenager, not a high level attorney. How is she so blind to everything going on that she has so much doubt? This series has so much potential but is just not hitting the "I'd recommend" point.
Title: Howl Series: Southern Werewolves Book #2 Release Date: #AlreadyReleased Author: Heather MacKinnon Reviewer: Ingrid Stephanie Jordan Serial: Standalone, No Cliffhanger Genre: #PRN #Werewolves #Bitten #Traitor #5Stars🌟⭐🌟🌟🌟 •••••••••••••• 💢If you thought Book #1 was phenomenal Book #2 is Fan-Freaking-Tastic there is everything in this mind blowing book - Adventure, Survival, Fear, Betrayal, Suspense, Action Packed, Loyalty, Hate, Love, so much Drama, Revenge, absolutely a MUST READ!!!
🔷️Elizabeth Montgomery aka: El, Ellie is a Criminal Lawyer for a firm in Raleigh. She went for a weekend to a cabin only to be bitten. Alpha Abraham found her and was taking care her with the first change. Ellie's emotions were all over the place especially with Abraham and trying to hold her wolf back. She knew she had to go back to work but then that would be leaving Abraham. Can't Ellie have both?
🔷️Abraham McCoy aka: Abey is a Wolf Shifter and Pack Alpha lives with his quintuplet sisters Evey, Callie, Del and Bea who is the Beta of the Pack and she hates Ellie and let's everyone know, especially her Alpha. It didn't matter to Abey he knew she was his faded mate and had to protect her from a dangerous serial killer.
Ellie tries to control the wolf impulses at work. The pack finds more bodies in the woods, and they look like Ellie. Peyton continues to hassle her and make her feel insecure. Ellie figures out who the serial killer is. Abraham saves her.
This book has it all. Shifter romance with mystery! Family dynamics, relationship hurdles and jeolous opposition ! You don’t have to like shifter books to enjoy this book because there is so much more to the book. The writing style makes for an easy enjoyable read. Once you start reading you can’t put it down. Will definitely be in my to be re-read list. This book picks right up where Shift ended and the ending of this books has me patiently waiting for the next book in the series. Love the character development of the main characters and the side characters as well. I would definitely put it in the Romance section but the romance part is just enough and it doesn’t overshadow the storyline like some books do. And bonus - the editing is really good. A lot of books you read these days have so many errors it gets on your nerves while reading. This book doesn’t have that problem. Will recommend this author and will read other books by this author.
HM missed an opportunity in this second book. She recreated conflict over the same thing repeatedly. I understand Elizabeth trying to hold on to her independence and not give up her life. I understand she is learning how to control the wolf. However, 80% to 90% of the book is Elizabeth doubting, whining, throwing tantrums, and running away. There is a killer on the loose attacking women whom the pack was trying to capture. Except it is once again barely mentioned in the book or even part of the storyline. It was difficult to finish and I did skim several pages throughout. In the end, the mystery is solved, and there is a third book. As with the first book I would suggest borrowing before buying. Shift Book 1 Rise Book 3
Wow if you thought Shift was good wait until you read Howl. Howl is the continuation of Abraham and Elizabeth’s story. Once you pick up this book you won’t want to put it down, it will keep you on the edge of your seat with all the twists and turns. Not only is this a Shifter book but it also has romance and mystery. Heather sure does not disappoint I am anxiously waiting for the next book in this series. Definitely a must read.
It feels like Elizabeth is a completely different person in the book. I got over her repeatedly packing up and leaving early every weekend real quick. She was annoying as hell. Also, the relationship between Abraham and Elizabeth felt awkward and forced this time around.
2.5 stars I loved the first book despite Elizabeth's tantrums and always pushing Abraham away; I could understand where she was coming from but this book took her childish behavior to a new level of annoying. Then there is the ignorance of Abraham the two of them are grating on my last nerve.
Abraham got jealous of a man that El couldn't even stand, nearly killed the doctor for treating her but can't wrap his head around El's dislike and jealousy of Payton always pawing at him?! How stupid can this man be!!! Payton nearly killed her cat, outed her darkest secret (which really wasn't that dark) and continued to push them apart and he just let her, let her off with minuscule punishment and still doesn't understand El's problem with her and says she's not her enemy. Gah I love him most of the time but this right here made me what to strangle him. Then there is the whole killer reveal and his anguish over it. Um what kind of Alpha let alone mate would question and anguish over necessary actions regardless of their relationship with them. I have never read a wolf book with such a emotionally frustrating male lead.
Now to Elizabeth's constant and I do mean constant is this love BS it was so frustrating to endure, I understand she didn't know what love was ,ok so sit up and pay attention, do not constantly say is it love I don't know so I'll just hold it in and let it bloom. I don't know describe it and ask, listen when Abraham describes his love for you don't ignore it over and over again. I swear Elizabeth doesn't pay any attention or listen to people. First their was the shift issue which she either said I don't have a problem or she berated herself for something she clearly had a problem with which every one understood, then the need for training, the mate bond, the Ben troubles etc the list goes no. Then when she does listen she listens to the only people who she should ignore, my god someone explain how she lived to be 28 with her level of stupidity. Finally her memory or lack there of, so help me she has the memory of someone with amnesia constantly things were in front of her that could have saved a lot of pain if she wasn't so dense.
If I wasn't so invested to learn about whats going on with Wyatt and Callie, Will and Bea and Will's relationship to El (though I think it's pretty obvious and will explain the fated mates thing so El will quit questioning that too), I would give up because I know book three will just be more whining and running from Elizabeth.
I've met a great lawyer with an absolutely awful personal life. Elizabeth reminds me of that person. Cause she is a hot mess express. I'm sure she's good at her job as she's made it that far in her firm, but those skills do not transfer over. Which, in her defense, she was not taught any emotional regulation or communication. But at some point, girl, you gotta grow up. Put on your big girl lawyer panties and figure things out.
She can't compartmentalize to save her life. And I'm talking about outside of her new werewolf struggles with controlling the wolf. That fight at the party? Did not need to happen. The SECOND fight at the party? Come on. You're seriously going to do this again. Right now. Abraham is less of a problem but certainly has his faults.
How can he be so upset about anyone touching her but brush her off and ask "what's wrong with you" when Peyton touches all over him. One second, he's fully aware of Petyon wanting him, then for 60% of this book, he's telling Elizabeth she's crazy for having problems with her. That woman did terrible things to make her miserable, and Abe is just like, yeah, all is well. Why do they listen to her? And Bea is just awful most of the time. And she's just allowed to be awful? To her sisters, to her brother, just because she doesn't like change. That's sufficient enough to explain everything away, and she's allowed to lead as beta. Sure.
Also, are we sure they looked for the killer, like at all? It was just a background thing until a body was found. You would think with Abe swearing up and down he'll keep Elizabeth safe. He would actually try to find the killer. Where were his efforts? Did he do any digging. He would just keep saying well this sucks but never do any work outside of chasing after them when a body was found. My guy, he's IN YOUR PACK, interrogate people. Look for alibis. Fight back. Have your patrols turn away women coming to your pack lands. Do literally anything. He never truly put his foot down or resolved anything. Not unless it had to do with Elizabeth. All his patience went there cause, oh my gosh, did she need to be coddled.
Getting out of Elizabeth's head towards the end really saved this book for me. Not sure I'll finish the series. I'm assuming with the way things are set up, Bea is mated to Will, Caly is mated to the twin that watched Elizabeth, and Elizabeth is gonna be pregnant.
Howl Series: A southern Werewolves Book 2 Author: Heather MacKinnon Pages: 420 Rating: 5 Claws an Paws Reviewed by Mandy for Janise’s Jivin’ Book Blog
Heather Mackinnon has done it again with her sequel to Shift with Howl the continuation of the story of Elizabeth and Abraham’s story. This book as sucked me back in to this wonderfully amazing world of werewolves and the struggles that they must overcome in order to survive the hell they are fixing to go thru.
Elizabeth has survived her first shift as a newly bitten werewolf; bitten wolves rarely make it to their first shift. But when you are the fated mate to the alpha to the pack it’s a lot of pressure to deal with. But so grateful she has survived her new life is a lot to get adjusted to, but with the mystery of who is still killing women in pack land its becoming a strain on not only the pack but Elizabeth as well since most of the women look like her in one way or another, and with Abrahams beta not being helpful their relationship is strained. Elizabeth is fighting her new life with her old one as well. She is trying to be in two places at once. But can Abey and pack stick by her or will she leave and never be welcomed back? But she is afraid to let him in because of her past will he think less of her for it. But that is soon to be told and the outcome is not what she expected. “This Man. He was going to ruin me. I just knew it. All my careful plans and the lonely future I had laid out before me was slowly crumbling around us. As I stared into his eyes that every shade of blue, I knew I was in trouble. Because Abraham McCoy wouldn’t just be satisfied with my mind and body, He would keep pushing and pulling until he had my heart to.” Ellie
Abraham is head over heels in love with Elizabeth he will do everything in his power to make sure she is safe not only from the killer who is stalking her, but from certain people in the pack who don’t want her there. Can he make her see what is best for her without destroying their relationship that is budding into something so powerful they can’t contain it? Abraham is still dumbfounded at who could be killing on pack land, he knows it’s someone in the pack but with all the lies and tricks being played will he ever discover who it truly is?
I didn't mind the first book but I almost couldn't make it through this, the number of angry sighs and eye rolls I made throughout this book is too many to count.
The number of times I read about El packing and running away from her problems was honestly astonishing. Instead of acting like an adult, she throws tantrums and leaves before anyone can explain. So many times I just wanted her to leave and not come back.
Also, why does she have the worst memory in history? I'm surprised that she can even remember her name at this point. It really frustrated me that her attack was a month ago and she's forgotten every single significant detail that points to who the killer was.
Oh and don't worry El isn't the only annoying character in this book, Abe is running a cool second place. Abe in this book is completely oblivious to the people who are out to get him and El. For everyone one else it's very apparent that Peyton is obsessed with him and will do anything she can to get rid of El so she can slither her way into Abe's arms but for some reason, Abe doesn't see it. And after she does do things to try and break them up he has the audacity to tell El that Peyton is not her enemy.
I almost don't want to read the third book because I know El is gonna be back on her bullshit and I don't know if I can go through it again. But I've gotten this far so I might as while see it through. Wish me luck, I'll need it in order to keep my sanity in check!
I'm giving myself a giant pat on the back for finishing this book. It is actually decently written but I spent the first 80% or so of the book actually wishing Elizabeth would die. If it wasn't that her death would have killed Abraham too, I may have been sad that she lived. Elizabeth is an idiot. Worst she is someone I would go way out of my way to avoid if I knew her in real life. She is pathetic and whiny 2/3rds of the book and raging nonsensical bitch the other third. She never seems to stay between those two extremes very long. She is weak in character, selfish, childish, and a moron to boot. She acts like a doormat towards some and then turns verbally and mentally abusive towards her mate (Abraham). No one even guesses who the serial killer is, even though it's a short list of possibilities, and there is a clear suspect, to the reader, starting in book one. It actually comes off as no one even trying to figure it out. Elizabeth is supposedly some super smart clever lawyer but she is an idiot with poor decision making capabilities throughout book 1 and 2. She can't think through her actions and has no thoughts for how things effect others but when she finally figures out she is an inconvenience to others or actually hurting them she is self absorbed in her guilt and they end up having to comfort her. The author wrote a decent book overall, as long as you can get past the horrible characters and actually hope something good happens to them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I picked up this series cause I wanted “adult Wattpad” vibes and it’s giving (in a good way!). There were only a few issues I had:
!!! POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING !!!
1. I can’t STAND Peyton. Like she kicked my mom or stole my last slice of pizza I’ve never wished more harm on a fictional person. It takes a GREAT author to bring those feelings out of a reader. 2. The “twists” are very predictable I was able to figure things out very early on. Also, I’m a little upset that it took El so long to figure out certain things as well, seeing as she’s meant to be a bossbabe super smart lawyer 3. Abe clearly doesn’t respect El’s boundaries and it gave me the ick at some points. It felt like El was being gaslighted in a few different scenarios and I can’t still can’t tell if the author is showing that his behavior is okay and should be allowed or not.
I know he’s struggling with juggling being an alpha and being a mate, but I’m really hoping his behavior is fixed in the last part of the series, or at least on the way to being fixed.
All in all, an AMAZING read, I couldn’t put it down! I recommend this book to anyone who really hasn’t outgrown their Wattpad werewolf romance days and needs a good read!
"Howl" is book 2 in Heather Mackinnon's book series Southern Werewolves. I have been waiting for this continuation of Elizabeth and Abraham and was very excited to read this book! Elizabeth has had her first shift into a werewolf. She is trying to deal with her new life and not get angry when others provoke her to shift at the wrong times. Elizabeth also needs to contend with Peyton and Beatrice who are not very nice to her and try to undermine her relationship with Abraham. The killer is still out there and still killing women who look like Elizabeth. Heather Mackinnon wrote some serious and strong moments in this book that made me feel sorry for Elizabeth and her life that she is now trying to work through. I felt that Elizabeth needed someone other than Abraham and his sisters to comfort her and really understand what she is going through. It can't be easy for her to turn her back on the life that she once had. Since the killer has been found out, this author couldn't leave it at that! The clock is ticking for the next book. Well done Heather Mackinnon, with all the written emotions that are felt from Elizabeth and also the story line!❤
I’ve been waiting for this! So excited to read. What the first book lacked, this one made up for. It was HAWT!!! A bit too much a times that you might need to take a breather. Elizabeth hasn’t changed. Still want to smack some sense into her. Her deep dark secret is revealed and it made me want to hit her more that “it” was what was holding her back. Don’t get me wrong I can completely understand, but she’s always running never giving Abey a chance to prove himself. It’s also how she finds herself in trouble. This girl has no self preservation until she’s faced with death again then it seems she finally grew a brain a realized her feelings for her fated mate. So if you can’t tell I’m not a fan of Elizabeth. The author wrote her well, never wavering on the character’s strong personality, but if I had a man like Abey, I’d have made my peace with it and accepted him as the gift he was. I think it’s way Elizabeth rubs me wrong. I can’t relate. The epilogue left me curious. It seems there’s another book coming. I wonder who it’s following since Elizabeth’s story seems wrapped up.
This is the 2nd book of the Southern Werewolves series. It continues with Elizabeth’s successful transformation to a werewolf and her internal struggles of returning to her life in Raleigh or staying with Abraham and the rest of the pack in Asheville. She must also learn how to deal with controlling her emotions, especially when dealing with Peyton’s continuing advances towards Abraham and Beatrice’s hostility towards her. Not to mention the killer is still out there, looking for her. Elizabeth has the tendency to run away from her problems, which she continues to do so in this book. When it becomes too much for Abraham to continue chasing after her, Elizabeth finds herself in a dangerous situation.
This book introduces us to more characters from Abraham’s past. We get a glimpse of his old pack, why he and his sisters left, as well as the betrayal of a family member. There is closure and acceptance with some things Elizabeth has been dealing with, and we also see an unlikely alliance form to bring down Abraham. Another great book and I can’t wait for book 3!
5 stars for Howl by Heather Mackinnon. This is book two in the Southern Werewolves series. These books just keep getting better and better. Elizabeth is a werewolf now but she is having trouble controlling her wolf. We really get to see who Elizabeth is and what she is made of in this book. We learn about her and Abraham’s past. I swear Abraham, he is delicious , he is what every woman wants in a man. “Because Abraham McCoy wouldn’t just be satisfied with my mind and my body. He would keep pushing and pulling my body. He would keep pushing and pulling until he had my heart too.” Elizabeth is scared and running everytime emotions get too hard for her. This book had me on edge the whole way through. I kept guessing who the serial killer was. Just when I thought I knew something or who it was everything changed. Heather Mackinnon is a fantastic author, she just has this way with her writing. I love how she does suspense. It was 5 a.m. when I finished reading. I could not put it down. After some sleep I will be diving into book three.
I like my romance in solid ground. We left book 1 with Abraham and Elizabeth as a couple. When I started this book, I could already see where it was going. Even though Elizabeth is 28 years old, I got a whiff of teenage angst and mean girl-esque interactions. That's just not for me.
Not to mention the whole "I'm not sure I can say 'I love you'" trope. But like I said, it's probably me. Some people like drama in their romance. I'm not one of those people.
I skipped A LOT of the book and jumped straight to the last few chapters. That was a fun way of reading this book. Skip all the drama, only read the interesting parts.
Maybe it's because I didn't read the middle of the book, but I was surprised by the identity of the killer. So that was a good thing I guess.
The first book was actually pretty decent but omg for being a ‘senior associate’ and a supposedly amazing lawyer, she sure is stupid. Constantly feeling guilty for getting emotional and shifting, leading you to run into the same forest a known serial killer is at, then forgetting about said serial killer as if he didn’t try to kill YOU. Then always bringing up how you and Bea don’t get along blah blah blah but this time she wasn’t so bad but now here comes Payton and somehow a super strong alpha can’t just ban her from the pack after she literally POSIONED YOUR CAT, and then when he uses the money he made her pay, YOU feel like you owe HER?! Girl what
AND THEN you question why you have to learn self defense as if there’s not a SERIAL KILLER TARGETING GIRLS WHO LOOK LIKE YOU!!! And you can’t even sniff out potential pack members who could be said killer even though you’re a CRIMINAL LAWYER and WORK WITH CRIMINALS for a living 🙄🙄🙄
I loved the characters and the story potential, though I am slightly disappointed that there was a lull here and there in the story.
(Potential spoiler) For instance, To get a connection to the background characters who help build up the main characters and storyline, it would’ve been helpful to have a powerful reason why certain pack members felt so strongly about Elizabeth.
The story kept going back to being Fated Mates however, there was so much potential to delve into the background of Will or even Ben’s character who embodied such a power and realistic individual - behaviour stemmed from Jealousy -it would have been amazing to see where this mini plot could’ve lead onto.
Having said this, I loved how Elizabeth really came into her own in Book 2, showing the struggles and adjustments of being a bitten wolf as opposed to born wolf.
Elizabeth has made it through her first shift, but her and Abraham aren't ready to walk off into the sunset just yet. With a killer fixated on her and another person vying for her man's attention, things get complicated. To top it off, Elizabeth is attempting to keep some semblance of her old life and finding it harder than she thought.
I was anxiously awaiting this book and I loved it just as much as the first. The revelations were banana and the twists and turns surprised the heck out of me. I yelled at Elizabeth a bunch if times for not following her heart and thought Abraham had the patience of a saint. The steamy times were smoking and tending of this one had me wanting more. I need the next book like yesterday!
Welcome back to the world of the Southern Werewolves series by Heather MacKinnon. I will admit I was a tad giddy when I saw this book appear on my Kindle. I truly enjoyed Shift and this book picks up right where it left off. Elizabeth is now a full werewolf who survived her first shift.... you would like this woman could finally relax... nope, we still have the man who turned her on the loose and is now halfing to deal with all the new issues that surround being a werewolf and being part of a pack. I loved how Abraham and his family was there for Elizabeth and how she was not a pushover. This book was filled will all the feels and emotions, and Abraham can be my alpha anytime.
I cannot wait for more from this crazy family and this series. 5 stars for a great shiftier read!
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. I loved book 1 of the series and I literally started reading Howl straight away. I couldn’t put it down and read it in 2 days. I love how the story continues straight from where number 1 finishes and the relationship between Elizabeth and Abraham gets stronger and stronger, although I did feel like shouting every time Elizabeth runs away from Abraham and the pack instead of dealing with what was going on. The sisters are still some off my favourite characters and I loved the fact that the relationship between Elizabeth and Bea changes and we see another side of Bea. Definitely gives these books a try and I can’t wait to read book 3!
Howl is Book 2 in this series. Elizabeth has survived her first shift becoming a werewolf, but is struggling to decide whether to leave her job as a lawyer in Rayleigh or to stay permanently with her fated mate Abraham and the pack in Asheville. The attacker who is killing women who look like her is still on the loose and after an argument with Abraham she accepts a lift back to her home in Rayleigh. Was this a good choice to make or one she will regret.
This book is a brilliant read and had me captured from the first chapter. Well done Ms Mackinnon for another 5* read. I look forward to reading more from you in the future
I loved the first book in the series, Shift and I wasn’t sure if it could even begin to get better than that. However Howl kept me on the edge of my seat and I ended up so engrossed in the book that I finished it in the day. The characters are well crafted and relatable, the fact that they are werewolves doesn’t even limit how well you can relate to them. Though the love story is really, really mushy the other storylines create the perfect balance creating a wonderful read. I fell in love with some characters and despised others, I love when a book can elicit such an incredibly strong reaction from me.
The second book will bring out Elizabeth’s beautiful wolf. The serial killer is still killing other women who look like her now. She travels back and forth to her job in Raleigh and is still trying to deal with Ben. Abraham and she love and fight hard, but are madly in love with one another. She will finally learn what it means to be the fated mate of an Alpha. Her bonds will strengthen with Abe’s sisters. She will learn to defend herself. Finally…she will come face to face with the killer again…only what will happen this time? Does he want to kill or keep her? Can Abraham save her? These questions and more will be answered…now on to the next book.
The slow decline from maturity to a petulant teenager is absolutely killing me. For a lawyer, she sure is a big crier and her speed at figuring things out is glacial.
I don't like easily avoidable missed communication or continuous over reactions and Elizabeth is just delivering this in spades.
I would have also assumed that someone raised in a priveledged household would show more characteristics of such. As in knowing how to host, etc.
This is ridiculous, I do not think I will be continuing this series.
Genuinely thought this author was going to be my next Auryn Hadley with the maturity of her characters and realistic storyline but wow. When did we fall off the wagon?
i understand the i’m an independent woman and i don’t need help from anyone and i don’t need a man blah blah but it gets to a point….honestly only read this book bc the serial killer plot line was not solved in the first book even though it was obvious lol…also bc i wanted to see her character growth in her relationship with abraham and hoped she would come into her own now that she was a werewolf…lol nope it was wishful thinking we were just going in circles the entire time and she was so stubborn that it was annoying!!! and then in the end we’re being left with a cliffhanger where peyton is going to cause problems in the next book, no thanks…lol def not continuing this series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.