Undertow

Building Sanctuary #2

by Moira Rogers

Being needed isn t half as desirable as being wanted.

Building Sanctuary, Book 2

Victor left behind a life of crime to focus on a new vision helping his alpha build an island sanctuary for werewolves. Harsh experiences prepared him for the hardships involved, except when it comes to dealing with the young female refugees of the brutal Boston pack especially Simone, who rouses his inner wolf like no other. A woman he must resist, or risk becoming just the latest man to make demands on her.

Born to wealth and privilege, Simone lost everything when she fell for the seductive whispers of the textile heir who turned her. Once adrift, now she is fired by a new sense of purpose the chance to broker peace between werewolves and European wizards. Yet even as Europe beckons, her instincts the same ones that led to trouble before keep drawing her back to Victor.

During a sailing trip to the mainland for supplies, Victor finds it impossible to hold himself aloof from the warm, engaging Simone. And when a winter storm traps them together during a full moon, she breaks through his walls so easily and completely, the question is no longer how he ll stay away, but how he ll let her This novella contains werewolves engaged in such improbable (but legal) activities as lobster fishing and sailing during nor easters. The breaking and entering and instinct-driven sex on every surface in someone else s summer cottage is a little more criminal"

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Shapeshifters, Historical, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

84 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

How do you make a Moira Rogers? Take a former forensic science and nursing student obsessed with paranormal romance and add a computer programmer with a passion for gritty urban fantasy. Toss in a dash of whimsy and a lot of caffeine, and enjoy with a side of chocolate by the light of the full moon.

By day, Bree and Donna are mild-mannered ladies who reside in the Deep South. At night, when their husbands and children are asleep, they combine forces to unleash the product of their fevered imaginations upon the page.

Reviews

[Susi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each time I think it can't get any better Moira Rogers proves me wrong. I really liked A Safe Harbor but I loved Undertow. Perhaps it's because I already knew the setting but I think it's more because of the wonderful characters you find in this novel.

Undertow features Simone and Victor, two wolves from different worlds. Simone is stronger than you would expect from someone who was in the group of woman Edwin horded around himself. She isn't as much damaged by this as the rest of the ladies, she suffers more from the guilt she puts on herself. She feels responsible for not helping the girls even though that wasn't something she could have done herself. She needs to feel respect and that is one thing Victor doesn't seem to give her, at least in her eyes. She only sees him turning away everytime she gets near him and the only logical explanation she can come up with is that he hates her and just can't stand to look at her. How wrong she is. *evil grin* Simone is the comfort of our little wolf pack. She's the person everyone turns to for emotinal reassurance and help when they are afraid to turn to someone else. She's warm and welcoming and knows how to sooth an agitated wolf. A wonderful woman who highly underrates herself.

Victor is one of those dark and brooding heroes, my favorite kind by the way, and he's completely smitten with Simone. He wouldn't admit it if you asked him, even less when you use the word smitten. He's rather serious about everything and sometimes he seems to be even stern but he has a soft spot. He's a thinker and when he set his mind it's hard to sway him. He's also really compassionate and doesn't want to hurt anyone. Again I noticed that Moira Roger's heroes aren't the sterotypical alpha shifter - they seem to be more caring and loving. Not that most alpha males aren't but these heroes are more warm, yes they are still hot *wink* but for me they are so much more.

The story of Undertow is adventurous, stormy, heartwarming and scorching at times. I love the dynamics of the character interactions- they did everything the way I would expect them to do it without being predictable. I already have some side characters I want to get their own books. These series is highly addictive- it has everything I want and more.
Make sure you don't miss this addition to a wonderful series.

[Stephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simone Cabot was born into wealth but lost everything when she met Edwin Lancaster. Edwin turned Simone and several other young women into werewolves only to abuse them. With the help of bootleggers and her alpha best friend Joan, Simone and the other girls are finally free of Edwin and are now starting over on an island off of the east coast. The first winter there is proving to be difficult but Simone is determined to help out anyway she can which may include a trip to Europe to help ease tensions and bring peace between wizards and werewolves. While she likes the idea of being part of the peace talks, Simone's heart and wolf calls out to a man who does his best to ignore her advances.

Victor Bowen is outraged at the way the former Boston alpha treated these woman and is helping to ease their fears and build a sanctuary. All of him wants Simone but he fears taking advantage of her and tries his best to keep her at arms length. On their trip back from the main land with supplies, a bad storm hits and forces Victor and Simone to seek refuge on a island all alone. With no other distractions, no place to hide and a full moon fast approaching, Simone and Victor will have no choice but to come face to face with how they feel and what they want from each other.

Simone isn't an alpha but she has no problem holding her own. She does whatever she can to make life a little easier for the other people on the island and is able to brighten up a room just by being in it. There is some guilt there because she was Edwin's first and feels like she should have done something to stop him from hurting the other girls. Most times when a character feels guilty about something all they do is complain and it's never fun to read. With Simone she expresses her feelings without making it sound whiny or as if she is feeling sorry for herself. The other girls really look up to her and I found Simone worthy of the admiration. I even thought her pursuit of Victor was enjoyable to read.

Victor has strong feelings towards Simone but after seeing the aftermath of what Edwin did, he feels like he would be taking advantage of her if he acted on his emotions. Even though his means of obtaining income haven't always been legal, he has a sense of honor and was raised to believe that the stronger protected the weaker. I loved his about him but like Simone, wished he didn't do the thinking for her. Thanks to bad weather and their ship landing them on an island all alone, he finally gives them a chance that might not have happen if they made it home right away. The chemistry between these characters is great and the night spent together during the full moon earns the 'hot' label the novella received on the author's website.

Undertow doesn't have much action in it and there is no bad guy to fight but instead focus' on Simone and Victor's relationship. You think you would miss the action but I really liked that time was spent getting to know two really good characters. Emotions run high in this one and I loved it all. Moira Rogers doesn't just have great books but they also come up with awesome characters that are some of my favorites. Simone and Victor are definitely two of them.

~Stephanie

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and very HAWT. This is a well written, engaging book from a well written,engaging series.

Cleansing, lots of yummy smex, solid, well written, and not a blind drunk monkey anywhere in sight, lol

[Starfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this instalment even more than A Safe Harbor - Simone and Victor are both genuinely interesting characters, and somehow, even with the difficulty Victor has in communicating what's going on for him (which is generally a massive turnoff for me in romances), the story still works.

I'm wondering if that's because it's so short, so the communication challenges don't end up having long enough to get annoying for me. Plus it's wonderful watching Joan and Rose both looking out for Simone - one thing Moira Rogers / Kit Rocha are guaranteed to write is women who have each others' backs, and I love them for it.

It makes me really want to read the Green Pines books, but they don't seem to be available any more...

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat to read about Adam’s past, and view it through Joan’s eyes. I loved how Seamus accepted and loved Joan without wanting to change her.

Bought from kindle

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: 10/5/10
How I got this book: Contest Win

The dynamic writing duo Moira Rogers continues to amaze me with their newest release, Undertow, the 2nd book in the Building Sanctuary Series.

Simone was raised by a prim and proper family, who although were loaded with money, took issues with the way Simone led her life. When she gets mixed up with a bad lover, she is turned into a werewolf, and forced to watch as he continues to take advantage of young women over and over. Now, she is living on an isolated island, trying to build trust among her new pack.

Victor is a strong alpha, who worked to help build this new sanctuary for the Boston pack that was taken advantage of. While he desires nothing more than to take Simone as his mate, he worries that her trust and faith in him stems from the safe environment he is now able to provide.

When the two take a much needed trip to the mainland, they get waylaid on a deserted island when their boat gets crushed in the storm. The two must learn to survive together. With their isolation, the two will rely on each other, fall for each other, but can their new found love survive being rescued?

I really enjoyed this story. I've gotten accustomed to Moira Rogers constantly having some kind of crazy, evil antagonist in each of their stories. While I love the constant good vs evil battle, I also like that this story is a bit more lighthearted. There is no forced oppression, no evil henchman in the background waiting to take over the world. It's just a story about a man and a woman (wolf and wolfette?), trying to find a way to love each other.


I enjoyed both Simone and Victor’s characters immensely. While Simone is not a strong alpha wolf, she is a strong woman, and a strong character. I love that she knew her place as the “mommy bear” providing comfort to everyone around her. Likewise, I enjoyed that Victor was like a “papa bear,” staring down the other males on the island, trying to provide comfort to the refugees the only way he knew how, with space and the chance to feel safe again.

I was glad to see that although Victor didn’t really have to fight for Simone’s love and affection, he was willing to. He was ready to take on any and everyone who potentially wanted to take her away from him, and was ready to fight for his chance to love her.

This was a super fun, light hearted read, an all around sweet story. I hope to see more like this from Moira Rogers in the future. I like the chance to see their characters take a break from the good fight and just get the chance to sit back and live life.

All in all, I give Undertow 4 out of 5 deserted islands!

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:
I just discovered the awesome writing that comes from the hands of the two authors known as Moira Rogers. In the past three months I have devoured almost their full body of backlist works. I am a convert. I say all of this in the beginning of my review in case it starts to get a bit gushy and fan-girlish. But truly, I can't get enough of their RED ROCK PASS series.

Recently, Rogers went back to the beginning of the sanctuary idea and ideals that are spelled out in the RED ROCK PASS books. Basically, there are werewolves that have been living under oppression and subjugation to some evil-type Alphas. But, some other werewolves, who abhor the ill-treatment of their bretheren, (and women; good golly are these rough-and-tumble males protective of their women!) have created different communities that offer sanctuary and benevolent Alpha leadership to any who wish to escape their current situation.

UNDERTOW is the second book in this BUILDING SANCTUARY series. Victor and Simone are both new residents to the island sanctuary, where many of the females- Simone included- have been brutalized by their former Alpha. What always astounds me about Rogers' work, is that the stories are always so intense and layered, even the books that come in at short of novel-length. I am always left wanting more, but it's because the writing is so consuming, with complex characterization, fantastic stories, and great world-building.

UNDERTOW delivers the same punch as the previous book in the series, A SAFE HARBOR. But this time, instead of pulse-pounding danger, and the wolfy wars that mark the RED ROCK PASS series, Victor and Simone receive a more mellow tale. Though the two are not in the midst of a war, they are not without hurdles that need to be overcome, in order for them to find happiness with each other.

I really liked the change in pace, and being able to watch one of the relationships unfold, without threats of immediate death hanging over their heads. The isolation that Victor and Simone find themselves in, is a great setting for two people who are not alpha wolves, but still have strong personalities. Moira Rogers' exceptional storytelling is showcased perfectly, and UNDERTOW is an fantastic addition to the BUILDING SANCTUARY series.


5/5 for plot
4.5/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 14/15 Must Read

[Habrewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Undertow is the second book in the Building Sanctuary series. We get to continue the journey started in Safe Harbor and visit old friends. Victor is the right hand man for Seamus and the pack. He has a small boat that he lives on that provides him with minimal privacy. But even that privacy doesn’t let him escape his own thoughts of Simone.

Simone has been through a lot but she knows what she wants, Victor. She spends her time at the camp helping the other woman cope and providing support for them. She was disowned by her family and this is the only family she has now. Along with Joan she helps protect the girls.

Simone is in love with Victor but he thinks she’s in love with the wizard. His wolf recognizes her as his mate but he is concerned that Simone doesn’t really love him; her wolf is influencing her actions. He has had a hard life and doesn’t think he’s good enough for her. He thinks she deserves more than he can provide her with but in reality, she just wants to be loved and needed.

When James offers her a chance to go to Europe with him, she seriously considers it until she is stranded on the island with Victor. While on the island, they are forced to deal with each other in order to survive. There is nowhere Victor can hide and he discovers he no longer wants to. He is still concerned that he is not good enough for her but can no longer deny how he feels.

While on the island we get to see a different side to Victor, he finally lets his guard down. He enjoys Simone’s company and the simple life they are forced to live on the island. They have to rely on each other to stay safe and warm.

I loved this story. It paints a picture of place where they are living with bare essentials and the supplies are crucial. We get to visit with past characters but they don’t over power the main story of is Victor and Simone. The growth of these two characters was the forefront of Undertow. I give this story 4 flaming hearts.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Victor is gruff and outspoken about the things he dislikes, he's a very honorable man with strong convictions. His sense of right and wrong is very defined, and he knows his responsibility is to take care of those who are weaker than himself. Since many of the new wolves on the island they're setting up as a sanctuary were abused in one way or another, his instincts have been battering him like crazy to step up and make them feel better. He's wanted Simone from the beginning, but he won't pursue her because he thinks she's with someone else. He doesn't want to risk her happiness by forcing his suit if she doesn't want it.


I liked that he held himself in check because he wanted Simone's happiness above all other things. I did wish at times he'd say "screw it" and toss her over his shoulder, but that would have gone against everything he believed in and I wouldn't have loved him as much as I did.


Simone wasn't an alpha wolf, but that doesn't mean she wasn't strong. She wanted Victor and she pushed for him to see her as a woman, not as a wounded victim. It wasn't easy, but she told him how she felt and chided him for hiding his feelings from her. I did find myself becoming impatient with her over her residual guilt for not saving everyone from their original tormentor. Although I understood her feelings, it was hard not to become frustrated when it was obvious there was nothing she could have done. Luckily she had friends who were willing to point this out, so it was a minor thing and not something that took away from my overall enjoyment.


I really liked Simone and Victor together. They had chemistry in spades. It was obvious to everyone - the reader included - that they were meant to be together. It took them a little longer than the rest of us to figure it out, but I enjoyed watching them get there.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sigh. This series (and Red Rock Pass, the one that spawned this one) is just dreamy. The books are short, sweet and to the point, the characters are authentic and well-developed, the setting is certainly unique, and the romance is sweet and powerful. The price on this book ($2.80) makes this one a steal!

I definitely recommend starting with the first book in this series, A Safe Harbor, but you can definitely read and enjoy this one by itself. Hey- it'll probably just make you want to go back and read the whole series!

Simone and Victor both have a lot, and I mean a lot, of issues to overcome throughout the story. Simone is still dealing with the fact that she was the first kept lady of the corrupt alpha that tortured the females that make up the new pack in this story and feels guilty that she didn't somehow do more to keep the others safe. Victor is fighting his strong attraction to Simone and worries that she's only attracted to him because she sees him as a protector, which would make him no better than the last guy that used her.

These two have a great opportunity to overcome their hangups when they get stranded on an island together after bad weather totals their boat. I have to say, this is one of my favorite plot elements in a romance novel. I love it when the hero and heroine have only their own relationship to focus on without outside issues or distractions. Lock them in a house during a blizzard and I am a happy camper.

All in all, when you combine werewolves, historical settings, romance, and adventure, you come up with Undertow and therefore you come up with a winner. Moira Rogers offers up another winner with this one, and the only downside is now I have to wait for their next book!

Overall Grade: A

Read more reviews and other good stuff at What Book is That?

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quote: “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want you”

Victor has been many things in his long life. Farmer, thief, mercenary, smuggler. But now he’s has a new job-helping his alpha build an island sanctuary for werewolves. A harsh life has prepared him for the hardships ahead, but not with dealing with a pack of young brutalized females who have escaped their monster of an Alpha. Especially Simone. Simone calls to him on all levels but Victor does not want to be like every other man who only takes from Simone.

Simone’s family cast her aside when she fell under the spell of a textile heir who’s seductive whispers became her bonds of captivity. Simone is now free of her cruel Alpha and is given the chance to do something worth while; go to Europe and help broker peace between the werewolves and wizards. Yet her wolf is drawn to Victor and refuses to let go.

When a supply run turns deadly for Victor and Simone and they are trapped together during a full moon, Simone completely breaks through Victors reservations and claims him for her own. Soon it becomes apparent that it’s not a question of when he will let her go...but if he can.

I am a HUGE fan of the Moira Rogers Red Rock Pass series. I was thrilled when they announced they were writing a series that would start at the beginning. I am a prequel junkie. Undertow does not disappoint. We first meet Victor and Simone in the first book of the series-Safe Harbor.

Read the rest of my review at http://www.smexybooks.com/2010/10/rev...

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earlier this year, I devoured the Red Rock Pass series but was very hesitant about the spin-off series, Building Sanctuary. This series is pre- Red Rock Pass. It is set during The Great Depression and I don’t read historicals. Ever.

Well, I was proven wrong. Not only did I read A Safe Harbor, I loved it. When I got the chance to review Undertow, I jumped at it.

Simone is a woman who knows what she wants but isn’t sure how to go about getting it. Victor is fully aware that Simone wants him but believes it’s only for the safety his wolf can give her so he pushes her away. When a supply run leaves them stranded on an island, they are both forced to confront the past that created them and where their future is going.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Plenty of internal conflict and hot sexy times (they are stranded in a cabin during a snow storm. What do you expect :D ), but the thing I liked most was the ending didn’t come wrapped in a pretty bow. The sanctuary, these characters and their relationship is a work in progress. They have been through too much for it all to be “fixed” in one book but you can see the possibilities.

The only possible drawback I see with Undertow is that I’m not sure it can be read as a stand-alone. I liked the fact that there wasn’t a lot of time spent rehashing events from a previous book but I feel that a reader needs to know those events to truly understand Simone. So if you haven’t read A Safe Harbor, I would recommend reading that before starting Undertow.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, man. If I was ever to be stranded on an island with a hunky, ex-smuggler of a werewolf, let it be Victor. Please? Within the first few pages, you felt the pull Victor and his wolf felt toward Simone. He wanted her, his wolf wanted her wolf. She was drawn to him. Yet he pulls back repeatedly because he feels that the only reason she's turning to him is because his wolf is strong enough to protect her. It kills him to have to stay away but he wants all of her- heart, body and soul- and won't stand for anything less.

Victor honestly captivated me from the beginning. He's fighting so hard against his instincts because he needs to give her the chance to heal. For a criminal, he's pretty darn moral.

Needless to say, I think that Moira Rogers has once again given us a well-rounded, well plotted story. The characters come alive from page one and while I admittedly have a bit of a kink for a couple forced to spend time together against their will the entire situation felt very real and organic. As the second book in the Building Sanctuary series, I do recommend reading them in order just so you can see the events that led up to this unconventional group of people to try to make a go of it on a blustery island.

I really, really enjoyed this book and can't wait for more stories set in this world.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Wendy coling ( trowbridge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simone and Victor been dancing around each other since they got to the island. On a trip to main land they talk. When they get stranded they get to know each other. Great story. Good book moira.