Leader of the Pack

by Leighann Phoenix

Running for her life, hiding as a waitress in a sleazy bar, Aislinn never dreamed she would meet her soul mate. Compelled to save her, Cullen finds himself inexorably drawn to this mysterious woman. Aislinn believed her life couldn’t get any stranger than it already was, until she happened across Cullen. As Aislinn discovers her lost past and Cullen works to protect his pack, they find themselves stronger together then they ever were apart. Now they just have to convince the pack elders that the alpha werewolf in the pack should be mated to a supposedly human girl.

This title contains graphic language, f/f and group sex.

Word 185,545

Genres: Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Werewolves, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Erotica, Magic

646 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 2, 2008

About the author

It’s always the quiet girl. She sits in the back of the class or stands at the bar, while her friends all mingle. She’s the one mom always said was a “good girl,” and all her friends believe is a prude. Leighann Phoenix has been writing since she was a child. The passion and pain reflected in her writing are little glimpses of what’s lurking just beneath the surface. Her publications to date will be left in the dark where they belong. The new incarnation of her writing burns with a fire of it’s own.

Reviews

[MelissaB · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was like the Energizer bunny in that it kept going and going and going. It was over twice the length it should have been for one book. About half way through the leads defeated the Big Bad but then another mystery had to pop up and go for a few hundred pages. Then at the end we were still left with unanswered questions so maybe there will be a sequel?

The writing in this book was good and really pulled me into the story and had me rooting for the leads. The biggest problem was the one stated above, I think the book should have been much shorter and not include so many side stories and points of view.

The steam level in this book is not for the faint of heart. This story includes: regular M/F, F/F, random licking by other weres, voyarism, forced touching by the bad guy, shifter love scenes where people were in various points of hairiness and matings where couples went at it in front of each other. Basically, don't try this unless you are ready for anything ;)

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aislinn has been on the run since she escaped from her deranged ex-boyfriend who had plans for her that would have brought a life of misery as well as losing all her control. At another dive bar as a waitress, she is used to sticking up or herself and defending unwanted advances, especially to sleazy bosses. When a man comes in looking down on his luck, Aislinn treats him the same as she would everyone else, but this is no ordinary man and he has never received the unabashed directness from another human or not.

Cullen does not want to be mated, but drowning his sorrows seems like the only way to escape the disgust he feels for agreeing to mate someone he doesn't like or want. Meeting Aislinn though throws him for a loop, everything about her calls to his wolf. He doesn't know why but he knows he needs her in his life at least some form of it, but when his mating goes awry he wastes no time to claim the one he knows is his true mate.

Wishing it would be a simple mating, Aislinn and Cullen fight an uphill battle when Aislinn's ex is back and wanting to claim her. The pack elders are suspicious of Aislinn who has an untold past she is only beginning to discover, and a spurned ex-mate has plans of her own to be the head alpha.

Excellent read, this was quite different with the aspects of the pack, there is an openness to the sexuality and exchange of partners I was not quite expecting. Not sure the story needed all of that, but I was compelled to continue reading all the same

[Yashika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aislynn the heroine is on the run and is working in a sleazy run down bar and foisting off the advances of her equally sleazy boss. When an gorgeous stranger comes in and proceeds to drink the night away, Aislynn does what any good bartender does. She calls his friends and asks that they come and get him because the bar is closing. The man's friends arrive and when they do she slips quietly away in order to escape the unwanted advances of her disgusting boss. Unknown to her she has caught the eye of the drunken man and he comes to her rescue when her boss attempts to rape her.
That man is Cullen the Leader of a wealthy and powerful pack and he is drinking to numb the pain of getting himself involved into a "forced" marriage. With a spoiled and vapid pack leaders daughter. Aislynn and Cullen feel a connection but both of them are a little more than what they bargained for.
The characters are well developed, and the plot was good. It was a very long read and I do so love long reads! If I pay $8 dollars for a book I want a long read!

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an odd book for me. I felt like it was too books in one, the first half the stuff with Rafe, the second more with Jenna. I did like the dichotomy of the wolves and druids, liked how things were more in the second half with them. I liked how the pack was more family, but at times the drama within the pack and their fight for rank was too much. What really turned me off was the way the sex was portrayed in the book. I usually have a hard line where if there are human/animal couplings it turns me off and makes me quit reading. But for some reason I was compelled to keep reading.

[Jh Port · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Howling Stars !!!!

I love Werewolves and this was HOT !

First and foremost this was a great love story between Aislinn, a human (or is she?) waitress working at a dive bar and Cullen, one of the biggest pack Alpha's on the Continent.

With enough mystery, love, sex, magic, suspense and more sex, my fancy was tickled.

I love werewolves, I love pack alphas, I love the dynamics of packs and I love a little magic. This book has it all. Tick every box please.

One of my favourite Werewolf reads.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the writing style as well as the free-flowing words that this author has written.. Unfortunately it ends on a cliffhanger. I'd love to purchase this book as well as if there is a sequel, and to know how the story ends.. I'm a series finisher, (have to read whole series until completely finished no matter what) and this novel caught me hook line and sinker right from the first sentence!! Even If you do not have any more books, I would like to thank you for sharing thus story!!

[M Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this first years ago and thought it was the best shifter book I'd ever read.

All these years later it still holds up as one of the best. The dtory/ plot is really interesting and well developed. Characters are so well described and fully fresh out years later I still remembered them. The shifter culture is so well developed in thus book and did I say its hot af?? Like really scorching.

10 star book that doesnt date and holds up over time.

Outstanding writing

[Mim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read this years ago and, much to my surprise, really loved it. Yes its long and could probably do with a bit of polishing but it totally sucked me in. A bit of a different take on the standard were wolf tale with some decent world building as far as pack structure and function goes. Definetly worth reading

[Aqilah · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF, too long. It should be 2 books instead of one long never ending story. It should have been separated.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly it wasn’t my kind of book. I didn’t realize it was erotica.

[Christabel Chinyere · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to read this book but it's not opening

[Nicola Schmidt · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf

[Lettee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the overall story. HOWEVER, with all the typos and the fact that you actually cannot tell who is talking at first, is extremely frustrating and takes away from the enjoyment of the book. The reviews state the book is: "really good book", "bad typos" and "Horrible ending".etc.... I normally take "reviews" with a grain of salt and still make my own decision. I have to say that I am really glad I went against the negative reviews. Yes, there was some really bad grammatical errors, but if you can get over wanting something perfect, then the book is really worth the read! Yes, the book is longer than most eBooks, but COME ON! If you don't want a long book, then you're reading because...WHY????!! Some of the sex scenes were a little over the top in animal/human descriptions, and not something I would normally read. One other thing I found difficult was the phrases in Gaelic. Most often, when a character says something in a different language than English, the Author would put the meaning either under the phrase or write it in as if the character were explaining it to another.

The story grabs you right from the beginning and keeps your attention right to the end. I literally missed A LOT of sleep and when you work a lot, that is not good. But, it was worth it. This Author left the book where it "could" have a sequel, but not necessary. Some people wrote on their reviews that the book ended quickly, it should have said more, there should be a sequel.. But it isn't necessary! USE YOUR OWN IMAGINATION FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!

The only thing I am really concerned with is the fact that this book was written in 2008. Nothing can be found for Leighann Phoenix after that. Can anyone find this Author or did she just give up on writing??

I guess overall, if the Author had someone really "Edit" the book, it would have been absolutely incredible and I would have given it 5 stars. And I don't give that lightly. I say: "Get the book, overlook the grammatical errors best you can and sit back, enjoy yourself a nice long Were book that will definitely keep you entranced until the end"!

[Meg Kinch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this, so I settled on three stars. The overall characters and tone of the book was done rather well. However, I do have a few complaints. I found that the book in many places gave me information overload. It could be very wordy and very extensive and I had to read over a couple of times to process the information. Also, I felt that the book was entirely too long. It would have been better to break up the book in parts one and two, as there was a definitive end in the middle of the book that was pushed to make the rest of the book. There were also some exceedingly different things about werewolf mating in this book than in others. For example, I know that some books have a free for all thing when it comes to sex, but once mated it stops there. However, in this book, it's encouraged even after mating for the couple to share partners. I don't know, it just felt a bit much. Not to mention that as a part of the mating ceremony to accept the mate bond everyone that is present after the mating gives full oral to the female. I didn't particularly care for that. I'm one of those, mate = monogamy people and after establishing a relationship, frown upon the messing around, but again that is only my opinion.

Anyways, overall the book was okay and I liked it, but I'm not sure I would read a second one. After a while, it just felt like it was dragging on and on and I ended up getting a bit bored and skipping parts.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one long long book...like a novel and two novellas or maybe two novels. Not saying that I am complaining I kept thinking oh the story is concluding and nope I was like half way done.

The story opens with Aislynn is working as a bartender in a very sleazy bar with a VERY sleazy boss. Then one night a weird man comes in he sits in a corner and basically watches Aislynn all night and is to drunk to drive home. That man is Cullen and his is drinking to numb the pain of getting himself involved into a forced marriage. For some reason even at the very start Aislynn and Cullen feel a connection but both of them are a little more than what they bargained for.

Overall it is a good story. It is interesting to watch them each find a place in each others hearts and lives especially when there are certain parties who do not want them to be together and there is a threat to the pack.

I had a lot of issues with the formatting and the grammar/proofreading of this book. It was really confusing at some points to figure out who was speaking or what they meant. I also felt that some of the characters acted out of turn like an alpha who is very possessive is not so possessive when it is a woman touching your woman and you can feel her arousal? Then at times the author would have you present for a conversation then the character would rehash it for you...why I read it the first time??

Anyway it is a decent read and worth the money especially when you consider the length.

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Was suprised when I got it and saw how long it was. Not many PNR books I've run acroos are this long.

Cullen is a sexy Alpha male. As soon as he catches a whiff of Aislinn, he can't get her out of his head and can 't seem to stay away from her.
Aislinn has had more than her fair share of trouble bad relationships, crappy jobs, worse bosses just to name a few. She's drawn to Cullen but having been hurt in the past is very wary. That doesn't seem to bother Cullen, as Alpha he's just to getting what he wants and he wants Aislinn.
Rafe is Aislinn's enemy and very powerful. After she escapes him, he's determined to get her back at whatever the cost. Cullen is just as determined to protect and keep Aislinn. Aislinn is still trying to discover who and what she is. She's terrified of Rafe and uncomfortable with the pack culture. What she doesn't know is that Rafe isn't the only enemy she has that her and Cullen have to worry about. There are strange and dark things occuring. In order to save herself and those she loves, Aislinn must learn to accept who she is and embrace her ablities.
Filled with LOTS of romance, war, and 2nd chances this is a book every PNR & shapeshifter lover will want to read.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading this book again which has prompted me a write a review, it must be three years since I first read it and I'm still waiting patiently for the sequel. Cullen is the very powerful alpha of his pack and he's being pressured into mating with Jenna the only child of Brennus a neighbouring alpha,who worries what will happen to his pack without strong leadership should anything happen to him. Having just agreed to this Cullen goes to a bar to drown his sorrows there he meets Aislinn who's bartending. He's attracted to her but doesn't understand it because she's human, isn't she. Aislinn has visions and is running from her past, her past which is filled with gaps, what is it that she can't remember and what was done to her. Cullen's pack struggles with Aislinn where does she fit in, she doesn't seem interested in the hierarchy of the pack. This is a tale not only of werewolves but Druids and spells and betrayal and love, I loved it. Now I know this book has its faults but I overlooked these and got lost completely in the story. The 5 stars are a result of how much I enjoyed this book and the numbers of times I've gone back to read it again.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book but the reasons I did not give it a higher rating is
1. the editing was very annoying. There was so many grammar errors, missing words and typos it was very distracting. There were times I would have to go back to see who was speaking.
2. There was so many foriegn words that needed interpretation . Although there was a translation at the end of the book but by that time I did not remember where I came across the words or in what context. I am use to some sought of interpretation for the reader at the time it was spoken. This way the words have some meaning. This was so annoying that I began to just skip the words and not even try to interpret from the words around them.
3. I think the book was to long I generally don't mind long books but I think this could have been two books but that is just a small annoyance

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it hadn't been for the fact that my mom bought this book for me I wouldnt have finished reading it and deleted it from my kindle immediately.. I don't believe in giving horrible reviews on books I don't care for because I would Never have to courage to write my own story down and have read and reviewed by others. So with that said this book wasn't for me but if like long paranormal romances with lots of very graphic sex scenes on every other page (600 pages worth) this is the book for you.. Warning there is alot of M/F relations along with F/F action thrown in the mix 1 willing scene and one forced.. I want to stress the forced part for people who might be sensative to this subject.. Also there is one group scene..

[Cheryl Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was skeptical of a long book by a new author, but I'm not too proud to say I was proven wrong!!! This book grabs you from the beginning and keeps you hooked throughout the whole story!! The number of characters involved in the main plot is a bit large but there was never any confusion as to their roles and impact. Keith provides a refreshing bit of comedy to the story and keeps it from getting to intense. Aislinn really comes into her own through her challenges and even goes a little "wild" for her personality, in a very good way! Cullen is the perfect alpha because he is strong but fair and he learns along the way which serves well over a long reign. Even Jenna can be related to by the little girl in all of us. Thank you for such a superb story!!

[Stacie]

Pretty good, fast paced story with Aislinn and Cullen. Cullen is the leader (Alpha) of his wolf pack. Aislinn is working as a waitress when Cullen mets her. He has just gotten engaged to someone else under pressure from his pack. He knows that she is not his true mate so when he catches Aislinn's scent he is not sure how to handle the situation. He has waited so long to met his mate that he had given up.

This was a good story and had some erotic scenes (M/F, F/F, implied rape, and others watching) that were acceptable because of author's presentation and made sense in the flow of the story.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a super-novel length tale that really takes the time to tell the story fully. When the reader arrives at the end, there is no doubt that all that can be known has been made known and I, for one, appreciate reading a book that is long enough to tell it all. Aislann and Cullen are both fascinating characters and reading their full story was a most satisfying reading experience. It put me in mind of the epic novels of the past, when publishers weren't afraid to put out a really big book and readers gobbled them up like candy. This is one such book and while I didn't have a great deal of info going in, I came out at the end really loving this book.

[Trena Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I read the original story elsewhere and was extremely into it. The plot and story kept me laughing and crying through the whole thing.

I like that it has people being accepted as who they are and not what they are. Its great to see people also try to be open and able to acknowledge new people brought into their lives. I think it was an excellent story and loved it all. Cant wait to read more.

Definitely has some steamy parts to it.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Despite how long this book seemed, I actually kind of liked it. It seemed to be more of a casual read than a "omg what's going to happen next??" Kind of read, but I enjoyed it enough to finish it. I wasn't 100% keen on the mating rituals, but that's more of a personal preference than anything else, and I was a little surprised at how well this book did that kind of situation.
All in all, not bad if you get bored.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

+ 4 Stars +

I love sexy hot alpha wolves, seriously its my favourite.
I really did enjoy this, Yes it was super long, I didn't mind that. I was just gonna read it a little and come back to it but I read it in one sitting hahaha. It took me the whole damn day but It was sexy hot!
It ended with a few things unresolved and a possibility of another book so I hope that happens.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

VERY LONG read. It seems to go on and on forever. If you can overlook some editing mishaps, it is a decent read.

The characters are well developed, and the plot was good. This could have definitely been broken down into multiple books through.

[Eva (TXBookjunkie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs the help of an editor, but a decent story. It's a really long story that doesn't end when you think it's going to end. Warning: sex with partially shifted and fully shifted shifters occur, a rape scene, and 2 F/F scenes. Looks like it was originally published on Literotica (author=secretme).

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book why... because I remember reading it about two years ago and I still remember the story and will read it again. That's what makes it great to me. I read about three books a month.

[BookBunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good story, not erotica, but hot nevertheless. It could easily have been 2 books, but it certainly didn't feel like a chore to read this book.

Well written, and a great story line. Would like to read more books written in this world.

[Jenny Delandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is an alpha without a mate
she is a girl with a secret