Audio Review ~ Hunting Season ~ Shelly Laurenston

Hunting Season by Shelly Laurenston
The Gathering #1
Narrated by: Alexandra Shawnee
Release Date: September 6, 2016 (audio)
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: Tantor Audio sent me a complimentary copy
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease
Goodreads

Synopsis
Stubborn, lethal, and from Jersey...what more could a Viking warrior want from his woman?

Neecy Lawrence, winged warrior for a Viking goddess and second-in-command of the fierce Crows, doesn't know what to do with a nice guy. As it is, making up for a past she'd sooner forget leaves her barely polite most days. But Raven leader and loyal Odin warrior, Will Yager, isn't just nice. He's gorgeous, hot, and a distraction she simply can't afford.

Yager has wanted Neecy in his life--and in his bed--for a long time. Not just for a night, but forever. And, like any self-respecting Viking, he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants. So what is she's the most difficult, complex, never-gives-him-a-break woman he's ever known? She's more than worth the effort. In fact, she's worth everything.

And if it turns out that twenty-four hours of non-stop, any-way-she-wants-it sex doesn't work with Neecy? Then it looks like he'll just have to get a little more creative...

Overall, I enjoyed this introduction to The Gathering series. It was fun, steamy, and suspenseful. I'll definitely continue the series. Here's what worked for me, and what didn't work:

What Worked:

• Neecy Lawrence. She's tough, smart, independent, and loyal. Everything I want in a heroine. Oh, and she has wings!
• Wilhelm Yager. A big, brawny Viking, Yager is also tough, smart, loyal, and wily when he needs to be. He also has the patience of a saint, which he needs in trying to woo Neecy. Oh, and he has wings, too!
• Norse mythology. That Laurenston used Skuld's Gathering and Odin's Ravens was particularly exciting. The series apparently revolves around a war between gods which involves their warriors.
• Robust cast. Since the series is about The Gathering and the Ravens, we meet many characters from both groups. I enjoyed the camaraderie and dynamics within the groups as well as between them. I'm eager to see what happens next - who pairs up.
• Suspense. Even though the suspense element played second fiddle to the romance, I was still anxious about what was going on and who was behind it.

What Didn't Work:

• Neecy's continual fighting of her feelings for Yager got to be a bit tedious after awhile.
• Language. No, I'm not talking about profanity. At least, not exactly. There was an extreme repetition of certain words that became annoying since I was hearing it over and over. That said, it might not have been so irksome if I'd been reading it rather than listening.

As for Ms. Shawnee - I liked her voice and her delivery. She kept the story flowing. However, she lacked the range for such a large cast of characters. I think she'd be better suited for a book with fewer voices required.