My TBR List ~ November ~ And the Winner is... #MyTBRList

My To-Be Read List is a meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. I think it's a fabulous idea because it gets y'all in the game and it helps me knock off some of the many, many books on my TBR list. You're more than welcome to join in the fun! I've included the basic rules below but you can click on the graphic above to hop over to Michelle's site where you can find all the details. 

Here's how it works:
On the first Saturday of each month, I will make a post with three books from my TBR List (these books can be already on your ereader or bookshelf OR books you might want to purchase) and add your link on the linky that will be provided on Michelle's post. Y'ALL will help me choose which book I will read next. The following Saturday, I will announce which book won. Then the last Saturday of the month, I'll post my review.

Fun, right?!?

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I'm continuing my quest, and working at one of my Bookish Resolutions to catch up on series (since I'm behind in 148 series) I'm once again having y'all decide which series I'm going to work at catching up on this month! :D

FYI, this will be my theme all year. And since I'm letting random.org choose from the list of series I'm behind in, you might see books show up more than once. ;)


And the Winner is...


Fair Game
Alpha and Omega #3

Synopsis
It is said that opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant Alpha, while Anna, an Omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

When the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial-killer case, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston to join the investigation. It soon becomes clear that someone is targeting the preternatural. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights...

This one won hands down, y'all! Thanks so much for voting! :)

Review ~ Hunting Ground ~ Patricia Briggs

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
Alpha & Omega #2
Release Date: August 25, 2009
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased ebook on nook
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: Traveling to the Terminus 2015
Goodreads

Synopsis
Anna Latham didn't know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf. And until she was mated to Charles Cornick, the son - and enforcer - of Bran, the leader of the North American werewolved, she didn't know how dangerous it could be either.

Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran's controversial proposition: that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans. But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan - and it seems like someone else might be too. When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all - or risk losing everything...

Hunting Ground is an outstanding follow-up to Cry Wolf. There is so much to love. I enjoyed the interactions between Charles and Anna as they each learn about their bond and an Omega's role. I delighted in delving deeper into the wolf psyche and pack dynamics. And getting more familiar with all the creatures of this world - the vampires, the fae, and the witches, was fascinating. I think the only drawback was the lack of Bran. *winks*

Hunting Ground is mostly set in Seattle, as that's where the summit is being held, and it's a setting I adore. Knowing the places talked about captivated me all the more. This summit is being held so Charles and listen to any issues the European packs may have with Bran taking werewolves public. Meeting some of these alphas made my skin crawl. They're prime examples of why humans would fear werewolves. And all these dominant wolves together in one room? Exciting to say the least. Especially with Anna's presence and her effect on them.

There is some trouble stirred up, on top of the outing issues, that Charles and Anna must try to resolve - especially once Anna is targeted. I enjoyed how Briggs wove in myth, magic, legend, and history into all the action. She didn't shy away from grit or violence which served the story well. In the end, Anna might have figured things out a little too easily but I don't want to take anything away from her intuition and skill. I am captivated watching her come into her own, stretch her mental and physical prowess, and gain confidence. And I adore that Charles is man/wolf enough to stand back as she does and validate her for it. 

Again, I feel like I'm being disloyal to Mercy and Adam but Charles and Anna have a special something that appeals to me. A lot. I'm looking forward to continuing this journey of discovery with them.

#2015HW Review ~ Cry Wolf ~ Patricia Briggs

Cry Wolf
Alpha & Omega #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Release Date: July 29, 2008
Source: Purchased from B&N on nook
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack...and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer--and son--of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.

Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna's inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf--a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.

It's been awhile since I spent time with Mercy and Adam and I feel like I'm betraying them a little but...I think I love Anna and Charles just as much. Maybe more. Cry Wolf was exciting, suspenseful, and fascinating. Here are a few reasons why:

1) Anna's an Omega - I had no idea what that meant but I learned and it was captivating.

2) Charles - he may be the Marrok's son and his assassin...he may also be quiet and have trouble expressing himself but I think he might be better with words than Samuel. Plus, he's a hot Native American and Anna brings out all his "good" stuff and we're able to see the softer side of Charles.

3) Asil - I adored the one-upsmanship between Asil and Charles. The dialog between these two provided some much needed comic relief.

4) BRAN! Getting to know more about the Marrok, his history, etc., was an absolute delight. I've adored him since he was introduced in Mercy's series, but he's been such an enigma. I'm so much better acquainted with him now. And I know he's actually scared of something.

I am very grateful to Braine for the heads-up about reading Alpha & Omega first. It certainly helped in my understanding of Anna - what she'd endured and why she reacted like she did.

I'm sad I waited so long to start this series. And I can't wait to get further into it!

Review ~ Alpha & Omega ~ Patricia Briggs

Alpha & Omega
Alpha & Omega #0.5
Release Date: October 20, 2008
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance
Source: Purchased for nook from B&N
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
In Cry Wolf, New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs started a new urban fantasy series set in the world of Mercy Thompson -- but with rules of its own. Now, read "Alpha and Omega." the novella that inspired the new series, and see how it all began...

Anna Latham never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack...and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the Chicago pack, she's learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But when she discovers wrongdoing in her pack, she has to go above her Alpha's head to ask for help.

Charles Cornick is the son -- and enforcer -- of the leader of the North American werewolves. Now his father has sent him to Chicago to clean up a problem there. Charles never expected to find Anna, a rare Omega wolf -- and he certainly never expected to recognize her as his mate...

This novella was originally published in the anthology, On the Prowl.

(I read Alpha & Omega prior to reading Cry Wolf as Braine (@TalkSupe) recommended it be read first for a better understanding of Anna, Charles, and their relationship.)

What a treat! It's been awhile since I've read Patricia Briggs but I was immediately pulled into the world she's created and adoring Anna and Charles. Briggs' writing is comfortable, familiar, and I found myself wondering why I've stayed away so long.

Alpha & Omega is a prequel novella introducing Anna and Charles. Of course, I knew of Charles already, his family and his role in it, but meeting Anna and seeing how she affected Charles - how they affected one another - was enlightening and fun. I needed the explanation of what an Omega wolf is and the examples of her 'power'.

Being already familiar with the were-world Briggs has created made falling onto the story easy. hat was amazing was the character development she could do in so few pages. I know Anna's past is going to figure heavily into her and Charles' story, and I liked getting the glimpse of it. I also enjoyed Charles' backstory because I can't remember if I knew it or not. Anna and Charles are good together. There is sexual tension (as Charles' wolf has claimed Anna) but they also balance one another well. It's going to be fun seeing their relationship grow.

On a side note, I loved, loved seeing more of Bran Cornick! ;)

Teaser Tuesday ~ #62

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Cry Wolf

Alpha and Omega Series #1

Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack...and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer--and son--of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.

Charles insists that not only his Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna's inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf--a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.

***Teaser***

"I was never afraid of monsters until I became one. Now I'm afraid of my own shadow."