Under the Covers: ARC Review: Howl For It by Shelly Laurenston and Cynthia Eden

Howl For It

by Shelly Laurenston and Cynthia Eden

(Pride # 0.5)

Finally an anthology you will want to sink your teeth into! I had a great time reading this book, even though it's two short stories. It was fast, had me laughing and was also sexy. Great reading!

Like a Wolf with a Bone by Shelly Laurenston - 4.5 Stars

It's no secret that Shelly Laurenston has been my go to author for fun and sexy for the past 3 years, since I discovered her books. Her Pride series is one of my favorite shifter series still to date and I was so very excited to get a short story! Well, I admit it's been a while since I read the books so I couldn't quite remember who Eggie was. Then as soon as I started reading I thought it was great that she gave him a book. Eggie is the crazy uncle that is really good at killing things. He is also Dee-Ann Smith's father (from Big Bad Beast). We go back in time in the Pride series and this story reads as a prequel to the whole series. The Smith clan has always been crazy and Eggie maybe a little scary, but seeing him falling in love with Darla Mae was just adorable. He's tough and probably the most feared wolf around. She's smart and quiet and you would think a delicate flower. When her life is in danger, he takes it upon himself to protect her. Of course keeping her safe means keeping her close to him. And yes, the get close and hot and heavy. But what I loved the most about this story was the fact that knowing how Eggie is (from the future) it was so nice to see that sweet and cuddly side of him, how he melted for his woman and gave in to her every whim even though he's such a big tough guy. And lets not forget funny. This short story was laugh-out-loud hilarious while being very sweet and sexy. Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"What's so funny...wait. That was a laugh, wasn't it? I'm still trying to learn your different grunts."

"Just don't get in my way, and I won't have to kill any of ya. I hate upsettin' Momma and all."

"Stop glaring at everyone Eggie Ray."

"I'm not. I'm only glaring at the men staring at your legs."

"I'm not going to let you ruin our beautiful day by killing three men and burying them in the woods. I won't allow it."

"I hate Lynyrd Skynyrd. It's my Alabama cousins who like 'em."

Wed or Dead by Cynthia Eden - 4 Stars

I'm not sure if this was supposed to be part of a series as Cynthia writes a few sexy wolves but I thought this story stands alone perfectly. Even though this story still has some funny moments, there was a lot more action and suspense than in the first one. Kayla is part of a group of hunters (humans) and her job was to pretend to be in love with and marry Gage, the wolf alpha. Little does she know that Gage knew all along what she was but wanted to be with her anyway because she's his mate. Kayla also has issues in her past as it was a wolf who killed her parents and why she now joined the hunters. But everything she thought she knew is about to change and the truth has to come out. Gage was hot and sexy, as you can expect with an alpha wolf shifter. Posessive and intense. He wanted Kayla and he never backed down from his plan to have her, one way or another. I really enjoyed seeing things through Kayla's eyes and slowly realizing how she had been lied to and that her feelings for Gage were too strong to be denied. Capture, betrayals and pack conflict, this story had a bit of everything and it was a great suspenseful read. If this is part of a series, then believe me I'll be reading it. I would like to know more about Kayla's brother to start with.

*ARC provided by publisher