Book 1, 2023

[chez_jae]

From the Mists of Wolf Creek by Rebecca Brandewyne

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



At lunch today, I finished the book I've been taking to the office. It was From the Mists of Wolf Creek by Rebecca Brandewyne, and it's part of the Silhouette "Nocturne" line. The main character is Hallie Muldoon.

After the tragic death of her mother, Hallie's grandmother sends her away from her beloved Meadowsweet Farm to be raised by a pair of spinster aunts out east. Now, however, Hallie's grandmother has passed, leaving the farm to Hallie. Returning to Meadowsweet brings back many memories for Hallie, some good and some bad. The farm is in need of upkeep, which is why she agrees to hire Trace Coltrane, a handyman drifter. Hallie is both fascinated and intimidated by Trace, especially since he reminds her of the large black wolf she's seen near the property. As Hallie begins to remember more about her mother's death, it becomes clear that it was no accident. Now Hallie is in the sights of a killer who is determined to finish things once and for all.

This story was odd, for lack of a better word. It really wasn't much of a romance. Hallie vowed to keep her distance from Trace, even putting him in his place more than once when he got a bit too familiar with her. Yet as the story progressed, Hallie muses that she doesn't know what she would do without Trace around; she's grown accustomed to his presence. It was a surprise, therefore, when near the end of the book they were each declaring their love for one another. I was like, 'Wait. When did this happen?!' Most vexing. I know Rebecca Brandewyne is a popular author, but the most salient point I got from reading this book was that the woman never met an adverb she didn't like...or use. She should really try her hand at writing 100-word drabbles; it would teach her to pare those unnecessary adverbs (and adjectives) from her writing. Worst of all, however, was the bestiality. Yes, bestiality. Um, we can has warning, please? I'm not such a prude that I don't enjoy reading (or writing!) sex-in-shifted-form, but I certainly didn't expect to see it in a mainstream romance novel. Beyond that, what was the point? It was a dream that Hallie had, but it was very explicit, and we never learn if the dream was completely conjured by her subconscious or if Trace some how caused her to dream it. Once she woke up, Hallie craved a cigarette. Wow! Um, go girl? It was bizarre to the point of being disturbing. Further, when the author had Hallie and Trace knock boots later in the book (as humans!), it wasn't nearly as explicit. WTF?

Favorite line: "Why is it that every single man alive believes every problem around can be solved by a quick roll in the hay?"

This book was far more aggravating than entertaining. I considered giving it a score of one, but I'll be generous and give it a two.