chez_jae

One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had one chapter left in my work book after lunch yesterday; therefore, I brought it home and finished it last night. It was One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon, part of Silhouette's "Intimate Moments" line, and the second book in "The Pack" series. Story is told in alternating, third-person pov by the main characters: DEA agent (and werewolf) Alex Lupe, and Lyssa Reinholdt Lupe, Alex's estranged wife.

After Lyssa narrowly survives a savage attack from a serial killer, her absent husband Alex returns, insisting he's there to protect her. Their marriage had been intended to be in name only, but Lyssa got in too deep. The only thing that needs protection from Alex is her heart. Alex's worst suspicions are confirmed when he learns that the serial killer known as the Bone Man is a werewolf, and a crazed one at that. Since Lyssa escaped him, he's become obsessed with her and will stop at nothing to claim the woman he now believes is an immortal queen. Alex knows the regular police and FBI have no chance at stopping the Bone Man, and all of his instincts are clamoring to protect his wife...his mate. Can he convince Lyssa to let him help her, without revealing his secret?

It was a compelling enough story, and I'm sure I would have lapped it up 20 years ago. At this point in my life, however, I was somewhat meh about it. Alex was an ass for skipping out on Lyssa before (to spare her, I guess), but she took the gold in Idiocy in this book. Alex eventually convinces her that he's a werewolf and that the Bone Man is, too. Okay. But now we have this woman, fully human, who barely survived being attacked by the killer, has recently realized she may be pregnant, yet still thinks she has to be the one to take the Bone Man down?! WTF?! Bitch, I don't care if you're a goddamn ninja, you find out you're pregnant, you sit this one out. And, don't even get me started on Alex's nosy-ass, busybody aunt. She's the first one to suspect Lyssa was pregnant, then proceeds to get on the horn and let everyone else in Werewolf-ville know about it, long before it was confirmed. She irritated the crap out of me.

Favorite line: "We're all connected. Humans tend to forget this, in their concrete cities and metal cars. But the animals always remember..."

The writing was good, the story was interesting, but the characters annoyed me. I'll be surly and give it a three.

One Eye Open by Karen Whiddon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Today, I finished the book I'd taken to the office...at the office! It was One Eye Open by Karen Whiddon. The book is from the Silhouette 'Intimate Moments' line, and it featured main characters Brenna Lupe (a wolf shifter) and Carson Turner (on-leave DEA agent).

Brenna has not heard from her twin brother, Alex, in months. In desperation, she takes a leave from her job to track him down. When she learns someone else is searching for Alex, Brenna can't believe her good luck. Unfortunately, her attitude sours after she learns that Carson and Alex were once partners in the DEA and that Carson believes Alex murdered his wife and child. Brenna had no idea her twin was working for the DEA, but she refuses to believe he's a cold-blooded killer. Carson doesn't want the extra baggage of Brenna around, but he realizes that she may be the bait he needs to draw Alex to him. Getting wind that the drug-dealing motorcycle gang that Alex had infiltrated is about to make a huge deal, Carson follows their trail to a small town. Along the way, Brenna continues to maintain that Alex is innocent. The two of them end up in more danger than they'd bargained for, but Brenna has an ace up her sleeve.

As paranormal romance goes, this was okay. The action took place over the course of about a week, which makes the inevitable falling in love by the end a bit incredible, but such is the case with these shorter, contemporary romances. I was disappointed that the shifter aspect of it was minimal at best.

Favorite line: "It's colder than a well digger's butt out here."

The book was just okay. Average score.