New to Me Review: Awakened by the Wolf by Kristal Hollis

Who’s been sleeping in the Alpha’s bed?

Exiled from his pack by his father, Brice Walker has secretly come home to visit his ailing grandmother only to discover a human and very desirable female sleeping in his bed. Their attraction is instant. But his new bed buddy seems determined to resist his Southern charm and Alpha allure.

For Brice, fiercely independent Cassie not only represents a chance to build a new life in Walker’s Run but is also his one true mate. Cassie’s reluctance dissolves when a rogue shifter kidnaps her, and now she and Brice must work together to save his pack. But once she witnesses the savagery of wolfan justice, can Cassie accept Brice as man, beast and her true love?

Awakened by the Wolf – so much fun! I loved Cassidy right from the beginning. She’s not afraid to fight back, even when it’s against a werewolf…or, to be more politically correct, Wahyas. Cassidy doesn’t know most of the people surrounding her are wolf shifters, and it comes at a great shock when the future alpha of Walker’s Run sneaks home to his grandmother’s after a long absence and shows up in Cassidy’s–his–bedroom. She’s less than pleased to be woken up by a large, naked man, and the fight is on.

Cassidy’s life hasn’t been the easiest. Her alcoholic mom basically traded her body for the basics, and Cassidy is determined not to be like her mother, even if she has to handle everything on her own. She refuses handouts almost to the point of being unable to accept kindness, which is so sad, and yet I really admired her fierce independence. But her fear of relying on anyone else, needing anyone else, is a huge hindrance to her relationship with Brice and others. Still, she has a soft heart and I really liked her.

And then there’s Brice, Alpha-heir to the pack. He’s been through a lot too and has some serious soul wounds and long-term misunderstandings to overcome, but he’s not afraid to go after what he wants: Cassidy, of course. The banter between the two as they grow to know each other and while Cassidy comes to terms with the whole existence of Wahyas brought a lot of smiles.  And the push-pull romance is swoon worthy. If you like shifters, sassy heroines, and alpha heroes, Awakened by the Wolf doesn’t disappoint.

Southern born and bred, Kristal Hollis grew up amid cane fields and orange groves. Books fed her imagination, providing adventurous portals to ancient civilizations, medieval fiefdoms, alternate realities and futuristic worlds. Then, a friend gave her Johanna Lindsey’s FIRES OF WINTER, a historical romance which ignited a life-long love affair with romantic fiction.

After earning a degree in psychology, Kristal has enjoyed career and volunteer endeavors that have included sales, banking, social services, and animal rescue. When a family medical situation required her to take a work sabbatical, she began penning deliciously dark paranormal romances as an escape from the real-life drama. Even though the crisis passed, her passion for writing continues.

A 2015 Golden Heart® finalist, she sold her qualifying manuscript to Harlequin Nocturne. Her debut novel, AWAKENED BY THE WOLF, is scheduled for a June 2016 release.

Currently, Kristal lives with her husband and two rescued dogs at the edge of the enchanted forest that inspires her stories.

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