To Tempt the Wolf by Terry Spear

Before I go any further, I should warn readers that To Tempt the Wolf is the third book in a series. If you are one of those people who can’t handle starting a series in the middle (you know who you are – and you can count me among your peers), you may want to read Heart of the Wolf and Destiny of the Wolf before diving into this volume. That being said, I didn’t actually know that this was the third book in a series when I started reading it, and it was as though I was reading a standalone book. I didn’t feel as though I was missing anything (which can sometimes happen), and while I will now go back and read the first two installments in this series, it really isn’t necessary to the enjoyment of this particular novel.

To Tempt the Wolf is a paranormal romance centering around werewolves, if you want to categorize it that way. However, it is also full of adventure and mystery, and should appeal to faithful readers of numerous genres. It is the story of photographer Tessa Anderson, who has had an inexplicable lifelong obsession with wolves. Scene one finds Tessa photographing a blazing California wildfire, and questioning her sanity for doing so. Her concentration, however, soon turns to taking pictures of a wolf that she spots lurking closely around. As she continues to take its pictures, an inkling of recognition begins to grow, and she has the funniest feeling of déjà vu, as though she has photographed this same wolf before. As she is taking pictures, the wolf charges her, and she barely makes it to her car before being attacked.

After returning home to her newly inherited cabin on the Oregon Coast, Tessa stumbles upon a naked man while collecting firewood on the beach. He is injured severely (near death); apparently as a result of his injuries, he is suffering from amnesia. The only memory he has is his name, which is Hunter. Despite the degree of his injuries, Hunter immediately realizes that Tessa is being stalked. Living alone in a fairly isolated area of Oregon, she is an easy target, and Hunter is determined to eliminate the stalker. And to help get her brother (who has been falsely accused of murder) released from prison.

While the task at hand may sound simple enough, winter is fast closing in on this desolate little stretch of land that Tessa calls home, bringing with it all of the fury one would expect from an Oregon winter. In addition, repeated threats are made against both Hunter and Tessa, and Hunter (bless his heart) doesn’t know who he is, where he’s come from, or who may have left him for dead. All in all, it made for a read that was at once charming, steamy, romantic, adventurous and mysterious.

While I am (admittedly) a paranormal romance buff, I also tend to prefer Vamp society to that of the Were’s. That being said, I loved this book. I will be hitting up Amazon.com in the very near future to procure volumes 1 and 2, and after reading them, I will be eagerly awaiting the release of volume 4, Legend of the White Wolf, in early 2010. Easily a 4 ½ star read –thoroughly engrossing and entertaining.

***BTW, Congratulations to Eleni!! She was the winner of my To Tempt the Wolf giveaway, and her copy of the book should be in the mail even as I post this. Thanks so much to the wonderful Danielle at SourceBooks for making it happen!!***