Paranormal Romance Challenge

Bitten By Paranormal Romance is hosting - of course - The Paranormal Romance Challenge for 2011!

I will be listing my books on my sidebar along with dates completed and links to reviews!

1. Alpha by Rachel Vincent - - 1/4/11 - - reviewed here
2. Marked by PC Cast & Kristin Cast - - 1/15/11 - reviewed here (I think this one counts as a romance)
3. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - 1/19/11 - reviewed here (I think this one counts as a paranormal romance - she is part angel).
4. Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa - 1/25/11 - reviewed here
5. Legacy by Kate Kaynak - 1/28/11 - reviewed here
6. Serengeti Heat by Vivi Andrews - 2/14/11 - reviewed here
7. Serengeti Storm by Vivi Andrews - 2/15/11 - reviewed here
8. Serengeti Lightning by Vivi Andrews - 2/16/11 - reviewed here
9. The Arrival by Nicole MacDonald - 2/25/11 - reviewed here
10. The Vampire Voss by Colleen Gleason - 3/5/11 - reviewed here
11. The Trouble with Spells by Lacey Weatherford - 3/17/11 - reviewed here

Review: Alpha by Rachel Vincent

Alpha by Rachel Vincent - - book 6 in the Shifters series

Amazon Product Description:

The unscrupulous new Council chair has charged Jace, Marc and me with trespassing, kidnapping, murder and treason. Yeah, we've been busy. But now it's time to take justice into our own hands. We must avenge my brother's death and carve out the rot at the heart of the Council.

It's not going to be easy, and loss seems unavoidable, but I have promised to protect my Pride, no matter what. With a target on my back and Marc at my side, I'm heading for a final showdown that can—that will—change everything forever. A showdown I'm not sure I'm ready for.
But life never waits until you're ready.


My thoughts:  (spoilers - careful)

I love this series!  I fell in love with Marc from the go - and Faythe is an amazing character!  Rachel Vincent writes characters that you love to love and you love to hate!

The story is well written, the characters are fantastic, the storyline moves smoothly and I found myself not wanting to put it down.  It was a 1 1/2 day read for me.  I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.  I would recommend this story to anyone who loves shifters, great, strong characters, love stories, or action!

Okay - the spoilers start here:

I was completely thrown for a loop when Faythe's father was killed.  I did not expect that at all.  I guess I figured she would become the Alpha of the pride (from the title) but I thought that Greg would retire and name her, not that he would die.  I was in tears when he was shot and all over again when they brought him home and had to tell her mom.  How much death can one woman cope with!  Karen is one of my favorite characters in the series.  She is the woman we all hope to be in some way - - the heart of her family.

I was sure that I was completely done with the whole love triangle thing and that I didn't need to read another one, but I have been WAITING for this book!  I think Jace is a fantastic character with a ton of potential as someone's partner, but like I said - I love Marc.  By the time Marc walked out of the hotel room, I found myself (for maybe only the second time in my life) reading ahead to see if I was going to be broken hearted.  I don't know if I could have finished the book if she was going to choose Jace over Marc.

The finish:  I was pleased to see that Ryan gets to do something noble before the end.  I was sad to see their mom forced to suffer more, but it was a great way to solve the Ryan problem and to give their mom closure.  I love that Owen and Manx get to be together and that the tabby's will all have the chance to live up to whatever potential they have in them.  It goes without saying, okay I guess I'm saying, that I was thrilled that Faythe gets to run the pride with Marc by her side.  I truly love that they are fighting for ideals.