Book Review: Savage (Wolf Springs Chronicles Book 3) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Title: Savage
Author: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Series: Wolf Springs Chronicles #3
Pages: 336
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Who do you run to?

Out in the forest, tensions are blazing like forest fire. The ancient rivalry between the Fenner and Gaudin packs has reached fever pitch, and only a battle will quell the blood lust.

Katelyn is caught in the middle, her pack loyalties tested like never before. The person she needs the most - strong, sexy, loyal Trick - has no idea about her dark secrets. And while werewolf wars are raging, the Hellhound is still out there, stalking her every move.

It's time to take control. It's time to get savage.

After finishing Hot Blooded, I had a TON of questions that I desperately needed answers to. I was really hoping to get the answers I wanted in Savage, and boy did I! The book was AMAZING!

Holder & Viguie really know how to test my willpower! They had so completely enamored with the story that I couldn’t wait to see how everything unfolded! I constantly had to stop myself from flipping to the last page! Through sheer force of will I was able to make it to the end without giving in and taking a peek! 😊

I’m so glad that I didn’t spoil the ending for myself, because it was AMAZING!!! There were several twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting! I was literally on the edge of my seat for the last half of the book! Katelyn’s journey was intense, entertaining, and full of surprises! I’m so happy with how everything in the story turned out, and that ALL my questions got answered!

Book Review: Hot Blooded (Wolf Springs Chronicles Book 2) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Title: Hot Blooded
Author: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Series: Wolf Springs Chronicles
Pages: 400
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Wolf Springs was just going to be a short stop for Katelyn McBride--until she turned 18 and could return to LA on her own. But Katelyn's plans have unraveled.

Katelyn wasn't in Wolf Springs a month when she was attacked by a werewolf. And now she carries that creature's curse in her veins.

But she's not alone. Wolf Springs is home to werewolves. And they swear that it wasn't any of them who bit her. Changing humans without permission means the death penalty, and they're none too happy about Katelyn.

The only explanation is that there's a monster on the loose--something wild and uncontrollable. Because Katelyn has some of its power.

And two guys want Katelyn: one dark and mysterious, yet perhaps the perfect confidant; the other ferocious and forbidden--a werewolf that she can't keep her hands off of.

After finishing Unleashed I was left with a ton of questions. I was hoping Hot Blooded would answer some of these questions. While it did manage to answer a few of them, I was left with even more questions than when I started!

Holder & Viguie are like the wonder twins of young adult fantasy! The worlds that they create are vivid and they somehow manage to get me invested in their characters! I absolutely love Katelyn! In this installment she is learning more about herself and the world that she has been thrown into. She is a super strong individual and despite having Trick’s perfect muscular shoulder to lean on, she handles everything going on herself. After all, she can’t jeopardize anyone’s safety, despite the fact that I’m pretty sure that Trick and her grandpa could handle themselves just fine...

Speaking of Trick and her grandpa, something isn’t quite right with either one of them. I think they are keeping some secrets and I can’t wait to hear about them in the next book! However, I do have another major question that I desperately need answered, what is the connection between Kat and Justin? I know it can’t be just because of the wolf hormones, since they’ve felt it from the moment they met. Hmmmm......I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. 😉

Book Review: Unleashed (Wolf Springs Chronicles Book 1) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Title: Unleashed
Author: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Series: Wolf Springs Chronicles #1
Pages: 382
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

When I came across Unleashed, I knew that I had to read it for a number of reasons.

1) The book is set in Arkansas

2) It's about werewolves

3) Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie are AWESOME

4) There's a bit of eye candy 😉

With reasons like that, how could I not pick it up, I mean it's got to be good right? Well, at least that's what I thought. Much to my chagrin it was awesome! Being from Arkansas, I loved how I felt as if I could picture the scenery better. The book would have gotten bonus points if it would have taken place in my hometown, however, I did know some of the towns, and I have actually been to the airport in Bentonville. Score one for me!

I especially enjoyed how such a big city girl like Katelyn called Arkansas "banjo land." She is by no means alone in thinking that! I've traveled places before and people have looked at me funny when I tell them that I'm from Arkansas. Not everywhere in Arkansas is "banjo land," just like not everywhere in California is Hollywood.

Despite her trepidations about Arkansas, Katelyn comes to learn that there is actually a lot of interesting stuff in her little town. Just like with any small town in the woods, Wolf Springs is full of legends. Katelyn learns all about them, and ends up a little too close for comfort with one in particular...

Not only is Katelyn intrigued by the legend of the hellhound, but I am as well! I can't wait devour the next installment. There's way too many questions that I need answers to! Such as, what's up with Trick? What's the connection between Katelyn and Justin? What is Mike's deal (seriously, he has got to be one of the biggest jerks EVER)?, and the question on everyone's mind What is going on in Wolf Springs?

Book Review: Vanquished (Crusade Book 3) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié

Title: Vanquished
Author: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié
Series: Crusade #3
Pages: 384
My Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Hope is in short supply, but courage runs deep as the Salamancan hunters recover from a devastating loss. Jenn knows she must rally her team against the Cursed Ones, but her focus is shattered. She’s torn between passion for Antonio, who once fought by her side, and hate for the bloodthirsty vampire he’s become. His volatility is tearing apart their team...and Jenn’s trust.

As the Cursed Ones amass new strength, Team Salamanca must strike together if they hope to survive, let alone defend humanity. Jenn wants to believe Antonio’s loyal to their cause—and their love—but she’s slowly losing her heart to Resistance fighter Noah. And if Antonio’s not careful, he may just end up with a stake in his.

This gripping conclusion to an epic trilogy pairs steamy romance with heart-stopping action, and delivers an ending as dramatic as it is unexpected.

Holder and Viguié did a great job wrapping up their epic crusade series! As always, this book was jammed pack with action!

As this series went on, I found myself caring about the characters more and more. One of the things that I loved most about this series was how readers are able to see each one of the characters grow. We are able to see changes in ALL the characters...including Jamie! Speaking of, he actually grew on me in this book! I found myself somewhat actually liking him!

The only problem I have with this installment is how quickly and nicely things were wrapped up. Despite all of the action, the book seemed to progress kind of slowly; so, I was super surprised when I got to the end and everything was wrapped up in just a few pages. I was waiting for an epic "final battle" to take place, which I did get a battle, but I don't think it was Harry Potter final battle worthy.

Despite this, I am truly glad that I picked up this series, and I can't wait to read more from Holder & Viguié!

Book Review: Damned (Crusade Book 2) by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Title: Damned
Author: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Series: Crusade #2
Pages: 544
My Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

There is a fine line between love and sacrifice…. Antonio would do anything for his beloved fighting partner Jenn. He protects her, even suppresses his vampire cravings to be with her. Together, they defend humanity against the Cursed Ones. But tensions threaten to fracture their hunting team and his loyalty—his love—is called into question.

With an even more sinister power on the rise, Jenn must overcome her personal vendettas.

Antonio and Jenn need each other to survive, but evil lurks at every turn. With humanity’s fate hanging in the balance, they must face down the darkness…or die trying.

Wow! Holder and Viguie really outdid themselves on this one! Clocking in at a little over 500 pages (yes, you heard me...500 PAGES!!) I expected it to have some lulls, as well as some highs. I can't believe how wrong I was! Each page was jam packed with action!

I loved the twists and turns that the plot would take, especially with the fogginess surrounding Aurora's and Sergio's mysterious sire. Just who is he? And, when I finally was given a name I was left with even more questions.

One of my favorite parts of this series (so far) is how each character seems to be battling some kind of inner demon. This was evident in the first installment, but even more so in the second. Every character, and I do mean EVERY character, has some kind of obstacle that they must overcome. This makes me want to root for them even more, even Jamie 😂.

I can't say for sure which installment I like better, but what I do know is that this one introduces more characters. Some I absolutely love, while others just need to make an exit already!

I cannot wait to see what is in store for Jenn and the gang! I'm hoping that the conclusion is bursting apart with action!

"Training, knowledge, can only take you so far. You have to learn to trust yourself, even when you don't want to. The mind notices thousands of minute details that we don't even consciously register...Sometimes the details you've overlooked are miniscule. Sometimes they are glaringly obvious and you just didn't want to see them. Because you were afraid to."

"Sometimes the hardest thing you have to do is fight when you'd rather just give up. You can't give up. No matter what. Not even if your heart is breaking. Not even if everything and everyone you love has been taken from you. You must keep going. Because sometimes, the fight is all you have."

"If he stopped trying so hard, you know...Maybe Antonio needs to eat, drink, and be merry. He's often rather dour, wouldn't you say?"

Book Review: Crusade (Crusade Book 1) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié

Title: Crusade
Author: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié
Series: Crusade #1
Pages: 470
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

The ultimate battle. The ultimate love.

For the past two years, Jenn has lived and trained at Spain’s Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones. She is among the few who have pledged to defend humanity or die trying. But the vampires are gaining power, and the battle has only just begun.

Forced to return home after death takes a member of her family, Jenn discovers that San Francisco is now a vampire strong-hold. As a lone hunter apart from her team, Jenn is isolated—and at risk. She craves the company of her fighting partner, Antonio: his protection, his reassurance, his touch. But a relationship with Antonio comes with its own dangers, and the more they share of themselves, the more Jenn stands to lose.

Then Jenn is betrayed by one who was once bound to protect her, causing her to doubt all she had held as true. To survive, Jenn must find the courage to trust herself—and her heart.

I came across Crusade in a bargain bin at my local bookstore. I loved the premise and knew that I had to have it! Like most books I end up purchasing, this one simply got added to my TBR, which is pretty extensive. While cleaning out my bookshelf, I came across it once again and decided to read it. I have to say, that my bargain book skills are pretty top notch, because I absolutely loved it!

There is much more to this book than the synopsis explains. First off, the short snippet only talks about Jenn and Antonio, so when I started reading I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book is not just about them and their romantic woes. Instead, we get to meet a whole team of hunters!

Each member of the Salamanca Hunters is extremely unique. I'm not kidding! They are truly a diverse set of characters! Spanish, Japanese, Danish, and Irish lingo would all be used on a single page! It seriously brought me back to my high school Spanish days. The hunters are all great...except Jamie. I really want to like him, but I don't know if I can forgive his attitude. He's going to have to be pretty awesome in the next book to win me over!

Being a fan of all things action, I was enamored with the amount in this book. There was suspense, betrayal, fighting, and even some shock factor! At times, I found it impossible to put the book down, I had to finish a scene...or a chapter...okay or maybe the whole book!

Overall, I really enjoyed the crazy world that Holder & Viguié created. I would say it's somewhere between True Blood and The Walking Dead, making it what I call an apocalyptic vampire action romance (sounds fancy, I know!).

"Do you know, Antonio's been going outside in the cold mornings, and then coming and putting his hands on your face, to bring your fever down. That's really awfully sweet, in a very strange way."