Deadlock
4 Stars

A quick and satisfying read overall but the obstacles are overcome far too easily.

Alec and Carmen meet and fall in lust then love in the blink of an eye with nothing to hamper their romance (Alec gets over his dead wife very quickly, Carmen accepts his dominance and relinquishes her independence in a flash, and Alec accepts his political destiny without reservation). Nevertheless, their relatively angst free relationship is engaging and they are both likeable characters who are easy to root for.

The complex political maneuvering within werewolf society continues and adds an additional layer to the world building. Moreover, the resolution to the conclave and council vacancies is original and contributes to an exciting conclusion.

The next book focuses on Andrew and Kat whose tense relationship is painful to see and it will be interesting to see how things work out. ( )

I loved this book! Alec and Carmen were so perfect for each other, you could really feel how they felt about each other. The plot was really good, the power structure was very unique. This book kept me up long past the time I should have been in bed. It was very enjoyable to read and I wasn't aware of time passing. Highly recommended.


P.s. I hope someone puts Diego in his place and gives him the a**whooping he so richly deserves. ( )

The particulars: Urban Fantasy, Samhain, available as e-book

The Review:

The Blurb:
Carmen Mendoza's shapeshifter father abandoned her. Raised by her psychic mother, Carmen ignored her paternal family's political machinations--until the day they decided to use her in their bid for power. Trapped between two worlds and snared by a vicious spell meant to wake her inner wolf, Carmen's only hope is to trust the one man strong enough to soothe her darkest instincts.

Born a pureblood wolf, Alec Jacobson lives as a rebel, the black sheep alpha who protects the supernatural residents of New Orleans from wolf politics. Too bad he can't protect himself from his need for Carmen. Staking a claim on his enemy's niece will turn his city into a battleground, unless he can find a way to stop breaking the rules--and start making them


My impressions:
This book is the third book in the Southern Arcana Series. While it stands alone, I recommend that you read Crux and Crossroads first, to get all the nuances.
The plot is fast paced, and hooks you from page one. Both Carmen and Alec are strong characters, prepared to fight for what they want. They fight each other, the Council, and Carmen’s family. But not necessarily in that order.
Each scene are crackling with tension. Both sexual tension between Alec and Carmen, but also the tension that stems from not knowing what will drop on them next.
It was fascinating to read exactly how they bend the rules. And I bit my nails during the last pages.
So, I truly recommend it for anyone that are interested in a good read.

( )

Glad I stuck it out, this was the best one thus far. I'm hoping Andrew and Kat are next for a HEA. ( )

OMG! I could not put this book down. Not only does my favorite wizard, Jackson, play an integral role in the plot but the sexual tension between Alec and Carmen is off the charts!

In the previous two books in the series, Crux and Crossroads, Alec comes across as controlling, angry, and ornery. Everyone is scared of him because of his past shenanigans, everyone thinks he's a crazy old alpha bastard. Alec is crazy all right - like a fox! I never thought of Alec as sexy in the other books but my opinion quickly changed when I started reading Deadlock.

When Alec and Carmen first meet, Alec pulls the normal "I'm in control. I'm handling this" alpha routine. Carmen knows just how to handle him. She doesn't back down but gives just enough to make Alec feel like he's in control. When Carmen's life is in danger, Alec immediately comes to her rescue. He sees it as his responsibility to protect her even though he's leery of getting too close to her due to an incident in his past that he hasn't yet to come to terms with.

What I liked best about Deadlock was the sexual tension and verbal foreplay between Alec and Carmen. This is the first time I wanted the smex to hold off for as long as possible! The dirty talk was that damn good. Alec can't keep his distance or hands off Carmen. The attraction is palpable even though at times he questions if it is real.

Like with the other books in the series, the majority of the plot centers around the wolf politics; the old guard vs the new guard. Things get downright dirty and dangerous and it's up to Alec, Andrew and Carmen's brothers, Julio and Miguel, to step in. As usual, the wolf politics aspect of the plot doesn't interest me as much. I'm all about the relationship.

There are enough characters where this series could continue for a long while and I hope it does. The next book, Cipher, is Andrew and Kat's story. I may be in the minority but I kinda want Andrew to end up with someone else. But who's to stay that he ends up with Kat? I hope that Carmen's brothers, Julio and Miguel, continue to be a presence in the series.

Deadlock is a great read and a great addition to the Southern Arcana series. I think I may like it a smidgen more than Crux. I love Jackson. He's still my man. But Alec and the dirty talk...rawr! And he has a beard. I love a man with facial hair. He can lock me up in a cage anytime! ( )