The shifted dynamics here really worked for me. Even though I was angry at Braden for the way he treated Beth at first, I understood his reasons for being suspicious of her. Likewise, Beth's anger and mistrust worked in context.

What didn't work was the way Beth blew hot and cold. She'd snuggle up to Braden willingly enough, then push him away, disgusted with him as much as her own reactions to him. That made no sense.

( )

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Family loyalty with werewolf tendencies and one woman looking from the outside in.

Opening Sentence: “Just pick one.”

The Review:

The paranormal genre has plenty of werewolf stories. What is it that draws us to them? Sexy alpha males perhaps? Definitely on MY list of requirements, but I don’t think that is it. Well, not entirely (it certainly doesn’t hurt). I believe the draw lies not in the individual, but the pack. A family unit, not necessary blood related, that bands together for mutual survival. Our main character, Beth Williams, is a soul alone in this world. Braden Edwards comes along and offers all she is missing, a place to belong. I think that we all look for such a place in our own lives. It also makes for a good story.

Beth is a survivor. Grief-stricken over the murder of best friend and sister-of-her-heart, Rachel, and the apparent loss of her humanity, she restlessly moves around the country until finally settling down in Portland. She is looking for a new start but is she ready to accept it? Beth comes with a lot of unresolved issues that prevent her from moving forward in her life. Dealing with her werewolf side is just one of many problems she refuses to acknowledge. She is a little stubborn and comes off as a pain in the butt for most of the novel. Can she come to terms with her past before it catches up to her? Will she learn to trust someone with her fears and insecurities? Can she accept love when it is offered, or will she let it pass her by? Can she embrace her new life as a werewolf or will she let it dictate her actions from here on out?

Braden Edwards is hot. He’s smart, wealthy, and has a loving family. And what a family. Mom wielding a spoon like she’s brandishing a club, smart and reliable Dad, perky little sis that is noisy and lovable, brothers that don’t let an opportunity pass when there is teasing to be done. They’re like the Brady Bunch with fur. That’s all I’m going to say about that, the rest you have to read about on your own. What on Earth possessed someone like Braden to pursue a woman that clearly has something to hide? Werewolf pheromones! It’s kind of corny the way they hook up but that’s okay. Ms. Alvarez, the author, makes them work for it. I like that their relationship hits lots of snags, like a normal one would. They fight, they say hurtful things to one another, they brood over it, and then they make up. *smile* The “Fated Lovers” stories are everywhere. This one is like a breath of fresh air in that regard.

The only one standing in their way, besides each other, is Markko Bolvek. He is one sick puppy. The bad guy’s family that is responsible for the kidnapping and brutal murder of Beth’s best friend, Rachel, is now out looking for her. Markko has come for Beth and nothing will stand in his way, including his long time rival, Braden. Suspense, suspense, and a little dismemberment follow this guy around. He likes to play with his “dinner” after all. Can the good guys prevail or shall the bad guys win this time? Will love triumph over evil? I know, more than a little cliché but it still applies.

If you are looking for a book without many twists, turns, not much in the way of depth, but still left you happy, then this is the book to read. I have no idea how this will work out as an ongoing series. Mostly because there is not much of an emphasis on the world building as much as there is on the character development. The series title, Prime Legacy, refers to the mythological beginnings of both the Edwards and Bolveks clans. Those that carry the prime mantle, special markings on a wolf’s fur, show proof that the werewolf is part of the direct descendants from their legends. I am curious as to what is in store for us for the next book.

Notable Scene:

“You call the family doctor for all the people you kidnap?” Beth let the full force of anger consume her face when Braden opened his mouth. “I’m sure that’s simple to explain. Sorry to call you out here doc, but we Tasered a girl, then tossed her in the trunk of the car yesterday. We just want to make sure she’ll live.”

“Nobody said anything to me about a Taser!” Anna’s irate voice broke through most of Beth’s anger. “A Taser, Braden? How could you?”

Braden jerked away from his mother. “That was Chase!”

Anna rounded on Chase. “Apologize. Now.”

“But…”

“Both of you. Now.”

“Sorry.” They muttered at the same time, obviously unwilling to ignore their mother’s edict. Braden wouldn’t look at her and Chase suddenly took a ravenous interest in his breakfast. Anna pushd a plate of freshly scrambled eggs and steaming bacon in front of her.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Uh…”

“We’ve got orange juice, milk, water, coffee…”

“Orange juice is fine.”

Anna turned away and pulled a glass out of the cabinet.

“That was awesome!” Lucy leaned across the two empty chairs between them, a huge smile broadcasting perfect teeth. “No one can make them cower like Mom.” Her eyes danced with amusement. “I bet if you squeeze out a few tears she’ll actually hit them with her spatula.”

The Prime Legacy Series:

1. Hunting Human

FTC Advisory: The author provided me with a copy of Hunting Human. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. I only get paid in hugs and kisses from my little boys. ( )

My thoughts:
Fantastic story! I fell fast and didn't put it down until it was over! I love the fresh new take on the whole werewolf idea! If this first book is any indication of how great future books will be I can't wait!
Incredible characters! Each of the characters has been well thought-out and lovingly designed. It was easy to become completely engrossed in the lives on the page. I was fully invested by the time I had turned the page a couple times. If you are into shifters - this book is for YOU!
Elizabeth is superbly created! From the first altercation in the bar when she was young, you just know she is going to great. Angie - we all know that woman and secretly hope to have that kind of effect on people. Braden - WOW! What more needs to be said - truly, we could only hope men like this existed! I won't go on and name each character, but they all deserve mention as each and every one plays an important role. The author didn't waste a single word on a character that had no meaning in the story, nor did she under-develop anyone. Really, all the characters are superbly created.
The story line is smooth and the transitions between the past and the present flow easily. The plot is interesting and intriguing - keeps you turning the pages. I was thrilled with the new spin on werewolves - absolutely LOVED Braden's family and the idea that they chose and were supported and loved. It was interesting that the mate for life aspect that we see in almost every shifter story is missing here - giving the characters the choice in who they decide to be with. ( )

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

With the seemingly never ending deluge of werewolf books released each month, it is harder and harder to find werewolves that are written in new and exciting ways. In her paranormal romantic suspense novel HUNTING HUMAN, Amanda E. Alvarez distinguishes her werewolves from the rest of the pack with a unique mythological origin story and age old feud between rival clans that has endured to modern day.

Reminiscent of Patricia Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series, HUNTING HUMAN follows a brave but wounded woman hiding out in a small town whose traumatic past catches up with her. She meets werewolf, Braden, and his loving family and must decide who to trust and to either embrace her future or continue to run from it. Beth, though scarred from her past, is stronger than she realizes. With Braden’s help, and the life she experiences with his family, she begins to hope again. It’s more a suspense novel with strong paranormal and romance elements than anything else. The werewolf mythology, though subtle, was enough to appease this paranormal fan.

I do want to give a heads up about the scene that introduces us to the villain. It is from his POV and takes place immediately following a rape that is referenced as brutal in the extreme. I appreciate that we did not have to read about the rape itself, but the aftermath was still very disturbing. The scene begins the moment after the rapist ejaculates and we read about him pulling out of the ‘pathetic bitch’ who is whimpering and trying to move away when ‘Boredom and disappointment pushed him to shove her the rest of the way off the bed.’ Yes, he’s the villain and we’re supposed to despise him, but the level of callousness and vileness described in this scene almost kept me from continuing. Potentially worse is that we have to endure another scene where he fantasizes about raping Beth.

That scene aside, I thought HUNTING HUMAN was a well written, suspenseful paranormal romance with well developed characters and a few subtle changes to the traditional werewolf mythology. There is definitely potential for a follow up book about two of the secondary characters, but no word on whether or not that will happen.

Sexual Content:
References to rape including a POV from a rapist immediately following a brutal rape. Several graphic sex scenes. ( )

Reviewer: Beth
Publisher: Carina Press
Review copy provided by the author

Blurb: For two years, Beth Williams has run from the past, and the beast that dwells inside her. She is haunted by memories of being kidnapped and the savage attack that killed her best friend. Now Beth finally thinks she's ready to move on...with Braden Edwards, a charming, irresistibly sexy man who tempts Beth to embrace the present.
But the past lurks closer than Beth realizes. Markko Bolvek, one of the werewolves who kidnapped her, has tracked her to Portland, Oregon, his pursuit fueled by a hunger for vengeance. Only Braden, a werewolf himself, senses the danger shadowing her steps. The Edwards and Bolveks have been enemies for centuries—and despite the instant connection he feels with Beth, Braden isn't sure which side of the war she's on.

With suspicion at odds with their attraction, Beth and Braden must learn to trust one another to stop Markko for good. Can Beth accept the wolf within—and love a man who embodies everything she fears?

Review: This book absolutely blew me away! It was amazing from beginning to end. It was extremely well written with characters that I could see coming to life as I read. After reading this book, I have decided I want to become a werewolf. I read this book in one day. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about reading it. This is the type of book I enjoy. This book sticks with you and you will not forget it.

Beth is an independent woman with few acquaintances and no close friends. Running from a painful past that she cannot bring herself to face, she does not want to have friends that she will just end up leaving behind. She is about to learn, though, that sometimes having the right friends can help her come to grips with the pain from her past and to accept her future with open arms.

Braden is a solid man who comes from a close and solid family. When he sees something he wants, he goes after it and he wants Beth. There is just something about her that calls to him. Now he just has to figure out how to get passed her defenses to make her see that she can trust him.

In this book, Beth has to learn to trust Braden and to let go of a past that she has held on tightly to for years. She also has to learn to accept a part of her she has tried so hard to ignore. When an enemy from one horrible night years ago finally tracks her down, she will have to decide whether or not she can trust the love that Braden and his family have for her.

This is definitely worth curling up with and reading. I would suggest, however, that you prepare yourself to read it all in one sitting. ( )