Moira Rogers

One of my favorites in the series. I was pretty excited to read Archer's story after seeing him in [b:Wilder's Mate|8645474|Wilder's Mate (Bloodhounds, #1)|Moira Rogers|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1295731481s/8645474.jpg|13516569]. I'm a sucker for the anti-hero and Rogers didn't disappoint. I loved the theme of redemption the plot had and how Rogers paired Archer with Grace, someone who would truly understand his past. Grace is a former con-artist who had turned her life around by stuffing show more herself into the role of a respectable small-town teacher. However, she starts to reconsider the merit of this choice when the town starts getting raided by vampires on a nightly basis. When Archer arrives in town, its to find Grace, in a weak moment, standing next to her horse with a sack of stolen silver.

Like I said, this was a pretty great installment. I'll be looking forward to reading [b:Diana's Hound|15771216|Diana's Hound (Bloodhound's #4)|Moira Rogers|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1351778152s/15771216.jpg|21479482], the next book in the series. show less

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 show more 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! show less

To sum up my feelings for this book in one word would be Wow! Bree and Donna, the ladies that make up the persona known as Moira Rogers, have managed to create some of the hottest alpha males I’ve ever encountered. Keith Winston won my heart the moment he was introduced. He has just recently returned from fighting the war between werewolves and wizards. While trying to recover from years spent in battle he has Abigail Adler suddenly thrown into his life.

Abby is a new wolf who is trying to show more escape her abusive pack leader. Things between Abby and Keith heat up immediately. I’ll just say the hotel scene that takes place between these two lovely wolves early in the book is one I could (and did!) read over and over. Keith is seriously dreamy and Abby reaches a level of badass I can’t help but to covet.

This book has romance, action, an irresistible hero, and an unflinching heroine. Oh and I can’t forget the steamy scenes involving previously mentioned hero and heroine. The Red Rock Pass series is definitely worthy of a spot on my list of favorites. show less

For full review including excerpt and dialogue highlight, please visit Reader's Edyn at:
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Review:

So Satira is a young woman who is knowledgeable in many things. Part because she is wicked intelligent and has been working as an apprentice under an inventor for The Guild. This is not generally acceptable because Satira is a woman but because of her ties to a Bloodhound, she is given the opportunity to learn, knowing nothing more can come of it. She has known intimacy, but show more craves a connection she has yet to experience. Ever attracted to the “bad boy” or in this case, Bloodhound, she knows exactly what she wants with her first glimpse of Wilder. But he resists in an effort to keep the distraction to a minimum during their rescue mission. Unfortunately, his resistance triggers an old insecurity with Satira, causing her to question her ability to elicit desire within a Bloodhound ~ or a man for that matter.

A couple of questions you may have. What is The Guild and what is a Bloodhound? The best way I can describe The Guild is that they are a type of society that are enemies of vampires. They act only in their best interests and take whatever steps necessary to eradicate the vampire population. Enter the Bloodhounds. Once men, now werewolves of sorts. These powerful beings typically work for The Guild as vampire hunters. I say werewolves, but they are not actually a werewolf per say. More like a man with superhuman strength. With a full moon he can transform into what could be called a werewolf, but with the new moon his sexual appetite peaks, making him insatiable and in need of someone who can handle his lusty needs.

Wilder is a Bloodhound. Satira knows a lot about Bloodhounds because her mother used to be the mate of one. Having lived under the same roof as one, she understands and accepts more than the average person would. Wilder knows Satira is not a typical female, but neither does he understand the power her acceptance will wield over him. Not one to think about permanency in any way, Satira soon has his world well and truly rocked with Wilder more than protective over her. But beyond the feral need each holds for one another lurks a powerful vampire threatening to destroy all. Satira and Wilder must come away victorious if they are to have any hope of saving Nathaniel (Satira’s mentor) from the bloodsucker’s evil clutches.

While I have described the gist of this book, I don’t feel that I have adequately covered everything that is encompassed within. I was enthralled throughout the entire story. It is a novella so is a fairly quick read, but really packs a punch. It starts off with a bang and ends with another, never faltering in between. The world built by Moira Rogers grasps the reader from the beginning and continues to suck you in. Many aspects were familiar to me such as vampires and the old west, but this world is nothing if not a very different version of everything I thought I knew. For example, ghouls and Bloodhounds, paired with an “alternate” western setting. I truly enjoyed the different take this author had on both the familiar and the unversed. My only problem was that there was so much information that I felt I could have used a bit more explanation. The Guild, for example, I really do not have a clear grasp on. Exactly who they are, where they came from, and so on. And the ghouls ~ are they zombies or something different and how did they come to be? This story could have easily been a full length novel had everything been drawn out and explained a bit more thoroughly.

That said, Satira and Wilder were a lot of fun getting to know. Their relationship begins with almost playful banter that quickly evolves into double entendres that leave no doubt as to the meaning behind the words. Satira is both witty and brutally honest in expressing what she wants while Wilder is gruff and crude, with a protective streak and caring side hidden just below the dangerous exterior. And oh my goodness! The sex was crazy hot! Like CRAZY hot! For those of you who like your stories somewhat familiar as far as components, but outside the box as far as imagination, Moira Rogers is an author you will want to check out. This was my first book by this talented author and it will definitely NOT be the last!

(eBook copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review.) show less