Paige Tyler

It depends on what you're looking for. A romance with the slightest touch of paranormal and action? Sure, this is for you. An actual plotline with intrigue and paranormal beyond hey he's a werewolf? Not so much.

Basically it was fine. The world building was pretty thin - the SWAT team also happen to be werewolves - that was pretty much the extent of the paranormal. Like Tyler's X-Ops series, these werewolves are the product of a DNA mutation although differs slightly - in this series, the show more gene activates when the body undergoes a severe trauma. Gage Dixon, the main heroine, has tracked down a bunch of these people from all branches of military and all over the country to form his own pack. And that was it for the world building. Supposedly they have a myth about The One - their fated mate - but it was never explained where that came from considering no one mentions any other werewolves than the ones in SWAT. It also bothers me when he asks if she has a condom and she asks if he can even get her pregnant. And he says yes but it won't be with fangs and claws or whatever. Here's the thing - how the hell does he know that exactly? As far as I can see from the world building - they're it for the werewolves - there's no lab of scientists or genetic research - so do tell how you know for sure a baby wouldn't be born with an active werewolf gene? They barely know why they've got it. So this conversation bothered me. A lot.

The story outside of the paranormal plotline was alright. It wasn't anything exciting. Journalist investigates squeaky clean SWAT team because she thinks they're hiding something. I didn't really like Mackenzie at all. She was irritating. For instance, why on earth would you try to enter a building that is in the middle of a hostage situation? For someone who was supposed to be smart she was just dumb. She not only almost got shot, but she also distracted the SWAT guys from doing what they were supposed to be doing - rescuing innocent hostages. It was just dumb. And she wavered too much with her supposed rigid morals. She believes everyone should have the truth but then is willing to lie and scheme and manipulate whether with her sexuality or otherwise, when it suits her. It was so hypocritical. Either you're straight up honest and blunt, or you're not. But pick one and stick with it.

Gage was okay. There wasn't really anything I loved about him - but I didn't hate anything either - I just didn't really care. I thought he deserved better than Mackenzie though. So maybe that's why the romance between them fell flat for me. It's hard to root for the couple when you kinda hate one half.

I liked Zak and I mostly liked the rest of the SWAT team. Zak has great advice and is a very down to earth nerd. I loved it. My favourite part was when Zak participates in the hostage training. I loved that he got to participate and "save" himself by crawling out of windows and arming himself with a paintball gun. It was highly amusing. Mackenzie and Gage hear about it at lunch from the boys, but I would've preferred to have that scene written from Zak's viewpoint. But I also liked the idea that no matter how many or how big the stories are that Mackenzie writes every child in the world will still rather meet Mickey Mouse than her. It was a funny and intriguing view. Now if she followed it and realised her story wasn't worth hurting the whole team and the guy she's supposedly in love with - I may have actually liked her. And I also liked the passage about zombies. “Hey,” she practically shouted. “Did you know they make zombie targets that bleed?”
Gage looked around the filing room, then reached over and switched off the light. “Yeah, I’ve seen them. Unfortunately, they’re not suitable for real training.” “Really?” She hadn’t expected him to do more than laugh at how silly bleeding zombies were, not respond seriously to her question. But now he’d gone and made her curious. “Why not?”
He came around and plunked himself down in the chair beside her. “For one thing, they’re too damn expensive. For another, it encourages bad shooting habits. Everyone wants to shoot the zombie in the head instead of the center of the chest.”
She couldn’t help but laugh as she envisioned the SWAT team being pelted with bad press because they were caught preparing for the coming zombie apocalypse.
“I guess I see your point. It could turn into a PR nightmare.”

Tyler, Paige. Hungry Like the Wolf (SWAT Book 1) (pp. 107-108). Sourcebooks. Kindle Edition.
But it's 300+ pages too much for me to care. 2.5 stars, rounded down to 2. show less

Wolf Untamed by Paige Tyler
SWAT (Special Wolf Alpha Team) series book 11. Paranormal romantic suspense. Wolf shifters as a police SWAT unit in Dallas.

Diego rescues Bree and her son Brandon from a hostage situation. Pheromones immediately trigger and Diego knows he wants to see more of Bree.
A teenager and recently triggered beta wolf, Brandon needs help learning what it means to be a werewolf. Diego will help teach him better control and naturally takes over as the protector and father show more figure role.
Dinner, movies, monopoly and salsa dancing while Diego works with his team to investigate strange events happening in Dallas. With similar job characteristics, Bree investigates a group of home robberies that appear staged.

Fast moving and thrilling. I didn’t want to put it down until the end. Now I want to know...
Cliffhanger in the last sentence for the series, not the couple.
Surely there is something up with Connor and Kat, the cat that should be revealed soon?
This one hit the high notes for me, more so than the last few books in the series.

Excerpt:
“Bree considered that before answering. “[…] the thought that my own son is lying to me tears me apart inside.”
The pain he knew she must be feeling right then seemed to be a tangible thing, as though a steel band tightened around his chest, and breathing became almost impossible.
“I was already going to help him get his inner werewolf under control and come to grips with his nature, so I could talk to him about the drug stuff, too, if you want,” he suggested softly. Diego held his breath, worried he might be overstepping a bit with the offer. When he saw tears glisten in Bree’s eyes, he was sure he had. Before he realized what he was doing, he moved closer on the couch, his thigh touching hers as he leaned in to catch the first tear before it could slide down her cheek.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” he said gently. “If you don’t want me talking to him about any of this, I won’t.”
Bree let out a little laugh. “It’s not that.” Her small, slim hand came up to wrap around his, her fingers curling around the one he’d used to wipe away the tears. “It’s just that I can’t believe how lucky I am to have met you.”
He lifted a brow. “I’m not sure if I’d say our meeting was very lucky since you and Brandon were being held hostage at the time.”
She laughed again, this time with an accompanying smile that had his stomach doing cartwheels and barrel rolls.
“Yeah, but if Brandon and I hadn’t been taken hostage, we would never have met you,” she said. “Which would have left my son still lost and confused, and me with no way to help him. You’ve come into our lives at the exact moment we needed you. That’s why we’re lucky.”
Excerpt from Wolf Untamed by Paige Tyler

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share. show less

Her Dark Half by Paige Tyler is the 7th book in the X-ops series. Not having read the previous books in the series and having zero experience with the author I did not know what to expect. You may wonder why I chose to read this book. Well, the story is a combination of two (2) of my favourite genres, paranormal and suspense, which was enough incentive for me to grab this book.

What the story is about.
Alina Bosch left the CIA after a botched mission left her entire team dead. The current head show more of the DCO recruited her to spy on Trevor Maxwell, her new partner.
Trevor, a coyote shifter and a covert operative for the DCO is not keen on working with Alina. He suspects the reason for her being hired and believes she could not be trusted.
However, when the mission to which they were assigned became deadly, they had no choice but to trust each other if they wanted to survive.

What I Loved.
As you can see, I began the series with the seventh book. I thought I would have trouble following the story line, however, my worries were for naught. There was sufficient information to help me understand what transpired in the previous instalments that led to the current events. I like that each book is about a different couple and after reading Her Dark Half; I became curious about the other couples mentioned. That being said, I will be reading the remaining books.

I loved the couple in this installment. Before I continue, I should warn you that this was not a slow burn romance. Their attraction to each other was instant in spite of the circumstances under which they met, which was riddled with hostility and mistrust. However, I enjoyed watching them move past these feelings and embracing the attraction that sizzled between them.

I adored Trevor. I found his sense of humour endearing and contagious. I loved his take-charge attitude and his determination. He takes crap from no one and tells it likes he sees it. Behind of all of this laid a caring heart. Alina is a snarky, blunt, kick ass and determined female. Together she and Trevor made a perfect team not only in the field but also on a personal level.

This fast-paced story held my attention from the first page. I had a hard time putting my kindle down. The suspense, action and romance was well-balanced. Well-written fight scenes, loads of action and a sizzling romance made for an exciting and thrilling read. There were a few stunning twists and turns. Tyler created a world, which for me was unique and captivating. I enjoyed every moment spent in this world and I am eager to learn more.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, this was an exciting read. I was happy with how the events unfolded and how the story ended. Fans of paranormal romance and romantic suspense should definitely check this out. show less

Her Dark Half by Paige Tyler is the 7th book in the X-ops series. Not having read the previous books in the series and having zero experience with the author I did not know what to expect. You may wonder why I chose to read this book. Well, the story is a combination of two (2) of my favourite genres, paranormal and suspense, which was enough incentive for me to grab this book.

What the story is about.
Alina Bosch left the CIA after a botched mission left her entire team dead. The current head show more of the DCO recruited her to spy on Trevor Maxwell, her new partner.
Trevor, a coyote shifter and a covert operative for the DCO is not keen on working with Alina. He suspects the reason for her being hired and believes she could not be trusted.
However, when the mission to which they were assigned became deadly, they had no choice but to trust each other if they wanted to survive.

What I Loved.
As you can see, I began the series with the seventh book. I thought I would have trouble following the story line, however, my worries were for naught. There was sufficient information to help me understand what transpired in the previous instalments that led to the current events. I like that each book is about a different couple and after reading Her Dark Half; I became curious about the other couples mentioned. That being said, I will be reading the remaining books.

I loved the couple in this installment. Before I continue, I should warn you that this was not a slow burn romance. Their attraction to each other was instant in spite of the circumstances under which they met, which was riddled with hostility and mistrust. However, I enjoyed watching them move past these feelings and embracing the attraction that sizzled between them.

I adored Trevor. I found his sense of humour endearing and contagious. I loved his take-charge attitude and his determination. He takes crap from no one and tells it likes he sees it. Behind of all of this laid a caring heart. Alina is a snarky, blunt, kick ass and determined female. Together she and Trevor made a perfect team not only in the field but also on a personal level.

This fast-paced story held my attention from the first page. I had a hard time putting my kindle down. The suspense, action and romance was well-balanced. Well-written fight scenes, loads of action and a sizzling romance made for an exciting and thrilling read. There were a few stunning twists and turns. Tyler created a world, which for me was unique and captivating. I enjoyed every moment spent in this world and I am eager to learn more.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, this was an exciting read. I was happy with how the events unfolded and how the story ended. Fans of paranormal romance and romantic suspense should definitely check this out. show less