Darkness Rising

This third installment in the Yellowstone Wolves series does not only live up to its predecessors, it makes me wonder what else Dirk has up his sleeves. Tobias is powerful, resourceful, determined, and… an idiot when it comes to his human. Pete is so sweet and just wants to do what’s right for everyone, but he’s been hurt before so trust of the heart doesn’t come easy. Then you add in Zev and well, things just don’t go well. Oh, and the taint of Anton just won’t leave these poor wolves alone, or will it?

When Tobias finds Pete, he finds more than just a lost human, he finds his destined mate. But, what’s he to do with him? The wolves are so reclusive that they never tell humans what they are. Ever. It’s too dangerous. Right? But the Goddess wouldn’t give him a mate he couldn’t have, would she? If you’ve read the first two books (and if not, why not?!) you know she wouldn’t do that. So really it’s a matter of Tobias believing he can’t have Pete, nothing more. But there’s also Zev, Tobias’s half-brother who not only wants Pete, but seems to be bent on some kind of dark path. When Pete returns to his home in the city, danger follows. It’s up to Tobias to overcome his fears and protect his mate. Oh, and let him know he even in a mate. So no big right? LOL

If you love shifter stories where the men are hot, the story is solid, the passion is off the chart, and the HEA is both earned and deserved, then this is a must read. I have loved this series from the beginning and can’t wait to read more. (Hint hint… what’s next Dirk?)

3.5 Stars!

This is my first book in the Yellowstone Wolves series and while this was book 3, I didn't feel lost having not read the previous two books. I love Shifter books and was excited to read something new and different in the world of weres.

Pete is human and on a hike when he finds himself abandoned by the group he'd been with. Caught in a terrible storm and struggling to escape a cougar, he finds his way to a storage building where he stays the night. The next morning he is found by Tobias who unbeknownst to him is the Alpha of a local wolf pack.

Tobias immediately recognizes Pete as his mate, but the fact that Pete is human is a concern. Tobias fears that if Pete finds out he could bring trouble. Sacrificing his desire to claim his mate, he decides that he will help Pete as best he can and then make sure he gets back home safely. Unfortunately, Tobias’s half brother, Zev, has his sights set on making Tobias suffer for the way he's been treated. He feels he deserves to be Alpha and is willing to do anything to make it happen. When he sees Pete, he decides he wants him, too. Now Tobias has to fight for his pack and for Pete who has no idea he is Tobias's mate.

I enjoyed Darkness Rising as well as both Pete and Tobias. Unfortunately, though I wasn't all that blown away by the story and it just didn't have completely invested in it. I felt as if there really wasn't resolution with the whole Zev situation and that took away a little from the story. This wasn't a bad story by any means it just wasn't a great one for me. I'd recommend it to fans of the series and for people looking for well-written shifter books.

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

Reviewed by Morningstar for Diverse Reader

Can I say first that I love this series! The characters the overall storyline, each couple that is introduced...love. I look forward to these books being released with no patience at all.

Tobias is the Alpha if his small pack, his job is to lead, care, and make sure each one of them are happy and getting what they need. Finding a human stranger in his barn who happens to be his true mate is the last thing he expected when he woke after a bad storm. He knows he can’t keep him, can’t tell of his secret, because exposing them could be dangerous. Pete lost and alone, separated from his hiking team, finds shelter in a barn after a storm and a jaguar is out to get him. Being from the city he has no idea how to survive being lost in the woods, thankful for the strangers that find him and help him until he can get back to where he belongs he helps out whenever he can.

Pete is a bit unlucky in life it seems in the beginning; but soon we get to see that he is actually stronger than he thinks, and much more useful. He was so used to not being wanted that he couldn’t see beyond his own feelings to what was really going on with Tobias and himself. I loved his sass and take no shit attitude, even from Tobias. I loved how smart and clever he was, even how he handled a certain grumpy sister. I felt the immediate attraction between the two, and the author was fantastic at fanning the flames until they set fire to everything. Tobias gives up so much for those around him, which both broke and warmed my heart. He is just a good guy all around, never seeing what he gives up for his own happiness. But he’s that Alpha who isn’t big meany pants just because he’s Alpha. The chemistry between them was hot and off the charts.

Zev, half-brother to Tobias, was the bad guy that was easy to not like. He felt creepy and slimy right from the start. I love how the author describes the power and darkness that surrounds him. He wasn’t as clever as he thought he was, that’s for sure, but he was blinded by his hatred and want that he couldn’t see the truth in front of him.

Can’t wait for the next in the series, which from the story, might be Greg and a certain human...