REVIEW: Consumed

Title: Consumed
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Dark Protectors
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Kensington
Format: e-book
# of pages: n/a
Source: Netgalley
Challenge: Review Copy Cleanup
Links: Goodreads

Summary:
(from Goodreads)

Katie Smith is the best of her class, part of an elite hunting force trained to eliminate werewolves from the hills of Western Virginia. She's good at it because she has the kind of focus and drive that won't back down no matter how steep the odds. Call it southern sass. Whatever it is, there's no denying her willingness to risk everything for the only man she's ever cared about--a man on the verge of losing his very humanity. . .

Sometimes You Mate To Stay Alive

For the past ten years Jordan Pride has dedicated his life to protecting his people from a deadly shifter virus. But in a rare moment of distraction, Jordan's guard drops just long enough for his fate to take an irreversible twist. Unless the woman he loves surrenders everything to him, again and again, under a full moon rising. . .

Review:
Consumed is the fourth book in Rebecca Zanetti's Dark Protectors series, but the first one I've read.  You don't need to read the previous books to understand what's going on in this one, but I would still recommend it, to learn the background of some of the side characters in this one.  I also think it'll help give some context, such as the ongoing war and the virus the Kurjans have created.  But this book is still enjoyable without reading the previous ones.

This book is about Katie and Jordan, both mountain lion shifters.  Jordan had saved Katie when she was 4 years old and Katie has loved him ever since.  He's been her protector her whole life, but she left home after being infected with the virus and has been away for 10 years.  She's grown up now and Jordan is seeing the woman she is.  He's been fighting his attraction to her, and is trying even harder now that he's been infected too.  But Katie isn't having any of that.

I really like that Katie is a strong female character.  She's not just sitting on her butt pining after Jordan.  Instead, she's doing something by hunting werewolves.  Also, after learning Jordan has been infected, she fights harder to be with him and save him, as he tries to push her away.  I also like how Jordan is an Alpha, but not one of those no-means-yes type of Alpha.  He's sexy and strong, but still sweet.  Though there weren't many overly romantic scenes, I did feel a bond between them and their mating was hot!

The pacing of the story was a bit slow, especially at the beginning.  But it interested me enough to keep me reading, and it eventually did pick up.  There are several twists, one especially that I didn't see coming at all.  By the end, I was left with several questions still...but I guess that's the point!  It's ensured that I'll read the rest of the series, haha.  I definitely want to know what's going on between Kalin, Janie, and Zane.  I also hope there's a book for Maggie and Terrent!

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