Running with Wolves

The Colony #1

by Cynthia Cooke

She is the descendant of a powerful bloodline, destined to wed another.

He is a loyal pack member, fated to serve…

Shay Mallory knows nothing of her shifter heritage. The strange auras and voices were only scary stories whispered by her father before he disappeared. What she does know is that something has always been missing in her life.

So when Jason Stratton, a compelling stranger, comes to town, offering her protection and something more, Shay leaps at the chance to know him better. But despite their immediate bond, it is Jason's duty to deliver Shay untouched to The Colony—and into another man's bed. Now, with demonic forces circling, the very future of their kind depends on Jason and Shay resisting their growing passion. For Jason possesses something that no other Alpha can ever claim…Shay's heart.

Genres: Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Harlequin Nocturne

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 28, 2014

About the author

Cynthia Cooke is an acclaimed USA Today Bestselling author, with a prolific career spanning two decades. Since her debut in 2003, Cynthia has captivated readers worldwide with her compelling storytelling. With over 40 novels to her name, she has enchanted audiences in 12 different countries through her works published by esteemed houses such as Harlequin, Entangled Publishing, and Amazon Kindle Worlds.

Recognized for her mastery of heartwarming small-town romantic suspense, Cynthia fearlessly guides her readers along the razor's edge of anticipation and intrigue. Her immersive narratives leave no room for rest and take you on a thrilling journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat long into the night.

Take a leap of faith and immerse yourself in Cynthia Cooke's world, where the heart races, emotions soar, and love conquers all.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/CynthiaCooke5

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.cook...

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running With Wolves by Cynthia Cooke was such a wonderful surprise. I won this book in a Goodreads give-a-way, thinking that it sounded really good but not knowing for sure what it would be like. And wow was I happy with what I got. I love my shifter books and this one earned every one of the five stars I am awarding it.



Shay Mallory is all alone. She lost both her parents when she was young and was raised by her Grandmother. But now she is gone as well. Lately she has been experiencing some very strange occurrences. She is seeing colors swirling around people, like auras. And she is hearing things, a buzzing when she is close to someone. What is happening to her? On a walk to town, she realizes the danger she is in. She feels like she is being watched. And as she tries to escape, someone with a very dark and dangerous looking aura tries to take her. Luckily, a very handsome man with a very beautiful aura steps in just in time and saves her life.

Jason Stratton has been searching for Shay for a very long time. He made a promise a long time ago to Shay’s father to protect his daughter and to help her when it was time for her to change. But when he finally finds her, he realizes Shay knows nothing about what she is, about what her father was. And she is further along in her transformation than he had anticipated. Demons are attracted to the energy Shay and Jason’s kind put out. And they have found her. Danger is everywhere and Jason has to get her to safety as soon as possible. Jason is a shifter and so was Shay’s father. Her mother was human. The only safe place for their kind is The Colony, a beautiful community where their presence is protected. The problem is that the pack leader wants Shay for himself, for his wife. Jason is supposed to deliver Shay “untouched” to him. What he didn’t count on is the bond that forms between he and Shay.

“It means you are changing, leaving your humanity behind and becoming like us.”
“Like you? What are you? What am I changing into?”
“A wolf.”

Shay and Jason’s flight for The Colony is full of gripping danger. At every turn they are challenged by demons, injuries, and by their own kind. But along the way, these two find something even more important. They find each other.



“In an instant her whole life had changed and she was no longer human. She was a shape-shifter. She was in love. And from where she sat, next to this incredibly honorable and brave man, even with the threat of demons, her life had changed for the better.”



Once Shay and Jason do make it to The Colony, their lives don’t get any simpler. There is a power struggle going on between the pack leader and someone else that wants the power. I honestly did not know who to trust, who to believe. And neither did Shay and Jason. I was kept on the edge of my seat until the very last minute.

I will warn you that even though things are pretty well resolved in the end, there are still some unresolved problems and the hint of another book. But I am thrilled with this prospect. I would love to read more about these two. Thank you so much to Cynthia Cooke and Harlequin Nocturne for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.

[Griz Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow--super-surprising--Harlequin Nocturne actually put out a GREAT paranormal romance!

I stopped reading the Nocturne books years ago because the stories & editing were so sub-par they were painful to read. Not so with this book by Cynthia Cooke!

A clever mythos, great characters, a sexy caring hunk Jason and a nice, if somewhat clueless heroine Shay...all combined with some fast action & surprising plot twists!

Not the same caliber as Patricia Briggs...but VERY readable.

[Harlequin Books]

"An unusual mythology for the wolf shifters and very nicely depicted characters make Running With Wolves a good read. Cooke's descriptions of Jason are particularly good - he's a male character any woman would love". (RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars)

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running with Wolves was a great read by Cynthia Cooke. Full of action and suspense the novel did not disappoint! I can't wait for the second installment of the series. Great work!

[J.R. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story started out very well. It caught my attention and held it. The confrontation between Shay and the things that are going on around her really made me connect with the character. I found the mythology the author created for this story to be very in depth and unique. The characters were very well thought out, and believable. I had a hard time holding the connection with Shay when she was informed she was the daughter of The Colony’s past leader, but the author brought me right back by throwing me right into Shay’s confusion over it all.

Over all it’s a great read for anyone who enjoys a good werewolf romance and anyone looking to read a little different version of the werewolf creation myth.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to love the romance novels. Those books spoke to my teenage/young adult/grown woman heart. Now they are just...meh. Or maybe this one was just meh. It was such a great story with such promise...and then it ended. I mean, I understand it is part of a series...but the whole "climax" of the book was very underwhelming.I mean, I did finish it in less than 36 hours, but I was so into the story, and it ENDED.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Supernatural legends , fantasy , new story about wolfs , Unexpected love story .
it's a good mix for exciting nevell ! .
Despite the traditional drama plot the book is good , couse the new vision for legends wolfs .

[Menna Fouad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like that the hero was the heroine aunt's mate I mean wtf why on Earth made him love the aunt and the neice although his first mate died but that made me sick really

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*s

Shay is a half-breed wolf-shifter but doesn't know it. She just knows that she's been seeing auras and hearing strange noises. And cracks have been forming in her walls. She's near her transformation.

Jason promised Shay's father that he'd find Shay if she was left alone when it came time for her transformation. He finds her, but to bring her back to The Colony to marry the pack leader. In spite of the attraction they feel for each other.

In their wolf-shifter world, demons are after them. Jason and Shay are pursued by demons as they try to return to The Colony. Mortal danger forces them into an revocable decision with enormous repercussions.

I liked Jason, but I didn't always like Shay. Her ultimatum to Jason at the end seemed to come out of nowhere.

I recommend Cynthia Cooke's All Bets Are On instead. It's a much better book!

[Cathy Beckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shay is changing, literally. She is a wolf shapeshifter and doesn't even know it. She sees auras and hears others thoughts. She is also being hunted by demons.

Jason is a hunter/protector. He made a promise to his friend Dean that if his child should go through the transformation Jason would find her and bring her home to safety.

Jason has found Shay but not before the demons hunting her. He saves her more than once from demon hunters and hunters from their own kind. Can Jason and Shay find happiness together?

Get the book and find out! You won't regret the time invested in this fantastic read.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable, but not much new.