Aug 31, 2012

Coveted by Shawntelle Madison

Coveted by Shawntelle Madison
Genre:        Urban Fantasy
Published:   April 24, 2012 by Ballantine Books
Source:      Paperback via publisher (Goodreads First Reads)



Ratings: 4 STARS!

Goodreads


Goodreads Synopsis:  For werewolf Natalya Stravinsky, the supernatural is nothing extraordinary. What does seem strange is that she's stuck in her hometown of South Toms River, New Jersey, the outcast of her pack, selling antiques to finicky magical creatures. Restless and recovering from her split with gorgeous ex-boyfriend, Thorn, Nat finds comfort in an unusual place: her obsessively collected stash of holiday trinkets. But complications pile up faster than her ornaments when Thorn returns home-and the two discover that the sparks between them remains intense.

Before Nat can sort out their relationship, she must face a more immediate and dangerous problem. Her pack is under attack from the savage Long Island werewolves - and Nat is their first target in a turf war. Toss in a handsome wizard vying for her affection, a therapy group for the anxious and enchanted, and the South Toms River pack leader ready to throw her to the wolves, and it's enough to give anybody a panic attack. With the stakes as high as the full moon, Nat must summon all her strength to save her pack and, ultimately, herself.

My Reivew: I loved this book! My true profession is social work.  So you can imagine I loved the concept of a werewolf with a mental illness - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In the majority of books, the heroine is portrayed as a confident, kick ass supernatural being but not in Coveted.  I found Nat's character refreshing.  She developed unhealthy coping skills after a breakup with her boyfriend, Thorn. She coped by starting a collection of Christmas ornaments and decorations. Soon, she turned from collector to hoarder.  Due to Nat's mental illness, her pack viewed her as inferior.  Her family just didn't know how to help her and seemed embarrassed by her behavior.

Thorn, the ex-boyfriend. I loved the scenes between him and Nat.  Even after  five years, they were attracted to each other. Their interactions always kept me wanting more. I'd be screaming at Nat and Thorn to just give in and be together.

Nat's participation in therapy offered some of my favorite scenes, especially when she had to give an ornament to a friend, the handsome wizard. The author's description of Nat's panic attacks and anxiety were very, very realistic.  By the way, the handsome wizard...he's exactly what Nat needs.  He's supportive and understands her in a way Thorn will never be able too.

Throughout the book, Nat's character grew and gained more self-confidence.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book, Kept (being published in November). Will Nat overcome her OCD? Will there be a love triangle? Will she be accepted by the pack? Hurry up November...I can't wait!

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4 comments:

  1. Oooh, sounds so interesting. I'll look for this and add it to my list.

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  2. I'm majoring in social work at the moment, so maybe this book will appeal to that part of me as well

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    1. Hope you give it a try. Coveted gives a really good description of an individual with OCD.

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  3. Great review! sounds like an interesting read!
    New follower! found you on goodreads!

    http://thecrossbreeds.blogspot.com/

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