HOWLING AT THE MOON: Tales of an Urban Werewolf

Author: Karen MacInerney ISBN: 9780345496256 3/2008 PARANORMAL Publisher: BALLANTINE

Romance is about to get a little hairy. Sophie Garou seems to have it all: a great job at a prestigious accounting firm, a closet that rivals a Nordstrom showroom, and a terrific boyfriend who isn't afraid to use the "M" word. There's just one little itty-bitty problem: Sophie is a werewolf-and her time of month has a whole new meaning. Needless to say, life among yummy flesh-and-blood humans is no piece of steak . . . er, cake!, but regular doses of wolfsbane tea and a mother who runs a magic shop have helped Sophie keep her paranormal pedigree under wraps. Still, when a sexy, golden-eyed werewolf prowls into town, Sophie finds herself struggling to keep her animal impulses in check-not to mention trying to keep things on track with her super hot (and super human) lawyer boyfriend. What's more, someone is threatening to expose Sophie for what she really is. And when her mother is accused of selling a poison-laced potion, Sophie must sniff out a culprit before the fur hits the fan.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

While I know that the market has recently become saturated with tales of urban paranormal/fantasy, I guess no one wants to just be paranormal anymore. So far the offerings in that class are pretty good, and HOWLING AT THE MOON is no exception.

With characters that are kooky and likable, plots that are out there but still manage to make me giggle instead of complain about their farfetchedness, HOWLING AT THE MOON is the beginning of a series I will no doubt enjoy immersing myself in. The main attraction for me is the heroine and all the many things she is discovering about herself and the world around her. The fact that she has two Hotties vying for her favors certainly gives the romantic aspect something to like, too.

So, as an introduction into yet another urban fantasy/paranormal world where authors seem to either be fun and punchy, or serious and graphic, MacInerney takes a shot at being both, and manages to hit a bulls eye.

Shannon Johnson