Coveted [Mass Market Paperback]

Rogue wolf Natalya has found herself back at home in South Thoms River. We learn very early on that she has a very extreme anxiety disorder manifesting itself as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It's not far-fetched to see how this compulsive behavior has led her to her ejection from the local pack. Her addiction is shopping for holidays items; be it Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, shopping for these ornaments and trinkets gives her a sense of control, and yet to everyone on the outside, makes her look crazy. Boxes and boxes of untouched and cherished ornaments and items are "coveted" in her home, to an alarming and shame-inducing degree.

Her best friend, Agatha AKA Aggie, shows up one night to stay with her on her way out west, and she is a total delight. She has an addiction to food, so she can comprehend Nat's obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and their relationship was so endearing. In fact, it's how they met, at a camp for supernatural kids with 'issues'. Always with, or wanting for, a bag of Doritos, she is not to be underestimated. As a high-ranking alpha female from another pack, Aggie's friendship with Nat was the real thing. She has her back.

And then there is Thorn... sigh. He and Natalya had something intimate going on 5 years ago, and we slowly discover how and why they both find themselves in their hometown of South Thoms River, apart, after losing touch. There is still something between them, but due to pack politics... it can't be. Enter a mysterious white wizard named Nick, and there might be some bow-chicka-bow-bow in her future! CROSSING FINGERS.

From a hilarious first date with the necromancer janitor Quinton from work, to a truly entertaining support group for supernaturals with anxiety disorders, Coveted is a truly charming and enjoyable novel. The werewolf mythology is not very in-depth which I could have used more of, and there is not a great amount of romance. I would almost classify this as YA, due to the mild content and the light tone, but that is not a complaint. Coveted does have a "first book" feel to it, in that a lot of things are set up, and characters are introduced. My biggest concern with this series, going forward, is the set up of a possible love triangle. I personally am not a fan of the love triangle deal in general, but I am not going to jump to conclusions, because I definitely want to check out the next book Kept.

Nevertheless, I truly found Coveted a delightful read with a very endearing heroine, and fantastic secondary characters whom I ended up really caring about and wanting more. The theme of the book, covet, was truly well-done, and I look forward to what Ms. Madison has in store for us next in Kept.

Natalya Stravinsky is just your everyday, average hoarding werewolf with a major case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. When the love of her life, Thorn, abandoned her five years ago, her world dissolved. Cast out of her pack, Natalya's only true joy comes in the form of her many Christmas decorations. When Thorn returns to South River Toms to assume role as the pack's alpha, Natalya must confront the pain of his abandonment, cast aside her pride and turn to him for aide as the Long Island pack threatens her very existence.

Debut author Shawntelle Madison is truly gifted. Her dynamite debut kept me enthralled until I turned the final page. I could not put this book down. A riveting, fast-paced, action packed story with a heroine readers will adore. Ms. Madison's characters are so full-bodied they leap off the page with their hilarious antics. But this story would not be what it is without the heroine. Natalya is such a compelling, dynamic character who touches your heart on so many levels. Ms. Madison finishes her tale with a gut-wrenching ending that left me breathless. This is one of 2012's must have books to add to your keeper shelf. I can't wait to read the next installment in Ms. Madison's series and see what else this powerhouse author has in store for her readers.

Natalya Stravinsky suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder that is so severe her former werewolf pack insists they suffer from her excessiveness so they banish and avoid her. Five years ago her lover Thorn Grantham made love with her for the last time though he promised their long distance relationship would work. As time moves on without him, her OCD has worsened. No longer on the other side of the Hudson, Natalya resides and works in her hometown South Toms River, New Jersey selling antiques to meticulous paranormals. Her only solace comes with her holiday ornament collection.

The brutal Long Island pack attacks Nat's New Jersey pack. They demand that Nat be handed to them or else. Thorn returns home to lead his pack at war while some members prefer to acquiesce to their bellicose foes' demands. Thorn, still attracted to Nat, rejects appeasement and objects to a wizard making his intentions clear re Nat; while she finds allies in a strange place.

Filled with humor, Coveted is a fun suburban romantic fantasy with a cast of neurotic and psychotic paranormals from several species (mindful of the movie Gun Shy taken place in the Burbs with otherworldly creatures). Nat is a terrific protagonist whose OCD brings uniqueness to the kick tail heroine. Although her past with Thorn distracts from a great main storyline, fans will root for Nat and her zoo crew as they struggle to overcome their phobias at a time she is under attack from without and within.

Harriet Klausner

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