Season of the Wolf by Maria Vale
Contemporary paranormal romance
★★★★★
Evie, the ultimate Alpha of the Great North Pack, wears the heavy mantle of leadership as a position of service to the present demands and future needs of her community. There's no space or time to address her personal needs as an individual—until dangerous shifter Constantine sees Evie and recognizes her strength and her silent struggles. Twice during his lifetime the fates of powerful women have altered the course of his destiny in ways beyond his control. Now Constantine asserts his proactive intentions toward the evolution of his future.
Season of the Wolf uses Evie and Constantine’s accidental courtship to explore themes of self-less sacrifice for the greater benefit of the group, and the development of emotional maturity and an ethical conscience. The essence of the depth of their connection is reminiscent of Kelley Armstrong's Elena and Clay without mimicking that fictional relationship. Threads on identity, feminism, misogyny and toxic masculinity combined with riffs on exploiting the land versus being stewards of it weave throughout this lyrically composed fourth entry in this captivating The Legend of All Wolves series. From ableism to xenophobia, each installment projects its own distinctive focus while incorporating multiple facets of irresistible storytelling in artistry and mechanics. Individually, they're beautifully rendered, provocative literary tapestries. Together, they document a sweeping saga.
Self-published, September 8, 2020