I vote for more witch/wolf romances :) That's one of the things that sets this book from the others in the series and that really drew me in. I liked that this was a bit of a second chance because I'm such a sucker for those.

For the most part, I enjoyed this one, but I was hoping there would be more to the story. I was really interested in the Allie aspect to this story. You can tell how much her friendship meant to Michelle and it felt like it was on the backburner a bit to the romance. I think a good balance of the two would have been perfect.

I truly did love the romance side of it and the bond they both have with their anchor, Akio. Honestly, I could just have a whole book about the three of them ;-)

Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

This is about a witch cop whose best friend goes missing in some magical way so she enlists the help of the local werewolves to find her. Come to find out that the enforcer for the pack was her first love. From there the romance and detective work ensues. I had a much better experience with this story then her last but I unfortunately still only gave it 3 stars. I really liked the story line and I loved the close relationships between the witches and werewolves because I don't find that very often in the paranormal that I read. Some of the issues that I had was that I feel like the romance was taking priority over her friend missing, which really bothered me. I understand that you have to still further the romance while the story progresses but something about it didn't sit quite right with me. I also feel like the climax of the story wasn't fully flushed out to it's complete potential. Overall I still enjoyed the writing of this one and the main plot line so I would be willing to give more of her books a shot.

I admit I am very new to Lauren Dane and have read maybe two of her books. But both of them I enjoyed. Twice Bitten was interesting and captivating. The thing I love about paranormal romance is that everyone has different ideas of what different species are like. Lauren Danes take on shifter culture and bond mating is cool and sexy. The characters and story were both well developed and excited and fun and sexy. I just wish we got both characters P.O.V.

Familiar characters and a new spin…

I can’t get enough of the Cascadia Wolves! Shifters and humans are loving and living together as well as uniting to fight a common enemy. There are familiar, much loved characters, in this new story but there’s a new spin as well. Witches and mages are joining the mix and with the good comes the bad….

Michelle is frantic as she searches for her missing best friend. She is a cop and a witch but she needs help – and fast – if she is going to find Allie before it’s too late. Josh is a shifter and ready to help this beautiful woman who just happens to be his mate…

This is a fast-paced, emotional story that didn’t take its foot off the adrenaline pedal for one minute. The thread of tension and anxiety didn’t let up even as love still found a way. Michelle and Josh were magic themselves as their chemistry burned and sizzled as they worked frantically side by side. So many emotions and Lauren Dane helped me feel each one!

I am sorry that I couldn't complete the book on time and it got expired. I am giving 1 star because of the book description. I liked the synopsis and that is why I asked for the book.

I have no words for this book. It was a great read. I enjoyed it and I think if you like the description than you would like the book

I liked this one but honestly something was off -- the pacing, the characters -- and I was left with questions and just general "meh". The sex was hot, but otherwise, not much stood out about this one.

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I will be talking about the book on my next Whatcha Reading? podcast which is now up on TBQ's Book Palace.

I enjoyed this book. I am a sucker for shifters. And a witch that can handle her own, love it!

Even though this is part of a series and there is a higher story arc, this book was a complete story. It's done as a serial should be, each part being whole while still blending in to the rest. You still want more of the big picture, but the little picture is enough to tide you over.

I came into this series on this book. I am pretty sure I have just kissed getting a decent night's sleep again until I am done with the rest, before and after, this offering.

Reviewed by Jen of the GothicMoms Review Team

This story can probably be read alone, but it was a good addition to the already existing series. I am pretty sure I’m missing a spinoff set between the previous book and this one, but I treated it as a “fast forward” addition to the timeline without issue.

Michelle is a tough as nails cop who also happens to be a witch. It’s a difficult secret to keep, but she’s got a few friends who share the same secret and that makes it easier. One such friend ends up going suddenly missing, which wouldn’t be so ominous except for the current abduction of supernaturals by mages. When her normal routes of assistance begin to dry up, she gets pointed towards the wolves for help. One such wolf, Josh, just so happens to be her long lost high school boyfriend.

Josh was forced to abandon his life when he was bitten by a shifter. He didn’t even end up saying goodbye to Michelle, which made her sudden appearance in his life all that more difficult. Add the fact that she’s his mate and doesn’t really know anything about their world, and he was definitely in for an uphill battle. While we don’t get a conclusion to the mage storyline, we definitely get a nice, neat HEA for these two. With all the hard work and sizzling chemistry, it was hard to anticipate anything but that. There were some twists and turns along the way, but it was totally worth the trip.

Michelle was a cop but also a witch but her co-workers nor her boss knew that. One night her best friend Allie who she had known since third grade. Allie’s mother Kathy called and Michelle to tell her Allie was missing. Allie’s apartment had been broken into and there was Mage energy in the apartment as Kathy was also a witch. The witch in Clan Owen had taught the witches Michelle knew some defensive magiiks against the mages who had been attacking witches across the country. Michelle had to think and like a cop, she had to push aside the fear and worry for her best friends and focus on the facts. Worry wouldn't find Allie , skill would. Some witches from Clan Owen had offered a class on how to read different magikal energies and Michelle had jumped at the chance to learn. Allie had been terrified whatever the magik had done. Allie had been missing at least four hours. Wiches hadn’t come out to humans yet like some other supernaturals had. Clan Owen was so overwhelmed with their own disappearances that they sent Michelle to the Others who happen to be werewolves who would be able to to track Allie’s scent much better than a witch. Then Michelle went to the werewolves headquarters and heard a voice from her past . It was Josh who had been her first love and broke her heart. Josh took Michelle back to his office and michelle told him why she was there and he said that this was very dangerous but of course he would help. Then he proceeded to tell Michelle why he had never returned to her so long ago, he had been bitten and the alpha of the wolf who had bitten Josh came to help him assimilate to a whole new life. It had taken Josh a year to handle his wolf. Josh had to leave everything and everyone behind. It had been twelve years since Michelle had seen Josh. Josh told Michelle he was the Enforcer there. Josh also said the Mages were a way bigger problem then she knew and Michelle said she wasn’t going back and Josh commented she could always read his mind. Josh had loved Josh deeply when he was a laid back football player and she was a cheerleader. But that person was gone here was a man. Josh told Michelle he could smell her arousal. But Michelle told Josh she had control of her parts. Josh Josh then told her Mages had been working with turned witches in an increasingly organized fashion and witches were being taken and found dead totally drained a couple days later and now they were also taking weres. They also believe the Mages are working with human anti hate groups. Michelle wanted Josh and knew she wanted him but Michelle had to find Allie before anything else could happen or be explored. Josh tells Michelle she is his mate but he wished he had longer to get her used to the idea and give her time for everything to sink in.
This was a great story as usual for Lauren Dane. I just love her paranormal books and have never read one I didn’t absolutely love and this one was no different. I love how Michelle came to understand why Josh never came back when she was sixteen even if it broke her heart. I also loved how Michelle decided to leave her old life behind and have a whole new life and world. I loved Josh and Michelle together, they so worked. I liked how the witches went to the weres for help and the weres did all they could. I loved the plot and pace of this story. Nothing I could find wrong with this story. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I highly recommend.

This was a good joining book, I haven't read one of Lauren Danes shifter books in a while. But this one introduced new characters while bringing back a lot from previous novels. I now need to go back and re-read all of their stories to remember the history and how we came to be at the story to-date.

Note: Original version published as Unconditional (Cascadia Wolves #6), but this has been updated.

Twice Bitten by Lauren DaneThis is a paranormal romance heavy on the explicit romance with elements of menage (sort of), so you need to know that going in. The relationship and lovemaking is a primary focus of the book throughout, overshadowing the other story several times, and yet ultimately, it’s all interwoven both into the characters’ lives and the culture of Others (mostly werewolves).

I found the writing a little rough at times while the extensive explanations in the dialogue made this feel like a first book introducing the world. I was surprised to discover it was originally a sixth book, except there were mentions that felt like they would have been other books in this series.

That said, I really enjoyed the story, the characters, and the overall world. Despite what I said above about the explanations, they also offered a fascinating glimpse into the transition between the Others being hidden and just the shifters becoming out in society, as well as how that transition had not resulted in across-the-board acceptance. Little details about both the integration with “normal” human culture and the revelations of the shifter culture were well thought out and nicely crafted.

Since Michelle, the female lead, is a witch but not integrated into a witch society, she offers both an insider and outsider view of the Others and Other culture. Josh, who’d cut and run when they were in a relationship as teens, becomes her guide through the Others as she learns he left not because of her, but because he’d been turned by a rogue werewolf and couldn’t control the wolf.

They’re both dominant people in their lives, her a cop and him leading the enforcers for a major pack. This leads to some authority conflicts between them, but creates a beautiful dance between instinct and acceptance as Michelle comes to recognize something Josh knew from the moment he saw her again ten years later–they are supposed to be mates for life.

The kidnapping that brings them together offers many surprises, not all of them pleasant. It’s clearly secondary to the relationship, but rather than being a lack of balance as I originally thought, it’s a bridge to a far greater problem that will stretch across many books I suspect.

Bottom line, this is not a perfect book, as you might have guessed from my comments above, but it has the key elements necessary to engage me and offered a decent amount of fascinating, intriguing pieces. I loved the cultural elements, had some issues with the writing, and found characters I wanted to know more about. The first and third outweigh the second by a strong measure, and I’m curious to see where the series goes next. It did have a little more sex than I was expecting, and I know that will turn off some readers, but never did those elements break the story, or the complexity of the growing connection between Michelle and Josh, something as much entangled in their magicks as in their emotions.

P.S. I received this Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Although I enjoy the story line, I feel somewhat lost by not having read the other books in the series. Previous parts of other stories were mentioned with just enough info to get me through but still felt like I was missing on important feelings I would be having if I had read the other books in the series. That said I did like Michelle and Josh's past meets present story. Although if you read any of these books you know there is bonding which happens quickly, Josh try to give Michelle time to get use to what was happening between them. There was plenty of action and some suspense to keep me reading on. 3.5 stars

The Cascadia Wolves series has been one I’ve enjoyed with a few of the books even making it to my comfort read list. Since the original publisher is no longer around, they are being re-released through Carina Press. This is not a series I recommend reading out of order and this goes doubly so for Twice Bitten, which is the last book in the series. Cascadia is also connected to a couple other series, so an overall story arc actually continues on past Twice Bitten, but our couple does get their HEA. For a suggested reading order, Lauren Dane has one on her website at http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2017/06/01/cascadia-wolvesde-la-vega-catsbound-by-magic-info-time/

Michelle, a police officer who also happens to be a witch, discovers her best friend Allie, who’s also a witch, is missing. Knowing the fate of other missing witches, Michelle was frantic to find Allie. The search leads her to Portland where she seeks help from the wolves of the Pacific Pack. To her surprise, her high school sweetheart is an enforcer for the pack. Michelle is dealing not only with the search but also problems with her job. The last thing she needed was her feelings for Josh to resurface and then jump into overdrive.

I really liked both Michelle and Josh. Michelle was scared to death for her friend and was constantly bombarded with new things, new people, and new attacks from the mages but she kept it together and stayed focused. She was smart with how she conducted her search making well thought-out decisions. Josh was 100% about letting her do her job and supporting her without completely taking over. He knew she was his mate but also knew that was something that needed to be put on the back burner. He put her needs in front of his which, for me, is the definition of a true alpha book boyfriend.

There was lots of suspense and action to keep things interesting. My only complaint is I wanted more backstory from both of them. There was a shared history between the two that was really just touched on and not fleshed out. Other than being told she was devastated when he left and that her Mom was awful it was never expanded upon. We also just got a short synopsis of his family ties, which were less than they should have been. I felt like I was missing out which in turn, dimmed my enjoyment just a tad.

Now that I’ve finished rereading my way through the Cascadia Wolves, I find myself trying to remember what happened with the overall story. I think I’ll be rereading both the De La Vega Cats and the Bound By Magick series next to catch back up on that. I do remember those cats were freaking hot so this will not be a hardship.

Rating: 4 I heart Josh Stars

4.5 stars - Lauren Dane is so good. Her characters are tangible and crisp. The dialogue is so natural and fluid and the characters' relationships have an authenticity that few authors can achieve.

Twice Bitten is a second chance romance, one of my favorite tropes. Experiencing Michelle and Josh fall all over again was very gratifying and the fact the Michelle is such a bad a** chick is refreshing.

I enjoyed this one and this series continues to be one where I anticipate each new offering.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Take my advice and never read when you're drained. I read this story twice. I almost gave it a poor review, because I thought it was the story line that made me fall asleep. Turns out that my mind and body was just tired. And Twice Bitten turned out to be a pretty good book.
Twice Bitten is book #7 in the Cascadia Wolves series. It was originally published under the name “Unconditional” in August 2013.
Witches are being taken and killed for their magic. It becomes personal for one cop when Michelle Slattery's friend is taken, it will be up to her and a man from her past to find her before it’s too late.
Twice Bitten is a second chance at love tale. With action and drama found on every each page. Twice Bitten isn’t one of those titles you can pick up and just follow the storyline. You must read each book in the series to following the plot.

Twice Bitten isn't a bad book. It was kind of cool to see Josh get a mate. The problem with Twice Bitten is that it is a gateway book that really should be the first in a spin-off series instead of the last in the Cascadia series.

It isn't about Cascadia at all and in a lot of ways, it's not even really about wolf shifters. It's about some unnamed and unknown "big bad" that is targeting witches and other magical folk (like wolves and cats) and doing unspeakable things to them to gain power. There are a lot of people in this book I felt I should know because they were talked about as familiar. Plus, it's clear this leads into one of Dane's other series.

What was interesting was getting to see some earlier experimentation with witch/shifter collaboration and the worldbuilding around that. It plays directly into Dane's current Diablo Lake series which I do like and it's interesting to compare.

In all, I'm glad to have read the Cascadia Wolves series and am glad to get insight into new Dane series.

I cannot get enough of this Cascadia Wolves series! And I loved the romance between Josh and Michelle. It's so much more than a second chance romance--they both have secrets that they've kept and kept them from each other! I loved the intermixing of lore--werewolf, witch and jaguar shifter. Loved how the pack rallied behind Josh and Michelle's mating. Loved how the other witches welcomed Michelle and gave her the friendship and support she's so desperately needed in her life. I cannot wait for Jack's story in the spin off series!

This was probably my least favorite of the Cascadia wolves series. I was very confused by the introduction of the witches and the love story between Michelle and Josh wasn't as strong as previous books.