Bella has left her adopted pack because the Alpha male Volan wants to mate her and has threatened to kill Devlyn if he goes near her. Moving every two years to try and forget Devlyn and maybe mate with a human but when she goes to her cabin in the woods she gets kidnapped. She has no pack to help her so she has got to figure it out on her own but if you have read any of the author’s books you know that’s not all of the story. I loved this one it’s got endearing characters and suspense at every turn and even a surprise at the end.

I am so hooked on this series , the I had to purchased the first book from this series. I can't wait to read next book from this author. Thanks to Netgalley, for this free copy. My opinion was my own.

A 10th Anniversary re-release, “Heart of the Wolf” brings us into another era of the paranormal genre and gives us a bird’s eye-view of Terry Spear’s development as a writer.

As a fan of Spear’s Silvertown and X-Ops series, I have been so used to her fast-paced storytelling. That said, though “Heart of the Wolf” is exciting, it is also slow compared to Spear’s newer titles.

The hero and heroine, Devlyn and Bella are intriguing and lovable in their own way. Yet, their character development is slower than what I’m used to with Spear’s works. It does not mean that I did not enjoy the book. And if you are a Terry Spear’s fan, I gladly recommend that you read this, even make it a part of your permanent library.

But, as a fan of wolf tales and the paranormal genre, I have to confess that the slow pacing of “Heart of the Wolf” was something I did not enjoy. Still, I have to remember that 10 years is a long time. In 2008, we still use flip phones and the iPhone was barely a year old. Today, when we don’t leave home without our smartphones, life seems so much faster. It goes without saying that even in books, the faster pacing of life is reflected.

“Heart of the Wolf” is Rated M for mature due to violence and some sexual content.

Bella, a red wolf, and Devlyn, a gray wolf, have their romance story told in this one. While I am a fan of this author, I must admit this one did not hold my interest as strongly as her books usually do. Just felt a little slower and less developed in details at times, and others times felt like some scenes were just fillers. Still a fair read, and I do not regret reading it, just like the other books I've read by her more. Would recommend this book and author.

I've read several books by Terry Spear already and loved all of them. Heart of the Wolf was another book that I really enjoyed even though it couldn't hold my interest as well as the other books.
The story itself was nice and well-written as usual but I found myself tempted to skip parts because I was missing some chemistry and sometimes it felt a bit repetitive. Usually, with a book by Terry Spear, I must take care that I put it aside to do other things because somehow my kindle tends to be glued to my fingers when I read her books but somehow I didn't have a problem to put The Heart of the Wolf to the side to do other things.
It is a nice story and overall it is still a good book but I like other books by the author much better.

This is a re-release which I have read several years ago, but at the time I wasn’t reviewing and now a lover of Terry Spears books I wanted to have a chance to write a review of this one.

I have always been a series order reader and I have no clue how, but when I started this series years ago I stated with a later book and I have always been glad I did because this book fell short for me compared to others in the series. I never felt a true love connection between Devlyn and Bella and there was the fact Bella was a 150-year-old virgin, I never got that one and Bella thoughts we overly repetitive, which got on my nerves at times.


Overall the book is well written and there is a lot of mythology in the story for you PNR lovers.

ARC REVIEW
Overall, it was a good story, I think it could have been better but I enjoyed it. What I really liked was the bonus novella Night Wolf at the back, that was a great story

Heart of the Wolf is the first book of the series of the same name. It was published ten years ago and to celebrate the awesomeness of the series the publishers re-released this one. When I found I could review this book I jumped at the chance to read it, having read and enjoyed the more current subsequent spin-off series, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I loved everything about his book except for two things Bella's lack of belief that Devlyn can defeat Volan and Devlyn, I just didn't like him. One thing that shocked me because it not this way in her more current books but there was so much sex. I want to complain about it because it was borderline gratuitous but it was so damn hot at the same time. And I think all the sex threw off the pace of the book not a complaint just an observation.

Bella Wilder, a red wolf shifter, was rescued by Devlyn when she was a small pup when a house fire killed her family (in the 1800). Bella has always loved Devlyn but the alpha of the pack has been obsessed with her and wanted her for a mate, Bella was determined never to let that happen to the point she ran away from her adoptive family to live as a lone wolf. One hundred and fifty years later Bella is living a quiet life when she is out on a run one day she is shocked to discover the scent of another red wolf in the area. She is so distracted she gets caught by humans in her wolf form and sent to the zoo. Making headline news gives her the attention she has been trying to hide from. Volan certainly knows where she is by now and as Volan's loyal lap dog Devlyn is sure to show up soon enough to take her back to the pack. But now there is also the local red wolf pack whose leader, also called dibs on Bella, out there ready to force her into the mating. By the time Devlyn shows up Bella is ready to run for it again, but Devlyn has had enough and is ready to claim her right then and there and face Volan. Top it all off with the fact that one of the red wolf pack members is going around killing natural redheads and Bella won't leave until they figure out who it is and stop them.

Overall, it was a good story, I think it could have been better but I enjoyed it. What I really liked was the bonus novella Night Wolf at the back, that was a great story!

Bella tried to entice a human to mate with her but he ran off for he was young. Duelyn- the werewolf who rescued her when her whole pack of red wolves including her parents died in a fire- had taken her to his pack and she was accepted but the Alpha wolf wanted to mate her - Volan- and he was violent and cruel and Bella wanted nothing to do with him, who Bella wanted as her lifelong mate was Duelyn. Bella was planning to sneak away from the pack to escape Volan and begged Duelyn to go with ker but he would not leave his pack. So Bella ran from the pack to live alone and hopefully find a human to mate with then she would turn him and start her own pack. But Duelyn did desperately want Bella to be his mate but saw no way that could happen and he still be in his pack. So he stayed alone but yearning for a mate as did Bella. Bella had a cabin she would go to and be able to freely run as a wolf and no one would realize what she was. But then she got caught and was shot with a tranquilizer gun and placed in a zoo. The zoo put in a big old red wolf to mate with Bella but she scared him off with her refusal to be his mate. But now Bella had to somehow get out because at a certain phase of the moon Bella was forced to be in human form and the zoo attendants would then find a naked woman instead of a red wolf in their wolf enclosure. Bella tried to escape when he forced human form came about but she couldn’t get out and was freezing. Luckily a nightwatchman heard her scream and they found her and got her out of the enclosure. The night watchman was puzzled how a woman and naked at that got into the enclosure.
I didn’t really like this book. I just didn’t connect with the story or the characters. I felt bad for Bella first losing her family and pack then having to flee from Volan. But that was not enough to make me enjoy this book.This book dragged too much for me and failed to keep my attention unfortunately as I normally love paranormal books especially including wolves which are my favorite wild animals.

Steaming hot, sexy sweet, emotionally engaging and action packed romantic adventure that is filled with danger, mystery and betrayal. Lots of juicy drama that will pull you in and keep you reading.

Bella is a red she-wolf that was rescued as a young pup from her family farm as it went up in flames by a young gray wolf named Devlyn. Theirs is an instant attraction that will not be denied except that Volan is the pack leader and wants Bella as his own. Was very entertained and intrigued by the shifter legend this world is based on the the information given about wolves in the wild. Very excited to read the next story in this highly entertaining series.

The entire time I was reading this book, the story felt very familiar. After some detective work, it turns out I read this in 2010 but never reviewed it. I have a feeling it would have gotten the same review I’m giving it now as it was a very lengthy introduction to this author’s shifter world.

Bella, a red wolf shifter, was raised by a neighboring gray wolf pack after her family tragically died in a fire. Her rescuer, Devlyn, has become the focus of all her girlish (and womanly) desires, but she has always knows she was claimed by the leader of their pack, Volan. Volan isn’t the ideal mate by any stretch of the imagination, so when confronted with the opportunity, Bella runs away. She manages to stay away from them for years until a pack of hunters end up capturing her in wolf form and throwing her in the zoo.

Devlyn has always wanted to be Bella’s mate, but was trapped in his pack’s hierarchy. It takes his assignment as zoo rescuer to force him to take a chance. While on the run, these two end up confronting their feelings while at the same time making some pretty sketchy decisions. On top of all this pack drama, there’s also a killer on the loose who is trying to change women into werewolves, but ends up slaughtering them instead.

There is really a lot of stuff jammed into this one book, but the center of everything is the relationship between Devlyn and Bella. Their story ends happily (thank goodness), and we even get some side stories ending with a HEA. As the start to what is apparently a long series, this was a solid introduction. I’m sure everyone I’d like to see more from eventually gets their own tale along the way.

While I'm normally a sucker for paranormal romance this book, while entertaining, just wasn't quite my cup of tea. I love a good slow burn romance, but Heart of the Wolf had me frustrated and wanting Devlyn and Bella to just hurry up and get on with it already. I was very interested and invested in the beginning of the book, but with how slow it was going I almost stopped reading it at one point. I will give Terry Spear more chances because I never dismiss an author over one book that I didn't connect with.

3.5 stars--HEART OF THE WOLF is the first instalment in Terry Spear’s contemporary, adult HEART OF THE WOLF paranormal, romance series focusing on the lupus garou-wolf shifter. This is red wolf Bella Wilder, and gray wolf Devlyn Greystoke’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Bella and Devlyn) HEART OF THE WOLF follows the second chance romance between wolf shifters Bella Wilder, and Devlyn Greystoke. Approximately 160 years earlier red wolf shifter Bella Wilder lost her entire family to a fire that all but destroyed her life. Taken in by the local gray wolf pack, our heroine found herself the target of the pack alpha Volan-a powerful, controlling and abusive wolf who was determined to make Bella his mate…but Bella was in love with someone else, a wolf whose own life would be forfeited if Bella acted upon her feelings and attraction. On the run to save both of their lives Bella would come face to face with her past when the man that she loved was forced to bring our heroine back to the pack. Enter Devlyn Greystoke, Bella’s would be mate, and the man with whom our heroine had fallen in love. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Devlyn and Bella; the potential fall out when Bella, as one of the few remaining red wolf shifter in existence, is targeted by her own kind; and the hunt for a potential serial killer –a red wolf shifter-targeting women with red hair.

HEART OF THE WOLF introduces several characters including Devlyn’s cousins Tanner and Heath; gray alpha pack leader Volan; Bella’s father figure and fellow gray wolf Argos; red wolf shifters Alfred, Nicol and Ross; local animal control Harry Thompson; and Bella’s neighbour and best friend Chrissie.

The world building reveals some of the background of the wolf shifter with each ‘wolf pack’ connecting to a similar yet differing story. The reader is pulled into the violent world of the shifter-the fight to the death for power and control- their civilization and practices-and the struggle to find a mate when the human world is determined to destroy them all.

HEART OF THE WOLF is a story of second chances; of family and friendship; of betrayal and revenge. The premise is entertaining; the characters are strong and charismatic; the romance is fated and passionate. An enjoyable story line with a few twists and turns as two shifters find love on the run.

••••••••

NIGHT WOLF by Terry Spear

NIGHT WOLF by Terry Spear is a novella length story line included with my copy of HEART OF THE WOLF. NIGHT WOLF focuses on Bella’s long lost sister Serena Wilder, and Devlyn’s cousin Tanner Graystoke.

Approximately 160 years earlier red wolf shifter Serena Wilder thought she lost her entire family to a fire that ravaged the forest and surrounding area where she and her family once lived. Taken in by a human family, as one of their own, Serena grew up, on the other side of the country, never having contact with her own kind until she ventured off on her own only to be robbed and taken advantage of by a man she trusted-a gray wolf shifter who took everything and ran. Remembering the hidden box in her woodland, family home Serena Wilder will return to the Colorado Rockies only to discover the new inhabitants are four gray wolf shifter brothers who mistake our heroine as someone from her past. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Tanner and Serena as they go in search of the man who robbed Serena of her money and her pride.

NIGHT WOLF is a quick read; a sweet and sexy story line of fated mates, retribution and revenge. The premise is charming; the characters are charismatic; the romance is seductive and hot.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley


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HEART OF THE WOLF is the first book in Terry Spear's Heart of the Wolf series. In HEART OF THE WOLF, the central story revolves around werewolf pack dynamics -- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Although the pack bonds can be an extremely strong and positive force in the lives of werewolves, Terry Spear shows how pack hierarchy can be complicated and difficult to break away from, when there is a corrupt and twisted leader. Bella Wilder in HEART OF THE WOLF is typical of the strong and intelligent wolf shifter heroines created by Terry Spear. Bella's journey and struggle to maintain personal autonomy, while fighting to live with the man she loves in peace, makes for a thrilling story.

Bella Wilder and Devlyn Greystroke are star-crossed would-be lovers for the first part of HEART OF THE WOLF. Terry Spear does a fantastic job of weaving flashbacks seamlessly throughout HEART OF THE WOLF to explain the history between the hero, heroine, and the villain Volan. This is a perfect book for the adrenaline junkie paranormal romance fan, as well as readers who enjoy character-driven stories. Bella is a sympathetic figure from the very beginning. Her beloved Devlyn is a little iffier. Readers and Bella are a little unsure of Devlyn until he eventually proves that he puts Bella and their love ahead of pack law and is willing to fight the evil Volan for her. Bella is a fighter in her own right, but Devlyn needs to prove his level of commitment to them both. As the story progresses, there are moments of rest, humor, and sensual romantic idylls amid all the excitement and fighting bad guys.

HEART OF THE WOLF has a kickass heroine and a hero who must fight for his spot by her side. This re-issue of one of my favorite werewolf romances is a great way for readers new to this series to see what all the fuss is about. I look forward to reading Terry Spear's next tale of werewolf true love.

I did not realize when I requested this book, Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear that it was the not a new book but was instead the first of the series. The cover has been updated but the story seems to be the one I read several years ago. What is different is that this version includes a novella. Night of the Wolf. This novella has ties to Heart of the Wolf, so it makes for a marvelous addition.

Ms. Spear’s stories flow with an intense storyline of hot romance, suspense and more than one bad guy in the stories. There is an element of mystery but mostly the two stories are shifter romance in which the wolves have obstacles in being mated together. The physical aspect of the romance overtakes the story-line at times. Otherwise the book is an intriguing read.

This was an okay read for me. Bella is a red werewolf and was adopted into a pack of gray wolfs after a fire killed her pack. The alpha of the pack tries to force her to mate so she runs away. Devlyn is a beta but Bella believes he is to be her mate is she correct? Can he save her again? This is a fast paced read with lots of drama and suspense. The story is entertaining but in my opinion, could have had a better flow. Will continue to read more of the series.

ARC - I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
Bella was a red wolf adopted into the gray wolf pack
She runs away to avoid the alpha.
She knows that she was supposed to mate w/ Devlyn.
Will Devlyn be strong enough to defeat the alpha + keep Bella safe?
Loved the storytelling + the characters!

I originally reviewed Heart of the Wolf for my Shifter Haven blog a few years ago. It’s been reissued so now it’s much easier to find for those who love to go back to the beginning… or have never started this amazing series.

Bella and Devlyn have a long history. He saved her from the fire that destroyed both her home and her pack. She was adopted by his pack and became the only Red among the Gray wolves. She had always adored Devlyn, hero worship at first that slowly grew into true affection as she felt he was her destined, fated mate. Unfortunately, the Alpha was interested in Bella for himself, she endured much at Volan’s hands.. much more than she ever let on to Devlyn. Bella knew that in order for them to be together, Devlyn would have to fight and defeat Volan. At that time, in his youth as a beta wolf of the pack, Devlyn did not have the strength to defeat the older, cunning Alpha. So Bella ran. Far from the pack, the man she loved and all the safety of the world she knew. She had no idea if she would survive, but she knew that Devlyn would not if she stayed.

Modern day, many years later… Bella has put together a good life for herself over the long years since she left her pack. A werewolf is very long lived, so although Bella would look like a 21 year old to the humans around her, she is in fact over 100 years old… still a young woman for her kind. She has settled in a small town in Oregon, and if not complete without her mate, she is at least content. Bella owns a cabin in the forest not too far from her home, it is here that her adventure will begin… and it won’t end until blood has been shed.

There have been grisly murders of red haired women in Bella’s area. She has suspicions about how they actually died and is scenting around her wilderness home for clues to verify what she believes. She is certain she has scented Reds in the area, which is surprising because she had long believed that she was the last surviving Red werewolf around. But the scent, the markings are strong, a patch of red fur seems to confirm her belief… and she is being watched. While in her wolf form she can more easily catch the scent of the intruders in the forest, and while she knows someone is out there she is caught off guard when shots ring out and she is struck with two darts. She has been captured and will be taken to a local zoo as the mate for an aging wolf.. real wolf. Bella’s journey, and Devlyn’s return to her life have just begun… life’s going to get interesting.

As a long time reader of Terry Spear’s work, I’ve enjoyed watching this series (and others), as well as Ms Spear’s writing continue to grow and refine. With now nineteen stories in the Heart of the Wolf series alone, she has to be doing something that her readers love — which is delivering an entertaining, intense, multi-layered story line in each of her books. I’ve been hooked from the start.

Bella finds herself in a zoo enclosure with a true red wolf – one with thoughts that she quickly uses her werewolf’s anger growls to halt. But that won’t last long. There have been other Red’s outside the enclosure, watching her, the person who captured her also is debating on sending her to another zoo for a very large donation… and then she sees him. Devlyn. And while it’s obviously bittersweet to see him again, she also knows that he is there as Volan’s beta, to release her and take her back to the pack – and their Alpha. As it is growing very close to the Moon’s phases that will leave her without her wolf form, Bella has to make a desperate bid for escape. It will leave her making news headlines, and bring those chasing her even closer.

Devlyn and Bella will be in a race against time and enemies to find a killer, acknowledge what they are to each other, and figure out a way to simply survive a multi-fronted attack from enemies known and hidden. The action is fast paced, and the story intense with mystery, sexual tensions and surprises along the way. There will be an ultimate showdown, and Bella’s future depends on the outcome.

If you love Shifter Romance, then you would enjoy Terry Spear’s works. This begins the Heart of the Wolf series, and I highly recommend this story and series. Sometimes you just have to go back to the beginning, and that is what I’m doing with this series. It’s even better the second time around.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.* — I also own a Kindle copy of this story that I purchased.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

2.75 Hearts Well this story is hard to review. I really didn’t enjoy it. I have read others by Terry Spear but this is the first in a new series and I really am not sure if I will continue with the series. I may give it another chance once the next one comes out.

I really didn’t enjoy the characters. It might have been because they were young and Devlyn is just not alpha enough and to be honest I couldn’t ever feel him become alpha. And Bella is just not interesting either.

Just not for me.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I love shifter romances and this one had a mix of mystery, romance, and intrigue. Bella is on the run and hiding out from her pack when the alpha wants her as his mate. She loves Devlyn and while he has feelings for her, he thinks she is destined for their alpha.

Bella keeps some secrets from Devlyn so he agrees with his alpha, Volan, and goes to bring her back to the pack. While hiding out, Bella is also trying to figure out who is killing human woman, and brings Devlyn into her plan. I won't give away any spoilers but I did not see that scenario!

It was fun to read as Bella and Devlyn played detective and tried to find the killer, and I loved that her neighbor, Chrissie was so helpful with the zoo "guy" Thompson, that would also make a great story!

I loved that Devlyn had to fight for Bella more than once but also that Bella had to win her own fight to be Devyln's mate! They really desired their HEA.