Natural Evil, By Thea Harrison

Format: Kindle edition

Published: March 20, 2012

Publisher: Samhain Publishing Ltd

Back cover blurb:

Claudia Hunter is on a road trip through the Nevada desert when she sees the body of a dog on the side of the highway. Pulling over to investigate, she quickly determines that the enormous animal is clinging to life. While working to save him with the help of the local vet, Claudia realizes there’s something about the creature that seems more. Other. Wyr. Which makes this case of animal cruelty attempted murder.

Too injured to shape shift, Luis Alvaraz is reluctant to tell Claudia what he knows about his attack, afraid it will only make her a target. But the sheriff is corrupt, and his attackers know Luis is alive and vulnerable. To make matters worse, a sandstorm is sweeping into town, and if they’re going to survive the night, Luis will have to place all his trust in Claudia.

Warning: Take a gorgeous man temporarily stuck in the dog house, add a strong, take-no-prisoners woman, mix in encroaching enemies and a raging sandstorm and stir to combine. Enjoy with a freshly opened can of whoop-ass.

My review:

Short story from the Elder Races world, but not part of the main storyline. It started off great, and I formed an instant attraction to the characters of ex-Green Beret Claudia and “Precious”, aka Luis, the smart and sexy Wyr investigator.

However, the action came to a head far too quickly for my liking, almost from a distance, and then the latter part of the book seemed tacked on, forcing the pair of them to stay in town to contrive a romance. I love Thea Harrison’s world, and have thoroughly enjoyed the other full-length books, but the end was a bit of a disappointment.

My rating: 3/5