Early Review of A Love Untamed (Feral Warriors, #7) by Pamela Palmer

• Title: A Love Untamed: A Feral Warriors Novel
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Paranormal Romance
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (December 26, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0062107518
• ISBN-13: 978-0062107510

The author's website: http://www.pamelapalmer.net/index.php
Notes: I read the eArc of this book, so I will need to check quotes against the final copy.

He didn't think he had the capacity to love someone...

     "I've no heart to give you, Jill," he said quietly, regretfully.
     "So you've told me many a time, but you're wrong Kieran. You've a big heart in that finely hewn chest. You just haven't met the right female, yet."

Kieran didn't think he had the capacity to ever love someone. His sister had died and he had suffered so much agony and pain that he couldn't image what it'd be like to lose a wife, a mate. So he'd made up his mind never to seek to have one.

She thought she was would never be able to trust another man...

     "Melisande is a good person, but she has a violent and justified hatred of Therians. While she's obligated to honor my alliance with the Ferals, she's unpredictable. She won't try to kill you. But that's about all I can guarantee. And if you hurt her, even that's off the table."

Betrayed  by a past lover in a way that would break many in the same position, she had learned to hate all Therians and mistrust men. While her scars might not be visible, the wounds are still raw and run deep, but Melisande is a survivor.

Fate, however, had other plans...

     The petite blonde flung her empty hand toward him as if it were not empty at all, as if she meant to toss a fireball in his face.
     Instead, exquisite sexual pleasure rushed though his body on a blast so strong, so pure, that that he nearly came right there in the middle of the hallway. On a groan, he arched his back, his eyes dropping closed as the pleasure roared through him, wave after wave of pure ecstasy.

For there is only one individual whom an Ilinas such as Melisande can't hurt, and that's their potential mate.

When Kara, the Therians' Radiant is kidnapped, the Ferals and Ilinas' unite to find her...

     "Tell me how many warriors you need, Paenther, and they'll be at your disposal."
     "Half a dozen, preferably in mist form so they won't be seen by passing humans. Is that possible?"
     Ariana nodded. "Yes, if they're careful."

...the two are paired together and will learn to rely and depend on one another. 

Sometimes fate just can't be denied.

_______________________________

This is the seventh book in the Feral Warriors series. While you don't necessarily need to read the previous books in the series, I recommend that you at least read the first and sixth book. There is a lot going on within the Feral Warrior world and there are a lot of relationships, events and history you may not wish to miss, so you may wish to read them all. 

"At one time, all Therians had been shape-shifters, able to shift into their animals at will. But those days ended five millennium ago when, for a brief period of time, the Mage and Therians banded together, mortgaging the bulk of their power to defeat the Daemons. who were terrorizing the Earth." Magic and power, however, have their price and the power they'd pledged had never returned. Since then, only one Therian of each animal line has retained the original abilities held by all. That individual has always been the strongest and finest of his or her line. The chosen are known as Feral Warriors and they've banned together over the years to ensure the safety of their race and the world against the return of the Daemons. When one warrior dies another is marked and becomes the next Feral of his or her line.

Recently, however, everything changed because of an evil Mage using dark magic cast a spell designed to force the animal spirits to choose the most evil and morally corrupt among each line. In some instances, the animal spirits were powerful enough to overcome the spell. In other instances, however, they were  not. Now the question is which of the latest bunch of newly marked Ferals are good and which are evil? Can any truly be trusted? Additionally, Kara, the warriors' Radiant, the female who pulls the energy from the earth which renews, aids and empowers the Therian race, has been kidnapped. Without her, the race will weaken and none of the newly marked Ferals will be able to make the full transition to their newly acquired animal forms. The Ferals believe the Mage who bespelled them is the one who captured their Radiant in order to use her powers.

Kieran, now Fox, is among the newly chosen. Luckily, because of his connection with the Ferals there is no question that he is the person who should have been selected. He's well liked and has taught many Therians how to fight and defend themselves. Since his sister's death he hasn't allowed any one to get close to him. He has a big heart, a great capacity to love, but anything more than a one night stand she shies away from.

Melisande is a Ilina. The race had gone into hiding thousands of years ago after the majority of their people were killed. Melisande had an indirect role in what happened to her people and the loss, betrayal and abuse she endured has left her emotionally scared. She's strong, but has sworn off all males and has come to hate all Therians as the man who betrayed her was a shape-shifter. Some call her a bitch and perhaps at times she is, but she has her reasons. Fox, if he wishes to explore the powerful attraction between the two, will have his work cut out for him. He'll have to get through the barriers she's erected and help her confront her fears.

I enjoyed how Melisande slowly (or at least it seemed slowly) learns to trust Fox. She is put in a position where her life is in danger and Fox is the one who keeps her safe. Normally Melisande would be a kick butt heroine, but due to the deadly affect some of the Mage's wards have on the Ilinas she needs protection only a Therian can provide. As the two begin to rely on each other, their attraction grows more intense. While Fox isn't the soul reason she begins to let go of her fears of a relationship and intimacy, he definitely plays a huge role. I loved the way he handled her and took a cautious approach with her. He made sure she was comfortable with everything every step of the way.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. Not a lot of conclusion due to ongoing and continuing story lines, but plenty of action, drama, suspense and, of course, romance. While I enjoyed the ending to this tale, I look forward to seeing how all those loose ends will eventually come together and be resolved. It's those ongoing story lines that make the series so addictive. If you like paranormal romance, this is a series you may want to take a look at. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. 

Order of the series

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