A Scarlet Past by Evanne Lorraine

A Scarlet Past by Evanne Lorraine
A stand alone story that predates the anticipated Treeland Pack stories
Available November 20, 2011 from Amazon
Author's Website
Received my copy from the author/publisher

As World War II heats up, so does the secret battle on the home front. For two touch-starved werewolf warriors, mating is more than pleasure—it’s a matter of survival. Vivian heals the fissures in Fergus’s humanity. Though he saved Vivian’s life, she’s an Alpha bitch unable to meekly submit to any male. Both try to dominate the other, when surrendering to their deepest desires is the only chance for victory.

"Careful Doll, biting gets me excited."

Evanne Lorraine creates a shifter all her own – and dares to call them wolves.

A Scarlet Past is the story of the wolf shifter Fergus Wickham, who, despite injury, is focused on obtaining the necessary papers that will enable him to enter Canada and ultimately the battlefield in Europe. His quest brings him to Vivian, the Alpha female of a pack whose males have already gone off to war. She alone is left to battle rogues and ensure the protection of her fellow pack females, as well as a band of vampires who answer to whistling calls.

Genuine admiration and sexual attraction unite the pair as the world wages war around them. Together they find a balance. While one submits the other dominates, and vice versa.

I found myself at odds with this book. Having read more wolf shifter stories than I can count and a fair amount of D/s as well, I’ve never before had the two collide. Perhaps it be a lapse in memory on my part but never have I found a shifter insist on being addressed as Master. It’s always been Alpha, even in the bedroom.

Vivian’s acquiescence to the demand was unsettling, giving me the impression she was more Alpha by default than by nature. The idea of the pack males venturing off to a distant country to fight, leaving their females and dens unprotected was perhaps the greatest blow. Vivian was strong, but she was in no way capable of such a task. No true wolf pack would make such an error.

While obviously a great read for any future fan of the author’s upcoming series, The Treeland Pack, this standalone tale lacks a lot of facts and information necessary to acquaint a new reader with the setting and struggles of the time. I’m not sure how the rogues came to be or what exactly they are- other than horny, unshifting males. 2 out of 5 stars.

Please note that the cover itself, though beautiful, is quite misleading. The story is set in 1942 in New York near Central Park.

Ms. Lorraine has assembled a soundtrack accompanying the novella available on her website. You must have iTunes to listen. And she’s offering A Scarlet Past for free for anyone age 18+ who is interested, has a blog, and is willing to write a review.