Karen’s Review
The prologue in this book cleverly grabs the reader from the get-go. Michael, who turns into a werewolf during a full moon was trapped in a plane that was delayed – and the sun was going down. It looked like he was about to turn while in his seat! Then we moved on to the first chapter.
Fear and Longing in Los Angeles was very much a book of two halves. The first half had no plot or conflict. Instead Michael moved from one situation to another. He was a deep and thoughtful character. I felt his observations on life would connect with readers, as it did me.
In the second half Michael meets Lex in Los Angeles. As he keeps his secrets, she has her own. They connect on a deep level and fall in love after a rocky start. It was an endearing and heart warming romance. When her story was revealed, I was truly hooked.
The Proud Fighters of America, were a racist hate group, and Lex was targeted by them. Now Michael was involved and this leads to tricky situations. What makes the PFA different from other cults is the exciting supernatural twist, not to mention Michael’s own enhanced abilities.
Overall, this was a great story, although I almost didn’t get there. I can’t say I disliked the beginning, I just felt it lacked direction. The inconsistencies also threw me off balance. Firstly, in the last book Michael said he didn’t have a passport, and yet there he was on a plane. Then he stated his ex-girlfriend didn’t know his secret even though she was with him when he changed to a werewolf. Then later Michael changed his mind and said she did know after all. I found that confusing.
However, all that was forgotten when I reached the place where the story really began. It came alive with a riveting page-turning plot, all brilliantly written. When eventually it reached the part mentioned in the prologue, it was sheer genius.
Readers who love the unexpected, love a protagonist with a heart, will devour this. And it is completely standalone, you don’t have to read the previous books as everything is fully explained. Michael is a wonderful character and I can’t wait for the next one to find out what happens next. This one get four stars.
There were many great quotes in this book and I collected a few to share
Description
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE.
If New York is the city that never sleeps, then L.A. is the city where you have to sleep with one eye open.
Michael Andrews learns quickly that it’s not just the cut-throat world of Hollywood you need to fear. There’s something deeper, darker, and far more disturbing lurking just beneath the shadows of the city, waiting for any moment of vulnerability to grab you by the throat.
An extended trip to Los Angeles to be on set for the movie adaptation of his latest novel leads Michael into a twisted and macabre underworld where he becomes entangled with an intriguing, sexy, and mysterious woman. At times she seems just what he needs in order to finally get over the unrequited love of his ex-girlfriend; but at other times, she appears to be the gateway to a Pandora’s box of B-movie nightmares.
Can he trust her? Can he trust himself with her?
Michael’s supernatural wolf-enhanced powers and special abilities might not be enough to survive this particular harsh and gritty jungle and the unique and deadly predators that crawl out of the shadows.
Karen J. Mossman 