I especially liked Shelly Laurenston's contribution to this book. Her Smith pack is one of my favorites and I loved that she wrote about Eggie and Darla.

Being able to read this book by two amazing authors was truly a treat. I was captivated from the beginning and couldn't put it down till the end.

This is a wonderful quick read that is hilarious. Highly recommend anything by either of these authors.

In the first half of the book was called Like a Wolf with a Bone and it was actually humorous. When Eggie sees Darla Mae for the first time he knew he was in love but who would keep his company. Eggie was the wolf no one wanted to mess with in fact they were scared of him, everyone but Darla Mae. Darla Mae didn’t think anyone would want her but Eggie keeps proving it to her by defending her because someone is trying to kill her. This story was sweet and funny and a bit dangerous but it was really hard to put down
Wed or Dead When Kayla agreed to marry Gage in Vegas she kept saying it was just part of her job but when her backup team came to take out Gage she couldn’t let them. Kayla felt more for Gage and even though she hunted wolves like the ones who killed her parents she didn’t want to with Gage. When Gage took off with her the team they just ran from found her and shot Gage and then her with a tranquilizer. Now she and Gage are in a cage and she will have to save their lives. Kayla was one tough woman and very determined to see justice for her brother and families just like hers. Very fast paced and exciting and loved the storyline.

Eggie and Darla in the 70's! A fast fun read with all of the elements you expect from Laurenston. A great prequel to a beloved series.

I discovered Shelly Laurentson last year and glommed through as many of her books as I could find. Her humor, dialogue and fantastic characters always make me laugh. Cynthia Eden was new to me and I will absolutely be tracking down more of her books. I haven't been able to get into fantasy and shifter romances for awhile but Shelly Laurenston brought me back. They are great fun and I appreciate the escape reading them brings to me.

While I already own a copy or two of Howl for It, I was given an advanced copy of the republished edition from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The following review consists solely of my opinions and no one else's.

I love and worship Shelly Laurenston so when NetGalley showed a republication of Howl for It, I nearly poured a bottle of water on my laptop to click the request button. Howl for It is a duet anthology consisting of Like a Wolf with a Bone by Shelly Laurenston, Book 0.5 of the Pride series, and Wed or Dead by Cynthia Eden.

Like a Wolf with a Bone
I can’t not gush about Eggie Ray Smith, he's one of my favourite characters from Shelly Laurenston. I’ve been in love with Eggie Ray Smith’s character since reading about needing to call Uncle Eggie in to deal with some issues in The Beast in Him. He's fearsome and overly protective of anyone he deems 'his'. And, as soon as he set eyes on Darla Mae Lewis, she was his and he'd do anything to keep her safe. Which means when Darla Mae is attacked by a squad of full-humans trying to kill her, Eggie does what Eggie Ray Smith does best. He starts the killin'.
Most shifters in the world are terrified of Eggie Ray Smith, even his fellow packmates aren't comfortable around him and aren't exactly bending over backwards to invite him to sit a spell with them. Which makes little Darla Mae none too happy when she finds out. Eggie's a fearsome shifter to be sure, but he's not a bad guy. He begs for his mother's help to take out Darla's stitches because he's worried his hands are too rough to touch Darla. He tries to change himself for Darla but Darla is quick to tell him she likes him just the way he is.
Darla Mae Lewis is one of those people I'd love to have in my life, she's loving and trusting but she's also an assertive woman who will kick ass if she feels she has to. She's very loyal and defends Eggie Ray several times, even against her own sisters. Darla Mae is also a well-travelled and highly educated pastry chef, working at Van Holtz Restaurants all over the place and even having her European culinary education funded by her boss. Best of all? Darla Mae Lewis is a bona fide all-inclusive feminist. Yes, she's an apex predator shifter who shifter males know not to mess with, but she understands all women need equality and does the marching and protesting just like we are today.
In Like a Wolf with a Bone, we get to see how some older characters from Laurenston's shifter books were as 'new adults', Blayne Thorpe's daddy, Sissy Mae's and Smitty's parents, and, of course Dee-Ann's parents. We also meet Sara Morrighan's parents at a Woodstock-style party in the mountains.
With Like a Wolf with a Bone, I always enjoy reading the story. I think I actually have it memorised. Every part of the story had a beginning, a middle, and an end. Nothing was left unresolved. As a standalone and not a paired book, I'd rate Like a Wolf with a Bone, as 5 out of 5 stars because it's one of my favourite Laurenston books and it needs more gushing since it's a short story.

Wed or Dead
I admit it. Before this ARC, I'd actually never read Cynthia Eden's half of the book. So, this was actually my first time reading Wed or Dead. I enjoyed Kayla and Gage's story, but it wasn't really my kind of book. I'm not a fan of the 'genetically compatible for breeding mate' trope, women are not incubators and that's always what this trope says to me.
I did, however, enjoy the beginning of the story which starts with Kayla convincing herself to walk down the aisle of a Las Vegas strip chapel to her waiting groom, Gage. And then, we have a wedding night and meh. But that morning after routine was pretty amazing with the whole "can I really bring myself to kill the person I just had sex with, my newly wedded spouse?". The escape out the window was shocking and exhilarating from my spot in my safe bed with my cosy pupper under my head. Don't ask me to jump out the window to certain death, but I'll totally read or watch it.
The way the story played out, the betrayals and the enemy of my enemy is my friend thing? I liked it but some of it (the Big Bad) was too bad for me. Not on a literary level but on a moral level. There are just some things that you don't do and The Big Bad did it. Like, can I just slip into the story and be a little homicidal on The Big Bad?
While Wed or Dead wasn't very memorable for me, I did like reading it. I'll even go read the other Cynthia Eden books I bought just because they were there. Don't judge. I like to have options. But because it wasn't very memorable and it played on a trope I have no love for among a few other things you'll probably notice if you read it, I'm only giving it 3 stars.

Overall, I give Howl for It (both Like a Wolf with a Bone and Wed or Dead) 4 out of 5 stars and 3 out of 5 flames. I especially enjoyed reading Howl for It because the sexy times are limited because the stories are short in order to provide a full story for us readers to enjoy.

I really enjoyed the Shelly Laurenston's story - it was set in the 70s, which made it original for this genre. I hope this was a prequel for a series that I can get - it was really fun and I wholeheartedly recommend it as a different PNR. The second offering lacked in comperecant, but was still an entertaining distraction for an afternoon. Recommend!

Like A Wolf With A Bone:
doing what he did for a living and that was kill and he was good at it. But he killed with purpose for the protection of his kind and the breeds and species he really didn’t care about but figured deserved protection. But now he was back home and his brothers were determined to secure themselves some females. His brothers didn’t entice or seduce they argued with their She Wolves,. His brother had put him in the car earlier and they headed for North Carolina where their She Wolves were with their family as they are all sisters. But then he saw the youngest lewis sister on the porch. He wanted to go up and introduce himself but what would a girl like her do with a wolf like him? Also her entire family hated him on principle . Darla had also been sent her home for a visit by her boss. Darla Smith was an assistant Pastry Chef for Van Holtz Steakhouse in San Francisco The Van Holtz understood pack life. Darla went to the woods and found a gun pointed in her face before she could even shift but one of the Smith Brothers killed the human before he could shoot her and killed several more of the humans who had been hired to come and kill her. Eggie realized Darla was bleeding and took her to the base to be taken care of and they put stitches in her back. Eggie told his team leader to find out who wanted darla dead. Darla came to and Eggie was driving and they were now in Tennessee and he told her she was safe and after a few minutes of looking at Eggie she believed him and said so. Egie knew he would protect Darla Smith with his life.
Wed Or Dead:
Normally Kayla Kincade wasn’t afraid of anything or anyone but this was her wedding day. She should be running from Vegas gage Riley was the groom and was the sexiest man kayla had ever seen. But he was a job, her assignment was. Kayla had her orders to get close to Gage by any means necessary but this didn’t feel like an assignment Marriage hadn’t been on Kayla’s agenda. But it had been on Gage’s and if she didn’t marry him she would lose the connection as Gage had pushed for this. If Kayla lost the connection the assignment would go to hell. Just once Kayla wished she could be normal and in love and going to marry the man of her dreams. As she agreed to love, honor, and cherish Kayla knew she would betray and hurt. Kayla was using herself as bait to set up her groom. Kayla hated her life. Gage’s smile could melt panties off you. Kayla di want her husband and before all the chaos started she would have him. Kayla had put Gage off for weeks tempting him but never letting things go to far. But now she was his wife and he would have her. For almost two months Gage had played her game. Gage wasn’t used to waiting but Kayla he did. She had her secrets but so did he. After a night of fantastic sex Kayla waited in the bathroom for the call. She told Lyle the job was done.Lyle said not yet but you are close, killing close. Kayla was a Hunter and Gage was her prey. Then lyle told kay;la to go kill her new husband. Kayla had always been such a good hunter. Her own family had been attacked by someone like Gage. But when Kayla looked at Gage she didn't see the monster she saw the man. Gage was suppose to be lethal . the strongest paranormal badass to claim Vegas in years. Gage was a wolf shifter. As a Hunter she was the one sent to keep the humans safe in the world. As she came out with her knife gage jumped up with his hands now claws and he could kill her right then and there. Gage told Kayla he knew she was A Hunter the first time she walked into the bar. Gage ran the wolf pack in Vegas. Sometimes even a Hunter had to break the rules so she let the silver knife she had in her hands drop to the carpet. There wasn’t any second chances for Hunters. If Lyle cast her out of the unit what would happen to her brother Jonah? Kayla told Gage he had to leave as three of Lyles team were coming to kill Gage if he wasn’t already dead.. Gage lost the hunters and took Kayla to a shack in the desert after he jumped with erh out the hotel window. When questioned Kayla said sometime you want something so badly that you’ll do anything to get what you want. Gage knew the feeling he was looking at the thing he wanted most- Kayla. Enough to even risk the pack. Of all the shifters wolves were the ones that danced closest to insanity. The Hunters arrived at the shack but Gage took care of them . Then he was after the leader to kill him but Kayla yelled out “ don’t he’s my brother”. Gage was distracted by Kayla and he was tranqued but so was Kayla. Gage knew before he passed out that one or both of his wolves had betrayed him. Kayla wondered why her and Gage were still alive. Kayla was human so she understood that but why was Gage and he was handcuffed to her. Then Gage let Kayla know Lyle was actually a shifter. Lyle planned on killing the wolf pack and leading Vegas and what a bloodbath that will be.
Both of these books were great. Action filled, fum quick reads. I loved Darla and Eggie together. I had to laugh out loud while reading this book. Darla’s sisters were so funny. I loved how darla just instantly trusted Eggie but she did have the sight like her grandmother. She also seen Eggie like no one else. What Eggie’s father did bringing the humans to their town that wanted darla dead was just so wrong. I loved the ending. I also loved Darla and eggie together. I loved how she stuck up for Eggie when her sister were in his home. In the second book we had Kayla and Gage and i also loved them together. I loved how loyal Gage was to Kayla even over his pack. There was a lot of action in this book. But more than anything it was about the growing bond between Gage and Kayla. My heart broke when Kayla found out all this time the man who had killed her parents was the man she worked for. I also loved the bond between Kayla and Jonah. I loved the pace and plot of both books. Two different but great reads and it all came down to love and how it can conquer all. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of these books and I highly recommend. Eggie wasa wolf shifter. Eggie watched the She Wolf.on the porch. Eggie hated what humans called a vacation and what his military brothers called a leave. Eggie was in a special units of the marines. On to top it off it was forced on him. He was lucky enough to be one of the few men in the world who enjoyed

LIKE A WOLF WITH A BONE
Shelly Laurenston
Darla Lewis is happy when the most-feared member of the South’s rowdiest pack kidnaps her. It gets her away from her overprotective shifter family. But it also starts a pack feud and helps her to unleash he wild side.

WED OR DEAD
Cynthia Eden
Gage Ryder knew his human bride had a wild side. But they spend their honeymoon night on the run from hunters out to finish him and his pack off.

So i read both stories and i love them both. Maybe i love Shelly's more because it was so damn cute. i love Shelly. She is freakin amazing and because of her i discover Cynthia Eden. her work is awesome to. Damn this two authors are awesome love them both and love their characters. will be reading more from them for sure. Both stories were hot, funny, and romatice.

I loved Howl for It by Shelly Laurenston and Cynthia Eden. I eagerly await upcoming titles by both authors.

I voluntarily read an advanced reviewers copy of this book

Like a dog with a bone by Shelly Laurenston

This book was great. I have read this story in the past as a part of a book that was purchased for me..by me... for my reading pleasure. At first I was worried it may be weird reading about Dee-Ann's parents but I loved it! I loved it so much that I went back and read every book that I purchased from the series in the past. It was funny and romantic in a way that was perfect for Darla Mae and Eggie Ray Smith

Overall, If you love shifters...than you will love this book!

I loved this book. I love their style of writing. The author does a wonderful job of my making her characters come to life . There were so many laugh out loud moments. I can not wait to read more of their series and learn about the other shifters stories.The author does a wonderful job of my making her characters come to life . There were so many laugh out loud moments

Two novellas give you the back story for two paranormal series. ARC from NetGalley.

Howl for It by Shelly Laurenston; Cynthia Eden is book 0.5 in the "Pride" series. This brings together two authors with two books.

Like A Wolf With A Bone by Shelly Laurenston
This is the story of Egbert 'Eggie" and Darla Mae. Eggie is a hard man who most people are scared of, but he finds Darla Mae to be beautiful inside and out. But he thinks she would not want him. But Darla Mae sees more in him then most people and she depends he be treated fairly. This was a really sweet hot romance.

Wed Or Dead by Cynthia Eden
This is the story of Kayla Kincaid and Gage Riley. Gage was to be an assigment for Kayla by getting close to him like no one else had. But after she ended up marring him she was told to kill him but Kayla has become to have feeling for him.

I really enjoyed these two books They were great reads and a good chance to read other authors that you might not have read before.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I read both of the books and I enjoyed them! I have not read Cynthia Eden before so am glad to say that Wed or Dead was a good story. Kaylee and Gage were kind of like shifter Romeo and Juliet as she was a hunter and he was a wolf. She married him as part of her assignment, and yet she couldn't complete the assignment.

The story Like a Wolf with a Bone by Shelly Laurenston was another good shifter story and love the setting in a backwoods area and kind of hillbilly like family! Wow, Eggie's mom really sounded like a tough woman!

I loved that Darla could see into Eggie's soul and knew that she never had to be afraid of him and they come to love each other. There was so many funny parts, great romance, and sibling rivalry! Eggie was great when he confronted his father, wow, glad I don't have that kind of parent!

Two great stories from two great authors!

This was a two book set with each having wolf-shifter elements to tie them together. While I probably preferred one over the other, they were both easy paranormal reads.

Like a Wolf is apparently a part of the pride series. I’m not really that well versed in that world, but I don’t think it stopped me from enjoying the characters. That’s really the highlight of this book – the characters. Darla Lewis is the quietest and most easy going of the wild sisters. Matched up with the most feared Smith boys, these two were wonderful to watch dance around one another. This was a true romance with all the awkward and awesome bits thrown in. And pie!

Wed or Dead is from Cynthia Eden and I’m honestly not sure if this ties in to any of the author’s other universes. This story is about a hunter and a werewolf who, like Romeo and Juliet, end up falling in love. Along the way, there’s a lot of lies and betrayal and fighting, but we get a really nice little happy ending (or at least closer to happy than the beginning).

LIKE A WOLF WITH A BONE
Shelly Laurenston

It was interesting at first but I just couldn't get behind a character as goody goody as the h, Darla. She was just too sweet, too peppy and of course she's also bossy, opinionated and sassy (-_-) but somehow ended up being rather boring for me.

Then there was the H, Egbert Ray Smith (who goes by Eggie!) and it all kind of went down hill from there. No matter how alpha and dangerous we're told he is, with a name like Eggie, I just couldn't take him seriously.

On top of that there were a lot of side characters that made vague appearances throughout the story that derailed the focus off the main couple and the whole story takes place in 1974 with an epilogue 30 years later that just felt off for me.


WED OR DEAD
Cynthia Eden

A mate bond between a shifter and an assassin? Yeah, to say it's complicated would be an understatement. Kayla and Gage have good chemistry and I liked the action and conspiracy that surrounded the h. She was strong and pretty kick ass. Until they introduce the cheesey villain and her annoying brother. Blood is thicker than water so I get why she acted the way she did when it came to her brother, but the villain! She frustrated me with her second guessing of the H and throw him over so easily for her brother. And vise versa, the way her brother so easily threw her over for the villain.

Gage was a good H but there just wasn't enough page time with him to really get a feel for him. Liked that he was 100% committed to Kayla right from the start (even before they find out their truly mates) but it felt too rushed. The smexy times were hot and creative *wiggles eyebrows* It's worth a read for that alone, Lol!