Nightshade’s Flame

Nightshade’s Flame, Book One of the Werewolves of Rebellion Series, Ana Lee Kennedy

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:   Romance, erotica

Another shortish read at 3342 kindle locations :-( 
I really prefer longer reads, but this one had enough length to make the story work for me.
Its always tough for the first book in a series, has to deliver the characters, world setting and a story to keep reader hooked and that's a big ask. This one did OK for me, it wasn’t a gripping read but was a solid one, with promise of a good series to follow.

I liked the premise of Bernadette being a true crime writer, and researching for her next book about MCs and the way they operate. She was a good lead, strong and confident, and a really genuine feeling person.
I’m OK with the insta lust between her and Frank, president of the Werewolves of Rebellion. It felt real, and sometimes when people meet there is that visceral instant attraction. Of course in fantasy that usually means a bit more, the old Mate stuff... and of course there’s the conundrum that Frank isn’t looking for more, plus Bernadette is human and also not looking for a relationship.
The others in both MC clubs were a good mix of people and solid for later stories.

The issues raised were good, felt real and so did the characters. I really enjoyed the day to day side part of the book too.
Scary Mary I felt was a little jarring, I’m not really a fan of people like her, shrouded in mystery but able to crop up and help at a crisis. That’s one of my niggles, along with another that occurred here, where people have some unused/unknown supernatural talent which comes in just at the right moment...I just feel its a bit of lazy plotting, “Oh no! We’re all/he/she is in grave danger, there’s no way out” – and then some new supernatural talent pops up for one of them. Doesn’t work for me, I want them to use skills I know about, and that have been learned solidly.
Still, that was a small niggle in the context of a decent story that I enjoyed.  
I liked the way the club was a working farm, as well as a motorcycle specialist shop. I did struggle with the funding, somehow didn’t expect them to be quite so tight to the line when the figures were mentioned. They talked as though it was close to the club being broke, when in fact the sums mentioned were relatively small.
Still I guess in such a rural area work and jobs were hard to find and that's why money was just so tight.
It wasn’t a five star read for me, but a solid four and I look forward to reading more about the group/s.

Stars: A solid four and a good start to the series.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Frank hated the heat. Frank watched Crow - President of The Wraithkillers MC for any sign of deceit Frank could kill crow and walk away but he can’t Crow’s MC had stolen a woman from Frank;s MC. Frank and his MC were werewolves. Crow was shrewd, smart, strong and conniving. Crow thought they had a fair trade Franks MC had a crate of Crow.s MC guns he said they had found. One Of Frank’s members had claimed the woman- Luella- as hs old lady who had been taken. Crow said to return the guns and he could have the woman and Frank agreed. Afterwards Crow wanted them to have a drink Frank really didn’t have a choice. Crow’s MC and Franks had a tentative peace for the last six months. Frank was the President of the Wolves Of Rebellion and Frank had battled for a long time to create a haven of sorts for his people. They had been at war for the Wraithkillers for the last two years and now have a sort of peace between the two MCs. Then Frank gave Crow the guns and Luella was released and Frank told Johnny - a prospect- to take Luella to Beastman and make sure they stayed together. Frank went for the drink with his men and saw a redhead and felt instant attraction to her. According to Crow she was Bernadette Kelly who was a writer and was writing a book on MCs. Crow felt Bernadette was a cop or at least cop smart. But Frank took Bernadette with him. When Frank stopped in a town not far from the MC clubhouse Frank found out two humans- a man and his son- had been brutally killed with their entails shot up in the tree branches.frank feared it was a rogue werewolf. Bernadette and Frank were drawn to each other stronger than anyone before for both Frank and Bernadette. Frank’s MC built custom motorcycles from the ground up. Another killing had occurred and Frank and some of his wolves went to check out the crime scene at night. They found it was definitely a werewolf and they had never smelt that particular scent before and full of rage. There was an old witch called Scary Mary and she told Frank bad times were coming and it was a new evil.She also told Frank if he needed her help he knew where she was. Also Bernadette has been told she is a white witch. Another werewolf clan has come to the area.
This was a good story and I really liked it. It grabbed your interest right in the first couple of pages and held it until the last page at least for me. The plot was good and I liked the action in the story. I liked how Bernadette started getting close to the wolves and how they cared about her also.I also loved the fact how Bernadette was willing to help anyway she could even to defend the werewolves. I also liked Scary Mary’s part in the story. I also liked the fact the MC wanted a peaceful and quiet life unless pushed to defend what was theirs or themselves and wanted to stay away from illegal ways to make money if they could.I loved the characters and the ins and outs and would give a 4.75 if I could. I do recommend.

I love this book and am glad I took the time to read it. This book is filled with action, sex, love and family. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of shifters and bikers.