Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

My Thoughts:

What is a guaranteed way to cause the wolf inside the man to completely lose it and force dominance? Attempt to harm his mate, heck, for that matter, just touch his mate…and that is what Fane saw just as Jacque slammed the wall up in her mind, Lucas lunging after Jacque.

At that point, Fane’s wolf didn’t care about rules, or protocol, he simply wanted to rip Lucas’ throat out and be done with it. Now I would have been all for that, but we would have missed out on some gut wrenching moments, so no complaining about this now.

Fortunately, Fane was able to rein things in by hearing Sara moving around downstairs. Granted he wasn’t able to be 100% in control, but it was better than the wolf running amuck through the streets of Coldspring.

I suspect what truly kept Fane’s head in the game at this point was the knowledge that Lucas had violated the challenge rules, in doing so; Fane would now be able to be with Jacque during the remaining two days before the challenge. As long as Jacque wasn’t hurt, this was actually a good thing.

Ok so here is my rant for this chapter begins:

::soapbox::

The rules state that if one of the challengers is the “true mate” and the other challenger attempts to cause the female physical harm (I’m going to just ignore the fact that it specifically says physical harm nothing about emotional…) that instead of being banned from seeing his mate before the challenge, he is allowed to stay with her and protect her.  Ah, hello?! Does anyone else feel that there is something just hugely wrong here??? I mean seriously, if the challenger is capable of causing harm to the female before they are mated, what makes you think he won’t hurt her once they are?! Why on earth would anyone ever think it was ok to allow it to continue? I mean if Fane had violated his part of the agreement, by seeing her before the challenge, he would have forfeited her forever. However, Lucas attempts physical harm and he simply has to deal with Fane getting to spend the next two days with her before the challenge?!  WTH?!

Then, as if that isn’t enough to just make your blood boil, when Fane lands in front of Lucas the first thing Lucas says is:

“If you touch me you forfeit the challenge.”

Seriously?!  You touched Jacque and all you have to do is just suck it up and let her actual mate stay with her for two days, Fane even just touches you (and doesn’t rip you to shreds as he really wants to do) and he forfeits?! Again I say WTH?!

::endsoapbox::

Now Fane is in the street spouting Romanian to the man in front of him, wanting nothing more than to turn said man into coleslaw and what does he do, looks over and sees the red marks on Jacque’s arms. Oh so not a good thing.

…his wolf won. Three words but so much meaning to them; Fane saw the marks on Jacque’s arms and the man checked out. The wolf took over and that was it. It could have ended so much worse for a lot of people here.

Enter Sorin! Lucas didn’t know Sorin was in the house, so that must have been a bit of a surprise. However, Sorin kept Fane’s head together and his teeth off of Lucas.

Lucas doesn’t necessarily agree that he violated the charges, but marks are marks and Sorin explains that it doesn’t really matter what Lucas thinks, reality is what it is. So Lucas grabs his guys and leaves.

I have to laugh at Jacque; she gives Fane grief about telling her to go inside while he is in wolf form. Sometimes our girls just don’t know when to shut up and roll with it. You would think she would be more focused on the fact that Fane was now able to be with her. 

It is funny though; Jacque is all independent and knows her place in the world until it comes to intimacy. Then she is shy and uncomfortable. I love how she blushes every time she has talk about the bonding ceremony, or how she enters her bed room with her eyes shielded to give Fane clothes. It is very sweet that she has this shy, innocent girlie side to her.

Now we begin to really see the irrational guilt that the males have. Fane feels guilty as he looks over the bruises on Jacque’s arms. He feels guilty because he failed to protect her. Forget the fact that he was not able to be there because of challenge rules. He knows his job is to protect her, but I’m sorry it isn’t possible to protect her 24/7 unless you never let her out of your sight. This, btw, will never be the case with Jacque, or any of the girls for that matter.

Fane is thankful when he sees that Jacque doesn’t judge him, condemn him, or even become angry with him because he wasn’t there. That she is actually understanding and the voice of reason by pointing out the rules being in the way of him being with her. This happens a few times in the series. Irrational guilt followed by doubt followed by apologies. Not just with the males, but a lot of it is the males. Makes me wonder, do we spend a fraction of that time being concerned about our own relationships? Do we admit when we have short comings even when there are real circumstances preventing us from doing what we believe to be our best? Do we tell the person we are sorry, even if it appears we are being irrational in our guilt? Yeah, I know – random side bar…I digress.

Favorite Lines:

Sometimes life just threw you a bone when you needed one.

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“Oh crap, he’s talking in Romanian. That means he’s pissed doesn’t it? They always talk in their native tongue in the movies when they’re fixing to kick somebody’s a-“

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He knew he needed to calm down but when he glanced over and saw the red marks on Jacquelyn’s arms, his wolf won.

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“Oh right, sorry. I just get so carried away. I’m good, carry on.”

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“What you think does not play into what simply is. It is time for you to take your pack and leave.”

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“You gotta be kidding me. You’re bossy even when you’re in wolf form.”

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“EWWWW! You have GOT to stop kissing me in public. Really, it’s getting out of hand,”

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“No touching while you’re standing in nothing but a blanket,” she told him, trying to sound firm but not able to wipe the grin off her face.

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I’m a wolf, not a dog, love. And if I don’t get to pee on you, then you most certainly do not get to pee on me.” Fane teased her.

Things We Learned:

• Fane was able to see Lucas lunge at Jacque before she managed to get the wall up
• Lucas touching Jacque, in a threatening way, violated the challenge rules
• Because of the violation, Fane will now be able to stay with Jacque
• If Fane touches Lucas before the challenge, Fane forfeits
• Male Canis Lupis feel irrational guilt when it comes to the protection of their mates

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

My Thoughts:

This is such a hard chapter to read. Not because it isn’t good, but because it is so emotionally charged. Things “get real” for Jacque et al. Fane starts to lose control, Jacque learns (with a push from Jen) that her touch can sooth the savage beast in Fane, and we see a fierceness come out of Jacque that we’ve not seen before.

Jacque has no qualms about getting into the Coldspring wolves’ faces and she stands up to them with such strength and fire that you just know it was a sight to behold.

Preparing for her meeting with Lucas, Jacque keeps her style and sense of humor by wearing a Team Edward t-shirt. (I actually have one of these!), and you have to give her props for being bold enough to wear something like that on first meeting this crazed Alpha.

The t-shirt ends up being key to the events that are set in motion. Because Jacque really wants to rub the whole vampire thing in the wolf’s face, she forgets that she has markings to protect. Lifting her hair so Lucas can read the back of her shirt just starts the trouble. The thing is though, without that chain of events we would have missed out on some very key moments for Jacque and Fane – so the outcome was worth the scare.

Fane catching just a glimpse of Lucas losing it, through Jacque’s bond with him, causes his wolf to lose it, at this point all bets are off.

Jacque has no problem letting Lucas know that she has no intentions of ever being his mate, and Lucas, who temporarily lost it, scratches Jacque. Now granted, it wasn’t a bad wound or anything – but it was enough to really put a damper in his plans, as well as really piss off a few people, i.e. Lilly.

I also love how Jen and Sally show up and have Jacque’s back. These girls let nothing, and I mean nothing come between them and their friends without one hell of a fight.

Favorite Lines:

Jacque looked at Jen and then at Sally. She couldn’t believe something so profound had come out of Jen’s mouth.

Sally shrugged. “Who knew?” she said, answering Jacque’s unspoken question.

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“You think I’m scared of you?" She asked sarcastically. “I’m your worst nightmare. Just remember, we all gotta sleep sometime. Hope you can sleep with one eye open,” she winked at him and turned to walk back to the house.

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“If either of you touches her I will kill you and use your pelt as a rug.”

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“Do you think it wise to bare your throat  to the one who would see it torn out?” Jacque asked…

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Fane growled again. I have a feeling he’s going to be doing a lot of that being mated to me, she thought to herself.

Things We Learned:

• Jacque’s touch soothes Fane’s wolf
• Jennifer has depth
• Jacque tells Fane she loves him
• Jacque is not someone you want to piss off
• Lucas Steele is about 6 feet tall, has brown hair, 1 blue eye and 1 green eye

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 20

Chapter 20

My Thoughts:

Warning – I’m very passionate about this chapter LOL

Ah Lucas, I’m assuming that he is mentally unstable – because he is one of the reasons I just want to pull my hair out and say “WTH?!” If someone is not your true mate, the darkness cannot be taken away just because you want it to be. So why, why, why does he feel he has the right to challenge Fane? I realize that at this point he hasn’t seen Jacque’s marks, but come on! He has obviously seen her, obviously been close enough to her to figure out that she is Canis Lupis – and there are no signs of her being his mate! What other reason could he have for challenging Fane than he is mentally unstable?

Alas I am getting ahead of myself, at this moment Fane is just calling him – but I know what this is leading up to and it pisses me off! :breathe:

Don’t you love it when Lucas tells Fane that he is not sanctioned to be there?! Lucas hasn’t gone through the proper channels to register his pack, but he is giving protocol lessons to the Prince of the Romanian Wolves?? Puhlease!

When Fane beautifully puts Lucas in his place, Lucas has the audacity to ask Fane if he can prove she is his mate…well duh and then the SOB challenges Fane for bonding rites.

Ok – so now I’m at the proper moment for my rant…WHY?! Let’s say, just for the sake of argument, that Lucas had of won – well first that would have been a really crappy story line on QL’s part, but put that aside, would he really want to attempt to bond (don’t even think of mating) with someone who was not his true mate after watching him kill her mate?! Jacque would have killed him. Even if he did go through with the ceremony, they wouldn’t have bonded – it isn’t how it works, he wouldn’t have erased the knowledge from her very being that he was not meant to touch her. She would kill him, and until the moment she did she would hate him. Did he think he would get past that?

Ok – I’m going to move past this now, but it will come up again in Blood Rites, so just giving you fair warning now.

I love how Fane thinks about how is Alpha will be livid but Jacquelyn will be even angrier – now just how angry is it once you moved beyond livid?  Would this be the Bill Cosby definition of a conniption? Well this is what I imagined – Jacque having a conniption – have that picture in your mind and think about it for just a moment.  Doesn’t that sound like a fun time?

Fane, to his credit, immediately starts planning on getting Jacque and her mother out of the country.

Lucas explains that he will have guards outside of Jacque’s house to make sure Fane doesn’t do anything stupid, like get her out of the country. He will have them there in an hour, so Fane has that time to speak with Jacque for the last time until the challenge. 

During this discussion, Jacque has figured out that something is going on and she is beginning to freak just a little. Fane has assured her that he will come explain things, and she gives him 5 minutes. That had to be a very long 5 minutes for her…knowing that something had his emotions going haywire, but not knowing exactly what. She also has no idea that someone can challenge him, to the death, for her – imagine if she did realize this danger was out there just how freaked out she would have been at this moment?!

Ok So Fane has ended the call, made it to Jacque’s and told her to gather everyone while he grabs Sorin. Sorin is already on his way to meet him and asks Fane if he has called his father. This is one in tuned body guard. He was aware there was an Alpha calling worthy event taking place. Immediately you like this guy (if you didn’t already).

The little gesture that Jacque makes of getting up and moving to be with Fane as he is about to explain what is happening was very heartwarming. It is as if instinctively she knows how to be an Alpha’s mate.

I love that Fane puts a plan in place to get Jacque and Lilly out of the country if he should lose. I also love that Jacque will not acknowledge that this is even a possibility. Her declaration is sweet and one you feel to your very core.

I also love that Jacque can maintain some sense of herself through all of this. As Fane shows her how he feels about her through his kiss, in front of everyone she is shocked by the public display. I love this about all of the girls, regardless of the situation, they are who they are.

Favorite Lines:

“There is no record of your pack. Therefore, I do not have to seek permission to be here. As for the female you are referring to, unless you can prove that she is indeed your mate, you have no claim on her.” (IN YOUR FACE)

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“You can’t third something you dork, you can just say ‘aye’ to show you are in agreement.” Sally informed her.

Things We Learned:

• Lucas Steele is the Alpha of the Coldspring Pack, and he has claimed Jacque
• Lucas challenges Fane for Bonding Ceremony rites
• Fane will call his Alpha to come – requiring 2 days
• Lucas will have his men guard Jacque during the 2 days waiting for Vasile to arrive
• Lucas will be visiting Jacque’s house to introduce himself and explain his position
• Fane’s wolf is beyond angry
• Sorin is intuitive
• Jacque trusts Fane
• The challenge is a fight to the death
• Fane is putting a contingency plan in place in case he loses
• Fane has to obey the rules of the challenge or forfeit and lose her
• Jacque solidifies that she is not a fan of PDA

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 19

Chapter 19

My Thoughts:

Jacque is very naïve and shy when it comes to physical intimacy, oddly enough, as we learn in later books, not as much as Sally is, but naïve and shy none the less.  Fane is inexperienced, but he isn’t uniformed, or prudish about it. I’m sure explaining the blood rites to Jacque was difficult for Fane, because he was already in a hard situation. In the span of a very short time he has had to explain to her that he isn’t just a foreign exchange student who is interested in dating her, but that he is a werewolf and she is his true mate. Not to mention that there is a pack interested in her and she needs to bond with him soon.

Think of how well Jacque handled all of this – yeah there were a few outbursts, but she is a 17 year-old girl who just had her world turned upside down and inside out.

However, I would like to point out that Jacque’s embarrassment of PDA and discussing sex goes a whole other direction by book 3 (we are still waiting on Sally LOL). I would also like to point out that we learn later that not only do mates bite each other now and then other reasons, including pleasure, but we learn that Jacque likes it. Which is what makes me smile when here Jacque says to Fane:

“You’re right, there is no way that mouth of yours is coming near my neck in front of anyone, not my mom and especially not your parents.”

Because throughout the books there are times they get very hot and heavy in front of several people, including his parents.

When a male bites his mate during the blood rites, he leaves a mark that indicates she is bonded. Unlike the marks that match her mate’s marks, this mark is meant to be seen. The bite also marks the female by giving her the scent of her mates. Leaving no question as to who she belongs to – it also marks the males with the females scent.

The connection between Fane and Jacque is getting stronger. Jacque knows that she wants no one else, but she is scared because this is all so new and unknown to her. It must have been unnerving to feel such intense sadness just at the thought of Fane leaving to go home for the night. To hear Fane tell her that he loves her after one date, shortly after he “demonstrated” where he would be biting her. Her heart must have been going nuts!

When Jacque sends Fane an image of him holding her, her neck tilted in submission to let him know she would submit to the blood rites ceremony – Jacque pins it on her subconscious, but I think it was her inner wolf.

Favorite Lines:

“I’m not even going to ask about the vampire comment. I’m just gonna let that one slide by without so much as a wave or glance…”

Things We Learned:

• Jacque gets the intimate details of the Blood Rites (private – they both bite each other on the neck)
• Fane is sad because of the changes he is bringing to Jacque’s life
• Touching is a very powerful thing for wolves, providing comfort and reassurance
• When a wolf’s mate needs something like comfort, it calls out to their mate
• Males bite females during BR to leave a visual symbol that the female is mated
• When the mates perform the BR they give each other their scent, so to other Canis Lupis she smells like him and he smells like her (the scents will intensify greatly after the pair have mated)
• Jacque is nervous about meeting Fane’s parents
• Jacque sucks at science
• Trent never reacted to Jacque – physically. At least not as well as Fane does
• Fane is jealous of the affection Jacque felt for Trent
• Wolves think in absolutes
• Fane respects Lilly, but will do what he has to in order to protect Jacque
• Fane loves Jacque

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 18

 I will be on vacation until September 10 - so I will not be posting anything until then after this post.

Chapter 18

My Thoughts:

I love the fact that the grey wolves are not the kind of werewolves from our fairy tales and horror stories. I think the idea of a werewolf that cannot remember being a wolf or not having control of when they become a wolf just seems like a cruel existence. The fact that werewolves are another species and not monsters makes sense in a world with mystical beings. The explanation for how the two coexist (listed below) is also well thought-out.

The blood rites ceremony sounds so very romantic. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to really have that type of connection with your significant other? I know there are times I really wish my husband could read my mind (and other times I’m really glad he cannot!), but to know that you are truly connected to someone on a level that no one else ever has or will be with them – that would be nice. 

Favorite Lines:

“Whatever gets us to the place we need to be. I’ll try not to ask ‘are we there yet’,” Jacque answered impatiently.

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“You’re a Romanian werewolf prince, your dad is the werewolf king, you are bossy, possessive, and territorial by nature. Which, if you were just a wolf would mean you’d pee on whatever you wanted to mark as yours.”

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“Hold on, put on the brakes, throw it in park, and set the emergency brake while you’re at it. Did you just say centuries?” Jen asked dubiously.

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“Once again my parade is saturated in the downpour of hurricane Sally,” Jen retorted.

Things We Learned:

• Jacque is not safe un-bonded
• There are many types of werewolves (we knew there had to be)
• Alphas is sort of the equivalent of a king
• True definition of phasing (see below)
• Jacque learns that there is a blood rites ceremony
• Male markings on the right side = dominate
• Elaborate markings on the front of the chest = Alpha
• Markings that go up the neck or other places seen with clothes on = mated
• Mated Alphas are much stronger than unmated Alphas

What is Phasing? 

Fane describes phasing in this chapter, and I believe that it truly explains it so I’m listing that here.

“…My wolf and I are one, but also separate. When I am not in wolf form, he is still there. I can still call on him for help and use his attributes. When I am in wolf form he uses my human attributes – I can still think and reason like a man. That is why we don’t call it changing, because that implies that when we are in our wolf forms we no longer retain any human attributes, and vice versa, which is not the case. We always coexist together…”

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

My Thoughts:

After Fane and Jacque finish admitting to one another that they think the other is hot; things start to fall into place. Now Jacque is caught off guard by Sorin standing in the house and later on by her two best friends being there. I’m guessing that she was so caught up in her thoughts from all that was happening and the hotness of Fane that she didn’t notice 3 cars in front of her house. Granted, QL doesn’t tell us the cars are there, but in previous statements we know the girls drove there in their car, and we know that Sorin was renting a car when he got to the airport. So there were 2 possibly 3 cars…but I digress.

Now I read somewhere that someone didn’t like all the internal dialog that takes place, I’ve also read that some people do not like the amount of dialog period that take place in TGWS…I personally love it. My family is a chatty bunch, we tend to say what we are thinking, and I know that I have a lot of internal dialog, so to me this is normal. It is also, IMHO some of the funniest internal dialog, also reminding me of my family.

I must give Lilly props for being completely open and honest with her daughter over not wanting to tell her the truth about her heritage. She could have said she was waiting until she was 18 or a number of other things; instead she just says:

“Actually, no. I wasn’t planning on telling you as long as it never affected you. I figured there was no reason to add confusion to the pain of your father leaving.”

Considering what she has just been told, Jacque responds pretty well. She of course has to learn what the realities of being a werewolf actually is since what she knows is all fairytale.  Here is where she finds out that Jennifer and Sally are still there at the request of Lilly. Again, props to Lilly for thinking ahead and having her daughter’s support system there and ready to help Jacque process the information that just turned her world upside down.

Once Jacque gets the information processing, it dawns on her that Fane has referred to her as his mate. Now I’m not entirely sure why at this point Fane looks deflated, well I mean it is explained that the thought of her not wanting him is more than he can bear but I’m not sure why he went straight to that conclusion. Is it just the insecurity that comes with being 17 years old? Is it that he is concerned that this is just too much new information to process for her, that not being from his world she is automatically going to reject his way of life and do what she wants? I would think that a lot of thoughts went swirling through Jacque’s mind as she was processing everything and trying to suss out how she felt, I’m sure there were probably a few thoughts that scared Fane.

Unfortunately for Jacque the one thing she asks for is the one thing she cannot have. Isn’t that always the case? She wants some time to sort through things and really get a grasp on what she is feeling. Fane has to tell her the rest of what is going on and that is where QL decided to leave us…

Favorite Lines:

“I guess I’m as good as can be expected. Don’t be alarmed if I freak out or have a meltdown, it will pass,” she told him with only a small amount of teasing in her voice.

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Jacque closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. In and out, in and out. Whatever it is, whatever he tells you, you will not cower in a corner and shake like a frightened puppy, she told herself firmly. No, but I make no promises that I won’t pass out from shock. There is no shame in passing out, it’s simply the brain’s way of saying 'hold the stink up, I need to process this mess'. Jacque smiled at her monologue, wondering if other people talked to themselves like that. Probably not, but everyone’s got something, right?

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“Fane, you can’t possibly be embarrassed by thinking I’m hot. I practically drool all over you every time I see you. I should be the one embarrassed,” she confessed to him.

“Are you?” Fane asked.

“I guess maybe I should be, but throw me a bone, you are freaking hot. I can’t change that so I’m embracing it.”

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Okay, Jacque thought, I’m fixing to have a two-year-old moment.

“MOM!” Jacque yelled, “WHO IN KING ARTHUR’S NAME IS THIS MAN IN OUR HOUSE, WHAT THE CRAP DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU AREN’T TELLING ME, AND FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS THAT KEEP US SANE WHAT HELL IS GOING ON!”

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“Well, that’s a crappy deal. Here you have a dad who can turn into this cool wolf thingy and you can’t even get a sexy, bushy tail,” Jen said as she and Sally walked into the living room.

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“Every page-turning word. I wanted to pop some popcorn. I figured there might be some tense moments and you know I eat when I’m tense, but goody two shoes here wouldn’t let me,” Jen said irritably.

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“We know, sweetie. But see, since it was Jacque finding out it was her dad who gets hairy, not yours, I didn’t really care if you were tense.”

  

Things We Learned:

• Jacque was actually freaked out by the events that took place in the park
• The idea of Fane leaving causes Jacque actual pain
• Sorin has arrived
• Lilly never planned to tell Jacque the truth about her father
• Jacque realizes that her mom still loves her father
• Although Lilly was originally angry when Fane first arrived, she has come to terms with it
• Jacque gets sarcastic when she is freaked out (and under many other circumstances)
• Jennifer eats when she is tense
• Jacque finds out that her dad left because he found his true mate, and never found out about her
• The thought of life without Fane makes it hard for Jacque to breathe

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

My Thoughts:

Fane and Jacque have a nice dinner, easy conversation and everything seems to be fine. Fane takes her to a nearby park but they never actually make it to play putt-putt. That made me just a little sad because Fane never gets to experience that wonderful game (:

I enjoy learning about each of them as they answer basic questions. I noticed that Fane doesn’t give his favorite song, but we learn later about the Willie Nelson song he loves.

I have noticed that Jacque, and Jennifer for that matter, can be a little tightly wound up on occasions. The fact that she jumped all over Fane when he asked her if she wanted to date someone shows that she assumed the response and jumped on him based on that assumption, not really seeming to hear what he was saying. Either that or she is just so flustered by how she really doesn’t want to date anyone else that she decided to take it out on him. Either way she overreacted just a tad, but she is a 17 year old girl going through some drastic hormonal changes, one might say she handled it pretty well.

Having the two Coldspring wolves show up did a couple of things.  It allowed Fane to not have to even attempt at explaining how Lilly could possibly know anything about what was going on, clued Jacque in on something more than just your day-to-day run in with a bad element was going on. She caught reference to the “animal kingdom” during the confrontation, and yet she didn’t freak.

Fane refers to Steve as “Beta” however we meet the actual Beta later in the book once Lucas is defeated, so it would appear that Steve is part of the top 4 – I’m assuming that is who all of the 4 were that came, and Fane was addressing him by saying “something other than Alpha”. Not sure if that is an insult or not, but one can hope.

It would appear, again, that the Coldspring pack really isn’t up on protocol because they appear to be confused by the fact that their pack isn’t on record as existing. So either they don’t know they are supposed to be registered, or they do not realize that Lucas hasn’t handled the proper paperwork. It is my understanding that this loophole is why Fane doesn’t have to really pay attention to their Alpha. You can’t claim what isn’t yours legally. So until you file the paperwork, it isn’t your territory.

You have to admire the male wolf ego though, because once they process the fact that Fane has basically flipped them off they come back with they we out number you bit. This is another one of those “underestimate the pup” situations because clearly they didn’t get that he was more dominant than any of them. Steve has already been through this, apparently the Coldspring pack is also not big on communication because that was probably a bit of information the other 3 guys could have used.  Or, if we give Steve the benefit of the doubt we can go with the thought that he told them this and they just needed to see it for themselves. Either way, dumbass move. Clearly, regardless of what impression they had of Fane, they did not take into account just how dominate he was nor did they take into account how educated on the rules he was. Which brings me to one of the favorite lines listed below:

“You tell your Alpha to back off. There are only so many disregards for Pack Laws that I will concede.”

So put that in your pipe and smoke it! One look and a slight change in tone and down go 4 cocky wolves. Now, those of us who have read the series know that Fane is as dominant as his father, possible more so. Vasile is the most dominant Alpha around… so these guys were screwed before they got out of the car.

The book tells us “When a dominant issued a command like that the submissive could only obey, whether they wanted to or not.” Thus, when Fane said “Leave, now.”, they had to leave. I suspect that this bit of knowledge is what pushed Lucas into challenging Fane then instead of waiting. Regardless of the fact that Fane was 17, if he could order Lucas’ top 4 around, chances were he was more dominant the rest of them. Lucas needed to claim his mate and get rid of this dominant before anything else could happen.

You know that once the guys left and Fane had to look at Jacque there had to be a part of him that was extremely proud of the fact that not only did she not run away screaming from the encounter, but she was standing her ground and demanding answers. She was in true Alpha form.

Favorite Lines:

But the night was still young, and he had ample time to make a fool of himself, so better not count your pups.

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This is ridiculous, want to prance in front of my mate and show her I’m worthy of her. Act normal, you hairy baboon, or she’s going to run from you screaming.

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“You tell your Alpha to back off. There are only so many disregards for Pack Laws that I will concede.”

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“Ok, you can forget trying to get away with not explaining that little episode of the Twilight Zone…”

Things We Learned:

• Fane did use self-control in front of Lilly by not touching Jacque’s marks
• Fate gives an Alpha male an Alpha female
• Jacque enjoyed her first motorcycle ride
• Jacque’s joy soothes Fane’s wolf
• Fane realizes Jacque is his to love, and that he will love her
• Fane likes Coldspring
• Fane lives a formal life
• Fane lives in a 7,000 sq ft mansion
• Jacque’s favorite color depends on the day but usually she refers to green in the books
• Jacque dresses according to her moods
• Jacque’s favorite song is currently Bob Seager’s ‘Accompany Me’, but changes regularly
• Jacque’s favorite book is Shell Silverstein’s ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’
• Jacque’s favorite movie is the ‘Harry Potter’ series
• Jacque doesn’t think of herself as an only child with her two best friends being more like sisters
• Fane’s favorite color is any shade of black or grey
• Fane’s favorite book is ‘Lord of the Rings’
• Fane’s favorite movie is ‘300’
• Fane doesn’t like the responsibility that comes with being the only heir in his family
• Fane does not have a girlfriend in Romania
• Jacque doesn’t want to date anyone else but Fane
• Jacque’s emotions for Fane are very intense
• Fane’s wolf wants to preen in front of Jacque and is pleased she noticed their markings match

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

My Thoughts:

This was one of those “fluff” chapters; necessary for the entertainment value; details of the girls helping Jacque get ready and all, but not a ton of information given.  There were, of course, great lines of dialog, part of which was Jennifer describing in great detail what she would do to Jacque if Jacque didn’t finally kiss Fane. She has quite the imagination and I must say she comes up with some very impressive ways to get back at someone; and these are for her friends – I would hate to be on the receiving end of one of her plots and not be her friend!

I’m amused at Fane and how he responds to the way Jacque looks and to her markings. I wonder if he is less concerned with protocol because he knows that Lilly is aware of the situation. Does he assume that her knowledge makes it ok for him to acknowledge his position in this relationship, even if Jacque doesn’t catch the full meaning?

I’m also curious as to why at this point Lilly just doesn’t come clean? She cannot help but react to things, even though she is able to recover quickly – she still reacts to them. Why not just have the discussion now instead of playing like the markings are fake tattoos? I realize that from the story stand point Fane and Jacque needed to leave, there were events that needed to take place – I’m just trying to understand the characters thought process here. So I’ve decided that Lilly was still in either a bit of denial or in shock – maybe a little of both. The realization that her daughter had a true mate at the tender age of 17 must have been difficult to deal with, especially since it happened so quickly. It isn’t like they had known each other for years and dated for a good while.

Favorite Lines:

“I was just talking to Fane and his voice got all sensual on me and it was like…”

Jacque didn’t know how to finish so Jen offered up, “Phone sex, virtual mind sex, I would say sex on a stick put that really only applies to Dove ice cream bars.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Because they look as cool as Hades, that’s why,” Jen piped in.

“That statement doesn’t even make sense, Jen. Hell is not cool, geez…”

“Oh, my bad. They look as hot as Hades, that’s why,” Jen interrupted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“If you like that gorgeous piece of meat out there and you don’t kiss him, I will personally take every bra you own and hang them on all the antennas of the cars on your street. Oh, and I'll write your name on them in black magic marker and hang two on hottie's motorcycle! How you like them apples?” Jen told her.

“Where on earth do you come up with these ideas? Is there like a website called vindictive.com, or cruel-mean-ideas.org?” Sally asked her sarcastically.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Alright. We’re going, mom. Love you. Don’t wait up, I’ll wake you up when I get home. Yes, I will wear my helmet; no, I won’t be cold; no, I don’t need any money; yes, I have my house key, and yada yada yada,” Jacque answered before her mom could even ask.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You ready, Luna?” he asked her. It felt like he wasn’t just asking her about the motorcycle ride, more like he was giving her a choice, one that she had no plausible outcome for.

“Probably not, but what the hell. What’s life without a little excitement or craziness, ya know? Take your pick,” Jacque answered.

Things We Learned:

• Jacque feels she could fall hard for Fane
• Jacque feels like she belongs with Fane, like she has always belonged with him
• Lilly knows what the tattoo is (you can tell by her reaction)
• Jacque’s helmet is black and dark pink with different designs on it

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

My Thoughts:

Previously we found out that Fane’s  markings stung when the car drove by as he was entering Jacque’s house. Here we are told that there were two Canis Lupis in the car. Steve, the salesman, and another that we have not yet met.

Although we know that someone has claimed Jacque, at least at the beginning of this chapter, Fane doesn’t understand what they want with her. It may be that at this point he thinks that because she had no mating signs that someone just claimed the right to get to know her. At this point Fane doesn’t appear to suspect that he is going to be challenged for bonding rites. If he had of suspected it, I imagine that he would have already had Lilly and Jacque on a plane back to Romania.

Fane calls his father to seek advice. He knows that the Coldspring Alpha wants him out, and Fane wants to know what his father/Alpha thinks is the best course of action. Vasile has decided to send Sorin back to Texas in order to show the Coldspring pack that Fane is not alone. He has told Fane to protect Lilly and Jacque but to not do anything without a reason.  Then Vasile kind of drops a few bombs on Fane. Sorin will be staying with Lilly, which makes Fane slightly uncomfortable because Sorin is an unmated male, but he trusts Sorin and the protection is needed. Fane learns that Lilly knows what is going on but has not shared with Jacque. He is starting to truly understand that someone really means to bond with his true mate.

Vasile explains that what was once taught about true mates is no longer remembered by some, and that is why they think that bonding with any female will work. Now I’m not sure if this is an indication that the werewolf education just really where the subject of mates/bonding is concerned or if the darkness that takes over causes them to forget, or just be that stupid. It seems to me that fighting to the death for someone who cannot possibly live up to your expectations is a bit much, so there has to be something that clouds their judgment. So is it that they forget because of the darkness, or because they are not taught?

The conversation with his father over, Fane reaches out to Jacque. After discovering she’s not a morning person, he tells her when he will pick her up and that they will be playing putt-putt.

Favorite Lines:

“…What they don’t know, because they don’t remember what our ancestors have taught, is there is only one mate for each. Only one,” his father emphasized.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Oh, my bad. It’s moved up to still-too-freaking early,” Jacquelyn responded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I was thinking that golf game Americans play that has all the different obstacles,” Fane answered.

Things We Learned:

• Fane runs (of course he does)
• Werewolves are stealthy
• Canis Lupis can run longer distances than humans, even in human form
• Canis Lupis do not have to work out (and yes I hate them just a little for that)
• Canis Lupis all have muscular physiques, some are leaner than others
• Jacque still dreams about Trent, but not in a way that shows she still is interested in him
• Fane and his wolf both are unhappy about the idea of Trent hurting Jacque
• Canis Lupis can run faster than humans, even in human form
• There were 2 Canis Lupis in the car that passed Jacque’s house the night before
• Vasile has not ordered Fane to leave yet
• Vasile is sending Sorin back
• Sorin will be staying at Jacque’s house
• Vasile has spoken with Lilly
• Jacque is half Grey
• Jacque’s father is a Grey
• Jacque’s parents were together a long time, never married
• Jacque’s father told Lilly about being Grey because she had a special gift and knew there was something different about him
• Jacque’s father came home one day, packed his stuff and left
• Jacque’s father has been located and he has a mate
• Lilly knows who Fane is
• Lilly never told Jacque about who/what her father was or what she is
• Fane is supposed to let Lilly be the one to explain things to Jacque
• Jacque is not a morning person
• Fane is going to take Jacque to play putt-putt for their date

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

My Thoughts:

Jacque realizes that Fane’s scent not only has a specific smell, but it calls to her.  Now I’ve noticed someone smelling good before, and I’ve been comforted by a familiar smell, but I’m not sure I could say I’ve had one “call” me before…well that is if you don’t count chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. My guess is that it calls to her wolf.

There is a when Jen tells Sally “Yeah, yeah. You’re a real gypsy.” I wonder if QL did this on purpose. Did she give us a bit of foreshadowing here, or was it just a happy coincidence? There are a few of these “coincidences” if that is the case, things that you might not catch the first time you read through. I imagine that I’ll still be catching little nuances each time I read them. Which is one of the reasons, IMHO, that QL is a good writer. Something else I noticed about QL’s writing as I read the series was it got better with each book.

As the girls quiet begin to get ready for sleep, Jacque notices she can “feel” Sally worrying. What exactly is Sally worrying about? Well, let’s see, one of her best friends is able to communicate with the new hot guy via her mind, and all of a sudden same girl is sporting an amazing tattoo that she didn’t pay to have done (nor did she have the lovely experience that goes with having your skin pierced with a tiny needle many, many times). My question is, why is she worried, but Jacque seems to be more accepting of it. Is this because, as we learn later, Sally just kind of knows things? Is Jacque, at least on some level, in denial or even in shock?

Favorite Lines:

“All I got to say is if she said no, she might not want to go to sleep tonight, ‘cause I’m going to dye her hair blonde to compliment her on being a dumb ass,” Jen told them.

“Uh, Jen. You’re a blonde,” Jacque pointed out.

“No, not really. God just got it wrong and it was too late to change once He noticed.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Well, put away your hair dye you overreacting freak. I said yes…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“This is really happening, isn’t it?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You really should seek help for that temper of yours. You know, they have medicine that would help,” Jacque told her, trying to sound gentle as if talking to an unruly child.

Things We Learned:

• Fane’s scent smells like woods and spice to Jacque
• Fane’s scent is comforting to Jacque; it “calls” to her
• Confirmation that Lilly knows who and what Fane is
• Lilly thinks that Fane may suspect she knows something
• Jen thinks confidence is sexy; does not think men driving hybrids is
• Jacque is waiting for the “other shoe” to drop
• Jen thinks Fane could be “the one” for Jacque (which of course he is)
• Jacque realizes that her marks would actually fit Fane’s marks like a puzzle
• Jacque can “feel” the waves of worry coming off of Sally
• Jen pretty much only thinks about things that pertain to sex and/or the opposite sex

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

My Thoughts:

Ah the random emotions of a teenage girl. Having lived through 3 teenage daughters, I feel for Lilly. You just never know how they are going to react to things. You would think that Jacque would have been excited about finding out her mother had invited Fane over for pizza and games. She obviously likes him. So is it the fact that she is freaking out about the mind communication thing and the new tattoo on her back?  I suspect that has something to do with it, although she does forget about the tat long enough to shock Sally with it. We do see that by the end of the chapter, regardless of her earlier reaction, Jacque is excited about seeing Fane.

I am a little curious about Jacque and Trent’s breakup. I kept expecting to find out that Trent was part of the Coldspring pack and that Lucas had told him to back off. Since that didn’t happen, I’ve decided that it must be something more mundane like the typical “we’re seniors and I want the chance to party.” I remember seeing girls go through that in high school and feeling so bad for them. Or maybe even something along time lines of Splendor in the Grass, when Warren Beatty’s character breaks up with Natalie Wood’s character because his father wants him too; so he could “sow his wild oats” so-to-speak. Anyway, we don’t know what happened, and it really isn’t important – just something I kept looking for and never found.

For a brief moment, let’s say that QL uses the wolf within for more of a metaphor than an actual wolf. Now, I’m not saying that is really what she has done, I’m just saying that the way she writes one could go there with that thought. There are moments when the human struggles with the wolf, as if they are struggling with their conscious or with fate. Jacque wants to go nuts on Fane, but a part of her wants Fane with her.  We see this type of behavior throughout the books, this and as well as seeing how “fate” guides things, but that thought is for another post.

Favorite Lines:

“I’m sorry for your pain because of that, but I will not deny my pleasure in knowing I will not have to convince him it was in his best interest to take his intentions elsewhere.”

Things We Learned:

• Jacque recently broken up with a guy named Trent (nearly 2 months prior)
• Jacque had been in a long-term (nearly 2 years) relationship with Trent
• Lilly doesn't get angry often
• Regardless of how frustrated Jacque gets with Fane, her wolf (although she doesn't realize this) won’t let her do anything about it
• Fane intends to “court” Jacque

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

My Thoughts:

So…Jacque has discovered her markings and she is uh, reaching out, to Fane for answers. Fane however, being the gentleman that he is, decided to respond face to face. I had to smile, because you know not many 17 year old guys would shut a young girl out when she is focusing on her body the way Jacque was. Again, we see that Fane was raised with integrity.

Brian stops at the first dealership that sells motorcycles – I’m guessing there probably are not that many in Coldspring, but it would figure that this just happen to be one where a Canis Lupis works. We learn that there is a pack in Coldspring. Apparently there is a registry or something similar that allows other Canis Lupis to check out the areas, know who to speak with to get permission to enter the territory, etc. Makes sense if you think about it, seeing that Canis Lupis are territorial, and possessive beyond measure. I imagine it can make vacationing difficult.

Fane was chastising himself for giving too much information away about his dad, but I really don’t think he needed to worry about that. I mean, as we learn later on in BR, there is a book listing the Alpha’s and their numbers, and we know that Steve has heard of Fane’s father – I doubt that he gave away anything that this guy couldn’t figure out on his own.

Something I noticed in this chapter, that you see throughout the books… older males think the younger males are automatically beneath them. Or at least they imply it. Steve saying “Who are you that you think you deserve to know what Greys are where? You’re just a pup, and with a human at that.” It may be that young, dominate males are not common, that may be why. I just noticed that we see it a lot, especially when these older males meet Fane.

I had to snicker when Fane basically told the guy to get over himself so he could purchase the bike. Steve is able to remain professional around Brian, but makes sure that Fane knows he has informed his Alpha of Fane’s presence, and the Alpha doesn’t want Fane to get too comfortable.

If you sat down to read chapter 10 with the idea that you would be going to sleep after that chapter, chances are that you went to chapter 11. 

“Colega ta este in pericol, (your mate is in danger),” were the first words Fane heard his father say.

Yeah, I didn’t even think of taking a break. Seriously though, can you imagine being greeted with something like that when you called home?

Favorite Lines:

‘Honestly, he’d been in Coldspring one day and he’d found his mate, met another Grey, found out about a pack that wasn’t supposed to even be here, and been threatened. Needless to say, it hadn’t been boring.’ (Understatement? I would say so.)

Things We Learned:

• Jacque has seen her markings
• Fane is not a typical 17 year old guy
• Jacque reached out to Fane’s mind on her own for the first time
• Fane’s wolf is pleased that Jacque is beginning to turn to him
• There is a pack of Canis Lupis in Coldspring, TX (explains so much about that area)
• Steve, the salesman at the dealership, is Canis Lupis
• Steve apparently doesn't care for humans (odd career choice for him then)
• Fane is more dominant than Steve
• Steve’s Alpha is Lucas Steele
• Fane purchases a black Honda Shadow for $2,500
• Fane purchased a helmet for Jacque
• Fane likes brownies (as everyone should)
• Sara and Brian trust Fane
• Jacque is in danger

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

My Thoughts:

Jacque is an Alpha, there is no doubt about it – but you really begin to understand this in her attitude beginning here. She’s no longer showing fear as much as she is pushing back against the idea of being commanded. Of course, she doesn’t understand what she is to Fane yet, nor does she know about her marks or what they mean.

I find it interesting that she takes the time to write down her thoughts, because I do not remember at any other time her needing to do this. So was this something she needed to do before having a connection with Fane, or was this just something that had to be done because it was one of those times where the events were just too overwhelming to grasp otherwise? I suspect the latter.

Favorite Lines:

“Free, crazy, completely deranged…take your pick.”

Things We Learned:

• Although a mate can hear the other’s thoughts, they cannot see through their mate’s eyes
• Mates can see images that their mates think
• Mates can feel each other through their bonds, especially when emotions are high
• Mates can block each other’s thoughts by imagining a wall
• Jacque feels empty without Fane in her mind, but does not understand why
• Jacque’s marks are shoulder to shoulder and up her neck
• Jacque’s marks are scrolled lines arching and curing, coming to a point at the nape of her neck
• Jacque’s marks have definite places that appear to fit into a puzzle
• Jacque’s marks are beautiful and feminine
• Jacque feels that she and Fane are somehow connected, as if they have known each other all their lives
• Jacque believes that her mom knows something
• Jacque has not felt Fane’s emotions as of yet

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

My Thoughts:

Fane may only be 17, but he handles the situations in this chapter pretty well. I’m not saying that he always reacts perfectly, far from it, but considering what he going through I am impressed:

When he is talking to his dad about the possibility of finding his mate made me laugh. I mean, truthfully he was pretty calm about it, considering he hadn’t been there for more than 24 hours and things were happening that he had never really been warned about. I’m thinking that would have freaked me out a lot more. Yes, his father told him to “settle”, but I think someone would have had to pull me off the ceiling.

Then you have the first time he sees Jacque’s marks.  He looks out the window and sees Jacque in barely anything, showing her marks to the world. Instead of reacting like a complete lunatic, as we see some of the males behave in the future, he calmly points out that she is practically naked. At least he does it by trying to be funny.

I really would like to know what Fane's mother said when she began "speaking quickly in their native tongue" after hearing that Fane may have found his mate at 17.

This is the first time we really get to hear anything from Vasile. You learn from the beginning that he is extremely caring, as an Alpha and a father; he is also extremely wise. He and Alina are people you want to have as mentors and/or friends. 

Favorite Lines:

“…Nothing happens by chance, there is purpose in everything.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Lesser words have preceded many a war”

Things We Learned:

• There is an eight hour time difference between Coldspring and Romania
• Alpha’s view their Packs like their own children
• Unmated males are restless, aggressive and stupid (uh… I don’t think “unmated” has the monopoly on those characteristics)
• A mate has to be Canis Lupis, doesn’t matter if they are full blooded, but there has to be some in there somewhere.
• Male’s markings change when they find their mate
• Women get markings that match their mate’s, like a puzzle piece
• The female markings are private, and meant for her mate to see
• Finding a mate at a young age is rare
• Werewolves live a very long time
• When mates bond, their lives are bound together
• Once a male finds his mate, his wolf becomes an adult overnight, regardless of his age
• Mates cannot go long periods of time without sharing their thoughts or being close to one another
• Jacque’s markings have appeared 

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

 My Thoughts:

Jacque is aware that Fane is speaking to her in her mind – but what she isn’t aware of is that her “inner wolf” is speaking to her as well. This is apparent when QL tells us:

Jacque didn’t really understand how she knew it, but she believed without a doubt that her future was with Fane.

The wolf insider her recognizes that Fane is her mate – enough so that she is able to get this through to Jacque.

Favorite Points:

Jacque knows that her future is with Fane

Favorite Lines:

Do yourself a favor – get a Kit Kat and give yourself a break.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the love of pigtails, could someone throw me a bone?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Slap me first, pat me on the back last,” Jacque told her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is actually more than a line – but this dialog between Jennifer and Jacque makes me smile every time I read it.

“Okay, okay. Geez, who spit in your pizza?”

“I’ll give you the full details tonight, but suffice to say at least one piece has made its way into the puzzle.” Jacque thought about her words for a moment, then remembered a question Fane had asked her when he was “talking” to her. He had asked where she got her odd way of speaking. Did she speak oddly?

“Jen, do you think I speak oddly?” Jacque asked.

There was silence for a moment at the other end of the line. Jacque assumed either Jen was thinking or she had found something more interesting to pay attention to. Jacque was just about to ask again when Jen answered, “You do realize who you're asking, right? ‘Cause I just asked you who spit in your pizza and you knew exactly what I meant. So, I’m just saying I might not be the best judge of any oddities you may possess.”

“True dat,” Jacque responded.

  

Things We Learned:

• Jacque is 5’1”
• Jacque is slender and muscular
• Jacque plays tennis
• Jacque is a C cup – which I have to say is actually kind of large, so Jen must have been a D
• Jacque’s wild, curly, auburn hair is her favorite feature
• Jacque’s house does not have a fenced in backyard
• Jacque knows her future is with Fane

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Trying something new for a few chapters to see how I feel about it. Not really sure it is necessary for me to write out a summary of the chapter as you’ve read the books so I’m going to just try giving my thoughts.

If you thought there was something important that wasn’t pointed out, please comment. I would love to hear your thoughts as well.

My Thoughts:

I find it interesting how well Fane is able to work through these issues he is faced with. Here is has come to a small town in the middle of nowhere, going for a new experience. He’s not even out of the car 5 minutes and BAM he’s got a mate. This has really stirred the beast within, and he seems to be able to deal with this remarkably well. If you think about it, how much different would it be dealing with a wolf inside wanting to claim its mate or dealing with raging hormones?

Jacque on-the-other-hand, she thinks she is going crazy, also not unlike a real teenage girl going through puberty; she definitely feels like she has lost it. Can’t say as I blame her though, the hearing voices thing would be trés odd

I’m glad that we finally have two-way conversation taking place now. Yeah, Fane had no intention of letting Jacque know without really thinking about it, who he was, but the best laid plans and all.

Favorite Points:

Jacque smells like cotton candy and fresh snow.

Favorite Lines:

        “What on earth did it mean by “human mind”? Was the voice implying that it was not human? Oh, wouldn’t that be the icing on the cake. I’m not just hearing a voice, nope, that would still be in the realm of crazy. I passed crazy a few exits back. No, I’m now entering crackpot ville.”

Things We Learned:

• For those of you not from the south – sweet tea is tea flavored sugar water (not important but still)
• Jacque scent, at least to Fane, is of cotton candy and fresh snow (whatever that smells like)
• Fane’s wolf likes his protein raw (write your own jokes for that one…)
• Fane is a great house guest (do your 17 year old male guests rinse their dishes off?)
• Jacque now knows that it is Fane she is hearing in her mind

Book 1 - Prince of Wolves - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The meet and greet from the female view. The first time I read this, I realized the following was important information, foreshadowing if you will:

Not to mention, as soon as she locked eyes with Fane she felt a weird tingling sensation across the top of her shoulders and behind her neck.

Granted, you have no clue the first time you read that it really is an indication of something physically changing in Jacque, you just know it is relative.  This is when her “marks” are being to form.

Jacque has to be pinched when it is her turn to introduce herself to Fane because she is lost in her own internal dialog over her reactions to Fane kissing her friends’ hands. She is completely dumbfounded by how she feels, especially at her desire to growl.

When she finally does introduce herself to Fane, she gets even more flustered when he takes her hand (that she did not offer), kisses it all while she starts to hear the voice in her head again.

Jacque, trying not to panic, quickly ends the social gathering and herds the girls out the door. Lilly is really becoming suspicious of Jacque’s behavior, but of course this is because Lilly has figured out that Fane is a werewolf, and she must be trying to figure out how that is going to fit in with her daughter.

Once in her room, Jacque wants to know what the girls thought of Fane, and of course they thought he was hot. She explains that she is freaking out, still hearing voices and still not understanding all that is going on (note that she does not mention the sudden jealousy or the need to growl).

Sally, ever the voice of reason, asks a very valid question: “Have you tried talking back to the voice?” Jacque has not done this for fear that it will just solidify her arrival to Crazy Town (my summary, not actually from the book).

Both Jennifer and Sally assure Jacque that she is not insane and they believe her (best friends ever!). The three part ways with plans to get together again later that night.

Jacque tries to figure out what she is feeling, and is baffled at how strongly she wants to be near Fane.

Lilly takes off to go work at her bookstore, but not before both she and Jacque try to figure out what is going on with the other one. Both of course just say they are “fine” blaming being tired, or preoccupied for what is going on.

Jacque goes to take a nap listening to Evanescence (she has good taste in music).

My Thoughts:

At this point you begin to notice there is a lot of violence involved with these girls, lots of pinching, slapping, and pulling of hair. Could this be a nod to The Three Stooges?

I tend to think that upon meeting Fane, Lilly knew instantly he was a werewolf. I believe that up until that moment, she had a feeling that something was going on, but wasn’t sure what it was. Having lived with Dillon for so long, she would have recognized the markings and certain behaviors i.e. the way he cocked his head when he didn’t understand something.

The first time I read the series, I caught some foreshadowing here and there, often times reading something in another book would remind me of something I read in a previous one. However, the more I read the books, the more I start to notice that there is a rhythm to the stories. QL gives little insights into the future.

I’m beginning to think, and this may just be the optimist in me, that there are hints to stories we have yet to read.  Some of them may come to fruition, and some may not but it would appear (and again this is purely my speculation) that QL leaves some things in the air to give herself the opportunity to write if she so chooses.

Favorite Points:

Jacque felt a tingling when she locked eyes with Fane

Jacque is hit with “an extremely irrational wave of jealousy” and has to suppress the urge to growl

(The wolf inside is awakening)

Favorite Lines:

        “First Impressions?” Jacque finally prompted.

        “Oh, I don’t know, maybe something like, OH MY, stutter, drool, FREAKING, pant, deep breathing, GOSH!” Jen spat.

Things We Learned:

• Jacque feels a weird tingling across the top of her shoulders and behind her neck
• Jacque thinks Fane would look sexy in a plastic bag
• Jacque is becoming possessive of Fane
• Jacque is becoming jealous of Fane’s attention to another female
• Jacque notices that she has an urge to growl
• Jacque notices that she has an overwhelming desire to be near Fane after she leaves him
• Lilly just recently hired staff to help at the bookstore