Dark Spirit (Spirit Wild #2) by Kate Douglas

Romy Sarika has spent much of her life suffering at the hands of a sadistic cult leader. Twenty years earlier she watched him kill her mother, and now she awaits the same fate. But when the self-proclaimed prophet orders Romy killed, the wolf part of her rises up and for the first time she shifts. Managing to save herself, she leaves death and chaos in her wake.

Alone in the woods and badly injured, Romy is found by Jace Wolf and Gabe Cheval, two powerful and striking Chanku who help her heal and simultaneously unleash sensual desires in her that are as new and intense as her wolf-like abilities. But just as Romy’s opening herself to this new erotic world and the passionate connections she’s forming with both men, danger is closing in.

Bent on revenge and driven by bloodlust, cult members are pursuing the trio. Discovery could mean not just Romy’s death but destruction of the Chanku way of life. With their lives at stake and the Chanku race in jeopardy, the three must fight to save themselves and the future of their proud race.

Type: Paranormal Romance
Heat: 4 out of 5--though limited
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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I always enjoy Douglas and her Chanku--basically shifers in this world. They're interesting and steamy and have a little laughter mixed in now and again. Totally works. And this time it was all about Romy who is running for her life after escaping the cult she was born into and that's hunting her because she's shifted into a wolf for the first time.  And, well, because they're assholes. *nods*

The plot was working for me even if things got a little repetitive now and again. Basically while running for her life Romy lands herself in the sights of two men who are surveying the local wolf population and that are... wolf shifters too. They find her barely hanging to life and set out to protect her and keep her--*swoons* a little--while teaching her about being Chanku which is something she really has no idea about.

I really liked all four of the characters. Jace and Romy--who the romance was between. Gabe who is Jace's best friend and long term lover and joins them. And a wild wolf who claimed the three as his Pack. They're all nicely unique and interesting. I loved the connections between them each and as a whole. They all just felt right and natural together. They're strong individuals and even stronger as a group which I loved seeing.

Now there's a lot of steam happening. Not quite as much as some of the others connected to the series but whew there was some definite chemistry happening between these three. Steamy and sweet moments between Jace and Romy as they fall in love and scorching scenes when Gabe joins them. The two men also have some moments together as well which can get pretty hot. I would have liked a little more details/scenes but what was there was nice. There are parts that might make some kind of squeamy since they do have sex in shifted form and things can skirt the line of bestiality but not too badly--ex one of the heroes shifting during oral and tonguing the heroine. But it still kinda worked too. I liked--even if it gave me momentary squeams--that they're so open and free with their different forms.

Overall Dark Spirit was a nice paranormal jaunt. The heat, the romance, the friendships forged and strengthened. It was easy to get lost in their world as they bonded and fought to keep Romy safe from those hunting her. There were a few breath catching moments and ones that just made my blood boil as those after Romy were dealt with. Douglas has a wonderful talent for wrapping you up in the worlds she creates and the fascinating and sensual characters that live in them. I would say though to read these in order if possible. There's a lot of back history on the Chanku mixed in and might be confusing if you haven't been following along with things.

Have you read Douglas?

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