Optometrist Adrian Giordano isn't looking for a mate. He's quite content with his life exactly as it is - a successful business, friends and occasionally even dating. His best friends have both succumbed to their instincts and mated but Adrian shudders at the thought of being accountable to a mate. At least that's what he thought before meeting Sheri. Now he can't imagine his life without her. All he has to do is convince her that he's the only man for her.
Sheridan Montgomery has recently joined the Pride. She's been resistant to joining the pack because of her ex's obsessive behavior and she didn't want to drag anyone else into her mess but she's running out of options. Instinctively Sheri knows that Adrian is her mate but she's determined to deny it as long as Parker remains a threat.
The Pride welcomes Sheri with open arms - and after hearing her story a network of protection is put in force. Sheri's thrilled with her new friends, home and part time job working at Wallflowers. Her only real worry is how long it will be before Parker makes a move. She's successfully ignored her Puma's need for Adrian and continues to deny it to herself and everyone around her. It's the only way she can protect him - or so she thinks. Fortunately, Adrian isn't willing to wait for her to come to her senses and he practically kidnaps her and carries her off to his home where he claims her properly.
Just when it seems that Sheri could have a real life free of worry over Parker's next move he strikes. All Sheri's desires to protect Adrian fall by the wayside as it's determined that he is the Pride Marshall. It's his duty to protect the Alpha and the Pride from threats and he takes his duty very seriously. No psycho wolf in men's clothing is going to harm his mate or anyone in his pack and live to tell about it. Of course like any feline he'll have to torment his prey a little before going in for the kill.
CAT OF A DIFFERENT COLOR is the third story in Dana Marie Bell's HALLE PUMAS series. I've thoroughly enjoyed all the stories in this series but this one really stands out. The characters are larger than life, ballsy, lovable and flawed and because of that they seem very real. If I wasn't in love with the PRIDE before I certainly am now! Sheri's caring and generous nature makes her a genuinely likeable character but when you add her disabilities into the equation then she's truly an inspiration. Adrian's simply delightful and perfect for Sheri because he is so protective and he isn't swayed by her arguments.
In addition to the normal cast of characters we've come to know and love in the HALLE PUMAS series we're introduced to another character in particular, Richard, the new Alpha of the Wolf Pack in the Poconos. There's a showdown between him and Belinda, a Pride member who's having difficulties finding acceptance in the Pride.
If you haven't read the other titles in this series, I'd highly recommend doing so - not because it's necessary to understand this book but because they're delightfully fun. In order, they are:
THE WALLFLOWER
SWEET DREAMS
and
CAT OF A DIFFERENT COLOR
STEEL BEAUTY
Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies
