Hunter's Need (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

Shiloh Walker's `Hunters' series is one of the best paranormal romance series out there, and "Hunter's Need", the 11th book, is a fantastic addition. For those new to the series, the order of the books is not clear from the titles, but can be found on Walker's website. Although the books can be read individually, I would recommend reading them in order because a great deal of detailed world building occurs in the first several books, and those details aren't repeated in the subsequent books.

Ana Morell is a complex character; when readers were first introduced to her in "Hunting the Hunter", (book 7), her actions lead to the suffering of others, including Duke Lawson. When the heroes of that book rescued Duke, they also saved Ana and her brother Brad, and drew them into the world of the Hunters. Ana views her new world in black and white; the good guys, including the Hunters, are powerful, fearless, heroes, whose actions meet the highest moral standards. Using such criteria she is unable to see her own strengths, and can't forgive her past.

Duke Lawson has been drawn to Ana since the beginning; it's strong, it's inexplicable, and it lead to his torture at the hands of a psychotic vampire. He has needed time to heal, both physically and mentally. When Ana needs help however, Duke must answer his Hunter's call, and they are soon working together to solve a 30-year-old mystery.

Walker does not take the easy way out of Ana's problems and doubts. Her powers don't suddenly metamorph into an offensive weapon, absolution doesn't exist, and love doesn't solve all. Instead, as Duke and Ana struggle to find a killer, Ana must learn to see that the world actually exists in shades of gray, for both Hunter and non-Hunter alike. Watching their development throughout the story is a pleasure.

The mystery is engaging and will keep you wondering, however it would have been even better if it were a bit more developed. Overall, I thought it was more realistic than many mysteries I've read (how often do you write that about a book involving a shape-shifter and a psychic?); the clues aren't just sitting there for them to find, and the answer comes more by accident than design. Perhaps because of that, the end to the mystery comes a bit abruptly. It is resolved in such a satisfying manner, though, that you won't mind.

Duke and Ana, like many of Walker's characters don't fit the typical romance mold, and they are all the more interesting for it. "Hunter's Need" was an excellent read and I can't wait to see what comes next.

Analise Morell finds herself living and training at Excelsior, a Hunter training facility that uses the guise of an exclusive private school. A psychic, she finds herself at odds with the world in which she must now live, and the person most disconcerting to her is Duke, a shape shifter. Ana is the reason Duke was kidnapped and held by a brutal female vampire, and her guilt at his suffering is never far from her mind. To make matters worse, Ana yearns for Duke's touch, and her attraction to him makes her wish for things that can never be. Breaking free, she heads to Alaska for a new life only to come across secrets that beg to be discovered. The information she is getting alludes to a killer, but Ana is unable to work alone; she finally calls Excelsior for back up never thinking, nor realizing, that Duke will be the man sent to help.

Duke should hate Analise Morell. He knows this, his mind knows this, but his heart is being stubborn. Duke is unable to keep her smell from his nostrils or his eyes from looking for and roaming over her figure. He does not trust her, but he wants her. When she calls Excelsior for help, Duke is the last man that should have been sent to help her, but he is the only man his traitorous heart will allow near her. With time not on their hands and a killer to find, Duke will need to stay on his toes to keep himself in control. Yeah. It's a good idea, but so not happening!

I am glad that the majority of HUNTER'S NEED took place in Alaska. The icy climate was the perfect counterpoint to the scorching hot love scenes with touching and compelling interactions between Duke and Ana which would have melted wax on the pages of this phenomenal read. Plotwise, HUNTER'S NEED is one of the most attention grabbing and consistent novels penned by Shiloh Walker. She has placed just the right amount of emotion and sexual tension in HUNTER'S NEED.

The ability to make characters vulnerable to love but still very strong is one of the traits I find I have to have when reading a romance novel, and HUNTER'S NEED has this and so much more. I didn't want to put it down - and I actually didn't! I read HUNTER'S NEED cover to cover and found it to be one of Shiloh Walker's best, and I'm sure other readers will as well!

Natalie S.

Analise Morell would have done anything to protect her brother when they were younger and that included allowing one of the hunters to be captured and tortured by the psychotic vampire that had control of them. Mind you, Analise did her best to correct the situation when she could, but the damage had been done and Analise knew she had gained dangerous enemies. Now she and her brother are in Excelsior - a school for the gifted and home of the hunters. While it's the best place for her brother, Analise just doesn't fit in and she knows it. Finally she leaves to discover her own place.

Duke Lawson has physical reminders of his time in captivity. Duke will never forget the vampire who did it or the girl that caused his distraction and allowed it to happen. While Duke understands why Analise did it and knows that she also helped with his release, he's not sure he can ever forgive. So why is he just as grumpy when some guy hits on her as when she is in his eyesight? Duke isn't sure what to think when Analise up and leaves her brother in the school.

Analise lives in Alaska now, a place she has grown to love. But something just isn't right and Analise can't put her finger on what it is. After a little research, Analise calls Excelsior to ask for help - just her luck to get Duke on the phone at his snarliest. When Duke is ordered to go help Analise, he isn't happy but acknowledges privately that he would have anyway. When Analise and Duke see each other again, the attraction is back and it's trying to make up for lost time. Too bad Analise and Duke aren't sure that's what they want. There's a serial killer to find and spirits to release all while trying to understand just what type of relationship is developing between Analise and Duke. It's going to take total understanding and forgiveness to get their killer and come out unscathed.

Take two people with an unhappy shared past and add a little danger, stir well and the result is amazing path to love. Hunter's Need brings Analise and Duke together, apart and together again as the years pass. Analise made a tough decision in order to save her brother - a decision that leads to Duke's capture and torture. Knowing and understanding what led to his capture isn't the same as forgiveness to Duke when it comes to Analise. I would have believed that the most Analise and Duke could ever become was good friends given their past. I would have shortchanged them had they gone with my instincts. Luckily they had Shiloh Walker to show them that love can come from many things. The mystery grabbed my attention as much as the growing relationship between Duke and Analise. I just love it when all parts of the plot grabs me strongly as happened with Duke and Analise's path to their future. Hunter's Need is gripping whether you enjoy romance or suspense and it's a huge bonus if you love both as I do.

Jo
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed