Call of the Wilds (Book 1 – Black Wolf Gorge Series)
5/5 Stars
“Gale Stanley has an excellent brew of love, desire, jealousy, revenge, anger, desperation, and hope. I absolutely recommend this book to everyone!”
When veterinarian Karin Stone takes a new position in Black Wolf, she finds that the quiet surroundings and wolf pack she looks after are the perfect answer to her big city life. After the traumatic experience she’s been through, she’d prefer the company of wolves over men. Enter Frank, the town’s sheriff, who has had more than a crush on Karin since she arrived. When the body of a dead hiker turns up a wolf is the prime suspect, and Frank hopes he can be the man Karin will depend on. But when Karin falls for Malcolm Conner, it seems like all hell breaks loose: The town men will do anything to see the wolf dead, Frank’s affections turn very dark, and a woman from Malcolm’s past is bent on removing Karin from the picture. Malcolm seems like Karin’s only ally, but can he really be trusted? Welcome to Black Wolf!
I loved this book! I cannot stress how glued I was to the pages. Stanley definitely knocked her debut title out of the park, and it is evident that she is quickly becoming a heavy hitter in the world of romance. The pacing is just right and feels like the perfect roller coaster ride. The first couple of chapters are filled with a slow burning intrigue and builds serious anticipation, but the rest of the novel is like an exhilarating free fall.
Stanley definitely knows how to write emotions. She doesn’t just create a novel, she provides us with an experience. Your stomach tightens as you feel Karin cope with losing control of her heart. And Frank, O-M-G!,… Frank is seriously the scariest character I have ever read before. Sure we can put our minds around people like Freddie Krueger and Jason because we know they are fake characters created by Hollywood to provide us with a temporary thrill. Frank, on the other hand, is worse than any horror movie because it is his human nature that turns him inside out, and that can happen to anyone in your life!
And the sex! Wow! The love scenes are perfectly executed. She has a way of making you feel like you are in a chair positioned in the corner of the room watching everything happen before your eyes. It’s that hot! Stanley’s descriptions really put your mind in overdrive and will even make the most romantic diehards blush. Besides the raw desire you can feel jumping off the pages, it is also refreshing how the lovemaking seems like just an aspect of a larger, growing relationship.
I have a bad habit of trying to predict what will happen next while I am reading a novel, but in Call of the Wilds, none of my guesses were correct. Lol. This will definitely keep you on your toes in an exciting way!
Gale Stanley has an excellent brew of love, desire, jealousy, revenge, anger, desperation, and hope. I absolutely recommend this book to everyone!
Comment: What are your favorite ingredients in a romance novel?
Fire Pages 
I’m so glad you liked Call of the Wilds. Thanks for your wonderful review!
It’s hard to believe that this story is by a new author and not from someone who has dozens of works already published. This work is quite amazing, the characters, the attention to detail, creation of a “real” world to place the characters in and a story that pulls you, in to the point where you feel you’re there.
If you want great story, great romance, and great sex, this book is for you.
Would it be wrong if I said I liked steamy sex scenes?! Lol! It’s true, but what’s a good romance novel without some spice 😉
I like stories the make the caharacter very human with their own emtionial ups and downs. And the loves scenes don’t hurt.
I also like love triangles, it’s more interesting than just two people falling for each other and burning with desire 😀 Maddy’s right, a little spice goes a long way.
It’s all about the man and if the woman annoys me or not. If he’s TOO manly and she’s either too sappy or too independent than I don’t like the characters, don’t buy their romance, and the whole thing annoys me.
Wonderful review. Congrats to Gale! My favorite ingredients? (1) A hero and heroine that I can connect with from the get go. While looks are helpful, it’s the character’s character that will keep me reading. (2) A challenge that tests the characters. (3) A world that is three dimensional. From all I hear, Gale has pegged them all!
I hope this is not a duplicate comment, but here it is – Favorite Ingredients for a Romance: (1) A Hero and Heroine who engage me – looks are not the ticket, though they are bennie! It’s about the characters’ character. (2) A challenge that tests the characters, pushing them like leaves in a storm. (3) A world that rises up in three dimensions/5 senses around them and me as I read it. From what I’ve read, Gale has all three pegged.
I’m one of those readers that likes the jealousy aspect in the books I read. If it’s not there, to me, it would be like the character isn’t interested enough. I believe that to be true in the real world as well. Of course lots of love and desire are great aspects too. I would love to win a copy of this book! I’ve read some really great reviews on it.
Really enjoyed this review Zee. Favorite ingredients would be yummy guy and fierce gal with a dash of playing hard to get.
This sounds great. I would love to win a copy of this
jellybelly82158 at gmail dot com
Love the cover & the blurb ROCKS!
My favorite ingredients in a romance novel are a strong woman, a man strong enough to accept the woman as an equal, a multidimensional villian (I hate a villian with no reason for being a villian)and a HAWT, well written tale.
Mindy 🙂
Birdsooong@aol.com