I received this book for free from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Wake A Sleeping Tiger by Lora LeighAlso in this series: Mercury's War, Tanner's Scheme, Dawn's Awakening, Megan's Mark, Styx's Storm, Lion's Heat, Navarro's Promise
Series: Breeds #31
Published by Berkley on March 21st 2017
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Shape Shifting
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Berkley Publishing Group
ISBN: 1101612517
On a moonless Navajo night, the recessed Bengal Breed known only as Judd became Cullen Maverick, grandson to one of the Chiefs of the Six Tribes of the Native Americans.
Bengal genetics, usually so fierce as to be labeled primal, was recessed so deep inside Judd that no hint of it can be found. A phenomena so rare it’s been notated only a few times. And there’s no way, it’s believed, to force those genetics free once they’ve disappeared past the genetic level.
Now, as commander of the Navajo Covert Law Enforcement Division in Window Rock, New Mexico, Cullen leads his six agents in protecting the treasures of the Navajo Tribes by ensuring they remain safely in Navajo possession.
Added to this mix is none other than the delicate Window Rock police detective determined to stick her pretty little nose in his business.
And once Cullen realized the animosity that keeps flaming between them is far more than he imagined, then the Primal Breed that’s lurked inside him comes out to play. And when that beast decides to make itself known, Cullen suddenly remembers all the reasons it was better off sleeping.
Summary
Cullen Maverick also once known as “Judd” became a recessed Bengal Breed, a very rare circumstance. A recessed breed is rare, but their breed gentetics are also hidden so deep that it takes something deep to bring out the breed instincts of the animal and once it roars to life there is no stopping it. Cullen is the commander of the Covert Law Enforcement for the Navajo’s, but there is one talent under him, that he refuses to let in the field and be no more than a personal assistant, a woman who is a fighter and refuses to be put in the shadows. She knows that she can make a difference and when Cullen refuses to give her the chance despite her intense training and recommendations, she leaves not realizing the beast she has awakened in Cullen. But Chelsea’s life is put in danger when there is a hit out on her life after attempting to save a little girl from the genetics council. But Chelsea and Cullen are about to step into a hornets nest of the past and present merging together and may not survive the storm.
I never asked you to save me, Cullen. I just wanted to fight beside you
Plot and Story Line
This story really packs a punch and might be one of the best of the series that I have read in a while. Of course I have really enjoyed the majority of the books of this series, however there was something just ‘more’ to this story than you would think. And man there is so much going on in this book. Of course, we get some fun moments from Cullen’s brother and we do get some involvement with Cassie. And I have the strongest feeling we will be seeing her book very very soon. I love Cassie to pieces, but she became so mysterious in this book like we know nothing about her truly. The book sets off with a thrilling and dramatic scene of Chelsea trying to save a little girl’s life from being tormented by hyena breeds that work for the council. And unfortunately it doesn’t work out like Chelsea tried, and soon her life is in danger. At first, we seem to think it might be this girl’s mother wanted revenge for her daughter’s death. However, we start to slowly put the pieces of the puzzle together and figure that there is something more going on. Something that involves the past of Cullen and Chelsea. Cullen still bears the emotinal scars of being married but not mating, a woman who was dying and he couldn’t save her. And wow the action and intrigue scenes that come into play, what a hot seat this book turns out to be. And Chelsea and Cullen have quite a few things emotionally to work through including the danger that is after them. Plus a bit of a slight cliffhanger to the actual plot that deals directly with Cassie and her secrets. What I truly liked about this book though was seeing that the danger plot line didn’t take away from the romance. I felt that it enhanced it a bit, forcing Cullen and Chelse to be honest with each other and let go of the past.
Darlin’, I don’t just kiss you whenever I’m pissed off with you. If I did, I’d have been kissing you every day for the past four years because I think you live to piss me off
We see how they both realize how important it is to let go of past doubts that played a part in keeping them apart, and fighting to find a way to be together and make their ‘mating’ work. There is quite a bit of rich emotion included in this story that helps balance out all the physical smexiness you find in Leigh’s writing.
Chelsea, I love you. That’s why the mating heat flared when I knew you were leaving the Agency and me. That’s why, when Graeme told me of your attack, there was no way I couldn’t have come to you, and the Heat was stronger when I did. I was going crazy without your laughter, your smart-ass remarks and the warmth that is so much a part of you. I love you. I even loved you when you were a bratty twelve-year-old who winked at me and decided I was crazy for turning down her father’s soup. Some part of my instincts demanded I give you a chance to mature, though, as you became older. to grow in who you were, not who I wanted you to be
The Cover
I really like this cover…it just grabs your attention. I mean really all that sexy muscle with some chains and a tiger in the background….pulls you in.
Overall View
Wake A Sleeping Tiger is a thrilling addition to an action packed series that steals your breath away…full of mystery, chills and thrills and an intense yet heart wrenching read that you won’t forget.
Oohh I enjoyed her books in the past, so I’m quite familiar with her M.O. I didn’t know she’s written a UF/PNR series. I might have to download the first book to see if it will work out for me as well.
Holy! I didn’t know this series was so far in @_@ I’ve been wanting to start it!
I have never read this series, but some of those earlier covers are just not appealing. I would have passed on them automatically because I am a cover whore, but maybe I will give this series a shot!
I’ve never read Lora Leigh, but I’ve thought about trying her. The number of books in this series is a little overwhelming with 30+. Glad to see that they’re still going strong though. I can’t imagine writing that many books in the same series without it getting bland.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
I love this series and can’t wait to read this one!