Secret Santa (Secret McQueen #2.5) by Sierra Dean
Paranormal Romance
Ebook
November 29, 2011
Samhain Publishing
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “This wasn’t quite what I had in mind when you said you wanted to go hunting. Stalking the elusive cupcake isn’t a typical sentry job. “
Secret McQueen has had an eventful year. She has gone from being an unattached low level bounty hunter to a high ranking vampire Tribunal leader with not one but two boyfriends and the possibility for more. Because of her new status, Secret has been taken off of active duty so when her best friend approaches her for help on a gruesome homicide case, Secret jumps at the chance to be useful again. There is a serial killer roaming the streets of New York and Secret must do everything in her power to find him; especially when the killer strikes to close to home.
Secret Santa is a small novella that takes place after book two-A Bloody Good Secret and before book three. Secret has had some upheaval in her life and is having some serious adjustment issues to living with her boyfriend Desmond, her feelings for Holden and Lucas, and not being a bounty hunter anymore. When she is alerted to a series of killings by her friend, Mercedes who claims they are of a paranormal bent, she agrees to help investigate. Teenagers are being snatched left and right are returned in pieces. Some confusion comes into play when Secret realizes she will be working with the luscious Detective Tyler Nowakowski. RAWR! While she may have more then enough men in her life, a part of her can’t deny the attraction is there but Tyler seems to have it out for Secret and it’s more then just being stood up. When Secret convinces Holden to help her (with some coercion on his part) they soon discover they aren’t the only monsters hunting New York’s nightlife.
Sierra Dean’s Secret McQueen series is an enjoyable and addictive addition to the Urban Fantasy genre. From our heroine’s name; Secret McQueen, to her job(s) and ever increasing intricate relationships, we follow this feisty and fearless heroine through the trials and tribulations that make up her life. Well written with a fast, steady pacing that engages and holds your attention to the end. Perfectly balanced with humor and suspense; it’s the characters in here that make this story so engaging.
Though I enjoyed the action filled mystery, the romance arena still feels off to me. I have always felt her relationships happened way to fast and nothing is ever never fully explored or allowed to develop at a reasonable pace. Additional romantic entanglements are being slowly introduced that confuse Secret more-therefore causing me to not take her relationship with anyone seriously. I also feel she allows to much leeway when it comes to Lucas and Desmond-blaming it on the bond. I also wish we had seen more of Desmond and his brother at the end. I found it odd he was not part of the ending and she choose not to confide in him, which further solidifies my feelings towards their relationship.
All in all Secret McQueen keeps us on our toes as always and I find myself becoming heavily invested in her future adventures. I look forward to reading more about her and her adventures in the future.
Overall Rating: C+
Recent Reviews:
The Book Pushers – B-
Hanging With Bells – 4/5
Love to Read for Fun – B
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
I just discovered this series, and fell in love with it. I think part of the problem with the romances is that she never gets to spend a lot of time with any of them because of all the great action scenes. I’m hoping to see more of her with all of them at some point..but have to say I’m partial to Desmond.
Your right. I think I’m having a hard time because so much is action based and when we do get to the smexy stuff-it feels like a lot of time has passed and I’ve missed watching the romance build.
I don’t care though-just plain <3 this series.
I really want to start reading, only read the prequel so far. But, I have put the books on my desktop already, so only one click away to start …
It’s a good series and well worth reading.
Cool. Thanks for the review. I’d never heard of this series!
You need to read it. Very good.
I really hope that Secret makes some kind of relationship decision soon. I’m starting to get a little antsy for something a little more permanent…
Me to. :(