Queer Wolf is an anthology including 17 short stories – 14 m/m and 3 f/f. I have picked my two favorite to do a more in-depth review.

Wolf Strap – Naomi Clark

Ayla, a werewolf, and her human girlfriend, Shannon, travel back to Ayla’s hometown to attend the funeral of Ayla’s werewolf nephew, Adam, who was found murdered and mutilated. Ayla left home eight years ago after coming out to her parents who were devastated she would not be having a traditional marriage and babies. Humans and werewolves are for the most part living peacefully together in the city – the humans using the werewolves heightened senses and strength to benefit the entire community.

While Ayla and Shannon are looking around the scene of Adam’s unsolved murder, they get ambushed by an anti-werewolf group that call themselves Alpha Humans. While the Alpha Human crimes do not normally include mutilation, Ayla can’t help but wonder if they are responsible for Adam’s death. As she investigates further, she discovers there may be more dangerous things lurking.

This story pulled me in immediately. I like a good murder mystery and this one worked very well in the short story setting. If you are looking for hot, steamy romance, this story does lack that, however, Ayla and Shannon’s love has a very sweet and laid back tone. Their relationship is already well developed at the time the story takes place, which is a nice change instead of the usual “will they get together” storyline a lot of books have. Ayla is one of those”kick-ass” heroines – she loves her super-strength as a wolf (although keeps it in check around Shannon) and rolls her eyes when someone considers her more a human girl than a strong wolf. Shannon plays off her well, she can hold her own ground when the situation warrants, yet keeps a light teasing nature with Ayla. Naomi Clark is a new author to me and I would love to read more of the world she has developed.

Shy Hunter– Ginn Hale

David, a victim of a werewolf attack by Calvin, struggles with what he has become. Although he uses his new senses to help with search and rescue victims and the local police, he still struggles with staying in his human form and loneliness at being an outcast. At the prodding of his boss at the dog kennel where he works, he drags himself out to a club where he meets Edgar and there is an immediate attraction. Edgar comes off as a little shy, soft spoken but they hit it off, David keeping his werewolf side under control and securely hidden.

After several murders have occurred, each one closer and closer to where Edgar lives, David starts to worry Calvin has come back to town. After a clue on one of the murder victims points straight to Calvin as the perpetrator, David knows Calvin is stalking Edgar and will do anything to keep him safe.

I am going to go out and buy all the Ginn Hale books I can:) She writes such a smart story with great humor. There were a couple of times she had me laughing out loud. For example, David in his dog form has to wear a pink bandanna to make him look less threatening – you can just feel his self loathing. Also, when he goes to the club he worries how he will come off, all he wanted was to “look like a good listener and not just a man resisting the urge to sniff a crotch.” The relationship between David and Edgar is wonderfully warm and romantic. The ending is what did it for me. A great twist that just wrapped up the story perfectly.

Other stories I particularly liked:

New Beginnings – Cari Z Michael is an alpha male in a homosexual exclusive pack (his pack leader calls him a “mean son-of-a-bitch”) who learns to trust the idea of love again when given the order to mentor a young runaway. If you like strong alpha males, this is the story for you!

Wrong Turn – Stephen Osborne – Kevin meets a werewolf, Shawn, after mistakenly crossing a magical bridge that takes him into werewolf territory. As a human, Kevin is not welcome in this world, however they start a relationship and must figure out how to live in both worlds.

Queer Wolf does a terrific job of gathering suspenseful, romantic, and smart stories. On one hand I was quite excited to have 17 stories in one book, but I was also worried I would be reading the same thing 17 times. I am very happy to say, that is not the case. Although every story didn’t work for me, I must say all were unique and kept my interest. I highly recommend this collection.

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