Something Secret This Way Comes (Secret McQueen, book #1) by Sierra Dean
Urban Fantasy
May 10, 2011
E-Book
Samhain

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: ”You have my word that any future insults will be much more personalized and meant only for you.”

Secret McQueen is a bounty hunter. Half vampire and half werewolf, she was hired by the vampire council at age 16 to hunt and kill rogue vampires. Now at age 22, her name is the vampire equivalent of the bogey man. Keeping her dual nature a secret is difficult enough without being soul bonded to the king of the werewolves. Lucas Rain, the East Coast King, wants Secret as his queen. His body guard Desmond wants Secret too.

When an enemy from the past comes back to finish Secret off once and for all, she will have to use her expose dual nature to save herself and everyone around her.

Secret McQueen has a dangerous job that puts her in the cross hairs of many people. Part vampire and part werewolf, she embraces her vampire fully while hiding her wolf. When she chases down and kills a rogue vampire in Central Park, she realizes that this newly made vampire is none other than a child of Alexandre Payton. A truly evil vampire who has tried to kill Secret before. Called before the vampire tribunal for the unsanctioned kill, Secret is given one chance to make amends-find & capture Peyton.

While Secret is figuring out how to capture a master vampire, she suddenly finds her wolf side going crazy when a chance encounter brings her into the sights of Lucas Rain. Lucas is the East Coast King of the Werewolves and he is convinced she is his soul mate and queen. He also knows things about Secrets past and her role in the werewolf hierarchy. Secret finds herself unable to control her libido around him which annoys her to no end. Toss in an attraction to his bodyguard Desmond and her new best friend, Secret is ready to hide under covers till Doomsday.

Sierra Dean’s debut novel, Something Secret This Way Comes, is an enjoyable Urban Fantasy with a bite. Wonderful world building coupled with engaging characters held me entranced. Our feisty heroine, paired with some sexy supernaturals, and an action filled plot that twists and turns keeps you off balance. Smooth writing coupled with a fast pace kept the storyline from dragging. The dialogue is engaging; Secret and her friends show some very nice snarkiness.

Secret is an interesting heroine. Strong and intelligent, there is an undercurrent of insecurity and fear that keeps her on edge. I like that fact she is young and unsure at times. She has a vulnerability about herself and her past that lends an air of realism. There were a few times when I wanted her to break bad; but she obviously understands the art of compromise and negotiation much better then me. :) I will say that overall feel of the book reminds me of Keri Arthur’s Riley series. A young woman in a supernatural law enforcement type job who is torn between two natures and two men.

The romance (and I hesitate to call it that) is HAWT yet unsettling. One, I have a hard time with the whole bonding over rides common sense issue. Secret doesn’t understand the bond and doesn’t seem to want it yet still has no qualms about having a sexual relationship with two men she really doesn’t know. It felt off because she is portrayed as being calm and maintaining steadfast control over her emotions. It just seemed she accepted it all too easily.

Desmond is HAWT with his brooding aura and hints of vulnerability. He has bonded with Secret’s wolf without meaning to and while his wolf loves it, he is unsure of the whole situation. There is a chemistry between them that felt like more than  just the bond. Lucas, Desmond’s king and best friend has also soul bonded with Secret but his actions came off a little stiff. I didn’t feel any real chemistry there. I felt like he was there because of the bond, not because he had a real attraction to Secret. Plus, since he’s a king, he does have some self entitlement issues!

The characters are well developed with distinct personalities. Some of them could easily have their own storyline. Our vampires are cold and stand offish but with an off beat humor that has you quirking a smile at the oddest times. Holden, Secret’s handler through the Vampire council, has her back while the Vampire Council has you looking over your shoulder for the knife their about to stab you with. The villain(s) in here are a nasty piece of work and leave you reeling from their duplicity.

The ending is quite brutal with some shocking revelations for Secret that left me racing to the end. A small cliffhanger had me cursing Ms. Dean quietly but also guaranteed I’ll be waiting for book two. All an all Something Secret This Way Comes is pleasant addition to the Urban Fantasy genre and I look forward to see what Ms. Dean produces for us next.

Rating: C+

Recent Reviews:
LoveLivLife Reviews
Book Lovers Inc – 3.5/5 
All Things Urban Fantasy – 3/5
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