Review: A Mate’s Healing Touch by Merryn Dexter

11 December of 2015 by Deb Markanton

 

 

She has a secret the wrong people know

Hannah Fuentes has graduated Magna Cum Laude from the School of Hard Knocks. Beaten, pregnant and betrayed at seventeen, she has slowly built a life for herself and her daughter Jessie in the small town of Hennessey, South Dakota.

He faces a future he doesn’t want

Caleb Burrows is leaving town. His parents long to return to Los Lobos and pack life, lured by the promise of change under the new Alpha, Drew Tao. The most vivid memories that Caleb and his twin siblings have of pack life are ones of betrayal, pain and horror. They do not remember a time when the pack was at peace.

A chance meeting

Caleb has one final job to complete for the family construction business – the refurbishment of the local diner in Hennessey. He gets more than he bargained for, however. One look, one scent tells him that Hannah, the ‘pocket rocket’ waitress, is his mate. Caleb is determined that nothing will stop him from claiming her as his own.

The first touch

An explosive encounter lays bare the secrets they have both fought so hard to keep hidden. Caleb must prove he can protect Hannah and her adorable little girl who steals his heart with one look.  Can he persuade her to give up the safe life she has worked so hard for? Her burgeoning relationship with Caleb shows there are untold wonders to be explored in the hands of a man who understands her true worth.

The past will test them

When Hannah’s past rears its ugly head, they must face it side by side. Only united can they save what is most precious to them. Together they will learn that family comes in many guises and there is nothing they won’t sacrifice when one of their own is threatened.

 

 

 

Excerpt

“Whatever you are thinking, son. She’s not for you.” Although low, his tone was determined and forceful.

“I’m not thinking anyth….” The lie fell away as the words soured on his tongue. A change of tack was in order, and he folded his arms across his thick chest. Body language displays were as effective on humans sometimes. “Why wouldn’t she be for me? I don’t see a ring. Is there a husband or a boyfriend?”

When Will shook his head, a flash of anger surged, and Caleb didn’t fight it.

“You think I’m not good enough for your girl, is that it? That I’m some working stiff, only good with his hands. I run the business with my father and my brother. I have prospects, money, a good future any woman would be pleased to share with me.” Snapping his mouth shut, he cut off the embarrassing need to sell his worth to this man. What the hell is wrong with me? That raspberry-and-pepper scent overwhelmed him as she crossed toward the counter. Hannah. He rolled her name around in his head. It suited her.

“No I don’t think you’re good enough for her, but that’s not the goddamn point,” Will snapped before he rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “Look, Caleb, I’m sure you are a fine young man, and your daddy has a real good reputation with his business. But that girl has been hurt enough to last a lifetime, so I don’t want you messing with her because she’s caught your fancy.”

Caleb stepped back as Will moved in front of him and stepped toward the counter. His hackles rose at the invasion of his space and the clear challenge in the move before he clamped down hard on his instincts. A man had every right to defend his daughter from a relative stranger. The Wolf snarled and snapped in his head, and Caleb gave it a mental swat on the nose. He was the boss, not the Wolf.

The sweet affection she bestowed on Will had him longing for her to turn his way. When she met his gaze, however, only trepidation lit hers. Unable to tear his attention away, he was rewarded with a brief flare as her pupils expanded. She feels it, too. Regardless of what Will said, this woman is most definitely mine. Now to figure out how to get her on the same page or, better still, in the same bed.

 

An Exciting Debut Paranormal!

Merryn Dexter’s debut as an author is spectacular.  She is such a natural storyteller that A Mate’s Healing Touch, the latest novella in the Black Hills Wolves Series, pulls you in immediately and with such ease I felt almost hypnotized.  Very sneaky indeed!  No meandering or excessive setup.  Ms. Dexter drops us into the action, and we’re off and running.  It takes a talented writer to craft a successful novella that includes not only well-formed characters but a concise and satisfying story in a relatively short piece.  This is a wonderful example of just such a novella.  I don’t read many paranormal books these days so when I do, and it’s a good one, I get excited and revved up to read more.  She’d better be on the schedule to write another one in this series or I’ll have to hurt someone.  

I loved Hannah immediately.  The first scene tells us quite a lot about her without divulging too much.  In other words, Ms. Dexter had me so curious I couldn’t stop reading.  We learn life hasn’t been easy for Hannah; the town was never kind to her, and many folks have continued to look down their noses.  This time, it’s also directed at Jessie, her six-year-old daughter.  Hannah is a fierce mama.  She defends her child and speaks her mind.  She may be shunned by many of these people, but she will not be intimidated.  Hannah definitely has secrets, one of which appears to have been passed on to Jessie.  

Not everyone in Hennessey has ill feelings toward Hannah.  Will and Bridie Saunders took Hannah in after finding her beaten, abandoned, and pregnant.  Now, six years later, they are a tight-knit family. Will and Bridie’s love for Hannah and Jessie is not only unconditional and very touching, it’s a lovely addition to the story.  They are devoted to keeping her secrets no matter the consequences.

When Caleb Burrows arrives at Will and Bridie Saunders’ diner to work on needed repairs, it’s just a routine day.  Until Hannah and Jessie come rushing in. Caleb is inexplicably stirred up.  And I mean stirred up!  The scent of Hannah has the wolf within Caleb howling to possess her as his mate.  Those pesky wolves don’t take kindly to being refused, no matter what their human says.  Look out, Hannah!  Fortunately, something within Hannah recognizes what’s happening even if she doesn’t understand it.  These two have sexy as hell chemistry that ignites the pages.  I absolutely love Ms. Dexter’s ability to write heart pounding, butterfly-in-the-belly, sexual attraction between Hannah and Caleb.  Heart stuttering foreplay is so much fun!  Imagine what happens when these two have sex!  Good thing you don’t have to.  

There is much more to this story, however, I think it’s best you read and enjoy it without me giving away too much.  A Mate’s Healing Touch is a compact nugget of goodness full of mystery, suspense, action, feels, and sexy times.  I loved it.  Merryn Dexter has made a magnificent splash into the author pool.  I look forward to many more stories from her.

♥♥♥♥♥

O Factor: Spicy

 

Merryn Dexter is a military spouse who, after a varied employment career (from selling sandals to old ladies with bunions to being a health and safety coordinator for a construction company), is thrilled to be pursuing her dream career as a romance writer. She likes The Winchesters, Spike, Hotch, Loki and watching complicated European Noir. Her hobbies include crying at books, crying at movies, crying at tv serials (there’s a theme!) and believes all stories should have a Happy Ending.