The Heat by Heather Killough-Walden

The Heat
Heather Killough-Walden
Book One in A Big Bad Wolf series
Paranormal Romance

The women of Baton Rouge have often dreamed about Daniel Kane; his blue-black hair, sapphire-blue eyes and the muscular body that has so deliciously held many of them captive in bed. Lily St. Claire has dreamed of him too, but her dreams are different: Daniel approaches her in human form before there is a blinding flash of light. In the next instant, a large black wolf stands in his place, watching her through Daniel’s piercing blue eyes.

Having returned to Louisiana after a decade away, Lily meets up with Daniel again. He’s now the Police Chief of Baton Rouge, and she fast becomes victim to his Southern drawl, slow sexuality, and killer smile.

For Daniel, Lily St. Claire was the girl who got away. But when she returns and Daniel catches her scent, he knows that his attraction to her is something more; she was always meant to be his. Beautiful golden-haired and golden-eyed Lily St. Claire is his Dormant, the one woman on Earth meant to share his life and become his mate. Dormants are rare and more precious than anything to an alpha, for Hunters continue to viciously attack the werewolf community, ever dwindling their already scant numbers – and Dormants are the only females alive who can bear werewolf children.

Just as a murderous crime wave breaks out in Baton Rouge, Daniel forces his mark upon Lily for her protection. He soon learns, however, that even his mark can only protect her so far, as she finds herself the prey of both werewolf and Hunter alike.


I honestly have no idea how to write this review. I’ve sat on writing about my reactions for over a week and I’m still a little hesitant. Have you seen the blurb to THE HEAT? I was recommended this book and it was the way the book was described that instantly caught my attention and I was so excited to read it. The blurb promised me an exciting paranormal romance and it had all the ingredients I love - danger, werewolves and of course a sexy hero. So why am I still sitting here fighting against myself? I really wanted to like this story but if I went with my gut… my reaction to the story is a big fat MEH!


You can judge how I felt about the book two ways: by the connection I made with the characters and the way the story stirred up my emotions. This book did neither. Oh it tried and I tried and we tried together. There were moments were I began to feel the rush and excitement and thought to myself that finally I’d made a breakthrough. But it was quickly lost by the UGHness I felt towards Daniel, the sexy hero all the women in Baton Rouge lusted over. Oh he was definitely sexy and I appreciated his swagger but if you know me, it speaks volumes when I reach the end of a book and I’m not falling over myself as I gush about how amazing the guy was. Honestly, and I’m a little hesitant to use the word but Daniel was a complete and utter dick. There I said it. I wanted to love him but there were things he did through the book that totally confused me. He had all the power and strength of being Alpha behind him and I could glimpse those moments where he was a little short of breathtaking but he would do something and completely blow it.

Two points – He has loved Lily for ten years and when he finally sees his chance to make her his, it’s one of those moments you hold your breath for. I understood the danger Lily was in and that Daniel felt threatened by the presence of another alpha wolf but do you really treat the woman you love with such rudeness and disrespect? Do you overpower her, handcuff her to a bed, cut her and don’t at least take a little time to explain why? For me it was too traumatic for my poor heart and it angered me towards Daniel. Instantly my opinion was he didn’t deserve her but I wanted him to redeem himself. Oh he came so close but when he was finally able to claim Lily and they made love, he turned her without even talking it through with her. It was all about him, his needs and desires and I was left screaming “You selfish ass! This is how you treat your mate?” I understand that Daniel may be flawed, that things happen in the heat of passion and maybe I’ve become accustomed to Alpha men being incredibly sensitive and protective of the women they love but still… that act alone doesn’t speak of putting the one you love first above all else. I don’t care if he was about to go crazy and his “thing” explode – Lily was meant to be revered and cherished, not brutalized. Yeah, I wasn’t a fan of Daniel at all and that saddens me because he had so much potential.

If you take out the need for an emotional connection and just read it without, I actually liked the storyline. It confused me at times and had me pausing to reread but the concept I enjoyed. One of my guilty pleasures is reading something a little darker than most and THE HEAT was dark in how violent the world was. But here’s where I fight with myself again because even though I liked the story, it drove me nuts because there were parts where I had no idea why it was in there or places I was left hanging. Take for instance the ending – all was well and Lily was off to go talk with those in authority. Everyone was telling her how dangerous it was, begging her not to go but she went anyway. That’s all we were told. I was left looking at my Kindle thinking “Why all the intrigue if it’s not going to be answered?” There is a sequel called The Strip and so maybe that’s where I’d find out what happened but no… it went on to an epilogue, months in the future. It was just so frustrating and made me hesitant to continue on with the series.

This review was hard to write because I want to love everything I read. Even as I’m typing this, I’m trying to figure out if there could be any other reason for me not liking it. Maybe Venus wasn’t aligned perfectly with Saturn or I had a moment of insanity. I don’t know and so I’m making a deal with myself – I’m going to put some distance between me and the book and revisit it later in the year. If when I’m done with the re-read I feel different, I’ll redo the rating and this review to show it. For those that are interested in reading THE HEAT, despite my reaction, give it a try. Those that read it with me actually enjoyed it which shows that each reader is different. My hope is you enjoy it. Happy reading!!


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