Review – Desert Bound (Cambio Springs, Book 2) by Elizabeth Hunter (4.5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Length: 280 pages
Publisher: Recurve Press, LLC
Release Date: October 14, 2014
ASIN: B00N1D8A2I
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Cambio Springs series
Source: Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
“Wolf shifter, Alex McCann, and mountain lion shifter, Teodora “Ted” Vasquez, came from rival clans. They left Cambio Springs together. Ted came back; Alex didn’t. Now years later, the future alpha of the McCann wolves has returned with plans to bring new life to the dying desert community—plans that could change everything for the isolated enclave of shapeshifters in the California desert. As the town’s doctor, Ted has concerns about exposing her community to outsiders. The two former lovers are at each other’s throats. And everyone is watching to see what happens. But when murder once again strikes Cambio Springs, can they overcome their past to help the community they both call home? And can the love they once shared burn again when so many stand against it?”
Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Cambio Springs series. This series has two short stories and three full length books in it. I borrowed this on ebook for my Kindle through Kindle Unlimited.
Thoughts: I would recommend reading the short story “Five Mornings” before picking up this book; that short story gives excellent background on Alex and Ted and was a great prequel to their story here.
Alex has come back to Cambio Springs to start a resort in an effort to save the small town from poverty. Ted returned years ago after getting her medical doctor’s degree and has been serving as the town doctor. Ted and Alex have had an on and off relationship for years, which is complicated by the fact that they are the respective heirs for their shifter clans. When one of Alex’s workers at the resort turns up dead, the two are forced to work together to solve the mystery of his murder.
I enjoyed this quite a bit but not quite as much as the first book in this series. Ted and Alex definitely have some explosive chemistry going on and I really respected their decisions to put their careers first to benefit Cambio Springs. It was wonderful to see them both getting some personal happiness after all their hard work. I also loved meeting the members in their respective shifter clans. The mystery here is very well done too.
Hunter’s writing is incredibly readable and flows well. It is always a joy to read her books, they practically read themselves. I am very much looking forward to reading the final book in the series “Waking Hearts” which is supposed to feature Allie and Ollie.
My Summary (4.5/5): Overall I really enjoyed this second installment in the Cambio Springs series. This book is filled with excellent characters, a steamy romance, intriguing shifter politics, and a well done mystery. It is very engaging and well written and I would recommend this series to those who enjoy PNR but with characters that are a bit more mature and seated in their lives. I am excited to read the final book in the series, “Waking Hearts”, soon!
