Wolf in the Shadows (Legend of All Wolves #5) by Maria Vale
Contemporary supernatural romance with a YA/New Adult vibe
Sourcebooks Casablanca, July 26, 2022
Pampered Shifter Julia Martel* has been molded into a superficial accessory, trained to accommodate others, particularly powerful men. When circumstances drag her into unfamiliar territory and strip her of all of her privileges she’s forced to choose who she will become. Omega wolf Arthur Graysson is compassionate and dangerous, an irresistible combination that challenges Julia in numerous ways. Fans of this outstanding series will recognize the continuation of this talented author’s distinctive blend of multifaceted characters, layers of emotional intimacy that connect individuals to each other and to their communities, and lyrical phrasing that conveys an appreciation for wild beings and places.
This final entry in the series continues the escalating momentum established by the previous stories to hit the ultimate peak before resolving its recurring themes of identity, purpose, homecoming, and redemption with a satisfying conclusion. Readers new to this series should start with the (ironically titled) first book, The Last Wolf, to maximize understanding and enjoyment.
*At the start her character is tediously ego-centric and oblivious, but hang in there because Maria Vale delivers an impressive character development arc.
Content warning: heavy on themes of oppressive misogyny (as if there’s any other type)
Interested in learning more about the unflappable Leonora?
Read “Wonderland” in Shifters and Mistletoe: A Wolf Shifter Novella Collection by Asa Marie Bradley, et al.
Kaering LLC, December 2021
The Sisters Are Alright, Changing the Broken Narrative of Black Women in America, 2nd Ed.
by Tamara Winfrey Harris
Non-fiction
Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., October 2021
From “Tell the World Who You Are” section of “Introduction: The Trouble With Black Women”:
… As a Black woman and a writer committed to telling our stories. I believe it is important that we yell our real experiences above the din of roaring negative propaganda. No one can define Black women but Black women.
The Sisters Are Alright is an attempt to do just that–present a conversation about Black women by Black women.
This book achieves that stated intention and much more. Using candid language and personal testimonies that resonate as fundamentally true, it identifies, deconstructs, and reframes the portraits of Black women in the past, present, and future. It reclaims and proclaims the intrinsic equal value and complexity of our humanity beyond narrow one-dimensional caricatures and tropes, stereotypes and scapegoats. It’s a declaration of inherent worthiness. An epilogue, extensive notes, acknowledgements, an index, and the author’s bio all enrich this thoughtful book and inspire continued exploration.
Companion reads: The Strong Black Woman by Marita Golden and The Recipe of a Strong Woman by LaTerra N. Howard
The Partner Track by Helen Wan
Contemporary fiction with romantic elements
St. Martin’s Griffin, 2014
Witty, provocative, and engrossing, Ingrid Yung’s story resonates as particularly relevant in the context of the recent televised confirmation hearings with the Hon. Ketanji Brown-Jackson for the U.S. Supreme Court.
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