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Dead Heat
Dead Heat
Dead Heat
Audiobook11 hours

Dead Heat

Written by Patricia Briggs

Narrated by Holter Graham

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

The new Charles and Anna novel

Praised as “the perfect blend of action, romance, suspense and paranormal" (Rex Robot Reviews), the Alpha and Omega novels transport readers into the realm of the werewolf, where Charles Cornick and Anna Latham embody opposite sides of the shifter personality. Now, a pleasure trip drops the couple into the middle of some bad supernatural business.…

For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal, as Charles plans to buy Anna a horse for her birthday. Or at least it starts out that way.…

Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae’s cold war with humanity is about to heat up—and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateMar 3, 2015
ISBN9781455820221
Dead Heat
Author

Patricia Briggs

#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs lives in Washington State with her husband, children, and a small herd of horses.

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Reviews for Dead Heat

Rating: 4.34307692923077 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

325 ratings65 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I'm not sure why, but I didn't think we would be seeing Charles and Anna again in their own book, so DEAD HEAT was a nice surprise to receive for review. Anna and Charles head to Arizona to buy Anna her own horse. Things take a turn when family members of those they are visiting are attacked by the Fae. DEAD HEAT dives into Charles' past and introducing us to some of the very few humans he calls friends. I loved watching Anna hold up against an old love of Charles that tried very hard to be rude to her and push her down. She really can hold her own and she has zero worries when it comes to Charles and her relationship. It was great watching Charles open up and interact with his old friend. We get to see a side of him that we don't often see and I think Anna was even a bit surprised and glad to be able to witness it. The relationship between the two is strong and it was great to see them working as a team.There is plenty of action involved in DEAD HEAT. Charles has a bit of a hard time letting Anna help as he doesn't want her to get hurt, but I think she did a really good job of showing him she can take care of herself while also letting others know when she needs help. She really kicked butt. There is a lot of mystery involved in the case they are working. I didn't have a clue what was going on until they did. The plot moves at a fast pace and I really enjoyed every moment of it. Whether you decide to start out reading the Alpha & Omega series or the Mercy Thompson series you should give Patricia Briggs a try. She is one of my top 10 favorite authors and I think you'll have no issues falling in love with her writing. * This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I haven't read a Patricia Briggs title in some time, so I suppose I've forgotten how much I enjoyed her stories and her writing... but I found this story to be outstanding! I know nothing of horses...and don't really care to know anything about horses... and this story had a LOT about horses. But Briggs presented enough information so that I could understand what was going on, without being boring or tedious. The fact that one of the main characters didn't know a lot about horses allowed Briggs to include basic info, and provide the rest in a shorthand sort of manner.Characters were terrific, story was terrific.. I'm glad I found Briggs again.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Another enjoyable Dick Francis novel. Lead character is a nice guy, typical DF hero, who has to solve the crime to save himself and falls in love along the way. Descriptions of dealing with grief sounded true, maybe the author's own feelings about the death of his wife.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Beautifully written. Of course. Lovely plot and many life lessons ( but not too many). Great heroes and side characters. Horses! How can you not love them? Evil fae and not so evil ones. Crazy teachers, scary children. I may not have much to say because I am tired from reading the book to a finish late at night. But I am happy. So happy to get to know more about Anna and Charles, their friends and family, even the quirky Cantrip agents. All is good and exciting here! All.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It was so nice to be back with Charles and Anna again. I wish there had been more Bran but you know I always wish that! Charles gets a call from an old friend who is not a wolf which surprises Anna because she never knew he had any friends. Charles decides to go for a visit and buy Anna a horse for her birthday. While there was a bit too much of an info dump at first about horses what we learn about the horses comes into play later in the book. But as is usually the case this non-business trip turns into something more when they learn of a renegade fae wreaking havoc and it is affecting Charles’ old friend and the local pack.This book had one of the creepiest villain fae ever and who could blame brother wolf for wanting to go after this guy no matter if he steps on the toes of the local pack.I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone and I was glad I didn’t read the description because even that gives a spoiler.I love Charles and Anna and there is a personal side story to this one that makes me curious about future books and how the ending of this one will play out. It’s not a bad thing but with Charles’ life it could be tricky.I will read any story that Patricia Briggs writes she truly makes the characters come to life and makes you care what happens to them. Even the secondary characters in this book she made me quite interested in them that I hope there will be more of a story (short or a whole book) just to see how they deal with the aftermath especially Kage’s family, I would definitely read more about them!All in all another great installment in Charles & Anna’s story and now for the long wait for another one.4 StarsI received this book from Netgalley and the publisher for a fair and honest review
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Continuing the successful formula, Francis pere-et-fils explore slightly milieux: polo and restaurants. Gordon Ramsey is rewarded for his advice with extensive references to him and to his restaurants. Presumably the authors already knew enough of polo to make no such use of anyone from that fraternity. A typical Francis thriller that suggests that the baton is being passed safely.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Back at the top of his form.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Mass poisoning is every chef's nightmare and a black tie gala dinner at Newmarket on the eve of the 2,000 Guineas a most unlikely occasion. And follow that up with the explosion of a bomb at the races on the day itself.Max Moreton is the Michelin chef whose reputation is in tatters after the dinner, his Newmarket restaurant is closed, and then many of the clientele for whom he is catering, and one of his staff, are killed in the bomb explosion. Max is determined to find out how the food poisoning occurred, certain that it wasn't his food that caused it. And when things begin to happen as he asks questions, he begins to wonder whether the two events are connected.DEAD HEAT is good reading, a page turner with a credible chain of events, and background details that tell you it is written by authors who know their stuff: this time long acknowledged master Dick Francis together with his son Felix. Felix's role as researcher and in writing this and other recent novels is acknowledged in the blurb.I've been reading Dick Francis for decades. He has written forty-one international bestsellers and is widely acclaimed as one of the world's finest thriller writers. His awards include the Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to the crime genre, and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Tufts University of Boston. In 1996 Dick Francis was made a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master for a lifetime's achievement and in 2000 he received a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Enjoyed this book. Interesting characters, excellent worldbuilding, good dialog. I like the Mercy Thompson Bbooks better but these are pretty good. I very much like the heroine, Anna, and the hero, Charles, a little less because he is, probably deliberately, more opaque and less easily understood.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    An interesting mystery but not my favorite by Francis. Love element I could have done without.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I am a bit addicted to Ilona Andrews, but even for someone who normally consumes their newest novel happily, this was a bit flat for me. The characters were as well-developed and interesting as ever, but I found the (potentially nail-bitingly gripping) 'main' plotline taking a disappointing backseat to the horses in the story. I am sure that it would be GREAT if I was horse-crazy...but I'm not. I will happily pick up any other Ilona Andrews novel for a re-read, but this is probably going to not be re-read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is the fourth story in a series about werewolves and other paranormals. The series centers around the sexy, strong (but gentle, of course) Alpha wolf, Charles, who deeply loves his Omega wolf mate, Anna, and wants to tear apart anyone who even looks at her crossways. This would not be difficult for Charles, who also happens to be the chief enforcer for his "da", the "Marrok", or head of all the werewolves in North America.As this book begins, Charles and Anna have been married three years, and Anna is starting to think about children, but Charles is resisting. Anna isn’t exactly sure why, although she knows that Charles’ mother died giving birth to him. But Anna has ideas about how to get around the danger to a werewolf of giving birth, such as by using a surrogate mother. Still, there is something more troubling Charles. She begins to guess what it might be when Charles gets a call from his old human friend Joseph out in Arizona. Joseph is dying, and wants to see Charles. Joseph happens to be the son of Hosteen, the Alpha werewolf of the Salt River Pack. [It can all be a bit confusing to a reader unfamiliar with werewolf-ness, however, because while Hosteen looks young, his son Joseph is in his eighties.] Werewolves can live a very long time, but humans die, and so Charles has been avoiding his friend. Joseph won’t let anyone turn him into a werewolf, and Charles hates the idea of losing him. And what if Charles and Anna's child did not turn out to be a werewolf? Then it too would have only a human life span. Charles and Anna go out to Arizona to visit Joseph and to pick out a horse for Anna’s 26th birthday from Hosteen’s stable.But things are far from quiet where Joseph is. A particularly evil Fae has been released into the human world (in spite of the truce worked out by Charles’ father), to wreak havoc among humans by attacking their children, and thus possibly precipitating a war. When the Fae strikes against Joseph’s family, Charles and Anna become involved. Working together along with their old friend FBI Agent Leslie Fisher, they get into a life and death battle with this very powerful Fae. Discussion: There are many things to like about this series (the cover of this book not being one of them). Although Charles is the “Alpha” wolf and Anna the “Omega,” you can see that the power in this relationship is reciprocal and complementary. Charles, an Alpha “enforcer” can make other wolves quake, while an Omega, rare among werewolves, confers peace and serenity onto other wolves. Omegas are thus very valuable, especially in those critical beginning days of managing the change from human to werewolf. But Anna is no wimp; she has her own store of ferocity, which she brings into play as needed. For example, in one rather humorous incident, a young school teacher shamelessly flirts with Charles, even though Anna is standing right there. As they get ready to leave, Anna pulls her aside and says:"You need to understand something . . . Charles is my husband. You can’t have him. Mine. Not yours. There are lots of nice, unattached men out there, I’m sure. Pick one of them and you might live longer.”Charles is not threatened at all by Anna’s power, but is proud of her, and even nonplussed that she chose him of all possible mates. Anna of course, feels that she is the lucky one, and in this book, she tries to explain to Charles just wherein his true power lies. While the Fae in this story is after children, there is no sexual abuse - not that killing kids is okay, but it (ironically) makes for easier reading. Moreover, the emphasis on children helps tie in the having-kids theme, and teaches Charles some things he didn’t know about himself and young people.There is also a great deal about horses in this book. The author apparently has her own collection of horses, and clearly loves them. She didn’t make her enthusiasm too burdensome, however, but there was probably a little more about horses than I personally would have wanted.On the other hand, I did like the information about the Navajo (Diné) and other Native Peoples. As for the Fae, I kind of hate it when Fae come to dominate stories about paranormals. I suppose they make good villains. But as Anna points out in this book, most people carry monster within themselves; it doesn’t take a paranormal connection to be evil; it just makes the evil more dangerous. I suppose what I don’t like about the Fae is the lack of nuance; a human monster generally has more layers. Even other kinds of paranormals usually have more complex characters. Nevertheless, what makes this series shine is not these extra plot elements, but the relationship between Charles and Anna, and between these two and other werewolves, not only in their own pack, but in other packs as well. Evaluation: I didn’t like this installment as much as previous books, I suppose because we now take the relationship of Charles and Anna for granted, and so the story is less about them and more about politics in the paranormal world. Nevertheless, it’s a fast-moving story with good characterization. Anna is a great heroine who has no problem standing up to her husband in spite of his being an enforcer Alpha wolf, and the two together have great chemistry.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love this series and I'm alway excited to start the next book and alway sad to read the last chapter. It’s softer and more romantic. We get to see another side of the mercyverse. Charles and Anna go to see an old friend of Charles and are thrown into another case they must solve. I enjoy how their relationship has evolved and how they work together.
    The end when Joseph dies gets me every time 😭
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Oh, boy. Obviously Felix is being groomed to take over the Francis dynasty from his dad, but I think we should just let it end.

    This had all the elements you expect in a DF book, but it was just missing...something. The thing I like about the other books is that they are perfectly comfortable--the writing never jolts you out of the story, and the characters behave in a way that makes sense while still being interesting. I never minded them being formulaic, because he always executed it so well.

    With this one, I kept cringing at the writing, and wondering what the hell the people were thinking, and plus, the romance was just kind of creepy.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Charles and Anna travel to Arizona to buy a horse for Anna. Of course, they run into trouble along the way, and have to deal with a fae who is taking children. Will they be able to find the most recent victim before it’s too late?Opening Sentence: The fae lord stalked back and forth in his cell of gray stone.The Review:I was really excited to have a chance to review Dead Heat, as I really love the Alpha and Omega series. I’m happy to say my excitement was completely justified, as this book was a truly awesome addition to the series.After the events of Fair Game, Charles and Anna’s relationship is stronger than ever. Anna’s birthday is coming up, and Charles wants to buy her a horse as a gift. This also gives him a chance to reconnect with his old friend Joseph, whose health is failing. Upon reaching Arizona, Charles and Anna don’t have much time to relax before a powerful fae tries to attach Joseph’s grandchildren. This leads to the discovery that a fae has been taking children for years. Anna and Charles must hurry if they want to find the most recent victim before it’s too late.This may be almost sacrilegious to say, but I think I like this series even more than Mercy Thompson. Both are good, but there’s something about Charles and Anna’s relationship that I just love. I think a lot of it has to do with the character of Charles. His position within the pack makes everyone fear him, and yet, he is so tender and caring with Anna. It’s truly amazing to see. By this point in the series, their relationship is super strong, and it’s just fun watching them interact with each other. We get to see even more of Charles’ softer side here with Joseph, as he has to face the fact that a person he loves is dying and doesn’t want to become a werewolf, so he’s going to have to say goodbye. Anna has come into her own as an Omega, and while she’s still learning the full extent of her powers, she is much more comfortable with them and with her position than she was at the beginning of the series. It’s awesome to see how she’s been able to rise above what was done to her. Seeing how she’s grown since book one just makes me love her even more.As with all of the books in this series, it doesn’t take long for the action to get started. The plot is very fast paced, and I had a hard time putting it down. At the same time, I wanted to savor the experience because I’m not very good at being patient as I wait for the next book in series that I love. I eventually had to finish the book though,and I did so with a smile on my face. I’m truly excited to see what lies next for Anna and Charles. If you haven’t read this series yet and are a fan of the Mercy Thompson series, you really need to give the Alpha and Omega series a shot! You won’t regret it!Notable Scene:She hurried out and down the stairs. The sound of the TV led her to the family room, where the kids were watching a cartoon. Michael didn’t look up, but Mackie gave her a wary look.“Sorry,” she told them. “I have a bad headache. Will you two be okay for a while more? I have to get dinner started.”“Okie-dokie,” said Michael, without looking away from the TV. Because he couldn’t be bothered. TV was more important than his mother.Mackie didn’t say anything. Just watching her with her father’s eyes and judging what she saw, always judging her and finding her lacking.Chelsea turned and went to the kitchen. She got random things out of the refrigerator with shaking hands: carrots, celery, summer sausage, and radishes. The cutting board hadn’t been put back where it belonged and she had to search for it. She found it among the pots and pans instead of in the narrow cupboard next to stove, and by then she was in a fine rage.Max came in the kitchen door, letting it bang carelessly against the wall. He took after her, tall and blond, rather than her first husband, who’d died in a car wreck, leaving her to raise her two-year-old son on her own. For a moment, Max’s presence cleared her head like a breath of fresh air.“Hey Mom,” he said cheerily, sounding so much like his father that it sometimes made her heart ache. She loved Kage, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t loved Rob, too. “What’s for dinner?”He was always hungry these days. Always expecting her to feed him when he was old enough to get his own food. She clenched her fingers around the chef’s knife, so cool and powerful in her hand.“Would you do something for me?” she said through gritted teeth, unable to look away from the bright silver promise of the knife.“Sure,” Max said, snitching a carrot from the bag she’d put on the counter.Bad manners to steal food before the cook was ready. Bad.FTC Advisory: Ace/Penguin provided me with a copy of Dead Heat. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Anna and Charles head to a horse ranch in AZ to both visit an old friend of his as well as to get Anna a new horse for her 26th birthday. But the day they arrive they’re faced with a situation that threatens his friend’s daughter-in-law and grandchildren. The fae have started to unleash some of the worst of them in their beginning battle with humans, and this particular one is going after children. We get lots of information about horses as there are quite a few for Anna to check out, different categories in horse shows and more on Charles’ history. I enjoyed that last aspect a lot.Our duo once again ends up working with Special Agent Leslie Fisher, as well as a couple of CANTRIP agents that thankfully are focused on stopping the fae responsible and saving the life of a young girl. Very different from other CANTRIP agents we’ve met.Loved the ranch and the family and I hope we see them again in the future. The ranch is owned by the local Alpha and Joseph, Charles’ friend is the Alpha’s son, now in his 80s. Each book sees Charles becoming more comfortable around others and we see him lightening up. Of course much of that has to do with Anna. Speaking of which, she shows a little more oomph with her powers than even she realized – and it would be so funny to see others we know affected by it. The story ends with an “aha” moment for Charles that could have an impact on future stories. If you’ve enjoyed the prior books you will enjoy this one as well. If you haven’t read the prior books, don’t start with this one. There is enough back story so you shouldn’t be too lost for long. But you will be missing out on the impact of a number of things that you can only appreciate by knowing more about the background and having a relationship with the characters.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    You can always count on Patricia Briggs to write a one of a kind fantastic paranormal urban fantasy story! I love Anna & Charles tale. These two are so different from one another but together they are very compatible & an awesome team! There were areas in this story where I laughed and cried.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    This is my first Dick Francis book. Am thro about 1/3rd ( more than 100 pages), still the story doesn't move. I am given to believe there is a plot( there has to be!). But it just wont show. The man is going into descriptions on every other side topic other than focussing on the main plot.I usually don't leave books midway ( feel i am wasting something), but i guess this might make me do it!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Listened for Fun (Audible)Overall Rating 4.50Story Rating 4.25Character Rating 4.75Audio Rating 4.50First Thought when Finished: Dead Heat by Paticia Briggs was another amazing entry in the Alpha & Omega Series.Overall Thoughts: Charles and Anna are my favorite couple (yes they beat Mercy and Adam). I like the maturity and growth of their relationship over the series. Not to beat a drum but I like that it is a grown ass relationship with bumps, communication, and compromise. The story was strong too. I liked all the twists, turns, and continuation of the world. The only thing will be the wait!Audio Thoughts: Narrated By Holter Graham / Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins Holter is one of my favorite narrators and he really nails this series. It does take a bit to warm up to Anna's voice but by book 4 I love it :)Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE Review
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.This book started out as a sweet vacay type story line with Anna & Charles traveling to Arizona to buy a horse from an old friend. We got to see a different side of Cornick, witness a couple of flashbacks, reconnect with an old love, and meet Hosteen's pack. There was of course some mild tension, but that's to be expected whenever two alpha males are in the same room; however other than that it was looking like this was going to be a relatively tame installment. Ha! Yeah right, this is Patricia Briggs, and she doesn't do cute. DEAD HEAT's fae mystery kept me guessing, the ending made me cry, and the werewolves rocked, as usual. I've become accustomed to being spoiled by this author's furry characters, so when I first opened this novel I was surprised to find... horses! I marveled at the level of detail Briggs went into with regards to these magnificent beasts from the various breeds, to their different gaits, temperaments and the competitive side of shows. I actually had to pause mid-chapter to read her bio because I needed to know whether she had existing equestrian knowledge or had put her research cap on for this latest book. She lives on a horse ranch in case you're wondering. I really enjoyed the amount of information she managed to incorporate alongside the plot.Don't tell Clay & Elena (Kelley Armstrong), but they are in danger of losing their title of being my favourite werewolf couple because Charles & Anna are gaining on them with each new ALPHA & OMEGA installment. Cornick's lone wolf status is no secret, so discovering that he has a human friend was quite the revelation. His relationship with Joseph awakened so many feels; however I wasn't overly happy about Maggie's role. Why is Briggs so big on ex threads? Urgh! Charles & Anna are working through another couple dilemma, and I just love how conflict makes them stronger. Their character growth continues to be one of the high points of this series.Our friendly neighbourhood FBI agent, Leslie Fisher, is back in the thick of things which was great because I liked her in FAIR GAME. It turns out that the fae did not go quietly into their reservations, instead they are underhandedly siccing their worst monsters on human society, and the Doll Collector was their latest ruse. This novel's plot deals with children, and it's not pretty, so it's not recommended for everyone. That being said, this author has a propensity for misdirection, therefore expect the unexpected! There was also a touch of humour though in the form of Hephzibah, the Evil Queen Hellbitch, and leave it to Briggs to work in a Supernatural shout out. Squee!This was my first time reading an ALPHA & OMEGA book, and although I missed Holter Graham's narration, it's clear that no matter how you tackle DEAD HEAT, the end result will be 5 stars.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I continue to like this urban fantasy/paranormal series and the characters Anna and Charles are growing into.In this installment, Anna & Charles travel to Arizona to visit an old friend of Charles'. They stumble upon a pretty vicious fae who causes some havoc with the family they are visiting. This novel has bonus points from me for all the pretty horses, the great kids, and some knitting talk.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Patricia Briggs always delivers. Charles and Anna are so unlike Mercy and Adam but just as great.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I thought I was reading 'Under Orders' and couldn't work out why Sid Halley wasn't in this story. Finally worked it out.Another interesting addition to the Felix Francis group of books. Has anyone else noticed that the Dick Francis series started out being quite localised and very much focused on the English racing scene and gradually they have become globalised with all sorts of issues of the day being included? In this instalment, it's celebrity chefs and terrorism.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I LOVED this! It is very touching but also bittersweet. An interesting introduction of new characters of all ages. Anyway, I loved it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    4 ½ of 5 StarsCharles and Anna Cornick take a personal trip to Arizona in order for Charles to buy Anna a horse for her birthday. The two cannot catch a break, due to a dangerous Fae that is on the loose. Their help is needed to solve the case.I feel like it’s been forever since I read the last Alpha & Omega book. I really enjoy this series and was excited to read this story. I was not disappointed.I enjoyed discovering more about Charles. We see another side of his past as we meet some of his old friends. He leads a hard life as his father’s Enforcer. I’m glad he has Anna to help sooth him.I love how others react to Anna, being a rare Omega. She has no problem keeping the others in check. She also has a valuable calming effect. I especially like how Hosteen Sani, Alpha of the Salt River pact, reacts to her throughout the novel.I liked learning more about the horses. They each have fascinating personalities. It was interesting reading about their buying process and the horse show.I appreciated the references to Mercy from the Mercy Thompson series. I love those stories and that the two series are connected.The plot is well-written and exciting. Everything in the story seems to come full circle. The Fae are tricky and appealing to read about. There was tons of thought-provoking mystery that makes this story successful. Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Good Read. Author and his son are master story tellers. Enough violence to make you shocked without turning you off of the story. Many characters could have "done it."
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    to use one word to describe this book would be beautiful. There really is no other word that could describe the bond that Anna and Charles share, or how the book manages to sneak in life lessons without becoming too philosophical and condescending, or even how the author's love for horses showed through the pages. Dead Heat was my favorite book in the series so far and that wasn't because of its spectacular plotline(although it did have one), or the great writing(and it was great), or the interesting side characters(they were!!). Dead Heat was my favorite because of Anna and Charles.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    i loved this book. course i'm a bit prejudice when it comes to dick francis. i haven't read one thing of his that i haven't et the very least extremely liked, mostly i love them. this was an interesting take. i hadn't read one that involved a cook/chef before so it really held my attention if nothing else out of originality. although all his books are different but i've never taken a cooky ride before with anybody really. you can taste the air and feel the wind.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I'm not crying...
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Even though Anna, like Mercy, narrates each book in her series – the Alpha & Omega books are really about Anna AND Charles. Mercy has Adam, but readers don’t get as much of Adam’s side because they don’t “work” together like Anna and Charles do. For this reason, I’ve come to enjoy the A&O series just a bit more than Mercy’s.Now that she is no longer a novice rider, Charles wants to get Anna a new horse for her birthday. And, he needs to visit an old friend, Joseph Sani; a human who is quite literally old and dying. Charles has very few people with whom he has formed relationships, because he fears losing them. This is a problem for Anna, who wants children. So, they have some issues to work through during this trip. While visiting the Sani ranch, a member of the family is targeted by a fae curse which leads to the discovery that children have been disappearing in the area over the decades. But, all the fae are supposed to be shut away in the reservation – aren’t they?I thought the mystery was good, though not great. There’s not a lot of suspense since the clues to who the villain is are so heavy-handed, most readers will guess. However, I liked how it impacted the greater world. A war between fae and humanity seems inevitable, and the werewolves’ neutrality may be a pipe dream. The story has a decent amount of action, and more revelations concerning the fae, which was welcome. However, where this series really shines is in the relationship between Anna and Charles . It is very satisfying to see them develop and grow as a couple. Overall, most fans of the series won’t be disappointed. Highly recommended.