They may not be made for each other, but animal instincts are impossible to ignore.Madisyn Drake is a rare breed of cat shifter…a loner, unpredictably wild, and emotionally distant. A recent betrayal has left her ready to sharpen her claws on the next man she sees…until a prowling wolf with steel-gray eyes and a brooding dark edge challenges her distrust. No matter how fully he satisfies her … satisfies her touch-hunger, Madisyn’s not ready to open up again, even if it is oh so gratifying.
Bracken Slater has earned his reputation as an indomitable predator. Once broken by grief and guilt, he is feeling alive again, thanks to the heady scent of this independent feline. Madisyn isn’t interested in joining an unfamiliar pack, so convincing her that they’re meant for each other is going to take more than branding her beautiful neck. But when threats from both their pasts take shape, their unexpected destiny may be the only thing that can save them.
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Let me just start by saying that I FLOVED this book and would give it more stars if I could. I am a huge Suzanne Wright fan which can mean that I am pre-disposed to loving her work, but it also means that when a book falls short of expectations, the disappointment runs deep. It was with that trepidation that I started ‘Echoes of Fire’. I had just come off reading another book with a prickly, staunchly independent, possibly annoying heroine that seriously annoyed and affected my enjoyment of the book. Thankfully, I found Madisyn’s button-pushing, take-no-effs personality hilarious and endearing because there was insight into WHY she was that way. Throughout the book, she grew and changed. while staying intrinsically true to herself. BOTH MCs grew and changed while accepting each other exactly as they were at the moment. I think that was what I loved about the relationship.
It goes without saying that I loved Bracken, the Hero. Damaged and guilt ridden from his loss, it was easy to see and feel his emotional distance. It was even easier to see and feel how determined he was to make the relationship work. He not only understood Madisyn’s needs, but put those needs first DESPITE how at odds those needs were with his innate overprotective and demanding nature without losing any of his alpha-ness.
I think that’s what I loved most about the book. Madisyn and Bracken *shouldn’t* work together. Their personalities should mean that they are constantly at odds, but they compromise, empathize and COMMUNICATE with each other. It’s so dang refreshing to read characters acting like adults.
The external conflict was well handled (and cemented my love for Madisyn forever), and added new characters that I hope with be expanded upon. The Olympus Pack seem like a great pool to explore in the future (hint). There was a really good balance between the focus and progression of the conflict and the relationship. I never felt that one overshadowed or stalled the other, which is a testament to Wright’s skills as an author. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series.
While the series is very formulaic, I think Wright had significant unique elements to this book that helped set it apart from previous books. Madisyn’s background as a lone shifter, her unique breed, and the fact that she already has a friendship & interaction with the Mercury & Phoenix Packs. Bracken, on the other hand, is recovering from devastating events that have completely changed his personality and outlook. Their path to mating follows a different trajectory than most.
I also really liked the secondary action/mystery/suspense elements in this one. Additionally, we’re introduced to the Olympus Pride and several of its members. They’ll feature more prominently in Dominic’s book, Untamed Delights.
Note: Olympus Pride will get its own series, starting with When He’s Dark, but chronologically you’ll want to read/listen to the rest of the Phoenix & Mercury Pack books first.
Jill Redfield is still AMAZING. This is a HUGE cast of characters, male and female, young and old – and even though the packs are expanding and merging, she still manages to give them all unique voices and characteristics. You know exactly who is talking at any given time.
Echoes of Fire is the fourth book in this series and is Bracken’s and Madisyn’s story.
I loved Bracken finding his HEA, he definitely needed it after what happened. Though I miss the playful Bracken, the one who teaches Willows those creepy lines .
As for Madisyn, I really thought she would be a cougar. (view spoiler)
It was an amazing read, it was fun and intense. Another thing I like here was how Brackens and Madisyn’s relationship grew. It was unexpected but it was perfect. Not only that they fit together. I also love that there’s another Feline in the pack. I can’t imagine what Nick’s thinking
I can’t get enough of the Mercury & Phoenix pack series. Dominic & Eli’s next
Due to a personal tragedy, Bracken has changed from an affable, but shallow, pack member into a brooding alpha male, battling with inner demons. Madisyn is a loner shifter who works at the bar the Mercury Pack owns.. She knows Bracken and thinks of him as a friend. A mate isn’t on either of their radar. Until it is.
With trouble all around them, can these two independent shifters come together, not only as a couple, but also to help put a stop to the danger they are facing? I recommend reading for yourself to see exactly what happens.
Loved this story! Bracken and Madisyn are awesome together. Plus we get the other Mercury Pack wolves and Phoenix Pack wolves who love to be a part of everyone’s lives and to have their back when needed. Ms. Wright is a shifter-writing goddess. Lol
I was gifted a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.
4 STARS
This book was read while I was in a book slump. But still, it keept made me want to know what happened even if I didn’t want to read that much.
Bracken just made my heart hurt throughout this book. He was in so much pain, self-hate and guilt that I had a hard time feeling him other than that and I just wanted to hug him. At the beginning of this book I think there was almost to much focus on it and not on him (does that make sense?) But when I started to get more fouth into the book I started to see him more and feel his personality in a way that made me connect with him again.
I loved how he was so protective of Madisyn and how he fought himself when he knew he was too much and didn’t just have a tantrum when she didn’t do what he said and didn’t let him boss her around.
Madisyn is my hero! I want to be her when I grow up! I mean for real the backbone that woman has is incredible. She has such a strong will and she is just a power woman that will not back down for no one and she is who she is and people will just have to deal with that. She was amazing with Bracken and when those two were together I could just feel their peace and how they were just made for each other. They just fit.
I don’t know how Suzanne Wright can keep making these book and still make them good, but she does.
I am so in love with this “Mercury Pack” and the “Phoenix Pack” series, that I am actually scared they will come to end one day … I think I literally screamed when this one landed on my kindle 😛
As much as I want to read Dominic’s story, I was also very curious about Bracken…especially since we found out in the last book what happened to his family. My heart broke for the big dude…
Thankfully there is this awesome feline around, who is making him feel like himself again…
Madysin and Bracken have been bantering together for a very long time and both of them are shocked when in a moment of vulnerability they find out, they are actually true mates…
I love Suzanne Wright’s heroines…they are strong and awesome and I definitely had a little girl crush on Madisyn. Damn.. but she kicked some ass !!! Thankfully the men in these series also love strong women, and so even though they are very protective…they are also very supportive 😉
I would not advise anyone, to read these books as stand alone’s. All the characters are reoccurring and the two series also cross over. Take my advice and read them in order…all of them, you won’t be sorry.
I for one can’t wait until the next one comes out… I am greedy like that 😛
My reviews are posted at WendysWyckedWords @wordpress.com
This is a great addition to the Mercury Pack series. Like all of Ms. Wrights books that I’ve had the privilege to read, I didn’t want to put this book down. I was up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it off. I just had to know what happened! The book adds more depth to the Mercury and Phoenix Packs dynamics. We meet more people and get a glimpse at the previously mated couples to see how they are faring. I was easily transported to this world that Ms. Wright has created for her paranormal readers. I felt like I was watching everything unravel. I liked the way the issues were dealt with in this book and I would definitely recommend everyone read it. I know this review is skimpy on details, but I really don’t want to ruin the story for anyone. Just know that Madisyn Drake is NOT to be messed with, and not just because Bracken has her back! I enjoyed everything about this book except for the fact that I now must wait for the next one! 5 stars…I will be reading this one again.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts – 5 out of 5 Unicorns – I loved it!!!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!! Yes, I got a review copy of this book, but no one tells me what to think, feel, or write about any book! I don’t own this book, but I will because I already have 12 of her books!
The cover is very cool, and I love how it looks!
This is the 4th book in this series, but the first one of the series that I’ve read. It is for adults only due to the violent battles and steamy scenes involving mates. You can read them out of order though it is probably even better when you read them in order.
This is Madisyn’s story who is a lone shifter who lives under the protection of the Mercury Pack. She is a Pallas cat, and they look so cool! She has emotional baggage and lives as she sees fit. Bracken is an enforcer in the Mercury Pack, and he has more baggage than anyone. Everyone in the pack wants to fix him. This story is full of action, turmoil, fights, and mates. I loved every minute of it. I don’t want to give anything away, but Suzanne does an awesome job of pulling you into the story where you can’t put it down. I stayed up way too late to finish it. I can’t wait to read the rest of her books!
I highly recommend to any shifter fans because we have cats, wolves, bears, and so much going on that you’ll love it!!!
Loved it just as I love every book by Suzanne Wright – a must read.