A “master class in storytelling and survival.” —Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)Welcome to The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar. I’m Sam Quinn, the werewolf book nerd in charge. I run my business by one simple rule: Everyone needs a good book and a stiff drink, be they vampire, wicche, demon, or fae. No wolves, though. Ever. I have my reasons.I serve the supernatural community of San … supernatural community of San Francisco. We’ve been having some problems lately. Okay, I’m the one with the problems. The broken body of a female werewolf washed up on my doorstep. What makes sweat pool at the base of my spine, though, is realizing the scars she bears are identical to the ones I conceal. After hiding for years, I’ve been found.
A protection I’ve been relying on is gone. While my wolf traits are strengthening steadily, the loss also left my mind vulnerable to attack. Someone is ensnaring me in horrifying visions intended to kill. Clive, the sexy vampire Master of the City, has figured out how to pull me out, designating himself my personal bodyguard. He’s grumpy about it, but that kiss is telling a different story. A change is taking place. It has to. The bookish bartender must become the fledgling badass.
I’m a survivor. I’ll fight fang and claw to protect myself and the ones I love. And let’s face it, they have it coming.
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The reviews are in:
“Kelly (Welcome Home, Katie Gallagher) introduces fierce, lovable heroine Sam Quinn with this master class in storytelling and survival. Seven years ago, Sam was attacked, raped, and forcibly turned into a werewolf, putting an end to her life as she knew it. She’s since made a home for herself in San Francisco, opening a combination bookstore/bar catering exclusively to the supernatural community. A loner by nature and still contending with her trauma, she’s content to lie low without a wolf pack of her own. But when dead bodies begin piling up across the city and Sam receives a threat from an unknown source, she finds herself surrounded by a phalanx of friends she never realized she had. Among them is Clive, the leader of the city’s vampire community, whose good looks attract Sam “like a zombie to brains.” Kelly pulls off an impressive feat, weaving the sensitively handled story of Sam’s emotional recovery through a rollicking adventure. The unique setting and endearingly quirky side characters only add to the charm. Readers will delight in both the humor and the heartache of this powerful urban fantasy, and they’ll be eager to see where Sam goes next.” (Publisher’s Weekly (starred review))
“This action-packed paranormal series launch will appeal to readers who enjoy a plot-driven, female-centric journey of growth with a side of romance. Great for fans of Patricia Briggs’s Alpha and Omega series.” (Book Life (Editor’s pick))
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THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB BOOKSTORE AND BAR by Seana Kelly is first book in the Sam Quinn urban fantasy series. The protagonist, Samantha (Sam) Quinn, is a werewolf book nerd and runs a combination bookstore and bar for the supernatural community of San Francisco. Well, almost all of the supernatural community. No other werewolves are allowed. When a female werewolf is found dead immediately outside her establishment and she is covered in scars identical to Sam’s, things begin to rapidly escalate.
Sam is a likeable character who is definitely someone you can root for. She is complex, scarred, unique, honest, witty, but somewhat aloof. The main secondary characters enhanced the story and their depth was built as the story progressed. The world-building was excellent. By the end of the book, Sam has become a strong protagonist and I expect she will grow even more in book two of the series. Themes include murder, relationships, power, secrets, assaults, friendship, trust, protection, romance and much more. While this story line has a romance component and there is a steamy scene near the end of the book, that is not the main theme.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining urban fantasy with plenty of action and a great start to a new series. There are some unusual plot twists. If you are a fan of urban fantasies or paranormal romances and want to start a new series, then you may want to check this one out. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Independent Publishers Group – NYLA and Seana Kelly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
I don’t remember where I saw the recommendation for this book, but I put it on my shelf and when I discovered it at Netgalley I just had to have it!
Sam is the owner of ‘The slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar’. Seven years ago she was horribly attacked and turned into a werewolf, and after she started the bookstore/bar, overlooking the water and with supernatural guests (and crew). One day the body of a woman (a werewolf) floats near her bar and after that Sam is attacked constantly (and I mean, constantly!). Fortunately she has the help of handsome vampire master Clive and her friends and together they try to uncover Sam’s past and how it is connected to the attempts on her life.
I read this book in one long night and had to keep on reading. I loved Sam, how she is trying to overcome the past and the developing romance between her and Clive.
Fortunately there are – at least – 2 books following this one and I can’t wait to get my grabby hands on them.
(2020)
I could not put this book down I stayed up until one am reading this book and I a, normally in bed by nine. I can’t wait to read the next books in this series I love all of the characters in this book I feel like they are my friends now
Sam is a lone Wolf running a bookstore and bar. She’s been living in San Francisco for the past seven years following a savage attack that left her traumatised and forever changed. Sam bares scars both inside and out keeping others away but when dead women start turning up outside her bar she recognises familiar wounds that echo her own. Suddenly Sam is constantly being attacked both physically and indeed mentally. She may have kept others at bay but Clive the Vampire Master of the City won’t allow anyone to hurt the broken Wolf who has nursed herself back to health. The trouble is with suddenly so many attack’s just how many enemies does Sam really have and just what is so special about her ?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with its slight undercurrent of romance and really fun supporting characters. I do have a couple of quibbles though, firstly Clive whilst obviously confident and decisive just didn’t have that certain something that other Alpha heroes have. I loved that he would happily go as slow as possible to earn Sams trust but when I compared him to say Ilona Andrews Curran or even Thea Harrison’s Dragos he just didn’t feel as dynamic and powerful. My second niggle was just how often Sam was attacked and honestly I could feel myself rolling eyes thinking oh no not again !
Sam however is a joy to read about as she slowly embraces the fact that she can be fearsome and not just fearful. She has a good heart, can be snarky and witty but most of all she truly grows into her own skin as this story progresses which was a joy to read. I will say that the explanation about female Werewolves and how that affects Sam came pretty late in the book and felt as if the author had suddenly realised that she hadn’t explained it so needed to info drop because yes it would have worked better if readers knew that particular nugget much sooner.
So all in all I did enjoy this story and there is closure of a sort here but Sam and Clive clearly still have battles to fight which I very much look forward to. If you enjoy urban fantasy or even paranormal romance then this book should certainly see you whiling away a few very happy hours reading , enjoy !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair