Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd

This book is a mystery to me. Why? Because I spent the whole time I was reading it rolling my eyes, yet I read through the whole thing and am on to book 2!!

At the beginning of the story, when the heroine, Ann, decides she's gonna let her boss of 4 years, Jasha, know how she really feels, she gets to his house, finds him not home, lets herself in (she's his assistant and has a key), unpacks her suitcase (she was not invited, he has no idea she's coming) and takes a shower!!! Don't people go to jail for that kind of behavior?

Later, after she sees him shapeshift (he's a wolf) and he chases her after running away, comes the first sex scene (which, BTW, was kind of hot). Then, after, it's almost as if he's trying to convince himself she'll be a good mate, he really doesn't sound absolutely sure.

Then more eye rolling when they're on the run from bad guys, he's got stuff stashed all around the forest - clothes, sleeping bags, towels and soap, bottles of wine (he does own a winery, but still).

And she's supposed to be some uber-efficient personal assistant, but she's got no backbone. AND, every 10 pages she's thinking something mysterious about some birthmark on her back and saying to herself "I always bring the bad ones." I started scanning the pages looking for that phrase.

Basically, Ann goes to Jasha's house with the intent to seduce him and start a relationship. She sees him shift out of werewolf form and runs. He catches her, and hot, muddy, feral sex is on! Then, they spend a bit of time running from the bad guys (see ridiculous supply list above) and then he brings her to meet his family. His mother has uttered some sort of trance-induced prediction, and Ann thinks Jasha just likes her because some of Ann's actions fulfill parts of the prediction. Ann doesn't want to "settle" and turns down his offer of marriage. The rest of the book is his "plan" to win her affections, except he doesn't go into what his plan is, and I didn't really see one in action. The only reason there's a HEA is because of what happens during the "big scene" at the end. Speaking of the end, it's abrubt. Like, action, action, revelation, the end. I think it's a HEA.

There's no continuity in the characters actions and reactions throughout the book. There's a few unanswered questions, but I assume the other books are about his brothers (and maybe a nephew?). I realize I had almost nothing good to say about this book, which is why I have no idea why I'm looking forward to book 2, Touch of Darkness, but I am. I totally want to know what happens next!