[Big Bad Beast] (By: Shelly Laurenston) [published: May, 2011] Paperback – 24 May 2011

Ric as a Van Holtz wolf. Van Holtz wolves are incredibly wealthy and have a proud history at the forefront of shifter politics. They also run a chain of extremely successful shifter restaurants and nearly all the members of the family either work or have worked in them to fund college. Ric happens to be a chef that runs the Manhattan restaurant. He also owns and plays for the local shifter ice-hockey team and run ‘The Group’ the organisation that protects shifters in the US. He’s a busy man, he’s also gorgeous, refined and unbelievably nice.Dee-Ann Smith is a hillbilly and trained killer. Trained by her assassin father from a young age how to kill people, her temperament and upbringing left her little choice other than to follow in his footsteps. She joined the marines and then joined ‘The Unit’ the US Government’s shifter only team who go after people that hunt shifters. After retiring from ‘The Unit’ Dee-Ann ends up working for ‘The Group’ which she finds frustrating at times.Ric fell for Dee-Ann the first time he met her and spends months subtly trying to woo her. This mainly involved not killing her when she randomly showed up in his apartment and feeding her great food.These two seem so unlikely and it’s really fun watching how the author creates just the right circumstances to start their romance. This author really seems to excel at bringing unlikely characters together in a way that doesn’t seem obvious or unlikely.The plot from the previous books of the hybrid hunters continues in this book as ‘The Group’ continues to seek out the source of the financing for them.I love how this author is able to create a wonderful love story and weave it around a great plot, making the two inseparable from each other. Having the continuing plot certainly makes you more likely to pick up the next book in the series, if the quality of writing didn’t make you do anyway.Another great book from this author.

I feel like Ric has such a pure love for Dee and I live for it. Whilst everyone else is scared of her, he sees the beauty in her and isn't emasculated by her strength. Goodness I almost fell in love with Ric.The plot was good and well written. It moved seamlessly and we got to see the Van Holtz pack again. I have missed them.This is part of the Pride series so I recommend reading the books before this one to understand everything perfectly. Also definitely read the Magnus Pack trilogy.

Not going to rehash the plot as enough reviewers have done that but will add my rave review to the list.Fab, funny addition to the series from one of my fave authors who never fails to tickle my funny bone. I love snarky ,laugh out loud humour, kick ass heroines with attitude,who never give their 'mates' an easy ride and gorgeous ,sexy alpha males who always get their gals after being shamelessly manipulated by them, haha!Shelly Laurenston writes all the above in spades, and writes them really well!All her shifter series' ( 'Magnus pack' , ' Pride series ' and ' Dragon kin', which she writes as G A Aiken ) are fantastic reads. VERY sexy, (phew!!! ) and pretty graphic in both language and description, so be warned , but in my opinion, the likeable quirky characters, humour and great story lines lift them way above the usual sex n smut for the sake of it, that you tend to get in a lot of erotic shifter/paranormal romances. Go on, give them all a try,have a laugh, I doubt you'll be disappointed.So 'scuse me, just writing this review has made me want to go back and read them all again!

I think I've read all of SL books about her shifter community, starting with Sarah Morrigan. I think she gets better and better each book. I actually wasn't looking forward to read this one, mainly I wasn't a fan of Dee-Ann and Ric doesn't seem very Alpha to me. But Miss L has done very well with these two characters. Dee-Ann is still not that lovable but I don't think she ever was but at least she is made more human and likable. I think the mix of Dez and Malone with Dee-Ann let us see her in a different light. The best thing about the book is Miss L bringing back other characters from her previous stories. I've always wonder how is Miki and Angelina doing. Of course Miss L has mention Sarah M from time to time in some of her books. If you are wondering who are these characters I am talking about you have to start reading her earliere books. I am not sure if this a keeper or not but I am glad I did buy it. I've started rereading SL 'Hunting Season' and I hope she'll have a new story about them soon.

I was in the mood for a paranormal romance & this author delivers big time. Ric knows that he not going to get Dee through hearts & flowers, she'll just use him up & toss away, he has to show some smarts, it doesn't matter that they come from rival packs & Dee's dad will have eviscerated, tossed him in a shallow grave before he's even opened his mouth. But as far as he's concerned he loves her & Holtz always gets what he wants. (Dee won't know what's hit her).I loved the truly vitriolic relationship between Dee & Desiree, the sometimes annoying manipulative Blayne, the OCD bear, Smiths & the long suffering uncle Van.The story is funny, intense, with tough individual characters, that made me laugh out loud with the outrageousness of their actions, I could not help being carried away. Loved it.... A definite 5 stars.....

So this the 6th book in the series and they just keep getting better!!I love the whole Smith,Shaw,VanHoltz etc etc gangs..I genuinely laugh out loud and although there are some pretty hot scenes in the books,unlike some,there is an actual plot.which are always original and clever..Love em all..loved this one..will be downloading number 7 right after this!!!

Loved it. I want a hot chef wolf boyfriend who doesn't care if I'm moody!! Gimme gimme.As for Dee... well she's just kick ass and I've loved her since the first book. Even when she kept trying to kill my favorite little mongrel hybrid xx