Lycan Love by Anastasia Maltezos

Lycan Love has an extra twist to the werewolf idea: if a werewolf makes love to their true soul mate, it will turn this human into a werewolf on the next full moon. This is added to the standard being bitten by a werewolf during the full moon (in wolf form). Of course, there is the added problem that the sex is in human form, so the person being ‘changed’ does not know what is going to happen to them soon…

Jennifer Hart’s passionate one-night stand with the sexy and irresistible Lucas Wilde goes from wild heat to burning shame when he tells her to put on her clothes and leave. A week later, she’s back at his nightclub, Full Moon, and she can’t deny the powerful attraction ready to ignite, but this time Jen isn’t so willing to succumb. When Lucas Wilde set eyes on Jennifer Hart, the spark between them was instant and he brought her home for an incredible night of passion. But he was shocked to learn the Lycan legend was true. A werewolf spontaneously transforms into his Lycan form once he makes love to his soul mate. But that’s not the only problem. Before the next full moon, Lucas has to explain to Jennifer that she’s now a werewolf, and that she belongs to him.

Lucas Wilde was changed into a werewolf through an attack, i.e. against his will and with no choice or warning. After spending about a year looking for a ‘cure,’ he finally came to terms with what had happened to him when he realized there were good and bad Lycans and he could fight against the bad ones. Serena, the one who bit him, is of course one of the bad Lycans. She wants Lucas for her own, to control and possess him more than anything close to love.

When Jennifer and Lucas ‘hook up,’ both think it is just for a one-night stand, even if both are incredibly attracted to the other. Neither thinks the amazing chemistry between them is something special. However, as soon as they are finished, Lucas feels the change (into wolf form) start to come and he knows things are different. He has to send her away immediately so as not to scare her with his change. Jennifer is hurt and humiliated. But she has bigger problems to come and Lucas doesn’t know how to tell her.

One week later, Lucas finally catches up to her at his club again. He gets her to leave with him hoping to tell her that their night together has now changed her into a werewolf and tomorrow with the full moon will be her first change. At the door, Serena catches up to them and tells Lucas he will still be hers one way or another. Then the bad Lycans that have been attacking people in the park follow them to his place. He shoves Jennifer into the lobby and fights them off outside where she can’t see. With Jennifer denying everything in front of her including Lucas healing so fast, Lucas puts off telling her until the next day, hoping her might not be the one. No such luck, Jennifer wakes up (on the couch) with the fever, proving he did change her with no warning or choice, much like was done to him. And Serena shows up to threaten Jennifer this time…

Lucas is already falling in love with Jennifer. But she is having a hard time believing in werewolves, even after changing into one, immortal life, other super-naturals, and everything that goes with this. How is she going to believe in soul mates, in true love this fast? And will she even stay with him after he was the one to change her? (Assuming they live with all the threats on their lives? Immortal is about time, does not mean can’t be killed!)

Lycan Love is a cute little read. There are a few little wholes in the mythos (if the werewolves can’t be killed except from silver bullets or if they kill their own maker and the bad ones are making lots of new werewolves, everyone would be werewolves by now. Silver bullets have not been around that long. And two ways of making werewolves listed above…there is a pregnant vamp in the story. Can werewolves get pregnant? Will the baby be a werewolf? That would be a third way of making werewolf…) But this is just being picky and did not keep me from enjoying the story too much, just kind of made me wonder. And we all like to add to the paranormal mythos around.

Lycan Love does move along quickly. While I’m sure it could have been added to for a full novel, I didn’t feel like anything was missing in this one to make it shorter. We get the full romance and even a little bit of action and suspense from Selena. There is a peek at other super-naturals with the friend vampire and his pregnant wife. And even a dramatic ending. Lycan Love may be quick but it seems to cover all the bases and leaves you pleased with the ending. All around, I say Lycan Love is a good paranormal romance.