Full Blooded (Jessica McClain) [Paperback]

Amanda Carlson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 11, 2012 | Series: Jessica McClain (Book 1)

It's not easy being a girl. It's even harder when you're the only girl in a family of werewolves. But it's next to impossible when your very existence spells out the doom of your race... Meet Jessica McClain -- she just became part of the pack.


In the vein of Kelley Armstrong and Patricia Briggs, a new urban fantasy that rewrites the werewolf myth...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Family dynamics, werewolf politics and dire prophecy combine to great effect in this fast-paced adventure. If this book is any indication, Carlson has a bright future." (RT Book Reviews)

"Quick writing and a heroine women will love make Full Blooded a delight to read." (Vampire Book Club)

"Full Blooded's lore is unique and bewitching, the characters are dynamic and the wolves are howling-ly formidable. The action is unrelenting and the world building is so fluid that you don't even realize its happening. Every page is better than the last and the ending pretty much guarantees that you'll be reading Hot Blooded." (Rabid Reads)

"A wild, wolfy ride that will have you howling for more!" (Kristen Painter, author of Blood Rights )

"Amanda Carlson's Full Blooded is full of all good things: danger, excitement, an original, LIKEABLE heroine and some great mythological mayhem. Bring on book 2!" (New York Times and USA Today bestseller Karen Chance )

"Amanda Carlson's debut novel is a fast paced tale with a cliffhanger ending that left me panting for more. Full Blooded left me on the edge of my seat from cover to cover." (New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter )

"A fresh approach to the werewolf tale." (Library Journal on Full Blooded )

About the Author

Amanda is a Minnesota girl, born and bred. She started writing stories about teenage girls and their social missteps while in high school. She's been writing for over ten years, but began writing fiction in earnest after her second child was born.

Her book, Full Blooded, a face-paced, action filled urban fantasy, the first in the Jessica McClain series, will be released by Hachette Book Group by both ORBIT US & UK SEPT 2012. Full Blooded is her first fiction novel. She lives in Minneapolis, with her husband and three kids.

You can find her on various social media sites. Stop by for a visit! All links and information can be found at amandacarlson.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Orbit; 1 edition (September 11, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316205206
• ISBN-13: 978-0316205207
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Amanda is a Minnesota girl, born and bred. She started writing stories about teenage girls and their social missteps while in high school. She's been writing for over ten years, but began writing fiction in earnest after her second child was born.

Her book, Full Blooded, is a face-paced, action filled urban fantasy, the first in the Jessica McClain series. It will be released by Hachette Book Group by both ORBIT US & UK SEPT 2012. Full Blooded is her first novel. She lives in Minneapolis, with her husband and three kids.

You can find her on various social media sites, facebook and Twitter. Stop by for a visit! All links and information can be found at amandacarlson.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 53 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to the pack August 24, 2012

By Jen TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

If you're looking for a solid werewolf urban fantasy, look no further. Amanda Carlson delivers with this first full length installment in her new Jessica McClain series. It's got fantastic characters, hot sex and some awesome action sequences... not to mention good pacing and an interesting story.

Jessica was born as a daughter to the pack Alpha. But the thing is, there are no females born to werewolves. Her whole life, she has been met with suspicion and derision. Once she passed puberty without shifting, she thought she would live out her life as a human. She left the pack behind, starting a new life with a new name. Everything was going well, until her wolf decided it was time to surface.

With her first shift, Jessica is forced to return to the pack. Her relationship with her father and brother are restored, but there are plenty of other wolves who see her as a threat. A prophecy says that a female werewolf will be an instrument of evil and eventually bring about the end of their race. Jessica is pretty sure she's not evil, but neither is she an average shifter. She is something special. Jess must figure out how to find balance with her wolf, while new threats to her safety come one after another.

I really liked Jessica's voice. She is strong and independent, but I never found her arrogant or over-confident. In fact, she was actually kind of humble and it was awesome watching her realize her potential. There is a strong cast of supporting characters, like her brother Ty and packmate James. (I do think Nick was a little under-utilized.) We've even got a love interest, who is very sexy and super-mysterious. And don't forget about that sex I mentioned earlier. Yowza. The romantic element evolved a bit suddenly, but I have a more patience with this in mate-stories than in traditional romance.

With the big climax, Carlson answered all my questions about who's been gunning for Jess. But she also opens a whole new can of worms with a set-up for the next book. I am equal parts excited and frustrated. Excited because it looks like it will be one heck of a second installment. Frustrated because I won't be able to read it until next March. Beware the cliffhanger!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I've definitely caught the Jessica McClain fever! August 30, 2012

By RabidReads

Format:Paperback

Watch out Amanda Carlson, I think I'm in love! I inhaled her debut book like my life depended on it. I haven't read a werewolf novel this good since... since... probably my re-read of Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld books earlier this year. Seeing how her novels are the bar by which I measure all furry fiction, that's saying something! Full Blooded's lore is unique and bewitching, her characters are dynamic and her wolves are howling-ly formidable. The action is unrelenting and the world building is so fluid that you don't even realize its happening. Every page is better than the last and the ending pretty much guarantees that you'll be reading Hot Blooded in 2013.

I enjoyed the premise behind this book. Jessica is the only female to have ever been born from a werewolf father but she doesn't carry the shifter gene. She's been making a life for herself as a private investigator living outside of the pack for a number of years now when all of a sudden, *poof*, she wolf's out. Well... that was... unexpected! Her biggest dream and nightmare have come true. It's a neat way for Amanda to introduce readers to her heroine and to her breed of werewolves at the same time. Even though Jessica's father is alpha, she wasn't raised as pack which means that this world is as new to her as it is to us readers. I enjoyed the learn-as-you-go way that this story unfolds.

Carlson's mythology is fresh and exciting. She not only put a new spin on the genre but actually reinvented it; from the Cain legend, to the lycan twist to the inner workings of the pack. Each new discovery is better than the last. I was a little worried about the "only female werewolf" storyline because that's a Kelley Armstrong trademark in my opinion but, Amanda took a completely different route than what I'd expected and really made this angle her own. Full Blooded is absolutely overflowing with werewolf excellence; every page reveals something new and interesting. I've definitely caught the Jessica McClain fever!

When I first met Jessica in Blooded it was insta-love. She's loyal, courageous and a wicked savage fighter. I think that I might have a bit of a girl crush on her... In this book she handles herself beautifully in the face of the monster of a wake-up call that she just received. McClain takes everything in stride and behaves like you'd expect the daughter of a powerful alpha to. Jessica definitely knows how to make an entrance and her debut onto the Urban Fantasy scene will not go unnoticed.

Not to steal any of McClain's thunder but the side characters in this book are equally as extraordinary. James is sex incarnate. I couldn't stop drooling! Even though he's not Jessica's mate that doesn't stop her from exploring his hot bod. Danny is fun, a great friend and will definitely make you crack a smile. More than once, I might add. Tyler is the brother that I wish I had and one of Jessica's biggest supporters. I loved their alpha and father as well. He's a formidable force and has his kids' backs. Last but not least is Rourke. He puts an interesting spin on the age-old battle of dogs vs cats and I can't wait to learn more about him.

Full Blooded is the first installment in what I predict to be the next big werewolf phenomenon. If you like being at the forefront of "the next big thing" then I'd advise you to read this one. Stat. One last thing before I wrap-up my review... OMG! OMG! OMG! SQUUUUUEEEEEE! (hey, I'm allowed one fan girl moment!).

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I was really impressed with this book! August 28, 2012

By A. Hoffenberg

Format:Paperback

Interest in Book: I started talking to the author on Twitter, and next thing I know, I have the opportunity to review her book. I had not yet heard of this series, and I am so happy that I know of it now. I love Shifter and Were books, and well, with a lone female wolf who is feared by the supernatural community, I was definitely game to find out what is so special about Jessica McClain.

World-Building: The book opens up with a bang as Jessica is woken up out of a dead sleep when her body endures its first shift into wolf form. This comes as a serious surprise to her, for many reasons. Firstly, she should not even be alive, as females born to weres never, ever occur. Secondly, a shifting female? Say what? She is an anomaly that has sparked much interest and fear since her birth, and with a pesky prophecy hanging over her head, let's just say that Jessica's life is now on the fast road to danger and hardship.

This book set up the world quite nicely. The Pack dynamics and politics were very interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed the brotherhood and camaraderie between the members. Other supernatural beasties are prevalent in this world, such as witches, vampires and other were animals. Vampires play a pivotal role leading up to the next book, and they were creepy to experience. Definitely not your shimmering type.

Characters: Jessica McClain is the daughter of the North American Pack Alpha, Callum McClain. Pretty much the baddest bad arse of his kind. Her brother, Tyler, is as dedicated to her and her father, and their relationships were endearing and heartfelt. Jessica has been living as an alias for the past seven years so she could live a normal human life away from the pack. Unfortunately for her and the rest of the supernatural community, her first shift has put into motion some serious treachery and a supernatural showdown is imminent. I enjoyed Jessica's character development. She is a fierce chic who does not back down due to possessing boobs instead of balls. She is a courageous as they come, though her new found powers and abilities are not quite known to her, or anyone else, which puts her in serious danger.

Packmates James and Danny, as well as best friend and business mate, Nick, are rocksauce. Danny is adorable with his accent and confidence. He has some of the best lines of the books, most of them aimed at Jessica's buxom chest or tight ass. James is Callum's second and a powerful, rockhard, sexy beast! His devotion and dedication to his pack and protecting Jessica are evident in his bold actions. And Nick is just fun and always there when Jessica needs him. Her only gal pal, a witch named Marcy, also delivers some light commentary and has a great personality.

And then we have Rourke. *rawr* Rourke is a deadly mercenary who ends up in town, seeking an audience with Jessica. After a series of events, Jessica finds herself alone with Rourke as they flee to safety deep in the Ozarks. Some revelations are had and some battles are fought. Rourke is an ancient werecat of some kind, though no one who has seen his were form has lived to tell about it. His raw energy is enough to light up the night sky and he is about the size of a boulder. I am hoping that we get to witness his cat form. The guess Jessica made about his were-form has me SO intrigued! That would ROCK!

Lasting Impressions: I was really impressed with this book! It reminded me of Rachel Vincent's Shifter series, which is a mega favorite of mine. I really love reading about Pack life and experiencing the harsh politics and extreme dedication among pack mates. Plus, there is an uber strong female lead who is trying to figure out her role in the world. I also loved the inner monologue Jessica had with her Wolf. It was humorous watching the two as they got to know one another. And the author made me giggle profusely anytime Jessica's Latina neighbor, Juanita, made an appearance. Her thick Spanish accent was hilarious to read. The romance is minimal with a few dang sexy scenes, but the romance is the numero uno catalyst for book two, Hot Blooded! All in all, a fab start to a UF series!

If you love weres, pack life and politics, sexy, strong characters and great action, put this one on your TBR!