Running Wild [Mass Market Paperback]

Sarah McCarty (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dark Haven | Publication Date: June 3, 2008

Three stories of sensual erotic romance. Three werewolves who feed a wild hunger…

Donovan must bring the Pack Alpha home and nothing more. But when he catches the sexy scent of Lisa Delaney, he’s hers, body and soul—and ready to risk both on an erotic desire that will shatter all boundaries.

Kelon intends to return to his pack after helping Donovan, but he never counted on the voluptuous distraction of Robin Delaney. She’s the one woman who can make him contemplate a choice no werewolf should have to make.

Wyatt can’t afford to be attracted to the practical, completely human Heather Delaney. But she isn’t a woman a man ignores—no matter what the cost.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Ms. McCarty has become a must-read author.”
—Fallen Angels Reviews

“One of the best erotic romance writers writing today!”
—eCataRomance

About the Author

Sarah McCarty is a bestselling erotic romance writer whose e-books with Ellora’s Cave have made her extremely popular. She also writes for HQN and Spice.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (June 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425221504
• ISBN-13: 978-0425221501
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hi all,

Is this cool or what? I am just loving the fact that Amazon is now letting authors correspond with their readers. While I have a very active yahoo group on which I participate daily, many of my print readers don't find their way there, and I miss the chance to chat with them. I'm a very big chatter and love to hear from readers, so this new option of Amazon's is simply wonderful.

I write big (130K) fast paced books and my intent is to grab your heart in the first paragraph and not let it go until the last sentence of the last page. In between, I want you to laugh, to cry and sometimes just flat out be breathless from the energy between the characters. To me, that's the challenge in writing a good story and every time I read a review or a comment that says I delivered that moment for a reader, my heart skips a beat and my inner muse leaps into the air with a resounding, "Yes!"

My first year published was a roller coaster ride of excitement. I released 4 books and received multiple reviewer choice awards, best of the year awards and also the CAPA for Best New Author Romance Erotic. 20 awards all told. I can't tell you how flattering and unexpected that was to someone who was completely thrilled just to have an audience for her stories.

I have three series at Ellora's Cave, all different, each with their own unique flavor. My Promise Series (Western Historical) is widely popular with readers of all genres and has been described as Deadwood (a wonderfully gritty HBO series) meets Romantica by readers. Probably not what you are conditioned to think of when you think Western historical, this series features the bad boys of the Old West who meet their matches in the unexpected women they meet in the most unexpected places. These alphas are men hardened by life with temperaments honed to a ruthless edge by their experiences, yet who still harbor a bone deep sense of honor that earns them the reward of the one woman who can tap into their heart. Each woman is as individual as the man she completes, but for a man who has never expected more than a violent end for doing the right thing in this life, they are a gift beyond price and there's nothing they won't do to keep them safe, happy and above all, theirs.

The Unchained series (Contemporary) explores the emotional journey of women shaking off the chains in their lives, whether those chains are emotional or physical. The men they meet along this journey of self-discovery are dominant, possessive, sexy, and tender. In other words, they're scorchers!! I love this series because even in the darkest moments, these characters can make me laugh through my tears. And the men, well, the men are just to die for because I couldn't give these courageous heroines anything less than their equals.

The OTHERS series is a blend of contemporary paranormal and suspense. It is a favorite of my heart because amidst the danger of extinction and the threat of civil war, there is also the huge complication of culture clash when The Chosen and The Others meet up with their mates who, when faced with that they must adapt to in order to be with the men who love them, are not necessarily thrilled with the choice fate has made for them. I love the energy between the pages of these stories, love the way the men come to the realization of the compromise they will have to make in their traditions in order to keep their mates, love the way they view their mates, but most of all, love the way the women come to realize their power and just how much they bring to the table in this seemingly unequal relationship. Love does not come easily to the heroes and heroines of these stories, but it does come, and when it arrives, it is the kind of love worth fighting for and keeping. Forever.

I think that's as much of an "about me and my books" as I can fit in here. Thanks so much for stopping by and I look forward to talking to each of you.

Best,

Sarah

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies!, June 3, 2008

By 

Natalie S "ns65" (Nashville) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Running Wild (Mass Market Paperback)

"Donovan"

Donovan McGowan is a Protector of his werewolf pack, and he takes his role very seriously. Given the duty of returning the Pack Alpha to his home, Donovan's job is to convince his alpha to resume his duties. Donovan's mind is unwillingly diverted as it is filled with the vision of one Lisa Delaney. Her scent tempts him and Donovan immediately recognizes her as his mate - his very human mate. According to pack law, mating a human is unacceptable. Unwilling to live another day without Lisa, Donovan makes a decision that will change his life - all he has to do now is convince Lisa to share it with him.

Talk about animal magnetism! Donovan immediately knew from the beginning that Lisa was his. All he had to do was convince her. While Lisa was as attracted to him as he obviously was to her, she needed more than ample proof of his feelings - and I can't say that I blame her. Their love making was sensual and I found Donovan's profound feelings for Lisa to be emotionally satisfying.

"Kelon"

Kelon is a Pack Protector, just like his brother Donovan. He maintains constant vigil with his job and because of this, he is one of the best Protectors available. Coming to his brother's aid to try and convince the alpha to return home, Kelon doesn't count on meeting Robin, the sister of Donovan's mate. He finds himself intrigued from their first meeting. Not only her scent, but her entire being brings joy to Kelon. It is because of his feelings for Robin that Kelon is devastated when he hears her news. Deciding then and there that she is his, Kelon pledges himself to her for as long as they can be together.

Kelon's protective instincts towards Robin brought tears to my eyes. He knew exactly how to treat her and that made all the difference in their love story. He knew she was often fragile, but instead of treating her like blown glass he made sure that she knew he adored her and believed in her. His pledge to her was truer and more meaningful than any wedding vow I have every witnessed.

"Wyatt"

Wyatt Carmichael finally returns home to assume his position as the next alpha for the Sanctioned Pack Haven. Every day since his return he has been challenged and his body and mind are showing signs of wear and tear. Days later, his cousins Kelon and Donovan show up at Haven with their new mates in tow and Wyatt is glad to see them. When the tall, beautiful older sister of Lisa and Robin appears, Wyatt can't help the feelings that race through. He wants her with every breath that he has. He, however, is the alpha and alpha wolves do not mate with humans, no matter the desire. Putting his pack before Heather, Wyatt knows that in order to maintain his status, he can't show any weakness - and his weakness is a very human, very sensible Heather Delaney.

I loved watching the ever practical Heather fall in love with Wyatt. She was a nurse and therefore knew what she saw. She saw heartache, she saw death. With Wyatt she saw forever if only they could be together. Heather and Wyatt knew that their attraction to each other like the forbidden fruit but as in most cases, what is forbidden is usually the best fruit of all.

Having read all of Ms. McCarty's Ellora's Cave publications, I knew she was an author that delivers a well written story mixed with sizzling romance. What I didn't know was exactly how much her writing has improved and grown. I like how RUNNING WILD was unique in that each novella, or installment, in the book continued even after starting the next storyline. Because of this, RUNNING WILD flowed as smooth as fine wine. The characters were realistic, even though they were werewolves, and I could see myself falling in love with each at any given time. Sarah McCarty has taken paranormal romance to a whole new level with RUNNING WILD and I can't help but cheer her on from the sidelines!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHOLE.... NOTHA...... LEVEL!!!, June 4, 2008

By 

BreedLover "BreedLover" (Bethesda, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Running Wild (Mass Market Paperback)

Sarah McCarty is on a whole different level when it comes to writing! I just finished "Running Wild" and I bow down to greatness. Normally there is some disappointment when reading anthologies, as there is always a weak story. This was not the case here. What was so amazing is that there were 3 different stories but it felt like you were reading one book!

There is humor, adventure, kinship, and lots of hot SEX. The heroines are smart, sassy and endearing, and the MEN are SEX PERSONIFIED. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED WITH THIS READ, IT IS MONEY WELL SPENT.

I am salivaing right now waiting for the Hell's Eight 2nd installment. Sara McCarty is one author where I will buy without even reading what the book is about...SHE IS JUST THAT GOOD!!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another enjoyable McCarty book, June 19, 2008

By 

Book and Dog Lover (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Running Wild (Mass Market Paperback)

Sarah McCarty's books are an auto-buy for me. Although I'm not big into western historical romances, her Promises series and the Hell's Eight series are wonderful - strong characters, wonderful story lines, and some serious hot scenes that will leave you reaching for something cool to drink. It doesn't get any better.

Running Wild is a little bit different as you have 3 romances/inter-related stories combined into one book. Unlike other anthologies, you can't skip around and read each story on it's own - there's a continuous story that's weaved into the plot which works out well. Also unlike her other series, this book is set in current times and all the heros in this novel are werewolves.

If you're big into paranormals and werewolves, I'm not sure what you'll think of this book as I'll admit that I'm not big into paranormals - I like my characters to be human. But there's enough explanation so that someone who usually doesn't read paranormals feels comfortable reading this book.

While the female leads seemed a bit more well-defined and seemed to have more distinct personalities, I have to agree that I found the heros very similar in personality - there really didn't seem much to distinguish one from the other. That could be due to the short nature of each story. The shorter page count for each romance also explains why the characters meet and fall into bed with each other very quickly. I didn't totally buy it for each story but it's easy to put that aside and just enjoy the story.

Overall it's a fun read, though for me, not a keeper. I'll just look forward to the next Hell's Eight book.