Patricia Briggs – Bang For Your Books

Title: Hunting Ground
Author: Patricia Briggs
Book in the Series: Book 2 in the Alpha and Omega Series
Page Number: 218 (foreplay starts on 217)
Scale Of Realistic Detail: 4. So the one actual bang in this book isn’t super detailed but the foreplay and aftercare described in other sections are specifically when it comes to healthy depictions of working through intimacy issues when one partner has been sexually abused. I will personally vouch for page 235-237 being good practice for breaking through triggers (although I tend not to describe things in wolf terms).
Is Anyone Involved A Virgin?: Nope.
Is Anyone Involved A Magical Creature?: Both partners are werewolves
Is It Consensual: Yes, in a very good way.
Is It A Plot Device: No. It’s important to character building and the overall theme of growing with your partner to become stronger but not necessarily plot essential. The book would be lesser for it though since it does give the characters a chance to grow closer and talk about questionable parts of their relationship.
Kinks Involved: Biting, submission, self restraint, Women in control
Bangs Per Book: 1 confirmed
Did You Feel Dirty For Reading This?: No, even through this book gave more detail to the sexual lives of the characters it didn’t feel dirty at all. I think it’s because the sex between them is used as a medium for growth, healing, and character development instead of “hey look at this isn’t it hot”. This book is much like the first in that the plot is interesting but the true story is how these two characters grow and help each other. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has been through sexual abuse, it can be triggering in some places but, the aftercare described and the amount of attention given to the needs and triggers of the main character can be very cathartic.

Title: Cry Wolf
Author: Patricia Briggs
Book in the Series: Book 1 in the Alpha and Omega Series (technically the series starts in the side story from an anthology so I recommend starting with that before reading this book. It also is in the same world and shares characters with the Mercy Thompson series)
Page Number: Foreplay starts on 114 actual banging on pg 116
Scale Of Realistic Detail: Aside from the super human strength ripping through clothes and one of the characters unresolved intimacy issues not being a problem for two pages but coming back immediately after this I’d give it a 4 out of 5.
Is Anyone Involved A Virgin?: No
Is Anyone Involved A Magical Creature?: Both are werewolves. Seriously, what is it with the werewolf thing?!
Is It Consensual: Yes. There are some issues with one of the characters having a history of abusive so having her consent enthusiastically to this is pretty nice.
Is It A Plot Device: Yes? So, these two are a mated pair and to seal their mystical bond they need to bang… it doesn’t work but brings them closer. It’s another one of those strange situations where even though there is a lot going on action wise and the “plot” of the book is the action the story that’s actually being focused on is their growing relationship. The fights and drama and having to defeat an evil witch are pretty much framework to explore how these two start to open up to each other.
Kinks Involved: Biting, Ripped clothes
Bangs Per Book: 3
Did You Feel Dirty For Reading This?: No. It’s a fairly straight forward urban fantasy. It’s not overly sexualized, if anything they spend more time on emotional care and relationship building than the sexy stuff and I quite enjoy that. I will give it props for the one Big Bang in the book taking 2 pages for foreplay. It was also nice to see a rushed but mostly realistic depiction of someone recovering from sexual abuse and working to form a healthy relationship. The only thing that made me feel dirty was that the last bang in the book (pg 293) is a pair of secondary characters including the Dad of the male lead. That’s a little weird. I understand why it’s in there and helps to give that character a little depth but it’s still a little awkward.