A Shift in the Water by Patricia D. Eddy

This book was brought to my attention by Kindle Unlimited.

I don't look up authors before I start reading their book. I wait until I have read enough of the book to start the review. And I have to admit I was scandalized when I learned that Patricia Eddy writes paranormal romance and erotica. A quick glance at her books confirmed I was reading one of her paranormal romances (which which was my aim) and after learning that, it seemed like only then the more racy passages of the novel started to show themselves. Her style reminds me of Anne Bishop's Black Jewels series.

The story alternates between Cade Bowman, alpha werewolf, and Mara Taylor, unaware water elemental, until they meet and continues the third person limited with both of them. Cade and his pack are attacked by Katerina, fire elemental and sister of Mara. Cade is kidnapped and charmed so he is unable to shift. Katerina announces her motivation for wanting him dead: as a child, she witnessed Cade's father kill her mother. Being stuck as the wolf causes Cade to forget all aspects of his human life and become more wolf than human. This goes on for several months until he manages to escape and he meets up with Mara.

Concurrently, Mara is making peace with coming to the end of her life (she's dying because she's not exercising her element of which she is unaware of). She takes a final vacation at her favorite hotel on the island where Cade is being held captive. Cade finds her, in his wolf form, and hides in her car. Mara doesn't realize he is there until she gets home, far away from where Katerina can easily pick up his trail. Mara nurses the wolf back to health, unknowingly using her water element to slowly break the charm on Cade, which also makes her feel better because she is exercising her element.

Once the charm is broken, Mara and Cade start a romance which brings a familiar theme from other depictions of werewolves where Cade imprints Mara as his mate. But Mara is hesitant because she doesn't believe she is a water elemental and is still convinced she is going to die. The two lovers also have to deal with the fate of Cade's pack and the pressing danger of Katerina looking to kill Cade, and likely Mara for helping him.

I liked this book. I like the elemental mechanics. The werewolves were pretty standard in their behaviors and rituals and I'm partial to werewolves so I'll just say it went a long way with me. I think the author made the plot (Cade vs. Katerina) secondary to the developing relationship/romance between Cade and Mara, and after reading the sample of book 2 (A Shift in the Air) I see now these books are going to focus more on the story that comes of developing relationships. Which isn't bad but I enjoy books more with a primary focus on the action, and a secondary focus on the romance.

Visit Patricia D. Eddy's site for more information about the author and how to purchase her books.