Review of Cade by V.A. Dold w/Rafflecopter giveaway!

Holy mother of OMG!  As most know, I don’t read shifter books.  Yes, I know that I’m one of the few so when I come across one that I never wanted to end, I will shout it from the rooftops.  A couple of disclaimers first:  1.  I know the author.  In fact, I’m a blog tour host for her.  2.  I did receive this book from her and her fingers have been crossed for some time.  Relax woman!  3.  Again, I don’t like shifter books but this one…when is the next one out again?

Let me just say that Cade is a dream.  Sexy, smart and clearly devoted to Anna from the start.  He’s an Alpha without the attitude.  Well, unless someone touches Anna.  His brother Stefan does this with regularity just to push Cade’s buttons but their interaction is brotherly and extremely funny.  I can’t wait until Stefan meets his mate.  There will definitely be pay back.  LOL!  Cade is rich but never comes off as a snob.  Sure he knows most of the people in the city of NOLA but he is never crass, uppity or standoffish.  He’s devoted, loves his family and especially Anna.

Anna sure had some baggage when she came to NOLA.  Namely her attitude towards her physical self but more importantly her slimy ex-husband Tim.  There were scenes with him that I wanted to do physical harm to him but in the end, he got is coming.  Karma is a *it*h and his name is Etienne.  Did I mention that he is a vampire?  Oh yes, and I loved him.  I would love to know more about him.

The world building that Ms. Dold has built surrounding NOLA is fresh.  Yes, the paranormal world has its rules and for the most part they uphold them.  Watching Anna when Cade explain his world to her was refreshing.  Then when Anna’s sons come to visit from Denver.  The scene on the porch was priceless.  Again, Ms. Dold explained it in a way that made perfect sense.

I could go on and on about this book.  But there is a WARNING:  DO NOT SKIP THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS AFTER THE PROLOGUE.  It sets up the whole book.  Trust me on this.  If not, the story and their romance will NOT make sense.  It’s very important.  And you are welcome!

I will definitely say that the scenes with Cade’s brother Simon were heartbreaking for me.  But only then do we find out Anna’s true ability and its a good one.  Of course, the after Thanksgiving scene with the whole family and Anna’s friend Rose…Lord have mercy.  Ms. Dold, I can’t wait that long for that to play out.

Again, there are so many layers to this series and Ms. Dold has done a wonderful job of starting us off with Cade and Anna.  I can’t wait for more and I’m sure that I’m not the only one.

Did I mention that this is a debut author, too?  *thud*  *faints*  I wish I could write like this.

Prologue- The Plan“Emma, we need to take matters into our own hands or they’ll never find their mates.” Isaac Le Beau set his snifter down before he crushed the glass in frustration. “We have seven virile, grown sons, who after two hundred years haven’t found their mates. If we don’t step in and give a hand to the wolf-goddess Luperca, our sons may spend their lives alone, without children to raise and without their other half to love. Dang it, I want some grandchildren, while I’m still young enough to enjoy them.”
He slowly raised his head and gazed at the love of his life, Emma. She was a unique blend of Romanian gypsy heritage and a very powerful voodoo priestess. Even after two centuries her exotic sparkling dark eyes and compact killer soft curves left him breathless. Some would classify her as a big, beautiful woman. He called her ‘sex on a stick‘. He swore she controlled every beat of his heart.
The warmth and agreement in those mesmerizing eyes silently prompted him to continue.
“Would you do your high-priestess voodoo thing and ask the spirits to identify their mates? With some influence we could bring them together, so they can recognize them on their own. I don’t want to force a meeting. Simply provide the opportunity. How about it, will you give it a try?” Isaac asked.
He knew Emma wouldn’t deny him. “Of course, I’ll perform the ritual, but I can’t give you any guarantees. All I can do is try. If we are truly blessed, Luperca will appear to me and give this endeavor her approval. I want our sons happy and I’d love to have a dozen grandchildren running around the house, too.”
Isaac opened his arms wide, inviting Emma to slide onto his lap. He buried his face into her hair breathing in her unique scent. The familiar fragrance calmed him like nothing else. He was confident everything would change for his sons very soon. He could hardly wait for each of them to meet their one true mate. No wolf should go fourteen hundred years alone.Two weeks later, they enjoyed the cool breeze that came off the river, flowing through the open windows. A secret little smile lit up Emma’s entire face and her fingers tapped a tune on her cut crystal wine glass. He knew that expression well.
“Out with it, Emma,” Isaac said with a grin of his own. “What is it you’re dying to tell me?” He waited patiently for her to tell him her grand news.
Emma actually bounced in her seat. “I received answers from the goddess.” She clapped her hands excitedly. “Cade’s mate is in New Orleans right now. Her name is Anna James. The goddess said she has had many unhappy years, but is now open to finding her one true love. Isn’t that fantastic? Two days from now she is destined to be in Jackson Square and then stop to eat lunch at Crescent City Brewhouse. She’ll be in the bar around eleven-thirty. As for the rest of the boys, the goddess said we must have patience. She’ll grant me visions in my dreams or come to me for each of them when the time is right.”
A surge of excited energy rushed through him as a hundred butterflies took up residence in his stomach. This must be what it felt like to win the lottery he thought. “We’ll have to move fast. We need to think of a way to get Cade there at the right time.”
“Maybe we can come up with a way to use Jackson square? Cade sits there so often it might be an option?” Emma offered.
“Maybe.”
He rubbed his chin, forehead crinkled in deep thought. “First we need to get him out of his home office and into the French Quarter. The bank called yesterday about a restaurant up for sale. I’ll have them schedule a meeting with Cade to review our investments and recommend this new opportunity.” He tapped his chin as the plan took shape, mumbling as he worked it out. He stood and paced across the room, prowled like the animal he was. He couldn’t think properly sitting down.
As he strode back and forth, he noted she had settled into an easy chair to watch him.
“That’ll get him to the city,” he thought aloud as he continued to tap his finger on his chin. “You’re right about his constant people watching, I’m sure he’ll take a walk and perhaps sit a while. A possibility.” Isaac cupped his jaw in his hand and rubbed the coarse stubble.
A satisfied smile tugged at his lips. “I’ve got it! I’ll ask him to meet me for lunch at Crescent City at eleven-thirty. Richie tends the bar, he’ll know the mating signs. When Cade arrives, goddess willing, he will sense his mate. I’ll have Richie tell him I won’t be able to make it. If I’m not there for lunch he will be free to spend time with her.”
Smile broadening, he folded his arms across his chest and nodded. They had a solid plan. In less than a week he could have his first daughter-in-law. Isaac settled into his leather captain’s chair. “I’ll arrange everything with Richie.” He felt two hundred years younger, like the bold robust young man who had swept his mate off her feet. By the wistful expression Emma wore, he must look it, too.
As he sipped his rich, sweet cognac, he imagined a baby in Emma’s lap, sleeping peacefully while a toddler played with blocks on the floor. His sigh brought her attention to him with a raised brow. She would laugh if she knew what he was dreaming.
A smile continued to pull at his lips. He couldn’t help it. He was very pleased with his little romance ambush, positive it would be successful. Cade was in for a wonderful surprise in two days’ time.
“Now that we have the plan, what do you think she will be like? Did the goddess give you any hints?”
She laughed. “No, you silly man, the goddess doesn’t have time for things like that.”
“You know he has always favored curvy women. I sure hope she isn’t skinny, he might not even look at her if she is.” A little shiver ran through him. “Remember the gal he dated who looked a lot like you? She was a plus sized beauty. Cade never said anything, but Marcus drove him crazy with that ‘Oedipus’ nickname.” He laughed as he recalled the antics of the boys.
“You’re right, he does like a woman with meat on her bones. All the boys do.”