Review: Cherished by Belinda Boring

Cherished (Mystic Wolves #2)
by Belinda Boring
ebook
Published August 27th 2011 by Moonstruck Media
Courtesy of author

For a moment, Darcy almost convinced herself the last twelve hours didn’t happen. As image after image hits her, the sinking realization of all she’s lost overwhelms her and all she can think of is to run. Run far away where her shame can’t find her, and most of all, where she’ll never have to see the look of blame in Mason’s eyes. Feeling like a complete failure, she scrambles to make plans. But the voice of her mate-to-be penetrates her frantic thoughts, asking for the chance to show her just how much she is loved. 
It hurts Mason deeply to hear Darcy’s thoughts, knowing the events of the previous night have completely rattled her. Grieving over the death of his beloved sister Jasmine, Mason knows he has to act fast. Darcy is all he’s ever wanted and the idea of life without her is unacceptable. Armed with his unswerving love and wolfish charm, he sets out to remind Darcy just how valuable she is and why there is no one else for him but her. 
Can Darcy let go of the shame of failure consuming her or will Mason convince her that after all is said and done, she truly is… Cherished?

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My Thoughts:
Cherished is an emotional rollercoaster as Darcy and Mason come to grips with the loss of a sister, the betrayal of a friend and find that together, they can face anything.


In Without Mercy where we were introduced to Darcy, a young woman and the intended werewolf mate of pack alpha Mason, whose simple trip to the convenient store with her future sister-in-law turns tragic. Cherished begins not even 24 hours later with Darcy hoping it was all just a frightening nightmare only to wake up and discover it was anything but. She is torn with guilt over the loss of Jasmine and the fierceness in which she took a life, unable to face her pack and intended mate she plans to run away when Mason steps forwarded, hearing her thoughts. Determined to prove that he loves her no matter what and her place is with him, Mason sets aside his alpha duties and sets out to prove to Darcy that as long as they love each other, they can get through anything - together. 

Cherished is a different type of tale then Without Mercy; where as in Without Mercy we experienced a lot of action and suspense without getting too much into the characters mindset in Cherished it’s all about the characters and their emotions. Full of passion, love and romance; Darcy and Mason help each other through the guilt and aftermath of the attack and as we delve into their characters more they in turn are learning more about each other. Darcy and Mason fortify their bond with each other while ramping up the sexual tension. We also delve into the pack’s dynamics, learn a bit more about the paranormal world Belinda Boring has created with Mystic Wolves, and see how Darcy and Mason first met. In which all of this opens up story lines for future books. I think of the series as a television series; you get little 30 minute episodes at a time that keeps you in suspense wondering what will happen next week!


I waffled between a 3.5 and 4 when rating Cherished because there was a lot of dialogue and rehashing of feelings and events with little to no action and suspense, but with the intense heart-wrenching emotion the author weaved on every page I’m sticking with a 4. I do not recommend this as a standalone; you should read Without Mercy before delving into Cherished.  A quick dip into the paranormal world and a nice break from full length novels, I can’t wait to read what happens next and hope that we can hurry up and get to this mating bond ceremony! ;)


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Rating: 4 Wine Glasses

Sexual Content: Fogs up the windows - Sexual tension and nudity, nothing erotic or 18+ only.