Store owner Kiesha Morgan never expected to go to sleep in her Florida condo and wake up hanging by her wrists from a tree in North Carolina. But that's what she got for befriending a nut like Connor. The man was seriously over the edge, telling her werewolves existed and that one day she would see for herself. Taught tolerance of even the mentally deranged by her late mother, Kiesha had listened patiently to his insane drivel, letting most of it go in one ear and out the other. And now, with a wolf's wet nose shoved intimately up her nightshirt, she was paying the price.

With a dearth of female wolf shifters, veterinarian and Raven Pack Alpha Alex Wolfe isn't willing to settle for anything less than a true mate, a human compatible with his DNA. With one sniff, one taste of Kiesha's essence, he knows that Connor has found the true mate for him. Now, he faces the job of convincing her of that, while maintaining a tentative truce with a neighboring pack whose leader would like nothing more than to enlarge his territory by acquiring the land of Raven Pack any way he can.

True Mates begins Zena Wynn's reviewer-acclaimed True Mate series with the most masterfully written and attention-grabbing opening scene I've ever read. With effective ease and style, Ms. Wynn packs more plot, world building and superb characterizations into the novella-sized format than most writers can manage in mid-length novels.

Strong and independent Kiesha is a sexy size 16 and Alex - intelligent and sensitive man that he is - appreciates and loves her just the way she is. However, she runs her own life and isn't about to let a man do it for her, even one as appealing as Alex. Still, she feels at home with Alex and his pack, who accept her for herself, unlike her human friends who see her as either black or white, depending on their own skin color. In spite of the issues she and Alex encounter, they work together to overcome them in a mature and thoughtful way, making them worthy examples for all of us to follow in our everyday lives.

By all means, do not miss this first book from the talented pen of Zena Wynn. With an intriguing storyline, wonderful main characters, appealing secondary characters and plenty of hot sex, True Mates is an outstanding read.

Welcome to Refuge, North Carolina!

Reviewed by: Merrylee