Official Review: Secrets Unleashed by Denise Daigle

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Twoey21
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Latest Review: "Secrets Unleashed" by Denise Daigle

Official Review: Secrets Unleashed by Denise Daigle

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[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Secrets Unleashed" by Denise Daigle.]

“Secrets Unleashed” is the second installment of Denise Daigle’s Cajun Werewolves series. It’s basically under paranormal romance.

The story opens with Dena Boudreaux, who is a detective. She learns that she will become Loup Garoux -- a werewolf species -- by virtue of her pregnancy, and by her discovery that she comes from a long line of werewolf royalty. She also becomes romantically aware of the packmaster and her child's guardian, Duke Fontenot. When she receives death threats and comes upon murders, the detective in her comes alive and steps up to uncover a plot to murder her.

I haven’t had the chance to read the first book, but I would give this book 1 out of 4 stars. I have to honestly say that this novel is not yet ready for publishing. At the outset, the book needs a lot of work when it comes punctuation,to grammar and diction. On a deeper level, narrative-wise, it needs some work, too. The storyline is very interesting and makes the reader yearn for more back story, more in-depth insights on the characters’ motivations, feelings, and thoughts.

The writing works on the assumption that the reader has already read the first book, which could be pretty unsatisfying for those who get to read the second book first by chance. Some details were pretty inconsistent, too: the way that the character states his intention to do something, but doesn’t follow through, and no explanation or transitory situation is given about the change. The characters seem to have inconsistent personalities, probably because not much insight or back story was given to explain why the character acts the way he or she does.

What I like about this book is its relatively unique take on the subject of werewolves. There are many romance books on werewolves and shape-shifters out there, but this is the first time I have encountered a royal bloodline. The book also showed an experience of changing from a human into an animal, I also like how poignant the romance storyline is: connected love lives, jealousy, unrequited love. I want to see more into the seemingly elite culture of the Loup Garoux and the less glamorous, shady Roux Ga Roux.

What I really didn’t like is how unnatural the dialogue and characterization was. A lot of the dialogue is not consistent with how the author wanted to portray the characters. The details need fleshing out in order to give the reader an immersive experience in the characters’ world. She needs to show the story through imagery and entry into the characters’ minds, let the story unfold naturally, rather than “tell” the story with abrupt sequences that don’t have natural transition in between.

But despite all its shortcomings, the author has a solid storyline here. I would love to read the book again after it has been thoroughly edited.

***
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Latest Review: "Secrets Unleashed" by Denise Daigle
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