Review: "Tempting the Enemy" by Dee Tenorio

I recently received an advance reader's copy (ARC) of Dee Tenorio's Deceiving the Protector, Book 2 of Tenorio's Resurrection series. I really enjoyed the series' first book, Tempting the Enemy, so I decided to do a quick re-read before diving into Deceiving the Protector.

Here's the blurb for Tempting the Enemy from the author's website:

Detective Pale Rysen, an Alpha, is determined to secretly rebuild the Wolf packs from the ashes of genocide. When a killer starts picking off young females looking for sanctuary, it's his job to protect them. Forced to work with a hated enemy, he fears his cover will be blown.

Jade-Scarlet's membership in the powerful Order of the Sibile has always been controversial. A half-wolf, Jade's unstable psychic powers are a disappointment to her mercenary handlers. So when the Oracle commands her to work with Pale, Jade must prove herself...even if it means challenging the enigmatic shifter.

Yet Pale triggers more than her curiosity. He sends her into Heat, and the intense sexual attraction could mean losing control of her gifts—something she can't allow. As the number of victims rises, so does the danger. A murderous darkness wants them both dead. But even if they stop the killer, how long can they fight each other?

Tempting the Enemy was just as enjoyable the second go around. It was an interesting world with very likeable characters. I loved how Tenorio wrote Pale; he's a true alpha hero - honorable, possessive, but patient and tender with his potential mate. The heroine isn't a push over either. Jade is a beautiful match for an alpha; she can protect herself but knows when she needs help or should heed advice. I love this scene in which Jade allows Pale to show his possessiveness yet lets him know that its because she allows it.

She was safe. Safe and exactly where she needed to be. That is, until Rysen reached down and swept her up into his hold. Cradled in his arms, she opened her mouth to protest, but the hard command in his eyes kept her silent. Something...Wolf was going on and he needed her not to fight it...If she was right and Rysen was the Alpha of this particular group, undermining his authority would be about as healthy for her as slashing her own wrists.

Besides, his arms around her felt good.

Still. "You know I'm allowing this, right?"

His mild grunt was matched with a slight squeeze around her thighs. "If you say so."

So he knew he was being pandered to. She shrugged and slid her arms around his neck, breathing him in and letting him have his way. She pulled a touch of moonlight, just enough to make her point, and let her palm heat against his neck as they passed the two other men. Not to sizzle, just to tease. She smiled into his shoulder when she felt his breath hitch. She brought her lips to Rysen's ear. "Just so you don't forget."

The whodunit was also a nice backdrop for the growth of Pale and Jade's relationship. Definitely a nice twist. I highly recommend trying out Dee Tenorio's work. Rating: 5/5