Review: Play of Passion by Nalini Singh

Play of Passion
Author: Nalini Singh
Publication: Berkley; Original edition (November 2, 2010)


Description: In his position as Tracker for the SnowDancer pack, Drew Kincaid must rein in rogue changelings who've lost control of their animal halves- even if it means killing those who've gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage-to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite...and who threatens to enslave his wolf.


My Thoughts: To carry on from the somewhat misleading description above. (Drew is perfectly willing to be enslaved.) Indigo is a lieutenant in the SnowDancer pack. She is the best female fighter and a dominant wolf. Drew has has an interest in her for years but she has kept him at arm's length because a) he is a younger man, b) she was his trainer, c) she doesn't know where he fits in the wolf hierarchy, and d) she doesn't want to get involved with a wolf less dominant that she is.

Drew is one stubborn wolf and determined to overcome every one of Indigo's objections. He is outside the hierarchy because of his role as the pack Tracker. He has also cultivated an easy going personality so that people both wolves and human talk to him. He has developed quite a spy network for the pack Alpha. But his outer persona hides a stubbornness equal to Indigo's. 


Indigo has seen her aunt enter into a relationship with a wolf less dominant that herself and has seen the trouble, uncertainty and unhappiness that has caused her. She is determined not to follow in her aunt's footsteps. Also, falling in love and mating in the wolf world is scary. Laying your heart on the line can be a quick path to heartache.


After many trials and tribulations, Indigo and Drew come to an accommodation that both can live with. This was a very good romance between two very likable characters. Also, wrapped around the romance is the bigger story arc that concerns a war between the Psy council members that threatens to engulf not just the Psy but the wolves and the humans too. 


Favorite Quote:

When he broke the kiss, he didn't pull away, but brushed his nose affectionately against hers. "Think of it as a date."


At that moment, for the first time in forever, Indigo decided what the hell. It was a beautiful, sunshiny day in San Francisco; she was with a gorgeous, sexy man who couldn't keep his hands off her; and, given their underhanded tactics to date, the group of Psy behind the current attempts to brew up trouble weren't about to  come in guns blazing anytime soon. "In that case." she said, sliding her arm around his waist,  "you have to buy me an ice cream."

Check out this website for a listing of the previous books in the Psy/Changeling series.