In THE FIRE INSIDE, a lone and lonely werewolf learns that denying your true nature isn't always an option when fate has other plans.
Tyra Smith is a werewolf who experienced tremendous loss and suffering when she was a young girl. She has since vowed to herself that she will be independent and will have nothing to do with her werewolf culture. Tyra is too afraid of the deep emotions that she experienced to ever allow herself close to anyone again. All of that changes when Tyra accidentally meets Konrad after work one night.
Konrad is concluding a business meeting with another pack Alpha when he senses Tyra is in trouble and goes to offer aid. When he gets close enough, he realizes Tyra is his mate and he will do anything to have her. Tyra senses the immediate connection between her and Konrad but she is going to fight fate so she can remain emotionally protected and independent. Will or fate--which will win out?
Ms. Cavanaugh accomplished what a lot of authors struggle to do with short stories--she got me to feel invested in the characters. In a short number of pages, I was able to feel I understood Tyra's emotional distress--where it came from and why she wanted to fiercely protect herself from future heartache. I very much appreciated the fact that Tyra viewed the mate bond as a loss of free will and that she wanted a more substantial relationship with Konrad. The two of them getting to know each other and the building attraction were steamy, intense, fun and well-written.
I also very much enjoyed the fact that there was an external conflict and antagonist, affecting Tyra and Konrad and their relationship. This added layer of the story made it more enjoyable and kept it from becoming boring or overly predictable. This was a great story.
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