Kindle Edition Download to your Nook (eBook) Amazon Author Laura Diamond Author Laura Diamond Category:  Young Adult/Teen Publisher: Etopia Press ISBN-10:  1939194176 Type: Fiction Copyright: Oct 31, 2012 ISBN-13: 9781939194176 New town, new love, new terror… Kicked out by his alpha father for nearly exposing their secret, seventeen-year-old Richard Leone is a shape-shifter without a pride. When the girl he loves is kidnapped, Richard must take on an entire rogue pride to save her and keep his human town safe from harm.  New town, new love, new terror… Kicked out by his alpha father for nearly exposing their secret, seventeen-year-old Richard Leone is a shape-shifter without a pride. Alone, homeless, and hungry, he forms a tenuous friendship with Derek, a power-hungry shifter from an unstable rogue pride. It’s either that, or starve. Until they encounter a gorgeous brunette, Molly, partying with friends around a campfire. Richard immediately feels a connection with her, and something about her calls to him. Almost as if she was supposed to be his mate. But when Molly is kidnapped, Richard must take on the entire rogue pride to save her and keep his human town safe from harm. Derek offers him a deal: he’ll help Richard take on the pride to rescue Molly, but only to secure his place as alpha. And once that happens, the humans could be in even more danger… Excerpt Under the shroud of dusk and leaves, we undressed and shifted into panthers. God, this was great! I shook my body and stretched my limbs, tail whipping back and forth to release pent up energy. Lifting my nose to the air, I tested nearby scents. The deer were moving away. Good. I needed to run again. Dodging trees and bounding over boulders, I traced along the deer trail, Derek loping beside me. I surged ahead, only to be matched by him. Fueled by competition, we raced through the forest, deer forgotten. A bitter scent smacked my nose. I shortened my stride and Derek pulled in front. I grunted and rushed to catch him, the odor of smoke strengthening all the while. People must be in the vicinity. I dashed in front of him, cutting him off, and lifted my head, opening my mouth wide to show him that he needed to pay attention to the smell. He skidded to a halt. I locked my legs to slow down and turned back to meet him. Tipping his head, he gestured for us to approach. I nodded. We came upon a circle of hemlock with enough space in the middle for campers to settle for the night. A bonfire, flanked on one side with three tents facing it, crackled in a stone-lined pit. Half a dozen people surrounded the blaze. Four boys chatted loudly, clanking beer bottles and throwing their heads back to chug. Jimmy was there. My claws extended. But that meant Molly had to be there too. Two girls sat on the other side of the fire roasting marshmallows. They huddled close to one another, whispering and giggling. The wind changed directions, carrying the scent of lavender to me in sweet wafts. I licked my chops, suppressing a whine. Molly. I lifted my paw, the need to be by her side dragging me forward, despite her rejection. She’d only done it because of her dick of a brother. No. Not in front of Derek. He hadn’t been too enthused about the group before, and I had no idea how he’d act around them in panther form. I eased down on my haunches. Derek gruffed softly and bumped his head into my shoulder while turning to leave. I didn’t—and couldn’t—follow. It was as if Molly’s soul had anchored me to her and I was powerless to break away even though staying meant I risked exposure. And if the others in the pride weren’t careful and roamed too close, they’d probably stumble into the clearing, sparring like idiots, without even knowing it. I had to move. Draw the others away somehow. I mewled. Convincing them was going to be like moving a mountain with a teaspoon.

New Pride
Laura Diamond has an excellent insight into what makes a great YA book. Always enjoy reading a story that is well written, has considerable character development, has an interesting point-of-view and generally excels in its genre. Look out Twilight Fans - if New Pride is the prequel, YA readers will really enjoy the novel, Shifting Pride which should release 12/2012. Really nice effort for author Laura Diamond.

Great for the Twilight Set
If you're a fan of "Twilight" and similar books then "Shifting Pride" is up your alley. Instead of a vampire or werewolf, Richard is more of a werecat--he turns into a panther. After his father sends him packing, Richard hooks up with a pack of other werecats who turn into lions, lynxes, bobcats, etc., but he's far more interested in Molly. She's an artist he finds in the woods and is far less annoying than Bella Swan. But his new pack isn't happy about him spending time with a normal person. You can see where that's heading.

As I said, if you like "Twilight" then you'll enjoy this. It's a fast-paced, exciting read. And the idea of turning into a panther is pretty cool.