Deadlock: Southern Arcana, Book 3 [Kindle Edition]

Carmen Mendoza is part human, empath and werewolf. Though she is unable to shift, her father's werewolf family has repeatedly tried to mate her for political gain. Things are taken too far when a witch is hired to cast a spell to bring out her dormant werewolf. Now under the spell that is tearing her apart, Carmen turns to the only man able to calm her wolf. New Orleans unofficially belongs to Alec Jacobson. After seeking revenge against those who killed his human wife, Alec separated himself from his important shape shifting family and now takes care of those in need. Carmen doesn't just stir his protective instincts but ignites a desire in him that drives him to want to shake up the ruling class and make a permanent change in the system.

Alec and Carmen are one of my favorite PNR couples. They work together great without it seeming forced. Alec is an alpha plain and simple. It's in him to protect and dominate. Carmen is a doctor that puts everything she has into her work. Her submission to Alec is something she gives willingly and even craves it. Their relationship moves a bit quickly but the chemistry and primal heat between the two makes it feel as if they have been a couple for years. The arrival of Carmen in Alec's life not only helps heal the wounds left by the murder of his wife but also gives him motivation needed to challenge those who are in the seats of power to make life better for shifters who were not born into a family of privilege. Carmen is with Alec every step of the way even when things become extremely personal and Carmen will have to pick between her own family and Alec.

Aside from the relationship between Alec and Carmen, what I also really liked about Deadlock was the amount of progress that is made in the continuing story line. In werewolf society, changed wolves are looked down upon and are not considered equals to purebloods. Old families have all the important positions and people are easily corrupted by wealth and power. Alec and Carmen know first hand about this because both of their families have tried to use them as pawns in their own movements to obtain a higher status. Alec has been content with just being the alpha of New Orleans but once Carmen's family attempts a potentially deadly spell on her, Alec starts to put plans in action to end the rule of unjust leaders and try and make life better for all.

I enjoyed everything about Deadlock. Carmen is a wonderful heroine that has her own mind and isn't afraid to express her feelings and Alec is the troubled alpha hero that had me wrapped around his strong, masculine fingers. There are moments of laughter and heartache mixed in with right amount of action and touching moments. You know Carmen and Alec have difficult times ahead in order to make significant changes in the political structure but you have confidence they will accomplish what they set out do and give every bit of themselves trying. I know when I start a Moira Rogers book that I'm in for a good read and I think they outdid themselves with Deadlock.

Alec Jacobson is an Alpha wolf and the unofficial head honcho of New Orleans even if he won't claim a title of authority for himself. Anything happens in the Shifter community and everyone turns to Alec--or runs away from him as fast as they can. Alec is most commonly referred to as a jerk, but he is a titan among shifters and the man who takes in shifters who have been forcibly changed. He teaches them how to live as wolves. His past is a brutal one, it keeps him from seeking power, but his time has come and his choices removed. He must fight those in power to save the people he loves.

Dr. Carmen Mendoza comes from a powerful shifter family. It's unfortunate that she was born only part wolf. Carmen is an empath with a human mother. Her father abandoned them when she was a child because he wanted more power. Once again her father wants power only this time he needs Carmen to get it and he is willing to do anything achieve his goals.

When Carmen is kidnapped Alec is on the case. He finds her but that is only the beginning. Alec cannot deny the pull between the two of them and neither can Carmen. Together they will begin a dangerous game of survival. Alec's only goal is to find out who wants to harm Carmen, why and eliminate them.

The shifter world gets turned upside down in Deadlock. Change has been coming for a long time. Alec has been backed into a corner. He can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch the people he cares about be treated like pawns in a game. The time to act is now or never. Who will be left alive when the dust settles?

I am a huge fan of this series. Moira Rogers has created so many wonderful characters within the series. I must admit that I was a little bit disappointed when I discovered the third book in the series was going to be Alec and Carmen's book. Like many I have been dying for Andrew and Kat's book, but let me just say I was definitely not disappointed in Deadlock. I look back now and realize I would have missed out on a truly beautiful story.

Deadlock is a fantastic exciting addition to the series. Alec and Carmen are outstanding! I am so in love with Alec it's ridiculous. Alec and Carmen are phenomenal together. They will tear the house down with the fiery passion stirring between them. Deadlock captured my attention from page one and I remained riveted throughout. There is a lot going on in Deadlock being the third in the series it may be a little difficult to understand the politics in the shifter world and you miss some details regarding supporting characters. I recommend starting from the beginning of this series but it's not totally necessary to enjoy Deadlock it just makes it more fulfilling. The Southern Arcana series is one of my all time favorites. Anyone that enjoys novels featuring domineering Alpha wolves and the sassy women determined to show them the error of their ways will love Deadlock.

Miranda
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I'm not going to go into the plot b/c other reviewers have. I've always liked Alec, and here we got to see his softer side. I was worried anything but the tough guy persona would seem like a personality transplant, but the authors did a great job of revealing Alec's depth through Carmen while remaining true to the character. I thought Alec's dead wife was dealt with extremely well. Since her murder had been the motivating force behind pretty much everything he's done since, it couldn't be glossed over, and Alec's struggles to come to terms with his feelings for his wife and her death as he was falling in love with Carmen was heartbreaking and inspiring.

I love the introduction of the Mendoza family, but the underlying story about her father trying to force Carmen to becoming a wolf fell flat for me. I do hope to see more of Carmen's brothers Julio and Miguel. Much to my surprise, I was on the edge of my seat during the political scenes re. the Conclave and Council seats (I don't follow real life politics, so I get bored when reading about supernatural political problems).

We got to see Jackson, Derek and Nicole, Kat and Andrew, and Michelle and Luciano (I really hope these two get together), which was nice. The authors have a way of keeping readers up-to-date with other characters without interupting the flow of the story.

Overall, this was a quick read with lots of romance (maybe too much for my taste) and action. I'd give it 3 1/2 stars.