J. J. Massa is author to several shape shifter/vampire books. Acting Like Family is the first of the Montgomery series. This is also the first book I've read by this author.

Being a famous actor, Riker Montgomery is used to finding unwanted women in his hotel rooms. After returning from a Chicago set for his new movie, he finds yet another woman in his room, but he senses that she is special: his life mate, the one woman who will make his life complete.

Through a mix up at the airline, Bethany Black, an author in Chicago to sign a new book contract, finds herself staying over in Chicago another night. The airline gets her a hotel room but puts her in Riker's room by mistake. When Bethany wakes from a bad dream, Riker is there to give her comfort the only way he knows how--by holding her close. Nevertheless, that awakens the wolf looking to mate. Bethany and he share one glorious night together and when he awakens the next morning, he finds that she has disappeared. Riker then begins the search to find his mate.

After finding a newspaper article that Riker is always finding women in his bed, Bethany feels that he will think of her as just another one of the groupies. She is embarrassed and ashamed that she has acted so out of character, and she runs away. As time goes on, she realizes that she should have given her feelings for Riker another chance.

When she discovers her pregnancy, she tries to reach him, only to again fail. However things take a twist after her twin boys are born. Riker's lawyer shows up and tries to kidnap them, trying to hurt Bethany in the process. Now she and the babies are on the run across country with nowhere to turn and no one to trust.

A reunion between Riker and Bethany can change the fate and future of the Montgomery pack. However, will they be reunited or separated for all time?

J. J. Massa's Acting Like Family was a fast paced, full of tension read--one of those books where you die to get to the end to know what happens. Then when you arrive, you wish you had never gotten there. Strong characters, the good, the bad, and a well-written story make this one worth keeping. This author is going on my list of authors to watch for.

Reviewed By Tammy Adams
© February 2005

The review is of a previously published version of this title.