Crank's Craving by Stormy Glenn and Lynn Hagen is the sixth book in the Lady Blue Crew series.

Crank recognized his mate, Anok, when he saw him on a planet they were visiting and couldn't leave him behind in danger, so when the Lady Blue escaped, so he grabbed Anok, and to say Anok is displeased would be mild. Anok is angry that he is stuck on a ship where he doesn't want to be, with a man who claims to be his mate. Anok doesn't believe in mates and wants nothing to do with Crank. The problem is that Crank is a cougar shifter and the first time they smell their mates, they are driven to claim them. Crank has less than one full moon to fully claim his mate or he will turn feral and become a danger to everyone on board. As the days go by, the need to mate with Anok becomes unbearable and Crank decides to stay away, confusing Anok by his behavior. Anok has no idea what is going on and when Crank talks their Ismay, their doctor, into sedating him to keep everyone safe, Remmy, the captain, finally begins to explain what is happening. What will Anok choose? As the danger to the Lady Blue escalates, they find fewer friends and places to hide. Can Anok find a way to help them uncover why they are being hunted before it is too late?

This is a fast-paced story with life-like characters that held me riveted from the start. I can't image how I would feel if I were first kidnapped, then learned that everyone on the ship had a price on their heads and every bounty hunter looking for them. I don't know if I would be more scared or furious over the situation. I enjoyed how the paranormal parts of the story added depth to the characters in how they dealt with different situations. The intense sorrow that Crank felt when Anok refused to be his mate and the physical changes he endured was sad, but even with all of that, he still did everything he could to keep Anok safe, even from himself. It was hysterical that when Anok decided to help, he went straight to the mates and they were more than willing to get into mischief with Gigi in the lead! There is never a dull moment on the Lady Blue!

Reviewed by: Teresa