If you do decide to check out a 'Supernatural Romance' series, I'd recommend the Mercy Thompson series.
The main character (Mercy) is not a werewolf, but does have to negotiate an outsider role in a Werewolf pack. The novels in the series I've read were very different from Laurell K Hamilton's style and focus.
Have you tried Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series or Kim Harrison's the Hollows?
I'm a huge fan of the Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. While the main character isn't a werewolf, most of the supporting cast are. There's also a spinoff series called Alpha and Omega (No relation to the animated kids movie) that follows the adventures of a woman named Anna and her husband, both werewolves.
My favorite thing about this series is that unlike every other urban fantasy series I've read, the masquerade was broken a few decades before the series starts. There's a lot of interesting background detail about how the modern world is reacting to the suddenly revealed existence of the Fae, werewolves, and other supernatural beasties.
First, have fun on your road trip, and be safe!
Second, have you read any Patricia Briggs? She's been one of my favorite authors for about 20 years.
Her Mercedes Thompson series is my favorite - about a female mechanic who is the odd one out (coyote shifter) in a wolf pack. It's REALLY well done, and unlike most series I've read, it hasn't gotten tired yet although it's a half dozen books in.
The first one is Moon Called.
If you're looking for something non-fiction, then I highly recommend Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely - it's a riveting look at how emotion and human reaction drives economics. Totally mind-blowing.
You may like this Great main character, great series.
Or Falcon by Emma Bull great female bad guy.
Great female lead in Memory Sorrow and Thorn Complicated damaged. Strong-willed.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo This chick kicks ass.