Stripped Bear by Kate Baxter

Get lost in the powerful, sexy novella by Kate Baxter where one alpha shifter will do whatever it takes to claim the woman he can *bearly* resist...

Caden Mitchell is the ultimate alpha. Known to most as a smoldering hot billionaire, his secret weapon- the ability to shapeshift into a strong and deadly bear- allows him to be the most ruthless enforcer of the Sotari, a paranormal organization tasked with keeping the course of Fate on the right track. But when the ailing health of his grandmother leads him back home, the luscious curves of his childhood nemesis will be too much to resist...

Leah Ridgeway never expected Caden to give her the time of day. With his abs cut from stone and powerful, strong arms, she knows there's no chance he's interested in her handful of curves. But Caden is tormented by thoughts of her beautiful body. And when evil threatens Leah's very life, Caden will stop at nothing to keep her safe...and claim her as his mate...

Awesome  short-novel, just the kind of story that I love when it comes to shapeshifters and mating-bond.

Caden and Leah are an amazing and very hot couple. He's a bear shapeshifter and Leah is a normal girl. Their attraction, the dominant character of him and his ways a bit caveman style, who doesn't want to allow anything and nothing to get between him and his mate and the stubbornness of her, with her sharp tongue, are the strength of this story.

Leah is human but subconsciously, since she was only a teenager, she fell in love with Caden, but because of their age difference he rejected her badly, hurting her feelings, but fate, and his " sweet Granny"  remedying the damage done by him, although Leah is anything but condescending.

I'm sorry only for its brevity, it would have deserved a real novel, giving them more space, I really like how this author writes.

I'm very curious about Sotari, the organization Caden works for and I absolutely want to read the story of the last vampire that Sotari wants to kill at all costs.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the kind preview.

Rating: 4 stars

TITLE : Stripped Bear

AUTHOR: Kate Baxter

PUBLISHER : St. Martin's Press

Fantastica short-novel, proprio il tipo di racconto che adoro quando si tratta di shapeshifters e mating-bond.

Caden e Leah sono una coppia veramente stupenda e hot. Lui un orso shapeshifter e lei una normale ragazza. La loro attrazione, il carattere dominante di lui e i suoi modi un po' da cavernicolo, che non vuole permettere a niente e nulla di mettersi tra lui e la sua mate e la testardaggine di lei, con le sue risposte sempre pronte, sono la forza di questo racconto.

Leah è umana ma inconsciamente, sin da quando era solo un'adolescente, si sentiva spinta verso Caden, ma lui visto la differenza di età l'aveva allontanata in malo modo, ferendo profondamente i suoi sentimenti, ma il destino, e la cara "nonnina" di Caden rimediano al danno fatto da lui, anche se Leah è tutt'altro che condiscendente.

Mi è solo dispiaciuto per la sua brevità, avrebbero meritato una vera novella in modo da potergli dedicare più spazio, mi piace molto come scrive questa autrice.

Mi incuriosisce molto anche la Sotari, l'organizzazione per cui lavora Caden e voglio leggere la storia dell'ultimo vampiro che la Sotari vuole eliminare a tutti i costi.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la St. Martin's Press per la gentile anteprima.

Voto: 4 stelle

TITOLO: Stripped Bear

AUTHOR: Kate Baxter

PUBLISHER: St. Martin's Press

Alphas on the Prowl (Shifters Romance Boxed Set)

Alpha shifters are on the prowl, and they're used to getting what they want. But there's more to claiming a destined mate than raw power, and they'll have to prove themselves worthy – in more ways than one.

Alphas on the Prowl offers page after page of passion and pleasure in this box set featuring eleven NEW tantalizing shapeshifter tales from NY Times and USA Today best selling authors.

I received an ARC of Alphas on the Prowl in exchange of my honest review.

First thing I must say I really enjoy this box set about shifters and their mate. I think reading this short stories it's one of the best way to discover new authors. Write a short-story it's more difficult than write a complete novel, you have only a few pages to tell a good story, it's not so easy.

Now I'm going to review the box set.

“Wolf Fever by Catherine Vale

Curvy Isabella is about to discover exactly why she can't stop crushing on the gorgeous, and mysterious Marshall Reede. Can the plus size beauty handle the explosive passion of a sexy and edgy wolf?

Hot story and funny to read thanks to Isabella POV. The story is all about the "mating heat" between Isabella and her neighbor. Short but I enjoyed reading about their encounter during a mascarade.

RATING: 3 stars

A Shot At Lover by Gina Kincade

Micah mistakenly walks away from the man he loves. He watches from afar, suffering jealousy at the first sign of another man in his lover’s house. Will he convince Jason they belong together?

I really loved this story by Gina Kincade, sweet and so full of feelings, Micah's longing for Jason, the jealousy he feels, his desire to win back his ex-lover. One of my favourite story 

 RATING: 4.5 stars

Dragon’s Dream Dancer by Jami Brumfield

Trey is on the hunt for a dangerous dream assassin and runs into a woman that shatters his reality. One problem, she's the sister of the woman he is duty bound to turn over to the authorities.

This was a surprise. I really liked the world created by Jami Brumfield, intriguing, and a story well written with a good plot, action and amazing characters. 

RATING: 4 stars

Hers to Protect by Amy Lee Burgess

Hailey Green is the girl who got away. Ryan Campbell needs to prove he’s worth a second chance, but first he must accept the wolf as well as the woman.

Really nice story. Ryan did his worst in the past with Haley breaking her heart, because the truth about her, being a wolf, scared him. But now he wants to make it up to her, and he finds out he is still in love with her. I loved their story, it's beautiful and I really enjoyed reading it.

RATING: 4 stars

The Talented Mr. MacGregor by Tasha Black

Mild-mannered alpha JD MacGregor is every schoolgirl’s crush. Passions ignite when he ends up looking for clues (and his pants) at a dinner party where the guests are far from innocent.

I read it, but I wasn't very impressed with the story and its characters. I found it a little boring. I'm sorry.

RATING: 2 stars

Exiled: A Lunar Falls Novella by Lashell Collins

Exiled from his pack for conspiracy to commit treason against his Alpha, fate – and a beautiful woman from home – brings Zach Mason face-to-face with the one man who has vowed to kill him on sight.

I loved this one. Zach is everything Sarah doesn't need and want in her life, but he's her mate. A beautiful story, well written and I really liked them as a couple, their bond, their love for each other, but also their need to return home. 

RATING: 4 stars

The Wolf In The Neighborhood by Phoenix Johnson

What do you do when your past comes back to haunt you?

Could a dark secret revealed by a new lover be something you could overlook just to have him?

Nice story. Krissy met her new neighbor Derek and from the beginning the attraction is mutual, but Derek is hot, but also a very good guy, and werewolf. But Krissy's ex fiancè is not so good, and the troubles start for them. The end seems to me a little bit cliffhanger.

RATING: 3 Stars

Scent of a Scandal by Annie Nicholas

Awe and Isnay have been secretly flirting, but they can’t be together since neither “of their packs will bless the union. Is desire to follow pack law stronger than their desire for each other?”

So sweet and amazing this story written by Annie Nicholas. I loved it and I want to read more more about them. 

RATING: 5 stars

“Desert Wolf 2 by Anna Lower

Nothing has ever scared this big, bad alpha as much as his mate’s pregnancy, especially when their quiet weekend getaway doesn't go according to plan. A whimsical tale of hope, fear, and undying love.

This is the kind of story why I'm in love so much with shapeshifters stories. Hot and sweet, and a mate so strong and dominant, but Who cares so much for his mate and their baby. I really enjoyed Desert Wolf.

RATING: 5 stars

Captive Moonlight by Sarah Mäkelä

When her betrothed, Joe, is taken captive by a group of men looking for werewolf laborers, it’s up to Charlotte to track him down and win him back—even if that means putting her own life on the line.”

I really liked the setting of the story and the two characters. Charlotte is very brave, she loves Joe and she's going to do everything she can to rescue him. A story a little dark, but I liked it very much.

RATING: 4 stars

Wolf's Honor by Ambrielle Kirk- Caedmon Wolves #6

Wolf shifter Connor Maxim is a law-abiding citizen. His motto: Keep the peace. Protect the Pack. His firm, Maxim Securities, was created for this purpose. His honor will be tested when he's called to deliver on his vows.

The homicide rate escalates to an all time high on Pack territory and all evidence points to two prevalent wolf packs: the Caedmon and the Arnou. The Feds give the leaders of both Packs an ultimatum and a three day deadline. They must find the source of the murders before the Feds intervene.

When a police raid goes awry, Connor's world collides with that of Antonia Trudeau's. Under the guise of a striking spitfire of a woman--who happens to be his mate--is also a criminal with a healthy rap sheet. He must decide if love is worth more than duty and honor.

Antonia circumvents more than just the laws...she captures Connor's heart.

Nice and very fast to read. I would consider it a short novella, given its length.

If I'm being honest I had not noticed that it was the sixth book in a series and certainly read before the other books would help me to know more about the character of Connor. Though the story itself between Connor and Antonia can  be read quietly alone.

I love the shapeshifter and their stories when they encounter their mate, a bond  so special and I like  itvery much.

Connor is a wolf used to keep their distance from the rest of the Pack, but his role is crucial because, thanks to his father who is human and plays an important role in security at the Pentagon and Connor's private agency that deals with security and investigations,  he manages to cover and protect the pack from possible interference by humans, who are not aware of the existence of shapeshifters.

I found the story interesting, and unusual with regard to one of the two Alpha, I don't want to make spoiler about it, the plot is also full of action and I didn't mind it.

Angela has lived a difficult life, and not very exemplary, along with her twin brother and in Connor  she can find the fable that she has always dreamed of.

A shame it's so short, I would have liked a story much longer about their relationship.

 

Thanks to netgalley and the author for the book.

RATING: 3 stars

TITLE: Wolf's Honor

AUTHOR: Ambrielle Kirk

SERIESs: Caedmon Wolves # 6

PUBLISHER: Obsidian Gem Publishing LLC

Carino e molto rapido da leggere. Lo considererei più una novella breve , vista la sua lunghezza.

Se devo essere onesta non mi ero accorta che era il sesto libro di una serie e certamente leggere prima gli altri libri mi avrebbe aiutato a conoscere di più il personaggio di Connor. Però la storia in sé tra Connor e Antonia si può leggere tranquillamente da sola.

Adoro i mutaforma e le storie che raccontano quando incontrano le loro mate, e un legame particolare che mi piace molto

Connor è un lupo abituato a mantenere le distanze dal resto del branco, ma il suo ruolo è importantissimo, perché ,grazie a suo padre che è umano e ha un ruolo importante nella sicurezza al Pentagono, e grazie alla propria agenzia privata che si occupa di sicurezza e investigazioni, riesce a coprire e proteggere il branco da possibili interferenza dagli umani, che non sono a conoscenza dell'esistenza dei mutaforma.

La trama l'ho trovata interessante, e inusuale per quanto riguarda uno dei due capibranco con cui Connor ha rapporti e piena di azione e non mi è dispiaciuto.

Angela ha vissuto una vita difficile, e non proprio esemplare, insieme al fratello gemello e in Connor trova la favola che ha sempre sognato.

Un peccato sia così breve, mi sarebbe piaciuta una storia che raccontasse ancora di più di loro e del loro legame.

 

Ringrazio Netgalley e l'autrice per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle

TITOLO: Wolf's Honor

AUTRICE: Ambrielle Kirk

SERIE: Caedmon Wolves #6

PUBLISHER: Obsidian Gem Publishing LLC

From This Day Forward by Mackenzie Lucas

From This Day Forward è la seconda storia nella serie Derkesthai Academy Dragon Shifter, una serie paranormal romance contemporanea sexy, con elementi di mistero e suspance dove dei draghi mutaforma danno la caccia a ladri di tesori magici che minacciano l'intera razza di dragoni maghi. Nella piccola città di Mystic Springsteen solo l'amore e il tradimento possono mettere in mostra la verità su una persona e i segnali migliori possono essere quelli nascosti. Unitevi a April e Noah nella loro lotta contro un nemico sconosciuto che minaccia tutte le cose per loro più preziose.

Noah Easton, un drago mutaforma che fa parte delle Forze Speciali, riesce a sfuggire alle torture di un ladro di tesori magici, che vuole sottrarre a ogni drago la sua pietra nascosta, che racchiude tutti i poteri del mago che la indossa, ma la situazione diventa personale quando il ladro prende di mira April, la donna che ama. Il dragone è costretto a fare ritorno nella sua città di Mystic Spring per proteggere il suo stesso tesoro da una minaccia legata alla magia che non riesce a identificare, prima di rischiare di perdere tutto.

April è un oracolo dei giorni nostri. Può leggere attraverso le foglie di tè qualsiasi cosa che possa predire gli eventi del futuro. Però problemi legati al passato e al suo abbandono le impediscono di leggere i segnali che la riguardano. Ma quando il male arriverà a Mystic Spring, sarà costretta ad affrontare le sue peggiori paure legate all'abbandono e al tradimento, per riuscire a salvare quello che le sta più a cuore. Solo conoscendo il suo passato e studiando il suo futuro potrà fermare il criminale che con la magia minaccia di privarla di tutto quello che ama e distruggere l'unico mago dragone che ha conquistato il suo cuore per sempre.

La sinossi di presentazione di questo libro mi era sembrata davvero molto intrigante, ma il libro non ha soddisfatto le mie aspettative. Un vero peccato.

From This Day Forward è un libro nel quale si trova descritto un mondo nel quale convivono magia, draghi e il mondo umano.

April e Noah, i protagonisti del libro non sono riusciti a "prendermi" con la loro storia. Per spiegare e introdurre questa realtà piena di magia e i vari poteri dei draghi, la storia di questa coppia è passata un po' in secondo piano, e mi sembra che sia stata sviluppata in modo un po' superficiale e ha reso un po' noiosa la lettura del libro.

Dovrebbero essere due anime gemelle, ma April per timore di essere ferita nasconde di se stessa, di quello che pensa e prova, mentre Noah ha scelto un lavoro e ha dei comportamenti che aumentano le paure della sua compagna. Un po' strana come cosa in una coppia legata per tutta la vita e ha già tre figlie.

Mi è piaciuta l'idea del tatuaggio del dragone sulla pelle che si muove, e risponde agli stimoli che riceve dall'esterno.

È il secondo libro della serie Derkesthai Academy Dragon Shifter.

Ringrazio Netgalley e Mackenzie Lucass per il libro.

VOTO: 2.5 stelline

From This Day Forward is the second story in the Derkesthai Academy Dragon Shifter series--a hot contemporary paranormal romance series with mystery and suspense elements where dragon shifters hunt a magickal hoard thief who threatens to bring down the entire dragon mage race. In the small town of Mystic Springs, only love and betrayal can show true character and the best signs are those hidden. Join April and Noah as they fight an unidentified evil who threatens everything they value.

Noah Easton, a Special Forces dragon shifter, escapes the torture of a hoard thief bent on stealing dragon hoard stones and their elemental power from the mages who possess them, but the situation becomes personal when the hoard thief targets April, the woman he loves. He must return to his hometown of Mystic Springs to protect his own hoard from a magickal threat he cannot identify before he loses everything.

April is a modern day oracle. She reads tea leaves and just about anything else that can predict coming events. However, past abandonment issues make her resistant to reading her own signs. But when evil comes to Mystic Springs, April must face her biggest fears of abandonment and betrayal in order to save what’s most important to her. Only by studying the past and owning her future can she stop a magickal criminal who threatens to steal everything she’s ever loved and destroy the one dragon mage who holds her heart always and forever.

The synopsis of this book  seemed very intriguing, but the book did not meet my expectations. A pity.

From This Day Forward is a book in which is described a world full of magic, dragons and the normal human world.

April and Noah, the protagonists of the book didn't go under my skin with their story. To explain and introduce this reality full of magic and the various powers of dragons, the story of this couple went a little into the background, and it seems to me that everything about them is a little bit superficial and made a little boring reading the book.

The two of them should be soul mates, but April for fear of being hurt hides herself, while Noah chose a job and behaviours which increase the fears of his mate. A bit strange as what a couple with a bond for life with already three little girls.

I liked the idea of the dragon tattoo on his skin that moves, and responds as it is living it's own life.

This is  the second book in the series Derkesthai Academy Dragon Shifter.

Thanks to Netgalley and Mackenzie Lucas for the book.

Rating: 2.5 stars

Be Were by Eliza Gayle

Be Were è una novella abbastanza breve, quinta pubblicazione nella serie Southern Shifters di Eliza Gayle.

Non ho letto i libri precedenti, che raccontano le vicende di alcuni personaggi che incontriamo in questo racconto e sono un po' curiosa di poter leggere alcune di queste storie.

Be Were è un paranormal poco romance e punta molto di più sull'erotica, ha come protagonisti dei mutaforma. Nel rapporto che si crea tra i due personaggi l'attrazione fisica e le loro performance sessuali sono predominanti e la trama di base subisce molto l'influsso di questa cosa.

Dopo un inizio molto caliente, in quella che dovrebbe essere un'avventura di una notte tra Nikki e Dean, le cose si complicano: primo perchè Dean scopre di essere di fronte alla sua compagna predestinata, secondo Nikki non ha nessuna intenzione di avere una relazione con qualcuno e ciliegina sulla torta rimane incinta, mentre qualcuno le sta dando la caccia per portarla in un laboratorio e fare esperimenti su di lei e il suo DNA.

In realtà in passato Nikki ha già avuto un'esperienza del genere e per questo ha scelto di vivere una vita di solitudine, sempre pronta a fuggire al primo sentore di guai in vista e non ripone mai in nessuno la propria fiducia, men che meno la sua famiglia. Ma viste le sue condizioni ha bisogno di aiuto e per lei ha difficoltà a chiederlo a Dean.

Dean si è allontanato dalla sua famiglia dopo il tradimento del fratello e preferisce vivere una vita tranquilla occupandosi del suo locale; ma l'incontro con Nikki cambia tutto per lui, attrazione sessuale a parte, scoprire che è la sua compagna e che è in pericolo di vita, fa scattare il suo istinto protettivo, ma prima deve fare i conti con alcuni conti in sospeso nel suo passato.

È una lettura veloce e piacevole se piace l'erotica. Io avrei preferito una storia un po' più consistente.

I personaggi mi sono entrambi piaciuti. Nikki è una donna testarda, abituata a contare solo su se stessa, tosta. Dean è come piacciono a me i mutaforma: protettivo e dominante, sexy e dolce.

Bellissima la cover del libro!

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Gipsy Ink Books per il libro.

VOTO: 2.5 stelline

TITOLO: Be Were

AUTRICE: Eliza Gayle

SERIE: Southern Shifters

EDITORE: Gipsy Ink Books

DATA PUBBLICAZIONE: 27 gennaio 2014

LINGUA: inglese

 Be Were is a short- novel, the fifth publication in the Southern Shifters series by Eliza Gayle.

I have not read the previous books, which tell the story of some of the characters winfradito about in this novel and I am a little bit curious to read some of these stories.

Be Were is a paranormal romance, very little romance and much more erotica, and protagonists are shapeshifters. The relationship that starts between the two characters is about a strong physical attraction and their sexual performances are predominant and the plot is too much influenced by this thing.

After a beginning very hot,  what should have been a one night-stand  between Nikki and Dean, things getting complicated: first because Dean discovers she is  his mate, second Nikki has no intention of having an affair with someone and Most of all she becomes pregnant, while someone is hunting her to bring her in a lab and do experiments with her DNA.

In the past, Nikki has already had an experience like that and she choses to live a life of solitude, always ready to flee at the first hint of trouble  and she doesn't give her trust ever , much less to her family. But in her conditions she needs help but it is difficult to ask Dean.

Dean has turned away from his family after his brother's betrayal and he prefers to live a quiet life taking care of his business. But finding Nikki changes everything for him, it's not only sexual attraction, he finds out she's his mate and she's in mortal danger, this thing triggers toward her his protective instinct, but first he must deal with some troubles from his past.

It is a quick and enjoyable read if you like the erotica. I would have preferred much more story.

I liked both the characters: Nikki is a stubborn woman, accustomed to rely only on herself, tough. Dean is the kind of ShapeShifter I like the most: protective and dominant, sexy and sweet.

Awesome the cover of the book!

Thanks to Netgalley and Gipsy Ink Books for the book.

RATING: 2.5 stars

TITLE: Be Were

AUTHOR: Eliza Gayle

SERIES: Southern Shifters #5

PUBLISHER: Gipsy Ink Books

PUBLICATION DATE: January 27, 2014

LANGUAGE: English