Tag Archives: Shifters Unbound

Feral Heat (Shifters Unbound #5.5) by Jennifer Ashley-a review

Posted on by
14

Feral Heat (Shifters Unbound #5.5) by Jennifer Ashley-a review

Feral Heat

ebook ONLY $1.99: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

FERAL HEAT (Shifters Unbound #5.5) by Jennifer Ashley

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 18, 2014

Jace Warden is sent to the Shiftertown in Austin to find a way to free all Shifters from their Collars. But pulling off the Collars can cause Shifters to go mad or kill them outright.

In Austin, Jace meets Deni Rowe, a wolf Shifter with troubles of her own—she was deliberately run down in the road, and while her body has healed, she still has episodes of total memory loss during which she retreats into her pure animal self.

Jace has never met anyone like Deni. Courageous and beautiful, she volunteers to help him test the Collar removal. And as Deni and Jace work together, they feel the mate bond begin. But can Jace help Deni believe she can heal enough to be anyone’s true mate?

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: FERAL HEAT is the latest novella in Jennifer Ashley’s contemporary, adult, paranormal Shifters Unbound series focusing on the collared shifters of Shiftertown USA. This is Jace (snow leopard shifter) and Deni’s (lupine) storyline-Deni’s mind has been damaged from a near fatal accident that left her dying and struggling to survive and Jace has been invited to Shiftertown, Austin, Texas in an attempt to discover a method to remove his Fae-magic infused collar without the government knowing.

The premise follows Jace as he finds himself caught up with a female wolf who calls to the beast within. Jace is in town at the invite of the local controlling shifter but his visit has not been sanctioned by the humans who patrol shifters and the towns in which they live. As the humans begin a door to door campaign looking for someone who does not belong, the relationship between Deni and Jace becomes more than just sex-Jace’s leopard has found its mate-and Deni is the object of his desires.

FERAL HEAT explores the relationship between two shifters whose beast runs close to the surface –welcoming any attempt where the possibility of going feral is not far behind. We watch as Deni learns to control the deeper animal instincts of her kind with the man who is able to control her beast with just one touch.

Jennifer Ashley has written another welcome storyline where two more shifters find the mate of their heart-the other half of their soul. The world building continues with each successive storyline as our shifters must confront discrimination, specieism and prejudice from both the human world and from within. If you are a fan of the shifter paranormal storylines, then Jennifer’s Shifters Unbound is a welcome series for anyone who loves the possibility of a happily ever in a world that we can only dream (about).

Reading Order
.5. Shifter Made
1. Pride Mates
2. Primal Bonds
2.5 Body Guard
3. Wild Cat
3.5 Hard Mated
4. Mate Claimed
4.5 Lone Wolf
5. Tiger Magic
5.5 Feral Heat
6. Wild Wolf

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Tiger Magic (Shifters Unbound #5) by Jennifer Ashley-a review

Posted on by
15

TIGER MAGIC (Shifters Unbound # 5) by Jennifer Ashley-a review

Tiger Magic

Pre-Order: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca/ Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 4 2013

He was once a captive, but his urges were never caged. Now he’ll release them on a beautiful stranger whose own secret desires are longing to be sated…

He doesn’t have a name. He doesn’t have a clan. The humans who held him prisoner for forty years have taken them away. He knew nothing but captivity until nearly a year ago, when he was released into the light. Now Tiger lives in the Austin Shiftertown, where he struggles to belong and searches for an identity.

Carly Randal thinks her fabulous life is complete—until her car breaks down on the side of the road, and a wild-looking Shifter is the only one to help her. Tiger takes one look at Carly and knows instantly—she will be his mate. As Carly is drawn into his Shifter world, she risks everything she has for that forbidden something she still wants: passionate love.

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TIGER MAGIC is the fifth storyline in Jennifer Ashley’s Shifters Unbound series focusing on the animal shifters and the people they love in the Shiftertown of Austin. The premise of Shiftertown is similar to the Japanese Internment Camps of the 40s and the Native American Indian reservations of North America-animal shifters are relegated to second class citizens; tagged and collared and must remain within the confines of a pre-arranged area because of preconceived notions, stereotyping and prejudices about animal shifters and the like. Tiger Magic follows an unknown shifter known only as Tiger as he traverses a new world-one in which he was never raised and a world that wants to use and destroy the beast within the man.

Tiger is an anomaly to the world of shifters-his heritage is unknown to all but the scientists and the government who have tortured, persecuted and experimented all in the name of security, warfare and a better army. Tiger is a hunted animal, a wounded soul who wants to be left alone to live his life. But the day he stopped to help a human female with car trouble, is the day that will change his life-for better or for worse. Tiger will discover the woman is his mate but his identity and the truth about his DNA will place everyone he cares about in danger-including the woman who calls to his soul. Tiger is more beast than man and believes a little bit of magic can be found in every shifter-including himself.

Jennifer takes the reader on a journey of discovery. We watch as some of those wanting to take Tiger down will be forced to see that not every shifter is an animal, but a human with a beating heart; a mind; with the ability to love and hurt, feel sorrow and pain, and experience the loss of a loved one. But not everyone is willing to accept the human side of the beast. There are those still willing to cull the pack, round up the rogues, and control the shifters with every available method.

Tiger and Carly’s attraction is immediate. Reeling from betrayal, Carly will discover that Tiger is unlike any man she has ever encountered especially when he can shift into a larger than life tiger that is willing to defend and protect her at all costs-and it will cost Tiger plenty. Tiger has been created for one purpose and that purpose will show itself time and again. But those who know Tiger are still fearful of the beast, and it will take a small human female to show the shifters of Austin that the beast has been tamed by the ‘mate of his heart’.

TIGER MAGIC is a fascinating look at shifters and their lives. Jennifer keeps the series cohesive and up to date by including many of the previous storyline characters allowing for a smooth jump from one book to the next. The reader never has to wonder what happened to..? The colorful and imaginary characters of Shiftertown are as real and human as any man or woman; they love and hate; cry and laugh; feel pain and pleasure; and most of all will pull you into the story with their heartbreaking tales of discrimination because they are different – different makes things interesting and Jennifer weaves an interesting and wonderful series for everyone to enjoy.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

••••••••••••••••••

Lone Wolf (Shifters Unbound #4.5) by Jennifer Ashley-a review

Lone :wolf April 16

LONE WOLF (Shifter’s Unbound #4.5) by Jennifer Ashley

Order:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca/ Barnes and Noble/ KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 16, 2013

Ellison Rowe, a Lupine Shifter, makes it his goal to protect Maria, once held captive by ferals, from male Shifters looking for mates. He likes Maria’s resilience and fire, but she’s been broken, and Ellison wants more than anything to heal her. When a new danger threatens Shiftertown’s cubs, Maria partners with Ellison to stop a cold-blooded criminal.

•••••••••••••

Review: LONE WOLF is the latest novella (150 pages) in Jennifer Ashley’s Shifter’s Unbound series focusing on the shifters of Shiftertown, Austin Texas. The storyline focus is on wolf shifter Ellison Rowe and the mate of his heart Maria, the young woman rescued in Wild Cat where she was held captive by a feral pack of shifters.

Ellison has always been protective of Maria and knew she would one day be his mate, but her history with the feral shifters meant Maria was off limits to everyone. There would be more than one male vying for Maria’s attention and Ellison knew he had to step up his game before another male claimed mate status and he lost Maria forever.

Maria is well aware of Shifter rules and knew that she could refuse a mate claim. Wanting to go back to university, Maria sets her sights on an education but when the younger shifters are targeted from the human population, Maria will have to put her future on hold, when the Shifters must hunt down the people responsible. For all of the trauma she has suffered in the past, Maria is a strong, independent woman who knows what she wants and saving the cubs of Shiftertown has moved to the top of her list.

LONE WOLF is a well-written, wonderful short story that finds another Shifter mated and a continuous uneasy alliance between the human population of Austin and the Shifters of Shiftertown. The relationship between Ellison and Maria growls steadily, as both have been drawn to each other for several storylines. Lone Wolf is the culmination of one woman’s healing at the hands of her intended mate. Jennifer Ashley brings together many of the previous storyline characters to add a familiar feel to each and every installment in the Shifters Unbound series.

READING ORDER
0.5. Shifter Made (April 2011)
1. Pride Mates (January 2010)
2. Primal Bonds (March 2011)
2.5 Body Guard (December 2011)
3. Wild Cat (January 2012)
3.5 Hard Mated (August 2012)
4. Mate Claimed (October 2012)
4.5 Lone Wolf (April 2013)
5. Tiger Magic (May 2013)
6. Wild Wolf (2014)

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Mate Claimed by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

Posted on by
14

Mate Claimed by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

MateClaimed by Jennifer Ashley, is the latest book in her Shifters Unbound series.  I love this series, and couldn’t wait for this book. 

For those of you are not familiar with the Shifters Unbound series, here is a brief description:

This takes place in a futuristic world, where shifters of all types are delegated to live in their own small towns, and not mingle too closely with humans.  When they came out and announced themselves to the world over 20 years, they were forced to wear collars to control their violent animalistic tendencies, thereby making humans feel safe around them.  But slowly, shifters are finding ways around the collars, as you saw if you read my Pride Mates review.

Review:

In Mate Claimed, Eric Warden is the alpha of his shiftertown in Las Vegas. We have met Eric in the previous books, as he was a visitor to the Morrissey pack in Austin, and is Cassidy’s brother from Wildcat.  We knew that Eric was sure to be in this book, as he met Iona in the last.  I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy Eric, as much as I adored Liam and Sean in the first two books.  But wow, Jennifer Ashley has done it again, Eric is totally awesome.  

Iona Duncan is our heroine, whom we met in Wildcat.  Iona is half human and half shifter, and has never known her shifter father.  She has secretly hid herself as fully human, never revealing her shifter side, and never wearing a collar.  She lives with her human mother and sister, who all run a construction business.  Eric, having met Iona at a shifter bar, awhile ago, keeps his eye on her.  He knows she is a half shifter, and knows that she will be going through her mating frenzy soon.  Iona, of course, avoids Eric like the plague, and wants nothing to do with the shifters.  She does not want to endanger her human lifestyle and her freedom.  On many nights, Iona goes to the woods to shift into her panther to run. Eric, who has been watching, joins her in his Snow Leopard form.  They play, chase and frolic, having fun, which is something Iona never allowed herself to do.  Slowly, she begins to realize that Eric is right;  her mating frenzy will take control, and put her life in danger, or she will go feral. 

You see right away, how much Eric is becoming obsessed with Iona.  She tries to fight off the attraction, though unsuccessfully.  The chemistry between them sizzled, and when they finally gave in to their lust, the steamy hot sex almost melted the pages. They were great together, even though at first Iona fought off Eric’s attempt to protect her from a Lupine Alpha named Graham, who decided he wanted Iona, just to hurt his enemy Eric.

Eric takes Iona to stay with him in his shiftertown, and she gets to meet all his family, friends, and pack members. 

Besides this growing romance, and a wonderful one with Eric and Iona, there was a mystery to be solved.  Graham, came across early, as a jerk, and you hoped Eric would teach him a lesson.  But in time, he is redeemed somewhat, as he helps Eric defend the shifters against a secret experiment being done on shifters.  Some of these experiments go back over 20 years, and Eric’s nightmares come full force, as he remembers those early days when shifters were forced to put on the collar.  This was a great mystery, with a lot of action, excitement, danger, with all our favorites working together to find the answers.

I enjoyed seeing Diego, and Cassidy with their new born baby.  Ashley has developed some great secondary characters that we hope to hear more about, like Jace, Reid, Graham, and Tiger, whom we will see more of in the next book. 

This was a great continuation of this series, with lots of action, mystery, super hero and heroine.  But best of all, I loved the wonderful romance between Eric and Iona.  There was such a caring and giving side that Eric showed Iona, and what he did for her, was beautiful to see. As much as I loved Liam and Kim, they have been equaled with Eric and Iona.  Don’t miss this book and if you have not read this series, it’s time for you to do so.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

HARD MATED (Shifters Unbound #3.5) by Jennifer Ashley-a review

Posted on by
11

HARD MATED (Shifters Unbound 3.5) by Jennifer Ashley

HARD MATED is a short story (August 2012 release) in Jennifer Ashley’s Shifters Unbound series. When the shifters revealed themselves to the human population over 20 years before, fear and anxiety amongst the humans forced the shifters into segregated communities known as Shiftertowns and each shifter was collared to control possible aggression and the urge to kill. But in many of the Shiftertowns, illegal Shifter Fight Clubs were springing up and like any popular enterprises, the darker side of the fight clubs would rear its’ ugly head hoping to initiate a more lethal match to the death. Only this time, former allies, would tangle and it would be more than just the fighter’s lives at stake.

Eron aka Spike Reyes is a bodyguard, tracker and a jaguar shifter. But following his most recent fight, Spike would discover that he was also a father to a 4 year old jaguar shifter cub named Jordan. Along with this information came a young human female claiming that Jordan’s mother was dying and she needed to see Spike right away. Within a matter of hours, Spike had custody of his young son and his Grandmother Ella was the only one who knew how to raise a mischievous cub on her own.

Myka Thompson was a trainer of quarter horses for the rodeo. Finding her best friend’s one night stand in a fight club was a little out of her league, and Myka was worried that Spike’s penchant for fighting was a sign that he was not fit for fatherhood. But a call from Spike asking for help, would place Myka in a position to view Shifter life up close and personal. And the attraction between Myka and Spike is evident from the start. What becomes instantly recognizable are Spike’s predatory and protective nature which go into overdrive when his natural animal instinct demands he safeguard his cub and future mate. He is willing to risk a confrontation with the Shiftertown leaders and refuses to stand down when he knows he has overstepped the line.

Meanwhile, Spike had been approached about possibly branching out with a former Shifter acquaintance who has a great dislike for the treatment of shifters. Someone was offering Spike the ability to use his natural animal instincts in the ring in return for a coveted position in the Shifter hierarchy.  But insurance was needed so that  Spike would obey, and the threat against his family, would push Spike over the edge. And to his surprise, the very shifters he was willing to turn aside were the shifters who risked their own lives to save Spike’s new mate and his son.

HARD MATED is the latest novella in Jennifer Ashley’s Shifters Unbound series focusing on the struggles of a species that has been segregated from human society due to ignorance and the perceived danger of animal violence. Jennifer smoothly blends characters from her previous storylines allowing for a cohesive feeling between each novel and a familiarity throughout the stories. Hard Mated looks at the life of a species trying to live their lives as normal a possible, but the stereotype and discrimination are all to familiar to the real lives of many cultures and races we encounter in our every day lives.

LINKS TO ORDER ebooks .99cents only:
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
KOBO

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

BODY GUARD (Shifters Unbound #2.5) by Jennifer Ashley

Posted on by
13

BODY GUARD (Shifter Unbound #2.5) by Jennifer Ashley

Elizabeth Chapman is an independent woman, raising her younger sister and hiding a few secrets that she hopes no one will find.  Owning and operating a small store just outside of Shiftertown, she is one of the few human merchants willing to allow the shifters into her store. But when one of the local gang members decides to rob her store at gunpoint, Elizabeth is surprised to find a 15 ft Kodiak shifter coming to her rescue.

Ronan is a bear shifter from Shiftertown.  20 years earlier, the government forced all shifters collared and relocated to towns where they would not bother and anger the humans.  But discrimination is ugly whether you are human or shifter, and forcing them into areas once littered by garbage and debris was punishment for existing.  And Ronan has taken it upon himself to house many of the unmated and young shifters without family or anyone to look after.  With his extended family of shifters, Ronan knows what it is like to be alone in a room full of people.  But finding Elisabeth Chapman facing a gun, enraged the protective instincts of the bear within, and he soon found himself shackled before a judge for the attempt on the gang member’s life.

Freedom has its’ costs, but keeping Elisabeth and her sister Mabel safe, was Ronan’s first priority.  Knowing the gang would not stop, Ronan anointed himself Elisabeth’s bodyguard and protector for as long as the gang was still a threat. And there were internal threats as well.  Those in charge of Shiftertown knew Elizabeth had a secret, and they were not going to allow Elizabeth to bring any more problems into their small community of shifters and their mates.   But Ronan’s bear wanted more –he wanted a mate- and Elizabeth was his to claim.  And as a mate-claimed female, Elizabeth would be protected by everyone in Shiftertown and therefore she would no longer be perceived as a threat.

When the gang members made it known that they would not tolerate shifters or Elizabeth’s interference, Ronan agreed to a compromise –of sorts.  Shifter fights were illegal, but what the authorities did not know, did not hurt-except those that were left dead or maimed.  Agreeing to fight at the local fights, Ronan had no idea what he was about to face.  But Elizabeth’s past was about to catch up and it was during the fights that Ronan would finally learn what it was like to be truly loved and part of something bigger.

BODY GUARD is a great novella in Jennifer Ashley’s Shifter Unbound series.   The attraction between Elizabeth and Ronan was not readily apparent, because there wasn’t any of the relationship angst.  Ronan was nothing but a gentle (bear) where it involved his mate, and his was willing to take everything slow, although the mating frenzy would soon catch up. The character development was smooth. I liked that Jennifer included some of the Shiftertown background premise in the storyline allowing for new readers some semblance of fluidity.  Many novels cannot be read as stand-alone, but when the author includes pertinent background information, it is a bonus for everyone especially the new reader to any series. I am looking forward to Jennifer’s next novel in the Shifter Unbound series.

LINKS TO ORDER: ebooks only .99cents
Amazon Paper back
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
KOBO

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Pride Mates by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

Posted on by
16

Pride Mates by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

Pride Mates by Jennifer Ashley, is the first book in her Shifters Unbound series.  This is a paranormal romance in a different futuristic world.  Shifters came out and announced themselves 20 years ago, but freedom was not what they expected.  The shifters were delegated to their own towns, not allowed to mingle in most human elements, such as flying on an airplane, certain restaurants, etc.  Worse, all shifters were given a special collar to wear, that was spelled by the Fae (whom we do not see much in this book, other then knowing they helped create this collar).  The collar controls their violent animalistic tendencies, thereby making humans feel safe around them.  But they are restricted. 

Kim Fraser, is a human attorney, who is defending a Shifter on a murder charge.  Kim goes to meet Liam Morrissey, who is the go between for his father, one of the leaders of the Austin Shifters. Liam works in a bar, and Kim is amazed how normal he seems to be.  In fact, as she walks through Shiftertown for the first time, she marvels how normal and happy the children and adults seem to be.  She is shocked how they all seemed to hug each other all the time. 

Liam is a feline Shifter, but we do get to meet other shifters, such as Lupines (wolves), Ursine (bears).  He is immediately enamored by Kim, who is determined to help her client, even if he is a Shifter.  She does not allow herself to be afraid, and stubbornly insists that she needs their help to find out more information.  Of course, the leaders do not want anyone to know anything about them.  The main leader of the Shifters is Fergus, whom we hear a lot about, but don’t see much of him until the later part of the book.  But you know early on that Fergus, is one of the bad guys.

Liam marks Kim early on, to protect her from other shifters.  But, when a feral shifter goes after Kim, the game changes.  Liam, with the help of his family (Dylan his father, Sean his brother, and Conner is nephew), protect Kim from the dangers of her becoming involved with the Shifters, as well as those who do not want her defending the shifter on trial.  They force her to stay with them in Shiftertown, and despite her stubbornness that she has work to do, Kim finds herself falling for Liam, who is not only a gorgeous sexy hunk, but he is truly  a charming nice guy, whom everyone likes.  Liam already knows that he wants Kim, as she is his mate. 

Ashley has done a wonderful job in bringing together this romance of a shifter and a human.  Watching both of them fight the attraction, and then give in to their lust, was fun to watch.  I enjoyed the banter between them and Liam’s family; especially Connor, who I adored, and I loved Sean. 

The last half of the book was very exciting, as first Liam and his family are threatened by Fergus, and Kim is the one who must bring them to face Fergus.  In order to save Kim from the bad guy, Liam comes to her rescue and claims her as his mate.  This is still early on in the first half, which leads to many reveals, and an exciting climatic ending.  This book had everything from an interesting storyline, leading us into future books of this series; a fabulous romantic couple in Liam and Kim; great steamy sex; wonderful secondary characters in Sean and Conner; a suspenseful tense and exciting fight at the end, and a terrific end.  Pride Mates was a great and fun read, and this series is just beginning. I have added this series to my automatic buy.

Reviewed by Barb

 

Share