BEARING HIS SIN, Eve Langlais -- Cole is a killer, and the one person he should have done the deed to is Anja, especially when he realized she is his mate. But he didn't, and now someone else thinks the woman is going to mate another. Nope, not going to happen.

This story should have been longer because there is so much going on that a little more explanation was needed. To be honest, I had to read it twice to keep everyone and everything straight. It turns out Anja is a Russian princess, and her family there wants her to marry to strengthen family ties and Cole, though a jerk, isn't going to let that happen. The humor is a bit raunchy, with a lot of bickering back and forth including snarkiness toward and by the grandmother who raised her, but the wedding scene was very different and funny. It seemed disjointed at times but the writing style that described what and where was very good. Normally I enjoy Ms. Langlais' stories, but if I were giving stars, I am afraid this one would get maybe three.

BOUGHT BY THE BEAR, Milly Taiden -- Josilyn Martinez took a job posing as a shifter's mate for money to help her raise her nephew. Too bad there is something about this handsome, hot shifter that is drawing her in when it's only temporary, just long enough to hold off his grandmother and her matchmaking plans.

This is a lighter story than the previous one. Xander is a bear shifter and after meeting Josilyn is shocked that she is his true mate and he must work doubly hard to make her realize it too. There is also an added danger that you won't see coming, Josilyn's ex is a jerk but how horrible he comes at the end when she has to be rescued by a very angry bear. That surprise might have been better in a longer book because a number of questions, most explicitly how he (the ex) got away with so much hatred before marrying her needed to be answered. Still, the sweetness and humor are alive in this offering. I would have to give this four stars.

THE ALPHA AND I, Kate Baxter -- Devon Kincaid owns a bar on the outskirts of Lowman, Idaho. A good place, simple life until she comes upon a naked, bleeding man in the snow and does what any good citizen would do ... she brings him home. Liam Murphy is an alpha werewolf with a problem, he has no idea how he ended up in the field naked and bleeding... but he does know that Devon is his.

The chemistry between Devon and Liam is immediate, and if you dispense with the single woman alone with a naked man she's never met, then it really gets fun. I mean she is a smart cookie and really gutsy. There is a lot of humor, just picture a big guy wearing a too small t-shirt and a sheet because she doesn't have any pants that will fit. Very good, steamy short story that you will wish was longer!

THANKS FUR THE NIGHT just might be what you need on a cold, lonely night!

Book Summary