Lion's Heat (A Novel of the Breeds)

Jonas Wyatt. The Bogeyman of the Breeds. He deserves this title and so much more, but his only guilt is his never-ending journey of fighting for the rights and happiness of breeds around the world. For years he has fought to keep himself in control and project the persona expected of him. This hard won control comes to an end the minute Rachel Broen steps into his office as his new personal assistant. And she is pregnant by another man. The minute Jonas smells Rachel's scent, he knows she is his mate - later, tests confirm this information as well, but he keeps this to himself. While he silently aches to take Rachel in his arms and mate her, Jonas knows that he has to give Rachel the chance. When her daughter is placed in danger, Rachel demands that Jonas help her. And help her he will, right into his home and his heart. Mesmeric. That is the perfect synonym to describe the effect Lion's Heat had on me. Jonas has always been a favorite of mine - he is snarly, alpha, and growls and I love every single cell in his body. However, he is so much more than just what is on the outside. In his heart he is a brother, a son, a mate, and a father. He strives to put his time in the labs behind him, but his experiences shaped the man he is today and that man deserves happiness and the love of a good woman. Rachel is that woman. She keeps his appointments, she runs his office, and she rules his heart. But most importantly, she loves him. She loves him unconditionally, and that is exactly what Jonas needs. If you read no other Lora Leigh penned novel this year, please read Lion's Heat. Lion's Heat is the novel that Jonas Wyatt needed and I quite happily Joyfully Recommend it. I couldn't put it down and I have since read it two more times. It is phenomenal. Talia Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Maybe it's because I'm not a diehard fan that I like this book so much. I had only really read the last two books on Harmony and Tanner because previous Breed books--I don't know--totally creeped me out? Dominance, destiny, fated soul mates, etc., not really my cuppa' tea. I like my brains and my choice to walk away if I bloody well choose, biology or not. For that reason watching the male lead squirm and realized he needs to prove himself to his capable female lead brought me as many smiles as it did the lead male character. Working, a little challenge and the ability to override some biological imperatives brought a sweetness that I hadn't glimpsed before. Also--no spoiler but I really loved the last page "preview of coming attractions". Not purrfect--nothing is--but close enough in creative story telling, innovative world building that I enjoyed it, recommend this story. Future stories--we'll see.

I've read a couple of the pans, and I'm not sure for what these readers are looking. One commented on political galas being too common, but that is life in the circles in which Jonas would dwell as the head of the Bureau. I liked the book because it showed the humanity in Jonas that was hinted at more than once. I was a little upset with Rachel's mother hysterics at the beginning when she flipped out on him about endangering her child (he tried his best to make her quit, so why blame him?), but I guess people aren't always rational when they're frightened. For the most part, I've enjoyed most of the breed series--some I liked better than others, of course, but that is normal. Maybe because I've always liked Jonas, this will be one of my favorites. Jonas remarked to Ely that he knew who her mate was. I'm making a guess it will be Jackal.

Like many others, I had been eagerly awaiting Jonas's book. I'm happy to say that I wasn't at all disappointed! In fact, I found it to be one of her best from the Breeds series so far. It's steamy, angsty, and romantic. It furthers the Breeds overall plot, and makes me very eager for the books to come. If you like this series at all, you'll love this book.

I've been in love with Jonas Wyatt since he first came on the scene in Megan's Mark. Since this author tends to be hit or miss with me, I was so afraid she wouldn't do Jonas justice, but rest assured, she knocked it out of the park with this one! Jonas Wyatt, The bogeyman of the Bureau of Breed Affairs, knows his office assistant, the cool headed Rachel Broen, is his one chance for happiness. With the kind of glaring red target painted on him for any fool bent on the destruction of the Breeds to take a shot at-she's the one chance he cannot take. So he keeps her at arms distance through most of their relationship, even while his heart is drawn ever closer to the kindhearted but stubborn willed woman who is his match in every way...until a kidnapping of her baby daughter- the child he's claimed as his own- threatens the ruthless control he's kept over the primal lion that lurks just below the surface. Someone is after the mated pairs and their offspring- and they'll stop at nothing to get what they want! Lion's Heat grabs you at page one and doesn't let go till the end. Jonas knows from the beginning that Rachel is his one true mate, but he's so afraid of claiming her, he doesn't let her in on the information. The mating heat, a familiar characteristic in Lora Leigh's gene spliced crossbreeds, is all on him through much of this book, which makes for an interesting turnabout. I loved his ruthless control and I loved how Rachel threatened all of that! Rachel and Jonas work well together- as a couple and as business team, for that matter. Their instant chemistry, as well as the love between her baby and Jonas, make Lion's Heat quite a heartwarming book! I enjoyed seeing Jonas finally being able to soften and allow the noble hero that I've always sensed him to be to shine forth. I would have liked to see more detail in the beginning of their relationship- (much of his softening toward her is glossed over with rapid time passage)- because there had to be some major sparks there! But it in no way lessons my love for this book so- 5 out of 5 from me! Thankfully, much of the editing issues that have so annoyed me in some of Leigh's recent releases are miraculously missing... although she does quite a bit of "head hopping" throughout the book. Still, in the end, I can only say- very pleased!