Shifter

Mad Dog Angela Knight Angela Knight spins a complicated web of political intrigue and sizzling romance in this short tale. Empress Zafira Lorezo purchases a cybernetically-designed werewolf slave, Rance Conlan, to protect her from her viciously manipulative fiance, unaware that Conlan is in league with the man she plans to meet to secure justice for her empire. This is an absolutely fantastic read, especially given the novella length. I adored the characters, her universe-creation, and the story itself. I sincerely hope that Ms. Knight is kind enough to continue writing in this world she has created, and I hope to see more of these characters, as well as the others she began; the setting is one of the best that I've seen. This is one of my favorite novellas, and well worth the cost of the book alone. 5/5 A Jaguar's Kiss Lora Leigh Though I have not read any of Lora Leigh's other "Breeds" books, A Jaguar's Kiss was an enjoyable, stand-alone novella filled with hot romance. It has the good fortune to have the foundation of a world clearly already well-formed in the author's head; this shows in the lack of a struggle to establish a setting. A schoolteacher chosen to work with Breeds children, Natalie is assigned a bodyguard for her protection in the unusual life. Unbeknownst to her -- at least initially -- Saban is her Breed-mate, and despite their differences, they must eventually come together. I liked the story overall -- it sizzles, and I enjoyed the characters apart from one another. On the other hand, they didn't quite click for me; the resolution of their differences seemed a bit contrived and unsatisfying. The heroine's scheming ex-husband is also a bit grating; one wonders why there would not have been more involvement by authorities, as he very nearly is stalking her. Altogether, though, it was enjoyable, and I plan to read more of this intriguing series. 3.5/5 Shifter's Lady Alyssa Day A lovely, romantic tale of an Atlantian, Nereid priestess and the responsible leader of a pack of panthers, Shifter's Lady is a gem. The characters work together just perfectly, and the lush, Cypress setting of Florida is a lovely addition. Marie is visiting her brother in when she finds herself lusting for the handsome, outspoken Alpha, Ethan. Ever the leader, Ethan is tracking down a killer of his fellow (non-shape-shifting) panthers, at the same time having sworn to protect Marie; the two tasks cross paths, and before he knows it, the Alpha is entrenched in a heated pack rivalry. I enjoyed this story quite a bit, and again, hope to read more of the series that spawned it. A grade-A read from an excellent author. 4.5/5 Sea Crossing Virginia Kantra Emma March had the opportunity for a new life as a schoolteacher, across the Atlantic and far from the cruelty of a man who nearly ruined her career. However, when her ship for the trans-oceanic crossing sunk, she was rescued under mysterious circumstances by a magnetically attractive man, Griff,

Shifter is a collection of short stories by four of the hottest current paranormal authors. It includes four stories, all with a theme of shape-shifting: - Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight - A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh - Shifter's Lady by Alyssa Day - Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra As with all such collections, I liked some stories more than others, but I'm happy to report that in this particular collection all four stories were very strong and while I may have my favorite, I really enjoyed them all. One aspect I found unique about this collection is that most of the stories were told more from the hero's point of view than from the heroine's, where most romance books are the opposite, which I found refreshing and absorbing. Here are my reviews of each, for your enjoyment. Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight This story is full-on science fiction, set in a distant futuristic alternate world. Pretty much everybody uses "nanobots" to help them out, and of course, the richer you are, the better your nanobots. Although the author never really delves into a technical description of the nanobots, my perception was that they are microscopic little computer systems that are injected into people to enhance their abilities, skills and sometimes, physical attributes. Mad Dog is a Werewolf - or would that be "nano-Wolf"? His nano system allows him to transform into a much larger, werewolf-like creature with enhanced senses, strength and fighting abilities. A quick reference is made to the origin of this system - he comes from a very challenging planet where such abilities are needed to survive. Alas, Mad Dog was captured by slavers and his nano system is being controlled by someone else. Despite constant torture, Mad Dog remains defiant and determined to escape. Enter our heroine - an Empress in disguise with a souped up military nanosystem who wants to buy a bodyguard. Adventure - and a steamy romance - ensues. This author does a very good job of giving the basics needed to visualize and grasp the setting and situation she has created, without bogging down in the technical details as is the downfall of many science fiction stories. Instead, you are caught up by the story and intrigued by the well developed characters. Both the hero and heroine are distinctive and interesting and one can certainly understand why they would be attracted to each other. The story is engaging, and wraps up admirably in the short space provided by this venue. I don't know if this was a one-time use setting or if we'll be seeing more of this environment in future books - but I hope so. I thought it was a fresh and creative take on the use of nano technology and shape shifting. The story itself was in turns intriguing, adventurous and steamy - all contributing to a solid, satisfying read. A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh This is one of the many Breed stories by this author. I've read a few others so far - a couple of novels and at least one other short story - and I thou

Shifters succeeds where many paranormal romance anthologies fail, here we get a quartet of oh so sexy shifters in four stories that not only are well matched in their sensuality level, but also are very satisfyingly fleshed out romantic tales that work well in the novella format. "Mad Dog" - Angela Knight does an excellent job of bringing together two powerful and intelligent leads in her futuristic tale of a disguised Empress Zafira who purchases a enslaved virile wolf shifting warrior Rance to serve as body guard as Zafira flees the regent that held her captive for years. Zafira can truly empathize with Rance's frustration at his loss of freedom since she herself has lived as a virtual slave in her palace, literally controlled by the regent out to steal her throne. While slave warrior Rance gives Empress Zafira the edge she needs to help her save herself and her empire from the regent's evil plans, Zafira is clearly a force to be reckoned with. I love that both Rance and Zafira recognize that they have more than just heat to offer each other and that it is Rance's trust in Zafira's capability during the final confrontation that allows her to set them both free. I haven't read Lora Leigh's full length Breeds novels, but "Jaguar's Kiss" far exceeds her previous short "The Breed Next Door" from the anthologyHot Spell. I really enjoyed this one. While Leigh's previous tale had a great setup, it fell apart once the mating heat took over. That's not the case here. Jaguar Breed Saban with his Cajun accent is totally dominant even as he tries to deny his nature and charm instead of claim Natalie using techniques he's learned from dating books. But Natalie senses the animal behind the teasing and banter and is wary of Saban's controlling nature having recently started to enjoy her independence from her control-freak ex. I thought that it was great that even though Saban attempts to push Natalie into accepting that she's his mate by initiating the hormone driven mating kiss, Natalie fights back and doesn't allow Saban to dominate her even though the bond is near undeniable. In "Shifter's Lady" Alyssa Day combines a shifter's mate bond and the Atlantean's soul meld and the result is one incredibly sizzling attraction. Here Day hooks up Ethan the Jaguar shifter alpha we met in "Wild Hearts in Altantis" ( Wild Thing) and Atlantean healer Marie from the last book Warriors of Poseidon: Atlantis Awakening (Book 2) to give us a nice little fill in to Day's Warrior's of Poseidon series. Finally, the last story by Virginia Kantra "Sea Crossing" was a much stronger contribution than her previous Fae inspired efforts in anthologies Over the Moon and Man of My Dreams. I loved watching gorgeous Selkie Griff help 'ruined' school teacher Emma to overcome the fallout from her very unpleasant `first time' with passion and tenderness, even as Emma melts Griff's gruff practicality and inspires in him a desire for a permanent bond that is unusual for a Selkie.

Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight Rance Conlon, also known as "Mad Dog" has been enslaved by a traitor. The nanobots inside of his body have been reprogrammed so that escape is not a possibility. Rance despairs of ever being free and so spends his time being as obstinate and vicious as possible. Informed of the fact that he is being put back on the slave block, Rance can only hope that his new master will not watch him vigilantly so that he can make his escape. He doesn't take into consideration that his new master could in fact be a new mistress thus provoking hidden instincts that he isn't ready to face. Queen Zarifa Lorezo is on the run. She has come into her inheritance and has been able to change her internal nanobots which hide her from the enemies wishing to control her. She is on a mission - a mission that could very well cause her death. She needs someone powerful enough to help her accomplish this undertaking. Someone strong and loyal. Someone just like the slave known as "Mad Dog". She fails to take into consideration that in gaining a slave she may also gain a lover she will not wish to lose - that is, if they are able to stay alive long enough. A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh Saban Broussard is a Cajun breed enforcer with the DNA of a black jaguar. Stealthy, steadfast and loyal, he has been given the mission to protect the new teacher hired by the pride leader to instruct the breed children of Sanctuary. Saban is nothing if not thorough and so relishes the task set before him. His tongue is swollen and his senses are on alert. Now he must convince his independent mate that life in his arms doesn't mean giving up her stability. It means a lifetime of being loved and cherished. And it starts with just one kiss. Natalie Ricci has just been through a messy divorce in which her very existence and emotional independence were tested. She wants nothing more than to educate the breed children she has been trusted to teach. She doesn't want nor does she need her assigned protector. The fact that her bodyguard sets her body aflame and her mind reeling makes her nuts, but it is his kiss that she craves. Though she knows without a doubt that just one kiss from her jaguar will change her life forever, Natalie is ill prepared for the feelings that come forth - feelings of arousal and love she has spent months trying to ignore. Shifter's Lady by Alyssa Day Marie, the First Maiden of the Nereids, is traveling to visit her brother. Sensing that he needs her, she will not be deterred and thus is allowed to cross through a portal in order to get to the other side where her brother awaits her arrival. Their reunion is short lived, however, when Marie's brother is asked by the Atlantean god's high priest to help with the search for Justice. Though she is told to return to Atlantis for her safety, Marie refuses. Because of this, her brother finds her a protector - and he just happens to be the Alpha of the local were-panther pride and irresistib

Berkley Sensation brings four talented authors together to create one erotic anthology infused with enough animal attraction to satisfy the most ardent lover of shape shifter romances! Shifter will simultaneously stir your most erotic fantasies while warming your heart with four stories of love and romance. ~Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight~ With not only her life, but the entire empire at stake, empress Zarifa Lorezo needs a bodyguard to ensure she reaches her destination safely. When she learns of a slaver in possession of a werewolf slave, she decides that "Mad Dog" is the man for the job. Even wearing a slave-collar, Rance "Mad Dog" Conlan proves himself more than a match for the empress on the run... Whether it is a full length novel or a novella length story, Angela Knight never fails to sweep you up in any tale she spins. She effortlessly creates edgy characters that enthrall the reader, making you wish this story were not a work of fiction, but real people fighting the good fight in our own world and leaving it a better place. And so it is with her entry in the Shifter anthology, Mad Dog Love. In this short story, she brings together a hero and heroine of the highest caliber who, although they meet under decidedly shaky circumstances, quickly learn to trust one another as they see each other with more than their eyes, opening their hearts. With a fantastic twist at the end that I admit to never anticipating, Ms. Knight deftly wraps up a gripping plot while leaving the reader fervently hoping for a continuation of this exciting universe with future stories. Mad Dog Love is a must-read for any reader who enjoys a red-hot interstellar romance! ~A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh~ Hired as the first teacher to the Breed children in Buffalo Gap, Natalie Ricci thought she was prepared for everything the job had in store for her. Nothing could have prepared her for Breed Enforcer Saban Broussard and his sexy Cajun accent. She was even less prepared for this thing they call the Mating Heat... Saban is determined to win the woman he recognized at first sight as his mate. No one will come between them - not her overly aggressive ex-husband and not the evil scientists intent on capturing a Breed Mate for their nefarious studies... It amazes me that after so many Breeds books, Lora Leigh is still able to find fresh angles for stories in one of my favorite book series. With A Jaguar's Kiss, she brings the story of a Breed male who finds his mate is a divorcee, with an ex-husband all too present - something guaranteed to drive his jaguar fury wild, but exacerbated even more when the man tries harder and harder to separate Saban from Natalie. As a schoolteacher, Natalie brings a no-nonsense attitude to this story, and as a recent divorcee, she brings the pain of a woman struggling to exert her long-denied independence even as the Mating Heat drives her into Saban's life and into his arms. Even with the frenetic pace driven by the Mati