The Jaguar Prince

Callie Jordan was a newborn left at an orphanage by someone who failed to stick around to see if she was okay. She grew up depending on no one but herself. Thus working at a zoo is perfect for her. New Symtaria Prince Rogar seeks his people's colonists and their mixed-species offspring. His goal is to bring everyone back to New Symtaria where he can insure their safety from a murderous alien. When he first sees Callie at the zoo, she cannot believe a streaker would come here to compare his parts to that of the well endowed chimps. Later he arrives at her apartment still in his birthday suit as a man and as a jaguar. He explains her heritage to her; as she considers the first hanging hunk wanting her is a head-case. While someone wants them dead neither the royal purebred shapeshifter or the orphan hybrid expected the attraction between them. This is an amusing romantic fantasy starring two likable lead characters. The underlying premise is mindful in some ways of Witch Mountain although Karen Kelley's plot is meant for adults. Although the villain seems feeble, sub-genre fans will enjoy the jocular frolic of ET falling in love with the perfect commoner, a zookeeper used to animal behavior. Harriet Klausner

The Jaguar Prince is the first book in Karen Kelley's new series and combines two paranormal aspects of shapeshifting and aliens that keeps the reader enthralled as the story evolves. Callie Jordan has always fended for herself and made her own way since being abandoned at an orphanage when she was very young. She has worked hard at the zoo where she is employed and aspires to be a zoo keeper for the big cats, in particular a jaguar named Sheba, who she feels a connection to. A chance encounter with a black jaguar that is loose shakes Callie but when suddenly a naked man appears in its place she thinks she is going crazy. Nothing compared to how she feels when she awakens to find him in her apartment the next morning and hearing his absurd story that he tells her. Prince Rogar Valkyir from New Symtaria realizes he will have a hard time to convince Callie that she is part Symtarian, a race of shapeshifters from another galaxy. He has come to earth to find their people and bring them back to their planet. His time is limited and he must convince Callie because her life is in danger. Zerod, a son from an elder ruler, is out to kill all mixed bloods to ensure that Symtarian's stay pure. This is a very cleverly written story with the trademark humor of Ms. Kelley that the reader has come to expect. The chemistry and heat between Rogar and Callie is undeniable and Rogar will do everything in his powers to protect Callie. There are a few surprises along the way which only makes the book more enjoyable. I found this to be a great read and look forward to the next release in this series.