I received this book for free from Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Pursuing the Bear by Kerry AdrienneSeries: Shifter Wars #2
Published by Carina Press on November 28th 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Shape Shifting, Creatures-Bears
Format: eARC
Source: Carina Press
The Shifter Wars heat up when a woman investigates the mysteries surrounding a fierce breed of man and exposes more than just secrets
Bear shifters exist. Professor Bria Lane has known this since she was a child. Now she's returned to the forests of Deep Creek to prove it to the world. She has no idea how close she is to that proof in ruggedly sexy park ranger Derek Poole. Intimately close. But uncovering Derek's wild side comes with a shattering price.
Like a magnet meeting metal, Derek is drawn to Bria. His destiny. His mate. So beautiful and so vulnerable. So dangerous, too: an encroachment of lions, vengeful and vicious, is closing in and they're ready for war. Now is not the time to be distracted like a lovesick cub.
If Bria reveals the truth of the Deep Creek shifters to the world, she'll bring out the worst of both sides. But Derek can't hide his secrets from the love of his life forever. He knows they're playing with fire--and that when passion runs this hot, this reckless, someone's bound to get burned.
This book is approximately 85,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise! Find out more at CarinaPress.com/RomancePromise.
Summary
Professor Bria Lane, is on a mission to prove that bear shifters exist and that she thinks that it can cure cancer. She is determined to get solid proof of the existence of shape shifters under the guise of a reasonable research sabbatical. She wants to prove to her parents that she can do this. She has returned to Deep Creek, a place that gives her mixed feelings. Its the place where she first saw a bear shift and where her parent’s relationship changed forever in a negative light. Derek Poole, is the locale Park Ranger, but he is also a bear shifter, and having Bria Lane come to town and with the “type” of research she has in mind could be very bad for all that and the worst timing ever. First he figures out that she is his mate, she poses a serious danger to his kind and there is a war coming on from the lions. Lions that want their territory and seek a war in order to claim it. Tensions are high, and above all that he has to do…he has to make sure his mate doesn’t reveal to anyone in the real world who his people really are. But Bria will have to choose on her own….her dream to be published and be accomplished to her parents or the growing love and passion she shares with this sexy bear….
Plot and Story Line
Pursuing The Bear was a random click on NG….I was in the mood for a bear shifter romance and Kerry Adrienne delivered a story that had me hooked from the beginning. Her writing is superb and I love how well she was able to sweep me away in this story. It sets off with our heroine Bria, recalling the first time seeing a bear and his cub shift and how magical it was to her. She has never forgotten what she has seen and she wants the world to know of it as well. Bria is on the hunt for a viewing of a bear shift once again, but it doesn’t happen like she wants it to. And then she stumbles across a sexy park ranger who keeps warning her off yet sharing time with her. Bria and Derek become close, becoming honest with each other (other than Derek being a bear shifter) but the war intrudes and Bria is put in danger. Now this does have a bit of lack of communication that happens here….why why do some characters wait too….long to be honest with the one person they love? But this happens and yeah circumstances aren’t the best. But I truly loved how we are swept in a story that is thrilling and passionate! I really was curious about this “war”, even though this is the second book in the series, I definitely support you reading it as a stand alone. But this war has been building for a while due to what happens in the first book. I did like that Derek and Bria fit quite well together, and even though they have some differences from each other. Once they resolve certain differences, they accept each other fully. The plot does thicken as the story continues on and boy does it get exciting at times! But I have a feeling book three will finish off a bit of a teaser we have with this shifter war….I have a feeling the lions are NOT done with these bears yet. Very curious to see what happens next. But what a fun and delightful escape from reality….definitely recommend to PNR lovers.
The Cover
I really think they did a great job with this cover….and matches up with our hero so well too!!! I love the green, adds the right feel for the story.
Overall View
Pursuing The Bear is a fantastic romance that is exciting….life changing and has a sensual warmth to wrap you up like a blanket on a cold winters night!!
It’s always great to find an enjoyable read when you least expect it. Nowadays, since none of the books on my TBR are appealing to me, I might as well follow your lead and select randomly. Lol.
oh I know…I love these little surprise reads. And you know random sometimes works!!
I added book one to my Amazon wish ist in hopes Santa brings me gift cards..lol. This really does sounds good!
oh yay!!! If you have been good this year…you will probably get plenty of gift cards hehe
I remember seeing this one on NetGalley! I’m not totally into the shifter scene, but it’s been quite some time since I read one. The random reads are sometimes the best! Highland Spitfire by Mary Wine was a random read for me back in January, and I absolutely loved that book. 😀 So great that you enjoyed this one!
Wonderful review!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
oh yeah? Those random picks really work sometime. Did you see the sequel to Highland Spitfire that’s on NG? I can’t wait to read it. Since the first one was so fun.
Net Galley has provided me with some pretty good impulse snags over the years. I love the situation here with this pair and bear shifters are a draw. Too bad lack of communication was there, but yes, so common in stories. Neat that you found another PNR series to love.
And yay, your blog is beautiful and Christmas-y. Love the songs on your list, too.
Yeah I agree….lack of communcation so many authors use!!
Yes I have definitely gotten into the festive mood lately!! Can you believe its that time of year again? oh boy, has this year gone by so quickly!
Nice review! I love the part about ‘sensual warmth to wrap you up like a blanket
on a cold winters night’. Makes me want to snuggle in with this book and
a hot cup of tea! And it’s great to hear of a new PNR shifter series to check out. 🙂
Thanks Michele!! Its definitely a fun book to snuggle with. I think you would really like this one.
I like the premise of this one with her thinking shifters are real and trying to prove that. Those random Netgalley clicks can lead to some great reads. I don’t like the miscommunication and it always frustrates me a bit people take so long to be honest with the one they love. Sounds like the war adds a bit of tension to the plot. Great review!
I like your blog it’s christmas look! It looks great!
curious about the war myself, was there at least a recap? I remember when it use to be just were shifters XD now there is so many creative takes on it. I’ll need to see if I can find book 1