Waking the Bear by Kerry Adrienne Review

Waking the Bear

Shifter Wars

By: Kerry Adrienne

Release Date: August 1, 2016

Carina Press

Barclay Publicity

A shifter war is brewing and Griff must decide between the clan he has to protect and the woman destined to be his mate.  WAKING THE BEAR is a tale where passion and danger lurk in the heart of the forest.  This novel is perfect for fans of The Bear King’s Captive by Milly Taiden and Reinike by Becca Fanning.

Sexy shifter passion is awakened when two unlikely lovers are challenged by secrets, danger and an unstoppable need to claim one's mate…

For human Amy Francis, the secluded cabin in Deep Creek is the haven she needs to map out a fresh new start. She never expected her heart to be reawakened by a distraction like Griff Martin, commanding yet gentle, too ferociously sensual to ignore. It's clear that patrolling the forest is more than a job to Griff—it's a means of survival. But what Amy doesn't realize is she's reawakened the beast within him.

Griff's dormant hunger is stirred by this intoxicating woman…and threatened by the secret she must never learn. Duty-bound to defend his bear clan against an avenging pride of lion shifters, Griff's entire world is upended when he meets Amy. His animal need to claim his mate has taken hold, but that very desire could seal her fate as an unwitting pawn in battle.

Now, as a shifter war looms, Griff must decide between letting Amy go or following his most carnal instincts. To have her would change his life…but risk everything he knows and was born to protect.

Amy Francis has finally freed herself from an abusive boyfriend and a ultra demanding job in Atlanta and has headed to upstate New York to finally have a fresh start. So she finds herself an amazing cabin in Deep Creek, that is simply perfect for her and it not bad that her landlord is divine too! But Amy is just trying to get her life and soul back on track, not lust after Griff Martin!

Griff Martin was more than just Amy's landlord or the Park Ranger! Griff was a bear shifter, whose family were brutally murdered when he was a child, but now he was a defender for his clan and determined to protect Deep Creek for them, especially with a shifter war approaching with the Lion pack! And a Lion who blaimed him for the death of his parents. But the last thing Griff expected was to find out that his new tenant Amy was his mate!

Now Griff has gain Amy's trust and love before he can tell her that she is his mate! Not to mention tell her that he is a bear, all the while keeping her safe from the Lion that wants him dead!

As you know I'm a HUGE bear shifter fan and I simply HAD to read the first book of this new series that sounded so fantastic! And believe me I was not disappointed by this book! The writing was smooth and gripping. The plot was intense, detailed and I'm pleased to say, has a little twist to the typical shifter book. I loved Griff character and he certainly lives up to his name! But despite his gruff exterior, he has a soft heart when it comes to Amy. I felt such empathy for Amy's character in the beginning, not only has she lost a friend (the friend hooked up with Amy's ex), but to be so rejected by her parents just truly breaks my heart.

By the time I was done with Griff and Amy's story, I had a bad book hangover and was desperate for the next book! Which is why I gave Waking the Bear 4 stars!

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“Griff, this is Amy Francis, your new tenant.” Jill rushed over to Amy and took her by the elbow to lead her to the small kitchenette table. “I’ve already done the background check and credit check, and she’s prepared to pay two months up front. Just gotta sign the papers.”

As Amy passed the ranger he peered down at her, his hazel eyes locking on to her, examining. Warm, and soul-deep, they stared. Not judging or comparing, he truly seemed to be studying her without any pretense. She gazed back, her mouth partly open, her heart rate accelerating from being so close she could smell his woodsy scent. He wore a full beard, the kind of scraggly brown mess of wiry hair usually reserved for reality TV. His hair matched, curling to his shoulders in a tangle of waves.

Something about his eyes warmed her to her core.

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Francis,” his deep voice almost growled. He set her scarf on the table.

What had he been doing with her scarf? She’d left it on the table. She grabbed it then wrapped it around her neck, hoping to conceal her flush. “Nice to meet you, too.”

She was instantly at ease with him, despite his gruff appearance and her body’s reaction to his maleness. He had that Grizzly Adams kind of comfort in his posture. Big, but safe. Trustworthy. At ease with himself and his environment. The kind of guy that made you feel like everything was going to be okay.

Not the kind of guy she was used to being around.

“Glad you find my cabin to your satisfaction.” He continued to stare, but it wasn’t threatening, it was curious.

“It’s a lovely place, and the view is amazing, but you know that. Exactly what I was looking for, though. So thank you for agreeing to rent it to me.” She could tell she was babbling but her mouth wouldn’t stop. Something about the sexy ranger made her slap happy. She squeezed her scarf, trying to keep quiet and slow her thoughts down. Amy time. Amy time. Not looking for a man. Shouldn’t even be looking at a man, especially not a man like this. Whew, is it hot in here? She fanned herself.

“I have some questions.” He eyed her for a few seconds before continuing, his gaze cutting into her. “This is my family’s cabin and it’s very special to me. I don’t rent to just anyone that shows up. Even someone Jill has picked and background checked.” He nodded toward Jill. “Even though I’ve known her a long time.”

“Her background check was clear.” Jill nodded.

“I hope you’ll consider me.” Amy shuffled her feet. Her heart thudded and her palms dampened. She hadn’t considered that he might not rent to her. If he didn’t, she’d have to stay in a hotel till she found another place, and that wouldn’t be easy.

He ran his fingertips across the chairback and paused before speaking. “This cabin is a special place to me.”

She followed his fingers, watching them slide across the smooth wood. “I can see how it would be.” Her mouth went dry. His long fingers and large hands exuded the same power his height did. No wonder Jill seemed to have a crush on him. Who wouldn’t? She cleared her throat. “What questions do you have? I’m prepaying.”

“I’ve got the contract,” Jill interjected. “Ready to go.”

“No, it’s not that.” He ran his fingers through his beard. “I need to know how you’ll use the cabin.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t damage anything. I’m an artist and I draw and paint landscapes and florals. Mostly watercolor, and almost always outdoors. That’s why I thought about coming to the mountains of New York. It’s so beautiful here.” Damn, she was still babbling. What was it about the big man that both put her off guard and comforted her at the same time? Her body hummed with excitement being in his presence and she’d left her cool in the cabin bedroom. She had to get control. She was in New York to get away from people, not meet new ones. Especially not sexy new ones.

He had facial hair and she had a rule. No facial hair. That was simple enough, right? No facial hair meant zero facial hair. Well, except eyebrows. She’d dated a guy in college who shaved off his eyebrows as part of his Goth sensibilities. Best guy ever at quoting Whitman. No facial hair except eyebrows had been a rule since that guy was out of her life.

“I see. Well, I’m glad to hear you aren’t painting with harsh chemicals.” He yawned and rubbed his eyes. He gripped the back of the kitchen chair and scooted it across the wooden floor to its place under the table. “Sorry. I’m having a hard time staying awake.”

“Sorry.” Her face heated again. “I’m trying to tell you how lovely I think this area is, especially compared to the city.”

“The mountains are picturesque, especially in springtime. I think you’ll be an ideal tenant, long as you can follow the rules.”

His gaze lingered, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Th-thank you,” she stammered at his close inspection. “I can follow the rules.” The landlord won’t be too bad to look at, either. Not a bonus I was expecting. Looking is okay.

“One thing you need to know. Take it to heart, please. The mountains are very dangerous. Especially if you don’t know what you’re doing or where you’re going. You don’t want to go traipsing around these trails by yourself. You could get lost pretty easily and it could be days before someone finds you. There are things—”

“I don’t think you need to worry about Ms. Francis,” Jill spoke up. “She’ll be fine.” She fiddled with her notebook, flipping pages quickly. “She’s from Atlanta.”

Griff reared up to his full height and stared at the Realtor. “This is not Atlanta.”

Kerry loves history and spends large amounts of time wondering about people who lived and walked on Earth in the past. She’s a mom to three daughters, six cats, and various small animals. Her husband says she’s a marketer’s dream, as she often believes everything she hears—at least initially. Her shoe horde will attest to her fine shopping skills.

In addition to writing, Kerry loves to sew (costumes and cosplay, especially), draw, paint, make chainmail, and play guitar.

Her new love is her Mini Cooper Convertible, Sheldon, and they have already gone on many adventures. They travel to as many concerts as they can–especially Green Day and Marilyn Manson.

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