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Available 4.15.24


Claimed by the Mate

Claimed by the Mate, September 2015
Wolf Games #1
by Kate Douglas, A.C. Arthur

St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 1466891009
EAN: 9781466891005
Kindle: B00WDWNK1E
e-Book
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"Two sexy paranormals offered in one book"

Fresh Fiction Review

Claimed by the Mate
Kate Douglas, A.C. Arthur

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko
Posted September 30, 2015

Romance Paranormal

CLAIMED BY THE MATE is a two-for-one book.

FERAL PASSION by Kate Douglas

Welcome to a luxurious private resort nestled in a preserve, staffed by sexy men that make this a haven for women who want to get away from it all. Truth is, this is a wolf pack full of gorgeous shifters who are looking for mates. Cherry is tricked by her sister and her sister's best friend to go and is shocked when two of the sexy guys take an interest in her. Insecure because she is a bigger girl, she doesn't believe their attention is sincere so she decides she will have memories no one can take from her when her week is done.

THE ALPHA'S WOMAN by A.C. Arthur

Kira Radney escapes from her father's pack for a number of reasons. She isn't the small, delicate, submissive mate members of that pack want, though one is willing to force it as she is the Alpha's daughter. Her escape leads her into the arms of a dangerous, protective alpha wolf. Kira is in a fight against her need to be free and her secret desire to be controlled.

The first story by Kate Douglas is a fun, sexy romp. There is not a whole lot of depth or world building, but it is a fun read. I will warn you now there is an M/M situation, a discussion about F/F, and of course an M/F/M ménage, so if that bothers you this isn't for you. I felt for Cherry because of her insecurities with her size. It was thrown in her face by her own parents. In one scene we see, as kids, her sister went to a fun camp having s'mores and Cherry was sent to a fat camp. Those insecurities do cause some heartache on her part when Cherry believes Brad and Cain were just trying to make her feel good about herself. I want to see more of this world because having gotten to know the sexy wolves, I want to see who Ms. Douglas comes up with for them.

The second book is a deeper and a bit grittier than the first. Author A.C. Arthur gives a different take on the existence of the Lycan. As decedents of Greek Gods, it was definitely not something I have read before. Kira is specially marked by the Gods, but instead of good treatment she receives fear and abuse. When she runs from her fathers pack, it is only to be found by Blaez Trekas. She is drawn to him and vice versa, but neither is thrilled with the prospect. Until the danger comes calling and Blaez is determined to see her safe. I must admit that it took me longer to read this story than the first one, but I was unable to put it down and am glad I didn't give up.

These two stories are very different, and at first I wasn't sure they belonged together in the same book, but they are both excellent reads.

Learn more about Claimed by the Mate

SUMMARY

THE ALPHA'S WOMAN by A.C. Arthur

Kira Radney is all delicious curves and strong will and has no desire to be a subservient mate. When a member of her father's pack attempts to make her his mate by force, Kira has no choice but to flee. The last thing she wants is to submit to any male and their pack. But when her escape attempt leads her straight into the arms of an alpha wolf-a sexy, dangerous, protective alpha-Kira must fight against her need to be free, and her secret desire to be controlled...

FERAL PASSIONS (A Feral Passions Novel) by Kate Douglas

Welcome to Feral Passions, a luxurious private resort nestled in a preserve and staffed by dangerously sexy men, making it a haven for women who want to get away from it all. But Feral Passions is a front for a deeper, sexier secret-it's a hunting ground for these men. Men focused on meeting each woman's every need. Men who are also the beautiful wolves running wild...and who are looking for mates.

Chereza Dubios is more comfortable solving math equations than she is with her voluptuous body and meeting men. But when her younger sister and best friend trick her into vacationing at Feral Passions, Cherry finds herself attracted and torn between two men who find her curvy body and intelligent mind irresistible. Two men who share a secret-they want to share her.

But that takes trust-can Cherry open herself to love with two sensual and powerful werewolves?

Excerpt

FERAL PASSIONS by Kate Douglas

“Hey, ladies. Glad you’re here. We were getting worried.” The dark haired one stopped beside Christa and tugged his baseball cap off. Then he turned his full focus on Cherry. “I’m Brad. Why don’t you show me which bags are yours.”

It was the oddest thing—he looked as if he were sizing her up, but instead of a dismissive glance, he continued looking right at her. His brown eyes actually twinkled, and then he winked.

Her knees turned to jelly. She pressed her hand to the side of the car, unobtrusively, she hoped, but it was that or fall on her butt. Men never looked at her for long. A quick glance to check out her oversized assets, and then they moved on.

Brad didn’t. He grabbed her bags out of the trunk and lifted them with ease. She’d needed help from Christa to load the large one. Brad held it lightly in one hand.

“C’mon,” he said. “Your cabin’s all ready, and I’ll help you get settled.”

She had to swallow to speak, and then decided merely nodding was easier. He smiled and nodded to Traker. “Trak, I’ll be back behind the bar in a few minutes.”

For some reason, Trak looked like he was trying not to laugh. “No rush. Take your time. I’ll cover for you.”

A cloud coasted right over the top of Cherry’s sense of well-being. Of course, Trak was probably thinking of how he was going to tease Brad later, about getting stuck with the fat one.

She let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. “Meet you two in the bar in about half an hour, okay?”

“Sounds good.” Christa grabbed her overnight bag and followed Cain, while Trak led Steph in the same direction.

As Brad led Cherry toward a trail that angled away from the big lodge and away from Christa and Steph, Cherry felt a moment of panic. She hadn’t thought about the fact they’d be in individual cabins—she’d pictured the lodge as a large hotel with separate rooms. Not only were they rooming by themselves, she didn’t even know which cabins Steph and Christa would be staying in. She glanced over her shoulder as her sister and Steph disappeared into the woods, and then she turned and almost ran into Brad.

“Oh. I’m sorry.” Flustered, she realized she’d slapped her hand to her chest like an old lady with the vapors, which had her feeling like a fool. Heat raced over her chest and face and she knew he was thinking she was an idiot, a complete loser. Her eyes filled with tears.

“You okay?” He set the bags down on the hard-packed trail.

She dug through her handbag for a tissue but she didn’t look at him. “Fine,” she mumbled. This was all a mistake. She never should have come, it was....

“Hey, Cherry. Whatever it is, it’s not worth tears.”

Arms wrapped around her. Strong, warm arms pulling her close against a broad chest, so close she heard his heart beat, felt the steady thud, thud, thud against her cheek. He smelled so good. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had hugged her, and there’d never been one that smelled of pine forest and wood smoke. She should pull away, she really should, but he was holding her close and stroking her hair, and whispering stuff she couldn’t really hear, and she was just so damned tired from the long drive, and so...she wasn’t sure what to call it. Vulnerable? But somehow, even though he was a stranger, even though he was probably the most beautiful man she’d ever seen and that alone should scare her to death, it settled her.

He settled her.

She sniffed, drew in a shuddering breath, and sniffed again. He shoved a clean white handkerchief into her hand. “I’m a firm believer in the healing value of a good hug. You okay?” When she nodded, he leaned over and grabbed her heavy suitcase in one hand and threwthe strap to her second bag over his shoulder. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose and then didn’t know what to do with the handkerchief.

He took it from her with his free hand, wiped a tear she’d missed, and then stuck the soggy thing into his pocket. “I’ll wash it...”

“Forget about it. I’ll take care of it. You must be exhausted after that long drive. Let’s get you to your cabin.”


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