WAKING THE BEAR

Series: Shifter Wars

by Kerry Adrienne

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.

Praise for Waking the Bear:

“Waking the Bear is a quick shifter read that will have you coming back for more from this author, I know I will.”
Night Owl Reads

I’m rating Waking the Bear a 5 out of 5 stars.”

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: August 1, 2016*

Publisher: Carina Press

Synopsis:

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.

*Previously published, newly revised by author

Order Now: Amazon | Carina Press | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | ARe

Excerpt from WAKING THE BEAR:

“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.”

BLP REVIEW – Tracy

Aahhhh, my fave genre….. PNR!!!

Waking the Bear was a good read. The first book in the Shifter Wars series nicely introduced and set up the storyline for what is sure to be one helluva battle between the Deep Creek bears and the Sen Pal lions.

I really liked Griff, yeah he was a real alpha male but he was a good guy, cared about the forest and the bears in his clan and knew pretty much from the get go that Amy was his fated mate but given everything that was going on in and around Deep Creek and the Caves of Whispers I could totally understand why he felt he had to pull himself back from thinking about a future with her.
Amy, looking to have some ‘me time’ for a couple of months having ended a horrible relationship with an overly possessive and controlling guy ends up renting a cabin from Griff in the Deep Creek National Park .
I liked that Amy was cautious about starting anything serious with Griff. She hadn’t been single for long at all and, even though she could fell the intense draw between them, she wasn’t sure where she would be in 2 months. The last thing she feels she needs is to get involved with her overprotective landlord – gods help her when she finds out that she’s actually his mate!!!

With a real nasty villain holding onto a deep seated grudge, some action and drama with a few twist and a whole lot of heat, Waking the Bear was an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series from Kerry Adrienne.

I rate WtB 3.75*

Other Books By Kerry Adrienne:

Storm Damaged:

In a world where humans don’t know mermaids exist, Mari leaves her home in the ocean to escape her mother, her betrothed, and her tribe’s expectations in order to make a go of independence on land. Chase, former Navy diver and self-appointed curmudgeon-who-isn’t-worthy-of-love, lost his brother in a freak diving accident and now fears the ocean he once loved.

Mari’s a mermaid with a plan. She has to get the sexy bartender, Chase, to remain on the island so she can get him into her bed. Trouble is, he’s afraid of the water and there’s a hurricane coming. But with Mari’s betrothed on the rampage over a centuries-old vendetta, the storm isn’t the worst thing they’ll have to face.

Storm Damaged is available now: Amazon | Kobo | ARe

The Wolf and the Butterfly:

Nika, the pack’s newest scout, wants nothing more than to please his Alpha. When he discovers a beautiful, and very sick, stranger in the woods outside Los Lobos, he finds himself torn between his duty and his hormones. The stranger carries a deadly wolf virus—one that hasn’t been seen in the Black Hills in ages.

Kimi, a Lakota Sioux, is dying. She’s transported herself forward in time, hoping to find the cure to the illness that’s stricken her tribe. Her only chance for survival is to trust Nika, even if she’s not used to having help.

To find the cure and save the pack, Nika and Kimi must travel to a time long ago—before the Lakota populated the Black Hills—a time filled with dangers neither can imagine. Their growing attraction may save them, or kill them both.

The Wolf and the Butterfly is available now: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | ARe

About Kerry Adrienne:

Repped by the fabulous Marisa Corvisiero with the Corvisiero Literary Agency.

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.

You can visit her much-neglected costuming blog here:  Maybe she’ll have time to update it soon.

Connect with Kerry: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon