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Bears of Slaughter Mountain #2

Defender of Slaughter Mountain

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Kian McHurne has unpaired himself from his mate. He had to do it for reasons he never wants to admit out loud. He put her in the care of the new King of the Bear Clan of Alaska, in hopes that she could have a better life, and survive the war that is coming for her. Their pairing was arranged, and they never quite took to each other. It’s better to cut losses and move on if they’re to be in two separate Clans now. Too bad Fate has other plans. When he’s cast into the new Clan to fight for his life, he sees the mate he left behind in a new light. She isn’t anchored down anymore, and the new-found freedom has done her good. Her inner grizzly is fierce and she will make Kian pay every chance she gets, but for him? He will secretly cheer her on.
She should be fierce.
She should learn to fight.
She should learn to never back down, because he knows a secret the new Clan doesn’t know—and it could be the end to them all.

Grizzly shifter, Eryn Laraway, has been shamed. When a pairing fails in the Bear Clan, it’s an unspeakable thing to happen, and her mate has chosen to do just that. Caught between the urge to curl up in a ball forever, or fight like a wild animal until she feels steady again, Eryn must figure out what to do with her life now. When Kian shows up with big warnings for her new Clan, she begins to appreciate the man he could’ve been…if he wasn’t a big, dominant, brute of a grizzly shifter. He’s just like the others of the Old Clan…right? Their pairing was always distant, but now he insists on teaching her things that are strictly forbidden by the Old Ways. The more she gets to know her growing self, the farther away her old life seems to be, and for the life of her, she can’t decide if Kian will ruin what she’s building, or protect it.

A storm is brewing over Slaughter Mountain, and new boundary lines will be drawn in a war that will rattle the Clans from the inside out. Don’t miss this thrilling installment in T.S. Joyce’s bestselling Bears of Slaughter Mountain series. Change is coming, whether the Clans like it or not.



Content Warning: love scenes, naughty language, and piles of shifter secrets. This series is establishing territory lines between two bear shifter Clans, and is an spicy-love-story-action-packed adventure from start to finish. If you aren’t up for grizzly fights, this won’t be your jam, but if you’re up for romance with a side of war-between-good-and-evil, this one’s for you!

137 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2023

257 people are currently reading
110 people want to read

About the author

T.S. Joyce

160 books3,460 followers
T.S. Joyce is devoted to bringing hot shifter romances to readers. Hungry alpha males are her calling card, and the wilder the men, the more she'll make them pour their hearts out. She werebear swears there'll be no swooning heroines in her books. It takes tough-as-nails women to handle the shifters of Bear Valley.

She lives in a tiny town, outside of a tiny city, and devotes her life to writing big stories. Foodie, bear whisperer, ninja, thief of tiny bottles of awesome smelling hotel shampoo, nap connoisseur, movie fanatic, and zombie slayer, and most of this bio is true.

Bear Shifters? Check
Smoldering Alpha Hotness? Double Check
Sexy Scenes? Fasten up your girdles, ladies and gents, it's gonna to be a wild ride.

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5 stars
1,277 (74%)
4 stars
322 (18%)
3 stars
108 (6%)
2 stars
9 (<1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
Profile Image for Ana.
2,038 reviews6 followers
March 20, 2023
In order to protect Eryn, Kian let's her go to by releasing her from their mating. He brings her to Foster for protection. All hell breaks loose, and we find that he's not a bad guy and she's not a push over like we all thought. The old clan is planning a vicious attack and she has to step her game up. Kian loves her, but Eryn doesn't know that because he's never been a talkative guy, but she's always had a secret crush on the War Bear. They have to get past the trauma they lived with the old clan in order to battle together with Giergon the Dead's new Clan. An emotional roller coaster filled with, drama, action, hope and sexiness.

Foster discovers that he has friends in the Piston Pack that will never give up on him or let him down.
He is now The Zombie Bear, just like Stryker is The Zombie Wolf.

I want more of the Bears of Slaughter Mountain!
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
March 10, 2023
Oh boy...this one had it all. A sweet romance, where the couple had to learn about each other and a big battle at the end, where the good guys kicked ass and did what needed to be done, take out the trash! The best is ending the book leaves you on a happy note, Eryn and Kian are happy with how things are for them now, their future is wide open and the clan will thrive with lots of new members, ones who want better things in their lives. It will be fun to see where things go for them all from here!
Profile Image for SheLove2Read.
3,109 reviews204 followers
March 9, 2023
I am loving this new series! Can't wait for Tayah's story - I think that one is going to be so good.
Profile Image for Shelley C.
2,963 reviews65 followers
March 6, 2023
Defenders of Slaughter Mountain❣️

Book two in this new series is finally here and it’s a great read😁 Eryn and her mate go their separate ways at the end of the first book. Eryn not understanding why he undoes their mating, feels shame because of this but she’s determined to make a new life for herself and that starts with achieving her own goals and becoming more independent🤩

Kian is not one to speak about his feelings but when he does the old Clan turn on him and leave him for dead in Biergon’s territory😢 Renewed with a second chance, Kian is determined to prove himself to Eryn and win her back😍

Loved this story and excited for Anya’s book next❤️

Profile Image for Lorrie.
2,275 reviews28 followers
May 10, 2023
3.5 stars. Kian and Eryn’s story was cute, but I just didn’t really connect with either of them as much as I’d hoped to.
Profile Image for Shifter Haven.
262 reviews8 followers
March 30, 2023
Reviewed at Shifter Haven

Defender of Slaughter Mountain is the second title in the Bears of Slaughter Mountain series, and how I loved this couple’s journey from heartache and pain to a forever kind of connection neither ever expected to find… especially in their former mates. Most of what you’d want to know before picking up this book can be found in the Cover Description, but that doesn’t give you the emotional pain that both Eryn and Kian are going through after he unmated them. Or the ability to imagine what is in store not only for this couple but for their newly formed bear clan as well.

I loved watching Eryn grow throughout this story. She’s come so far, but she’s devastated by Kian’s unmating with her. For her, having her mate reject her like that is such a shameful, painful thing. Yet, in the new clan that she’s part of she’s seeing that those old traditions and old ways have no place in her life now. So, she’s stepping out, getting herself a job, and learning how to live without the constant fear of doing something wrong that would bring punishment from a member of the old clan. She’s a powerful shifter who is only beginning to understand what she’s capable of facing, or fighting for what she wants. I liked Eryn in the previous story, but I came to love the woman she became with the help of her new clanmates, and the man who did what he felt was the best thing to do for the woman he cared about.

Kian’s action toward Eryn was devastating for them both. He told himself that the unmating ritual was for her protection, that she would be safer with Foster’s new clan… but he was lying to himself. As he watches over Eryn from a distance, he’s seeing a new, stronger woman, a woman who is beginning to stand up for herself. And he’s so proud of her. But she’s not prepared for what the old clan has planned; none of Foster’s clan are. He’s made a choice on which side he’s taking, and the decision to teach Eryn ways to defend herself… and maybe win back the mate he gave up for her own good.

There’s danger ahead for Foster’s new clan, and some unexpected perhaps familiar faces will join in the fight. I had such a good time back in this world. Kian and Eryn are a couple who have to make some changes before they can really see each other for who they are today, not yesterday. I loved watching their journey, and definitely want to know what happens next.

I own a Kindle edition of this title.

Profile Image for Debbie.
748 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2026
Defender of Slaughter Mountain

The background plot going on in this series mirrors RL misogyny so well, especially the conflict between viewing women as magnificent and viewing them as something to be beaten and controlled.

“Traitor,” Truck rumbled, jamming a finger at him through the crowd. “He’s a female sympathizer.”
“A what?” Kian asked.
“You are forgetting tradition!” someone yelled.
“And what is tradition? I don’t remember reading ‘kill the females’ in any of our old texts!” His voice boomed through the clearing. “In fact, I don’t remember treating females like shit being anywhere in our traditions.”

Traditions are made up and temporary, and sometimes they are just bad. I really like how the MCs are not just dismantling a hateful, cowardly system, they are building something so much more beautiful. This gave me chills,

“It is up to you to give her a solid foundation where she knows she is safe to be herself. And you should know something.”
“What?” Kian asked.
Biergon lifted those bear-bright gold-green eyes to his. “The great joy of your life is about to happen as you watch Eryn rise.”

The relationship between Biergon and the MMC is a lovely thing to watch grow. And the support from Stark and Stryker and Krome and the Bane’s and Divar - thank you author, for the fantasy of good men.
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,613 reviews43 followers
March 20, 2023
This is the second book in this new series by T.S. Joyce. This book focuses on Kian and Eryn. They are a mated pair chosen by the old council. Kian unpaired them to protect Eryn. Now he finds himself part of the new clan. Not so much by choice either. However, this maybe the best thing that can happen to him. Kian is learning to see things differently. That the old way isn’t the best way. Being saved by Foster/Biergon has changed him. Eryn is torn she still cared for Kian but loves the woman she is growing into. Could Kian be changing? Did she ever really know him to begin with? I loved reading about how Kian really felt and reading about him learning to share how he feels with Eryn. They really are a love match. Fantastic job T.S. Joyce on another fantastic book. I love all of T.S. Joyce’s books and this one was no different. She is a must-read author for me. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Vicki Shaff.
413 reviews2 followers
March 17, 2023
Loved It

This is such an awesome series as we get to know the bear clan. Kian gave up Eryn in an effort to protect her. Under the old clan they were forced to mate by the Council. Their choice was taken away and as a result their mating never took hold. Kian is a war bear and not good with using words to express his feelings. Truth is he loves Eryn but he wanted her to come to him by choice. Eryn tried to move on without Kian but the love is still there. Under the new clan freedom is given to everyone including the females. Kian and Eryn start over and this time love has brought them together. The characters are amazing and their stories leave you wanting more. Can't wait for the next book to come out.
Profile Image for Mary Winstead.
1,263 reviews16 followers
March 29, 2023
Kian unpaired with Eryn to set her free because if she stayed in the old clan she would of died. When Kian defended the women to his old clan he was banished and left for dead near the new clan and his ex Eryn. Eryn never wanted to be unpaired with Kian and he never gave her a reason just left her there with her friends. She vowed to become a new her and to not let any man dictate her life. While Kian is recuperating she talks to him but him not giving her answers make her so irritated that she goes off on him. To make things right Kian gives her his journal to understand that he's not good at explaining in words like it is writing them. Can these two work it out and be together again? Great read.
Profile Image for DMCechak.
1,792 reviews24 followers
April 3, 2023
She Chose Living

“Everything happens for a reason. Be patient with Eryn,” Biergon the Dead advised. “If she is meant to be yours, she will be. It is up to you to give her a solid foundation where she knows she is safe to be herself. And you should know something.” “What?” Kian asked. Biergon lifted those bear-bright gold-green eyes to his. “The great joy of your life is about to happen as you watch Eryn rise.”

These little stories have BIG heart!

Defender of Slaughter Mountain, book 2 in TS Joyce’s Bears of Slaughter Mountain series, appears to be a simple story of lost love, found. But it is so very much more!

Kian and Eryn battle their hearts, but the true battle is raging under the fur and scales of their hidden allies.
Profile Image for Alicia.
2,636 reviews82 followers
March 6, 2023
This book followed the couple I wanted! After the events of Traitor Bear, I really wanted to see things play out.
The dialogue is very jilted in this one. I don’t know if she’s trying to have a more formal tone to match the secluded lifestyle they’ve had previously, but it was really annoying to read. And so much of this book is conversation, all of it stuffy. It’s very reminiscent of the Wolf Brides series, which was historical. I bawled my eyes out though. I really wanted those two to figure each other out and have a proper conversation. This is definitely a more seriously toned series, with zero comedic relief and all the feels of a sweet second chance romance.
122 reviews1 follower
March 8, 2023
Kian & Eryn

Great 2nd story in this spin off series. Loved watching the “girls” start to become more independent in actions and attitude. The storyline between Kian and Eryn was heartfelt and had you cheering for them. The plot involving the old clan provided suspense and action. “ I can only hope the council was in that cave and paid for their abuses of the others.” One of my favorite things, was that Stryker, Stark, Nuke, the Bane Brothers, Divar and the Crows came to help their former pack member. Waiting on the next story about Anya. Hope we’ll get more on the mystery that is Slaughter and Slaughter Mountain.
2,143 reviews3 followers
March 9, 2023
Defender of Slaughter Mountain...

Bears of Slaughter Mountain book 2. Kian and Eryn. So they were already mates but in their clan it was a messy and hostile situation. In order to protect Eryn, Kian let's her to by releasing her from their mating. He brings her to Foster for protection. Well all hell breaks loose and we find that he's not the bad guy and she's not such a push over. The old clan is planning a vicious attack she gotta step her game up. Kian loves her and they gotta get past this trauma from the old clan in order to battle together as a new one. An emotional roller coaster filled with, drama, angst, hope nd smexiness.
Profile Image for PepperP0t .
5,108 reviews86 followers
April 1, 2023
Kian McHurne took his mate Eryn Laraway to Biergon for protection prior to Biergon’s battle with Tonga rather than see her punished. Kian also shattered Eryn by unmating her before he left. Tonga refuses to meekly accept his loss and when Kian protests plotting against Biergon and the females, he’s badly beaten and delivered to Biergon’s camp.

Kian and Eryn thrive under Biergon’s softer leadership. Realizing they aren’t tied to the old ways, Kian and Eryn also discover there have real feelings for each other. Meanwhile, one of Tonga’s plans is put into play but neither he nor his followers are aware or prepared for the resistance they’ll meet.
Rating: 4stars
Profile Image for Jennifer.
43 reviews4 followers
March 5, 2023
Other amazing book

I have been reading ts Joyce books since her first one Love evert single one more How she puts them together interacts them in books let's us see how daughters of one of first series grown Yet once again she brought us this series this book was fantastic never disappoints absolutely recommend this book and all her books Have a read Day start at beginning till this one and you will see all these wonderful characters cone to life Best author yes like alot of them but ts Joyce is my favorite
Profile Image for Merry One Maria.
2,329 reviews10 followers
April 21, 2024
A sweet reunion for Eryn and Kian

This is book two of the series and it picks up after book one where there is a split in the clan. Foster and Jaydah are King and Queen and starting to build from scratch with new rules and freedom for women. Unfortunately the other bears are furious with Foster and Jaydah and are plotting a take back. During these times Foster is helping Kian because he was attacked for standing up for Eryn. Foster is building Kian back up so that he can join him in leadership but also so Kian can win back the heart of his mate Eryn. Read On!
Profile Image for Christin Ketelsen.
108 reviews
March 6, 2023
Circling back to the beginning to see both sides

I knew Eryn and Kian had that spark. They just needed the freedom from old traditions to realize they were a love match all along. I loved this story that even tied in some of our old favorite characters. My heart tripped a bit at the battle. (Goodness, Ms. Joyce, leave us on the edge will ya?) I can't say enough about these stories and characters!
130 reviews
March 6, 2023
Never Judge a Book...

This, (I have read EVERYTHING TS Joyce has published) this one hit me very hard. If you read between the lines, you will get more than one book. I fell in love. I lost that love, and I fought like a demon to get that love back. T did that for me. So powerfully written. So full of emotions that I felt everything. I can not wait to see where this series goes.
Profile Image for Debra  (Dragon Nanny) Phiri.
1,618 reviews20 followers
March 7, 2023
T has done it again! This book guys you right out of the gate! However as you read it, you get put back together with the super glue of strength and self love/confidence that Eryn gets and learns she had in her bear all along!

This second book in the Bears of Slaughter Mountain is heavy on the females and I love it. Women are strong and yes it has to do with the men also but definitely as a supporting role and back up strength.

I love it!
327 reviews3 followers
March 8, 2023
Loved It!!!

So good, so good, so good. Loved it, all my favorite crews came together once again to save the day. I just love how they stand up for each other, even far away. Foster/Biergon now has a strong support if trouble arises again. Those Counsel members better get a grip or they too will feel the wrath of Biergon the Dead...and all is well Gor now cause this war doesn't seem to over, not until the Counsel change their ways...big fan as always Winzie19🤗💞.
Profile Image for Maria .
2,489 reviews23 followers
March 9, 2023
A Change is Coming!

Kian's and Eryn's story was a great start to this new series. Kian's whole story is sad. His king has so much insight that he quite not understands, but he evolves. She is making it in this new scenario trusting in herself, with not only her King and Queen, but with her new developing clan. And then the war bear who unclaimed and shamed her appears almost at deaths' door. A storm is brewing.
Profile Image for Teresa .
1,912 reviews3 followers
March 9, 2023
Kian

Book two of this spin of series with foster,kian gets is story.I have a question why is it called slaughter mountain? (It might of said before but I don't remember) is it because of the bear slaughter? This one adds a few more characters at the end.I liked the cameo of past friends.I found stalker bear slaughter funny, I think he is more like foster in heart.Will his story be next?
Profile Image for Diana Gagliardi Gagliardi.
598 reviews2 followers
March 15, 2023
Bears bears bears

Rejecting his mate was the only way Loan could think of to save Eryn, but it hurt. They didn't seem to work together but when he stood up for her and other women his clan turned on him. The Alaskan Clan was broken and had bad traditions harming women. The new old King of Alaska was making changes and the clan is split. Can strength and justice overwhelm tradition?
Profile Image for Terri West.
2,162 reviews
April 9, 2023
Here we are back at Slaughter Mountain and Kain has joined Biergon's clan and although he unmated Eryn, it was to give her choices. Eryn however does not know that and because he doesn't talk much she assumes it's because it's because he never wanted her. This is a sweet tale of second chance romance. This series seems somewhat more serious than books of late, that said they are still the usual uplifting story.
135 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2023
T.S. Joyce has done it again! This book was so amazing I don't even know what to say! I feel like every one of her books get better, and I don't know how that's possible. You really feel the emotions of her characters, and believe me, you will cry when the characters cry! I don't only recommend this book, I recommend all of her books!
2,788 reviews2 followers
March 6, 2023
Kian and Eryn

I found enjoyment in this story of discovery. Building new lives, examining the past to grow from the mistakes and discovering who they really are. There is a reassuring positivity that makes this story so satisfying. T.S. Joyce created a world of memorable characters.
53 reviews2 followers
March 7, 2023
Second chance

LOVED THIS! Second chances aren’t always my cup of tea, but this one was wonderful. This first time around was full of misunderstandings and hurt, but finding a way back to each other and love in the process made it all worthwhile. Throw in some old friends and it’s a perfect recipe.
Profile Image for Cassie.
670 reviews3 followers
Read
March 9, 2023
Got an email from Amazon about TS Joyce’s new book (the second one in this series). I needed a good palate cleanser, so I downloaded both the first and second books without even looking at the description. I know TS Joyce loves series in a connected world, but it just slipped my mind. Since this is a spin off, I was somewhat confused about what was going on, but it was still enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews

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