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Therian Heat #1
Therian Prey
Before Carissa has time to react to her sister's disappearance, she's kidnapped and taken deep into the Colorado mountains. Her kidnapper swears he's protecting her, but Carissa doesn't know what to believe. He emanates danger, strength and raw sexuality. She's drawn to him, craves his demanding kiss and the slide of his hard body against and into hers.
Quinn has always been an outsider, scorned and mistrusted by other Therian shapeshifters. Now he's in the middle of a budding civil war and he's not sure how to disentangle himself without endangering Carissa. Though her powers are latent, Carissa has the potential of becoming the most powerful Therian the world has ever seen. It was Quinn's intention to bring Carissa to safety and simply walk away, but one taste of her sweet lips and he knows he'll never let her go. She won't be truly safe until she's selected her mate-and he intends to be the one she chooses.
Quinn has always been an outsider, scorned and mistrusted by other Therian shapeshifters. Now he's in the middle of a budding civil war and he's not sure how to disentangle himself without endangering Carissa. Though her powers are latent, Carissa has the potential of becoming the most powerful Therian the world has ever seen. It was Quinn's intention to bring Carissa to safety and simply walk away, but one taste of her sweet lips and he knows he'll never let her go. She won't be truly safe until she's selected her mate-and he intends to be the one she chooses.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2011
26 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Cyndi Friberg
78 books160 followersPassionate Sci-Fi with a touch of danger and a whole lot of sass.
Cyndi has written about rock stars, vampires, and cat shifters, but she's currently focused on outer space. Her stories are fun, fast-paced, and seriously hot. She has made the USA Today Top 100, and every book in the Outcasts series landed on Amazon's Top 100. She is currently working on Shadowborn Rebellion, a spin-off series set in the Outcasts universe.
Cyndi has written about rock stars, vampires, and cat shifters, but she's currently focused on outer space. Her stories are fun, fast-paced, and seriously hot. She has made the USA Today Top 100, and every book in the Outcasts series landed on Amazon's Top 100. She is currently working on Shadowborn Rebellion, a spin-off series set in the Outcasts universe.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 28, 2012
I had a really tough time with this book. I didn't like how passively Carissa accepted a lot of what was happening to her (she took a lot of things on the word of people she had just met and didn't really know) and I didn't like that most of the men (and the women, come to think of it) said it was wrong that she was going to be forced but they still went along with it in a sense. While I (grudgingly) understand some of the reasoning behind the last part, it skeeved me out and made me cringe. Honestly, I don't like to be skeeved out while reading naughty books.
There were a lot of elements I liked, but overall for me it just didn't work.
This book was a free Kindle download I picked up 09/27/12 for the Why Buy the Cow? reading challenge.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
There were a lot of elements I liked, but overall for me it just didn't work.
This book was a free Kindle download I picked up 09/27/12 for the Why Buy the Cow? reading challenge.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
September 28, 2012
Free on amazon today!
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June 22, 2020I think I downloaded this book in 2012 or so. It seemed to have potential, but some questions in my mind led me to come read reviews. That's never a good sign for how a book is going, but helps me maximize my time. Anyway, I will DNF this book. It's a 4 book series with apparent cliffhanger endings for every book, and the series isn't finished. Looks like the last book came out in 2013? Moving on...
December 29, 2019
Just don’t. There was so many things wrong with this story.
The tone.
The plot.
The characters.
There was just a massive ball of confusion and lots of little scenes that just didn’t seem to flow together.
The tone.
The plot.
The characters.
There was just a massive ball of confusion and lots of little scenes that just didn’t seem to flow together.
June 4, 2024
This book beautifully encapsulates a hot steamy THERIAN romance
March 1, 2012
Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
Therian Prey is a diamond in the rough. When I read the blurb, I thought it sounded like an interesting paranormal read. All I can say is the blurb doesn’t even scratch the surface of what is between the covers of this book.
Carissa has had quite a day. Business is dangerously slow for her and her sister’s business, she practically melts into a puddle when a customer comes in, gets attacked by two men who turned into wolves, gets kidnapped by “puddle man”, and then to top it off she gets carried away by what appears to be rather large bird. Even though all this and more has happened to her all in one night, the worst of it is, her sister Ava was kidnapped too.
Quinn thought tracking and retrieving the Seymour twins would be a piece of cake. Tracking is what he does and he's one of the best. Yes, he found his marks, but the problem is there are at least two other factions that want them, too. Now he's in a race against time to secure Carissa and then help find her sister. To add to the frustrating situation he now has to deal with the complications of Carissa being in heat. He never wanted to get this involved, but his attraction to Carissa is an unstoppable force.
What an amazing world that Ms. Friberg has created! There was political intrigue, ancient voodoo, clan wars, archaic traditions, even secret medical testing. Carissa thought she was just an average girl running from a frightening past. She is so funny and strong and a joy to read. Quinn is just sexy. He's a man who has known loneliness and heartbreak. He's been ostracized for something he wishes every day had never happened. Now, helping an old friend, he just wants to do his job and get out.
I enjoyed that this book was filled to the brim, but not overly done. The action was exciting and the love scenes were scorching. The characters were all engaging and the world building was refreshing. The plot line still has more to reveal and I can’t wait for the next installment.
If you are looking for more than a sexy story, this book is for you. Therian Prey is a well written book with everything a paranormal reader would want. Even if you don’t like paranormal reads, pick this one up. I have a feeling it will change your mind.
Therian Prey is a diamond in the rough. When I read the blurb, I thought it sounded like an interesting paranormal read. All I can say is the blurb doesn’t even scratch the surface of what is between the covers of this book.
Carissa has had quite a day. Business is dangerously slow for her and her sister’s business, she practically melts into a puddle when a customer comes in, gets attacked by two men who turned into wolves, gets kidnapped by “puddle man”, and then to top it off she gets carried away by what appears to be rather large bird. Even though all this and more has happened to her all in one night, the worst of it is, her sister Ava was kidnapped too.
Quinn thought tracking and retrieving the Seymour twins would be a piece of cake. Tracking is what he does and he's one of the best. Yes, he found his marks, but the problem is there are at least two other factions that want them, too. Now he's in a race against time to secure Carissa and then help find her sister. To add to the frustrating situation he now has to deal with the complications of Carissa being in heat. He never wanted to get this involved, but his attraction to Carissa is an unstoppable force.
What an amazing world that Ms. Friberg has created! There was political intrigue, ancient voodoo, clan wars, archaic traditions, even secret medical testing. Carissa thought she was just an average girl running from a frightening past. She is so funny and strong and a joy to read. Quinn is just sexy. He's a man who has known loneliness and heartbreak. He's been ostracized for something he wishes every day had never happened. Now, helping an old friend, he just wants to do his job and get out.
I enjoyed that this book was filled to the brim, but not overly done. The action was exciting and the love scenes were scorching. The characters were all engaging and the world building was refreshing. The plot line still has more to reveal and I can’t wait for the next installment.
If you are looking for more than a sexy story, this book is for you. Therian Prey is a well written book with everything a paranormal reader would want. Even if you don’t like paranormal reads, pick this one up. I have a feeling it will change your mind.
June 12, 2013
Carissa and her sister Ava own a small shop in Colorado that caters to outdoor activities. After an attractive man, Quinton Jenaro, visits Carissa starts to feel things she’s never felt before. Quinn is doing a friend a favor by finding the sisters. They are the last descendants of the Omni Prime and the only ones capable of becoming the new Prime. When he meets Carissa he is immediately attracted to her but he knows he needs to keep his distance. However, that becomes impossible after Ava is kidnapped and Carissa is almost taken by their estranged father. For her safety, he takes her into the heart of the Therian community to keep her safe and teach her about her family’s history.
I really enjoyed Carissa and Quinn. They don’t get off to the best start since she is ignorant of her family history and thinks Quinn is crazy but once she starts to accept that he is telling the truth, they are able to build trust and she comes to rely on him for strength. Quinn is very much the strong silent type. He has been an outcast in the Therian society for the past four years but he doesn’t let that stop him from pursuing Carissa when he senses she could be his mate.
There is almost a character overload in this book. We are introduced to a lot of secondary characters in the last half of the book that could have been confusing but Friberg did a nice job of reminding the reader of who they were. There are plenty of characters open to write other stories about and several that really struck me as great alpha males.
There are also at least two distinct sets of bad guys that are introduced so there is a lot of external conflict that Carissa and Quinn have to watch out for. There were scenes played out from the bad guys perspectives which I don’t normally like but I did show the reader that Quinn and the other Therian’s have a reason to be worried about the future.
I am excited to read more in this series. A lot of interesting characters were introduced that need their stories told and I am looking forward to reading them. As this is book 2 in the series I can say that you don’t need to read book 1 before this one as none of the character reoccur from that story. Book 1 is more of a prequel to how the Omni Prime came to be.
I really enjoyed Carissa and Quinn. They don’t get off to the best start since she is ignorant of her family history and thinks Quinn is crazy but once she starts to accept that he is telling the truth, they are able to build trust and she comes to rely on him for strength. Quinn is very much the strong silent type. He has been an outcast in the Therian society for the past four years but he doesn’t let that stop him from pursuing Carissa when he senses she could be his mate.
There is almost a character overload in this book. We are introduced to a lot of secondary characters in the last half of the book that could have been confusing but Friberg did a nice job of reminding the reader of who they were. There are plenty of characters open to write other stories about and several that really struck me as great alpha males.
There are also at least two distinct sets of bad guys that are introduced so there is a lot of external conflict that Carissa and Quinn have to watch out for. There were scenes played out from the bad guys perspectives which I don’t normally like but I did show the reader that Quinn and the other Therian’s have a reason to be worried about the future.
I am excited to read more in this series. A lot of interesting characters were introduced that need their stories told and I am looking forward to reading them. As this is book 2 in the series I can say that you don’t need to read book 1 before this one as none of the character reoccur from that story. Book 1 is more of a prequel to how the Omni Prime came to be.
February 16, 2017
A couple of wasted hours.
The world building was confusing and the political structure even more so. The concept of latent females needing the males to define them was not that well thought through. The defining ritual was never really explained. Neither was the mating as these were separate. There were many inconsistencies and a lot of things didn't add up.
There were several things and concepts I didn't like. I didn't like the view the shifters had on women and how they didn't have a choice. I didn't like how Carissa just accepted everything and resigned to her fate. I didn't like that ther wasn't the slightest solution to the supposed conflict. The sex scenes were meh. There was no real chemistry between Quinn and Carissa. Frankly, there was not much I did like.
I guess this just wasn't my cup of tea.
I will not continue the series.
The world building was confusing and the political structure even more so. The concept of latent females needing the males to define them was not that well thought through. The defining ritual was never really explained. Neither was the mating as these were separate. There were many inconsistencies and a lot of things didn't add up.
There were several things and concepts I didn't like. I didn't like the view the shifters had on women and how they didn't have a choice. I didn't like how Carissa just accepted everything and resigned to her fate. I didn't like that ther wasn't the slightest solution to the supposed conflict. The sex scenes were meh. There was no real chemistry between Quinn and Carissa. Frankly, there was not much I did like.
I guess this just wasn't my cup of tea.
I will not continue the series.
September 5, 2013
My very first review. I usually only Comment. So be nice, please.
My rating is 3.5 stars. This book is about shifters -- canine, feline, and avian (raptor). There is a certain "species" of shifter called Therian. They can shift into more than one animal and have other gifts.
As background, all alphas of animal packs are males. However, there is one who is more powerful than a council of male alphas and that is the Omni Prime. She is always female and there is only one in a lifetime.
The heroine's grandmother was one. The heroine's mother was not and met an untimely demise. (So there is a gap in an available Omni Prime who can settle disputes and is powerful.) Before her death, the heroine's mother hid her daughters. Their presence is newly discovered because they are of age and other shifters can smell their scent.
The Omni Prime is much desired to an alpha. He gains part of her strength and his pack will be all powerful over all others. Hence the rush to find the Omni Prime before any other pack and mate with her at her "ready" period.
Joining in this search is the U.S. Government who is experimenting on shifters and has a female Therian already in their lab. Then there's the Abolitionists who want to destroy all shifters because they are aliens and are snipers.
There is a lot of sex in this book, some reference to BDSM and menage. It is common for an Omni Prime to have more than one male as the heroine's grandmother did.
I am not able to rate this higher. Why? This book stops at the point where Therian female No. 2 sees visions of the second Therian female and the book ends. One needs to read book 2 based on the second Therian female and a canine shifter; book 3 is based on a Therian female and a raptor shifter. I haven't read Books 1 and 2.
I love an interesting plot and I'd be willing to invest in Book 2 at least.
My rating is 3.5 stars. This book is about shifters -- canine, feline, and avian (raptor). There is a certain "species" of shifter called Therian. They can shift into more than one animal and have other gifts.
As background, all alphas of animal packs are males. However, there is one who is more powerful than a council of male alphas and that is the Omni Prime. She is always female and there is only one in a lifetime.
The heroine's grandmother was one. The heroine's mother was not and met an untimely demise. (So there is a gap in an available Omni Prime who can settle disputes and is powerful.) Before her death, the heroine's mother hid her daughters. Their presence is newly discovered because they are of age and other shifters can smell their scent.
The Omni Prime is much desired to an alpha. He gains part of her strength and his pack will be all powerful over all others. Hence the rush to find the Omni Prime before any other pack and mate with her at her "ready" period.
Joining in this search is the U.S. Government who is experimenting on shifters and has a female Therian already in their lab. Then there's the Abolitionists who want to destroy all shifters because they are aliens and are snipers.
There is a lot of sex in this book, some reference to BDSM and menage. It is common for an Omni Prime to have more than one male as the heroine's grandmother did.
I am not able to rate this higher. Why? This book stops at the point where Therian female No. 2 sees visions of the second Therian female and the book ends. One needs to read book 2 based on the second Therian female and a canine shifter; book 3 is based on a Therian female and a raptor shifter. I haven't read Books 1 and 2.
I love an interesting plot and I'd be willing to invest in Book 2 at least.
February 17, 2014
Reviewed by Crystal
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Therian Prey is a great book, with new and exciting beings.
Carissa and her sister Ava are just minding their own business and one day a stranger walks in and everything changes. Carissa doesn’t know who to believe and wonders if any of its real.
Quinn is asked by his friend to find the twins and bring them in. Someone gets Ava before he does. When he sees Carissa she starts going into heat and that changes their fates.
I really liked Therian Prey. I got to meet people that turn into bears, birds, cats and other forms. They are all called Therians. I started reading and it kept my attention through the whole book. I enjoyed watching Carissa having to make a choice on which male she wanted. She really had her work cut out for her.
With Carissa choosing a mate becomes high responsibilities. One’s I’d never want on my shoulders. She knows nothing of who or what she is. With Quinn by her side I do believe that she can do it. Now all they need to do is find her sister and figure out what else is going on.
I enjoyed the excitement of the book. I was taken to a whole new world and didn’t want to leave. I hope that everything works out without any one else getting hurt. This is a great start for a great series. I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves meeting new shifters. The sex is great and I love the feeling I get when I read this book.
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Therian Prey is a great book, with new and exciting beings.
Carissa and her sister Ava are just minding their own business and one day a stranger walks in and everything changes. Carissa doesn’t know who to believe and wonders if any of its real.
Quinn is asked by his friend to find the twins and bring them in. Someone gets Ava before he does. When he sees Carissa she starts going into heat and that changes their fates.
I really liked Therian Prey. I got to meet people that turn into bears, birds, cats and other forms. They are all called Therians. I started reading and it kept my attention through the whole book. I enjoyed watching Carissa having to make a choice on which male she wanted. She really had her work cut out for her.
With Carissa choosing a mate becomes high responsibilities. One’s I’d never want on my shoulders. She knows nothing of who or what she is. With Quinn by her side I do believe that she can do it. Now all they need to do is find her sister and figure out what else is going on.
I enjoyed the excitement of the book. I was taken to a whole new world and didn’t want to leave. I hope that everything works out without any one else getting hurt. This is a great start for a great series. I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves meeting new shifters. The sex is great and I love the feeling I get when I read this book.
October 6, 2012
So we live in reality...right?
So what it you find out on a random day that the world has more secrets then you even imagined. Carissa is in for a big surprise when a huge guy kidnaps her and takes her into the Colorado mountains from her business and life in Breckenridge.
Sister Ava is kidnapped first but she gets away quickly, although Carissa isn't o sure about her intel because she gets everything from Quinn, her own personal kidnapper. Quinn is a loner but he is also childhood best friends with Kyle who is the head leader of the shape-shifters. Quinn has been outcast from society because of his special talent that starts the lady shape-shifters to go into 'heat' which he can then use to get information out of the ladies. This fantasy world is called Therian shape-shifters. The Therians have a lot antiquated laws about the treatment of the females which explains why Carissa's mother got out and stayed out with her twin daughters when she saw she had a chance.
There is lots of action and sex in this story, but the people have personalities and a real mythology around their world within our 'real' world.
I hoped that Carissa would also mate with Ian because he seemed up to it and apparently the ladies can have as many husbands as they like (no complaints here!).
215 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
So what it you find out on a random day that the world has more secrets then you even imagined. Carissa is in for a big surprise when a huge guy kidnaps her and takes her into the Colorado mountains from her business and life in Breckenridge.
Sister Ava is kidnapped first but she gets away quickly, although Carissa isn't o sure about her intel because she gets everything from Quinn, her own personal kidnapper. Quinn is a loner but he is also childhood best friends with Kyle who is the head leader of the shape-shifters. Quinn has been outcast from society because of his special talent that starts the lady shape-shifters to go into 'heat' which he can then use to get information out of the ladies. This fantasy world is called Therian shape-shifters. The Therians have a lot antiquated laws about the treatment of the females which explains why Carissa's mother got out and stayed out with her twin daughters when she saw she had a chance.
There is lots of action and sex in this story, but the people have personalities and a real mythology around their world within our 'real' world.
I hoped that Carissa would also mate with Ian because he seemed up to it and apparently the ladies can have as many husbands as they like (no complaints here!).
215 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
August 12, 2014
Beware
Beware
This story is a series. There is no wrap up at the end of this. The story, the villain, and even the romance between the main two are still not solidified by the end of this book. Not that it's a bad thing, or should stop you from reading. Clearly I enjoyed the story so far. It had many interesting new components to a shifter tale. I'm just cautioning that your in it for the long haul with this one. Friberg will suck you into her new world. You will not receive all the answers your seeking. So there you are, eyes tired and rapidly blinking, head bobbing for apples, drool slowing stringing to your chest, and your trying desperately to start the next book. I thought I could push through, elude the sleep I desperately needed, and get my wrapped up ending. I was sorely mistaken, and slightly irritated. So beware the conclusion is not in this book. Worth a read
Beware
This story is a series. There is no wrap up at the end of this. The story, the villain, and even the romance between the main two are still not solidified by the end of this book. Not that it's a bad thing, or should stop you from reading. Clearly I enjoyed the story so far. It had many interesting new components to a shifter tale. I'm just cautioning that your in it for the long haul with this one. Friberg will suck you into her new world. You will not receive all the answers your seeking. So there you are, eyes tired and rapidly blinking, head bobbing for apples, drool slowing stringing to your chest, and your trying desperately to start the next book. I thought I could push through, elude the sleep I desperately needed, and get my wrapped up ending. I was sorely mistaken, and slightly irritated. So beware the conclusion is not in this book. Worth a read
September 27, 2011
This story is something else! Political intrigue, power struggles, arranged "marriages" -- everybody has an angle here. Every character wants a piece of controlling the future, for good or ill, and that piece is Carissa.
Quinn starts out as part of a rogue faction, hoping to help remove the corruption of their leaders. But soon after meeting Carissa, she becomes more important to him and he to her. She's the first not to judge him for a fatal mistake he made in the past, and he becomes the calm center she needs to find her way through the complicated, new world Carissa.finds herself in.
Yep, the sex is well-written, but I found myself hurrying through those parts so that I could find out what happened next. Now, I'm twisting in the wind, waiting for the next book. Curses!
Quinn starts out as part of a rogue faction, hoping to help remove the corruption of their leaders. But soon after meeting Carissa, she becomes more important to him and he to her. She's the first not to judge him for a fatal mistake he made in the past, and he becomes the calm center she needs to find her way through the complicated, new world Carissa.finds herself in.
Yep, the sex is well-written, but I found myself hurrying through those parts so that I could find out what happened next. Now, I'm twisting in the wind, waiting for the next book. Curses!
February 25, 2012
Now this is a kick ass shapeshifter story. Definitely hoping for more than just Carissa and Ava's stories.
Quinn, was so hot. He's a buff shapeshifter who's been emotionally tortured of his use of an ability to create heat in therian females. And banished from Clans, *sniffle* I would so comfort him if got sick of Carissa.
And Carissa is the heir to an uber powerful position and all sorts of other cool stuff, with at least one or two guys other than Quinn who want her and yet the author created her as a defined person and she didn't come across annoying or Sue-like which was good.
Quinn, was so hot. He's a buff shapeshifter who's been emotionally tortured of his use of an ability to create heat in therian females. And banished from Clans, *sniffle* I would so comfort him if got sick of Carissa.
And Carissa is the heir to an uber powerful position and all sorts of other cool stuff, with at least one or two guys other than Quinn who want her and yet the author created her as a defined person and she didn't come across annoying or Sue-like which was good.
May 9, 2020
I just reread the story. I've owned the story for many years but forgot about it. Because I read newer stories.
I just have to say, this is erotica with shifters. Of course, some people gave it bad reviews. That's their opinion. Here's mine: I really enjoyed reading it again. The story is well thought out. Yes, there are a lot of sex scenes, with the good guys and bad guys. And yes, things ARE explained. The female was well informed of everything. Some reviewers just don't get the point behind the story plot! I have every story in the series. I plan to reread all of them! Again and again.
I just have to say, this is erotica with shifters. Of course, some people gave it bad reviews. That's their opinion. Here's mine: I really enjoyed reading it again. The story is well thought out. Yes, there are a lot of sex scenes, with the good guys and bad guys. And yes, things ARE explained. The female was well informed of everything. Some reviewers just don't get the point behind the story plot! I have every story in the series. I plan to reread all of them! Again and again.
October 18, 2012
An interesting story with potential. It has a few to many similarities to other books out there now so I wouldn't call it overly original but it has some unique qualities. In the end I still enjoyed the read and will probably read the next book.
August 25, 2014
This was just okay for me. I just did not love it. The therian world is just too alpha for me in this book. I did not like how the heroine was supposedly a powerful person but she just came across as weak. She just never seemed to stand up for herself. The guys were too alpha for me.
January 18, 2021
What a great start to a series. It left me eagerly anticipating what comes next. The Omni Prime are much needed in this world. Being able to shift into multiple forms opens so many doors in my mind. Fast, hot read I recommend to paranormal romance lovers.
August 5, 2012
I enjoyed meeting new shifters. I liked Therian Prey.
Want to read
September 26, 2012Amazon Freebie 9/26/2012
October 3, 2012
I would give this 3.5 stars. Loved Quinn, great story, super hot, but needed more shapeshifting especially by Carissa.
October 3, 2012
For a free ebook I really enjoyed the storyline and all the characters. I'm looking forward to the next book to see how the story continues.
March 8, 2013
I loved this one! Not only was it HOT, but it was also intriguing and suspenseful. I looked forward to each page, for both the story and the steam!!
October 12, 2012
I really enjoyed this book! I read it straight through only putting it down for brief moments! I will definitely read Ava's story!
November 12, 2012
interesting story
October 13, 2024
Far fetched and boring.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews