What do you think?
Rate this book
After a year of running and hiding from her family and an arranged marriage to her Chanat leader, more than half of it never shifting out of her cougar form, Rebecca is found trespassing by Nick and his enforcer. He seems different, he seems to want to help her and protect her, but will he still want to when he knows her better? Rebecca knows that keeping her away from her father and his choice of husband for her may end in a war between Chanats, will Nick be willing to risk his people? Her instincts tell her that he could be her mate, but after running scared for so long can she let herself trust her instincts? How can she be sure that he won’t take her back to her father?
85 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
219 people are currently reading
341 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Stevens
125 books511 followersMelissa Stevens has penned more than fifty novels and novellas to date. She was part of the Wicked After Dark anthology which hit #13 on the New York Times Bestsellers list and is working hard for a repeat performance.
With books coming out frequently, the best way to keep on top of what Melissa's doing is to sign up for her VIP Reader List at https://sendfox.com/melissastevens
Melissa lives in Arizona with her husband of more than twenty years and their children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 5, 2019
2 Forgettable Stars
After a year of hard running and hiding from her family and an arranged marriage to her Chanat leader, Rebecca is found trespassing by Nick and his enforcer as she tries to put more distance between her and those chasing her. Nick, promises not to send her back, and Rebecca whilst wary decides t follow her instincts and trust him.
The plot and interactions between Rebecca and Nick lacked energy, despite what the blurb suggests very little happens. I’ve read short shifter books before, and loved them but honestly this story and the characters were wholly uninspiring and forgettable.
After a year of hard running and hiding from her family and an arranged marriage to her Chanat leader, Rebecca is found trespassing by Nick and his enforcer as she tries to put more distance between her and those chasing her. Nick, promises not to send her back, and Rebecca whilst wary decides t follow her instincts and trust him.
The plot and interactions between Rebecca and Nick lacked energy, despite what the blurb suggests very little happens. I’ve read short shifter books before, and loved them but honestly this story and the characters were wholly uninspiring and forgettable.
May 19, 2012
I am honestly dismayed at having to leave this review. I don't want to sound mean, but at the same time I don't think it can be avoided. The author's style of writing is more suited to YA fantasy than adult erotica. For a while there, that's what I thought I was reading. But even with children's books, your readers expect you to know how to write and that first very basic step in authorship was not demonstrated in this book. This is rough draft quality, at best. The author does not have a grasp of punctuation (commas and periods should not be used interchangeably). She does not know how a published book should be formatted (some paragraphs are indented here but some aren't, and the lines are double-spaced). Poor editing and an insistence on descriptively drawing out mundane activities stymy the story instead of moving it along. The author does show some promise with her world building. For instance, it's obvious that a lot of thought went into the social structuring of her were-cats. She's developed a convincing hierarchy and social positioning that is both foreign feeling and believable. But it just wasn't enough to save the rest of the story, which struck me as being boring, predictable and badly written.
January 29, 2014
This is a really quick read. I wish there had been more to it, the conclusion was a touch anti-climactic. I guess I wanted more of a big finish.
It was a really interesting story and I enjoyed the world that was created. Rebecca is a great character and I wish there were more to her story. It would have been great to see her struggle, not just hear about it after the fact. It is a mixed narrative going back and forth between the two leads POV. Sometimes it can be jumpy because sections are really short.
Nick is calmer than most Alpha type characters, I responded to his patience, but I would have like him to be a touch more dominant, especially after Rebecca trusted him. They had a great dynamic.
The steam here is really yummy. Things could have been a touch hotter, this is erotic romance after all. The smexxy action will warm you up but not set you on fire.
There are a few formatting issues but they aren't enough to ruin the book. There is a really interesting story here, even if it is mostly just the bones. I would love to see this expanded and have more details all around. I am definitely intrigued by this author and series.
It was a really interesting story and I enjoyed the world that was created. Rebecca is a great character and I wish there were more to her story. It would have been great to see her struggle, not just hear about it after the fact. It is a mixed narrative going back and forth between the two leads POV. Sometimes it can be jumpy because sections are really short.
Nick is calmer than most Alpha type characters, I responded to his patience, but I would have like him to be a touch more dominant, especially after Rebecca trusted him. They had a great dynamic.
The steam here is really yummy. Things could have been a touch hotter, this is erotic romance after all. The smexxy action will warm you up but not set you on fire.
There are a few formatting issues but they aren't enough to ruin the book. There is a really interesting story here, even if it is mostly just the bones. I would love to see this expanded and have more details all around. I am definitely intrigued by this author and series.
May 10, 2013
This was a good book in my opinion. The first sentence had me hooked in until the end because I couldn't help but want to know what was going to happen.
Rebecca is on the run because she was going to be forced into a marriage by her father. For a year she ran as to not be dragged back home. One fateful day, she comes into Nick's territory.
Nick is instantly drawn to Rebecca even though she lies to him and doesn't trust him. There is something in her that he loves. He feels like he has to protect her not because what her Chanat is doing is "illegal" but because he wants her to be his mate.
Rebecca and Nick instantly hit it off once she learns to trust her instincts and trust him.
Does Rebecca's old Chanat come back for her? Does she seal a mating with Nick? Read Escape to find out what happens to Rebecca and Nick.
Rebecca is on the run because she was going to be forced into a marriage by her father. For a year she ran as to not be dragged back home. One fateful day, she comes into Nick's territory.
Nick is instantly drawn to Rebecca even though she lies to him and doesn't trust him. There is something in her that he loves. He feels like he has to protect her not because what her Chanat is doing is "illegal" but because he wants her to be his mate.
Rebecca and Nick instantly hit it off once she learns to trust her instincts and trust him.
Does Rebecca's old Chanat come back for her? Does she seal a mating with Nick? Read Escape to find out what happens to Rebecca and Nick.
June 27, 2017
WTF
The whole book was the same no action no climax to the story line that was the most disappointing book I have ever read the love was sweet but there was no point no Battle no epiphany no nothing they painted a world that was unicorns and rainbows who wants to read that for gods sake it sucked it has potential and it was all sweet but it sucked. No offense to the author I just expected more.
The whole book was the same no action no climax to the story line that was the most disappointing book I have ever read the love was sweet but there was no point no Battle no epiphany no nothing they painted a world that was unicorns and rainbows who wants to read that for gods sake it sucked it has potential and it was all sweet but it sucked. No offense to the author I just expected more.
November 2, 2017
Wow is how I have to start this review!1 Just wow! This is an amazing and fast-paced romance that keeps you wanting to keep reading to the end. Once to the end, you are a bit disappointed the ride is over cause it was just that good. The characters are colorful and yet they also are so easy to fall in love with. I loved how the flow of the story went. Tough I think to make it a bit more interesting might of showed what Rebbeca's family was up to at least. Or made her falling for Nick take just a bit longer. I need to read rest of this series!! It was just that good!
February 28, 2025
interesting book.
Rebecca, a cougar shifter, ran away from her chanat because her father arranged a marriage to a man 30 years her senior. After a year in cougar form she was caught on another chanat’s and changed to her human form to answer the leaders questions. Then things get interesting when he declares his protection and vows to find out if her father is still hunting for her. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Rebecca, a cougar shifter, ran away from her chanat because her father arranged a marriage to a man 30 years her senior. After a year in cougar form she was caught on another chanat’s and changed to her human form to answer the leaders questions. Then things get interesting when he declares his protection and vows to find out if her father is still hunting for her. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 28, 2025
Rebecca, a cougar shifter, ran away from her chanat because her father arranged a marriage to a man 30 years her senior. After a year in cougar form she was caught on another chanat’s and changed to her human form to answer the leaders questions. Then things get interesting when he declares his protection and vows to find out if her father is still hunting for her. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 17, 2023
It's ok
I have this 3 stars as it's more like a novella than a full book.
You learn nothing about Rebecca, just that she's ran and why.
It's like th author had a list of main points about the book, but forgot to add in the actual details around those points.
I have it 3 stars as it's a good idea but that seems to be it.
I have this 3 stars as it's more like a novella than a full book.
You learn nothing about Rebecca, just that she's ran and why.
It's like th author had a list of main points about the book, but forgot to add in the actual details around those points.
I have it 3 stars as it's a good idea but that seems to be it.
September 12, 2017
On the run
Our heroine ran away from a forced arranged marriage to a man much older than her. Our hero found her in his territory and stopped her from running further. Our hero took her home and befriended her, asking why she ran away. They made a plan to keep her safe.
Our heroine ran away from a forced arranged marriage to a man much older than her. Our hero found her in his territory and stopped her from running further. Our hero took her home and befriended her, asking why she ran away. They made a plan to keep her safe.
January 28, 2019
Very Sweet
Short and a lot of sweet, I gave four stars because there were a few editing issues and that drives me nuts.
As a whole I enjoyed the story and I plan on reading more of her books.
Short and a lot of sweet, I gave four stars because there were a few editing issues and that drives me nuts.
As a whole I enjoyed the story and I plan on reading more of her books.
July 7, 2020
Worth reading
I enjoyed this book very much.
It concerns Kitsune, which is a certain type of shifters. You have to be born this way. Biting does not work.
The plot and storyline are very good.
The characters are easy to get into.
I enjoyed this book very much.
It concerns Kitsune, which is a certain type of shifters. You have to be born this way. Biting does not work.
The plot and storyline are very good.
The characters are easy to get into.
January 22, 2021
Paranormal Cougar Shifter Romance
Very good paranormal cougar shifter romance
Definitely has some serious smut scenes, so if that's not something you like/enjoy, this book is not for you.
Very good paranormal cougar shifter romance
Definitely has some serious smut scenes, so if that's not something you like/enjoy, this book is not for you.
August 21, 2021
Stiff-formal dialogue, over done sex scenes that aren't sexy, no real chemistry, no world building, immature lead F, simplistic-weak storyline. Poor editing and grammar.
Will fill out the details later.
Will fill out the details later.
June 4, 2022
Too short, too predictable and too many run on sentences. I felt like I was constantly our if breath. There was no thought process just action that kept going with nothing to hold on to. I was not impressed.
May 15, 2017
Nice diversion. Good writing.
This author is new to me, but I will definitely look for more of her books. Melissa Stevens, you've just gotten another fan!
This author is new to me, but I will definitely look for more of her books. Melissa Stevens, you've just gotten another fan!
March 20, 2018
Really quick read. Cute story
November 10, 2018
Great book! After running and hiding for a year, she finally finds safety. Learning to trust Herself and others is hard. Plot is great as are the Cougars who rescued her. True love wins again.
February 13, 2019
Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end.
March 31, 2019
Rebecca and Nick
On the run from a forced Mating, Rebecca slips into Nick’s territory. With any luck, her running may end. This is an excellent story.
On the run from a forced Mating, Rebecca slips into Nick’s territory. With any luck, her running may end. This is an excellent story.
May 16, 2019
I like the writing but I did not like the ending, I kept having the feeling it was not Finished. Or maybe it deserved a better ending than it had .
However I enjoyed reading it.
However I enjoyed reading it.
May 25, 2019
Good short story- wish there was a bit more than the climax ending (no pun intended!)
May 26, 2019
Enjoyable
Short, quick paced story of a run away shifter. Running from arranged marriage that she didn’t want. Liked it from start to end.
Short, quick paced story of a run away shifter. Running from arranged marriage that she didn’t want. Liked it from start to end.
February 20, 2020
Lots of steam in this story. It was an enjoyable read.
May 18, 2017
Rebecca works hard to Escape from her father and the arranged marriage he wants to force on her to an older pack member that is the leader of her Chanat in her community of cougar shifters. She has been on the run for over a year and in hiding in her cat form for half of it when she is captured by two male cougars, Nicholas and Steve.
Her instinct tells her she can trust these two men and the romance begins. The story moves along quickly in short incidents until a member of her old Chanat shows up. The ending just sneaks up on you and the plot is concluded but for me I wanted more. Escape is not a cliffhanger just too short and could be better with more to it.
Her instinct tells her she can trust these two men and the romance begins. The story moves along quickly in short incidents until a member of her old Chanat shows up. The ending just sneaks up on you and the plot is concluded but for me I wanted more. Escape is not a cliffhanger just too short and could be better with more to it.
November 5, 2019
A lot in a small package
Fluctuated between four or five star on this book. It's a quick read with a lot included...girl on the run from an arranged marriage stumbles into another's territory and gets caught. With romance, betrayal and a certain level of adventure there is a lot going on. I will say that it could have been longer...there were some areas a bit rushed or jumped over, but still an enjoyable read!!
Fluctuated between four or five star on this book. It's a quick read with a lot included...girl on the run from an arranged marriage stumbles into another's territory and gets caught. With romance, betrayal and a certain level of adventure there is a lot going on. I will say that it could have been longer...there were some areas a bit rushed or jumped over, but still an enjoyable read!!
March 20, 2012
I liked it!
May 18, 2012
I wanted this book to be longer.
January 22, 2016
A good quick read
September 13, 2020
Too Dam Short
Melissa could have made this book into a full novel. Don't know why she didn't. Had a great story line with good characters. It wouldn't taken her much effort.
Melissa could have made this book into a full novel. Don't know why she didn't. Had a great story line with good characters. It wouldn't taken her much effort.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews