Shifter

Breeds #11.5 (A Jaguar's Kiss)

by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day

WHEN IT COMES TO SHAPESHIFTING PARANORMAL ROMANCE, WHO CAN RESIST...

New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight, USA Today bestselling author Lora Leigh, and national bestselling authors Alyssa Day and Virginia Kantra?

Whether transforming under a blue moon or prowling the streets, the shifters come alive to fulfill the wildest of fantasies in this seductive anthology by four masters of paranormal romance.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Anthologies, Shapeshifters, Fantasy, Erotica

317 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2008

About the author

Angela Knight is an American author of mostly erotic fantasy.

Reviews

[Alp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra: 4.25 stars

[Auntee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is only for A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh...

In my quest to read the latest Breeds book by Lora Leigh, Lion's Heat (which I hear is not to be missed), I have to slog through all the Breeds books that have somehow accumulated on the TBR pile (I can't keep up with LL and all her series!) This includes A Christmas Kiss from Hot for the Holidays, Bengal's Heart, Coyote's Mate, Christmas Heat from The Magical Christmas Cat, and Mercury's War. Jeez, that's a lot of books--it's going to take me weeks to get to Lion's Heat. Hopefully they'll all be as easy to read as A Jaguar's Kiss was.

There was nothing really new or unusual about this one. LL sticks to the same pattern--Breed (the sexy, dark haired, green-eyed, 6'4", baseball loving, cartoon watchin', Cajun Saban Broussard) finds his mate (non-Breed, newly divorced, striving to be independent, first non-Breed schoolteacher to teach the Breed children, Natalie Ricci), she's reluctant to be controlled by him, he sticks to her like superglue, they argue, they snipe, they have wild sex...it all was sounding very familiar to me. The little twist in this book was that Natalie had a super controlling, philandering ex-husband that just would not go away, and Breed enforcer Saban wanted to see him go away--permanantly. Natalie and Saban fought over the physical violence Saban displayed towards Mike (the ex)--Natalie thought it was unnecessary, Saban knew of no other way to protect his mate. Natalie was scared of her growing feelings for Saban--she'd just gotten rid of one controlling man in her life, why would she want another one? There's a big confrontation near the end of the story where Natalie's life is put in danger--how will Saban handle it?

This story was just the right length for me. I didn't have to put up with too much of the arguing that the Breed and non-Breed mate usually go through as they try to adjust to the relationship. Natalie was a bit stubborn and since she already had been in a controlling relationship she was reluctant to enter into another one. It took her a while to see that Saban wasn't so much controlling as he was protective. I really liked Saban--I liked the little endearments he used to refer to Natalie (chay, cher, petite bebe--however I didn't like boo), I liked how he took advice from Cassie Sinclair (first seen in Elizabeth's Wolf) and read the book "How To Charm Today's Woman, Sex and The New Generation" to prepare himself for his mate), I liked the glimpses we got of his past (I wish there was more), and I'm curious about his sister, Chimera (does she have a book?) and also Breed enforcer Shiloh Gage.

Saban and Natalie's sex scenes were just as hot as you can imagine if you've read other Breeds books--can't forget the "barb"--but nothing too kinky (no anal, bdsm, or toys)--although there was a light spanking...

So for a short Breeds story, this was a pretty good one. I think it would be okay to skip this one if you want or to read it out of order--I don't think there was anything pertinent to the whole series storyline that was revealed in this one. So if you're looking for a fast, sexy, LL read, this one should do the trick. Now on to Mercury's War! 4 stars

[Sophia Triad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breeds 15
Feline Breeds 9
Featured Couple: Saban (Jaguar) & Natalie (Human)

Natalie is the first non-Breed schoolteacher to teach the Breed’s children. She has recently been divorced, but her ex-husband still pursues her.

Saban is the one who goes to fetch her and become her bodyguard. A Cajun, Jaguar Breed.
Of course Saban and Natalie realize immediately that they are destined for each other, but Natalie does not want to lose her newly acquired freedom and independence.

Saban is a bit too protective, too violent, too controlling. But don’t worry; soon he will become a sweetheart.

Lots of Breeds have secondary roles and appearances in this book: Mercury, Callan, Jonas and Cassie who gives advices.

HOT book as usual. Amazing love and action scenes.


Merged review:

(The review is only for Lora Leigh’s story: A Jaguar's Kiss)

Breeds 15
Feline Breeds 9
Featured Couple: Saban (Jaguar) & Natalie (Human)

Natalie is the first non-Breed schoolteacher to teach the Breed’s children. She has recently been divorced, but her ex-husband still pursues her.

Saban is the one who goes to fetch her and become her bodyguard. A Cajun, Jaguar Breed.

Of course Saban and Natalie realize immediately that they are destined for each other, but Natalie does not want to lose her newly acquired freedom and independence.

Saban is a bit too protective, too violent, too controlling. But don’t worry; soon he will become a sweetheart.

Lots of Breeds have secondary roles and appearances in this book: Mercury, Callan, Jonas and Cassie who gives advices.

HOT book as usual. Amazing love and action scenes

[Kathrynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are 4 short stories in this "Shifter" anthology; all pertaining to humans that change from some type of animal.

1. "Mad Dog Love" by Angela Knight
- Set in 2450 time frame and it was okay. Werewolf, spaceship a lot of futuristic terminology. I don't care for reading sci-fi and this was 2 stars for me; meaning it was okay, but nothing special..

2. "A Jaguar's Kiss" by Lora Leigh
- This is #15 in her Breed Series and it started out good, but the characters constant arguing practically ruined this short story for me. I would give it 2 stars; it was okay, but nothing special. There is a another brief mention of Mercury's character in this one, too. Callan and Jonas are in this as well and Cassie's psychic abilities are mentioned.
- Next in this series is "Mercury's War," (#16) coming out October 2008 and is a full-length book. And her website indicates another anthology (#17) in the Breed Series, but not yet titled and should be out October 2008 as well.

3. "Shifter's Lady" by Alyssa Day
- This is the Warriors of Poseidon, Book #4 and I have not read any of the previous in this series and won't either. I did not care for this one. It was already a short story, yet spent too much time recapping previous stories in the beginning. Same 'ole, same 'ole; 1 star from This Reader.

4. "Sea Crossing" by Virginia Kantra
- Set in the historical romance time frame and involved a group of humans that changed into Selkies (seals). Different! I'll give the author that. I thought this was the best story in the book and 3 stars from This Reader; meaning I liked it.

[Dina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story available in print format in Shifter anthology.

Merged review:

*** NOTE: This rating is for Lora Leigh's A JAGUAR'S KISS only! ***

Nice story, but the TSTL heroine irked me big time.

[L8blmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realize anthologies are usually hit or miss, but it's not a bad way to read a little of an author with whom you're not familiar. The book began with offerings by Angela Knight and Lora Leigh (her Breed tale was, well, a Breed tale - HOT!). I enjoyed these stories the most. Next was one by Alyssa Day, and although I liked the hero, a Florida panther/shifter, the heroine was First Maiden of the Nereids from Atlantis (?!) and I just couldn't buy them as a couple. The writing was okay, but didn't win me over enough to seek out books by this author. The last story, by Virginia Kantra, was about a selkie and a "ruined" teacher, and didn't do it for me at all. I have decided, in fact, that I really don't want to read any more paranormals about sea creatures. They just don't appeal to me. However, there's always the possibility that some of my friends here will try to convince me otherwise, and since they know their stuff, I'll listen!

[Zeek · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Shifter Antho...

This one has the send up that made me eager to read it, but, due to the short format, couldn’t deliver as far as I’m concerned.

Natalie Ricci is hired by Sanctuary to be the first teacher of the breed children of Leigh’s world. When Saban, (pronounced "sa-bahn", emphasis on the "bahn") (::eyeroll for pretentious name::), comes in to retrieve her, it doesn’t take him long to realize she’s the one for him. Sparks fly, and per usual, Nat resists the mating.

This one fell flat because we wanted to see more of the children and her reacting with them. No children to be found. And little interest from me.

Merged review:

Okay, here's the thing. I'm not a big antho fan. I know what they are- nothing more than a marketing tool with a short story by one author I do like in order to get me to read a short by an unknown before the release of unknown's new book. Yet I fall for it, because, dangit, I can't resist a story by an author I love.

I broke it down per story, so here goes:

Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight

This was my favorite in this antho.

Shape shifter Rance aka Mad Dog, betrayed and enslaved by a nasty little piece of drek, is just waiting for his chance escape and exact revenge. When a beautiful woman shows up to purchase him as a body guard, he follows along knowing this is his only chance. Will he follow through on his plans to use her as a means for his escape or will he succumb to the heat between them and stick around long enough to see that she's not exactly who she seems?

Of course he'll stick around, but Knight creates a world combining ancient werewolf lore and futuristic nanotechnology that's got me hooked. I hope she continues on with it!

4 out of 5

A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh

This one has the send up that made me eager to read it, but, due to the short format, couldn't deliver as far as I'm concerned.

Natalie Ricci is hired by Sanctuary to be the first teacher of the breed children of Leigh's world. When Saban, (pronounced "sa-bahn", emphasis on the "bahn") (::eyeroll for the second time::), comes in to retrieve her, it doesn't take him long to realize she's the one for him. Sparks fly, and per usual, Nat resists the mating.

This one fell flat because we wanted to see more of the children and her reacting with them. No children to be found. And little interest from me.

2 out of 5.

Shifter's Lady by Alyssa Day

I read a contemp by this author under another Nom De Plum, and found it just as lacking as this one. For some reason I find her books boring- and I can't put my finger on why exactly.

In this story, an obvious installment in the Poseidon series by Day- a series I haven't read and now probably won't- Marie the sister of Lord Bastian, (whose story is told in another Antho called Wild Thing)- is leaving Atlantis to visit her brother and his new shape shifting wife, Kat. Things go awry when Bastian is called back to Atlantis immediately on Marie's arrival and she finds herself entwined in a pack war between the Alpha of Kat's pack and his ex brother in law.

Day's Atlantis books have caught my eye for some time now, but unfortunately she's disappointed me one to many times to invest the money into starting a new series.

2 out of 5 from me. (It IS well written, but something is missing. If someone can tell me what, please let me know!)

Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra

Ah, the newb to be promoted.

Seal shape shifter?? C'mon, really? eh no.

Wrapping together the Selkie mythology with a historical setting around the fact that the heroine has to fall for a man who shape shifts into a bull seal? Nope, doesn't work for me.

1 out of 5 from me.

[Megan Fall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. I enjoyed this one and it packed a lot of story for such a short read!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will keep you XXXtra hot on a cold, dark night!

Four awesome novellas from awesome authors!

~ Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight ~

Princess Zarifa Lorezo is on the run, afraid for her life, afraid and knowing that her fiance and her uncle would do anything to keep her in their grasp, to rule the empire she will inherit. In disguise, she’s looking for a bodyguard to keep her alive so that she can bring very important information to her half-brother, the rightful ruler of the Empire.

Enter Rance “Mad Dog” Conlan, a Freeworlds werewolf, has been betrayed, the traitor seeing fit that he become a slave. The collar that the slaver, Casus, had put around his neck has reprogrammed his nanobot system, and is now able to inflict pain on Rance whenever he sees fit. Casus has found a potential ‘buyer’… Zarifa.

Rance discovers who Zarifa really is and isn’t happy, but she intrigues him. She’s not at all like she’s portrayed to be in video clips he’s seen. Convinced she’d been controlled, he’s vowed to keep her alive until she can turn the reins over to her brother.

**No matter if Knight is writing a novel or novella, she certainly knows how to grap and hold a reader’s attention. The hero and heroine seem real enough for the reader to wish this was happening in real life. Quickly, Zarifa and Rance learn to trust each other, despite the shaky circumstances. With a twist in the plot near the end, Knight brings another great story to a close with a happy ending.

~ A Jaguar’s Kiss by Lora Leigh ~

Natalie Ricci is a human no-nonsense woman who stands up for herself and fights for what she wants. She desperately wanted the teaching position to the Breeds in Buffalo Gap, but what she wasn’t counting on was this fierce wanting she feels for Saban Broussard.

Saban Broussard, of the Breed Enforcer and a Jaguar, has wanted Natalie since before he approached her to relay the good news. He is to be her bodyguard, close to her at all times. He recognized her instantly as his mate and tries desperately to court her like a human male would.

But her ex-husband doesn’t like the idea. He wants a woman who he can control, to see to his every whim, and he wants Natalie to be that woman, no matter what she wants. He plans to kidnap her with the help of the Council doctors, scientists who are looking to capture a member of a mated pair to study and dissect them, for mated pairs age considerably slowly, and the Council wants the secret.

**I liked Natalie right away. A divorced, no-nonsense teacher who fights back and stands up for herself. And I truly felt for Saban; the Jaguar tried so hard to court Natalie, easing her into what he’s feeling, all the while trying to protect a very stubborn woman. And while Mike, Natalie’s ex-husband, tries to prove that she’s being held against her will, Saban is trying to convince her to stay away from him. He feels the danger, even if she doesn’t believe that Mike would truly hurt her. However, she’s wrong. Slipping away from Saban for one final confrontation with Mike, she realizes too late that Saban was right and fears she’ll never be able to explain or apologize. Meanwhile, Saban feels betrayed, believing that Natalie wants to return to Mike after she continuously defended him. Lora Leigh knows how to write gripping characters, awesome love scenes and action scenes, all the while focusing on the characters, their feelings. I have a feeling I’ll be picking up more Lora Leigh really, really soon!

~ Shifter’s Lady by Alyssa Day ~

Ethan, alpha male of the were-panthers is having trouble; seems someone is killing the endangered panthers in his territory. A prideful man, he’ll do anything to put a stop to it. Lady Marie, First Maiden of the Nereids in Atlantis, travels through a portal to this world to visit her brother Bastien and his lady, Kat. She’s never left Atlantis in 4 centuries, and the promise of her first vacation is exciting to her.

While Marie has had lovers, nothing has prepared her for Ethan. Irresistible, startingly so, he sends her senses swimming, and he is more than happy to use it as his advantage. For with his first glimpse of her, of her smile, the bottom dropped out of his world, and he wants her all to himself.

While Ethan has promised to protect Marie through the danger surrounding his territory and the animals in it, they grow closer and closer. Marie has never met a male who wants her so desperately as Ethan does.

**At the beginning of the story, it seemed to me like I was missing something. Okay, so it’s part of the series, and I got the feeling that I should have known the characters. But other than that, I enjoyed it. The plot was good, action scenes superb, fighting well done. Love scenes are hot as well, LOL! I liked how Ethan tried to rein in his feelings, to be the perfect gentleman for Marie. That inner fight with himself drew Marie to him even more. Excellent!

~ Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra ~

Emma March was betrayed and hurt. She was convinced that he loved her, that he would marry her. Alas, it wasn’t what he had in mind. Removed from her teaching post, she left, deciding to board a ship to Canada and in lieu of payment, she is to go into service. During the crossing, the storm sinks the ship and Emma comes close to drowning after falling overboard.

Surprised she isn’t dead, she’s even more surprised to awaken in a soft bed, completely nude, on a remote but populated island. Griff, a quiet, handsome, caring man, pushes past her moral to capture her heart. But he’s holding a secret from her … they all are.

They are Selkie, people who can shape-shift into seals. The island is shared by them all, and the little ones need a teacher. Griff convinces her she doesn’t not need to make her way to Canada, when she can do what she loves to do right there, on the island. But will Emma understand their world?

She does, and falls in love with the patient, caring Griff. While fighting with her morals, her heart still heavy after being used, Griff shows her what it means to love. I thought Emma was sweet and strong, a woman who tries to do the right thing, even after being led astray. She doesn’t see herself as worthy now that she’s been used. But Griff teaches her that it doesn’t matter; to the Selkie, what happened to her is not her fault, and they don’t believe in the same morals as her. He loves her, and that should be enough. It was great to watch Emma fight an inner struggle until she can no longer fight it. Griff, to me, was a man any woman would want in a husband; patient, kind, caring, handsome. The entire romance was perfect.

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angela Knight MAD DOG LOVE features a nano-enhanced werewolf shifter. I loved this space romance. I am not familiar with A. Knight so I am not sure what series this pulls from. But as a new fan I must say I enjoyed it just as much as an old fan would. Lora Leigh's A JAGUAR'S KISS from the BREEDS series. Just gorgeous. I don't think I have come across a Lora Leigh story I did not like or love. This story scorches with the brand of senusality that I have only seen Mrs. Leigh do so well. Alyssa Day's SHIFTER'S LADY Comes from the Warriors of Posiedon series. To really like this novella I would say reading the series helps. But to just enjoy a good shifter story
this one hits the spot. Ethan is a Florida jaguar shifter that vows to protect Atlantean First Maiden Marie when a rogue challenges
his alpha positon. In SEA CROSSING the very fresh (for me) Scottish telling of a selkie shifter is a treat. I look forward to
more from author Virginia Kantra.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight - 3 stars, best in the book by a mile
I liked this story quite a bit, and it set my expectations way too high for the rest of the book.

Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh - 1 star
Forcing a life-altering decision on someone because you're impatient is NOT OKAY. Hated it.

Shifter's Lady by Alyssa Day - 2 stars
Skimmed heavily, never drew me in.

Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra - 2 stars
It was okay, but the deception bothered me, and it wasn't resolved as well as it could've been.

[Berryshady]

Jaguar breed Saban Broussard has a job to do. His assignment? To protect the first teacher chosen to teach breed children. And protecting Natalie Ricci is exactly what he’ll do. With just one kiss and his touch, the mating phenomena begins that will tie her to him forever. Unless her ex-husband manages to get them both killed.

[78sunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review bezieht sich nur auf "A Jaguar's kiss" von Lora Leight
Diese Novel aus dem Breeds-Universum befindet sich in einem Sammelband, wo noch Geschichten von anderen Autorinnen enthalten sind. Da ich das Buch aber nur für die Kurzgeschichte von Lora Leigh gekauft habe, werde ich auch (erstmal) nur die lesen. Bzw. habe ich sie gelesen.
Ich musste 3 Anläufe nehmen. Zum ersten Mal 2020 und dann hat das Buch erstmal pausiert, bis ich mich zwang weiter zu lesen und dann wurde es, letztes Jahr, erneut pausiert. Da war ich mir eigentlich schon recht sicher, dass es nie wieder rausgeholt wird, aber ganz spontan habe ich mir vor ein paar Tagen dann dazu entschlossen und es zügig beendet. Dieses letzte Drittel hat mir eigentlich ganz gut gefallen und ich weiß nicht mehr so recht, warum ich es immer wieder abgebrochen hatte.
Es geht hier um Saban, einen Jaguar-Breed, und Natalie (Mensch). Da zwei Drittel des Buches so weit zurückliegen für mich kann ich wirklich kaum noch etwas sagen. Wer sich für die Reihe interessiert, sollt besser die ersten Bände lesen, um das ganze System mit den Breeds, dem Counsil und der menschlichen Gesellschaft zu verstehen. Wer nur eine schnelle erotische Geschichte sucht, ist mit anderen Novels wohl besser bedient, da hier doch recht viel von den dem ganzen Hauptplot um den Counsil, die Wissenschaftler und die Breeds-Society gesprochen wird. Trotzdem steht im Mittelpunkt die Liebesgeschichte und daher könnte man es theoretisch auch ohne Vorwissen lesen.
Für mich war es glaube einfach zu sehr alter Trott. Saban hatte jetzt nicht irgendetwas besonderes und da ich alles Vorgängerbände und auch den Folgeband bereits gelesen habe, konnte mich das Paar jetzt nicht umhauen, wie andere in der Reihe.
An sich mag ich die Reihe aber sehr, nur sind die Bücher von ihrer Qualität bzw. ihrem Fokus (entweder auf die Beziehung oder auf Action) sehr unterschiedlich.
Ich bin froh diesen Band nun nicht ausgelassen zu haben. Irgendwie hätte ich dann das Gefühl gehabt eventuell etwas verpasst zu haben.
Nun habe ich bereits die nächste Novel der Reihe angefangen.

Story 3,0/5
Emotionen 3,0/5
Charaktere 3,0/5
Unterhaltung 3,0/5
Schreibstil 3,0/5
Lesegefühl 3,0/5
Gesamt 3,0/5

[Selenity Jade (Coffee Addicts Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have only rated one other anthology 5 stars before. It's super rare I like every single story. Angela Knight is always a fun read so her story was a solid 4 stars. But Lora Leigh and Alyssa Day were already favorites and both of their stories were definitely 5 stars. I haven't read much Virginia Kantra, but I seriously want to read more about her Selkies, because that last story was possibly better than the others. Just excellent read!

[Rise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book for A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh. Sabah was very much alpha male in this story. I thought Natalie was a spitfire and was determined to stand her ground, but it didn't work in the end. I really enjoyed reading another breed story.

[Joni-Lee Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four paranormal stories by four author's each one different in there own way. Some of these stories I enjoyed more then others but overall a good book.

[Elizabeth Mckernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

good books i read one of the books in this book but I enjoyed the others.

[Mojca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mad Dog Love is "vintage" Angela Knight and much, much better than her contribution in Beyond the Dark. Despite the futuristic setting, the story and characters maintain a rather realistic feel, and the combination of action and excitement is spot on and complimenting the plot, instead of (so many times) deterring from it.

Lora Leigh's A Jaguar's Kiss merely confirmed my "suspicion" the Breed series should be added to my TBR pile (which I'm working on). I love any kind of paranormals (vampires, shifters, witches, demons...), but there is just an extra kick when the paranormal stuff begins in a lab (like Christine Feehan's GhostWalkers) and the heroes and heroines have to fight with the dark nature thrust upon them by (more or less crazy) scientists...When there's a "mating" issue thrust into the mix, so much the better. There's just something about an Alpha going all soft and cuddly because of a (mere) woman that makes me grin with glee.
In this instance, Saban is one of those Alphas, but he's met his match in Natalie. I liked her, she had spunk, and I was just waiting for her to kick his ass. Not that she could hurt him, but I bet he would let her win. *evil grin*

Both Shifter's Lady by Alyssa Day and Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra were so-so.

Shifter’s Lady was a little hard to follow in the first chapter, since it’s a part of a series (Warriors of Poseidon) I am not familiar with and Ms. Day’s take on the history of Atlantis, and the interaction and relationships between established characters was utterly foreign. I expected (since it’s a series) a little more background to the workings of the world, but alas, I was left in the dark...Anyway, the story was a decent shifter novella with the usual (in all things Alpha) rivalry subplot, but the ending had lots to be desired. It was probably meant to be a cliffhanger for the next book, but I’m sure not dying to find out.

Sea Crossing sounded a little recycled to me. Been there, done that, have the bookshelf to prove it. While the initial scenes applied it was a historical, the tone was a little modern at times. Also, the heroine, though a teacher (aren’t teachers supposed to be perceptive and have a little intelligence?), came out as an utterly clueless creature as to what was going on around her.


Overall, this is a pretty good anthology, but the first two novellas are what’s earned it 4 stars.

[Vanessa theJeepDiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall this is the best anthology that I have ever read. I can also honestly say I wish each of the stories were longer. I enjoyed each individual story immensely! This is a 5 star, 5 flame read across the board.

Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight, 5 stars. I knew the moment the year was mentioned that I would like this story, 2450. Knight has given us a futuristic sci-fi world of space travel, werewolves, empires and zero gravity sex. Rance has been betrayed by a comrade and sold into slavery. Zarifa, a supposed party girl future empress is running from a fiancé and trying to turn the kingdom over to the rightful emperor. This is a great story! I must say the zero gravity sex was HOT, also first time I had read this. The relationship between Rance and Zarifa progresses at a good pace. They have a few hurdles to jump, but this is a short story so there are not too many pages to work a huge amount into.

A Jaguars Kiss by Lora Leigh, 5 stars. This is #15 of the Breed series. Natalie is the new teacher at the Breed school at Buffalo Gap. The handsome Cajun Saban has been appointed her bodyguard. As with all Breed books and stories there is plenty of sexual tension. To add a good conflict to the story we have an ex-husband with nefarious plans.

Shifter’s Lady by Alyssa Day, 5 stars. This is 2.5 in the Warriors of Poseidon series. Ethan and Marie are our main characters. Ethan is a panther shifter. The attraction between the two characters is interesting. They are from different worlds and very different ways of life. Marie has spent her whole life on the ocean floor in Atlantis. Ethan is the Big Cypress pack leader. Day gives action and conflict in the story with a pack leader challenge and fight.

Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra, 5 stars. This is the Children of the Sea prequel. This is a historical, not sure of the year it was never mentioned, nor do I consider it important. Griffith is a selkie. He has a seal pelt that he can wear and become a seal. He rescues Emma from a sinking ship that she has boarded in an attempt to flee her past. My only complaint about this story was the typical anger from one character when they find out the other character is not human. Why does the character always end up feeling betrayed or lied to? This is obviously a secret they must keep to protect themselves. The character keeping the secret will eventually tell the one it loves (end rant.)

[Севдалина · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh

Котешки Породи #9 - Натали (Човек) и Сейбийн (Порода - Ягуар)

Натали е готова да започне новия си живот, след развод с мъж, който я е унижавал, мачкал самочувствието й, контролирал и ограничавал през целият им брак, когато в дома й се появява Сейбийн Брусард, Порода, който я уведомява, че е одобрена за учител на децата Породи. Натали е супер щастлива, че живота й поема по пътят за който е мечтала така дълго, но охранителят, който са й поставили я изкарва извън релси. Тя няма нужда от още един мъж в живота й, който да й нарежда какво да прави, и е готова да се бори с него... докато една целувка не променя изцяло правилата на играта.

На Сейбийн е възложено да проучва с месеци жената, която е кандидатствала за учител на децата породи в Убежището. От мига в който я вижда, той разбира, че Натали е неговата половинка, и сега, когато вече е разведена, той е готов да я направи своя. Тъй като е наясно, че целувката му, ще отнеме правото й на избор, той се бори със себе си, и й дава време да го опознае и да се сближат, докато се представя за неин охранител, но скоро самоконтролът му ще се изпари и той ще вземе това, което е негово.

Бившият съпруг на Натали се връща в живота й, решен да си я върне и да я откъсне от Сейбийн, и мъжа се оказва по-голяма заплаха, отколкото Натали е предполагала, че може да бъде.

Ох, ами нещо не ме грабна. Беше ми скучна. Обсебена от самоятелността си, Натали се държеше супер гадно със Сейбийн. Беше дразнеща, мрънкаща. Очакваше от него най-лошото, въпреки, че той се държеше супер сладко с нея. Виждаше опитите му да я защити, като нещо, което я "потиска" и "ограничава" и защото е толкова смотана, едва не загази супер много. Сейбийн не беше лош като герой, допадаха ми някои негови аспекти, как се грижеше за нея, дори готвеше, и това, че беше изчел всички книги, за това как да се отнася с жените, които Каси, предвиждайки срещата му с Натали му беше дала. Обаче реално за мен, тази книга няма почти нищо общо с поредицата, като цяло. Една двойка измъкната от нищото, която повече няма да срещнем в другите книги, подобно на повечето новелки от тази поредица. Всеки който чете хронологично поредицата, няма да пропусне нищо кой знае колко съществено, ако прескочи това книжле.

[DaisyGirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review is only for A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh...
1.5 Stars

Sigh, the Breed series takes a dive yet again with A Jaguar's Kiss. Saban Broussard is a Cajun Breed enforcer. His mate is Natalie Ricci, a non-Breed, newly divorced, schoolteacher to Breed children. Natalie has just gotten out of an unhappy marriage to her super controlling, philandering ex-husband and is, therefore, reluctant to get involved with the dominant, protective Cajun. The H/H then alternate between having wild, crazy sex and bickering at each other. Basically, Natalie is resistant to the mating; in an effort to place as much distance between them (when she's not f---ing his brains out), she bitches and moans and essentially does everything she can to make herself undesirable. (IMHO she succeeded but Saban is a glutton for punishment.) Ultimately, I was grateful that this was a short story because their arguments were irritating and she - quite frankly - irked me.

I liked Saban but would have liked to see more of his softer side. Unfortunately, there was not much chance for that since Natalie was either f--ing his brains out or bitching at him to get away from her. Which brings me to the true source of my ire and the reason for my rating: Natalie. As a heroine, she was whiny, bitchy, and TSTL. Nuff said.

[Mollie *scoutrmom* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology cntains stories from three authors I've read and loved before, and one I hadn't.

I bought it because Lora Leigh's Breed stories are a must buy for me, and this one did not disappoint. Natalie is a strong woman who is reeling from having to divorce a louse and does not want anything to do with men. Saban is a strongwilled man who will protect women from all harm, even when she is opposed to needing protection. He has fallen for her before she was aware that he was watching her. She needs to come to accept that he will not compromise for her safety, even if it causes her to hate him. It took a lot of skill for Leigh to get a happily ever after out of this one, but it sure worked for me.

Angela Knight has written a futuristic werewolf tale. I feel she did not spend enough time on worldbuilding, and wish this was part of a full-length novel rather than a novella. The plot was excellent with a great twist at the denouement.

I did not care much for Virginia Kantra's tale, I liked her work in series romances that were not paranormal better. I think the Alyssa Day story was very good, and may seek out more of her work in the future.

I'll read the Breed story again.

[A_Dreamer_aka_Synnister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Saban and Natalie. And even though she felt she should have been afraid of what was going on she embraced it. And what woman in her right mind wouldn't? lol I think that how Leigh keeps each breed different yet they are all the same in that they are afraid of love. Not that some dont want it.

Saban had been looking for his mate for a long time. He wanted to be in love. To have that only one person to share his life and his bed with. He even took advice from Cassie, the female wolf-coyote breed about how to romance Natalie. I had to admit any man willing deserves a chance in my book.

Natalie wanted to love she just didnt want someone to control her any longer. Mike her ex-husband was to jealous and too controlling for her. Not to mention he cheated on her. She didnt realize till it was almost too late how much she had truly fallen in love with Saban. Even though he was controlling, but he did want to not to rule her as Mike did but to protect her from danger that he knew would arise after their mating.

After a near kidnapping experience they both realized that they could not go on without the other.

Great story! And after my men of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Leigh's men, breeds and humans are the sexiest men on the page.

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a long time, years ago, paranormal romance was almost all I read. I devoured them and had so many that I double-stacked 2-3 bookcases and had stacks up to my hips on the floor. Then I grew out of them. Recently I decided to try them again because I found some bins of my old books in storage. Now, they just piss me off. I started reading and the first story was ok I guess, though I think the insta-lust turned love in just 3 weeks was a bit stupid. Then came the second story and that one just pissed me off. I -hate- the paranormal romance trend of the dominating male claiming the (usually human) female, whether she wants him to or not. Basically taking her choice away from her, then going about controlling everything she does, not letting her go places on her own, and basically not letting her talk to or even look at another man. In real life, this type of a relationship would be considered abuse and people would be telling the woman to leave! I couldn't get to the other stories because I was so angry, and I'm realizing that my days of paranormal romance are probably permanently behind me.

[Athena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Th first story 'Mad Dog Love' by Angela Knight had potential. Who wouldn't love werewolves in space? But, it read like a story that had pieces missing instead of truly being a short story. I did enjoy it besides that. I've read Knight before and liked her style.
The second story confirms my reasons for reading anthologies in the first place. I don't like the writer Lora Leigh, and I'm glad I didn't have to read an entire length novel to find that out. There's a difference between sexy and crude. Her story is only 105 pages long and she had the word p*ssy three times. There are hundreds of words out there to be used and this is her favorite. It's distracting along with her use of the word cream.
I only read a couple pages of the third story before giving up on this book for something better. The last two authors might be awesome, but I just didn't have the heart for any more.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for the Warriors of Poseidon novella called Shifter's Lady, which I loved! But the first story, Mad Dog Love is a sci-fi deal that I couldn't get into cyborg werewolves and a nanobot empress, it was a good thing it was short or I probably wouldn't have finished it. The second story is called Jaguar's Kiss is better, but confusing unless you've read the series before..too world building. The third is Shifter's Lady, and the ending leaves it resolved enough to be happy, but unresolved enough to make you need to read Atlantis Unleashed. The last is called Sea Crossing and makes me want to read the rest of Virginia Kantra's Children of the sea series. So I give the book on a whole 3 stars, but Shifter's Lady and Sea Crossing 5.

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! 4 sizzlers in one.

Angela Knight gives us a futuristic princess-in-disguise fighting for her life and finding love with her shifter/bodyguard.

A short (but sizzling) Pride story from Lora Leigh.

An Atlantean/Cypress pride tie-in story that gives us a tease of what's coming in her next full-length novel by Alyssa Day.

Virginia Kantra delights with story of a love between mortal and selkie.

Four winners in one book!!

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie is the human teacher selected to be the first to teach the Breed children, and her assigned bodyguard is Cajun jaguar breed Saban. This was a wonderfully written short story, and I especially liked the parts where Saban uses the seduction techniques he read about in the self-help romance books that Cassie Sinclair gave him when she saw that his mate was destined to arrive. The grocery store antics were the best.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read Lora Leigh's Breed short story... fun coupling, wish it were a whole book devoted to them. An independent woman was refreshing and an insecure Breed with some real-life qualities made the story more light-hearted tha usual.

[Andrea]

man, half way through this thing and i thought for the first time ever LL wrote a book in which a man actually apologizes for something. ofc not, she apologized to him insted bcs it's not rape if year instincts warned you, or something. someone shoot me.