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“I’m talking to you, the least you can do is acknowledge me.”“Hello. Now get the fuck away from me. I’m on my lunch hour. My time, not yours.” Marc growled low and Jonny’s entire body went on alert; her cat seemed to skim along her skin. She stood up, dumping her lunch on the table and backed up.“You felt it, didn’t you?” He moved toward her slowly as he spoke low. “You want to come to me, don’t you? You want to touch me.”“I’m not feeling well. I would like to go home.” He shook his head and continued coming toward her. “You can’t keep me here. I can go when I want to.”The vending machine touched her back. She knew she was trapped. Looking to her left, she could see the wall, and to her right was another table. He was nearly to her when she looked at him. Putting out her hand made him stop, but when he took it into his hand and then to his mouth, she jerked away.“You feel it. This attraction between us. You want me as much as I want you.” She shook her head at him. “If I touch you right now, what will you do? Will I smell your arousal?”Jonny Thomas is on the run. She has just escaped Dawson’s little house of horrors and has no plans of going back. Roy Dawson deals in exotic animals and has a high demand for black panthers…he wants Jonny back at any costs. She thinks she is the only panther shifter in existence and a freak of nature. She has no idea she isn’t alone. Marc Bowen lost his original mate in a freak accident when they were teenagers. He has resigned himself to stay in the background watching his brothers finding their other halves to find happiness. He’s even considered moving away for a while. Fate, however, has other plans for Marc. Now that Marc has found Jonny, there is no way he’s letting her go. He needs her to be complete. Earning her trust, however, is easier said than done. Jonny trusts no one and is afraid to love. Everyone she has ever loved has always gotten hurt because of her and she won’t stand around and just let that happen.Family is everything to the Bowens. Now that Dawson has tracked Jonny down the Bowens band together to protect her. Their plans are nearly fail proof…nearly…what could go wrong? Right? Find out in the fourth installment of the Bowen Boys―Marc.

155 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2013

16 people are currently reading
183 people want to read

About the author

Kathi S. Barton

448 books673 followers
Kathi Barton, author of the bestselling series Force of Nature, lives in Nashport, Ohio with her husband Paul. In addition to writing full time Kathi likes to spend time with her eight grandkids, three children and three children-in-laws. She writes to relax and have fun.
Her muse, a cross between Jimmy Stewart and Hugh Jackman brings them to life for her readers in a way that has them coming back time and again for more. Her favorite genre is paranormal romance with a great deal of spice. You can visit Kathi on line and drop her an email if you’d like. She loves hearing from her fans. aaronskiss@gmail.com.
Follow Kathi on her blog: http://kathisbartonauthor.blogspot.com/

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5 stars
142 (48%)
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90 (30%)
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46 (15%)
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12 (4%)
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3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Charlene.
337 reviews15 followers
November 19, 2013
A strange beginning...Kathi S Barton is the fajita of shifter romance. Let me explain. Many readers love PNR, and it comes in all flavors. Some are crispy tortilla chips. Light, a little crunchy, and punched with heat from the salsa-a short beginning, a novella possibly thin on plot, but packed with steamy sex. Not really satisfying in the long run, but a guilty pleasure nonetheless (carb overload!). Some are quesadillas. An appetizer...pleasant on the tongue, a little more substantial, and potentially very cheesy. We can taste our way along the menu, but for me, the fajita's the epicurean goal. Hearty, with lots of flavors. Beef grilled and seasoned, both heating the meat to perfection (no chicken, please). Green peppers add a sharp bite on the tongue, and onions add a hint of sweetness for the palate... Marc was a great addition to menu.

Kathi S. Barton never fails me. I love animal alpha males, erotic romances, and humor, and Kathi fills all those requirements in a well-written, fast-paced novel with my requisite HEA everytime. Those are the reasons I buy Shelly Laurenston, Eve Langlais, and Laurann Dohner, too. (Kathi writes more than one PNR series and several contemporary novels which I devour-I promise, no more food references.)

Readers (as all people) are diverse, and their tastes are just as varied especially when it comes to their favorite sub-genres like PNR. I read a variety of authors, but there are very few whose every book I buy. Kathi is just such an author for me. She's not a perfect writer, but honestly, who is? (No person can claim absolute perfection.) I appreciate the hard work Kathi puts into her books. She started her writing career with a killer story and gets better and better with every book in my opinion. She has a strong fan base as evidenced by the many favorable reviews here and elsewhere as well as her book sales on places like Amazon.

You won't find story highlights or spoilers in this review. Read the blurbs, check out her ratings (the good and the few not-so-good), and go over the other reviews. Then consider my thoughts and read one of her books. Consider it a small investment in your future dining (sorry!)...reading enjoyment.
Profile Image for Rhonda Hicks.
4,684 reviews85 followers
November 15, 2021
'Marc' is the fourth book in Kathi S. Barton's "Bowen Boys" series and, bless his heart, he has no idea what's in store for him when it comes to second chances. Even though they were young and had not fallen in love with each other, Marc knew who his mate was. And then tragedy came in the form of an automobile accident and Marc lost her. He's been happy for his brothers' happiness but a little envious as well. He owns and operates his own investigation business and Mia, his secretary and right hand when it comes to the business, is pregnant with twins and REALLY wants to go on maternity leave to get ready and prop her feet up. Marc just hadn't been able to find a temporary replacement for her yet. In the middle of all this, they have a case that has yet to be solved. The only thing Marc knows to do is go to the murder location himself and look at the evidence. He knows his panther will be able to figure out what's going on once he can smell the scene. Before he leaves town, Marc gives Mia permission to hire her own replacement if she finds someone and just let him know. Jonny is a panther who has been kidnapped more than once and, not just her, but other paranormals as well. He uses them as a front to sell his 'exotic' animals to wealthy clients and have them case the residence for anything of value, where he then takes the stolen merchandise and fences it. The only way he's able to pull this off is one, he's convinced Jonny she's the only one of her kind since she knows nothing about paranormals, and two, he threatens the life of anyone close to the paranormal so he can get what he wants. There are twists and turns in this storyline with several antagonists which compound on top of each other's evil. We also discover a broad secret about Jonny's family and I'm hoping we can get the details before the series ends. An overall great read.
Profile Image for Denise.
651 reviews20 followers
November 15, 2013
Wow what hot Panther story ... Marc is the fourth book
in series .. Marc & Jonny story ... Marc believe his mate
died years ago he thought he would be alone for the rest of his life he
is also a PI , Jonny was abused most of her life and was taken
by these people who made her do unthinkable stuff .. But she finally
escaped all of that .. Marc Could not believe you was his mate and vowed
to do everything in power to help her ... not give away spoilers
remember this is a dark fantasy romance where women do kick some ass
this has mystery and romance and some hot scene ...
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,361 reviews46 followers
January 25, 2020
A good fun read with another wonderfully strong female character added to this series.
Enjoyed the plot with the shifter thieving setup and the crazy woman.
Not sure why Marc knew Sonja was his mate as neither of them were of age for them to know. They were just childhood sweethearts.
The getting back at the elder Bowen was funny and Khan is acting more human.
A few proofing errors should have been picked up.
I read and reviewed this book years ago but reviews posted from back of book are missing.

1,404 reviews7 followers
April 22, 2015
“I’m talking to you, the least you can do is acknowledge me.”

“Hello. Now get the fuck away from me. I’m on my lunch hour. My time, not yours.” Marc growled low and Jonny’s entire body went on alert; her cat seemed to skim along her skin. She stood up, dumping her lunch on the table and backed up.

“You felt it, didn’t you?” He moved toward her slowly as he spoke low. “You want to come to me, don’t you? You want to touch me.”

“I’m not feeling well. I would like to go home.” He shook his head and continued coming toward her. “You can’t keep me here. I can go when I want to.”

The vending machine touched her back. She knew she was trapped. Looking to her left, she could see the wall, and to her right was another table. He was nearly to her when she looked at him. Putting out her hand made him stop, but when he took it into his hand and then to his mouth, she jerked away.

“You feel it. This attraction between us. You want me as much as I want you.” She shook her head at him. “If I touch you right now, what will you do? Will I smell your arousal?”

Jonny Thomas is on the run. She has just escaped Dawson’s little house of horrors and has no plans of going back. Roy Dawson deals in exotic animals and has a high demand for black panthers…he wants Jonny back at any costs. She thinks she is the only panther shifter in existence and a freak of nature. She has no idea she isn’t alone.

Marc Bowen lost his original mate in a freak accident when they were teenagers. He has resigned himself to stay in the background watching his brothers finding their other halves to find happiness. He’s even considered moving away for a while. Fate, however, has other plans for Marc.

Now that Marc has found Jonny, there is no way he’s letting her go. He needs her to be complete. Earning her trust, however, is easier said than done. Jonny trusts no one and is afraid to love. Everyone she has ever loved has always gotten hurt because of her and she won’t stand around and just let that happen.

Family is everything to the Bowens. Now that Dawson has tracked Jonny down the Bowens band together to protect her. Their plans are nearly fail proof…nearly…what could go wrong? Right? Find out in the fourth installment of the Bowen Boys―Marc.
Profile Image for Emmie.
1,277 reviews3 followers
February 15, 2017
My review:

This was a good book from the very fertile imagination of Kathi S. Barton. Another riveting read.

Synopsis:

Jonny Thomas is on the run. She has just escaped Dawson’s little house of horrors and has no plans of going back. Roy Dawson deals in exotic animals and has a high demand for black panthers…he wants Jonny back at any costs. She thinks she is the only panther shifter in existence and a freak of nature. She has no idea she isn’t alone.

Marc Bowen lost his original mate in a freak accident when they were teenagers. He has resigned himself to stay in the background watching his brothers finding their other halves to find happiness. He’s even considered moving away for a while. Fate, however, has other plans for Marc.

Now that Marc has found Jonny, there is no way he’s letting her go. He needs her to be complete. Earning her trust, however, is easier said than done. Jonny trusts no one and is afraid to love. Everyone she has ever loved has always gotten hurt because of her and she won’t stand around and just let that happen.

Family is everything to the Bowens. Now that Dawson has tracked Jonny down the Bowens band together to protect her. Their plans are nearly fail proof…nearly…what could go wrong? Right? Find out in the fourth installment of the Bowen Boys―Marc. (Amazon.com)
Profile Image for Niki Driscoll.
889 reviews17 followers
April 10, 2016
Once again another scarey female enters the Bowen clan and the fun continues. Marc has given up on having a mate as his died when they were young. Not believing fate will give him a second chance he is unprepared when he meets Jonny. Jonny has never met another panther shifter so she doesn't realize what Marc is when she meets him. Running for her life, she tries to push him away to keep him safe but Marc is not going to mess up his second chance at love. This is a great series with exciting stories. Each alpha male finds a mate who is just a little bit more scarey then they are which makes for some interesting reading. If their women ever decided to band against them, the poor Bowen boys would lose. Even though danger is always present in this series, the excitement and the bumbling as the boys try to win their mates is always quite fun. The characters are interesting, the situations bring out the protective nature of the shifter both male and female and you will find you smile quite a lot. Don't forget, Ms. Barton always throws us some twists to keep us on our toes and move the storyline along.
60 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2013
Marc

Marc is a Bowen, and panther. He found his mate when he was just a teenager and when she died, he thought that he was going to be without a mate for the rest of his life.
Jonny is a panther who has no idea that there are more of her kind. The person who has been keeping her captive has her believing she is the only one of her kind.
After she escapes, she meets Mia, who is working for Marc, and in turn meets Marc. She has no idea that he is a panther like her.
Marc can’t believe when he smells, and tastes her that she is his mate. He never expected to find another.
Come along and see what happens as he teaches her all about being a panther, and introduces her to his family.
See how they handle things when her former captor tries to get her back.
Ms. Barton brings you along on a wonderful thrill ride. One of her best yet.
Profile Image for **Elle**Bee**Double U**.
2,207 reviews24 followers
June 13, 2018
Just when you thought the women joining the family couldn't get any scarier.

Marc is convinced he's had his once chance at a mate. When she died he knows he's bound to a life of loneliness and feeling like an outsider with each brother finding their happiness. However, his newest receptionist is making him feel things that can only be described by someone who's met their mate.

Jonny Thomas is believes she is a freak of nature. Growing up and having the ability to shift hasn't made life easy for Jonny. Being on the run from a man who is determined to use her shifting abilities for his financial gain, has left Jonny with trust issues and skittish around everyone.

Fate has better ideas for these two, and when they meet the fireworks explode. Not only does Marc have to convince Jonny that she can trust him, but prove that she is stronger than she believes herself to be.

**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book**
Profile Image for Elaine Kirby.
972 reviews2 followers
February 2, 2016
Sexy Excellent Paranormal Book!

Marc & Jonny's story is one filled with bad guys & a nut job ex-friend who thought that they could use Jonny as a exotic animal to case rich people's homes & steal from them also. She escapes from them & is on the run & trying to hide from them. When Marc 1st meets Jonny she doesn't know that he's her boss so when he walks past her to go into his office she follows him in & starts telling him that he can't be in there. There is what I think is hilarious scene in this book between Marc's father George & Jonny that had my husband asking me what I was laughing at. I also loved this book because it had all the things that I love in an excellent book which is a good vs bad element, some explicit sex scenes & it pulled me so fast that before I knew it I had finished the book. Later today I'll be reading book 5 & most likely won't want to put it down to stop reading & go to work.
Profile Image for Eliza.
205 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2014
Utter crap.
The premise is good which is why I gave it two stars, it could've been a great read if not for such poor execution.
It was like the author had the book planned out but made a half hearted attempt at writing it.
Everything rushed by in huge clumps, there was no detail to the story or to the characters who were entirely superficial.
But the part I couldn't get over was the writing. It was horrendously formatted and edited. To the point where you couldn't read it clearly at all. There is no flow in this book.
One of the biggest problems was her habit of writing a dialogue but not telling you who was speaking or to whom they were speaking, and putting in someone's actions in the very middle of the speech. It was so confusing.
I'm not pleased at such a waste of a book and the waste of money to buy it.
Profile Image for Cindy Barton.
150 reviews
November 15, 2013
I like Marc!! To go through your life thinking that the only person for you is gone and that you will be alone really just sucks!.. Out of a horrible situation comes Jonny. She, like Marc, is a panther shifter. She knows nothing about other panthers having always been told she was the only one. She is on the run from the man who has held her captive, using her and other shifters for illegal activities; and he wants her back. Meeting Marc could quite possibly be the best thing that has ever happened to her and him. Not only does he want to protect her, but her parents as well. All she has to do is trust him. When the ultimate betrayal becomes clear, will Marc be her rock?

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for LaVida Brisco - One Last Page Book Blog.
763 reviews10 followers
September 3, 2014
P.I. Marc

Once again Kathi has blown me away. How does this series just keep getting better and better. The woman of this book is even more strong and hard headed as some of the mates to the other brothers. Marc believed that he lost his mate when he was younger so he never decided to open his heart again. Jonny who has had a hellish life was also a panther shifter and thought she was the only one of her kind. From the moment they meet they bump heads. You can literally feel the chemistry between the two. This is a series that has captured me a refuses to let go. I'm so looking forward to the next installment which is shaping up to be my favorite series.
Profile Image for Belinda.
253 reviews8 followers
August 1, 2016
Marc is the 4th book in the Bowens Boys Series – Jonny is on the run from Roy and ends up working for Marc – she thinks she is the only “one” like her – a freak of nature. Marc believes that when his “mate” died that was the end for him until they meet. Jonny doesn’t trust anyone and Marc won’t let her go. Once you start reading you won’t want to stop – you will want to know what happens between these two. A definite must read – Kathi S. Barton has done it again. Would definitely recommend this book to others.
Profile Image for Nicole.
260 reviews9 followers
November 18, 2013
This was a great 4th book to the Bowmen Boys series. I literally read the whole book in one day. The worse part was that the book was so short. I think it started and ended perfectly. The climax, action and love scenes were written lovely. I definitely was able to follow this book from beginning to end. Hints the reading it in one day. I can not wait for the next book I hope it is not to far away. Read this book and if you haven't started the series then what are you waiting for.
Profile Image for Joy Whiteside.
4,904 reviews114 followers
November 16, 2013
LOVED IT. Amazing. Kathi S. Barton has done it again.

The book moved along at an amazing pace from beginning to end, and kept me entertained for hours and when I was done, I had to go back and reread some of her other books. The characters are amazing and you cannot help but fall in love with them and he story, wow. That is all I can say.

Kathi S. Barton is an amazing writer and so far I have enjoyed every one of her books and am looking forward to her next one.
425 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2018
This book was artfully crafted and uniquely designed to pull you into the pages where secrets and fairytales live and dreams come true for those who believe!

This book was enchanting, enthralling and endlessly entertaining where stubbornness and determination to rise above conflict with a core of steel to where love and happiness lives! The only thing that you need then is God's grace to cover you up!

One of Your Greatest Fans,

Lena deLeon
lenadeleon2004.ld@gmail.com
Profile Image for iliana G.
1,700 reviews27 followers
November 24, 2013
Another great book by Kathi!!

i love all her bowen boys and Marc was exactly what i expevted him to be!
Profile Image for Carmen.
466 reviews15 followers
January 11, 2015
Love this book Johnny didn't know what she was and Marc help her to understand and know she wasn't alone. love this book
Profile Image for Dina.
693 reviews5 followers
November 20, 2016
Great

I'm loving this series so much. I can't stop myself from reading all day lol it's that good. On to the next one I go
Profile Image for Adrianna Lamm.
676 reviews12 followers
February 18, 2020
I loved every page of this story. It should probably come as no surprise to anyone who follows my reviews that I am a huge fan of Kathi S Barton.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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