Samuel

Samuel's Pride #1

by Kathi S. Barton

Samuel Payne left his pride five years ago because of his father, a cruel man with a heavy fist and little conscience. Samuel despises the man and only goes back to save his mother and start a new life―as far away from his father and the pride as he can get. Taking a mate is at the bottom of his list of priorities.

Kennedy Buehler’s brother, Shamus, promises her hand in marriage to a man older than her father, and she is having no part of it, so she flees to America. The first job that looks promising is as a cook for Summer Payne, Samuel’s mother. Kennedy hopes the job will pan out so she can afford an apartment and do a little better for herself. Kennedy isn’t banking on the master of the house taking any interest in her.

The last thing she needs is an overbearing man ordering her around, again.
No job is worth that.

Kennedy’s grandmother gives Samuel a proposition he can’t refuse―to marry Kennedy that very day and inherit all that she would have had she had been born a man―and Kennedy feels betrayed again. Samuel only wants to protect her from her brother, he isn’t counting on falling in love.

Samuel is a Were-Lion. Now that he’s mated, he is either supposed to be with his original pride or form a pride of his own. Besides his mother, he is the only Were-Lion around. However, a rag-tag group of Weres want to join his pride―bears―wolves… Will the Pride Council even allow this?

Danger pursues them at every turn―his father―Shamus―and Alton Stockberry―all are relentless and bloodthirsty…When Samuel is trapped, will the bond he’s formed with Kennedy be enough to save him?

Find out in the first installment of Samuel’s Pride―Samuel


Warning: Book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under.

Genres: Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Erotica, Urban Fantasy, Vampires

206 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2013

About the author

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/

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read several of Kathi S. Barton's books now and they all have the same characteristics: The paragraph structure makes it difficult to tell who is doing what, the lack of 'he/she said' indicators makes it hard to determine who said what, the villains are over the top evil and stupid, and the heroes are impossibly wealthy (500 BILLION? really?). The stories are good, when you can follow them, though the heroines are universally hostile at first and their conversions are improbably swift (really, one good bang doesn't erase a woman's suspicion and past trauma). And in her more recent books the Monty Hall style good things (psi talents, estates in Europe, Deus ex Machina characters introduced at the last minute) stretch the belivability even further. I don't think I'll read any more. Even if the sex is totally hot.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lions and wolves and bears-oh, my! I love all shifters, and there's a mix of shifters in this book so I'm in PNR heaven. Kathi S Barton writes multiple series about shifters (and other magical beings), and I'm a huge fan of them all.

This is Book 1 of the "Samuel's Pride" series. There's a great blurb here in Goodreads so I won't repeat any of it. I will say that this first novel is another fine example of how well Kathi can build a world with my Three Favorites-shifters, erotic romance and bits of humor!

[LBell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't understand how the H and h went from not being able to stand each other to professing their love for each other in the next paragraph.

The h was very unlikable, and I didn't care for her character at all. She is rude, opinionated, and forever blowing things out of proportion.

What I don't understand is why, when Samuel knew his father was wanting revenge, he didn't take better pro cautions in making sure everyone was safe. He doesn't, and in turn has to "turn" the h to save her life. She gets pissed because she is "dead" and will forever be a slave to him, blah blah blah.

This was a DNF for me at 59%.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kennedy Buehler's brother tried to marry her off to cover a debt, she fled all the way to the US. Now trying to find a job with her over qualified credentials as a chef, she has a chance at working for the Payne's. She knows they are shifters, but when she meets Samuel Payne she is immediately off kilter, the man oozes sensuality but he has warned her to stay out of his way.

Samuel left home young after another beating from his father, when his father hurt his mother that was it. Samuel has acquired everything that was his fathers, including providing a new home for his mother and the last thing he wants is a mate. He saw what an unstable family life was like and he vowed he would never do that, but Kennedy is his mate and he realizes he can't stay away. However Kennedy believes he only married her for her money and estate and doesn't want anything to do with Samuel, but after an incident leaves Samuel with the fear of losing Kennedy, he quickly goes about showing how important she is to him.

This had a lot of buildup and then a quick okay everything is fine moment. However the story was quite intriguing and looks to be an interesting series. Kennedy and Samuel are quite a couple and I enjoyed Kennedy's Irish side, she is a handful.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samuel is an awesome read by Kathi S. Barton - He is a self-made man and starts out destroying the home where his dad had hurt his mom and him. He moves his mom to another place where they can never be hurt again and in comes Kennedy Buehler with her Irish brogue to apply for the cook position. She is a little tiny thing but doesn't take any crap from anyone anymore. Little does Samuel know that when he meets Kennedy he has found his were lion mate - he doesn't want one and fights it all the way.I won't go into all the details of the book but this is definitely a great start to the Samuel Series - you won't want to miss out on this read to find out why Kennedy comes to the States from Ireland and why Samuel fights not taking a mate. Thank you Kathi for an awesome read - can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a start of a brand new series Samuel is a weretiger and at the beginning you learn he is an strong Alpha
that know one can tame him but little does he know that his mother has hired a cook name Kennedy and when he
meets her they do not get along of course who wants to read a book that they fall into your laps .. You got strong Alpha
and kiss ass woman in this store I can not wait to read the next and see who else join the amazing Pride . This is a dark fantasy & romance reads to those who does not like or read dark fantasy this is not for you just sayin ..

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm working my way through my 'To Be Read' list and found a series from Kathi S. Barton's back catalog I hadn't read yet. This review is on 'Samuel', the first book in her "Samuel's Pride" series and if it's an example of what's to come, I'm excited. Samuel and his mother have been through it with his dad and her husband's abuse. They've left the pride in Illinois and bought a house and moved to Ohio to get away from him and the pack. Cutting all ties from the area, Samuel has even sold his business while his mom and the household staff set things up in the new house. While Samuel is in Illinois tying things up his mother has scheduled a cook-off amongst the applicants for the chef, and there were several with the task becoming more daunting than anticipated. Kennedy has moved to America from Ireland and is looking for a full-time position so she can obtain a bank account and officially start her new life without her abusive brother. Two people with major trust issues have been thrown together as fated mates. Unfortunately, Samuel, a lion shifter, is to the point of almost being cruel when he tells Kennedy, a human, to stay away from him and if she has something that needs to be relayed to let one of the staff let him know. You see, the only representation of a mated couple he has to go by is with his parents and that quickly went to hades in a handbasket. He wants no part of one. Kennedy also is somewhat opinionated and caustic at times. The only reference point she has to a couple is her parents and they weren't a passion-filled couple. As a matter of fact, her mother acted as if she hated her with not a kind word to give her daughter, her father had died and now her brother, head of the family, has pushed, bullied, and beat her for the last time. She doesn't have a very high opinion of men … and with good reason. A bully from each side of the family, two fated mates that cannot nor will not trust the other, and a grandmother who holds all the cards. This was not only an exciting first book but left the expectations quite high for 'James', the next book in the series.

[Charlene Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't begin to tell you how much I loved this book.

Samuel is a shifter. A lion. He and his mother have separated from their pride because of his father.

After moving to a new place they decide they need a cook.

They hire Kennedy, who is running and hiding from her brother, and the sparks begin to fly.

When her grandmother shows up and forces her to marry Samuel, she thinks her life is over.

Can Samuel convince her that he truly loves her?

What happens when her brother and another show up to claim her?

Will Samuel give her up?

Come find out. You'll love the ride. I promise.

[Cristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I SO did not like this book. Didn't even finish it. Kennedy, the main girl, sounds like she's 40 when she's is 26. And the main dude, he sounds 15 when he's in reality 32. I tried to read it, repeatedly telling myself 'it will get better' uh uh it never did.
Would not recommend this book.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF...

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly do not know how I feel about this story, it felt disjointed and just all over the place, I liked the premise of the world the Author was going for but the characters felt a bit flat, much of the story felt like I should already know what was going on like there was a book before but this is supposedly book 1 and it was 5.00 for an ebook that ended in not a cliffhanger but a cliffhanger I know I know that makes no sense I believe they call it a serial. eh I don't think I will read anymore. but who knows the buy a new book monkey might hit me in the head.

[Omar's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tells hello

[Ti · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK the sex is yuck. the pain stuff really is a turn off. But the story arc is kinda cool.

[Joyce]

it's good for passing the time. There is a bigt Humor as well

[Mnms · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very disjointed and confusing story

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I didn’t mean to insult you. I was tired and I said some things I shouldn’t have.”
“Aye you did. To me.” She started for her coat, knowing that if she didn’t leave now her temper was going to explode. But he grabbed her again.
“Wait a damned minute. I’m trying to make this right. Why don’t you get your panties out of the twist you have them in and cut me some slack? I’m trying to do the right thing here.” She jerked from him again only to have him push her against the wall. Kennedy lost what little control she had on herself and hit him.
She’d never understand if she lived to be three hundred years old how she ended up over him when he’d fallen. Her body lay sprawled all over his in a way that she could feel every hard muscle of his entire frame, and there wasn’t any doubt to her that he was all hard muscle. When she tried to scramble off him he put his hands on her hips and held her still. His cock seemed to grow as she lay there.
Samuel Payne left his pride five years ago because of his father, a cruel man with a heavy fist and little conscience. Samuel despises the man and only goes back to save his mother and start a new life―as far away from his father and the pride as he can get. Taking a mate is at the bottom of his list of priorities.
Kennedy Buehler’s brother, Shamus, promises her hand in marriage to a man older than her father, and she is having no part of it, so she flees to America. The first job that looks promising is as a cook for Summer Payne, Samuel’s mother. Kennedy hopes the job will pan out so she can afford an apartment and do a little better for herself. Kennedy isn’t banking on the master of the house taking any interest in her. The last thing she needs is an overbearing man ordering her around, again. No job is worth that.
Kennedy’s grandmother gives Samuel a proposition he can’t refuse―to marry Kennedy that very day and inherit all that she would have had if she had been born a man―and Kennedy feels betrayed again. Samuel only wants to protect her from her brother, he isn’t counting on falling in love.
Samuel is a Were-Lion. Now that he’s mated, he is either supposed to be with his original pride or form a pride of his own. Besides his mother, he is the only Were-Lion around. However, a rag-tag group of Weres want to join his pride―bears―wolves… Will the Pride Council even allow this?
Danger pursues them at every turn―his father―Shamus―and Alton Stockberry―all are relentless and bloodthirsty…When Samuel is trapped, will the bond he’s formed with Kennedy be enough to save him? Find out in the first installment of Samuel’s Pride―Samuel

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I really enjoy this series, I have so much hate for how these two characters start out their relationship.

Kennedy has escaped to the States rather be forced into a marriage to a man who could be her father by her brother. Trying to make ends meet just to survive Kennedy finds herself participating in a cook-off to become the new chef for Summer Payne and the household. What she didn't expect was for her world to be turned upside and feel like she traded one prison for another.

Samuel has seen how great mates can be (that's sarcasm by the way). His mother and him felt the pain of his father's fist more times than they can count. Now as an adult Samuel is selling anything and everything that reminds him and his mother of his father and ready to start fresh. But when he finally arrives to his new home, it's to discover the new chef his mother has hired his the woman he hoped to never find; his mate!

With meddling family interfering, a marriage neither wants, and a brother determined to sell of his sister these two have more to handle before they can finally relax and figure out what to do with their lives.

Now while everything worked out in the end and these two were finally able to work through their differences, I didn't care for how everyone seemed to treat Kennedy and just marry her off. Kennedy seemed to be the kind of woman who is a drama queen in her own way because she kept blowing things out of proportion and assuming everyone thought the worst of her.

**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book**

[Vettech · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love reading Kathi S. Barton's work....and this series is no different. This exciting series has lots of various shifters through out the story. Samuel Payne is a busy man and has no time for romance. Being a lion shifter and a bit of a loner, he belongs to no lion shifter pride. Having left his pride due to an abusive father, who beat him and his mother, Samuel is a bitter man.

Kennedy Buehler is a beautiful, red haired Irish spitfire, who takes no crap from anyone.....especially her new boss Mr. Payne. As the lion shifters new cook for his household, Kennedy takes the new job in stride. But when Samuel insults her, she really gets her Irish up and puts him in his place. When Samuel discovers the Irish beauty is his mate he tries very hard to distance himself from her. I really loved this no non-sense female lead very much. With a few bad guys in the mix and all kinds of other shifters (ie. wolves, bears), this series promises to be a really winner.

[Niki Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started this series I was not sure what to expect. Samuel was arrogant, strong, hard headed and dead set on not having a mate . He was everything I would think an Alpha lion shifter would be. Kennedy was a puzzle, she seemed to be weak, traumatized and a damsel in distress. While this would appeal to our Alpha it did not seem they were very well matched. I have to say as the story progressed I could not have more pleased that my assumptions were incorrect. I found this to be an intriguing storyline, the characters were interesting, the plot was attention getting and I love the concept of a pride of different shifter types awesome. It was past paced, easy to follow and fun to read. The only thing that was confusing was the last chapter, I understand it was setting up for things to come but it seemed rushed and out of place. I look forward to seeing how Ms. Barton incorporates these new ideas into the rest of the series.

I was given an ARC for an honest review

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was worried when I first started this book because it started out really slow. But I was worried for no reason I should have known that Kathi S Barton does not disappoint. This book was very good it had the perfect build to the story. I was hooked and couldn't put it down. it was sexy and the plot was great. The sex scenes where hot and well written. I loved both the characters in this book. I can not wait for the other books to come out. It took me only 2 days to read this book the worst part is that it's over. The hanger at the end will definitely keep me on edge until book 2 is released. This was a great book. Buy it, read it, love it!

[LaVida Brisco - One Last Page Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shifter Pride

Samuel was a man who does what he can to take care of his family. After growing up with an abusive father and feeling like he couldn't protect his mother the last think he needs is a mate. He's finally where he's suppose to be. His mom hires a woman by the name of Kennedy as a chef who has grown up with a cruel brother. When these two meet sparks fly and so does disagreements. Through it all the chemistry is melt your panties hot and when Samuel and Kennedy work together beware, because they are a force to be reckoned with. If you're looking for a strong heroine who's slightly temperamental and a alpha hero who has a bit too much pride here's your story.

[Suzan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok, there were just little things that bothered me like the Author's version of an 'Irish Brogue' which went Jamaican and Scottish more then it did Irish at times (being Irish and living in Ireland, this kinda annoyed me) I also wasn't crazy about how Samuel and Kennedy's relationship progressed at first although it improved at the end. The story line was decent with a lot of action and a fast pace, the author also has a good writing style although there were more then a few typo's in the story.

It wasn't a bad book but it could have been better however I don't think the series is for me.

[Elaine Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's Done it Again!

As soon as I started reading page 1 I was hooked& didn't want to put this book down. Samuel & Kennedy's story was as fascinating from beginning to end; as soon as they met the sparks were flying. When Kennedy get mad her Irish comes out & when Samuel made her mad he not on got words but fists too. This story has very good sex scenes, lions, bears, wolves, bad humans & other surprises; this is a HEA standalone but also the start of another excellent series.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome read that I could not put down. I finished it in one evening and needed more.

The characters are amazing, the writing is awesome and everyone should read this book. This book kept me entertained from beginning to end and I look forward to reading more books by this amazing author in the future.

[Puna · Rating 2 out of 5]

No character building. No reason for the baddies to be bad and pretty much EVERYONE is bad. Even the people that supposedly love the female lead. Her family is horrible. Female lead is a brilliant, perfect victim and male lead is, I can't even say an alpha male or alphahole, he's just an ---hole. The only slightly okay person is the butler, 'Butler'. I won't be reading the rest of the series.

[Coco · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the worst books I have ever read. The story was all over the place. The first meeting between the main characters was unrealistic and hard to follow. Example: Kennedy was cooking in the kitchen and met her employer for the first time. Samuel insulted her, she slapped him and he kissed her? eh?

[Kimberly Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I really liked this book. I liked the mix of lion, human, shifter, and suspense throughout. Not overly upset about Shamus but found it too quick for me (trying to not give anything away) ☺️ I am looking forward to the others in this new pride!!!

[April Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Samuel...

[Jennifer (TexasDiva74) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Just wasn't feeling this book.

It wasn't a bad book, per se. It was well written, but I couldn't connect with the story or the characters.

[Lady Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending... Are you kidding me?!
Holy Shit!