What do you think?
Rate this book
The Verochka Pride #1
Beastly Desires
Kamali Oriade is in over her head and terrified for both herself and her son. After watching her father murdered before a significant portion of her pride was wiped out by a merciless rogue lion, she soon finds her terror transforming into cold, unerring determination to survive. Not just for herself but for the cub who means everything to her. Her son is wanted dead and she’s wanted as a trophy for a man who craves taking everything her surname is attached to. Just when her battle begins and running seems to be the most viable option she stumbles into the presence of one pushy, overbearing, food obsessed tiger who doesn’t seem too interested in letting her go…
Kaisal Verochka is a typical pride male. He torments his sibling and younger cousin, pisses off his parents and sleeps when he isn’t hunting or listening to classical music to stem his baser…urges. With a shadowed past full of mistakes that haunt him daily, he never expects for someone—least of all a lioness with an itchy trigger finger—to come along and silence his demons using only the power of her smile. He never expects the laughter of a cub to lift the weight of regret from him. And he never expects one chance encounter to leave him so in tune with two individuals that he can’t find it in himself to separate from them. But it happens. It happens, and he refuses to give up that smile, that laughter. Even if it means massacring those pursuing what he now considers his…
Kaisal Verochka is a typical pride male. He torments his sibling and younger cousin, pisses off his parents and sleeps when he isn’t hunting or listening to classical music to stem his baser…urges. With a shadowed past full of mistakes that haunt him daily, he never expects for someone—least of all a lioness with an itchy trigger finger—to come along and silence his demons using only the power of her smile. He never expects the laughter of a cub to lift the weight of regret from him. And he never expects one chance encounter to leave him so in tune with two individuals that he can’t find it in himself to separate from them. But it happens. It happens, and he refuses to give up that smile, that laughter. Even if it means massacring those pursuing what he now considers his…
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2014
41 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Winter
48 books127 followersWhen Nikki wrote her first story in the tenth grade, she knew without a doubt she was destined for greatness. Now if she could just convince everyone else...
Buckling down, she‟s taken the time to polish what she refers to as her "writing superiority." She hopes that the tales she has created grab the readers‟ attention, and make them devoted slaves to her will fans.
If you want to let her know just how absolutely, positively awesome she is, you can always e-mail her at nikkiwinter19@gmail.com, friend her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nikkiwinter19 or follow her on Twitter as @NikkiWinter19.
Buckling down, she‟s taken the time to polish what she refers to as her "writing superiority." She hopes that the tales she has created grab the readers‟ attention, and make them devoted slaves to her will fans.
If you want to let her know just how absolutely, positively awesome she is, you can always e-mail her at nikkiwinter19@gmail.com, friend her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nikkiwinter19 or follow her on Twitter as @NikkiWinter19.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 28, 2014
When you get on the Nikki Winter train be prepared for nonstop action that consists of a fantastic story, filled with humor, romance, drama, great pearl clutching sex and an incredible tale.
Kamali Oriade is on the run with her son Callum. Her father Enilo Oriade pride leader was ruthlessly killed and the majority of her pride was wiped out. The murderer Nico wanted to take over, he wanted Kamali for himself and to kill her son because rightfully Callum would become King. So as a mother she ran with her son and would kill a mofo who got in her way which to unsuspecting b*stards did and came out dead on the receiving in. Nico and his foolish followers will fully understand the deadly repercussions of under estimating a woman. They will learn that unlike her father, Kamali will take down satan himself and not blink about doing it.
Kamali's running led her into the path of Kaisel Verochka Lion pride leader of the Verochka pack in Denver, Colorado. Its a great thing when you meet your soul mate but the other person isn't clear on who you are, if your friend or foe. All Kaisel knew was he had to help her and her son and that is what he did. In helping them, they helped him for you see Kaisel had believed that because of the things he had done in his path made him unworthy to receive love or anything good in his life. But having Kamali and Callum (who is hysterically funny by the way) filled those empty spaces and put his heart back together. Kaisel had a family and he would kill anybody who would be foolish enough to try and harm them in anyway.
Kaisel gave Kamali and Callum a life that they never had before, a life of freedom and unconditional love. But Kamali wasn't foolish enough to believe that because they were there, the threat against her and her son would go away. No it wouldn't go away as long as Nico and his b*stards were still around but what took her a good minute to realize was that Kaisel the Alpha Leader and his pack where with her and would kill for her and her son. They belong to Kaisel, he was Callum's father and Kamali's mate and come Heaven or High Water nothing and no one was going to come between him and his family.
This story also told of a man who had been broken over the loss of the love of his life. Enilo who is Kamali's dad never got over it and instead of embracing the daughter that wife left him, Kamali was a constant reminder of all that he lost and sadly he wound up losing his daughter and eventually his life. Oh how things could have been so different for him and his daughter but his grief drove him away from her, turned him into a business man who made millions of dollars but missed out on really living his life with his daughter. Kaisel came in like a gentle stream and gave her the life she had always wanted but was too afraid to ever think it would happen for her. These three souls became one in this brilliant story.
But what is a story by Nikki Winter that doesn't have a strong, smart mouth and tough heroine. What is a story by Nikki Winter that will have you hollering with laughter because the banter is just so amazing. What is a story by Nikki Winter that will have you wanting a story for the secondary characters because she writes them full of life. What is a story by Nikki Winter that will have you saying, now I need a man like that who can turn my world upside down (in a good way) and wanting to commit the rest of your life to that man. I am implore you if you have never read a book by this incredible author please do so because you will not regret it. She is definitely an automatic 1-Click for me without apology for I know I am going to get a fantastic story from her each and every time.
Well Until My Next Review Ciao Bellas!
Kamali Oriade is on the run with her son Callum. Her father Enilo Oriade pride leader was ruthlessly killed and the majority of her pride was wiped out. The murderer Nico wanted to take over, he wanted Kamali for himself and to kill her son because rightfully Callum would become King. So as a mother she ran with her son and would kill a mofo who got in her way which to unsuspecting b*stards did and came out dead on the receiving in. Nico and his foolish followers will fully understand the deadly repercussions of under estimating a woman. They will learn that unlike her father, Kamali will take down satan himself and not blink about doing it.
Kamali's running led her into the path of Kaisel Verochka Lion pride leader of the Verochka pack in Denver, Colorado. Its a great thing when you meet your soul mate but the other person isn't clear on who you are, if your friend or foe. All Kaisel knew was he had to help her and her son and that is what he did. In helping them, they helped him for you see Kaisel had believed that because of the things he had done in his path made him unworthy to receive love or anything good in his life. But having Kamali and Callum (who is hysterically funny by the way) filled those empty spaces and put his heart back together. Kaisel had a family and he would kill anybody who would be foolish enough to try and harm them in anyway.
Kaisel gave Kamali and Callum a life that they never had before, a life of freedom and unconditional love. But Kamali wasn't foolish enough to believe that because they were there, the threat against her and her son would go away. No it wouldn't go away as long as Nico and his b*stards were still around but what took her a good minute to realize was that Kaisel the Alpha Leader and his pack where with her and would kill for her and her son. They belong to Kaisel, he was Callum's father and Kamali's mate and come Heaven or High Water nothing and no one was going to come between him and his family.
This story also told of a man who had been broken over the loss of the love of his life. Enilo who is Kamali's dad never got over it and instead of embracing the daughter that wife left him, Kamali was a constant reminder of all that he lost and sadly he wound up losing his daughter and eventually his life. Oh how things could have been so different for him and his daughter but his grief drove him away from her, turned him into a business man who made millions of dollars but missed out on really living his life with his daughter. Kaisel came in like a gentle stream and gave her the life she had always wanted but was too afraid to ever think it would happen for her. These three souls became one in this brilliant story.
But what is a story by Nikki Winter that doesn't have a strong, smart mouth and tough heroine. What is a story by Nikki Winter that will have you hollering with laughter because the banter is just so amazing. What is a story by Nikki Winter that will have you wanting a story for the secondary characters because she writes them full of life. What is a story by Nikki Winter that will have you saying, now I need a man like that who can turn my world upside down (in a good way) and wanting to commit the rest of your life to that man. I am implore you if you have never read a book by this incredible author please do so because you will not regret it. She is definitely an automatic 1-Click for me without apology for I know I am going to get a fantastic story from her each and every time.
Well Until My Next Review Ciao Bellas!
February 27, 2016
This was my first taste of Ms. Winters work and I was highly impressed by the strength and endearing charm of her characters. Yes there is a roaring, hot hunk of an alpha and a damsel in distress. But in between the pages of this work the Alpha has a soft, compassionate side and the damsel is fierce and possesses depth. In the story, Kamali, a lioness is on the run to protect her young son from the danger of a crazed shifter who would do him harm in his effort to claim her. She encounters Kaisal, a tiger shifter who is taken by her at first glance. His compulsion to care for her extends to her son, Callum, a delightful character, and well that kind of open hearted care really drew me in as I suppose it did for the main character. Kaisal's family rallies around the mother and cub as well, while danger looms. The dialogue between the characters was snappy, full of sass and at times the playfulness seemed out of character, but altogether the book was well written, entertaining and splashed with riveting heat.
October 9, 2014
Awesome!
Laugh out loud HILARIOUS dialogue along with hot STEAMY sex is a recipe for pure AWESOMENESS!! I am not so patiently awaiting the next book in the series!
Laugh out loud HILARIOUS dialogue along with hot STEAMY sex is a recipe for pure AWESOMENESS!! I am not so patiently awaiting the next book in the series!
August 15, 2018
4 1/2 STARS!
✦ Fierce lioness (single mom) who takes zero shit (Black)
✦ No, seriously, she will fuck you up, especially if you come after her son
✦ Protective but sweet food-obsessed tiger (ex-SEAL, biracial -- Russian/Indian)
✦ GREAT banter and humor
✦ Across the board -- from the couple, of course, but also so many fun interactions and arguments between the packmates
✦ Pretty damn hot, too ;) A+
✦ A fucking treat to read, I cannot wait to read more from Nikki, especially this series
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
If you wish to look at some quotes/thoughts I highlighted, please check out my Twitter feed
✦ Fierce lioness (single mom) who takes zero shit (Black)
✦ No, seriously, she will fuck you up, especially if you come after her son
✦ Protective but sweet food-obsessed tiger (ex-SEAL, biracial -- Russian/Indian)
✦ GREAT banter and humor
✦ Across the board -- from the couple, of course, but also so many fun interactions and arguments between the packmates
✦ Pretty damn hot, too ;) A+
✦ A fucking treat to read, I cannot wait to read more from Nikki, especially this series
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
If you wish to look at some quotes/thoughts I highlighted, please check out my Twitter feed
January 20, 2017
Deadly and Funny
Kaisal and Kamali are predators clothed in flesh. He was far more deadly but lost and blooded a lot. His brother Naresh was his trusty sidekick and fellow mastermind. Basanti is their cousin and she is far more scary than either Kaisal or Kamali.
Kamali was running with her son Callum from the shifter that murdered her father and decimated her pack. He needed her to legitimize his position. He wanted to kill Callum. He must have forgotten that you do not threaten a cub. Mothers lose their grip and dead bodies are left in the wake.
Mated to Kaisal, Kamali and Callum find peace and a place to call home. Until the past comes calling. Buy the book and find out what happens.
Job well done Nikki Winter.
Kaisal and Kamali are predators clothed in flesh. He was far more deadly but lost and blooded a lot. His brother Naresh was his trusty sidekick and fellow mastermind. Basanti is their cousin and she is far more scary than either Kaisal or Kamali.
Kamali was running with her son Callum from the shifter that murdered her father and decimated her pack. He needed her to legitimize his position. He wanted to kill Callum. He must have forgotten that you do not threaten a cub. Mothers lose their grip and dead bodies are left in the wake.
Mated to Kaisal, Kamali and Callum find peace and a place to call home. Until the past comes calling. Buy the book and find out what happens.
Job well done Nikki Winter.
October 25, 2014
Anxiously awaiting the next book
Didn't know Ms.Winter had it in her. It was my first time reading one of her paranormal series, and I love it. I'm not giving up anything, it's best you read it.
Didn't know Ms.Winter had it in her. It was my first time reading one of her paranormal series, and I love it. I'm not giving up anything, it's best you read it.
June 3, 2015
Ok....so Ms. Winter is hilarious! I could not stop laughing. I needed that! The sex scenes were scorching; but at times needed more intimacy IMO. ;-)
I give this one 3.5 Stars!
I give this one 3.5 Stars!
July 26, 2017
I don't understand the high ratings as the prose is so dry and boring..
April 9, 2019
Good
This book did take me a while to win me over, but towards the middle it won me over. Sometimes I felt there was a lot of relationship building and not enough urgency or worry about the threat. Eventually I realize he wasn't worried because Kaisal and his father are two of the most feared shifters in the country, thus making thier pride very feared and respected. Also Kamali was not a cowering heroine. She has a very underestimated strength.
I would also like to note that this book has been flagged on Amazon for quality issues of poor formatting and typos. Any typos were completely unnoticed by me. Kamali speaks Yoruba (?) to her son, and I suspect that may be the typos reported. As for the formatting, there was a change in font color. It didn't cause me any issues while reading, but I guess it bothered other readers.
This book did take me a while to win me over, but towards the middle it won me over. Sometimes I felt there was a lot of relationship building and not enough urgency or worry about the threat. Eventually I realize he wasn't worried because Kaisal and his father are two of the most feared shifters in the country, thus making thier pride very feared and respected. Also Kamali was not a cowering heroine. She has a very underestimated strength.
I would also like to note that this book has been flagged on Amazon for quality issues of poor formatting and typos. Any typos were completely unnoticed by me. Kamali speaks Yoruba (?) to her son, and I suspect that may be the typos reported. As for the formatting, there was a change in font color. It didn't cause me any issues while reading, but I guess it bothered other readers.
December 23, 2018
This was better than I thought it would be. I thought Nico would come but Rave did alright so I didn’t hold that against the author. I thought for sure Kaisal was going to go back and end him, now that would’ve been a great read had he went in just like Nico did and take him down. All the sitting around and waiting was good to see their relationship change but with this being a shifter story I was already prepared for that. It would’ve been good to see him in action with all the talks about how he made his living. Then for his father to come through and really show out that would’ve been a great read.
August 8, 2019
This started out really good but then kind of went downhill from there.
I don't like when authors use children as something to simply further a plot or create a plot. I felt that's what Callum was in this. You hardly ever see him for the majority of the book and yet, he's the main reason for Kamali running away and fighting so hard? Hmmmm. And Callum attaches himself to Kaisal waaaaaaaay to soon. Like, one conversation and then . . . done. A bond is formed. That's not how it should work with a 5 year old boy who just went through something traumatic mainly involving the men in his young life. It just isn't believable.
I don't like when authors use children as something to simply further a plot or create a plot. I felt that's what Callum was in this. You hardly ever see him for the majority of the book and yet, he's the main reason for Kamali running away and fighting so hard? Hmmmm. And Callum attaches himself to Kaisal waaaaaaaay to soon. Like, one conversation and then . . . done. A bond is formed. That's not how it should work with a 5 year old boy who just went through something traumatic mainly involving the men in his young life. It just isn't believable.
April 30, 2018
Extremely. Badly. Written.
I suppose some of the "witty" dialogue (most of it just silly threats) might have looked good on paper, but is ludicrous to imagine actually coming out of the mouth of living, breathing humans/felines.
I suppose some of the "witty" dialogue (most of it just silly threats) might have looked good on paper, but is ludicrous to imagine actually coming out of the mouth of living, breathing humans/felines.
February 19, 2023
Best. Shifter. Story. Ever.
Where the men are beasts, and the women are fierce. Let me find a strong yet tender female lead and a swoony, alpha male protagonist. Great heroes and villains. Right here, reader. Right here. Thank you, Nikki Winter.
Where the men are beasts, and the women are fierce. Let me find a strong yet tender female lead and a swoony, alpha male protagonist. Great heroes and villains. Right here, reader. Right here. Thank you, Nikki Winter.
August 29, 2018
Very reminiscent of shifter culture a la Nalini Singh, though with a distinctive voice (and no psi types lol). Lions, and tigers, and wolves oh my!
January 5, 2026
I enjoyed both the heroin and hero. The little boy was so cute. Good read would recommend.
September 10, 2021
This was a funny surprise.
Very much enjoyed the banter among siblings. Not sure I am interested enough to continue the series as it focuses on characters I am not real interested in.
Very much enjoyed the banter among siblings. Not sure I am interested enough to continue the series as it focuses on characters I am not real interested in.
October 27, 2014
A truly fun and laugh-out-loud (...many, many times...) shifter story by an author who seems to have the gift for some of the wittiest banter seamlessly woven into a perfectly good storyline.
There is a deliciously Alpha-with-a-capital-PHA alpha male paired with an equally alpha female of another species, and then the fur flies...and the heat rises...then the furniture breaks...and the secondary characters shine in ways that make the reader want the next book, yesterday.
As with "What a Bear Wants", one of her previous books I loved, Ms. Winter delivers more merriment than often found in books. The stories aren't deep or profound, but they are just as effective for the sheer entertainment value. But don't misunderstand, there is also a good if not original shifter story here. Its the wonderful combination of story, character and wit that is quite what the reader ordered.
Loved, loved, loved...for the completely engaging characters about whom I want to read much more, and for the outright belly laughs. This is another "gawd, I needed that" book from Nikki Winter...
There is a deliciously Alpha-with-a-capital-PHA alpha male paired with an equally alpha female of another species, and then the fur flies...and the heat rises...then the furniture breaks...and the secondary characters shine in ways that make the reader want the next book, yesterday.
As with "What a Bear Wants", one of her previous books I loved, Ms. Winter delivers more merriment than often found in books. The stories aren't deep or profound, but they are just as effective for the sheer entertainment value. But don't misunderstand, there is also a good if not original shifter story here. Its the wonderful combination of story, character and wit that is quite what the reader ordered.
Loved, loved, loved...for the completely engaging characters about whom I want to read much more, and for the outright belly laughs. This is another "gawd, I needed that" book from Nikki Winter...
May 26, 2015
Very pleasantly surprised and happy about this book. The story arc or even the world-building, while interesting, were nothing really out of the ordinary. Shifter's stories aren't new and, after a little while, one tends to think they're all pretty much the same and wouldn't be particularly wrong either. However, the animal side of everything in this book wasn't humanized like usual. Half of themselves were animals and they owned up to it in a heartbeat. They fought among themselves in ways we, as a society, would otherwise think as callous and uncaring. It was perfectly well done. The balance between the caring and pitiless sides of a person. And the romance was heartwarming and amazing to read about. The strength. The vulnerability. The love. It was all felt. Shown.
So basically what I'm saying is that the feeling behind this story made all the difference in an otherwise ordinary shifter story. It made it more. And I enjoyed it a lot.
So basically what I'm saying is that the feeling behind this story made all the difference in an otherwise ordinary shifter story. It made it more. And I enjoyed it a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2014
I totally loved this book. It is extremely funny, totally dysfunctional and yet brilliant in a breath of fresh air kind of way. A tried and true basic tale of Kamali fleeing a forced mating and the threatened death of her son when she meets Kaisal, a tiger who knocks her for six from the first scent. He promises her protection (seriously one of my favourite parts of the book when he lays down to Kamali why the man chasing her isn't the threat but he is) and then proceeds to show her how life should be lived.
Quirky and refreshing this is a great story, written with a great voice. My only issue? The author's tendency to emphasize significant points of opinion. With. Full. Stops. This particular writing tactic would have been more effective if it had been used less often by way fewer characters - small grumble and a personal one, it didn't stop me from enjoying this story any less.
Quirky and refreshing this is a great story, written with a great voice. My only issue? The author's tendency to emphasize significant points of opinion. With. Full. Stops. This particular writing tactic would have been more effective if it had been used less often by way fewer characters - small grumble and a personal one, it didn't stop me from enjoying this story any less.
June 12, 2014
As anyone can see from my shelves, I'm a big fan of paranormal books and especially shifters. After more than 1000 read, I can be believed when I say this one is really really good.
I loved the fact that it's a little more spiritual than most books and it was really funny with the way the cats were portrayed. I always said I enjoy it when the author manages to insert species characteristics into the story - in this case cats.
This one made me decide to look for other books by Nikki Winter and see if this is her usual writing style. If it is, then she just made it to my Favourite authors list.
I loved the fact that it's a little more spiritual than most books and it was really funny with the way the cats were portrayed. I always said I enjoy it when the author manages to insert species characteristics into the story - in this case cats.
This one made me decide to look for other books by Nikki Winter and see if this is her usual writing style. If it is, then she just made it to my Favourite authors list.
February 26, 2016
Roaring Success!!
When I first saw.The book I was a little bit leary because the few shifter stories I read were so over the top.This however was not the case with this story.From beginning to the very end you are to be caught and you going to love every minute.This is love,attraction and plain lust done so very well.The story is one that is fully developed and you can follow the story and the plot.You are also going to love all the main characters and their supporting cast.This was well done and so very entertaining that you can read it again and again.
When I first saw.The book I was a little bit leary because the few shifter stories I read were so over the top.This however was not the case with this story.From beginning to the very end you are to be caught and you going to love every minute.This is love,attraction and plain lust done so very well.The story is one that is fully developed and you can follow the story and the plot.You are also going to love all the main characters and their supporting cast.This was well done and so very entertaining that you can read it again and again.
April 28, 2014
This was a really good read, if you like breeds books, pick this one up. It drag a little pass the middle but after that it was on. A mother trying to protect her cub, alpha man trying to protect mother and cub, cub enjoy having fun, he's able to be a child and not think about being a pride leader at the age of 5yrs. This was good. Can't wait to read more from Nikki.....
November 18, 2014
Flawless. This is an amazing story of love, strength, romance, adventure and the determination of mother protecting her child and finding a strong man willing to go to hell and back for both.
I am so looking forward to a book 2 in the future. Until then, I'll be definitely re-reading this breathtaking story.
I am so looking forward to a book 2 in the future. Until then, I'll be definitely re-reading this breathtaking story.
February 15, 2016
so this was my first shifter book and I must say Nikki Winter did an amazing job introducing me to this type of genre. the comedy in this book chemistry in this book was truly amazing and I'm trying my best to read more of her work. the characters were all developed and could spinoff another story just from the characters that were well developed in the book. Nikki has gained another fan.
February 26, 2016
I loved it. I was LMAO with this one. It was funny, sexy, and had some action. What more do you need? I loved the Heroine, she could kick butt! I would love to see a story about Naresh, Dubb, and Baz. Not really interested in Kas's Mom and Dad. I will probably skip that one. But I definitely will read something else by Ms. Winter.
February 2, 2017
My Opinion
It's very rare that I give a book 5 stars but this book was worth it. I read this at one sitting. I was funny, romantic, sad, and had action. The heroine was a remarkable woman. She found a remarkable man. I'm not going to say anything else because I just want you to read this. You won't be disappointed.
It's very rare that I give a book 5 stars but this book was worth it. I read this at one sitting. I was funny, romantic, sad, and had action. The heroine was a remarkable woman. She found a remarkable man. I'm not going to say anything else because I just want you to read this. You won't be disappointed.
November 18, 2014
Fabulous is just the beginning of the all you can imagine love, action, adventure, and romance of such an amazing story. This is lacking in absolutely nothing. I definitely plan on re- reading this story with the anticipation of 1 day seeing a book 2 in the future.
April 7, 2015
Short but extremely funny. A fun and highly enjoyable read although ending felt a little abrupt. But I can always appreciate quickness done well. Besides the ending, I really enjoyed the fast pace of this story. Callum was just precious and the characters were all perfectly hilarious and endearing.
June 1, 2015
Got Dayum It!
That was one intense read. Man was fighting from the beginning to the end for her child. She never want him to feel that nobody wanted him, like she did. Only to learn that her father loved her very much, but didn't know how to show her.
That was one intense read. Man was fighting from the beginning to the end for her child. She never want him to feel that nobody wanted him, like she did. Only to learn that her father loved her very much, but didn't know how to show her.
August 16, 2016
Great read!
This was a good read. It will make you laugh and tempt you desires. Loved the relationship between all the characters. You will fall in love with Kaisal and Kamali. I loved the strength of Kamali and the humor of Kaisal and his family. Simply refreshing!
This was a good read. It will make you laugh and tempt you desires. Loved the relationship between all the characters. You will fall in love with Kaisal and Kamali. I loved the strength of Kamali and the humor of Kaisal and his family. Simply refreshing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews