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Scent of a Mate #5
Taming a Beta's Heart
Kumiko Hara was a man others feared, a man who spent his life protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves. When he meets Trevor Marshall and learns of the horrors the man had been subjected to his entire life, Kumiko decides to do everything in his power to make sure the gorgeous man is safe. Discovering that the man is his mate just makes it all that much easier.
Trevor Marshall spent the majority of his life tucked away from everyone. He has no concept of social interactions or even how to act around other shifters. He simply knows that he must follow his alpha’s words or be punished. When he finds himself mated to a man that insists his alpha isn’t the true alpha, Trevor doesn’t know if he can trust his instincts.
Placed in an impossible situation, Trevor has to decide who he trusts—his father or the stranger that makes him burn with desire.
Trevor Marshall spent the majority of his life tucked away from everyone. He has no concept of social interactions or even how to act around other shifters. He simply knows that he must follow his alpha’s words or be punished. When he finds himself mated to a man that insists his alpha isn’t the true alpha, Trevor doesn’t know if he can trust his instincts.
Placed in an impossible situation, Trevor has to decide who he trusts—his father or the stranger that makes him burn with desire.
98 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2014
19 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Stormy Glenn
314 books1,704 followersAbout Me
I believes the only thing sexier than a man in cowboy boots is two, or three men in cowboy boots. I also believes in love at first sight, soul mates, true love, and happy endings.
I live in the great Northwest region of the USA, with my gorgeous husband and soul mate, two boxer/collie puppies, one old biddy cats, and three fish. When I'm not being a mother to my six teenagers or cleaning up after my two 70 pound lap puppies, you can usually find me cuddled in bed with a book in my hand and a puppy in my lap. Or on my laptop, creating the next sexy man for one of my stories.
I welcomes comments from readers, so drop me a line. stormyglenn@hotmail.com
What do I do ?
I'm a writer of erotic, paranormal, werewolf, futuristic, contemporary, gay, and Ménage a Trois romances. I'm currently published with Siren Publishing, Torquere Press, and Noble Ellora's Cave.
I believes the only thing sexier than a man in cowboy boots is two, or three men in cowboy boots. I also believes in love at first sight, soul mates, true love, and happy endings.
I live in the great Northwest region of the USA, with my gorgeous husband and soul mate, two boxer/collie puppies, one old biddy cats, and three fish. When I'm not being a mother to my six teenagers or cleaning up after my two 70 pound lap puppies, you can usually find me cuddled in bed with a book in my hand and a puppy in my lap. Or on my laptop, creating the next sexy man for one of my stories.
I welcomes comments from readers, so drop me a line. stormyglenn@hotmail.com
What do I do ?
I'm a writer of erotic, paranormal, werewolf, futuristic, contemporary, gay, and Ménage a Trois romances. I'm currently published with Siren Publishing, Torquere Press, and Noble Ellora's Cave.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 8, 2022
My only complaint is, I just wished there were more.
Because the mcs were likeable
I enjoy every scene with em together.
Because the mcs were likeable
I enjoy every scene with em together.
December 6, 2015
As a direct consequence of the events in the previous book in the series, the pride Otto has taken leadership of is still in danger. The villain, none other than Otto’s megalomaniac father, Aldo, is still on the run, more than one other pride may be in danger, and one of Aldo’s loyal followers is imprisoned in the alpha house’s basement, ready for interrogation and punishment. Otto sends his loyal beta, a fierce tiger shifter named Kumiko, to do the job but what Kumiko finds is not what any of them expect. What follows is an action-packed drama, several tear-filled moments, and a timid, suppressed soul finally finding out who he is and what life can be like once he is free.
Kumiko is a tough beta, willing to do anything Otto tells him to do. After all, he is a beta, and his job is to protect the alpha and the pride against danger – even if the biggest problem is the pride’s previous alpha. But what Kumiko finds in the basement cell is not the evil follower of the crazy alpha he expected. What he finds is Trevor, a man scared of his own shadow. Trevor has been abused by Aldo for years and clearly has trust issues. But Kumiko is determined to do whatever it takes to overcome them since Trevor is not just innocent, he is also Kumiko’s mate.
Trevor grew up being told he was worthless, had no right to his opinion, wasn’t allowed to leave the house he was kept a prisoner in, and that he was not permitted to have a mate. So imagine his surprise when the best-looking man he ever laid eyes on walks into his cell, takes one sniff, and declares they are mated? Trevor cannot believe it, and in fact, despite the evidence to the contrary when Kumiko protects him as their situation becomes more critical, it takes Trevor quite while to begin understanding exactly how wrong everything is that Aldo has taught him.
This book is filled with angst, action, hot man-on-man-on-man action, and some interesting revelations about what has been going on behind the scenes in this series. Trevor finds out how to be his own man, learns to trust, and almost dies. Kumiko has to accept he has a soft side where his mate is concerned, and learns how to protect and love a man who was made for him.
If you like to see seemingly weak men learn to stand up for themselves, if two men made for each other facing almost insurmountable odds to be together intrigue you, and if you’re looking for an angst-filled read that is as action-packed as it is sweet, then you will probably like this novella.
Kumiko is a tough beta, willing to do anything Otto tells him to do. After all, he is a beta, and his job is to protect the alpha and the pride against danger – even if the biggest problem is the pride’s previous alpha. But what Kumiko finds in the basement cell is not the evil follower of the crazy alpha he expected. What he finds is Trevor, a man scared of his own shadow. Trevor has been abused by Aldo for years and clearly has trust issues. But Kumiko is determined to do whatever it takes to overcome them since Trevor is not just innocent, he is also Kumiko’s mate.
Trevor grew up being told he was worthless, had no right to his opinion, wasn’t allowed to leave the house he was kept a prisoner in, and that he was not permitted to have a mate. So imagine his surprise when the best-looking man he ever laid eyes on walks into his cell, takes one sniff, and declares they are mated? Trevor cannot believe it, and in fact, despite the evidence to the contrary when Kumiko protects him as their situation becomes more critical, it takes Trevor quite while to begin understanding exactly how wrong everything is that Aldo has taught him.
This book is filled with angst, action, hot man-on-man-on-man action, and some interesting revelations about what has been going on behind the scenes in this series. Trevor finds out how to be his own man, learns to trust, and almost dies. Kumiko has to accept he has a soft side where his mate is concerned, and learns how to protect and love a man who was made for him.
If you like to see seemingly weak men learn to stand up for themselves, if two men made for each other facing almost insurmountable odds to be together intrigue you, and if you’re looking for an angst-filled read that is as action-packed as it is sweet, then you will probably like this novella.
July 22, 2014
Taming a Beta's Heart events were concurrent with events in Heart of a Mate (Book 4). I'm all for this premise, but descriptions from scenes in common were often word-for-word and offered little insight into the new couple's story. I felt that exploring the key elements from Trevor and Kumiko's perspective was short-changed in this fashion. Overall, I enjoyed this series. None of the stories were truly flat. We were introduced to some great characters and an interesting take on paranormal powers in this world.
December 14, 2015
2.5
Chapter 1-4: See previous book, differnt perspective.
Remaining Chapters: Besides The Incident of attack and not sure of Trevor's survival no new ground was covered, making for a disappointing follow up book.
Chapter 1-4: See previous book, differnt perspective.
Remaining Chapters: Besides The Incident of attack and not sure of Trevor's survival no new ground was covered, making for a disappointing follow up book.
July 6, 2014
same information as the previous story with maybe 20 pages of new material. it seems as if everything took place within a couple of days, I also felt as if I still don't know the real Trevor.
September 9, 2014
I love this series, but I am really starting to lose my patience with the shoddy editing.
January 30, 2016
3.25 stars
April 1, 2016
2.5
It was too similar (repeated) to book 4 until 60%
It was too similar (repeated) to book 4 until 60%
July 10, 2017
2.5* - up to 75% it's the same as in "Heart of a Mate (Scent of a Mate #4)" only from Trevors and Kumikos POV. Not bad, but also nothing new.
November 4, 2016
While a decent story, there were plot points left hanging and it felt like a few scenes were missing. I enjoyed seeing many of the events from book 4 again from a different point of view, though I would have liked to see 2/3 new material to 1/3 repeat material instead of the opposite way around.
I am unable to write the rest of this review without spoilers so I apologize to those who have not yet read the book.
The major problems (in my mind) in this book include world inconsistencies and unresolved plot points.
For example, although not explicitly stated, apparently Trevor has never before shifted which does not jibe with what we found out in book 2 where it is said that the siblings of an alpha can always shift even if they are an alpha mate. Since Trevor is the brother of both Hugh and Otto he should have been able to shift, but near the end of the book when he has a very painful shift into his lion it is implied/inferred that he has never shifted before. Nor is it ever explained why Aldo knew this son was an Omega (apparently from an early age according to Trevor's memories) but never knew about Simon being an Omega.
Something I realized in re-reading book 4 just before reading this one is that the timing of the attacks is off. In Book 2, when leaving the Marshall Pride, Hugh and the others drive for a few hours before reaching the edge of the territory, and throughout that book we are told it is several hours drive between Marshall Pride and Stellen's pride and then several more from Stellen's pride to Hugh's pride. Yet Aldo somehow manages to attack at the Marshall Pride house, get to Hugh's place to attack him there, then return to Marshall Pride and attack Patch within what appears to be maybe 2-3 hours based on the dialogue/action in the two books. That time discrepancy wasn't as obvious in just book 4 but reading the two back-to-back, it made it more obvious.
In addition, the whole thing with the Council elder working with Aldo made no sense at all. It almost felt like there was a missing scene where we were supposed to find out about him and his motives for helping Aldo that somehow got cut from the book. It basically made him pointless. Trevor could just as easily have been hit by a car in a freak accident.
Lastly, what was the point of having Trevor presumably dying yet somehow being healed due to his shift? If these shifters have that ability then why weren't they all in the room trying to force him to shift to heal? And if they don't have that ability, then why did Trevor's shift heal him? And why was it so painful? That whole scene just left me confused because nothing was explained.
I usually love Stormy's books but this one left me scratching my head.
I am unable to write the rest of this review without spoilers so I apologize to those who have not yet read the book.
The major problems (in my mind) in this book include world inconsistencies and unresolved plot points.
For example, although not explicitly stated, apparently Trevor has never before shifted which does not jibe with what we found out in book 2 where it is said that the siblings of an alpha can always shift even if they are an alpha mate. Since Trevor is the brother of both Hugh and Otto he should have been able to shift, but near the end of the book when he has a very painful shift into his lion it is implied/inferred that he has never shifted before. Nor is it ever explained why Aldo knew this son was an Omega (apparently from an early age according to Trevor's memories) but never knew about Simon being an Omega.
Something I realized in re-reading book 4 just before reading this one is that the timing of the attacks is off. In Book 2, when leaving the Marshall Pride, Hugh and the others drive for a few hours before reaching the edge of the territory, and throughout that book we are told it is several hours drive between Marshall Pride and Stellen's pride and then several more from Stellen's pride to Hugh's pride. Yet Aldo somehow manages to attack at the Marshall Pride house, get to Hugh's place to attack him there, then return to Marshall Pride and attack Patch within what appears to be maybe 2-3 hours based on the dialogue/action in the two books. That time discrepancy wasn't as obvious in just book 4 but reading the two back-to-back, it made it more obvious.
In addition, the whole thing with the Council elder working with Aldo made no sense at all. It almost felt like there was a missing scene where we were supposed to find out about him and his motives for helping Aldo that somehow got cut from the book. It basically made him pointless. Trevor could just as easily have been hit by a car in a freak accident.
Lastly, what was the point of having Trevor presumably dying yet somehow being healed due to his shift? If these shifters have that ability then why weren't they all in the room trying to force him to shift to heal? And if they don't have that ability, then why did Trevor's shift heal him? And why was it so painful? That whole scene just left me confused because nothing was explained.
I usually love Stormy's books but this one left me scratching my head.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2016
Title: Taming a Beta's Heart
Author: Stormy Glenn
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-62741-991-8
Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/taming-a-be...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Scent of a Mate 5
Kumiko Hara was a man others feared, a man who spent his life protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves. When he meets Trevor Marshall and learns of the horrors the man had been subjected to his entire life, Kumiko decides to do everything in his power to make sure the gorgeous man is safe. Discovering that the man is his mate just makes it all that much easier.
Trevor Marshall spent the majority of his life tucked away from everyone. He has no concept of social interactions or even how to act around other shifters. He simply knows that he must follow his alpha’s words or be punished. When he finds himself mated to a man that insists his alpha isn’t the true alpha, Trevor doesn’t know if he can trust his instincts.
Placed in an impossible situation, Trevor has to decide who he trusts—his father or the stranger that makes him burn with desire.
Summary:
The main characters Kumiko and Trevor were vastly different, but it was those very things that brought them together. Trevor had spent most of his life isolated from his pack and abused by his father the pack leader. He was forced to follow his father's obsurdly strict rules or face the alternative, extreme punishment. And even that didn't protect him form the pack inner circle who used him for their own stress relief. In spite of that, he still tried to save Patch, a shifter, for the second time from possible death at the packs hands. Kumiko Beta for their new leader Otto was shocked when he realized that Trevor was not only innocent of hurting Patch, Otto's mate, and his mate. Kumiko was trained to be a fierce fighter without remorse or feelings until he met Trevor. Trevor opened up a world of beauty for Kumiko while Trevor found the one person who would protect and love him if he can overcome the fear that it was too good to be true. Add to that an insane ex-alpha bent on revenge and you have a story with action that never lets up until the very end.
Author: Stormy Glenn
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-62741-991-8
Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/taming-a-be...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Scent of a Mate 5
Kumiko Hara was a man others feared, a man who spent his life protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves. When he meets Trevor Marshall and learns of the horrors the man had been subjected to his entire life, Kumiko decides to do everything in his power to make sure the gorgeous man is safe. Discovering that the man is his mate just makes it all that much easier.
Trevor Marshall spent the majority of his life tucked away from everyone. He has no concept of social interactions or even how to act around other shifters. He simply knows that he must follow his alpha’s words or be punished. When he finds himself mated to a man that insists his alpha isn’t the true alpha, Trevor doesn’t know if he can trust his instincts.
Placed in an impossible situation, Trevor has to decide who he trusts—his father or the stranger that makes him burn with desire.
Summary:
The main characters Kumiko and Trevor were vastly different, but it was those very things that brought them together. Trevor had spent most of his life isolated from his pack and abused by his father the pack leader. He was forced to follow his father's obsurdly strict rules or face the alternative, extreme punishment. And even that didn't protect him form the pack inner circle who used him for their own stress relief. In spite of that, he still tried to save Patch, a shifter, for the second time from possible death at the packs hands. Kumiko Beta for their new leader Otto was shocked when he realized that Trevor was not only innocent of hurting Patch, Otto's mate, and his mate. Kumiko was trained to be a fierce fighter without remorse or feelings until he met Trevor. Trevor opened up a world of beauty for Kumiko while Trevor found the one person who would protect and love him if he can overcome the fear that it was too good to be true. Add to that an insane ex-alpha bent on revenge and you have a story with action that never lets up until the very end.
August 17, 2014
I am such a fan of the Scent of a Mate series by Stormy Glenn and was excited to learn the next installment would feature Kumiko. I loved that such power came in such a little package. Kumiko seemed almost angry but he was so deeply loyal and protective, I wanted him to have someone willing to look past his stoic face and with Taming a Beta’s Heart, Kumiko gets someone who needs him and what he provides.
Kumiko was a deadly man in a petite package and was always discounted because of it. But he was smart enough to use that to his advantage and I think he was more deadly on two legs than four. And Trevor so desperately needed someone who could protect him. I loved that Kumiko did not assume that Trevor’s fear also made him weak and stupid. He appreciated that Trevor’s current needs dovetailed nicely with his needs and personality. It would be interesting to see how things change as Trevor blossoms but that is another story. In this one I thoroughly enjoyed seeing just how deadly Kumiko is juxtaposed by how tender he is with Trevor. I loved how even Kumiko is surprised by the needs Trevor brings out in him.
I thought Ms. Glenn gave us a wonderful story of strength and survival. Both Trevor and Kumiko learned something new about who and what they could become. I loved the kick ass action that permeated throughout this story alongside the growing tenderness between Kumiko and Trevor. I continue to be a fan of Ms. Glenn and look forward to where she will take us next.
Five Shooting Stars!!
Kumiko was a deadly man in a petite package and was always discounted because of it. But he was smart enough to use that to his advantage and I think he was more deadly on two legs than four. And Trevor so desperately needed someone who could protect him. I loved that Kumiko did not assume that Trevor’s fear also made him weak and stupid. He appreciated that Trevor’s current needs dovetailed nicely with his needs and personality. It would be interesting to see how things change as Trevor blossoms but that is another story. In this one I thoroughly enjoyed seeing just how deadly Kumiko is juxtaposed by how tender he is with Trevor. I loved how even Kumiko is surprised by the needs Trevor brings out in him.
I thought Ms. Glenn gave us a wonderful story of strength and survival. Both Trevor and Kumiko learned something new about who and what they could become. I loved the kick ass action that permeated throughout this story alongside the growing tenderness between Kumiko and Trevor. I continue to be a fan of Ms. Glenn and look forward to where she will take us next.
Five Shooting Stars!!
October 15, 2017
Considering the fact that I had been witness to the beginning of Kumiko's and Trevor's meeting and discovering they were mates in the previous book, I wasn't surprised that the author took it back to the beginning so I could get the more in-depth look and viewpoints from these two main characters.
Kumiko has fascinated me ever since I met him. There's a whole lot of anger buried in that little man. And, a history I was interested to discover. Trevor? Oh, that poor boy. I just wanted to protect him. His whole life has been nothing but misery and terror.
”Trevor knew that everyone’s definition of hurt was different. He had learned that by the time he was five years old. He also knew that people often lied to get what they wanted. He had learned that by the time he was three."
A very sweet addition that I do wish had been longer, with a little more explanation near the end. But, I still had fun and enjoyed reading it.
Kumiko has fascinated me ever since I met him. There's a whole lot of anger buried in that little man. And, a history I was interested to discover. Trevor? Oh, that poor boy. I just wanted to protect him. His whole life has been nothing but misery and terror.
”Trevor knew that everyone’s definition of hurt was different. He had learned that by the time he was five years old. He also knew that people often lied to get what they wanted. He had learned that by the time he was three."
A very sweet addition that I do wish had been longer, with a little more explanation near the end. But, I still had fun and enjoyed reading it.
June 12, 2016
2.5 stars really
I was really sort of looking forward to this book. Kumiko has been a fascinating character from the beginning. However, this book is pretty much a re-hash of book three (considering a read them back to back it's all the more noticeable), with only different points of view and a few different events, or additional events.
I understand this, as it takes place concurrent to the events of book three, but I think I would have enjoyed it more, of the book might have continued on, past those events, so that we could have seen Trevor and Kumiko getting to know each other better. Kumiko finding out more about Trevor's traumatic past, and Trevor finding out about Kumiko's past and how he's protected his brother's and left his birth pride, and how he became the fierce warrior he is, etc...
However, having said all of that, I do like both characters, and I hope to see more of them as the series continues.
I was really sort of looking forward to this book. Kumiko has been a fascinating character from the beginning. However, this book is pretty much a re-hash of book three (considering a read them back to back it's all the more noticeable), with only different points of view and a few different events, or additional events.
I understand this, as it takes place concurrent to the events of book three, but I think I would have enjoyed it more, of the book might have continued on, past those events, so that we could have seen Trevor and Kumiko getting to know each other better. Kumiko finding out more about Trevor's traumatic past, and Trevor finding out about Kumiko's past and how he's protected his brother's and left his birth pride, and how he became the fierce warrior he is, etc...
However, having said all of that, I do like both characters, and I hope to see more of them as the series continues.
June 5, 2016
Taming a Beta's Heart [Scent of a Mate 5]
This was just as great as the rest I just knew it would be I can't wait to read the next one in this series and I will be reading it next ...
This was just as great as the rest I just knew it would be I can't wait to read the next one in this series and I will be reading it next ...
September 7, 2014
Not really a plot thickener since this is mostly the other side of the second half of "Heart of a Mate". While it's nice to hear the other points of view, a lot of it was really redundant.
June 30, 2014
3.5 stars
November 21, 2014
3.5 rounded up. There was a lot of repetition from the last book but I really like this couple even with the smaller mate being the alpha mate.
August 11, 2014
Scent of a Mate 4.1
Scent of a Mate 4.1
It was a good story but it seemed as if half of the story was from Scent of a Mate 4.
Scent of a Mate 4.1
It was a good story but it seemed as if half of the story was from Scent of a Mate 4.
September 16, 2014
I have loved all the books in this series. this one is no different. looking forward to the next.
February 23, 2015
3.01 stars.
March 8, 2015
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews