Heart of Gold

Kinkaid Shifters #9

by Bianca D'Arc

A wounded jaguar shifter, battle-scarred and forced home to heal. A human woman who kept his Clan's secret for years. A small Arizona town where the past never really left — and neither has the danger that's followed him home.

Paxton Rojas went out on a simple mission and came back broken. Two weeks off his feet in his childhood bedroom was not part of the plan, but a trip to his hometown hardware store lands him face-to-face with Briana Leeland - the girl who grew into the woman his jaguar has been watching since the moment he walked through the door. Bree catches him when she realizes he’s still healing. She feeds him soup, steadies him on the stairs, and reminds him, quietly and without drama, exactly what he walked away from fifteen years ago. Pax is starting to think that was the worst decision he ever made.

But something dark has followed him home. The mission that nearly killed him isn't finished with him, and the people who came after him then haven't stopped looking. Falling for Bree while a threat circles closer than either of them knows may be the most dangerous thing he's ever done… and Pax Rojas has done some very dangerous things.

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Romance

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2026

About the author

Bianca D'Arc is the USA Today bestselling author of over 100 romance titles. She has been published traditionally, by a few notable small presses, and indie. Before becoming a full-time writer, she ran a laboratory, a legal department, and jetted around the country on business while working for a Fortune 500 engineering firm.

Reviews

[Nicholette]

This was everything I had wanted and so much more.

I have been waiting for Pax and Ari’s stories since they were first introduced in Jacob’s Ladder. I loved that Pax came home to find his mate and that she was his childhood friend. Their story was exactly what I had hoped for and exceeded it. I can’t wait for Ari’s story.

[Susan Parks]

4.5 stars! Can't wait for the next book!

[Cindy]

I have enjoyed seeing the twins, and other members of the clan, in earlier stories, but Pax, the gold jaguar with a scar on his face, has always grabbed my attention. He spends 11 days away from his twin (they both keep count) as he recuperates. By the time Pax rejoins him, he has found that he came home to find a purpose, a mate and not only her to protect but a clan, a town and a surprise to prepare for his twin!

There is less of an emphasis on magic and Venifucus here but lots of family, hope, and elders helping to nourish the next generation!