What do you think?
Virtue Shifters #14
Bear My Heart
Return to the small town of Virtue, New York with the sweet, charming Bear My Heart, a standalone romance with a guaranteed HEA that’s sure to win reader hearts!
Shy, responsible nurse Shanti wants nothing more than to get out of Virtue someday, though without a destination in mind, she’s sure she’ll end up right back where she started. That doesn’t stop her from spending long days watching the new rail line come in, or dreaming about what might be.
Alaskan-born rail worker and grizzly shifter Peter has heard that Virtue is a shifter sanctuary town, and has fond hopes of meeting his fated mate there—but he doesn’t expect to literally walk into her at the train station. It’s instantly clear to him that while they’re meant to be together forever, Shanti isn’t the kind of woman to leap into forever without hesitation, but the days they spend exploring the town and getting to know each other are more of a dream come true than Pete could have ever imagined.
And best of all, their slow-burn courtship gives them each time to consider what they really want, and how they might best complement each other. As Shanti comes out of her shell, Pete begins to understand what he was missing in life—and when opportunities arise for them to build a brand new future together, Shanti and Peter are all in!
Shy, responsible nurse Shanti wants nothing more than to get out of Virtue someday, though without a destination in mind, she’s sure she’ll end up right back where she started. That doesn’t stop her from spending long days watching the new rail line come in, or dreaming about what might be.
Alaskan-born rail worker and grizzly shifter Peter has heard that Virtue is a shifter sanctuary town, and has fond hopes of meeting his fated mate there—but he doesn’t expect to literally walk into her at the train station. It’s instantly clear to him that while they’re meant to be together forever, Shanti isn’t the kind of woman to leap into forever without hesitation, but the days they spend exploring the town and getting to know each other are more of a dream come true than Pete could have ever imagined.
And best of all, their slow-burn courtship gives them each time to consider what they really want, and how they might best complement each other. As Shanti comes out of her shell, Pete begins to understand what he was missing in life—and when opportunities arise for them to build a brand new future together, Shanti and Peter are all in!
- GenresRomance
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2026
About the author
Zoe Chant
338 books1,566 followersZoe Chant loves writing paranormal romance. Over a cup of tea (or something stronger) she whips up sexy tales of hunky heroes and adventurous heroines to tantalize and satisfy her readers. Sizzling hot romance, no cliffhangers!
While series should ideally be read in order, all of Zoe’s books are standalones and can be read in any order. This includes books within series.
To get a free book for subscribing to her mailing list, please follow this link: https://www.zoechant.com/join-my-mail...
Zoe's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32545...
While series should ideally be read in order, all of Zoe’s books are standalones and can be read in any order. This includes books within series.
To get a free book for subscribing to her mailing list, please follow this link: https://www.zoechant.com/join-my-mail...
Zoe's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32545...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 8, 2026
Gentle and strong love
I loved this fated mates shifter romance set in the shifter sanctuary town of Virtue. This low angst story had the perfect balance of swoon, humor, love, real life issues, big emotions, and light spice. Reading this story made my romance loving heart so happy enough that I smiled through the entire book. Reading it felt like a warm hug. Shanti is a human nurse who lives in Virtue. She feels stuck in her life and now that a train line is being reconnected to the town, she is determined to be on the first train out of Virtue even is she is unsure where she will go. Pete is a grizzly bear shifter who is from Alaska but works all over the country building railroads. He is helping to build the line that will connect Virtue. Pete recognizes Shanti as his fated mate as soon as he sees her and she feels an embarrassing level of attraction and chemistry as well. But Pete also recognizes Shanti’s reserved skittishness and is in no hurry. To get to their HEA there will be baggage unpacking, truth telling and life course rearranging. I loved Pete and Shanti’s HEA journey. It was so beautifully done. I especially loved the way Pete gently, lovingly, and beautifully encouraged and helped Shanti come out of her self-imposed prison at her own pace and begin to want to embrace her life. This heartwarming story was well written and included engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and a captivating storyline. I love this series and this quirky town. 4.5 stars.
I loved this fated mates shifter romance set in the shifter sanctuary town of Virtue. This low angst story had the perfect balance of swoon, humor, love, real life issues, big emotions, and light spice. Reading this story made my romance loving heart so happy enough that I smiled through the entire book. Reading it felt like a warm hug. Shanti is a human nurse who lives in Virtue. She feels stuck in her life and now that a train line is being reconnected to the town, she is determined to be on the first train out of Virtue even is she is unsure where she will go. Pete is a grizzly bear shifter who is from Alaska but works all over the country building railroads. He is helping to build the line that will connect Virtue. Pete recognizes Shanti as his fated mate as soon as he sees her and she feels an embarrassing level of attraction and chemistry as well. But Pete also recognizes Shanti’s reserved skittishness and is in no hurry. To get to their HEA there will be baggage unpacking, truth telling and life course rearranging. I loved Pete and Shanti’s HEA journey. It was so beautifully done. I especially loved the way Pete gently, lovingly, and beautifully encouraged and helped Shanti come out of her self-imposed prison at her own pace and begin to want to embrace her life. This heartwarming story was well written and included engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and a captivating storyline. I love this series and this quirky town. 4.5 stars.
Read
September 25, 2026You'd think after 13 books in a series, it might be difficult to find a new angle. And yet, Murphy Lawless writing as Zoe Chant, has done it again! Bear My Heart is a tender story of a woman whose given her all in service to family and a man who is a wanderer at heart. I don't think I need to add Spoiler Alert to note that they're fated mates, but that aspect gives Shanti, the female protagonist, the courage to find her wings. Their love story unfolds beautifully around the new train service the folks of Virtue are still arguing about. Noah makes a brief appearance, and we meet the new Catterday bookstore owners, who I hope will be three more new Virtue stories!
All these books stand alone, but they're such fun to read in order and watch the town of Virtue come into its own. I've said it before, but it 'bears' repeating - don't skip the author bio!
All these books stand alone, but they're such fun to read in order and watch the town of Virtue come into its own. I've said it before, but it 'bears' repeating - don't skip the author bio!
September 24, 2026
Low angst, low spice
This story has basically no conflict. Shanti meets Peter while she's at loose ends. He doesn't have much time to romance her before his employment contract ends and she's scheduled to leave town, but is that really a problem when they're fated mates?
There are some unique aspects of this book. Shanti is demi, making this book kind of a slow burn. Their romance is so sweet and innocent, I would have no problem handing it to a middle schooler, if I knew one who didn't want more blood in their books.
There are cameos from some residents of Virtue and references to Renaissance.
Four stars because I prefer there to be at least a little conflict.
This story has basically no conflict. Shanti meets Peter while she's at loose ends. He doesn't have much time to romance her before his employment contract ends and she's scheduled to leave town, but is that really a problem when they're fated mates?
There are some unique aspects of this book. Shanti is demi, making this book kind of a slow burn. Their romance is so sweet and innocent, I would have no problem handing it to a middle schooler, if I knew one who didn't want more blood in their books.
There are cameos from some residents of Virtue and references to Renaissance.
Four stars because I prefer there to be at least a little conflict.
September 15, 2026
Good read
Despite some repetitive thoughts, I enjoyed Shanti and Peter's journey to their HEA. Peter helps Shanti realize her potential and draws her out of her solitude. The two are good for each other.
Good story and characters.
Despite some repetitive thoughts, I enjoyed Shanti and Peter's journey to their HEA. Peter helps Shanti realize her potential and draws her out of her solitude. The two are good for each other.
Good story and characters.
September 15, 2026
I absolutely adored Shanti and Peter. Their relationship started off a little rocky, but the romance grew at such a beautiful pace. Peter managed to pull Shanti out of the fog she seemed to be under. Just a perfect couple that deserved their HEA.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Super cute shifter romance.. Fated mates. Endearing, sweet and heartwarming.. Loved!
September 13, 2026
Love it
Shanties and Peter are adorable. Great seeing Mabs,Jake and Noah Sabrina and Luke again. Love how Torbins and Gaiditor society mentioned. Love seeing community
Shanties and Peter are adorable. Great seeing Mabs,Jake and Noah Sabrina and Luke again. Love how Torbins and Gaiditor society mentioned. Love seeing community
September 19, 2026
Moving the story away from Virtue
This was a really sweet story, and while Virtue is picture-perfect, this book made me seriously think about moving to Alaska. :)
This was a really sweet story, and while Virtue is picture-perfect, this book made me seriously think about moving to Alaska. :)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews