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Shifter Agents #1
Handcuffed to the Bear
Handcuffed together and hunted, they must rely on each other to survive!
Bear shifter and ex-mercenary Jack Ross hasn't always been one of the good guys, but now he's an agent of the Shifter Crimes Bureau, chasing a pride of lion shifters who hunt other shifters in the Canadian wilderness. When he steps in to save their beautiful victim, he ends up in hot water right alongside her. Jack's spent his life avoiding emotional entanglements, but this time he's literally handcuffed to the woman whose touch sets him on fire ...
Curvy lynx shifter Casey McClaren isn't just a victim. She's on an undercover mission of her own, with no training or backup, trying to find out who killed her best friend. But everything goes wrong, and she finds herself trapped on a remote island, handcuffed to the sexiest bear shifter she's ever seen. Casey can tell by the scars and tattoos that he's exactly the kind of man she shouldn't let herself love. But she can't resist the way he makes her heart pound ...
Now the strangers turned partners are on the run in the wilderness, struggling to survive against their pursuers — and fighting the sizzling attraction growing between them. Both of them have spent their lives relying only on themselves, but now these two loners have run headlong into a passion they can't deny.
This is a standalone, full-length paranormal romance novel, the first in a series about the agents of the Shifter Crimes Bureau.
Bear shifter and ex-mercenary Jack Ross hasn't always been one of the good guys, but now he's an agent of the Shifter Crimes Bureau, chasing a pride of lion shifters who hunt other shifters in the Canadian wilderness. When he steps in to save their beautiful victim, he ends up in hot water right alongside her. Jack's spent his life avoiding emotional entanglements, but this time he's literally handcuffed to the woman whose touch sets him on fire ...
Curvy lynx shifter Casey McClaren isn't just a victim. She's on an undercover mission of her own, with no training or backup, trying to find out who killed her best friend. But everything goes wrong, and she finds herself trapped on a remote island, handcuffed to the sexiest bear shifter she's ever seen. Casey can tell by the scars and tattoos that he's exactly the kind of man she shouldn't let herself love. But she can't resist the way he makes her heart pound ...
Now the strangers turned partners are on the run in the wilderness, struggling to survive against their pursuers — and fighting the sizzling attraction growing between them. Both of them have spent their lives relying only on themselves, but now these two loners have run headlong into a passion they can't deny.
This is a standalone, full-length paranormal romance novel, the first in a series about the agents of the Shifter Crimes Bureau.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2015
427 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Esker
80 books77 followersLauren Esker writes romantic suspense and paranormal romance that’s just a little off the beaten path. Which isn’t surprising since she’s a lifelong Alaskan who is a little off the beaten path herself! (Literally and figuratively.) She also writes graphic novels and scifi/fantasy as Layla Lawlor, and m/m romance as Layla M. Wier.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 31, 2015
While I enjoyed this well-enough, I kept having flashes of annoyance. It took me a while to realize that they all had the same source. I'll get to that, but first, the things that worked.
I liked Casey. A lot. She's sweet, but determined. Further, you could really feel that her determination was a recent development yet still feel the depth of it. Investigating her friend's murder by "infiltrating" the firm she worked for (and most likely culprits) was amateur hour, but then, she was convincingly amateur and they were realistically culpable. I liked her development during the novel and the growth she experiences that enhances who she was to start in all the right ways.
The plot was a bit bare bones, but it worked for what it needed to do. I don't quite buy the Fallons as antagonists, really, but they did what any good antagonists should and the author didn't cheat or crank up their threat for drama. Lion shifters hunting humans for sport is an interesting conceit and this worked as far as that went. I really appreciated that Esker didn't mess a lot with villain PoV. We get a few PoV shifts, but they're all other good guys that give us a better understanding of the overall picture while Jack and Casey are stuck on an island.
And yes, that means Jack is my problem. I had a hard time connecting to him, and I think part of it is that I just didn't buy his backstory. Damaged man of action is interesting to me, but it needs to mean something. Like, he never pressed an advantage when he should have when fighting or planning to fight (this happened at least twice). I kept expecting his training to mean more than random survival tips and it just never did (and I kind of suspect that the survival tips he came up with weren't quite as useful as portrayed, either, though that may be due to my Louis L'Amour jag earlier this year). And I hated that
So a three and half star read that rounds down on the weakness of the male lead. I wanted to like him, but just found I couldn't.
A note about Steamy: On the light side, for all they're naked for a good chunk of the book. They're in survival mode and it would have been beyond stupid for anything to happen there. Kudos to Esker for making that as real as it needed to be and with just the right mix of body consciousness and getting on with things. The one explicit sex scene also worked very well and was in just the right place.
I liked Casey. A lot. She's sweet, but determined. Further, you could really feel that her determination was a recent development yet still feel the depth of it. Investigating her friend's murder by "infiltrating" the firm she worked for (and most likely culprits) was amateur hour, but then, she was convincingly amateur and they were realistically culpable. I liked her development during the novel and the growth she experiences that enhances who she was to start in all the right ways.
The plot was a bit bare bones, but it worked for what it needed to do. I don't quite buy the Fallons as antagonists, really, but they did what any good antagonists should and the author didn't cheat or crank up their threat for drama. Lion shifters hunting humans for sport is an interesting conceit and this worked as far as that went. I really appreciated that Esker didn't mess a lot with villain PoV. We get a few PoV shifts, but they're all other good guys that give us a better understanding of the overall picture while Jack and Casey are stuck on an island.
And yes, that means Jack is my problem. I had a hard time connecting to him, and I think part of it is that I just didn't buy his backstory. Damaged man of action is interesting to me, but it needs to mean something. Like, he never pressed an advantage when he should have when fighting or planning to fight (this happened at least twice). I kept expecting his training to mean more than random survival tips and it just never did (and I kind of suspect that the survival tips he came up with weren't quite as useful as portrayed, either, though that may be due to my Louis L'Amour jag earlier this year). And I hated that
So a three and half star read that rounds down on the weakness of the male lead. I wanted to like him, but just found I couldn't.
A note about Steamy: On the light side, for all they're naked for a good chunk of the book. They're in survival mode and it would have been beyond stupid for anything to happen there. Kudos to Esker for making that as real as it needed to be and with just the right mix of body consciousness and getting on with things. The one explicit sex scene also worked very well and was in just the right place.
Read
August 21, 2015Jack and Casey wake up groggy, naked, handcuffed to one another.
They figure out very soon that the wealthy, powerful shifter lion pride have dumped them here on their private island for a hunt. They are the targets.
I absolutely inhaled this story (a full length novel currently for 99 cents). Casey is a lynx shifter and Jack a bear. The way Esker handles their animal natures is as splendid as her careful development of their respective backstories, which keeping the pacing headlong.
The story also introduces a secret organization parallel to the FBI, which in specifically tasked to both police, protect, and keep undiscovered the shifter world.
The tension, environment, and character development is first rate. If you like shifter stories, I highly recommend this one. (For those who prefer a steam warning, as many shifter stories can be pretty hot, this one is at the sweet end, with togetherness saved for the end.) The suspense was fantastic, with humor at the right moments to add to the roller-coaster emotional effect.
They figure out very soon that the wealthy, powerful shifter lion pride have dumped them here on their private island for a hunt. They are the targets.
I absolutely inhaled this story (a full length novel currently for 99 cents). Casey is a lynx shifter and Jack a bear. The way Esker handles their animal natures is as splendid as her careful development of their respective backstories, which keeping the pacing headlong.
The story also introduces a secret organization parallel to the FBI, which in specifically tasked to both police, protect, and keep undiscovered the shifter world.
The tension, environment, and character development is first rate. If you like shifter stories, I highly recommend this one. (For those who prefer a steam warning, as many shifter stories can be pretty hot, this one is at the sweet end, with togetherness saved for the end.) The suspense was fantastic, with humor at the right moments to add to the roller-coaster emotional effect.
January 22, 2024
4.5 stars cause Jack was a bit of an idiot and didn't make a move before Casey did.
But, I still loved it. The adventure was fun... I love the characters and their interactions.
This one was more standard paranormal romance with a very large older male hero and a smaller and younger female heroine.
No other women or other men. The hero has a more promiscuous past but we don't hear about it too much
But, I still loved it. The adventure was fun... I love the characters and their interactions.
This one was more standard paranormal romance with a very large older male hero and a smaller and younger female heroine.
No other women or other men. The hero has a more promiscuous past but we don't hear about it too much
August 31, 2015
Romantic Suspense/Thriller, not a genre PR “Those that much covet are with gain so fond, For what they have not, that which they possess They scatter and unloose it from their bond, And so, by hoping more, they have but less; Or, gaining more, the profit of excess Is but to surfeit, and such griefs sustain, That they prove bankrupt in this poor-rich gain.” ― William Shakespeare, The Rape of Lucrece’
First, don’t look at the cover and think, “Oh, BDSM.” That isn’t what this is. What it is, is a great story. It is advertised as a “Paranormal Romance” – which I find to be a shame, as it is more than that. If you are looking for a simple story, boy shifter meets girl shifter, immediate mating occurs, stuff happens, tons of sex happens, HEA, well, this isn’t that. Though the ending is sooo good, I have to say – can we all say kickass Casey?
Being cuffed together and dumped out in the forests of the American Northwest, neither Casey nor Jack can switch to their animal forms. The handcuffs are Jack’s – as a federal agent, the handcuffs are designed to hold the strongest shifter. If Jack, a grizzly, shifts, he will lose a hand/paw. And it doesn’t do Casey any real good to shift, even though her wrists/ankles are small enough to get away with it. As a lynx, her paws are huge, designed to allow her to race over deep snows. So they must retain their naked human forms as they flee from a lion pride. A lion pride gone bad, who hunt and slaughter terrified shifters for fun. Staying alive means running, hiding, and when necessary, fighting for their lives. Stuck on a private island off the British Columbia coast, there is no help in sight. Not unless Jack’s backup can first find them, then rescue them before the pride closes in and the slaughter commences.
If this weren’t a shifter story, it would fall under the suspense or romantic suspense genre without a doubt. So I will call it “Paranormal Suspense.” The focus is on Casey and Jack staying alive long enough to be rescued. For Jack, being handcuffed to a tiny lynx shifter civilian is, well, frustrating to say the least. He is an admitted ‘bad team player.’ But Casey isn’t just any civilian. After her best friend Wendy disappeared Casey was determined to find out what happened to her. No one would listen to her, would believe that Wendy didn’t just move away to Colorado without a word. Wendy and Casey are both orphans, Wendy brought up in “the system” and Casey by her grandmother. Wendy wouldn’t just take off. The only clue Casey has is that Wendy was a programmer for Lion’s Share Software, a shifter owned corporation owned by the local lion pride. So, Casey works, hard, for two years to put herself into a position to find out what happened to her friend. From waitress to mail room, up through the ranks to executive assistant to the head of Lion’s Share, Roger Fallon. It was a brutal slog of long days and nights, school and job, total focus and hard work. But she is there. And when asked to the company’s yearly yacht tour around Puget Sound, Casey sees it as an opportunity to watch, to listen, and to find out if her suspicions are correct – that the Fallons had something to do with Wendy’s disappearance.
Agent Jack Ross of the “Shif uh, – Special Crimes Bureau” or SCB, is working undercover. Shifters have been disappearing. Females, small breeds, easily picked off and with no families, or families who can’t afford to mount a search. Young single mothers, single women with little or no family. The SCB knows that the Fallons are involved, but to prove it they need more evidence. Jack’s assignment with the catering company on the Fallon yacht was supposed to be information gathering only. But when he sees tiny Casey’s unconscious body being stuffed into a crate, something must have happened – because he finds himself waking up from a deeply drugged state handcuffed to Casey in the middle of a forest. To survive they are going to have to work together, to help one another, to save one another from a horrid death at the teeth and claws of the pride. Not an easy thing for two self-sufficient people with teamwork and trust issues to handle.
Again, I completely enjoyed this book. I picked it up as a Freebie – and it is still free, so even if you can’t read it right now, pick it up and read it when you get a chance. If you like suspense, you will like this. Casey never wimps out. She gets hurt, battered, shot at, shot, and she just puts her head down and keeps right on going. She is believable, she isn’t an idiot, and she is one gutsy lady. And I really liked that she had to actually kick the big bear in the butt a couple of different times to get his fat backside moving when he would have simply laid down and died. Awesome! They learned to work together, and Casey’s part in the story was never minimized. Yep. Totally awesome.
The next one coming out is “Guard Wolf on Duty” coming out in October. I have it on my “order when available” list. And we will hopefully get to see Casey kicking backside and taking names again…. Cool!
First, don’t look at the cover and think, “Oh, BDSM.” That isn’t what this is. What it is, is a great story. It is advertised as a “Paranormal Romance” – which I find to be a shame, as it is more than that. If you are looking for a simple story, boy shifter meets girl shifter, immediate mating occurs, stuff happens, tons of sex happens, HEA, well, this isn’t that. Though the ending is sooo good, I have to say – can we all say kickass Casey?
Being cuffed together and dumped out in the forests of the American Northwest, neither Casey nor Jack can switch to their animal forms. The handcuffs are Jack’s – as a federal agent, the handcuffs are designed to hold the strongest shifter. If Jack, a grizzly, shifts, he will lose a hand/paw. And it doesn’t do Casey any real good to shift, even though her wrists/ankles are small enough to get away with it. As a lynx, her paws are huge, designed to allow her to race over deep snows. So they must retain their naked human forms as they flee from a lion pride. A lion pride gone bad, who hunt and slaughter terrified shifters for fun. Staying alive means running, hiding, and when necessary, fighting for their lives. Stuck on a private island off the British Columbia coast, there is no help in sight. Not unless Jack’s backup can first find them, then rescue them before the pride closes in and the slaughter commences.
If this weren’t a shifter story, it would fall under the suspense or romantic suspense genre without a doubt. So I will call it “Paranormal Suspense.” The focus is on Casey and Jack staying alive long enough to be rescued. For Jack, being handcuffed to a tiny lynx shifter civilian is, well, frustrating to say the least. He is an admitted ‘bad team player.’ But Casey isn’t just any civilian. After her best friend Wendy disappeared Casey was determined to find out what happened to her. No one would listen to her, would believe that Wendy didn’t just move away to Colorado without a word. Wendy and Casey are both orphans, Wendy brought up in “the system” and Casey by her grandmother. Wendy wouldn’t just take off. The only clue Casey has is that Wendy was a programmer for Lion’s Share Software, a shifter owned corporation owned by the local lion pride. So, Casey works, hard, for two years to put herself into a position to find out what happened to her friend. From waitress to mail room, up through the ranks to executive assistant to the head of Lion’s Share, Roger Fallon. It was a brutal slog of long days and nights, school and job, total focus and hard work. But she is there. And when asked to the company’s yearly yacht tour around Puget Sound, Casey sees it as an opportunity to watch, to listen, and to find out if her suspicions are correct – that the Fallons had something to do with Wendy’s disappearance.
Agent Jack Ross of the “Shif uh, – Special Crimes Bureau” or SCB, is working undercover. Shifters have been disappearing. Females, small breeds, easily picked off and with no families, or families who can’t afford to mount a search. Young single mothers, single women with little or no family. The SCB knows that the Fallons are involved, but to prove it they need more evidence. Jack’s assignment with the catering company on the Fallon yacht was supposed to be information gathering only. But when he sees tiny Casey’s unconscious body being stuffed into a crate, something must have happened – because he finds himself waking up from a deeply drugged state handcuffed to Casey in the middle of a forest. To survive they are going to have to work together, to help one another, to save one another from a horrid death at the teeth and claws of the pride. Not an easy thing for two self-sufficient people with teamwork and trust issues to handle.
Again, I completely enjoyed this book. I picked it up as a Freebie – and it is still free, so even if you can’t read it right now, pick it up and read it when you get a chance. If you like suspense, you will like this. Casey never wimps out. She gets hurt, battered, shot at, shot, and she just puts her head down and keeps right on going. She is believable, she isn’t an idiot, and she is one gutsy lady. And I really liked that she had to actually kick the big bear in the butt a couple of different times to get his fat backside moving when he would have simply laid down and died. Awesome! They learned to work together, and Casey’s part in the story was never minimized. Yep. Totally awesome.
The next one coming out is “Guard Wolf on Duty” coming out in October. I have it on my “order when available” list. And we will hopefully get to see Casey kicking backside and taking names again…. Cool!
May 22, 2016
3.5 stars
This was surprisingly enjoyable. Despite the fact that the h/h spend 70% of the book naked and handcuffed to each other against their will, the story is not focused on sexytimes. There is plot, character development, and interesting secondary characters. The romance is really sweet and, given how socially awkward both Casey and Jack are, helped along greatly by their friends in a way that was really satisfying. Action, adventure, romance, and enough angst to add depth.
This was surprisingly enjoyable. Despite the fact that the h/h spend 70% of the book naked and handcuffed to each other against their will, the story is not focused on sexytimes. There is plot, character development, and interesting secondary characters. The romance is really sweet and, given how socially awkward both Casey and Jack are, helped along greatly by their friends in a way that was really satisfying. Action, adventure, romance, and enough angst to add depth.
September 28, 2015
I found a sneak peak of Handcuffed to the Bear at the end of a Zoe Chant book and it intrigued me so I had to buy it. Casey wakes up naked in a forest handcuffed to a naked man who is a complete stranger. Such an interesting idea! Craziness ensures and I really loved how intense and action-packed this story was. Romance really took a backseat as you discover the sinister reason why these two found themselves in this position and I enjoyed watching these two strangers begin to rely on each other, learn about each other and fight for their lives. Having them both be naked and trapped together meant they really couldn’t hide anything from each other. Their bodies gave away many secrets and Casey moved on from her feelings of not being good enough and Jack learned that it is just as rewarding working with someone and being part of a team and perhaps only looking out for himself can be a little lonely. It was thrilling and I loved every page.
November 10, 2023
DNF at 50%
For me, the disappointment of this story stemmed from the lack of romance and connection between Jack and Casey. This wasn't a badly written novel; the plot was fast-moving and engaging if a bit grotesque, while both main characters were likable. I just felt that the blurb was misleading as at 50% in, there is still no mention of Jack and Casey being mates nor is there any real connection between them as they fight for their lives in the wild. I would have loved more of an attachment between them by this point, but other readers may not be as put off by this as I was. I don't think I will be continuing on in this series either.
For me, the disappointment of this story stemmed from the lack of romance and connection between Jack and Casey. This wasn't a badly written novel; the plot was fast-moving and engaging if a bit grotesque, while both main characters were likable. I just felt that the blurb was misleading as at 50% in, there is still no mention of Jack and Casey being mates nor is there any real connection between them as they fight for their lives in the wild. I would have loved more of an attachment between them by this point, but other readers may not be as put off by this as I was. I don't think I will be continuing on in this series either.
January 28, 2024
Suspense, shifters, romance. Fun procedural type suspense with a shifter twist. Jacks character arch was annoying, but I still liked this light suspense and romance novel enough to check out more.
July 28, 2017
Casey wakes up handcuffed to Jack, naked, on an island. And it turns out, they are being hunted by a pride of deadly lion shifters! Wow! I was really impressed with this one. Great adventure, excellent chemistry, it hit all the marks.
December 1, 2015
Fairly formulaic romance squeezed into a decent thriller plot. I liked it. I have some really little nit-picky details that bothered me enough I still remember them this morning.
The first is that I really do hate the trope in romance where the guy is so 'damaged and evil' that he leaves the woman for her own good. It's never permanent and mostly used to create tension, a false sense of tension. And tension his book didn't really need. Plus it's a manipulative way to create both sympathy for the male lead and also show how much he cares for the female lead. This book was pretty light handed with the trope, but it was there and I rolled my eyes.
The second bothered me a bit more, because it has to do with bone structure and how cat and human bone structure differs. See these two shifters are handcuffed together. Now the bear shifter can't shift because the handcuff would probably cut off his bear paw, as the size difference is too great. This makes sense. It is good logic. However the woman is a lynx shifter and she does shift. And this is where it bothers me.
The reason handcuffs work is that they close around the wrist and are unable to slip off the hand because of the bone structure in a human hand. The thumb, and where it's positioned essentially stops the handcuff from going any further. There are people who can slip handcuffs off by dislocating the thumb, pushing the dislocated thumb up against the palm, and then slipping the cuff over.
A feline wrist/hand structure is not the same as a humans. For starters they walk on what would correspond to human fingers, and their 'thumb' is almost non-existent. The handcuff, should have been able to slip over that little nub while she was in lynx form, even if her paws her huge, and then whens he switched back to human form the handcuff would have been encircling her palm, and thus easy to slip off. Especially as a lynx is a fairly small wild cat. It is such a teeny detail, but it bothered me quite a bit.
The first is that I really do hate the trope in romance where the guy is so 'damaged and evil' that he leaves the woman for her own good. It's never permanent and mostly used to create tension, a false sense of tension. And tension his book didn't really need. Plus it's a manipulative way to create both sympathy for the male lead and also show how much he cares for the female lead. This book was pretty light handed with the trope, but it was there and I rolled my eyes.
The second bothered me a bit more, because it has to do with bone structure and how cat and human bone structure differs. See these two shifters are handcuffed together. Now the bear shifter can't shift because the handcuff would probably cut off his bear paw, as the size difference is too great. This makes sense. It is good logic. However the woman is a lynx shifter and she does shift. And this is where it bothers me.
The reason handcuffs work is that they close around the wrist and are unable to slip off the hand because of the bone structure in a human hand. The thumb, and where it's positioned essentially stops the handcuff from going any further. There are people who can slip handcuffs off by dislocating the thumb, pushing the dislocated thumb up against the palm, and then slipping the cuff over.
A feline wrist/hand structure is not the same as a humans. For starters they walk on what would correspond to human fingers, and their 'thumb' is almost non-existent. The handcuff, should have been able to slip over that little nub while she was in lynx form, even if her paws her huge, and then whens he switched back to human form the handcuff would have been encircling her palm, and thus easy to slip off. Especially as a lynx is a fairly small wild cat. It is such a teeny detail, but it bothered me quite a bit.
September 16, 2015
A paranormal romance that begins with an excellent, and novel, premise: Two shifters - different animals, one of each gender, young and healthy, find themselves naked, handcuffed to each other, and left out in the woods ... to die?
Fun read that I enjoyed returning to between work assignments.
Fun read that I enjoyed returning to between work assignments.
January 17, 2016
Yep, she wakes up handcuffed to a bear shifter
And they're both naked. And in the middle of an unknown forest. And her boss, a lion shifter, and his kin are hunting them. It's a hell of a first date.
And they're both naked. And in the middle of an unknown forest. And her boss, a lion shifter, and his kin are hunting them. It's a hell of a first date.
Read
June 9, 2017I've found my new favorite romance writer. I did not finish this book and Guard Wolf, but I still loved both of these. I finished Dragon's Luck and Tiger in the Hot Zone and I loved those. They're going on to my list of comfort rereads.
Things I liked about this series, as compared to the usual romances I come across: I like how much kindness and gentleness there is in the romance, and I love that there was no alpha male. God, I hate that trope with a burning passion. Anyway. The book wasn't drenched in lust (thank god), and most importantly, instalust does not drive the development of the relationship, bless the lord. The heroes and heroines actually got to know each other without thinking of jumping each other's bones every five seconds. I can't believe the bar is this low.
Another thing I forgot to add is that I liked how the world was actually developed?? Esker dealt with shapeshifting in a pretty thoughtful and realistic way, and it's so rare to see in PNR.
I feel like Esker gets better, because by the time I got to the fourth book, I loved everything that I was reading. I love her heroes. I have a soft spot for Avery ( Guard Wolf), and especially Noah ( Tiger in the Hot Zone). I love the softness between Peri and Noah in the fourth book; loved their playfulness and their love for each other. I forgot to mention she's got great heroines too. I love Jen from the third book. I'm so happy to have found this series. It was so fun reading my way through these.
Things I liked about this series, as compared to the usual romances I come across: I like how much kindness and gentleness there is in the romance, and I love that there was no alpha male. God, I hate that trope with a burning passion. Anyway. The book wasn't drenched in lust (thank god), and most importantly, instalust does not drive the development of the relationship, bless the lord. The heroes and heroines actually got to know each other without thinking of jumping each other's bones every five seconds. I can't believe the bar is this low.
Another thing I forgot to add is that I liked how the world was actually developed?? Esker dealt with shapeshifting in a pretty thoughtful and realistic way, and it's so rare to see in PNR.
I feel like Esker gets better, because by the time I got to the fourth book, I loved everything that I was reading. I love her heroes. I have a soft spot for Avery ( Guard Wolf), and especially Noah ( Tiger in the Hot Zone). I love the softness between Peri and Noah in the fourth book; loved their playfulness and their love for each other. I forgot to mention she's got great heroines too. I love Jen from the third book. I'm so happy to have found this series. It was so fun reading my way through these.
May 14, 2024
I initially thought this book was a Zoe Chant when I picked it up (the author, Lauren Esker, has written several series as a Zoe - I hadn't realised that this wasn't one of them), but it has a very different vibe to the Zoe books.
Yes, the protagonists are shifters, and yes, there's a strong romantic plot thread. But there's nary a sign of fated mates across the entire book, and while the Jack - our male lead - absolutely thinks Casey - our female lead - is attractive, Ms Esker is very clear that he respects her tenacity, resourcefulness and general competence far more. And to be honest, I feel like it's a much stronger book for that lack - seriously: it's refreshing to have a male shifter lead who isn't suddenly hit by a bolt from the blue after which he can suddenly see nothing but absolute perfection in his fated mate. (I know, I know, it comes with the Zoe Chant territory, and if I don't like that aspect I shouldn't read them... but I read Zoes in spite of the fated mates trope, not because of it, and it's nice to see a book that includes all the rest of the things I enjoy about the Zoe books WITHOUT the damn fated mates instalove element!)
Plus, the tension and pacing are both quite a bit more intense than the average Zoe book (which isn't a good thing or a bad thing: it's just a thing), so I guess I should have known it wasn't part of the franchise.
What it is, though, is a fairly well told romantic suspense story of two strangers who wake up naked, handcuffed to each other on a Pacific Northwest island, and who have to use their wits to work together to figure out a/ what's going on and b/ how they're going to get out of it alive. The romance thread was there, but definitely secondary to the survival thread, which I appreciated.
The only thing I wasn't a massive fan of was the way the romance thread resolved. It felt like not nearly enough of a payoff for the buildup up to that point - and the lack of communication skills on Jack's part was eye-roll-worthy, and a big part of why this wasn't a five-star read for me.
That said, I really enjoyed the rest of it, so I'm looking forward to seeing where the rest of the series goes.
Yes, the protagonists are shifters, and yes, there's a strong romantic plot thread. But there's nary a sign of fated mates across the entire book, and while the Jack - our male lead - absolutely thinks Casey - our female lead - is attractive, Ms Esker is very clear that he respects her tenacity, resourcefulness and general competence far more. And to be honest, I feel like it's a much stronger book for that lack - seriously: it's refreshing to have a male shifter lead who isn't suddenly hit by a bolt from the blue after which he can suddenly see nothing but absolute perfection in his fated mate. (I know, I know, it comes with the Zoe Chant territory, and if I don't like that aspect I shouldn't read them... but I read Zoes in spite of the fated mates trope, not because of it, and it's nice to see a book that includes all the rest of the things I enjoy about the Zoe books WITHOUT the damn fated mates instalove element!)
Plus, the tension and pacing are both quite a bit more intense than the average Zoe book (which isn't a good thing or a bad thing: it's just a thing), so I guess I should have known it wasn't part of the franchise.
What it is, though, is a fairly well told romantic suspense story of two strangers who wake up naked, handcuffed to each other on a Pacific Northwest island, and who have to use their wits to work together to figure out a/ what's going on and b/ how they're going to get out of it alive. The romance thread was there, but definitely secondary to the survival thread, which I appreciated.
The only thing I wasn't a massive fan of was the way the romance thread resolved. It felt like not nearly enough of a payoff for the buildup up to that point - and the lack of communication skills on Jack's part was eye-roll-worthy, and a big part of why this wasn't a five-star read for me.
That said, I really enjoyed the rest of it, so I'm looking forward to seeing where the rest of the series goes.
April 28, 2024
I wasn't expecting much from “Handcuffed To The Bear” but was pleasantly surprised to find that it was quite good.
Two Shifters, Casey McLaren (Lynx), and Jack Ross (Grizzly Bear), wake up naked on the forest floor – and they are handcuffed to each other (which means they are stuck in their human forms.
He's a former mercenary who now works for the Special (aka Shifter) Crimes Unit while Casey has been working for the Lion's Share Software Company (owned by the Fallon family – they're Shifter Lions).
She's been investigating the disappearance, two years ago, of her best friend, Wendy, who also worked for the company.
Jack knows exactly what's happening as the SCU suspects that the Fallon family are kidnapping Shifters and hunting them to death. Where has been a problem - not any longer.
Given the nature of the book there is never much doubt that they will survive – no matter how hopeless it may seem on a regular basis – but what is in doubt is whether their growing attraction will last beyond their eventual rescue.
He's never really had a serious relationship with a woman while Casey has been a loner for most of her life.
The regular action scenes are quite enjoyable; the sheer difficulty of surviving the hunt, the weather and the rugged terrain is nicely described, and the relationship between Jack and Casey is believable.
I don't often say it but if it were half as long again, and delved deeper into Fallons and their victims, it would have been better.
4 Stars.
Two Shifters, Casey McLaren (Lynx), and Jack Ross (Grizzly Bear), wake up naked on the forest floor – and they are handcuffed to each other (which means they are stuck in their human forms.
He's a former mercenary who now works for the Special (aka Shifter) Crimes Unit while Casey has been working for the Lion's Share Software Company (owned by the Fallon family – they're Shifter Lions).
She's been investigating the disappearance, two years ago, of her best friend, Wendy, who also worked for the company.
Jack knows exactly what's happening as the SCU suspects that the Fallon family are kidnapping Shifters and hunting them to death. Where has been a problem - not any longer.
Given the nature of the book there is never much doubt that they will survive – no matter how hopeless it may seem on a regular basis – but what is in doubt is whether their growing attraction will last beyond their eventual rescue.
He's never really had a serious relationship with a woman while Casey has been a loner for most of her life.
The regular action scenes are quite enjoyable; the sheer difficulty of surviving the hunt, the weather and the rugged terrain is nicely described, and the relationship between Jack and Casey is believable.
I don't often say it but if it were half as long again, and delved deeper into Fallons and their victims, it would have been better.
4 Stars.
September 17, 2019
Pleasantly surprised by this KU find! A fun paranormal romantic suspense that doesn't fall into the trap of "we totally have to stop and bone while running away from danger" - hooray!! Combine that with excellent writing, smart characters, and an interesting plot that makes me want to read the rest of the series, and Lauren Esker has a new fan.
I appreciated that Jack wasn't a completely alpha male and that (after some prompting) took Casey into consideration while dealing with trying circumstances. He realizes that they needed to rely on one another, and that Casey has strengths to contribute to their rescue as well - she's not an instant badass, but she has common sense smarts and good instincts.
Getting some POV scenes from Avery, Jack's handler, was also nice and filled in what was happening on the other side of this infiltration/rescue mission (as well as setting up the rest of the series, but in a way that felt organic, rather than HERE'S YOUR NEXT HERO! but c'mon, werewolf puppies? How can I resist that).
I appreciated that Jack wasn't a completely alpha male and that (after some prompting) took Casey into consideration while dealing with trying circumstances. He realizes that they needed to rely on one another, and that Casey has strengths to contribute to their rescue as well - she's not an instant badass, but she has common sense smarts and good instincts.
Getting some POV scenes from Avery, Jack's handler, was also nice and filled in what was happening on the other side of this infiltration/rescue mission (as well as setting up the rest of the series, but in a way that felt organic, rather than HERE'S YOUR NEXT HERO! but c'mon, werewolf puppies? How can I resist that).
October 19, 2018
Wow this story can show the ugly side of humans/shifters and pure love so the ying n yang balance of life.
Jake his best friend is part of CSB to protect shifter and humans that it with keep the secret safe and human non the wiser. Discover the ugly part of a family hunting down defenseless naked, handcuffed and running for their lifes...horrific. Through this all, I guess seeing your life pass before your life fee does cause Cassie and Jack to understand. This shows that Jack has an extended team that was worming their way into his heart as his family. He also has Cassie to protect and she is protecting him. Violence 3, sex2
More opinions and book reviews please check out my blog:my2centsbookreviews.com thanks!
Jake his best friend is part of CSB to protect shifter and humans that it with keep the secret safe and human non the wiser. Discover the ugly part of a family hunting down defenseless naked, handcuffed and running for their lifes...horrific. Through this all, I guess seeing your life pass before your life fee does cause Cassie and Jack to understand. This shows that Jack has an extended team that was worming their way into his heart as his family. He also has Cassie to protect and she is protecting him. Violence 3, sex2
More opinions and book reviews please check out my blog:my2centsbookreviews.com thanks!
April 27, 2019
Shifters and agents
Beginning of a series focused on an federal agency of shifters who fight to keep unsuspecting humans unaware of their presence. In this world it seems every species in the animal kingdom is represented. This is Jake and Cassie's story - bear and lynx shifters respectively. Thrown together in a life threatening situation, against a pride of lion shifters no less, two loners are forced to depend on one another for their survival. Somewhat annoyingly and predictably Jake decides he isn't good enough and walks away without saying anything. Fortunately he has a good friend in Avery (star of the next book) who matchmakes (if that's a word) and the stupidity doesn't last long. Will definitely read the other books in this series.
Beginning of a series focused on an federal agency of shifters who fight to keep unsuspecting humans unaware of their presence. In this world it seems every species in the animal kingdom is represented. This is Jake and Cassie's story - bear and lynx shifters respectively. Thrown together in a life threatening situation, against a pride of lion shifters no less, two loners are forced to depend on one another for their survival. Somewhat annoyingly and predictably Jake decides he isn't good enough and walks away without saying anything. Fortunately he has a good friend in Avery (star of the next book) who matchmakes (if that's a word) and the stupidity doesn't last long. Will definitely read the other books in this series.
July 20, 2021
A perfect blend of heart and danger
This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I love romantic suspense and this book had the perfect balance of heart and danger. Strangers Casey, a lynx shifter, and Jack, a grizzly shifter, wake up in a forest, naked and handcuffed together. They quickly realize that they are being hunted by a pride of lions. It is beautiful to watch the relationship between these two as they grow together in the midst of running for their lives. This book has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from a romantic suspense story - sweet moments, strong friendships, sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, dangerous high stress situations, and so much love. On to the next book in the series.
This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I love romantic suspense and this book had the perfect balance of heart and danger. Strangers Casey, a lynx shifter, and Jack, a grizzly shifter, wake up in a forest, naked and handcuffed together. They quickly realize that they are being hunted by a pride of lions. It is beautiful to watch the relationship between these two as they grow together in the midst of running for their lives. This book has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from a romantic suspense story - sweet moments, strong friendships, sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, dangerous high stress situations, and so much love. On to the next book in the series.
October 16, 2023
What a story!
This was packed to the brim with action and suspense and murderous intents and it starts up right from the start. On the first page - bam - we jump into the action and it doesn't stop until the 75% mark, where things calm down and we can actually get into the romance and healing part of the book. And that divide works so well, we get to see the aftermath and we get the love too <3
I really enjoyed how we got the island portion as well as the rescue side and that felt like a movie. It was so so well done. I was also superhappy that while Jack was a big, grizzly shifter, he had weaknesses. It's sometimes rare to see a shifter with eyesight issue but it allowed for Casey to be the "leader" in the wilderness as well. We do love a good balance. And I do think the characters balanced each other so well and their HEA was definitely swoon-worthy.
This was packed to the brim with action and suspense and murderous intents and it starts up right from the start. On the first page - bam - we jump into the action and it doesn't stop until the 75% mark, where things calm down and we can actually get into the romance and healing part of the book. And that divide works so well, we get to see the aftermath and we get the love too <3
I really enjoyed how we got the island portion as well as the rescue side and that felt like a movie. It was so so well done. I was also superhappy that while Jack was a big, grizzly shifter, he had weaknesses. It's sometimes rare to see a shifter with eyesight issue but it allowed for Casey to be the "leader" in the wilderness as well. We do love a good balance. And I do think the characters balanced each other so well and their HEA was definitely swoon-worthy.
September 16, 2018
Action packed shifter romance!
I have been thinking about getting this series for a while. I am happy I decided to try it. This fast paced story is filled with action and still gives you some character development! The tone is intense and the characters are vibrant and kickass! This is not a mild action. Some of the scenes and the whole premise is really tough. There is one steamy scene. I really liked this. If it sounds like something you would like, try it and see for yourself! Enjoy!
I have been thinking about getting this series for a while. I am happy I decided to try it. This fast paced story is filled with action and still gives you some character development! The tone is intense and the characters are vibrant and kickass! This is not a mild action. Some of the scenes and the whole premise is really tough. There is one steamy scene. I really liked this. If it sounds like something you would like, try it and see for yourself! Enjoy!
March 19, 2019
Non-stop action
The book opens with the main characters handcuffed to each other on an island, where they're being hunted by lion shifters. I liked that they don't have sex until they're safe.
The action is mostly good, though you shouldn't take this book's advice of you're trying to confuse a bloodhound, and there was a big missed opportunity with a sharp stick.
The characterization is mostly good, and I like the other agents (possibly more), so I'm looking forward to the next book.
The book opens with the main characters handcuffed to each other on an island, where they're being hunted by lion shifters. I liked that they don't have sex until they're safe.
The action is mostly good, though you shouldn't take this book's advice of you're trying to confuse a bloodhound, and there was a big missed opportunity with a sharp stick.
The characterization is mostly good, and I like the other agents (possibly more), so I'm looking forward to the next book.
September 12, 2025
Brilliant Series
Handcuffed to the Bear (Shifter Agents) by Lauren Esker. Casey had been to a party on her bosses boat. When she woke up she was lying in a wood stark naked and handcuffed to an equally naked man, a huge man. It turns out they had both been drugged and put on an island to be hunted by her bosses who were lion shifters. Casey was a Lynx shifter and the man, Jack, was a bear shifter. Jack was a member of SCB, Special Crimes Bureau. Some how they needed to stay alive long enough for Jacks colleagues to find them.
Handcuffed to the Bear (Shifter Agents) by Lauren Esker. Casey had been to a party on her bosses boat. When she woke up she was lying in a wood stark naked and handcuffed to an equally naked man, a huge man. It turns out they had both been drugged and put on an island to be hunted by her bosses who were lion shifters. Casey was a Lynx shifter and the man, Jack, was a bear shifter. Jack was a member of SCB, Special Crimes Bureau. Some how they needed to stay alive long enough for Jacks colleagues to find them.
September 30, 2023
Awwww
This was a really cool, fun introduction to the world and really solid story. I liked that it felt real, as in, how do you handle bathroom breaks when handcuffed to someone and you're both naked? I mean... reality hits. I liked the two main characters getting to know each other under stress. Jack and Casey were excellent balance for each other. I loved the team dynamic of the SCB crew. Very minimal adult content.
This was a really cool, fun introduction to the world and really solid story. I liked that it felt real, as in, how do you handle bathroom breaks when handcuffed to someone and you're both naked? I mean... reality hits. I liked the two main characters getting to know each other under stress. Jack and Casey were excellent balance for each other. I loved the team dynamic of the SCB crew. Very minimal adult content.
October 14, 2023
Heart racing
On the edge drama of being hunted on a private island while trying to investigate the disappearance of your best friend two years ago while handcuffed naked to a federal agent. Not sure it can get more nail biting than that! And after the rescue an emotional rollercoaster of emotions had me tearing up. This is a fantastic first in trying out this author. Look forward to reading more.
On the edge drama of being hunted on a private island while trying to investigate the disappearance of your best friend two years ago while handcuffed naked to a federal agent. Not sure it can get more nail biting than that! And after the rescue an emotional rollercoaster of emotions had me tearing up. This is a fantastic first in trying out this author. Look forward to reading more.
July 15, 2025
Lauren Easker is an amazing writer.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. You really couldn't tell what was coming next. This book was not predictable at all. You really didn't know if there was going to be a happily ever after or not. If you're a happily ever after fan, she kept you on the edge just enough for you to not stop reading and want to find out what happens. This is is a mustard for any paranormal fans, thriller fans, and mystery lovers.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. You really couldn't tell what was coming next. This book was not predictable at all. You really didn't know if there was going to be a happily ever after or not. If you're a happily ever after fan, she kept you on the edge just enough for you to not stop reading and want to find out what happens. This is is a mustard for any paranormal fans, thriller fans, and mystery lovers.
September 7, 2025
Started with bang!
And it kept on nonstop, what a roller coaster ride! As read 2nd book first I was really looking forward to see how Avery, Jack, Casey started out. It did not disappoint. Great writing, realistic issues, aren’t shifters real lol, her writing makes you believe! She definitely has you rooting for Jack & Casey loved the glasses detail. Will be read the rest of her stories.
And it kept on nonstop, what a roller coaster ride! As read 2nd book first I was really looking forward to see how Avery, Jack, Casey started out. It did not disappoint. Great writing, realistic issues, aren’t shifters real lol, her writing makes you believe! She definitely has you rooting for Jack & Casey loved the glasses detail. Will be read the rest of her stories.
October 29, 2022
Casey and jack
Also known as Zoe Chant.(a few authors write under that name hers is some of the better work) she also goes under another name ( not sure what one is the real one)
This storyline is very interesting love the team can't wait for the others story's and see more of Jack and casey
Also known as Zoe Chant.(a few authors write under that name hers is some of the better work) she also goes under another name ( not sure what one is the real one)
This storyline is very interesting love the team can't wait for the others story's and see more of Jack and casey
February 6, 2024
It was an exciting read, I liked that they had to work together and that she didn’t suddenly develop magic kick ass skills. I didn’t like that he walked away. I felt that was a low blow she told him she had no one, over and over again and he still sat there surrounded by friends and didn’t once consider that she was all on her own. That spoiled it for me.
April 12, 2024
Survival of the Shiftiest
This book is an adrenaline rush, an intelligent collaboration of courage, strength , fortitude and adventure, and an all out swoon fest rolled into one.
You'll love following along with Jack and Casey, meeting the found family of SCB agents, and looking forward to the next installment.
This book is an adrenaline rush, an intelligent collaboration of courage, strength , fortitude and adventure, and an all out swoon fest rolled into one.
You'll love following along with Jack and Casey, meeting the found family of SCB agents, and looking forward to the next installment.
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