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Black Mountain Bears #1
Clawed
Gaia save the Queen…
Emma Stonetree’s father is missing. Worse yet, her uncle’s gone too, leaving her and her two cousins, Jasper and Jade, floundering for an explanation.
All Emma can think of are their fathers’ stories—tall tales of magic, mystery, and a whole host of shifter races. Stories she might not have believed, if not for her own research into the matter—research that hardly prepares her for the trials of magic she and her cousins will endure as they set off that Midwinter’s night to discover their roots.
Nor does it prepare her for what she finds on the other side of the mystical portal her father disappeared into: the ursa, a fertility-focused race of bear shifters, with customs that defy her human sensibilities. Except she swiftly learns she isn’t really human either, and once inside the ursa Sanctuary, she is just as bound by their laws as the earth is bound by the seasons.
Emma must make a choice: accept her legacy as the heir to the ursa matriarchy, accept the love she finds with a pair of fertile ursa males, or reject her passion and retreat to her safe, mundane life, never to return to the realm she was meant to inherit—and the men that come as a package deal.
Emma Stonetree’s father is missing. Worse yet, her uncle’s gone too, leaving her and her two cousins, Jasper and Jade, floundering for an explanation.
All Emma can think of are their fathers’ stories—tall tales of magic, mystery, and a whole host of shifter races. Stories she might not have believed, if not for her own research into the matter—research that hardly prepares her for the trials of magic she and her cousins will endure as they set off that Midwinter’s night to discover their roots.
Nor does it prepare her for what she finds on the other side of the mystical portal her father disappeared into: the ursa, a fertility-focused race of bear shifters, with customs that defy her human sensibilities. Except she swiftly learns she isn’t really human either, and once inside the ursa Sanctuary, she is just as bound by their laws as the earth is bound by the seasons.
Emma must make a choice: accept her legacy as the heir to the ursa matriarchy, accept the love she finds with a pair of fertile ursa males, or reject her passion and retreat to her safe, mundane life, never to return to the realm she was meant to inherit—and the men that come as a package deal.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2015
243 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Ophelia Bell
141 books972 followersOphelia Bell is the author of the super steamy Sleeping Dragons series. Ophelia loves hot alpha heroes, especially if they’re dragons, but believes the world needs more alpha heroines, so has made it her mission to make that happen. Ophelia grew up on a rural farm in North Carolina and now lives in Los Angeles with her sexy tattooed alpha husband and five-and-a-half attention-whoring cats (one of them is exceptionally large and might actually be a dragon in disguise).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 14, 2015
My Thoughts - 3 out of 5 Unicorns - I liked it!!!
***Received a copy of the ebook for an honest review
I like the theme that goes with all the sets in this collection.
This is the first in the shifter trilogy of novella length books, and this is my first time reading Ophelia Bell though I do own lots of her books…I just haven’t had a chance to read them yet. Yes I’m a book addict :) I really like the idea of the world she has created. There is definitely lots going on, and it is for adults only due to the steamy scenes involving 3 people. I did find myself not as connected into the story as I would have liked, but I think this is just do to this being the first book and this tends to happen to me. I think this series will continue to get better. I can’t wait to see what happens with Emma’s cousins.
I recommend this book to bear shifter fans who want a new unique world to immerse themselves in :)
***Received a copy of the ebook for an honest review
I like the theme that goes with all the sets in this collection.
This is the first in the shifter trilogy of novella length books, and this is my first time reading Ophelia Bell though I do own lots of her books…I just haven’t had a chance to read them yet. Yes I’m a book addict :) I really like the idea of the world she has created. There is definitely lots going on, and it is for adults only due to the steamy scenes involving 3 people. I did find myself not as connected into the story as I would have liked, but I think this is just do to this being the first book and this tends to happen to me. I think this series will continue to get better. I can’t wait to see what happens with Emma’s cousins.
I recommend this book to bear shifter fans who want a new unique world to immerse themselves in :)
Want to read
September 13, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (9/13/2020)! 🎁
October 14, 2015
Exciting
WoW! I was hooked from the synopsis! What a turn of events! Emma goes from being on the trail in the Black Mountains with her twin cousins Jasper and Jade looking for the portal into the secret ursa(bear) realm searching for their missing fathers and they get separated on the trail. To waking nude with two gorgeous completely nude males talking to her while she's having STRONGER sexual needs than she has ever had in her life. These two gorgeous males (August and Julian) tell her they can help her, which freaks her out! She eventually relents and has the best orgasm of her life, then they take her to her mother who she's never met. Her mother is the queen which makes her a princess, and as she suspected her father and uncle are there beside her mother and aunt. She learns her mother is dying, there is a major threat coming to all the races. After learning jasper and Jade tried crossing into the realm before they were of age they send out the guardians to search for them, they are found but are barely alive. Emma's mother tries to use her magic to save them, but she's too weak and the only way Emma will have enough power to save them is to mate and become pregnant! Which she does, just not with whom her mother had set up for her to, but it saves Jasper and Jade! I'm off to read Bitten the next book in the series which is Jasper's story. I rated this with ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
WoW! I was hooked from the synopsis! What a turn of events! Emma goes from being on the trail in the Black Mountains with her twin cousins Jasper and Jade looking for the portal into the secret ursa(bear) realm searching for their missing fathers and they get separated on the trail. To waking nude with two gorgeous completely nude males talking to her while she's having STRONGER sexual needs than she has ever had in her life. These two gorgeous males (August and Julian) tell her they can help her, which freaks her out! She eventually relents and has the best orgasm of her life, then they take her to her mother who she's never met. Her mother is the queen which makes her a princess, and as she suspected her father and uncle are there beside her mother and aunt. She learns her mother is dying, there is a major threat coming to all the races. After learning jasper and Jade tried crossing into the realm before they were of age they send out the guardians to search for them, they are found but are barely alive. Emma's mother tries to use her magic to save them, but she's too weak and the only way Emma will have enough power to save them is to mate and become pregnant! Which she does, just not with whom her mother had set up for her to, but it saves Jasper and Jade! I'm off to read Bitten the next book in the series which is Jasper's story. I rated this with ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
October 8, 2015
Emma is furious at first, another scientist has as good stole all her basic research. on top of that when she has to get on stage to talk about her own work, she manages to trip and make a fool of herself. embarrassed to the tenth degree she tries to drink her sorrow away at the hotel bar. the other scientist approaches her and offers to swap research, unsure whether to believe her. as she’s offered the research on a thumb drive, she’s quick to return the gesture. back home she has a serious discussion with her nephew and niece. the added research confirms so many thing they were already thinking. with both their fathers missing they’re, at first, divided on what to do. in the end the decide that repeating the annual walk they did with their father is the way to go.
after a day long trek through the forest, they’re surroundings are changing, old stories surfacing and making things fuzzy.
delirious, bordering on passing out, she notices two shadows following her. first cold, now feeling hot she mindlessly strips one layer of clothing after the other, giving her two shadows an eyeful.
making the last few steps are just exhausting and just as she made it past the border she loses it. that’s when her two shadows make themselves known, helping her. it doesn’t take long for her to register that her body is changing, she feels hot, feels likes she’s horny. too horny. but her two companions help her cope, they explain what they can in very shady terms. calling her princess all the time is confusing to say the least, same as the revelation that her mother is not far away. a mother she never knew!
as this tale progresses she meets her mother and aunt, finds her father and uncle. but not to forget, she got separated from her niece and nephew. this sparks an outrage at the court and a big search is set up, they weren’t supposed to cross over.
in the midst of all this so much is told and revealed. then she has to make the biggest choice in her life. will she help out the clan? will she choose personal happiness?
she can’t just abandon her newfound kin but she can’t just give up on her happiness either.
this is well written and sucks you right in. i expect nothing else from Ophelia.
it’s a thrilling tale and i can’t wait to read the next part and so how the others are doing. maybe have a small revisit to Emma and see how she is doing.
free copy gifted in exchange for an honest review.
after a day long trek through the forest, they’re surroundings are changing, old stories surfacing and making things fuzzy.
delirious, bordering on passing out, she notices two shadows following her. first cold, now feeling hot she mindlessly strips one layer of clothing after the other, giving her two shadows an eyeful.
making the last few steps are just exhausting and just as she made it past the border she loses it. that’s when her two shadows make themselves known, helping her. it doesn’t take long for her to register that her body is changing, she feels hot, feels likes she’s horny. too horny. but her two companions help her cope, they explain what they can in very shady terms. calling her princess all the time is confusing to say the least, same as the revelation that her mother is not far away. a mother she never knew!
as this tale progresses she meets her mother and aunt, finds her father and uncle. but not to forget, she got separated from her niece and nephew. this sparks an outrage at the court and a big search is set up, they weren’t supposed to cross over.
in the midst of all this so much is told and revealed. then she has to make the biggest choice in her life. will she help out the clan? will she choose personal happiness?
she can’t just abandon her newfound kin but she can’t just give up on her happiness either.
this is well written and sucks you right in. i expect nothing else from Ophelia.
it’s a thrilling tale and i can’t wait to read the next part and so how the others are doing. maybe have a small revisit to Emma and see how she is doing.
free copy gifted in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2015
she walked through a magical forest
on her way to her very destiny. Right now is when your life changes forever. This is your life, Emma Stonetree. WOW! What a BEARY GRRRREAT story!! I don't even know where to begin, nor how to say just how beautiful, magical, romantic, emotional & all round BEARTASTIC this story truly is!! I was so intrigued with the hierarchy, the laws & rules, the magic & power, the uber hot men and of course everything shifter! I absolutely adored the characters, feeling for & with them, but man was I bawling when Emma...nope! Sorry! You will have to discover that for yourselves, as well as oh so very much more! I thought that the storyline was so very unique and beyond creative! The shifter lore, the long walks in the forest & mountains, the stories, their family lore, history - I just loved how this was all shared and played out. Talk about destiny at its finest! I have read a few of Ophelia's books and have loved them all! Each is unique with its storyline, characters, how it plays out, the romance, carnal activities and of course how the Happily Ever After is finally achieved/found/reached. With her genuine gift for storytelling and crafting books you become a part of, and her magnificent talent, it is hard to NOT love her books, but this one has something more to it, a magical intangible quality that transported me into the story where I felt like I WAS Emma! Being able to be on the journey with Emma to find her answers to questions she didn't even know she had, to experience it all with her, to LIVE it with her - that is not only pure genius on Ophelia's part (and even more proof of her magnificent talent!) but it is also that extra-special touch that made this story so SHIFTACULAR!! I so cannot wait to read the rest of this series! Maybe if I wish hard enough (& beg), Ophelia will write more stories in this fantastical world that she has created! There is definitely a lot more FURTASTIC men to discover & love! wink wink
on her way to her very destiny. Right now is when your life changes forever. This is your life, Emma Stonetree. WOW! What a BEARY GRRRREAT story!! I don't even know where to begin, nor how to say just how beautiful, magical, romantic, emotional & all round BEARTASTIC this story truly is!! I was so intrigued with the hierarchy, the laws & rules, the magic & power, the uber hot men and of course everything shifter! I absolutely adored the characters, feeling for & with them, but man was I bawling when Emma...nope! Sorry! You will have to discover that for yourselves, as well as oh so very much more! I thought that the storyline was so very unique and beyond creative! The shifter lore, the long walks in the forest & mountains, the stories, their family lore, history - I just loved how this was all shared and played out. Talk about destiny at its finest! I have read a few of Ophelia's books and have loved them all! Each is unique with its storyline, characters, how it plays out, the romance, carnal activities and of course how the Happily Ever After is finally achieved/found/reached. With her genuine gift for storytelling and crafting books you become a part of, and her magnificent talent, it is hard to NOT love her books, but this one has something more to it, a magical intangible quality that transported me into the story where I felt like I WAS Emma! Being able to be on the journey with Emma to find her answers to questions she didn't even know she had, to experience it all with her, to LIVE it with her - that is not only pure genius on Ophelia's part (and even more proof of her magnificent talent!) but it is also that extra-special touch that made this story so SHIFTACULAR!! I so cannot wait to read the rest of this series! Maybe if I wish hard enough (& beg), Ophelia will write more stories in this fantastical world that she has created! There is definitely a lot more FURTASTIC men to discover & love! wink wink
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March 26, 2016The story concerns fables and how in this case they were true. We have a young girl looking for answers concerning her suspected background, her missing father and the tales he told as she was growing up. Were the tales in fact true; she decides to go searching for answers but what she finds is much more than she expected Now, as she discovers who and what she is, she must make some hard decisions concerning her destiny and the men she has come to love. Will she follow her families destiny or her heart, or is there a third choice she can make. Pick up a copy and read one of Ophelia Bell's latest stories and maybe you will have second thoughts on those old wives tales you've heard before.
February 1, 2018
A naughty fun time!
This is a collection of the three Stonetree novellas which I picked up months ago. I just got around to reading them but I'm glad I did. Each story was a quick read with lots of dirty business with some heavy paranormal elements. It does require some ability to separate fantasy from reality, though. Everything here is pretty far-fetched and there is quite a bit of insta-love. If you can get past that, it's an enjoyable collection.
Clawed:
Emma's story is our introduction to this world and to be honest, it left me a little confused at times. From the first page, I had to pay very close attention to even understand her purpose for going into the forest and following the trail. It felt a little forced. I could see her being lured there by a magical force or wanting to find her father, but going off in the middle of winter to prove supernatural creatures existed? Huh?
And that wasn't the only thing that gave me pause. Emma's immediate attraction to the guardians didn't really bother me. But her ability to simply accept what her parents told her as truth was a hard pill to swallow. And the mating thing is much more complex than I anticipated, though I did get the hang of it eventually.
I think you just have to accept the story for what it is if you want to enjoy it. Could it have been longer and really explained why we were there in the first place? Yes. Should the characters have had more time to get to know each other before the craziness began? Of course. Did the part about Jasper spying on his cousin in the shower need to be included? I could have done without it. Still, I liked it enough to continue to the second story. 3.5 suns!
Full review on blog: https://uptildawnbookblog.blogspot.com/2018/01/mini-reviews-january-2018.html
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January 15, 2021Her forbidden mates
Emma has always been fascinated by the tales her father and uncle used to tell her about bears, dragons and other supernatural creatures. Until going through a portal to an alternative world she no idea that she was one as well. Meeting two men Julian and August when she goes through changes her. She is attracted to both but is told that they are forbidden to be in line to be her mates. I would heartily recommend this book and would hope that readers enjoy the love story between one determined woman and two handsome Alpha bear shifters.
Emma has always been fascinated by the tales her father and uncle used to tell her about bears, dragons and other supernatural creatures. Until going through a portal to an alternative world she no idea that she was one as well. Meeting two men Julian and August when she goes through changes her. She is attracted to both but is told that they are forbidden to be in line to be her mates. I would heartily recommend this book and would hope that readers enjoy the love story between one determined woman and two handsome Alpha bear shifters.
April 20, 2022
It should have been a little longer. I think it was strange that there was not more info from her dad about what she should do with supposeded clues that was given. She thought at 1st she dreamed up everything until she found a little bit of truth but she still don't have all the info she needs. She has 2 make a few tough decisions about what she wants 2 do 4 her future, and she doesn't care 4 people telling her what they think is acceptable. She has a ft 2 make decisions based on facts not speculation on things. I couldn't put it down cause of how it flowed so well.
April 7, 2019
Pretty good read
A little different but a good read. She is on earth but she believe there is something else. It's snow and cold in minute then it's pretty and green with sunshine. What has happened. Read the book
A little different but a good read. She is on earth but she believe there is something else. It's snow and cold in minute then it's pretty and green with sunshine. What has happened. Read the book
July 2, 2019
Good
This story was good, there was character development and it didn't feel rushed. When things could have become confusing, it was explained to the character as she had no knowledge of life in the sanctuary
This story was good, there was character development and it didn't feel rushed. When things could have become confusing, it was explained to the character as she had no knowledge of life in the sanctuary
January 25, 2024
Just WOW
OMG!!!!! This story was so good I wish it was longer though like maybe tell us about the baby, the threat, and more about Jason and Jade. If Jason , Autumn and Gunman ever got together.
OMG!!!!! This story was so good I wish it was longer though like maybe tell us about the baby, the threat, and more about Jason and Jade. If Jason , Autumn and Gunman ever got together.
December 13, 2017
It was ok. The storyline seemed to have plot, but it just didn't interest me much and I may have skipped some parts.
December 8, 2016
Hello
Well worth the read.
It's a bit fairytale ish. If I didn't know it was a Bell book I wouldn't have guessed it was one of hers.
Well worth the read.
It's a bit fairytale ish. If I didn't know it was a Bell book I wouldn't have guessed it was one of hers.
June 26, 2017
Good series!
December 30, 2018
Bear
Portals, marriage, babies, royalty. Drama. There was also lots of love to go around. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Portals, marriage, babies, royalty. Drama. There was also lots of love to go around. I can’t wait to read the next book.
February 23, 2019
This is part of a parallel shifter "universe" so beware to read more of her books.
February 24, 2019
Just getting started
This is such an interesting series! Imagine magic and ursa combined with a completely different world. It enraptured me. I can't wait for book two!
This is such an interesting series! Imagine magic and ursa combined with a completely different world. It enraptured me. I can't wait for book two!
December 23, 2020
Clawed
Not a bad book at all. This one is a first for me by Ophelia Bell, This book was a lot different them most the shifter books I read but I enjoyed it.
Not a bad book at all. This one is a first for me by Ophelia Bell, This book was a lot different them most the shifter books I read but I enjoyed it.
November 9, 2021
Sexful
Clawed is extremely erotic and suspenseful. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat and your undies wet.
Clawed is extremely erotic and suspenseful. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat and your undies wet.
May 29, 2022
Love this author's books
July 1, 2022
Interesting concept for a series
Interesting world building but somehow overly wordy AND a little frenetic at times. I did that it was the women who were in charge.
Interesting world building but somehow overly wordy AND a little frenetic at times. I did that it was the women who were in charge.
July 3, 2023
Sacrifices
Wow I love shifter reads I still don’t understand some parts though.
The dynamics with non royal, family and etcetera.
Wow I love shifter reads I still don’t understand some parts though.
The dynamics with non royal, family and etcetera.
December 30, 2023
Eh. Interesting shifter world, but too much so the story felt rushed. I'll skip the rest of the series.
Bought from kindle
Bought from kindle
June 20, 2024
Just no. I'd ask for money back, if it hadn't been a free book.
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 31, 2025
New author for me if you like RH read her
March 17, 2017
There fathers are missing. Her mother she never met.
But now she is going after some magic, hoping to find more about it and find her father.
She is in for a very hot surprise when she goes through the portal.
But of course life isn't easy and doesn't go as she wants.
She can't mate the two hot guardians, but she has to mate with a man she doesn't know.
But that changes when her cousins are brought in, badly wounded.
Her mate will never be on time to rescue them, so a stand in is needed.
How that turns out? For the answer to that you have to read the book.
If you are in for a hot werebear story, you would regret reading it, because it is steaming hot.
But now she is going after some magic, hoping to find more about it and find her father.
She is in for a very hot surprise when she goes through the portal.
But of course life isn't easy and doesn't go as she wants.
She can't mate the two hot guardians, but she has to mate with a man she doesn't know.
But that changes when her cousins are brought in, badly wounded.
Her mate will never be on time to rescue them, so a stand in is needed.
How that turns out? For the answer to that you have to read the book.
If you are in for a hot werebear story, you would regret reading it, because it is steaming hot.
December 29, 2020
So this is the where the other story branched to. The other that of dragons, and here that of the ursa or the Bear shifters. And just like any other Ophelia Bell’s books, the story is steamy 🔥
June 30, 2021
This book was not really my thing hence the rating. It was a first from this author and is pretty different in some aspects from shifter books, but I just could not get into it and stopped around 85%. I still gave it two stars because it wasn’t terrible, I just couldn’t get into it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews