Hidden Shifter

Fated Date Agency #7

by Abraham Steele

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hillwell. Your fated mate is dead.”

Samuel Hillwell is in mourning for a man he's never met. The handsome alpha waited too long to contact the Fated Date Agency. There was always a stock trade or a trip to Europe that seemed more important. His mate passed away just days before he reached out. As he goes into a downward spiral, questioning everything he's based his life on, he can only wish he'd had one night with his deceased omega.

Caden Grey is on the run. After surgically altering his face and travelling across the country, the former kindergarten teacher still can't stop looking over his shoulder for the people who want him dead. Now that he's arrived in Clover Grove, he should finally be able to take a breath. But he's just starting to get settled there when a dazzling man runs up to him. A man who knows Caden's previous name.

Will Samuel figure out the truth about the tormented omega? And if he gets into Caden's heart, will either of them be safe?

Hidden Shifter is Book 7 of the Fated Date Agency series. It also stands alone as a complete 200-page gay shifter romance novel with steamy content and male pregnancy.

Guaranteed HEA ending with no cheating and no cliffhangers!

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, LGBT, Shapeshifters, Ebooks

183 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2015

About the author

Author also writes as:
A.R. Steele
Maria Jackson

Reviews

[Veronica of V's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the seventh book in the Fated Dates series and can be enjoyed as a standalone. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Idris Greene is a dead omega wolf shifter. Sorta. He's going rogue, unable to control his wolf it seems, and his pack is hunting him--planning to put him to death, in fact. He's run off the road after an uncontrolled shift and when everyone thinks he died in the wreck, he pays for some reconstructive surgery and boards bus after bus to take him to the east coast. There he assumes the name Caden Grey and attempts to restart his life in the small town of Clover Green.

Samuel is an alpha, but not in charge of a pack. He has a wealthy life in Clover Green and is shattered when he learns that his fated mate, Idris, is dead--but he bolts off to California to pay respects to the man he never met. There he meets Idris' mourning mother, and some of the shifter pack who didn't seem all that sorry Idris died so young. Upon returning home, Samuel is shocked to meet an unknown shifter in his midst--one who arouses him like no other. Caden is so like the pictures he saw of Idris that Samuel believes Caden to be his brother, or cousin. Never did he suspect the truth.

Caden is suspicious of Samuel, but his wolf is so calm in his presence and Caden cannot deny his obvious attraction. He is lulled into an acquaintanceship, and eventually confesses all to his fated mate. Their relationship is doomed however, because Caden is sure his former pack will hunt him down.

This as a really creative shifter story, and I liked the new twists that were offered. A gay alpha-omega union is rather unique in this world and allows for mpreg, or male pregnancy. I was tickled that such an event was likely to stay Idris/Caden's execution. We've got rogue shifters and vicious enemies, and ruthless alphas here, and it all comes to a quite thrilling end. I must say that the romance was excellent. Not too fast, and certainly realistic. Poor Samuel only wants to take his lover out for dinner now and again, but Caden's adamant about remaining on the fringe, never going out unless he has to work. Samuel really had to work to get Caden to open up, even when both men were painfully drawn to the other. The end was close to what I had envisioned, and I was not disappointed.

I think fold who like M/M shifter stories, and especially those who like mpreg elements will really enjoy this one.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a MPEG and I know some like reading MPEG and some do not so I wanted to put a warning in this review. For me I don't mind it and I liked how it was handled by the author in this book.

Samuel is in mourning after he finds out his mate has just died before he got the chance to meet him. Caden is in hiding in fear for his life so he must change everything about himself and start over or he is afraid he will be killed if he does not.

I thought this story between these two men was very sweet! You get action with this book along with steam between these two men also.

I really liked the way this author wrote this story and these characters!

So all together I really liked this book!
I would recommend this book!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden Shifter (Fated Date Agency #7) by Abraham Steele
4.5 stars
Triggers: Homophobia
M/M shifter, male pregnancy
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.

I really liked this story. Despite not reading all of the previous books, I did not feel lost or wonder who everyone was.

Caden is running for his life. He is trying to figure out how to survive. I liked his character's strength and really enjoyed how he was able to, despite his fears, allow Samuel to barrel in to his life.

Then you have Samuel. He is so upset when he learns of his fated mates' death. I was sad for him. Steele did a good job at conveying the depth of Samuel's sadness. Then, when he meets Caden, despite still mourning for his mate, there is something about Caden that Samuel just can't get past.

They have scorching chemistry, have bumps in the road and eventually come full circle.

[Donna Hokanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost mate thought to be dead
Samuel finally feels it’s time to find his mate and goes to the Fated Date Agency, only to be told his mate died yesterday. Idris is thought to be dead and if he’s not he believes his pack is out to kill him. So when his car is run off the road and burns to a crisp he lets everyone think he’s dead and runs. Only to end up in the same town that his fated mate lives, only he doesn’t know this and is suspicious of everyone. Well written and very entertaining to read.

[Rico Suave]

dnf'd when homeboy essentially sort of kind of maybe a lil bit semi coerced his mate into kissing him. nah bruh take no for answer even if the other person is very much wanting to but says no like 3 times

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel contacts the Fated Date Agency to match with his fated mate only to find out he is dead. He goes to the funeral and accepts he lost his chance. Back at home he meets someone who reminds him of his loss.

[Love Bytes Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Heart Review by Vicki

I am a big fan of shifters and the fated mate concept, so I jumped at the chance to review this book. The whole idea of an agency that brings fated mates together was intruiging. I know this is the seventh book in a series, but the blurb says it’s a standalone so I went for it. I can’t say that I loved it, unfortunately. I’m not sure if it would have been better if I had read the previous books and understood this world, but I just didn’t get it.

The book starts from Samuel’s perspective, as he finds out that his fated mate has died the day before. He’s finally contacted the Fated Date Agency, that matches shifters with their fated mates, but apparently he’s waited too long. Samuel is deeply distraught, and travels across the country to attend the funeral of his dead mate. Where he learns a bit about him, and meets some of his pack mates. He heads back to his sad, lonely life, to mourning and moaning about the loss of the man he never knew.

Then we switch to the perspective of Caden, formerly known as Idris, who has run from his old pack, faked his death, and had major plastic surgery. He’s taking bus trip after bus trip, all the way across the country finally stopping in a town when he comes the end of the bus rides. Of course he stops in the town that his unknown mate lives in… Where the two immediately run in to each other, Samuel recognizing him by his scent and his appearance, as altered as it is. This brings the two together and starts the romance.

I had questions and issues with this book from the beginning. I didn’t like the shifting perspective, I questioned how this world works, how does the agency work, I didn’t get why Caden ran from his pack, I had a really hard time accepting the plot. I was very bothered by Caden’s self lubing asshole, that was described as a dripping hole at one point, and makes the back of his pants wet. Ick. I’m not sure I liked Samuel and Caden, or really any of the characters actually…

I can buy anything if I understand the rules of the universe the author creates. Maybe if I had read the other books I’d know more about why what happened to Caden was such a big deal, maybe I’d understand the way fated mates work, and I’d understand the ending better. I just didn’t get it.

I hate to do this, but this book didn’t work for me. If you are looking for a shifter series, maybe start with the first book in this series and see how it goes from there. If you have read and liked the other books in this series, maybe this one will be fine for you, but I’m not sure starting on book seven was the best plan for me.

This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.

[Carol Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steele continues to amaze with the Fated Agency Series. I found this series after many were written and am catching up quickly. This story I received in exchange for an honest review.
I love the whole shifters having fated mates stories. The old "there's someone out there for everyone". Just wish we humans had this kind of agency in real life. Fated mates are pretty much guaranteed that their relationships will get off the ground and be deeper. I'm not saying everything is perfect, obviously or the stories wouldn't be as good. Why am I writing about this? Well, it's because of Caden's situation and how he tries to impress on Samuel why it's so dangerous for him to be out in public unless absolutely necessary. Caden had to fake his death and get plastic surgery to get away from his pack to stay alive.
When Samuel finally makes time to write to the Agency, he finds out his mate had just died. He is full of anger and despair. He knows he should've written sooner but it always seemed to him that working and making money was more important.

Samuel does find his Mate, in his home town no less. He can't believe that he's so blessed and vows that nothing will keep them apart, even when Caden explained what happened. At first he is vigilant about hiding Caden. After months Samuel feels they could relax a little and at least go out to dinner or even out on the yacht. Samuel hears Caden when he expresses how fearful he still is but after a certain amount of time has passed he thinks Caden is way too paranoid, which I guess most of us would feel the same. It's very hard to convey extreme feelings with words. Even if it's the deepest love. After spending months hiding behind four walls and not really living, it's not even being out in public that gets him caught by his pack members.
As frustrated as Samuel gets by not being able to take his mate anywhere, he loves him enough to wait it out. Since months have past, he's let his guard down and when Caden's past catches up he's not only angry with himself but also terrified for his mate.
Caden's old friend Griffin seems way too angry and bitter about the crime Caden's committed. Caden doesn't get it but doesn't push for answers as to why. Samuel, on the other hand, knows something isn't right. He's felt it from the first time he met him.
You realize I'm a little vague and that's only because I don't want to give away the important parts of the story. I don't want to recap whole story, others already do that. I only want you to be intrigued enough to want to read it. I hope I have because this book, like the others are really worth reading!

[Cindy Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great episode in the Fated Date Agency series, Abraham Steele has given this one a bit of an unexpected twist. What would you do if the one and only person that was fated to be your forever mate, was dead? You know that there will only be one, and that if you miss out on that, that you will never love another, never be able to have your own children, and that you have a lifetime of feeling alone and lonely.
Samuel has finally decided he's lonely and needs his mate, so after years of procrastinating, he's finally taken the plunge and written to the Fated Date Agency for them to find his mate for him. Idris is presumed dead after being driven off the road and left, so he creates a new identity for himself and runs, believing that his alpha had put a hit out on his life. After running completely across the country, and assuming the name of Caden, well, I'm not going to tell you what happens, you will have to read it. Call it my own version of a cliffhanger, unlike this book, which is complete.
The book is extremely well written. The author has filled the plot with lots of excitement, action, a bit of compassion and anxiety and lots of love. The characters are unique, showing both strengths and weaknesses. Well put together and easy to follow. Looking forward to the next chapter in this series.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Molly Lolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original review on Molly Lolly
Four stars!
This story was so interesting. I found it fascinating how Caden went to Clover Grove without even realizing why he went there. Part of me thought Samuel should have been more understanding of Caden’s predicament. While at the same time I thought Caden should have not been so uptight about everything. I thought the reason Caden was hunted and both pack alphas to be concerned was a little strange. The reason was explained but it still didn’t make sense why the alphas would be one step from kicking him out and killing him. The alphas should have worked with Caden to fix the problem instead of shunning him. Samuel was so in love with Caden. You could feel his emotion coming through the pages. I loved where he protected Caden throughout their kidnapping and at Levi’s house. I liked the pregnancy and would have wanted to see more of that. But that’s a personal preference for me. I liked that everything worked out in the end. Griffin was an interesting character and I wish he could have been redeemed in some way, in his own story. I really enjoyed the world created here with the Fated Date Agency and plan to read more in this series. It’s the first book I’ve read so it can definitely be a stand alone.

[2kasmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 7 in the Fated Date Agency series. I recommend reading the stories in the order the author intended for enjoyment and understanding. This book can be read as a standalone, but I found it best in order.

Samuel found out when he reached out for his mate, that he had just missed him. He had passed away before getting a chance to meet him. Samuel found this a disturbing and upsetting moment. He never even knew he could miss someone he never met.

Caden has had to change his looks, his life, and leave his joy of teaching behind. He feels bad that his mother will mourn him. He knew if he did not get away he would be a wanted man until he was killed.

Samuel and Caden meet after Caden moves to a new town far away from his home. He is drawn to Samuel and does not fully understand why. Samuel finds Caden looks familiar, but cannot place him.

This is a sweet story, showing that if you are meant to be together, you will. I found the story compelling, heartwarming, and just plain sweet. I loved that Samuel came to realize and even appreciate his need for a mate. I think this one is a keeper!


***This ARC provided in exchange for an honest review only.

[Carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Gem from Abraham Steele:

Poor Samuel is a day late when he gets the news of his mate's passing. Feeling numb, he wonders what would of it been like if had written to the agency sooner. Would he of prevented his mate's death? would they have lived happily ever after? Well now it's to late, but that won't stop him from finding out what kind of man his mate was. So he goes to his wake and begins to ask his family what he was like.

Caden is now looking over his shoulder and wonders if anyone recognizes him. Just out of reconstructing his appearance, he sets out to live in hiding, that's until he comes face to face with Samuel at a store, in his town. Samuel finds this stranger to be very intriguing, so he sets out to follow him and what he finds is nothing but.....

All I am saying is this is a def must read. If you have followed Abraham and all the books, then you will surely love this one.

I got this book as an ARC for an honest review and I loved it!!!

[Kendra T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely LOVED this! I knew that the basic premise was that one of the MC’s had gone into hiding, but the slow reveal of the information and feelings attached to that reveal was so well written.

Caden (or Idris as he was previously known) ran away from his pack and faked his death. The day after this occurs, Samuel finds out from the Fated Date Agency that he was mated, but that his mate had died. Samuel felt so much guilt in waiting to find him and really struggled with what this meant for him. Meanwhile, Caden takes a bus trek across the country and ends up in Samuel’s hometown. Fate has a way of making things work out.

Caden has difficulty trusting anyone and is skittish, but immediately connects with Samuel once he knows they are mates. There is fear, drama, kidnapping, and lots of love in this story. I would recommend this book in a heartbeat. I really enjoyed it!

[Rachel Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the beginning of this, I enjoyed the characters. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending and how things were done, but it worked OK and I was glad that they had their HEA! I really enjoy this series, and there has been so much improvement since it first started, so I always look forward to the next book in the series. I like that there has been some variety in the couples and how they find each other, too!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice reading about these shifters, but I was so eager to find out what happened (I had already read the synopsis) that I rushed through it. It was a bit sad at the beginning, then suspenseful, then better.
The word "anyway" was used incorrectly in the scene with the Alpha. It should have been two words: any way.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alpha and omega

I liked this story, it's part of the Fated Dates Agency series. I like that each story is about a separate couple. I also liked the loyalty shown and the willingness to make sacrifices for their mates, even though they had only met recently. Enjoyed it enough to want to read more.

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this one. The mystery... the love.. and this was the first couple I wasn't sure would make it through the hard times together. I loved how it ended but I'll admit.. i hated the omega's pack. :( I am so glad i got to review this one. it is amazing!

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Every book is different but they are all good. This is my favorite shifter series. In fact, I recommend all of Abraham Steele's books. I can't wait for more. I got the book free in exchange for an honest review.

[Ms. Cyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful

I was worried for Cafe and I kept expecting the pack to find them. I also knew immediately that Griffin had something to do with Cade's predicament. So glad that it had a very happy ending.

[Lila Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5

The premise for this story was really interesting, and the book started strong, but it didn't live to my expectations. As soon as they met everything became to wrap-up around the sex and Caden's paranoia.

Still, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Lainy122 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suspension of disbelief is a funny thing. I can completely accept werewolves, and predestined lovers, and even pregnant men - but wolves hissing at each other? Yeah, that had me rolling my eyes.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this was definitely the best of the series so far.

[Peppermaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the entire series so far, but for some reason I would love to find out what happens with Griffin.

[Isha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the previous books, but still entertaining.