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Halle Shifters #5
Indirect Lines
There’s only one way to win this break the rules.
Halle Shifters, Book 5
James “Barney” Barnwell is losing his ever-loving mind. Between the threat to the white shifters and a riddle he’s been ordered to solve, he can actually go for ten whole minutes without thinking about Heather, the woman destined to be his mate.
As much as he burns to get the redhead under him, the safest place for her is far away from him. If the bad guys catch the barest hint of her scent on his skin, she’ll become a target.
The way Heather sees it, the quicker she helps the stubborn Bear solve the riddle, the quicker he’ll bite her—literally. But when she’s hurt while protecting her cousin from an attack, she finds herself right where Barney never wanted smack dab in the middle of the investigation.
Like it or not, Barney is forced to bring her fully into his crazy world. With his mate’s life in his hands, he’s in a race against time to solve this maddening riddle before the enemy discovers that the Hunter has finally been caught by love.
This book contains explicit sex, graphic language, lots of questions and maybe even some answers. Fox holds the key.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2015
88 people are currently reading
541 people want to read
About the author
Dana Marie Bell
56 books1,936 followersDana Marie Bell wrote her first short story when she was thirteen years old. She attended the High School for Creative and Performing Arts for creative writing, where freedom of expression was the order of the day. When her parents moved out of the city and placed her in a Catholic high school for her senior year she tried desperately to get away, but the nuns held fast, and she graduated with honors despite herself.
Dana has lived primarily in the Northeast (Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, to be precise), with a brief stint on the US Virgin Island of St. Croix. She lives with her soul-mate and husband Dusty, their two maniacal children, an evil ice-cream stealing cat and a bull terrier that thinks it’s a Pekinese.
You can learn more about Dana at:
http://www.danamariebell.com
http://danamariebell.blogspot.com
Dana has lived primarily in the Northeast (Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, to be precise), with a brief stint on the US Virgin Island of St. Croix. She lives with her soul-mate and husband Dusty, their two maniacal children, an evil ice-cream stealing cat and a bull terrier that thinks it’s a Pekinese.
You can learn more about Dana at:
http://www.danamariebell.com
http://danamariebell.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
February 2, 2016
Admittedly, I should start out this review by saying there are two series at work here within the same town of Halle and I’ve only read this one, Halle Shifters. However, the direction of this series was wrote long ago with the Halle Puma series and I did not read those first five books. Bell does a good job recapping that series within this newer series but if you put both together there are now ten books total. I also did not write reviews for the previous books because they were read, not for review, but for the sheer pleasure of reading to get me out of a review slump. I devoured those books, loved them just as much as they aggravated me with the continuing questions they posed.
Book five, Indirect Lines is the story of Hunter, Barney and his intended young mate, Heather. Waiting to claim her was always Barney’s plan because his line of work is dangerous but never more so than now when shifters are being killed and with a riddle being the only clue as to why. When Heather is hurt in an attack it leaves him no choice but to take her early, breach her virginity and make her his forever.
Ok, so part of me enjoyed this book, the heat between Barney and Heather being the main reason. I enjoyed their push and pull in the beginning as Heather tried to sway Barney to claim her as nature intended. I liked the sweet, gentle way Barney was with her even as everyone else saw him as a badass Hunter they couldn’t avoid. The quirky, at times, funny commentary between them garnered more than one chuckle from me.
My problem with this series is the lack of any closure of any kind. Indirect Lines didn’t really answer a single thing that has been dragging on now for the past 5 books in this series, and the other 5 books from the Halle Puma series. I feel like we should be closer to figuring out the reasoning behind the killing of shifters, who is involved and how all the puzzle pieces fit together. Instead this book ended abruptly, with barely a HEA (for now) for the main characters I’d become invested in and more questions posed than answers.
With any series that is this long running there tends to be a rather lengthy list of characters but I’d say this is more so than others of the same length. I am often confused and have to stop reading to think briefly on who each character is who walks onto the page. It becomes an issue that pulls me out of the story, especially if I can’t remember who someone is (which is often). It’s annoying when I feel like I should have a printable character list and how they relate to the series arc.
At this juncture I’m nearly to the point where I will stop reading this series. Hopefully the next book will give me the much needed closure I crave and bring this series to a firm close. I’m hoping for a new series, maybe one a bit less complex, with the heat I know Bell is excellent at creating and without all the limping story line.
I give Indirect Lines by Dana Marie Bell 2.75 stars
Book five, Indirect Lines is the story of Hunter, Barney and his intended young mate, Heather. Waiting to claim her was always Barney’s plan because his line of work is dangerous but never more so than now when shifters are being killed and with a riddle being the only clue as to why. When Heather is hurt in an attack it leaves him no choice but to take her early, breach her virginity and make her his forever.
Ok, so part of me enjoyed this book, the heat between Barney and Heather being the main reason. I enjoyed their push and pull in the beginning as Heather tried to sway Barney to claim her as nature intended. I liked the sweet, gentle way Barney was with her even as everyone else saw him as a badass Hunter they couldn’t avoid. The quirky, at times, funny commentary between them garnered more than one chuckle from me.
My problem with this series is the lack of any closure of any kind. Indirect Lines didn’t really answer a single thing that has been dragging on now for the past 5 books in this series, and the other 5 books from the Halle Puma series. I feel like we should be closer to figuring out the reasoning behind the killing of shifters, who is involved and how all the puzzle pieces fit together. Instead this book ended abruptly, with barely a HEA (for now) for the main characters I’d become invested in and more questions posed than answers.
With any series that is this long running there tends to be a rather lengthy list of characters but I’d say this is more so than others of the same length. I am often confused and have to stop reading to think briefly on who each character is who walks onto the page. It becomes an issue that pulls me out of the story, especially if I can’t remember who someone is (which is often). It’s annoying when I feel like I should have a printable character list and how they relate to the series arc.
At this juncture I’m nearly to the point where I will stop reading this series. Hopefully the next book will give me the much needed closure I crave and bring this series to a firm close. I’m hoping for a new series, maybe one a bit less complex, with the heat I know Bell is excellent at creating and without all the limping story line.
I give Indirect Lines by Dana Marie Bell 2.75 stars
December 16, 2015
Please note this review may contain spoilers.
YES!!! This is the book I’ve been waiting for. We’re finally getting somewhere with the story arc involving the half-breeds that started in BEAR NECESSITIES and I couldn’t be happier. Since the first book, I feel like we’ve been moving so slowly, only being fed the tiniest bits of information and going nowhere fast. In INDIRECT LINES, we’ve taken a huge leap forward. We now know why the half-breeds are being exterminated and how far the conspiracy goes, even if we don’t know who all the players involved are. The riddle has mostly been solved and the information is being shared to everyone in the shifter community in the hopes of preventing any further deaths. But now that it’s out in the open, will the situation improve or only get so much worse?
The last couple of books in the Halle Shifter series have felt more serious than what I’m used to, so I was happy to see that INDIRECT LINES was a bit more lighthearted and fun, even though we’re still dealing with a very serious problem in the shifter world. I liked Barney and Heather and thought they were a good match, despite Heather being only nineteen and Barney being twenty-seven. I was surprised that Barney was so young, as in the previous books he came across as much older. We met the Leo (the ruler of all shifters) and he was a good addition to this story. He has a great personality and was fun to read; I’d love to see a story about him. Judging by Miss Bell’s website, I think the next book in the series will be about Jamie and Hope. Will their story be the final chapter in this series? Only time will tell, but if it is, I think it will be explosive. INDIRECT LINES is part of a series and cannot be read as a stand-alone.
For more reviews, please visit our website: www.romancebetweenthesheets.com
YES!!! This is the book I’ve been waiting for. We’re finally getting somewhere with the story arc involving the half-breeds that started in BEAR NECESSITIES and I couldn’t be happier. Since the first book, I feel like we’ve been moving so slowly, only being fed the tiniest bits of information and going nowhere fast. In INDIRECT LINES, we’ve taken a huge leap forward. We now know why the half-breeds are being exterminated and how far the conspiracy goes, even if we don’t know who all the players involved are. The riddle has mostly been solved and the information is being shared to everyone in the shifter community in the hopes of preventing any further deaths. But now that it’s out in the open, will the situation improve or only get so much worse?
The last couple of books in the Halle Shifter series have felt more serious than what I’m used to, so I was happy to see that INDIRECT LINES was a bit more lighthearted and fun, even though we’re still dealing with a very serious problem in the shifter world. I liked Barney and Heather and thought they were a good match, despite Heather being only nineteen and Barney being twenty-seven. I was surprised that Barney was so young, as in the previous books he came across as much older. We met the Leo (the ruler of all shifters) and he was a good addition to this story. He has a great personality and was fun to read; I’d love to see a story about him. Judging by Miss Bell’s website, I think the next book in the series will be about Jamie and Hope. Will their story be the final chapter in this series? Only time will tell, but if it is, I think it will be explosive. INDIRECT LINES is part of a series and cannot be read as a stand-alone.
For more reviews, please visit our website: www.romancebetweenthesheets.com
December 13, 2015
That was fucking amazing. I've been waiting for this book since.. forever it seems and the wait was worth it. The book was out of this world. I laughed so hard and got answers i was waiting for. But that final chapter was... I cant find enough word to describe it... it was mind blowing. Cant wait for Artemis, Leo, Kincade and Tiffany's books. Dont have to be in that order though ;)
I really recommend this series for everyone:) Thank you Dana Marie Bell for this xoxox.
I really recommend this series for everyone:) Thank you Dana Marie Bell for this xoxox.
September 10, 2017
As always, Dana Marie Bell delivers a sexy, funny, and suspenseful romance (as is the case in the Halle Shifters series). Indirect Lines is Barney and Heather's journey to love. Truly an unlikely couple but they were so perfect for one another. The mystery behind the white shifters was definitely ramped up in this one and leaves the reader eagerly awaiting for the next piece of the puzzle. Another enjoyable and amazing installment in the series!
February 27, 2016
Indirect Lines has been my least favourite of the series so far.
I found the characters didn't inspire me to read further and the storyline dragged.
Has maybe this series gone on longer than it needed?
I remember when I first started the Halle Shifter series, that it was a sexy, funny and intriguing series. I liked the kooky characters.
The kooky characters are still there but magic combo doesn't seem to be working for me anymore.
I found the characters didn't inspire me to read further and the storyline dragged.
Has maybe this series gone on longer than it needed?
I remember when I first started the Halle Shifter series, that it was a sexy, funny and intriguing series. I liked the kooky characters.
The kooky characters are still there but magic combo doesn't seem to be working for me anymore.
December 24, 2015
So good, this series continues to get better and better with each new book. By the end of it, I was biting my nails in anticipation for the next! It can't come soon enough!
Full review to come at www.thebookpushers.com
Full review to come at www.thebookpushers.com
February 23, 2016
Spoilers
Okay so Dana books are always a good read and I love her shifters series... I first discovered it a few years ago before self pubing was huge and read The Wallflower...After that I was hooked.
Since that book I have read all the shifter books she has and some of the Grey court books too. They're all great solid 4-5 star reads if you're looking for a new author to check out this is a good one...( My fav's are Wallflowers and Bear necessities...)
Any who back to the book, this book tells the story of Heather who has met her mate "Barney" ( And no he doesn't love you and you don't love him and they aren't a happy family **snicker**) or James Barnwell who doesn't want to mate her because he's afraid it will make her a target but at least he finally tells her that instead of waiting like the idiot in the last book did for months.
But back to this book and it's plot... I loved the way she understood when he told her why he wanted to wait. Then when she gets hurt he rushes to her side and insists that they mate. Heather and Barney are a cute couple and they're very suited to each other in personality and temperament...
The white shifter plot is thickening but now they at least have an idea what's happening now and Heather was the fox in the riddle the shifters keep giving them. It seems that white shifters tend to come from mixed bloodlines...which is why they've been after them but the plot is still thickening.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series and give this one an EPE or 5-star read...
Okay so Dana books are always a good read and I love her shifters series... I first discovered it a few years ago before self pubing was huge and read The Wallflower...After that I was hooked.
Since that book I have read all the shifter books she has and some of the Grey court books too. They're all great solid 4-5 star reads if you're looking for a new author to check out this is a good one...( My fav's are Wallflowers and Bear necessities...)
Any who back to the book, this book tells the story of Heather who has met her mate "Barney" ( And no he doesn't love you and you don't love him and they aren't a happy family **snicker**) or James Barnwell who doesn't want to mate her because he's afraid it will make her a target but at least he finally tells her that instead of waiting like the idiot in the last book did for months.
But back to this book and it's plot... I loved the way she understood when he told her why he wanted to wait. Then when she gets hurt he rushes to her side and insists that they mate. Heather and Barney are a cute couple and they're very suited to each other in personality and temperament...
The white shifter plot is thickening but now they at least have an idea what's happening now and Heather was the fox in the riddle the shifters keep giving them. It seems that white shifters tend to come from mixed bloodlines...which is why they've been after them but the plot is still thickening.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series and give this one an EPE or 5-star read...
December 14, 2015
This was an interesting book, mostly because the main romance between Barney and Heather took a backseat. It was nice that they were aware that they were mates, that when Heather questioned Barney he gave her a good reason why he was waiting to mate her, then Heather chimed in with an acceptable compromise.
What really made this one interesting was the continued story line with the White Shifters. We learned so much about them, how they come to be, why they are so important and most importantly...why they are being hunted. The last part was shocking mostly because the conspiracy was revealed to go back centuries, yes you read that right centuries. It sort of boggles the mind that in that time the "bad guys" couldn't accomplish their goal. They did a lot of damage, but I agree that the info needs to be out in the open, but I also agree that the sharing of knowledge seemed to draw a line in the sand, one where war is rushing forward.
On a side note, there were some great scenes with The Leo and Heather. It was fun to see them chat and figure out things, brought about some much needed levity.
What really made this one interesting was the continued story line with the White Shifters. We learned so much about them, how they come to be, why they are so important and most importantly...why they are being hunted. The last part was shocking mostly because the conspiracy was revealed to go back centuries, yes you read that right centuries. It sort of boggles the mind that in that time the "bad guys" couldn't accomplish their goal. They did a lot of damage, but I agree that the info needs to be out in the open, but I also agree that the sharing of knowledge seemed to draw a line in the sand, one where war is rushing forward.
On a side note, there were some great scenes with The Leo and Heather. It was fun to see them chat and figure out things, brought about some much needed levity.
December 8, 2015
Heather and Barney are fun characters. She is a tattoo apprentice and he is a Hunter. I love how all the characters from Halle Pumas and the Halle Shifters are in these books. For the last few books a prophecy has been confusing to all the shifters, "Three becomes one, one becomes three. Bear knows the way, but Fox holds the key." We got to finally figure out what this means. I think it was beginning to bug me as much as it was them because it was repeated so often. Heather with the help of the Leo figured out the prophecy and are now warning everyone about who is in danger. We also get to find out why the white shifters that are able to speak to the spirits are so important. I really enjoyed meeting the Leo, he is hilarious.
This was such a fun book and a great addition to the series. I think since Jamie is finally starting to come out of his shell thanks to Hope and the upcoming war the next book is going to be about them. I hope so, they both have been through so much and deserve their HEA!
This was such a fun book and a great addition to the series. I think since Jamie is finally starting to come out of his shell thanks to Hope and the upcoming war the next book is going to be about them. I hope so, they both have been through so much and deserve their HEA!
October 10, 2019
Holly hell, this book was AMAZING!!! It has become one of my favorites of this series. There was so much packed into this. The ongoing plot got a huge boost. You will find out answers to your questions from previous books as well as have more questions after those are answered. I was ok with it. I can't wait to read the next one. Keep up the great work Dana!!
December 17, 2015
3.75 stars
July 22, 2019
James “Barney” Barnwell is losing his ever-loving mind. Between the threat to the white shifters and a riddle he’s been ordered to solve, he can actually go for ten whole minutes without thinking about Heather, the woman destined to be his mate.
As much as he burns to get the redhead under him, the safest place for her is far away from him. If the bad guys catch the barest hint of her scent on his skin, she’ll become a target.
The way Heather sees it, the quicker she helps the stubborn Bear solve the riddle, the quicker he’ll bite her—literally. But when she’s hurt while protecting her cousin from an attack, she finds herself right where Barney never wanted her: smack dab in the middle of the investigation.
Like it or not, Barney is forced to bring her fully into his crazy world. With his mate’s life in his hands, he’s in a race against time to solve this maddening riddle before the enemy discovers that the Hunter has finally been caught by love.
Heather's Notes
Finally some movement in the plot, and some answers to questions that have lingered on several books. I liked the series better when it was a plot a book. The overall arc is not as interesting as the individual characters. Still I enjoy the story and will continue to read them if the author continues to write them.
As much as he burns to get the redhead under him, the safest place for her is far away from him. If the bad guys catch the barest hint of her scent on his skin, she’ll become a target.
The way Heather sees it, the quicker she helps the stubborn Bear solve the riddle, the quicker he’ll bite her—literally. But when she’s hurt while protecting her cousin from an attack, she finds herself right where Barney never wanted her: smack dab in the middle of the investigation.
Like it or not, Barney is forced to bring her fully into his crazy world. With his mate’s life in his hands, he’s in a race against time to solve this maddening riddle before the enemy discovers that the Hunter has finally been caught by love.
Heather's Notes
Finally some movement in the plot, and some answers to questions that have lingered on several books. I liked the series better when it was a plot a book. The overall arc is not as interesting as the individual characters. Still I enjoy the story and will continue to read them if the author continues to write them.
October 11, 2021
“What’s up?”
“Me.” Tabby gently placed baby Wren’s car seat on the floor before collapsing into one of the two turquoise chairs decorating the shop. “All night, every night.”
“After you.”
“Oh no,” she replied. “Age before beauty.”
- Barney and Heather
He had to figure out a way to bring her into his life but keep her safe at the same time. Maybe bubble wrap would work.
- Barney about Heather
“Jump his ass.” Cyn grinned at them. “Bite him until he’s humping your leg.”
“Fine,” she gasped. “Never mind me. I’m good. Just tried to breathe water, that’s all. “I hate to tell you this, but you’re not a fish, sweetheart.”
Barney turned to look at Kincade. “I think he wants to play.”
Kincade cracked his knuckles. “I think I can handle a game of kickball.”
Barney shivered and looked at the three thugs. “You hear that? He’s coming to kick you in the balls.”
“Me.” Tabby gently placed baby Wren’s car seat on the floor before collapsing into one of the two turquoise chairs decorating the shop. “All night, every night.”
“After you.”
“Oh no,” she replied. “Age before beauty.”
- Barney and Heather
He had to figure out a way to bring her into his life but keep her safe at the same time. Maybe bubble wrap would work.
- Barney about Heather
“Jump his ass.” Cyn grinned at them. “Bite him until he’s humping your leg.”
“Fine,” she gasped. “Never mind me. I’m good. Just tried to breathe water, that’s all. “I hate to tell you this, but you’re not a fish, sweetheart.”
Barney turned to look at Kincade. “I think he wants to play.”
Kincade cracked his knuckles. “I think I can handle a game of kickball.”
Barney shivered and looked at the three thugs. “You hear that? He’s coming to kick you in the balls.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2021
Series 5 of ?; Shifter; e-book; library
James “Barney” Barnwell is a bear Hunter who was sent to town to investigate Cassie, and the things going on in her town. He finds his mate, Heather, while doing so, but refuses to mate her. He finally gets used to the idea of a mate, but holds off initially in an attempt to protect her from those he's trying to investigate.
This books sees the continuation of the overall plot arc of someone in the shifter Senate out to kill shifters. Much is learned and secrets are revealed leading to new secrets.
I loved how he called her hobbit. This was a fantastic book in this series, can't wait to see what else happens in the series because there's no way it ends here, too much is left dangling.
James “Barney” Barnwell is a bear Hunter who was sent to town to investigate Cassie, and the things going on in her town. He finds his mate, Heather, while doing so, but refuses to mate her. He finally gets used to the idea of a mate, but holds off initially in an attempt to protect her from those he's trying to investigate.
This books sees the continuation of the overall plot arc of someone in the shifter Senate out to kill shifters. Much is learned and secrets are revealed leading to new secrets.
I loved how he called her hobbit. This was a fantastic book in this series, can't wait to see what else happens in the series because there's no way it ends here, too much is left dangling.
September 17, 2017
This one squicked me out a bit, because of the age difference. He's 27, she's 19. That breaks half plus seven. It doesn't help that he's written much older than 27. If he trained Gabe, shouldn't he be older than that? He just seems to have accomplished a lot for as young as he is. I had to keep reminding myself he was just 27. The first time he got mentioned in the series, I pictured him in his forties or fifties.
Bear x fox.
Bear x fox.
July 29, 2020
I've been waiting for this book since.. forever it seems and the wait was worth it. The book was out of this world. I laughed so hard and got answers i was waiting for. But that final chapter was... I cant find enough word to describe it... it was mind blowing. Cant wait for Artemis, Leo, Kincade and Tiffany's books. Dont have to be in that order though ;)
I really recommend this series for everyone:) Thank you Dana Marie Bell for this xoxox.
I really recommend this series for everyone:) Thank you Dana Marie Bell for this xoxox.
December 11, 2017
I love this author and this series. Heather is a fox shifter and is funny. I mean laugh out loud, family looking at you like you've lost your mind laugh out loud funny. She's trying to get her mate Barney who happens to be a bear shifter and a rouge shifter hunter.
Please read this series. There is a lot of suspense and mystery surrounding the whole thing.
Please read this series. There is a lot of suspense and mystery surrounding the whole thing.
August 31, 2017
World Building: A+
Mythology: A++
Plot-Twists: A+
Villains: A
Girl Power: A
Guy-Hero: A
Love-Interests: A+
Suspense: A-
Feels: A+
For you clean-readers: this book DOES have mature content. You'll need to do some self-editing or scene-skipping to read this one.
Mythology: A++
Plot-Twists: A+
Villains: A
Girl Power: A
Guy-Hero: A
Love-Interests: A+
Suspense: A-
Feels: A+
For you clean-readers: this book DOES have mature content. You'll need to do some self-editing or scene-skipping to read this one.
February 1, 2018
They actually talked to each other about their situation early in the book and that makes my heart do happy. Nothing ruins a romance for me quicker than non communication as a plot device. Glad we've also worked out some of the riddle finally and know what's going on in the shifter universe.
April 27, 2019
Another wonderful story from Dana Marie Bell. Heather and her mate Barney are wonderful together. It took sometime for Barney to mate Heather but once Heather gets hurt Barney's protective side comes out. I loved them together. Can't wait for the next book in this series.
March 1, 2022
Left Hanging!
Even though this book was about Heather & Barney’s mating it also was about figuring out the riddle that the Spirit Bear passed to Julian in the 1st book.
This book was very good in the good vs bad plot but, it leaves you hanging in the end.
Even though this book was about Heather & Barney’s mating it also was about figuring out the riddle that the Spirit Bear passed to Julian in the 1st book.
This book was very good in the good vs bad plot but, it leaves you hanging in the end.
June 10, 2022
Great but ending leaves you hanging
The way it ended was really not a closure. You find out anything else about. Overall it is really good story and worth rating 5 on but ending just leaves you hanging.
The way it ended was really not a closure. You find out anything else about. Overall it is really good story and worth rating 5 on but ending just leaves you hanging.
December 16, 2022
So does anyone know if the author plans to finish this series?
Goodreads places this book as being published in 2015 with her website stating that it's not finished but there have been no new releases since then.
Goodreads places this book as being published in 2015 with her website stating that it's not finished but there have been no new releases since then.
March 2, 2025
Ooo jippieKayyey it’s not the ending yet and she hasn’t written anything in a while…. It did not need another cliffhanger where we don't get an answer and a solution to that problem.😕😣
The mystery and problem has gone on a long time now.😒
The mystery and problem has gone on a long time now.😒
May 15, 2018
Excellent story. Disappointed that the next one, "Hope in Darkness" seems to be in limbo. Really need that one to finish up the series!
June 22, 2019
thought this series was complete, only to find out there's at least one more book to the series. UGH! I need it NOW!
October 20, 2019
Ooooo .... the plot is thickening.... what will happen next???
February 20, 2020
Cliffhanger much... OMG! The story is really good, but ught!
September 13, 2020
Audiobook fluff
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