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Jax wanted his one true mate. Joleen wanted her freedom.

Jax Carson
Jax knew this new waitress at the Steak and Ale Saloon was different. He would know -- he had slept with almost every other single woman in town for at most one or two nights. Joleen, on the other hand, wouldn't give him the time of day. The sway of her hips made his inner bear rage with a lust to claim her. When he learned she was trapped in an unacceptable at home, his bear was ready to fight for her. Except why did she insist on refusing his help, his protection and his heart?

Joleen Emery
The first time Joleen saw Jax, he was with his firefighter buddies, and almost every woman at the Steak and Ale Saloon was draped on his arm at one time or another that night. He was a sexy, hotter than hell, womanizing bad boy firefighter, and for some reason, she was who he wanted in his bed next. She didn't need anyone like that in her already complicated life. What she wanted was to save her tips, find a place and get the hell away from the last romantic mistake she had made. Without money, she was trapped, so Jax's efforts to get her attention while she was trying to save for her sanctuary was just another useless distraction. Except why was it she couldn't get him out of her mind? Why did he insist on saving her at every turn? And why did she not want to run away screaming when she saw him change into a bear?

Author's Note: This is a full-length, standalone, HEA romance. Contains mature topics and sexual content. Recommended for 18+ readers. All stories are full-length stand alones and can be read in any order. Enjoy!

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2015

34 people are currently reading
203 people want to read

About the author

Bella Love-Wins

129 books840 followers

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5 stars
97 (31%)
4 stars
99 (32%)
3 stars
84 (27%)
2 stars
19 (6%)
1 star
8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
928 reviews4 followers
September 17, 2016
I thought it was ok. It definitely Has the potential to be better but still enjoyable. I would still read the next in the series.
618 reviews5 followers
July 15, 2022
Cute tale of a shifter who likes the waitress but has to keep his bear a,secret. Liked the book. I enjoy shifter books and can't wait to read the rest of the series.
It had me a little upset that other shifter books I read have instinct when they find their mate. I still want to see what happens to the rest of the group.
651 reviews10 followers
April 9, 2021
Bear shifter stories are fun.
Profile Image for Jenncw.
679 reviews8 followers
March 19, 2017
Good bear shifter romance

Bad Boy Fire Bear was an nice romance. I liked both main characters, and the plot was fairly strong for a short novel.
Profile Image for A.R. Von.
Author 32 books1,177 followers
March 9, 2017
A 3.5 rating rounded to a solid 3.
I plan to read the next book of the series as well. I do love bear shifters <3
Profile Image for Tanja.
740 reviews16 followers
December 4, 2015
the first in a series with their own endings and i'm already wanting the next one!
joleen is cautious. trapped in a bad relationship she just wants to work, scrape all her cash/tips together in hopes of saving enough on the sly to get away from her abusive drunk, soon to be ex-boyfriend Cole. when jax crosses her path she's not sure how to take it. word quickly get's to her that he's a one night stand man but that shouldn't interest her, she's not looking for a man, not even for a one night stand! she's looking for an affordable place to stay!
fate had other ideas because jax keeps coming back into her life like a moth to a flame. she's seriously starting to doubt his interest in her but she can't deny the fact that the interest is there too the other way around. cocky as he sounds, big as he is, he still makes her feel safe and wanted and itching to just roam her hands all over him.
it doesn't take long for jax to figure out how her situation is and he and his bear are having a hard time just leaving it be. he would prefer to just whisk her away and keep her safe and for himself alone.
it was a joy to read about these two, things certainly didn't go easy! yeah there was some heart trampling at some point and lots of regrets.
there is quite a bit of drama in this story and you can understand why people made certain choices, it's how they deal with it that makes this story such an awesome read!

i'll be looking out for the rest in the future

free copy given in exchange for an honest review
178 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are my own. Bella Love-Wins has come out with another great bear shifter romance with the fantastic story of Jax and Joleen. The romantic tension in this story line is so delicious to read about. Joleen is a well written and very human female lead in this story. Jax is a bit more of a subtle and complex character that I feel readers will enjoy watching grow throughout the story arc. The book starts off strong and well written and finishes much the same way. There is quite the air of mystery and intrigue to some of the plot points. I found myself really cheering for Joleen and feeling things along with her. The love scenes are steamy, racy and full of the dance between love versus lust. The book has great sub plotting as well and all is well tied in to a wider story with great supporting characters. I felt the ending wrapped things up well for this couple as well as hinting at more work to come that relates to the story told in this book. Love-wins has made this feel different from the general idea of series and it is clearly a stand alone without a cliffhanger. I would love to read more about the characters of Jax and Joleen or anyone else that Love-wins chooses to write about.
3,136 reviews
February 12, 2016
Good story

Joleen is a waitress and on a bad relationship. She is trying to save her money so she can leave Cole, the boyfriend. Jax is a bear shifter plus a volunteer firefighter. He is usually a one / two night stand guy but something about Joleen makes him want more. He saves her from her ex and takes her to his cabin. They have wild sex. She thinks they're going to fast and moves in with a co worker. He wants her with him. They argue and she says some mean things.
Four months go by and he gets a feeling Joleen is in trouble. So he rushes to her and her ex is smacking her and saves her again. He takes her back to her place. They tell each other they missed each other and love each other.
Now this is a good story until the end. Joleen was mad because Jax hadn't called or texted the whole time. But she tells him "“Stay the hell away from me, you arrogant beast!” and "“I do. Get out of here, Jax. Go to hell, for all I care.” and then she gets upset when she doesn't hear from him. I wanted to smack her myself. But I did enjoy the book.
Profile Image for Jessica McSwain.
180 reviews2 followers
May 28, 2016
This story is honestly an amazing rendition of a good guy with a horrible reputation, falling and trying to save a damsel in distress. Joleen has had a awful time with her boyfriend who she wanted to be her ex... The man Cole is a horrible man, a nightmare, a monster...he hits her for fun or just about anything. Joleen is saving to get away from him but sometimes things happen. The bad boy bear is Jax, a farmer work hand and a volunteer firefighter who yes has a many choice of women, but that doesn't mean he is a man whore or heartless. He can't seem to get her off his mind and wants her to be safe. While he is trying to figure things out with her an arse is playing the fields burning buildings down. There's danger and tears but most of all there is hope/love at the end of the road. What is to become of Jax and Joleen? Can she get rid of Cole? Who is the arsonist? And why the fires? I was given this book in exchange for an honest review... It's a great read.... :)
Profile Image for Ana.
2,038 reviews6 followers
December 18, 2015
I love it, these are Fire Fighter bear shifters that have been turned by a mysterious woman bear shifter looking for her true mate and if it's not him see ya later!

Jax is one of these shifters and he really isn't looking for anything serious with one woman, he is a complete player and the girls love him, but he loves em' and leaves em'. Then he meets Joleen, but she is immune to his charms and he wants her and one night doesn't seem to be enough for him with this one.

Joleen is very distrustfull of any man especially Jax, but she may not be as immune to him as she tries to convince herself to be.

Game on!

Wondering who the mysterious cowboy is.

Love this new series and can't wait to read Brock's story.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tina.
408 reviews2 followers
November 22, 2016
This is the story of a team of firefighters who also happen to be bear shifters. Jax is a volunteer fireman who longs to be a full time firefighter. He hangs out with his brotherhood of bears who all happen to be firefighters. He meets a new woman in town who happens to be a waitress at the locale saloon. He is fascinated with her and wants to know more. Joleen is new in town and hiding the fact that she is in an abusive relationship. After a car accident caused by her abusive boyfriend, Jax comes on to the scene. He discovers her secret and tries anything he can to get her safe.
This is the first story in the Bad Boys series. I have to say, I really enjoyed this story. I love a good love story and Jax & Joleen were a good match.
Profile Image for Country Goose.
1,131 reviews12 followers
December 10, 2015
Good story

It's a really good "feel good" story. Joleen is trying to get out of a bad situation, Jaxx wants in her pants, and Joleen is turning him down. While he is doing his best to warm the iced heart, his own warms too.

Some facts are a little unnecessary, but is at the same time important for understanding. It doesn't further the plot, it just provides background information. Like the woman who turns shifters and Jaxx's family history.

The mysterious man hovering around the town doesn't add anything, but I suspect will be making an appearance in the next one.

It's a sweet read. I enjoyed the characters and felt their situations, along with the awkwardness.
Profile Image for C. Erani Kole.
1,710 reviews51 followers
March 24, 2016
It was really hot with complex characters. The development was pretty good and I liked the lessons the characters learned, though the mistakes they had to make were a bit annoying at times, mainly because they felt so mature, intelligent or jaded enough to know better. But that's just me.

The ending was a drag and the inner monologue could've been trimmed throughout the whole book to make for a better flow with the intensity of this story. I love shifters and am now seriously thinking of bear shifters, and this book was a fun read with some serious problems of the abuse variety. I'd definitely read the second book to figure out the mysterious that weren't answered in this one.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.2k reviews8 followers
August 7, 2016
Bad Boy Fire Bear - Bella Love-Wins This is book 1 in the Marked Bear Shifter series and is Jax Carson and Joleen Emery’s story. Joleen is a waitress working at the Steak and Ale Saloon she is a bad relation ship with her live-in boyfriend and is trying to save money to get away from him. Jax is a bear shifter working as a fireman he comes into the Saloon with his buddies and different women draped on his arm the night they meet and Joleen wants nothing to do with him.What happens when she finds out he is a bear shifter? Can she get safely away from her boyfriend? Will these two get a happy ending?
Profile Image for Sheryl.
2,030 reviews22 followers
December 12, 2015
I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review by author Bella Love-Wins.

Jax Carson was so intrigued with the sexy blond waitress that it sometimes got him into trouble. When he finds out she is getting abused he offers to help her but she backs away from him. Joleen Emery was biding her time until she had enough money to be on her own 2 feet. She was tired of the abuse her boyfriend Cole dished out. Cole is seeking to change her mind no matter how much it hurts her but Jax ends up helping her anyway.
3,546 reviews14 followers
April 7, 2016
Bad Boy Fire Bear is my first book by Bella Love-Wins. This is a well written short read, a good choice for those with limited time for reading. Bella Love-Wins has delivered lots of drama, action and spice to keep the pages flipping. Jax and Joleen's story is fast paced with fun characters. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Bella Love-Wins in the future. Bad Boy Fire Bear is book 1 in the Marked Bear Shifter Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a compete book, not a cliff-hanger.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,295 reviews22 followers
March 19, 2016
I love a sexy fireman, and I love a hot bear shifter. Here you have both in Jax. Bella Love-Wins has written lots of wonderful, sexy romances, but is fairly new to writing shifter books, and of course, this is a winner also. Yes, she can write those too. It is one hot, sexy book with a great story. Once you start it though, you will not want to put it down. I am looking forward to more books in this series.
Profile Image for Andrea Gillan.
2,856 reviews3 followers
May 15, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I was not a fan of shifter books in the past but......this book I loved. I think Bella writes beautifully and you just get pulled into the story. Jax is a hot alpha farm hand and volunteer fire fighter. He is also a bear shifter. Joleen is a beautiful woman who is trying her best to escape her boyfriend who is too handy with his fists and insults. Jax and his friends meet Joleen at the bar she works and it's instant attraction for Jax and Joleen.
Profile Image for Jamie Stephenson.
668 reviews
August 27, 2016
I really enjoyed this one. the characters were very likable and the story line was very interesting. I'm very curious about this one female shifter they kept speaking of... I want to know more of why she's the only female and why she's immortal until she finds her mate... they only hinted at these things but it made me very curious. the 2 main characters of this story however had some amazing chemistry and the scenes were super hot!
256 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2015
I really liked this story! It was well rounded and took you through all the aspects of the story. Sometimes I feel the stories get short-changed by the authors and due to limitations or whatever. I didn't feel like this story had been cut short in any areas. Loved it! I will be looking for more stories in this series and by this author.
Profile Image for Domini Maxwell.
104 reviews
December 10, 2015
Great start!!

I like the strong willed woman scared to get involved with a womanizer and I love his persistence to overcome resistance... I hate that four months go by and they haven't spoken at all and then all of a sudden they are just ok but it is true that sometimes it just works out that way!!! Awesome start
149 reviews
January 5, 2016
Not good

I'm sorry. I couldn't even finish it. No character growth. Too much mental repetitive thoughts. Girl was STILL with abusive boyfriend. My life is worth more than my pride. Story moved too slow. I read one to five books per day depending on length and I couldn't finish this one. I hate giving bad reviews. The writing isn't bad but the story is. I'm sorry.
Profile Image for Teresa Stirewalt.
363 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2016
I enjoyed this story. The characters hooked me into the story, the plot and twists held my attention. I read the entire thing in one sitting. I couldnt wait to see what was going to happen on the next page. And there is a bit of a cliffhanger in regards to the wandering stranger.. I am looking forward to reading the rest in the series to see what that is all about.
Profile Image for Tammy Sowards-Sanchez.
1,816 reviews8 followers
July 9, 2016
This book was really good. We have action. We have drama. We have heartache. We have bear shifters what more could a girl ask for ? :) We meet Joleen who is in an abusive relationship and trying to get out on her own. She meets Jax who is a womanizer. Can they find common ground? Will she accept his help? What will happen when she sees him shift? What will happen next?
256 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2016
The Bigger They Are, The Quicker They Fall

Jax is a womanizer and Joleen is a damsel in distress (although she doesn't see herself as one) and Jax saves her twice. Cole is an abuser and hurts Joleen every chance he gets. When push comes to shove, Jax takes care of the problem. Will Jax and Joleen declare their love for one and other? To find out, read this book. Enjoy!
145 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2016
Hea book

I loved the story line and the way it is written, I gave it 4 stars because of the anti climatic ending. Without giving spoilers I felt there should have been a more climatic finality to cole and joleen and more definition to jax and Joleen's relationship. Over all it was a great read.
Profile Image for Porchia.
439 reviews4 followers
April 29, 2016
Fire Hot Bear

This is part of the Marked Bear Shifter series. Max is a black bear shift who just wants to find his fated mate. Jolene is trying to get out of a bad relationship and start living her life again. This is their story of finding what they need. Recommend to all shifter lovers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews

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