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Takhini Shifters #3
A Lady's Heart
A light-hearted, STAND ALONE paranormal in the Takhini Shifters world by NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Vivian Arend
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Lady Amanda Ainsworth found a safe place to pull herself together under the roof of the loud, boisterous Takhini Wolf pack. Safe—except for the sexy grizzly shifter with the oversized biceps and the steely-grey eyes who’s also hanging his hat with the Whitehorse wolves. Justin Cullinan makes her light up and shimmer inside like the Northern Lights, and she knows it’s time to start her new life.
He may be the bodyguard and not the CEO, but Justin’s powerful in his own right. He gets what he wants—and who he wants is the sweet seductive Mandy. He’ll go as slowly as necessary, but he has no intention of stopping until she admits they’re meant to be.
But when her safety is threatened, all bets are off. Justin’s going to keep his lady safe and find out who’s stalking her, and the best place is hidden in plain sight in the biggest shifter town in the north.
That is, if they aren’t running into a trap…
get ready for a trip up north to visit the Takhini pack (and Chicken!) because everyone deserves a happily-ever-after, especially a Lady with secrets.
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Lady Amanda Ainsworth found a safe place to pull herself together under the roof of the loud, boisterous Takhini Wolf pack. Safe—except for the sexy grizzly shifter with the oversized biceps and the steely-grey eyes who’s also hanging his hat with the Whitehorse wolves. Justin Cullinan makes her light up and shimmer inside like the Northern Lights, and she knows it’s time to start her new life.
He may be the bodyguard and not the CEO, but Justin’s powerful in his own right. He gets what he wants—and who he wants is the sweet seductive Mandy. He’ll go as slowly as necessary, but he has no intention of stopping until she admits they’re meant to be.
But when her safety is threatened, all bets are off. Justin’s going to keep his lady safe and find out who’s stalking her, and the best place is hidden in plain sight in the biggest shifter town in the north.
That is, if they aren’t running into a trap…
get ready for a trip up north to visit the Takhini pack (and Chicken!) because everyone deserves a happily-ever-after, especially a Lady with secrets.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2017
101 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Vivian Arend
157 books2,628 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Vivian Arend loves to share the products of her over-active imagination with her readers. She writes contemporary, western, and light-hearted paranormal romances. The stories are humorous yet emotional, usually with a large cast of family or friends, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Vivian lives in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband of many years—her inspiration for every hero and a willing companion for all sorts of adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 8, 2018
I love bears! They are so straight-forward and determined in their thinking. Justin is no different, he has focused in on Mandy and nothing is deterring him from the sight. Trouble is, she needs some room after freeing herself from a long-term, controlling marriage. I'll be honest, I read the book before this in the series a long time ago, so it kept alluding to things in Mandy's past that I had no clue about. A little bit of back story would have helped out a bit in the flow of the story
Anyways, Mandy and Justin end up on the run and staying safe in Chicken. Cole and Caden, wolves in the Takhini pack, help them out. Finally, Mandy steps up, and takes up, Justin on his unspoken invitations, and some smexy times follow. While Justin continues to remind himself to take it slow with Mandy, his heart races forward. Good thing she is right there with him, and they make the cutest couple
Life choices need to be made, but the two of them decide to face them together. The epilogue gives us the glimpse of what they decided, and fast forwards a bit, to give us the perfect HEA for these two sweeties!
Anyways, Mandy and Justin end up on the run and staying safe in Chicken. Cole and Caden, wolves in the Takhini pack, help them out. Finally, Mandy steps up, and takes up, Justin on his unspoken invitations, and some smexy times follow. While Justin continues to remind himself to take it slow with Mandy, his heart races forward. Good thing she is right there with him, and they make the cutest couple
Life choices need to be made, but the two of them decide to face them together. The epilogue gives us the glimpse of what they decided, and fast forwards a bit, to give us the perfect HEA for these two sweeties!
February 6, 2017
A cute story that I enjoyed very much. I hadn't read previous books in this series so I can say that this can be read separately.
August 14, 2021
A Lady’s Heart is the third in Vivian Arend’s Takhini Shifters series.
Lady Amanda Ainsworth is finally escaping an abusive marriage and the invisible demands that went along with that. Justin Cullinan is an excellent bodyguard. And once he meets Mandy, he realizes it’s critical he keep close watch on her not just professionally but personally.
Justin and Mandy flee danger and have the grandest adventure, while checking items off Mandy’s bucket list. A delight read.
Lady Amanda Ainsworth is finally escaping an abusive marriage and the invisible demands that went along with that. Justin Cullinan is an excellent bodyguard. And once he meets Mandy, he realizes it’s critical he keep close watch on her not just professionally but personally.
Justin and Mandy flee danger and have the grandest adventure, while checking items off Mandy’s bucket list. A delight read.
May 20, 2025
Justin and Amanda are awesome together after she finds her strength
It was fun to watch Justin turn down his protective instincts and let Amanda come out of her shell. While they both have an attraction to each other, neither is ready to act on it and Justin is going at Amanda's speed. But when she gets a stalker and the have to go on the run, this vs change between them quickly? Will the find out who the stalker is and will the continue to wrk on her bucket list?
It was fun to watch Justin turn down his protective instincts and let Amanda come out of her shell. While they both have an attraction to each other, neither is ready to act on it and Justin is going at Amanda's speed. But when she gets a stalker and the have to go on the run, this vs change between them quickly? Will the find out who the stalker is and will the continue to wrk on her bucket list?
February 6, 2017
I love Vivian Arend's shifters. Easily one of my favourite authors for shifters. This book was no exception.
Justin, a grizzly shifter has his sights set on Mandy. She is starting to get her life back together after leaving her ass of an ex-husband. When she gets threatened, they go on the run.
I always have certain expectations when it comes to a Vivian Arend book, this met them all. Fun, sexy and a page turning read. Watching Mandy try to take her life back and live how she wants was a great journey to watch. Justin was the perfect person for her, gave her the independence to do so, while still remaining all deliciously alpha.
Seeing the wolf pack is like seeing old friends again and she always incorporates past and new characters without them taking over the story.
Justin, a grizzly shifter has his sights set on Mandy. She is starting to get her life back together after leaving her ass of an ex-husband. When she gets threatened, they go on the run.
I always have certain expectations when it comes to a Vivian Arend book, this met them all. Fun, sexy and a page turning read. Watching Mandy try to take her life back and live how she wants was a great journey to watch. Justin was the perfect person for her, gave her the independence to do so, while still remaining all deliciously alpha.
Seeing the wolf pack is like seeing old friends again and she always incorporates past and new characters without them taking over the story.
October 22, 2020
Meh. This is my second book this week where I am underwhelmed so this could be a "it's me not you" scenario. No angst. Which I like but the action didn't grab me and the main couple didn't pull me in either. This book felt like filler between other continuous storylines. The Back to the Future part 2 of novels. I love Arend's Granite Lake books so if this book hit you like me, do not give up this author. She does have some great characters. The kind you think of as friends when your not reading. Just not here. This book was just okay. Mandy's sister may have a better story so I may look for that.
February 15, 2020
Not my favorite of the series. I couldn't get into Mandy. She's fragile, she's not. She's going to tell Justin how to woo her, she's along for the ride. It felt like she never really settled into who she really was.
June 22, 2021
A lady and her man
Another good shifter story from this author.
It’s easy to read and has a good storyline
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Well described characters and good dialogues
4 stars
Another good shifter story from this author.
It’s easy to read and has a good storyline
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Well described characters and good dialogues
4 stars
May 31, 2025
Lost in Emotion
Lady Amanda "Mandy" Ainsworth and Justin Cullinan do have an interesting dynamic. She's trying to find herself after extracting herself from a bad marriage. He's just trying to get her attention. There are cute, harrowing, hilarious, spooky, and steamy times that did keep me and the story moving forward. On the whole, it was an entertaining quick listen.
I'll admit, I spent a decent amount of the book lost. Even though this is supposed to be a standalone book, it didn't feel like it. It also isn't a continuation of either of the prior books in the series. As a result, I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected. Perhaps I'll circle back, find the missing book(s), and try again. For now, this is where I stand.
On a much happier note, I am definitely looking forward to the next book. The introduction to the characters was riotous in more ways than one. LOL!
I listened to this as part of the 'Takhini Shifters: Books 1-4' collection. The narrator is Tatiana Sokolov. She's Vivian's go-to narrator, and it's easy to see/hear why.
Book: 3.5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x
April 16, 2021
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a good job.
December 5, 2023
This is a great way to mark off a bucket list. With good characters and a brilliant performance this is a very enjoyable read/listen.
June 12, 2025
I listened to the audiobook and loved it!
January 20, 2017
Quick read
June 26, 2024
This novella is the third book in Vivian Arend’s Takhini Shifters series, part of her much larger Northern Lights Shifter series. This gets a bit confusing because apparently Arend has two series Takhini Wolves and Takhini Shifters where many of the characters appear in both. Maybe it’s wrong of me but sometimes I really enjoy reading romance novellas rather than full length books because we usually get from Point A to Point B (the Happily Ever After) with less drama without sacrificing the romance and the sexy. Justin the male lead in this story Grizzly Bear shifter has been a character in this series since Diamond Dust, book one in the series when he was introduced as Tyler Harrison’s (now the head bear of all the northern bear clans) BFF and personal bodyguard. Our female lead Lady Amanda Ainsworth a Kodiak Bear was introduced in that book as the abused wife of the cruelly ambitious black bear Todd Ainsworth who sought to use force and deceit to win the position of head bear of all the bear clans only to be defeated and punished for his ways by Tyler. I’m no bear expert but I know grizzly bears are at the top of the bear food chain so it never made much sense to me that Tyler had so much trouble defeating Todd a large black bear? Anyway in the next book in this series Moon Shine we see that Amanda or Mandy as she’s called in this book is the guest of the Takhini Pack living in their pack house as she recovers from her physical and emotional injuries from her soon to be ex-husband. We also see that Justin an extremely large grizzly bear has a thing for her and is patiently waiting for her to be ready to date. This novella is their story.
As the story opens in the Takhini Wolves pack house Justin and Amanda are standing on opposite sides of the common room staring at one another while trying hard not to be obvious about it. Amy the co-Alpha of the Takhini Pack has befriended Amanda and urges her to take a chance on Justin because it’s fairly obvious to everyone that they’ve got feelings for each other. Amanda wants to see where things might go with Justin but she’s also wary because she’s just ended her marriage with a very controlling Alpha bear and now wants to be in charge of her own life. She fears there’s a chance that the huge bear might have the same need to control. So she lets Justin know she’s interested while at the same time playing a little hard to get. Now that she’s free she has made up a bucket list of things she’d like to do. She shows the list to Justin and he agrees to help her check things off of it. Especially the part where she lists “give a blowjob”. So they start out as friends with Justin being careful to control his dominant personality and allow Mandy to make decisions for herself. They share some deep kisses but that’s as far as it goes for now. But when it’s discovered that someone has been rummaging around in Mandy’s hotel room and it’s feared that somehow her ex-husband is trying to get to her things change in a hurry. They leave White Horse and head north to the small shifter town of Chicken. Don’t ask me how it got its name because I don’t know. Must have been revealed in an earlier book. While in Chicken Mandy puts aside her last reservations about Justin and lets him know she’s up for more than making out. From there things get pretty sexy while they stroll around Chicken, checking out the local businesses, making friends and meet up with Nadia the powerful Omega Lynx shifter whom we met in Moon Shine, who owns a bar/restaurant in the town. Things are going wonderfully until out on a snowmobile ride on a mountain ridge they see two more snowmobiles headed their way. Are the riders after Mandy and if so, who sent them?
I thought this was a great novella with plenty of warmth as Mandy slowly comes into her own with the patient help of the huge bear who has fallen in love with her. There’s happy friendship feels, romance, sexy times and some suspense and a few laughs at the expense of a couple of wolf shifter brothers I’m fairly certain appeared in an earlier series.
As the story opens in the Takhini Wolves pack house Justin and Amanda are standing on opposite sides of the common room staring at one another while trying hard not to be obvious about it. Amy the co-Alpha of the Takhini Pack has befriended Amanda and urges her to take a chance on Justin because it’s fairly obvious to everyone that they’ve got feelings for each other. Amanda wants to see where things might go with Justin but she’s also wary because she’s just ended her marriage with a very controlling Alpha bear and now wants to be in charge of her own life. She fears there’s a chance that the huge bear might have the same need to control. So she lets Justin know she’s interested while at the same time playing a little hard to get. Now that she’s free she has made up a bucket list of things she’d like to do. She shows the list to Justin and he agrees to help her check things off of it. Especially the part where she lists “give a blowjob”. So they start out as friends with Justin being careful to control his dominant personality and allow Mandy to make decisions for herself. They share some deep kisses but that’s as far as it goes for now. But when it’s discovered that someone has been rummaging around in Mandy’s hotel room and it’s feared that somehow her ex-husband is trying to get to her things change in a hurry. They leave White Horse and head north to the small shifter town of Chicken. Don’t ask me how it got its name because I don’t know. Must have been revealed in an earlier book. While in Chicken Mandy puts aside her last reservations about Justin and lets him know she’s up for more than making out. From there things get pretty sexy while they stroll around Chicken, checking out the local businesses, making friends and meet up with Nadia the powerful Omega Lynx shifter whom we met in Moon Shine, who owns a bar/restaurant in the town. Things are going wonderfully until out on a snowmobile ride on a mountain ridge they see two more snowmobiles headed their way. Are the riders after Mandy and if so, who sent them?
I thought this was a great novella with plenty of warmth as Mandy slowly comes into her own with the patient help of the huge bear who has fallen in love with her. There’s happy friendship feels, romance, sexy times and some suspense and a few laughs at the expense of a couple of wolf shifter brothers I’m fairly certain appeared in an earlier series.
February 19, 2017
short, sexy, sweet, and fun. so glad to see Justin win his Lady's Heart and soul in the end.
February 9, 2017
This may be advertised as a stand alone book, but I sure felt like I was missing a lot of the backstory. I've read Caroline & Taylor's book, which is where I think we met Mandy and Justin for the first time, but I can't remember anything about either of them, so I was confused as to why everyone was treating Mandy with such respect/deference. The first third of the book was on par with the rest of the series, but when I came back to finish the book on a second night, it felt more like a series of scenes joined together - there was no flow to the actions of the characters. One minute they're fleeing from a perceived threat to Mandy's life, then it's shopping and strolling along Main Street? And the reveal of the threat was a bit anti-climactic, and too obviously set up the next couple. I understand that this is a novella, but I think it could have used another chapter or two to fill in missing backstory, and to conclude Mandy & Justin's relationship a bit better.
September 16, 2018
So glad the author is adding to this series. I went back and read my first two books again before reading this one and I just loved it.
Great story that is giving us more characters to want stories for.
Love that Mandy found herself after her abusive marriage but that she was sensible and took her time to do it her way and on her terms. Her list idea was good and I loved how it kept being added too.
Justin is just such a big cuddly sweetie but definitely who you want on your side in times of trouble. Caring, smart and capable are hot traits.
Great that Justin thought of everything when they took off, bugs and tails etc. I love a well written and believable plot that makes sense.
I was kindly gifted this book by the author. This is my honest review of this book.
Great story that is giving us more characters to want stories for.
Love that Mandy found herself after her abusive marriage but that she was sensible and took her time to do it her way and on her terms. Her list idea was good and I loved how it kept being added too.
Justin is just such a big cuddly sweetie but definitely who you want on your side in times of trouble. Caring, smart and capable are hot traits.
Great that Justin thought of everything when they took off, bugs and tails etc. I love a well written and believable plot that makes sense.
I was kindly gifted this book by the author. This is my honest review of this book.
February 6, 2017
Vivian Arend missed a great opportunity to make this a strong romance story. It was nothing short of jarring to hear the heroine continually refer to the difficulty and "hell" of the last eight years of her arranged marriage to an abusive ex, yet she never discusses it, shares it with her mate, or demonstrates any emotional baggage, which led me to conclude that she was either a complete ditzy or her former husband must of been fine, especially when the "threat" to Mandy ends up being her sister simply looking for her.
Not a lot of meat in this sandwich and so much lost opportunity. Actually offering back story in the next book would be nice.
Not a lot of meat in this sandwich and so much lost opportunity. Actually offering back story in the next book would be nice.
January 11, 2017
Love the Takhini shifter series
Vivian Arend is one of my favorite authors and this lighthearted novella is perfect way to spend a few hours escaping the stresses in your life. I enjoyed this well written book and was glad I bought it but I have to say that Copper King is still my favorite in the series. I fell in love with Jim and Lillie and love to revisit their story periodically.
Vivian Arend is one of my favorite authors and this lighthearted novella is perfect way to spend a few hours escaping the stresses in your life. I enjoyed this well written book and was glad I bought it but I have to say that Copper King is still my favorite in the series. I fell in love with Jim and Lillie and love to revisit their story periodically.
November 11, 2018
He was protecting her from others but he wanted her for himself
She was going to be in charge of her own life she was going to make her own decisions and like it or not if Justine wanted Mandy he was going to have to agree to that. There was plenty of excitement in this story as well as lots of fun and laugh out loud, it was hard for her to commit and he was afraid to push. I recommend this story for all kind of readers
She was going to be in charge of her own life she was going to make her own decisions and like it or not if Justine wanted Mandy he was going to have to agree to that. There was plenty of excitement in this story as well as lots of fun and laugh out loud, it was hard for her to commit and he was afraid to push. I recommend this story for all kind of readers
February 7, 2017
This one was so cute. I loved that Justin was patient with Mandy, that he let her make the first move and even the pace of their romance. The list was fun, a great way for the two of them to spend time together and become closer. While I was worried when it seemed people were after Mandy, even that turned out good, had the best possible outcome for Mandy.
November 18, 2017
Okay story
This was a quick easy read. The characters are fine. The storyline for the most part was free flowing. I just feel like I was missing something, I read the first two books of the series yet I am missing pieces of the backstory. So whether it's me or the author some connection is missing, that's not to say if you purchase and read this will happen to you.
This was a quick easy read. The characters are fine. The storyline for the most part was free flowing. I just feel like I was missing something, I read the first two books of the series yet I am missing pieces of the backstory. So whether it's me or the author some connection is missing, that's not to say if you purchase and read this will happen to you.
September 25, 2019
It was funny but it was good that is became stronger of what she had 2 go through and what she saved her family in the 1st place. He was really attentive 2 her needs especially with his feelings 4 her was so strong from the 1st x he seen her. It's really good 4 her future with him. I can't wait 4 more asap.
January 14, 2017
This was an amazing book
As a rule I don't read shifter books but I love this author and have read several of her series. I was not disappointed. The story of Justin and Mandy warmed my heart.
As a rule I don't read shifter books but I love this author and have read several of her series. I was not disappointed. The story of Justin and Mandy warmed my heart.
December 10, 2018
A Lady's Heart
I knew she would eventually give in to Justin. I really thought it was someone that was close to her ex husband that was stalking her. I'm enjoying this series. I can't wait for the next book.
I knew she would eventually give in to Justin. I really thought it was someone that was close to her ex husband that was stalking her. I'm enjoying this series. I can't wait for the next book.
October 18, 2019
Great book
I love to read Vivian Arend books. This is one of best books. Love the characters and plot. The ups and downs, along with the twists and turns keep you turning the pages not wanting to stop reading.
I love to read Vivian Arend books. This is one of best books. Love the characters and plot. The ups and downs, along with the twists and turns keep you turning the pages not wanting to stop reading.
June 14, 2024
3.5 stars
*happy sigh* Quite delightful. Funny. Feel-good.
*happy sigh* Quite delightful. Funny. Feel-good.
March 31, 2024
A nice light read. A pleasant way to spend an evening. You can read it alone, but the main characters were introduced in other books.
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January 15, 2017Happy sigh!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews