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A man with a plan…


John is the Alpha bear of Grizzly Cove, a town built to his own design, made up mostly of bear shifters. He brought them all together, so it’s on him when the community comes under attack.


A woman of power…


Ursula is more than she appears, and when her secret comes out, she’s afraid the shifters aren’t going to take it well, but John surprises her. He needs her help to combat the evil targeting the town, but there seems to be more to their relationship.


A battle to the death…


When evil attacks from the ocean, can John afford not to utilize Urse’s skills to protect the town and people in it? Better still, can John reconcile his inner bear’s demand that she is his mate, with his lifelong dream of leading his people into a new way of living—in a town built just for them? Or will he have to give up Grizzly Cove in order to keep the woman he loves?

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 22, 2016

74 people are currently reading
229 people want to read

About the author

Bianca D'Arc

191 books1,366 followers
Bianca D'Arc is the USA Today bestselling author of over 100 romance titles. She has been published traditionally, by a few notable small presses, and indie. Before becoming a full-time writer, she ran a laboratory, a legal department, and jetted around the country on business while working for a Fortune 500 engineering firm.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Beth.
844 reviews75 followers
June 7, 2020
Pulls this line of short stories directly into the emergence of Elspeth. Actually adding to the plot arc!

Sigh - the author got me to tear up near the end.
Profile Image for Michelle.
2,103 reviews1,418 followers
March 25, 2016
Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review

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Once in awhile, I like to read and get in lost in a shifter paranormal romance and so I decided to give Alpha Bear by Bianca D’Arc a read. This is the first book that I have read from this author and I haven’t read the previous books of this series. Fortunately for me, Alpha Bear can be read as a standalone.

In this bear shifter romance, Bianca D’Arc weaves a magical shifter aspect into the storyline by incorporating a witch heroine. This book was a quick read since we have an alpha male bear shifter finding his mate not in another bear shifter but with a strega. The story chronicles their relationship but also incorporates a suspenseful aspect as danger threatens upon the shifter community of Grizzly Cove in which John, the alpha bear is trying to protect with the help of the Ursula. While I enjoy this book, I felt the ending was a bit rush for my liking but overall it was an enjoyable PNR.

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Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Bianca D'Arc
Profile Image for Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder).
2,235 reviews
March 28, 2016
The residents of Grizzly Cove have been falling one by one after finding their mates. Now it is finally the Alpha's turn. Little did he suspect that his mate would be a very powerful witch. Mating a human is one thing but can bears and witches even be together?

This book is very classic Bianca D'Arc. The Were community is still fighting against the evil Venifucus and their promise to bring back evil into the world. The Lords of the Were are still in charge. This book follows a group of ex-military bear shifters as they settle into retirement. Bears are more magical than other shifters, though, and soon their quiet community attracts the wrong kind of attention.

Enjoyed seeing some old beloved faces from Bianca's other series pop up to help save the day in Grizzly Cove. Loved getting a glimpse at not only different shifters, but also the possibility of meeting other magical creatures. The book takes place in just a little short of a week. During that time we learn a whole lot more about the history of the strenga, leviathons, and the benevolence of the Goddess toward those who follow her light.

Great addition to the series. Really like Ursula and her sister Mellie. They will keep the small bear community on it's toes for a long while. Looking forward to reading more as the battle continues.
Profile Image for Ann Lorz.
1,711 reviews22 followers
April 3, 2016
I've always enjoyed books by Bianca D'Arc. The stories are always good and the characters are engaging. Right away I found myself liking John. He seemed to really care about the people around him. I wan't sure at first how I felt about Ursula, I think that was due to the fact that in the beginning of the story I felt slightly lost.
It was like I was just thrown into it. I hate the feeling of missing something.
After getting over the fact that I felt dropped into the story I really got into it. The characters that live in the town are interesting. You also wanted to know more about them. Many already have their books out so I can't wait to find the time to go back and read their stories.
I really wish Alpha Bear was even longer. I enjoyed the story that much. I also want to meet Ursula's grandmother. I have a feeling she has some stories.
Alpha Bear hit all the points of a enjoyable store for me. Let's face it...I love me some bears.

Reviewed for Romancing the Readers: http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.c...
Profile Image for Ava.
1,028 reviews23 followers
March 27, 2016
So this one is along the lines with the previous ones.
If you like it more smutty, this one is not for me.
I liked it a lot for many reasons:
It was sweet, not sugar coat. Just lovely and simple
Following the storyline but gave a conclusion for a chapter and awaiting for more stories to come.
Always a bit confusing because shifter and magic, not really the shifter origin I came across by reading.
Anyway, it was great!
3,431 reviews24 followers
January 5, 2019
Grizzly Cove: Apartment over the bookstore… the bookstore… City Hall…

Ursula ‘Urse’ Ricoletti : witch… specialty in casting spells; opening a bookstore with her sister… at the encouragement of their grandmother;

John Marshall: alpha of the bears, and founder o the town at Grizzly Cove – it is his vision – and years before his special force team was ready to retire, he began to buy up property; though alpha, the bears are independent at heart, and he respects this and the town runs as more of a democracy;

Amelia ‘Mellie’ Ricoletti: sister witch… specialty in potions;

Nonna Ricoletti: grandmother; the witch magic jumped a generation, and landed on her granddaughters; she taught them how to manage their magic, brought in specialists to add to their knowledge; a great, great, great married a bear shifter, and there is a touch of bear throughout the family; has a slight gift of foresight, and sees that the girls’ future lies in the Cove (where they will find their mates)… and she has seen the Dark Times that are coming;

Leviathan: attracted to magic in the cove… attacks Urse – who manages to keep just ahead of the tentacled arm until out of reach; evil;

Urse and John connect – and as they work together to protect the Cove (she casts 4 protection spells in 4 days), they fall in love – and Urse becomes aware of her inner bear.

Joined by: Peter Zilakov… Chevlier de la Lumiere… Steve & Grif Redstone… Joe Nightwing… Seth, the Golden Jackal… from other books… shifters, angels, etc to place the wards…


Profile Image for Silke  K.
399 reviews8 followers
July 6, 2021
Ursela and her sister Amelia were new to Grizzly cove. They kept a powerful secret

The Alpha of Grizzly cove, Big John was the mayor of the small town. He saw his dream come to light. He planned on having all types of bears come together. Most were from the military, his men he served with. A few humans were granted to live there. Three sisters that owned a bakery, were all mated to wonderful men. The new sisters wanted a bookstore in town. They were vetted, and moved in while setting up the store. Urse had been attracted to the mayor at first sight. She was sure he'd kick them out once there secret was revealed. Why was she nervous about angering him? She was strongly invested already in this little town. John finds out by overhearing Amelia in the bookstore, Urse was speechless but John surprises her. He needs her help to combat the evil targeting the town, but there seems to be more to their relationship.
Profile Image for Tracie R.
2,143 reviews
June 11, 2017
Alpha Bear is a fabulous addition to the Tales of the Were: Grizzly Cove series. I have had a soft spot for John since the series began and knew his mate would need to be special and Urse fit that perfectly. From distrust to alliance, frustration to love, Alpha bear kept me intrigued with its suspense of what is still to come and the joining of shifters and others to concur the force that awaits them all. This well rounded story was amazing and I can't wait to read more.
1,484 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2023
The more I read into this book, the harder it was to put down. You have the love story of the century with John, an Alpha bear shifter, and Ursula, a well trained strega or witch. They fall for each other as they work together along with others to save and protect Grizzly Cove from an evil sea monster. They find they are stronger together than apart. Lots of action and steamy romance with a happily ever after.
309 reviews
August 19, 2022
This was a better mating story than the first three. Finally getting to the cove leviathan & magic from one Strega & her bear 🐻 plus a whole lot of back up bears & then throw in a fey plus a few different shifters what a story. It was great read BUT the leviathan is still out there. It doesn’t leave you a cliff hanger but I want to continue to see where this goes Can always stop
Profile Image for Nadine .
522 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2018
Emotion filled and unpredictable

This book is a great read. It was like an emotional rollercoaster. I liked that I couldn't guess the end. I cried a bit as well towards the end. I already ordered the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Karen Church.
68 reviews
March 13, 2018
WOW, emotions on every scale.

This was the best out of the four. Each book just keeps getting better. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. I have gained true respect for the author, and continue to read all her work.
Profile Image for Lo r n a  Dodge.
74 reviews
March 23, 2018
Just wow what a ride!

Such a great storyline with rich full characters that jump off the page and into your room! The story sweeps you into waves of adversity and conquest that leave you breathless. I've gotta go, the next book is calling my name....enjoy the ride, I sure am!
Profile Image for niki_reads_romance.
883 reviews9 followers
July 11, 2019
Action packed and completely unexpected

I really enjoy how the protective Alpha bear, John, handles meeting the other half of his soul, the mysterious Strega Ursula. It’s such a fierce story, sexy and full of unpredictable action, capturing my attention from the very first word.
Profile Image for Tania Rodriguez.
728 reviews2 followers
September 14, 2019
It was too boring!!!

Sorry but it took me weeks to finished it. I dont do that at all. I read from start to finish in days. But this book describe so much of she was doing that the chaos that was around them. Hardly any fight or action, to my opinion.
114 reviews
February 3, 2022
This was everything I had hoped for.

This story was everything I had hoped for and even more. Bianca D’Arc creates such and intricate world with characters you just can’t help loving and rooting for.
1,046 reviews5 followers
March 4, 2018
Really loved this book.

Could not believe the alpha shifter found his mate, and a witch to boot too. Just finished the 4th book and of course am getting the next one in series.
Profile Image for IA.
107 reviews
July 21, 2018
This one was better than the previous parts of Grizzly Cove, mainly because it was a full length story, with more room for the character and story development.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
76 reviews
January 17, 2021
4

Some good reading in there, a great bunch of bears and assorted others. The new guy, a feiy?, I thought it might have been her Grand Papa.?
Profile Image for Anna-Marie Buchner.
940 reviews7 followers
March 11, 2016
I love the Grizzly Cove Series

Alpha Bear Book #4 of Bianca D’Arc’s Grizzly Cove Series

Okay it’s no surprise that I’m a huge fan of Bianca D’Arc’s writing. If she writes it I’ll read it no questions asked.
In Alpha Bear John Marshall, alpha extraordinaire, retired military x-ops, a man with a vision sort of experiment where bear shifters lived together in a community and hopefully find their one and only mates, actually brought his vision to fruition and he now resides as Mayor of Grizzle Cove, his dream and his baby. All John’s military brothers seem to be finding their mates all around him and he couldn’t be happier. He wasn’t so sure he would be as lucky. It was agreed upon that they would vet humans who petitioned to live and open up businesses in Grizzly Cove and so far most have been human females.
When two sisters were vetted to move to Grizzly Cove to open a bookstore, nothing showed up out of the ordinary. In Zak’s eyes they were two human females. But he was so wrong (not his fault by the way). Turns our Ursula and her sister Amelia were anything but ordinary humans. They were witches known as Strega’s and very powerful. Their family was the well-respected Ricoletti’s with bloodlines both of bear shifter and Strega. So the girls knew immediately that they were surrounded by shifters, bear shifters to be exact and decided to keep that knowledge to themselves for the time being.
When the hunky hot Mayor John Marshall visited the bookstore Urse thought it was her sister coming back from the bakery. To her surprise it was not and when Mellie did come back she blurted out about the shifters and the girl’s mates and you can just imagine the total surprise on John’s face. They were outted by Mellie’s outburst of excitement. Urse had some fast explaining to do and had to explain her and her sister were Strega’s, which of course John had no idea what that was. So she basically had to tell him they were witches. They really didn’t want to be kicked out of the little town of Grizzly Cove.
John contacted Zak and told him to meet him in his office. As the conversation unfolded and John explained what happened with the Ricoletti sisters Zak brought up in conversation about a witch that saved his life who also was a Stegra. They decided to phone her in Italy and got an earful about the Ricoletti family. They also told her about their problem in Grizzly Cove with the Leviathan which distressed her immensely. She gave Zak and John advice telling them what they needed to do, and guess what it so included the Ricoletti sisters.
So basically John had to eat crow (LOL) and go to Urse and her sister and ask for help. After Urse spoke with her Nonna and was told what needed to be done, their quest to protect Grizzly Cove and its inhabitants began.
Urse had to perform heavy duty magic to put in place heavy protective wards. She had to get this done in a period of 4 days but at different times each day. She knew that as she accomplished each she would drastically be drained of power and strength. It wasn’t until the last ward was to be put in place that she realized it could kill her.
Have I piqued your interest a little. Good you need to read Alpha Bear and get the full magnitude of what occurs. Bianca graced us with some surprises and I totally love that she pulls in the other characters from her other reads. Like Cam who is Chevalier da la Lumiere Knights of the Light hand chosen by the Goddess herself (Oh by the way I love Cam), Steve Redstone, Joe Nightwing and Seth. All are fighting against evil and against the Venifucus who are trying to bring back the Destroyer. To get the full force of this ever unfolding story you need to read “Brotherhood of Blood”, Tales of the Were, String of Fate and of course the other three novella’s in Grizzly Cove. Seriously you will not be disappointed. It’s like you’re watching a TV series or a Movie how she makes everything flow continuously without missing a beat. I love her work and her stories. 5* Bianca and keep them coming. I’ve already pre-ordered Saving Grace LOL
729 reviews7 followers
March 12, 2017
TEARS! It Brought Me To Tears!

This book was the best one yet. It actually brought me to tears. Not many books do that but this one is REALLY good.
Profile Image for Marie.
256 reviews177 followers
April 26, 2016
This was my first book by the author although after this one I did go back and read the previous novellas (this one is full length) in the series. Alpha Bear can be read as a stand alone. I was just curious enough about some of the secondary characters and from my understanding some characters from Bianca D'Arc's other books pop up from time to time. A little background; Grizzly Cove is a town that was founded by a group of ex-military bear shifters. They wanted a place to retire, find mates, and settle down. They have allowed a very small number of human (three to be exact ) to live in their town but as far as the outside world is concerned they are a town of artists. There is some evil something in the water that is causing problems for the town.

The head bear in charge, John, has finally found his mate but there is a problem. She's not human but she's not were either. No, Ursula and her sister Mellie, are witches, technically she is a descendant of a bear shifter and a witch. John isn't even sure if bears and witches can be together not to mention what everyone else in town will think. Ursula and Mellie have been granted permission to live and work in Grizzly Cove because the town thought they were human. When John finds out he is understandable angry but as things progress he knows that Ursula is his mate and even if it means he has to leave Grizzly Cove he will in order to be with her. Ursula has come just in time as it seems that she and Mellie each have a particular kind of magic that may help the town. Ursula gets right to work doing her part while Mellie is told to wait. The trouble is that each time Ursula works her magic she gets weaker and weaker even with John lending some of his. Will saving her mate and the town she loves cost Ursula her life?

This was a really quick read but it was still great! The suspense of what is going on out in that water is enough to keep you reading the series. John and Ursula both love each other so much which shows even with all the crazy stuff going on. I really love how his team responds when John tells them he will leave if Ursula isn't accepted. I can't wait for Saving Grace which is the next in the series and I will be bringing it you very soon. I also can't wait for Mellie's story!

This review is the copyrighted property of Blushing Reads. To read the full review, click this link: http://blushingreads.com/alpha-bear-b....

A copy of the book was provided in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Profile Image for Dana Busenbark.
2,801 reviews29 followers
April 2, 2016
In this fourth book of the Grizzly Cove series, we get a chance to focus on John. The man with the plan. The one that makes things happen. The ALPHA! Yeah! Ursula and her sister Amelia have moved into Grizzly Cove. We find out a juicy tidbit within the first few pages about Nonna, their grandmother and who Ursula and Amelia are, what they are. Their grandmother was a witch, a strega, a clairvoyant. Wow, just wow. When Ursula goes for a walk on the beach in the cove, after the mayor finds out that the girls know about shifters and that this town is full of them, what happens? When the Mayor goes off on Tom, what does he explain to the Mayor and who does he call? What does the person confirm to the Mayor about the who the girls are and what they are? When Ursula is told to call her Nonna, what happens during the conversation? Just WOW! After that stressful conversation with Nonna and Mayor John and Ursula, when John says he is walking her home, the thoughts running through her mind are a hoot. What happens after the first day of Ursula casting the wards in the cove surprised me. Because on the second day, after things were finished, something wicked happens. What is it? When John finally finds Ursula and breaks the spell that she is fighting against by just being near her, who and what do they see when they go to John's home? I wanted to weep with joy when I read the description and heard the terminology used in French. This is definitely a book to read, but you must read the first three before this one. It is definitely a series that should be read in order to make 100% sense. I will speak no more of this book, because I fear giving anything away if I do.

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M.Brennan.
Profile Image for Jessica.
103 reviews11 followers
March 31, 2016
Alpha Bear is a quick and suspenseful bear shifter romance.

John is the Alpha to a group of ex-militaery bear shifters and he has watched as the other bears in Grizzly Cove find there mates. He wasn't sure if he would ever find a mate of his own. When he does find her he is more than a little surprised to find out that she is a witch. Is it possible for a bear shifter and a powerful witch to have a successful relationship?

Ursula and her sister move to the small town of Grizzly cove in order to open a bookstore. They are both very powerful witches and they instantly know that they are surrounded by bear shifters. They decide that it's best to keep their true identities secrete, but nothing stays hidden for long.


This story takes place in the span of a week. Romance, danger, magic, and adventure all take place in that short time. The ending felt like it was a little rushed but overall I enjoyed the story.

I'm looking forward to reading the next story in the series.

*4 grizzly stars!*
**ARC provided to Books Need TLC in exchange for an honest review**
Profile Image for Selina Durio.
2,524 reviews12 followers
March 26, 2016
I did truly enjoy this story. Ursula and John are two Alpha beings that do what they do best to help save Grizzly Cove. What I enjoyed most about this book was how it totally entwined the Grizzly Cove series with all of Ms. D'Arcs other Tales of Were books. Until now I was unaware that Grizzly Cove was listed as a full Tales of Were spin off. This has just amped up the series possibilities even more. I only gave the book four stars because some parts became very repetitive. The most repetitive was the line how bears are the most magical of the shifters. This line must have been repeated at least five or more times in the book. I did not find the repetition necessary. (Just like the number of times I have used repetitive and repetition in this review!) I can't wait to read Saving Grace.
Profile Image for Heather Tomlinson.
27 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2016
I'm really liking this series. In Alpha Bear d'Arc is introducing what sounds like a really cool Big Bad, while still making the immediate Baddie dangerous locally. This time, John, the Alpha of the community of Grizzly Cove, is up for the mating chopping block. Of course, the job of the author is to throw obstacles at this and decides to pair him up with a strega, or hereditary witch of Italian origin, Ursula. Apparently shifters and witches don't tend to make the best of couples.

Well, Ursula and her sister have been hiding their magic so they don't get bounced out of the nearly-all shifter community. The sister outs them by accident and things start moving pretty quickly after that. It is a quick read and has some fun bits. I really hope Ursula's grandmother makes a visit to Grizzly Cove at some point. She sounds like a real trip.
Profile Image for Chumchum_88.
556 reviews45 followers
November 28, 2016
Oh I remember this since it was much different that the previous three, since the beginning of the series we know that there was a dark force on the move and with each book they started to know more and more about it but in here they got into the magic much more deeper.

- The heroine and her sister were kinda like witches and it was really cool seeing what they can do and what they thought

- The hero was the super macho military type since he's the mayor and the mastermind behind this shifter town

- I liked the interaction between these two, and how her sister was with the Russian bear shifter XD

Overall, *thumbs up*
Profile Image for Michele bookloverforever.
8,336 reviews39 followers
June 8, 2019
powerful strega moves into bear shifter territory and battles evil by setting powerful and permanent warding spells to keep it away from her adopted home. she finds allies both near and far and a mate in the alpha bear. she fights the minions of elspeth, the destroyer newly returned from banishment by her equally malicious and evil allies, the ventrifucus. the battle is won but evil still lurks a mile out at sea and the war continues. waiting for the sequel.Re-read in april, 2017. Still a very good story. Just wish it were longer. Re-read yet again in June, 2019.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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