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City Shifters: The Den #1
Bearing Burdens
Josie Miller just wants to pay off her loan shark, get custody of her dead sister's kids, and get on with her life. She doesn't expect to stumble across a mostly dead guy in the middle of an illicit errand, or for him to show up a week later and save her life. Kaiser seems like the perfect guy to share her burdens, even if she suspects he's hiding something major.
Barrett Kaiser will do anything to repay the debt when Josie saves his life, and his bear will do anything to keep Josie in their lives. They both have complicated pasts, but he knows they can build a future together. Except troublesome coyotes, a pack of rogue wolves outside the city, and the four unruly bears in his den stand between him and his mate.
Josie might not know what's going on when wolves attack her and Kaiser, but she knows she'll fight the entire city to protect her family. As more wolves pile on and Josie confronts lawyers, her sister's choices, and her own changing nature, she wonders whether she can truly trust anyone. Can Kaiser save her family, or will he turn into one more burden for her to bear?
Barrett Kaiser will do anything to repay the debt when Josie saves his life, and his bear will do anything to keep Josie in their lives. They both have complicated pasts, but he knows they can build a future together. Except troublesome coyotes, a pack of rogue wolves outside the city, and the four unruly bears in his den stand between him and his mate.
Josie might not know what's going on when wolves attack her and Kaiser, but she knows she'll fight the entire city to protect her family. As more wolves pile on and Josie confronts lawyers, her sister's choices, and her own changing nature, she wonders whether she can truly trust anyone. Can Kaiser save her family, or will he turn into one more burden for her to bear?
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2016
42 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 9, 2019
I hit the jackpot with the first 3 books of this author, and I went back to her earlier releases hoping to get a another good story. Unfortunately I was seriously disappointed in her City Shifters series (both this and pride)
They are the 'cheapest' romance around: they are fake and use the paranormal element as an excuse for a lazy work. A life explodes and there is no explanation or reaction. Love is literally at first sight and the mate bond, a cheap trinket at best, is used as a prop for an unbelievable amount of bs.
No idea what your tastes run to.
If you do really enjoy PNR in all of its glory this novellette may be for you.
They are the 'cheapest' romance around: they are fake and use the paranormal element as an excuse for a lazy work. A life explodes and there is no explanation or reaction. Love is literally at first sight and the mate bond, a cheap trinket at best, is used as a prop for an unbelievable amount of bs.
No idea what your tastes run to.
If you do really enjoy PNR in all of its glory this novellette may be for you.
March 2, 2022
Cute little shifter story.
March 10, 2017
I enjoyed reading this, but there was nothing that lifted it above others.
The characters were as flat as the setting. Kaiserwas a bit more fleshed out than the others.
I didn't like how part of the story was told in first person by Josie then in the next chapter it was a thirdperson POV from Kaiser. It was not something that added to the story...just plain annoying. Pick a voice, first or third doesn't matter, but stick to it!
I felt there was too much left unsaid or not concluded. Like where Josie got the infection in the first place.
Still, I enjoyed my time with these shifters so I would give it a 3 rather than a 2.
The characters were as flat as the setting. Kaiserwas a bit more fleshed out than the others.
I didn't like how part of the story was told in first person by Josie then in the next chapter it was a thirdperson POV from Kaiser. It was not something that added to the story...just plain annoying. Pick a voice, first or third doesn't matter, but stick to it!
I felt there was too much left unsaid or not concluded. Like where Josie got the infection in the first place.
Still, I enjoyed my time with these shifters so I would give it a 3 rather than a 2.
December 16, 2020
This series is connected to the City Shifters: Pride series. I read the box set after reading the first series, how could I not want to read about the cities bears after the comedy between the 2nd oldest brother of the Lions and the alpha of the Bears.
Bearing Burdens
Bearing Hearts
Bearing Scars
Bearing Demons
Bearing Secrets
Bearing Burdens features the alpha of the cities Bear den. Barrett Kaiser often called Kaiser by the cities shifters is a grolar bear (grizzly-polar bear hybrid). He meets Josie Miller in the strangest and most amazing meet I have ever seen in a romance novel, I won’t spoil it for you. I love the way he just without question adopts Josie and her nephew and nieces.
Bearing Hearts features the scary polar bear of the Den Axel. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Axel he has a strange view of the world when you meet him in the Pride series. Yet watching him let Josie’s niece paint his nails. He meets a fellow shifter, Lucy Randall, while on a stakeout against the rogue wolf pack outside the city. Lucy is a snow fox and knew Axel’s brother Ragnar and is carrying more than one surprise for Axel from his brother. He has such a golden heart.
Bearing Scars features the tortured and youngest member of the Den, Owen. Owen is ex-military and because of shrapnel, he can’t shift to his bear form in fear that it will shift and kill him. When heartbroken and depressed he decides to go to the forest and just keep walking until he can’t anymore. Instead, he meets Kara running from the rouge wolf pack. Kara is worried about her brother Nick who was a double agent and was recently caught by the wolf pack. Owen risks his life for Kara and knows that she is his mate. I love sweet Owen and am so glad he will have someone to take care of him.
Bearing Demons features Malcolm MacNevin the member of the Den who views his bear as a demon and that he is possessed. He meets Greer O’Brien a police detective and Banshee when he is shot and left for dead in an alley.
Bearing Secrets features Sasha Medvedev the Russian bear of the Den. He is asked to work security for a friend of Greer O’Brien, Sunshine Wilkes. Sunshine runs an underground railroad getting battered women and children away from the men in their lives. I love this book so much and I am so happy that Sasha got the happy ending he so deserves.
Bearing Burdens
Bearing Hearts
Bearing Scars
Bearing Demons
Bearing Secrets
Bearing Burdens features the alpha of the cities Bear den. Barrett Kaiser often called Kaiser by the cities shifters is a grolar bear (grizzly-polar bear hybrid). He meets Josie Miller in the strangest and most amazing meet I have ever seen in a romance novel, I won’t spoil it for you. I love the way he just without question adopts Josie and her nephew and nieces.
Bearing Hearts features the scary polar bear of the Den Axel. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Axel he has a strange view of the world when you meet him in the Pride series. Yet watching him let Josie’s niece paint his nails. He meets a fellow shifter, Lucy Randall, while on a stakeout against the rogue wolf pack outside the city. Lucy is a snow fox and knew Axel’s brother Ragnar and is carrying more than one surprise for Axel from his brother. He has such a golden heart.
Bearing Scars features the tortured and youngest member of the Den, Owen. Owen is ex-military and because of shrapnel, he can’t shift to his bear form in fear that it will shift and kill him. When heartbroken and depressed he decides to go to the forest and just keep walking until he can’t anymore. Instead, he meets Kara running from the rouge wolf pack. Kara is worried about her brother Nick who was a double agent and was recently caught by the wolf pack. Owen risks his life for Kara and knows that she is his mate. I love sweet Owen and am so glad he will have someone to take care of him.
Bearing Demons features Malcolm MacNevin the member of the Den who views his bear as a demon and that he is possessed. He meets Greer O’Brien a police detective and Banshee when he is shot and left for dead in an alley.
Bearing Secrets features Sasha Medvedev the Russian bear of the Den. He is asked to work security for a friend of Greer O’Brien, Sunshine Wilkes. Sunshine runs an underground railroad getting battered women and children away from the men in their lives. I love this book so much and I am so happy that Sasha got the happy ending he so deserves.
October 5, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, the story and characters.
Kaiser was a wonderful hero with that great overprotective shifter thing going without being over-controlling the way some shifter heroes are.
Josie was sweet, loving, and desperate to gain custody of her nieces and nephew after her sister's death. A very bad financial situation with a loan shark made things difficult, but all works out in the end. I won't spoil it with details but it was an easy and enjoyable read.
Except for one issue that drove me nuts......
I wish the author would have picked, and stuck with, a perspective. The story is dual perspectives, showing both Josie's and Kaiser's POV...however, Josie was always first person, and Kaiser was always third person. This made the read somewhat choppy, as every time it switched point of view from one character to the other, my mind had to re-adjust to the new perspective, and it made the read somewhat choppy....like those abrupt edges on the street when they are doing roadwork. Or a speed bump where you aren't expecting one. Just a bit jarring. Other than that, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Kaiser was a wonderful hero with that great overprotective shifter thing going without being over-controlling the way some shifter heroes are.
Josie was sweet, loving, and desperate to gain custody of her nieces and nephew after her sister's death. A very bad financial situation with a loan shark made things difficult, but all works out in the end. I won't spoil it with details but it was an easy and enjoyable read.
Except for one issue that drove me nuts......
I wish the author would have picked, and stuck with, a perspective. The story is dual perspectives, showing both Josie's and Kaiser's POV...however, Josie was always first person, and Kaiser was always third person. This made the read somewhat choppy, as every time it switched point of view from one character to the other, my mind had to re-adjust to the new perspective, and it made the read somewhat choppy....like those abrupt edges on the street when they are doing roadwork. Or a speed bump where you aren't expecting one. Just a bit jarring. Other than that, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
February 16, 2020
Great book
I really enjoy this series and the City Shifters:the Pride Series as well. Having read a lot about Kaiser in the Pride Series I was super eager to read this book and I was not disappointed. This is the first time we get to read about a human being changed and that was really interesting. The emotion and depth of characters impressed me as always. I do recommend reading most of the Pride Series before this series as the Chase family is featured heavily in this series. However, don't read "A Valentine's Chase" until after this book and don't read "A Mother's Pride" until after the rest of the Den Series. I highly recommend this series and the Pride Series to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance books with a ton of heat and danger and emotion. However read them in publication order for the best experience.
I really enjoy this series and the City Shifters:the Pride Series as well. Having read a lot about Kaiser in the Pride Series I was super eager to read this book and I was not disappointed. This is the first time we get to read about a human being changed and that was really interesting. The emotion and depth of characters impressed me as always. I do recommend reading most of the Pride Series before this series as the Chase family is featured heavily in this series. However, don't read "A Valentine's Chase" until after this book and don't read "A Mother's Pride" until after the rest of the Den Series. I highly recommend this series and the Pride Series to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance books with a ton of heat and danger and emotion. However read them in publication order for the best experience.
January 7, 2021
I didn't realize she had three series that were so inter-connected so I wish I had started with the first books and series before moving on as I had read about the mysterious Smith in a previous book which took place after this one. I don't really think the reading order matters all that much but I really enjoy Layla Nash's writing and her stories so in this instance, I wish I had read them all in order for better enjoyment.
With that said, I really enjoyed this book! Loves Kaiser and Josie. Very easy to like couple and characters with great secondary characters who will have their own books.
With that said, I really enjoyed this book! Loves Kaiser and Josie. Very easy to like couple and characters with great secondary characters who will have their own books.
April 12, 2021
I loved this book and Kaiser. The care that he showed for Josie and the kids was just awesome. Josie was totally cool as well and the kids were too. I love the insight that we received into the rest of the bear clan also. The story was intriguing and made me want to research and see how accurate it was. All the new characters and the new animals that get introduced with each book makes it even more exciting. I laughed, cried and cheered through the entire book. And anytime I get more of the Chase Pride is a bonus. Thank you for very interesting reading as always.
November 29, 2021
Pourquoi, mais POURQUOI je me rends toujours compte que c'est pas le premier tome ou que c'est un spin off, alors que je suis déjà à plus de la moitié du bouquin ?!
Déjà que la série de base était pas ouf /20, ici on a une mini amélioration mais c'est toujours pas ça... Bref je ne sais même pas pourquoi j'insiste, surtout que les scènes de sayxe sont du même calibre qu'un épisode de Derrick
Déjà que la série de base était pas ouf /20, ici on a une mini amélioration mais c'est toujours pas ça... Bref je ne sais même pas pourquoi j'insiste, surtout que les scènes de sayxe sont du même calibre qu'un épisode de Derrick
March 1, 2018
Loved Josie and Kaiser's story. What I really enjoy about this City Shifters collection is that though the book link together, each story is quite unique. I recommend this book for all shifter romances fans.
April 21, 2020
I am always craving a good shifter story and Layla Nash delivers! What is funny is the more I got into the story and started recognizing character names such as Benedict and Ruby. Then laughed and realized its because I read the other books and Bearing Burdens was a spinoff! Love it!
October 19, 2021
Read this because of a tiktok comment and the cover definitely gave me pause but I was in the mood for something sweet and mindless... this honestly delivered. A relatively like hearted bear shifter series in an easy to understand world with likable characters
February 15, 2017
Love Kaiser. Unbelievable that you can go from a puddle of blood on the floor to true love.
December 7, 2017
3.5*'s wasn't what i thought it would be but still good.
February 1, 2018
A lot of drama. As soon as one problem was fixed, another one pops up, with no downtime. It was a lot of work for me, as the reader, to get to the happily ever after part.
September 29, 2021
3.5 stars
November 12, 2021
Exactly what I expected and I really liked it.
November 28, 2021
Simple time waster :)
January 25, 2023
I've always liked Kaiser in previous City Shifter stories, so I was happy to see him find his mate!
October 17, 2016
As expected: Best of the best
I've been binging on this new to me author and am not in the least disappointed by this book. Gawd, I loved Kaiser the moment I met him and I love him even more with Josie. Josie is absolutely perfect and the kids, wonderful. Can't wait for Axel's book because that bear surprised me. Xoxo
I've been binging on this new to me author and am not in the least disappointed by this book. Gawd, I loved Kaiser the moment I met him and I love him even more with Josie. Josie is absolutely perfect and the kids, wonderful. Can't wait for Axel's book because that bear surprised me. Xoxo
October 19, 2016
Josie squeezed into the vacant triplex building and raced nervously to the top floor. To repay the debt to her loan shark, she was sent to one of the empty rooms to pick up a bag from a bedroom on the third floor. The trick was to get it and get out before someone sneaked up and murdered her in there! She continued searching in the dark rooms until her foot hit something large and soft on the floor. Fumbling with her phone, she gazed horrified at a body in a pool of blood on the floor. Then the body moved and tried to get up! She decided to stay to keep the man comfortable until he passed away. She didn’t want him to be alone. But something rattled loudly out in the hallway, then she heard voices! She grabbed a bag she saw in the closet and ran.
This is a great book, part of a series that I intend to investigate! The characters are so likeable! And the action and suspense keeps everything moving quickly along. I can confidently recommend that you take a chance on this one – you will definitely not be disappointed! I voluntarily reviewed this book and my comments reflect my honest opinion.
This is a great book, part of a series that I intend to investigate! The characters are so likeable! And the action and suspense keeps everything moving quickly along. I can confidently recommend that you take a chance on this one – you will definitely not be disappointed! I voluntarily reviewed this book and my comments reflect my honest opinion.
October 16, 2016
A really enjoyable read. I have read some of the City Shifters series and had forgotten how good they were
Though this is a different series it ties in very well with City Shifters with lots if interaction between the groups.
A lot of action and carrying on involving the safety of Josephine's nieces and nephew. Josie was one tough cookie and I really liked her. Kaiser was a sweetheart. Loved the nail painting scene with Axel. So funny.
Loved all the lovely bear shifters we get to meet in Kaisers den. Cannot wait for their stories to be told.
I must go back and read what I have and get the rest of the series before the next book comes out in the den series.
I am really annoyed that I have missed these books but will be making sure I am on Ms Nash’s newsletter.
This is my honest review of this book which I was offered by instafreebie.
Though this is a different series it ties in very well with City Shifters with lots if interaction between the groups.
A lot of action and carrying on involving the safety of Josephine's nieces and nephew. Josie was one tough cookie and I really liked her. Kaiser was a sweetheart. Loved the nail painting scene with Axel. So funny.
Loved all the lovely bear shifters we get to meet in Kaisers den. Cannot wait for their stories to be told.
I must go back and read what I have and get the rest of the series before the next book comes out in the den series.
I am really annoyed that I have missed these books but will be making sure I am on Ms Nash’s newsletter.
This is my honest review of this book which I was offered by instafreebie.
October 22, 2016
I really enjoyed the story of a young woman making incredible sacrifices to get custody of her sister's children. Josie has really gotten herself into trouble in order to get money to get them. In addition to working for a loan shark, she does illegal street fights.There are lots of secrets in this town. She doesn't know she is surrounded by shifters.
Kaiser is a bear shifter that after meeting her knows she is his mate. He wants to keep her happy and safe and it involves some tough decisions. I really loved how kind and protective he was of her and the kids. He will do anything for them. The chemistry between them in amazing and they have such a strong connection. I loved their romance. Josie is not the type to sit back and let someone else take care of her. I had great respect for her strength of character.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
Kaiser is a bear shifter that after meeting her knows she is his mate. He wants to keep her happy and safe and it involves some tough decisions. I really loved how kind and protective he was of her and the kids. He will do anything for them. The chemistry between them in amazing and they have such a strong connection. I loved their romance. Josie is not the type to sit back and let someone else take care of her. I had great respect for her strength of character.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
November 3, 2016
This is the first book I have read by Layla Nash but I thoroughly enjoyed it Josie Miller just wanted to pay off her loan shark and to get custody of her dead sisters kids and get on with her life. She is sent into a vacant building to the third floor to pick up a package but on searching in the dark she stumbles across a mostly dead man lying in the middle of the floor at first she tries to help but get scared and runs.
Kaiser is a bear shifter and when he show up later, she is shocked to see him still alive and even though he obviously has secrets to Josie he seems the perfect man.I won't tell you any more of the story as I hate reviewers that ruin the story for other readers especially when it is worth reading.
Kaiser is a bear shifter and when he show up later, she is shocked to see him still alive and even though he obviously has secrets to Josie he seems the perfect man.I won't tell you any more of the story as I hate reviewers that ruin the story for other readers especially when it is worth reading.
January 22, 2016
A great spin-off opener
This is a great standalone series opener. I haven't yet read the series it spun off of, City Shifters: The Pride, but after reading this book, I plan to do that next. I read a lot and am always searching for a book that captures my interest enough that I want to read more by that author. This is one of those books. The characters are solid, the storyline is engaging, there is plenty of suspense and there is an HEA along with several supporting characters to pull from for subsequent books. I'm a happy reader.
This is a great standalone series opener. I haven't yet read the series it spun off of, City Shifters: The Pride, but after reading this book, I plan to do that next. I read a lot and am always searching for a book that captures my interest enough that I want to read more by that author. This is one of those books. The characters are solid, the storyline is engaging, there is plenty of suspense and there is an HEA along with several supporting characters to pull from for subsequent books. I'm a happy reader.
February 21, 2016
Great first read
Bad guys experimenting on children....BOO...
Sexy bears to the rescue... Hooray
Trying to get custody of her nieces and nephew Josie
Gets indebted to a loan shark. While retrieving some illicit
Baggage Josie stumbles across an nearly dead man. Staying with him while he "dies" because no one should die alone Josie comforts Kaiser not noting he's a shifter. Kaiser searches for the woman who kept the darkness from claiming him. When he finally finds her he gets to save her life. But there is something wrong with Josie. And he's going to find out what it is
Bad guys experimenting on children....BOO...
Sexy bears to the rescue... Hooray
Trying to get custody of her nieces and nephew Josie
Gets indebted to a loan shark. While retrieving some illicit
Baggage Josie stumbles across an nearly dead man. Staying with him while he "dies" because no one should die alone Josie comforts Kaiser not noting he's a shifter. Kaiser searches for the woman who kept the darkness from claiming him. When he finally finds her he gets to save her life. But there is something wrong with Josie. And he's going to find out what it is
October 16, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed this book for the author.
Kaiser and Josie meet in an abandoned building when he was dying, she left him there thinking he had died and he goes in search for her and the story behins.
Josie is trying to get custody of her deceased sisters kids and she is between a rock and a hard place until Kaiser enters her life after a fight a loan shark made her do.
Will she get custody of the kids? Will Kaiser convince her she is his mate?
I think Layla did well with this story, made it easy to read yet the different twists made think "I didn't see that coming ."
Kaiser and Josie meet in an abandoned building when he was dying, she left him there thinking he had died and he goes in search for her and the story behins.
Josie is trying to get custody of her deceased sisters kids and she is between a rock and a hard place until Kaiser enters her life after a fight a loan shark made her do.
Will she get custody of the kids? Will Kaiser convince her she is his mate?
I think Layla did well with this story, made it easy to read yet the different twists made think "I didn't see that coming ."
May 19, 2016
Layla Nash has done it again! I actually finished this book just a few days after I started it, but I have to get used to to my new Goodreads app and start leaving a review right away. I'm not good at that! I go from one book straight to the next!
All in all, the entire City Shifters series is outstanding!
All in all, the entire City Shifters series is outstanding!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews