Girl meets boy = classic love story. Girl meets bear... Wait, what?
Small town girl Kacie has always known there was something odd about Lizards Lick, but she doesn't expect that oddity to almost claim her life or land her in the arms of her long-term crush; hot veteran Dean. Okay, he's nuts but she can't argue with that, not with a body like his or when he's whispering things like 'fated' and 'destiny'. Even if he does claim to be a werebear...
She's his mate, but she's human. He's so screwed...
Leader of the Lizard Lick bear clan, Dean is between a rock and a hard place. His fated mate is human but he daren't claim her. The elitist asshats in the clan would have kittens. But when an attack brings her over into the bear world, he's out of time and out of options. Even worse, the town has an rogue bear problem and internal clan politics that put Kacie in the crossfire.
Forced to fight battles on all fronts, Dean must bear up or risk losing her forever...
Mina Carter is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of romance in many genres. She lives in the UK with her husband, daughter, a puppy who pays no attention to her whatsoever, and a bossy cat.
I liked it. It's fairly straightforward, and it works better if you've read the Lizard Lick first book by Mina Carter, Creed's Claim. I've read several of the Kindle Worlds novellas based in the Grayslake 'verse and the Mina Carter's series has been one of the highlights. I think the writing is pretty good, the romance is sweet and it has its own overarching storyline which intrigues me. I'd recommend it.
Dean and Kacie have lived in the same town their whole lives and Dean has known since he was much younger that Kacie was his fated mate. But he's the Itan of the clan and she's just a human...and prejudice in his clan is strong. So he makes the decision to stay away from her. That is, until rogues in his clan attack Kacie and force Kacie into the realization that shifters exist...and Dean is one of them. It's at that point, once he's nearly lost the woman he loves, that he decides he'll claim her.
Suspenseful in that there's a lot of bear fighting and what not. Dean is set on tracking down the people who attacked Kacie and her friends and who also killed a young human girl and kidnapped 2 shifter cubs. I admit, I saw the whole thing coming a mile away and I had a bit of trouble believing that Dean in his alpha leaderness didn't also spot it. I also wanted to know why they targeted Kacie in the first place, before anyone knew that she was Dean's mate. Nor do we ever learn the identity of these people and I think this could have been stronger if that had been clearer. As it was, the villains were just nameless, faceless bears.
As for the romance, this has a bit of angst at the beginning as the two of them are separate and yearning for one another. Dean loves Kacie from a distance (but certainly hasn't been celibate). Kacie is seriously crushing on Dean but thinks he doesn't notice her at all...and this actually causes Kacie a bit of pain once she realizes that Dean is the reason they'd been apart all this time. Kacie sort of understands, but is still hurt by it. But this is never addressed or resolved between them, so it felt like a loose end a bit. Other than that, this is pretty fluffy for the romance part. Once Dean accepts that he can't lose Kacie, they're very much in love and having no tension whatsoever. They had some great sexy times and the chemistry between them was great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I had the strong feeling I had read this book before, but I think it is the overtones from Creeds Claim. A very good enjoyable story with lots of action, suspense and adventure. It was about time that Dean stepped up but I wonder what would have happened if Kacie had not been hurt, would he have kept dithering. A fated mate is a blessing but the bears in the Lizard Lick Clan all seem to be a bit slow or stupid when it comes to their mates. If human women are fated mates then the laws need to be changed and updated. Just because someone finds out about bear shifters does not mean they should be killed, they could be someone else’s fated mate. Wish someone would take the sheriff Anderson out, permanently. Loved that Kacie stepped right into her role as Itana without being mated. I always enjoy Ms Carters, books.
I really love shifters. The ones in this book was a little different because they didn’t shift when every they wanted, but it was still enjoyable. I liked Kacie but she confused me at times. Dean was super sweet but lead his clan with a firm hand. The small mystery aspect was enjoyable. This is part of a kindle World, so I’m not sure if the other books will have these characters in them, but I’d be willing to read to find out. 3 Stars because while I enjoyed the story, I felt that there was too much missing maybe because it is so short I couldn’t exactly connect, or I’m not sure. 2OCCJD
Our hero is Itan, and with that is the responsibilities of the clan. Our heroine is human, feisty and in love with our hero since childhood. A pack of rogues attacks the town and threatens everyone. Strength under fire brings our two together in more ways than one.
Another great book the second story set in the town of Lizard Lick 👅 by Ms Carter I can only hope that she will write a book about Lizzy and also one for Morgan and Bennett I realize this was part of the Grayslake series but I can hope
I liked this well written book. The storyline is well paced and very engaging. The characters are very likeable and I found myself caught up in the couples getting to their HEA! Highly recommend this book. I also was motivated to purchase more of her work.
This is a short but not without story. Even though a quick read, you don’t feel like your missing anything. It’s well round and good for a afternoon read.
This novella is loaded with goodies! The fight scenes were satisfying (I love when the bad guys lose!) and I loved the zippy humor (what's a girl supposed to do when she realizes her love interest turns into a bear?). The latest entry to Grayslake is the perfect gem of sizzle, comedy, and action-perfect for a quick read!
Dean Sterling is a werebear alpha, the Itan of his clan. He has got a small problem. His fated mate is a pint size human woman he has grown up knowing. Her name is Kacie and she doesn’t know about them. The rule us if a human finds out you mate them or kill them. What if she didn’t want him after he told her? After he finds out Kacie and two of her friends (one of the other girls being one if his enforcers the other human) are attacked and Kacie hurt badly the clan's master warlock (Morgan Jones) uses dean's bear to heal her. He now knows he has to tell her. The danger is not over, seems others outside of his clan want her dead and Dean is not going to let that happen. OMG! I loved it. Lots of action and drama. The characters are wonderful and easy to connect to. Really a super fun read. Shifter fans you will not be disappointed in this wonderfully write story. Book given for an honest review and I honestly loved it.
What is an Alpha werebear to do when his mate is a human and unaware of his kind? Hide his head in the sand and hope the answer finally comes to him before he goes completely insane. Yet fate has a way of changing plans. When Kacie is attacked and almost killed by rogues in Lizard Lick territory, Dean is damned if he will wait any longer to claim him beautiful and sexy mate. Rage and vengeance are unleashed and this Itan is about to show what happens when someone threatens not only his clan, but his fated mate.
I liked this story. Kacie’s character is so totally unpredictable in her thinking and her decisions that you don’t know what way she is going to think or what she's going to say. The interactions between the characters was at times playfully fun and it times extremely vicious. The story is a wonderful addition to the More Than Mated Kindle World series. Mina Carter has created another great story with danger, love, sexy scene’s that are enough to scorch. I definitely hope we'll hear more about the secondary characters that are a part of this world.
This was first published on my blog " Lecture Toute une Aventure"
I 've read the first book in the Grayslake series and i loved it and wanted more so when i discovered that other authors were writing in that universe it was more than tempting ...having the opportunity to read " Bear Up" was fantastic it just left me wanting for even more ( Creed 's story for example) it's an universe i love and Mina Carter writing and how she got the universe is wonderful!
Dean is an alpha, protecting ins embedded into his soul so when he knows that revealing himself to his human mate could lead her to be killed ( if she refuses him) he doesn't want to take the chance so for years he has been watching her from afar. I love how protective and kind but also strong and with a sense of Humour Dean is. We can see from his friendship with Morgan how loyal he is and i would definitively love to read more about him. Kacie is a strong , independent woman and she knows what she wants. She is true to her friends ( like Lilly) and loyal . i loved how she wasn't the damsel in distress but took her stand. She is really perfect for Dean on whom she has been fantasying for years.
The story is fast as it's a novella but fit perfectly in the universe, it works great as a stand alone so even if you haven't read a thing about Grayslake you could start with this one as you immediately are up to date with the rules and the world in itself. It's also very steamy and some part are with a lot, LOT of violence but all together all fit wonderfully and i enjoyed it immensely. In fact it's only when i thought about what i was going to write that i realised that it wasn't a 5stars because something was missing but it's so near that a 4.5 wasn't right.... when reading i was swept by the story but yes later i was wondering....why the rogue have been targeting Kacie, somehow it sound strange and that could mean a bigger vilain is somewhere planning something so i do want more but really even like that it's close to perfect especially if you are not looking at all details like i am.
The only regret i can have is that kindle worlds are not available outside the USA, it can be gifted from the states yes but that aside a lot of readers are missing good story without any good reason. ( thankfully author are attentive to us so perhaps it will change)
So if you are in the USA, love bear shifters, this one i recommend!
Short story of love that has taken a while, years, to find each other. Watching each other over the years but never approaching one another. How to tell her he's a bear? Will she except that?
I enjoyed their coming together. Some answers are missing but I'm thinking they'll get answered in another book. Right?? Guess I'll have to get one & find out. LOL
Grayslake: More than Mated Bear Up Kindle Worlds Novella by Mina Carter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ OMG! This book is so amazing on so many levels and Mina Carter is a author I am a avid book lover who loves to read and I am a Lifetime Fan and I can't wait to read the next book in the series and any other books she has out. Mina Carter came highly recommended to me by another friend. Thank you so much for recommending Mina Carter and I am a new stalker fan of hers. I highly suggest you read this book it will captivate you from page one to the very end and it leaves you wanting to read more and more. The characters were really well written and they came to life in a three dimensional aspect. You can't wait until they have their HEA, because the characters were so amazing. What started as a school girl crush developed into so much more in the end. They are hooked on each other. This is not your typical girl meets dream man it is so much more. Both of the main characters do so much growing together and they salidify their relationship in so many ways. The characters of Kacie and Dean made this story highly readable. The storyline is tightly woven and moved steadily. There was sexy action, emotional draws and some butt kicking scenes. I read this in one sitting. I definitely recommend this Mina Carter books especially if you like strong sexy shifters and a well developed storyline!
The storyline is fairly fast paced, draws you in and both it and the main characters are rather lovable. I grew to really like the 'good guys' and would love to learn more about all of them and hope to see them find their fated mates too. If you want a good read I'd highly recommend any of Mina Carter stories. If you love reading shifter romance I'm pretty sure you won't regret it. This is a great book to add to your TBR list. I'm so excited about reading the next book in this series. I received an ARC for my honest opinion in the form of a review as I love communicating with other readers. Again I highly recommend this book.
If you believe in the world of paranormal romance, the possibilities are endless and fascinating!
Title: Bear Up Series: Grayslake: More than Mated Destination: Book Author: Mina Carter Reviewer: Ingrid Stephanie Jordan Genre: #PRN#BearShifters#Warlock My Score: #5Stars☆☆☆☆☆
○°○°○°○°○°○°○°○°○°○°○°○°○ Can this lady write or what, I am never disappointed with any of Ms. Mina's books. Now this one has Adventure, Forbidden Love, Lust, Kidnapping, Fights, Magic and much more. Yes, I definitely recommend this book. Kacie Leroy is a pint-sized firecracker who lived in the small town of Lizard Lick, plus she was human but wasn't everybody. Her best friends and her always went to a dance club probably once or twice a month the girls all had a blast until one night as they're walking they are attacked. The last thing Kacie remembers is the men had claws no wait knives and she was in so much pain and the blood and then nothing. Dean Sterling is an Alpha Bear Shifter also the Itan which is the leader of the Lizard Lick Bear Clan. Dean had many responsibilities as all Itans do, he also had his trouble makers in his clan some were called the Elitist yep they a really big pain. The worst of all his problems, which he has dreams day and night, was his fated mate who he has know since he thought girls were pretty. Problem was she didn't know he was a bear, it was forbidden to share with her and if she didn't except him she'd die. I was gifted this book for an honest and truthful review.
An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
Grayslake: More than Mated: Bear Up by Mina Carter is a novella that hits that reading spot and leaves you more than satisfied. Caught up in the midst of rogue bear drama, Kacie gets a fast and furious introduction to her long standing crush’s world. Alpha and werebear, Dean is the Itan and oh hellooooo, he’s hella yummy. Kacie is a quick learner upon finding out her small town life is quite a bit different from what she had ever thought. Fated mate to Dean with a mate or die sentence thrust upon her shoulders...how does she react to it all? Pick up your copy and find out for yourselves. Filled with action and suspense, there are a fair amount of twists and turns in this sizzling hot paranormal romance novella. You are sucked right into the story from the very first page. My only issue were the number of editing errors I found in this short lil read; most you breeze on by as you read and it makes lil to no difference, however there were a few that had me backtracking to figure out exactly what the author’s intention had been with the mucked up sentences. Those errors are frustrating to a reader, no matter how awesome the writing and story; for that, this read gets a 4* instead of a 5*.
I really enjoyed this addition to the Grayslake Kindle Worlds by Mina Carter. Kacie doesn't realize why the people in town are different but she does realize that something is afoot. And Dean is the Itan and fate has handed him a human mate. Which normally would not be a problem but for one thing....she can't know bear shifters exist. But when the shifter world touches Kacie, she is brought into the world whether she wants it or not...nw can she survive knowing? I enjoyed Dean. He was an honorable male and determined to do right by his bears and his mate. So when both are endangered I loved seeing the strong leader he is. And Ms. Carter gave him a strong female in Kacie. She may be used to practicality but when the obvious is in her face she deals. And when danger hits close to home she is just as bloodthirsty as the male fated to be her. This is a quick read. The story line is strong and the characters are fully developed. I enjoyed seeing just how Ms. Carter would allow these strong characters to find their happily ever after.
Dean is the Itan or leader of the bears in Lizard Lick. He knows who his mate is but he is reluctant to act. Kacie is a human with no idea bear shifters exist. He would have to tell his secret and if she freaks out he would have to see her mated or he would have to kill her. Besides that some members of his clan are prejudiced against humans. Dean has decided it is best to just stay away. Kacie has had strong feelings for Dean for a long time but she thinks he doesn't return them because he shows no interest. One night on a girls night out, she and her friends are attacked by rogue shifters. Kacie is seriously wounded but Dean sends for a healer. Now Kacie knows about bear shifters so Dean is free to make his move. I loved the hero and heroine in this book!! Kacie is thrown in the deep end when she learns about shifters but she handles it very well. Dean is a strong protective guy who puts his mate first I was happy to see them get together. This story also shows a different storyline to events that happened in Creed's Claim. I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book."
Dean the alpha has known for years who is fated mate is...Kacie a human. Unfortunately Bears have rules when it comes to humans knowing about shifters. Which really messes with poor Dean, as he doesn't think he can have her. He doesn't want to risk rejection or her death. Having to live with the fact you know who your mate is but can't do anything? Harsh!!!! BUT it seems fate is giving a helping hand, in a violent way. Kacie a human has always had a crush on Dean, but he doesn't know she exist. Well that's what she thinks. When her and her friends are attacked she is pulled into the Bears world and realise this about this town make sense now. And she gets to be with Dean. How Kacie handles who her friends really are is amazing, like she is meant to be exactly where she is. And truthfully some of what she comes out with is funny. These two have meant to be together. It takes a threat to them to admit how they feel. How Dean feels about having to keep his distance at first is heart breaking to watch. But YESSSSS at last he gets her in his life.
Received free copy in exchange for an honest review.
So excited to read this. This is her 2nd book in the Kindle Worlds. She doesn't do stuff like this often but I love when she does. This is about Dean and Kacey which we read about in her first book about Creed and Kait. Dean and Kacey grew up around each other. He's always known she's his but she's human and we know the rules. If they find out about their people they either die or mate. So, he's always been reluctant to tell her plus he never wanted to scare her. She gets badly attacked and almost dies. So, he tells her. She takes it really well and kinda knew that it was something like this. I mean nobody grows up in a town with shifters without really figuring stuff out at some point. At least thats her point of view. :) I really liked her character. She might be human but she doesnt take any crap either. She can be down right vicious! She can kick some serious butt. I do hope we get more about Lizard's Lick. I really like that she-bear Lilly....she needs a mate too! Morgan...loved him.
Another fabulous story from the talented Mina Carter. She has a gift for writing strong, sassy female leads and glorious alpha men who fall in love with them. It’s so nice when authors expand on characters introduced in previous stories, it’s like revisiting old friends. Usually the story will pick up months or even years after the original book, so I really enjoyed the overlap of events with Creed’s Claim. Not that you need to read Creed’s Claim first, but hey, it was a great excuse to re-read an old favourite before settling in to find out what was happening with the bears in Lizard Lick. Isn’t that a great name for a town? It reminds me of Doo Town in Tasmania, Australia. Yes it’s real, but sadly no bear shifters.
Thoroughly appreciated the longer novella length and the richer action packed story that followed.
Exciting, sexy, steamy, sweet and positively sizzling. Blissful sigh…
I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. This was a nice addition to the Grayslake world. Dean is the Itan of the Lizard Lick Clan. As a bear shifter he has to make sure to keep the presence of shifters hidden from the humans. Unless they meet their fated mate, they are forbidden from telling a human. If a human finds out and isn't mated, they must die. Dean knows that Kacie is his fated mate. She is also the best friend of his top female alpha enforcer, Lilly Braun. When the world turns upside down and Dean's mate is put in mortal danger, he must break the rules to save her. Kacie has always been attracted to Dean but since he never gave her the time of day, she thought he wasn't attracted to her.
This is a quick action packed love story. The forbidden battles with the wants of the heart. This is a stand alone novella that has a happily ever after. Good writing and great storyline.