Mating Needs

A.L.F.A. #2

by Milly Taiden

Duty, loyalty, and pure animal attraction collide in this sizzling A.L.F.A. paranormal romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Elemental Mating.

Amerella Capone is the great-grandniece of the infamous Al Capone, and she won't let anyone in the Las Vegas Mafia forget it. But when Amerella unintentionally stumbles upon bad family business that she wants no part of, she becomes a star witness for a high-profile government case. One good deed and now her life is on the line…

Sworn to protect humanity in exchange for autonomy, the Alpha League Federal Agency is called in to keep Amerella safe from the Mafia. But cougar-shifter Agent François "Frank" Dubois has history with his charge, and the secrets between them might do more damage than any gun pointed at his head. Still, he takes her to the one safe place he knows she’ll never be discovered—home

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Demons, Audiobook

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2017

About the author

Milly Taiden (also writes as April Angel) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean (to her) known as the Dominican Republic. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.

When she’s not working full-time, texting with her best friend Heidi in England, chastising her son for pulling the dog’s ears, shopping with her sister Jewel or watching scary movies with her husband, she can be found writing on her laptop.

She’s addicted to shoes, chocolate, Dunkin Donuts coffee and JIMMY THOMAS covers!!!

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is cute but I struggled with developing character connections. There are a few plot holes but the overall fun feel made this an enjoyable read.

I received this ARC copy of Mating Needs from Berkley Publishing Group - Intermix. This is my honest and voluntary review. Mating Needs is set for publication October 17, 2017.

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m on the fence about this. I’ve read a few Taiden books, and most have alot of familiar elements. This is no different. Sassy BBW heroine, standard hero and some drama with alot of sex. What is different (and a definite step up), is the character development in this book, which is probably the best I’ve read from Ms. Taiden. It’s a sign of growth that I appreciate. However, there’s a couple of negatives. The characters are still a bit on the shallow end of the pool, and this is a second chance/secret baby trope romance. I have to say, I still struggled with Amie’s reasons for the secret baby. I will lay this on me though, because I tend to judge secret baby stories a bit more harshly because it’s a trope that I find more frustrating than entertaining. I do like the fact that Ms. Taiden spent some real time and detail in setting up this ‘verse, and I wouldn’t mind revisiting it to get to know some of the other agents of ALFA.

**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**


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[Under the Covers Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read the first book in this series, while it didn't blow me away, I found a lot of potential for this series to be something that I could enjoy.  So I picked up MATING NEEDS quite excited about it.  It started out promising but in the end I was disappointed with what I got from this story.  Maybe it all comes down to expectations.

The first book introduces us to the A.L.F.A. organization and it's very much a military shifter theme.  There was danger and adventure.  While this second book started out promising danger and adventure, it quickly changed to a simple, sweet, small town, shifter romance.  The majority of this book didn't deliver the military feel I was expecting, the action and adventure mixed in with sexy romance was missing.  That's what I mean about expectations.  Had I gone in expecting a sweet, small town, shifter romance I might've enjoyed it more.  It just didn't fit with this series for me, even though the hero is part of the organization and yes, he is on assignment protecting the heroine during this whole book.  The action only seems to really happen at the beginning and end of the story.  That's where it missed the mark for me.

Ok all that being said... I think this book reminded me of Vivian Arend's Granite Lake Wolves series.  There's a nice small town vibe to it, with the whole community getting involved in the story and getting to know the heroine.  Certainly they were all very likeable characters and welcome Amie into their fold, even allowing her to put her own stamp on the community.  It's also a second chance romance.  Frank and Amie were together in college and he knew she was his mate but never told her the truth about what he was.  She left him without a real explanation one day and has been gone for years.  Now she's hiding more than a few secrets and he's assigned to protect her by taking her to his hometown.

The romance and chemistry was good, there wasn't a whole lot of tension between the two of them because their old pull was there.  I wasn't completely sold on the why things didn't work out before and why Amie hasn't looked for him to tell him the truth.  And that certain reunion at the end felt a bit anti-climactic for me.  Still, this was a quick and enjoyable read and I think if you have an idea what you're getting into it's even more enjoyable.  I happen to love these kinds of stories!  I'm still curious to see what happens with the next book in this series and I'll be picking it up for sure.

*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Francesca❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤

[Tracie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cougar Shifter crosses paths with his Mafia Princess and a second chance at love, Mating Need is a great romantic suspense. This the second book in the A.L.F.A. series and it didn’t disappoint. I loved Frank and Amie their interaction was engaging and the well written storyline made for a superb weekend read. I will recommend this to readers

[2OCC Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author. She doesn’t let me down when I’m in need to an awesome love story that has a sassy, make no apologies type heroine. If y’all haven’t read her books you need to. The PDA series is one of my top paranormal series and I hope it never ends, and while this is part of a new series, I have to say I love it just as much.

Amerella was spunky and charismatic. She had such a huge heart when we get into the met of the story that you can’t help but be inspired by her. Frank was alllll man! Totally yummy and understanding. I couldn’t help it root for them from the start. Their attraction for each other and the fact that they are faded mates was easy to see and accept even through everything else that was going on.

The author has a real talent for pulling me in and keeping me intrigued from start to finish. There is action, heat, humor, and an awesome corky small-town that you can’t help but love. This book had a significant impact on my emotions while I was reading it.


The main thing I wish had been different and hard to rate was the lack of shifting. This is a shifter book with action and while it was an important aspect of the story, I felt that it was pushed back behind everything else. So because of that I can only give it 4 stars. even with that, I can’t wait to see what’s going to come next in the series. #2OCCJD

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!! Yes, I got a review copy of this book, but no one tells me what to think, feel, or write about any book! I own this book and book 1!

The cover is my favorite kind! It has both beautiful beasts on the cover.

This story is about Frank, who is the agent, and Amie, who is his mate. I’m torn because the blurb really doesn’t give you anything, but I don’t want to ruin the adventure for you. They met in college, and they fell in love. Her family is connected to the mafia. She tries to play the game to keep herself and her family safe. When she witnesses a crime, she needs protection. This story is action packed and very humorous at times. I really loved the story! I admire Amie, and she goes out of her way to help anyone and everyone.

I love Milly’s writing style. I was engaged in the story and didn’t want to put it down. She has action, drama, treachery, family, friends, romance, and an awesome HEA ending!

I highly recommend to all shifter fans who want a world filled with shifters, unknowing humans, witches, demons, and all around bad guys with a sense of humor that had me laughing! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

[Tanya Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Mating Needs is book two in the A.L.F.A. series featuring Frank, a cougar trying to take a vacation in his hometown with his mom. He gets called into service when a mafia princess agrees to testify against her family and needs protection. Frank gets a shocking surprise when he gets to Vegas to find out Amerella Capone is actually his mate, Amie who left him four years before.

For Amerella's protection, he whisks her off to his hometown and his mom's house. Figuring an old dying shifter town would be the last place the mafia would look for her. Despite Amie's awareness of shifters, she charms the members of the town with fun make overs and her input on design and improvements the townspeople can make with their businesses. She's a big hit. Unfortunately, her popularity pretty much kills any anonymity she may have had in this small town.

Amie is such a great character. Milly Taiden once again does not create her character with the usual Barbie doll qualities and Amie's confidence in herself, despite what others would consider a drawback, appeals to the town. She becomes sort of an idol and everyone is vying for her help. She is so gracious about it and just willing to jump in and be her old self. This was the girl Frank fell in love with and he's not going to let her get away so easy this time.

Amie's time in the town brings in a lot of fun. I got a good laugh at a lot of her antics in helping people in the town. Her assistance goes beyond the basic advice on decorating. Her ideas end up with some embarrassing times for Frank.

Once Amie returns to Vegas, the action gets heavy. Her family has some interesting plans for her. We are again treated with a visit with some demons and I was surprised by the end result of their playing with the demon realm.

Mating Needs was a quick, fun read with great reunion romance and a tale of a town coming together. The connection Amie has with the town is so much stronger than what she gets from her own family, she gets blown away. I enjoyed Mating Needs and am excited to meet more members of A.L.F.A.This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict

[Gwendolyn Thaggard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amerella Capone is on the run from her mafia family.
Did you catch the last name?
As in Capone.
As in, you know who?
Back to the story, Amie is on the run after witnessing an attempted bank robbery/murder.
Amie was so distraught after the shooting and agreed to testify.
But she didn't realize the implications of that decision until her family turned against her.
She is now in protective custody, her bodyguard is the love of her life, blast from the past, and her baby daddy Frank.
She and Frank met in college.
Fell head over heels for each other.
Frank even proposed.
But Amie ran and has been keeping their son a secret all these years.
Frank is shocked to find out Amie is his charge after not seeing her in so long.
But, his inner cougar is excited that his mate is back in his life.
Frank will protect Amie at all costs, while trying to rekindle what was lost when Amie walked out on him.
Easier said than done in thus case.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book and was not compensated in any way.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in one sitting it was so good! Amie Capone is family to the mafia that she wants nothing to do with. She has tried to stay out of their way and live her life especially since she has a toddler son to take care of. Her son can do amazing things and she hopes he will grow out of if because how is changing your hand to have cat claws normal? When she witnesses a bank robbery that results in the death of a friends son, she decides to seek justice for him and testify, even though the head robber was her cousin. Her life is now in danger after she agrees to testify and the police bring in someone to protect her. Frank is a cougar shifter and a member of the ALFA team, he gets assigned to protect a mafia princess and can’t believe fate has brought his mate to him for the second time. She left him with no word four years before and now nothing will take her from him, not the mafia or the fact that she doesn’t know about shifters and he doesn’t know he is a father. The shifter town and all its inhabitants were a character all on its own, they each brought something to the story that did nothing but enhance it and make it feel more real. The humor, as always, was fantastic and the sausage scene was probably my favorite lol. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!!!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amerella Capone is the the great-grandniece of Al Capone, she however has no interest in being part of the Las Vegas Mafia and when her nephew gets involved she has had enough. Mother to a darling little boy, Amerella ends up in protective custody trying to put her Uncle away. However she never expects to see her lost love, Agent Francois "Frank" Dubois again.

Frank thinks Amerella rejected him, she is his mate and now has to protect her. He doesn't know about their child either. Frank has to protect his sassy mate who has a knack for trouble while thwarting the danger that is threatening her.

Very fun idea. I liked the background to Amerella and thought the story was full of humor. Unexpected shifter story that was a treat to read.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story number two in the A.L.F.A. Mates series is awesome ...Mob princess Amie finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time and finds out her family is worse than she thought.. Frank works for a secret government agency that use shifters and never expects that the person he has been called to protect is his mate the love of his life who left him 4 years before and never looked back.. The sparks and drama fly and Amie and her life will never be the same...
Can't wait to see what comes next....

[The Romance Book Disciple (Samantha) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amie is a wonderful heroine! This is a second chance romance with small town charm. The danger lurks ever present as Amie's family wants her dead for planning to testify against them. Amie is charming and delightful. I liked Frank as well. Their previous break up seemed ill defined and I wanted to understand it better. But, overall, this was a fun, fairly short read that I really enjoyed!

[Tena Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed so much in this book

This was one of her funniest story. But there were some action in there to. But I just love the high heel scene. I'm telling you that you need to read this book it was so good.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like this one

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ameralla is a Mafia princess with a heart and a conscious, trying to separate herself from the infamy surrounding the Capone family. Yes, THAT Capone! She found love once with her college sweetheart and she has their amazing toddler. But she ends up in the middle of a bank robbery undertaken by her family and she decides to testify against them.

But when the bodyguard she is paired with turns out to be Francois, said college sweetie, she has more to reveal to him than just her read identity, he is also a father!

Francois was left bereft when his mate left him after college. He enrolled in the ALFA programme right after and has been on the go from one assignment to the next ever since. When he and Amie are once again paired together, he can't believe Fate has brought her to him once again. But now he has to fend off the Mafia, magic wielders, demons, oh and tell her he is a Cougar Shifter!
on him.

Great read. I loved Ameralla and "French Fry" is totally an old soul in a wee body! Francois and his little town of shifters, well I wanna move there! They are a hoot and so close knit. I loves all the types of shifters and I can't believe I missed book 1. The wishlist has grown again!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mating Needs is a wildly sizzling and beautifully heart-melting journey of unrelenting danger and a stunning second chance at love that any serious romance fan MUST read. My favorite genre has always been romantic suspense, and this book fit that genre like a hand in a silk glove. I fell in love with every aspect of this story, and I so hated to see it end. Encompassing a wonderful romantic suspense storyline within a breathtaking world of the paranormal is the ultimate icing on the cake for me. This book has everything I love – soul-deep romance, ever-increasing danger, and a high-powered paranormal world. It was truly perfection!

The characters in this book will effortlessly seep into your heart and begin a beautiful transformation of your thinking that will literally take your breath away. I loved getting to know each and every one of them, and I so can’t wait to delve back into this fascinating world whenever possible. There is such power in a strong, original, and heart filled story like this one. It will creep into your very soul and make a home for itself where it will live within you long after you have savored every word of this marIvelous story. I loved how this story continued the same themes and threads of the first book in this incredible series. I still can’t get over how amazing and wonderful the characters and the storyline is!

Milly Taiden is one of my all-time favorite paranormal romance writers, and this book is one of those shining examples. She proves time and time again why she tops my author list without fail. Her heart is truly breathtaking, and her brilliant gift of writing blesses me over and over again. I will never get tired of reading her books, and I hope that she continues to write for a very long time to come.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank knows when hes outnumbered and jusy do what he's told, "...yeah , I don’t think so.” He wasn’t sure what she had in mind, but he didn’t think he’d like it. By the scent in the air, his mate didn’t like that answer. Several of the nearby ladies took deep breaths and turned to look at him, eyes narrowed. Oh, eff. Maybe he should reconsider. ****. Fine. He shed his footwear quickly." I really liked this book, it was a fun read.

[Alisa Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I was drawn in from the very beginning.
This book started out action packed for sure.
Amie was no weak damsel in distress!
I'm so glad she found herself in Frank's town, and was able to help them even in little ways.
A great story

*I received my copy from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review

[Barb Lie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mating Needs by Milly Taiden is the second book in her A.L.F.A series. When I read the first book in this series (Elemental Mating), I had mixed feelings and was not sure I would continue reading this, but since I did like the shifter theme, I decided I would give the next book a chance. I am glad I did. I really enjoyed Mating Needs. This book also had a lot of humor, but it was very well done, and seriously fun, exciting and endearing throughout the book.

Ameralla Capone, our heroine, is a Mafia princess, who is totally different than most princesses. When we meet Amie, she is doing personal business in her bank, when a robbery occurs. Amie recognizes two of her cousins behind the robbery attempt, with one getting killed. Amie is beside herself to watch her good cousin die, and despite the danger, tells the detective she will testify what she saw against her bad cousin.

Frank Dubois, our hero, is a member of the A.L.F. A. ( Alpha League Federal Agent), who is assigned to be the bodyguard for Amie. But when they meet, there is a big surprise….Frank and Amie were lovers back in their college days, when she up and left him. Frank has never forgotten Amie, who is the love of his life and as it turns out..his Mate. Frank is a cougar shifter, which helps him be one of the best agents A.L.F.A. needs.

Amie is in trouble, as her Mafia uncle will do anything to find her. Unbeknownst to most people, Amie has a young son, whom she worries about because he has some strange quirks, like claws coming out on his hands. Amie thinks the boy is seriously ill, and tries to teach him to not show anyone.

What follows is Amie and Frank spending all their spare time together, as this second chance romance builds very quickly. The lust for each other is sizzling hot, something neither can resist. This is definitely a sexy romance, with lots of sexual scenes. But the best part of this story, is the fun when Frank takes Amie to live in his mom’s house in home town (all shifters) to protect her. I loved this part, as it was a blast, especially since Amie did not know about shifters. The townspeople were great, as Amie shows the women how to dress, or change their business to look nicer and how to treat their men. I got such a kick out of the comments made early on that almost gave away the secret….send the cat; she has many bunnies; he’s a wolf, etc. When Amie finds the truth, she did accept it really well, and laughed at those hints.

Mating Needs turned out to be an exciting suspense story line, but the fun humor elevated this to a different level that made this book such a enjoyable read. You can read this very well as a standalone. Milly Taiden won me over in this book.

Barb
The Reading Cafe

[Romance Between The Sheets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mating Needs is about a woman who had to make a tough decision to save the lives of the people she loves. And she is still making sacrifices in order to do the right thing.

Amie is a witness to bank robbery gone wrong by members of her mafia family. She must make the decision to go against her family and do what is right or say nothing. She decides to do what is right but that means that she will need protection. Frank, an old boyfriend that Amie left a text to say goodbye to, is now her protector. Both of them still have feelings for each other as long as they can survive her family.

I thought this book was so much fun. Amie has a great heart and really makes the town that Frank takes her to open up. She has so much to give the world and she doesn’t hold back once she is let loose. Frank has a lot to figure out. He still loves Amie but he doesn’t know why she left him.

The town is full of characters that really complete this book. I love Frank’s mom, she loves her son and the person she believes is his mate. I also fell for all the other shop owns and the meat guy. They all added so much to this story.

I also love the way the Milly Taiden added an extra problem for Frank by making him try to keep the fact that this town is made up of shifters a secret. Amie has no idea that shifters even exist and that just adds to the fun.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mating Needs is kind of a cross between a Jennifer Crusie style rom com and a shape shifter thriller. My only request for readers is that you read this for exactly what it is: a cute little story. There are several plot holes and unrealistic scenarios in this book. But that is to be expected in a rom com.

I was also not a fan of the heroine, but I tried to keep an open mind. I'm sure there are some people who like the damsel who is trying ever so hard to not be a damsel. But she had her big strong man to protect her, so all went as it should! I mostly just grew weary of her frequent diatribes about shopping and being annoyed that she had to live the rich life. Her kid was cute though, so that element added a star.

In any case, I gave this book a generous three because I can see it having appeal to some readers. If you want a fluffy read that has a shape shifter element, give this a shot.

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite so far, Amie ( Amerella) is related to al Capone but even if her "family" is still part of the mafia her role is more exibition , public relations than anything else. Since teh death of her parents she is under the "protection" of her uncle who dictate her life.
However when she is a witness to something she can't accept she goes against her family.....not expecting such violence.

The government want to put her uncle in prison but they need theit star witness so Amerella is under federal protection and special agent Frank Dubois is called back from his vacation to help not knowing that Amerella is in find his lost mate Amie who disappeared years ago without explanation.

Tension, humour, romance it's just perfect and i absolutely loved to see so many different shifters from the lion to the rabbits and how Amie interact with them.

Really an excellent story and i will be happy to continue the series

[Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Premier point à noter et pas des moindres : j'ail lu un Tome 2! Il faut bien se dire que c'est assez inédit mais J'ai mis dans mes résolution que je continuerais un peu plus de saga (j'ai pas dit que j'en commencerais moins par contre car c'est vraiment fabuleux, selon moi, de découvrir de nouveaux univers).
Mais que dire de ce tome 2? Je le dis et je le pense, il n'est pas merveilleux mais après avoir lu le premier tome je me suis dit que je garderais la suite quand j'aurais envie de lire une romance fantastique qui se lit assez vite (être 2 pavés c'est assez pratique je trouve ^^') et qui soit assez léger.
Il répondait à tous ces critères comme le premier et surement que je lirai le 3 une autres fois ou j'aurais besoin de me vider la tête et / ou d'une lecture simple qui permet de s'évader de notre monde.

[Joy Ki`Ili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mafioso

Amie has lived with the infamy of her ancestry her whole life and does everything to escape it. There is something heartwarming about this heroine, at first she seems to be a stuck up socialite, until her nephew is gunned down saving her life. From there she's thrust into a strange town and her interactions with the townsfolk is precious, nothing like the princess she was earlier. With her life on the line her mate will stop at nothing to protect her.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever issues the author had in the first book were cleared up by the time she wrote this one. This is a fabulous read. Amerella Capone is feisty and sweet. Her son is adorable. All she needs is to let her mate cougar-shifter Agent François Dubois back into her heart. In this book it may very well take a village to get these two back together again.

[Selina Durio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic kid

Francis makes this story! While Amie and Frank are the pivotal characters in this wonderful read, Francis makes this read great. Ms. Taiden’s written dialogue for this three year old child was excellent. She captured the accurate word usage, curiosity and intelligence in this child that added such joy to this story.

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad I forced myself to keep reading further than the first few chapters. The main female character personality was so annoying. I was afraid that alone would ruin the whole book. After the first few chapters tho I enjoyed the read. Takes a great author to create a character personality so annoying, it makes the reader want to stop reading lol

[Tina Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny and cute story, but I struggled a little with the characters. They all sounded a little too similar and I didn't quite connect to the way they behaved. I still want to try the other books in the series to see if it was just Amie and Frank that didn't quite resonate.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I fell in love with Frank and Amie's little boy Francis, he was so adorable. Really enjoyed this book, the plot was interesting and the people of the small town were amazing.

[lisa jung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie

The mafia has nothing on Annie and her cougar mate and a town of shifters willing to save her. Another short and fun book in this new shifter series