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A bear shifter promises to protect what’s his.
Bear shifter Ash Swanson is at the top of his game. Thanks to the wildly successful gaming company he founded, he's well on his way to becoming a multi-millionaire. In his free time, Ash serves as a volunteer firefighter for the tightly knit community of Bearpaw Ridge. Powerful and fearless, Ash’s daring rescues have saved dozens of people. As the town hero, he leads an almost-perfect life.
Only two things are missing.
He’s never actually shifted. Ever.
Worse, after meeting his fated mate and beginning to plan a life with her, she disappears. When she returns just as suddenly as she left, he discovers she's pregnant with his baby and on the run from her brutal clan. Ash vows to overcome any threat to protect her and their child.
All he needs is to learn how to shift into his bear…
Fated mates forced to part.
Beautiful, curvy Nika Medved fell in love with Ash Swanson at their first ShiftMatch-arranged date. He was everything she dreamed of—handsome, confident, kind. Most importantly, he was her fated mate. She didn’t care that he had never shifted.
Nika's fairy-tale romance turns into a nightmare when her parents, ruthless Russian bears, discover that Ash can't shift. Her mother, the clan matriarch, forbids her daughter to wed a defective shifter or pollute the family’s ancient grizzly bloodline. She vows to send her strongest enforcer to kill Ash and to force Nika to return to the clan.
When Nika finds she’s pregnant with Ash's child, she quits medical school and goes into hiding. Cut off from her family's money and with nowhere to turn, she returns to Bearpaw Ridge to face Ash.
Pregnant, alone, and in terrible danger, Nika bets her baby’s survival on the only man she can trust…
Bear shifter Ash Swanson is at the top of his game. Thanks to the wildly successful gaming company he founded, he's well on his way to becoming a multi-millionaire. In his free time, Ash serves as a volunteer firefighter for the tightly knit community of Bearpaw Ridge. Powerful and fearless, Ash’s daring rescues have saved dozens of people. As the town hero, he leads an almost-perfect life.
Only two things are missing.
He’s never actually shifted. Ever.
Worse, after meeting his fated mate and beginning to plan a life with her, she disappears. When she returns just as suddenly as she left, he discovers she's pregnant with his baby and on the run from her brutal clan. Ash vows to overcome any threat to protect her and their child.
All he needs is to learn how to shift into his bear…
Fated mates forced to part.
Beautiful, curvy Nika Medved fell in love with Ash Swanson at their first ShiftMatch-arranged date. He was everything she dreamed of—handsome, confident, kind. Most importantly, he was her fated mate. She didn’t care that he had never shifted.
Nika's fairy-tale romance turns into a nightmare when her parents, ruthless Russian bears, discover that Ash can't shift. Her mother, the clan matriarch, forbids her daughter to wed a defective shifter or pollute the family’s ancient grizzly bloodline. She vows to send her strongest enforcer to kill Ash and to force Nika to return to the clan.
When Nika finds she’s pregnant with Ash's child, she quits medical school and goes into hiding. Cut off from her family's money and with nowhere to turn, she returns to Bearpaw Ridge to face Ash.
Pregnant, alone, and in terrible danger, Nika bets her baby’s survival on the only man she can trust…
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2017
372 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Ophelia Sexton
88 books149 followersOphelia Sexton is an author of paranormal romance. She has previously published historical romance under a different name, but has always loved reading about were-creatures, vampires, and other supernatural beings. She lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 11, 2019
Ash thought his mate left him because he couldn’t shift. He quickly realizes there is more going on than that when Nika shows up at his house pregnant and warning him that her parents are going to kill him. He realizes she never stopped loving him and that she left to protect him. After Nika is kidnapped by her parents Ash does whatever he can to find her and save her, even finally shifting into his bear.
I loved these two. There was so much heartbreak and love between them. They never stopped loving each other even when they thought all was lost. Nika was strong, smart, and determined to be free of her family. I really liked her. She had terrible parents but is trying to make her life her own and be better than them. Ash is the youngest Swanson but he has the biggest heart I think. It was great seeing him finally being able to shift and be whole again.
I loved these two. There was so much heartbreak and love between them. They never stopped loving each other even when they thought all was lost. Nika was strong, smart, and determined to be free of her family. I really liked her. She had terrible parents but is trying to make her life her own and be better than them. Ash is the youngest Swanson but he has the biggest heart I think. It was great seeing him finally being able to shift and be whole again.
May 11, 2018
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book with how it opened. We sure got some news that wasn’t known in the last book. I expect to not like Nika, but after learning what was happening on her end I felt for her. I was glad that she went to Bearpaw Ridge for help, knew that Ash would help. From there things went about how I thought they would. I did like the big battle at the end, loved that Ash accomplished more than just getting his mate.
November 29, 2019
Everything she touches feels as though it turns to Ash❤️
I really enjoyed this story of Ash. Initially I just thought he’d met someone he really liked and then she’d broken it off and I was none the wiser as to why etc. But after reading this story and getting a bit more background information I found I really liked Ash and Nika❣️
Another great story, which gives our characters a bit more emotional depth due to their experiences and sacrifices to be together😍 Oh and fighting against a Russian bear clan😳
I really enjoyed this story of Ash. Initially I just thought he’d met someone he really liked and then she’d broken it off and I was none the wiser as to why etc. But after reading this story and getting a bit more background information I found I really liked Ash and Nika❣️
Another great story, which gives our characters a bit more emotional depth due to their experiences and sacrifices to be together😍 Oh and fighting against a Russian bear clan😳
November 12, 2019
This is a good shifter romance, with decent editing, but I did have some issues with it. It gets 3.5 stars from me, rounded up to 4 stars.
My main issue with this book (and the entire series, so far) is how prejudiced Ash's mother is. She is terribly prejudiced against anyone that is not a bear shifter, which bothers me -- especially since four of her sons are mated to women who are not bear shifters, and they love them. I really wanted someone to tell her off. Her attitude made me really angry, because I detest prejudice in any form.
Ash's mother (Elle) also tends to be very unforgiving, as she proved in this book. Yes, Nika made mistakes, but she was trying to protect Ash -- so Elle should have forgiven her when she heard the whole story. Elle also tends to assume that all families support each other just as hers does, and had difficulty believing that Nika's family was really a threat to Ash and Nika. That attitude meant she didn't want to help Nika much at first -- she did come around, but it shouldn't have taken so long.
I did like Ash and Nika a lot. Yes, Nika made mistakes, but she was trying to protect Ash, so she wasn't a bad person. Once they got back together, they were good for each other.
I thought that the problem with Nika's parents was a little too easily resolved in the end. People as bad as they were would not have been that easy to handle. And Nika/Ash certainly wouldn't have trusted them with their grandchild.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
My main issue with this book (and the entire series, so far) is how prejudiced Ash's mother is. She is terribly prejudiced against anyone that is not a bear shifter, which bothers me -- especially since four of her sons are mated to women who are not bear shifters, and they love them. I really wanted someone to tell her off. Her attitude made me really angry, because I detest prejudice in any form.
Ash's mother (Elle) also tends to be very unforgiving, as she proved in this book. Yes, Nika made mistakes, but she was trying to protect Ash -- so Elle should have forgiven her when she heard the whole story. Elle also tends to assume that all families support each other just as hers does, and had difficulty believing that Nika's family was really a threat to Ash and Nika. That attitude meant she didn't want to help Nika much at first -- she did come around, but it shouldn't have taken so long.
I did like Ash and Nika a lot. Yes, Nika made mistakes, but she was trying to protect Ash, so she wasn't a bad person. Once they got back together, they were good for each other.
I thought that the problem with Nika's parents was a little too easily resolved in the end. People as bad as they were would not have been that easy to handle. And Nika/Ash certainly wouldn't have trusted them with their grandchild.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
August 17, 2018
This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW. Ash by Ophelia Sexton is Book 6 in the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series and my first Ophelia Sexton read. When I purchased this book I didn't realize it was a series read, let alone book 6. I read the blurb, thought it sounded promising. I was really pleasantly surprised to find that the despite being a series read there weren't many spoilers for the previous books. It could basically be read as stand alone. I really enjoyed Nika and Ash's story. The book opens with a bang and just keeps building to the final page. Action, love, sex, (not just bear) shifters, drama and lots of angst. I got a charge out of Nika's baby fueled emotional rollercoaster. Any woman who has ever been pregnant knows what that's like and Ophelia Sexton does a great job of describing the emotions. This book resolves in the end with an HEA. A great kick back and relax with a quick read book.
September 29, 2020
Last of the brothers to find their mates!
Ash Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters Book 6 By Ophelia Sexton
Kindle unlimited purchase
Nina loves Ash because of this she has to protect him from her family. So when her mother tells her to break up with him because he can not shift she does it knowing she HAS no choice.
Ash is the last of the brothers to find his mate. But the only thing about that is he ALREADY found her and lost her. For some reason, Ash has not shifted into his bear, even though he is in his twenties. His niece and nephews have already shifted and he hasn't. And because of this, he has lost his mate.
Ash Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters Book 6 By Ophelia Sexton
Kindle unlimited purchase
Nina loves Ash because of this she has to protect him from her family. So when her mother tells her to break up with him because he can not shift she does it knowing she HAS no choice.
Ash is the last of the brothers to find his mate. But the only thing about that is he ALREADY found her and lost her. For some reason, Ash has not shifted into his bear, even though he is in his twenties. His niece and nephews have already shifted and he hasn't. And because of this, he has lost his mate.
December 4, 2023
Good read. But too much sex, I can't believe I just said that. Yet to be honest I did skip over the last pages of sex to get to the epilogue. Also, I found this book more triggering than previous books due to my own issues. First, I hate stupid and Nika, someone supposedly smart enough to become a doctor acted as stupid as they come, and secondly, I hated the way her parents acted. Of course if Nika had just ghosted them and stayed with Ash there wouldn't have been a book, but I would have preferred a different method of creating tension to overcome. As usual there were typos, missed words, wrong tenses and blanked out text. Anyway, on to the next one. I borrowed this book from KU.
October 18, 2017
I...
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Nika and Ash's story. There are a lot of twists, along with the excitement, suspense, deception, despair, and romance.
Ash was still unable to shift but Nika didn't care, unfortunately her mother did!
Nika's mother, matriarch of the Russian bear clan was the cause of most of the problems. Now she has threatened both their lives and Nika had to depend on Ash's clan for protection...but could they overcome the Medved clan?
Good story, just like the previous books in the series!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Nika and Ash's story. There are a lot of twists, along with the excitement, suspense, deception, despair, and romance.
Ash was still unable to shift but Nika didn't care, unfortunately her mother did!
Nika's mother, matriarch of the Russian bear clan was the cause of most of the problems. Now she has threatened both their lives and Nika had to depend on Ash's clan for protection...but could they overcome the Medved clan?
Good story, just like the previous books in the series!
October 15, 2017
I like it, but there were some huge disappointments.
Without spoiling a lot of the book, I can just say that it was fine. It was a pretty typical shifter bbq romance. I was disappointed by the build up of Ash’s shifter and subsequent resolution. SPOILER I thought the bear would be super special, but he just wasn’t. He wasn’t even particularly emphasized considering the build up.
Without spoiling a lot of the book, I can just say that it was fine. It was a pretty typical shifter bbq romance. I was disappointed by the build up of Ash’s shifter and subsequent resolution. SPOILER I thought the bear would be super special, but he just wasn’t. He wasn’t even particularly emphasized considering the build up.
January 2, 2018
Wow! Still going strong!
I have been waiting to see what's in store for Ash. He is such a sweetie! This delivers. Nika is smart, sexy and scared to death. Both want what's best for the other. Great characters, good action, steamy scenes and lots of emotions in here. I won't say more, because you need to read it for yourself. But do read them all in order. Can't wait to see who is up next in Smoke but how long do we have to wat for soon...sigh. Oh we'll, wait we will! Enjoy.
I have been waiting to see what's in store for Ash. He is such a sweetie! This delivers. Nika is smart, sexy and scared to death. Both want what's best for the other. Great characters, good action, steamy scenes and lots of emotions in here. I won't say more, because you need to read it for yourself. But do read them all in order. Can't wait to see who is up next in Smoke but how long do we have to wat for soon...sigh. Oh we'll, wait we will! Enjoy.
October 6, 2019
Is a bear considered by some as "defective" any less valuable than any other bear? I liked how this story showed the value of those that may be different from others but still have a lot to contribute. Of course the story has much more going on than that along with lots of heat. It can be a standalone but reading the books before this one will certainly let you know the other characters and give you a greater appreciation of the story.
March 19, 2020
?
I did not like the story when I first started it. As a matter of fact, I started the book and put it aside for a couple of months. I ended up liking it. I like when the characters aren't all happy and forgiven without work. Elle is the type of mother that was defending her cub and she wasn't sorry for it. This ended different than I expected and I loved that. Good job.
I did not like the story when I first started it. As a matter of fact, I started the book and put it aside for a couple of months. I ended up liking it. I like when the characters aren't all happy and forgiven without work. Elle is the type of mother that was defending her cub and she wasn't sorry for it. This ended different than I expected and I loved that. Good job.
September 4, 2018
Ash and Nika
This is book 6 in The Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters Series and it is fantastic. This is a standalone novel but is part of the series. Other characters from previous books 📚 in the series and new characters are in the story but this is strictly Ash's and Nika's story. The star 🌟 struck lovers do get their HEA!
This is book 6 in The Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters Series and it is fantastic. This is a standalone novel but is part of the series. Other characters from previous books 📚 in the series and new characters are in the story but this is strictly Ash's and Nika's story. The star 🌟 struck lovers do get their HEA!
May 25, 2019
Ash
Ash's mate had left him. He didn't much care what happened to himself anymore. After being hurt in a fire he wakes to find his mate there. Nika had returned to warm Ash that her parents knew about them and would come after him. Ash is determined to keep Nika and protect her.
Love the series. Wonderful characters and storylines.
Ash's mate had left him. He didn't much care what happened to himself anymore. After being hurt in a fire he wakes to find his mate there. Nika had returned to warm Ash that her parents knew about them and would come after him. Ash is determined to keep Nika and protect her.
Love the series. Wonderful characters and storylines.
October 6, 2019
Another one I found annoyingly boring. Was really looking forward to Ash’s story and eh gets a wimp for a mate who is so terrified of her own parents she will give up her mate instead of fight for him. Nika has not even told Ash he is to be a father, then to just accept her baby is in danger but do nothing. Weak and unlikeable.
Ash finally shifts but too little too late for me.
Ash finally shifts but too little too late for me.
October 12, 2019
Ash and Nika finally returns to ash her fated mated and he is in a sleep induced coma from a fire fighter accident a lot of action as nikas parents do not want ash as her mate as he hasn't shifted yet into his bear yet but as in all things they work everything out and get their HEA would highly recommend the whole series and it's well written :)
March 27, 2022
Okay Ash and Nakia are too cute...well mostly Ash since he's a sexy firefighter with a really good heart. Which makes them perfect for each other. I really liked the family fued\kidnapping\on the run vibe. It really sells Ashes need to step up and protect his mate even if he couldn't shift. His brains was the equivalent of a bear Shifter. I loved it!
November 26, 2025
Ash & Nika
I am so happy for Ash! Well, Nika too. But Ash has just had this sadness about him because he couldn’t shift. He’s incredibly successful and has been from a very young age but that one, very important thing escapes him. And then his mate broke up with him. To see everything resolve? Amazing. And I’m so glad that there is still more!
I am so happy for Ash! Well, Nika too. But Ash has just had this sadness about him because he couldn’t shift. He’s incredibly successful and has been from a very young age but that one, very important thing escapes him. And then his mate broke up with him. To see everything resolve? Amazing. And I’m so glad that there is still more!
October 23, 2017
A great read. Lots of drama and action. One of those books where you have to keep reminding yourself it is fiction...LOL. Lots of romance too and a HEA ending. Hopefully more to come in this series!
October 27, 2017
Another good one
This book was great. I've enjoyed Reading the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series and can't wait to see what's next. Hopefully there will be books on Tyler and Dimitri. I would love to know what will happen with them.
This book was great. I've enjoyed Reading the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series and can't wait to see what's next. Hopefully there will be books on Tyler and Dimitri. I would love to know what will happen with them.
December 13, 2018
Ash (Bearpaw Firefighters Book 6)
Another wonderful book. You can see how people are always looking at things from two different direction. One set of families who are kind and generous and another who is only looking at people for what they can get out of them.
Another wonderful book. You can see how people are always looking at things from two different direction. One set of families who are kind and generous and another who is only looking at people for what they can get out of them.
April 5, 2019
Review
I continue to enjoy every book connected to this series. Each book has it's unique story but keeps the characters you have met involved! I love every minute. I will be sorry to see it end!
I continue to enjoy every book connected to this series. Each book has it's unique story but keeps the characters you have met involved! I love every minute. I will be sorry to see it end!
January 17, 2020
Shifter stories
Loved this book. It was a great story line.It was so exciting to finally see Ash shift into her bear formatter so long. I am enjoying this series a great deal and would recommend this series to everyone.
Loved this book. It was a great story line.It was so exciting to finally see Ash shift into her bear formatter so long. I am enjoying this series a great deal and would recommend this series to everyone.
January 29, 2020
I liked this a ton
It’s a cute story my only thing that I found hilarious was she was a bear shifter too and she was amazed that dale was able to lift her luggage I mean didn’t she also have shifter strength anyways that was just a little thing that annoyed me
It’s a cute story my only thing that I found hilarious was she was a bear shifter too and she was amazed that dale was able to lift her luggage I mean didn’t she also have shifter strength anyways that was just a little thing that annoyed me
April 21, 2020
Good ending to the brothers stories. Would have liked more of his bear. That part is still a mystery. I also didn’t like experiencing their courtship. Hard to be invested in their relationship without it. But all ends well.
March 18, 2021
Bearpaw Ridge series
I have immensely enjoyed the Bearpaw Ridge series, storyline and characters are cool shifters are awesome. I can't wait for any spin-off book's from the series, great job Ophelia 😁👍
I have immensely enjoyed the Bearpaw Ridge series, storyline and characters are cool shifters are awesome. I can't wait for any spin-off book's from the series, great job Ophelia 😁👍
October 6, 2021
Second Chances
Ash Swanson is a bear shifter who has yet to shift. But he is a wildly successful video game creator. He thought he had found his mate, Nika, in Seattle but she cut him lose. So he's back in Bearpaw Ridge running his company and taking a few too many chances as a volunteer firefighter. But when Nika appears at his family's ranch to warn him of the danger they are all in, he sees it as the second chance with her that he needs. Ash has been the bright, interesting outlier in this series. It's great to see him come into his own and prove he's not only brilliant, loyal and brave but determined and worthy of love. He's great with Nika, showing her there are good, worthy people who value and protect her and, in turn, she realizes the importance of what, and who, she has found.
Ash Swanson is a bear shifter who has yet to shift. But he is a wildly successful video game creator. He thought he had found his mate, Nika, in Seattle but she cut him lose. So he's back in Bearpaw Ridge running his company and taking a few too many chances as a volunteer firefighter. But when Nika appears at his family's ranch to warn him of the danger they are all in, he sees it as the second chance with her that he needs. Ash has been the bright, interesting outlier in this series. It's great to see him come into his own and prove he's not only brilliant, loyal and brave but determined and worthy of love. He's great with Nika, showing her there are good, worthy people who value and protect her and, in turn, she realizes the importance of what, and who, she has found.
November 11, 2025
Another good read in this series!
Even though I feel as if I have read this series, it still is new to me. The book📚 series has been a very good read! It is filled with family, friendship, loyalty, drama, action, romance and love💘. On to the next book.
Even though I feel as if I have read this series, it still is new to me. The book📚 series has been a very good read! It is filled with family, friendship, loyalty, drama, action, romance and love💘. On to the next book.
October 27, 2017
Loved it
About a bear female shifter who shows up seven months later seeking to warn her mate her parents want dead because he can't shift
About a bear female shifter who shows up seven months later seeking to warn her mate her parents want dead because he can't shift
October 28, 2017
Good book
Enjoyed reading this shifter romance. Kept my interest, and couldn't put it down until I finished. Looking forward to reading others by this author.
Enjoyed reading this shifter romance. Kept my interest, and couldn't put it down until I finished. Looking forward to reading others by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews