Zane

The Tundra #3

by McKayla Schutt

Natalie has been kidnapped, being held in a tiny trailer in the Tundra. When she escapes her ex’s clutches, she runs right into the sexy as sin dragon shifter. Having her own life in danger is one thing but she doesn’t want that for anyone else.
The way he risked so much to keep her safe sends hope through her soul. Part of her wants to run back home but his charm captures her interest of a possible future in the Tundra. She doesn’t want to cause problems for Zane but she’s falling for the man with scales underneath. When she lets her guard down, ready to just be with the dragon, Tank kidnaps her once more. Natalie fears she’ll never see Zane again.
When Natalie asks Zane for help he doesn’t hesitate to be her rescuer while his dragon doesn’t waver to fall claws over tail in love with her.
With his inner demons constantly telling him he’s not good enough, he’s fighting to stay in control. He wants her to be his mate but he doesn’t know if he can truly make her happy. Zane pushes his demons back on her birthday and takes her to see something special. His plans are derailed when her ex and two other polar bears jump him and take Natalie. He’ll fight till his last dragon’s breath to get her back.

This book does standalone, but they're better when read in order.

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2018

About the author

Author McKayla Schutt writes fast-paced paranormal romances with alpha males protecting their powerful ladies and lots of magic. McKayla is a USA Today Bestselling author with Souls and Shadows: A Limited-Edition Romance Anthology. She loves her alphas in all shapes- wolves, dragons, bears, witches, and more. She writes men who make the readers drool.

As a mother of two living in Wyoming, when she’s not in her writing cave, she’s crafting like crazy with yarn. Her first love was reading books and her second was writing them. And to the dismay of her husband, she will always love her spicy romances.

For all the latest releases and updates on exclusives, subscribe to McKayla Schutt’s newsletter today!
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Reviews

[Shoshanah Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zane (#3 of the Dragons of the Tundra series)
by McKayla Schutt
3*** ADULT dragon-shifter romance.
This is definitely only part of a larger story. I get the distinct idea that much of the back-story happened in books 1 and 2 because there is not much sharing or re-showing of information with the reader about how this shifter universe works. It is assumed that the reader already has an understanding of how the Tundra shifter-culture works as evidenced by the female lead already seeming to know quite a bit about shifters in general and not being shocked at discovering that there be dragons here.

We learn with Natalie only how dragons are different from the other shifter-species. There is a high ratio of sex/love-making to other forms of action scenes explained by the in-born mate awareness of their dragon coupled with (I’m guessing) a hormone they produce that revs-up the imprinting/bonding reaction in the mate-to-be even to the point of her not being grossed out by biting (to the point of possibly drawing blood from?) him. It is shown in this episode that the man or the dragon can be fooled if the dragon is desperate enough, reaching an advanced age without yet finding their mate or possibly the two women live close, so maybe have some of the other woman’s scent is what confused Magnis’ dragon? This is a mystery that is possibly resolved in book four? Stella, her actual mate, and Magnis (a rival dragon alpha?) is part of the back-story that is mentioned in passing, yet is an on-going issue from episode one? This idea of mate-fever-degeneration is apparently a problem for other shifter groups and is the problem of this episode along with other emotional issues both main characters must work together to overcome with lots of sex and a few moments of pillow-talk conversation.

I felt that this episode as a stand-alone was rushed. Examples are the lack of any real back-story for the female lead and what we do get is a sentence or two here and there, the sheer magnetic attraction for the main characters, the oops-but-that’s ok baby, and the ridiculously short gestation of dragonlings. The pregnancy is discovered, then almost immediately is ending in the space of what seems to be the next page. Readers must rely on the actual mention of how much time has passed. What we get seems more like a readers digest version of a much larger and more detailed work. There has got to be a lot of off-screen action going on but, because it is not violent or passionate, is left out. Where are the moments between the women of the family? Women do talk out their feelings concerning the events in their lives both big and small. How is Natalie fitting-in to her new family? Has she contacted her friend Didi, who she cared enough about previously to put herself in danger to protect? Is she simply to be left to wonder what happened to her friend? Most women are not insular creatures. I would have liked to have seen some more of the little moments of the couple’s out of bed bonding and how she is becoming part of the larger group during her pregnancy. We could also learn along with Natalie about dragons and dragon children. How is it that their mother lived after the loss of their father? Was she true-mated and how is that different from simply pairing? Can the various shifters have children with someone that is not their true-mate? Can mates be stollen and forced into a child-bearing or other relationship with another after they are marked? If so, then forever isn't really forever. It's simply a very long time with way better fidelity record compared to humans. Also, can the dragons communicate with each other when in dragon form, but simply not with humans until they are changed? What is the life expectancy of dragons? Information like this is left out. Is it possible for humans to stumble into what amounts to a small dragon city and how do they deal with that? This inquiring mind wants to know.

There could have been scenes continuing lives of the other family members and hints of possible characters for future stories in other books in this story-web. Where are the brotherly interactions between the men and the sharing of their wisdom and memories of their own dad with the new dads that could show how these characters are continuing to grow both as individuals and as an extended family? They live in the same house with too-thin walls. Why has it not occurred to them to do something about improving the sound-proofing in the place if they don’t want to wake the children and improve the illusion of privacy or does this cease to be an issue after Natalie becomes a dragon?

Including little vignettes of parallel action for the guest-appearing shifters of this episode would make me curious to read their series. It is obvious that the bears and wolves have their own lives going on in the same time-frame as this one, or did they spring out of nowhere simply to be the villains of the piece? Are Didi and Tank Chekov’s guns to be put on a bus and never seen or heard from again?
I guess what I am saying is that there is the possibility of a so much richer and satisfying story on the whole here. Right now and as is, there are a lot of plot holes to fill. I’m not asking for Anne Rice-like purple prose, just for some actual flesh to better clothe this thin story. Please include some more real-life considerations in this world, characters, and plot to round them out so we can better join you in your Tundra world if it were possible.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane was looking out over the lake, thinking about his father’s death and an upcoming battle with another Clan. His thoughts were disrupted by a female voice asking for his help. She needed to hide from someone who was pursuing her and he looked large enough to protect her. His dragon reacted strongly to keep the woman safe, so he hid her in his truck. A polar bear shifter approached to ask if he had seen a black-haired woman he claimed was his wife. But Zane scented the lie and offered to help find her, so the man declined and left. Zane knew Natalie was afraid and offered to take her to his home to get her away from the danger and hear her story.

Natalie knew he was some kind of shifter, but he wasn’t going to tell her what – until his dragon brother flew down and shifted to welcome her. The mates of Zane’s two brothers welcomed her and provided lunch. Zane's mother accepted her into the family immediately. She wanted to keep them all safe by leaving so the bears would not retaliate, but they wanted to protect her instead!

The day of her birthday, Zane’s family planned a huge party. Zane flew with her to a crystal cave to show her how beautiful it was. But three polar bears showed up to recapture Natalie. Zane didn’t have room to shift without hurting Natalie, and when the bears ganged up on him, he was knocked out and brutally kicked in the ribs. Natalie had to agree to go with them and not try to escape again, or they would kill him. Heart breaking, they took her away! Would Zane be able to find and save her? Or would he be too late?

I really enjoyed this book! Zane’s dragon was so enthusiastic that I kept laughing at his comments to Zane who was slow on recognizing his mate! I loved the family dynamic of the dragon clan. They are powerful, strong creatures, but the love and caring among them all was definitely felt by the reader. Neither of the two main characters felt they deserved the other, preventing them from giving in to what they were feeling. Both needed to find healing and forgive themselves before they could move on. Don’t miss this wonderful book.

[Christine Rains · Rating 3 out of 5]

Natalie escapes from her polar bear shifter kidnappers and runs into a dragon shifter. Zane is powerful and gorgeous and happy to help. She hates to cause trouble for Zane and his clan, and she doesn't think herself worthy of the sudden interest he has in her. Zane's dragon demands he take her as his mate, but he isn't going to force it on her. Yet she's taken again before he can do so, and he doesn't know if he can contain his rage. Will they find their way back to each other or will Natalie be forever lost to her dragon?

If you're a paranormal romance (PNR) fan, especially of dragon shifters, this is a great book for you. It hits all the notes for a good PNR. It's packed full of action, both in and out of the bedroom. I haven't read the other books in this series, and though it's toted as a stand-alone, I believe having read the others would have been helpful in understanding the other characters and the world. While I can tell the author knows her world, jumping in at this point in the series, I did not get a good hold on it. I did very much like the unique setting in the Canadian Tundra. I think that an excellent modern day home for a clan of dragons.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again the Tundra calls. This time it;s Zane. He;s at the lake where his father died and is approached by a young human woman asking for help. He hides her in his truck from a bear shifter. After the bear shifter leaves he finds out her name is Natalie and she;s been abducted by the bear shifter to take back to his alpha who;s looking for his mate. He takes her home and that;s where Natalie finds out he is a dragon as well as the rest of the clan there. Zane;s dragon is doing lots of bouncing because she;s his mate and Zane isn't sure he deserves one. Natalie is drawn to Zane but can;t understand how he could want her since she;s not sure she;s mate material. Plus she;s still reeling from the bear shifter;s kidnapping. She;s also concerned that if she doesn;t leave soon trouble will find Zane and his family. Zane takes her to a cave where there are beautiful crystals when the bear shifter and his friends show up. The adventure takes a big turn.
Fantastic story and read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 of the Tundra series and it’s another fantastic read and addition to the series. Zane is sitting by the lake when a woman runs up to him asking Zane for his help so he lets her hide in the back of his truck. A polar bear shifter goes up to Zane and he asks Zane if he has seen his wife but Zane can smell the lie so he says no but he offers the polar shifter help to find her but he says no. Natalie knows Zane is a shifter but which one she doesn’t know until Zane’s brother flies in with his mate to welcome Natalie. Natalie is taken again when Zane shows her the crystal caves, he can’t shift in case he hurts her so he is set upon by three polar bear shifters and they beat him until Natalie agrees to go with them. I loved this story there’s action, adventure, danger, love and so much more to keep you entertained and turning the pages. Sadly this is the last of the series but I can’t wait to read more from this author. A 5 plus ++++ ⭐️ read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Gwen Wisdom · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Zane meets Natalie she is trying to escape from the polar bear shifter, Tank, who has brought her to the Tundra to be a mate for his alpha. But as soon as they meet, Zane's dragon recognizes his mate. However, Zane doesn't think that he is fit to love and care for someone else. Can Natalie help him overcome his past and move on or will he lose his mate forever?
Natalie was taken across the border by her "ex-boyfriend" Tank without her permission to be the mate to the alpha polar bear. Definitely not what she wants so she has escaped. But when she meets Zane, the attraction is undeniable. But will she be able to accept his dragon and convince him that what happened in his past was an accident and that he is allowed to be happy and have a future? Or will it be too late?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie is running from her kidnapper when she stumbles across Zane a dragon shifter.
Zane is standing at the place his father died thinking about him when he hears a female voice asking for help. He puts her in his truck and she curls up in the foot-well out of sight just as Zane hears heavy footsteps. He denies seeing her and manages to get the man to leave. Natalie tells him that Tank is a polar bear shifter who had injured her friend then drugged her and brought her across the border. He gets Natalie to come home with him to get out of the cold and have something to eat. Then Zane's dragon starts getting possessive. A dragon shifter romance to snuggle down and enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 3.5 almost 4 star
Zane helps Natalie after she pops up next to his car asking for help and it is all down hill from there for Zane as turns out she is his mate! However she has Tank a poplar bear after her as he wants her to be his Alphas mate whether she wants to or not. Can Zane and Natalie end up together or will his insecurities and doubts from the past and her not thinking she can have a family and be loved break them apart. This quick read was good especially as I have read the other books in the series so knew the other characters well and am really looking forward to Magnis's book next!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the series and it is such a wonderful read. I have enjoyed the whole series thus far. The name of the book gives it away buy this is about Zane. He is dealing with the death of his dad and thinking of the upcoming battle with another clan when he hears a women’s voice asking for help. She is desperate to hide from someone who is after her and she thinks she he looks like he could protect her. His dragon reacts strongly to her and he hides her. A polar bear shifter approach’s and asks if he has seen his wife but he says no offers to help and it is declined. These two fall for each other but the bear shifters kidnap her back. What will Zane do?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in The Tundra series and I think Zane has just became my favorite of the brothers in this series. Zane is the youngest brother but is hunted by his past mistakes and wants a mate but does not think he deserves one. Natalie a human that has be kidnapped with the plan of making her mate with a Polar Bear shifter escapes and runs right into Zane. A feelings develop between the two Natalie's own demons make her question if she is worth saving and putting the lives of Zane and the clan at risk against the Polar Bear or should she just run away. Can they both over come their inner demons before its too late? This is a great book and a must read!

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane's story was different and intriguing. It is a quick read but full of action and drama. It keeps you on your toes from the beginning. Zane and Natalie have so much chemistry and passion. Zane is protective, kind, caring, and very loving. Natalie is sweet and kind. She has a huge heart and a great personality. The story is well written and the flow is amazing. This is definitely worth reading and doesn’t disappoint.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

she had been kidnapped, she had been taken to a new place. she manages to get away from him, she bumps into a strange man who can change into a dragon who helps her. he doesn't think he is good enough for her. she is take4n again and he will do anything to get her back. see if he can save her and have her as his mate

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this book was certainly addictive.. Natalie woke up in canada last thing she could remember was going on a date...... kidnapped and taken for who knows what... she meets Zane... what will happen will she make it home again or will she have to keep running?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is definitely not your typical alpha male experience. Zane and Natalie have lots of insecurities between the two of them. They are perfect for each other. I am interested in reading the first books in this series.
This book is a quick and enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved finally reading the little brother Zane's book and to finally find out why he is so angry or sullen is more the word for it. Especially to see he is just as resistant to finding his mate like various but for completely different reasons.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in this series and I can not wait until the next one is out. This had kidnapping, danger, suspense, drama Natalie and Zane's story had me wanting to know what would happen next. I started at bedtime and I will say the next morning came fast. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragons know their mates as soon as they met them. Zane only knew he needed to protect a woman in danger. What he didn’t expect was for his dragon to want to claim her. A romance story that fate doesn’t take her time. The spark between them is intense and will lead to some hot scenes.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything happens so fast. Finding one another, mating, having a baby. Wow! Very quick. I loved it. I received a free review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book, it has action, sexy scenes and a good story.
I didn't read the previous books and had no issue following, although I'll probably read them since the characters look interresting.

This is a standalone story with an opening for the next book, but no cliffhanger.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely loved the story and background of the male character . This story has adventure, sexy scenes and romance. I hadn't read any of this authors books previously, but I will from now on

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K.M. Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book didn't disappoint. It was full of wonder, action and dragon shifters. Zane's book closes out the series with hot suspense and keeps you wanting more. Can't wait to see what comes next for the dragon shifters. Highly recommended.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy wow!

This is the 3rd book and the last brother and I truly loved Zane. This story has a lot of ups and downs but in the end your heart will be full and the HEA will make it all worth the read.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book , it has a great storyline. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full with adventure action and drama
that I found it well and truly kept me on my s is part three
in the series but it doesn't matter if you haven't read the
two before this one.

[Barb VanderWel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew how hot it is in the tundra! McKayla's Zane kept me entertained and I read it on one sitting. I definitely recommend this author.