What do you think?
Rate this book
Cascade Cougars #1
Virgin Mate
Lucy Michaels, is about to realize her dream of becoming an international photographer, when an attack from a rogue cougar-shifter triggers her physical transformation to a species the world doesn’t know exists. As voraciously unstable appetites emerge, Talen Cascade, the sexy shifter who rescued her, embarks on a mission to integrate her into the ways of his clan and satiate her rising hunger.
While the rogue shifter continues to pursue Lucy, Talen discovers an unseen foe is hunting and experimenting on his species. Although Talen is convinced that Lucy is his true mate, only she can decide whether she belongs to him or the man who claimed her.
While the rogue shifter continues to pursue Lucy, Talen discovers an unseen foe is hunting and experimenting on his species. Although Talen is convinced that Lucy is his true mate, only she can decide whether she belongs to him or the man who claimed her.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2018
450 people are currently reading
571 people want to read
About the author
Tia Didmon
508 books830 followersTia Didmon is a USA Today bestselling author of paranormal women's fiction and provocative paranormal romance. When Tia isn't busy writing about sexy shifters and dreamy demons, she spends her time binge-watching The Order and reruns of The Vampire Diaries, cooking with her daughter, and serving her cat. Her love of writing stems from a self-diagnosed book addiction.
Subscribe to Tia's newsletter at tiadidmon.com for a free book and start your journey through Tia's supernatural world today!
Subscribe to Tia's newsletter at tiadidmon.com for a free book and start your journey through Tia's supernatural world today!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
June 27, 2018
Awesome story! Steamy and great plot! I highly recommend this book!
June 24, 2018
A shifter-paranormal-erotic story. It started nicely then becomes a zigzag. Begins with a bite, a hero in black shirt, an interview, illness something, the shift, a hunger for s3x, etc...
2 star for now, i'll just give it a reread sometime...
2 star for now, i'll just give it a reread sometime...
May 7, 2019
On the cusp to making her dreams of become an international photographer come true, Lucy Michaels is attacked by a rogue cougar-shifter that triggers her physical transformation to a species the world doesn’t know exists. After rescuing Lucy, Talen Cascade embarks the mission to integrate her into the ways of her rising clan and to satiate her rising hunger. But only Lucy can decide if she belongs to Talan or the rouge who bit her.
This shifter romance is feisty and energetic with a hot and spicy romance. Talen and Lucy are strong, compelling characters that easily draw readers into their story as their feisty romance keeps them completely entertained with lots of sizzling chemistry, flying sparks, and snappy dialogue and that’s not mentioning the scorching passion. Lucy has a bit a stubborn personality with a bit of insecurity that keeps the situation and the relationship balanced on a razor’s edge.
The plot if fast paced, complex and quite spirited as Talen tries to introduce Lucy to her new reality while keeping her safe from the rogue. The suspense builds even more when a thrilling twists proves that not only is the rogue part of diabolical plan but that they have more enemies than they thought which ensures that readers are consumed with the anticipation of what happens next.
This shifter romance is feisty and energetic with a hot and spicy romance. Talen and Lucy are strong, compelling characters that easily draw readers into their story as their feisty romance keeps them completely entertained with lots of sizzling chemistry, flying sparks, and snappy dialogue and that’s not mentioning the scorching passion. Lucy has a bit a stubborn personality with a bit of insecurity that keeps the situation and the relationship balanced on a razor’s edge.
The plot if fast paced, complex and quite spirited as Talen tries to introduce Lucy to her new reality while keeping her safe from the rogue. The suspense builds even more when a thrilling twists proves that not only is the rogue part of diabolical plan but that they have more enemies than they thought which ensures that readers are consumed with the anticipation of what happens next.
Want to read
March 3, 2025🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/18/2022)! 🎁
November 13, 2022
I literally don't understand all the high ratings this book got. I honestly expected it to be a decent read - I love shifter romances, and most are good if not great, but… this one was a mess.
I think the writing would best be described as soulless and rushed. It was like the author was trying to skim their way through the story. There was almost no insight behind what the characters were thinking or feeling unless it involved sex - which, at best, was questionable in its consent (at least for the first 1/4 of the book). There was no transition between one scene, action, or conversation and another. The characters vomited out information like they had a bad case of food poisoning, blurting out explanations for things without prior lead-up.
I questioned whether I was missing every other paragraph of the story - that's how abrupt and scattered the story was. I'm legitimately mad I spent money on this story, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it. There are better shifter stories out there than this one. Hard pass.
I think the writing would best be described as soulless and rushed. It was like the author was trying to skim their way through the story. There was almost no insight behind what the characters were thinking or feeling unless it involved sex - which, at best, was questionable in its consent (at least for the first 1/4 of the book). There was no transition between one scene, action, or conversation and another. The characters vomited out information like they had a bad case of food poisoning, blurting out explanations for things without prior lead-up.
I questioned whether I was missing every other paragraph of the story - that's how abrupt and scattered the story was. I'm legitimately mad I spent money on this story, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it. There are better shifter stories out there than this one. Hard pass.
January 27, 2022
After wanting to check out Didmon’s work for literally years, I was stoked to discover I could borrow the audio version of this from my library! (Thank you, for Wide distribution!)
This was just a quick read, but the MCs are real, and witty and I was amused for sure. Based on this one, I’d like to see more of this author’s work.
Despite being short, it’s completely satisfying and packs everything it needs and then some. It still manages to pack in action and drama and it’s still cute, instalove and all.
4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio:
This narrator isn’t for me, I think … he sounded semi-robotic and … if this book were any longer I’d probably have to give up. However, as it’s a quick read, I got through it. I would not listen to anything else this man narrated. 2-star ‘performance’ (and I use the word ‘performance’ loosely, as he isn’t performing it—he’s reading it only slightly better than Siri could.) (Although, I’ll add that: listening to the robotic delivery during sex scenes was sorta comical.)
This was just a quick read, but the MCs are real, and witty and I was amused for sure. Based on this one, I’d like to see more of this author’s work.
Despite being short, it’s completely satisfying and packs everything it needs and then some. It still manages to pack in action and drama and it’s still cute, instalove and all.
4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio:
This narrator isn’t for me, I think … he sounded semi-robotic and … if this book were any longer I’d probably have to give up. However, as it’s a quick read, I got through it. I would not listen to anything else this man narrated. 2-star ‘performance’ (and I use the word ‘performance’ loosely, as he isn’t performing it—he’s reading it only slightly better than Siri could.) (Although, I’ll add that: listening to the robotic delivery during sex scenes was sorta comical.)
December 21, 2022
Lucy always ever wanted to be a photographer and get away from her toxic family in Spain, a very powerful mafia style family. She was never good enough for them, except to breed maybe? When she gets the opportunity to work with her mentor, she is over the moon, it has not been easy staying under the radar of the Garcia's.
Taner a cougar shifter never imagined that searching for his cousin would bring him face to face with her! The most precious gift any cougar could have and he plans on keeping her despite his cousin.....
Such a passionate story, not for those under 18
Taner a cougar shifter never imagined that searching for his cousin would bring him face to face with her! The most precious gift any cougar could have and he plans on keeping her despite his cousin.....
Such a passionate story, not for those under 18
December 31, 2025
To much sexual content
Listen I don't mind some intimacy maybe even a little more than a little. However, that is really all this book contained. I really need some story also.
Listen I don't mind some intimacy maybe even a little more than a little. However, that is really all this book contained. I really need some story also.
October 2, 2022
In den vielen, vielen Jahren, in denen ich nun Hörbücher höre, ist mir so etwas noch nicht untergekommen. Der Sprecher, Tom Morris, ist einfach eine absolute Katastrophe. Ich verstehe nicht wie jemand das als akzeptabel empfunden hat, um es so zu belassen.
Er spricht das Hörbuch so aggressiv und angestrengt, dass man hört wie er immer wieder aus der Puste ist und ich hatte durch diese sehr merkwürdige Stimmlage, dauerhaft ein unglaublich angespanntes Gefühl und ich glaube auch die ganze Zeit Adrenalinausstoß, weil mein Körper die ganze Zeit dachte ein extrem aggressiver Mensch spricht mit mir. Das war so merkwürdig, ich kann das kaum glauben. Er hat die Wörter regelrecht ausgespuckt als ob sie ihn anekeln. Die Hörbuchfassung kann ich wirklich keinem empfehlen und ich denke, das Buch hätte wahrscheinlich eine bessere Bewertung bekommen, hätte ich es als Ebook gelesen. Ich habe zwar versucht den Sprecher bei meiner Bewertung weitestgehend auszulassen, aber so etwas macht halt auch viele andere Aspekte eines Buches kaputt.
So, nun aber zum Inhalt. Das ganze ist ein Erotikbuch mit Fantasyanteil. Für dieses Genre und für die kürze des Buches, hat es mir sehr gefallen, auch wenn es einige merkwürdige Dinge gab.
Lucy ist eine Fotografin, die kurz vor dem Jobinterview für eine Assistenzstelle mit ihrem Lieblingsfotografen steht. Doch da wird sie plötzlich von einem Mann angegriffen und gebissen. Ihre Reaktion darauf war so gleichgültig, dass ich erst einmal das Hörbuch stoppte, um zu überprüfen, ob es wirklich ein erster Teil war. Ich hatte das Gefühl ich sollte die Welt und die Umstände darin bereits kennen. Nun Lucy wusste zu dem Zeitpunkt nicht, dass es Shifter gab und ich habe bis jetzt keine Ahnung, warum sie so gelassen reagierte und kaum Fragen stellte. Vielleicht habe ich auch etwas überhört, aber erneut wollte ich die Stelle auch nicht lesen, weil jede Minute mit diesem Sprecher Folter entsprach. Sie wurde von Talan geretttet und ihre Angreifer verschwand fürs erste. Talan ist ein Puma-Gestaltwandler und da Lucy sich nun auch in einen Puma verwandeln würde, führte er sie in das Leben als Shifter ein. Schnell merkt er, dass sie seine für ihn bestimmte Gefährtin ist und nimmt sie dementsprechend in Besitz. (Naja, ich denke ich brauche hier nicht erklären wie das in solchen Bücher abläuft) Doch auch der Mann, der Lucy gebissen hat, stellt weiterhin Anspruch auf sie und das aus verschiedenen Gründen. So entsteht nicht nur eine Rivalität, sondern es steckt noch etwas viel dunkleres und gefährlicheres dahinter. Das machte das Buch dann neben dem sehr hohen Erotikanteil auch noch angenehm spannend.
Lucy ist anfangs noch recht selbstbewusst und teilweise zickig. Dann akzeptiert sie das ganze aber ein wenig zu schnell. Talan ist sehr dominant. Für manchen Leser vielleicht sogar grenzwertig dominant. Ich fand es okay.
Alles in allem wurde ich, den Sprecher mal außer Acht gelassen, sehr gut unterhalten und ich würde definitiv mehr von der Autorin ausprobieren. Aber nie wieder als Hörbuch mit diesem Sprecher.
Story 3,4/5
(der Fokus liegt hier auf der Erotik)
Emotionen 3,4/5
(nicht immer nachvollziehbar und teilweise wegen des Sprechers auch sehr verwirrend)
Charaktere 3,6/5
(okay aber nichts was besonders heraussticht)
Sprecher 1,0/5
(aggressiv, monoton, einfach schrecklich)
Unterhaltung 4,0/5
(für die Länge wirklich gut)
Gesamt 3,6/5
(wenn ich den Sprecher versuche auszublenden war es wirklich unterhaltsam)
Er spricht das Hörbuch so aggressiv und angestrengt, dass man hört wie er immer wieder aus der Puste ist und ich hatte durch diese sehr merkwürdige Stimmlage, dauerhaft ein unglaublich angespanntes Gefühl und ich glaube auch die ganze Zeit Adrenalinausstoß, weil mein Körper die ganze Zeit dachte ein extrem aggressiver Mensch spricht mit mir. Das war so merkwürdig, ich kann das kaum glauben. Er hat die Wörter regelrecht ausgespuckt als ob sie ihn anekeln. Die Hörbuchfassung kann ich wirklich keinem empfehlen und ich denke, das Buch hätte wahrscheinlich eine bessere Bewertung bekommen, hätte ich es als Ebook gelesen. Ich habe zwar versucht den Sprecher bei meiner Bewertung weitestgehend auszulassen, aber so etwas macht halt auch viele andere Aspekte eines Buches kaputt.
So, nun aber zum Inhalt. Das ganze ist ein Erotikbuch mit Fantasyanteil. Für dieses Genre und für die kürze des Buches, hat es mir sehr gefallen, auch wenn es einige merkwürdige Dinge gab.
Lucy ist eine Fotografin, die kurz vor dem Jobinterview für eine Assistenzstelle mit ihrem Lieblingsfotografen steht. Doch da wird sie plötzlich von einem Mann angegriffen und gebissen. Ihre Reaktion darauf war so gleichgültig, dass ich erst einmal das Hörbuch stoppte, um zu überprüfen, ob es wirklich ein erster Teil war. Ich hatte das Gefühl ich sollte die Welt und die Umstände darin bereits kennen. Nun Lucy wusste zu dem Zeitpunkt nicht, dass es Shifter gab und ich habe bis jetzt keine Ahnung, warum sie so gelassen reagierte und kaum Fragen stellte. Vielleicht habe ich auch etwas überhört, aber erneut wollte ich die Stelle auch nicht lesen, weil jede Minute mit diesem Sprecher Folter entsprach. Sie wurde von Talan geretttet und ihre Angreifer verschwand fürs erste. Talan ist ein Puma-Gestaltwandler und da Lucy sich nun auch in einen Puma verwandeln würde, führte er sie in das Leben als Shifter ein. Schnell merkt er, dass sie seine für ihn bestimmte Gefährtin ist und nimmt sie dementsprechend in Besitz. (Naja, ich denke ich brauche hier nicht erklären wie das in solchen Bücher abläuft) Doch auch der Mann, der Lucy gebissen hat, stellt weiterhin Anspruch auf sie und das aus verschiedenen Gründen. So entsteht nicht nur eine Rivalität, sondern es steckt noch etwas viel dunkleres und gefährlicheres dahinter. Das machte das Buch dann neben dem sehr hohen Erotikanteil auch noch angenehm spannend.
Lucy ist anfangs noch recht selbstbewusst und teilweise zickig. Dann akzeptiert sie das ganze aber ein wenig zu schnell. Talan ist sehr dominant. Für manchen Leser vielleicht sogar grenzwertig dominant. Ich fand es okay.
Alles in allem wurde ich, den Sprecher mal außer Acht gelassen, sehr gut unterhalten und ich würde definitiv mehr von der Autorin ausprobieren. Aber nie wieder als Hörbuch mit diesem Sprecher.
Story 3,4/5
(der Fokus liegt hier auf der Erotik)
Emotionen 3,4/5
(nicht immer nachvollziehbar und teilweise wegen des Sprechers auch sehr verwirrend)
Charaktere 3,6/5
(okay aber nichts was besonders heraussticht)
Sprecher 1,0/5
(aggressiv, monoton, einfach schrecklich)
Unterhaltung 4,0/5
(für die Länge wirklich gut)
Gesamt 3,6/5
(wenn ich den Sprecher versuche auszublenden war es wirklich unterhaltsam)
February 8, 2021
The Virgin Mate is the first installment of Tia Didmon’s Cascade Cougar’s series. It is a hot book with lots of action in and out of the sheets. Lucy is traveling to a job interview to be a wildlife photographer with her idol when she noticed she is being followed. She barely makes it to the interview because she is assaulted in the parking lot. By page three, I was on the edge of my seat. Then Lucy makes a series of unbelievable choices that luckily work out for the best. After being attacked and assaulted, she never asks to call the police, doesn’t tell anyone in the restaurant about the lunatic in their parking lot, allows another stranger to end her job interview, and gets into a car with him. Being converted to a shifter didn’t seem to bother Lucy in the slightest for the first half of the book either. I was shocked when our hero Talen mentioned the existence of shifters was a secret in their world because Lucy was so casual with the animalistic actions of handsome Talen. It seemed like this was another “hot guy equals good / ugly guy equals bad” type of book.
Wowsa, was I glad I stuck with it! Turns out there is a relationship between the handsome stranger and the assailant which explains not only his ability to help Lucy but also why he was in the restaurant parking lot at the right time. (Sorry no spoilers here). Talen is a cougar-shifter and a total dreamboat. He’s responsible, sensitive, gorgeous, and smitten with Lucy. As much as his inner cat wants to mate Lucy, he’s not sure she’s his destined mate. His thoughts suggest that he’s not claiming her, but their bedroom activities suggest otherwise. Just when he thinks he has it figured out; disaster strikes.
Lucy steps up and defends herself, proving she is more than the damsel-in-distress from the beginning of the book – another pleasant surprise. When the reader learns her family history, they also get a glimpse into her skillset which proves valuable in the figuring out the ultimate villain as well as the final scare (sorry again no spoilers). By the end of the book, I could see her as an equal partner to Talen.
Overall, the Virgin Mate ended on a high note. I was glad I stayed with it and learned more about the twisting plot. The secret connections between Lucy and shifter culture caught me completely off guard, in the best way. The action scenes, false villains, secret identities, and love scenes were very well written. Unfortunately, Talen’s thoughts never seemed to match his actions and Lucy had unbelievable lapses in her common sense.
Wowsa, was I glad I stuck with it! Turns out there is a relationship between the handsome stranger and the assailant which explains not only his ability to help Lucy but also why he was in the restaurant parking lot at the right time. (Sorry no spoilers here). Talen is a cougar-shifter and a total dreamboat. He’s responsible, sensitive, gorgeous, and smitten with Lucy. As much as his inner cat wants to mate Lucy, he’s not sure she’s his destined mate. His thoughts suggest that he’s not claiming her, but their bedroom activities suggest otherwise. Just when he thinks he has it figured out; disaster strikes.
Lucy steps up and defends herself, proving she is more than the damsel-in-distress from the beginning of the book – another pleasant surprise. When the reader learns her family history, they also get a glimpse into her skillset which proves valuable in the figuring out the ultimate villain as well as the final scare (sorry again no spoilers). By the end of the book, I could see her as an equal partner to Talen.
Overall, the Virgin Mate ended on a high note. I was glad I stayed with it and learned more about the twisting plot. The secret connections between Lucy and shifter culture caught me completely off guard, in the best way. The action scenes, false villains, secret identities, and love scenes were very well written. Unfortunately, Talen’s thoughts never seemed to match his actions and Lucy had unbelievable lapses in her common sense.
June 6, 2018
3.5 stars, actually.
Virgin Mate starts off with a bang—literally. The main character, Lucy, on her way to an interview with a famous photographer is attacked and bitten on the neck.
Luckily, a hot guy in a black tshirt shows up and fights off the attacker. He is Talen, a dominant cougar of the Cascade Cougars, and he’s about to help Lucy through the incredible physical changes about to happen to her as a result of the bite. She’s a mate—a human woman capable of changing, but just who’s mate is she?
I actually enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first. There was more bantering, more backstory emerging, and a more emotional quality to Lucy’s and Talen’s physical relationship.
Not so much at first. I am not a fan of the “wrap the woman’s hand around my naughty bits” like an hour after meeting. Not just after meeting, but like an hour after she was brutally attacked! And Talen pulls dominant animal on her like right from the start. I enjoy that tension of “my animal has decided your my mate but you don’t know it yet and so I must woo you while I am completely frustrated’…but Talen kind of just pounces on her so none of that delicious tension.
Also Lucy weirdly was okay with the whole thing. She does protest that she wants to continue her photography, but that felt more like a plot device since she is fine showing up half naked in front of whoever comes to the door, doesn’t try to contact anyone, and like doesn’t comment when Talen also answers the door completely naked, etc.
So this is definitely hawt, and there is plenty of the dom/sub sexxoring here that would have been right up my alley if more time had been spent in the beginning giving them a bit of a relationship.
Virgin Mate starts off with a bang—literally. The main character, Lucy, on her way to an interview with a famous photographer is attacked and bitten on the neck.
Luckily, a hot guy in a black tshirt shows up and fights off the attacker. He is Talen, a dominant cougar of the Cascade Cougars, and he’s about to help Lucy through the incredible physical changes about to happen to her as a result of the bite. She’s a mate—a human woman capable of changing, but just who’s mate is she?
I actually enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first. There was more bantering, more backstory emerging, and a more emotional quality to Lucy’s and Talen’s physical relationship.
Not so much at first. I am not a fan of the “wrap the woman’s hand around my naughty bits” like an hour after meeting. Not just after meeting, but like an hour after she was brutally attacked! And Talen pulls dominant animal on her like right from the start. I enjoy that tension of “my animal has decided your my mate but you don’t know it yet and so I must woo you while I am completely frustrated’…but Talen kind of just pounces on her so none of that delicious tension.
Also Lucy weirdly was okay with the whole thing. She does protest that she wants to continue her photography, but that felt more like a plot device since she is fine showing up half naked in front of whoever comes to the door, doesn’t try to contact anyone, and like doesn’t comment when Talen also answers the door completely naked, etc.
So this is definitely hawt, and there is plenty of the dom/sub sexxoring here that would have been right up my alley if more time had been spent in the beginning giving them a bit of a relationship.
August 10, 2024
Don’t bother. The author gets your/you’re mixed up more often than she gets it right. The plot is insta-lust taken to an absurd extreme, and vacillates between utterly pointless spicy scenes and the most juvenile excuse for banter/arguments you’ve ever read. The MMC is so dom he turns into a r*pist, literally throwing FMC into the bed while she says “no”, over and over. It doesn’t help that all of the important shifter information he is trying to impart about the world she’s been unexpectedly thrown into seems designed to keep her from enjoying her autonomy ever again… like, she can’t have a job working for this famous photographer because his male family members are the only ones allowed to be near her, and she can’t go abroad without him for her photography work because mated pairs can’t be apart more than one or two weeks… all choices made by the author who wrote this, to create a situation where the woman has no choice to be independent ever again. Yuck.
But it’s not like the FMC is a great character in a terrible situation either. She is so stupid and in denial about what’s happening to her, that she continually begs the MMC to do something about her situation, to which he repeatedly tells her that she’s changing into a shifter and it can’t be undone… I mean, how’s he gonna get the bad guy to unbite her? Of course the process is super painful, but she’s also super horny the entire time… it’s just a train wreck honestly.
The writing is just so, so unbelievably bad, I can’t overstate that enough. It’s rushed, it’s illogical, it’s childish. It’s poorly edited. Don’t waste your time.
But it’s not like the FMC is a great character in a terrible situation either. She is so stupid and in denial about what’s happening to her, that she continually begs the MMC to do something about her situation, to which he repeatedly tells her that she’s changing into a shifter and it can’t be undone… I mean, how’s he gonna get the bad guy to unbite her? Of course the process is super painful, but she’s also super horny the entire time… it’s just a train wreck honestly.
The writing is just so, so unbelievably bad, I can’t overstate that enough. It’s rushed, it’s illogical, it’s childish. It’s poorly edited. Don’t waste your time.
June 2, 2018
Review Virgin Mate by Tia Didmon
Oh, my! This is my first ever erotic paranormal romance!
Yes. I love watching True Blood, The Originals etc. But until now, my reading has been mainly chicklit, romcom, and mystery.
The Good
What a sex fest! Holy cow, Batman!
I thought the name Talen was wonderful and I enjoyed his jealousy. Even though there was a lot of shagging - there was a story behind this and it worked well. The reason the bite worked - was explained well and there was no over explanation in this book. I loved the way the dogs were rescued and my cozy story side loved the inclusion of the younger brother with issues at the end.
The Bad.
I liked Lucy - but she did have flaws. She needed money and a job. Then she went all crazy and a fighter and then she became wifey at the end.
Wifey, was a bit too wifey - but you will have to read it and see if you agree. Maybe this is a shifter trait. Also, I needed more on the brother and what happened to him - maybe that is coming in the next book? I would have liked just a bit on the dangers of the breed.
The Ugly.
This is a very erotic fantasy. I was only out of my comfort zone with the second mating - but, I am a chubby mum of two! If you love erotic and paranormal, I enjoyed this one. Though it was my first ever book like this - I do want to read more.
The length of the book is perfect for busy people!
4 Stars
Oh, my! This is my first ever erotic paranormal romance!
Yes. I love watching True Blood, The Originals etc. But until now, my reading has been mainly chicklit, romcom, and mystery.
The Good
What a sex fest! Holy cow, Batman!
I thought the name Talen was wonderful and I enjoyed his jealousy. Even though there was a lot of shagging - there was a story behind this and it worked well. The reason the bite worked - was explained well and there was no over explanation in this book. I loved the way the dogs were rescued and my cozy story side loved the inclusion of the younger brother with issues at the end.
The Bad.
I liked Lucy - but she did have flaws. She needed money and a job. Then she went all crazy and a fighter and then she became wifey at the end.
Wifey, was a bit too wifey - but you will have to read it and see if you agree. Maybe this is a shifter trait. Also, I needed more on the brother and what happened to him - maybe that is coming in the next book? I would have liked just a bit on the dangers of the breed.
The Ugly.
This is a very erotic fantasy. I was only out of my comfort zone with the second mating - but, I am a chubby mum of two! If you love erotic and paranormal, I enjoyed this one. Though it was my first ever book like this - I do want to read more.
The length of the book is perfect for busy people!
4 Stars
October 20, 2018
There is more going on in this one.
For adult readers
Talon is the enforcer for his clan. It's Talon's job to hunt down rogue shifters. Talon is looking for his cousin, Cyril, because he hasn't checked in for longer than usual. When Talon finds Cyril, it's not a happy reunion.
Lucy loves to photograph animals. Lucy has somehow gotten an interview as an intern with the photographer of her dreams! Just as Lucy is getting ready to go inside for her interview, she is attacked. Some psycho with white hair knocks her down and then bites her!
This is a PNR romance and it has a HEA, but there so much more to this book. I really like this story, Lucy brings a creepy family and a bit of a mystery with her. Who have Cyril the blue goop bullet. Now the famous photographer is dead. So you see, there is some interesting happenings in this book and this reader is hoping for answers, so it's on to book 2 for me.
This book is well written and interesting. I was hooked from the beginning. It has an interesting storyline, with likeable characters. I like that it gives me an ending, but leaves enough unanswered questions that the reader really has to read the next book to get answers. Well done! RECOMMENDED
For adult readers
Talon is the enforcer for his clan. It's Talon's job to hunt down rogue shifters. Talon is looking for his cousin, Cyril, because he hasn't checked in for longer than usual. When Talon finds Cyril, it's not a happy reunion.
Lucy loves to photograph animals. Lucy has somehow gotten an interview as an intern with the photographer of her dreams! Just as Lucy is getting ready to go inside for her interview, she is attacked. Some psycho with white hair knocks her down and then bites her!
This is a PNR romance and it has a HEA, but there so much more to this book. I really like this story, Lucy brings a creepy family and a bit of a mystery with her. Who have Cyril the blue goop bullet. Now the famous photographer is dead. So you see, there is some interesting happenings in this book and this reader is hoping for answers, so it's on to book 2 for me.
This book is well written and interesting. I was hooked from the beginning. It has an interesting storyline, with likeable characters. I like that it gives me an ending, but leaves enough unanswered questions that the reader really has to read the next book to get answers. Well done! RECOMMENDED
November 15, 2025
Outline is good but it needs editing.
The premise is good, but the writing just isn't there. I really wanted to enjoy this.
I understand this is a shorter story, but there's a lot of context missing. Talen's jeans were just magically undone exposing him in the woods with no explanation as to when or why they were unbuttoned; nothing was explained about Cyril potentially being her mate. Never resolved her bleeding out of her neck. When did he have Hunter investigate her? It's like things just happen without any explanation, which makes it confusing. I spent a good bit of time backtracking because I thought I missed something.
This also needs a good round of editing. "Your" where it should be "You're", "Whose" where it should be "Who's", missing punctuation, capitalization, etc...just hard to read. This one just might be me being picky, but using the correct clinical names for everyone's bits, especially in a spicy scene is not sexy. I'd be interested in reading some more current work to see if the writing/editing has improved, as I feel like the story had good bones, but as it stands I don't think I'll be finishing this series.
The premise is good, but the writing just isn't there. I really wanted to enjoy this.
I understand this is a shorter story, but there's a lot of context missing. Talen's jeans were just magically undone exposing him in the woods with no explanation as to when or why they were unbuttoned; nothing was explained about Cyril potentially being her mate. Never resolved her bleeding out of her neck. When did he have Hunter investigate her? It's like things just happen without any explanation, which makes it confusing. I spent a good bit of time backtracking because I thought I missed something.
This also needs a good round of editing. "Your" where it should be "You're", "Whose" where it should be "Who's", missing punctuation, capitalization, etc...just hard to read. This one just might be me being picky, but using the correct clinical names for everyone's bits, especially in a spicy scene is not sexy. I'd be interested in reading some more current work to see if the writing/editing has improved, as I feel like the story had good bones, but as it stands I don't think I'll be finishing this series.
February 20, 2020
Short and simple
This is the first time that I read anything from Tia Didmon. While going through my long, very long 😔🤦🏿♀️, list of Kindle books to go through I chose this. I have to admit any paranormal shifter book gets an automatic star form me.
This story was good but not great. I enjoyed Lucy but she was a bit too much for me. I get the way she was transformed but she just refused to listen to Talen at all. Whenever she came on the screen I wanted to yell at her to just listen. Yes, Talen is 💯 Alpha and he is intense but she could have listened for a hot sec.
I really am interested in the Cascade Cougars. I know this is the first book within the series but I wanted more. I am excited to know more about what happened to Cyril and about Lucy's father's family. I am also really excited to learn more about Devon and his background. I wonder who his mate is going to. I think Hunter and this mysterious doctor are destined mates.
This is the first time that I read anything from Tia Didmon. While going through my long, very long 😔🤦🏿♀️, list of Kindle books to go through I chose this. I have to admit any paranormal shifter book gets an automatic star form me.
This story was good but not great. I enjoyed Lucy but she was a bit too much for me. I get the way she was transformed but she just refused to listen to Talen at all. Whenever she came on the screen I wanted to yell at her to just listen. Yes, Talen is 💯 Alpha and he is intense but she could have listened for a hot sec.
I really am interested in the Cascade Cougars. I know this is the first book within the series but I wanted more. I am excited to know more about what happened to Cyril and about Lucy's father's family. I am also really excited to learn more about Devon and his background. I wonder who his mate is going to. I think Hunter and this mysterious doctor are destined mates.
September 6, 2025
⭐⭐
This was a SYKD download as I branch out from just wolf shifters. This one follows cougars, which I know as mountain lions, and they’re native to Arizona, so it felt like a great direction to move in. While I like what the author was trying to do here, especially because it was a novella, it ultimately felt a bit underdeveloped for me.
I like Lucy’s character, and I like the idea that someone kidnapped a shifter and did experiments. Not because they were kidnapped, because of the science it opens the world up to, and I’m always a fan of cool science in books. I think, with everything introduced, this would’ve worked better as a full length story rather than a novella. I felt like I was missing a lot of necessary context, but since this is the first in the series, I know it isn’t just because I’m starting half-way through or anything. The bones for an awesome story with a beautiful found family angle is there, it just wasn’t utilized to its full potential.
This was a SYKD download as I branch out from just wolf shifters. This one follows cougars, which I know as mountain lions, and they’re native to Arizona, so it felt like a great direction to move in. While I like what the author was trying to do here, especially because it was a novella, it ultimately felt a bit underdeveloped for me.
I like Lucy’s character, and I like the idea that someone kidnapped a shifter and did experiments. Not because they were kidnapped, because of the science it opens the world up to, and I’m always a fan of cool science in books. I think, with everything introduced, this would’ve worked better as a full length story rather than a novella. I felt like I was missing a lot of necessary context, but since this is the first in the series, I know it isn’t just because I’m starting half-way through or anything. The bones for an awesome story with a beautiful found family angle is there, it just wasn’t utilized to its full potential.
July 5, 2019
This was my first read from Didmon so I did not know what to expect. The story opens with Lucy being attacked as she was heading to an interview. Her hero also happens to be her mate. But he's stumped by the whole situation since he wasn't responsible for the bite.
Lucy and Talen both grated on my nerves off and on through the story. There was lots of sex. The way the first time came about was offputting. I thought there were gaps and a lack of a solid timelime. It was hard to tell how fast time passed. The plot seemed weak at first. I did begin to enjoy the book towards the end. The author did a good job oof creating suspense and building momentumfor the next book.I like the premise of the book and hope the next is better.
2.5 stars
Lucy and Talen both grated on my nerves off and on through the story. There was lots of sex. The way the first time came about was offputting. I thought there were gaps and a lack of a solid timelime. It was hard to tell how fast time passed. The plot seemed weak at first. I did begin to enjoy the book towards the end. The author did a good job oof creating suspense and building momentumfor the next book.I like the premise of the book and hope the next is better.
2.5 stars
June 2, 2020
This is a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's your basic shifter romance when it comes to fated mates. There is a strong stubborn female lead and a strong stubborn male lead. I like the gene being in women who don't actually become shifters unless they are bitten by their mates or in close proximity by another shifter. That was very interesting. While there is a specific bad guy for this one, we never learn who the real bad guys are and what they are trying to do. This is a set that will have to be read in order and if I want too know who the real bad guy is and what is going on, I'm going to have to read all of them. Keep that in mind. While this is technically an HEA it's not either. It started out full of action and it never stopped once. It was awesome.
January 21, 2026
The scenes are poorly written and lack narrative flow. At times, they simply do not make sense. There is also very little explanation of the setting—you are left to imagine where events are taking place with minimal guidance. As a result, the atmosphere is weak and never fully established. I was also bothered by how the characters professed love when what was being portrayed felt more like lust than genuine emotional connection.
On a positive note, the story does have a strong premise; unfortunately, it is undermined by weak execution.
If you are reading purely for the steamy scenes and are willing to turn off your brain for a while, this book may still appeal to you. However, if you are looking for a coherent plot and well-developed storytelling, you might want to skip this
On a positive note, the story does have a strong premise; unfortunately, it is undermined by weak execution.
If you are reading purely for the steamy scenes and are willing to turn off your brain for a while, this book may still appeal to you. However, if you are looking for a coherent plot and well-developed storytelling, you might want to skip this
Read
August 13, 2019Explosive start then IDK ...
I'm a bit confused.
A lot of huh? moments that I'm still trying to piece together.
Is there a prequel to this that I missed?
What I think is the series plot has me intrigued and I am curious to see what happens next. This ends on a bit of a series cliffy, meaning the couple has there HFN but the Who done it and Why is still up for investigation. I do feel a bit lost about the universe Didmon has created I would like a bit more foundation/history. There seems to be a lot happening but I have nothing to tie it all together.
Strong cast so far but again my preference is for a bit more background
Intend to read a second time
I'm a bit confused.
A lot of huh? moments that I'm still trying to piece together.
Is there a prequel to this that I missed?
What I think is the series plot has me intrigued and I am curious to see what happens next. This ends on a bit of a series cliffy, meaning the couple has there HFN but the Who done it and Why is still up for investigation. I do feel a bit lost about the universe Didmon has created I would like a bit more foundation/history. There seems to be a lot happening but I have nothing to tie it all together.
Strong cast so far but again my preference is for a bit more background
Intend to read a second time
October 4, 2019
Beware of the Werecats
This book has some hot adult scenes, but I felt the story was too short. I know this is a series, but I felt more could've been explained in book one. A little more backstory, especially about Talen and his brother. Also,, Lucy falls for Talen faster than I would've excepted. As I was reading, I said to myself, "Dang so Talen and Lucy are just going to skip the dating stage and jump right into the nasty." I mean yes the man just saved you, but you it's other ways to thank you." Other than that the characters are likeable and the author has a great imagination.
This book has some hot adult scenes, but I felt the story was too short. I know this is a series, but I felt more could've been explained in book one. A little more backstory, especially about Talen and his brother. Also,, Lucy falls for Talen faster than I would've excepted. As I was reading, I said to myself, "Dang so Talen and Lucy are just going to skip the dating stage and jump right into the nasty." I mean yes the man just saved you, but you it's other ways to thank you." Other than that the characters are likeable and the author has a great imagination.
October 19, 2021
Good
A quick steamy read, with a cougar hero and a changed human heroine.
This is set in an intriguing shifter world, with some background story arcs that just begin in this book, and are in no way completed as yet!
The introduction of the cougar shifter world, was abrupt… just a few sentences in and there is an attack.
As others have commented, there is also a quick to the sexy parts aspect too, although it is very much explained as a consequence of the change.
Not that this dims any enjoyment you get from the book, because it is obviously part of an ongoing series, with some fairly serious things going on in the background.
A quick, enjoyable read for fans of PNR.
A quick steamy read, with a cougar hero and a changed human heroine.
This is set in an intriguing shifter world, with some background story arcs that just begin in this book, and are in no way completed as yet!
The introduction of the cougar shifter world, was abrupt… just a few sentences in and there is an attack.
As others have commented, there is also a quick to the sexy parts aspect too, although it is very much explained as a consequence of the change.
Not that this dims any enjoyment you get from the book, because it is obviously part of an ongoing series, with some fairly serious things going on in the background.
A quick, enjoyable read for fans of PNR.
August 30, 2019
Cougars Mate
Lucy was looking forward to her job interview when she was attack and bitten by a crazy white hair man and saved by Talen who is a cougar shape shifter and it was his cousin that bit her. Talen cousin is infected and Lucy starts showing signs of changing the story is fast pace reminds me of Christine Feehan cat novels. Truly enjoyed well written looking forward to more of Tia Didmon 5🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅stars I received this free book and voluntarily give a free review thank you to the author and Amazon.
Lucy was looking forward to her job interview when she was attack and bitten by a crazy white hair man and saved by Talen who is a cougar shape shifter and it was his cousin that bit her. Talen cousin is infected and Lucy starts showing signs of changing the story is fast pace reminds me of Christine Feehan cat novels. Truly enjoyed well written looking forward to more of Tia Didmon 5🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅stars I received this free book and voluntarily give a free review thank you to the author and Amazon.
May 29, 2023
3 1/2 ****. This was a fast paced PNR cougar shifter story featuring Talen, an enforcer for his pack and Lucy, a human who has been biten by a deranged rogue shifter who believes that she is his mate. There are a lot of graphic and steamy moments in this book. I liked the story overall but some of the writing is pretty shallow.
I liked Talen's take charge sexy alpha personality and how he desires and protects Lucy, who is undergoing horrific changes. Lucy, on the other hand, while understandably confused, acts rashly and constantly puts herself in danger.
I liked Talen's take charge sexy alpha personality and how he desires and protects Lucy, who is undergoing horrific changes. Lucy, on the other hand, while understandably confused, acts rashly and constantly puts herself in danger.
February 23, 2019
Good Shifter Story
The book is well written . The characters are interesting and appealing. The book seems to set the stage for the next book but story is finished and there is no cliffhanger. I think the title could have been improved but the storyline is good. I would have liked more info on the first shifter who tried to be the mate but it may have taken away from this story All in all I recommend reading this book if u like shifter stories.
The book is well written . The characters are interesting and appealing. The book seems to set the stage for the next book but story is finished and there is no cliffhanger. I think the title could have been improved but the storyline is good. I would have liked more info on the first shifter who tried to be the mate but it may have taken away from this story All in all I recommend reading this book if u like shifter stories.
August 31, 2019
Don’t. It was free so I said what the heck. I finished it because it was over quickly. Like bad sex, over before it really started and left unfulfilled.
It’s not bad for a fist attempt (if that’s what it is). It’s “zig-zag” as someone else described it. Ping from one scene to another. A few times I thought I missed a page or two, but no. That’s how it was written. No flow. Short. Not satisfying. No depth.
The author needs to keep working on it.
It’s not bad for a fist attempt (if that’s what it is). It’s “zig-zag” as someone else described it. Ping from one scene to another. A few times I thought I missed a page or two, but no. That’s how it was written. No flow. Short. Not satisfying. No depth.
The author needs to keep working on it.
November 5, 2019
This story is interesting
There is just so much to this story, Lucy was attacked and bitten, but changes when Talen meets her. There are a lot of non-consensual or dubious consent about their initial interactions which bothered me, although this did work out in the end and Lucy had a very happy end to the story. There are multiple layers to this book, with a lot more to discover about their world.
There is just so much to this story, Lucy was attacked and bitten, but changes when Talen meets her. There are a lot of non-consensual or dubious consent about their initial interactions which bothered me, although this did work out in the end and Lucy had a very happy end to the story. There are multiple layers to this book, with a lot more to discover about their world.
December 9, 2019
HOT From start to finish
I LOVE that this book just drives right into the action! No shy work ups. No pretense of what MAY come. I also love that her female character, Lucy, is strong and not the typical.....save the green eyes......description looks wise. It gives her character more flavor. I LOVE the serious dominance of her mate, Talen, despite Lucy being strong herself. Even Talen's brother Hunter is loveable as well as comical.
I LOVE that this book just drives right into the action! No shy work ups. No pretense of what MAY come. I also love that her female character, Lucy, is strong and not the typical.....save the green eyes......description looks wise. It gives her character more flavor. I LOVE the serious dominance of her mate, Talen, despite Lucy being strong herself. Even Talen's brother Hunter is loveable as well as comical.
December 28, 2019
I started to like Talen because he seemed concerned about taking advantage of his virgin mate, then he proceeded to orally rape her. While I admit their may be a small percentage of woman who have developed a taste for that, the likelihood a virgin has a kink that deep, is nonexistent. The story has possibilities, but needs a major edit and a new cover. Put me off so much, I returned the second book to KU without reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews