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Heart of the Shifter #1
You Had Me at Jaguar
They're not the only ones on the prowl...but they're the most dangerous...
The United Shifter Force gives jaguar agent Howard Armstrong an impossible task—to protect fierce she-jaguar Valerie Chambers, when the last thing she wants is protecting. They're going international to take down a killer and he can guard Valerie all day long. But guard his heart? He doesn't stand a chance.
The United Shifter Force gives jaguar agent Howard Armstrong an impossible task—to protect fierce she-jaguar Valerie Chambers, when the last thing she wants is protecting. They're going international to take down a killer and he can guard Valerie all day long. But guard his heart? He doesn't stand a chance.
340 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 26, 2019
74 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Terry Spear
165 books1,629 followersLove, love, love romance, the paranormal, hunky Highlanders with their delicious brogue and hot kilts, so Terry Spear writes about those hunky Highlanders both in medieval times and as wolves in contemporary times. Jaguar shifters too! And young adult urban fantasy. And romantic suspense.
She grew up reading mystery, adventure, mythologies from around the world, ghost stories, the paranormal, fell in love with Dracula and Wolfman, and felt they needed loving too. Everyone should have someone to love. Which means her stories always have a HEA.
USA Today Bestseller residing in Central Texas from Sacramento, California who creates award-winning teddy bears too!
She grew up reading mystery, adventure, mythologies from around the world, ghost stories, the paranormal, fell in love with Dracula and Wolfman, and felt they needed loving too. Everyone should have someone to love. Which means her stories always have a HEA.
USA Today Bestseller residing in Central Texas from Sacramento, California who creates award-winning teddy bears too!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 28, 2019
3.5 stars
You Had Me at Jaguar is the first book in the Heart of the Shifter series by Terry Spear. It felt like a spin-off series since some things and couples are already established, but there was no problem with understanding what was going on in this world. To be completely honest, the book wasn' able to capture my interest completely and I found my thoughts wandering off during some parts. Thankfully that didn't happen often and I was able to follow the story. It was interesting and it had a good pace which was almost fast, but not in a bad way. I liked the main characters and a few of the secondary seemed interesting enough for me to want to read their books if the author plans to write them. The main characters had enough chemistry and their romance was a slow burn. I would have liked just a little bit more character development and a little more time on getting to know them since most of the story is focused on the suspense part. For all the reasons above I am giving 3.5 stars to the book which I am round up to four which was the first rating that popped into my mind when I finished the book.
You Had Me at Jaguar is the first book in the Heart of the Shifter series by Terry Spear. It felt like a spin-off series since some things and couples are already established, but there was no problem with understanding what was going on in this world. To be completely honest, the book wasn' able to capture my interest completely and I found my thoughts wandering off during some parts. Thankfully that didn't happen often and I was able to follow the story. It was interesting and it had a good pace which was almost fast, but not in a bad way. I liked the main characters and a few of the secondary seemed interesting enough for me to want to read their books if the author plans to write them. The main characters had enough chemistry and their romance was a slow burn. I would have liked just a little bit more character development and a little more time on getting to know them since most of the story is focused on the suspense part. For all the reasons above I am giving 3.5 stars to the book which I am round up to four which was the first rating that popped into my mind when I finished the book.
February 18, 2019
Valerie Chambers is a new Enforcer ut she has large shoes to fill - both her parents are Enforcers! She has a bit of a crush on an instructor on her training course but little did she know it went both ways!
Val is on the trail of a murderer and is not exactly happy when she realises that Howard and partner have been drafted in as her backup! But as the investigation unfolds she soon becames very grateful to the higher ups for allowing her to spend time with Howard. Soon their investigation goes international and it becomes apparent that two seemingly unconnected cases are actually intertwined!
Relly well crafted story, great characters and very well paced. Loved it!
Val is on the trail of a murderer and is not exactly happy when she realises that Howard and partner have been drafted in as her backup! But as the investigation unfolds she soon becames very grateful to the higher ups for allowing her to spend time with Howard. Soon their investigation goes international and it becomes apparent that two seemingly unconnected cases are actually intertwined!
Relly well crafted story, great characters and very well paced. Loved it!
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February 2, 2022Jaguar shifter agents from two different agencies have to work together, and then they fall in love.
This one reads like a spin off with the number of characters introduced over the course of the story, and how many of them are already coupled up. Nothing that detracts from the story, it still reads perfectly well on its own, but the cameos have no real pull if you start off with this book.
It's an okay book, but there's no real connection with anyone, and some of the sentences were really awkward. They'd say things in conversation that obviously the reader needed to know, but everyone in the room already would have. Along the lines of: 'my natural shifter healing abilities will fix this up in no time at all', while in a room of fellow shifters. (Okay, not quite that hammy, but there is a line very much like this)
These were pretty terrible agents in this book too. So damn sloppy, and they just murdered everyone. But they had to do it in animal form, so it didn't look like murder to humans if the bodies were found. And then they fed the bodies to alligators anyway. Or left them there. Didn't wear gloves, clean up crime scenes or anything to project their identities though, so I'm not sure how that works.
There's a lot happening, (sometimes too much), and I like that it didn't take forever to tie the storylines together when it was getting pretty obvious where it was headed. Plenty of action and shifting forms, though wolves come across as pretty weak in this one, which was an interesting change from most shifter fiction.
This one reads like a spin off with the number of characters introduced over the course of the story, and how many of them are already coupled up. Nothing that detracts from the story, it still reads perfectly well on its own, but the cameos have no real pull if you start off with this book.
It's an okay book, but there's no real connection with anyone, and some of the sentences were really awkward. They'd say things in conversation that obviously the reader needed to know, but everyone in the room already would have. Along the lines of: 'my natural shifter healing abilities will fix this up in no time at all', while in a room of fellow shifters. (Okay, not quite that hammy, but there is a line very much like this)
These were pretty terrible agents in this book too. So damn sloppy, and they just murdered everyone. But they had to do it in animal form, so it didn't look like murder to humans if the bodies were found. And then they fed the bodies to alligators anyway. Or left them there. Didn't wear gloves, clean up crime scenes or anything to project their identities though, so I'm not sure how that works.
There's a lot happening, (sometimes too much), and I like that it didn't take forever to tie the storylines together when it was getting pretty obvious where it was headed. Plenty of action and shifting forms, though wolves come across as pretty weak in this one, which was an interesting change from most shifter fiction.
March 8, 2019
✦Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR (Heart of the Shifter Book 1) by Terry Spear https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-b2R
Publication Date: February 26, 2019
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 3.5 Stars
This is a fast paced and action-packed story. It seemed to ramble a bit, but it all tied in toward the end. This book was so close to being a great read, but I never connected to the characters. Perhaps if there was less talking and explaining, and more showing, I would have cared about them more. It was still a suspenseful and sexy romance that kept me reading to see how it all turned out. I enjoyed it.
*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a review.
~*~*~*~
Kindle https://amzn.to/2BBhfRL
Publication Date: February 26, 2019
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 3.5 Stars
This is a fast paced and action-packed story. It seemed to ramble a bit, but it all tied in toward the end. This book was so close to being a great read, but I never connected to the characters. Perhaps if there was less talking and explaining, and more showing, I would have cared about them more. It was still a suspenseful and sexy romance that kept me reading to see how it all turned out. I enjoyed it.
*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a review.
~*~*~*~
Kindle https://amzn.to/2BBhfRL
July 23, 2019
Val is an Enforcer for the United Shifter Force (USF) and when she gets sent on a mission to catch a jaguar shifter who killed his wife after he turned her into a jaguar shifter, the mission is harder than they thought it would be.
Howard and his partner are sent to be Val's backup when she goes after a violent shifter. Howard has the hots for Val and wants to date her but she's not really taking to his flirting because she's much to engaged in getting the guy she is sent after.
Howard and Val get closer as they go to find Bowie and kill him for murdering his newly turned mate. They make their way to Belize where they believe Bowie is hold up and where Val's parents who still work for the USF are also on a mission.
Howard and Val are fun together but I liked Howard more than Val at times. I found myself being bored quite a lot while reading this book. I usually read pretty fast but this book took me a few days to read because I just couldn't get into it for the most part. Trying to find Bowie just took way too long and most of the things that took place while they were trying to find him just weren't exciting enough to keep me engaged. The romance was slow going at first and then all of the sudden, boom! they're in love. I had a hard time believing their feelings for each other because I didn't feel much excitement from them.
The story wasn't a bad one, I just don't think it was for me.
Howard and his partner are sent to be Val's backup when she goes after a violent shifter. Howard has the hots for Val and wants to date her but she's not really taking to his flirting because she's much to engaged in getting the guy she is sent after.
Howard and Val get closer as they go to find Bowie and kill him for murdering his newly turned mate. They make their way to Belize where they believe Bowie is hold up and where Val's parents who still work for the USF are also on a mission.
Howard and Val are fun together but I liked Howard more than Val at times. I found myself being bored quite a lot while reading this book. I usually read pretty fast but this book took me a few days to read because I just couldn't get into it for the most part. Trying to find Bowie just took way too long and most of the things that took place while they were trying to find him just weren't exciting enough to keep me engaged. The romance was slow going at first and then all of the sudden, boom! they're in love. I had a hard time believing their feelings for each other because I didn't feel much excitement from them.
The story wasn't a bad one, I just don't think it was for me.
February 14, 2019
Howard is a jaguar shifter and a member of a special police force. Val is also a jaguar shifter but she is an enforcer, she eliminates rogue shifters. Her next mission is to take out a jaguar that changed his wife and then killed her. Howard and his partner are tasked with watching her back but Val doesn’t like partners so she tries to lose them. When the mission takes them to Belize, they all work together because it turns out to be a bigger mission than any of them knew.
Lots of action. Surprises and sex. First book I’ve read about shifters where they didn’t bite to become mates. They just announced they were mates. Some of the dialogue was sort of stiff. It was a pretty good story. This review is short because I didn’t want to give any thing away.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *
Lots of action. Surprises and sex. First book I’ve read about shifters where they didn’t bite to become mates. They just announced they were mates. Some of the dialogue was sort of stiff. It was a pretty good story. This review is short because I didn’t want to give any thing away.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *
February 17, 2019
This is book 1 in a new series and as a first book it was very good I absolutely love her Heart of the Wolf series so decided to try a book from a different series of her's and I wasn't disappointed. This book is just as good as her other series if you love her Heart of the Wolf series then you will love this one
February 13, 2019
Howard likes to be considerate of his lady, "since she wasn’t sleeping naked, he pulled back the covers and didn’t ditch his boxer briefs. She smiled at him. “You don’t sleep nude?” Howard really likes to think of his woman's comfort, “I prefer whatever you feel comfortable in. If you need protection from the sun, you wear that. I can wrap my arms around you in the ocean just as closely and with as much enjoyment no matter what you wear. Besides, I won’t have to growl at as many guys who would be ogling you in a bikini.” I liked this book, I liked Howard.
February 15, 2019
I have been a fan of this author for a long time. This book did not disappoint. Jaguar shifters have a draw all their own in paranormal romance for me. The intricate details in this book kept my attention all the way through. Val is strong, cunning and a bit mischievous making for a great read. I laughed out loud with the whole "angle of the dangle" situation. This is an excellent read.
January 14, 2019
Jaguar shifter, Valerie Chambers, a member of the Enforcers, is out to take down a jaguar named Benny who turned then murdered his wife. Howard Armstrong, a member of the United Shifters Force, is assigned to protect Val although she's used to working alone and doesn't believe she needs protection nor does she want it. When Benning skips to Belize they must go international. Val winds up working with Howard and his wolf teammate, Jillian. The job becomes much more difficult when her parents call for help on their mission and it turns out that the two missions are connected as Benny is working with Eric, a drug dealer whose drugs are killing people. Howard and Val are also dealing with their attraction to each other. Howard has been fascinated with Val since the time she took him down in training.
Terry's shifter books are all wonderful although the jaguar books have a special place for me. You Had Me at Jaguar is an excellent read and I highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Terry's shifter books are all wonderful although the jaguar books have a special place for me. You Had Me at Jaguar is an excellent read and I highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 19, 2019
A man who murdered his wife, trip to Belize. An attraction they can't deny. A mission that turns out to be more complicated than it seems. Can they find love, fight the bad guys and still complete their mission?
Howard was attracted to Valerie as soon as he laid eyes on her during a training session for the Enforcers, where Val is the first person to take down Howard when they're pitted against each other. He and his partner a year later are tasked with being Val's protection and backup on the mission she's on. She gets away from them only to be caught up to when they fly to Belize to follow the rogue shifter who turned then killed his wife. Val's parents are also in the area on another mission and are the ones behind her getting the backup she doesn't want. The more time she spends with Howard the more attached she gets and realizes that working with a team isn't so bad. They find themselves getting closer and working together so naturally that it seems like they've been doing it forever. They two women make friends with the girlfriend of the man they're after. Val takes a hostage. They get a new temporary team member. A call from her parents needing help take them the drug dealer her parents were watching. Val gets help from a woman connected to the drug dealers. Howard chases after some criminals, killing one, and fighting the others. After her parents are taken care, Val lets someone go and receives information on more drug houses. She goes after Howard and helps him. They head back to their resort and check to make sure the bad guys haven't come back. A new jaguar shifter is born. Val and Howard must track down the new shifter and bring them back. The two of them finally come together and make love. They make a discovery about the new shifter and send her with Val's parents back home. The team adds one of their members and head out to check out one of the drug houses. They find the woman Val let go and must fight to survive. A trip to the airport sends a couple of people back home. They get two more team members for help. They had visitors while they were gone and set a trap. The new additions show up in the middle of fighting the bad guys in the jungle. Val and Howard decide to mate and get married. Val must protect Howard when he's injured in the fighting. The bad guys are taken care and while on vacation they clean up the stragglers. They head home and to the bar they hangout in and find the people they sent home. Val's parents retire. The team heads out on a new mission, including Val and Howard.
Terry Spear brings a couple of her shifter series together in this book about the Jaguar/Wolf police force. She has hot, sexy shifters who must face danger, and passion to find their way to love. She combines her Heart of the Jaguar and Wolf series into the newly formed United Shifters Force. The USF has wolves and jaguars working together to take down rogue shifters who have committed crimes against humans and shifters both. They take the most dangerous of the missions. I'm hoping the future more of her shifters will be included like the cougars and the white wolves, polar bears and what ever other hot passionate and sexy characters she can come up with to join USF. I look forward to more books by this wonderful writer of shifter books. Can't wait to read Rowdy's story in the near future. Terry Spear is almost a great read.
Howard was attracted to Valerie as soon as he laid eyes on her during a training session for the Enforcers, where Val is the first person to take down Howard when they're pitted against each other. He and his partner a year later are tasked with being Val's protection and backup on the mission she's on. She gets away from them only to be caught up to when they fly to Belize to follow the rogue shifter who turned then killed his wife. Val's parents are also in the area on another mission and are the ones behind her getting the backup she doesn't want. The more time she spends with Howard the more attached she gets and realizes that working with a team isn't so bad. They find themselves getting closer and working together so naturally that it seems like they've been doing it forever. They two women make friends with the girlfriend of the man they're after. Val takes a hostage. They get a new temporary team member. A call from her parents needing help take them the drug dealer her parents were watching. Val gets help from a woman connected to the drug dealers. Howard chases after some criminals, killing one, and fighting the others. After her parents are taken care, Val lets someone go and receives information on more drug houses. She goes after Howard and helps him. They head back to their resort and check to make sure the bad guys haven't come back. A new jaguar shifter is born. Val and Howard must track down the new shifter and bring them back. The two of them finally come together and make love. They make a discovery about the new shifter and send her with Val's parents back home. The team adds one of their members and head out to check out one of the drug houses. They find the woman Val let go and must fight to survive. A trip to the airport sends a couple of people back home. They get two more team members for help. They had visitors while they were gone and set a trap. The new additions show up in the middle of fighting the bad guys in the jungle. Val and Howard decide to mate and get married. Val must protect Howard when he's injured in the fighting. The bad guys are taken care and while on vacation they clean up the stragglers. They head home and to the bar they hangout in and find the people they sent home. Val's parents retire. The team heads out on a new mission, including Val and Howard.
Terry Spear brings a couple of her shifter series together in this book about the Jaguar/Wolf police force. She has hot, sexy shifters who must face danger, and passion to find their way to love. She combines her Heart of the Jaguar and Wolf series into the newly formed United Shifters Force. The USF has wolves and jaguars working together to take down rogue shifters who have committed crimes against humans and shifters both. They take the most dangerous of the missions. I'm hoping the future more of her shifters will be included like the cougars and the white wolves, polar bears and what ever other hot passionate and sexy characters she can come up with to join USF. I look forward to more books by this wonderful writer of shifter books. Can't wait to read Rowdy's story in the near future. Terry Spear is almost a great read.
February 26, 2019
You Had Me At Jaguar by Terry Spear
Heart of the Shifter #1
First in a new Paranormal Romance series this book has a collection of shifter groups that police and care for other shifters. We meet Howard Armstrong and Valerie Chambers, jaguar shifters, immediately as they train for their jobs as enforcers. A year passes and then they are thrown together again and the interest they originally felt for one another is given an opportunity to flourish as they do their best to bring down some bad shifters. I never really related to this group of characters, saw what Howard and Valerie saw in one another or became invested in the story and ended up feeling the book was okay to good but that it didn’t add anything new or different...kind of predictable and no doubt just what some readers look forward to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablance for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Heart of the Shifter #1
First in a new Paranormal Romance series this book has a collection of shifter groups that police and care for other shifters. We meet Howard Armstrong and Valerie Chambers, jaguar shifters, immediately as they train for their jobs as enforcers. A year passes and then they are thrown together again and the interest they originally felt for one another is given an opportunity to flourish as they do their best to bring down some bad shifters. I never really related to this group of characters, saw what Howard and Valerie saw in one another or became invested in the story and ended up feeling the book was okay to good but that it didn’t add anything new or different...kind of predictable and no doubt just what some readers look forward to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablance for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
February 16, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Valerie is a determined, independent jaguar! As an enforcer, she doesn't need a partner. It doesn't matter that the man sent to protect her is amazingly hot and she feels drawn to him every single time she is around him. Their interactions were great! I loved the way each tried to out think the other.
Howard is going to watch Valerie's back, no matter how many times she tries to give him the slip. Their chemistry is undeniable. I liked seeing characters mentioned from other books and I'm curious where they will fit into future books and what happens to them. Great story and fun read.
It was a 4/5 for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Howard is going to watch Valerie's back, no matter how many times she tries to give him the slip. Their chemistry is undeniable. I liked seeing characters mentioned from other books and I'm curious where they will fit into future books and what happens to them. Great story and fun read.
It was a 4/5 for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
February 21, 2019
I feel like I should have liked this one better. Val and Howard's romance was just so so for me, I never felt like they had great chemistry. For me they worked better as work partners. The way the two different groups went after the bad guys and kept on task while encountering one crazy thing after another. They adapted on the fly, re-working their plan time and time again. I did like how they finally got the bad guy and the reward they all got when done.
April 20, 2019
Awesome book.
May 7, 2019
I always struggle to rate this series. It is my guilty pleasure. I like a lot of it, the action, the relationships amongst the shifters, the shifter characters, etc, but some of it is so corny lol.
June 7, 2023
if u see me logging this… no u didn’t
0/5 stars
zen and adelaide i hate you for giving me this book and making me read this
and i hate myself for actually reading it
so funny (in all the worst ways) and so weird and confusing and just eugh
you know the hays code, the censorship laws for movies? not to sound like a conservative or anything but maybe let’s bring those back for books bc some things should stay unpublished
0/5 stars
zen and adelaide i hate you for giving me this book and making me read this
and i hate myself for actually reading it
so funny (in all the worst ways) and so weird and confusing and just eugh
you know the hays code, the censorship laws for movies? not to sound like a conservative or anything but maybe let’s bring those back for books bc some things should stay unpublished
February 24, 2019
3.75 stars--
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 26, 2019
They're not the only ones on the prowl...but they're the most dangerous...
The United Shifter Force gives jaguar agent Howard Armstrong an impossible task—to protect fierce she-jaguar Valerie Chambers, when the last thing she wants is protecting. They're going international to take down a killer and he can guard Valerie all day long. But guard his heart? He doesn't stand a chance.
•••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is the sixth instalment in Terry Spear’s contemporary, adult HEART OF THE JAGUAR, and the first instalment in the Heart of the Shifter paranormal, romance series. This is she-jaguar Enforcer Valerie Chambers, and United Shifter Force (USF) Agent Howard Armstrong’s story line. YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Valerie and Howard) YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR follows the building relationship between she-jaguar Enforcer Valerie Chambers, and United Shifter Force (USF) Agent Howard Armstrong. Valerie Chambers’ latest assignment as a member of the Enforcer Team is to hunt, and take down a killer; a jaguar male who killed his newly turned mate, then ran to places unknown. While on assignment Val will come face to face with former Enforcer, and new USF agent Howard Armstrong, whose own assignment is to shadow and protect our story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Val and Howard, and the potential fall-out as several investigations cross paths in Belize, placing the Enforcers and USF team in the line of fire.
As a Enforcer, Valerie’s job is to take down the worst rogue shifters, and sometimes the human who were killing jaguars or shifters in the wild but never had Valerie suspected that the USF would assign backup, on her latest solo mission. Howard Armstrong’s attraction to Valerie began during Valerie’s training as a jaguar Enforcer. Now, months later Howard ‘volunteered’ along with his USF partner and wolf-shifter Jillian Greystoke, to cover and protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.
Meanwhile Valerie’s parents, and jaguar Guardians are on an assignment of their own, tracking a drug dealer in Belize, who may or may not have connections to the jaguar shifters, and the man for whom Valerie and Howard are on the hunt.
The relationship between Valerie and Howard is one of mutual attraction; a friends to lovers romance heightened by their current working assignments that forces our couple to work and live in close proximity. The quick building romance is fated, passionate and hot.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including human homicide detective Rowdy Sanderson whom we have met on a number of previous occasions; wolf shifters Jillian Greystoke and her mate Vaughn ; Valerie’s parents; Izzie Summerfield- a woman whose life is about to change, and jaguar female Emmie Bancoft. The requisite evil has many faces including jaguar and murderer Benny Canton.
The world building continues to look at the law enforcement and secret society of shifters; their private police and investigative forces, as well as the political hierarchy of the shifter nation.
YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is a character driven story line of family, friendship, betrayal and love but a story line with more telling than showing driven by the conversations between most of the characters. There is some redundancy and repetition when the characters restate or explain previous conversations. The premise is engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are numerous, colorful and energetic. YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is a fast paced and intriguing story of shifters and the human world of which they inhabit.
Copy supplied for Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 26, 2019
They're not the only ones on the prowl...but they're the most dangerous...
The United Shifter Force gives jaguar agent Howard Armstrong an impossible task—to protect fierce she-jaguar Valerie Chambers, when the last thing she wants is protecting. They're going international to take down a killer and he can guard Valerie all day long. But guard his heart? He doesn't stand a chance.
•••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is the sixth instalment in Terry Spear’s contemporary, adult HEART OF THE JAGUAR, and the first instalment in the Heart of the Shifter paranormal, romance series. This is she-jaguar Enforcer Valerie Chambers, and United Shifter Force (USF) Agent Howard Armstrong’s story line. YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Valerie and Howard) YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR follows the building relationship between she-jaguar Enforcer Valerie Chambers, and United Shifter Force (USF) Agent Howard Armstrong. Valerie Chambers’ latest assignment as a member of the Enforcer Team is to hunt, and take down a killer; a jaguar male who killed his newly turned mate, then ran to places unknown. While on assignment Val will come face to face with former Enforcer, and new USF agent Howard Armstrong, whose own assignment is to shadow and protect our story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Val and Howard, and the potential fall-out as several investigations cross paths in Belize, placing the Enforcers and USF team in the line of fire.
As a Enforcer, Valerie’s job is to take down the worst rogue shifters, and sometimes the human who were killing jaguars or shifters in the wild but never had Valerie suspected that the USF would assign backup, on her latest solo mission. Howard Armstrong’s attraction to Valerie began during Valerie’s training as a jaguar Enforcer. Now, months later Howard ‘volunteered’ along with his USF partner and wolf-shifter Jillian Greystoke, to cover and protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.
Meanwhile Valerie’s parents, and jaguar Guardians are on an assignment of their own, tracking a drug dealer in Belize, who may or may not have connections to the jaguar shifters, and the man for whom Valerie and Howard are on the hunt.
The relationship between Valerie and Howard is one of mutual attraction; a friends to lovers romance heightened by their current working assignments that forces our couple to work and live in close proximity. The quick building romance is fated, passionate and hot.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including human homicide detective Rowdy Sanderson whom we have met on a number of previous occasions; wolf shifters Jillian Greystoke and her mate Vaughn ; Valerie’s parents; Izzie Summerfield- a woman whose life is about to change, and jaguar female Emmie Bancoft. The requisite evil has many faces including jaguar and murderer Benny Canton.
The world building continues to look at the law enforcement and secret society of shifters; their private police and investigative forces, as well as the political hierarchy of the shifter nation.
YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is a character driven story line of family, friendship, betrayal and love but a story line with more telling than showing driven by the conversations between most of the characters. There is some redundancy and repetition when the characters restate or explain previous conversations. The premise is engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are numerous, colorful and energetic. YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is a fast paced and intriguing story of shifters and the human world of which they inhabit.
Copy supplied for Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
February 24, 2019
3.75 stars--
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 26, 2019
They're not the only ones on the prowl...but they're the most dangerous...
The United Shifter Force gives jaguar agent Howard Armstrong an impossible task—to protect fierce she-jaguar Valerie Chambers, when the last thing she wants is protecting. They're going international to take down a killer and he can guard Valerie all day long. But guard his heart? He doesn't stand a chance.
•••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is the sixth instalment in Terry Spear’s contemporary, adult HEART OF THE JAGUAR, and the first instalment in the Heart of the Shifter paranormal, romance series. This is she-jaguar Enforcer Valerie Chambers, and United Shifter Force (USF) Agent Howard Armstrong’s story line. YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Valerie and Howard) YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR follows the building relationship between she-jaguar Enforcer Valerie Chambers, and United Shifter Force (USF) Agent Howard Armstrong. Valerie Chambers’ latest assignment as a member of the Enforcer Team is to hunt, and take down a killer; a jaguar male who killed his newly turned mate, then ran to places unknown. While on assignment Val will come face to face with former Enforcer, and new USF agent Howard Armstrong, whose own assignment is to shadow and protect our story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Val and Howard, and the potential fall-out as several investigations cross paths in Belize, placing the Enforcers and USF team in the line of fire.
As a Enforcer, Valerie’s job is to take down the worst rogue shifters, and sometimes the human who were killing jaguars or shifters in the wild but never had Valerie suspected that the USF would assign backup, on her latest solo mission. Howard Armstrong’s attraction to Valerie began during Valerie’s training as a jaguar Enforcer. Now, months later Howard ‘volunteered’ along with his USF partner and wolf-shifter Jillian Greystoke, to cover and protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.
Meanwhile Valerie’s parents, and jaguar Guardians are on an assignment of their own, tracking a drug dealer in Belize, who may or may not have connections to the jaguar shifters, and the man for whom Valerie and Howard are on the hunt.
The relationship between Valerie and Howard is one of mutual attraction; a friends to lovers romance heightened by their current working assignments that forces our couple to work and live in close proximity. The quick building romance is fated, passionate and hot.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including human homicide detective Rowdy Sanderson whom we have met on a number of previous occasions; wolf shifters Jillian Greystoke and her mate Vaughn ; Valerie’s parents; Izzie Summerfield- a woman whose life is about to change, and jaguar female Emmie Bancoft. The requisite evil has many faces including jaguar and murderer Benny Canton.
The world building continues to look at the law enforcement and secret society of shifters; their private police and investigative forces, as well as the political hierarchy of the shifter nation.
YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is a character driven story line of family, friendship, betrayal and love but a story line with more telling than showing driven by the conversations between most of the characters. There is some redundancy and repetition when the characters restate or explain previous conversations. The premise is engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are numerous, colorful and energetic. YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is a fast paced and intriguing story of shifters and the human world of which they inhabit.
Copy supplied for Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 26, 2019
They're not the only ones on the prowl...but they're the most dangerous...
The United Shifter Force gives jaguar agent Howard Armstrong an impossible task—to protect fierce she-jaguar Valerie Chambers, when the last thing she wants is protecting. They're going international to take down a killer and he can guard Valerie all day long. But guard his heart? He doesn't stand a chance.
•••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is the sixth instalment in Terry Spear’s contemporary, adult HEART OF THE JAGUAR, and the first instalment in the Heart of the Shifter paranormal, romance series. This is she-jaguar Enforcer Valerie Chambers, and United Shifter Force (USF) Agent Howard Armstrong’s story line. YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Valerie and Howard) YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR follows the building relationship between she-jaguar Enforcer Valerie Chambers, and United Shifter Force (USF) Agent Howard Armstrong. Valerie Chambers’ latest assignment as a member of the Enforcer Team is to hunt, and take down a killer; a jaguar male who killed his newly turned mate, then ran to places unknown. While on assignment Val will come face to face with former Enforcer, and new USF agent Howard Armstrong, whose own assignment is to shadow and protect our story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Val and Howard, and the potential fall-out as several investigations cross paths in Belize, placing the Enforcers and USF team in the line of fire.
As a Enforcer, Valerie’s job is to take down the worst rogue shifters, and sometimes the human who were killing jaguars or shifters in the wild but never had Valerie suspected that the USF would assign backup, on her latest solo mission. Howard Armstrong’s attraction to Valerie began during Valerie’s training as a jaguar Enforcer. Now, months later Howard ‘volunteered’ along with his USF partner and wolf-shifter Jillian Greystoke, to cover and protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.
Meanwhile Valerie’s parents, and jaguar Guardians are on an assignment of their own, tracking a drug dealer in Belize, who may or may not have connections to the jaguar shifters, and the man for whom Valerie and Howard are on the hunt.
The relationship between Valerie and Howard is one of mutual attraction; a friends to lovers romance heightened by their current working assignments that forces our couple to work and live in close proximity. The quick building romance is fated, passionate and hot.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including human homicide detective Rowdy Sanderson whom we have met on a number of previous occasions; wolf shifters Jillian Greystoke and her mate Vaughn ; Valerie’s parents; Izzie Summerfield- a woman whose life is about to change, and jaguar female Emmie Bancoft. The requisite evil has many faces including jaguar and murderer Benny Canton.
The world building continues to look at the law enforcement and secret society of shifters; their private police and investigative forces, as well as the political hierarchy of the shifter nation.
YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is a character driven story line of family, friendship, betrayal and love but a story line with more telling than showing driven by the conversations between most of the characters. There is some redundancy and repetition when the characters restate or explain previous conversations. The premise is engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are numerous, colorful and energetic. YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is a fast paced and intriguing story of shifters and the human world of which they inhabit.
Copy supplied for Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
April 1, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Although YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is the first story in the Heart of the Shifter series there are so many faces that readers of Ms. Spear’s related or connected series will recognize with little trouble. That is just one of the many reasons I return to her series constantly, once we’re done with a story doesn’t always mean we’re done with those characters and that only adds to the draw of Terry Spear’s stories for me.
Valerie, an Enforcer, is on a mission to take down a rogue jaguar who turned his wife and then killed her. Val is intelligent, strong, independent and usually works alone as she prefers it that way. But with parents who are also Enforcers, well, sometimes unwanted help is called in as a backup… only this time the man she’s after is going to lead to other connections that several different teams are also on missions about, so that backup isn’t as completely unwanted as Val first insisted.
Howard, as a member of the USF (United Shifters Force), has had more than his share of intriguing and frustrating assignments – but shadowing and protecting without her knowledge a capable jaguar Enforcer has to be one of the most… intriguing. It also doesn’t hurt that Howard and Valerie have encountered each other before, and each has gone away with an unspoken attraction. Now that spark is going full bloom as they are working together to take down a rogue with several far-reaching connections.
YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is another fast-paced, interesting story from this unique world. There are definitely vile villains to go after but also several familiar faces to enjoy once again as so many assignments will cross during this investigation and takedown of the bad guys. You’ll find suspense, twists and turns, humor, sizzling moments and a couple who work together in so many ways. I enjoyed my time in this world once again and would not hesitate to recommend this story to any reader who loves Paranormal Romance or Shifter Romance.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Although YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is the first story in the Heart of the Shifter series there are so many faces that readers of Ms. Spear’s related or connected series will recognize with little trouble. That is just one of the many reasons I return to her series constantly, once we’re done with a story doesn’t always mean we’re done with those characters and that only adds to the draw of Terry Spear’s stories for me.
Valerie, an Enforcer, is on a mission to take down a rogue jaguar who turned his wife and then killed her. Val is intelligent, strong, independent and usually works alone as she prefers it that way. But with parents who are also Enforcers, well, sometimes unwanted help is called in as a backup… only this time the man she’s after is going to lead to other connections that several different teams are also on missions about, so that backup isn’t as completely unwanted as Val first insisted.
Howard, as a member of the USF (United Shifters Force), has had more than his share of intriguing and frustrating assignments – but shadowing and protecting without her knowledge a capable jaguar Enforcer has to be one of the most… intriguing. It also doesn’t hurt that Howard and Valerie have encountered each other before, and each has gone away with an unspoken attraction. Now that spark is going full bloom as they are working together to take down a rogue with several far-reaching connections.
YOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR is another fast-paced, interesting story from this unique world. There are definitely vile villains to go after but also several familiar faces to enjoy once again as so many assignments will cross during this investigation and takedown of the bad guys. You’ll find suspense, twists and turns, humor, sizzling moments and a couple who work together in so many ways. I enjoyed my time in this world once again and would not hesitate to recommend this story to any reader who loves Paranormal Romance or Shifter Romance.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
March 8, 2019
It's been quite some time since I've read a book by Terry Spear. It appears that this one was the right one to pick to get reacquainted with her writing. One word that can sum up this story? FUN. It was just a fun tale, full of sexy jaguar (and wolf) shifters and lots of action. I love books with lots of angst; but sometimes, when life is being ornery, I just want to be entertained.
Instead of detailing the plot, let me explain why I loved these characters. When Howard was training Val before he was assigned to protect her, she surprised him by jumping the gun and taking him down to the mat before the whistle blew. Did our hunky hero get mad? Did it threaten his manhood? Nope. He found it sexy and intriguing. That's what made these characters so appealing. There was no fight for supremacy. They were simply equals. They respected and appreciated each other's strengths and compensated for the other's weakness. And that, dear readers, was totally refreshing. Take some time to relax and treat yourself to some hot shifter loving, excitement and characters you can not only enjoy, but can also respect.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Instead of detailing the plot, let me explain why I loved these characters. When Howard was training Val before he was assigned to protect her, she surprised him by jumping the gun and taking him down to the mat before the whistle blew. Did our hunky hero get mad? Did it threaten his manhood? Nope. He found it sexy and intriguing. That's what made these characters so appealing. There was no fight for supremacy. They were simply equals. They respected and appreciated each other's strengths and compensated for the other's weakness. And that, dear readers, was totally refreshing. Take some time to relax and treat yourself to some hot shifter loving, excitement and characters you can not only enjoy, but can also respect.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
February 24, 2019
This is book 1 in the Heart of the Shifter series. It's about Valerie (Val) Chambers and Howard Armstrong. Val and Howard met years ago when they were going through training to become Enforcer's. But once they were fully agent's, they never saw each other again. Val has been given the mission of finding a shifter who murdered his wife and eliminate him to protect all shifters. Howard and his team have been asked to be her backup, even though most enforcer's don't have backup. From the moment they meet up again, they have chemistry like no tomorrow! But when the mission gets much more involved than either of them expect, can they not only finish it but figure out that they are perfect for each other?
I really liked this book. Val and Howard made me laugh at points with their antics with each other. And there was plenty of action to go around. There were only a few things that kinda made me iffy about things. It was a little slow at parts. So while it was a good read, I felt like some things were just unnecessary and just made it drag out. And I felt almost like this book was already part of a series instead of being book 1. I even went back to check to make sure that I hadn't missed a book. I was slightly confused about that. But on a whole it is a good read, it was just little things that got to me. I would still read it again!
I really liked this book. Val and Howard made me laugh at points with their antics with each other. And there was plenty of action to go around. There were only a few things that kinda made me iffy about things. It was a little slow at parts. So while it was a good read, I felt like some things were just unnecessary and just made it drag out. And I felt almost like this book was already part of a series instead of being book 1. I even went back to check to make sure that I hadn't missed a book. I was slightly confused about that. But on a whole it is a good read, it was just little things that got to me. I would still read it again!
March 8, 2019
He’s been given the impossible task to protect the fierce jaguar Valerie while on an international take down. He can guard Valerie all day long, but he doesn’t stand a chance of guarding his heart in the thrilling new shifter series by Terry Spear. The United Shifter Force has the wolves and the jaguars working together to take down rogue shifters and this time they are after a killer. The characters are strong, bold and easily draw readers into their story and the romance is sweet and the passion is hot with lots of sizzling chemistry between Howard and Valerie. Their relationship is hampered by the mission they are on but that doesn’t stop the magnetic attraction and the undeniable feelings from keep these two apart.
The plot is fast paced and full of thrilling suspense and dangerously exciting events as the case Howard and Valerie are on is more complicated than they could have imagined. The single suspect becomes a group of suspects when he flees to meet up some drug dealers and the danger escalates with some unexpected twists adding even more excitement to the story. Terry Spear has joined her two shifter worlds into another exciting world full of suspense and action for readers to enjoy and the first one is a thrilling read that readers can’t put down.
The plot is fast paced and full of thrilling suspense and dangerously exciting events as the case Howard and Valerie are on is more complicated than they could have imagined. The single suspect becomes a group of suspects when he flees to meet up some drug dealers and the danger escalates with some unexpected twists adding even more excitement to the story. Terry Spear has joined her two shifter worlds into another exciting world full of suspense and action for readers to enjoy and the first one is a thrilling read that readers can’t put down.
February 28, 2019
Finally, a mate for Howard!
I enjoyed watching the USF get going in the previous few stories, and Howard has definitely needed a mate. The gruff former Enforcer has been a key part of the USF from the beginning. I really love where Terry Spear is taking these series. Jaguar and wolf shifters working together to keep all shifters safe. Valerie is the perfect match for him. There is plenty of action in this fast paced story. The steamy scenes combine with some character development to make this another fantastic read! I also like that the solutions to this story are not instantaneous. They both have to work, at the relationship and at solving their case. It is not simple.
Terry Spears is one of the first authors of shifter romances that I have read, and continues to set the standard for in-depth, exciting paranormal stories. She is not a fluff writer. I do enjoy them too, but her stories are just powerfully good reads. Sit back and enjoy!
I enjoyed watching the USF get going in the previous few stories, and Howard has definitely needed a mate. The gruff former Enforcer has been a key part of the USF from the beginning. I really love where Terry Spear is taking these series. Jaguar and wolf shifters working together to keep all shifters safe. Valerie is the perfect match for him. There is plenty of action in this fast paced story. The steamy scenes combine with some character development to make this another fantastic read! I also like that the solutions to this story are not instantaneous. They both have to work, at the relationship and at solving their case. It is not simple.
Terry Spears is one of the first authors of shifter romances that I have read, and continues to set the standard for in-depth, exciting paranormal stories. She is not a fluff writer. I do enjoy them too, but her stories are just powerfully good reads. Sit back and enjoy!
March 2, 2019
You Had Me at Jaguar by Terry Spear is a hot exciting adventure unlike any other. It was fast-paced due to the characters and action inside. I was amazed at how fast and easy this was to read. The characters were fun, charming, and strong. Each one added to the flavor of this book. The cast ranged from a human homicide detective to jaguars and wolves that worked with a special police force. Humor and romance oozed on every page.
Terry Spear knew how to combine enough action, heat, and danger to keep my pulse soaring high. I was entertained from the first page. Suspense, risks of both the physical and emotional kind, and rich characters made this a must read. I highly recommend You Had Me at Jaguar to all romantic suspense readers. If you're one of those who love a paranormal romance, then this is for you!
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Terry Spear knew how to combine enough action, heat, and danger to keep my pulse soaring high. I was entertained from the first page. Suspense, risks of both the physical and emotional kind, and rich characters made this a must read. I highly recommend You Had Me at Jaguar to all romantic suspense readers. If you're one of those who love a paranormal romance, then this is for you!
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
February 24, 2019
(3.5) I have read Terry Spear before and will read her again. This one for me was not quite as fantastic as others I have read by her and I am not 100% sure why. I realize its book 1 in a new series so she has to lay some ground work. I enjoyed Valerie, she was intelligent, quick thinker and I appreciate the fact that Howard was all for that aspect. There were twists and turns, which I always love in any book and Terry delivered. There was indeed the hot sex that so many love and require, but the connection wasn't there for me. Thank you NetGalley for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 27, 2019
This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.
Wow, this book is just non-stop action as Howard and Val slowly fall for each other. Val is after a man who killed his wife, and Howard has been sent to back her up.
Lots of chases, attacks, and red herrings along the way. I loved that we see Rowdy again and his desire to become a wolf!! It was funny that he really did not want to be a jaguar when you could see the advantage in strength that they had.
I also loved that we see other couples from previous books included and maybe even will see more of Emmie or Izzie in future books??
Wow, this book is just non-stop action as Howard and Val slowly fall for each other. Val is after a man who killed his wife, and Howard has been sent to back her up.
Lots of chases, attacks, and red herrings along the way. I loved that we see Rowdy again and his desire to become a wolf!! It was funny that he really did not want to be a jaguar when you could see the advantage in strength that they had.
I also loved that we see other couples from previous books included and maybe even will see more of Emmie or Izzie in future books??
February 18, 2019
You had me at jaguar is the story of Val and Howard, two shifter jaguars who are set on protecting the shifter population and human population. One is part of the USF and the other an enforcer. Val is used to working alone but Howard is someone who has had her attention since training days. He’s been interested in her too but now he’s been called in to watch her back as she is on a mission that should be simple but ends up being more.
It was okay qnd interesting to read.
It was okay qnd interesting to read.
August 17, 2024
I kept forcing myself to turn pages but I’m still not sure what I read.
It was like listening to a small child tell the story of a trip to the zoo; “And then there was another animal!”, over and over. It felt like the wrong things were emphasized half the time, context was shoved in all over the place, phrasing was awkward, dialogue was just constant, and setting was sketched in. This author’s style just doesn’t seem to be my thing.
Violence. Sex. Swearing.
It was like listening to a small child tell the story of a trip to the zoo; “And then there was another animal!”, over and over. It felt like the wrong things were emphasized half the time, context was shoved in all over the place, phrasing was awkward, dialogue was just constant, and setting was sketched in. This author’s style just doesn’t seem to be my thing.
Violence. Sex. Swearing.
March 2, 2019
I loved this book, Val & Howard were a perfect match! Plus we still got to catch up with couples from previous books. It's great seeing more cases with the USF as well. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
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