Reclaim

The Sigma Menace #3.5

by Marie Johnston

Master Dane Bellamy was once the commander of the West Creek Guardians, a pack of wolf-shifters charged with protecting local shifter packs. Over a century ago, tragedy struck his growing family, driving him away with a fierce need for revenge. He returned to a devastated, withdrawn mate who resented him for leaving her to fulfill his obligations. Now, he’s immersed himself in training the Guardians of his pack, while he and his mate have become nothing more than roommates, until the secret life she’s been living brings danger to their doorstep. Suddenly Dane finds himself not just fighting to save his broken relationship, but their lives as well.

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Werewolves, Shapeshifters, Suspense

Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2015

About the author

Marie Johnston is an award-winning, best-selling paranormal and contemporary romance writer. She grew up in the upper Midwest and planned to go to college for English. Didn't happen. She started college in accounting and was awful! Grabbing her inner science geek by the pocket protector, she changed to microbiology and medical technology where her only writing involved scientific articles and procedures.
Eventually, she left full-time work for full-time baby raising but kept thinking, "one day, I'd like to write a book." Finally, before any more time passed, Marie decided to buckle down and write. She loves it!

Reviews

[Veronica Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep, loved this one, too. I'd thought Master Dane Bellamy had lost his mate, so colour me surprised when in a previous book Mercury talked to Irina, Dane's mate. They lived together, but after a painful loss for both of them, they drifted apart.
Now, with others finding their mate and happiness, Dane and Irina reexamine why they barely talk to each other.
I really felt for these two and rooted for them to work out their issues.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great back story for Dane and Irina.As usual great writing and storyline that keeps you interested. Love this series.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book was far too short for me. I know it's a novella but honestly more backstory and plot and more Irina and Dame! So not enough of this couple... They deserved their own book.

I can't wait to see how Irina grows more within the story. Parish... So much potential there... Irina's hobby... How apt...

Looking forward to the next full book

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romance shifter novel can be read as a stand alone, also I think you`ll enjoy it more when you start with book one (Fever Claim) of this series. The love story is self-contained, but the background story builds up from book to book.
Irina and Dane are mates, yet they´re two stangers sharing a house; through a tragic event in their past. When Irina is threatened by a crazy stalker, both are forced to talk and interact with each other again. It gradually becomes clear that both can learn from past mistakes.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry but wow this was bad. I was feeling a short book with romance and picked this up bc the first one is free on amazon and this one is so short and was available at my library. Didn't want to commit to the first book, so I tried this.

The writing is actually not horrible. It's simple and very readable. Which makes it even more sad that the characters, the plot, the world are just so badly written and feel frustratingly contrived. Ughhhh someone just give me a good short romance. I'm popping back into the historical genre.

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was too easy. 150 years of silence and then this? Nah, don't feel it. The author didnt put her strength into this. And the stalker? It was just so wishy washy and he was dealt with. Meh, I think 3 stars are too many...

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!

This was a beautiful story of mates who have drifted apart but strive to find their way back......how the author shows how each character works through their personal issues is refreshing and I love how each of the characters takes accountability for their actions. Worth the read!

[E.G. Manetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done second chance romance with over-40 MCs.

Read as part of The Sigma Menace Collection

[Queen Talk Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but sweet

Family should come first. A hundred years is a long time to go without talking about what hurts in a relationship.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, but unnecessary to advance the plot of the series.

[Ak.if_ah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this, I loved the healing bond of them and they're just so cute, I loved how she wrote books as well it's quite funny that he he didn't know and it was a secret job of hers

[Bernadette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 3.5 in the series and explains why Master Dane Bellamy is more or less living separately from his wife Irina. It's a novella but it does tie up some loose ends.

We first met Irina in book 2 when Mercury seeks her out for advice. Dane and Irina were very much a loved up couple until one fateful night when their son Kade was killed and their unborn child was cut from Irina's womb. It explains how Dane was driven by revenge and justice leaving Irina in the care of the healers and how, by the time he returned avenged, the gulf between them had been set.

Fast forward to the present day and we learn that Irina is a semi recluse who has carved out a career for herself as a novelist. No one knows her secret until the day she is forced to approach Dani for help in revealing the identity of a stalker. In telling Dani her secret, she is forced to tell Dane as well. It's the first time in decades that Irina has sought his help but Dane messes up again when he goes into Guardian mode instead of Mate mode.

We learn a little bit more about Parrish and why he refuses to help and after an incident involving Irina, Dani and Dante, Dane finally understands what he has been doing wrong.

The book is short and sweet but is full of background information and suspense and doesn't disappoint.

[Meiwilli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interlude between True Claim and Lawful Claim. Basically a recap of books 1-3 to set up books 4 and 5. Dane and Irina are about as dysfunctional as a couple can be and still live together. What happened to them and their family is tragic and obviously has torn them apart. What lacks between the two is basic communication which is a surprise for such a long lived couple. This story never really takes off or develops. The focus is unclear although it is supposed to be about Dane and Irina. Turns out Irina is a writer and has attracted the dreaded "number one fan". The vamp's infatuation with Irina doesn't really develop and comes across flat and is over before it begins. Dane and Irina still never communicate what led them to the point they have arrived at yet manage to repair their relationship and forget the twenty odd years or so of being estranged. On my Were Scale of Hotness, 2 stars.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the problems seemed to stem from communication issues. She didn't explain to him what he had done wrong. In fact she said most of the problem is that he didn't even realize what he had done wrong. In other words expecting him to be able to read her mind. That is one of my least favourite tropes. I consider most of the pain between them to be self-inflicted, so I didn't really like either of the characters.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally

Finally some back story on irina and Dane!!!!! I will admit even though I have given it 5 stars I would have liked for it to be a full book not a mid book