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Bears of Burden #4
Sterling: Ein Paranormaler Roman
Sterling Mallory steht auf sehr, sehr schnelle Autos und noch schnellere Frauen, alles um seine Dämonen in Schach zu halten. Doch solch ein gefährliches Leben zu führen holt ihn spätestens dann ein, als er sich gedankenlos Kyle Barns zum Feind macht. Wer hätte denn auch erwartet, dass ausgerechnet Kyles jüngere Schwester Sterlings Gefährtin ist. Jetzt hasst sie ihn.
Ophelia Barns ließ ihre blühende Karriere als Journalistin in Nashville zurück, um nach Burden, Texas, zurückzukehren. Ihr Bruder war immer für sie da gewesen und nun lag es an ihr, für ihn da zu sein. Wenn ihn jemand verletzte, verletzte man sie.
Als Ophelia dazu gezwungen ist Sterling für die örtliche Zeitung ‚Die Burden Gazette‘ zu interviewen, obwohl sie ihn nicht ausstehen kann, ist ihre Anziehungskraft so intensiv, dass sie ihm kaum widerstehen kann.
WARNUNG: DIESES BUCH IST NICHT FÜR LESER UNTER 18 JAHREN GEEIGNET.
Ophelia Barns ließ ihre blühende Karriere als Journalistin in Nashville zurück, um nach Burden, Texas, zurückzukehren. Ihr Bruder war immer für sie da gewesen und nun lag es an ihr, für ihn da zu sein. Wenn ihn jemand verletzte, verletzte man sie.
Als Ophelia dazu gezwungen ist Sterling für die örtliche Zeitung ‚Die Burden Gazette‘ zu interviewen, obwohl sie ihn nicht ausstehen kann, ist ihre Anziehungskraft so intensiv, dass sie ihm kaum widerstehen kann.
WARNUNG: DIESES BUCH IST NICHT FÜR LESER UNTER 18 JAHREN GEEIGNET.
151 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2017
801 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
avoid
June 15, 2017MASIVE whinge-o-rama!
"Daddy didn't love me enough"
"Daddy loved big brother more"
"Mate doesn't love me enough"
"Mate loves HER brother more"
"Mates is more work than whoring"
"She doesn't like me enough"
ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME!!!!!
You are a giant fucking bear!
Act like one.
Also heroine basically does EVERYTHING here.
I like a strong female lead.
But this basically is a full gender switch.
The male lead character was not even necessary for the book to be completed!
She practically managed a overgrown man child bear, a man child weasel of a brother and her own bear self throughout the entire book!
"Daddy didn't love me enough"
"Daddy loved big brother more"
"Mate doesn't love me enough"
"Mate loves HER brother more"
"Mates is more work than whoring"
"She doesn't like me enough"
ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME!!!!!
You are a giant fucking bear!
Act like one.
Also heroine basically does EVERYTHING here.
I like a strong female lead.
But this basically is a full gender switch.
The male lead character was not even necessary for the book to be completed!
She practically managed a overgrown man child bear, a man child weasel of a brother and her own bear self throughout the entire book!
June 16, 2017
2.5 stars
Better than Hutch's story but I still really disliked how Sterling kept up the image of being with OW. No, he wasn't with anyone after he met the heroine BUT he continued to make it appear he was. He would hit on them, leave with them, but not follow through. Why can't the Hero just stop?
Better than Hutch's story but I still really disliked how Sterling kept up the image of being with OW. No, he wasn't with anyone after he met the heroine BUT he continued to make it appear he was. He would hit on them, leave with them, but not follow through. Why can't the Hero just stop?
April 22, 2020
A playboy bear discovers his one true mate is the one bear who hates his guts.. 4.5 stars!
I just loved the two main characters in this one! Ophelia was sassy, quirky, and hilarious; her inner dialogue and clumsy antics made me giggle. Sterling was such a sensitive soul, hiding behind his cocky manwhore bravado in order not to dwell on his feelings of inadequacy. I loved their journey together, especially how Ophelia fought for Sterling in the end! I am so stoked for Sam and Matt's stories to round out the friend group in Burden ♡
I just loved the two main characters in this one! Ophelia was sassy, quirky, and hilarious; her inner dialogue and clumsy antics made me giggle. Sterling was such a sensitive soul, hiding behind his cocky manwhore bravado in order not to dwell on his feelings of inadequacy. I loved their journey together, especially how Ophelia fought for Sterling in the end! I am so stoked for Sam and Matt's stories to round out the friend group in Burden ♡
February 3, 2020
Sterling
All books in this series were fabulous reads. It was like real life with handsome bears. Can't wait for the next series.
All books in this series were fabulous reads. It was like real life with handsome bears. Can't wait for the next series.
June 29, 2025
Not as good as the others
Just a lot of Sterling being down on himself and Ophelia not standing up to her brother and hiding her relationship and then boom at the end it came together. For me it felt repetitive.
Just a lot of Sterling being down on himself and Ophelia not standing up to her brother and hiding her relationship and then boom at the end it came together. For me it felt repetitive.
November 10, 2024
2.5 Stars
Sterling
Bears of Burden #4
Sterling and Ophelia
I keep reading hoping to get back to the feeling I had when I finished the first book in the series. Sadly that hasn’t happened yet. This one, again, I struggled to finish. And it’s only 122 pages.
Ophelia is different than the other women in this series. She’s the only one who is a bear shifter. Thinking that was new I was excited to start this story. Alas I was wrong. She may be a bear, but she has been taught by her mother (also a bear) to hide who she was, as not to upset her human father and brother. She has little control over her bear, she’s bumbling and unsure of herself. Embarrassed by what she is.
Sterling on the other hand is very sure of his bear. What he’s unsure of is his human side. Daddy issues have kept him doubting himself and everything he’s tried to do. Causing him to throw caution to the wind, be the town player, take unnecessary risks, take nothing seriously.
When Ophelia comes back to town it doesn’t take long for these two to realize they are mates. But they don’t exactly hit it off right away. There is history in their past. Mainly him sleeping with her brothers fiancée.
Again I struggled to connect with these two characters. Other than the whole fated mate thing I just couldn’t find anything that was positive between them. She knew about mates, but thought avoiding him it would eventually just fade away. There was lots of sex, but very little actual talking.
They finally work out their issues and are together in the end, and then the book just ends. There were a few things that were just left hanging. Unfinished.
It could also use another pass through an editor. Lots of typos and mistakes.
Sterling
Bears of Burden #4
Sterling and Ophelia
I keep reading hoping to get back to the feeling I had when I finished the first book in the series. Sadly that hasn’t happened yet. This one, again, I struggled to finish. And it’s only 122 pages.
Ophelia is different than the other women in this series. She’s the only one who is a bear shifter. Thinking that was new I was excited to start this story. Alas I was wrong. She may be a bear, but she has been taught by her mother (also a bear) to hide who she was, as not to upset her human father and brother. She has little control over her bear, she’s bumbling and unsure of herself. Embarrassed by what she is.
Sterling on the other hand is very sure of his bear. What he’s unsure of is his human side. Daddy issues have kept him doubting himself and everything he’s tried to do. Causing him to throw caution to the wind, be the town player, take unnecessary risks, take nothing seriously.
When Ophelia comes back to town it doesn’t take long for these two to realize they are mates. But they don’t exactly hit it off right away. There is history in their past. Mainly him sleeping with her brothers fiancée.
Again I struggled to connect with these two characters. Other than the whole fated mate thing I just couldn’t find anything that was positive between them. She knew about mates, but thought avoiding him it would eventually just fade away. There was lots of sex, but very little actual talking.
They finally work out their issues and are together in the end, and then the book just ends. There were a few things that were just left hanging. Unfinished.
It could also use another pass through an editor. Lots of typos and mistakes.
January 1, 2024
HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters
Bear shifter
Bears of Burden series Book 4
Trigger warnings
Death of parents in plane crash
Sterling (mmc, bear)
Ophelia (mfc, bear)
Hutch (bear, brother to mmc, mated to Veronica)
Veronica/ Ronnie (mfc, human)
Thorn (bear, bar owner, mated to Allie)
Allie (human)
Sam (bear)
Abram (bar manager)
Wyatt (bear, survivalist guide, mated to Georgia)
Georgia (human)
Kyle (brother of mfc, hates mmc)
Sterling had no idea Kyle's sister was his mate when he broke up Kyle's relationship by sleeping with Kyle's fiance just days before their wedding. Now, his mate hates him on principle because Kyle is the only family she has. Ophelia doesn't actually hate him, but she's torn between loyalty and love. She didn't realize her brother wasn't exactly the innocent victim. Most folks in town don't care for him, but he is still her brother. Her parents were human dad/bear mom mix, and Kyle was human. Being a shifter was unusual enough, but female bears are even more rare. When she finds out the truth about Kyle, will she finally accept Sterling?
Standalone, interconnected characters
Bear shifter
Bears of Burden series Book 4
Trigger warnings
Death of parents in plane crash
Sterling (mmc, bear)
Ophelia (mfc, bear)
Hutch (bear, brother to mmc, mated to Veronica)
Veronica/ Ronnie (mfc, human)
Thorn (bear, bar owner, mated to Allie)
Allie (human)
Sam (bear)
Abram (bar manager)
Wyatt (bear, survivalist guide, mated to Georgia)
Georgia (human)
Kyle (brother of mfc, hates mmc)
Sterling had no idea Kyle's sister was his mate when he broke up Kyle's relationship by sleeping with Kyle's fiance just days before their wedding. Now, his mate hates him on principle because Kyle is the only family she has. Ophelia doesn't actually hate him, but she's torn between loyalty and love. She didn't realize her brother wasn't exactly the innocent victim. Most folks in town don't care for him, but he is still her brother. Her parents were human dad/bear mom mix, and Kyle was human. Being a shifter was unusual enough, but female bears are even more rare. When she finds out the truth about Kyle, will she finally accept Sterling?
April 23, 2025
This one brought a little more edge than the earlier books, and I was here for it. Sterling’s emotional avoidance and reckless streak added a layer of depth that balanced really well with Ophelia’s fierce loyalty and no-nonsense attitude. They’re both a little damaged in different ways, which made their push-pull dynamic feel raw and earned.
What I liked most was that neither of them gave in easily. The tension between personal loyalty and undeniable chemistry was strong throughout, and the emotional payoff hit harder because of it. Sterling isn’t just a smooth talker—he’s a mess trying to hold himself together, and Ophelia doesn’t let him coast on charm alone.
It’s a solid entry in the Bears of Burden series—still steamy and fun, but with a little more emotional grit. If you like your mates with baggage and your heroines with bite, this one delivers.
What I liked most was that neither of them gave in easily. The tension between personal loyalty and undeniable chemistry was strong throughout, and the emotional payoff hit harder because of it. Sterling isn’t just a smooth talker—he’s a mess trying to hold himself together, and Ophelia doesn’t let him coast on charm alone.
It’s a solid entry in the Bears of Burden series—still steamy and fun, but with a little more emotional grit. If you like your mates with baggage and your heroines with bite, this one delivers.
July 4, 2025
This one brought a little more edge than the earlier books, and I was here for it. Sterling’s emotional avoidance and reckless streak added a layer of depth that balanced really well with Ophelia’s fierce loyalty and no-nonsense attitude. They’re both a little damaged in different ways, which made their push-pull dynamic feel raw and earned.
What I liked most was that neither of them gave in easily. The tension between personal loyalty and undeniable chemistry was strong throughout, and the emotional payoff hit harder because of it. Sterling isn’t just a smooth talker—he’s a mess trying to hold himself together, and Ophelia doesn’t let him coast on charm alone.
It’s a solid entry in the Bears of Burden series—still steamy and fun, but with a little more emotional grit. If you like your mates with baggage and your heroines with bite, this one delivers
August 12, 2019
An Awesome Read!!
I loved reading STERLING (Bears of Burden Book 4). All about Sterling Mallory a bear shifter and a race car driver and Ophelia Barns a bear shifter who is a reporter for the Burden Gazette. The author wrote a story about a bear shifter who had a very difficult life, when his dad died when he was a kid and his brother was fourteen and took over as man of the house. Read about Sterling & Ophelia who are mates but they don’t really like each other. Discover with them what it means to be a mate with two bears!! I’ve read this entire series starting with one thru four, and have loved all the stories! I can not wait to read book 5 & 6! Give them a try, because bear shifters are incredible hot!!!
I loved reading STERLING (Bears of Burden Book 4). All about Sterling Mallory a bear shifter and a race car driver and Ophelia Barns a bear shifter who is a reporter for the Burden Gazette. The author wrote a story about a bear shifter who had a very difficult life, when his dad died when he was a kid and his brother was fourteen and took over as man of the house. Read about Sterling & Ophelia who are mates but they don’t really like each other. Discover with them what it means to be a mate with two bears!! I’ve read this entire series starting with one thru four, and have loved all the stories! I can not wait to read book 5 & 6! Give them a try, because bear shifters are incredible hot!!!
July 30, 2019
4
Too short of a story. It’s like you’ll get these little wisps of how the characters could be deeper and then the author backs off making them one dimensional. How did the female lead and brother work things out? He said some of the most hurtful things to her and then he had moments of kindness.... I mean pick a characteristic and leave it, especially if you’re not going to delve into expanding more on the characters! With that said, still some mediocre writing with very little steam. If you’re looking for a quick read with a HEA this book could be for you. With that said there’s one last book in the series and I just don’t know I feel like reading it.
Too short of a story. It’s like you’ll get these little wisps of how the characters could be deeper and then the author backs off making them one dimensional. How did the female lead and brother work things out? He said some of the most hurtful things to her and then he had moments of kindness.... I mean pick a characteristic and leave it, especially if you’re not going to delve into expanding more on the characters! With that said, still some mediocre writing with very little steam. If you’re looking for a quick read with a HEA this book could be for you. With that said there’s one last book in the series and I just don’t know I feel like reading it.
October 1, 2021
Ophelia Barns felt obligated to live with her brother, Kyle, after his broken engagement and their parent’s deaths. But the Kyle that’s always supported Ophelia isn’t the same one everyone else in town sees and loathes. All Ophelia can think to do is try to avoid him until she can’t.
Being Kyle’s mortal enemy is fine… and fun and a public service to Sterling Mallory until he realizes Kyle’s little sister, Ophelia is his mate. Sterling’s been anxiously awaiting his mate and jealous over his tight circle of friends finding their mates. All Sterling can do is pretend he’s interested in other females as if Ophelia isn’t his while she ignores him.
Rating: 4.25stars
Being Kyle’s mortal enemy is fine… and fun and a public service to Sterling Mallory until he realizes Kyle’s little sister, Ophelia is his mate. Sterling’s been anxiously awaiting his mate and jealous over his tight circle of friends finding their mates. All Sterling can do is pretend he’s interested in other females as if Ophelia isn’t his while she ignores him.
Rating: 4.25stars
June 17, 2019
Going for the Gold
Sterling is the wild child, race car driver, womanizing bear shifter. He's the guy with the jokes, the one night stands , the bad boy, but with a heart of gold. How would he know that one of those one night stands would backfire because she was his mate's brother's fiancee? And his mate has not taken it well. His mate is back in Burden, Texas were her brother and Sterling live. Now Sterling has to force the issue and make Ophelia realize what being mates really means. After all her bear shifter mom was not forthcoming about shifter details and Ophelia is playing catch up in more ways than one. Ophelia and Sterling are fun and interesting to watch see-saw back and forth finding their way to happiness. A smooth, sexy, fun read.
Sterling is the wild child, race car driver, womanizing bear shifter. He's the guy with the jokes, the one night stands , the bad boy, but with a heart of gold. How would he know that one of those one night stands would backfire because she was his mate's brother's fiancee? And his mate has not taken it well. His mate is back in Burden, Texas were her brother and Sterling live. Now Sterling has to force the issue and make Ophelia realize what being mates really means. After all her bear shifter mom was not forthcoming about shifter details and Ophelia is playing catch up in more ways than one. Ophelia and Sterling are fun and interesting to watch see-saw back and forth finding their way to happiness. A smooth, sexy, fun read.
December 27, 2019
Wild Ride!
Sterling likes everything fast especially cars & women; that is until he meets his mate. Then it’s just cars. However, his mate’s brother is trouble.
Ophelia’s brother Kyle asks her to come home to Burden, TX for a while & she does; but she finds out that everything is not as it seems. & while out seeking revenge for her brother she meets her mate, the man that slept with her brother’s fiancé (or now ex-fiancé), Sterling.
To find out if both Sterling & Ophelia actually become mates or not, you’ll have to read this book.
Sterling likes everything fast especially cars & women; that is until he meets his mate. Then it’s just cars. However, his mate’s brother is trouble.
Ophelia’s brother Kyle asks her to come home to Burden, TX for a while & she does; but she finds out that everything is not as it seems. & while out seeking revenge for her brother she meets her mate, the man that slept with her brother’s fiancé (or now ex-fiancé), Sterling.
To find out if both Sterling & Ophelia actually become mates or not, you’ll have to read this book.
January 22, 2024
This was my favorite out of the series. Despite being short, the issue was dealt with pretty well. While I didn't agree with some of things and decisions Ophelia made, it's understandable why she did what she did. Sterling on thr other hand could have been fleshed out a little bit more. I wish the author went into a bit more detail behind his feelings of inadequacy. Yes there was the thing with his father but that could have been explored a bit more as the issue seemed larger than what Hutch explained.
November 20, 2019
Stirling is a racer with a rep. Ophelia is a writer trying to help her brother. Sounds simple but there’s a complication... her brother Kyle who has issues with them both. Loved this tale of mates with lots of drama. Once again the “girls” come to the rescue and try to get these two together without too much bloodshed. His “brothers” talk him around like the girls help Ophelia. I read this using my KU subscription.
August 21, 2018
Can they put the past behind them to find their future?
Ophelia and Sterling are mates, but can she see past her brother's hate for shifters before she looses her mate?
Come enjoy a wonderful stories of finding yourself and your mates along with theses shifters and their mates. That when you are truly meant for each other that you are stronger.
Jo-Ann Doyle
Ophelia and Sterling are mates, but can she see past her brother's hate for shifters before she looses her mate?
Come enjoy a wonderful stories of finding yourself and your mates along with theses shifters and their mates. That when you are truly meant for each other that you are stronger.
Jo-Ann Doyle
December 17, 2019
Worst enemy sister is his mate
Just his luck...the girl nature created just for him has junk punched him and walked away...and she is his mate...Ophelia is an awkward female bear who never really shifted...and shes uncomfortable in her own skin...until she gives in to sterling and everything starts heating up.
Just his luck...the girl nature created just for him has junk punched him and walked away...and she is his mate...Ophelia is an awkward female bear who never really shifted...and shes uncomfortable in her own skin...until she gives in to sterling and everything starts heating up.
March 29, 2020
Another excellent book!!!!
I Loved it and made me cried, I was so a into the story that I devour the book!!! Loved the the whole story about both brothers came out in this book and both end up happy. Loved it when books connect with one another because the whole story is pictured I'm my mind! Loved it! Thank you Candance!!!😍😍😍😍😍💞💞💞💞💖💖💖💖💖
I Loved it and made me cried, I was so a into the story that I devour the book!!! Loved the the whole story about both brothers came out in this book and both end up happy. Loved it when books connect with one another because the whole story is pictured I'm my mind! Loved it! Thank you Candance!!!😍😍😍😍😍💞💞💞💞💖💖💖💖💖
December 30, 2024
What a problem or is it?
He is wild and reckless or is he? She and her mother are shifters but not dad or her older brother. She meets her mate yet with her brothers attitude and her thinking she has to hide her secret how will it ever work? Will they both come to their senses or ?
He is wild and reckless or is he? She and her mother are shifters but not dad or her older brother. She meets her mate yet with her brothers attitude and her thinking she has to hide her secret how will it ever work? Will they both come to their senses or ?
July 20, 2018
Sterling -
his character was kind of sad; despite his attempts at having a “bad boy” image, he had serious self esteem images. The story developed keeping you interested in finding out more about his character and his mates
his character was kind of sad; despite his attempts at having a “bad boy” image, he had serious self esteem images. The story developed keeping you interested in finding out more about his character and his mates
June 16, 2020
Ophelia's truth
Sterling knew who his mate is. She's the sister of an enemy. Sterling has set his mind to give it another shot with Ophelia. They become hot and heavy. Now she needs to fight for her mate.
I loved this story!
Sterling knew who his mate is. She's the sister of an enemy. Sterling has set his mind to give it another shot with Ophelia. They become hot and heavy. Now she needs to fight for her mate.
I loved this story!
August 10, 2020
Nice change
It was nice to read about a female shifter for a change, although mated with another shifter. And while we're told about Kyle and Ophelia's parents, where she was a shifter and he wasn't, I'd like to read a happily-ever-after with that combination, too.
It was nice to read about a female shifter for a change, although mated with another shifter. And while we're told about Kyle and Ophelia's parents, where she was a shifter and he wasn't, I'd like to read a happily-ever-after with that combination, too.
April 13, 2024
STERLING: Fated Mates Grizzly Shifter Romance )Bears of Burden Book 4) by Candace Ayers
This book pulls you in. Where you can't put it down. You than wish it was longer. Loved the story.
This book pulls you in. Where you can't put it down. You than wish it was longer. Loved the story.
September 7, 2024
Sterling: Bears of Burden book 4
Sterling has found his mate, but was up when she rejects him and punched John Wayne. But he vowed to get her back. Find exactly how and why. It's another great read from Candace Ayers.
Sterling has found his mate, but was up when she rejects him and punched John Wayne. But he vowed to get her back. Find exactly how and why. It's another great read from Candace Ayers.
August 11, 2025
2.5 stars
So….I would give it 2.5 stars because I’ve read the books before it and knew the background, but to be honest…it was not great. I’m glad it was only a novella or I probably would’ve dnf’d it.
So….I would give it 2.5 stars because I’ve read the books before it and knew the background, but to be honest…it was not great. I’m glad it was only a novella or I probably would’ve dnf’d it.
May 22, 2017
Good
Sterling is a womanizer and gets in big trouble because of it when he meets his mate. Enjoy this cute short story.
Sterling is a womanizer and gets in big trouble because of it when he meets his mate. Enjoy this cute short story.
September 8, 2017
Good series!
March 8, 2018
Good boo
This is a well written story. It is part of a two day binge read of this series. This book has great characters and an easy to follow storyline.
This is a well written story. It is part of a two day binge read of this series. This book has great characters and an easy to follow storyline.
September 13, 2018
Ophelia’s brother is a jerk. I love that she and Sterling finally find each other and become better together than they were alone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews