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Mates for Monsters #4
The Centaur's Bride
Even Monsters Need a Mate
As a centaur among horse shifters, Black Stevens has always been an outsider. To the herd he’s one kind of monster, unable to assume full equine form, and to humans he’s a creature only found in nightmares. When the herd’s leader offers him a position among the herd’s ranks, he can’t say no. All he has to do is marry the hot heiress and keep the ranch in herd hands.
Renee Cerica, used to living in the shadow of her rock-star best friend, inherits a ranch from a grandfather she hasn’t seen in years. She intends to take one last jaunt across the sage-covered hills before she sells the place, and perhaps ride a sexy cowboy along the way. But the people on the ranch are acting mighty strange, and her sexy cowboy has a secret she never expected…
When the herd leader reveals a devious hidden agenda, Black must choose between finally joining the herd or protecting his mate.
Content warning: Explicit love scenes, troubled cowboys, and sexy shifter secrets. Intended for mature audiences.
As a centaur among horse shifters, Black Stevens has always been an outsider. To the herd he’s one kind of monster, unable to assume full equine form, and to humans he’s a creature only found in nightmares. When the herd’s leader offers him a position among the herd’s ranks, he can’t say no. All he has to do is marry the hot heiress and keep the ranch in herd hands.
Renee Cerica, used to living in the shadow of her rock-star best friend, inherits a ranch from a grandfather she hasn’t seen in years. She intends to take one last jaunt across the sage-covered hills before she sells the place, and perhaps ride a sexy cowboy along the way. But the people on the ranch are acting mighty strange, and her sexy cowboy has a secret she never expected…
When the herd leader reveals a devious hidden agenda, Black must choose between finally joining the herd or protecting his mate.
Content warning: Explicit love scenes, troubled cowboys, and sexy shifter secrets. Intended for mature audiences.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2017
289 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
Tamsin Ley
50 books346 followers
Steamy Sci-Fi with a Pinch of Pixie Dust
USA Today Best-selling author Tamsin Ley builds worlds full of sexy heroes who don’t know they need a mate - that is, until they meet the woman they can’t resist. Sign up for her newsletter to learn more, plus receive exclusive, subscriber-only content!
https://www.tamsinley.com/newsletter
USA Today Best-selling author Tamsin Ley builds worlds full of sexy heroes who don’t know they need a mate - that is, until they meet the woman they can’t resist. Sign up for her newsletter to learn more, plus receive exclusive, subscriber-only content!
https://www.tamsinley.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 5, 2017
This read YA/early NA. Both MCs were weak and spineless. Renee was a spoiled trust fund baby and TSTL. She would have had to sell the livestock before selling the land. Once she discovered the shifters, she acted as though she was the visitor. The herd needed to move away or work and pay rent. They were lazy and stayed in horse form providing no income to the ranch and incurring costs in food and supplies. Renee was milk toast allowing Lori, her ranch employee and the lead mare, to call the shots on her own property. Also, Renee was clueless and uncompassionate thinking that baby Iris did not need immediate medical attention. And Black was totally uninspiring. He was a doormat, both as a human veterinarian and partial shifter, following Lori's command. At least he did have a strong work ethic while the rest of the herd free loaded. The relationship development between Renee and Black consisted of just instant "mates" and didn't go any further.
September 2, 2020
I think sometimes you just have to be in the right mood to truly appreciate a book and sadly this didn't quite work for me. It's an ok story with good and bad guys and obviously romance although that for me was just too instant. I do for some reason feel reminded of another book I've previously read although the heroine came from a different background. Perhaps it's the ranch setting with the female inheriting it that feels so familiar because I know there are other books with this trope. Sadly I did find myself flicking through quite quickly so perhaps next time will choose something a little less real and much more fanciful by this author.
May 9, 2020
This is a solid shifter story with a straight-forward plot. Not much to say, as it is fairly short and low on angst. Nice insta-love with a HEA.
I liked it enough to grab #1 in the series.
I liked it enough to grab #1 in the series.
July 30, 2021
This does not answer the question of where the peen is AND how centaurs bang their humans because he’s a shifter and they only bang in human form which is unfortunate. Clearly I need to do more research.
As for the plot and the romance… both MCs were pretty weak when it came speaking up to their friends and pack. Didn’t really fight for what they wanted until the end.
As for the plot and the romance… both MCs were pretty weak when it came speaking up to their friends and pack. Didn’t really fight for what they wanted until the end.
July 3, 2019
A short quickie, it was sweet and progressed, i preferred it to the first book of the series.....
August 30, 2018
Loved the flow, the "magic" of the book, it was a fantastic story and the good guys win the bad guys get their comeuppance. The romance and lovemaking is real, not smut. It is a beautifully told story and I love centaurs anyway. Oh BTW-no bestiality if that ain't your thing
February 14, 2020
Okay Black!
Every woman wants a man that would stand in the way of danger to save their life. And after only a few days Black became that man for Renee. A little too quick for my liking however, I still REALLY enjoyed the story.
Every woman wants a man that would stand in the way of danger to save their life. And after only a few days Black became that man for Renee. A little too quick for my liking however, I still REALLY enjoyed the story.
August 21, 2023
not what expected
I loved the idea of the mermaid series! Was kind of disappointed to see book 4 in Mates for Monsters Series wasn’t going to be about mermaids like the first 3. But overall it was a good short read. This just wasn’t for me. Now I’m not so sure about the next one. I hope book five is worth it.
I loved the idea of the mermaid series! Was kind of disappointed to see book 4 in Mates for Monsters Series wasn’t going to be about mermaids like the first 3. But overall it was a good short read. This just wasn’t for me. Now I’m not so sure about the next one. I hope book five is worth it.
July 6, 2019
First, this was WAY too short to have counted as a book. Novelette, maybe. But the whole thing was rushed - in two days time, they're in love and engaged, having done the deed multiple times. THAT fast.
Second, the heroine is like twelve-year old. She has no grasp on her life, no idea what people are like, no sense of maturity about her at all. It was kind of wrong, how weak and feeble of character/mind she was.
Third, the author doesn't research. Stitches aren't sewn in one at a time, for example. When you write a vet into your story, you kind of need to know these things.
Fourth, we're *hinted* at his background, but nothing is ever explained. Was he centaur because his mother was human at the time of his birth, or because his father was human and had the dominant genes, or what?
Finally, I... have centaur issues. Anatomical issues. They're my personal issues, I know, but... two separate and competing digestive systems, at the same time? I keep hoping to find a centaur writer will come along and NOT make them eleven and half foot tall with two completely autonomous digestive systems. Drives me insane. But nobody actually thinks thru the thing, which... I just was hoping for something *different*, not more of the same. Disappointing.
Second, the heroine is like twelve-year old. She has no grasp on her life, no idea what people are like, no sense of maturity about her at all. It was kind of wrong, how weak and feeble of character/mind she was.
Third, the author doesn't research. Stitches aren't sewn in one at a time, for example. When you write a vet into your story, you kind of need to know these things.
Fourth, we're *hinted* at his background, but nothing is ever explained. Was he centaur because his mother was human at the time of his birth, or because his father was human and had the dominant genes, or what?
Finally, I... have centaur issues. Anatomical issues. They're my personal issues, I know, but... two separate and competing digestive systems, at the same time? I keep hoping to find a centaur writer will come along and NOT make them eleven and half foot tall with two completely autonomous digestive systems. Drives me insane. But nobody actually thinks thru the thing, which... I just was hoping for something *different*, not more of the same. Disappointing.
November 10, 2018
5/5- look it’s a fun 145 page read... don’t expect every question to be answered. It’s a short story and it’s good.
I haven’t read a centaur shifter story before and this was fun to read. It has bones and enough meat to make you want to know more about the characters. Within these quick pages I developed a fondness for Black (H), the centaur; and a hatred for Lori, the lead mare (antagonist). Renee (h) was problematic but she changed and grew from the beginning of the story as a weak, does everything the bff wants, trust fund baby — to a stronger more assertive owner of a ranch. No we don’t find out if the treasure is found or the other loose ends but that’s ok.
It’s fun. Don’t take it seriously just enjoy.
*heat level 3/5* they have sex a couple of times but it’s not descriptive really or over the top and he’s never in his centaur form (that was a bummer). This author writes mermen stories and they have sex with humans as mermen so you see where I’m coming from?!!!
I haven’t read a centaur shifter story before and this was fun to read. It has bones and enough meat to make you want to know more about the characters. Within these quick pages I developed a fondness for Black (H), the centaur; and a hatred for Lori, the lead mare (antagonist). Renee (h) was problematic but she changed and grew from the beginning of the story as a weak, does everything the bff wants, trust fund baby — to a stronger more assertive owner of a ranch. No we don’t find out if the treasure is found or the other loose ends but that’s ok.
It’s fun. Don’t take it seriously just enjoy.
*heat level 3/5* they have sex a couple of times but it’s not descriptive really or over the top and he’s never in his centaur form (that was a bummer). This author writes mermen stories and they have sex with humans as mermen so you see where I’m coming from?!!!
May 24, 2017
Once again I find myself fascinated by Tamsin Ley's gift for weaving interesting stories. In this title, she uses a mix of myth, modern human reality, and a twist of paranormal shapeshifting that makes this a very believable story.
This story is almost an allegory of how greed and the hunger for power can corrupt the noblest of us. This combined with the bitterness of bigotry makes this story very real and appropriate to our modern times.
This is the second book I have read by this author, even though I am not a regular fan of this genre. I am reviewing this title voluntarily. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Thank you to the author for sharing a copy of this book with me.
This story is almost an allegory of how greed and the hunger for power can corrupt the noblest of us. This combined with the bitterness of bigotry makes this story very real and appropriate to our modern times.
This is the second book I have read by this author, even though I am not a regular fan of this genre. I am reviewing this title voluntarily. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Thank you to the author for sharing a copy of this book with me.
April 18, 2017
Save a horse, ride a cowboy
When Renee returns home to sell the family ranch the last thing she expects is to find a sexy rugged cowboy. Black is an outcast from the horse shifter herd. A centaur, part man, part beast, 100 percent sexy. When Renee discovers a herd of horse shifters on the property, plans go awry. Lori the herd leader has other plans in mind and sets a plan to get rid of Renee and steal the ranch. Black is the only one who can protect her, and he will risk his life to do so. Plenty of action and Romance in this fast paced story. With a HEA guaranteed. A delightful read.
When Renee returns home to sell the family ranch the last thing she expects is to find a sexy rugged cowboy. Black is an outcast from the horse shifter herd. A centaur, part man, part beast, 100 percent sexy. When Renee discovers a herd of horse shifters on the property, plans go awry. Lori the herd leader has other plans in mind and sets a plan to get rid of Renee and steal the ranch. Black is the only one who can protect her, and he will risk his life to do so. Plenty of action and Romance in this fast paced story. With a HEA guaranteed. A delightful read.
May 24, 2017
Fun light read.
Keeping this one short.
It has its flaws at times but it's charming and charismatic. Both our hero and heroine are likeable and somewhat realistic (considering he's a centaur). Their love for each other helps develop (keyword being develops not defines) their characters. Surprisingly well done for such a short book, although I do wish it was longer.
Black had me swooning~
Tdlr: Give it a go. The sex scenes were pretty hot, too.
Keeping this one short.
It has its flaws at times but it's charming and charismatic. Both our hero and heroine are likeable and somewhat realistic (considering he's a centaur). Their love for each other helps develop (keyword being develops not defines) their characters. Surprisingly well done for such a short book, although I do wish it was longer.
Black had me swooning~
Tdlr: Give it a go. The sex scenes were pretty hot, too.
April 17, 2018
I found the h to be almost childish, with a pushy, unpleasant friend and together they discussed the H and disrespected him before they'd met. When they did meet, I didn't believe their immediate connection. I tried to continue but gave up around 35%. Didn't like anything about the characters or the plot.
April 19, 2018
a totally different spin on shifters romance stories. very cute with a bit of steamy sex thrown in, but there needed to be a bit more to the ending. ended too fast, not enough detail and didn't explain what they would do about the treasure etc. well worth reading however and I really enjoyed this story.
April 18, 2018
New favorite!
This fated mate story is a complete 180 from other paranormal romance out there and while I was leery at first, I was blown away by these characters! I have a new favorite series! I'm going to read everything by Tamsin Ley I can get my hands on!
This fated mate story is a complete 180 from other paranormal romance out there and while I was leery at first, I was blown away by these characters! I have a new favorite series! I'm going to read everything by Tamsin Ley I can get my hands on!
June 24, 2017
different
this story was a little different. the dialogue was ok but i liked the story. i guess everyone needs love.
this story was a little different. the dialogue was ok but i liked the story. i guess everyone needs love.
July 23, 2017
Must read
Fantastic loved both the characters and their story the true meaning of romance right on these or
Pages a must read.
Fantastic loved both the characters and their story the true meaning of romance right on these or
Pages a must read.
September 29, 2017
Could not put it down. I finished reading in one day. The steamy love scenes and action made for a great read. Kept me wanting to read more.
November 17, 2017
Wicked
This was a wicked good book, I just wish it was longer. Tamsin is an awesome writer, and I can't wait to read more.
This was a wicked good book, I just wish it was longer. Tamsin is an awesome writer, and I can't wait to read more.
April 1, 2018
Yeeha
This was a more steamy and quick than I expected still a good read. The characters were defined but the story line moved swiftly.
This was a more steamy and quick than I expected still a good read. The characters were defined but the story line moved swiftly.
April 21, 2018
Another great read
This is yet one more in a line of great books I've read by Tamsin Ley. I look forward to reading Djinn.
This is yet one more in a line of great books I've read by Tamsin Ley. I look forward to reading Djinn.
August 26, 2018
Story was beautifully written and was interesting to read i look forward to reading more of this author work
September 14, 2018
Love conquers all
It all starts with trying to be something your not. Listen to your heart. She went to get rid of something and found love instead.
It all starts with trying to be something your not. Listen to your heart. She went to get rid of something and found love instead.
March 24, 2020
31/2 out of 5 stars
Renee is heading out to take a look at the land and the ranch that she was given to when her grandfather. What she doesn't realize that there is a special herd of horses running there . Blake Stevens has always felt like he was an outsider , but when Renee shows up things change . The horse shifters see him as and outcast cause he can't totally shift . He is a Centaur a man of myth and legend but to the others he is an outcast . When he starts to show her around he realizes there is more to her and to him then meets the eye. Will the fair maiden fall for the monster that he thinks he is
The characters are well developed and complex. Black well he one hot dude . He is strong , sexy and compassionate . He is also a Centaur who thinks he is flawed and a monster . I truly liked his character and how he is . Renee is a sweet sensitive woman who at times to me comes off a little naïve. Lori is the herd matriarch . There is so much more to her , she is evil in ways that you can't imagine . She is such a good character .
This is a story that you can read in an evening . I read it in a couple of hours , well cause it had horses and a sexy centaur . |I haven't really read any thing about Centaurs so when I started this book I was happy and loved the character . The story flowed well and I really enjoyed it . Then it took a turn and we were into some intrigue and going on a treasure hunt . There were some flaws in the story like some of the vet terms and how some times the heroine was acting like a twelve year old . |Overall I did enjoy this book and the characters. So if you want to read a sexy centaur book check it out .
Renee is heading out to take a look at the land and the ranch that she was given to when her grandfather. What she doesn't realize that there is a special herd of horses running there . Blake Stevens has always felt like he was an outsider , but when Renee shows up things change . The horse shifters see him as and outcast cause he can't totally shift . He is a Centaur a man of myth and legend but to the others he is an outcast . When he starts to show her around he realizes there is more to her and to him then meets the eye. Will the fair maiden fall for the monster that he thinks he is
The characters are well developed and complex. Black well he one hot dude . He is strong , sexy and compassionate . He is also a Centaur who thinks he is flawed and a monster . I truly liked his character and how he is . Renee is a sweet sensitive woman who at times to me comes off a little naïve. Lori is the herd matriarch . There is so much more to her , she is evil in ways that you can't imagine . She is such a good character .
This is a story that you can read in an evening . I read it in a couple of hours , well cause it had horses and a sexy centaur . |I haven't really read any thing about Centaurs so when I started this book I was happy and loved the character . The story flowed well and I really enjoyed it . Then it took a turn and we were into some intrigue and going on a treasure hunt . There were some flaws in the story like some of the vet terms and how some times the heroine was acting like a twelve year old . |Overall I did enjoy this book and the characters. So if you want to read a sexy centaur book check it out .
January 2, 2023
Me da pena de admitir que terminé este libro el mes pasado y no recuerdo los nombres de los personajes jajaja xD Sólo recuerdo que el centauro se llama Black :p
Ok. La trama va algo así de que la heroína acaba de heredar el rancho de su abuelo, al que llevaba años sin ver porque su papá decía que el señor hacía brujería. Una vez que va a visitar las tierras para decidir si venderlas o no, conoce a los empleados del abuelo... Que resultan ser cambiaformas (humanos que se hacen caballos) y ahí conoce a Black, un centauro que nunca logró el cambio completo a su forma equina. Se coquetean inmediatamente y ella descubre no sólo el secreto del bato, sino que también está siendo obligado por la matriarca de su gente a casarse con ella para que la chica no venda el rancho.
Y ya.
Traía tentación de leer algo con centauros, pero este es un libro donde los personajes no hablan como seres humanos normales, los coqueteos son los más incómodos que he leído en literatura erótica y las escenas sensuales aburren más que "tratar" de adivinar cómo fue que el abuelo dejó el rancho en manos de la yegua matriarca.
En el lado positivo: mientras leía este libro en el camión, noté gente curiosa leyendo conmigo. Espero haberlos entretenido un poco jajaja.
Ok. La trama va algo así de que la heroína acaba de heredar el rancho de su abuelo, al que llevaba años sin ver porque su papá decía que el señor hacía brujería. Una vez que va a visitar las tierras para decidir si venderlas o no, conoce a los empleados del abuelo... Que resultan ser cambiaformas (humanos que se hacen caballos) y ahí conoce a Black, un centauro que nunca logró el cambio completo a su forma equina. Se coquetean inmediatamente y ella descubre no sólo el secreto del bato, sino que también está siendo obligado por la matriarca de su gente a casarse con ella para que la chica no venda el rancho.
Y ya.
Traía tentación de leer algo con centauros, pero este es un libro donde los personajes no hablan como seres humanos normales, los coqueteos son los más incómodos que he leído en literatura erótica y las escenas sensuales aburren más que "tratar" de adivinar cómo fue que el abuelo dejó el rancho en manos de la yegua matriarca.
En el lado positivo: mientras leía este libro en el camión, noté gente curiosa leyendo conmigo. Espero haberlos entretenido un poco jajaja.
May 16, 2018
Renee inherits her grandpa's horse ranch. Not understanding the full impact of what she just received. She is content to sell the ranch and live off the money. Then she meets Black, a hand on the ranch, also a vet, and also very handsome. He offers to take her out camping one night to learn the land. Only she doesn't just learn the land, she learns the man and his deep secret.
Black is an outcast by his own kind for not being pure. He is lowest of the low and Lori, the mare in charge won't let him forget that. She wants Black to court and marry Renee, then they will knock her off and keep the ranch for themselves. Only it doesn't work that way, because Black is already falling hard for Renee and their night out camping reveals himself to her.
This is a quick shifter book. It was clear and to the point. Not much of a plot, but the one that was there was good. I would have liked it to be rooted out more and maybe a little longer, because Insta-love and me and NO Friends.
Black is an outcast by his own kind for not being pure. He is lowest of the low and Lori, the mare in charge won't let him forget that. She wants Black to court and marry Renee, then they will knock her off and keep the ranch for themselves. Only it doesn't work that way, because Black is already falling hard for Renee and their night out camping reveals himself to her.
This is a quick shifter book. It was clear and to the point. Not much of a plot, but the one that was there was good. I would have liked it to be rooted out more and maybe a little longer, because Insta-love and me and NO Friends.
February 8, 2018
Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a super hot centaur guard…. Renee is a country girl at heart coming back to sell her grandfather’s Montana ranch. Little does she know that the horses and people on the ranch hold interesting secrets…..
Did I like it? Surprisingly... yes. It has potential and the writing really isn't bad. The problem with this book I think is that the characters themselves are not well-developed and the antagonist is dismally annoying.
If anyone is interested in listening to the review here, you can listen to it here: http://stupidsexyromance.blubrry.net/...
Did I like it? Surprisingly... yes. It has potential and the writing really isn't bad. The problem with this book I think is that the characters themselves are not well-developed and the antagonist is dismally annoying.
If anyone is interested in listening to the review here, you can listen to it here: http://stupidsexyromance.blubrry.net/...
May 5, 2019
I like myth and legend and have read centaur based stories before, so maybe my expectations were a little high.
I didn't get on with either of the MC's, Black was belittled and left wanting instead of being a strong proud centaur. Renee was underwhelming, easily led and distracted and got on my nerves. The story had an interesting thred to it, but I struggled with it.
Not sure if the 'entertaining' value was not enough fantasy around the story to engage with, but it lacked something.
Sadly, not for me.
I didn't get on with either of the MC's, Black was belittled and left wanting instead of being a strong proud centaur. Renee was underwhelming, easily led and distracted and got on my nerves. The story had an interesting thred to it, but I struggled with it.
Not sure if the 'entertaining' value was not enough fantasy around the story to engage with, but it lacked something.
Sadly, not for me.
October 17, 2017
Great story
The story was great. Renee comes to her grandfather's ranch after being notified of his death. Black is a Centaur, and most of the horses on the ranch are shifters. The only problem I have is how are the able to buy things, or go to collage? They mostly don't leave the ranch, don't get paid for working on the ranch. Why was Renee such an insecure puts with her supposed friend?
The story was great. Renee comes to her grandfather's ranch after being notified of his death. Black is a Centaur, and most of the horses on the ranch are shifters. The only problem I have is how are the able to buy things, or go to collage? They mostly don't leave the ranch, don't get paid for working on the ranch. Why was Renee such an insecure puts with her supposed friend?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews