Surf's Up

Matestone Guardians #1

by Bee Murray

The ridiculous summer beach read you’ve been waiting all year for.

Ronnie Meryn’s life is heading in a very predictable direction. Marriage. Kids. The usual. But when she catches her boyfriend in a compromising situation with her boss, she sees red. With her old but faithful minivan, Betsy, she sets out on an impromptu #VanLife road trip up the California coast to start a new life. Trusting Fate to take her where she needs to go, she winds up broken down on the side of the highway just outside the idyllic beachside town of Misty Cove.

But Misty Cove isn’t just any sleepy seaside town… It’s full of shifters, magic, and a whole lot more than Ronnie ever bargained for.

A pod of sea lion shifters facing down an eternity of bachelorhood, Earl, Bryan, Darren and Trevor are suddenly faced with the pull of a fated mate. But there’s more to this arrangement than any of them are prepared for. They’ll have to put their best flipper forward to try and win her attention...and her heart.

Beware, something dark skulks in the shadows of Misty Cove’s forests. A wolf pack bent on claiming Ronnie for their own, and an entity older than time itself has its eyes on Ronnie, too.

Magic, mystery, Fate, and the inevitability of Destiny await!

SURF’S UP is a sweet and steamy #WhyChoose romance featuring sexy shifters, magical jewelry, a sassy heroine, and fated mates. If you’re searching for a steamy shifter story with a happily ever after, one-click SURF’S UP today and fall in love!

Genres: Shapeshifters, Romance, Fantasy, Why Choose, Magic, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2020

About the author

Bee Murray is the pen name chosen by a quirky writer based out of the Pacific Northwest. A voracious reader turned writer, she dreams of everything from grand adventures with complex characters to pun-filled romantic comedy, weird paranormal situations, extra steamy romance, and anything else her heart comes up with. Don't expect any love triangles here, Ms. Murray is a big fan of ethical non-monogamy and it comes out in her menage romance and reverse harem stories! Newsletter here: https://sendfox.com/beemurraybooks

Reviews

[Daisy Delfin]

I do not rate this book. I like the heroine there is a lot of fun dialog going on in her head. But at 38% I couldn't take her over the top behavior, when she treated Bryan not so nice when actually another guy behaved sh****. For now it is a dnf.

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. I liked the guys and how sweet and protective they are. Ronnie was a bit love hate for me. She starts off on a journey guided by fate and then gets a bit whiney after fate delivers. When not having to make decisions Ronnie is pretty strong and reckless. Favourite character was Bill.

[❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This was a cute read and fun start to a unique shifter series but I really wish it had more depth. At times there is so much happening that just seemed unnecessary for such a short story. The shifter world could use some more explanation as can why the guys were even in an MC. I just thought the MC was an unnecessary and awkward plot line. The men are the sea lion shifter protectors of their home and being a motorcycle gang was just bleh. I didn’t really feel like there was enough time to get to know all the men and as such I can name two. The heroine was ok but I wish she would make up her mind easier and stop all the tantrums about fate. The story had it funny moments and so I’ll probably read on in the series someday just to see if I can piece this world together. It’ll also be interesting to see how the heroine falls into her guardian role and what that even entails.

[Zen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This book started off really strong. It started as a five star read for me. The farther I got, however, the more I found the heroines jokes insensitive instead of funny. She was pretty insensitive and rarely thought about how her words or actions affected others. The pod mates all kind of blurred together for me. Earl was grumpy and Darren was slightly more memorable than the others as the "silver kit" but not much else made them stand apart. Truthfully, the one I liked in the end was Bill and he wasn't even around much.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in the Matestone Guardians series. If I could I would give this book more than five stars. I loved this story and couldn’t put the book down. It was funny. Oh man Ronnie had me giggling on more than one occasion. It packs a nice emotional punch too. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it’s definitely not the last. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Ronnie’s had it. She caught the man she’s spent the last four years with cheating on her. She gets mad then heads off on an adventure in her minivan Betsy. She decides to let fate guide her on her little adventure and ends up broke down near the town of Mystic Cove, a town that is warded from humans and is where supernatural beings live. She’s rescued by Darren, one of the members of the Sea Lion MC. He notices her Matestone necklace is glowing and feels the pull. He believes their pod may have just found their mate, after all but resigning themselves to living a life without one. He takes her home two meet the other guys in his pod. They start to tell her about what’s going on and about the supernatural things that surround her. Ronnie’s having a hard time adjusting and accepting. The trouble is until she accepts and bonds with her mates she can be claimed by other pods and the wolves in town are determined to take her. Will Ronnie choose the guys that she’s fated to be with, or will she run from them?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cat the bookworm (semi hiatus ish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up because of the great FMC.

It all started so well - Ronnie, the FMC, dumps her cheating ex and goes on a road trip with her beloved rusty van called Betsy, and ends up in Misty Cove, a supernatural habitat, with a glowing necklace that somehow seems to mark her a potential mate to the unmated shifter pods. She gets picked up by a Sea Lion shifter (yay!) and meets the rest of the pod, which, as these things go, are all hot as hell and attracted to her.

And I really liked it for about 70%, even though there’s not much of a plot, only very entertaining banter and internal monologues.

Sadly, it went downhill from there. I’m a bit disappointed and don’t think I’ll continue with this series. Too many things didn’t make sense, the world building was very sloppy. like- what’s the deal with Bill the Demon? Who are all the other characters and why are they there? Why did she run to the wolves and what happened to them, like - why did the witch cover the beta wolf with a net as “reassurance”? Why did she grope Darren right after she met him, but then denied herself (and him. And the others) any bit of sex? She’s so outspoken and tough, yet she waited for them to make the next step? Why did she run away from the guys and why did her Matestone turn grey, but she still was able to bond? Why the cuffing when they FINALLY have sex, but then they use them only for like 5 mins? So so many questions…)

The book had so much potential, but sadly the last 25% ruined it for me.

[Kasumatata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surf's up!

I knew from the first moment I opened this book, that I would LOVE it. The author opened this book with a few bangs and I couldn't help but laugh out loud while reading. 


The FMC decides to let fate decide where she goes after finding her fiancé doing the horizontal tango with her coworker and ends up in a town full of supernaturals.

Insert the Sea Lion's MC. These men are the sweetest really, trying to protect and woo our FMC. But it wouldn't be a true romance without a little bit of drama. 


Not only the main characters caught my attention in this book. I am genuinely intrigued by this town and really want to find out more about certain characters in the future! 

[Jana]

I wasn't sure what to think when I saw this title. I've read of bear shifters, wolves, dragons and even lions, but Sea Lion shifters was a first for me. I was intrigued. This ended up being well written as well as a quick, fun read. The only con for me is that not much time was really spent on the individual men/sea lions in the story. We got to know Ronnie pretty well, but only touched on the guys in the book. I will definitely be looking forward to the next book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well-written, book 1 in the Matestone Guardians Series is a good romance story that has great well-crafted characters that are realistic and likable. This is a must read fun, sweet and sexy story. This story was a very sweet short romantic read. You will fall in love with these characters and you feel as though you are there with them. You want them to succeed no matter what. A must read wolf shifter reverse harem story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ronnie and her men have a sweet and sexy story. This is a fun little escape, perfect for some get out of your own head reading with lots of RH smexy times.
Misty Cove is a great place to set up a first In series, a number of characters were introduced that look to have great back stories. Bee has plenty to play with and some hint of stories to come.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by Bee Murray and I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
From leaving a four year relationship cause he cheated to the fated arms of a sea lion pod.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Catherin Geri · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are new to why choose or reverse harem style romances, or even if you aren’t really, this is a delightful fun read. It’s perfect for a beach day, as it has its fair share of humor, and just enough supernatural suspense to keep the story going without being too dark. Ronnie and the residents of Misty Cove May just become your new favorites.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Francesca Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the character definitely has some new lingo that can get sort of annoying but I do really like her! I also enjoyed this story! There was also a (well a few) twist that just made me want to read more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cali Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW y'all! This book is amazing. I devoured it in one sitting because I could not put it down. I can't wait for the next installment of this magnificent series.

[Chelsea Okamoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!! What a fantastic new spin on shifters! I loved that the pod was sea lion shifters and even had a dolphin in there. Ronnie is a kicka$$ FMC that is sarcastically independent, lives life on her own terms and learns to accept fate is real. This book takes you on mystical ride involving other shifters, witches and Fae. Absolutely love Misty Cove and wish I could live there!! Looking forward to seeing what is next for the gang! 💕😊

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I've read a book by this author. It's a story about a girl who finds her boyfriend in a compromissing situation. She wants a new start. Boy did she get that. But she fights it every way. Can the guys win her over before others get a sniff?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tiffiny · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @50%~

This started out so well! The FMC was witty and fun, but it quickly devolved. She became insensitive and irrational. For example: she was playing in the ocean and got stung by a jellyfish and it hurt so bad she’s crying. So the guys proceed to take care of her and dote on her. Adorable! But instead of being thankful or enjoying it….she gets mad and upset because they won’t make a move on her? She’s hurt…yet wants them to take advantage of her vulnerable state? What?? She started as the instigator of sexual advances but now can’t communicate she wants sex. It doesn’t make sense.

Last of my complaints is that, even halfway through, we still don’t REALLY know what anyone looks like. I know Earl is big….but other than that? Nothing. The others….just as vague.

This had potential but fell flat big time.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was surprisingly well-written and the plot held my interest. However, I wish there had been more/longer POVs of the guys because I feel like I hardly got to know them. Ronnie herself was a little irritating; she's 38 but she acts like a bratty 21-year-old most of the time, even if I understand the reasoning behind her actions. And while that whole thing with the wolf pack was great for drama, it escalated fast and then went away almost as fast. At that point in the story, everything seemed to be happening at once and was very messy, especially with Ronnie running away all the time. I don't regret reading this, though; it was very entertaining.

[Elia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had potential DNF

I really wanted to like this book. It was written well but the MF was so childish and annoying to the point of being shrill. She is supposed to be 38 but acted more like a 20 year old. She was disrespectful of everyone and everything she didnt understand. I get that you don't believe in fate but you don't get to mock or take it lightly for people who have been waiting decades.

[Melissa Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It was witty and mysterious. So much personality and it moved at a great pace. All the feels are there for the pod and the cast of extras are the perfect accent to the story. I loved the gradual world build, it didn't feel forced. I can't wait to see what comes next.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a cute little read- I definitely have more questions about the town itself, Bill and this whole Guardian thing though. Ronnie was a bit over the top and annoying to me.

[Ex Libris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surf’s Up – Matestone Guardians 1 – Bee Murray

When reality becomes magical – This is not your average MC Romance!

We first meet our FMC Ronnie, when her already unsatisfying existence is shattered by a cheating partner. Ronnie takes herself out of the unpalatable equation and goes on a road trip in her old but serviceable van. Ronnie decides to leave her #vanlife journey to fate, and flips a coin to determine which direction she drives. After travelling in a seemingly random number of twisty turns for a while, Ronnie’s van gives out and she pulls over to the side of the road. It’s an area near the sea, but Ronnie is not quite sure where this random coin flipping has landed her.

Enter Darren. VP of the Sea Lion MC Club. He is a member of the shifter Sea Lion Pod that provides security for the little supernatural haven of Misty Cove, where miraculously, Ronnie has broken through their wards. Something only supes can achieve. As the two lock eyes and sparks fly, there’s a level of intrepidness underscoring Ronnie’s flirty awkwardness and Darren suddenly feels the pull of a fated mate. Once he sees that Ronnie wears the Matestone, her fate is pretty much sealed (#punpoints) in his mind. Darren and his pod and MC Club brothers, Earl – the club Pres, Bryan and Trevor embark on a journey to win Ronnie over. The hilarity which ensues from this courting ritual had me giggling and guffawing in turns.

There are a few unexpected plot twists to keep the magic and mystery in the story flowing. This author knows how to keep the reader interested. This is a beautifully funny reverse harem romance. There are a few very steamy sex scenes, and a couple of these are multiples with all the fun combinations, making this an 18+ read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in what I’m sure will be a wonderful series filled with hilarity! Four stars.

[Romancegalore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. Happy to see an fmc over 35, and curvy too! But over the moon happy to see a female main character in a shifter romance who is childfree. Yes! We need more of this!

The two-star deduction...

...lack of sex scenes. There's ONE sex scene the entire book near the end and it's very tame. There's supposedly all this sexual tension, but the scene the reader has been waiting for is unimaginative and truncated. Reverse harem is an inherently spicy genre and this didn't meet reader expectation.

...fmc's attitude... Ronnie is kind of snarky the entire book and that doesn't really even start to change until the end. Her interactions with the men, individually (with the exception of Earl), are much warmer than her interactions with the group as a whole. Those individual interactions were the book's saving grace, tbh.

...And then there's Earl. Dude "roughly shoves" her away from him. TWICE. And she's all like "I may have pouted a little at the rejection" then proceeds to talk about how her body loves it. She knows it's not right for a man to do that to her, but because her body likes it, it's somehow okay. Not a fan of that shit, and I'm tired of seeing it in the romance genre.

All that being said, I still liked the book enough that I would probably read it again.

[Breen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"AMAZING!! There are no right word to express how much I loved this story. It's insane how addicted I became to this shifters romance and plus RH, yes great indeed! 5 stars aren't enough trust me! Surf's Up was a whole new experience to me on the shifter department because I thought that sifters were only wolves but it turns out that shifters can be ANY animal! This men were sea lion shifters! At first I couldn't stop laughing! I was thinking sea lions is that even possible? So curiosity won over me and I applause myself for that decision. Surf's Up was funny, sweet and romantic with dots of magic.

Ronnie never thought her life would change forever after the accident with Betsy and the matestone. Misty Cove was such an special place a home for any shifters... dalmatian dog shifters!! Seriously this town and the people amazed me. I don't want to give details about the story so I'm just gonna say that this slow burn romance between Earl, Bryan, Darren, Trevor and Ronnie was mind-blowing! Each one of them was so special, caring and protective in their own way. All of them own my heart! Highly recommended!"

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. This is the first book in the Matestone Guardians series. It is funny, sweet, steamy with a little drama thrown in. Ronnie never imagined that catching her boyfriend cheating would lead her to such a happy ending. She discovers shifters are real and that there are a four sea lions that she is fated to be with. These guys were perfect for her if Ronnie can accept that this is her fate. There are a lot of laughs between the drama with the other shifters. I thought the characters were great and the storyline was well written. I did not know what to expect from this book. I wondered how these men could be as sexy as other shifters we have all read about. I learned that Bee made these sea lions as hot as wolves, bears and other alpha shifters. I look forward to her next book in the series. Misty Cove is the place to be

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ronnie jumps into her trusty minivan Betsy after finding her fiance in bed with another woman.
With all of her favourite possessions jammed in bags in the van she sets off on a road-trip letting fate decider her direction.

When Betsy breaks down, Ronnie finds her phone had no signal, and Betsy isn't going any further... what's a girl to do?

From the beach to the forest, Misty Cove is the perfect hidden town for Supes to live and play.
Ronnie's appearance on the edge of town upsets the peace and order of Misty Springs Security team, the Sealion MC Club.
A pod of mature sea lion shifters who had almost given up on finding a mate.

Providing Ronnie with a crash course in shifter 101, the club introduce Ronnie to the town...
Fave Quotes:
"Listen up my friendly neighbourhood creeper I've had just about enough of the surprises" - Ronnie
"You're dead girl. You. The Witch. And the Old Cat too." - Fintan

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dealing with her boyfriend's infidelity, she gets in her vehicle and just drives until it breaks down in Misty Cove. She enters a world of shifters and other paranormals to find her place in the world. Before she is fully mated to her guys, others try to cause trouble, so let the drama begin. You will laugh and smile more than anything while reading this book and will not be able to put it down. A little suspense as things get ironed out on the way to happiness. The characters are fantastic and have great backstories to round them out. Strength and determination rule their views on life and the bonding within the groups is tight. The locale is amazing and the surprises and suspense keep you on your toes. Very well done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tina Layner · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ronnie Meryn left her boyfriend and her home, she had no idea that her life was about to change forever.
She drove her van letting a coin predict which way to go. She ended up in a little place called Misty Cove. What lives there surprised her because she had never encountered any shifters, magic, as well as other things.
What she did learn about her future of this place is something is about to make her life very happy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surf's Up by Bee Murray is a story that when I first opened up the book I thought it was gonna start out like other shifter stories I have read. Boy was I totally wrong about that. This story pulls you in from the very beginning and keeps your attention till the end then even leaves you hungry for the next book in this amazing series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about shifters, a little mystery, HEA and paranormal romances this story has them all.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LoLo Paige]

This story was fun from the first page. The narrative is hilarious and the main characters are all rich and well-developed. This took a lot of world-building and Bee Murray delivers this world expertly, in explaining about the Matestone and all that goes with it. I rarely laugh out loud when reading a book, but I sure did with this one. It's a lighthearted shifter romp, with a marine setting which I loved. If you're in the mood for a fun and yes, steamy story, check out Surf's Up. You'll be laughing 'till the sea lions come home.