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Wild Series #1
Golden Eyes
Love can tame the wildest heart…
A prequel to Amber Eyes.
After Duncan Kennedy stumbles across poachers in his mountains, he is understandably angry. His discovery of an injured cheetah makes him even more furious. He takes the cat home until he can summon the local vet, only to get the shock of his life. When he checks on his charge, he finds not a cheetah but a gorgeous, very naked woman.
Aliyah Carter spent the past six months trapped in cheetah form, a prisoner of the poachers who took her to use in an illegal exotic-game hunt. Finally she’s escaped, but now she faces another problem. A devastatingly sexy sheriff who knows her secret.
This book has been previously published.
This title contains explicit sex and adult language.
A prequel to Amber Eyes.
After Duncan Kennedy stumbles across poachers in his mountains, he is understandably angry. His discovery of an injured cheetah makes him even more furious. He takes the cat home until he can summon the local vet, only to get the shock of his life. When he checks on his charge, he finds not a cheetah but a gorgeous, very naked woman.
Aliyah Carter spent the past six months trapped in cheetah form, a prisoner of the poachers who took her to use in an illegal exotic-game hunt. Finally she’s escaped, but now she faces another problem. A devastatingly sexy sheriff who knows her secret.
This book has been previously published.
This title contains explicit sex and adult language.
277 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2008
82 people are currently reading
1671 people want to read
About the author
Maya Banks
242 books21.5k followersMaya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
October 13, 2023
4 Stars for Golden Eyes (audiobook) by Maya Banks read by Rebecca Estrella.
The sheriff was really upset when he ran across a wounded cheetah that some poachers had shot with an arrow. He vowed to track them down but little did he know how this shape shifting cat would change his life.
The sheriff was really upset when he ran across a wounded cheetah that some poachers had shot with an arrow. He vowed to track them down but little did he know how this shape shifting cat would change his life.
August 13, 2013
Well I found a book with a cheetah shifter and was so excited I did a really stupid thing...I picked it up without checking out the author first. I know, I know, I shoudn't do that but I did. If I had checked, I would have read the notes about her being into the whole menage scene and I wouldn't have touched this series with a ten foot pole. (FYI The menage thing is a love triangle on steroids and I despise triangles)
Anyway I started out with such high hopes and it was promising! Poachers steal various African wildlife including a were-cheetah off the Savannah and release them as part of an illegal large game hunt in the US for rich people. Yay, Exciting plot! She's running for her life, people are trying to kill her with arrows no less and the sheriff swoops in and saves her. (Ignoring the fact that he is not weirded out by her shifting and instinctively trusts the wild cheetah in the Rockys.... Yup no questions there.)
So it reads good up until he gets his rescued cheetah to his secluded cabin (of course). Theeeeen this book reads like a teenage boys fantasy. Complete with willing, experienced, no strings attached voluptuous beauty who asks to fulfill his kinkiest dreams....literally. You know, despite them being total strangers, her being hunted, knowing zip about this dude and..... she crawls in his pants. Might I add she has been in captivity as a cheetah in a filthy cage for 6 months, just had an arrow yanked out of her leg and hasn't even showered? The dude has standards. Funny thing, he actually states that he is not convinced that he is special, that he is pretty sure just any guy would have worked for her. Well guess what? If he's not convinced, I sure am not.
Basically at this point the plot I admired deteriorates beyond hope since he makes a half a**ed effort to hunt down poachers during the day, as he continually gripes about being away from his new toy. Every evening he rushes home early to her. I think the most amusing part of the entire 4 chapters I read (amusing in its absurdity) was when she calmly asks him if he has crotch rot, then informs him that she has been tested for STDS as they proceed to discuss the safety precautions (or not) of their previous relationships. AFTER they have been together multiple times with no holds barred. Yeah.
Anyway I started out with such high hopes and it was promising! Poachers steal various African wildlife including a were-cheetah off the Savannah and release them as part of an illegal large game hunt in the US for rich people. Yay, Exciting plot! She's running for her life, people are trying to kill her with arrows no less and the sheriff swoops in and saves her. (Ignoring the fact that he is not weirded out by her shifting and instinctively trusts the wild cheetah in the Rockys.... Yup no questions there.)
So it reads good up until he gets his rescued cheetah to his secluded cabin (of course). Theeeeen this book reads like a teenage boys fantasy. Complete with willing, experienced, no strings attached voluptuous beauty who asks to fulfill his kinkiest dreams....literally. You know, despite them being total strangers, her being hunted, knowing zip about this dude and..... she crawls in his pants. Might I add she has been in captivity as a cheetah in a filthy cage for 6 months, just had an arrow yanked out of her leg and hasn't even showered? The dude has standards. Funny thing, he actually states that he is not convinced that he is special, that he is pretty sure just any guy would have worked for her. Well guess what? If he's not convinced, I sure am not.
Basically at this point the plot I admired deteriorates beyond hope since he makes a half a**ed effort to hunt down poachers during the day, as he continually gripes about being away from his new toy. Every evening he rushes home early to her. I think the most amusing part of the entire 4 chapters I read (amusing in its absurdity) was when she calmly asks him if he has crotch rot, then informs him that she has been tested for STDS as they proceed to discuss the safety precautions (or not) of their previous relationships. AFTER they have been together multiple times with no holds barred. Yeah.
June 14, 2015
This was a short quick read that I liked and this was the first time that I have read a paranormal read written by Ms. Banks. Aliyah Carter is being hunted by poachers, hunters that are a part of a smuggling ring that brings African predators to the mountains of Colorado and releasing them to be slaughtered. Snatched in her cheetah form six months ago, Aliyah is racing for her life when an arrow pierces her leg. She manages to evade the poachers but is found by Duncan Kennedy, local sheriff, who is quite surprised to find a cheetah in his mountains, let alone a wounded one. When one of the poachers sneaks up on Duncan while he's trying to aid the wounded feline, he's rescued by the surprising actions of the cheetah, and manages to get the large cat back to his cabin. But the surprises are just beginning when he leaves her in his mudroom arrow still sticking out of her leg turns into a gorgeous female with an arrow sticking out of her thigh. The world as Duncan knew it has changed forever, and Aliyah, feline to female and gorgeous with it, claws her way into Duncan's heart, then his bed. But the threat to her life and the threat to Duncan's mountain tear them apart forever. This was a really good book that I didn't want to end. This book was well written like all of Ms. Banks books with no errors in spelling or grammar this was a new series for me and I am looking forward to reading the next book.
May 28, 2022
I wanted to write a quick review of this one, it was one of those random reads that I saw available at my local library and I just knew that I needed to pick up. It was a short erotic paranormal romance that I had a blast with. I really was intrigued by the hero saving the heroine and then seeing them build a connection---and the HEAT is powerful!!
April 17, 2018
I had hoped to get into the paranormal world again Agar taking a break. Bad idea to read anything from this author. The plot fell apart right away and all they did was have sex. How boring. There was no plot!
November 29, 2021
11/28/2021 - $1.99 on Chirp. Why buy an audio when I was underwhelmed by the book? Well, I’ve never *heard* it before.
It’s one of those stories that I like but sort of drives me crazy at the same time - wishing it wasn’t insta-love and that some things had been explained better. I did like that Aaliyah wasn’t a helpless virgin and Duncan wasn’t overly caveman. I’m sure I’ll listen to it many times even though I wish there was more to it.
Narration: I liked Rebecca Estrella’s narration. There are a few times where she gets into this repetitive cadence, but overall it’s an enjoyable performance.
4/18/2019 - This is 3 stars if you go into expecting mostly sex and little plot. And that’s OK. If I order cheesecake and get a pile of M&Ms I’m going to be ticked. But I knew this was a pile of M&M’s.
It’s one of those stories that I like but sort of drives me crazy at the same time - wishing it wasn’t insta-love and that some things had been explained better. I did like that Aaliyah wasn’t a helpless virgin and Duncan wasn’t overly caveman. I’m sure I’ll listen to it many times even though I wish there was more to it.
Narration: I liked Rebecca Estrella’s narration. There are a few times where she gets into this repetitive cadence, but overall it’s an enjoyable performance.
4/18/2019 - This is 3 stars if you go into expecting mostly sex and little plot. And that’s OK. If I order cheesecake and get a pile of M&Ms I’m going to be ticked. But I knew this was a pile of M&M’s.
June 19, 2020
I’d never heard of this book when I stumbled across it, and had to see Ms. Banks take on shifters. It's a pretty quick read following Sheriff Duncan Kennedy and Aliyah Carter a cheetah shifter. The “shifter” aspect is pretty unique, other than speedier healing, Aliyah didn’t seem to have any super strength or special powers. She’s part of a “shifter” race that receives their animals through a spirit God, not their parents. (Her dad is a bear, mom an eagle & sis a mountain lion) Both her and Duncan are very attracted to each other, but there really isn’t any “mate” talk.
Overall, it was a pretty entertaining read, but was definitely sexytime heavy rather than plot, and lots of pages are dedicated to sex… pretty steamy sex, but lots of it, and they get down to business pretty early on. This is a library loaner, but the K-store has both books (Golden & Amber Eyes) together. Amber Eyes is her sister’s story and MMF romance.
Bottom Line- Ok read, it’s short, so I didn’t skim, but there’s not a ton of character development or world building.
Overall, it was a pretty entertaining read, but was definitely sexytime heavy rather than plot, and lots of pages are dedicated to sex… pretty steamy sex, but lots of it, and they get down to business pretty early on. This is a library loaner, but the K-store has both books (Golden & Amber Eyes) together. Amber Eyes is her sister’s story and MMF romance.
Bottom Line- Ok read, it’s short, so I didn’t skim, but there’s not a ton of character development or world building.
February 19, 2023
I have nothing against f*cking on the first night you meet, lust and all that.
But 'you are mine' and 'never let you go' and 'i love you' after one night of f*cking? Yeah... I'm not the right audience for this shit.
But 'you are mine' and 'never let you go' and 'i love you' after one night of f*cking? Yeah... I'm not the right audience for this shit.
September 16, 2025
An impulse read that I don't regret, but feel very little for.
January 29, 2015
2.5 stars
March 11, 2023
This is a spicy shifter novella.
Novella aren't usually my thing so it definitely taints my review. It's told in 3rd person and you get a bit of both POV, but mainly the MMC's. The FMC actually didn't have a lot of presence or personnality. The spice was good, and you had multiple spicy scenes considering the lenght of the book, and the spice starts early in the story. This was written around 2010 or a bit before, and you can feel it in the writing. Certain comments felt dated, the kind you wouldn't find in romance novels nowadays. The intrigue didn't pick my interest much. But then again, it's a novella, it's meant to be short and not super detailed.
Overall, it was ok, nothing more.
Final rating: 2.5 stars
Novella aren't usually my thing so it definitely taints my review. It's told in 3rd person and you get a bit of both POV, but mainly the MMC's. The FMC actually didn't have a lot of presence or personnality. The spice was good, and you had multiple spicy scenes considering the lenght of the book, and the spice starts early in the story. This was written around 2010 or a bit before, and you can feel it in the writing. Certain comments felt dated, the kind you wouldn't find in romance novels nowadays. The intrigue didn't pick my interest much. But then again, it's a novella, it's meant to be short and not super detailed.
Overall, it was ok, nothing more.
Final rating: 2.5 stars
September 27, 2019
Duncan and Aliyah have a unique meet-cute. The romance is sweet and hot. The mystery and search for the poachers is always entwined in the story, keeping the suspense thriving. I wish there was more than where the story ends. I guess I'll have to read the next book to see if they show up too. I want to know!
April 25, 2024
Would’ve been really good if not for the repetitive sex every other chapter 😭 first sex scene was good, then the second, then they just dragged on and on and it feels like the plot only kicked back in for the last 3 chapters. They sure had a lot of time to fuck with her life on the line. Like yea I’m being hunted down let’s get naked HUHHHH
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2024
I didn't love this. It's insta-love and lust and I didn't like that Duncan slept with Aliyah hours after meeting her and while she was hurt; it came off creepy to me.
The narrator didn't give the characters much emotion either, I felt like I was listening to AI read this.
The narrator didn't give the characters much emotion either, I felt like I was listening to AI read this.
February 22, 2025
It was okay but not as good as Amber Eyes.
January 16, 2023
This is my 2nd Maya Banks.Like it pretty much actually.Gonna point out why you should & why you shouldn’t go for this one.
If you are looking for a adventurous, thiriling,most outstanding plot with many twists & turns, then this one isn’t for you.Besides there is a factor of taboo sex(though fl is not a human actually)& a lot of steamy scenes which some you might find it boring.Also there isn't much of Character development. Very much of a fast paced plot.
But what it keep me reading is the simple,short,not so complicated plot line.The Ml was sweet not so over bearing alpha male.Also he was very caring, respectful towards the fl.Well the fl wasn't bad either.Although I felt that the Fl didn't have that much of a character development as the Ml.Somehow the story was mainly focus on the Ml Himself.Yes, there wasn't a very much of a plot neither it was a random smut.
So yeah, if you are in for a quick,steamy,hot,with an actual plot(short) also with an understanding Ml,go ahead and try out.
If you are looking for a adventurous, thiriling,most outstanding plot with many twists & turns, then this one isn’t for you.Besides there is a factor of taboo sex(though fl is not a human actually)& a lot of steamy scenes which some you might find it boring.Also there isn't much of Character development. Very much of a fast paced plot.
But what it keep me reading is the simple,short,not so complicated plot line.The Ml was sweet not so over bearing alpha male.Also he was very caring, respectful towards the fl.Well the fl wasn't bad either.Although I felt that the Fl didn't have that much of a character development as the Ml.Somehow the story was mainly focus on the Ml Himself.Yes, there wasn't a very much of a plot neither it was a random smut.
So yeah, if you are in for a quick,steamy,hot,with an actual plot(short) also with an understanding Ml,go ahead and try out.
August 22, 2009
when sheriff duncan kennedy gets calls from folks in his small colorado town saying they have seen exotic animals he doesn't give the claims much thought. after getting a call saying that gunshots were heard he goes to check it out. he ends up finding a wounded cheetah and some hostile hunters. of course the cheetah is a lot more than she seems.
there was enough story to keep this book from falling into the all sexcapades all the time territory, and it was even a good one. always a bonus. with banks you always can count on the sex scenes being plenty steamy, and this was no let down.
there was enough story to keep this book from falling into the all sexcapades all the time territory, and it was even a good one. always a bonus. with banks you always can count on the sex scenes being plenty steamy, and this was no let down.
July 11, 2013
Well, it's not so bad.
Aliyah is a shifter and she can shift to cheetah. Bunch of hunters hunted her and Duncan the sheriff saved her. But apparently Aliyah couldn't save her heart from him. So did Duncan.
A simple shifter's story. The storyline's very common and predictable. But again, it's very Maya Banks-y so if you're a fan, like me, you'll not disappointed.
But one thing I didn't like, that Aliyah's attraction is based on physical only. Right? I mean, I know she's in love with him eventually but still. Didn't quite comfortable imagining it.
But overall so far so good. ;)
Aliyah is a shifter and she can shift to cheetah. Bunch of hunters hunted her and Duncan the sheriff saved her. But apparently Aliyah couldn't save her heart from him. So did Duncan.
A simple shifter's story. The storyline's very common and predictable. But again, it's very Maya Banks-y so if you're a fan, like me, you'll not disappointed.
But one thing I didn't like, that Aliyah's attraction is based on physical only. Right? I mean, I know she's in love with him eventually but still. Didn't quite comfortable imagining it.
But overall so far so good. ;)
June 20, 2010
I love Maya but I have to say this wasn't my favorite. I still liked it ok and will read Amber Eyes which is next. I can't really say why I wasn't crazy about it. It just didn't grab me like some others.
March 14, 2010
Very sexy book!
May 21, 2018
For what it is, it's quite enjoyable. The suspense and drama take a back seat to loads and loads of steamy hot sex. Yowza! But if you want plot over sex, you should probably skip this one.
August 1, 2013
Great shifter book. Kinky and romantic. Great HEA
June 30, 2015
I knew before I started this one that it wasn't going to be anything to write home about. I just wanted Kaya's book, and in order to read that I needed to start with her sister's .
March 4, 2017
terrible terrible!! and the dull droning of the voice actress they hired made it worst.
March 17, 2017
It started off like it might be something interesting, but then I realized it was just porn.
August 20, 2017
Ugh.....
February 9, 2018
God this was awful.
January 29, 2019
I couldn't wait for it to be over.
March 16, 2020
I didn't realize this was soft-core porn. My bad.
November 11, 2023
My reviews always contain spoilers, I write them so I can remember the story.
When Duncan the sheriff starts getting calls of residents seeing lions, tigers, and cheetahs in the mountain and woods around town, he is skeptical until he happens to come upon a wounded cheetah who has been shot with a hunting arrow. He helps the cheetah who seems to trusts him, he has the animal lay on his coat while he drags it down the mountain. They encounter a man who is clearly a poacher who is after the cheetah. He gets to drop on Duncan and ties him up, he pokes at the cheetah who waits till the last second and jumps and attacks the poacher. He escapes and the cheetah chews through the rope tying Duncan’s hands. Duncan takes the cheetah home and locks it in his mud room until he can get the local vet to come over. Later that evening he goes to check on it and is shocked to find a beautiful naked woman laying on the cold mud room floor with an arrow in her thigh.
He takes her into the living room and tries to warm her up, she tells him her name is Aliyah and he has to pull the arrow out and she will heal quickly. He takes the arrow out and helps her rest. He ends up in bed with her because she’s very restless.
He gets most of the story about her being taken off a game reserve in Africa and released in the mountains to be hunted for sport. She tells him there was a lion and tiger taken too.
He helps her heal through lots of sexy times. Aliyah enjoys vigorous sex and Duncan is happy to oblige.
As she gets better they continue enjoying each other at night while Duncan looks for the poachers during the day. When his best friend and deputy Nick comes over and sees Aliyah as a cheetah he shoots, thankfully he misses and Duncan convinces her to share her secret with Nick. She also finally contacts her parents who are shifters too, she waited to contact them until she knew she could trust Duncan.
They decide to trap the poachers and Aliyah says she can help, Duncan is against it but finally relents. They find the poachers, they still have the tiger, they killed the lion. Duncan hides Aliyah and goes to track the poachers and wait for backup to arrest them. Two poachers somehow find Aliyah hiding, she shifts and tries to attack/escape. She is shot and runs for the River so she can escape them. Duncan tracks her for miles until he finds her alive but injured badly. He carries her back to his cabin. Her parents have showed up to take her home. He’s not happy to let her go but he knows it’s for the best, her safety is the most important thing to him.
Duncan misses her but knows she will be save with her family in Alaska.
A few weeks go by and he hears scratching at his door when he opens it he is knocked down by a cheetah! Aliyah has come back, she tells him she loves him and she can’t leave him. He’s worried about her safety and keeping her ability to shift a secret. Lots of I love yous and she stays with Duncan.
This was a different take on shifters, each shifter is given their spirit animal and her family is all different species. There are no fated mates, she has had lovers before and is very adventurous in bed. Of course Duncan reaps the benefits of her enjoying sex. I love a fated mate story where they can only have sex with their fated mate but this was an enjoyable story.
When Duncan the sheriff starts getting calls of residents seeing lions, tigers, and cheetahs in the mountain and woods around town, he is skeptical until he happens to come upon a wounded cheetah who has been shot with a hunting arrow. He helps the cheetah who seems to trusts him, he has the animal lay on his coat while he drags it down the mountain. They encounter a man who is clearly a poacher who is after the cheetah. He gets to drop on Duncan and ties him up, he pokes at the cheetah who waits till the last second and jumps and attacks the poacher. He escapes and the cheetah chews through the rope tying Duncan’s hands. Duncan takes the cheetah home and locks it in his mud room until he can get the local vet to come over. Later that evening he goes to check on it and is shocked to find a beautiful naked woman laying on the cold mud room floor with an arrow in her thigh.
He takes her into the living room and tries to warm her up, she tells him her name is Aliyah and he has to pull the arrow out and she will heal quickly. He takes the arrow out and helps her rest. He ends up in bed with her because she’s very restless.
He gets most of the story about her being taken off a game reserve in Africa and released in the mountains to be hunted for sport. She tells him there was a lion and tiger taken too.
He helps her heal through lots of sexy times. Aliyah enjoys vigorous sex and Duncan is happy to oblige.
As she gets better they continue enjoying each other at night while Duncan looks for the poachers during the day. When his best friend and deputy Nick comes over and sees Aliyah as a cheetah he shoots, thankfully he misses and Duncan convinces her to share her secret with Nick. She also finally contacts her parents who are shifters too, she waited to contact them until she knew she could trust Duncan.
They decide to trap the poachers and Aliyah says she can help, Duncan is against it but finally relents. They find the poachers, they still have the tiger, they killed the lion. Duncan hides Aliyah and goes to track the poachers and wait for backup to arrest them. Two poachers somehow find Aliyah hiding, she shifts and tries to attack/escape. She is shot and runs for the River so she can escape them. Duncan tracks her for miles until he finds her alive but injured badly. He carries her back to his cabin. Her parents have showed up to take her home. He’s not happy to let her go but he knows it’s for the best, her safety is the most important thing to him.
Duncan misses her but knows she will be save with her family in Alaska.
A few weeks go by and he hears scratching at his door when he opens it he is knocked down by a cheetah! Aliyah has come back, she tells him she loves him and she can’t leave him. He’s worried about her safety and keeping her ability to shift a secret. Lots of I love yous and she stays with Duncan.
This was a different take on shifters, each shifter is given their spirit animal and her family is all different species. There are no fated mates, she has had lovers before and is very adventurous in bed. Of course Duncan reaps the benefits of her enjoying sex. I love a fated mate story where they can only have sex with their fated mate but this was an enjoyable story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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