Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
The Bearpaw Springs Resort is haunted by a vengeful ghost...or so local legends would have it.
When a series of supernatural events terrorize the hotel's staff and guests and injure one of Sophie Markidis's shifter friends, the painfully shy, curvy Mythtrust News intern is compelled to investigate. She faces opposition from the hotel's owner and a ghost who seems to hold a grudge against shifters.

Luckily for Sophie, her two best friends, bear shifter Matt Swanson and sabertooth shifter Chris Langlais, have always had her back. Now, they insist on tagging along to protect her.

But there's a big complication--both of them want to claim her as his mate. Choosing one would mean destroying her friendship with the other. It's an impossible choice...but first she has to uncover the truth about the Bearpaw Springs Resort haunting, and survive long enough to tell the tale.

Spark features the next generation of Bearpaw Ridge shifters, plus a sizzling friends-to-lovers romance spiced by a paranormal mystery with plenty of twists and turns.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2020

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Ophelia Sexton

117 books149 followers
Ophelia Sexton is an author of paranormal romance. She has previously published historical romance under a different name, but has always loved reading about were-creatures, vampires, and other supernatural beings. She lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
213 (58%)
4 stars
101 (27%)
3 stars
30 (8%)
2 stars
14 (3%)
1 star
8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
9 reviews
September 24, 2020
Disappointment

This is usually one of my favorite series, but I was very disappointed in this episode. The ghost story was very good But the love story was not. The author took the easy way out in resolving the love triangle In order to have more sex in the story. The idea that she couldn't choose one over the other without losing a life long friendship was childish. They weren't 10 years old anymore,although at times they did act like it. In my opinion, she should have picked one and then the other could have had his own love story and they would have all remained fast friends. The idea that all of a sudden the uber possessive inner animals of the men would be o.k.with mate sharing is so contrary to all the previous story line not only in this story but in the whole series is very simplistic and unbelievable.
Profile Image for Terri Moore.
434 reviews10 followers
September 25, 2020
First let me say while this is a stand-alone there are a LOT of characters old and new introduced in the first few chapters. Speaking as someone who’s read quite a few books from this series I was very confused and could not keep them straight and it frustrated me. It also diminished my connection to the main MC’s. I can’t emotionally connect when I’m trying to simultaneously keep track of 15 different characters.

The story was good but the best part was the ghost situation. I have a hard time believing that shifters would be ok sharing their mate, and yes I knew the premise going in, but was curious how their relationship would actually be resolved. I wasn’t that satisfied.
1,522 reviews9 followers
September 29, 2020
This is a first time read for me by this author and it was just okay. I have read menage before plenty of mate sharing books but this one just did flow well partly because I felt Sofie was childish and playing both guys of each other just so she could have a good time because she is still a spoiler virgin but she didn't act like one very much and spoiler again Chris yuck he says some of the worst crap and decides to go after the very girl Matt has loved forever. So all in all Matt was wonderful loyal sweet and patient especially dealing with the other two. The ghost story was good but Sophie seems who investigated it seemed more like a investigative reporter and less of a budding doctor and Sophie her sister was a brate just my personal opinion. So this story is a why choose just one mate kinda story with a side of mystery.

I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.
63 reviews
October 7, 2020
Wasn't impressed with this book 🤔

I so enjoy reading paranormal shifter stories, for the very reason of the shifter finds their life mate and is true to the one mate. Them both knowing the other would be true to just them. All the stories I have read as been based on the heart knowing there is only one true mate. Wasn't a fan of this book, but have enjoyed the others that have been with the story line.
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.7k reviews546 followers
December 19, 2021
I like that we have moved on to the next generation. I liked Sophie for the most part, but it bothered me when she started FWB with Chris, yet was still dating Matt and it didn't seem like she was going to tell him. Once that came out and all 3 of them knew what was going on, I had no problem with Sophie dating both boys. I thought there might be a bigger problem between Matt and Chris while they were each dating Sophie, but they and their animals seemed to accept it. I hated it when things went to hell at the family dinner and was surprised it was the boys who figured things out. I think it all worked out great for them.

Now while Sophie was dealing with all this relationship drama in her life, she was slowly working to find out more about the ghost at the hotel. Sophie did a great job of ferreting out what had gone on in the past and helped the ghosts that were left behind, a great thing to see.
Profile Image for Shelley C.
3,054 reviews70 followers
September 24, 2020
4.5 Set you on fire Sparks🔥

Spark is book twelve in the Bearpaw Ridge series and I really enjoyed this story as it features the second generation, namely Sophie, Chris and Matt😱 The other thing I really enjoyed about this story is the paranormal aspect. Now I know what you’re thinking and that’s duh, it’s a shifter series so it’s obviously paranormal already but I mean the fact that this one also focuses on ghosts - which I loved😍

A really enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more in this series❣️ I received an advanced copy via Booksprout and I voluntarily leave my honest review❤️
1,603 reviews12 followers
May 2, 2021
This is an OK shifter romance, with decent editing, but I did have some issues with it. It gets 3 stars from me.

My main issue with this book (and the entire series, so far) is how prejudiced the shifters are. Many of them consider humans and different kinds of shifters from themselves to be inferior, and don't think shifters should mate with anyone but their kind of shifter. It seems a lot like the much too common prejudice toward interracial marriages. I detest prejudice in any form, so this really bothered me.

I liked Sophie and Matt a lot, and thought they were good for each other. Chris was OK, but not as likable as they were -- Sophie forgave him way too quickly for the TERRIBLE thing he said to her at one point, and I had a hard time liking him after that.

It also bothered me that Sophie had so little self-esteem. It seemed to me that was partly due to the fact that humans (or ordinaries, as the shifters called them) were treated as if they were inferior to shifters. Sophie had been accepted into the Swanson bear shifter family, but always felt as if she didn't truly belong, since she knew many of them considered her to be inferior.

My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
1,345 reviews9 followers
September 27, 2020
Wow!

I am totally thrilled that I found this first book in the second generation of Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series! And it is a real joy to read from start to finish. Matt and Chris are very hunky, yet different shifters. When their best friend comes back from college and a year in South America, both of them realise how much they missed Sophie and are glad to have her home. But when she witnesses a ghost trying to hurt a waiter, suddenly she was on a ghost hunt with both shifters to help her. Except they both want to mate her, too! What's a girl to do but figure out a way to solve all these mysteries.

This story has a fast pace, an uncertain yet hopeful tone and a character oriented storyline with some action and some steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and endearing. I can't wait to see who will be the next one to find their mate. I would recommend reading all these stories in order. I think there is a box set for at least most of them! If you Enjoy shifter romances with complex characters and lots of twists and turns, then this is a good series for you! Enjoy!
6,646 reviews28 followers
September 25, 2020
I absolutely love the entire Bearpaw Ridge series and I loved that we are now getting the stories of the next generation and it was such great fun to see the couples that we have met previously now the elders of the family. Sophie woi we met in previous stories has finally returned to Bearpaw Ridge after spending a gap year working in a under privileged country Todos Santos she has applied for medical school but meanwhile gest a job writing for her aunt about the ghost that is attacking and scaring people in the Bearpaw Springs Resort. Sophie is ver insecure in herself after been ridiculed by a fellow student and has no idea just how sexy she is. That si until she reconnects with her two childhood friends Chris Langlaise a saber tooth shifter and Matt Swanson a bear shifter. Everyone knows that Matt's bear has always wanted Sophie but no one expected Chris' saber tooth to suddenly see her as his mate. Who will this non shifter pick and whose heart will she break and will it take danger stalking her to them to actually find a unorthodox way to solve the problem
Profile Image for Goddess of Chaos.
2,897 reviews12 followers
December 6, 2020
“Outrageous, sure. But impossible…"

Sophie has just returned home after her gap year, and while she knows she wants medical school to accept her application, the details of what she wants to do between now and starting medical school are less clear, until she stumbles into a local internship opportunity trying to figure out why people think a local Resort is haunted.

Matt and Chris are best friends, have been for years. They share a house, and have found a rhythm for their lives that works... even if they both can't help missing their third musketeer, Sophie. But now Sophie is back, and life can return to normal, right? Or is it time Matt finally owned his feelings for Sophie? And Chris... he's got his own journey to take with Sophie.

Bearpaw Ridge is a community, and while I haven't read all of TBE previous stories, I've read enough to really appreciate the bonds, the way friends gather and are seen time and again, and the fact that each of these done in one Kindle Unlimited books stand well on their own.
Profile Image for Joetta Spurling.
Author 2 books7 followers
October 6, 2020
I'm seeing double!

.Spark: Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters Book 12
My Ophelia Sexton
Sophie, Matt, and Chris have been friends and grew up on Bearpaw Ranch together. But she never would have thought she would be mated to both of them.
Chris ended up at the ranch when he and his uncle showed up the ranch asking for sanctuary.
Matt is the heart of the ranch. Now that he is all grown up he still lives for the ranch until Sofie cames back to Bearpaw.
Ever since Matt, Chirs, and Sophie were little I shipped them. Now they get their own book. Some have a problem with book being a MMF book. Yeah, it is difficult to but this book into the same category with the great of this series it I can see where the 3 of them are coming from. Think how OS felt writing this book. She fell in love with the 3 of the them. if's difficult for US to pick which one Sophie should end up with. How do you think OS felt?
19 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2020
Spoiler alert. Loved it. Well worth the wait for Matt and Sophie's story with a twist.

Matt's bear has his heart set on Sophie since they meet as kids and has not accepted or allowed anyone else near Matt ever.

Sophie is a bookworm at heart has been teased by the boys all her life for being a chubby, glasses wearing bookworm and never had a real boyfriend. Now all grown up she is no longer chubby and has contacts

Chris was your typical athletic male and had loved the girls but his cat never took notice until he kisses Sophie now his cat has his mind made up she is his.

Both Matt and Chris are determined to make Sophie their mate add in a ghost, interfering little sister, nosy relatives determine both boys not get their hearts broke and you have a time bomb waiting to go off.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,268 reviews5 followers
September 27, 2020
This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW. Spark by Ophelia Sexton is Book 12 of the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series. I absolutely love this series. Each of these stories are tied by the families and firefighters of Bearpaw Ridge, but can easily be read as stand alone. There is a certain comfort in reading a series that remains true to itself. Throughout the series, characters are all so well developed and deliciously flawed, but this is what makes this series so addictive. Lifelong best friends Sophie, Matt and Chris are reunited and eager to rekindle their friendship until they realize that the feelings have changed. This story offers drama, angst, love, loss, tragedy, ghosts, evil pack mates, lots of sexy shifters and Sophie. Another feel good read with an HEA.

This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
1,994 reviews16 followers
September 25, 2020
Sophie just returned from a gap year she had spent in a small country in South America. Celebrating her birthday with her parents at the restaurant of Bearpaw Ridge Resort she witnesses firsthand a ghost attacking one of the waiters at the hotel. At the request of the owner of the restaurant and his wife she starts investigating, and discovers a dire story of the resort's past.
But this is not her only problem. Her two best friends both declare that they want to mate with her.....
A ghostly cozy (or not so cozy ) mystery with a side of romance. A lovely story with action that keeps the reader on their toes and engaged in the story, with a surprising twist.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
288 reviews
September 26, 2020
Chris & Matt have been impatiently waiting for Sophie to return from working abroad. Now that she’s home, they make it their mission to court her but Sophie is not sure how this will work as she has never dated before & knows she can’t choose between them. Sophie is working as an investigative journalist on a cold case shifter murder and when her life is threatened, Matt & Chris will have to act fast to keep her safe. Matt & Chris realize they both love her and will do whatever it takes to make this trio relationship work as find their HEA.

I received an ARC of this book via Book Sprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Amanda Marlowe.
2,598 reviews27 followers
September 23, 2020
Sophie has returned from her gap year, she's taken out to dinner by her parents and sees an extraordinary sight. She doesn't think that anyone will believe her. Then she meets up with her two best friends, a bear shifter and a panther. She ends up working for the local newspaper to find out what's happening in a certain room at the hotel.
A great adventure follows, but she's got problems with deciding which of her best friends she loves the best.
Another great read in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
626 reviews2 followers
September 25, 2020
Great read

Very happy with the way Ophelia Sexton handled the relationship with Chris, Matt and Sophie. This is a wonderful addition to the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series. Matt and Chris are so different from one another, but their differences are what make both of them just right for Sophie. Also liked the paranormal aspects of the story and how it was resolved. The extra happy ending was an unexpected surprise. I would recommend this story to any adult reader that enjoys sexy shifter romances with a little paranormal activity thrown in.
46 reviews
September 26, 2020
I have loved this whole series but this one, OMG, its even better than the others! Ghost stories, menage with two hot guys, twisted family relationships (not Sophies). Matt, Chris and Sophie have been best friends since Sophie then Chris arrived in Bear Paw Springs. They've grown up together and Matt always knowing that Sophie was destined to be his mate. Then Chris discovers she is supposed to be his mate, too. Can Sophie choose and hurt the other? Or does she actually have to?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
220 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2024
As a big why choose and shifter fan, this book ticks quite a few boxes!
Sophie is at times painfully shy and full of doubts about herself, with reasons from past. It makes the start of her relationship with Chris and Matt maybe a little out of character for some; whereas it shows to me how right and instinctual it feels from an "ordinary" point of view.

I love the contrast between the two men and the slow progressive development of their relationship. It feels realistic and raw and emotional. And hot!

Summary
Rating 4⭐
Spice 4🌶️
Narration 4⭐
4,683 reviews9 followers
September 24, 2020
Spark the 12th book in the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters features the next generation of Bearpaw Ridge shifters, plus a sizzling friends-to-lovers romance spiced by a paranormal mystery with plenty of twists and turns. I love the the characters and the story. A must read This is an amazingly well-written book with Characters that have depth that are well-developed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
46 reviews
September 25, 2020
I loved this book. I was a mystery, ghost and love story all in one. I have never read a paranormal book with both ghost and shifters. It was fun and entertaining until the end. I have loved Sophie, Matt, and Chris since they were kids and supporting characters. I love how they have grown.
This book was hard to put down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Leanne Barbour.
20 reviews
September 26, 2020
Best friends for life

What happens when an Ordinary girl can see ghosts and falls in love with her two best friends? A mystery gets solved and ... I can't tell you the rest. Read for yourself how these three solve the mystery and find their own kind of happily ever after. This book is an amazing return to Bearpaw Ridge and the shifter families who live and love there. Now that I have read it once, I'm ready to read it again!
3,372 reviews21 followers
September 26, 2020
Sophie, Matt and Chris have been friends since they were ten. But when Sophie comes back after a year away, but Matt and Chris want their friendship to become more. Throw in a couple ghosts and an old family rivalry into the mix, and you’ve got the makings of a great story! I enjoyed the pacing of this story - there’s a lot going on, plus Matt and Sophie are relatively inexperienced, so it makes sense that things go slow. A highly enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
3,411 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2020
The writing will draw you in after only a few pages and have you finishing the book in one sitting.
There is the perfect amount of angst and romance and grit to keep you hooked.

I loved how their relationship unfolded so we could see these amazing characters grow in ways you never expected.
I would suggest picking up a copy asap, you will not be disappointed.

This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,445 reviews54 followers
September 29, 2020
Spark (Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters Book 12) by Ophelia Sexton is fantastically amazing story that I have had the privilege to read and give an honest review on. This is book number twelve in this fantastically amazing series that I have been so hooked on since the beginning. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about bear shifters, firefighters, mysteries and paranormal romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,597 reviews4 followers
February 3, 2021
A ghostly tale

I enjoyed this book as much as the others in the series. I liked the ghostly element and mystery in the story. The conflict between the friends was fun. The resolution was epic. At least their friendship will last forever. Chris's shifter time was ridiculous. They could have been dead by time his tiger was changed. A gun would have been more efficient! Ok maybe not as cool.
Profile Image for Melvena Asa.
1,815 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2020
Absolutely Amazing. I have always loved Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters. Sexy as sin males and the Women that try to tame them. This book is full of exciting twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,537 reviews33 followers
September 25, 2020
A definite must read book & series

This was a very intriguing story that I really enjoyed. I love that it had a little bit of a different scene to it, which of course I can't mention because I refuse to give away spoilers! Lol! However, it's certainly a story that you won't want to miss.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and great author.
Profile Image for Barbara Van Zandt.
1,361 reviews1 follower
October 1, 2020
3 best friend's

They have been bff since they were 10 yrs old. Matt knew they were mates since they were kids and Chris was shock when he discovered the same thing. Sophie back home and working on a haunting story. The boys took turn helping with her research and being together. It too trail and error to get things straight and relaxing they can be together as a triad
Profile Image for Evelyn Dotson.
2,095 reviews17 followers
October 3, 2020
You will love this newest addition to the series...multiples...what is she thinking? Can she pull it off? Will she be happy in the end? Is this the life she is going to lead? And on top of that...shifters? Hot steamy read with a great story! I received this via Booksprout and am leaving a voluntary review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews