Spirit Bear

by Delta James

It's the time of the rut...and she's at his mercy.

Nora Bishop, investigative reporter, is determined to uncover the truth of the "accidental" deaths of her friend and a conspiracy theorist. She realizes she's on to something after a break-in at her loft and she calls the one man she thinks can keep her safe...Boone Daniels.

Now making a living as a back-country guide and mercenary, Boone agrees to keep Nora safe...for a Nora must agree to all of his sexual needs. And he has many.

But when old feelings for each other start to rise to the surface, the truth Nora seeks also brings them both closer to danger. The truth is far too close to home--proof that a parallel species evolved alongside mankind.

The secret has been kept for millennia and Boone is one of them... a Spirit Bear Shifter; and it's time to mate.



Publisher note - Spirit Bear is a second chance romance with lots of heat in and out of the bedroom for mature readers only.

191 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2014

About the author

As a USA Today bestselling romance author, Delta James aims to captivate readers with stories about complex heroines and the dominant alpha males who adore them. For Delta, romance is more than just a love story; it’s a journey with challenges and thrills along the way.

After creating a second chapter for herself that was dramatically different than the first, Delta now resides in Florida where she relaxes on warm summer evenings with her loveable pack of basset hounds as they watch the birds, squirrels, and lizards. When not crafting fast-paced tales, she enjoys horseback riding, hiking, and white-water rafting.

Her readers mean the world to her, and Delta tries to interact personally with as many messages as she can. If you’d like to chat or discuss books, you can find Delta on Instagram, Facebook, and in her private reader group https://www.facebook.com/groups/34898....

Reviews

[Maria11 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to do this, but I did not like this book at all. I gave the author’s last book a five star rating. This not so much.

Boone was a jerk! I like Alpha stories, but when it comes down to it at least he shows his mate some respect and love. Boone showed nothing. He just treats her like three holes to use and nothing more. His dirty talking wasn’t sexy, it was crude and just down right degrading. He didn’t value her at all. Treating her like a dumb woman who can’t do anything....literally but f@$k. I am all for dominance but in a manner that raises the woman not relegates her to holes.

I hate to give such a review but I just really disliked this book.

Received an ARC from BookSprout for an honest review.

[‎‧₊˚✧ storm ✧˚₊‧ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this one so much. The problem with this was the hero was the worst kind of alpha - so insecure and out of control that he treated the heroine like she was nothing more than a warm body to fuck. That was it. Even at the end, there is no real change in their relationship - just the heroine realising she has no other option than to accept how it's going to be.

I always thought when it comes to dominant / submissive relationships that there is a great amount of respect on both sides, and that they both get what they need from each other. Not the case here.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora Bishop is in trouble, someone is out to get her. Two people she knows are already dead and she needs help, ASAP. Enter Boon Daniels: Ex special. forces now Mercinery for hire, spirit bear shifter and Nora's mate
The last time Boon & Nora spent time together she was a journalist assigned to cover his team. Somthing goes wrong and Boon's whole unit is killed in action. Boon can't forgive himself that in order to save his mate's life he didn't die with his friends. To punish himself, he let's his mate go and does not claim her.
But now Nora needs him to protect her and he is ready to do so. The thing is, Nora isn't so sure about the whole claiming / being his mate thing. She is a strong and capable women and it is very hard for her to submit to Boon's claim and be compliant to his demands and his discipline. Not to mention that Boon's spirit bear is in a rut and he can't get enough of her. Every time she tries to assert herself, she finds herself in the same position - under him. But as much as Nora tries to deny the connection between them, she knows her place is by his side . As the enemy gets closer, Boon is becoming more & more determined to bind Nora to him forever.
This is a fast paced, entertaining book that you won't be able to stop reading until you reach the happy end.

[Lucille Bifano · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was to abusive

I love Delta James but this was to much. He spent more time hitting her with his hand or a belt. There was not much talking going on. I loved Wayward Mates and hoped this would be in that vein. Spanking is one thing. Constant spanking, hitting, welting is another. Read like abuse. And saying she enjoyed it every time doesn't ring true. This guy raised his hand to often without a true reason. It seemed like he wanted a beaten down yes woman who would be happy to sit naked wherever he stuck her. This is definitely my least favorite story.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love shifter stories and dom/sub romances even better mixed with the paranormal. I had a hard time with this one. I don't want to give it less stars because I am still not sure how I feel about it. The chemistry is there but it seems the characters spent more time with Boone punishing Nora and no real reason behind it. She is strong but ended up having to submit to him but I didn't feel that need; it was more like she had to.

[Ann Flint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora is an investigative journalist and she is in trouble as 2 people have been killed, it seems she is next.
She turns to Boone for help.
After their past she is not sure he will help but she has to try.
Boone gave her up years ago knowing she was his fated mate.
The price of his help is that she stays with him for good.
He is a spirit bear shifter in rut!
She discovers this the hard way.
He and his team have to work out what is going on whilst keeping her safe.
There are a fair few twists and turns before they can truly be together.
A fast moving hot and steamy book.
Loved it

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

[Gab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately this is not the kind of story I enjoy.
I'm up for any kind of kink, not necessarily a HEA but I expect at least a show of basic respect between H and h. This book was sorely lacking in that respect.

[DD11]

Peace out....I cannot finish this. I like alphas but this one has no respect for his mate and reduces her to three holes. She is valued for nothing else. My a$s hurts too because if he wasn’t f-Ing her he was punishing her.

[Rose Howse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed how hot and sexy this shifter and human love story was. Nora and Boone were close ten years ago but by helping Nora, Boone lost his whole military group. If he wasn't with Nora, he would have died with his buddies. Ten years later, Nora calls the one person she trusts, Boone, but he demands she return the favor by giving him everything he demands during his rut, he's a shifter and it's rutting season and that can't be ignored. Nora's friend was killed because she knew a secret that could not be revealed and it was up to Nora and Boone to find out why that secret was worth taking the lives of those that discovered it. The danger is real, the rut is a demanding need that must be soothed and the connection between Nora and Boone is undeniable. Nora has a lot to learn about Boone, his Clan and his close friends in the mountain hideaway. Boone is a hard man but softens eventually. I think it was the rut that made him so stern, but he does show his tender caring feelings finally and I feel worth it in the END.

[Patricia Hoffstaetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining shifter romance with a disciplinarian undertone. The plot is quite intriguing & has some unexpected suspenseful situations & events. The characters have unique personalities with realistic emotional flaws but have good chemistry between them.
It is about: a feisty human female (Nora Bishops) in danger approaches an ex-special forces & now a mercenary for hire (Boone Daniels) for help & protection but she really did not realize what was in store for her when she agreed to his demands.
There is: action, adventure, twists & turns, intrigue, suspense, drama, some humour, secrets, mystery, fated mates, humans, various kinds of shifters, shifter councils, deceit, betrayal, abduction, vengeful feelings, enemies, evil, danger, threats, violence, conflict, decisions, suspicions, confrontations, manipulations, ultimatums, anticipation, emotional turmoil, warnings, disagreements, defiance, compromises, discipline, spankings, domination/submission, explicit steamy scenes, contentment, love, & a hard-earned happy conclusion.

[Firefly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as indeed I do books by this author. I was slightly conflicted by the backstory - Boone and his team went on a trip, in defiance of a direct order, then when that trip turned into a bloodbath, he had to save his stowaway mate and in doing so saved himself. While others might have blamed themselves for taking their team to (what turned out to be) their deaths in defiance of an official order, Boone blamed his mate and then went further and tried to get her prosecuted at a military tribunal. But humans & shifters are not infallible, the hero does occasionally make mistakes. When Nora asks for help, Boone leapt at the opportunity to force her to be his mate, with the side benefit of copious amounts for rough sex/discipline. He uses his misguided anger at her to justify his treatment of her. Although, there was no real difference in the way he treated her once he realised that he should not have blamed her. The whole shifter world is new to Nora but she adapts fairly well. Together they resolve the mystery surrounding the murder of her friend & colleague.

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

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just WOW!! Nora's friend Char called to tell her their mutual friend Jack was working on a story that was going break things wide open and then had been murdered. Because Jack wasn't always reliable Nora thought Char was joking. When Char finally convinces Nora that Jack sent her proof and she was petrified Nora told her she'd return from her trip and be there as soon as she could. Upon arrival to her apartment, Nora finds out Char had a hiking accident and is dead. That's two accidental deaths of two reporters following the same story! Nora quickly finds herself in a situation she has no idea how to get out of and the only person she can think of who might be able to help her is Boone Daniels. There's a history there that is explosive when they get together. This is a great read with all the suspense, drama, whodunit wrapped in fate-induced chemistry that sizzles with each turned page. Delta James has brought this entire storyline to life with such aplomb. I can't imagine anyone wanting to miss out on this one, it's that good.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did not thrill me. Other books by this author had dominant, alpha, controlling shifters, but at least I felt like they loved, cared about, and wanted to protect their mate. Not with the book.

Boone just seemed to want to rut with Nora and control her. He never tried to find out from HER why she was running for help or what she was running from. The only time he showed her any modicum of respect was when they were in the woods. Mostly, he was very dismissive of her thoughts and talents.

I thought the story of why Nora's friend was murdered was interesting. I wish there had been more time devoted to the murder, lack of trust, and betrayal rather than all the time Boone spent on Nora. After she went on the run, Nora didn't have much of a part in the book other than to be available. I had a number of feelings about this book, anger and disappointment to name two.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nora Bishop is an investigative reporter who latches on to her story and won’t back down until she finds the truth she is seeking. In this case, two "accidental" deaths, her friend and a conspiracy theorist, need to be investigated to find out what happened. She confirms this is a real issue when there is a break-in at her loft. So to continue her pursuit of the story, she needs protection and calls Boone Daniels. She knows he can keep her safe.

Boone is working as a back-country guide and mercenary. He agrees to Nora’s request with his own conditions. The rut is beginning for the shifters. Nora is his mate. And this time, he will be claiming her and telling her the truth and what it is going to mean to her when she becomes the mate of a Spirit Bear Shifter.

This story line is intense. The rough stuff and kinky things are distasteful.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nora is an investigative journalist who unwittingly ends up in terrible danger. She looks up Boone, a strong and capable mercenary with whom she has some history, hoping he will be able to help her. It turns out he is a very Alpha bear shifter, (which she did not know about him), and now he is determined to claim her as his mate.

It’s really a pretty good story, but for me he was too detached and controlling, seemingly only interested in protecting her so he could have rough sex with her. I thought at least there would eventually be some indication of affection or respect – and at the very end he does offer up a few caring words, but by that point it was too little too late for me. This is a very quick read, and somewhat entertaining, but it’s really about 70% aggressive sex and 30% story, and those proportions were pretty lopsided. I do enjoy this author’s work, this is just not one of my favorite stories from her because I didn’t like either character very much, but YMMV.

[Anne Young-Cronister · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am amazed at this PNR. Boone is a Spirit Bear Shifter with one thing on his mind. Nora Bishop! Talk about some rough and tumble! Boone is determined to let Nora know her place as his mate.
The storyline is really great. Very emotional with some dangerous people out to get Nora, Boone shifts into a supreme protective mode.
I don’t know if being in Nora’s shoes, if I could survive Boone at first! But given that he’s known for over 10 years that Nora is his fated mate, a lot of emotions and other things had been pent up for way too long! Nora knows that when she is in danger that Boone is the man for her to call. loved this book! Delta James has such talent in writing PNR, Westerns, BDSM and Modern day stories. I would definitely recommend her books any day of the week!

I reviewed an advanced copy of this book

[Karon Price · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't feel Boone's love, respect or even consideration for Nora in this story. An Alphahole is one thing. Boone seemed the epitome of the a$$hole. He could have a crappy attitude with everyone else, but with Nora, there should be something, some kind of connection that makes his bs worthwhile. Unfortunately we didn't see it and that was sad, because I know Delta can write this kind of hero. Spirit Bear just missed the mark.

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

[Caroline Morris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really disappointed

I had hoped that this would be a great story, but was hugely disappointed with it. I kept reading hoping that it would get better but basically it's a story about a shifter 'banging' his mate into submission and not in a good way. To me Boone was a bully and Nora who was supposed to be a sassy, brilliant reporter was pathetic. Big 👎 from me

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boone is a hot bear shifter and even though they have a not so great history Nora turns to him when she is in trouble and needs protection. I loved Nora and how she stands up to Boone. A great story full of secrets, twists and turns, plenty of steam, and love.

[Nichole Lupardus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

I hesitate to review this book because I don't really like to say bad things about an authors hard work. So ill just say this book was not my cup of tea but if you like your books with a darker Dom/sub relationship and forced submission is your thing then this book is for you.

[Corinne Kapsner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora and Boon are a dynamic couple. I really like this story! Just when I think that I know which way Delta is going to take me in this story, she keeps me on my toes and totally throws me for a loop! It is a story that is fast paced and you'll get to the end and question where the time went! Sexy, fun, and passionate! LOVE.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my 1st read and review for this author and wow this story was full of humiliating sex scenes which I usually don’t mind but this story went a bit too far for my liking. Boone who is a spirit bear well I didn’t like him much because of the way he treated Nora but then Nora needed to stick up for herself maybe grow a bit of a backbone. I’m sorry this story wasn’t for me it will be for others but not me.

[Am Goff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing she is his fated mate 10 years ago when a mission went sideways, he left her behind, only for destiny to call again. Nora needs Boone's professional help and protection but he gives her so much more. This author leaves you wanting more. This story is heated with passion and turns and twists to get to their HEA. I am voluntarily leaving my review of this ARC.

[Liz Sadowsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora and Boone’s story gabs you from the first chapter and doesn’t let go till the last one. It’s full of twist and turns that you never know what’s coming next. They both have to work to get their HEA, fantastic read. Just loved it!

[Ritu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora runs to Boone for protection, even though they have bad history. They reignite their love, and many secrets are revealed along the way!

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

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't mind the book so much, I know it can be a lot for some people to take in and super over the top with controlling/borderline abusive H's but for anyone that has read Delta's other books then this one is just the norm for her style. It kinda sucked that a lot of the scenes were just recycled from Hoss' book though just with shifters.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic, sexually charged read
Well, what can I say right from the off this was a fantastic read the characters and the plot was simply wonderful and as I don’t want to spoil the plot, I will not give away too much? However, I can promise you a simply fantastic read and promise you that once you begin reading this book you will not be able to put it down till you reach the very last page.
Nora Bishop is an investigative reporter that is extremely good at what she does, she is not afraid of taking on contentious issues and will not back down no matter the risk and it seems as though her name is now top of the hit list and she has no idea why, but is determined she is going to find out what’s going on.
Two of her friends and investigative reporters have been killed within a week both in very strange circumstances and as she had been rushing to meet up with her one friend Char that As Boone Daniels comes to her assistance, he realises that the mate call cannot be denied, this woman is a pain in the behind but she is his all the same and as Alpha she is his mate and he is going to make her aware of this fact.
As the story escalates and there are more attempts on their life and then Boone has to make Nora aware of the fact shifters existed and that in being his mate, she would also be mated to a Spirit Bear, and would also undergo the change herself.
Read this wonderful book it will have you on the edge of your seat as these two strong characters fight to get the upper hand and as much as Nora fight Boone continue to reign her in and show her the he’s Alpha.
Oh, my what an alpha he is, at the height of his rut and determined to discover who is trying to kill his mate.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steamy read!

I’ve read several Delta James books and some are 5-star reads while others are 3-star reads -

I enjoy her writing style and super alpha male characters paired with strong, independent women. I expect a fair amount of BDSM scenes with a pretty high level of steam in her books, with a strong storyline full of action.

This book is full of sex scenes where Boone spanks Nora and then mounts her repeatedly....like 50% or more of the book. The storyline has a lot of potential, there just isn’t a lot of storyline that doesn’t take place in the bedroom. The few scenes that take place outside the bedroom are full of action and danger though and provide some intrigue and suspense. There are a few events that Nora or Boone recall and are described as having happened off screen that I think would have been better to have happen on screen.

Nora is a very independent and intelligent woman who has a very successful career as an investigative journalist. She keeps purposely pushing against Boone’s rules and getting herself spanked. Her willful behavior gets a bit ridiculous because he is consistent in his reactions to her willfulness and he tells her what the consequences will be if she doesn’t follow his rules, yet she is upset and surprised by his reaction s to her blatant disobedience. After so many spankings in one day, get a clue.

There is a truck load of sizzling chemistry and attraction between Nora and Boone; however we don’t see much emotion or romance. There is definitely a battle of wills over dominance and his expectation for her to obey his rules.

This is a solid, entertaining, and well written book, I just wish it had more balance of story to steam.

I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very erotic novel with lots of steamy scenes straight out of the gate. There is a lot of spanking and discipline involved and submission. Nora is a reporter who got caught up in her friend's story. Her friend is murdered and she turns to the one man who could save her, Boone. What she doesn't know is that he is a bear shifter and she is his mate. Apparently, she did something really stupid when they first met and now he wants her to pay the price with her submission. Nora is very strong willed and doesn't want to give in to Boone, but it only results in more pain for her. The overall plot was in the background, but their relationship was the in the forefront. There were times were I thought Nora was just plain stupid in her decisions. Honestly, she deserved every bit of punishment Boone inflicts on her. I was a little confused in the beginning when it gave a little synopsis into when the two first met each other. It felt a little disjointed and didn't flow with the rest of the story. I understand wanting to show what happened between the two of them to cause them to not be together until years later, but it could have been done with a little more finesse, so it wasn't such a shock when in the second chapter, we get that very, very steamy scene. It seemed almost too fast for them to go that far, but it would be more understandable if they already have a history together. Otherwise, this was a very good story and if you like the more darker erotic scenes, this one is for you.

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

[Beverly McCall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spirit Bear by Delta James is a dark shifter romance. In this book readers are introduced to Nora Bishop, an investigative reporter, and Boone Daniels, a former special force and shapeshifter. Ms. James opens their story with a prologue with the sole purpose of letting readers know that Daniels and Bishop were acquainted, and that relationship ended bitterly. From the start, Daniels knows that Bishop is his mate, but he did not act on it to deal with survivor’s guilt over the loss of his teammates. Now, Bishop finds herself in trouble and turns to the one man who can keep her safe. Reaching to him, however, throws her into a struggle with domination and claiming.
Ms. James does a wonderful job creating unlikeable characters that the reader still becomes invested in. This was the case with Boone Daniels. As the story progressed, my feelings about the main character changed constantly. It ranged from pity to disgust liking and then to not liking. I was uncomfortable with the plot line. With Boone as an alpha male, I expected dominance and submissive. But it is the way he did it that turned me off; it was too abusive. Ms. James did well with her descriptive scenes drawing readers into her story making it seem as if they are first-hand witness as the drama unfolds. I have read a couple of other Delta James’ novels and enjoyed them. Perhaps it is just this subcategory that I need to may more attention to. Nevertheless, I will continue to look for other books by Ms. James.