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Black Ops Bodyguard Shifters #1
Marked by the Panther
Jaden was dead... Until Piper strode into his life.
Disgraced from shifter black ops, Jaden struggles to find purpose. Especially after his battle buddy drops the perfect business endeavor he never wanted in his lap, and the first job goes awry. At the worst possible moment, his mate enters his life like a wrecking ball.
Despite founding Mateless Mates for human females, Piper feels like she'll never find her fated mate. Almost at her wit's end, she can't commit to either world. When she stumbles into a speed dating event, she throws caution to the wind and claims her mate. But did she make an awful mistake?
As a secret organization threatens to rip the shifter world apart, they join their friends in a struggle to survive.
Marked by the Panther is the first in a series of steamy, black ops bodyguard shifter romances. If you love daring adventures, bearded heroes, and fated mates, then you won't want to miss out on this… Read Marked by the Panther and claim your mate today!
***Marked by the Panther was previously released in the Sultry Shifter Nights Anthology***
Content Warning: 18+
This romance contains steamy consensual adult situations, fated mates, adult language, violence, flashbacks with off page references to child neglect, PTSD, a couple too stubborn to just accept each other without a little conflict, awakening emotions, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Disgraced from shifter black ops, Jaden struggles to find purpose. Especially after his battle buddy drops the perfect business endeavor he never wanted in his lap, and the first job goes awry. At the worst possible moment, his mate enters his life like a wrecking ball.
Despite founding Mateless Mates for human females, Piper feels like she'll never find her fated mate. Almost at her wit's end, she can't commit to either world. When she stumbles into a speed dating event, she throws caution to the wind and claims her mate. But did she make an awful mistake?
As a secret organization threatens to rip the shifter world apart, they join their friends in a struggle to survive.
Marked by the Panther is the first in a series of steamy, black ops bodyguard shifter romances. If you love daring adventures, bearded heroes, and fated mates, then you won't want to miss out on this… Read Marked by the Panther and claim your mate today!
***Marked by the Panther was previously released in the Sultry Shifter Nights Anthology***
Content Warning: 18+
This romance contains steamy consensual adult situations, fated mates, adult language, violence, flashbacks with off page references to child neglect, PTSD, a couple too stubborn to just accept each other without a little conflict, awakening emotions, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2021
181 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
About the author
Zoey Indiana
77 books883 followersWant to get notifications when USA Today Bestselling author Zoey Indiana has a new release? Sign up for Zoey's Zine https://www.zoeyindiana.com/subscribe for a free Dystopian Rebels ebook, new releases, giveaways and contests, exclusive content, and your eyes only sneak peeks.
Zoey Indiana was inspired by the idea that everyone deserves love and their own happily ever after, she loves to write about heroic heroines who go on amazing adventures while finding the love they deserve. After creating her first fictional planet where amazing creatures roamed at age ten, she was determined to prove love could be found in the stars. In addition to writing, she listens to eclectic music, practices Krav Maga, and takes on home improvement projects just for the fun of it.
Zoey loves to hear from her readers. You can find her here:
Website: https://www.zoeyindiana.com/
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Zoey-Indiana/e...
Zoey Indiana was inspired by the idea that everyone deserves love and their own happily ever after, she loves to write about heroic heroines who go on amazing adventures while finding the love they deserve. After creating her first fictional planet where amazing creatures roamed at age ten, she was determined to prove love could be found in the stars. In addition to writing, she listens to eclectic music, practices Krav Maga, and takes on home improvement projects just for the fun of it.
Zoey loves to hear from her readers. You can find her here:
Website: https://www.zoeyindiana.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeyIndianaA...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoeyindiana
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZoeyIndiana
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/zoey-...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Zoey-Indiana/e...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
December 23, 2021
This is an awesome shifter bodyguard romance.. I really loved it! It is very steamy and sexy, full of action and suspense. Addictive, seductive characters!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 7, 2024
DNF at 50%
My biggest issue with this story is the heroine who unfortunately turned out to be annoyingly hot-and-cold. Despite being fated mates with the hero, she tells him she wants to get to know him before being intimate with him as they don't really know each other. Okay fine, sounds reasonable. They spend the day getting to know each other, but when the h relives her traumatic past, she comes onto the H. He tries to put a stop to it, asking are you sure, she says yes, and continues to seduce him, which he happily allows because duh they're fated mates.
Next day she disappears without a trace and when he calls her she blames him for not listening to her and allowing them to have sex. Umm what??? He calls her out for being stupid and she hangs up all upset. After a while, she realizes she's being a dumbass but refuses to call and apologize, instead thinking it's a great idea to suddenly accept an out of town job out-of-the-blue in order to avoid him instead of talking and apologizing like an ADULT.
No thank you bye.
My biggest issue with this story is the heroine who unfortunately turned out to be annoyingly hot-and-cold. Despite being fated mates with the hero, she tells him she wants to get to know him before being intimate with him as they don't really know each other. Okay fine, sounds reasonable. They spend the day getting to know each other, but when the h relives her traumatic past, she comes onto the H. He tries to put a stop to it, asking are you sure, she says yes, and continues to seduce him, which he happily allows because duh they're fated mates.
Next day she disappears without a trace and when he calls her she blames him for not listening to her and allowing them to have sex. Umm what??? He calls her out for being stupid and she hangs up all upset. After a while, she realizes she's being a dumbass but refuses to call and apologize, instead thinking it's a great idea to suddenly accept an out of town job out-of-the-blue in order to avoid him instead of talking and apologizing like an ADULT.
No thank you bye.
December 3, 2023
I was gifted this book and then received a copy from Booksprout; this is my honest review.
-There were several points that were quite unbelievable and some confusion. Not a great start to a series, which I would call a serials since the couple do get their HFN but no HEA; there also a story behind this is just starting with a lot of people involved.
-One thing for sure - Duncan is vehement he's not getting any mate, fated or not, so his story will show up in another series.
-Why was Jaden disgraced from the Shifter Ops? It comes back a few times but we are never told why. Frustrating. How would Piper see Jaden's safe combination while it's hidden in the closet and she was on the bed? Jaden is all Alpha; that alone should have solved the problem with Mr. Bandit attacking him on all corners. When Piper accuses Jaden of all impossible stuff a mate would never do, it was so, so sad and I was hurting for him. Jaden was such a good protector, whatever his father thought about him.
-It was a great surprise, right at the beginning, that each of the men would find their FM, with all the females being friends too.
-Ian is such a treasure. I really liked him. He understood far more than he let on.
-I did not like Piper at all. She thinks she's Google on all things shifter but doesn't even know 1% of what's important. She blames Jaden for her surges, going as far as saying it's abuse while she's the one who claimed him first (and he did check if she was sure). She's actually rude by not answering her phone correctly. Unlike her friends, she never vocally claimed J. as her FM; she only stepped up to him. She never apologized at the end either for bringing such pain. She calls Mr. Bandit a good boy but "Mr. Bandit destroying everything in our house, I couldn't be happier".
-Weird scene with Dawson. What's up with that? He doesn't say a word for years and now that she's almost fully mated tries to get the girl. Wow.
-Caleb's mother's name changed 3 times. There's a saying that comes back four times: "took an eternity, while only lasting the blink of an eye".
-There were several points that were quite unbelievable and some confusion. Not a great start to a series, which I would call a serials since the couple do get their HFN but no HEA; there also a story behind this is just starting with a lot of people involved.
-One thing for sure - Duncan is vehement he's not getting any mate, fated or not, so his story will show up in another series.
-Why was Jaden disgraced from the Shifter Ops? It comes back a few times but we are never told why. Frustrating. How would Piper see Jaden's safe combination while it's hidden in the closet and she was on the bed? Jaden is all Alpha; that alone should have solved the problem with Mr. Bandit attacking him on all corners. When Piper accuses Jaden of all impossible stuff a mate would never do, it was so, so sad and I was hurting for him. Jaden was such a good protector, whatever his father thought about him.
-It was a great surprise, right at the beginning, that each of the men would find their FM, with all the females being friends too.
-Ian is such a treasure. I really liked him. He understood far more than he let on.
-I did not like Piper at all. She thinks she's Google on all things shifter but doesn't even know 1% of what's important. She blames Jaden for her surges, going as far as saying it's abuse while she's the one who claimed him first (and he did check if she was sure). She's actually rude by not answering her phone correctly. Unlike her friends, she never vocally claimed J. as her FM; she only stepped up to him. She never apologized at the end either for bringing such pain. She calls Mr. Bandit a good boy but "Mr. Bandit destroying everything in our house, I couldn't be happier".
-Weird scene with Dawson. What's up with that? He doesn't say a word for years and now that she's almost fully mated tries to get the girl. Wow.
-Caleb's mother's name changed 3 times. There's a saying that comes back four times: "took an eternity, while only lasting the blink of an eye".
December 18, 2021
Great start to a new series! The author brings a terrific paranormal story filled with drama,action and romance. She takes you on an exciting adventure and had me glued to the pages right to the end. I'm looking forward to the next book. Loved and recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
December 28, 2021
Is that a joke?
I don't understand how this book got so good reviews? 🧐 Now, this story was so bad it was hilarious.
The FMC? A stupid girl who dreamt mating with a shifter but suddenly realized that forever meant forever🤦🏻♀️ The girl, Piper, slept with the guy, Jaden, after telling him she wanted to get to know him first (yeah, very logical). Just before having sex, Jaden checked with her to be sure that's what she wanted and guess what? The next day she said that she almost abused her, not respecting her choice, and blablabla...call me psycho🙄
The storyline was lame, nothing original here, and predictable. The characters were superficial and not very likeable.
The end isn't an end at all and in fact you have to read the next book and certainly the entire serie to know the whole story. Good books don't need that kind of trick to keep readers interested.
I don't understand how this book got so good reviews? 🧐 Now, this story was so bad it was hilarious.
The FMC? A stupid girl who dreamt mating with a shifter but suddenly realized that forever meant forever🤦🏻♀️ The girl, Piper, slept with the guy, Jaden, after telling him she wanted to get to know him first (yeah, very logical). Just before having sex, Jaden checked with her to be sure that's what she wanted and guess what? The next day she said that she almost abused her, not respecting her choice, and blablabla...call me psycho🙄
The storyline was lame, nothing original here, and predictable. The characters were superficial and not very likeable.
The end isn't an end at all and in fact you have to read the next book and certainly the entire serie to know the whole story. Good books don't need that kind of trick to keep readers interested.
March 23, 2022
This is book one of the Black Ops Bodyguard Shifters series and the main characters are Jaden and Piper. Jaden is a former shifter special ops member, whose last mission ended in the death of one of his good friends and colleague, after he and the rest of his team disobeyed orders to try and rescue their friend. He has been at a loose end since he got back, disgraced and unable to do what he did best. Being abandoned by his own father when he was just days old, left him being told he didn’t deserve to have the gods grant him the honour of a Tsigo, a fated mate. Now one of his friend’s Felix, has used one of the team to collect him for a meeting about a new business he wants him to run, that he is calling BOBS (Black Ops Bodyguard Shifters) Private Security. Piper and her friends have set up Mateless Mates for human females to find their shifter fated mates. Felix (Batman) and Jaden (Warden), and their fellow teammates Kairos (Nile), Angel (Grimm), D’Kota (Farmer) and Jasper (Caspar), have been hired to work security at one of the Mateless Mates events, which work with Agenwi shifters.
When the five women come in and bump into the five men, fated mate bonds go wild and they each have a match! Felix has already met his fated mate, but the others thought there would be little chance of meeting theirs, especially all at once like this and all with human females, no less! Two of the pairs immediately go off to start their bonding, whilst another two go and find somewhere quiet to sit and get to know each other. Jaden meanwhile has met his match in Piper. She wants to go slowly and get to know him before she will agree to a bonding with him. She knows a bit about shifters, as all of her friends do also, but she doesn’t know about the consequences of a death within a fated mate pairing, nor what could happen if the mating bond isn’t completed within a set period of time. Jaden simply takes it as a shifter would and wants to complete the bond as soon as possible, but knows he needs to consider her side of things and go at the pace she wants. Their only problem is that there is a secret organization that is dead set against shifter bloodlines being watered down or corrupted and they will target the team when they are at their most vulnerable! When Piper gets angry at Jaden for starting off the bonding process when she asked him to, even though she was not in the right frame of mind, she blames him and doesn’t want to see him. He waits for her to get back to him, but she has been taken by this shadow group under false pretences, just to keep them separate for long enough for Jaden to go mad when the bond does not complete.
The six men certainly earn their reputations when they finally go after Piper, having found out she was deliberately separated from Jaden and who was behind it all. They are in time before Jaden goes completely insane and has to be hunted and killed like a rabid dog, but the danger is far from over. The council is not happy with a lot more shifters finding their fated mates all of a sudden. Something big is coming and being part of a fated pairing, give the shifters an advantage over other shifters, from the magic of the bond. Each of the six pairs are beginning to live their lives together, but they are not safe from the hatred of those who demand purity of the bloodlines. Another even bigger attack is made on the group and their women and they will need extra help to combat this evil in their midst, and ensure everyone makes it through in one piece. Lots of romance, but this is mainly Jaden and Piper’s story and the rest of the series seems to be about one of the other men in the group and their fated mate, with their story being told. Hopefully it won’t be a re-iteration of this book, just from the next two characters viewpoints. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
When the five women come in and bump into the five men, fated mate bonds go wild and they each have a match! Felix has already met his fated mate, but the others thought there would be little chance of meeting theirs, especially all at once like this and all with human females, no less! Two of the pairs immediately go off to start their bonding, whilst another two go and find somewhere quiet to sit and get to know each other. Jaden meanwhile has met his match in Piper. She wants to go slowly and get to know him before she will agree to a bonding with him. She knows a bit about shifters, as all of her friends do also, but she doesn’t know about the consequences of a death within a fated mate pairing, nor what could happen if the mating bond isn’t completed within a set period of time. Jaden simply takes it as a shifter would and wants to complete the bond as soon as possible, but knows he needs to consider her side of things and go at the pace she wants. Their only problem is that there is a secret organization that is dead set against shifter bloodlines being watered down or corrupted and they will target the team when they are at their most vulnerable! When Piper gets angry at Jaden for starting off the bonding process when she asked him to, even though she was not in the right frame of mind, she blames him and doesn’t want to see him. He waits for her to get back to him, but she has been taken by this shadow group under false pretences, just to keep them separate for long enough for Jaden to go mad when the bond does not complete.
The six men certainly earn their reputations when they finally go after Piper, having found out she was deliberately separated from Jaden and who was behind it all. They are in time before Jaden goes completely insane and has to be hunted and killed like a rabid dog, but the danger is far from over. The council is not happy with a lot more shifters finding their fated mates all of a sudden. Something big is coming and being part of a fated pairing, give the shifters an advantage over other shifters, from the magic of the bond. Each of the six pairs are beginning to live their lives together, but they are not safe from the hatred of those who demand purity of the bloodlines. Another even bigger attack is made on the group and their women and they will need extra help to combat this evil in their midst, and ensure everyone makes it through in one piece. Lots of romance, but this is mainly Jaden and Piper’s story and the rest of the series seems to be about one of the other men in the group and their fated mate, with their story being told. Hopefully it won’t be a re-iteration of this book, just from the next two characters viewpoints. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
October 4, 2025
Panther shifter + fated mate romance + black ops brotherhood = the perfect recipe for a fast-paced, action-packed paranormal romance.
Jaden is a wounded hero—disgraced from his shifter special ops team and haunted by guilt after losing a friend on a mission. He’s not looking for redemption, let alone love. Piper, meanwhile, founded Mateless Mates to help human women find their fated shifters, yet ironically doubts she’ll ever find her own match. When a speed dating event collides with destiny, sparks fly and the bond snaps into place.
What I loved:
💥 The black ops team dynamic—gritty, loyal, and full of brotherly banter.
🔥 The romantic tension between Jaden and Piper—equal parts chemistry and chaos.
🐾 The stakes and action—a secret organization bent on stopping human-shifter bonds keeps the tension high.
❤️ Jaden. Just… Jaden. Loyal, protective, patient, and a total alpha sweetheart.
Don’t read this if you don’t love:
🐆 Fated mates who know instantly.
💔 Stubborn heroines who take a while to admit what’s right in front of them.
📖 Invented shifter languages and world-specific terminology.
Marked by the Panther is a fun, steamy start to the Black Ops Bodyguard Shifters series—a blend of action, found family, and fated-mate intensity that keeps the pages turning.
Jaden is a wounded hero—disgraced from his shifter special ops team and haunted by guilt after losing a friend on a mission. He’s not looking for redemption, let alone love. Piper, meanwhile, founded Mateless Mates to help human women find their fated shifters, yet ironically doubts she’ll ever find her own match. When a speed dating event collides with destiny, sparks fly and the bond snaps into place.
What I loved:
💥 The black ops team dynamic—gritty, loyal, and full of brotherly banter.
🔥 The romantic tension between Jaden and Piper—equal parts chemistry and chaos.
🐾 The stakes and action—a secret organization bent on stopping human-shifter bonds keeps the tension high.
❤️ Jaden. Just… Jaden. Loyal, protective, patient, and a total alpha sweetheart.
Don’t read this if you don’t love:
🐆 Fated mates who know instantly.
💔 Stubborn heroines who take a while to admit what’s right in front of them.
📖 Invented shifter languages and world-specific terminology.
Marked by the Panther is a fun, steamy start to the Black Ops Bodyguard Shifters series—a blend of action, found family, and fated-mate intensity that keeps the pages turning.
January 3, 2022
Getting disgraced from the shifter black ops was not something Jaden expected to have on his resume so when his buddy offers him a job opportunity he really didn't want goes haywire finding his mate was not exactly in his to do list however fate doesn't go to your plan but her own enter Piper the founder of Mateless Mates for human females. Piper doesn't expect to stumble into an event much less her mate she was only a tagalong for her friends. Jaden and his crew are doing security detail for that event. His crew finds their mates in Piper's friends so when danger arrives threatening the whole shifter world this responsible duo joins their friends fighting for survival of that world.
So there is your paraphrased blurb of this story is it snaring you like it did me when I decided to voluntarily read a complimentary copy and voice my opinion if not it should. If you are like me you love discovering new authors in your favorite genre. I enjoyed the world building, the realism of the characters and of course action drama and romance. I didn't receive compensation nor was I fed what words to write. Grab the book and form your own opinion.
So there is your paraphrased blurb of this story is it snaring you like it did me when I decided to voluntarily read a complimentary copy and voice my opinion if not it should. If you are like me you love discovering new authors in your favorite genre. I enjoyed the world building, the realism of the characters and of course action drama and romance. I didn't receive compensation nor was I fed what words to write. Grab the book and form your own opinion.
December 27, 2021
Jaden is a panther shifter he and Felix are about to set up a new security company and they are using the men from the old Special Ops unit but there is one guy that he is going to have to come up with something special to get Farmer to agree to work with them. But first, they are going to be security for Felix's Paranormal Dating Service for Halloween for the human women who are up for meeting their future mates, Piper, and her friends are supposed to attend the dating event at Felix's bar and Piper agrees to show up Because she is the founder of the mateless mates, but she has to attend to her client before she can make it to the bar. She seems to forget where she is and daydreaming almost misses her chance but when she arrives she is late and stumbles in the door and into the other women and is caught by Jaden who is pretty shocked and so is Piper she makes the mistake of treating Jaden like he's human because paranormals don't treat their mates as human men do and they know their true mates right away. Piper gets scared even though she knows she feels for Jaden. But there is something going on behind the scenes that none of them are aware of at this time. The adventure begins for them. Drama, suspense, action, adventure, kidnapping, and love.
I read an ARC via BookFunnel without obligation. I volunteered an honest review.
I read an ARC via BookFunnel without obligation. I volunteered an honest review.
July 20, 2022
This book isn't something I usually go for but it is awesome. The romance is really hot. I highly recommend it. Go check it out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 14, 2023
Just an ok read. Nothing spectacular but it didn't end up in my dnf pile so there's that.
December 29, 2021
This was such a great series opener, fast paced, full of thrills and a steamy romance. The world building was great and I loved the characters. I also really enjoyed that its a spin off of the entertaining Shifter Speed Dating series but with just so much more. Now I can't wait for the next book ;D
October 16, 2021
Fantastic first book that will have you wanting more. Amazing characters and adventure with so much more. A must read. ❤️📚👍
January 7, 2022
Jaden is trying to start a new job with his friend Felix but things go haywire and he meets his mate too so what's a guy to do. This is a new series from an awesome author and I received this book as an Arc for an unbiased and honest review. This book is steamy and we'll written, the characters are strong and sexy and it's a really great book.
June 27, 2022
Jaden and Fate's Poor Choice of Mate . . .
Panther shifter Jaden is not “in a good place” when he meets his mate as he is providing security for a speed dating event. Piper had started the business called “Mateless Mates” yet is convinced she will not ever find her own mate. At the speed dating event, she takes a chance and claims her mate. But can they survive when a secret group trying to stop shifters from bonding with humans is willing to go to any lengths to prevent them from being together?
I loved Jaden’s character, but Piper was not very likable in the way she treated Jaden. She thinks she knows everything she needs to know when she actually knows very little and can be cruel and callous in her actions. She doesn’t deserve him, especially when she tries to blame him for her confused decisions.
Panther shifter Jaden is not “in a good place” when he meets his mate as he is providing security for a speed dating event. Piper had started the business called “Mateless Mates” yet is convinced she will not ever find her own mate. At the speed dating event, she takes a chance and claims her mate. But can they survive when a secret group trying to stop shifters from bonding with humans is willing to go to any lengths to prevent them from being together?
I loved Jaden’s character, but Piper was not very likable in the way she treated Jaden. She thinks she knows everything she needs to know when she actually knows very little and can be cruel and callous in her actions. She doesn’t deserve him, especially when she tries to blame him for her confused decisions.
March 19, 2022
Wow, this story had me on the edge of my seat! Danger, intrigue, suspense. Amazing chemistry. Jaden was offering security at a dating event when he saw Piper, she was his fated mate. The journey to their HEA was hard, long and dangerous with some misunderstanding but Jaden wasn’t giving up on Piper and their love for each other. Can’t wait for more from this series . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 5, 2022
Major annoyance factor: While I was reading this, I felt as if I missed some important details or should have read some prequel to understand the shifter organizations and politics. I suspect it is in the Speed Dating Series. This is the first book for this series, so if we need to know stuff from another series for this one to make sense, then we should be told ahead of time. Maybe I'm too picky but I expect stories to make sense. A lot of things in this book are unexplained, and there's too much background and context missing. They use terms and acronyms that we have to guess about. You can't expect everyone to know the lingo. Plus, maybe it's been a while since the reader read the previous books; you can't expect everyone to have perfect memory of smaller details. I don't think it would have been difficult to put in a sentence or two here and there to clear up some of the unexplained stuff.
After ignoring all that, the story was kind of interesting. Jaden, a panther shifter, thinks he's some kind of loser, mostly from an abusive childhood, but also because of a previous Black Ops mission that went bad where one of the team died.
**Spoilers**
Piper is a human former teacher who learned about shifters by accident because of a former student, and she feels guilty about the difficulties he had. She and a few of her friends all know about shifters and yearn to find their own fated mates. But when she and Jaden meet, she's excited, but unsure of herself, so she wants to take things slowly, which is difficult with the mating call overriding rational thoughts.
She gets scared and runs from him even after they started the ritual mating. Then she gets kidnapped (twice) by an organization that is against shifters mating with humans, and they also want Jaden to die, which apparently will happen if the mating is not completed within a month. She has to be rescued by Jaden and his team, with help from yet another shifter organization, the Armed Furry Brotherhood.
I felt the reason why Piper ran in the first place was unconvincing, or at least she completely overreacted with no justification given. Then later, Jaden rejects her when he thinks she is only willing to mate him because of the mating call, not because she really likes him. Wait, what? Isn't that part of the purpose of fated mates and all that?
As long as you don't expect things to make a lot of sense, it's not a bad story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After ignoring all that, the story was kind of interesting. Jaden, a panther shifter, thinks he's some kind of loser, mostly from an abusive childhood, but also because of a previous Black Ops mission that went bad where one of the team died.
**Spoilers**
Piper is a human former teacher who learned about shifters by accident because of a former student, and she feels guilty about the difficulties he had. She and a few of her friends all know about shifters and yearn to find their own fated mates. But when she and Jaden meet, she's excited, but unsure of herself, so she wants to take things slowly, which is difficult with the mating call overriding rational thoughts.
She gets scared and runs from him even after they started the ritual mating. Then she gets kidnapped (twice) by an organization that is against shifters mating with humans, and they also want Jaden to die, which apparently will happen if the mating is not completed within a month. She has to be rescued by Jaden and his team, with help from yet another shifter organization, the Armed Furry Brotherhood.
I felt the reason why Piper ran in the first place was unconvincing, or at least she completely overreacted with no justification given. Then later, Jaden rejects her when he thinks she is only willing to mate him because of the mating call, not because she really likes him. Wait, what? Isn't that part of the purpose of fated mates and all that?
As long as you don't expect things to make a lot of sense, it's not a bad story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2022
Thoughts: Heat rating: 5 flames. This was an okay story. And I enjoyed it to some extent, but I was left with a lot of questions (that I presume will be answered in the following books in the series). First of all, it’s first person with multiple POVs – though the author does designate whose POV you’re in with chapter headings. Still, it got confusing at times.
Piper and Jaden are fated mates, but Piper is human and not well-versed in the shifter world. Jaden is broken in a lot of ways having been abused as a kid and other issues. The two do not get along well at first – though they can’t deny their attraction. But Piper tries to deny their mating and wants to get to know him first. Not a bad idea, but that’s not how it works.
It was also confusing as to who was whom and who was with whom and how they all fit together. And what was the mission that went south? And how did they all end up together at the same time? And… yeah, a lot of questions.
Recommendation: If you’re looking for a hot shifter series, this one sounds like a decent one. It just didn’t ring well with me. But you might love it, as other reviewers have. It’s got action, adventure, sex, shapeshifters, kidnapping, and more.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Piper and Jaden are fated mates, but Piper is human and not well-versed in the shifter world. Jaden is broken in a lot of ways having been abused as a kid and other issues. The two do not get along well at first – though they can’t deny their attraction. But Piper tries to deny their mating and wants to get to know him first. Not a bad idea, but that’s not how it works.
It was also confusing as to who was whom and who was with whom and how they all fit together. And what was the mission that went south? And how did they all end up together at the same time? And… yeah, a lot of questions.
Recommendation: If you’re looking for a hot shifter series, this one sounds like a decent one. It just didn’t ring well with me. But you might love it, as other reviewers have. It’s got action, adventure, sex, shapeshifters, kidnapping, and more.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
July 31, 2025
Jaden and Felix set up a new security company using members of their old Special Ops squad. Piper is the founder of Mateless mates and her and her friends attend Paranormal Dating Service dating event where surprising to everyone there, the guys from Jaden and Felix's security company find their mates. This is strange since most shifters have a hard time finding their mates and the female mates are human which is also surprising.
When Jaden and Piper meet, they knew right away that they are mates and Piper rushes right in and claims Jaden not realizing that she can't treat Jaden like a human because he's not. Piper doesn't understand all the shifter culture or how Jaden is feeling since she doesn't know much about shifters but she knows she wants this to work so she keeps trying with him.
So while Piper and Jaden are trying to work out how to have a relationship, there's a faction of people out there that want to make sure that shifters and humans don't mate. And they put both Jaden and Piper in danger. Jaden is in more danger because if he and Piper don't complete the mate bond soon, he might lose control of his animal. The danger ratchet's right up but Jaden isn't giving up on his mate that easily. The bad guys really shouldn't have messed with Special Ops shifters, they opened up a can of whoop ass and the guys are bringing the fight to them.
The action, romance and characters really made this a fun book to read.
When Jaden and Piper meet, they knew right away that they are mates and Piper rushes right in and claims Jaden not realizing that she can't treat Jaden like a human because he's not. Piper doesn't understand all the shifter culture or how Jaden is feeling since she doesn't know much about shifters but she knows she wants this to work so she keeps trying with him.
So while Piper and Jaden are trying to work out how to have a relationship, there's a faction of people out there that want to make sure that shifters and humans don't mate. And they put both Jaden and Piper in danger. Jaden is in more danger because if he and Piper don't complete the mate bond soon, he might lose control of his animal. The danger ratchet's right up but Jaden isn't giving up on his mate that easily. The bad guys really shouldn't have messed with Special Ops shifters, they opened up a can of whoop ass and the guys are bringing the fight to them.
The action, romance and characters really made this a fun book to read.
January 2, 2022
Jaden had always believed he never deserved a mate and was considered a defective shifter by his kind.
When he spots Piper, he knows this is his fated one and hope blossoms within.
Unfortunately after one intial mating she pulls herself away, causing an argument which means they aren't fully connected.
Mating with shifters isn't accepted by all but Piper has always longed to be part of that world until it is suddenly too close and real.
Piper has such doubts which have succeeded in making Jaden believe he really doesn't deserve her.
This was a brilliant first book in this series which I devoured like a starving woman.
I love Zoey's style and way of writing that is so easy to become lost in.
I almost broke down multiple times during this story with its heartbreaking content and soul crushing sadness.
I can't actually wait to read every other story involving the black ops team.
An intense and emotional journey which could end in madness at least for me.
I loved the old fork stabbing BTW that absolutely made my day.
A serious yet talented romance that will definitely stick in my mind for its pure feeling.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When he spots Piper, he knows this is his fated one and hope blossoms within.
Unfortunately after one intial mating she pulls herself away, causing an argument which means they aren't fully connected.
Mating with shifters isn't accepted by all but Piper has always longed to be part of that world until it is suddenly too close and real.
Piper has such doubts which have succeeded in making Jaden believe he really doesn't deserve her.
This was a brilliant first book in this series which I devoured like a starving woman.
I love Zoey's style and way of writing that is so easy to become lost in.
I almost broke down multiple times during this story with its heartbreaking content and soul crushing sadness.
I can't actually wait to read every other story involving the black ops team.
An intense and emotional journey which could end in madness at least for me.
I loved the old fork stabbing BTW that absolutely made my day.
A serious yet talented romance that will definitely stick in my mind for its pure feeling.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2022
Having read the first two books out of order, I now have a little more clarity about some of the things in book 2. Jaden is a panther shifter known among his fellow ex-military buddies as "Warden." Still haunted by their last, unsanctioned mission and its horrific outcome, Jaden struggles to hold it all together. Agreeing to start a bodyguard-for-hire business with his former comrades-in-arms is not easy, but he knows they all need the morale boost. The fact that their first job is for a function that is meant to match shifters with human mates turns out to be more than they bargained for when all of them find their own mates. At the same time? That is strange, but undeniable.
Piper has dreamed of finding a shifter mate for a long time. The group she helped start, Mateless Mates, was finally getting a chance to meet up with shifters who were looking for their own mates. She had tried to learn all she could about shifters and the mating bond, but her first reaction was "this is too much." But is moving slowly really the answer? Or will it just cause more problems than it solves? Apparently, it is the latter.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
Piper has dreamed of finding a shifter mate for a long time. The group she helped start, Mateless Mates, was finally getting a chance to meet up with shifters who were looking for their own mates. She had tried to learn all she could about shifters and the mating bond, but her first reaction was "this is too much." But is moving slowly really the answer? Or will it just cause more problems than it solves? Apparently, it is the latter.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
March 19, 2022
This is book one of the Black Ops Bodyguard Shifters series and each book reads as a standalone with an alpha shifter. Jaden sexy as all get out disgraced black ops panther shifter out of a job until he and friend decide to set up their own security company and thinking of employing other special ops men. Their first security is gig is for Paranormal Dating Services for the humans who want to meet their mates and they more then they signed up for. Piper has been invited to a dating event at the bar dreamed of being with a shifter and agreeing to show up at the bar not realizing this one moment would change her. The attraction is intense and instant as neither of them were expecting to find each other Jaden knows from the moment he saw her, smelled her that she is his fated mate however, Piper doesn’t really understand what any of that means she knows she is attracted to him and the pull between them is to strong to ignore so they both give in this one time (yep not really just this one time) They take us on a journey of forgiveness, hope and love but where does it all end with a HEA? . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 7, 2022
3.5 stars. I chose this at least in part because I wanted to read more about Felix and Luna from Totally Spooked (I wasn't disappointed) and also because I liked Jaden from that same book.
I loved Jaden from start to finish and enjoyed reading more of his back story. Piper... I liked her at first. Then Zoey needed something to separate them to further a subplot and I didn't like the catalyst she chose. It made me really not like her for a while, which wasn't ideal.
The subplot is quite intriguing though, with a shadow organization and lots of action, which elevated this above a simple fated mates romance. It seems it will be a thread throughout the series and it's made me enthusiastic about reading the rest to see what happens.
Can be read in its own if you just want the fated mates aspect, but you'll likely want to read the whole series if you want to see the conclusion of the subplot. This is the first in the series and I highly suspect it must be read in order to appreciate the full plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved Jaden from start to finish and enjoyed reading more of his back story. Piper... I liked her at first. Then Zoey needed something to separate them to further a subplot and I didn't like the catalyst she chose. It made me really not like her for a while, which wasn't ideal.
The subplot is quite intriguing though, with a shadow organization and lots of action, which elevated this above a simple fated mates romance. It seems it will be a thread throughout the series and it's made me enthusiastic about reading the rest to see what happens.
Can be read in its own if you just want the fated mates aspect, but you'll likely want to read the whole series if you want to see the conclusion of the subplot. This is the first in the series and I highly suspect it must be read in order to appreciate the full plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 1, 2024
Jaden has always been told that he was cursed by his father for being born, His father even tried to kill him when he was only 3-days old. He served in the military and works security. Now Jaden and some of his friends have been asked to work security for a Human Looking for their Fated mate among Shifters Speed dating event at a bar. Mateless Mates had formed for human women looking for their Fated Mate among the Shifter community. Piper had become part of the group. She was now planning to attend but things kept happening to delayed her chances of going.
Nile is trying to start a security company leaded by Jaden aka Warden along with shifter military unit. Will it happen? They will working dating event. Nile and the team of 5 shifters walks in and the 4 of the Mateless group come thru the door; all the women have found mates; Jaden's inner panther has his sight on Piper saying 'mine'. But there seems to be a shadow for Jaden and Piper trying to keep them apart. Who can it be trying stop them? Why do they want to stop Jaden from finding a mate? Will they find a way to be together?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nile is trying to start a security company leaded by Jaden aka Warden along with shifter military unit. Will it happen? They will working dating event. Nile and the team of 5 shifters walks in and the 4 of the Mateless group come thru the door; all the women have found mates; Jaden's inner panther has his sight on Piper saying 'mine'. But there seems to be a shadow for Jaden and Piper trying to keep them apart. Who can it be trying stop them? Why do they want to stop Jaden from finding a mate? Will they find a way to be together?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 7, 2024
DNF. Why does this book have such a good rating? I don’t like this woman. She’s a teacher (I’m a teacher, I should be able to relate to her, but nope) and she’s a know-it-all. I’m Mexican, and I would never presume to be an expert on Japanese psychology just because I have read a lot about their culture. Yet that’s what this woman does; she considers herself somewhat of an expert in shifter psychology because she has read about it, so she’s able to reach the troubled kid. Fuck. Her. Besides, nobody thought to TALK to the kid before this know-it-all Mary-Sue appeared? This whole scene made no sense, and it was obviously there just to show how good the fMC is with shifter kids. Again, Fuck her. She initiates sex with MMC and then accuses him of not respecting her boundaries? He literally didn’t even move, and made perfectly sure she was OK with this! She fucking TOLD him what she wanted him to do! Again, Fuck. Her.
And, seriously, five female friends are mated to five male friends? On the same day? Why? Because the gods "wanted the two enterprises to succeed" (the dating and security services respectively)? It's so stupid!
And, seriously, five female friends are mated to five male friends? On the same day? Why? Because the gods "wanted the two enterprises to succeed" (the dating and security services respectively)? It's so stupid!
December 28, 2021
Jaden was hanging on to his sanity by a thread after a failed mission, the loss of a friend, and having his team discharged and disbanded. His former teammate and friend, Felix, has found his mate, Luna, and is determined to help his friends so he makes plans for a security/ bodyguard firm, insisting Jaden runs it. He has even bought a building for the office and the first gig is as security for Felix's next speed dating event. Well, Piper and her friends arrive and don't get all the way into the event before Piper claims Jaden as a mate. Their journey through the mating ritual, Piper's insecurity, and a threat to the human/shifter mating is the plot and action of the story. Again, the author brings characters with humor, loyalty, and love to the readers. I really like the basic over-reaching arc of the series and this story is a great addition. I can't wait to see what the rest of Jaden's crew has in store for them. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2021
Marked by the Panther is book 1 of a new series that ties is with the author's shifter speed dating series. Not necessary to have read, but some characters do show up. It was a good surprise to see them again.
I enjoyed seeing Jaden interact with his team. They have a deep trust that was forged on the battlefield. Jaden ends up with a surprise as he and his team show up for their new job as security for the next shifter speed dating event.
Just like other speed dating stories, things are not all smooth sailing. Humans have a much different idea of relationships compared to shifters, something Jaden and Piper come to find. These two have to work for their relationship. It takes time for them both to figure out what it is they want and others do not make it easy for them.
I was glued to this story - I had to find out what happened next. I was impressed by the twists and turns and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed seeing Jaden interact with his team. They have a deep trust that was forged on the battlefield. Jaden ends up with a surprise as he and his team show up for their new job as security for the next shifter speed dating event.
Just like other speed dating stories, things are not all smooth sailing. Humans have a much different idea of relationships compared to shifters, something Jaden and Piper come to find. These two have to work for their relationship. It takes time for them both to figure out what it is they want and others do not make it easy for them.
I was glued to this story - I had to find out what happened next. I was impressed by the twists and turns and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2021
This is the start of a new series about shifters of different species finding their mates, this book is about two such shifters, Jason and Piper who have almost given up on finding theirs.
Jaden's in a bad place after losing a brother in arms and a failed mission, which caused his team to be disbanded leaving him feeling like he has no one. He's even a little jealous of Felix, a former teammate and good friend, who has found Luna even though he doesn't want to feel like that. Then Felix makes plans for a new venture, a company of bodyguards offering security which he insists Jaden runs.
Piper is feeling somewhat desperate and has even tried going along with her friends to the next shifter speed dating event where she sees Jaden, he's there running the security team, she's instantly convinced that he’s her mate but is he?
Their story flows well which is more than I can say for their relationship - will these two find their HEA, I'm not saying you'll have to download the book and read it for yourself, what I will say is you won't be disappointed.
Jaden's in a bad place after losing a brother in arms and a failed mission, which caused his team to be disbanded leaving him feeling like he has no one. He's even a little jealous of Felix, a former teammate and good friend, who has found Luna even though he doesn't want to feel like that. Then Felix makes plans for a new venture, a company of bodyguards offering security which he insists Jaden runs.
Piper is feeling somewhat desperate and has even tried going along with her friends to the next shifter speed dating event where she sees Jaden, he's there running the security team, she's instantly convinced that he’s her mate but is he?
Their story flows well which is more than I can say for their relationship - will these two find their HEA, I'm not saying you'll have to download the book and read it for yourself, what I will say is you won't be disappointed.
March 21, 2022
This is the first book I have read by this author and didn’t know exactly what to expect apart from it being a PNR book. It started out as a pretty good shifter fated mates story but changed into something really good and unexpected. The second half of the book is definitely my favourite because of the direction the book went in and because of this I definitely want to read more. There are questions I need answers to and as I refuse to put spoilers in my reviews then you will have to trust me when I say how good this book is. Piper wants a shifter mate but has no idea how it works and gets scared by how fast everything is moving. Jaden can’t believe he’s found his fated mate. There are some very big players who don’t want them to mate and be happy, I’m very excited to read the next book and see what happens. If you like shifter books with the added twist of series bad guys this could be the book for you. Just give it time, it honestly does get so much better in the second half of the book. . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 23, 2022
Through no fault of his own, Jaden has a bad reputation among the shifter community. He joined the military and became a member of a black ops team and finally got a family worth having. Now out of the military, Jaden is purposeless and his team is worried. They get him to a shifter dating event where he is shocked to meet his Tsigo, or fated mate. Piper found out about shifters by accident and loves the idea of a shifter mate of her own. She helped set up the dating events and is equally shocked to find her mate the second she walks in the door. Jaden immediately accepts the bond but Piper, while she feels the same emotionally, thinks they need to take time to get to know each other. Beyond their personal issues, there are those who do not want shifters mating with humans and they cause a host of issues. Piper was a little annoying at times with her waffling, but all in all they were cute together - plenty of cat jokes. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
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