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The biggest story of her life could be her last … unless her mate can save her.
Fanged peril
Curvy journalist Caitlyn Roberts can’t believe her eyes. She and her boss at a popular paranormal investigations website have just received shocking footage of a local businessman turning into a giant beast! Things go bad in a hurry when the subject of the investigation decides to destroy the evidence…and her.
Feeling the heat
Caitlyn flees for her life, only to end up stranded in the middle of nowhere when her car goes off the road. Certain she’s about to die, her luck finally takes a turn for the better when she’s rescued by the strongest, sexiest firefighter she’s ever seen.
Small town, big trouble
Bear shifter and small-town attorney Mark Swanson divides his time between running a law office to help his friends and neighbors in small-town Bearpaw Ridge and volunteering as a firefighter. The last thing he expects is for an accident victim to be his fated mate…especially when she turns out to be the reporter behind the news site determined to expose shifters as real.
Love in the crosshairs
Despite the risks, Mark and his bear can’t resist getting closer to the sexy reporter they both want to claim. The heat between them is irresistible—but when a shifter hit man shows up, it’s clear that Caitlyn's got more problems than a wrecked car. Can he and his mate trust each other with their deepest secrets, or will their happy ending be ripped away from them?
Smolder is a full-length steamy shifter romance with no cheating and a happy ending.

290 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2020

607 people are currently reading
115 people want to read

About the author

Ophelia Sexton

90 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.

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5 stars
440 (50%)
4 stars
263 (29%)
3 stars
154 (17%)
2 stars
16 (1%)
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4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Shelley C.
2,968 reviews65 followers
September 8, 2019
Smouldering Firefighters 🔥

Caitlyn works as an investigative reporter when they receive video of the existence of shifters. When it turns out the person who sent the video has been murdered, Caitlyn and her boss make moves to go to ground and investigate whether the video is real or not. This leads Caitlyn to Bearpaw Ridge where she veers off the road to avoid three wolves and ends up upside down in her car...only to be rescued by some very sexy firefighters👩‍🚒

Mark works as a lawyer and volunteers as a firefighter when he’s needed❣️Responding to a call, he’s confused when his bear keeps insisting on helping the woman in the car, until he realises what she is to him😍

This story was the one I was waiting to get to, to understand the story of Inferno with Pete and Kayla💕 Reading these stories in the boxset, would definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,356 reviews46 followers
October 6, 2019
Read in the box set.
Caitlyn is doing her best to prove that shifters exist and if that means people get hurt that is journalism doing its job.
Mark is a lawyer and finds himself in a tough position, trying to win his mate, not out shifters and protect her from an assassin who is sent to stop her publishing her story.
Whilst this was okay I dislike reporters of any ilk so was down on Caitlyn from the start. She at least does the right thing in the end.
1,603 reviews12 followers
November 9, 2019
I had never read anything by Ophelia Sexton before, but I like shifter romances and this series had decent reviews, so I decided to give it a try. This book was a good story, with decent editing. I had minor issues with it, though. It gets 3.5 stars from me, rounded up to 4 stars.

My main issue with this book is the attitude of Mark's family toward Caitlyn. Yes, she was a reporter who was investigating shifters, but they should not have automatically assumed she would write things that would hurt them. They should have given her a chance to prove she cared enough about Mark to NOT write anything that would hurt him or his family. They also seemed to have a prejudice against non-shifters in general, which bothered me -- especially since Dane mated with a human in the first book, and they love her.

Mark was a sweetheart, and I thought he was good for Caitlyn. I liked Caitlyn, too, but wanted her to realize sooner that some of her investigative stories could be hurting people. She did realize that, it just took longer than I wanted.

I do like that this series describes the heroic actions of a group of firefighters. Firefighters and other first responders do an amazing job, and should be honored. I liked that this book described the firefighters' rescue of Caitlyn from her wrecked car, including their kindness and comforting words.

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.
Profile Image for Marsha Keeper Bookshelf.
4,290 reviews88 followers
May 31, 2017
Reviewed at Shifter Haven

Smolder is a tense, fast paced Shifter Romance that puts an interesting situation in play for our family of bear shifters. What do you do when it turns out that your human fated mate is trying her best to publish a news report that will out shifters everywhere as real and living among humans?

Caitlyn writes for a popular paranormal investigative website, she’s good at her job even if she’s skeptical about some of these creatures she writes about. A man turning into an animal? Get real. Up until she sees the “proof” for herself, and sets out to find out what is real and what is surely make believe. She has no clue of the danger she’s walking into – or that her mate, the man she’ll spend the rest of her life loving is exactly what she’s investigating, a shifter.

I enjoyed Mark and Caitlyn’s romance. She’s on the run from more danger than she realizes yet, and he’s just the man to come to her rescue. There is certainly intense action in this story, and not only the sexy times kind. There are those that will do anything to stop Caitlyn’s investigation, including murder. And it’s up to Mark and his family to insure that the bad guys lose, and that Caitlyn and Mark get their fated happy ever after.

I’d recommend this story or this series to any Paranormal Romance or Shifter Romance reader who enjoys a solid story, some intrigue and danger, an interesting secondary cast just waiting for their stories to be told and a likable main couple.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Profile Image for Shayay.
2,806 reviews55 followers
February 27, 2020
I listened to this story in the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters Boxset 1. The set has books 1 Thru 6 in this series.

Narrator is doing good. She sounds clear and she has some different voices for the different characters. Quality performance that I enjoyed listening to.

Love the bear shifter aspect and the romance is steamy. There’s some good suspense and action just like in the first book, so that’s all entertaining and fun. In this book, Caitlyn is a reporter for a trashy tabloid that reports on things like Bigfoot and Loch Ness, she’s sent to Bearpaw Ridge to investigate if shifters exist. I wasn’t really a fan of that angle. When she arrives, she meets bear shifter, Mark, and these two are hot for each other. Mark knows she is his mate, but he doesn’t know if he can trust her not to break the story about the existence of shifters. There’s also some dangerous shifters after her because she’s getting too close to finding out about shifters. Mark and Caitlyn have some hot moments, but I didn’t feel a strong connection between them. It just felt like lust; their connection lacks emotional depth. I loved the connection between Dane and Annabeth from the first book, so I was a bit disappointed with Mark and Caitlyn. The story is written well and I was entertained the whole time, so I still enjoyed the story. I’m not really looking forward to the next book because I’m not a fan of Evan, but since I already have the book in this Boxset, I’m going to go ahead and read it.
500 reviews2 followers
September 7, 2021
Fighting the Inevitable

Mark Swanson, all around good guy, attorney, volunteer firefighter, part- time rancher and bear shifter. On a call to save the victim of a car accident, he and his brother's save her and he finds his true mate at the same time. Of course there are complications. Caitlin Monroe works for a publication out to prove shifters, UFO's and other paranormal situations are real. She's come to Bearpaw Ridge to investigate the stories. And she's literally run into the Swanson's, who are the story. She doesn't realize information she has on a brutal murder has put her in the cross hairs of another, vicious shifter pride. While trying to balance her job, her boss's determination and her serious attraction to Mark she also must avoid attempts on her life. Thankfully, for her, she has a family of Grizzly Bear shifters to protect her. Great characters, excellent descriptions of shifter lifestyles all complete with mystery, suspense and romance this book is terrific. A great addition to this series.
Profile Image for Terry.
94 reviews
August 20, 2017
Lions and Tigers and Bears oh my....

Mark is a bear shifter, who's alsi a firefighter /paramedic and lawyer. Caitlyn is what they call an "Ordinary ", non-shifter. She's an investigative reporter who thinks shifters are an urban myth, but her boss swears they exist. These two meet when Caitlyn flips her car and Mark is one of the responders. Caitlyn is trying to debunk a USB dirve video that shows a saber tooth tiger turning into a man, not realizing the pride is now after her.


What happens when she finds out shifters really do exist? Will the pride catch up to her? What about her prince charming/bear shifter Mark? Will they get theuir HEA?
Profile Image for Schellie.
877 reviews
September 4, 2023
Caitlyn has to go on the run after receiving some info on a businessman turning into a saber-tooth shifter. As a writer for a paranormal investigation website, its her job to bust the myths of the paranormal. She runs for Bearpaw Ridge where she meets Mark, the local lawyer who is very suspicious of the journalist. She is looking for stories to expose the very thing he & his kind do their best to hide., the fact they can shift into another form. Whats a bear to do when he has chosen for a mate, the very woman who could destroy his life? This story was a great cozy paranormal, steamy, slightly suspenseful & completely enjoyable book.
1,292 reviews9 followers
January 1, 2018
Great follow up to book 1

They keep going. There was more tension in this story, as Caitlyn is a reporter for a paranormal investigation website. Just what these bear shifters don't need! But the chemistry between her and Mark is hot, and his best doesn't care at all. We get to see all the characters we met in the first story. There is a bit more action in this one, with bits of humor and emotion as well. I like this series and how it is going. If you like shifters, action, romance and steamy scenes then this is a story for you. Enjoy!
971 reviews5 followers
October 6, 2019
Mark and Caitlyn Great read and well written Mark knew almost from the moment he touched Caitlyn that she was fated to be his mate although it was a little touch and go wonderful and emotion as l storyline and introducing other shifter clans like to always see the HEA and will be waiting for ignite to see them getting married and also for Evans story would highly recommend this series and author:)
771 reviews3 followers
November 1, 2025
Hiding In Plain Sight

As a sceptical paranormal reporter she and her boss get many emails from all over, but this one stands out. They received a video a USB drive of a saber tooth animal turning into a man. Her boss said to run so she went to investigate a different story about a stalker who is in prison but wants to cause trouble saying he was caught by a bear who turned into a man.
Good Adult Read.
Profile Image for Carol Dawn.
Author 42 books350 followers
September 19, 2018
Another great story

Another great story to this amazing series. I'm loving these shifters. This one did have more shifter-Ness than the first one did so that was an improvement. I felt like most of the book was from the heroines point of view. Not that it's a bad thing, just making a statement. I'm very excited too start the next book.
Profile Image for Lynn Smith.
2,682 reviews9 followers
May 22, 2019
Smolder

Caitlyn a journalist with a online website that deals with paranormal heads to Bearpaw Ridge after her boss received a video of a shapeshifter. Meeting Mark after her accident she ends up involved in more than she bargained for.
Great story with plenty of fantastic characters.
1,033 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2019
Mark and Caitlyn

He is a bear shifter and she is an Ordinary human. She does not believe shifters are real, but she goes to Bearpaw Ridge after her boss receives a video of a shifter turning into a man. It is a very interesting story, and I am really looking forward to the next in series.
Profile Image for Celeste.
122 reviews2 followers
January 10, 2020
Firefighter Shifter story

Love this book. This particular series is great. I love the story lines so for and I can't wait to read the next book. This story about Mark and Carolyn is just great I absolutely love how the have that instant connection when they first meet. I was recommend book and series to everyone
Profile Image for Linda Bass.
77 reviews
March 21, 2020
Well written an experience to remember

This is a very well written and sexy experience to remember All the characters and all the family members have their own stories and each are amazing to learn about the whole family I really enjoyed this book I can't wait to read the next in the series
Profile Image for Joetta Spurling.
Author 2 books7 followers
September 17, 2020
Great read!

Smolder: Bearpaw Ridge Firefighter Book 2
By Ophelia Sexton
Kindle unlimited purchase
I would have the privilege a reading this book in the box set so if you're looking at this like you've read it before (just like I was) then you know why. lol
This was just as good as the first time I read it.
Profile Image for Adeline.
136 reviews5 followers
August 13, 2022
The romance was as enjoyable as the first one but the fact that her and her boss are trying to expose shifters put a bad taste in my mouth going into reading them. It was all good though. The book also had this third perspective for no reason and I got what it was supposed to do but I could've done without it.
Profile Image for Robin.
2,542 reviews20 followers
November 22, 2025
Mark & Caitlyn

There’s just something about fated mates! Mark and Caitlyn are destined to meet. They crossed paths before they even met. Mark walked a fine line and tried to protect his heart but nothing he could do worked. She was his. He just had to convince her. Great couple! I’m loving this family, this town, this community. Can’t wait for more.
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
May 11, 2018
This was a fun one to read. I liked how Caitlyn ended up in the story of a lifetime. I was glad that the Swanson's and Bearpaw Ridge talked her into doing the right thing and keeping their secrets. Mark and Caitlyn were cute together, glad that they got their HEA.
307 reviews
January 12, 2019
Continuation of shifter story

Shifter meets mate on a call about an accident. He makes sure that she stays at his home and they develop a relationship as mates. Other shifters show up and disrupt the community but finally, the shifters are able to keep their secret.
351 reviews3 followers
August 19, 2019
I love Caitlyn and Mark. Caitlyn is a feisty journalism reporter who stumbles into a story that puts her life in danger. She doesn't realize how big the story actually is. Mark is kind and protective all rolled into one big package. This is definitely a story you need to check out!
Profile Image for ChattyChik21.
2,734 reviews
January 24, 2020
Such fun stories

But for people bent on secrecy they sure are freewheeling with letting new people roam around and killing folks in shifter form. Bit of a plot hole but otherwise fun books
193 reviews2 followers
February 10, 2020
Seay bear and sweet lady

Exciting story about love and second chances. My heart melted as I watched Annabeth and Dane find the path together. I laughed when the ex got what he deserved. Great book I'm eager for more.
Profile Image for Tiffany .
326 reviews12 followers
April 8, 2020
This rating is heavy on my own personal dislikes. I have a pretty big dislike for journalist characters and dislike when they are a main love interest. If the main was anything but, I would have probably rated it a 4.
Profile Image for Pamela.
36 reviews
August 2, 2021
Loved it.

I live the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series. The characters, shifter and ordinary people, are interesting and enjoyable. The passion is well done and doesn't overshadow the story.
The plots are interesting and fun to read.
559 reviews2 followers
July 20, 2022
Just the right mix

This story is just the right mix of shifters, romance, and suspense. The characters each have enough background information to move the story along but not too much that you get stuck in the details.
163 reviews
December 4, 2023
Really enjoyed. Another enjoyable story that includes firefighters, shifters and damsels in distress. Just a few typos but not enough to distract. I recommend this book and am off to the next. I borrowed this from KU.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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