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Saint Lakes #10
Bad Mate
What do you do when your life changes in the blink of an eye?
Keaton finally has a family. Nothing good has happened in his life until he’s able to call Saint Lakes home. Meeting his fated mate should be good as well, but the shadows of his past come back to haunt him.
Tim Pyke has turned over a new leaf. Since his son mated with a Somerset, it’s not like he has much of a choice. He’s part of the family, after all. He still doesn’t intend to mate with anyone who isn’t a cougar shifter like himself. When he meets the prettiest vampire he’s ever seen, his instincts toward his fated mate are too strong to ignore.
Keaton is the only one who can save the clan from a dangerous human, but he must get past his fated mate to do it.
Bad Mate is the sweet yet action-packed tenth book of the MM Paranormal Romance Saint Lakes Series. If you like sassy vampires and cougar shifter farmers with some very strong ideals, then you’ll love this romantic novel.
Keaton finally has a family. Nothing good has happened in his life until he’s able to call Saint Lakes home. Meeting his fated mate should be good as well, but the shadows of his past come back to haunt him.
Tim Pyke has turned over a new leaf. Since his son mated with a Somerset, it’s not like he has much of a choice. He’s part of the family, after all. He still doesn’t intend to mate with anyone who isn’t a cougar shifter like himself. When he meets the prettiest vampire he’s ever seen, his instincts toward his fated mate are too strong to ignore.
Keaton is the only one who can save the clan from a dangerous human, but he must get past his fated mate to do it.
Bad Mate is the sweet yet action-packed tenth book of the MM Paranormal Romance Saint Lakes Series. If you like sassy vampires and cougar shifter farmers with some very strong ideals, then you’ll love this romantic novel.
211 pages, ebook
Published February 15, 2023
About the author
April Kelley
111 books232 followersLiving in Southwest Michigan, April resides with her husband and two kids. She has been an avid reader for several years. Writing her first story at the age of ten, the characters in her head still won't stop telling their stories. If April isn't reading or writing she can be found outside playing with the animals or taking a long walk in the woods.
If you wish to contact her email authoraprilkelley@gmail.com.
Please visit her website at authoraprilkelley.com
If you wish to contact her email authoraprilkelley@gmail.com.
Please visit her website at authoraprilkelley.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 28, 2024
not bad
I like this book but I was underwhelmed by Lucas and Echo’s combined ability. In previous books it sounded so epic but all it is is echo and Lucas enhance each other’s ability so I don’t get how anyone would know that the two of them combined can wipe out an entire species when all they do is enhance the abilities they already have and it doesn’t seem like they can do it from very far away let alone wipe out an entire species that they can’t see.
This was the first book that tested their combined powers and the way it was described and the way it happened seemed at odds with each other. I almost wish there was more description or even more action in the apprehension of Harold all it was was him bending over in pain. it would’ve been great to have a description as to what Echo and Lucas did to make him bend over in pain, or to have him try to fight and realize that he wasn’t going to win but nope, all we got was he bent over in pain and that was the end of the fight ...a little disappointing.
I like this book but I was underwhelmed by Lucas and Echo’s combined ability. In previous books it sounded so epic but all it is is echo and Lucas enhance each other’s ability so I don’t get how anyone would know that the two of them combined can wipe out an entire species when all they do is enhance the abilities they already have and it doesn’t seem like they can do it from very far away let alone wipe out an entire species that they can’t see.
This was the first book that tested their combined powers and the way it was described and the way it happened seemed at odds with each other. I almost wish there was more description or even more action in the apprehension of Harold all it was was him bending over in pain. it would’ve been great to have a description as to what Echo and Lucas did to make him bend over in pain, or to have him try to fight and realize that he wasn’t going to win but nope, all we got was he bent over in pain and that was the end of the fight ...a little disappointing.
August 28, 2025
3.5⭐️ what this story lacked in the overarching series plot it made up for with the redemption arc for Tim!
*I received an ALC copy of this audiobook, all opinions are my own*
Last time we saw Tim, he’d been left by his wife, leaving everyone shocked to learn that they weren’t fated mates. He was raised in a super backwards family/community where cougar shifters can/should only ever be mates with other cougar shifters regardless of whether they are fated or not. Despite living in Saint Lakes, Tim carried these ignorant ideas with him into adulthood and nearly lost all contact with his son in an earlier book because of it. Luckily in this book we see that Tim has really grown as a person & character and now he gets his fated mate 🙌
Keaton was introduced in Ladon’s book, but I’d totally forgotten about him. But after such a tough childhood & early adulthood, it was sweet to see him meet Tim- who has endless love to give, and also move onto Tim’s farm and see how much Keaton cares for the animals there.
*I received an ALC copy of this audiobook, all opinions are my own*
Last time we saw Tim, he’d been left by his wife, leaving everyone shocked to learn that they weren’t fated mates. He was raised in a super backwards family/community where cougar shifters can/should only ever be mates with other cougar shifters regardless of whether they are fated or not. Despite living in Saint Lakes, Tim carried these ignorant ideas with him into adulthood and nearly lost all contact with his son in an earlier book because of it. Luckily in this book we see that Tim has really grown as a person & character and now he gets his fated mate 🙌
Keaton was introduced in Ladon’s book, but I’d totally forgotten about him. But after such a tough childhood & early adulthood, it was sweet to see him meet Tim- who has endless love to give, and also move onto Tim’s farm and see how much Keaton cares for the animals there.
February 20, 2023
a few typos but a good read
A great continuation of the saint lakes story however it felt a little rushed. There were several typos/use of the wrong character name and a few plot holes (that may be resolved in future books in the series). This book has felt the most detached from the rest of the series, I enjoyed the storyline of with return of someone from Keatons past but more exploration of that character would have added to to the overall story. In addition more exploration of the the echo x Lucas connection would have also made for interesting reading.
All in all I would recommend, especially if you have read the rest of the series, a little tricky to forgive Tim at first but he grows on you, but a good proof read wouldn’t go amiss.
A great continuation of the saint lakes story however it felt a little rushed. There were several typos/use of the wrong character name and a few plot holes (that may be resolved in future books in the series). This book has felt the most detached from the rest of the series, I enjoyed the storyline of with return of someone from Keatons past but more exploration of that character would have added to to the overall story. In addition more exploration of the the echo x Lucas connection would have also made for interesting reading.
All in all I would recommend, especially if you have read the rest of the series, a little tricky to forgive Tim at first but he grows on you, but a good proof read wouldn’t go amiss.
February 16, 2023
Well, times, they be a-changin'! At least for Tim!!!
Learning to overcome the bigoted teachings of your past is never easy for anyone, but Tim is more than willing to try so that he can have Josh and Kristen in his life. What he didn't expect was a young vampire to turn up in Saint Lakes and be his mate. Oh, well... it is what it is and Tim will make all the changes he needs to make sure that Keaton knows how much he means to him. But, as usual, trouble comes knocking and the clan has their hands full trying to keep everyone safe.
As for Keaton, even though he knows he has found his sanctuary at Saint Lakes, he is just waiting for the other shoe to drop... because it always does.
Learning to overcome the bigoted teachings of your past is never easy for anyone, but Tim is more than willing to try so that he can have Josh and Kristen in his life. What he didn't expect was a young vampire to turn up in Saint Lakes and be his mate. Oh, well... it is what it is and Tim will make all the changes he needs to make sure that Keaton knows how much he means to him. But, as usual, trouble comes knocking and the clan has their hands full trying to keep everyone safe.
As for Keaton, even though he knows he has found his sanctuary at Saint Lakes, he is just waiting for the other shoe to drop... because it always does.
February 27, 2023
Don't turn back. Keaton, was exhausted. His work as a sex worker was a job in which he had minimum interest. Then a suspicious dominant client dragged him into a dangerous situation he wanted nothing to do with. He left town and started over in Saint Lakes. Tim just wants to mate within his species, until he met his mate, the prettiest. vampire, ever. Can Tim go for true love? Keaton and Tim are a great opposite attract, good story. Can Keaton overcome his reappeared past? Can Keaton overcome his reappeared past? Good story. Nice theme. Great little adventure. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 21, 2023
Great story
I absolutely love this series so much. I love how each book is about a different couple and yet they all continue with the backstory. This is Tim’s and Keaton’s story and you definitely need to read the other stories to get full story. This was so good and I can’t wait for the next one.
I absolutely love this series so much. I love how each book is about a different couple and yet they all continue with the backstory. This is Tim’s and Keaton’s story and you definitely need to read the other stories to get full story. This was so good and I can’t wait for the next one.
February 22, 2023
Tim and Keaton's story, a mixed relationship if ever there was one, was so good. Part of what made it so good was that each in his own way was vulnerable. Tim tries to resist but how can you deny your fated mate? Why would you want to when he is so sweet and sassy as Keaton? They are what each needs.
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.
May 18, 2023
Bad Mate
Boy did Key and Tim have heir work cut out to get their hea! I’m really loving this Saint Lakes series and am looking forward to reading more in this series. Definitely recommend
Boy did Key and Tim have heir work cut out to get their hea! I’m really loving this Saint Lakes series and am looking forward to reading more in this series. Definitely recommend
February 28, 2023
3.5 stars
June 12, 2024
good
This was a good book. It was nice seeing the Pyke family get closer. And the Somersets keeping bringing home strays.
This was a good book. It was nice seeing the Pyke family get closer. And the Somersets keeping bringing home strays.
October 4, 2023
Reviewed for Love Bytes – 4.5 hearts.
Keaton was part of a brothel and flipped sides to the Saint Lakes clan a few books ago. Jaded about love and everything it stood for, Keaton never expected to meet his fated mate, for he’d used then discarded for most of his life. When Tim saw Keaton, everything from his past came to haunt him. Karma could be a bitch – and he wanted to love the hell out of it.
Bad Mate is the tenth book in the Saint Lakes series. In a previous book, Tim has been a judgmental ass; therefore, I expected to endure this tale instead of liking it. However, I more than liked it – I truly enjoyed it. Gone were the laboratories and familiar scenarios from other manuscripts. In their place was a farm of animals, a cougar shifter who’d had his childhood upbringing turned on its head, and an orphan vampire finding something he’d never had – a home. The story was a delight to read.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Tim and Keaton. It was lovely to have the world-building stay in Saint Lakes but expand to include Tim’s farm, the land, and its animals – especially the pigs. Everything felt homely. I couldn’t help smiling at Keaton’s reactions to the animals through to his thoughts on driving lessons. The whole scenario was a nice break from the family going away on missions. Oh – some bad comes to town, furthering the overall plot a notch or two. Still, this story was about acknowledging and re-evaluating past perceptions, new values and a broken family coming together.
Keaton has grown up street savvy, able to take care of himself and doesn’t take bull from anyone. He is intelligent, able to strategize, and see the bigger picture. When Keaton and Fane are in the same room – plans come thick and fast.
Tim is a father who bears the brunt of his own father’s prejudices, which resulted in his family being broken and Tim being forced to see life differently. He’s a man who tends to speak before he thinks, unable to articulate his actual meanings, which gets him into plenty of trouble. Keaton, being on the scene, furthers the new outlook and solidifies it - especially as Keaton calls Tim out on his actions, which can sometimes be hurtful. However, upsetting, and anguished scenes in these stories never last long and are often followed by some spicy comfort. These men can indulge in a blink-of-the-eye quickie.
Bad Mate was a lovely story about family while still managing to further the series arc.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
Keaton was part of a brothel and flipped sides to the Saint Lakes clan a few books ago. Jaded about love and everything it stood for, Keaton never expected to meet his fated mate, for he’d used then discarded for most of his life. When Tim saw Keaton, everything from his past came to haunt him. Karma could be a bitch – and he wanted to love the hell out of it.
Bad Mate is the tenth book in the Saint Lakes series. In a previous book, Tim has been a judgmental ass; therefore, I expected to endure this tale instead of liking it. However, I more than liked it – I truly enjoyed it. Gone were the laboratories and familiar scenarios from other manuscripts. In their place was a farm of animals, a cougar shifter who’d had his childhood upbringing turned on its head, and an orphan vampire finding something he’d never had – a home. The story was a delight to read.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Tim and Keaton. It was lovely to have the world-building stay in Saint Lakes but expand to include Tim’s farm, the land, and its animals – especially the pigs. Everything felt homely. I couldn’t help smiling at Keaton’s reactions to the animals through to his thoughts on driving lessons. The whole scenario was a nice break from the family going away on missions. Oh – some bad comes to town, furthering the overall plot a notch or two. Still, this story was about acknowledging and re-evaluating past perceptions, new values and a broken family coming together.
Keaton has grown up street savvy, able to take care of himself and doesn’t take bull from anyone. He is intelligent, able to strategize, and see the bigger picture. When Keaton and Fane are in the same room – plans come thick and fast.
Tim is a father who bears the brunt of his own father’s prejudices, which resulted in his family being broken and Tim being forced to see life differently. He’s a man who tends to speak before he thinks, unable to articulate his actual meanings, which gets him into plenty of trouble. Keaton, being on the scene, furthers the new outlook and solidifies it - especially as Keaton calls Tim out on his actions, which can sometimes be hurtful. However, upsetting, and anguished scenes in these stories never last long and are often followed by some spicy comfort. These men can indulge in a blink-of-the-eye quickie.
Bad Mate was a lovely story about family while still managing to further the series arc.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews