What do you think?
Rate this book
Southern Shifters #3.5
A White Cougar Christmas
**This is a free chapter prequel to the full novel, BE WERE.
"Cute story. Perfect for a lunch hour!"
Restless and alone on Christmas Eve, Niki decides it’s time to scratch the itch and heads into a nearby town for some action. Once there, it isn’t sex she finds, but a fight instead, that is until tall, dark and handsome intervenes…
Dean recognizes the stunning but surly Cougar for what she is the minute she gets close. Now it’s up to him to show her just how far a night of passion can go.
"Cute story. Perfect for a lunch hour!"
Restless and alone on Christmas Eve, Niki decides it’s time to scratch the itch and heads into a nearby town for some action. Once there, it isn’t sex she finds, but a fight instead, that is until tall, dark and handsome intervenes…
Dean recognizes the stunning but surly Cougar for what she is the minute she gets close. Now it’s up to him to show her just how far a night of passion can go.
42 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2008
93 people are currently reading
806 people want to read
About the author
Eliza Gayle
133 books1,337 followersGRAB the first book in my USA Today bestselling Southern Shifters series in Kindle Unlimited. Click
here
Eliza Gayle writes dragon romance and fantasy romance with unforgettable characters, fiery passion, and magical twists. A New York Times bestselling author, she’s created series like Dragon Lords and Southern Shifters that keep readers hooked from page one. (She also writes dark contemporary romance under E.M. Gayle) She currently lives on a small island in the Pacific Northwest (but was born and raised in Florida and then spent 10+ years in NC) and spends her days writing romance, wandering the beach, kayaking or defending her keyboard from her cat Salem.
Before her writing career began, she served in the Marine Corps and lived a crazy life of adventure. Then she read her first spicy romance novel and everything changed. So after years of thinking about writing she finally grabbed her laptop and wrote.
Latest Release: THE HEART OF THE DRAGON
Coming next: THE FATE OF THE DRAGON
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
May 12, 2012
Very short. They meet, they have sex, he realizes she's his mate, the end. This is meant as a teaser for the full length book, I think, and in that it works as I wanted there to be more story. As a short story this kind if misses the mark.
Plus, he kept going on about smelling her arousal. I'm pretty sure if he can smell it from across the room she needs a cream for that. Just saying.
Plus, he kept going on about smelling her arousal. I'm pretty sure if he can smell it from across the room she needs a cream for that. Just saying.
February 22, 2012
This was a short and steamy read. I was prepared to give it 4 stars but was annoyed with the abrupt HFN ending after all his mating talk. I'm OK with short but that doesn't mean you can't have a good wrap-up last chapter. There is a note from the author at the end saying there will be more with these two characters, and I'll keep an eye out for them but I hope they'll be free too!
December 15, 2014
Light on romance, heavy on one-sided insta-love, sex is decent, lack of world building and character development. The world has potential, I'd like to see more.
December 3, 2015
I am giving this 3.5 stars because though I liked it there still seemed to be something missing from the story. This is a short story of 19 pages but I think it could have been fleshed out more with some depth to the characters and plot line. This was a Christmas story and I really did not get the holiday vibe from it I would have liked to. The narrative is fine and flows very well. There needed to be more information on the characters so you could get to know something about who they are.
Niki Harris is a shifter, a cougar shifter and she does not want to be alone for Christmas this year. Dean is also a shifter and the owner of the bar Niki has gone in order to find someone to help her through the holiday. They come together when Niki is about to make a mistake and attack a human man who will not stop bothering her. They have an instant attraction and maybe she will have someone for more than just this year.
The sex is rather quick but expected since it is said in the beginning that it is what Niki is looking for. I would have liked to have gotten some more information on the type of cougar Niki is since it was mentioned and then quickly passed over. Hoping for more about this couple in the series. Worth a read.
Niki Harris is a shifter, a cougar shifter and she does not want to be alone for Christmas this year. Dean is also a shifter and the owner of the bar Niki has gone in order to find someone to help her through the holiday. They come together when Niki is about to make a mistake and attack a human man who will not stop bothering her. They have an instant attraction and maybe she will have someone for more than just this year.
The sex is rather quick but expected since it is said in the beginning that it is what Niki is looking for. I would have liked to have gotten some more information on the type of cougar Niki is since it was mentioned and then quickly passed over. Hoping for more about this couple in the series. Worth a read.
January 20, 2012
I really enjoyed this short, steamy story. My only complaint is that is wasn't long enough!
It's Christmas Eve and a rare white cougar is on the prowl, and I'm not talking about a 40-something either. Niki is a shifter. But because of her rare breed she likes to blend in with her surroundings. Not wanting to spend another Christmas alone, she ventures out into comfortable surroundings: snow covered forests. She finds her way to a bar where she does anything but blend in.
Ms. Gayle packs a lot of lust into such a small amount of pages. I'm anxious to check out the other Shifter novellas and her Black Cougar trilogy.
It's Christmas Eve and a rare white cougar is on the prowl, and I'm not talking about a 40-something either. Niki is a shifter. But because of her rare breed she likes to blend in with her surroundings. Not wanting to spend another Christmas alone, she ventures out into comfortable surroundings: snow covered forests. She finds her way to a bar where she does anything but blend in.
Ms. Gayle packs a lot of lust into such a small amount of pages. I'm anxious to check out the other Shifter novellas and her Black Cougar trilogy.
November 2, 2012
Super freaking short. Wish it would have been longer. Oh well. Nice freebie.
December 19, 2013
welll... another very short story.... and a very strange one!
somehow the characters are sobrenatural... but at the same time, they have feeling like every "human".
somehow the characters are sobrenatural... but at the same time, they have feeling like every "human".
tbr-later
November 5, 201528 September 2014: $0.00 FREE on Kindle
December 3, 2015
This was a very short but good story. Plenty of room for more so, I am planning to read the series.
December 9, 2019
I felt like I needed a short festive read so when I saw this I thought it was a shifter novella, however it isn’t quite that it is described on Goodreads as a free chapter prequel to the full novel Be Were. I thought I would give it a try. As it’s part of a series and by an author I haven’t read before I thought it was a good way to see if I liked the pace, writing style and characters featuring in the series too.
The cover shows a couple kissing with a background of snowy landscape and the kind of shadow image of a wolf. Knowing my love of shifter books, I totally admit it was the wolf that attracted me to the cover!
The books two central characters are Nikki and Dean. In the world in this book shifters exist but the general public are unaware of this so its important to hide the fact you are a shifter and not stand out or do anything to raise suspicion.
Nikki is in a bar both wanting and needing to let of some steam. Its almost Christmas and Nikki is certainly not relishing being alone at Christmas this year. Whilst she is having a drink, a rather irritating drunken man tries to latch on to her, despite her rebuffs he continues to try and get a rise out of her and is becoming rapidly over friendly. Though Nikki is handling the situation she is close to snapping, and I get the impression she wouldn’t think twice about snapping the man’s neck with how wound up she is. If he starts a fight Nikki may well finish it and it won’t end well for the human man at all. Nikki can feel her shifter instincts coming forth when she hears a male voice advising her not to do what she is about to, and that they don’t need trouble. Nikki senses this new male on the scene is also shifter, and basically after a little playing hard to get from Nikki to test how alpha this possible hook up is she goes off with him. Little does Nikki know the male, Dean, has already recognised her as his mate and it will be no one night stand as he intends of making her his mate forever.
The sample was short and a little steamy. I think I would give this series a closer look. Though the event/story within this chapter sort of completed it did do its job and made you feel encouraged to read more about Nikki and Dean and their future.
It was a super quick read. I had thought there may have been a bit more content but this chapter basically covered how Nikki & Dean met.
I do want to check out the series this chapter is from and think I will enjoy it. The only thing putting me off is seeing that some readers have labelled it as erotica and I don’t enjoy reading erotica. A steamy story is ok but too much erotica in a book puts me off. I guess what I am trying to say is I like the steamy scenes incorporated into a great plot and story rather than being there for the sake of it. The only way to find out I guess is to give one of the books a go.
The cover shows a couple kissing with a background of snowy landscape and the kind of shadow image of a wolf. Knowing my love of shifter books, I totally admit it was the wolf that attracted me to the cover!
The books two central characters are Nikki and Dean. In the world in this book shifters exist but the general public are unaware of this so its important to hide the fact you are a shifter and not stand out or do anything to raise suspicion.
Nikki is in a bar both wanting and needing to let of some steam. Its almost Christmas and Nikki is certainly not relishing being alone at Christmas this year. Whilst she is having a drink, a rather irritating drunken man tries to latch on to her, despite her rebuffs he continues to try and get a rise out of her and is becoming rapidly over friendly. Though Nikki is handling the situation she is close to snapping, and I get the impression she wouldn’t think twice about snapping the man’s neck with how wound up she is. If he starts a fight Nikki may well finish it and it won’t end well for the human man at all. Nikki can feel her shifter instincts coming forth when she hears a male voice advising her not to do what she is about to, and that they don’t need trouble. Nikki senses this new male on the scene is also shifter, and basically after a little playing hard to get from Nikki to test how alpha this possible hook up is she goes off with him. Little does Nikki know the male, Dean, has already recognised her as his mate and it will be no one night stand as he intends of making her his mate forever.
The sample was short and a little steamy. I think I would give this series a closer look. Though the event/story within this chapter sort of completed it did do its job and made you feel encouraged to read more about Nikki and Dean and their future.
It was a super quick read. I had thought there may have been a bit more content but this chapter basically covered how Nikki & Dean met.
I do want to check out the series this chapter is from and think I will enjoy it. The only thing putting me off is seeing that some readers have labelled it as erotica and I don’t enjoy reading erotica. A steamy story is ok but too much erotica in a book puts me off. I guess what I am trying to say is I like the steamy scenes incorporated into a great plot and story rather than being there for the sake of it. The only way to find out I guess is to give one of the books a go.
February 1, 2020
I've owned a copy oof this book since 2013 and have never read it just received a sample the same book again just under a shorter title and read it last night then compare the two copies. The Dean and Niki's romance story was short and to the point just as she intended it to be, but for Dean he mated with her. Niki is not interested in been Dean's mate she like her life the way it was while dean slept Niki took off on Christmas morning (from new sample copy). I would love to read more into this story.
I received a sample copy of this book from bookfunnel and I have compared and is leaving a review.
I received a sample copy of this book from bookfunnel and I have compared and is leaving a review.
May 5, 2017
Short, sweet and very sexy.
Nikki didn't want to be alone for Christmas and needed a release, where better than a bar. A drink and hard sex were definitely on the menu when Dean decides he likes the dish of the day. Things were going orgasmically great until he said the one word that was guaranteed to send her fleeing from his bed. Mate.
Nikki didn't want to be alone for Christmas and needed a release, where better than a bar. A drink and hard sex were definitely on the menu when Dean decides he likes the dish of the day. Things were going orgasmically great until he said the one word that was guaranteed to send her fleeing from his bed. Mate.
August 15, 2017
This was a short story that felt like it belonged in a holiday anthology or as a prologue/epilogue to another story. Too short to really build a report with either of the characters, I had no love or hate for the two by the end of the story. I won’t go as far as to say it bored me, but it felt like it was written only for the sex scene and was an excerpt to something larger.
January 31, 2019
A good novelette
This was a good prequel to Dean and Niki's story. I really wish that it had been longer, but hopefully their book will be worth the wait.
I would recommend reading this after Bad Kitty, book #4 in the series. (Don't know what the actual reading order is, that's just my opinion)
This was a good prequel to Dean and Niki's story. I really wish that it had been longer, but hopefully their book will be worth the wait.
I would recommend reading this after Bad Kitty, book #4 in the series. (Don't know what the actual reading order is, that's just my opinion)
December 12, 2018
Cat
Well. The ending was a surprise. Hybrid discrimination was not even an issue. A good run could have resolved many things.
Well. The ending was a surprise. Hybrid discrimination was not even an issue. A good run could have resolved many things.
December 23, 2018
Quick novella to interest and give a little deeper backstory for a book in the Southern Shifters series. It drew me in and makes you want to find the happy ending.
March 9, 2019
Short...not worth the time
August 2, 2019
Very erotic read...
Great read for foreplay! My kind of story to get my fire burning for some hot smoldering sex day or night...
Great read for foreplay! My kind of story to get my fire burning for some hot smoldering sex day or night...
November 2, 2019
Not a complete story
This was just a snippet of characters meeting and having sex. No real connection was explored and the central premise wasn’t finished. It just cut off.
This was just a snippet of characters meeting and having sex. No real connection was explored and the central premise wasn’t finished. It just cut off.
December 2, 2019
A really good short story
January 30, 2021
Waste of Time
May 4, 2021
Nice quick read.
November 21, 2021
Niki & Dean
I loved what I read so far. Niki & Dean's story was great. Thank you for this preview of Niki & Dean.
I loved what I read so far. Niki & Dean's story was great. Thank you for this preview of Niki & Dean.
July 23, 2023
Fast paced
It was a short fast paced novella that was easy to read even without knowing any of the backstory of the characters.
It was a short fast paced novella that was easy to read even without knowing any of the backstory of the characters.
April 11, 2024
DNF. If you like spice with no plot this is the series for you. Not for me
October 9, 2016
Good hot read!!!
Great read....wish it were longer!!!
Enjoyed this shifter story!!!
Where's the ne xt book!
Read
Really enjoyed reading !!
But wanted more!
Great read....wish it were longer!!!
Enjoyed this shifter story!!!
Where's the ne xt book!
Read
Really enjoyed reading !!
But wanted more!
August 16, 2012
I definitely have mixed feelings about this free short story. One – it was way too short. Two – it was very straight forward. Three – thank goodness it was free. Four - the sex scene was hot!
Niki, a lone werecougar, (okay, but seriously going into this novel I thought it was a literal cougar getting it on with a younger man. I was wrong) finds herself alone at a bar on Christmas. As much as she didn’t want to be alone, there she was, being hit on by some fat drunk until her knight in shining armor, Dean, finds her and they end up talking in code – basically saying, take me to your bed so we can have sex – and that was what they did. Dean took her back to his house which had Christmas lights decorating the outside (cute) and they went to his bedroom to have sex. I wish there was more to this story then just that, but beggars can’t be choosers. The sex scene was written very well and that is about it. I don’t know why she was written as a werecougar since she doesn’t change into it or anything. It could have been written about two people just having sex. I guess the cougar part added some dramatics to it. No idea.
A recommendation to those looking for nothing but a quick sex read.
Niki, a lone werecougar, (okay, but seriously going into this novel I thought it was a literal cougar getting it on with a younger man. I was wrong) finds herself alone at a bar on Christmas. As much as she didn’t want to be alone, there she was, being hit on by some fat drunk until her knight in shining armor, Dean, finds her and they end up talking in code – basically saying, take me to your bed so we can have sex – and that was what they did. Dean took her back to his house which had Christmas lights decorating the outside (cute) and they went to his bedroom to have sex. I wish there was more to this story then just that, but beggars can’t be choosers. The sex scene was written very well and that is about it. I don’t know why she was written as a werecougar since she doesn’t change into it or anything. It could have been written about two people just having sex. I guess the cougar part added some dramatics to it. No idea.
A recommendation to those looking for nothing but a quick sex read.
November 14, 2017
A White Cougar Christmas is not a short story as I believed. This was a case of me not reading the Amazon description carefully enough, and then getting mad because it wasn’t what I thought. This is only the first chapter of a novel called Be Were.
Why did she give it a different name and its own cover? I don’t know, but I don’t like it. I’ve never seen anyone do this before.
If it’s an excerpt, it needs to say in the title on Amazon that it’s an excerpt or chapter preview, and it needs to go by the same name as the novel it comes from.
Now on to the chapter itself…
If you like a story about a man and a woman meeting in a bar, going back to his place, and screwing immediately, this is for you. This is not my kind of story. Where the author will go with this story is beyond me. I don’t care to find out.
The writing was solid, though. I might see what else this author writes.
Since A White Cougar Christmas isn’t a complete story, I’m not going to give it a star rating. I don’t want to discourage anyone; other people might want to read this. Just remember it’s only the first chapter of a book.
So, I’m including the link to the e-book below.
Amazon Link: A White Cougar Christmas (Southern Shifters)
Why did she give it a different name and its own cover? I don’t know, but I don’t like it. I’ve never seen anyone do this before.
If it’s an excerpt, it needs to say in the title on Amazon that it’s an excerpt or chapter preview, and it needs to go by the same name as the novel it comes from.
Now on to the chapter itself…
If you like a story about a man and a woman meeting in a bar, going back to his place, and screwing immediately, this is for you. This is not my kind of story. Where the author will go with this story is beyond me. I don’t care to find out.
The writing was solid, though. I might see what else this author writes.
Since A White Cougar Christmas isn’t a complete story, I’m not going to give it a star rating. I don’t want to discourage anyone; other people might want to read this. Just remember it’s only the first chapter of a book.
So, I’m including the link to the e-book below.
Amazon Link: A White Cougar Christmas (Southern Shifters)
August 9, 2016
Wow. I was really getting into this book... It was starting to get good and then I turned the page and it was the end...
I knew it was a short story, I was prepared for that, but I didn't realize it was only 20 pages of short-storyness. Holy crap, where is the rest of their story? It says in the back of the book their is supposed to be another book out, but I haven't found it.
So now I'm stuck with a beginning for this couple...and no closure. It was kind of weird. I want to know more about Niki being a rare white cougar and how she plans on revealing it to Dean. I also want to know if her instincts are screaming mate<\i> the same way his were. GGRRR I'm left feeling a little frustrated.
Luckily this was a free book on amazon, so I didn't pay for it, I can only complain so much. And I don't think it would bother me so much if I didn't enjoy the story, but the fact is, I was enjoying it and I want more.
UPDATE: According to the author's website the sequel comes out January 27, 2014.
I knew it was a short story, I was prepared for that, but I didn't realize it was only 20 pages of short-storyness. Holy crap, where is the rest of their story? It says in the back of the book their is supposed to be another book out, but I haven't found it.
So now I'm stuck with a beginning for this couple...and no closure. It was kind of weird. I want to know more about Niki being a rare white cougar and how she plans on revealing it to Dean. I also want to know if her instincts are screaming mate<\i> the same way his were. GGRRR I'm left feeling a little frustrated.
Luckily this was a free book on amazon, so I didn't pay for it, I can only complain so much. And I don't think it would bother me so much if I didn't enjoy the story, but the fact is, I was enjoying it and I want more.
UPDATE: According to the author's website the sequel comes out January 27, 2014.
December 29, 2012
Ok, I can truly admit this...A White Cougar Christmas falls into the category of "What Was I Thinking?!?!". I have no earthly idea why I picked out this book. Let me say that although the idea of a "shape shifter" is appealing and different for me, I need more than 19 pages to get behind the concept. This book was too short and while it was quick to get to the point...wait, what was the point! If it was just purely for the sex, then I must say that it was rather boring in that department.
I can't help but wonder if this book was part of a much larger story that wasn't finished yet and the author just decided to pull out these pages and publish it as a very short story. As it is, the characters are aching to reveal more of themselves and are unable to do so in the short expanse of these few pages. Seeing how this has been a year filled with vampires, werewolves and the like, perhaps Ms. Gayle will follow that lead and let us read the bigger story. In the meantime, this one can wait.
I can't help but wonder if this book was part of a much larger story that wasn't finished yet and the author just decided to pull out these pages and publish it as a very short story. As it is, the characters are aching to reveal more of themselves and are unable to do so in the short expanse of these few pages. Seeing how this has been a year filled with vampires, werewolves and the like, perhaps Ms. Gayle will follow that lead and let us read the bigger story. In the meantime, this one can wait.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews