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Catamount Lion Shifters #1
Protected Mate
*This is the large print edition of Protected Mate. A shifter romance with a guaranteed HEA from USA Today Bestselling Author J.H. Croix! If you like smoking hot paranormal romance with a twist of suspense and adventure, you'll love this series!
Dane Ashworth, a solitary mountain lion shifter, comes from one of the founding shifter families of Catamount, a town deep in the woods of Maine where mountain lion shifters have existed in secret for centuries. The community is in turmoil after the startling death of a shifter. In the midst of upheaval in Catamount, Dane encounters the unassuming, curvy and delectable Chloe Silver.
Chloe set out to hike the famed Appalachian Trail in the aftermath of heartbreak. She's lived a well-planned life, only to learn that the best laid plans could blow up in her face. She's looking for a fresh start, but trust doesn't come easily for her. The mere idea of shifters has never crossed her mind, but Dane calls to her in a way that no man ever has. She finds herself tossed and turned by the depth of her attraction to him. The mountain lion in Dane knows Chloe is meant for him, but he has to find a way to earn her trust and make her believe in him and in what lies between them. Passion burns like wildfire between them while events in Catamount put them both in danger. In a love story filled with passion, romance, adventure, betrayal and secrets, Chloe will have to decide if she can accept Dane for who he is, and if she's willing to believe in the power of love.
*All books in this series end with HEA!
Dane Ashworth, a solitary mountain lion shifter, comes from one of the founding shifter families of Catamount, a town deep in the woods of Maine where mountain lion shifters have existed in secret for centuries. The community is in turmoil after the startling death of a shifter. In the midst of upheaval in Catamount, Dane encounters the unassuming, curvy and delectable Chloe Silver.
Chloe set out to hike the famed Appalachian Trail in the aftermath of heartbreak. She's lived a well-planned life, only to learn that the best laid plans could blow up in her face. She's looking for a fresh start, but trust doesn't come easily for her. The mere idea of shifters has never crossed her mind, but Dane calls to her in a way that no man ever has. She finds herself tossed and turned by the depth of her attraction to him. The mountain lion in Dane knows Chloe is meant for him, but he has to find a way to earn her trust and make her believe in him and in what lies between them. Passion burns like wildfire between them while events in Catamount put them both in danger. In a love story filled with passion, romance, adventure, betrayal and secrets, Chloe will have to decide if she can accept Dane for who he is, and if she's willing to believe in the power of love.
*All books in this series end with HEA!
242 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2015
1447 people are currently reading
1599 people want to read
About the author
J.H. Croix
240 books1,512 followersUSA Today bestselling author J. H. Croix writes emotionally charged, steamy small town Alaska romance featuring protective firefighter and first responder heroes with big hearts and smart, strong heroines. Best known for her interconnected series set in Willow Brook, Alaska, Croix creates immersive fictional communities where the town itself becomes a character and found family is at the heart of every love story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
November 8, 2021
An okay storyline.. 4 stars!
This wasn't a bad shifter story, but there wasn't anything that made it stand out as a great shifter story either. There was very little angst/drama, and everything was resolved pretty easily. For me, this one was sadly forgettable.
This wasn't a bad shifter story, but there wasn't anything that made it stand out as a great shifter story either. There was very little angst/drama, and everything was resolved pretty easily. For me, this one was sadly forgettable.
Want to read
October 16, 2017FREE on Amazon today (10/16/2017)!
November 8, 2021
Protected Mate felt like a novella but isn't marked like one. In it, you will meet Dane and Chloe. He is a mountain lion shifter and she was found injured on a hiking trail by him. I wouldn't necessarily say it was love at first sight but the romance did blossom the right way between them.
She doesn't trust him right then and there but he does worm his way into her heart. I liked how things were really instantaneous between them but I did think things went by pretty quickly due to how short the book really is. If it was longer, I definitely would have enjoyed it all a bit more but I still ended up liking the book!
If the sequel is available on KU, I will definitely jump into it. If not, then I might have to find a way to get my hands on it.
She doesn't trust him right then and there but he does worm his way into her heart. I liked how things were really instantaneous between them but I did think things went by pretty quickly due to how short the book really is. If it was longer, I definitely would have enjoyed it all a bit more but I still ended up liking the book!
If the sequel is available on KU, I will definitely jump into it. If not, then I might have to find a way to get my hands on it.
September 22, 2016
Ok story. Left lots up in the air except for the couple. Dane and Chloe were an ok couple. We had instant attraction and love.
Not overly thrilled with the series, will try the next book. I take it back, I am not up for boredom I am checking out
Not overly thrilled with the series, will try the next book. I take it back, I am not up for boredom I am checking out
April 23, 2020
I really love where this Series is going, I loved every bit of it. The characters were really spot on, and I love my Hot Shifters. So I give this a full 5 out of 5 Stars, will definitely be reading more by this #Author J.H. Croix.
May 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this shifter romance. It is book one in a series, ends with a HEA, and is a standalone. It is written in third person from a dual POV.
I loved Dane and his love for his friends, family, and community. he falls for Chloe at first sight. They have an immediate and intense attraction to each other. Chloe has been revaluating her life choices by taking months to hike the Appalachian trail. I love that she immediately trusts Dane. I love that she doesn't freak out when she learns his secret and that she accepts him for all of who he is.
I love the way the author put together the story of how the shifters evolved and how Catamount became what it is today. Often in shifter romance, that part of the story is not as well developed. I love the elements of danger and mystery and I look forward to reading more of this series.
#Shifter #Paranormal #RomanticSuspense #InstaLove
I loved Dane and his love for his friends, family, and community. he falls for Chloe at first sight. They have an immediate and intense attraction to each other. Chloe has been revaluating her life choices by taking months to hike the Appalachian trail. I love that she immediately trusts Dane. I love that she doesn't freak out when she learns his secret and that she accepts him for all of who he is.
I love the way the author put together the story of how the shifters evolved and how Catamount became what it is today. Often in shifter romance, that part of the story is not as well developed. I love the elements of danger and mystery and I look forward to reading more of this series.
#Shifter #Paranormal #RomanticSuspense #InstaLove
January 28, 2020
It was ok. That’s it.
The writing was also ok; only found a couple of typos, no big deal.
It got two stars because I found myself not caring about the characters; I was bored.... soooo bored!!
The steamy scenes were meh, and the one and only fight scene wasn’t believable. There was supposed to be anger! There was supposed to be fear. The book said there was all of that emotion, but the fight scene didn’t last long enough to show it. Then all the shifters got dressed immediately after the fight.... I know that sounds weird, but every shifter book I’ve ever read, they don’t care if there shlongs are showing. If the human was bashful, well grow the heck up, you’re dating a mother effing shifter baby!!
Anyway, I didn’t hate, but I didn’t love it either.
The writing was also ok; only found a couple of typos, no big deal.
It got two stars because I found myself not caring about the characters; I was bored.... soooo bored!!
The steamy scenes were meh, and the one and only fight scene wasn’t believable. There was supposed to be anger! There was supposed to be fear. The book said there was all of that emotion, but the fight scene didn’t last long enough to show it. Then all the shifters got dressed immediately after the fight.... I know that sounds weird, but every shifter book I’ve ever read, they don’t care if there shlongs are showing. If the human was bashful, well grow the heck up, you’re dating a mother effing shifter baby!!
Anyway, I didn’t hate, but I didn’t love it either.
March 24, 2018
Got this for free, and thankful for that. Trite, boring, same old tired plot with a kidnapping and rescue. Ugh. I made it 64% of the way into this book before I just couldn’t go on. I didn’t care about the characters or what was happening to them. I put this book down for a while and picked it back up, only to skim through the dense narration to get to the dialogue. Pages and pages of narration only = too much telling instead of showing.
Also, the surest sign for me that a book is lacking a substantive plot is when body parts are discussed within the first 20% of the book. Here, it was on page 5 that we first learned the man desired a woman. This coincided with another tired paranormal romance cliche, that of the fated mate or soulmate. I have no problem with the idea itself, but as is done in so many novels, the way it is presented, illustrated and worked into the storyline was not ergonomic. It was rigid, forced, presented without finesse or nuance. "Look here is this woman. I want her. My [insert animal] wants her, as evidenced by my xyz. How can I explain to her that she is my soulmate? My brother in law just died and we think it may have been a targeted killing, threatening our entire existence, but let me stop and lust after this stranger." ugh. This idea is so overdone that if an author wants to write it, s/he must get creative. There's no creativity here, and I don't even care enough about the characters to find out why the brother-in-law was killed.
Also, the surest sign for me that a book is lacking a substantive plot is when body parts are discussed within the first 20% of the book. Here, it was on page 5 that we first learned the man desired a woman. This coincided with another tired paranormal romance cliche, that of the fated mate or soulmate. I have no problem with the idea itself, but as is done in so many novels, the way it is presented, illustrated and worked into the storyline was not ergonomic. It was rigid, forced, presented without finesse or nuance. "Look here is this woman. I want her. My [insert animal] wants her, as evidenced by my xyz. How can I explain to her that she is my soulmate? My brother in law just died and we think it may have been a targeted killing, threatening our entire existence, but let me stop and lust after this stranger." ugh. This idea is so overdone that if an author wants to write it, s/he must get creative. There's no creativity here, and I don't even care enough about the characters to find out why the brother-in-law was killed.
April 7, 2016
Not bad, not good. It felt flat, lacked spark. All the words are there, but nothing pops. No character development. I don't know these people and I just don't care about them. They talk (think) about how much they care about one another, how wonderful the other person is, yet nothing in the writing gives us examples of WHY that person is so wonderful and lovable, they just are because that's the way they feel.
At one point there are what should be a couple of very tense chapters, but there was no tension; it was like reading a text book.
Sort of a cliff-hanger, with many questions left unanswered. I'll just leave them hanging because I have no interest in continuing this series.
At one point there are what should be a couple of very tense chapters, but there was no tension; it was like reading a text book.
Sort of a cliff-hanger, with many questions left unanswered. I'll just leave them hanging because I have no interest in continuing this series.
September 19, 2022
So I am a sucker for the whole shifter mating bond thing, but this was just...well it just sorta fell flat on me.
Apparently mountain lions adapted the ability to shift into humans to keep the species from going extinct and a whole clan of them live in Catamount, Maine. They can mate-bond with humans or other shifters, and if they have offspring with humans, it could be human or shifter.
So of course, we have the meet-cute with the MCs who are intensely attracted to each other and tiptoe around it while Dane, our shifter MC, is trying to find out what happened with his brother-in-law Cullen who was killed by a car while he was in shifter form. Come to find out, Cullen was doing some pretty shifty stuff (pun intended) that could get the whole "clan" in trouble.
I really liked the premise of this, especially with the mountain lion shifter aspect, but it just didn't quite do it for me.
Apparently mountain lions adapted the ability to shift into humans to keep the species from going extinct and a whole clan of them live in Catamount, Maine. They can mate-bond with humans or other shifters, and if they have offspring with humans, it could be human or shifter.
So of course, we have the meet-cute with the MCs who are intensely attracted to each other and tiptoe around it while Dane, our shifter MC, is trying to find out what happened with his brother-in-law Cullen who was killed by a car while he was in shifter form. Come to find out, Cullen was doing some pretty shifty stuff (pun intended) that could get the whole "clan" in trouble.
I really liked the premise of this, especially with the mountain lion shifter aspect, but it just didn't quite do it for me.
January 22, 2020
A quick fun shifter romance
Yeah, there is nothing surprising about this “mystery” which merely serves as a vehicle to move the romance along at lightning speed. Thankfully Dane is not as psychotic as a lot of other dominant alpha characters (from other book), so it wasn’t a chore to get through this. His and Chloe’s relationship spans all of about a week or so, and the secondary characters are okay.
The murder that kicks the book off isn’t solved, but the motives for the killing are piling up. Looks like it’ll be a few books before the payoff.
3 stars ⭐️
Yeah, there is nothing surprising about this “mystery” which merely serves as a vehicle to move the romance along at lightning speed. Thankfully Dane is not as psychotic as a lot of other dominant alpha characters (from other book), so it wasn’t a chore to get through this. His and Chloe’s relationship spans all of about a week or so, and the secondary characters are okay.
The murder that kicks the book off isn’t solved, but the motives for the killing are piling up. Looks like it’ll be a few books before the payoff.
3 stars ⭐️
June 27, 2018
Dr. Dane Ashworth is a mountain lion shifter living a quiet life in Catamount, Maine in a community where shifters are kept safe. His brother-in-law is killed in an auto accident while in cat form with a tracking devise attached to him in Connecticut. This is a potential problem for the tow.
He meets Chloe Silver in a cave when she is injured hiking and seeks shelter for the night and he knows she is the one for him. She becomes his Protected Mate in this sweet and hot love story.
He meets Chloe Silver in a cave when she is injured hiking and seeks shelter for the night and he knows she is the one for him. She becomes his Protected Mate in this sweet and hot love story.
September 23, 2017
Meh
Protected Mate was an okay read with a decent story line. Unfortunately the lack of a solid character voice kept me from fully commuting y attention to this story.
Protected Mate was an okay read with a decent story line. Unfortunately the lack of a solid character voice kept me from fully commuting y attention to this story.
Want to read
March 10, 2023Purch Amazon April 28, 2018
May 14, 2024
More sex than story. Not really my cup of fur.
August 16, 2016
Reviewed at Shifter Haven
Protected Mate starts off the Catamont Lion Shifters series with a powerful story and some interesting world building. A tagged mountain lion, thought extinct on the East Coast has been hit and killed by a car, which is bringing national attention to the fact that they may not be extinct at all. The trouble begins when Dane realizes that the pictures of the dead mountain lion are in fact his sister’s mate, Callen. How in the world did he get tagged? And is his death as natural as a car accident?
Shana has gone missing after the news of her mate’s death. Dane is searching the areas around the outskirts of town where she has known favorite places. He believes she’s simply wanting time to take in Callen’s death, but still he wants to know that she’s safe. During his search he steps into the cover of trees as he hears human hikers approach, as they pass he finds his cat is strongly drawn to one young woman… but his sister’s needs are more important right now. Later in the day as he approaches a cave they often use for shelter he sees the woman limping toward the opening and makes a decision to shift, gather clothes from a hidden pack and investigate. He probably should have known he was about to meet his mate.
Chloe has had several months hiking the Appalachian Trail without incident – today, so close to the end of the Trail she falls and sprains her ankle along with several deep, painful cuts down her leg. The cave is a welcome sight as she curls up and falls asleep. She should have been frightened when she was awakened by a stranger’s touch – but somehow she knew this man with the catlike eyes. Turns out Dane is a doctor who tends to her injuries and offers to help her back to town in the morning… it’s not safe to try to find their way in the darkness with her sprained ankle.
Dane has several things happening in his life at once now – the mystery of Callen’s death, his sister’s disappearance and now his mate. One at a time would be enough to deal with but of them all, Chloe’s health and safety comes first. And he will do whatever he can to convince her to stay, since he’s seen the interest spark in her eyes he’s hoping she’ll be open to loving him… and accepting his cat.
Protected Mate is such an intriguing story. Often the first story of a series will make or break my interest in continuing the series, so it has to draw me in enough to want more of the whole story. I have no problem in wanting to know just how bad it’s going to get in this small town as we continue with the series. The secondary characters are lively, realistic and completely believable. Their introduction wasn’t an overpowering dump of an entire town at once but more of a slow build of meeting the people in a town we recently moved to. I know that they are important for their own stories to come, and expect to meet more of the town as we move on.
Chloe and Dane have that just right sexual tension between them, and the feeling that there is more if they will take the risk. They definitely have their sexy moments but also loving ones and getting to know you times as well. I believed the process of them growing closer, especially since Chloe is not a shifter so must be introduced to this particular world. The danger that reveals more of this mystery helps to add action and the need for more information to the series.
Overall, I enjoyed Protected Mates very much and I’ve got the next story already downloaded ready to read. *grin* If you love Shifter Romance then this is a story that should be on your reading list. It’s not brand new, having started last year but publication date means nothing to a great story and this one is just that.
Protected Mate starts off the Catamont Lion Shifters series with a powerful story and some interesting world building. A tagged mountain lion, thought extinct on the East Coast has been hit and killed by a car, which is bringing national attention to the fact that they may not be extinct at all. The trouble begins when Dane realizes that the pictures of the dead mountain lion are in fact his sister’s mate, Callen. How in the world did he get tagged? And is his death as natural as a car accident?
Shana has gone missing after the news of her mate’s death. Dane is searching the areas around the outskirts of town where she has known favorite places. He believes she’s simply wanting time to take in Callen’s death, but still he wants to know that she’s safe. During his search he steps into the cover of trees as he hears human hikers approach, as they pass he finds his cat is strongly drawn to one young woman… but his sister’s needs are more important right now. Later in the day as he approaches a cave they often use for shelter he sees the woman limping toward the opening and makes a decision to shift, gather clothes from a hidden pack and investigate. He probably should have known he was about to meet his mate.
Chloe has had several months hiking the Appalachian Trail without incident – today, so close to the end of the Trail she falls and sprains her ankle along with several deep, painful cuts down her leg. The cave is a welcome sight as she curls up and falls asleep. She should have been frightened when she was awakened by a stranger’s touch – but somehow she knew this man with the catlike eyes. Turns out Dane is a doctor who tends to her injuries and offers to help her back to town in the morning… it’s not safe to try to find their way in the darkness with her sprained ankle.
Dane has several things happening in his life at once now – the mystery of Callen’s death, his sister’s disappearance and now his mate. One at a time would be enough to deal with but of them all, Chloe’s health and safety comes first. And he will do whatever he can to convince her to stay, since he’s seen the interest spark in her eyes he’s hoping she’ll be open to loving him… and accepting his cat.
Protected Mate is such an intriguing story. Often the first story of a series will make or break my interest in continuing the series, so it has to draw me in enough to want more of the whole story. I have no problem in wanting to know just how bad it’s going to get in this small town as we continue with the series. The secondary characters are lively, realistic and completely believable. Their introduction wasn’t an overpowering dump of an entire town at once but more of a slow build of meeting the people in a town we recently moved to. I know that they are important for their own stories to come, and expect to meet more of the town as we move on.
Chloe and Dane have that just right sexual tension between them, and the feeling that there is more if they will take the risk. They definitely have their sexy moments but also loving ones and getting to know you times as well. I believed the process of them growing closer, especially since Chloe is not a shifter so must be introduced to this particular world. The danger that reveals more of this mystery helps to add action and the need for more information to the series.
Overall, I enjoyed Protected Mates very much and I’ve got the next story already downloaded ready to read. *grin* If you love Shifter Romance then this is a story that should be on your reading list. It’s not brand new, having started last year but publication date means nothing to a great story and this one is just that.
November 12, 2015
********THIS IS ONE VERY DIFFERENT SHAPE SHIFTER PARANORMAL AND IT'S A HOT MUST READ***************
I received an ARC from the author J.H. CROIX-in exchange for an honest opinion. This is Mismousey's very honest opinion of her book PROTECTED MATE. Having never read any of Ms Croix book's before. I was unsure what to expect from her as a writer.
Ms. Croix is a master at paranormal - she brings it all in her writing abilities. The way in which she is able to describe a mountain lion shifting into a human and then vise versa is remarkable. I have never read a story line like this before. Her characters are so true life- the scenes are so well defined - that you picture them right before your eyes.
This story has so many emotions in it- love- hate- remorse-hurt-hunting-kidnapping-grieving-and consoling. Ms. Croix has done an excellent with describing the emotion of her characters and what and how they are feeling .
The story starts out with Dane walking into Roxanne's Country Store where there is a large crowd gathered listening to the news. It is being reported that a mountain lion has been found dead on the highway. Now Dane has recognized him as Callen -his sister's mate. Why he was tagged and tracked? And he had better go find Shanna before she finds this out by someone else or hears it on the news.
No one has seen her-he decides to go into the mountains to one of her favorite spots. Which is where he finds her- but not before finding an injured hiker. Her name is Chloe Silver. He helps her- ask to sit tight while he goes to find his sister. When he comes back he -his sister is with him- the 3 of them walk back to town.
Dane is a doctor and a shape shifter- but Chloe does not know that he is a shifter.
They feel a pull towards each other. During the course of time while Chloe's leg is healing- Dane and Chloe are getting to know each other. The lion in Dne wants her as his own. He has claimed her.
The only thing he hasn't he hasn't done yet is claim her.
Now while he is trying to find out why Callen was tagged and tracked - a lot of information turned up. And none of it is good. The shifters there in Deadwood are all at risk. He must find out what Callen was doing and with whom. In the mean time Dane and Chloe have gotten tight real tight.
Someone is out to get all the shifters and to make sure they have ane's attention they have kidnapped Chloe. Who is it?? Why and what o they want? Can Dane save Chloe? For all these answers and more YOU WILL NEED TO READ THE STORY!! I recommend this book for all readers-especially those that love paranormal shape shifters! Mismousey gives this a firm rating of 60 out of 5 stars. ADD THIS NOW TO YOUR GOODREADS READING LIST THEN SHIFT TO GET YOUR COPY TODAY!!!
Ms Croix -I look forward to the next book in this series. I have to know what happens next! You are an amazing writer and story teller.
I received an ARC from the author J.H. CROIX-in exchange for an honest opinion. This is Mismousey's very honest opinion of her book PROTECTED MATE. Having never read any of Ms Croix book's before. I was unsure what to expect from her as a writer.
Ms. Croix is a master at paranormal - she brings it all in her writing abilities. The way in which she is able to describe a mountain lion shifting into a human and then vise versa is remarkable. I have never read a story line like this before. Her characters are so true life- the scenes are so well defined - that you picture them right before your eyes.
This story has so many emotions in it- love- hate- remorse-hurt-hunting-kidnapping-grieving-and consoling. Ms. Croix has done an excellent with describing the emotion of her characters and what and how they are feeling .
The story starts out with Dane walking into Roxanne's Country Store where there is a large crowd gathered listening to the news. It is being reported that a mountain lion has been found dead on the highway. Now Dane has recognized him as Callen -his sister's mate. Why he was tagged and tracked? And he had better go find Shanna before she finds this out by someone else or hears it on the news.
No one has seen her-he decides to go into the mountains to one of her favorite spots. Which is where he finds her- but not before finding an injured hiker. Her name is Chloe Silver. He helps her- ask to sit tight while he goes to find his sister. When he comes back he -his sister is with him- the 3 of them walk back to town.
Dane is a doctor and a shape shifter- but Chloe does not know that he is a shifter.
They feel a pull towards each other. During the course of time while Chloe's leg is healing- Dane and Chloe are getting to know each other. The lion in Dne wants her as his own. He has claimed her.
The only thing he hasn't he hasn't done yet is claim her.
Now while he is trying to find out why Callen was tagged and tracked - a lot of information turned up. And none of it is good. The shifters there in Deadwood are all at risk. He must find out what Callen was doing and with whom. In the mean time Dane and Chloe have gotten tight real tight.
Someone is out to get all the shifters and to make sure they have ane's attention they have kidnapped Chloe. Who is it?? Why and what o they want? Can Dane save Chloe? For all these answers and more YOU WILL NEED TO READ THE STORY!! I recommend this book for all readers-especially those that love paranormal shape shifters! Mismousey gives this a firm rating of 60 out of 5 stars. ADD THIS NOW TO YOUR GOODREADS READING LIST THEN SHIFT TO GET YOUR COPY TODAY!!!
Ms Croix -I look forward to the next book in this series. I have to know what happens next! You are an amazing writer and story teller.
December 17, 2015
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
In this book we meet Dane and Chloe. After one of the shifters from Catamount is killed while still in lion form. As Dane and Jake take it upon themselves to find out what happened. One of the reasons they want to know what has happened is because Dane;s sister Shana was mated to Cullen (the killed man), with the way they protect their own especially family Dane is determined to know why this happened for his sister's sake. The other reason is they want to ensure that their way of life is being protected. There is more than just these three that are shifters in this town and Dane and Jake want to ensure that they will be around for years to come. After hearing the news of Cullen's death he knows he needs to get to his sister but when he goes looking for her what he finds makes both the man and the lion want to stand up and roar.
Chloe has been hurt in the past and to help heal herself she has taken up hiking. One on of the locations that she is hiking just happens to be the Appalachian Trail. While taking this hike though she slips and scrapes her leg pretty bad as well as twists her ankle. So she does the smart thing and beds down in a cave to help keep the elements from her and hopefully heal her body. Little did she know that Dane would happen upon her and with his lion wanting to claw through the man to get to her she gets the help she needs. Oh ya did I mention Dane is also the town doctor. Chloe's heart and mind are a war with what to do with Dane. Her head says proceed with caution because they have been hurt in the past. However her heart and body are ready to lay out the welcome mat for this man.
In this book we find a love that is worth taking a risk for as well as finding what you are willing to fight for in life and going for it. This is a amazing story that will have you hooked from the first word to the very end. i would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
In this book we meet Dane and Chloe. After one of the shifters from Catamount is killed while still in lion form. As Dane and Jake take it upon themselves to find out what happened. One of the reasons they want to know what has happened is because Dane;s sister Shana was mated to Cullen (the killed man), with the way they protect their own especially family Dane is determined to know why this happened for his sister's sake. The other reason is they want to ensure that their way of life is being protected. There is more than just these three that are shifters in this town and Dane and Jake want to ensure that they will be around for years to come. After hearing the news of Cullen's death he knows he needs to get to his sister but when he goes looking for her what he finds makes both the man and the lion want to stand up and roar.
Chloe has been hurt in the past and to help heal herself she has taken up hiking. One on of the locations that she is hiking just happens to be the Appalachian Trail. While taking this hike though she slips and scrapes her leg pretty bad as well as twists her ankle. So she does the smart thing and beds down in a cave to help keep the elements from her and hopefully heal her body. Little did she know that Dane would happen upon her and with his lion wanting to claw through the man to get to her she gets the help she needs. Oh ya did I mention Dane is also the town doctor. Chloe's heart and mind are a war with what to do with Dane. Her head says proceed with caution because they have been hurt in the past. However her heart and body are ready to lay out the welcome mat for this man.
In this book we find a love that is worth taking a risk for as well as finding what you are willing to fight for in life and going for it. This is a amazing story that will have you hooked from the first word to the very end. i would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
November 13, 2015
I received an advance reader copy of this book free from the author in exchange for my unbiased opinion. Let's see, I usually start with the bad and end with the good but the only bad thing I can think of to say is I saw some spelling errors. I am laughing because it is an advanced copy and that is bound to happen. So that should tell you that I really have nothing bad to say.
I love the fact that unlike so many other books of this type that I have read, the female lead is strong and the male lead is not a control freak. Dane is a strong male lead but he doesn't try to keep Chloe from doing what she wants and what he knows she wants to do. I can't tell you how it frustrates me when I read books in which the male is an obsessive control freak, you are mine and you will do as I say because I am protecting you. What baloney! Seriously, that really does border on abuse. But I digress! Back to Dane and Chloe! I love the steamy scenes between the two of them. The way they make love to each other is so well written its almost like watching it on screen. The book has just enough mystery to keep you enthralled and I can't wait to read the next one so I can find out what happens with the trouble that Callen started. One of my favorite moments in the book is when Dane reveals himself to Chloe. Although she knows that what she is seeing is a freak of nature, she doesn't miss a beat and her feelings for Dane do not waiver.
This sets the stage for the next book but at the same time, it doesn't leave you hanging to the point where you are frustrated. It's just enough to make you want to get the next book. Kudos to J.H. Croix, you just got a new reader for life.
I love the fact that unlike so many other books of this type that I have read, the female lead is strong and the male lead is not a control freak. Dane is a strong male lead but he doesn't try to keep Chloe from doing what she wants and what he knows she wants to do. I can't tell you how it frustrates me when I read books in which the male is an obsessive control freak, you are mine and you will do as I say because I am protecting you. What baloney! Seriously, that really does border on abuse. But I digress! Back to Dane and Chloe! I love the steamy scenes between the two of them. The way they make love to each other is so well written its almost like watching it on screen. The book has just enough mystery to keep you enthralled and I can't wait to read the next one so I can find out what happens with the trouble that Callen started. One of my favorite moments in the book is when Dane reveals himself to Chloe. Although she knows that what she is seeing is a freak of nature, she doesn't miss a beat and her feelings for Dane do not waiver.
This sets the stage for the next book but at the same time, it doesn't leave you hanging to the point where you are frustrated. It's just enough to make you want to get the next book. Kudos to J.H. Croix, you just got a new reader for life.
November 12, 2015
J. H. Croix has taken a step out of her usual genre of contemporary romance and has turned her page and added paranormal/fantasy to her writing genre. Her first attempt in this new genre is “Protected Mate”, the first book in book in her new Catamount Lion Shifter series. Now, keep in mind that this is her first attempt at this genre, and you know the saying, a cat has nine lives, but…. Ms. Croix only needed the first life. SHE HAS A WINNER!!! Her writing in this genre is just as phenomenal as it is in contemporary romance. She just has a way of drawing a reader into her stories that you never want to put the book down. I know I did not!
I fell in love with Ms. Croix’s writing during her writing of the Diamond Creek Alaska series, and have been reading her books ever since. When I was given the opportunity to read the first book of this series I jumped at the chance. I was given an ARC of the book for my honest review. Yes, buy this book you will definitely not be disappointed. By the way, this is a standalone book.
Thank you for reading my review. Ms. Croix, I cannot wait until December 2015 when the Chosen Mate and Fated Mate comes out, to read about more of the characters that you will write about.
I fell in love with Ms. Croix’s writing during her writing of the Diamond Creek Alaska series, and have been reading her books ever since. When I was given the opportunity to read the first book of this series I jumped at the chance. I was given an ARC of the book for my honest review. Yes, buy this book you will definitely not be disappointed. By the way, this is a standalone book.
Thank you for reading my review. Ms. Croix, I cannot wait until December 2015 when the Chosen Mate and Fated Mate comes out, to read about more of the characters that you will write about.
March 3, 2020
Unfortunately, I was bored with this book.
If I had to read one more time about 'his blue-gray eyes', or 'her forest green or mossy green eyes', I was going to scream. It detracted and distracted from the actual story. Not my favorite shifter book by far.
If I had to read one more time about 'his blue-gray eyes', or 'her forest green or mossy green eyes', I was going to scream. It detracted and distracted from the actual story. Not my favorite shifter book by far.
February 9, 2016
I enjoyed this first book in the Catamount Lion Shifters series! Chloe Silver left her structured world after discovering her fiance cheating, and has been hiking the Appalachian Trail for the last six months. She's almost to the end, when she badly sprains her ankle. Dane Ashworth finds her sleeping in a cave and rescues her. Little does she know, Dane is a mountain lion shifter. They both feel an immediate attraction and Dane feels like this is his mate. In the meantime, one of their pack members, Callen, has been killed by a car while in mountan lion form. No one know why, and Dane and friend Jake are working hard to figure out what Callen was up to. This mystery wasn't solved (although there is some excitement in the book pertaining to it), so I'm guessing this will be an ongoing theme in future books. Dane is hot and sexy, which is a plus!
February 9, 2016
Never thought of this plot before
The plot of the story is different from so many other shifter books that it was surprisingly more interesting to me!!! Of course there is the guardian, protecting, and soldier type of shifters but I have never thought to use them as runners.
That would be very impressive and interspersing to criminals interested in activities that require special skills. Just think of what they could use the shifters for?
Chloe and Dane were a surprise for me as I was expecting a little bit of frustration in the beginning. That was me though because the story turned out even better for not having more drama in it!!!
Come read and enjoy a different outlook on a new shifter series!!!
The plot of the story is different from so many other shifter books that it was surprisingly more interesting to me!!! Of course there is the guardian, protecting, and soldier type of shifters but I have never thought to use them as runners.
That would be very impressive and interspersing to criminals interested in activities that require special skills. Just think of what they could use the shifters for?
Chloe and Dane were a surprise for me as I was expecting a little bit of frustration in the beginning. That was me though because the story turned out even better for not having more drama in it!!!
Come read and enjoy a different outlook on a new shifter series!!!
November 12, 2015
This is a great beginning to a new paranormal shifter romance series. The captivating plot included mystery, danger, action, adventure, steamy romance and kept me on the edge of my seat. Ms. Croix introduces the tight-knit community of Catamount, Maine located in the northern Appalachian Mountains. I really enjoyed the interaction and sizzling chemistry between protective alpha shifter Dane and strong, beautiful independent Chloe. I loved this fast-paced read and can hardly wait for book two in the Catamount Lion Shifter series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 12, 2015
Protected Mate by J.H. Croix,is a wonderful fast pace book. I absolutely love this book...I do not read very many paranormal shifter books, but this one held my attention from beginning to the end. It had everything I look for in a book, romance, suspense, mystery and wonderful characters. Dane is hot sexy shifter and Chloe is a beautiful sweet human, what more could you want in a story. This is a must read for all readers of romance or paranormal looking for a new series. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 12, 2015
I received a free copy for my honest review.
While I normally don't read paranormal/shifter books, this story was good. It had that instant connection between the characters. Dane is the mountain lion shifter, Chloe is just a normal human. Dane sees her for the first time on the trail and both his halves want her. There is a bigger story than the love forming. His friend Callen was tagged and killed while in mountain lion form. They are trying to figure out why he was where he was. Jake and Dane are digging for answers. This book had a lot going on and then the ending just left you.
While I normally don't read paranormal/shifter books, this story was good. It had that instant connection between the characters. Dane is the mountain lion shifter, Chloe is just a normal human. Dane sees her for the first time on the trail and both his halves want her. There is a bigger story than the love forming. His friend Callen was tagged and killed while in mountain lion form. They are trying to figure out why he was where he was. Jake and Dane are digging for answers. This book had a lot going on and then the ending just left you.
November 15, 2015
Given to me for an honest review. The story starts with murder of a mountain lion, which has been extinct since 1938 in Maine. His brother wonders what Callen was doing to allow himself to be tagged and in Connecticut as a shifter. Dane meets Chloe while hunting for his sister. Dane's lion says Chloe is his mate. Chloe and Dane both feel the attraction to the other. Since she is human, he worries how to introduce his mountain lion. Will he find out what Callen was doing? Will Chloe accept Dane's mountain lion? Will the citizens of Catamount accept her?
November 23, 2015
Gifted copy for honest review.
I loved reading Protected Mate. The characters and story were great. This story is about Dane and Chloe. Dane is a mountain lion shifter and doctor. Chloe is hiking the Appalachian Trail after heartbreak. She sprains her ankle and Dane finds her while he searches for his sister. The town of Catamount is home to the mountain lion shifters and everyone there protects their secret. However after a lion is hit and kill by a car everything is not what it seems.
I loved reading Protected Mate. The characters and story were great. This story is about Dane and Chloe. Dane is a mountain lion shifter and doctor. Chloe is hiking the Appalachian Trail after heartbreak. She sprains her ankle and Dane finds her while he searches for his sister. The town of Catamount is home to the mountain lion shifters and everyone there protects their secret. However after a lion is hit and kill by a car everything is not what it seems.
March 8, 2016
I downloaded Protected Mate as a free book from Amazon. There was a good premise in the plot, but this book only hints at the issue and offers no closures-- definite cliffhanger. Much of the dialog was redundant (repeated word and phrase usage, so close together it popped out as I was reading. While not a bad read, it needs more character development. We got our fill of her honey-colored hair and (pick-a-noun)-green eyes, and his blue-gray gaze-- but no real motivation or depth for the protagonists other than insta-love because they're mates.
May 16, 2016
This is a sweet story, there is sex but no relationship drama. There's really no drama at all, even when the H show the h he's a shifter. It's really kinda a vanilla story overall but there's a mystery hook that's left open.
The h is hiking and hurts her ankle, the H a doctor and mountain lion shifter finds her and it's insta love. The town has people who are shifters and humans who keep the secret about their existence. The H's brother in law was found dead in shifted form in a location he shouldn't have been and he's looking for his sister when he stumbles upon the h.
The h is hiking and hurts her ankle, the H a doctor and mountain lion shifter finds her and it's insta love. The town has people who are shifters and humans who keep the secret about their existence. The H's brother in law was found dead in shifted form in a location he shouldn't have been and he's looking for his sister when he stumbles upon the h.
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