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lifeinthebooklane's review
3.0
I love the author's Space Opera books, so when I saw this on sale I jumped at the chance to buy it. What can I say? If you enjoy a light and frothy, super steamy, sweetly romantic shifter romance then I'm sure you will love this.
I felt this lacked depth and challenge, two things that are essential for me to love a book. My emotions remained detached from the story, everything felt very "nice" but also very bland. The main characters are likeable, the problems are quite quickly resolved and everything is fairly swiftly tied up with a neat bow.
I did read it all, it was that bad I couldn't finish the book, but it was instantly forgettable too. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
I felt this lacked depth and challenge, two things that are essential for me to love a book. My emotions remained detached from the story, everything felt very "nice" but also very bland. The main characters are likeable, the problems are quite quickly resolved and everything is fairly swiftly tied up with a neat bow.
I did read it all, it was that bad I couldn't finish the book, but it was instantly forgettable too. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
eg_m's review
4.0
Note that this is not historical PNR - the Ice Age refers to a type of shifter, not the setting. That said, it is a wonderfully creative love-on-the-run story. Trevor is a gallant truck driver, and laid back alpha shifter who only fights to defend. Jackie is sharp, resourceful and an alpha alpha when it comes to taking charge of her situation. Throw in a mad-dash to a fae sanctuary while pursued by the villains and it becomes a super fun love-on-the-run story. My only quibble was it was a bit too much insta-love for a woman who had been kidnapped and traumatized.
lolasreviews's review
4.0
I received a free copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
I recently started the sci-fi series by author Carol Van Natta and the series totally grabbed my attention. So when I heard she was writing a new Paranormal Romance series I jumped on the chance to read an advance readers copy of the book. This book was so good! I had a lot of fun reading it and I am already looking forward to the rest of this series!
Shifter Mate Magic is one of the best shifter books I read on a long time. It has a rich world filled with magic that we're slowly getting intruded to, smart and capable characters that aren't afraid to ask for help when they need it, an unique take on shifters and magic and a great and believable romance.
This book follows the story of Jackie and Trevor. Told in dual point of view we get both their sides of the story. Jackie is running from a corrupt shifter pack who wants to sell her unborn baby to the highest bidder. She has nowhere to go and her plan is to keep running as fast and far as she can and hope the shifter tribunal might be able to help her. Then she meets Trevor and despite their instant attraction Jackie knows she doesn't have time for romance and continues on her journey, but when she lands in a pickle later on she has no one to ask for help, but him.
I liked reading about Jackie and Trevor, both are smart and capable characters. I also liked how different they were and similar too in other aspects. They clicked immediately and I liked seeing them interact with each other. They have an instant attraction, but also much more. They acre about each other and work well together. I also appreciated that getting to safety took priority over exploring the romantic tension between them when the danger increased. While at the same time the romance did got furthered a long a bit as they got to know each other a bit while trying to reach safety. I also thought it was interetsing Trevor was a trucker as I don't think I've read of anyone with that job before and it was fun how his job played a role in the story as well. There are some great scenes with the two of them and I really liked how much they cared about each other.
The romance between the two of them develops pretty fast, but it didn't feel rushed to me. They just fit together really well and they spend a lot of time together in a few days where they got to know each other. They also stood by the other through some tough times and I think that helped grow their romance pretty quickly. They also have the mate bond, but only Trevor feels that at first and it doens't get solidified until they actually mate. I really felt their romance and thought they were great together. They really cared about the other, quickly opened up and were honest with each other and I just enjoyed reading about them a lot. I am hoping we'll be seeing more of them in later books.
The world building was well done. It's clear the author knows how her world works really well, but we don't get all that information at once. It was nicely done how we got pieces so you weren't overwhelmed with all the information and only got the parts relevant for this story. Although I wouldn't have minded even more world building, but that's because I am really intrigued by all the paranormal creatures we meet.
I liked the unique twist on shifters in how they had magic to shift and some had some free magic to use for other things. I also liked Jackie's magic and the things like the maps she created, it was original and very handy. And the whole ice age shifter thing was great too. I liked how it was unique to have some shifters shift into ice age creatures instead of modern age ones and a hint later in the book hints that there is some relevance of this as well. Later in the story you realize there is so much more to this world and while we get introduced to a bunch of creatures, it never gets overwhelming. I can't wait to read more of this world and the characters in it.
To summarize: I had so much fun reading this book and really enjoyed the story of Jackie and Trevor. It's one of the best shifter stories I read in a long time and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I really like Carol Van Natta's writing style and the story and characters grabbed my attention from the start. I liked Jackie and Trevor both as individuals and as a couple. I liked how both were smart and capable and I liked how the romance took a bit of a backseat when the danger grew. The author gave an unique twist on shifter stories with the addition of ice age shifters and how the magic works, which was great! And it seems there is a lot more to this world still to find out. I can't wait for the next book in this series! I would recommend this one to everyone who likes a good paranormal romance book with an unique twist!
I recently started the sci-fi series by author Carol Van Natta and the series totally grabbed my attention. So when I heard she was writing a new Paranormal Romance series I jumped on the chance to read an advance readers copy of the book. This book was so good! I had a lot of fun reading it and I am already looking forward to the rest of this series!
Shifter Mate Magic is one of the best shifter books I read on a long time. It has a rich world filled with magic that we're slowly getting intruded to, smart and capable characters that aren't afraid to ask for help when they need it, an unique take on shifters and magic and a great and believable romance.
This book follows the story of Jackie and Trevor. Told in dual point of view we get both their sides of the story. Jackie is running from a corrupt shifter pack who wants to sell her unborn baby to the highest bidder. She has nowhere to go and her plan is to keep running as fast and far as she can and hope the shifter tribunal might be able to help her. Then she meets Trevor and despite their instant attraction Jackie knows she doesn't have time for romance and continues on her journey, but when she lands in a pickle later on she has no one to ask for help, but him.
I liked reading about Jackie and Trevor, both are smart and capable characters. I also liked how different they were and similar too in other aspects. They clicked immediately and I liked seeing them interact with each other. They have an instant attraction, but also much more. They acre about each other and work well together. I also appreciated that getting to safety took priority over exploring the romantic tension between them when the danger increased. While at the same time the romance did got furthered a long a bit as they got to know each other a bit while trying to reach safety. I also thought it was interetsing Trevor was a trucker as I don't think I've read of anyone with that job before and it was fun how his job played a role in the story as well. There are some great scenes with the two of them and I really liked how much they cared about each other.
The romance between the two of them develops pretty fast, but it didn't feel rushed to me. They just fit together really well and they spend a lot of time together in a few days where they got to know each other. They also stood by the other through some tough times and I think that helped grow their romance pretty quickly. They also have the mate bond, but only Trevor feels that at first and it doens't get solidified until they actually mate. I really felt their romance and thought they were great together. They really cared about the other, quickly opened up and were honest with each other and I just enjoyed reading about them a lot. I am hoping we'll be seeing more of them in later books.
The world building was well done. It's clear the author knows how her world works really well, but we don't get all that information at once. It was nicely done how we got pieces so you weren't overwhelmed with all the information and only got the parts relevant for this story. Although I wouldn't have minded even more world building, but that's because I am really intrigued by all the paranormal creatures we meet.
I liked the unique twist on shifters in how they had magic to shift and some had some free magic to use for other things. I also liked Jackie's magic and the things like the maps she created, it was original and very handy. And the whole ice age shifter thing was great too. I liked how it was unique to have some shifters shift into ice age creatures instead of modern age ones and a hint later in the book hints that there is some relevance of this as well. Later in the story you realize there is so much more to this world and while we get introduced to a bunch of creatures, it never gets overwhelming. I can't wait to read more of this world and the characters in it.
To summarize: I had so much fun reading this book and really enjoyed the story of Jackie and Trevor. It's one of the best shifter stories I read in a long time and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I really like Carol Van Natta's writing style and the story and characters grabbed my attention from the start. I liked Jackie and Trevor both as individuals and as a couple. I liked how both were smart and capable and I liked how the romance took a bit of a backseat when the danger grew. The author gave an unique twist on shifter stories with the addition of ice age shifters and how the magic works, which was great! And it seems there is a lot more to this world still to find out. I can't wait for the next book in this series! I would recommend this one to everyone who likes a good paranormal romance book with an unique twist!
lzw's review
4.0
What a great PNR! Love an advernturous romance with humor as well. Very well detailed & fast paced! This was my first time reading a book by this author and I will look for her future
donnagrayce's review
2.0
This felt like Act I of a novel, rather than a novel in itself. All the good characters are rewarded and all the bad punished--which, I do admit that I respond well to, though I prefer fewer deus ex machina plot twists to tidly wrap things up. Pleasant, easy to digest, forgettable. I'd read the sequels if they were free...
charmychan's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
chyina's review
4.0
This was such a cute little read!
Being on the run is always going to be the beginning of a good book because it makes us as readers wonder what is happening, why and what will happen. Jackie, after being tricked, drugged, impregnated and sold on the shifter black market, has a lot to be afraid of. More than that, she has no reason, as a witch, to trust any other shifter. Ever. But when a bear shifter saves her from too drunk and rude coyotes, she decides to trust him.
Trevor is an outcast. While he comes from a family of bear shifters, he isn't one of them. He is a species no one can claim to have seen and so he spends his life on his eighteen-wheeler, making his living hauling freight cross-country. But something draws him to help this human girl and then he cant get her out of her mind.
What I love about this novel is how Jackie is so fierce, even though she doesn't believe she is. If you are in the mood for a kick-butt heroine, this is the book.
Cute and pretty intense!
Being on the run is always going to be the beginning of a good book because it makes us as readers wonder what is happening, why and what will happen. Jackie, after being tricked, drugged, impregnated and sold on the shifter black market, has a lot to be afraid of. More than that, she has no reason, as a witch, to trust any other shifter. Ever. But when a bear shifter saves her from too drunk and rude coyotes, she decides to trust him.
Trevor is an outcast. While he comes from a family of bear shifters, he isn't one of them. He is a species no one can claim to have seen and so he spends his life on his eighteen-wheeler, making his living hauling freight cross-country. But something draws him to help this human girl and then he cant get her out of her mind.
What I love about this novel is how Jackie is so fierce, even though she doesn't believe she is. If you are in the mood for a kick-butt heroine, this is the book.
Cute and pretty intense!
thereadingbel's review
3.0
First thing I will say I did not know they had books about shifter cats or shifter anything. I thoroughly enjoyed the book it is fantasy and my thoughts of fantasy have changed. I find myself enjoying some fantasy. Who knew that shifter fantasy is a decent read. The main character is a bear shifter who is mated with a young women who is suppose to be his perfect mate. She is pregnant a cat shifter got her pregnant. The two flee to a magic town for shelter and protection. This is a interesting spin on romance and fantasy. I think I will read more of this type of fantasy. I also like that Trevor is a truck driver that was kind of cool to me as well. I understand and know the life of a trucker it was clearly portrayed accurately in the book. I give the book a 3.5 stars.
carabellacullen's review
5.0
Shifter Mate Magic by Carol Van Natta
5 Stars!!!!!
I was in heaven. I love shifter romances and I really loved this book. This is the first book in the series and I was hooked from page one. I found the authors take on shifters and the magic world to be refreshing and unique.
I found the whole dynamic between Jackie and Trevor to be quite endearing and heartwarming. There is such a special kind of love when you take a child that isn't yours and call it your own. I really enjoyed reading the book and Seeing how things would end up with Jackie and Trevor. The author also made the book a real enjoyable read with just enough drama and action to glue you to the pages and be eager to find out what would happen next. I will definitely be reading more from this author and this series. Easily one of my top ten favorite reads.
5 Stars!!!!!
I was in heaven. I love shifter romances and I really loved this book. This is the first book in the series and I was hooked from page one. I found the authors take on shifters and the magic world to be refreshing and unique.
I found the whole dynamic between Jackie and Trevor to be quite endearing and heartwarming. There is such a special kind of love when you take a child that isn't yours and call it your own. I really enjoyed reading the book and Seeing how things would end up with Jackie and Trevor. The author also made the book a real enjoyable read with just enough drama and action to glue you to the pages and be eager to find out what would happen next. I will definitely be reading more from this author and this series. Easily one of my top ten favorite reads.