Saturday, April 18, 2015

Review: Mate Bond

Mate Bond (Shifters Unbound - Book 7) by Jennifer Ashley

Publication Date: 04/07/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 320
ISBN-100425266052
ISBN-13978-0425266052

(Received for an honest review from Berkley)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, itunes

Jennifer Ashley on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series

Shifter's Unbound

1. Pride Mates
2. Primal Bonds
3. Wild Cat
4. Mate Claimed
5. Tiger Magic
6. Wild Wolf
7. Mate Bond

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.




Synopsis:

Together but unbound, they must learn what it means to love completely, in the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Wild Wolf.

To cement the leadership of his North Carolina Shiftertown, Bowman O’Donnell agreed to a “mating of convenience.” Two powerful wolf shifters, he and Kenzie keep the pack in order and are adored by all. Bowman would do anything to protect Kenzie, for in each other’s arms they’ve found far more than friendship. But as strong as their attachment is, they still haven’t formed the elusive mate bond—the almost magical joining of true mates.

Now with a monster ravaging the countryside and threatening the Shiftertown community, some in the pack fear that a pair without a true mate bond isn’t strong enough to lead. Bowman and Kenzie will have to rely on their instinctive trust in one another to save their Shifters—and the ensuing battle will either destroy them or give them the chance to seize the love they’ve always craved.


Thoughts:

Jennifer Ashley's Shifters Unbound series is fast becoming one of my favorites in the paranormal romance genre. Her latest book Mate Bond is ultimately my favorite of the series so far. Readers who looking for a mature romance, with couple who has been married for some time will love this one. Bowman and Kenzie may have a wonderful relationship but they do not share the mate bond that will keep them together forever. Their struggle to find an illusive foe hinges on their relationship and readers won't be able to put it down for a minute. A great addition to the series!

Ohhhh, I really liked this one! Jennifer Ashley is sooo good at world building. In Mate Bond readers get to see what the North Carolina pack's Shiftertown is like. We have seen other Shiftertown's in previous books, but this one was really interesting. If you are unfamiliar with the series, a Shiftertown is kind of like an Indian Reservation. The shifters have been forced to live in these towns away from the human population. Each one is unique and I loved learning about the Bowman and Kenzie's town. Ashley never ceases to amaze when it comes to her mythology and world building, it's one of the best parts of this series.

I liked the fact that this book wasn't a boy meets girl and falls in love story. Kenzie and Bowman have been together for a long time and even have a son, Ryan, who will one day lead the pack. It was a marriage of convenience that united the dissident parts of the pack, but it turned into something more. It is obvious that this couple loves each other very much, but they have yet to form the elusive mate bond that will ensure that they will be together forever. I liked the maturity of the story here. There problems were a lot more dynamic and deep than the problems a reader generally finds with a new relationship. I thought that was a great idea for the book and loved how it worked out.

Kenzie and Bowman are up against a really devious villain and the things he does are simply gut wrenching. He made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. That part of the book was cleverly put together and I think readers who like a story with substance will really find this one up their alley. This guy was a real piece of work and the way the hero and heroine solve the problems that comes with the bad guy was simply awe inspiring. I loved that part!

The romance is hot and steamy in this one and it seemed completely natural. You have two alpha shifters, which is a volatile combination in the first place. They have a lot of passion in and out of the bedroom and readers who like a little heat will not be disappointed. Ashley seems to really understand the kind of aggressive and fierce relationship that needs to happen in this kind of shifter society. Very well done.

Bottom Line:

This is my favorite book in the series so far. I am becoming a huge fan of this author and I think anyone who loves a good were story will fall in love with this one. Kenzie and Bowman were a mature couple with mature problems and I liked the fact that they knew exactly where they stood with each other. The romance was hot, the action was fast and readers will just have to hold on for dear life. A great new book from a very talented author.

Mate Bond is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I am giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!





About the Author:


New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical and paranormal romance as Jennifer Ashley; paranormal romance and urban fantasy as Allyson James; and mysteries as Ashley Gardner. Jennifer's novels have won RWA's RITA and RT Reviewer's Choice awards among others. 

For information on all her novels visit www.jennifersromances.com. Also see http://www.gardnermysteries.com (Ashley Gardner) and http://www.allysonjames.com (Allyson James) for her other works

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