Lions and Tigers and Bears

Hidden Heart, written by Kate Steele, is the tale of Rafe and Lindy. Rafe is a werebear who lost his mother at a young age and therefore was unprepared for his first change. Believing his ability of shape shifting to be a curse rather than a gift, he is determined not to pass it on to his children. To that end, Rafe mostly keeps to himself, having no relationships with women – until Lindy. Lindy has been invited to check on the progress of the research she helps fund. Rafe is unable to control his feelings for Lindy, but continues to believe his shape shifting abilities are a curse. When Lindy discovers his abilities for herself, will she be able to change his mind?

Lion Eyes by Jodi Lynn Copeland is the story of two people, Liddy and Kevin, who are intensely attracted to one another but hide their feelings. Each believes there are too many obstacles standing in the way of a possible relationship – not the least of which is Liddy’s mother’s aversion to interracial relationships. Kevin has another reason for keeping his distance from Liddy: he’s a shape shifter, and fears Liddy’s rejection when she finds out. Following the recent attacks on humans, however, they find themselves unable to resist the pull between them and increasingly seek one another out. But what will Liddy’s reaction be when she finds out about Kevin’s shape shifting ability? And what is the secret that she has kept from Kevin, fearing he would reject her for?

Kit Tunstall’s Tiger Eye is about a man who was mauled by a tiger as a child, very nearly not surviving his injuries. Due to the interference of a shaman who bound his essence with that of the tiger, Grant is able to take on a tiger’s form. Grant guards his secret zealously, taking great care not to get too close to anyone – particularly a woman. But when Dr. Zinsa Senghor needs to temporarily relocate her clinic away from the fighting in Mekimba, and moves her clinic into the sanctuary’s veterinary practice, Grant finds himself himself falling for her, yet still afraid to share his secret. How will Zinsa find out – and what will her reaction be?

The Lions and Tigers and Bears anthology contains three shape shifting stories, each of which the male is the shape shifter and is wary of falling in love with a woman due to his rather unique abilities. Each of these tales is about love conquering the fears and obstacles each couple faces. I was drawn to this particular anthology because of Ms. Steele, having read and thoroughly enjoyed To Trust a Wolf. Having not read anything by the other authors, I was very happy to find that I also enjoyed their stories. Lion Eyes has several twists in the plot, which I did not expect and thus enjoyed the story all the more for. Tiger Eye is unique – I had not yet come across a story where the shape shifter does not retain their sense of self when they shift. In this story however, when Grant shifts, he often cannot control himself and does not remember what happens when in his tiger form. In Hidden Heart, the way that Rafe’s experiences as a child impacted and shaped his life as an adult, forming his determination not to impose what he sees as his curse on anyone else, demonstrates the author’s awareness that our personalities and beliefs are formed by our own personal experiences, particularly those from our childhood. The three stories are well thought out and well written. The sex scenes are detailed and scorching. As a whole, this anthology has widened my reading arena; I had only previously read werewolf shape shifter plots but can now add lions, tigers and bears to my shape shifter reading interests. This is a definite read for paranormal romantic erotica fans – particularly those who enjoy shape shifter plotlines.

Reviewed by: Elizabeth