Lions and Tigers and Bears

Lion Eyes by Jodi Lynn Copeland

Liddy Freeman takes care for the lions at the Hanover Wild Animal Sanctuary.  Due to a recent series of attacks in Hanover, with all of the victims claiming to have been attacked by a lion, Liddy is visited consistently by Detective Riggs, who practically accuses her of aiding in the attacks.  Liddy knows that there are shape shifters among the citizens of Hanover, despite her mama, who happens to be the mayor’s, narrow-mindedness to the contrary.  In spite of all the ugliness of the attacks and accusations, Liddy has at least one bright spot each day, a regular visitor to the sanctuary, Kevin.  However, no matter how attracted Liddy is to Kevin she doesn’t believe a relationship beyond friendship would work.  Kevin’s white and her mama would never approve, but that doesn’t stop Liddy from fantasizing.  Besides, Liddy has a secret that she’s afraid Kevin would never accept, never mind that Kevin has a few secrets of his own.

Jodi Lynn Copeland’s Lion Eyes is an amazing story that kept me guessing first over the identity of the attacker, then over how Liddy became a shape shifter herself, and finally over what would happen with her mother who is so opposed to anything that’d be considered different in her community.  A wonderful story with a beautiful ending!

Tiger Eye by Kit Tunstall

As an eight-year-old child, Grant Hayden was attacked by a Tiger after trying to pet her cubs.  In order to save his life, the local medicine man performed a ritual that saved his life but left him with the ability to change into the form of a tiger.  Now an adult, Grant works as a veterinarian on a preserve in Africa where his clinic allows him his space to escape if his emotions get too strong and begin to trigger the change he has to keep hidden.   With his boss offers to use of Grant’s clinic to Dr. Zinsa Senghor, for her patients, Grant’s control is tested in the worst way especially when Zinsa decides to go after what she wants, and she wants Grant!  Keeping the beast under control may prove to be more than Grant’s capable of, will Zinsa be able to accept Grant in both forms and indulge in his animalistic side?

Kit Tunstall’s Tiger Eye impressed me with the Dr. Zinsa’s love for Grant.  Even not knowing him very well, she trusts him and boldly pursues him despite his continuous refusal to consummate their relationship, he knows to do so would result in his losing control and he’s afraid she’d never be able to understand.  Amazing characters with gentle hearts.

Hidden Heart by Kate Steele

While writing the check for her annual contribution for the research of grizzly bears, Lindy is offered an invitation to visit the research camp so that she could see how her money is spent.  Lindy’s grandparents had instilled a love of nature and outdoors and when they died leaving their estate to Lindy she started up her teddy bear company which shows enough profit that she’s able to contribute to this worthy cause.  Having the opportunity to go camping with the bears thrills her to no end, until she arrives at the camp and encounters Rafe Kutter, a huge bear of a man at six-foot-six inches with an antagonistic attitude, he’s opposed to Lindy’s presence in the camp and makes sure she’s aware of his disapproval.  Lindy’s not afraid to throw attitude right back at him, it’s a way of covering her attraction for him.  Rafe is using his combative behavior in an attempt to keep Lindy at a distance.  He’s a werebear, he’d inherited this gift from his mother, unfortunately, Rafe sees his ability to change forms as a curse and has sworn never to have children because of it.  Will Lindy be able to convince Lindy that his ability to change is something full humans can only dream of, or will she have to continue life without the man she’s come to love?

Kate Steele’s Hidden Hearts draws you into the emotions of the characters by using humor and smart mouth attitudes to cover both Rafe and Lindy’s vulnerabilities.  Rafe because of his shape shifting abilities and Lindy because she’s a full-figured woman and is sensitive about it.  Amazing story and I loved the way the teddy bear idea played throughout the story!

General Conclusion:

Lions and Tigers and Bears contains three heart-touching tales of shape shifters that each take the shape of a specified animal.  The men are all alpha males in both human and animal form and display a vulnerability due to their fear of being rejected because of their special abilities.  Each of the women are strong independent women who while they may be stunned at their men’s abilities, also see it as something wonderfully amazing and not something that the men should be ashamed of.  Or in Lion Eyes case, since they’re both shape shifters, they revel in their special abilities together.  The stories contained in this anthology are each vastly different and endearing to the reader.  Definitely a keeper!