Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My!

Rate this book
A Montana town where no one is who they seem....

Everything about runaway heiress Ainsley McLeon screamed trouble—from her luscious midnight locks to her Louboutin-clad toes. Yet sexy, stoic bar owner Luc couldn't deny the instant connection he felt to the tempting stranger…or the long-dead feelings she evoked. She could work in his pub until her truck was fixed but after that she had to leave town for good.

Ainsley traveled with her own emotional baggage and there was no way she'd fall for the bear-tempered Luc...no matter how many passionate nights she spent in his bed or how safe she felt in his muscular arms. Can these two opposites find love in the middle of a blizzard, or will Luc's darker side and Ainsley's past catch up with them?

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2013

3 people are currently reading
490 people want to read

About the author

Candace Havens

70 books1,019 followers
Bestselling author Candace Havens has published more than 25 books. Her novels have received nominations for the RITA's, Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader Awards and National Readers Choice Awards. She is a Barbara Wilson Award winner. She is the author of the biography “Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy” and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation's leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities from George Clooney to Chris Pratt. Candace also runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers, and teaches comprehensive writing classes. She does film reviews with Hawkeye in the Morning on 96.3 KSCS, and is a former President of the Television Critics Association.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
68 (21%)
4 stars
126 (39%)
3 stars
90 (28%)
2 stars
28 (8%)
1 star
9 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
Profile Image for Danielle  Gypsy Soul.
3,174 reviews81 followers
July 22, 2017
This book had a lot of potential and I loved the first part of the book. Unfortunately the second half of this book left a lot to be desired. I was looking forward to a fun, quirky book and the first half fulfilled that but the second half skipped all over the place. A ton of the book actually took place off page. I found myself with whip lash going what happened? Luc reveals to Ainsley his past off screen, all the suspense with Ainsley's killer happens off page. After the big fight, Ainsley and Luc's separation happens off page and I could go on and on. Then there was the typical miscommunication trope and suddenly a happy ever after. For a book with a great start it just fizzled out.

Profile Image for Melindeeloo.
3,269 reviews158 followers
September 19, 2013
3.5 stars. I had been thinking about giving this one a try so the .99 special yesterday (kindle daily deal so only one day:( made buying this a slam dunk. This actually ended up being pretty cute for a story that starts off with a leading lady on the run from a 'hit' who ends up in a crash trying to avoid a tiger shifter and ending up in a shifter town. She's really a great character, determined and more than able to hold her own against rowdy shifters (she's doesn't know their secret) when she worms her way into the only job in town that will allow her to earn enough cash to fix her damaged vehicle. And even though steamy scenes come pretty quickly, I also like the growly bearshifter who throws all of his plans of shielding his damaged heart to the wind because the leading lady is so plucky.

So fun story (despite a bit of misunderstandings to stretch out the end and the final HEA) - light but cute and definitely worth the buck I paid for it.
Profile Image for Emily.
5,904 reviews555 followers
July 25, 2013
Ainsley McLeon has to shed her identity and quick, after hearing a plot for her untimely demise she ends up in a small town in Montana. Ainsley is used to the finer things in life, born with a silver spoon, she is shockingly thrilled with the ability to adapt to a lifestyle completely out of her element.

Instincts call out to bear shifter Luc, get Ainsley out of town and quick. Of course there must be a reason the debutante who thinks she is pulling off normalcy is in hiding. She makes Luc laugh, has a love for food, and despite Luc's unwillingness to get attached, he is falling hard for the unusual human.

I thought this was a charming read. Luc has had his own share of tragedy and he doesn't want to get attached to Ainsley. Ainsley feels her life spiraling out of control, but one anchor seems to naturally be Luc. There are several laugh out loud moments with Ainsley and her waitressing amongst the shifter crowd, excellent read.
Profile Image for Jody.
2,090 reviews61 followers
August 2, 2013
Ainsley McLeon comes from a wealthy family but is accustomed to heartache after the supposed murder of her parents and her current flight to save her life as her uncle's dirty deeds have put her in jeopardy and made her question he brother's loyalty too. Driving down a desolate road in a barely working pick-up in a blizzard leads her even further into danger as a tiger causes her to crash and introduces her to a community full of intriguing individuals who she quickly thinks of as family as the rally around her to keep her safe. That's not to say that Ainsley is defenseless, far from it. She's outspoken and her commanding demeanor wins over gruff bar owner Luc and earns her a waitressing job and a place to stay that's safe and warm with him cooking her all sorts of delectable dishes. Ainsley doesn't like handouts so she makes it her mission to wipe away the darkness and grief she sees surrounding Luc. Before she knows it she's fallen in love with him wholeheartedly. Even knowing what kind of creature he is doesn't turn her off, it's a turn on in fact as they start a relationship that they agree is just temporary. An event late in the story causes the annoying Big Misunderstanding that pulls them apart but ultimately makes them realize how important they are to one another in a quickly concluded HEA.

Luc is thought of by everyone in town as a gruff old bear which is a very accurate description early on. He's still dealing with the grief of losing his wife, son, and entire family in a flood and doesn't want to enter that darkness ever again so he keeps himself closed off. The moment Ainsley enters his bar he's completely overwhelmed as she easily wins over everyone including him. His protective instincts kick in as the emotional barriers he's worked hard to enact quickly crumble through her smiles and take no prisoners attitude. Luc's an immensely likable character who's strong, loyal, and caring even if his past does make him act irrational late in the story. He does numerous sweet things for her that completely belie what everyone thinks of him and I found myself completely smitten with him. Seeing him emerge from his emotional darkness brought a smile to my face and the connection between him and Ainsley made for a fun journey full of witty banter and sexual tension that led to some heavy sexual interludes.

The town Ainsley's come to is full of shifters who have slight differences that set them apart from the usual shifters. Their emotions are intense but get stronger closer to the full moon. Warmth makes those who are bear shifters have difficulty staying awake so they keep their homes cold. Once they find their mates feelings of jealousy become more intense which can lead to bloody fights. Ainsley easily accepts the members of this community as they are since they've opened their hearts and homes to her making her feel like a member of their family. Along with a delightful main couple came a slew of memorable secondary characters that I'd love to see more of. Ian especially has me intrigued as grief drove him to lose himself in his tiger form. Meeting Ainsley on that deserted road was the catalyst for him to find his humanity as the latter part of the story dealt with his recovery and I long to see him get his well-deserved HEA. This was a fast-paced story that was sweet yet sexy and though some events were glossed over I still found this story immensely satisfying. Here's hoping Ms. Havens revisits this world soon!
Profile Image for Kriss.
300 reviews
August 5, 2013
I am going to admit it, I signed up to read and review this book purely because of the title! Yep, it is not just the cover that sells me, but when a name like this can seize me and inspire me to giggle like a schoolgirl with my friend, who also ended up reviewing for the tour, well… it’s a winner! Great job Entangled and Candace!

Though you all have heard it, I am going to say it again, I am not a romance reader. I SWEAR TO ALL THAT IS HOLY… BACON! I just cannot stand traditional romance, and yet due to me being the host for Bewitching Blog Talk Radio and a fan of I Smell Sheep and my girls (yes I am outing you all) in my Gutter Girl Party Crew group, I have been sucked into the world of Paranormal Romance, specifically of the shifter variety. Yea, yeah, yeah… Keep laughing! One day when you look up and realize you are reading a Bodice ripping shifter book with tons of hot alphas you will be singing my song!

What makes this book, romance at that, something I would devote time not only to review, but also a recipe creation also? Well first off it is FUN! I mean giggling laughing fun. Runaway heiress who frankly is not entirely sure what she is running away from other than she does not want to get killed. Our girl Ainsley’s antics had me rolling my eyes with her outfit choice. The fact she’s not even prepared for a Montana winter? She could have bought a jacket with the rust bucket of a truck! I laughed at her calmly having a conversation with a Tiger who appears to be laughing at her after causing the crash of her sparkly new rust bucket of a truck… In the middle of Montana… In a SNOWSTORM *Giggle.. Snort.. Giggle*

She is rescued by the local sheriff (yeah yeah keep cackling) and ends up walking into a bar owned by Luc who is at present watching his waitress go into labor. Since this is not the best time to be without help, the moon is coming up on being full, (SHIFTER BAR, remember?), he is somewhat stuck when Ainsley walks into the bar. Girl walks into the bar…. Wait this could be a joke, right? Except it is not, it happens to be pure magic, playful and spontaneous magic!

Ainsley quickly sheds what could easily have been a spoiled rich girl attitude and takes on a bunch of shifters with ease and finesse, even when she finds out just what they are. She almost doesn’t bat an eye. Well actually she doesn’t, she just grabs the pan of brownies, locks herself into the closet and deals with it!

I loved the characters; they were strong, loveable and even with a few of them being shifters… they were real. Ainsley is not the skinny ass Paris Hilton rich girl. She is a hard working college graduate with a head for business and quickly takes on the role as head waitress and also the person who will heal Luc’s broken heart.

Biggest issue? It is too fast a read! This is the reason I am not going to give it five stars. It felt rushed, and I was frustrated. Still, what I was planning on being a silly Bodice ripping paranormal romance turned into one of the most fun reads of the summer! In honor, I recreated my brownie in a cup (I included my better than orgasms coffee in my cup so if you want it REALLY yummy, try Green Mountain Black Magic.. OMG down to my … lady-bits, good!)
Profile Image for Angie.
2,367 reviews251 followers
July 4, 2015
There was no way that Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! wasn't going to be a super fun read with a title like that, right? Sadly, wrong! It actually started off really great. Ainsley has stumbled upon some secret family business and now someone is trying to kill her. She fled Beverly Hills with just the clothes on her back (and her Christian Louboutin heels) and wound up in the middle of nowhere, Montana, in a town full of shifters! Now she has the protection of Luc and may have found a reason to stop running.

Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! was really fun in the beginning. Just because Ainsley is the heiress to a fortune doesn't mean she doesn't know how to work hard. And she really has no choice since she's stranded with no money, no transportation, nothing. Her response to learning that Luc was a bear was pretty funny too! Unfortunately, everything else surrounding her problem happens off the page. Weeks go by and then suddenly Luc is having a conversation about how Ainsley's would-be killer has been caught but she's still staying in town. Um, what?! What about all of the suspense?! Nothing happens! I was mightily disappointed.

Then there's the matter of the big fight. As soon as Luc's history was revealed, I knew exactly how this romance was going to go. And it's one of my least favorite tropes. I really cannot stand it. Especially how it was handled here. It's like no one was listening to anyone, and then happily ever after. How about no.

Sadly, Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! wasn't the fun read I was hoping for. It had a lot of potential in the beginning, but then it was like the author cut out half of the story to meet some word limit.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Profile Image for Crystal.
1,490 reviews31 followers
July 11, 2013
I seen the name of this book and thought with a name like this I had to read it. After that I saw the cover and that was all that it took.

I was given this book in place of an honest review.

Ainsley is a woman that might seem like a pampered princess but don't let her looks fool you. She can take care of herself pretty good. She isn't one of those women that are skinny and has decided that food means more to her than a slim figure. When she uncovers some secrets that her family are keeping her life is in jeopardy and she gets on a plane to a place no one would ever think to look for her.

Luc doesn't let anyone get close to him because he has suffered the pain of lose and doesn't want to go through that again. He might be a bear shifter but don't let that scare you. He is really a big teddy bear especially when it comes to seeing Ainsley.

I loved this story and I wanted it to keep going. I felt the love that the community had for each other and they take care of their own. I haven't had the chance to read many books about bear shifters but this one has to be my favorite. There is a whole community of different shifters and I like that. Everyone is different and it doesn't matter.

I have had the great fortune of reading several books by this author and everyone is different and touches you in a different way. If you love books about shifters or just want to see a couple overcome many obstacles then you need to try this book out.
Profile Image for Wyrdness.
500 reviews39 followers
July 15, 2015
I liked the characters of Ainsley and Luc, but after an interesting set-up this book was an utter disappointment to read because nothing happens in it. Whilst the characters smexy each other silly the plot is quietly taken care of off page without their input until suddenly it's a few weeks later and Luc's buddies in the FBI tell him that everything is okay now. It's as if the author decided that actually she couldn't really be bothered with a suspense story after all so she was going to make it just another hormones-at-first-sight Shifter Mate yawnfest.

Makes me sad because I was really in the mood for a smart heiress on the run story, especially if it involved equally smart and sexy shifters (though bears do seem to be in danger of becoming overdone like every single "big cat" shifter. Why do we never see sexy armadillo shifters? Or Bull shifters - hehe, bull shifters...)

Anyway, this is going to sit squarely on my "okay-but-boring" shelf because it's pretty much the epitome of that statement. It was okay to read, the writing wasn't painful to get through and it was nice hook to base a story on, but the plot fizzles out early on and there was just not enough world-building or character development to keep my interest going.
Profile Image for Kathy Martin.
4,183 reviews119 followers
July 5, 2013
Heiress Ainsley McLeon is fleeing gunmen who want her dead when she crashes her $500 truck into a tree in Montana. She was sure she saw a tiger in the truck bed, or, was she hallucinating. It doesn't take long for her to make a place for herself working in Luc's bar despite his surly nature and conviction that she shouldn't be there.

Luc is a bear shifter who lost his parents, wife and child in a flood while he was away working for the FBI. He is determined to protect his heart by never loving again. And, most of all, he doesn't want to fall in love with a human woman for fear of hurting her with his bear-like strength. Ainsley is feisty and smart and frightened. Someone is trying to kill her and she is afraid that it is her uncle and her brother. She overheard them talking about embezzlement.

Luc and Ainsley are so right for each other. Both have emotional baggage but both are strong people. And the chemistry between them warms up the Montana winter nicely. This was a fast-paced story filled with emotion. I found it very entertaining.
Profile Image for Stephanie Ziegler.
308 reviews24 followers
July 9, 2013
Laugh out loud hilarious!

I feel in love with the character of Ainsley. Even though she practically owns half the world, she does dirty and hard work through the pain from the accident just to make money to fix her truck. While she is not your typical size 2 heiress, she is more like a size 12, she has spunk and charm that is irresistible. And the way she can handle a crowd of rowdy animals will have you in hysterics. You will fall in love with Ainsley as fast as the town did!

I could not and did not put this book down. Tigers in Montana, humans shifting into animals, lots of emotional eating and love...what more can you ask for? A murder? You got it! This book will leave you pleasantly surprised.

Until next time, live life one page at a time!
Profile Image for ValerieC.
1,343 reviews56 followers
August 1, 2013
3.5 stars - Cute story! It's basically one we romance readers have all read before, but the part about the cartel killing off a mega-rich U.S. family was pretty far-fetched (at least to me).

Also, it was a little repetitive, and has some misspellings and outright incorrect use of words (such as 'vice' when it should have been 'vise').

This is a new author for me, so I might read more of her work.
Profile Image for Ann Lorz.
1,709 reviews22 followers
July 26, 2013
This is the first time for me reading Candace Havens but it won't be the last. I loved this book and found it to be a great story, with wonderful character that left me wanting more. I found the humor to be just right and on more then one occasion couldn't help but laughing. From the very beginning the story grabs you, and pulls you in.
Profile Image for Cmgren.
12 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2013
This was such a fun read. Once I picked it up, I couldn't stop until I had finished it. It was a real page turner filled with humor, suspense and sexy romance. So if you like a book filled with surprises, then this is one book you should read.
Profile Image for Kei.
792 reviews14 followers
January 28, 2023
Okay, where were the lions? Or am I blind?
This book is either incomplete, or was hastily scrapped from parts of different book ideas, or I don't even know.
At the very least it does this weird thing when you start reading one book, and then half-way through find yourself reading something completely different and wondering what the hell happened.
It starts as an interesting story with a heroine running away from danger just to end up in a shifter town with a broken car and no money, where she meets a 'protective growly dark and handsome' bar owner with tragic past.
Then suddenly the whole mystery of what happened to her and how her problems are going to be resolved get flushed down the drain with some simplistic explanation and bunch of people dying/gwtting caught behind the scenes, we get a couple of weird timeline skips, and the book turns into 'idiotic relationship angst' with some completely moronic character interactions that make 0 sense.
Oh, and also there is the tiger drama thrown in on the sidelines that leaved like a dozen of question marks and makes you feel like you are reading an incomplete book or a random book from the middle of a series, but this book is not even listed in any series as far as I know....
486 reviews41 followers
July 30, 2013
Other than a I'm on birth control so we don't have to use a condom even though we really don't know one another moment I really enjoyed this title. The whole don't use a condom thing for a first time new hook-up is a pet peeve thing of mine but hey we all have our moments.

Ainsley is in trouble. She's fled California with just what she's wearing and her purse but nothing more. She's driving on a backroad in Montana when she almost runs over a tiger?? really a tiger??? in Montana?? She's understandably thinking that she must be hallucinating due to stress and the fact that she's freezing in this piece of junk truck with no heat she bought with cash but she didn't really just see a tiger in the snowstorm did she? She ends up telling jokes to it as it stares at her through the window of her truck until a deputy shows up to help her get out of the now totaled vehicle. When she ends up in a bar begging for work she knows she's hit rock bottom but where else can she go since she doesn't know if it was her uncle or brother that tried to have her killed? She was a lot tougher than people made her out to be and I found her to be a perfect foil for our hero. I liked how she wanted to earn her own way and not rely completely on others but also liked that she really did work to understand what was going on around her even while her life was falling apart. She takes finding out about the existence of shifters in a rational way, if locking yourself in a closet with a tray of brownies could be considered rational. I wasn't quite as fond of her treatment of Luc at the end but I did understand it even though it sort of was over the top.

Luc knows from the moment he sees her that she's going to be nothing but trouble. He's determined to send her on her way but as he learns more about what is driving her he just can't do it. He's also instantly attracted to her which also makes him really want to run the other way as he can't take letting someone get close to him again after losing his entire family in a dam break. He's a goner though and we all know it which makes this a fun story. I felt for him when he gets news that rocks him down to his core and understood why he behaved like a complete and utter jerk to her. I didn't like it but I really did understand it. I loved how he goes out of his way to try to help everyone in town as they have become his new family even if he doesn't completely want to admit it. He's gruff but so sweet and gentle with Ainsley as she heals and seeing him be so afraid of hurting her was heartwarming. I also admit he pulled my heartstrings when he struggles to help his old friend, Ian, come back from shapeshifter hell.

This was a fun title with a bit of angst with both the main players and a secondary character that I want to see more of. I want to see Ian get his HEA and find what he needs to make him whole again. I have to say thanks to Entangled Publishing - Covet - for giving me the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Itara ~*My Midnight Fantasies*~.
102 reviews17 followers
July 24, 2013
More reviews at mymidnightfantasies.blogspot.com

I have to start off my saying that I loved this book. 5/5 stars and if I could give more stars, I would because it was that good. Now let me tell you why....

So the story starts off with Ainsley crashing her truck and seeing a Tiger snooping around and at some points she thought he was laughing at her jokes. Ainsley is running away from home because someone is out to kill her because she knows some family secrets. She comes from a wealthy family so a lot is at stake if she talks. So she is sent to Luc's bar for a job so she can fix her truck and that is where the plot takes off.

The characters in this story were awesome; I loved Ainsley, but I loved Luc more. The story was told from both of their perspectives. Ainsley had her own mind and could take care of herself. Oh boy did she have her own mind! That girl can tell you off and kick your butt and you won't know what hit you. I enjoyed reading about her point of view because we are a lot alike; she described herself as "not the perfect size 2", and I recently had a baby so we have that in common. Also that she bites her lip a lot throughout the book and I'm always doing that. I thought it was cool that we had a few things in common. Luc was a pompous old bear that was sweet and caring in the inside. I loved their chemistry together no matter how hard they would fight it. Luc was suck an interesting character for me because he was so broken and he's the one that needed a bear hug at times (pun intended). I loved how he cared for Ainsley, he was always there for her. He took better care for her than she did for herself. It makes me just fall in love with him but he's a fictional character so that would be a problem for me. Other than being caring he was also very hot and what a great combination. I also liked Ian, Luc's friend but quickly became Ainsley's friend as well. He was very refreshing, his advice was helpful and he was a great character all around. I grew to feel bad for him at times but he got better.

I think the chemistry between Ainsley and Luc was unbelievable; I love the way he felt about her, how he appreciated every part of her, not just in a sexual way (which there was quite a bit of) but he generally just wanted her not her money or anything else. When Ainsley got to the town and befriended everyone she didn't want to leave because for once she actually had real friends, they didn't want anything from her.
There were so many moments where I literally laughed out loud.

"Did he recognize you at all?" The Doc asked.
Luc frowned. "For a moment, just before he lunged at me.
But when Conrad's truck came in view, well, you saw what happened. He went ape shit. Or Tiger shit as the case may be."

I really loved this story and although it was a perfect ending, I wish there was more and I can't wait to read more from Candace.

Profile Image for Karen.
1,451 reviews110 followers
July 26, 2013
Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! was a bit of a throwback to the fun paranormal books I used to read a lot of a few years ago. They may still be out there but almost everything I find now is filled with over the top angst. This book was a nice change of pace.

Ainsley McLeon is an heiress on the run. She may have money but she doesn't know who she can trust now that she caught her brother and uncle in an embezzlement scheme and people are shooting at her. She runs off to the last place that anyone would think to look for her, Montana, in the dead of winter. Wearing Louboutin heels of course…as one would. Things get weird when a tiger jumps into the bed of her truck and she thinks he can understand her jokes.

Ainsley is just wonderful! She walks into Luc's Cub Club bar, worming her way into a waitress job, and just owns the place. She has obviously led a somewhat charmed life but she's also not afraid to get down and dirty waiting on tables to earn her own money while she's hiding out, or smack around the patrons when they get grabby. This girl can handle herself. She's also prone to eating a pan (or two) of brownies during stressful situations. She could be your BFF.

Luc knows this girl is trouble the second he looks away first when she stares him down. Something he never does. As much as he tries to get her out of his bar he also feels a strong urge to protect her.
Both have suffered great losses in their past and are afraid to take the plunge into a permanent relationship and try to just enjoy their time together while Luc helps her figure out who is after her.
The second half of this book faltered some for me. I noticed a few inconsistencies. In one instance a character was talking to a friend on the phone and then a paragraph or so later he was patting the guy on the shoulder. I thought they were on the phone? This was a e-arc, so it's possible this will be addressed the finished version (or maybe I just misread?). I can usually overlook one or two things but it happened enough that it became a little distracting.

I really loved Luc and Ainsley together but the ending felt rushed and I wished they had talked their issues out a bit more. Especially Luc. He could be an asshat at times but he had been through something devastating and I wish Ainsley took that into account to understand where he was coming from.

Final thoughts: I had a few issues with things that just didn't match up and the ending was rushed but overall I still highly recommend this one if you're looking for a light(ish) paranormal book. It was a l lot of fun to read. The characters and romance were great. I'm hoping this might be a start of a new series because there were definitely a few characters that I would like to know more about. Particularly a certain sexy tiger shifter.
Profile Image for Christy.
127 reviews
August 3, 2013
Beverly Hills based millionaire Ainsley is running from her past. After a horrifying family event, she decides to take a break from her current life, so she leaves town, buys a used, beat-up truck, and finds herself broken down during a blizzard in Clarksville, Montana. Coming face-to-face with a tiger, she's certain she's met her death on a snow covered road. She believes she will either freeze to death...or be eaten by the tiger. But the sheriff of tiny Clarksville saves the day, and takes her into town, where Ainsley is determined to work for enough cash to repair the truck so she can be on her way and out of this Podunk town. Ainsley ends up working for Luc, a lumber-jack-like bear of a man who owns The Cub Club, the local bar and hang out of the townspeople. Their first encounter is not pleasant, but Ainsley's mind is made up - she will wait tables at the bar until she saves enough in tips to pay cash for the truck repairs.

Luc is also determined....determined to never love another woman after the death of his wife and child years earlier. He's tough on the outside, and the bar patrons respect his strength and fear his wrath. He isn't very fond of this strong-headed woman who marched into his bar and took a job that he didn't voluntarily give her. It doesn't take long for these two strong-headed people to realize that they have a lot in common. Both Luc and Ainsley are running from their pasts, both are stubborn, and both are lonely. Before long, their loneliness is too much for either of them to control. Feelings start to develop, although neither of them want...or expected...to care.

People aren't what they seem in Clarksville, though. The town is filled with shifters. How will this affect Ainsley's new life, and a possible future with Luc? How does she cope with the mystery of her past life, follow her heart, and continue her own business back in LA and NY? Can she? With the help of new friends, new found inner strength, and the love and support of a man she never meant to love, Ainsley is forced to face her past, take charge of the present and plan for her future.

With murder, mystery, love, lust, fun, humor, anger and a little bit of shape-shifting thrown in, there's a good balance in this book. It was easy to follow and with strong characters, a good story, and the perfect mix of adventure and love, I really enjoyed reading Candace Haven's "Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My!" I read it in one night - I HAD to finish it because it was a page turner - I couldn't put it down! Funny, witty, mysterious...it had it all. I especially enjoyed the ending, and the secondary characters were as charming as the main ones. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Candace Havens.
Profile Image for Kim Reads (Read Your Writes Book Reviews).
1,480 reviews142 followers
July 16, 2013
Reviewed by Kim
for Read Your Writes Book Reviews
www.readyourwrites.blogspot.com

First of all, I HAVE to thank a publisher at Entangled Covet for contacting me and allowing me to read and review this book. Paranormal romance isn't usually a genre I read. I have to say, I am so glad I said yes to reading this book. I'm a huge fan of Entangled's Bliss and Brazen lines. Their Covet line is like their Brazen line, but with some paranormal stuff thrown in.

Oh my gosh.. I love the characters of Ainsley and Luc. Ainsley is an heiress on the run for her life. But she isn't your typical, I'm a ditz and I don't work for my own money heiress. No...Ainsley is funny, tough and a breathe of fresh air to the town of Clarksville, Montana. She doesn't take lip from ANYONE. Luc is a man with a sad and troubled past. He's a former FBI agent (Goodie, goodie gumdrops. Yeah, I know that's kind of weird. But that's what popped into my head.) who lost his parents, wife and young child in a flood, while he was away doing FBI work. Luc has made a vow to himself that he will not get involved with women again and open himself up to so much pain.

While I don't want to give away the "paranormal" part of this book, I will say it was something I could wrap my head around. It wasn't creepy or scary. Honestly, it was super easy to overlook because of the true story itself.

Ainsley and Luc are two people who come into each others’ lives at just the right time. After events happen in her life, Ainsley becomes lost and needs someone to anchor her and be a pillar of strength. Luc provides that for her. Luc needs someone to stand up to him and not back down. He needs someone to let him know that it's okay to have strong feelings for someone and take a chance on love again, no matter what the risks or costs are. But the road for this hot-headed, stubborn couple will not be easy. Just when they can be happy, their tempers get the best of them and could cost them everything they've worked so hard for and the future they could have.

Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! (don't you just love that name!?) was so much more than I thought it would be. You have humor, friendship, love, and hot furniture/destroying sex. There is also a little mini-suspense thrown in. Did I mention that Ainsley loves food and is often eating brownies? Yeah, those moments kept making me hungry. This book had me smiling and not wanting to put it down. I keep trying to find something to not like about this book but I can't. I highly recommend it!

Source: Publisher
Profile Image for Gigi staub.
942 reviews18 followers
July 22, 2013
A Montana town where no one is who they seem.... Everything about runaway heiress Ainsley McLeon screamed trouble—from her luscious midnight locks to her Louboutin-clad toes. Yet sexy, stoic bar owner Luc couldn’t deny the instant connection he felt to the tempting stranger…or the long-dead feelings she evoked. She could work in his pub until her truck was fixed but after that she had to leave town for good. Ainsley traveled with her own emotional baggage and there was no way she'd fall for the bear-tempered Luc...no matter how many passionate nights she spent in his bed or how safe she felt in his muscular arms. Can these two opposites find love in the middle of a blizzard, or will Luc's darker side and Ainsley's past catch up with them?


Review:


I don't think there are enough bear shifter books, that is my opinion anyway, so if you feel like me you should read this book.


I have only read one of Ms. Havens other books and that was not a paranormal, so I was happy to find such a fun, sexy paranormal read.


Ainsley is on the run for her life, from a member of family. Not knowing who to trust she runs and unlike a lot of books this character actually does the smart thing and does not use credit cards or phones that can be traced back to her (thank you!). Ainsley is a great heroine, though she maybe a heiress she is not afraid to work and not the "poor little rich girl" we get in a lot of stories.

Because she is trying to be smart and only use cash, she buys a hunk of junk and in a snow storm nearly misses a tiger and crashes. Ainsley is found by the local Deputy and brought to a community of shifters. Needing money she goes into the local pub and asks for a job from the sexy, grumpy, bear shifter Luc. The sparks fly from there when he does not want her there and she goes and starts working for him anyway...lol

Luc lost his family long ago and still has trouble getting past that hurt though soon, Ainsley gets under Luc's skin and soon the sexual tension is too over powering and they give in to the lust. Luc is protective and definitely all alpha male, but I just wanted to snuggle up to him.

We also get some good action and mystery when Ainsley's past catches up to her.


In the end you get a great story with two characters who are flawed, but are both smart and strong. This was a smart, fun, exciting and sexy paranormal read. Thank you for writing such a smart, flawed, strong heroine.


4 licks
Profile Image for Jeannie Zelos.
2,852 reviews58 followers
July 24, 2013
Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! (Entangled Covet) Candace Havens.

ARC supplied by publishers.
I've read and loved Candace books before , enjoy her quirky sense of humour, so jumped at the chance to review this one. Its a fun, fantasy romance, the title gives some strong clues what to expect :) and we meet the Tiger very quickly! Ainsley is escaping from danger, she's discovered her brother and uncle have been involved in some dodgy deals, and when she's shot at she simply runs...flies to Montana with the little cash she has on her, buys a cheap truck and simply drives. Turning into what she thinks is an ordinary small town she thinks she sees a tiger...and crashes the truck. She's no money, only the clothes she's wearing and the truck is going to be costly to repair. Despite being an heiress and very rich in her own right she daren't access her money for fear of being tracked, so she goes to nearest bar on advice of the sheriff who rescues her from the truck and seeks a job. Luc, bar owner takes one look at her Louboutins and short skirt and says says “no”, but she's not put off. She can see they need the help, they're clearly short staffed so she picks up a tray and starts working. He agrees to let her stay til her truck is fixed and then she'll leave.
Luc's a great guy, had his share of heartbreak in the past when his wife and son died in an accident, and he's not opening himself up to that kind of hurt again no matter how tempting to him Ainsley is. Then he finds out she's been in an accident and hurt, and that she's on the run and his protective side comes out. There are some funny moments when Ainsley puts the bar of shifters in their place when fights break out, some tender moments when inevitably she and Luc get together, and some really sad, heartbreaking ones when things go wrong. Its a great story, short and sweet and nothing unexpected but a fun read with some emotion to make you feel good at the end.
I didn't enjoy it as much as Take it like a Vamp, the story is a bit too light and open for me but it was an enjoyable read and one lovers of paranormal romance looking for something light will enjoy. Its priced at £2.63 for 129 pages so on the upper end of my VFM scale, and its a one off read for me but if its one you'd re read that increases the value of course.
Stars: four. A fun novel.
Profile Image for Miriam.
738 reviews39 followers
July 24, 2013
***Received from Entangled Publishing for an honest review***

Ainsley dropped everything after someone tried to kill her and headed for the least likely place anyone would look for her--Montana. After wrecking her POS truck and coming face-to-face with a tiger--what was a tiger doing loose in the middle of Montana anyway?--she ends up at the Cub Club in Clarksville, trying to convince a giant bear of man, Luc, to let her work at his bar.

But Luc knows better, or thinks he does anyway. Ainsley's nothing but trouble with her long legs, dark hair, pale skin and wide green eyes. Doesn't matter that he wants her. Doesn't matter that she raises all his protective instincts, especially after he discovers how she ended up in Clarksville. None of that matters because he refuses to love again, refuses to put himself in a position to be hurt by losing someone else he loves. Nope. Not gonna happen.

Now if he could just convince himself of that...

I love Ainsley. She's witty, strong, successful, wealthy, has a wicked sense of humor, and loves food. While others cowered in Luc's presence, she, a mere human, would look him in the eye and tell it like it is. And she didn't tolerate crap from anyone, Luc or the bar's patrons.

Luc's most outstanding characteristic was his willingness to protect Ainsley even though he didn't know her, as well as his willingness to help her even after he screwed up. He jumped into the middle of a fight to protect her, rushed to save her from a patron's unwanted advances, and even warned how he might be should they end up having sex. Him wanting to help her out towards the end of the book was amazing to read as there was no doubt in my mind that he was doing what any man in his position would do regardless of how rocky things were between him and Ainsley.

Ms. Havens tells a fantastic tale of love born from uncommon circumstances between two people who couldn't possibly be more different from each other yet compliment each other in so many ways. Ainsley consistently refuses to let anyone, especially Luc, tell her what to do or decide what's good for her, while Luc consistently tries to convince himself she's all wrong for him when she's actually all right for him. This comical paranormal romance will keep the reader laughing, guessing, and hoping for everything to all work out.
Profile Image for Lynn.
119 reviews8 followers
July 30, 2013
3.5 Animalistic Stars

I enjoyed Candace Havens’ Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! The title alone had me intrigued. This book has betrayal, vows to never fall in love again, the undeniable desire to break that vow, small town characteristics, stubborn women, and pig-headed men. Oh, and of course, how could I forget, humans that turn into animals.
The heiress, Ainsley McLeon, is on the run from her family after someone tried to kill her. She finds herself in the last place they’ll look; Montana. Getting caught in a blizzard, a run in with a tiger and needing her truck fixed, she decides to work at the one bar in town. That bar just happens to be owned by Luc. A bear of a man, he does not want Ainsely in or around his bar, but he has no choice when his big heart wins out and cannot let her sleep on the street. She takes up residence in his place and things go from bad to worse in a matter of pages. The temperature is rising between the two, but Ainsely can never know what Luc is or what majority of the town is. They are shifters (turning human to animal) and it would be dangerous for her to find out that information. But can Luc handle the feelings that are bursting in him every time Ainsely is around? Can he keep his temper in check when his sudden need to protect her comes into play? Could Ainsely handle the truth and will she ever be able to stop hiding from her family?
Ainsely and Luc have such a unique connection and such horrific backgrounds that I couldn’t help but root for them, yet enjoyed their stubbornness is attempting to ignore what is between them.
Candace packs in so many brilliant twists and turns in this story that took me by surprise, but I give it 3.5/5 because I craved more to each of these outcomes where I felt the surface was only scratched. I could see this book being expanded into at least another book to capture all the amazing ideas here. I also wish there had been more shifting happening. Being that shifters where a huge aspect to the story and who Luc is, I was surprised there wasn’t a lot more animals emerging throughout.
Overall, this was a fun read and wonderfully written and I adored the characters!

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)


www.caretocommentanne.blogspot.com *For More Book Reviews!!
Profile Image for LJT.
1,259 reviews2 followers
June 25, 2016
Oh My! What an original and entertaining book. The cover is eye-catching and dares you to open up the book and take a peek inside, while the title itself makes you wonder with curiosity about the storyline. This is a fast-paced paranormal romance about an heiress, an area populated by animal shifters and love.

Wealthy and smart Ainsley McLeon is on the run because someone is trying to kill her. She recently discovered her family's two sets of financial books and overheard a conversation between her uncle and her brother about embezzlement. Paying cash so that she cannot be traced, Ainsley ends up in the wilderness of Montana, after surviving a tiger citing, an SUV accident and hypothermia. She is rescued by the local deputy and realizes that she needs to find a job quickly, in order to get her vehicle fixed so she can move on as soon as possible.

Due to Patty going into labor much earlier than expected, The Cub Club needs a new waitress. Lucas immediately noticed Ainsley the minute she walked into his bar. When their eyes met, there was an instant attraction and spark. Ainsley, drawing upon her business acumen and people skills, convinces Lucas to hire her for the job. Her spunky personality and good looks instantly charm him and his customers, even though she is hurting from the accident. Lucas ends up taking care of her while she recuperates from her injuries and overtime, they get to know each other intimately. As a former FBI agent, Lucas is also looking into Ainsley's predicament.

A potential volatile incident occurs in the bar, which causes Lucas to shift partly into his animal form of a bear, which of course surprises Ainsley. None of the other patrons are concerned because they are shifters as well. However, Lucas' intimidating stance instantly quiets everyone down. Ainsley doesn't freakout, she just hides out in the kitchen closet. Lucas finds her and explains a few things about himself and the community she temporarily calls home.

Their relationship continues to grow and they fall in love. However, a few events occur that may jeopardize their future together. Luckily, love does conquer all.

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tina.
269 reviews17 followers
July 3, 2013
This is a laugh out loud paranormal romance that will keep your interest until the very end. Two people who have suffered the loss of loved ones are not sure if what they feel for one another is enough to take a chance with their hearts. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I’m looking forward to reading more by Candace Havens

Ainsley knows that the only way for her to stay alive is to run. As an heiress, she has enough money to disappear anywhere in the world, but she knows she can be tracked if she withdraws any money from her accounts. After purchasing a cheap vehicle and crashing in a blizzard she finds herself stuck in a small town, and a strong attraction to Luc, the grumpy bar owner who is sexy as sin. Trying to purchase everything with cash, she desperately needs a job to pay for the repairs to her truck. Can she talk Luc into giving her a job long enough to make enough money to pay for the repairs and move on?

Luc is definitely a very grumpy bear. He’s a man who no longer wants any kind of relationship, but the moment he looks at her—wearing those expensive clothes—he knows Ainsley is nothing but trouble, even if he is strongly attracted to her at first sight. He does not want her working in the bar and tells her so, but she is determined to prove to him that he needs her and starts waiting tables. He finally agrees to let her work for him after watching her work the bar and the customers so well, but only long enough to make the money she needs to fix her truck, then she needs to leave town.

Ainsley has too much danger in her life right now to get involved in any relationship, but after spending time in Luc’s bed she’s not sure if she wants to move on and go back to living the rich life anymore. Luc doesn’t want to experience love ever again, the loss is too much. Is it possible for Ainsley to open his heart and mind to take a chance on love one more time?

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Melody  May (What I'm Reading).
1,488 reviews24 followers
July 22, 2013
Posted on What I'm Reading

I was able to finish Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! by Candace Havens. I found this story really cute. I know that's not something you hear to often when you think of paranormal romance. Paranormal romances conjure up words like action-pack, hot, and danger. Not words like cute and sweet. However, there is a first for everything, right? Right.

What drew me to Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! was the title itself. I mean come on the title alone sounds like a lot of fun. Plus, who wouldn't want a sexy bear keeping you warm at night, especially up in Montana. Trust me it gets cold up there.

Well, Ainsley McLeon kind of stumbled upon some really bad stuff and figured she needed to get herself out of dodge. Smart girl. Anyways, she wasn't really dress for the area she made her escape. I mean who wears Louboutin in the middle of winter in Montana. Fortunately, she's able to hideout in the middle of nowhere Montana and she was able to get a job at the only bar in town, which happens to be own by Luc, oh are sexy bear. He even has a bears temperament at times.

I honestly thought Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! was cute and fun read. I mean I really like how Ainsley pushes herself into Luc's life and the town. I mean it's not always easy to win over shifters, but she manages just fine. Plus, she doesn't take any guff from nobody. Yes, Luc can be thick headed bear at times, even when he lets past events kind of dictate his life.

My favorite line has to be: "If you ever fight in here again, I will personally hang your balls from the rafters."

Seriously, who doesn't love girl who can stand on her own two feet and talk that way to some shifters. The bottom line: fun cute read. So, if you are looking for tigers bears that aren't too dangerous, you might want to give Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! a try.

Copy provided by publisher
Profile Image for Judy.
694 reviews82 followers
December 20, 2014
This book started out with a bang, almost literally. Ainsley McLeon is so cold while on the run from her extended family who she thinks is trying to kill her, that she skids on an icy road and runs right into a tree. Of course, who can blame her for slamming on the brakes when she is sees a tiger standing in the middle of the road. The middle of nowhere Montana is not the place for fully grown tigers to just be wandering around. To make matters worse, the tiger jumps up into the back of her pick up and laughs at her while she gives him a running commentary on how bad her life is at the moment. Luckily for her, she is saved by a local deputy before she is eaten or freezes. Of course, the deputy tries to persuade her that it was a hallucination, but she knows what she saw.

With her truck out of commission and unable to access any funds for fear of the shooters tracking her down, Ainsley knows she is going to have to figure out a way to make some money. When she hears that the local bar, the CubPub is newly short a server, she decides to go apply. The owner of the CubPub, Luc, doesn't want to take on the problems that Ainsley could bring, just being in the bar. (Her being full human and all.) He for sure knows that she smells too good and is stirring feelings he thought long dead. But there is something about her that makes it hard for him to say no to her. Especially when he finds out that she her family is dead too. It's not long before Ainsley is getting under the skin of her "big ole' bear".

I was captivated by this book from the beginning. Ainsley and Luc make the perfect couple. Both are scarred emotionally, yet are doing their best to keep going. They each have some really funny idiosyncrasies that make them unique. This is billed as a stand alone book, but I would totally read another book or three following up on the town and other characters in it. The book flowed so quickly and easily, I didn't want to put it down. I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads and will keep my fingers crossed for a sequel.
Profile Image for Rhianna.
459 reviews93 followers
July 28, 2013
Move over Pooh and Tigger...

When on-the-lam, endangered heiress Ainsley McLeon put herself on Montana's winter roads she certainly didn't expect to wreck her vehicle in an attempt to avoid hitting a tiger. Unable to safely touch her wealth without giving away her location to whoever is trying to murder her and with nowhere to go she begs a job at the local watering hole. But Luc has no interest in hiring a human to sling drinks to his patrons because in this Montana town the residents all have one thing in common... an furry form at the full moon.

Ainsley, however, won't take no for an answer and her tough-as-nails personality coupled with a desire to find a way out of the mess she's in win Luc over. It's only a matter of time before she discovers that the gruff bar owner with a knack for cookery is more than a big ol' teddy bear whom she can't hide her danger from.

When I didn't care for Havens' previous entry to the Covet imprint I was a little worried I'd not like this one either. But it proved to be surprisingly fun. There's a cheesy factor with the heiress on the run from her potentially murderous family and the generic Montana town but in this case it works. As the blogosphere's resident Montanan PNR geek I was hoping for something a less flat in regards to the town and the shifters who called it home but Luc and Ainsley are great characters and their romance was juicy.

I didn't think I was going to like Luc but Havens worked the werebear personality fabulously. I don't often like the hero more than the heroine but I loved Luc. He's gruff at times and yet a teddy bear at others. That Ainsley is no push-over really pleased me! Too often you have a strong male in paranormals that just bulldozes the female and these two meet one another so well. They're a great match and the chemistry between them makes this a terrific read. I highly recommend it for shifter romance fans looking for a quick read.

Notes: ARC received via publisher.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.