Hired Bear

Bears of Pinerock County #5

by Zoe Chant (Pseudonym), Lauren Esker

A curvy farmer deep in debt + a lonely rancher hoping to open his heart + a family farm hiding a hidden treasure = a red-hot rural romance!

Curvy Crystal Martinez didn't think anything could bring her back to rural Pinerock County, but if the family legend of a hidden treasure on her grandfather's old farm is true, it could get her whole family out of debt. And she never suspected she'd want to stay, with her friends, her job, and her entire life back in the city. But that was before she met the red-hot rancher next door, with electric blue eyes and a body to die for. She doesn't dare get attached (no matter what her betraying body thinks about his kisses) but she does need help if she's going to find her family's treasure before her time in Pinerock County runs out. It's strictly a business arrangement ... with a few fringe benefits ... right?

Grizzly shifter Cody Hayes has watched his clan brothers find their mates, one by one. As the peacemaker in his rowdy clan, Cody has almost given up on finding love, until Crystal moves in next door. In one glance, Cody and his bear know this stubborn city girl with curves in all the right places is the mate they've been waiting for.

Even though she's falling for both Cody and the rural beauty of her family's old farm, Crystal is determined to make her time in Pinerock County short. As the search for her family's lost treasure brings them together, Cody must show this commitment-shy city girl that Pinerock County is where she belongs—or risk losing the only treasure that matters to him!

This is a standalone paranormal bear shifter romance, fifth in the Bears of Pinerock County series. No cliffhangers!

Genres: Romance, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Novella, Fiction

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2017

About the author

Zoe Chant loves writing paranormal romance. Over a cup of tea (or something stronger) she whips up sexy tales of hunky heroes and adventurous heroines to tantalize and satisfy her readers. Sizzling hot romance, no cliffhangers!

While series should ideally be read in order, all of Zoe’s books are standalones and can be read in any order. This includes books within series.

To get a free book for subscribing to her mailing list, please follow this link: https://www.zoechant.com/join-my-mail...

Zoe's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32545...

Reviews

[Jessica Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, fun and hot shifter story! I loved every page and enjoyed watching Crystal and Cody find their HEA. The ending was beautiful. Love this series!

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!! Yes, I received a review copy of this book, but no one tells me what to think, feel, or write about any book! I bought this book before I had a chance to read the review copy because I wanted to read the whole series in order because I love and own most of Zoe’s books!

The cover is beautiful and goes with the series and this book!

This is the 5th book in the series, and it is Cody’s story. As with the rest of the series, it is for adults only due to the steamy content. I highly recommend reading in order because you get to know the characters and their world much better and feel more part of the story this way!

I own this whole series, and Cody is special because he is always the peacemaker and joker. He is the glue that kept everyone together at Circle B. Now he is restless because he doesn’t feel like he fits anymore. Crystal is trying to find a way to help her mom, and the family farm is her last hope. This is a touching story that doesn’t have much action only family helping in the way that you usual think is not helping but everything works out in the end. A great story that made me happy to read!

I highly recommend to all bear fans who love HEAs with true mates! Can’t wait to read my next Zoe Chant story because she always touches my heart and brings me happiness!

[Fiction Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe, great, fast read.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these bears!

I truly enjoyed each book in this series. Each bear finding his mate, facing unique issues, and getting their HEA.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

a href="http://www.shifterhaven.com">... at Shifter Haven

It’s always a touch bittersweet when series I’ve enjoyed come to a close. Yet Hired Bear is wrapping up the Bears of Pinerock County perfectly.

Cody has always been the easy going, peacemaker member of his tight bear clan. There’s nowhere he’d rather be, but the truth is he’s the only remaining unmated bear – and he’s beginning to feel the drive to find his own mate. He wants what he sees all around him… loving couples, kids, commitment and that deep feeling of being with exactly who you were made for. He wants that, but first he has to discover his mate and he’s not so sure that’s going to be easy. In fact, Cody’s mate may be closer than he thinks and his own adventure into love is about to begin.

Crystal is hoping for a miracle at the end of this trip. She’s inherited her grandfather’s old farm, one that she hasn’t visited since she was a toddler due to the fight between her father and grandfather. Now the family legends of treasure buried here on the property is her last hope. Her late father’s medical bills are bankrupting her mother, and finding treasure or selling this farm are the last hopes she has. Trouble is as she spends time on the property it feels so much like home, far more than her tiny apartment back in the big city. And one handsome, sexy neighbor is becoming far too important to her. Sure, she can tell herself that they’re having a fun, sexy vacation fling – but she knows better. She simply can’t see any other future for them except her return to the city. But she should never underestimate the determination of a man in love or a bear who has found his mate.

Cody and Crystal were the perfect final couple for this series. Both likable, determined and simply right for each other. We have a few moments with the other couples we’ve come to know and enjoy. And if there is a slight hint of something to come that might happen in the future, I’m going to keep my fingers crossed because that would be sweet… someday. Just something fun that an alpha and a seer might know is possible, to one day learn if they were right. I like possibilities left open, even if it wouldn’t be real soon I still have my book dreams. *grin*

If you’ve followed the Bears of Pinerock County series, then Hired Bear is a story you’ll want to pick up. I’d like to say it could be read on it’s own, and maybe it could, but you’d miss the inside knowledge of the other couple’s stories… and they are well worth reading. I’d recommend this story and this series for any Paranormal Romance or Shifter Romance reader. You’ll have a fun time.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

[ZETTER · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Adventure!!!

Crystal Martinez left Pinerock County many years ago, she never thought she would ever set foot back in the town again. But when her family found itself in debt, she decided to come back to her origin in search of a hidden treasure on her grandfather's old farm.

Cody Hayes, a bear shifter who saw his brother Remy ( BAD BOY BIKER BEAR ), cousins Alec, Axl and friend Gannon find their mates. He nearly gave up on finding his mate until she walked into his life. He knew right away that she was his and so did his bear but she planned to stay in Pinerock County for a short time.

Crystal was attracted to Cody the instant she saw him. She was on a mission and needed his help so she made him an offer he couldn't refuse. With them working so closely, she was reconsidering her plans to go back to the city after her mission was over.

Cody made it his mission to make sure Crystal knew what he and the town had to offer her. He wasn't about to let his mate walk out of his life now that he found her. She didn't know why it felt like she was meant to be right where she was at.

When Crystal learned the truth about Cody's animal side, she was thrilled. She had some secrets of her own that were fascinating. To find hef soulmate shen she least expected it was a pleasant surprise.

It was a delightful treat to catch up with the rest of the members of the Circle B clan. The way they all took to Crystal was alluring.

HIRED BEAR is the fifth installment in Zoe Chant's BEARS OF PINEROCK COUNTY series. It was exhilarating, fast-paced and intriguing. Five stars!


****I received a free copy from the author, without any obligation to review.****

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure is what you find it

Cody knew he loved his clan brothers and all their meddling. But when Remy told him their was a new woman who was looking for hired help in the next farm he didn't believe his luck would change that easy. He's been looking for his mate for so long. He was happy for his family so don't get him wrong he just wanted his mate as well.
Crystal knew as soon as came back to the farm something inside her felt like she was coming home. But if she couldn't find her grandfather's buried treasure to pay off her father's Medical pills her mom is going to have to file bankruptcy or either sell the farm. She never knew she would find a handsome hard working man and fall for him. Just Cody didn't realize he was going to meet his mate the moment she opens the door. They have two weeks to make things happen. She has to find the treasure as he have to tell her he's a shifter and that she is his mate. Before they loose their chances. Or someone blows it up and go their separate ways. This is Cody's HEA so please get it together man before it's too late....don't let her slip away...

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crystal and Cody - finding home and love

This was a sweet, sexy, and heart warming novella with a side of ticking time clock and mystery. Cody is a bear shifter and the only unmated one left in his clan. The clan lives together on a ranch. Crystal came to her grandfather’s ranch, which is next door to Cody’s, in order to hopefully find a rumored treasure or else to prepare the ranch to sell in order to pay off her family’s medical bills. Cody comes to the ranch to offer to work for Crystal. When they meet, Cody instantly recognize that she is his mate. To get to their HEA, they will have to figure out a way to merge too disparate lives while solving a financial problem all in a very short period of time. The story includes loyal friends and family, a little bit of a mystery, sad back stories, love, fated mates, and laughs. While short, the characters were well developed and the story was well written. I have really enjoyed the series and am sorry this is the last book.

[Diana Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure by any other Name is still Treasure

Cody and Crystal’s story had much less outside adversity than the previous stories in the series. By that I mean no one was chasing her, no bad guys jumping out of the woodwork. But it did have the adversity to many of us are aware of these days; medical debt, debt left after the long illness of a loved one, at that is sometimes harder to overcome. She comes to the farm next to the Circle B Ranch searching for the treasure her grandfather had whispered of years ago, before a falling out with her father drove them miles away and over 2 decades apart. She finds the treasure, just not in the tangible sense, you’ll have to read the story to find out what it was ! Along the way she and Cody find the love of fated mates, she gets close female friends/family in the ladies of the Circle B and more. I loved this story because of all of the realness of life, even though it’s a paranormal romance. You get the best of both worlds . 5✨’s

[Diana Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly hope this is not the last book in the Pinerock County bear shifter series !! Cody is the last single bear and when Crystal comes to the Martinez ranch next door, to get it ready to sell, he goes over to volunteer, never expecting she's his fated mate !! Talk about a bombshell on both sides as the more time they spend together, the more they realize they don't want Crystal selling the ranch and leaving at the end of her two week vacation. It will take a miracle fir Crystal to find her grandfather's "treasure" in enough time to save the ranch, and Cody needs to step it up and tell her he and most of the people on the ranch next door are shifters !! This story is hot !! Fun and full of people who can't keep a secret if they had too !! For me it's tge best of the series so far and I want a book 6 !! 5⭐'s I received a gifted copy of the book and am voluntarily choosing to leave an honest and unbiased review.

[JodyL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final book

I enjoyed reading this series of books about the bear shifter clan of the Circle B ranch. Each story had strong feisty women and even stronger alpha-type men.
In this book, the final bachelor, Cody is feeling like an outsider because everyone else has their mates. When he goes to the neighbors farm next door to help clear away trees and brush, he discovers his mate.
Crystal has come to the farm to search for a treasure that her father, who has passed away, told her was hidden there somewhere. She only took off two weeks from her job to search. She has to find it or her mother will lose her house and have to declare bankruptcy due to her father's medical bills.
This story is about how first Cody and Crystal alone, then the rest of the clan works together to solve the problem. There is always a happily ever after in Zoe Chants books. I have enjoyed every one that I have read.

[Helen Davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

love on the farm

wow !!! I've just finished reading this and it's left me with such a warm fuzzy feeling, Cody is a werebear who is feeling left out while the rest of the clan has met and fallen in love with their fated mates, Crystal is a city girl who's father has just passed away leaving herself and her mother a mountain of debt and his father's farm, Crystal believes the only way she can clear those debts is to sell the farm, so she's travelled all set to find some rumoured treasure and to sell the farm that is until she met Cody, The bears of pinerock county are the first set of books I've read from this author and I'm just about to look for some more, I've honestly not been able to put this book down, I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, I'm actually quite sad, I'm going to miss this clan of bears, here's hoping in the future she writes books about the next generation.

[Lynn Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Bears of Pinerock series. Zoe Chant ha done it again with a fast different story line. This is Crystal and Cody's story.
I found the characters strong, caring with very different personalities.
Cody is the only unmated bear left and wishes he could find his fated. Cody is the peacemaker grizzly in the family. His brothers talk him into being a hired hand on the Martinez Ranch.
Crystal Martinez is on a mission to find the treasure her dad says is on the ranch. The place is a mess and she needs help to clean it up to sell.
Crystal hires Cody and sparks fly. Suddenly she is not so sure she wants to sell. Will she find the treasure in time? Will Cody be able to convince her to stay? Will his alpha let him live off of their ranch?
I give this story 5 stars. " I read and reviewed and advanced readers copy without pressure to do so".

[Hsu Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC - I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
Crystal came back to Pinerock County looking for treasure.
Crystal's father hinted before he died that there might be a treasure in the old farm.
She does not remember her grandfather to much, but she does feel some affinity w/ the farm.
Cody was just doing the neighborly thing by offering to help his new neighbor.
What are the odds that the new neighbor just happen to be his mate ?
The attraction is instantaneous.
As they get to know each other, Crystal confides in Cody about the treasure.
Now both are looking for the treasure + they have less that 2 weeks to do so.
Will they find the treasure on time?
Will Crystal be able to keep the farm?
You will have to read the book to find out.

[Dmcl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hired Bear, book 5 in the Bears of Pinerock County series, is a heartwarming story of Crystal Martinez and her quest to find buried treasure on the grounds of her grandfather’s decaying ranch. Funny how treasure can take an unexpected form and all it takes is an all consuming love to change your perspective. That love comes in the form of Cody, the last unmated Pinerock Pack bear, who recognizes in Crystal the face of his fated mate. Now, if only he can get her to recognize that, too. What results is a lovely story full of love, passion and determination that confirms the saying, “Where your heart lies, there will your treasure be.” For a truly feel good read, I recommend this book highly.
I received a complimentary copy from the author with no obligation to review.

[Denise R. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gigantic Love Story

Crystal and Cody felt a deep connection upon seeing each other the first time. Crystal game to her late grandfather's farm in the hopes of finding long lost treasure that he hinted to when he was alive. His farm was vacant for 15 years and was overwhelming with overgrown grasses and flowers. Crystal was only there for two weeks before she could go home. She had to find the treasure or put the farm up for sale within two weeks. She met Cody and he offered to help fix things so she would have a chance as to sell it if that was what she actually wanted. Of course, there is much more to this wonderful story and you'll have to read kit to find out what happens next. Enjoy!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being neighborly is definitely the way to go

I have really enjoyed all the bears of Pinerock County books in the series. Cody and Crystal story was a great ending to the series. Crystal is seeking a treasure on her family farm that she must find if not the lose everything. She had never expected to find a great handsome neighbor willing to help her on her farm.

Cody has lived on Circle B Ranch all his life and loves being a rancher but when he is encouraged to go help out the brunette neighbor, he had no idea the city girl would be his mate. Being neighborly is definitely the way to go for this big handsome bear shifter.

These two are so passionate with one another that you can tell the attraction is just mutual throughout.

This was a very enjoyable read.

[Toni Hector-Zepeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Series!
Every book is very entertaining full of family loyalty, romance, kind gentle but strong protective hero’s and sassy, beautiful heroines.
You can expect some kind of suspense or action in every book so the books are not just sexual encounters like a lot of books.
The books are stand alone but better if read in order of the series because the characters of Pinerock County feature throughout the series. I don’t know what else to say except I have few favorites authors but Zoe Chant has joined thier ranks as one of my favorites. I hope she keeps adding to the series I hate to see it end.
I haven’t purchased the series yet but I am going too because it is one of my favorites.

[Holly Fincher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happiness and love

Crystal was a woman on a mission. Her father had passed away and her mom was covered in debt from doctor bills. Her father told them his father had left him treasure on his old ranch. So Crystal went there searching for the treasure. When she got to the ranch she felt like she was home. Cody is a bear shifter and didn't think he was going to meet his mate. His brother told him about the woman who was looking for some help fixing up the ranch. When he drove over and saw Crystal he knew he had found his mate. Crystal knew she wanted to be with Cody. Luckily they came up with a way for Cody and Crystal to keep the ranch. Very satisfying read. You will definitely enjoy this book. On to #6....

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crystal must find out what the hidden treasure is on her family farm to help her mother. Cody longs for a mate, but thinks there isn't one out there for him. One look and both feel the connection. Will Crystal accept Cody's shifter side and that she is his mate? Will Cody find a solution to keeping Crystal in Pinerock?

Loved it! Love seeing Cody finally find his mate! These two were perfect for each other and really brought out better sides of the other. Loved how Crystal wasn't treasure hunting for selfish reasons. Cody didn't know her, but still volunteered to help. Great book and cannot wait for more from Zoe Chant!

[Rosemarie Grainer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cody finally has his turn!

I liked this one and was happy to see Cody meet his mate at last. This one was good, but it didn't hit me as hard as some of the others did. Crystal was nice, but I just did:t warm to her as much ad I did some of the others.

Maybe it is a little letdown, since there is only one more book in the series now. There is less action in this story, and the character development wasn't as solid to meas the others were. The steamy scenes were great. Since I loved Cody in the other stories, it was god to see him find his mate finally. Can't wait to see what book 6 has in store. See for yourself!

[Hilary Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Series

Hired Bear (Bears of Pinerock County Book 5) by Lauren Esker. Crystal arrived at her grandfathers farm and found it run down but feeling like home. If she didn’t find the treasure rumoured to be there she would have to sell the farm to pay for the medical bills when her father died. Bear shifter Cody from next door farm answered her when she asked for help. As soon as they met Cody knew she was his mate and she was very attracted to him. The day she was having to leave, to put the farm up for sale, Cody comes up with a plan for her to keep the farm and settle the medical bills.

[BreRile · Rating 4 out of 5]

The peacemaker bear fights for his HEA. Cody is the last Circle B bachelor and more than ready to settle down. He's shocked and delighted when the new neighbor he offers a helping hand is his fated mate. Crystal's only in town for 2 weeks either to find hidden treasure or sell the farm to save her family from bankruptcy. Only problem is, the more time she spends on the farm with Cody and his clan, the less sure she is about leaving. Cody knows they're meant to be and he won't let money or his stubborn alpha stop him from claiming his mate.

[Jennifer Holzapfel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crystal has arrived at her grandfather's long abandoned farm to look for buried treasure. The farm was left to her by her dad, who left her mom on the brink of bankruptcy from his medical bills. If she can't find the treasure she will sell the farm, after a huge amount of work that has to be done in two weeks. She needs help, hoping her rancher neighbor has a farm hand she can hire. Instead she gets Cody, her unbeknownst mate. Can she find the treasure to save her mom, or will she sell the farm, leaving her mate behind?

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only read one other book in this series and I like this one just as much.
Cody was such a sweetie and you could tell that he felt a little out of place on the Ranch, almost like he didn't fit there anymore. Crystal was looking for treasures to get her family out of debt due to medial bills and we see their heartwarming story of finding true treasures and love.
Overall a quick sweet read. I received an ARC with no obligation to leave my honest review.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Own

Cody was ready for his mate. Seeing his family all find their mates made him long for his mate. When he goes to help the new neighbor he is electrified by Crystal, his mate. Does she know about shifters? Will she be terrified? The more time he spends with her the more he knows he can't go back to his family ranch. He wants a farm of his own and he knows Crystal is falling in love with her family land. Can he ask her to stay?

[Robin Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Treasure Hunt

She came looking for a treasure her grandfather had told her father about. She found a ranch in dire need of fixing up and her fated mate. He offered her his services to help her and they grew closer as the property was whipped into shape. I liked the idea of her finding the treasure and what it meant to the land. I enjoyed this story of finding love, family, romance and a home. She found all this and got her HEA.

[Starfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this instalment of the Pinerock County Bears series a little more than earlier books, although still not as much as Alec and Charmian's story. But it was sweet and low-conflict, and it was nice to see both Cody and Crystal discovering who they were and what they wanted over the course of the story (also, it was lovely seeing how much Alec's grown as a character over the course of the series too)

[Koodie's Mum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final book.

I actually found myself disappointed that I had reached the end of the series!
Over the course of each book I found myself completely enraptured in the characters and their individual storylines.
I'm hoping to discover a new series involving their offsprings.
Fingers crossed!
As with all the other books in the series this too finished with my favourite ending... a HEA. ❤️

[Michelle Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was really good there's only 1 unanswered question I have why can't she shift if her mom is a shifter? Overall it was awesome cause of st. Louis lol but also, cause Cody deserved 2 B happy and he was the last 2 find someone and he was beginning 2 feel like he was never going 2 find anyone but a surprise showed up next door in the other farm and he was nice enough 2 help her with different things.