What do you think?
Rate this book
Bare Bites #1
Marked By The Alpha
A Fated Mates Paranormal Romance
Gavin is the Alpha of the Bare Mountain Clan, and although he’s content, there’s something missing in his life.
His mate.
But when a snowstorm hits his area, he never expected to find her.
Alone, abandoned, and left to die, Liza was deserted by her pack in a strange territory. Always the lone wolf, her mismatched eyes and inability to shift has marked her as an outcast from birth.
But this unexpected adventure never prepared her for what she’d find.
Her mate.
Because what she’ll find out is that when a member of the Bare Clan mates... it’s for life.
Warning: Pull on some cozy socks and light the fire, we're going to Bare Mountain with a growly Alpha bear and his one and only mate!
Gavin is the Alpha of the Bare Mountain Clan, and although he’s content, there’s something missing in his life.
His mate.
But when a snowstorm hits his area, he never expected to find her.
Alone, abandoned, and left to die, Liza was deserted by her pack in a strange territory. Always the lone wolf, her mismatched eyes and inability to shift has marked her as an outcast from birth.
But this unexpected adventure never prepared her for what she’d find.
Her mate.
Because what she’ll find out is that when a member of the Bare Clan mates... it’s for life.
Warning: Pull on some cozy socks and light the fire, we're going to Bare Mountain with a growly Alpha bear and his one and only mate!
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2019
470 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Aria Cole
201 books1,371 followersAria Cole is the pen name of a USA Today bestselling author who published her first book in 2012 and began writing contemporary romance long before that.
Her books always feature possessive alpha men and the sassy, curvy, nerdy heroines who love them, along with a healthy dose of irresistible insta-love and happily-ever-afters sweet enough to make your teeth ache.
Follow Aria on Amazon for new release updates, or stalk her on social to see which daring book boyfriend she's writing next!
Newsletter - http://eepurl.com/ccGnRX
Instagram - http://bit.ly/2OzIWSA
Facebook - http://bit.ly/2d3UsDr
Twitter - http://bit.ly/2cppyRq
Her books always feature possessive alpha men and the sassy, curvy, nerdy heroines who love them, along with a healthy dose of irresistible insta-love and happily-ever-afters sweet enough to make your teeth ache.
Follow Aria on Amazon for new release updates, or stalk her on social to see which daring book boyfriend she's writing next!
Newsletter - http://eepurl.com/ccGnRX
Instagram - http://bit.ly/2OzIWSA
Facebook - http://bit.ly/2d3UsDr
Twitter - http://bit.ly/2cppyRq
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
October 3, 2019
To me, a shifter story should only have the character able to me with their fated mates. I was so happy when I read this and found out that they could only be with their mates. So no ex’s floating around l, which was delightful.
-no cheating
-zero ow/om drama
-instalove
-violence - a strange man was in the heroes house and assaults her by grabbing her arm pushing her down with his body. It was never mentioned who he was or why he did it
-good epilogue
-no cheating
-zero ow/om drama
-instalove
-violence - a strange man was in the heroes house and assaults her by grabbing her arm pushing her down with his body. It was never mentioned who he was or why he did it
-good epilogue
February 9, 2020
This is just sex with a tenuous story. I’ll be honest I expected more. A conversation into her past at the very least.
October 21, 2019
Too much too fast. I felt like I blinked and I was at the end with the most in love couple ever that knows next to nothing about each other.
The intimate scenes were written wonderfully just lacked a story for me.
Happy reading! DD 💕
The intimate scenes were written wonderfully just lacked a story for me.
Happy reading! DD 💕
October 18, 2021
No, No, and Hell No to C*nt Cream!!
1.5 Stars.....this was pretty terrible.
I didn't realize just how short this was until I opened it in my ereader, only 22 pages. Let me break it down for you. By page 3 Gavin and Liza know they are mates after just laying eyes on each other and their whole life now is only about each other. By page 6 Liza is begging Gavin to fuck her even though she has been stranded out in the snow on the verge of death for the last 2 days and she's only known him 10 mins. Gotta give him props he at least makes her bathe and eat first. Between page 7 - 17 they are getting down with the exception of Gavin having to fight off an unnamed shifter for 2 pages. They never even addressed her inability to shift.
Now let me just say I will usually read little shorts and novellas like this after a few full length novels like a little brain aperitif, to cleanse the ole palette if you know what I mean. I know you usually don't get a lot of depth with these and I usually cut them slack but this one had some special nuggets I just couldn't overlook.
The dialogue and descriptive phrases were ridiculous, case in point:
“That’s it, my sweet girl. Give me that delicious cunt cream.”
At this turn of phrase I actually jolted and looked away from my ereader and almost DNFed but I thought I can't DNF a 22 pages book. So I carried on. Then I actually had to start laughing at the descriptions in the steamy scenes, i.e.:
“You feel so good, so extra amazingly good.”
“Gavin, I love you so much.” She came swiftly again, the waves of her pleasure sending shockwaves to my balls.
Nerves crackled and spun out of control as arousal shuttled through my shaft and spun out through the sensitive tip in violent jets.
“I love you so much it hurts to think what I did all these years without you.”
I'm pretty sure it hurts cause there is something wrong with his dick and its violent shockwaves lol!!
Then it finishes with 3, yes I said 3, epilogues. Wow...at least it cracked me up.
1.5 Stars.....this was pretty terrible.
I didn't realize just how short this was until I opened it in my ereader, only 22 pages. Let me break it down for you. By page 3 Gavin and Liza know they are mates after just laying eyes on each other and their whole life now is only about each other. By page 6 Liza is begging Gavin to fuck her even though she has been stranded out in the snow on the verge of death for the last 2 days and she's only known him 10 mins. Gotta give him props he at least makes her bathe and eat first. Between page 7 - 17 they are getting down with the exception of Gavin having to fight off an unnamed shifter for 2 pages. They never even addressed her inability to shift.
Now let me just say I will usually read little shorts and novellas like this after a few full length novels like a little brain aperitif, to cleanse the ole palette if you know what I mean. I know you usually don't get a lot of depth with these and I usually cut them slack but this one had some special nuggets I just couldn't overlook.
The dialogue and descriptive phrases were ridiculous, case in point:
“That’s it, my sweet girl. Give me that delicious cunt cream.”
At this turn of phrase I actually jolted and looked away from my ereader and almost DNFed but I thought I can't DNF a 22 pages book. So I carried on. Then I actually had to start laughing at the descriptions in the steamy scenes, i.e.:
“You feel so good, so extra amazingly good.”
“Gavin, I love you so much.” She came swiftly again, the waves of her pleasure sending shockwaves to my balls.
Nerves crackled and spun out of control as arousal shuttled through my shaft and spun out through the sensitive tip in violent jets.
“I love you so much it hurts to think what I did all these years without you.”
I'm pretty sure it hurts cause there is something wrong with his dick and its violent shockwaves lol!!
Then it finishes with 3, yes I said 3, epilogues. Wow...at least it cracked me up.
October 2, 2019
Who doesn't want a shifter book where they can only be with their mate?! Double V's for the win. INSTA. No messing around here! I just wish she would of all of a sudden been more in touch with her wolf after she met him. But that just means he accepted her no matter what. Very sweet H. Not afraid of his emotions with her. And there was a part at the beginning where he asked her name more than once.
October 8, 2019
Gavin and Liza are fated mates.
He’s a bear and she is a wolf shifter who cannot shift. So she’s been thrown out by her own family. Harsh, right?!?!? Good thing Gavin finds her and takes care of her.
I really Sweet shifter romance which I wish was longer. I wanted more of these characters. This is the only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5.
He’s a bear and she is a wolf shifter who cannot shift. So she’s been thrown out by her own family. Harsh, right?!?!? Good thing Gavin finds her and takes care of her.
I really Sweet shifter romance which I wish was longer. I wanted more of these characters. This is the only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5.
October 16, 2019
When I see a book by Aria Cole or Mila Crawford I know that is no way that I am not not going to buy it. The story was sweet and unusual in the fact that they were different shifter species.
Liza is the outcast of her pack, unable to shift, classed as the runt and with two different coloured eyes she isn’t really shocked when her pack abandons her. So alone and lost the last thing she was expecting was her mate to arrive and save her from a snow storm but if her own kind can reject her for her inability to shift will her mate do the same and she really just meant to stay alone?
Gavin has been waiting and searching for his mate for what feels like forever and had nearly given up hope of finding his true mate but one he catches her scent there is mothing and no one that can stop him from claiming her all for himself all he has to do is convince her she is worthy of the love he has for her and that he won’t abandon her.
Great quick shifter story. These two authors never disappoint. Great and perfect read for me.
Liza is the outcast of her pack, unable to shift, classed as the runt and with two different coloured eyes she isn’t really shocked when her pack abandons her. So alone and lost the last thing she was expecting was her mate to arrive and save her from a snow storm but if her own kind can reject her for her inability to shift will her mate do the same and she really just meant to stay alone?
Gavin has been waiting and searching for his mate for what feels like forever and had nearly given up hope of finding his true mate but one he catches her scent there is mothing and no one that can stop him from claiming her all for himself all he has to do is convince her she is worthy of the love he has for her and that he won’t abandon her.
Great quick shifter story. These two authors never disappoint. Great and perfect read for me.
October 10, 2019
I kept waiting for SOMETHING to happen, but nothing ever did. We never even get a conversation on the heroine's past, background or shifting ability.
I went into this with too many expectations. It was just two long sex scenes and a couple of epilogues.
I went into this with too many expectations. It was just two long sex scenes and a couple of epilogues.
October 9, 2019
Super fast pace and fluff!!
Gavin sees his mate Liza hurt (emotionally) since her pack abandoned her since she looks different and can't fully shift since she's a runt.. her family doesn't like her.
He makes sure she's loved, protected and mated.. thats pretty much the story only a tiny drama with another member of the pack?
I wish he met her parents to take them out or something..
No ow/om drama, no cheating, Tiny drama, slight secondary chara, sexy times, Both virgins
Recommend- yes
Cover-⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prologue
Older/younger couple
18h/30H
Shifters
Safe
No condom
Hea
Epilogue +bonus
Gavin sees his mate Liza hurt (emotionally) since her pack abandoned her since she looks different and can't fully shift since she's a runt.. her family doesn't like her.
He makes sure she's loved, protected and mated.. thats pretty much the story only a tiny drama with another member of the pack?
I wish he met her parents to take them out or something..
No ow/om drama, no cheating, Tiny drama, slight secondary chara, sexy times, Both virgins
Recommend- yes
Cover-⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prologue
Older/younger couple
18h/30H
Shifters
Safe
No condom
Hea
Epilogue +bonus
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2019
What do you get when a bear shifter finds his wolf mate. A hella good book apparently. Loved it. I got my insta-everything. These two were mates, and she literally jumped in his arms when he found her. I do mean literally. No waiting blah blah shenanigans, just bam, I finally found my fated mate and I am all in, loved it. This was a super safe read, both virgins. These two were relationship goals for sure, so damn sweet. “Everything that is mine is yours—this house, my heart, my love, and someday my babies, they all belong to you.”. Right, warm and fuzzy relationship goals. We get 1, 2, and 3 epilogues...I know, right....you’re welcome. And an hea. This book just made me happy. For me, sometimes less is so much more. Loved, loved it.
October 3, 2019
What quick Alpha read!
This book is full of a strong, domineering man, that grips from page 1 until the end.
This couple's attraction is intense and quick!
I love the multi epilogue's too!
This book is full of a strong, domineering man, that grips from page 1 until the end.
This couple's attraction is intense and quick!
I love the multi epilogue's too!
October 9, 2019
This was a great book. The story was very well written and flowed well. The story kept me turning the pages until the very end. The characters are great together and have off the charts chemistry with each other. I received this as an arc in return for my honest opinion and would highly recommend this read!
July 18, 2021
Meet, Mate, Marry kinda Fated Mates Romance.
× No plot.
× No OM/OW
× No background info. about Gavin.
× Didn't delve into the past of FL.
× No plot.
× No OM/OW
× No background info. about Gavin.
× Didn't delve into the past of FL.
October 7, 2019
Gavin has been searching for his mate and at 30, he thought he would never find her. But when he finally scents her in his woods and smells fear coming from her, he knows he will do everything he can to protect her.
-safe read
-dual virgins
-no om/ow drama
-very slight violence where om tries to push himself on the h. H steps in quickly and eliminates risk.
-multiple epilogues. 6 months, 3 years and 6 years
-safe read
-dual virgins
-no om/ow drama
-very slight violence where om tries to push himself on the h. H steps in quickly and eliminates risk.
-multiple epilogues. 6 months, 3 years and 6 years
August 8, 2022
Turns out I am over these OTT alphas who are overcome with lust. This is just not how I would ever want a man to talk to me or act with me. This is a virgin male talk to his virgin mate he met 2 hours ago after finding her freezing and weak on the woods:
“Baby, you better believe that I’m going to fuck you to next Tuesday.” He grabbed my hand and moved it to his bulging cock, holding it there. “You feel that? You feel how fucking hard my cock is? The fucker could cut through some damn glass.
Also, even though he is a virgin he managed not bang her in multiple positions, including u against the wall, okay with her clit and the came at the same time. Of course they did. 🤮
Just not for me. At all. But what do I expect from a 41 page book!?😝
This is pron ya read alone at night. Not a book you read for the story.
Virgin rating:
Innocence of virgin hero: 5/5 (no erection until u find your mate)
Innocence in losing it: 1/5
Build up to losing it: 2/5
Hotness of losing it: 2/5
Busted touching himself: no
POV of losing it: male
“Baby, you better believe that I’m going to fuck you to next Tuesday.” He grabbed my hand and moved it to his bulging cock, holding it there. “You feel that? You feel how fucking hard my cock is? The fucker could cut through some damn glass.
Also, even though he is a virgin he managed not bang her in multiple positions, including u against the wall, okay with her clit and the came at the same time. Of course they did. 🤮
Just not for me. At all. But what do I expect from a 41 page book!?😝
This is pron ya read alone at night. Not a book you read for the story.
Virgin rating:
Innocence of virgin hero: 5/5 (no erection until u find your mate)
Innocence in losing it: 1/5
Build up to losing it: 2/5
Hotness of losing it: 2/5
Busted touching himself: no
POV of losing it: male
October 7, 2019
I love me an alpha shifter and these authors/this story was perfection! Everything I wanted. Insta love, alpha, hotness, possessive and humor! This was on the novella side of stories and perfect for the story that was told. I loved the instant attraction and how the alpha took to his lady with aggression and passion! In this fantasy story in which the mates can only be with each other, in my opinion that makes the steam level that much higher. There were lines of sass and humor that helped the story flow and I loved how the two main characters fought each other (but not really).
I liked the balance of action to passion and I hope these authors will write more in this world. If you enjoy traditional alpha shifter stories you will enjoy this one as well. I would have liked a bit more background story, maybe about certain people who showed up but were never mentioned again (felt like an unanswered thread).
October 9, 2019
Two World Collide
Gavin and Liza's story was a fantastic mix of sweet and HOT!
Loved them being a mated pair but different shifter species. That isn't a normal theme in shifter books and I really liked how that played out in this book.
Liza being the runt of her pact, being unable to shift and those gorgeous 2 different colored eyes were all the reasons her family/pack abandoned her...but none of that mattered to her true mate, he saw her for who/what she truly was, a wonderful woman and perfection in his eyes.
The intensity and depth of connection in a mated shifted pair is always one of my favorite. It's very moving and when well written like this book was honestly catches me right in the feels and makes me long for a deep connection like that.
So glad the cover models eyes caught my attention and the blurb sealed the deal, this was great story!
Gavin and Liza's story was a fantastic mix of sweet and HOT!
Loved them being a mated pair but different shifter species. That isn't a normal theme in shifter books and I really liked how that played out in this book.
Liza being the runt of her pact, being unable to shift and those gorgeous 2 different colored eyes were all the reasons her family/pack abandoned her...but none of that mattered to her true mate, he saw her for who/what she truly was, a wonderful woman and perfection in his eyes.
The intensity and depth of connection in a mated shifted pair is always one of my favorite. It's very moving and when well written like this book was honestly catches me right in the feels and makes me long for a deep connection like that.
So glad the cover models eyes caught my attention and the blurb sealed the deal, this was great story!
October 20, 2019
Mila Crawford and Aria Cole did a great job on Marked By The Alpha, the story was written well with a great plot. Gavin and Liza were great characters, they were made for each other. They were drawn to each other from the start. Gavin was very protective and caring when it came to Liza. Their bond was strong, they were well mated. The connection was strong and their chemistry was sweet and sexy. Liza and Gavin were great together.
I enjoyed this story, it was great.
Thank you, Aria Cole and Mila Crawford. Great work :)
I enjoyed this story, it was great.
Thank you, Aria Cole and Mila Crawford. Great work :)
October 2, 2019
Sweet and sexy are the two words I associate with Aria Cole and Mila Crawford. These ladies can pack a novella with all the sweetness and heat you could want. Gavin is a bear that has searched and searched for his mate. Liza has been an outcast her whole life. Together they are whole. Totally safe, intense and downright adorable, Marked by the Alpha was just awesome! I have to beg these ladies to please give us more shifters!
October 8, 2019
Gavin and Liza, their story is short sweet and so sexy. She is a wolf shifter who doesn't shift. Liza is left in the woods by her pack to fend for herself. Gavin has been waiting all his life for his mate, nature made sure that he found her. Liza and Gavin is a guaranteed HEA with a cherry on top. Just sit back with your glass of wine and let the story take you through the fantasy. I volunteered to review a copy of this story.
October 5, 2019
It's a fast read with mates finding each other and insta-love. It's steamy and sweet with a guaranteed HEA a future and babies (or in this case--cubs). Do if you love getting the sweet and the juicy parts of a story and skipping to the HEA with as little drama as possible, you can't break these stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 9, 2019
Very sweet!
This was a super sweet and quick read.
After being abandoned by her pack, Liza is rescued by Gavin and they know instantly that they’re mates!
I loved how Gavin was so sweet and gentle with Liza. She’s his everything. I can’t wait to read the next in this series! ♥️
This was a super sweet and quick read.
After being abandoned by her pack, Liza is rescued by Gavin and they know instantly that they’re mates!
I loved how Gavin was so sweet and gentle with Liza. She’s his everything. I can’t wait to read the next in this series! ♥️
October 7, 2019
This was a perfect little lunchtime read. It was incredibly entertaining and really well written. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book in exchange for a free copy.
October 9, 2019
Sexy bear!
This was a great,short shifter story. Gavin was so great with Liza. I think this story speaks to, it doesn’t matter where you come from,you are worthy of love.
This was a great,short shifter story. Gavin was so great with Liza. I think this story speaks to, it doesn’t matter where you come from,you are worthy of love.
October 3, 2019
Short and sweet but wouldn't except anything less from this duo team of authors. I've been reading shifter books lately so this ARC opportunity came at the perfect time.
Gavin can smell her from yards away, his mate, Liza, dumped in the woods and left on the snowy ground. Thankfully Gavin was there to take care of her.
This book is an insta-love story but it worked out for this kind of genre. I only wish there was a little more details on Liza and her background. Another book would be welcome, hunt hint.
*ARC offered for an honest review, nothing more, nothing less*
Gavin can smell her from yards away, his mate, Liza, dumped in the woods and left on the snowy ground. Thankfully Gavin was there to take care of her.
This book is an insta-love story but it worked out for this kind of genre. I only wish there was a little more details on Liza and her background. Another book would be welcome, hunt hint.
*ARC offered for an honest review, nothing more, nothing less*
October 5, 2019
This book you’ll read on a whim, but you won’t want to stop reading it!
At first I was kind of confused by the bear shifting thing but I quickly got h hang of it and started loving the book.
Gavin , as an alpha man (or bear) has all the traits that I love and by being o alpha and loving Liza like he does he makes her feel safe and even brave (which I love).
Even though is a quick read, you’ll love it from start to finish.
HAPPY READINGS!!!
At first I was kind of confused by the bear shifting thing but I quickly got h hang of it and started loving the book.
Gavin , as an alpha man (or bear) has all the traits that I love and by being o alpha and loving Liza like he does he makes her feel safe and even brave (which I love).
Even though is a quick read, you’ll love it from start to finish.
HAPPY READINGS!!!
October 8, 2019
If you love insta- love then this book is for you. Gavin is at the top of his pack as the alpha bear. While Liza is at the bottom, the runt of her wolf pack. When Liza pack abandons her she is at the low point and is ready to just give in. Then enters Gavin, the very moment he smells her he knows that she will be his forever. Both of them recognize that they are meant to be together. But outside forces will try to tear them apart. Gavin will protect Liza no matter the cost.
October 4, 2019
The story is about a girl/shifter wolf, who was unable to shift so her pack left her in the woods to die by herself without any way to survive. Only her crying was heard by the Alpha of a bear pack. He found her and took her back to his home...
This is a quick read and I enjoyed reading it. I recommend it for a quick read book.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
This is a quick read and I enjoyed reading it. I recommend it for a quick read book.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
October 8, 2019
Wow... shifter ... alpha.. fated mates, what do you need more!?? A short novella with a swoonworthy alphabear who will be just with his fated mate. Love the double virgins theme as always. Totally safe read. Can't wait for the next book in this series .🥰🥰🥰 Aria Cole and Mila Crawford made a great start for this new shifter series.
October 9, 2019
Marked By The Alpha
I absolutely love shifter books and this hot little bite of shifter goodness is no exception! I'm really hoping that this is going to be a series! Marked By The Alpha includes fated mates, duel innocence, a happily ever after and babies! All of that in a 40 minute read. What more could you ask for!?!?!
I absolutely love shifter books and this hot little bite of shifter goodness is no exception! I'm really hoping that this is going to be a series! Marked By The Alpha includes fated mates, duel innocence, a happily ever after and babies! All of that in a 40 minute read. What more could you ask for!?!?!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews