Laying Claim to the Lion

The Equipoise Solar System #1

by Amanda Kimberley

Pride packs a punch, but packs should never get in the way of the heart. The federation of Valet de Chambre has ordered Verena, Queen of the planet Effeminate, to produce a male heir for her kingdom within the successive 30 moon cycles. If she does not, she and her planet of female lion shifters will be forced into a life of servitude under Jaxson, King of the planet Emir and most of their Equipoise solar system. With her heart set on saving her planet, Verena voyages out of her solar system to find a man from Earth. She prays the man is worthy enough to produce an heir that will suffice the new laws of the federation of Valet de Chambre. The baby will grow and train to become Effeminate's successor. The plan was foolproof because every woman Effeminate has done this to have a family, and now it was her turn to seek a mate for the sole purpose of procreation. But what Verena wasn't counting on was falling for Ciro DeLuca. A man who drew her into his world and his circle of friends that he considers family. She hadn't known family in 170 moon cycles because Jaxson, a powerful king and panther shifter in his own right, killed her parents in the Battle of Quell. This forced the now named queen to produce an heir under federation law. Ciro holds a secret too. He is a werewitch and finds his werewolf side has wholly fallen for Verena. Yet, his witch side knows she is hiding something, and he hopes his clan can help him find out what she is keeping from him. Will Verena mate with Ciro and save her planet in time? Or will her fears of losing him to her lie overcome her? Will Ciro help Verena save her planet once he finds out the truth?

156 pages, Paperback

Published June 24, 2022

About the author

Amanda Kimberley is a USA Today bestselling author who writes swoon-worthy romance with a touch of magic and a whole lot of heart. She’s best known for her paranormal romances set in the UnearthyVerse, where small towns hide big secrets, good battles evil, and fairytale retellings collide with second chances, billionaire heroes, and the kind of insta-love that changes everything.
When she’s not exploring the supernatural side of romance, Amanda also writes contemporary love stories featuring small-town charm, second chances, and enemies-to-lovers tension. She lives in Texas with her family and a menagerie of pets, and when she’s not writing, you’ll usually find her gaming and dreaming up her next happily ever after.

Reviews

[Bethany Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I think this book was a sweet short story with likeable characters that had chemistry but I felt like some parts were a little clique and felt forced in the story like the writer wanted another ending but didn't choose it. This would good overall but I may read a full-length novel by this author in the future.

[Phoenix Seon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warnings:
#1: Discusses parental loss.
#2: Overbearing ex issues.
#3: HEA.

The story describes how Verena travels to Earth to conceive an heir so her planet isn't taken over by a rival, to whom she was previously betrothed. She meets and immediately falls for Ciro, a werewitch shifter.

I wasn't overly impressed with the layout of the story. The "love at first sight because our shifter sides recognize each other as mates" trope seemed forced. Their back and forth between "should I love; should I not?" is more confusing than convincing.

I understand that this is a shorter novel, but it seemed rushed and slightly conflicting, so I'm not convinced that I'll continue with the series.

(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and it was a new author to me and I think Ms. Kimberly's stories will be added to the authors I will read.

The characters were well rounded, the world building was very nice and the emotions it wrought from me made this a good choice from the booksirens website.

The characters interactions were realistic. I choose not to go into any details because i might give too much away and this would not entice you to read which is the purpose of any review in my opinion.

I think that this story would be a good choice for those who enjoy the shapeshifter romance genre. It holds everything you look for in a sook.

I chose to read this free copy from booksirens and would give my own honest review in my own words.

[Dana Busenbark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who are Verena, Jaxson, and Tilda? What conversation is being held and by whom at the beginning? Where are they from? What is the issue that is happening in their area? What do we learn about each of them? Is their different relationships contentious or friendly? Who is Burchard and what do we find him talking to Jaxson about? Who is Ciro? What do we learn? Oh my, when Verena returns home, what happens when Jaxson shows up and tries to go after Ciro? Who is Jilocasin? What happens when he makes his presence known? What does this mean for Jaxson? This was not at all what I expected; it was better. Enjoy the read! I cannot wait to see what happens in the next story if there is one.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laying Claim to the Lion is the first book in the series and is Ciro and Verena's story.

Verena was promised to Jaxson, but when he had a hand in the death of her parents, she called the match off. Now, Verena is needing an heir and has decided to take matters in her own hands and heads to Earth.

Ciro lived in a small pack on Earth and was drawn to Verena. Together they keep the secrets of what they were, until Jaxson followed her and was determined to get her back.

This is a unique shifter story with other solar system twist that grabs you from the start.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be quite interesting. I quite enjoy shifter books. This one involved shifters and aliens. The premise seemed a little much but the more I read and got into the story, the more I found it to be a bit readable and I enjoyed the drama. Some of it can be triggering drama. Loss, abusive ex, etc. might be a bit much for some readers. I did find that our protagonists were strong and wouldn't put up with any guff from Jaxon. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I will quite devour this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea for the story was good but the execution was not. The writing was choppy and very basic. In order to get a higher rating from me, there were need to be more - background on her culture and planet, more suspense, and more believability. I just didn't buy that her betrothed would run off after her or that she would meet her mate within minutes of landing. Some things were detailed (what he wore to dinner) and some things were not (what she wore to dinner) with no consistency. Unless this is a one-off, I won't read any other books from this author.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story with the relationship and history of Verena and Ciro as the focus. Although the narrative tries to make the inter-galactic aspect of the story a major point, it didn't add much and raised a couple of story points that didn't seem to mesh.

Fortunately, the heart of the story dealt with matters that transcended these road bumps for me. Love, duty, and family are at the core and fit well into the story arc.

While the characters of Verena and Ciro are well-developed, the other characters are relatively two-dimensional.

Overall, I enjoyed the story.

[Claire Turvey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A big miss for me, despite wanting to like this story

I wanted to like this story, but there were multiple issues that unfortunately prevented me from doing so. I found the dialogue stilted, the prose overly dramatic, multiple editing issues, and there were some leaps in logic that didn’t really make sense. The characters were unrealistic - even for a paranormal romance book - and there was a lot of internal ruminating that dominated much of the text.

Full disclosure: I was given an ARC of the book, however this review is my own honest opinion.

[StormEnchantra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Verena needed to seek a mate to produce an heir to save her people. She finds Ciro and falls in love with him. Can he accept her secret once he finds out? Will they be able to save Effeminate?

Series best read in order, but can be read as standalones. I highly recommend the series. Amanda's detail and research is amazing. Don't miss this hot, steamy read.

I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a few unanswered questions that I think would've helped book one. I can only hope that it'll be in book 2. Imagine being promised to the male that had A hand in The death of your parents. A female lead not only runs to earth to get away from him but to search for a mail to give her the heir she needs. And that just happens to be a lion shifter. For love for duty for your family that something lions are known for. So it's actually a perfect match. However, you know it ain't that easy.

[Barbara Emlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great start to a new series. Verena, queen of Effeminate a planet in the Eqiupoise solar system. She travels to Earth to find a man to mate with to produce a male heir to succeed her because the Federation of Valet de Chambre orders her to. She meets Ciro a were witch. Will she succeed in producing a male heir?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Guylande Jeudy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline had potential but it did not deliver. The characters were underdeveloped. I am a fan of insta-love but I was not feeling it in this book. I would also have liked to read about her people. Overall, it was an okay read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the The Equipoise Solar System series. It was entertaining and I fell in love with the characters. The storyline was interesting and pulled me in. It’s a steamy stand alone alien shifter romance that was well written and well developed. I can’t wait to see more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cynthia R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read. It was different from other paranormal romance. It has an interesting plot and you wonder what's going to happen next. I was surprised, and angry at certain times. I would have given this five stars if there was more to the witchcraft. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Amanda Kimberley; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the Equipoise Solar System Series; it is a stand-alone short story. The story is about Verena & Ciro; together to save their own planet.

[Yaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storyline was great even though the ending was a bit open because of what’s going to be happened towards Jaxson after he violated the treaty that’s been made of and of course about Ciro and Verena’s story.

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great start to a new series. The character work and story line were well written and kept my attention from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teri Ruscak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Kimberley
Laying Claim to the Lion (The Equipoise Solar System Series Book 1)
Shifter/Alien story
This book 1 in The Equipoise Solar System Series, and I really enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a good read.
Queen Verena (alien lioness) is trying to save her kingdom from the panther King Jaxson. King Jaxson wants Queen Verena for his mate and rein over the two kingdoms.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

great reading from this author. I enjoyed reading about the character connections and the storyline is great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story, but it could have been better. It seemed like it picked up in the middle of our couple's journey. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

[Vivian Chrisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laying Claim

A very entertaining story. The characters were well developed. The storyline flowed well and set up this new "world" nicely. Can't wait for more in this new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christine Karmelreads2665 W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trouble Brewing


Be sure to read this book first so that you can understand the characters development and actions as the book progresses into the next book.

The has given very strong leading characters, ruthless villains that rewrite history in their minds, and some crazy side characters. In the mix let's add aliens,witches, dragons, werewolves and vampires just to name a few species or beings and let us not forget space travel. This book will appeal to the reader that loves to mix it up.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily